Winter 2001

~ RESPIRATORY CARE information inside ~~ RESPIRATORY CARE information inside ~

F.A.Q. F.A.Q.ons frequently asked questions frequently asked questions frequently asked questions

... from our Health Advantage members

Q: What should I do if I lose my Health Advantage member ID card?A: Please contact Health Advantage Customer Service at (501) 221-3733 or 1-800-843-1329 and request a newID card. After the request, you should receive your new ID card within seven to 10 days.

Q: Do I need to take my Health Advantage member ID card each time I visit my doctor or have aprescription filled?A: Yes. Health Advantage strongly recommends that you carry your ID card with you atall times and that your family members carry their ID cards as well.

Q: Will my new baby be covered under Health Advantage immediately after birth?A: A newborn is eligible for coverage from the date of birth, provided the child is enrolled within 90 days. Toavoid a delay in claims being paid, you should complete an enrollment form, have your group administratorsign it and submit it to Health Advantage as soon as possible. Your employer may require that this be donewithin 30 days, so we recommend that you check with your personnel office.

Q: What is the proper procedure for scheduling an appointment with my primary care physician (PCP)?A: If you are a new patient, Health Advantage recommends that you have your medical records transferredto your new PCP and schedule an appointment as needed. If your appointment is for a routine examination,allow 30 days to schedule.

Q: What role does my PCP play in my health care as a Health Advantage member?A: The PCP is responsible for providing, arranging and coordinating all aspects of your health care.

Q: What is a point-of-service (POS) plan?A: A POS plan means that the member has the option of receiving non-emergency services from plan provid-ers or non-plan providers without first receiving authorization/referral from the PCP and/or Health Advan-tage. However, Health Advantage does not cover such services to the same degree as services authorized bythe member’s PCP. The member also must meet a deductible before coverage begins. Forsome services, there is no coverage provided for out-of-network services or physicians.Remember a non-plan provider must have both PCP and Health Advantage authorizationfor in-network benefits.

Q: What is the age limit for dependent coverage?A: Dependent coverage is provided for the following dependents:1. A child less than 19 years of age and living at home.2. A child who is enrolled and regularly attending on-campus classes as a full-time student at an accredited

college, university or vocational training school, who is under the age specified in the group contract andwho is financially dependent on the member/parent.

3. A child of any age who is medically certified as totally disabled due to mental or physical incapacity andchiefly dependent on the member/parent for financial support.

3

is published four times a year byArkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shieldfor the company’s members, healthcare professionals and otherpersons interested in health careand wellness.

Vice President of Advertising and CommunicationsPatrick O’Sullivan

EditorKelly Whitehorn — BNYou-Ed@arkbluecross.com

DesignerGio Bruno

ContributorsJanice Drennan, Damona Fisher and Kathy Luzietti

Customer Service Numbers

Little Rock Toll-freeCategory Number (501) Number

State/Public School Employees 378-2437 1-800-482-8416

e-mail: publicschoolemployees@arkbluecross.com stateemployees@arkbluecross.com

Medi-Pak (Medicare supplement) 378-3062 1-800-338-2312

Medicare (for beneficiaries only): Part A (hospital benefits) 378-3151 1-877-356-2368 Part B (physician benefits) 378-2320 1-800-482-5525

UniqueCare, UniqueCare Blue, Blue Select®, BlueCare PPO & PPO Plus (individual products) 378-2010 1-800-238-8379

Group Services 378-2070 1-800-421-1112

BlueCard® 378-2127 1-800-880-0918

Federal Employee Program (FEP) 378-2531 1-800-482-6655

Health Advantage 221-3733 1-800-843-1329

Medi-Pak HMO (Health Advantage) 954-5200 1-800-354-9904

USAble Administrators 378-3600 1-800-522-9878

For information about obtaining coverage, call:Little Rock Toll-free

Category Number (501) Number

Medi-Pak (Medicare supplement) 378-2937 1-800-392-2583

UniqueCare Blue, Blue Select®, BlueCare PPO & PPO Plus (individual products) 378-2937 1-800-392-2583

Regional Office locations:Central Little RockNortheast JonesboroNorthwest FayettevilleSouth Central Hot SpringsSoutheast Pine BluffSouthwest TexarkanaWest Central Fort Smith

Customers who live in these regions may contact the regionaloffices or call the appropriate toll-free telephone numbers above.

Web sites: www.arkansasbluecross.com,www.healthadvantage-hmo.com, www.BlueAnnEwe-ark.com

INSIDETHIS ISSUE

~winter 2001~

Battle of the bugs ........................................ 4Cold, flu … what’s the difference? ............. 5Respiratory illness, common diagnosis ....... 5Flu & pneumonia....................................... 6-7The cold. Just how common? ................... 8-9The nose knows, sinusitis ......................... 8-9Health care costs, what we are doing .. 10-11When a cough is not a cold........................ 12Take a deep breath, asthma facts ............. 13Secondhand smoke facts ........................... 13When do you need antibiotics?.................. 14Respiratory Health Education Program ...... 15Who benefits from RHEP? ..................... 14-15Allergies .................................................... 16Medi-Pak and retiree information ............. 17The pharmacist is in .................................. 17Member benefit change for the better ....... 18Benefit info for insulin infusion pump ....... 18Blue & Your Community; member discounts ... 19Blue On-line ............................................... 20

All people, nomatter what age orgender, are equallysusceptible to the

common cold.

Battle of the bugsfrom the start of a runny nose orcough until the fever is gone.Some bacterial infections, such asstrep throat, are contagious untilthe ill person has been taking anantibiotic for 24 hours.

Stay healthy.1. Don’t smoke.2. Eat a balanced diet, get enough

sleep and take time to exercise.3. Keep your teeth and gums healthy

— consider using an antibacterialmouthwash in addition to brush-ing your teeth regularly.

4. Slow down when you have a mildrespiratory illness.

4 I f you want to avoid catching(or spreading) infections, here’s whatyou need to know:1. Viruses and bacteria are spread by

droplets released by the nose,mouth and eyes.

2. Most infections are spread bytouching the infected person’shands or touching something theinfected person has touched andthen touching your hand to youreyes or nose.

3. Coughing and sneezing canspread the infection.

4. Cold viruses can live on objectsfor up to three hours.

5. All people, no matter what age orgender, are equally susceptible tothe common cold.

Take preventive precautions athome, work and play.1. Clean surfaces with a virus-killing

disinfectant.2. Wash your hands often.3. Throw tissues in the trash imme-

diately after use.4. Cover your mouth and nose when

coughing or sneezing.5. Use only your own drinking cup

and toothbrush.6. Consider staying home from work

when you are the most conta-gious. Most viruses are contagious

Battle of the bugs

All people, nomatter what age orgender, are equallysusceptible to the

common cold.

Although some people are con-vinced that a cold results from expo-sure to cold weather or from gettingchilled or overheated, studies havefound that these conditions have littleor no effect on the development orseverity of a cold.

FACT:FACT:

5The Common Cold

If you have a “common cold”with a tickle in your throat, arunny nose, sneezing and wateryeyes, then you have probablycaught one of the many coldviruses that are “going around.”This mild viral infection of therespiratory tract will usually clearup in four to 10 days, with orwithout treatment.

The FluIf your illness begins with a

fever, headache, other aches andpains and lethargy — followed bycold-like symptoms — youprobably have a more seriousvirus, the flu. Because the flu is aviral infection, most symptomsare likely to go away in otherwisehealthy people in seven to 14days. You may need over-the-counter medications and/or homeremedies to temporarily relievesymptoms.

Symptom ReliefThe following over-the-

counter medications won’tshorten your illness, but they canmake you more comfortable.

COLD, FLU … what’s the difference? According to data compiled by Arkansas Blue

Cross and Blue Shield, approximately 8 percent ofour members who visited the emergency room(ER) in both 1999 and 2000 were diagnosed witha respiratory illness.

Additionally, approximately 17 percent of ourHealth Advantage and Arkansas Blue Crossmembers who have visited a health care facility(physician, hospital, clinic, etc.) in 2001 wereseeking medical care for a respiratory illness.

By simply reviewing data from Arkansas BlueCross, it’s easy to see that respiratory illness is asignificant condition among members. ThroughBlue & You, Arkansas Blue Cross is providinginformation about respiratory illness preventionand symptoms that will help members to be ableto take care of their health and possibly avoidillnesses involving the respiratory systems.

Lost days of work and activityAccording to national health survey data,

acute respiratory illnesses account for more thanone-half of all disabling conditions annually, withthe common cold being the most prevalent illness.The U.S. experiences about 300 million days ofrestricted activity, 60 million days of lost schooland 50 million days of lost work. Direct costs inassociation with the common cold are estimated at$15 billion per year (including doctor visits andover-the-counter medication).

The flu, with its terrible effects on its victims,is the leading cause of restricted activity andwork-loss days in our society. According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, the flucauses an average of 55.7 work-loss days per 100persons per year in employees18 years of age and older.Pneumonia, however, isnot a significantcontributor torestricted activitywork-loss days as itis most common inthose more than65 years old.

For fever — tryacetaminophen.

For a cough — trydextromethorphan.

For congestion — try ahumidifier or saline spray.

Additionally, lots offluids, bed rest and steamcan help relieve yoursymptoms.

Complications of thecold or flu

It’s possible for virusesto lead to bacterial infec-tions, such as sinusitis,middle ear infections orpneumonia. Signs of abacterial infection include:fever that lasts for morethan a few days or suddenlygoes up, or coughed upphlegm that is yellow,green or bloody. If youthink you have a bacterialinfection, you should visityour doctor.

Respiratory Illness:A common diagnosisfor members

Respiratory Illness:A common diagnosisfor members

6Flu and pneumonia cause

20,000 to 40,000 deaths in the UnitedStates each year. More than 90percent of the deaths occur in peoplewho are age 65 and older.

FluFlu is caused by viruses and is

highly contagious. Flu symptomsinclude fever, muscle aches,headache, lack of energy, a drycough, sore throat and possibly arunny nose. These symptoms maylast from several days to two weeks.Although flu is usually a milddisease, it can be serious in olderadults and people of any age whohave chronic illnesses.

An annual flu shot can greatlylower your chances of getting the flu.In older people and those withcertain chronic illnesses, the vaccineoften is less effective in preventingflu than in reducing symptoms and

the risk of serious illness anddeath. The vaccine doesnot cause side effects inmost people.

Flu season runs fromNovember through April.Because flu viruses changeall the time, the vaccineis updated each year toinclude the most current flu

virus strains.The Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC) reports thatthe 2001 vaccine supply will besufficient to meet demand andshould be plentiful in November.People at high risk, including those65 or older, those who have chronicdiseases, and health care workersshould get the vaccine as earlyas possible.

Flu or AnthraxInitial symptoms of inhalation

anthrax, which is breathed into thebody, are much like the commoncold and may mimic flu symptoms.Several hours to several days later,these symptoms progress to severebreathing problems and shock.

Cutaneous or skin anthraxbegins as a raised itchy bump thatresembles an insect bite. Within oneto two days, the bump develops intoa sore and then a painless ulcer witha black center. Lymph glands in theadjacent area may swell.

Intestinal anthrax — contractedby eating infected meat — causesnausea, loss of appetite, vomiting andfever. These initial symptoms arefollowed by abdominal pain, vomitingof blood and severe diarrhea.

PneumoniaPneumonia is a lung disease

that can be caused by viruses,bacteria, tuberculosis, protozoa andfungi. Pneumonia is the fifth leadingcause of death in the United States.

Pneumococcal pneumonia beginswith a high fever, cough andstabbing chest pains. The diseaseresults when a bacterium calledstreptococcus pneumiae invades thelungs. The infection can spread tothe blood, lungs, middle ear ornervous system. Pneumococcalpneumonia primarily causes illnessin children younger than 2 andadults 65 or older.

Each year in the United States,pneumococcal diseases account forapproximately 50,000 cases of

Flu & Pneumonia:Flu & Pneumonia:

Sinusitis

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

7bloodstream infection (bacteremia);3,000 cases of meningitis; 100,000 to175,000 hospitalizations frompneumonia; and 7 million cases ofotitis media (ear infections).

Pneumococcal vaccine is onlyrecommended for those age 65 andover and for those under 65 withchronic diseases. It can be given atthe same time as a flu shot (byseparate injection in the other arm).It is recommended that the vaccinebe administered every 10 years.

Taking the pneumococcalvaccine protects only againstpneumococcal pneumonia and doesnot guarantee that you will never getpneumococcal or anotherpneumonia.

New Vaccine for Children Under 2The Food and Drug

Administration approved the firstpneumococcal vaccine for infantsand toddlers last year. Known aspneumococcal conjugate vaccine orPrevnar®, the vaccine targets the mostcommon strains of pneumococcus,which account for approximately 80percent of invasive disease in infants.

Infants can receive the vaccineas a series of four inoculationsadministered at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15months of age. If children cannotreceive the vaccine starting at age2 months, their parents shouldconsult their health care provider foralternative schedules.

An estimated 16,000 cases ofpneumococcal bacteremia and 1,400cases of pneumococcal meningitisoccur each year in the U.S. amongchildren under age 5 (under age 2 areat highest risk for infection). In up tohalf the meningitis cases, braindamage and hearing loss occur, andabout 10 percent of those infected die.

The American Academy ofFamily Physicians, the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics and the CDC’sAdvisory Committee on Immuni-zation Practices have added thepneumococcal conjugate vaccine totheir recommended schedule ofchildhood immunizations for 2001.

Your Best Defense

Birth to 24 Months:

Age 40-64:

Over Age 65:

PneumococcalConjugateVaccine

InfluenzaVaccine

PneumococcalVaccine

InfluenzaVaccine

PneumococcalVaccine

2, 4, 6 months with a booster at 12 to15 months

Annually for those at high risk (residentsof chronic-care facilities and personssuffering from chronic cardiopulmonarydisorders, metabolic diseases includingdiabetes mellitus, hemoglobinopathies,immunosuppression or renal dysfunction)

Clinical discretion based on risk forpersons with medical conditions thatincrease the risk of pneumococcalinfection (e.g., chronic cardiac orpulmonary disease, sickle cell disease,nephrotic syndrome, Hodgkin’s disease,asplenia, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism,cirrhosis, multiple myeloma, renaldisease or conditions associated withimmunosuppression)

Annually

Recommended every 10 years

IMMUNIZATIONS RECOMMENDED BY

HEALTH ADVANTAGE FOR FLU AND PNEUMONIA

— Sources: Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention,National Institute on Aging,National Institute of Allergy andInfectious Diseases

8 The common cold is probably the most

common illness known to man. It is such a part of ourlives that situation comedies are written around theremedies, and medications are marketed that claim to bethe “sniffling-sneezing-achy-fever-sore-throat-so-you-can-rest medicine.”

Although the common cold is usually mild, withsymptoms lasting one to two weeks, it is a leading causeof doctor visits and of school and job absenteeism. In a

year, Americans suffer 1 billion colds,according to some estimates.

Colds are most prevalentamong children who, on

average have about six to 10colds a year. Adults average

about two to four colds a year,although the range varies widely.

Women, especially those aged20-30 years, have more colds than

men. Generally, individuals olderthan 60 have fewer than one cold

a year.

The economic impact of the common cold is enor-mous. According to Eby Handbook statistics, 110 millioncases of the common cold occur in the United Stateseach year, which require medical attention or result inrestricted activity. Colds cause 300 million days ofrestricted activity, 50 million lost days of work, and60 million days lost from school. Between doctor’svisits and medications to relieve cold symptoms, almost$15 billion per year is spent on treating the commoncold. In addition, our nation’s employers incur about$9 billion per year in indirect costs associated with losttime from work and decreased productivity by workersinfected with colds (Mackowiak, Common Cold).

More than 200 different viruses are known to causethe symptoms of the common cold. Some, such as therhinoviruses, (from the Greek rhin, meaning “nose”)which is the most active and causes an estimated30-35 percent of all adult colds, seldom produce seriousillnesses. Others, such as parainfluenza and respiratorysyncytial virus, produce mild infections in adults butcan precipitate severe lower respiratory infections inyoung children.

The cold. Just how

The symptoms begin with coughing and sneezing,and feeling tired and achy. “Is it a cold?” you ask your-self. But, when the medicines you’ve been taking torelieve the symptoms aren’t working and the poundingheadache arrives, the answer to the question could be,“no, it’s sinusitis.”

Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of thesinuses (the air passages behind your cheekbones,eyebrows and jaw). Sinusitis symptoms include headachewhen you wake up in the morning, pain in the face, heador neck, a runny nose, and a cough that’s often worse atnight. Other symptoms can include sore throat (fromnasal drainage), fever, weakness, tiredness and not

feeling well in general.Sinusitis can be caused by

infections, asthma, allergies ormedicines and can occur becauseof changes in temperature, air

pressure or air pollutants (irri-tants). The common cold can increase

The nose knowsyour risk of sinusitis as can swimming anddiving, smoking and the overuse of decongestantnasal sprays.

There are three categories ofsinusitis:Acute — lasts for3 weeks or less;Chronic — lasts for 3-8weeks but can continue formonths or even years; andRecurrent — several acute attacks per year.

It is estimated that 37 million Americansare affected by sinusitis annually and spend$2 billion for medications that promise torelieve their sinus symptoms. According tothe U.S. Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, health care workers report 33million cases of chronic sinusitis each year. Sinusitisaccounts for an average of four work-loss days.

It is easy to confuse the common cold with sinusitis.

9

However, a cold usually lasts 7-14 days and disappearswithout treatment, while acute sinusitis often lastslonger and typically causes more symptoms.

Following a sinusitis diagnosis from your doctor,treatment may include decongestants to reduce conges-tion; antibiotics to control a bacterial infection (ifpresent); and pain relievers to reduce pain.

Over-the-counter or prescription decongestant nosedrops and sprays should only be used for a few days.Used for longer periods, they can lead to even morecongestion and swollen nasal passages. Inhaling steamfrom a vaporizer or a hot cup of water can sootheinflamed sinus cavities. Saline nasal spray can providesome relief, and gentle heat applied over the inflamedarea is comforting.

When medical treatment fails, surgery may be theonly alternative for treating chronic sinusitis.

Although you cannot prevent all sinus disorders, youcan reduce the number and severity of the attacks andpossibly prevent sinusitis from becoming chronic:

• Humidifiers may help relieve symptoms, especially ifyour home is heated by a dry forced-air system.

• Air conditioners help provide an even temperature.• Electrostatic filters attached to heating and air condi-

tioning equipment are helpful in removing allergensfrom the air.

• Avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants.• Avoid drinking alcohol (it causes nasal and sinus

membranes to swell).• Drink lots of water and other fluids to keep nasal

discharge thin.• Avoid air travel.• If you have allergies, avoid the things

that trigger attacks.

The causes of 30-50 percentof adult colds, presumed to beviral, remain unidentified. Thesame viruses that produce colds inadults appear to cause colds inchildren. The cold season in America begins in lateAugust or early September, and incidence of colds re-mains high until March or April, when it begins todecline. The most common cold-causing viruses survivebetter when humidity is low — the colder months of theyear. Cold weather also may make the lining of the nasalpassages drier and more vulnerable to viral infection.

Common symptoms of the common cold includenasal discharge, obstruction of nasal breathing, swellingof the sinus membranes, sneezing, sore throat, cough andheadache. Fever is usually slight but can climb to 102degrees in infants and young people. Symptoms can lastfrom two to 14 days, but two-thirds of people recover in aweek. If symptoms last much longer than two weeks, itcould be the result of an allergy rather than a cold.

Colds occasionally can lead to secondary bacterialinfections of the middle ear or sinuses, requiring treat-

ment with antibiotics. But, antibiotics donot kill viruses. Colds are caused by viruses.

Colds are spread most commonly bytouching infectious respiratory secretionson skin and by inhaling secretions releasedby people coughing and sneezing.

Hand washing is the simplest and mosteffective way to keep from getting rhinovirus

colds. Not touching the nose or eyes is another. Individu-als with colds should always sneeze or cough into afacial tissue and promptly throw it away. If possible, oneshould avoid close, prolonged exposure to persons whohave colds.

Decongestants and cough suppressants may relievesome cold symptoms but will not prevent, cure or evenshorten the duration of a cold. And some have sideeffects. Nonprescription antihistamines may have someeffect in relieving inflammatory responses such as runnynose and watery eyes that often come with a cold. Noconclusive data has shown that taking large quantities ofVitamin C prevents colds.

Even “Granny” of “The Beverly Hillbillies” knew shehad the “cure” for the common cold: bed rest, plenty offluids, gargling with warm salt water, petroleum jelly fora raw nose, and aspirin or acetaminophen to relieveheadache or fever.

common?

— Sources: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

— Sources: American Academy ofFamily Physicians, AmericanAcademy of Otolaryngology, Na-tional Institute of Allergy andInfectious Diseases, U.S. Departmentof Health and Human Services

What are we doing to help10Claims may be submitted in paper as well as electronicform. However, it costs approximately 50 percent more toprocess a paper claim as compared to an electronic one.To take advantage of this cost difference, Arkansas BlueCross has invested in technology that facilitates theelectronic submission of claims from providers. As aresult, approximately 70 percent of all claims now aresubmitted electronically. The savings from this moreefficient process helps keep the cost of coverage at thelowest level possible.

Customer Service Workstation — Providing faster, morecomplete customer service is another way we hold downcosts. A new computer information system — called theCustomer Service Workstation (CSW) — enables ouremployees to provide better and faster customer service toour providers and members. Using the new CSW, employ-ees are able to access all needed customer information(from claims status to what’s covered) from their com-puter terminals — regardless of which insurance (Arkan-sas Blue Cross, Health Advantage or USAble Administra-tors) the customer may have. The CSW improves effi-ciency and increases response time to customer inquiries,helping to lower administrative costs.

Pharmacy Formulary — Arkansas Blue Cross works tocontrol escalating drug costs through its Pharmacy andTherapeutics Committee, whose decisions form the basisof the Three-Tier Medications Formulary. The committee,the majority of whose members are doctors and pharma-cists from outside our organization, makes recommenda-tions regarding preferred and non-preferred medications.Members can save the most money by using genericdrugs, which are always on the first tier of the formulary,requiring the lowest co-payment. Using brand-name,preferred drugs (selected for their effectiveness, safety,uniqueness and cost-efficiency) also saves membersmoney because preferred drugs are on the second tier andrequire a mid-level co-payment. Non-preferred drugs(those considered by the committee to fall short of otherdrugs in the same therapeutic class in regard to effective-ness, safety, uniqueness or cost-efficiency) comprise thethird tier and require the highest co-payment.

Case Management — Nurses work with members andtheir physicians through case management to recommend

At Arkansas Blue Cross and BlueShield, we conduct our business with threesimple thoughts in mind:1. We want you to be healthy.2. If you get sick, we want you to receive excellent care

from quality doctors and hospitals.3. We don’t want you to go bankrupt in the process.

Below are some of the ways we are working to holddown the cost of health care.

Contracting for Savings — As Arkansas’ largest healthinsurer serving hundreds of thousands of Arkansans, weare able to work with physicians and hospitals to provideour members with appropriate medical care at a lowercost. In exchange for a steady volume of patients withhealth insurance, we are able to contract with doctors andhospitals that agree to provide their services to ourmembers at a discounted fee. In return for timely paymentfrom Arkansas Blue Cross, participating providers alsoagree not to “balance bill” our members for any additionalcharges above the agreed-upon fees. By working together,we are able to strike a balance between providing reason-able reimbursement to medical professionals and keepingcosts down for our members.

Not-For-Profit — With rising medical costs causing healthinsurance premiums to increase, it’s important to under-stand that Arkansas Blue Cross is a not-for-profit, mutualinsurance company. That means that we are owned by ourpolicyholders, not by stockholders. Because we pay nodividends to stockholders, all revenues earned by Arkan-sas Blue Cross are used in only two ways: To pay provid-ers and members for covered benefits and to pay associ-ated administrative expense. Any revenues received thatare greater than these two categories of expense are heldas unassigned funds (surplus) for the future benefit ofour members.

Low Operating Costs — More than 87 cents of everypremium dollar in 2000 was used to pay for actual medicalcare received by our members. Only 12.5 cents of everydollar was used for costs associated with processing andpaying member claims, providing customer service andother administrative costs. In addition, we saved ourmembers more than $369 million in 2000 alone throughour cost-containment initiatives. This is a savings to ourmembers of $3.30 for every $1 in administrative expenses.

Electronic Submission of Claims — A major part ofadministrative expense is the cost of processing claims.

What are we doing to help

hold down health care costs?11the most cost-effective benefit options to meet anindividual’s physician-recommended treatment plan. Incatastrophic cases, such as brain or spinal cord injuries,burns or multiple traumas, a national network of expertconsultants is available to help patients and physiciansassess health plan benefit options.

Transplant Network — Arkansas Blue Cross works withmembers and their physicians to secure transplant servicesthrough the Blue Quality Centers for Transplants, foundednationally by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association(BCBSA). Facilities that are selected for the transplantnetwork must meet specific clinical criteria (based onpositive patient outcomes and quality), which are estab-lished with the advice of a panel of nationally prominenttransplant specialists. After a facility meets the inclusioncriteria, an agreement is made on favorable pricing. Byusing this network, the member receives transplantservices performed at facilities and by medical profession-als who have been scrutinized for quality and goodoutcomes, with the added benefit of BCBSA-negotiatedcost savings. The transplant network also helps with organprocurement services for the pre-authorized transplant.

BlueCard® — Members of an Arkansas Blue Cross-affiliated health plan may use the BlueCard program toobtain coverage and access network physicians andhospitals throughout the U.S. and in more than 40 othercountries. Members simply show their ID card to receivehealth care benefits similar to their local Blue Plan whiletraveling outside of Arkansas. These providers file claimsautomatically for members and agree to accept negotiatedfees for their services. BlueCard out-of-state coverage forsome HMO plans may cover urgent/emergency care only.Check with your local Blue Plan for specific benefits.

Fraud Investigation — Detection, prevention andelimination of fraud, abuse and over-utilization areessential to maintaining a health care system that isaffordable for everyone. Arkansas Blue Cross aggressivelyinvestigates and pursues the prosecution of perpetrators,who drive up premium costs for everyone. The companyalso actively cooperates with criminal investigationsconducted by federal, state and local authorities andencourages education about fraud and abuse.

Health Education Programs — Arkansas Blue Cross andHealth Advantage offer health education programs tomembers free of charge. These programs provide informa-tion and links to local, regional and national resources tohelp members manage disease and prevent complicationsof illness. Programs now are available for diabetes,respiratory health and Special Delivery, which educatesexpectant mothers about preterm births. In 2002, pro-grams will be added in cardiovascular disease and lowback pain. Informed members are more able to makechoices that help them achieve better health, which leadsto improved quality of life and lower health care costs.

Wellness Discounts — Arkansas Blue Cross has negoti-ated discounts with health and fitness clubs, sportinggoods and fitness equipment stores for members ofArkansas Blue Cross, USAble Administrators and HealthAdvantage. Discounts are obtained by showing yourindividual or family health insurance card at the time ofclub enrollment, purchase of services or retail sales. Adirectory of vendors offering discounts is available on ourWeb sites in the sections entitled “Members.”

Web Sites and Health Magazine — Arkansas BlueCross uses Blue & You, its quarterly magazine, and its Websites (www.arkansasbluecross.com andwww.healthadvantage-hmo.com) to communicate withmembers. These communications tools offer a cost-effective way of informing members about their benefitsand help reduce calls to Customer Service. They alsoprovide an avenue for preventive health information,which helps reduce health care costs.

Community Health Programs — “An ounce of preven-tion is worth a pound of cure.” That’s the simple ideabehind the Arkansas Blue Cross Blue & Youth HealthProgram — health education designed to improve thehealth status of Arkansas’ young people. The Blue & Youthprogram uses a big blue sheep, BlueAnn Ewe, to teachschool-aged children the importance of practicing healthyhabits such as eating right, exercising, practicing safety,and preventing tobacco and drug abuse. Through a varietyof approaches, including an elementary classroom presen-tation, a middle-school student teaching/mentoringprogram (High School Heroes), a health “club” for kids,animated musical television commercials and a wild andwoolly kid’s Web site (www.BlueAnnEwe-ark.com), theBlue & Youth program has taken healthy messages to morethan 281,000 Arkansas youth in the past five years.

hold down health care costs?

When a cough is not a cold12Bronchitis is an inflammation of

the lining (bronchi) of the bronchialtubes, which connect the windpipeto the lungs. Less air is able to flowto and from the lungs, and a heavymucus or phlegm is coughed up when thebronchi are inflamed and/or infected. Thisis bronchitis.

Many people suffer a brief attack ofacute bronchitis with cough and mucusproduction when they have severe colds.

Chronic bronchitis is defined by thepresence of a mucus-producing coughmost days of the month, three months ofa year for two successive years withoutother underlying diseases to explain thecough. It may precede or accompanypulmonary emphysema. Acute bronchitisis usually not associated with fever. Acutebronchitis is considered a chronic obstruc-tive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Cigarette smoking is by far the mostcommon cause of chronic bronchitis. Thebronchial tubes of people with chronicbronchitis also may have been irritatedinitially by bacterial or viral infections. Airpollution and industrial dusts and fumesare also causes.

Bronchitis may develop before colds,during colds, after colds, all year round. Astime goes on, colds become more damag-ing. Untreated, coughing and bringing upphlegm last longer after each cold. Oncethe bronchial tubes have been irritatedover a long period of time, excessivemucus is produced constantly, the lining ofthe bronchial tubes becomes thickened, anirritating cough develops, air flow may be

hampered, and the lungsare endangered. The

bronchial tubes thenmake an idealbreeding place forinfections.

Almost 9 millionAmericans are diagnosed

with chronic bronchitis annually. It isthe ninth-ranking chronic conditionin our nation. Annually, 107,146deaths occur in America — 1,296deaths in Arkansas — which are

certified as due to COPD and relatedconditions, ranking as the fourth leadingcause of death in the United States. Theannual national cost for bronchitis andCOPD is about $30.4 billion.

Developed more often in females thanmales, chronic bronchitis is often ne-glected by individuals until it is in anadvanced state because people mistakenlybelieve that the disease is not life-threaten-ing. By the time a patient goes to his orher doctor, the lungs have frequently beenseriously injured. Then the patient may bein danger of developing serious respiratoryproblems or heart failure.

Antibiotics have been helpful intreating acute infection associated withchronic bronchitis, but you do not need totake them continually. Treatment isprimarily aimed at reducing irritation ofthe bronchial tubes. Bronchodilator drugs— which may be inhaled as aerosol spraysor taken as pills — may be prescribed tohelp relax and open up air passages in thelungs, if there is a tendency for these toclose up.

To effectively control chronic bronchi-tis, it is necessary to eliminate sources ofirritation and infection in the nose, throat,mouth, sinuses and bronchial tubes ...avoid polluted air, dusty work conditionsor give up smoking.

Always see a doctor to determineconclusively a diagnosis of chronic bron-chitis and follow his/her instructionsfor care.

— Sources: American Lung Association,National Institute of Allergy and InfectiousDiseases, U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services

When a cough is not a cold

Take a deep breath- - - - - - - - - 13

B reathing is something most of us do without eventhinking. For others, it can be an ongoing struggle.

The airways in the lungs get blocked. You may havedifficulty breathing. You begin to cough and wheeze. Forpeople with asthma, an “attack” may range from milddiscomfort to a life-threatening situation. Althoughasthma problems are often separated by symptom-freeperiods, it is a chronic (long-term) disease of the lungsthat can affect people throughout their lives.

Who has asthma?In the U.S., more than 17 million of all ages and

races have asthma. It is more common in children thanadults with nearly 1 in 13 school-age children beingaffected. It is the leading cause of absenteeism due to achronic illness. Children breathe more air, eat more foodand drink more liquid in proportion to their body weightthan do adults. Their bodies are developing, and theymay be more at risk to environmental agents.

What causes asthma attacks?Anything that bothers the lungs can trigger an

asthma attack. The two major categories are allergensand irritants. Examples of allergens are house dust, pets,

Take a deep breathmolds and pollen. Irritants are things such as cold air,cigarette smoke, industrial chemicals, perfume, paint andgasoline fumes.

What happens during an asthma attack?1. Cells in the air tubes make more mucus than usual. It

is thick and sticky and clogs up the air tubes.2. Cells in the respiratory tract get inflamed, causing the

air tubes to swell.3. The muscles around the air tubes tighten. These

changes cause the air tubes to narrow, making itdifficult to breathe.

If you have asthma, you shouldconsult your doctor to create anasthma management plan. Yourdoctor can help you learn to monitoryour asthma, take appropriatemedication and identify and avoidasthma triggers.

— Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and theArkansas Chapter of the American Lung Association

Cigarette smoking is indisput-ably a major cause of death and

illness. It is responsible for an estimated 434,000 deathsper year in the United States. It is known to cause cancerand is a major risk factor for heart disease.

And if you are not a cigarette smoker, but areexposed to cigarette smoke, are you at risk for some ofthose same ill effects as a smoker? The answer is yes.

In adults, secondhand smoke is responsible forapproximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths annually in U.S.nonsmokers. Secondhand smoke causes irritation of theeyes, nose and throat. It also has been linked with theonset of chest pain and is associated with death fromheart disease in 37,000 people each year.

In children, exposure to secondhand smoke increasesthe risk of lower respiratory infections such as bronchitisand pneumonia. According to the American Lung

Association, there are an estimated 150,000to 300,000 cases every year of infections(such as bronchitis and pneumo-nia) in infants and children under18 months of age who breathesecondhand smoke. Exposureincreases the prevalence of fluid in the middle ear (a signof chronic middle ear disease), irritates theupper respiratory tract, reduces lungfunction, and increases theepisodes and frequency ofsymptoms in children withasthma (and is a risk factorfor new cases of asthma).

— Source: The AmericanLung Association

- - - - - - - - -

Get the facts about ~~~~~~~~~~~~ secondhand smokeGet the facts about ~~~~~~~~~~~~ secondhand smoke

14 If you only remember one thing about antibiotics, remember this: Antibi- otics are not a cure- all for any and all

illnesses. If you overuse or misuse antibiotics,they become less effective.

Antibiotics do not work against viruses.Most of the time when you have a

runny nose, a cough, muscle aches, a headcold, a sore throat or even a fever — youhave a virus. Viruses usually cause illnessfor one to two weeks, and the symptomscan be treated with non-prescription (over-the-counter) medicines, such as deconges-tants, cough syrups and cold formulas.

Antibiotics do work against bacteria.Bacteria cause serious illnesses such as

pneumonia, meningitis, dysentery and bloodpoisoning. These illnesses can be life-threateningand should be treated with antibiotics. If the bacteriais resistant, then it becomes very difficult — evenimpossible — to treat them.

Bacteria also cause more common ailments such asear, urinary and sinus infections. An antibiotic mayreduce the symptoms of these types of infections by afew days. If symptoms are not serious and the risk ofcomplications is low, an antibiotic may not be necessarybecause your body is capable of fighting off the infection.

Do not overuse or misuse antibiotics.By using antibiotics too often, too much or not

finishing a prescription, you are reducing the effective-ness, which may cause a problem know as “antibioticresistance.” Approximately half of the 100 millionantibiotics prescribed each year are unnecessary. Thisoveruse causes antibiotics to become less effective whenthey are really needed. Also, if you stop taking your

antibiotics as soon as you feel better without finishingthe prescription, effectiveness again is reduced.

What is antibiotic resistance?Body surfaces are normally covered with

“resident” bacteria even when we are healthy.Every time we use an antibiotic for anyreason (by mouth or applied to the skin),we attack the resident bacteria even whenthe bacteria aren’t causing illness. Somefight to survive, adapting to their newantibiotic environment. Thus, they makeantibiotic-resistant genes on bacteria thatdo make us sick and make them resistantas well.

Here’s how you can help.Antibiotic resistance can be reduced

with the following measures.1. When visiting your physician, don’tinsist on antibiotics for yourself or yourchildren. Your physician will know when

an antibiotic is needed.2. Take antibiotics only with a doctor’s instructions. Do

not take antibiotics left over from old prescriptionsthat are given to you by family or friends or pur-chased outside of the U.S.

3. Prevent infections by washing your hands thor-oughly. Be sure to wash fruits and vegetables beforeeating and make sure you avoid eating raw eggs(don’t let your children snack on the cookie dough)and undercooked meats — especially ground meats.

4. Keep immunizations up-to-date especially for flu andpneumonia.

If you have questions about whether you need anantibiotic, please contact your physician.

— Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) and the American College of Physicians

Members of ArkansasBlue Cross and Blue Shieldand its family of companieswho are at risk for respira-tory illness are enrolling inthe Respiratory HealthEducation Program to help

themselves stay healthy. As of Oct. 31, 2001, more than2,150 members have enrolled in the free program.

Of those enrolled, 13 percent have asthma, 42 percenthad been diagnosed with sinusitis at some point, and58 percent are identified as high risk for pneumonia/flu.Of those enrolled, 20 percent have missed 1-3 days ofwork because of illness, 10 percent have missed 4-5 days

Antibiotics

Do you knowwhen you

reallyneed them?

Antibiotics

Do you knowwhen you

reallyneed them?

Who is benefiting from the Free RespiratoryWho is benefiting from the Free Respiratory

15The Respiratory Health Education Program offered

by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield to membersfocuses on prevention and self-management of respira-tory illnesses for members who are at greater risk forserious complications of a respiratory illness.

Although the discomfort caused by a cold or the fluis usually temporary, these illnesses can lead to moreserious complications such as sinusitis or pneumonia.Those especially at risk include smokers, the elderly andthose who suffer from chronic diseases such as asthma,heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, emphysema andbronchitis.

The information offered by Arkansas Blue Crossshould help you:• Understand the causes of respiratory infections as

well as how they spread and how they can be treated.• Help you take action to prevent or reduce your

chances of getting respiratory illnesses.• Provide specific information about asthma, sinusitis

and pneumonia and how to prevent and managesymptoms.The program benefits include registered nurse case

managers who can assist with health plan benefits,provide information from community and nationalresources about the relief of symptoms and the role ofmedication in the treatment of respiratory infection, andprovide information on local smoking-cessation classesfor those interested in quitting smoking.

Program highlights include: a voluntary healthsurvey; physician collaboration; health care resourcelists; education on self-management techniques; andsatisfaction surveys.

Advantages of the RespiratoryHealth Education Program

If you have ever had a cold orthe flu, or another respiratoryillness, you have firsthand experi-ence with the impact respiratoryillnesses can have on your life. Thefinancial costs are an additionalissue. Better health leads to ahigher quality of life and lowercosts to you. Preventing respiratorycomplications can have a substan-tial impact on reducing hospitaliza-tion and further reducing yourhealth care costs.

How to EnrollIf you are a member of Arkan-

sas Blue Cross or Health Advan-tage, you can enroll in the freeRespiratory Health EducationProgram by calling a registerednurse case manager at your nearestregional office, or downloading thePatient Enrollment Form fromwww.arkansasbluecross.com andsending it in to your nearestregional office (see locationson Page 3).

Editor’s Note: The RespiratoryHealth Education Program is foreducational purposes only. Youshould consult your physician forany medical advice or services youmay need.

of work, and 14 percent have missed more than fivedays of work. Of those who have enrolled in the pro-gram, 14 percent are smokers, 30 percent have receivedpneumonia immunizations, and 57 percent have receivedflu immunizations.

Where can you find more information aboutrespiratory health?

Healthfinder Web site —www.Healthfinder.govAmerican Lung Association —www.lungusa.orgNational Institute of Allergiesand Infectious Disease —www.niaid.nih.gov.

RESPIRATORY HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM

AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS

Health Education Program?Health Education Program?

More about pollen allergies

16According to the American Academy of Allergy,

Asthma and Immunology, allergies affect one out ofevery six Americans. The cost of treating allergies runs inthe millions of dollars and includes the cost of misseddays of school and work as well as medications andphysician services.

What is an allergy?An allergy is an abnormal reaction to a usually

harmless substance. If a person has an allergy tosomething (like pollen), and it is absorbed into the body,the immune system views the pollen as an invader and achain reaction begins. White blood cells begin to produceantibodies, which attach themselves to special cellscalled mast cells, causing a release of potent chemicalssuch as histamine. These chemicals cause symptomssuch as a runny nose, watery eyes, itching and sneezing.

What are the common causes of allergies?A person could be allergic to one or several things.

The most common allergies include pollens, molds, dustmites, animal dander (dead skin flakes from animalswith fur), foods, medications and insect stings.

What are the most common types of allergic reactions?1. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (sometimes called hay fever)

is caused by an allergy to the pollen of trees, grasses,weeds or mold. Reactions include sneezing, itching,watery eyes, runny nose, burning palate and throat.

2. Allergic rhinitis is a general term used for anyone whohas allergy symptoms, and it may be a seasonal oryear-round problem caused by dust mites, dander,mold, etc.

3. Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a non-contagious itchyrash that often occurs on hands, arms, legs and neck.

4. Contact dermatitis is a reaction affecting areas of theskin. The skin may become red, itchy and inflamedafter contact with irritants such as plants, cosmetics,medications, metals and chemicals.

5. Urticaria or hives are red, itchy, swollen areas of theskin and may appear on any part of the body. Most

acute cases of hives are easilyidentifiable as reactions to such

things as food, viruses, latex ormedications. Chronic cases ofhives may occur regularly for yearswith no identifiable triggers.

Are allergies curable?The tendency to

suffer from allergies isgenetically inherited.Instead of looking for acure, those withallergies should workwith their physician tokeep their allergiesunder control.Successful treatment ofallergies includes earlydetection, proper use ofmedications and simpleallergen avoidancetechniques.

Allergies: sniffles,sneezing and sensitivity

More about pollen allergiesSkipping through a field of springtime flowers may

look pretty in pictures, but in reality, that sort ofbehavior may send some people into an uncomfortablesneezing, sniffling and eye-watering episode.

Welcome to the wonderful world of pollen. Pollen ismicrospores that usually appear on plants as a fine dust.Contrary to popular belief, spring isn’t the only time thatpollen is in the air. Pollen grains may be dispersed intothe air in summer and fall also, depending on the type oftree, grass or weed.

Besides avoidance, other allergy treatments includeoral over-the-counter antihistamine medications, oral andnasal over-the-counter decongestants, and nose drops ornose sprays. For more information on treatment optionsfor allergies, please consult your physician.

If you are allergic to pollen, you should minimizeyour symptoms by avoiding exposure to pollen. Thosewith pollen allergies should do the following (ifpossible): remain indoors in the morning when outdoorpollen levels are the highest; wear face masks designedto filter air if you must be outdoors; keep windowsclosed and use the air conditioner in the house or car ifpossible; do not dry your clothes by hanging themoutdoors; avoid contact with other irritants such asinsect sprays, tobacco smoke, fresh tar or paint; andavoid doing yard work such as mowing the lawn.

For information on the pollen count in your area,contact the National Allergy Bureau at 1-800-9-POLLEN.

Allergies: sniffles,sneezing and sensitivity

17

The Pharmacist is inDo you have any questions?

The Pharmacist is inDo you have any questions?

This agreement allows HDM to electronically submitMedicare Part A and B supplemental claims from provid-ers nationwide. This means that providers from statesother than Arkansas do not have to submit paper claimsto Arkansas Blue Cross. They simply complete the “otherinsurance” information on their claims submitted toMedicare, which includes the Arkansas Blue Crossmember’s identification number, and the claims will beelectronically submitted to Arkansas Blue Cross.

Arkansas Blue Cross remains committed to continu-ally finding more efficient ways to serve our customers,such as our new electronic claims process. If you haveany questions, please call our Customer Service Divisionat (501) 378-2010 or toll-free at 1-800-238-8379.

Because of news accounts of terroristic use of germwarfare in the United States lately, many questions havebeen raised about anthrax infection and how it mayspread. The new reality of war tactics that touch us inour own homeland has awakened Americans to the factthat this new war is aimed at us rather than those onanother continent.

The most concern appears to be related to anthraxinfection since this spore-forming bacteria has been, sofar, used to a limited extent. A frequently asked questionis “Should I take an antibiotic or have one available toprevent or treat an anthrax infection?” The response hasseveral parts:1. Do not panic or make any major family or personal

health decision regarding this issue without seekingyour physician’s guidance. A major objective with anygerm warfare tactic is to create fear and panic.

2. Remain alert for current and potential terroristactivities as published by trusted news sources.

3. Becomeknowledgeable ofbasic symptoms forAnthrax or other problems that may be occurring.

4. Remember that national and state health agencies areworking to prepare for your safety. Investigativeagencies at all levels have this designated as toppriority.

5. Do not take any antibiotic unless directed by yourphysician. Unnecessary use of the powerful antibioticsused for treatment of anthrax can create antibioticresistant bacteria that could prove much moreharmful than your fears.

6. Do not stockpile antibiotics or attempt to use anotherperson’s medication.This may be basic information, but sometimes we

rush ahead of where we need to begin. Try to remainalert, but do not panic. Use sound judgment, and seekqualified medical direction if questions arise. Let yourphysician guide your medical care should the need arise.

Arkansas BlueCross and BlueShield entered intoan agreement,effective April 1,2001, with HealthData Manage-ment (HDM)Corporation tobegin electroni-

cally submitting ourMedi-Pak member’s Medicare Part A and B

supplemental claims. These claims are submitted fromMedicare Fiscal Intermediaries/Carriers throughout theU.S. directly to Arkansas Blue Cross. (HDM is a nationalclearinghouse for Medicare Part A and B claims.)

Medi-Pak andRetiree InformationMedi-Pak andRetiree Information

18Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is changing

its Arkansas’ FirstSource® Wellness Benefit for thosegroups with this benefit feature. Our goal is to reducethe “hassle factor” that members often experience withthis benefit.

The benefit has been changed so that regardless ofhow the physician files the claim, it will be paid properly.Our members will not need to call should the physicianfile incorrectly, and wait for the claim to be adjusted. Inthe past, this has been a problem for members withthis benefit.

Arkansas Blue Cross also has removed the age limitsfrom the Wellness Benefit. Members will not have toensure that they receive services within a narrow agewindow to receive payment, as had been the policy.Another enhancement included in the new WellnessBenefit is the coverage of PSA tests. Members havefrequently requested coverage for this wellness service.The redesign of this benefit also will allow us to auto-matically process most of these claims. And that

means fewer errors and faster turnaround times forour customers.

Best of all, the annual maximum has been increasedto $500. The old benefit paid up to $150 for routine careand $200 for routine gynecological services. Under thenew benefit, when members receive wellness servicesfrom a provider, the services will be paid subject to thedeductible and co-insurance up to $500 per calendar yearmaximum per person. Should a member’s benefit planhave both a wellness and a primary care physician officevisit co-payment, the wellness services will be paidsubject to the co-payment up to $500.

Please note that preventive child care and immuniza-tion benefits will not change. The changes we haveoutlined only apply to adult Preferred Provider Organiza-tion (PPO) Wellness Benefits.

These benefit enhancements will start with dates ofservice beginning on Jan. 1, 2002. All services receivedby members prior to that date will fall under the oldwellness guidelines, regardless of when the claim is paid.

As of Sept. 1, 2001, the following benefits apply to all Arkansas Blue Cross andBlue Shield plans (including Health Advantage and USAble Administrators).

Insulin Infusion Pumps:• Paid under the diabetic benefit. (See your plan benefits chart for the specific co-payment.)• Maximum allowable per pump is $4,400.• No contracted providers for this equipment. Members can be billed the

difference in the billed and allowed amounts.• Requires prior approval by your specific insurance plan. Your physician may fax in a prior approval request to

(501) 378-6647.Insulin Infusion Pump Supplies:• Paid under the diabetic benefit. (See your plan benefit chart for the specific co-payment.)• Paid at the Medicare allowable amount and no annual maximum or limit.• No contracted provider for this service. Members can be billed the difference in the billed and allowed amounts.• If the pump has been approved, supplies do not require prior approval. If the pump has not been prior-approved, the

supplies require prior approval. Your physician may fax in a prior approval request to (501) 378-6647.• If Arkansas Blue Cross (or one of our affiliates) did not approve your insulin pump (i.e. it was procured before

coverage began), it must meet insurance plan criteria in order for supplies to be covered.

6

CHANGE REDUCES “HASSLE FACTOR”Y3F4L59168S FOR MEMBERS CHANGE REDUCES “HASSLE FACTOR”Y3F4L59168S FOR MEMBERS

INSULIN INFUSION PUMP BENEFIT INFORMATIONINSULIN INFUSION PUMP BENEFIT INFORMATION

19Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield strives to be a

good corporate citizen. Our employees raise money andspend many hours helping those causes near and dear tothe hearts of Arkansans.

Light the NightBlueAnn Ewe was on hand to greet pint-sized

participants in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s“Light the Night” Walk in Maumelle on Sept. 21. Familyand friends of those who have experienced a blood-related disease gatheredto walk around LakeWillastein with lighted,blinking balloons in aneffort to raise moneyand awareness fordiseases such asleukemia, lymphoma,Hodgkin’s Disease andmyeloma. KATV-TVChannel 7 and B98.5FM Radio served asmedia sponsors for theevent. There were clowns, dancers, singers and costumedcharacters all around to cheer on the participants.

Walking for a cureArkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield employees ran,

walked … and even danced down Capitol Avenue at theJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) 2001Central Arkansas Walk to Cure Diabetes held Sept. 22.More than 600 employees (plus friends and family) pre-registered for the walk and raised more than $44,500(employee and corporate contributions combined) in thefight against diabetes. Sharon Allen, executive vicepresident and chief operating officer of Arkansas BlueCross, served as the corporate recruitment chairpersonfor this year’s walk, and for meeting the company’sgoals, she kissed a cute little piglet! Arkansas Blue Cross’efforts helped JDRF raise more than $350,000 to fundtheir programs and research.

Pirates and pearlsAhoy! More than 34,000 people from throughout

Arkansas converged on the streets of downtown LittleRock Sept. 29 for the annual Susan G. Komen BreastCancer Foundation’s Arkansas Race For The Cure to raiseawareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.And most of the participants cruised by the ArkansasBlue Cross and Blue Shield block at Sixth and Gaines —a.k.a. the Blue Lagoon Pirate’s Cove — where they weregreeted with a hearty “arrrrgh,” a cup of cool water, anda strand of pearls. More than 620 “gems” and 100“swashbucklers” made up the enterprise teams whoshared with Race participants and breast cancersurvivors that they are a “treasure” and vowed to“capture a cure” for breast cancer.

BlueAnn greets a youngparticipant to “light the night.”

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is hard atwork canvassing the state looking for “wellness”discounts with health clubs, fitness centers and more— specifically for our members.

Powerhouse Gym in Little Rock,Fitness Zone in Rogers, TNT Fitness inHarrison, the Northwest Athletic Clubsin Rogers and Springdale and TotalFitness in Springdale are the newestfitness centers in Arkansas to offerdiscounts to our members.

If you are curious about whether your favoritefitness spot offers a discount, visit the Arkansas BlueCross Web site at www.arkansasbluecross.com for acomplete list of participating fitness vendors. If youdon’t see your work-out site on the list but wouldlike Arkansas Blue Cross to contact them aboutoffering a discount to our members, just send thename and location of your fitness center to BNY-Ed@arkbluecross.com and we’ll take it from there.

Member discountsjust for you!

www.arkansasbluecross.com&

www.healthadvantage-hmo.com

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue ShieldP.O. Box 2181Little Rock, AR 72203-2181

There are many things in life that can’t be con-trolled. Fortunately, illness isn’t always one of them.People faced with chronic illnesses or the possibility of apremature birth may feel helpless. Even though no onecan deny the gravity of these problems, often there arepreventive health steps you can take.

If you or a family member has diabetes or a respira-tory illness or is expecting a child, a new section of ourWeb sites should provide valuable resources. Visitwww.arkansasbluecross.com or www.healthadvantage-hmo.com to learn about the Health Education Programsavailable to members of Arkansas Blue Cross and BlueShield, Health Advantage and those members of USAbleAdministrators whose employers have purchasedthe programs.

Click “Members” on the bar under the photos on thehome page. When the “Members” page loads, you willsee a link to the “Health Education Programs.” Theintroductory menu page links to three programs:• Diabetes Health Education Program to assist those

who have diabetes in managing their disease;• Respiratory Health Education Program with a focus

on prevention and self-management of respiratoryillnesses for those at risk for serious complications plustips on managing asthma, sinusitis and pneumonia;

• Special Delivery for expectant mothers.For the diabetes and respiratory programs, the Web

site provides a list of resources for additional informa-tion. Enrollment forms and directories of nurse casemanagers who can be contacted for further help areincluded. Forms are in portable document format (PDF).Visitors can open these forms with Acrobat Reader andprint them out for completing and mailing.

The free Diabetes Program offers you:• Automatic enrollment in the Diabetes Control Net-

work for free publications, including a diabetes carebrochure, test results record and newsletters;

• Registered nurse case managers who can assist withyour health plan benefits;

• Information and education from community andnational resources, which follow the guidelines of theAmerican Diabetes Association;

• Information for you to share with your physician whois developing your care plan;

• A health survey and customized report.

The free Respiratory Program offers you:• Specific information about asthma, sinusitis and

pneumonia;• Registered nurse case managers who can assist with

your health plan benefits;• Information and education from community and

national resources that follow the National Heart,Lung, and Blood Institute standards. These includetips on prevention of respiratory infections, tech-niques to relieve symptoms, and information on therole of medication;

• Information and education from local resources onavailability and cost of smoking-cessation classes;

• A health survey with a report of your results.Special Delivery is dedicated to the good health of

all mothers and their babies. Each registered expectantmom will receive educational material and coupons toencourage good health practices during pregnancy,including materials to increase her awareness of symp-toms that may signal preterm labor.

The Special Delivery nurse can assist in coordinatingcoverage of home-health care for the high-risk patientwhose physician feels she would benefit from thisalternative care. Special Delivery can provide coverage ofservices that are not normally offered, such as skilled-nursing assessments and nursing-assistant care in thehome for conditions including pregnancy-inducedhypertension, diabetes mellitus and preterm labor.