HEALTH ALLIANCE 301 S VINE ST. URBANA IL 61801-3347
Health and wellness or prevention information.
The Health Alliance Star VOLUME 6
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SUMMER 2016
MIDWEST
Get Help Managing Your Health If you’re dealing with an ongoing health issue or trying to make a healthy lifestyle change, Health Alliance Medicare case managers and health coaches can help support you in the following ways. • • • • • • •
Answer questions about your condition Provide tools and lifestyle skills to minimize the risk of problems Teach self-care skills Give you educational materials and free resources for managing your condition Provide support on the phone at your convenience Keep you, your providers and your caregivers connected Help you make the most of your healthcare benefits
To learn more or start working with a case manager or health coach at no extra cost to you, call 1-800-851-3379, ext. 8112.
Case managers and health coaches have different areas of expertise to help you be your best.
Case Managers • Help you transition from hospital to home • Coordinate care across multiple providers • Help you manage long-term health issues
Health Coaches • Help you set and reach goals related to nutrition, weight management and physical activity • Help you better understand what it takes to successfully manage a chronic disease, like diabetes or high cholesterol Talk with your doctor to make sure your management plan is working.
Add Flu Shot to Your Fall Calendar
A Handy Guide to Portion Control
Learn these rough measurements to tell how much is on your plate.
Fist = 1 Cup
Cupped hand = 1/2 cup
Palm = 3–4 ounces
Use to measure cereal, fresh fruit, veggies and salad.
Use to measure pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, cooked veggies and desserts.
Use to measure beef, pork, poultry and fish.
Flu season might seem far away, but it will be here before you know it. Make sure to get a shot this fall so you’re prepared to fight off the flu. Most plans cover the shot at 100 percent when using an in-network provider* or pharmacy. Check your coverage by logging on to YourHealthAlliance.org or calling the number on the back of your ID card. *If you get the shot at a doctor’s office, an office visit copay may apply.
VOLUME 6
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SUMMER 2016
Palliative Care Adds Symptom Relief to Disease Treatment Sometimes serious or complex diseases cause a lot of pain, anxiety and a host of other symptoms, like vomiting or loss of appetite. Doctors and other providers can treat you for more than the disease itself. Palliative care providers work alongside your traditional treatment team to help you feel your best while you fight your disease.
help with emotional and spiritual distress along with your physical needs. Treatment involves medicine, breathing treatments, advice and more. Palliative care providers also work with your caregivers and family members and strive to make sure your goals and wishes are considered in your treatment.
Palliative care is not the same as hospice care. It can be used with your healing treatments and focuses on making you feel better and improving your quality of life.
If you or someone you know is receiving treatment for a serious or complex disease, ask your doctor if a palliative care program is available.
Palliative care providers work with your main doctor to make sure you’re getting the best care for your situation, and they offer
For questions about coverage, call the number on the back of your ID card.
Osteoporosis Testing is Key for Those at Risk Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weak and more likely to fracture. It often has no warning signs or symptoms until you break a bone. Fractures happen most often in the wrist, pelvis, hip, spine and upper arm. About one in two women and one in five men over age 50 will have a fracture in their lifetime. If you’ve broken a bone since age 50, ask your doctor for a bone-density test. This will show if you have osteoporosis so you can start a treatment plan, which could include taking supplements or medication and doing weightbearing exercises.
Lower Your Risk
Some risk factors are out of your control, like age, gender, race and family history. Others relate to your lifestyle.
Screening Can Improve Chance for Surviving Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in either the colon or rectum and is more treatable when found early. Because early detection is important for treatment, doctors recommend getting screened. Here are some options. A colonoscopy is the most accurate screening option, so doctors prefer this method. During a colonoscopy, a specialist will view your rectum and entire colon using a scope. It requires prep and sedation. This test should be done every 10 years starting when you turn 50 or more often, depending on your doctor’s recommendations. There is also a less invasive option that does not involve prep or sedation called a fecal occult blood test. This screening looks for blood in stool samples, which can indicate you have cancer or polyps. This test should be done yearly starting at age 50. Talk to your doctor about your options. If you have questions about coverage, call the number on the back of your ID card.
Got a Minute?
Take these steps to help lower your risk and keep your bones healthy.
Take the osteoporosis risk test at iofbonehealth.org.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking doubles the risk of osteoporosis.
It only takes one minute and helps you know your risk factors. Talk with your doctor about your results.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and include weight lifting in your routine. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan. • Don’t have more than two alcoholic drinks a day.
• Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D. Talk to your doctor about ways to up your intake.
Health Alliance Medicare is an HMO and PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Health Alliance Medicare depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits and copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.
1-800-965-4022 (TTY 711) Daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time Voicemail used on holidays and weekends, February 15–September 30 HealthAllianceMedicare.org blog.HealthAlliance.org facebook.com/HealthAlliance twitter.com/Health_Alliance
qm-MWStarNewsletter-0616 Y0034_16_44132 • Accepted
Mark Your Calendar Eighth Annual Senior Health Fair September 15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. South Side Mission | Peoria, IL Seniors On the Go Health Fair September 21, 7:30–11:30 a.m. Hult Center for Healthy Living | Peoria, IL Hypertension: Be Informed, Get Control September 22, 5:30–7:30 p.m. | The Forum at Carle, Pollard Auditorium | Urbana, IL RSVP to Danielle Daly at 217-255-4643 or danielle.daly@healthalliance.org by September 16.
PrimeLife Times Annual Wellness & Brain Fitness Fair September 24, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Lincoln Square Mall | Urbana, IL ABCs of Medicare October 6, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Christie Clinic on Windsor | Champaign, IL