New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority

09/14/2021

www.nmrhca.org

Wise and Well Virtual Health Fair set for Wednesday, September 29, 2021, starting at 9 AM and ending at 12:30 PM. Join use for a morning to learn about healthy lifestyles and the importance of mental health, being active, financial security and more. For more information and agenda, please follow the link below to NMRHCA’s flyer for more details on the health fair and how to register to participate. Please remember to mark your calendars and don’t forget to register for this one-day event that is now only two weeks away! Please see linkhttps://www.nmrhca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/WW-Virtual-Health-Fair-Sept-2021-Final.pdf to flyer with registration link at bottom of page for this upcoming virtual health fair.

06/16/2021

global.gotomeeting.com

Today from 10-10:30 AM is another wonderful virtual Wellbeing Coffee Talk with Marlene a BCBSNM Wellness Coordinator. The topic is Emerging Forward Healthier, and you can join by using the link below.
Go to: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/139789173 or call 1-646-749-3122, access code 139-789-173.
Don’t forget this occurs every third Wednesday of each month.

04/15/2021

As a reminder, every third Wednesday is the Wellbeing Coffee Talk. This upcoming Wednesday, April 21st at 10 AM Blue Cross & Blue Shield of New Mexico and the New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority will host its third coffee talk of the year with Marlene Mier. The topic is: “Staying connected while being apart.” Join us as we discuss how social isolation is impacting our health and what we can do about it. To join the discussion please go to: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/820118789 or you can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
- One-touch: tel:+16467493122,,820118789#
Access Code: 820-118-789

04/15/2021

Wellness Fair 2021 | New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority

NMRHCA’s first Wise and Well Virtual Health Fair is Thursday, April 22nd, and Friday, April 23rd. Please join us to learn about ways to help promote healthy lifestyles and the prevention or management of chronic health conditions. This is a two-day event with different topics being covered each day between 9 AM and 12:30 PM. Do not wait to register as the event is only 1 week away and more information about the event and other helpful healthy resources are provided after registering for the event. We look forward to our retirees joining us for this wonderful event. More information and an agenda can be found on NMRHCA’s website at https://www.nmrhca.org/wellnessfair2021/ along with the link for registering for this virtual health fair.

Virtual Wellness Fair Thursday, April 22nd – Friday, April 23rd   NMRHCA Wise and Well Virtual Wellness Fair   Join us for a FREE Virtual HEALTH FAIR designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, prevent and manage diseases. Attend all the sessions, or the ones that are right for you! Learn about th...

03/11/2021

www.nmrhca.org

Good Morning, NMRHCA’s next Coffee Talk is fast approaching on Wednesday March 17th at 10 a.m. This will be another great conversation on the topic of “Is fear keeping you from getting the health care you need?” Please see all the details to join below.

GoToMeeting:
NMRHCA-BCBS Coffee Talk
Wed, March 17, 2021 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM (MST)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/820118789
You can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
- One-touch: tel:+16467493122,,820118789#
Access Code: 820-118-789

You can also find more information on our website at:https://www.nmrhca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Marlene-Coffee-Talk-March.pdf

If you didn’t catch the last session it is still available for viewing at: https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/?fbclid=IwAR1kJL-pXN_YWJhWOmf7lFtQLzmN-LE8KHHxvh_vjXSlOH8fPS6tFW9kUQ8#/s/679cf3c209f7525d781fbb8a3cf2eba0a7900f9aab56d8eb4a1db63f79de7b1c

02/18/2021

9 Things That Happen When You Stop Exercising

Happy Thursday! Are you starting to fall off your New Year's resolution of exercising more? Here are 9 reasons to keep going. Don't think of it as "I should exercise;" think of it as "I get to exercise!"

Are you considering quitting exercise? These are the side effects of quitting that can impact everything from your brain to your bones.

02/17/2021

GoToMeeting Transcripts

Happy Hump Day and OMG!! NMRHCA had its first "Wellness Coffee Talk" with BCBS Wellness Coordinator Marlene Mier earlier today, and if this is any indication of how the sessions will be moving forward, you will not want to miss this monthly event! The next Wellness Coffee Talk will take place on March 17 at 10 a.m. For those who don't believe me or who want to know what they're missing, here is the video from today's first Wellness Coffee Talk:

https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/679cf3c209f7525d781fbb8a3cf2eba0a7900f9aab56d8eb4a1db63f79de7b1c

02/16/2021

www.nmrhca.org

Good Brrrr Tuesday morning! This is a reminder that our first Coffee Talk for NMRHCA retirees takes place tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb. 17) at 10 a.m. Here are the details to join by GoToMeeting:

NMRHCA-BCBS Coffee Talk
Wed, Feb 17, 2021 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM (MST)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/820118789

You can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)

United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
- One-touch: tel:+16467493122,,820118789#

Access Code: 820-118-789

Or you can find out more on our website at this link:https://www.nmrhca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Marlene-Coffee-Talk-1.pdf

02/15/2021

Zinc, Vitamin C Won't Help Against COVID-19

Happy Monday! The following article should not be a surprise to most folks, but the spread of misinformation is always a risk.

MONDAY, Feb. 15, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Despite their reputation for boosting the powers of your immune system, a new study reports that vitamin C and zinc supplements don't help COVID-19 patients recover from their illness.Giving one or the other, or a combination of both, to patients didn't sign...

02/12/2021

This One Workout May Help Whittle Your Waist

TGIF! If we've put on a few pounds over the last 11 months, here is something you can build up to that could help you more than running or other cardio workouts.

This workout may help trim your waist and help you lose weight more than steady-state cardio, according to science.

02/11/2021

Are you interested in public service? The Regulation and Licensing Department seeks applications to fill a public member vacancy on the Private Investigations Advisory Board. Pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 61-27B-6(C) and (E) a public member or spouses shall not have been licensed pursuant to the Private Investigations Act or have a direct or indirect financial interest in a private investigation company, private patrol company, polygraph business or a related business. Advisory Board members are non-salaried public officials and will be eligible for per diem pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act. Please send any inquiries, or letter of interest and a resume to: [email protected]

The Regulation and Licensing Department also seeks applications to fill a public member vacancy on the Advisory Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners. Pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 61-12B-5(A)(3) public members must be residents of New Mexico. A public member shall not have been licensed as a respiratory care practitioner nor shall he have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in a respiratory are occupation. Advisory Board members are non-salaried public officials and will be eligible for per diem pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act. Please send any inquiries, or letter of interest and a resume to: [email protected]

Are you interested in public service? The Regulation and Licensing Department seeks applications to fill a public member vacancy on the Private Investigations Advisory Board. Pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 61-27B-6(C) and (E) a public member or spouses shall not have been licensed pursuant to the Private Investigations Act or have a direct or indirect financial interest in a private investigation company, private patrol company, polygraph business or a related business. Advisory Board members are non-salaried public officials and will be eligible for per diem pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act. Please send any inquiries, or letter of interest and a resume to: [email protected]

The Regulation and Licensing Department also seeks applications to fill a public member vacancy on the Advisory Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners. Pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 61-12B-5(A)(3) public members must be residents of New Mexico. A public member shall not have been licensed as a respiratory care practitioner nor shall he have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in a respiratory are occupation. Advisory Board members are non-salaried public officials and will be eligible for per diem pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act. Please send any inquiries, or letter of interest and a resume to: [email protected]

02/11/2021

The 9 Worst Foods for Your Heart

Happy Thursday! Hopefully, we're at a point where we have fewer external restrictions and can start doing more to preserve our health. With that said, a lot of our health outcomes still are tied to our diet.

Keep your heart healthy with our expert tips on how to avoid foods bad for the heart, from canned soups to candy.

02/10/2021

Tight-Fitting Masks Can Slash COVID Transmission by 95%, CDC Says

To get us through Hump Day, here is some mask information that should be of some use to us!

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- It's known that face masks help protect against COVID-19 infection, but U.S. health officials said Wednesday that the tighter the mask, the better.In lab experiments, wearing cloth or medical masks close to the face cut COVID transmission by 95%, accordin...

02/08/2021

9 drinks that could help lower cholesterol

Good Monday morning! After a day of Super Bowl indulging, we might be in need of getting our cholesterol levels back in check.

There are many types of drinks that can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Find out more about these and other ways of reducing cholesterol here.

02/05/2021

Many U.S. Adults Aren't Getting Healthy Amounts of Fruits, Vegetables

TGIF! With another binge-eating day on the horizon with the Super Bowl, let's try to remember to include foods that are good for us. Healthy diets are a critical part of healthy lives.

FRIDAY, Feb. 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly all U.S. adults get some vegetables every day, but the old "apple a day" adage is falling out of favor, a new government survey suggests.Researchers found that a full 95% of U.S. adults said they ate some amount of vegetables on any given day. On the o...

01/29/2021

AHA News: 5 Things Nutrition Experts Want You to Know About New Federal Dietary Guidelines

TGIF! Better eating leads to better health and less chronic disease, which also means that COVID has less chance to do damage if you happen to get the virus. Plus, you're healthier and feel better overall!

FRIDAY, Jan. 29, 2021 (American Heart Association News) -- New federal dietary guidelines encourage Americans to focus more on eating healthy throughout life, to be flexible in their eating patterns and to cut down on empty calories.The recommendations, released every five years by the U.S. Departme...

01/27/2021

COVID Antibody Treatments Exceed Expectations in Early Trials

Happy Wednesday! There is more good news in the fight against the virus. However, we must remain vigilant with the protocols in place.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- There's some much-needed good news on both the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.On the treatment front, promising new data on two coronavirus antibody cocktails suggests these therapies can keep patients out of the hospital and even prevent illness al...

01/26/2021

Notice to our members. NMRHCA will close at noon tomorrow to conduct an in-staff training. We will reopen at 8 a.m. on Thursday. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you plan accordingly.

01/26/2021

Healthy Eating Could Delay Onset of Parkinson's Disease

Happy Tuesday! Some of us have already succumbed to our New Year's resolution fatigue. But you don't need a new year as an excuse to eat healthily or start other good habits.

TUESDAY, Jan. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- While researchers continue to try to find the key that unlocks the cause of Parkinson's disease, new research suggests that what a person eats could make a difference.Researchers in Canada found a strong correlation between eating either a Mediterranean die...

01/25/2021

Frustrations Mount for U.S. Seniors Seeking Access to COVID Vaccines

Happy Monday! "Patience" is the key word when looking to get on the COVID-19 vaccine list. If you haven't yet registered or have any questions in New Mexico, go to cvvaccine.nmhealth.org.

MONDAY, Jan. 25, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Irene Greenhalgh, 83, considers herself a pretty computer-savvy senior, but even she got lost in a maze of websites and e-mails trying to get an appointment for her COVID-19 vaccine.One health provider's e-mail provided links to sites that were giving vaccin...

01/21/2021

Kids Highly Likely to Transmit Coronavirus to Others: Study

Good Thursday morning! We are so close to getting vaccines to everyone who wants them, so we must stay vigilant on information about COVID-19.

THURSDAY, Jan. 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- While children are less susceptible to illness with the new coronavirus, they are nearly 60% more likely than adults over 60 to infect other family members when they are sick, a new study shows.The findings show the need to conduct COVID-19 vaccine safety....

01/13/2021

12 Normal Daily Habits That Secretly Mess Up Your Life

Happy Hump Day! The following article shows us little tricks to help us navigate our lives as we wait for the vaccine — and our improved health choices — to put an end to the pandemic.

Hey, everything you do is perfect, except for these things you keep screwing up.

01/12/2021

These Are the Only 2 Diets Most People Are Able to Maintain Long-term

Happy Tuesday! Are you already lagging on your New Year's Resolution to lose weight? That may be because you're approaching dieting wrong. Read the article below and remember that NMRHCA has one or two weight-maintenance program options — Naturally Slim (for Pre-Medicare and Medicare Supplement retirees only) and Good Measures (open to all retirees). Contact NMRHCA for more information.

Fad diets may be tempting, but unless you find a plan you can maintain for the rest of your life, you'll most likely regain the weight.

01/11/2021

15 Sneaky Ways You Can Walk More Steps Per Day

Good Monday morning! As the vaccine rollout continues ... slowly, we can do things to ensure we're in better health — just in case. Walking is one of the best ways to start or increase a healthier journey.

The more steps you take per day, the better. Here's how to sneak more steps into your daily routine including setting an alarm, and more

01/08/2021

New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority members: You can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Go to the New Mexico Department of Health Website and register at this address — https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/

You will be contacted by email or text, letting you know where and when you can get the vaccine.

When you arrive for your vaccine appointment, you will have to do the following, depending on your health insurance status with NMRHCA:

For Medicare Supplement members/dependents ONLY: Please be prepared to show your Blue Cross Blue Shield card at your appointment. No other cards will be accepted.

For Pre-Medicare members/dependents ONLY: Please be prepared to show your Express Scripts card at your appointment.

For Medicare-Advantage members/dependents ONLY: Please be prepared to show you provider card only (Presbyterian, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana or UnitedHealthcare) at your appointment.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 1-800-233-2576.

01/07/2021

Here’s How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night

As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, we don't have to continue to suffer sleepless nights, if we can teach ourselves some of these tricks.

It's the middle of the night, and suddenly, you're wide awake. Stop the sleepless cycle with these tips for easing falling back asleep.