As 2020 winds down, AWA wants to ensure that you continue to have access to membership resources that can help you with managing your business and the health of you and your family.
The popular Business AdvantEdge resource has a fresh look and website with great new discounts and tools for our members. In our Business section, we've highlighted this, as well as the the upcoming Small Business Saturday with some ways that you can participate.
The holidays may look a little different this year, so we've put together some resources to help you get creative, but still have lots of family fun! The Health & Lifestyle section will give you some creative ways to plan simple and easy holiday meals that your family will enjoy.
This edition highlights MDsave, a radiology discount resource available for our AWA members. MDsave gives you an easy way to research and buy your medical services, like radiology testing. You get one upfront, easy-to-understand price with no surprise bills later. Teladoc, our telemedicine partner, has an easy way for you and your family to contact health providers during the holiday season. Learn more in the AWA Benefits section.
Finally, we invite you to join us for the annual AWA Members Meeting, where we will discuss 2020 and provide a sneak preview of what's to come in 2021. Be sure to RSVP to get your call in details for the meeting.
Neil Peterson
AWA Board President
Stay current on small business news, health trends and AWA benefits by visiting our blog - AWA Pulse - and other social media pages. Be sure to check us out on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for the latest news!
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Telemedicine at Your Fingertips
For AWA memberships that include Teladoc, telemedicine can help when your doctor is not available or after hours, as well as during vacations or businesses trips, for non-emergency medical issues like cold/flu, allergies, sinus problems, ear infections and more. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, using telemedicine can help to avoid unnecessary contact at a doctor's office or clinic.
Visit www.teladoc.com and click "Log in/Register" and "Get Started" to create an account. If your membership includes this unlimited benefit, you will see PHSDOC as your benefits provider.
For additional convenience, Teladoc also offers a Mobile App when you need a US Board Certified physician at a moment's notice. For more information about your Teladoc benefit or to add a membership that includes Teladoc, please contact (214) 436-8881.
New Radiology Discounts Available
MDsave gives you a better way to buy your medical services, like radiology testing. You get one upfront, easy-to-understand price, which includes the most common fees that go along with your procedure. That means no surprise bills later!
Just like booking travel or shopping online, you pay for your procedure upfront and receive a voucher as proof of purchase. When you prepay through MDsave, your medical provider is able to offer special pricing on the same quality care because it makes the billing process more efficient. Based on your individual care needs, you may require additional services, which will be billed separately from your purchased procedure. If you do require additional services at the time of care, you may be able to purchase them through MDsave as well.
Just visit www.mdsave.com/awa to browse procedures and pricing. For more information about MDsave, review your benefits guide in the member portal.
Updates to Your Business Resources
For AWA memberships that include Business AdvantEdge, you have a new way to access the latest discounts and solutions to help your small business grow.
Business AdvantEdge can now be accessed through their partnership organization Perks Marketplace at www.perksmarketplace.com/awa. The site gets updated regularly with the discounts that can help you as you run your small business. Discounts include HP, Home Depot, Constant Contact, NTC, Office Depot and more.
Check out your member portal for more details on how to access Business AdvantEdge savings or call (214) 436-8881 to add an AWA membership that includes Business AdvantEdge.
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is just around the corner on November 28. This holiday season looks a little different for everyone. Make sure your customers know they can Shop Small with you either in-store or online. Visit the American Express website for marketing tools for social media, websites, flyers and more.
Be sure to Shop Small yourself by visiting this map to show you who is participating this year. There are also city-specific guides you can review for services and goods.
The Small Business Administration also provides resources for small businesses to best take advantage of the day. Find marketing materials to post on your own social media or websites, list your small business on the Shop Small® Map, as well as download a guide to a safe shopping experience.
Celebrating During a Pandemic
With the holidays approaching, you may be wondering about the safest ways to celebrate with your friends and family during the ongoing pandemic. Different doesn't have to be a bad thing! Here are some ideas to feel the holiday spirit, even while safely distanced:
- Focus on the aspects of the holidays that can continue to happen like they always have. Make your favorite recipes for Thanksgiving and watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Send your holiday cards to your family and friends and decorate your house with all your favorite seasonal touches. Drive around town to look at holiday decorations while enjoying some hot cocoa.
- Take advantage of festive pandemic-inspired activities. Use JingleRing to schedule a live or prerecorded phone call with Santa Claus. Visit a drive-in movie pop up to enjoy classic holiday films. Enjoy a drive through light display with popcorn and cider. Use EventBrite to find your favorite holiday performances like A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker to watch from the comfort of your home.
- Zoom with your loved ones to virtually gather. Make your holiday feast and set a space at your table for your laptop so you can all enjoy your meal together. Set up your laptop in a prime spot in your living room so you can enjoy opening presents together on Christmas morning. Use the TeleParty app extension to all watch holiday favorites together through Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and HBO.
