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LIFEBRIDGE

IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT THE week of usage. Note: BCMS receives absolutely no financial
LIFEBRIDGE PROGRAM INCLUDE: benefit from this arrangement and is providing the service as

• 24/7 access to online counseling/therapy is available from a membership benefit to its members.
anywhere via phone, computer, tablet, etc.

• LifeBridge is totally confidential. Physician’s partners, em- HELP FOR THE
ployers, staff, nor BCMS leadership or staff will know who
STRESSED PHYSICIAN
is using the program unless you tell them.
• Specialized counselors are matched to each users’ needs by BEXAR COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
simply answering a few vetting questions There are over 300 INTRODUCES
Texas-licensed counselors in the network.

• Counseling is free for any BCMS member for 30 days, cov-
ered by BCMS. This service can be extended for a very low,
pre-negotiated, weekly rate and is cancelable at any time.

• BCMS receives absolutely no money from anyone for this
service to members; it is a pure member benefit. It originated
to deliver a professional service on a physician’s schedule.

There is a lot more that BCMS members can learn about the
LifeBridge program before using it. The program information is
Are you stressed?
available on the BCMS website at www.bcms.org/lifebridge.
Burned out?

This is how the LifeBridge sign-up process Need someone to talk to?
will work: Want confidential counseling?
BCMS will upload a confidential file with member email addresses
ONLY (i.e. no names or any other information about members) to Want unlimited access?
the central database of the online service provider, BetterHelp. Bet-
terHelp will then send an email to BCMS members inviting them
to use the service. In this email, members will be invited to click on
Go to www.BCMS.org/LifeBridge for
a link to start the sign-up process. (Note: counselors/therapists will
information on how this program works.
not have access to any names or email addresses of users). When
the member chooses to access the service (either upon receipt of
the BetterHelp email or at some future date), the system verifies via Please don’t be shy about seeking advice from a professional
email address that the user is approved to use the service. All cor- counselor. It will likely help you in the office and at home. Perspec-
respondence is channeled through the BetterHelp central database, tive realignment is periodically needed for all of us. Don’t be a vic-
so the counselor does not know the email address or the name of tim of stress and burnout; this confidential tool may be just what
the person with whom they are interacting. Once a user actually you need to address your frustrations in a helpful, productive and
starts counseling/therapy, the clock on the 30 days free to the cost-effective way.
BCMS member user begins. Near the end of the 30-day period, the If all of your questions are not answered by the information pro-
user will be contacted by BetterHelp to see if they want to continue vided in this correspondence or on the BCMS website, you may
the service for a very low, unlimited usage, weekly rate (pre-negoti- speak with the dedicated BCMS staff person who liaises with the
ated by BCMS at $45/week). Counseling may be discontinued at BCMS PH&R committee. You may send her a note at
any time, either at the end of the 30-day period or at the end of any Lifebridge@bcms.org.

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