| Health Observance |
September is National Cholesterol
Education Month
September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it, if it is high.
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| Look for Benefit Mailing |
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Updated benefit plan summaries and information on the Comprehensive Wellness Initiative will be mailed to State Health Plan members by October 1. The plan summary will update your current benefit booklet with specifics regarding your 2009-2010 benefits, including information on new pharmacy copays and programs. |
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| Contact Us |
Customer Services:
1-888-234-2416
Prescription Questions:
1-800-336-5933
Health Coach for Eligible Members:
1-800-817-7044 | |
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| Reducing High Cholesterol |
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 It is very important to have your cholesterol checked and to understand your cholesterol levels. What is Cholesterol?Cholesterol is a fat-like substance made by the liver. Cholesterol occurs naturally in the body and is also present in many of the foods we eat. Too much cholesterol in your body means that you have an increased risk of getting cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. Excess cholesterol can build up on the walls of the arteries that carry blood to your heart. This buildup, which occurs over time, causes less blood and oxygen to get to your heart, and can result in a heart attack or stroke. Click here to continue reading. |
| NC HealthSmart Health Coaches: A Valuable Resource for Members |
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 When Larry G., a retired professor, dialed a Health Coach, he had no idea of the impact the call would have. He was having some mild chest pain and remembered the mailer with the phone number for NC Health Smart. "I made a call and the nurse talked me through it. She listened to me and told me to contact my doctor and go to the emergency department," Larry recalls. "I was hesitant to go. But when I got to the hospital, I was in terrible pain." It turns out the pains were very serious and indicated the early stages of a heart attack. "The health coach urged me to go to the hospital right away. She was a lifesaver," said Larry. "The follow-up calls from the Health Coach after I got out of the hospital also made me feel very good."
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| Pilot Program Lowers the Cost of Generic Cholesterol Medications |
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 Members often do not realize how important it is to take their medications as prescribed. For those with high blood cholesterol, taking the correct medications is crucial to preventing an increased risk of heart disease. The high cost of prescriptions can be a barrier to your taking cholesterol medications regularly, exactly as prescribed. The State Health Plan's pilot cholesterol-lowering medication program is designed to encourage you to take your cholesterol medications consistently. Click here to continue reading. |
| Nasal Steroid Step Therapy Program |
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Beginning October 1, 2009, certain nasal steroid allergy medications will require a coverage review. This step therapy program is being implemented to maintain an affordable prescription drug benefit and to promote the use of generic and preferred medications. Nasal steroids are nasal sprays containing corticosteroids that are used to treat nasal allergy symptoms including congestion, sneezing and runny nose. Click here to read more. |
| Member Tip of the Month |
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Member Pay the Difference Pharmacy Copay  One of the changes to State Health Plan benefits for the 2009-2010 benefit year is a pharmacy copay change called "Member Pay the Difference."
Recently, State Health Plan member Sally G. didn't understand why the copay for her prescription refill went from $40 to $132. Sally called Medco customer service to get an explanation of the increased cost and spoke with Luis, a customer service representative. Luis identified the issue and explained to Sally that the increased cost was due to the new "Member Pay the Difference" pharmacy benefit which took effect on July 1, 2009.
Click here to continue reading. |
| Get Your Free Seasonal Flu Shot |
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 Once again, the State Health Plan is promoting Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina's (BCBSNC) 'Stick it to the Flu' program to make getting a seasonal flu shot convenient for our members. The flu vaccine is available at no charge to all State Health Plan members when you receive a shot at a worksite clinic, at any in-network doctor's office, in-network health department or through a participating immunizing pharmacist. The free flu shot program will run from October 1 through December 31, 2009. Click here to continue reading. | |
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