AUGUST 2013

Healthy and Fit

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

We all need immunizations (also called vaccines or shots) to help protect us from serious diseases like measles, diphtheria and rubella. It's also important to know which shots you need and when to get them.

Everyone age 6 months and older needs a flu shot every year.
Children age 6 or younger need a variety of shots every year. Talk to your doctor to make sure your kids are caught up on their shots.
Teenagers also need specific shots. Ask your doctor which ones your teenager needs.
All adults need a booster shot every 10 years to help protect against tetanus and diphtheria.

For more information, view the national immunization guidelines for children and teenagers before your doctor visit.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Keeping Track of Your Child’s Vaccines is Smart Medicine

Vaccines help keep your child healthy, and they protect against serious diseases. Keeping your own record of the vaccines your child gets is important, too. Here’s why:

It helps protect your child from getting a vaccine they don’t need.
It helps prevent a missed vaccine.
It helps keep all of your child’s vaccine history in one place, which makes it easier for new doctors to see which shots your child may need. Your child’s school, day care or camp may ask for a vaccine record, too. Having a complete record now can save you time later.

What to do at each doctor visit

Bring your child’s vaccine record to each visit.

Ask if your child needs any new vaccines or booster shots.
Tell your doctor about any allergies your child may have.
Let your doctor know about medicine your child cannot take.
Ask the nurse or doctor to update the record you brought if shots are given.

Source: Aetna

Eat Healthier on Your Next Trip

Healthy eating habits can travel with you. Here are some tips for your next trip:

Stash healthy snacks in your carry-on bag or in the glove compartment — single-serving boxes of cereal, granola bars, dried fruit and pretzels are good choices.
Take fresh fruits and veggies with you so you won’t crave the unhealthy snacks in the airports.
Eat small meals every three to four hours so that you’re not starving later in the day.

Fuel up on water — drinking plenty of liquids is especially important if your trip includes a flight; strive for 8 ounces of water for each hour you fly.

Sources: American Dietetic Association, American Council on Exercise, and National Institutes of Health

Featured Recipes

Southwest Salmon Cobb Salad: Here’s a healthy twist on a classic Cobb salad recipe: chipotle peppers instead of bacon and salmon for a power-protein kick. Read More…

Thai Grilled Chicken with Sweet & Spicy Dipping Sauce: In this recipe for gai yang, or Thai grilled chicken, the chicken marinade is enriched with a little coconut milk, which keeps the meat moist during grilling. Read More…

Source: eatingwell.com

Stay Updated

Have You Seen the Value?

The new BMC Compensation and Benefits website is your one-stop place for everything you need to know about the total value of working at BMC. Sign in using your current Your Benefits Resources (YBR) user ID and password to get quick access to a personal snapshot of your pay, retirement benefits, health and insurance benefits, and unique corporate programs that help enhance your life at work and home.

My BMC Compensation and Benefits gives you real-time information about your 401(k) account, health savings account, and YBR all with a single sign-in and any time you need it. You can also access your pay stub and the BMC Wellness Program with a second sign-in.

Taking the Next Step with Your Wellness

If you participated in the Well-Being Assessment^™ and biometric screening earlier this year, congratulations! You have a better understanding of health numbers, a summary of any major health risk factors, and recommendations for changes you can make to reduce health risks. You’ll also pay less for medical coverage in 2014.

Using Your Well Being Plan

Based on your Well-Being Assessment^™ answers and biometric screening results, your Well-Being Plan offers personalized feedback and guidance for improving your well-being. If your results indicate a high risk in any category, Healthways resources and services can help. Healthways health coaches are educators trained to provide support, education, and motivation to help you make permanent lifestyle changes. Or you can share your Well Being Plan with your doctors and use it as you work with them to make decisions about your lifestyle and health care.

Going Mobile With Benefits Apps

Yes, there's an app for that! Smart phone apps help make our lives easier, from getting the best price on a gallon of milk to calculating tips, currency, calories and more. Our benefits vendors offer several handy tools that help, too. Here's a quick summary of the apps that provide easy and convenient access to information about your BMC benefits from your smart phone.

Benefits	Feature	For more information and to download
Aetna ITriage^®	Symptom-checking service Health care provider finder (Before receiving care, always verify if a provider is in the Aetna network by logging on to www.aetna.com or by calling Aetna at 1-866-214-4839.)	Download the free Android or iPhone app now.
Express Scripts Prescription Drug Plan (Aetna medical plans)	Order prescription refills and renewals Check order status View medications, set reminders and more	Download the free Android or iPhone app now.
Your Spending Account (YSA) Flexible Spending Accounts Reimburse Me app	Get answers to your YSA questions Quicker reimbursement Immediate access to your account information	Download the free Android or iPhone app now.
Liberty Mutual Leave of Absence MyLibertyMobile^SMapp	Report periodic time away from work during intermittent leaves Report a Birth: a simple and easy way for new mothers to activate their benefits following the birth of a child	MyLibertyMobile.com (You create an account using a leave ID or claim number Liberty Mutual supplies.)
Fidelity 401(k) Plan NetBenefits^® app	Check your 401(k) balance Reach a Fidelity representative with a tap of your screen	Download the free Android or iPhone app now.

Online Concierge Helps Save You Time & Money

Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) goes beyond providing assistance and support for the many challenges that may affect you, your family and your job. When it’s time to recharge and take a break, EAP resources can help with that, too.

The Online Concierge at mylifevalues.com can save you time and help you get things done. Don't spend your lunch hour, evenings or weekends waiting on hold, scouring the internet or taking care of your to-do list. The Online Concierge can do this for you.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable family vacation, unique shops in New York, or need help finding the perfect Father’s Day gift, the Online Concierge can help. Go to the BMC Employee Assistance Program (EAP) website (username: BMC, password: EAP), and from the main page, click on My Time and select Online Concierge.

Is Life Insurance Through Work Enough?

Nothing is more important than protecting your loved ones. That’s why having the right amount and mix of life insurance could mean all the difference when a death occurs.

Just as different types of investments can help you achieve certain goals with your money, different types of life insurance can play a critical role in helping to protect you and your family in the event of your death. Read More…

Keep Your Resolutions in 2013 — August Tip: Pay Down Credit Card Debt

Consider paying down high credit card debt. Borrowing money for things you can’t afford usually gets you into trouble over the long term. The interest rates you’re paying every month on credit card “loans” can often keep you from getting ahead financially. Smart saving means smart spending, which sometimes means not spending at all. Read More...

Source: Fidelity

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bwell - your well-being matters

AUGUST 2013