Arise Health Plan | 1

Arise & ShineFALL 2019

arisehealthplan.com

ASTHMABeyond thestereotypes

DIABETESTop questions and answers

VAPINGNot a good alternative tosmoking

KEEP YOURBLOOD PRESSURE IN CHECK See page 4

Proud partner of the Milwaukee Brewers™

Ryan Kanable, Managing Editor Arise & Shine is published by Arise Health Plan. This publication doesn’t pertain to all lines of Arise Health Plan business. Fully insured business is underwritten by WPS Health Plan, Inc. ASO business is administered at the request of the employer. This material is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about this and any other subjects pertinent to your health. See your Summary of Benefits and Coverage for covered services. Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers™ partnerships are paid endorsements.

Arise & Shine

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Asthma: Beyond the stereotypesYou’re watching a movie or a TV show, and somebody reaches for an inhaler: what does that person look like?

Probably not David Beckham.

Pop culture has a long history of stereotyping people with asthma as being nerds. Usually it’s for comic effect. Sometimes it’s to show vulnerability. But asthma is almost always used to convey weakness.

The truth is anybody can suffer from asthma, even a dashing English soccer star like Becks, who, in 2009, admitted he’d had asthma for years.

Twenty-five million Americans, or approximately one in 12, has the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number is on the rise.

What is asthma?Asthma is a chronic condition in which the airways narrow and swell and can produce mucus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Constricted airways can impair breathing, and cause coughing and wheezing. Symptoms can be mild or severe—even life-threatening. Some compare the feeling of an asthma attack to trying to breathe through a narrow or flattened straw.

The Mayo Clinic describes three types of asthma: » Exercise-induced asthma often worsens in cold,

dry weather » Occupational asthma is triggered by things like

chemical fumes, gases, or dust in the workplace

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Asthma: Beyond the stereotypes » Allergy-induced asthma is stimulated by airborne

substances, such as:o Polleno Mold sporeso Pet dandero Cockroacheso Rodents

Colds and flus can also serve as triggers, as well as strong emotions, such as anger, fear, and excitement.

Asthma treatmentsThere is no cure for asthma, but there are effective treatments that can help manage it. There are two types of medications, ones that offer long-term control and others that provide quick relief.

Long-term medications are taken regularly and help control symptoms and limit attacks. Inhaled corticosteroids are the most common and effective type, reducing the swelling in airways.

You may be more familiar with the quick-relief medications, usually inhalers. They are used when an asthma attack has already started or when symptoms worsen.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends that everyone with asthma should have a treatment plan in writing. A free sample plan form is available on the aafa.org website.

There are many variations of asthma. It is essential to see your doctor to form a treatment plan that works best for you.

To learn more about asthma, visit our Healthwise page at arisehealthplan.com

and search “asthma.”

NAME: Tim La Sage

ROLE AT WPS:

Military Affairs Manager

HOMETOWN: Sussex, Wis.

TIME SERVED: 1993–2015

BRANCH OF SERVICE:

U.S. Marine Corps

RANK: First Sergeant

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE MILITARY?

My father was on a mountain climbing

team and I found myself growing up in

the outdoors. Mission planning was

normal for the climbing trips as well as

hunting seasons. The military/infantry

seemed like nothing was changing in

how I grew up.

FUN FACT: Tim is the vice president

of the Wisconsin Purple Heart Riders

motorcycle club.

At WPS Health Solutions, helping veterans has always been a part of our mission. WPS was founded in 1946 in part to help World War II vet-erans returning to Wisconsin get the affordable health care they needed. We remain committed to those who serve our country. At WPS, hiring veterans is a priority. As of last count, we had 125 on our team. We wanted to share some of their stories with you.

Keep your blood pressure in check Did you know that blood pressure and kidney health are closely related? It’s true.

When you have high blood pressure, it can hurt your kidneys. And when your kidneys don’t work properly, you’re more likely to have high blood pressure. Learning how to control your blood pressure can help you take better care of your kidneys—and your overall health.

How do they relate? Blood pressure is the amount of force applied to your arteries and veins when your heart pumps blood through your body. If the small blood vessels in your kidneys get damaged, it stops your kidneys from being able to remove extra fluid from your blood. This causes kidney damage and can eventually lead to kidney disease. One of the kidneys’ jobs is to help control blood pressure in your body. When your kidneys are damaged, they can’t perform their job correctly. That’s why having kidney disease makes it more likely that you will have high blood pressure.

Control your risks You can’t reverse kidney damage, but there are a few ways to help keep your blood pres-sure in check:

• Keep your blood pressure at 130/80 or lower • Cut back on salt, saturated fats, and cholesterol • Don’t smoke; if you do, try to quit • Limit alcohol use • Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day • Take blood pressure medication as directed

Learn more about our Quality Improvement Program and performance results online at arisehealthplan.com. Click on the Quality link for information on our Quality Improvement Program.

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Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Diabetes Association.

» What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys cells in the body that produce insulin, a hormone that allows your body to use sugar. Though it can happen at any age, most patients who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are under the age of 18. This type of diabetes requires the patient to take insulin.

Type 2 diabetes means the body loses its sensitivity to insu-lin. Usually, those who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are older. However, the rise in obesity is changing that de-mographic. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes often can be managed with diet, exercise, and sometimes medications.

» What are some signs of diabetes?

In some cases, diabetes can show no signs at all. In other cases, signs may include an increase in thirst and hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue, and moodiness. If you are showing any of these signs, talk to your doctor.

» If my mother or father has diabetes, am I at risk?

If one of your parents has diabetes, your risk of developing type 1 diabetes goes up by 5% and your risk for type 2 diabetes by 30%. Having a hereditary risk doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop diabetes.

Diabetes: Top questions and answers More than 100 million adults in the U.S. are living with diabetes or prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is estimated that if the diabetes epidemic continues, one in three

Americans will develop the disease in their lifetime. As concern about diabetes increases, so does misinformation about the disease. Here are some of the most common questions and their answers.

» Can diet or exercise prevent diabetes?

Exercising and a healthy diet can help delay diabetes. For those who already have diabetes, aerobic exercise and resistance training are great ways to help muscles take up more blood sugar.

Connect with Us!Get instant access to health, wellness, and health insurance coverage tips.

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Looking for a New Doctor? Check out the Find a Doctor tool online at arisehealthplan.com. If you have questions or need assistance finding a doctor, please call the number shown on your Arise ID card.

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If customers are not satisfied with the outcome of their grievances, a Wisconsin law provides the opportunity for all persons covered by health benefit plans an additional way to resolve disputes involving medical decisions. Some reasons customers may request an external review include instances where coverage was denied because: • Services were deemed

not medically necessary • Services were considered

experimental or investigational

• Services were rendered by an out-of-network practitioner and we determined that the services may have been available from an in-network practitioner

• Services were for a pre-existing condition exclusion

• The policy or certificate was rescinded

The external review process provides customers the opportunity to have medical professionals who have no connection to their health plan review their disputes. The decision of the Independent Review Organization (IRO) is binding on the health plan and the customer, except for external review coverage denials

External review process helps resolve coverage disputes

based on a pre-existing condition exclusion or in cases where the policy or certificate was rescinded.

When a coverage request is initially denied, information on how to request a review is provided with the denial. External review is available only after the grievance procedure has been completed. Customers may be entitled to an expedited external review when certain situations apply.

A request for an external review must be made within four months of the date of the adverse determination or experimental treatment determination, or from the date of receipt of notice of the grievance panel decision, whichever is later.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), preventive care must be covered by insurance plans 100%. Preventive care helps keep people healthier and reduces health care expenses in the long term.

It’s important to note that there’s a difference between “preventive” care and “diagnostic” care. Preventive care, as stated, is covered. But if a doctor wants to examine any specific health issues further, that falls in the “diagnostic” category, which means the patient will likely be paying a copay or coinsurance. This is important to keep in mind when visiting the doctor.

Preventive care includes: » Blood pressure, diabetes, and

cholesterol tests » Many cancer screenings, including

mammograms and colonoscopies » Counseling on such topics as quitting

smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression, and reducing alcohol use

» Regular well-baby and well-child visits, from birth to age 21

» Routine vaccinations against diseases, such as measles, polio, or meningitis

» Counseling, screening, and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies

» Flu and pneumonia shots; visit vaccines.gov to learn more

Find more information at:hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/preventive-care/index.htmlhealthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/.

Preventive vs. Diagnostic

Have a Question?If you have any questions or need additional information, give us a call at 920-490-6900 or toll-free at 888-711-1444. You may also contact the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) at 800-236-8517 or oci.wi.gov.

Vaping not a good alternative to smokingThe increase in e-cigarette use, particularly among young people, is a dangerous trend that carries real health risks, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). For many reasons, the AHA says, e-cigarettes should not be promoted as a safe alternative to smoking.

While fewer people are smoking or starting to smoke than ever before, many are using other forms of tobacco. The increase in vaping by kids and young people in recent years is a serious public health threat. Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called “vaping” or “Juuling.” Users inhale and exhale aerosolized vapor. This way of taking in nicotine poses health risks to users and non-users.

Many downsides to vaping; few potential upsidesE-cigarette promoters claim the devices can help people quit smoking. But more evidence is needed to show their effectiveness for quitting cigarettes and other tobacco use. Instead, trends suggest users are more likely to continue smoking along with vaping, which is referred to as “dual use.”

For tips on quitting smoking, visit the Wellness page at wpshealth.com and search on “quitting smoking.”

Vaping may not be less harmful than smoking. While e-cigarette aerosol or vapor doesn’t include all the contaminants in tobacco smoke, vaping is still harmful: » Most e-cigs deliver nicotine, which is highly addictive and

may cause negative health effects, such as harming the developing brains of teens, kids, and fetuses in women who vape while pregnant. » Some types expose users to even more nicotine than

traditional cigarettes. » E-cig vapor includes potentially harmful substances,

such as nicotine, diacetyl (a chemical linked to a serious lung disease), cancer-causing chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals (e.g., nickel, tin, and lead). And because vapor is exhaled, those nearby are also exposed to these contaminants.

» The liquid used in e-cigs can be dangerous, even apart from its intended use. Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing, breathing, or absorbing the liquid through their skin or eyes.

E-cigarettes’ biggest threat to public health may be their increasing popularity, which may “re-normalize” smoking after years of decline. Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death and is responsible for 480,000 American deaths each year.

A threat to young peopleTobacco companies want to hook a new generation on nicotine and the allure of smoking. » In 2014, tobacco companies spent more than $125

million on aggressive marketing. In that same year, almost half of U.S. teens ages 12-17 and more than 80% of young adults ages 18-21 were exposed to magazine ads for e-cigs.

» Vaping is now the most common form of tobacco use by kids and teens. In 2018, vaping by high school students in the U.S. doubled from 2017.

» Many students say they’ve tried e-cigarettes in part because of the flavors in the liquids.

More effort and research are neededIn a 2016 report, the Surgeon General called e-cigarette use among young people a “public health concern.” The AHA shares that view and advocates for stronger regulations. The organization also supports maintaining the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory authority over e-cigarettes along with other tobacco products.

The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are not well understood yet. But the science suggests vaping is not a safe or healthy alternative to smoking conventional cigarettes.

Source: American Heart Association, heart.org/en/ healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/ is-vaping-safer-than-smoking

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Preventive vs. Diagnostic

OPERATION FAN MAIL, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 13th season in 2019. It’s the 11th year it has been presented by WPS Health Solutions or its affiliates. Find out more at operationfanmail.com.

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©2019 WPS Health Plan, Inc.All rights reserved.JO15688 33937-085-1908

Protect yourself from flu

» Page 2: Beyond the stereotypes of asthma

» Page 4: Keep your blood pressure in check » Page 5: Top questions and

answers about diabetes

» Page 7: Is vaping better than smoking?

FALL 2019wpshealth.com

Flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. For otherwise healthy people, it’s usually a minor illness. For people with heart failure, however, flu may worsen cardiovascular symptoms. This could trigger a heart attack. Flu is also more likely to lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, or death in those with heart failure.

Protect yourself and make sure your vaccines are up to date: Get a flu shot every year. There are many influenza viruses. This vaccine protects against the three that scientists predict will be most common in the upcoming flu season. Flu shots begin as soon as the vaccine is available each fall. Get yours as early as possible.

Arise & Shine

ARISE HEALTH PLAN1400 Lombardi Ave., Suite 50Green Bay, WI 54304

PROVIDER DIRECTORY AVAILABLE ONLINEFor up-to-date information on health care providers, visit arisehealthplan.com. Click on Find a Doctor and then enter your Group Number from your customer ID card. You can also get current provider information or request a printed directory by calling Customer Service at 920-490-6900 (local) or 888-711-1444 (toll-free).

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