October 2014 Exclusively for Health Advocate Members

Your one-stop source for complete support

Just One CallConnect to All Your Benefits 1.855.424.6400

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Turn to Us to Relieve StressAll with One Call

EmpoweredHealthBenefits in BriefEmpoweredHealth is an all-in-one benefit paid for by your employer or plan sponsor that gives you access to your employee benefits through one, toll-free number. Simply call to be connected to a Personal Health Advocate, Wellness Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor, or other expert who can get you the help you need.

Understand Your Benefits

Resolve Billing Issues

Make Healthy Changes

Support for Personal/Work Issues

Assist with Eldercare

Reduce Medical Expenses

Control Chronic Conditions

… and more!

855.424.640024/7 Support

Web: HealthAdvocate.com/members

Get Started Today!

Email: answers@HealthAdvocate.com

Who is eligible?

The EmpoweredHealth benefit is available to you, your spouse, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law.*

*Some restrictions may apply.

View the EmpoweredHealth Video! Log on to HealthAdvocate.com/members

Tweet us @HealthAdvocate and let us know!

How did Health Advocate help ease your stress?

It’s no surprise that people have reported a 10-30 percent increase in their stress levels in the last three decades. Rising medical costs, having to wait to see a doctor, concerns about staying fit and healthy, financial debt— all are typical of many of today’s stressors.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was someone who could help you find solutions to these types of issues, to lower your stress and free your time, so you can feel better and function more productively?

Call us! Our Health Advocate EmpoweredHealth experts have extensive experience helping members with the right solutions and support. Plus, you can use a range of online tools for insightful information and useful resources on the run!

Here’s What’s Inside

• Need to Get in to See a Doctor?

Your Personal Health Advocate can

facilitate the appointment

• Help Finding the Best Price

Use our Health Cost Estimator+

for upfront prices

• Wellness Coaching:

Get ongoing help to stay on track

• Relief for Financial Stress

Turn to our experts

• Diagnosed with Depression?

Your Nurse Coach can help you manage it

• Choosing a New Health Plan

We offer guidance

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When You Need to See Your Doctor Right Away… Just call us!

855.424.640024/7 Support

Just Call

Healthcare HelpCall your Personal Health Advocate!Your Personal Health Advocate is an expert in navigating the healthcare system. Just call and we’ll get you the answers you need!

We can help:• Find the right doctors

• Schedule appointments

• Handle claims issues

• Secure second opinions

• Get medical cost estimates

We’ll stay with you until your issue is resolved.

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Getting an appointment scheduled can sometimes be a frustrating task. Here’s how we helped one member get in front of a doctor right away:

Mary’s primary doctor detected irregular heartbeats during her routine exam. He recommended a cardiologist for further evaluation. Unfortunately, Mary was unable to schedule an appointment with the cardiologist for at least three weeks.

She called her Personal Health Advocate, who spoke to the specialist directly, explained Mary’s needs and an appointment was made the very next day. It turned out Mary had an arrhythmia, (heart palpitations) and her doctor treated it successfully with medications.

Your Personal Health Advocate can help you get the care you need. Call us. 855.424.6400

Are you facing a medical procedure? It is stressful enough to learn that you need a procedure or even a diagnostic test without worrying about what it might cost or where to go to have it performed. How much should you budget? Just where do you find out prices?

With Health Cost Estimator+, these answers are at your fingertips. This valuable tool gives you the right information to choose medical services before your care.

With Health Cost Estimator+ you can:

• Get pricing estimates for doctors, hospitals and other facilities nationwide

• Compare costs for hundreds of medical services by ZIP Code

• Read patient reviews

Plus you can get quick access to a Personal Health Advocate for ongoing support.

Save Money with Health Cost Estimator+

1. Call your Personal Health Advocate at 855.424.6400

3. Log on to the Health Advocate member website. HealthAdvocate.com/members

2. Use your SmartPhone or tablet.

How to Access your Health Cost Estimator+

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Stressed About Meeting Your Health Goals?

Health and WellnessSign up for Wellness Coaching

Do you want to get healthy? Maybe you want to lose weight, eat better, or quit tobacco? Just call to speak to a Wellness Coach. Then, by phone, email or instant message your Coach will help you reach your health goals—and stay with you every step of the way!

We’ll help you:

• Set goals and create action steps

• Stay on track with motivation

• Use tips and helpful resources like healthy recipes and workout routines to meet your goals

Go online for added support!

Your confidential Wellness Website is packed with fun interactive tools:

• Take your Personal Health Profile

• Sign up for a Wellness Workshop

• Track healthy activities

• Join a Wellness Campaign

Sign up for Wellness Coaching today!

855.424.6400HealthAdvocate.com/members

24/7 Support

Having a packed schedule can make you feel like it’s impossible to ever meet your health goals. Your Wellness Coach can help you get there no matter what! Call, email or instant message your Coach any time for motivation and ideas to stay on the health track!

Ask a Wellness Coach

How can I keep family mealtimes stress-free?

Sit-down family dinners can provide a chance to bond and connect with one another. But with hectic schedules, meals can often be rushed. A bit of planning can help make them more enjoyable. Try these tips:

Workshop Spotlight: Stress Management

This fun, interactive online program can help you de-stress and get on the path to better well-being.

And be sure to check your Wellness website for additional resources to reduce stress. Get started now! HealthAdvocate.com/members

Discover Your Risk for Disease: Take Your Personal Health Profile

The Personal Health Profile is a simple online survey that gives you a snapshot of your current health status and risk for certain diseases and conditions. You’ll instantly receive a report outlining your health status and steps you can take to improve your health. Just log in any time, 24/7, and answer the questions. Go to: HealthAdvocate.com/members

Prep the night (or weekend) before. Get the kids involved in washing and storing veggies—it’s a good way to discuss the importance of nutrition.

Make one night “cooking night.” Prepare big batches to freeze for leftovers.

Keep fruit, cheese, whole grains and veggies on hand. A baguette, an ounce of cheese, grapes, and carrot sticks, makes a balanced meal when there’s no time for cooking.

Ask your Coach for more great tips!

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Balancing Personal, Work, and Life IssuesCall your Licensed Professional Counselor

Your EAP+Work/Life program gives you access to a Licensed Professional Counselor 24/7. Turn to us for confidential, short-term assistance with…

• Stress/depression/anxiety

• Marital/family/parenting issues

• Work conflicts

• Anger/grief/loss

• Substance abuse

• Legal and financial issues

You can also search a huge database of resources at: HealthAdvocate.com/members

Plus, if you need it, we can provide referrals for long-term help. In a crisis, emergency help is available 24/7.

Call Today: 855.424.6400

Relief for Financial Stress Turn to Our ExpertsFacing financial debt can lead to family tension, heated arguments, and even unhealthy coping behaviors including excess drinking. But as one member, John, discovered, contacting a Health Advocate Work/Life Specialist for resources can be an important first step to becoming debt-free and restoring a sense of calmness and control.

“The Specialist arranged for me to talk to a financial consultant and located credit counseling services. I was able to consolidate my debts and set up a repayment plan.”

John also found articles on the website to help his whole family establish a workable budget.

“The information helped us all save money.”

Need support and resources with debt or for another stressful matter?

Call Us 24/7: 855.424.6400

Remember, you can look up articles, checklists and more! Just go to your EAP+Work/Life Website: HealthAdvocate.com/members

Overwhelmed by Family Addiction?

53 percent of Americans have a spouse or close relative who has a drinking problem.

Your EAP+Work/Life Licensed Professional Counselor can help you learn ways to take care of yourself and set limits with the alcoholic family member. Don’t wait to call us. We’re here to help. 855.424.6400

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

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Diagnosed with Depression? Your Nurse Coach Can Help

Sign up for the Chronic Care Support Program Reach a Better Level of Health

Living with a chronic condition can be a challenge. Your own Registered Nurse Coach can work with you to help you better manage your condition and improve your overall health.

We can help you with:• Asthma

• Depression

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Diabetes

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

• Hypertension

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

• Metabolic Syndrome/High Cholesterol

We’ll work as your partner to help…• Manage your symptoms

• Prevent complications

• Develop lifestyle changes for better health

• Make the most of your doctor visits

We’ll also send you reminders about important tests or check-ups plus educational materials.

Enroll Today!Start working with a Nurse Coach Just Call: 855.424.6400

Unlike many other chronic conditions, key symptoms of depression are internal—only you know how you feel. There are no blood tests or X-rays that monitor how you are doing. Usually, depression gradually improves but if it were to worsen, it’s important to recognize the signs early.

Your Chronic Care Support Nurse Coach can help you closely stick to your doctor’s recommendations and create a plan to prevent the progression of symptoms.

Did You Know? Healthy lifestyle actions like exercise can be a helpful addition to other depression treatment (medication and counseling). It increases the brain’s production of endorphins—the mood-enhancing hormones.

Your Nurse Coach can tell you about other healthy lifestyle measures that can help you better manage your depression.

Keep on Top of Depression

A Chronic Care Nurse Coach can help you follow your doctor’s treatment plan more effectively, find low-cost medications, and more. Call 855.424.6400

Here are a few ways your Nurse can help:

Review the signs that your depression may be recurring, such as having thoughts of hopelessness.

Determine the possible causes for the recurrence. Factors can include unexpected stress, drug or alcohol use, and not complying with your medication regimen.

Discuss your understanding of your medications and any obstacles to taking them including side effects. Your Nurse Coach will provide suggestions for communicating any concerns with your doctor and tips to overcome medication-taking problems.

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Choosing a New Health Plan?We Provide Guidance

Q&A My employer is offering a health insurance plan with a high deductible as well as a Health Savings Account (HSA). Should I take advantage of the HSA?

Yes, it’s worth considering. Here’s why:

• It’s tax deductible. Contributions, withdrawals and interest earned on savings are all non-taxable.

• No penalties. Money used for qualified medical expenses can be withdrawn for you and your dependents.

• Interest earned. HSA funds can roll over from year to year. This means if you have funds left over in your account, they collect interest over time.

More questions? Give us a call.

Fall is typically “open enrollment” time when employees have the option to sign up for—or switch—health plans. It can sometimes be confusing to understand the choices. Your Personal Health Advocate can guide you in the following ways to help you select the best option for you and your family.

Check if dependents are covered. Some plans cover dependents (spouse, partner, children or stepchildren) while others do not.

Explain the services covered and any rules. For example, mental health services may be covered only up to a certain number of visits.

Clarify your out-of-pocket costs. This includes your co-pay, deductible, and co-insurance.

Remember, we can also help you find new doctors, low-cost generic medications and more. Call us. 855.424.6400

Go over coverage for current medications. If you take any prescription medications, we will check to make sure they are approved in your health plan’s formulary—the list of drugs it covers—along with costs of any required co-payments.

©2014 Health Advocate, Inc. HA-EHM-1401003-2.1 NL OCTOBER

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855.424.6400

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Your Member Website Expert Help 24/7

Personal Health Dashboard Health Information at Your FingertipsWhat’s your doctor’s phone number? Is your blood pressure going down or up? To be in control of your health, it’s important to have this information easily available, whenever you need it.

Simply log on to your Personal Health Dashboard to view:

• Provider contact numbers

• Recommended health screenings

• Personal health trackers to follow your blood pressure, and other health markers

Look for Spotlights!

The Dashboard spotlights alert you to important preventive care and other actions you may need to take to stay healthy. For example, they may remind you that you are overdue for an important test, screening or immunization.

Ready to take action? Go to:

• HealthAdvocate.com/members• Register or Login• Click the “Health Dashboard” icon

Your life is busy… and now you have a convenient way to get quick answers and improve your health around the clock. Log on any time. HealthAdvocate.com/members

• Learn details about your benefits, watch a member video

• Find out your current health status and what steps you need to take to improve

• Join special Wellness Campaigns like: Commit to Quit; Maintain, Don’t Gain; and Got Fitness

• Look up dozens of health articles

• Compare medical prices with your Health Cost Estimator+

• Register for webinars

• Check out your Personal Health Dashboard

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.

Plus, access Health Cost Estimator+™