Give Your New Year’s Resolution a Boost! 

Written by: Kristy Kwan, Benefits and Retirement Plan Administrator

Every January, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions related to their well-being and health. If you’re one of these people this year, we want to help with these simple pointers on using your benefits program to its full advantage. We hope this will help you stick to your resolution and make for a happier, healthier you!

Most benefit programs offer a wellness visit (an annual check-up of vital signs and blood screening), but very often, it goes unused. Wellness check-ups are the first line of defense in catching potential future health problems, and are frequently low cost or free. This would also be a great time to get your doctor’s insight on your New Year’s resolution if it involves exercise, eating, diet or your health in general. Scheduling an appointment now, while it’s fresh in your mind, is a great step to start off a year of healthy living.

The same goes for your dental plan. A frequent comment we hear from MMC employees is that they never used their dental insurance – despite paying for the premiums for the entire year. Don’t put off your dental cleanings – they are usually free (or have a very low co-pay), and most plans cover TWO cleanings a year, including exams and x-rays. Dental cleanings can sometimes be done in as little as 30-45 minutes (depending on your dentist and your dental health), which means it may fit into a lunch hour. Search online for a dental provider in your area, and squeeze in that cleaning! Your teeth will thank you for it, and by getting regular cleanings, you may be avoiding more costly dental procedures down the road.

Many carriers also have extra wellness programs that employees can enroll in for free. You can search on the carrier’s website to see what they offer; for example, Kaiser Permanente offers multiple improvement programs through their “HealthMedia” online website. Programs include weight management and fitness tracking, programs for smoking cessation, nutrition, depression, insomnia, managing chronic pain, diabetes, and more. They also offer health education classes in a variety of locations. Blue Shield offers Life Referrals, a 24/7 phone line to assist employees with personal, work or family issues. They also offer a slew of programs online where you can track your weight management progress or complete health assessments. One way to stay on track with your resolution is to keep tabs, every step of the way. Being able to see your progress may help keep you motivated!

MMC offers gym discounts to our clients through our partner Globalfit, and if your New Year’s resolution involves hitting the treadmill or attending a fitness class, we can help! Globalfit is a gym broker that offers discounted memberships (most without any long term commitment) through its website. You can even print out free passes to gyms to try them out first. You must purchase the membership through the Globalfit website to get the discount. They offer most gyms in your area, including Bally’s, 24 hour fitness, Gold’s, Equinox, and Bodies in Motion, just to name a few. If you’re interested in signing up, please call the MMC Benefits Department to get more information.

We hope that these tips will assist you with your resolutions, your health, and your plans for 2010. If you have questions on any of the topics we’ve covered here, please feel free to call MMC at (800) 899-6624. Have a healthy and happy New Year!

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