Hello, my name is Melissa. I am in my early thirties. I am a wife and the mother of two children.

When I heard about the changes being made in our employer’s health plan, I didn’t like it. I knew it was probably going to cost my family more money. The medical plan deductible was really HIGH. Our employer told us that a new supplemental insurance would give us the opportunity to earn four $500 credits to reduce our cost so that we may not have to pay any more than what we previously paid with our previous lower deductible. Looking at the credit criteria, I knew my blood pressure might disqualify me from one of the $500 credits. Still, I had to participate if I wanted the opportunity to reduce my deductible costs as much as possible, so I enrolled in the BeniComp Advantage program. To my surprise I earned the blood pressure credit, but discovered my total cholesterol number was 267. I was shocked! I had no idea. I felt fine.

Prior to participating in the wellness testing, I had spoken to my parents about the change in our health care program. They agreed it was a very high deductible, but said that the program sounded like a good thing for the employees because of the testing. My dad reminded me of the health problems that were common in our family. Both of my parents had cholesterol and heart problems. My mother had suffered two heart attacks in recent years and my dad struggled to manage his blood pressure and cholesterol with medication. My dad’s brothers also had the same health problems.

After receiving the test results back, I called my parents. They were both very concerned. My father was emphatic about me calling to make a doctor’s appointment and to begin treatment to lower my cholesterol as soon as possible. Over the next few weeks when we spoke, he would ask me if I had made an appointment. I always promised I would. One evening he told me he was not feeling well himself, and was attempting to make a doctor’s appointment, too. The next day the unthinkable happened, my dad died of a massive heart attack. He was only 62.

Weeks later, I remembered Dad’s last request to me. With the realization of how devastating these health problems are to those we love, and remembering my promise to Dad, I made the doctor’s appointment.

I participated in the BeniComp Advantage program again this year. The $500 credits are still an incentive, but now I realize that there is no price I can put on my health. The memory of my dad’s concern for me and the reality of the health problems my mother faces each day, motivates me to take care of myself. I hope by sharing my story, companies may help others get life saving information through the BeniComp Advantage program.