SimplyWell
Wellness tips and encouragement from Hally® health.
What’s Inside Your Guide to Fall Prevention Hally Health: Coaches and Coordinators Annual Wellness Visit vs. Annual Physical And much more.
Say hi to the new Simply Well. We have a new look. Late last year, we rolled out Hally® health, a suite of wellness resources, programs and perks to keep you and your family healthy. Many of these resources are new, and others – like Simply Well – have been refreshed with an increased focus on your well-being. Visit hally.com today for fitness videos, disease management resources, blog articles, recipes and much more!
Your guide to fall prevention. It’s hard to believe, but falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death for Americans 65 and older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of every four people in this age group suffers a fall each year, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths. Approximately 3 million older Americans find themselves in emergency departments annually due to falls. But falling down – and getting seriously injured – doesn’t have to be a part of aging. Let’s learn more about falls and how to prevent them.
RISK FACTORS Knowing the risk factors can help you watch out for, manage or even avoid falls. Risk factors include: • Vision
problems.
• Lower
body weakness or prior falls.
• Walking • Vitamin • Foot
or balance difficulties. D deficiency.
pain.
• Improper • Poor
footware.
lighting, cluttered floors or unsafe rugs.
HOW TO PREVENT FALLS • Talk
to your doctor. It’s important to tell your doctor if you’ve fallen. Have your feet examined, and have your doctor complete a fall risk assessment. Review your medications, discuss possible vitamin supplements and ask if a bone mineral density scan is right for you.
• Get
a yearly eye exam and update the prescription for your glasses or contacts, if necessary.
• Exercise.
Strength and balance classes, yoga or chair yoga, and tai chi are fun ways to keep your bones and muscles strong.
• Do
a safety check of your home. Remove fall hazards, like rugs and cords. Install bars in your bathroom and railings for your stairs. Make sure all rooms have good lighting, and have a night light in your bedroom and bathroom.
Be proactive when it comes to avoiding falls.
Hally health coaches and coordinators are your partners in health.
Staying healthy isn’t easy, no matter your age. It’s often complicated and confusing juggling different doctor visits, medications and preventive screenings – all while trying to stay fit and take care of your body. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. As a member, you have access to our health coaches and care coordinators. They can help you manage your care, reach your health goals and much more – all at no extra cost to you.
HEALTH COACHING Our health coaches are your wellness partners. They’ll help you with nutrition, weight management, fitness and more. Your coach will work with you to create goals for a healthier lifestyle, and they’ll keep you motivated to reach them. They’ll also remind you about the preventive screenings and vaccines you need, and they’ll make sure you get the most out of your health plan’s benefits, programs and perks. Put simply, your coach will be a planner, manager and cheerleader for your health, all rolled into one.
CARE COORDINATION If you’re dealing with a more serious illness or have multiple conditions, our care coordinators can help.
Like health coaches, they’ll work with you to achieve specific goals. They’ll also help you understand and help manage illnesses, therapy and recovery, and they’ll make sure you get the right care at the right time. They work closely with your doctors and nurses to plan what’s best for your specific health needs. Our coordinators find answers to medication questions and discover ways to use your health plan to save money. Like our coaches, they’ll check in with you regularly and be a go-to person whenever you need questions answered. They’ll be at your side with knowledge, resources and encouragement as you manage your conditions.
GET STARTED TODAY If you’re interested in having a health coach or care coordinator, call us at (800) 851-3379, ext. 28947, to get started or learn more. Health coaching and care coordination aren’t a replacement for your doctors, nurses or other healthcare providers, but our coaches and coordinators provide expertise, resources and support during your health journey. You don’t have to do it alone!
It’s simple: Talk to your doctor. We get it. You might feel uncomfortable talking to your doctor about certain topics, like urinary concerns, mental health or physical activity. But it’s important to discuss these with your doctor so they can have an overall view of your health and create a wellness plan personalized for your specific needs. Remember, you’re not alone – many people share these same concerns, and many face these same health issues.
URINARY CONCERNS Urine leakage, also called urinary incontinence, is quite common. Even so, many people find it hard to discuss, even with their healthcare team. The chance of having urine leakage increases with age. Urine leakage can impact your ability to enjoy activities you once loved, so be sure to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask which treatment options are right for you. Doing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI), and eating a healthy, high-fiber diet can help prevent or improve urine leakage symptoms.
MENTAL HEALTH Health doesn’t only include your physical well-being, but also your mental and emotional health. It’s important to tell your doctor if you’re dealing with feelings of anxiety, intense or long-term sadness, have changes in your sleeping or eating habits, or have lost interest in things you once enjoyed. It’s also important to tell your doctor if you’re having difficulty remembering things, following instructions or making decisions. They can give you advice, refer you to a counselor or specialist, or prescribe a medication to help with your symptoms.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY You may feel like you don’t get enough physical activity and are worried about telling your doctor, but don’t feel embarrassed. It’s important to discuss this. Your doctor can suggest activities and exercises right for you and can help you find ways to work exercise into your daily life. Your doctor is waiting. Start a healthier life today with open and honest conversation.
Diabetes 101 Get your yearly eye exam. Along with heart disease, stroke, and nerve and kidney damage, diabetes can cause problems with your eyes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. The American Diabetes Association® recommends a yearly diabetic retinal eye exam to discover and treat issues early. Many eye problems can occur before you notice any symptoms, so these annual exams are key. If you experience symptoms, like blurred vision, seeing double, or eye pain or pressure, make sure to mention them during your eye exam. In most cases, if your eye doctor finds your eyes to be healthy, you can wait two years
(rather than one) for your next exam. If you get your eye exam from someone other than your primary care provider (PCP), please ask them to send a copy of your records to your PCP. Some risk factors for diabetic retinopathy – like genetics and how long you’ve had diabetes – are out of your control. But you can take action to control your blood sugar and blood pressure levels to help reduce your chances of developing retinopathy. And having your yearly diabetic retinal eye exam can help detect any problems so treatment can start early. Take this simple step to protect your vision. You got this!
Annual Wellness Visit vs. Annual Physical
It is important to get an Annual Wellness Visit and a Physical. We’re here to help explain what the differences are – and why you should get both every year.
ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT An annual wellness visit is a yearly appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) where you and your PCP work together to develop a prevention plan personalized for you. The focus is prevention, and it’s an opportunity for you to have a conversation about your overall health, health risks and end-of-life preferences. This visit includes creating or updating a personalized health plan that lists your preventive screenings as well as chronic condition management. There are many benefits to having an annual wellness visit. It helps detect concerns sooner than a regular office visit, reduces your risk of disease development and increases your chances of getting preventive care services. An annual wellness visit also gives your PCP a more complete picture of your health, which can help with medical advice and future diagnoses. Make sure to bring a complete list of the medications you take, your vaccine history (if you have it), and a list of all the providers and specialists you see. Here’s what may take place during your annual wellness visit: • Measurements
(weigh, height and blood pressure).
• Screenings/assessments
(fall risk, hearing, depression, cognition and activities of daily living).
• Medication
review (prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and supplements).
• Obtaining
a personal and family medical history.
• Creating
a list of your healthcare team (providers, specialists, care coordinators, etc.).
• Creating
a wellness plan, including a screening and vaccine schedule.
Your health plan covers in-network annual wellness visits at 100%. But if your healthcare provider finds a new health problem and takes steps to treat it during your visit, you may be billed for the diagnostic care you receive.
ANNUAL PHYSICAL An annual physical is different from an annual wellness visit. A physical is a “hands-on” exam, while the annual wellness visit is a “hands-off” exam. Your annual physical is a head-to-toe assessment. During this exam, your PCP will check your vital signs, like blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and temperature. They’ll examine your abdomen, head, neck, lungs, heart, skin, arms, legs, balance, strength and mental state. Just like the annual wellness visit, the focus is on prevention and screening. You’ll pay nothing for your annual physical as long as you stay in network.
WHY YOU SHOULD GET BOTH It’s important to have both an annual wellness visit and an annual physical. This gives you and your PCP the most complete view of your health and helps you create a personalized prevention plan to keep you as healthy as possible. Contact your PCP to schedule your appointments. For more information about annual wellness visits or annual physicals, call the Member Services number on the back of your ID card.
Pharmacy Corner
Take your meds – and take them correctly. Medicines only work if you take them. The American Heart Association estimates that about 75% of Americans don’t take their medication as directed. Some refuse to take their meds, others forget and a large number don’t take them correctly. And, many simply can’t afford their drugs’ high costs. Whatever the reason, too many Americans are putting themselves in unnecessary danger. Our doctors prescribe medication for a reason – it helps keep you healthy, perhaps even alive. Here are some important tips, as well as information and advice, you should know.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR Your doctor or pharmacist can answer your questions. If you’re worried about side effects, they’ll know what’s common vs. rare. If you’re not convinced a drug actually works, they can find data about its effectiveness. If you’re having trouble taking the medication (common with people using injections or inhalers) or if you find the directions on the label confusing, your doctor can help. You can also ask them about lower cost alternatives, such as generic drugs, if you’re having trouble affording your meds.
TALK TO YOUR PHARMACY Another way to save money might be ordering your drugs in bulk. Often 90-day supplies are cheaper than 30-day refills. Ask your pharmacy about these costs. If forgetfulness is the issue, many pharmacies now have mobile apps that remind you to refill your meds, and some even give you daily reminders when it’s time to take the drugs. Ask your pharmacy what apps and other programs they offer for customers.
OTHER APPS If your pharmacy doesn’t have a mobile app, don’t worry. Many other apps – some of them free – can provide medication reminders, refill notices and other features. Dosecast, Mango Health, MyMeds and Medisafe are just four of the many available.
TALK TO US Finally, reach out to us. Call the number on the back of your member ID card to ask us about medication mailorder programs, drug cost and coverage information, and much more. Taking your meds is important, and we’re all here to help.
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Colorectal cancer is scary, but it’s often curable if caught early. Regular screening, which begins at age 50 and lasts until you’re 75, is key to catching it. If you’re younger than 50 but have a family history or health condition that puts you at higher risk, you should ask your doctor if screening is right for you. It’s never been easier to get screened. In fact, there are multiple options to choose from, including noninvasive, at-home tests that you can receive and return by mail at your convenience. Here’s a look at your options: COLONOSCOPY • Tube with a tiny camera is inserted into your rectum to look for abnormalities. • Fasting (beforehand) and sedation are usually needed. • Recommended every 10 years. SIGMOIDOSCOPY • Similar to a colonoscopy but only looks at the lower part of your colon. • Quicker and less complicated, and sedation is usually not needed. • Recommended every five years. FECAL OCCULT BLOOD TESTING (FOBT) • At-home test kits that use a stool sample to look for blood in your feces, a common sign of cancer. • These tests are less invasive and easier to do, but you have to do them more often.
FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TESTING (FIT) • Another type of at-home test that looks for blood in your feces. • These tests are easy and don’t require a special diet, but they must be done yearly. Talk to your doctor about what screening option is best for you. And if you get a FIT or Cologuard® (FIT-DNA) test that comes back positive and you need a follow-up colonoscopy, we’ll cover this colonoscopy at zero cost to you, as long as you get it within 160 days of your FIT or Cologuard test. Set up your screening today.
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