Stay Current. Our new website is easier to use. - Ease Your Back Pain - How to Save Money - Strong Bones for Life

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1 SUMMER 2010 Stay Current Our new website is easier to use - Ease Your Back Pain - How to Save Money - Strong Bones for Life one TO one newsletter for medicare advantage members friends fly-fishing near ketchum and sun valley H1350_H1302_H5862_CS10214 (07/18/10)

2 ONE TO ONE New Season, New Look Online It s summer in Idaho: Time for cycling, hiking, fishing and spending more time with family. We at Blue Cross of Idaho are proud to help you stay healthy and enjoy these long, warm days. Toward that end, the federal government passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (healthcare reform legislation) earlier this year. This new law affects every facet of the healthcare industry, including the health insurance marketplace. We want to be sure that you have access to the latest information as it becomes available. That s why we ve set up a new page on our website: bcidaho.com/healthcare-reform/implementation.asp. Here, we ll keep you informed of changes that may affect your insurance. While you re online, you ll also see that our website has gotten a makeover. The new, streamlined navigation makes it easier for you to find the items you look for the most. Larger type and simple menus were designed especially for your ease and comfort. Let us know what you think! medication update Blue Cross of Idaho encourages the use of generic drugs as a safe and usually less costly alternative to brand-name drugs. Below are brand-name drugs that have recently been released in a generic form. Brand Name Generic Name Medication Use Cardizem LA diltiazem ER high blood pressure Skelaxin 800mg metaxalone pain, muscle relaxant 2

3 = Quality Care Recognizing Excellence Did you know that, for the last four years, the Blue Cross of Idaho Hospital Quality Incentive Program has rewarded hospitals that are improving patient safety and clinical outcomes? The program, developed in collaboration with Idaho hospitals and the Idaho Hospital Association, evaluates criteria such as adherence to standards that improve outcomes in treating pneumonia, heart attack and heart failure and to reduce infections and surgical complications. At the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Conference in Boise this April, the following contracting hospitals were named 2009 Hospital Quality Award winners: - Portneuf Medical Center, Pocatello, Award of Achievement, Urban - St. Luke s Regional Medical Center, Boise, Award of Merit, Urban I commend these hospitals for their commitment to excellence, said Ray Flachbart, president and CEO of Blue Cross of Idaho. The 33 hospitals participating in the program have a significant impact throughout Idaho their quality improvement and patient safety efforts save lives and reduce overall healthcare costs. = Preventive Health Let s Save A Few Dollars The very best way to manage your healthcare spending is by staying healthy. And one of the most effective ways to do that is to visit your doctor regularly for checkups and to practice preventive medicine. Just think about the difference in cost of treating high blood pressure with a healthy diet, regular exercise, medication and visits to your doctor versus the cost to treat a heart attack or stroke. Plus, there are a variety of preventive services available at no cost or only a small cost to you! These include immunizations, routine physical exams, Medicare-covered hearing and vision exams, eyewear coverage, and disease management programs for congestive heart failure, diabetes and asthma. 3

4 The Secret to Back Pain Relief Here s a hint: You won t find it in bed. Most people don t realize that lying down for too long can make back pain worse. Sitting can make it worse, too. Doctors used to prescribe rest, but it turns out bed rest really isn t best. So, if you ve hurt your back, be as active as you can. Staying in bed for more than one or two days can weaken your muscles and make the pain worse. Being active helps you stay flexible and strengthens your back. That helps you heal. Keep Moving Walking may be the best exercise for your back. If you can, walk for 10 to 20 minutes at a time every two to three hours. Walk on level surfaces, not on hills or stairs. Walk quickly, and swing your arms as you move. 4

5 Take Care While You Heal Here are four tips that can help: - Use your bed only for lying down. Don t sit up to read or watch TV in bed. - Sit on firm seating. Look for chairs with armrests for getting up and down. - Keep your back straight when moving into a lying-down position. - Take breaks when sitting for a long time. Get up and walk around, or lie flat to gently stretch your back. Back FAQs Find answers at the online Back Pain Center! Q Will exercise help you heal? A Some simple moves can help. You ll find illustrated examples of exercises that can help relieve pain and strengthen your core. Help Is Here: The Back Pain Center Most back pain heals on its own with time, medicine and activity. But you don t have to do it alone. Visit our online Back Pain Center, where you can find interactive tools and information like quizzes, videos and case studies. Q How do you prevent pain in the morning? A Learn tips for sleeping and how to protect your back. Q Do heat, ice and medicines help? A Depending on your individual symptoms, effective remedies do exist. Visit the Back Pain Center at bcidaho.com/backpaincenter to find the support you need. 5

6 Three Answers About PPO Plans Find out how this type of plan saves you money and provides access to providers. 1 What is a PPO and what are its advantages? PPO stands for preferred provider organization. These organizations are networks of providers who contract with a health insurance plan to provide healthcare services. PPO plans cover healthcare services at lower cost-sharing amounts when patients seek care from contracting providers who agree to participate in the network. Patients can also choose to see non-contracting providers but are responsible for slightly higher cost sharing. A PPO network provides flexibility in controlling out-of-pocket costs while giving you the freedom to visit the provider of your choice. 2 What exactly is a provider network? Simply put, a provider network is a group of healthcare providers who agree to accept a health insurance plan s reimbursement rates. Blue Cross of Idaho s PPO network includes over 2,000 Idaho physicians across the state. Working in cooperation with other Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans, we offer in-network access to providers in 18 states. And with a PPO plan you have coverage for services provided by out-of-network providers, no matter where you are. 3 How does a PPO plan enhance doctors willingness to accept new Medicare patients? Providers who participate in PPO networks find administration and payment more streamlined and predictable. In light of low reimbursement rates, an increasing number of doctors are choosing not to accept new Medicare patients. When you choose a Blue Cross of Idaho Medicare Advantage PPO plan, you have access to over 2,000 Idaho physicians committed to providing service to our Medicare members. 6

7 Notice Anything NEW? Our updated website is even easier to use. If you ve logged on to bcidaho.com/ medicare recently, you ve seen our fresh new look and simple navigation options. We listened to your suggestions and made changes so it s easy to find the tools and features you use the most. One of the most popular features on the website lets you find a provider in your network and you don t even have to log in to use the tool. Go to bcidaho.com/medicare and scroll down to the list of options. Click Find a Provider. Then select the type of provider you need: medical, dental, behavioral health, vision or pharmacy. The next screen will ask you for the type of plan you have. Continue to follow the steps to find a provider by location, specialty or gender. While you re visiting the site, you can also look up a pharmacy in your network, find approved drugs, or find information and seminars in the resource center. To find specific information about your coverage, or to use our online health tools, take a moment to register. Log in for easier access to your information. The website recognizes you and provides information specific to your coverage. Are You Registered? If you ve already registered at bcidaho.com/medicare, you can use your existing username and password to log in to the updated site. If you re making your very first visit to the site, have your address and ID card handy. Select the Members link at the top of the left-hand list of options. Then, under Members Login, click Register Now. Fill in the information requested. You ll receive an confirming your registration. Remember to make note of your username and password for future use. If you have problems navigating our site and need help, call customer service at from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. If you are hearing-impaired, call TTY

8 No Bones About It It s never too late to help your bones. Bone loss can cause pain and contribute to loss of independence. To keep your bones healthy, it s important to understand two terms: osteopenia and osteoporosis. Osteopenia is defined as having lower than normal peak bone mineral density (BMD). This pre-osteoporosis condition affects 34 million Americans, and is more common in people over age 50 who have below average BMD. There s good news about an osteopenia diagnosis: It means bone loss has been caught before progressing to osteoporosis, a more serious condition. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, which leaves bones susceptible to fractures. It affects more than 10 million Americans and has no symptoms in its early stages. Most people don t even know they have osteoporosis until a bone breaks. You can t feel your bones getting weaker, but you can prevent bone loss and talk to your doctor about getting screened. These four tips from the National Osteoporosis Foundation can help: - Get the recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D. - Stay physically active and include weight-bearing exercise in your daily routine. - Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. - Have a bone density test and take medication, if it s appropriate for you. Talk with your doctor about the best plan for your personal situation E. Pine Ave. Meridian, ID bcidaho.com/medicare PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID One to One Important plan information. IS Published by McMurry All rights reserved. No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement not take the place of the recommendations of your healthcare provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or healthcare regimen. McMurry makes no endorsements or warranties regarding any of the products and services included in this publication or its articles.