If you have diabetes, you need to see your doctor regularly. That’s

because your doctor can help you learn more about how to control your diabetes. He or she will also give you targets for important “levels” like blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Some of the screening tests your doctor will make sure you get include:

• Dilatedeyeexameveryyear

• Bloodtesttocheckyourcholesterol level

• Urinetesttocheckforkidney disease

• Bloodtesttocheckyourblood sugar at least once a year (HbA1c)

• Footexam

•Checkyourblood pressure

You need to have these tests done regularly. Talk to your doctor to find out how often you need to be tested.

Eye exams every yearBMCHealthNetPlanisworking with providers to make sure that our diabetic members get all their tests

– especially your dilated eye exams.Diabeticeyediseasecan damage eyesight or even lead to blindness. Early detection is important. Then your eye doctor can start treating you right away. And that can help ensure a better outcome.

If you have questions about diabetes, talk to your doctor. OrcallaBMCHealthNetPlancaremanagerat1-888-566-0010.

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Regular mammograms can mean better health outcomes

If you’re a woman between age 40 and 49, talk to your doctor

about whether you should have a mammogram every year. Many doctors do recommend it for their patients who are in their 40s. If you are over 50 years old, you should definitely have a mammogram every year.

A mammogram is an X-ray of your breasts. The test is used to help see any abnormal growth or

continued on page 2

Diabetic? Know your levels and get yourtests!

For members of BMC HealthNet Plan July 2008

Does BMC HealthNet Plan offer benefits to help me quit smoking?

Yes.BMCHealthNetPlanmembersare covered for one-on-one and group counseling to help you quit smoking. You are also covered for medications to help you quit, including nicotine replacement therapy. You can also get help throughQuitWorks.Callthemat1-800-TRY-TO-STOPorvisitwww.trytostop.org. To find out more about your benefits and how

we can help you to stop smoking, call the Member Services CallCenterat1-888-566-0010.

Does BMC HealthNet Plan cover me if I’m out of the country?

No.BMCHealthNetPlancoversmembersonlyforcarewithintheUnitedStatesanditsterritories.

BMC HealthNet Plan Member Services Call Center

1-888-566-0010

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Your Frequently Asked Questions

New phone number? Moving?Let us know.

Whenever your address or phone number changes, please contact our Member Services Call Center

to let us know. The number is 1-888-566-0010. You should also contact MassHealth and give them your new contact information. That way you won’t risk losing your eligibility due to MassHealth not having your correct address. You can call MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900.

Regular mammograms can mean better health outcomescontinued from page 1

changes in your breast tissue. The risk of breast cancer increases as you age or if you have a family history of breast cancer. Finding and treating it early usually results in a better health outcome.

Be sure you have a mammogram every year or as often as your doctor advises. Also, ask your healthcare provider to teach you how to do a self breast exam. For more information, go to the American Cancer Society’s Web site at www.cancer.org.

Your Provider Directory and Member HandbookWhen you joined BMC HealthNet Plan, we sent you a provider directory and member handbook. If you ever need another copy of either publication, call our Member Services Call Center at 1-888-566-0010 to ask that one be sent to you.

A new Massachusetts law increases the age or height

that children must stay in booster seats – until they are 8 years old or reach 4 feet, 9 inches in height.

The new law is designed to prevent serious injuries to kids who are not ready for seat belts. Seat belts are made to ride across the tops of the passenger's hips and shoulders, but on children and smaller adults the seatbelt cuts across the stomach area instead. This can cause serious injuries in an accident. A booster seat raises the child's body so that the seatbelt hits the right spots, reducing the risk of injury.

BMC HealthNet Plan members with children are eligible to receive free booster seats. Call the Member Services Call Center at 1-888-566-0010 for more information on how you can get a booster seat for your child.

New booster seat law protects more kids

symptoms and need to show the tick to a nurse or doctor).

• Sunsafety:findouthowto avoidsunexposure problems. If you or your child has spent too much time in the sun, you canfindouthowtotreat sunburn and how to look for a serious condition like sun stroke.

CallBMCHealthNetPlan’sNurseAdviceLineanytimeat1-800-973-6273. You can talk to a trained nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also access the Audio Topics Librarywhichallowsyoutolisten to recorded information on many different health issues.

W ith the summer here, you and your children

will probably be outside more often. That can lead to some common health problems.

BMCHealthNetPlan’sNurseAdviceLinecanhelpyouavoid an unneeded trip to the emergency room this summer. This 24 hour a day, 7 day a week toll-free line is staffed with specially trained nurses who can give you information on your problem. They can help you with common summer health issues like:

• Swimmer’searorearache: this is very common in the summer, especially if you or your child swims in pools.Learnhowyoucan treat it.

• Insectbites:learnhowyou can treat them at home

• Ticks:learnhowtoremove them and save them (in case you get other

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This summer don’t forget the Nurse Advice Line

Two Copley PlaceSuite 600Boston, MA 02116

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT NO. 5064

This Summer, Don't Forgetthe Nurse Advice Line

Diabetic? Know Your Levelsand Get Your Tests

Boston Area Main Office:Two Copley PlaceSuite 600Boston, MA 02116

Western Massachusetts Regional Office:354 Birnie Avenue, 3rd FloorSpringfield, MA 01107

Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Office:Bourne Counting HouseOne Merrill's WharfNew Bedford, MA 02740

Berkshire Regional Office:66 West Street, Suite 205Pittsfield, MA 01201

www.bmchp.org

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Este boletín de noticias esta disponible en español. Si usted quisiera una copia de la traduccion en español, llame el Centro de Llamada de Servicio de Miembros al 1-888-566-0012.

When most of us think about shots for our children, we picture infants and small children getting immunized at the doctor’s office. But just because your child has reached the teen years doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t still need certain shots.

Since 2005, three new vaccines have been recommended especially for pre-teens and teens. It’s important to make sure that you keep up to date with your child’s shots. These shots can help prevent your child from getting serious diseases. You should also make sure that your child is seeing the doctor for a yearly checkup. That’s the best time for the doctor to see how your child is growing and to make sure that your child is given any shots that he or she needs.

Teenagers need their shotstoo