Blue & You - Summer 2009

Summer 09
• Arkansas Tech University celebrates health, Page 22
• Dr. David offers healthy living tips, Page 20
• Our new affordable health insurance plans, Page 8
Brenda and Malvin Lansdell
stop and smell the flowers
after Malvin’s recovery from
cardiac surgery. See their
story on Page 10.
A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies

on Page 18
6 Pandemic preparedness
18 Busy life finds time for
SilverSneakers
22 Arkansas Tech focuses on health
INSIDE
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Out of the Blue
Coffee and tea linked to lower risk of uterine cancer
Head injuries: When to seek medical care
Breastfeeding for future health
10 heart-healthy foods
Valproate use during pregnancy
Keep yourself healthy
Salmonella
Our new affordable health insurance plans
Cost sharing: What is it? How does it help you?
The HEART of a family
FDA warns against skin patches during MRI scans
Good for you starts with us
Grants available for health-improvement programs
The Joy of Cooking reflects the public’s joy of eating
Lose weight The Healthy Weigh!
Wait before using some weight-loss supplements
Senior Moments with Dr. David
BlueCard lands Satisfaction Award
Can sports drinks harm your teeth?
Do the changes in COBRA affect you?
The Doctor’s Corner
Chiropractic medicine for lower back pain
Arkansas Blue Cross has a heart
BlueAnn Ewe joins Perritt Primary School
Financial Information Privacy Notice
From the Pharmacist —
Generic drugs: Use with confidence!
Arkansas Blue Cross helps city of Mena
Customer Service telephone numbers
Good for you
Summer 09
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.
Vice President, Communications and Product Development: Karen Raley
Editor: Kelly Whitehorn — BNYou-Ed@arkbluecross.com
Designer: Gio Bruno Photographer: Chip Bayer
Contributors: Chip Bayer, Matthew Creasman, Damona Fisher, Kristy Fleming,
Jennifer Gordon, Trey Hankins, Heather Iacobacci-Miller, Ryan Kravitz, Kathy
Luzietti and Mark Morehead

Out of the
Blue
A message from our
CEO and President,
Mark White
Health care needs meaningful reform
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
services (CMS), we spend an average of $7,868 per
person each year on health care. If we do nothing, this
is projected to grow to $11,684 by 2015. We have the
highest proportion of health-care spending to the Gross
National Product (GNP) in the world (16.6 percent) and
without significant change, it is projected to grow even
faster during the next 10 years. Our economy can’t
sustain this rate of growth, so our health-care system
must change.
Organizations and people on the frontlines of creating
health policy — employers, consumers, health-care
providers, insurers, public health professionals and others
— want meaningful change. We believe everyone
should have good health coverage. We must implement
system reforms to promote more effective and efficient
health care. We also must develop creative ways to
increase the number of people who have insurance coverage
so society does not have to support the cost of
providing care to the uninsured.
We want to increase coverage and promote access
to affordable and effective health care. Reform should
build on — not take away — employer-sponsored insurance
plans. It should create safety-net programs for
hard working individuals and families who just cannot
make ends meet. Those who lose their jobs due to the
economy should have more options to maintain their
insurance. Health-care reform should make health coverage
more affordable and assure fair reimbursement to
those who provide effective care.
To become a healthier nation, individually and collectively,
we must focus on healthy lifestyles and disease
prevention rather than just treating illness. By eliminating
poor diet, inactivity and tobacco use, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80
percent of heart disease and stroke, 80 percent of type
2 diabetes and 40 percent of cancer could be eliminated.
We have to focus our attention on resources for
wellness, prevention and primary care.
In many ways, our system is working. Americans
are fortunate to have the best clinical outcomes in the
world, and life expectancy continues to rise. However,
we need to improve the efficiency of our system and
pay for the quality of the care, not the quantity. We
also must figure out how to pay for the prevention of
illnesses.
Meaningful reform must be the result of a careful
and balanced approach. It must include all stakeholders,
and it must build on our current system. Health care
has, and always will be, a shared responsibility. Individuals,
employers, government, insurance companies,
doctors and hospitals all will have to do their share for
meaningful reform to occur. We support health-care reform.
We will do our part to modify the current system
so it works for all Arkansans. By taking a balanced and
steady approach, Arkansas and the United States will
be healthier — both physically and financially.
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Blue & You Summer 2009

Coffee and tea linked to
lower risk of uterine cancer
In a recent article published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers
found that of the 1,100 women surveyed, those who drank caffeinated coffee and
tea had a lower risk of uterine cancer. Research suggests that caffeine may induce
enzymes that help neutralize cancer-causing substances. However, the research
team noted that both tea and coffee contain various antioxidant compounds that
also may be responsible for protecting body cells from damage.
Source: Reuters Health
Head injuries:
When to seek medical care
Breastfeeding
for future health
4
Head injuries are not uncommon. While most are minor, they can
be serious and even fatal. How do you know when to seek medical
care? MedlinePlus lists the following symptoms that are indicative of
a more serious head injury and require medical care:
• Changes in, or unequal size of pupils
• Convulsions
• Distorted features of the face
• Fluid draining from nose, mouth or ears (may be clear or bloody)
• Bruising of the face, swelling at the site of the injury or scalp
wound
• Impaired hearing, smell, taste or vision
• Inability to move one or more limbs
• Irritability (especially in children), personality changes or unusual
behavior
• Loss of consciousness, confusion or drowsiness
• Restlessness, clumsiness or lack of coordination
• Severe headache
• Slurred speech or blurred vision
• Stiff neck or vomiting
Source: MedlinePlus
Not only is breastfeeding good
for your baby, there may be
positive long-term health effects
for women who nurse. A recent
study, conducted by Eleanor Bimla
Schwartz, MD, assistant professor
of medicine at the University
of Pittsburgh and colleagues, suggests
that breastfeeding lowers
women’s risks for heart disease,
diabetes and stroke. The researchers
found that the longer women
nursed, the lower their chances
were for developing these
illnesses.
Source: WebMD
Blue & You Summer 2009

10 He a r t -He a lt h y Fo o d s
Protect your heart with these top heart-healthy foods
that are packed with healthy fats, antioxidants and other
essential nutrients:
1. Salmon — one of the healthiest fish choices; high
in protein and vitamin D.
2. Oatmeal — daily consumption
of a bowl of oatmeal can lower
blood cholesterol, due to its
soluble fiber content.
3. Avocado — packed with
heart-healthy fat.
4. Olive Oil — can help
regulate cholesterol and
is anti-inflammatory.
5. Nuts — almonds and
walnuts are the healthiest.
6. Berries — rich in anti-inflammatories.
7. Spinach — packed with essential nutrients.
8. Legumes — such as chickpeas, lentils, black beans
and kidney beans.
9. Flaxseed — studies show it can help
stabilize blood sugar levels and is high in
dietary fiber.
10. Soy — edamame, tofu
and soy milk are sources
of lean protein and vital
minerals.
Sources: Health.com,
WebMD
5
Valproate use during pregnancy
associated with impaired cognitive development
The antiepileptic drug valproate has been linked to an increased likelihood
of impaired cognitive development for children exposed while still
in the womb. This study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine,
enrolled women taking one of four drugs for epilepsy while pregnant.
Researches then assessed cognitive function of their children at
age three. According to the study, those children exposed to valproate
had significantly lower IQs than those exposed to other antiepileptic
drugs (carbamazepine, lamotrigine or phenytoin). Autumn Klein, M.D., in
Journal Watch Neurology, concluded, “Unless valproate is the only drug
that will control a particular patient’s seizures, it should be avoided in
women who might become pregnant.”
Sources: New England Journal of Medicine, Medscape.com
Blue & You Summer 2009

Pandemic
preparedness
Keep yourself
healthy
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In June, the World Health Organization
(WHO) declared that the
novel H1N1 influenza virus, also
known as swine flu, had reached
pandemic proportions throughout
the world. The announcement of the
first global influenza epidemic in 41
years is in recognition of the widespread
nature of the disease; the
illness itself has been rated as only
moderate in severity.
The symptoms of H1N1 are similar
to those experienced in seasonal
flu —
It makes good sense to
fever,
have the preparations chills,
on hand to ease your aches,
family through a crisis. fatigue
and
cough — and can include runny
nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting
or diarrhea. While there are no vaccines
available to protect humans
against swine flu, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
recommend the antiviral treatments
Tamiflu and Relenza.
At Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield, we have been working
closely with officials at the Arkansas
Department of Health and other
state agencies to prepare for a flu
pandemic. We have made extensive
plans to keep our services going if
the pandemic affects large populations
in the United States and to
have the latest local information on
our Web sites.
It makes good sense to have the
preparations on hand to ease your
family through a crisis, whether it
is caused by a pandemic or another
type of emergency.
Please continue to read our
publication, Blue & You, and any
correspondence we may send in
the future regarding flu pandemic
preparedness.
The CDC suggests the following
everyday tips to help prevent the
spread of germs:
• Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough
or sneeze, then throw the tissue
in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with
soap and water, especially after
you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbased
hand cleaners also are
effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose
or mouth.
• Try to avoid close contact with
sick people.
• Stay home and limit contact
with others if you get sick with
the flu.
Sources: CDC, WebMd
Blue & You Summer 2009

7
Salmonella
Salmonella bacteria may be small, but they can make
you sick in a big way. If you are one of the more than
40,000 who have experienced Salmonellosis each year
in the United States, then you know that food safety is
vital for your health and the health of your family.
People with Salmonellosis experience diarrhea, abdominal
cramps and fever, along with chills, headache,
nausea and vomiting within eight to 72 hours after
eating contaminated food. Symptoms usually disappear
within four to seven days, but Salmonella infections
can be life-threatening for infants, young children, pregnant
women and their unborn babies, older adults, and
people with weakened immune systems.
Any raw food of animal origin, such as meat, poultry,
milk and dairy products, eggs, seafood and some fruits
and vegetables may carry Salmonella bacteria. The
bacteria only can be killed by cooking meat, poultry, and
egg products thoroughly and by washing fruits and vegetables.
The bacteria also can cross contaminate foods
that come in contact with surfaces like cutting boards
where contaminated meats were prepared.
The only way to know for certain if a person has
Salmonellosis is to perform a laboratory test of a stool
sample for the bacteria. And because many milder
cases are not reported, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention estimate the actual number of cases
each year may be much higher.
Sources: Department of Health and Human Services,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Blue & You Summer 2009

8
Our new affordable
health insurance plans
Affordable, comprehensive protection is something
Arkansans have come to expect from Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield. To continue this tradition, beginning
June 1, our two new health insurance plans —
Comprehensive Blue PPO and HSA Blue PPO II — will
be available for individuals and families under the age of
65 and not on Medicare. Both plans offer:
• Doctor and specialist visits with no referrals needed
• Wellness benefits with no deductible
• 100 percent coverage for children’s preventive care
• Prescription drug coverage
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• And, an optional maternity rider
As the name implies, Comprehensive Blue PPO provides
comprehensive major medical coverage within a
preferred provider organization (PPO). The plan features
$500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 deductible
options with low, predictable copayments for doctor
and specialist visits.
HSA Blue PPO II is an HSA-compatible health insurance
plan. If policyholders choose, they may open a
separate HSA (health savings account) from the financial
institution of their choice and reap the associated
tax benefits. All HSA contributions are tax-deductible,
which means a policyholder’s taxable income is reduced
by the amount contributed to the HSA each year.
The plan features deductible options of $1,500, $2,500
and $5,000 for individuals and deductibles of $3,000,
$5,000 and $10,000 for families. After the deductible is
met, the plan pays 100 percent of covered expenses.
Both plans feature a $5,000,000 lifetime maximum
benefit for each covered person. In addition, policyholders
have the option of purchasing term life insurance
and critical illness coverage — both underwritten by
USAble Life — at the time of application.
“At a time when managing out-of-pocket health-care
expenses is most critical, we are excited to introduce
our two new very affordable health plans,” said Ron
DeBerry, senior vice president of Statewide Business.
“With several deductible options and features, Comprehensive
Blue PPO and HSA Blue PPO II will give
prospective policyholders the choices they desire when
buying health insurance. Also, with up to $5,000,000 in
lifetime maximum benefits for each covered person on
the plan, Arkansas Blue Cross continues to provide the
protection our policyholders want and need.”
If you know someone who could benefit from either
Comprehensive Blue PPO or HSA Blue PPO II, they
may call toll free 1-800-392-2583, visit us online at
arkansasbluecross.com/free or contact a local independent
agent for more information.
Blue & You Summer 2009

Cost sharing:
What is it?
How does it help you?
Cost sharing is
when you pay
a portion of
your health-care
costs and Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue
Shield pays a larger
part. We share
the costs.
For example, cost
sharing is having a
copayment when you
visit the doctor or
get a prescription
filled at your
local pharmacy.
You pay a portion,
and Arkansas Blue Cross pays the rest.
Cost sharing is an important part of health insurance
because it helps control the cost of health insurance
premiums by giving people some “skin in the game.” In
other words, when the money comes out of our own
pockets, we think twice about how we spend it. People
who have health insurance often are insulated from
the true cost of health-care, so giving members some
responsibility for the cost of the services they receive
makes them more aware of the actual cost.
For example, most people will make sure they really
need to go to the emergency room (ER) or the doctor
when some of the cost comes directly out of their
checking account. They might rethink that ER visit for an
ear infection if they know it is a $100 or more copayment,
while waiting to see the doctor the next day
would be a $25 copayment. Most of us are more mindful
of how we spend our own money than we are about
how our health plan’s money is spent.
Health plans whose benefits include cost sharing are
more affordable, give members predictable costs for
medical services and help to ensure that those who
use health-care services have an increased awareness
of how much those services actually cost.
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Blue & You Summer 2009

10
The HEART
of a family
Cardiac history
tests brothers
Brenda Lansdell was worried.
Malvin, her husband of 41 years,
was short of breath, and in January,
after a meal at their daughter’s
home, he could barely carry a bowl
out to their truck. When she asked
him about it, Malvin looked at her
and confessed, “I’m scared, but I’m
scared not to do something, too.”
Brenda understood all too well.
Every man in Malvin’s family has
had cardiovascular problems. Malvin
was one of seven brothers; his
oldest brother already had died of
a heart attack, and his twin brother
and a younger brother also had suffered
from heart attacks. His father
and uncle both had died of heart
attacks. Whether it was genetics or
good Southern cooking, the Lansdell
men seemed to live short lives.
At 64, Malvin recently had retired,
putting in 38 years at the Domtar
Ashdown Paper Mill. He and Brenda
were enjoying their home in Winthrop,
about 50 miles north of Texarkana.
A devoted husband and father
of two sons and a daughter, his new
focus had been on entertaining his
three grandchildren.
While aware of the family history
of cardiovascular disease, Malvin
considered himself to be in pretty
good shape, taking only high blood
pressure medicine and an aspirin a
day. “That aspirin is probably what
saved his life,” Brenda said, thinking
back on the situation.
Blue & You Summer 2009

The same day Malvin and Brenda
were visiting with a cardiologist,
his brother, Harold, told his wife,
Virginia, a fib. He casually mentioned
that he had a scheduled
doctor’s appointment and needed to
go to CHRISTUS St. Michael Health
System in Texarkana, Texas. Harold
didn’t want to scare Virginia, but he
was having a heart attack.
After some tests at the cardiologist’s
office, Malvin and Brenda
headed home, but were greeted
with an ominous phone call. The
staff at the office of Brent Robinson,
M.D., wanted Malvin to go to
CHRISTUS St. Michael as soon as
possible for cardiac catheterization,
which allows doctors to watch the
heart in action with the help of X-ray
equipment and a special dye. They
scheduled the procedure for the
next day. Meanwhile, Harold was
having coronary artery bypass grafts
on four of his arteries at CHRISTUS
St. Michael under the care of cardiothoracic
surgeon Billy Parsons, M.D.
For Malvin, the cardiac catheterization
began what he calls “the
great sleep.” He doesn’t remember
anything that happened for four
days — but Brenda does. Soon
after they took Malvin in for testing,
Brenda was told that they were taking
him to surgery. Once again, Dr.
Parsons was working on a Lansdell
man, this time performing five coronary
artery bypass grafts on Malvin.
While the urgency of the situation
left little time to choose their medical
facility, both Lansdell brothers a large number of cardiac patients
intensive cardiac services, serve
selected CHRISTUS St. Michael in and have proven positive outcomes
Texarkana, a hospital designated that far surpass other hospitals.
by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Once you are in a Blue Distinction
Association as a Blue Distinction hospital, you are followed through
Center SM for Cardiac Care. In order your rehabilitation, so you continue
to receive this national recognition, to receive care far into recovery.
CHRISTUS St. Michael must meet The hospital and cardiac team must
high quality standards established have a program for ongoing quality
by an expert panel of physicians, management and ways to identify
surgeons and other health-care potential for improvement.
Brothers left to right: Harold and Malvin Lansdell.
If you are
looking for
a hospital
with a Blue
Distinction
designation,
go to our
Web sites
and visit our
“Member”
section.
professionals. When a hospital has We do the work for you, so you can
been designated a Blue Distinction
Center, you know they have best care possible. Other medical
be assured you are receiving the
expertise in that specialty, that they centers designated as Blue Distinction
Centers for Cardiac Care in
focus on quality, and that they have
a history of patients with positive the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
outcomes. Hospitals do provide Shield service area include Baptist
care differently, and Blue Cross has Health Medical Center in Little Rock,
created a process where hospitals and St. Bernards Regional Medical
can demonstrate their expertise. Center in Jonesboro.
It’s not easy becoming a Blue For Dr. Parsons, working on the
Distinction Center for Cardiac Care. two brothers within 24 hours of
Hospitals that make the grade must each other, “was a unique situation,”
be fully accredited and the cardiac
team must be board certified. and even twins before. But, as a
though he has worked on siblings
They must provide a wide range of Heart, continued on Page 12
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Blue & You Summer 2009

12
Heart, continued from Page 11
Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac
Care and a hospital that has consistently
been in the top 5 percent for
HealthGrades, the leading independent
health-care ratings company,
CHRISTUS St. Michael is known for
its cardiac program, and it’s the first
place people think to go in the Texarkana
area when they are concerned
about their hearts.
“I think what sets us apart is the
willingness of our people to have
a team approach. From our CEO to
our nurses — what we do is more
than a job,” Dr. Parsons said.
Because of Texarkana’s location
between Little Rock and Dallas,
Parsons said CHRISTUS St. Michael
has a large service area, which
requires the staff to stay abreast of
the latest changes in medical knowledge
while staying with protocols
that have been tested and trusted.
He and Bruce Cannon, M.D., partners
in Texarkana Cardiovascular &
Thoracic Surgical Associates, are
both board certified general thoracic
surgeons as well as fellows of the
American College of Surgery and
American Board of Surgery.
The Lansdell brothers ended up
on the same floor, two doors down
from each other. “There were ‘name
alerts’ on everything,” Brenda chuckled,
remembering the precautions
the hospital took to keep down
the confusion. It even took Hillary
Cross, a case manager for Arkansas
Brenda and Malvin Lansdell meet with their Arkansas Blue Cross case
manager, Hillary Cross, RN.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Southwest
Regional Office in Texarkana,
by surprise.
“I went to the front desk to ask
for the room number for Mr. Lansdell
and they said ‘which one?’”
she said. Malvin is covered under
BlueAdvantage Administrators of
Arkansas and Harold is covered under
the Federal Employee Program
under another Blue Cross plan, so
he was not on her list of patients
to follow.
For Brenda, curled up in a chair
with her shoes off in Malvin’s
hospital room, seeing Hillary walk
through the door was a breath of
fresh air.
“When she said, ‘Hi, I’m Hillary
Cross, a case manager with Arkan-
Blue & You Summer 2009

sas Blue Cross, and I’m a registered
nurse,’ it made me feel good right
then,” Brenda said. While the staff
had been very helpful, Brenda
said she trusted Hillary to help her
understand the medical terms and
plan their next steps to getting
Malvin home.
Harold and Malvin Lansdell were patients at the same time at
CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System.
“She’s been there for me to talk
to,” Brenda said of the many conversations
she has had with Hillary in
person and over the telephone.
Through the medical tests they
also discovered that Malvin had diabetes,
so Hillary provided them with
information on lifestyle changes so
he could keep his blood sugar levels
in check. Perhaps it was because
of the medications, but at first
Malvin complained that the healthy
foods, “tasted like cardboard.” After
awhile, however, he had to admit,
“this cardboard tastes pretty good.”
As the two brothers became
more mobile, the confusion increased.
Brenda said at one point a
hospital aide came to the room and
asked for Mr. Lansdell. “He’s down
the hall,” she said. The aide looked
on the chart, looked back to the
room number and then in confusion
looked back at Brenda. “He’s
visiting the other
Mr. Lansdell,”
she explained,
laughing.
Harold, with his
four bypasses,
recovered faster
than Malvin, and
soon was released
to continue his recovery
with home
health services.
Still, Malvin only
was in the hospital
about a week
before he also was released.
Hillary continued to call
their home and check
on their needs.
Malvin said that
while the case
management
service from Arkansas
Blue Cross
was tremendous,
“they did a good
job on claims processing,
too.” He said everything
was handled smoothly so he didn’t
have any concerns, and they even
received a small check back on a
service that was overpaid. Having
a dependable health plan administered
by BlueAdvantage also took
the stress off Brenda so she could
focus on helping Malvin get back to
his old routine.
With Malvin nearing 65, they
started looking at Medicare supplement
and prescription plans. Brenda
said they could have looked elsewhere,
but after their experience
with Arkansas Blue Cross, they
visited with their friend, insurance
agent Ray Tipton in Ashdown, to
sign up for the Arkansas Blue Cross
Medi-Pak products. Now they can
focus on the things that matter
most, like grandchildren, fishing and
spending time together.
Editor’s Note: The day after Malvin
gave this interview, he was fishing
on Texarkana Lake and caught, as he
described it, “the biggest crappie I
had ever seen.”
13
Blue & You Summer 2009

Preparing for an MRI
Before the exam you will be asked to fill
out a screening form asking about anything
that might create a health risk or interfere
with imaging. These items include:
• Cardiac pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
• Catheter that has metal components
that may pose a risk of a burn injury.
• A ferromagnetic metal clip placed to
prevent bleeding from an intracranial
aneurysm.
• An implanted medication pump (used to
deliver insulin or a pain-relieving drug).
• A cochlear (inner ear) implant.
Source: American College of Radiology
14
FDA warns against
skin patches during MRI scans
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently
advised against wearing medicated skin patches during
an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. Some
medicated patches may contain aluminum or other
metals in the non-adhesive backing. During an MRI
scan, the metal potentially can conduct electricity and
cause a skin burn at the site of the patch. Many patches
containing metals provide a label warning patients to
remove the patch before undergoing an MRI scan because
of the risk of burns. However, the FDA has found
that not all patches containing metal provide a warning.
The FDA is in the process of compiling a list of all
patches that contain metals to ensure that they are
properly labeled with a warning about the potential
risks of burns. If in doubt, Sandra Kweder, M.D., deputy
director of the FDA’s Office of New Drugs, recommends
that patients remove their patches prior to an MRI scan
and put them back on afterwards.
Sources: FDA and WebMd
Blue & You Summer 2009

When it comes to serving our customers,
we’re the best!
When you need a question about your
benefits answered accurately, when you
need your claims paid quickly and efficiently,
and when you just
need good customer
service whether you
are at home or traveling,
you have the
right health insurance
company to meet
your needs.
All of the Blue plans
throughout the United
States measure how
they are meeting members’ needs and expectations,
and then they compare how they are doing against
all of the other Blue Plans. And, for the fourth quarter
of 2008, we were the best in the nation —
ranked No. 1!
When you need service right here, right now —
you can feel comfortable knowing that the company
that you trust to take care of your health-care coverage
takes that job seriously — and all of the employees
at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield are doing
their part when our members need help in times of a
health crisis or when then need health information or
support.
“This remarkable achievement shows the commitment
of everyone in the company to our members,”
said Mark White, president and chief executive officer
of Arkansas Blue Cross.
Grants available for
health-improvement
programs
The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas
is accepting applications for grants ranging from $5,000
to $150,000 to fund health-improvement programs in
Arkansas.
The Blue & You Foundation, established in 2001 by
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, awards about $1
million in grants annually to nonprofit and governmental
organizations and programs that positively affect the
health of Arkansans. In its first seven years of operation,
the foundation has awarded more than $8.5 million
to 129 health-improvement programs in Arkansas.
The deadline to apply for a grant is July 15, 2009.
Information about applying for grants can be found at
BlueAndYouFoundationArkansas.org, or may be requested
by writing to:
Blue & You Foundation
USAble Corporate Center
320 West Capitol, Suite 200
Little Rock, AR 72201
Applications will be reviewed in the fall and grants
will be awarded in November for programs to be
implemented in 2010.
15
Blue & You Summer 2009

16
The Joy of
Cooking
reflects
the
public’s
joy of
eating
It’s been 70 years since the first
issue of The Joy of Cooking hit the
bookstore shelves. Since that time,
the average calories per serving of
18 of its classic recipes increased
more than 35 percent per serving.
Why? Throughout the years, the
recipes have called for ingredients
higher in calories and small, but
regular, increases in serving sizes.
The calories and portion sizes reflect
Average Calories of 18 classic recipes
by The Joy of Cooking publication year
Average Total Calories
Per Recipe
Average Calories Per
Serving
Average Number of
Servings Per Recipe
well-established cultural changes
that include more and more food,
which leads to expanding waistlines
(see graph).
When cooking, be sure to use
low-calorie ingredients and look for
low-calorie recipe options. When
trying to lose weight, every calorie
counts.
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine
1936 1963 2006
2123 2250 3051
268 294 384
12.9 12.7 12.7
Lose
weight
The Healthy
Weigh!
The Healthy Weigh! Education
Program is free for members of Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield,
Health Advantage, Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan
(Federal Employee Program), and
eligible members of BlueAdvantage
Administrators of Arkansas.
To enroll, complete the attached
enrollment form and return it in the
self-addressed, postage-paid envelope
included in this magazine. The
program starts when you enroll.
After enrollment, you will begin
to receive information through the
mail, which you can read in the
privacy of your own home and at
your own pace. The program is
completely voluntary, and you may
leave the program at any time. If
you have further questions about
the program, call the Health Education
Program’s toll-free number at
1-800-686-2609.
Simply complete, sign and return
the attached enrollment form in
the self-addressed, postage-paid
envelope.
Blue & You Summer 2009

Wait before using some
weight loss supplements
If you are one of millions of Americans buying
over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss supplements sold
on various Web sites and in some retail stores and
beauty salons, you may be taking in more than you
bargained for.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently
identified 72 weight loss products it considers to be
tainted by undeclared active ingredients. That means
the products contain ingredients that have not been
approved by the FDA for sale in the United States and
may put consumers’ lives at risk.
Some of the products claim to be “natural” or to
contain only “herbal” ingredients but actually contain
potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the products’
labels. The FDA has inspected a number of companies
associated with the sale of these illegal products
and currently is seeking product recalls. These products
are illegal and include the following undeclared active
pharmaceutical ingredients:
• Sibutramine – a prescription appetite suppressant
and a controlled substance.
• Fenproporex – a controlled substance not approved
in the United States.
• Fluoxetine – a prescription antidepressant.
• Bumetanide – a potent prescription diuretic.
• Furosemide – a potent prescription diuretic.
• Rimonabant – a drug not approved in the
United States.
• Cetilistat – an experimental obesity drug not approved
in the United States.
• Phenytoin – an anti-seizure medication.
• Phenolphthalein – a solution used in chemical
experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent
that is not approved in the United States.
The FDA warns that these OTC supplements can
cause profound health risks, including high blood pressure,
seizures, heart attack and stroke. If you have
taken supplements containing any of these ingredients,
you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Before
starting a weight loss program, you should always
discuss your plan with your doctor.
A complete list of the drugs can be found at fda.gov/
cder/consumerinfo/weight_loss_products.htm.
17
Blue & You Summer 2009

Busy life finds
time for
18
SilverSneakers
Blue & You Summer 2009

Rita Nelson is always on the go. If she’s not at her home in
Gurdon, she’s at the lake house in Hot Springs. In fact it only was
recently that she found the time to retire. But, if you think that
opened the door for this spunky 88-year-old to slow down —
think again!
During her near-nine decades, she always has led a healthy lifestyle,
and believes that taking care of yourself is an important part
of taking care of business and others. Sometimes it’s mind over
matter … sometimes it’s a matter of mind and body … and always,
it’s heart and soul with Rita.
Rita participates in yoga early in the week when she is in Gurdon.
When she heard about the SilverSneakers ® Fitness Program
at the Hot Springs YMCA, she decided that would fit into her busy
schedule for the second part of her week. After about 10 months
of workouts, she can tell you, “You
Not too many
use your toes to your fingernails!”
Rita said the SilverSneakers routine people can
is “very invigorating” and “it does
make you feel better” which is a good keep up with
thing since she still does all her own
Rita.
housework. She also walks on a treadmill
in the morning to stay physically fit.
Not too many people can keep up with Rita, but Ralph Berdikoski
is giving it a go. The two have known each other for years, and
Ralph started helping Rita by coming over to mow her three acres
of land. Finally, one day, he asked her, “Why don’t we spend our
golden years together?”
Rita said they had a wonderful wedding on Oct. 2, 2004, with a
reception at the Majestic Hotel in Hot Springs. She added that he
is very active for an 84 year old!
To enroll in SilverSneakers, Medi-Pak and Medi-Pak Advantage
members can go to a participating fitness center near them and
show their ID card. Fitness center staff will assist with enrollment
and provide tours of the locations.
Because new fitness centers are being added to the program
regularly, members can go online to silversneakers.com to find all
participating locations in Arkansas.
19
Blue & You Summer 2009

20
Senior Moments
You and your doctor
David A. Lipschitz, M.D, Ph.D.
Living a healthy life used to be simple — eat right
and exercise. Today, we have made living a healthy life
so very, very complicated. Read this book, listen to this
doctor and take this special, highly formulated just-foryou
vitamin. It’s overwhelming!
In this world of overly complex health care, there is
one glaring void in the discussion. You may know what
vitamin to take or what exercise routine to follow, but
most patients do not know how to build a healthy relationship
with their doctors. More than anything else,
with Dr. David
this is the most vital step to living the healthiest life
possible.
With this in mind, I have made it my mission to help
everyone — of every age — to be empowered consumers
of health care. Your relationship with your doctor is
a two-way street — you must play an active role. The
more educated you are about your health, the better
the relationship. Know what to expect before you
walk into the doctor’s office. Know what to ask. Do
your homework, and be prepared. Trust me, there is a
formula to developing a better relationship with your
doctor. Here’s how:
1. Get an annual physical. This is the perfect opportunity
to get a bottom-line assessment of your health.
And, it’s the prime time to start building a trusting,
healthy relationship with your primary care physician.
Make sure he or she does a complete examination
and discusses any health issues or concerns. Tell
your physician you want to do everything possible to
promote your health and ask him to help develop a
lifestyle plan for disease prevention.
At your yearly physical, you should expect:
• A comprehensive health history
• A complete physical examination
• Appropriate screening tests
• A plan for the future
2. If you have a health concern, educate yourself
first! Remember, your doctor may not adequately
explain all of the details of your condition. It is critically
important that you do as much research as you
can before you put on the clinic gown.
Here are some tips:
• Go online. Review reputable consumer health
Blue & You Summer 2009

Web sites such as WebMd.com. (If you’re not
computer savvy, visit the library.)
• Get the basics — What is your condition?
What are the symptoms? What are the concerns
or complications with this condition?
What are your treatment options?
• Take notes. When doing any health research,
online or otherwise, you are going to have
questions. Write them down and take them
with you when you visit your doctor.
3. When developing a treatment plan, always ask
these questions.
• Why is this the recommended course of
treatment?
• What are the side effects?
• What is the expected outcome, and what
percentage of patients achieve successful
results?
• Is this the most affordable and rational treatment
plan for me?
Follow these three steps and you will be well on
your way to being an educated consumer of health
care. Remember — when it comes to building a
healthy relationship with your doctor, take an active
role. Both you and your doctor play a part when it
comes to your health.
So, get engaged and be empowered!
Editor’s Note: David A. Lipschitz, M.D, Ph.D., is
nationally recognized as a leader in the field of geriatrics.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is honored
to have him as a contributor to Blue & You magazine.
BlueCard lands
Satisfaction Award
Nothing frustrates
people
more than getting
caught in the
middle of claims
payment issues
between the
doctor’s office or
hospital and the
insurance company.
At Arkansas
Blue Cross and
Blue Shield, we
Left to right, Virginia Collier, manager
of BlueCard Claims; Dan Stevens,
get it — in fact we
manager of Provider Network Operations;
and Alicia Clayton, manager
get it so well that
of BlueCard Customer Service.
we received the
Provider Satisfaction Award for 2008.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield was in the top
five Blue plans to achieve a service level greater than
80 percent on a national provider satisfaction survey for
BlueCard, our program that allows members traveling
or living outside the state to see doctors and hospitals
contracted with other Blue plans.
More than 600 surveys were conducted in the Arkansas
Blue Cross market, and more than 30,000 were
conducted nationally. Providers rated the plans on
overall satisfaction and a variety of claims processing
issues.
What does that mean for you? It means we work
hard to process claims quickly and accurately, so you
won’t get a telephone call or letter from your provider
asking for additional payments. It means that we are
proactive in resolving issues and making providers happy.
And by making your doctors and their staff happy,
they can focus on the most important part of their job
— taking care of you.
21
Blue & You Summer 2009

22
ATU’s centennial
celebrates education,
growth and
focuses on
health
David Moseley and staff
members take a stroll
through the Arkansas
Tech campus as part of
the Blue & You Fitness
Challenge.
Arkansas Tech University in
Russellville is 100 years old this
year, but through its partnership
with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, the faculty and staff are feeling
as young as ever.
“Our partnership works in many
ways,” said Arkansas Tech President
Robert Charles Brown, Ph.D. “The
provisions of wellness information
and preventive care are especially
beneficial because they keep our
faculty and staff healthy and
ultimately help to keep our
costs down.”
Set in the Ozark foothills, Arkansas
Tech serves almost 7,500
students with 862 faculty and staff
members and offers a wide range of
degrees and certificates. The campus
has experienced tremendous
growth in the past few years, something
Brown said can put a strain
on the budget. But while in today’s
economy some businesses are looking
to cut costs in areas like employee
benefits,
Brown said
that Arkansas
Tech recognizes
the importance
of maintaining good benefits. “It is
fundamental to our business model,”
he said.
Perhaps the value of human
resources is recognized more at
Arkansas Tech because of their
mission. “The only thing we offer
Blue & You Summer 2009

is human resources … that’s what
higher education is …” Brown said,
adding, “If you don’t have healthy
professors you don’t have a good
learning environment for
your students.”
Arkansas Tech
joined the Arkansas
Blue Cross family
in 1993, and in
that long relationship,
Brown said, the
members have taken
advantage of health fairs, a
diabetes lunch and learn, health
education programs and more.
Tech always has been focused on
education, but now a greater part
of that education is focused on
health and wellness. The cafeteria
often spotlights nutritional information
on select items and Tech Fit,
the fitness center is available to
faculty, staff and students. Students
in the wellness science degree
program can even coach faculty on
using the fitness center as part of
their course work.
Brown said the campus plans to
go smoke free this summer and
is looking into building a two-mile
walking trail around the campus.
Freshman orientation even includes
a focus on maintaining good health
to help students avoid the dreaded
“freshman 15” weight gain.
Mary Ann Rollans, dean of the
school of Community Education,
said that each year the campus
holds professional development
training for administrative professionals,
but this year, with about
70 faculty and staff entered into
the Blue & You Fitness
Challenge, there has
been such a focus
on health that they
decided on healthy
living as the theme.
The seminar included
tips from a
nutritionist and other
health-related topics.
David Moseley, senior vice president
of administration and finance,
has been the liaison between Arkansas
Tech and Arkansas Blue Cross,
and said that he is living proof of the
value of quality health insurance.
Moseley had a quadruple bypass in
1999, and said that if it weren’t for
regular checkups, “my story could
have been a whole lot different.”
Moseley said the relationship between
Arkansas Tech and Arkansas
Blue Cross is built on four things:
accessibility, trust, value and customer
service.
“All we have to do is call Dee
Rodgers or Sonya George in the
Central Regional Office,” he said of
the quick response they get to any
question or concern. And, he added,
“We trust Arkansas Blue Cross is
going to do what they say they are
going to do.”
Moseley said the long-term value
is apparent whenever a faculty or
staff member has to go to the doctor
or hospital. As far as customer
service is concerned — “You can’t
beat it,” he said.
Students and faculty members can
exercise at Tech Fit, a state-of-the-art
fitness center on campus.
23
Blue & You Summer 2009

24
A recent study suggests you may
be hurting your teeth after toning
your body if you guzzle a large amount of sports drinks.
Researchers at New York University College of Dentistry
took cow teeth, which are similar to human teeth,
cut them in half and soaked them in sports drinks for 75
to 90 minutes. Afterward, they found the acid from the
drinks caused damage to the tooth enamel, the dentin
(the second layer of the tooth) and caused considerable
staining.
While some opponents of the research say that the
study does not replicate real life, the implications of
the research still may be valuable, especially for those
who consume sports drinks on a regular basis. But,
you don’t have to give them up completely. The following
are suggested in order to prevent the possibility of
tooth erosion:
• Drink sports drinks in moderation.
• Sip sports drinks through a straw.
• Drink plenty of water to flush out the mouth.
Ironically, because sports drinks soften tooth enamel,
the researchers suggest you wait at least 30 minutes
before brushing your teeth after consuming them.
Instead of protecting your pearly whites, you could
actually cause more damage.
Sources: WebMD and CNN.com
Can
sports
drinks
harm
your
teeth?
Health insurance is important!
1. It protects you financially against
catastrophic costs due to an accident
or illness.
2. It provides you with a discount on the
medical services you receive.
Do the
changes in
COBRA
affect you?
They might if you have recently lost your job.
The COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act) subsidy, which was passed as part of the
economic stimulus package in February, gives 65 percent
of COBRA premiums, for nine months, to workers
who are laid off between September 2008 and the
end of this year. The subsidy applies only to workers
laid off from companies with 20 or more workers. This
subsidy is not available to workers whose companies
have closed their doors.
For more information about COBRA, visit the U.S.
Department of Labor Web site at dol.gov.
If you are without a job and without insurance, we
have a plan to meet your needs. Visit arkansasbluecross.com
for more information.
Blue & You Summer 2009

The
Doctor’s
Corner
Take your fish oil today?
The oil found in fish and fish oil
supplements (omega-3 fatty acids)
recommends the following:
• Go to bed at the same time
every night.
by Ray Bredfeldt, M.D.,
Regional Medical Director
Northwest Region, Fayetteville
reduces the risk of macular degen-
• Avoid napping during the day.
eration, a common cause of blind-
• Avoid heavy foods and caffeine
(JAMA) should alleviate those fears.
ness related to aging. Researchers
four to six hours before bedtime.
Researchers reviewed 47 studies on
found that people who eat fish fre-
• Exercise regularly but not right
drugs used for various heart condi-
quently (especially tuna and salmon)
before going to bed.
tions, and found no evidence that
or who take fish oil supplements are
• Eliminate distracting light and
brand-name drugs were superior
less than half as likely to develop
macular degeneration as they age.
noise if possible.
• Avoid watching TV in bed. Watch-
to generic drugs in actual medical
practice.
25
ing TV for some people can
stimulate the mind, making it
more difficult to go to sleep.
• Make sure the room is cool.
• Try not to think about the
worries of the day after you
Smoking and colon cancer
go to bed.
It’s well known that smoking is
the major cause of lung cancer.
Sleeping is good for
Generic vs. Brand-name
Doctors also know that smoking
your heart
heart medications?
is strongly associated with throat,
People who do not get enough
No difference!
kidney, bladder, cervix, stomach
sleep put their health at risk. A
The U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-
and pancreas cancer. A new study
study published recently in the Ar-
tration (FDA) requires that all ge-
recently published in the Journal of
chives of Internal Medicine showed
neric drugs meet the same stan-
the American Medical Association
that people who sleep less than
dards as the original drug. Despite
(JAMA) has determined that colon
seven and one-half hours per night
this requirement, many people still
cancer can be added to this long
are 59 percent more likely to have a
wonder whether generic and brand-
list. Smokers were found to be 18
heart attack, stroke or die suddenly
name heart medications are equal
percent more likely to develop colon
from heart disease. If you have
in their effectiveness. A recent
cancer and 25 percent more likely to
trouble sleeping, the University
study published in the Journal of
die from it than non-smokers.
of Maryland Sleep Disorder Clinic
the American Medical Association
Blue & You Summer 2009

Chiropractic medicine:
26
About 80 percent of adults have experienced
low back pain at some point, making it the fifth
most common reason for all physician visits
in the United States. In many cases, the pain
subsides in a short period of time, but in other
cases, the pain is ongoing, indicating a serious
problem.
The back is a complicated structure of
bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. Injuring
any of these tissues can lead to pain and
possibly impair neck, arm or leg movement. A
healthy lower back provides structural support
for the entire body.
Medications frequently are prescribed
for low back pain, though they only provide
short-term benefits. More than 75 percent of
patients are prescribed at least one medication
for back pain at their initial office visit. But
medications are not the only treatments
available.
Studies show that noninvasive treatments
— such as spinal manipulation and massage
therapy — often provide longer benefits than
medications. A doctor of chiropractic medicine
often provides these noninvasive treatments.
Surgery is another option for treating low
back pain. However, more than 40 percent of
patients who underwent back surgery report
being dissatisfied with the results. Before
choosing surgery, it is recommended that patients
experience at least two years of noninvasive
interventions such as spinal manipulation.
When it comes to managing acute and
chronic back pain, there is no magic solution
that works for everyone. However, chiroprac-
Studies show that
noninvasive treatments
— such as spinal
manipulation and
massage therapy — often
provide longer benefits
than medications.
Blue & You Summer 2009

An effective option for low back pain
tic care has been successful for millions of Americans
looking to avoid surgery and/or regular pain medication.
Chiropractors are best known for their conservative
care of back and neck pain. However, doctors of chiropractic
medicine are capable of treating a broad range
of conditions and injuries. Not only is chiropractic care
beneficial for conditions such as these, but when other
health conditions exist, it may complement or even
support medical treatment. Patient satisfaction
rates are high when hands-on therapies
were used for treatment of various
conditions as an alternative to surgery
or pharmaceuticals.
Chiropractic doctors consult
with their patients in ways
similar to medical doctors.
Laboratory tests or diagnostic
imaging may be requested. A
chiropractic doctor will perform
a physical examination, paying
close attention to the patient’s posture,
motion, balance, muscle strength
and level of neurologic involvement. This allows
the chiropractic doctor to put the patient in one of three
broad categories: 1) nonspecific low back pain related
to joint and ligament laxity, strained or over-used muscles,
or sprained ligaments; 2) back pain potentially associated
with pinched nerves due to spinal stenosis or
disc protrusion; and 3) back pain potentially associated
with other spinal causes such as progressive neurologic
deficits, tumors or infection. Placing the patient in the
correct category helps guide the treatment.
Depending on the examination, a chiropractic treatment
plan may include any one or combination of the
following:
• Spinal manipulation
• Electrical muscle stimulation
• Traction
• Ultrasound
• Soft tissue massage
• Home treatment recommendations
• Lifting posture and lifestyles modifications
• Rehabilitative exercises
A treatment plan also may involve collaborative
care with other health-care providers,
such as your primary care physician,
orthopedist or neurologist.
The extent of a patient’s
problems coupled with the
hands-on nature of chiropractic
treatment may require
several office visits. While
many patients feel immediate
relief following chiropractic
treatment, it may take others two
to three weeks before they achieve
substantial progress. Your chiropractic
doctor should tell you how long the treatment
should last.
When choosing a doctor of chiropractic medicine,
the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) suggests
you select a chiropractic physician with whom you are
comfortable, who thoroughly answers your questions
and explains the recommended treatment plan.
To locate a chiropractic doctor in your area, visit one
of our Web sites listed on page 31.
Sources: American Chiropractic Association (ACA),
Consumer Reports, Annals of Internal Medicine
27
Blue & You Summer 2009

BlueAnn Ewe and the Arkansas Blue Cross Heart Walk team.
28
Arkansas Blue Cross has a heart
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has a “heart” sas Blue Cross’ health ambassador, joined more than
and encourages its employees to maintain a healthy 300 Arkansas Blue Cross employees on April 4 to walk
heart! As “You Have A Heart” sponsors of the American
Heart Association’s Heart Walk, Arkansas Blue the North Shore Riverwalk in North Little Rock.
in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk held at
Cross formed a corporate team. BlueAnn Ewe, Arkan-
BlueAnn Ewe joins Perritt Primary School
BlueAnn Ewe joined the annual “Just Say No” drug
prevention walk hosted by Perritt Primary School in
Arkadelphia on April 10. BlueAnn led the fight against
drugs with hundreds of elementary students, high
school and college mentors, parents, teachers and
administration staff, and community supporters. Perritt’s
Nickelodeon singers got the day off to a great start
with two musical numbers that fit with the theme.
Arkadelphia High School cheerleaders and junior high
drill team members led a workout on the school lawn.
The students, along with BlueAnn, walked to the newspaper
office for another rally and then headed back to
the school, but not before stopping at the principal’s
house for juice and cookies. Community and state
leaders greeted the walkers, pledging their support in
the fight against drugs. Ashlen Batson, Miss Arkansas
2008, served as the keynote speaker. BlueAnn, Barney
the Badger and “No Smok-e-mon” were special guests
at the rally. Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Arkadelphia
Police Department officers, and members of the
Arkadelphia Fire Department Rescue Unit joined in the
assembly.
BlueAnn walks in the “Just Say NO” drug prevention walk
hosted by Perritt Primary School in Arkadelphia.
Blue & You Summer 2009

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Financial Information Privacy Notice
At Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield and its affiliates
(HMO Partners, Inc. d/b/a Health
Advantage, and BlueAdvantage
Administrators of Arkansas), 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
purchase and use of our
products.
• Information related to the fact
that you have been or currently
are a member.
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 one another or 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
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.
As required by state regulation, we
must notify our members about
how we handle non-public financial
information of our members. Nothing
29
affiliates only compile information
another or other third parties are:
has changed in the way we conduct
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
• 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.
our business. If you would like to
review the Financial Information
Privacy Notices for all Arkansas Blue
Cross members, you can visit our Web
site at arkansasbluecross.com or call
the appropriate Arkansas Blue Cross
affiliate company to receive the Privacy
Notice. Our customer service areas
are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
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
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
Central time, Monday through Friday.
To receive a copy of the Privacy
Notice, members should call:
Arkansas Blue Cross —
1-800-238-8379.
Health Advantage — 1-800-843-1329.
BlueAdvantage Administrators of
Arkansas — Members should call
Customer Service using the toll-free
telephone number on their ID card.
Blue & You Summer 2009

30
Generic drugs: Use with confidence!
Rising prescription drug costs FDA to sell generic versions. Since
affect everyone, especially older they don’t have the investment, the
Americans, but many people manufacturers sell the generic drug
worry that generic versions of their at a lower price.
medications are not as good as the The FDA review process for generic
drugs is almost identical to the
brand-name version. If you are one
of these people — stop worrying! process for brand-name drugs:
Generic drugs can be used with • A brand-name drug must be
confidence.
FDA-approved before a generic
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) approves brand name must have the same active
can be created. The generic
and generic drug products sold in ingredient or ingredients and the
the United States, and the quality same strength as the brandname
drug.
standards are the same for both
products. The difference in price • The manufacturer must show
comes from the cost of developing the generic drug is bioequivalent
the drug.
to the brand-name drug. This
New drugs are developed under means that it will react in the
patent protection. Pharmaceutical same way in a person’s body.
companies invest large amounts • The generic drug’s label must
of money to be sure their products be essentially the same as the
are safe and effective, so they are approved drug.
allowed to sell the drug while the • The firm must document the generic
drug’s chemistry, manufac-
patent is in effect and they may sell
it at a higher cost to recoup their turing steps and quality control
investment. When patents on brandname
drugs near expiration, drug • The raw materials and finished
measures for FDA review.
manufacturers may apply to the
generic product must meet
From the
specifications set by U.S. Pharmacopoeia,
a non-profit, scientific
body that sets standards for
drug purity.
• Once on the market, the firm
must continue to monitor the
drug’s stability. Firms making
sterile drugs must submit data
assuring sterility.
• The firm must comply with federal
good manufacturing practice
regulations and undergo FDA
inspection to assure compliance.
Generic competition keeps costs
down and encourages drug companies
to develop newer and better
medicines. Generic drugs save
Americans an estimated $8 to $10
billion a year (according to the Congressional
Budget Office). Billions
more are saved when hospitals use
generics.
So the next time you get a prescription
filled, ask your pharmacist
if a generic version is available. Use
generics with confidence!
Source: U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
Pharmacist
by Trey Gardner, Pharm D.,
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Blue & You Summer 2009

Arkansas Blue Cross
helps city of Mena
(Left to right) Ken Bell, managed care service representative
for the West Central Region in Fort Smith; Cindy Long, vice
president of Retail Banking and Human Development for
the Union Bank of Mena; Dr. Diann Gathright, Mena School
Superintendent; Martha Carlson, regional executive for the
West Central Region; and P.T. Plunkett, chairman of the
Bearcat Foundation, Inc.
When the city of Mena was devastated by a tornado
in April, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield looked
for ways to help the residents recover from the storm.
A $5,000 donation was made to heavily damaged
Mena Middle School to replace academic equipment
and help purchase physical education equipment.
Arkansas Blue Cross employees raised an additional
$2,573 to help Mena’s residents recover.
“Arkansas Blue Cross is always looking for ways to
improve the lives of all Arkansans, and when our neighbors
are in need, we are there to lend a helping hand,”
said Martha Carlson, regional executive of the West
Central Regional Office, which serves Polk County
where Mena is located. Carlson presented the donation
to Mena Middle School.
Arkansas Blue Cross continually provides donations
to organizations and communities in need throughout
Arkansas through corporate sponsorship, the Blue &
You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas and employee
fundraisers.
We love to hear from you!
May we help? For customer service please call:
Little Rock
Number (501)
Toll-free
Number
Medi-Pak members 378-3062 1-800-338-2312
Medi-Pak Advantage or Medi-Pak Rx 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
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
State and Public School members 378-2364 1-800-482-8416
Federal Employee members 378-2531 1-800-482-6655
Looking for health or dental insurance? We can help!
For individuals, families
and those age 65 or older 378-2937 1-800-392-2583
For employer groups 378-3070 1-800-421-1112
(Arkansas Blue Cross Group Services, which includes
Health Advantage and BlueAdvantage Administrators
of Arkansas)
Prefer to speak with someone close to home? Regional Office
telephone numbers:
Pine Bluff/Southeast Region 1-800-236-0369
1800 West 73rd St.
Jonesboro/Northeast Region 1-800-299-4124
707 East Matthews Ave.
Hot Springs/South Central Region 1-800-588-5733
100 Greenwood Ave., Suite C
Texarkana/Southwest Region 1-800-470-9621
1710 Arkansas Boulevard
Fayetteville/Northwest Region 1-800-817-7726
516 East Milsap Rd., Suite 103
Fort Smith/West Central Region 1-866-254-9117
3501 Old Greenwood Rd., Suite 5
Little Rock/Central Region 1-800-421-1112
320 West Capitol Ave., Suite 900
Web sites:
arkansasbluecross.com
healthadvantage-hmo.com
blueadvantagearkansas.com
blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org
blueannewe-ark.com
31
Blue & You Summer 2009

32
At Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield, we are
always looking for new
ways to be "Good for You."
Here are some of our
latest accomplishments.
Wellness Discounts are good for you
As a member, you are entitled to numerous discounts!
Our discount wellness program connects you with
numerous resources such as health and fitness clubs,
weight management plans, sporting goods and fitness
and safety equipment vendors and more. For more
information, visit us online at arkansasbluecross.com,
healthadvantage-hmo.com or blueadvantagearkansas.
com depending on your policy.
Take ou r survey
Tell us what you think. Go to
arkansasbluecross.com and fill out the
survey on the home page for a chance to
win a gift card. We value your input.
Someone you know need
insurance?
Chances are, if you are receiving this
magazine, you already have insurance
with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield or one of our affiliated companies.
However, you may have
a child who has “aged off” your
plan, a brother who no longer has
insurance through his employer,
or an uncle who just turned 65
and now is eligible for a Medicare
plan. Whatever the need, we can
help. Share our telephone number
— 1-800-392-2583 — with someone
today who needs health insurance,
and we’ll help them find a plan to fit their
needs and budget.
Blue & You Summer 2009