a magazine from premera medicare advantage
TRANSCRIPT
The Grove A MAGA ZINE FROM PREMER A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
FALL 2020
SIMPLIFYING MEDICATIONS We are here to help you
DOCTOR’S OFFICE SAFETY Returning to care
VIVACITY CARE CENTER Access to whole body healthcare
UNDERSTANDING FALLS Protecting yourself
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The Premera Difference
Dr. Jennifer Polzin, clinical pharmacist, joined our team in March 2020. She is responsible for overseeing pharmacy clinical management and pharmacy concierge services for Premera Medicare members.
Previously, she spent 16 years practicing at Kaiser Permanente, where she served as the clinical operation manager and regional medication safety pharmacist.
Dr. Polzin is board-certified in ambulatory care pharmacy, as well as healthcare quality. She received her doctor of pharmacy from the University of Southern California (USC) and completed her residency at Kaiser Permanente. She is also currently an associate professor at University of Washington (UW), and previously at USC.
Dr. Mei Huang, clinical pharmacist, joined our team in July 2020. She is focused on working closely with
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our provider teams and providing concierge services to our Medicare members by helping them with medication management.
Dr. Huang received her doctor of pharmacy from the UW and completed her residency training at Premera Blue Cross. Dr. Huang currently serves as a clinical instructor at the UW School of Pharmacy and is an active member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP).
Every day we aim to improve customers’ lives by making healthcare work better.
This quarter, we are featuring an article from Dr. Jennifer Polzin, our manager of pharmacy and clinical programs, and Dr. Mei Huang, clinical pharmacist for Medicare.
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A New Perspective on Your Medications Premera Blue Cross is here to help you. Dr. Jennifer Polzin and Dr. Mei Huang, clinical pharmacists at Premera, are focused on improving member lives by making healthcare work better. Coming soon, the clinical pharmacy team will have several exclusive programs for members to participate in. The goal of these programs is to make accessing medications easy and to help you save money.
The goal of these programs is to make accessing medications easy and to help you save money.
Later this year, we will be reaching out to members via phone as an extension of your primary care. Members who want to participate will have the opportunity to discuss their current medications and any questions they may have. This initiative will allow you to take an active role in your health by partnering with our trained pharmacists. They are able to advise on the possibility of switching to generic
drugs or even simplifying your daily medication routine based on reports from your primary care physician (PCP). Our pharmacy team will end the call with the next steps you need to take with your PCP.
You don’t have to wait to get started! We currently have several self-service Part D programs that members can access on premera.com/ma.
We look forward to speaking with you and helping you manage your medications.
Dr. Jennifer Polzin, Clinical Pharmacist
CVS Health Savings Advisor
Use the CVS Health Savings Advisor tool to find the most affordable drug options. This tool allows you to see all your prescriptions in one place. Savings opportunities of $10 or more will be listed on your personalized Drug Savings Opportunity page, along with instructions on how to take action to save. To participate in SimpleDose
or use the Savings Advisor tool, register for an account and sign in at Caremark.com.
SimpleDose™ Never wonder if you took all your medications at the right time again. SimpleDose by CVS Health provides a convenient, no-cost solution to simplifying your routine. Eligible medications will be packaged and pre-sorted by dose, date, and time. This service provides free home or in-store delivery.
90-Day Prescription
Mail-Order
Enjoy the convenience of having long-term drugs delivered right to your home! Through the CVS Caremark Mail-Order Pharmacy home delivery service, pay a $0 copay for a 90-day supply of preferred generic drugs. Check the Summary of Benefits to see if this is included in your 2020 plan.
To use this benefit, ask your doctor for a 90-day prescription. Then:
• Go to Caremark.com to create an account and fill out the New Prescription form, or
• Fill out the CVS order form and mail it to: CVS Caremark PO Box 659541 San Antonio, TX 78265-9541
The CVS order form can be found on premera.com/ma. Choose Pharmacy, then select Getting Your Medicine.
Over the Counter
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(OTC) Receive a $50 quarterly benefit for over-the-counter health and wellness products available through OTC Health Solutions. This benefit provides you with an easy way to get generic personal care items, bath and safety supplies, hearing aid batteries, and more.
Check the Summary of Benefits to see if this is included in your plan.
To use this benefit, browse the OTC Health Solutions catalog. Then, place your order over the phone at 888-628-2770, or online at cvs.com/otchs/Premera.
The catalog can be found on premera.com/ma. Choose Pharmacy, then select Pharmacies.
Stay tuned for additional drug savings and simplification programs in the future.
On behalf of Premera Blue Cross, CVS Health, its subsidiaries and affiliates, including CVS Caremark Part D Services, LLC, is an independent provider of pharmacy benefit management services.
A New Perspective on Your Medications, Continued
With COVID-19 rates stubbornly high around the United States, you might be wondering if it’s safe to go to the doctor’s office right now.
“Some care can be delayed but even some preventative care should not be delayed at this time,” said Premera Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mia Wise. “This is a great time to stay connected with your primary care team, who should be able to
by Candace Nelson
help you return to care in a safe fashion. If you are not sure if your care is time sensitive, reach out to inquire.”
When you call to make an appointment, you might be asked more questions than you’re used to. This is because clinics are trying to separate patients experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 from patients
coming in for wellness checks.
“Clinics will screen patients for symptoms or recent exposure and ensure that those patients
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with positive screening are seen in a separate part of the clinic,” Dr. Wise said. Your medical
Since people over age 65 are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and complications, this raises the question: Is it worth potential exposure to go to the doctor for a check-up?
team might also request that you limit who goes to the appointment. Some clinics also have patients wait outside until their exam room is ready, while others have patients wait in exam rooms rather than linger in common areas.
Since people over age 65 are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and complications, this raises the question: Is it worth potential exposure to go to the doctor for a check-up?
“Every patient has their own individual risk factors,” said Premera Associate Medical Director Dr. Neil Kaneshiro. “Visits to the doctor need to be thought about carefully. The best way to manage that is to have a conversation with your physician or physician’s office. They can help you decide on what is appropriate.
Is it safe to go to the doctor’s office?
Vivacity Care Center is committed to your care We’ve all been doing our part these past few months by practicing social distancing and changing our plans. But that doesn’t mean you should skip your annual wellness exam or hold off on getting care for your chronic conditions. Whether you need to stay on top of preventive measures or need help with chronic condition management, the Vivacity Care Center team is here to help you and your family stay healthy all year long.
Vivacity Care Center offers Premera members exclusive access to whole body health care. With two care centers in Eastern Washington, we can serve you better and more efficiently.
Vivacity Care Centers do more for you, including the ability to:
• Provide flexible scheduling, with same- or next-day appointments
• Offer a one-stop shop for all primary care services: labs, health coaches, prescription fills, and behavioral health counseling
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• Provide personal guidance – we can help answer questions about health plan coverage and talkthrough next steps
• Focus on you – we provide longer appointment times, thoughtfully designed spaces, and additional onsite services provided by dedicated staff
Appointments can be made online at vivacitycarecenter.com/appointments.html, or over the phone.
Division and Mission
1601 N. Division Street Spokane, WA 99207 (509) 413-0888
North Country Homes
9001 N. Country Homes Blvd. Spokane, WA 99218 (509) 228-3300
There’s only more to look forward to with additional locations coming soon!
Four things you can do to prevent falls
Speak up. Talk openly with your healthcare provider about fall risks and prevention. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines.
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Keep moving. Begin an exercise program to improve your leg strength and balance.
Get an annual eye exam. Replace eyeglasses as needed.
Make your home safer. Remove clutter and tripping hazards.
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On behalf of Premera Blue Cross, The Silver&Fit® program is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc. (ASH Fitness), a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). All programs and services are not available in all areas.
side effects that can put you at risk of a fall, such as making you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Certain health conditions can also make you more prone to a fall. For example, arthritis pain in your hips or knees can affect the way you walk. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to numb and painful feet or low blood sugar, increasing your risk of a fall. Conditions that affect your brain or nervous system, like stroke or Parkinson’s disease, can make it harder to move and balance.
Environment risk factors
Environment risk factors can also cause you to trip or fall. This can be things in and around your home like clutter on the floor, dim lighting, or a lack of handrails for bathrooms and stairs.
People who fall once may become afraid of falling again. If you’re afraid of falling, you may limit your trips outside or become less active. Less physical activity can lead to a weaker body, which in turn makes you more likely to fall.
Understanding Falls Falls can have life-changing consequences when you are older. Your overall health and quality of life may suffer after a fall and you may be left with long-term pain or disability. This means you may no longer be able to get around without help, do daily tasks, or live independently. For these reasons, preventing a fall is crucial.
As you age, you face a number of risk factors that make falls more likely and more serious.
An aging body
Changes in your body, such as to your vision or hearing, can affect your ability to judge distances and depth of field. This means you might fail to see the wrinkle in the throw rug or misjudge your step off a curb. Your muscles may also have less endurance, strength, and flexibility as you age. These changes can affect your balance and make your movements less coordinated. Bones also tend to weaken. This means you may be more prone to a fracture if you do fall.
Medical risk factors
Certain medicines and health conditions can increase your risk of falls. Some medicines cause
For more information on how to prevent falls, talk to your primary care physician. You can also visit silverandfit.com
for tips on how to create a safe home environment, and daily exercises to build strength and balance.