Blue365 Heart Rate Monitor Discount

Members of a BlueCross BlueShield health plan that participates in the Blue365 discount program can now get a fitness heart rate monitor at a substantial discount.Blue365 provides discounts on health products and services to many BC/BS members.Check your health plan's website for more information.
For a limited time,Polar(R) is offering its FT4 monitor at a 20 dollar discount.It lists at 99.95,but Blue365 members can get one for 79.95 with free shipping.The FT4 allows you to check your heart rate and target activity levels;calories burned;and more.It comes in purple,orange,bronze,and silver textile colors.
Other deals are in the categories of Fitness;Healthy Eating;Living;Personal Care;and Wellness.
Blue365 helps members safeguard and improve their health,while matching vendors with customers.
Polar(R):Listen To Your Body

National Walk@Lunch Day 2012

National Walk@Lunch Day will be held Wednesday,April 25 at businesses across the country.Sponsored by local member plans of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association,employees are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and take a lunchtime walk.It is intended to be the start of a new daily walking routine,to improve their help step by step.Thus the program improves their personal health and reduces costs for all concerned. Schools are also invited to participate in the event,setting personal goals for students and teachers,incorporating walking into the school day as a first step in a preventative health regimen.Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week improves cardiovascular health;lowers the risk of developing or dying from type 2 diabetes;and strengthens muscles,bones and joints. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association,whose member plans provide health insurance to 100 million Americans,invites you to participate on Wednesday,April 25 and begin walking toward a healthier America and a healthier you.National Walk@Lunch Day is an extension of the BCBSA's WalkingWorks fitness program.

Philanthropy Today:CareFirst Backs Nutrition Support for the Critically Ill

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield,the largest health insurer in the Mid-Atlantic region,has awarded a 450,000 dollar grant to provide home-delivered entrees,groceries and nutrition counseling to the critically ill through the Food&Friends organization's Groceries-to-Go program.The three year grant will assist clients of the program,who include those with cancer,HIV/AIDS,and other life-challenging illnesses.
With CareFirst's grant,Food&Friends,for the first time in its history,will be able to deliver fresh produce to patients on a regular,year-round basis.
A huge ceremonial check was presented at a special event in which CareFirst employee volunteers prepared and packaged food for the patients in the Food&Friends kitchen.Among those attending the occasion were Washington,D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray;Prince George's County,Maryland County Executive Rushern L. Baker,III;and CareFirst Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs Maria Harris Tildon.Craig Shniderman,Executive Director of Food&Friends,accepted the check on behalf of the charity.
CareFirst's Ms.Tildon said supporting Food&Friends is part of CareFirst's regional efforts to promote wellness and enhance access to health care and social services for some of our region's most vulnerable populations.It is the largest corporate operating gift ever received by Food&Friends.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is a non-profit health plan company under statutory regulation.It serves 3.3 million residents of D.C.,Maryland and Northern Virginia.

WellPoint Anxious For Clarity

As the nation's largest health insurer,WellPoint is anxious to get certainty about health care reform and economic recovery.It does appear that we've hit the floor at this point,according to Chief Financial Officer Wayne S. DeVeydt,and we might see improvement in the next quarter.The 14% increase in WellPoint's premiums in California is not sustainable,however.They've got to get the care costs down.The key is avoiding duplicate procedures.
The health care reform law is weighing on WellPoint's stock.They have to get better clarity about it soon.Nonetheless,the firm's net headcount isn't dropping.It employs about 42,000 Associates.
Based in Indianapolis,WellPoint operates as a licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association in 14 states,with 33.5 million members.It has been honored by Fortune magazine as a Most Admired Company in its field for 2007,and has also received a workplace diversity award.Its earnings per share were up for Q2,and it raised its full year guidance as well.WellPoint buys back billions of dollars worth of shares to support its stock.Angela F. Braly is President,Chair and CEO of the insurer.
WellPoint(WLP)

National Walk@Lunch Day

Wednesday,April 28 is National Walk@Lunch Day.The annual event is a program of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association,a family of health insurance companies that insures one in three Americans.It is meant to encourage physical activity as an integral part of each work day.Dr.Linton Wray,Medical Director at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield,one of the member companies,says that,in our busy lives,we really need to take time for a little exercise.Employers are encouraged to include this event in their wellness programs.Walking becomes a social event during the day.We try to encourage people to start slowly-if nothing else,to walk up and down a flight of stairs inside,then progress to walking outside.
A brisk walk can
-decrease the risk of a heart attack or type 2 diabetes
-control weight
-improve muscle tone
-reduce your stress level
The BCBSA has an ongoing program,WalkingWorks,which helps you track your progress.Join WalkingWorks for free at www.walkingworks.com