LiveHealthy! Health questions are not easy to answer alone. See inside! 24/7 Nurse Advice Line for Health Choice Members. Speak with registered nurses

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1 LiveHealthy! Spring /7 Nurse Advice Line for Health Choice Members Health questions are not easy to answer alone. Get the help you need to make the right choices. Speak with registered nurses Toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no cost to you. Get your questions answered Our nurses can help you understand your medications and provide self-care medical advice. Get help making decisions Our nurses can talk to you about symptoms and help you understand the type of care you need. See inside! What to do in an emergency Preventive tests and screenings Join the Heart Healthy Campaign Tips for using medicines safely Puzzles and more! The Live Healthy! Health Choice Generations HMO SNP newsletter is published four times a year to provide health information and resources for Health Choice Generations members. We want to hear from you! Call Member Services toll-free at (TTY 711) or us at comments@iasishealthcare.com. To reach our Nurse Advice Line, call toll-free: (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Health & Wellness Newsletter 4/1/2014 GENERATIONS

2 2 LiveHealthy! What is an Emergency A true emergency is when you think your life is in danger, a body part is hurt badly, or you are in great pain. Emergencies need to be treated right away. If you are having a true emergency, call 911 right away. Emergencies can include: Poisoning Overdose Severe burns Severe chest pain Pregnant with bleeding and/or pain Deep cut in which bleeding will not stop Loss of consciousness Suddenly not being able to move or speak Most illnesses are not emergencies and can be treated at your doctor s office. You can also get treatment at an urgent care site. You should not use an emergency room if you have one of these minor problems: Common cold, flu symptoms or a sore throat Earache or toothache Back strain Migraine headaches Prescription refills or requests Stomach ache Cut or scrape Tips about emergencies Go to the emergency room only when you have a true emergency. If you are sick, but it is not a true emergency, call your doctor. If you are not sure if your problem is a true emergency, call your doctor for advice. You can also call the Health Choice Nurse Advice Line toll-free at (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What to do in an emergency In a true emergency, it is important to get care right away. When you have a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can use any hospital or emergency provider for these services. You do not need prior approval or a referral. The hospital or emergency provider does not have to be in our network. You will receive emergency services until you are stabilized and released from the emergency room, or you are admitted to a hospital in the Health Choice Generations network.

3 LiveHealthy! 3 Get Your Annual Checkup I t is important to see your doctor at least once a year for your annual checkup, also called an annual wellness exam. Remember, Medicare now covers your annual checkup. There is no cost to you. Here are three reasons why you should visit your doctor for your annual checkup: 1. Your doctor can work with you at your annual checkup to help you live a healthier life. 2. Your doctor can make sure you get the preventive tests and screenings you need to keep you from getting very sick. 3. Your annual checkup helps your doctor find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Make an appointment for your annual checkup today! If you need help making an appointment, call Member Services. We are always happy to help you! Preventive Tests and Screenings Medicare covers preventive tests and screenings at no cost to you. Ask your doctor if you should get any of the following tests and screenings: qqbreast cancer screening: Women should get a mammogram every two years starting at age 50. qqbone density: Women should get a bone density test beginning at age 65 and men should have one beginning at age 70. Your doctor may recommend you be screened earlier if you have certain risk factors. qqcholesterol: High cholesterol can lead to many problems, including heart attacks. Get your cholesterol checked every five years starting at age 20. qqcolon cancer: Get tested starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which type of colon cancer screening test is right for you. qqblood pressure: High blood pressure is sometimes called the silent killer. Get your blood pressure checked at least every two years. qqdiabetes: Get a blood test to screen for diabetes if you have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. qqeye exam: Get a complete eye exam for glaucoma. If you have diabetes, get screened for diabetic eye disease. These eye diseases can lead to blindness. If you are at high risk for glaucoma, you should be screened once a year. qqimmunizations: The flu can make you very sick and can lead to pneumonia. Get a flu shot every year. Get a pneumonia shot once after age 65. qqobesity: Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. qqprostate cancer: Get screened for prostate cancer if you are a man 50 or older. Your doctor may recommend you get screened earlier if you are at high risk for prostate cancer. These are just some of the screenings your doctor may recommend. Always tell your doctor about changes in your health at your annual checkup. You may need other services or need to have screenings more often.

4 4 LiveHealthy! Join the Healthy Heart Campaign Today! Join the Healthy Heart Campaign If you have heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes, call today! T he Million Hearts Campaign is a national program launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The goal of the Million Hearts Campaign is to help prevent one million heart attacks and strokes, one life at a time, during the next five years. At Health Choice Generations, helping you live the fullest gift of health possible is our top priority. We support the Million Hearts Campaign to improve health across communities and help Americans live longer, more productive lives. We encourage all of our members to live healthy! Here are four simple steps to live a healthier life: 1. See your doctor for your annual checkup. 2. Get all of your regular health screenings 3. Exercise regularly 4. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Healthy Heart Campaign If you have heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes, join the Healthy Heart Campaign. A personal nurse case manager will work with you and your doctor to help you get the care you need. What Do You Get? A health care nurse who will encourage you and help you get medical care A single point of contact at Health Choice Generations to assist you, answer any questions and work with your doctor Health and wellness education to help you understand your condition and improve your health Your Care Team Your nurse case manager and your doctors are your care team. Your care team will work together with you to develop a care plan based on your health goals. Your nurse case manager will help you stay on track so you can reach your health goals. Your Health Care Buddy T o make using your health care benefits easier, Health Choice assigns each member their own Health Care Buddy. Just one phone call, and your Health Care Buddy can help you with all your health care needs. Here s how your Health Care Buddy can help you: Answer your questions about your health care services Find doctors or dentists Set up your doctor visits Help you get your medicines Make sure you get your dental, hearing and vision benefits Set up a ride to and from your doctor visits Find more help in your community Need help with your health care? Call your Health Care Buddy today!

5 LiveHealthy! 5 Be Safe! O ne in three older adults will fall each year. Falling can lead to broken bones, trouble getting around and other health problems, especially if you are disabled, or age 65 or older. A fracture (broken bone) can cause pain and disability. It can also make it hard to do everyday activities, like cooking a meal. Hip fractures are a major cause of health problems and death among older adults. Am I at risk? As people age, poor balance and weak muscles can lead to falls and fractures. Older adults usually fall during everyday activities, like walking or turning. Some older adults also have vision problems or other medical conditions that can make a fall more likely. For example, a stroke can affect your balance and make you more likely to fall. You may be more likely to fall if you: Have fallen in the past year Have a health condition that makes it hard to walk or affects your balance Have trouble getting up from a chair or stepping up onto a curb Take medicines to help you relax or sleep Five Steps to Prevent Falls 1. Stay active to feel better, improve your balance, and make your legs stronger. 2. Ask your doctor to review your medicines. Some medicines can make you dizzy or sleepy. 3. Get your vision checked by an eye doctor at least every one to two years. Update your glasses or contact lenses when your vision changes. 4. Get plenty of sleep. Getting a good night s sleep can help you make good decisions and avoid injuries. 5. Make your home safe. Prevent falls at home by following these tips Use bright lights throughout your home, especially on the stairs. Always wear non-slip shoes, even inside your home. Do not walk barefoot or in slippers or socks. Keep stairs and places you walk clear of clutter. Pick up things you can trip over, like papers, shoes, or books. Remove small rugs or use double-sided tape to keep rugs from slipping. Keep items you use often in easy-to-reach cabinets. Stand up slowly after eating, lying down, or sitting. Source: Healthfinder.gov

6 6 LiveHealthy! Tips for Using Medicines Safely U se this checklist to help avoid medication errors. Simple checks could save your life! qqbring a list or a bag with all your medicines when you go to your doctor s office, the pharmacy, or the hospital. Include all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements that you use. If your doctor prescribes a new medicine, ask if it is safe to use with your other medicines. Remind your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medicines. qqask questions about your medicines. Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers. Choose a pharmacist and doctor you feel comfortable talking with about your health and medicines. Take a relative or friend with you to ask questions and remind you about the answers later. Write down the answers. qqmake sure your medicine is what the doctor ordered. Does the medicine seem different from what your doctor wrote on the prescription or look different from what you expected? Does a refill look like it is a different shape, color, or size than what you were given before? If something seems wrong, ask the pharmacist to double check it. Patients first find most errors. qqask how to use the medicine correctly. Read the directions on the label and other information you get with your medicine. Have the pharmacist or doctor explain anything you do not understand. Are there other medicines, foods, or activities (such as driving, drinking alcohol, or using tobacco) that you should avoid while using the medicine? Ask if you need lab tests to check how the medicine is working or to make sure it does not cause harmful side effects. qqask about possible side effects. Side effects can occur with many medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what side effects to expect and which ones are serious. Some side effects may bother you but will get better after you have been using the medicine for a while. Call your doctor right away, if you have a serious side effect or if a side effect does not get better. A change in the medicine or the dose may be needed. Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Be active in your health care! A s a Health Choice Generations member, your health and your family s health is so important that we offer our Health Care Preparedness Toolkit at no cost to you. The Toolkit can help you get the most out of every health care visit! To get your Health Care Preparedness Toolkit, call Member Services today!

7 Healthy Living Quiz LiveHealthy! 7 How often do you eat fruits and vegetables? qqevery day qqa few times a week qqonce a week Answer Guide P qqevery day If you checked every day, great job! Eating veggies that are lots of different colors (like bright orange carrots and dark green spinach leaves) helps give your body important nutrients and vitamins. P qqa few times a week That s a great start. It s important to eat a variety of veggies and fruits every day. Keep fresh veggies and fruits (like carrot sticks or apples) in your house to snack on throughout the day. P qqonce a week Uh oh! It is important for you to eat fruits vegetables every day. Try filling half your dinner plate with fruits and veggies. Source: Healthfinder.gov Fruit and Veggie Word Search Puzzle Find these words APPLES BANANAS BEANS BLUEBERRIES BROCCOLI CARROTS ORANGES PEARS POTATOES SPINACH SQUASH B Q Z B P D R A P P L E S P D L Q F R L T G B A U C H U O Y M Y X N C U R K O Q T P V T P Z Y H E T O E K U H N V N A E D R D F C K O B J V S Q V T W S Q X C P U R D E C F A P O M W B O X S C S T X R P X E E S G L W H J E U S H A R R F S T I K W Z G W X S Q F N I Y X O H C A N I P S B A U S U E E R H O A U Y E E A L N A X I S R X R Y E O A H V R R A S D A A O I K J N R M R F L P N H G C X I O S A S A G G X W I A D Y S B R M Y B S M Z G I G A B E

8 8 LiveHealthy! Health Plan Information I f you did not get your Evidence of Coverage handbook or if you need a handbook, Provider Directory, or Formulary, call us. We will send you one at no cost to you. You may also view or download all of these documents from our website at HealthChoiceGenerations.com. This information is available for free in other languages or in other formats, such as larger print. Please call us for more information about language services. Your Privacy T he privacy of medical information is very important to us. We keep the records of our members private. Health Choice has policies to protect the privacy of these records. Our Members also have privacy rights. These are described in the Health Choice Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP). You can learn more about your privacy rights by accessing the NPP at HealthChoiceGenerations.com. If you want a copy of the NPP, please contact us at (TTY 711), 8 a.m. 8 p.m., 7 days a week. We always want to help you! Tell us how we can serve you better. If you have any questions or concerns, call us today! Toll-free: (TTY 711) Customer Service Hours: 8 a.m. 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Health Choice Generations HMO SNP 410 N. 44th St., Ste. 510 Phoenix, AZ HealthChoiceGenerations.com comments@iasishealthcare.com