WHAT’S INSIDE 12 14 You and Your Baby 16 · summer safety tips shown here. These tips will keep...

WHAT’S INSIDE

2017 ISSUE 2

12

2

16Quit Smoking forYou and Your Baby

What makes Passport So Special?

Enjoy Your Summer and

Be Safe

14High Blood Pressure– the Silent Killer

Page

Maybe you’ll go to the park or the swimming pool or take a road trip. Whatever you do, be sure to follow the summer safety tips shown here. These tips will keep you safer, and could help avoid an unwanted trip to the emergency room.

Bug SafetyWith warm weather come mosquitoes, ticks, bees and fleas. These bugs can even make you sick.

Bug safety tips:• Use the right kind of bug repellent,

especially with children, and use as directed. Some examples may include mosquito repellent or rubbing alcohol.

• Try not to be outside when bugs are more likely to bite — early in the morning and when the sun is going down.

• If you’ve been outside, check your body for ticks when you come indoors. Check closely because ticks can be hard to see.

for Bug Bites and Stings• Remove any stingers.• Put an ice pack on the bite or sting

for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this every hour for the first 6 hours.

• Elevate or prop up the area that has been bitten or stung.

• Over-the-counter medicine such as an anti-histamine or hydrocortisone cream may help. Use as directed to relieve the itching, redness and swelling.

What to Do

There’s no better way to enjoy the summer than to spend time with the people you care about and have some fun!

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Visit us online at www.passporthealthplan.com2

ENJOY YOUR SUMM

ER– And Be Safe!

Water and Sun SafetySummer is a time for playing around pools, lakes and other bodies of water. Have all the fun you want, but remember to be safe!

Sun safety tips:• Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher

that block UVA and UVB rays. Reapply as recommended.

• Wear loose and lightweight clothing, brimmed hats and sunglasses.

• Avoid being outdoors during the midday, the hottest time of day.

Water and pool safety tips:• Always watch young children

while they are in water. • Only swim in pools that

are well-maintained. These pools are less likely to spread germs.

• Only swim in pools where a lifeguard is on duty.

for Sunburn

before you swim in a pool

• Put a cold, damp towel on your skin.

• Use a moisturizer that contains aloe vera to soothe sunburned skin.

• Take pain reliever medicine as directed by your doctor.

• Drink extra water.• Leave blisters alone.

• Make sure the drain covers at the bottom of the pool are secured and in good repair.

• Look for a lifeguard on duty. Injuries and drownings are less likely to happen with a lifeguard around. If there’s no lifeguard, look for safety equipment.

• Make sure no chemicals are out in the open.• Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.• Stay out of the water if you have an open wound

that’s not covered with a waterproof bandage.• Use a well-fitted “Coast Guard-Approved” life

jacket for flotation help.

What to Do

What to Look for

3Member Services 1-800-578-0603, TDD/TTY 1-800-691-5566

Minor InjuriesPeople tend to be a little more active during the summer months. They are more likely to twist an ankle, strain or sprain a muscle.

for a Minor Injury• Cut back on your daily activity and

get some rest. Avoid putting weight on the injured part of your body.

• Put an ice pack on the injured area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times per day. Apply a cloth between the ice pack and your skin.

• Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage or any other compression brace your doctor recommends. Do not wrap it too tightly.

• Use pillows or blankets to raise the injured part of your body above the level of your heart.

• Take pain reliever medicine as directed by your doctor.

What to Do

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Senior SafetyOlder people are at a higher risk in the hot weather and need to take extra care.

Senior safety tips:• When it’s above 90 degrees, stay inside

with air conditioning. • Drink cool water. • Wait until late afternoons or early

mornings to do things like walking outside or gardening.

• Stay out of the sun when possible.


REMEMBERBug bites, bee stings, sunburns and minor injuries don’t require a trip to the ER. If you have questions or need help deciding what to do, call your primary care provider (PCP) or our 24-hour Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-606-9880.

Sources for Summer Safety Tips: Center for Disease Control, Health in Aging Foundation, American Red Cross, www.sharecare.com, www.healthline.com

ENJOY YOUR SUMM

ER– And Be Safe!

Food SafetyGrilling is very popular this time of year. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the food is cooked fully. Always keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Refrigerate leftovers quickly.

Drinking SafetyWhen it’s hot outside, your body loses water faster and you can become dehydrated quickly. Drink plenty of cool water, clear juices and other liquids without alcohol or caffeine.

Car SafetyNever leave your children or pets alone in cars. Be sure to wear seat belts and put small children in age-appropriate car seats.


Our Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) tells you about your privacy rights and how you can use them. The NPP also tells you how Passport may use and share your health information.

To find a copy of our NPP, please visit www.passporthealthplan.com:

• Click on Members

• Click on Using Your Benefits

• Click on Notice of Privacy Practices

If you’d like us to mail you a copy of our NPP, please call us at 1-800-578-0603. TDD/TTY users may call 1-800-691-5566.

You Have a Right to Your Health Information


Here at Passport, we have a special team called Utilization Management (UM). The UM team includes nurses and medical staff who want to make sure you get the care you need!

As a Passport member, you should know the following about how we make decisions:

3 We do not reward anyone for denying services to you.

3 We do not give anyone extra money for making decisions that stop you from getting the care you need.

3 We make sure you receive the appropriate care and services.

If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-578-0603 between 7 am and 7 pm Eastern Time. TDD/TTY users may call 1-800-691-5566.

Our Medical Review


Our PDL is a list of all the medicines we cover and any limits that apply. We also cover some over-the-counter (OTC) medicines when your doctor gives you a prescription.

We make changes to our PDL from time to time. To find the most up-to-date list, please visit www.passporthealthplan.com and click on Pharmacy:

• To view or print our PDL, click on Printable Formulary.

• To view or print our Over-the-Counter drug list, click on Over-the-Counter Drug List.

• To see if a drug is covered using our online formulary, click on Searchable Drug Formulary.

If you don’t use a computer and would like some help, just call Member Services at 1-800-578-0603.

Want to get a copy of our Preferred Drug List (PDL)?


What is abuse?Abuse is when someone does something that goes against acceptable practices and causes unnecessary costs. An example is when a provider causes Passport to pay for something that was not needed.

Help Stop

Fraud and Abuse

What is fraud?Fraud is when someone does something on purpose to get benefits they don’t have the right to receive.

Examples of Fraud:• A doctor bills you

for a service you didn’t receive

• A doctor bills you or Passport more than once for the same service

• Someone lies about their income to receive Medicaid benefits

• Someone uses a member ID card that doesn’t belong to them

How can you help?1. If you think fraud or abuse is happening, report

it! When you report fraud or abuse, you are ensuring the health care system has the money to take care of people who need help.

• You can call our Compliance Hotline at 1-855-512-8500 and leave a message.

• When you call, you don’t have to give us your name. If you do leave your name, it helps us get as much information as possible.

• If you want to speak with someone, please call 1-800-578-0603 and ask for a Program Integrity Investigator.

2. If you get a health statement in the mail, check to make sure you received the services listed on the statement.

3. Never let anyone else use your Passport or Medicaid ID cards.

When fraud and abuse happens, it can hurt

you, your doctors and everybody in the

health care system.

Want to get a copy of our Preferred Drug List (PDL)?

1

2

3


Advance Health Directives are legal papers that allow you to write down your wishes about what type of medical care you want if you get very sick. They give you a way to tell your wishes to your family and loved ones, so they know exactly what you want.

to Your Loved Ones

Making Your Wishes Known

Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about getting an Advance Health Directive. As long as you can still make your own decisions, your Advance Health Directive will not be used. You can say "yes" or "no" to treatment at any time.

If there are any changes to the Advance Health Directive rules or laws, Passport will let you know within 90 days of the change.

* This Living Will Packet was created by the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. Passport provides this link to you for informational purposes, please speak with an attorney to talk about your options.

Types of Advance Health Directives:• A living will tells your family and your

doctors what kind of treatment you want if you are at the end of your life or if you cannot speak for yourself. You can find a copy of a living will at http://ag.ky.gov/family/consumerprotection/livingwills/Documents/livingwillpacket.pdf.* If you need us to mail you a copy, please call 1-877-903-0082.

• A power of attorney lets you pick a person to make medical decisions for you if you are too sick and cannot speak for yourself.

Source: Kentucky's Attorney General Office


If you do not use a computer, you may call us at 1-800-578-0603 and someone can mail you a copy. TDD/TTY users may call 1-800-691-5566.

Want to learn more about your

benefits and how to use

services?

Check out our How-To Guide at www.passporthealthplan.com:

• Click on Members

• Click on Using Your Benefits

• Click on Your Benefits & How-To Guide

Source: Kentucky's Attorney General Office


What Makes PassportSo Special?

Members like Willie*


At first, 59-year old Willie was hesitant. He didn’t know if he wanted to bother with Passport’s Case Management Program. He had spent his whole life working in Kentucky’s coal mines and was dealing with the toll this type of work had taken on his health.

It’s hard to ask for help. It’s awkward and it takes real guts to do it. But when Willie received his first calls from Pat and Lisa, two of Passport’s Care Advisors, he heard the genuine concern in their voices and his eyes were opened.

Willie was injured from falling debris and was losing his lung function. He didn’t know what to do — so he took prescription narcotics to deal with the physical and emotional pain. Slowly, Pat and Lisa started talking with Willie about services available to him.

Pat and Lisa never judged Willie and made him feel safe in speaking to them about his biggest worries.

Every day, Willie gained more confidence. He read the information Passport mailed to him and began asking questions. He went to all of his doctor’s visits and asked for a second medical opinion when he was unsure. He completed an in-facility drug therapy program and a "black lung” evaluation. He was also diagnosed and finally treated for a heart problem he had for many years.

With Pat and Lisa’s help, Willie "stepped up." He took control in managing his own health.

What Willie did is our greatest wish for every Passport member. He asked for help, he listened, he learned along the way, and he decided to use the resources and benefits available to him. He is living a better quality of life now. And Willie, if you’re reading this, we thank you for letting us be a part of YOUR success!

What Willie did is our greatest wish

for every Passport member.

*The member’s name has been changed to protect his or her privacy.


High Blood Pressure —

The Silent Killer

High Blood Pressure —

The Silent Killer

Blood pressure is the force that moving blood puts on your artery walls. Keeping a normal blood pressure is important. If your blood pressure gets too high, your chances of having health problems in the future can go up.

Blood pressure is measured in two numbers:

118 over 72 is written as:11872

The first or top number is called systolic blood pressure The second or bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure

Why is high blood pressure called the silent killer?

Because most people who have it do not have any symptoms. If you don’t treat high blood pressure, over time it can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.


Sources: American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation, www.heart.org

What can you do to prevent high blood pressure?• See your doctor for routine

health checkups.

• Eat a healthy diet. Avoid foods high in fat, cholesterol and sodium (salt). Your doctor may give you a special diet to follow.

• Ask your doctor about a safe exercise program. Exercise 30 minutes per day most days of the week.

• Lose weight, as needed.

• Don’t smoke.

• Always take your medicine as prescribed. You may need to take more than 1 medicine to control your blood pressure.

What are “normal” and “high” blood pressures for adults?

Stage Systolic “Top” Number

Diastolic “Bottom” Number

Normal Less than 120 Less than 80

Pre-hypertension (high blood pressure) 120 to 139 80 to 89

Stage 1 high blood pressure 140 to 159 90 to 99

Stage 2 high blood pressure 160 or Higher 100 or Higher


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Quit Smoking for You and Your Baby

Smoking Raises Your Risk Being a smoker raises your chances of getting heart and lung disease, along with many types of cancer.

If you smoke during pregnancy, there are even more risks, such as having a:• Miscarriage (losing a baby)

• Preterm labor or delivery (born too soon — before 37 weeks)

• Low-birthweight baby (born too small — less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces)

• Stillbirth (dies before delivery)

• Baby born with birth defects

• Baby who has lifelong health problems

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) baby (a healthy baby who dies during sleep)

You already know it’s a good thing to quit smoking. But if you’re pregnant and you smoke, your baby’s health is at risk, too. The good news is — it’s never too late to quit!

It’s Not Just About You —


Do You Want Help? There are free programs available to help you quit smoking. Some can offer you free counselors, products and gifts! To find out more, please call 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT NOW).

If you need help with your pregnancy or have any questions, please call 1-877-903-0082 and ask to speak with someone in Mommy Steps.

for You and Your Baby

Quitting Lowers Your Risk The sooner you quit smoking, the greater the benefit for you and your baby. But, it’s truly NEVER too late. Once you quit, your:• Blood pressure goes down

• Chance of a heart attack goes down

• Chance of a having a preterm delivery or low-birthweight baby goes down

• Baby has a better chance of being healthy

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Source: March of Dimes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services


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en Mommies-to-Be — Questions and Answers Just for You

For all you mommies-to-be out there, here are the answers to some of your biggest questions.

How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

It depends on your weight before you got pregnant. Here’s a general guide:

Does it really matter how much weight I gain?

Yes! • If you don’t gain enough weight, your baby could have a

low birthweight.

• If you gain too much weight, you have a higher chance of having a premature baby and getting high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy.

How many extra calories do I need a day during pregnancy?

300 extra calories per day.

What should I eat?

Eat all 5 food groups — vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and protein. Fill half of your plate up with fruits and vegetables.

Your Weight Before You Got Pregnant

How Much You Need to Gain During Pregnancy

My weight was normal

25 to 35 pounds

I was underweight

28 to 40 pounds

I was overweight 15 to 25 pounds

I was obese 11 to 20 pounds

Questions Answers


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Source: www.choosemyplate.gov, March of Dimes, www.americanpregnancy.org, Mayo Clinic

Eat 4 to 6 small meals every day instead of 3 big meals. Sit up for a while after you eat —sleeping right after you eat can make heartburn worse.

What can I do for heartburn?

• No alcohol. There is no safe amount of alcohol while you’re pregnant. Alcohol can cause serious and long-lasting defects to your baby.

• Limit caffeine to about 200 mg per day or one-and-a-half 8-ounce cups of coffee. Remember that chocolate, tea and soft drinks have caffeine in them. Be sure to check the label and stay under 200 mg! Caffeine can raise your blood pressure, make you feel jittery and cause indigestion. Limit caffeine while breastfeeding, too.

• Heat up deli meat before eating it. Deli meat could have listeria, which can cause miscarriage or infection to the baby.

• Wash vegetables before you eat them. They could have toxoplasmosis on them, which can cause birth defects or premature birth.

What should I avoid eating and drinking during pregnancy and what should I do to be safe?

How many fluids do I need to drink?

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day during pregnancy. Drink when you are thirsty while breastfeeding.

While pregnant or breastfeeding, always talk to your OB doctor before taking any medicine, vitamin or supplement. Many drugs, even over-the-counter drugs, are not safe during pregnancy and could cross into your milk.

Talk to your OB doctor right away. He or she can find resources to help you quit.

What kind of allergy medicine can I take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding?

What should I do if I get pregnant and I smoke, drink alcohol or use street drugs?

Questions Answers


Marketing and Community Engagement Department5100 Commerce Crossings Dr.Louisville, KY 40229

Helping Kentuckians Live Healthier Lives™

MARK73516 APP_6/16/2017

Passport does not guarantee the availability or quality of care. We are not responsible for any act or omission of any provider. All providers contracted with Passport are independent contractors and not employees or agents of Passport.

Any information included in this newsletter is not intended to replace medical care or advice from your doctor. Any references to other companies or internet sites are not an endorsement or guarantee of the services, information or products provided. Passport does not take responsibility for anything that may result from the use, misuse, interpretation or application of the information in this newsletter.

The new school year will be here before you know it. You can help your child get ready for school by scheduling a school physical. But don’t wait! Doctor’s offices get busier as the first day of school gets closer. Passport covers school physicals at no cost to you — so call today to make your child’s appointment!

Earn Rewards!You and your children can earn free gift cards for using some of your Passport benefits. For more details on how you can start earning rewards, please call us at 1-877-903-0082.

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