Help your employees take charge of their oral health

In this update:

This month’s WITT topic: oral health

Resources to help you help your employees

Welcome to the Manager Update page. As a member of Costco leadership, you have an important role to play in helping to support your employees’ well-being. You can encourage them to get to know their benefits so they can take full advantage of them.  

Report on employee benefits usage

Here are the latest resources for employee benefits usage from our suppliers: 

Data is comparing July 2023 to August 2023.

Brightline

Visits to the Brightline landing page increased by 379%
Dependents enrolled in Brightline increased by 514%

RFL

Calls to RFL increased by 18%
Counseling referrals increased by 17%
myStrength registrations increased by 42%
Referrals to Brightline increased by 633%

RethinkCare

Enrollments increased 358%

This month’s WITT topic: Oral health

In October, our We’re in This Together content shares information on how to keep teeth healthy. How to floss correctly. How dental health and mental health are connected. And how new orthodontic options and a Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA)* can save your employees money. All articles highlight Costco dental plans and related benefits.

Our third well-being challenge is here!

Your employees’ physical well-being takes the stage in our third Costco well-being challenge. They’ll choose an aspect of their physical well-being to focus on and take action to see it through. Encourage your employees to give the challenge a try and enjoy the difference it will make.

Resources to help you help your employees

Check out the Costco benefits, tools and services that are featured on the well-being portal this month. And make sure your employees know how their Costco benefits can support them and their covered dependents. An easy way to do this is by presenting this month’s We’re in This Together program slides during your next staff meeting.

Be an oral health champion. Advocate for good dental hygiene and two annual dental exams per year for your employees. Be prepared to answer questions about their dental coverage and know where to send them for more information.
Start talking to your employees about Annual Enrollment, November 1–21. This is their annual opportunity to review their Costco dental plan options — and all of their benefits — and choose what best fits their needs. Go to 2024 Annual Enrollment and Dependent Verification for more information.
Encourage your employees to visit Costcobenefits.com. They can get to know and use their Costco benefits, tools and services to find an in-network dentist, save money on orthodontia and get mental health support.
Rally your team members to take the third well-being challenge and work to improve their physical well-being.

October’s featured resources:

Resources For Living^® (RFL^®)
- Provides in-the-moment support for mental health challenges.
- Includes six no-cost counseling sessions with in-person, televideo and chat options.
- Employees, all members of their household and their dependent children up to age 26 are eligible for services.
- Provides free access to articles and tools on the RFL website.
- To learn more about RFL, employees can call 833-721-2320 (TTY:711) or visit Costcobenefits.com.
Costcobenefits.com
- Starting point to learn about and compare dental plan options and understand coverage.
- Employees can review their benefits or enroll in a Costco dental plan during Annual Enrollment, November 1–21.
- Provides a link to find an in-network dentist.
Aetna.com (Mainland only)
- Employees can use the tracker tool to find a new dentist.
- Aetna Health^SM app and Aetna Health Concierge (800-814-3543 (TTY:711)) can also help find a dentist who’s accepting new patients. The concierge can even assist with scheduling the first appointment.
- Mainland only. For Hawaii, see HMSA. For Puerto Rico, see Triple-S.
PayFlex^® (Mainland and Hawaii only)
- Administers Costco’s Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA), which helps employees reduce their taxes and save money on health care expenses, including dental expenses.
- Employees can enroll or re-enroll in an HCRA during Annual Enrollment, November 1–21.
- To learn more, employees can call 844-729-3539 (TTY: 711) or visit PayFlex.com.
Costco Tobacco Cessation Program
- Offers coaching, support and access to nicotine-replacement therapy to help employees quit tobacco products.
  - Mainland & Hawaii – Employees enrolled in a Costco medical plan can call 866-818-2368 to get started.
  - Puerto Rico – All employees can call 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711) to get started.
SmartDollar^®
- Offers tools to help employees budget, spend and save wisely.
- Provides one-on-one financial coaching at no cost.
- Employees can enroll online, text COSTCO to 33789** or call 844-283-9381.
WeightWatchers
- Costco employees can join for as low as $14 per month, and spouses/domestic partners and dependents can join for as low as $19.50 per month.
- They can sign up at WW.com/Costco.
Benefits Quick Reference Guide
- A convenient guide you can print and share with employees when you need information about Costco benefits in a hurry. As a reminder, please choose the one that applies to your location for resources available to your employees. 
- Starting in November, you can order additional posters by visiting the HR Materials Ordering Site.