Blue & You - Autumn 2009

Autumn 09
• Read our CEO’s editorial about health care reform, Page 3
• Enroll now in one of our Medicare plans, Page 5
• Dr. David offers healthy eating tips, Page 16
Dan Peterson of Little
Rock, Ark., is a survivor of
pancreatic cancer. See his
story on Page 6.
A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies

on Page 12
5 Medicare enrollment information
12 SilverSneakers
adds to active lifestyle
19 Yarnell’s & Arkansas Blue Cross
INSIDE
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Out of the Blue
Great options for members 65 and over
Beating the odds: Dan Peterson’s journey
with pancreatic cancer
Can Zicam damage your sense of smell?
Caffeine may reduce Alzheimer’s memory loss
Beware: Tanning beds cause cancer
Prepare for two flus this fall
SilverSneakers adds to active lifestyle
Prediabetes? Take the warning seriously!
Lose weight The Healthy Weigh!
Taking calcium supplements for weight loss?
What not to feed Junior
Senior Moments with Dr. David
Where does your health-care dollar go?
A sweet relationship:
Yarnell’s and Arkansas Blue Cross
From the Pharmacist —
Are you an unintentional drug dealer?
Curves offers discount to members
What is a formulary?
The Doctor’s Corner
Three benefits added to group DentalBlue plans
Mental Health Parity: What it means for you
Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act
Blue & You Fitness Challengers win with
better health
Customer Service telephone numbers
Good for you
Autumn 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
A special thank you to Stacy Harter, a University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate student, who contributed the article on chiropractic medicine in the Summer 09
edition of Blue & You.

Out of the
Blue
A message from our
CEO and President,
Mark White
Our stance on health care reform
In the ever-changing environment around health care
reform, there are a few constants. At Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield, our position on health care reform
has not changed.
• We support health care reform. We believe changing
our current system is important to Americans
individually and collectively. The rate of growth in
health-care costs today is not sustainable for the
long term. The impact of these costs on our nation’s
ability to compete in a global economy and
on hard-working Americans will be unbearable. We
believe so strongly in the need for change that we
will support responsible changes even if they require
that we as a health insurance company significantly
change the way we do business.
• We believe that every American should have access
to high-quality, affordable health care, and
that any reform enacted should address the problem
of the uninsured by providing financial assistance to
those who cannot afford coverage on their own.
• We believe that the most significant issue we
face in health care today is cost. To be successful,
any reform enacted must address cost as the
primary issue. It is cost that has created a situation
in which many Americans lack health coverage. It is
the cost of health care that makes our current system
unsustainable. We must first address the cost in
order to reform health care without bankrupting the
country in the process.
As an industry, we must be — and are — prepared to
make radical changes in the way we do business. One
much-maligned insurance company practice is denying
coverage or payment for those with pre-existing medical
conditions. Early in the health-care discussions, our
industry pledged to support guaranteeing coverage for
everyone despite any pre-existing health condition
they might have. But to make this proposal affordable,
we must have laws that require everyone who can
afford it to purchase insurance and stiff penalties for
those who fail to do so. Without these laws, people
would not buy insurance until they got sick. And we all
know you don’t wait until after you’ve burned dinner to
turn off the oven.
But other changes are needed to make health care
3
Blue & You Autumn 2009

4
available and affordable for all Americans. Remember
that the problem is the cost of health-care services,
which directly impacts your health insurance costs.
Health-care costs drive health insurance costs — not
the other way around. There are a number of reform initiatives
that hold promise for addressing our cost problem.
The most important has not been part of the public
debate. Payment reform is an important first step if we
are serious about controlling the cost of health care.
We must change how we pay health-care providers,
not necessarily how much we pay them. Today, doctors,
hospitals and other health-service
providers are paid for each service
they provide, even if that service isn’t
helpful or already has been done. This
method of payment is called “fee-forservice.”
In this environment, patients
often see specialists and undergo
many tests and procedures with no
one coordinating the care they receive
from one doctor to the next. We need
a system in which doctors and hospitals
are paid to treat a patient’s “medical
episode” rather than each medical
service provided. An episode might be a hysterectomy
or a heart attack or any other condition for which a
patient might seek medical care. When we pay doctors
and hospitals to treat a patient’s medical episode, they
are incented to coordinate the care the patient receives,
avoid duplicate and unnecessary testing and provide
care that has been proven effective and necessary.
Another important initiative that will contribute to a
more efficient system is the expansion of health information
technology (IT) in the health-care delivery system.
This initiative already is included in many reform
proposals and is part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. We need a system
that links the health plan, the doctor, the hospital and
We need a system
in which doctors
and hospitals are
paid to treat a
patient’s
“medical
episode”
rather than each
medical service
provided.
the patient together so that everyone has access to the
information they need to best treat each patient and get
their claims paid. This means when you see your doctor
or visit the emergency room, the physician or nurse
should be able to enter your name and other identifiable
information in a computer and review your medical
records. This will help avoid delays in care and unnecessary
tests, as well as give the health-care providers a
clear understanding of your medical history.
Let me give an example: your 80-year-old mother
goes to the emergency room and the doctor doesn’t
have any experience treating her. He
has no access to her medical records.
He may have to order more tests, prescribe
more medicines and take more
time trying to diagnosis the problem.
Some of these procedures are probably
not necessary and may actually be
harmful. The doctor won’t know if the
same tests or procedures were conducted
just a few months before. He
could save time and money if he had
access to her medical history, and he
would be more effective in treating her
with the appropriate information at his fingertips. That is
the promise of improved health IT.
As you listen to all the discussion surrounding the
current health-care debate, I encourage you to keep
one question in mind. How will this particular proposal
or plan help control cost? Responsible health care
reform will build on our current employer-based system
in ways that make it more affordable. Will huge, new
government bureaucracies control costs? How about increasing
taxes or placing new demands on employers?
I hope that each of you will take the time to consider all
the proposals out there and make an educated decision
about what is best for you and those you love. That’s
the American way.
Blue & You Autumn 2009

GREAT OPTIONS
for members 65 and over
If you are eligible for Medicare, November 15 is an coverage) in 27 counties and affordable premiums
important date to remember. From November 15 until in all Arkansas counties. Medi-Pak Advantage MA-
December 31, you can purchase a Part D prescription PD (PFFS) plans are Medicare PFFS plans, which
drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan. You also can combine all the benefits of original Medicare (Part A
change the plan you have. The federal government’s hospital and Part B medical) with valuable extras.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, our Medi-Pak Advantage
(PFFS) customers have a great new benefit!
calls this time period the Annual Election Period (AEP).
If you join a plan during the AEP, or make changes to Arkansas Blue Cross has contracted with more than
an existing plan, your new benefits will be effective 6,000 doctors and hospitals all over the state that
Jan. 1, 2010.
have agreed to accept our Medi-Pak Advantage
Medi-Pak Choice plans offer peace of mind
members as valued patients. No more searching for
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Medi-Pak
a doctor who will accept your health plan. You will
Choice plans provide the same affordability, convenience
and peace of mind you’ve come to expect
know in advance the doctors and hospitals that will
accept your plan. And when you use these doctors
from us.
and hospitals, you’ll have lower out-of-pocket costs.
For 2010, Arkansas Blue Cross will offer:
Plus, our Medi-Pak Advantage members will continue
to receive a membership in the SilverSneakers ®
• Three Medi-Pak Rx Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)
with competitively priced monthly premiums – Basic
Fitness Program at no additional cost.
at $25.90, Classic at $57.20 and Premier at $86.50.
• $0 premiums for Medi-Pak Advantage MA (PFFS)
Our Medi-Pak Rx (PDP) plans cover all Medicareapproved
generic drugs plus an extensive list of
(does not include drug coverage) in 52 counties. These
plans offer all the health benefits of our Medi-Pak
brand-name prescription drugs. In addition, more
Advantage MA-PD plans, but do not include drug coverage.
Members have access to a network of 6,000
than 95 percent of the pharmacies in Arkansas are in
our network.
doctors and hospitals that have agreed to accept their
• $0 premiums for Medi-Pak Advantage MA-PD
plan and receive a SilverSneakers membership.
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans (includes drug
Great options, continued on Page 18
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Blue & You Autumn 2009

Beating the odds:
6
Miracles can happen. Dan
Peterson is living proof.
In late 2002, Dan began having
severe pain in his upper abdomen.
After a few days with no relief, he
and his wife, Donna, went to the
emergency room at a local hospital.
Dan and Donna Peterson
enjoy the view from their
front porch.
Dan endured several tests, including
a CAT scan, and was diagnosed
with pancreatitis — inflammation of
the pancreas. One of the medical
professionals noted that there was
“something” on the CAT scan results
but did not suggest any follow
up, and Dan was sent home.
Two days later Dan returned
to the hospital, still in pain, and
was admitted. After a few more
tests, Dan’s doctor walked into
the room and told his family he had
bad news.
“It was like the air was sucked
out of the room,” Donna said, still
fighting back tears from that painful
memory. “He said that Dan had
stage-four pancreatic cancer and he
needed to go home and settle his
affairs because he only had a few
months to live.”
Dan’s pancreas had an adenocarcinoma,
a cancer originating in
glandular tissue, and it had spread
to two locations in his liver. There
was no talk of oncologists, surgery
or other treatments. The doctor suggested
that Dan and his family start
saying goodbye.
Donna said that the only thing
keeping her together at that point
was that she had to be strong for
their five children. “I couldn’t eat;
I couldn’t take a deep breath; I
couldn’t imagine life without him.”
Dan went back to his job as a
human resources director for the
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare
System and contacted his
friend, Nick Lang, M.D., a surgical
oncologist who was chief of staff for
the Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Dan Peterson’s journey with pancreatic cancer
(DVA) hospital at the time and who
now is chief medical officer for the
University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences (UAMS). Lang contacted
Laura Hutchins, M.D., director of
the UAMS division of Hematology/
Oncology and director of clinical
research for the UAMS Winthrop P.
Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
The Cancer Institute has a tightknit
group of physicians and researchers
who focus on specific
types of cancer, one of the reasons
it’s been named a Blue Distinction
Center of Excellence for Rare
Cancers by the Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Association. Dr. Hutchins
quickly paired Dan up with Issam
Makhoul, M.D., associate professor
of medicine in the division of Hematology/Oncology.
The first person to talk with Dan
and Donna at Dr. Makhoul’s office
was Michelle Welch, R.N., Dr. Makhoul’s
nurse. Donna remembers her
shock when Michelle said, “It’s not
over — we have lots of things we’re
going to throw at you.” Michelle
confirmed that it is true that the
prognosis for pancreatic cancer
is not good for anyone, but given
Dan’s relatively young age of 57, and
his excellent health otherwise (at
the time he also was a warrant officer
in the Arkansas National Guard),
she felt he had a better chance than
many people.
“I will always be grateful to her
for that,” Donna said. “She gave me
my world back.”
Dan and Donna before he
was diagnosed with cancer.
That glimmer of hope shone
even brighter as they visited with
Dr. Makhoul himself. His warm
demeanor and positive attitude
allowed them to think toward the
future for the first time in weeks.
He told Dan that he believed he had
at least a year to live, if not longer,
and that his team would try several
of the latest therapies to shrink
the tumor and look into ongoing
research to see if new treatments
were available.
“We had considered going out of
state for Dan’s treatment,” Donna
said, “but after that first visit we
realized how blessed we were to
live in Little Rock, so close to such a
renowned medical center.” She said
she and Dan visited with people
from throughout the country in the
waiting rooms of the Cancer Institute
who had come for the excellent,
state-of-the-art treatment.
Part of the reason UAMS is recognized
nationally for its treatment
of rare cancers is that its missions
of teaching, healing, searching and
serving are interwoven into the
daily activities of its employees. Dr.
Makhoul said he originally planned
to only stay a short time at UAMS,
but found he enjoyed the balance
of treating patients, heading the
fellowship program, interacting with
the residents and working on his
own research.
As a Blue Distinction Center of
Excellence for Rare Cancers, the
Cancer Institute must meet high
quality standards established by an
expert panel of physicians, surgeons
and other health-care professionals.
When a hospital has been designated
a Blue Distinction Center, you
know they have expertise in that
specialty, that they focus on quality,
and that they have a history of patients
with Issam Makhoul, M.D.
positive
outcomes.
Hospitals
provide
care differently,
and
the Blue
Cross and
7
Blue & You Autumn 2009

member and health-care
team to maximize the
benefits available and help
them return to self-managing
their care.”
“I had no idea in the beginning
that there would
be that kind of help, but
any time I had a question I
knew I could call Brenda,”
Donna said. Part of Dan’s
treatment still includes a
nightly infusion of IV fluids,
and the port must be
changed weekly. For sev-
8
Blue Shield Association has created
a process where hospitals can demonstrate
their expertise.
If you are looking for a hospital
with a Blue Distinction designation,
go to our Web sites and visit our
“Members” section. We do the work
for you, so you can be assured you
are receiving the best care possible.
The Petersons also were grateful
to have Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield as their health insurance
provider. “Arkansas Blue Cross
has just been fantastic,” Dan said,
remembering the ease of getting
his expensive treatments covered.
When Dan retired from the National
Guard he qualified for Tricare, a
program for retired military members.
Still, he insisted on keeping
Arkansas Blue Cross as his secondary
insurance because he knew the
importance of having good healthcare
coverage.
A few days after Dan’s diagnosis,
Donna listened to a voicemail from
Brenda Strange, R.N., C.C.M., case
If you are looking for
a hospital with a Blue
Distinction designation, go
to our Web sites and visit
our “Members” section.
We do the work for you, so
you can be assured you are
receiving the best
care possible.
management coordinator for Arkansas
Blue Cross. Donna dismissed
the first call, but Brenda was insistent
and, through one of the visiting
nurses, got Donna to call her back.
Brenda explained that case managers
don’t direct member’s care, as
some often think. “As a case manager,
I help coordinate the plan of
care already in place, work with the
eral months, nurses came
out to change the port, but then the
Petersons received a notice that the
number of visits was running out.
Donna immediately called Brenda
for help.
“We were able to offer an alternative
benefit plan that would allow for
an extension of Dan’s skilled nursing
visits to support Donna,” Brenda
remembered. “This allowed Dan to
receive some of his treatments at
home, which would have otherwise
caused him to return to the hospital
during acute episodes of his illness.”
For more about case managers
at Arkansas Blue Cross, visit
our Web site at arkansasbluecross.
com and select “Case Management
Services” under the “Members”
section.
Dan’s treatment included visits
to the Central Arkansas Radiation
Therapy Institute (CARTI) along with
Blue & You Autumn 2009

powerful doses of chemotherapy
that thinned his hair but not his spirit.
At one point Dan asked Brenda,
“Why do you think I’m still here?”
and her answer was, “Because you
make everyone better.”
By September 2003, Dan’s tumor
had shrunk enough that the doctors
decided to try to remove it.
With the waiting room packed with
family members, Ralph Broadwater,
M.D., chief of Surgical Oncology for
UAMS, started the operation, only
to stop three hours later in frustration.
The tumor was too close to a
main artery. He was, however, able
to remove one of the tumors on
the liver; the other had disappeared
from the treatments.
While the operation wasn’t successful,
Dan continued to keep a
positive outlook and to “live in the
moment.” During a long wait to
see Dr. Makhoul, Dan and Donna
decided to have some fun. Using a
marker,
they
drew a
face on
Dan’s
belly,
using the scar from the operation as
a frown. They tried to keep straight
faces as Dr. Makhoul lifted Dan’s
shirt, but it was no use and they
burst out laughing. As time went
by Dr. Makhoul and his staff found
quirky notes on the door of the examination
room, silver nail polish on
Dan’s toes when they became discolored
from the medication — anything
to make light of the situation.
“We relied a lot on humor and just
staying in the moment,” Dan said.
By 2005, the chemotherapy had
taken a toll on Dan’s bone marrow.
Dr. Makhoul found information
regarding a medication not yet approved
for pancreatic cancer, but
one that sounded promising. Arkan-
Go to Blue & You Online on our Arkansas
Blue Cross and Health Advantage Web sites
for more on Dan’s journey.
sas Blue Cross approved the “designer”
drug for Dan, which is now
an accepted medication for certain
types of pancreatic cancer.
One of the misunderstandings
people have about cancer is that
they consider it all to be the same
thing. Dr. Makhoul said he often
hears people ask, “Why can’t you
cure cancer?” but in reality there
are many subsets of cancers, some
much more easily treatable than
others.
Research began about 25 years
ago into the link between genetics
and certain forms of cancer. “We
now are harvesting the fruits of this
work,” Dr. Makhoul said, through
medications focused on specific human
genes that may contribute to a
person’s predisposition for a type of
cancer. In Dan’s case, even though
pancreatic cancer in general is difficult
to treat, his specific cancer
responded extremely well to the
medications, and his excellent overall
physical health allowed him to
endure treatments that many other
patients couldn’t have tolerated.
“There is no question in my mind
that he is cured at this point,” Dr.
Makhoul said of Dan.
Almost seven years after his jour-
9
Peterson, continued on Page 21
Blue & You Autumn 2009

10
Can Zicam
damage
your sense of smell?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received
more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell
associated with the following Zicam ® products:
1. Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
2. Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
3. Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kid’s Size (a discontinued
product)
The FDA advises consumers to stop using these
over-the-counter cold remedy products due to the risk
of loss of sense of smell, which may be long lasting or
permanent. If you have used any of these products and
experienced a loss of sense of smell, you are encouraged
to contact your health-care professional.
Caffeine may reduce
Alzheimer’s
memory
loss
In a recent study published
in the Journal of
Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers
found that caffeine
may reverse memory
loss associated with the illness.
The study was conducted using mice bred to develop
symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. They were given 500
milligrams of caffeine in their water daily upon developing
memory problems. Mice that drank the caffeinated
water performed better on memory tests and thinking
skills over the mice given plain water. They also experienced
a nearly 50 percent reduction in the level of
beta-amyloid — a protein found in the brains of people
with Alzheimer’s disease.
Human studies are planned based on these positive
findings.
Source: FDA
Beware:
Source: WebMD
Tanning beds
cause cancer
Tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation
are in the top cancer risk category — as deadly as
arsenic and mustard gas — according to a study from
the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The research showed that skin cancer risk increases
by 75 percent when tanning beds are used before the
age of 30.
Researchers also found evidence that UV-emitting
tanning devices are associated with ocular melanoma.
Ocular melanoma is a cancer of the eye that can be
lethal, especially if it spreads to the liver, a common
complication.
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Prepare for
two flus this fall
Every flu season has the potential to cause a lot
of illness, doctor’s visits, hospitalizations and deaths,
but this year the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) is concerned that the novel H1N1
(swine) influenza virus could result in a particularly
severe flu season.
Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent the
flu, so this year, plan to vaccinate twice — once for the
seasonal flu and once for the H1N1 flu. Vaccinations
for the seasonal flu already may be available in some
areas, and the H1N1 vaccine is expected to be ready
sometime this fall. The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to
replace the seasonal flu vaccine — it is intended to be
used alongside the seasonal flu vaccine.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices recommends that the following groups receive
the novel H1N1 (swine) influenza vaccine when it
becomes available:
• Pregnant women*
• People who live with or care for children younger
than 6 months of age
• Health-care and emergency services personnel
• Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24
years of age
• People from ages 25 through 64 years who are at
higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health
disorders or compromised immune
systems.
Once the demand for vaccine for the
prioritized groups has been met at the
local level, vaccinations will be available for everyone
from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies
indicate that the risk for infection among persons age
65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups.
However, once vaccine demand among high-risk groups
has been met, vaccinations will be offered to people
65 or older. People 65 and older should continue to get
the seasonal flu shot as soon as it becomes available in
their area.
My Blueprint, our self-service online member portal,
can help you access information on your health-care coverage
24/7, which could be helpful during a flu outbreak.
* Pregnant women are more at risk from
swine flu
Pregnant women may be at higher risk for severe
complications from the H1N1 swine flu virus. Therefore,
the CDC recommends that pregnant women should receive
the same treatment and prevention regimens as
recommended for seasonal flu — oseltamivir (Tamiflu ® )
and zanamivir (Relenza ® ) or a vaccine when available.
If you are pregnant and suspect you may have been
exposed to the H1N1 virus, or are experiencing flu-like
symptoms, contact your physician right away.
Source: CDC
Go to Blue & You Online on our Arkansas
Blue Cross and Health Advantage Web sites
for more on the H1N1 flu.
11
Blue & You Autumn 2009

SilverSneakers
adds to active
lifestyle
Pat Hagemeier of
Russellville, Ark., and
her husband, Dean,
make exercise a part
of their life together.
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Blue & You Autumn 2009

Pat Hagemeier of Russellville
started life as a self-proclaimed
klutz, but her love of exercise has
helped her overcome numerous
obstacles.
When her children were small,
she enrolled in an exercise class
at the YWCA and was immediately
hooked. “I bought a Good Housekeeping
78 rpm exercise record to
use when I couldn’t find a class to
take and faithfully worked out to
it. I also got a 45 rpm record called
“Chicken Fat,” and my children
would join me in marching, doing
jumping jacks and touching toes
during cooped-up winter days.”
Later, as a school counselor, she
and other teachers would exercise
to a video in the library at the end of
the day and then walk the track. She
said her children would often join
her on the walk to share their day.
“It was a wonderful time to talk and
to transition.”
About 17 years ago, St. Mary’s
Wellness Fitness Center opened in
Russellville, and Pat and her husband,
Dean, began taking advantage
of all the classes and facilities. “I
did weight lifting, cardio and stretch
classes and loved the way I felt.”
Two years ago, the center added
the SilverSneakers ® Program, and
Pat said that with those added
classes she is at the facility four or
five times a week.
“They’re fantastic,” Pat said of the
staff at St. Mary’s Wellness Fitness
Center, adding that the SilverSneakers
classes are so popular, “there’s mutual trip when they finished. “It
dollar per mile as a travel kitty for a
always a room full” of 40 or more took us varying amounts of time to
people. And the classes aren’t easy, complete the goal because life has
even for a seasoned exerciser like a way of constantly interfering with
Pat. “They push you a bit and challenge
you to increase your endur-
the goal and we’re off to Greece
plans, but eventually we all reached
ance. You leave feeling really good.” this fall!”
Pat and Dean have made the Part of life’s “interference” for Pat
fitness center a part of their daily included two surgeries for cancer.
routine, even though they often “The day my staples came out I
don’t go at the same times. Pat said asked the doctor if I could begin
she likes to go early in the day for walking again, and she said to just
the classes, while Dean often goes not overdo it. I decided that I would
later in the day to use the whirlpool try to walk around our block that day
and other facilities. She said the and then double the distance each
fitness center has brought them day. It was no time before I was
even closer together, because they back up to four to six miles a day,
both see their friends and can share and I felt great.” Recovery after the
the latest news when they get back second surgery was a bit slower,
together for meals.
Pat said, but she still credits her
Dean, 76, is an avid bicycle rider quick recovery with the fact that she
who has participated three times in was in excellent physical shape.
the Des Moines Register’s Annual This year, at age 71, Pat reached
Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, a another fitness goal. She participated
in walking the half marathon
seven-day bicycle ride. According to
the Des Moines Register, the ride at the Little Rock Marathon in early
is the
longest, Go to Blue & You Online on our Arkansas Blue
largest Cross and Health Advantage Web sites for more on
and
SilverSneakers and upcoming speaker events.
oldest
touring
bicycle ride in the world.
March. “It was a great experience!
Walking is a big part of Pat’s exercise
regime, and for several years, walking buddies, seeing the mass
Training for it with my dedicated
she and two of her friends have of racers committed to a single goal,
been virtually walking across the hearing words of encouragement
United States. They each put in one Hagemeier, continued on Page 27
13
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Prediabetes?
Take the warning seriously!
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
14
Prediabetes is a warning signal
that you are at risk for diabetes —
your blood sugar is higher than it
is getting your blood sugar levels
back to a normal range. You can
do this by making some lifestyle
eligible members of BlueAdvantage
Administrators of Arkansas.
To enroll, complete the attached
should be. Most people who get
changes.
enrollment form and return it in the
type 2 diabetes have prediabetes
• Make healthy food choices.
self-addressed, postage-paid enve-
first, but the good news is that
Limit how much fat you eat and
lope included in this magazine. The
lifestyle changes may help you get
try to eat foods high in fiber. Try
program starts when you enroll.
your blood sugar back to normal
to eat about the same amount
After enrollment, you will begin
and avoid or delay diabetes.
of carbohydrates at each meal.
to receive information through the
Often, prediabetes has no signs
This helps keep your blood
mail, which you can read in the
or symptoms. But it’s important to
sugar steady.
privacy of your own home and at
watch for the classic red flags of
• Watch your weight. If you are
your own pace. The program is
type 2 diabetes, including:
overweight, losing just a small
completely voluntary, and you may
• Increased thirst
amount of weight may help.
leave the program at any time. If
• Frequent urination
• Be active. Exercise at least
you have further questions about
• Extreme hunger
30 minutes each day. You may
the program, call the Health Educa-
• Unexplained weight loss
want to swim, bike or walk.
tion Program’s toll-free number at
• Fatigue
Remember, staying at a healthy
1-800-686-2609.
• Blurred vision
How is it treated?
The key to treating prediabetes
and preventing type 2 diabetes
weight, eating healthy foods, and
getting regular exercise can help
prevent prediabetes.
Simply complete, sign and return
the attached enrollment form in
the self-addressed, postage-paid
envelope.
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Taking calcium
supplements
for weight loss?
According to a new study published in the
Annals of Internal Medicine, taking calcium
supplements may not prevent weight gain. The
two-year study was meant to test claims that
taking calcium supplements might prevent
weight gain in overweight or obese individuals.
The study included 340 overweight and
obese individuals in their mid-30s. Participants
were either given 1500 mg per day of calcium
carbonate or a placebo to take with meals. Researchers
found that there were no statistically
or clinically significant differences in change
in body weight or body fat mass between the
two groups.
While researchers conclude that taking calcium
supplements is not beneficial for weightloss
purposes, the researchers do note that
taking them may help prevent fractures.
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine
What not to feed
Junior
Baby’s first year is full of new discoveries, including new
foods. Several food items, however, should be left off the
menu until a later time.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies
are fine with breast milk or formula for their first four months,
and then a bit of cereal can be added to the diet. Around six
months, vegetable baby food can be introduced
slowly, giving each new experience a few days
to watch for allergic reactions.
Within a few months of starting solid foods,
your baby’s daily diet should include a variety of
foods each day that may include the following:
• Breast milk and/or formula
• Meats
• Cereal
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Fish
There are some foods your baby should not
eat within the first year. The following foods are
considered no-nos by pediatricians:
Grapes – while these seem like a perfect size for babies, they
can be a choking hazard. Also avoid apple chunks or any hard
vegetables like carrots.
Honey – this natural sweetener can contain botulism spores,
which doesn’t pose a threat to adults but can poison babies.
Nuts and peanut butter – these can cause allergic reactions
and the nuts can cause babies to choke.
Hot dogs and sausages – these are high in salt and fat and
can be a choking hazard.
Food and drinks with artificial sweeteners
Teas and coffees
Food with added spices, seasoning and salt
Shellfish – could cause allergic reactions.
Potato or corn chips – these are very salty and can be a
choking hazard.
15
Blue & You Autumn 2009

16
Senior Moments
David A. Lipschitz, M.D., Ph.D.
with Dr. David
formula at the far lower right).
A BMI above 30 is considered obese, between 25
and 30 is defined as overweight and less than 18.5 is
considered too thin. Studies show that those who are
overweight, but not obese, live the longest. However,
they don’t live the healthiest with advancing age, and
they are far more prone to cancer, diabetes, hypertension,
heart disease and osteoarthritis.
Remember, what we eat determines how long we
live and the diseases we may endure late in life. Even
at the ideal weight or below, you might have dietary
habits that predispose you to hypertension, heart disease,
cancer or even Alzheimer’s disease. No matter
what you weigh, you must develop a healthy relationship
with food. Start with these basic steps:
Don’t diet; eat healthy!
Your choices can lead to a longer
and better life
There’s no denying it. The statistics prove it. With
each passing decade, Americans are gaining more and
more weight. We define being overweight or obese by
the body mass index (BMI) — calculated by your weight
over your height squared. You can find your own BMI
by visiting the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
at nhlbisupport.com/bmi and entering your height and
weight, or you can calculate it yourself (see calculation
1. Change how you eat
Recognize your motives for eating. Are you even
hungry? How do you hope to feel after your meal? Developing
a healthy relationship with food often means
changing lifelong habits. Second, slow down. A key
element of developing a healthy relationship with food
is actually noticing that you eat! Stop rushing through
meals. Stop eating “on the run.” Enjoy every bite of
food that passes your lips. Pay attention to it! Chew
slowly, and notice how it tastes and feels.
Regulate portion size. In the past 20 years, portion
sizes for the average American meal have grown exponentially.
Clearly, portion size is important. It’s not about
depriving yourself of food; it is about giving your body
the amount of food it needs to feel satisfied.
2. Educate yourself about food
After you change how you eat, you can begin the
process of changing what you eat. Remember — diets
Blue & You Autumn 2009

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.
fail and the best diet by far is the “don’t diet, diet.” This
is easy to follow:
• Eat the right fats. A fat-free diet is unhealthy
and may promote weight gain. The right fats
are monounsaturated olive or canola oils and
omega-3 fatty acids obtained in fatty fish, a
handful of nuts or avocados. In moderation,
these foods are good for you.
• Eat the right protein. The right proteins are
lean meat, fatty fish and legumes.
• Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you
want. Whole fruits are better than juices, and
eat sugar-rich fruits (oranges, grapes) in moderation.
Eat as much healthy salad or as many
vegetables (for example: broccoli, zucchini or
squash) as you want.
• Watch the carbohydrates. Too much sugar and
starch leads to weight gain, diabetes and other
illnesses. Avoid empty calories such as sodas
or candy. With each meal, eat no more than two
servings of starch (bread, pasta, beans, rice or
potatoes). Portion sizes should be no more than
two thirds the size of your fist.
• Don’t overuse supplements. The best way to
get nutrients is from what you eat. Too much
vitamins C, D and E, for example, can cause
more harm than good. You can get adequate
calcium and vitamin D either from dairy products
or from a supplement. Those above age 70
should take a multivitamin without iron and a
1000 microgram B12 tablet.
3. Maintain the same weight.
It is better to be overweight (pleasantly plump) than
lose weight on a diet and gain it back with a vengeance.
Find your stable weight and stick with it. Learn to be
happy with what you weigh and the way you look. In
the long term, this will improve self-esteem, confidence
and promote health.
4. Exercise.
Find something you enjoying doing (walking, running,
aerobics, swimming) to keep you feeling younger and
healthier.
Calculate Your
Own
BMI
1. Convert your height into inches. (For
example, if you were 5 feet, 4 inches
tall your height would be 64 inches.
2. Square your height (64 X 64)
3. Divide your weight by the squared
height (for example, 140 divided by
4096 = .0342)
4. Multiply by 703 (703 x .0342)
5. BMI = 24 in this example.
… or go to nhlbisupport.com/bmi
and enter your height and weight.
17
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Where does your health-care dollar go?
Take a look. Nearly 75 percent of the private insurance health-care dollar nationwide goes toward hospitals, physician
services and prescription drugs. While about 14 percent goes to administrative costs nationally, those costs
at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield are slightly below the national average.
18
Great options, continued from Page 5
Attention Medi-Pak Advantage and
Medi-Pak Rx plan members
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D
plan, during October, you will receive an Annual Notice
of Change (ANOC), which will
explain any changes to your
current plan that will become
effective in January. If you are
satisfied with your current
plan, you are not required
to change anything. Every
year, the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS)
requires companies to inform
members of these changes prior
to AEP, so that those who would
like to shop their coverage have
the opportunity to do so. The Annual Notice of Change
includes a dedicated toll-free telephone number to call
on or after November 15 to learn about plan options.
If you are interested in learning more about
Medicare plans
Call your local Medi-Pak
Choice certified agent or 1-800-
392-2583 to learn more, or visit
our Web site, arkansasbluecross.
com. We love to hear from you!
Also, if you have a friend or family
member who doesn’t have
our Part D prescription drug plan,
we hope you’ll recommend that
they enroll in Medi-Pak Rx (PDP)
during the AEP.
Blue & You Autumn 2009

A sweet relationship:
Yarnell’s Ice Cream Co. and
Arkansas Blue Cross
The taste of cold Yarnell’s ice cream
on a hot summer’s day is an Arkansas
family tradition that dates back to 1932,
and for 26 of those years, Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield has been a part of
keeping that tradition healthy.
The Searcy-based ice cream company’s
240 employees keep the mid-South supplied
with dairy-based treats and work
hand-in-hand with other manufacturers
across the nation. The factory has been
modernized throughout the years to facilitate
production of premium ice creams,
sherbets, frozen yogurts, low-fat and
low-sugar treats as well as a variety of ice
cream sandwiches, ice cream bars and
other novelty items.
“We compete in the marketplace with
national brands,” said Floyd Washburn,
vice president of Human Resources and
Quality Assurance for Yarnell’s Ice Cream
Co. Likewise, Yarnell’s maintains high
standards when it comes to the health of
its employees.
Washburn said Yarnell’s was one of the first companies
in the state to hold a company-wide health fair for
its employees, and offer incentives to those who attend.
Additional incentives are given to employees who
don’t smoke.
After reviewing different health insurance companies,
Washburn said Arkansas Blue Cross consistently has
risen to the top like cream. “The service level is exceptional,”
he said, adding that the human resources staff
knows they can rely on the Arkansas Blue Cross Central
Regional Office to handle any issues that may come up.
“Yarnell’s and Arkansas Blue Cross have a true partnership,”
Washburn said. So, whether your passion is
Homemade Vanilla or Woo Pig Chewy, the next time
you dip into a creamy scoop of Yarnell’s, you’ll know
that the ice cream company you love trusts the health
insurance company that is good for you!
Albert Yarnell, chairman
emeritus of Yarnell’s,
and his granddaughter,
Christina, chief operating
officer of the family
business, taste the various
brands of ice cream as a
final check to ensure the
quality of their product.
19
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Are you an unintentional drug dealer?
20
You wouldn’t knowingly give your
teenagers alcohol, cigarettes or
illegal drugs, but if you are keeping
prescription medications in easy
reach, you may be contributing to
a problem that is reaching alarming
proportions across the United
States.
During the past decade, there
has been an increase in prescription
drug misuse by adolescents.
The “Monitoring the Future Survey,”
an annual survey of about 50,000
high school students assessing their
beliefs and extent of drug misuse,
has reported trends on substance
misuse since 1975. The most recent
survey reports that:
• Roughly 14 percent of eighth
graders, 27 percent of 10 th graders,
and 37 percent of 12 th graders
reported illicit drug misuse
within the previous year.
• Roughly 3 percent, 7 percent,
and 10 percent of eighth, 10 th ,
and 12 th graders, respectively,
reported using Vicodin (an opioid
combination of hydrocodone and
acetaminophen) for a non-medical
use within the previous year.
• Roughly 15 percent of 12 th graders
reported using a prescription
drug (including amphetamines,
sedatives/barbiturates, tranquilizers,
and opiates) for a non-medical
use within the previous year.
Let me interpret that last bullet.
For every 20 friends your 12 th grader
has, three of those friends (or possibly
your child) may have misused
a prescription drug within the last
year. That is a sobering statistic.
So, how difficult is it for those
three friends to find their next supply
of prescription drugs? A recent
article published in the August edition
of the Journal of the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry revealed that the most
common source of free misused
prescription drugs is friends and
family. The second most common
source of prescription drugs, except
painkillers, involved purchasing
the prescription medications from
friends and family.
Adolescents know where to look
for your medications, and with a little
online research, they might even
know which of your medications
would give them the best high.
Here are a few tips to make your
medications more secure:
1. Know your medications. Are
you taking any high-risk medications
such as painkillers, anti-anxiety
pills, sleeping pills, attentiondeficit
pills, weight-loss pills or
steroids? If so, be careful where
you leave them.
2. Know where your medications
are. Are your medications in a
medicine cabinet, on a bathroom
counter, in a bedside drawer, in
a purse, in the refrigerator, in a
kitchen cabinet or on a kitchen
counter? Are your high-risk medications
locked up?
3. Know how much medication
you have. Are you running out of
pills? Are you getting early refills?
Have you lost a bottle of pills? Is
this a recurring event? Recurrent
events could signal a problem.
From the
Pharmacist
by Brandon Griffin, Pharm D.,
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Blue & You Autumn 2009

4. Make sure that any family
member or friend your adolescent
sees on a regular basis
knows this information. Let
them know that you will be keeping
a close eye on your household
medications and that you
would appreciate it if they would
do the same.
5. Monitor your adolescent’s
Internet use. There are many
Web sites that provide information
on what drugs to misuse,
how to misuse them and how to
find a source for them.
6. Visit the Web site: theantidrug.
com. This excellent Web site
for parents and other family
members has numerous articles
concerning misuse from psychological,
medical and prevention
perspectives. It also has testimonials
from parents and family
members, along with information
regarding adolescent perspectives
on drug misuse.
While these steps may not prevent
every case from happening,
by adhering to them and educating
yourself, the likelihood that your
adolescent will grow up drug free
will increase. We do our best to
protect our infants and toddlers
from the chemicals under our sinks,
so let’s do our best to protect our
adolescents from prescription
drug misuse.
Peterson, continued from Page 9
ney with pancreatic cancer began, Dan’s pancreas
shows no signs of cancer, but his body has
suffered. Due to toxins building up in his body,
Dan went into a coma for a week before doctors
were able to devise a way to flush his system effectively. Today he still
suffers from some equilibrium problems and can get a bit fuzzyheaded if
his toxins get too high, but he is able to live a relatively normal life.
The Petersons say they don’t know if it was Dr. Makhoul’s innovative
approach to medicine, the excellent care from a Blue Distinction Center
of Excellence, Dan’s positive attitude or divine intervention that helped
him through one of the most aggressive cancers known, but they cherish
each moment together and hope their story will inspire others to never
give up and keep searching for treatments — even if it is the smallest of
glimmers, there is still hope.
For more information about pancreatic cancer and the latest research
and treatments, the Petersons recommend the Pancreatic Cancer Action
Network, pancan.org.
Curves offers
discounts to members
There are 14 Curves locations in Arkansas offering discounts to our
members — just by showing your insurance ID card.
Participating Curves are: Benton, Bryant, Conway, Fayetteville, Jacksonville,
Little Rock (four locations — Capitol Avenue, Shackleford, Kavanaugh
and Chenonceau Boulevard), Maumelle, Morrilton, North Little Rock,
Sherwood and Springdale.
The discount is a $59 service fee (regularly $199) when purchasing a
12-month membership with a bank draft.
The Curves program is dedicated to women’s fitness and allows participants
to get an aerobic and strength training workout in just 30 minutes.
Curves also offers a weight management program.
Go to Blue & You Online on our Arkansas
Blue Cross and Health Advantage Web sites
for more on Curves and wellness discounts.
Blue & You Autumn 2009
21

What is a formulary?
22
You may have heard someone from your health plan
refer to a “formulary.” It sounds more complicated than
it really is ... a formulary is simply insurance jargon for
“prescription drug list.”
A prescription drug list is the list of drugs covered by
your health plan. It usually includes both generic and
brand-name prescription drugs.
A generic drug is a drug that has been approved by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is
equal to its brand-name counterpart. For FDA approval,
the generic drug must contain the same amounts of
the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug.
It usually is less expensive and is sold under a generic
name for that drug (usually its chemical name).
There are generic versions of many brand-name
drugs that can save you money. (For example, the antidepressant
Zoloft has a generic sold under the name
sertraline, and the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor
has a generic called simvastatin.) Choosing lower-cost
generic drugs is like using store-brand products at your
grocery store — you can get the same product at a lower
price. In some cases, the generic version is made by
the same company that makes the brand-name version.
The generic version just comes in a different bottle.
What is the difference in cost between a generic and
a brand-name? Using the previous examples, you can
see the cost comparison in the chart below.
Usually, there are several prescription drug list copayment
options (we call these options “Tiers” in the
health insurance world). First Tier drugs have the lowest
copayments and Third Tier drugs have the highest
copayment.
• Lowest copayment/First Tier — The majority of
the prescription drugs on the first level are the less
expensive generic drugs.
• Mid-range copayment/Second Tier — This is your
mid-range copayment choice and includes covered
brand-name drugs that have been selected because
of their overall value. Consider this copayment option
if you and your doctor decide that no First Tier
medication is right for you.
• Highest copayment/Third Tier — Usually the most
expensive prescription drugs and the highest copayment.
It includes many brand-name medications.
Be sure to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for
generic prescription drugs. It will save you out-of-pocket
expenses immediately and could keep your health plan
costs down in the long run.
Brand name Cost per pill Generic Cost per pill Cost difference
Zoloft $3.43 sertraline $0.92 $2.51 per pill
Zocor $4.98 simvastatin $0.86 $4.12 per pill
Blue & You Autumn 2009

The
Doctor’s
Corner
Want to lose weight? Count
calories!
Here’s the bottom line — the way
you lose weight is to burn more
calories than you consume. This is
what determines weight loss, not the
amount of carbs or fat in your diet.
So, eat healthy foods and exercise.
Although there are a million books
out there advocating one diet approach
or another, the New England
Journal of Medicine recently published
research that shows that for
weight loss, the type of diet doesn’t
really matter. People lost similar
amounts of weight if they consumed
similar amounts of calories regardless
of the percentages of protein, fat
and carbohydrates in their diet. Now,
that doesn’t mean eat 1,500 calories
worth of Twinkies each day and you’ll
be healthy — it means eat a balanced
diet, watch your calories and exercise
regularly.
Sleep is good for you
Mom always told us that we
should get plenty of rest to keep
from getting sick. Turns out she was
right. Researchers recently have
discovered that people who get less
than seven hours of sleep each night
are more likely to develop a cold
after exposure to a cold virus when
compared to people who get more
than seven hours of sleep. Additionally,
research found that less than
seven hours of sleep is associated
with heart disease, obesity and premature
death. These studies show
that seven to eight hours of sleep per
night is ideal for adults.
Second-hand smoke: risky
for seniors
Older non-smokers exposed to
tobacco smoke in the home are as
much as 44 percent more likely to
suffer from dementia (a decline in
memory, reasoning and thinking),
according to a recent study. It’s long
been known that people who smoke
are at an increased risk for dementia.
by Ray Bredfeldt, M.D.,
Regional Medical Director
Northwest Region, Fayetteville
With cancer — it matters
what we eat
Research clearly shows a link
between obesity and an increased
risk for developing cancer. Now, a
new study suggests that what we
eat may determine how fast a cancer
spreads to other parts of the body.
The study found that a diet high in fat
might cause cancer cells to spread
faster throughout the body than a
diet low in fat.
Stomach drug may interfere
with heart drug
Plavix, a prescription medication
frequently prescribed for patients
with heart disease or for prevention
of stroke, may be less beneficial if
a patient also is taking a medication
for stomach ailments. The type of
drug that may interfere with heart
medication is called a proton pump
inhibitor (PPI). Common PPIs are
Achipex, Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix
and Omeprazole. If you take one of
these drugs plus Plavix, contact your
doctor to see if there is an alternative
medication you can take.
23
Blue & You Autumn 2009

24
Three benefits added to
group DentalBlue plans
New standard dental benefits will be added to group
DentalBlue dental insurance plans for new and renewing
small and large groups effective Oct. 1, 2009.
Members with group dental plans through Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield should have received a letter
and Benefit Certificate in September with complete
details about the changes, but the following is a general
overview of the new benefits:
Maximum rollover benefit – allows members to roll
over a portion of their unused maximum to the next
calendar year. A member is eligible for the rollover
benefit if:
• They have at least one paid dental claim in the current
calendar year.
• A member’s total paid claims for the year did not
exceed the threshold amount.
• The member is enrolled in the group dental plan on
the last day of the calendar year.
• The member has not reached the accumulated
rollover maximum.
Implants – Implants will be a major benefit in all group
dental insurance plans. A dental implant is an artificial
tooth root that a dentist places into the jaw to hold a replacement
tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal
option for people in good general oral health who have
lost a tooth, or teeth, due to periodontal disease, an
injury or some other reason. Implants will be covered at
50 percent, up to the maximum benefit.
Family deductible (three times the individual deductible)
– if a member has family coverage, once three
family members have met the deductible, no further deductible
will be required for the balance of the calendar
year, regardless of whom in the family incurs a claim.
Mental Health Parity: What it mean
changes to their benefits upon the renewal of their employer’s
group health plan as a result of the act. If you
receive a new ID card with a mental health assistance
telephone number, your plan will include changes under
Mental Health Parity.
Members with individual health plans for those under
age 65 and those over age 65 will not see changes to
The new Mental Health Parity Act, which takes effect
their existing plans. However, beginning October 15,
later this year, requires that mental health benefits be
Comprehensive Blue PPO (an individual plan for those
equal to physical health benefits.
under 65) will offer a mental health rider for an additional
fee to new policies only. This rider must go through
Members under some employer group health plans
with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Health
underwriting to be approved.
Advantage, and a number of plans administered by
The act:
BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas will see
• Removes limits on the number of days for inpatient
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of
1998 introduced changes in insurance coverage for
mastectomy.
In accordance with the law, all group and individual
health plans that provide medical and surgical benefits
for mastectomy will cover reconstructive breast surgery,
including:
• Reconstructive surgery on the breast on which the
mastectomy was performed.
• Reconstructive surgery on the unaffected breast
needed to “produce a symmetrical appearance.”
• Prostheses and treatment of complications of any
stage of a mastectomy, including lymphedema (postsurgical
fluid buildup).
The provisions of the Women’s Health and Cancer
Rights Act of 1998 apply to all group health insurance
coverage effective on the first day of the plan year
(which in most cases is the anniversary date of the
group contract) after Oct. 21, 1998. The law went into
effect on all individual insurance policies issued, renewed
or in effect on or after Oct. 21, 1998.
s for you
hospital stays and outpatient visits per calendar year.
• Requires that copayments, coinsurance must be
the same as for physical health benefits, and out-ofnetwork
mental health benefits must be provided if
provided for physical health.
The following benefits will be required for members
whose health plans were revised in response to the act:
Inpatient:
• Prior authorization of inpatient admissions for mental
health and substance abuse. Please call the telephone
number for mental health services on your
ID card.
• Concurrent stay review and discharge planning.
These provisions apply to all policies issued by Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Advantage and
BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas and are subject
to the applicable copayments, coinsurance, benefit
limitations, exclusions and benefit maximums.
If you have questions about your insurance coverage,
contact your group benefits administrator or a customer
service representative at your local Arkansas Blue
Cross office.
Outpatient:
• Prior authorization of outpatient counseling services.
Please call the telephone number for mental health
services on your ID card.
• 24/7 access to mental health professionals who will
assist in locating and referring you to professional
resources.
To find out if your health plan includes modifications
for the Mental Health Parity Act, you can contact your
human resources administrator, check our Web sites
and review your benefits information on My Blueprint,
or call the customer service number on your health plan
ID card. We love to hear from you!
25
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Blue & You Fitness Challengers
win with better health
26
Groups from 41 states, including almost 12,000 participants,
scored better health through the 2009 Blue &
You Fitness Challenge.
For six years, the Blue & You Fitness Challenge
(formerly the Arkansas Fitness Challenge) has helped
participants improve their
fitness levels. The annual
exercise contest, held March
1 through May 31, encourages
individuals toward the public
health recommendation of 30
minutes of physical activity
each day, most days of the week. The contest promotes
wellness in the community and at the worksite by organizing
groups that compete against like-size groups.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Arkansas
Department of Health (ADH) and the Arkansas Department
of Human Services (DHS) serve as Challenge
hosts each year. This year, representatives from other
companies, organizations and state agencies statewide
— and outside of Arkansas — joined in the competition
and were recognized at the awards ceremonies (a
complete list of participants can be found at arkansasbluecross.com)
to “Invest in Fitness.”
“Exercise requires only a small investment of time
and movement, and promises a great rate of return
on your health,” said Richard Cooper, vice president of
Human Resources for Arkansas Blue Cross and team
champion for the Challenge. “A
total of 167 groups representing
large and small companies,
banks, schools and universities,
physician offices, churches, hospitals
and state agencies made a
commitment to spend some time exercising and reap
the rewards of better fitness.
“The 11,791 participants logged 262,681.5 hours of
exercise during the Challenge, up from 221,465.5 hours
of exercise in 2008,” Cooper said.
“The Challenge continues
to yield great results,” said
John Selig, director of DHS.
“Our online survey was completed
by 2,628 contest participants.
Almost 84 percent
of respondents said they
reached their personal goals through the Challenge.”
Respondents also indicated they had lowered their
blood pressure (73 respondents), cholesterol levels (41
respondents), weight (327 respondents), and blood
sugar (26 respondents). Ninety-six percent said they
would participate in future programs like the Blue & You
Fitness Challenge.
Charles McGrew, ADH deputy director and chief operating
officer, said, “The costs in treating diseases that
result from preventable diseases is skyrocketing. And
yet, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five or
more days a week can reduce so many of these risks.
Programs like the Blue & You Fitness Challenge make
positive steps toward turning the trend.”
Now is the time to start planning for the 2010
Challenge.
Go to Blue & You Online on our Arkansas Blue
Cross and Health Advantage Web sites for a list of
the 2009 Blue & You Fitness Challenge winners.
Blue & You Autumn 2009

Hagemeier, continued from Page 13
shouted from the sidelines,
crossing the finish line and
having my 10-year-old granddaughter
run up to me and say,
‘You did it, Grammy!’ made
race day one to be remembered.”
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.
SilverSneakers Speaker Events
Experts on aging are coming to a SilverSneakers
location near you in October for fun talks on a variety
of topics.
Topics for the speaker events include: Nutrition for a
Healthy Heart, What is Normal Aging and Breast Cancer
Education and Awareness.
Date City
October 1 Jacksonville
October 6 Arkadelphia
October 8 Little Rock
October 9 Little Rock
October 13 Rogers
October 14 Bella Vista, Russellville
October 15 El Dorado, Fayetteville, Morrilton
October 19 Nashville
October 21 Clarksville
October 22 Conway, Searcy
October 23 Lonoke
October 30 Cabot, Magnolia
Go to Blue & You Online on our Arkansas
Blue Cross and Health Advantage Web sites
for more on SilverSneakers speaker events.
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
27
Blue & You Autumn 2009

28
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.
We have so much information that is good for you that
we have to share some of it online! Blue & You Online
contains longer versions of our featured stories, links
for more information on hot topics, and fun photos
we couldn’t squeeze into our print version. Go to our
Arkansas Blue Cross and Health Advantage Web sites
(arkansasbluecross.com and healthadvantage-hmo.
com) to find the Blue & You Online link and enjoy even
more information!
Easy online access to information
On the home page of any of our Web sites (see complete
list on Page 27), you can register for an online
account that allows you to order an ID card, check the
status of a claim for you or your dependent, find out
more information about your coverage and your benefits,
manage your Personal Health Record, access
health information and much more. It’s an easy way to
get your personalized information. Go online and register
today for My Blueprint!
Is your child in college out of state?
Well, we’re going to give you one less thing to worry
about — your college student’s health-care benefits
travel with him or her. With BlueCard ® , he or she
doesn’t have to worry about filing complicated claims
forms or dealing with billing hassles. He or she simply
needs to present their Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield ID card before receiving care from a participating
provider. He or she can call 1-800-810-BLUE (2583)
or visit arkansasbluecross.com (under
“Need a Provider?” select the “Blue-
Card ® Doctor and Hospital Finder”)
to find a participating provider.
In an emergency situation, he
or she can go to the nearest
hospital’s emergency
room. He or she can use any
BlueCard provider in the state
where they are living just as
they would if they were home
with you.
Blue & You Autumn 2009