Spring 2018
A publication of
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BICYCLING
Shaw Media/Mike Vaughn
Riders wave during the 2017 Z-Tour bicycle ride that raises funds for the Zearing Child Enrichment Center in Princeton. This year’s ride is scheduled for July 21, and organizers are encouraging people who have never ridden during the Z-Tour’s first seven years to consider signing up for this year’s event and start enjoying cycling’s many health benefits.
Hey, newbies, pedal with confidence Z-Tour organizers encourage firsttime cyclists to join popular event that’s planned for July 21
BY DAVE COOK Shaw Media PRINCETON — What began as a simple idea for a fundraiser has evolved over seven years into one of Princeton’s signature annual events — the Z-Tour. Benefiting the Zearing Child Enrichment Center, a local, not-for-profit early childhood education center, the Z-Tour
promotes bicycling as a safe, family-oriented recreational activity, as well as the many attractions of the city and its outlying areas. Last year’s 770 riders raised $32,000 as they pedaled their way along the different routes of varying mileage. The 2018 tour, scheduled for July 21 will feature loops of 10, 30, 50, 75 and 100 miles with enjoyable summer scenery and a variety of challenging
environments depending on the route chosen. Each is well-marked and monitored and includes rest and hydration stops. One of the many organizers who is also a cyclist, Princeton resident Brian Church, was asked to share advice encouraging those considering the tour for the first time.
See Z-TOUR, Page 3
Spring 2018
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• Z-TOUR Continued from Page 1
See EXERCISE, Page 4
out and enjoy the health benefits of exercising. First-time riders should give the tour a try, organizer Brian Church said, because it’s fun, the tour is well-supported with many volunteers, and the proceeds help a good cause — the Zearing Child Enrichment Center.
HEALTH MATTERS| Spring 2018
“I’ve greatly increased my level of cycling enthusiasm in the last six years and now try to ride at least 3,000 miles annually. My bicycle has taken me to places you just can’t experience while sitting in an automobile, and I hope to be able to ride another 20 years,” Church said. He added that cycling has numerous benefits and that he hasn’t been able to easily replicate either the physical or psychological benefits he’s experienced while riding. “The Z-Tour Bike Ride offers everyone an opportunity to enjoy these benefits with hundreds of other riders who feel the same way, and there are good route options for all levels of riders,” he said. Church said the main reason why a first-timer should ride the Z-Tour is that it’s fun, whether you ride alone or within a group. “The ride is also well-supported with countless volunteers, and the proceeds generated from the event stay local by supporting the Zearing Child Enrichment Center,” he added. For beginners, it’s always wise to consult a health care professionShaw Media/Mike Vaughn al before any challenging physical Summer greenery and bodies of water are what some cyclists on the Z-Tour get to see during their rides. Bicyclists also get a good workactivity.
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• EXERCISE Continued from Page 3 Beyond that, simply having the confidence to be able to complete at least the 10-mile route is one of the biggest factors of success. “Secondly, don’t be reluctant to ask questions to a more experienced rider. Typically, veteran cyclists are more than willing to assist and educate those new to the sport,” he said. For riders with some experience, but perhaps who haven’t yet ridden in an organized event or tackled significantly longer mileages, confidence is, once again, the biggest key to success. “Have the confidence to challenge yourself and ride a longer route than in the past. With proper training, one will find themselves riding a distance that was at one time hard to conceive,” Church said. Once your confidence is in place, other things new riders will want to make sure they’ve addressed is having a helmet, sunscreen, water bottles, a cellphone and personal identification. “There will be support on site to fill the bottles and offer nutritional snacks. We can also air tires before you start. All that’s really needed from there is to ride safely and follow traffic laws,” Church said.
See BICYCLE, Page 6
Shaw Media/Mike Vaughn
One of 770 riders in last year’s Z-Tour pedals along a rural blacktop. The 2018 Z-Tour will feature loops of 10 miles, 30 miles, 50 miles, 75 miles and 100 miles with enjoyable summer scenery and a variety of challenging environments, depending on the route chosen.
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Spring 2018
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THINKING ABOUT HEALTH
Explaining the ‘Explanation of Benefits’ Some of the info that appears on EOBs and what it all means BY GORDON HOPKINS Rural Health News Service
E
very time your doctor sends a medical claim to a medical insurance company or care management organization, you will receive an Explanation of Benefits – usually referred to as an EOB or EOB form. (The exception may be some prescriptions). Despite having “explanation” in its name, an EOB quite often confuses rather than explains anything. However, it is important that you review each EOB you receive because neither insurance companies nor health care providers are perfect, and any errors can cost you down the line. Here is some of the information that should appear on your EOB and what it means. 1) The date you saw your health care provider. People don’t like to think about it, but health care fraud is a reality. If you receive an EOB for a date of service you don’t recall, you should contact your provider or insurance company right away. This may be a simple clerical error, or you may have been the
• BICYCLE Continued from Page 4 And even if you have all the confidence in the world, you won’t make it very far if your bike isn’t prepared and equally up to the challenge of being ridden for several miles. Church advised taking it in for a proper tune-up by a certified bicycle mechanic. “Contact your local bike shop, which is Bike Works in Peru, and schedule an appointment. They serve the entire biking community, so they tend to get very busy just before the ride, and they’re also a good source of information,” he said. As a ride director, Church said his biggest challenge during the Z-Tour is responding to rider needs throughout the day and added that great strides have been made over
victim of identity theft. 2) The name of the provider. Again, if you don’t recognize the provider, you may the victim of fraud and should follow up Gordon accordingly. Hopkins 3) A description of the services provided. This may be the most important detail on the EOB. If you feel the service billed does not match what was actually done, you should follow up first with your provider and then your insurance company. An incorrect description can cause all manner of grief. Insurance companies match to the diagnosis on the claim form. If the service provided is not considered appropriate for the diagnosis, the claim may be denied. Another problem is that many insurance policies limit certain services, such as chiropractic visits or mental health treatment. If the wrong service is billed, you could exhaust your benefits without realizing it. 4) The fee that your health care provider charged the insurance company. If your provider is “in network,” they have a contracted rate with your insurance company. The provider can list whatever charge they want, but the insurance company will cover only the negotiated rate. You are not respon-
the event’s seven years. “For some of our riders, they’re usually quite surprised the routes have challenging hills,” he said. He added the various routes of the Z-Tour are some of the best any charity bike event has to offer and that the safety of the riders is of utmost concern. “We take pride in our directional marking and signage. During the days leading up to the ride, the roads are repeatedly swept of debris. We also offer continuous road support to assist with mechanical or other emergencies should they occur. Additionally, we have outstanding support from local law enforcement who help with traffic control at the busy intersections,” he said. For more information, including on registration, route maps, checklists, lodging, hospitality, frequently asked questions, sponsorship, associated links, photo galleries and more, visit www.z-tour.org.
sible for the difference. If your provider is “out of network,” then there is no contracted rate, and you are responsible for whatever your insurance doesn’t cover. That means it is always important to check with your insurance company about your health care provider’s network status. 5) What you owe. This usually refers to a deductible – the amount you pay per year before your insurance kicks in – or a copay – the percentage of each charge that your plan says you must pay. This is where many people get confused and sometimes upset, especially if they have already paid the provider. An EOB is not a bill. In fact, “This Is Not A Bill” is usually printed on the form. Despite this, there is usually a section that reads “You Owe This Amount” or some variation. Remember that the EOB does not list what you may already have paid your provider. 6) A “reason” code. If your claim was denied, in part or in full, this
code tells you why. The service may not be covered under your plan or may have been deemed not medically necessary, or you may have reached your annual plan limits. You should keep all EOBs for the duration of your plan year. Find a safe place to store them. When you do decide to dispose of them, they should be treated just like bank or credit card statements, and shredded. Many insurance companies offer the option of paperless EOBs that you can receive by email for an added layer of protection. And be sure to contact your insurance company’s customer service department with any questions or concerns.
Note to readers: Gordon Hopkins is an award-winning columnist and feature writer for The Fairbury (Nebraska) Journal-News. Prior to that, he worked for several years in the health insurance industry. His latest book is “Nebraska at War: Dispatches from the Home Front and the Front Lines.” You can contact him at gordon.fjn@gmail.com.
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BUREAU COUNTY FOOD PANTRY
Healthy fresh fruits, veggies from farmers’ market distributed BY GOLDIE RAPP Shaw Media PRINCETON — Fresh fruits and vegetables should be enjoyed by everyone, no matter what their economic status may be.
This is the belief at the Bureau County Food Pantry. And through its newest program, the pantry has been able to provide fresh produce to clients unable to afford the items at the grocery store. The Refresh Food Program has been a hit, according to food pantry director Vanessa Hoffeditz. Supporters of the food pantry are able to make donations specifically for the program. Fresh produce is then purchased at the Farmers’ Market in Princeton and given away to clients on a weekly basis. Hoffeditz said last year, clients
were able to enjoy fresh produce from the spring to winter months, because of the program’s success. “O u r c u s t o m e r s greatly appreciated Vanessa this program,” she Hoffeditz said. “It’s really a win-win arrangement.” Not only did the program provide produce to clients, but it also supported local growers at the farmers’ market, too. Clients were able to enjoy produce beyond the everyday lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Hoffeditz said they got to take home items such as kale, eggplants, squash, garlic, sweet potatoes, raspberries and more. But the food pantry didn’t just box up the produce and send it on its way without giving clients a chance to learn how to prepare it in healthy meals at home. “We want people to understand that no produce goes to waste.
We’re educating people to find ways to use every bit of it,” Hoffeditz said. Through a partnership with the University of Illinois Extension, the food pantry is able to bring in instructors who put on cooking lessons twice a month for clients. The instructors show how to incorporate seasonal produce into everyday meals to boost its nutritional means. “A lot of times, we give away pre-packaged types of food to our customers. It’s not always the healthiest, but it’s quick and easy for our families. By providing the cooking classes, we’re increasing education on how to use the produce and showing them how quick and easy healthy meals can be prepared,” Hoffeditz said. With the 2018 growing season quickly approaching, Hoffeditz is hoping to work with the growers of the farmers’ market once again, and is looking to increase donations to use specifically for the Refresh Food Program. Supporters can mail in a check
Shaw Media/Dave Cook
Getting tomatoes and other fresh vegetables and fruits into the hands of clients of the Bureau County Food Pantry is the goal of the food pantry’s Refresh Food Program. that includes Refresh Food Program in the memo, or can drop off a donation at the food pantry, located at 1019 N. Main St. in Princeton. Aside from the program, the food pantry welcomes produce donations from Master Gardeners, local farmers and “green thumbers” who may have an overabundance and are willing to donate it for clients.
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Refresh Food Program a big hit at pantry
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