VALLEY HEALTH PLAN SUPPORT FOR HEALTHIER LIVING. Care Management Program VALLEY HEALTH PLAN. CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

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1 SUPPORT FOR HEALTHIER LIVING CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (toll-free) Expert advice for all of your health questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Care Management Program

2 NEED HELP BETWEEN SCHEDULED CALLS WITH YOUR CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM NURSE? You can reach a Care Management Program nurse at (toll-free), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (PST), and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (PST). HAVING A PRIMARY CARE PRACTITIONER IS GOOD FOR YOU When you are sick or need a checkup, it s best to see your primary care practitioner. This is the practitioner who knows you and your health. Having one primary care practitioner that you see for your care is good for your health. WELCOME to the Valley Health Plan Care Management Program! Taking charge of your health is important. But it can be hard to know what steps to take toward better health. When you are in the Care Management Program, you will get one-on-one support and advice from a nurse to help you manage your health and feel better. While you are in the program, you will work with the same nurse. He or she will get to know you and your health needs. YOUR CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM NURSE WILL HELP YOU: Set and reach health goals Follow your treatment plan Learn what questions to ask your practitioner Get answers to questions about your health or treatment Understand your health and what you can do to get healthier and feel better WHY IS HAVING A PRIMARY CARE PRACTITIONER IMPORTANT? Your health records are kept in one place. Your practitioner can manage all of your medications. Your practitioner can get to know you and your health so you get quality, personal care. WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE YOUR PRIMARY CARE PRACTITIONER? For a checkup each year When you are sick To help manage chronic conditions To get important tests and screenings Not sure what to do about a fever, pain or other symptom? Need help making a treatment choice? CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM NURSE LINE (toll-free) 24 hours a day, seven days a week If you have a life- or limb-threatening emergency, call 911 or emergency services. The Care Management Program cannot help you in these situations. 1 2

3 MEDICINE Made Easier One of the best ways to manage a chronic condition and feel better is taking your medicines. It s important to take medicines exactly as your practitioner prescribes. TRY THESE TIPS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO STAY ON TRACK: Write down each medicine and the best way to take it such as on an empty stomach or after a meal. Keep a list of your medicines with you wherever you go. Keep emergency medicine with you at all times in your purse or pocket. Never skip a day or dose of medicine to make it last longer. Use a pill box with room for your medicines for each day of the week. Keep your pill box where you will see it. Take your medicine at the same time every day. Plan ahead: refill medicine five to seven days before you run out. If you can t afford your medicine, ask your practitioner if the generic medicine will work for you. KNOW Your Numbers When you see your primary care practitioner for a checkup, it s important to get the right tests. They can give you and your practitioner a picture of your overall health. There are four numbers everyone should know: Blood pressure Blood sugar Cholesterol Body mass index (BMI) These numbers are a good indicator for your practitioner to know if you are at risk for certain health problems. Depending on your health, your practitioner may ask you to take more tests to create a treatment plan that is right for you. Talk with your practitioner about which tests you should have. 3 4

4 GET MOVING, GET HEALTHY Being active every day is one of the healthiest things you can do. If you have a chronic condition, talk with your practitioner before you start exercising. There may be activities you should or shouldn t do. Being active helps you lose weight, reduce stress, and lower cholesterol. It can also improve your overall well-being. EAT SMART for Better Health Eating a healthy diet gives your body the nutrients it needs to work well and feel good. Following a balanced diet is one of the best ways to improve your health. EATING HEALTHIER CAN BE EASIER THAN YOU THINK: Eat a diet made up of a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. Eat slowly to enjoy your meal and let yourself have time to feel full. Wait at least 10 minutes before having seconds. Drink plenty of water and try to limit salt, alcohol, and sugar. Don t skip meals. Plan meals a week in advance and stick to your shopping list to avoid the temptation to buy unhealthy foods. You may need to follow an eating plan based on your unique health needs. Talk to your practitioner about your diet and if there are any foods or drinks you should avoid. Try these tips to stick to an exercise plan: Have fun. Do something you like, so you will keep doing it. Stick to a routine. It is better to do less activity more often than to do more activity less often. Have a back-up plan. If you exercise outdoors, plan what you will do when the weather is bad. Start slow. Add a little bit of exercise to your routine week by week. Be patient. Building an exercise routine takes time. The goal is to do some kind of activity every day. HELP TO KICK THE HABIT If you smoke, chances are you know smoking increases your risk for problems like heart attack and cancer. You might have tried quitting before, but this time you re not alone! Your Care Management Program nurse can help! Talk to your nurse to get started on the road to being a quitter. Your Care Management Program nurse can help you with tips to avoid the urge to smoke and ways to stay motivated throughout the quitting process. 5 6

5 (toll-free) TTY (toll-free) CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2014 McKesson Care Management. All Rights Reserved. McKesson Care Management is a division of McKesson Technologies Inc. VAL_MBR_0614