Benefits Resources & Online Programs
Human Resources always strives to support our employees with important information and online resources. On this page, you’ll find helpful links to articles, webinars, discussion groups, virtual wellness activities, and more -- all designed to address your inquiries and support your overall health and wellbeing.
Medical Resources
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
In order to help participants and providers during this difficult time, BCBSTX has made changes to the HealthSelect plans to provide more coverage for certain benefits, as well as expand access to virtual treatment options for COVID-19. There may be more changes made to your health plan in the future to help with benefits coverage, financial burden, safety and efficiency of providing care. Please note: because this situation is changing quickly, changes to the HealthSelectSM plan can occur at any time. Visit https://healthselect.bcbstx.com/ and click on the COVID-19 tab on the upper left-hand side of the page for the most current updates and changes to your HealthSelect plans.
The Employees Retirement System of Texas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas are committed to giving you the help and resources you need related to coronavirus and COVID-19.
We are pleased to announce a new resource for coronavirus-related health concerns for HealthSelectSM participants. In addition to virtual visits, you now have the option to speak with a trained Catapult Nurse Practitioner about COVID-19.
How it works
- Visit your secure participant portal at www.ERSassist.com and type the word “support” in the password field.
- Here you can find daily updated information about COVID-19 along with links to resources across Texas, like coronavirus testing sites.
- If you have specific health concerns and would like to speak with a nurse practitioner, simply click on the “Speak to a Nurse Practitioner” button and fill out the online form on the next page.
- A nurse practitioner will call you back within 24 hours to discuss your health concerns or any symptoms you or a family member may be having, and recommend any follow-up treatment, if needed.
Participants must be 18 or older to request a consultation. All HealthSelect participants can request to speak, by phone, with a Catapult Nurse Practitioner at no cost.
Depending on your situation at time of the consultation, you may be directed to follow-up with your primary care provider, or seek care at an urgent care center or hospital. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, stop and call 911.
Visit www.ERSassist.com for more information (don’t forget to type “support” in the password field for access).
If you have any questions regarding COVID-19 resources or your HealthSelect benefits, call a BCBSTX Personal Health Assistant toll-free at (800) 252-8039, Monday - Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT
You can find BCBSTX Resources here: https://healthselect.bcbstx.com/
Virtual Visits
BCBSTX HealthSelect participants have access to mental health care and medical health care through virtual visits as an alternative to regular office visits. Participants can consult a health care professional through Doctor On Demand® and MDLIVE® face-to-face from their smartphones or internet connection any day of the week.
- Mental health virtual visits are covered at the same benefit level as a network mental health office visit ($25.00).
- Medical health care visits are at no-cost if enrolled in HealthSelect of Texas®, HealthSelectSM Out-of-State or HealthSelectSM Secondary plans. This means you will have 100% coverage for medical virtual visits under your plan for medical services (excluding mental health care).
Consumer Directed HealthSelect participants are required to meet their annual deductible before virtual visits are covered, subject to the coinsurance for those plans after the deductible is met.
To learn more or schedule a virtual visit with a mental health care or medical health care professional, click here.
Emotional Wellness Resources
Employee Assistance Program
The University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential counseling and referral program available to eligible employees and their families. Accessible online with the user name and password uteap/uteap and via their 24 hour crisis line (1-800-346-3549). The EAP provides a variety of resources including tele-counseling if an in-person appointment is not possible. To access and learn more about EAP resources click below.
Counseling, Legal/Financial Advisement, Life-Work Balance and More
UH Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS has mental health consultations available for UH Faculty and Staff. This free, confidential brief consultation service can be accessed by visiting Let’s Talk or by contacting your CAPS department liaison and requesting a consultation time. CAPS encourages all faculty and staff to complete the Helping Students of Concern and Suicide Prevention trainings, in order to support students who are in distress or crisis.
Faculty and Staff can also utilized the self-help resources found on CAPS webpage.UH Wellness – Weekly Guided Meditation
Check-in every Thursday from 12:15 – 12:45 PM for guided meditation via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting: https:/zoom.us/j/808083027 Meeting ID: 808 083 027
- Mental Health
- Coping with Stress, Fear, and Uncertainty
- UH Professor Shares Cabin Fever Prevention Tips
- Managing Stress & Anxiety
- Corona Virus Sanity Guide
- Physical, Not Social Distancing: Staying Connected in the Coronavirus Age
Instagram Live MEDITATIONS
Mindful Coogs Youtube Channel
Meditations, lectures, and other aspects related to mindful living
Social Wellness Resources
Bright Horizons
The Bright Horizons benefit provides participants with family solutions and additional family support in the form of back-up child care and/or elder care.
- Back-Up Child Care: Bright Horizons offers both center-based and in-home child care when regular care arrangements fall through, for unexpected school closures or illness, or as an out- of-town resource during conference Center-based care is $15 per child, per day or $25 per family per day. In-home care is $6 per hour for up to three care recipients, with a four-hour minimum.
- Back-Up Elder Care: If you serve as the primary caregiver for an elder or loved one, utilize in- home backup care for your loved one's needs. In-home care is $6 per hour for up to three care recipients, with a four-hour
To get started, visit: https://clients.brighthorizons.com/uh. Registration is free. Please be aware you must register before you can utilize these services.
Input Username: UH and Password: care4you.
You can also download the App: Search "back-up care" in the App Store or Google Play.
You only pay for care that you use. For questions and assistance, call 877-BH-CARES (242-2737).
Additional Resources
- World at Home tools, webinars and more to create learning experiences at home
- Life at Home catalogue of learning, health and safety resources
- Resources for Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder during Covid-19
- Athletics’ Activity Book for Children
- How to Prevent Loneliness in a Time of Social Distancing
- Human Connection Bolsters the Immune System
- Staying Connected Despite Social Distancing Video
- How to Socially Distance and Stay Sane
- Corona and the Isolation Paradox
- Staying Happy While Social Distancing
- The Dos and Don’ts of ‘Social Distancing’
Financial Wellness Resources
- UH Experts Warn Against COVID-19 Cyber Scams
- UH Law Center's Health Law & Policy Institute Organizes COVID-19 Legal Resources Toolkit
TIAA
Retirement Consultation – Telephone or online Virtual Counseling
- Call the TIAA Scheduling Group at 800-732-8353
- Visit tiaa.org/schedulenow and click “Meet at Work”
Voya
Budgeting, Financial Wellness, Retirement Planning, Investing
Getting Started, Staying on Track, Preparing to Retire and Life Events
Retirement
Market Conditions and Volatility
Fidelity
Budgeting, Savings, Funding College, Retirement and much more Live Web Workshops
Spring Financial Wellness Series
Physical Wellness Resources
University of Houston Rec Center
Free Live Yoga on Zoom for UH Employees
- Wednesdays, 12 – 1 PM, Beginners Yoga, Meeting ID: 987-132-315, Passcode: N/A
- Wednesdays, 8 – 9 PM, Yin Yoga, Meeting ID: 383-385-654, Passcode: N/A
- Fridays, 12 – 1 PM, Yoga All Levels, Meeting ID: 949-375-932, Passcode: N/A
- Saturdays, 10 – 11 AM, Yin Yoga, Meeting ID: 791-144-486, Passcode: 0000
- Sundays, 11 AM – 12 PM, Yin & Vin Yoga, Meeting ID: 573-637-816, Passcode: 0000
Texas Department of Public Safety
Additional Resources
Occupational Wellness Resources
ERS Webinar Fit to Lead with David Yebra
UH Offers Free Professional, Personal Development Courses Online
Now through June 30, the Office of Online & Special Programs at UH is offering 10 free online certificate courses. These non-credit, self-paced courses provide a great opportunity to learn in-demand skills in marketing, web design, personal finance, effective communication, career development, and more. Learn more here.
Spiritual Wellness Resources
Environmental Wellness Resources
Intellectual Wellness Resources
- Fighting Boredom? Take a UH Free Online Class
- There’s Never Been a Better Time to Pick Up a New Hobby
UH Offers Free Professional, Personal Development Courses Online
Now through June 30, the Office of Online & Special Programs at UH is offering 10 free online certificate courses. These non-credit, self-paced courses provide a great opportunity to learn in-demand skills in marketing, web design, personal finance, effective communication, career development, and more. Learn more here.
Cultural Wellness Resources