Member Matters Newsletter 2017 Winter Issue IN THIS ISSUE 2 A New Year with Premier HealthOne 2 Is it Time to See Your Doctor? 3 Chicken & White Bean Soup 4-5 Preventive Health Checklist 6-7 Recognizing Depression Welcome! As 2017 begins, we would like to welcome all of our new and returning Premier HealthOne members! We consider you part of our Premier Health Plan family. Here at Premier Health Plan, our mission is to improve your quality of health at every stage of life with access to quality health services, coordinated care and extra support when you need it. Premier Health Plan combines our mission with our dedication to the people of southwest Ohio, a community we also call home. 7-8 Healthy Weight & Physical Activity 9 Make Blood Pressure Control Your Goal A great tool to help you better manage your health is the Member Matters Newsletter, because it provides you with the information you need to take charge of your health. Continue reading to learn more about important reminders concerning your coverage and benefits. We are excited for the year ahead as your health plan of choice!
Is it Time to See Your Doctor? A New Year means it may be time to schedule a check-up with your doctor! Meeting with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) on a regular basis is an important step to keeping yourself strong and healthy. The doctors of Premier Health Plan are here to coordinate your care, help you when you re sick and help you stay healthy. When you meet with your PCP, you can discuss your healthrelated goals and how to meet them. Be sure to consider scheduling an appointment with your PCP early this year. A New Year with Premier HealthOne If you do not have a PCP, or need assistance finding an in-network doctor, you can call Member Services at (855) 572-2159. TTY users should call (855) 250-5604. * A New Year means new ways to make the most of your Premier HealthOne membership. We know you have a choice in your health care, which is why we appreciate the fact that you ve chosen us! You may receive a CAHPS survey in the mail in the coming weeks. CAHPS stands for Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems. If you receive this survey, help us make membership better for you and all of our members with your response. We value your feedback and look forward to continue delivering high quality care and service to you in 2017. Please note not all members will be surveyed and those receiving the surveys are randomly selected. Answers will remain anonymous and the feedback is used to improve members experience with Premier HealthOne. 2
Chicken & White Bean Soup Makes 6 servings Ingredients 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, or ¼ teaspoon dried 2 14-ounce cans reducedsodium chicken broth 2 cups water 1 15-ounce can low sodium cannellini beans, rinsed 4 cups roasted chicken, skin discarded, meat removed from bones and shredded *Adapted from Eatingwell.com Preparation: Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in sage, broth and water. Increase heat to high, cover and bring to a boil. Add beans and chicken, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Serve hot. Nutrition Facts, Per serving: 172 Calories; 4 grams Fat; (1 gram Sat; 2 grams Mono); 54 milligrams Cholesterol; 10 grams Carbohydrates; 24 grams Protein; 3 grams Fiber; 305 milligrams Sodium; 389 milligrams Potassium Download the Free Premier Health Plan mobile app! Now you can carry your health plan information with you everywhere. This mobile ID card can be used at your physician office if you don t have your ID card with you. Search for providers, check your medical history, review claims, and more with our convenient, secure, mobile app for your smartphone. Go to your app store and type in Premier Health Plan to download the free app. 3
Preventive Health Checklist One important way to stay healthy is to keep up to date with recommended screenings. Premier Health Plan wants to help you keep track of preventive health services available to you. So don t wait to schedule an appointment with your PCP! Use the checklist below to keep track of the preventive health services that will help provide a better view of your overall health and identify potential problems earlier. Remember to talk with your doctor about these important services: Service Annual Flu Shot Pneumonia Vaccine Breast Cancer Screening/ Mammogram Colorectal Cancer Screening (Starting at age 50, through age 75) Annual Doctor Visit Cardiovascular Screening Cervical Cancer Screening/Pap Smear Blood Pressure Check Date Completed or n/a How often do I need this service? Once per year (recommended in October) One in your lifetime Discuss with your PCP Discuss with your PCP Once per year Discuss with your PCP Discuss with your PCP 4
The following services are important to keep you healthy and help identify a potential problem earlier. For Patient with Diabetes Service Hemoglobin A1c Dilated Eye Exam Kidney Screening Blood Pressure Check LDL (Cholesterol) Screening Fasting Blood Glucose Medical Nutrition Therapy Date Completed or n/a How often do I need this service? Discuss with your PCP For Patients with Heart Disease or High Blood Pressure Service LDL (cholesterol) Screening Blood Pressure Check Date Completed or n/a How often do I need this service? This checklist is not a complete list of preventive services, nor is it designed to diagnose conditions or take the place of your doctor. Please check with your doctor regarding the recommended services above. 5
Depression can also cause people to feel hopeless about the future and even think about suicide. If you experience symptoms of depression that interfere with your normal activities and relationships, it is important to get help. If you or someone you care about talks about death or suicide, or about feeling hopeless, get help right away. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you will feel better. Recognizing Depression The symptoms of depression may be hard to notice at first. Depression is an illness that causes you to feel sad, lose interest in activities that you ve always enjoyed, withdraw from others, and have little energy. It s different from normal feelings of sadness, grief, or low energy. The two most common symptoms of depression are: Feeling sad or hopeless nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. Losing interest in or not getting pleasure from most daily activities that you used to enjoy, and feeling this way nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. 6 Treatment Treatment for depression includes counseling, medicines, and lifestyle changes. Your treatment will depend on you and your symptoms. You and your health care provider will work together to find the best treatment for you. Try to be patient and follow your treatment plan. It may take several weeks for the medicine and therapy to start working. If your doctor prescribes antidepressants, there are some important things you need to know about how to take them. The following guidelines can reduce problems and help you get the most benefit from your medicine. Learn about your medicine When you pick up your medicine, read the information sheet that comes with it. Taking any medicines you are prescribed and continuing therapy after you feel better can help keep your depression from returning (relapse). Taking an antidepressant for at least 6 months after you feel better can help keep you from getting depressed again. Some people need to take medicine for the rest of their lives. Know what to avoid Do not take any new medicines without talking to your doctor first. Even common medicines like aspirin and some vitamins and herbs can cause problems if you use them while you are taking antidepressants. Do not drink alcohol. It can make the side effects worse.
Take it as prescribed Antidepressants work best when you take them exactly as your doctor prescribes them. This also helps reduce side effects. You may start to feel better within 1 to 3 weeks after you start to take an antidepressant. If you have not improved at all in 3 weeks, your doctor may increase your dose or have you try a different medicine. Take your medicine for as long as your doctor says to Don t stop taking it just because you start to feel better. Quitting antidepressants suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms or cause depression to return. If you are having a problem with your medicine or want to quit taking antidepressants, work with your doctor to slowly reduce the dose over a period of a few weeks. Know about the side effects Antidepressants can cause side effects, but most of them are mild and will go away after you take the medicine for a few weeks. Do not stop taking your medicine if you have mild side effects. If the side effects bother you, talk with your doctor. He or she may prescribe a different medicine or suggest ways to manage your side effects. Call your doctor right away if you or anyone who takes antidepressants has any serious side effects. Many people, and sometimes their families, feel embarrassed or ashamed about having depression. Don t let these feelings stop you from getting treatment. Depression is a common illness that can affect anyone. If you think you may be depressed, tell your doctor. Treatment can help you enjoy life again. To access your behavioral health benefits and services please call (877) 218-7136, available 24/7. Healthy Weight & Physical Activity Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from your weight and height. It is a fairly reliable indicator of body fat for most people. Knowing your BMI is a way to tell if you are at a healthy weight. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for weight-related health problems. Find out your BMI, use this link or ask your doctor about your BMI at your next visit: http://www.cdc. gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/ english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html What BMI means BMI below 18.5: Underweight BMI 18.5 to 24.9: Healthy weight or ideal body weight BMI 25 to 29.9: Overweight BMI 30 and over: Obese BMI 40 and over: Severe obesity Continued on next page... 7
...Continued Are you trying to lose weight? Studies show that people who exercise are the most likely to lose weight and keep it off. Exercise burns calories, and helps build muscle to make your body stronger. Make exercise an important part of your weight-management plan. You may not think you have time to exercise, but you can work activity into your daily life- you just need to be committed. For example, take 10 minutes out of your lunchbreak to take a walk; take the stairs instead of the elevator. Even try making it fun by choosing an activity you enjoy. You ll be surprised at how these little changes can make a difference. This list may be helpful: Take a resistance-training or aerobics class Join a team sport Take a dance class Walk the dog Ride a bike If you have health problems, be sure to ask your healthcare provider before you start an exercise program. Have a fitness professional help you develop a plan that s safe for you. Here are suggestions to keep you motivated: Remind yourself of your goals. Post them near the refrigerator or desk where you work. Make daily entries in your diary or journal about your activity and eating. A visual reminder of success, like a gold star, can help keep you going. Every week, take time to look back on how much you ve accomplished, and the changes you may have made. Try taking a nutrition class. It can help you learn new shopping, cooking, and eating skills, and also meet new people. You might try a low-fat cooking or yoga class. Don t be hard on yourself or give up if you slip. Be patient. Learn from your mistakes and adjust your plan if you need to. Then get right back to it. Be realistic about your goals. Talk with a dietitian or your healthcare provider about what goals are reasonable for you. Don t focus on daily weight gains and losses. Instead, weigh yourself once per week at the same time of day. Weighing yourself each day will probably frustrate you. 8
February is American Heart Month Make Blood Pressure Control Your Goal! In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack. You can greatly reduce your risk for CAD through lifestyle changes, and in some cases, medication. To find out your risk for CAD, meet with your healthcare team to measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. More than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are 4 times more likely to die from a stroke and 3 times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with normal blood pressure. Risk Factors for CAD: High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Overweight Physical Inactivity Unhealthy Eating Use of Tobacco High Blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is important. It s easy to get your blood pressure checked! You can get screened at your doctor s office and drugstores, or even check it yourself at home using a blood pressure monitor. If you have high blood pressure, take these steps to keep it under control: 1. Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be. Set a goal to lower your blood pressure with your doctor and talk about how you can reach your goal. Work with your health care team to make sure you meet that goal. Track your blood pressure over time. 2. Take your blood pressure medicine as directed. Set a timer on your phone to remember to take your medicine at the same time each day. If you are having trouble taking your medicines on time or paying for your medicines, or if you are having side effects, ask your doctor for help. 3. Quit smoking and avoid tobacco products and if you don t smoke, don t start. 4. Reduce sodium intake. Most Americans consume too much sodium, which can raise blood pressure. Read about ways to reduce your sodium and visit the Million Hearts Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Resource Center for heart-healthy, lower-sodium recipes, meal plans, and helpful articles. Reference: www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/ 9
Premier Health Plan welcomes our members feedback. If you would like to speak with someone from Member Services please call (855) 572-2159. TTY users should call (855) 250-5604. * You can call us Monday through Friday, 7am through 7pm, and Saturdays, 8am through 3pm. Nondiscrimination Notice Premier Health Plan complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Premier Health Plan does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Premier Health Plan: Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as: Qualified sign language interpreters Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats) Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: Qualified interpreters Information written in other languages If you need these services, contact the Civil Rights Coordinator. If you believe that Premier Health Plan has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: the Civil Rights Coordinator, 110 N. Main St., Suite 1200, Dayton, OH 45402, (844) 789-8050, Fax: (937) 223-9683, CivilRightsConcerns@PremierHealth.com. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email. If you need help filing a grievance, the Civil Rights Coordinator, is available to help you. You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal. hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue SW., Room 509F, HHH Building, Washington, DC 20201, 1 800 368 1019, (800) 537 7697 (TDD). Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html. 10
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