HealthBytes December & January

We’re about you

Cross border payments 1 Emergency rescue services 2 Fraud, waste and abuse 3 Cutomer feedback 4 Intra - Uterine devices 4 World Aids Day 5 Tips to stay healthy over the festive season 6 B2B message 8 Seasons greetings 8 Table of contents Table

E & OE. (errors and omissions excepted). Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information in this document is correct, errors and omissions Fraud hotline – Confidential may occur and the Fund cannot be held accountable for any reliance placed Tel: 0800 647 000 on the information contained herein. The Fund’s Client Services may be

Disclaimer Email: [email protected] contacted to confirm any information contained in this document.

Diamond Arrow Award Highest rated medical aid in Namibia: 2010 - 2019 Highest rated institution conducting business in the most ethical way: 2017 – 2019

Administered by Cross border payments

Banking sector regulations (International FATF16 rules and Due to payments to the non-participating banks through EFT regulations) require that cross border messages are to be being rejected, they were effected manually through SWIFT. enriched with additional information to comply with certain This process resulted in Namibian banks charging additional requirements as from 23 September 2019 onwards. fees of NAD177.50 per transaction and furthermore resulted in a one week delay for the funds to reflect in the recipient’s bank Unfortunately, some banks in South Africa have decided not account. to make the required system changes and therefore will no longer be able to receive EFT transactions from Namibian To avoid any future delays in payments and high bank charg- Banks. es, we therefore kindly request that you provide alternative bank account details that are held with one of the participating These non-participating banks in South Africa are: banks as stipulated below.

• Bank Limited The South African participating banks are as follows: • Citibank • Limited • ABSA Bank Ltd • J.P. Morgan Chase Bank • FirstRand Bank Ltd • Limited • Ltd • SA Reserve Bank • of SA Ltd • Grobank Limited • SASFIN Bank Kindly provide a bank confirmation letter or cancelled • South African Post Office as proof of your banking details, accompanied by your practice • Mercantile Bank Limited or membership details before 15 December 2019 in order to • Tyme Bank Limited ensure that payments to you will be able to be facilitated in future.

Please email the requested details to the following email address: [email protected]

Should you have any questions in this regard, please contact us at [email protected]

1 Emergency assistance

Dedicated emergency medical assistance

E-Med Rescue: 061 222 223 Emergency number: 924 LifeLink EMS: 064 501 000 Emergency number: 999

Babyline

Help is at hand NHP has a dedicated toddler’s health advice line called Babyline. Babyline is available 24/7 365 days of the year.

All you need to do is have your membership number ready The Babyline service is available to all members with children before you call the toll-free number 0800 255 255 and a under 3 years, across all NHP benefit options. paediatric trained registered nurse will be available on the phone to assist with any health related concerns. We’re about you!

2 Your cooperation will significantly reduce the losses suffered as a result of fraud, waste and abuse in our industry.

Healthcare fraud, waste and abuse costs the healthcare industry millions, if not billions, every year. This cost eventually leads to increased healthcare costs and medical aid contributions for which you, the member, pay for.

Call, it’s the right thing to do...

Report unlawful healthcare fraud, waste and abuse.

Fraud hotline – Confidential Tel: 0800 647 000 3 Email: [email protected] Feedback from a satisfied NHP Member Thank you so much for your incredible service. I really appreciate the time that you took from your busy schedule this morning to assist me with my authorization and info regarding the Occupational Therapy Claim. Dear Member We would like to hear from you! Kindly SMS NHP has certainly maintained an excellent level of service to us on 081 739 4840 with suggestions on the my family over the years and we truly appreciate the value for types of topics you would like to see in the money service that your company provides. What a pleasure to HealthBytes and stand a chance to win a be greeted by all staff members and received in such a friendly, Smart watch. yet professional manner. Please keep up the great work!

Intra - Uterine devices

Mirena and Kyleena devices are not covered under the • The Fund will pay for the insertion of a Mirena or Kyleena In-Hospital benefit. Members are therefore advised to device or Implanon, up to a maximum amount of N$ 6 640 purchase the devices from the pharmacy or doctor. every 3 years. • This benefit excludes Blue Diamond and Litunga. If the Mirena and Kyleena procedure is done in hospital, • Members who have claimed for the device will not be able the member is responsible for extra costs incurred after the to claim for oral contraceptive medicine during the 3 year medical fund pays its maximum of N$6 640. period. • Pre-authorisation is required. 4 COMMUNITIES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

The theme of this year's World AIDS Day is "Communities make the difference".

The commemoration of World AIDS Day, which will take place World AIDS Day offers an important platform to highlight the on 1 December 2019, is an important opportunity to recognize role of communities at a time when reduced funding and a the essential role that communities have played and continue shrinking space for civil society are putting the sustainability of to play in the AIDS response at the international, national and services and advocacy efforts in jeopardy. local levels. Greater mobilization of communities is urgently required to Communities contribute to the AIDS response in many different address the barriers that stop communities delivering services, ways. Their leadership and advocacy ensure that the response including restrictions on registration and an absence of social remains relevant and grounded, keeping people at the centre contracting modalities. and leaving no one behind. The strong advocacy role played by communities is needed Communities include peer educators, networks of people living more than ever to ensure that AIDS remains on the with or affected by HIV, people who inject drugs and sex political agenda, that human rights are respected and that workers, women and young people, counsellors, community decision-makers and implementers are held accountable. health workers, door-to-door service providers, civil society organizations and grass-roots activists.

https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/campaigns/WAD_2019

nhpmedicalfund/ Namibia Health Plan namibia_health_plan

5 8 Tips to Stay Healthy on Your Summer Vacation

Going on vacation doesn’t have to mean backsliding on healthy habits, gaining weight or abandoning workouts. With a little mindful- ness, you can enjoy your indulgences without spiraling into a week-long sugar binge. Read on for tips for balancing health and fun while you travel.

1.Carry a Stash of Healthy Snacks

2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Even though most people are aware of the importance of hydration, many don’t drink enough Ever find yourself rushing to get to the airport on time, only to water even under ideal realize you haven’t eaten a thing since you woke up? Before circumstances, which can you hit the road on your summer vacation, plan ahead in order cause fatigue and to resist the siren song of a cinnamon roll the size of your sluggishness. Traveling can head. “It’s really important to always be prepped with foods make getting the that can act as snacks or makeshift meals,” says nutritionist hydration we need very Keri Glassman. “If you don’t, you end up in a situation where tricky, especially if you’re you’re starving, then dine out and overdo it.” Make sure to traveling by plane. Because have a stash of heart-healthy nuts, a high-protein nutrition air at high altitudes is very bar, or a few pieces of whole, fresh fruit with you at all times cold, it can’t hold much to stave off emergency hunger. Don’t end up in a situation moisture, so it can be very dehydrating. Avoid alcohol, bring your where you inhale a bag of greasy chips or stale doughnut just own water bottle (and frequently re-fill it), and accept hydrating because you need to eat something. beverages every time they’re offered. At your destination, hot temperatures, celebratory cocktails, and dry hotel air can sap your moisture. So make it your business to knock back extra 3. Avoid Liquid Calories H2O. Ask for a pitcher of water at your dinner table, and request a pint of water for every glass of wine at the bar. Aim for 8 glasses, but drink before you get thirsty by the time your body Partaking in an alcoholic drink or sends the signal, you’re already dehydrated. two is often part of a relaxing vacation, but those liquid calories can really add up. Sugary cocktails like margaritas can easily contain up to 500 calories in one 4. Bring Your Scale large drink. If you’ve really been looking forward to this treat, then “But I don’t want to know how much go for it, and enjoy every sip. But if weight I’m gaining,” you might be you’d rather save your “indulgence thinking. And we hear you – but calories” to try out the local cuisine vacation doesn’t have to or partake in dessert, stick mainly automatically equal weight gain. By to water and other keeping yourself accountable with low-calorie beverages. To amp up your scale, you’ll be able to keep the “wow” factor and nutrition of indulgences in perspective and not your low-calorie, hydrating water use vacation as an excuse to or seltzer, why not infuse it? Keri Glassman advises that consistently overeat and stop “Infusing your water is a great way to add new flavor without exercising. We promise you’ll feel adding excess calories.” Try tossing in fresh berries or citrus better, and have more energy slices for a punch of flavor and vitamin C, cucumbers for an during your vacation if you stay eye-opening freshness and antioxidant boost, or crushed mint balanced too! And even if you do for a refreshing, anti-bacterial treat. see the scale creeping up, that’s OK. Simply having an honest weight check-in each day can help you limit the damage. Better to come back a few pounds up than fifteen. 6 5. Plan Your Indulgences

When you’re in a fabulous new locale with exotic food and drink offerings, it would be a shame to stick to a draconian diet. After all, it’s vacation, a time to relax and enjoy yourself. Besides, if you’re the only one at the table eating salad and steamed veggies each night, you could find yourself overindulging on cookies and ice cream late at night as a result of feeling deprived. But you can have your cake and eat it too without gaining weight by choosing wisely. Give yourself what you crave, but balance indulgences with healthy fare. Opening the door doesn’t have to mean opening the floodgate. Try the 80/20 rule: Choose foods and drinks that are health-boosting, high-fiber, and lower calorie for 80% of your diet, and let the other 20% be your treat. If you know you’re going to have the city’s famous deep-dish pizza for dinner, choose a lighter, produce-based entrée for lunch, such as a salad or sandwich loaded with veggies. If the day’s treat is a pitcher of sangria and crispy tortilla chips with your Mexican meal, make breakfast an egg-white and veggie omelet or a bowl of whole grain oatmeal with fruit. Plus, when you do indulge, pay attention to your hunger cues and stop eating when you’re satisfied.

6. Get Some Shut-Eye Traveling can wreak 7. Drink in Sensory Pleasures havoc on one’s sleep “To awaken alone in a schedule. From odd strange town is one of the arrival and departure most pleasant times, to time-zone sensations in the world.” related jet lag, to So says Freya Stark, staying up late dancing British explorer and travel and exploring, vaca- writer, who knew a thing tions can be anything or two about enjoying but routine. Studies vacation. Going on holiday have shown that offers the opportunity sleeping fewer than 6 to delight in all the five hours or more than 9 senses have to offer – plus hours a night can lead when your mind, spirit, and soul are full, the need to fill the to weight gain. According the Mayo Clinic blog, “One explanation stomach diminishes. The visual richness of an art gallery, the might be that sleep duration affects hormones regulating hunger auditory splendor of a symphony concert, the tactile bliss of a — ghrelin and leptin — and stimulates the appetite. Another massage, and the dizzying aroma of a spice market can bring contributing factor might be that lack of sleep leads to fatigue and about just as much pleasure and happiness. While good food and results in less physical activity.” To stay healthy and stave off the drink can be a truly pleasant experience as well, find a balance, extra pounds, try to sync your circadian rhythm to the local time and don’t make eating and drinking your vacation’s only thrill. as soon as possible, resist the urge to snack in the middle of the night and go to sleep and rise at the same time each day.

4. Bring Your Scale 8. Choose Workouts that Don’t Feel Like Working Out

Instead of forcing yourself to stick to your regular workout routine of challenging weight lifting sessions or high intensity cardio, use your vacation as a chance to try something new – and perhaps a little less strenuous. If you’re a runner, a running tour of your desti- nation can be a great way to get to know the locale. Don’t worry about pace or distance and stop as often as you want to take pictures or explore the area. Another great way to burn calories is dancing, so get dressed up and hit the club floor or a nearby music festival. If you’ve chosen a beach vacation, take the opportunity to rent a paddle boat or try out water sports – this type of activity won’t feel like working out, but will still get your blood pumping. If those options don’t appeal to you, don’t worry – just focus on walking. Instead of taking public transportation or driving, walk as much as you can. Not only is this a healthier choice, but it provides the opportunity to see a city or village up-close and personal. Choose to visit landmarks that require a little effort to reach. Is there a panoramic view or famous statue up a hill or mountain? Walk there. And in your hotel or resort, skip the elevators and escalators, and take the stairs instead. You’ll feel better, and burn more calories to boot.There you have it! With a little planning, an eye toward balance, a couple of scale checks and a healthy mindset, you can have all the fun you want to and still make it healthy.

https://blog.withings.com/2016/07/22/8-tips-stay-healthy-summer-vacation/ 7 NHP Back to Basics Wellness Challenge

The NHP Wellness team would like to congratulate all who And remember: participated in the Wellness Challenge, your enthusiasm was inspiring. Continue on this journey during the festive season so • Drink 2 to 4 litters of water daily we can start off the New Year healthy and with renewed zeal. • Eat 3 to 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily • Focus on creating healthy and positive habits • Walk at least 8 000 steps a day • Budget and stick to it • Have a routine in order to get a good night’s rest • Live a simplified life through better time management and • Remember to be grateful for something every day.

At this special time of year, we give thanks for clients like you who have made our jobs easier and our lives more fulfilling. Thank you for being you. From all of us at NHP, best wishes and may every happiness be yours throughout the coming year.

Happy Holidays and warm wishes for 2020!

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