MEMBER
MESSENGER Spring 2019
In each issue: Provider Updates Benefit Information Finding a Specialist
ESTIMATING COSTS Healthy meals IN A HURRY
Have a medical question? STAYING ON TOP
Can my provider be in my network?
Myth breaker:
of your health
Dashing 5 misconceptions of colonoscopies
Yearly check-ups for your kids
Healthy weight. Healthy Life.
Better health is on the way sanfordhealthplan.com
Have a medical question? If you have a health question but it’s after hours, you can call My Sanford Nurse at (888) 315-0886. The nurses are available to help: • Decide whether to seek care • D ecide what level of care is best for your condition • A pply home care prior to a doctor or hospital visit You can also submit health questions to My Sanford Nurse confidentially and securely through your member account at sanfordhealthplan.com/memberlogin. In your member account, select “Contact Us” and scroll down to “My Sanford Nurse” and click the link to send a secure message.
Finding your important plan information Go to sanfordhealthplan.com and select “Log in” in the upper right corner to register or access your account. In the portal, you can check eligibility, view claims, plan documents, resources, benefit options, submit an authorization, print forms and more.
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STAYING ON TOP of your health Having a primary care provider helps keep you on track with your preventive care. With a trusted partner by your side, they will be able to: • Assess for disease and illnesses • Help you find the correct specialists • Help you navigate the health care system A primary care provider is there to offer consistent, quality health care by getting to know you, your medical history and your lifestyle. They are your health advocate and will make sure you receive the health screenings you need each year including: • Blood pressure • Cholesterol • BMI • Mammogram • Prostate/testicular cancer screening • Immunizations If you do not have a primary care provider, call Sanford Health Plan Customer Service at (800) 499-3416 or visit our online provider directory at sanfordhealthplan.com. 3
Yearly check-ups for your kids So much changes in your child’s health as they grow older, which is why their yearly appointment is so important. Missing their yearly checkup might mean you are missing important milestones in their health. A yearly wellness exam is a comprehensive evaluation of their overall health and gives you and your provider a chance to talk and answer questions. Topics covered include: • Emotional health
• Physical activity
• Preventive health
• Immunizations
• Height and weight
• Screenings
• Nutrition
Well visits are covered by Sanford Health Plan. For more information, contact us or log in to your member portal.
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Better health is on the way If you want to be more active in your health, start forming a better relationship with your health care provider. You can do this by asking a few questions at your next appointment. • W hat can I do to keep in better control of my health? • Why will this help me? • A re there are screenings or tests I should have? • Am I taking my medications correctly? • What else should I know about my health? If you don’t understand the answers your doctor gives you, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask them to explain further. These answer can help prepare you for better health.
ESTIMATING COSTS The FAIR Health Consumer Cost Lookup is a free, easyto-use website offering a cost estimate of medical services in your area. You can use this tool to receive a broad estimate of your out-of-pocket costs for a wide range of medical procedures, services and supplies.
See more at sanfordhealthplan.com/ memberlogin. Click “Health Care Price Estimate” under the Programs and Resources tab.
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Healthy meals IN A HURRY What are you having for dinner tonight? If you are like many people, you don’t know the answer to that question. Leaving meal planning to the last minute often times leads to unhealthy choices like frozen pizza or picking up something from the drive-thru. Stop making nutrition decisions in the moment and set yourself up for success by making health meals your default decision by using meal planning. For as little as four hours or less each week, you can plan, shop and prep healthy meals. Cooking a quick, healthy meal after a long day on the job can become stress-free if you plan your meals ahead of time. Adding in a few days’ worth of meal prep, like chopping and portioning out ingredients, for a few meals each week can make your dinnertime routine easy, fast and enjoyable. Meal planning and shopping for the work week will also save you time and money in the long run. Preparing healthy meals 1. R esearch new and old favorite recipes to make. Look for comfort food makeovers and healthy versions of your favorite meals. 2. M ark meal ideas on a calendar for four meals plus one day of leftovers to make it through the work week. 3. W rite out a grocery list for your meal plan and any other necessities for the week. 4. G rocery shop and prepare the first three days of your meal plan after you get home from the grocery store. This means chopping vegetables, batch cooking whole grains, preparing side dishes or a sauce. 5. E ach weeknight after you have eaten your meal, glance at your plan for the next day. Read your recipe, defrost any frozen items, or quickly prepare raw ingredients that you may need for the next day.
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Can I request a provider be added to my network? If your primary care provider, specialist, therapist, counselor, psychiatrist or psychologist is not contracted with Sanford Health Plan, you can apply for them possibly be added to the network. Follow the instructions HERE to complete the nomination request form. Sanford Health Plan will contact the provider you have nominated to see if they are interested in starting the credentialing process. We cannot guarantee the provider will choose to participate. You will receive a letter confirming your nomination request has been received. We encourage to follow up with your provider as well.
Myth breaker:
Dashing 5 misconceptions of colonoscopies For many people, colonoscopies and other colorectal cancer screenings can be intimidating. It’s something that not many people talk about and those unknowns can make it feel embarrassing. We’ve broken down the top five myths of colonoscopies so we can set the record straight and you can overcome any fear and get screened.
1. Risk : :
I have no family history and no symptoms so I don’t need to get screened. 75 percent of colorectal cancers occur in people with no known risk factors or family history.
2. Cost : :
Colonoscopies and other screenings are expensive. olorectal cancer screenings are covered as a preventive health benefit through most insurance C companies including Sanford Health Plan. If you are 50 and older, your screening is covered. Sanford Health Plan members can log into their secure mySanfordHealthPlan accounts to view plan documents or call customer service at (800) 499-3416 for more information.
3. Pain : :
Screening is difficult and painful. here are many different screenings available and none of them should be painful. There are at T home tests that require no special preparation or dietary restrictions at all. You collect a stool sample at home and mail it back. It’s that easy. If you and your doctor decide a colonoscopy is the best screening choice for you, you will need to complete the bowel preparation step but it shouldn’t be painful. You will be sedated during the actual procedure to keep you comfortable.
4. Too busy : :
It is too hard to find the time to take off work and find a ride home. he new home testing kits require you to take no time off and no special prep. If you and your T doctor decide that a colonoscopy is the best screening for you, talk to your doctor about scheduling it at a time that is best for you. Use the weekend, holidays or other scheduled days off to minimize the inconvenience. You can go back to work the next day.
5. Embarrassing : :
It’s too embarrassing to talk about it with my doctor. I t is important to take charge of your health and well-being. Caring about your health and future is nothing to be embarrassed about. Your doctor is a professional and will not judge. They want you to be healthy, too.
Men and women age 50 and older should talk to their doctor about the colorectal cancer screening test that is right for them. If you need help finding a doctor, contact Customer Service.
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Provider Update To see the most current list of providers, visit sanfordhealthplan.com/ memberlogin
Benefit Information For additional Health Plan benefit information, visit sanfordhealthplan.com/ memberlogin or call Customer Service at (800) 499-3416.
Finding a Specialist If your doctor refers you to a specialist, but the specialist is not available as soon as you would like, you have options. Ask the clinic if a similar specialist is available or call Sanford Health Plan Customer Service.
CONTACT US memberservices@ sanfordhealth.org (800) 499-3416 TTY: (877) 652-1884 Language Line: (800) 892-0675
Healthy weight. Healthy Life. Keeping a healthy weight is a major component of living a healthy life. Proper nutrition and regular physical activity is a large part of keeping your weight under control. Those who follow a healthy diet and exercise, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, are known to live longer and have fewer chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Many of those chronic diseases are preventable and account for a majority of the health care costs in the U.S. The obesity epidemic doesn’t just affect adults. In fact, 1 in 5 children struggle with weight issues. If you need help with your diet or an exercise plan, Sanford Health Plan has resources to help you on your path to a healthy weight. Please call (605) 328-6888 for more information.
SVHP-2876 Rev. 3/19