Best of health Information about the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System health plan

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1 Best of health Information about the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System health plan WINTER 2015 Advance directives: Who will decide if you can t? If you became incapacitated tomorrow due to an accident or illness, would your family know what kind of treatment or care you d want or wouldn t want? Do you know who would speak for you? If your answer is no, you may want to consider planning ahead for an event like this with an advance directive to ensure your wishes are carried out. An advance directive is a legally binding document that allows you to appoint someone you know and trust as a patient advocate to help make decisions about your care with your health care providers. Having an advance directive on file also eliminates the painful guesswork families often go through when trying to determine the care their loved ones would have wanted. An advance directive has three parts: The patient s advance directive allows you to indicate the treatment you prefer to receive The durable power of attorney for health care is the form where you designate your health advocate Don t forget to have your personal representative send in a notarized copy of the legal documentation to Office of Retirement Services as well if you designate a power of attorney, conservatorship or guardianship. It can be mailed to: Office of Retirement Services, P.O. Box 30171, Lansing, MI , or faxed to Be sure to write your Office of Retirement Services member ID on the documentation so the retirement system can associate it with your account. Once your documentation has been approved, your representative can act on your behalf. You should also provide copies of your advance directives to your doctors, patient advocate, attorney, and family members. Be sure to keep two copies for yourself one to store securely with your personal documents, and one that is readily available in case of a medical emergency. No one likes to think about the possibility of becoming ill, but understanding your options and identifying your wishes with an advance directive ensures peace of mind for you and your loved ones. The acceptance by patient advocate form is filled out by your advocate to indicate he or she accepts the responsibility You can write your own advance directive, or seek help from an attorney or your doctor. The forms can be brief, but must conform to the state laws of the state you live in. Advance directive laws are different in each state. If you live in Michigan, you can find copies of all three of these forms by visiting bcbsm.com and searching advance directives. If you live outside of Michigan, contact your doctor or state health department for more information.

2 Information about your 2015 health care plan Annual deductible: Your annual deductible is $850. You may lower your deductible by enrolling in the 2015 LivingWell program. Durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics: You pay 10 percent coinsurance plus deductible applies when any of these items are purchased from a Blue Cross participating provider. If you receive services from a non-participating provider, you will pay 30 percent coinsurance, plus your deductible, plus the difference of the amount your provider chargers and the BCBSM approved amount monthly insurance rates: Your 2015 monthly insurance rates are available on the Office of Retirement Services website. Visit michigan.gov/orsschools* to view this information. You will also receive personalized rates from the Retirement System in the mail. Learn more about your coverage in your 2015 Summary of Benefits at bcbsm.com/mpsers. Start 2015 by LivingWell It s not too late to add LivingWell to your list of New Year s resolutions. Completing the steps below will not only help you start the year in good health, but it will also help you lower your annual deductible from $850 to $ Complete the LivingWell health assessment by March 31, 2015 The health assessment was mailed to you in early November. Be sure to complete it and send it back before March 31, If you didn t receive your health assessment in the mail, you can find it at bcbsm.com/mpsers under the Non Medicare member tab. 2. Select a primary care physician A primary care physician will manage your health care by keeping track of your health information and progress. If you don t have a primary care physician, you can use the Find a Doctor tool at bcbsm.com. 3. Visit your doctor for an annual physical by March 31, 2015 Visiting your doctor once a year can help you manage your health and maintain your relationship with your primary care physician. Bonus step: Select a Patient-Centered Medical Home doctor as your primary care physician to save an additional $50 on your annual deductible. Choose a Patient-Centered Medical Home doctor using the Find a Doctor tool on bcbsm.com. Select Patient-Centered Medical Home as a filter to find a doctor near you. 2 Best of health

3 Use social media for better health You may know that social networking sites, such as Facebook and Instagram, are great ways to keep in touch with your friends and family, but did you know that using social media can also be good for your health? Social interactions engage your brain and reduce stress. According to the National Institute on Aging, people who maintain close friendships and socialize in other ways live longer have stronger immune systems than those who are isolated. Additional health benefits of social interaction include: Lower blood pressure and risk of stroke Lower risk of Alzheimer s disease and dementia Reduced risk of depression friends are. According to the Pew Research Center, 65 percent of adults between ages 50 and 64 reported using at least one social networking site in Staying social as you age is just one small way you can make a big difference in your health. Send a friend request (or two) to start building a healthy foundation for you and your network. In addition to these benefits, social networking sites allow you to easily access and share health information. For example, if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, there are hundreds of online communities designed to provide resources and support to help you manage your condition. If you aren t already using social media to stay connected, chances are more than half of your Reminder: All mail from the Retirement System is important It can be easy to lose track of mail around the holidays. Pay attention and watch for any information from the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System don t let these letters be lost in the pile of junk mail. We only send you important information that you need to know. Remember, if it says Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System, it s important. Best of health 3

4 A clear look at cataracts Cataracts are degenerative eye diseases that are caused when proteins in the lens of the eye clumps together, resulting in opaque, cloudy vision. Age is the most common cause of cataracts, and cataracts are among one of the top causes for blindness among adults age 40 and older in the United States. In addition to experiencing cloudy vision, other symptoms of cataracts include: Excess glare Sensitivity to light Trouble seeing at night Frequent changes of prescription The best way to prevent cataracts and most other eye conditions is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating antioxidant rich foods, such as berries, kale, spinach, sunflower seeds, soybeans and apricots, help cleanse your body and eyes of harmful toxins. What if I already have cataracts? Unfortunately, there is no way to eat or exercise away cataracts once they develop. A healthy lifestyle is a smart preventive measure against cataracts, but it will not reverse their effects. Surgery is the most common and effective way to treat cataracts when a prescription doesn t help. Cataract surgery is safe, highly successful and the most common surgery performed in the United States. It is an outpatient procedure and generally takes only about 15 minutes. Recovery time ranges from 30 minutes to several weeks. If you are considering treatment or surgery for cataracts, talk to your eye doctor to determine what treatments are right for you. 4 Best of health

5 Medications can affect oral health Although medications are designed to help you feel better, some medications can have negative side effects on your oral health. It s important to talk to your dentist, in addition to your doctor, about the prescription and over the counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and supplements. Here are just a few common side effects to oral health from medications: Dry mouth. More than 400 drugs can cause this side effect, including decongestants, antidepressants, antihistamines and blood pressure medications. Saliva helps keep your mouth clean. A shortage of saliva can lead to gum infections and tooth decay. Dry mouth sufferers should drink lots of water, chew sugarless gum and avoid salty and spicy foods, alcohol, caffeinated beverages and tobacco. Soft tissue reactions. Blood pressure medications and certain chemotherapy drugs can lead to sores or discoloration in the soft tissues of your mouth. If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk to your dentist about a special dental care routine to limit the discomfort caused by oral ulcers. Altered taste. Cardiovascular drugs, nicotine skin patches and some respiratory inhalants are a few examples of medications that can leave a metallic or bitter taste in your mouth. This can change the way you taste foods. If you experience this, ask your doctor if your medication can be switched. Abnormal bleeding. Even drugs as common as aspirin can affect your oral health. While aspirin helps prevent heart attacks and strokes, it reduces the blood s ability to clot. This can cause your gums to bleed. If you think any of your medications are causing oral health problems, ask your doctor about alternatives and work with your dentist to relieve symptoms. 1 Do You Have Dry Mouth? Journal of the American Dental Association 133 (2002): Web. 4 Sept and%20research/files/patient_19.ashx* Reminder: Schedule a dentist appointment in 2015 Your dental plan covers dental cleanings and exams twice per calendar year. The Retirement System will cover up to $1,100 per year for each person covered under your dental plan. This annual maximum amount is refreshed each year on January 1. Best of health 5

6 Reminder: Catamaran Home Delivery to provide mail order prescription drugs On January 1, 2015, your mail order prescription provider changed from Express Scripts to Catamaran Home Delivery. With Catamaran Home Delivery, you can save time and money when you order a 90 day supply of the medications you take regularly. Your medications will be delivered right to your door. You can also quickly order refills when you are on the go with the CatamaranRx mobile app. Search CatamaranRx in your app store. You can enroll in Catamaran Home Delivery today. Visit mycatamaranrx.com* to enroll or learn more about the program. You can also contact Catamaran Member Services at to enroll, or if you have questions. Prescription drug update The patents on some brand name drugs are set to expire, which means you will soon be able to save money by using the generic equivalents. Any drug that was available on the approved drug list in its brand name form will be on the drug list in its generic form when it becomes available. Your pharmacist will automatically dispense the generic on new or refilled prescriptions for these drugs. Brand name Generic name Indication/use Anticipated generic availability Celebrex Celecoxib Pain; arthritis December 2014 Exforge HCT Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCTZ Hypertension December 2014 Intuniv Guanfacine ADHD December 2014 Premphase Prempro Conjugated estrogens/ medroxyprogesterone Conjugated estrogens/ Medroxyprogesterone Hormone replacement therapy January 2015 Hormone replacement therapy January 2015 Renagel Sevelamer High phosphate levels associated with chronic kidney disease March Best of health

7 How to reach us When contacting us, help us help you by providing your contract number. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan For questions about health care claims, durable medical equipment and supplies, ID cards or participating providers in Michigan: Call: TTY: 711 Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Write: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Attention: MPSERS 600 E. Lafayette Blvd., Dept. X521 Detroit, MI bcbsm.com/mpsers BlueCard PPO providers outside Michigan Call: BLUE ( ) Medicare Call: MEDICARE ( ) TTY: medicare.gov Catamaran For questions about pharmacy claims, ID cards, or participating providers, contact Catamaran at: Call: Customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week catamaranrx.com BlueVision For questions about vision benefits, contact VSP. Call: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST For vision ID cards, call Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan at TTY: 711 Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST For benefit information vsp.com To find a provider vsp.com/advantage Delta Dental Plan of Michigan Call: Customer service representatives available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Automated service seven days a week, 24 hours a day. deltadentalmi.com Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System For pension information, contact the Office of Retirement Services: Call: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST michigan.gov/orsschools For address and membership changes: Write: Office of Retirement Services P.O. Box Lansing, MI *Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan does not control this website or endorse its general content. Upcoming Pension Payment Dates January 23, 2015 February 25, 2015 March 25, 2015 Best of health 7

8 Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan 600 E. Lafayette Blvd., MC 517J Detroit, MI PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN Best of health Best of health is published four times a year for retirees of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, 600 E. Lafayette Blvd. MC 517J, Detroit, Michigan Editor: Christine Paul Copyright 2014 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a nonprofit corporation and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. NOTICE: The information contained here is a summary of coverage and is not a contract. If statements in the description differ from the applicable group contracts, then the terms and conditions of those group contracts will prevail. The Michigan Public School Employees Retirement Board and the Department of Technology, Management & Budget reserve the right to change the plan. For more detailed information about benefit provisions, contact the applicable plan administrator. Non Medicare R033985