SPRING 2012 SECURITY HEALTH PLAN OF WISCONSIN INC PO BOX 8000 MARSHFIELD, WI 54449-8000 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Pewaukee, WI Permit No. 921 MC
An ounce of prevention: The screenings you need Wouldn t it be tragic to know that a loved one has to face a disease that could have been easily found by a screening test and prevented? Cervical cancer is one such disease. The good news is that since Steve Youso Chief Administrative 1955 the number of women Officer who die each year from cervical cancer in the United States has gone down nearly 70 percent. One reason: Pap tests. After 1955 women started receiving regular Pap tests. A Pap test detects suspicious cell changes, so cancer can be caught early or even before it forms. It s a simple test that s had an amazing effect on health. Screening tests and what we can do to prevent diseases are the focus of this edition of Family Health Tips. Too many of us don t take the steps we should to prevent problems. As a husband and father of three daughters, the notion of screenings to prevent cervical and other cancers hits home. I urge my loved ones to get all the recommended screening tests. I get the ones I need as well. I also hope you know your health risks and get screened. Do this even if you feel fine. Please encourage those you love to do the same. We re here to encourage you, support you, answer questions and connect you with services. Just call us at 1-800-791-3044. Cervical cancer One of the easiest female cancers to prevent If you could protect yourself from a cancer that threatens your life and your fertility, would you? Of course you would. That s why you can and should take steps to prevent cervical cancer. What is cervical cancer? This cancer begins in the cervix, the lower part of the womb. Usually it forms slowly. Cells gradually change from normal to precancerous and then to cancer. This year about 12,000 women in the U.S. will learn they have cervical cancer. While many will survive, this cancer s treatments can cause infertility. 2 BADGERCARE PLUS MANAGED CARE PROGRAM Spring 2012
have never had a Pap test or have not been tested in five years. Not following up with your doctor when a Pap test result isn t normal. Treatment may be necessary to keep abnormal cells from turning into cancer. Smoking. It doubles risk. Reduce your risk. Cervical cancer is one of the easiest female cancers to prevent, stresses Dale Larson, M.D., a gynecologic oncology specialist at Marshfield Clinic. The Pap test can find precancerous cells, which allows time for treatment prior to the cancer developing. How do you get it? Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. This virus is mainly spread through sex. It can also spread through skin-to-skin contact with a part of the body infected by HPV. Half of all sexually active people will be infected with HPV at some time. Most infections don t cause symptoms and go away on their own. But some infections persist and can cause changes in the cells of your cervix. Those cells could become cancer. Who s most at risk? There are more than 100 types of HPV, but only some can cause cervical cancer. Being infected with a highrisk type is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. These factors also increase your risk: Not having regular Pap tests. About 6 out of 10 cervical cancers happen in women who Don t skip testing. Women age 21 to 65 should be tested every three years. Even if you re no longer sexually active, you still need regular testing. Follow your doctor s advice if your test results aren t normal. Also: Get vaccinated, if appropriate. HPV vaccines are available that protect against most cervical cancers. They re given in three doses and work best if they re given before girls start any type of sexual activity. However, HPA vaccination is also advised for teens and young women through age 26 who didn t get any or all of their shots when they were younger. Limit your number of sexual partners. This may reduce your risk of an HPV infection. Use condoms. But be aware, condoms don t completely protect against HPV. That s because areas not completely covered by a condom can still be infected with the virus. Don t smoke. You ll reduce your risk of HPV and a host of other diseases. Dale Larson, M.D. Gynecologic Oncology Specialist You now know how important regular Pap tests are. But your friends and family might not. Why not talk to someone you care about to be sure she s getting screened? Spring 2012 BADGERCARE PLUS MANAGED CARE PROGRAM 3
The power of support Managing health and care Health care can be overwhelming. This is especially true if you have a complex medical issue. Sometimes you do fine and are in control. Other times you may need a helping hand. Security Health Plan can help. We have free programs that offer support, advice and education. Care management. These services help you stay out of the hospital or emergency room. Nurses and other specialists work with you to tailor services and support to meet your needs. We help keep you in control of your symptoms, medicines, care and health. Disease management. These services help people with ongoing health challenges such as: Asthma Depression Diabetes Heart problems High blood pressure Tobacco use High cholesterol Health coaches, such as nurses and social workers, support you as you work toward your best health. Questions? You or your provider may call Customer Service at 1-800-791-3044. New technologies reviewed Security Health Plan doctors review new technologies and new uses of existing technology. Our doctors decide whether or not to include these services in your benefits. This is how they make sure you are getting safe and effective care. Your doctor may tell you about a new service. Remember it must first be reviewed by Security Health Plan to see if you have coverage. For more information on new technologies, visit our website or call us at 1-800-791-3044. 4 BADGERCARE PLUS MANAGED CARE PROGRAM Spring 2012
How a simple screening test could help you avoid infertility Find out how untreated chlamydia might make it impossible for you to get pregnant. And learn how testing and treatment could help you. What is chlamydia? It s a very common sexually transmitted infection. In the U.S. about 2.8 million infections occur each year. But many people don t have symptoms and never know they have chlamydia, says Erica Barrette, M.D., of Sacred Heart Obstetrics & Gynecology in Eau Claire. If it s not treated, it can harm a woman s reproductive organs and cause infertility. Babies born to infected mothers can get eye infections and pneumonia. How it s transmitted. Chlamydia is spread during sex. That includes vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also be passed from a mother to her baby during childbirth. Who s most at risk? Are you sexually active? Then you can get this infection. And the more partners you have, the greater your risk. Teenage girls and young women who are sexually active are at a particularly high risk. Reduce your risk. Three ways to avoid chlamydia: Don t have sex. Make sure any partner has been tested for chlamydia and is not infected. Always use condoms during sex to reduce the risk of being infected. Erica Barrette, M.D. OB-GYN Speak up. If you re a sexually active female who is 25 or younger, ask your doctor to test you for chlamydia. Treatment is as easy as taking a single dose of antibiotics. Spring 2012 BADGERCARE PLUS MANAGED CARE PROGRAM 5
Screening finds breast cancer in its early stages, says John Gauder, M.D., internal medicine specialist with Ministry Medical Group in Stevens Point. That s when it s easiest to treat and beat. So let s put the topic on the table and start talking. And let s begin with this fact: Anyone can get breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. Some things put you at higher risk for breast cancer: Aging Genetics A family history of breast cancer Not getting enough exercise Being overweight Drinking too much alcohol Peace of mind Let s talk about breast cancer It may not be easy to find the courage to talk with a loved one about breast health. It s not typical small talk. Yet bringing up the subject could save a life. That s because talking about breast health may convince a friend or family member to get screened for breast cancer. You can lower your risk for breast cancer with a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet. Choose vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy products, and poultry and fish (if you eat meat). Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Limit or avoid alcohol. Every woman should talk with her doctor about breast cancer screening. Experts say: Women ages 50 to 75 should have a mammogram (an X-ray picture of the breast) every 1 to 2 years. Women ages 40 to 49 should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years if they are at increased risk or if their doctor recommends it. Women over age 40 should have an annual breast exam by a health care professional. John Gauder, M.D. Internal Medicine Specialist 6 BADGERCARE PLUS MANAGED CARE PROGRAM Spring 2012
Colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer isn t easy to talk about but it may be deadly to ignore. Colorectal cancer accounts for almost 10 percent of cancer deaths in the U.S. But screening can help find it early. And if it s found before it spreads, it s up to 90 percent curable. Screening may also help prevent it. For example, a colonoscopy may find polyps (noncancerous growths in the colon). These can be removed before they become cancer. Screening Everyone over 50 (age 45 for African Americans) should be screened for colorectal cancer. People who have a higher risk of the disease may need to be screened earlier or more often. Talk with your doctor about when to start screening. And call us to learn about your preventive benefits. Lower your risk In addition to regular screening, other steps can help prevent colorectal cancer. Two factors that may raise your risk of the disease are cigarette smoking and an unhealthy diet. So if you smoke, try to quit. Call us for help. Also, adopt a colon-healthy diet. Eating less fat and more fruits and vegetables can help you get enough fiber. Talk to a loved one You may know someone who should be tested. Help him or her get this life-saving test. Let your loved one know that you care and you want him or her to be healthy. Explain the risks of cancer. Talk about the test and how it helps. If you have had the test, share your experience. Offer to help make the appointment or drive your loved one to the doctor s office. To find out more about your colorectal screening benefits, call Security Health Plan Customer Service at 1-800-791-3044. 7
How to reach us Security Health Plan Customer Service: 1-800-791-3044 (TTY: 1-877-727-2232 ) Pharmacy/Dental/Chiropractic Information: Call Wisconsin Department of Health Services Member Services at 1-800-362-3002 Web site: www.securityhealth.org 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. Family Health Tips is published for members of Security Health Plan. Information in Family Health Tips comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Copyright 2012 Coffey Communications, Inc. CUM28038 HIPAA Our commitment to your privacy Your health is personal. That s why we work hard to protect your information. It s our policy and practice. It s also the law. There is a federal law called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law gives you rights over your records. It applies to many providers and programs, including most doctors, nurses, pharmacists, hospitals and health plans. This law also applies to Medicare and Medicaid. Because of HIPAA, you can: Ask to see and get a copy of your health records. You can do this even if you haven t paid your bill. Add corrections to your health records. Ask that certain people not be given details about your health or treatment. Decide if you want to let your health information be used for certain purposes, such as marketing. Get a report on when and why your information was shared or used. File a complaint if you think your rights or privacy have been violated. HIPAA spells out other rights too. For example, you can ask to be contacted at a place other than at home. For instance, you can ask your primary care provider to call you at work to report your test results. Why we might share records There are some good and approved reasons to use or share health information. Your provider or health plan may need it: To follow the law. For instance, your provider may need to report flu and other public health risks. For coordinating your treatment and care. To pay providers. For checking out the quality of treatment, providers and institutions. Still, your health information can t be used or shared without your written permission. This can only happen if the HIPAA law allows it. Always on alert We protect your private health information. It matters to you. And it matters to us. We can answer any questions you might have about your rights, our responsibilities and the steps we take to keep your information safe. Just call us at 1-800-791-3044.