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Category: Get Healthy
It’s not too late to get nicotine-free in 2022!
How are those 2022 New Year’s resolutions going? Did you start the year on a mission to quit smoking or using other tobacco products but somewhere along the way you got sidetracked?
Now is a great time to revisit those resolutions because nicotine cessation aids are covered at 100% under the preventive provisions of the State’s health plan!
Nicotine cessation products can be used to help members quit tobacco and nicotine use. These include over the counter quit aids like patches, gum and lozenges, and tobacco cessation drugs that can be prescribed by a doctor. Details about this benefit can be found in each plan document posted on the Medical page.
Health Benefits of Quitting:
- Lowered risk of lung cancer and many other types of cancer.
- Reduced risk for disease and early death. While the health benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, there are benefits at any age. You are never too old to quit.
- Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the blood vessels in outside your heart).
Source: cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting
Members enrolled in the State’s health plan can also access a 12-week tobacco cessation workshop in the WellConnected section of the Blue Cross of Idaho member portal, https://members.bcidaho.com. Members can also call the customer service number on the back of their member ID card for more information about programs and quit aids.
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Have your Member ID card handy and visit members.bcidaho.com.
The Office of Group Insurance is required to make available to all members the annual compliance notices. These notices are posted on the right hand column of the OGI homepage at: https://ogi.idaho.gov in the section called Required Notices and Information.
Mental & Emotional Health – The Other Annual Checkup
Hopefully everyone knows that you should go to the doctor, dentist and optometrist every year for checkups, but what about a checkup for your mental and emotional well-being?
Everyone deals with tough times, but even happy events like a new job, a marriage, or a new baby can add stress. That is when taking an hour for a session, or two, or three, with a counselor might help you navigate new or persistent challenges in your life and decrease your stress or anxiety.
The Office of Group Insurance provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all benefit eligible employees and their dependents regardless of their enrollment in any other program.
There are several ways to access the GuidanceResources(R) information and programs.
Visit the Counseling page of the OGI website for program and contact information
Download the Guidance Resources mobile app
This benefit is here for you, in good times and bad, to help you stay at your best.
Spice Up Your Weight Loss Journey With Global Flavors
Wondr Health is hosting an upcoming webinar called “Spice Up Your Weight Loss Journey With Global Flavors” on March 30th at 11:00 a.m. MT. The Wondr instructor and registered dietitian nutritionist, Meridan Zerner, will share simple ways to introduce flavors from cultures around the world into everyday meals.
You do not have to been enrolled in the Wondr program to participate in the webinar. Anyone and everyone is welcome to sign up! REGISTER HERE
This program is a great program to help give me the skills and encouragement to eat more nutritionally, get a lot more movement in throughout the day, sleep better, coping skills throughout, helped me really focus, and changed my mindset on my health. I may not have lost much weight but I went down 1 size, my blood pressure and blood sugar has really come down making me and my doctor very happy. ~ member testimonial
Between July 1 and December 31, participants reported nearly 3,800 pounds lost as they logged their weight more than 24,000 times in the user-friendly app.
The program includes online courses, physical activity tracker, tailored content on behavioral eating, a team of counselors and a community of other Wondr Health participants. Best of all, the cost of the program is covered 100% for enrolled members regardless of which plan you have selected.
Want to get signed up for Wondr and take advantage of all the program has to offer? Check out the Wondr Health FAQ
Get Care at Your Pharmacy
The Office of Group Insurance and Blue Cross of Idaho are continuously looking for ways to remove barriers to care and make health care more convenient for members.
With that goal in mind for 2022, we are excited to share that starting January 1 the state of Idaho health plan launched a pilot project with Idaho-based Albertsons and Safeway pharmacists to provide coverage for the diagnoses of certain issues, as well as prescribing and filling of certain prescription drugs.
What’s covered?
- Flu vaccine
- Rapid flu test
- Rapid strep test
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis
- Cold sore diagnosis and treatment
- Hormonal contraceptives, and
- Statins
Several pharmacies currently offer similar services on a cash-pay basis, but this pilot project will make these services a covered benefit under the health plan at $0 copay for the PPO and Traditional members. High-deductible plan members have no cost sharing after you’ve met your deductible.
Keep in mind, coverage for this service is currently limited to Idaho-based Albertsons and Safeway pharmacists. Visit local.pharmacy.albertsons.com/ID to find an Idaho Albertsons or Safeway pharmacy near you.
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Need to order more member ID cards? Need to see how much you’ve accumulated towards meeting your deductible? Have your Member ID card handy and visit members.bcidaho.com.
It’s not too late to get tobacco-free in 2021
How are those New Year’s resolutions going? Did you start the year on a mission to quit smoking or using other tobacco products but somewhere along the way you got sidetracked?
Well now is a great time to revisit those resolutions because nicotine cessation aids are covered at 100% under the preventive provisions of the State’s health plan!
Nicotine cessation products can be used to help members quit tobacco use. These include over the counter quit aids like patches, gum and lozenges and tobacco cessation drugs that can be prescribed by a doctor. Details about this benefit can be found in each plan document posted on the Medical page.
Health Benefits of Quitting
Lowered risk of lung cancer and many other types of cancer.
Reduced risk for disease and early death. While the health benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, there are benefits at any age. You are never too old to quit.
Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the blood vessels in outside your heart).
Source: cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting
Members enrolled in the State’s health plan can also access a 12-week tobacco cessation workshop in the WellConnected section of the Blue Cross of Idaho member portal, https://members.bcidaho.com. Or call the customer service number on the back of your member ID card for more information about programs and quit aids.
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Have your Member ID card handy and visit members.bcidaho.com.
No Better Time To Be Healthy
Chronic health conditions often happen for a number of reasons that are beyond our control. These conditions can put a strain on your overall well being, your family, and your finances. The State’s health plan has programs in place to help members manage and even improve their chronic conditions, navigate the healthcare system, and provide support to their loved ones.
You can learn about available resources on the Be Healthy page of the OGI website that include programs like:
- Condition Support (formerly known as Disease Management) empowers members and caregivers, in collaboration with their physicians and care providers, to effectively manage disease and prevent complications through adherence to medication regimens, regular monitoring of applicable lab/vital signs, a healthy diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices. The program offers support to members and dependents who are managing an acute or complex illness or are at risk for or have a chronic condition such as:
- diabetes,
- asthma,
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
- coronary artery disease, or
- heart failure.
- Care Management (formerly known as Case Management) can help you better understand your conditions, teach you how to take an active role in your healthcare and help with navigating any obstacles you run into. Through this program, members work directly with a care manager who will create a personalized care plan. You get education materials and resource support.
Members can also take advantage of the Living Well with High Blood Pressure [PDF] self-guided workshop.
Want more information? Set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account at members.bcidaho.com and explore all of the available resources and information available there.
Virtual Care 24/7 With MDLive
Did you know you have access to a medical provider 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Did you know there are currently no copays or coinsurance for these visits?
MDLive provides quick and convenient virtual medical and behavioral services. If you are enrolled in the State’s medical plan all MDLive copays and coinsurance have been waived this plan year regardless of the health plan you selected at enrollment.
Don’t have a medical need right now? Why not download the app on your Apple or Android device and activate your MDLive account so that when you do have a need to see a provider for one of the 50+ available routine services? It will be as easy as opening the app and connecting.
MDLIVE Welcome [PDF]
MDLive is also ready to listen and support you and your family during challenging times. Their board-certified psychiatrists and licensed therapists can help you process the information as it develops, create strategies to manage your concerns, identify healthy activities, and put together a plan tailored to your unique situation and needs.
Now, more than ever, is a great time to focus on what you can control and your overall well-being. Schedule a private, confidential visit and keep both mentally and physically healthy with MDLive.
Questions? Contact the Office of Group Insurance in person, by telephone or email.
Mental Health – The Other Annual Checkup
Hopefully everyone knows that you should go to the doctor, dentist and optometrist every year for checkups, but what about a checkup for your mind?
Everyone deals with tough times, but even happy events like a new job, a marriage, or a new baby can add stress. That is when taking an hour for a session, or two, or three, with a counselor might help you navigate new or persistent challenges in your life and increase your overall well-being.
The State’s Group Insurance Program provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all benefit eligible employees and their dependents regardless of their enrollment in any other program. The provision for this benefit is detailed in each of the medical plan contracts posted on the Medical page of the OGI website.
There are several ways to access the GuidanceResources(R) information and programs.
Visit the Counseling page of the OGI website for program and contact information
Livongo for Diabetes Management
We’re excited to roll out Livongo, a new medical benefit at no additional cost to you. Livongo combines advanced technology and one-on-one coaching to engage members and improve diabetes management. Livongo, a part of Teledoc Health, Inc., will provide this service to all eligible members on the State’s health plan starting July 1, 2021.
What is Livongo:
- Livongo is a digital health platform that empowers people with chronic conditions to live better and healthier lives.
- For participants, Livongo delivers actionable, personalized and timely feedback when and where you need it most to help change and improve behaviors.
Here’s what you get when you join:
- Advanced technology. Get a new blood glucose meter and unlimited strips and lancets. Depending on your health goals, you could also receive a smart scale and/or blood pressure monitor. Track your progress and manage your health in the Livongo app.
- Better health monitoring. Livongo’s connected devices automatically upload your readings right to your app. You’ll also get personalized tips to support you on your health journey.
- Expert support when you need it. Expert health coaches are ready to help, on your terms. Get tips on managing your blood sugar, healthy eating, weight, blood pressure and more.
To enroll in Livongo for Diabetes, you must have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Now Even More Reasons to Smile
Plan history has shown that at least 40% of state employees enrolled in the dental plan aren’t visiting a provider even once a year. Imagine the time and pain of costly dental and/or medical issues that could have been averted if those issues had been caught early on or prevented altogether.
In an effort to minimize any barriers to care for members, you can now smile a little brighter because as of July 1, 2021 all preventive dental services are covered at 100% for in-network PPO and Traditional dental providers. Preventive dental services include exams, cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride for eligible dependents.
Don’t have a regular dentist to get your cleanings every six months? Maximize your benefits by using the searchable provider feature on the Blue Cross of Idaho Member Portal to locate a PPO network dentist.
Do you know how often you should visit the dentist or how long you should brush your teeth? It’s easy to remember with the 2-2-2 rule! Brush and floss 2 times a day for 2 minutes and visit the dentist 2 times a year. This rule applies to kids and adults alike.
Most people know that good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease – and can help you keep your teeth as you get older. But, a healthy mouth can also ward off medical disorders. An unhealthy mouth, especially if you have gum disease, may increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, poorly controlled diabetes and preterm labor.
Haven’t set up your Blue Cross of Idaho member portal account? Have your Member ID handy and visit members.bcidaho.com.
Have questions about other covered services? You can review the dental contract on the OGI website: https://ogi.idaho.gov/dental/ or call the customer service number on the back of your Blue Cross of Idaho member ID card.
Cavities are preventable. Model good oral health habits for your whole family.