Men’s Health Week is celebrated each year as the week leading up to and including Father’s Day. The purpose of the week is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Men’s Health Week is a time for men to give their health an once-over and consider a few simple but positive changes:
Useful Links:
Men: Stay healthy at any age. Learn about which screening tests to get.
Tips to help you boost your energy.
Healthier men live happier, longer lives. Learn about different health topics and what you need to know.
May is Healthy Vision Month. When was your last eye exam? Even if you don’t wear eyeglasses or contacts, you could be missing out on important information about your health.
Comprehensive eye exams complement your wellness routine by giving the doctor an unobstructed view of blood vessels in the eye. This allows the doctor to see the early signs of serious health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as the onset of eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Useful Links
Learn more about a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
Your VSP benefits include more than just an eye exam and glasses. Check out this guide.
Whether you're running, playing a pickup game of basketball or going for a power walk, take care when the temperatures rise. If you exercise outdoors in hot weather, use these common-sense precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses. Read More…
Source: mayoclinic.org
Useful Links:
Effects of Dehydration on the Body and Brain: Tips from Cooper Aerobics.
Spark People’s “How to Cool Down Your Warm Weather Workout.” Read More….
Salmon Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries: A colorful, casual meal that's surprisingly simple to prepare. Read More…
Source: USDA.gov
Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix: Instead of peanuts and pretzels, this Chex Mix version includes garbanzos and dried fruit. You not only increase the amount of fiber in the spicy snack mix, but also reduce the fat and sodium. Read More…
Source: mayoclinic.com
Just four short weeks ago, close to 600 BMC employees formed 76 teams and said “game on” to the Step-It-Up! Team Challenge. The goal? Log approximately 50,000 steps a week for four weeks for a TEAM total of 2 million steps by May 29.
As of May 20, the fearless competitors had racked up activity equal to 84,589,916 steps. Teams with the highest average step balance include:
Teams with the most steps (activity) logged include:
The last day to enter your activity is Monday, June 1. Awards and final stats will be announced soon.
Prizes up for grabs
Two teams will take home a $250 gift card for each members—one for the team with the highest average steps per member, and one for the team who wins the random prize draw. (If the team meets the 2 million steps goal). Qualifying teams will also receive 250 bWell points.
How Far is 2 Million Steps?
Pay Less for Medical Next Year
bWell 2015 is confidential and 100 percent optional for employees who are enrolled in a BMC medical plan. And it’s not too late to get a $200 savings on your 2016 medical costs. Complete the Well-Being Assessment and get a health screening by July 31, 2015. Each activity is worth 500 bWell points.
To get a health screening:
1. Download a physician fax form (PDF) to take to your primary care physician, or
2. Download a LabCorp form (PDF) to take to your local LabCorp facility.
Keep Moving
Whether or not you competed in the Step-It-Up! Challenge, walking (or any exercise) is a good habit to continue or adopt. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week (about 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week) to reduce your risk of disease. To meet the CDC’s recommendation, you need to walk about 7,000 to 8,000 steps a day.
Blue365® is just one more advantage of being a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) member. Blue365 offers exclusive savings on products and services that keep you healthy and happy. You’ll save on healthy eating, fitness gear, healthy family activities and much more.
How to Get Discounts
Learn More
Read the Blue365 program overview.
Watch the program video.
Houston campus employees can now get your teeth cleaned or other dental services without leaving the building. Onsite Dental Solutions recently opened for business and operates exclusively for employees (and family members) who work in the City West Place complex. The office is in Building 4, Suite 100, and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. In addition to the convenient location, Onsite Dental Solutions is an in-network dentist for the BMC Dental Plan. Now that’s something to smile about! The BMC Dental Plan covers three dental cleanings each calendar year at no cost to you and no deductible.
Learn more about the BMC Dental Plan. Download the free MetLife mobile app from Google Play or the ITunes store to.
Before using the MetLife Mobile App, you must log on to the MetLife website and register. Registration cannot be done from a mobile device. Use your MyBenefits log in information to access app features.
Like planning finances, it's never too early or too late to begin a life plan for retirement. You'll probably revise it many times before you reach retirement age, whether that's in five years or 25. But no matter when you kick off your plan, you're less likely to have difficulty adjusting to retirement if you've thought in advance about what you want it to be like.
Your Magellan EAP invites you to a complimentary webinar, “Preparing Emotionally for Retirement,” on Wednesday, June 10, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Central. Space is limited, so be sure to register now.
Log on and learn!
Can’t attend the webinar? Look for Retirement on the Magellan member website under the Library/In the Spotlight section. (When prompted, type in BMC’s toll-free EAP number,
1-800-327-1393).
Budget. Does anyone like that word? How about this instead: the 50/15/5 rule? It’s Fidelity’s simple rule of thumb for saving and spending.
Source: Fidelity.com
Useful Links:
Budgeting experts say keeping a "spend" journal will force you to carefully consider whether you want to make a purchase. Read tips from Bankrate.com.
Houston employees were treated to an evening of tasty 401(k) investing tidbits and hors d’oeuvres at Sip & Share, a client appreciation event hosted by Fidelity on May 20. Congratulations to John B, winner of the iPad Mini door prize.
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.