Health Matters: Fall 2014 - Denver Health Medical Plan

Health
YOUR
MATTERS
SUMMER 2014
FALL 2014
Preventive Screenings for Men and Women:
How helpful are they?
Page 2
Trick-or-Treat: Keeping Your Kids Safe on Halloween
Page 4
Stop Bullying — Protecting your kids
Page 6
Health and Wellness Class Schedule
Page 8
1
Preventive Screenings for
Men and Women:
How helpful are they?
E
ach year when you visit your primary care provider, you are likely
given a list of suggested tests and screenings for early detection
of disease. This list can be different for all of us but two of the
most common are screenings for breast and prostate cancer.
The recommendations for breast cancer have been
steady over the years while the recommendations
for prostate cancer screening continue to change.
Breast Cancer
Mammograms remain the best tool available for
early detection of breast cancer. Although there
has been controversy regarding the usefulness of
screening mammograms, the American Cancer
Society (ACS) continues to recommend yearly
screening for women over the age of 40. The
Colorado Division of Insurance agrees with this
recommendation. For this reason, health insurance
carriers in Colorado are now required to ensure
women receive a screening mammogram each year
at no cost.
Concerns have been raised regarding the amount
of radiation exposure received during a lifetime
of annual screenings. However, to put this into
perspective, the amount of radiation a woman
receives over the period of 50 years of screening
If you need any of the information in this newsletter in Spanish, please call
Member Services at 303-602-2090
Si necesita cualquier de la información en este librito en español, por favor
mammograms is about 20 to 40 rads (a rad is a
measurement of radiation dose). This dosage is
minimal when compared to the 5000 rad dose of
radiation a woman receives with treatment for
breast cancer.
Mammograms do have limitations but the value of
the screening continues to be supported by strong
evidence and confirms the substantial benefit to
women in their 40s. The ACS suggests screenings
continue for life, as long as no serious chronic
conditions exist. Experts suggest combining annual
mammograms with early Clinical Breast Exams
(CBE) and monthly Self Breast Exams (SBE) for best
results.
Prostate Cancer
As with all cancers, early detection is key. With
prostate cancer, this can be difficult, screening for
prostate cancer continues to be less defined than
screening for breast cancer.
The Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA and Digital
Rectal Exam (DRE) are the two available tests for
this cancer. Neither of these tests prove that cancer
does or does not exist, they merely offer warning
signs. The PSA measures a substance made in the
prostate gland. The chance that prostate cancer is
comuníquese con servicios al miembro al 303-602-2090
2
present is higher when the PSA is raised.
However, there are many other factors
that could increase a PSA such as age,
enlarged prostate and certain medications.
DRE is less effective than PSA at detecting
prostate cancer but it may be more helpful
in those with a normal PSA level.
For early prostate cancer detection, it is
important to watch for symptoms such as
difficulty urinating, blood in urine, trouble
getting an erection or pain in the lips, back
or ribs.
For both prostate and breast cancer risks,
it is important to talk with your primary
care provider (PCP). Your PCP can look at
your family history and decide on the best
course of action for you.
Source: http://www.cancer.org
Prostate and Breast Cancer
Awareness Months
Fall brings attention to two very important health initiatives:
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September and
Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Both
campaigns aim not only to raise awareness about the diseases,
but to raise funds for research into their causes, preventions,
diagnoses, treatments and cures.
Beginning in 1999, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
was first dedicated to raising awareness about prostate health in
general. It wasn’t until 2003 when by presidential proclamation,
George W. Bush not only voiced his support for the month but,
specifically named it the National Prostate Cancer Awareness
Month we observe today.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every
October. Founded in 1985, its main goal was to promote
mammography as the most effective fight against breast cancer.
Its signature event, Race for the Cure began in 1983 with
800 participants in Dallas, Texas. Today it is the world’s largest
fundraising event for breast cancer. It has over 1.3 million
participants in over 100 cities around the world.
If you would you like to participate in events surrounding either
of these health observances, you can learn more at www.pcf.
org or www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awarenessmonth.
Sources
http://cms.komen.org/Komen/NewsEvents/RacefortheCure/index.html
http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5699537/k.BEF4/Home.html
3
Trick-or-Treat:
Keeping Your Kids Safe
on Halloween
D
ressing up in costumes to go trick-or-treating is something
that many kids look forward to all year long. For parents,
however, safety is the biggest concern. Focus on three things
to keep your kids safe on Halloween.
One, you need to think about a safe costume; Two,
make sure your kids are safe walking through your
neighborhood: and Three, the safety of the candy
and treats your kids bring home after trick-ortreating.
1. Costume Safety
• Costume accessories such as knives and
swords should be soft, short and flexible.
• Test make-up on a small area of skin before
applying to insure there is no skin irritation.
• Costumes that fit correctly help prevent slips
and trips.
• Masks should fit properly so children can easily
see.
2. Walking Safety
• Always walk on sidewalks, if available. If there
are no sidewalks walk the opposite direction of
traffic and stay as far left as possible.
• Use reflective material on costumes and bags
so drivers can see you .
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
the street.
• Carry glow sticks or flashlights so others can
see you and you can see them.
• Children under the age of 12 should always
have adult supervision when trick-or-treating.
• Never let your child enter a home or
apartment of a stranger without you.
• If your child is over age 12 make sure they
trick-or-treat with a trusted group of friends,
never let your child trick-or-treat alone.
3. Halloween Candy Safety
• Only let your child eat factory-wrapped treats,
never eat home-made treats from strangers.
• Make sure you inspect candy or treats before
they are eaten.
• Many communities offer places that will check
your child’s candy or trade it for candy you
know is safe.
Remember, for a safe, fun-filled Halloween: keep
safety in mind when planning a costume, go trickor-treating with your kids and check all their candy
before giving it to them. For more information on
Halloween safety, visit http://www.halloween-safety.
com. Happy Halloween!
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/
http://www.safekids.org/halloween
https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/121343/100.pdf
https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/121343/100.pdf
4
Trick or Treat Street
Looking for a safe, friendly environment to take your
small children to this Halloween? The Children’s
Museum of Denver comes to the rescue with
their annual Trick or Treat Street. It’s a three
day fall extravaganza, packed with fun and delicious
surprises for the whole family.
Take your little super heroes and fairies from treat
house to treat house to collect their goodies, you
can even whip up your own spooky desserts. But
the fun doesn’t stop there! You can take a spin on
Vern’s Mini Train and craft classic Halloween creatures.
There are also costumed characters, pumpkins galore,
storytelling, a Monster Carnival and so much more!
Visit the Children’s Museum of Denver
website to learn more about the event, see pictures
from past years and maybe even volunteer. And
don’t forget to leave your scary costumes at home,
this event is all about the fun and good cheer of the
holiday.
Sources
http://www.mychildsmuseum.org/events/trick­or­treat­street.aspx
Flu Season is Coming...
Get a Flu Shot at NO COST for Members
Everyone 6 months and older needs a flu shot
each year. There is no cost for Elevate
members to get a flu shot.
You can choose where you get your flu shot:
1
If you have a visit scheduled with your doctor,
you can get your flu shot at that time.
2
You can get a flu shot only appointment at
Denver Health by calling 303-436-4949.
3
Visit any retail pharmacy that offers flu shots,
such as Walgreens, King Soopers or Target. Be
sure to go to the pharmacy counter (not an
in-store clinic). Give them your Elevate ID card
and you will be given the shot at no cost.
Stop Bullying —
Protecting your kids
K
ids who are being bullied do not always speak up and ask
for help. For this reason, it is important for parents, teachers
and even friends to notice warning signs that a child is being
bullied or bullying others. According to the National Center for
Education Statistics, only a third of students that were bullied went to
an adult for help.
There are many reasons for this, a child may fear
backlash from the bully, the child doesn’t think
anyone will care or understand, or feels he/she
can handle it by themself. Paying attention to
the warning signs that a child is being bullied or
bullying others is the first step to stop bullying.
Talk With Your Children
Know the Warning Signs
It is important to let them know that you listen
to them and that they can come to you with
concerns. Encourage your children to speak up if
they are being bullied or see others being bullied.
A great resource to help your children understand
bullying and how to stop it are the webisodes
offered on www.StopBullying.gov. These short
videos are full of good subject matter to discuss
with your children.
If your child is being bullied, you may notice some
of the signs listed below. A child may:
• Begin to “lose” or “break” personal items such
as clothing, jewelry and electronics for no
reason.
• Have injuries that he/she cannot explain.
• Have nightmares or trouble sleeping.
• Show changes in eating habits – skipping meals
or binge eating.
• May fake illnesses to avoid going to school,
falling grades, or loss of interest in school
work.
However, if your child is the one doing the bullying,
this is a very different problem. Still, you may
notice behavior, such as:
• Getting into fights, both verbal and physical.
• Becoming increasingly aggressive.
• Getting into trouble at school.
• New belongings or extra money that they
cannot explain.
• Blaming others for their problems.
Talking about bullying with your children is a great
way to prevent and stop bullying. Explain what
bullying is and how to safely stand up to bullies,
like using humor or saying “stop” directly and
confidently.
Bullying can lead to serious issues like depression,
anxiety and poor school performance. Kids who
are bullied are more likely to skip, miss or drop
out of school. If you notice bullying behavior
speak up, even if you are not sure. If you respond
fast and consistently to bullying it will send the
message to children that it is not an okay to act
this way. Bullying is wrong and it is up to all of us
to fight it.
Sources
http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/factors/index.html
http://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/in-the-community/index.html
http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/warning-signs/index.html
http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/effects/index.html
http://www.stopbullying.gov/respond/on-the-spot/index.hopen tml
6
Cyber Bullying
In our modern day and age, it’s not just
the school hallways parents need to worry
about in order to protect their children
from bullying. Cyberbullying is the use of
technology, such as social media, to harm or
harass other people in a deliberate, repeated,
and hostile manner. According to U.S. Legal
Definitions, “Cyberbullying could be limited to
posting rumors or gossips about a person in
the internet bringing about hatred in other’s
minds; or it may go to the extent of personally
identifying victims and publishing materials
severely defaming and humiliating them”.
With technology on the rise, so are
unfortunate instances of cyberbullying.
Awareness of cyberbullying has been raised
due to recent high-profile cases. According to
a national survey in the United States, Over
half (52%) off young people report having
been cyberbullied while an astounding 95% of
teens also reported having witnessed bullying
on social media and that others, like them,
have ignored the behavior.
According to the Safe Kids Organization, here
is what you or your child should do in the
event of a cyberbully attack;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Don’t respond.
Don’t retaliate.
Save the evidence.
Talk to a trusted adult.
Block the bully.
Be civil.
Don’t be a bully.
Be a friend, not a bystander.
To learn more about what you can do
to prevent cyberbullying and help raise
awareness to the problem, visit www.
cyberbullying.us
Sources
http://nobullying.com/cyber-bullying-statistics-2014/
http://cyberbullying.us/resources/teens/
http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/cyber-bullying/
Denver Health Medical
Plan, Inc. Awarded NCQA
Accreditation
Denver Health Medical Plan, Inc. would like to
announce that it has earned Accreditation from
the National Committee for Quality Assurance
(NCQA). The accredited rating is awarded to
organizations with programs for service and
clinical quality that meet basic requirements for
consumer protection and quality improvement.
“The team at Denver Health Medical Plan,
Inc. is proud to receive NCQA Accreditation.
This achievement sends a clear message that
Denver Health Medical Plan, Inc. is serious
about quality improvement and dedicated to
constantly evaluating ourselves and looking for
opportunities to enhance the way we impact the
lives of those we serve,” said LeAnn Donovan,
CEO of the Plan and Executive Director
of Managed Care. “Achieving this level of
Accreditation showcases our strengths including
collaboration, teamwork, and commitment to
comprehensive member care. I am proud of
the team and the dedication that this level of
achievement signifies.”
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization
dedicated to improving health care quality.
NCQA accredits and certifies a wide
range of health care organizations. It also
recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas
of performance. NCQA is committed to
providing health care quality information for
consumers, purchasers, health care providers and
researchers.
AND M
VE
Behavioral Health and Wellness Services would like to
invite you to our upcoming weekly education class!
Please plan to come to all 4 sessions of each class! Each
session builds upon the previous week, so please try
to attend all sessions. If you have any questions, or to
RSVP, please contact Care Support Services at 303602-2080.
Space is limited in each of these classes, so contact us
today to reserve a spot!
Time
Spanish
Location
Day of Week
Take Control of
Your Diabetes
Tuesdays
September 9, 16,
23, 30
3:30 PM –
5:00 PM
723 Delaware St., Westwood Clinic
Pav M., 4th floor, - 4320 W. Alaska
Rm. 475
Place
Take Control of
Your Depression
Thursdays
October 9, 16, 23,
30
10:30 AM –
12:00 PM
723 Delaware St.,
La Casa Clinic Pav M., 4th floor,
4545 Navajo St.
Rm. 475
Tuesdays
November 4, 11,
18, 25
3:30 PM –
5:00 PM
723 Delaware St., Westwood Clinic
Pav M., 4th floor, - 4320 W. Alaska
Rm. 475
Place
Take Control of
Your Weight
Month
English
Location
Class
8
Pediatric Access at
Denver Health
T
he Denver Health Medical plan knows that kids aren’t just
little adults. We realize that when kids are sick, need physicals
or need papers signed, you want to be seen fast. For your
children, waiting does not have to be an issue.The Plan is
careful to ensure our network of providers give excellent pediatric
care in all of our health clinics
Did you know that if you want your child to
be seen by a Denver Health provider, there is
no waiting list for any of the pediatric primary
care clinics? These clinics offer same or next day
appointments for kids depending on need. All of
the Denver Health pediatric primary care clinics
keep more than 10% of their appointments each
day open for same day visits. These times can
be used for sick children or for care for healthy
children.
In addition, if your child goes to a Denver Public
School, they also have access to high quality care in
the School Based Health Centers (SBHC). There
are 16 clinics in 16 schools. These SBHCs can
allow a child to leave class to check on a sore
throat or cough. Kids only miss a class and you
don’t have to miss work. If your child does not go
to a school with a SBHC, Denver Health can see
them at one of these regional schools: Evie Dennis,
Manual, and Place Bridge Academy. All you need is
a DPS ID number and a signed SBHC consent form.
Denver Health offers three pediatric
primary care clinics:
Kids Care Clinic
301 W. 6th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
Eastside Health Center
501 28th Street
Denver, CO 80205
Westside Health Center
1100 Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80204
For a full list of School Based Health Centers, visit
the Denver Health website at www.denverhealth.
org/medical-services/primary-care/our-services/
school-based-health-centers
Children may also be cared for at any of Denver
Health’s 9 Family Medicine Clinics: Eastside, Westside,
La Casa, Westwood, the Webb Family and Internal
Medicine clinic, the Level One Physicians clinic, Park
Hill, Lowry, and Montbello.
To make an appointment for your child with a
Denver Health provider please call the Appointment
Line at 303-436-4949.
If your child is sick or you have questions, please call
the Denver Health NurseLine at 303-739-1211.
Preventive care is very important...
...especially during pregnancy and the first year of life. Our plans offer these programs to
support our members to get this care. Call for more information.
*Care must be received at Denver Health
Baby’s First
Moms and Babiesthy*
Keeping moms & babies heal
Year
Keeping y
our baby
healthy*
At your first prenatal visit, you
will get a Pregnancy Calendar
After your ba
by’s two wee
k
visit, get a D
iaper bag
After your clinic visit
between 6-10 weeks of
pregnancy, get a Mini Spa Kit
After your ultrasound at 20 weeks,
get an Ultrasound Photo Frame
After your ba
by’s two
month visit,
get a Baby
monitor
After your clinic visit between 20-30
weeks of pregnancy, get a
Denver Health Onesie
After your ba
by’s four mo
nth
visit, get a H
ealthy baby
k
it,
which includ
es a thermom
eter
and nail clipp
ers
After the Denver Health tour, give
your coupon to your tour guide and
get an Umbrella Stroller
After your ba
by’s six mon
th
visit, get an A
ctivity gym
After the delivery of your baby at
Denver Health, give your coupon to
your nurse in the hospital to get
your car seat.
After your ba
by’s nine
month visit,
get a
Booster cha
ir
After the delivery of your baby at
Denver Health, mail in your
coupon to get a 2 month supply
of diapers
After your 4-week post partum clinic
visit, get one extra month of diapers
After your ba
by’s
get a 1 month one year visit,
supply of Dia
pers
*Care must be received at Denver Health
303-602-2090
Walgreens
Healthcare Clinics
What is New with
my Pharmacy
Benefits?
(formerly Take Care Clinics)
We are partnering with Walgreens to offer urgent
care close to home.
Your pharmacy benefits are updated many
times over the course of the year. To see what’s
new or changed on your drug formulary, go to
www.elevatehealthplans.org, click on the Plan
Information link and choose the Pharmacy link
under your plan. The Formulary Updates link
will get you up-to-date on any changes in your
plan’s formulary, which could be newly added
drugs, new generics and more.
Walgreens has 11 Healthcare Clinics around Denver.
The clinics care for minor illnesses.The clinics are for
members who are 18 months of age or older.
• 2975 Federal Blvd.,
Denver CO 80211
• 6200 E. Colfax Ave. ,
Denver CO 80220
For more information about your prescription
benefit and a full list of covered drugs, please go
to the link for your plan’s Drug Formulary and
Pharmaceutical Management Procedures. This
link will also explain the formulary restrictions,
limits or quotas, how your provider can request
a prior authorization or exception request, and
your plan’s process for generic substitution,
therapeutic interchange, and step therapies.
If you have questions about your pharmacy
benefits, please call Member Services at 303-6022090 or 1-855-823-8872. TTY/TDD users should
call 303-602-2129 or 1-866-538-5288.
• 1505 S. Federal Blvd.,
Denver CO 80219
• 4401 Wadsworth Blvd.
Wheat Ridge CO 80033
• 1601 W. 84th Ave.
Federal Heights CO 80260
• 10808 W. Jewell Ave.
Lakewood CO 80227
• 5870 S. Kipling Parkway
Littleton CO 80127
• 5190 W. 120th Ave.
Broomfield CO 80020
• 6650 Timberline Rd.
Highlands Ranch CO 80130
• 19028 Lincoln Ave.
Parker CO 80134
• 309 N. Highway 287
Lafayette CO 80026
11
777 Bannock Street, MC 6000
Denver, CO 80204
Options for when you are sick and need care today:
1
Call the NurseLine:
2
Visit a Walgreens Healthcare
3
303-739-1261
Clinic. You are covered.
Visit an Urgent Care center
that is convenient for you. Members
are covered anywhere in the U.S.
4
Emergency Room.
If you need emergency care, go to the
nearest hospital or call 9-1-1.You are
covered at any Emergency Room,
anywhere in the U.S.