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Janine Romero – Page 7 – WorkCare

Author: Janine Romero

Thinking About Therapeutic Massage?
Post by Samantha Lemaster, Industrial Injury Prevention Specialist

Therapeutic massage, the mobilization of soft tissue to return the body to normal functioning, may be recommended when an employee has work-related physical discomfort, is recovering from an injury, or wants to take preventive steps to stay fit and flexible.

Therapeutic massages for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and other physical complaints can help shorten recovery time.

Types of therapeutic massages include neuromuscular, myofascial, trigger point and sports. Reasons for obtaining a therapeutic massage vary depending on the circumstances. For example, it may be recommended to help:
- Relieve muscle aches, joint or jaw pain and headaches
- Reduce stress-related tension and anxiety
- Improve range of motion in affected joints
- Correct alignment after prolonged sitting or awkward postures
- Provide better-quality sleep for improved safety and productivity
- Lower blood pressure and stimulate better circulation
It’s advisable to consult with a professional, such as a WorkCare industrial injury prevention specialist with training in sports medicine and ergonomics or other qualified provider, to determine which type of therapeutic massage and local practitioner would be most likely to produce the best results.

Insurance Coverage

For both employers and their employees, it’s important to understand insurance coverage options when considering massage therapy as an option. States and insurers vary in their approach. Work-related and non-occupational conditions may qualify for full or partial coverage, or they may not be covered at all.

Massage therapy for work-related physical complaints is covered under workers’ compensation insurance plans in some, but not all, jurisdictions. Typically, an insurance claims adjuster or department will determine whether massage therapy is medically necessary based on the diagnosis. In such cases, a prescription or referral from the diagnosing physician or other qualified provider is required. A case manager may be assigned to oversee care of the injured employee.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, some, but not all, personal health insurance plans cover massage therapy. Some insurers require “medical massage” to be performed by a physical therapist, occupational therapist or chiropractor to qualify for coverage. In addition, certain current procedural terminology (CPT) codes may apply. Commonly used ones include massage therapy, manual therapy, neuromuscular re-reduction, hot/cold packs and therapeutic exercise.

When contacting a personal insurance plan provider about coverage, here are some questions to ask:
1. Which types of massage qualify for coverage?
2. What are the conditions that qualify for reimbursement?
3. Is there a deductible or any other out-of-pocket expense?
4. Is there a maximum payable per-policy, per-year/term clause?
5. Is there a maximum reimbursement per visit?
6. Is there a time limit per body region?
7. Is there a body region limit? (For example, if the right forearm is injured can therapeutic techniques only be applied on that arm?)
8. Are there specific therapists who must provide treatment in order to be covered?
Learn more about WorkCare’s Industrial Injury Prevention Program and how our specialists help protect and promote employee health through onsite and virtual engagements, email us at communications@workcare.com.

Samantha Lemaster, MBA, LAT, ATC, CEAS, is a WorkCare Industrial Injury Prevention Specialist based in Lenexa, Kansas.
21 December 2022
Gift of Giving Stimulates Business

During the holiday season, many of us exchange gifts, celebrate with co-workers, and spend time with family and friends with an attitude of gratitude. Corporate philanthropy is another example of these traditions.

Giving USA 2022: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2021, reports that individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations gave an estimated $484.85 billion to U.S. charities in 2021, representing a 4 percent increase compared to 2020 without adjusting for inflation. Meanwhile, Double the Donation reported a 12 percent increase in online giving last year.

Between 2020 and 2021, giving by corporations increased by nearly 24 percent (18.3 percent when adjusted for inflation), for a total of $21.08 billion, according to the Giving USA Foundation report, a comprehensive review of sources and uses of charitable giving. In 2021, the second year of the pandemic, the increase in U.S. corporate giving was attributed, in part, to strong gross domestic product indicators and favorable pre-tax profits. The numbers are not yet in for 2022.

Corporate philanthropy takes many forms. Examples include matching gifts, grants, donations of cash or goods, scholarships, staff volunteer time and sponsorships, which often allow companies to be recognized at fund-raising events.

Philanthropy is generally perceived in a positive light and known to stimulate feelings of well-being among those who participate in them. Businesses benefit from charitable giving programs that attract qualified job applicants and customers who care about the causes they support. Appropriate giving increases brand visibility and is often an important dimension of local community and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Employers and individuals who make donations to tax-exempt, non-profit organizations (501(c)(3)) qualify for tax deductions. While this is a commonly accepted practice, it may also be perceived as self-serving rather than philanthropic. That’s one of the reasons why corporations must carefully select the organizations they choose to support. The organization’s administrative costs should be wisely managed, and a major share of contributions directed toward fulfilling its stated mission.

WorkCare’s Giving Program

WorkCare supports organizations in collaboration with our clients and independently.

In California, our home state, we donate funds to Kids’ Chance of California and serve on their public relations committee. Kids’ Chance is a non-profit organization that provides college scholarships to the children of parents who are killed or disabled in work-related incidents. There are chapters of Kids’ Chance of America in every state. We also contribute toward safety and health scholarships for college students through the American Society of Safety Professionals Foundation.

WorkCare’s Executive Chairman and Chief Medical Officer Peter P. Greaney, M.D., serves on the board of the PIH Health system in southern California. WorkCare supports the PIH Health Foundation, which provides quality health care services to more than 3.7 million people without discrimination.

Organizations we support in collaboration with clients include the United Way, Made-A-Wish Foundation of America and its local chapters, and Huddle Up for Kids Foundation. Visit our Giving page to learn more. We’d love to hear about how your organization supports causes you care about. Write to us at communications@workcare.com to share your story.

14 December 2022
Putting the Brakes on Diabetes
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. It’s critically important to recognize that you can have diabetes or prediabetes and not realize it, putting yourself at risk for serious illness.

Diabetes is prevalent. It’s also costly in terms of its affect on quality of life and productivity. Diabetes and related conditions cost employers billions of dollars a year in lost work time, medical treatment and disease-related disability.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce the amount of insulin the body needs to function properly. Insulin is a hormone that lets glucose in consumed food pass from the blood stream into cells to produce energy. Blood glucose levels rise when this process is disrupted, causing hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.

There are three types of diabetes: type 1, when the body does not produce enough insulin; type 2, when the body does not effectively use insulin; and gestational, which occurs during pregnancy. An estimated 35 million Americans have type 2, representing 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can affect vision, the liver, kidneys, circulatory and cardiovascular systems, and it is associated with increased risk for depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes indicates the potential to develop type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be type 2. Symptoms are not usually apparent.

Contributing factors for prediabetes include family history and genetics, lack of regular physical activity and being overweight with excess fat around the abdomen. An estimated 88 million Americans (more than 1 in 3 adults) have prediabetes; about 85 percent don’t realize their blood sugar levels are higher than normal and that their health is at risk.

The combination of three or more prediabetic conditions is metabolic syndrome. For example, co-occurrence of obesity, high blood pressure, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) “good” cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood, is associated with resistance to insulin.

Preventing Diabetes

Progression from the absence of diabetes to prediabetes to type 2 diabetes can be slowed by paying close attention to your health, diet, exercise routine and body weight. Here are some related recommendations:
1. Get a blood sugar test. If you have prediabetes, work with your doctor to make necessary lifestyle changes.
2. Take medications as recommended to control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, if prescribed.
3. Choose fresh foods lower in calories, saturated fats, trans fat, sugar and salt, and eat at regular times. Limit juice, soda and alcoholic beverages.
4. If you are unused to physical activity, start slowly and build a base, or maintain your regular exercise routine.
5. If you smoke, get help to quit. Smoking is linked to high blood pressure, heart attacks and stroke.
Diabetes Diagnosis

A type 2 diabetes diagnosis is confirmed with a blood test. People with diabetes need to periodically check their blood sugar level to make sure they stay in the correct range. It is also essential to learn how to recognize symptoms of high blood sugar (including fatigue, thirst, blurry vision and frequent urination) and of low blood sugar (including shaking, sweating, nervousness or anxiety, irritability, confusion, dizziness and hunger).

People with type 2 diabetes who have difficulty managing high blood sugar levels are advised to:
- Check their urine for ketones, which are produced when fat is broken down for energy; ketones can cause a blood sugar spike and lead to serious complications
- Take prescribed medicine consistently and as instructed
- Talk with their doctor about adjusting how much and which type of insulin they take
- Consistently follow their healthy meal plan
To manage low blood sugar, people are advised to:
- Take flour glucose tablets
- Drink four ounces of fruit juice or regular soda (not diet)
- Eat four pieces of hard candy
Mental Health

Successful diabetes management largely depends on the person. Tracking blood sugar levels, dosing insulin, planning healthy meals and staying active can be stressful. It is normal to feel overwhelmed or isolated when dealing with this responsibility, particularly when a blood test has just confirmed a diagnosis.

It helps to set reasonable diabetes management goals. There are many diabetes management resources available through company health plan, peer groups and community organizations. Research shows that people with diabetes who reach out for support do better with managing their condition than those who feel isolated by their disease.

Resources:

American Diabetes Association

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Diabetes Basics

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
9 November 2022
Be Your Best Self! – New from WorkCare
Be Your Best Self! is WorkCare’s new educational tip sheet for employers and employees. You can find it here.

Be Your Best Self! will be published monthly in digital formats for email re-distribution by employers to their employees and as a single-page flyer that can be printed and posted onsite.

The first edition on knee protection will be followed by tips on overhead work and horizontal reaching, musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk reduction, why it’s essential to cool down after strenuous activity – and much more.

We want everyone to have access to helpful tips from our deep bench of Industrial Injury Prevention Specialists, who have training in sports medicine, musculoskeletal assessment, ergonomics, occupational health and safety, and wellness education.

Industrial Athlete Program

WorkCare’s Industrial Athlete Program features total worker health solutions for peak performance. We know our approach works because the employees our specialists coach feel the difference. Here’s one example from a 63-year-old service rep lead who has worked for the same utility company for 40 years:

“Our industrial athlete trainer (from WorkCare) has done more for my pain management and quality of life than any doctor ever. While doctors want to prescribe meds that mask pain and have dangerous side-effects, the injury prevention specialist deals with the cause and prevention of pain. I’ve learned a lot from him, and my pain is less because of him. He also is available when we get new guys with awkward techniques. He will come by and explain ergonomics and power zones. I use these when working on my property and have benefited from his lessons. He keeps me going. This is the best program for long-term life quality benefits. I’m very grateful.”

When we help employees take good care of themselves, they are more productive, ready to help others and able to enjoy better quality of life. Onsite and virtual consultations provided by our Industrial Athlete Program team include:
- Coaching to prevent injuries on the job
- Support to help relieve physical discomfort
- Ergonomic assessments and recommended adjustments
- Education on topics such as nutrition, hydration, stress and fatigue
- Instructions for warm-up, cool-down and stretching
- Consulting on exposure risk reduction and safe work practices
Our specialists are caring people who understand regulatory constraints and how to relate to workers in all types of settings. They use a comprehensive approach that takes into consideration each individual’s job tasks, fitness level, body type, age and health status to produce positive results. The quote from the utility service representative says it all; here are some outcomes from Industrial Athlete Program clients to back him up:
- 93 percent of employees with discomfort report decreased pain after one visit
- 92 percent of MSDs resolve with first-aid interventions and self-care
- 79 percent of work-related sprains and strains resolve in less than 14 days
To learn more, contact our business development team at info@workcare.com and provide your email for timely updates.
21 October 2022
What Drives Large Companies to Focus on Employee Well-being?
Cancer has overtaken musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as the top driver of large companies’ health care costs. Mental health conditions, care inequities and pharmacy expenditures are also significant concerns, according to the Business Group on Health’s 2023 Large Employers’ Health Care Strategy and Plan Design Survey released yesterday.

The Business Group on Health represents the interests of large employers in health care policy decisions. Its latest survey findings are noteworthy for a number of reasons, including the following:
- MSDs are still a leading cause of costly injuries that could be prevented with appropriate interventions or managed at onset to relieve discomfort and allow employees to work safely while healing. To demonstrate our commitment, WorkCare has signed the National Safety Council’s MSD Pledge to reduce injury risks, innovate and collaborate, and help build organizational cultures that value safety. (Refer to WorkCare’s Industrial Athlete Program to learn about our onsite and virtual MSD solutions.)
- Employers and employees are experiencing the consequences of delayed check-ups and care primarily due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic: 13 percent of survey respondents said they have seen more late-stage cancers; 44 percent project this trend will continue. WorkCare’s occupational health practitioners have a prevention mindset. For example, our Medical Exams & Travel physician team refers employees to their personal provider when signs and symptoms of chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension are detected during surveillance exams. We also recommend routine check-ups based on age and health status. (Refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on screening for cancer and recommended vaccines. Refer to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for preventive exams and related care.)
- Survey respondents cited long-term mental health issues as the leading health-related impact of the pandemic, with delayed care a close second. Large employers said they intend to invest strategically in physical and mental health offerings that are more equitable and affordable. This includes keeping pandemic-related health and well-being services in place for the foreseeable future; 85 percent said they will do the same for mental health. Wellness Solutions, a WorkCare company, uses a delivery model based on the eight-dimensions of wellness to meet the occupational, wellness and behavioral health needs of first responders – a model that can be adapted to other populations and work settings.
More Survey Insights

The Business Group on Health gathered benefit plan design and health care cost data from 135 large employers representing 18 million covered lives in the U.S. The survey was conducted May 31-July 13, 2022.

“Survey findings function as a collective snapshot that can guide employers as they determine how to maximize employee benefits,” said Ellen Kelsay, president and CEO of the Business Group on Health. “Employers shared that they are deeply concerned about unsustainable health care costs, the devastating effects of the pandemic on employee health, and the need to work creatively with their partners toward a more positive and sustainable health care experience, among other issues.”

Additional findings include:
- Prescription drug trends: In 2021, prescription drugs accounted for a median of 21 percent of employers’ health care costs, with more than half of pharmacy spend going to specialty medications. Employers have opportunities to bring down costs through biosimilar coverage, site-of-care and case management programs, and other tactics, according to the Business Group on Health.
- Future of telehealth: 74 percent of respondents believe virtual platforms will significantly impact future health care delivery; 84 percent said integrating virtual health and in-person care delivery will be critical for success. Risks associated with lack of integration include higher costs, duplication of services, unnecessary care and a fragmented user experience.
- Workplace culture: More employers are integrating equity, access-to-care and well-being strategies into their overall workforce health management plans to nurture workplace environments that attract qualified candidates and encourage retention.
In the workplace, productivity lapses (presenteeism and absence), workers’ compensation case rates, disability durations and related costs are influenced by many factors. Biological, social, economic and environmental conditions are all determinants of health.

WorkCare delivers employee health services onsite, through a network of 5,700 qualified clinics in the U.S. and virtually using secure telehealth applications. We protect and promote employee heath and help control costs by striving to provide the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.
24 August 2022
Defining and Living by Your Value System
Have you thought lately about the personal core values that help guide your thoughts, actions and beliefs? It’s important to be aware of your value system because it affects your overall sense of well-being. When your values are compromised, you may feel anxious or angry, have an upset stomach or trouble sleeping, or lose confidence in yourself. When you uphold your values, you may experience improved self-esteem, have a more relaxed attitude and find it easier to make hard choices.

Values and Wellness
When you are evaluating your core values, it’s helpful to weigh them in the context of the eight dimensions of wellness – the same model used by Wellness Solutions, a WorkCare company, to support the physical and mental health needs of public safety personnel. The eight dimensions are emotional, financial, intellectual, occupational, social, physical, environmental and spiritual.

Your value system is intertwined with the eight dimensions. If all eight are not connected with your core values in some way, then you may want to re-evaluate what is truly important to you. The emphasis you place on one dimension or another will change over time as you grow older and your needs change, but your core values should provide a consistent foundation for life transitions.

The way you were raised usually has a strong influence on the development of your core values. In some cases, adverse childhood experiences affect the development of values and have a lasting ripple effect on quality of life. For instance, if your parents or caregivers emphasized the importance of being truthful, as an adult you may feel uncomfortable when you tell a lie or when mislead by someone you trust. If lies were used as a way to cope and considered acceptable during your upbringing, always telling the truth might not be viewed as a core value. If your family had a religious or spiritual practice, continuing that practice as you navigate through life may be one of your core values. Without such a practice in childhood, you may decide later to have or not have it as a core value.

Often, when one seeks a partner in love or business, mutually agreed upon core values are a strong indicator for a successful relationship. When values are not aligned, it can lead to disagreements about critical issues that are difficult to resolve and can cause relationships to unravel.

Defining Your Values
If you are unclear about your core values, you may want to ask a therapist, spiritual leader or another person who you trust for guidance. There are also online resources to help you choose values that truly resonate with you.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Dare to Lead – list of values by Brene Brown.
- Life Values Inventory – clarifying your personal truth.
- 6 Ways to Discover and Choose Your Core Values – Psychology Today blog post.
- Values Institute – What are the benefits of identifying core values?
Another option is to think about values you observe in others and would like to emulate, such as “I admire my sibling’s generosity,” “I appreciate my grandmother’s unconditional love,” “I can always count on my friend’s honesty and loyalty” or “I like the way they are so patient, compassionate and kind.”

Honoring Your Values
When your value system is threatened by others or your own behavior, there are ways you can get back on track.
Here are some ideas:
1. Take a pause to evaluate the situation, then take
  appropriate corrective action. Example: You want to object to a racist or sexist comment someone makes at work but don’t feel it would be appropriate in the moment. You might privately express your concern to the person who made the comment or know what you will do and say the next time a similar situation occurs.
2. Be prepared to explain your reasons. Example: You are committed to having a strong work ethic but also want to spend quality time with your family. Once you feel you can clearly articulate why work-life balance is a core value, you share your thoughts with your supervisor, friends and family members so they understand your requests for scheduling flexibility and why you may not be immediately available outside of agreed upon times and places.
3. Evaluate your career options. Example: Having a sustainable lifestyle is a core value for you, so you look for a job with a company that emphasize sustainability as a corporate value. Similarly, diversity, inclusion and equity are essential to you, so you focus on applying to companies that provide strong evidence of DEI in hiring.
4. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Example: One of your core values involves making a commitment to nurturing your talent, such as in art, writing, music, dance or athletics. You feel let down when you don’t devote the amount of time needed to get the results you desire. You decide to block out time to pursue your talent and make shifts in your priorities. Alternatively, you acknowledge that while developing your talent is important to you, it is not a core value and it will be more enjoyable to cultivate this attribute with less intensity.
5. Base boundaries on core values. Example: You have a core value to stay fit and maintain your health so you can enjoy good quality of life. When you start to gain weight, you decide to change your diet, but your friends keep tempting you with unhealthy food choices. You ask your friends to respect your new nutritional boundaries and invite them to help you reinforce your core value to stay healthy.
In essence, your core values represent your authentic self. When you are comfortable with yourself, you’ll attract people who appreciate your value system and discourage others who may be tempted to cast you in a negative light.
2 August 2022