Although an estimated 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less than 10% of the eligible population actually does each year. Yet every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. January is National Blood Donation Month, a good time to consider giving the gift of life. Why donate blood? The need is constant, and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. And you’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped change a life. Schedule a donation by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Source: redcross.org
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is forecast as next year’s most popular trend in fitness. HIIT training is made up of bursts of all-out exercise followed by short periods of rest for recovery. The fitness trends forecast was recently released in the November/December issue of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal®. Learn more about this and other trends for 2018.
When cared for properly, contact lenses can provide a comfortable and convenient way to work, play, and live for the 40 million plus people in the U.S. who wear them. While contact lenses are usually safe, they are medical devices, and failure to wear, clean, and store them as directed can increase the risk of eye infections. Visit CDC's Healthy Contact Lens website to learn tips and recommendations you can follow to protect your eyes and watch the video testimonial featuring Te and her experience with contact lenses and vision loss.
Source: CDC.gov
The New Year is a great time for a fresh start, and for many of us, that means making resolutions to lead healthier lives. However, keeping those resolutions can be challenging. This year, try something different. Concentrate on building resilience – the ability to calmly deal with difficult situations and recover from setbacks. By doing so, you’ll not only be healthier but ready to deal with anything life throws your way. And it only takes a few small adjustments in your day to day life to get started.
Sipping a cup of green or black tea can improve arterial health. Brew up a heart-healthy potion. Learn more from the American Heart Association.
Source: heart.org
You don’t need fad diets, supplements, fancy workouts or lots of time or money to improve your health. Read More…
Source: nytimes.com
Red curry paste—an authentic Thai ingredient you can find in many grocery stores—works wonders in this soup, creating rich and full-blown flavor in an instant. Read More…
Source: experiencelife.com
This Simple Cooking with Heart Italian recipe for Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Marinara and Turkey Meatballs is an upgrade from the classic – it has more fiber and vegetables, less saturated fat and sodium but it sure delivers on taste! Read More…
Source: heart.org
Your first paycheck in January is a good time to check deductions for benefits coverage you elected during annual enrollment last fall. Review your first January pay stub online through My BMC Compensation & Benefits, click on Access Your Paycheck Details.
Your 2018 benefit deductions may be higher or lower than last year, depending on your elections during the annual enrollment period. To verify your 2018 deductions, compare your first 2018 pay stub against the confirmation statement you printed during enrollment. Some of the items your pay stub will show include:
If you didn't print a confirmation statement after you enrolled, you can find 2018 coverage information by logging on to My BMC Compensation & Benefits (Select Your Benefits Resources). If you discover a problem with a benefit deduction, please call YBR at 1-877-269-4849. Representatives are available from Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern time.
FSA Carry Over Reminder
Did you carry over unused Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) dollars from 2017? Check your balance on the Your Spending Account (YSA) website. You can carry over to 2018 up to $500 in an HCFSA if enrolled in the PPO or HMO medical plans or $500 in a Limited Use Flexible Spending Account if enrolled in the HSA medical plan.
Log on to the YSA website from My BMC Compensation & Benefits. (Select Your Spending Account).
If you are enrolled in the BCBSTX Health Savings Account (HSA) medical plan for 2018 and have an HSA with UMB Bank, BMC deposited 50% of the annual company-provided contribution to your account in January.
BMC’s contribution depends on your base salary and the how many dependents you cover under the HSA medical plan.
If your base salary is: | And you choose: | |
Employee-Only Coverage | Other Coverage Levels | |
BMC's 2018 Contribution is: | ||
$75,000 or less | $750 | $1500 |
More than $75,000 | $500 | $1000 |
BMC will make a second contribution to your account in July for the remaining 50% of the annual amount listed above.
You are eligible for BMC's HSA contribution if you are actively employed by BMC on the date the company contribution is deposited to your HSA.
Form 1095 is a tax form required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This form confirms you and your covered dependents had BMC medical coverage during 2017. While Form 1095 is not required to file your taxes, you should maintain a copy for your records in the event of an audit.
How to view/print your Form 1095
Go to My Compensation & Benefits and click on Go to Your Benefits Resources > Medical Tax Form 1095 >View/Print Your 1095 to:
Health Savings Account Forms
To review additional tax information, go to My Compensation & Benefits and click on Visit My Spending Accounts > Health Savings Account > Tax Information.
BMC introduced two new benefits for 2018: Identity Theft Protection through InfoArmor and Backup Care through Bright Horizons.
Identify Theft Protection
If you enrolled in the identity theft protection benefit during annual enrollment, you should have received a welcome email with instructions on how to register on the InfoArmor portal (email was sent to the address on file with Your Benefits Resources).
Be sure to visit the InfoArmor website to activate the plan’s features and store sensitive information in WalletArmor’s secure vault. If you enrolled in family coverage, add information about your family members.
Backup Care
The Backup Care benefit is available to all BMC employees to help you find care for your children or elderly family members. BMC covers the majority of expenses for up to 10 days of backup care per year, per employee. You pay a small co-pay. It’s a good idea to register for this benefit before you need to use it. You can register two ways: Online at careadvantage.com/bmc (Username: BMC; Password: CARE4YOU) or call the toll-free number at 1-877-BH-CARES (1-877-242-2737).
Attend a webinar about the new Backup Care benefit on Tuesday, January 16 at 12:30 p.m. and Thursday, January 18 at 3 p.m., Central time. Watch your email for more information.
Welcome Delta Dental
Please remember that Delta Dental (Grp. # 18930) replaced MetLife as our dental insurance provider, effective January 1. Please call your dentist’s office and ask them call Delta Dental at 1-800-521-2651 to verify your dental benefits using your Social Security number. Delta Dental will not issue ID cards and you do not need one to receive services. However, if you would like to print out an ID card, visit the Dental Dental website. You must register on the site before printing an ID card. Visit the new interactive benefits guide to learn more about your Dental Plan benefits.
When it comes to your health care, your BMC benefits provide many options for saving time and money.
Life can throw some upsetting curves like career setbacks, relationship problems, serious health issues or the passing of someone close to you. These major changes can be confusing and discouraging, especially when they’re not expected. The good news is you can learn to build your inner strength and be more resilient in the future.
Join Magellan’s live interactive webinar on Wednesday, January 10, Growing Your Resilience and True Grit, and learn the differences between resilience and grit, characteristics of resilient and “gritty” people, and the benefits of building these skills. Space is limited so register now.
Resilience Resources
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need new ways to be resilient, licensed professional counselors can help you develop coping strategies. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) confidential consultation is available anytime by calling Magellan Behavioral Health at 1-800-327-1393.
You've likely spent a good deal of time thinking about investment risk. But have you stopped to think about more personal security issues, such as the safety of your online financial transactions and information stored on your computers? While most people recognize that online fraud or cybercrime is a potential threat, few know how or why they may be at risk. Cybercrime can take many forms, and understanding who the enemies are and how they commit crimes may allow you to better defend yourself. Read More…
Taking control of your finances is a great feeling. Setting resolutions at the beginning of a new year can help you reach short and long-term goals and even improve the way you feel.
Of course, making plans is easy—seeing them through can be more difficult. Not to worry, though. There are some secrets to resolution success, according to the ninth annual New Year Financial Resolutions Study from Fidelity Investments. Read More…
Source: Fidelity
MyBMC Rewards provides a snapshot of your pay, retirement benefits, health and insurance benefits and corporate programs. Visit MyBMC Rewards to:
Go online anytime or call 877-262-4849. Representatives are available from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern time.
From enrollment reminders to important 401(k) information and benefits updates, you can be the first to know when your attention or action is required.
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BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
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BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
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BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
Find FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
Find FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesFind FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.