Your Health. Women s Health Take charge today! INSIDE THIS ISSUE. What steps can YOU take for better health?

Transcription

1 Spring 2016 FOCUS Women s Health Take charge today! In 1900, a woman's life span was about 50 years. Today, American women can expect to live to 82 years of age and older. Not only are women living longer, but also they can expect the chance of enjoying a better quality of life. To do this, it is vital that women take charge of their own bodies and that they learn how to boost their own health and fitness. It is key that all women, no matter what age, gain knowledge about the spectrum of women's health issues, not only about her reproductive system, but also about all aspects of her body. Your Health What steps can YOU take for better health? Visit your doctor to get routine health exams and screenings Get active Eat healthy Focus on mental health Getting enough sleep Taking care of stress Quit smoking Don't text while driving Wear a seatbelt or bicycle helmet To learn more about how you can take steps for better health visit INSIDE THIS ISSUE Prenatal Health Easing the Way for Pregnant Women Prediabetes: Are You at Risk? Fluoride is your Friend! Customer Service & Language Help You Speak, We Listen

2 2 Prenatal Health: Easing the Way for Pregnant Women Pregnancy can be an exciting and very busy time for you. We want you to know that as your health plan we are here for you. Whether you are a new mom or a skilled mom, we know each pregnancy can be different. Let us help you, while you handle your health care needs during this pregnancy. Here are some of our services with no cost to you as an HPSJ member: Free Access to HPSJ s Prenatal Health Education Program Being a Health Plan of San Joaquin member means you qualify to join our Prenatal Health Education Program. We can provide you with appealing and helpful materials ranging from: Free health education materials at each stage of your pregnancy sent out every trimester Pregnancy Update Card Preparation of a Birth Plan Prenatal and postpartum support Case Management there is a nurse on your side at Health Plan of San Joaquin: Our nurses can point you to the right path and help answer questions you have about your pregnancy. Free Access to Community Programs We can help you find free classes on birthing, pregnancy, and nursing. Need Help Getting to your Prenatal Doctor visit? We can help! Bus tickets are available to help members get to appointments. Members can obtain two tickets per visit (no transfers). Bus tickets should be requested 10 business days before your scheduled appointment. Call us today to learn more. Get connected to the Prenatal Health Education Program PLAN (7526) or TTY/TDD 711 Enroll online: hpsj.com/prenatal

3 Prediabetes: Are You at Risk? You have a family past of high blood sugar You weigh more than what is healthy your body mass index (BMI) is 25 or higher (23 or higher for Asian-Americans) Your ethnic background is African- American, Mexican-American, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander or Asian-American You are not active You have high blood pressure You are a woman and have a history of gestational high blood sugar or have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds 3 Prediabetes is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet diabetic. Prediabetes has no clear warnings. Without a test, you could have it and not even know. Almost all people who get diabetes (high blood sugar) had prediabetes first. But, prediabetes does not mean you will develop high blood sugar. You may be at risk for prediabetes if: To lower your high blood sugar risk: Lower your BMI lose 7% of your body weight (14 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) Eat healthy foods and keep a healthy weight Work out for 30 minutes, five days a week Do not smoke If caught early and given care, you can get your blood sugar levels back in the normal range. This could put off, or stop, the progress of high blood sugar. Don t wait. Talk with your doctor about your risk for prediabetes and getting tested for high blood sugar. Sources: WebMD, American Diabetes Association HPSJ is here to help! Drug list at your fingertips You can see the HPSJ drug list and learn all about your pharmacy benefits. Find out about: Prescription drugs that are covered Generic drug options We have a Diabetes Disease Management (DM) Program for our members. You can get one-on-one help from a nurse. He or she can send you tips to teach you more about high blood sugar. Remember to ask about resources to help you quit smoking. For information, call Customer Service at , or TTY/TDD 711 Prior authorization and step therapy rules Formulary changes You can get full policies and the list of prescription drugs that are covered by your health plan. Please call our Customer Service Department at PLAN (7526) or (TTY/TDD) for hearing impaired or go online to

4 4 Fluoride is your Friend! You can stop cavities from forming in the first place! The American Dental Association (ADA) advises the use of fluoride for children to lower the risk of getting cavities. What is Fluoride? It is a normal mineral found in water, food, and soil Fluoride stops cavities by making the outer side of your teeth stronger Fluoride helps the teeth not be hurt by acidic foods or drinks that cause tooth decay Many places add extra fluoride to tap water. San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties do NOT have fluoride in the water. Who needs fluoride? Children (6 months to 16 years old) who do not have fluoride in tap water The amount of fluoride needed depends on age and other sources of fluoride Where can I get fluoride? Ask your doctor about Fluoride Varnish application. A varnish, or top coat, of fluoride can be put straight onto the teeth up to three times in 12 months This is fully painless and takes just a couple of minutes There is no cost for members of Health Plan of San Joaquin up to six years of age Get a written order from your doctor for fluoride tablets or drops How else can I stop cavities? Brush and floss your teeth after eating Build strong teeth by eating dairy products such as cheese and yogurt Protect your teeth by eating lean protein such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and nuts Chew your food very well this raises the amount of saliva in your mouth Saliva helps wash away harmful acids and food stuck in your teeth Learn More! Visit HPSJ.com/healthysmiles

5 Customer Service is here to help 5 We re here to help. When you have a problem, it is nice to have someone to turn to and know that you will get the help you need. That is why our Customer Service team is specially trained and available to assist you with questions or concerns about your health care. Customer Service can: Provide information about your coverage and benefits Help you select or change your primary care physician Order a replacement ID card for you Pass along concerns about your services or any suggestions about ways we could do our jobs better Help guide you through the online member portal, myhpsj.com Answer questions about claims "Our goal is to provide service that meets or exceeds your expectations and to ensure your satisfaction with your health plan. " Anytime you have questions or concerns about your health plan, Customer Service is the place to start. Language Help- You Speak, We Listen Health Plan of San Joaquin wants our members to know we speak their language. Or, we can offer a helpful person who does. For doctor visits, a trained health interpreter can be requested, when needed. You do not have to ask family or friends to tell you what your doctor is saying. Doctors and HPSJ members can ask for an interpreter at no cost. You can get interpreter service in many languages, as well as American Sign Language. Be sure to ask for a interpreter when you make a doctor visit. Translation of Member Materials Health Plan of San Joaquin gives written documents in a language that our members can read. Most documents are written in English and Spanish. If you cannot read these languages, or you are not getting documents in your preferred language, let us know. To serve you better, please call our Customer Service department at , or TTY/TDD 711 and tell us your: 1. Written language of choice 2. Spoken language of choice 3. Your race and ethnicity We will make a note in your file. This way, we can serve you better. Customer Service Extended Hours We know that everyone s day does not end at 5:00 p.m. To better serve you, our Customer Service team is here for you from 8:00 a.m 7:00 p.m., Monday Friday, except holidays. After we have answered your questions, please remember to take our survey. We are ready to help you if you need us! Contact a HealthReach Advice Nurse Not feeling well? Should you see your doctor? Get your questions answered by calling a HealthReach Advice Nurse first , TTY/TDD hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

6 7751 S. Manthey Road French Camp, CA PLAN (7526) TTY/TDD ZikaVirus What we know: Zika can be spread from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy. Infection during pregnancies has been linked to problems when babies are born. It is spread mostly by the bite of an Aedes mosquito with Zika. These mosquitoes are bold daytime biters. They can also bite at night. With the recent outbreaks, the number of Zika cases among travelers to the US will likely grow. The mosquitoes that can carry Zika are found in some parts of the US. Because the mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are found throughout the tropics, outbreaks will likely carry on. There is no shot or drug for Zika. You may have been hearing about the Zika virus. HPSJ is working with our doctors to make sure they have the latest news as we learn about its causes and how to help. If you are worried, you should talk with your doctor. What we do not know: If there s a safe time during pregnancy to travel to a part of the world with Zika. If pregnant women do travel and are bitten: How likely they are to get Zika How likely it is that their baby will have problems from the infection The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that women who are pregnant should not travel to parts with Zika. If you must travel to one of these parts, talk to your healthcare doctor first. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 6 Learn More at