Don’t you just hate it when insurance companies make network changes? Oftentimes even when the changes improve ones health benefits they still have a negative affect. For many people, changing their doctor or pharmacist is more than a simply driving to another building. Relationships and trust are a very important aspect of health care and wellness. Being forced to alter ones health care choices based solely on money driven motives is an outrage!

One example of this diminishing of wellness is the Walgreens and Express Scripts contract negotiations. For the past year Walgreens has been in negotiations with Express Scripts to continue as part of its pharmacy provider network. Those contract negotiations were unsuccessful, and the contract expired on Dec. 31. Beginning January 2012, Walgreens is no longer part of Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network. This includes all Walgreens pharmacies nationwide and Duane Reade pharmacies in the New York City area.

This situation of forcing pharmacy patients to switch in order to use their in-network pharmacy benefits was unnecessary. Express Scripts’ actions caused much disruption and they admit this change was not a significant benefit to patients or their health plan.

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This breakdown in network negotiations left many of our military service men and women were caught in the middle. Tricare, a health, and prescription drug program for America’s military service men and women is one of Express Scripts’ clients. It was said that Walgreens took the extraordinary step of offering Express Scripts an irrefutable guarantee to match or beat the average costs per adjusted prescription of all other pharmacies in the Tricare network.  A stand-alone contract specifically for Tricare was also proposed to Express Scripts by Walgreens but these offers were also rejected. Express Scripts continues to refuse to negotiate a separate contract for the benefit of the Tricare program and its beneficiaries.

Devoted to their patients’ wellness, Walgreens has developed a prescription discount plan as a solution, Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens. This applies to those who lack or have insufficient drug coverage.

Savings Club Overview:

1. Currently 2 million members enrolled
2. Prescription Savings Club membership is risk free. If savings above the cost of membership are not achieved, they will refund the difference.
3. For $10.00 a year, a family membership covers everyone in the immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. Individuals may join for $5.00.
4. Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications
5. Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizer, and diabetic supplies
6. Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products

Of course, this does not help those who do have sufficient coverage nor our military men and women. If you are outraged by this money driven network change Walgreens and I urge you to contact your local media, expressing your disapproval. Speaking out and encouraging others to do the same will help to preserve our right to choose and direct our health care.

Keep up with current progress and support Walgreens by liking Walgreens on Facebook and/ or following Walgreens on Twitter.

Kathleen

Hey, there I'm Kathleen. My friends call me Kathy; to my kids I'm Momia. Life has afforded me many hats: Mom, wife, sister, friend, business owner... and most recently a midlife blogger. From college to marriage and babies, in the midst of business and wealthy boomers, midlife retrospection validates this extraordinary journey called life.

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Then, word got out about spinning – a fancy name for riding a stationary bike along with a bunch of other people riding stationary bikes at varying speeds. It can be a good workout if done correctly, but the fad passed. It was cool for a while. Then it wasn’t.

Then, we moved into Zumba. We may still be there. “Why workout when you can dance and flail your arms around,” Zumba supporters argue. People will later find out that mildly dancing for a half hour might not be as great a workout as it’s touted to be.

So, what can you do if you’re disenchanted with kickboxing, spinning, Zumba and all the like? Check out these suggestions for fitness classes that aren’t lame.

• Krav Maga or Self Defense: Nothing says “I mean business” like martial arts with Israeli, Czechoslovakian and Hungarian roots. Krav Maga is a self-defense system that relies on efficiency, brutality and counter-attacks. In short, it’s intense. Most Krav Maga teachers require students to work out beforehand and learn to defend themselves in spite of mental and physical exhaustion. Not only are Krav Maga and other forms of self-defense a great workout, but is also a must for women. Sure, you’re already aware of ways to stay safe in your home town, you may have already invested in home security Indianapolis or other cities, you probably stay with a group when going out, etc., etc. But, knowing how to defend yourself if you really have to is absolutely priceless. While all of your girlfriends are laughing and swinging their arms and hips to spicy beats at Zumba, you’ll be learning Israeli battle tactics and hand to hand combat. Win.

• Dance That Isn’t Zumba: Zumba and other forms of marginally taxing dance classes aside, dancing can really be a good workout. Dancers that actually do real dance for a living or as a serious hobby are extremely fit. Going to one 30-minute Zumba class a week, however, won’t get the job done. If you’re serious about dancing your way into better shape, sign up for a beginner’s class at an actual dance studio, instead of a gym. Dance studios will have classes more often, for longer periods of time and will be much more strenuous than bopping around to faux Latin music with a room full of strangers. Dancing also usually requires training outside of class, meaning that you’ll be in the gym getting in shape to go get in shape. That’s the real deal.

• Pole Fitness: No, pole fitness is not a joke. Also, pole fitness should not be confused with pole dancing. Places that specialize in pole fitness will have a well-designed workout that tones and strengthens your upper and lower body. It’s an excellent strength workout and is fun to do. The classes are usually pretty long, meaning that you’re in it for the long haul. Thankfully, it’s becoming more and more popular, and less and less associated with pole dancing. Give pole fitness a try and ask your arms a few days later if it’s still a joke.

The next time you’re looking to diversify your workouts, give these suggestions a try. You’ll be surprised how much fun you can have getting in an amazing workout, instead of just floundering around a gymnasium to music for a half hour.

thatgirlmegan

Megan Brown is a social media networker at Slingshot SEO. When she's not at the gym attempting to multitask while on the treadmill, Megan spends her time cycling, cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers, blogging, and catering to every need of her yorkie pup Alexa.

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But one of the worst parts of winter is definitely the feeling that you’re preparing for hibernation. Everywhere you turn, there’s food. Connie at work made a 7-layer peppermint chocolate cake. You don’t want to be rude, so you take a slice. Jeanine made a hearty batch of her meaty chili. You have two bowls because it’s so cold outside. Then there are Christmas cookies, Grandma’s special eggnog, four course ham dinners and sitting down in front of a cozy fire and not moving for hours on end.

In spring, we’re rewarded with 15 extra pounds and jeans that don’t fit comfortably. Every year we vow to do better next winter.

Guess what. It’s almost “next winter.”

Here’s how to stay healthy and fit this season, like you promised you’d do.

Winter Sports

Sports are a great way to trick your body into exercising. You’re having fun and working out without even realizing it! Skiing and snowboarding are actually a great workout, plus both activities can last a long time. In just an hour of skiing, you can burn over 400 calories an hour! For more intense winter sports like cross country skiing, you’ll burn even more calories. If you live close to slopes, buy a winter pass and try to make it out a few weekends a month. You can trade in your weekend gym workouts for skiing and your drab gym wear for stylish ski jackets and snowboard pants! Working out, is after all, at least partly about looking good, right?

Even winter activities like ice skating and sledding are better than nothing. Get out there and make it happen!

Intramural Sports

Again, sports are the perfect way to mask your workouts under the guise of “fun” — unless, of course, you’re the type of person that loves running on a treadmill in the dead of winter. Do those people even exist?

At any rate, taking part in an intramural sports league helps keep you in shape, hone your athletic skills and gives you an opportunity to meet new people. Be sure to choose an active sport like basketball or indoor soccer to get your heart rate up and keeps you moving. Ping pong won’t do your heart rate much good. If you’re competitive, search for a serious league to ensure that your team won’t die off when the going gets rough.

Work Towards A Goal

If you’re the type of person that enjoys outdoor exercise during the warmer months, set goals for yourself to achieve when the warm weather finally returns. Whether it’s training for a race, conquering your favorite trail faster than you ever have before or swimming across your favorite lake, you’ll find that your gym workouts aren’t nearly as drab when you have a goal in mind!

Don’t Procrastinate

The number one, most detrimental decision you could make for your winter fitness is to keep putting off. Saying you’ll check out the slopes next weekend, sign up at the gym tomorrow or find an intramural league on Tuesday will get you nowhere. Do it now, or forever hold your peace.

thatgirlmegan

Megan Brown is a social media networker at Slingshot SEO. When she's not at the gym attempting to multitask while on the treadmill, Megan spends her time cycling, cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers, blogging, and catering to every need of her yorkie pup Alexa.

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