BEWell BEAT

2025 5th Edition (SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER)

🐝 Buzzing through your day?
Watch the BEAT Per Minute for a lightning-fast recap, but the full read is where the real honey is! 🍯

📢 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Smiling woman on hands and knees on yoga mat in front of a laptop on floor

Double Points Week (September 15-19): Bee Nourished, Bee Rewarded!^* 🍎🐝

Fuel your body and your wellness journey! Earn double BEWell points when you complete 20 Wellbeats Class Play Minutes between September 15-19.

Whether you’re learning how to meal prep, snack smart, or make sense of food labels, this week, every bite of knowledge is worth twice the reward.

💻 Log in to Personify Health, select Benefits, and search for Wellbeats Wellness to start earning today!

💬 Your Voice Shapes a Healthier Workplace

Your health and wellness are important to us. BEWell is YOUR Beach Employee Wellness program and is committed to encouraging your healthy behaviors and activities in a way that is easy and stress-free.

This September, keep an eye on your inbox – we’ll be emailing a quick wellness survey to better understand your needs. Your feedback will directly help us create programs and resources that matter to you.

As a thank you, you’ll earn 500 BEWell points^* just for sharing your thoughts!

White graphic on an orange background "Survey," back view of a woman sitting down in front of a tablet on table, completing a survey

A valid email address will be required for us to send electronic point vouchers via email. If you do not wish to receive BEWell points, you are not required to include your email address.

Don’t Let the Flu Buzz In – Bee Protected with a Free Flu Vaccine!

Register ahead or stop by a BEWell Flu Vaccine Clinic and get your free flu vaccine – it's the best way to protect yourself and your hive. 🐝

All eligible employees, retirees, and dependents can register to save their spot. You'll even receive 100 BEWell points^* for attending.

ℹ️ ️Bring your employee badge, current pay stub, or Sentara Health Plans insurance card.

Free flu vaccines are available for:

All active COVB/VBCPS employees
COVB/VBCPS retirees enrolled in Retiree COVB/VBCPS Sentara Health Plans
Dependents enrolled in COVB/VBCPS Sentara Health Plans age 18 years old and older

Smiling sitting nurse and man looking at one another after applying band aid to arm; concept receiving a flu vaccine

📍 Plaza Annex, Suite 100 (Room 12), 641 Carriage Hill Road, 23452 📅 Thursday, October 23 \| 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 🔗 buytickets.at/bewell/1768906	📍 Williams Farm Recreation Center, 5252 Learning Circle, 23462 📅 Monday, October 27 \|7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 🔗 buytickets.at/bewell/1782938
📍 Parks & Rec Administration Bldg. (Room 101), 2154 Landstown Road, 23456 📅 Wednesday, October 29 \| 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 🔗 buytickets.at/bewell/1768921	📍 Building 19 (Training Room A), 2416 Courthouse Drive, 23456 📅 Friday, October 31 \| 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 🔗 buytickets.at/bewell/1768910

Please note: At a BEWell Flu Vaccine Clinic, nurses will not be administering the flu vaccine for 65 and older (Fluzone High Dose Quadrivalent).

*You must be a full-time/full-time equivalent benefits-eligible employee, or retiree on the health plan to be eligible to participate in Personify Health.
Not sure what you are eligible for? Visit the BEWell eligibility page.

Open Enrollment for 2026 Benefits is September 29 - October 13!

Log in to Benefitfocus, or download the Benefitplace app, to review or make changes.

Visit www.BenefitsAtTheBeach.com for more OE information including changes, documents, rates, and the Enrollment Assistance event on Saturday, 10/4 at Plaza Annex (registration is required)!

Graphic of smiling dollar bill, smiling man sitting in front of a laptop

🎉 Good News – Direct Deposit is Staying in 2026! 🎉

We previously shared that the option to redeem your Rewards Cash via direct deposit would be ending after December 31. We’re excited to announce that direct deposit will continue to be available in 2026!

Be sure to redeem your rewards on a computer and remember: each transaction must be under $750. For more information, please visit the Direct Deposit FAQ page.

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💓 HEALTHY FOCUS

BEWell, Stay Well: Nourish to Flourish – Your Chronic Condition Nutrition Game Plan

Smiling woman looking down at her food in bowl with fork in hand, graphic of vegetables in front of a clipboard with green check marks

If you’re living with a chronic condition like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, your nutrition matters – big time. But here's the good news: there’s no one-size-fits-all diet. What matters most is finding a plan that works for you.

Experts from the American Diabetes Association emphasize that what and how you eat should be tailored to your lifestyle, culture, health goals, and preferences. Whether you prefer plant-based meals, low-carb options, or something in between, the key is balance.

🧠 Think more non-starchy veggies, fewer added sugars and refined grains, and swapping sugary drinks for water.

For many, Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), working with a registered dietitian, can be a game-changer. MNT doesn’t just help manage weight or blood sugar; it can actually lower your risk of complications and reduce reliance on medications. Plus, your dietitian can help you avoid hidden triggers like large portions, high-sodium snacks, or even stress eating.

Bottom line? Personalized nutrition is powerful. It’s not about eating “perfectly” – it’s about making informed, doable changes that support your whole health. Let’s stay well, one bite at a time.

Source: Sentara EAP

If you’re enrolled in COVB/VBCPS Sentara Health Plans, Nutritional Counseling, Nutritional Therapy, Outpatient Self-Management Training and Education is covered at 100% when billed by the provider as preventive care.

No preauthorization or referral is required.
$0 copay applies to both CDHP and POS plans when services are billed by the provider as preventive care.
For members with diabetes, nutritional therapy is covered as part of Outpatient Self-Management Training and Education:
- CDHP Plan: After Deductible, No Charge.
- POS Plan: No Charge.

For additional assistance, contact Sentara Health Plans Member Services at (757) 687-6141.

➡️ Looking for additional support? Check out some of the BEWell resources available to you below!

🥬 Sentara Health Plans members have access to Case Management who can connect you to nutritional resources. Call (866) 503-2730 today for support.

🔎 Members can visit www.sentarahealthplans.com and log in to their account then select Find Doctors or Providers and then "Doctors by Specialty" to search using keywords like "Nutritionist," "Diet & Nutrition" or "Nutritional Medicine."

🧑‍💻 Visit www.sentarahealthplans.com/en/members/health-and-wellness/prevention-and-wellness/total-wellbeing to access several interactive wellness tools to support healthy living such as:

🤳🏼 Make sure you’re engaged in Personify Health to access even more nutritional support!

Check out Journeys on Personify Health for Eating Healthy (8), Diabetes (3), Heart Health (2), Cholesterol (2), Lung Health (1), and more!
Poke around Wellbeats Wellness for nutrition classes and programs such as Nutrition and Cooking Education, recipes, and more.

🍴 Ready to Put Your Nutrition Plan into Action?

Whether you’re working with a dietitian, exploring new meal ideas, or simply trying to make smarter choices, having the right tools makes it easier to stay on track.

Check out these trusted resources to find healthy, delicious recipes that match your goals, lifestyle, and health needs:

Program Name	How to Find It	What You'll Find	Sample Recipe
Wellbeats	Select Nutrition or Recipes in the Wellbeats platform	Nutrition and cooking classes, expert tips, and easy-to-follow healthy recipes	No Sugar Added Banana Muffins Low in sugar!
Personify Health - Media	Go to the Media tab and set the topic to Healthy Eating	A variety of videos, articles, and insights to support smart food choices and better eating habits	Korean Beef Stir-Fry Heart healthy!
Personify Health - Nutrition Guide	Navigate to Health > Nutrition Guide and select Try New Recipes	Smartfood's robust library of recipes tailored to different diets and chronic conditions	Broiled Salmon with Turmeric Coconut Rice Inflammation reducing!
Wondr Health	Apply during quarterly enrollment periods or join the waitlist at wondrhealth.com/BEWell	A self-paced, expert-led weight management program with nutrition coaching and recipe support	Very Veggie: Minestrone Soup Low calorie!
Sentara EAP Website	Visit SentaraEAP.com, sign in with Company Username: VIRGINIABEACH, and search "Recipes"	A vast collection of resources for almost any need	Dark Chocolate Chip Oat Bars Gluten free!

"Health Recipes" on a sheet of paper surrounded by a green pencil, bowl of fruit, and images of bananas, muffins, salmon, soup, stir fry, and chocolate chip oat bars

Blue background with orange ribbon and text, "World Suicide Prevention Day, International Association for Suicide Prevention, www.iasp.info/wspd 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day,

This Season, We’re Focusing on Health, Hope, Healing, and Support 💛

World Suicide Prevention Day is a powerful reminder that we all have a role in changing the narrative around suicide. Here’s how you can take action:

✅ Start a conversation: Every chat, no matter how small, builds a more understanding and supportive society. Reach out, check in, and listen without judgment.

🕯️ Light a candle at 8:00 p.m.: Honor a loved one, show your support for survivors, and stand in solidarity with suicide prevention efforts around the world.

📣 Raise awareness: Share resources, stories, and messages of hope. Help shift the culture from silence and stigma to openness and support.

🤝 Encourage action: Whether it's volunteering, donating, or simply being present for someone who’s struggling, every effort counts.

Together, we can change the narrative. Together, we can make a difference.

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD #WSPD2025 #ChangingTheNarrative

Don’t struggle alone. Help is only a phone call away.

📞 If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to anyone, at anytime. Call or text 988 and speak with a skilled, trained counselor, any time 24/7. Visit their website 988lifeline.org if you prefer to chat with a counselor virtually.

📞 Call Sentara EAP any time 24/7 for urgent matters at (757) 363-6777 or 1 (800) 899-8174, or you may call during business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. if you’d like to schedule an appointment for EAP Counseling.

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✨ SPECIAL FEATURES

Three images of BEWell Champions, Michelle and Ronda, from the Consolidated Benefits Office.

Wellness in Action: Ronda & Michelle Are the Bees Knees! 🤩

Ronda Michalak and Michelle Hicks, BEWell Champions at the Consolidated Benefits Office, have been buzzing with energy and inspiring their team to make wellness a priority!

Every Monday over the summer, they hosted Summer Walk-a-Thons - two upbeat 10-to 15-minute walks that got folks moving, connecting, and stepping into the week with a fresh mindset. To keep things cool, they served water refreshers infused with frozen fruit and cucumber – a hydrating nectar that’s as tasty as it is thoughtful.

They’ve also lived up to their title by championing Healthy Habit and Steps Challenges in Personify Health, talking with staff about their wellness journeys, and sharing encouraging stories and BEWell resources.

With their creativity and heart, Michelle and Ronda are getting everyone at CBO excited about wellness and proving just how sweet healthy habits can be. 🍯

Thank you both for leading the way toward a healthier, happier workplace!

🐝 Want to bee part of the movement? Help promote a culture of wellness at your worksite! Visit www.BenefitsAtTheBeach.com/s/wellness/champions to discover what BEWell Champions do, find the current roster, and apply to bee-come one yourself. We’re aiming for every worksite to be represented – your hive needs you!

"Did You Know" with graphics of 3 teal question marks on pink rectangular shape, image of four women standing on beach, facing the ocean with arms around each other's backs and hands reaching towards the sky

Did You Know?
You Can Thrive Through Menopause! Stay Strong, Energized, and Empowered 💪

Menopause can bring big changes - hot flashes, mood swings, sleep issues, and more - but it’s also a chance to refocus on your health and well-being. Regular exercise, good nutrition, and stress management can make a huge difference. Boost your calcium and vitamin D, get moving with heart-healthy and bone-strengthening activities, and aim for balance in your daily routine.

Use Wellbeats to feel POWERFUL as your body changes! Check out their 2-week Peri-Power (for perimenopause) and Prime Power (for post-menopause) programs - FREE, on-demand classes designed to help you feel your best throughout this transition.

Let’s celebrate strength, self-care, and support this World Menopause Day, October 18!

🎥 New Video Drop: When Your Boss Discovers Wellbeats

Kickstart your workday with a stretch!

Check out our latest video where one energetic boss takes workplace wellness to the next level with a surprise team stretch session, powered by Wellbeats. It’s a fun reminder that moving together brings us closer (and a little more flexible). 🤸🏼‍♀️

Watch now and get inspired to start your own office wellness routine!

#HowWeBEWell #BEWellVB #WellnessAtWork #TeamStretchGoals #WorkplaceWellness

Man lying down with one hand on forehead and other hand holding a thermometer; concept of not feeling well and checking body temperature

Got a Sudden Health Issue but Not Sure Where to Head – Urgent Care or Emergency Room?

Your health matters - know where to go. Watch this short video to learn the difference and save time when it counts!

For more information, check out this article from Sentara Health Plans, "Where to go for Care," or contact Sentara Health Plans 24/7 Nurse Advice Line (800) 394-2237.

#HowWeBEWell #BEWellVB #healthyliving #itstrickychallenge

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📆 EVENTS AND MORE

View the Calendar

BEWell Health Screening
Mobile Mammography Van
BEWell Education Webinars
Wondr, Weight Management
Office Closures

Find a Health Station

Measure your height and weight at a BEWell Health Station and earn BEWell points each week!

Access Vendor Contacts

Find available links, email addresses and phone numbers for BEWell program vendors.

Download the 2025 BEWell Guide and Calendar

Not sure if you’re eligible to participate in BEWell?

View the Eligibility Chart

Contact BEWell

(757) 263-1060, option 2 | BEWell@vbschools.com | www.BenefitsAtTheBeach.com/s/wellness

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