No one can do it all themselves. Each of us needs help and community, especially when we’re making changes in our lives. That’s why Costco offers a wide range of benefits resources to help you with all areas of your well-being — so you always feel supported and never feel like you have to do it on your own.
As you gear up to pursue your goals for the year, commit to getting to know your benefits and, if you haven’t already, take the pledge. Encourage your spouse or domestic partner to take it, too. And prepare to celebrate each accomplishment you make along the way.
A strong foundation for emotional, financial and physical well-being
Your Costco benefits provide the care you need to flourish. They can help you:
Live a longer, healthier life
Costco medical and dental plans cover preventive care at 100% when you see an in-network provider. Preventive care includes physical exams, dental checkups and cleanings, some cancer screenings and certain age-appropriate immunizations. This routine care can help you stay well and catch health concerns early, lowering your risk for disease and disability.
Get help for a serious health challenge
Live Healthy Team* Coaches can help employees and their families enrolled in an Aetna® medical plan create an action plan, connect to the right resources and coordinate care when you’re diagnosed with a serious health condition. You can also use 2nd.MD to get a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment plan, and connect with Resources For Living (RFL) to get emotional support services, including counseling and daily life assistance.
Manage a chronic condition
Omada for Diabetes, Hypertension & Prevention provides personalized online programs to help you make healthy choices when living with a chronic condition. You’ll work with a dedicated health coach and a clinical specialist to get the support and tools you need to make simple changes for a healthier life.
Find mental health support
RFL has a team of care partners that can help with challenges such as stress management, work-life balance, relationships, grief, depression, anxiety, substance misuse, self-esteem and personal development. They offer in-person or virtual counseling, daily life assistance, disaster relief, help with child or elder care, and more. You can also use Supportiv for online peer-to-peer support.
Deal with parenting challenges
RethinkCare gives your family 24/7 access to tools, webinars and resources to help you understand, teach and better communicate with your children, including those with developmental or learning challenges. You can also try Supportiv for peer-to-peer parenting support.
Quit tobacco or get support for drug and alcohol misuse
Costco Tobacco Cessation Program pairs you with personal support to design a plan to help you quit tobacco for good. And if you or someone in your family is struggling with drugs or alcohol, RFL can help you find in-network rehabilitation facilities and provide behavioral health support services.
Go through a life change
Your Costco benefits are there for you when you’re building a family, buying a home, going through a divorce or coping with the loss of a loved one. Resources to help with these transitions include the Adoption Assistance Program, the Aetna Maternity Program* for help with infertility and postpartum challenges, and RFL for legal and financial consultations and grief counseling.
If you’ve long believed that Grandma’s chicken soup is a cure-all, you may not be far off: Research has shown that what you eat plays a role in keeping your immune system healthy. Here are some foods to turn to if you’re hoping to fend off or better cope with a cold or the flu this season.
And remember, the best protection is prevention. Make sure to get your flu shot and other vaccines your primary care provider recommends. They’re free if you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan.
Tend to reach for a bowl of chicken soup whenever you feel run down? It’s no wonder: Chicken soup may provide a mild anti-inflammatory effect that appears to lessen the severity of cold symptoms.1 Researchers credit ingredients like veggies, which are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Although the jury is out on the ideal soup recipe and exactly how much soup to eat, simply sipping the warm liquid can help improve upper respiratory tract symptoms. Plus, chicken soup provides fluids and satisfying protein to help you meet your nutrient needs when you’re under the weather, says Registered Dietitian Jackie London.
Citrus fruits
Oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes are a great source of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that plays a role in immune cell functioning.2 That said, peeling a single orange won’t do much to prevent you from getting sick or shorten the length of a cold. Developing a habit of eating a range of foods that contain vitamin C and a variety of antioxidants can support overall health.3
And take note: Eating an orange is better than drinking a glass of orange juice. Fruit is higher than juice in fiber, antioxidants and prebiotics, all of which support health.
Yogurt and other probiotics
The gastrointestinal tract and the trillions of bacteria that live there account for up to 60% of the entire immune system, says Gastroenterologist Brittany Seminara, MD. But medications, infections, illness and other environmental factors (such as what you eat) can disturb the balance of gut bacteria — one reason why it may be smart to consume beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. You’ll find probiotics in foods like yogurt and fermented items like kefir, kimchi, miso and sauerkraut.
Don’t feel you need to stay away from probiotic-containing dairy products. While a common myth suggests that dairy increases mucus production and can do more harm than good when you’re already feeling unwell, research suggests this isn’t true.4
Beans, onions, garlic and other foods with prebiotic fiber
Eating prebiotic fiber, a type of carbohydrate that helps to feed the healthy bacteria found in your gut, may play a role in supporting immune functioning.5 Foods containing prebiotic fiber include beans, onions, leeks, garlic, whole grains (including oats), cashews, soy and fruits such as bananas.
Garlic also contains alliin, a compound linked to stimulating white blood cells that fight the cold and flu virus. So add garlic to soups, salad dressing or roasted veggies to give your immune system an extra boost.
Shellfish and other foods high in zinc
Zinc is an essential nutrient for proper immune system functioning — and it’s found in a whole bunch of delicious foods. Oysters are the best source of dietary zinc you can find, with 32 mg in a three-ounce serving. But you can also find the nutrient in mussels, crab and shrimp, as well as in yogurt, milk, poultry, red meat, beans, nuts and whole grains.
While most people can get enough zinc through their diet, evidence shows that taking a zinc supplement (at least 75 mg per day) throughout the duration of a cold can help you get better faster.6
The bottom line
Maintaining a diet rich in essential nutrients can boost your immunity to protect you from getting sick and help you bounce back more quickly. Pair that with good hygiene — washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and keeping them away from your face, avoiding others who are sick, and wearing a face mask in public — and you have a much better chance of staying well during cold and flu season.
Want another boost for your new year?
People tend to think that making changes to how they eat requires a lot of motivation. So what happens when you’re not feeling motivated? Here’s an idea: Rather than relying on motivation, focus on building momentum. To learn more, check out the WeightWatchers webinar “Momentum: The secret to maintaining your healthy habits” on Thursday, February 29 at 10:00 am EST/1:00 pm PT. Claim your free ticket here.
Raise your hand if you know exercise is good for you but you still don’t do it. If that’s you, you’re not alone. Almost 80% of people don’t exercise as much as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends.1
Getting started can be more than half the battle. Once your body is used to working out, exercise can feel easy and enjoyable. Use these tips to help you create a lasting exercise habit.
Small changes can add up to big impacts. Did you know that doing four push-ups a day will lead to over 1,000 push-ups a year? Or that running four miles a week means you’ll run about 208 miles a year — the approximate distance between Boston and New York City?
Sometimes we set our expectations so high that just getting started takes a lot of effort. Choose a workout that’s simple and small so that you’re still likely to do it, even when your willpower is low.
Use the two-minute rule
It’s easy to put off exercise until tomorrow or next week. But you just need to get started — even if it’s only for two minutes. Once you’ve started, it’s a lot easier to keep going.
For just two minutes, get moving. Put on your shoes and go for a walk. Make yourself do two minutes of weightlifting or running or dancing — or whatever activity you like. Chances are that two minutes will turn into more.
Stack your habits
Creating a habit comes from consistency. Routines and rituals can help this practice feel more natural.
You likely already have some habits in place. It can be easier to start a new habit by linking it to an old one. Try this formula: “Before/During/After (current habit), I will now (new habit).” For example, “Before I wash my hair, I will go to the gym.” “During my favorite show, I will get on the treadmill.” “After dinner, I will walk around the block.” See what works for you.
Remove barriers
Take a moment to think about the things that prevent you from exercising. Do you have too little time? Do you need support? Are you lacking self-confidence? What hasn’t worked for you in the past?
When you recognize your barriers to health, you can make a plan to overcome them. For example:
Feel self-conscious at the gym? Work out at home. Search for a free online workout or buy some hand weights to strength train.
Find exercise boring? Try an activity you enjoy, such as dancing, bird watching or pickleball.
Need someone to watch the kids? Join a gym with child care, or go for a walk with your family.
Don’t know what to do? Meet with a trainer, go to a class or find a fitness buddy and brainstorm ideas.
Need support? Join an online activity group based on your interests or enlist family and friends to help you.
Be patient
It’s normal to want results right here, right now. And when you’re starting a new habit, the need for immediate gratification can be pretty strong. But this can lead to frustration and giving up. It helps to focus more on what you can control: your actions.
Developing an exercise habit is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. You can do it. And the other benefits will come on their own.
1CBS News. CDC: 80 percent of American adults don’t get recommended exercise.
Source: Resources For Living. Exercising and beyond: establishing a healthy habit.
Consider talking to your primary care provider before starting any new fitness plan. Your Costco benefits can help you prepare, both physically and mentally. See the resources below for more information.
It’s hard to believe another year is ending. But what a year it has been! Your dedication, resilience and unique talents played a major role in Costco’s success. We’re grateful for all that you do.
Another thing we appreciate — your commitment to your emotional, financial and physical well-being. Over 100,000 of you took the We’re in This Together pledge this year, and many of your spouses and domestic partners joined in, too. An increasing number of you used Resources For Living® to support your mental health. And in one month alone, your enrollment in Omada for Joint & Muscle Health nearly tripled — a sign that you know the value of keeping your body healthy.
Next year is full of opportunities to make changes for the better. You can start by pledging to continue to work toward your emotional, financial and physical well-being goals, beginning in January, 2024.
If you enrolled in the quarterly Well-being Challenges this year, thanks for participating. Challenge #4, our final challenge of 2024, focuses on your emotional, financial and physical welll-being. Why not give it a try? The challenges are a great way to take small steps toward your larger goals and celebrate your progress.
As always, your well-being portal will be full of news and information about a variety of health topics each month to support you emotionally, financially and physically. Check back often so you don’t miss a thing.
A year of Your Stories
Our 2023 podcast series featured inspiring stories from four of your co-workers. Each shared their well-being struggles and highlighted the important role Costco benefits played in their journey to better health. This month, Costco employee Reese Schmelling tells his story and how the Live Healthy Team* played a critical role in his recovery.
You can listen to all four podcasts now. Their stories might help you in your own well-being journey.
Costco continues to be committed to prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees. That’s why we work hard to provide you and your family with valuable and affordable benefits to help you receive quality care whenever needed.
We want you to be familiar with these benefits and resources so that you can get the most out of them. And the best way to do that is by participating in the We’re in This Together pledge. By participating, you’ll receive information specific to your needs.
Thank you for the important role you play in making Costco a great company. And best wishes to you and your family for a healthy 2024!
By learning about and using your Costco benefits this past year, you’ve worked hard to improve emotional, financial and physical well-being for you and your family. Studies show that higher levels of well-being are associated with a lower risk of disease and injury, better immune function, increased longevity, heightened personal development and greater social connectedness. This well-being toolkit will help you keep up the good work you started.
Your well-being toolkit provides simple ideas to help you live healthier, improve your quality of life and realize your full potential. To get started, choose the aspect of your emotional, financial or physical well-being you’d like to work on, and then try one or more of the suggested activities. Use the toolkit whenever you need support to be your best self.
Keep the well-being toolkit as a handy checklist to use anywhere, at any time.
Take an emotional breather
Build resilience
Create a list of things you’re grateful for, such as a great friend or warm cup of coffee.
Look at a difficult situation from different angles to find another solution.
Go to a park or greenspace and soak up nature.
Strengthen connections
Spend time with your kids, friends or family members doing something you all enjoy.
Ask for help when you’re tired or overwhelmed.
Volunteer for causes you care about in your community.
Be mindful
Take slow, deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth.
Go on a stroll and engage all your senses.
Do a mental scan of your body to feel more connected to your physical and emotional self.
Take a financial time-out
Know where you stand
Track your spending to see where your money is going.
Check your FICO credit score (the number used to predict how likely you are to pay back a loan) through your bank or online service.
Set up a budget to make sure you can cover your expenses.
Tackle debt
Create a debt pay-off plan.
Cut down on expenses that aren’t necessary.
Reduce your credit card use.
Save for the future
Save money for an emergency fund.
Increase your Costco 401(k) contribution.
Set up automatic recurring deposits into a savings account.
Take a physical break
Get active
Set specific goals for your physical activity, like “walk a mile every day.”
Try a free 20-minute online workout — there are lots to choose from on YouTube.
Take the stairs or walk whenever possible.
Mind your metabolism
Stand or walk regularly to reduce your time sitting down.
Drink water before grabbing a snack to help fill you up.
Sleep at least seven hours a night to keep metabolism steady.
Maintain your muscle
Walk with small hand weights to work your arms and your core.
Do pushups, squats or lunges when watching TV.
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein.
Your Costco benefits can help you on your well-being journey. See the resources below for more information.
The holiday season is often called “the most wonderful time of the year.” But from December into the new year, emergency rooms tend to see a sharp increase in accidents and injuries associated with the holidays.
The good news is that you don’t have to roll yourself in bubble wrap to stay safe this season. With some awareness, preparation and safety measures, you improve the chances that you and your loved ones will enter the new year injury free.
When things happen that you can’t prevent and you need help, turn to your Costco benefits. You’ll find the care you need when you need it to get back to good health.
6 common holiday injuries and accidents (and how to avoid them)
Fall-related injuries during holiday decorating
Everyone wants to deck the halls, but at what cost? According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 160 decorating injuries occur each day in the U.S. during the holiday season. Almost half of those accidents involve falls that often lead to broken bones, concussions and pulled muscles.
Avoid the injury: If you’re using a ladder to hang your decorations, check for broken or worn parts, especially if you haven’t gotten it out since last year. And when using the ladder, always work with another person. A good rule of thumb from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: For every four feet of height you have to climb, move the base of the ladder one foot away from the wall.
Fall-related injuries on ice or snow
A winter wonderland, though beautiful, can also be a risky place. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 1 million Americans are injured annually from falling on ice or snow. These injuries can range from minor sprains to broken bones and concussions.
Avoid the injury: Taking slow, short steps and wearing footwear with non-slip rubber soles can go a long way in preventing falls. Stay on designated paths that have been cleared (if possible), and don’t take shortcuts. And avoid walking on a particularly dark area — it could be black ice.
Toy-related injuries
Toys are supposed to bring smiles, not tears. But in 2021, emergency rooms across the country treated almost 152,000 toy-related injuries among children aged 14 and younger.
Avoid the injury: Make sure to read all the instructions for new toys, and follow age guidance and safety information listed on the package. If you or your children are using new riding toys (e.g., bikes, scooters, skateboards), wear protective gear and helmets. And remember to keep small parts and packaging away from young children.
Cutting injuries from unwrapping gifts
Opening holiday presents can be a whirlwind, especially with kids, as bows, ribbons and torn paper fly through the air. It can also be dangerous. Using tools like scissors or knives when you’re in a hurry, distracted or overly excited can cause lacerations or puncture wounds that require a trip to the emergency room. On average, 6,000 people a year are treated for package-related injuries, according to the CPSC.
Avoid the injury: When using scissors or a knife, always cut away from yourself and away from anyone else. Help children who are struggling to open a gift. Stay away from using tools like razor blades, box cutters or pocketknives. Have a first aid kit nearby. And keep ribbons and bows away from pets. They can cause intestinal blockages that often require surgery.
Cooking and electrical accidents
Whenever there’s extra cooking, baking and deep fried turkeys happening, an increase in fires or minor burns is inevitable. When you add candles, overloaded electrical outlets and a Christmas tree into the mix, the chance of a fire goes up from there. The American Red Cross estimates that holiday fires cause more than 2,000 injuries each year.
Avoid the injury: Never leave the stove unattended, especially if there are children around. Turn off the oven as soon as food is done cooking. Use your deep fryer outdoors, away from trees and wooden structures, and turn it off immediately if oil starts to smoke. If you have a live tree, keep it watered, or look for a fire-resistant artificial one. Keep all trees at least three feet away from heat vents, radiators or other heat sources. Blow out candles when you leave a room.
Food-related concerns
It’s easy to get caught up in holiday celebrations, but all too often, people get sick from the food and drink they enjoy. Two food-related concerns to be aware of are food poisoning — which can occur when food is left out too long at parties and buffets — and allergic reactions, as more people eat away from home and sample unfamiliar food.
Avoid the injury: If you know you have food allergies, be cautious about trying food that’s new to you or if you don’t know the ingredients. At parties, eat early, when the food is first put out. If you’re the host, wash your hands frequently and prevent cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and produce. Refrigerate any leftovers within two hours of serving.
If you do sustain an injury over the holidays, your Costco benefits are there to support you. Check out the resources below for more information.
Sources: UCLA Health. 7 common holiday injuries and accidents and how to avoid them. Cleveland Clinic. How to walk in snow and avoid winter hazards.
Setting goals or resolutions for the new year is the easy part. Keeping them? That’s another story. So maybe this year, try something different: intention setting.
Intention setting shifts your focus away from concrete goals and toward the bigger picture. The practice asks you to decide how you want to be, live and show up in the world, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. It’s a powerful tool to build inner strength and give you more clarity about your needs.
Listen and learn how to set your own intention. It only takes a few minutes, but its impact can last throughout your life.
Hello. My name is Anjali Sharma, and today we are going to work on setting positive intentions.
Living with intention means living consciously, self-aware. And setting these intentions is an extremely useful practice that allows each of us to decide how we want to be, live and show up in the world — whether at work, in relationships, during meditation or any other area of life.
Think of it not as a goal or outcome to be expected but more as a guiding principle, a certain quality or energy, that you wish to emanate and align with.
Taking time to pause and reflect on what we choose to set as our intentions, allows us to ground ourselves with these positive affirmations, within both our conscious and subconscious minds, so that over time, they become the driving force behind our goals and visions.
Let’s take a few minutes to set an intention today.
As you settle into a comfortable position, I invite you to allow the eyes to close or lower. Relax the eyelids, allowing any strain or tension to dissolve.
Now take a few deep breaths, with full inhalation and complete exhalation. And with each exhalation, sending the energy of the breath into each limb, each organ and each cell of the body, letting it further relax and settle into stillness.
Now, shifting the attention from body, to the mind, allow it to empty out like a pitcher of water, sending any thoughts to the side for now, to make space for your intention.
You may start by asking yourself, what matters most to you at this moment in your life? How do you feel when you are at your happiest and most balanced state? What do you wish to give to others and the world? What words or ideals do you feel most aligned with, or wish to align yourself with?
Perhaps an intention to act with compassion, empathy or kindness. Perhaps an intention to demonstrate strength and resilience despite what the surroundings or external variables might be. Or perhaps an intention of connection and community.
Take a few moments to let your intention surface.
Once you have arrived there, and are able to visualize it, breathe your energy and attention deep into the center of your core, and place your intention there. Your intention is for you, created by you, and is always there for you to revisit often and when needed.
Whether you begin each day, each week or each year with an intention, remember to tap into it regularly, repeat it, write it, post it, meditate with it. Our intentions create our reality.
When ready, slowly allow the eyelids to open and become aware again of your physical presence.
Carry your intention with you throughout the course of your day and always, knowing that at any time you can go within to stay grounded with your personal intention and, of course, reset as needed.
Thank you and stay well.
Sources: Resources For Living®. Setting intentions. Yoga Journal. I’m a goal-setting expert. Here’s how to set — and keep — your new year intentions.
Annual Enrollment is your opportunity to review and make changes to your benefits plan elections for the upcoming year. It’s also the time to confirm eligibility for any enrolled family members to continue their coverage through 2024.
In late October, an Annual Enrollment letter and the 2024 Benefit Plan Changes booklet were mailed to you to help you with the enrollment process. If you didn’t receive these materials, or if you prefer to review online, you’ll find everything you need at Costcobenefits.com.
♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Your health and the health of your family is a top priority at Costco. That’s why we are committed to providing you and your family with affordable benefits that help you receive quality care whenever needed.
Now that Annual Enrollment is here, we want to make sure you understand the benefits available to you and your family and why this time is so important. Here’s everything you need to know about Annual Enrollment.
Annual Enrollment is the time of year that benefit eligible employees have the opportunity to make changes to their benefit elections for the upcoming calendar year. You can add or drop coverage for yourself or family members, change your existing plans, and explore the benefits available to you and your family in the coming year.
By now, you should have received a kit in the mail that includes everything you need to enroll in Costco benefits. This includes things like the Benefit Plan Changes booklet and information about how to log on to Costcobenefits.com and start the Annual Enrollment process.
If you have not received a kit, that’s totally fine. All of the information in the kit can be found on Costcobenefits.com, where you can also sign up for text reminders about Annual Enrollment, so you don’t miss a step of the process.
We’ve done our best to make the Annual Enrollment process easy. Beginning in November, you can click on the Annual Enrollment banner on Costcobenefits.com to start the process. Once you have selected your benefits, they will go into effect on January 1st.
If you have dependents enrolled, you will need to complete the dependent verification process each year to continue their coverage, even if you didn’t make any changes. When you begin the online Annual Enrollment process, the platform will automatically remind you to verify your dependents.
In addition to core benefits like medical and dental coverage, Annual Enrollment is also a great time to ensure that your beneficiaries are up to date for your Life insurance, AD&D and Retirement plans.
Having your beneficiaries set up for these plans is critical so you can ensure that the right people receive this benefit in case it is needed. You can update your beneficiaries for life insurance and AD&D online while you go through the Annual Enrollment process.
To update beneficiaries for your retirement plans, just visit Rps.TRowePrice.com. As a reminder, if you want to participate in the HCRA or DCAP, you must enroll during Annual Enrollment, even if you were already enrolled for the current plan year.
All your other benefit elections will continue into the following year if you don’t make any changes. And that’s the basics. Annual Enrollment begins and ends in November, so be sure to enroll early.
If you have any questions or need more information, just visit Costcobenefits.com or call the enrollment center at 800-541-6205. Thanks for watching, and remember, we’re in this together.
The recipe for a healthy, happy 2024
Follow this checklist to ensure a successful Annual Enrollment. You must complete these steps by November 21, 2023.
Sign up for text reminders on the Enrollment Website at Costcobenefits.com.
Complete your Dependent Verification to continue coverage for your eligible family members. This must be completed every year, even if you don’t make any changes to your benefits.
Review your current benefits plan elections on the Enrollment Website. This includes confirming your life insurance beneficiaries.
Enroll or re-enroll in your Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) for 2024.* Remember, even if you’re already enrolled, you must re-enroll to participate in 2024.
To complete your Annual Enrollment, use your ESS user name and password to log in at Costcobenefits.com.
Costco takes your health and well-being very seriously. That’s why your Costco benefits are continually evolving to provide affordable, quality care for you and your family. You’ll find exciting new benefits plan enhancements for 2024 to help with hypertension management, mental health support and vision coverage — all at no cost to you or your covered family members.
♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Your health and the health of your family is a top priority at Costco. That’s why we are committed to providing you and your family with affordable benefits that help you receive quality care whenever needed.
This coming year, we have made exciting enhancements to your Costco benefits, all at no cost for you and your dependents. Here is everything you need to know about this year’s new benefit enhancements.
Costco is offering three new benefits enhancements this year. These are vision benefits through EyeMed, Omada for Hypertension, and Supportiv, a fully anonymous mental health service. These enhanced offerings will be available to you and your family beginning January 1st.
In 2024, your vision and hearing aid benefits will be supplied through EyeMed. With this change to EyeMed, your vision benefit will be available to use throughout the year. You no longer have to use it all in a single purchase, but you do have to use it by December 31st.
This year, we have added a new hypertension program through Omada. This virtual program makes it easier to manage your blood pressure and reach your health goals. The program provides you with a personal health coach and clinical specialist who supply you with a personalized care plan, day-to-day support, and online peer groups and communities.
Plus, you can get a smart device like a blood pressure monitor, and if eligible, a smart scale to monitor your blood pressure and track your progress. If you are already using the Omada for Diabetes or Prevention programs, no action is needed on your part.
Your coach will be able to help you with hypertension as well. Eligible employees and dependents on the Costco medical plan can enroll in this program at no cost. Beginning in 2024, all Costco employees and dependents age 13 or older will have free access to Supportiv, an online peer-to-peer chat support group.
Supportiv is a fully anonymous peer-to-peer service that connects you to other people dealing with the same challenges you are. Conversations are among small groups and are facilitated by trained moderators.
It’s your place to de-stress and feel supported 24/7/365, no sign-ups, assessments, or appointment necessary. These changes are effective January 1st. If you have any questions or need more information, just visit Costcobenefits.com.
Thanks for watching, and remember, we’re in this together.
Explore your enhanced benefits
Help for hypertension
A new virtual blood pressure management program from Omada is coming in 2024. Omada for Hypertension provides one-on-one support and guidance from a personal health coach and clinical specialist, as well as the tools you need to track and monitor your progress. In addition, you’ll get a personalized care plan, weekly lessons and membership in an online support group.
Employees who are enrolled in a Costco medical plan and their covered dependents age 18 or older can participate in Omada for Hypertension at no cost, starting January 1. If you’re enrolled in Omada for Diabetes or Prevention, your health coach can also assist you with this service.
Peer support when you need it
Beginning January 1, all Costco employees, their household members and dependent children age 13 or older will have free access to Supportiv. This online peer-to-peer support program matches you with other people going through the same struggles you are, such as emotional challenges, parenting concerns, relationship issues and much more. The conversations are through live small group chat sessions that are professionally moderated and fully anonymous. It’s your place to de-stress and feel supported 24/7, 365 days a year – no appointment necessary.
Use your vision benefit throughout the year
Starting in 2024, your vision and hearing aid* benefits will be supplied through EyeMed. With this change, you no longer have to use your vision benefit in a single purchase — it’s available to use throughout the year. For example, if you buy a pair of glasses in January for $100, then lose them three months later, you’ll still have $75 to put toward a replacement pair. You must use your full benefit by December 31, 2024.
To learn more about these benefits plan enhancements, visit Costcobenefits.com.
*Hearing aid and eye exam benefits in Puerto Rico will continue to be supplied by Triple-S.
Taking care of yourself and your family can have a big impact on your budget. There are the everyday expenses, including medications and first aid supplies and larger ones, like day care and orthodontia. But here’s some good news: You can set aside pretax money to help pay for these items with reimbursement accounts, administered by PayFlex®. Even better news: You’ll also spend less on taxes.
Costco offers two reimbursement accounts. You can choose to enroll in one or both of them. The Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) is for health care expenses, and the Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) is for dependent care expenses. You must enroll or re-enroll in these accounts every year, so make your elections for 2024 during Annual Enrollment, November 1–21.
♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Your health and the health of your family is a top priority at Costco. That’s why we are committed to providing you and your family with affordable benefits that help you receive quality care whenever needed.
One of those benefits are the reimbursement accounts available through PayFlex. Here’s everything you need to know about reimbursement accounts. There are two types of reimbursement accounts available to you as a Costco employee through PayFlex, the HCRA and the DCAP.
The HCRA or Health Care Reimbursement Account, allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to reimburse yourself for eligible medical expenses, such as: Copays, Coinsurance and deductibles, Dental and vision expenses, Prescriptions, and over-the-counter items.
Annual Enrollment is the only time you can enroll in an HCRA account, and the HCRA must be re-elected every year if you want to continue your account. The DCAP, or Dependent Care Assistance Plan, allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to reimburse yourself for qualified child and elder care expenses necessary for you and your spouse to work.
Funds can be used to pay for childcare for your dependents age 12 and younger, or for a spouse or dependent incapable of self-care. Examples of DCAP expenses are things like day care, before and after school care, nursery and pre-school, and in-home aids.
Please note that the DCAP cannot be used for dependent health care expenses. You need to enroll in the DCAP every year to continue your account, however, you can unenroll, change, or stop your enrollment whenever there is a change to your dependent care needs throughout the year.
Both types of accounts are funded by automatic pre-taxed payroll deductions from every paycheck. If you choose to enroll in one or both of the reimbursement accounts during Annual Enrollment, you will be prompted to choose how much money you would like to contribute for the plan year.
Funds will then be deducted pre-tax from your paychecks and deposited into these reimbursement accounts. While you can access the full amount of your annual HCRA election beginning January 1st, with the DCAP, you can only access the amount currently in your account at the time of your reimbursement request.
Each account has a funding limit set by the IRS. Before you enroll, take a look at your health care and dependent care expenses for the previous year, and think about needs in the coming year to get a sense of how much you would like to contribute.
Your needs may vary from year to year, so think carefully about the coming year’s needs before selecting your contribution level. It is important to remember that funds in both accounts are “use it or lose it” per IRS rules.
Only a small portion of your HCRA balance can roll over into the next plan year. This amount is determined annually by the IRS. Only participants who have an active HCRA as of December 31st are eligible for this rollover.
Any funds beyond the rollover amount are forfeited after the claim filing deadline. This is why it’s so important to consider your anticipated expenses for the coming year before selecting a contribution level for each account.
If you have a larger amount in your DCAP account than you expected as the end of the plan year approaches, you can take advantage of the grace period. The DCAP offers a grace period at the beginning of the following year where funds from the previous year can still be used.
Don’t forget to submit all your reimbursement claims by the filing deadline as any funds left over after this period will be forfeited. Be sure to calculate your contributions carefully. And that’s the basics.
If you have any questions or need more information, just visit Costcobenefits.com. Thanks for watching, and remember, we’re in this together.
The smart way to pay for health care and dependent care expenses
The Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) allow you to pay for qualified expenses with money automatically deducted from your paycheck before taxes are calculated, lowering your taxable income. Here are answers to some common questions about these accounts.
What do they cover?
You can use your HCRA for eligible health care expenses that are not covered by your medical plan for you and your covered spouse and dependents. These expenses can include your plan deductible and copays, and many health care items and services, for example:
Your DCAP can be used to reimburse yourself for eligible dependent care expenses necessary for you and your spouse to work. Funds can be used to pay for childcare for your dependents age 12 and under, or to care for another family member incapable of self-care who lives in your home, such as a spouse, a child age 13 or older or a parent. Here are a few examples of eligible expenses:
Note: Your DCAP cannot be used to pay for dependent health care expenses.
How do they work?
When you enroll in an HCRA or DCAP, you choose an amount of money to put aside for the year based on what you think you’ll need to cover your expenses. This money is automatically taken out of each paycheck and deposited into your reimbursement account before payroll taxes are calculated.
You don’t pay taxes on this money. That means you save an amount equal to the taxes you would have paid on the money you set aside.
With an HCRA, you can pay for certain expenses directly from your account with the AutoPay function if you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan. You can also use the HCRA debit card for eligible expenses, or pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement. See below for more details.
Autopay
HCRA
The HCRA will automatically reimburse certain medical, dental and vision plan expenses, including copays, coinsurance and deductibles.
debit card
HCRA
Use for eligible expenses at Costco Pharmacy or Online Pharmacy, Costco Optical Department and Costco Hearing Aid Center.
Claim form
HCRA & DCAP
Use for other eligible expenses, such as prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs or items.
With a DCAP, you’ll need to pay upfront for an eligible item or service, then you’ll submit your receipt and a claim form through PayFlex to get reimbursed from your account.
Each reimbursement account has different rules and restrictions, as follows:
HCRA
Contribution amounts
You can contribute between $120 and $3,050 per year.
Enrollment
To enroll or re-enroll in an HCRA for 2024, you must make your election during Annual Enrollment.
Access
You can access the full amount of your annual HCRA election on January 1.
Rollover
Only a small portion of your HCRA balance can roll over to the next plan year. If you are enrolled in an HCRA for 2023, your rollover amount to use in 2024 is $610. This amount is determined each year by the IRS.
Use it or lose it
All expenses must occur during 2024. You forfeit any balance over the rollover limit that remains in your account after the claim filing deadline of April 30, 2025.
DCAP
Contribution amounts
You can contribute up to $5,000 per year ($2,500 if married and filing separately).
Enrollment
To enroll or re-enroll in a DCAP for 2024, you must make your election during Annual Enrollment. You can unenroll or change your DCAP election at any time during the year if there is a change in your dependent care needs.
Access
Access is limited to the amount currently in your account. You can get reimbursed up to the amount of your year-to-date contributions, not the entire annual amount you selected.
Grace period
You can use the funds you contributed for any services through March 15, 2024.
Use it or lose it
You can submit claims until April 30, 2025. Any funds remaining after the deadline will be forfeited.
How do I know how much to contribute?
Be very thoughtful when choosing how much money to contribute to your reimbursement accounts. Look at what you spent this year on health care and/or dependent care, and consider how that amount may change in 2024. Money left in reimbursement accounts (except for the allowed rollover amount for the HCRA and the grace period for the DCAP) will be forfeited after the claim filing deadlines.
How do I get started?
If you wish to participate in a reimbursement account for 2024, you must enroll during Annual Enrollment, which ends on November 21, 2023. Important note: If you enrolled in a reimbursement account for 2023, you will need to re-enroll in order to have a reimbursement account for 2024.
Visit the Enrollment Website located on Costcobenefits.com to make your reimbursement account elections. See the resources below for more information.
