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spring 2014

Our Strength Is Serving You Surveys reveal that we’re tops in customer service

- 3 Tools to Help Your Health

- Time For Your Flu Shot — Your Neighbors Will Thank You

- Tips for Managing Pain

Winter 2015

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Improving your health is one of the most common resolutions people make for the new year. But making change happen can be daunting. Our online tools can help. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. OnlIne HeAltH ASSeSSment: Spend a few minutes answering questions about your health and lifestyle and you’ll get an individualized report that guides you on making healthy changes. Plus, you’ll have access to our medical library and healthy recipes. Go to members.bcidaho.com and select Health Assessment under the Health & Wellness heading.

2. SIlver & FIt® exercISe PrOgrAm: Get a boost to be more active. You can choose from a gym membership for only $50 per year or two home exercise kits for $10 per year. You’ll also get a newsletter, access to an exclusive website, and other healthy aging materials.

Along with medical care, we provide tools to help you manage your health, an extensive online health library, discounts on hearing, vision and much more. Explore your options at bcidaho.com/medicare. Or call us at 1-888-494-2583. If you’re hearing-impaired, call TTY 1-800-377-1363.

ofSeasonHealth & Happiness

Blue Cross of idaho Care plus is a ppO, HMO or HMO pOs health plan with a Medicare and idaho Medicaid contract. enrollment in Blue Cross of idaho Care plus depends on contract renewal. the benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits may change on January 1 of each year. An announcement for true Blue snp members receiving state Waiver services: CMs has published new federal regulations that impact Medicaid funded home and community based (HCB) services and their settings. information about idaho’s work related to the regulations can be found at: www.HCBS.dhw.idaho.gov.

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Blue Cross of idaho Care plus’ drug list may not apply to all healthcare plans. please refer to your group’s contract provisions for more detailed information about the terms and conditions of your prescription drug benefit.

the brand-name drugs below have recently been released in a generic form. generics are a safe and effective way to lower the cost of your medications. For a complete listing of medications on our drug list, visit www.bcidaho.com/MA_Formulary.

medication update

BrAnd nAMe generiC nAMe MediCAtiOn Use

Rapamune sirolimusprevent body from rejecting a kidney transplant

Viramune XR nevirapine HiV

Renvela sevelamer chronic kidney disease

Testim testosterone topical lack of natural testosterone

Lumigan bimatoprost glaucoma

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Do It for Your HometownYOuR FLu SHOT

it’s not too late to get your flu vaccine! With a flu vaccine, you protect yourself and those around you from the strains of flu that are expected to be most widespread this season.

the vaccine not only protects you from potentially serious illness, it also helps lower cases

of the flu in your community. You can help keep your family, friends and neighbors healthier this season.

see your doctor for your vaccine or watch for free clinics at nearby pharmacies and grocery stores. the vaccine is covered by your insurance, so you won’t pay anything.

With a new year brings a new look. Medicare Advantage is now a part of Blue Cross of idaho Care plus. it’s the same great true Blue and secure Blue plans you know today, with all services provided by Blue Cross of idaho. the only change you will notice is our new logo.

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every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services (CMs) performs a survey that measures the experiences

of Medicare Advantage members. the survey is called CAHps, which stands for Consumer Assessment of Healthcare providers and systems. the survey results are reflected in the overall Member plan rating published in the 2015 Medicare & You handbook.

We aRe LISTeNINg surveys show that we’re providing the information and service that is important to you. You told us our strengths include customer service and that we need to improve our immunization rates.

in 2015, we will apply what we learned from the survey results. We’ll continue providing information that helps you make choices about your health care services. the CAHps survey will be administered in early 2015. if you receive the survey, we encourage you to respond. Your feedback makes your health plan stronger.

WHaT IT MeaNS TO YOu More than just scores, surveys tell us that members like you are speaking up and helping us improve our products and services. Our staff reviews the results closely to find where we can improve and what matters most to our members.

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Right The

ChoiCeSurveys show that we’re providing great service.

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2014 CaHPS resULts HigHLigHtsCustomer service:

Category* national state Original Medicare

true Blue

secure Blue

Customer service composite score

91% 88% 88% 97%h 96%h

In the last six months, how often did your health plan’s customer service give you the information or help you needed?

81% 75% 77% 92%h 93%h

In the last six months, how often did your health plan’s customer service staff treat you with courtesy and respect?

95% 91% n / A 97%h 99%h

In the last six months, how often were the forms from your health plan easy to fill out?

97% 97% 97% 98% 97%

Based on 2014 Medicare Advantage CAHps results issued October 2014 by the CMs. hsignificantly better than national average* results represent the percentage of people who answered “Usually” or “Always” to each

survey question.

immunizations:Category national state Original

Medicaretrue Blue

secure Blue

Have you had a flu shot since July 1, 2014

74% replied “yes”

70% 71% 74% 62%

Have you ever had a pneumonia shot?

71% replied “yes”

72% 69% 79% 61%

In the last six months did anyone from a doctor’s office or your health plan contact you: To remind you to get a flu shot or other immunization?

48% replied “yes”

34% 26% 27% 26%

Based on 2014 Medicare Advantage CAHps results issued October 2014 by the CMs.

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Your feedback is important to us. if you receive a survey in the mail, please take a moment to complete it.

GoodA

planthe Medicare program rates all health and prescription drug plans each year, based on the plan’s quality and performance. You can use these star ratings to compare your plan’s performance to other’s. Five stars indicate an “excellent” rating. Below are our Medicare plan’s Overall star ratings:

* Medicare evaluates plans

based on a 5-star rating system. star ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.

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TRue BLue:*

SeCuRe BLue:*

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Make the most of your health care coverage and schedule your annual checkup.

Your doctor will check for warning signs like high blood pressure, elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol. You can also ask about these vaccines, tests and screenings:

DON’T FORgeTabout your $0 copayment

for preventive screenings and immunizations!

CaRDIOVaSCuLaR DISeaSe SCReeNINg BLOOD TeSTS should be done every 5 years, if you do not have apparent signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease. this screening includes a lipid panel, which measures your cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HdL), and low-density lipoprotein (LdL).

BRINg YOuR MeDICaTIONS Ask your doctor to review your medications and check for interactions or overlaps. see if any of your prescriptions are available in generic form.

Vaccines Flu pneumonia

tests diabetes A1Cdiabetes kidney monitoring

screeningsColorectal screeningMammogramdiabetes eye examBone mass

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it’s not too late to get your flu shot! talk with your doctor or visit a flu clinic today! Also, ask about your pneumonia shot.

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M any common winter maladies—including colds, flu, croup and some cases

of sinusitis, bronchitis and ear infections—are caused by viruses.

Viruses can spread in different ways. some, like the cold and flu, are spread by contact with infected people or with surfaces where germs linger. Others, such as ebola, require direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Vaccines protect against some viruses. But once a viral infection

strikes, it can be tough to treat. Antibiotics are effective in treating bacterial infections, but they do not help with viral infections.

in most cases, viruses will run their course and you can rest and treat their symptoms so you feel more comfortable while your body is battling the infection.

FaST FaCTSAbout Viruses