The Advocate for Advantage Medicare Plan members Issue 3 2018 Cholesterol is a soft, waxy, fat-like substance that your body makes as needed. High cholesterol, either from genetics or from the foods you eat, may cause harm to your body. Too much cholesterol in the blood can build up along the artery walls. Having high cholesterol can raise your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The good news is that there are treatment options available. Talk to your doctor about high cholesterol at your next appointment. At your appointment, your doctor will review your cholesterol levels, family history and look at other factors to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Your doctor may recommend eating a lower fat diet, getting Why is High Cholesterol Bad for Your Health? regular exercise and could even prescribe medicine. The medicines most doctors prescribe for high cholesterol are called statins. Statins are recommended for most people because they are the only cholesterol lowering medicine directly tied to reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. If you have to take medicine, don t worry. Try to set up a routine and stick to it. Even if you feel fine, taking cholesterol medicine regularly is very important. If you take or need to take medicine for high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about any questions you have. Medicines may not work unless they are taken as prescribed, so make sure you know how to take your statin before you leave the doctor s office. Source: American Heart Association 130 is the New 140 how changes in blood pressure guidelines affect you What it means to have high blood pressure has recently changed. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiologists have set new numbers for high blood pressure. The new guidelines say hypertension (high blood pressure) is having a reading of 130/80 mmhg or higher. Why This Matters Having high blood pressure raises the chance of having a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and even early death. Now more than ever, the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure is vital to good health. Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be and if you need any treatment. For more information about high blood pressure, visit www.heart.org. Sources: American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology
Seasonal Triggers for Individuals With COPD Do you suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms like itchy watery eyes and a stuffy nose? If so, you are not alone. An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from indoor and outdoor allergies every day, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. During these hot summer months, seasonal changes will trigger allergic responses to pollutants in our environment. The weather and temperature can also trigger or worsen symptoms in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD occurs most often in people age 40 and older who have: y smoked y had long-term exposure to lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes or dust y have a rare genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, or y a combination of all of these Other names for COPD include chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Inhaling irritating particles can cause more mucus than normal to be produced. This makes it hard to breathe, especially during seasonal events. Spring/Summer Seasonal Changes The change in seasons can aggravate those with COPD or asthma. The change in temperatures from cold to warm tends to trigger symptoms. COPD symptoms tend to flare on days of high heat and humidity. They can also occur on days when smog, or ozone, levels are high. If you have COPD, you must try to stay indoors where the air temperature is controlled. High temperatures can cause difficulty breathing and fatigue. As a result, the body works harder to breathe and maintain a normal body temperature. Warm air temperatures cause the airways to constrict, which can cause bronchospasms. Humid air contains more moisture and less oxygen, making it heavier and harder to breathe. This causes shortness of breath. (1) No matter the season or where you live, it is important to have ongoing medical care. A few tips for better breathing include: a. take all medicine as directed by your doctor, b. refill your prescriptions before they run out, and c. plan ahead for summer travel. Remember these simple guidelines will help people with COPD ease into the changing seasons that are certain to be unpredictable at best. References: 1. Biederman, J. COPD and the Seasons. May 30, 2013. ADVANCE Healthcare NETWORK for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine. www.respiratory-care-medicine. advanceweb.com/columns/copd-advantage/copd and the seasons 2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute s COPD Learn More Breathe Better, www.copd.nhlbi.nih.gov 3. Nolen, J. Traveling? How s the Air There? August 11, 2016 (Last update March 2018). American Lung Association. www. Lung.org/AboutUs/Blog.2016.2016/August If you have been diagnosed with COPD, you are invited to attend the Saint Francis COPD Support Group. Mingle with other COPD patients, share tips, meet new people or reconnect with lost acquaintances. Oxygen not provided - please be sure you have an adequate supply. When Where Info 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month 11am - noon Saint Francis Pulmonary Rehab William Building 6585 South Yale, Suite 550 Monica Beeson, CRT 981-502-4050
Mail Order Prescriptions Can Save You Money CommunityCare members who have routine prescriptions can use mail order prescription services. CommunityCare offers home delivery services from two companies, OptumRx and Walgreens. Care Corner: You Asked, We Answer CommunityCare s Senior Vice President of the Health Network Division answers YOUR questions E. Carey Waters, M.D. Senior Vice President, Health Network Online at www.ccokadvantage.com: 1. Click on the Pharmacy & Prescription Info tab at the top-right of the webpage. Question: What is care coordination? Dr. Waters: Care coordination is when you, your doctors, specialists and other health services all work together to share information in a timely manner to give you safer and more effective health care. Question: What does care coordination look like? Dr. Waters: Most of care coordination happens behind the scenes. This includes authorization requests, updating of medical records with information from other health care providers or test results you receive. You may not be aware of all that takes place to give you the right care at the right time, but you play an important part. By taking an active part in your health care and talking with your doctor about your health needs, you become part of the care coordination process. This can improve your health outcomes. 2. Select Mail Order Prescription Drug Program from the drop-down list. Over the Phone: CommunityCare Member Services 1-800-333-3275 TTY: 1-800-722-0353 Monday Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST. Walgreens Customer Care Center 866-931-7197 TTY: 800-573-1833 en Español: 800-778-5427 Available 24 hours, every day. OptumRx Member Services 1-800-763-0044 Monday Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST. 20 Years of Service Our most sincere appreciation and gratitude to John Bolin, a CommunityCare Senior Center volunteer since 1998. Thank you for taking the time to touch the lives of so many! Pictured; Roxanne King, Director of Member Services, and John Bolin Use mail order services to get a 90-day supply for just two copays!* *For additional information regarding your individual drug plan, check your Summary of Benefits document. You may get your drugs at network retail pharmacies and mail order pharmacies.
Would you like help scheduling an eye exam? Do you have questions about benefits? Contact Member services and ask for a Member Engagement Specialist. Contact Member Services at: 918-594-5202 or 1-800-333-3275 TTY users should call: 1-800-722-0353 Hours are Monday Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST. Source: National Eye Institute, National Eye Health Education Program Be On Alert as New Medicare Cards Arrive Oklahoma s Medicare residents are receiving a new, more secure Medicare card this summer. The card will have a new Medicare number that s unique to each person instead of the person s Social Security Number. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has already spotted several scams involving the new cards. Medicare beneficiaries should know the following: y Do NOT pay for a new Medicare card. They are free. Never give your Social Security Number, bank account number or cash to anyone who says they need it in order to receive the new Medicare card. Medicare recipients do not need to do anything to get a new card. They are automatically mailed. y Do NOT give your Medicare Number to people you don t know. Some scammers call pretending to be from Medicare, but Medicare or someone representing Medicare will never ask for personal information to get a new Medicare card. Only share your Medicare Number with doctors or trusted people in the community who work with Medicare. y Don t let anyone trick you into believing your Medicare benefits will be canceled unless you give them your Medicare Number. If someone threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don t share your Medicare Number, hang up and report the caller to 1-800-MEDICARE. y Destroy your old Medicare card. Once you get your new Medicare card, destroy your old Medicare card and start using your new one right away. Don t just throw the old card away shred it or cut it into small pieces. Mailing new Medicare cards to millions of Americans takes time. Cards may arrive at different times for a family member or friend. Recipients may check the status of their new card at Medicare.gov/NewCard. If you have questions or need help with your new card, call the Oklahoma Insurance Department s Medicare Assistance Program at 800-763-2828.
Sun Protection Do s and Don ts Having fun in Oklahoma usually means spending time enjoying the great outdoors. Make sure you and your family are protected when you have fun in the sun. Protection from the sun is important all year, not just in the summer or when you re at the lake. What is Sunscreen? Sunscreen is a product that helps prevent the sun s UV (ultraviolet) radiation from reaching the skin. This type of radiation can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. There are two types of radiation, UVA and UVB. Both can cause lasting damage to the skin, cause premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. A good sunscreen is labeled with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number. SPF is a measure of the sunscreen s ability to prevent sun damage to the skin. Do: y Cover up with clothing, wear a broad-brimmed hat and wear UV-blocking sunglasses. y Use sunscreen daily for anyone six months of age and older. y Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. For extended activity, use a water-resistant broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. y Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to the entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. y See your doctor every year for a professional skin exam. Don t: y Don t sun tan or tan in UV tanning booths. y Don t burn, especially on purpose. y Don t forget to check your skin monthly for changes, especially in moles, freckles or sun spots. y Don t bring children under six months old into the sun as their skin is very sensitive to the sun s rays. y Don t skip sun protection even if it s cloudy or cold UV light can still damage the skin. Source: Skin Cancer Foundation
Go Paperless With Your Explanation of Benefits CommunityCare offers electronic paperless Explanation of Benefits (EOBs). If you have already registered for Member Connection, you will be prompted to Go Paperless the next time you access your account. New users will be asked to Go Paperless after creating an account. You will receive an email when you have an EOB ready to view in Member Connection. Go to www.ccokadvantage.com to log into Member Connection for benefits and claims information. Questions? Call Member Services at (918) 594-5202 or (800) 333-3275 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Hearing impaired individuals may call TTY/ TDD via Relay Oklahoma at (800) 722-0353 www.ccokadvantage.com CommunityCare Williams Center Tower II Two West Second Street Suite 100 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Senior Center 4720 South Harvard Suite 101 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135 P.O. Box 340 Tulsa, OK 74101-0340 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TULSA, OK PERMIT NO. 2171 Health and wellness or prevention information H4198 Advantage Medicare Plan is a product of CommunityCare Government Programs, Inc. CommunityCare complies with 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 1-800-333-3275 (TTY: 1-800-722-0353). CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-800-333-3275 (TTY: 1-800-722-0353). CommunityCare s HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is available on the CommunityCare website at www.ccokadvantage.com, or request a copy by calling Member Services at (918) 594-5202. TTY/TDD users should call (800) 722-0353.