What is Biometric Screening?

Biometric Screening/Well With Blue Website/Wellness Assessment You have Your Biometric Health Screening Complete Take Your Next Steps to Health and Wellness!

What is Biometric Screening?

• The biometric screening process is conducted to increase awareness about the possibility of elevated risk for certain conditions.

Biometric Screening vs. Diagnosis

• Biometric Screening is NOT intended to replace diagnostic procedures conducted under the supervision of a physician. Any health concerns you may have should be addressed with your physician.

How do I access the Well with Blue Website?

• Go to http://wellwithbluemt.com/www.WellwithBlueMT.com. This is a confidential tool and you have access to current wellness resources 24 hours a day.

Why should I complete a Wellness Assessment?

• By completing the wellness assessment, you will receive information specifically targeted for your health needs. This is a confidential tool that can help you identify areas where you may be able to improve your health, as well as recommend personalized programs to support your individual health goals.

How do I access the Wellness Assessment?

• Access Well with Blue from any internet connection by going to http://wellwithbluemt.com/www.WellwithBlueMT.com
• Then simply click on Wellness Assessment to begin.

What if I don’t have my Biometric Screening results, but I want to take the Wellness Assessment?

• If you expect to have the values soon, click on the ‘Finish Later’ button.
• Once you click on ‘Finish Now’ OR on December 31st you can no longer open and access your Wellness Assessment.
• Members can complete the Wellness Assessment once per calendar year.

Tips for Wellness Assessment Data Entry

• Please allow 15 to 20 minutes to answer the questions.
• Choose conventional units (mg/dL) when prompted by a question.
• The following is a list of your values to expect on the Wellness Assessment. Have this information handy to enter your results. Height, Weight, Waist
• Pulse, Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol: Total, HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides
• Blood Glucose 

My Amazing Heart:
A healthy heart pumps about 5 to 6 liters of blood every minute when a person is resting!  Your heart is the size of a fist and is just behind, and slightly left, of your breastbone.  It is vital for your longevity to have a strong and healthy heart!

Heart of the Matter:

• Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States (CDC).
• 1 in 3 deaths in the United States are due to heart disease and stroke (AHA).  

You may be at higher risk for heart disease or stroke if you have family members who have been diagnosed with either of these.  You and your family can take action today with your Heart Smart knowledge to lower your risk of developing heart disease!

Your Heart and Your Wellness:

Your lifestyle changes can lower your risk of developing heart disease.

• Get active and exercise regularly – Exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week.
• Eat a “Heart-Healthy” diet – Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high fiber grains
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don’t smoke and avoid other people’s tobacco smoke.
• Control cholesterol – eat food low in saturated fats and trans fat, cholesterol, and salt. 
• Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
• Manage your blood pressure by reducing sodium intake, participating in stress relieving activities, monitoring and tracking your blood pressure.
• Get regular medical check-ups.
• Take your medicine exactly as prescribed.

Some Warning Signs of Heart Attack:

If you are concerned that you may be experinecing a heart attack, call 9-1-1.

• Chest discomfort – can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort or pain in areas of the upper body – one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, stomach
• Shortness of Breath – with or without chest discomfort
• Other signs – cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness

Set goals and take action today in making heart-healthy choices!  Together we can fight back against our nation’s leading killers – heart disease and stroke!

Just in time for American Heart Month is the Healthy Hearts Challenge with your Wellness Program and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana.  Healthy Hearts Challenge continues through February 29th!  Its not too late to participate – simply log onto wellwithbluemt.com today and get started!

References: 
AHA, American Heart Assosication www.heart.org
CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov

Health Screenings: What are they and why should I be tested?

Pap Test

A Pap test is done to look for changes in cells in your cervix by taking a small sample from the top layer of your cervix and then placing it on a laboratory slide.  The cells are examined in a lab for abnormal changes including dysplasia (cells that have developed abnormally) or cervical cancer.  When a Pap test is performed, a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) may also be completed if you are older than 30.  HPV is one of the most common causes of cervical cancer.

The schedule for having a Pap test is based on your age and your risk for cervical cancer.  It is recommended that most women have a Pap test every 1 to 3 years.  Ask your physician about the right time for your test.

Mammogram

A mammogram is an x-ray used to screen for breast cancer that can help find small tumors before they can be felt by the woman herself or before they can be detected by her health care provider during a breast exam.  Breast cancer is most easily  treated and cured when caught early.

Just as for Pap tests, your schedule for having a mammogram will depend on your age and risks.  If you are between the ages of 40 and 50, talk with your physician about how often you should have a mammogram.  According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, women older than 50 should have a mammogram every 2 years.  Other organizations recommend that mammograms be completed every year.  For women over the age of 75, your physician can determine whether or not you need a mammogram.

Digital Rectal Exam

A digital rectal exam screens men for prostate cancer.  During the exam your physician will feel your prostate to check it for size, lumps, or anything else that may seem unusual.  Research regarding the importance of having prostate cancer screening is currently ongoing.

The American Urological Association recommends that men have this screening every year after age 50.

Prostate-Specific Antigen Level (PSA):

The PSA test measures the level of PSA in your blood.  PSA is a chemical that is produced by a man’s prostate; levels tend to be elevated in men with prostate cancer, inflammation of the prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  BPH is an enlarged, but not cancerous, prostate.

The American Cancer Society recommends this test each year for men over the age of 50.

Routine Physical Exam:

During an annual physical exam, your health care provider will check your blood pressure, briefly examine all of your body systems, and will ask you questions about your health and health practices.  There may also be blood work involved.  These exams are important because they allow your physician to identify early any issues you may be having such as high blood pressure, high choleterol, or elevated blood sugar levels.  As is true with many conditions, if they are caught early, treatment is much more effective and you may be able to deter any long lasting effects.  Routine physical exams also allow you and your provider to build a relationship so that if you ever are seriously ill, you will be more comfortable with those caring for you.

Routine physical exams should be completed every 0ne or two years depending on your age, health, and risks.  Ask your physician about the right time for your exam.  At your routine  physical exam visit, discuss with you physician how often you should have your lab work drawn and any additional screenings. 

Not sure what your insurance covers?  Prior to your screenings or doctors visits, call the 1-800 number on the back of your insurance card to find out what services are or are not covered.  Some of the above exams could fall under your preventive benefit and be provided at little or no cost to you.

Harmonizing Health and Holidays

How do we create a direct relationship between health and the holiday season?

Often our vision of what the upcoming months will look like includes too much lounging, an overabundance of cookies and candy, and lots of added expenses  This year, try incorporating the health and wellness tips below into your daily routine — and then imagine how great it will feel to enjoy a harmonious, low-stress Holiday Season!

• Visualize happiness with family and friends.  Always keep foremost in your mind that much of the meaning of our Holidays is derived from the celebration of our relationships to those we love.
• Prioritize your life by finding time for you.  Reaching your health and wellness goals includes taking care of yourself.  Even doing simple things such as taking short walks in the fresh air will help you recharge and refresh.  Remember that those around you will benefit from this too!
• Be mindful of your food choices.  Choosing healthy, nourishing foods can positively impact your physical, mental, and even emotional performance.
• Plan ahead to decrease negative stress.  Preplan your meals, make a shopping list, and schedule time for yourself, including exercise. 
• Keep a positive outlook and realistic expectations of the holiday season.  Remember what is important to you and make those aspects of the holiday your priority.  For example, a great celebration can include happy memories of time spent with family and friends instead of store-bought gifts and elaborate decorations.  Many of the best gifts include those that are handmade, thoughtful, or simply involve your time, conversation, and presence.
• Balance your everyday life.  Practicing “all things in moderation” can have a big positive impact on our short-term and long-term health.  Maintain a daily balance of work life, nutrition, sleep, and exercise.
• Enjoy, Have Fun, and Laugh!

The Flu and You: Why getting your vaccination is important!

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has chosen three influenza (flu) viruses to be included in this year’s flu vaccine.  Each year, experts from the FDA, World Health Organization (WHO), and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collect and study viruses from around the world to identify which influenza viruses are likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season.  Therefore, the composition of flu vaccines changes each year based on which flu viruses are more prevalent.

Why Should I Receive a Flu Vaccine?

The flu is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.  By getting vaccinated, you will be protecting yourself as well as those close to you.

What kinds of flu vaccines are available?

The “flu shot” contains the dead flu virus and is given with a needle, usually in the arm.  The flu shot can be given to healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions that are older than 6 months.

The three different shots available are:

• The regular flu shot approved for those that are 6 months and older
• A high–dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older
• An   Intradermal flu shot (given just under the skin), which is approved for people 18 to 64 years old.  This flu shot uses a very small needle and much less flu virus, therefore allowing more flu vaccines to be made.  Even though the dose is smaller, it has been shown to be as effective as the regular flu shot

The nasal-spray flu vaccine is made with weakened, live flu virus.  Because the virus is weakened, the vaccine will not cause you to get the flu.  The nasal spray has been approved for healthy nonpregnant people ages 2 to 49.

How do flu vaccines work?

Flu vaccines introduce the flu antigen into your body.  Your body will recognize that the flu virus is foreign and start to produce antibodies against the virus.  These antibodies will help protect you from future exposures to the flu virus.

When should I get a flu vaccination?

The United States flu season is usually November through April, each year.  However, it can start as early as October or last as late as May.  The CDC recommends you receive a flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in your community.  To ensure that protective antibodies are in place before the peak of flu season, vaccination should occur before December.  The CDC recommends that people continue to get vaccinated throughout the flu season if you haven’t received a vaccine this year.  There isn’t a concern of your immunity wearing off or about getting vaccinated too early in the season. 

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine each year.  It is especially important for certain individuals to receive the vaccine because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they are in close contact with someone who is at high risk of serious flu complications.  Those individuals include:

• Pregnant women
• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Inevitably, many people will become ill during this flu season.  It is important to know whether you have the flu or whether you have a cold.  While the treatments are similar (i.e., rest, fluids, and may include over the counter medications to treat your symptoms), the flu could require more aggressive treatment, potentially including antiviral medications, treatment by your health care provider, and/or hospitalization.  If you do have the flu, take it seriously, take care of yourself, and try not to share the virus!

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)