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5 reasons a legal plan is a voluntary benefit you need

2018-10-01T07:15:00

(BPT) – We all know about health and dental insurance, but did you know there is a workplace benefit for everyday legal matters that occur throughout life? Choosing to see an attorney when you buy a home and need someone to represent you at the closing or when you need to handle an issue with a landlord can be a costly endeavor. Rather than trying to wade through complicated legalese on your own, or paying thousands of dollars in attorney fees, you may have access to a benefit at work that allows you to see attorneys for common legal issues.

Legal plans are offered at companies across the U.S. as a voluntary benefit you can enroll in during your company’s open enrollment period. Typically, a legal plan costs around $20 a month and is paid via payroll deductions. Once you enroll you have access to attorneys, as if on retainer, for legal advice and representation for a wide range of issues, from estate planning and real estate issues, to dealing with identity theft or elder care matters.

Here are five reasons a legal plan is a valuable employee benefit.

* 54 percent of working adults experience a legal event over the course of a year, according to MetLife research. Many people may think they don’t have legal issues, but in reality, legal issues happen every day. From getting married and needing to change your name or update your will, to buying a home, contesting a traffic ticket or settling a matter with a neighbor, a legal plan provides a wide range of assistance for many common life issues.

* Attorneys charge by the hour, and it’s not cheap. Considering the average hourly rate to see an attorney can range upwards of $300 an hour, according to a National Law Journal and ALM Legal Intelligence survey, it is unaffordable for many people to see an attorney. By enrolling in a legal plan through work, you have access to attorneys for common legal issues with no copays, deductibles or waiting periods. As long as the matter is covered under your plan, you can have an attorney represent you, review or draft documents, or just give you advice.

* You can choose from a network of experienced attorneys. As anyone who has tried to find an attorney can tell you, it’s not always that easy to find a qualified attorney for your legal matter. When you’re enrolled in a legal plan, you have access to customer service representatives who can help you find a qualified attorney to help with your legal matter. And, you have assistance throughout the process to ensure that your matter is handled and you get the help you need.

* Your whole family is covered. Similar to health or dental plans, when you enroll in a legal plan your whole family is covered. But unlike a health plan, with most legal plans you don’t pay extra to cover a spouse or your dependent children. You can use the legal plan to create wills for yourself and your spouse, or help your teenage son or daughter contest a traffic ticket or deal with a landlord issue.

* Identity theft coverage is provided at a much lower rate than most services. Most legal plans provide assistance for identity theft issues, giving you access to specialists or attorneys that can resolve ID theft issues for you. Enrolling in a legal plan that has identity theft coverage provides you with one resource for resolving matters you face, and at a much lower rate than most standalone ID theft solutions.

For more information about how legal plans work, visit www.legalplans.com/member/reviews.


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Safe and effective: Choose physical therapy for your back pain

2018-10-01T07:01:01

(BPT) – If you’re living with low back pain (LBP), you’re not alone. The condition is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Studies show 80 percent of American adults will experience LBP at some point in their lives. If LBP turns from short-­term to chronic (lasting three months or longer), it can impact your overall quality of life.

Modern society craves quick-­fix solutions to even complex problems, but this mindset can be particularly counterproductive when it comes to LBP. Studies show that LBP is often overtreated, particularly when it comes to the use of opioids, imaging scans (such as MRIs and X­-rays), and surgery. Guidelines recommend first trying exercise and other conservative approaches instead.

“When it comes to low back pain, the best advice is to move,” said APTA spokesperson Colleen Louw, PT, MEd. “Most low back pain will resolve on its own and responds positively to increased movement and regular exercise.”

As America seeks solutions to its ongoing opioid epidemic, patients and prescribers should be especially cautious about treating LBP with opioids. Opioids come with a list of serious potential side effects, and every day more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for opioid misuse. Meanwhile, long­-term use of opioids might not be particularly helpful for LBP, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines urging the use of safer alternatives, including physical therapy, for most non-cancer-related chronic pain conditions.

“Given the substantial evidence gaps on opioids, uncertain benefits of long­-term use and potential for serious harm, patient education and discussion before starting opioid therapy are critical so that patient preferences and values can be understood and used to inform clinical decisions,” the CDC states.

Physical therapists can play a valuable role in the patient education process, including setting realistic expectations for recovery with or without opioids.

Physical therapists are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care and patient education.

A physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation that includes:

* A review of your health history.

* Questions about your specific symptoms.

* A thorough examination that includes assessing the quality and quantity of your movements, and any movement behaviors that might put you at risk for delayed recovery.

* Tests to identify signs or symptoms that could indicate a serious health problem, such as broken bones or cancer.

* Assessment of how you use your body at work, home, during sports and at leisure.

An active treatment plan from a physical therapist can help you improve your mobility while managing your pain, whereas opioids only mask the sensation of pain.

Here are four reasons to choose physical therapy for your back pain:

Physical therapy is a safe and effective alternative to opioids. While doctor-­prescribed opioids are appropriate in some cases, choosing a safer alternative, like physical therapy, eliminates the risk of misuse and avoids the potential negative side effects. Your physical therapist will set realistic expectations for recovery, with or without opioids.

Physical therapists help you help yourself. Physical therapists empower you to be an active participant in your own treatment. Depending on the severity of your pain, your therapist may work collaboratively with other health professionals to ensure a comprehensive course of treatment.

Physical therapy is cost effective. A recent study shows patients with LBP who consult physical therapists early in their treatment processes incur lower out-­of-pocket medical costs, with less probability of accruing expenses associated with opioid prescriptions, advanced imaging services or emergency room visits.

Physical therapy is accessible. You do not need a physician referral to access physical therapists’ services in the U.S.

When it comes to your health, you have a choice. Choose more movement and better health — choose physical therapy. To find more information and a physical therapist in your area, visit MoveForwardPT.com.