True or False? Thin people, kids, and people who exercise don’t have to worry about high cholesterol. FALSE! These are among the most common misconceptions about cholesterol.
Cholesterol circulates in the blood. As the amount of cholesterol in your blood increases, so does the risk to your health. That’s why it’s important to have your cholesterol tested so you can know your levels.
Millions of Americans regularly use health care and fitness wearable trackers, but not all of the data we get from them is accurate or useful. And many people get a little obsessive about them. So what are the most helpful ways to use wearable health trackers? Read More…
Source: makingthehealthcaresystemwork.com (BCBSTX)
Doctors use medical imaging tests, including X-rays, CT or CAT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds, to assess and guide the treatment of many medical conditions. According to Healthgrades, a company that provides information about physicians and hospitals, the average cost of a CT scan of the abdomen in the U.S. is $333.99. Some facilities charge as little as $50, while others charge as much as $3,500 for an abdominal CT. To find imaging centers near you with the best ratings and price, go to healthcarebluebook.com/cc/bmc or call 1-800-341-0504.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a massage can relieve digestive disorders, insomnia, migraines, joint pain and many types of chronic or injury-related pain. It’s also one of the best stress relievers ever.
Sauté foods with two tablespoons of water or chicken broth instead of using cooking oil to limit your dietary cholesterol.
Source: BCBSTX.com
Why not use cooler-weather vegetables like broccoli and arugula as an unconventional pizza topping? The arugula adds a slightly bitter, peppery taste—for a milder flavor, use spinach instead. Serve with wedges of fresh tomato tossed with vinegar, olive oil, basil, and freshly ground pepper. Read More…
Source: eatingwell.com
Start the day with a traditional Tex-Mex dish called Migas. This version is quick and easy to make, even on busy mornings! Read More…
Source: eatright.org
Your journey to well-being begins September 17 with Destination bWell. We’ve moved to a new wellness program partner, and that means you’ll benefit from many exciting changes, including:
Spouses can participate so you can set wellness goals, learn and enjoy success together. While spouses aren’t eligible for bWell rewards, inviting your spouse to join you can help propel you both into making positive, healthier choices together.
Unlimited use of lifestyle motivators to help you and your spouse reach your goals.
The new bWell program is flexible, too. You can create your own custom challenges to change habits you’d like to work on. Maybe you want to go to bed by 10 p.m. on weekdays, read more books, stop using artificial sweeteners, or run a 5K race. You can create as many custom challenges as you like, but rewards are limited to 15 custom challenges.
Watch your email for more information and an invitation from our new wellness program partner, WellRight, to register. With the move to WellRight, registration is required, even if you’ve participated in the bWell program before.
A journey to wellness begins with knowing your health issues and quality of life so you can put together an improvement plan. That’s why BMC pays you to complete the Well-Being Survey and get a health screening. Not only will you know what changes to focus on, but you’ll also earn 1,000 bWell points and a gift valued at $100.
Remember, your Well-Being Survey results are provided to BMC only in a combined form, removing all information that identifies specific individuals. So, BMC receives no individual results.
To help you on your journey, BMC is offering free, on-site health screenings in late October at the Houston, Austin, and Santa Clara offices.
Mark your calendars and watch your email for dates, times and locations.
The BMC Dental Plan covers three dental cleanings each calendar year at no cost to you—and no deductible. If you haven’t booked your third dental cleaning of the year, now is a good time to do it.
According to Delta Dental, administrator for the BMC Dental Plan, keeping your teeth healthy with regular dental visits is important. When teeth start to have problems, they can impact life quickly. Catching a dental problem early may help reduce the amount of pain, difficulty, and cost to fix the problem. Dentists can also look for signs of oral cancers, and spot signs of other health conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome or diabetes. Read More…
Useful Links
The website, Ask the Dentist, provides a dentist’s perspective on how often you should visit your dentist for teeth cleaning.
Substance abuse and addiction is a significant health issue impacting our communities, workplaces, and families today. Visit the Magellan website to learn about the latest substance abuse facts, including the opiate crisis; information about lesser known commonly abused substances; treatment trends including community-level actions with positive impact; and what to do if you or someone close to you needs help. (When prompted, type in BMC’s toll-free EAP number, 1-800-327-1393).
Uncontrollable use of drugs or alcohol can damage every aspect of your family and work life. When you or a loved one recognize that substance misuse is having an impact, it’s important to make a commitment to change.
Recognizing the problem and reaching out for help is a key first step—although many people struggle to admit the severity of their symptoms.
Denial, depression, shame, and fear often accompany a substance use disorder.
Treatment truly helps. Although many people with substance disorders believe that they can overcome the problem themselves via sheer willpower, this is almost never the case. Professional care provides the long-lasting coping skills people need to recover.
Good to Know
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. Also, visit the online treatment locators.
Useful Links
The National Institutes of Health offer information to help you talk with your teens about drugs and their effects, and learn where to go to get help.
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids answers the question Medicine abuse: What’s happening and why?
For anyone who drinks, the Rethinking Drinking web site offers valuable, research-based information. What do you think about taking a look at your drinking habits and how they may affect your health? Rethinking Drinking can help you get started.
Does Your Teen Need Help? Get coverage basics and tips on using your behavioral health benefits from BCBSTX.
Disasters often strike quickly and without warning. Whether it is a weather emergency, natural disaster or personal crisis due to illness, unemployment or disability, most families will experience some form of disaster that leaves them with little or no time to think before making important decisions.
This guide can help you make informed, thoughtful decisions about your family’s present and future financial activities. Download the guide.
Source: 360financialliteracy.org
It stands to reason that getting involved in your community helps others. But what if it helped your own bottom line, as well?
That is the finding of a new survey from financial giant MassMutual, which discovered that nearly half of the Americans surveyed in the 2018 Financial Wellness and Community Involvement Study believe that community involvement helped their own pocketbooks – not just their emotions or their sense of belonging, but their actual money. Read More…
Source: Reuters.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.
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.