Summer SenseLook inside for healthy living tips to make the season go smoothly

- Digital health coaching- What to ask your doctor- Are you due for a screening?

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newsletter for members

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newsletter for members

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Summer 2012

have you scheduled a vacation this season? A well-timed getaway is a great thing. Our everyday lives can get to feeling overwhelming and hectic—and sometimes just monotonous. Whether it’s a daytrip to a nearby lake or visiting family out of state, time away can refresh your perspective. You’ll probably return more relaxed and content.

One thing we hope you don’t take a break from is taking care of your health. We want to make it simple for you to manage your healthcare, so we’ve filled this newsletter with handy tips for eating well and even saving money. Check out page 4 for summer health and safety information for your whole family. Turn to page 5 to read about better communication with your doctor. And, if you’re wondering if you’re due for a cancer screening, you’ll want to go to page 6.

Enjoy your season, and take care of your health—no matter where you are.

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Deductiblea deductible is a set dollar amount you pay each benefit period for covered services before

your health insurance policy begins paying benefits. Once you’ve reached your deductible, your

coinsurance amount applies. Deductibles may vary depending on your plan and specific coverage.

Knowing the ins and outs of your deductible will help you make smarter decisions about your

care and medication—and help you avoid unexpected healthcare costs. If you have questions, call

customer services at the phone number on the back of your ID card. If you’re covered through your

employer, ask your benefits coordinator at work.

Check your deductible amounts and balances online by logging in to bcidaho.com, selecting

Claims, EOBs & Coverage Descriptions, then the Deductible & Maximums tab.

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How About a Health Coach?

Thumbs up!for health tips and information about community events, visit our facebook page and like us! Go to facebook.com/Bluecrossofidaho.

as a member of Blue cross of idaho, you can work with your very own digital health coach. We offer online health-coaching programs that can help you lower stress, quit smoking, manage your weight, or eat healthier.

Digital health coaching creates a personalized action plan for you and provides online tools and resources to help you reach your health goals. It’s convenient, free, and confidential.

Get started at bcidaho.com. Select Health Assessment under the Health & Wellness section. You’ll need to be a registered user, and registration is simple and secure.

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Blue Cross of Idaho’s formulary may not apply to all healthcare plans. Please refer to your group’s contract provisions for more detailed infor-mation about the terms and conditions of your prescription drug benefit.

BraND NamE GENErIC NamE mEDICaTION USE

Boniva 150mg ibandronate Osteoporosis

Avapro irbesartan High Blood Pressure

Lescol fluvastatin High Cholesterol

Doryx doxycycline Infection

tindamax tinidazole Infection

requip XL ropinrole Er Parkinson’s Disease

the brand-name drugs below have recently been released in a generic form. for a complete listing of medications on our formulary, visit bcidaho.com/prescription drugs.

medication update

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fun In the Sun Warm weather means a host of activities for the whole family. Be sure to follow these sunny weather strategies to stay healthy and safe this season.

LAther up: Whether you’re hitting the golf course or heading to the lake, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Put it on about 30 minutes before you go out in the sun. Use at least 1 ounce for your entire body. And don’t neglect those often forgotten areas like your ears and, if you’re balding, top of your head. Reapply every 2 hours.

Be prepAreD: If camping, hiking, or other outdoor activities are on your calendar, plan for safety. Inform friends when you are leaving, where you are going, and when you plan to return. Pack medical necessities, including a first aid kit and your prescriptions. Be sure to have plenty of clean water and snacks on hand.

StAy hyDrAteD: It’s critical to replace the fluids your body loses in the hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids, whether or not you feel thirsty. And avoid drinks with sugar or alcohol, as they cause you to lose more body fluids.

WAtch the temperAture: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions. If you are outside on a hot day and you begin to feel dizzy or nauseous, move into a shady, cooler spot. Get inside to air-conditioning if possible. Cool down with a cold, damp cloth or by taking a cool bath. Sip cool water or sports drinks. If your condition worsens or your body temperature reaches 104 F or higher, call for help immediately.

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tAke uS With you: Heading out of town?

First, familiarize yowurself

with your insurance details

and be sure to pack your

member ID card. PPO, POS

and Traditional members

can take advantage of the

BlueCard program, which

gives you access to

top-notch in-network

benefits just about anywhere

you travel, both in this

country and abroad.

To find a provider, use the

provider finder tool on our

website, bcidaho.com, or

call 800-810-BLue (2583).

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I f you’re ever in a situation where your doctor recommends a follow-up test or X-ray, you should feel comfortable enough to ask for more details. After all,

your doctor is your health care partner, not your boss, so be proactive in making decisions regarding your wellness. It’s worth it, literally, to do some investigating before committing to a costly procedure that might not be essential.

Consider asking the following:-“ is this test necessary in the next month, or can we explore

other options first?” If time allows, shop around to find a facility that offers the test at a lower cost, say at an outpatient facility as opposed to a hospital (or vice versa). The provider locator on the Blue Cross of Idaho website can help you find testing facilities within your network.

-“ What are the benefits and risks related to having this test?” Will it cause unpleasant side effects? If an X-ray is suggested, how much radiation will you be exposed to? Exactly how much information will the test tell you about your condition? Consider arguments both for and against the procedure.”

-“ Will the test confirm a specific diagnosis?” How much information will the results provide you with? Some tests are only used as precautionary measures—not as tools to get to the root of symptoms you’re experiencing.

Your doctor should be respectful and never make you feel intimidated when it comes to advocating for your health. Keep those questions coming!

It’s OK To asKBeing an educated consumer starts with asking the right questions.

?arE X-raYS rISKY? You may have heard that a recent study by the American cancer Society linked the most common type of brain tumor to certain dental X-rays. Hearing about research like this can be scary, but you can consider it just another opportunity to ask questions. Schedule your annual dental check up as usual and share any concerns you have with your dentist. Discuss what type of dental care and screenings are right for you.

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cancer screenings are a smart bet: Treatments are more effective if you catch cancer early. review your healthcare plan to see how screenings are covered, then speak to your doctor about these testing options.

testInG time

type of Screening prepArAtion proceDure frequency

mAmmogrAm to detect breast cancer before signs and symptoms are noticeable

No special preparation is needed.

X-ray to identify lumps or abnormalities in the breast.

annually, after age 40.

fecAL occuLt BLooD teSt (FOBT) to detect colorectal cancers

a special diet may be required.

request a high-sensitivity FOBT; you receive an at-home test kit. a lab will check your sample for blood.

annually, beginning at age 50 unless your doctor recommends earlier testing.

fLeXiBLe SigmoiDoScopy to detect polyps and colorectal cancers

Your doctor will advise you on what you can and cannot eat; a strong laxative is taken to empty the colon.

a thin, short, flexible, lighted tube is inserted in the rectum.

Every five years.

coLonoScopy to detect colorectal cancers

Doctor will provide prep instructions; arrange for a ride home after procedure.

medication is given to make the test more comfortable. Procedure is similar to sigmoidoscopy, but allows doctor to view the entire colon.

Every 10 years.

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many people hear the phrase “drug abuse” and immediately think of illegal substances

like cocaine or marijuana. But it’s also possible to abuse the medications prescribed by your doctor to treat such conditions as pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety.

In fact, national surveys report that nearly 20 percent of Americans abuse prescriptions, which commonly fall into three main categories: opioids (painkillers, like vicodin and OxyContin), CNS (sedatives, like Xanax and Valium), and stimulants (like Adderall and Dexedrine).

Improper use of prescription drugs can cause harmful, lasting effects, including death. It’s critical that you adhere to the correct dosage and recommended intent, and never take someone else’s prescription. Opioid and sedative abuse can damage the liver, and a single large dose can

cause severe respiratory damage. Too many stimulants can provoke paranoia and hostility, an irregular or quickened heartbeat, high body temperature, or seizures.

If you’re struggling with these or other symptoms as a result of misusing your medication, reach out to the Prescription Drug Abuse Program developed by Blue Cross of Idaho. It pairs participants with dedicated case managers to determine the best course of treatment, which may include supervised detoxification to prevent withdrawal. Inpatient and outpatient counseling are also available to combat addiction. Members receive one-on-one care during the different stages of rehabilitation to ensure consistent support needed for success.

For more information and to get help, call a case worker at Blue Cross of Idaho at (208) 331-7535 or 1-800-743-1871.

There’s help available for drug abuse and addiction.

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#WhaT? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that health insurance companies provide coverage for specific preventive health services for women. These services will not be subject to deductible or coinsurance (subject to the terms of your policy). Blue Cross of Idaho already provided coverage for many of these services. However we have removed the deductible and coinsurance requirements when applicable.#When? Effective on the renewal date of existing coverage or the effective date of new coverage, beginning August 1, 2012.

#Who? New and renewing, non-grandfathered individual and group members. A non-grandfathered member is covered under a policy that is subject to the ACA.

Blue Cross of Idaho will provide a full outline of what this means for your health insurance coverage at the time of your renewal or coverage effective date. If you have any questions, please contact your group administrator, insurance agent, or call the Customer Service number on the back of your Blue Cross of Idaho ID card.

you’ve got optionS Blue Cross of Idaho has the most extensive network of healthcare providers in the state. We currently contract with every hospital in Idaho. Plus, about 96 percent of all Idaho physicians are part of our PPO network and 97 percent are part of our Traditional network. To search for a doctor, specialist, or dentist, go to bcidaho.com and select Find a provider.

coming Soon: changes to Your coverage for women’s PreventIve health servIcesBlue cross of idaho will change its coverage for certain preventive health services for women beginning August 1, 2012.

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