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January 2015
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Issue No. 53
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My Family Health Portrait
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When we visit the doctor, we are often asked to fill out forms detailing personal and family health history. Now there's a website that lets you capture all the family health history you need and save it for future updates, reference, sharing with your family physician, and even assessing health risks. Start out the year by getting your health history collected, organized, and written down in a place where you'll always be able to find it.
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| About Us | |
A not-for-profit ministry of
Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust Inc.
Church of the Brethren Insurance Services provides dental, vision, basic life and accidental death & dismemberment, supplemental life and ad&d, dependent life and ad&d, retiree life, long-term disability, short-term disability, and Medicare supplement coverage for eligible ministers and other employees of congregations, districts, and camps. Dental, vision, retiree life, and Medicare supplement coverage is also available for eligible retirees 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.
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Contact Us
1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
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New Year's greetings to all our valued Insurance Plan members! It is our hope that you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and are rejuvenated and ready to take on whatever 2015 has in store for you. It's that time of year when people are motivated to improve their health, take on new challenges, and shed bad habits, so if you are taking steps to improve your life in this way, we are behind you 100 percent.
We should also mention some exciting new changes here at BBT. Scott Douglas has accepted a new position as director of Client Relations, so for the time being, BBT President Nevin Dulabaum will oversee Employee Benefits. In February, we will welcome our new Interim Director of Employee Benefits, Lynnae Rodeffer. Lynnae has been a longtime member of the Church of the Brethren, and brings with her many years of experience, skills and administrative abilities. We are excited to have her join the team!
If you're looking to make a difference in 2015, one of the many things you may want to consider is becoming a blood donor. This simple gesture is a valuable gift to so many in need, and easy and free to do! To find out more during National Blood Donor month, read below about the American Red Cross.
Another step you can take to help simplify your life this year is to research your family health history and get all the information recorded. There's a convenient place to do this online, and once you're done, the information is there any time you need it.
We are happy to offer helpful tips and encouragement as you launch into another year. May you enjoy everything 2015 brings your way!
Nevin, Tammy, and Connie
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 2015 New Year, New You
Welcome to 2015! Here's to a new year and a fresh resolve to set yourself up for long-term success.
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Hint: It's easier than you think.
With its cold weather and post-holiday anticlimax (not to mention uncomfortably snug pants), January is not the kindest month. Why, then, do so many of us also spend the first few weeks beating ourselves up about what we ate and drank in December? It's time to relax and think about a reasonable weight goal for 2015. Your goal might be a sizeable one, or it might be just a few pounds away. Whichever camp you fall into, contemplating a whole year stretched ahead of you can feel overwhelming. Instead of worrying about the next 12 months, start small and feel good about the results.
Simple challenge
We challenge you to move more. So, whatever your current activity level is, add five minutes a day. It's as simple as that. If you're not exercising regularly, have a little fun and dance around your bedroom with music in your earphones. For the more self-conscious, a walk around the block is a great way to start. Five minutes is all we're asking. Of course, your five-minute walk around the block might well turn into 10, 15, or even 30 minutes if the mood takes you. (Remember to talk to your doctor before setting out on any new exercise plan.)
And if you're already into an exercise regimen, you can either use those five minutes to extend your workout, or try something completely different -- five minutes on the rowing machine might use muscles that your step class overlooked! If you've taken a class at the gym that has a fixed start and end time, then do a quick five minutes on the elliptical afterwards. Better yet, if you find yourself standing around waiting for the class to start, hop on an exercise bike or treadmill, knowing you're getting a jump-start on your warm-up.
Either way, grab the opportunity to try something new -- it's only five minutes of your life.
(Adapted from Weight Watchers New Year New You Challenge)
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| January is National Blood Donor Month |
 This January, the American Red Cross celebrates National Blood Donor Month and recognizes the lifesaving contribution blood and platelet donors make to modern healthcare. As 2015 gets underway, the Red Cross thanks donors for their support and encourages individuals to roll up a sleeve this month and throughout the year. National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter -- one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs. Inclement winter weather often results in cancelled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, may cause some donors to become temporarily unable to donate. The Red Cross urges healthy donors who have made a commitment to donate during the winter months to keep their appointments. Each appointment kept, and each donation given, offers hope to a patient in need. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days -- up to 24 times a year. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in most states), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or on Twitter at @RedCross. |
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| Long-Term Care Insurance |
While you're busy getting healthy and organized, it's also important to plan ahead. Why not give some thought to long-term care, either for you or a loved one? Brethren Insurance Services offers Long-Term Care Insurance 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.
If you are interested in obtaining this coverage, contact Brethren Insurance Services at insurance@cobbt.org or 800-746-1505 for a free, no-obligation proposal or click here to request more information.
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