Protect Yourself from Scams - SCAN Health Plan

VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 1 • January 2010
A N E W S L E T T E R F O R S C A N M E M B E R S
Protect Yourself
from Scams
When you answer the door one
morning, there’s a clean-shaven
middle-aged man standing there with
a smile. He introduces himself, says
he’s a handyman who just finished
some work in the neighborhood and
noticed that your roof gutters were
badly sagging. He quotes you a price
to fix them and you agree. He sets to
work immediately—apparently he has
another job lined up tomorrow, so he
has to do yours today. Next thing you
know, he says a section of your gutter
actually needs to be replaced. He says
he’d be glad to do the necessary work…
if you could just give him the money up
front to go get the materials.
Story continued on Page 2
Protect Yourself from Scams
CEO Message: Welcome Northern California
High Blood Pressure and Your Health
Tai Chi: Exercise for Strength and Balance
We’re Taking Our Mission on the Road!
About that March 31 “Deadline”
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Story continued from front page.
Stop! Don’t do it! This is just one version of the
“handyman scam”—a con that is growing, and whose
number one target is senior homeowners.
Seniors are actually a popular target for any
number of scams and con men. They do their dirty
work in person, by mail, by telephone, even by email.
If you receive an email that claims to be from
your bank, a reputable business or government
agency that asks you to confirm your account number
or passwords, don’t do it. This is referred to as
“phishing,” and legitimate companies never send
emails asking for such information. Do not reply to
these emails either. You can call the bank or other
company to report the email if you like but be sure to
delete the message.
By phone you are likely to be solicited by a
group that sounds like they’re gathering donations
on behalf of police or firefighter’s organizations or
other charities. Many of these calls are made by
professional fundraising organizations that may or
may not be legitimate. Even if legitimate, often they
only give a small portion of the money they raise to
the charity. Your best bet is to always say no over the
phone. Then, if it’s a cause your want to support, do
your own research. Look the organization up yourself
in the phone book or on the internet. Call your local
police or fire departments, for example, and ask how
to make a donation directly to them.
The number one thing to remember is this: don’t
give out your “numbers.” That would include your
Social Security numbers, bank account, credit card
or PIN. Of course, if you are the one who has called
a reputable company or logged on to their web site
to place an order, then you will need to provide a
credit card number. Many people like to open a credit
card with a low monthly limit and use it only for such
transactions. That way only one credit card number
under your name is “out there” and when you receive
the bill for that card each month you can easily see if
anything is out of order.
Here are some other important things to keep
in mind:
• Don’t be afraid to say no.
• You don’t have to talk to telemarketers. Say
“no thank you” and just hang up. Don’t wait
for them to stop talking—they won’t until they
hear the dial tone!
• Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics.
• If an offer is available “one day only,” take a
pass.
• Call the police if you feel threatened or fear
you’ve been conned.
• Get all details in writing and have a friend,
relative or neighbor look it over, if possible.
If someone is promising a big payoff for a
little investment, don’t believe it. (Recent scam:
“Congratulations! You’ve won $100,000 in the
Canadian lottery. We’ll just need you to wire $250 to
cover administration fees to release your winnings.”)
Remember: If the deal sounds too good to be true it
probably is.
The sad truth is that sometimes seniors are conned
out of money by family members. If you are
approached for money by someone you know, ask
what your money will be used for. Ask for time to
think it over and then run it by a third person to get
some objective feedback. Don’t let anyone guilt you
into giving.
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Welcome
Northern California
A message from David Schmidt
As I greet new and returning SCAN members to a new year of
SCAN Club, your member newsletter, I want to acknowledge a
certain group of members. As of October 1, 2010, SCAN now has
members in Northern California. Welcome! You will receive SCAN
Club several times throughout the year and I always claim this
space on page 3 for a personal message from me to you. I hope
you’ll turn to it regularly.
I’m writing this in December, and there have been no decisions yet
on a health care reform package. Of course, that could be totally
different by the time you read this so all I will say is that it has
been a very fluid process. Throughout it all, we have been pleased
to note that none of the legislative proposals have suggested discontinuing the Medicare Advantage
plans like SCAN—nor do we expect them to.
In fact, as you can guess from our expansion into Northern California, SCAN is actually planning
for growth—smart, controlled growth. I feel strongly that we have an important role in the Medicare
market. Our focus on serving members and maintaining benefits is especially welcome when times
get tight.
One thing that becomes even more important in times like these is being as efficient as possible. I’m
happy to let you know about an interesting way you can help us cut costs and, as a bonus, be more
environmentally friendly. You can choose to receive some of your membership information on-line
instead of receiving it in the mail. You can refer to it any time you like on our website. We save money
on postage and printing and you’re spared a big stack of booklets! We talked about this option at the
Straight Talk meetings held last fall and more than 2,500 members signed up immediately. If you’d
like to sign up, just go to our website www.scanhealthplan.com/online. Another option we are offering
is opting out of receiving the provider directory. Just call Member Services and they will send you a
form to complete and return. This will allow you to only receive a directory every three years
As our long-time members know, providing health care coverage to Medicare recipients is our only
business. We pride ourselves on being the senior care specialists and, accordingly, we take that
responsibility very seriously. So thank you for your membership and your loyalty. Please accept our
wishes for a healthy, happy 2010.
Best regards,
David Schmidt
CEO
H9104_H5425_H5811_SCAN_5453_2009F_CMS122309
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scan
healthcheck
High Blood Pressure and Your Health
Fact: More than half of all SCAN members
have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Do
you know your blood pressure levels? You need
to, because you’re not likely to experience any
symptoms until this condition has caused serious
damage.
Stroke, heart disease, eye problems, kidney
failure. Just a few of the devastating health
problems that can be avoided if you keep
your blood pressure under control. That’s why
it’s critical that you find out what your blood
pressure is; understand what it means; then
take steps to lower it if necessary.
See the chart on Page 5 for an explanation
of what the numbers in your blood pressure
reading mean. If either the systolic or diastolic
number is higher than these guidelines, that’s
considered high blood pressure. Check with
your doctor, though, to find out your ideal
blood pressure numbers—he or she may
have different goals depending on your
specific situation. In general, however, both
prehypertension and hypertension need
attention.
Prehypertension means your blood pressure
could become a problem. That’s your cue to
make changes now to what you eat and drink,
your activity level, and to lose extra weight.
This is even more important if you also have
diabetes, because that puts you at greater risk
for stroke and other serious health problems.
Hypertension means you already have high
blood pressure, so it’s time to get it under
control. Ask your doctor what your goal should
be—it may not be the same for everyone. Have
your blood pressure checked often. It’s easy
to measure, but your doctor may not check it
each time you visit, so ask for it if needed. If
you are being treated for high blood pressure,
it is especially good to test your blood pressure
regularly so you can watch your progress. You
can buy a simple, automatic blood pressure
machine from most drug stores to use at home.
There is a lot you can do to bring your blood
pressure under control. Lifestyle changes are
sometimes enough. Even if you do need blood
pressure medicine, making the changes noted
below can make a difference—your doctor
may be able to lower the dose. Besides, these
changes will improve your overall health. You’ll
have more energy in the day, sleep better at
night, and just plain feel better.
Lose weight if you are overweight. Losing
just 5 or 10 pounds can lower your blood
pressure. And the steps you take to lose
weight—eating well and exercising—will also
help control your blood pressure.
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Boost your activity level. If you’re not currently
active, build up to 30 minutes of exercise most
days of the week. You can break those 30
minutes up into whatever works best for you: a
10 minute walk before or after each meal is fine.
Already active? Add more time and/or increase
your intensity. Check with your doctor first—and
remember, even if mobility is a challenge, you
can still benefit from chair exercises.
Cut back on the salt. Read labels so you can
avoid foods high in sodium. Many now come
in low-sodium versions—but it can still add
up if you eat a lot of processed foods (soups,
crackers, sauces, etc.). Choose foods with less
than 5 percent of the Daily Value of sodium;
avoid foods with 20 percent or more Daily Value
of sodium. When cooking at home, use sodiumfree
seasonings such as pepper, herbs, and spice
blends such as Mrs. Dash. Low-sodium doesn’t
have to mean bland.
Eat an all-around healthy diet. That means
more fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and lean
proteins like chicken breasts, fish and dried
beans.
Stop smoking. It’s just not good for any part of
your body—especially your heart and lungs.
Limit your alcohol intake. No more than 2
drinks per day for men; one for women. Alcohol
raises blood pressure and also has a lot of
calories.
Lower your stress levels. Living with stress can
cause increased blood pressure in some people.
Exercising and getting enough sleep can help.
Consider medications. There are several
common types of medicines used to treat
blood pressure. Your doctor will decide whether
medicine is right, and if so, which type would
be best for you. Be sure to take these important
prescription drugs as prescribed. Taken the wrong
way, they may not work. If you experience any
side effects, let your doctor know right away.
Never stop taking them on your own.
If you are taking blood pressure medication and
it brings your blood pressure into normal levels—
that’s great! But that does not mean you do not
have hypertension. That’s important to remember
should another doctor or pharmacist ask if you
have high blood pressure. The correct answer in
such as case is “Yes, but it is under control with
medication.”
What do the Numbers Mean?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing
against the walls of the arteries. When the doctor
measures your blood pressure the results are
given in two numbers. The first number, called
systolic pressure, measures the pressure when
your heart beats. The second number, called
diastolic pressure, measures the pressure while
your heart relaxes between beats. Normal blood
pressure is a systolic pressure of less than 120
and a diastolic pressure of less than 80, or
120/80.
Systolic (1 st #) Diastolic (2 nd #)
Normal Blood Pressure less than 120 less than 80
High Blood Pressure 140 or more 90 or more
Prehypertension between 120–139 between 80–89
Isolated Systolic
Hypertension
140 or more less than 90
From the National Institutes on Aging Age Page: High Blood Pressure
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Tai Chi: Exercise for Strength and Balance
Exercise and physical activity can be a challenge
for some seniors. One activity worth a look is tai
chi, an ancient Chinese practice based on slow,
gentle, flowing movements. It’s non-competitive
and requires no special clothing or equipment.
Even those who are physically fit can get a good,
whole body workout from it.
Recent studies have shown that older adults who
practice tai chi regularly can:
• Reduce anxiety and depression
• Improve balance and coordination
• Improve quality of sleep
• Slow bone loss in women
• Reduce high blood pressure
• Improve cardiovascular fitness
• Relieve chronic pain
• Improve everyday physical functioning
SCAN member Eva Schmidler is very familiar with
the benefits of tai chi. She started taking a class
in 1992 and hasn’t stopped since. “My back had
gone out and I wasn’t able to do anything for
eight months,” she says. “I’d heard about tai chi
before but when I read about a class near me I
went as soon as I physically could. And I could
do it without any pain. There’s no twisting and it
just felt good for my body.
“It’s really improved my overall health,” Eva says.
“I’ve had maybe two colds since I started tai
chi—that’s it!”
Eva progressed rapidly in the class, and was
soon serving as the teacher’s assistant. The
teacher then encouraged her to strike out on her
own and she’s been teaching now for almost 15
years. As a teacher she’s witnessed the benefits
her students have experienced.
“The movements are gentle, continuous and
circular. It exercises every part of your body
equally, including your joints—which is why it’s
so good for people with arthritis,” she says. “We
work on strengthening the ankle and feet, too,
which is key for good balance.”
In tai chi, balance is also achieved between body
and mind. “It requires your active participation
and also your mental concentration,” Eva
explains. “It really does bring a sense of balance
and harmony. I feel secure, peaceful and
optimistic and I’ve seen my students become
confident and empowered too.”
Eva encourages those new to tai chi to give it
a try. She also notes that every teacher has a
different style of teaching, so if you have a hard
time following one class, try a different instructor.
“The movements are not difficult, but it takes time
to learn the ‘art’ of tai chi,” she says. “If you put
forth the effort, you will reap the benefits.”
Tai Chi Class in Ventura
The SCAN Senior Resource Center in Ventura offers
Tai Chi—Sun Style every Friday from 10:00 a.m. to
11:30 a.m. Steve Lehman, Manager of the Center,
says the Sun Style is especially good for seniors
since it doesn’t involve any deep knee bends and is
adapted for people with arthritis—you can even do
a modified version of it sitting down. “Tai chi was
the first regular class we offered at the Resource
Center here in Ventura. We have about 18 students
who attend every week and they are very enthusiastic
about the class and love the teacher.”
If you live in or near Ventura County, Steve
encourages you to call 1-805-658-0365 for class
information and directions to the Resource Center.
He points out that the Center is open to the public—
so invite your non-SCAN member friends to join you
for tai chi or one of the other classes offered at the
SCAN Senior Resource Center in Ventura.
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For a tai chi class near you, contact your nearby
senior center, city recreation department or YMCA.

We’re Taking Our Mission on the Road!
Check Out the New SCAN Van
It may look like it’s ready for a cross-country tour,
but this impressive recreational vehicle is the new
SCAN Van. Ready to hit the road in Southern
California the SCAN van is a multi-purpose mobile
resource center on wheels.
Designed to deliver support, services, activities and
information to seniors and caregivers, the van can
do a number of things—often at the same time.
The van itself has areas inside and out for classes,
from health education and disease prevention
to computer basics. You can use one of the four
computers to do research in our health resource
library or to play a SCAN Brain Gym memory
enhancing game. There’s a Wii gaming console to
get you moving. There’s even a consultation area
for one-on-one health screenings or discussions.
And there are always specially trained SCAN staffers
standing by to help in any way.
SCAN started as a community health plan in
Long Beach, CA, and we remain committed to the
communities we serve. The van enables us to give
back to the seniors who live in those areas. It’s a
great way to promote the health and independence
we talk so much about. So if you see the SCAN van,
be sure to stop by and take advantage of having
SCAN in your neighborhood.
Custom-designed to our specifications, the new van (really a 36' RV coach) is senior-friendly, with easy
access low slope stairs, grab handles, low-glare surfaces and more. It’s environmentally friendly, too,
with solar panels on the roof and running on a hybrid fuel system.
Coming Soon: New and Improved SCAN Website
Starting in early 2010 the SCAN website will be even more user-friendly than before. Of course
we are keeping the vibrant colors, high contrast and large text that our readers appreciate. But
it’s easier now to do things like search for doctors and hospitals. You can also:
• Request a new membership ID card
• Ask a question of Member Services and get the answer back by email
• Access the Healthwise ® knowledge base to get quick medical information
• Refer to your member materials (As mentioned in the message from Dave Schmidt
on page 3, you can choose not to receive member materials in the mail. Just provide
us your email address and we will alert you anytime new information specific to your
benefits has been posted on the web site.)
• Let non-SCAN friends know that they can enroll online
• Generics are presented as alternatives when checking the formulary
• Access wellness information, check lists, and screening logs
It’s interesting to us that of all the people who use the SCAN web site, our members use it the
least! We think once you visit the new website you’ll see just how easy it is to navigate and find
what you’re looking for. It truly is a wealth of information.
Of course, we know that even a great website doesn’t replace person-to-person contact. We
clearly post the phone numbers for both Member Services and the SCAN OnCall ® nurse
helpline if you need to—or just prefer to—talk to a real person.
Recent studies show that spending time
online has health benefits—it reduces
depression and enhances brain function.
Both good reasons to log on to
www.scanhealthplan.com!
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Providing assistance and information
for our valued members.
Need Assistance? SCAN is Here to Help.
Member Services—Call Member Services for answers to
questions about your SCAN coverage, eligibility for services,
copayments, and more. Member Services is available
between the hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
1-800-559-3500 TTY Users call: 1-800-735-2929
SCAN OnCall ® —Talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week. Call SCAN OnCall ®
when you have
health-related questions, for instance about a medical
condition, a medical test, or a medication and its side
effects. 1-800-793-1717
Website—Our website is for members as well as their
family and friends. www.scanhealthplan.com
Thank you for putting your trust in SCAN.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
About that March 31 “Deadline”
From now until the end of March, you will be seeing
advertisements that talk about an “open enrollment” deadline.
During this period you have the option of making one change to
the way you receive Medicare benefits, but as a SCAN member
we hope you will remain with us.
If you know someone who would like to switch to SCAN, they
can do so before March 31, 2010. And if you think about it, you
probably do know someone who would appreciate the coverage
and commitment to service that SCAN provides our members. So
do them a favor and tell them about SCAN—or give them this
newsletter and suggest they call or visit our website (by March
31, of course!). Remember, we’re now in Northern California—
specifically in San Francisco, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and
Santa Clara counties, as well as Maricopa County Arizona. If
friends or relatives live in those areas, encourage them to see
what SCAN can offer them.
After March 31, everyone is “locked in” to their chosen coverage
for the remainder of 2010 (although exceptions may apply—
moving out of area, for example). Please call SCAN Member
Services if you have any questions at
1-800-559-3500. We are available to help you 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7
days a week. TTY users may call 1-800-735-2929.
How do I get started with mail-order prescriptions?
It’s really very easy—and home delivery makes so much sense if you take maintenance medications. Not only do you save
money, but you only have to order once every three months. To get started, just call Member Services at 1-800-559-3500. We
are available to help you 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. TTY users may call 1-800-735-2929. Ask them to send you a Mail
Order pharmacy form. Fill it out with your name, the prescribing doctor’s name and information, and the medication name,
quantity and day supply. Put the order form in the mail with the original prescription signed by your doctor and you’re done.
You do not need to fill out a separate order form for each prescription. But do note that the Mail Order pharmacy will fill all
the medications listed on the prescription signed by your doctor (sometimes doctors will write them all on the same sheet). If you
do not want all the medications filled by mail, ask, your doctor to write separate prescription forms. One form should have the
medications you will fill by mail order and one should list the medications you will fill at a local retail pharmacy. Remember, only
maintenance medications can be ordered by mail.
Please allow 10 to 14 days from the time the pharmacy receives your prescription until you receive your medication, so be sure
you have enough medication on hand to hold you through that period. Refills can then be ordered through the mail or online. If
you have any questions or want to request a Mail Order pharmacy form, just call Member Services.
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PODEMOS AYUDARLE EN SU IDIOMA
Si necesita ayuda para entender esta información en su idioma, por favor llame a SCAN al 1-800-559-3500, 7 días a la semana
de 7:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m. Usuarios de TTY deben llamar al 1-800-735-2929, 7:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m., 7 días a la semana. Cuando
utilice los servicios de atención médica, usted tiene derecho a un intérprete sin costo alguno. Pida un intérprete si el doctor o el
personal no hablan su idioma.
3800 Kilroy Airport Way
Suite 100, P.O. Box 22616
Long Beach, CA 90806-5616
www.scanhealthplan.com
N o n P r o f i t
O r g a n i z a t i o n
U . S . P O S T A G E
P A I D
s a n t a a n a , C A
P e r m i t N o . 5 2 2
SCAN Health Plan is a Medicare
Advantage organization with a
Medicare contract. SCAN also
contracts with the Department of
Health Care Services. For more
information please visit us at
www.scanhealthplan.com
H9104_H5425_H5811_SCAN_5453_2009F_CMS122309