educated choices winter 2013

Quick tips for getting the most out of your health plan

What to ask your doctor at your next appointment

Programs to help you meet your health goals this year

Get Started on a Healthier Path in 2013

Winter 2013 • Edition 1

ChoiCesEducated

Dear Colleagues:

As a Stanford employee, you know that working at Stanford is not just about earning a paycheck.

The benefits available to you at Stanford—including health and retirement plans, educational

assistance programs, generous time off and child care services—are designed to support your

efforts to build financial security, develop professionally and live a healthy, fulfilling life.

This is why we’re launching Educated Choices, a quarterly magazine produced by University

Human Resources to provide you with information about the benefits available to you as a

Stanford employee so you can make informed choices.

In this issue, you’ll find information about how to take advantage of Stanford’s health plans and

our on-campus programs and facilities, as well as other health and wellness information, to

help you achieve your best health.

It is our hope that each issue of Educated Choices will help you take better advantage of being

part of this wonderful community.

In good health,

David A. Jones

Vice President of Human Resources

Educated Choices is produced by HR Initiatives, part of University Human Resources. The information provided in this publication is intended

to educate Stanford employees on subjects pertinent to their utilization of Stanford’s health plans and other benefits. The information presented is

not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor.

University Human Resources: 3160 Porter Drive, Suite 250, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Email: [email protected] .

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Inside This IssueQuick Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your

Stanford Health Plan .............................................................................................................4—5

What to Ask Your Doctor at Your Next Appointment .............................................................6

Stanford Coordinated Care ..........................................................................................................7

On-Campus Fitness and Health ..........................................................................................8—9

HIPAA Privacy Rules—What You Need to Know

About Sharing Your Information .............................................................................................10

Planning for the Unexpected: Advance Health Care Directives .........................................11

Get More Information Online...........................................................................Back cover

This material may describe various benefits offered by Stanford University and is not the official plan document for any. Benefits discussed

here are governed by the plan or program documents, Stanford policies, and applicable state and federal laws. If there is a conflict between

the wording of this information and any policy, governing document or law, the policy, governing documents, and applicable laws govern.

Stanford reserves the right to alter, amend or terminate any of the benefits it offers at any time. Please refer to appropriate program documents

for plan details, eligibility rules and possible taxation.

Nothing in this material should be construed as an implied or otherwise endorsement of services or products mentioned

benefits.stanford.edu 3

❂❂ Registering for Kaiser’s online health service,

My Health Manager. You may email your doctor’s

office, schedule routine appointments, refill

prescriptions and review test results from your

computer or mobile device.

❂❂ Getting your prescription medications through

Kaiser Permanente’s prescription mail order

option. You’ll receive a 100-day supply of most

prescription medication, delivered to your door

with free shipping for regular delivery. It’s convenient,

and it saves you the cost of one copay and a trip

to the pharmacy.

❂❂ Visiting the Kaiser mobile health clinic (located

on campus two days per week) for convenient

access to care without leaving campus. The

mobile clinic offers exams and consultations,

laboratory services and Internet connections to

specialists throughout the KP network. Call

877-741-4648 to schedule an appointment.

❂❂ Participating in one of the many healthy living

classes and activities that Kaiser offers its members,

including smoking cessation, overcoming depression

and insomnia, managing back pain and losing weight.

If you are on a Kaiser Permanente health plan, consider:

4 benefits.stanford.edu

Quick Tips

for Getting the Most Out of Your Stanford Health Plan

❂❂ Finding out if your doctor and/or medical group

offers an online health service that is connected

to your electronic medical record. If so, register

today! It can make it easier and more convenient

to manage your health care. Several Blue Shield-

participating medical groups, including the Palo Alto

Medical Foundation, offer online health managers.

❂❂ Calling or visiting a Blue Shield health advocate

nurse the next time you have a question or

concern about a health matter but are not sure if

you should make a doctor’s appointment. Health

advocate nurses provide clinical advice and

support to help you navigate your health care

experience. Speaking with a health advocate

nurse can save you time and money by helping

you avoid unnecessary visits to the doctor and

coordinate many of the resources you have

available to you with Blue Shield.

4 EPO Nurse Health Advocate: 650-736-0780

4 PPO Nurse Health Advocate: 866-596-7557

❂❂ Taking advantage of the preventive care services

(such as an annual checkup, well-child visits and

immunizations) offered with every health plan. It

is important to have routine, preventive care with

your doctor so you can detect any medical conditions

or problems before they become threatening to

your health and costly to treat and/or manage.

❂❂ Getting your prescription medications through

Blue Shield’s prescription mail order option. You

may receive a 90-day supply of most prescription

medications, delivered to your door with free

shipping for regular delivery. You’ll save the cost

of one copay, and enjoy the convenience of a

saved trip to the pharmacy. You can read more

about the prescription mail order service and

print out forms on the Stanford Benefits website at

benefits.stanford.edu > Medical & Life > Medical,

Dental & Vision > Medical Plans, located under

“Resources” on the right-hand column.

If you are on an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) or High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), consider:


During a typical doctor’s visit, you

may only have a few minutes to ask

your doctor any questions you may

have and express any concerns. Asking

questions and providing information

to your doctor can improve the care

you receive.

According to the Department of Health

and Human Services’ Agency for

Healthcare Quality and Research,

there are 10 questions you should

be prepared to ask your doctor so you

understand his or her recommendations

and treatment plan:

1. What is the test for?

2. How many times have you performed this procedure?

3. When will I get the results?

4. Why do I need this treatment?

5. Are there any alternatives?

6. What are the possible complications?

7. Which hospital is best for my needs?

8. How do you spell the name of that drug?

9. Are there any side effects?

10. Will this medicine interact with

medicines that I’m already taking?

If your doctor prescribes a medication

or orders a test, you may also want

to ask if there are less expensive

medications you can take or labs

that offer the tests you need at a

more competitive price. Asking a

simple question may help you save a

lot of money for the same treatment

and care.

What to Ask Your Doctor at Your Next Appointment


An Innovative Way to Manage Ongoing Health Conditions

If you are struggling to manage a chronic health condition,

you may be eligible to get the care and attention you need

right on campus. Stanford Coordinated Care (SCC) is a dedicated

team of medical professionals and care coordinators who

help people with chronic illnesses lead a healthy life and

smoothly navigate their health care experiences.

SCC is ready to work with you to receive coordinated medical

care—no matter how many specialists you see. Some health

conditions that may qualify you for SCC include but not

limited to: diabetes, heart disease and asthma/chronic lung

disease. You may also qualify if you have been prescribed

more than five medications.

What are the benefits of Stanford Coordinated Care?

• $0 copay at SCC to see your provider and care team

• In-office labs at no cost

• 24/7 direct access to a member of your care team

• Same-day and next-day appointments

• Care coordinators to plan your health needs with you

• Free access to Stanford’s “Better Choices, Better Health”

chronic disease self-management program

• Pharmacist review of your medications

• Coordination of your complex care

Stanford Coordinated Care is available to active employees and adult dependents of Stanford University enrolled in a Blue

Shield health plan, as well as Stanford retirees and long-term disability participants for whom Medicare is not their primary insurance.

If you think Stanford Coordinated Care might be right for you, call 650-724-1800 or visit the SCC website at

stanfordhospital.org/coordinatedcare .

Stanford Coordinated Care

SCC


Chart Your Course to Better Health with BeWell@Stanford

One of the easiest ways to make a commitment to your health in 2013 is to participate in BeWell@Stanford. Benefits- eligible employees (and their spouses/registered domestic partners) can earn taxable incentives for completing these four steps by November 30, 2013:

1. Complete the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment (SHALA)—an online health risk assessment.

2. Complete the Profile, which includes a health screening, advising session and online plan.

3. Be enrolled in a Stanford- sponsored medical plan in 2013.

4. Agree to share your SHALA and health screening information.

(BeWell advisors will review the information

with you and may use your results to

suggest appropriate health promotion

resources. Your medical plan may also

use your information for the purpose

of health promotion and/or disease

management outreach. Rest assured

that BeWell and Stanford are committed

to protecting the security of your health

information.)

You can earn additional money by

completing five “Berries”—health-related

activities offered by BeWell—before the

November 30 deadline. Here are some

of the Berries available to you:

• Fitness Assessment, Personal

Training, Physical Activity

and BeWell Walkers

• Nutrition Workshop and Healthy

Living Workshop

• Stress Workshop, Wellness

Advocate and Well Visit

Learn how to get healthy and earn money

with BeWell at bewell.stanford.edu .

On-Campus Fitness and Health


Fitness and Healthy Living Classes with the Health Improvement Program

Did you know you have more than 150 fitness and

health education classes available to you each quarter

through the Health Improvement Program (HIP),

part of the School of Medicine? If you are a BeWell

participant and have completed your SHALA, you are

eligible for two discounted $20 classes per quarter.

You may choose from:

• Group Fitness: Cross training, indoor cycling,

yoga, Pilates, tai chi, swimming, dance and more.

• Healthy Living: Nutrition and weight management,

stress management, disease prevention and

management, and more.

• Behavior Change: Coaching and counseling,

weight management, smoking cessation and more.

To find a class or listen to a pre-recorded webinar,

visit hip.stanford.edu .

Physical Education, Recreation and Wellness

Through Stanford Athletics, you have access to nearly

20 athletic, recreation and wellness facilities, including

one of the world’s finest golf courses; a driving range;

tennis courts; a 75,000-square-foot sports and recreation

center; playing fields; and an aquatic center. With all

of these facilities at your disposal, you have every

opportunity to find an activity that fits your needs and

interests, and get fit.

Find a class or activity that interests you at

pe.dept.stanford.edu .

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On-Campus Fitness and Health

HIPAA Privacy RulesWhat You Need to Know About Your Provider Sharing Your Information With Family, Friends and Caregivers

Imagine that you are ill, in an accident or hospitalized. Your

family, friends and other loved ones may ask your health care

provider about your condition, but can your provider disclose

this information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of

1996 (HIPAA) and related rules and state laws were put in

place to help protect the privacy of your health information.

Fortunately, these privacy standards take into consideration

that there may be times when health information may be

released to your family or others closely involved in your

care or payment for your care.

Here’s what you should know about HIPAA’s Privacy Rule and

your doctors’ ability to communicate with your loved ones

and/or caregivers, according to the U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services:

• If you are present and have the capacity to make health

care decisions, a health care provider can discuss your

health information with a family member, friend or other

person if you agree, or if in the provider’s professional

judgment, you do not object. For example, your doctor

may discuss your treatment in front of a friend or loved

one if he or she comes into the treatment room with you.

If you do not wish this to happen, tell the providers involved

in your treatment and ask your visitors to step out of the

exam room during medical discussions.

• If you are not present, or are incapacitated, a health care

provider can share your information with family, friends or

others as long as the health care provider determines that

it is in your best interest—but the provider is not required

by HIPAA to do so.

If you are concerned about your loved ones’ or caregivers’

ability to receive information about your care, you may wish

to sign a HIPAA Authorization form. By signing a HIPAA

Authorization, you can authorize open communication

between your doctor and those you trust.

Want more information? Read “A Patient’s Guide to the

HIPAA Privacy Rule” on the U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services’ website at:

hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/consumer_ffg.pdf


Planning for the UnexpectedAdvance Health Care Directives

Completing an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) is one of the easiest things you can do to ensure your health care wishes and treatment decisions are carried out if you are ever in a position where you cannot speak for yourself. It also spares your family the burden of having to make critical medical care decisions for you under stress or emotional turmoil.

An AHCD allows individuals over 18 years of age to appoint an agent who has power of attorney to make health care decisions for you if you were unable to make those decisions for yourself. It also allows you to tell your physician, family and friends your health care preferences, including end-of-life care, organ donation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and surgical procedures.

Checklist: Preparing an Advance Health Care Directive

1. Decide what type of care you want or don’t want, and who you would like to authorize to make health care treatment decisions for you in the event you are unable to do so yourself.

2. Discuss your decisions with key people, including your physician(s) and loved ones.

3. Prepare your Advance Health Care Directive form. Although California law requires certain provisions to appear in your health care directive, there is no single form to use to document your wishes. You may find AHCD forms online.

4. Once you have completed the form and had your signature notarized or witnessed, take a photocopy to your primary care physician, so that it can be placed in your medical record. Give a copy to your agent(s). Keep the original for your personal records.


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educated choices winter 2013

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