Month: May 2025

5 MIN READ

JUNE 2025

New! Men’s Health Guide

It can be hard to balance work, family and looking after your health. That’s why we created the Men’s Health Guide for mainland employees. Puerto Rico and Hawaii employees can also learn more about benefits to support men’s health below. The guide can help you learn more about some of the health challenges men face and the benefits that can help. Get to know what’s available — and start taking charge of your health.

Learn more about women’s health in May’s articles. Or find the Women’s Health Guide here.

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Benefits that support your physical well-being

2nd.MD — Stay in touch with men’s health experts

2nd.MD offers convenient, virtual access to guidance, support and expert second opinions from board-certified specialists to all employees and their family members enrolled in the Costco medical plan. This includes access to experts on common men’s health concerns such as chronic pain, knee and back surgery or prostate cancer. 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime¹ , but regular checkups and communication with your medical team can help catch things early when they’re easier to treat. 

2nd.MD/Costco | 833-579-2509 | No cost

FitMyFoot® — Get relief for foot, knee and back pain with custom insoles

Being on your feet all day can be tough on your knees and feet. Custom insoles from FitMyFoot may help. They’re available to Costco employees and their family members at a discounted price of $75 per pair.

For employees on the mainland enrolled in the Aetna^® medical plan, Aetna may cover some of the cost. Keep in mind that your share of the discounted cost depends on your part-time or full-time status. It also depends on how much you’ve paid toward your deductible for covered services you’ve received this year.

Here’s how to buy your custom insoles:  

• Download the FitMyFoot app and scan your feet.
• Then visit FitMyFoot.com/CostcoEmployee.
• Place your order. 

Assist America® — Feel confident if you need help when traveling

Travel is exciting, but it can also be stressful. Assist America can connect you with help for travel emergencies 24/7 when you’re 100 miles or more from home, anywhere in the world. Get help with:

• Emergency medical evacuation and prescription assistance
• Referrals to Western-trained, English-speaking medical providers
• Legal and interpreter referrals, passport replacement and more

Be sure to call Assist America first for services. You won’t be reimbursed for those you arrange on your own. This service is available to employees enrolled in the Costco medical plan or who elect Decline Option 1 or 2.

U.S. 800-872-1414 | Outside the U.S. +1-609-986-1234

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Benefits for emotional support

Supportiv — Chat with people who understand

Take part in small and anonymous group chats with others who are going through similar things. All of the conversations are facilitated by a moderator. Some topics you can talk about are:

Supportiv.com/Costco | 24/7 | Available to all employees | No cost

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Financial well-being benefits

Unum — Take time to bond with your newborn or adopted child

If you’re expecting or adopting a new child, your Costco benefits include paid bonding leave for dads. This gives you time you need with your new child and support your partner while you adjust to new routines. Because every state has its own requirements, reach out to Unum for help and to learn more.

Unum.com | 877-403-9348 | No cost

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For more benefits and resources, visit the Men’s Health Guide for mainland employees.

Source(s):

¹The American Cancer Society. Key statistics for prostate cancer.

5 MIN READ

JUNE 2025

Building relationships that thrive

Remember when making friends was as simple as having the same favorite color? As we get older, relationships can be a bit more complicated — especially for men. Many men struggle with loneliness. And feeling lonely can make connecting and reaching out to others more difficult.¹

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Grow your network at work

Many people feel disconnected and alone at times in life. And loneliness can be as harmful to your health as smoking.² One way to expand your network is with the people you’re around every day. Engaging with those you work with can build a sense of belonging and community.

Another way to connect is with Supportiv. Supportiv offers 24/7/365 peer-to-peer mental health support through small, moderated group chats. You can chat anonymously with other people who can relate to what you’re going through. Just type a few words about your struggle to connect with others who can relate.

Make time for quality time

Balancing work and life can make it hard to nurture relationships. You can spend every day with someone, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the moment. Learn to put your phone down and be present. Here are some ways to connect and reconnect:

• For friends: When was the last time you spoke to certain friends? Try to make plans and stick to them. Or catch up with friends who live far away over video chat.
• For significant others: Set regular date nights or activities. They don’t have to be costly or complicated. It’s about committing your time and attention.
• For children: Children who spend more quality time with their parents tend to be happier and healthier. And it can also help them feel safe turning to you if they need help.
• For yourself: One way to connect with yourself is with a hobby you enjoy, like cooking or hiking — or try a new one. Another way is through therapy. Talkspace offers 24/7 access to licensed therapists over video-chat or text. Each week of chat therapy counts as one of your free sessions. You also have the option to meet with your therapist online for 30-minute televideo sessions. 

Build stronger relationships with Resources for Living®

Did you know Resources for Living (RFL) has tips for healthier relationships? This includes ways to manage conversations and communication at home or in the workplace.

Check out the Men’s Health Guide for mainland employees for more benefits that support healthy relationships.

Source(s):

¹Talkspace. Male loneliness: the unspoken struggle.
²PBS.com. Loneliness poses health risks as deadly as smoking, U.S. surgeon general says.
³National Library of Medicine (NIH). The effect of the time parents spend with children on children’s well-being.

2 MIN WATCH

JUNE 2025

Video: Check in on those around you

Managing stress, anxiety or depression can make it hard to share how you feel. This can be especially true for men. They may have concerns about the potential stigma around showing emotions or talking about what they’re going through.¹ Or they may feel pressure to figure it out on their own or not bother others.

Did you know?

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for adults ages 25–34.²
  
  
• In 2022, men died by suicide nearly 4 times more than women.³

Men also experience different symptoms than women — for example, they may seem angry and irritable rather than sad or withdrawn.⁴ Or they may show no signs at all. That means even close family, coworkers or friends may not realize something’s wrong. 

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Free and confidential support is available, 24/7

Remember: You’re not alone. Sometimes others need that reminder, too. All Costco employees can get free and confidential support 24/7 from the following resources:

• Reach out to Resources for Living (RFL)^® — If you’re thinking about suicide or know someone having suicidal thoughts, RFL offers in-the-moment support 24/7 with a licensed counselor at 833-721-2320.
  
• Call or text 988 for 24/7 support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Get emotional support whenever you need it. You can call or text for yourself or for someone else who may need immediate help.

For more resources that support men’s health, visit the Men’s Health Guide for mainland employees.

Source(s):

¹Harvard Business Review. We need to talk about men’s mental health at work.
²USA FACTS. How is the suicide rate changing in the US. 
³American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Suicide Statistics. 
⁴AbleTo. Mental illness symptoms different for men than women.

4 MIN READ

JUNE 2025

Be intentional with your money

Finances affect every part of life, including our health. Feeling stressed about money can lead to things like sleep problems, headaches and feelings of anxiety. Thankfully, your Costco benefits can help you take charge, get ahead and feel better about your overall financial picture.

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What are some ways to take control and boost my savings?

• Set clear financial goals — Decide where you want your money to go instead of wondering where it went.
• Pause before making an unplanned purchase — Be honest about whether it’s something you need or just want in the moment.
• Stick to your list — Decide what you need before you shop and stick to it.

Your Costco benefits can help you pay off debt, save for retirement and stress less about money. Here’s a closer look at what’s available to you.

Get free financial coaching from SmartDollar®

People often have different views when it comes to managing finances. This is a topic Costco Benefits Manager Lauren Green and her husband, Center Manager Anthony Green, talk about in this month’s employee podcast. Hear how SmartDollar not only strengthened their finances during a hectic time, but their relationship as well.

Invest in Costco with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

UBS administers the Costco Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). You can choose to purchase company stock through payroll deductions, and Costco pays the fees and commissions related to each purchase.