Month: January 2025

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Articles

4 min read

4 MIN READ

FEBRUARY 2025

Take care of your heart, body and mind

Your Costco benefits program is designed to support your physical and mental health to keep your heart, body and mind working their best.

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Your benefits include preventive screenings and blood tests for a healthy heart, chiropractic care and custom foot insoles for a healthy body, and counseling or coaching for a healthy mind. If you need prescriptions for your heart, body or mind, the CHS Cares Medication Adherence Program* is here to support you.

Healthy heart

Preventive care services that keep your heart healthy may include:

  • Your annual physical
  • Blood pressure screening
  • Cholesterol screening
  • Blood sugar (glucose) testing
  • Height and weight measurements

Your primary care provider can tell you which services are right for you and how often to have them, based on your age, gender and medical history. Your PCP can also help you “know your numbers” (your test and screening results) and what they mean for your health.

Support for high blood pressure and diabetes

If you are diagnosed with or are at risk for diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend medication or changes to your diet or exercise. It can be hard to know where to start.

Omada can help you manage your care between visits to your doctor. This app-based program provides you with:

  • A personalized program to guide you
  • Tools, such as a smart scale, glucose meter and/or blood pressure monitor (yours to keep)
  • Support from a clinical specialist, as needed
  • An Omada health coach to keep you on track 

Get started at OmadaHealth.com/Costco or call 888-409-8687.

Healthy body

Keeping your body healthy is easier when you’re not in pain. Use these benefits to help reduce aches and pains.

Chiropractic care 

If you or a family member is experiencing back pain, neck pain, headaches or arthritis, working with a chiropractor might offer relief. 

Changes to your Aetna** chiropractic care benefits in 2025 include:

  • The Aetna medical plan covers up to 30 chiropractic visits per year.
  • You no longer need to meet your plan’s deductible and coinsurance. 
  • Your plan’s PCP copay applies. 

Custom foot insoles 

If you are suffering from foot, knee or back pain, custom foot insoles may help. FitMyFoot offers custom foot insoles to all Costco employees and family members at a cost of $75 per pair. No prescription is needed.

  • Download the FitMyFoot app and scan your feet.
  • Then visit FitMyFoot.com/costcoemployee to place your order.
  • Your custom insoles will be shipped to your home address.
  • Get up to 3 pairs of custom insoles per year covered by your Aetna medical plan. Deductible and coinsurance apply.
    • Full-time employees who have already met their deductible will pay a 10% coinsurance, or $7.50 per pair. 
    • Part-time employees who have already met their deductible will pay a 20% coinsurance, or $15.00 per pair. 

Virtual physical therapy 

Omada for Joint & Muscle Health offers virtual one-on-one physical therapy with a licensed physical therapist at no cost to help you bounce back from an injury, build strength and flexibility, prepare for a new exercise program or stay pain-free during everyday activities. Visit msk.omadahealth.com/Costco or call 888-409-8687 to get started.

Note: Omada for Joint & Muscle Health is not available to residents of Illinois. For assistance finding physical therapy, contact your Aetna Health Concierge at 800-814-3543 (TTY: 711).

Healthy mind

An important part of your annual physical is a depression screening. Your doctor may give you a questionnaire to fill out or talk with you about:

  • How often you feel depressed or hopeless 
  • Whether you’ve lost pleasure in things you used to enjoy 
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep 
  • How often you feel tired or have little energy
  • Eating too much or too little 

Identifying and treating depression or other mental health concerns can improve your life. Feeling better is possible, and help is available, 24/7.

Support for mental health

Resources for Living (RFL), your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), is a valuable resource for mental health care or simply to help with everyday life. Services are available to all Costco employees and their household members. Dependent children living away from home can use RFL up to age 26.

Find support for:

  • Anxiety, depression, stress and grief
  • Family, parenting or relationship challenges
  • Substance use concerns
  • And much more

Services include:

  • In-the-moment mental health or crisis support, 24/7
  • 6 free counseling sessions per person, per issue, per year, with in-person, virtual and chat options
  • Well-being coaching to help you meet almost any personal goal

3 ways to find a therapist with RFL

  • Alma*: Access the Alma mental health counseling platform at RFL.com/Costco to help you find the therapist that’s right for you. Search by specialty, gender, language and more. Schedule unlimited free 15-minute consultations until you find the right fit. Then get automatic authorization to start your 6 free sessions.
  • RFL Care Partner: Connect with a Care Partner by live chat on the website or by phone at 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711). They can help you find a therapist and even schedule your appointments.
  • Talkspace: On-demand text or video chat therapy with a licensed therapist is available for teens age 13+ and adults. Get your first 6 sessions free, then copays apply. Visit RFL.com/Costco to get started.

Staying healthy with medications

Your doctor may prescribe medication for you heart, body or mind to help you reach or maintain your best health. Taking your medications as directed by your doctor — known as “medication adherence” — may seem like an easy thing to do. But research shows that nearly 50% of people don’t take their medications as prescribed.1 When this happens, a condition may worsen, which can lead to increased ER visits and hospital stays.

Costco Health Solutions (CHS)* can help. The free CHS Cares Medication Adherence Program* connects you to an expert pharmacist who can help you:

  • Work through barriers that are getting in your way, such as side effects or forgetfulness 
  • Simplify medication routines 
  • Learn simple and effective ways to improve adherence

Click here or call 800-890-5548 to schedule an appointment with a CHS pharmacist.

Note: Appointments are in Pacific Time.

1National Institutes of Health. Medication adherence: WHO cares?

*Not available in Puerto Rico.
**Available to mainland employees only.

Sources:
American Heart Association. Heart-health screenings.
American Family Physician. Screening for depression.

Categories
Articles

3 min read

3 MIN READ

FEBRUARY 2025

NEW Incentives for dental cleanings and the Aetna Maternity Program

Did you know that regular dental care can improve cancer outcomes?

Or that it can lower your chance of early delivery during pregnancy?

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The mouth-body connection 

It’s a fact that the health of your teeth and gums has an impact on the rest of you. This makes your regular dental exams and cleanings especially important.

Regular dental cleanings:

  • Prevent tooth decay and gum disease
  • Catch dental concerns early when treatment is easier and less costly

Since medical issues can show their first signs in the mouth, preventive dental care can have an even bigger impact on your health. Regular dental cleanings can help spot:

  • Infections, injuries and some cancers
  • Immune disorders and osteoporosis
  • Eating disorders and malnutrition

Dental care can also:

  • Cut your risk of heart disease
  • Lower your risk of a stroke
  • Help control your blood sugar
  • Help lower your risk of rheumatoid arthritis
  • Reduce your risk of early delivery during pregnancy

Find a dentist and schedule a cleaning 

If it’s been more than six months since your last dental cleaning, schedule your next dental visit today. Don’t have a dentist? Visit Costcobenefits.com and click “Find a Provider” under Health & Wellness > Dental to find an in-network dentist. 

Your Costco benefits make it easy to keep your smile (and body) healthy, providing two free cleanings and exams each year when you use an in-network dentist.

NEW Dental incentive with Aetna Dental

Dental incentive: For mainland employees enrolled in the Aetna medical and dental plan, now there are even more benefits for getting your regular dental cleanings.

  • Earn a $50 credit toward your annual medical deductible or coinsurance when you and your dependents get at least one annual dental cleaning. You and each of your enrolled dependents are eligible to earn the credit.

Maternity health programs

Get help and support on your pregnancy journey

Whether you’re expecting or just starting to plan a family, get to know the programs available for help and support. 

Mainland

NEW Maternity incentive: Earn up to a $400 credit toward your annual medical deductible or coinsurance when you or your spouse/domestic partner enroll and engage in the Aetna Maternity Program during and after your pregnancy. There is no cost for this program.

The Aetna Maternity Program lets you talk with specialty trained nurses about things such as prenatal care, newborn care and much more. You’ll also get:

  • Extra support for a high-risk pregnancy
  • Help to quit tobacco
  • Information on your plan’s lactation support and breast pump benefits
  • Information for dads and partners
  • Online resources at the Maternity Support Center

To get started, call 855-282-6344 (TTY: 711) or log in at Aetna.com/Maternity. 

Puerto Rico

If you’re enrolled in the Triple-S medical plan, you have free access to SSS Contigo Mamá, an educational program that supports pregnant moms throughout pregnancy and up to six months postpartum.

The program offers:

  • Virtual workshops on prenatal care, childbirth and breastfeeding
  • Telephone counseling with a clinician

To get started, visit SSSPR.com, email contigomama@SSSPR.com, or call 787-706-2552 or 800-981-3241. 

Hawaii

If you’re enrolled in the HMSA medical plan, you have free access to the HMSA Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Program. To help you have a healthy pregnancy, this program pairs you with your own maternity nurse who’ll provide personalized education and counseling over the phone.

You’ll receive:

  • Support from a maternity nurse as a complement to the care you receive from your ob/gyn
  • Referrals to trustworthy resources and services
  • Help with your doctor’s instructions and answers to questions about care
  • Additional postpartum support during the first six months after delivery

Log in to HMSA.com/pregnancysupport or call 855-329-5461 to get started.

Costco medical plans do not cover charges related to a dependent child’s pregnancy, including labor and delivery, except services that qualify as preventive services under the Affordable Care Act.

Categories
Articles

3 min read

3 MIN READ

FEBRUARY 2025

Know where to go for care for you and your family

When a life is in danger, there’s no question that the emergency room (ER) is the place to go. But there are plenty of times when you just need quick care for something that’s not life-threatening. And sometimes it’s hard to know the difference. Get help knowing where to go for care when you need it from your Costco benefits. 

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Your choices for care

The difference in time and money spent between going to the ER versus seeking care with other options can be dramatic. The average wait time for an ER visit can be 3 or more hours. Additionally, ER visits require: $150 copay + your deductible to be satisfied ($250-$550) + your coinsurance (10-20%). You have more convenient – and lower cost – options for care. Get to know your options, and keep them in your contacts for when you need care in a hurry.

When it’s a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. True emergencies are always covered under your plan, even if the ER is out of network.  

When you need non-emergency care, you have more convenient options. To find in-network primary care providers, urgent care centers and walk-in clinics, visit Costcobenefits.com and click “Find a Doctor” under Health & Wellness. Or call your Aetna Health Concierge* at 800-814-3543 (TTY: 711). 

Not sure if it’s an emergency? To talk with a nurse any time, call the 24-Hour Nurse Line* at 800-556-1555 (TTY: 711). You can also try 98point6®** text-based care, 24/7, at home or on the go. Visit 98point6/Costco** or download the app so you’re ready when you need care.

Click here to print and post for easy access.*

*Available to mainland employees only.
**Not available in Puerto Rico. 

Sources:
UC Davis Health. Should you go to the emergency room (ER), urgent care or doctor’s office?

Categories
Recipes

2 min read

2 MIN READ

FEBRUARY 2025

Foolproof turkey meatloaf

Consider this meatloaf recipe a blueprint, then tweak the flavor to suit your mood. Give it an Italian flair by adding basil to the meat and brushing the top with fat-free marinara. Or make it a Mexican-themed dish by seasoning the meat with cumin, chipotles and cilantro, then serving it with salsa.

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Ingredients: 12
Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
Serves: 4
Ingredients:

1 pound 93% lean ground turkey

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

¾ cup carrots, finely grated

½ cup mushrooms, sliced thinly or finely chopped

⅓ cup onion, finely chopped or grated

¼ cup canned tomato sauce

1 large egg

1 large garlic clove, finely chopped

4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

¾ teaspoon table salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup ketchup

Directions:
Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. 

Step 2

In a large bowl, mix the turkey, breadcrumbs, carrots, mushrooms, onion, tomato sauce, egg, garlic, Worcestershire, salt and black pepper using your hands or a wooden spoon.

Step 3

Shape the mixture into a 4-by-8-inch loaf on the prepared pan. Brush all over with the ketchup.

Step 4

Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meatloaf registers 165°F, about 45 minutes.

Step 5

Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Cut the meatloaf into 8 slices.

Nutrition

Serving size:  2 slices | Calories: 260 | Total fat: 11 g | Saturated fat: 3 g | Sodium: 887 mg | Total carbohydrates: 16 g | Fiber: 2 g | Protein: 25 g

Source: WeightWatchers 

Enjoy even lower monthly rates from WeightWatchers. Costco employees can join for as low as $9 per month, and spouses/domestic partners and dependents can join for as low as $14.50 each per month. Participants must be age 18 or older to join. Sign up at WW.com/Costco or call 866-204-2885.