2009 - Summer

A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas

Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies

Summer 09

• Arkansas Tech University celebrates health, Page 22

• Dr. David offers healthy living tips, Page 20

• Our new affordable health insurance plans, Page 8

Brenda and Malvin Lansdell stop and smell the flowers after Malvin’s recovery from cardiac surgery. See their story on 0.

6 Pandemic preparedness

18 Busy life finds time for

SilverSneakers

22 Arkansas Tech focuses on health

Out of the Blue

Coffee and tea linked to lower risk of uterine cancer

Head injuries: When to seek medical care

Breastfeeding for future health

10 heart-healthy foods

Valproate use during pregnancy

Keep yourself healthy

Salmonella

Our new affordable health insurance plans

Cost sharing: What is it? How does it help you?

The HEART of a family

FDA warns against skin patches during MRI scans

Good for you starts with us

Grants available for health-improvement programs

The Joy of Cooking reflects the public’s joy of eating

Lose weight The Healthy Weigh!

Wait before using some weight-loss supplements

Senior Moments with Dr. David

BlueCard lands Satisfaction Award

Can sports drinks harm your teeth?

Do the changes in COBRA affect you?

The Doctor’s Corner

Chiropractic medicine for lower back pain

Arkansas Blue Cross has a heart

BlueAnn Ewe joins Perritt Primary School

Financial Information Privacy Notice

From the Pharmacist —

Generic drugs: Use with confidence!

Arkansas Blue Cross helps city of Mena

Customer Service telephone numbers

Good for you

Vice President, Communications and Product Development: Karen RaleyEditor: Kelly Whitehorn — [email protected]: Gio Bruno Photographer: Chip BayerContributors: Chip Bayer, Matthew Creasman, Damona Fisher, Kristy Fleming, Jennifer Gordon, Trey Hankins, Heather Iacobacci-Miller, Ryan Kravitz, Kathy Luzietti and Mark Morehead

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Summer 09

is published four times a year by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield for the company’s members, health-care professionals and other persons interested in health care and wellness.

on Page 18

INSIDE

3

Blue & You Summer 2009

Health care needs meaningful reformAccording to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

services (CMS), we spend an average of $7,868 per

person each year on health care. If we do nothing, this

is projected to grow to $11,684 by 2015. We have the

highest proportion of health-care spending to the Gross

National Product (GNP) in the world (16.6 percent) and

without significant change, it is projected to grow even

faster during the next 10 years. Our economy can’t

sustain this rate of growth, so our health-care system

must change.

Organizations and people on the frontlines of creat-

ing health policy — employers, consumers, health-care

providers, insurers, public health professionals and oth-

ers — want meaningful change. We believe everyone

should have good health coverage. We must implement

system reforms to promote more effective and efficient

health care. We also must develop creative ways to

increase the number of people who have insurance cov-

erage so society does not have to support the cost of

providing care to the uninsured.

We want to increase coverage and promote access

to affordable and effective health care. Reform should

build on — not take away — employer-sponsored insur-

ance plans. It should create safety-net programs for

hard working individuals and families who just cannot

make ends meet. Those who lose their jobs due to the

economy should have more options to maintain their

insurance. Health-care reform should make health cov-

erage more affordable and assure fair reimbursement to

those who provide effective care.

To become a healthier nation, individually and collec-

tively, we must focus on healthy lifestyles and disease

prevention rather than just treating illness. By eliminat-

ing poor diet, inactivity and tobacco use, the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80

percent of heart disease and stroke, 80 percent of type

2 diabetes and 40 percent of cancer could be elimi-

nated. We have to focus our attention on resources for

wellness, prevention and primary care.

In many ways, our system is working. Americans

are fortunate to have the best clinical outcomes in the

world, and life expectancy continues to rise. However,

we need to improve the efficiency of our system and

pay for the quality of the care, not the quantity. We

also must figure out how to pay for the prevention of

illnesses.

Meaningful reform must be the result of a careful

and balanced approach. It must include all stakeholders,

and it must build on our current system. Health care

has, and always will be, a shared responsibility. Indi-

viduals, employers, government, insurance companies,

doctors and hospitals all will have to do their share for

meaningful reform to occur. We support health-care re-

form. We will do our part to modify the current system

so it works for all Arkansans. By taking a balanced and

steady approach, Arkansas and the United States will

be healthier — both physically and financially.

A message from our CEO and President, Mark White

Out of the

Blue

4


In a recent article published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers

found that of the 1,100 women surveyed, those who drank caffeinated coffee and

tea had a lower risk of uterine cancer. Research suggests that caffeine may induce

enzymes that help neutralize cancer-causing substances. However, the research

team noted that both tea and coffee contain various antioxidant compounds that

also may be responsible for protecting body cells from damage.

Source: Reuters Health

Coffee and tea linked to

lower risk of uterine cancer

Head injuries: When to seek medical care

Head injuries are not uncommon. While most are minor, they can

be serious and even fatal. How do you know when to seek medical

care? MedlinePlus lists the following symptoms that are indicative of

a more serious head injury and require medical care:

• Changesin,orunequalsizeofpupils

• Convulsions

• Distortedfeaturesoftheface

• Fluiddrainingfromnose,mouthorears(maybeclearorbloody)

• Bruisingoftheface,swellingatthesiteoftheinjuryorscalp

wound

• Impairedhearing,smell,tasteorvision

• Inabilitytomoveoneormorelimbs

• Irritability(especiallyinchildren),personalitychangesorunusual

behavior

• Lossofconsciousness,confusionordrowsiness

• Restlessness,clumsinessorlackofcoordination

• Severeheadache

• Slurredspeechorblurredvision

• Stiffneckorvomiting

Source: MedlinePlus

Not only is breastfeeding good

for your baby, there may be

positive long-term health effects

for women who nurse. A recent

study, conducted by Eleanor Bim-

la Schwartz, MD, assistant profes-

sor of medicine at the University

of Pittsburgh and colleagues, sug-

gests that breastfeeding lowers

women’s risks for heart disease,

diabetes and stroke. The research-

ers found that the longer women

nursed, the lower their chances

were for developing these

illnesses.

Source: WebMD

Breastfeeding for future health


4

5


The antiepileptic drug valproate has been linked to an increased likeli-

hood of impaired cognitive development for children exposed while still

in the womb. This study, published in the New England Journal of Medi-

cine, enrolled women taking one of four drugs for epilepsy while preg-

nant. Researches then assessed cognitive function of their children at

age three. According to the study, those children exposed to valproate

had significantly lower IQs than those exposed to other antiepileptic

drugs (carbamazepine, lamotrigine or phenytoin). Autumn Klein, M.D., in

Journal Watch Neurology, concluded, “Unless valproate is the only drug

that will control a particular patient’s seizures, it should be avoided in

women who might become pregnant.”

Sources: New England Journal of Medicine, Medscape.com

Protect your heart with these top heart-healthy foods

that are packed with healthy fats, antioxidants and other

essential nutrients:

1. Salmon — one of the healthiest fish choices; high

in protein and vitamin D.

2. Oatmeal — daily consumption

of a bowl of oatmeal can lower

blood cholesterol, due to its

soluble fiber content.

3. Avocado — packed with

heart-healthy fat.

4. Olive Oil — can help

regulate cholesterol and

is anti-inflammatory.

5. Nuts — almonds and

Valproate use during pregnancy associated with impaired cognitive development

10 Heart-HealtHy Foodswalnuts are the healthiest.

6. Berries — rich in anti-inflammatories.

7. Spinach — packed with essential nutrients.

8. Legumes — such as chickpeas, lentils, black beans

and kidney beans.

9. Flaxseed — studies show it can help

stabilize blood sugar levels and is high in

dietary fiber.

10. Soy — edamame, tofu

and soy milk are sources

of lean protein and vital

minerals.

Sources: Health.com,

WebMD5

6


In June, the World Health Orga-

nization (WHO) declared that the

novel H1N1 influenza virus, also

known as swine flu, had reached

pandemic proportions throughout

the world. The announcement of the

first global influenza epidemic in 41

years is in recognition of the wide-

spread nature of the disease; the

illness itself has been rated as only

moderate in severity.

The symptoms of H1N1 are simi-

lar to those experienced in seasonal

flu —

fever,

chills,

aches,

fatigue

and

cough — and can include runny

nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting

or diarrhea. While there are no vac-

cines available to protect humans

against swine flu, the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention

Keep yourself healthy

The CDC suggests the following

everyday tips to help prevent the

spread of germs:

• Coveryournoseandmouth

with a tissue when you cough

or sneeze, then throw the tis-

sue in the trash.

• Washyourhandsoftenwith

soap and water, especially after

you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-

based hand cleaners also are

effective.

• Avoidtouchingyoureyes,nose

or mouth.

• Trytoavoidclosecontactwith

sick people.

• Stayhomeandlimitcontact

with others if you get sick with

the flu.

Sources:CDC,WebMd

Pandemic

preparedness

recommend the antiviral treatments

Tamiflu and Relenza.

At Arkansas Blue Cross and

BlueShield,wehavebeenworking

closely with officials at the Arkansas

Department of Health and other

state agencies to prepare for a flu

pandemic. We have made extensive

plans to keep our services going if

the pandemic affects large popula-

tionsintheUnitedStatesandto

have the latest local information on

our Web sites.

It makes good sense to have the

preparations on hand to ease your

family through a crisis, whether it

is caused by a pandemic or another

type of emergency.

Please continue to read our

publication, Blue & You, and any

correspondence we may send in

the future regarding flu pandemic

preparedness.

It makes good sense to

have the preparations

on hand to ease your

family through a crisis.

7


Salmonella bacteria may be small, but they can make

you sick in a big way. If you are one of the more than

40,000 who have experienced Salmonellosis each year

in the United States, then you know that food safety is

vital for your health and the health of your family.

People with Salmonellosis experience diarrhea, ab-

dominal cramps and fever, along with chills, headache,

nausea and vomiting within eight to 72 hours after

eating contaminated food. Symptoms usually disappear

within four to seven days, but Salmonella infections

can be life-threatening for infants, young children, preg-

nant women and their unborn babies, older adults, and

people with weakened immune systems.

Any raw food of animal origin, such as meat, poultry,

milk and dairy products, eggs, seafood and some fruits

and vegetables may carry Salmonella bacteria. The

bacteria only can be killed by cooking meat, poultry, and

egg products thoroughly and by washing fruits and veg-

etables. The bacteria also can cross contaminate foods

that come in contact with surfaces like cutting boards

where contaminated meats were prepared.

The only way to know for certain if a person has

Salmonellosis is to perform a laboratory test of a stool

sample for the bacteria. And because many milder

cases are not reported, the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention estimate the actual number of cases

each year may be much higher.

Sources: Department of Health and Human Services,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

7

Salmonella

8


Affordable, comprehensive protection is something

Arkansans have come to expect from Arkansas Blue

Cross and Blue Shield. To continue this tradition, begin-

ning June 1, our two new health insurance plans —

Comprehensive Blue PPO and HSA Blue PPO II — will

be available for individuals and families under the age of

65 and not on Medicare. Both plans offer:

• Doctor and specialist visits with no referrals needed

• Wellness benefits with no deductible

• 100 percent coverage for children’s preventive care

• Prescription drug coverage

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services

• And, an optional maternity rider

As the name implies, Comprehensive Blue PPO pro-

vides comprehensive major medical coverage within a

preferred provider organization (PPO). The plan features

$500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 deductible

options with low, predictable copayments for doctor

and specialist visits.

HSA Blue PPO II is an HSA-compatible health insur-

ance plan. If policyholders choose, they may open a

separate HSA (health savings account) from the finan-

cial institution of their choice and reap the associated

tax benefits. All HSA contributions are tax-deductible,

which means a policyholder’s taxable income is re-

duced by the amount contributed to the HSA each year.

The plan features deductible options of $1,500, $2,500

and $5,000 for individuals and deductibles of $3,000,

$5,000 and $10,000 for families. After the deductible is

met, the plan pays 100 percent of covered expenses.

Both plans feature a $5,000,000 lifetime maximum

benefit for each covered person. In addition, policyhold-

ers have the option of purchasing term life insurance

and critical illness coverage — both underwritten by

USAble Life — at the time of application.

“At a time when managing out-of-pocket health-care

expenses is most critical, we are excited to introduce

our two new very affordable health plans,” said Ron

DeBerry, senior vice president of Statewide Business.

“With several deductible options and features, Com-

prehensive Blue PPO and HSA Blue PPO II will give

prospective policyholders the choices they desire when

buying health insurance. Also, with up to $5,000,000 in

lifetime maximum benefits for each covered person on

the plan, Arkansas Blue Cross continues to provide the

protection our policyholders want and need.”

If you know someone who could benefit from either

Comprehensive Blue PPO or HSA Blue PPO II, they

may call toll free 1-800-392-2583, visit us online at

arkansasbluecross.com/free or contact a local indepen-

dent agent for more information.

Our new affordable health insurance plans

9


Cost sharing is

when you pay

a portion of

your health-care

costs and Arkansas

Blue Cross and Blue

Shield pays a larger

part. We share

the costs.

For example, cost

sharing is having a

copayment when you

visit the doctor or

get a prescription

filled at your

local pharmacy.

You pay a portion,

and Arkansas Blue Cross pays the rest.

Cost sharing is an important part of health insurance

because it helps control the cost of health insurance

premiums by giving people some “skin in the game.” In

other words, when the money comes out of our own

pockets, we think twice about how we spend it. People

who have health insurance often are insulated from

the true cost of health-care, so giving members some

responsibility for the cost of the services they receive

makes them more aware of the actual cost.

For example, most people will make sure they really

need to go to the emergency room (ER) or the doc-

tor when some of the cost comes directly out of their

checking account. They might rethink that ER visit for an

ear infection if they know it is a $100 or more copay-

ment, while waiting to see the doctor the next day

would be a $25 copayment. Most of us are more mind-

ful of how we spend our own money than we are about

how our health plan’s money is spent.

Health plans whose benefits include cost sharing are

more affordable, give members predictable costs for

medical services and help to ensure that those who

use health-care services have an increased awareness

of how much those services actually cost.

Cost sharing:What is it?

How does it help you?

10


Brenda Lansdell was worried.

Malvin, her husband of 41 years,

was short of breath, and in Janu-

ary, after a meal at their daughter’s

home, he could barely carry a bowl

out to their truck. When she asked

him about it, Malvin looked at her

and confessed, “I’m scared, but I’m

scared not to do something, too.”

Brenda understood all too well.

Every man in Malvin’s family has

had cardiovascular problems. Malvin

was one of seven brothers; his

oldest brother already had died of

a heart attack, and his twin brother

and a younger brother also had suf-

fered from heart attacks. His father

and uncle both had died of heart

attacks. Whether it was genetics or

good Southern cooking, the Lans-

dell men seemed to live short lives.

At 64, Malvin recently had retired,

putting in 38 years at the Domtar

Ashdown Paper Mill. He and Brenda

were enjoying their home in Win-

throp, about 50 miles north of Texar-

kana. A devoted husband and father

of two sons and a daughter, his new

focus had been on entertaining his

three grandchildren.

While aware of the family history

of cardiovascular disease, Malvin

considered himself to be in pretty

good shape, taking only high blood

pressure medicine and an aspirin a

day. “That aspirin is probably what

saved his life,” Brenda said, thinking

back on the situation.

The HEART of a family

Cardiac history tests brothers


10

11


The same day Malvin and Brenda

were visiting with a cardiologist,

his brother, Harold, told his wife,

Virginia, a fib. He casually men-

tioned that he had a scheduled

doctor’s appointment and needed to

go to CHRISTUS St. Michael Health

System in Texarkana, Texas. Harold

didn’t want to scare Virginia, but he

was having a heart attack.

After some tests at the cardi-

ologist’s office, Malvin and Brenda

headed home, but were greeted

with an ominous phone call. The

staff at the office of Brent Robin-

son, M.D., wanted Malvin to go to

CHRISTUS St. Michael as soon as

possible for cardiac catheterization,

which allows doctors to watch the

heart in action with the help of X-ray

equipment and a special dye. They

scheduled the procedure for the

next day. Meanwhile, Harold was

having coronary artery bypass grafts

on four of his arteries at CHRISTUS

St. Michael under the care of cardio-

thoracic surgeon Billy Parsons, M.D.

For Malvin, the cardiac catheter-

ization began what he calls “the

great sleep.” He doesn’t remember

anything that happened for four

days — but Brenda does. Soon

after they took Malvin in for testing,

Brenda was told that they were tak-

ing him to surgery. Once again, Dr.

Parsons was working on a Lansdell

man, this time performing five coro-

nary artery bypass grafts on Malvin.

While the urgency of the situation

left little time to choose their medi-

cal facility, both Lansdell brothers

selected CHRISTUS St. Michael in

Texarkana, a hospital designated

by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Association as a Blue Distinction

CenterSM for Cardiac Care. In order

to receive this national recognition,

CHRISTUS St. Michael must meet

high quality standards established

by an expert panel of physicians,

surgeons and other health-care

professionals. When a hospital has

been designated a Blue Distinc-

tion Center, you know they have

expertise in that specialty, that they

focus on quality, and that they have

a history of patients with positive

outcomes. Hospitals do provide

care differently, and Blue Cross has

created a process where hospitals

can demonstrate their expertise.

It’s not easy becoming a Blue

Distinction Center for Cardiac Care.

Hospitals that make the grade must

be fully accredited and the car-

diac team must be board certified.

They must provide a wide range of Heart, continued on Page 12

Brothers left to right: Harold and Malvin Lansdell.

intensive cardiac services, serve

a large number of cardiac patients

and have proven positive outcomes

that far surpass other hospitals.

Once you are in a Blue Distinction

hospital, you are followed through

your rehabilitation, so you continue

to receive care far into recovery.

The hospital and cardiac team must

have a program for ongoing quality

management and ways to identify

potential for improvement.

If you are

looking for

a hospital

with a Blue

Distinction

designation,

go to our

Web sites

and visit our

“Member”

section.

We do the work for you, so you can

be assured you are receiving the

best care possible. Other medical

centers designated as Blue Distinc-

tion Centers for Cardiac Care in

the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue

Shield service area include Baptist

Health Medical Center in Little Rock,

and St. Bernards Regional Medical

Center in Jonesboro.

For Dr. Parsons, working on the

two brothers within 24 hours of

each other, “was a unique situation,”

though he has worked on siblings

and even twins before. But, as a

12


Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac

Care and a hospital that has consis-

tently been in the top 5 percent for

HealthGrades, the leading indepen-

dent health-care ratings company,

CHRISTUS St. Michael is known for

its cardiac program, and it’s the first

place people think to go in the Texar-

kana area when they are concerned

about their hearts.

“I think what sets us apart is the

willingness of our people to have

a team approach. From our CEO to

our nurses — what we do is more

than a job,” Dr. Parsons said.

Because of Texarkana’s location

between Little Rock and Dallas,

Parsons said CHRISTUS St. Michael

has a large service area, which

requires the staff to stay abreast of

the latest changes in medical knowl-

edge while staying with protocols

that have been tested and trusted.

He and Bruce Cannon, M.D., part-

ners in Texarkana Cardiovascular &

Thoracic Surgical Associates, are

both board certified general thoracic

surgeons as well as fellows of the

American College of Surgery and

American Board of Surgery.

The Lansdell brothers ended up

on the same floor, two doors down

from each other. “There were ‘name

alerts’ on everything,” Brenda chuck-

led, remembering the precautions

the hospital took to keep down

the confusion. It even took Hillary

Cross, a case manager for Arkansas

Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s South-

west Regional Office in Texarkana,

by surprise.

“I went to the front desk to ask

for the room number for Mr. Lans-

dell and they said ‘which one?’”

she said. Malvin is covered under

BlueAdvantage Administrators of

Arkansas and Harold is covered un-

der the Federal Employee Program

under another Blue Cross plan, so

he was not on her list of patients

to follow.

For Brenda, curled up in a chair

with her shoes off in Malvin’s

hospital room, seeing Hillary walk

through the door was a breath of

fresh air.

“When she said, ‘Hi, I’m Hillary

Cross, a case manager with Arkan-

Heart, continued from Page 11

Brenda and Malvin Lansdell meet with their Arkansas Blue Cross case manager, Hillary Cross, RN.

13


sas Blue Cross, and I’m a registered

nurse,’ it made me feel good right

then,” Brenda said. While the staff

had been very helpful, Brenda

said she trusted Hillary to help her

understand the medical terms and

plan their next steps to getting

Malvin home.

“She’s been there for me to talk

to,” Brenda said of the many conver-

sations she has had with Hillary in

person and over the telephone.

Through the medical tests they

also discovered that Malvin had dia-

betes, so Hillary provided them with

information on lifestyle changes so

he could keep his blood sugar levels

in check. Perhaps it was because

of the medications, but at first

Malvin complained that the healthy

foods, “tasted like cardboard.” After

awhile, however, he had to admit,

“this cardboard tastes pretty good.”

As the two brothers became

Harold and Malvin Lansdell were patients at the same time at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System.

more mobile, the confusion in-

creased. Brenda said at one point a

hospital aide came to the room and

asked for Mr. Lansdell. “He’s down

the hall,” she said. The aide looked

on the chart, looked back to the

room number and then in confu-

sion looked back at Brenda. “He’s

visiting the other

Mr. Lansdell,”

she explained,

laughing.

Harold, with his

four bypasses,

recovered faster

than Malvin, and

soon was released

to continue his re-

covery with home

health services.

Still, Malvin only

was in the hospi-

tal about a week

before he also was released.

Hillary continued to call

their home and check

on their needs.

Malvin said that

while the case

management

service from Ar-

kansas Blue Cross

was tremendous,

“they did a good

job on claims process-

ing, too.” He said everything

was handled smoothly so he didn’t

have any concerns, and they even

received a small check back on a

service that was overpaid. Having

a dependable health plan adminis-

tered by BlueAdvantage also took

the stress off Brenda so she could

focus on helping Malvin get back to

his old routine.

With Malvin nearing 65, they

started looking at Medicare supple-

ment and prescription plans. Brenda

said they could have looked else-

where, but after their experience

with Arkansas Blue Cross, they

visited with their friend, insurance

agent Ray Tipton in Ashdown, to

sign up for the Arkansas Blue Cross

Medi-Pak products. Now they can

focus on the things that matter

most, like grandchildren, fishing and

spending time together.

Editor’s Note: The day after Malvin

gave this interview, he was fishing

on Texarkana Lake and caught, as he

described it, “the biggest crappie I

had ever seen.”

14


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently

advised against wearing medicated skin patches dur-

ing an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. Some

medicated patches may contain aluminum or other

metals in the non-adhesive backing. During an MRI

scan, the metal potentially can conduct electricity and

cause a skin burn at the site of the patch. Many patches

containing metals provide a label warning patients to

remove the patch before undergoing an MRI scan be-

cause of the risk of burns. However, the FDA has found

that not all patches containing metal provide a warning.

The FDA is in the process of compiling a list of all

patches that contain metals to ensure that they are

properly labeled with a warning about the potential

risks of burns. If in doubt, Sandra Kweder, M.D., deputy

director of the FDA’s Office of New Drugs, recommends

that patients remove their patches prior to an MRI scan

and put them back on afterwards.

Sources: FDA and WebMd

FDA warns against skin patches during MRI scans

14

Preparing for an MRIBefore the exam you will be asked to fill

out a screening form asking about anything

that might create a health risk or interfere

with imaging. These items include:

• Cardiacpacemakerorimplantabledefi-

brillator.

• Catheterthathasmetalcomponents

that may pose a risk of a burn injury.

• Aferromagneticmetalclipplacedto

prevent bleeding from an intracranial

aneurysm.

• Animplantedmedicationpump(usedto

deliver insulin or a pain-relieving drug).

• Acochlear(innerear)implant.

Source: American College of Radiology

15

Blue & You Summer 2009Blue & You Summer 2009

15

When it comes to serving our custom-

ers, we’re the best!

When you need a question about your

benefits answered accurately, when you

need your claims paid quickly and ef-

ficiently, and when you just

need good customer

service whether you

are at home or travel-

ing, you have the

right health insurance

company to meet

your needs.

All of the Blue plans

throughout the United

States measure how

they are meeting members’ needs and expectations,

and then they compare how they are doing against

all of the other Blue Plans. And, for the fourth quar-

ter of 2008, we were the best in the nation —

ranked No. 1!

When you need service right here, right now —

you can feel comfortable knowing that the company

that you trust to take care of your health-care cover-

age takes that job seriously — and all of the employ-

ees at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield are doing

their part when our members need help in times of a

health crisis or when then need health information or

support.

“This remarkable achievement shows the commit-

ment of everyone in the company to our members,”

said Mark White, president and chief executive of-

ficer of Arkansas Blue Cross.

The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas

is accepting applications for grants ranging from $5,000

to $150,000 to fund health-improvement programs in

Arkansas.

The Blue & You Foundation, established in 2001 by

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, awards about $1

million in grants annually to nonprofit and governmental

organizations and programs that positively affect the

health of Arkansans. In its first seven years of opera-

tion, the foundation has awarded more than $8.5 million

to 129 health-improvement programs in Arkansas.

The deadline to apply for a grant is July 15, 2009.

Information about applying for grants can be found at

BlueAndYouFoundationArkansas.org, or may be re-

quested by writing to:

Blue & You Foundation

USAble Corporate Center

320 West Capitol, Suite 200

Little Rock, AR 72201

Applications will be reviewed in the fall and grants

will be awarded in November for programs to be

implemented in 2010.

Grants available for health-improvement

programs

16


The Healthy Weigh! Education

Program is free for members of Ar-

kansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield,

Health Advantage, Blue Cross and

Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan

(Federal Employee Program), and

eligible members of BlueAdvantage

Administrators of Arkansas.

To enroll, complete the attached

enrollment form and return it in the

self-addressed, postage-paid enve-

lope included in this magazine. The

program starts when you enroll.

After enrollment, you will begin

to receive information through the

mail, which you can read in the

privacy of your own home and at

your own pace. The program is

completely voluntary, and you may

leave the program at any time. If

you have further questions about

the program, call the Health Educa-

tion Program’s toll-free number at

1-800-686-2609.

Simply complete, sign and return the attached enrollment form in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope.

Lose weight

The Healthy Weigh!

It’s been 70 years since the first

issue of The Joy of Cooking hit the

bookstore shelves. Since that time,

the average calories per serving of

18 of its classic recipes increased

more than 35 percent per serving.

Why? Throughout the years, the

recipes have called for ingredients

higher in calories and small, but

regular, increases in serving sizes.

The calories and portion sizes reflect

Average Calories of 18 classic recipesby The Joy of Cooking publication year

1936 1963 2006

Average Total Calories Per Recipe

2123 2250 3051

Average Calories Per Serving

268 294 384

Average Number of Servings Per Recipe

12.9 12.7 12.7

The Joy of Cooking reflects the public’s joy of eating

well-established cultural changes

that include more and more food,

which leads to expanding waistlines

(see graph).

When cooking, be sure to use

low-calorie ingredients and look for

low-calorie recipe options. When

trying to lose weight, every calorie

counts.

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine

17


If you are one of millions of Americans buying

over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss supplements sold

on various Web sites and in some retail stores and

beauty salons, you may be taking in more than you

bargained for.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently

identified 72 weight loss products it considers to be

tainted by undeclared active ingredients. That means

the products contain ingredients that have not been

approved by the FDA for sale in the United States and

may put consumers’ lives at risk.

Some of the products claim to be “natural” or to

contain only “herbal” ingredients but actually contain

potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the prod-

ucts’ labels. The FDA has inspected a number of com-

panies associated with the sale of these illegal products

and currently is seeking product recalls. These products

are illegal and include the following undeclared active

pharmaceutical ingredients:

• Sibutramine–aprescriptionappetitesuppressant

and a controlled substance.

• Fenproporex–acontrolledsubstancenotapproved

in the United States.

• Fluoxetine–aprescriptionantidepressant.

• Bumetanide–apotentprescriptiondiuretic.

• Furosemide–apotentprescriptiondiuretic.

• Rimonabant–adrugnotapprovedinthe

United States.

• Cetilistat–anexperimentalobesitydrugnotap-

proved in the United States.

• Phenytoin–ananti-seizuremedication.

• Phenolphthalein–asolutionusedinchemical

experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent

that is not approved in the United States.

The FDA warns that these OTC supplements can

cause profound health risks, including high blood pres-

sure, seizures, heart attack and stroke. If you have

taken supplements containing any of these ingredients,

you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Be-

fore starting a weight loss program, you should always

discuss your plan with your doctor.

A complete list of the drugs can be found at fda.gov/

cder/consumerinfo/weight_loss_products.htm.

Wait before using some weight loss supplements


18


Busy life finds time for SilverSneakers18


19


Rita Nelson is always on the go. If she’s not at her home in

Gurdon, she’s at the lake house in Hot Springs. In fact it only was

recently that she found the time to retire. But, if you think that

opened the door for this spunky 88-year-old to slow down —

think again!

During her near-nine decades, she always has led a healthy life-

style, and believes that taking care of yourself is an important part

of taking care of business and others. Sometimes it’s mind over

matter … sometimes it’s a matter of mind and body … and always,

it’s heart and soul with Rita.

Rita participates in yoga early in the week when she is in Gur-

don. When she heard about the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program

at the Hot Springs YMCA, she decided that would fit into her busy

schedule for the second part of her week. After about 10 months

of workouts, she can tell you, “You

use your toes to your fingernails!”

Rita said the SilverSneakers routine

is “very invigorating” and “it does

make you feel better” which is a good

thing since she still does all her own

housework. She also walks on a tread-

mill in the morning to stay physically fit.

Not too many people can keep up with Rita, but Ralph Berdiko-

ski is giving it a go. The two have known each other for years, and

Ralph started helping Rita by coming over to mow her three acres

of land. Finally, one day, he asked her, “Why don’t we spend our

golden years together?”

Rita said they had a wonderful wedding on Oct. 2, 2004, with a

reception at the Majestic Hotel in Hot Springs. She added that he

is very active for an 84 year old!

To enroll in SilverSneakers, Medi-Pak and Medi-Pak Advantage

members can go to a participating fitness center near them and

show their ID card. Fitness center staff will assist with enrollment

and provide tours of the locations.

Because new fitness centers are being added to the program

regularly, members can go online to silversneakers.com to find all

participating locations in Arkansas.

Not too many

people can

keep up with

Rita.

19

20


You and your doctorLiving a healthy life used to be simple — eat right

and exercise. Today, we have made living a healthy life

so very, very complicated. Read this book, listen to this

doctor and take this special, highly formulated just-for-

you vitamin. It’s overwhelming!

In this world of overly complex health care, there is

one glaring void in the discussion. You may know what

vitamin to take or what exercise routine to follow, but

most patients do not know how to build a healthy re-

lationship with their doctors. More than anything else,

this is the most vital step to living the healthiest life

possible.

With this in mind, I have made it my mission to help

everyone — of every age — to be empowered consum-

ers of health care. Your relationship with your doctor is

a two-way street — you must play an active role. The

more educated you are about your health, the bet-

ter the relationship. Know what to expect before you

walk into the doctor’s office. Know what to ask. Do

your homework, and be prepared. Trust me, there is a

formula to developing a better relationship with your

doctor. Here’s how:

1. Get an annual physical. This is the perfect opportu-

nity to get a bottom-line assessment of your health.

And, it’s the prime time to start building a trusting,

healthy relationship with your primary care physician.

Make sure he or she does a complete examination

and discusses any health issues or concerns. Tell

your physician you want to do everything possible to

promote your health and ask him to help develop a

lifestyle plan for disease prevention.

At your yearly physical, you should expect:

• Acomprehensivehealthhistory

• Acompletephysicalexamination

• Appropriatescreeningtests

• Aplanforthefuture

2. If you have a health concern, educate yourself

first! Remember, your doctor may not adequately

explain all of the details of your condition. It is criti-

cally important that you do as much research as you

can before you put on the clinic gown.

Here are some tips:

• Goonline.Reviewreputableconsumerhealth

Senior Momentswith Dr. David

David A. Lipschitz, M.D, Ph.D.

21


Web sites such as WebMd.com. (If you’re not

computer savvy, visit the library.)

• Getthebasics—Whatisyourcondition?

What are the symptoms? What are the con-

cerns or complications with this condition?

What are your treatment options?

• Takenotes.Whendoinganyhealthresearch,

online or otherwise, you are going to have

questions. Write them down and take them

with you when you visit your doctor.

3. When developing a treatment plan, always ask

these questions.

• Whyisthistherecommendedcourseof

treatment?

• Whatarethesideeffects?

• Whatistheexpectedoutcome,andwhat

percentage of patients achieve successful

results?

• Isthisthemostaffordableandrationaltreat-

ment plan for me?

Follow these three steps and you will be well on

your way to being an educated consumer of health

care. Remember — when it comes to building a

healthy relationship with your doctor, take an active

role. Both you and your doctor play a part when it

comes to your health.

So, get engaged and be empowered!

Editor’s Note: David A. Lipschitz, M.D, Ph.D., is

nationally recognized as a leader in the field of geriat-

rics. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is honored

to have him as a contributor to Blue & You magazine.

Nothing frus-

trates people

more than get-

ting caught in the

middle of claims

payment issues

between the

doctor’s office or

hospital and the

insurance com-

pany. At Arkansas

Blue Cross and

Blue Shield, we

get it — in fact we

get it so well that

we received the

Provider Satisfaction Award for 2008.

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield was in the top

five Blue plans to achieve a service level greater than

80 percent on a national provider satisfaction survey for

BlueCard, our program that allows members traveling

or living outside the state to see doctors and hospitals

contracted with other Blue plans.

More than 600 surveys were conducted in the Ar-

kansas Blue Cross market, and more than 30,000 were

conducted nationally. Providers rated the plans on

overall satisfaction and a variety of claims processing

issues.

What does that mean for you? It means we work

hard to process claims quickly and accurately, so you

won’t get a telephone call or letter from your provider

asking for additional payments. It means that we are

proactive in resolving issues and making providers hap-

py. And by making your doctors and their staff happy,

they can focus on the most important part of their job

— taking care of you.

BlueCard lands Satisfaction Award

Left to right, Virginia Collier, manag-er of BlueCard Claims; Dan Stevens, manager of Provider Network Opera-tions; and Alicia Clayton, manager of BlueCard Customer Service.


21

22


Arkansas Tech University in

Russellville is 100 years old this

year, but through its partnership

with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue

Shield, the faculty and staff are feel-

ing as young as ever.

“Our partnership works in many

ways,” said Arkansas Tech President

Robert Charles Brown, Ph.D. “The

provisions of wellness information

and preventive care are especially

beneficial because they keep our

faculty and staff healthy and

ultimately help to keep our

costs down.”

Set in the Ozark foothills, Ar-

kansas Tech serves almost 7,500

students with 862 faculty and staff

members and offers a wide range of

degrees and certificates. The cam-

pus has experienced tremendous

growth in the past few years, some-

thing Brown said can put a strain

on the budget. But while in today’s

economy some businesses are look-

ing to cut costs in areas like employ-

ee benefits,

Brown said

that Arkansas

Tech recognizes

the importance

of maintaining good benefits. “It is

fundamental to our business model,”

he said.

Perhaps the value of human

resources is recognized more at

Arkansas Tech because of their

mission. “The only thing we offer

ATU’s centennial celebrates education,

growth and focuses on

health

22


David Moseley and staff members take a stroll through the Arkansas Tech campus as part of the Blue & You Fitness Challenge.

23


is human resources … that’s what

higher education is …” Brown said,

adding, “If you don’t have healthy

professors you don’t have a good

learning environment for

your students.”

Arkansas Tech

joined the Arkansas

Blue Cross fam-

ily in 1993, and in

that long relation-

ship, Brown said, the

members have taken

advantage of health fairs, a

diabetes lunch and learn, health

education programs and more.

Tech always has been focused on

education, but now a greater part

of that education is focused on

health and wellness. The cafeteria

often spotlights nutritional informa-

tion on select items and Tech Fit,

the fitness center is available to

faculty, staff and students. Students

in the wellness science degree

program can even coach faculty on

using the fitness center as part of

their course work.

Brown said the campus plans to

go smoke free this summer and

is looking into building a two-mile

walking trail around the campus.

Freshman orientation even includes

a focus on maintaining good health

to help students avoid the dreaded

“freshman 15” weight gain.

Mary Ann Rollans, dean of the

school of Community Education,

said that each year the campus

holds professional development

training for administrative profes-

sionals, but this year, with about

70 faculty and staff entered into

the Blue & You Fitness

Challenge, there has

been such a focus

on health that they

decided on healthy

living as the theme.

The seminar in-

cluded tips from a

nutritionist and other

health-related topics.

David Moseley, senior vice presi-

dent of administration and finance,

has been the liaison between Arkan-

sas Tech and Arkansas Blue Cross,

and said that he is living proof of the

value of quality health insurance.

Moseley had a quadruple bypass in

1999, and said that if it weren’t for

regular checkups, “my story could

have been a whole lot different.”

Moseley said the relationship be-

tween Arkansas Tech and Arkansas

Blue Cross is built on four things:

accessibility, trust, value and cus-

tomer service.

“All we have to do is call Dee

Rodgers or Sonya George in the

Central Regional Office,” he said of

the quick response they get to any

question or concern. And, he added,

“We trust Arkansas Blue Cross is

going to do what they say they are

going to do.”

Moseley said the long-term value

is apparent whenever a faculty or

staff member has to go to the doc-

tor or hospital. As far as customer

service is concerned — “You can’t

beat it,” he said.

Students and faculty members can exercise at Tech Fit, a state-of-the-art fitness center on campus.

24


A recent study suggests you may

be hurting your teeth after toning

your body if you guzzle a large amount of sports drinks.

Researchers at New York University College of Den-

tistry took cow teeth, which are similar to human teeth,

cut them in half and soaked them in sports drinks for 75

to 90 minutes. Afterward, they found the acid from the

drinks caused damage to the tooth enamel, the dentin

(the second layer of the tooth) and caused considerable

staining.

While some opponents of the research say that the

study does not replicate real life, the implications of

the research still may be valuable, especially for those

who consume sports drinks on a regular basis. But,

you don’t have to give them up completely. The follow-

ing are suggested in order to prevent the possibility of

tooth erosion:

• Drinksportsdrinksinmoderation.

• Sipsportsdrinksthroughastraw.

• Drinkplentyofwatertoflushoutthemouth.

Ironically, because sports drinks soften tooth enamel,

the researchers suggest you wait at least 30 minutes

before brushing your teeth after consuming them.

Instead of protecting your pearly whites, you could

actually cause more damage.

Sources: WebMD and CNN.com

They might if you have recently lost your job.

The COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Recon-

ciliation Act) subsidy, which was passed as part of the

economic stimulus package in February, gives 65 per-

cent of COBRA premiums, for nine months, to work-

ers who are laid off between September 2008 and the

end of this year. The subsidy applies only to workers

laid off from companies with 20 or more workers. This

subsidy is not available to workers whose companies

have closed their doors.

For more information about COBRA, visit the U.S.

Department of Labor Web site at dol.gov.

If you are without a job and without insurance, we

have a plan to meet your needs. Visit arkansasblue-

cross.com for more information.

Can sports drinks harm your teeth?

Do the changes in

COBRA affect you?

Health insurance is important!1. It protects you financially against

catastrophic costs due to an accident

or illness.

2. It provides you with a discount on the

medical services you receive.

25


by Ray Bredfeldt, M.D.,Regional Medical DirectorNorthwest Region, Fayetteville

TheDoctor’s CornerTake your fish oil today?

The oil found in fish and fish oil

supplements (omega-3 fatty acids)

reduces the risk of macular degen-

eration, a common cause of blind-

ness related to aging. Researchers

found that people who eat fish fre-

quently (especially tuna and salmon)

or who take fish oil supplements are

less than half as likely to develop

macular degeneration as they age.

Sleeping is good for

your heart

People who do not get enough

sleep put their health at risk. A

study published recently in the Ar-

chives of Internal Medicine showed

that people who sleep less than

seven and one-half hours per night

are 59 percent more likely to have a

heart attack, stroke or die suddenly

from heart disease. If you have

trouble sleeping, the University

of Maryland Sleep Disorder Clinic

recommends the following:

• Gotobedatthesametime

every night.

• Avoidnappingduringtheday.

• Avoidheavyfoodsandcaffeine

four to six hours before bedtime.

• Exerciseregularlybutnotright

before going to bed.

• Eliminatedistractinglightand

noise if possible.

• AvoidwatchingTVinbed.Watch-

ing TV for some people can

stimulate the mind, making it

more difficult to go to sleep.

• Makesuretheroomiscool.

• Trynottothinkaboutthe

worries of the day after you

go to bed.

Generic vs. Brand-name

heart medications?

No difference!

The U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-

tration (FDA) requires that all ge-

neric drugs meet the same stan-

dards as the original drug. Despite

this requirement, many people still

wonder whether generic and brand-

name heart medications are equal

in their effectiveness. A recent

study published in the Journal of

the American Medical Association

(JAMA) should alleviate those fears.

Researchers reviewed 47 studies on

drugs used for various heart condi-

tions, and found no evidence that

brand-name drugs were superior

to generic drugs in actual medical

practice.

Smoking and colon cancer

It’s well known that smoking is

the major cause of lung cancer.

Doctors also know that smoking

is strongly associated with throat,

kidney, bladder, cervix, stomach

and pancreas cancer. A new study

recently published in the Journal of

the American Medical Association

(JAMA) has determined that colon

cancer can be added to this long

list. Smokers were found to be 18

percent more likely to develop colon

cancer and 25 percent more likely to

die from it than non-smokers.

26


About 80 percent of adults have experienced

low back pain at some point, making it the fifth

most common reason for all physician visits

in the United States. In many cases, the pain

subsides in a short period of time, but in other

cases, the pain is ongoing, indicating a serious

problem.

The back is a complicated structure of

bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. Injur-

ing any of these tissues can lead to pain and

possibly impair neck, arm or leg movement. A

healthy lower back provides structural support

for the entire body.

Medications frequently are prescribed

for low back pain, though they only provide

short-term benefits. More than 75 percent of

patients are prescribed at least one medica-

tion for back pain at their initial office visit. But

medications are not the only treatments

available.

Studies show that noninvasive treatments

— such as spinal manipulation and massage

therapy — often provide longer benefits than

medications. A doctor of chiropractic medicine

often provides these noninvasive treatments.

Surgery is another option for treating low

back pain. However, more than 40 percent of

patients who underwent back surgery report

being dissatisfied with the results. Before

choosing surgery, it is recommended that pa-

tients experience at least two years of noninva-

sive interventions such as spinal manipulation.

When it comes to managing acute and

chronic back pain, there is no magic solution

that works for everyone. However, chiroprac-

Chiropractic medicine:

Studies show that

noninvasive treatments

— such as spinal

manipulation and

massage therapy — often

provide longer benefits

than medications.

27


tic care has been successful for millions of Americans

looking to avoid surgery and/or regular pain medication.

Chiropractors are best known for their conservative

care of back and neck pain. However, doctors of chiro-

practic medicine are capable of treating a broad range

of conditions and injuries. Not only is chiropractic care

beneficial for conditions such as these, but when other

health conditions exist, it may complement or even

support medical treatment. Patient satisfaction

rates are high when hands-on therapies

were used for treatment of various

conditions as an alternative to sur-

gery or pharmaceuticals.

Chiropractic doctors consult

with their patients in ways

similar to medical doctors.

Laboratory tests or diagnostic

imaging may be requested. A

chiropractic doctor will perform

a physical examination, paying

close attention to the patient’s pos-

ture, motion, balance, muscle strength

and level of neurologic involvement. This allows

the chiropractic doctor to put the patient in one of three

broad categories: 1) nonspecific low back pain related

to joint and ligament laxity, strained or over-used mus-

cles, or sprained ligaments; 2) back pain potentially as-

sociated with pinched nerves due to spinal stenosis or

disc protrusion; and 3) back pain potentially associated

with other spinal causes such as progressive neurologic

deficits, tumors or infection. Placing the patient in the

correct category helps guide the treatment.

Depending on the examination, a chiropractic treat-

ment plan may include any one or combination of the

following:

• Spinal manipulation

• Electrical muscle stimulation

• Traction

• Ultrasound

• Soft tissue massage

• Home treatment recommendations

• Lifting posture and lifestyles modifications

• Rehabilitative exercises

A treatment plan also may involve collabora-

tive care with other health-care provid-

ers, such as your primary care physi-

cian, orthopedist or neurologist.

The extent of a patient’s

problems coupled with the

hands-on nature of chiroprac-

tic treatment may require

several office visits. While

many patients feel immedi-

ate relief following chiropractic

treatment, it may take others two

to three weeks before they achieve

substantial progress. Your chiropractic

doctor should tell you how long the treatment

should last.

When choosing a doctor of chiropractic medicine,

the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) suggests

you select a chiropractic physician with whom you are

comfortable, who thoroughly answers your questions

and explains the recommended treatment plan.

To locate a chiropractic doctor in your area, visit one

of our Web sites listed on page 31.

Sources: American Chiropractic Association (ACA),

Consumer Reports, Annals of Internal Medicine

An effective option for low back pain

28


BlueAnn Ewe and the Arkansas Blue Cross Heart Walk team.

BlueAnn Ewe joined the annual “Just Say No” drug

prevention walk hosted by Perritt Primary School in

Arkadelphia on April 10. BlueAnn led the fight against

drugs with hundreds of elementary students, high

school and college mentors, parents, teachers and

administration staff, and community supporters. Per-

ritt’s Nickelodeon singers got the day off to a great start

with two musical numbers that fit with the theme.

Arkadelphia High School cheerleaders and junior high

drill team members led a workout on the school lawn.

The students, along with BlueAnn, walked to the news-

paper office for another rally and then headed back to

the school, but not before stopping at the principal’s

house for juice and cookies. Community and state

leaders greeted the walkers, pledging their support in

the fight against drugs. Ashlen Batson, Miss Arkansas

2008, served as the keynote speaker. BlueAnn, Barney

the Badger and “No Smok-e-mon” were special guests

at the rally. Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Arkadel-

phia Police Department officers, and members of the

Arkadelphia Fire Department Rescue Unit joined in the

assembly.

BlueAnn walks in the “Just Say NO” drug prevention walk hosted by Perritt Primary School in Arkadelphia.

Arkansas Blue Cross has a heartArkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has a “heart”

and encourages its employees to maintain a healthy

heart! As “You Have A Heart” sponsors of the Ameri-

can Heart Association’s Heart Walk, Arkansas Blue

Cross formed a corporate team. BlueAnn Ewe, Arkan-

sas Blue Cross’ health ambassador, joined more than

300 Arkansas Blue Cross employees on April 4 to walk

in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk held at

the North Shore Riverwalk in North Little Rock.

BlueAnn Ewe joins Perritt Primary School

29


At Arkansas Blue Cross and

Blue Shield and its affiliates

(HMO Partners, Inc. d/b/a Health

Advantage, and BlueAdvantage

Administrators of Arkansas), we

understand how important it is to

keep your private information just

that — private. Because of the

nature of our business, we must

collect some personal information

from our members, but we also are

committed to maintaining, securing

and protecting that information.

Customer Information

Arkansas Blue Cross and its

affiliates only compile information

necessary for us to provide the

services that you, our member,

request from us and to administer

your business. We collect non-public

personal financial information (defined

as any information that can be tied

back to a specific person and is

gathered by any source that is

not publicly available) about our

members from:

• Applicationsforinsurancecov-

erage. The application includes

information such as name, ad-

dress, personal identifiers such

as Social Security number and

medical information that you

authorize us to collect.

• Paymenthistoryandrelated

financial transactions from the

purchase and use of our

products.

• Informationrelatedtothefact

that you have been or currently

are a member.

Sharing of Information


affiliates do not disclose, and do not

wish to reserve the right to disclose,

non-public personal information about

you to one another or to other parties

except as permitted or required by

law. Examples of instances in which

Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates

will provide information to one

another or other third parties are:

• Toserviceorprocessproducts

that you have requested.

• Toprovideinformationasper-

mitted and required by law to

accrediting agencies.

• Toprovideinformationtocom-

ply with federal, state or local

laws in an administrative or

judicial process.

How We Protect Your Information


affiliates use various security

mechanisms to protect your personal

data including electronic and physical

measures as well as company

policies that limit employee access

to non-public personal financial

information. Improper access and

use of confidential information by an

employee can result in disciplinary

action up to and including termination

of employment.

Disclosure of Privacy Notice


affiliates recognize and respect the

privacy concerns of potential, current

and former customers. Arkansas Blue

Cross and its affiliates are committed

to safeguarding this information.

As required by state regulation, we

must notify our members about

how we handle non-public financial

information of our members. Nothing

has changed in the way we conduct

our business. If you would like to

review the Financial Information

Privacy Notices for all Arkansas Blue

Cross members, you can visit our Web

site at arkansasbluecross.com or call

the appropriate Arkansas Blue Cross

affiliate company to receive the Privacy

Notice. Our customer service areas

are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Central time, Monday through Friday.

To receive a copy of the Privacy

Notice, members should call:

Arkansas Blue Cross —

1-800-238-8379.

Health Advantage — 1-800-843-1329.

BlueAdvantage Administrators of

Arkansas — Members should call

Customer Service using the toll-free

telephone number on their ID card.

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Financial Information Privacy Notice

30


Generic drugs: Use with confidence!

by Trey Gardner, Pharm D.,Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

From the Pharmacist

Rising prescription drug costs

affect everyone, especially older

Americans, but many people

worry that generic versions of their

medications are not as good as the

brand-name version. If you are one

of these people — stop worrying!

Generic drugs can be used with

confidence.

The U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-

tration (FDA) approves brand name

and generic drug products sold in

the United States, and the quality

standards are the same for both

products. The difference in price

comes from the cost of developing

the drug.

New drugs are developed under

patent protection. Pharmaceutical

companies invest large amounts

of money to be sure their products

are safe and effective, so they are

allowed to sell the drug while the

patent is in effect and they may sell

it at a higher cost to recoup their

investment. When patents on brand-

name drugs near expiration, drug

manufacturers may apply to the

FDA to sell generic versions. Since

they don’t have the investment, the

manufacturers sell the generic drug

at a lower price.

The FDA review process for ge-

neric drugs is almost identical to the

process for brand-name drugs:

• Abrand-namedrugmustbe

FDA-approved before a generic

can be created. The generic

must have the same active

ingredient or ingredients and the

same strength as the brand-

name drug.

• Themanufacturermustshow

the generic drug is bioequivalent

to the brand-name drug. This

means that it will react in the

same way in a person’s body.

• Thegenericdrug’slabelmust

be essentially the same as the

approved drug.

• Thefirmmustdocumentthege-

neric drug’s chemistry, manufac-

turing steps and quality control

measures for FDA review.

• Therawmaterialsandfinished

generic product must meet

specifications set by U.S. Phar-

macopoeia, a non-profit, scien-

tific body that sets standards for

drug purity.

• Onceonthemarket,thefirm

must continue to monitor the

drug’s stability. Firms making

sterile drugs must submit data

assuring sterility.

• Thefirmmustcomplywithfed-

eral good manufacturing practice

regulations and undergo FDA

inspection to assure compliance.

Generic competition keeps costs

down and encourages drug compa-

nies to develop newer and better

medicines. Generic drugs save

Americans an estimated $8 to $10

billion a year (according to the Con-

gressional Budget Office). Billions

more are saved when hospitals use

generics.

So the next time you get a pre-

scription filled, ask your pharmacist

if a generic version is available. Use

generics with confidence!

Source: U.S. Food and Drug

Administration

31


We love to hear from you!May we help? For customer service please call:

Little Rock Toll-free Number (501) Number

Medi-Pak members 378-3062 1-800-338-2312

Medi-Pak Advantage or Medi-Pak Rx 1-866-390-3369

Arkansas Blue Cross members 378-2010 1-800-238-8379

Pharmacy questions 1-800-863-5561

Specialty Rx Pharmacy questions 1-866-295-2779

Health Advantage members 378-2363 1-800-843-1329


BlueAdvantage members 378-3600 1-888-872-2531


State and Public School members 378-2364 1-800-482-8416

Federal Employee members 378-2531 1-800-482-6655

Looking for health or dental insurance? We can help!

For individuals, families and those age 65 or older 378-2937 1-800-392-2583

For employer groups 378-3070 1-800-421-1112 (Arkansas Blue Cross Group Services, which includes Health Advantage and BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas)

Prefer to speak with someone close to home? Regional Office telephone numbers:

Pine Bluff/Southeast Region 1-800-236-0369 1800 West 73rd St.Jonesboro/Northeast Region 1-800-299-4124 707 East Matthews Ave.Hot Springs/South Central Region 1-800-588-5733 100 Greenwood Ave., Suite CTexarkana/Southwest Region 1-800-470-9621 1710 Arkansas BoulevardFayetteville/Northwest Region 1-800-817-7726 516 East Milsap Rd., Suite 103Fort Smith/West Central Region 1-866-254-9117 3501 Old Greenwood Rd., Suite 5Little Rock/Central Region 1-800-421-1112 320 West Capitol Ave., Suite 900

Web sites: arkansasbluecross.comhealthadvantage-hmo.com

blueadvantagearkansas.com blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org

blueannewe-ark.com

Arkansas Blue Cross helps city of Mena

(Left to right) Ken Bell, managed care service representative for the West Central Region in Fort Smith; Cindy Long, vice president of Retail Banking and Human Development for the Union Bank of Mena; Dr. Diann Gathright, Mena School Superintendent; Martha Carlson, regional executive for the West Central Region; and P.T. Plunkett, chairman of the Bearcat Foundation, Inc.

When the city of Mena was devastated by a tornado

in April, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield looked

for ways to help the residents recover from the storm.

A $5,000 donation was made to heavily damaged

Mena Middle School to replace academic equipment

and help purchase physical education equipment.

Arkansas Blue Cross employees raised an additional

$2,573 to help Mena’s residents recover.

“Arkansas Blue Cross is always looking for ways to

improve the lives of all Arkansans, and when our neigh-

bors are in need, we are there to lend a helping hand,”

said Martha Carlson, regional executive of the West

Central Regional Office, which serves Polk County

where Mena is located. Carlson presented the dona-

tion to Mena Middle School.

Arkansas Blue Cross continually provides donations

to organizations and communities in need throughout

Arkansas through corporate sponsorship, the Blue &

You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas and employee

fundraisers.

32


Wellness Discounts are good for youAs a member, you are entitled to numerous discounts!

Our discount wellness program connects you with

numerous resources such as health and fitness clubs,

weight management plans, sporting goods and fitness

and safety equipment vendors and more. For more

information, visit us online at arkansasbluecross.com,

healthadvantage-hmo.com or blueadvantagearkansas.

com depending on your policy.

Someone you know need insurance?Chances are, if you are receiving this

magazine, you already have insurance

with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue

Shield or one of our affiliated com-

panies. However, you may have

a child who has “aged off” your

plan, a brother who no longer has

insurance through his employer,

or an uncle who just turned 65

and now is eligible for a Medicare

plan. Whatever the need, we can

help. Share our telephone number

— 1-800-392-2583 — with someone

today who needs health insurance,

and we’ll help them find a plan to fit their

needs and budget.

At Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we are always looking for new ways to be "Good for You." Here are some of our latest accomplishments.

Take our surveyTell us what you think. Go to

arkansasbluecross.com and fill out the survey on the home page for a chance to

win a gift card. We value your input.

2009 - Summer

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