| Health Observance |
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Healthy Weight Week
Healthy Weight Week, January 17-23, celebrates healthy living habits that last a lifetime and prevent eating and weight problems, rather than intensifying them, as crash diets can.
Healthy Weight is not a diet, it's a lifestyle! A healthy lifestyle involves many choices. Among them, choosing a balanced diet. So how do you choose a healthy eating plan? According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a healthy eating plan:
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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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| Is Quitting Tobacco your New Year's Resolution? |
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 Quitting tobacco is hard. You may have already tried to quit several times, only to light up again. The best way to quit is a phone call away. 1-800-QUIT-NOW connects you to your own Quit Coach - someone who knows what works when you're ready to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco for good. Your Quit Coach will help you create a plan for quitting and give you the support to stick to it. As a State Health Plan member, you can receive free nicotine replacement patches, in addition to one-on-one support from your Quit Coach. All you'll need is your full plan member ID number. The patches will be mailed to your home and do not require a prescription. Click here to continue reading. |
| Heartburn Prescriptions with OTC Equivalents No Longer Covered |
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As of February 1, 2010, Prevacid (lansoprazole) 15mg capsules will only be covered as the OTC Prevacid� 24HR product and brand name Prilosec (omeprazole) 20mg will only be covered as Prilosec OTC™ or omeprazole OTC. Prescription brand Prevacid 15mg capsules and generic lansoprazole capsules, as well as prescription brand Prilosec 20mg capsules, will no longer be covered under the pharmacy benefit because the same formulations are now available as OTC products. When OTC Zegerid becomes available, the equivalent prescription strength brand name and generic products will also no longer be covered.
Your provider should write you a prescription for OTC Prevacid 24HR or Prilosec OTC (42-count), which will be covered with a $5 copay for a 42-day supply. The OTC equivalents are a more cost-effective option for members.
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| Important Ways to Save on Your Health Care |
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As we start a new year, the State Health Plan would like to  remind you of 10 important ways you can save money on your health care expenses. The list below provides you with links to more detailed information that will empower you to learn more about your health care options.
- Make your health a priority
- Stay in-network
- Commit to quitting tobacco
- Save money with generic drugs
- Use over-the-counter medications
- Compare the cost of alternative prescriptions
- Shop around for your prescription medications
- Tap into Blue ExtrasSM
- Call an NC HealthSmart Health Coach*
*Members eligible for NC HealthSmart Services are members whose primary health insurance is through the State Health Plan
- Keep track of your health care dollars
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| Member Tip of the Month |
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State Health Plan Coordination with Medicare Have you ever wondered how the State Health Plan coordinates with Medicare? Retired State Health Plan member, Sam, was three months away from his 65th birthday and wanted to know if there were any steps he needed to take to ensure that his State Health Plan coverage coordinated with Medicare. Sam called customer service at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to get help with his questions. He spoke with Sonya, a customer service representative, about how Medicare would work with his State Health Plan coverage. Click here to continue reading. |
| Free H1N1 Flu Shots for Members |
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 The State of North Carolina has lifted priority group restrictions for H1N1 vaccinations in all NC counties. In order to make getting an H1N1 flu shot convenient for State Health Plan members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), will make available H1N1 flu shot clinics through their vendor, Maxim Healthcare Services. The H1N1 flu vaccine is available to all State Health Plan members, at no charge, when you receive the vaccination at your work place or in-network doctor's office. Members may also get a free flu shot at a participating health department or from an in-network immunizing pharmacist. Click here to continue reading. | |
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