Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women after skin cancer. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.
The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member of yours had breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation offers a free eBook to make sure women have the tools and facts they need to protect their health. Get yours at nationalbreastcancer.org.
Useful Links
Read the latest developments in breast cancer research, treatment, and prevention from abcnews.com.
National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) is October 11 and is dedicated to raising awareness and screening people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. Mental health is a key part of your overall health. Brief screenings are the quickest way to determine if you or someone you care about should connect with a mental health professional. Take the anonymous and confidential screening and see your results, recommendations, and key resources.
Useful Links
On October 11, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a Twitter chat on depression, a common but serious mood disorder on October 11. Read More…
The American Heart Association recommends men consume less than 9 teaspoons of added sugar per day (or 150 calories) and women consume less than 6 teaspoons per day (or 100 calories).
According to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, we are consuming approximately 270 calories per day in added sugars.
Source: cooperaerobics.com
You can strength train at your desk. Try this workout at your desk to build strength at work.
Source: WebMD.com
Do you know the difference between urgent care centers and an emergency room (ER)? Knowing which one to choose for care could save you money. Read More…
Source: BCBSTX.com
Nectar-sweet pears, earthy pumpkin, and tart cranberries are a wonderfully balanced combination of fall flavors. Read More…
Source: cookinglight.com
Apples add just a hint of sweetness to this velvety pumpkin soup. Try it as a delightful first course for a special meal. Read More…
Source: eatingwell.com
Annual Benefits Enrollment will take place from October 29 to November 9. It’s your annual opportunity to review your benefit options and choose your coverage for next year.
BMC will offer the same medical, dental, and vision options for 2019. Medical and dental deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums will also stay the same.
Paycheck costs for the Kaiser HMO medical plan option (California employees only) will increase slightly. Other changes for 2019 include lower paycheck costs for supplemental life insurance coverage.
Watch your work email and home mail for more information about Annual Enrollment and the changes for 2019.
Destination bWell started September 17 with a new program partner, exciting challenges and our first virtual destination – The Great Wall of China.
Join the Great Stairwall Climb. You’ll climb 476 stair flights in October and earn up 350 bWell points. Need help with motivation? Click on the “Lifestyle Motivator" challenge on the web portal or app to learn more. You can also call Marquee Health at 1-800-882-2109 or email coaching@marqueehealth.com for guidance and encouragement.
You can also earn 150 points when you participate in the Global Run on Saturday, October 13.
Visit mybmcwellness.com and sign up for challenges or create up to five of your own custom challenges.
Complete the Staycation Level
You will complete the Staycation level when you get a health screening and complete the online Well-Being Survey on mybmcwellness.com. You’ll earn 1,000 bWell points and a gift valued at $100.
Free, confidential health screenings will be held at three BMC locations in October.
Houston: 10/23, 10/24, 10/25, and 10/30
Austin: 10/24
Santa Clara: 10/24, 10/30
To schedule an appointment for your screening, login into mybmcwellness.com and go to the “MeasureUp: Complete Biometric Testing” challenge. Hover over the challenge and click on the Schedule button to go to the scheduling page. Select Schedule a Screening>Onsite Screening. Then, select CA or TX. The times and dates will appear with an option to register.
If you can't attend a screening at work, select Physician Screening or Offsite Lab Screening. Once you submit either request, you will receive an email with the form you need for the screening.
Mark your calendars and watch your email for reminders.
Do you remember when you had your last eye exam? If you can’t, know you’re not alone. According to a recent study conducted by VSP Vision Care and market research agency YouGov, most people rate vision as their most important sense but only half reported getting an eye exam in the last year. Read about the surprising study results here.
The BMC Vision Plan covers an annual vision exam and eyeglasses lenses. You’ll pay a $15 copay for each when you receive care from a VSP network provider.
When you get an annual eye exam, visit mybmcwellness.com to pick up 200 bWell points as a reward for taking good care of your most important sense.
Useful Links
Find a VSP network doctor near you at vsp.com.
See the Benefits Guide for details about your BMC Vision Plan benefits.
Sometimes, achieving the proverbial “work-life balance” seems about as easy as finding gold at the end of a rainbow. Stress from many directions can often make things seem out of control. However, taking a fresh look at balance might give you ideas for making small, practical, positive changes. Join Magellan’s live interactive webinar on Wednesday, October 10, Work and Personal Life—Setting Goals to be Effective in Multiple Areas of Your Life. Space is limited so register now.
Schedule and stick to the activities you’ve planned in your personal life just as you do those at work. Whether it’s hiking with the kids, hobby time, travel or exercise, time for you is important!
While “balance” means something different to everyone, consider these ideas for healthy change.
Establish a block of hours on evenings and weekends during which you turn off notifications on your electronic devices and don’t respond to every text, email, and social media post. Strive to be truly present with your loved ones.
Talk with others, including your supervisor, about what will help you to work in a healthier manner. Perhaps you need to leave work at a certain time each day to pick up a family member, or you’d like a bit more midday time to attend an exercise class. Discuss practical solutions.
You’ll find more time if you let go of non-priority chores, particularly during stressful times. Does your house always need to be squeaky clean? Must your lawn or garden be the neighborhood’s finest? Stick with what’s important.
Keep in mind you can still be highly productive while setting a limit on your work hours by cutting down on distractions, prioritizing tasks and working with others.
Useful Links
Listen to a podcast from Bright Horizons with an interesting perspective on owning your time and trimming the fat off the schedule that could result in a much happier you.
BMC cares about your financial future. That’s why we offer benefits and education that support your financial well-being and help you achieve your dreams.
BMC and Fidelity will host quarterly, workshops – either virtually or onsite in Houston and Santa Clara.
This quarter's workshop is a virtual-only event on November 12 at 1 p.m., Central time. The workshop topic is “Making the Most of Your Retirement Savings,” and will focus on helping you understand different ways to save for retirement and how to keep growing your assets once you retire.
Mark your calendar and watch your email for details and reminders.
If you need additional guidance on your personal finance or saving for retirement, call a Fidelity retirement expert at 1-866-546-4424.
Useful Links
Let’s get real: Read what an average retirement costs from nerdwallet.com.
Roughly half of employed Americans (48 percent) aren’t saving any more for retirement this year than last, and 13 percent are saving less, according to a new Bank Rate.com survey. What could help Americans — and you, in particular — save more? A noted retirement analyst and a family physician have a surprising answer: Get healthier. Read More…
Source: nextavenue.org
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.
Find FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesFind FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesFind FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
2014 InformationBCBSTX ResourcesBlue Cross Blue Shield InformationOther Resources/ServicesOther ServicesFind FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
2015 InformationBCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
Find FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
2016 Information2017 InformationBCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
Find FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
2017 InformationBCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
Find FAQs, rates, benefit provider websites and more.
2018 InformationBCBSTX 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/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/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.