Health Insurance Blog

Oxford Health Insurance put out a Swine Flu quick reference guide on their website to help members and employers stay safe. 

With the concern over the Swine Flu virus still around, these helpful tips will come in very handy:

1. Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after sneezing or coughing.  Use alcohol based cleaners.
2. Avoid contact with those who are sick.
3. Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when sneezing or coughing.  Throw away tissues and do not reuse.
4. Touch eyes, nose and mouth as little as possible since germs spread that way.

Although none of these tips are a guarentee that you will remain healthy, they will increase your chances of not obtaining the Swine Flu virus as well as other viruses.

According to the article “New York, New Jersey UnitedHealth subsidiaries see ratings rise” by IFAwenews Staff, A.M. Best has upgraded its ratings on Oxford Health Plans in NY, NJ and CT and Oxford Health Insurance, Inc. 

This ratings service upgraded their financial strength from A- to an A.  Issuer credit ratings were increased from A- to A as well.  In addition to name benefits, A.M. Best also noted that the subsidiaries’ solid risk based capitalization and encouraging earnings, especially at Oxford Health Plans, in NY, and Oxford Health Insurance.

Oxford Health Plans and Oxford Health Insurance offer health care benefits to individuals as well as employers in NY, NJ and CT with commercial products, including HMOs, PPO health insurance, point of service plans and consumer driven plans.  UnitedHealth is one of the country’s largest publicly traded health care companies serving over 70 million Americans with many different services and products.

Oxford Health Insurance has a publication called Healthy Mind Healthy Body and it is looking to keep its members healthier by updating them on medical news and giving diet and fitness advice.  One particular article discusses some valuable information on helping you eat consciously which may make you healthier and keep your health insurance costs down in the long run.

Medical research has shown a very strong link between eating the right foods and health.  Many experts suggest that some diseases such as diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease can be prevented through eating a healthy diet.  This diet should include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat dairy and lean protein sources.  While some of this may seem obvious, many underestimate the power of these healthy foods.  Saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars should be limited and of course regular exercise is a must.

With the recent US declaration of a public health emergency in response to reports of swine flu, Oxford Health Insurance, owned by UnitedHealthcare, put out a convenient quick reference guide to better understand how to protect yourself and people around you.  View the quick reference guide and if you have any additional questions contact Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.