BENEFIT
FALL · WINTER 2017
FOR
HEALTHALLIANCE.ORG
Let Your Coverage Shine Sometimes healthcare coverage might seem confusing and feel more like a dark and starless night. But For Your Benefit can make your coverage clearer and light the way to help you make the most of your benefits. In this issue, you’ll learn how to get more comfortable with your coverage by choosing a primary care provider. Plus, you’ll learn about some key terms and how to save money by knowing where to go for care. So grab a blanket and get cozy while we bring your coverage into focus with this stellar issue.
Health Alliance Earns J.D. Power Award Health Alliance has earned “Highest Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in the Illinois/Indiana Region” in the J.D. Power 2017 Member Health Plan StudySM. Our commitment to integrated care means seamlessly connecting the doctors, services and treatments our members need, resulting in the high-quality care they deserve. Health Alliance Medical Plans received the highest numerical score among 8 commercial health plans in the Illinois and Indiana regions in the J.D. Power 2017 Member Health Plan Study, based on 33,624 total responses, measuring experiences and perceptions of members surveyed January 2017–March 2017. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
Primary Care Provider
Adds Comfort to Your Plan What’s more comfy than a flannel blanket, warm fire and gooey, toasted marshmallows? Not much. But in the healthcare world, a primary care provider (PCP) comes close. Your PCP oversees all your health care, refers you to specialists and works closely with your health plan to coordinate your care from start to finish. Some plans (HMO and POS) require you to have a PCP. But even if your plan doesn’t require one, we recommend you still choose a PCP to give you that added comfort and peace of mind.
Comfort, Trust, Security and S’more • Total team effort among you, your plan and your PCP • Major focus on strong doctor-patient relationships to help build trust • Knowledge of your current and past health conditions and how they fit together • Seamless, easy and affordable process • Peace of mind knowing you have personalized care
How Can You Bring Comfort to Your Care? HMO and POS members, you can choose or change your PCP at YourHealthAlliance.org or by calling the number on the back of your ID card. If you’re on a PPO plan, simply ask your doctor if he or she can be your PCP and start enjoying a comfier kind of health care.
Bringing Clarity to
Your Costs Sometimes it might seem like money gets sucked into a black hole of fancy names and healthcare jargon or that you need to be a rocket scientist to understand your health plan. The following definitions can help you focus in to better understand the different types of payments you make for your healthcare coverage.
And you don’t have to be in the dark about where you are with your deductible. Your Health Alliance can shed some light on where you stand. Go to YourHealthAlliance.org today to see how close you are to meeting your deductible and find other plan-specific info.
Deductible
A set amount you pay before the plan starts helping pay for medical or pharmacy expenses. Some plans have separate medical and pharmacy deductibles.
Premium Or Monthly Contribution The monthly amount you pay for coverage.
Give a Gold Star Have you had a great experience with somebody at Health Alliance? If so, you can give that person a Gold Star as a special way to say thanks. We’ll share your story with that person and his or her manager and peers. And we might even use it in ongoing employee recognitions. You can thank someone today at HealthAlliance.org/GoldStar.
Coinsurance
A percentage of the cost you pay when you use certain medical services covered by your plan.
Copayment
A set amount you pay when you use certain medical services covered by your plan.
Charting Your
Healthcare cy ergen e clinic m e e o th t car trips t an urgen ) are better e r i u req nic g to esses or or goin walk-in cli n l l i r oct ra es o injuri ling your d ient care o e m o n S cal or conve , but osts f ull c p u room imes called ations. ur f rive t itu can d ’t know yo s e (some in most s i c gen esn ns -emer the ER do optio n o n for and elp he ER re overall, or does. t o t g t w to h nt a c c o l o e h d t b l Goin r a ts re e you nd he the lis ek in diffe e s you a l history lik u e o s to a go, s re to which care medic e h w rn ear ays cl ots and lea w l a t It’s no nect the d on you c es. are s c ent C e fracture instan g r U on or octor d simple b D y r n a Prim s, strains a in r • Sp a ness s zi ptom • Diz or flu sym hea rr • Cold ting or dia i • Vom m y Roo c n e g s r Eme e symptom k • Stro pain st njury • Che or spinal i one b d • Hea ely broken r e s. y, • Sev te list rgenc ple
t com
s, no ample
e
ing em
aten e-thre f i x l e a e ar ion is These ondit r call 911. c r u o y lo think st hospita u o y e f s I o the cl go to
Route
Guidelines for Treating Lower Back Pain Lower back pain from a strained muscle is a common injury. In many cases, it can be treated with a combination of: • Physical therapy • Ice application • Medication X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans are not usually recommended in the first six weeks of treatment. Try physical therapy first, keeping in mind it might take a few sessions to see improvement. Narcotics are not recommended to treat lower back pain for more than three weeks and should be avoided if possible. If your doctor prescribes a narcotic, ask if there are any alternatives. Lower back strains are usually not emergencies. In most cases, you can visit your primary doctor first. If you have cancer (especially lung, prostate or breast cancer) when your back pain begins or have experienced significant trauma recently, make sure to see your doctor right away. If you have any of these symptoms after your lower back pain begins, go to an urgent care center or ER. • Fever • Unexpected weight loss • Trouble moving your leg or poor circulation in leg • Loss of bladder or bowel control
You might also have e-visit options available to you, allowing you to connect with a provider online. Ask your doctor and check your plan materials.
301 S. Vine St. Urbana, IL 61801
Fruit-Sweetened Hot Cocoa
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Preparation
4 cups reduced-fat milk
1. Combine milk, cocoa powder, dates, vanilla and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until hot and steaming. Continue to cook, without letting the mixture boil, giving the dates time to soften, another 5 minutes.
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 6 large pitted dates, chopped 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Kosher salt Unsweetened whipped cream, for topping (optional) Ground cinnamon, for topping (optional) Nutrition 180 calories; 4 g fat; 2 g saturated fat; 15 mg cholesterol; 100 mg sodium; 30 g carbohydrate; 3 g dietary fiber; 7 g protein. com-ILFYB-0717
2. Let cool for 5 minutes or so. Then transfer the mixture to a blender, being careful of the hot liquid, and puree until smooth. You can strain the mixture to catch any small chunks of dates that weren’t blended. 3. Pour into mugs and top each with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired. Recipe from Food Network Kitchen (FoodNetwork.com)