New Benefits Blog: COVID-19 Resources

Protection Benefits

kmason@newbenefits.com (New Benefits Blog) — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 17:14:36 GMT

Employees are struggling with concerns beyond just health during this time. These resources help protect employees and their families from certain challenges:

Financial Wellness

As people are losing their jobs, losing their businesses, or worrying about potentially damaging healthcare costs, financial security is crucial. With Financial Wellness, members can receive live one-on-one coaching to assess issues, discuss options, and determine the best course of action. Members can also learn and work independently through vetted articles, videos, worksheets, checklists, and more in the online portal.

LawAssure

As we face a lot of uncertainty, members can focus on protecting their families and their assets with quick and easy online access to time critical legal documents. Members save hundreds of dollars on legal fees with the ability to create wills, healthcare directives, living trusts, and more from the safety of home.

ID Sanctuary

With the rapid changes being made and new programs rolling out in response to COVID-19 — including a tax due-date extension and new direct stimulus payments from the IRS — there’s been an increase in fraudulent calls, emails, and letters. There’s also been an increase in online shopping, increasing the risk of credit card theft. Protect members from identity theft with ID Sanctuary, which, along with many other robust features, provides unlimited 24/7 restoration assistance whenever a member’s identity has been compromised.

Information about COVID-19

New Benefits — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 14:31:32 GMT

During this time of concern about the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, it’s important for us to be well-informed and prepared. Read our blog, "Arm Yourself with Knowledge about Coronavirus" for trusted information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surrounding common questions about COVID-19, how you can protect yourself, and what to do if you get sick.

Virtual Healthcare Benefits

New Benefits — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 14:28:18 GMT

With “stay-at-home” measures in place across the country, virtual healthcare solutions are more important than ever. Direct your groups and members to these benefits:

Doctors Online

Doctors Online, powered by eDocAmerica, is an email-based communication tool available 24/7 to answer questions about COVID-19 and triage symptoms as needed. The benefit connects the user to a healthcare professional who can provide trusted help and up-to-date info. Employers and members with access have unlimited use of this free service. Doctors Online has increased their on-call medical staff, who are equipped to work remotely and will continue to service employees during this time.

Doctors Online Plus

Getting requests to talk to a human? Doctors Online Plus provides a 24/7 nurseline in addition to the email-based tool so members can speak directly with a nurse over the phone.

NurseLine

With Health Advocate’s NurseLine, registered nurses are available by phone 24/7 to address members’ coronavirus questions and concerns. Members can call a nurse for self-care tips, how to best prevent illness, or what to do if they’re sick.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine helps members avoid crowded waiting rooms and expensive ER visits with 24/7 access to doctors by phone or video. Doctors offer a diagnosis, treatment options, and prescription, if medically necessary, for non-emergency conditions. Our telemedicine vendors include Teladoc, MeMD, and MDLIVE.

Mental Health Benefits

New Benefits — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 14:19:17 GMT

Anxiety, depression, and stress are building along with the unknowns and isolation due to the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the CDC, feelings of anxiety and stress during a pandemic can manifest in a number of ways. This includes financial stress, a change in sleeping and eating patterns, worsening chronic or mental health conditions, and increased substance abuse.

To avoid the consequences of isolation, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health recommends spending 15 minutes each day writing or talking to a loved one, staying connected to friends through social media, and finding ways to help others.

Sometimes just talking to someone is all you need to lift your spirits. With our variety of mental health resources, members can talk to a counselor from the safety of home:

Telemedicine Behavioral Health

Telemedicine Behavioral Health through Teladoc, MeMD, and MDLIVE provides access to licensed therapists and psychiatrist via video or phone. Members can receive help for anxiety, stress, depression, and many common behavioral health concerns from the comfort and privacy of their own home.

Telephonic EAP

Telephonic EAP provides members with unlimited 24/7 access to counselors by phone who can give short-term assistance for personal issues like stress, depression, family problems, substance abuse, and more.

Counseling Services

Through Counseling Services, members receive support for issues like stress, grief, family issues, and transitions. Members can call 24/7 for an evaluation, and then schedule a free phone session from the comfort and convenience of home.

Advocacy Benefits

New Benefits — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 14:15:05 GMT

During these difficult times, we could all use a helping hand. These advocacy resources can help members ease the burden of managing healthcare or caregiving responsibilities:

Health Advocacy

In this time of confusion and stress, members can lean on health advocates for help. Advocates from Compass and Health Advocate are available to walk members through their benefits and determine the most cost-effective care options if necessary.

Connected Caregiving

Caregiving is challenging in and of itself. When faced with the additional concern of keeping their loved one safe from a contagious illness, things can become overwhelming very quickly. The Connected Caregiving platform by alska helps caregivers maintain care needs, manage paperwork, update family members, and find support - all from the safety of home.

Care Companions

A lot of seniors are in isolation as they try to protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19. Not only are some of them unable to get the groceries and medications they need, they’re also suffering from loneliness and depression. Care Companions by Papa is now offering a virtual companionship solution, giving seniors someone to converse with, deliver necessities, and help set up telehealth solutions.

New Benefits Office Updates

New Benefits — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 14:13:02 GMT

New Benefits has taken the appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of our employees by enabling all staff to work remotely and provide uninterrupted service to our members and clients.

Member Support Call Center

We do not anticipate disruption of services for your members during this time as our service advocates are equipped to work remotely.

Print Services

Our print center is open for business and ready to accept print requests. We are following recommended guidelines and best practices to protect our employees through daily sanitation of all print equipment and requiring social distancing in our large print center. Please contact PChristensen@NewBenefits.com as well as your Account Executive for any print inquiries or orders.