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Video Resources Welcome to our Video Resources Page! At The Benefits Store, we believe in delivering knowledge through engaging visuals to make complex topics easily digestible. Our engaging and informative videos are a collection of valuable content designed to enhance your understanding of various topics related to health, insurance, and overall well-being. Explore our Video Resources and empower yourself with the information you need to make informed decisions towards a healthier and more secure future. Anthem Blue Cross® Insurance Terms How to Save On Your Health Plan Selecting Your Plan Kaiser Permanente® Just Getting Started Integrated Care Coordinated Care Product Videos IDShield LegalShield Health Savings Account Informational Videos Health Insurance Explained No More Excuses! Everyone needs a flu vaccine. How-To Videos Designating The Benefits Store as your Covered California Agent Using the Quoting Engine

Consumer Information on Health Plans and Medicaid/Medi-Cal Empower your health insurance decisions with our Medical Condition Resources page. Dive into a wealth of information tailored to your needs, offering insights and support for navigating various medical conditions. Our expert-curated resources provide a guide for understanding conditions, treatment options, and insurance considerations. Streamline your search for relevant information, ensuring your health coverage aligns seamlessly with your unique requirements. Explore a specialized hub for California Realtors, offering valuable insights to enhance your health insurance journey. Your path to informed and comprehensive health coverage starts here. Health Plans and Medicaid/Medi-Cal Information NIAC - Category Coverage Information Best's Insurer Ratings HCS - How do you Qualify for Medi-Cal Benefits HCS - Medi-Cal FAQ's

As the new school year approaches, parents everywhere are busy with shopping lists, supply runs, and class schedules. But there’s one important back-to-school task that often gets overlooked: making sure your child’s eyes are healthy and ready for the year ahead. Good vision is essential for learning—up to 80% of what a child learns is through their eyes. A missed vision issue can impact reading, writing, sports, and even confidence. Here’s your ultimate back-to-school eye health checklist  to help your child start the year with clear vision and healthy eyes. 1. Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam Why it matters:  School vision screenings catch some issues, but they don’t detect all vision problems. When to do it:  At least once a year, or as recommended by your eye doctor. What to expect:  Your optometrist will check for clarity of vision, eye coordination, depth perception, and overall eye health. 2. Update Prescription Glasses or Contacts Check if your child’s prescription has changed. Make sure glasses fit comfortably and aren’t scratched or damaged. For contacts, ensure they’re wearing them correctly and following cleaning instructions. 3. Protect Against Digital Eye Strain With homework, online learning tools, and recreational screen time, kids are spending more hours on devices than ever. Teach the 20-20-20 Rule:  Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Adjust screen brightness to match the room lighting. Position screens slightly below eye level and 18–24 inches from the face. 4. Encourage Outdoor Play Outdoor time isn’t just great for exercise—it’s linked to better eye development and may reduce the risk of nearsightedness. Aim for at least 1–2 hours outside daily. Remind kids to wear UV-protective sunglasses  and a hat for extra protection. 5. Practice Good Eye Safety Habits Use protective eyewear for sports like basketball, baseball, or racquet sports. Teach kids to avoid rubbing their eyes with unwashed hands. Keep school supplies like scissors and pencils pointed away from the face. 6. Watch for Signs of Vision Problems Be alert to changes in your child’s behavior that may signal a vision issue: Squinting or tilting the head to see Frequent headaches Holding books or screens too close Avoiding reading or near work If you notice any of these signs, schedule an eye exam promptly. 💡 Final Tip:  A little attention to your child’s eye health now can make a big difference in their school performance and overall well-being. Add an eye exam to your back-to-school to-do list, and you’ll set them up for a clear and confident start to the year.

Traveling abroad is exciting—new foods, new sights, and new adventures await! But nothing can derail your dream trip faster than getting sick in a foreign country. Whether it’s a case of food poisoning, dehydration, or something more serious, staying healthy while traveling requires a mix of preparation, awareness, and good habits. Here’s your ultimate guide to staying well on your next international journey. 1. Prepare Before You Go A little preparation goes a long way. Before you pack your bags, take these steps: Visit Your Doctor or Travel Clinic:  Ask about recommended vaccinations and any preventive medications you may need based on your destination (e.g., malaria tablets). Check Health Advisories:  Websites like the CDC or WHO provide up-to-date health and safety information for travelers. Pack a Health Kit:  Include pain relievers, motion sickness tablets, antiseptic wipes, bandages, and any prescription medications you’ll need—enough for the whole trip plus a little extra. 2. Practice Smart Eating and Drinking Habits One of the most common ways travelers get sick abroad is through food and water. To reduce your risk: Drink Bottled or Purified Water:  In areas with questionable tap water, avoid ice and stick to sealed bottles or filtered water. Eat Cooked Foods:  Street food can be delicious, but ensure it’s freshly cooked and steaming hot. Wash or Peel Produce:  If you can’t wash fruits and vegetables with clean water, peel them before eating. Be Cautious with Dairy:  In some countries, dairy products may not be pasteurized. 3. Protect Yourself from Insects Insects can carry diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika. Protect yourself by: Wearing Long Sleeves and Pants  in high-risk areas. Using Insect Repellent  with DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil. Sleeping Under Mosquito Nets  if your accommodation doesn’t have screened windows. 4. Stay Hydrated and Rested Long flights, time zone changes, and busy itineraries can weaken your immune system. Drink Plenty of Water  (especially in hot or humid climates). Get Enough Sleep  to help your body fight off illness. Limit Alcohol and Excessive Caffeine —they can dehydrate you quickly. 5. Practice Good Hygiene Simple habits can prevent a lot of illnesses: Wash Your Hands Often  with soap and water, especially before eating. Carry Hand Sanitizer  for times when soap isn’t available. Avoid Touching Your Face  to reduce the risk of transferring germs. 6. Listen to Your Body If you start to feel unwell: Rest Immediately —pushing through can make things worse. Seek Local Medical Help  if symptoms persist or worsen. Know Your Insurance Coverage —carry a copy of your travel insurance information in case you need medical assistance abroad. 💡 Final Tip:  Staying healthy while traveling isn’t about being overly cautious—it’s about being prepared and making smart choices so you can enjoy every moment of your trip. Safe travels and healthy adventures!

Every summer, millions of people head to the beach for fun, relaxation, and sun. But what many don’t realize is that even a single piece of trash left behind can set off a chain reaction with serious environmental consequences. In this post, we’ll explore how litter travels and pollutes our oceans , impacting marine life, ecosystems, and even our food supply. The Journey Begins: How Litter Travels from Beaches to Oceans Beaches are often the last stop before litter enters our waterways. A forgotten plastic bottle or snack wrapper might seem harmless, but once it's swept away by wind or washed into a storm drain, it begins its journey into the sea. Here’s how litter travels and pollutes our oceans: Wind and Rain  carry lightweight litter from the shore to nearby rivers or storm drains. Storm Drains and Waterways  act as highways, transporting debris directly into the ocean. Ocean Currents  then disperse this litter across the globe—some items even reach remote islands and deep-sea environments. Marine Life at Risk: How Ocean Pollution Impacts Ecosystems Understanding how litter travels and pollutes our oceans also means recognizing its impact. Marine animals often mistake plastic for food, leading to choking, malnutrition, or entanglement. Some key facts: Sea turtles often ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish. Seabirds and fish are found with microplastics in their stomachs. Coral reefs can be smothered by debris, reducing biodiversity and damaging fragile ecosystems. The Ripple Effect: Pollution That Comes Back to Us Ocean pollution doesn’t stay in the sea. Once you understand how litter travels and pollutes our oceans, it becomes clear how this problem affects us all: Microplastics from degraded litter can enter the food chain through seafood. Polluted beaches affect tourism, local economies, and community health. Ocean toxins can end up in our water sources and on our dinner plates. What You Can Do to Break the Chain Stopping litter before it hits the water is the most effective way to protect our oceans. Here’s how you can help: Pack out everything you bring  to the beach—no exceptions. Join or organize beach cleanups  during Clean Beaches Awareness Month. Use reusable containers  instead of single-use plastics. Educate others  about how litter travels and pollutes our oceans . Small Actions, Big Impact The next time you visit the beach, remember: it only takes one piece of litter to start a long and damaging journey. By understanding how litter travels and pollutes our oceans, we can take simple steps that make a powerful difference—for marine life, for our communities, and for generations to come.