August 2014 Exclusively for Health Advocate Members

Healthy solutions for your entire family

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Total Health Support For Your Entire Family

866.695.8622

Web: HealthAdvocate.com/members

24/7 Support

Email: answers@HealthAdvocate.com

When it comes to your family, you want to be sure your loved ones can get the help they need when it matters most. That’s where we come in! With your Health Advocate benefit, you and your family have access to a team of skilled healthcare professionals that can support you through minor and major healthcare decisions, ensuring that you are getting the best care available. Whether it’s a question about a medical bill, or assistance with enrolling a parent or in-law into a Medicare plan, we will be your guide every step of the way.

In this issue, you’ll learn about the ways Health Advocate can help you manage issues like…

• Keeping your children healthy

• Understanding the terms of your insurance plan

• Following medication schedules

• Enrolling your parents and parents-in-law in Medicare

Call us anytime you need added help and support.

Keep Your Kids HealthyIt’s never too early or too late to instill good habits that can help kids stay healthy, fit, and protected from disease and illness. Consider the following tips to ensure a healthy and happy childhood for your children:

• Have a good relationship with your primary care provider. A doctor who is familiar with your child’s health history from birth through their teen years is important as they develop.

• Keep up with vaccinations. Don’t forget boosters (even until college). For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

• Schedule routine checkups. Regularly scheduled checkups can find health problems early, giving your child the best chance for proper and successful treatment.

• Encourage physical activity. For tips check out www.letsmove.gov.

• Protect them from the sun. Be sure to apply water- resistant SPF 30 or greater sunscreen 30 minutes before venturing outside.

For more child-safety tips contact your Personal Health Advocate! Remember, your Personal Health Advocate can also locate the right pediatric providers, schedule appointments, and more. Just call!

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Make the Most of Your Health PlanAccording to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over a third of U.S. adults, that’s 77 million people, had basic or below basic health literacy. They estimated that only 12 percent of U.S. adults would be able to understand the terms of their health insurance plans. It’s important to know what your plan covers, so you can take maximum advantage of all the benefits offered. Your Personal Health Advocate, typically a registered nurse supported by medical directors and benefits and claims specialist, can walk you through your plan. They can also:

• Explain your share of costs including deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance

• Review services covered, including preventive care and medications

• Help you understand medical bills

• Clarify precertification requirements for a medical procedure

Remember, if you have any questions your Personal Health Advocate is always there to assist with getting you the help you need when it matters most.

Yes of course! Your Personal Health Advocate can help your father-in-law better understand his medication schedule as well as provide him with tips to make sure he takes the proper medication at the right time, give him tips to remember when to take them, and even try to find less expensive, generic options for his medicine. Just call!

My 75 year old father-in-law is having a tough time keeping track of all of his different medications, and as a result wound up in the hospital because of a mix up with his blood pressure medicine. I am worried this may happen again, can Health Advocate help me?

Q&A

Hours:

Health Advocate can be accessed 24/7. Normal business hours are Monday-Friday, between 8 am and 9 pm, Eastern Time. Staff is available for assistance after hours and on weekends.

Your Personal Health Advocate:

• Unlimited access, 24/7 support

• Help with a wide range of healthcare and insurance-related issues

• Typically registered nurses, supported by medical directors and benefits and claims specialists

• Saves you time, money and worry

How we can help:

• Find the right providers; secure second opinions

• Explain conditions; research latest treatments

• Help schedule appointments and tests

• Resolve claims issues; clarify benefits

• Estimate costs of common procedures

...and more

Expanded family coverage:

Eligible employees, their spouses, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law are all eligible to use the program.

24/7 Support HealthAdvocate.com/members

866.695.8622

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Medicare Made EasyMedicare can be confusing, and you want to be sure you choose the option that’s right for you. Your Personal Health Advocate can walk you through the choices, clearly explaining the coverage and costs of each. We can also help your parents and parents-in- law with Medicare decisions. We can assist with issues including:

• Clarifying “Original” Medicare. This includes Part A (covers hospital costs) and Part B (covers doctor visits, other “medically necessary” services)

• Educating you about Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), and how they compare to Original Medicare

• Discussing Medicare Part D prescription drug plans

• Providing information about eldercare questions including home care, assisted living and nursing home care

• Alerting you to enrollment deadlines to avoid penalties

• Explaining how Medicare works with your employer’s or spouse’s health benefits

Save the date! Medicare’s Open Enrollment for Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Prescription Plans (Part D) for 2015 is from October 15 to December 7, 2014. We can help you with your questions, and research and review plan options for you.

Find Us, Follow Us, Connect With UsFor more important health updates and wellness tips, or to share your own thoughts and tips follow us online!

Here’s what some of our friends had to say:

Thanks to you I have $8,000 more in my pocket. #ThankYou

Your compassion and knowledge is so appreciated. Thank you again.

©2014 Health Advocate, Inc. HA-CM-1401001-8NL-AUG

Your Health Advocate website: Expert help 24/7Your Health Advocate member website is packed with important information about your Health Advocate benefit.

Download our “Get Started Guide” to better understand the program

Watch our member video

Access articles and videos about a variety of health and wellness topics

Just Call Us, We’re Here to Help!When you call us, you will…

• Talk to a customer care associate who will speak with you about your healthcare- or insurance-related issue.

• From there they will connect you to the right Personal Health Advocate who knows the ins and outs of these complicated systems to get the right answers, quickly and efficiently.

Our work to resolve your issue begins immediately, including research, contacting doctors and health insurers, and completing paper-work to get to the most comprehensive resolution.

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• Based upon your need, you may be asked to sign a waiver allowing your Personal Health Advocate to work on your behalf. Rest assured your information will be kept completely confidential and is 100% HIPAA compliant.

• Once your information is received you can go back to living your life, and your Personal Health Advocate will do the work to research and address your issue.

24/7 Support HealthAdvocate.com/members

866.695.8622

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Health Advocate is not affiliated with any insurance or third party provider. Health Advocate complies with all government privacy standards. Health Advocate does not replace health insurance coverage, provide medical care or recommend treatment.