Blue & You - Summer 2014

Summer
2014
A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies
page
10
Get the health
care you need
page
4
Tornado
recovery
page
6
Bicycle
safety
page
12
2014 Financial Information Privacy Notice • PAGE 22

Do you know the
proper way for
your child to wear
a bicycle helmet?
Find out!
(see story
on page 12)
3
- Neighbor to neighbor
4
- Get the health care you need
6
- Helping our neighbors after
the storm
8
9
10
12
14
- Preventive services
- What’s wrong with this picture?
- What’s in your genes?
- Living Fearlessly: A summer
swim turns into a struggle
for Kali Hardig’s life
- Bicycle safety
- Car seat safety
17
18
19
20
- Healthy tastes great!
- Arkansas Blue Cross brings dentists
to Arkansas
- Foundation awards 126 mini-grants,
takes applications for major grants
- Helping kids at Second Chance Ranch
to Live Fearless
- Employees make calls for Arkansas
Children’s Hospital
15
- Helmets in storms
21
- Newsworthy promotions and hiring
16
- Beginner’s guide to reading
food labels
22
- Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
financial information privacy notice
23
- Born too early
- Customer Service numbers
24
- Insurance made easy
SUMMER
2014
EDITOR: Jennifer Gordon – bnyou-ed@arkbluecross.com • DESIGNER: Ryan Kravitz • PHOTOGRAPHER: Chip Bayer
CONTRIBUTORS: Chip Bayer, Ben McVay and Alex Roberts VICE PRESIDENT of CORPORATE MARKETING: Karen Raley
MANAGER of COMMUNICATIONS and eMARKETING: Kelly Whitehorn
BLUE & YOU Summer 2014
on the
cover
Kali Hardig, snuggles her Yorkshire terrier puppy,
Chloe, while talking about surviving a deadly amoeba.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR
As I walked through the devastation of the
April tornado that hit Mayflower and Vilonia,
I was reminded once again how precious and
precarious life can be. In a matter of minutes,
the storm leveled homes and took several
lives. And, within hours, the employees of
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield rallied
to reach out to everyone affected by the
storm, whether they were our members, our
employees or our fellow Arkansans.
That kind of response is what I’ve come
to expect from our Blue Team, because
Arkansas Blue Cross isn’t just a health
insurance company; we are your neighbors.
And, whether you are right here in central
Arkansas or have coverage in another state,
we will give you that same dedication,
because we believe in providing the best
service possible to each and every member.
You can learn more about our response to
the tornado in this issue of Blue & You, along
with many other ways we reach out to our
neighbors. From special events for the Second
Chance Ranch to Blue & You Foundation grants
for organizations throughout the Natural
State, we do our best to improve the lives of
everyone around us.
With that kind of dedication, it’s no wonder
Arkansas Blue Cross has been trusted for
more than 65 years to provide affordable,
reliable health insurance plans. Many families
have been with our company for generations.
That same trust has made us the most widely
accepted health care coverage by medical
professionals, not only in Arkansas, but
nationwide as part of the Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Association. The 37 independent, locally
operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans
work together to create a vast network that
allows you access to top doctors, specialists
and hospitals in all 50 states. Nationwide,
more doctors choose Blue Cross and Blue
Shield health plans for their own families.
So, whether you live right here in Little Rock,
or anywhere in the country, we want to thank
you for putting your trust in our family of
companies. Being neighborly is a state of
mind, not of geography, and we want you to
know we will always be there for you.
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU

GET THE
YOU NEED
When you neeD IT
nder the federal health care law
and, in Arkansas, with the “private option,”
tens of thousands of Arkansans have health
insurance — many for the first time. While
health insurance is important for you to get
the health care services you need, it also is
important to understand how to get care in
a health system that already is crowded.
Choosing a primary care provider
The most important first step when you
have health insurance is to select and build a
relationship with a primary care provider (PCP).
Your PCP is the best friend your family’s
health will ever have. A PCP is a doctor who
specializes in primary care, either working
individually or leading a team where a nurse
practitioner or physician assistant may assume
the role of PCP as part of the team looking
after you. Most PCPs are family practice
physicians or internists. However, some PCPs
specialize in children (pediatrics) and some in
the care of senior citizens (geriatrics).
4 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014
After you have selected a PCP, you will want to
get to know her/him and she/he will want to get
to know you. Schedule a first appointment and
bring all of your medications with you. While
there, ask your PCP what you should do if you
need urgent care. Your PCP may want you to call,
or may direct you to a trusted urgent care center.
These centers can provide a record of your visit
and arrange for follow-up care with your PCP.
The primary care provider is your main health
care provider in non-emergency or non-urgent
situations. Your primary care provider will:
• Be the first point of contact for almost
any health problem (except clear-cut
emergencies) and identify and treat
common medical conditions
• Assess the urgency of your medical
problems and direct you to the best
place for that care
• Coordinate your care including
arranging for any needed referrals
to other medical specialists
• Provide preventive care and teach
healthy lifestyle choices
See your primary care provider for:
• Existing conditions like asthma,
diabetes, hypertension, etc.
• Follow-up health checks
• Preventive care — tests,
immunizations, flu shots, etc.
• Regular exams
• Undiagnosed problems

To find a primary care provider near you,
go to arkansasbluecross.com, or the website
for your health plan, and select “Find a Doctor.”
When should you go to
the emergency room?
What will you do if you or a loved one needs
immediate medical care? Most of us answer,
“go to the nearest emergency room.”
Emergency care is meant for serious medical
conditions when delaying care could cause
permanent harm or even death. If you or a
family member encounters something like
this, it’s important to seek immediate care
at an emergency room or by calling 911.
Emergency responders are trained to react
quickly and transport you to the facility that
best meets your needs.
Visit an ER for:
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe burns
• Severe head pain or injury, including
loss of vision
• Suspected poisoning
• Attempted suicide
Remember the emergency room is just
for that — emergencies. Unless it’s a true
emergency, you likely can get quicker, quality
medical care somewhere else.
What are alternatives?
Follow the guidance of your PCP. You should
have your PCP’s phone number and contact
information from your first visit. If you cannot
reach your PCP and he or she has a preferred
urgent care center, you should obtain your care
there. If not, you should be aware of alternatives
near you such as urgent care centers, convenient
care clinics and walk-in medical clinics.
Urgent care centers
Urgent care centers are being developed
around the state. These centers treat
conditions that should be looked at right
away, but are not emergencies. You may need
to go to an urgent care center if your PCP is
not available. Urgent care centers are sameday,
walk-in clinics that are open for extended
times during the week and on Saturdays and
Sundays. Some symptoms that can be treated
at an urgent care center include:
• Fever without rash
• Minor trauma, such as a common sprain
• Headache
• Severe sore throat
• Minor broken bones, such as the wrist,
hand, ankle or foot
Your out-of-pocket cost for an urgent care
visit may be less than half the cost of an
emergency room visit.
Again, you should be proactive by
discussing your options for after-hours
care with your primary care provider.
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU
5

Helping our neighbors
AFTer the
On the evening of April 27, a tornado
stretching more than a half-mile
wide plowed through central
Arkansas, carving a path from
Ferndale through Mayflower and
on to Vilonia. By morning,
employees of Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield were doing
whatever they could to help their
neighbors, and in some cases
co-workers, to pick up the pieces.
The response began at the Green
Leaf Grill, Arkansas Blue Cross’
new restaurant, where the staff
prepared 400 hot and healthy
meals for the American Red
Cross to distribute to families and
workers in the disaster area.
The company’s prescription refill
program also was immediately
activated. Members with fully
insured pharmacy benefits living
in areas identified as disaster
areas by the American Red Cross
were able to work with their
pharmacists and Arkansas Blue
Cross customer service to get
copayments/coinsurance waived
for prescription medications
destroyed by the storm.
More than 40 Arkansas Blue Cross
employees took calls for donations
during the KATV Spirit of Arkansas
6 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014

Telethon benefitting the American
Red Cross tornado relief fund. Jim
Bailey, chief marketing officer for
Arkansas Blue Cross, presented
a $10,000 gift from the company
and challenged other corporations
to do the same. Fundraisers held
throughout the company raised
more than $23,000 from employees
for the American Red Cross.
On weekends after the storm,
employees in their blue “Live
Fearless” T-shirts helped to restore
the disaster area. In Mayflower,
they helped one of eight employees
who lost their homes in the
tornado. In Vilonia, they collected
debris and belongings in nearby
fields. For many, it has been a labor
of love as they find any way they
can to reach out to help friends,
neighbors and fellow Arkansans.
“Our hearts go out to our fellow
Arkansans who lost so much in
these storms,” said Mark White,
president and chief executive
officer of Arkansas Blue Cross.
“We know that recovery following
a natural disaster will take months.
Our commitment, and that of our
employees, to central Arkansas
recovery efforts is that we will be
there and will be ready to serve.”
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU
7

Preventive
S e r v i c e s
If you are going to the doctor for
preventive services, make sure you
aren’t getting more than you intended.
Many of our members have policies
that cover preventive services at no
additional cost to them, but knowing
what is covered is key.
What is a preventive service?
Each health plan may have different
health services covered under “preventive
services,” but in general they include
certain immunizations and screenings
for certain cancers or other illnesses. The
preventive services covered by your plan
are listed in your coverage policy.
When you go for preventive services
like an annual checkup with covered
blood work, it is possible that your
doctor may order additional lab work
that is not covered as a preventive
service. This is understandable if you
are at risk for certain conditions, but be
aware that it also may add costs.
Some health plans offered by
employers cover more preventive
services than others. The same is true
with health plans for individuals and
families purchased directly. The amount
you pay for preventive services or
the doctors who provide the services
depends on your policy.
Under the health care law, health plans
that are considered new (created after
March 2010) must offer preventive services
at no cost sharing to the member.
One way to know what preventive
services are covered by your health plan
is to visit with your physician before
your checkup. We have provided this
information to doctors and hospitals in
our networks. Also, you can go to our
websites and look at your coverage
policy. You also can review other wellness
and preventive information by logging in
on the home page of our website.
What’s wrong
with
picture?
this
Did you know that motor
vehicle crashes are the number
one killer of kids? This is largely
due to the improper use, or
lack of, child safety seats. Can
you spot all of the improper
things in the car seat photo?
Hint: There’s more than one!
Turn to page 14 for answers and
tips on how to keep your little
ones safe while traveling.
8 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014

What’s
in your
genes?
Ever since an Austrian friar in
1866 noticed that the pea plants
in his garden had changing
traits from one generation to the
next, genetics has fascinated
the scientific world. Today, we
have new medical tests that can
determine if your genes carry traits
that may put you at higher risk for
illnesses like certain cancers.
Some of these tests have real
clinical value and can help
your doctor determine which
treatment might be most
effective, and some may provide
you with information regarding
your possible risk for certain
future health concerns. So should
everyone get tested for every
possible genetic health problem?
The best answer, at least for
now, would be “no.” These tests
are very expensive, and in some
cases are not as reliable as
we would hope. On occasion,
different labs may report
different findings on the same
member’s specimen.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield also does not cover many
genetic tests because they have
no real clinical benefit. They may
be able to tell you if you carry
a “bad gene” (a mutation) but
in many circumstances they
can’t predict if the “bad gene”
will cause a problem, or if the
problem will be severe or mild.
In these cases it often is better
to look for the specific medical
problem caused by the gene
than to get a genetic test.
For these reasons, Arkansas Blue
Cross only covers certain genetic
tests and only does so in specific
circumstances where there is a
benefit. You may need to have
a family history of an illness or
specific symptoms to determine
if the testing would be of value
to you and your doctor.
If your doctor or a genetic
counselor suggests genetic
testing, find out first if the test
is covered under your health
plan. You can log in on the home
page of our website to find your
coverage benefits, or you can call
a customer service representative
to help you.
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU
9

A summer swim turns
into a struggle for
Kali Hardig‘s life
O
n a sweltering summer day last
year, Kali Hardig splashed down into
the slightly cooler water of a local
swimming lake. Water went up her
nose as she dove toward the sandy
bottom. In that brief moment, a
microscopic monster began its
mission to take Kali’s life.
:
FROM LEFT:
Joe, Kali and Traci Hardig
10
Today the bright and happy 13-year-old
is a testament to the staff at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital and a multitude
of family, friends and strangers.The
Hardig’s health plan through Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield provided
the security they needed to focus on
their daughter. But for 55 days, Kali’s
future was far from certain.
About a week after Kali’s swim, Traci
Hardig could tell her daughter was
dangerously ill. She had a high fever
that wouldn’t break, a bad headache
and had vomited violently. Kali didn’t
even want her new puppy, Chloe, to sit
with her. Traci rushed her daughter from
Benton to Arkansas Children’s Hospital
(ACH) where Joe, Kali’s dad, met them.
A flurry of tests led to a grim
discovery. Kali had primary amebic
meningoencephalitis (PAM), a long
name for a rare condition caused by
Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba (one-celled
parasite) that lives in warm water.
BLUE & YOU Summer 2014
If an amoeba gets into a person’s
sinuses, it can move to the brain
and rapidly cause damage, swelling,
seizures, and in most cases, death.
Of the 128 cases of PAM reported by
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in the United States from
1962 to 2012, only two people had
survived. Traci was told that the odds
of contracting PAM are higher than
winning the lottery; and the odds of
surviving it — astronomical.
As the doctors’ words sank in, Traci
told Joe, “I can’t think about planning
a funeral.” Joe quickly said, “We aren’t
going to.” In that moment, they chose to
live fearlessly and focus their attention
on keeping their daughter alive.
“Everything else just faded away,” Joe
said. “I didn’t think of anything else.”
For 22 days, Kali struggled for life in
the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

The Hardigs stayed by Kali’s
side, with Traci only leaving
for about 24 hours to go
to an appointment at M.D.
Anderson in Houston for her
own battle with cancer.
While the doctors were
always keeping the Hardigs
informed, “It was such
uncharted territory,” Traci
said. “They couldn’t tell us
what was going to happen
because they didn’t know.”
Fortunately, while the
Hardig’s attention was
focused solely on Kali,
they didn’t have to be
concerned about how they
would pay for her care.
Having a Federal Employee
Program health plan through
Arkansas Blue Cross gave
them comfort knowing they
wouldn’t have a huge pile
of medical bills afterward.
“It was a relief knowing our
health care coverage was in
good hands,” Traci said.
Amazing coincidences (some
would say small miracles),
combined with the extreme
dedication of the staff at
ACH, always seemed to
happen just when they were
needed the most. Specialized
equipment and items new to
ACH were brought
in to help save Kali.
Other necessary
medical equipment
just happened to
be on loan at
the right time.
“It was a
rollercoaster,” Joe
said. At no time
did the doctors tell
them she was out of
the woods. Kali had
two nurses assigned
to her at all times,
Joe said, “and trust
me, they weren’t
sitting around.”
In the midst of Kali’s
stay at ACH, Traci
received a call she
did not expect from
Brenda Strange,
R.N., C.C.M., a nurse
case manager for
Arkansas Blue Cross.
“Is there anything
we can do for you?”
Traci couldn’t think
of anything, but Brenda
continued to check
in on the family.
“She called me all the time,”
Traci said, adding that it
was nice to hear so much
concern from her health
insurance company. Brenda
even visited Kali and her
family just to be sure they
had everything they needed.
After Kali was moved out of
PICU, she couldn’t walk or
talk. She could understand
what was being said to her,
but she couldn’t form the
words to respond.
One of Kali’s least favorite
physical therapy exercises
Kali visits with case manager Brenda Strange by the
pool donated to her family by Martin’s Pools in Benton.
The 449th National Guard Unit in Kuwait
sent a picture of support to Kali’s Facebook
page during her struggle.
‘‘
It was a relief knowing
our health care coverage
was in good hands.
– Traci Hardig, Kali’s mother
required her to get on her
hands and knees and stretch
out her arms and legs.
The position of the painful
movements reminded Kali of
her Yorkshire terrier puppy.
Doing her “Chloe exercises”
helped Kali stay focused on
her goal of returning home
to her canine buddy, whom
she hadn’t seen in more
than a month.
Small miracles happened
outside the hospital as well.
Joe recently had returned
from Kuwait as part of the
77th Aviation Brigade with
the Arkansas National Guard.
Through support from the
Guard, family and friends,
the Hardigs
didn’t have to
worry about their
utilities and house
payment for a
month. Strangers
came to mow
the family’s yard.
KALI
‘‘
CONTINUED
ON PAGE 15
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU 11 7

Just about everyone loves
the wind in their hair and
sun on their face—and
kids are no exception!
Unfortunately, children are more
likely to be seen in an emergency
room for biking injuries than for
any other sport. As kids saddle
up on their two-wheelers this
summer, make sure they’re
cycling safely with these tips.
PROTECT THE HEAD!
A properly fitted helmet is a rider’s
number one protection. Have your
rider put on his or her helmet and
ask the following questions:
1. Look up.
Can you see the
bottom of the
helmet’s rim?
The rim should be
one to two fingerwidths
above
the eyebrows.
2. Check the
straps by
your ears.
Do they make
a V? The straps
should be a
little tight but
comfortable.
3. Open
your mouth.
Does the
helmet hug
your head?
If not, tighten
the straps.
Riders are more likely
to wear helmets if…
• They get to pick out their own
• Other riders are
wearing helmets, too
12 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014

GET IN GEAR!
In addition to a good
helmet, riders should ride a
bike that fits their bodies.
Their clothes should fit, too!
1.
Children should be
able to comfortably
touch the ground
when seated on a bike.
5.
4.
Dress riders in
fitted clothes so
they don’t get
caught in chains
or wheel spokes.
Reflective clothing
is ideal and shoes
are a must!
Check brakes and
gears so stops and
starts are smooth.
2.
Make sure tires are
properly inflated.
3.
Make sure they are
visible with secure
reflectors.
SHOW THEM HOW!
Kids learn from watching others, so
make sure to set a good example
by wearing your helmet, too.
Riders under age 10 have difficulty
estimating the speed and distance of traffic,
so it’s best to supervise them whenever
they’re on their bikes. Also, teach your kids
how to interact with traffic by:
• Paying attention to and making
eye contact with drivers
• Riding as far to the right side
of the road as possible
• Looking left, right and left
again at an intersection
Following these tips should help
you and your riders enjoy the
wind in your hair all summer long!
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU
13

CAR SEAT
SAFETY
What’s wrong
picture?
with this
INCORRECT
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
A properly fitted and fastened car seat can
be a lifesaver. That’s why child safety seats
are required by law.
Below are some good reminders on how
to fasten your child in his or her forwardfacing
car seat. You can find information for
other types of restraint systems, as well as
technicians to help you pick the right one, at:
SafeCar.gov/therightseat
NHTSA.gov
seatcheck.org / 1-866-SEAT-CHECK
The loose, twisted straps are not at the shoulder.
The bulky coat prevents a snug fit.Always
make sure your child is buckled in snugly.
This requires straight straps at the shoulder
that meet the harness chest clip at armpit
level. Avoid bulky layers of clothing by using a
jacket or blanket as a cover over the restraints.
The harness chest clip is unfastened and
below the chest.
CORRECT
ADDITIONAL SAFETY TIPS:
• Follow the manufacturer’s
recommendations for weight limits,
use and installation.
• Secure the child safety seat in your vehicle
so it can’t move more than one inch from
side to side or front to back.
• Replace seats that are more than six years old.
• Register safety seats with the manufacturer
in case of a recall.
And remember: the safest place
for your child is in the back seat!
14 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014

Helmets in storms
Not only do bicycle
helmets work for sunny
days outside, they can
be valuable for severe
weather as well.
While getting to
shelter quickly is
most important when
a tornado is on the
way, the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC)
now recommend families
consider adding helmets
to their storm survival kits.
The CDC issued a position
statement on helmets and
tornadoes in response
to inquiries from safety
groups and media
outlets that had reported
incidents of children
surviving tornadoes while
wearing bicycle, football
or baseball helmets.
“We don’t have research on
the effectiveness of helmet use
to prevent head injuries during
a tornado, but we have long made
the recommendation that people try
to protect their heads,” the CDC said.
KALI
CONTINUED
FROM PAGE 11
Cards, letters and stuffed toys poured
in from around the world as
Kali’s struggle to survive made
international news.
“There are so many wonderful
people out there and we just
want to thank them all for their
prayers and support,” Joe said.
Another blessing — Traci’s
cancer went into remission.
She fearlessly delayed
chemotherapy treatment to stay by
Kali’s side. “God couldn’t take me …
I have to be here for Kali now,” Traci said.
Nearly two months after Traci rushed Kali to the
hospital, she finally was released to go home.
Kali said Chloe was so excited to see her she
couldn’t contain herself. “When I came home
she about licked my face off!”
The Hardigs have been chosen as the
2014 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Champion Family for Arkansas. As part of
their role, Traci and Kali have given
talks to several groups about the
need for people to wear
nose clips while swimming,
especially in unchlorinated water.
The lake where Kali contracted her
illness is closed to swimming and
has been stocked with catfish. It
reopened as a campground and the
Hardigs attended the rededication.
“It wasn’t their fault,” Traci said. “They
are a family, just like us.”
Brenda, the nurse case manager, was able to
visit with the Hardigs again at their home in
Benton and to give Kali and Traci plenty of hugs.
“Faith was the biggest role in Kali being here
with us today,” Brenda said. “There are definitely
reasons she is here with us, and knowing this
beautiful little girl and her family, they will
continue to show us those reasons every day!”
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU
15

Do the food labels on your groceries look
like they are in a different language? We
can help translate them for you. Go grab
a box of cereal or can of soup and use
this handy guide to make sense of it all.
More than
HALF of ALL
AMERICANS struggle
to understand
food labels
No Calories ...
(Almost)
Food must have
less than 5 calories
to be calorie free
Serving Size
This is your starting point.
Find out the size of a single
serving and how many
servings are in the entire
package. The nutrition facts
will relate to the serving
size, not the entire package.
Calories
Calories are the measure of energy
you get from a serving. Eat two
servings and you eat twice the
calories. Four servings? Four times
the calories. You get the point.
LOW: 40 calories • HIGH: 400 calories
Sodium
Salt (sodium) can raise blood pressure,
which increases your risk of heart disease.
LOW: 140 mg or less • HIGH: 400 mg or more
HOW TO BE
SUGAR FREE
Must have less
than .5 grams
of sugar
Did You
Know?
SUGAR
Sugar can be named many
things in the list of ingredients
on a food label, but it can’t hide
in the nutrition facts! There are
4 grams of sugar in a teaspoon,
so this example has more than 2
teaspoons of sugar per serving.
Trans fats were banned in New York
City in 2006. Trans fats are considered
harmful contributors to heart disease
because they’re suspected to lower your
good cholesterol and raise your bad
cholesterol — a dangerous combination.
16 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014
*Institute of Medicine Dietary
Reference Intakes report, 2002

% Daily Value
You’ll find “percent daily value” as a
column on the right side of the nutrition
facts label. It’s based on a 2,000-calorie
diet and shows you the recommended
daily amount you should eat.
LOW: 5% or less percent daily value
HIGH: 20% or more percent daily value
TIPS FROM THE
located in the Arkansas Blue Cross building in Little Rock
1,800 *
The average daily
intake of calories for
women (age 31-50)
2,200 *
The average daily
intake of calories for
men (age 31-50)
Fats
There is total fat, then there are different
types of fat: saturated, polyunsaturated,
monounsaturated and trans fats.
• Unsaturated Fat: Generally OK
(look for the words monounsaturated
or polyunsaturated).
• Saturated: Try to reduce or limit the
amount of saturated fats you eat.
• Trans Fats: These are unsaturated
fats, which are created in a lab (the
worst of the fats).
Cholesterol
This actually is a type of fat found in your
blood. It is an essential part of your diet,
but too much can increase your risk of
heart disease.
LOW: 20 mg or less • HIGH: 200 mg or more
The Good Nutrients
• Fiber: Suggest a minimum of 20 grams a day.
• Protein: Ten to 35 percent of your daily
calories will come from protein.
• Vitamins and minerals: They might be
listed under normal names like vitamin A,
vitamin C, calcium and iron. Sometimes
vitamins have strange names, for example,
riboflavin (vitamin B2), cobalamin
(vitamin B12) and niacin (B3). But all
vitamins are good for your health.
Healthy tastes great!
Try these ingredient swaps and cooking
techniques to enjoy your favorite comfort
foods guilt free!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Use cooking spray or a nonstick
cooking pan. Even healthy
oils like olive oil are around 120
calories per tablespoon. Put your
cooking oil in a spray bottle to
reduce your use.
Cook in liquids like stock, wine,
lemon juice, fruit juice, vinegar
or water instead of oil.
Use herbs and spices instead
of salt.
Refrigerate soups, stews and
gravy. Skim the fat off the
surface before serving.
Remove skin from poultry and
trim excess fat and marbling
from meat.
Choose leaner cuts of meat, like
tenderloin or top sirloin. USDA**
“Choice” meats have less fat and
marbling than USDA “Prime.”
**U.S. Department of Agriculture
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU 17

Without a college of
dentistry, Arkansas faces
a shortage of dentists. To
keep smiles happy and
healthy, Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield
is collaborating with the
University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences (UAMS)
to introduce dentists-to-be
to the Natural State.
A $150,000 grant from the
Blue & You Foundation is
supporting an externship
program to bring fourthyear
dental students from
the University of Tennessee
(UT) College of Dentistry
for a two-week rotation.
The students provide
dental care to patients
under the supervision
of adjunct faculty in the
UAMS Center for Dental
Education and at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital.
“I think this rotation has
exposed dental students
to the abundance of
opportunities in dentistry
available here,” said
Ashley Jones McMillan,
27, a fourth-year student
18 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014
Arkansas Blue Cross
brings dentISTS
to Arkansas
doctor at UT and an
Arkansas native. “We
are getting to experience
dentistry on a different
level through these
hospital-based rotations
and at two top-of-theline
facilities.”
For Ashley, the choice to
come back to Arkansas
was clear. About a third
of the students in the UT
program are Arkansans.
But for many UT dental
students, the rotation will
be their first time to visit
the state, and Little Rock.
The students have already
expressed excitement at
the opportunities in the
central Arkansas area,
according to the faculty.
UAMS also has plans for
a one-year, hospital-based
residency program for
dental college graduates.
These students will learn
to work as hospitalbased
dentists and will
rotate through various
hospital departments, like
anesthesiology and the
emergency room.
“Thanks to the support
of Arkansas Blue Cross
and the Blue & You
Foundation, the UAMS
Center for Dental Education
is able to provide a stateof-the-art
dental clinic
where students can
come to gain valuable
experience,” said Dr. Gene
Jines, associate director
of the UAMS Center for
Dental Education. “The
comments from students
who have rotated through
our facility this year have
been very positive.”
“Expanding the medical
provider workforce in
Arkansas, especially in
rural areas, is an important
element in improving the
health of all Arkansans.
Supporting this UAMS
dental program is one
way that the Blue &
You Foundation and
Arkansas Blue Cross can
help achieve that goal,”
said Patrick O’Sullivan,
executive director of the
Blue & You Foundation.

Foundation awards 126 mini-grants,
takes applications for major grants
20
32
53
13
8
From exercise equipment for Alma High School,
a heart defibrillator for the Caldwell Fire Department,
to an employee health fair in Stuttgart, the Blue & You
Foundation’s mini-grant program gives community
organizations $1,000 at a time to help improve the
lives and health of Arkansans throughout the state.
This year the Foundation awarded $1,000 mini-grants
to 126 organizations in Arkansas. (See a breakdown
of the grant locations in the map.)
The Foundation is accepting online applications for
major grants of $5,000 to $150,000 to fund yearlong
health improvement programs in 2015. Any 501(c)(3)
public charity, public school, governmental agency or
nonprofit hospital in Arkansas is eligible to apply by
the July 15 deadline.
A list of the grant recipients and guidelines for applying
can be found at BlueAndYouFoundationArkansas.org.
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU
19

NEWS
Helping
Kids at Second Chance
Ranch to Live Fearless
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield invited families to celebrate
Live Fearless Day at the Museum of
Discovery on May 3, by making a
donation to benefit the Second Chance
Ranch residents and receiving free
admission.
Arkansas Blue
Cross and
Blue Shield
employees
and BlueAnn
Ewe accepted
donations to
Second Hand
Ranch and
spent Live
Fearless Day
in May enjoying
the Museum
of Discovery
with children
from the Ranch
and many
supportive
members
and families.
The Second Chance Ranch is a
nonprofit program that provides a
caring home to abused, neglected and
at-risk youth. The Ranch helps children
work to resolve the crises in their lives
and returns them home or places them
in a new home through adoption.
The children at Second Chance Ranch
face daily challenges that most people
do not experience in their lifetimes.
Yet, the simplest gesture makes a huge
difference in the lives of these children.
Ten employees of Arkansas Blue Cross
planned a special pizza party for the
kids and volunteered their time at the
museum to collect donations for the
Ranch while the kids enjoyed a play
day at the museum.
Employees make calls for Arkansas Children’s Hospital
A team of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield employees raised almost
$9,000 during the 2014 Arkansas Children’s Hospital Phone-a-thon. The
April 8 event raised money to support programs and services at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital and helped continue their mission of bringing care,
love and hope to all children who walk through the hospital’s doors.
18 20 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014

Newsworthy Promotions and Hiring
david BRIDGES
David Bridges has been
promoted to executive
vice president and chief
administrative officer.
Bridges served as
president and CEO for
HMO Partners, Inc. (doing
business as Health
Advantage) for 17 years.
Health Advantage is the
state’s largest health
maintenance organization.
He also directed the
internal operations of
Arkansas Blue Cross,
including claims, customer
service and membership.
john GLASSFORD
The board of directors for HMO
Partners, Inc. (doing business as
Health Advantage) elected John
Glassford as the company’s new
president and chief executive
officer in March.
Glassford replaces David Bridges,
who served as president and
CEO for 17 years. Glassford
will continue his role as
regional executive for Arkansas
Blue Cross’ Central office,
overseeing group products
sales and marketing, medical
management, risk management
and provider services.
martha
CARLSON
Martha Carlson has
been promoted to vice
president of National
Accounts and Federal
Employee Program
(FEP) Marketing.
Carlson is responsible
for the development
and servicing of national
business for Arkansas
Blue Cross. Since 2007,
she has been responsible
for leading the regional
sales and service team
in the West Central
region in Fort Smith.
dwayne
PIERCE
Dwayne Pierce has been
named lead executive for
sales competence.
Pierce is responsible for
identifying competencies
necessary for best-in-class
sales performance and for
managing the development
and implementation of training
programs necessary to build
those skill sets in sales staff
throughout Arkansas Blue
Cross. His responsibilities
also will include ensuring
external agents have the
resources needed for
maximum productivity.
odell
NICKELBERRY
Odell Nickelberry has
joined Arkansas Blue
Cross as the director of
Human Resources.
Nickelberry is
responsible for the overall
administration, coordination
and evaluation of human
resources policy and
procedures for Arkansas
Blue Cross. He also offers
strategic oversight for
improvement of the
company’s policies,
procedures and practices
on personnel matters.
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU 19 21

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Financial Information Privacy Notice
At Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and
its affiliates (including HMO Partners, Inc. doing
business as Health Advantage), we understand
how important it is to keep your private
information just that — private. Because of the
nature of our business, we must collect some
personal information from our members, but we
also are committed to maintaining, securing and
protecting that information.
Customer Information
Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates only
compile information necessary for us to provide
the services that you, our member, request from
us and to administer your business. We collect
non-public personal financial information (defined
as any information that can be tied back to a
specific person and is gathered by any source that
is not publicly available) about our members from:
• Applications for insurance coverage. The
application includes information such as
name, address, personal identifiers such
as Social Security number, and medical
information that you authorize us to collect.
• Payment history and related financial
transactions from the purchase and use
of our products.
• Information related to the fact that you
have been or currently are a member.
Arkansas Blue Cross
1-800-238-8379
Health Advantage
1-800-843-1329
Self-funded group members
should call Customer Service
using the toll-free telephone
number on their ID card.
Sharing of Information
Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates do not
disclose, and do not wish to reserve the right
to disclose, non-public personal information
about you to other parties except as permitted
or required by law. Examples of instances in
which Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates will
provide information to one another or other
third parties are:
• To service or process products that
you have requested.
• To provide information as permitted and
required by law to accrediting agencies.
• To provide information to comply
with federal, state or local laws in
an administrative or judicial process.
How We Protect Your Information
Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates use
various security mechanisms to protect your
personal data including electronic and physical
measures as well as company policies that
limit employee access to non-public personal
financial information. Improper access and use
of confidential information by an employee can
result in disciplinary action up to and including
termination of employment.
Disclosure of Privacy Notice
Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates recognize
and respect the privacy concerns of potential,
current and former customers. Arkansas
Blue Cross and its affiliates are committed to
safeguarding this information. This Financial
Information Privacy Notice is provided to our
members as required by state regulation to
explain how we handle their non-public financial
information. It is also available on our website
at arkansasbluecross.com or from our Customer
Service call centers. Our Customer Service areas
are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Central time,
Monday through Friday.
22 BLUE & YOU Summer 2014

Born Too Early
Every parent wants a healthy
baby, but did you know
that up to 10 percent of
babies in the United States
are delivered before the
39th week of pregnancy
without a medical reason?
Many parents are unaware
of the possible dangers of
delivering their babies early.
Infants born before
the 39 th week risk:
• Lower brain mass
• Low birth weight
• Feeding problems
• Respiratory distress
syndrome
• Longer hospital
stays
Mothers face an
increased risk of:
• Postpartum depression
• Cesarean delivery
• Complications requiring
long hospital stays
Source: NIHCM Foundation
Issue Brief, March 2014,
“Born Too Early: Improving
Maternal and Child
Health by Reducing Early
Elective Deliveries.”
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
Arkansas Blue Cross Metallic members
(Gold, Silver, Bronze, Catastrophic) 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
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 S. 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
Summer 2014 BLUE & YOU
23

Insurance madE
easy
Not everyone speaks insurance.
We can help. Here are some definitions of terms
you may come across as you use your insurance
coverage. Also, feel free to call the Customer Service
number on the back of your member ID card if you
have questions — we love to hear from you.
copayment – a dollar amount that you pay
for a health service on the day it happens.
Use it in a sentence, please?
“The pharmacist charged me a copayment
of $10 for my medication and my insurance
paid the rest.”
deductible – a dollar amount that you pay
for health care services before the health plan
begins to pay.
Use it in a sentence, please?
“One more doctor’s visit and Larry will meet his
deductible, and will only pay coinsurance from
that point forward.”
coinsurance – Some health plans require
you to pay a percentage of your medical bill,
which is known as coinsurance. You’ll only
pay coinsurance after you’ve met your
plan’s deductible.
Use it in a sentence, please?
“The Millers’ plan charges 20 percent
coinsurance after the deductible is met.
Their son’s $120 doctor visit only cost
them $24 in coinsurance.”
preventive care – Your checkup each year
is an example of preventive care, which
means a visit to the doctor before you get
sick. Preventive care is important because
you’re taking steps to prevent disease and
illness from happening instead of going to the
doctor after you’re sick.
Use it in a sentence, please?
“My preventive care is covered at no cost,
so even though I’m healthy, I make sure to
get an annual checkup each year for free!”
MPI 2575 6/14