Spreading Joy: Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

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The holiday season is more than just a time for celebration—it’s a moment to reflect, connect, and share generosity. Amid the festivities, finding ways to give back can deepen the joy of the season while uplifting others in your community. Whether it’s volunteering, donating, or simply offering a kind gesture, giving back can create lasting memories and a ripple effect of kindness.

The tradition of helping others during the holidays dates back to the first Thanksgiving in 1621 when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag celebrated a successful harvest. Today, acts of generosity have become an essential part of the season, from modern Giving Tuesday campaigns to timeless traditions like food drives and gift-giving.

One way to contribute is by joining local charity events such as turkey trots, which support various causes while bringing families and friends together. If running isn’t your style, consider extending a heartfelt invitation to someone who might feel lonely this season, reminding them that they are seen and valued. Alternatively, participating in initiatives like Toys for Tots or Feeding America can help bring joy and sustenance to families in need.

Organizations like the Salvation Army, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Red Cross offer opportunities to give, whether through donations or hands-on efforts such as bell-ringing or blood drives. You can also explore group activities like assembling meal packs with Feed My Starving Children or collecting shoes for Soles4Soles, turning acts of service into meaningful experiences with friends and family.

This season, remember that giving isn’t always about money or time—it’s about the intention to make someone’s day brighter. Whether by supporting local service clubs, helping military families through Operation Homefront, or donating to animal welfare organizations like American Humane, your efforts contribute to a season filled with compassion and warmth.

For more inspiration and ideas on how to make a difference, visit 12 Ways You Can Give Back This Holiday Season.

Trek for a Cosmic Cause with Hike-a-Thon

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ALLtech Supports Hike-a-Thon 2024

ALLtech Benefits is once again sponsoring the annual Hike-a-Thon challenge to support the Washington Trails Association (WTA) this August! Committed to the health and wellness of our members and the greater community, we want to help ensure there are trails for everyone, forever.

“We believe — and the science supports — that getting outdoors in nature is good for the body and the mind,” says ALLtech Trustee Ken Myer.

This is the fourth year in a row that ALLtech has been a sponsor of the Hike-a-thon. ALLtech partners AP Insurance & Benefit Solutions and Regence are also sponsoring WTA’s Hike-a-Thon 2024!

 

How You Can Participate in Hike-a-Thon

Hike-a-Thon is a community fundraising event that gives hikers and anyone who loves the outdoors the opportunity to raise funds for Washington Trails Association. Throughout August, Hike-a-Thon participants hike, share stories of their outdoor adventures, and raise funds that directly support trails in Washington.

Registration is free and simple, with plenty of tips available via the Hike-a-Thon Toolkit. You will have the opportunity to choose whether to hike as an individual or to create or join a team of two to 10 hikers. Consider forming a team with your family, friends or colleagues!

Will replace with correct link when live on WTA site

Don’t want to hike but want to donate? Donate to your favorite team, or directly to the WTA.

Join or Donate

 

Why Support Washington Trails Association

The Washington Trails Association is a nonprofit that mobilizes hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands.

Its robust website, wta.org, is the go-to source for Washington state hikers looking for their next adventure. The site also offers Trail Smarts tips for both new and experienced hikers, ways to get involved, and much more.

WTA also is a leader in advocacy to support trails and wildlands, and is responsible for creating the state’s largest volunteer trail maintenance program.

Becoming a member might be the easiest way to support WTA, but joining Hike-a-Thon is definitely the most fun way to give back.

 

Need Hiking Tips?

It’s never too early to start planning your Hike-a-Thon destinations! The best place to turn to is WTA’s Hiking Guide to find a hike based on region, length, user ratings and other features, or check out the site’s Trip Reports or recommendations based by season.

 

We’ll see you on the trails!

6 Questions to Ask Your Doctor at Your Next Visit

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From ALLtech medical partner Regence BlueShield

Now is a great time to schedule an annual wellness visit or routine check-up with your personal doctor, also known as a primary care provider (PCP). Here are some questions you could ask during the visit to help prevent future illness and save money on your health care costs.

Questions about preventive care

1. What preventive services and screenings do you recommend for me? Depending on your medical history and family history, your doctor may recommend lab work to check for certain diseases or conditions. They may also recommend screening procedures — such as a colorectal cancer screening, bone mineral density test, mammogram, or Pap smear test. If your doctor recommends tests and screenings, you might want to ask how the tests will be administered, if you need to do anything to prepare, and how you’ll be informed of the results.

  • For ALLtech members enrolled in medical coverage through Regence, most preventive services and screenings are covered with no copay and no deductible. However, some diagnostic tests, labs and procedures may have a cost share responsibility. Check your benefits at regence.com or call the number on your member ID card for more details and to confirm your coverage.

2. What vaccinations should I get? Some vaccinations, such as for flu, are recommended annually. There are also some newer vaccines you may not have gotten yet, such as vaccines for COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia, and shingles. Your personal doctor can recommend the vaccines that are right for you.

  • Vaccines are covered by ALLtech plans at no cost, but deductibles, copays and coinsurance may apply. To check your coverage, sign in to your account at regence.com or call the number on your member ID card.

3. How much and what kinds of physical activity do I need to stay healthy and avoid falls and injuries? Your doctor can suggest strengthening exercises and other ways you can be physically active, tailored to your specific needs and health conditions.

  • ALLtech members have access to discounts on fitness-related products and services like fitness devices and gym memberships through Regence Advantages.

4. What can I do to improve my mental health? Your doctor can do a screening with you to check for mental health risks like depression and anxiety. They can suggest activities that can help, as well as prescribe medications and refer you to a mental health counselor as needed.

  • Through ALLtech, members have access to virtual mental health treatment options through MDLIVE at $0 co-pay on most plans. No referral is needed — you can visit the provider website and fill out the intake form for an appointment.

Questions related to prescription drugs

5. Should any changes be made to my prescriptions? Review the list of prescription drugs you’re taking with your doctor, as well as dosages, supplements, and any over-the-counter drugs you take regularly. Your body can change over time, so the drugs you’re taking may need to change as well. You may be able to stop taking a drug or change to a different dose, or you may need to start taking a new drug.

6. Is there anything I can do to save money on my prescription drugs? Your doctor may be able to help you save, such as changing your prescription to a generic or other less expensive alternative drug. You can compare drug prices at various pharmacies and shop around for the best deals using the price comparison tool when you sign in at regence.com.

A word of caution about your coverage

Most ALLtech plans cover an Annual Wellness Visit or annual check-up at no cost to you. However, you may have to pay additional coinsurance or cost shares if your doctor ends up performing any diagnostic tests or procedures during your visit.

Questions?

If you have any questions about your plan’s coverage or need help finding care, sign in to your account at regence.com and use the Chat feature, or call the number on your member ID card.

Want to learn more about enrolling in ALLtech? Fill out our Request a Quote form or email alltech@advprofessionals.com.

It’s Time to Submit Your Nominations for the 2024 GeekWire Awards!

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The GeekWire Awards, taking place May 9 at the Showbox Sodo in Seattle, is now accepting nominations for amazing entrepreneurs, innovators, deal makers and nonprofit leaders across more than a dozen categories.

Nominations are open from January 29 to February 29, then you’ll get another chance to make your voice count when community voting opens from March 13 to April 12.

Keep these details in mind when filling out the GeekWire Awards nomination form:

  • The GeekWire Awards recognizes companies, organizations and individuals based in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington and British Columbia).
  • Past winners are not eligible in the same category.
  • One nomination is as good as 20, so no need to flood the ballot box.
  • Thoughtful and well-written nominations receive stronger consideration.
Then hopefully we’ll see you at the GeekWire Awards to celebrate the winners!

ALLtech Helps Members Stay Healthy with Virtual Care at $0 Co-Pay

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When you’re enrolled in ALLtech, accessing health care is easy whether you’re in the office, at home or on the go with virtual care at $0 co-pay on most plans.

Through MDLIVE, members enrolled in medical through Regence BlueShield or Asuris Northwest Health have 24/7 access to a broad range of services that include:

Primary Care

Consult with a board-certified doctor who will diagnose and treat non-emergency medical conditions, prescribe medications and send prescriptions to your pharmacy. Some common ailments that can be treated include cold/flu, allergies and headaches. For a detailed list, view our Welcome to MDLIVE flyer.

Behavioral Health Care

Through ALLtech, members can talk to a licensed counselor or psychiatrist from their home, office or on the go, to treat issues such as stress, depression, eating disorders, grief and loss, and more. The confidential, convenient online therapy is available 24/7 via the MDLIVE app. To learn more, download the MDLIVE Behavioral Health flyer.

Dermatology

ALLtech members have 24/7 access to a network of leading, board-certified dermatologists who can diagnose and treat more than 3,000 skin, hair and nail conditions online. A visit takes less than 10 minutes to complete, compared to waiting days, weeks or even months to visit with a dermatologist in-person. See our post Virtual Dermatology Visits Now Available Through ALLtech to learn more, or visit the MDLIVE Dermatology page.

Substance Use Disorder

MDLIVE partners with Boulder Care to offer a unique virtual care model that provides access 24/7 to substance use disorder treatment. Learn more in our article ALLtech Addresses Substance Use Disorder with Unique Virtual Care Model or visit Boulder.Care/Regence.

Learn More

To login or learn more, go to MDLIVE.com/Regence-WA or MDLIVE.com/Asuris

8 Ways to Improve Your Health in the New Year

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From ALLtech medical partner Regence BlueShield

If your New Year’s resolutions include a goal to improve your health in 2024, here are eight things you can do this year with a little help from ALLtech Benefits’ medical partner Regence:

  1. Select a primary care provider if you haven’t yet. Having a doctor established now makes it easy to get care when you need it. It can take a while to get in for an initial appointment, so schedule it right away. If you need help finding an in-network primary care provider, try Regence’s find a doctor tool or call the number on the back of your member ID card.
  2. Get an annual wellness visit with your primary care provider, which is covered by most ALLtech medical plans with no out-of-pocket costs. Your doctor can assess your overall health and give you guidance on how to improve. This baseline can be very helpful as you plan health, fitness and weight loss goals for the year.
  3. Take care of your mental health. Make self-care a priority. If you’re struggling and need help, ALLtech covers a variety of mental health care services and resources, such as one-on-one counseling, group therapy, medication, as well as self-guided well-being tools and virtual care options. Learn more about ALLtech’s Employee Assistance Program, Wellspring EAP, and virtual behavioral health resources available through MDLIVE.
  4. Get all your age-appropriate recommended health screenings, such as screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers. Most screenings are covered through ALLtech with no out-of-pocket costs if you meet criteria. Talk to your doctor about which screenings you should get this year and sign in to your account on regence.com to learn more about your coverage. It may take a few months to get in for some screenings, so get them scheduled early.
  5. Get vaccinated. Getting all your age-appropriate recommended vaccinations will help you avoid illness so you can focus on improving your health. Most vaccinations are covered through ALLtech with no out-of-pocket costs if you meet criteria. Some vaccinations, like the flu shot, are covered annually. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for help deciding which vaccinations you should get.
  6. Participate in a wellness program. The Regence Empower app is a wellness program available to ALLtech members, but you can use it even if you’re not part of an employer plan. The app can help you track your progress on things like sleep, stress, food and exercise. You can also use it to participate in health challenges and find links to podcasts and helpful health-related information. Download the Regence Empower flyer for more information.
  7. Familiarize yourself with all the care options covered by your health plan. Make sure you know when you should head to the emergency room versus an urgent care or your doctor’s office, versus the virtual care and telehealth options available with your ALLtech plan. Knowing the difference could save you time and money, and it’s better to figure it out now instead of when you’re sick.
  8. Consider nutrition counseling. Most Regence plans cover one-on-one nutrition counseling with a dietitian to help you improve your diet. The counseling can be especially helpful if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or renal kidney disease. Benefits vary by plan and can depend on applicable state or federal mandates. To learn what’s available for you, sign in to your account to chat online or call us at the number on the back of your member ID card.

Log in to your account at regence.com or call the number on the back of your insurance card to learn more about all your insurance coverage.

Preventive Care Resources for ALLtech Members

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2024 is right around the corner, and with it comes a new allocation of preventive care benefits for groups enrolled in ALLtech medical coverage. As an ALLtech member, comprehensive preventive care benefits are included — such as annual wellness exams, immunizations, age-appropriate screenings, and services for pregnant members and children — with no out-of-pocket cost when received from in-network providers.

Check out the online Regence preventive care list to gain insights about the importance of preventive care and a detailed listing of all no-cost preventive care that’s included with groups’ plans.

Get more by creating an account

To learn more about your ALLtech medical plan benefits, consider creating an account on regence.com or downloading the Regence app. Creating an account unlocks valuable features that enable members to have a personalized experience with their health plan. When signed in to their account, members can access the following resources:

  • Find care: This enables members to search and schedule appointments with in-network doctors and specialists locally — and nationwide when they’re away from home.
  • Estimate costs: Members can save money by comparing costs for tests, treatments and common procedures from multiple providers. They can also get personalized real-time out-of-pocket cost estimates based on their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
  • Telehealth: Members can access convenient, cost-effective high-quality care through MDLIVE for nonurgent needs and behavioral health.
  • Nurse advice: Members rely on Advice24 for guidance and support for everyday health concerns. It’s a convenient and quick way to get support from a registered nurse for nonemergency health issues and questions that might otherwise lead to unnecessary doctor and ER visits. Advice24 is embedded in most fully insured group plans and available as a buy-up to ASO groups.
  • Wellness: Regence Empower™ provides personalized tools and resources designed to guide each member to improved health. Program enhancements effective Jan. 1, 2024, include wellness incentive rewards for participating employees’ eligible spouses or domestic partners.
  • Medication cost savings: Members can research the efficacy and costs of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and compare brand-names vs. generics before buying.
  • Regence Advantages: This comprehensive discount program provides savings on over-the-counter health and wellness products, fertility services, hearing aids and more. Regence Advantages partner Active&Fit Direct offers access to 12,500+ fitness centers (including participating 24 Hour Fitness locations) nationwide for just $28 per month and has a $0 enrollment fee when members join by Feb. 29, 2024.

For more resources available to ALLtech members, visit the Wellness Resources page on the ALLtech Employer portal.

It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week: 5 Reasons to Get a Flu Shot

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To help recognize National Influenza Vaccination Week, taking place December 4-8, 2023, ALLtech Benefits would like to remind you that there’s still time to get a flu shot to help you celebrate the holidays safely. Members enrolled in ALLtech received full coverage for the cost of most vaccinations at 100 percent when members see an in-network provider.

Why get a flu shot?

Flu shots benefit you, your family and your community 

The most important action to protect yourself against flu is getting a flu vaccine each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine to reduce your risk of getting flu and lessen its symptoms if you do get sick.

Getting vaccinated against flu can also help protect loved ones, like adults 65 years and older and people living with chronic conditions, both groups of people who are at higher risk of having serious flu complications. Bottom line? Getting an annual flu vaccine is important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community against flu.

Flu shots benefit pregnant people and babies 

Flu can be especially serious for pregnant people because of changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy that can make them more vulnerable to flu and its potentially severe complications. The good news? Getting a flu vaccine can reduce your risk of getting flu and lessen flu symptoms if you do get sick both during and after pregnancy. A flu shot during pregnancy also can help protect your baby from flu for several months after birth, when they’re too young to be vaccinated themselves.

Flu vaccines have safely protected millions of pregnant people and their babies from flu for decades. One study showed fewer cases of infants with flu in mothers who got a flu vaccine compared to mothers who were not vaccinated. This is because, when vaccinated while pregnant, you pass antibodies on to your developing baby.

Flu shots benefit young children 

Did you know flu can be more serious for children than a cold? That’s why it’s also important to get your children vaccinated against flu this year. Children younger than 5 years old – especially those younger than 2 – and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions, like asthma and diabetes, are at a higher risk of developing potentially serious flu complications. Because these groups of children are at higher risk, it is especially important they get a flu vaccine to reduce their risk of getting sick or being hospitalized or dying from flu if they do get sick.

Flu vaccines are safe and effective – and there’s still time to get vaccinated

Every year, experts update flu vaccines as needed to best protect against the viruses expected to spread during the upcoming season. During seasons when the vaccine viruses are well-matched to the viruses that are spreading, flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness by 40 percent to 60 percent. And if someone who is vaccinated gets sick, vaccination has been shown to reduce severity of illness, reducing the risk of serious flu outcomes.

The best time to get vaccinated is before flu has begun spreading widely in your community but vaccination can still be protective later. Flu most commonly peaks in February, and significant flu activity can continue into May.

You have options on which flu vaccine to get and where to get it, including at a health care provider’s office, at work, a pharmacy, some stores, or even supermarkets. Speak with a health care provider today about getting a flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated against flu at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm.

The GeekWire Gala is Back on Dec. 6

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GeekWire, the sponsoring association of ALLtech, is excited to bring its GeekWire Gala holiday party back to the Showbox Market on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

In addition to a festive party with dancing, cocktails and karaoke, the event also will recognize the region’s “Uncommon Thinkers,” groundbreaking innovators who are changing the way we work, live and play.

In terms of dress code, attendees have the rare license to don cocktail attire in Seattle — or wear whatever you want for that matter. Tuxedos? Sure. Geeky T-shirts? Yep. Even better, break out your fiercest winter fashions, competing for individual and team prizes.

The GeekWire Gala is a 21+ event taking place from 6-10 p.m. at the historic Showbox Market near Pike Place Market at 1426 First Ave.

Giving Thanks is Good for Your Health 

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Practicing gratitude around the holidays is a tradition for many families, but it turns out sticking with it throughout the year can have profound impacts on your overall health.  

Improve Your Mood with Gratitude

Some days it may feel impossible to think of even one thing that you’re grateful for, but in fact, these are the times when you can use a bit of gratitude the most. Studies have shown that offering thanks for things in life that are meaningful to you can decrease depression and anxiety, and if practiced regularly can even change the way your brain is wired. 

Turning on gratitude isn’t first nature for many of us, so start small with a daily affirmation – maybe something as simple as thinking about someone you’re grateful for, then gradually building on that by expressing your gratitude to the person.  

Now it’s contagious! Think about the last time a friend or even a stranger made your day by showing their appreciation for you. In the short term, it improves the mood of both parties, and in the long run practicing these acts of kindness will help gratitude become your brain’s go-to response. 

The Joy of Journaling

Another method that has been shown to improve both mental and physical health is keeping a gratitude journal. Some people prefer a bound journal to physically write in each day, but it can be just as meaningful to keep track digitally with your smart phone or computer. What’s important is to maintain a frequency that is realistic – it should feel enjoyable and cathartic, not like a chore. 

Maybe you prefer to jot down something about people or moments that you appreciated each day, or maybe it’s better for you to aim for once a week. Regardless of what you choose, the practice will help you focus more on the many positive experiences you have every day. 

Bring Thanks to the Workplace

Want to help foster a more positive environment in the workplace, too? Bring your gratitude to the office, especially if you are a manager or work in customer service.  

And don’t just say “Thank you” to be polite without really thinking about what you’re saying. Be present, and make a conscious effort to think about precisely what it is that you are thankful for. 

Thank YOU from ALLtech Benefits!

With that, the team at ALLtech Benefits would like to thank you for reading our monthly news and health tips and for being a part of the ALLtech community! Want to learn more about what’s new with ALLtech for 2024? Download our 2024 ALLtech Fact Sheet, or contact us by calling 206.602.3558 or filling out our request a quote form.