You might try jumping off the daily treadmill for a few hours and taking a thoughtful look at your life. Do you value all the elements of your current routine? What do you really enjoy doing, yet have little time to do?
Whether it’s having a cup of coffee with a friend, sitting still in a quiet session of meditation, or working on a long-neglected art project, be sure to schedule your relaxation times. They are every bit as important as the other to-do’s on your weekly calendar. View them as appointments that you won’t cancel unless an emergency occurs.
Research shows that relaxation keeps your heart healthier, cuts stress, reduces muscle tension, improves brain function and memory, and helps you avoid depression, anxiety, and obesity. It boosts your immune system and helps alleviate the symptoms of many medical and psychological disorders. Relaxing is important!
Source: Magellan Healthcare
Eight super simple ways to boost your health this summer. Try one or try them all. They're so easy you won't even know they're good for you. Read More…
Useful Links
Vacations are often the highlight of our summer, but don’t leave your healthy habits behind.
If you find yourself struggling to make it to the gym, consider signing up for a group class that meets at a designated time.
Picnic and barbecue season present opportunities for foodborne bacteria to thrive. Protect yourself, your family and friends during warm-weather months with these tips for keeping your picnic safe. Read More…
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Do you need a quick, tasty, different salad for your summer picnic? Here’s your answer. You can also add canned artichoke. Read More…
Source: diabetes.org
Deviled eggs are a perennial potluck favorite. Our recipe replaces some of the egg yolks with nonfat cottage cheese—keeping the filling velvety and rich while reducing some of the fat. No one will know the difference. Read More…
Source: eatingwell.com
For Terri C., a Financial Analyst in Houston, summer has turned into gold. She’s the winner of the grand prize draw in the 2016 bWell Olympics — a trip for two to the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero. Terri carried the torch for the bWell Olympics starting last September, engaging in challenges and earning rewards. By May 31, 2016, she was one of only 37 BMCers who had earned gold medal status with 7,000 bWell points and qualified for the grand prize drawing.
“I was stunned when I got the news I’d won. It took a couple of days to sink in that I was actually going to the Olympics,” says Terri, adding, “Going to the Olympic Games was on my bucket list.”
Terri and her spouse, David, will attend the Summer Olympics from August 15 to 19. Her prize includes airfare, hotel and tickets to several events, including gymnastics! Congratulations Terri!
Watch future issues of Benefits eNews and mybmcbenefits.com for highlights of Terri’s trip of a lifetime.
Congratulations to the 37 BMCers who took it higher, stronger and faster to strike gold in the 2016 bWell Olympics. Each will receive a $500 discount on their 2017 BMC medical premium.
| Thomas B | Dana B | Michelle C |
| Robert D | Mohamad E | Sandra F |
| Gary G | Anthony G | Richard G |
| Rebecca G | Joshua G | Dariusz G |
| Angela H | Kimberly H | Christopher H |
| Kevin J | Nilay K | Helen K |
| Beth K | Maria L | John M |
| Ingrid M | Betty N | Sam N |
| Yunfeng N | Michelle P | Jason P |
| Robin P | Judith S | Meagen S |
| Jeffrey S | Elizabeth T | Staci W |
| Tory W | Tina W | Peter Y |
Team Will Walk for Tacos celebrate their win with a team lunch.Congratulations to Team inIT2winIT, winner of the bWell 2016 Step-It-Up! Team Challenge. The team recorded the highest total steps, logging more than 3 million steps during May, double the 1.5 million steps challenge goal. Congratulations to Rebecca S., James K., Jacquetta M., Michael S., Wade F., Maria-Isabel G., Juliana K., and Eddie C.
Team Will Walk for Tacos claimed the prize for the team with the highest average steps per member. Congratulations to Michael S., Marilyn M., Adolfo I., Sharon M., Dianna S., and Kimberly B. Members of both teams each received 500 bWell points and a $150 gift card. Way to step it up teams!
BMC will contribute the remaining 50% of the company’s total annual contribution to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in July.
With the year half over, it’s a good time to check your HSA balance. If you won’t reach the IRS annual limit by year-end, consider making your own contributions to your HSA to add to what BMC contributes. It’s a helpful tax-free way to manage health care costs before meeting your deductible.
You can check your balance and change your contributions on the My BMC Benefits & Compensation website, click on Your Benefits Resources and follow these steps to make the change. You can also call 1-877-262-4849 and select Your Spending Accounts.
The countdown to savings is on. The 2016 bWell Olympics ends July 31, your deadline to earn points and pay less for medical next year. So stay active on mybmcwellness.com during July. When you reach bronze or silver medal status, you’ll save on your 2017 BMC medical plan premium:
Bronze Medal: 2,000 bWell points and a $200 savings.
Silver Medal: 5,000 bWell points and an additional $300 savings
The mybmcwellness.com website will be on hiatus during August while we prepare to launch the 2017 bWell program after Labor Day. Watch for details, including exciting new activities, rewards and prizes.
Are you ready to learn how to shop for health care like a pro? Want a chance to win a GoPro Hero along the way? Then play our online Healthcare Bluebook scavenger hunt by July 10, 2016!
You’ll search, find, answer and qualify to win the prize while discovering how easy it is to shop for high quality health care and save money. Happy hunting and good luck!
Earlier this month, we launched single-sign-on functionality to the My BMC Compensation & Benefits website. Now you don't need to remember a different set of credentials when accessing your Total Rewards information. Check it out at mybmcrewards.com.
Skip the commute. If you work in the Houston office you can squeeze in a dental visit without leaving the building. Onsite Dental Solutions, located in Suite 100 on the main floor, is an in-network dentist for the BMC Dental Plan. Visit their new website to learn more about their services.
Good to Know
The BMC Dental Plan covers three dental cleanings each calendar year at no cost to you and no deductible. According to the National Institutes of Health, visiting your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings can help prevent cavities, the second most common health disorder in the U.S. after the common cold.
Is relaxation at the bottom of your list of priorities? It is for many people. To boost your health and wellness, you’ll need to value relaxation more and find time to unwind, despite your busy schedule. Join Magellan’s live interactive webinar “Restorative Practices to Well-being,” on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Central time. You will learn practices to improve well-being, including approaches to help you feel calm and connected, and how to integrate these techniques with your personal life and goals. Register Now.
Financial stress rates in the U.S. are among the highest they have been over the last five years, with workers facing more financial burdens and increased debt, according to a new survey. More than half (52 %) of respondents from PwC 2016 Employee Financial Wellness Survey say they are stressed about finances, and 45 % report that their stress has increased over the last 12 months. Increased financial stress levels are being felt more by millennials (64 %) than any other generation surveyed. Read More...
If you contribute to the BMC 401(k) Plan and meet the IRS limit too early in the year, you are potentially missing out on company matching contributions. Read More...
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.
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