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Author: James Donaghue
Welcome to your first Well-being Challenge!
Each quarter, you’ll have the opportunity to take on a new challenge. Just one simple action that can make a big improvement in your emotional, financial or physical well-being.
Whether or not you’ve taken the Costco well-being pledge, you can still benefit by participating in these challenges. You might start a healthy new habit (or get rid of a bad one). Learn something that inspires you to make positive changes. Or you might discover a Costco benefit that can make a real difference in your well-being.
Here’s this quarter’s well-being challenge:
Spend 5 minutes a day focusing on things you’re grateful for
Research has shown that gratitude is associated with greater happiness. It helps people feel more positive emotions, have good experiences, improve their health, deal with challenges and build strong relationships.*
And it’s so easy to do. Make it the first thing you do in the morning, or the last thing you do at night. Take 5 minutes to focus on your gratitude list. You can write it down or not. Your list can include big things, like your health, family and friends, or everyday pleasures, like a beautiful sunset, a delicious meal or an afternoon of gardening.
Not only can this new habit change your perspective, it can reduce your stress, which can greatly affect your physical well-being, and make you more resilient.
And, best of luck with your challenge.
*Harvard Health Publishing. Giving thanks can make you happier
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Enhanced benefit
ENHANCED BENEFIT
DECEMBER 2021
Get relief from pain
Are your shoulders sore by the end of each day? Do your knees hurt when you walk down stairs? Is hip pain keeping you from the activities you love? Omada for Joint & Muscle Health, an enhanced Costco benefit, is available starting January 1, 2022. This program can help relieve your joint and muscle pain in less than 10 minutes a day with virtual physical therapy from your phone — anytime, anywhere and at no cost to you.
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The support you need to feel better
When you join Omada for Joint & Muscle Health, you get:
- A personalized plan from a licensed physical therapist for a new or existing pain/injury
- Unlimited one-on-one chats and video visits
- A free exercise kit and tools to help you achieve your goals
This program is available at no cost to Costco medical plan members age 13 and older.
I liked the convenience of doing exercises at home and video chat appointments with my physical therapist. In just a few days, I felt stronger. I highly recommend this program to everyone.
Heather, Omada member
More for your well-being journey
Those enrolled in a Costco medical plan (age 18 and older) also have access to other programs from Omada to help you lower your risk for or manage diabetes, lose weight and improve your overall health. To see if you’re eligible for the diabetes or prediabetes program, click here or call 888-409-8687.
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Enhanced benefit
ENHANCED BENEFIT
DECEMBER 2021
Need a second opinion?
Whether you’re facing surgery, cancer treatment, a difficult diagnosis or another challenging medical condition, 2nd.MD offers the expert guidance you need to make an informed decision about your care. And it’s available to you, starting January 1, 2022.
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Get prompt answers and advice with 2nd.MD
2nd.MD gives you access to medical specialists who can offer their professional advice and answer your questions about a diagnosis, upcoming surgery or health care decision. Or use them to get reliable information on:
- A disease, cancer or chronic conditions
- Medical procedures
- Medications and treatment plans
When you’re concerned about a medical condition, you don’t want to wait weeks to get information and guidance about your options. With 2nd.MD, you’ll hear from a medical professional in about three to five days after they receive your medical records.
This service is offered at no cost to Costco employees and their dependents enrolled in a Costco medical plan. Consultations are confidential.
Get ready to activate your account
Starting January 1, you can activate your account and connect with 2nd.MD in three simple steps:
1. Activate your account and request a consult.
Visit the 2nd.MD website or call 833-579-2509 or download the app.
2. Speak with a care team nurse.
Explain your medical issues, and a nurse will handle the rest. This includes collecting medical records and connecting you with a leading specialist who’s an expert in your condition.
3. Consult with a leading specialist.
Have a virtual conversation with an expert physician, by phone or video, within three to five days of speaking with a care team nurse. On average, consultations last for 30 minutes, or as long as you need to have questions answered and feel confident with your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Within 24 hours of your consultation, you’ll receive a written summary explaining recommended next steps. The care team nurse can then support you as you move forward. This may include appointment scheduling at centers of excellence, pathology re-tests, peer-to-peer consultations with the physician who has been treating you, and more.
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Enhanced benefit
ENHANCED BENEFIT
DECEMBER 2021
Support for everyday life
Some days, the pressures of life can be overwhelming. During challenging times, expert help and support are here for you. Starting January 1, 2022, you can access your Costco well-being benefits more easily than ever with Resources For Living® (RFL®)*, your enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
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Find the help you need
Whether you’re looking for help to manage everyday life, or overcome a major challenge, a team of Care Partners can guide you. They’ll help you understand your options and connect you to services that work for you.
With Resources For Living, you and the members of your household have free, 24/7 access to mental health benefits that include:
- Talkspace, confidential, on-demand chat therapy with a licensed therapist. After your sixth no-cost visit, you can continue to use Talkspace under your medical plan, with a copay.
- Digital self-paced support: Access to evidence-based support tools to help manage depression, anxiety, work/life balance, stress, substance misuse and more.
You can also access many online resources and other services, including:
- Legal consultation and will preparation
- Financial coaching or advocacy
- Tax consultation
- Credit counseling
- Identity theft assistance
And if you need child or elder care, someone to mow your lawn, walk your dog or clean your home, a Care Partner can even refer you to services that fit your family and your budget.
Register and personalize your experience
Starting January 1, visit RFL.com/Costco to:
- Set up your account for easy access
- Find services and care providers near you
- Choose the topics and resources that most interest you
- Chat live with a Care Partner
*Resources for Living is available to all employees and members of their household, including children up to age 26 living away from home.
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Take the pledge
TAKE THE PLEDGE
DECEMBER 2021
Wishing you a happy, healthy 2022
As part of Costco’s ongoing commitment to your well-being, you can take advantage of enhanced benefits, starting January 1, 2022. With these benefits, you’ll enjoy more convenient access to many high-quality services that support your emotional, financial and physical well-being.
From one-on-one therapy and coaching sessions to expert medical second opinions and 24/7 virtual access to a doctor, your enhanced Costco benefits are here to support and encourage you — on every step of your well-being journey.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
New in 2022
Starting in January, learn how your enhanced benefits will impact all areas of your well-being — emotional, financial and physical. And see how they can help you make progress in these important areas of your life.
Get your partner involved!
For the first time, your spouse or domestic partner can take the pledge and join you on your well-being journey. Together, you can encourage each other as you work on your goals, with support from your Costco benefits and resources.
Visit our well-being portal
Want to give your well-being journey the best possible start? Make sure your first stop is here, on our well-being portal. You’ll find personalized resources to help you reach your emotional, financial and physical goals each month. Plus, tools, tips and information about Costco benefits and programs that can help you on your well-being journey.
With so much at your fingertips, you’re sure to find something that can help you with your goals. You can read, watch, grab quick tips — whatever works for you. We’ll email you each month to let you know when new content is added. So visit often and explore.
Take the pledge starting January 3, 2022
Mark your calendar now, so you’re ready to take the 2022 pledge. We’ll send you an email reminder, too.
Let’s make it a great year!
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Enhanced benefit
ENHANCED BENEFIT
DECEMBER 2021
Virtual care anywhere
Has your child ever spiked a fever at 2 a.m.? Did you ever need a prescription after hours? Or have you ever wanted a doctor’s advice but didn’t have time for an office visit? When you have a sudden medical need, 98point6® is ready 24/7 with on-demand, text-based care and support.
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What’s the 411 on 98point6?
If you’re enrolled in the HMSA or Aetna® medical plan through Costco, you have access to this on-demand care option. It lets you connect with a board-certified primary care doctor around the clock through text message. Say goodbye to waiting rooms (and waiting-room germs), travel time and parking.
Use 98point6 doctors for help with colds and flu, sore throat, minor skin issues, allergies, stomach problems and more.
24/7 virtual care from wherever you are
Got symptoms? Download and use the 98point6 app to start a virtual doctor’s visit for yourself or a covered family member. All visits are text based.* Your doctor can diagnose, provide a treatment plan, or order a prescription or lab work to your local pharmacy or lab facility.**
Fast answers to your health questions
When it comes to sudden health issues, finding the time to ask your questions can be tough. With 98point6, you can follow up with a doctor on general health concerns whenever it’s convenient for you. Ask about chronic pain, a nagging cough or symptoms your child is experiencing.
Ready when you are
Beginning January 1, 2022, you and your covered family members (age one year and older) have access to on-demand medical consultations for up to $5 per visit. Download the 98point6 app to get started.
*Via secure, in-app messaging with multimedia capabilities if required.
**Prescription and lab work will be processed according to your plan benefits.
TAKE ACTION
SEPTEMBER 2021
Know the signs of suicide risk
Suicide is on the rise in America, claiming tens of thousands of lives each year. We all have a responsibility – and an opportunity – to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide risk in ourselves and others. Awareness can lead to prevention, and to lives saved.
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Watch, listen, be aware
Many people thinking of suicide have these changes in talk, mood, and behavior in common:
Some people are good at hiding their distress, and you may not notice any changes or other signs at all. But there are factors that make it more likely that someone will consider and/or attempt suicide. A relationship breakup, a history of abuse, the loss of a job, a mental health condition and genetics can all put a person at risk.
If you see these signs in someone or in yourself, take them seriously. Here are some things you can do:
Ask. “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” It’s not an easy question, but asking someone who’s going through a crisis lets them know you care. It also helps you know what they’re thinking so you can support them.
Keep them safe. Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items is an important part of suicide prevention. This means removing or locking up medications, firearms, and items they could use to hurt themselves.
Be there. Sometimes the best thing we can do is listen. Take the time to hear how someone who is struggling is feeling.
Follow up with them. Studies show that the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone who has thoughts of suicide is followed up with. Be that person.
And, help them connect with resources available to them through their Costco benefits.
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Take Action
TAKE ACTION
SEPTEMBER 2021
What you can do to prevent suicide
If you or someone close to you is in distress to the point of considering suicide, there are ways to help — and save — your life or theirs. If you’re unsure about how to talk to someone about suicide, begin with learning the signs of someone in danger. Recognizing signs of suicide risk is essential. But sometimes the most important actions are the simplest – listen and talk.
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It’s hard to talk about feelings – especially difficult, negative feelings. People who are at the end of their rope often don’t reach out for help, seeing their distress as a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s a sign of strength to share and connect with others. Here are three important ways you can make connections for yourself or someone you care about.
1. Ask and listen
People can be afraid to ask someone if they are considering suicide, thinking it may spur them to follow through. In fact, that’s not the case. Asking means you care and lets the person express what they’re going through. Listening makes the other person feel seen and heard.
2. Talk
If you’re the one feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, take those feelings seriously. Know you are not alone, and reach out to a friend, co-worker, trusted doctor, or family member for help. Be honest about your pain; don’t minimize or downplay it.
3. Connect
Know you’re not alone. You have friends, family and co-workers who care about you. Learn about the resources available to you and others 24/7. Don’t wait – help is available now.
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Take care of you
TAKE ACTION
SEPTEMBER 2021
A recipe for self-care
Suicide can seem like an option when a person loses their ability to cope with feelings such as anxiety, depression and loneliness. To minimize these feelings, it’s important to take care of yourself through self-care. See how you can work self-care into your daily routine to improve your physical and emotional well-being.
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Any recipe depends on the right combination of ingredients. Our recipe for self-care is a mix of healthy habits and practices that support your well-being and strengthen your ability to cope with life’s challenges.
Connect with people
Who is important to you? Make time to call, text, or visit friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, or members of your church.
Who is important to you? Make time to call, text, or visit friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, or members of your church.
Do things you enjoy more often
Maybe it’s as simple as reading a book or taking a drive. Use more of your time off for pleasure. The to-do list can wait.
Maybe it’s as simple as reading a book or taking a drive. Use more of your time off for pleasure. The to-do list can wait.
Slow down
When life gets hectic, take a few moments to pause and breathe. Try yoga or meditation sessions online or find some good apps.
When life gets hectic, take a few moments to pause and breathe. Try yoga or meditation sessions online or find some good apps.
Live healthier
Eat healthy food and add more fruit and vegetables to each meal. Exercise 20-30 minutes each day, doing activities that make you happy. Get plenty of sleep each night so you feel energized in the morning. Keep up with routine checkups and talk with your doctor about any problems and concerns. Seek help to quit habits that are not healthy for you – such as using tobacco, vaping, or drinking more than two or three drinks per week.
Eat healthy food and add more fruit and vegetables to each meal. Exercise 20-30 minutes each day, doing activities that make you happy. Get plenty of sleep each night so you feel energized in the morning. Keep up with routine checkups and talk with your doctor about any problems and concerns. Seek help to quit habits that are not healthy for you – such as using tobacco, vaping, or drinking more than two or three drinks per week.
Reach out
If you’re struggling, the resources below can provide help and support.
If you’re struggling, the resources below can provide help and support.