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Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.
Health Coaching | 1
Health Care Needs | 2
Health Screenings | 3
A1C Testing | 4
Dental Checkups | 4
COPD and Summer | 5
Summer 2019Compliments of Health Coaching
BlueChoice HealthPlan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.
What Is Health Coaching?Health coaching is a voluntary program for members with
certain health and wellness concerns. We take a personalized
and tailored approach that helps you manage your health
and cope with everyday issues so you can meet your
health goals.
Our coaches are health care professionals from a variety
of backgrounds, including registered nurses, dietitians,
respiratory therapists and health educators. They have
extensive training and knowledge to help support, guide
and motivate you to make healthy lifestyle changes at your
own pace.
We understand how difficult it can be to make a lifestyle
change and stick to it. Our staff works to ensure you have
the information and tools you need to succeed.
Is Health Coaching for Me?Health coaching is especially helpful for members who:
• Want to know more about managing their health.
• Make frequent emergency room visits.
• Use multiple medications to manage their health.
• Experience frequent hospitalization.
To enroll, visit BlueChoiceSC.com and log in to
My Health Toolkit® or call 855-838-5897.
Health coaches respect the wishes of participants and their
family members and recognize that participants have RIGHTS
and RESPONSIBILITIES, including the:
• Right to know the philosophy and characteristics of the
health coaching program.
• Right to have personally identifiable health information
shared by the coaching program only in accordance with
state and federal law.
• Right to identify a staff member and his or her job title and
to speak with a supervisor of a staff member if requested.
• Right to receive accurate information from the health
coaching program.
• Right to receive administrative information about changes
in or termination of the health coaching program.
• Right to decline participation, revoke consent or withdraw
at any time.
• Responsibility to submit any forms necessary to participate
in the program, to the extent the law requires.
• Responsibility to give accurate clinical and contact
information and to notify the health coaching program of
changes in this information.
• Responsibility to notify your treating providers of your
participation in the health coaching program, if applicable.
• Understanding when disease management information will
be disclosed to third parties.
Participant’s Bill of Rights
You Make the ChoiceHealth coaching is completely voluntary and free. Your decision to participate will not affect your
health benefits in any way. If you decide that having a personal health coach is not for you, you
can opt out of the program at any time by calling 855-838-5897.
If you have a problem or complaint during your health coaching experience, you can call
855-838-5897 and ask to speak to the program manager. In an emergency, please contact your
doctor or call 911.
1 | Summer 2019
Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.
Power Down to Power UpIf your bedtime routine includes using your smartphone,
e-reader or tablet, you’re not alone. After all, when you have
so many small gadgets that offer news articles, e-books,
games and email access all in one package, it can be tough
to power down. If you use your smartphone as an alarm
clock, chances are you are literally going to sleep with your
phone. You may not realize it, but this could be affecting
your sleep in a major way.
• Your bedroom should be a relaxing sanctuary that is
suited for rest and relaxation. Using electronic devices to
do things like respond to emails and work on projects can
make it difficult to relax and get a good night’s sleep.
• The light from electronics and phone chargers may
prevent your body from producing melatonin, a natural
hormone your body creates to regulate sleep.
• Reading a suspenseful novel or playing a game on your
device can stimulate your mind and make it difficult for
you to relax and be ready for sleep.
Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep for a
prolonged period, contact your health care provider. Your
provider can identify any underlying issues and help you
get the sleep you need. If you need help finding a doctor,
visit www.BlueChoiceSC.com/FindCare.
Run Away From Your StressLet’s talk about stress. We all deal with it — whether it
happens when you inch your way through rush hour traffic,
have an impossible deadline or just try to make it through
the demands of juggling multiple commitments. Some
stress is good and keeps you on your toes to help you meet
important deadlines. But too much stress can wreak havoc
on your health.
The American Psychological Association’s 2018 Stress in
America survey found that the top four causes of stress are:
stress about the future of our country, money, work and health
concerns. This can all lead to an unhealthy cycle because when
we’re stressed, we tend to fall into habits that have a negative
impact on our health, causing even more stress. The APA is an
independent organization that offers health information that
you may find helpful.
So what can you do to reduce stress and find more balance
in life? Try releasing some endorphins! Endorphins are feel-
good hormones naturally produced in your body. Engaging in
physical activity is one of the best ways to get your endorphins
going. Aerobic activities that increase your heart rate, such
as running and brisk walking, provide a great release of these
feel-good hormones. You may have even heard people refer
to something called a runner’s high — a state of euphoria
often experienced after running.
If you’re like most people, you may not be up for running a
marathon just yet. These tips can help you get started:
• Build up slowly. Start with a 15 – 20-minute brisk walk three or
four times each week.
• Gradually add more time to your walks, or increase
your speed.
• Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself! If you decide to take
up running, start with adding 30 – 60-second increments
throughout your walk.
• Work your way up to 30 minutes of moderately intense
activity five times per week or 15 minute rounds of vigorously
intense activity five times per week as recommended by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC
is an independent organization that offers health information
you may find helpful.
• Involve your family, friends and your pets, too!
The bottom line is, no matter what the cause of your stress, don’t just sit there. Run away from your stress!
2 | Summer 2019
Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.
Get Tested, Live OnAmericans are living longer, healthier lives than ever — and screening tests may have something to do with that.
Screenings allow doctors to detect health concerns before they become serious. This allows for early treatment to keep
you feeling your best.
Healthy Steps:Play an active role in your health care. Make a list of your top three health questions and concerns before your next
appointment to talk about with your doctor.
There is a shortage of primary care doctors nationally. That means that it can take a little while to schedule a physical
(checkup) with your doctor, so make sure to call early and make your appointment.
Colorectal cancerWhen caught early, 9 in 10 cases of colorectal cancer are
curable. The American Cancer Society recommends that
people 50 and older get screened. The American Cancer
Society is an independent organization that offers health
information that you may find helpful. There are several
screenings to choose from. Each type has its own benefits.
Your doctor can help you pick the test that’s best for you.
Chlamydia screening This common sexually transmitted bacterial infection is
easily cured. However, if left untreated, it can cause a
number of complications including infertility and pregnancy
complications. Sexually active women 25 and younger
should be screened every year.
Breast cancerA woman’s risk for breast cancer increases with age. Experts
recommend that women ages 50 – 74 get a mammogram
at least every two years. If you have a family history of
breast cancer, you may need to be screened earlier. Ask
your doctor when and how often you should be screened.
Prostate cancer Prostate cancer is one of the most survivable forms of
cancer. Some experts recommend that men start being
screened in their 50s. Ask your doctor when you should
be screened. If you need help finding a doctor, visit
www.BlueChoiceSC.com/FindCare.
3 | Summer 2019
Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.
When you have diabetes, there are a lot of things to keep
track of. One of the most important things you need to track
is your A1C. An A1C test gives you a picture of your average
blood sugar control over the past two to three months. In
many ways, your A1C is your personal batting average; it
tells you about your overall success in controlling your blood
sugar. In baseball, performance in a single game doesn’t tell
you much about a player’s overall performance. Likewise,
blood sugar results for a single day may not reflect how
well your diabetes treatment is working. Testing your blood
sugar at home only tells you how well you are doing at the
exact moment you do the test. That’s why it’s important to
have an A1C test done at your doctor’s office. If your results
are higher than recommended, your doctor can adjust your
treatment to lower your blood sugar.
A1C tests should be done every
three to six months. Ask your
doctor about the results of your
last A1C and when you should have
your next test. The American Diabetes
Association suggests an A1C of 7 percent
or lower for most adults with diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association is an independent
organization that offers health information you may find
helpful. Practice makes perfect. Check your blood sugars
about four times a day. If you have trouble keeping your
numbers under control, call your doctor to help you make
adjustments to your daily routine.
Visit www.diabetes.org for tips on managing your
blood sugar.
When it comes to your health, it’s important to pay
attention to the bigger picture. You may not realize it, but
regular dental care is important, not only for keeping your
teeth and gums healthy but also for your overall health.
This is especially true for certain individuals.
If you have diabetes, gum disease can be more severe,
take longer to heal, and can make it harder to control your
blood glucose levels. Studies also show that treating gum
disease and inflammation can help prevent heart attacks,
strokes, angina and congestive heart failure and might
even slow down the hardening of arteries.
Additionally, the American Academy of Periodontology
suggests that gum disease may be linked to preterm births,
which result in babies with low birth weight. The American
Academy of Peridontology is an independent organization
that offers health information you may find helpful.
To make sure you stay in tip-top shape, visit your dentist for
regular checkups and cleanings, brush your teeth twice a
day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste,
floss your teeth every day and tell your dentist if you have
tooth pain or have problems chewing.
Don’t Skip the Dentist
A1C Control:What’s your batting average?
4 | Summer 2019
Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.
You may long for the dog days of summer. But warm weather can pose unique challenges for people with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Not only are you exposed to irritants like grass, tree and flower pollen that
can cause flare-ups, but heat and humidity can also worsen your COPD symptoms. The heat can make your body work
overtime and use more oxygen to stay cool. Managing your COPD in the summer is critical for your health.
Beat the Heat This Summer
Here are some tips to help you beat the heat this summer:• Control moisture and humidity in your home. The
moisture in your home should be kept between 30 and
50 percent. You can purchase a hydrometer at your local
electronics store to measure the humidity inside your
home. Consider purchasing a humidifier for your home if
you have trouble breathing. This can dramatically improve
the quality of your breathing.
• Stay cool. Stay in an air-conditioned area as much as
possible. If you need to be active outside, try to do these
activities early in the morning or late in the evening
when it’s not as hot and irritants such as pollen are lower.
And be sure to check the weather forecast for air quality
reports before you head out. You can use this information
to help you plan your errands for times when the air
quality is higher.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to help regulate your
body temperature. Drinking fluids also keeps mucus thin,
making it easier to clear your lungs and airways. Aim for at
least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
• Keep taking your medicines. Be sure to take your
medicines exactly as directed. This is important even if
you have received hospital treatment for your COPD. It
may be tempting to cut back on your medications if you
are feeling better. But the only way to help you keep
your symptoms under control is to continue taking your
medications and follow your doctor’s plan of care.
For more tips to help you breathe easier, visit www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/. You can also enlist the help of a health
coach (if you haven’t already done so). Call 855-838-5897 and select option 2.
*Links lead to third party websites. Those parties are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites.
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5 | Summer 2019