BeniComp Testimonial

My name is Megan. I work at the Bank of Geneva in Geneva, Indiana. I wanted to write about my experiences as an employee and as a person after our company signed up with a new insurance program in 2003.

The program is called BeniComp Advantage. At first I did not like it. The program is different from any other insurance program I’ve ever dealt with. Basically, I felt it was punishing me because I was overweight and we have a family history of health problems.

In order to have the opportunity to earn the wellness credits, employees agreed voluntarily to be tested. Body Mass Index is one of the categories to be measured. The standard is 25. Mine was 36.

So right off the bat, I was responsible for an extra $500 in my insurance deductibles.

Also, I was diagnosed with acid reflux disease. The medicine to treat this cost me another $100 a month.

I had a choice.

I could stay mad at the insurance people and pay the extra insurance money.
Or, I could do something about it.

I started to exercise. I bought some videos and exercise equipment. My employer helped with the cost. They reimbursed me half of what I paid to get started.

Then came the hard work. Making your mind up to use the equipment and try and get in better shape.

Also, I had to change what I ate. (I am the queen of drive-thrus.)

But my doctor told me that the acid reflux was not something to monkey around with. The medicine helped. But it wasn’t going to cure the disease.

So I cut out the sugar and white flour. And I got focused on lean meats. Plus fruits and vegetables.

Surprise! I discovered that I like fruits and vegetables!

A year later and the results are in.

I’ve lost 75 pounds.
My Body Mass Index is 23.
My blood pressure dropped from 132/80 to 106/67.
And I feel great!
I look better.

I feel better about myself.

I feel like I really can control my life.
Not just my weight. Or my health.
But things I want to do.

I went from pouty and feeling sorry for myself to getting all this confidence and wanting to help others help themselves.

Two more things.

One, my deductible went down by $500 because I met the insurance targets.

Two, no more acid reflux medicine.

Some people call this insurance program a kick in the pants.

But it was one I needed. Because it made me realize that the only person who could really help me was ME.

And then it rewarded me for taking charge and doing something to make me a healthier person and, I think, a better employee.

So, even though I could not have said this a year and a half ago, thank you Geneva. And thank you BeniComp.

-Megan