Get Your Free Health Screening, Earn 500 bWell Points
Free biometric screenings at various BMC locations continue until March 11. If you can’t attend an on-site screening, you can get your health screening two other ways:
1. Download a physician fax form (PDF) to take to your primary care physician
2. Download a LabCorp form (PDF) to take to your local LabCorp facility
Completing the online Well-Being Assessment and getting a biometric screening are required activities for the 2015 bWell program. These activities are each worth 500 points. When you complete both, you earn 1,000 points toward the 5,000 bWell point goal!
bWell Challenge Update
Every six weeks bWell introduces an engaging, health-increasing challenge that will have you feeling great while you earn points. The first bWell health challenge – the Hydrate! Team Challenge – ends March 1. If you and at least three other BMC’ers collectively tracked 10,000 ounces of water on mybmcwellness.com, each member will earn 150 bWell points.
The VegOut challenge begins March 1. Your goal? Eat 30 different veggies in 30 days. Visit the VegOut website for fabulous ideas, resources and support. Everyone who finishes the challenge and turns in their log on time is entered for the chance to win one of dozens of exciting prizes. You can also earn up to 40 bWell points!
BMC Chatter Groups Can Help With Health Goals
Looking for a way to double your chances of fitness success? How about a technique to make exercise more fun? Why not join a health-focused BMC Chatter groups like Run BMC – anything and everything running related and BMC Cyclists? Being part of a team of like-minded people can go a long way in helping you stick to your health goals.
Watch Your HSA Contributions, Keep Uncle Sam Happy
Contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) is a great way to reduce the amount of federal taxes you pay. But if you put more money into your account than the IRS allows, you can end up paying interest and penalties to Uncle Sam. Here’s a quick recap of 2015 HSA limits, how to avoid over contributing, and what to do if you do contribute more than the IRS allows. Read More...
Claim Your FSA and Fitness Expenses by March 31
Mark your calendar. Tuesday, March 31 is the deadline for two important benefits: claims for 2014 flexible spending accounts and for gym membership expenses. To submit claims, log on to My BMC Compensation & Benefits and click on Visit My Spending Accounts or call Your Spending Account (YSA) at 1-877-262-4849. Representatives are available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern Time.
Flexible Spending Accounts
If you had a 2014 Health Care, Limited Use Health Care or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), the deadline for submitting claims for eligible expenses is Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Expenses must have been incurred during 2014 to be eligible for reimbursement.
Under new IRS rules, an unused balance of $500 or less in your account on December 31, 2014, was carried over to your 2015 Health Care FSA (HCFSA) balance. (Please note: The new FSA carryover rule doesn’t apply to the Dependent Care FSA.)
Here’s an example of how the HCFSA carryover works.
- You contributed the maximum of $2,500 to your HCFSA in 2014, but you only claimed $1,600 of eligible expenses by December 31, 2014.
- You have until March 31, 2015 to request additional reimbursement for $900 of eligible claims.
- If you don’t claim the remaining $900 balance, $500 is carried over in April 2015. The extra $400 balance will be forfeited.
Fitness Expenses Reimbursement
If you belong to a BMC onsite gym (Houston and Austin), submit a copy of your final 2014 pay stub to YSA. Even if your monthly membership dues are deducted from your paycheck, you still need to file a claim to be reimbursed for dues.
If you belong to an offsite fitness center, submit your 2014 receipts to YSA for membership dues or exercise classes.
Find detailed instructions for requesting Fitness Reimbursement here.
Stress Less at Tax Time
While you can’t control the fact that you have to pay taxes, you can control the amount of work and stress of preparing your tax return. Your Magellan EAP invites you to a complimentary webinar, “Making Tax Returns Less Taxing,” on Wednesday, March 11, from 1 to 2 p.m., Central. Space is limited, so be sure to register now.
America Saves Week, Feb. 23 to 28
To make the most of America Saves Week, join Fidelity for a complimentary web workshop on a wide range of topics – from managing your finances to college planning and preparing for retirement. Learn ways to help become a more informed investor and gain confidence about your next steps. Log on to webworkshops.fidelity.com to register.
What Could 1% More Do For You?
In honor of America Saves Week – February 23 to 28 – give your savings efforts a boost and pledge to save 1% more. This small step can be a manageable but effective way to impact your financial future. Log on to the Fidelity website or call 1-866-546-4424 to change your BMC 401(k) Plan election.
Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund
Expecting a substantial income tax refund this year? If so, you are in the majority – over 73% of Americans get an average refund of more than $2,600. Before you buy that new flat screen television or book that Disney cruise, consider spending your tax refund on things that will give you the biggest bang for your buck. Read More…
Source: Bankrate.com