VIP Day at the 2018 Festa Italiana!

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1 Connect with us. icarenews A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF INDEPENDENT CARE HEALTH PLAN VIP Day at the 2018 Festa Italiana! icare members have the opportunity to attend 2018 Festa Italiana for FREE on VIP Day, Saturday, July 21 from 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Courtesy of Festa Italiana. Tickets are necessary to attend the event. One free ticket is available per VIP (person with a disability). This ticket will admit the VIP and one guest. VIP Day is for individuals with physical challenges. Along with their caregivers, these individuals receive free admission and half-price on two selected food items. VIP ticket holders also receive one piece of fresh fruit donated by Milwaukee-area produce merchants in the Miller Stage area 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. only. For more information call or visit You can get a ticket by sending the form below with a self-addressed stamped envelope to: VIP Day, Festa Italiana 631 Chicago Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin Festa Italiana will mail your tickets to you. Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Number of tickets: Disability: Phone number: Issue icare Event Calendar...2 Have You Received a Bill from Your Doctor or Other Health Care Provider?...2 Health Care Fraud, Waste and Abuse...2 Tell Us About the Quality of Your Health Care...2 Medication Adherence...3 Healthy Checklist...3 Join the Conversation!...3 Telehealth is Available to Members...4 Depression: Five Questions...5 Stay Safe, Stop Domestic Violence...5 Summer Safety...6 Help a Child You Know Deal with Bullying...7 Moving? New Phone Number?...7 Fall Prevention...8 Information for icare Medicare, Aurora Special Needs Plan, icare Family Care Partnership and Lakeland Care +Health plan members...9 Information for BadgerCare Plus members...10 Information for Medicaid SSI members...10 H2237_IC825_CMS Accepted 6/30/2018 DHS Approved 6/25/2018

2 icare Event Calendar Did you know that icare is extremely active across the state of Wisconsin? We want to help the communities we serve by participating in events such as walks/runs, fund-raisers, sponsorships, health fairs, and more. We also host our own events, like health fairs! Take a look at our icare Information Event Calendar now, About/EventCalendar.aspx, and check this page often to see what we have coming up for the icare member community! Health Care Fraud, Waste and Abuse Do you think you did not get services icare paid for? Do you think you may be a victim of fraud, waste, and abuse? Do you know someone who is causing health care fraud? You can help yourself and icare by telling us about your concerns. If you suspect that someone is committing or has committed any form of fraud or abuse, you can notify icare in one of three ways: 1. Visit our web site at and click on Report Fraud at the top of the page. 2. Contact Customer Service by calling (TTY: ), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Office hours: Monday Friday, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.) or your Care Team. 3. Mail a note to: ATTENTION: Compliance Officer Independent Care Health Plan 1555 N. RiverCenter Dr., Ste. 206 Milwaukee, WI When you contact us, please provide as much information as possible. You may remain anonymous. However, if you choose not to provide your contact information, it may prevent us from fully investigating your complaint if questions arise during the review process. Have You Received a Bill From Your Doctor or Other Health Care Provider? Commonly called balance billing, this is the practice in which providers bill their patients for co-payments, co-insurances, deductibles or covered services. Balance billing is generally not permitted by Federal (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) or State (Wisconsin Department of Health Services) agency guidelines. Members of icare health plans should not receive a bill from a provider s office. If you receive a bill, please contact your icare Care Team and also mail a copy of the bill to icare to the address below. Don t pay it. Contact your icare Care Team who will provide you with instructions. Questions? Please call us at: (TTY: ) Mailing address: Independent Care Health Plan 1555 N. RiverCenter Dr., Ste. 206 Milwaukee, WI Tell Us About the Quality of Your Health Care We would like to know if you have a complaint about icare or one of our network providers, including a complaint about the quality of your care. If you have a complaint, you can speak to a Customer Service Representative, your Care Team, or our Member Advocate. They will be happy to help you. If they can t solve the problem for you, they will give you information to contact someone outside of icare. Please call us at (TTY: ) if you have a complaint, or you can write to us at: Independent Care Health Plan 1555 N. RiverCenter Dr. Ste. 206 Milwaukee, WI

3 Healthy Checklist Ask your doctor about these must-do health screenings. He/she can tell you about the tests that are best for you and when or if you should schedule them. They could save your life. Medication (Medicine) Adherence Are you taking your medications properly? It s important to follow your doctor s instructions about taking your medications. It is estimated that 75% of Americans do not take their medication as directed, which can cause severe health problems. There are different reasons some people do not take their medication as prescribed. Some people forget to take their medication, may not be convinced or unsure if the medication is actually working, afraid of the side effects, or have difficulties taking the medication. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned or have questions about the medications you take. Your doctor can help you with tips on how to take your medications. Not taking prescriptions as directed could put your health at risk. Join the Conversation on Facebook and Twitter! Find us, then Follow us and Like us! Get health information, learn more about icare and check out what we are doing in the community. For Men and Women: Colonoscopy: A procedure that evaluates the inside of the colon to look for polyps and signs of colon cancer. Diabetic Retinal Exam: In this exam, the doctor places drops in your eyes to widen (dilate) your pupils to allow him/her to view your retina, blood vessels and the back of your eye. For Men: Prostate exam: A physical and regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests, which may detect prostate cancer. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A test to see if there is a ballooning of the heart valve. For Women: Mammogram: This is an x-ray that takes an image of a breast to look for abnormalities. Pap test: This test checks for cancer in your cervix or uterus. Osteoporosis/Bone Mass Density: A test to see if your bones are weak or strong. If you need help finding a doctor or making an appointment, or learning what is covered by your icare benefits, call your icare Care Team at (TTY: ) IndependentCareHealthPlan icarehealthplan (TTY ) 3

4 Telehealth is Available to icare Medicare Members What is Telehealth? Telehealth is a faster, easier way to see a doctor. You can have video visits anytime on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Or you can visit the telehealth clinic at icare s Milwaukee office. It s easy to use, private, and secure. The cost is included for up to 12 visits for members of the icare Medicare Plan, icare Family Care Partnership Plan, Aurora Special Needs Plan, and Lakeland Care +Health. icare has partnered with Amwell to offer telehealth. Amwell offers: Your choice of trusted, U.S. board-certified doctors and therapists. Peace of mind with a doctor on call 24/7 to provide quality care. Consultation, diagnosis, and prescriptions (when appropriate). Telehealth is perfect when your doctor s office is closed, you re too sick or busy to see someone in person, or even when you re traveling. What can doctors treat on Amwell? On Amwell, you can meet with a doctor to receive treatment for: colds flu fever rash abdominal pain 4 sinusitis pinkeye ear infection migraines You can also see a therapist for ongoing counseling for concerns like depression, anxiety, stress, relationships, and insomnia. Nutritionists can be made available for diet and nutrition help. Who Are The Doctors? Clinical services on Amwell are provided by Online Care Group the nation s first and largest primary care group devoted to telehealth. Doctors on Amwell: Have an average of 15-years of experience in primary and urgent care. Are U.S. Board Certified, licensed, and credentialed. Have profiles, so you can see their education and practice experience. Are rated by other patients, so you can review and select the doctor that meets your needs. How do I make an Appointment? If you need help making a telehealth appointment from your home or using the telehealth clinic at icare s Milwaukee office, call icare customer service or your Care Team at (TTY ). icare offers this service at no cost to you. Once you have enrolled, icare will send you the codes that you can use to get free telehealth services. Please let your Care Team know if you have enrolled yourself with Amwell and icare will work with you and send you the information you need to get started.

5 Depression: The Five Questions Change can be an exciting part of life, bringing a new point of view and surprising opportunities. But some changes can be hard to adjust to and can cause sad, angry, or guilty feelings. When those feelings last for a while, it may mean that you are depressed. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or lung disease, depression can set in too. Depression is a real illness, which your doctor can treat. Sometimes depression can be hard to identify. You may not notice little changes until they add up. Take this short test and see how you are doing. 1. Do you feel grumpy, irritable or worried much of the time? r Yes r No 2. Are you having trouble concentrating or now not interested in your favorite activities? r Yes r No 3. Have you lost your appetite or found yourself eating a lot? r Yes r No 4. Do you have a hard time getting going in the morning or falling asleep at night? r Yes r No 5. Do you feel sad, down or hopeless? r Yes r No If you answered Yes to any of the questions, show the quiz to your doctor. He/she will help figure out whether you are depressed. If so, you can talk about ways to make you feel better. You can also call your icare Care Team. They can also talk about what services might be helpful to you. Stay Safe: Stop Domestic Violence, Senior Abuse and Sexual Assault There are more than 10 million victims of domestic violence each year. It affects men and women of all backgrounds, yet often goes undetected. Studies show that domestic violence is linked to physical and behavioral health issues. These include addictions to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Domestic abuse, including sexual assault and senior abuse, should never happen to anyone. If you or someone you know needs help, visit the website or call the phone number listed below: Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA): A listing of agencies and phone numbers is available at: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): HOPE (4673) National Domestic Violence Hotline: SAFE ( ) Call your County Help Line if you need to talk to someone about suspected abuse of an elder (age 60 and over). A listing of phone numbers is available at: htm#top Additional resources are available on the End Domestic Abuse website: or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website: (TTY ) 5

6 Summer Safety The weather is warming up which means that you and your family may spend more time in the sun and around water. Time in the sunshine is fun and a natural source of Vitamin D, but it can also lead to sunburn, dehydration or heat stroke. Age, medication and conditions like heart disease or diabetes can make you more susceptible to risks, so take a few simple precautions: Drink more fluids: Dehydration is sneaky. As we age, our bodies just don t conserve water as well as they used to and our sense of thirst diminishes. By the time you actually feel thirst, your body fluids could be extremely low. It s important to pay attention to what you drink and try to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day more during physical activity or when the weather is hot and humid. Slather on the sunscreen: Whether you re light or dark-skinned, sunburn and overexposure can lead to skin cancer. Don t take that chance. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against ultra-violet rays. Apply it before you go out and remember to reapply it to all exposed skin every few hours. Staying in the shade between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cover up your skin by wearing long sleeves/long pants or skirts, a hat and sunglasses. Check your meds: Some medications increase sun sensitivity. Others can make you more prone to dehydration. Review your medications so you know what to watch for. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions. Watch out for heat stroke: Knowing the signs of heat stroke could save your life or someone else s. Heat and humidity can make it come on fast. Watch for a flushed face, high body temperature, headache, nausea, confusion, rapid pulse, dizziness or lack of sweating. Get out of the sun immediately, drink water and apply ice packs or wet cloths to the back of the neck and torso. If symptoms don t improve after just a few minutes, seek medical help. Swim safely: Swim near a lifeguard and never swim alone. Don t drink alcohol if you are swimming or watching children swim. Use floating toys like water wings and noodles for fun, but not for safety. Do not use floating toys in place of life jackets. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Make sure at least one adult is always watching when children are in or around water, even if they know how to swim. Sun and your eyes: Eyes get more sensitive as we age and cumulative sun damage can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other vision problems. Sunglasses are a must and wrap-around styles offer better protection. 6

7 Help a Child You Know Deal With Bullying Whether you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friends with kids who are still young enough for the swing set or old enough for social media, they need love and support to help them stand up to bullying. If you think your child or a child you know is being bullied, here s how to help: Recognize it. While bullying has many forms, it generally involves being picked on repeatedly. Examples of this aggressive, unwanted behavior can include taunting, teasing or shoving; purposefully leaving a child out of friendship circles; or saying things that embarrass a child. Teach the child to seek help. Children need to know they can ask an adult, such as a teacher or playground aide, for help. It may help to remind your child that bullying is never OK and he or she is not at fault. Tell the school. If the bullying is occurring at school or on the bus, make sure the staff knows so that they can help. Practice what to do and say. Teach your child what to do when someone is bullying him or her. Here are some ways experts say kids might respond: Look the bully in the eye and calmly walk away. Say something like I don t like what you re doing or Please do not talk to me like that. If the bullying is occurring online through social media sites or through text messages, tell your child not to respond and to block the person who is doing the bullying. Also, report the bullying to the service provider. If the threats are violent or sexually implicit, report the bully to law enforcement. Help your child pursue a passion. Is the child into sports or music? Or academic groups or social clubs? When children are involved in school or community activities, they gain positive experiences and are less likely to be bullied. You can learn more at stopbullying.gov, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. Moving? New Phone Number? When moving or changing your phone number, it is very important that you update your information with icare or the appropriate State or Federal Agency. This will ensure that important plan information is delivered to where you live and that your Care Team can reach you regarding your health care. MEDICARE MEMBERS: To update your address visit and click on About then Contact Us and fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Or you can call us tollfree at (TTY: ). You also need to contact Social Security at ssa.gov/ myaccount or call BADGERCARE PLUS MEMBERS: Report your changes to your local Income Maintenance (IM) agency. If you move to a different county, you must also contact the IM agency in your new county to update your eligibility. icare is not able to change BadgerCare Plus member s address and phone number in our own records. To find an IM in your area, visit wisconsin.gov/forwardhealth/imagency/index. htm or or call the HMO Enrollment Specialist at The Enrollment Specialist will help you choose a new HMO that serves your new area and/or update your address or phone number. MEDICAID SSI MEMBERS: If you move or change a phone number, you need to update your information with Social Security Administration by calling or visit FAMILY CARE MEMBERS: Report changes of address/phone number(s) to your Care Team by calling (TTY: ) (TTY ) 7

8 Fall Prevention: Assessing and Reducing Your Risk Each year, millions of people especially those 65 or older fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again. What can happen after a fall? Many falls do not cause injuries. But one out of five falls does cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or head injury. These injuries can make it hard for a person to get around, do everyday activities, or live on their own. What conditions could make you more susceptible to a fall? They are called risk factors, and most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors, which include: Osteoporosis (thinning of bone tissues and loss of bone density); Lower body weakness; Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies; Difficulties with walking and balance; Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants; Vision and hearing problems; Foot pain or poor footwear; and Home hazards such as: no handrails in the bathroom, throw rugs, clutter, poor lighting, and uneven surfaces. What can you do to prevent a fall? Preventing falls has become an important issue for all of us, especially in light of the potential for serious injury and loss of independence. If you recognize that you are at risk, the good news is there are steps you can take to prevent falls. Talk to your healthcare provider or icare Care Team. They will help you to evaluate your risk for falling. It is important to discuss any falls you had and specific things you can do to prevent falls from occurring in the future. Don t be afraid to admit or talk about any falls you had. Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review the medications you are currently taking to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy, which could lead to falling (this should also include over-the-counter medicines or any herbal preparations). Do strength and balance exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Certain icare members have the SilverSneakers fitness benefit included in their health plan. (See page 9 for more information.) Make sure your home is a safe environment. Get rid of things you could trip over. Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet. Put railings on both sides of stairs. Make sure your home has lots of light. As the saying goes, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taking steps now before a serious fall happens is the best way to reduce your personal risk for a fall. 8

9 Information for: icare Medicare Plan, Aurora Special Needs Plan, icare Family Care Partnership, and Lakeland Care +Health Plan Members GET STRONG, GET FOCUSED, and GET SOCIAL through the SilverSneakers Exercise Program Did you know that icare Medicare Plan, Aurora Special Needs Plan, icare Family Care Partnership or Lakeland Care +Health Plan members have access to additional benefits like like the SilverSneakers fitness program at no extra cost? Designed for all levels and abilities, SilverSneakers is a fitness benefit that includes access to 10,000+ fitness locations nationwide, exercise equipment and other amenities, group exercise classes led by certified instructors, a support network and online resources. Signature SilverSneakers classes designed for all levels and abilities are offered in traditional fitness classrooms. In addition, at-home kits are offered for members who want to start working out at home or for those who can t get to a fitness location due to injury, illness, or being homebound. More than 70 SilverSneakers FLEX class options including Latin dance, yoga, tai chi and walking groups are offered in settings outside the traditional gym. Three BOOM classes, MIND, MUSCLE and MOVE IT, offer more intense workouts inside the gym. Eligible plan members simply show their personal SilverSneakers ID number at the front desk of any participating location to use the benefit. Learn more about the SilverSneakers program and other enhanced benefits by visiting the icare website at or call icare at (TTY: ). SilverSneakers, SilverSneakers FLEX and BOOM are registered trademarks or trademarks of Tivity and/or its subsidiaries Tivity. All rights reserved. New Medicare Cards Protect Your Personal Information In April 2018, Medicare began sending new cards with new Medicare numbers to people with Medicare to protect you from identity fraud. Medicare will mail new cards in waves, with Wisconsin residents receiving theirs after June Your new Medicare Old Card card will include a new number unique to you, instead of your current Social Security-based number. Things to know: You don t need to do anything to get your new card, but you should make sure your mailing address is up to date. If your address needs to be corrected, contact Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount or (TTY ). The new Medicare card doesn't replace your icare ID card. Continue to present your icare identification card to all of your healthcare providers. You should destroy your old Medicare card once you receive your new card. Do NOT destroy your icare ID card. Once received, store your new (red, white and blue) Medicare card in a safe place. Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask for your personal information. Beware of anyone who contacts you about your new Medicare card. New Card (TTY ) 9

10 Information for: icare BADGERCARE PLUS Members Are you using the Nurse Advice Line? Did you know you can talk to a Registered Nurse any time, day or night? That s right, you can talk to a caring professional who can help you make informed decisions about your health. The Nurse Advice Line* can give you peace of mind and help when you: Wonder whether you need to make an appointment. Need information about medications, medical tests, or procedures. Want to learn how to take care of a new or chronic condition. Want to find ways to talk more effectively with your healthcare provider. Have questions about how you or your family can stay healthy. Staying healthy is as simple as asking questions and getting upto-date information. When you need answers, the Nurse Advice Line is there for you. No question is too simple or too complex. Registered Nurses can answer questions such as: I just got back from a camping trip and noticed a weird bull s eye rash on my leg. Should I be worried? Everyone at work is sick. Now I have a cough. Could it be H1N1? My mother had high blood pressure. Does it run in families? How would I know if I have it? Some health problems are more complicated than others. The Nurse Line nurses offer personal support. They can help you understand risk factors and treatment options. They work with you so that you and your healthcare provider can make the best decisions for your lifestyle. It s easy to get started! Call the toll-free number: *Please Note: Nurse Advice Line is not a substitute for medical attention. Their Registered Nurses cannot provide diagnoses or treatment. If you have an emergency medical condition, please call 911 or your local emergency medical services number. Information for: icare MEDICAID SSI Members Are You Using All Your Benefits? Did you know icare offers our Medicaid SSI members benefits that will help you live your best life and maintain good health? Check them out below! Nurse Advice Line You can use the same Nurse Advice Line described on the left. It s a great program that will help you stay healthy. And you can make your calls in the comfort of your home! Mom and Baby Program The icare for Mom and Baby program offers prenatal services, postpartum care, access to community resources, care for your baby, and additional support to meet your needs. Wellness Programs Are you interested in exercise programs or need help to stop smoking? icare offers information and referrals to these community programs. Social Services icare also offers information and referrals to social service programs. We can help you choose a health care support group, a specific community center, provide information to locate affordable housing, food and clothing, and suggest opportunities for you to interact with others. 10

11 ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call (TTY: ). ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, los servicios de asistencia de idiomas están disponibles sin cargo, llame al (TTY: ). CEEB TOOM: Yog koj hais lus Hmoob, kev pab rau lwm yam lus muaj rau koj dawb xwb. Hu (TTY: ). 注意 : 如果您说中文, 您可获得免费的语言协助服务 请致电 (TTY 文字电话 : ). DIGTOONI: Haddii aad ku hadasho afka Soomaaliha, adeegyada caawimada luqadda waxaa laguu heli karaa iyagoo bilaash ah. Wac (TTY: ). ໝາຍເຫດ: ຖ າທ ານເວ າພາສາລາວ, ທ ານສາມາດໃຊ ການບ ລ ການຊ ວຍເຫ ອດ ານພາສາ ໄດ ໂດຍບ ເສຍຄ າ. ໂທ (TTY: ). ВНИМАНИЕ: Если Вы говорите по-русски, Вам будут бесплатно предоставлены услуги переводчика. Позвоните по номеру: (TTY: ). က ဇ ပ န ဆင ပ - သင သည မန မ စက ပ သ ဖစ ပ က သင အတ က အခမ ဖင ဘ သ စက က ည ရ ၀န ဆ င မ မ ရရ န င သည (TTY: ) တ င ဖ န ခၚဆ ပ Independent Care Health Plan: Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as: Qualified sign language interpreters. Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats). Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: Qualified interpreters. Information written in other languages. If you need these services, contact Independent Care Health Plan at TTY: (TTY ) 11

12 1555 N. RiverCenter Dr., Ste. 206 Milwaukee, WI PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Milwaukee, WI PERMIT NO Health and Wellness or Prevention Information icare Contact Information: Customer Service: Toll free: Local: TTY: Doctors, nurses and other health care staff review the stories in each icare newsletter. However, this information should never take the place of your doctor s advice and opinions. Always talk with your doctor first when deciding the best course of action to take for your health. The Aurora Special Needs Plan (HMO SNP), icare Medicare Plan (HMO SNP), icare Family Care Partnership Plan (HMO SNP) and Lakeland Care +Health Plan (HMO SNP), insured through Independent Care Health Plan (icare), are Coordinated Care plans with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid program. Enrollment in plans insured through icare depends on contract renewal. These plans are available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. The information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, co-payments and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums, and /or co-payments / co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. The pharmacy network and / or the provider network may change. You will receive notice when necessary. For more information about these plans, call Customer Service 24 hours day, 7 days a week at (TTY: ). For more information about long-term care options available to you, contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). The ADRC can also assist you with information about eligibility and enrollment. Independent Care Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al (TTY: ). LUS CEEV: Yog tias koj hais lus Hmoob, cov kev pab txog lus, muaj kev pab dawb rau koj. Hu rau (TTY: ). Don t Lose Your Health Care Coverage! If you are an icare Medicaid SSI member or BadgerCare Plus member it is important to renew your coverage as soon as you get your renewal letter. Starting your health care renewal on time will help prevent an interruption or delay in services. If you do not renew your coverage, your health care coverage will end. Follow are the ways you can renew: Apply online at the ACCESS website: Complete and mail the form found online at: Call ForwardHealth Member Services at ; or Call or go to their county income maintenance (IM) agency or tribal agency to complete an application; for a map of the different IM agencies per county, go to: index.htm. For Medicaid SSI information, please visit: DHS website: htm SSA Resources - How to apply for Medicaid SSI: