You’re amazing! It’s been another challenging year, and you’ve met the challenge. Thank you for your hard work and everything you do to make Costco a great company. We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season.
In the past year, you and over 68,000 of your fellow Costco employees took the We’re in This Together pledge to make your emotional, financial and physical well-being a priority. You explored your Costco benefits and learned how they can help you reach your goal. Many of you even inspired others by sharing your stories on our well-being portal. And over 150,000 of you receive our monthly well-being emails.
You did it. And you should be very proud.
As I’ve stated before, nothing is more important than your well-being and that of your family. That’s why our ongoing promise to you and your family members is to provide access to health care resources and programs that help you get the right care, at the right time and at an affordable price.
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.
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.
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.
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 accountand 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccines for everyone age 6 months or older.1
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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.
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.
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.
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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Full-time employees can choose between EPP Premium or EPP Core. Part-time employees can select the EPP Core option.* Keep in mind, the Aetna Dental EPP Plan pays benefits for in-network services only and uses the same network as the traditional dental plans. This means that if you currently see in-network dentists, they’ll most likely be in network under the EPP plan.
*The Aetna DentalEPP plans are not available in all locations, so be sure to check your enrollment materials for coverage.
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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This must be done each year. The HCRA and DCAP allow you to set aside tax-free income to spend on eligible health care and/or dependent care expenses. For 2022, you can contribute up to $2,750 to the HCRA and up to $5,000*** to the DCAP. Contributions are deducted from your pay before taxes are withheld, so you pay less in income taxes. With both accounts, you have access to a full range of online services from PayFlex®, our HCRA and DCAP administrator. This includes easy access to balances and transactions, tax calculators, and lists of eligible expenses.
***For a married couple filing taxes jointly. The limit is $2,500 for a married couple filing taxes separately.
Review the 2022 Benefits Plan Changes Booklet that was sent to you, or visit Costcobenefits.com to learn more about your enhanced benefits.
