The Health Alliance Star - Midwest Winter 2016
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The Health Alliance Star VOLUME 5 • WINTER 2016 qm-ILStarsNewsletter-0116 Y0034_15_32001 Getting well after being sick is a great feeling, but skipping sickness altogether is even better. You can’t prevent every disease, but you can take steps to help you stay healthy. Here are some prevention tips to help you do just that. MIDWEST Handy Tips to Help You Stay Healthy Exercise plays a big part in staying healthy as you age. It can help keep your heart healthy, lower your risk for certain cancers and other diseases, improve your mental health and lots more. If you’re not already active, talk to your doctor about an exercise plan. Working out doesn’t have to be hard. If you want to get active in the comfort of your own home, get workout gear sent to you through the SilverSneakers ® fitness program that comes with your plan. It’s a convenient way to get fit without even leaving your living room and is no extra cost to you. If you prefer a more social workout, join a gym that participates in SilverSneakers. For more information, go to silversneakers.com or call 1-888-423-4632 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT. Get Energized with Exercise HEALTH ALLIANCE 301 S VINE ST. URBANA IL 61801-3347 It’s Time for a Wellness Exam See your doctor for a wellness visit once a year and ask about any tests you should have, like colorectal cancer screenings or mammograms, and how often you need them. These checkups and screenings help doctors find cancer or other problems early, so they can treat you before problems get worse. Keep the Flu Far Away We’re in the middle of flu season, and the best way to prevent getting or spreading it is with a flu shot. Health Alliance Medicare covers flu vaccines at 100 percent at in-network pharmacies or providers, but if you get the shot at a doctor’s office, you might have a copay for the office visit. Your blood pressure is a key part of your overall health. High blood pressure raises your risk for heart disease, stroke and other conditions, but medicine, weight loss, exercise and eating less salt can help lower it. Talk to your doctor about what your goal should be and what you can do to reach it. At each office visit, ask your doctor what your blood pressure is and have him or her take it again if it seems unusually high. You can also take your blood pressure at home. Buy a machine * that fits your arm. (The American Heart Association recommends a machine with an arm cuff Take Your Blood Pressure at Home rather than a wristband.) Then, follow the steps in the cut-out portion of this page. Wait at least 30 minutes before taking it if you’ve just exercised, smoked or had caffeine. If you get one high reading, take it again. If you get multiple high readings, tell your doctor. Go to the American Heart Association’s website at heart.org for more info. If you have coverage questions about any of these benefits, call the number on the back of your ID card from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Six Simple Steps for Taking Your Blood Pressure • Take your blood pressure at the same time each day (or however often your doctor wants you to). • Sit still (no talking) with your feet flat on the floor and your back against the back of a chair. • Rest your arm on a flat surface. Make sure your upper arm is level with your heart. • Follow the directions for using your cuff to make sure you have it in the right spot. • Record your blood pressure and the date and time you take it. • Know when your doctor wants you to report readings or to seek medical care. Target Blood Pressure 18–59 years < 140/90 60 years or older < 150/90 60 years or older with diabetes and/or kidney disease < 140/90 * Your plan does not cover home blood pressure machines.
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The Health Alliance Star has health tips and info for our Medicare Advantage members. This is the Midwest Winter 2016 Issue.
Transcript of The Health Alliance Star - Midwest Winter 2016
The Health Alliance StarVOLUME 5 • WINTER 2016
qm-ILStarsNewsletter-0116 Y0034_15_32001
Getting well after being sick is a great feeling, but skipping sickness altogether is even better. You can’t prevent every disease, but you can take steps to help you stay healthy. Here are some prevention tips to help you do just that.
MIDWEST
Handy Tips to Help You Stay Healthy
Exercise plays a big part in staying healthy as you age. It can help keep your heart healthy, lower your risk for certain cancers and other diseases, improve your mental health and lots more. If you’re not already active, talk to your doctor about an exercise plan.
Working out doesn’t have to be hard. If you want to get active in the comfort of your own home, get workout gear sent to you through the SilverSneakers® fitness program that comes with your plan. It’s a convenient way to get fit without even leaving your living room and is no extra cost to you.
If you prefer a more social workout, join a gym that participates in SilverSneakers. For more information, go to silversneakers.com or call 1-888-423-4632 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.
Get Energized with Exercise
HEALTH ALLIANCE 301 S VINE ST. URBANA IL 61801-3347
It’s Time for a Wellness ExamSee your doctor for a wellness visit once a year and ask about any tests you should have, like colorectal cancer screenings or mammograms, and how often you need them. These checkups and screenings help doctors find cancer or other problems early, so they can treat you before problems get worse.
Keep the Flu Far AwayWe’re in the middle of flu season, and the best way to prevent getting or spreading it is with a flu shot. Health Alliance Medicare covers flu vaccines at 100 percent at in-network pharmacies or providers, but if you get the shot at a doctor’s office, you might have a copay for the office visit.Your blood pressure is a key part of your
overall health. High blood pressure raises your risk for heart disease, stroke and other conditions, but medicine, weight loss, exercise and eating less salt can help lower it. Talk to your doctor about what your goal should be and what you can do to reach it.
At each office visit, ask your doctor what your blood pressure is and have him or her take it again if it seems unusually high.
You can also take your blood pressure at home. Buy a machine* that fits your arm. (The American Heart Association recommends a machine with an arm cuff
Take Your Blood Pressure at Homerather than a wristband.) Then, follow the steps in the cut-out portion of this page. Wait at least 30 minutes before taking it if you’ve just exercised, smoked or had caffeine. If you get one high reading, take it again. If you get multiple high readings, tell your doctor.
Go to the American Heart Association’s website at heart.org for more info.
If you have coverage questions about any of these benefits, call the number on the back of your ID card from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Six Simple Steps for Taking Your Blood Pressure • Take your blood pressure at the same time each day (or however often your doctor wants you to).• Sitstill(notalking)withyourfeetflatonthefloorandyourbackagainstthebackof achair.• Restyourarmonaflatsurface.Makesureyourupperarmislevelwithyourheart.• Follow the directions for using your cuff to make sure you have it in the right spot.• Record your blood pressure and the date and time you take it. • Know when your doctor wants you to report readings or to seek medical care.
Target Blood Pressure18–59 years < 140/9060 years or older < 150/9060 years or older with diabetes and/or kidney disease
< 140/90
*Your plan does not cover home blood pressure machines.
