The Right Idea. Save money while you help your health. Meet your advocates A case for generics Easy ways to lower your spending

Transcription

1 The Right Idea Save money while you help your health Meet your advocates A case for generics Easy ways to lower your spending one TO one NEWSLETTER FOR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MEMBERS A SUNNY AFTERNOON NEAR STANLEY

2 ONE TO ONE Welcome to Our Commitment At Blue Cross of Idaho, we take a special interest in those who live in our state. That s why we ve been providing health insurance to the people of Idaho for more than six decades. During this time, we ve demonstrated a long-standing commitment to serving our clients one that is supported with a comprehensive range of Medicare Advantage coverage options and valuable resources that help simplify the more complex aspects of health insurance. This very publication is presented to you as a tool to help you manage your health and control your spending on healthcare services. Another good resource is your Evidence of Coverage. We recommend members spend time reviewing the document to better understand what their coverage includes. We hope you fi nd this issue to be informative and useful, and that you see this publication as a tangible reminder that we re committed to providing smart, cost-conscious coverage to the Idaho community. KNOW MORE Term to Learn: DISEASE MANAGEMENT Disease management is a smart way for people who have long-term conditions and chronic illnesses to improve their quality of life. It uses proven medical knowledge (evidence-based medicine) to help members stay healthy, live longer and spend less on healthcare. Congestive heart failure, diabetes, asthma and low back pain are considered chronic conditions because they cannot typically be cured for good. If you suffer from ongoing lower back pain, our online Back Pain Center shows you ways to manage your symptoms by making simple lifestyle changes. On our Web site, select Health Library, then choose Disease Management. There, you will fi nd the Back Pain Center along with information on all our disease management programs. 2

3 4 Facts About Generics Why pay more for your prescriptions? 1 Generic drugs are safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve all drugs, including generics, for safety and effectiveness. 2 Generic drugs are reliable. A generic drug is a copy of a brand-name drug. It uses the same active chemicals and works the same way. 3 Generic drugs are well-made. Both brandname and generic drug factories must meet the same quality standards. The FDA will not let drugs be made in low-quality factories. 4 Generic drugs can save you money. How much money? By using generics instead of brand-name drugs, consumers typically save between 20 percent and 80 percent. True Blue HMO members who have Part D coverage have access to low-cost generic drugs in the gap. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic option is available for your medicines. 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 Mirapex Pramipexole Parkinson s Disease Flomax Tamsulosin Men s Health DISCOUNT SERVICES BlueExtras! SM Helps You Save Green We believe getting healthy shouldn t be expensive. That s why we offer the BlueExtras! program, which gives discounts on a variety of services. With BlueExtras!, you qualify for special rates at fi tness centers and gyms across Idaho. The program also includes signifi cant savings on hearing aids and hearing tests, plus discounts for LASIK surgery or eye care services above what is covered by your plan. Best of all, saving is simple: Just show your member ID card to receive the discounts. For details, go to bcidaho.com/medicare and, under the Wellness Tools link, select Discount Services. There, you will fi nd the list of our partners. 3

4 Smart Ways to SAVE 4 simple steps can make you one savvy healthcare consumer. 1 Understand your benefits. As a member of Blue Cross of Idaho, you shouldn t have to worry about unexpected healthcare expenses. Refer to your Evidence of Coverage to fully understand what services are covered. This document lists your complete benefits and can explain, in detail, every limitation and exclusion. To request an additional copy of your Evidence of Coverage, call customer service at See your doctor for an annual physical. If you think the only time you should see your doctor is when you re ill, 4

5 think again. Establishing a good rapport with your doctor while you re healthy can make a difference in your future health. Many common health conditions, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, don t have any obvious symptoms. By getting tested regularly for them, you can start fixing them quickly. But if left untreated, they can develop into serious issues and lead to more complex and costlier conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Plus, if you ever have an emergency or suddenly become very ill, wouldn t you want to work with a doctor who already knows you and your medical history? Here s another good reason to see your doctor: As a member of one of Blue Cross of Idaho s Medicare Advantage programs, you have coverage for your annual exam for just the cost of one copayment! 3 Get recommended preventive care. Like annual physicals, preventive care is a good way to stave off serious conditions. Cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies as well as immunizations, such as the flu shot and the pneumonia vaccine, help prevent you from becoming dangerously ill. Review Blue Cross of Idaho s preventive guidelines by visiting bcidaho.com/medicare and selecting Preventive Guidelines from under the Health Library link. 4 Know where to go for help. Health and healthcare coverage is complex. It s natural to have questions or concerns from time to time. When you do, speak up and ask for answers. Your doctor is a good resource if you want to learn more about your health conditions or medical treatment. Your pharmacist can answer questions about prescriptions and over-the-counter medication, including side effects and interactions between drugs. For general health questions, call our Nurse Advice Line, at Our customer advocates are available to help you find answers about coverage and benefits. And, if they can t answer your query, they ll direct you to the right place. Lastly, don t forget that there s a wealth of information available online at bcidaho.com/medicare. SCREENING OPTION Medicare now covers HIV testing at no cost to you. As always, you are responsible for coinsurance or an office visit copayment anytime you see your doctor. Ask your doctor if this testing is right for you. 5

6 YOUR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CUSTOMER ADVOCATE TEAM Row 1: Katie, Sheri Core, Customer Advocate Manager, Jan Gaston, Customer Advocate Supervisor, Jennifer. Row 2: Shannon, Jessica, Leslie, Elena. Row 3: Diane, Misty, Dakota, Mitzi, Jessica, Lynn, Bob, Julie, Ranae. Row 4: Sarah, Marie, Trudi, Lea, Robert We re Here to Help Our customer advocates can answer your questions. Blue Cross of Idaho Medicare Advantage plans consistently receive high satisfaction ratings, particularly when it comes to how we help our members. In fact, we earned a five-star customer service rating from Medicare in Our helpful, friendly customer advocates are available to answer questions about finding a provider, coverage, benefits and services. You can reach us between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week. Call or TTY HAVE A HEALTH-RELATED QUESTION? Call the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at For general guidance about medication, physical conditions and healthcare procedures, call a registered nurse any time of day. The Blue Cross of Idaho 24/7 Nurse Advice Line can answer health questions and direct you to further care if you require it. Since we ve been open, we ve helped hundreds of callers! It s a free service dedicated to helping members just like you. 6

7 In Your SITE Blue Cross of Idaho offers online tools that help you manage your health and make the most of your coverage online any time of day. Help you make smart, cost-effective decisions. Our Decision Support tools let you check your drug options, review the cost of medical tests and procedures, and compare hospitals based on treatment outcomes. Go to bcidaho.com/medicare and, under Wellness Tools, select Decision Support Tools. Support you as you strive for better health. With our Wellness Support tools, you can assess your overall health with the help of short, free and secure quizzes. After completing one of the assessments, you ll receive a personalized report with tips for improving your lifestyle. There are six assessments available, and they range from general wellness to stress management. Go to bcidaho.com/medicare and, under Wellness Tools, select Wellness Support Tools. GET MORE ONLINE Once you register on bcidaho.com/ medicare, you ll have access to more detailed information about your insurance coverage as well as health assessment tools. Registering is easy: 1 Go to bcidaho.com/medicare. Select the Members link in the upper left corner of the page. 2 Click Register Now found below the Member Login header on the left side of the page. You ll need your ID card and your information handy. 3 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 Now We re Talking Get Walking! WalkingWorks: This program s name says it all. Walking is one of the best and easiest ways to stay fit. It can help you lose weight and improve your muscle strength. With the WalkingWorks program, you create a plan to gradually increase your activity level at a pace that s right for you. To sign up, go to bcidaho.com/medicare. After you register, you ll get a participant guide, which includes a daily walking log and tips about nutrition. You ll also receive weekly s or postcards with tips and motivation. Stand Tall and Strong Bone loss, also called osteoporosis, can cause pain and contribute to loss of independence. To help keep your bones healthy, talk to your doctor about whether bone density testing and medication are appropriate for you. Also, get the recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D, and stay physically active E. Pine Ave. Meridian, ID bcidaho.com/medicare PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID One to One Important plan information. IS H1350 H1302 H5862 CS10192 (04/10) 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.