FALL 2017 VISIT US AT METROPLUS.ORG FIND METROPLUSHEALTH ON No flu for you! The best way to avoid the virus is to get a flu shot. PAGE 2 MEDICATION MISTAKES TO AVOID PAGE 4 GET SNEAKY WITH YOUR EXERCISE PAGE 6 YOU ASK, WE ANSWER: CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE PAGE 7 Visit us at metroplus.org INSIDE: MAMMOGRAM TIPS
NO FLU FOR YOU! The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine every year. In addition to protecting yourself, getting the shot protects your family and community, particularly those more vulnerable to flu complications. That group includes children under age 5, pregnant women, people ages 65 and older, and people with health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and heart disease. Despite its known benefit, there are still a few myths and misconceptions about the vaccine: MYTH: Getting a flu shot gives you the flu. TRUTH: Vaccines are produced with inactivated viruses or no virus at all, so it s impossible to get the flu from them. MYTH: It s better to get immunity from the flu itself rather than the vaccine. TRUTH: Even among healthy people, getting the flu brings the possibility of serious complications, hospitalization or death. Getting vaccinated is a safer choice. MYTH: If I haven t gotten my flu shot by Thanksgiving, there s no point. TRUTH: While it s best to get a vaccination just before the flu season starts, there s still benefit to getting it even later. Flu season can last until May. The Pneumonia Shot It s no fun to have pneumonia. Its symptoms include coughing up mucus, fever, chills and shortness of breath. However, you may be able to avoid it by getting a simple vaccine. Germs called pneumococcal (noo-muh-kok-uhl) bacteria can cause pneumonia, as well as other diseases such as meningitis, bloodstream infections and ear infections. The pneumococcal vaccine can help people develop immunity to pneumococcal bacteria and lower the chances of getting sick. The vaccine is recommended for: - Babies and children younger than 2 - People ages 19 through 64 who have certain chronic medical conditions - Everyone 65 and older - Adults who smoke cigarettes People in these groups are most susceptible to pneumococcal infections. Talk to your doctors to find out if you or your child should get the vaccine and when. Your Rights and Responsibilities Understanding your rights and responsibilities can help you make the most of your MetroPlus Health Plan membership. To access your member rights and responsibilities, visit metroplus.org. You will also find this information in your member handbook. When you are familiar with this information, it is easier for MetroPlus to provide you with access to the best health care. 2 GOLDHealthNews
Making the Switch from Adolescent to Adult Primary Care Kids grow up so fast, don t they? It was just yesterday you were encouraging your child on his first day of school, and now the teenage years are in full swing. Soon, it will be time to prepare for another transition the one from a pediatrician to an adult primary care physician. It is important to find a health care provider who can be a partner for your adolescent throughout their adult life. MetroPlus can help you with the change. Call Member Services at 1.877.475.3795 (TTY users: 711) to talk about your child s needs, get referrals and connect to the right network doctors. IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS CARE QUICKLY Do you know when to go to urgent care versus the emergency room? In general, you should take your child to the ER (or call 911) for any problems that could cause death or a permanent disability. Head to urgent care for problems that need attention soon but are not life-threatening. Examples of emergencies: Head injuries, bleeding that won t stop, fainting or dizziness that doesn t stop, trouble breathing, broken bones (especially if pushing through the skin), deep wounds, serious burns, overdose of drugs or alcohol, coughing up blood, seizures, severe allergic reactions, and the sudden inability to speak, see, walk or move Examples of urgent care concerns: Colds and flu, sore throats, earaches, rashes, sprains, back pain, minor cuts and burns, and minor eye injuries Older Kids Need Vaccines, Too Do you have a child about to enter the teenage years? As you prepare them for the changes ahead, don t neglect their recommended vaccinations: Preteens ages 11 12: - Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis - Human papillomavirus (three-shot series given over six months ) - Meningococcal - Flu shot (every year) Teens ages 13 18: - Meningococcal booster at age 16-18 - Flu shot (every year) Your child may also need catch-up vaccinations if he or she didn t receive them earlier. metroplus.org 3
Avoid These Common Medication Mistakes Getting a prescription from your doctor can sometimes feel like a golden ticket to feeling better. But remember, it s just the first step. You also need to fill it at a pharmacy, take the medicine as directed and do so for as long as your doctor recommends. Don t make these common mistakes: MISTAKE #1: Not Knowing What Drugs You Take Try to learn the names of all your medications, why you need them and whether you are supposed to take the medication as needed or on a schedule. MISTAKE #2: Not Reading the Label When you pick up your prescription, Foods and Drugs That Don t Mix Some medications should not be taken with certain foods or drinks, even ones normally considered healthy. Note that this is a partial list; talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your prescriptions. If you take: ACE inhibitors: captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) Antibiotics: metronidazole (Flagyl), linezolid (Zyvox) Antibiotics: tetracycline (Sumycin, Tetracon, Achromycin V, Brodspec) Anticoagulants: warfarin (Coumadin) Glycosides: digoxin (Lanoxin) Statins: atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor) Thyroid drugs: levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid) check that your name is on it and that it matches the drugs you are expecting to get. It s also smart to read the label every time you take a dose. When you are in pain or feeling sick, it s easy to take the wrong medicine or medicine that belongs to someone else in your household. Remember not to drink alcohol when taking prescription medications. Be careful with: Bananas, oranges and green leafy vegetables Aged meats and cheeses Dairy products Green leafy vegetables, green tea and cranberry products Black licorice Grapefruit juice Walnuts, soybean flour and high-fiber foods MISTAKE #3: Stopping Medication on Your Own Take all the medicine, even if you think it isn t working. Some drugs take time to have an effect. Conversely, if you start to feel better right away, finish the course your doctor has prescribed to make sure your issue resolves. MISTAKE #4: Skipping Doses to Save Money There are better ways to save money on prescriptions that don t put your health at risk. Ask your doctor if he or she can provide samples, prescribe the generic version, or help you apply for a pharmaceutical discount program. MISTAKE #5: Forgetting to Take a Dose To avoid future slip-ups, find a routine that works for you. Consider using a pillbox, setting an alarm or taking the medicine after another activity you do every day. MISTAKE #6: Not Storing Medication Properly Some medications need to be refrigerated. Nearly all medicine should be kept from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. MISTAKE #7: Not Bringing Enough When You Travel Bring a few days extra, in case of unexpected delays. Put medication in your carry-on luggage to protect it from potential extreme temperatures in transit and in the cargo hold. Plus, if your checked baggage is lost, you ll still have your medicines. 4 GOLDHealthNews
WOMEN: ARE YOU DUE FOR A MAMMOGRAM? Not everyone likes to have their picture taken, but when it comes to mammograms, it s for an excellent cause. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that allows doctors to see any abnormalities in your breast tissue, such as calcifications or masses. The benefit of having regular screening mammograms is to find cancer before you feel symptoms. This is helpful because finding cancer at the earliest stage means it will be easier to treat, making your chances of recovery much higher. Also, when mammograms are performed regularly, doctors can compare the images over time to see changes. How often should you have a mammogram? That is still a matter of debate in the medical community, but MetroPlus covers mammograms for all women starting at age 40 and every year thereafter. However, it s more important than ever to talk with your physician to determine a schedule that is right for you, based on your family and medical history. After your mammogram, the radiology facility will send the detailed results to your health care provider. You should also receive an easy-to-read notice from the radiologist letting you know the findings and if any follow-up is needed. If you don t hear from your doctor within 10 days, call to check in. Don t assume the test was normal if you don t receive any communication. Before Your Test Are you nervous before a mammogram? Usually, there s little cause for concern. Out of every 1,000 mammograms in the U.S., only two to four lead to a breast cancer diagnosis. Rather than worry about the unknown, focus on these tasks before the exam: The week before: Make sure you have a referral or prescription from your doctor for the mammogram. Bring this with you to your appointment. If you do not have one, call your primary doctor and ask for one. If you re going to a mammography clinic for the first time, make a list of the mammograms, biopsies and other breast treatments you ve had before and bring it with you if you can. If you can t, bring the names and the addresses of the facilities with you just in case the results are needed for comparisons. The day of: Don t wear deodorant or antiperspirant. They contain substances that can show up on the X-ray as white spots. That can make it difficult to interpret your mammogram. If you d like, bring deodorant to apply right after the test. Instead of a dress, wear a separate top and bottom to make undressing easier. metroplus.org 5
Sneaky Ways to Add Exercise to Your Day Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week. The problem is... who can find nearly three hours of dedicated fitness time in a week? The solution is simple: Don t try to get all that exercise at once. Break it up into chunks of five, 10 or 15 minutes. Try these fresh ideas to meet that 30-minute goal most days of the week: AROUND THE HOUSE Do five push-ups or jumping jacks before your morning shower. Such a small number is easy to commit to and doesn t add much time to your routine. Perform a squat while brushing your teeth. Who knew you could strengthen your legs and mind your dental health at the same time? Put on your favorite tunes. It might inspire you to move more as you go about your routine. Use idle cooking time to your advantage. While waiting for the water to boil or the oven to preheat, do incline push-ups using the counter. Keep weights by the TV. Performing a few bicep curls is a much better use of time than watching commercials. Even if you stream shows online without commercials, the previously on scenes and opening credits don t require full attention. Get your exercise in laughs. Speaking of TV, if you re deciding between that dark drama and the hilarious stand-up special, opt for the latter and count the muscle contractions from laughing as a mini workout. AT WORK Take calls standing up. If you can get in some steps by pacing or walking around the office, all the better. Free Exercise Classes Have you heard about Shape Up NYC? It s a free, drop-in fitness program offered by NYC Parks. It offers fitness classes such as aerobics, yoga, Pilates and Zumba in locations across the five boroughs. All you do is show up! You don t even need to be a member of the recreation centers where the classes are held. See the class schedules and locations at nycgovparks.org. Enter shape up in the search field. Schedule walk breaks. When you need a breather from a big project, instead of reflexively checking your email, take a stroll through the office. You ll come back more limber and mentally refreshed. Perform stealthy workouts. In a boring meeting? Tighten your abs and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat a few times. Do the same with your buttocks muscles. Keep a water bottle at your desk. With a visual reminder, you ll drink more liquids and use the restroom more, creating another walking break. OUT AND ABOUT Take the scenic route. New Yorkers are used to getting around with public transit. However, that can mean a lot of waiting and sitting. Challenge yourself to walk the whole route or combine partial transit with walking. Plan active dates with your partner. Pack a picnic and walk to a favorite park. Plan a bicycle ride through your neighborhood. Try a new fitness class together. 6 GOLDHealthNews
YOU ASK, WE ANSWER: CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE The word failure sounds serious. Does that mean my heart isn t working? While congestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious condition, it does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop. If you have CHF, your heart isn t working as well as it should be at supplying blood to all the parts of your body. How do I know if I have it? Your doctor will tell you. Common symptoms of CHF include fatigue, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, confusion, and coughing or wheezing. Things you do all the time such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries can become hard. You might also notice swelling in your feet, ankles or legs. How did I get it? CHF usually stems from other health conditions. The common thread among them is that they weaken the heart or make it work too hard. Conditions that can cause CHF are coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, abnormal heart valves, heart muscle disease, heart defects, severe lung disease, diabetes, obesity and sleep apnea. Is there a cure? CHF has no cure, but treatments prevent the disease from getting worse. Your doctor may recommend medications. Ask questions until you understand why, when and how to take a dose. If you have trouble remembering to take pills, ask your doctor or pharmacist for assistance. See page 4 for tips on how to take medications. Is there anything I can do on my own? Absolutely. Quitting smoking and losing weight are the two most important things you can do. On a daily basis, you can make minor changes to get more physical activity and eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and salt. We re Committed to Delivering the Best Care MetroPlus Health Plan s Quality Improvement Program works to improve the medical and behavioral health care and services you receive from our network providers. We focus on three areas: - Providing doctors with tools and resources to deliver the best care - Supplementing that care with educational mailings, phone calls, text messages and a website that encourages healthy behaviors, such as getting preventive care - Offering case management programs that help you better understand and manage your chronic conditions to help you recover quickly and live well For more information on our Quality Improvement Program, visit metroplus.org. metroplus.org 7
Big Green Monster Smoothie Serves 6 Kids in the Kitchen In the United States, one child in three is overweight or obese, and only one in 10 consumes the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. To combat the problem, the American Heart Association is encouraging parents to involve their children more in the kitchen. Hands-on, positive experiences can teach your child basic skills, nutritional concepts and healthy choices. Depending on their age and abilities, kids can: - Check supplies and make a grocery list. - Adjust recipes for the number of servings. - Wash fruits and vegetables. - Tear up salad greens. - Push the buttons on a blender. - Measure ingredients. - Read aloud the recipe instructions. - Brainstorm replacements for a missing ingredient. - Arrange food on a plate in a visually pleasing way. The smoothie recipe at right offers multiple opportunities to practice these skills. Try it as an after-school snack or a weekend project! INGREDIENTS 1 green apple (skin on), cored, cut into large chunks 1-2 handfuls of spinach, washed ¼ large cucumber, peeled, cut into large chunks 1 kiwi, peeled and cut into chunks 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 cup low-fat milk (or milk substitute or water) 2 teaspoons honey 1 cup ice cubes DIRECTIONS Add all ingredients into a blender. Pulse until thoroughly blended. When blended to the desired consistency, pour into cups and serve. NUTRITION FACTS (PER 4-OUNCE SERVING) Calories: 53; total fat: 0.5 g; saturated fat: 0 g; trans fat: 0.5 g; polyunsaturated fat: 0 g; monounsaturated fat: 0 g; cholesterol: 2 mg; sodium: 30 mg; carbohydrates: 11 g; dietary fiber: 2 g; sugars: 9 g; protein: 2 g Source: American Heart Association Published by Manifest LLC. 2017. 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 health care provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen. Manifest makes no endorsements or warranties regarding any of the products and services included in this publication or its articles. The covered entity does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its health programs and activities. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1.800.303.9626, TTY:711. 注意 如果您使用繁體中文 您可以免費獲 得語言援助服務 請致電 1.800.303.9626,TTY:711.