Wise&WellFALL 2019 | wpshealth.com

VAPINGNot a good alternative to smoking

HEPATITIS C A serious health concern for seniors

PREVENTING HEARING AND VISION LOSS

IncreasingYourBone Density

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Osteoporosis, a disease that

occurs when the body loses

too much bone, is quite common. One

in two women and one in four men over the age

of 50 will suffer an osteoporo-sis-related fracture, according to the

National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Bone mass stops increasing around the age of 30, ac-cording to the National Institute on Aging, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to keep your bones strong.

Eat high-calcium foodsCalcium is critical for bone health, and dairy can be a great source of the mineral. The body absorbs calci-um more efficiently in smaller doses, so try spreading your intake throughout the day. Check with your doc-tor to see if calcium supplements would be beneficial.

Get some sunVitamin D is another vital component of bone health, including helping the absorption of calcium. Diet, including milk, can help. An AARP article states that getting 15 minutes in the sun each day can provide the vitamin D you need.

Get activePeople who are inactive have an increased risk of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises, like walking

Wise & WellRyan Kanable, Managing Editor

Wise & Well is published by WPS Health Insurance. This material is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about this or any other subjects pertinent to your health. See your summary of benefits for covered services. Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers™ partnerships are paid endorsements.

Increasing your bone density

2 | Wise & Well

or jogging, are important. So are resistance training, such as light weightlifting, and cardio.

Stay well-restedGetting less than six hours of sleep each night can result in a higher susceptibility to osteoporosis, according to a recent study by the American Geriatrics Society.

Limit tobacco and alcohol useStudies suggest that tobacco and alcohol use can both weaken bones, according to the Mayo Clinic.

To find out more about osteoporosis and what you can do to prevent it, visit the National Osteoporosis Foun-dation website at nof.org or visit the Wellness page at wpshealth.com where you can search on “osteoporosis.”

OPERATION FAN MAIL, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 13th season in 2019. It’s the 11th year it has been presented by WPS Health Solutions or its affiliates. Find out more at OperationFanMail.com.

Health insurance partner of the Green Bay Packers

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*Vision and hearing programs are not part of the insurance policy and are offered at no additional charge for membership. Enrollment in these programs is subject to contract renewal.

This is an advertisement for insurance. Neither Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation nor its agents are connected with the federal Medicare program.

WI_HIB03_1902 ©2019 All rights reserved. JO11151 33932-100-1902

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Among the many changes we face with age, vision loss and hearing loss are among the most common. The good news is, with early detection and the help of a health care expert, seniors can overcome, or at least slow the advancement of, many vision and hearing challenges.

Vision and hearing discount programs are a few of the many valuable benefits included in worry-free, hassle-free WPS Medicare supplement insurance plans. For no ad-ditional premiums or membership fees, customers can save on select eye care and eyewear, hearing screenings, hearing aids, and more.

Vision Care ProgramVision changes throughout our lifetime. Beyond normal vision changes related to age, your risk for eye diseases also goes up after age 60 and, if left untreated, can forever damage your vision. These conditions can include age-re-lated macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, or glaucoma.

Since many eye health problems don’t cause symptoms early on, they can be difficult to spot. That’s why regular eye exams are so important for maintaining good eye health and vision as you age.

All WPS Medicare supplement insurance plan customers can access the EyeMed Vision Care discount program and pay no additional premiums or membership fees.*

EyeMed offers savings on eye care and eyewear at thou-sands of provider locations nationwide. The network includes many familiar retailers, such as Aurora Vision Cen-ters, LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Shopko Eyecare Centers, Target Optical, and Wisconsin Vision, among others. As a WPS customer, all you have to do is show your ID card at a participating provider to receive a discount.

Discounted services include eye exams, eyeglasses, con-ventional contact lenses, and even laser vision correction. For details on customer benefits, visit our website and click the Brochure Download button. You can also search for participating providers in your area using EyeMed’s online Provider Locator.

Hearing ProgramRoughly one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing, according to The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communica-tion Disorders.

Age-related hearing loss is often gradual, so people may not realize they’ve lost some ability to hear. Even if the signs and symptoms seem clear to others, it takes the average person with hearing loss five to seven years before they seek help.

Hearing loss can make a major impact on all areas of life, making it hard to chat with family and friends and miss-ing phone calls, doorbells, or even smoke alarms. One of the best things you can do when it comes to your hearing health is talk to a health care provider to learn more and seek treatment options, if needed.

The Hear In America discount program is another benefit available to WPS Medicare supplement insurance custom-ers.* Customers can get:

• Free hearing screening• A three-year warranty on new hearing aids• Free office services (including retests, cleanings, and

adjustments) for three years• A 45-day trial period for hearing aids• Discounts on manufacturer’s suggested retail price

(MSRP) for hearing aids from nine major manufacturers

Early detection key to preventing vision loss and hearing loss with age

4 | Wise & Well

An estimated 2.4 million people in the United States are living with hepatitis C, a virus more likely to affect the Baby Boomer generation than any other age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Three in four people with hepatitis C—or 75%—were born between 1945 and 1965, which is why the CDC recommends everyone born during those years get tested.

What is Hepatitis C?As the CDC explains, hepatitis C is a serious infection caused by the virus hepatitis C. Over time and without treatment, the infection can cause liver

HEALTH

CONCERN FOR SENIORS

HEPATITIS C A SERIOUS

damage or even liver cancer. In fact, hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer and the top cause of liver transplants.

Experts aren’t sure why, but people born between 1945 and 1965 are five times more likely to have hepatitis C than people of other ages. Many became infected in the 1970s and 1980s.

Testing and diagnosisMany people with hepatitis C live with it for years, or even decades, without knowing it. That’s because the infection progresses very slowly and may cause no symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they

may be a sign of advancing liver disease and include:

• Fever• Fatigue• Dark urine• Clay-colored stool• Abdominal pain• Loss of appetite• Nausea• Vomiting• Joint pain• Jaundice

Often, a hepatitis C infection isn’t diagnosed until high liver enzyme levels are detected or if it’s detected during routine screening of a blood donation.

There are several blood tests that can be used to screen for hepatitis C. Mayo Clinic recommends testing for:• Anyone who has ever injected or

inhaled illicit drugs• Anyone who has abnormal liver function

test results with no identified cause• Babies born to mothers with hepatitis C• Health care and emergency workers

exposed to blood or accidental needle sticks

• People with hemophilia treated with clotting factors before 1987

• People who have undergone long-term hemodialysis treatments

• People who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992

• Sexual partners of anyone diagnosed with hepatitis C

• People with HIV infection• Anyone born from 1945 to 1965• Anyone who has been in prison

Did You Know?There’s a new Facebook group for seniors

designed to be an open forum where you can learn

more about WPS Health Insurance’s Medicare-

related products to ensure you make fully informed

decisions. Other posts on this page share health tips for seniors,

general Medicare information,, answers to questions, and more.

Visit facebook.com/groups/WPScares today and check it out!

Provider directoryavailable onlineFor up-to-date information on health care providers, visit

wpshealth.com. Click on Find a Doctor and then enter

your Group Number from your customer ID card.

You can also get current provider information or request

a printed directory by calling Customer Service at

888-915-4001 (toll-free).

Connect with Us! Get instant access to health, wellness, and health insurance coverage tips.

facebook.com/wpshealth @wpshealth wpshealthblog.com

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TreatmentThe longer a person lives with hepatitis C—undiagnosed or untreated—the more likely that person is to develop life-threatening liver disease.

There have been significant advancements in just the past few years in treating hepatitis C. In many cases, the virus can be eliminated after 8–12 weeks of treatment. Newer medications provide better outcomes with fewer side effects. Treatments and medications are always evolving, so it’s best to speak with a health care specialist about options.

To learn more about symptoms, testing, and the impact of the infection, visit our Wellness page at wpshealth.com and search “hepatitis C.”

Protect yourself from fluFlu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. For otherwise healthy people, it’s usually a minor illness. For people with heart failure, however, flu may worsen cardiovascular symptoms. This could trigger a heart attack. Flu is also more likely to lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, or death in those with heart failure.

Protect yourself and make sure your vaccines are up to date: Get a flu shot every year. There are many influenza viruses. This vaccine protects against the three that scientists predict will be most common in the upcoming flu season. Flu shots begin as soon as the vaccine is available each fall. Get yours as early as possible.

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You have options for medical careWhen you are sick or injured, knowing where to go to seek care can make a big difference in how long you wait for treatment and how much you pay out of pocket. It is important to know the options available based on your specific situation. YOUR OPTIONS WHEN TO USE CONVENIENCE COST

TELEMEDICINE

For conditions such as cold, flu, aller-gies, sinus problems, ear/respiratory infections, skin conditions, depression, anxiety, or stress. Appointments can be done via phone, video, or mobile app.(All WPS-sponsored plans have a ser-vice provider.)

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, from the comfort of your home, office, or when you are away from home.

Low out-of-pocket cost.

PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER

Health issues that can wait for an appointment during normal business hours.

Appointments required during office hours.

Medium out-of- pocket cost.

URGENT CARE

When a condition is not life threatening, but needs same-day treatment, and you cannot get in to see your primary care provider.

Extended hours. May experience long wait times to see the doctor.

Medium out-of- pocket cost.

EMERGENCY ROOM

When immediate treatment is needed for a life-threatening event, such as head trauma, seizures, chest pain, se-vere allergic reaction, loss of conscious-ness, or difficulty breathing.

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. May experience long wait times as more severe cases are seen first.

High out-of-pocket cost.

For more detailed information, please see: • The Urgent Care or Emergency Room? FAQ page in the Wellness section at wpshealth.com. • The Telehealth Services page found under My Benefits at wpshealth.com. If you have questions, please contact Customer Service at the number printed on your customer ID card.

Notice of external review rightsCustomers may request an external review if coverage was denied. Some reasons may include: • Services were deemed not

medically necessary• Services were considered experimental

or investigational• Services were rendered by an

out-of-network practitioner whose clinical expertise was felt to be medically necessary and the expertise is not available from an in-network practitioner

• Services were for a pre-existing condition exclusion

• The policy or certificate was rescinded

The external review process provides customers the opportunity to have medical professionals who have no connection to their health plan review their disputes. A decision of an Independent Review Organization may be binding on the health plan and customer, unless other remedies are available under state or federal law.

When a coverage request is initially denied, information on how to request a review is provided with the denial. In most cases, external review is available only when the grievance procedure has been completed. Customers may be entitled to

an expedited external review when certain situations apply.

A request for an external review must be made within four months of the date of the adverse determination or experimental treatment determination, or from the date of receipt of notice of the grievance panel decision, whichever is later.

Have a question?If you have any questions or need additional information, call us at 800-765-4977. You may also contact the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) at 800-236-8517 or oci.wi.gov.

6 | Wise & Well

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Vaping not a good alternative to smokingThe increase in e-cigarette use, particularly among young people, is a dangerous trend that carries real health risks, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). For many reasons, the AHA says, e-cigarettes should not be promoted as a safe alternative to smoking.

While fewer people are smoking or starting to smoke than ever before, many are using other forms of tobacco. The increase in vaping by kids and young people in recent years is a serious public health threat. Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called “vaping” or “Juuling.” Users inhale and exhale aerosolized vapor. This way of taking in nicotine poses health risks to users and non-users.

Many downsides to vaping; few potential upsidesE-cigarette promoters claim the devices can help people quit smoking. But more evidence is needed to show their effectiveness for quitting cigarettes and other tobacco use. Instead, trends suggest users are more likely to continue smoking along with vaping, which is referred to as “dual use.”

Vaping may not be less harmful than smoking. While e-cigarette aerosol or vapor doesn’t include all the contaminants in tobacco smoke, vaping is still harmful: » Most e-cigs deliver nicotine, which is highly

addictive and may cause negative health effects, such as harming the developing brains of teens, kids, and fetuses in women who vape while pregnant. » Some types expose users to even more nicotine

than traditional cigarettes. » E-cig vapor includes potentially harmful substances,

such as nicotine, diacetyl (a chemical linked to a serious lung disease), cancer-causing chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals (e.g., nickel, tin, and lead). And because vapor is exhaled, those nearby are also exposed to these contaminants.

» The liquid used in e-cigs can be dangerous, even apart from its intended use. Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing, breathing, or absorbing the liquid through their skin or eyes.

E-cigarettes’ biggest threat to public health may be their increasing popularity, which may “re-normalize” smoking after years of decline. Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death and is responsible for 480,000 American deaths each year.

A threat to young peopleTobacco companies want to hook a new generation on nicotine and the allure of smoking. » In 2014, tobacco companies spent more than $125 million on aggressive marketing. In that same year, almost half of U.S. teens ages 12-17 and more than 80% of young adults ages 18-21 were exposed to magazine ads for e-cigs. » Vaping is now the most common form of tobacco use by kids and teens. In 2018, vaping by high school students in the U.S. doubled from 2017. » Many students say they’ve tried e-cigarettes in part because of the flavors in the liquids..

More effort and research are neededIn a 2016 report, the Surgeon General called e-cigarette use among young people a “public health concern.” The AHA shares that view and advocates for stronger regulations. The organization also supports maintaining the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory authority over e-cigarettes along with other tobacco products.

The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are not well understood yet. But the science suggests vaping is not a safe or healthy alternative to smoking conventional cigarettes.

For tips on quitting smoking, visit the Wellness page at wpshealth.com and search on “quitting smoking.”

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Source: American Heart Association, heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/is-vaping-safer-than-smoking

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Wise&WellFALL 2019 | wpshealth.com

> Page 2: Increasing your bone density

> Page 3: How to prevent hearing and vision loss

> Page 4: Hepatitis C, a serious health concern

> Page 7: Vaping not a good alternative to smoking

Make a new friend through our WPS Pen Pal programDo your weeks seem long, with little to break up the days?

DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Sign up for the WPS Pen Pal program and you can chat it up with a WPS employee. It’s always nice to make new friends, and we’d like to get to know you better!

If you’re interested, send us a letter saying you want a pen pal. From there, we’ll connect you with a WPS employee who will correspond with you. You can get to know each other better at your own pace.

WRITE TO:

» WPS Health Insurance Attn: MMS—Pen Pal 1717 W. Broadway P.O. Box 8190 Madison, WI 53708-8190

What are you waiting for? Pick up your pen and get involved. We hope to hear from you soon!

©2019 Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. All rights reserved. JO15680 34529-100-1907

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