INDIVIDUAL

bcidaho.com

M E M B E R N E W S L E T T E RBlue Bulletin

FALL EDITION

One Mission: You

What’s also in this issue:• Follow Your Medication Instructions ...................Page 3

• Shorter Enrollment Period for 2018 Plans ...........Page 5

More CHOICES OF DOCTORS in 2018and Hospitals

B L U E C R O S S O F I D A H O | M E M B E R N E W S L E T T E R2

WelcomeThere are few things as deeply personal and as potentially overwhelming as healthcare. That is why it is so important to build a support team of trusted partners to help you navigate your personal healthcare journey. From your primary care provider (PCP) who can see your overall health picture, to the specialists who can address specific issues, you are not alone.

Blue Cross of Idaho is also proud to be a member of your team. We are here not only to ensure you have easy access to top-quality healthcare, but to advocate on your behalf.

That advocacy comes in many forms: It may be a member of our Idaho-based, award-winning Customer Service Department answering your question. Or maybe it’s our Provider Network Management team working to find new ways to keep healthcare costs down while promoting better health outcomes. It could be one of our registered nurses working directly with you to help coordinate your care and ensure you have the resources you need.

Regardless of the department, the employees of Blue Cross of Idaho are dedicated to helping our members. In fact, making sure everything we do is for the benefit of our members is one of our guiding principles.

We are always looking for ways to improve the experience you have when doing business with us. Whether it is through technology or in-person help, we are constantly finding new ways to make using your healthcare coverage easier. Our team is busy at work, creating the next innovations, so keep an eye out for new offerings in the near future.

Thank you for choosing Blue Cross of Idaho as part of your healthcare team. It is a responsibility that we don’t take lightly. We are proud to be your partner and we will continue to make sure that you not only get access to the care you need, but that your healthcare dollars go farther. After all, we have One Mission: You.

Charlene Maher

President and CEO, Blue Cross of Idaho

FA L L 2 017 3

Charlene Maher

President and CEO, Blue Cross of Idaho

H O U S E CALLS

These brand-name drugs have recently been released in a generic form. Generics are a safe and effective way to lower the cost of your medications.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic medicine is right for you.

Medication Update Fall 2017Brand Name Generic Name Drug Use

Lialda mesalamine Ulcerative colitis

Pataday olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic Ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis

Vigamox moxifloxacin Bacterial conjunctivitis

Axiron testosterone Hypogonadism

Relpax eletriptan hydrobromide Migraines

Steve Olson is the director of Pharmacy Management at Blue Cross of Idaho. Steve and his team work with a team of clinicians to ensure we remain at the forefront of changes and innovations that will help improve health and lower costs.

Follow Your Medication Instructions By Steve Olson for Better HealthMost of us have done it at one time or the other: We miss a dose of our prescription medication so we either skip it altogether or take a double dose later. Maybe the medication schedule just isn’t convenient, so we take it when we can, or when we remember.

But failing to follow your healthcare provider’s directions when it comes to taking your prescription medications is more than just something to feel a little guilty about – it can be dangerous.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), failure to follow medication instructions is linked to up to 125,000 deaths each year in the United States. It is estimated that a full 30 percent of prescriptions are never even filled, while up to 50 percent are not taken as the healthcare provider intended.

Not taking your medications as prescribed can lead to long-term health problems, too.

The CDC also reports that roughly 30 percent of patients who take medication to treat diabetes do not take their medication as prescribed. By not treating chronic conditions like this correctly, patients risk serious complications in the future.

Not only can taking your medications incorrectly cost you your health, but it can cost you financially as well. The CDC and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) estimate that failing to follow prescription drug instructions costs the United States up to $300 billion each year.

There are many reasons people don’t take their prescriptions as instructed, including side effects, not understanding the directions, believing the medication isn’t working, and high cost. Please remember that your healthcare provider, pharmacist and Blue Cross of Idaho can all help you overcome these concerns.

Here are some simple tips that can help:

• Use a pill container to help organize your medications.

• Try taking your medications at the same time each day to make it a routine.

• Use calendar reminders or phone alarms to help remind you to take your medication and when to refill your prescription.

• If you are experiencing side effects or have other concerns, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist immediately.

B L U E C R O S S O F I D A H O | M E M B E R N E W S L E T T E R4

The Latest on the Affordable Care ActIs the Affordable Care Act (ACA) repealed? Is the tax penalty still in place? What insurance carriers are still offering plans in Idaho?

With today’s headlines, it’s easy to be confused about the status of the ACA, which insurers are still involved, and how your taxes might be affected.

Let’s start with the status of the ACA. It’s still the law of the land. In the United States, bills have to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate before

they head to the president to sign. A repeal bill passed the House but didn’t gain enough votes in the Senate to go to the president. Efforts to repeal the ACA are ongoing, but will not affect the law in 2018.

When you file your taxes each year, you have to provide proof you had qualifying coverage or pay a tax penalty. As of September, 2017, he IRS is still enforcing this penalty. That means that going without coverage in 2018 could cost you

up to a family maximum of $2,085.

Finally, while Idaho still has five insurance carriers offering ACA plans, some of those carriers are no longer offering plans in every county for people who get tax subsidies or cost-sharing reductions. Blue Cross of Idaho continues to believe that providing Idahoans with access to healthcare is our most important priority. We’re here in 2018 and have no plans to change that any time soon.

Annual Wellness ExamAn annual wellness exam can help you set a health baseline to keep you on track when it comes to living a healthy, active lifestyle.

It can also help your healthcare provider identify potential health issues, as well as common risk factors for chronic diseases. Which tests your provider orders will vary depending on your gender, age and personal health history, but a review of your immunization record, as well as strength and balance testing are common.

A simple annual wellness visit can help you deal with potential problems before they get serious. They are an easy way to live your healthiest life, plus annual wellness visits are covered at no cost to you as part of your Blue Cross of Idaho plan. Take some time and schedule yours today.

FA L L 2 017 5

Open Enrollment Period Shortened

If you’re thinking of shopping for plans this year, there’s no time to procrastinate. The window to purchase is November 1-December 15, 2017 – 47 days shorter than last year.

All healthcare plans for 2018 must be bought during this period, unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event like getting married, adopting a child or losing coverage through your job.

If you have any questions about the open enrollment period, please contact the Blue Cross of Idaho Customer Service Department by calling the number on the back of your member ID card.

Get Your Flu ShotFlu season is just around the corner and

that means time to start thinking about

getting your flu shot.

Each year, millions of Americans come down with the flu. While it means

missing work and school, and feeling pretty miserable for most of those

infected, it can get a whole lot more serious. Hundreds of thousands of

people are hospitalized each year for the flu, and tens of thousands die from

it, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get a flu

shot during flu season, which can start as early as October and run as late

as May. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated and

remember that flu shots are fully covered, at no cost to you.

B L U E C R O S S O F I D A H O | M E M B E R N E W S L E T T E R6

Stay ActiveWinter’s chill sends most of us indoors, where it also brings the risk of inactivity. Sitting around for long periods of time can lead to health issues like weight gain, so important to stay active all year round.

Here are a few ideas to get your whole family moving.

Get outside whenever possible:

• Go sledding

• If you live in a snowy area, make snow angels, forts or snowmen

• Take the whole family skiing or snowshoeing

If it’s too cold, try some indoor activities:

• Go roller skating or bowling

• Visit a museum or aquarium

• Have an indoor scavenger hunt

• Build a blanket fort

• Create an obstacle course

• Let your kids help cook dinner. Not only will they enjoy learning, but they may be willing to try new things because they made it.

Keeping active in the winter doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little imagination and creative thinking you and your family can remain active and healthy all winter.

Get Your Questions AnsweredGot a question? Need a little help? Check out our new virtual assistant at members.bcidaho.com. Select the icon at the bottom corner of the page and get simple answers to your questions.

FA L L 2 017 7

Giving Your Kids a Healthy StartNot too long ago, diseases like measles, whooping cough and polio affected thousands of children, sometimes leading to lifelong disability or even death. Now, vaccines can help prevent children from ever suffering from these diseases.

Getting your child vaccinated is one of the best steps you can take toward giving him or her a healthy start in life. Vaccines are usually administered by your child’s healthcare provider during a Well Child visit. These visits offer the chance for a complete physical exam when a child is developing

the fastest. Well Child visits include questions for both you and your child’s pediatrician on developmental milestones, immunization schedules, physical activity and safety. This exam can also identify potential developmental delays early so you can find treatment and support.

The American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures suggest the following schedule for Well Child visits unless otherwise suggested by your pediatrician.

Even More Network ChoicesBlue Cross of Idaho’s nine tailored networks throughout the state have worked hard this year to guide you through the healthcare maze toward the right care at the right time.

We’re excited to announce that we’re expanding the reach of each of those networks. Where you may have only had one or two network choices this year, now you have more. Check out our network list at shoppers.bcidaho.com to see which networks are now offered in your county. If you want to make a change, we’re always here to help. Call your insurance agent or Blue Cross of Idaho directly at 855-230-6862.

American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures appointment schedule for Well Child exams2 weeks old 9 months old2 months old 12 months old4 months old 15 months old6 months old 2 years old

Published by Blue Cross of Idaho. © 2017 by Blue Cross of Idaho, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. All rights reserved. No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement – not take the place of – the recommendations of your healthcare provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or healthcare regimen. Blue Cross of Idaho makes no endorsements or warranties regarding any of the products and services included in this publication or its articles.

3000 E. Pine Ave. Meridian, ID 83642

One Mission: You

Healthy Recipe

Contact UsMoved recently? Don’t forget to change your contact information with your human resources department or benefits administrator so you continue to receive important information regarding your health insurance coverage.

Website: members.bcidaho.com Email: customerservice@bcidaho.com

Access the information on your mobile phone.

Call our Customer Service line at the number listed on the back of your member ID card.

Have a Question?

Zucchini Blueberry MuffinsNutrient Value: Servings: 18, Calories: 156, Protein: 4 g, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 9 g, Fat: 5 g, Sodium: 59 mg

Ingredients: 3 eggs3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce1/3 cup vegetable oil2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups grated zucchini1 Tbsp. lemon zest2/3 cup sugar3 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder1/4 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. cinnamon2 cups fresh blueberries

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two muffin tins with 18 paper muffin cups. In a large bowl, mix together eggs, applesauce, oil and vanilla using a wire whisk. Add zucchini and lemon zest, and stir into the mixture with a spoon. Sift the sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl, then add the blueberries. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix only until just incorporated. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, distributing evenly. Bake for 23-25 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when they are done.