An Important Message for NCFlex Participants

February 2024

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Listen to Your Heart This American Heart Month

February isn't just the month of love, it's also American Heart Month. According to a recent report from the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and has been for 100 years. Moreover, heart disease and stroke caused more U.S. deaths than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined. Cardiovascular health is important.

Here are simple ways to focus on your heart health all year long. 

• Get regular health screenings.  Catch warning signs early by staying up-to-date with physicals and other annual medical tests. Bonus: NCFlex's Accident and Critical Illness Plans offer a wellness benefit when you or a covered dependent receive a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), biometric screening or stress test on a bicycle or treadmill. With each plan, you could receive $50 when you or a covered spouse completes one of these health screenings. Meanwhile, the Cancer and Specified Disease Plan offers a similar wellness benefit that could pay up to $100 one time per calendar year.

• Be mindful of what you're putting in your body.  Cigarette smoking increases your risk of heart disease, and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to high blood pressure according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, eating foods high in saturated and trans fats can contribute to heart disease, while foods high in fiber can be beneficial by preventing high cholesterol. 

• Prioritize regular physical activity.  The Mayo Clinic recommends 30-60 minutes of daily movement. Regular exercise keeps your cardio fitness up and helps control your weight too. By doing so, you can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes—all conditions that put a strain on your heart. If exercise typically feels like a chore to you, try making it more social by recruiting your colleagues to participate in the upcoming Miles for Wellness challenge.

• Educate yourself. Knowing early warning signs and continuing to learn about preventive measures can be crucial to caring for your heart. Start by registering for our Worksite Wellness webinar on the benefits of a fiber-rich diet including blood sugar regulation.

Start listening to your heart this month and show yourself love by focusing on your health all year. 

Upcoming NCFlex Webinar Opportunities

March Webinar:

Join us to learn more about the NC 401(k) and 457 savings programs available to state employees. Empower, formerly Prudential, will explain the benefits of these optional savings plans that can help you build a secondary source of retirement income to supplement your pension.

The conversation will highlight:

• Investment choices
• Differences between the two plans
• Pre-tax vs. Roth savings options
• Rolling over funds from a previous employer's retirement savings plan and more.

April Webinar:

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are a great way to make your money go further by utilizing pre-tax deductions on eligible expenses. Join us for a closer look at the Health Care FSA and Dependent Day Care FSA.

We'll discuss:

• Eligible expenses for each account
• Using the convenience card vs. filing manual claims
• Responding to requests from P&A Group
• What happens when you separate from employment and more.

Consider inviting your spouse or family member who may help in making benefit decisions to these webinars too. Register with the buttons above or through our webinars page.

Miles for Wellness Challenge 29

Register today to join other state employees in staying active and completing a virtual trek to 28 arenas home to National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. Challenge 29 will run from March 18-May 12, 2024.

A great way to manage stress and get moving, this Miles for Wellness challenge begins in Miami at the Kaseya Center where the Miami Heat take the court and ends at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee where the Memphis Grizzlies play. Have fun with this adventure and become an all-star as you virtually visit these arenas!  

Sign up as a team now or register as an individual beginning March 4.

Miles for Wellness is a virtual, team-based walking initiative by and for the state employees of North Carolina. The purpose of Miles for Wellness is to encourage and support employees to increase their level of physical activity with the goal of 10,000 steps, the equivalent of five miles, achieved most days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. For questions or more information, contact [email protected].