On Your WayQuit smoking today to make for a better tomorrow.

- We’re Five-Star

- Sleep Better

- A Risk for Diabetics

A COUPLE CANOES IN MCCALL

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summertime,and the living is healthy

AH, SUMMER IN IDAHO. The sun is out, the days are long and the outdoors beckon. Enjoy—but don’t let your healthcare take a back seat to seasonal activities.

For one thing, to really enjoy the great outdoors, you should quit smoking. Did you know that ciga-rette smoke contains some of the same chemicals found in gasoline, paint thinner and embalming fl uid? If that doesn’t make you want to quit, learn the other reasons that may, on page 4.

Here’s a question for you: What’s the No. 1 cause of blindness in our country? Would you believe it’s diabetes? It’s a fact: Diabetic retinopathy can lead to irreversible blindness. Read how to prevent this on page 6.

Speaking of No. 1, we’re pleased to share the following good news: True Blue® was rated the top Medi-care Advantage plan in Idaho. Learn more on page 7.

We hope you enjoy the summer, in good health and spirits.

= PHARMACY

generic update Medication Use Brand Name Generic Name

Antibiotic Ceftin Susp Cefuroxime Axetil

Pain Dazidox Oxycodone

Skin (Psoriasis) Olux Clobetasol Propionate

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At right, we list the brand-name drugs

(by use) recently released in a generic form.

BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO BCIDAHO.COM 2

= Q & A

The Buzz on Bugs

A

Q

A

Q

THERE ARE SO MANY INSECT REPELLENTS TO CHOOSE FROM—WHICH ONE IS BEST?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you choose prod-

ucts containing active ingredients that have been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This ensures that the ingredients have been reviewed and approved for safety when applied according to the instructions on the label.

The two ingredients that show the best science-based results are DEET and picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant-derived ingredient, is another option, but it is less effective—similar to low con-centrations of DEET. Finally, experts recommend some products containing permethrin for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear. Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests, even after repeated laundering.

SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT INSECTS CARRYING THE WEST NILE VIRUS?

Yes—a little. Idaho ranked among the top 10 states nationwide in reported cases of

West Nile in 2007. But the number of total cases is small: 132, including one death.

The West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes, so the best way to avoid it is to prevent mosquito bites:

- Use insect repellent that contains an EPA-registered active ingredient.

- Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

- Clean up mosquito breeding sites. Remove standing water from fl owerpots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in outdoor pet dishes daily and replace the water in birdbaths weekly.

WELCOME:

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Here’s a question for you: What’s the No. 1 cause of blindness in our country? Would you believe it’s diabetes? It’s a fact: Diabetic retinopathy can lead to irreversible blindness. Read how to prevent this on page 6.

Speaking of No. 1, we’re pleased to share the following good news: True Blue® was rated the top Medi-care Advantage plan in Idaho. Learn more on page 7.

We hope you enjoy the summer, in good health and spirits.

blue cross of idaho bcidaho.com 3

= Q & A

The Buzz on Bugs

A

Q

A

Q

= w e l l c o n n e c t e d

You Are getting sleepyAmericans are tired. Bushed. tuckered out. in a 2008 study by the national Sleep Foun-dation, 36 percent of respondents admitted to falling asleep or nodding off while driving in the past year. And chronic fatigue messes with your mojo—20 percent of the survey respondents said they have lost interest in sex because they are too sleepy.

there are many rea-sons we’re all so tired. But medical problems may play a role. the only way to determine the cause is a sleep study. And that’s where we can help.

Blue cross of idaho’s wellconnected program offers an online sleep assessment tool to help you examine your sleep. to access the tool, log in to “wellness Support tools” from “Health and wellness” on bcidaho.com.

there are so many insect repellents to choose from—which one is best?

the u.S. centers for disease control and Prevention recommends you choose prod-

ucts containing active ingredients that have been registered with the u.S. environmental Protection Agency. this ensures that the ingredients have been reviewed and approved for safety when applied according to the instructions on the label.

the two ingredients that show the best science-based results are deet and picaridin. oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant-derived ingredient, is another option, but it is less effective—similar to low con-centrations of deet. Finally, experts recommend some products containing permethrin for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear. Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests, even after repeated laundering.

should i be concerned about insects carrying the west nile virus?

Yes—a little. idaho ranked among the top 10 states nationwide in reported cases of

west nile in 2007. But the number of total cases is small: 132, including one death.

the west nile virus is carried by mosquitoes, so the best way to avoid it is to prevent mosquito bites:

- use insect repellent that contains an ePA-registered active ingredient.

- Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

- clean up mosquito breeding sites. remove standing water from flowerpots, buckets and barrels. change the water in outdoor pet dishes daily and replace the water in birdbaths weekly.

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Prevention:

4 blue cross of idaho bcidaho.com

let uS count tHe wAYS:

why you should quIT 438,000Cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke cause an estimated 438,000 premature deaths each year in the united States. Of these deaths, about 40 percent are from cancer, 35 percent are from heart disease and stroke, and 25 percent are from lung disease. Smoking is the leading cause of premature, prevent-able death in this country—by far.

There are a number of reasons to stop using tobacco, such as …

19 (At leASt)The National Cancer Institute has expanded the list of diseases caused by smoking to at least 19. The new additions: abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute myeloid leukemia, cata-ract, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, pancre-atic cancer, pneumonia, periodontitis and stomach cancer. These get added to those we already knew of: bladder, esophageal, laryngeal, lung, oral and throat cancers; chronic lung diseases; coronary heart and cardiovascular diseases; reproductive diseases and sudden infant death syndrome.

tobacco smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals. At least 250 are known to be harmful and more than 50 have been found to cause cancer. the

toxic chemicals include hydrogen cyanide (used in chemical weapons), carbon monoxide (found in car exhaust), formaldehyde (used as an embalming fluid), ammonia (used in household clean-ers), toluene (found in paint thinners), benzene (found in gasoline), cadmium (used in batteries), and even polonium-210, which is radioactive. do you really want these nasty chemicals in your body?

if you think smokeless tobacco is safer than

cigarettes, think again. chewing tobacco and snuff both contain 28 cancer-causing chemicals.

@

4,000

(28)

When you quit, it only takes 20 minutes for your body to start healing. Twenty minutes after smoking that last cigarette, your blood pressure and heart rate drop and the body temperature of

your hands and feet increases. Within 24 hours, your chance of a heart attack is already lower than the day before. By three months, circula-tion improves, walking becomes easier and lung function increases. One year after your last cigarette, your excess risk of coronary heart disease decreases by 50 percent. And it just keeps getting better.

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blue cross of idaho bcidaho.com 5

You’re not alone in trying to quit—or struggling to quit. If it were an easy battle to win, nobody would still be smoking. Here are two resources to turn to:

- bcidaho.com provides infor-mation about how second-hand

smoke affects you and your family, the health benefits of quitting and much more.

- idaho.quitnet.com, from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, offers a free support program.

Need Help? JuSt ASk

why you should quITThere are a number of reasons to stop using tobacco, such as …

19 (At leASt)The National Cancer Institute has expanded the list of diseases caused by smoking to at least 19. The new additions: abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute myeloid leukemia, cata-ract, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, pancre-atic cancer, pneumonia, periodontitis and stomach cancer. These get added to those we already knew of: bladder, esophageal, laryngeal, lung, oral and throat cancers; chronic lung diseases; coronary heart and cardiovascular diseases; reproductive diseases and sudden infant death syndrome.

When you quit, it only takes 20 minutes for your body to start healing. Twenty minutes after smoking that last cigarette, your blood pressure and heart rate drop and the body temperature of

your hands and feet increases. Within 24 hours, your chance of a heart attack is already lower than the day before. By three months, circula-tion improves, walking becomes easier and lung function increases. One year after your last cigarette, your excess risk of coronary heart disease decreases by 50 percent. And it just keeps getting better.

Studies have shown that quitting by age 30

reduces the chance of dying from smoking-related diseases by more than 90 percent. People who quit at about age 50 reduce their risk of dying prematurely by 50 percent compared with those who continue to smoke. even people who quit at 60 or older live longer than those who continue to smoke.

90%

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blue cross of idaho bcidaho.com 6

iF You HAve diABeteS:

keep an eye on your

We can help you see your way to preventing vision problems.

= Blue Cross of Idaho offers a diabetes program to help you manage your condition. From bcidaho.com, go to the disease management section, under the Health and Wellness tab. you can also call the Customer services number on the back of our Id card.

EYESIGHT

F ew people realize that diabetes—more specifi cally, a condition called diabetic

retinopathy—causes the most cases of blindness in the u.S. Diabetes damages blood vessels throughout your body, including those inside your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. They swell and weaken, and some become clogged and do not let enough blood through.

The damage occurs slowly. You may not notice at fi rst. Eventually, you may have the following symptoms:

- Blurry or double vision- Rings, fl ashing lights or blank

spots- Dark or fl oating spots- Pain or pressure in one or both of

your eyes- Trouble seeing things out of the

corners of your eyesDiabetic retinopathy can’t be

cured. But when caught early, it can be treated. If you have diabetes, you should have a complete eye examevery year even if your sight seems fi ne. During the exam, the eye care

doctor will dilate your pupils with eye drops and examine your retina. The doctor can also look for other eye problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma, during the exam.

stay in ControlIt’s also important to keep up with

all the other necessary tests related to diabetes. See your healthcare team at least twice a year to fi nd and treat any problems early. At each visit be sure you have the following tests:

- Blood pressure check- Foot check- Weight check- A1C test (you may need to be

checked more often if your blood sugar is not well controlled)

Get these tests once every year:- Cholesterol and triglycerides - Complete foot exam- Dental exam to check teeth and

gums (be sure your dentist knows you have diabetes)

- urine and blood tests to check for kidney problems

- And be sure to get a fl u shot each fall and a pneumonia vaccine once in your lifetime.

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blue cross of idaho bcidaho.com 7

keep an eye on your

We can help you see your way to preventing vision problems.

= Blue Cross of Idaho offers a diabetes program to help you manage your condition. From bcidaho.com, go to the disease management section, under the Health and Wellness tab. you can also call the Customer services number on the back of our Id card.

We offer one of the best insurance products around.

TRuE BLuE® Is a Five-Star Plan!

we’re toPS: doctor will dilate your pupils with eye drops and examine your retina. The doctor can also look for other eye problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma, during the exam.

stay in ControlIt’s also important to keep up with

all the other necessary tests related to diabetes. See your healthcare team at least twice a year to fi nd and treat any problems early. At each visit be sure you have the following tests:

- Blood pressure check- Foot check- Weight check- A1C test (you may need to be

checked more often if your blood sugar is not well controlled)

Get these tests once every year:- Cholesterol and triglycerides - Complete foot exam- Dental exam to check teeth and

gums (be sure your dentist knows you have diabetes)

- urine and blood tests to check for kidney problems

- And be sure to get a fl u shot each fall and a pneumonia vaccine once in your lifetime.

Blue Cross of Idaho’s True Blue plan received high marks from Medicare in 2008 and was ranked the No. 1 Medicare Advantage plan in Idaho, according to the quality ratings

listed in Medicare & You 2008, Idaho Edition.We received the top rating—fi ve stars*—in many of the categories

rated, including Access to Primary Care Services, Getting Care From Doctors and Specialists, Drug Coverage and Doctor Communication. You can learn more about the results at medicare.gov.

A BETTER PRODuCTSo what does this mean? Well, it means that we offer the top Medi-

care Advantage plan in the area. True Blue guarantees members have a primary care doctor and access to the specialists they need. True Blue provides comprehensive coverage with affordable premiums, no deductibles and predictable costs. We give True Blue members an all-around approach to good health with healthcare services from local providers you know and trust.

PASS IT ONIf you know somebody who might be interested in learning

more about True Blue and Blue Cross of Idaho’s other options for insurance, pass on our contact information.

For more information, call 1-888-494-2593 or TTY/TDD 1-800-377-1363, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

*Five-star rating from Medicare Health Plans, 2008 Plan Data found on the Medicare Web site, medicare.gov.

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OLD AGE IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE. Americans are living longer lives than ever before. One reason for this: preventive medicine.

Much of the illness, disability and disease that come with old age can be prevented, says the u.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 40 percent of all deaths in America are linked to smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet or alcohol misuse—behaviors that can be corrected.

- Make smart lifestyle choices. Get 30 minutes of physical activity per day, most days of the week. Eat a low-fat, high-fi ber diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid tobacco in any form. If you drink alcohol, be moderate.

- Take advantage of covered screenings. Stay up-to-date on recommended tests for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers, and diabetes-related complications.

- Get vaccinated. Get a fl u shot every fall. Be sure you’ve been vaccinated against pneumonia.

- See your doctor. Keep to your appointment schedule and ask your doctor about preventive medicine.

the power of prevention

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