Benefit Briefs Newsletter

The Benefit Briefs newsletter highlights important Texas A&M University System benefit changes and information about your insurance and retirement plans. The Benefit Briefs archives are available if you need past information.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Benefits Brief newsletter, please contact System Benefits Administration at employeebenefits@tamus.edu or call (979) 458-6330.

You’ve likely heard the cliché a million times — “You are what you eat.” So you might nosh on foods reported to lower your blood pressure, strengthen your bones or burn belly fat. You might even load up on brain food to feed your head. As it turns out, the …

Did you know patients do not take their medicine as prescribed about half the time? What are common obstacles to proper medication adherence? Forgetfulness (busy, distracted, low priority) Cost Complicated dosing regimens Incomplete understanding of medical condition Unclear clinical goals or endpoints Absence of noticeable symptoms Concerns about side effects …

Retirement Plan Contribution Limits are increasing if you are age 60-63 In the critical years before retirement, you may be able to take advantage of increasing how much you’re saving over and above the additional amounts you already can contribute. What this can mean for you Based on IRS rules, …

What are women thinking and feeling when it comes to their finances? Our latest research offers fresh insights to help women better prepare and take action for their financial future. Women have made significant strides in career advancement, educational attainment, and financial well-being. They now control a staggering $11.2 trillion …

With fall fast approaching, employees and their organizations continue to face a range of challenges. Now, more than ever, we urge you to make the most of the resources, tools and support provided by your ComPsych GuidanceResources Work/Life Solutions Program. Your GuidanceResources Work/Life Solutions Program provides confidential emotional support, as …

Deltal Dental – Finding a Dentist

How Delta Dental is finding the right dentist for you Finding a new dentist can be difficult, especially when you’ve had the same dentist for years. Delta Dental knows the struggle and understand your frustration. That’s why Delta Dental is working so hard to add more dentists to their nationwide …

Women Can Lower Their Risk for Cancer

Taking care of yourself to cut your chances of getting cancer is a great health goal. But how exactly can you do that? Preventive care, including health screenings, is the place to start. The aim is to prevent cancer or find it early, when it is easier to treat. If …

Well onTarget Blue Points

Members Will Have a New Blue PointsSM Redemption Experience in Well onTarget® in 2025 The Well onTarget Blue Points merchandise mall will retire at the end of 2024 and be replaced with digital gift cards. The new redemption experience will be embedded in the portal and the AlwaysOn wellness mobile app. Steps …

Don’t Let the Flu Sneak Up on You

Many people don’t know that they can get influenza — the respiratory disease we often call the flu — any time of the year. Flu viruses usually peak between December and February. But cases of flu usually start to increase in October or earlier. To be protected before flu cases …

Lung Cancer Screening Lowers the Risk of Death

Lung Cancer Basics Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Smoking poses the greatest risk, but there are others such as exposure to radon and air pollution. Screening high-risk individuals has the potential to dramatically improve lung cancer survival rates. There are multiple types of …

Hinge Health

If you experience chronic back, knee, hip, neck, or shoulder pain you might want to check out Hinge Health. This is a 12-week, coach-led digital musculoskeletal (MSK) program based on proven nonsurgical care guidelines. It is delivered remotely using mobile and wearable technology. Hinge Health is focused on 3 core …

Immunization Health

Let’s talk about Vaccines Vaccination is one of the most convenient and safest preventive care measures available to both children and adults. It’s important to keep your vaccinations up to date because as we age, immunity from childhood vaccinations wears off over time. You are also at risk for different …

September Wellness Webinars

Join one of the September Wellness webinars presented by Cindy Quinn, Wellness Coordinator for the Texas A&M University System. The webinars are sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Each presentation will last 45 minutes long. Well on Target Member Overview Please join us for this informative class …

Sports Eye Saftey

Keep Eye Safety in Mind This Sports Season Each sport has its own unique risks of eye injury and requires its own type of protective eye wear, which is why the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) sets the standard for sports eye protection. Polycarbonate lenses offer the best …

It’s the start of a new school year, and your kids are all set with brand-new clothes and a fresh set of school supplies. But don’t forget about your kids’ teeth. Your kids’ oral health is important to their academic success. Add these dental health tips to your back-to-school checklist …

Back to School Basics for Students with ADHD

New school years offer new beginnings. A chance to learn and grow. But for many children, the first few days or weeks bring change, causing worry and stress. Change is hard for many people, but it can be even more difficult for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The change …

Work/Life Solutions by ComPsych

With the fall fast approaching, individuals continue to face a range of challenges. Now, more than ever, we urge you to make the most of the resources, tools and support provided by your ComPsych Work/Life Solutions Program: Your Work/Life Solutions Program provides confidential emotional support, as well as legal, financial …

Superior Vision by MetLife

Routine vision exams are important for your eyes and may help catch early signs of serious problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and other conditions. Yearly exams are important, even if you have perfect vision, so help prioritize better vision with Superior Vision by Metlife. …

What are the top causes of yellow teeth?

There are more causes of tooth discoloration than you might think – but there are also plenty of ways you can protect your teeth. Poor oral hygiene Plaque and bacteria will cause yellow teeth if they are not regularly removed with a good daily oral health routine. That means brushing …

Insurance Basics: Prior Authorization

Understanding your health insurance is the best way to enjoy all its benefits. When you know what steps you need to take beforetreatment, things go more smoothly. One of the most important steps is prior authorization. Many times, your doctor will need to get approval — prior authorization — before your plan …