L I F E , H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S
A PUBLICATION OF
SPRING 2015
See how member Gregory Williams lost 240 pounds with exercise and a strict diet
inside LIFE
Spring Cleaning 101 Your Fridge
HEALTH
Screenings That Could Save Your Life
WELLNESS
Understanding Prediabetes
WHAT’S NEW
The Latest Updates Related to Your Health Plan
Save a Stamp Sign up to receive materials by email on page 19
Exclusive Reduced Rate for Network Health Medicare Advantage Members
Jersey Boys
Sunday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $49 Grand Tier/$28 Family Circle Log on to www.foxcitiespac.com/onlineoffers before April 19, click the Network Health logo, select Find Tickets and type MEDICARE in the promo code field. Then purchase your tickets by following the simple instructions that follow. This offer is only valid for Network Health Medicare members and their families. Not valid on previously purchased tickets, while supplies last. C
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life
13 Start Your Weight-Loss Journey with Network Health’s Platinum Fitness
3 S pring Cleaning 101 - Your Fridge
14 Is It Allergies or a Cold?
4 The Advantage of Having One Main Doctor
wellness
5 Are You Asking Your Doctor These Questions? 6 Leaving the Hospital Your Options after Surgery
15 Alcohol and Drug Addiction An Increasing Danger Understanding the Effects and How to Get Help
7 Need Help Submitting a Claim?
16 Understanding Prediabetes Know Your Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
8 Screenings That Could Save Your Life
18 What’s New
health
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9 Get Ready to Ride Bike Safety Tips for Spring FEATURE 10 Retire to a Healty Lifestyle Gregory Williams makes up for lost time
19 Save a Stamp - Sign up for Email BACK COVER Meet Anne Rappert, Medicare Secretary
Y0108_528_031815 Approved 03232015 EDITORIAL STAFF President Chief Administrative Officer Publications Coordinator Graphic Designer
Sheila Jenkins Penny Ransom Cassie Ashman Debra Sutton
EDITORIAL BOARD Marcia Broeren, Joan Merwin, Angie Keenan, Jeanne Skinner, Melanie Draheim, Dawn Rady, Colleen Davison, Renee Corral, Barb Gore, Chuck Rynearson, Teri Kopeke, Sarah Dencker, Natalie Knaack, Barbara Ott
Concierge is published quarterly by Network Health. The health information contained in Concierge is meant to supplement, not replace, the advice of health care professionals. 2 | C oncierge
© 2015 Network Health Insurance Corporation. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without written permission from Network Health Insurance Corporation. Network Health Medicare Advantage Plans are MSA and PPO plans with a Medicare contract. NetworkCares is a Coordinated Care Plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Forward Health Wisconsin Medicaid Program. Enrollment in Network Health Medicare Advantage plans 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, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/ coinsurance may change January 1 of each year. NetworkHealthMedicare.com
life Spring Cleaning 101 - Your Fridge T
his year, add the refrigerator to your spring-cleaning list. Cleaning out your fridge means more than just scrubbing it with soap and water. Food kept past its expiration date or at improper temperatures can become contaminated with bacteria, which can cause illness. Without knowing it, you could be growing an unexpected science experiment. According to the American Dietetic Association, only 40 percent of consumers know that eating food stored
in refrigerators at a temperature higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit can increase the risk of food-borne illness. If something smells strange or doesn’t look right, throw it out. If you see mold on the surface, there could be other poisons under the surface that you can’t see. By planning ahead you can avoid food waste, food-borne illness and save money. Make a grocery list before heading out to the store. Without the extra uneaten food, your refrigerator spring cleaning will go quicker.
PAY ATTENTION TO THESE POPULAR LABELS Sell-by date This is the last day a grocery store can have the item on the shelf for sale. Depending on the food, it might be safe for several days or months after the sell-by date.
Use-by or best if used by date If you want to get the best flavor and freshness, use the item by the date listed. This only refers to quality, not safety.
Guaranteed fresh by date This is typically found on baked goods. Products are still safe and edible after this date.
Where you store food in the refrigerator is also important. Refer to this helpful chart to keep your food lasting longer.
In the door
This is the warmest part of the fridge. It’s best for condiments, pickles, salad dressings and other foods with a high acid (think vinegar) content.
The middle of the fridge
This is the coldest part of the fridge and it’s best for highly perishable foods like fish, deli meats, eggs or dairy.
Bottom drawers
The fruit and vegetable crispers maintain higher humidity which helps preserve fruits and veggies. C oncierge | 3
life
The Advantage of Having One Main Doctor
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aving a doctor that knows you well is essential. Your primary care provider (sometimes called your PCP for short) gets to know you over a period of time, and he or she begins to realize what is and isn’t normal for you. Your doctor can track and note changes observed, and if needed, work with other specialists to assure you receive the right care. Besides having a trusted partner when it comes to your care, your health records are in one central location and your medication can be better supervised. Your main doctor gets to know your values, family situation, occupation and health goals. Knowledge of these things provides valuable information as he or she assesses what is troubling you. By preventing and catching health issues before they become serious, you can save yourself from more challenging health conditions and the costs associated with them.
To help your doctor with the best continuity and coordination of your health care, it’s important to share the following information.
• • • • • •
Emergency room visits Office visits or evaluations by a specialist, including lab work and procedures performed Behavioral health visits Changes in medication, including how much you take, new medications or any time you stop taking a medication Diabetic eye exams Any admission or discharge from a hospital, rehabilitation facility or nursing home
Need help finding a doctor? If you don’t currently have one main doctor, visit NetworkHealthMedicare.com and click Find a Doctor. You can also call your health care concierge or our customer service department at 800-378-5234, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. for help finding a doctor near you or to request a Provider Directory (TTY users call 800-947-3529).
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NetworkHealthMedicare.com
Are You Asking Your Doctor These Questions?
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hy is it that even the chattiest among us get so quiet in the doctor’s office? Remember that your doctor needs to know what you are experiencing and how you’re feeling to be able to provide effective care.
So, when your doctor asks if you have questions, speak up. Come prepared. At your annual doctor visit, write down and bring your questions. To get the best care possible, make sure to keep track of health concerns you have and talk to your doctor about them.
Not sure what to ask? Start with the following. • How can I maintain or improve my physical activity? • Is it helpful to monitor my physical activity and what’s the best way to do it? • What steps do I need to take to maintain or improve my mental health? • How can I protect my bone health and reduce my risk of falling?
NetworkHealthMedicare.com
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life
Leaving the Hospital
Your Options after Surgery T
here’s a lot to think about in the days and weeks before you have surgery—what to expect, things you must do, instructions from your doctor. Knowing your choices and planning for after surgery is one of the best ways you can be prepared for a swift recovery. If you or a loved one ever needs to have surgery, below are some things you’ll want to consider. The most important thing to remember is that everyone’s needs are different. Ask your doctor about these options, and don’t hesitate to call your health care concierge if you have questions about what’s covered. We have nurses in our care management department who can help explain your options, coordinate care and tell you about special benefits you might quality for.
Staying with family
If you have family close by, this can be a good option. Being around those who know you can help you feel comfortable and speed up your recovery. Talk to your doctor and loved ones before your surgery, to help determine if your care is something they can manage at home.
Home health care
If leaving home will be a major effort after surgery, your doctor may order that a home health agency provide services so you can recover in your own home. This may include skilled care from a nurse or health professional, medical services, therapy, medical equipment and/or supplies. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
Home Again (a joint replacement benefit from Network Health)
If you need total joint replacement surgery, this benefit offers home health care to help with your transition home. A nurse and a physical or occupational therapist will help develop a care plan for your recovery. When you’re sent home after surgery, this benefit will provide up to two hours of personal care per week, for two weeks.
Skilled nursing facility care
While many people recover at home, it’s possible you may need more attention and care. Staying in a skilled nursing facility, you may receive skilled care from a nurse or health professional, meals, therapy, drugs, blood, lab tests, X-rays, rehabilitation, medical equipment and/or supplies and other medical services. Skilled nursing facilities can be part of a hospital or nursing home.
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NetworkHealthMedicare.com
health Self-Management Workshops
If you’d like help finding a workshop or support group near you, call us at 866-709-0019, extension 87150 Living Well with Chronic Conditions Designed specifically for anyone with a chronic condition, such as arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain or anxiety, this workshop teaches self-management skills and develops a step-by-step plan to achieve specific goals. The six-week class meets once a week for two and a half hours. Healthy Living with Diabetes For any adult living with type 2 diabetes, this workshop is designed to help you better manage it. Classes cover topics like healthy eating choices and habits, the benefits of exercise, techniques for dealing with symptoms and how to work with health care providers. This six-week workshop meets once a week for two and a half hours. Stepping On A program for older adults who may have fallen, have a fear of falling or are at risk of falling. This program empowers older adults to step
outside of their homes with the confidence to improve their quality of life. This seven-week workshop meets once a week for two hours.
Local Support Groups
C.O.P.E. with COPD Education and support to help those with chronic lung disease. For more information, call 920-203-8821 or 920-235-2542. Better Breathers A community-wide support group for people with COPD and other chronic lung diseases. For more information call 920-738-2558 or 920-738-5364. Fox Valley Diabetic Education and Support Group Open to people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and/or their loved ones. Classes are free and no registration is needed.
Need Help Submitting a Claim? Most hospitals and doctor offices will submit claims on your behalf. But some out-of-area medical facilities may require that you pay for care at the time it’s given. Your 2015 Evidence of Coverage explains how to ask Network Health to pay our share of a bill you received for covered medicals services or prescription drugs. Here are some highlights. • You must submit your claim to us within 12 months of the date you received the service, item or drug. • When submitting a prescription drug claim, make sure to include a copy of the itemized receipt showing the name of the drug, strength, quantity, date of service, the name of the physician who prescribed it and the amount charged. • Claims should be mailed to: Network Health Insurance Corporation Attn: Medicare Advantage Plans P.O. Box 120 Menasha, WI 54952 • You can also call us to request payment or give us more information about a request for payment you’ve already sent us.
NetworkHealthMedicare.com
If you have any questions about submitting a claim, call 800-378-5234, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (TTY 800-947-3529).
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health
Screenings That Could Save Your Life S
creenings are tests used to check for certain diseases before you have any symptoms. Some cancers don’t have symptoms, which makes screening very important. Ask your doctor about getting the screenings below. Finding cancer early usually leads to less extensive treatment and better outcomes. If you have any questions about the coverage of these screenings, call us.
Colorectal Cancer Screening According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women and the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Early-stage colorectal cancer typically doesn’t have symptoms, so screening is always needed to find it. Screening can even prevent it by allowing for the detection and removal of precancerous polyps. In fact, colorectal cancer has become less common for most of the past two decades, because of changes in risk factors and the increase in screening among adults age 50 and older. Your risk increases with age, so colorectal cancer screening is recommended for those age 50 to 75 and it includes the following tests. • Fecal occult blood test every year • Sigmoidoscopy every five years • Colonoscopy every 10 years
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Breast Cancer Screening According to the American Cancer Association, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among American women, accounting for 29 percent of newly diagnosed cancers. Breast cancer ranks second as a cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer). The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump or mass in the breast, which is often painless. All women are at risk, even those without a family history, and your risk typically increases with age. But because of improvements in early detection and treatment, death rates for breast cancer have steadily decreased since 1989. American Cancer Society guidelines for finding breast cancer early vary depending on a woman’s age. Ask your doctor if he or she recommends a mammogram and clinical breast examination (CBE). These are recommended especially for women age 50 to 74, at least every one to two years. Magnetic resonance imaging may be recommended for women at high risk. NetworkHealthMedicare.com
Get Ready to Ride Bike Safety Tips for Spring
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ccording to our calendars, spring is officially here. Living in Wisconsin, we know it might take a little longer for the blue skies, green grass and warmer weather to finally reach us. It’s a great time to prepare for your favorite outdoor recreational activities. If biking is your activity of choice, it’s important to keep safety in mind. While biking can be a fun activity, it’s also a common culprit of emergency room visits. The most important safety measure you can take is to wear a helmet. Helmets should be snug fitting with straps that are tight under the chin. Your helmet should have a sticker that says it meets the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Take these safety measures before you go out for your first ride of the season. • Make sure your bike is the right size. You should be able to straddle the top bar and have both feet flat on the ground. • Check your tires. Make sure they have enough air and the right amount of tire pressure. • Oil your chain. Keeping your chain clean and lubricated is one of the best ways to keep your bike working well. • Test your brakes. Check that they’re working and that they don’t stick. • Wear the right gear. Wear brightly colored clothes. Make sure nothing you are wearing will get caught in the bike chain (loose pant legs, backpack straps and shoelaces). Wear sneakers to grip the pedals better. Sandals, flip-flops and shoes with heels are not safe. NetworkHealthMedicare.com
While riding, follow the rules of the road and be a defensive rider. Bicycles on the road are, by law, considered vehicles and have the same rights and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. Avoid road hazards. Potholes, gravel, puddles and broken glass can all cause a crash. Be aware of your surroundings. Just because you see a driver, doesn’t mean they can see you. Watch for parked cars, doors opening and cars that are pulling out of a parking space. Go with the flow of traffic. Ride on the right in the same direction as other vehicles. Follow road rules. Obey all traffic signs, signals and lane markings.
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COVER STORY
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I’m in a good place now with my weight and want to thank Network Health for picking up the tab. It made a great deal of difference to me.”
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NetworkHealthMedicare.com
Retire to a
Healthier Lifestyle With the power of determination and the How support of Network Health, to Control Your Risk member Factors Gregory Williams makes up for lost time as a healthier version of himself.
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any people use retirement as a time to rest and relax. That isn’t so for Network Health Medicare Advantage member, Gregory Williams. For Gregory, who worked as a millwright in a paper mill, his retirement in 2013 was when a different kind of hard work started. Having battled weight gain for years, he decided it was time to make a real commitment to a weight-loss program once and for all. “I was up and down all the time,” Gregory explains. “I would lose and gain for years, but this time it got out of control.” After years of crash dieting followed by trips to the drive-thru for burgers and shakes, Gregory designed a diet and workout regimen that earned him lasting results. He now visits the gym religiously— not missing a day in over 13 months—to do an hour each of cardio and strength training. Gregory follows a strict diet of nuts, fruits, vegetables and salmon. Thanks to his hard work at the gym paired with a strict yet satisfying diet, Gregory has gone from weighing 428.4 pounds to a healthy 188 pounds. That’s a total weight loss of 240.4 pounds in just the twelve months since he started his journey. Gregory and his wife before his weight loss. By Lisa Endl Photography by Beth DesJardin, Trove Photography NetworkHealthMedicare.com
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COVER STORY
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Watch future issues of Concierge for an update on Gregory.
My knees, back, hips, you name it, it hurt, says Gregory. Now I feel like a 20-year-old kid and I’m off nearly all of my medications.”
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Gregory’s waist dropped from 68 to 38 inches. “I can actually go to the store and buy clothes,” he shares. “I used to have to mail order all of my clothes. I don’t have to do that anymore and it’s such a great feeling.” His new diet and exercise regimen not only keeps him at a healthier weight, it has reduced his amount of monthly prescriptions by 80 percent. Gregory anticipates soon being down to just one baby aspirin a day. A big help on his weight-loss journey has been Platinum Fitness, a fitness reimbursement program that’s included with his Network Health Medicare plan. While Gregory literally did all the heavy lifting, he had the pressures of a gym fee taken off his shoulders while the pounds fell from his frame. Gregory uses the Snap Fitness facility in Shawano, WI, and he goes there to work out daily. Since Snap Fitness is an in-network facility under Network Health’s Platinum Fitness benefit, Gregory earns the maximum reimbursement amount of $36 each month. “It’s a good incentive,” he says. “Snap Fitness costs $34.95 and Network Health will pay up to $36 depending on how many times a month you go. I go every day and am getting more bang for my insurance buck. It can’t hurt when you’re retired and on a limited income. It’s gratifying to have that reimbursement.” Gregory hopes that telling his weight-loss story will help inspire other individuals who have struggled with their weight. He understands the toll it can take on your 12 | C oncierge
well-being and on personal relationships. “I know how it feels to have no self-esteem and miss out on so much,” he shares. “My wife went to Ireland twice and I said I simply didn’t care to go. I would have gone, but it’s hard enough for the average-weight person to sit in one of those airplane seats. I didn’t think I could make it 15 hours.” Now that Gregory is feeling at the peak of his health, he wants to make up for lost time with his loved ones. He spends his mornings post-workout helping one of his daughters with her three young boys. He looks forward to traveling with his wife and hopes to soon take her on a vacation abroad. “It’s a terrible place to be, where I was,” Gregory laments. “It was not fun. I’m in a good place now with my weight and want to thank Network Health for picking up the tab. It made a great deal of difference to me.” NetworkHealthMedicare.com
FITNESS Start Your Weight-Loss Journey with Network Health’s
Platinum Fitness is automatically included with our Medicare plans, except for NetworkPrime (MSA). You can start enjoying this benefit by using it at your local YMCA or gym.*
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS Each time you visit any in-network facility (see a full list below), Network Health will pay $3 per visit for your membership fees, up to $36 per month. You can also use facilities not on this list and still get reimbursed up to $18 per month. If you go to an in-network facility on the list below, they’ll submit your information to us for your reimbursement. For any other facility, all you have to do is fill out and send in our Fitness Reimbursement Form—you can call us for a form or find one online at NetworkHealthMedicare.com/members.
In-Network Fitness Facilities
• Health Connections • Wautoma Fitness • Health & Fitness (formerly Club Team) • Anytime Fitness Headquarters - Waupaca • YMCAs (all YMCAs in our • Chilton • Kewaunee Health & 16-county service area) • Horicon Fitness Center • YWCA • New London • Snap Fitness Center • Plymouth How to Control Your Risk Factors • Shawano • Ripon • Waupaca • Seymour • Suring Fitness Center • Winneconne • TAG Aquatic & Fitness • Berlin Fitness Center Center – Mayville (you must be • Best Pool and Fitness a member of TAG center to Center LLC – Waupaca • Bond Community Center in receive the $36) • TNT Health Beauty & Oconto Fitness Spa • Curves • The Workout Room – Markesan • New London Other health club providers are • Total Fitness Health Club • Ripon available in our network. of Shawano • Watertown • Tri Fitness, LLC – * If you are a NetworkPrime member, we have a different wellness • Waupun in Mountain • Green Lake Fitness 24/7 option available. Call us at 920-720-1770 for more information.
Tell Us Your Story
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id Gregory’s journey inspire you to make healthy lifestyle changes? Do you have a similar story of your own? Email us at concierge@networkhealth.com to share how Network Health has helped you on the road to better health. Or, write to us at Network Health, Attention: Cassie Ashman, 1570 Midway Pl., Menasha, WI 54952. You could be featured in a future issue of Concierge. Or, visit Facebook.com/NetworkHealthWI to read Gregory’s story online and join the conversation. NetworkHealthMedicare.com
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health
Is It Allergies or a Cold T
he common cold and seasonal allergies share some common symptoms making it hard to determine what you are suffering from. If you tend to get a cold around the same time every year, it’s possible you actually have allergies. A cold is caused by a virus, while seasonal allergies are an immune system response triggered by exposure to allergens. How do you determine treatment in the early stages? Pay close attention to your symptoms and refer to this list.
COLD SYMPTOMS • Coughing • Sore throat
• Congestion • Sneezing
ALLERGY SYMPTOMS • Itchy eyes • Coughing • Sore throat
• Itchy throat • Congestion • Sneezing
Now that you have a good idea what you’re suffering from, here is how you can treat it.
HOW TO TREAT A COLD
• Rest • Over-the-counter cold medicine • Zinc (foods high in zinc include fortified cereal, cashews, spinach, pork and chicken)
HOW TO TREAT ALLERGIES
• Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants • Avoid the allergens triggering your symptoms • Check pollen rates before heading outside
WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR
If you have a fever that won’t go away or your cold or allergy symptoms last longer than ten days, you may be suffering from something more complex. Check with your doctor to figure out what’s going on.
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NetworkHealthMedicare.com
wellness Alcohol and Drug Addiction An Increasing Danger Understanding the effects and how to get help
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e hear people talk about their addiction to a certain television show or the latest trilogy of novels. However, when it comes to drugs and alcohol, addiction becomes something much more serious. Addiction is a complex brain disorder where you have a strong need to have or do something. When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, you compulsively seek out and use them, despite the consequences. The chemical changes that occur in your brain can interfere with your ability to think clearly and feel normal when you don’t have drugs or alcohol in your system. For many, addiction becomes a long-lasting condition with relapses occurring even after an extended period of abstinence.
What Are the Consequences?
Addiction crosses all social and economic boundaries, affects every ethnicity, both genders and can affect all aspects of your life. Long-term use of alcohol and other drugs can cause serious health complications affecting every organ in your body. It damages emotional stability, finances, social and family life. The entire community where an alcoholic or drug abuser lives can also be affected, because of the strain on the health care system, the criminal justice system and general public safety.
Where to Go for Help
Stopping addiction is not easy, but it’s important to know you are not alone. Alcoholism and drug dependence are complex problems that should be discussed with a doctor. A doctor should be the first person you reach out to. There are also many community resources available. See below for extra help that’s just a phone call or visit away.
You can call the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 24 hours a day at 800-622-2255. Or visit www.ncadd.org. Reach out to the health and human services division in the Wisconsin county you live in. Most counties provide crisis hotlines and counseling services.
NetworkHealthMedicare.com
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wellness
Understanding Prediabetes Know Your Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
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rediabetes is a condition when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes may sometimes be referred to as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). According to the American Diabetes Association, almost 80 million Americans have prediabetes. There are no obvious symptoms, so some people may have it and not know it. You typically find out that you have prediabetes when you are being tested for type 2 diabetes.
What may increase your risk for prediabetes? Unfortunately, the exact cause is unknown but family history and genetics typically play a big role. Here are a few risk factors.
Being overweight, with a body mass index above 25
Inactivity
Being age 45 or older
A family history of type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Being AfricanAmerican, Hispanic, American Indian, AsianAmerican or a Pacific Islander
Developing gestational diabetes when pregnant
If any of these apply to you, you may want to check with your doctor to see if a diabetes test is recommended. If left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes.
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Here are classic symptoms to watch for that would suggest you’ve moved from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
Increased thirst
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Frequent urination
Fatigue
Blurred vision
NetworkHealthMedicare.com
How can I prevent type 2 diabetes?
If you have prediabetes, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically develop type 2 diabetes. For some people, early treatment can actually return blood glucose levels to normal. Even if diabetes runs in your family, choosing a healthy lifestyle can help you prevent, treat or even reverse prediabetes. By knowing the risk factors and making necessary lifestyle changes, you will improve your health dramatically.
Here’s what you can do. 4 Lose at least seven percent of your body weight 4 Exercise moderately for 30 minutes a day, five days a week 4 Eat healthy foods
NEW ONLINE PROGRAMS Network Health offers free online tools you can use to learn more about diabetes. Visit www.GoEmmi.com and enter code NETWORKDIABETES to get started today. ©2015 Emmi Solutions, LLC Diabetes program WHAT’S THAT?
Prediabetes – When you have an
increased risk for developing diabetes because of higher than normal blood glucose levels
NetworkHealthMedicare.com
Type 2 Diabetes – When your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or your body can’t use the insulin properly, resulting in a buildup of sugar in your blood
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What’s NEW Take Me Out to the Ball Game As a member, enjoy a special Network Health ticket price for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers games below. April 14.........12:05 p.m. April 21 ........... 6:35 p.m. April 23.........12:05 p.m. May 5.............. 6:35 p.m. May 12 .........12:05 p.m. June 1 ...........12:05 p.m.
June 30 .........12:05 p.m. July 7 ............12:05 p.m. July 28 ............ 7:05 p.m. July 30 ..........12:05 p.m. YEARS 11...... OF August 7:05 p.m. August 25 .....12:05 p.m.
MEDICARE
$13.50/includes box seat ticket, brat or hot dog and beverage ARE • NETWOR K DIC HE ME A
I
BRATING 10 YE ELE AR C S H I LT
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Celebrating 10 Years in Medicare
RE • NETWOR ICA KH D EA ME
Offer valid in-person only at Fox Cities Stadium.
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RATING 10 YE LEB AR CE S
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n February, Network Health celebrated being in the Medicare Advantage business for a full decade. When you look up how much time goes into 10 years, you get these figures: 521 weeks, 87,672 hours, 5,260,320 minutes or 315,619,200 seconds. Spending three hundred million seconds on something is a long journey, but who is with you for the trip makes all the difference. For our 10-year Medicare anniversary, we want to thank you for choosing us for your health insurance coverage. As a local Wisconsin company, your membership is why we come to work every day. We’ve found that your loyalty and word of mouth have been integral to the success of our Medicare product. We even have members who have been with us all 10 years. Back in 2005, we started small with just 2,000 Medicare Advantage members. Since then, we’ve seen tremendous growth and today have a Medicare membership of more than 63,000. As the health insurance landscape continues to change, we’ll continue to grow by putting members first. We look forward to serving you for many more years to come.
Thank you for your membership. NetworkHealthMedicare.com
The Latest UPDATES Related to Your Health Plan
Save a Stamp – Sign Up for Email A
ll Network Health Medicare Advantage members have the option to sign up to receive their Annual Notice of Change materials by email, instead of through the mail. We offer this because many members have told us they don’t need hard copies, and that they’d rather receive their material to their email address. Plus, it saves on costs, and it saves the environment by cutting down on paper.
Takes Less Than Five Minutes – Sign Up Today
1. Have your Network Health member ID card handy (you’ll need your member ID number). 2. Go to NetworkHealthOptions.com. 3. Type in your last name, date of birth and member ID number. 4. Follow the instructions on the next screen and choose email. 5. Approve your selection, and you’ll get a thank you message and a confirmation email.
If you already signed up for email last year, you don’t have to sign up again.
Spouses Can Sign Up for One Packet
If multiple members live in your household (for example, husband and wife), and you’re on the same Network Health Medicare Advantage plan, you can sign up to get one packet of ANOC materials, instead of two. To sign up for this option, called householding, each member in your household will need to log in at NetworkHealthOptions.com to make this selection. You’ll both need to log in separately. Follow the instructions that appear to choose print and householding. WHAT’S THAT?
Annual Notice of Change – The packet of materials you receive in September that tells you what’s changing for January 1.
Here’s what’s included.
• Annual Notice of Change (a table showing changes to your plan) • Evidence of Coverage (your plan policy that outlines all the details about your plan) • Provider Changes (a list of added and removed in-network providers) • Pharmacy Directory (list of pharmacies) and Formulary (list of drugs), if you have drug coverage
Looking for Provider Changes? We will always let you know if your specific doctor is leaving our network. If you’re looking for a new doctor, you can call your health care concierge for a list, or you can always find our most up-to-date doctors at NetworkHealthMedicare.com. NetworkHealthMedicare.com
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1570 Midway Pl. Menasha, WI 54952 Health or Wellness or Prevention Information
Meet Anne Rappert Medicare Secretary ANNE RAPPERT
M
edicare secretary, Anne Rappert, is an essential part of the Medicare team. She works closely with members on Network Health’s Medicare Advisory Boards and with our Network Health Community Ambassadors to find better ways to serve members and new opportunities to get involved in the community. She also helps members take advantage of the Platinum Fitness benefit. Here Anne shares the answers to some common questions she gets from members. Q: How can members take advantage of the Platinum Fitness benefit? A: Platinum Fitness is automatically included with all of our Medicare plans, except NetworkPrime (MSA). The benefit allows you to get reimbursed for your monthly gym membership fees, and you can find more details on page 13. Q: Why do you think this is a good benefit for members? A: Regular physical activity can produce long-term health benefits and reduce the risk of developing certain conditions or diseases like stroke, diabetes, heart disease and depression. People of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities can benefit from being physically active. The more active you are, the greater the health benefits. Q: How do you think the Medicare Advisory Boards help Network Health better serve members? A: The Medicare Advisory Boards are a great way for us to gain feedback from our members. We bring a variety of topics to the meetings, from benefits to marketing materials, and ask real members for feedback on what they want to see. We then use this feedback to implement changes and new ideas.
Q: What should members know about the Community Ambassador program and how can they get involved? A: Through the ambassador program, members can help our community and voluntarily serve as a community ambassador for our plan. Members are able to share their experiences to help others and are invited to a variety of social activities and community service and member events. (If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, contact me at 920-720-1348 or anrapper@networkhealth.com.) Q: What do you enjoy most about your job? A: I enjoy helping all of my coworkers on my team. But the thing I enjoy most is seeing the members who are on the ambassador program and advisory boards on a quarterly basis. They are a great group of people with stories to tell. We always have fun and share lots of laughter. Q: How does Anne spend her free time? A: Anne and her husband, Todd, have two boys—Ryan, age 13, and Logan, age 11. The boys are in various sports that keep the family busy going to practices and games. In the summer, Anne enjoys spending most weekends camping with her family.