Blue & You - Winter 2014

WINTER
2014
A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies
page
8
Need help enrolling
in the Marketplace?
pages
4 -7
SilverSneakers
award winner
page
10
New online tools
for members
page
16

of
Betty Foster
stretches
out in her
SilverSneakers ®
class in
Jonesboro.
(see story
on page 10)
3
4
Taking innovative steps to address
health care cost and quality
Ringing in the new health
insurance plans
12
13
14
Resolving to lose weight? Let us help!
Small resolutions, big impact
UAM honors Arkansas Blue Cross executive
5
6
Affordable health insurance options
Arkansas Blue Cross teams up
with Goodwill to enroll
uninsured Arkansans
Don’t forget a dental plan!
15
16
2014 Blue & You Fitness Challenge
Arkansas Blue Cross recognized by
Information Week
How much will your medical
procedure cost you? Find out online!
8
10
Live Fearless: A member’s
search to reclaim her life leads
her to search and rescue
A complete transformation:
SilverSneakers award winner
17
18
19
New website for Medi-Pak
Advantage members
When was your last tetanus shot?
Is it too late to vaccinate?
Customer Service telephone numbers
20
Foundation offers $1,000 mini grants
WINTER
2014
Blue & You is published four times a year by Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield for the company’s members, health care professionals
and other persons interested in health care and wellness.
Health information from sources outside of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield do not necessarily represent the official position of the company.
EDITOR: Jennifer Sullivan – bnyou-ed@arkbluecross.com • DESIGNER: Ryan Kravitz • PHOTOGRAPHER: Chip Bayer
CONTRIBUTORS: Will Ballard, Chip Bayer, Matthew Creasman, Damona Fisher, Kristy Fleming, Lauren Green,
Trey Hankins, Heather Iacobacci-Miller, Jessica Kelley, Genny Kirchner, Kathy Luzietti, Wendy McCullar, Ben McVay,
Mark Morehead, Alex Roberts, Lee Smith, Kelly Whitehorn and Stephen Wilson
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS and PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Karen Raley
2 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014
on the
cover
Donna Waugh, president of the American Scent Dog
Association (ASDA), walks with John D, her companion
for search and rescue operations.

OUT
Taking innovative steps to address
health care cost and quality
At Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, it is
important for us to keep a focus on the cost
and quality of the health care our members
receive. We continue to work to ensure the
doctors and hospitals within our networks
receive compensation for their services that
is fair, but we also strive to have competitive
pricing in the market. We understand that the
biggest portion of your premium is a direct
result of medical costs.
As we move into this new health care
marketplace, Arkansas Blue Cross is working
to improve both the cost and quality of the
care you receive in the following ways:
1. With the passing of the Medicaid private
option in Arkansas and many other states,
it stands to reason that there will be less
uncompensated medical care. Previously,
people who did not have health insurance
often were not able to pay for medical
care. The cost of this uncompensated
care is paid by all of us in higher health
insurance premiums. We are working
closely with doctors and hospitals to
create a payment reform system that
creates a win/win outcome for everyone.
2. We already are beginning to pay
our primary care doctors to be more
proactive in providing care . Instead of
simply treating a patient’s symptoms,
we are giving doctors incentives to
reach out to patients to keep them
healthy, and help people with chronic
conditions better manage their illness.
Your doctor’s office may contact you if
you haven’t had preventive screenings
or tests to manage a health condition.
We also are providing primary care
BLUE
a message from our President and CEO,
MARK WHITE
doctors with actionable information
on specialists in their area to assist in
finding the best fit for you if you need
further treatment.
3. In the past, if you had a medical
condition that was treated by several
doctors, or maybe even a hospital stay,
the information about your care may
not have been available to everyone
involved. To address this, medical
specialists are being tasked to become
team leaders in coordinating your care.
This way, all your medical providers will
be more aware of your entire course
of treatment, not just their part, and
that coordination should improve your
overall care.
4. We are using our vast storehouse
of data to provide specialists with
information on how their practice
stands in relation to their peers in the
same field. This helps them to determine
if there are ways they can improve their
delivery of services to you.
It is too early to claim victory for many
of these initiatives, but we do know that
doctors and hospitals are working with the
insurance industry to discuss ways to use
the latest technology and data available in
support of providing the highest quality and
most efficient care. This initiative will have
a positive impact on the cost of your health
care and the quality of that care.
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU
3

Ringing in
the new
health insurance
plans
As we ring in the New Year,
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield continues to offer our new
health insurance plans — on and
off the federal government’s Health
Insurance Marketplace — and
welcomes many new members.
If you are under 65, not eligible for
Medicare, and are eligible for lowcost
or free health insurance on the
Marketplace, you still have until
March 31 to sign up. If you have
friends or family who may qualify, let
them know that Arkansas Blue Cross
is ready to help them enroll. We also
have affordable options for people
shopping off the Marketplace.
Call an agent or call us at
1-800-310-3778, or go to our
website, arkansasbluecross.com,
to find out more about the health
plans available. You can use the
“Do I Qualify for a Tax Credit”
online tool to find out if you could
receive financial help on your
health insurance premium. You
can even visit one of 12 Goodwill
Industries of Arkansas ® stores to
talk with an Arkansas Blue Cross
representative (see page 6).
4 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014
Remember, if you have an individual
or family plan purchased before
April 2010, you have a grandfathered
plan, which is exempt from many
health care law regulations. Don’t
give up your grandfathered plan
without talking to an Arkansas Blue
Cross representative or your agent.
If you lose this plan, you can’t get it
back. If you have a Medicare plan or
an employer-purchased health plan,
your health insurance needs already
should be covered.
Whether you already are enrolled in
a plan or still looking, you can put
your trust in Arkansas Blue Cross to
provide you with the best possible
coverage and service.

If you are young
and healthy and in need of
health insurance, you may want to
consider health plan options sold off the
Health Insurance Marketplace. Essential Blue
Freedom from Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
offers quality health insurance at an affordable rate.
Essential Blue Freedom offers $30 copayments for doctor’s office
visits, $15 generic prescription drugs, a $1,000 deductible and
$2,000 out-of-pocket maximum. Because it is not approved for
the Marketplace, you will have a review of your medical history
and you will have to pay the penalty for not purchasing a
government-approved health plan. Even with the penalty,
Essential Blue Freedom may save you money.
To learn more, call us at 1-800-310-3778,
visit with an agent, or go to our website,
arkansasbluecross.com. You will
be glad you did!
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU
5

Arkansas Blue Cross
teams with Goodwill to
enroll uninsured Arkansans
An Arkansas Blue Cross representative talks to a
customer at the North Little Rock Goodwill store.
®
Do you have friends or family
who need help enrolling
in free or low-cost health
insurance plans on the Health
Insurance Marketplace?
Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield has teamed
with Goodwill Industries
of Arkansas ® to provide
assistance in 12 Goodwill
retail stores in the state.
You can shop for bargains
and health insurance at
the same time!
Certified insurance agents
are manning Arkansas Blue
Cross enrollment stations in
the Goodwill retail stores. They
can walk Arkansans through
the enrollment process,
answer questions and help
them select a health plan.
“We are honored to
collaborate with Goodwill
Industries of Arkansas in
helping provide Arkansans
with health insurance
coverage,” said Karen
Raley, vice president of
Communications and Product
Development for Arkansas
Blue Cross. “Arkansans
without insurance face
barriers in accessing quality
health care and necessary
medications. Our certified
agents will guide those
whom Goodwill serves every
day through the eligibility
and enrollment process so
that they can get coverage
to help take better care of
themselves, which in turn
Don’t forget A
dental
plan!
6 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014

Agents are at the 12 Goodwill locations an average of 20 hours
a week. Check your local store for hours of operation or go
online to arkansasbluecross.com to find out more. Goodwill
locations hosting Arkansas Blue Cross enrollment stations are:
supports their ability to take
good care of their families.”
“Goodwill gives people a
hand up, not a hand out to
prepare them for successful
employment,” said Brian
Itzkowitz, president and CEO of
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.
“Educating and helping people
access free or low-cost health
care coverage aligns with our
mission of improving the lives
of individuals, families
and communities.”
Benton
1716 Military Rd.
Bryant
5914 Highway 5N
Cabot
204 S. Rockwood Dr.
Fayetteville
3105 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
705 E. Appleby Rd.
Little Rock
7400 Scott Hamilton Rd.
109 Markham Park Dr.
Mountain Home
759 Highway 62 East, Suite 102
North Little Rock
6929 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Paragould
2808 W. Kingshighway
Rogers
4301 South Dixieland Rd.
Russellville
2100 North Arkansas Ave.
Did you know that under the health care
law, pediatric dental coverage is one of
the 10 Essential Health Benefits?
Dental coverage is not automatically
included in government-approved health
insurance plans. If you buy a health plan
online through Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield, you will be prompted to add
dental coverage for children if you
indicate that you are buying a family
plan. And, if you receive a tax credit,
it can be used to pay for pediatric
dental coverage.
If you are unsure of how to purchase
dental insurance coverage or want
to learn more, go online to
arkansasbluecross.com, call an agent,
or give us a call at 1-800-310-3778.
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU 7

How does a headache send someone to
Hollywood for a national award? It was
a 10-year journey, but Donna Waugh’s
transformation from an emergency room
patient to the head of a dedicated canine
search and rescue organization is a
testament to her choice to live fearless.
In 2004, Donna, a human resources
consultant, experienced an intense headache
that persisted for days. “I tried to ignore it,
but I felt like my head had been hit with a
sledgehammer. My border collie, Harrison,
seemed very concerned. At his ‘insistence,’ I
finally went to the emergency room.”
A member’s
search to reclaim
her life leads
her to search
and rescue
Donna had four blood clots in her brain.
“The doctors said I might have a stroke any
minute. We weren’t sure I would survive the
weekend.” Donna’s clots were a complication
from treatment for a benign but hemorrhaging
tumor. She spent 11 days in the hospital to
stabilize her condition, and then was in and
out of the hospital for another six months.
Doctors also discovered tumors on an ovary
and a kidney. They feared she had cancer.
“Late one night I was home alone, and I called
the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
nurse hotline at 3 a.m. I was scared. I thought
I was going to die, and if I was, I wanted to
know what it was going to be like. What sort
of tests would be done? What options did I
have? Would it hurt? The nurse, who was very
empathetic, said, ‘We’ll talk however long you
need to talk; I am here.’ It was such a great
experience to have that resource. For me to
get an appointment with a counselor would
have taken at least a week, but calling that
hotline was akin to reaching my hand out in
the dark and finding someone to hold onto.”
The tumors turned out to not be cancerous, but
having to face her mortality again and again,
Donna realized she could choose to live in fear
or live fearlessly. “I was determined to not let
an illness control my life, so I picked the only
thing that combined my greatest fear (death)
with my only sense of security... my dog.”
Donna found a K9 search and rescue (SAR)
team and told them she was coming to
join. “I’m sure they laughed. Few people
8 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014

can truly commit to the rigorous and
expensive demands. And the human tragedy
encountered with each search is the stuff of
which nightmares are made.”
But Donna was not deterred. “Being lost and
alone – it was a physical representation of
my health scares. I decided that I was going
to come face to face with all of it, with my
dog by my side, and I was going to take
control of my life again.”
Donna drove up to her first search and
rescue training wearing makeup and new
designer outdoor clothing.
After about 10 minutes of seeing other dogs
smell an object and take off down the paths,
Harrison was bored. “He yanked me to a
ballcap lying on the ground, sniffed it, and
off he ran. They ran across the park, beside
a campground, through the middle of a
ball game and right up into the bleachers.
Harrison stopped in front of an elderly
woman who reached down and pulled
something from beneath her. “We have a
find,” she said into a radio. “Who are you?”
That was 10 years ago. Since then Donna has
received SARTECH ll designation, various
Federal Emergency Management Agency
certifications and become the president of
the American Scent Dog Association (ASDA).
“I’ve trained three of my personal dogs for
search and rescue, along with countless
other canines on the team.”
Donna and her dogs searched
through major water-logged debris
after the floods in Nashville, Tenn.;
cleared dangerous rubble piles after
an F5 tornado hit Joplin, Mo.; and
held the hands of mothers whose
children may never come home.
In 2010, Donna was asked to help the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
(UAMS) launch a study to determine if SAR
dogs could be cross-trained to detect the scent
of human cancer. There currently are 10 dogs
involved in ovarian and thyroid cancer studies.
In October, Donna’s dog, John D, won the
National 2013 Hero Dog Award in the search
and rescue category (Harrison is enjoying
retirement). John D was recognized for his
cross training; he’s proven to find live people
and human remains, and he can do land and
water searches. He’s also involved in both
UAMS cancer studies. Donna, John D and
members of ASDA traveled to Hollywood
for a taping of the show, which aired on the
Hallmark Channel.
Pictured (from left): Terri Alpe, Donna Waugh,
and CeCe Todd with dogs (from left) Glee,
John D and Ziva.
“As John D’s mom, I had the privilege of
accepting his award in front of the hundreds
of people there and the millions who
watched later,” Donna said. “It was, once
again, easy to find courage with my fearless
dog beside me.
“And that’s what inspires me,” Donna said. “I
still have health concerns, but I learned that
I can’t live in fear or fear of the unknown.
Instead, I choose to follow the lead of my
dog by living bravely and bringing hope to
others through the work of ASDA.”
Do you know an Arkansas Blue Cross
member who chooses to live fearless?
Tell us about them! We would love to
feature them in a future issue of Blue & You.
Email us at bnyou-ed@arkbluecross.com.
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU
9

A Complete
transformation
A beneficiary of the SilverSneakers ® Fitness Program,
Betty Foster now is one of its top advocates
The very first thing one
notices when entering the
SilverSneakers class in
Jonesboro is the presence of
Betty Foster. It is unavoidable
— she lights up the room. Her
smile, good humor and energy
are absolutely contagious. It is
no wonder she is the recipient
of the 2013 Richard L. Swanson
Inspiration Award, a national
award given every year to the
most inspiring member of the
SilverSneakers program.
“Betty Foster is one of the
funniest and most inspiring
people I know,” said Kara
Fowler, the SilverSneakers
instructor in Jonesboro. “From
her silly sneeze, to her sassy
10 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014
jokes, to her dozens of pairs of
socks and sneakers to match
her outfits, she just always
gives us something to smile
about. That is why I nominated
her for the Richard L. Swanson
Inspiration Award.”
What is much more difficult
to believe is that Betty
was not always like this.
“You just wouldn’t believe
how I was,” said Betty. “I was
taking depression medication
three times a day, and I
couldn’t talk to anybody.”
She didn’t even want
to begin attending the
SilverSneakers class when
it first began in Jonesboro.
“When it first started
my brother joined
it immediately and
he told me about it,”
said Betty. “I was going
through a stage of depression;
it came and went quite a bit,
and I couldn’t get up enough
nerve to come. It took me
two months to come because
I knew nobody here. Finally,
one day I said, ‘I’m going
to do it.’”
She found nothing but friendly
faces when she arrived.
“I came and they showed me
around,” Betty said. “They
showed me all the machines.
And I did pretty good so I
thought, ‘I’ll go back.’”

She went back again and
again and again. In fact, Betty
has only missed a handful of
days at the fitness center in
the past seven years.
“She was quiet in the
beginning,” said Kara.
“We were all somewhat
quiet. But over the past sixplus
years, my class has
grown to become a family.
My class represents the
perfect example of what
SilverSneakers stands for, and
I personally think Betty had a
little something to do with it.”
Now Betty is as much a
fixture in the fitness center
as the exercise machines.
“I come three days to the
SilverSneakers class and two
days to the water aerobics
class, so I’m here five days
a week — every week,”
said Betty. “I make all my
doctors’ appointments early
in the morning so I can come
here. This is my life.”
That SilverSneakers is her
life is fitting, considering
how it has improved her life.
“I can talk to people, I can meet
people, I can joke with them, I
can be myself,” Betty said. “I’m
off my depression medicine,
and that means a lot. I know
it’s helped me physically, but
the mental aspect of this is the
main thing for me.”
According to Kara, Betty is
not only a model member
of SilverSneakers, but also
a wonderful ambassador for
the program.
Betty Foster (seated) and her SilverSneakers team in Jonesboro
are led by class instructor Kara Fowler (back row, far left)
“She sets a perfect example
for others,” Kara said. “She
always tries to include
others and even picks them
up, if necessary, to ensure
they are here. She’s
always bright-eyed and
bushy-tailed, cheering
herself up and cheering
up those around her. She’s
overcome her depression
and come out of her shell.
She is a new person.
I think she is a perfect
representation of what
the SilverSneakers fitness
program is all about.”
Kara might be glad to know
that Betty has every intention
of staying with the program
for the long haul.
“I don’t plan on ever giving
this up,” Betty said. “I’m
afraid I’d slip back into
depression if I gave this up.
This is my life and I love it.”
I can talk to people,
I can meet people,
I can joke with them,
I can be myself
– BETTY FOSTER
For more information on SilverSneakers, call 1-888-423-4632, or visit silversneakers.com.
SilverSneakers ® is a registered mark of Healthways, Inc. The SilverSneakers ® Fitness Program is
provided by Healthways, Inc., an independent company that operates separately from Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU
11

Resolving
to
lose weight?
If one of your resolutions was to lose weight, let us help! Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield can help you win at losing — FOR FREE!
The Healthy Weigh education program is available to most of our members.*
To join, complete and return the enrollment form included in this magazine.
We’ve even provided a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope! It’s that easy!
Members will receive free information each month by mail, including:
• Guides on weight loss, fitness and
maintaining a healthy weight
• Information on fun activities
• Recipes and menus
• Tips on buying groceries and eating out
• Information on walking
• Healthy eating tips for grandchildren
• Strength training information
• A portion-size placemat
Want to know more? Call the Health Education
Program’s toll-free number: 1-800-686-2609.
* The Healthy Weigh! health education program is available to most members of Arkansas
Blue Cross, Health Advantage and BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas. Members
with Medi-Pak ® supplement and Medi-Pak Rx health plans and Arkansas state and public
school employees are not eligible. Some BlueAdvantage members may not be eligible.
Check your benefits for more information or call Customer Service to find out.
12 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014

SMALL RESOLUTIONS, BIG IMPACT
Happy New Year!
So what are your New Year’s resolutions?
If you are one of the millions of Americans
who rang in the New Year with a list of
resolutions, you probably included eating
healthier, getting more exercise, or just
living a healthier lifestyle on that list.
Instead of setting big challenges for
yourself this year, consider a new approach.
Consider smaller, more manageable goals.
Each small resolution can have a big
impact on your health over the course
of a year. Don’t be afraid to think small.
Eat one piece of fruit each day
Drink one less soda per day
Go for a 30 minute walk daily
Clear your mind and breathe easy for five minutes
Don’t go back for seconds
Auld Lang
Sigh
8%
Percent of people who
achieve their New Year’s
resolution each year*
38%
Percent of Americans who
absolutely never make
New Year’s resolutions*
*Source: University of
Scranton Journal of Clinical
Psychology (2012).
Talk to your Doc!
At Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield,
we encourage you to pursue a healthy 2014.
Just make sure your body is equipped
to handle any new exercise routines. The
American College of Sports Medicine
recommends visiting your doctor before
vigorous exercise if two or more of
the following health conditions apply:
Man older than 45;
woman older than 55
Family history of heart
disease before age 55
Smoker or quit smoking
in the past six months
Have not exercised in
three or more months
Overweight or obese
High blood pressure
or high cholesterol
Impaired glucose
tolerance (prediabetes)
Top 5
Resolutions
IN 2013
1 Exercise more
2 Improve finances
3 Be healthier
4 Lose weight
5 Read more
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU 13

NEWS
University of Arkansas at Monticello
honors Arkansas Blue Cross executive
Martha Carlson, regional executive for
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s west
central sales and service center in Fort
Smith, was one of four graduates honored
in October during the University of Arkansas
at Monticello’s (UAM) Alumni Awards for
Achievement and Merit annual banquet.
Martha Carlson
receives
recognition
from UAM
Chancellor
Jack Lassiter.
The awards are given to graduates who
have had successful careers and who are
positive reflections of the university. As
a regional executive, Martha oversees
operations in seven counties, including
membership, doctor and hospital relations,
customer service initiatives and all
business sold in the region.
Martha graduated from UAM in 1988
with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
She now holds a master’s degree in
business administration from Florida State
University and recently completed the
Walton Emerging Leaders Program at the
Sam M. Walton College of Business at the
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
“I am incredibly grateful for my UAM
education as well as the experience I
had there,” Martha said. “This award is
validation of my dream of a better life
through education.”
Martha almost didn’t attend college, but
a school counselor convinced her to go.
UAM, she said, was a great fit. “It was
close to home and many of the students
there were like me, from small rural towns
and also first generation college students.
Not only did I receive a degree from UAM,
but I met my husband of almost 27 years
there and made lifelong friends.”
2014 Blue & You Fitness Challenge
The Blue & You Fitness Challenge will kick off on
March 1, 2014. Group and individual registration began
in December 2013. It’s not too late to register – visit
blueandyoufitnesschallenge-ark.com for more details.
The Blue & You Fitness Challenge is an annual threemonth
physical activity contest designed to encourage
healthy living. The Challenge encourages participants to
exercise 30 minutes each day, most days of the week.
14 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014

Arkansas Blue Cross recognized by InformationWeek
as a top innovator for 10th consecutive year
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been
recognized by InformationWeek magazine as
one of 500 “Top Innovators” in Information
Technology (IT) in the country for the 10th
consecutive year. According to Joseph Smith,
senior vice president of Private Programs and
chief information officer for Arkansas Blue
Cross, a lot of groundwork took place before
the company started gaining recognition. “This
effort really goes back about 20 years,” he said.
Some of the innovations that have earned
recognition include:
The Advanced Health Information Network
(AHIN), which provides doctors and hospitals
with free, secure, online access to patient
eligibility and claims information.
Online tools that give greater control over
health care spending to policyholders who
want to take advantage of health savings
accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement
arrangements (HRAs) or flexible spending
accounts (FSAs).
The innovative strategy developed by
Arkansas Blue Cross to comply with
the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The IDC-10 Neutralizer, which is a program
designed to smooth the transition to
an updated system for the International
Classification of Diseases.
Beyond the 10 consecutive years of recognition
by InformationWeek, Joe was honored as
an “Elite 8” executive in 2011 by Insurance
& Technology magazine, and the ICD-10
Neutralizer earned Arkansas Blue Cross
it’s first ever U.S. patent.
“There are a ton of people who have made it
possible for us to win this award on an annual
basis for the past 10 years,” said Joe. “Other
companies may be bigger and have a lot more
people and resources, but that does not mean
they are bigger innovators. I’d stack our folks
up against anyone in the country.”
Hundreds of Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield employees
participate in the annual Susan
G. Komen Race for the Cure
each October. As the largest
corporate team, Arkansas Blue
Cross employees were walking,
running, handing out lip balm,
delivering water or just cheering
on the participants. It’s our way
of showing that we “live fearless”
for a cure for breast cancer.
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU
15

How much WILL your
medical procedure cost YOU?
Find out
online!
Have you ever wondered,
“How much will my
daughter’s tonsillectomy
cost?”(Or any other
procedure?) The number
of variables makes it a
complicated question to
answer, but as an Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield or
Health Advantage member,
you have a quick and easy
way to estimate your costs
for 359 different procedures
— and soon to be more!
We wanted health
care costs to be
more transparent
to our members.
– Karen Raley
Vice President of Communications
& Product Development
The Treatment Cost
Calculator is an established
tool with an exciting update
that will help you budget
for your health care costs.
To access it, log in to
My Blueprint, our online
member self-service
website through
arkansasbluecross.com or
healthadvantage-hmo.com,
and select “estimate your
treatment cost.” Then
simply choose which
person on your policy is
seeking treatment, enter
your ZIP code and select
a procedure. In the case
of a tonsillectomy, you
would select “Ear, Nose
and Throat” treatments
and choose costs for
“Tonsillectomy and
Adenoidectomy.”
The tool will list all providers
who perform tonsillectomies
in the area you chose. If
there are none, the tool
automatically will expand
the search to find the nearest
health care provider that does.
Previously, the tool would
only display a range of
minimum and maximum
amounts and the average
cost of a procedure before
benefits were factored.
(These figures are based
on the claims history of
health care providers.)
Now, the tool also pulls
information from your plan
and benefits to determine
coverage and how much of
your deductible has been
met. It even estimates your
potential out-of-pocket cost!
“We understand that
sometimes the household
budget sets priorities, so we
wanted health care costs
to be more transparent
to our members,” said
Karen Raley, vice president
of Communications &
Product Development. “The
estimates of this calculator
are procedure-, plan- and
provider-specific, so we hope
it makes finding affordable
health care easier. The number
of searchable treatments
is expected to increase to
1,632 in a few months, which
means it’s a growing resource
for our valued members.”
The bottom line is, we want
you to know how much a
procedure may cost before
you go to the hospital.
16 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014

new website
opens for
Medi-Pak ®
Advantage
members
If you are one of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s
Medi-Pak Advantage members, we have created a secure
website just for you! Now you can get personalized
information about your benefits any time you want!
The My Blueprint site can be accessed by visiting
arkansasbluecross.com, selecting the “members” tab
and then choosing the “My Blueprint” button. You will
need your member ID to create an account. After setting
up your personal account, you will find that the new
My Blueprint site is…
PERSONAL FUNCTIONAL INFORMATIONAL
You can review a summary
of benefits and coverage,
search for covered
drugs and calculate your
prescription costs. You
also can find a Personal
Health Record where
you can review your
medical history.
Medicare, pharmacy
and Arkansas Blue
Cross forms are
available for easy
downloading and
printing. You also can
search a directory of
in-network doctors and
hospitals in your area.
You can view videos with health
and wellness tips from Arkansas
Blue Cross’ very own medical
directors, as well as find healthy
versions of your favorite recipes.
You can learn about programs
like SilverSneakers, the nation’s
leading exercise program designed
exclusively for older adults. The site
also features an archive of Ageless
issues, the Arkansas Blue Cross
publication dedicated to Medi-Pak
Advantage members.
Come visit My Blueprint
online to make the most
out of your benefits!
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU
17

When was your last tetanus shot ?
We typically associate tetanus with stepping
on a rusty nail. And, because we do, we have a
tendency to wait until we step on a rusty nail
to get a tetanus shot.
But, did you know tetanus is a disease caused
by bacteria that live in dust, animal waste and
even soil? That means any time you get a cut,
burn, splinter, puncture, insect bite or scrape,
your wound could become infected with these
bacteria. Just consider how frequently you get
small cuts and scrapes while gardening and
how easy it is for dirt to get in the wound.
The incubation period for tetanus is
seven to eight days. That means by the
time you begin to see symptoms you
may have forgotten that cut you got in
the garden last week. So, it helps to
know the symptoms — just in case.
Common signs of tetanus are:
Spasms and stiffness
in your jaw muscles
Stiffness of your neck muscles
Difficulty swallowing
Stiffness of your
abdominal muscles
Painful body spasms lasting
for several minutes, usually
triggered by a draft, loud noise,
physical touch or light
In addition, you could experience fever,
sweating, elevated blood pressure or a
rapid heart rate. In fact, it is possible for the
bacteria to build up to the point where your
breathing is severely hindered and could —
in extreme cases — result in death.
Most people get an initial tetanus shot when
they are 6 years old. Doctors recommend a
booster shot every 10 years after that. If your
last tetanus shot was when you stepped
on that nail way back when, or if you can’t
remember your last shot, you might want to
consider getting a booster shot.
Tetanus
is a disease caused by
bacteria that live in dust,
animal waste and even soil.
So, when was your
last tetanus shot?
18 BLUE & YOU WINTER 2014

Is it too late TO
vaccinate?
True or False: It’s already January, so
it’s too late for me to get the flu vaccine.
False. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, the first flu vaccine
shipments begin in late July and continue until all
products are distributed. However, the peak time
for influenza activity isn’t until January and stays
active through winter and often well into spring.
Since it takes about two weeks for your body
to develop the antibodies, you can still get the
vaccine. If you and your family members are ages
6 months or older and in good health, you should
visit your doctor, pharmacist or a clinic to receive
the flu vaccine and protect your health!
CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBERS
May we help? For customer
service, please call:
LITTLE ROCK
TOLL FREE
Number (501)
Number
Medi-Pak ® members 378-3062 1-800-338-2312
Medi-Pak ® Advantage members 1-877-233-7022
Medi-Pak ® Rx members 1-866-390-3369
Arkansas Blue Cross members 378-2010 1-800-238-8379
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-863-5561
• Specialty Rx pharmacy questions 1-866-295-2779
Metallic Plan (Gold, Silver, Bronze,
Catastrophic) members 1-800-800-4298
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-969-3983
Health Advantage members 378-2363 1-800-843-1329
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-863-5567
BlueAdvantage members 378-3600 1-888-872-2531
• Pharmacy questions 1-888-293-3748
Federal Employee members 378-2531 1-800-482-6655
Looking for health or dental insurance? We can help!
For individuals, families 378-2937 1-800-392-2583
For employer groups* 378-3070 1-800-421-1112
*Arkansas Blue Cross, Health Advantage and BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas
Percentage of visits for Influenza-like illness
8 –
7 –
6 –
5 –
4 –
3 –
2 –
1 –
0 –
OCT.
2012
2012-2013 FLU SEASON
NOV.
2012
DEC.
2012
JAN.
2012
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Prefer to speak with someone close to home?
Call or visit one of our offices near you:
• ArkansasBlue — Little Rock
2612 S. Shackleford Rd., Suite J 1-501-378-2222
• Fayetteville
516 East Millsap Rd., Suite 103 1-800-817-7726
• Fort Smith
3501 Old Greenwood Rd., Suite 5 1-866-254-9117
• Hot Springs
100 Greenwood Ave., Suite C 1-800-588-5733
• Jonesboro
707 East Matthews Ave. 1-800-299-4124
• Little Rock
601 Gaines Street 1-800-421-1112
• ArkansasBlue — Pine Bluff
509 Mallard Loop Drive 1-800-236-0369
• Texarkana
1710 Arkansas Boulevard 1-800-470-9621
Visit our websites for more information:
arkansasbluecross.com • healthadvantage-hmo.com
blueadvantagearkansas.com
blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org
WINTER 2014 BLUE & YOU
FEB.
2012
19

Foundation offers
$1,000
mini grants to
healthimprovement
programs
Does your organization need some
support for its community healthimprovement
project? The Blue & You
Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas
might be able to help.
Any 501(c)(3) public charity, public school,
governmental agency or nonprofit hospital
in Arkansas is eligible to apply. Churches
also are eligible if their health-improvement
program reaches beyond its own congregation.
Grants are not made to individuals.
Grant guidelines and online applications can be
found at BlueAndYouFoundationArkansas.org.
During the months of February through
April, the Blue & You Foundation is accepting
applications for $1,000 mini grants to support
health-improvement projects in Arkansas.
MPI 1991 1/14