Extra, Extra! Read all about our discount program, BlueExtras! - A must for men s health - Walk this way. newsletter for medicare advantage members

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1 SPRING 2012 Extra, Extra! Read all about our discount program, BlueExtras! - A must for men s health - Walk this way SPRINGTIME HIKING IN SUN VALLEY one TO one newsletter for medicare advantage members Y0010_MK12268 File and Use

2 ONE TO ONE we re here for your health Blue Cross of Idaho wants to provide you with the best value in health insurance. We believe the best way to accomplish our mission is to work cooperatively with local healthcare providers to assure delivery of the best quality healthcare at the lowest possible cost within the communities they serve. What does this mean to you? Well, it means in addition to our work with healthcare providers we ve established a number of programs that help you get fit and healthy without breaking the bank. One example is Blue Extras! This value added program offers significant discounts on LASIK, hearing aids and fitness club memberships. Read more about all the ways you could be saving money on page 4. Another way that we support your health is with programs like WalkingWorks. Spring is a perfect time to go for a brisk walk and walking is the perfect form of exercise. It can help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol and strengthen your heart. Join the WalkingWorks program and you ll get weekly tips, participation and nutrition guides and goal setting support. We ll even send you a gift for joining. Read more about this great program on page 3, and then visit bcidaho.com/walking-works to join. We hope you enjoy the spring season and keep on enjoying all the benefits of being a member of Blue Cross of Idaho. = term to learn Healthcare Fraud: Intentional, unlawful misrepresentation or deception for the purpose of gaining unauthorized benefits financial or otherwise. An example is a person being billed for services he/she didn t receive. If you suspect healthcare fraud, call our fraud hot line at or us at fraudreporting@bcidaho.com. Learn how to prevent fraud at our Scam Smackdown seminar. Read how you can attend on page 3. 2

3 Walking Works Spring s milder temperatures make it a great time to get outside and enjoy a walk in the fresh air. A springtime stroll is more than refreshing, relaxing and reinvigorating. It can also help you improve your fitness and stay healthy. That s why we offer the WalkingWorks program. It s free for members to join and we ll even give you a gift just for signing up! The program helps you set individual fitness goals and create a plan for sticking with them. You ll also get tips for living a healthier lifestyle, including nutrition guidelines. And you can track your walks and progress online, so you can see just how far you ve come. Head over to bcidaho.com/ walking-works today to get started on your path to fitness! Attend the Scam Smackdown Join us as the Boise Better Business Bureau demonstrates the top consumer scams, and get a peek behind the scenes to understand how scam artists think. May 24, 2012, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Blue Cross of Idaho 3000 E. Pine Ave, Meridian ID Meeting Room SW 139 RSVP now using the numbers below to reserve your seat! Can t attend but have questions about a call or a request for personal information? Give us a call, we can help. Call We are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. TTY users call now available in generic The brand-name drugs below were released in a generic form. For a complete list of medications on our formulary, visit bcidaho.com/ma_formulary. Brand Name Generic Name Medication Use Teveten eprosartan High blood pressure Combivir lamivudine/zidovudine Antiviral Ryzolt ER tramadol extended release Pain Clobex shampoo clobetasol Topical anti-inflammatory Clobex lotion clobetasol Topical anti-inflammatory Ritalin LA 20, 30 and 40 mg methylphenidate ER ADHD Zanaflex tizanidine Muscle relaxant Blue Cross of Idaho s formulary may not apply to all healthcare plans. Please refer to your group s contract provisions for more detailed information about the terms and conditions of your prescription drug benefit. 3

4 save some green with Blue Extras! How to take advantage of discounted services, programs and products. # Learn more about the products and services that can save you money. Call Customer Service to ask for a Blue Extras! brochure or visit the Health & Wellness section of bcidaho.com/medicare. You can reach us at The hearing impaired can call

5 With Blue Extras!, you get savings on everything from fitness club membership to vision care services. This value-added program is free to Blue Cross of Idaho members, and it will not impact your premiums or cost share. How Does It Work? In most cases, you simply show your Blue Cross of Idaho identification card to get the discount. For products and services offered through mail-order or the Internet, you ll need to complete the specific requirements for that service before receiving the discount. What Discounts Are Available? Blue Extras! gives you exceptional discounts on products and services including: - LASIK (laser vision correction surgery) - Hearing aids - Over-the-counter drug store items - Vision services and supplies - Massage therapy - Fitness facility centers You can view all of the offerings by requesting a Blue Extras! brochure from Customer Service or by visiting bcidaho.com/ medicare. Select Health & Wellness on the top menu bar. Choose Discount Programs from the drop-down menu, and it will take you to Blue Extras! information. We will also highlight specific discount options in upcoming issues of this newsletter. The products and services described above 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. 5 this way to savings Blue Cross of Idaho partners with vision and hearing providers to help you save money on these important services. Use your Blue Cross of Idaho membership to receive Blue Extras! discounts on hearing aids and laser vision correction. Depending on the vendor and location, you could save around 50 percent on hearing aid systems and around 25 percent on LASIK surgery. # Blue Extras! discounts are currently offered at the following vision and hearing providers: - Artisan Optics - Davis Vision TM - Restore Vision - Treasure Valley Eye Center - TruVision TM - Affordable Hearing Aids, Inc. - Audiology & Hearing Aid Center - Elks Hearing & Balance Center - Hearing Zone - HearPO - Miracle-Ear - TruHearing

6 Are you due for this important screening? Time for a Look Under the Hood Just as you take care of your car with oil changes and tire rotations, it s good to look out for your health with the proper checkups and tests. Doing so will help you avoid serious conditions like heart disease and cancer. Consider colorectal cancer: The best way to detect this common cancer early, when it is most treatable, remains preventive screenings. And while a cancer screening may not be your idea of a good time, there are a few testing options to discuss with your doctor. You may be surprised to learn that checking for colon cancer is simpler (and more comfortable) than you thought. Your Options Depending on your age and medical history, your doctor may recommend one of three options for colorectal cancer screening: fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. See chart below for details. Your Next Move At your next checkup, ask your doctor when you re due for a colon screening. We can even help you schedule a screening appointment. Just call Customer Service at or TTY , between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week. test Preparation What Happens? Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) Your doctor may recommend that you follow a special diet before taking the FOBT. You receive a test kit from your doctor and can perform the test at home. You return the test to your doctor or a lab. Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Colonoscopy Your doctor will tell you what foods you should avoid before the test. The evening before the test, use a strong laxative to clean out the colon. Before this test, your doctor will give you instructions for preparing for the procedure. Arrange for a ride home, as you will not be allowed to drive. The doctor puts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into the rectum. This tube allows the doctor to check for polyps or cancer. Similar to a sigmoidoscopy, it allows the doctor to view the entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers. You will receive medication during this test to make you more comfortable. 6

7 Frequency This test should be done every year. (If anything unusual is found, your doctor will recommend a follow-up colonoscopy.) This test should be done every 5 years. (If anything unusual is found, your doctor will recommend a follow-up colonoscopy.) This test should be done every 10 years. If polyps or cancers are found during the test, you will need more frequent colonoscopies in the future. = just for women Mammograms are a vital way to check for breast cancer. Mammography can detect breast cancer early, before there are any signs or symptoms. Depending on health history, it s generally recommended that mammography be done every year after age 50. However, check with your provider to see what age is best for you. 7

8 Take a Class, Go Mediterranean H ave you heard about the Mediterranean diet? It s a long-term eating plan and it can improve your overall health. People who follow this eating plan consume less saturated fat. They also enjoy plenty more fruits, vegetables and beans. And, by eating more fish, nuts, olive oil and seeds, these people consume more hearthealthy omega-3 fatty acids. Numerous studies have revealed health benefits of this style of eating. The diet can even lower your risk for heart disease. Learn More Sign up for our Mediterranean Diet Class and you will discover: - How to incorporate the Mediterranean diet into your everyday life, with tasty, simple and filling recipes - The scientifically proven health benefits of the diet Sarah Kempton, Blue Cross of Idaho s Wellness Program Coordinator, teaches the class. With a passion for educating people about health and fitness, Sarah has a Bachelor of Science degree in health promotion and 10 years of experience. Call to sign up. Classes are held in Meridian at Blue Cross of Idaho, 3000 E. Pine Ave., in meeting room SW 139, on Thursday, June 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. or 2 to 3 p.m. STEVE SMITH / GETTY Images (cover) 3000 E. Pine Ave. Meridian, ID bcidaho.com/medicare PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID One to One 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.