When you are expecting a baby, you should expect to visit your healthcare provider often. And once your bundle of joy arrives, it will be his or her turn for regular checkups.

These checkups, also known as well-child visits, help make sure your child is healthy and growing like he or she should be. Your child may also get vaccines and screen-ings at these visits to prevent illness. You can see a sug-gested immunization schedule and learn more about the diseases vaccines prevent at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

Babies need well visits, tooYour child’s first well visit should take place two to five days after his or her birth. After that, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends kids have well-child visits at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 2½ years, 3 years and then once a year until the age of 21.

Make the most of checkupsHere are some tips for your child’s checkups:■ See the same provider. Your child gets better, more

consistent care when you develop a relationship with his or her provider. To locate a pediatrician, visit www.fepblue.org/provider.

Keep your child healthy with regular checkupsIn touch Healthy EndeavorsSM1

Fall 2016

InsidePreventive care

for women 2Proper use of

antibiotics 3Rewards for

diabetes management 4Avoid a return to the

hospital 5Dealing with

low back pain 6Stay on top

of asthma 7

■ Make a list. Before your child’s appointment, write down any questions you have. Discuss them with your child’s provider. Visit http://brightfutures.aap.org to search for infancy visit tools.

■ Think beyond health. Feel free to talk with the provider about anything related to your child’s development or behavior. This might include sleeping, eating, potty training, social skills and more.

Pediatricians are experts in kids’ health. You’re the expert on your child. Working together, you can make sure your child is growing up healthy and strong.

Healthy Kids The Healthy Families programs provide support, advice and guidance for families with children and teens. Healthy Kids offers games, activities and tools designed to teach children about weight management and healthy lifestyle habits. Healthy Teens offers a special Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator and useful information to help you respond to teen behavior. Get started today by visiting the “Health Tools” page at www.fepblue.org. Select “Wellness Resources & Tools,” then scroll down to “Healthy Families.”

Women: Take control of your healthFeeling bad is one sign there is a prob-lem with your health. But some health problems can happen even when you are feeling fine. That’s why preventive care is important. Women should talk with their healthcare providers about the following screenings and preven-tive measures.

Mammography. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends women get a mammogram every two years starting at age 50. Cancer screening mammo-grams are 100 percent covered when scheduled with a Preferred provider.

Pap test. The USPSTF suggests most women ages 21 to 65 get a Pap test once every three years. Women ages 30 to 65 can choose instead to have a Pap test once every five years along with a human papillomavirus (HPV) test. Women older than 65 who have had normal screenings and do not have a high risk for cervical cancer do not need Pap tests. Talk with your healthcare provider about the sched-ule that is best for you.

Cholesterol. Have your cholesterol checked regularly after you turn age 20.

Blood pressure. If your blood pres-sure is greater than 130/80, have it checked regularly. Visit www.fepblue.org/bha to complete the Blue Health Assessment and indicate you have been diagnosed with high blood pres-sure (hypertension). Follow the steps to receive a free blood pressure moni-tor and earn $50 on your MyBlue® Wellness Card to use for certain medi-cal expenses.

Diabetes. If you are overweight and between the ages of 40 and 70, get tested for diabetes to avoid related complica-tions. Please check www.fepblue.org for information on the Diabetes Management Incentive Program.

Osteoporosis. Women ages 65 and older and younger women at high risk should be screened for osteoporosis.

Colorectal cancer screening. Start periodic testing for this disease at age 50, or earlier if the disease runs in your family.

2 In touch Fall 2016 3

William Lawrence, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Get rewarded for good healthVisit www.fepblue.org/bha and complete the Blue Health Assessment to earn incentive dollars.

Immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older. You may need other vaccinations depending on your health, age and other circumstances. Please visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

Prenatal care. If you are pregnant, schedule an appointment as early as possible within the first 12 weeks. Ongoing pregnancy visits, also called prenatal care, will help keep you and your baby healthy. To earn $75 in incen-tives for prenatal care visits, visit www.fepblue.org/bha and complete the Blue Health Assessment. Once enrolled in My Pregnancy Assist, you will also receive a free Pregnancy Care Box.

If you have any questions about what preventive care and screenings you should have, talk with your health-care provider.

Ask the doctor: Antibiotics and common illnessesWhen you have a sore throat or cold, antibiotics may seem like an easy fix. But for many common illnesses, they won’t help — and could cause harm. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Medical Director William Lawrence, M.D., answers questions about antibiotic use.

Q: How should antibiotics be used?A: Antibiotics are used to fight infections from bacteria, fun-guses and parasites. They’re not suitable for bronchitis, sore throat, simple sinus infection or common cold. Those ailments are usually viral, and antibiotics don’t work against viruses. However, if a sore throat is strep throat — which is caused by a type of bacteria — an antibiotic would be appropriate. Your healthcare provider may also give you an antibiotic for a severe sinus infection.

Q: What is the danger of taking antibiotics that aren’t helping? A: Misuse of antibiotics can allow harmful bacteria to change and reproduce. These bacteria then become resis-tant or immune to an antibiotic. This is called antibiotic resistance. If harmful bacteria become resistant to certain antibiotics, infections may be harder to treat.

Q: What can I do about antibiotic resistance?A: Don’t take antibiotics for illnesses caused by a virus, such as colds and the flu. Never ask for antibiotics if your pro-vider doesn’t recommend them. If you do receive an antibi-otic, be sure to take it as directed and take all of it. If you have leftover medicine, throw it out properly.

Your best shot at staying flu -freeAntibiotics don’t help when you have the flu. That’s one reason why it’s important to receive a flu vacci-nation each year. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan members can receive a flu shot with no out-of-pocket cost when receiving a flu shot at a Preferred retail pharmacy in our vaccine network. Check with your pharmacy or call our Retail Pharmacy Program at 1-800-624-5060 to see which vaccines your local pharmacy can provide.

Q: What can I do to avoid colds, flu and other illnesses?A: You can take these steps to prevent getting sick:

■ To maintain a strong immune system, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.

■ Wash your hands often with soap and water. ■ Consider wearing a face mask if you are going to be

close to someone who has an infectious illness. ■ When you are ill, take precautions not to spread germs.

Consider wearing a face mask, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Be sure to drink lots of fluids to help you recover when you’re sick. Gargling with warm salt water can ease sore throats or prevent a recurrence. When prescribed an antibi-otic, you may ask your doctor if a probiotic might be safe and helpful to reduce side effects.

Were you recently in the hospital? If so, you received lots of care from your healthcare providers. But now it’s time to focus on caring for yourself, espe-cially within the first 30 days at home. By taking these four steps, you will feel better and reduce your chances of needing another hospital stay.  

1 Manage your meds. You probably take one or more med-icines to manage your condition.

Be sure you take them as prescribed. Writing down what each medicine is for, how much to take and when to take it may help you to take them correctly. If you have any questions, ask your health-care provider or pharmacist. Let your provider know whether you think you are experiencing side effects from your medicine, too. He or she may be able to adjust the dose. 

homecoming tips after hospitalization

4 In touch

More reasons to manage your diabetesWhen you have diabetes, it’s important to manage your condition. Thanks to the Diabetes Management Incentive Program, diabetes control is not only good for your health — it’s good for your wallet, too!

Through this program, you can earn up to $125 in 2016 toward a health account to be used for most qualified medical expenses. Here’s how it works:

1. Visit your Preferred provider. Have these services: ■ Diabetic foot exam ■ A1c test; remember to get your A1c

test number (to use when complet-ing the Blue Health Assessment)

2. Take the Blue Health Assessment (BHA). Visit www.fepblue.org/bha, com-plete the Blue Health Assessment and indicate you have diabetes. You will earn $50 on your MyBlue® Wellness Card to use for certain medical expenses.

3. Earn up to $75 in additional incentives for completing certain diabetes management activities. You can complete all of the follow-ing activities, but no additional incentives beyond $75 will be paid: ■ $10 for having an A1c test with a

covered provider (maximum of two per year)

■ $5 for reporting A1c levels to the Diabetes Management Incentive Program

■ $10 for receiving diabetic glucose test strips through our pharmacy program (see CVS Caremark information on this page)

■ $10 for receiving a diabetic foot exam from a covered provider (maximum of 1 per year)

A 1c lood Pressure

holesterol Levels for LDL

130/80 MMHGLESS THAN

7%

MG/DL

Goals may be di�erent for each person. Ask your doctor what your goal should be.

to Prevent Diabetes Complications

AKnow YourC

s

BLESS THAN

C LESSTHAN100

■ $20 for enrolling in a diabetes disease management (DM) program (call 1-888-392-3506 for your local plan’s DM program, called Healthy EndeavorsSM1 ) or receiving a diabetic education visit from a covered provider

■ $5 for completing an online diabetes education quiz (maximum of four per year)

42 Eat right.

Ask your provider whether you need to limit fluids or alcohol.

Build your diet around:■ Vegetables and fruits■ Whole grains■ Lean protein foods, such as beans,

fish, poultry, lean meat and eggs■ Low-fat or nonfat dairy products    Check food labels and limit foods high in:■ Salt and sodium■ Saturated and trans fats■ Added sugar 

3 Stay active. Exercise can help you be more fit and healthy. How active you can

be depends on how severe your condi-tion is. Talk with your provider about an exercise plan that’s safe for you. 

4 Get enough rest. Get plenty of sleep. If you need to, take time out during the day

to nap or put your feet up.

Track your recoveryNo one wants to return to the hospital after being admitted for a physical or mental health condition. Take charge of your recovery. Follow your healthcare provider's advice. Make follow-up appointments. Have recom-mended tests. Take your medication as directed. The Personal Health Record (PHR) is an online tool to help you keep track of all your care. To get started, visit www.fepblue.

org/healthwellness and find the PHR under “Wellness Resources & Tools.”

Be preparedFor information on diabetes supplies, including a free glucometer and test strips, contact CVS Caremark at 1-855-582-2024.

Fall 2016 5

Leena Mehta Sr. Program Manager

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, provides the Healthy EndeavorsSM1 Program for your convenience and is not liable in any way for the goods or services received. BCBSNC reserves the right to discontinue or change this program at any time. Healthy Endeavors may not be available to members of all policies. Check with your benefits administrator to determine eligibility. An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ®Mark of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. SM1Mark of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

The information is intended to educate readers about subjects pertinent to their health, not as a substitute for consultation with a personal physician. © 2016 Printed in the USA.

Healthy Endeavors members will continue to receive this magazine for two years.

Intouch

Fall 2016 7

When your asthma acts up, it’s a reminder to take your medication and stay on top of your care. But what about when you’re feeling good?

If you’ve taken control of your asthma, that is great! Managing asthma is key to staying healthy and enjoying life. But remember, it’s important to follow your treat-ment plan even when you’re symptom-free. Don’t forget that asthma is serious and can be deadly if not managed properly. In fact, about nine people die from asthma attacks each day. Thankfully, most people with asthma can expect to have few problems if they manage their conditions well. Remember these steps:■ Take your medication. It’s important to take your long-term control medi-

cation exactly as prescribed. These drugs reduce swelling and prevent asthma symptoms over time. If you’re feeling good, it doesn’t mean you don’t need them. It means the drugs are working. Let your provider know if you have problems with side effects or the cost of medication.

■ Avoid triggers. Likely, you’ve identified things that can cause your asthma to flare. But don’t let down your guard. Continue to avoid your triggers or reduce your exposure whenever possible.

■ Know your symptoms. It’s important to pay attention to your symptoms and know when you might be headed for an asthma attack. Work with your health-care provider to identify your early warning signs — mild symptoms that can begin even when your condition seems under control. By acting fast when these symptoms occur, you can reduce your chance for an attack.

■ Make a plan. If you haven’t already, fill out an asthma action plan. The plan tells you when to take your medications, how to recognize and respond to wors-ening symptoms, when to call for help and more. If you already have a plan, update it with your provider regularly, and keep it where it’s useful.

Stay on top of your

Mind your medsBe sure to fill your prescriptions. Your pharmacy benefits can help you stay on track. For instance, did you know mail service is available? To learn more, visit www.fepblue.org/pharmacy.

6 In touch

The lower back is the most common site for back pain and injury. This area takes a beating from daily movements such as bending, stooping, sitting and lifting.

 Stretched or strained muscles and ligaments that support your spine are usually the cause. The pain can range from dull to sharp and severe. Low back pain can also be caused by:

■ Arthritis of the spine ■ A herniated or ruptured disk in your

spine. This often pinches a nerve, also causing tingling down the but-tocks and legs. 

Beating the painLow back pain caused by strained muscles usually goes away in a few days or weeks, depending on how bad the strain is. You can take charge of your recovery by following these tips:

Manage lower back pain during your physical activity

■ If you have swelling, apply an ice pack to your lower back for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat every two hours as needed.

■ If you have no swelling, or after swelling goes down, apply a heating pad to your lower back for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat every two hours as needed.

■ Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen or ibuprofen.

■ If pain is manageable, keep moving! Although a short period of rest — one to two days — may help ease minor pain, too much rest can delay recovery by weakening muscles. 

When to seek helpIf your lower back still hurts after follow-ing these self-care tips for three days, the National Institutes of Health suggests calling your healthcare provider. Notify your provider right away if you have:

■ Radiating pain, numbness, tingling or weakening in your arms or legs

■ Bowel or bladder problems ■ Fever or vomiting

Not sure whether your back pain is serious?We can provide health advice. Call us at 1-888-392-3506, or call the Nurse Line at 1-888-258-3432.

asthma

Autumn vegetable succotashIngredients¼ cup olive oil1 cup diced onion2 cloves garlic,

finely chopped2 cups diced red bell peppers2 cups diced zucchini

2 cups diced yellow summer squash

3 cups frozen lima beans3 cups fresh or frozen

corn kernels2 tbsp. coarsely chopped

fresh sage

Welcome fall with this flavorful blend of vegetables.

DirectionsIn a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil. Add onion and cook for two minutes. Add garlic, bell peppers, zucchini, squash, lima beans and corn.  Season as desired; cook while stirring until vegetables are tender (10 minutes). Stir in sage and serve. Makes eight servings. Each serving provides 220 calories, 8 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 7 g dietary fiber, 8 g protein. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Fruits and Veggies: More Matters”

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDBlue CrossBlue Shield

of NCHealthy EndeavorsSM1 In touchP.O. Box 2291Durham, NC 27702-2291

Get the most out of BlueA healthier you begins at www.fepblue.org/myblue. Using MyBlue®, you’ll be empowered to create an action plan with your provider. You can use the website to set your goals and track your progress. Plus, you’ll have access to rewards and incentives to save you money! Registration is free, quick and easy. Sign up today at www.fepblue.org/signup or scan the code on the left with your smartphone.

5003M Developed by StayWell