Blue & You - Spring 2017

Spring
2017
A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield family of companies
page
6
How case
management
can help
page
8
Using inhalers
correctly
page
10
Transforming
primary care
page
12

3
4
5
- A word from Curtis Barnett
- Welcome new members!
- Missed out on open enrollment?
- At least 1 in 4 members miss their
free annual checkup. Don’t be one!
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield employees and
their families participate in all the races of the Little Rock
Marathon. Find opportunities for you to get out and get
moving on page 19, and read more about how we are
supporting Healthy Active Arkansas on page 6.
6
- Healthy Active Arkansas takes on obesity
8
9
10
11
- Caring for our members
- Health insurance can be confusing
We’re here to help!
- Getting the most out of your inhaler:
How to properly prime, use and clean
- National Walk @ Lunch Day
18
19
20
- Why we #GiveAllYear
- Mark your calendars and lace up your
shoes for family friendly fitness events
- Four at UA Walton College
receive Arkansas Blue Cross
endowed scholarships
12
14
15
- Arkansas Blue Cross helps transform
primary care through the Comprehensive
Primary Care Plus (CPC+) initiative
- Check the cabinet - Unused
opioids pose dangers
- Who challenges you?
The Blue & You Fitness Challenge
21
22
- Arkansas Blue Cross board member
named to Business Hall of Fame
- Steve Spaulding promoted to
executive vice president and chief
health management officer
- Healthy smiles are easy with
Arkansas Blue Cross
16
- Where does your premium go?
23
- Blue Listens: We’re all ears!
- Customer service numbers
24
- Member appreciation day at
the Museum of Discovery
Spring
2017
EDITOR: Jennifer Gordon – byeditor@arkbluecross.com • PHOTOGRAPHER: Chip Bayer
DESIGNERS: Ryan Kravitz and Ross Burnham • CONTRIBUTORS: Chip Bayer, Katie Eisenhower, Ben McVay and Alex Roberts
VICE PRESIDENT of CORPORATE MARKETING: Eric Paczewitz • DIRECTOR of CORPORATE MARKETING: Kelly Whitehorn
on the
cover
Runners and walkers train for
the 2017 Little Rock Marathon
BLUE & YOU Spring 2017

a
word
from
Curtis Barnett
Our President and Chief Executive Officer
Helping Arkansas become more healthy and active
This summer my wife Karen and I joined a
group of children at a Little Rock library for
a learning experience that didn’t include
books. These enthusiastic kids were taking
part in Cooking Matters, a national hungerrelief
program sponsored locally by the
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Inc., a
nonprofit organization led by Little Rock
Vice-Mayor Kathy Webb.
For the kids in the Cooking Matters
class, learning to make a healthy snack
was a fun way to spend a hot afternoon,
but the lessons from that day have the
potential to steer their whole family toward
healthy eating. That’s why the Blue & You
Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas has
provided grants to the Arkansas Hunger
Relief Alliance for the past two years. And
that’s why I’m proud to serve on the board
of Healthy Active Arkansas, a program
launched by Governor Asa Hutchinson
dedicated to improving the health of
Arkansans through healthy dietary choices
and increased physical activity.
Arkansans live in a paradox. One in four
Arkansas children don’t have enough
food to eat, yet according to studies, our
state has the highest percentage of adult
obesity in the nation. A big reason for
these seemingly opposing facts goes back
to making healthy food choices. But the
problem itself is much bigger; healthy
choices sometimes aren’t easily accessible.
Many Arkansans live in what we call “food
deserts.” They may have a convenience
store nearby, but a true grocery store with
fresh vegetables may be miles away. On
top of that, people without transportation
are sometimes cut off from access to
grocery stores by busy roads with no
sidewalks. And with no sidewalks or local
parks, children have a hard time safely
riding bikes or walking to a friend’s home.
In studying the causes of obesity in
Arkansas, Healthy Active Arkansas found
nine priority areas that the organizations
involved will focus on in the coming years.
Some issues, like reducing the use of sugarsweetened
beverages through changes
at schools and education, are relatively
straightforward. Addressing the physical
environment by building more sidewalks,
parks and seeing that stores with healthy
foods are located within food deserts
could take longer to address, but we are
determined to find ways to help Arkansans
make healthier choices.
I hope you will read about Healthy Active
Arkansas in this issue of Blue & You and find
ways your community can make changes
to promote healthy choices. Governor
Hutchinson and Healthy Active Arkansas
are taking the lead, and Arkansas Blue Cross
is committed to supporting this movement
toward a healthier, more productive state
through the Blue & You Foundation. Join
us as we transform Arkansas!
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU

WELCOME!
Whether you’ve enrolled in a new individual or family health plan
through Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, or have a new healthcare
plan through your employer, we want to welcome you and share some
resources to help you get the most out of your healthcare coverage.
QUICK START GUIDE
Our new Quick Start Guide
for members with individual or
family health plans, located on our
website, arkansasbluecross.com
can help you get started to
a more secure future.
MY BLUEPRINT
Our online personalized
health self-service
center, My Blueprint,
is for members with
individual and employer
group health plans.
Through the guide you can:
• Understand your ID card
• Learn how to pay your bill
• Find where you can get health care
• Enroll in our online self-service center, My Blueprint
CASE MANAGEMENT
If you need help navigating the healthcare
system, our nurse case managers can help you:
• Understand and manage your health condition
• Help identify physicians and facilities appropriate
for your needs
• Better understand the complexities of the
healthcare system
• Understand and maximize your benefits
My Blueprint gives you:
• Immediate access to claims information,
benefits and coverage information
• The ability to review your doctor
• A personal health record
• A way to estimate your treatment costs
• A customer service corner
• Health and wellness resources
COVERAGE WHEN YOU TRAVEL
Your health plan ID card is accepted by almost
every doctor and hospital in Arkansas, and you
can take your healthcare benefits with you
for emergencies and urgent care across the
country and around the world.
You can find a doctor or hospital outside of
Arkansas by going to our website, or calling
customer service.
If you have questions or concerns about your healthcare coverage, there are a number of ways we can help:
1. Our Customer Service
representatives can explain your
benefits, check into a billing
question, help you find a doctor,
or get you in contact with a nurse
case manager. Just call the number
on the back of your member ID
card, or find the number for your
health plan on page 23.
2. Our websites offer a huge amount
of information. You can find news
about upcoming events sponsored
by Arkansas Blue Cross, learn more
about your health plan, check out the
health and wellness information, email
a customer service representative and
even read Blue & You magazine.
3. We have office
locations throughout
Arkansas (see page 23).
Come in and let us help
you. Our staff offers
sales, customer service,
medical management
and more.
4 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017
However you choose to talk to us, please don’t hesitate. We love hearing from you!
These services may not be available to members with Medicare health plans.

Missed out on
OPEN ENROLLMENT?
You may still qualify for healthcare coverage
The open enrollment period for individual and family healthcare coverage ended in
January, but you may still be able to enroll if you are in either of the following situations.
Do you qualify for the Medicaid
Expansion in Arkansas?
People who qualify for the Medicaid
expansion in Arkansas (also known as
Arkansas Works) can enroll at any time
for healthcare coverage. You can apply
at access.arkansas.gov.
Qualifying Life Event
Certain life events can make you eligible to enroll
in a new plan at any time in the year. *
Qualifying life events include:
Marriage
Birth / adoption / new guardianship
Recent move to a different state
Involuntary loss of health insurance coverage
Other qualifying life events like divorce or income
changes related to tax credits allow you to make
changes to your current health plan. Visit arkbluecross.com
to view our individual and family plans and learn more.
* This information does not apply to Medicare health plans.
For information on Medicare health plan special enrollment
periods, go to arkbluecross.com.
AT LEAST
in 4
1members miss their
FREE
annual checkup
DON’T BE ONE.
Never miss out on your benefits with the Wire ® .
A free messaging service to remind you what your
policy covers and how to take full advantage. *
THREE WAYS TO OPT IN:
1.
2.
3.
Call your plan’s customer
service phone number,
listed on page 23
Edit your notification
preferences within
My Blueprint, your
self-service center
Text the letters tied with
your health plan on the
right to 73529
* Free service requires smartphone with Internet access.
* The following member groups are currently ineligible to register for mobile messaging at this time: Medicare Advantage and Medi-Pak Rx (PDP) members,
Health Advantage conversion plans, Federal Employee Program, Arkansas State Employees/Public School Employees, and Short-Term Blue members.
ABCBS
BAdv
HAdv
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU
5

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, through its Blue & You Foundation, has provided grants to help Arkansans get
healthy and active for several years. In the pictures above (left), Patrick O’Sullivan, executive director of the Blue &
You Foundation, and Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Blue Cross, jump in a Cooking
Matters class; (center) a student at Monticello Intermediate School works in their learning garden; and students
at Chicot Primary School burn off energy by dancing in class to help them learn better.
With Arkansas’ natural beauty and fertile soil, you
would think everyone in the state would enjoy
access to fresh fruits and vegetables and have a
healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, adult obesity rates
in Arkansas have continued to rise, even though
nearly one in four children in our state struggles
with hunger. 1
A report from the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health
showed that in 2014, Arkansas had risen to
become the most obese state in the nation. Why is
this happening? The answer is complex.
In 2012, several organizations began examining
the situation, and in 2015, Governor Asa
Hutchinson endorsed Healthy Active Arkansas, a
10-year plan to reduce obesity in Arkansas. Curtis
Barnett, president and chief executive officer of
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, serves on
the board of Healthy Active Arkansas and said the
6 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017
HEALTHY
ACTIVE
ARKANSAS
takes on obesity
plan includes a variety of strategies proven
to make a healthy difference in people’s lives.
“Healthy Active Arkansas is an exciting
opportunity for our state because it focuses on
actions we can take, through private businesses,
government agencies, the healthcare industry, our
schools and as individuals, to improve the health
of Arkansans,” Curtis said. “Fortunately, there is
no shortage of good ideas or programs for how
we can improve the health of Arkansans. What
we have to do is work better together to grow
those ideas and programs so they impact more
people in our state. We’ve got to change our
way of thinking so that good health is top of
mind in everything we do.”
As part of Arkansas Blue Cross’ commitment
to Healthy Active Arkansas, the Blue & You
Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas has
awarded four grants tied to the strategic plan.

THE GRANTS INCLUDE:
• Growing Healthy Worksites, which will provide
a wellness program for 20 business locations
through the Arkansas Community Foundation and
the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention
• Arkansas Hunger and Nutrition Initiative
Program, which will increase healthy
food access throughout the state
through cooking classes and a mobile
farmers market, sponsored by the
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
• The Healthy Active Arkansas website,
which is run by the Arkansas
Department of Health
• Communications and networking
support, headed by the Arkansas
Center for Health Improvement
Patrick O’Sullivan (at podium) and Curtis Barnett
presented four grants totaling $462,000 in February to
organizations in support of Healthy Active Arkansas.
These programs supported by the Blue & You
Foundation will help Healthy Active Arkansas
reach our communities quicker, so we can
focus on changing lives for the better.
– Curtis Barnett,
president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Blue Cross
The nine priority areas for Healthy Active Arkansas include:
1. Physical and built environment
(pedestrian/bike friendly communities)
2. Nutrition standards in schools
(early childcare through college)
3. Activity and education in schools
(early childcare through college)
4. Nutrition standards in government, institutions
and the private sector
5. Healthy worksites
6. Breastfeeding
7. Reduction of sugar-sweetened beverages
8. Access to healthy foods
(farmers markets, community gardens)
9. Marketing (communicating about the plan)
Each priority area outlines two-, five-, and 10-year
goals to achieve a healthier Arkansas. The Healthy
Active Arkansas plan is meant to be used by a wide
range of stakeholders, including businesses, education
centers, religious organizations, restaurants, city
planners and more.
To learn more about what your community can do to
fight obesity, go to healthyactive.adh.arkansas.gov.
WHY IS
FIGHTING
OBESITY
IMPORTANT?
Obesity causes or worsens many chronic diseases and conditions.
Nearly a quarter of a million adults in Arkansas have Type 2 diabetes
and 85 percent of people with diabetes are overweight. Diabetes
causes 38 percent of all kidney failure.
Other diseases caused by obesity include:
• Cardiovascular (heart) disease
• Various cancers
• High blood pressure
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Stroke
• Liver and gallbladder disease
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Metabolic syndrome
• Sleep disorders
• Depression
Reducing the average body mass index of Arkansans by only 5 percent
could prevent thousands of cases of stroke, coronary heart disease,
Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer and lead to healthcare
savings of more than $2 billion in 10 years and $6 billion in 20 years. 2
SOURCES:
1
Food Hardship 2008-2012: Geography and Household Structure, released by the Food Research and Action Center
2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU
7

for our
In 2016
one unique case
at a time
Bob in northern Arkansas had a
concern. His wife Mary was
undergoing chemotherapy injections
and they were struggling to pay for the
expensive drugs on their fixed retirement
income. But treatments for her breast cancer
were non-negotiable. *
Unsure of his options, but unwilling to give
up, Bob asked for help at a community
event hosted by Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield. That’s when he was connected
with Rochelle Nix, an Arkansas Blue
Cross nurse case manager.
“He loves his wife dearly — you can tell just
by talking to him,” Rochelle said. She has 19
years of experience as a nurse case manager
and knows how to help her members.
“You may not know what your health
insurance’s case management can do,”
Nix said. “But we’re here to help. Case
management is a team. It’s a team effort
to be there for the member.”
About case management
The healthcare system can be complex. When
our members are facing surgery, dealing with
a lifelong illness or have been diagnosed with
a disease, nurse case managers are available
to help them understand their condition, the
healthcare system and be their advocate
along the way.
Rochelle never knows what challenges she’ll
be asked to overcome. In one day she had
arranged transportation for a member with
dementia who refuses to sit in a car; she
explained health insurance benefits to a
8 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017
member’s son; she coached a member with
diabetes on healthy food choices; and she
checked on a member on the heart transplant
list. In addition to explaining benefits,
arranging care and educating members, case
managers tackle a diverse set of medical,
educational and social problems to make sure
our members get the care they need.
Leave no rock unturned
Rochelle
Nix
Rochelle flew into action on behalf of the
couple from northern Arkansas. She called
the drug manufacturer; the pharmacy benefits
manager and the member’s doctors and
hospital. When the dust settled, Rochelle:
Found a coupon to reduce the drug price
Set up a prescription mail-order option,
which lowered costs even more
Worked with Mary’s doctor to give her the
injections at his office instead of the hospital,
where it was charged as an outpatient service
The result? The chemotherapy bill dropped
from $450 to $35 per month. She also
connected Mary with the American Cancer
Society, which helps cancer patients with
wigs, makeup and support groups.
“I just absolutely love case management,”
Rochelle said. “On days when I’m frustrated,
I get up the next day and say, ‘What can I do;
what can I try? How can I be an advocate for
them today?’”
To find out if case management is available
to you, call the customer service number on
your member ID card.
* Names have been changed to protect our members’ personal health information.

HEALTH
INSURANCE
can be
We’re here
to help!
Do terms like premium, deductible, copay
and coinsurance make your head spin?
Understanding health insurance can be a
challenge for many people, regardless of
how old you are or how much education
you’ve had.
Which is why Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield started a new project on the topic of
understanding health insurance. Tune in
to our various social media channels for
helpful information, tips and videos.
Of course you can always call the customer
service number on the back of your member
ID card. Our friendly customer service
representatives are ready to help answer
specific questions about your particular policy.
@ArkansasBlueCross
Check out or newest video
“What’s Covered?” on our
YouTube channel, arkbluecross!
@ArkBlueCross
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Check out our newest video “What’s
Covered” on our Youtube channel
learn
the
lingo
Here are some common terms that can be confusing.
PREMIUM – The premium is the amount
you pay each month for your health insurance
coverage. Essentially it’s your monthly bill.
DEDUCTIBLE – A deductible is the amount you
pay for medical costs before your health insurance
begins to make payments.
For example, if your deductible is $1000, your plan
won’t pay anything until you’ve met your $1000
deductible for allowable charges, not the billed charges.
COPAYMENTS(copays) – A fixed amount
you pay, usually at the time of healthcare service.
Copays are separate from and do not accumulate
to the deductible. This amount can vary by the type
of service. You may also have a copay when you
get a prescription filled.
COINSURANCE – The share of the costs you
pay, calculated as a percentage after the deductible
(for example, you pay 20%, insurance pays 80%).
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU
9

Getting the most out of your inhaler:
How to properly prime, use and clean
If you have a condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), you know how critical inhalers are to maintaining
your health and ability to breathe. Using proper care techniques
will ensure your inhaler is ready when you need it and prevent trips
to the emergency room.
Below are general guidelines for how to clean, prime and use your inhaler.
You should also consult your inhaler’s specific patient guide.
If you don’t have a copy, ask your pharmacist for one.
PRIME
Priming ensures you
receive an adequate
dose of medication
USE
Use maintenance
inhalers daily to
control your condition
CLEAN
Cleaning ensures your
inhaler is free of clogs
and medication is
released properly
Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI)
When to prime:
• Before using inhaler for the first time
• If inhaler hasn’t been used for seven to 14 days
• If you drop inhaler
How to prime:
Spray in the air two to four times. This is especially important for rescue inhalers,
which may not be used as often but can be life-saving.
1. Shake to mix the propellant with the medication
2. Sit up straight, take a deep breath and blow the air out of your lungs
3. Place the inhaler or spacer * between your teeth and close your lips around it
4. While pressing the canister down, inhale slowly and deeply through the mouth only,
until your lungs are completely full. Remove inhaler or spacer from your mouth
5. Hold your breath for a slow count of 10, or as long as comfortable
6. If two puffs are prescribed, wait at least one minute
in between so the second dose will be more effective
*
Using a spacer:
Attach the inhaler to the spacer, place the spacer in
your mouth, hold it vertically and begin at step four.
Depending on your inhaler’s cleaning instructions, clean at least
weekly by removing the plastic piece from the cylinder containing
the medication and wash the mouthpiece with warm running
water and air dry, OR use a dry cloth to wipe away powder or
residue from your inhaler.
AFTER CARE
It’s best to rinse your mouth after using all inhalers,
especially after using any that contain a steroid.
If you have more than one inhaler – Use your rescue inhaler first,
then your maintenance inhaler. This allows the rescue inhaler to open
up your lungs so that the steroid can be inhaled deeper into your
lungs and decrease inflammation.
If you have any questions
about the proper use of your
inhaler, ask your doctor or
pharmacist. They are there to
help you to be successful!
10 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017

National Walk
Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI)
Not necessary to prime
@ Lunch Day
APRIL 26, 2017
1. Do NOT shake before use
2. Sit up straight, take a deep breath
and blow the air out of your lungs
3. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth
and tighten your lips around it
4. Inhale quickly and deeply
through your mouth
5. Remove the inhaler from your mouth,
hold your breath for a slow count of
10, or as long as comfortable
Use a dry cloth to wipe away powder
or residue from your inhaler.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield challenges you to
National Walk @ Lunch Day
on April 26, 2017. Our locations
will be leading walks and
you’re welcome to join us
or organize your own.
For details, follow us online!
@ARBlueandYouFitnessChallenge
@BYChallengerAR
blueandyoufitnesschallenge-ark.com
Preferred in 2017:
ProAir HFA and ProAir
RespiClick (albuterol
sulfate) inhalers
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU 11

W
Arkansas Blue Cross
helps transform
primary care through
the Comprehensive
Primary Care Plus
(CPC+) initiative
hen you go see your primary care doctor, you want
to get more than five minutes of face time after a
two-hour wait. Doctors get that. We get that. In fact,
four other health insurance companies, the federal
government and several state agencies get it too.
That’s why Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is
excited to once again be involved in an innovative
program that seeks to transform primary care clinics
into patient-centered medical homes.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) has chosen the state of Arkansas as one of
14 regions nationwide to participate in a second
round of the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus
(CPC+) initiative, which began January 1. The
five-year initiative will support 182 primary care
practices in the state as they change the way they
PCMHs and CPC+ clinics
Email for advice,
appointments
and more
Call 24/7 for
medical advice
provide care. The original CPC initiative lasted four
years, included 69 clinics and brought more than
$50 million to the state. Support for the initiative is
provided by CMS, health insurance companies and
state Medicaid agencies.
“The goal of CPC, and now CPC+, is to provide better
healthcare for Arkansans,” said Alicia Berkemeyer,
vice president of Enterprise Primary Care and
Pharmacy Program at Arkansas Blue Cross. “We are
excited to have three new insurers involved, and to
increase the number of clinics participating from 69
to 182. The best part though, is that by basing the
success of the initiative on the value of care, not the
volume of patients seen, primary care physicians
involved get to truly provide the kind of care they
went to school to practice.”
Why they are different than other clinics
Can see what other
doctors have prescribed
Checks for
gaps in care
Same-day appointments
High-risk patients get
priority for appointments
Surveys on patient
satisfaction
PATIENT
DOCTOR
Tracks
health goals
Makes sure patients
understand
12
BLUE & YOU Spring 2017

What are patient-centered medical homes?
The patient-centered medical homes (PCMH) that will be developed through CPC+ are different from most
primary care clinics because they involve a team of medical professionals who build a relationship with the
patient and help coordinate their care with other medical services outside the clinic and even other resources
within the community. These clinics also offer shorter wait times for urgent needs, enhanced hours and
alternate ways to communicate, such as email, and use technology to improve the efficiency of the clinic.
Another big difference is that the doctors involved are paid based
partially on the value of the services they provide. Value-based
care focuses on improved quality of care, a better experience
for patients and lower costs.
You could think of PCMHs like general building contractors.
If you are going to build a house, you want to have a plan for
the entire outcome before the construction starts. A general
contractor has knowledge about everything that goes into
building a home, from the plumbing to the shingles, and knows
he or she is responsible for making sure your home receives
quality workmanship at the right price.
A PCMH physician gets a general understanding of your health,
your goals and objectives, and knows the resources available
to coordinate your care with other medical professionals to
help you achieve your goals. In that coordinating role, he or she
constructs a plan to achieve these goals in the most efficient
and effective way, identifies a team of doctors and makes sure
you know your role within the plan. And, like a general contractor, the PCMH physician is expected and
compensated to resolve problems along the way and make sure you get quality care you expect.
To meet the diverse needs of the
participating doctors’ offices, CPC+
will include two tracks of involvement.
CPC+ builds on many lessons learned
from the pilot project, including insights
on practice readiness, how care is provided
to the patient, payment incentives based
on doctor performance and technology
upgrades. In general, doctors’ practices
chosen to participate in a more advanced
track have already been in the original
CPC and will be paid more of their
reimbursement for services based on
the quality of their care.
“CPC+ is a positive step toward providing
Arkansas physicians with a stable practice
income as healthcare moves in the direction
of payment reform through alternative
payment models,” said Stacy C. Zimmerman,
M.D., who also participated in the original CPC
and in a pilot patient-centered medical home
program sponsored by Arkansas Blue Cross.
To learn more about CPC+, go to
innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/
comprehensive-primary-care-plus/
‘‘
The best part ...
primary care physicians
involved get to truly
provide the kind of
care they went to
school to practice.
– Alicia Berkemeyer
vice president of Enterprise Primary Care and
Pharmacy Program at Arkansas Blue Cross
‘‘
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU
13

y VIC SNYDER, M.D.
Corporate medical
director for
external affairs
at Arkansas
Blue Cross and
Blue Shield
arlier this month my wife
and I survived the first-ever
birthday party sleepover
hosted by our three 8-yearold
boys. Each boy invited a
friend or two, and the result
on a December night too
cold for outdoor play was a
rambunctious noisy game
of indoor hide-and-seek. I
halfheartedly tried to keep
them downstairs, but they
were all of the opinion that
the closets upstairs were the
best and most adventuresome
hiding places.
That was Friday. On Sunday
evening, we went to a
neighborhood association
party hosted at a wonderful
home that had been
extensively remodeled in the
last year. Just before we left,
my wife, always looking for
home-improvement ideas,
led me on a quick tour: She
wanted to see the new
master bedroom.
As we were standing just
inside the bedroom door, we
heard a voice from the walkin
closet. Uh oh, maybe we
weren’t supposed to be in
here, but our hostess came
out of the closet and gave
us a generous greeting.
I thought about these two
unrelated events the next
day as I read an article from
an American Academy of
Family Physicians publication
about the risks of keeping
unnecessary and unused
prescription drugs, particularly
opioids, in a home.
This particular article strongly
suggested that patients
were less likely to keep
unused opioids if they were
advised by the prescriber that
keeping these medications
increases the risks of addiction
and inappropriate use by
themselves, family members,
houseguests and even young
children.
I think our elementary-aged
boys are past the phase of life
where a pill found on the floor
14 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017
This editorial was previously published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

There is no good reason for having unused opioids.
Your family and friends — and you — don’t need the risk.
Vic Snyder and family
goes straight in their mouth. But
I know our family is not immune
to an age and a time when
exploration of medicine bottles by
our boys or their friends may occur.
Friends and relatives who do
not reside in the home, regular
helpers such as housecleaners
or babysitters, and vendors and
repairman may take advantage of
sloppy opioid pill management.
The motivations vary: addiction
and dependence; experimentation;
illegal resale — but the result is
that medications prescribed for
good purposes are now putting
others at risk, most likely people
we care about.
This past year I was participating in
a meeting on the over-prescribing
of opioids. One of the participants
arrived late due to attendance at
the memorial service for a friend
lost to an opioid overdose. The
supply had been the opioid pain
medications taken from the home
of a debilitated grandparent. What
a tragedy.
A few months ago I did a quick
assessment of my medication
shelf. I found too much stuff out
of date and unnecessary.
I can justify the amoxicillin
supply because I am required to
take a dose before dental work.
But I could not justify the leftover
hydrocodone from my wife’s
hernia repair months before.
What did we think was going to
happen? She would have
a recurrence and no surgeon
would see her? Emergency rooms
would be closed? A friend would
desperately need something on a
weekend for a flare of arthritis?
By the way, helping a friend or
family member by sharing a few
pain pills has all kinds of risks,
one of which is employmentrelated
drug screening. A positive
drug screen at work doesn’t go
away when you tell them, “Hey,
it’s OK. I got it from my old college
roommate’s leftovers.”
There is no good reason for
having unused opioids. Your
family and friends — and you
—don’t need the risk. And if you
think you’ve got your pills hidden
where no one will find them, let
me drop off my boys for a good
game of hide-and-seek.
Who
Challenges
YOU?
Show us online with #BYFitChallenge
The 14th annual Blue & You Fitness Challenge began March 1 and the
competition is heating up! Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is engaged
in a friendly #FitnessThrowdown with the Arkansas Department of Health
and the Arkansas Department of Human Services. As founders, we’re not just
leading the charge on living a more active life – we’re leading by example. If
you’re participating, keep working on those healthy habits and log your activity
to earn maximum points for your team. Use the #FitnessThrowdown and
#BYFitnessChallenge hashtags to share who you are challenging.
Don’t miss out! The contest ends May 31.
@BYChallengeAR
@ARBlueandYouFitnessChallenge
blueandyoufitnesschallenge-ark.com
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU
15

where
does your
premium go
?
Whether you pay for it on your own, or your
employer pays for it, a certain amount of
money is paid each month for your healthcare
coverage. That’s called your premium. As
medical costs and utilization go up so do
premiums. Medical expense is
the majority of what makes up premium – it is
at least 80-85 percent – by law.
By CAL KELLOGG, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President
of External Operations
and Chief Strategy Officer
When premiums go up, it is easy for people
to get mad at the health insurance company.
If you follow the money, however, you can see
the real issue is uncontrolled healthcare costs.
Let’s look at how Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield uses your premium dollars.
We work for you
Arkansas Blue Cross is a mutual insurance
company. That means we don’t have
stockholders; we work for you. It also
means we cannot sell stock to raise
the funds needed for emergencies,
like a pandemic flu outbreak. For that
reason, we need to keep a certain
amount in reserve for each person
we cover. It’s our rainy day fund.
Where every dollar goes
Of every dollar collected in premium,
about 85 cents is paid out in benefits
for our customers. That includes your
visits to the doctor, medical tests and
prescriptions. The remaining 15 cents is used
for operating costs and reserve funds, which
we are required to maintain by law. For the
last 20 years, we have averaged a margin
of less than two cents of every dollar.
85
15
MEDICAL COSTS
ADMIN,
RESERVES
& MARGIN
16 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017

Regulations under the Affordable Care Act
established minimum loss ratios (MLR), or
the percentage of each dollar that must be
spent on claims:
• 80 percent for individual and small group
• 85 percent large group
If those percentages are not met, the
insurance company is required by law to
refund the difference to its customers.
For the most part, Arkansas Blue Cross was
already functioning within those ratios.
We are proud to say that we have never had
to issue refunds on our individual products.
That means we have not charged those
members more than was needed to cover
their healthcare costs.
Our reserves, built up over our 65 years of
business operations and investments, are
part of our diligence in creating a financially
strong, mission-driven, Arkansas-based
health insurance company our customers
can count on. Still, our reserve dollars per
member are only $1,265, which likely would not
pay for even one day of inpatient hospital care.
Arkansas Blue Cross is committed to a stable and
affordable insurance market. We also support
affordable insurance for all Americans. The future
of healthcare in America needs to address many
issues, including prescription drug costs, paying for
value instead of services alone, and making care
more accessible. We are proud of the role we have
played in improving the health of all Arkansans
and working toward a sustainable approach for
the future of healthcare in Arkansas.
Arkansas
Blue Cross is
committed to a
stable
and
affordable
insurance
market.
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU
17

#
#
Curtis Barnett and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arkansas
why we GiveAllYear
#Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield employees hold wellness close
to our hearts. We do our best to support others in living their best
lives through the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas,
our internal fundraisers and our participation in community events.
And many of our employees give all year by serving in leadership
roles for charities, foundations and community groups.
“I became more aware of cystic
fibrosis (CF) a few years ago
through one of our employees,
Brittany Emery, who works tirelessly
every day to find a cure to help her
daughter, Aven,” said Curtis Barnett,
president and chief executive
officer of Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield. As the Breath of Life
Honoree for the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation of Arkansas’ gala in
2015 and the co-chair for the event
in 2016, Curtis has made it his
mission to help raise awareness
and funds for those with CF.
Curtis Barnett and Aven Emery
18 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017
We love to share the causes we’re helping.
You can catch our #GiveAllYear stories online at:
@ArkansasBlueCross
@ArkBlueCross
LinkedIn: Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
arkbluecross.com/newsroom in the “BlueCares”
section in Community News
CF is a life-threatening genetic
disease that primarily affects the
lungs and digestive system. A
defective gene and its protein
product cause the body to produce
unusually thick, sticky mucus. An
estimated 30,000 children and
adults in the United States (70,000
worldwide) have CF. Of that 30,000,
300 live in Arkansas. At least five
of those have personal ties to
Arkansas Blue Cross.
“Our company has four other
employees with family members
who suffer from CF. Our employees
are like family to us, so we are proud
to get the chance to work with the
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF),”
said Curtis. “Unfortunately, CFF does
not qualify for federal funding, so
bringing attention to this disease is
critical to raising funds from private
sources so we can find a cure.”
In addition to championing drug
development, the CFF funds and
accredits more than 115 CF care
centers, 95 adult care programs
and 50 affiliate programs, and
has 80 chapters and branch
offices nationwide.
The results made possible
by their donors’ generosity
are undeniable:
1962
Predicted age of survival
was 10 years old
TODAY
People with CF are living
into their 30s and 40s
Curtis and Arkansas Blue Cross
helped raise more than $8,500
with just one event, Aven’s
Lemonade Stand. Held at the
state capitol, Governor Asa
Hutchinson stopped by to help
“e-LEMON-ate CF.”
“It took one person to inspire
me,” said Curtis. “Now I just want
to inspire others to see there’s a
reason to hope, and a way to help.”
To learn more about CF and how you
can help add tomorrows, visit cff.org.

Thousands of Arkansans and visitors hit the streets March 3-4
for the 15 th annual Little Rock Marathon weekend of events.
Kids covered a fast mile in the Little Rockers race and people of all ages participated in the 5k, 10k, Half Marathon
and Marathon. Several Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield employees participate every year.
‘‘
‘‘
Some of our employees share their experiences
with the Little Rock marathon weekend of events.
I love life and being healthy helps me live life to
the fullest. My dream is to run both Star Wars races
at Disney and the Princess race with my sister.
– Whitney Guy
transformation coach
I’ve been involved since the first one in 2003.
The more I jog, the more I can eat.
– Raymond Hodges
senior advanced underwriting specialist
‘‘
It’s been great to see many of our
employees begin their running/walking
programs because of this race and
our company’s support of it.
– Richard Cooper
vice president, Human Resources
There’s no better feeling of accomplishment
for me than crossing that finish line!
I proudly display my medals as a reminder
of what I’m capable of completing.
– Heather Maxwell
medical informatics analyst
It helps me stay on top of my personal risk factors and is a great way
to manage stress. Plus, let’s be honest, the medals are amazing!
– Philip Sherrill
vice president, Internal Control and Reporting and chief audit executive
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
Mark your calendars and lace up your shoes!
Arkansas Blue Cross knows being active is more fun with friends and family,
so save these dates for more community fitness opportunities throughout the year.
April 8– Northwest Arkansas
Heart Walk
April 22
April 22
– Northwest Arkansas
Komen for the Cure
– Rocket 5k, Little Rock
Catholic High School
April 26– National Walk @ Lunch Day
April 28 – Relay for Life Little Rock
April 29 – Little Rock Heart Walk
May 13 – Peace, Love and Goodwill 5k
May 20 – Great Strides Walk
October
TBD
– Little Rock Susan G Komen
Race for the Cure
Look for members of Team Blue participating in these events and also volunteering
(you might get a cool giveaway).
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU 19

NEWS
Four at UA Walton College receive Arkansas
Blue Cross endowed scholarships
Four students in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the
University of Arkansas recently received Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield Endowed Scholarships. The endowment,
established in 2003, supports dedicated business students
so they can reach their goals of becoming leaders within
the Arkansas business community.
Shayla Dawson
of Little Rock will
graduate in May
2019 with a major in
business. She plans
to attend law school
and work in a firm.
Rebecca Estep of
Springdale will
graduate in May
2018 with a major
in marketing and
a minor in theater.
She plans to work
locally and give back
to the community.
Brandon Banchero-
Prince of Bentonville
will graduate in May
2018 with a major
in economics and
minors in statistics
and management.
He plans to be an
economic forecaster
for a Fortune 500
company.
Brittany Stettmeier
of Rogers will
graduate in May
2018 with majors
in both marketing
and animal science.
She plans to attend
graduate school
and find a position
that combines her
marketing skills
with her passion
for the agriculture
industry.
Since its founding at the University of Arkansas in 1926, the Walton College has
grown to become the state’s premier college of business – as well as a nationally
competitive business school. The support of partners like Arkansas Blue Cross has
helped make the Walton College what it is today.
20 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017

Arkansas Blue Cross board member
named to Business Hall of Fame
Sherman Tate, a member of the Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Board of Directors and
president and chief executive officer of Tate &
Associates Management in Little Rock, was
inducted in February into the University of
Arkansas Business Hall of Fame for 2017.
Sherman has held senior management positions
with the Arkansas-Louisiana Gas Co. and Alltel
Corp., now Verizon Wireless. He served as chairman
of Philander Smith College’s board of trustees
and chairman of the Greater Little Rock Chamber
of Commerce. He was awarded the Bronze Star
during his two-year tour of duty in the Army and
served in the Arkansas National Guard where he
achieved the rank of colonel.
Tate
Steve Spaulding promoted to executive vice
president and chief health management officer
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has promoted Steve Spaulding
to executive vice president and chief health management officer.
Steve has overall executive responsibility for the company’s
alternative payment initiatives, primary care initiatives, commercial
pharmacy, enterprise business intelligence, provider compensation,
provider network operations and Health Advantage. In his expanded
role, Steve also will have executive responsibility for all matters
involving the provider community.
Spaulding
Steve joined Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 1983 as a
group marketing representative and was regional executive of the
Hot Springs office from 1995-2002. He was named vice president
of internal operations in 2003 and has been senior vice president of
enterprise networks from 2009 to the present. Steve has a bachelor’s
degree in business administration from Alma College in Alma, Mich.,
and attended the University of Michigan Ross School of Business
Executive Education Program. He is a certified health consultant
and chartered life underwriter.
Steve and his wife Lindy live in Little Rock and have three children.
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU 21

Healthy smiles are easy with Arkansas Blue Cross
A healthy smile can keep the rest of you healthy. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has
affordable dental insurance plans for individuals and families that offer a variety of valuable
benefits to give you something to smile about. There are three individual dental plans you
can choose and a unique dental and vision plan to cover all your needs.
P
PEDIATRIC PLAN
This stand-alone dental
plan for children meets
the Affordable Care
Act (ACA) guidelines
for preventive and
restorative dental care for
individuals under age 19.
SILVER PLAN
This plan is available for children
and/or adults. For children under
age 19, it covers the same benefits
as the pediatric plan. However, your
copayments or coinsurance may be
S
different. For adults, this plan covers preventive
services as well as minor restorative services.
G
GOLD PLAN
This plan, also for children and/or
adults, has the same benefits
as the pediatric plan, however, your
copayments or coinsurance may be
different. For adults, this plan covers
the preventive and minor restorative services
listed with the Silver plan and adds major
restorative services. The Gold plan also has
a benefit which allows individual adults to
“roll over” up to $350 of unused benefits to
the next year under certain conditions and it
can accumulate up to a maximum of $1,000.
GOLD PLUS VISION
If you’re looking for affordable
dental and vision coverage
together for children and
adults, we have that too.
Our plan reduces your
out-of-pocket eye-care costs
with eye exams for a low $10
copayment, provides coverage
for glasses or contacts and offers
a nationwide network of eye doctors
(ophthalmologists and optometrists)
and eye-care centers.
G+V
22 BLUE & YOU Spring 2017
Applying for any of our plans is easy! You can even sign up for a pre-authorized bank
draft that gets rid of the hassle of writing a check for your premium each month.
Go to arkansasbluecross.com for more information.

We’re all ears!
Every good relationship requires listening.
BlueListens is our online community of
members who can respond to our surveys
and questions with honest answers.
That feedback helps us improve. Join at
arkansasbluecross.com/membercommunity.
CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBERS
May we help?
For customer service, please call:
TOLL FREE Number
Medi-Pak ® members 1-800-338-2312
Medi-Pak ® Advantage members 1-877-233-7022
Medi-Pak ® Rx members 1-866-390-3369
Arkansas Blue Cross members 1-800-238-8379
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-863-5561
• Specialty Rx pharmacy questions 1-866-295-2779
Arkansas Blue Cross Metallic members
(Gold, Silver, Bronze, Catastrophic) 1-800-800-4298
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-969-3983
Health Advantage members 1-800-843-1329
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-863-5567
BlueAdvantage members 1-888-872-2531
• Pharmacy questions 1-888-293-3748
Federal Employee members 1-800-482-6655
Looking for health or dental insurance? We can help!
For individuals, families 1-800-392-2583
For employer groups* 1-800-421-1112
*Arkansas Blue Cross, Health Advantage and BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas
PAY YOUR *
B I L L
To pay by phone*, please call 1-800-354-9904
Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plan product
members must call Customer Service to discuss available
payment options. Health Advantage conversion plans are not
eligible for online, mobile or pay-by-phone payment options.
Prefer to speak with someone close to home?
Call or visit one of our offices near you:
• Arkansas State Employees /
Public School Employees 1-800-482-8416
• ArkansasBlue — Little Rock
2612 S. Shackleford Rd., Suite J 1-501-378-2222
• ArkansasBlue — Fayetteville
516 East Millsap Rd., Suite 103 1-800-817-7726
• Fort Smith
3501 Old Greenwood Rd., Suite 5 1-866-254-9117
• ArkansasBlue — Hot Springs
1635 Higdon Ferry Rd. – Suite J 1-800-588-5733
• ArkansasBlue — Jonesboro
2110 Fair Park Boulevard – Suite I 1-800-299-4124
• Little Rock
601 S. Gaines Street 1-800-421-1112
• ArkansasBlue — Lowell
507 W. Monroe Ave. – Suite B 1-888-872-2539
• ArkansasBlue — Pine Bluff
509 Mallard Loop Drive 1-800-236-0369
• Texarkana
1710 Arkansas Boulevard 1-800-470-9621
Visit our websites for more information:
arkbluecross.com
healthadvantage-hmo.com
blueadvantagearkansas.com
blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org
Spring 2017 BLUE & YOU
23

Arkansas Blue Cross
Member Appreciation Day
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
invites you to enjoy a fun-filled day with
your family at the Museum of Discovery
on Saturday, May 27.
Starting April 24, you can stop by any
ArkansasBlue store in the state to pick
up free tickets, while supplies last.
Quantities are limited.
MPI 6077 4/17