We love having you as a member. And to make it easy for you during Medicare open enrollment, you don’t have to do anything to continue with your HMSA Akamai Advantage® plan. Your plan will automatically renew for next year.

Also for next year, premiums decreased or stayed the same for most of our health plans. It’s our prom-ise and commitment to continue working to keep your costs down while providing a great value for your health care dollars.

With HMSA Akamai Advantage, you get:• Medical, drug, and well-being benefits

beyond Original Medicare.• Freedom to choose your own doctors.• Convenient access to care.

Thank you for being an HMSA member. It’s our privilege to serve you. If you have questions about your health plan, we’re here to help. See our contact information on the back of this newsletter.

We look forward to continue serving you in 2019!

Live Well with HMSAMedicare news for HMSA Akamai Advantage (PPO) members Fall 2018

What’s InsideSave on Medications

Fit for Better Life

Caregiver Profile

Easy Peasy Curry

H3832_4009_8750_38060_C

MAHALO

Dear HMSA Member,Like many people in Hawaii, ohana is

important to me. Whether it’s cheering on my kids from the sideline at their weekend games or coming together for Sunday dinners, my family is the center of my life.

And because you’re part of the HMSA family of members, you’re also first and

foremost on my mind in everything I do here at HMSA. As the new head of HMSA’s Medicare Programs, I’ll work

hard every day to make sure the investment you make in your health plan pays off. In this newsletter, you’ll learn about your health plan benefits so you can make the most of them. From saving money on medications to providing ways for you to exercise, HMSA is here for you.

And because family is so important to us here in the Islands, you can read about an HMSA member with a big heart in the Ohana section who shares his tips on caregiving.

Just as I want the very best for my family, I also want the very best health plan for you. Providing you with access to quality health care is why I’m here. And I’m glad we’re in this together.

Mahalo,

Carrie A. NakamuraAssistant Vice PresidentMedicare Programs

2

ALOHA

Feeling Great! Get your free copy

of HMSA’s Well-being Resources brochure. Learn about HMSA resources to help you:

• Manage chronic health conditions.

• Quit smoking.

• Make simple lifestyle changes, and more.

Our team of nurses, dietitians, and health educators can help you reach your health goals at little or no cost.

Call 948-6930 on Oahu today and request your well-being resources brochure.

When you call, leave your name, mailing address, and phone number after the voice message.

3

Need Help Paying for Medications?

See if you qualify for Extra Help.

With Extra Help, Medicare may help pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and coinsurance. Many people qualify and don't even know it.

To find out if you qualify, contact:

Medicare: • 1 (800) MEDICARE

[1 (800) 633-4227] toll-free 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• For TTY, call 1 (877) 486-2048 toll-free.

Social Security Administration:• 1 (800) 772-1213 toll-free,

Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• For TTY, call 1 (800) 325-0778 toll-free.

Apply for Extra Help. Visit socialsecurity.gov/ medicare/prescriptionhelp.

The state Medicaid office: • Oahu: 524-3370.

• Neighbor Islands: 1 (800) 316-8005 toll-free.

Medications by MailWhy spend more time and money when you don’t have to?

To save time and money, you can sign up to get your mainte-nance medications mailed to you. Maintenance medications are taken regularly for ongoing medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

For most generic medications, you can get a 90-day supply by mail for the same price as a 30-day supply from the pharmacy.

Here are some examples of how you can save money through mail order medications:

Medication Tier

Mail Order90-day supply

Retail90-day supply

Savings

atorvastatin (generic Lipitor®)

1 – Preferred Generic

$4 $12 $8

donepezil(generic Aricept®)

2 – Generic $11 $33 $22

Januvia®3 – Preferred Brand

$90 $135 $45

These are copayments for 2018 HMSA Akamai Advantage® Complete Plus and Standard Plus PPO plans. Your costs may vary. Call the number below for exact costs. This isn’t a complete list of medications available by mail order.

Enroll in mail order today. Call 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

• Toll-free: 1 (855) 479-3659 • TTY: 711

Tip: When you enroll, sign up for automatic refills so you don’t run out of medications.

Don’t have generic medications? Ask your doctor if a generic prescription is right for you.

Prescription drugs can be mailed to your home from the mail-order pharmacy. Mail-order prescriptions are usually delivered within 14 days after the pharmacy receives the order. If your drugs don’t arrive within 14 days, please call 1 (855) 479-3659 toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; TTY users, call 711. You can also call these numbers if you want to sign up for our optional automatic delivery program.

MEDICATIONS

4

Tracking MedicationsDo you take a lot of medications? The pink one for blood

pressure. The round one for cholesterol. Plus fish oil. Keeping track of all these pills can get confusing. And

medications can sometimes interact with each other and cause side effects.

Our Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program can help you keep track of your medications and supplements. You’ll speak one-on-one with a pharmacist who’ll work with you and your doctor to make sure you’re taking medications that are safe, appropriate, and affordable.

You’ll be automatically enrolled in the MTM program at no cost if you meet all three conditions:

1. Take eight or more Part D maintenance medications.2. Have at least three or more long-term health conditions.3. Reach $3,967 in annual prescription drug costs.

If you qualify, you may receive a letter or phone call from SinfoniaRx, the company that provides MTM services for HMSA members like you. Please respond to them if they reach out to you. If you’re not sure if the letter or call is legitimate, call us to verify. Our contact information is on the back of this newsletter. Or you can call SinfoniaRx at 1 (855) 608-4808, Monday through Friday, 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. For TTY, call 711.

Learn more. Visit hmsa.com. In the search box, type 2018 Medication Therapy Management Program. Or you can call SinfoniaRx (see number above).

SinfoniaRx® is an independent company providing medication therapy management services on behalf of HMSA.

Easy Peasy CurryA healthy, hearty turkey

curry with peas.

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil1 onion, diced1 pound ground turkey2 Tbsp. curry powder1 tsp. garlic powder16 oz. can low-sodium

chicken broth2 large sweet potatoes,

peeled and diced1 bag frozen peas and

diced carrots 1 Tbsp. cornstarch1 Tbsp. water

Heat a pot over medium heat and add oil. Sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add ground turkey and cur-ry and garlic powders. Cook turkey until no longer pink. Add potatoes and broth. Bring to a boil then simmer until potatoes are about soft, about 10 minutes. Add frozen veg-etables and cook another 10 minutes or until vegetables are cooked. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir into curry. Cook and stir until curry is thickened.

Get more recipes. Visit Island Scene magazine at islandscene.com.

KAU KAU CORNER

5

Fit for Better LifeExercise can sometimes be the best medicine for good health.

And with your HMSA health plan, it won’t cost you either. With the Silver&Fit® Exercise and Healthy Aging program, you get a fitness center membership to a participating fitness center or select YMCA.

Can’t get to a fitness center? Prefer to exercise at home? You have access to up to two Home Fitness kits per calendar year to exercise in the comfort and privacy of your home through the Silver&Fit Home Fitness program. These kits will show you routines for:

• A total body workout. • Tai chi. • Resistance band exercises. • And more.

This fitness benefit is available at no additional cost through Silver&Fit.

Learn more. Visit silverandfit.com or call Silver&Fit at 1 (888) 354-4934, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For TTY, call 711.

Please note: Silver&Fit isn’t a benefit of the HMSA Akamai Advantage Dual Care plan. Check your Evidence of Coverage if Silver&Fit is in your plan.

The Silver&Fit program is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). Silver&Fit is a federally registered trademark of ASH and is used with permission herein.

Special SavingsSave money on health

and well-being products and services with HMSA365.

As an HMSA member, you’ll get exclusive discounts from select vendors on hearing aids, chiropractic services, acupuncture, transportation to doctor appointments, and more.

For more information, visit hmsa.com/hmsa365. You can also call us at 1 (855) 329-5461 toll-free Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For TTY, call 711.

HEALTH PLAN

Coming Soon in the MailLook for your 2019 Annual Notice of

Changes in the mail by October 1. It tells about the changes to your health plan's costs and benefits. Use the checklist to compare and review your plan benefit changes.

Did You Move?Please let us know if your address has

changed to make sure you receive the Annual Notice of Changes and other important health plan information.

Check your address. Log in to My Account on hmsa.com. Click Profile then Edit Profile. If you need to update your address, call us at a number on the back of this newsletter so we can update your information.

Don’t have My Account? Sign up today. It’s easy to get started. At hmsa.com, click Member Login then Register. It only takes a few minutes to create an account and link your plan. All you need is your HMSA membership card and an email address. With My Account, you’ll have current information about your health and drug plan benefits.

It's worth a shotOctober is the start of flu

season. Protect yourself with a flu shot. Make an appoint-ment with your primary care provider (PCP) to see if the flu shot is right for you. Or look for flu shot clinics at communi-ty health fairs, including HMSA’s Akamai Living Fair on the Neighbor Islands:

Hilo Friday, October 19 9 a.m.–noon Edith Kanakaole Stadium

Kona Friday, November 2 9 a.m.–Noon Hale Halawai

Stop the flu from spreading

1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.

2. Cover your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

3. Stay away from sick people.

6

7

HEALTH

What’s a PCP?A primary care provider (PCP) is the doctor you see when

you need care. A PCP who knows your health history and life-style can better diagnose conditions and treat or prevent health problems. Having a long-term relationship with your PCP can help you feel comfortable talking openly about your health.

See your PCP for:

• Annual wellness visits.• Colds and other common health problems.• Lab tests or health screenings.• Referrals to specialists.

OHANA

Caregiver SpotlightHMSA salutes

those who make a difference in the lives of their loved ones.

Bernard Silva Age: 71

Retired Kame-hameha Schools athletics coach. Cares for his wife, Kathleen, who has multiple sclerosis.

Daily duties: Helps Kath-leen get around in a wheelchair and with bathing. He shops for groceries, cooks meals, takes her to doctor appointments, and manages her medications.

Challenges: “It’s frustrat-ing at times. I have to sacrifice what I like to do and do what I have to and need to do.”

Philosophy: “There’s some-one else who has more needs than your own. Just remember you’re doing what you’re doing because you love the person on the receiving end.”

Caregiving tips: Take time out for your-

self. Bernard continues hobbies and activities like gardening, yardwork, carpentry, watching sports, and walking around his Mililani neighborhood. “You have to care for yourself so you can keep caring for your loved one,” he says.

Stay connected. Invite people over to the house or visit family and friends.

Ask for help. Identify family, friends, and neighbors who can pitch in when needed.

Keep your faith. Although they don’t go to church any-more, the Silvas pray at home.

Establish a routine. It makes daily chores easier.

HMSA Travels with You Traveling during the holidays? With HMSA, you don’t have to

worry if you have an emergency or need urgent care while away from home. We’ve got you covered with travel benefits on the Mainland and worldwide. Remember to take your HMSA mem-bership card with you to show doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers if you need care.

Learn more about your health plan benefits while traveling at hmsa.com/advantage. Or call us at a number on the back of this newsletter.

HMSA Akamai Advantage Visitor/Traveler Program. Need a doctor in the area you’re visiting? Before you leave, call us at a number on the back of this newsletter so we can help you locate a doctor in the place you’re going. Or call Blue Medicare Advan-tage PPO at 1 (800) 810-BLUE (2583) toll-free (printed on your HMSA membership card). You can also visit provider.bcbs.com. (Please note: This program isn’t a benefit of the HMSA Akamai Advantage Dual Care plan.)

P.O. Box 860Honolulu, HI 96808-0860

Important plan information.

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDHONOLULU, HIPERMIT NO. 6

Here for YouWe’re happy to provide you with personalized service:

Over the phoneSeven days a week 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

948-6000 on Oahu.1 (800) 660-4672 toll-free on the Neighbor Islands or U.S. Mainland.TTY users, call 711.

In personVisit one of our HMSA Centers with convenient evening and Saturday hours:

HMSA Center @ Honolulu 818 Keeaumoku St. Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

HMSA Center @ Pearl City Pearl City Gateway 1132 Kuala St., Suite 400 Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

HMSA Center @ Hilo Waiakea Center 303A E. Makaala St. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

You can also visit us at our offices Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.:

Kailua-Kona office 75-1029 Henry St., Suite 301

Kahului office 33 Lono Ave., Suite 350

Lihue office 4366 Kukui Grove St., Suite 103

Visit hmsa.com for our holiday schedule.

(03)

875

0-3

80

60

9.18

fn

HMSA Akamai Advantage is a PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HMSA Akamai Advantage depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copay-ments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits or copayments may change on January 1 of each year. HMSA365 and other special discounts are available only to HMSA Medicare Advantage plan members and are not considered a plan benefit.