threats you shouldn t ignore

Transcription

1 Summer silent health threats you shouldn t ignore Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage P A I D Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc. Security Health Plan of Wisconsin INC PO box 8000 marshfield WI SUMMER 2010 Security Health Plan Cares 1

2 We have a history of helping you get the care you need Your good health is important to us. That s why we ve spent the last 25 years working on your behalf. We want to ensure you get the medical care you need from providers you know and trust. You expect exceptional coverage and service and we are happy to uphold your high standards. We want to do what s best for you. We ve chosen to partner with an Steve Youso Chief Administrative Officer organization that evaluates health plans based on the quality of care provided to members. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) takes a look at how we treat our members. NCQA then lets us know if there s anything we can do better. This year Security Health Plan became the first Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus plan in Wisconsin to be accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance*. The Plan was awarded Commendable Accreditation** status for service and clinical quality that meet NCQA s rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement. You can count on Security Health Plan to do the right thing when it comes to your health. We know many people are not having the screenings they need to stay healthy. Yet we know a few simple tests can stop a number of silent health threats. That s what this issue of Family Health Tips is all about. I want to personally encourage you and your family to have these important tests when you need them, even if you re feeling fine. As always, we re here to help. Our nurses, pharmacists and customer service agents are ready to answer your coverage questions, connect you with services or guide you through a health problem. Just call us at Cervical All women are at risk to develop cervical cancer. However, regular screenings make this the easiest female cancer to prevent. In most cases, cervical cancer progresses slowly with few, if any, clear-cut symptoms. You often will not notice symptoms until the cancer grows into nearby tissue. It is important to have a Pap test and pelvic exam regularly. They can detect problems before they lead to cancer of the cervix. It only takes seconds to check for cancer The Pap test is a way to examine cells from your cervix. The main purpose of the Pap test is to detect cancer or abnormal cells that may lead to cancer. It can also find conditions that are not cancer, such as infections. Over * NCQA Health Plan Accreditation ** NCQA awards three accreditation levels, from lowest to highest: Accredited, Commendable and Excellent. 2 BadgerCare Plus managed care program SUMMER 2011

3 Cancer Women ages 21 to 65 should have a Pap test at least every 3 years the past 40 years, cervical cancer is much less common as a result of women getting regular Pap tests. Regular testing is important especially if any of the following apply to you Human papilloma virus infection (HPV) Approximately 66 percent of all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, an infection that causes warts to grow on your body. Smoking Women who smoke are twice as likely as non-smokers to get cervical cancer. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) The weakening of your immune system makes you more susceptible to HPV infections. This makes it more likely to develop cervical cancer. Chlamydia Having a past or current chlamydia infection puts you at a higher risk. Birth control pill Taking the pill for a long time increases your risk. Don t wait for symptoms to appear. Having regular Pap tests and pelvic exams is proven to help prevent cervical cancer. SUMMER 2011 BadgerCare Plus managed care program 3

4 Chlamydia Sexually active females under age 24 need to be tested Chlamydia ruined my life. One woman breaks her silence This is a true story of a young woman who for years was unaware she had the sexually transmitted disease (STD) chlamydia. Because she went so long undiagnosed, her chlamydia turned into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). She suffered three miscarriages in 9 months, all related to PID. These are her thoughts, emotions and everyday struggles. Her name is withheld due to the subject matter. It really wasn t a matter of who, it was a matter of when. I had a serious boyfriend during high school and we stayed together during college. We were off and on 4 BadgerCare Plus managed care program SUMMER 2011

5 for the next 3 years. During that time I trusted he would tell me if he was having relations with someone else. In fact he must have not. I have been asked, Didn t you have regular pelvic exams? I did have yearly checkups. When I found out about the STD, I thought back to my checkups and drove to the clinic to get my medical files. I read through every note, every test and saw no records indicating testing for STDs or even HIV. I began to panic. I strained in my mind to remember details of the visits. I thought I had been tested for these things. The next several months were a mess. It was a mess because not only did I have the stigma of this STD, but I also had something that could eventually prevent me from having children. I was embarrassed and guilt ridden. I knew about STDs and pregnancy and had been on birth control for several years. The cliché It will never happen to me was an understatement in my world. The it had become my reality. I cry daily, usually several times. I cry watching sad TV shows. I cry driving to work. I cry watching my nieces play. I cry after kids birthday parties. I cry for no reason. Our struggle is different than that of those who are painfully unable to get pregnant. It s not any worse or better, just different. This is something that was preventable. I hope my story reaches someone and changes just one person s actions to save him or her from having to endure what my husband and I have in our desire for a family. Ask the Doctor Tim Huebner, M.D. Security Health Plan Quality Improvement Committee member and Family Medicine physician Who should be tested for chlamydia? Sexually active females under age 24. Why should females be tested? Even though females may only have one sexual partner, their partner might be sexually active with others. Young people can be carriers and not know it because often they don t have any symptoms. It s important to be tested because untreated chlamydia can lead to infertility. How long does it take to get screened? When done during a pelvic exam, screening takes less than 10 seconds. Is a urine test just as effective as a swab? Yes. A pelvic exam is not needed with a urine test. What is treatment like? Treatment is as easy as taking oral antibiotics for 7 days. SUMMER 2011 BadgerCare Plus managed care program 5

6 Breast cancer Women over age 40 should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years It takes just a few minutes to get a good picture of one of your most important assets your breast health. Breast cancer can strike any woman. In fact, the American Cancer Society says a woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime. A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. With just a few minutes of your time, X-ray images make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt. Mammograms can also find tiny deposits of calcium that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer. A simple mammogram can find breast cancer early, when it s smaller, easier to treat and chance of survival is higher. Many things can increase your chance of developing breast cancer. These include genetics, family history, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight and not being active. But age is still the most important factor. Most breast cancers occur in women over age 50. The chance is even more in women over age 60. Even if you have had normal mammograms in the past, it s still important to get tested because your body changes as you get older. Having a mammogram and a clinical breast exam (an exam done by a health care provider) on a regular basis are among the best things you can do to protect your health from this common disease. 6 BadgerCare Plus managed care program SUMMER 2011

7 Colorectal cancer Men and women should have a colonoscopy beginning at age 50 (45 for African Americans) Yeah, we know. It s not a fun thing to have done. But it s much better than suffering from a completely preventable cancer. Because you can have colon cancer without having any symptoms, everyone should be screened after age 50. More than 90 percent of colorectal cancer occurs after age 50. A routine colonoscopy screening test can literally nip it in the bud before it becomes a concern. Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable if detected early. and remove them before they become cancer. This is when the chance of being cured is greatest. Talk to your doctor about getting a colonoscopy. You need this test even if you are feeling fine. A colonoscopy is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the challenge of colorectal cancer before it ever starts. Still unsure? Put your mind at ease by learning more about colonoscopies. Colorectal cancer usually begins when a precancerous growth, called a polyp, develops in the lining of the colon or rectum. If undetected, polyps will become cancerous in half of all people who develop them. Colonoscopies can find polyps You will get a mild sedative to relax your body and calm your nerves. The entire procedure takes less than an hour. If polyps are detected, they are removed at the same time, without surgery. Most colonoscopies are done on an outpatient basis. If all goes well and polyps are not found, most people can wait another 10 years until the next one. More information can be found on the American Cancer Society Web site at SUMMER 2011 BadgerCare Plus managed care program 7

8 How to reach us Security Health Plan Customer Service: (TTY: ) Pharmacy/Dental/Chiropractic Information: Call Wisconsin Department of Health Services Member Services at New address? Let us know by calling our Customer Service Department. Our office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You may also leave a message after hours and your call will be returned. When leaving a message, please indicate your name, date of birth, subscriber number and return phone number so that we are able to return your call as soon as possible. Web site: Exclusive services for members You try your best to stay healthy, but sometimes you need extra help. Security Health Plan has a team with physicians, registered nurses, social workers, a physical therapist and pharmacist. We will support, guide and motivate you to improve your health. Receiving help is easy. You or your doctor may contact Customer Service for more information or to enroll in the programs listed below. Security Health Plan offers the following services at no extra charge to members. Case Management program Do you have many health problems, take multiple medications, go in and out of the hospital often and need help getting your health under control? Our nurses will work with you to understand your health care needs. They will match you with health care professionals or community services. We can help you stay healthy and out of the hospital. This saves you and all of our members from higher costs in the future. Disease Management program If you battle with ongoing health issues, our nurse coaches will help you. They will listen to your concerns. They will help you understand your health issues. They will support and encourage you. Call and ask about our programs: Adult and child asthma care Adult diabetes care Adult heart care (such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart failure or heart attack) Help to stop using tobacco Answers when you need them most 24-hour Nurse Line ( ) Wondering if your condition is serious enough to go to your doctor or urgent care? Check with a registered nurse first. Call Security Health Plan s 24-hour Nurse Line, available 7 days a week. The nurse will answer your health care questions. Nurse Navigator Confused by health care? Don t know where to turn for answers? One call to Customer Service puts you in touch with a nurse navigator who can answer your health care questions. A nurse navigator is a registered nurse. The nurse works for you with doctors, community agencies and other health care professionals to make sure you get the right care at the right time. You will get personal support for your specific health care issues.