Staying Healthy: A List to Help You Get the Most Out of Your Plan

As a member of Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO, you are eligible for many great benefits designed to help keep you healthy. The beginning of the year is a great time to review these benefits and make sure you are getting the most out of your plan. This list highlights some of the benefits, recommendations, and reminders that can help you plan for a healthy year ahead.

Make Your Routine Exam Appointments With Your Primary Care Physician (PCP)
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO members are covered for a general physical, hearing, and eye exam each year. We recommend calling your PCP at the beginning of the year to schedule or arrange these appointments:

1. Annual physical exam
2. Annual hearing exam
3. Annual eye exam (be sure to include a Glaucoma screening every two years)

Talk To Your PCP About Preventive Health Screenings
Depending on your age and health status you may be due for a number of preventive health screenings. Participating in preventive health activities may help you prevent illness before it occurs. Talk to your PCP about which health screenings are most appropriate for you. Commonly recommended health screenings include:

1. Cancer screenings
2. Breast Cancer (annual mammogram)
3. Skin Cancer (annual)
4. Colorectal Cancer
5. Cholesterol screening
6. Diabetes screening
7. Body Mass Index (BMI) screening
8. Osteoporosis screening
9. Falls Risk Screening

Talk To Your PCP About Your Prescription Medication(s)
If you are taking prescription medications, the beginning of the year is a great time to review these prescriptions with your PCP in case any changes need to be made. Questions to ask your doctor about your prescriptions include:

Is the dosage correct or should it be changed?
Are there any other alternatives to taking the prescribed medication, such as diet or exercise?
If you are taking a brand name drug is there a lower cost alternative or generic drug you could take that would save you money?

Remember To Get Your Flu Shot
Take advantage of your Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO flu shot coverage and get a seasonal flu shot each year, unless your PCP has advised you otherwise. The flu vaccine is extremely effective in helping you avoid contracting the flu during flu season from January to March. In addition to the flu vaccine, talk to your doctor about other vaccines you may need including:

1. The pneumonia vaccine (not needed every year, check with your doctor)
2. Tetanus vaccine (recommended every 10 years)
3. Zostavax (to prevent shingles)

Take Advantage Of Your Preferred Extras
Preferred Extras are offered to you as a member of Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO*. Our Preferred Extras provide you with discounts and savings on a variety of healthy services, programs, and products. Some of the Preferred Extras available to you include:

1. Discounts on Weight Watchers® and Curves®
2. Savings on massage therapy and acupuncture
3. 20% discount off the purchase price of certain CVS/pharmacy store-brand, non prescription, health related items with your CVS Caremark ExtraCare® Health Card.

More details on these and other great Preferred Extras are available on the member section of our website at tuftshealthplan.com/medicare.

Stay In Shape With Our Fitness Club Reimbursement
Exercise has proven benefits in preserving mental and physical function as you age, helps lessen your risk for falls, and reduces your chances of suffering from illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. If you’re a member who enjoys staying fit, you’ll be excited to know that you can join any qualified fitness club and receive up to a $150 reimbursement per year. For more details see the Fitness Benefit Form located on the plan documents page of our website at tuftshealthplan.com/medicare.

Questions
If you have any questions just call Customer Relations at 1-800-701-9000 (TTY 1-800-208-9562). Representatives are available Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (From October 15 – Feb 14, representatives are available 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) After hours and on holidays, please leave a message and a representative will return your call the next business day.

*The products and services in the Preferred Extras program are neither offered nor guaranteed under our contract with the Medicare program. In addition, they are not subject to the Medicare appeals process. Any disputes regarding these products and services may be subject to the Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO grievance process.