Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that cyber criminals use to lock you out of your files until you pay the bad guys to release them. It’s a growing online threat and a growing source of cash for the criminals. The most recent numbers from the Department of Homeland Security, pre-COVID-19, show that
The internet is rich in information and resources. But, with any open forum, some content found online may be designed to misinform or take advantage of you. Honing your critical thinking skills is by far the best defense against scammers and purveyors of misinformation who lurk online. Those skills can raise red flags telling you
Summer may be winding down, but the season’s not over yet. Utilize these coronavirus (COVID-19) summer safety tips to protect your health while enjoying your favorite warm-weather pastimes. Farmers markets Always make sure to wear a mask and practice social distancing when at a farmers market. If the booths and lines aren’t setup in a
Tracie Pettijohn’s wellness journey began a year ago with a wakeup call from her doctor. Pettijohn, a marketing operations consultant at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), is a five-year breast cancer survivor who has struggled with her weight in the past. “The turning point for me was when I had a physical
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the U.S. Each year an estimated 1.5 million Americans endure a TBI. A concussion is one of the most common types of TBIs, and Rusty McKune sees
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) recently won first place in the 2020 Omaha’s Choice Awards for Best Health Insurance Provider. The Omaha World-Herald presents the awards annually, and the newspaper’s readers choose the winners using an online ballot. Awards are given to a variety of businesses and service providers. Categories include health
While it may be easy to push a preventive health screening back on your calendar, screenings, especially for cancer, are crucial to your health. “Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S.,” said Dr. Jo Gardner, a medical director at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE). “The U.S. Preventive Services
OneWorld Community Health Centers is accustomed to change. The nonprofit has been evolving to serve the Omaha metro for the last 50 years — but never more rapidly than in the last few months. “The pandemic has dramatically affected the work we do,” says CEO Andrea Skolkin. OneWorld is headquartered in Douglas County’s top COVID-19
From navigating weight loss to managing a diabetes diagnosis, Registered Health Coach Sara Schneider is there to help Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) members reach their health goals step-by-step. Schneider, a registered nurse and diabetic educator, works with BCBSNE members through Wellframe, a free mobile app. The app, which is available to
With support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), two local nonprofits recently began distributing face masks to people in need. Cloth face coverings may help prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) from spreading, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recommends people wear face masks in public when social distancing
