| About Us | |
A not-for-profit ministry of
Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust Inc.
Church of the Brethren Insurance Services provides ancillary coverage for ministers and other employees of congregations, districts, and camps.
Medical and ancillary plans are available to Brethren-affiliated employer groups.
Long-Term Care insurance is available for all members of the Church of the Brethren, their family and friends, and employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities. |
Contact Us
1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
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Greetings!
 Summer is really flying by -- it's already August! One last chance for a vacation before the new school year starts. August provides the "dog days" of summer in much of the U.S., during which time the blazing heat may evoke memories of sitting on the front porch sipping ice tea and shelling peas or shucking corn from the garden. The summer's rich produce is beginning to ripen, so make sure to take advantage of fresh, ripe tomatoes, peaches, berries, corn, and vegetables from your garden or from your local farmers market.
This month, Insurance Update is focusing on a few last-minute summer tips. We have included information about insect bites and stings, including tips on identifying insects, providing first aid, and when to seek medical attention. Safe grilling is also a concern this time of year, and we have included an article to assist you in keeping you and your family safe while cooking on the barbecue.
Do you often wonder how many calories you burn during your summer activities? Well, help is on the way! We've also included an article about how to calculate the number of calories you might burn during a variety of physical activities. This calculator is included in Highmark's Healthy Living Resource Center on the Highmark website.
As summer winds down and we prepare for fall schedules, remember to enjoy the time you have with your family and friends.
Stay safe and have an awesome August!
Willie, Diana, Tammy, Randy, Connie |
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Grill the Safe Way!
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 Grilling is a great way to enjoy the summer weather and bring the family together. But grills can be dangerous, and are responsible for approximately 2,900 structural fires and 5,000 outdoor fires on residential properties every year. To keep you and your family safe, keep these grilling tips in mind at your next cookout.
- Do not allow children or pets to play near the grilling area until the grill is completely cooled and you have a chance to put it away in its designated spot.
- Place the grill at least three feet away from other objects, including your house, trees, and outdoor seating.
- Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line to make sure it is not leaking and is working properly.
- If you suspect that your gas grill is leaking, turn off the gas and repair the leak before lighting the grill again.
- Use starter fluid only for grills that use charcoal. Do not use starter fluid for gas grills.
- Never use a match or any flame to check for leaks.
- Do not bring your grill into an unventilated or enclosed space such as your garage. This is a major fire hazard and also a carbon monoxide hazard.
- To prevent burn injuries, use proper grilling utensils to flip foods or remove them from the grill. These cooking utensils have longer handles to minimize the need to place your hands too close to the hot surface of the grill.
- Scrub your grill after every use with a wire brush. This will prevent bits of leftover food from dropping through the grate and creating carcinogen-filled smoke.
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| Curious about how many calories you burned on that fishing trip? |
 Warmer weather, a break from school, and longer days are just a few reasons why many people are more active in the summer. And there are so many activities out there for you to complete in months like August and September, from high-intensity workouts like jogging and biking to lower-intensity forms of recreation like gardening.
But how can you calculate the impact these activities have on your body? Highmark provides answers to this question for many types of activities by offering a calorie burner calculator on its website. Figure out how many calories you've burned as you've kayaked, jumped rope, or played tennis. Even the calories burned while sweeping and cleaning can be calculated!
To use this calorie counter, you must have a login ID for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's website. If you already have a login ID, visit www.highmarkbcbs.com, log in, and click on Your Health. Then, click on Healthy Living Resource Center -- a link in the menu on the left side of the screen. Then, under the orange Healthy Lifestyle list in the center of the screen, click on Calorie Burner Counter. Enter your weight, the activity you completed, and the number of minutes or hours you spent doing that activity.
If you have not registered at Highmark's website yet, you may do so by clicking on the Register Now link at www.highmarkbcbs.com. Registration is only available to Brethren Medical Plan members.
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Summer travel plans?
BlueCard® Worldwide provides coverage outside the U.S. |
 As a "Blue" plan, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage offers your employees the security of knowing that they can get medical attention while traveling or living outside of the U.S. Through a program called BlueCard Worldwide, employees can receive inpatient and outpatient hospital care and physician services from an expanded network of health care providers around the world.
GETTING MEDICAL ATTENTION IS EASY
If your employees require medical attention when they're traveling outside the U.S., they should call BlueCard Worldwide at 1-800-810-BLUE. (If they are unable to use the toll-free number, they can call collect at 1-804-673-1177). A medical assistance coordinator, in conjunction with a nurse, will arrange hospitalization, if necessary, or make an appointment with a physician. In an emergency, employees should go directly to the nearest hospital.
BLUECARD CAN REDUCE FINANCIAL CONCERNS
If employees are treated as an inpatient at a hospital that belongs to our international network, there's no need for them to pay in advance for services covered under their program, unless their program includes a deductible or coinsurance for inpatient care. If they receive inpatient services from a participating hospital, their benefits claim will be handled just as if they were treated in a U.S. hospital that accepts Highmark coverage.
For outpatient care or services, employees will be asked to pay for the service. When they're back in the U.S., they simply file an International Claim Form, which can be found on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association website, www.bcbsa.com.
For more information about BlueCard Worldwide, contact Brethren Insurance Services at 800-746-1505.
BlueCard and BlueCard Worldwide are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
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70 percent of people aged 65 and older will eventually need some form of assisted care and are usually not financially prepared to handle the costs related to these services.
