Up to 60% of those with a thyroid condition don’t know it. The thyroid gland, butterfly-shaped and located in the lower neck, produces hormones that help the body use energy, stay warm, and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should. Read More
So, no matter what your favorite soup is or why you like it, January is your month to enjoy them. To mark the occasion, why not host a Soup Swap Day? Or read about healthy, low-fat soup recipes and tips from Web MD. Happy slurping!
Chances are at some time in your life, you have made a New Year's resolution and then broken it. This year, stop the cycle of resolving to make a change and then not following through with it. If your resolution is to take better care of yourself and get healthy, you will have a much better year if your resolution sticks. Here are ten tips to help you get started. Read More
Source: gaiam.com
Whether or not you’re a morning person, your first waking hour offers an opportunity to set the tone for your day. If it’s typically frenzied and stressful — think blaring alarms and pushy smartphone notifications — that reactive energy is likely to linger.
Thankfully, every sunrise is a chance to start fresh. Here are some ways you can set yourself up for calmer, more focused days. Read More
Source: experiencelife.com
Looking to reboot your health in 2020? What you need to do is clear.
"We should sit less, move more, sleep more and be mindful about what we eat," said Mercedes Carnethon, an epidemiologist and vice-chair of the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. "Setting goals that balance these priorities but are achievable is going to be very important to set the right tone."
How you do that can take effort. But it’s far from impossible. Here are some ways to start. Read More
Source: heart.org
This easy one-pot recipe is perfect for getting back on track for the new year! Best of all, it's comforting, flavorful, and packed with lots of healthy vegetables. Read More
Source: lifemadesweeter.com
This classic beef stew recipe has all you expect in a beef stew: tender chunks of beef, carrot, and potato. Yet the cremini mushrooms are a pleasant surprise. Read More
Source: cookinglight.com
Your first paycheck in January is a good time to check deductions for benefits coverage you elected during annual enrollment in November. Even if you didn’t change your benefits during annual enrollment, paycheck deductions for benefits might have changed. Review your first January pay stub online through mybmcrewards.com, click on ADP - View Paycheck. Contributions per pay period for medical, dental, and vision coverage are available here.
Here are some specific items you may want to look for as you review your pay stub:
Benefit Coverage
Your 2020 benefit deductions may be higher or lower than last year, depending on what you elected during annual enrollment, who you covered, and whether you qualified for the medical premium discount. To verify your 2020 deductions, compare your first 2020 pay stub against the confirmation statement you printed during annual enrollment. Your pay stub will show your deductions for medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, Health Savings Account, and any other coverage you elected for 2020. Remember, you can change your HSA contributions at anytime during the year. If you change your HSA contributions, the change goes into effect on the first of the month following the change date.
If you didn't print a confirmation statement after you enrolled, check your 2020 benefits coverage any time by visiting mybmcrewards.com. Click on the Your Health and Insurance Coverage tile. Please report any concerns with deductions to Your Benefits Resources at 1-877-262-4849. Representatives are available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.
FSA Carry Over Reminder
BMC 401(k) Plan
The regular before-tax or Roth 401(k) contributions you were making to the BMC 401(k) Plan in 2019 will continue for 2020 unless you requested a change. You can make or change contribution elections at any time throughout the calendar year, and the changes will go into effect within one to two pay cycles.
If you have any questions or want to make changes to your BMC 401(k) Plan contribution elections, log on to the Fidelity NetBenefits website or call Fidelity NetBenefits® at 1-866-546-4424.
Medical Tax Form 1095
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 2019. 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 MyBMC Rewards and click on the Get Your Form 1095 tile located on the home page.
Access your form by February 1 (unless you receive notice that it is available earlier).
Sign up or review your email and phone number to receive an email or text message when your tax form is available.
Health Savings Account Forms
Form 1099-SA: Reports distributions made from Health Savings Accounts. This form will be sent through regular mail. Request reprints by calling UMB at 866-520-4472.
Form 5498-SA: This form is informational only to report your HSA contributions, which are also available on your W-2. This form is not required for filing taxes and will be sent through regular mail in May 2020.
To review additional tax information, go to MyBMC Rewards and click on Your Spending Account > Take Action > Accounts > Health Savings Account > Tax Information.
The new benefits year has begun and we're introducing new and exciting lifestyle benefits, as well as some enhancements to the BCBSTX medical plans. Here’s a quick overview of benefits added for 2020.
The Dependent Eligibility Audit began January 6 and will run through March 5, 2020. The audit will verify that dependents covered under a medical plan option are eligible for coverage.
As a reminder, the audit will include these specific groups:
Read the Frequently Asked Questions & Answers to learn more about the audit.
We are three months into bWell Builds, and participants are making great progress building their well-being. As of December 31, many BMC builders are well on their way to reaching the Master Builder Level:
Remember, bWell Builds allows you to create your own, customized challenges. Whether you want to spend less, play more, or conquer a bad habit, you design the challenge that will help you change for good. Points will be awarded for up to 12 custom challenges, but there’s no limit on how many custom challenges you can create.
Financial Well-Being: Congratulations to Patricia P., winner of the Google Home Hub for attending the Make the Most of Your Retirement Savings webinar on January 14.
Five Alive Challenge: Enjoy five servings of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve a goal of 150 total servings of fruits and vegetables between January 15 and February 13.
Watch your email for new challenges added quarterly.
Everything is easier if you have some support. If you have made a New Year’s health resolution and need help and support, the bWell program provides no-cost resources to guide and encourage you. You and your spouse can work with a lifestyle motivator who will help you design a personalized action plan to help you quit tobacco, shed pounds, sleep better, increase your energy levels, and much more!
Consultations with lifestyle motivators are available at your convenience by phone, video, or webchat. Call 800-882-2109 or email coaching@marqueehealth.com to set up your first appointment.
Useful Links
WebMD explains how to make your resolutions last longer than a passing thought.
Sanitas Health Clinics in the Dallas and Houston areas are now open and providing in-network benefits for BMC employees and their covered dependents covered under the BCBSTX PPO and HSA medical plans.
To learn more about the services offered or find a clinic near you, click here. Please note: due to construction delays, the Briarforest location in Houston is temporary. The permanent site will open at 12586 Westheimer Road in mid-February.
If your plans for the new year include losing those holiday pounds, remember your BMC benefits can help. Sign up for the free, online Naturally Slim program between January 13 and 24. If you participate, you will learn how to eat the foods you love while reducing your risk of developing severe conditions, like diabetes or heart disease. The program begins on February 10. Space is limited, so mark your calendars and go to naturallyslim.com/bmc to learn more.
Employees, spouses, and adult dependents over the age of 18 covered on the BCBS medical plan are eligible to apply. bWell participants will automatically earn 250 points under the "WeightoGo" challenge by completing the Naturally Slim program.
From time to time, we are all confronted with everyday life or work difficulties. This is just a reminder that your EAP is available to you and your immediate family members 24/7. Call
1-800-327-1393 or visit magellanascend.com/. To register on the site, enter the program’s toll-free number 1-800-327-1393 on the Registration & Sign In page. From there, you’ll set up a username and password to use for future visits to the site.
Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, confidential service that provides professional counseling and referral services designed to help with personal, job, or family-related problems. Your EAP can help you and your family members identify, resolve, and gain control over issues that may be interfering with work and daily life. Through short-term counseling, the EAP can help you understand what options are available.
What Issues Can the EAP Help Solve?
What Will Using the EAP Cost?
The EAP is an employer-paid benefit. BMC provides the first six visits with a counselor at no cost to you. After that, your visits may be covered by your medical insurance. If a referral to a long-term treatment provider is needed, your EAP counselor will coordinate a referral or provide resources.
Attend a Webinar
Mark your calendar and plan to attend an upcoming EAP monthly Webinar.
February
Wednesday, February 12 at 1:00 p.m., CST
Mindfulness: The Life-Changing Practice for Living a Happier, Healthier Life
Objectives:
March
Wednesday, March 11, at 1:00 p.m., CST
Thriving in a Multigenerational Workforce
Objectives:
Mental Wellness Month affirms that being mentally healthy is a vital part of our overall well-being. Just as it's important to monitor markers of our physical health such as blood pressure or cholesterol levels, we need awareness of our emotional well-being. This can include our moods, our ability to function socially, our energy levels, and our ability to respond to challenges.
Visit MagellanHealth.com/MYMH or contact your program for resources to help you and your family.
Source: magellanascend.com
If you’re considering retirement from BMC, you’ve got a lot on your mind. Retirement is a life decision that involves many important considerations. And it's essential to understand the impact on your benefits and your options to continue coverage a little longer.
Whether you are 10 years from retirement or have a different timeframe – be sure to visit the Journey to Retirement page at mybmcbenefits.com. Get the details you need to help you unravel the financial mysteries of life after work and discover changes you can make for a financially secure future. Visit the page to:
If your 401(k) contribution percentage is so high that you meet the $19,500 limit in the first half of the year, you could lose out on thousands of dollars in match money from BMC. You could also lose out on the match if you change your contribution percentage up and down throughout the year or suspend contributions temporarily because of cash flow issues. Make 2020 the year where you don’t lose money.
To learn more, watch the “Don’t Miss Out on the Match” video and use the BMC Retirement Savings Calculator. The calculator can help you figure out how much to contribute each pay period to make sure you don’t exceed the limits and miss out on any of the BMC matching contributions. This tool can be used after you’ve already made contributions for the current year. You will need to know your year-to-date contributions. A current pay stub will provide this information. Review the Payroll Cutoff Schedule to determine when your contribution changes take effect.
Need more retirement help? Speak with a Fidelity expert at 866-546-4424.
Like exercise or diligent flossing, good financial habits are the unsung heroes of personal financial success. It doesn't matter where you start, practicing small steps, like saving regularly or putting extra payments toward debt, can help you accomplish your larger goals. That may explain why so many people set financial resolutions each year.
More than half of Americans, 53%, say they aim to save more in 2020, 51% plan to pay down debt, and 35% say they will spend less in the new year, according to Fidelity's 11th annual New Year Financial Resolutions Study.
Once your good habits are established, consider these steps that could help you go even farther. Read More
Source: Fidelity.com
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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