healthy mind healthy body · 2005. 4. 13. · tolerance for pain by releasing endorphins— the...

MS-02-629

Summer asthma triggers

What’s new at oxfordhealth.com

Privacy of your financial information enclosed

In celebration of your heart

healthy mindhealthy body

y o u r O x f o r d g u i d e t o l i v i n g w e l l


Summer 2002

Did you know?A number of recent medical studies indicate that laughter is good for

you. The simple act of laughing stimulates the immune system, increases your

tolerance for pain by releasing endorphins — the body’s natural painkillers —

and decreases your stress hormones, to lower blood pressure and relax your

whole body. As if that wasn’t enough, hearty laughter improves lung capacity

and oxygen levels, which is good for almost every other aspect of your health.

It’s summer — get out there and find something to laugh about! O

Of all the dietary nutrients water is the most important. This is especially

true on hot, humid days, when an active person can lose as much as 11/2 pints

of water in just 15 minutes without even knowing it. So try to drink at least

eight glasses of fluids these days — coffee and alcoholic beverages are actually

counterproductive — and take extra water before, during and after any

vigorous activity. If you experience muscle cramping, dark urine, dizziness,

headache, or rapid heart beat, immediately stop what you’re doing, head for

the shade and drink water. O

Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, thanks to the

introduction of the varicella or VZV vaccine in 1995. According to the Centers for Disease Control, which

monitors communicable diseases in the U.S., this affliction of childhood — causing four million cases,

11,000 hospitalizations, and 100 deaths annually — is now in marked decline. With the high percentage of

youngsters between 12 and 18 months old now routinely receiving the vaccination, chickenpox may soon

join smallpox, mumps and polio as a rarity. O

Ever notice how as people age it gets harder to guess their

chronological years? That’s because many factors influence

biological aging. Now the National Institute on Aging

has identified the top 10: muscle mass, strength, reflex speed, joint

mobility, breathing capacity, endurance, balance, skin elasticity,

sleep quality, and fat-to-lean ratio. All 10 are linked to physical

activity, so if you want to look and feel younger, get moving! O

Chief Executive Officer Norman C. Payson, MDPresident and COO Charles G. BergVice President, Marketing Chuck GreenDirector, Member Marketing Rebecca MadsenManager, Member Marketing Meg DedmanEditor Stephanie GebingMedical Editor Ronald C. Brown, MD, FACP

Healthy Mind Healthy Body® is published exclusively for Oxford Health Plans by:Onward Publishing, Inc.10 Lewis Road, Northport, NY 11768Tel 631-757-3030 Fax 631-754-0522

Publisher Jeffrey BaraschCreative Director Melissa BaraschEditorial Director Wendy MurphyArt Director Bruce McGowinDesigner Lisanne SchnellProject Management Tamyra ZieranBusiness Manager Liz Lynch

Oxford Health Plans, Inc., and Onward Publishing, Inc.,are not responsible for typographical errors.

This magazine provides general health information and,as such, is neither intended to replace the advice of your physician nor to imply coverage of referenced treatments or medications. Please consult with your physician regarding any treatment or medication that couldimpact your health before proceeding with it, and refer toyour benefit documents for specific coverage information.

© 2002 Onward Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

P R E V E N T I O N

Summer asthma triggers

W E B N E W S


F I T N E S S

Lid-Zone SM — powered by Oxford

C O V E R S T O R Y

How healthy is your heart?

S P E C I A L T O P I C

The gift of life — the transplantrevolution

N E W S Y O U C A N U S E

Membership updates

P A T H S T O W E L L N E S S

What’s the best way to treat skin that acts up?

L I V I N G W E L L

Breakfast for champions

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y o u r g u i d e t o l i v i n g w e l l



Summer 2002

C O N T E N T S

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Healthy Mind Healthy Body is designed just for you — to give you the latest information

on a wide range of health topics, as well as updates on your plan benefits. We encourage you to

e-mail your comments to us at [email protected], or write to: Oxford Health Plans,

c/o Stephanie Gebing, 48 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611.

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Summer asthma triggersP R E V E N T I O N4

Summer can be an especially troublesome time for

people with asthma, because there are so many seasonal

triggers capable of irritating, and consequently partially

closing up, the air passages to and through the lungs.

Heat, high wind or humidity, a weather inversion, or a

thunderstorm can cause a flare-up. So, too, all sorts of

allergens and irritants can make a beautiful summer day in

the country a real trial. Tiny airborne

particles such as plant pollens and

mold spores that are produced as

part of the natural growth cycle of

trees, grasses, and other plant life

can trigger an attack. Most asthmatics

are selectively sensitive to allergens,

so that an individual’s good and

bad days are tied to the activities of

particular plants: tree pollens tend

to be released in spring; grasses flower

in summer; and mold spores, which

are released by rotting wood and

fallen leaves, are most prevalent from July to October.

Irritants are a problem especially associated with living

in cities and the suburbs, though no one with asthma can

get away from them entirely, no matter where they live.

The most prominent sources of outdoor irritants are car

exhausts and certain industrial combustion processes,

both of which produce the irritant known as smog or

ozone pollution. As long as ozone stays up in the high

atmosphere, it’s a very good thing, protecting us from

harmful sunrays. But the kind of ozone that occurs

on still, hot summer days — when sunlight reacts at

ground level with gasoline emissions, diesel exhaust, and

solvents — is extremely irritating to the lungs. Other

chemical irritants are smoke from campfires and backyard

barbecues, and fumes from gas pumps.

Exercise-induced asthma, or EIA, is also a common

concern in summer when most of us are more active

outdoors. Exercise causes faster, deeper breathing, which

puts greater stress on the lungs at a time

when the air is already burdened with

pollen and chemical irritants.

If pollen is a particular sensitivity of

yours, avoid early morning activities

outdoors when pollen levels are highest.

Always use your air conditioning when

driving in your car. Stay upwind from

lawnmowers, outdoor grills, and other

air pollutants. Pay attention to local

weather reports, and try to avoid

extended activities outside on days

that are predicted to be high-risk.

When planning a vacation, make it a point to travel at

a time when the natural allergens at your destination

will be minimal. And if your child has asthma, and he

or she is going off to summer camp, be sure the camp

knows about the condition and is equipped to act if

an acute attack comes on. Lastly, always keep a

bronchodilator or other rescue medication handy,

even when the weather and the circumstances seem to

support free breathing. Asthma can be a tricky adversary

and summer is no time to let your guard down. O

The easiest way to avoid the challenges of summer asthma would be to

stay indoors close by your air conditioner, but no one wants to make that

kind of sacrifice routinely. It’s better to know exactly what things can

trigger your asthma, and be prepared to deal with them all season long.

5W E B N E W S


KidsHealth®

A link to KidsHealth was recently added to the

oxfordhealth Center. Site visitors receive up-to-date,

jargon-free information about a wide array of health,

nutrition, learning, and emotional issues affecting

children and their families. The oxfordhealth Center’s

KidsHealth section also offers expectant and new parents

the opportunity to sign up for New Parents eNews.

Simply click on the Pregnancy and Parenting Newsletter

link and fill in the actual or expected date of birth on the

e-form provided. You’ll begin receiving free newsletters

brimming with stage-specific articles that trace the

milestones from the first trimester through the toddler

years. KidsHealth content has been developed by leading

physicians who are experts in their field, and is being

offered through Oxford by the renowned Nemours

Foundation, which is affiliated with such leading health-

care facilities as the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

CAM ConnectionAt Oxford, we know there’s more than one path to well-

ness. That’s why we began offering a Complementary and

Alternative Medicine (CAM) Program to our Members in

1997. Now we’ve redesigned our oxfordhealth Center

CAM link to make it easier for Members and providers to

access information about our services. We’ve also created

a new feature that we call the CAM Connection, which

focuses on integrative approaches to healthcare. The CAM

Connection presents dialogue between conventional and

alternative medicine providers about important health

issues. To view this new feature, click on the CAM

Connection and check out the latest “roundtable,” hosted

by Oxford’s Dr. James Dillard, in which we invited leading

practitioners of conventional and alternative medicine to

share their perspectives on cardiac wellness.

MyHealthTest ReminderGetting routine preventive tests and screenings in a

timely manner is an important component of your

wellness regime. So to help keep you on track, we’ve

added a service that sends e-mail reminders for three

important annual tests: mammogram, Pap, and colon

screening. If you’d like to sign up, go to our Preventive

Resources section within the oxfordhealth Center and

click on Exam Reminders.

You will be prompted to

provide your e-mail

address, the annual date

or dates of the reminder(s)

you’d like to receive, and

to indicate whether you

want your reminders in

English or Spanish. O

Oxfordhealth.com has recently been enhanced by the creation of the oxfordhealth Center. This

unique online health portal encompasses a host of health-related information such as preventive

exam reminders, health club discounts, wellness pro-

grams, and current health news. Log on to our web site,

www.oxfordhealth.com, and access the oxfordhealth

Center from your personalized account page. Some of the

newest additions to the oxfordhealth Center include:

Lid-ZoneSM —

F I T N E S S6

Every day, millions of young people take to the streets with skateboards

and in-line skates. Over the last decade, “skate sports” have increased

in popularity, as evidenced by the proliferation of skate parks. More

than 26 million Americans — most of them under age 25 — enjoy

skateboarding and in-line skating as both recreation and exercise. But

each year, more than 100,000 skaters are injured seriously enough to

seek medical care in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient centers.

Many injuries can be prevented if ordinary safety precautions are

taken. Because Oxford believes that safety education is key to

protecting people from avoidable sports injuries, we’re kicking off a

series of events designed to emphasize the safety as well as the fun of

skateboarding and in-line skating.

This fall Oxford will sponsor the Lid-Zone Tour 2002, a unique

event in our campaign to promote healthy lifestyles. “Lids,” in case

you didn’t know, are helmets — the most important part of every

skater’s gear. Planned as all-day programs at four different locations

in the tri-state area, each safe-skate event will offer a combination of

skills clinics, free-style competitions, and instructions for the selection,

use, and maintenance of proper safety equipment. Top professional

athletes will also be on hand to share their personal tips on why

wearing the right safety gear — wrist guards, elbow and kneepads,

and good quality helmets — is critical.

If you or a member of your family is a skater or is thinking about

taking up these action sports, we hope you’ll join us at one of these

entertaining and informative programs. For more information, be

sure to check out the Lid-Zone at www.oxfordhealth.com. O

Information from the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation was used in this article.

powered by Oxford

S ka t e D a t e s*

Saturday, September 14 RexPlex Skate Park1001 Ikea DriveElizabeth, NJ

Sunday, September 15GAPS Skate Park20 Furniture RowMilford, CT

Saturday, September 21Rampage Skate Park80 Comsequogue RoadEast Setauket, NY

Sunday, September 22 Riverside Park108th StreetNew York, NY

* Dates and locations subject to change.See listing of most current dates of Lid-Zone at www.oxfordhealth.com.

7

C O M P L E M E N T A R Y & A L T E R N A T I V E M E D I C I N E8

How healthy

9

Back in 1955 when vacationing President Dwight D.

Eisenhower suffered severe chest pains during the night,

Mamie Eisenhower called his doctor back East in a state of

alarm. The doctor’s advice was to cuddle up close in bed to

keep the President warm and hope for the best until he could

be taken to a hospital in the morning.

Remarkably, Eisenhower made a good recovery from his

potentially fatal cardiac event, but in those years most people

similarly afflicted did not. Few of the now standard drugs like

clot busters were available to help through the first dangerous

hours. Advances such as angioplasties, artificial valves,

bypass surgeries, calcium channel blockers, cardiac care units,

defibrillators, pacemakers, cholesterol-lowering drugs known as

statins, or sophisticated diagnostic technologies which enable

doctors to identify the damage and make repairs, didn’t exist.

is your heart ?

H ea r t A t t ac k


Less than 50 years later, the cardiac landscape has changed

dramatically, as demonstrated by the heartening example of 61

year-old Dick Cheney. In the past 24 years, he’s survived four heart

attacks, a quadruple coronary bypass, and several lesser repair

procedures to become a Congressman, a Cabinet Secretary, a

corporate leader, and U.S. Vice President. Yet, impressive as his

record of injury and rehabilitation has been, the fact that he has

had this many cardiovascular incidents at a relatively young age

highlights an even more important fact: in his younger years Dick

Cheney, like so many Americans, paid little attention to good health

practices. And his cardiovascular system has paid a heavy price.

What are you doing?“When you’re 37 years old and you have a heart attack, it’s a total

surprise,” the Vice President remarked some years ago. “It leads you

to question what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.” Cheney

began to make some lifestyle changes. First, he gave up his three-

pack-a-day cigarette habit. Next, he worked on his cholesterol

counts, lowering them through diet and medications. He shed the

40 extra pounds he’d put on over the years. And to counterbalance

the pressures of his job, he made a conscious decision to exercise

regularly and practice relaxation techniques. He knows he can’t

undo the damage already done, but he’s resolved to listen to his

body and take whatever active measures he can to live healthfully

for the rest of his life.

Cheney’s lifestyle conversion is one that everyone can and should

embrace — without waiting for a heart attack. Right now, more

than 63 million Americans are burdened with some form of

cardiovascular disease (CVD), a term that encompasses congestive

heart failure, coronary

artery disease, angina,

arteriosclerosis,

atherosclerosis,

arrhythmia, myocardial

infarction, hypertension

(high blood pressure) and

stroke. Nearly a million

Americans die of CVD

and its complications

With prompt and appropriate treatment, most heartattack patients can make a good recovery and returnto most, if not all, life activities within two months.Almost 40% will be alive 10 years later. Here are some overt signs of a heart attack in progress:

• moderate to severe chest discomfort, a sensation of squeezing or heaviness

• pressure on the chest, as well as fullness,heaviness, or pain

• discomfort in other parts of the upper body,including pain in one or both arms, the back,neck, jaw or stomach

• shortness of breath

• breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea and/or lightheadedness (For reasons not yet known,women in cardiac arrest are more likely to experience these less common features first,which is one of the principal reasons why womentend to have higher mortality rates.)

• cardiac arrest, during which the heart and lungs stop functioning and the person loses consciousness, is the most severe form of heartattack. Begin CPR immediately and continue untilheart beat resumes or professional help arrives

RR E S O U R C E S

Web sites of special note: the American HeartAssociation www.americanheart.org and theNational Institutes of Health/National Heart,Lung, and Blood Institute www.nhlbi.org.

The National Coalition sponsors a relatively new site for Women with Heart Disease www.womenheart.org

OO X F O R D I N F O

Oxford's Heart SmartSM program offers educationalmaterials and management support by telephonefor Members with cardiovascular disease and congestive heart failure. Educational efforts focuson risk factors and lifestyle modifications toimprove health outcomes. For more informationabout these programs, please call 888-585-0630,Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Check out our “Cardiac Wellness Roundtable” —an online dialogue among leading cardiac specialistson conventional and alternative approaches totreating heart disease — featured in the CAMConnection at www.oxfordhealth.com.

S t ro k e

11

every year, making it the nation’s number one killer. And while it is

popularly thought to affect older men primarily, CVD is a major

health problem for both sexes, and all too often in the prime of life.

Taking controlIronically, this health

crisis continues to grow

in severity in the U.S., even

as modern medicine and

healthcare are becoming

better equipped to prevent

cardiovascular disease

and death. According to

the Centers for Disease

Control, most of us who are or will be afflicted could prevent it by

adopting a few sensible and healthy behaviors. These should start

in childhood, when good and bad habits are formed, and continue

through life:

• be moderately physically active most of the week (27% of

American adults currently have no leisure-time physical activity)

• maintain a diet low in fat (no more than 30% of calories from

fats) and high in fruits and vegetables (at least five servings a day)

• routinely monitor blood pressure (BP) and treat even borderline

high BP (normal is 120/80) at an early stage

• limit salt and alcohol intake, each of which increases BP

• stop (or never start) smoking (see sidebar on page 12)

• implement complementary medical strategies including learning

how to reduce emotional and physical stress through relaxation

techniques, regular exercise, and improved nutrition

• keep your weight in check (almost 60% of adults are overweight

or obese)

• visit your PCP for wellness check-ups and share responsibility

with him or her to make whatever prevention and treatment

changes are needed

• comply closely with prescribed drug regimens

• take advantage of the wellness programs available to help you

realize your healthy lifestyle goals

Pr i m e r o n B l o o d P r e s s u r e

Blood pressure (BP) is the fluctuating force produced by the fist-sized heart as it pumps,100,000 times a day, year in/year out, pushingblood through arteries and capillaries. A normalhealthy BP, measured with a sphygmomanometeror arm cuff, hovers around 120/80, the highernumber reflecting peak pressure when the heartcontracts (systolic), and the lower number measuring pressure when the heart relaxes (diastolic).The actual cause of high blood pressureis unknown in 95% of cases.There are, however,many factors which can elevate the blood pressuresuch as: obesity, high alcohol use, high salt intake,aging and perhaps sedentary lifestyle, stress, lowpotassium intake, and low calcium intake. Recentdata pulled from a 22 year-long phase of theFramingham Heart Study shows that by the age of65, nine out of 10 contemporary Americans havedeveloped high blood pressure, or hypertension.The good news is that the other 10% seem toshare habits of healthier lifestyles, generally eatingbetter, exercising more, and maintaining relativelylean body weights.These results have led theNational Institutes of Health to issue doctors and their patients a new and more rigorous set of BP guidelines.

Alternatively known as a “brain attack,” stroke is the sudden disturbance of blood flow in thebrain, usually due to a blood clot in a cerebralartery. A temporary version, known as a transientischemic attack or TIA, resolves itself within 24 hours and does no permanent damage. It is,however, regarded as a possible forewarning of stroke. One or more of the following sudden-onset symptoms may indicate a stroke occurring:

• weakness or numbness on one side of the body

• loss of vision or blurred sight in one or both eyes

• confusion, speech impairment, or difficultyunderstanding speech

• sudden, severe headache with no known cause

• dizziness, loss of balance or coordination,trouble walking


To be ready for an emergency, you might

also consider learning cardiopulmonary

resuscitation (CPR), if you haven’t already.

Being preparedEven with the best efforts, medicine can’t eradicate all cases of heart

disease and stroke. Unfortunately, some people are more vulnerable

to CVD as the result of a familial tendency, or because they have some

other disorder such as type 2 diabetes that puts additional strains on

their cardiovascular system. So it’s equally important that you provide

your PCP with any and all relevant personal information regarding

known risk factors, and become aware of what measures to take if you

or anyone you know has a cardiac emergency.

The American Heart Association urges all of us to recognize the

role we can play in what they call “the chain of survival.” The first link

is to recognize the warning signs of heart attack and stroke and to

know what to do. The problem is that they don’t always develop the

way we expect — in moments of high drama or with heart-clutching

suddenness. More often an attack will start slowly, ambiguously, and

without clear provocation. Quick response is critical to a positive

outcome, because the triggering event in a heart attack or stroke is

almost always a blocked artery. Unless effective action is taken within

the first hour of onset a cascade of life-threatening changes may be

set in motion. The safest bet is to call 911 or the emergency medical

services system in your area for immediate medical help when any

of the symptoms of heart attack or stroke persist for more than five

minutes. (see sidebars on pages 10 and 11)

To be ready for an emergency, you might also consider learning

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if you haven’t already. CPR is

a life support technique that both teenagers and adults can master

in a few sessions. It consists of applying chest compression and

mouth-to-mouth breathing to someone in cardiac arrest, and it’s

taught by professional instructors at hundreds of community centers

and other facilities around the country. CPR can make a critical

difference in saving lives, for it keeps oxygenated blood flowing to

the brain until the advanced care team arrives on the scene. It may

not qualify as a new “lifestyle behavior,” but becoming certified is

healthy for you and everyone around you. O

2 0 % o f a l l C V D d e a t h s a r e s m o k i n g - r e l a t e d

It’s always a goodidea to quit smoking, but especially if you’reat risk of heart disease. The toughpart is that mostpeople who try to stop smokingusually start upagain.Almost 80%fail the first time. Now the American CancerSociety offers real help:“Twenty-one Days to StopSmoking.” This audio tape provides proven tools to help you or someone you know identify andconquer obstacles that stand in the way of quittingfor good. Oxford Members can order it by callingQuality Books & Audio at 800-556-9444, and asking for item #100.To get the discounted priceof $8.95, including shipping, handling, and taxes,identify yourself as an Oxford Member.*

For free information from specialists over the phone, complimentary self-help booklets and a list of smoking cessation programs near you,call the toll free Smokers Quitline in your state:

New York Quitline888-609-6292

New Jersey Quitline866-NJSTOPS (866-657-8677)

Connecticut Quitline866-END-HABIT (866-363-4224)

Or visit these informative web sites:

American Heart Association wwwamericanheart.org(or call 800-AHA-USA1)

American Lung Association www.lungusa.org(or call 800-LUNG-USA)

American Cancer Society www.cancer.org(or call 800-ACS-2345)

*This discount is offered in addition to and separate from your benefit coverage through Oxford Health Plans.Available discount percentages may change from time totime without notice. Discount is applicable to the items referenced. Oxford cannot assume any responsibility for the failure of vendors referenced to make available discounts negotiated with Oxford; however, any failure to receive discounts should be reported to CustomerService by calling the number on your Member ID card.

13S P E C I A L T O P I C

The gift of life —the transplant revolution

The first clues came in the discovery of distinct blood

types in 1901, and this led to the establishment of the first

donor blood banks just before World War II. Then in

1954, a surgeon at Boston’s Peter

Bent Brigham Hospital carried out

the first organ transplant — a

kidney. Kidneys happen to be the

only organ that humans have in

duplicate, but only need one to

function well. It took still another

decade to achieve the first lung

and liver transplants, and it was

not until 1980 that the problem of

“graft-host” rejection was successfully

addressed with immunosuppressant

drugs. Since then, it has been possible

for transplant recipients to receive organs

from imperfectly matched donors. That advance has

opened the way for an enormous upsurge in the numbers

of people whose lives can be saved by transplantation.

Each year, thousands of organs are donated by strangers

who, in death, can leave this unique legacy of life.

Becoming a would-be donor is a relatively easy process,

and few acts of generosity have the potential to do more.

In fact, one simple decision in the present can provide for

multiple organ donations in the future — which could save

several lives. The first step is to register by signing a legally

recognized universal donor card, which specifies that the

donation will be exercised only upon the donor’s death

and only if an appropriate match-up is currently on the

waiting list. Carry the card in your wallet

with other commonly carried identification

such as your driver’s license. Make family

members, and most especially the person

entrusted with medical power of attorney,

aware of your intention to donate. In the

tri-state area, to show your intent, you

can sign your name on the back of your

driver’s license. This will ensure that

should you die, your gift will be exercised

in a timely fashion. For an informative

brochure about becoming a donor, or to obtain

a universal donor card, please call 800-355-SHARE. O

Until relatively recently, the notion of restoring life and health to someone desperately ill

through the gift of a donor organ was something relegated to sci-fi movies. Before organs

could be transplanted successfully, researchers had to first learn the basics of “compatibility,”

which is what makes some people genetically similar and able to share human tissue easily,

and what causes the far more common reaction of incompatibility and rejection.

RR E S O U R C E S

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) maintains a nationalcomputerized waiting list of potential transplant patients in the U.S. andcoordinates donor and recipient match-ups.Their web site, www.unos.org,covers such topics as current statistics on transplants, medical procedures,federally mandated policies on how candidates are prioritized (by donorcompatibility, medical urgency, and geographical accessibility), as well assuccess stories.

The New England Organ Bank (NEOB) is one of the oldest independentorgan banks and one of 11 such bodies operating within the NationalOrgan Procurement Transplant Network and UNOS. NEOB maintains aninformative, easy-to-navigate web site including links to the more than 260transplant centers in the U.S. at www.neob.org.

N E W S Y O U C A N U S E14

Membership updatesPrivacy notice concerning financial information

At Oxford, protecting the privacy of the personal information we have about our

customers and Members is of paramount importance, and we take this responsibility

very seriously. This information must be maintained in a manner that protects

the privacy rights of those individuals. The following notice describes our policy

regarding the confidentiality and disclosure of customer and Member personal

financial information that Oxford collects in the course of conducting its business.

Our policy applies to both current and former customers and Members.

The information Oxford collectsWe collect non-public, personal financial information about

Members from the following sources:

• Information we receive from you on applications or otherforms (e.g., name, address, Social Security number, anddate of birth);

• Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates(companies controlled or owned by Oxford), or others; and

• Information we receive from consumer reporting agenciesconcerning large group customers.

The information Oxford disclosesWe do not disclose any non-public, personal financial

information about our current and former customers and

Members to anyone except as permitted by law. For

example, we may disclose information to affiliates and

other third parties to service or process an insurance

transaction; or provide information to insurance regulators

or law enforcement authorities upon request.

Oxford security practices We emphasize the importance of confidentiality through

employee training, the implementation of procedures

designed to protect the security of our records, and our

privacy policy. We restrict access to personal financial infor-

mation of our customers and Members to those employees

who need to know that information to perform their job

responsibilities. We maintain physical, electronic, and

procedural safeguards that

comply with federal and

state regulations to guard

your non-public, personal

financial information.

This notice is being

provided on behalf of the

following Oxford affiliates:

Oxford Health Plans, Inc.,

Oxford Health Plans (CT),

Inc., Oxford Health Plans

(NJ), Inc., Oxford Health

Plans (NY), Inc., Oxford

Health Insurance, Inc.,

Investors Guaranty Life Insurance

Company, and MedSpan Health Options, Inc.

Correction: student verification process

The spring issue of Healthy Mind Healthy Body stated

that coverage for students who have reached the age

limit for dependent status would terminate effective

November 30, of the year in which they reached the

limit. The correct date is December 31. We apologize

for any inconvenience this may have caused.

15

Commercial Member rights and responsibilities

As an Oxford Member, you have certain rights and

responsibilities related to your coverage. The following

information is provided for your reference.

National Committee for QualityAssurance (NCQA) rights and responsibilities

As an Oxford Member, you have the right to:

• Receive information about Oxford, the health plan,

covered services, physicians and providers, and Members’

rights and responsibilities.

• Be treated with dignity and respect and have your right

to privacy recognized.

• Participate in decision-making regarding your healthcare.

• A candid discussion of appropriate or medically necessary

treatment options for your condition, regardless of cost or

benefit coverage.

• Make complaints or appeals about the managed care

organization (MCO) or the care provided.

As an Oxford Member, it is your responsibility to:

• Provide your physicians or other care providers and the

MCO with the information needed to care for you.

• Do your part to improve your own health condition by

following treatment plans, instructions, and care that

you have agreed to with your physician(s).

General rights and responsibilitiesAs an Oxford Member, you have the right to:

• Obtain complete and current information concerning

a diagnosis, treatment and prognosis from any network

provider in terms that you or your authorized representa-

tive can readily understand. Know the name, professional

status and function of any personnel delivering covered

services to you.

• Receive all information from a network provider necessary

for you to give your informed consent prior to the start

of any procedure or treatment. Refuse treatment to the

extent permitted by law. Oxford and your primary care

physician (PCP) will make every effort to arrange a profes-

sionally acceptable alternative treatment. However, if you

still refuse the recommended treatment and Oxford and

your network provider believe no professionally acceptable

alternative exists, we will not be responsible for the cost of

further treatment for that condition and you will be notified

accordingly. If a Member is not capable of understanding

any of this information, an explanation will be provided to

his or her guardian, designee or a family member.

• Receive quality healthcare services, provided in a

professional manner that respects your dignity and

protects your privacy.

• Privacy and confidentiality of your health records, except

as otherwise provided by law or contract. You have the

right to all information contained in your medical records

unless access is specifically restricted by the attending

physician for medical reasons.

• Medical services without unnecessary delay, when

medically necessary. This includes emergency care

and urgent care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


continued

• Be advised if any of the network providers participating

in your care propose to engage in or perform human

experimentation or research affecting your care or treatment.

You or a legally responsible party on your behalf may,

at any time, refuse to participate in or to continue in

any experimentation or research program to which you

have previously given informed consent.

• Be provided with information about our services, policies,

procedures, grievance and appeal procedures and our

network providers that accurately provides relevant

information in a manner that is easily understood. This

means you have a right to and will be provided with a

Certificate of Coverage, a Summary of Benefits, any

applicable riders, and a provider roster. Upon request,

you may receive a listing of our providers who accept

Members who do not speak English. Be informed of

changes in benefits, services or our provider network on

a timely basis.

• Select a PCP as described in your Certificate of Coverage

and the provider roster. For in-network coverage, you have

the right to your choice of specialists from our network,

subject to availability and the terms and conditions of your

Certificate of Coverage. When medically necessary, you

have the right to a standing referral to a network specialist

for the treatment of a chronic condition as described in

your Certificate of Coverage.

• Formulate an Advanced Directive.

• Initiate disenrollment from the plan.

• Sign-language interpreter services, in accordance with

applicable laws and regulations, when such services

are necessary to enable you, as a person with special

communication needs, to effectively communicate with

your provider. If you need help arranging sign-language

interpreter services, please contact Oxford’s TTY/TDD

hotline at 800-201-4875. To receive payment for said

service(s) please have your provider mail an invoice

from the translation service to Oxford.

• With respect to in-network covered services, you have

the right to be free from balance billing by network

providers for medically necessary services. However,

you are responsible for any applicable copayments,

coinsurance and deductibles.

• File a formal grievance or appeal if complaints or concerns

arise about our medical or administrative services or

policies. You may also file a complaint with your

Department of Insurance or, in New York and New Jersey,

the Department of Health, and to receive an answer to

that complaint within a reasonable period of time.

As a Oxford Member, it is your responsibility to:

• Enter into this plan with the intent of following the

policies and procedures as outlined in your Certificate

of Coverage.

• Take an active role in your healthcare through maintaining

good relations with your PCP and following prescribed

treatments and guidelines.

• Provide, to the extent possible, information that profes-

sional staff needs in order to care for you as a Member.

• Use the emergency room only as described in your

Certificate of Coverage.

• Notify the proper plan representative of any change in

name, address or any other important information.

Reminder: reconstructive breastsurgery law

Federal law requires that all

health plan Members be notified

of The Women’s Health and

Cancer Rights Act of 1998 on

an annual basis. This Act applies

to all commercial policies that

started or have been renewed

since October 21, 1998. The

Women’s Health and Cancer

Rights Act, which amended

existing federal law (ERISA and

the Public Healthy Service Act),

requires health insurance carriers of group and individual

policies that cover mastectomies to cover reconstructive

surgery or related services following a mastectomy. (The law

also affects self-funded groups). Oxford offers this benefit in

all commercial products.

Covered servicesEssentially, the Act guarantees coverage to any plan

Member who is receiving benefits in connection with a

mastectomy and who elects breast reconstruction in connec-

tion with that mastectomy. The health insurance company

that issues the policy is required to provide coverage for:

17

• reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy

has been performed;

• surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce

a symmetrical appearance; and

• prostheses and physical complications arising at any stage

of mastectomy, including lymphedema.

If you have any questions about this benefit, please see your

Certificate of Coverage.

No referral required for diabetic retinal exam

At Oxford, we believe in the power of prevention. That’s

why we are eliminating the referral requirement for Oxford

Members with diabetes to obtain annual eye examinations.

Effective May 13, 2002, Oxford Members who are

diagnosed with diabetes will no longer need a referral

from their primary care physician to receive an annual

eye examination from a participating ophthalmologist

or optometrist.

Coordination of careFragmented care can adversely affect the quality of care

a patient receives — primary care physicians (PCPs) and

specialists may treat a patient at the same time, but may

not be aware of other providers’ treatment or involvement.

PCPs and specialists capture different information when

determining a patient’s treatment plan, and combining this

information is essential to forming a complete picture of your

medical needs. It is important that providers rendering care

share treatment information with other medical specialists

who are responsible for a patient’s care. It is equally impor-

tant for you, as a patient, to be an active partner in your care.

A patient should maintain an open dialogue with his or her

providers about all forms of treatment.

Care should also be coordinated with behavioral health

(BEH) and any complementary and alternative medicine

(CAM) providers. A BEH provider may be treating a

disorder with a medical basis that impacts a patient’s

physical health. Likewise, a PCP may be treating a medical

illness that can lead to serious BEH conditions such as

depression. CAM providers can be used to assist in the

treatment of both medical and behavioral health problems.

These possibilities also make it necessary for providers and

patients to keep each other informed.

The following example illustrates why coordination of

care is important:

A PCP prescribes migraine medication for a patient. A

month later, the patient goes to the emergency room with

severe chest pains. The attending cardiologist diagnoses

the patient with a heart condition and prescribes a heart

medication for the patient’s immediate use.

Why should the patient notify the cardiologist andPCP of their treatment?

Both providers should be advised in order to identify any

possible adverse affects of the two treatment methods —

the two medications may increase the patient’s heart rate.

With any condition, coordination of care can benefit individuals in several ways:

• PCPs and specialists who share treatment information

can work together to recommend a more effective

treatment plan.

• When all treating providers are aware of a patient’s med-

ical and prescription history, they can avoid prescribing

certain medications that may result in serious side effects,

which may otherwise either go undetected or be viewed

as a result of a physical condition.

Please note: The Behavioral Health Department worked with a panel of

participating behavioral health specialists to develop a Release of Information

Form that allows BEH specialists and PCPs to share treatment information.

This form can be signed by you in the presence of your behavioral health provider

(but is not mandatory), and gives him or her permission to contact your PCP.


Immunizations: partnering with your pediatrician Vaccines have been so successful in ridding America’s children of once common, devastating diseases that it can sometimes

become easy to take their health safety for granted. However, the wonderful margin of safety that vaccinations provide only

exists when parents, pediatricians, and public health officials work together to make sure that every child gets his or her

recommended shots and that they are delivered at the appropriate age intervals. In the past 20 years or so, the numbers of

basic vaccinations have grown from four (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio), to more than a dozen recommended

immunizations. With this growth has come certain unease among some parents. However, following extensive and repeated

reviews by independent panels of experts, the general consensus has remained constant: although a small minority of

children may exhibit mild adverse reactions to specific vaccines, it would be more dangerous for a child to remain

unprotected and vulnerable to a particular disease. As long as your pediatrician is part of Oxford’s network of participating

physicians, Oxford fully covers your office visit for immmunizations.*

The following table presents a list of childhood vaccinations and recommended ages for administration. If for some reason

your child has fallen behind in his or her shots, talk to your child’s doctor about the best way to catch up. Also, if your child will

soon be due for a routine immunization, it is a great idea to give the doctor some lead-time. Not all vaccines are readily available,

as some live vaccines have a brief shelf life and must be custom ordered. If this happens and you don’t receive a call from your

child’s doctor within a reasonable time frame, continue to ask for information about when to expect the vaccine. Doctors’ offices

can be very busy, so it’s important to follow up as needed and to work as partners in your child’s healthcare.

KEY: • to be performed✦ to be performed for patients at risk

s subjective, by history o objective, by a standard testing method

the range during which a service may be provided,with the dot indicating the preferred age.

Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Healthcare

Infancy Early Childhood

Age Prenatal Newborn 2-4d By 1mo 2mo 4mo 6mo 9mo 12mo 15mo 18mo 24mo 3y 4y

History

Initial/Interval • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Measurements

Height and Weight • • • • • • • • • • • • •Head Circumference • • • • • • • • • •

Blood Pressure • •Sensory Screening

Vision s s s s s s s s s s s o oHearing o s s s s s s s s s s s o

Developmental/Behavioral Assessment • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Physical Examination • • • • • • • • • • • • •Procedures — General

Hereditary/Metabolic Screening •Immunization • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hematocrit or Hemoglobin • ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Urinalysis

Procedures — Patients at risk

Lead Screening ✦ ✦

Tuberculin Test ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Cholesterol Screening ✦ ✦ ✦

STD Screening

Pelvic Exam

Anticipatory Guidance • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Injury Prevention • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Violence Prevention • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Sleep Positioning Counseling • • • • • • •

Nutrition Counseling • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Dental Referral •

*There is no copayment for pediatric immunizations or preventive care visits. If additional services are received during those visits, a copayment may apply.

19

Middle Childhood Adolescence

Age 5y 6y 8y 10y 11y 12y 13y 14y 15y 16y 17y 18y 19y 20y 21y

History

Initial/Interval • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Measurements

Height and Weight • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Head Circumference

Blood Pressure • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Sensory Screening

Vision o o o o s o s s o s s o s s s

Hearing o o o o s o s s o s s o s s sDevelopmental/ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Behavioral Assessment

Physical Examination • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Procedures — General

Hereditary/Metabolic Screening

Immunization • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Hematocrit or Hemoglobin ✦ •

Urinalysis • •Procedures — Patients at risk

Lead Screening

Tuberculin Test ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Cholesterol Screening ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

STD Screening ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Pelvic Exam ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Anticipatory Guidance • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Injury Prevention • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Violence Prevention • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Sleep Positioning Counseling

Nutrition Counseling • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Dental Referral

Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule

Age Age in Months Age in Years

Vaccine Birth 1 mo 2 mos 4 mos 6 mos 12 mos 15 mos 18 mos 24 mos 4-6 yrs 11-12 yrs 13-18 yrs

Hepatitis B Hep B #1 only if mother HBsAg(-)

Hep B #2 Hep B #3 Hep Bseries

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis DTaP DTaP DTaP DTaP DTaP Td

H. Influenza Type B Hib Hib Hib Hib

Inactivated Polio IPV IPV IPV IPV

Measles, Mumps, Rubella MMR #1 MMR #2 MMR #2

Varicella Varicella Varicella

Pneumococcal PCV PCV PCV PCV PCV PPVVaccines below this line are for selected populations.

Hepatitis A Hepatitis A series

Influenza Influenza (yearly)

This schedule indicates the recommended ages for routine administration of currently licensed childhood vaccines, as of December 1, 2001, for children throughage 18 years. Any dose not given at the recommended age should be given at any subsequent visit when indicated and feasible. Indicates age groups thatwarrant special effort to administer those vaccines not previously given. Additional vaccines may be licensed and recommended during the year. Licensed combi-nation vaccines may be used whenever any components of the combination are indicated and the vaccine’s other components are not contraindicated. Providersshould consult the manufacturers’ package inserts for detailed recommendations. Indicates preadolescent assessment.The appropriate vaccines are marked under recommended ages according to the AAP. Bars indicate the range of recommended ages for immunization. If a dosehad not been given, or was given before the recommended age, a dose should be given at the times specified in the ovals instead.Approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices www.cdc.gov/nip/acip, the American Academy of Pediatrics www.aap.org, and the AmericanAcademy of Family Physicians www.aafp.org.


2002 Adult Preventive Screening Guidelines

Procedures Ages 18-39 Ages 40-49 Ages 50-64 Ages 65+

Health ScreeningsRoutine Preventive Health Assessment Every 5 years Every 2 years Annually

Blood PressureF At least every 2 years Annually

Serum CholesterolE, H Every 5 years

HemoglobinE 20 years or over at least once every 5 years

UrinalysisE At clinician’s discretion

Tuberculin Skin Test (PPD)E For all those in high-risk groups

Chlamydial InfectionJ, ▲ Under 25 years regular screening and sexually active

Cancer DetectionClinical Breast ExamG,▲ At clinician’s Annually

discretion

MammographyG, ▲ At clinician’s Annually with clinical breast exam to age 70discretion

Pelvic Exam and Pap SmearB, G, J, ▲ Annually at onset of sexual activity or starting at age 18;after three consecutive normal smears, every 1 to 3 years

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)E, J, ■ At clinician’s discretion

Digital Rectal ExamE, J At clinician’s discretion

Fecal Occult Blood (FOB) TestB At clinician’s discretion Annually

SigmoidoscopyB At clinician’s discretion Every 3-5 years in conjunction with FOBT

ImmunizationsDiptheria and Tetanus BoosterI Every 10 years (following initial series of three doses)

or once at age 50

Hepatitis B VaccineI One series, if at risk and not immunized previously, or at clinician’s discretion

Hepatitis A VaccineI One series, if at risk or at a clinician’s discretion and not immunized previously (a booster is necessary

1 year after initial vaccination)

Influenza VaccineI Annually with chronic Annuallydisease/high-risk

Pneumococcal Vaccine*,I Initial dose for those at high risk (long-term Initial dose health problems or weakened immune system)* for those 65+*

▲ Women Only ■ Men Only

* Revaccinate if less than 65 years old when initial dose was received and if received more than five years ago.

Sources for Information Presented in Guidelines AboveA. American Academy of Family Physicians, 1994. www.aafp.orgB. American Cancer Society, 1993. www.cancer.orgC. American Medical Association, 1999. www.ama-assn.orgD. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1995.E. Clinician’s Handbook of Preventive Services, 2nd Edition, 1998. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hstat.nlm.nih.govF. Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, 6th report, 1997.G. National Cancer Institute. Cancernet.nci.nih.gov/clinpdqH. National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel II, 1993.I. Summary of Adult Immunization Recommendations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1997.J. U. S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2nd Edition. Hstat.nlm.nih.gov

21P A T H S T O W E L L N E S S

AAQWhat’s the best way to treat skin that acts up?

Skin eruptions around hair follicles or pores, particularly of the face and back, are generally regarded

as a distressing rite of passage for teenagers. But the problem, which tends to run in families, can also

trouble adults, especially women in their 30s and 40s. The underlying cause is usually an excess of

sebum, the oily substance our tiny sebaceous glands produce, controlled in part by hormonal activity.

Conventional ResponseOnce your primary care physician has diagnosedadult acne, treatment typically begins with a mild top-ical medication. If that doesn’t produce relief, it maybe necessary to try more aggressive measures underthe care of a dermatologist. Contrary to popularopinion, diet is not the only cause of acne, certaindrugs, stress and industrial chemicals can also triggeracne episodes.

TOPICAL TREATMENTS. Several mild productsbased on salicylic acid work as peeling agents toremove and refresh the top layer of affected skin.Over-the-counter applications come in lotion, creamand alcohol-based formulations as well as medicatedpads. Somewhat stronger are prescription antibioticcreams and retinoids. Retinoids must be used withcaution, as they tend to make skin more sensitive tosunlight.

ORAL AGENTS. For persistent or worsening adultacne, long-term therapy may be indicated. Oralantibiotics like tetracycline, doxycycline, and erythro-mycin may be successful. Low-dose oral contracep-tives, corticosteroids and spironolactone can alsocounter flare-ups related to hormonal overactivity.Accutane, introduced two decades ago, is an evenmore potent retinoid, which must be closely moni-tored for adverse side effects. Under no circum-stances should Accutane be taken during pregnancyas it can cause severe birth defects.

SURGERY. In some instances adult acne mayrequire drainage of deeply infected cysts.

RONALD C. BROWN, MD, FACP,

is Vice President of Medical Programs for Oxford. He is a graduate of Yale University School of Medicine, was trained in internal

medicine at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, and is a board-certified internist.

This information is offered for your interest and information. It is not intended as advice and should not replace your doctor’s recommendation or treatment plan.

JAMES DILLARD, MD, DC, CAc,is the founding Medical Director of Oxford’sComplementary and Alternative Medicine program and isChairman of the Oxford Chiropractic Advisory Board.He is a board-certified medical doctor, a doctor of chiropractic, and a certified medical acupuncturist.

Complementary & Alternative ResponseWe know that diet and stress play significant roles inadult acne flare-ups, so complementary and alternativemedicine (CAM) treatment includes avoiding or mini-mizing those triggers.

NUTRITION AND NATUROPATHY. Patients work-ing with a clinical nutritionist or naturopath are oftenable to identify foods that exacerbate sebum produc-tion and reduce or eliminate them from the diet. Theusual culprits are an excess of saturated and hydro-genated fats, found primarily in meats, whole milkdairy products, and processed and fried foods. CAMtherapists can also suggest ways to modify hormone levels through diet. This may involve eating morewhole-grain cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, andadding appropriate supplements such as zinc, or B-complex vitamins or herbal medicines.

STRESS REDUCTION. Because the skin is ourbody’s largest organ, and the part with the greatestexposure to the outside world, it reveals the ravages ofphysical and emotional stress vividly. Simply put, ten-sion floods the bloodstream with the stress hormonecortisol, which triggers the sebaceous glands to pro-duce more oil. That, mixed with normal dead skincells, environmental dirt and bacteria, can climax inclogged, inflamed pores. To minimize the stressresponse we use a variety of mind and body therapies,such as yoga, meditation and relaxation.

COMMON SENSE. Helpful home treatments forreducing flare-ups are frequent gentle washing of theskin with soap and water, washing hair with an anti-

dandruff shampoo, and avoiding greasymake-up that can further clog pores.

L I V I N G W E L L22

BreakfastChampions

The American way of breakfast has gone through major changes over the years. Back in our great

grandparents’ day, it was not uncommon to start each day with eggs, bacon or sausage, flapjacks

or biscuits, perhaps some fried potatoes, and maybe even a piece of pie, plus coffee, milk, and fruit.

But most people worked at physically demanding jobs, and they were able to burn off these gargantuan

meals. Nowadays, with many of us

in more sedentary jobs, we’re more

likely to favor “grab-and-go” snacks

at our desks — glazed donuts,

fat-filled muffins, and oversized

Danish pastries — that deliver almost

as many calories as of old, without

any compensatory nutritional value.

So what’s the answer? Nutritionists are pretty well

agreed that high fiber breakfast cereals represent an

easy-does-it healthy breakfast solution — and at a taste

and price everyone can swallow. Why high fiber? Whole

grain products contain all of the nutrients of the

grain’s outer layer — B vitamins, minerals, protein and

fiber (or bran). Refined-grain products, by contrast, are

milled to be smoother, whiter, and lighter, but that

process removes much of the good stuff leaving mostly

starch. Whole grain cereals are consequently more

nutritious — and more filling when you eat them.

For over 100 years, health advocates have been tout-

ing the virtues of breakfast cereals without fully under-

standing them. Back in the 1890s, a self-proclaimed

homeopath in Battle Creek, Michigan named Dr. John

Harvey Kellogg prescribed his patients a regimen of

something he named “granola” to cure indigestion,

loose teeth, malaria, consumption, and a host of other

ailments. Pretty soon his whole grain mix of toasted

corn, oats, rice and wheat was being credited with

digestive miracles, and a whole new food industry was

launched. Imitators, including Kellogg’s former

for

23

patient, C.W. Post, were quick to take up the idea, and soon Battle Creek

had grown into the booming capital of cereal making. At one time its

factories were producing 108 different brands of cornflakes including

Elijah’s Manna, Force Flakes, and Dwarfies.

Since then, breakfast cereals have known good times and bad. In

the competition to create eye-catching novelty products for the grocers’

shelves, the original idea of providing healthful nourishment has

sometimes been lost. Many of today’s cold cereals are highly refined,

becoming nothing more than edible toys in bright boxes — full of sugar,

fats and empty calories. But when you know what to look for, you can find

cereals that offer a healthy jump-start to your day. Research shows that

by choosing whole grain products that have no more than five grams of

dietary fat per serving, you may substantially lower blood cholesterol

levels over time. And many of today’s high fiber cereals are fortified

with additional vitamins and minerals critical to our minimum daily

requirements — as many as 18 of the 27 nutrients needed daily,

according to the American Dietetic Association. And by topping your

cereal with several ounces of low-fat milk and fresh fruit, you add

heart-healthy benefits, too.

If you haven’t tried a bowl of breakfast cereal lately, why not give the

idea another try this summer, when light, easy, quick and cold foods are

especially appropriate to your lifestyle and delicious fresh fruits are

plentiful. But remember, it’s important to know what to look for, how

to read the nutrition label on the box, and to pay attention to portion

sizes to get what’s best. O

C E R E A L I N T E L L I G E N C E

The Harvard Nurses Health Study, which hasbeen tracking the health of more than 65,000women for nearly 20 years, has found that thegroup who regularly ate 25-35 grams of fiberper day had a greatly reduced incidence ofheart disease and diabetes as compared withthose who ate low levels of fiber from any andall sources. It turned out that a substantial partof their fiber came from eating high-fiber coldbreakfast cereals.

F I B E R F A C T S

High Fiber Cereals Serving Fiber

40 percent bran 1 cup 5g

100 percent bran 1 cup 10g

Oat bran 1/2 cup 5g

Raisin bran 1 cup 8g

Shredded wheat 2 lg. biscuits 6g

Grape Nuts 1/2 cup 5g

All Bran w/ Extra Fiber 1/2 cup 14g

High Fiber Fruit

Apple (with peel) medium 4.6g

Apricots dried, each 2.8g

Banana medium 2.5g

Peach (with skin) medium 2.2g

Pear (with skin) medium 4.5g

Blueberries 1/2 cup 2.0g

Raspberries 1/2 cup 4.4g

Strawberries 1/2 cup 2.2g

P.O. Box 7081, Bridgeport, CT 06601

HMHBSU02/5583

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ONWARD PUBLISHING INC.

importantinformation

insideCheck out the latest news

about your Oxford coverage

in the Membership updates

section of this issue and

start making the most

of your benefits.

CUSTOMER SERVI CE 800-444-6222 (8 AM - 6 PM, Mon to Fri)To reach a Service Associate, please call the toll-free Customer Service number on your Oxford ID card,or call 800-444-6222. For a hearing impaired interpreter you may contact Oxford’s TTY/TDD hotline at 800-201-4875. Please call 800-303-6719 for assistance in Chinese, 800-449-4390 para ayuda en Español,and for all other languages, call the number on your Oxford ID card.

OXFORD ON-CALL® 800-201-4911 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)Registered nurses offer you healthcare guidance, around the clock.

PHARMACY CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE 800-905-0201 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)Receive answers to your questions about pharmacy benefits, claims, prescriptions, and participating pharmacies in your area.

MERCK- MEDCO HOME DELIVERY PHARMACY SERVICE™

800-905-0201 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)This mail-order pharmacy service provides a cost-effective,convenient way for Members with a mail-order prescription benefit to order certain maintenance medications.

OXFORD EXPRESS® 800-444-6222 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)Touch-tone phone options let you confirm eligibility, check the status of a claim, request a new Member ID cardor physician roster, and more.

OXFORD’S FRAUD HOTLINE 800-915-1909 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)If you suspect healthcare fraud on the part of Members, employers, or providers, please call our confidentialfraud hotline.

DIABETES PROGRAM LINE 888-585-0631 (8 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon to Fri)Program coordinators provide information about Oxford’s Living with DiabetesSM program, or send educationalmaterials upon request.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LINE 800-201-6991 (8 AM - 6 PM, Mon to Fri)Behavioral Health Coordinators provide information such as referrals to behavioral health providers or precertification for mental health or substance abuse services.

ASTHMA PROGRAM LINE 888-201-4254 (8 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon to Fri)Program Coordinators provide information about Oxford’s Better Breathing® program, or send educational materials upon request.

RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET AT www.oxfordhealth.com

MYOXFORDSM

Log on to access your policy and benefit information, and perform transactions such as checking claims status, selecting a primary care physician, and ordering materials and Member ID cards.

WELLNESS RESOURCES

Learn more about Oxford’s various wellness resources, such as our Healthy BonusSM program and Self-Help LibrarySM by logging on to our Member web site and clicking on the oxfordhealth Center.

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