yourADVANTAGE A newsletter exclusively for FIDELIS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND FIDELIS DUAL ADVANTAGE MEMBERS
FALL 2017 Get Your Flu Shot this Fall Tips for Managing your Medications Breast Cancer Screening Can Save Lives
Looking Ahead to Your Benefits for 2018 By now, you should have received your Annual Notice of Changes and Evidence of Coverage. Please review these important documents to learn more about your benefits and coverage for the year ahead. We want to make sure that all of your questions are answered and that you receive the care and services that you need. At any time during the year, your Fidelis Care Licensed Sales Representative is available to meet with you in the comfort of your home, or at a convenient community location. You can also
call Member Services at 1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544) for assistance. In addition, our online Member Portal at members.fideliscare.org provides many helpful tools. You can find doctors and pharmacies, view claims and deductibles, print temporary ID cards, check eligibility, and more. Thank you for being a Fidelis Care member. We are proud to be your health plan partner, and look forward to serving you in 2018!
Regular Screenings Prevent Diabetes Complications If you have diabetes, it’s important to manage your disease. Getting these tests and screenings regularly can help prevent diabetes complications: Test Your A1C Blood Sugar: The A1C test gives you a picture of your average blood glucose (blood sugar) control for the past 2 to 3 months. The results give you a good idea of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. By measuring the percentage of A1C in the blood, you get an overview of your average blood glucose control for the past few months. Your doctor and you can set a target for your A1C level. Protect Your Kidneys: Diabetes can damage the kidneys and cause them to fail. Failing kidneys lose their ability to filter out waste products, resulting in kidney disease. When kidney disease is diagnosed early, treatment may keep it from getting worse. Check Your Eyes: Diabetes can damage your vision. Damage to the eyes often shows no
symptoms at first. People with diabetes should get an eye exam every year. Cataracts can cause blurry vision, dulling of colors, and increased sensitivity to glare. Speak with your doctor about getting these tests and screenings, and about the steps you can take to be healthy and better manage your diabetes.
Tips for Managing your Medications Keeping track of the medications you take is a key to taking good care of your health. Follow these tips to help you keep track of your medications: ✔ Take your medication at the same time each day. ✔ Take your medication at the same time as something that’s already part of your daily routine, such as brushing your teeth or going to bed. ✔ Put a reminder note on your calendar a week before the medicine is due to run out, and refill your prescription. ✔ On your calendar, track when you take your medication. ✔ Put a reminder note on your refrigerator, medicine cabinet, or bathroom mirror. ✔ Keep your pills in a weekly pill organizer. Medications work best when taken as prescribed.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to take your medications.
Flex Benefit Reimbursement Form Now Available Online!
Have You Had Your Annual Physical Exam?
Members can now fill out their Flex Benefit Reimbursement Form through the Fidelis Care member portal, at members.fideliscare.org, and print it, ready for signature. The form is available by logging in and clicking on the “Downloads” tab.
An annual physical exam with your primary care doctor can keep you healthy or better manage a chronic disease like diabetes or high blood pressure. Regular exams and screenings help prevent health problems before they arise, or they can ensure health problems are found early, when they’re easiest to treat.
Members with the flex benefit can pay for qualified medical purchases or services, and submit the Flex Benefit Reimbursement Form. You can check the status of your flex claims on the member portal.
During your next exam, you can also ask your doctor about what you can do to improve your health, particularly in the areas of diet, exercise and taking your medications as prescribed.
If you have questions about the flex benefit or the care or services that qualify for reimbursement, call Member Services at 1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800695-8544). A list of qualifying expenses is also available on the form.
Ask your doctor what tests or screenings you need. Fidelis Care can help schedule your annual physical exam for you. Call Member Services at 1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544).
Get Your Flu Shot this Fall
Breast Cancer Screening Can Save Lives
Getting the flu shot is the best protection for the approaching flu season. It is recommended to get the flu shot before the end of October. If you’re not able to get a shot by then, there’s still time, as flu season runs through at least early spring.
Mammograms are X-ray screenings of a woman’s breast that can detect tumors. Women with Fidelis Care plans can have a mammogram every year with a $0 copay starting at age 35. Fidelis Care follows the preventive services guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Adults over 65 are most at risk for flu-related complications, making it especially important for older adults to get the flu shot. If you have any questions about the flu shot, talk to your primary care provider. You can also visit a network pharmacy for your flu shot. To find a pharmacy near you, call 1-866-505-6264, or visit www.fideliscare.org and click “Find a Doctor” to use our Provider Search tool.
Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. Speak with your doctor about how often you should have a mammogram. Members can have the mammograms they need, when prescribed by their health care provider. It’s also important for women to conduct breast self-exams at the same time each month, and report any changes to their doctors. If you detect any change, your doctor can give you more information about the best screening plan for you.
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Tips for Staying Healthy A healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of becoming sick or getting injured. Take control of your health by following these tips: Keep a healthy weight Ask your doctor what a healthy weight is for you. Your doctor may also use your Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of body fat based on your weight in relation to your height. You can calculate your BMI here: aarp.org/health/ healthy-living/info-2017/bmi_calculator.html
Stay Physically Active Exercise can help your body stay strong. It can also help delay, prevent, or treat conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Start slowly, and ask your doctor about an exercise routine that’s right for you. Eat Nutritious Food Foods rich in nutrients and low in calories can help you get all the nutrition you need and maintain a healthy weight. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, beans, and nuts. Avoid foods with refined grains, fats that are solid at room temperature, or added sugar.
Fidelis Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Fidelis Care cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. Fidelis Care 遵守適用的聯邦民權法律規定，不因種族、膚色、民族血統、年齡、殘障或性別而歧視任何人。 ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544)。