Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.

Health Coaching | 1

Health Care Needs | 2

Health Screenings | 3

A1C Testing | 4

Dental Checkups | 4

COPD and Summer | 5

Summer 2019Compliments of Health Coaching

BlueChoice HealthPlan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.

What Is Health Coaching?Health coaching is a voluntary program for members with

certain health and wellness concerns. We take a personalized

and tailored approach that helps you manage your health

and cope with everyday issues so you can meet your

health goals.

Our coaches are health care professionals from a variety

of backgrounds, including registered nurses, dietitians,

respiratory therapists and health educators. They have

extensive training and knowledge to help support, guide

and motivate you to make healthy lifestyle changes at your

own pace.

We understand how difficult it can be to make a lifestyle

change and stick to it. Our staff works to ensure you have

the information and tools you need to succeed.

Is Health Coaching for Me?Health coaching is especially helpful for members who:

• Want to know more about managing their health.

• Make frequent emergency room visits.

• Use multiple medications to manage their health.

• Experience frequent hospitalization.

To enroll, visit BlueChoiceSC.com and log in to

My Health Toolkit® or call 855-838-5897.

Health coaches respect the wishes of participants and their

family members and recognize that participants have RIGHTS

and RESPONSIBILITIES, including the:

• Right to know the philosophy and characteristics of the

health coaching program.

• Right to have personally identifiable health information

shared by the coaching program only in accordance with

state and federal law.

• Right to identify a staff member and his or her job title and

to speak with a supervisor of a staff member if requested.

• Right to receive accurate information from the health

coaching program.

• Right to receive administrative information about changes

in or termination of the health coaching program.

• Right to decline participation, revoke consent or withdraw

at any time.

• Responsibility to submit any forms necessary to participate

in the program, to the extent the law requires.

• Responsibility to give accurate clinical and contact

information and to notify the health coaching program of

changes in this information.

• Responsibility to notify your treating providers of your

participation in the health coaching program, if applicable.

• Understanding when disease management information will

be disclosed to third parties.

Participant’s Bill of Rights

You Make the ChoiceHealth coaching is completely voluntary and free. Your decision to participate will not affect your

health benefits in any way. If you decide that having a personal health coach is not for you, you

can opt out of the program at any time by calling 855-838-5897.

If you have a problem or complaint during your health coaching experience, you can call

855-838-5897 and ask to speak to the program manager. In an emergency, please contact your

doctor or call 911.

1 | Summer 2019

Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.

Power Down to Power UpIf your bedtime routine includes using your smartphone,

e-reader or tablet, you’re not alone. After all, when you have

so many small gadgets that offer news articles, e-books,

games and email access all in one package, it can be tough

to power down. If you use your smartphone as an alarm

clock, chances are you are literally going to sleep with your

phone. You may not realize it, but this could be affecting

your sleep in a major way.

• Your bedroom should be a relaxing sanctuary that is

suited for rest and relaxation. Using electronic devices to

do things like respond to emails and work on projects can

make it difficult to relax and get a good night’s sleep.

• The light from electronics and phone chargers may

prevent your body from producing melatonin, a natural

hormone your body creates to regulate sleep.

• Reading a suspenseful novel or playing a game on your

device can stimulate your mind and make it difficult for

you to relax and be ready for sleep.

Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep for a

prolonged period, contact your health care provider. Your

provider can identify any underlying issues and help you

get the sleep you need. If you need help finding a doctor,

visit www.BlueChoiceSC.com/FindCare.

Run Away From Your StressLet’s talk about stress. We all deal with it — whether it

happens when you inch your way through rush hour traffic,

have an impossible deadline or just try to make it through

the demands of juggling multiple commitments. Some

stress is good and keeps you on your toes to help you meet

important deadlines. But too much stress can wreak havoc

on your health.

The American Psychological Association’s 2018 Stress in

America survey found that the top four causes of stress are:

stress about the future of our country, money, work and health

concerns. This can all lead to an unhealthy cycle because when

we’re stressed, we tend to fall into habits that have a negative

impact on our health, causing even more stress. The APA is an

independent organization that offers health information that

you may find helpful.

So what can you do to reduce stress and find more balance

in life? Try releasing some endorphins! Endorphins are feel-

good hormones naturally produced in your body. Engaging in

physical activity is one of the best ways to get your endorphins

going. Aerobic activities that increase your heart rate, such

as running and brisk walking, provide a great release of these

feel-good hormones. You may have even heard people refer

to something called a runner’s high — a state of euphoria

often experienced after running.

If you’re like most people, you may not be up for running a

marathon just yet. These tips can help you get started:

• Build up slowly. Start with a 15 – 20-minute brisk walk three or

four times each week.

• Gradually add more time to your walks, or increase

your speed.

• Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself! If you decide to take

up running, start with adding 30 – 60-second increments

throughout your walk.

• Work your way up to 30 minutes of moderately intense

activity five times per week or 15 minute rounds of vigorously

intense activity five times per week as recommended by the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC

is an independent organization that offers health information

you may find helpful.

• Involve your family, friends and your pets, too!

The bottom line is, no matter what the cause of your stress, don’t just sit there. Run away from your stress!

2 | Summer 2019

Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.

Get Tested, Live OnAmericans are living longer, healthier lives than ever — and screening tests may have something to do with that.

Screenings allow doctors to detect health concerns before they become serious. This allows for early treatment to keep

you feeling your best.

Healthy Steps:Play an active role in your health care. Make a list of your top three health questions and concerns before your next

appointment to talk about with your doctor.

There is a shortage of primary care doctors nationally. That means that it can take a little while to schedule a physical

(checkup) with your doctor, so make sure to call early and make your appointment.

Colorectal cancerWhen caught early, 9 in 10 cases of colorectal cancer are

curable. The American Cancer Society recommends that

people 50 and older get screened. The American Cancer

Society is an independent organization that offers health

information that you may find helpful. There are several

screenings to choose from. Each type has its own benefits.

Your doctor can help you pick the test that’s best for you.

Chlamydia screening This common sexually transmitted bacterial infection is

easily cured. However, if left untreated, it can cause a

number of complications including infertility and pregnancy

complications. Sexually active women 25 and younger

should be screened every year.

Breast cancerA woman’s risk for breast cancer increases with age. Experts

recommend that women ages 50 – 74 get a mammogram

at least every two years. If you have a family history of

breast cancer, you may need to be screened earlier. Ask

your doctor when and how often you should be screened.

Prostate cancer Prostate cancer is one of the most survivable forms of

cancer. Some experts recommend that men start being

screened in their 50s. Ask your doctor when you should

be screened. If you need help finding a doctor, visit

www.BlueChoiceSC.com/FindCare.

3 | Summer 2019

Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.

When you have diabetes, there are a lot of things to keep

track of. One of the most important things you need to track

is your A1C. An A1C test gives you a picture of your average

blood sugar control over the past two to three months. In

many ways, your A1C is your personal batting average; it

tells you about your overall success in controlling your blood

sugar. In baseball, performance in a single game doesn’t tell

you much about a player’s overall performance. Likewise,

blood sugar results for a single day may not reflect how

well your diabetes treatment is working. Testing your blood

sugar at home only tells you how well you are doing at the

exact moment you do the test. That’s why it’s important to

have an A1C test done at your doctor’s office. If your results

are higher than recommended, your doctor can adjust your

treatment to lower your blood sugar.

A1C tests should be done every

three to six months. Ask your

doctor about the results of your

last A1C and when you should have

your next test. The American Diabetes

Association suggests an A1C of 7 percent

or lower for most adults with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association is an independent

organization that offers health information you may find

helpful. Practice makes perfect. Check your blood sugars

about four times a day. If you have trouble keeping your

numbers under control, call your doctor to help you make

adjustments to your daily routine.

Visit www.diabetes.org for tips on managing your

blood sugar.

When it comes to your health, it’s important to pay

attention to the bigger picture. You may not realize it, but

regular dental care is important, not only for keeping your

teeth and gums healthy but also for your overall health.

This is especially true for certain individuals.

If you have diabetes, gum disease can be more severe,

take longer to heal, and can make it harder to control your

blood glucose levels. Studies also show that treating gum

disease and inflammation can help prevent heart attacks,

strokes, angina and congestive heart failure and might

even slow down the hardening of arteries.

Additionally, the American Academy of Periodontology

suggests that gum disease may be linked to preterm births,

which result in babies with low birth weight. The American

Academy of Peridontology is an independent organization

that offers health information you may find helpful.

To make sure you stay in tip-top shape, visit your dentist for

regular checkups and cleanings, brush your teeth twice a

day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste,

floss your teeth every day and tell your dentist if you have

tooth pain or have problems chewing.

Don’t Skip the Dentist

A1C Control:What’s your batting average?

4 | Summer 2019

Focus on life. Focus on health. Stay focused.

You may long for the dog days of summer. But warm weather can pose unique challenges for people with chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Not only are you exposed to irritants like grass, tree and flower pollen that

can cause flare-ups, but heat and humidity can also worsen your COPD symptoms. The heat can make your body work

overtime and use more oxygen to stay cool. Managing your COPD in the summer is critical for your health.

Beat the Heat This Summer

Here are some tips to help you beat the heat this summer:• Control moisture and humidity in your home. The

moisture in your home should be kept between 30 and

50 percent. You can purchase a hydrometer at your local

electronics store to measure the humidity inside your

home. Consider purchasing a humidifier for your home if

you have trouble breathing. This can dramatically improve

the quality of your breathing.

• Stay cool. Stay in an air-conditioned area as much as

possible. If you need to be active outside, try to do these

activities early in the morning or late in the evening

when it’s not as hot and irritants such as pollen are lower.

And be sure to check the weather forecast for air quality

reports before you head out. You can use this information

to help you plan your errands for times when the air

quality is higher.

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to help regulate your

body temperature. Drinking fluids also keeps mucus thin,

making it easier to clear your lungs and airways. Aim for at

least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

• Keep taking your medicines. Be sure to take your

medicines exactly as directed. This is important even if

you have received hospital treatment for your COPD. It

may be tempting to cut back on your medications if you

are feeling better. But the only way to help you keep

your symptoms under control is to continue taking your

medications and follow your doctor’s plan of care.

For more tips to help you breathe easier, visit www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/. You can also enlist the help of a health

coach (if you haven’t already done so). Call 855-838-5897 and select option 2.

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