December is the perfect time to get a head start on your health resolutions for 2013. The BMC Wellness Program through Healthways offers resources you can tap into anytime—whether you're ready to quit smoking, start a walking program or just keep healthy. Learn more at mybmcwellness.com.

Complete the Well-Being Assessment

Be sure to complete the Well-Being Assessment™ (WBA) early in the year to get more value out of the recommendations, support programs and resources that are part of the BMC Wellness Program. And by completing the WBA early in the year, you'll get a head start on the two steps you'll need to take in 2013 to earn medical plan premium discounts in 2014.

Watch your email for the schedule of onsite biometric health screenings at major BMC locations beginning early in 2013.

Effective January 1, new medication management changes will apply to the Prescription Drug Program for the Aetna PPO and HSA medical plans. The changes ensure medications are prescribed correctly, filled safely and provided in the most cost-effective way.

If you take certain maintenance medication(s), Express Scripts/Medco sent you a letter with details about the changes, how they impact you, and steps you can take. You can also find answers to your questions here or call Express Scripts/Medco at 866-577-2523.

By now, you enrolled in benefits for 2013 or default coverage was assigned. A personalized statement showing your 2013 benefits coverage was recently mailed to your home address. It's important to review your statement carefully and if you have any questions about your elections, please call Your Benefits Resources (YBR) at 1-877-262-4849 and select Your Benefits Resources when prompted. Representatives are available 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday through Friday.

You can also see your 2013 benefits coverage on the YBR website. Select the Health and Insurance tab at the top of the page and then click on Future Coverage. Review your coverage and ensure any changes you made during enrollment are reflected on the site.

In most cases, you should hold on to your current benefit identification cards and continue to use them in 2013. However, some exceptions may apply, especially if you're changing medical plans for 2013.

• Medical Plan ID card: Unless you're changing plans, you'll continue to use your current ID card.
• Prescription Drug Plan ID card: Unless you're changing to the Kaiser HMO medical plan, you'll continue to use your Express Scripts/Medco ID card.
• Your Spending Account (YSA) Visa Debit Card (Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Limited Use Spending Account and Health Savings Account (HSA)): Your YSA card remains valid through the expiration date listed on the card. Do not destroy your card if you've exhausted your account balance or if you are switching from the HSA plan to another plan. The funds in your HSA are always available to you for any eligible medical, dental or vision expense.

If you expect to receive a new ID card, keep in mind that they're usually mailed in late December. For your protection, remember to destroy you old ID cards once you receive your new ones (but not before January 1).

Let's face it. Stress and the holidays usually go hand-in-hand. Between crowded shopping malls, parties, family commitments, and gift giving, it's no wonder so many people get stressed out. Although it's difficult to eliminate stress entirely, consider these six tips during the holiday season—and every other day of the year.

• Manage your time efficiently,
• Recognize what you can and can't control,
• Take care of your body,
• Keep your sense of humor,
• Look for ways to help others, and
• Remember the importance of family.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help

For more holiday tips, as well as self-assessment tools, self-help webinars and articles, visit the EAP website [username: BMC; password: EAP]. Take a few minutes to watch the webinar "Holiday Stress: What to Expect and How to Cope."

In addition to resources to help you cope with holiday stress, anxiety or depression, the EAP can help you deal with a broad range of challenges that may affect your life. You can contact the EAP at 1-800-955-6422, 24 hours a day for confidential help.

You'll want to review your beneficiary designations periodically—especially after a major life event, such as the birth of a child, death, marriage and divorce. If you don't, you could create a situation where your ex-spouse inherits assets meant for your current spouse, or children born after your initial beneficiary designation are left with no inheritance.

Simple Steps to Check or Update Your Beneficiaries

• To make changes to your life and accident death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance beneficiaries, go to Your Benefit Resources and click on the Beneficiaries link under the Health and Insurance tab or call the Benefits Center at 1-877-262-4849 and select Your Benefits Resources when prompted.
• To make changes to your BMC 401(k) Savings Plan beneficiaries, go to Fidelity NetBenefits. From the main page, click on the Beneficiaries link under My Profile

In matters of financial planning, being young has big implications and huge advantages for the people who make smart decisions. Here are three tips that young investors should know.