Why Get the Flu Shot?

Transcription

1 destination Health Health Volume 14 Fall 2016 Why Get the Flu Shot? It s flu season again, time for all IEHP DualChoice Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) Members to get the flu shot. It s FREE for all IEHP DualChoice Members who get it from an IEHP Provider. You may also get the flu shot from large pharmacy stores, like Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens and some independent pharmacies. Look for a local pharmacy at If You Do Get the Flu Antibiotics won t help. These drugs fight infections caused by bacteria. The flu is caused by a virus. See Page 2 IEHP Celebrates 20 YEARS of Service IN THIS ISSUE How to find a ride to your medical visit Page 3 Key screening that could save your life Page 4 Ways to beat the Senior Blues Page 7 FREE Spanish translation, alternate formats and interpreter services for IEHP DualChoice Members.

2 Continued from Page 1 If You Do Get the Flu In most cases, the best way to fight it is to: Rest in bed. Drink fluids. Treat fever with over-the-counter pain/fever medicine. If symptoms don t improve, call your Doctor right away. Can t reach your Doctor after hours? You still have options to get the care you need: Call the IEHP 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line for medical advice at IEHP (4347) or for TTY users. Go to an IEHP Urgent Care clinic. Find an Urgent Care clinic nearby at your Doctor Directory, or call Nurse Advice Line. URGENT CARE 2

3 How to Find a Ride to Your Healthcare Visit As an IEHP DualChoice Member, you have a benefit for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation. This includes 30 one-way trips per year to planapproved places. For reservations, call American Logistics Company at , or 711 for TTY users, Monday - Friday, 7am - 6pm (PST). Important! Have your IEHP DualChoice Member Card ready when you call. Please give IEHP 5 business days notice before your actual appointment. Please note: There is a 60-minute pickup window. (This means: Be ready an hour before and an hour after your visit.) 3

4 Screening that could save your life Preventive care is part of good health. See your Doctor to talk about care such as colorectal cancer testing. This is a test used to look for disease before any signs appear. Done early, this test can find polyps growths in the gut or rectum that are not normal. These growths can be removed before they turn into cancer. Colorectal cancer screening Routine testing is the key to finding colorectal cancer early for men and women: If you are ages 50 through 75 you need a test yearly at home. Or, you may need a colonoscopy once each 10 years. If you are ages 50 or below, and have a higher risk for colorectal cancer ask your Doctor how often you need to be screened. Tell your Doctor if you have these signs: Blood in or on your stool Stomach pain or cramps that don t go away Losing weight and you don t know why 4 These signs may be caused by something else, but the way to know more is to talk to your Doctor.

5 Easy Veggie Wrap 1 serving = 1 wrap (211 Calories) Recipe Ingredients 1 light flatbread (approx inches long) 1/4 medium avocado 1/8 tsp lime juice 1 medium carrot, cut into thin bite-size strips 1/4 small cucumber, cut into thin bite-size strips 1/4 small sweet pepper, seeded and cut into thin bite-size strips 1/4 cup lettuce or other non-starchy vegetable 1 tbsp crumbled feta cheese Directions 1. Place flatbread on a cutting board 2. Mash avocado and lime juice together in a bowl and spread mixture on the flatbread 3. Place carrots, cucumber, sweet pepper strips, and other vegetables over the avocado mixture 4. Sprinkle with feta cheese and roll up the flatbread Cut or tear here Important Update to Your Medicare Coverage From time to time, Medicare adds new covered benefits and services called National Coverage Determinations (NCDs). These will help you better care for your health. Medicare now covers: Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma, Myelofibrosis, Sickle Cell Disease, and Myelodysplastic Syndromes Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) For a complete review of these benefits and services, visit: IEHP DualChoice Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) at Or call IEHP DualChoice Member Services at the number on the back. 5

6 Ask the Doctor Q A Do antibiotics work on the flu? No, they only treat infections caused by bacteria. The flu is an infection caused by a virus. This means an antibiotic will not work against it. If you have other questions about the flu, please contact your Doctor or the IEHP Nurse Advice Line at IEHP (4347) or for TTY users. Important Information about your benefits... When you first join IEHP DualChoice, you can continue seeing the Providers you see now for up to 12 months for both Medicare and Medi-Cal services if we can establish that you had an existing relationship with the Providers and they agree to IEHP terms. Acupuncture Services As of July 1, 2016, IEHP DualChoice Members can get acupuncture care. This is a healing technique from Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is covered by IEHP for 24 sessions per year when given by an IEHP 6 Provider. There is no cost for this benefit.

7 Ways to beat Senior Blues or Depression It s a natural part of life to feel blue to have times of feeling down, sad or upset. As an older adult, you may go through changes and tough times as you age. This may bring on senior blues. These feelings most often pass, but if they don t then you may be dealing with depression. The bright side is that depression is treatable. If you think you may be depressed, here s what you should do: See your Doctor Get medicine and therapy (as Doctor orders)* Stay clear of stress Exercise, as approved by your Doctor Keep up a healthy diet Depression is not something that gets fixed quickly. It takes time and therapy. Most of all, it takes action on your part. By getting the right help, you can live a healthy life! * Talk with your Doctor about any allergies or sensitive reactions you have to certain medicines. 7

8 P.O. Box 1800 Rancho Cucamonga, CA Download IEHP Smart Care App! (More on page 5) Questions? Call IEHP DualChoice Member Services IEHP (4347) IEHP (4347) for TTY/TDD users 8am 8pm (PST) 7 days a week, including holidays Inland Empire Health Plan. All Rights Reserved. CMC Stay Connected. Follow us! IEHP DualChoice Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) is a Health Plan that contracts with both Medicare and Medi-Cal to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees.