Shining a Light on UV Awareness Month: Protect Your Skin and Eyes

Fittingly, every July, UV Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of protecting ourselves from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. While the sun provides warmth and helps our bodies produce vitamin D, too much exposure—especially without proper protection—can lead to serious health issues like skin cancer, premature aging, and eye damage.

Why UV Protection Matters

UV rays are invisible, and they can damage your skin even on cloudy days. Prolonged exposure increases your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form. Your eyes aren’t safe either—UV rays can contribute to cataracts and other vision problems.

Simple Steps for Sun Safety

  1. Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every two hours. Lachelle’s favorite: Mineral sunscreen from Supergoop!

  2. Wear Protective Clothing: Long sleeves, hats, and sunglasses with UV protection. Check out Hawai’i based sunglasses brand, Mohala Eyewear.

  3. Seek Shade: Especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.

  4. Check the UV Index: Many weather apps report it daily so you can plan ahead.

Spread Awareness

UV Awareness Month is not just about self-care—it's also about educating others. Encourage friends and family to take sun safety seriously. As much as my kids squirm while I apply, I know they will thank me one day!

Let’s protect our skin, our eyes, and our health—this July and every day.

Honoring Alzheimer's Awareness Month: Understanding and Supporting Those Affected

Every June, we observe Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, show support for individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and advocate for continued research and care improvements. Alzheimer's, a progressive neurological disorder, affects over 6 million Americans and is the most common cause of dementia among older adults (Alzheimer’s Association, 2024).

This month encourages communities, families, and healthcare professionals to engage in conversations about cognitive health, recognize the signs of memory loss, and support efforts aimed at prevention and treatment. Simple acts like wearing purple, sharing personal stories, or participating in awareness events can make a meaningful impact.

Research remains key to combating Alzheimer’s. While there is currently no cure, recent advances in treatment and early detection are promising. Awareness not only helps reduce stigma but also fuels funding and policy changes that can improve lives (CDC, 2024).

Let’s take this month to honor caregivers, support ongoing research, and advocate for those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Together, we can help build a more informed and compassionate world.

References:

  1. Alzheimer’s Association. (2024). Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm

Medicare News - Majors Changes For 2025

You may have noticed all the TV and other media advertisements that the Medicare annual enrollment period is currently underway and runs from October 15 through December 7.  Medicare beneficiaries can make enrollment decisions to change their enrollment effective January 1, 2025.

Major Changes for 2025

There are a couple major changes in 2025 affecting Part D prescription drug plans:

1. $2,000 out-of-pocket spending cap for prescriptions

The $2,000-a-year out-of-pocket limit for prescription medications applies to stand-alone Medicare Part D policies and prescription drug coverage in Medicare Advantage plans.

It’s the first time in the history of the Medicare program that people have a cap on how much they have to pay out of pocket in a calendar year.

The $2,000 cap includes deductibles, copayments and coinsurance for covered drugs. It doesn’t apply to monthly premiums or to drugs a plan doesn’t cover.

2. No more Part D ‘donut hole’ or coverage gap

This change simplifies the way Part D works. 

In 2025, Part D plans can have a deductible up to $590. After you pay the deductible, then you pay copayments for your medications until your total out-of-pocket costs reach $2,000.  After your total out-of-pocket costs reach $2,000, your Medicare Part D plan will cover the cost of your medications until the end of the calendar year.

Therefore, it may be prudent for Medicare beneficiaries to determine whether a different standalone Part D plan or one bundled with their Medicare Advantage plan may be more cost effective for them in 2025.

Information on all Medicare plans offered by zipcode can be found at medicare.gov.

EBC Offers Medicare 101 

EBC offers our employer clients and their Medicare eligible employees and/or spouses a Powerpoint Presentation called Medicare 101.  It covers the basics of Medicare such as who is eligible for Medicare, the different parts of Medicare (e.g., Parts A, B, C and D), plan options, when to enroll, and how Medicare works with employer plans.  Medicare 101 may be useful for employees approaching age 65, contemplating retirement in the future, or may be interested in enrolling themselves and/or their spouses in Medicare rather than through their employer’s health plan.

In addition, EBC has Medicare certified agents that can help our client’s employees and/or their spouses to determine what Medicare plan is best for them and their budget as well as assist in their enrollment in the plans that they choose.

Although people already enrolled in Medicare can make enrollment changes during the annual enrollment period, October 15 through December 7 with an effective date of January 1, employees currently enrolled in health plans via their employer can enroll in Medicare effective in any month of the year if they are age 65 or older.  Enrolling in Medicare may save money for the employee and the employer.