Bucks and Montgomery County Schools Health Care Consortium

Most people don’t think about going to the doctor until they get sick. Did you know that regular visits to your primary care physician can keep you healthier, and even help you avoid bigger, costlier issues in the future? Here are the four reasons you should keep up with regular visits: early detection and prevention, chronic conditions, personalized care/building trust and cost savings.

https://portal.peopleonehealth.com/HealthyLiving/Health/Healthy%20Lifestyles/Four_Good_Reasons_to_See_your_Doctor

June is Men’s Health month! Only 60% of men go to the doctor for a yearly routine checkup, and 40% won’t go until something is seriously wrong. Find those numbers alarming? Take action now!

• Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician at least once per year
• Get a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Consider seeing a therapist if mental health is a concern
• Using the My Health Finder website, input your age to discover what screenings and preventive tests are important for you
• Encourage the men in your life to do the same

Additional reading: https://medicine.iu.edu/blogs/spirit-of-medicine/mens-health-month

Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949 Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May each year and is dedicated to prioritizing our well-being and promoting open conversations about mental health. The Bucks and Montgomery County Schools (BMCS) Health Care Consortium recognizes the importance of mental health and its impact on our personal and professional lives. That’s why our Benefit Basics emails in May will focus on helping our members to learn how modern life affects mental health provide resources to help manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations.

So how are you doing? You know to get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, but how do you measure your wellbeing?

The MindCheck® online tool uses simple color coding to tell you how you are doing emotionally. Once you learn where you stand, find suggested next steps and resources.

Visit the website below to learn more about your well-being and how you can improve it.

Mindcheck Learn more about the MindCheck tool – a simple way to get a quick read on your emotional health and how you can improve it.

The Hinge Health program is now LIVE!

Watch your mailbox for a Hinge Health mailer coming to your home that has more details about the program.

This new program is available to all members aged 18 and over enrolled in a Bucks and Montgomery County Schools (BMCS) Health Care Consortium medical insurance plan.

You can start getting care right away with Hinge Health to reduce pain in your back, knees, feet, ankles, and more. The Hinge Health digital exercise therapy programs can be done anywhere, anytime, and participants reduce their pain by 68% on average.

It is available at NO COST to you through the BMCS Health Care Consortium. It is part of our mission to help members improve their health and wellbeing.

https://bmshc.org/hinge-health/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Link&utm_campaign=BenefitBasics

Your membership in our consortium includes 24/7 access to a registered nurse, gym membership discounts, assistance with medical life events, mindfulness guidance, and much more! Check out our website or see the graphic below for additional information.

https://bmshc.org/

We’re excited to announce that the Hinge Health program is now LIVE!

This new program is available to all members aged 18 and over enrolled in the Bucks and Montgomery County Schools (BMCS) Health Care Consortium medical insurance plan.

Click on the link below to watch a brief video that explains the program. If you experience joint and muscle pain, it’s worth your while to learn more about this program.

https://bmshc.org/hinge-health/

We’re excited to announce a new program that will be available to all members enrolled in the Bucks and Montgomery County Schools (BMCS) Health Care Consortium medical insurance plan.

Hinge Health is a digital exercise therapy program that can help relieve joint and muscle pain. Members receive real-time exercise therapy guidance virtually. No commutes. No waiting rooms. No office visits. Just pain relief. So, you can take the stairs, go hiking, run errands - and everything in between. Reduce your back and joint pain in just 15 minutes a day from the convenience of your own home.

It is available at no cost to you through the BMCS Health Care Consortium.

You will begin to receive more information about Hinge Health starting in April. Be on the lookout for details mailed by Hinge Health directly to your home. And of course, information will be on the BMSHC.org website and in upcoming Benefit Basics emails.

Can’t wait to get started? Want to learn more? Visit hinge.health/bmshc to learn more. Click the green Join Waitlist button to be notified as soon as enrollment opens up!

Bucks and Montgomery County Schools Health Care Consortium and Hinge Health No copays. No office visits. Reduce your back and joint pain in just 15 minutes a day. So you can take the stairs, go hiking, run errands - and everything in between.

As a member enrolled in the Bucks and Montgomery County Schools (BMCS) Health Care Consortium, you have access to Teledoc Health.

Teladoc Health connects you with care, at your convenience and an affordable cost. You’ll find what you need to get well—like 24/7 care—alongside primary care, therapy and programs proven to keep you well.

Your video and phone visits have no time limit. So, instead of 15 minutes, you might spend an hour talking about your health and planning the next steps together with a medical professional.

There is no copay when you use Teladoc Health to access general medical care for non-emergency conditions such as flu, sinus infections, sore throats, allergies, stomach bugs or COVID-19 advice (copays apply for virtual visits for mental health and dermatology).

Set up your account today!

Healthcare and medical advice by phone, video or app | Teladoc Health® Your Aetna health plan gives you 24/7 access to virtual care by U.S. board-certified providers.

Have you visited our new website yet? Learn more about our plans, services, and programs by clicking below!

Bucks and Montgomery County Schools Health Care Consortium The Bucks and Montgomery County Schools (BMCS) Health Care Consortium offers medical insurance, prescription coverage, and wellness programs to participating educational institutions.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Practice Self-Care and Find Social Support ♥

Daily acts of self-care can benefit your heart because self-care is heart care. Studies show that having positive social support, close relationships, and feeling connected to others makes it easier to stick to heart-healthy habits.

✔ Try to do at least one positive action for your heart health each day.
✔ Make the doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off.
✔ Ask family and friends to text you reminders or encouragement to help you meet your health goals.
✔ Join an exercise class or a weight management group to connect with other like-minded people and stay motivated.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Manage Stress ♥

Learning how to manage stress with healthy coping strategies helps improve your emotional and physical health.

✔ Use relaxation techniques that combine breathing and focused attention on pleasing thoughts and images to calm the mind and body.
✔ Consider meditation, as it can help to lower stress.
✔ Take a yoga class to help lower stress and improve mindfulness. It may also offer you a supportive community.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Control Blood Pressure ♥

Keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and keep track of your numbers. Blood pressure that’s consistently higher than 130/80 mm Hg can cause serious health problems.

✔ Have your blood pressure checked each time you visit the doctor.
✔ Use a blood pressure monitor to measure your blood pressure at home and learn how to measure it correctly.
✔ Use a blood pressure tracker to keep a record of your numbers each reading.
✔ If you’re pregnant or planning to be, it’s especially important to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Control Cholesterol ♥

Unhealthy levels of cholesterol can lead to high cholesterol, which increases the risk of developing heart disease.

✔ Try the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Program which combines diet, physical activity, and weight management to help lower high blood cholesterol and improve heart health.
✔ Eat a heart-healthy diet that is low in saturated fats, as these can raise LDL cholesterol levels.
✔ Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking too much alcohol—more than two drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women—can raise your total cholesterol level.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Manage Blood Sugar ♥

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for heart health, especially for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes.

✔ Eat a diet rich in whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
✔ Monitor your carbohydrate intake and choose complex carbohydrates, like whole grains and legumes, to help control blood sugar levels.
✔ Talk to your healthcare provider about how often you should check your blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Stop Smoking ♥

Any amount of smoking, even light or occasional smoking, damages your heart and blood vessels.

✔ Select a quit date and write yourself a contract that outlines your plan for quitting.
✔ Talk with your healthcare provider about programs and products that can help you quit.
✔ Join a support group. Many hospitals, workplaces, and community groups offer classes to help people quit smoking.
Call 1–800–QUIT–NOW and visit smokefree.gov to get additional support.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Eat Better ♥

A flexible and balanced eating plan can help lower your high blood pressure and improve your cholesterol.

✔ Follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which can help you create a heart-healthy eating style for life.
✔ Read nutrition labels to pick the food lowest in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
✔ Try a mix of lean cuts of meat, eat fish once or twice a week, and eat two or more meatless meals each week.
✔ Consider whole fruits, dried fruits, unsalted rice cakes, fat-free and low-fat yogurt, or raw vegetables as a snack.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Be More Active ♥

Getting enough physical activity helps to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Adults should spend at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) each week doing physical activity.

✔ Sit less! Take the stairs. Park farther away. March in place or take a walk around the block.
✔ Try muscle-strengthening activities like lifting weights, working with resistance bands, doing sit-ups and push-ups, or some forms of yoga—whatever works for you.
✔ If you don’t have a lot of time in your day, try being active for 10 minutes at a time. Anything that gets your heart beating faster counts!

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and can help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions.

✔ Choose healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, yogurt, or nuts, instead of sugary or high-calorie snacks.
✔ Stay hydrated with water as your primary beverage.
✔ Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity (like running) exercise per week.
✔ Consider keeping a log of what you eat throughout the day.

February is American Heart Month and we are sharing some ♥ Smart Basics!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips:

♥ Get Enough Quality Sleep ♥

Lack of sleep or getting poor-quality sleep increases the risk of having high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions.

✔ Try to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
✔ Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
✔ Exercise regularly, but not within 2-3 hours before bedtime.
✔ Avoid caffeine and ni****ne.

Effective January 1, 2024, Optum has replaced Walmart as the provider of Prescription Home Delivery and Specialty Medications. Walmart will no longer be providing these services.

In December, Capital Rx and Optum contacted members who recently used prescription home delivery or specialty medications to explain what actions, if any, they need to take.

If you missed the call and have questions or need assistance, just call Capital Rx Customer Care anytime at 1-877-542-2779.

If you have not yet set up an account with Capital Rx it is a good idea to do so. That way you’ll be prepared if you need any medications. You can use this link to create an account: https://app.cap-rx.com/register.

Dealing with stress, particularly during the holidays, demands a blend of techniques to safeguard well-being. Stress is inevitable, but how it is managed can make a difference. Here are some quick tips:

✅ Learn to Say “No”: It’s challenging to decline endless requests. If a direct “NO” isn’t feasible, consider “Not Now” or “Yes, but...”. Avoiding excessive commitments is essential for a balanced and enjoyable holiday.
✅ Take Short Breaks: Balancing work and holiday hustle is demanding. Brief breaks for “me time,” whether a few minutes of personal relaxation or a short walk (even mild exercise), can alleviate stress.
✅ Share the Work: Are you the one doing everything? The weight of self-imposed responsibilities can be crushing, especially during the holidays. Enlist the help of family, friends, and loved ones.
✅ Communicate Openly: Openly discussing holiday expectations with family and friends reduces misunderstandings. Early communication is vital. Address situations as they arise, preventing them from escalating.
✅ Be Mindful of Feelings: Paying attention to emotions is crucial. Recognize and acknowledge stress early for a happy, healthy, and enjoyable holiday season.

Managing stress is vital for your well-being. These tips provide a practical and thoughtful approach to navigate the challenges of the holiday season. Here’s wishing you one that is happy, healthy, and terrific!

As previously announced, Capital Rx, the vendor that provides your health plan prescription drug coverage, is changing the provider of Prescription Home Delivery and Specialty Medications from Walmart to Optum® Home Delivery and Optum® Specialty Pharmacy.

This change is effective January 1, 2024.

Capital Rx decided to move to Optum® Home Delivery and Optum® Specialty Pharmacy for these pharmacy services after a comprehensive selection process.

Capital Rx has begun to send communications out to members.

If you have recently used prescription home delivery or specialty medications, you will get a letter from Capital Rx that explains the change and any action you may need to take.

All members will also receive a postcard from Capital Rx that explains how to get started with home delivery or specialty medication services.

Take a look at the video below for additional details!

https://player.vimeo.com/video/883414916?h=774c1d4c8b&

Capital Rx is changing our preferred mail order and specialty pharmacy from Walmart to OptumRx. If you or anyone in your household utilizes our benefits in this manner, keep an eye out for communications regarding the January 1 change that will bring better service to all our members.

BMCS - Optum Change from Group Benefis on Vimeo

Thanksgiving is one week from today! Here are some tips to make it a healthy holiday for you and your family.

9 Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving Satisfy your desire for traditional favorites and still enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving feast.

Capital Rx, the vendor that provides your health plan prescription drug coverage, is changing the provider of Prescription Home Delivery and Specialty Medications from Walmart to Optum. This change is effective January 1, 2024.

Capital Rx decided to move to Optum Home Delivery and Optum Specialty Pharmacy for these pharmacy services after a comprehensive selection process. Be on the lookout for communications being sent to you directly from Capital Rx.

This is an important change which will provide you with better service. We ask that you please stay alert for these communications and understand how this change may impact your individual situation.

Anytime you have questions you can call the Capital Rx Member Help Desk: 1-877-542-2779. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Time is running out to get your annual flu shot or other routine vaccinations!

Depending on the vaccine, it may be fully covered by your insurance. Please check with Capital Rx by calling the number on the back of your ID card to confirm your coverage and responsibility.

Examples of routine vaccines available and covered by your insurance plan:
• Influenza (flu)
• COVID-19
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Where can I get more information?

Your health care provider is the best source of information. They know you, your medical history and whether a specific vaccine is right for you.

Is my school offering an onsite clinic?

Many employers offer an onsite clinic for flu shots and other vaccinations. Check with your Human Resources department.

Visiting your local pharmacy for your vaccine shot?

While an appointment is not always needed, you can call your local pharmacy or go to their website to make an appointment.

To learn more about vaccines, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: https://cdc.gov/vaccines

Introducing Benefit Basics!

Benefit Basics is a new program from The Bucks and Montgomery County Schools (BMCS) Health Care Consortium. The goal is to provide brief messages that highlight selected benefits and changes to health plans. Watch the video below and then visit our website for additional information!

https://player.vimeo.com/video/864518209?h=4295a04b81

Our new website is live! As we prepare for upcoming open enrollment windows, please take a few minutes to check out the information and services available to our members.

Homepage | BMSHC The BMSHC provides medical insurance and wellness benefits to education institutions and their employees. Learn more about coverage options.

The Aetna Health App allows you and your dependents to:

✅ Access your ID card whenever you need it
✅ View your benefits and coverage details specific to your plan
✅ Track spending and progress toward meeting your deductible
✅ Find in-network providers near you and search by location or specialty
✅ Compare cost estimates for doctor visits and procedures
✅ Receive personalized reminders to help improve your health

Download today!

https://www.aetna.com/individuals-families/using-your-aetna-benefits/aetna-mobile/health-app.html