MVP Health Care Diabetes News Newsletter
Transcription
MVP Health Care Diabetes News Newsletter
DIABETES NEWS A SPECIAL NEWSLETTER FOR MVP MEMBERS Y0051_2485 ISSUE 1, 2015 VISITING YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM When you have diabetes, it is important that you get good medical care. Now that it’s clear that high blood glucose levels play a role in many complications, your doctor’s skill is more vital than ever. Good care helps you live a full life with as few complications as possible. The Team Approach You should be receiving your diabetes care from a team put together by your doctor. Because your primary care doctor cannot be an expert in every area, your team may include an eye doctor, nurses, and a dietitian. Depending on any complications you may have, your doctor may send you to other specialists as well, such as a foot doctor. The Goal Too-high levels of glucose in the blood are a feature of all forms of diabetes. The main goal of diabetes treatment is to bring blood glucose levels as close to normal as is safely possible. Your doctor will give you targets that are right for you, depending on factors, such as how long you have had diabetes. Most parts of your treatment plan— measuring glucose levels, taking medication or insulin shots, exercising, losing weight, planning meals—are aimed at helping you reach your target glucose level. DIABETES AND HEARING LOSS IN SENIORS Diabetes and hearing loss are two of America’s most widespread health concerns. A recent study found that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes as it is in those who don’t have it. Hearing loss typically happens slowly, so the signs can be hard to notice. They include: •Frequently asking others to repeat themselves •Trouble following conversations that involve more than two people •Thinking that others are mumbling •Problems hearing in noisy places, such as restaurants •Trouble hearing the voices of women or small children •Turning up the TV or radio volume too loud for others nearby If you suspect a hearing loss, talk to your primary care doctor. You may then want to seek help from a hearing specialist, such as an audiologist. After a full hearing exam, you’ll know more about any hearing loss and how you can treat it. HAVE YOU HAD IMPORTANT DIABETES TEST AND EXAMS? It is important to have certain tests and exams to help manage your diabetes. They include regular eye exams, foot exams, blood pressure screening, and cholesterol and urine protein tests. Talk to your doctor about when your next screening is due. HEALTH CLICKS MVP Health Care® has online resources to help you take charge of your health, available 24 hours a day at www.mvphealthcare.com! Make informed decisions about your health by using the Healthwise® Knowledgebase— our online Health Encyclopedia QUICK TIPS FOR BEING PREPARED TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR Patients who have good relationships with their doctors are more satisfied with their care and have better results. Here are some tips to help you and your doctor become better partners in improving your health care: •Write down your questions before your visit. List the most important ones first to make sure they get asked and answered. •Bring a “health history” list with you, and keep it up to date. •Always bring any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter, or a list of those medications (include when and how often you take them) and what strength. •You might want to bring someone along to help you ask questions and remember the answers. •Find more information and printable forms at www.mvphealthcare.com. Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) MVP Health Care offers a condition health management program for members living with diabetes. For more information or to see if you qualify, call 1-866-942-7966. MVP’s program is based on guidelines for adult diabetes care developed by the New York State Diabetes Coalition. These are based on the American Diabetes Association: A Collaborative Guideline for the Management of the Adult Patient with Diabetes. Information in this newsletter does not constitute medical advice. If you have questions about your health, talk to your doctor. Health benefit plans are issued or administered by MVP Health Plan, Inc.; MVP Health Insurance Company of New Hampshire, Inc.; MVP Health Plan of New Hampshire, Inc.; MVP Select Care, Inc.; MVP Health Services Corporation, and Hudson Health Plan, Inc., operating subsidiaries of MVP Health Care, Inc. Not all plans available in all states. Want to know more about a medical procedure? Need more information to make an educated health decision? Curious about the medications you take every day? Visit www.mvphealthcare.com and select Members, then Live Healthy, and then Health Encyclopedia A to Z—your one-stop resource for the latest health information. You will find guides to help you make simple decisions about whether to call a doctor and what selfcare is best, as well as bigger decisions about medications, tests, and surgeries. You can research health questions that are important to you and your family on any of more than 6,000 health topics and find reliable, objective answers in our Health Encyclopedia. Calculate the risks and benefits of your health habits with our Health Tools and Calculators If you think you are ready to make a change in your health habits, or are looking for resources to explore healthy ideas that may be right for you, select any of our interactive health tools and calculators for quick, personalized results. Are you ready to quit smoking? Want to learn tips for managing stress? Curious about how many calories you burn during your workout? For answers to these questions and more, visit www.mvphealthcare.com and select Members, then Live Healthy, and then Health Tools & Calculators. Contact Us For more information, call 1-866-942-7966 Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm. TTY: 1-800-662-1220 WE VALUE YOUR OPINION Please fill out a brief, anonymous survey at www.mvplistens.com. We will use this information to create a better experience for all of our members. All responses are 100 percent confidential. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete. ENJOY EXCLUSIVE MEMBER DISCOUNTS As an MVP member, you can enjoy savings on a wide range of health and wellness products and services that can help you live well through our partnership with the ChooseHealthy™ Discount Network. Go to www.mvphealthcare.com and select Members, then Live Healthy, and then ChooseHealthy Discounts for more information on: •Access to participating providers who offer a 25 percent discount on Chiropractic and Acupuncture Care, Massage Therapy, or Dietetic Counseling. •More than 15,000 fitness clubs and exercise centers at which you can get best pricing and a free trial offer. •A 40 percent discount on dietary supplements and fitness products through the ChooseHealthy online store, plus free shipping on most items. ChooseHealthy is a discount product of American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. The program provides discounted complementary health care services from participating providers. You are required to pay for all services in full but will receive a discount from contracted providers. Check your health plan benefits before using this affinity program, as those benefits may result in lower cost to you than using this program. mvphealthcare.com 625 State Street, PO Box 2207 Schenectady, NY 12301-2207 MVP Health Care PAID PRSRT STD US Postage