Even Covid-19 can’t stop the importance of remembering to recognize that March is celebrated as Wellness month. As a matter of fact, likely even more reason to be mindful of our physical and mental health these days. It’s the right time to check in with our bodies and minds and not find it frivolous to ensure we’re taking the best care of ourselves. Ok, I will put this chocolate chip cookie down now as I type.
In the early days of Covid, we didn’t seem to know which way was up and found ourselves wiping down grocery bags and investing in Lysol wipes. I found myself sometimes doing deep breathing exercises “just in case” my lungs would be put to the test. We now know so much more and thanks to our front line health care heroes, have found our communities cared for during more than trying times and due to the investments made in science and research, had truly record setting speeds on vaccine developments and approval. All really good things.
Thanks to the broadband networks powered by communications providers, including NTCA members, telemedicine became a real “thing” and not a fad. NTCA saw it’s overall utilization of our GHP Teladoc increase by 20 percent in 2020 and nationwide, the number of telehealth medical claims increased 3,060 percent. Digital pharmacies, chronic care platforms, test kit apps and portals where patients can track their health details have also proliferated.
However, the power of telemedicine is brought home when seen through the eyes of patients and communities where it makes a difference which is why it was so powerful to highlight the work that the Smart Rural Community powered by Paul Bunyan Communications is doing. Not unlike many others in the NTCA family.
We’ll be finding ways over the course of this month to share thoughts and tidbits on staying healthy and creating space to focus on wellness so I will kick off close to home with the GHP mailer for our wellness program that highlights our Rally Wellness program, complete with participants and their eligible spouse able to earn up to $150 in electronic gift cards. Biometric screenings, completing 3 Rally Missions or working with the Rally Coach program are easy ways to earn free rewards….and that is in addition to the real savings Wellness Plan participants can garner from premium discounts for being part of the program. I figured it might be nearing the end of the 1st quarter of the year but given all of the challenges in the health care arena these days, it’s never to late to focus on taking better care of ourselves and setting wellness goals that will ensure that I eat better, move more, manage stress and maybe challenge myself to get back to my college days weight (ok, that last one might be a stretch!).
Check it out, scan the code and get started today!