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National Blood Donor Month: Why donating blood matters

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January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to celebrate and thank the millions of Americans who donate blood each year. Donating blood is a simple and easy way to make a big difference in the lives of others.

Every day, thousands of people need blood transfusions for a variety of reasons, including accidents, surgeries, and cancer treatments. Without blood donors, many of these people would not survive.

There are many reasons to donate blood. Here are just a few:

  • Donating blood saves lives. Every pint of blood can save up to three lives!
  • Donating blood is a safe and easy process. The entire donation process takes about an hour, and most people feel fine afterwards.
  • Donating blood is healthy for you. Donating blood helps to stimulate the production of new red blood cells, and it can also lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • Donating blood is a great way to give back to your community. Blood banks rely on the generosity of donors to meet the needs of patients in their communities.

If you are eligible to donate blood, please consider doing so during National Blood Donor Month or anytime of year. Your donation could save a life!

Here are some tips for getting ready to donate blood:

  • Drink plenty of fluids before and after your donation.
  • Eat a healthy meal before your donation.
  • Avoid strenuous activity before and after your donation.
  • Bring identification with you when you donate.

If you have any questions about donating blood, please talk to your doctor or contact a local blood bank. You can find a blood drive near you at the American Red Cross website or the Blood Centers of America website.

By celebrating National Blood Donor Month and donating blood, we can all help to ensure that everyone who needs a blood transfusion has access to safe, clean blood.

Mental Health Awareness During the Holiday Season

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The holiday season is often a time of joy and celebration. However, for many people, it can also be a time of stress, anxiety, and depression.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of people with mental illness say the holidays make their conditions worse.

Why do the holidays have such an impact on mental health?

There are a number of reasons why the holidays can be a difficult time for mental health. These include:

  • Increased stress: The holidays can be a very stressful time. People often have to deal with financial pressures, social obligations, and travel arrangements.
  • Loneliness: The holidays can be a time of loneliness, especially for people who have lost loved ones or who are away from family and friends.
  • Unrealistic expectations: The holidays are often portrayed as a time of perfect happiness. This can create unrealistic expectations that can lead to disappointment and sadness.
  • Changes in routine: The holidays can disrupt people’s routines. This can be especially difficult for people with mental illness.

What are some signs of mental health distress during the holidays?

Some signs of mental health distress during the holidays include:

  • Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
  • Difficulty sleeping or eating
  • Changes in mood, such as feeling sad, anxious, or irritable
  • Withdrawing from social activities
  • Using substances to cope with stress

What can you do to protect your mental health during the holidays?

There are a number of things you can do to protect your mental health during the holidays. These include:

  • Set realistic expectations: Don’t try to make the holidays perfect. Accept that things may not go your way.
  • Practice self-care: Make time for activities that you enjoy, such as reading, exercising, or spending time with loved ones.
  • Set boundaries: Learn to say no to things that you don’t have time for or that will add to your stress.
  • Connect with others: Spend time with loved ones and people who support you.
  • Seek professional help: If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help.

Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:

How can the APWU Health Plan help?

To help you feel better and more in control of your emotional well-being, the APWU Health Plan offers our members benefits for mental health. If you are a member of our High Option Plan, office visits with a licensed professional mental health practitioner are only a $25 copay when you stay in-network. We also offer $10 virtual visits through Teladoc for those who prefer not to go in person. For members of our Consumer Driven Option, you can use your Personal Care Account, as long as funds are available, for both in-office and virtual visits; if your PCA is exhausted, a deductible and a 15 percent coinsurance will apply. With UnitedHealthcare’s extensive network, there are over 305,000 behavioral health providers to choose from.

We encourage you to get the help you need so that you can get back to being you. Call the number on the back of your ID card to get started.

Feeling Thankful

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Happy Thanksgiving from our Health Plan family to you and yours.

In this month of giving thanks, we would like to share our appreciation for placing your trust in your Health Plan. The health of you and your family matters most to us!

Together. Better Health.

As we count down to Open Season (19 days left) and the 2024 benefit year, we continue our drive to offer new resources and benefit enhancements as part of our mission and promise to create healthy lifestyles.

We’re grateful for the families we serve each day. We wish you a healthy holiday season.

Sarah J. Rodriguez, Director

Randy Griffin, Chief Operating Manager

2023 APWU Health Plan Virtual Open Season Health Fairs!

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We wanted to give you an opportunity to meet with APWU Health Plan staff virtually and learn about our benefits. Postal, Federal, and Retirees who are eligible for the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program can access and attend our virtual health fairs safely online.

During Open Season, every Tuesday, from 12-2pm EST our Health Plan staff will be online to answer questions and discuss plan features. Please forward this link to anyone who is eligible to participate. Click on the register now to confirm your attendance.

Once registered you will get an email confirmation with a GoToWebinar link and dial-in information. The day before the virtual health fair date you selected, you will receive an email reminder with the dial-in information and instructions.

Register Now! for any of our Virtual Health Fairs.

Open Season 2023 is from November 13-December 11!

Thank you APWU Health Plan Staff for a successful APWU All Craft Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada!

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The 2023 APWU All Craft Conference was a huge success, and I owe a big debt of gratitude to the APWU Health Plan Staff for their hard work and dedication.

The conference was held at the Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel (formerly Bally’s Las Vegas), October 2 – 4, 2023, and drew over 2,000 attendees from across the country. The conference was a great opportunity for APWU members to learn about the latest developments in the union, network with other members, and participate in educational workshops.

The APWU Health Plan Staff were responsible for setting up and running the APWU Health Plan booth and providing assistance to attendees throughout the conference. The APWU Health Plan Staff was professional, courteous, and helpful at all times. They went above and beyond to make sure that all attendees had a positive experience at the conference.

As the Director of the APWU Health Plan, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the APWU Health Plan Staff for their hard work and dedication in making the 2023 APWU All Craft Conference a success.

We are so lucky to have such a committed and talented team of staff members working for our health plan. Thank you again for all that you do!

Carroll Midgett Retires as Chief Operating Manager of APWU Health Plan

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Rocky Midgett, Chief Operating Manager of the APWU Health Plan, will retire after almost 42 years of service. Mr. Midgett began his career with the APWU Health Plan in 1981 as Senior Systems Programmer. He quickly rose through the ranks, holding positions as the Division Manager of Operations Support, before being appointed as the Chief Operating Manager in 1991.

During his tenure as Chief Operating Manager, Rocky Midgett oversaw the growth and success of the APWU Health Plan. He led the development of innovative new products like the Consumer Driven Plan in FEHB, improved customer service, and reduced costs. He also played a key role in the plan’s adoption of new technologies.

Mr. Midgett is a highly respected leader in the health care industry. He is the Chariman of the Association of Federal Health Organizations (AFHO). He is also highly respected by his colleagues for his leadership, his expertise, and his sense of humor.

In his retirement, Midgett plans to spend more time with his family and his boat. He also plans to travel and volunteer in his community.

The APWU Health Plan is grateful for Rocky Midgett’s many years of service. He has made a significant contribution to the success of the plan, and he will be missed by his colleagues and members.

On behalf of the Health Plan Board I would like to express that Rocky Midgett has been a tremendous asset to the APWU Health Plan. He has helped to make the plan what it is today, and we are grateful for his many years of service.

The APWU Health Plan wishes Rocky Midgett all the best in his retirement and we know that he will be missed.

A gathering in honor of Mr. Midgett’s retirement was held on August 03, at the APWU Health Plan headquarters in Glen Burnie, MD.