AlaskaCare Wellness News | November 2018
Alaska Department of Administration sent this bulletin at 11/07/2018 03:45 PM AKSTHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
November 2018 | #74
Welcome to Open Enrollment—It's Happening Now! 
| Open Enrollment began on Wednesday, October 31 and will run through to Wednesday, November 21, 2018. |
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Who is it for?
AlaskaCare members! You can find a 2019 health plan that's right for you by:
Questions? Visit Alaska.gov/drb/OpenEnrollment. Stay tuned for more Open Enrollment information coming your way! |
OptumRx Telephone Lines are Open!
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OptumRx, the AlaskaCare Health Plan’s new pharmacy benefits manager, is ready to take your calls. The OptumRx team is available to answer your questions, assist with your prescriptions, and make sure you are ready for the transition. You can contact OptumRx Member Services at (855) 409-6999 (TTY 711), they are available M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. & Sat/Sun 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. AKST. Beginning January 1, 2019, the OptumRx pharmacy health care advisors will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In the meantime, your AlaskaCare pharmacy services will continue to be managed by Aetna’s pharmacy benefit manager, CVS/Caremark, until the end of 2018. |
Good News About SurgeryPlus!
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The SurgeryPlus Enhanced Medical Travel Service Benefit is off to a great start. AlaskaCare members and their eligible dependents are reporting positive engagement with AlaskaCare’s newest vendor. |
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“I tried SurgeryPlus for the first time and need to share how impressed I am with the process. I called SurgeryPlus when I needed surgery. I was assigned a Care Advocate and she was with me throughout the whole process, from planning my travel to after I was home. The doctor that was highly recommended was on the approved list, and Rachel the Care Advocate was able to help me with my appointments, flights, and a good hotel. Rachel sent me a pre-loaded charge card to cover expenses, like a taxi to-and-from the airport and doctor’s office. Rachel was amazing during the process and checked in at each step. She made me feel important and took care of the details so that I could focus on my recovery.” |
Juneau AlaskaCare Member
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| When you need to travel for a non-emergency medical procedure, consult SurgeryPlus! To learn more, contact a SurgeryPlus Care Advocate toll-free at (855) 715-1680. |
Teladoc
| As we welcome in the winter season, don’t let sickness be the reason you miss out on the holiday festivities. If you start feeling sluggish, a little blue, and you can’t figure out if you’re coming down with a cold or seasonal flu, it’s OK to telephone a friend for sympathy. But for medical opinions, it’s always a good idea to Teladoc. |
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To utilize your new benefit, AlaskaCare Employee Plan members can begin by registering for a Teladoc account. There are three ways to register:
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November is National Diabetes Awareness Month
| Diabetes is a disease in which the levels of sugar (glucose) in your blood are too high. It is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. |
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There are two types of diabetes:
If it’s not controlled, diabetes can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems. One in ten Americans have diabetes—more than 30 million people—and another 84 million adults are at a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. One in three American adults have prediabetes. Prediabetes occurs when a person’s blood glucose level is elevated, but is not high enough for a Type 2 diagnosis. Prediabetes can be reversed, but knowing your risk is the first step. Take the Risk Test today. |
Do you know your risk for prediabetes?
For more information, visit diabetes.org.
Have questions? We can help! Contact (800) DIABETES (342-2383), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. |
| For assistance with the management of chronic conditions, reach out to Aetna’s In Touch Care Program. To access Aetna's In Touch Care Program, log in to our secure member website at www.aetna.com. Select "Health Records>Health Dashboard", and from your Health Dashboard, click "Launch My Programs". Nurse case managers are available for support and to assist you with developing your action plan for disease management. This service is free of charge as part of your AlaskaCare Health Plan benefits. |
Thanksgiving Day is National Family Health History Day
| National Family Health History Day is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is celebrated on November 22, Thanksgiving Day. |
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My Family Health Portrait |
Weight Watchers (now WW) Workplace Workshop Kick-Offs Coming Soon!
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Have you ever been interested in joining the WW Community (formerly known as Weight Watchers)? Now is a good time! If you enroll in a session at one of the upcoming kick-off workshops, you will receive a special Journey Incentive Discount. Don’t miss this great opportunity to become a member of the WW Community! |
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Quit Smoking: You Won't Gain Weight
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If you've finally decided to kick the habit, there's good news! Quitting smoking won't make you gain weight over the long term. Some people pick up 4 or 5 pounds early on, but that's only temporary. Alaska Tobacco Quit Line offers FREE Tobacco Cessation Programs. Telephone, web and text-based support to help you quit tobacco are available in your community. Call today 1-800-QUIT-NOW. |
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Recipe of the Month |
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Exercise of the Month Bridges |
| Health Fact of the Month |
| WASH UP! Help fend off colds by washing your hands well and often! It’s the best step you can take for prevention. Use plain soap and water and scrub for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. |
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Not sure if that cold is worth the trip? Call (800) 556-1555 |