Benjamin Franklin
Author: Walter Franks
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Explore more
EXPLORE MORE
NOVEMBER 2021
Check out the Aetna Dental® EPP Plan
Here’s something to smile about. Depending on your location, you may be able to enhance your dental coverage during Annual Enrollment, November 1-23, by selecting the Aetna Dental EPP Plan.
With the Aetna Dental EPP Premium and EPP Core plan options, you can take advantage of these benefits:
- Higher annual maximums — more dollars to spend on dental expenses
- Higher orthodontia lifetime maximum benefit
- Coverage for white (resin) fillings
Looking for more? Find other articles below
The benefits of in-network-only care
The Aetna Dental EPP Plan offers coverage for in-network-only care. This means there’s no coverage for providers who are outside the Aetna® network.* And the plan offers benefits for both your oral health and your wallet:
- Quality care In-network dental providers must meet strict quality measures to join the Aetna network. This means better care for you and your family.
- No-cost preventive care The Aetna Dental EPP Plan covers two routine exams and two cleanings per year, plus routine X-rays at 100% with no deductible. These services help keep your teeth and gums healthy and contribute to your overall health.
- Lower costs In-network dental providers bill based on the Aetna contracted rates, which are typically lower than non-contracted rates. This reduces your out-of-pocket amount and stretches your annual maximum benefit.
*Except for emergencies. Please review your plan documents for specifics about out-of-network emergency coverage.
Note: The Aetna Dental EPP Plan is not available in Hawaii or Puerto Rico. Learn which dental plans are available in your location by checking the resources listed below.
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Learn the basics
LEARN THE BASICS
NOVEMBER 2021
Review your benefits coverage
Your 2021 may have included a new marriage, a new baby, a promotion, your first home or a newly empty nest. And whenever your life changes, it’s time to ask yourself if your benefits coverage should change, too. During Annual Enrollment, November 1–23, you’re able to add to or change your benefits coverage to better meet your financial needs — and provide for those you love.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Secure your financial well-being
Your Costco benefits include three types of coverage to help protect your finances if the unexpected happens, or you’re unable to work for medical reasons. These include life, accidental death & dismemberment, and disability insurance. All are administered by Unum.
Life benefit coverage is there when you aren’t, to keep your family’s finances healthy. It pays a cash benefit in case of your death to a person (or persons) you choose as your beneficiary. If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan or Costco Long-Term Disability benefit coverage, you and your family members are automatically covered by Basic Life coverage at no cost to you.
Want more? During Annual Enrollment, you can buy additional coverage with Supplemental Life benefits for yourself, your spouse or domestic partner, and/or your child(ren).
When you first select and/or increase your Supplemental Life coverage, you may have to provide Evidence of Insurability (EOI). Unum will let you know if EOI is needed and how to complete it. Your new coverage levels will go into effect when Unum approves your application. If you’re on a leave of absence, the new levels will go into effect when you return to active employment.
Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage pays a benefit if you’re injured or die as the result of an accident. Depending on your injury, the benefit is a percentage of the total benefit amount you’re eligible for. It’s paid in addition to any life insurance benefit. Costco provides AD&D coverage at no cost to you.
Disability insurance helps replace income lost when you’re not able to work because of an illness, injury or other medical condition (such as pregnancy).
- Unless you live in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York or Puerto Rico, you’re automatically enrolled for Voluntary Short-Term Disability (STD).* You pay a small portion of your base weekly earnings for coverage.
- If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan, you’re automatically enrolled for Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance. There’s no cost to you. If you’re not enrolled in a Costco medical plan but are enrolled in other Costco benefits, you can elect LTD insurance and pay part of the cost.
*If you add STD insurance during Annual Enrollment, coverage will begin July 1 of the following year, after a six-month waiting period, as long as you’re actively at work. If you’re on a leave of absence on the effective date, your coverage will begin when you return to active employment.
Why choose a beneficiary?
Your beneficiary is the person (or persons) you choose to receive the funds from your Costco benefits (life, AD&D and retirement plan) in case of your death. It’s important to keep your beneficiary choices up to date, so you can be sure the right people receive your benefits.
Without a designated beneficiary, your life benefit may not go to the correct person — or your loved ones will have to take extra steps to access your life benefit. Therefore, it’s important for all employees to designate their life and AD&D beneficiaries by logging in to the Enrollment Website on Costcobenefits.com. Or you can call the Enrollment Center at 800-541-6205.
Annual Enrollment is a good time to update your beneficiary, but you can change it at any time during the year.
Annual Enrollment is November 1–23.
You can add to or change your life, AD&D or disability insurance on the Enrollment Website at Costcobenefits.com.
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Take Action
TAKE ACTION
NOVEMBER 2021
Why is the flu shot important?
Flu season is well underway. If you haven’t already gotten your annual flu shot, now is the time to get it. Flu shots are available — at no cost to you — at any Costco pharmacy. If you don’t have a Costco pharmacy within 25 miles, you can also get a free flu shot from an in-network provider.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Getting vaccinated will help protect you from the discomfort and potential complications of the influenza (flu) virus. It will also help keep your family, friends and co-workers safe and healthy during flu season.
Influenza (the flu) is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly in young children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions. Getting the vaccine — though not 100% effective — is the best way to prevent the misery of the flu and its complications.
. . .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccines for everyone age 6 months or older.1
. . .
This year’s flu shot will offer protection against four of the influenza viruses expected to be in circulation this flu season. High-dose flu vaccines will be available for adults age 65 and older.
It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot. But you can benefit from the vaccine even if you don’t get it until after the flu season starts.
Still not convinced you should get a flu shot?
Take a look at these five common myths about the flu and flu shots.
#1. Flu shots can cause the flu.
The flu shot is made from an inactivated flu virus. It cannot make you sick.
#2. Flu shots don’t work.
Studies show that the flu shot reduces the risk of getting the flu by 40–60%.
#3. Flu shot side effects are worse than the flu itself.
The flu shot can cause side effects — mild aches, fatigue, headache or fever. The flu can cause serious illness lasting days or weeks.
#4. Healthy people don’t die from the flu.
Influenza (the flu) is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and death, even in healthy people.
#5. I never get the flu, so I don’t need to be vaccinated.
Being fortunate in the past doesn’t mean you’ll be so lucky this year.
Who needs the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is especially important for people at high risk for complications, including:
- Pregnant women
- Older adults
- Young children
- People with weakened immune systems
Chronic medical conditions also can increase your risk for complications from the flu. Examples include:
- Asthma
- Cancer or cancer treatment
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Heart disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Brain or nervous system conditions
- HIV/AIDS
- Kidney or liver disease
- Obesity
Anyone with a chronic medical condition or living in a nursing or other long-term care facility should also get the flu vaccine.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza vaccination: a summary for clinicians. Accessed October 5, 2021.
Source: Mayoclinic.org. Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza. Accessed October 5, 2021.
Vaccinations are an important way to help you and your family stay healthy. We’re here to support you with these and other resources you need for your well-being journey.
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November 1-23, 2021
Annual Enrollment liftoff!
NOVEMBER 1-23, 2021
Annual Enrollment is your opportunity to review your Costco benefits, make changes and confirm eligibility for your enrolled dependents. An Annual Enrollment letter and the 2022 Benefits Plan Changes Booklet were mailed to you the last week of October. The booklet contains details about your enhanced 2022 benefits. You also can view the booklet on Costcobenefits.com.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Ready to launch into 2022 with enhanced benefits?
Here’s a handy checklist to ensure you have a successful Annual Enrollment.
Review your current benefit plan elections on the Enrollment Website located on Costcobenefits.com.
Complete the Dependent Verification by November 23 to continue coverage for your family members, even if you don’t make any changes to your benefits.
Sign up for text reminders on the Enrollment Website located on Costcobenefits.com.
Consider the Aetna Dental® EPP Plan. This is an in-network-only dental plan that offers higher annual limits and a higher lifetime benefit for orthodontic services.
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Enroll or re-enroll in a Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) for 2022.**
**The HCRA and DCAP are not available to Costco employees in Puerto Rico.
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Review the 2022 Benefits Plan Changes Booklet that was sent to you, or visit Costcobenefits.com to learn more about your enhanced benefits.
Categories
Learn the basics
LEARN THE BASICS
OCTOBER 2021
Does your food love you?
You are what you eat. If your goal is to build a stronger, healthier you in the months and years ahead, take a closer look at your diet. Then consider some changes you can make to look and feel better.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Better health starts with what’s on your plate
A healthy plate is rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean protein. Get back to basics with these building blocks. Everyone’s body and dietary needs are different. You may be trying to lose weight or manage a chronic condition. You may have food allergies, such as gluten intolerance or a nut allergy. Or you may simply want to eat healthier to feel good and have more energy. Whatever your needs and goals, getting back to the basics is a good place to start.
All healthy diets have these three parts in common:
Carbohydrates
Think fiber. Healthy carbs come from plants — veggies, fruits and whole grains. The closer to their natural state, the better. For example, fruits eaten with skins on, such as apples, pears, peaches, plums and grapes, have more fiber, as well as important vitamins.
Try
- Whole-grain cereal for breakfast with a piece of fruit —fresh is best, but frozen works, too.
- Salad with lunch or dinner. Choose nutrient-rich greens like romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, mustard greens and arugula. For an extra pop of fiber, add slivered almonds or whole-wheat croutons.
- Steamed veggies with dinner. Lightly steamed vegetables can be tastier and easier to digest than raw, while still packing plenty of nutrition. Try broccoli, kale or green beans, all rich in vitamin A and folate.
Proteins
The key word here is lean. And remember, not all protein comes from meat. Beans, peas, eggs, nuts and low-fat dairy have plenty of protein, too. So do certain grains, such as quinoa and wild rice, and even vegetables like asparagus, potatoes and broccoli.
Try
- Chicken — skinless is best.
- Fresh or frozen fish. For the most bang for the buck health-wise, choose salmon, tuna, sardines or mahi-mahi.
- Ground turkey and lean ground beef
- And other lower-fat options
Meats with higher amounts of fat (beef and pork ribs; strip, porterhouse, skirt and T-bone steaks; bacon; lamb; chicken with skin on) are unhealthy because that fat is saturated. Saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels, raising your risk for heart disease.
Fat
Your body needs fat to function. But too much and the wrong kind can lead to problems, so choose smart.
“Good fats” (see examples below) contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve your cholesterol levels, reduce blood clotting and lower blood pressure.
“Bad fats” belong to the saturated fat crowd (see examples above) and have the opposite effect — higher cholesterol, higher risk for blood clots, higher blood pressure.
Try
- Tree nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans. Why no peanuts? Tree nuts are healthier than peanuts because they contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and more antioxidants, such as vitamin E.
- Healthy cooking and salad oils — olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil.
- Avocados, packed with good fats and fiber, along with nutrients like folate, magnesium, vitamins C and E, and potassium.
- Seeds, such as chia and flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds. They’re great sources of good fat, protein, fiber and antioxidants. Have pumpkin and sunflower seeds as a healthy snack, or sprinkle them on a salad. You can add smaller seeds, like chia and sesame, to yogurt, oatmeal and smoothies, or bake them into pancakes and muffins.
The following resources are available to you through your Costco benefits. They can help you learn how to eat healthier on your physical well-being journey.
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Explore more
EXPLORE MORE
OCTOBER 2021
Find freedom in forgiveness
Forgiveness can be hard. It’s tempting (and easier) to hold a grudge when someone causes you pain or makes you angry. You may even be angry or disappointed with yourself, and find it tough to let go of those negative emotions. But there are real physical and emotional benefits to letting go of chronic anger.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Forgive for better health, a better you
Whether or not you’re aware of it, negative emotions cause stress. And stress is at the root of many physical and mental health issues. When you’re able to forgive yourself or someone else, or someone forgives you, the benefits begin right away.
FORGIVENESS CAN:
Forgiveness means different things to different people. But for most, it means letting go of anger, hostility and thoughts of revenge. This gives the forgiver — and the one being forgiven — more peace and freedom and more space for positive thoughts and feelings.
The following resources are available to you through your Costco benefits. They can help you take steps to forgive others and be more in control of your emotional well-being. These resources are confidential and available to you at no cost.
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Explore more
EXPLORE MORE
OCTOBER 2021
Future-proof your finances
No one knows what the future will bring. But with three essential Costco insurance benefits, you can make plans today to take care of your loved ones, no matter what happens.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Protect your financial well-being
Through your Costco benefits, you’ve got help to meet your financial needs — and provide for those you love — when the unexpected happens. Get to know these important Costco benefits administered by Unum.
Life insurance is there when you aren’t, to keep your family’s finances healthy. It pays a cash benefit in case of your death to a person (or persons) you choose as your beneficiary. If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan or Costco Long-Term Disability insurance, you and your family members are automatically covered by Basic Life Insurance at no cost to you.
Want more? You can elect additional coverage with Supplemental Life for yourself, your spouse or domestic partner, and/or your child(ren). You can do this when you first become benefits eligible, during Annual Enrollment, or during a qualified mid-year event.
Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance pays a benefit if you are injured or die as the result of an accident. Depending on your injury, the benefit is a percentage of the total benefit amount you’re eligible for. It’s paid in addition to any life insurance benefit. If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan or Costco Long-Term Disability insurance, you and your family are automatically covered by AD&D insurance at no cost to you.
Disability insurance helps replace income lost when you’re not able to work because of an illness, injury or other medical condition (such as pregnancy).
- You’re automatically enrolled for Voluntary Short-Term Disability* (STD) insurance. You pay a small payroll contribution, which is based on the amount of your earnings.
- If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan, or you are declining health coverage because you’re enrolled in a plan outside of Costco, you’re automatically enrolled for Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance — at no cost to you.
*In most states.
Check your benefits: Log in at Costcobenefits.com to view your life, AD&D and disability amounts.
Do you have a beneficiary?
Your beneficiary is the person (or persons) you choose to receive the benefits from your Costco benefits (life insurance, AD&D and retirement plans) in case of your death. It’s important to keep your beneficiary designation(s) up to date so you can be sure the right people receive your benefits.
If you don’t name a beneficiary, your estate becomes the beneficiary. This means your benefits go into probate, and the people who end up with your benefits may not be those you would have chosen. Keeping your beneficiary designation(s) up to date is important, too, as needs, preferences and family situations change.
To designate or change your life insurance beneficiary, log in to the Enrollment Website at Costcobenefits.com. You can name anyone you want as your beneficiary — and you can name more than one person.
To designate or change your retirement plan beneficiary, log in to the T. Rowe Price website. If you’re married, your beneficiary must be your spouse unless your spouse consents to another choice.
The following resource is available to you through your Costco benefits to help you take control of your financial well-being.
Categories
Learn the basics
LEARN THE BASICS
OCTOBER 2021
The power of forgiveness
What can forgiveness do for your health? The answer may surprise you. Explore the healing benefits of forgiveness in this short video from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
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Show transcript
Whether it’s a driver who suddenly cuts you off or years of resentment towards a family member, unresolved conflict can have an impact on your physical health. “There is an enormous physical burden to being hurt and disappointed,” says Karen Swartz, M.D., director of the Mood Disorders Adult Consultation Clinic at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Chronic anger puts you into flight-or-fight mode, which sets off changes in your heart rate, blood pressure and immune response. Those changes can increase the risk of a wide range of ailments, including depression, heart disease and diabetes.¹
The good news is that forgiveness can put you on the path to physical and emotional well-being. So, what better time to start this healing practice than right now?
¹ Johns Hopkins Medicine. Forgiveness: Your health depends on it.
Source: The power of forgiveness. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2019.
The following resource is available to you through your Costco benefits. It can help you take steps to forgive others and be more in control of your emotional well-being. This resource is confidential and available to you at no cost.
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Healthy recipe
HEALTHY RECIPE
OCTOBER 2021
Butternut squash and carrot soup
Ingredients: 7
Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 35 mins
Makes: 6 servings
Calories: 82 cal
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
3 cups peeled, diced butternut squash
2 cups thinly sliced carrots
¾ cup chopped onion
2 (14.5 ounce) cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ cup half-and-half
Directions:
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add squash, carrots and onion to pan. Cook, covered, for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth, bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 25 minutes or until vegetables are very tender.
Put one-third of the squash mixture in a food processor or blender. Cover and process until almost smooth. Repeat with remaining mixture, then return to saucepan. Add pepper, then bring just to boiling. Add half-and-half and heat through. It’s ready to serve!
Nutrition
Serving Size: One cup (8 ounces) | Calories: 82 | Carbohydrates: 11.5 g | Protein: 3.1 g | Fat: 3.3 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 8.8 g | Sodium: 364.2 mg | Fiber: 2.2 g | Sugar: 4.1 g
Recipe Source: EatingWell.com