I Don't Do It Alone - And That's OK

Last week, while millions flocked to movie theaters to see Hollywood’s interpretation of a career woman trying to balance the often-times competing demands of work and family in “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” I was addressing the same topic in a more reality-based setting at a meeting of professional women in downtown Philadelphia. While we were all at different stages in our personal and professionals lives, we were seeking answers to the same questions. “How do I make my life what I want it to be?” “How do I ‘stay present’ in a frantic world?” “How do I set boundaries and priorities – and stick to them?”

I want to thank the Philadelphia Business Journal and its publisher Lyn Kremer, for hosting this wonderful event – and for the selection of venue. It seemed so appropriate to be talking about this topic at this place given that the present – and first female – president of the Union League Club, Joan Carter, was also a speaker.

As a full-time working mother of three sons, I ask myself the same questions our speakers and attendees were, and none of us claimed to have all the answers. But I do know this. Trying to balance your work and personal lives is a dynamic process requiring life-long adjustment, and you can’t do it alone.

My “aha” moment happened in a parking lot. Needing to work late, as I transferred my first two boys from my car to my husband’s, I received a wonderful chocolate pudding-mixed-with-goldfish crackers kiss from my six-year old. I asked myself “What am I doing?”

As sweet (literally and figuratively) as that kiss was, I thought, this craziness is not how it is supposed to be. After that, my husband and I decided that he would be a stay-at-home dad – and he is great! And, as a result, I was able to build my consulting work, and we were able to have our third child.

It was that experience, along with other changes I’ve implemented and mistakes I’ve made that have helped me keep work from overturning the “life boat." I'd like to share with you some key elements that have made my life-career balance possible.

Be intentional. Frequently ask yourself – “am I going in the right direction to make my life the way I want it to be?” If not, changes are in order.

Be honest. I was so busy trying to be Wonder Woman that I wasn’t being true to myself or anyone else. Remember, you don’t have all the answers and you can’t do it all – and that’s okay. Create a set of realistic priorities against which you compare all opportunities. At UnitedHealthcare, we call this our “Blue Chip Test” – whatever we have planned must stand up against this, or we don’t do it.

Be present. Take a few minutes before the end of each work day to quiet your mind, and just focus on breathing, counting backwards from 10. Then, when it’s time to go home, you’ll truly be present for your family. As part of our corporate culture at UnitedHealthcare, we ask our employees to be “Be Here Now,” requiring that individuals shut off cell phones, pagers, laptops and iPads to be mentally, as well as physically, present at meetings. And we encourage employees to apply such boundaries in their personal lives too.

It's hard to prescribe what "balance" is to each person. The solutions that worked for me may not be right for someone who gets her greatest joy and satisfaction from working 24/7. The most important thing is to find fulfilling work where flexibility is welcome. Don't be afraid to talk to your manager, your spouse and your children about your needs, and keep the conversation going about expectations of everyone involved in your life.

My best advice is to make whatever you define as balance work for you. What have you done to find your balance?

            - Kenneth Frieson, Photographic & Media Arts

Ride 2 Recovery

This past Sunday, we remembered those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and paid tribute to the many who helped in the days, months and years following that tragic day to reflect and rebuild.


In the days following 9/11, we turned to one another – family, friends, co-workers and even strangers – seeking comfort and drawing strength – to make some sense of this tragedy and begin recovering and rebuilding. We also were reminded about the many rights and privileges we so often take for granted.


Over the last decade, thousands of our servicemen and women have fought to protect and defend these freedoms from those who wish to take them away. Often they have returned home with devastating physical and emotional injuries. As part of the healing process, many of them have turned to cycling through an organization called Ride 2 Recovery.


Riding specially modified bikes, whether hand cycles, recumbents or tandems has proven to be a catalyst in healing physical and emotional injuries. I am proud to say that UnitedHealthcare is helping support their rehabilitation. For the second consecutive year, it is our great honor to be the presenting sponsor of Ride 2 Recovery events, most recently the 9/11 Challenge.


On Sunday morning under a hazy sky, more than 350 injured veterans and their families, friends and supporters, including 9/11 survivors and first responders, pushed off from Liberty State Park for a 540-mile, eight-day journey. The cyclists rode into Philadelphia on Monday afternoon and my team and I were so honored to join these brave men and women for an evening dinner cruise. I felt humbled talking to them and hearing their stories. Many told me that they were grateful for the support we provided to the Ride 2 Recovery but it is we who are most thankful.


The riders left Tuesday morning from the steps of the Art Museum – many of them stopping for a quick photo in front of the Rocky statue – before heading off to Lancaster. Today – Friday, September 16 – the riders will stop for a ceremony at the United Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., and on Sunday, September 18, arrive at the final destination -- the Pentagon. While they will celebrate having completed this ride, they also will remember their fallen comrades and reflect on the journey will all have taken over the last decade.


Throughout the ride, these cyclists face uphill battles, but through camaraderie and spirit, they will push through to the end. This shared determination reminds us that we gather strength from each other, and that connection to community is good for the mind, body and soul.


To all first responders and those in the military who continue to demonstrate bravery and self-sacrifice every day to keep America safe – a profound thanks.

Welcome Back

Don't you think the first day of school is really like the first day of the year? A sharp Number Two pencil. New school shoes. A spring in your step. A renewed commitment to work hard and do well following a summer of rest and relaxation.

I feel the same way about business post-Labor Day... except we at UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania did not take a break this summer.

While you haven’t heard from me a lot over the last several months, we’ve been busy here at UnitedHealthcare. We've updated our product portfolio to include a broader array of high-quality, affordable health benefits options, enhanced our wellness programs, and expanded our network of hospitals, and physicians and other health care providers.

As with your lives, fall promises to be just as busy.

We’re excited to welcome our corporate executives to Philadelphia this fall to speak at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in September and the Forum of Executive Women in October. We will be recognizing leaders throughout our own region through events like the Philadelphia Business Journal's “Innovation in Healthcare" awards and Philadelphia Magazine's "Healthiest Workplace” competition. And, stay tuned for the return of "Healthcare Lane," our mega healthcare expo, which is coming to Center City Philadelphia in November.

Finally, be on the look-out for UnitedHealthcare’s "Grow Healthy" advertising campaign launching on billboards, radio and buses near you... just in time for back-to-school.

I look forward to reconnecting with all of you and will be here every Thursday, sharing insights into what is going on here at UnitedHealthcare across the Commonwealth and what we are thinking about for the future.

Welcome back and have a great fall!

Timing: Take 10 Healthy Steps to Resolution Success

Whether it’s weight loss, exercise or quitting smoking, it’s easy to discard New Year’s resolutions as quickly as the New Year’s Eve party favors. This year, however, you can set yourself up for success with these simple suggestions:

• Consider the spirit in which your resolutions are made. If you make a resolution on a whim, you're not likely to remember it after the clock strikes midnight.
• Choose carefully. Make a potential list of resolutions. Choose one or two that you feel are most important. Balance a difficult resolution with one that will be easier to keep.
• Take baby steps. Small changes over time can add up to big results. To exercise more, simply start by stretching during TV commercials. To eat healthier, begin by eating a piece of fruit every day after work. To clear clutter, set aside 15 minutes a day to organize your files.
• Get it on paper. Jot down the steps you'll take to reach your resolution and include a timeline.
• Enlist a friend. Knowing that you’re accountable to someone other than yourself for that morning walk can help keep you on track.
• Complete the resolution in your mind’s eye. Visualize your resolution coming to life. See the positive impact it will have.
• Be patient. Major changes take time, energy and dedication. These changes won’t happen overnight.
• Reward yourself for the resolutions you’ve kept. Treat yourself to something special, such as fresh flowers, a good book or a massage.
• Look for ways to keep your resolutions fresh. If your resolution is to eat healthier, don't bring the same boring salad for lunch every day. Try a new dish once a week to spice up your diet.
• Focus on yourself. The changes are yours to make, and the rewards are yours to enjoy!

We wish you all a very happy and healthy 2011!

Timing: Make Wellness a Business Priority By Implementing Wellness Programs to Improve Employee Health

Over the past year, employers across the state have become more committed to implementing easily adaptable, incentive-based, employee-driven wellness programs to improve employee health and office morale, and increase health insurance savings, among other things.

As an employer, have you considered offering incentives for employees who get or stay healthy? Monetary or other types of incentives are big motivators for employees who exercise regularly, eat healthfully or participate in stop smoking programs, for example. Wellness programs are also great ways to build teamwork within your organization. Further, having healthy employees can make a real impact on your bottom line.

Wellness research indicates that employer health promotion programs can be directly linked to improved productivity, less absenteeism, greater health knowledge, better health behaviors and a reduction in chronic health conditions. In fact, research shows that for every dollar invested in worksite health promotion, there is a medical cost savings of $3.48 and an absenteeism cost savings of as much as $5.82. Healthy employees offer companies a competitive advantage, with increased retention and lower medical costs.

Incorporating these efforts into your business and taking advantage of the benefits starts at the top. Senior executives must set an example, attend wellness functions and demonstrate involvement in other ways. The support of leadership demonstrates to employees that wellness is a high priority for your organization. It also helps to add a little incentive: consider giveaways for those that attend wellness functions and achieve stated goals, as even moderate incentives have been shown to greatly improve participation.

Encouraging employees to take part in a health assessment will help identify the most significant health issues for your organization, and enable you to develop long-range plans to address those issues. And, by setting attainable and measurable goals, it becomes enjoyable for employees to measure their success.

By using all available resources, your employees and your business may have a healthier 2011.

Timing: Make Wellness a Personal Priority By Taking Full Advantage of Health Insurance Benefits

In the next few weeks, you should be receiving information about your 2011 health insurance benefits. Many people are unaware that their health plans offer value-added benefits and other resources at no additional cost.

While enjoying the holiday season, take time to familiarize yourself with all of your benefits so come the New Year, you can begin getting the greatest value out of your health insurance policy.

• Lower your prescription costs. Use generic or preferred brands. Or split tablets, if approved by your physicians, cutting your medication co-pay in half.
• Use case manager assistance, if needed. Utilize your health plans specially trained nurses to guide you through troubling conditions, such as lower back pain, or more serious illnesses, such as cancer.
• Activate check-up reminders. Make sure to schedule your check-ups and procedures such as mammograms, pap smears, vaccinations and annual physicals, utilizing your health plan’s Web site calendar feature such as the one on myuhc.com.
• Request electronic prescriptions. Ask for prescriptions to be delivered to pharmacies electronically and use electronic health records – both avoid errors and lead to safer outcomes.
• Conduct a self-assessment of your health. Take your health plan’s online health self-assessments. These often provide interactive advice and coaching about how you can change your lifestyle to improve your health.

Maximizing your health benefits may help you improve the health of you and your family… and ensure you get the most for your healthcare dollar.

Get the facts about your health insurance options this open enrollment season.

Health insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why most employers offer employees a choice in health insurance plans and a chance to re-evaluate their options once a year during an “open enrollment period.”

For many people, this might be their first time participating in open enrollment. Others might be trying to figure out how health care reform legislation will affect their options this year. Whatever your situation, the most important thing you can do during open enrollment is get the facts.

When it’s time to evaluate your health insurance options, gather as much information as you can and go through it carefully. If you ask questions, attend informational seminars, and make sure you understand the details of the insurance plans your employer is offering, you will be well equipped to choose the right option for yourself and your family.

To help you through the process, here are some tips for navigating the upcoming open enrollment season:
1. Decide what you need. Take the time to think carefully about your family’s specific health needs in the coming year. Are you and your family members generally in good health? Do you have any medical conditions like diabetes that require special care or rely on ongoing prescription drugs? Be sure the plan you choose offers the best options for all of your needs.

2. Do your research. Especially now that we’re in the midst of implementing the federal health reform legislation, it is important to attend employers’ information sessions to learn about different health plan options. Ask questions, talk to human resource managers and learn about changes that might impact you and your family.

3. Know how much your plan costs. Rising health care costs across the country could effect how much comes out of your paycheck, your copays or other out-of-pocket health care expenses. Make sure you understand in advance all costs associated with each of the health plans offered, in addition to the monthly premium.

4. Find out how you can save. Are there options that will help you save more on your health care costs? Many employers offer health savings accounts, in which employees contribute a pre-tax portion of their pay to cover medical expenses and prescriptions. Find out if there are tools available through your insurer to help you better manage costs. For example, UnitedHealthcare’s web portal myuhc.com offers online tools to help plan participants find quality, in-network doctors, compare treatment costs and track health care expenses.

5. Jump on the wellness bandwagon. If your employer offers wellness programs, take advantage of them. A recent study by UnitedHealthcare’s Optum Health division found that employer-sponsored wellness programs are the key to helping people make healthier choices, take advantage of preventative care and catch health conditions before they become bigger, more expensive problems. Smoking cessation classes, online health coaching, disease management, weight loss programs and discounted or subsidized gym memberships are just some of the programs that may be available to you through your health plan. Remember, better overall health means lower health care costs, for you and your family.