summer is here get your medicine ready! · primetime your guide to healthy living summer 2013...
TRANSCRIPT
PrimeTime YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTHY LIVING SUMMER 2013
SUMMER IS HERE Get Your Medicine Ready
ARE YOU AT RISK FOR A BONE FRACTURE
MAY IS HEALTHY VISION MONTH
TIME TO CHECK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
SUMMER 2013
EDITION
2 P R I M E T I M E
3
MAY IS HEALTHY
VISION MONTH
DO YOU HAVE
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
HURRICANE SEASON
WILL BE HERE
SOON
4
5
6
7
2
REPORT FRAUD
WASTE AND ABUSE
8
ARE YOU AT RISK FOR
A BONE FRACTURE
HEALTH LITERACY
IS THE ABILITY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND
HEALTH INFORMATION
Dear Valued Members Welcome to another edition of PrimeTime This issue is packed with information designed to help you live well
May is Healthy Vision Month Preferred Care Partners wants you to protect your vision with a comprehensive dilated eye exam This is especially important for those of you who may be at risk for developing glaucoma ndash which is the second leading cause of blindness globally according to the World Health Organization
Here in Florida May also means that hurricane season is right around the corner The 2013 hurricane season begins June 1st and runs through November 30th This issue of PrimeTime includes timely information on how to make a medication preparedness plan now to avoid the possibility of disruption to any medication regimen you may be following
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation 44 million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis As a Preferred Care Partners member we want to arm you with information to maintain strong bones This issuersquos article entitled ldquoAre You at Risk for a Bone Fracturerdquo is packed with important tips on how to keep your bones at optimal density levels ndash and reduce the risk of bone fracture
And finally Irsquod like to ask all of you to take the CAHPSreg Survey if asked Each spring Medicare beneficiaries are given an opportunity to let the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services know how they feel about their health plan Your response will play an important role in determining our 2014 CMS Star Rating and help us continue to drive quality improvement
Herersquos to a safe and healthy summer for all of you from Preferred Care Partners
Yours truly
Orlando Lopez-Fernandez MD Chief Medical Officer Preferred Care Partners
CAHPSreg is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
S U M M E R 2013
OSTEOPOROSIS IS A DISEASE OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM OSTEOPOROSIS CAN MAKE BONES WEAK AND BREAK EASILY OFTEN PEOPLE DONrsquoT KNOW THAT THEY HAVE OSTEOPOROSIS UNTIL A BONE ACTUALLY BREAKS OR FRACTURES
Are You at Risk for A Bone
One way to detect osteoporosis is with a bone density test A bone density test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone Doctors use bone density testing to bull Identify changes in bone density bull Determine your risk of breaking a bone bull Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis if yoursquove experienced broken bones bull Monitor osteoporosis treatment
Your doctor may recommend a bone density test if yoursquove recently lost height fractured a bone take certain long-term medications have received an organ or bone marrow transplant or experienced a drop in hormone levels as a result of menopause or cancer treatments
GOOD NUTRITION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING STRONG BONES ITrsquoS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET ENOUGH CALCIUM ONE WAY YOU CAN GET CALCIUM IS THROUGH SUPPLEMENTS
Calcium supplements are available without a prescription According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a supplement
bull Choose supplements with proven reliability Look for labels that state ldquopurifiedrdquo or have the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) symbol
bull Take calcium supplements with food Eating food produces stomach acid that helps your body absorb most calcium supplements
bull When starting a calcium supplement start with a smaller amount For example start with 200-300 mg of calcium every day for a week and drink an extra 6-8 ounces of water with it Then gradually add more calcium each week
If you are thinking about adding a calcium supplement to your diet speak with your physician first to discuss possible interactions between any medications you may be taking
ATTENTION MEMBERS You still may be able to participate in the 2013 Consumer Assessment Health Plan Surveyreg (CAHPS) or the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) If you receive the CAHPS Survey you can respond telephonically until May 29th The HOS Survey will be mailed to more than 1000 health plan members between April 1st and July 8th CAHPSreg is a registered trademark for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
SEE PAGE 6 FOR MORE INFORMATION wwwMyPreferredCarecom 3
May is Healthy Vision Month PROTECT YOUR VISION WITH A COMPREHENSIVE DILATED EYE EXAM Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam can protect your vision It is especially important if you are at risk for glaucoma Left untreated glaucoma can result in vision loss or blindness
Glaucoma results when the optic nerve gets damaged A comprehensive dilated eye exam can help your eye care professional determine if there is damage to your optic nerve During a comprehensive dilated eye exam your physician will examine your eyes to look for vision problems This exam includesbull Dilation ndash your physician will place drops in your eyes to widen the pupils then examine your retina to look for signs of damage to the optic nerve bull Tonometry ndash helps detect glaucoma by measuring eye pressure Your physician will direct a quick ldquopuffrdquo of air onto the eye or apply a pressure-sensitive tip near or against the eye bull Visual field test ndash This test can help your physician determine if you have lost peripheral (side) vision This can be a sign of glaucoma bull Visual acuity test ndash measures how well you see at different distances
You can find a network vision provider by calling Advantica toll free at 1-877-488-5131 Network providers are listed by zip code specialty or language preference
IMPORTANT PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS PHONE NUMBERS
For information about your health plan call the areas listed below to speak with our staff These phone numbers are toll free
Member Services 1-866-231-7201 (Including Pharmacy Member Services)
File an Appeal 1-888-291-5721
Social Services Unit 1-877-698-7008
Fraud Waste and Abuse 1-866-678-8822
Medical Management 1-800-995-0480
Advantica Vision Provider 1-877-488-5131
Psychcare Mental Health Services 1-800-221-5487
Monday-Friday 8am to 8pmTTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8am to 8pmTTY 711 toll free
4 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
DO YOU HAVE HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
Get it in check
Do Your PartYou can protect your identity
and your benefits
v Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know
v Carefully review your Plan Statement to ensure all the information is correct
v Know that free services DO NOT require you give your plan or Medicare number to anyone
v Share this information with your friends
If you suspect fraud report it immediately Call 1-877-7SAFERX
(1-877-772-3379)
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS WHEN YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE STAYS HIGH OVER TIME A NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE IS LESS THAN 12080 A HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS 14090 OR HIGHER READINGS THAT FALL IN BETWEEN ARE KNOWN AS ldquoPRE-HIGH BLOOD PRESSURErdquo
If your blood pressure is high or pre-high tell your doctor He or she can help you lower your blood pressure High blood pressure is also called ldquothe silent diseaserdquo This is because many times people donrsquot feel it or know they have it
To avoid high blood pressure watch your weight exercise often and avoid foods high in salt If you have high blood pressure doing these things can lower it
Follow your doctorrsquos orders about medicine you should take and the diet you should have The most impor tant thing you can do to keep high blood pressure low is have your blood pressure checked often
Medicare does not sell or mail medical supplies If you receivemedical supplies that you or your doctor did not order youDid you know might be the target of a fraud scheme
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR MEDICARE BENEFITSbull Refuse medical supplies you did not order bull Return unordered medical supplies that are shipped to your home bull Report companies that send you these items
DO YOUR PART You can protect your identity and your benefits bull Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know bull Carefully review your plan statement to ensure all the information is correct bull Know that free services DO NOT require you to give your plan or Medicare number to anyone bull Share this information with your friends
To discuss benefit coverage or claims payment concerns contact Member Services at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free To report suspected fraud call 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379)
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 5
AS FLORIDIANS
WE ALL KNOW HOW
DISRUPTIVE
HURRICANES CAN BE
SEVERE WEATHER
CONDITIONS CAN
EASILY UPSET
ROUTINE
ACTIVITIES ndash
INCLUDING
MANAGING DAILY
MAINTENANCE
MEDICATIONS
HURRICANE SEASON WILL BE HERE SOON MAKE YOUR MEDICATION PREPAREDNESS PLAN NOW Preferred Care Partners encourages all health plan members to have at least a two-week supply of maintenance medications on hand during hurricane season If this is not possible Preferred Care Partners will honor thirty-day supply refills of maintenance medications if there is a hurricane threat
If you find yourself needing to obtain prescription refills during an emergency bull Have appropriate identification ndash name address phone number and a photo identification bull Have the written prescription if it is available bull Have the prescription bottle available bull Have the prescribing doctor or health care professionalrsquos contact information bull Have your Preferred Care Partners member identification card available
If you have questions about your prescriptions and emergency refills call our Member Services Department at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm A Member Services representative will be happy to answer any questions you may have
HELP US BETTER SERVE YOU TAKE THE CAHPSreg SURVEY IF ASKEDEach spring Medicare beneficiaries just like you are given an opportunity to share their opinion about their health plan by participating in the CAHPS Survey Help us improve your experience with Preferred Care Partners If you receive a CAHPS Survey from Preferred Care Partners in the mail please complete it Your opinion can help us better serve you
Preferred Care Partners will not know the names of the members included in the survey All answers are confidential We use an outside company to do this confidential survey This company receives all responses and provides us with only the final scores and comments
Please call our Member Services Department toll free if you have any questions 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 800am to 800pm CAHPSreg is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
THANK YOU TO OUR PCP MEMBERS THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
6 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Health literacy is the ability to read and understand health information
This includes being able to fill out medical forms Here are some simple tips
on how to fill out medical forms
1- READ THE FORMS FIRST Then gather all of the information you will need before you begin to fill them out
2- BRING YOUR PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS MEMBER IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR DOCTORrsquoS VISIT If you cannot fill out your medical forms before your visit be prepared to fill out forms at your physicianrsquos office or the hospital
3- GATHER A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ndash including names dosages and how many times a day you take each medication This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication nutritional or herbal supplements
4- KNOW YOUR HEALTH HISTORY This includes any allergies you have to medications health conditions that you have been diagnosed with and what tests yoursquove recently had
5- AFTER YOUrsquoVE FILLED OUT YOUR FORM REVIEW IT CAREFULLY Then sign it By signing it you verify that the information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge
Do you have limited financial
resources -IF SO YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN SERVING OUR MEMBERS
This includes helping members apply for any of the following state and federal public assistance programs bull MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS ndash including Extra Help with prescription drug costs monthly Medicare Part B premium deductions of up to $10490 and cost-sharing to pay all or part of co-payments or deductibles on Medicare-covered services bull FOOD ASSISTANCE - through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps) bull TELEPHONIC ASSISTANCE ndash through the Lifeline Assistance Program including free wireless phones and a $1275 credit per month on local phone bills bull MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MEDICAID ndash for Medicare members who qualify for dual eligibility
If you have limited financial resources call the Preferred Care Partners Social Services Unit at 1-877-698-7008TTY 711 toll free Monday ndash Friday from 830am to 530pm to see if you qualify for public assistance
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 7
HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR PREVENTION INFORMATION ENCLOSED
PRESORT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI FL
PERMIT NO869 PO BOX 56-5748 MIAMI FL 33256-5748
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS Preferred Care Partners received a 5-Star Rating forCustomer Service for 2013 Preferred Care Partners received a 4-Star Overall Plan Rating for 2013 Plan performanceStar Ratings areassessed each yearand may change from one year to the next
To contact the Preferred Care Partners Member Services Department call 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8 am to 8pm
PrimeTime contains educational health information of general interest All material in the newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction No publication can replace the advice of medical professionals This newsletter may also contain general information about plan benefits Plan benefits vary for information about your benefit plan please refer to your Evidence of Coverage
R E P O R T F R A U D WA S T E A N D A B U S E
If you suspect fraud waste or abuse you can You can also contact the Centers for Medicare contact Preferred Care Partnersrsquo Special and Medicaid Services (CMS)Office of the
Investigations Unit at Inspector General at
PHONE 1-866-678-8822 TTY 711 toll free or PHONE 1-800-447-8477 (TTY) 1-800-377-4950
FAX 1-888-659-0617 FAX 1-800-223-8164
EMAIL reportfraudmypreferredcarecom EMAIL HHSTipsoighhsgov
ONLINE httpwwwmypreferredcarecomen MAIL Office of the Inspector General contact-usreport-fraud-waste-or-abuseaspx Department of Health and Human Services MAIL PO Box 56-5748 Miami FL 33256-5748 Attn HOTLINE PO Box 23489
You may remain anonymous and you are Washington DC 20026 protected from retaliation ONLINE httpoighhsgovfraud
report-fraudindexasp
H1045_PCPMK1288 CMS Accepted
SUMMER 2013
EDITION
2 P R I M E T I M E
3
MAY IS HEALTHY
VISION MONTH
DO YOU HAVE
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
HURRICANE SEASON
WILL BE HERE
SOON
4
5
6
7
2
REPORT FRAUD
WASTE AND ABUSE
8
ARE YOU AT RISK FOR
A BONE FRACTURE
HEALTH LITERACY
IS THE ABILITY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND
HEALTH INFORMATION
Dear Valued Members Welcome to another edition of PrimeTime This issue is packed with information designed to help you live well
May is Healthy Vision Month Preferred Care Partners wants you to protect your vision with a comprehensive dilated eye exam This is especially important for those of you who may be at risk for developing glaucoma ndash which is the second leading cause of blindness globally according to the World Health Organization
Here in Florida May also means that hurricane season is right around the corner The 2013 hurricane season begins June 1st and runs through November 30th This issue of PrimeTime includes timely information on how to make a medication preparedness plan now to avoid the possibility of disruption to any medication regimen you may be following
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation 44 million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis As a Preferred Care Partners member we want to arm you with information to maintain strong bones This issuersquos article entitled ldquoAre You at Risk for a Bone Fracturerdquo is packed with important tips on how to keep your bones at optimal density levels ndash and reduce the risk of bone fracture
And finally Irsquod like to ask all of you to take the CAHPSreg Survey if asked Each spring Medicare beneficiaries are given an opportunity to let the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services know how they feel about their health plan Your response will play an important role in determining our 2014 CMS Star Rating and help us continue to drive quality improvement
Herersquos to a safe and healthy summer for all of you from Preferred Care Partners
Yours truly
Orlando Lopez-Fernandez MD Chief Medical Officer Preferred Care Partners
CAHPSreg is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
S U M M E R 2013
OSTEOPOROSIS IS A DISEASE OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM OSTEOPOROSIS CAN MAKE BONES WEAK AND BREAK EASILY OFTEN PEOPLE DONrsquoT KNOW THAT THEY HAVE OSTEOPOROSIS UNTIL A BONE ACTUALLY BREAKS OR FRACTURES
Are You at Risk for A Bone
One way to detect osteoporosis is with a bone density test A bone density test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone Doctors use bone density testing to bull Identify changes in bone density bull Determine your risk of breaking a bone bull Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis if yoursquove experienced broken bones bull Monitor osteoporosis treatment
Your doctor may recommend a bone density test if yoursquove recently lost height fractured a bone take certain long-term medications have received an organ or bone marrow transplant or experienced a drop in hormone levels as a result of menopause or cancer treatments
GOOD NUTRITION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING STRONG BONES ITrsquoS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET ENOUGH CALCIUM ONE WAY YOU CAN GET CALCIUM IS THROUGH SUPPLEMENTS
Calcium supplements are available without a prescription According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a supplement
bull Choose supplements with proven reliability Look for labels that state ldquopurifiedrdquo or have the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) symbol
bull Take calcium supplements with food Eating food produces stomach acid that helps your body absorb most calcium supplements
bull When starting a calcium supplement start with a smaller amount For example start with 200-300 mg of calcium every day for a week and drink an extra 6-8 ounces of water with it Then gradually add more calcium each week
If you are thinking about adding a calcium supplement to your diet speak with your physician first to discuss possible interactions between any medications you may be taking
ATTENTION MEMBERS You still may be able to participate in the 2013 Consumer Assessment Health Plan Surveyreg (CAHPS) or the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) If you receive the CAHPS Survey you can respond telephonically until May 29th The HOS Survey will be mailed to more than 1000 health plan members between April 1st and July 8th CAHPSreg is a registered trademark for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
SEE PAGE 6 FOR MORE INFORMATION wwwMyPreferredCarecom 3
May is Healthy Vision Month PROTECT YOUR VISION WITH A COMPREHENSIVE DILATED EYE EXAM Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam can protect your vision It is especially important if you are at risk for glaucoma Left untreated glaucoma can result in vision loss or blindness
Glaucoma results when the optic nerve gets damaged A comprehensive dilated eye exam can help your eye care professional determine if there is damage to your optic nerve During a comprehensive dilated eye exam your physician will examine your eyes to look for vision problems This exam includesbull Dilation ndash your physician will place drops in your eyes to widen the pupils then examine your retina to look for signs of damage to the optic nerve bull Tonometry ndash helps detect glaucoma by measuring eye pressure Your physician will direct a quick ldquopuffrdquo of air onto the eye or apply a pressure-sensitive tip near or against the eye bull Visual field test ndash This test can help your physician determine if you have lost peripheral (side) vision This can be a sign of glaucoma bull Visual acuity test ndash measures how well you see at different distances
You can find a network vision provider by calling Advantica toll free at 1-877-488-5131 Network providers are listed by zip code specialty or language preference
IMPORTANT PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS PHONE NUMBERS
For information about your health plan call the areas listed below to speak with our staff These phone numbers are toll free
Member Services 1-866-231-7201 (Including Pharmacy Member Services)
File an Appeal 1-888-291-5721
Social Services Unit 1-877-698-7008
Fraud Waste and Abuse 1-866-678-8822
Medical Management 1-800-995-0480
Advantica Vision Provider 1-877-488-5131
Psychcare Mental Health Services 1-800-221-5487
Monday-Friday 8am to 8pmTTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8am to 8pmTTY 711 toll free
4 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
DO YOU HAVE HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
Get it in check
Do Your PartYou can protect your identity
and your benefits
v Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know
v Carefully review your Plan Statement to ensure all the information is correct
v Know that free services DO NOT require you give your plan or Medicare number to anyone
v Share this information with your friends
If you suspect fraud report it immediately Call 1-877-7SAFERX
(1-877-772-3379)
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS WHEN YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE STAYS HIGH OVER TIME A NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE IS LESS THAN 12080 A HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS 14090 OR HIGHER READINGS THAT FALL IN BETWEEN ARE KNOWN AS ldquoPRE-HIGH BLOOD PRESSURErdquo
If your blood pressure is high or pre-high tell your doctor He or she can help you lower your blood pressure High blood pressure is also called ldquothe silent diseaserdquo This is because many times people donrsquot feel it or know they have it
To avoid high blood pressure watch your weight exercise often and avoid foods high in salt If you have high blood pressure doing these things can lower it
Follow your doctorrsquos orders about medicine you should take and the diet you should have The most impor tant thing you can do to keep high blood pressure low is have your blood pressure checked often
Medicare does not sell or mail medical supplies If you receivemedical supplies that you or your doctor did not order youDid you know might be the target of a fraud scheme
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR MEDICARE BENEFITSbull Refuse medical supplies you did not order bull Return unordered medical supplies that are shipped to your home bull Report companies that send you these items
DO YOUR PART You can protect your identity and your benefits bull Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know bull Carefully review your plan statement to ensure all the information is correct bull Know that free services DO NOT require you to give your plan or Medicare number to anyone bull Share this information with your friends
To discuss benefit coverage or claims payment concerns contact Member Services at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free To report suspected fraud call 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379)
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 5
AS FLORIDIANS
WE ALL KNOW HOW
DISRUPTIVE
HURRICANES CAN BE
SEVERE WEATHER
CONDITIONS CAN
EASILY UPSET
ROUTINE
ACTIVITIES ndash
INCLUDING
MANAGING DAILY
MAINTENANCE
MEDICATIONS
HURRICANE SEASON WILL BE HERE SOON MAKE YOUR MEDICATION PREPAREDNESS PLAN NOW Preferred Care Partners encourages all health plan members to have at least a two-week supply of maintenance medications on hand during hurricane season If this is not possible Preferred Care Partners will honor thirty-day supply refills of maintenance medications if there is a hurricane threat
If you find yourself needing to obtain prescription refills during an emergency bull Have appropriate identification ndash name address phone number and a photo identification bull Have the written prescription if it is available bull Have the prescription bottle available bull Have the prescribing doctor or health care professionalrsquos contact information bull Have your Preferred Care Partners member identification card available
If you have questions about your prescriptions and emergency refills call our Member Services Department at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm A Member Services representative will be happy to answer any questions you may have
HELP US BETTER SERVE YOU TAKE THE CAHPSreg SURVEY IF ASKEDEach spring Medicare beneficiaries just like you are given an opportunity to share their opinion about their health plan by participating in the CAHPS Survey Help us improve your experience with Preferred Care Partners If you receive a CAHPS Survey from Preferred Care Partners in the mail please complete it Your opinion can help us better serve you
Preferred Care Partners will not know the names of the members included in the survey All answers are confidential We use an outside company to do this confidential survey This company receives all responses and provides us with only the final scores and comments
Please call our Member Services Department toll free if you have any questions 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 800am to 800pm CAHPSreg is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
THANK YOU TO OUR PCP MEMBERS THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
6 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Health literacy is the ability to read and understand health information
This includes being able to fill out medical forms Here are some simple tips
on how to fill out medical forms
1- READ THE FORMS FIRST Then gather all of the information you will need before you begin to fill them out
2- BRING YOUR PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS MEMBER IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR DOCTORrsquoS VISIT If you cannot fill out your medical forms before your visit be prepared to fill out forms at your physicianrsquos office or the hospital
3- GATHER A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ndash including names dosages and how many times a day you take each medication This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication nutritional or herbal supplements
4- KNOW YOUR HEALTH HISTORY This includes any allergies you have to medications health conditions that you have been diagnosed with and what tests yoursquove recently had
5- AFTER YOUrsquoVE FILLED OUT YOUR FORM REVIEW IT CAREFULLY Then sign it By signing it you verify that the information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge
Do you have limited financial
resources -IF SO YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN SERVING OUR MEMBERS
This includes helping members apply for any of the following state and federal public assistance programs bull MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS ndash including Extra Help with prescription drug costs monthly Medicare Part B premium deductions of up to $10490 and cost-sharing to pay all or part of co-payments or deductibles on Medicare-covered services bull FOOD ASSISTANCE - through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps) bull TELEPHONIC ASSISTANCE ndash through the Lifeline Assistance Program including free wireless phones and a $1275 credit per month on local phone bills bull MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MEDICAID ndash for Medicare members who qualify for dual eligibility
If you have limited financial resources call the Preferred Care Partners Social Services Unit at 1-877-698-7008TTY 711 toll free Monday ndash Friday from 830am to 530pm to see if you qualify for public assistance
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 7
HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR PREVENTION INFORMATION ENCLOSED
PRESORT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI FL
PERMIT NO869 PO BOX 56-5748 MIAMI FL 33256-5748
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS Preferred Care Partners received a 5-Star Rating forCustomer Service for 2013 Preferred Care Partners received a 4-Star Overall Plan Rating for 2013 Plan performanceStar Ratings areassessed each yearand may change from one year to the next
To contact the Preferred Care Partners Member Services Department call 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8 am to 8pm
PrimeTime contains educational health information of general interest All material in the newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction No publication can replace the advice of medical professionals This newsletter may also contain general information about plan benefits Plan benefits vary for information about your benefit plan please refer to your Evidence of Coverage
R E P O R T F R A U D WA S T E A N D A B U S E
If you suspect fraud waste or abuse you can You can also contact the Centers for Medicare contact Preferred Care Partnersrsquo Special and Medicaid Services (CMS)Office of the
Investigations Unit at Inspector General at
PHONE 1-866-678-8822 TTY 711 toll free or PHONE 1-800-447-8477 (TTY) 1-800-377-4950
FAX 1-888-659-0617 FAX 1-800-223-8164
EMAIL reportfraudmypreferredcarecom EMAIL HHSTipsoighhsgov
ONLINE httpwwwmypreferredcarecomen MAIL Office of the Inspector General contact-usreport-fraud-waste-or-abuseaspx Department of Health and Human Services MAIL PO Box 56-5748 Miami FL 33256-5748 Attn HOTLINE PO Box 23489
You may remain anonymous and you are Washington DC 20026 protected from retaliation ONLINE httpoighhsgovfraud
report-fraudindexasp
H1045_PCPMK1288 CMS Accepted
OSTEOPOROSIS IS A DISEASE OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM OSTEOPOROSIS CAN MAKE BONES WEAK AND BREAK EASILY OFTEN PEOPLE DONrsquoT KNOW THAT THEY HAVE OSTEOPOROSIS UNTIL A BONE ACTUALLY BREAKS OR FRACTURES
Are You at Risk for A Bone
One way to detect osteoporosis is with a bone density test A bone density test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone Doctors use bone density testing to bull Identify changes in bone density bull Determine your risk of breaking a bone bull Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis if yoursquove experienced broken bones bull Monitor osteoporosis treatment
Your doctor may recommend a bone density test if yoursquove recently lost height fractured a bone take certain long-term medications have received an organ or bone marrow transplant or experienced a drop in hormone levels as a result of menopause or cancer treatments
GOOD NUTRITION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING STRONG BONES ITrsquoS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET ENOUGH CALCIUM ONE WAY YOU CAN GET CALCIUM IS THROUGH SUPPLEMENTS
Calcium supplements are available without a prescription According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a supplement
bull Choose supplements with proven reliability Look for labels that state ldquopurifiedrdquo or have the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) symbol
bull Take calcium supplements with food Eating food produces stomach acid that helps your body absorb most calcium supplements
bull When starting a calcium supplement start with a smaller amount For example start with 200-300 mg of calcium every day for a week and drink an extra 6-8 ounces of water with it Then gradually add more calcium each week
If you are thinking about adding a calcium supplement to your diet speak with your physician first to discuss possible interactions between any medications you may be taking
ATTENTION MEMBERS You still may be able to participate in the 2013 Consumer Assessment Health Plan Surveyreg (CAHPS) or the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) If you receive the CAHPS Survey you can respond telephonically until May 29th The HOS Survey will be mailed to more than 1000 health plan members between April 1st and July 8th CAHPSreg is a registered trademark for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
SEE PAGE 6 FOR MORE INFORMATION wwwMyPreferredCarecom 3
May is Healthy Vision Month PROTECT YOUR VISION WITH A COMPREHENSIVE DILATED EYE EXAM Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam can protect your vision It is especially important if you are at risk for glaucoma Left untreated glaucoma can result in vision loss or blindness
Glaucoma results when the optic nerve gets damaged A comprehensive dilated eye exam can help your eye care professional determine if there is damage to your optic nerve During a comprehensive dilated eye exam your physician will examine your eyes to look for vision problems This exam includesbull Dilation ndash your physician will place drops in your eyes to widen the pupils then examine your retina to look for signs of damage to the optic nerve bull Tonometry ndash helps detect glaucoma by measuring eye pressure Your physician will direct a quick ldquopuffrdquo of air onto the eye or apply a pressure-sensitive tip near or against the eye bull Visual field test ndash This test can help your physician determine if you have lost peripheral (side) vision This can be a sign of glaucoma bull Visual acuity test ndash measures how well you see at different distances
You can find a network vision provider by calling Advantica toll free at 1-877-488-5131 Network providers are listed by zip code specialty or language preference
IMPORTANT PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS PHONE NUMBERS
For information about your health plan call the areas listed below to speak with our staff These phone numbers are toll free
Member Services 1-866-231-7201 (Including Pharmacy Member Services)
File an Appeal 1-888-291-5721
Social Services Unit 1-877-698-7008
Fraud Waste and Abuse 1-866-678-8822
Medical Management 1-800-995-0480
Advantica Vision Provider 1-877-488-5131
Psychcare Mental Health Services 1-800-221-5487
Monday-Friday 8am to 8pmTTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8am to 8pmTTY 711 toll free
4 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
DO YOU HAVE HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
Get it in check
Do Your PartYou can protect your identity
and your benefits
v Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know
v Carefully review your Plan Statement to ensure all the information is correct
v Know that free services DO NOT require you give your plan or Medicare number to anyone
v Share this information with your friends
If you suspect fraud report it immediately Call 1-877-7SAFERX
(1-877-772-3379)
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS WHEN YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE STAYS HIGH OVER TIME A NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE IS LESS THAN 12080 A HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS 14090 OR HIGHER READINGS THAT FALL IN BETWEEN ARE KNOWN AS ldquoPRE-HIGH BLOOD PRESSURErdquo
If your blood pressure is high or pre-high tell your doctor He or she can help you lower your blood pressure High blood pressure is also called ldquothe silent diseaserdquo This is because many times people donrsquot feel it or know they have it
To avoid high blood pressure watch your weight exercise often and avoid foods high in salt If you have high blood pressure doing these things can lower it
Follow your doctorrsquos orders about medicine you should take and the diet you should have The most impor tant thing you can do to keep high blood pressure low is have your blood pressure checked often
Medicare does not sell or mail medical supplies If you receivemedical supplies that you or your doctor did not order youDid you know might be the target of a fraud scheme
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR MEDICARE BENEFITSbull Refuse medical supplies you did not order bull Return unordered medical supplies that are shipped to your home bull Report companies that send you these items
DO YOUR PART You can protect your identity and your benefits bull Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know bull Carefully review your plan statement to ensure all the information is correct bull Know that free services DO NOT require you to give your plan or Medicare number to anyone bull Share this information with your friends
To discuss benefit coverage or claims payment concerns contact Member Services at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free To report suspected fraud call 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379)
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 5
AS FLORIDIANS
WE ALL KNOW HOW
DISRUPTIVE
HURRICANES CAN BE
SEVERE WEATHER
CONDITIONS CAN
EASILY UPSET
ROUTINE
ACTIVITIES ndash
INCLUDING
MANAGING DAILY
MAINTENANCE
MEDICATIONS
HURRICANE SEASON WILL BE HERE SOON MAKE YOUR MEDICATION PREPAREDNESS PLAN NOW Preferred Care Partners encourages all health plan members to have at least a two-week supply of maintenance medications on hand during hurricane season If this is not possible Preferred Care Partners will honor thirty-day supply refills of maintenance medications if there is a hurricane threat
If you find yourself needing to obtain prescription refills during an emergency bull Have appropriate identification ndash name address phone number and a photo identification bull Have the written prescription if it is available bull Have the prescription bottle available bull Have the prescribing doctor or health care professionalrsquos contact information bull Have your Preferred Care Partners member identification card available
If you have questions about your prescriptions and emergency refills call our Member Services Department at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm A Member Services representative will be happy to answer any questions you may have
HELP US BETTER SERVE YOU TAKE THE CAHPSreg SURVEY IF ASKEDEach spring Medicare beneficiaries just like you are given an opportunity to share their opinion about their health plan by participating in the CAHPS Survey Help us improve your experience with Preferred Care Partners If you receive a CAHPS Survey from Preferred Care Partners in the mail please complete it Your opinion can help us better serve you
Preferred Care Partners will not know the names of the members included in the survey All answers are confidential We use an outside company to do this confidential survey This company receives all responses and provides us with only the final scores and comments
Please call our Member Services Department toll free if you have any questions 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 800am to 800pm CAHPSreg is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
THANK YOU TO OUR PCP MEMBERS THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
6 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Health literacy is the ability to read and understand health information
This includes being able to fill out medical forms Here are some simple tips
on how to fill out medical forms
1- READ THE FORMS FIRST Then gather all of the information you will need before you begin to fill them out
2- BRING YOUR PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS MEMBER IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR DOCTORrsquoS VISIT If you cannot fill out your medical forms before your visit be prepared to fill out forms at your physicianrsquos office or the hospital
3- GATHER A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ndash including names dosages and how many times a day you take each medication This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication nutritional or herbal supplements
4- KNOW YOUR HEALTH HISTORY This includes any allergies you have to medications health conditions that you have been diagnosed with and what tests yoursquove recently had
5- AFTER YOUrsquoVE FILLED OUT YOUR FORM REVIEW IT CAREFULLY Then sign it By signing it you verify that the information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge
Do you have limited financial
resources -IF SO YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN SERVING OUR MEMBERS
This includes helping members apply for any of the following state and federal public assistance programs bull MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS ndash including Extra Help with prescription drug costs monthly Medicare Part B premium deductions of up to $10490 and cost-sharing to pay all or part of co-payments or deductibles on Medicare-covered services bull FOOD ASSISTANCE - through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps) bull TELEPHONIC ASSISTANCE ndash through the Lifeline Assistance Program including free wireless phones and a $1275 credit per month on local phone bills bull MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MEDICAID ndash for Medicare members who qualify for dual eligibility
If you have limited financial resources call the Preferred Care Partners Social Services Unit at 1-877-698-7008TTY 711 toll free Monday ndash Friday from 830am to 530pm to see if you qualify for public assistance
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 7
HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR PREVENTION INFORMATION ENCLOSED
PRESORT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI FL
PERMIT NO869 PO BOX 56-5748 MIAMI FL 33256-5748
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS Preferred Care Partners received a 5-Star Rating forCustomer Service for 2013 Preferred Care Partners received a 4-Star Overall Plan Rating for 2013 Plan performanceStar Ratings areassessed each yearand may change from one year to the next
To contact the Preferred Care Partners Member Services Department call 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8 am to 8pm
PrimeTime contains educational health information of general interest All material in the newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction No publication can replace the advice of medical professionals This newsletter may also contain general information about plan benefits Plan benefits vary for information about your benefit plan please refer to your Evidence of Coverage
R E P O R T F R A U D WA S T E A N D A B U S E
If you suspect fraud waste or abuse you can You can also contact the Centers for Medicare contact Preferred Care Partnersrsquo Special and Medicaid Services (CMS)Office of the
Investigations Unit at Inspector General at
PHONE 1-866-678-8822 TTY 711 toll free or PHONE 1-800-447-8477 (TTY) 1-800-377-4950
FAX 1-888-659-0617 FAX 1-800-223-8164
EMAIL reportfraudmypreferredcarecom EMAIL HHSTipsoighhsgov
ONLINE httpwwwmypreferredcarecomen MAIL Office of the Inspector General contact-usreport-fraud-waste-or-abuseaspx Department of Health and Human Services MAIL PO Box 56-5748 Miami FL 33256-5748 Attn HOTLINE PO Box 23489
You may remain anonymous and you are Washington DC 20026 protected from retaliation ONLINE httpoighhsgovfraud
report-fraudindexasp
H1045_PCPMK1288 CMS Accepted
May is Healthy Vision Month PROTECT YOUR VISION WITH A COMPREHENSIVE DILATED EYE EXAM Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam can protect your vision It is especially important if you are at risk for glaucoma Left untreated glaucoma can result in vision loss or blindness
Glaucoma results when the optic nerve gets damaged A comprehensive dilated eye exam can help your eye care professional determine if there is damage to your optic nerve During a comprehensive dilated eye exam your physician will examine your eyes to look for vision problems This exam includesbull Dilation ndash your physician will place drops in your eyes to widen the pupils then examine your retina to look for signs of damage to the optic nerve bull Tonometry ndash helps detect glaucoma by measuring eye pressure Your physician will direct a quick ldquopuffrdquo of air onto the eye or apply a pressure-sensitive tip near or against the eye bull Visual field test ndash This test can help your physician determine if you have lost peripheral (side) vision This can be a sign of glaucoma bull Visual acuity test ndash measures how well you see at different distances
You can find a network vision provider by calling Advantica toll free at 1-877-488-5131 Network providers are listed by zip code specialty or language preference
IMPORTANT PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS PHONE NUMBERS
For information about your health plan call the areas listed below to speak with our staff These phone numbers are toll free
Member Services 1-866-231-7201 (Including Pharmacy Member Services)
File an Appeal 1-888-291-5721
Social Services Unit 1-877-698-7008
Fraud Waste and Abuse 1-866-678-8822
Medical Management 1-800-995-0480
Advantica Vision Provider 1-877-488-5131
Psychcare Mental Health Services 1-800-221-5487
Monday-Friday 8am to 8pmTTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8am to 8pmTTY 711 toll free
4 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
DO YOU HAVE HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
Get it in check
Do Your PartYou can protect your identity
and your benefits
v Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know
v Carefully review your Plan Statement to ensure all the information is correct
v Know that free services DO NOT require you give your plan or Medicare number to anyone
v Share this information with your friends
If you suspect fraud report it immediately Call 1-877-7SAFERX
(1-877-772-3379)
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS WHEN YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE STAYS HIGH OVER TIME A NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE IS LESS THAN 12080 A HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS 14090 OR HIGHER READINGS THAT FALL IN BETWEEN ARE KNOWN AS ldquoPRE-HIGH BLOOD PRESSURErdquo
If your blood pressure is high or pre-high tell your doctor He or she can help you lower your blood pressure High blood pressure is also called ldquothe silent diseaserdquo This is because many times people donrsquot feel it or know they have it
To avoid high blood pressure watch your weight exercise often and avoid foods high in salt If you have high blood pressure doing these things can lower it
Follow your doctorrsquos orders about medicine you should take and the diet you should have The most impor tant thing you can do to keep high blood pressure low is have your blood pressure checked often
Medicare does not sell or mail medical supplies If you receivemedical supplies that you or your doctor did not order youDid you know might be the target of a fraud scheme
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR MEDICARE BENEFITSbull Refuse medical supplies you did not order bull Return unordered medical supplies that are shipped to your home bull Report companies that send you these items
DO YOUR PART You can protect your identity and your benefits bull Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know bull Carefully review your plan statement to ensure all the information is correct bull Know that free services DO NOT require you to give your plan or Medicare number to anyone bull Share this information with your friends
To discuss benefit coverage or claims payment concerns contact Member Services at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free To report suspected fraud call 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379)
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 5
AS FLORIDIANS
WE ALL KNOW HOW
DISRUPTIVE
HURRICANES CAN BE
SEVERE WEATHER
CONDITIONS CAN
EASILY UPSET
ROUTINE
ACTIVITIES ndash
INCLUDING
MANAGING DAILY
MAINTENANCE
MEDICATIONS
HURRICANE SEASON WILL BE HERE SOON MAKE YOUR MEDICATION PREPAREDNESS PLAN NOW Preferred Care Partners encourages all health plan members to have at least a two-week supply of maintenance medications on hand during hurricane season If this is not possible Preferred Care Partners will honor thirty-day supply refills of maintenance medications if there is a hurricane threat
If you find yourself needing to obtain prescription refills during an emergency bull Have appropriate identification ndash name address phone number and a photo identification bull Have the written prescription if it is available bull Have the prescription bottle available bull Have the prescribing doctor or health care professionalrsquos contact information bull Have your Preferred Care Partners member identification card available
If you have questions about your prescriptions and emergency refills call our Member Services Department at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm A Member Services representative will be happy to answer any questions you may have
HELP US BETTER SERVE YOU TAKE THE CAHPSreg SURVEY IF ASKEDEach spring Medicare beneficiaries just like you are given an opportunity to share their opinion about their health plan by participating in the CAHPS Survey Help us improve your experience with Preferred Care Partners If you receive a CAHPS Survey from Preferred Care Partners in the mail please complete it Your opinion can help us better serve you
Preferred Care Partners will not know the names of the members included in the survey All answers are confidential We use an outside company to do this confidential survey This company receives all responses and provides us with only the final scores and comments
Please call our Member Services Department toll free if you have any questions 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 800am to 800pm CAHPSreg is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
THANK YOU TO OUR PCP MEMBERS THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
6 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Health literacy is the ability to read and understand health information
This includes being able to fill out medical forms Here are some simple tips
on how to fill out medical forms
1- READ THE FORMS FIRST Then gather all of the information you will need before you begin to fill them out
2- BRING YOUR PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS MEMBER IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR DOCTORrsquoS VISIT If you cannot fill out your medical forms before your visit be prepared to fill out forms at your physicianrsquos office or the hospital
3- GATHER A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ndash including names dosages and how many times a day you take each medication This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication nutritional or herbal supplements
4- KNOW YOUR HEALTH HISTORY This includes any allergies you have to medications health conditions that you have been diagnosed with and what tests yoursquove recently had
5- AFTER YOUrsquoVE FILLED OUT YOUR FORM REVIEW IT CAREFULLY Then sign it By signing it you verify that the information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge
Do you have limited financial
resources -IF SO YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN SERVING OUR MEMBERS
This includes helping members apply for any of the following state and federal public assistance programs bull MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS ndash including Extra Help with prescription drug costs monthly Medicare Part B premium deductions of up to $10490 and cost-sharing to pay all or part of co-payments or deductibles on Medicare-covered services bull FOOD ASSISTANCE - through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps) bull TELEPHONIC ASSISTANCE ndash through the Lifeline Assistance Program including free wireless phones and a $1275 credit per month on local phone bills bull MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MEDICAID ndash for Medicare members who qualify for dual eligibility
If you have limited financial resources call the Preferred Care Partners Social Services Unit at 1-877-698-7008TTY 711 toll free Monday ndash Friday from 830am to 530pm to see if you qualify for public assistance
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 7
HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR PREVENTION INFORMATION ENCLOSED
PRESORT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI FL
PERMIT NO869 PO BOX 56-5748 MIAMI FL 33256-5748
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS Preferred Care Partners received a 5-Star Rating forCustomer Service for 2013 Preferred Care Partners received a 4-Star Overall Plan Rating for 2013 Plan performanceStar Ratings areassessed each yearand may change from one year to the next
To contact the Preferred Care Partners Member Services Department call 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8 am to 8pm
PrimeTime contains educational health information of general interest All material in the newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction No publication can replace the advice of medical professionals This newsletter may also contain general information about plan benefits Plan benefits vary for information about your benefit plan please refer to your Evidence of Coverage
R E P O R T F R A U D WA S T E A N D A B U S E
If you suspect fraud waste or abuse you can You can also contact the Centers for Medicare contact Preferred Care Partnersrsquo Special and Medicaid Services (CMS)Office of the
Investigations Unit at Inspector General at
PHONE 1-866-678-8822 TTY 711 toll free or PHONE 1-800-447-8477 (TTY) 1-800-377-4950
FAX 1-888-659-0617 FAX 1-800-223-8164
EMAIL reportfraudmypreferredcarecom EMAIL HHSTipsoighhsgov
ONLINE httpwwwmypreferredcarecomen MAIL Office of the Inspector General contact-usreport-fraud-waste-or-abuseaspx Department of Health and Human Services MAIL PO Box 56-5748 Miami FL 33256-5748 Attn HOTLINE PO Box 23489
You may remain anonymous and you are Washington DC 20026 protected from retaliation ONLINE httpoighhsgovfraud
report-fraudindexasp
H1045_PCPMK1288 CMS Accepted
DO YOU HAVE HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
Get it in check
Do Your PartYou can protect your identity
and your benefits
v Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know
v Carefully review your Plan Statement to ensure all the information is correct
v Know that free services DO NOT require you give your plan or Medicare number to anyone
v Share this information with your friends
If you suspect fraud report it immediately Call 1-877-7SAFERX
(1-877-772-3379)
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS WHEN YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE STAYS HIGH OVER TIME A NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE IS LESS THAN 12080 A HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS 14090 OR HIGHER READINGS THAT FALL IN BETWEEN ARE KNOWN AS ldquoPRE-HIGH BLOOD PRESSURErdquo
If your blood pressure is high or pre-high tell your doctor He or she can help you lower your blood pressure High blood pressure is also called ldquothe silent diseaserdquo This is because many times people donrsquot feel it or know they have it
To avoid high blood pressure watch your weight exercise often and avoid foods high in salt If you have high blood pressure doing these things can lower it
Follow your doctorrsquos orders about medicine you should take and the diet you should have The most impor tant thing you can do to keep high blood pressure low is have your blood pressure checked often
Medicare does not sell or mail medical supplies If you receivemedical supplies that you or your doctor did not order youDid you know might be the target of a fraud scheme
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR MEDICARE BENEFITSbull Refuse medical supplies you did not order bull Return unordered medical supplies that are shipped to your home bull Report companies that send you these items
DO YOUR PART You can protect your identity and your benefits bull Never give out your Social Security Medicare health plan numbers or banking information to someone you donrsquot know bull Carefully review your plan statement to ensure all the information is correct bull Know that free services DO NOT require you to give your plan or Medicare number to anyone bull Share this information with your friends
To discuss benefit coverage or claims payment concerns contact Member Services at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free To report suspected fraud call 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379)
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 5
AS FLORIDIANS
WE ALL KNOW HOW
DISRUPTIVE
HURRICANES CAN BE
SEVERE WEATHER
CONDITIONS CAN
EASILY UPSET
ROUTINE
ACTIVITIES ndash
INCLUDING
MANAGING DAILY
MAINTENANCE
MEDICATIONS
HURRICANE SEASON WILL BE HERE SOON MAKE YOUR MEDICATION PREPAREDNESS PLAN NOW Preferred Care Partners encourages all health plan members to have at least a two-week supply of maintenance medications on hand during hurricane season If this is not possible Preferred Care Partners will honor thirty-day supply refills of maintenance medications if there is a hurricane threat
If you find yourself needing to obtain prescription refills during an emergency bull Have appropriate identification ndash name address phone number and a photo identification bull Have the written prescription if it is available bull Have the prescription bottle available bull Have the prescribing doctor or health care professionalrsquos contact information bull Have your Preferred Care Partners member identification card available
If you have questions about your prescriptions and emergency refills call our Member Services Department at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm A Member Services representative will be happy to answer any questions you may have
HELP US BETTER SERVE YOU TAKE THE CAHPSreg SURVEY IF ASKEDEach spring Medicare beneficiaries just like you are given an opportunity to share their opinion about their health plan by participating in the CAHPS Survey Help us improve your experience with Preferred Care Partners If you receive a CAHPS Survey from Preferred Care Partners in the mail please complete it Your opinion can help us better serve you
Preferred Care Partners will not know the names of the members included in the survey All answers are confidential We use an outside company to do this confidential survey This company receives all responses and provides us with only the final scores and comments
Please call our Member Services Department toll free if you have any questions 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 800am to 800pm CAHPSreg is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
THANK YOU TO OUR PCP MEMBERS THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
6 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Health literacy is the ability to read and understand health information
This includes being able to fill out medical forms Here are some simple tips
on how to fill out medical forms
1- READ THE FORMS FIRST Then gather all of the information you will need before you begin to fill them out
2- BRING YOUR PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS MEMBER IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR DOCTORrsquoS VISIT If you cannot fill out your medical forms before your visit be prepared to fill out forms at your physicianrsquos office or the hospital
3- GATHER A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ndash including names dosages and how many times a day you take each medication This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication nutritional or herbal supplements
4- KNOW YOUR HEALTH HISTORY This includes any allergies you have to medications health conditions that you have been diagnosed with and what tests yoursquove recently had
5- AFTER YOUrsquoVE FILLED OUT YOUR FORM REVIEW IT CAREFULLY Then sign it By signing it you verify that the information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge
Do you have limited financial
resources -IF SO YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN SERVING OUR MEMBERS
This includes helping members apply for any of the following state and federal public assistance programs bull MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS ndash including Extra Help with prescription drug costs monthly Medicare Part B premium deductions of up to $10490 and cost-sharing to pay all or part of co-payments or deductibles on Medicare-covered services bull FOOD ASSISTANCE - through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps) bull TELEPHONIC ASSISTANCE ndash through the Lifeline Assistance Program including free wireless phones and a $1275 credit per month on local phone bills bull MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MEDICAID ndash for Medicare members who qualify for dual eligibility
If you have limited financial resources call the Preferred Care Partners Social Services Unit at 1-877-698-7008TTY 711 toll free Monday ndash Friday from 830am to 530pm to see if you qualify for public assistance
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 7
HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR PREVENTION INFORMATION ENCLOSED
PRESORT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI FL
PERMIT NO869 PO BOX 56-5748 MIAMI FL 33256-5748
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS Preferred Care Partners received a 5-Star Rating forCustomer Service for 2013 Preferred Care Partners received a 4-Star Overall Plan Rating for 2013 Plan performanceStar Ratings areassessed each yearand may change from one year to the next
To contact the Preferred Care Partners Member Services Department call 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8 am to 8pm
PrimeTime contains educational health information of general interest All material in the newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction No publication can replace the advice of medical professionals This newsletter may also contain general information about plan benefits Plan benefits vary for information about your benefit plan please refer to your Evidence of Coverage
R E P O R T F R A U D WA S T E A N D A B U S E
If you suspect fraud waste or abuse you can You can also contact the Centers for Medicare contact Preferred Care Partnersrsquo Special and Medicaid Services (CMS)Office of the
Investigations Unit at Inspector General at
PHONE 1-866-678-8822 TTY 711 toll free or PHONE 1-800-447-8477 (TTY) 1-800-377-4950
FAX 1-888-659-0617 FAX 1-800-223-8164
EMAIL reportfraudmypreferredcarecom EMAIL HHSTipsoighhsgov
ONLINE httpwwwmypreferredcarecomen MAIL Office of the Inspector General contact-usreport-fraud-waste-or-abuseaspx Department of Health and Human Services MAIL PO Box 56-5748 Miami FL 33256-5748 Attn HOTLINE PO Box 23489
You may remain anonymous and you are Washington DC 20026 protected from retaliation ONLINE httpoighhsgovfraud
report-fraudindexasp
H1045_PCPMK1288 CMS Accepted
AS FLORIDIANS
WE ALL KNOW HOW
DISRUPTIVE
HURRICANES CAN BE
SEVERE WEATHER
CONDITIONS CAN
EASILY UPSET
ROUTINE
ACTIVITIES ndash
INCLUDING
MANAGING DAILY
MAINTENANCE
MEDICATIONS
HURRICANE SEASON WILL BE HERE SOON MAKE YOUR MEDICATION PREPAREDNESS PLAN NOW Preferred Care Partners encourages all health plan members to have at least a two-week supply of maintenance medications on hand during hurricane season If this is not possible Preferred Care Partners will honor thirty-day supply refills of maintenance medications if there is a hurricane threat
If you find yourself needing to obtain prescription refills during an emergency bull Have appropriate identification ndash name address phone number and a photo identification bull Have the written prescription if it is available bull Have the prescription bottle available bull Have the prescribing doctor or health care professionalrsquos contact information bull Have your Preferred Care Partners member identification card available
If you have questions about your prescriptions and emergency refills call our Member Services Department at 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm A Member Services representative will be happy to answer any questions you may have
HELP US BETTER SERVE YOU TAKE THE CAHPSreg SURVEY IF ASKEDEach spring Medicare beneficiaries just like you are given an opportunity to share their opinion about their health plan by participating in the CAHPS Survey Help us improve your experience with Preferred Care Partners If you receive a CAHPS Survey from Preferred Care Partners in the mail please complete it Your opinion can help us better serve you
Preferred Care Partners will not know the names of the members included in the survey All answers are confidential We use an outside company to do this confidential survey This company receives all responses and provides us with only the final scores and comments
Please call our Member Services Department toll free if you have any questions 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 800am to 800pm CAHPSreg is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
THANK YOU TO OUR PCP MEMBERS THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
6 P R I M E T I M E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Health literacy is the ability to read and understand health information
This includes being able to fill out medical forms Here are some simple tips
on how to fill out medical forms
1- READ THE FORMS FIRST Then gather all of the information you will need before you begin to fill them out
2- BRING YOUR PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS MEMBER IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR DOCTORrsquoS VISIT If you cannot fill out your medical forms before your visit be prepared to fill out forms at your physicianrsquos office or the hospital
3- GATHER A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ndash including names dosages and how many times a day you take each medication This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication nutritional or herbal supplements
4- KNOW YOUR HEALTH HISTORY This includes any allergies you have to medications health conditions that you have been diagnosed with and what tests yoursquove recently had
5- AFTER YOUrsquoVE FILLED OUT YOUR FORM REVIEW IT CAREFULLY Then sign it By signing it you verify that the information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge
Do you have limited financial
resources -IF SO YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN SERVING OUR MEMBERS
This includes helping members apply for any of the following state and federal public assistance programs bull MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS ndash including Extra Help with prescription drug costs monthly Medicare Part B premium deductions of up to $10490 and cost-sharing to pay all or part of co-payments or deductibles on Medicare-covered services bull FOOD ASSISTANCE - through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps) bull TELEPHONIC ASSISTANCE ndash through the Lifeline Assistance Program including free wireless phones and a $1275 credit per month on local phone bills bull MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MEDICAID ndash for Medicare members who qualify for dual eligibility
If you have limited financial resources call the Preferred Care Partners Social Services Unit at 1-877-698-7008TTY 711 toll free Monday ndash Friday from 830am to 530pm to see if you qualify for public assistance
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 7
HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR PREVENTION INFORMATION ENCLOSED
PRESORT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI FL
PERMIT NO869 PO BOX 56-5748 MIAMI FL 33256-5748
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS Preferred Care Partners received a 5-Star Rating forCustomer Service for 2013 Preferred Care Partners received a 4-Star Overall Plan Rating for 2013 Plan performanceStar Ratings areassessed each yearand may change from one year to the next
To contact the Preferred Care Partners Member Services Department call 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8 am to 8pm
PrimeTime contains educational health information of general interest All material in the newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction No publication can replace the advice of medical professionals This newsletter may also contain general information about plan benefits Plan benefits vary for information about your benefit plan please refer to your Evidence of Coverage
R E P O R T F R A U D WA S T E A N D A B U S E
If you suspect fraud waste or abuse you can You can also contact the Centers for Medicare contact Preferred Care Partnersrsquo Special and Medicaid Services (CMS)Office of the
Investigations Unit at Inspector General at
PHONE 1-866-678-8822 TTY 711 toll free or PHONE 1-800-447-8477 (TTY) 1-800-377-4950
FAX 1-888-659-0617 FAX 1-800-223-8164
EMAIL reportfraudmypreferredcarecom EMAIL HHSTipsoighhsgov
ONLINE httpwwwmypreferredcarecomen MAIL Office of the Inspector General contact-usreport-fraud-waste-or-abuseaspx Department of Health and Human Services MAIL PO Box 56-5748 Miami FL 33256-5748 Attn HOTLINE PO Box 23489
You may remain anonymous and you are Washington DC 20026 protected from retaliation ONLINE httpoighhsgovfraud
report-fraudindexasp
H1045_PCPMK1288 CMS Accepted
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED AND RETURNED YOUR CAHPS SURVEY YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Health literacy is the ability to read and understand health information
This includes being able to fill out medical forms Here are some simple tips
on how to fill out medical forms
1- READ THE FORMS FIRST Then gather all of the information you will need before you begin to fill them out
2- BRING YOUR PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS MEMBER IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR DOCTORrsquoS VISIT If you cannot fill out your medical forms before your visit be prepared to fill out forms at your physicianrsquos office or the hospital
3- GATHER A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ndash including names dosages and how many times a day you take each medication This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication nutritional or herbal supplements
4- KNOW YOUR HEALTH HISTORY This includes any allergies you have to medications health conditions that you have been diagnosed with and what tests yoursquove recently had
5- AFTER YOUrsquoVE FILLED OUT YOUR FORM REVIEW IT CAREFULLY Then sign it By signing it you verify that the information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge
Do you have limited financial
resources -IF SO YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS PREFERRED CARE PARTNERS TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN SERVING OUR MEMBERS
This includes helping members apply for any of the following state and federal public assistance programs bull MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS ndash including Extra Help with prescription drug costs monthly Medicare Part B premium deductions of up to $10490 and cost-sharing to pay all or part of co-payments or deductibles on Medicare-covered services bull FOOD ASSISTANCE - through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps) bull TELEPHONIC ASSISTANCE ndash through the Lifeline Assistance Program including free wireless phones and a $1275 credit per month on local phone bills bull MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MEDICAID ndash for Medicare members who qualify for dual eligibility
If you have limited financial resources call the Preferred Care Partners Social Services Unit at 1-877-698-7008TTY 711 toll free Monday ndash Friday from 830am to 530pm to see if you qualify for public assistance
wwwMyPreferredCarecom 7
HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR PREVENTION INFORMATION ENCLOSED
PRESORT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI FL
PERMIT NO869 PO BOX 56-5748 MIAMI FL 33256-5748
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS Preferred Care Partners received a 5-Star Rating forCustomer Service for 2013 Preferred Care Partners received a 4-Star Overall Plan Rating for 2013 Plan performanceStar Ratings areassessed each yearand may change from one year to the next
To contact the Preferred Care Partners Member Services Department call 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8 am to 8pm
PrimeTime contains educational health information of general interest All material in the newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction No publication can replace the advice of medical professionals This newsletter may also contain general information about plan benefits Plan benefits vary for information about your benefit plan please refer to your Evidence of Coverage
R E P O R T F R A U D WA S T E A N D A B U S E
If you suspect fraud waste or abuse you can You can also contact the Centers for Medicare contact Preferred Care Partnersrsquo Special and Medicaid Services (CMS)Office of the
Investigations Unit at Inspector General at
PHONE 1-866-678-8822 TTY 711 toll free or PHONE 1-800-447-8477 (TTY) 1-800-377-4950
FAX 1-888-659-0617 FAX 1-800-223-8164
EMAIL reportfraudmypreferredcarecom EMAIL HHSTipsoighhsgov
ONLINE httpwwwmypreferredcarecomen MAIL Office of the Inspector General contact-usreport-fraud-waste-or-abuseaspx Department of Health and Human Services MAIL PO Box 56-5748 Miami FL 33256-5748 Attn HOTLINE PO Box 23489
You may remain anonymous and you are Washington DC 20026 protected from retaliation ONLINE httpoighhsgovfraud
report-fraudindexasp
H1045_PCPMK1288 CMS Accepted
HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR PREVENTION INFORMATION ENCLOSED
PRESORT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MIAMI FL
PERMIT NO869 PO BOX 56-5748 MIAMI FL 33256-5748
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MEMBERS Preferred Care Partners received a 5-Star Rating forCustomer Service for 2013 Preferred Care Partners received a 4-Star Overall Plan Rating for 2013 Plan performanceStar Ratings areassessed each yearand may change from one year to the next
To contact the Preferred Care Partners Member Services Department call 1-866-231-7201TTY 711 toll free 7 days a week 8 am to 8pm
PrimeTime contains educational health information of general interest All material in the newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction No publication can replace the advice of medical professionals This newsletter may also contain general information about plan benefits Plan benefits vary for information about your benefit plan please refer to your Evidence of Coverage
R E P O R T F R A U D WA S T E A N D A B U S E
If you suspect fraud waste or abuse you can You can also contact the Centers for Medicare contact Preferred Care Partnersrsquo Special and Medicaid Services (CMS)Office of the
Investigations Unit at Inspector General at
PHONE 1-866-678-8822 TTY 711 toll free or PHONE 1-800-447-8477 (TTY) 1-800-377-4950
FAX 1-888-659-0617 FAX 1-800-223-8164
EMAIL reportfraudmypreferredcarecom EMAIL HHSTipsoighhsgov
ONLINE httpwwwmypreferredcarecomen MAIL Office of the Inspector General contact-usreport-fraud-waste-or-abuseaspx Department of Health and Human Services MAIL PO Box 56-5748 Miami FL 33256-5748 Attn HOTLINE PO Box 23489
You may remain anonymous and you are Washington DC 20026 protected from retaliation ONLINE httpoighhsgovfraud
report-fraudindexasp
H1045_PCPMK1288 CMS Accepted