New Jersey | 2014 | ISSUE IV
Give Yourself the Gift of an
Annual Check-Up
Every year you should get a physical examination
so your primary care provider (PCP) can check your
health. He or she will:
• Give you screenings you need;
• Talk with you about living a healthy lifestyle;
and
• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date.
Your annual check-up is covered.
Screenings can find conditions that some people
do not know they have. This could include:
• High blood pressure;
• High blood sugar; and
• High cholesterol.
Health issues are easier to treat when they are
found early. So if you’ve put off having a check-up,
make an appointment. Just give us a call at 1-888453-2534 (TTY 1-877-247-6272) and we can help you
find a PCP and set up an appointment.
Do you have health concerns or questions? You
can call our Nurse Advice Line to speak with one of
our nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call
1-800-919-8807.
092-14-063
Click or Call for the
Latest Drug Coverage
Updates
To find out about the
medications we cover, take a
look at our Preferred Drug List
(PDL). It’s on our website,
newjersey.wellcare.com. Here
you can learn about recent
medication additions and
removals. You’ll also find out
about changes to medication
requirements or coverage limits.
If you want, you can get this
information by phone. Just call us
at the number listed on the back
of this newsletter.
Winter Is Here – Keep Yourself Safe
It can be difficult to stay warm and safe in the winter. The temperature can drop below normal
quickly. Exposure to very cold temperatures can cause serious health problems. Some can put
your life at risk. Two health problems to watch for are hypothermia and frostbite.
Spotting Hypothermia
When you are in the cold, your body loses heat faster than it makes it, so it’s best not to stay
in the cold too long.
Even cool temperatures (above 40°F) can cause
hypothermia. That means your body is colder
than normal. This can happen if a person
becomes chilled from rain, sweat or being in
cold water. Older people who don’t have
enough food, clothing or heating are at
higher risk.
Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering
and feeling very tired. Other signs are
confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss,
speech problems and drowsiness.
Spotting Frostbite
Frostbite is damage to skin and other tissues
caused by freezing. It most often affects the
nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes.
Frostbite can look like a spot of white or
grayish-yellow skin. Your skin may also feel
unusually firm or waxy and you could have
numbness.
Get medical care when you see symptoms of frostbite or hypothermia. It is very important to spot
signs of hypothermia. It’s a serious condition that requires emergency medical care.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About Winter Weather,” http://emergency.cdc.
gov/disasters/winter/about.asp; “Frostbite,” http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/
frostbite.asp; “Hypothermia,” http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.asp
2 Member Newsletter
Don’t Zone Out on Space Heaters!
Space heater fires are common and costly.
KEEP IT LEVEL – Make
sure the heater is on a
stable, level surface.
The surface should not
be flammable.
DON’T LEAVE IT
RUNNING – Never leave
the heater on when no
one is around. Turn it
off when you
are sleeping.
REMEMBER THE 3-FEET RULE –
Make sure anything that can
catch fire is at least 3 feet from
the heater. Check the front,
sides and rear. Watch for things
like beds, sofas, curtains, paper
and clothes.
PROTECT WITH SMOKE
ALARMS – Test your
smoke alarms monthly.
KEEP IT A KID-FREE
ZONE – Keep children
and pets away from
space heaters.
DON’T EXTEND YOURSELF
– Never power the heater
with an extension cord or
power strip.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission,
www.cpsc.gov/Global/Safety%20Education/HomeAppliances-Maintenance-Structure/098.pdf
Flu and Pneumonia – Are You at High Risk?
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), some people
are at high risk for serious problems from flu
and pneumonia.
Being age 65 and older raises your risk. So
does being younger than age 5. Being
pregnant raises your risk, too. Your risk is
also higher if you have a medical condition
or a weakened immune system.
Ask your doctor if you or your children are
at high risk. You may need a vaccination for
flu or pneumonia. You can also call our
Nurse Advice Line 24 hours a day, seven
days a week at 1-800-919-8807.
Source: “People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications,” Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm
Member Newsletter 3
Winter Health – Dealing with Depression
During winter, we see less sunlight. This can cause symptoms of depression in some
people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that about one in 10 adults
say they’ve experienced depression. Yet depression often goes unreported.
How Do I Know If It’s Depression?
Have you had any of the below signs every day for two weeks or more? If so, seek treatment.
• Feeling like there is no hope;
• Feeling guilty and/or helpless;
• Feeling irritable and/or restless;
• Losing interest in activities or hobbies you used to like;
• Feeling tired or low on energy;
• Having a hard time concentrating, remembering details and making decisions;
• Having trouble sleeping, waking up early or sleeping too much;
• Overeating or having no appetite; or
• Feeling aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems.
How Do I Find Help?
Depression screening is an important part of your whole body care. If you have concerns, talk
with your primary care provider (PCP) or a behavioral health specialist. You can also call the NJ
Division of Mental Health at 1-800-382-6717. Or call our Customer Service team. The number
is on the back of this newsletter. A rep will tell you about the behavioral health services
available to you.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, seek help right away.
• Call 911.
• Go to an emergency department or health care provider’s office.
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY 1-800-799-4TTY (4889).
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Depression is Not a Normal Part of
Growing Older,” retrieved from www.cdc.gov/aging/mentalhealth/depression.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “An Estimated 1 in 10 U.S. Adults Report
Depression,” retrieved from www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/index.html
4 Member Newsletter
Follow-Up After Hospitalization for a Behavioral Health Issue
Have you or a loved one been hospitalized for a behavioral health disorder? If so, please
remember to do the following things:
• Ask questions so you can understand after-care instructions;
• Know your medications (when to take them, what their names are and what to
do if you miss a dose); and
• Schedule an appointment with your behavioral health provider. See your provider
within seven days of going home from the hospital.
Contact your behavioral health provider to
assist with coordinating your care. You
may also call Customer Service to
receive help from our Disease
Management Program. There’s
no charge. The number is
1-888-453-2534
(TTY 1-877-247-6272).
We Care About Your Privacy
Your privacy matters to us. We’ve developed a set of rules about how we may use your
health information. It’s called the Notice of Privacy Practices. It also explains your privacy
rights when it comes to health information.
You can see our Notice of Privacy Practices on our
website. Go to newjersey.wellcare.com/default/
privacylegal. You may also ask us for a copy. Just call
us. The number is on the back of this newsletter.
We may change our privacy policy. If we do, we will
post a new notice on our website. In some cases, we
may even mail you a letter about the changes.
Member Newsletter 5
Eat Smart, Stay Active, Be Healthy
Smart eating plays a key role in good health. So does exercise. They help you have a
healthy weight and get needed nutrition.
Ideas for a Smart Diet
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables;
• Drink plenty of water and limit sugary drinks like sodas;
• Eat smaller portions;
• Limit sugar and fats like candy and fast food to once every one to two weeks; and
• Choose lean meats, fish and beans for protein.
Stay Active
• Children should get at least 60 minutes of brisk exercise daily, like walking
or playing sports.
• Adults should get two and a half hours of moderate aerobic activity, like
walking, each week.
Smart eating and exercise have healthy benefits for the whole family!
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Tips for Parents – Ideas to Help
Children Maintain a Healthy Weight,” www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html;
“How Much Physical Activity Do Adults Need?” www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/
guidelines/adults.html
Tips for Managing Diabetes
1. WellCare has a diabetes Disease Management Program for members. You can get oneon-one service. We can also send information about diabetes. Call Customer Service at
1-888-453-2534 (TTY 1-877-247-6272) and ask for the Disease Management Department.
2. Diabetes can cause your eyes to change. If you have diabetes, get an annual diabetic
retinal eye exam. If you don’t treat your eyes, you could go blind. Contact your doctor or
eye care provider to schedule your appointment.
3. Smoking is bad for your health. Smoking hurts your lungs and heart. It lowers the
amount of oxygen in your body and it raises your bad cholesterol (LDL). It also raises your
blood pressure. These issues are very bad for people with diabetes. If you smoke, talk
with your doctor today about how you can stop.
6 Member Newsletter
Helpful Reminders About Your Benefits and Services
We want to make sure that you are in control of your health care. So here are some
things about your plan you should keep in mind:
Women’s Visits
Did you know you can get routine and preventive care from in-network women’s
health specialists like obstetricians or gynecologists for one women’s health visit
each year without prior approval from us?
Second Opinions
Do you want another opinion on your health? Call us at 1-888-453-2534
(TTY 1-877-247-6272). We can help you choose a plan provider in your service area.
What if there’s not one? You will be asked to pick one who is out of the plan’s
network. You may need prior approval.
Out-of-Network Services
What happens if a medically necessary
service you need isn’t covered
in-network? We will cover that service
out-of-network. Your cost won’t be
more than if the service was done
in-network. In most cases, you may
need prior approval.
Fair Treatment
Our doctors must offer you the same
office hours and days that they offer
people with other coverage.
Always talk with your doctor(s) about the care that is right for you. This material does
not replace your doctor’s advice. It is based on third party sources. We are presenting it
for your information only. It does not imply that these are benefits covered by WellCare.
Also, WellCare does not guarantee any health results.
To find out if a service is covered, review your plan or call Customer Service. Call 911 or
your doctor right away in a health emergency.
Member Newsletter 7
550 Broad St., 12th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
NJ027496_CAD_NEW_ENG State Approved 12082014
©WellCare 2014 NJ_08_14
In This Issue
We’re pleased to deliver another newsletter
issue. It’s full of helpful ideas about ways to
live healthier. Here’s what you’ll find:
• Tips on winter safety;
• Information on eating healthy and
staying active; and
• Flu vaccinations.
There’s much more inside, so please take a
moment to explore. As always, we wish you
good health.
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Para solicitar este documento en Español,
llame al Servicio al Cliente al 1-888-453-2534
(TTY 1-877-247-6272).
Numbers to Know
We’re just a phone call
(or click) away!
Call Customer Service:
1-888-453-2534
TTY 1-877-247-6272
Monday–Friday,
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Or visit
https://newjersey.wellcare.com
Nurse Advice Line:
1-800-919-8807 (TTY 711)
24 hours a day/7 days a week
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