SUMMER 2020

BLUE BULLETIN MEMBER NEWSLETTER

Tips for maintaining your physical and mental health

What’s also in this issue:Introducing Blue Cross of Idaho Rx Page 4

Schedule your preventive screenings now Page 6

New tools to help make healthcare easier Page 8

FULLY INSURED/QHP

H E A LT H YC H O I C E S

Table of ContentsA Note from the CEO 1By your side in uncertain times.

Dealing with Stress and Anxiety 2Simple steps to address your mental health.

Introducing Blue Cross of Idaho Rx 4Our new pharmacy benefits manager comes with a familiar name.

Spreading Health 5A few simple steps can help you and the ones you love stay healthy.

Preventive Screenings 6Stay on top of your health with regular screenings.

New Tools to Save Healthcare Dollars 8New online tools help you find high-quality, cost-effective care.

Stay Fraud Wise 9How to spot a fraud and stay safe.

Charlene Maher

President and CEO, Blue Cross of Idaho

A Message from the CEOIn the last several months the world has become a very different place. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted our lives in ways that we will be dealing with far into the future. We have had to change how we live our daily lives and the health and well being of our families, friends and communities has taken on a greater importance.But one thing that has not changed is Blue Cross of Idaho’s commitment to serving our members. For the last 75 years we have been dedicated to advocating for the health of our members and our communities. We are proud to stand beside you.

We quickly made changes to make it easier for members to get the care they need, including expanding access to telehealth services, covering the cost of COVID-19 treatment and diagnostic testing with no out-of-pocket cost for members, and making it easier to get prescription medications.

Unfortunately, there is no quick answer to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation continues to evolve, both nationally and around the world, we will keep doing all we

can to support our members and communities. You can visit bcidaho.com/coronavirus any time for the most recent information about what we are doing to support you and your family.

We urge you to stay vigilant about your health and safety and follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local health authorities. This will be especially important to help prevent a resurgence of cases as we approach the traditional flu season this fall.

We know these changes to all of our lives have not been easy. Know that through it all, Blue Cross of Idaho will be here, on your side.

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Tips to find calmDuring times of uncertainty it’s common to feel anxious or worried. To manage stress and anxiety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying healthy by eating nutritious meals, exercising, practicing mindfulness and getting proper sleep, among other things.

Exercise regularly and eat healthyExercise has many health benefits. When it comes to your mental health, exercise releases endorphins, which can help lower stress. Try to get between 30-60 minutes of exercise a day. If you have health problems, consider talking to your doctor about your exercise plans first. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Moderate Exercises Vigorous Exercises Resistance Exercises

Five days a week, do 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise, such as:

• Walking briskly• Riding a bike slowly• Jogging lightly

Three days a week, do 20-30 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as:

• Running • Swimming laps• Mountain biking

Two to three days a week, do resistance exercises. Do three-four sets of eight-12 reps of:

• Push-ups• Crunches• Squats

To fuel your exercises, you’ll need to eat well-balanced meals. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), your meals should consist of four parts:

1. Half of your plate should be vegetables or fruits2. One-quarter of your plate should be whole grains3. One-quarter of your plate should be lean protein4. Include one to two servings (1/2 cup) of low-fat dairy each day

Exercising and eating right are great ways to start in managing stress, and they can benefit your overall health in many ways. However, you may need to find more ways to free your mind of worry.

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Dealing with

STRESS AND ANXIETY?

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Do stress-relieving activitiesFind activities that help you let go of stress. Many activities will help you clear your mind and shed extra stress that you may be holding on to. Here are a few mindful ways that can help you destress:

• Meditation• Yoga or stretching

• Deep breathing• Muscle relaxation

techniques

These activities are great for helping you think clearly and feel more relaxed. However, one major way to ensure that these tips are effective is to get proper sleep.

Get a good night’s sleepWhen you’re running on empty from a lack of sleep, it can be hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sleep is a vital part of your overall health, and adults should try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Here are a few things you can do to make your nights more restful:

• Avoid using electronics (phones, tablets and laptops), exercising starting one hour before bed

• Stick to a sleep schedule • Get up at a regular time every day – this is more important

than the time you go to bed• Exercise regularly• Try not to eat large meals before bed• Avoid alcohol near bedtime and avoid caffeinated

beverages after lunch

Sleep is an essential part of our health because it helps our bodies and minds restore. If you don’t get enough sleep, then your mind and body will feel run-down.

Start smallEach of these tips will not only help you live a more stress-free life, but also a healthier one. Start by focusing on one thing at a time so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Once you get one of these areas going in the right direction, pick another to work on.

Follow-Up Care for Mental Health-Related ConditionsProper follow-up care after hospitalization for mental illness can help you maintain the gains you made during your hospital stay. After a hospital stay, it’s important to follow up with both your behavioral health specialist and your primary care provider (PCP).

To best treat your overall health, your behavioral health specialist and PCP will need to coordinate your care. Be sure you consent to share your medical records between providers. When you allow your medical records to be shared, your providers can get the information they need to make sure you are getting the best possible care.

During your next appointment with your behavioral health provider or PCP, discuss the information they will share and confirm you have signed off on it. With communication between your providers, you will feel better about your care.

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New pharmacy partner brings a better experienceWe are excited to introduce Blue Cross of Idaho Rx, our new pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) designed to make it even simpler for you to get the prescription drugs you need. We made this change in part to be able to provide you a better experience over time when using your pharmacy benefits. This change doesn’t affect your pharmacy benefits or the list of drugs covered by your plan, and you can still take advantage of our large network of pharmacies, no matter where you are.

We recently sent you a new member ID card with information your pharmacy will need to process your drug claims. Please be sure to use this new card and destroy your old one.

With Blue Cross of Idaho Rx, you’ll be able to take advantage of simpler tools for managing your prescription benefits. You’ll also be able to talk to a Blue Cross of Idaho Rx customer service advocate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

During the change to our new PBM, your existing prescriptions and any prior authorizations were automatically transferred, so you can get your regular medications.

If you have mail order or specialty pharmacy prescriptions, you will now be getting them from our new PBM and pharmacy partner, IngenioRx. You’ll see the IngenioRx name on mail and drug packaging.

To make sure there are no delays in getting your drugs, please go online to make sure your mail order/specialty account is updated with your correct address and payment information.

• Log in to members.bcidaho.com and select Pharmacy• Select Manage My Drugs and then the Profile icon• Provide payment information and verify your address

under Account Details

You can also call Blue Cross of Idaho Rx at the number on the back of your member ID card to get help updating your mail order/specialty account.

If you have any questions about this change or your benefits, please call the Blue Cross of Idaho Rx Customer Service number listed on the back of your new member ID card.

Introducing

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Spreading HealthHow You Can Avoid Spreading IllnessIt may be summer, but warm weather, doesn’t mean germs don’t spread. Even in the summertime, we need to take care to prevent getting sick or put others at risk. Along with the suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) below, it’s important to follow state and local public health guidelines.

Practice Social DistancingTry to keep a healthy distance between yourself and others- 6 feet is recommended. If you need to go anywhere, do your best and bring a mask with you so you can limit spreading germs.

Cover your sneezes and coughsMake sure that you cover your cough or sneeze. Also, don’t cough or sneeze into your hand because you could spread germs onto surfaces that can be picked up by other people when they touch the same surface. The best thing you can do is to sneeze or cough into your elbow. This will help contain any sort of germs you could be spreading into the air.

Stay homeWhen you are sick, stay home. This can help keep other people from catching what you have, as well as help you recover more quickly.

Wash your handsWash your hands often with soap and water for a full 20 seconds. Make sure to wash in between your fingers, the backs of your hands and your wrists and palms. Wash your hands as soon as you get home from any public place. If you can’t wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.

Disinfect surfaces Make sure to disinfect surfaces that you touch frequently. Viruses can live on surfaces up to a few days. Clean surfaces like phones, keyboards, counter tops and doorknobs often.

Avoid touching your faceDon’t touch your face while you’re out in public. Even if you’re washing your hands frequently, other people may not be. You run the risk of infecting yourself with any bacteria or virus that you may have picked up when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

Taking a few simple steps can help keep you and your friends and family healthy all summer.

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Preventive care is one of the easiest ways to stay on top of your health, and many of your preventive screenings are covered at no cost to you when you visit an in-network doctor. Even during uncertain times, preventive care is an important part of your overall health, and doctors are working hard to make sure that you can safely get the care you need. Preventive care is based on your age, gender and risk-status, and includes screenings, tests, immunizations and physical exams.

Screenings can help prevent or catch health problems early, when they are easier to treat.

KEEP UP ON YOUR

Staying healthy is easier than getting healthy

PREVENTIVE SCREENINGSPREVENTIVE SCREENINGS

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CHECK WHEN COMPLETED HOW OFTEN WOMEN MEN DATE SCHEDULED

❒ Annual wellness exam Every 12 months

❒ Blood pressure test At least every year1

❒ Cholesterol test Every 5 years1

❒ Body mass index test Every year

❒ Bone mass measurement Every 1-2 years

❒ Breast cancer screening Ask my doctor

❒ Colon cancer screening Ask my doctor

❒ Diabetes screening (A1C) At least every year1

❒ Flu vaccine Every year

❒ Pneumonia Vaccine Once after age 65

Additional Screenings

1 Your doctor will help you decide if you need more frequent screenings.

Key preventive screenings include:Colorectal Cancer Screening

According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), you should start screening for colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, at age 50. Blue Cross of Idaho covers several types of in-network screenings for colon cancer. The most effective type is a colonoscopy, which is typically repeated every 10 years if you are at an average risk, or every five years if you are at a higher risk.

Breast Cancer ScreeningThe USPSTF recommends women start screening for breast cancer at age 50, and then every other year after that. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

Cervical Cancer ScreeningThe USPSTF recommends that women between the ages of 21 and 29 begin screening for cervical cancer every three years with a cervical cytology. They also recommend that women between the ages of 30 and 69 get screened every three years with cervical cytology, every five years with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing or every five years with both hrHPV testing and cytology.

Gaps in CareIf you are living with a chronic condition, talk to your doctor about any areas of concern that you should address. Has it been awhile since you’ve had a preventive screening? Schedule one. There’s nothing more comforting than peace of mind.

On Your ScheduleGet convenient care year-round with MDLIVEMany Blue Cross of Idaho members have used telehealth to get care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But as quarantine orders begin to lift, you don’t have to give up the convenience of telehealth. You can get access to our telehealth partner MDLIVE to get convenient care year-round.

MDLIVE lets you connect with a board-certified doctor 24/7 using your phone, tablet or computer for non-emergency care. Through secure video chat or over the phone, these doctors can diagnose your symptoms and get you the help you need. They can even send prescriptions to your local pharmacy. MDLIVE doctors can even treat mental health conditions.

Don’t have an MDLIVE account yet? You can set up your account by visiting MDLIVE.com/bcidaho or by downloading the MDLIVE mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Sign in to your account at MDLIVE.com/bcidaho on your phone, tablet or computer, or call 888-920-2975. Follow the prompts to connect with a doctor for non-emergency care.

Smart ShoppingSave money and get rewarded when you shop for careDid you know that some hospitals and clinics charge different prices for the same test or procedure?

Common surgeries and tests may have different costs depending on where you go. Each facility may have different expenses for the services it offers. Extra charges for a hospital stay, doctor’s fees, lab work, anesthesia and other services related to a procedure can also add up at some facilities.

Compare costs and save money – before you schedule your procedure – with Blue Cross of Idaho’s SmartShopper tool.

It lets you compare the cost of medical procedures at different hospitals and clinics so you can get more out of your healthcare dollars. You may even be eligible for a cash reward if you choose an affordable, effective location for your procedure.

If you need to have a test, procedure or surgery, shop for care so you can save money.

• To search for care, visit bcidaho.com and select Find a Doctor. Log in to your member account, select the name of the person on your plan who needs care and start shopping.

• You can also call the SmartShopper Personal Assistant Team for help finding care and scheduling your appointment at 866-507-3528.

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Stay Fraud-WiseTips for avoiding healthcare scamsThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had raised the threat of healthcare fraud. To help you stay safe, Blue Cross of Idaho suggests these tips:

1. Check in with your local health department or doctor on any ads for vaccinations or drugs that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This could include ads for herbal teas, supplements, oils, ointments, etc.

2. Review your explanation of benefits (EOB) statement for unauthorized charges.

3. Be wary of emails that sent from unknown senders. Do not click on links in emails – they may contain malware.

4. Do not answer telemarketing or robo calls and if you do answer, be suspicious of any claims made.

5. Watch out for door-to-door scammers offering health products or services in exchange for insurance information or cash. Do not accept any medications or give out personal information.

Treatments that haven’t been approved by the FDA should be questioned. As always, talk to your doctor about any treatments or medications you are using.

To report a healthcare fraud or scam, call the Fraud Hotline at 800-682-9095 or email fraud@bcidaho.com.

Making it Easier to Get the Care You NeedWe have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure that we can be there for you when you need us. One change we’ve made is adapting our prior authorization (PA) process for some services. Here is what you need to know:

1. Currently approved PAs not yet attached to a claim have been extended through December 31, 2020. If you have a current, approved PA and your care has been delayed or postponed, you can schedule for a later date.

2. Check with your provider to confirm which PA has been extended before rescheduling care. You can also see the status of your PAs by logging in to your Blue Cross of Idaho account.

Visit bcidaho.com/coronavirus to find more information, such as tips for using telehealth and other steps we’ve taken to support you during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Find updated list of ChoiceDocs after July 1 We use data to find doctors who give effective, low-cost care and note them as ChoiceDocs in our online provider search tool. When you see a ChoiceDocs doctor, you get rewarded with a lower or – depending on your plan – no copay.

The process we use to find ChoiceDocs doctors resets every year on July 1. This means that some doctors who had been listed as ChoiceDocs may lose this rating starting July 1, 2020. It also means that new doctors may be rated as ChoiceDocs at this point.

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Contact Us

3000 E. Pine Ave. Meridian, ID 83642

Call our customer service line at the number listed on the back of your member ID card.

Website: members.bcidaho.com

Email: customerservice@bcidaho.com

Access information on your mobile phone.

Let’s Get SocialLet’s get to know each other better. When you want to know more about how we’re working hard for members, how we give back to the community, or to find out when a hot job is open, visit one of our social media channels.

Published by Blue Cross of Idaho. © 2020 by Blue Cross of Idaho, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 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. Blue Cross of Idaho makes no endorsements or warranties regarding any of the products and services included in this publication or its articles.

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Blue Cross of Idaho

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