Your health matters to you, your family and to BMC. Through the BMC Wellness Program, you pay less for your medical coverage when you show your commitment to your health.

Each year, we outline what you need to do to earn premium discounts. Then, as long as you enroll in BMC medical coverage, you’ll receive a discounted premium for that coverage. And if your spouse/domestic partner does the same, he or she can earn the same discount, too.

We’re introducing new opportunities to earn discounts in 2014. Activities like keeping an online food journal, getting an annual physical, or participating in the new BMC Step it Up! Walking Challenge (more details coming soon) will help you earn premium discounts.

For 2014, you and your spouse/domestic partner can each reduce your costs for coverage up to $600 by completing these steps:

1. Biometric Health Screening and Well-Being Assessment Discount
2. Activity Discount

• Earn a $200 discount when you complete the screening and assessment

• Earn a $400 discount when you complete two wellness activities or receive a partial discount ($200) when you complete one wellness activity
• See details here.

Watch for more wellness and health information in 2014 through emails, newsletters, and text alerts (if you subscribe).

The IRS announced a modified “use-it-or-lose-it rule” in late October that could allow employers to change their plans to allow for up to a $500 to roll over from year to year. 

Since the change was announced so late in the year, the BMC Benefits team is still working through the implementation of this change. Watch your email for the formal announcement from BMC Benefits.

 2013 FSA Reminder: Check your current FSA balances and be sure to spend any unspent money before December 31, 2013. The “use-it-or-lose it” rule still applies to money you contributed to your 2013 FSA. You have until March 31, 2014 to claim your 2013 expenses.

The BMC Fitness Reimbursement Program allows you to receive a one-time annual reimbursement of up to $225 per year for fitness related activities, including gym memberships and exercise classes.

If you belong to a BMC onsite gym (Houston and Austin), submit a copy of your final 2013 pay stub to Your Spending Account, the program administrator, by the March 31, 2014 deadline. Even if your monthly membership dues are deducted from your paycheck, you still need to claim for reimbursement of dues. If you belong to an offsite fitness center, submit your 2013 receipts for membership dues or exercise classes by the deadline.

 To request reimbursement, log on to My BMC Compensation & Benefits (www.mybmcrewards.com) and click through this path: Visit My Spending Accounts> Other Accounts>Request Fitness Reimbursement.

 Find detailed instructions in this How to Request Reimbursement for Fitness Expenses step-by-step guide.

Fidelity representatives will host 401(k) education meetings onsite in Houston and online on Wednesday, January 29. If you are new to investing, need a refresher or have questions about the BMC 401(k) Plan, don’t miss this perfect opportunity to learn from the experts. Some attendees will be selected to receive a one-on-one session with a Fidelity advisor. Watch your email for details, including meeting times and how to sign-up.

If you're planning to donate to a number of different charitable organizations, you may want to consider setting up a donor-advised fund (DAF). When you make a contribution (including cash, securities, or in some cases, non–publicly traded assets) to a charity that sponsors a DAF program, you are generally eligible to take a full charitable deduction in the year the asset was donated. Donating securities to a DAF can also be easier than trying to donate them directly to a small charity or a number of charities. Read More…