Don t Sweat It. Our tips and information make living healthier a little simpler. - Get smart about eye care - Caregiver strategies

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1 SUMMER 2012 Don t Sweat It Our tips and information make living healthier a little simpler - Get smart about eye care - Caregiver strategies one TO one NEWSLETTER FOR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MEMBERS Y0010_MK12317 File and Use

2 ONE TO ONE taking care 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 fi lled this newsletter with handy health tips, like how to eat more calcium and take care of your eyes. If you provide care to someone close to you, you ll want to turn to page 7 for strategies for success. Enjoy the season, and take care of your health no matter where you are. THUMBS UP: For health tips and information about community events, visit our Facebook page and like us! Go to facebook.com/bluecrossofidaho. Terms to Learn Study up on these words to better understand the cost of your care: - COINSURANCE: An amount you may be required to pay as your share of the cost for covered services. Coinsurance is usually a percentage (for example, 20 percent). - COPAYMENT: A set dollar amount rather than a percentage (for example, $10 or $20) you pay for specified covered services, such as a doctor s office visit, hospital outpatient visit or a prescription drug. A copayment applies each time you receive the service or drug. BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO 2

3 Run the Numbers Have you considered the cost benefi t to staying healthy? Take a moment and consider the cost to treat high blood pressure or diabetes. Or think about the expenses involved in treating a stroke or heart attack. Now compare them to the price of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Pretty simple, right? The best way to control your healthcare costs is to stay healthy. And the best way to do that is to take care of yourself every day and see your doctor at least once a year. Your doctor can help you decide which preventive services, immunizations and screenings make sense for you. And don t forget: There are a variety of preventive services available at no cost to you! These include immunizations, annual wellness visits and mammograms. In addition, your coverage includes vision and eyewear services as well as health management programs for COPD, congestive heart failure, diabetes, depression and asthma. medication update 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/ma_formulary. Brand Name Generic Name Medication Use Boniva 150mg ibandronate Osteoporosis Avapro irbesartan High Blood Pressure Lescol fl uvastatin High Cholesterol Doryx doxycycline Infection Tindamax tinidazole Infection Requip XL ropinrole ER Parkinson s Disease BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO 3

4 the case for Calcium You are what you eat, so start eating for strength and stability. Adiet packed with easy-to-absorb calcium can help maintain bone strength. Adults 50 and older should talk to their doctor about the number of milligrams needed on a daily basis. Give your bones the nutrition they need by incorporating these foods into your daily meals: - Sardines: These nutrient-rich fi sh are an excellent source of calcium. Eating just two sardines delivers about 92 milligrams of calcium. - Soy foods: Tofu, soy beans, soy milk all of these are great sources of calcium. They also contain isofl avones, which have been shown to improve bone density. - Milk: The classic source of calcium remains a great bet: An 8-ounce glass of milk (skim, low-fat or whole) has 300 milligrams of calcium. Opt for skim milk to reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol you consume. - Yogurt and cheese: Did you know that 1 cup of yogurt has as much calcium as an 8-ounce glass of milk? So does 1 ounce of Swiss cheese. LACTOSE INTOLERANT? Calcium content is not affected by lactose, so go ahead and try lactose-free and lactose-reduced items. Keep in mind that both yogurt and hard cheeses are low in lactose. BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO 4

5 - Dark greens: Don t overlook the produce section of your grocery store when you re on the hunt for calcium. Dark, leafy greens, like cabbage, kale, bok choy (also known as Chinese cabbage), collard and turnip greens, are nutritious additions to your meal. Note that some greens, such as spinach, are high in oxalic acid, which can make it hard for your body to absorb their calcium. Also check with your doctor regarding any dietary restrictions you may have due to a chronic condition. - Fortifi ed foods: These are products that do not contain calcium naturally, but have been enhanced with calcium. Examples include orange juice and cereals. - Salmon: This pink fi sh offers boneboosting nutrients as well as signifi cant benefi ts for your heart. - Nuts and seeds: Almonds not only deliver calcium but also omega-3 fatty acids that play a part in maintaining healthy bones. Keep in mind that diet and lifestyle can also work against your bone strength. Alcohol, smoking, cola and caffeine can contribute to bone deterioration. Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend a calcium supplement. Your doctor may also suggest a DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorpitometry) scan, this diagnostic test measures bone density. Generally performed on an outpatient basis, this noninvasive, preventive procedure is a simple and painless aid used by physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. BONE UP ON FITNESS Weight-bearing exercises, like walking, dancing and yoga, can also benefi t your bone health. Plus, they improve your balance, which will help you stay steady on your feet if you trip or lose your footing. Once you get the OK from your doctor to begin an exercise program, consider joining a local fi tness club that offers classes in weightbearing activities. All Blue Cross of Idaho Medicare Advantage members can join our WalkingWorks program and have access to discounted membership to local fi tness clubs, thanks to the Blue Extras! program.* Learn more by calling or TTY , 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. You can also learn more at Wellness/discount_services. *For Medicare Advantage members, the Blue Extras! products and services are neither offered nor guaranteed under our contract with the Medicare program. In addition, they are not subject to the Medicare appeals process. Any disputes regarding these products and services may be subject to the Blue Cross of Idaho grievance process. BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO 5

6 Test Your EYE-Q Are you smart about your eyes? Take our true-false quiz to fi nd out. Q: Schedule a visit to your ophthalmologist or optometrist only if you notice changes in your vision. A: FALSE An annual eye exam is the best way to track the overall health of your eye and that includes vision issues and eye diseases. Screenings may reveal problems before you notice symptoms. Even if your vision is perfect, you still need an eye exam. Q: You can slow down the development of cataracts. A: TRUE A healthy lifestyle and regular eye exams can reduce your risk for cataracts. Wearing sunglasses is also critical, as it protects your eyes from harmful ultraviolet light. Q: A complete eye exam can detect glaucoma. A: TRUE There are a variety of tests to determine if you have glaucoma. They include: - tonometry, which tests inner eye pressure - a dilated-eye exam, which allows the doctor to view your optic nerve - perimetry, which tests your peripheral vision - gonioscopy, which examines the angle where your iris meets your cornea - pachymetry, which measures your cornea s thickness Q: Obesity is unrelated to your eye health. A: FALSE Being overweight affects every part of your body. It puts you at greater risk for developing diabetes and high blood pressure, which can lead to vision loss from diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. Q: Eating fi sh can help your eyes. A: TRUE In addition to plenty of fruits and veggies (yes, that s right, carrots!), your diet should include omega-3 fatty acids. Found in tuna, mackerel, trout and salmon, these fatty acids have been linked to lower rates of dry eye and agerelated macular degeneration. ARE YOU DUE? The American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examinations for everyone over age 60. Most Blue Cross of Idaho Medicare Advantage plans include vision coverage. Call customer service to fi nd out if your plan covers annual eye exams, or if you need help scheduling an appointment or locating an ophthalmologist or optometrist near you. You can reach us at or TTY from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO 6

7 The Caregiver s Guide Three tips to help you take care. Whether you re looking after a friend, your spouse or a parent, caregiving is one of the tougher jobs that life serves up. Still, it doesn t have to be an overwhelming burden. Simple strategies can go a long way toward easing stress and helping boost your spirits. Here are three to try: 1 Speak up: As a caregiver, you face tough medical decisions and complex health information. When you re in the doctor s offi ce, take your time, gather your thoughts and ask questions. If you don t understand something, ask the physician to explain it until you do. 2 Take care of yourself: It s common to become so wrapped up in caring for your loved one that you disregard your own needs. If you fi nd this happening, take the time to reassess and focus on what you need as well. Consider it a responsibility, not a luxury, to eat well, visit your own doctor and take time for yourself. 3 Reach out: Asking for help and identifying a back-up support is just plain smart and not a sign of weakness. Consider holding a conference with family members and friends to discuss how you can share responsibilities. When you feel less overwhelmed with your duties, you may fi nd your role more gratifying. HELP AT HAND Looking for support? Smart idea. No matter what you re searching for information, care facilities, or a community of caregivers these organizations can help: - Eldercare Locator eldercare.gov - The National Alliance for Caregiving caregiving.org - Visiting Nurse Associations of America vnaa.org - Caregiving.com caregiving.com We are always available to help too! Contact Customer Service at or TTY from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO 7

8 We Are Here for You # When you have questions about your insurance or your healthcare options, visit our Medicare website online at bcidaho.com/medicare or call Customer Service. You can reach us at or TTY between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week. THANKS for ATTENDING Many thanks to everybody who came to our recent Mediterranean Diet classes and Scam Smackdown seminars. We appreciate your participation, and we enjoy being able to offer this valuable information. Be sure to look for additional seminars and classes in upcoming issues of your One to One newsletter E. Pine Ave. Meridian, ID bcidaho.com/medicare PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID One to One THINKSTOCK (COVER) Important plan information. IS Published by McMurry All rights reserved. No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement not take the place of the recommendations of your healthcare provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or healthcare regimen. McMurry makes no endorsements or warranties regarding any of the products and services included in this publication or its articles.