»

4th Quarter, 2017

ONEMEMBER NEWSLE

toONETTER

Table of Contents

Continued on the next page

1 Healthy for the Holidays

3 Message from the Chief Medical Officer

4 Your Emotional Health The Practice of Yoga

5 Arizona Outdoor Splendor

6 Prevention Corner - Wellness Checklist

- Autumn is here, don’t fall to the flu!

- November is American Diabetes Month

8 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) - Stay Alert: Phone Spoofing

- Arizona Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program

10 NEW! Get Important News and Updates via Email

11 The MAC

12 Education Classes, Support Groups and Events

14 Welcome to Mind Games!

16 Mind Games Answers

Healthy For The HolidaysDiabetes: Your “recipe” for staying on track no matter what’s cooking‘Tis the season for family, festivity, and food—lots of food! Temptations are everywhere … and all the parties and travel can disrupt our daily routines. What’s more, it all goes on for weeks.

How do you stick to your diabetes meal plan when everyone around you seems to be splurging? Here are five tips that can help:

Member Newsletter 1

Healthy For The Holidays(continued)

Holiday-proof your planYou may not be able to control what food you’re served, and you’re bound to see other people eating a lot of tempting treats. Meet the challenges armed with a plan:

» Eat close to your usual times to keep your blood sugar steady. If your meal is served later than normal, eat a small snack at your usual mealtime and eat a little less when dinner is served.

» Invited to a party? Offer to bring a healthy dish along.

» If you have a sweet treat, cut back on other carbs (like potatoes and bread) during the meal.

» Don’t skip meals to save up for a feast. It will be harder to keep your blood sugar in control and you’ll be really hungry and more likely to overeat.

» If you slip up, get right back to healthy eating with your next meal.

Outsmart the buffetWhen you face a spread of delicious holiday food, make healthy choices easier:

» Have a small plate of the foods you like best and then move away from the buffet table.

» Start with vegetables to take the edge off your appetite.

» Eat slowly. It takes at least 20 minutes for your brain to realize you’re full.

» Avoid or limit alcohol. If you do have an alcoholic drink, have it with food. Alcohol can lower blood sugar and interact with diabetes medicines.

Plan to stay on top of your blood sugar. Check it more often during the holidays and, if you take medicine, ask your doctor if the amount needs to be adjusted.

Fit in favoritesNo food is on the naughty list. Choose the dishes you really love and can’t get any other time of year, like Aunt Edna’s pumpkin pie. Slow down and savor a small serving and make sure to count it in your meal plan.

Keep movingYou have a lot on your plate this time of year and physical activity can get crowded out. But being active is your secret holiday weapon—it can help make up for eating more than usual and reduce stress during this most stressful time of year. Get moving with friends and family, such as taking a walk after a holiday meal.

Get your zzzzsGoing out more and staying out later often means cutting back on sleep. Sleep loss can make it harder to control your blood sugar, and when you’re sleep deprived you’ll tend to eat more and prefer high-fat, high-sugar food. Aim for 7 to 8 hours per night to guard against mindless eating.

Most of all, remember what the season is about—celebrating and connecting with the people you care about. When you focus more on the fun, it’s easier to focus less on the food.

https://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetesmanagement/index.html Source:

2 Member Newsletter

Message from the Chief Medical OfficerAs another year soon draws to a close, I find myself going through a checklist of things I wanted to do and haven’t gotten around to—maybe you are, too. Luckily, there is still time to tie up many of those loose ends. The Wellness Checklist (included in this issue) can help you keep track of the health-related tasks which are recommended, such as completing an annual wellness exam, screening for common cancers, and annual immunizations. If you are unsure about which ones apply to you, be sure to ask your doctor.

Being more active is definitely on my list this year (somehow, it seems to be on the list every year). How should one get going if there has been a long time since they exercised? Slow and steady seems to be the common advice given; trying something new may also help you be motivated. This issue of the newsletter highlights the many beneficial effects of yoga, as well as ideas for taking advantage of the cooler and enviable Arizona weather.

Compared to other regions of the country, Arizona has a late flu season, peaking between January and April. That means it is not too late to obtain your flu shot for this year! If you have breathing issues (such as emphysema or COPD), a pneumonia shot might also be necessary. This issue of the newsletter contains valuable information about prevention and these immunizations.

For many, email has become an invaluable way of communicating. The health plan is launching a program which will allow us to send health-related content to our members via email. Interested? Please send us an authorization and share your email address so that we can include you in this exciting venture!

As always, we wish you the best life can offer, and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Darren E. Wethers, MD, FACP

3

Workout fads come and go, but virtually no other exercise program is as enduring as yoga. It’s been around for more than 5,000 years! Yoga does more than burn calories and tone muscles—it’s a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation. There are more than 100 different forms of yoga – some are fast-paced and intense, others are gentle and relaxing.

10 Reasons to Practice Yoga 1. STRESS RELIEF: Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body. By encouraging relaxation, yoga helps to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Related benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system as well as easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma, and insomnia.

2. PAIN RELIEF: Yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension, as well as arthritis, back and neck pain, and other chronic conditions. Some practitioners report that even emotional pain can be eased through the practice of yoga.

3. BETTER BREATHING: Yoga teaches people to take slower, deeper breaths. This helps to improve lung function, trigger the body’s relaxation response, and increase the amount of oxygen available to the body.

4. FLEXIBILITY: Yoga helps to improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range of movement, and reducing aches and pains. Many people can’t touch their toes during their first yoga class.

Gradually, they begin to use the correct muscles. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity, making more poses possible. Yoga also helps to improve body alignment resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint, and muscle problems.

5. INCREASED STRENGTH: Yoga asanas (postures) use every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. And, while these postures strengthen the body, they also provide an additional benefit of helping to relieve muscular tension.

6. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Yoga (even less vigorous styles) can aid weight control efforts by reducing the cortisol levels, as well as by burning excess calories and reducing stress. Yoga also encourages healthy eating habits and provides a heightened sense of well-being and self-esteem.

7. IMPROVED CIRCULATION: Yoga helps to improve circulation and, as a result of various

Your Emotional HealthThe Practice of Yoga

4 Member Newsletter

Autumn is the perfect time to head outdoors and take advantage of the cooler Arizona weather. A leisurely stroll around your neighborhood, walking on flat desert trails with friends, or hiking in the mountains will invigorate you, provide circulation and cardiovascular benefits, and can help manage stress during hectic holiday activities.

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society showed that seniors who walked at least four hours per week reduced their risk of hospitalization as a result of cardiovascular events. Another way to meet this goal is hiking. Location dictates where you can hike due to natural trails and paths and, in some cases, the time of year it is safe to do so. While this is true for people of all ages, seniors need to take in to account a variety of considerations before embarking on a trail.

When walking or hiking, some tips include: being aware of the weather, dress appropriately, bring water, carry a mobile phone, team up with others, and be honest about your fitness level. It is important to stay within your training, physical limitations, and abilities so, before starting on any new physical activity, please be sure to consult with your doctors. And have fun!

Arizona Outdoor Splendor

poses, more efficiently moves oxygenated blood to the body’s cells.

8. CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING: Even gentle yoga practice can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance, and improving oxygen uptake during exercise.

9. FOCUS ON THE PRESENT: Yoga helps us to focus on the present, to become more aware and to help create mind body health. It opens the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time, and memory.

10. INNER PEACE: The meditative aspects of yoga help many to reach a deeper, more spiritual and more satisfying place in their lives. Many who begin to practice for other reasons have reported this to be a key reason that yoga has become an essential part of their daily lives.

National Park Service (www.nps.gov); City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department and Fire Department (www.phoenix.gov); Healthy Living (www.healthyliving.azcentral.com)

WebMD, www.webmd.com; Yoga Alliance, www.yogaalliance.org

Source:

Source:

5

Wellness Checklist – Keep It, Take It, Use It In our final 2017 issue of OnetoOne, we have included a “bonus” for you – a removable booklet: “My Wellness Checklist.” This pamphlet provides a list of the various health screenings you may need in 2018, in addition to some other topics that you many want to discuss with your doctor during your Annual Wellness Visit.

Our goal is to help you improve your emotional, physical, and overall health. Too often we forget to mention important issues, concerns or even symptoms in the short time we have with our doctor. Using this checklist will help you prepare for your visit ensuring that any health issues you might be experiencing are discussed, and also serves as a reminder to review any health screenings that could detect health problems at an early stage. This Wellness Checklist can also serve as a preparation tool to ensure continuity of care wherever your holiday travels may take you!

On the day before your visit, write down the things you want to talk about and, after your visit, check off the screenings, tests, and immunizations you have completed for the year. You also want to be sure your medications are up-to-date, as well as plan for any changes in your living status (home, hospital, nursing facility), primary care provider (PCP), or specialists. If at the end of the year you have a fully completed checklist, then you have done your part in safeguarding your most important possession – your health!

We hope you will Keep this valuable tool for your pre-planning and throughout the year, Take it with you to all of your doctor visits, and Use it to ensure that all of your health needs are met.

Autumn is Here, Don’t Fall to the FluThe weather has finally cooled down, leaves have changed color up north, and flu season is officially here. You’ve probably seen commercials with

Prevention Corner

pharmacies advertising the yearly flu vaccine and happy pharmacists ready to immunize. To help you make an informed decision, here is some general information about flu shots.

IMPORTANT: The flu shot CANNOT give you the flu, ever. And it’s FREE!

All vaccines have had the viruses manipulated so it is impossible to get the flu from the immunization. Reactions may occur at the site of the injection and/or flu-like symptoms like feeling tired, fever etc. may occur but this is not the influenza virus.

Flu activity is normally seen between October and May so the earlier you get vaccinated the more time you are protected. It typically takes two weeks after vaccination to build up the protection needed to defend you from the virus.

Most network pharmacies offer the flu shot without an appointment and always at no cost to you. Check with your local pharmacist to see when the best time is to come in for a shot as it’s usually best to go when there are multiple pharmacists working or when it is usually less busy.

Here are some quick tips about the influenza vaccine:

» The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has said this year’s shot is improved since last year in terms of efficacy and providing more coverage so it is still recommended to receive.1

» Seniors should probably get the high-dose vaccine. As we age, our immune system weakens and seniors need the higher dose to produce a protective response than younger folks. The high-dose shot has 4 times the amount of antigen than the regular shot, so seniors have a better chance at fighting off the virus and staying healthy through the flu

6 Member Newsletter

season. Fluzone High-Dose is the name of the shot seniors should be asking for. We encourage you to ask your local pharmacist if the high-dose shot is appropriate given your other health conditions.

» Flu shots are FREE – no coinsurance, no copayment needed. (Both pneumonias and HepB vaccines are also no charge.)

» Members can also get one of the two pneumonias (Pneumovax & Prevnar 13), shingles (Zostavax), HPV or Tdap at the same time as the flu shot. However, please check with your provider to see what’s right for you.

» Flu shots are available at almost any pharmacy you already use.

» Speak with your local pharmacist or primary care provider about any questions or concerns about immunizations.

Keep in mind it’s absolutely impossible to contract influenza from a vaccine. You may feel a reaction to the vaccine in which symptoms like runny nose, sore throat and headache are present but this is not the flu virus.

November is American Diabetes MonthDiabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled. One in 11 Americans have diabetes—that’s more than 29 million people. And another 86 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The good news? People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes. These changes include: eating healthy, increasing physical activity, and losing weight.

What is diabetes? Nearly 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, a serious disease in which blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are above normal. Most people with diabetes have type 2, which used to be called adult-onset diabetes. At one time, type 2 diabetes was more common in

people over age 45. But now more young people, even children, have the disease because many are overweight or obese.

Diabetes can lead to problems such as heart disease, stroke, vision loss, kidney disease, and nerve damage. One out of four people do not know they have diabetes. Many people do not find out they have diabetes until they are faced with problems such as blurry vision or heart trouble. That’s why you need to know if you are at risk for diabetes.

What is prediabetes? An estimated 86 million Americans over age 20 have “prediabetes.” Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have prediabetes – that means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be called diabetes. People with prediabetes are more likely to develop diabetes within 10 years and they are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

Diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. Studies show that people at high risk for diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their weight – if they are overweight, that’s 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. Two keys to success:

» Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five days a week.

» Eat a variety of foods that are low in fat and reduce the number of calories you eat per day.

In other words, you don’t have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes.

1Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2015-2016.htm)

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (www.niddk.nih.gov)

Source:

MYWELLNESSCHECKLIST

Your health planning session with your doctor – Issues to discuss: Your emotional health – We all experience things in life that sometimes affect our emotional well-being. We can feel anxiety, stressed or depressed. Because your emotional health is important to your overall health and well-being, it must be recognized and treated with the same urgency as your physical health. Have this discussion with your doctor.

Your Physical Health – Continual movement can keep you both physically and mentally sharp. Starting out with minimal movement can help. There are many options for you to increase your physical activity, you can either workout at a fitness facility or in your own home via the Silver&Fit® Exercise and Healthy Aging Program. Ask your doctor: How much physical activity can I do? What type of exercise is right for me?

Fall Prevention – As we age, the danger of falling resulting in a fracture increases. Ask your doctor about fall prevention advice and classes.

1

2

3

Your Annual Wellness Visit

2048

71-1

5

The Silver&Fit program is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc. (ASH Fitness), a subsid-iary of American Specialty Health, Inc. (ASH). ASH is a separate company contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage to provide access to its network of fitness facilities to members. The Silver&Fit program is not an insurance policy and does not provide insurance coverage.

MYWELLNESSCHECKLIST

Your health planning session with your doctor – Issues to discuss: Your emotional health – We all experience things in life that sometimes affect our emotional well-being. We can feel anxiety, stressed or depressed. Because your emotional health is important to your overall health and well-being, it must be recognized and treated with the same urgency as your physical health. Have this discussion with your doctor.

Your Physical Health – Continual movement can keep you both physically and mentally sharp. Starting out with minimal movement can help. There are many options for you to increase your physical activity, you can either workout at a fitness facility or in your own home via the Silver&Fit® Exercise and Healthy Aging Program. Ask your doctor: How much physical activity can I do? What type of exercise is right for me?

Fall Prevention – As we age, the danger of falling resulting in a fracture increases. Ask your doctor about fall prevention advice and classes.

1

2

3

Your Annual Wellness Visit

2048

71-1

5

The Silver&Fit program is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc. (ASH Fitness), a subsid-iary of American Specialty Health, Inc. (ASH). ASH is a separate company contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage to provide access to its network of fitness facilities to members. The Silver&Fit program is not an insurance policy and does not provide insurance coverage.

Member Newsletter 7

FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE (FWA)Stay Alert: Phone “Spoofing” Scammers are always developing new ways to steal personal information – and the best way to prevent becoming a victim is being aware, educated, and cautious.

The phone scam of “spoofing” occurs when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.

You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed, so be careful about responding to any request for personal-identifying information. Following are some tips to follow:

» Use caution if you feel you are being pressured for information immediately. Never give personal information like plan numbers, account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden name, or passwords to anyone over the phone.

» Independently verify that any calls requesting money or personally-identifiable information are legitimate. If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be with a company or government agency seeking personal information, hang up. Then call the official company number listed on your account statement, in the phone book,

or on the company web site to verify the authenticity of the request.

» If you have a voicemail account, be sure to set a password – it’s easier for scammers to get access to voicemails that don’t have passwords.

» Suspect a phone spoofing scam? Report the call(s) to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by calling 1-888-225-5322. If you suspect a spoofing scam related to your BCBSAZ Advantage plan, call Member Services at 1-800-446-8331 (TTY: 711).

Arizona Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program What is SMP? The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program is designed to involve retired professionals as volunteers in the education of their peers in safeguarding the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Program grew from the development and success of the Operation Restore Trust program that was launched in 1995 under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Operation Restore Trust was an anti-fraud cooperative partnership program originally developed in five states to test innovative safeguards in fighting fraud and abuse in both the Medicaid and Medicare programs. In 1997, Operation Restore Trust expanded to 12 additional states including Arizona.

About The ProgramIt was discovered through focus groups, training activities, and education seminars that many seniors were not comfortable discussing their problems about health services, durable medical goods, etc. with strangers or to younger people that had no idea of the problems they, as Seniors, were facing. Because of these issues and others the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Administration on Aging

8 Member Newsletter

Federal Communications Commission (www.fcc.gov)Arizona Department of Economic Security, https://des.az.gov/services/aging-and-adult/state-health-insurance/arizona-senior-medicare-patrol-smp-program

Source:

sought to ensure the comfort and consideration of Senior Citizens nationwide. The Senior Patrol Program was then implemented to address Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

SMP in ArizonaSponsored by the Division of Aging & Adult Services, the Arizona Senior Patrol Ferret Out Fraud Program recruits and trains retired and semi-retired professionals to educate their peers on how to identify and report potential waste, fraud and abuse. The program establishes multilingual components for the implementation and support of the Ferret Out Fraud Program.

The program works in collaboration with the Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program and the local Area Agencies on Aging. On occasion, the Senior Patrol volunteer is also a State Health Insurance Assistant Program (SHIP) counselor trained as both a Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Specialist and insurance counselor. The retired volunteer professionals use established training programs to educate and disseminate information to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, caregivers, and social service professionals. The Senior Patrols advocate for beneficiaries on Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse issues as well as enhancing and expanding partnerships in support of the program.

Senior volunteers undergo several days of training, reviewing health care benefit statements

and outlining the steps seniors can take to protect themselves. Volunteers work in local senior centers and other sites where Medicare beneficiaries gather teaching such skills as:

» How to treat their Medicare number as they would their credit cards

» How to use journals to keep track of their medical services and health care instructions

» How to read their Medicare Summary Notices

» How to get answers to billing questions

How to Get InvolvedThe Senior Patrol Program is a vital and important part of the senior community. You can get involved by volunteering, hosting a presentation or attend a training. For further information, or to schedule a presentation, call your local Area Agency on Aging:

» Call: 1-800-432-4040

» Visit: https://des.az.gov/services/aging-and-adult/state-health-insurance/arizona-senior-medicare-patrol- smp-program

» Email: Christy Abrams, Director, at CAbrams@azdes.gov

How to Report Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) concerns in your BCBSAZ Advantage servicesIf you suspect you have become a victim of fraud, waste or abuse, contact BCBSAZ Advantage:

» BCBSAZ Advantage Comply Line: 1-855-723-9719 (All calls are confidential)

» BCBSAZ Special Investigations Unit: AZBlueAdvantageSIUMailbox@azbluemedicare.com

» BCBSAZ Member Services: 1-800-446-8331 (TTY: 711)

9

Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona Advantage (HMO) (BCBSAZ Advantage) believes the more informed you are the better you can be a smart healthcare consumer to manage your health.

To provide timely information, we would like to bring you communications via email—the quarterly member newsletter, wellness reminders and tips, news bulletins, and notifications of special events—delivered right to your email inbox. It’s free and signing up is easy!

To sign up, you can do one of the following:

VISIT one of our Service Centers to complete and sign a form, or fill out the form below and return it to:

Mesa: 801 S. Power Rd. #112 Sun City: 14805 N. Del Webb Blvd. Sun City West: 13950 W. Meeker Blvd.

YES, I would like to receive BCBSAZ Advantage communications via email!PLEASE PRINT

First name: __________________________________Last Name: _________________________________

Member ID number: __________________________Phone Number: _____________________________

Email address: ___________________________________________________________________________

Please read and check BOTH of the boxes below:

Permission (Opt-in/Subscribe): By signing below, I agree to give BCBSAZ Advantage permission to send health education communications to me in electronic format. These include the OnetoOne member newsletter, wellness reminders and tips, news bulletins, and notifications of special events. Note that once I am registered to receive the member newsletter electronically, I understand that I will no longer receive it by mail.

Cancellation (Opt-out/Unsubscribe): I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. I also understand that I must contact BCBSAZ Advantage Member Services to cancel email communications. Refer to the information above for how to contact Member Services.

I have read the statements above and by checking the boxes agree to the terms.

Signature: ____________________________________Date: _______________________________________

Please allow 7-10 business days for your request to be processed.

NEW! Get Important News and Updates via EmailGO TO our website at www.azbluemedicare.com/members and click on the “Sign Up For Email” button.

CALL Member Services to sign up over the phone:

1-800-446-8331 (TTY/TDD: 711)

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Friday (February 15 to September 30) and 7 days a week October 1 to February 14.

COMPLETE and SIGN the form below and mail to:

BCBSAZ Advantage Attn.: Enrollment 13950 W. Meeker Blvd. Sun City West, AZ 85375

10 Member Newsletter

Making a difference to your Health Plan. Being a voice for your Community. The BCBSAZ Advantage Member Advisory Council (MAC) was formed in 2016 in Maricopa and Pima Counties as a part of Project 2020, our health plan’s vision to continually improve member satisfaction. Council members’ ideas and unique perspectives are shared at each bi-monthly meeting, which help to identify changing needs and trends to improve the overall member experience.

Two themes emerged from recent meetings – the use of technology and benefits education:

TechnologyFor our tech-savvy members, the following efforts were completed:

» Electronic communications will be available for those members interested in receiving health reminders, newsletters, and event notifications via email. Not only is email faster, but you can view them on your devices from anywhere! See page 10 to learn how to sign up for free!

» Our website (www.azbluemedicare.com) now offers educational classes that can be viewed/printed/emailed and saved to the member’s personal calendar.

» MAC members tested the Web site member portal to identify enhancements and upgrades.

Benefits EducationHealth plans can be complicated and annual changes can be confusing. You’re not alone!

» Current members may attend Benefit Refresher classes designed to include a ‘deep dive’ into topics to help you navigate 2018 offerings. Refer to our website or visit one of our Service Centers for dates and locations.

THE MAC

» Quarterly newsletter articles have focused on timely topics to help you further understand Medicare and health plan processes such as filing claims, when to go to urgent care, recognizing fraud, and understanding your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), to name a few.

As we continue to meet with our MAC members and plan for 2018, stay tuned for helpful and timely tools, technology enhancements, education classes, and member communications to help you stay informed. At BCBSAZ Advantage, we are committed to our health plan’s mission of making a positive difference in the lives of our members.

Do you have questions or comments? Are you interested in joining the MAC? Send an email to member.council@azbluemedicare.com or contact Toi Costley at 602-427-9044.

Meet our current Maricopa County MAC members!

Left to right: A. Hawkins, C. Granston, C. Warren, D. Garverick, D. Alton, R. Borst, J. Leyse, S.F. Hawk, D. Garletts (Not in photo: M. Feist)

Meet our current Pima County MAC members!

Left to right: L. Williams, D. Heron, G. Applegate, J. Teager, C. Jablonski, P. Teager (Not in photo: R. Castro, R. Latham)

11

vEducation Classes, Support Groups, and Events

East Valley Classes Living Well with DiabetesLearn diabetes self-management skills» Mesa (Nov 2, 9, 16, 30 – 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

DASH (Diet) to Better Blood PressureLearn about high blood pressure and how the DASH Eating Plan can help» Mesa (Nov 9 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)

Diabetes Support GroupFor individuals with diabetes and their families» Mesa-Red Mountain Active Adult Center

(Nov 16, Dec 21 – 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)» Tempe-Friendship Village Tempe (Dec 28 -

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) (No Nov meeting)

Boost Your Brain HealthLearn how lifestyle choices can minimize the risk of Alzheimer’s disease» Mesa (Dec 7 – 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

West Valley Classes Living Well with DiabetesLearn diabetes self-management skills» Sun City West (Nov 7, 14, 21, 28 – 1:30 p.m.

to 3:30 p.m.)

Eat Healthy Be ActiveWorkshops for individuals wanting to make achievable changes in their weight» Sun City (Nov 7, 14, 21, 28 – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)

Boost Your Brain HealthLearn how lifestyle choices can minimize the risk of Alzheimer’s disease» Sun City West (Dec 5 – 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

Know Your Health NumbersLearn about basic lab tests and what the numbers mean for your health» Sun City (Dec 5 – 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

BCBSAZ Advantage, in partnership with Banner Health, HonorHealth, and area agencies, offers several classes in Maricopa and Pima Counties designed to help participants gain awareness, motivation, and skills to improve or maintain good health and well-being. Classes are free to BCBSAZ Advantage members and may require pre-registration.

Maricopa CountyTo find available classes in Maricopa County:» VISIT a BCBSAZ Advantage Service Center - Mesa: 801 S. Power Rd. #112, Mesa, AZ 85206 - Sun City: 14805 N. Del Webb Blvd.,

Sun City, AZ 85351 - Sun City West: 13950 W. Meeker Blvd.,

Sun City West, AZ 85375

» GO TO www.azbluemedicare.com/members. In the “Stay Informed” box, click on link for “Health Education Classes” for a downloadable PDF.

To Register:» CALL Banner Health at 602-230-CARE (2273)

» GO TO www.bannerhealth.com/calendar

Additional classes in Maricopa County may be found at:» HonorHealth | CALL 623-580-5800 or GO TO www.honorhealth.com/events

12 Member Newsletter

Pima County Classes Healthy Living with DiabetesLearn diabetes self-management skills» Green Valley (La Vista at La Posada)

Tuesdays, Oct 10, 17, 24, 31 and Nov 7, 14 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Living Well with Heart DiseaseLearn how to live well and enjoy life while managing the risks for heart disease and strokes.» Tucson (Freedom Recreation Center)

Wed, Nov 15 – 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.» Green Valley (Community Connect by Posada Life)

Thurs, Nov 16 – 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Emotional HealthLearn the difference between normal sadness and depression, identification of symptoms, and what to look for in others.» Tucson (Morris K. Udall Regional Center)

Thurs, Dec 7 – 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.» Green Valley (Community Connect by Posada Life)

Thurs, Dec 14 – 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Laughter WellnessThis class combines interactive laughter exercises with deep-centering breaths and calming movements. » Tucson (Freedom Recreation Center)

Wed, Dec 13 – 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Pima CountyTo find available classes in Pima County or to register: » CALL 1-800-446-8331 (Option 5)

» GO TO www.azbluemedicare.com/members-arizona-ma. Be sure to check often as classes are continually added and updated.

» VISIT - Green Valley - La Vista at La Posada: 501 S. La Posada Circle, Green Valley, AZ 85614

- Green Valley - Community Connect by Posada Life:

250 W. Continental Rd, Green Valley, AZ 85622

- Tucson - Morris K. Udall Regional Center:7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716

- Tucson - Freedom Recreation Center:5000 E. 29th St, Tucson, AZ 85711

Additional classes in Pima County may be found at:» Interfaith Community Services | Serving the

needs of Pima County seniors, individuals with disabilities, and individuals in financial crisis. 520-297-6049 – www.icstucson.org

» Northwest Hospital | 520-469-8100www.healthiertucson.com

» Tucson Medical Center | 520-324-4345www.tmcaz.com

» University of Arizona | 520-626-5800www.aging.arizona.edu

» Valley Assistance Services | Helping seniors and families live independently.520-625-5966 – www.valleyassistanceservices.org» Pima Council on Aging | 520-790-7262 – www.pcoa.org

13

Pima Canyon

Fat Man’s Pass

Tom’s Thumb

Ranger Trail

Camelback Mountain

Holbert Trail

North Mountain

Brown’s Ranch

Apache Wash

Four Peaks

Desert Vista

Pinnacle Peak Park

Hayden Butte

Wind Cave

Mountain Pass

South Mountain Park

Hawes Trail

Buena Vista

Arizona Trails and Parks

Word Search Find the words listed below. Words can be found forwards, backwards, diagonal, or from top to bottom. Answers on page 16.

P T J Q S X I A E A G M D H Y F N U A NI U X L K A T S Y V B G A X S M T U O PN M S X S R B U T S V Y M M C O K R E GN L O R S B S H X R D A M F M T T Q Y UA I C H A U R H S E I T R S O H L M P AC A D Z P N A O N A E E T T M P N H T PL R D N N Q G B W U W H V O R E V S U TE T E D I H U E Z N U E U A H T I H R LP S S Y A T N E R M S N H S C V L W S UE E E Y T P Y R B T T R W C A D S P F JA W R E N I G M N A R C A N A C N M Y XK A T K U E N H I K R A E N I P S I U CP H V I O P D N R X A U I S C P A X W DA X I K M S T Y K A B F Y L W H K S T NR L S K R A P N I A T N U O M H T U O SK O T H R E G J D S S A P S N A M T A FY N A X S K A E P R U O F U E P O M J NP V H O L B E R T T R A I L A A L T J AR D N I A T N U O M K C A B L E M A C UN O Y N A C A M I P Y R Q V Q G I T B K

14 Member Newsletter

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16

17 18 19

20 21 22

23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

32 33 34 35 36 37 38

39 40

41 42 43

44 45 46

47 48 49 50 51 52

53 54 55 56 57 58 59

60 61 62

63 64 65

66 67 68

Crossword Puzzle

49. Comment to the audience

51. Female sheep

52. Formula 1 driver

54. Sourish

56. Connects two points

57. Young girl

58. Decorative case

59. Adolescent

62. Type of whiskey

Across 1. Merchandise6. Mats of grass10. Garden tool14. Fruit of the oak tree15. Diva’s solo16. Black, in poetry17. Mating of related people19. Jacket20. Not greater21. G22. Doing nothing23. Send, as payment25. Lance26. Information30. Anagram of “Rental”32. Some other35. An apparition39. Roads40. Veneer41. Competitor43. Roman household gods44. Reluctant46. In order to prevent47. “The Final Frontier”50. Cowboy movie53. At one time (archaic)54. Male cat55. Billfold60. 13 in Roman numerals61. Be grateful for63. Cocoyam64. Depend65. Follow as a result66. Observed67. Tall woody plant68. Varnish ingredient

Down1. Cry out2. Skin disease3. Steals4. Makes a mistake5. Contemptuous look6. Unhappy7. Beginning8. Kitchen set9. Wise one10. Multiplicative

inverse

11. Domicile12. Australian “bear”13. Go in18. Before, poetically24. Blemish25. 4-door car26. Have the nerve27. Nameless28. Brag29. Allure31. Vitality

33. Throw with effort34. Feudal worker36. Tardy37. Poems38. Where a bird lives42. A state police

officer43. Animal companion45. Cross section47. Genders48. A group of lions

Solve the crossword clues and fill in the answers according to its direction. Answers on page 16.

15

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDPHOENIX AZPERMIT NO 1988

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage depends on contract renewal. Consult with your health care provider regarding medical care or treatment. Any recommendations, services or resources mentioned in this article are not a substitute for the advice, or recommendation of a member’s physician or healthcare provider. Services or treatment options may not be covered under Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage.

BCBSAZ Advantage Member Services Contact InformationQuestions about your benefits or anything mentioned in this issue? Member Services is available to help! Call toll-free at 1-800-446-8331. TTY/TDD users should call 711. Hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, from February 15 to September 30; and 7 days a week from October 1 to February 14. This information is available for free in another language. If you have special needs, this document may be available in other formats.

El departamento de servicio al cliente puede ser contactado al número gratuito 1-800-446-8331. Los usuarios de TTY/TDD deben llamar al 711. Estamos disponibles de 8:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m., lunes a viernes desde el 15 de febrero hasta el 30 de septiembre; y los 7 días de la semana desde el 1 de octubre hasta el 14 de febrero. Esta información está disponible sin ningún costo en otro idioma. Si usted tiene necesidades especiales, este documento puede estar disponible en otros formatos.

Health and wellness or prevention information

Crossword Puzzle page 15

Word Search page 14

ADV_1302_201716 Member Newsletter