Feb 2020

HealthLine
FEBRUARY 2020
www.local4funds.org
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 4
HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN
Dear Health & Welfare Participant,
This edition of HealthLine features the
following topics:
• Report of Contributions
• Updates to Dental Blue Total Health
Solution
• Hinge Health Expands with Hip Program
• Modern Assistance Programs Virtual
Counseling Program
REPORT OF CONTRIBUTIONS
During the month of February, you
will receive a Report of Contributions.
Your report will contain information
regarding hours you worked and the
contributions made to the Funds on
your behalf by your employer(s) as of
December 31, 2019. You should review
the report for errors and missing hours. If
you need to report missing hours, please
follow the instructions on the Report of
Contributions. All missing or incorrectly
reported hours/contributions must be
provided to the Funds Office in writing.
The Report of Contributions will
include your Health Plan eligibility status. If
you are eligible for Health Plan coverage as
of March 1, 2020, this information will be
indicated on your report.
Important note about the hours
requirement for coverage under the
Basic Plan: The Health Plan Year runs
March 1, 2020, through February 28, 2021.
If you work the required number of hours
(Local 4 = 1,000 hours; Local 4D = 1,500
hours; non-collectively bargained employee
covered under a Participation Agreement =
1,800 hours), you will be covered under the
Basic Plan as of March 1, 2020.
If your Health Plan coverage will
terminate as of February 29, 2020, this will
also be indicated on your report. If your
coverage will be terminating, you will receive
a COBRA information package, which will
also include the Plan A Buy-In information.
Please also keep in mind that you can always
check your hours and your eligibility status
by logging on to the Local 4 Funds’ Member
Self-Service Portal, available on the Funds’
website at www.local4funds.org.
If you have any questions about
enrolling in COBRA or Plan A, please
contact the Health Fund’s Eligibility
Department at 1-508-533-1400, option 5.
UPDATES TO DENTAL BLUE
TOTAL HEALTH SOLUTION
Your Dental Blue benefit has expanded
the list of chronic conditions that qualify
members for Enhanced Dental Benefits.
The updated list now includes stroke
and Sjogren’s syndrome. Members with
qualifying conditions who have both
Condition
Diabetes
One cleaning or
periodontal
maintenance
visit every 3
months
Periodontal
scaling once
per quadrant
every 24
months
✓ ✓
Coronary artery
disease ✓ ✓
Stroke*
medical and dental coverage through
the Plan are automatically enrolled in
this program at Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Massachusetts (BCBSMA). With this
update, qualifying conditions now include:
• Diabetes
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke
• Pregnancy
• Oral cancer
• Sjogren’s syndrome
The Enhanced Dental Benefits offer
qualifying members additional, specific
support, including full coverage for
preventive and periodontal services
that have been connected to improved
overall health. Please see the table below
for coverage details for members with
qualifying conditions.
Oral cancer
screening
once
every 6
months
Fluoride
treatment
every 3
months
✓ ✓
Pregnancy
✓ ✓
Oral cancer
✓ ✓ ✓
Sjogren’s
syndrome* ✓ ✓ ✓
*Stroke and Sjogren’s syndrome are conditions being added to benefits effective September 1, 2019.
(continued on page 8)

2
WANNA LOSE WEIGHT?
Forgo Fad Diets
(recipe)
Slow-Cooker Chicken
Lentil Casserole
Cooking oil spray
¾ lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
(about 1 large)
1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
6 oz. portabella mushrooms, diced
1 lb. frozen spinach, thawed
1 cup dry lentils, rinsed in cold water to clean
1 jar mango chutney (9 oz.)
1 tbsp. fresh thyme, minced, plus
more for garnish
1 quart no- or low-salt chicken stock
1½ cups water
½ tsp. black pepper
1 cup brown rice
VISITING THE DIET SECTION AT THE
BOOKSTORE could make you believe that
there are countless tricks to lose weight.
But experts say there is only one proven
way to lighten the load—by burning more
calories than you eat and drink. Several
fad diets ignore this rule and just don’t
work. And some diets can threaten your
short- and long-term health.
Consider these ways to lose weight
safely:
Eat a variety of foods to get all
your daily nutrients. Focus on
fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
lean meats, poultry, fish, and
fat-free or low-fat dairy.
Limit saturated fat intake
to less than 10 percent of
your daily calories.
Decrease the amount of
sugar, cholesterol, and salt
in your diet.
Avoid soda and alcohol.
Drink water instead.
Read nutrition labels and
follow the recommended
serving size.
Get 30 to 60 minutes of
exercise, four to six times
per week. Walking and cycling
are good bets.
Talk with your health care provider
if you want to lose weight. He or she
can help you find a weight-loss plan
that’s safe, effective, and tailored to
your specific needs.
Heat a large nonstick or cast-iron pan over
high heat for one minute. Spray with oil, heat
for 30 more seconds, then add chicken breast.
Sauté until both sides are browned but not
cooked through all the way, about five minutes.
Place chicken and all ingredients, except
for brown rice, into slow cooker. Cook on high
for 2½ hours or on low for 6 hours. Add rice
and cook on high for 1½ more hours. If chicken
breast hasn’t fallen apart, use a fork and knife
to shred and mix it in casserole. Garnish with
fresh thyme if so desired.
Serves 10; serving size is 2 cups.
Each serving provides about 234 calories,
1 g total fat (0.3 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat),
20 mg cholesterol, 230 mg sodium,
40 g carbohydrates, 8 g fiber, 11 g sugar,
and 17 g protein.

3
ALMONDS CAN’T BE MILKED (DUH!). COCONUTS DON’T HAVE UDDERS (THANK GOODNESS!).
NEVERTHELESS, PLANT-BASED “MILKS” ARE TAKING OVER DAIRY SECTIONS IN GROCERY STORES AROUND
THE COUNTRY. WHETHER YOU’RE CONSIDERING GOING NONDAIRY FOR GOOD, OR JUST CURIOUS ABOUT
ADDING A SPLASH OF SOY MILK TO YOUR MORNING COFFEE, HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.
COW-NTERFEITS
Plant milk isn’t real milk. Instead
of coming from a cow, it’s processed
from plants such as nuts, coconuts,
seeds, and grains. Almond milk, for
example, is made by soaking and
grinding almonds and then mixing
the paste with water.
There’s talk about possibly
removing “milk,” “yogurt,” and
“cheese” from the labels of plant-based
products. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration worries that consumers
may misinterpret these terms to mean
that plant alternatives have the same
nutritional qualities as dairy products.
GLASS HALF FULL
Plant-based milk may not have the same
nutrients as cow’s milk, but it still offers
several benefits. For starters, many
varieties contain health-promoting
compounds. What’s more, plant milk
serves as a nondairy substitute for those
who are lactose intolerant or allergic to
milk. It also fits the vegan lifestyle. And
even if you don’t need to take milk
products out of your diet, plant-based
milk can be a fun change in taste
and texture.
NOT ALL MILKS ARE CREATED EQUAL
When it comes to choosing the plant milk for you, consider the pros and cons of these
four popular varieties:
Contains
vitamin E,
potassium,
magnesium
Low in
protein
Contains
antioxidants
High in
saturated fat
Opt for “fortified” versions to get as many
nutrients as possible. But keep in mind that you
still may not be getting all the calcium, protein,
and vitamin D that comes with dairy. That’s why
it’s important to meet with a dietitian and learn
how to incorporate plant-based milk into a
healthy, balanced diet for you and your family.
Contains
beta-glucan
(may help lower
blood sugar
and cholesterol
levels)
Low in
calcium
DO YOU KNOW
YOUR DAIRY?
Test your knowledge
by taking a quiz. Visit
Good source
of protein
(closest to
cow’s milk)
Low in
calcium
www.choosemyplate.gov/quiz.

4
2 SCREENS AREN'T BETTER THAN 1:
THE DANGERS OF MEDIA MULTITASKING
CHANCES ARE YOU’RE GUILTY OF
WATCHING TV WHILE USING
ANOTHER DEVICE. This is called second
screening or media multitasking, and an
estimated 87 percent of people do it. But
digital distraction isn’t always good for
bodies and brains.
THE TROUBLE WITH JUGGLING
Our neural networks weren’t designed
for the constant barrage of information.
Some studies show that heavy
multitaskers:
• Are forgetful and have trouble
paying attention
• Behave more impulsively
• Risk social anxiety and depression
• Are more often obese
• Have less gray matter in areas of
the brain linked to control of
thoughts and emotions
The impact may be more significant on
kids’ and teens’ developing brains.
SCREEN TIME SAVVY
Need to cut back on your screen time?
Here are some tips to start:
• Try a digital detox. Go a week—
if you can—phone-free. Notice
how you feel. Then aim to build in
more low-tech periods throughout
your day.
• Shut off alerts. Disable notifications on
apps. Constant pings may negatively
affect your well-being.
• Make household rules. Declare some
spaces and times—say, dinner and
bedrooms—device-free. By engaging
in screen-free family activities, you’ll
model healthy technology use for
your children.
(test your savvy on … antibiotics)
1. Antibiotics are a cure-all for what ails you.
■ TRUE ■ FALSE
2. Antibiotics work by fighting bacteria that make you
sick, either by killing them or stopping them from
growing. ■ TRUE
■ FALSE
3. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, take all the
medication prescribed. ■ TRUE ■ FALSE
4. Don’t take an antibiotic unless your doctor says you
need it. ■ TRUE ■ FALSE
stronger bacteria that are harder to treat.
4. True. If antibiotics are taken when they aren’t needed, they can create
only part of the infection.
3. True. If you use only part of the medicine, it can mean you treated
more often antibiotics are used, the bigger the risk that this can happen.
2. True. But sometimes, bacteria learn how to resist an antibiotic. The
Antibiotics won’t help you fight these illnesses.
a big help. But most common colds and flu are caused by viruses.
1. False. If you have a bacterial infection—like pneumonia—they can be
ANSWERS

5
Keep Kids Healthy with Vaccines
Why Vaccinate?
VACCINES CAN HELP YOUR CHILDREN GROW UP HEALTHY
BY PROTECTING THEM FROM SERIOUS DISEASES.
Vaccines have
reduced or even
eliminated many
diseases in the U.S.—
like polio.
Vaccines protect
your children from
serious diseases and
their complications,
like hearing loss or
paralysis.
Vaccines protect the
people around you—
those with weak
immune systems and
babies who are too
young to be
vaccinated.
As vaccination rates
climb, community
immunity rises—
making it harder for
diseases to spread.
Research has
disproved that
vaccines cause
conditions such as
autism or sudden
infant death
syndrome.
Measles Is on the Rise in the U.S.
Measles
infections are
increasing, most
likely because
of a drop in
vaccination
rates.
Measles spreads
through the air when
an infected person
coughs or sneezes.
Measles is so
contagious that if
one person has it,
up to 90% of the
people close to
that person who
aren’t immune
will also become
infected.
About 1 in 5 people in
the U.S. who gets measles
will be hospitalized.
Getting
vaccinated is
your best
defense against
measles.
By age 2, your child should receive protection against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.
Visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules to view the recommended immunization schedule.

6
NO GYM?
NO PROBLEM
YOUR COMPLETE
DIY WORKOUT
Sure, you can dead lift with dumbbells, hoist heavy metal plates on
weight machines, or reach for resistance bands. But there’s another
way to build strong muscles, healthy bones, and the power to
bound up stairs or carry armloads of groceries.
You can get an effective, fun, and safe strengthening workout using
equipment you carry with you every day: the weight of your own body.
TIME TO GET MOVING
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults
perform two muscle-strengthening sessions per week, in addition to at
least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic movement.
Your bodyweight workouts should involve all the major muscle
groups: legs, hips, back, abs, chest, shoulders, and arms. Here are
a few types of exercises you can include. Pick which ones you want
to do and create your own workout!
SUPERMAN
Lie on your stomach with your legs
extended behind you and your arms
stretched in front of you. Exhale, tighten
your abs and core muscles, then raise
your arms and legs a few inches
off the ground. Hold briefly,
then inhale and
slowly lower.
WALL PUSH-UPS
Start standing, a little more than
arm’s-length distance from a wall, with
your feet shoulder-width apart. Lean
forward and place your palms flat on the
wall. Lower your upper body toward the
wall by slowly bending your elbows.
Hold for one second, then
straighten your arms to
return to the start.
BODYWEIGHT SQUAT
Stand with your feet slightly
wider than hip-width and
your weight in your heels.
Inhale, push your hips back,
and lower yourself down toward the
ground until your thighs are parallel to
the floor or until your heels lift off the
ground, whichever comes first. Exhale
and return to standing.
BRIDGE
Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat on
the floor. Tighten your abs, exhale, and
squeeze your butt muscles to lift your hips
up off the ground. Inhale and slowly lower.
CHAIR DIP
Choose a sturdy chair with
armrests and sit with your
feet flat on the floor. Inhale,
lean forward, and grasp the
arms of the chair. Exhale and
use your arms to push
upward and out of the chair.
Hold for about one second,
then inhale and slowly lower.
Other standard bodyweight moves include LUNGES, PLANKS, HEEL RAISES, JUMPING JACKS, AND PULL-UPS.
If you have a chronic health condition or haven’t had a checkup in a while, talk with your
health care provider before starting a new exercise program.

77
Brush
FOR BETTER BRAIN HEALTH
GOOD ORAL HEALTH NOT ONLY
KEEPS YOUR BREATH MINTY FRESH
AND YOUR TEETH PEARLY WHITE, but
also helps protect your brain—specifically,
your memories. According to recent
research, there’s a relationship between
gum disease and your chances of
developing Alzheimer’s disease.
WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS
Porphyromonas gingivalis (a fancy name
for a specific type of bacteria) is the main
culprit responsible for gum disease.
However, it can affect more than just
your mouth. Scientists also find this
bacteria in the brains of people with
Alzheimer’s—suggesting that it may
contribute to the disease’s development.
Other research further solidifies this
connection. In one study, researchers
analyzed patients diagnosed with
chronic periodontitis (CP)—a type of
gum disease—and compared them with
patients without CP. The results showed
that after 10 years, those with CP had
more than one-and-a-half times the risk
for Alzheimer’s disease.
TO BRUSH, OR NOT TO BRUSH?
It can be easy to justify skipping oral care
at the end of the day. After all, your
pillow is oh-so comfy and your bathroom
is oh-so far away! But no matter how old
you are—or how tired—brushing and
flossing need to be at the top of your
to-do list. After all, poor brushing and
flossing habits let plaque build up on
your teeth and can lead to gum disease.
Symptoms of gum disease include:
• Tender, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Loose teeth
• Painful chewing
If you experience any of these symptoms,
be sure to tell your dentist. He or she can
check if you have gum disease and
recommend treatment.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR TEETH
When it comes to your health, brushing
is a no-brainer (and a brain-helper!).
Follow these tips to promote a lifetime of
beautiful smiles and lasting memories:
• Using a fluoride toothpaste, brush
your teeth twice a day.
• Floss once a day. Rinse your mouth
with water after you floss.
• Visit your dentist once or twice a year
for a checkup and cleaning.
• Avoid sugary foods, sweetened drinks,
and tobacco.
Want to ward off depression as
you get older? Make sure to stay
fit through midlife, says a new
study in JAMA Psychiatry. A high
level of cardiovascular
fitness in middle age
was associated with a
lower risk for
depression later in
life and a lower
risk of dying of
cardiovascular
disease.
(health bits)

IUOE Local 4 Health & Welfare Plan
PO Box 660
Medway, MA 02053-0660
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LONG PRAIRIE, MN
PERMIT NO. 372
www.local4funds.org
6272M
(health bits)
Screening tests for breast
and cervical cancer save
women’s lives. That’s why the
National Breast and Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program offers free or
low-cost screenings at sites across the
country. Go to www.cdc.gov/cancer/
nbccedp/index.htm to find out if you
qualify and to find a local provider.
Did you know that a flu shot
protects you from multiple
strains of the virus? Every year,
researchers update the vaccine to
match the types of flu you are most
likely to encounter. That’s why the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends that everyone
6 months and older receive an annual
flu shot.
In the U.S., nearly one in
four households includes
someone who suffers from
migraines—extreme headaches that
can come with nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, and sensitivity to sound,
light, touch, and smell. The cause of
migraines is not well understood, but
food may play a role in triggering
them for some people. Want to head
off a headache? Try substitutions for
common food triggers. For example,
drink water or white milk instead
of soda.
(continued from page 1)
Enhanced Dental Benefits are fully covered
and are not subject to a deductible, co-insurance,
or calendar-year maximum when a member
visits a participating in-network dentist.
Go to member.bluecrossma.com/fad
to find a participating dental provider.
Please call Member Services at BCBSMA
with any questions on your dental benefits
at 1-800-401-7690.
HINGE HEALTH EXPANDS
WITH HIP PROGRAM
Eligible participants and dependents enrolled in
the Health & Welfare Plan not only have free
access to Hinge Health’s innovative 12-week
digital programs for back or knee pain, but also
to Hinge’s new chronic hip pain program.
The Hip Pain Care Pathway is a free
12-week digital program that allows members
to participate when it fits their schedules.
What do members receive once enrolled? A
free tablet and wearable sensors; personalized
exercise therapy; and unlimited one-on-one
health coaching. Members who qualify for the
hip program and have already taken advantage
of the back or knee program will not receive an
additional tablet but will access the program on
the original tablet sent by Hinge.
Just like the back and knee pain programs,
Hinge will empower members to improve
habits and learn effective tips to reduce hip
pain, all from the comfort of home.
To learn more, or to apply for any
of Hinge’s innovative programs, visit
www.hingehealth.com/local4. Please feel
free to contact the Funds Office at 1-508-
533-1400, option 5, with any questions.
MODERN ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS VIRTUAL
COUNSELING PROGRAM
Modern Assistance Programs, Inc. (MAP) is
pleased to announce an added benefit to eligible
SAVE THE DATE
Labor Health & Financial
Wellness Fair
Sunday, March 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join hundreds of union members
and their families at Lombardo’s
in Randolph, MA, for an exciting
event catered to working
families like yours!
members and dependents: virtual counseling.
With this program, members will have
easy access to therapy that is user-friendly,
HIPAA-compliant, and confidential.
Virtual counseling eliminates travel time
and allows members to communicate with a
counselor by simply using an email address
and a camera-enabled device. For more
information on how the program works,
please call MAP at 1-800-878-2004.
Sincerely,
Your Board of Trustees
William D. McLaughlin, Chairman
Angelo Colasante
Paul C. DiMinico
David F. Fantini
David B. Marr, Jr.
James Reger
IUOE Local 4
William D. McLaughlin, Business Manager
Administrator
Gina M. Alongi
Information in the publication is the opinion of the authors. Personal decisions regarding health, finance, exercise, and other matters should be made after
consultation with the reader’s professional advisors. All models used for illustrative purposes only. All editorial rights reserved. Developed by StayWell.