Paws for Better Health - SUMMER 2021
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SUMMER 2021
Paws for
Better Health
The benefits of
pet ownership
PG.
6
Time To Check In
Addressing teen
mental health
PG.
18
Health Care
in Your Home
Feel Better 24/7 NowClinic
virtual visits
®
Faster with same-day
medication
delivery*
Secure video chat with a provider
from your computer or mobile
device for $0 copay.
No appointment needed to get
care for non life-threatening and
non-urgent medical conditions.
Enroll and get care!
Download the NowClinic app or go to NowClinic.com and sign up.
*Same-day medication delivery is only available to Health Plan of Nevada (HPN) and Sierra Health and Life (SHL) members, and is
for medications prescribed during a NowClinic virtual visit that are not controlled medications or medications requiring refrigeration.
Service area is Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson based on delivery address. Delivery wait times may vary and may carry
over to next day depending on time prescription is submitted.
$0 copays apply with most NowClinic virtual visits. Calendar year deductibles and/or coinsurance may apply on some
plans. Copays may apply on virtual visits with providers not on the NowClinic platform.
NowClinic is not intended to address emergency or life-threatening medical conditions. Please call 911 or go to the emergency
room under those circumstances. NowClinic services may be covered by some health plans; copays and deductibles may apply.
Members under the age of 18 must have a guardian contact NowClinic customer support for assistance in enrolling for their account.
Customer support can be reached at 1-877-550-1515.
Contents
SUMMER 2021
2 Paws for Better Health
4 What’s Your Reason
for a Mammogram?
24/7
We're on Call.
6 Time to Check In If you’re unsure about your condition, our
24/7 advice nurse may be able to help.
10 Diagnosed with Prediabetes? Our nurse is available to answer questions,
provide self‑care advice and help you decide
12 Intuitive Eating whether to seek urgent care, emergency care,
or schedule an appointment with your provider.
Just call toll‑free 1‑800‑288‑2264, TTY 711.
14 Black Bean & Rice Enchiladas:
Fast, Easy and Delicious
Questions About Your Health Plan?
Call the number on the back of your
15 Not Every Day of Pregnancy is health plan ID card to speak with our
Easy Member Services team.
16 Living Healthy, Happy Or visit HealthPlanofNevada.com or
and Tobacco Free SierraHealthandLife.com and sign in.
18 Health Care In Your Home
Delivering a
20 12 Tips to Make the Most of
Your Health Plan better member
experience!
Visit your health
plan’s website to explore
our new online provider
Sources
1. vibrantlife.com 8. youth.gov
2. Society Register 2020/Vol 4., No. 2 9. cnn.com
3. ahajournals.org 10. cdc.gov
4. Harvard Health Publishing, HEALTHbeat
5. americanhumane.org
6. rabbitpedia.com
11.
12.
13.
diabetes.org
American Journal of Health Promotion
National Eating Disorders Association
directory.
7. bethe1to.com 14. healthline.com
Health Matters is published as a community service for members of Health Plan of Nevada and Sierra Health
and Life. Benefits discussed in this magazine may vary by plan and geographic region. If you have specific questions
regarding your coverage, please refer to your plan documents or call Member Services at the number on the back of
your health plan ID card.
Copyright© 2021 United HealthCare Services, Inc. This publication is not intended to replace professional medical
advice or service. Personal health problems should be brought to the attention of your health care provider. Consult
your health care provider before making any changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen. Health plan coverage
provided by Health Plan of Nevada. Insurance coverage provided by Sierra Health and Life.
Paws for
BETTER
Health
They trot, stroll, scamper, swim and swoop straight into our hearts.
Those bonds of love and companionship may have health benefits, too.
For many, a beloved pet may be the key to a longer, healthier and happier life.
Feeling tired or a little anxious?
Reach for Fido or Fluffy.
Are You Ready?
Your pet will be depending on you. A few minutes playing or cuddling with
your pet may reduce stress hormones,
• Do you have the time, energy and while increasing those that help you relax.
resources to care for a pet’s needs? Studies 1 have found that pet ownership
has several health benefits:
• Are there life changes ahead, such as
a move, new job, marriage or children, • Less loneliness and isolation
that might impact your ability to care
for a pet?
• More physical activity
• Stronger feelings of social support
• What if someone in the house is
• Better mood and outlook
allergic to or does not get along with
your pet?
A survey 2 conducted between March
• If you are getting a pet for a child, and June 2020 linked pet ownership
are you willing to take over the to maintaining mental health and coping
responsibilities of caring for the pet with the social isolation challenges of
if your child loses interest or moves the COVID-19 pandemic. Pets provided
away? owners with comfort, physical contact,
entertainment, distraction, activity and
• Who will care for your pet while you connection. An added bonus: Being
are away on vacation? responsible for a pet’s well-being
motivated owners to take better care
of themselves, too.
2 HEALTH MATTERS | Summer 2021
An Rx for A healthy
“forever” home
heart health? Kids, pregnant women and people
No, doctors are not prescribing pets with weakened immune systems
for better heart health just yet. But the need to be especially careful:
American Heart Association3 says having
one, especially a dog, may help reduce • Wash hands after touching a pet.
the risk for heart disease. • Supervise kids around pets and keep
them from kissing the animal or
Studies 4 have shown that dog owners have putting hands or other objects into
lower blood pressure than non-owners. One their mouths after touching one.
of the reasons is that dog owners simply • Keep your pet clean, healthy and
walk more, usually several times a day. And current on vaccinations.
during those walks, owners are more likely
• Let someone else clean the litter box
to engage with others. Those added social
if you’re pregnant.
connections help reduce stress. 2
.
Additionally, dogs have a calming effect
that promotes feelings of trust and well-
being. Their loving, nonjudgmental manner Nothing to sneeze about
helps their owners handle stress better. As
a result, blood pressure and heart rate go Many people are allergic to the proteins 6
up less often and return to normal more found in flakes of the pets’ skin, saliva and
quickly, reducing the overall effects of urine. These tiny particles float in the air
stress on the body. 4 before settling into furniture, carpeting,
bedding and house dust.
Therapy dogs5 are often brought into
hospitals and nursing homes for these The result may be sheer misery for the
same benefits. But other species may person with allergies. Keeping pets out
have similar effects. of the bedroom, encasing beddings and
pillows in allergen-proof casings, and using
Some hospitals have large tropical fish a HEPA-filter vacuum and air cleaner may
aquariums in emergency department help. But if you or someone in the family
waiting rooms to help visitors relax. 5 And has allergies, talk to your provider before
don’t count out smaller pets. One study5 adopting a new pet.
found that children on the autism spectrum
were calmer, had better social interactions, Remember, fur babies are not the only
and were more engaged with classmates option out there. A different type of pet,
after playing with guinea pigs for 10 may be a better, healthier and just-as-loved
minutes. addition to your family.
Summer 2021 | HEALTH MATTERS 3
What’s Your Reason for a Mammogram? 4
DID YOU KNOW...
that mammography may detect breast cancer a year or more before a lump can be felt
by hand? Like many forms of cancer, breast cancer grows by simple cell division. One cell
divides into two, two into four, and so on.
But those cells have to divide almost 30 times before a lump becomes large enough for you
or your provider to feel it. That means it might go undetected for up to five years.
The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening mammograms for women
starting at age 45. Thanks to routine prevention and advances in care, 99% of women
diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage are alive five years later.
With these things in mind,
Breast Cancer RISK Factors we challenge you to ask yourself,
“What’s your reason for
• Gender: Women and men, though the risk a mammogram?”
is much higher for women
• For the family
• Age: Breast cancer risk increases • To have a better chance at life
after age 40
• For peace of mind
• Genetics: 5% to 10% of breast cancer
cases are thought to be hereditary
There are some things you can do to
• Family history of cancer reduce your personal risk. Getting regular
exercise, maintaining a healthy weight
• Extended exposure to estrogen and diet, and limiting consumption
through reproductive history or hormone of alcohol may improve your odds.
replacement therapy
For more information about breast cancer,
• Having no children or giving birth at go to Cancer.org or
an older age NationalBreastCancer.org.
Summer 2021 | HEALTH MATTERS 5
TIME TO
CHECK IN
The kids may not be all right. After all, they Check in with them often, advise behavioral
are coping with the same uncertainty, health experts.7 And be ready to listen.
anxiety, isolation and pandemic-related Stress, anxiety and depression are just the
losses that you are. But they don’t have your tip of it. Teens are grieving real losses right
maturity, life experience or resilience to now. Think of it from their perspective:
cope with those unprecedented challenges. They’ve lost their daily routine, contact with
friends and school community.
“Kids have a separate life at
school that is important to
them,” said Rebecca Sultan,
MA, LMFT. “But now they don’t
Break the Silence about Suicide have their school life like before
Social isolation is one of the highest risk factors or see the friends they talked to
for suicide and the second-leading cause of death every day.”
among youth ages 15 to 24.8 In Clark County, Nevada,
19 young people died by suicide between March The challenges of remote
2020 and January 2021.9 Each young life lost is an learning, missing out on school
unfathomable tragedy. activities, sports and milestone
events like graduation multiply
Suicide is a hard topic to bring up with kids and those losses. Additionally, some
teens, but Sultan says it is very important. Talking teens have lost their sense of
about it may reduce the risk for someone who has security and safety because of
already been thinking about it. The National Suicide pandemic-related job loss or
Prevention Lifeline offers educational resources, an unstable home environment.
including stories of hope and recovery. Another And for those mourning a
idea: Read a book or watch a movie about suicide loved one, grief may be an
together, then discuss it. overwhelming experience.
“Your instinct is to protect your kid, and you are by Underlying it all is the
educating them,” Sultan said. “You want them to uncertainty: Will life ever
know you are there for them no matter what.” go back to normal?
6 HEALTH MATTERS | Summer 2021
Start the Signs to
Conversation Watch For
“We’re all anxious, depressed and grieving Get help if someone, at any age, shows the
right now,” said Sultan, who manages the following signs:
employee assistance program at Health
Plan of Nevada and Sierra Health and Life. • Talks about feeling hopeless, worthless,
“We need to be talking about this because “trapped” or has no reason for living.
this is going on nationwide.” • Feels like a “burden,” better off dead.
• Makes a will, gives away personal
Your teen may want to talk about it, too, but possessions, or tries to get affairs in order.
not know how to begin.
• Searches online for ways to hurt
themselves.
Give them permission to express their
• Falls behind in school.
feelings by sharing your own: Then ask
how they are feeling. “But don’t ask for • Changes sleeping patterns, too much or
details right away—let them tell you,” Sultan too little.
said. “Then check back with them later on.” • Changes eating habits, too much or too
little.
Acknowledge their feelings. Assure them it • Has mood swings.
is normal to be anxious, sad and depressed • Acts agitated, anxious or aggressive.
sometimes. Things have changed, and • Avoids friends and loved ones, spends
there is a lot of uncertainty. “Let them know more time alone.
they are not alone,” Sultan said. “Kids need • Behaves recklessly.
to know they are heard and validated.”
• Excessively uses alcohol or drugs.
• Has recently experienced the death of a
Listen without overreacting. Now is not
loved one, lost a job or other major life
the time for a lecture. Build trust so they
stressor.
know they can safely come to you for any
problem. Acknowledge what you heard and • Has tried suicide or shown suicidal
repeat it back. Try, “I really hear you. behavior before.
You are depressed. Will you let me know if I
can do anything?”
Ask permission before offering advice.
Instead, ask them what they think they
need.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports
a 31% increase in mental health-related emergency department
visits among children ages 12 to 17 years in recent months.10
Summer 2021 | HEALTH MATTERS 7
Build
Resilience Additional
Resources
These strategies may help your kids focus
on the aspects of life they have some National Suicide
control over: Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Establish a daily routine, including wake
up and bedtimes.
BeThe1To
• Give your kids a sense of purpose by Five action steps to help save
assigning household responsibilities, someone’s life, plus suicide prevention
such as helping with meal planning resources, tips and messages.
and preparation.
BeThe1To.com
• Share meals, watch movies and do other
things together that you might not have National Disaster Distress Helpline
had time for before the pandemic. 1-800-985-5990
• Reach out to friends and family via phone,
video or online games. CDC COVID-19
• Limit disturbing news programs Parental Resource Kit
and social media. CDC.gov
• Eat healthy foods, stay active, and get
National Domestic Violence Hotline
enough sleep.
1-800-799-7233
• Stay hydrated and avoid excessive
amounts of caffeine or alcohol.
• Practice mindful meditation.
• Encourage creative activities.
Above all, help your kids understand that
• Listen to calming music.
asking for help shows tremendous strength.
• Keep up routine health and
immunization visits. To schedule an appointment with
Health Plan of Nevada Behavioral Health,
• Continue receiving mental health, call toll-free 1-800-873-2246, TTY 711,
occupational and speech therapy, and then press zero at the prompt. For
if applicable. more information, visit your health plan’s
website.
8 HEALTH MATTERS | Summer 2021Be
Healthy
Achieve your health goals
with the support of registered
nurses, dietitians and licensed
counselors.
• WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Open to members age 18+ interested in weight-loss
support
• DIABETES PROGRAM
Open to members age 18+ with Type 1, Type 2 or
gestational diabetes
• PREDIABETES PROGRAM
Open to members age 18+ diagnosed with prediabetes
• ASTHMA SUPPORT
Open to members age 5+ diagnosed with asthma
• KIDNEY HEALTH
Open to members age 18+ diagnosed with stage 3
chronic kidney disease
• TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAM
Open to members who want to quit tobacco/
nicotine
Our Health Education and Disease Management programs are available at no additional
cost to eligible Health Plan of Nevada and Sierra Health and Life members. To join, call
1-800-720-7253, TTY 711. To opt-out of participating in any of these programs,
call 1-877-692-2059, TTY 711.
Spring 2020 | HEALTH MATTERS 8Diagnosed with
Prediabetes?
There’s Still Time to Prevent Diabetes
Prediabetes is a serious health condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal,
but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Without intervention, prediabetes
may progress to type 2 diabetes, increasing the risks for heart disease, stroke and other
related conditions.
The good news: Lifestyle changes may
reduce those risks. Healthy eating, weight
How’s Your Blood management, physical activity, stress
Sugar? reduction and medication may delay the
onset of type 2 diabetes—or even stop it
More than a third of all Americans in its tracks.11
have prediabetes, yet more than
84% of them don’t realize it.10 That’s
because there are no obvious Start Living Better
symptoms.
Ask your provider about blood sugar at To learn more about our Empower!
your annual visit. It just takes a simple Diabetes Prevention Program, visit your
fasting blood test. health plan’s website or call the Health
Education and Wellness team toll-free
at 1-800-720-7253, TTY 711.
10 HEALTH MATTERS | Summer 2021A Holistic
Approach
Caring for the whole person, our Empower!
Diabetes Prevention Program is a
comprehensive program to help you toward
a healthier future. Our Health Education and
Wellness team works with you and your
provider, offering individualized education,
nutritional counseling and regular medical
follow-up such as:
Who’s
Online prediabetes class with a
registered dietitian, covering the lifestyle
at Risk
and medication changes that may help
reverse or at least delay the onset of
type 2 diabetes.
• Being overweight
Personal nutritional counseling with a
registered dietitian that includes a one- • Age 45 years or older
time, 45-minute consultation to review • Having a family member, including
your lab values and nutritional history and a parent, brother or sister with type 2
provide personalized guidance, or weekly diabetes
weight management follow-ups. Losing
• Low physical activity, less than
5-7% of body weight may help prevent type
three times a week
2 diabetes, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.10 • Having had diabetes during
pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
Ongoing follow-up with a registered • Having polycystic ovary syndrome
nurse, to explain medications and lab
results, and provide additional support. Race and ethnicity may be a risk factor
for prediabetes. African American,
Some members who have gone through Latino, Native American, Pacific
the program were able to completely Islanders and some Asian Americans
reverse their prediabetes condition within are at higher risk.
less than a year.
Summer 2021 | HEALTH MATTERS 11Intuitive
Eating
If you’ve struggled with dieting all your life, only person to make those choices, and
it may be time to try something different. promotes a healthy attitude toward food
Intuitive eating helps you make peace with and body image.”
food and your body.
Some call intuitive eating the “anti-diet” Listen to Yourself
because it rejects fad diets, strict rules,
forbidden foods and calorie-counting.12 “There is a lot of guilt and shame around
For many people, those diets are a food,” Ehsani said. “It gets to the point that
recipe for failure. some people may not trust themselves
around food.” Part of the intuitive
Yo-yo dieting may contribute to weight eating approach is learning how to tell
gain and poor mental health, including the differences between physical and
anxiety, guilt, depression and substance emotional hunger.
abuse. Dieting is also linked with body
dissatisfaction, a leading cause of eating Physical hunger is the body’s signal it needs
disorders like anorexia nervosa and nutrients. Symptoms include a growling
bulimia.13 stomach, fatigue or irritability. Eating
satisfies those symptoms.
About 35% of dieters may eventually
develop an eating disorder.13 Intuitive In contrast, cravings for comfort food may
eating is a completely different approach. It be signs of emotional hunger. Eating may
focuses on healing and re-establishing the temporarily relieve feelings of sadness,
individual’s relationship with food loneliness and boredom, but ultimately
and body image. result in guilt and self-hatred.14
“Dieting focuses on external rules,”
“Worrying or feeling shameful about food
said registered dietitian Roxana Ehsani, MS,
choices is not a healthy thing to do,” Ehsani
RD, CSSD, LDN, Health Plan of Nevada and
said. “No one eats perfectly, and you are
Sierra Health and Life. “Intuitive eating
not suddenly nutrient-deficient if you have
teaches you how to respond to what your
body needs and makes you feel better. a piece of pizza or a donut.”
It teaches that you are the best and
12 HEALTH MATTERS | Summer 2021A New
Intuitive eating is not a new concept, and much of the
current interest stems from the 1995 book, “Intuitive
Approach Eating: A Revolutionary Program that Works” by registered
dietitian Evelyn Tribole and nutrition therapist Elyse Resch.
The philosophy is based on 10 core principles:
1. Cultivate a healthy relationship with 9. Move in a way that feels good. Focus
food, mind and body. Reject diet on feeling better instead of burning
mentality and diet culture. calories. Choose activities that make you
feel happier and more energized.
2. Honor your hunger. Hunger is your
body telling you it needs energy. 10. Honor your health with gentle nutrition.
Choose foods that are good to you and
3. Make peace with food. Food is neither help you function at your absolute best.
“good” nor “bad,” but morally and
emotionally neutral. Focus on how the
food tastes and feels in your body.
To Learn More
4. Challenge the food police. Instead
of following the latest diet or social If you are interested in intuitive eating,
media trend, focus on what your body Ehsani recommends the 1995 “Intuitive
is hungry for. Eating” book. Individual consultation with
a Registered Dietitian is also available
5. Discover the satisfaction factor. Work for members in Southern and Northern
pleasure back into eating without Nevada. For more information, call Health
under- or over-eating. Ask yourself Education and Wellness toll-free at
what would feel satisfying right now. 1-800-720-7253, TTY 711.
6. Feel your fullness. Focus on how
your body feels. If you had a large
lunch, your body may want to skip the
afternoon snack and go light on dinner.
7. Cope with emotions with kindness. Everyone’s
It is normal to eat when you are sad, body is different
lonely or happy, but there may be a because of genetics.
better way to deal with those emotions
Respect your body even
than food.
if it is bigger or smaller
8. Respect your body. Be proud of all it than others.
does for you and avoid negative self-
talk. Your body is your home for the
rest of your life.
Summer 2021 | HEALTH MATTERS 13Black Bean &
Rice Enchiladas: DIRECTIONS
Fast, Easy and Delicious
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large
Makes Eight Enchiladas skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
Add chopped pepper, onion and garlic;
sauté until tender.
INGREDIENTS:
2. Add beans, diced tomatoes, chilis,
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
picante sauce, chili powder, cumin
• 1 red pepper, chopped and red pepper flakes. Heat to boiling,
• 1 medium onion, chopped reduce to simmer and add rice.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced Cook for 5 minutes.
• 1 can (15 ounce) black beans, rinsed and
drained 3. Spoon about 1/2 cup of mixture into
• 1 can (15 ounce) diced tomatoes
each tortilla. Fold over and roll. Place
seam-side down in a 13 x 9 cooking
• 3 chopped chipotles in adobo sauce
dish coated with cooking spray.
• 1/4 cup picante sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili powder 4. Finish all 8 tortillas and spoon any
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin remaining rice mixture around the
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes sides of the dish. Top tortillas with salsa.
• 2 cups cooked brown rice Bake covered for 25 minutes.
• 8 flour tortillas (6in), warmed
5. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese and
• 1 cup salsa
continue to bake 3-5 more minutes
• 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves cilantro to serve.
14 HEALTH MATTERS | Summer 2021Not Every Day of
?
Pregnancy is Easy ?
Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean
you’ll feel 24/7 joy and sunshine. Everyone has
?
?
good days and down days. If you’re sick a lot or
have stress in your life, you may not feel happy
at times.
It’s important to know you are not alone. Half
of all moms-to-be report feelings of anxiety. The Tummy2Toddler app also has a meditation
It often goes along with depression. Some and centering tool – Baby Boost. It reminds you
experts even believe anxiety is more common to take 20 seconds to think positive thoughts
than depression in pregnancy. So you’re far for you and baby. And with any questions
from alone. you might have – about anything – add those
questions to the app’s Q-List to help you
Turn to our Tummy2Toddler app for more remember to talk to your doctor about it.
trusted information on anxiety and depression
from clinical sources approved by doctors. You can even look into talk therapy or support
The Learn Library in the app has hundreds of programs. Visit HealthPlanofNevada.com or
articles for all pregnancy symptoms, including a SierraHealthandLife.com and use our online
section about mental and emotional health and provider directory.
recommendations if you are feeling depressed.
Therapy is an effective treatment for perinatal
When you feel down or unsure about being a or postpartum depression. However, many
mom, you may be tempted to skip checkups women don’t seek help, for fear of being
or not eat right. Left untreated, anxiety or judged, or of losing their freedom, their
low feelings can put your baby at risk for the privacy, or even their child. Or they hope that
effects of stress, including preterm labor. by ignoring the issue, it will go away. But it’s
That’s why you shouldn’t ignore how you feel. important to get help—don’t suffer alone.
WHAT YOU CAN DO MORE RESOURCES
DURING YOUR PREGNANCY
• Commit to going to all your checkups and
keeping up baby-safe habits, even if you Tummy2Toddler is here for you during your
don’t feel like it. You’ll be glad you did later, pregnancy. Search Tummy2Toddler in
for your baby’s sake. your app store to download today.
• Share your feelings with trusted family or Postpartum Support International has
friends, or online chat groups. a hotline for parents experiencing
postpartum depression. Call Postpartum
• Cut yourself some slack. You’re not a bad Support International at 1-800-944-4773
mom-to-be for feeling blue or uncertain; for more information.
you’re only human.
If you’ve been having thoughts of wanting to
• Call your doctor or nurse if you’re feeling harm yourself or your baby, please call your
panicky, exceedingly worried, or fearful local emergency hotline (request a CIT-trained
during pregnancy, even if those feelings officer), or the National Suicide Prevention
come and go. Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Summer 2021 | HEALTH MATTERS 15Living Healthy,
Happy and
Learn how Pat’s decision
to quit is helping her lead
a healthier life.There’s no doubt about What were some challenges you faced
when quitting?
it — quitting smoking is
tough. But choosing to “My decision to quit for good coincided
with a family member’s health challenges,
be tobacco free could be
which included an 18-day hospital stay.
one of the most important It was a very stressful time and the pandemic
decisions you ever make. made it even more difficult. I could only “visit”
by cell phone from the sidewalk outside of
Pat S., Nevada resident and health plan the hospital room window. Yet, I remained
member, successfully completed our smoke-free! This trying situation made it clear
Tobacco Cessation Program and stayed – smoking is behind me. I still face challenges
smoke-free throughout the stressful but I’m thankful my family is able to breathe
pandemic. She decided to quit for her in a healthier, smoke-free house.”
family’s health. Since Pat quit, everyday
activities have become easier. Pat believes
that if she can quit smoking, so can you.
How did you successfully quit?
Ready to quit?
“I went through the Tobacco Cessation
Program a few times. I stopped smoking for Get guidance and support to help you quit for
several years but picked it back up. good and live a smoke-free life. Our Tobacco
In 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, Cessation Program (TCP) includes:
I returned to the program. Health educators,
• Orientation by appointment
Jenn and Carl, were non-judgmental,
• One-on-one assessment and treatment plan
supportive and happy to help me – again.
developed for each participant
I couldn’t have done it without their support
• Education, support and possible
and inspiration.”
medication therapy
Participants are encouraged to attend at least
What are the benefits of the program?
10 of 12 educational sessions in the form of
group and one-on-one consultations, but
• Welcoming participants may attend as many sessions as
• Personalized needed.
• Supportive
To begin your journey to a smoke-free lifestyle
• Multiple classes
and learn more about this program, call toll-
free 1-800-720-7253, TTY 711 or join us for a
30-minute WebEx on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.
An educator will be available to answer your
questions about the program. Visit your health
plan’s website for details.
Summer 2021 | HEALTH MATTERS 17Health care in
your HOME
Smart
Tips for
If you’re not feeling well and you need
to see a provider right away—we’ve got Virtual Visits
you covered. For non-life-threatening
situations,* there are convenient options at For a faster, more effective virtual care
your fingertips. appointment, it’s recommended to write
down the following information in advance:
$0* Copays For • Current medications, including dosages
NowClinic® • Current allergies
• Current blood sugar, if you have diabetes
Talking to a doctor has never been easier. • Ongoing medical problems
NowClinic virtual visits are available 24/7.
• Questions you may have
Simply log in for a secure video chat from
your computer or mobile device whenever It is also helpful to provide your
it’s convenient. No appointment is needed. temperature, blood pressure, heart rate
Consider NowClinic for non life-threatening and, if possible, blood oxygen level.
Consider investing in an inexpensive digital
and non-urgent medical conditions,
thermometer, blood pressure cuff and
including:
fingertip pulse oximeter.
• Allergies
• Bladder infections
• Bronchitis
• Pink eye
Get Care Now
• Sinus infections
Go to NowClinic.com or download
• Viral illnesses the NowClinic app and sign up.
*Refer to the NowClinic ad on the inside cover for footnotes
Depending on where you are, same-day and conditions.
medication delivery may be available.
18 HEALTH MATTERS | Summer 2021“Virtual visits for urgent care tripled in
2020 as a result of COVID-19. Whether
it is with a house call, a virtual visit or
a bricks-and-mortar urgent care office
visit, the focus is providing the right care
in the right place, and at the right time
for patients.”
Lo Fu Tan, MD, Senior Medical Director, Digital Health
Southwest Medical and the Mountain West Region
Urgent Care Consider an urgent care house call for the
following conditions:
That Comes To You
• Migraine headaches
• Cuts that need stitches and skin
Yes, house calls. For some members, an
infections
in-home assessment from one of our
urgent care providers may be the • Urinary tract infections
best option. • Flu and pneumonia
Available seven days a week in select areas, • Asthma attacks, COPD and
an urgent care house call may treat most respiratory infections
things typically seen at an urgent care • Dehydration, IV placements and IV fluids
center. Best of all, there is no driving or
Urgent care house calls are available in
waiting, and the copayment is the same as
select Nevada ZIP codes.
a regular urgent care center visit.
To request care, contact our 24/7 advice
Our contracted providers for at-home
nurse toll-free at 1-800-288-2264
urgent care are equipped with the tools
or TTY 711.
to provide advanced medical care in
the comfort of your home. This includes
24/7
blood and urine lab work, strep and
rapid COVID-19 testing, and even an EKG.
They may prescribe antibiotics and pain
medications, and start IV fluids.
There are six Southwest Medical
Additionally, in-home urgent care providers urgent care locations in Southern
are highly experienced in emergency care. Nevada. The urgent care at Rancho
If necessary, they may coordinate transfer Healthcare Center is open 24 hours
to a higher level of care. a day, seven days a week.
For more information about Southwest
Medical urgent care locations, visit
smalv.com.
Summer 2021 | HEALTH MATTERS 1912 TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST
OF YOUR HEALTH PLAN
1. Know your rights and learn about
the health plan’s quality program. 7. Know that we research new
medical technology.
2. Read your benefit information to
find out what is and what
8. Ask for help if you speak
another language.
isn’t covered.
9. Know that the health plan does
not offer incentives for prior
3. Learn how to use your
pharmacy benefit.
authorization denials.
4. Find out about copayments
and other charges you may
10. Learn about internal and
external review for denial of
benefits, coverage or your
be responsible for and how to relationship with the plan.
submit a claim.
5. Know what to do if you have 11. Know that we have special
programs available for
an issue and how to submit members, including
a complaint. disease management, case
management and health
6. Know where to get information, education.
such as how to select a provider
12.
and make an appointment, how Find out what to do if you have
to get specialty and behavioral an emergency, are out of the
healthcare services and find a list area, or need care after hours,
of hospitals contracted with your and if you have any benefit
health plan. limitations or additional costs.
Get to know more about your health plan. Take a look at the
full version of 12 tips on your plan’s website. If you would
like a printed copy, please call Member Services at the
toll-free number on the back of your health plan ID card.
20 HEALTH MATTERS | Summer 2021Get Answers To Your Questions In Our Member Guide Our member guide provides a comprehensive overview about your health plan, tools and resources, plus tips to help you get the most value from your benefits. To access our member guide, download the MyHPN or MySHL app from your app store or sign in on your health plan’s website. WE PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY Your privacy is very important to us. Health Plan of Nevada and Sierra Health and Life have a Notice of Privacy Practices, and you may ask for a copy of this notice at any time by contacting Member Services at the number on your health plan ID card or by visiting us online. YOU'RE COVERED Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act, also known as “Janet’s Law,” health plan members are entitled to benefits for medically necessary mastectomy and elective breast reconstruction surgeries. This includes prostheses and treatment for any related conditions, such as lymphedema. For more information, call Member Services at the number on the back of your health plan ID card.
Health Plan of Nevada
PRSRT STD
Sierra Health and Life U.S. POSTAGE
PO Box 15645 PAID
LAS VEGAS, NV
Las Vegas, NV 89118-5645 PERMIT 952
COVID-19 VACCINE
Staying healthy is more important than ever!
Take action to reduce risk of getting the virus.
Visit your plan’s website for more information.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in health
programs and activities.
We provide free services to help you communicate with us. Such as, letters in other languages
or large print. Or, you can ask for an interpreter. To ask for help, please call the toll-free phone
number listed on your health plan ID card or plan documents.
Español (Spanish)
Tiene derecho a recibir ayuda e información en su idioma sin costo. Para solicitar un intérprete,
llame al número de teléfono gratuito para miembros que se encuentra en su tarjeta de
identificación del plan o los documentos de su plan.
Tagalog (Tagalog)
May karapatan kang makakuha ng tulong at impormasyon sa sinasalita mong wika nang libre.
Upang humiling ng interpreter, tawagan ang toll-free na numero ng telepono para sa miyembro
na nakalista sa iyong ID card sa planong pangkalusugan o sa mga dokumento ng plano.
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