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Blood Clot Awareness
Anyone can be affected by a blood clot regardless of age, gender, or race. Learn the signs and symptoms of a blood clot and find free resources to share with friends, family, and colleagues to help raise awareness about blood clots.
What is a blood clot?
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower leg, thigh, pelvis, or arm. A blood clot can partially or completely block blood flow in the vein. When a DVT is left untreated, a part of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a blockage known as a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Why is it important to learn about blood clots?
In the United States, an estimated 900,000 people are affected by a blood clot every year, yet they are often underdiagnosed. Blood clots can cause serious medical conditions that can lead to illness, disability, and even death if not treated early. Blood clots can affect anyone, but certain risk factors such as pregnancy, cancer and its treatment, and hospitalization can increase a person’s risk for a blood clot. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of a blood clot so that you know to seek medical treatment as early as possible.
Knowing the symptoms of a DVT or pulmonary embolism can help alert you to seek medical treatment as early as possible, although they sometimes occur with no symptoms.
Common signs and symptoms of a DVT include:
- Swelling of the affected area
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Redness of the skin
Common signs and symptoms of a PE include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat
- Coughing up blood
- Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these signs or symptoms. Visit the CDC website for more information.
| New OptumRx Enhanced IRMAA Submission Receipt Feature |
On March 15th OptumRx implemented an enhanced outbound call service using an auto-dialer for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) submissions.
This new enhanced call service will call the member, and provide a confirmation of receipt for their IRMAA submission. The member will then receive a secondary status call once the submission has been reviewed. The second call, received after the submission review process (allow 7-10 business days) will inform members if their submission is approved or rejected due to problems with the information submitted. Please find more information on IRMAA below, or Here.
What is IRMMA?
Certain high‑income retirees will have to pay an extra premium surcharge, known as an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. This is similar to the surcharge for high‑income enrollees in Medicare Part B plan, or Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan. If you are an individual earning more than $103,000 per year or a married couple who earns more than $206,000 per year, you will be required to pay an extra surcharge for being enrolled in the AlaskaCare Employer Group Waiver Program (EGWP) because it is a group Medicare Part D plan. Retirees whose household income is below this threshold will not be subject to the IRMAA premium surcharge.
If you are subject to Part D IRMAA surcharge, you will be reimbursed for this surcharge. For all Medicare plans, the IRMAA will be deducted directly from your monthly Social Security check if you qualify for Social Security or will otherwise be invoiced to you directly each month. If you are charged an IRMAA for your prescription drug coverage, the Division of Retirement and Benefits will cover the full cost of the premium surcharge each month, through a tax‑advantaged Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) account.
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Getting to Know Your Benefits:
Defined Contribution Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Account |
The Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is an employer-funded medical expense reimbursement account that members of the Defined Contribution Plan may use to pay eligible medical expenses. With a Defined Contribution HRA, funds are deposited while you are still actively working, growing over time, and becoming available for use upon retirement.
You do not have to participate in the health plan in order to participate in your HRA. A member is eligible for reimbursement under the HRA if they
- have at least 25 years of membership service as a peace officer or firefighter;
- for any other employee, have at least 30 years of membership service; or
- have at least 10 years of membership service and reach Medicare age.
You may request reimbursement from the HRA account for eligible medical expenses you have incurred. You will be reimbursed up to the amount of your balance in the HRA or the amount of the claim, whichever is less.
Carryover of Unused Amounts in the HRA
The HRA is yours to use until the balance is exhausted. If you have a balance remaining in your HRA at the end of the benefit year, the remaining balance will be carried over to the following benefit year.
Eligible Medical Expenses
Eligible medical expenses are health, dental and vision expenses as defined under 26 U.S.C. Section 213(d) that are not otherwise reimbursable by the plan or any other health plan. In addition, expenses reimbursed out of your HRA must be expenses incurred by you, your spouse, and your dependent children. The HRA claims administrator will make the final determination as to whether an expense may be reimbursed from the HRA.
A complete list of qualified medical expenses is available in IRS Publication No. 502. You will find it online at irs.gov/publications.
Examples of eligible medical expenses include:
- your monthly health plan premiums
- your monthly Medicare premiums
- custodial care expenses
- hearing aids
- deductibles
- copayments
- coinsurance
- amounts in excess of the maximums allowed by the medical plan, dental plan, or vision plan
- insulin (whether or not prescribed)
- prescription drugs
- over-the-counter drugs, but only if you have a prescription
Examples of expenses that cannot be reimbursed include, but are not limited to:
- certain cosmetic surgery and procedures
- travel expenses
- fees for health club
- vitamins
- qualified long-term care services
Submitting Claims for Reimbursement
To be reimbursed for unpaid eligible medical expenses, claims for reimbursement to the HRA may be submitted in one of the following ways:
- Direct claims submission: You submit your claims to the HRA claims administrator on the Request for Reimbursement form after receiving your Explanation of Benefits
(EOB) from the plan or any other health plan in which you participate. This form is available at AlaskaCare.gov. If you have more than one health plan, you must submit the claim with copies of the EOB from all plans.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) claims submission: You must submit each claim with itemized statements or receipts, an EOB from your health plan, and a prescription.
Reimbursements are issued daily. Checks are payable to you, not to your provider. Claims must be filed within 12 months after the date you incurred the expenses.
You can also submit for reimbursement of premium payments, including the medical plan, DVA plan, Medicare, or other plans, such as a Medicare Supplement plan. You can submit to the HRA claims administrator to have your monthly premium reimbursed to you from your HRA or paid from the HRA directly to the entity from which you are purchasing coverage on a recurring basis (if allowed). You can submit for reimbursement of future premium payments for the full plan year, when funds exist in the HRA, and sufficient proof is provided showing the applicable health insurance premiums were paid.
Additional information on this option is available at AlaskaCare.gov.
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| The Importance of Friends as you Age |
As you get older, common life changes such as the loss of a spouse, loss of hearing or vision, retirement, and issues with health and mobility can take their toll on your social life and, by extension, your well-being. Loneliness has been linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline, dementia and depression. It also has been linked to heart disease, stroke and blood pressure. In fact, one 2015 study famously concluded that a lack of social connections was as damaging to a person’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Bottom line? Friends are essential.
Just as loneliness can hurt our health, friendships can actually improve it in far-reaching (and sometimes surprising) ways. Studies have found socializing can strengthen the immune system. It can help us recover more quickly from illness, lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, sharpen memory and help us even get a better night’s sleep. Socializing can also improve our odds of living longer. According to one study, people with strong connections to family and friends have a 50% greater chance of outliving those with fewer social ties.
What’s more, friends can motivate us to adopt healthy habits. Friends can also help you keep your health on track. When it comes to building a social circle, experts suggest finding people who are supportive and share your interests. Here are some good ways to meet new people:
- Volunteer. Pitching in to help others isn’t just good for your community – it’s also a chance to get out of the house and enjoy face-to-face interaction. Read more about the health benefits of volunteering and some suggestions on how to get started.
- Take a class. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to speak Italian or improve your piano playing skills, a class can give your brain a workout and introduce you to potential study buddies. You can frequently find classes by searching online for topics that interest you.
- Join a gym. This can help you to boost your fitness and also is an avenue to meet new people.
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Get moving. If the gym’s not your scene, try an activity that will get you out of the house and moving around. Take a dance class, go bowling, play golf – do something where you’re having a good time and engaging with others.
- Tap into social media. Sites like Facebook can help you find and reconnect with old friends.
Nurturing friendships take effort at any age. To keep yours in good order, it helps to make socializing part of your routine. Regularly texts or calls to friends to check in. Set-up the next get-together while attending a current outing while establishing standing dates. Create a routine for get togethers either by the week or month.
For more information on healthy living, please visit Aetna's Health Guide.
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Fresh Start Program for Alaskans
Alaskan adults can join free programs to lose weight, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar and/or stop smoking or vaping. Many programs match you with a coach so you don’t have to do it alone. These programs can be completed online or over the phone and at your pace—wherever you are.
For Weight Management, Omada runs Alaska's 12-month free program to lose weight or prevent diabetes. Hundreds of participating Alaskans have lost more than 10,600 pounds in total. After being matched with a coach for support, you can create a plan to improve sleep, move more, eat healthier, lower blood sugar, and manage stress. This program is all online so you can do it from wherever you are. You receive weekly online lessons, and may be eligible for a free bathroom scale.
Click here to check if you're eligible. Don't worry when the enrollment form asks if you have an employer or insurance. In Alaska, the program is free for all eligible adults.
All information you enter on an enrollment form is confidential. It will not be shared with anyone outside the health program, including with State of Alaska staff.
You can also join programs to lower your blood sugar to manage diabetes as well as lower your blood pressure. Like the above program, you are matched with a coach and other participants for support. You work with a certified specialist. It's all online, and you may be eligible to receive a free blood sugar monitor and blood pressure cuff. Alaska also offers in-person programs to prevent diabetes, but only in select communities and some programs come with a cost. You can find out more about those in-person programs online.
Fresh Start also offers programs online and by phone to stop smoking, vaping and chewing tobacco. Alaska's Tobacco Quit Line can help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thousands of Alaskans have signed up over the years to help them quit for good. You don't have to quit alone. This service provides free quit coaching over the phone or online. You can get free nicotine replacement therapy, like patches, lozenges, and gum. You can call the Quit Line as many times as it takes to quit.
Learn more or sign up by:
- Calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
- Texting READY to 34191
- Visiting AlaskaQuitLine.com
Thousands of Alaskans have joined these available programs. Are you ready? Visit the Fresh Start website here. Contact doh.freshstart@alaska.gov with questions.
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