Blue & You - Autumn 2016

3
@
Autumn
2016
A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies
presented by hootens.com
pages
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield 10 -13
sponsors games, supports communities
Medicare
plans
page
4
Medical
screenings
page
14
Opioid
dangers
page
16

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4
6
7
8
9
10
12
14
16
18
19
20
- Out of the Blue
- Make Medicare work for you
- Introducing payment kiosks
- Important information for members
with individual or family policies
- #TGFI - Thank Goodness For Insurance
- Get information through the Wire
- An Arkansas classic gets a new partner
- Arkansas Blue Cross brings Pep Rallies
with a Purpose to communities
- Screenings vs. diagnostic medical tests
- The dangers of opioid medications
- Two UAMS students planning rural
medical practices receive scholarships
from Arkansas Blue Cross
- Arkansas Blue Cross once again named
one of the best places to work in Arkansas
- Arkansas Blue Cross invests in
new medical technology through
HubX-LifeSciences
- Introducing BlueListens
- Nursing scholarships awarded
Autumn
2016
Rylee Jackson of
Caddo Valley punts
a football during
the Fourth and
Fearless “Skills and
Drills Challenge”
halftime contest at
the Arkansas Blue
Cross Kickoff Classic,
presented by Hootens.
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
See more about
the game and the
preceding hometown
Pep Rallies with a
Purpose on
pages 10-13.
- Blue summer fun
- Go! Fit! Win! The 2016 Blue & You
Fitness Challenge wraps up!
- Reminder: Changes to cervical
cancer screening medical policy
take effect in 2017
- More coverage changes for breast pumps
- Annual Summary of Benefits notice
- Need affordable vision coverage?
See us first!
- URAC health plan reaccreditation
awarded
- New and upcoming generics
- Pharmacy article
- Privacy practices notice availability
- Customer service numbers
- Have a Blue holiday weekend with us!
EDITOR: Jennifer Gordon – bnyou-ed@arkbluecross.com • DESIGNER: Ryan Kravitz • PHOTOGRAPHER: Chip Bayer
CONTRIBUTORS: Chip Bayer, Katie Eisenhower, Ben McVay and Alex Roberts
VICE PRESIDENT of CORPORATE MARKETING: Eric Paczewitz • DIRECTOR of CORPORATE MARKETING: Kelly Whitehorn
BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016
on the
cover
An Arkansas Blue Cross Kickoff Classic trophy sits
on the sidelines, waiting to be given to one of four
winning teams. See page 10 to find out the winners.

Looking to the future of healthcare
while remembering the past
When Arkansas’ legislature originally voted to
expand Medicaid through the private option in
2013, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield stepped
up in a very uncertain environment and worked
to assist those charged with implementing the
program. We initially served as the only insurance
company providing private option health plans in
the underserved southern half of Arkansas.
This year, the Medicaid expansion was revised
by the state legislature and given a new name –
Arkansas Works. This means a change beginning
January 1, 2017, for Arkansans receiving healthcare
coverage through the Medicaid expansion, but the
fact remains that more than 275,000 Arkansans
have received healthcare coverage through private
insurers under the Medicaid expansion, reducing
the uninsured rate by almost 50 percent.
Today, Arkansas Blue Cross insures about one
in three Arkansans, including more than 150,000
through the Medicaid expansion. We will continue
to work with state government, doctors and
hospitals to find innovative ways to improve the
cost and quality of healthcare. We recognize that
by improving the health of individual Arkansans –
whether they are students, part of the workforce,
seniors or people on disability – we are improving
the health of our society. We have served Arkansans
for almost 70 years, and we look forward to serving
the thousands of Arkansans who will have coverage
through Arkansas Works.
As I look at our company’s commitment to the
future health of Arkansans, I can’t help but reflect
on the past. When I first came to Arkansas Blue
Cross in 1970, people used gasoline that contained
lead, smoked cigarettes at their desks and thought
suntans were the sign of a “healthy glow.” Certainly,
much has changed over the years, and as I prepare
I think the company
is well positioned to
continue on the path of
leading positive change
in the healthcare system
... and I am proud to
have been a partner
on this journey.
to retire at the end of this year, I can say I
am happy to have been associated with a company
that has continually focused on the health and
welfare of its members and employees. This has
been proven by many surveys conducted over the
years and by Arkansas Blue Cross being recognized
by Arkansas Business as a great place to work for
the past four years.
A personal goal of mine was to guide the
company through the implementation of the
Affordable Care Act, which we knew would be
extremely challenging. We are near the end of
those first three years, and given we have been
developing future leaders for an even longer
period, I think the company is well positioned to
continue on the path of leading positive change in
the healthcare system. The dedicated employees
at Arkansas Blue Cross are making lasting
contributions toward the goal of improving the
health of all Arkansans and I am proud to have
been a partner on this journey.
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU

MAKE
Medicare
WORK FOR YOU
You’ve paid less than a buck for McDonald’s coffee
for a decade now (senior coffee starts at age 55!)
— one of the many benefits of having a few years
under your belt. But have you been making the
most of your Medicare?
Medicare’s Annual Election Period starts on
October 15 and ends December 7 for people
65 and older. During this time, you can purchase
a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or
prescription drug plan.
4 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers Medicare
products that feature convenient access to the
healthcare services you need and low monthly
premiums. Find the healthcare coverage — whether
its parts A, B, C or D or a supplemental plan — that’s
best for you. We’ll help you understand what you’re
getting with each.
Protect yourself with Medicare that works for you.
THE FOUR BASIC PARTS OF MEDICARE
Part A:
HOSPITAL
INSURANCE
• Hospital care
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Hospice
• Home healthcare
: ADVANTAGE
Part C MEDICARE
• Everything in parts A and B
• Prescription drugs (depending on plan)
• Fitness program membership
(depending on plan)
PartB MEDICAL
INSURANCE
• Doctor visits
• Mental healthcare
• Outpatient surgery
• Lab tests
• Durable medical equipment
:
Part D:
DRUG PRESCRIPTION
PLAN
• Helps pay for
prescription medications

Coverage that works for you
Parts A and B are called “original Medicare”
and consist of the most basic Medicare coverage
available. They help pay for many expenses —
but there are gaps, because parts A and B were
never designed to cover all of your medical costs.
We can help you fill the gaps.
MEDICARE’S ANNUAL
ELECTION PERIOD STARTS
ON OCTOBER 15 AND
ENDS DECEMBER 7.
Many people supplement original Medicare with
secondary (supplemental) policies from Arkansas
Blue Cross. These will help protect you against
uncovered, unexpected expenses.
The whole package
Why Choose Medicare Advantage (Part C)?
A Medicare Advantage plan is a worry-free
approach that combines your Medicare coverage
into a single, complete package with extra benefits.
You get everything in parts A and B, plus additional
benefits all rolled into one premium payment. Plus,
you can choose a plan that includes prescription
drug coverage.
Build your own
Why Choose Medicare Supplement?
Medicare supplement plans help pay for some
of the out-of-pocket costs you have with original
Medicare, like deductibles, premiums and
copayments. Build your own Medicare package,
starting with original Medicare Part A and Part B.
Then fill any gaps with a supplement plan that
takes care of certain healthcare costs that aren’t
covered by original Medicare. Then add Part D
standalone drug coverage.
Why Choose a Prescription Drug (Part D) Plan? Part
D is insurance that helps you pay for prescription
medications. People with supplemental plans add
Part D to cover the costs of their medications. If you
have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, check
to make sure you don’t have prescription drug
coverage already included in that plan.
Every Part D standalone drug plan has a drug
list. Check to see if the drugs you take are
covered by the plan. If they are, you might pay
less with a Part D plan.
Enroll your way
Remember, Medicare’s Annual Election Period
begins October 15 and runs through December 7.
We want you to pick the plan that’s best for you —
and we’re ready to help!
• Call us toll free at 1-844-298-2444
(8 a.m. – 8 p.m., CST, Monday – Friday)
• Contact your local agent
• Enroll online at arkbluecross.com/medicare
FIND YOUR MEDICARE PLAN, today!
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
5

Introducing...
payment kiosks
Paying your bill is easier
than ever with our new
convenient payment kiosks.
Similar to an ATM machine,
our kiosks have touch
screens that take eligible
members step-by-step
through an easy process to
pay your bill with a check,
credit or debit card*. Our
Shackleford Crossings
ArkansasBlue store in Little
Rock is the first location to
offer this new service.
Other ArkansasBlue stores
will get their kiosks in 2017.
There is no additional fee
or charge to use this method
of payment and the kiosk
can provide a printed
receipt, or you can choose
to have one sent via email.
Our friendly staff is nearby
if you need assistance.
Payment kiosks – another
way Arkansas Blue Cross
is making healthcare
coverage easier.
* Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plan product members
can mail their monthly payment or set up an automatic monthly
bank draft. The kiosk is not set up to take their payments. If you
have questions, please call customer service. Health Advantage
conversion plans are not eligible for online, mobile, or pay-byphone
payment options.
all the convenient
ONLINE OR MOBILE
When you receive your bill, you
can make a secure payment with
a check, credit or debit card.*
No transaction fee applies.
PHONE
Payments can be made using
a check, credit or debit card
when you call 1-800-354-9904.*
No transaction fee applies.
**MoneyGram is an independent company that provides health
insurance payment services for Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield customers.
6 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016
For more information,

I M P O R T A N T I N F O R M A T I O N
For members with individual
or family policies
†
For policies purchased before April 1, 2010,
OEP is October 1 through December 15.
We know selecting a
health insurance plan is
one of the most important
decisions you can make
to protect you and your
family, so we want you to
know we are here to help.
If you need an individual
or family health plan, your
open enrollment period
(OEP) begins November
1 and ends January 31 † .
During OEP you will
be able to review your
information and decide if
you want to keep the plan
you have, make changes
to your current plan or
change health plans.
Watch your mail for a
letter from Arkansas Blue
Cross that explains your
options in more detail.
If you need to choose
a new health plan
because you either
didn’t have coverage
before or are leaving a
group health plan
provided by your
employer, call us, or
if you have an agent,
call your agent. We
can help you determine
your options. Call
1-800-238-8379 after
November 1 for
more information.
ways to pay:
BANK DRAFT
When you sign up
for our free monthly
bank draft program,
you don’t have to
write checks, keep MAIL
bills or You buy can stamps. send a check or money order through
Bills are the paid U.S. even Postal Service. Remember to include
when you’re your away, member ID or account number.
and there is never
a risk of For a lapse members with metallic medical plans
in coverage. (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Catastrophic):
Enterprise Exchange Services
P.O. Box 790308 • St. Louis, MO 63179-0308
For all other members (including dental
and non-metallic medical plans):
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
P.O. Box 3590 • Little Rock, AR 72203-3590
go to arkbluecross.com/paybill
We want your health insurance coverage to be easy, right down to the way you pay for it.
If you have an individual or family health plan, we have several convenient ways for you
to pay your premium. It’s as easy as a click, call, visit or AutoPay away!
IN PERSON
Visit any MoneyGram**
location, or Arkansas
Blue Cross location.
AND NOW...
KIOSK! *
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
7

A way to share
As a company, we are forever grateful for the opportunity to support, guide
and safeguard you to better health and security.
Sometimes our impact is small, like helping you get a wellness checkup. Other
times it’s bigger, like a nurse explaining a new diabetes diagnosis. Every moment
we’re able to help is one we cherish, so we’d love to hear about them!
#TGFI, or thank goodness for insurance, is a new hashtag we’re inviting you to
use online to tell us about a time health insurance made a difference in your life.
Your choice in us means everything, and we’re proud to serve you. If we have ever
helped you live fearlessly, overcome a challenge, or simply made life easier, please
tell us by using our hashtag and tagging us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
When my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, my first thoughts were
if she was going to live. My second was how was I going to afford this.
It was all a whirlwind, but she is now a breast cancer survivor. #TGFI
– Clay, 53
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield member
Our son has Type 1 Diabetes, which means that he needs insulin
and diabetic supplies to LIVE. Thankfully, we have been provided
an insulin pump, a continuous glucose monitor, and the needed
day-to-day supplies that we need to keep him healthy!
– Bradley, 37
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield member
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield @ArkBlueCross ArkansasBlueCross
Visit arkbluecross.com/tgfi for more #TGFI stories from real people
8 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016

Carrier
6:25 PM
ArkBlue Wire
Get information
through the Wire
Our exclusive, members-only mobile service,
the Wire, can help you stay organized.
Virtually a one-stop-shop in your pocket,
you can use it on your smartphone to:
• Learn cost-saving methods for quality care
• Receive health benefit reminders
• Access your personalized member account,
My Blueprint
• Find care and member discounts
Welcome to your private connection with
Arkansas Blue Cross designed to help you
manage your account, and stay on top of
important information. Tap the button below
to learn how to get the most out of your
health plan!
Get started!
Arkansas Blue Cross
2/12/16 at 6:25 pm
No download is required and the service is free.
Standard message and data rates may apply
depending on your mobile carrier.
Sign up today
It’s an easy-to-use, free resource that you can trust to help you
at every stage of your healthcare journey.
Online
Sign in to My Blueprint to update the
notification preferences within Settings.
Carrier
6:25 PM
By Phone
Call the customer service number for your
plan. Numbers are listed on page 27.
Arkansas Blue Cross
2/12/16 at 6:25 pm Carrier 6:25 PM
Welcome to your private connection with
Arkansas Blue Cross designed to help you
manage your account, and stay on top of
important information. Tap the button below
to learn how to get the most out of your
health plan!
Get started!
Mobile messaging is not available
at this time for: Medi-Pak Advantage
and Medi-Pak Prescription Drug
Plan members, Health Advantage
conversion plans, Federal
Employee Program, Arkansas
State Employees/Public School
Employees, and Short-Term
Blue members.
View Message Feed
QUICK LINKS
Member Sign-In
Arkansas Blue Cross
2/12/16 at 6:25 pm
Using Your Policy
Welcome to your private connection with
Arkansas Blue Cross designed to help you
manage your Find account, a Doctor and stay on top of
important information. Tap the button below
to learn how to get the most out of your
health plan! Member Discounts
Get started!
Contact Us
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
9

presented by hootens.com
An Arkansas Classic
gets a new partner
McClellan
Dallas Parish Episcopal
McCrory
Mount Ida
10 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016

The late summer sun may have been beating down on the field and pushing the temperature
into the 90s when the first high school football game of the season kicked off in Arkansas, but
the boys of autumn left no doubt in the minds of everyone who attended the 2016 Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic presented by Hootens.com — football is back.
Arkansas Blue Cross joined Hootens.com for the first time this year to present the annual
event. Eight teams (who combined for 81 wins last season) clashed in four games over two
nights to officially begin the high school football season in the Natural State.
Hamburg
England
Centerpoint
Sheridan
McClellan - 76
Dallas Parish
Episcopal - 50
Mount Ida - 22
Centerpoint - 19
England - 42
Hamburg - 28
Sheridan - 35
McCrory - 0
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
11

Pep Rallies with a Purpose brings 79,960 meals
to Arkansas communities
P
ep Rallies with a Purpose – held in each
of the seven Arkansas communities with
a football team in the Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic
– brought together football players,
cheer squads and band members to do
something more than pump themselves
up for the games; they filled the food
pantries in their hometowns while
working together as a team.
Each school packed more than 10,000
meals through the Pack Shack, a
northwest Arkansas nonprofit organization
dedicated in bringing people together to
fight hunger. After packing the meals, real
pep rallies were held and Arkansas Blue
Cross gave each of the schools a check
for $1,500. No matter the outcome of the
football games, every school was a winner
during the Pep Rallies with a Purpose.
Chad Hooten, (right) co-owner, Hooten’s
Arkansas Football pitches in at the
McCrory pep rally with head coach of the
McCrory Jaguars, Chris Kennon.
Hamburg 8.8.16 England 8.9.16
12

Centerpoint 8.18.16 McClellan 8.22 .16
Sheridan 8.23.16
Mount Ida 8.24.16 McCrory 8.25.16
13

If you’ve ever had an annual physical,
you know you may get a number of “routine” medical
tests. Some of those tests are preventive screenings
and some may be diagnostic medical tests. Do you
know the difference? Not knowing the difference can
cost you money, and possibly your health.
Diagnostic tests are done when you and your
doctor know you have a health problem and you
need to know the cause. For instance, if you have
chest pain, your doctor may order a number of
tests to find out why.
Preventive screenings look for diseases or
conditions that have no evidence of symptoms
or signs. These usually are done at certain ages.
The idea is that if you catch and treat a disease
early it will be easier to manage or eliminate.
Because preventive screenings are so important
in protecting your health, many of them are
covered at no cost to you under your medical plan.
True screening stories
These true stories show the value of getting
preventive screenings, along with some things
to watch for during those appointments.
When Richard went to his doctor for
a routine/preventive colonoscopy and
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), his blood work
showed he was a little anemic. His doctor referred
him to a gastroenterologist, who found a growth in
his esophagus. A biopsy showed that the growth
was cancerous, and it was surgically removed
just a few weeks later followed by six months of
weekly chemotherapy. Richard was able to return
to work after surgery and work during his chemo
treatments. He is now cancer free.
14 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016
SCREENINGS vs
Very different, but
Preventive healthcare is similar to car maintenance;
when you get regular oil changes, check your tire
pressure, change filters and have diagnostic tests, your
car is less likely to break down on the side of the road.
An annual physical is considered preventive
healthcare, and may be covered at 100 percent
under your health plan. Call the customer service
number on your member ID card to find out.
Also, did you know if you schedule a physical and
then bring up a health issue, you might get charged
for a regular office visit? That’s one reason it is
important to know the difference.
All preventive lab tests are considered “screenings,”
but did you know not all screenings are preventive?
“It saved my life,” Richard said. “If my cancer
was caught at a later stage, the outcome would
have been worse. There is no reason not to do
screenings. It is good practice to take care of
you and your family.”
Bert was feeling pretty good at his annual
checkup, but as part of the screening, his doctor
recommended that he have an electrocardiogram
on his heart. Much to his surprise, Bert found
his heart was in atrial fibrillation (irregular
heartbeat) even though he had no symptoms.
He was treated for this and is now on medication
to prevent any complications.

.
DIAGNOSTIC medical
tests:
both can save your life!
If your doctor orders a “screening,” it may not be
covered as a preventive test under your health plan.
The key to preventive screenings is that they are used
to find illnesses in their early stages so you can get
treatment that can save your life. If a test is diagnostic,
you still will receive medical coverage for it, but it will
not be at 100 percent. How will you know? Call us!
Getting the most out of your
preventive healthcare benefits
There are steps you can take to get the most
out of your benefits:
1. To find out what screenings are covered under your
health plan, call the customer service number on
your member ID card before you go to the doctor.
2. When you go for your wellness checkup,
talk to your family doctor first about what
screenings you are eligible to receive.
If he or she suggests a test not on your
preventive care benefits list, ask if there
is a reason for the test to be done.
3. Make sure you visit doctors who are in
your network to get free or low-cost
preventive healthcare. If your preventive
screenings turn up a health issue and
you need to see a specialist, make sure
your doctor recommends a specialist
who is also in your network. You can find
out if a doctor is in network by going to
our websites or calling customer service.
“Because I have a good relationship with my
doctor, we are able to work together to ensure
I get the proper screenings. A regular primary
care doctor knows your history, spends time with
you, and meets with you when you are feeling
well and not only when you’re in distress.”
A friend urged Alex to get a mole on her leg
checked. Although it had always been dark
and irregular, she made an appointment for a
screening. Her dermatologist removed the mole
and one other for testing. Alex didn’t realize
that by removing the moles, the scope of the
visit changed from a preventive screening to
a diagnostic visit, which meant she had to pay
for a portion of the final bill. On a brighter side,
the results showed no abnormalities.
“The tests established a baseline so my doctor
can compare all future cell samples,” Alex said.
She added that she now gets checked once a
year for changes.
These stories are based on benefits specific to
the health plans of these members. To find out
what your health plan covers, call the customer
service number for your health plan (page 27).
We’re here to help!
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
15

the dangers of
OPIOID
medications
n o one likes pain. It interferes with our focus
and concentration, affecting everyday tasks.
It keeps us from resting and sleeping well, which,
after a long day of fighting pain, makes us even
more tired and cranky. Side effects from pain
medications cause more problems, for which
we may take other medications.
Opioids such as hydrocodone (Vicodin),
oxycodone (OxyContin), morphine or codeine
are often prescribed for moderate to severe pain
associated with surgery or traumatic injury.
Used properly, these medications are effective in
treating pain. Used improperly, these drugs can
have some of the same risks as heroin.
Most people can take opioids for the time originally
prescribed, but some people become dependent
on these medications. Prolonged use can lead to
tolerance, meaning people need to take more and
more of the drug to achieve the same effects. The
brain can become damaged by overuse and can
stop the body from producing endorphins, which
help to ease pain naturally.
Opioids are among the most abused drugs because
they are easy to obtain, readily prescribed and very
addictive. The number of opioid prescriptions has
nearly doubled since the late 1990s and now exceeds
200 million. In parallel, there’s been a dramatic
increase in prescription drug overdoses, with more
than 47,000 drug overdose deaths in 2014 alone.
Concerns about growth in opioid misuse, addiction
and overdoses have led many health plans to take a
leadership role in combating this public health crisis.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has established
a special group, the Substance Abuse Program
Team, that is focused on issues of opioid addiction
and abuse of other controlled substances. We are
carefully monitoring the new regulations being
passed by Congress and the new prescribing
guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.
We also promote member safety by managing
the quantities and dosages allowed through the
member’s pharmacy benefit. We stay current on
best practices, and many of our health plans have
support for behavioral health programs that address
addictions and promote healing and recovery.
Opioid dependence and withdrawal require medical
professionals to safely detox. If you or someone you
know is struggling with an addiction to prescription
painkillers or heroin, we encourage you to seek help.
You have reason to be hopeful; treatment can be
highly successful and you and your loved ones can
get back to life and health.
16 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016

THE EFFECTS OF OPIOIDS
ON YOUR BODY
BLOOD
Heroin or
crushed pill
injections can
cause veins
to collapse.
BRAIN
Heavy
opiate use
can cause
sedation.
HEART
Heart lining
can become
infected due to
contamination
from heroin or
crushed pills.
LUNGS
Ensuing
respiratory
depression
can lead
to slowed
breathing
which is
potentially
fatal.
clean out
that
CABINET!
Check your medicine cabinets for
unused opiate prescriptions. You
may be tempted to keep them for
later use, but we encourage you to
find a way to dispose of them safely.
They are a hazard to anyone who
may find them, including children
and teens. Many municipal police
departments and Rotary Clubs
have prescription drug take-back
programs for unused prescriptions.
examples
of
OPIOID CONTAINING
medicines
GENERIC
BRAND NAME
morphine
MSIR, Roxanol
DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
Slowing of
the digestive
system can
result in
constipation.
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
Chronic opiate
abuse can
create a greater
sensitivity to pain.
LIVER
Shared
infected
needles
can cause
hepatitis.
IMMUNE
SYSTEM
Vulnerability and
infection can occur
due to reduced
immune response.
SOURCE: Drugabuse.com
DrugAbuse.com
LONG-ACTING SHORT-ACTING
oxycodone
oxycodone
(with
acetaminophen)
hydrocodone
(with
acetaminophen)
hydromorphone
morphine
oxycodone
fentanyl
OxylR, Oxyfast,
Endocodone
Roxilox, Roxicet,
Percocet, Tylox,
Endocet
Vicodin, Lorcet,
Lortab, Zydone,
Hydrocet, Norco
Dilaudid,
Hydrostat
MSContin,
Oramorph SR,
Kadian, Avinza
Oxycontin
Duragesic patch
SOURCE: National Safety Council
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU 17

Two UAMS students planning rural
medical practices receive scholarships
from Arkansas Blue Cross
Two medical students at the
University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences (UAMS) have received
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Primary Care Scholarships,
which encourage aspiring
physicians to pursue primary care
practices in rural Arkansas.
Evan Branscum, a senior who grew
up in Marshall, and Julie Sherrill,
a junior from Dumas, are this year’s
recipients. The $20,000 scholarships
have been presented to two UAMS
College of Medicine juniors or
seniors annually since 2012.
Arkansas Blue Cross established
the endowed scholarship in 2010
with a $1 million gift to the UAMS
Foundation Fund. The scholarship is
a part of a broad effort to produce
more family medicine, general
internal medicine and general
pediatric doctors for Arkansas,
especially in rural areas where
access to primary care is limited.
More than two-thirds of Arkansas’
75 counties include federally
designated primary care health
professional shortage areas.
Primary care physician shortages are
expected to increase substantially as
the state’s population continues to
age and require more medical
care, and as more Arkansans,
now insured as a result of
health insurance expansion,
seek primary care services.
“All Arkansans deserve access to
high-quality primary care, and we
encourage our students to consider
practicing in smaller communities,”
said UAMS Executive Vice Chancellor
and College of Medicine Dean Pope
L. Moseley, M.D. “Scholarships such
as this are crucial because they help
us attract talented students while
reducing the burden of debt on our
future rural practitioners. We are
grateful for Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield’s commitment to
improving access to primary care
through this scholarship.”
“We at Arkansas Blue Cross are
committed to improving access to
quality healthcare across the state,
and this scholarship addresses a
small part of that need,” said Mark
White, president and chief executive
officer. “More Arkansans than ever
are receiving necessary care, and
with the approval of Arkansas Works,
ensuring access to primary care
for people across Arkansas is of
paramount importance.”
“Evan and Julie represent the
spirit and commitment we want
to see from our medical students
to help those most in need across
Arkansas, and we congratulate
them as the recipients of this
year’s award,” Mark said.
Evan graduated from Marshall
High School and received
his undergraduate degree at the
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
He plans to practice in north central
Arkansas in or near Searcy County,
where his family has lived for more
than four generations.
“One of the most important things
urban areas have that rural areas
lack is access to healthcare,” Evan
said. “Marshall only had two
physicians for the majority of my
childhood. That was two physicians
not only in Marshall, but also the
only two in the whole county of
8,000 people.”
Julie graduated from Dumas
High School and received her
undergraduate degree from the
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
She plans to pursue a career in family
medicine upon graduating from
UAMS in 2018. Primarily, her interests
are in southeast Arkansas, including
both Desha and Arkansas counties.
“I have personally witnessed the
degree to which communities in
rural Arkansas suffer due to the
lack of medical care,” Julie said. “In
Dumas, we have two primary care
physicians serving a large rural
territory. Our hospital does its best
to bring in additional help, but it
struggles to keep the emergency
room covered.”
18 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016

Arkansas Blue Cross
ONCE AGAIN NAMED ONE OF THE
Best Places to Work
IN ARKANSAS
The employees at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield have spoken and the company is celebrating
four consecutive years on the list of Best Places to
Work in Arkansas, sponsored by Arkansas Business
and Best Companies Group.
The annual survey and awards program is designed
to identify, recognize and honor the best employers
in Arkansas, benefiting the state’s economy,
workforce and businesses. Arkansas Blue Cross is
one of 29 companies in this year’s Best Places to
Work in Arkansas.
“Our employees go above and beyond for our
members, and we are proud to provide them a
fun, positive work environment,” said Mark White,
president and chief executive officer for Arkansas Blue
Cross. “Being ranked so high in the Best Places to
Work survey for a fourth time tells us our employees
appreciate the programs and benefits we offer.”
Arkansas Blue Cross offers employees tuition
reimbursement, free onsite gyms, a cafeteria focused
on healthy foods and an employee health clinic. The
average tenure at Arkansas Blue Cross is 10 years,
and hundreds of employees have been with the
company 15 years or more.
If you’d like to know more about career
opportunities at Arkansas Blue Cross, visit our
website, arkbluecross.com or like our Facebook
page. Come join the Blue Team!
Arkansas Blue Cross
invests in new medical
technology through
Hub X -LifeSciences
The HubX-LifeSciences
healthcare business
accelerator program
brought seven
companies to Little
Rock over the summer to receive help
in bringing their cutting-edge medical
technology to market. Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield and Baptist Health joined
the Innovation Hub in North Little Rock to
sponsor the program with the idea that at
least one up-and-coming medical device
would be worthy of further investment. By
the end of the inaugural session, however,
three projects stood out as potential
investment opportunities:
• Technology to help high-risk patients and
seniors take their prescriptions correctly
• Non-invasive heart monitoring for
patients at home
• Precise, automated glucose monitoring
for hospital patients
According to Steve Abell, vice president of
Strategic Services for Arkansas Blue Cross,
these new companies will complete pilots
(in central Arkansas) and launch patented
solutions in 2017. The new technology will
likely be shared first with The Partnership
for a Healthy Arkansas, LLC, the shared
services organization that includes Arkansas
Blue Cross, Baptist Health, the University
of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS),
Washington Regional Medical System and
St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.
Other local investors have also become
involved, including a new group of
physicians who – after working with the top
HubX teams – also want to invest in them.
“Encouraging and developing other local
investors in the healthcare technology
sector was a stretch goal and it is becoming
a reality,” Steve said.
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
19

NEWS
Introducing BlueListens:
You share. BlueListens.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
wants your honest-to-goodness opinion.
As a consumer, you know better than
anyone if our products and services are
meeting your needs and expectations. We’ve created
an online community where you can share your
experiences and help us create a better Blue.
By joining the BlueListens community,
you have the opportunity to:
• Be heard through surveys, forums and conversations
• Influence future Arkansas
Blue Cross decisions with
your insight and feedback
To become a BlueListens contributor:
GO TO:
arkbluecross.com/membercommunity
YOU’LL NEED:
Your member ID number and an email address
We want to focus on real opinions, not just
statistics, so the size of the community is limited
to 1,000 contributors. If you don’t get immediate
access, don’t worry. Membership is updated as
spots become available.
We’ll need your help through the BlueListens
community to make real improvements that
benefit all of our members – so please, join today.
Nursing scholarships awarded
Lauren, of Little Rock,
would like to become a
flight nurse in the U.S.
Air Force after graduation.
Brittani, of Cabot, plans
to work at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital.
20 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016
18
Baptist Health’s School of
Nursing freshman students
Lauren Kerr and Brittani
Detar are the recipients of
the fall semester Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Endowed Nursing
Scholarships.
The scholarships are a
result of a 2015 grant of
$250,000 to the Baptist
Health Foundation. Interest
generated from the grant
is used to fund four
scholarships a year;
two for the fall semester,
and two for the spring
semester.
Lauren Kerr (left) and Brittani Detar

Blue
Fun summer safety was the theme in June as Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
invited members and guests to a free Blue Summer event at the Museum of Discovery.
BlueAnn Ewe, Arkansas Blue Cross’ health ambassador, visited with kids and everyone
received giveaways, like sunblock, bug repellent, beach balls and sunglasses.
Go! Fit! Win!
The 2016 Blue & You Fitness
Challenge wraps up!
Representatives from Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, the Arkansas Department of Human Services
and the Arkansas Department of Health gathered
on June 21 at the Statehouse Convention Center
to announce the winners of the 2016 Blue & You
Fitness Challenge.
The Challenge, which began 13 years ago in
Arkansas, has spread throughout the nation with
the goal to promote wellness in the community and
at the worksite. This year, the contest consisted of
117 groups with 5,707 participants from 33 states!
Groups ranged in size from two to 928 participants
and were divided into 11 size categories.
To see the winners from the 2016 Fitness Challenge,
go to blueandyoufitnesschallenge-ark.com
and select the Leaderboard tab.
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU 21

REMINDER:
Changes to cervical cancer screening
medical policy take effect in 2017
22 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016
18
Beginning January 1, 2017, preventive screenings for cervical cancer
(known commonly as Pap tests) will be covered at 100 percent every
three years by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and our family of
companies. This is a change from covering the test annually, and it is a
way for us to better protect our members.
What is a cervical cancer screening?
Pap tests detect abnormal cells in a woman’s cervix before they become
cancerous. Part of the test may include a human papillomavirus (HPV)
DNA test to identify high-risk forms of HPV that can cause cervical
cancer. Women vaccinated for HPV still need cervical cancer screenings
because the vaccines do not protect against all cervical cancers.
Why the change?
Cervical cancer takes 10 to 12 years to develop, and in more than 90
percent of women with HPV, the infection clears up on its own in
eight to 24 months. In examining the data regarding cervical cancer
screenings, the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) determined
that screening women too young, too frequently or beyond a certain
age does not improve the prevention of cervical cancer. In fact, the
USPSTF concluded that annual testing exposes women with an
average risk, who are without symptoms, to potential harm, including:
• False positives, which can lead to additional, more invasive testing
• Pain and bleeding from cervical biopsies and excisional treatments
• Unnecessary worry and appointments
• Potential problems with child bearing due to unnecessary biopsies
This change is supported by a broad coalition of medical specialty
societies, including the American Cancer Society, the American College
of Physicians and the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Changes to cervical cancer screening policy
AGE
RECOMMENDATION / BENEFIT
Under 21
No screening
21 - 65 Pap test every three years
30 - 65 Pap test every three years
OR
Pap test and co-testing for HPV every five years
65 and older No screening
If you have had a hysterectomy with removal of cervix for a benign
(noncancerous) disease, a Pap test is not necessary.
EXCEPTIONS
These recommendations do not apply to women who:
• Are at high risk for cervical cancer because they:
– Have had in-utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES)
– Are immunocompromised (such as those who are HIV positive)
• Are being followed for an abnormality on a Pap test
In these situations the test would be considered diagnostic and would
not be covered under preventive services.
Women’s Health
AND
Cancer Rights Act
The Women’s Health and
Cancer Rights Act of 1998
introduced changes in
insurance coverage
for mastectomy.
In accordance with the law,
all group and individual
health plans that provide
medical and surgical
benefits for mastectomy will
cover reconstructive
breast surgery, including:
• Reconstructive surgery
on the breast on which
the mastectomy was
performed.
• Reconstructive surgery
on the unaffected breast
needed to “produce a
symmetrical appearance.”
• Prostheses and treatment
of complications
of any stage of a
mastectomy, including
lymphedema (postsurgical
fluid buildup).
These provisions apply to all
policies issued by Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield, Health
Advantage and BlueAdvantage
Administrators of Arkansas and
are subject to the applicable
copayments, coinsurance,
benefit limitations, exclusions
and benefit maximums.
If you have questions about
your insurance coverage,
contact your group benefits
administrator or a customer
service representative.

More coverage changes for breast pumps
New moms have enough going on
without trying to figure out their
insurance coverage. We know it
is important for you to breastfeed
your baby; that’s why we’ve made it
one of our top priorities to keep you
informed of any changes to your
benefits regarding breast pumps.
Most fully insured Arkansas Blue
Cross and Blue Shield and Health
Advantage members may request
coverage of an individual electric
breast pump, up to $160, with no
cost sharing and no prescription.
This benefit renews with each
pregnancy. Because the providers
of breast pumps bill differently,
some may bill us directly and
others may need you to pay for it
and then be reimbursed.
Renting a hospital-grade electric
breast pump due to medical
complications also is covered.
This benefit requires a prescription
from your doctor. Rental of a
hospital-grade electric breast pump
is covered for six months and is
available after each pregnancy
depending on need.
Because your benefit package may
differ, please contact the Customer
Service number listed on the back
of your member ID card or the
number associated with your health
plan on page 23 for more details.
Disclaimer: Federal Employee Program
members must order their electric breast
pump through CVS Caremark. Baptist
Health and Arkansas State Employee/Public
School Employee members should contact
the customer service number on their
member ID card for specific information
about their policy. Self-insured groups that
choose to cover electric breast pumps may
have additional out-of-pocket costs.
ANNUAL NOTICE
2017 Summary of Benefits and Coverage –
available November 15 for individual/family policyholders
As required by the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care
Act (PPACA), the Summary of
Benefits and Coverage (SBC)
(OMB Control Numbers 1545-
2229, 1210-0147 and 0938-1146)
provides information regarding
coverage specifications and
limitations that apply to the health
insurance plan you have selected.
Before the end of each year,
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield provides members that
have individual/family health
insurance policies* but do not have
Medicare policies with an SBC.
This official communication
includes information about
the coverage provided by
your health insurance plan
in a summary format for the
upcoming year. Beginning
November 15, 2016, you may
access this information:
• Online in the “Benefits”
section of the Arkansas Blue
Cross secure member selfservice
center, My Blueprint,
at arkbluecross.com
• By calling Arkansas Blue
Cross customer service at
1-800-800-4298 to receive
a printed version
After that date, you also may go
to arkbluecross.com/sbc and
enter your member number
(found on your member ID card)
into the SBC locator tool to
review the document online
and print it.
If you make changes to your
Arkansas Blue Cross health plan
benefits that differ from your
current coverage, a new SBC
will be created for you within
seven work days of our receipt
of your change request. It will
be available to you in the same
manner described above.
* These are members who do not have
health insurance through an employer,
a Medicare health plan, or short-term,
limited-duration Blue policies, to
include Essential Blue Freedom.
Arkansas Blue Cross, Health
Advantage and BlueAdvantage
Administrators of Arkansas
members who receive health
coverage through an employer
group will get their SBC from their
employer group plan administrator
at the appropriate time.
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
23

Need affordable vision coverage? See us first!
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has teamed up with VSP to offer
two vision plans to care for your vision and save you money. Our plans will:
• Save you money on eye care
• Help cover your glasses or contact lenses
• Ensure you receive regular eye exams
• Provide access to an exclusive network
of eye doctors and eye care centers,
including large retail locations
Extra Savings
Our exclusive offers to members can help you find savings everywhere!
• Get an extra $20 to spend on featured frame brands like Anne Klein,
bebe, Calvin Klein, Flexon, Lacoste, Nike, Nine West and more.
• Get 20 percent off unlimited additional pairs of glasses.
• Save an average of 15-20 percent when you have LASIK.
• Get mail-in rebate savings on Bausch & Lomb brand contact
lenses (at participating providers).
How Our Vision
Coverage Works
• Find an in-network eye doctor at arkbluecross.com/findcare.
• Make an appointment for an exam.
• Tell your provider you have an Arkansas Blue Cross
vision plan through VSP. You don’t need an ID card.
• Shop the extensive selection of frames, and take
advantage of exclusive member-only rebates. Find
rebates at vsp.com/optical-discounts.
Questions?
Call 1-800-877-7195, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday
from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., CST. There’s also
a 24/7 automated system to help you find a doctor or check your eligibility.
18 24 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016

URAC
health plan
reaccreditation
awarded
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield received full
accreditation in support of the Health Insurance
Marketplace (HIM) and the Federal Employee Program
(FEP) from URAC, a Washington, DC-based healthcare
accrediting organization that establishes quality standards
for the healthcare industry. Arkansas Blue Cross received
initial Health Plan Accreditation from URAC in 2013.
Reaccreditation runs through 2019.
URAC’s Health Plan accreditation standards require a
comprehensive review of an organization’s operations,
specifically related to: network management; quality
improvement; credentialing; member protection and
utilization management. Companies must pass reviews
of all of these sections to receive accreditation.
NEW and UPCOMING GENERICS
The following medications may be available soon (or now!) in generic form. Ask your pharmacist
if there is a generic available for your prescription. Generic medications are the same as their
brand-name counterparts in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality,
performance characteristics and intended use. And, they cost less! You can learn more about
generics on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website, fda.gov.
BRAND NAME
GENERIC
USE
Released in 2016
Glyset miglitol Type 2 diabetes
Nuvigil armodafinil sleep disorders
TIKOSYN dofetilide irregular heartbeat
Dapsone Tablets diaminodiphenyl sulfone antibiotic
Mirapex ER pramipexole dihydrochloride Parkinson’s disease
Zegerid OS omeprazole-sodium bicarbonate acid reflux
ASACOL HD (800 mg) mesalamine ulcerative colitis
Upcoming in 2016
Epzicom abacavir sulfate-lamivudine antiretroviral
Azor amlodipine-olmesartan high blood pressure
Benicar, Benicar HCT olmesartan high blood pressure
Tribenzor
amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide high blood pressure
Seroquel XR quetiapine mood disorders
Zetia azetimibe cholesterol
Upcoming in 2017
Azilect rasagiline Parkinson’s disease
Minastrin 24 fe norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol contraceptive
Vytorin ezetimibe-simvastatin cholesterol
Strattera atomoxetine attention deficit
Relpax eletriptan migraine
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
25

GET IMMUNIZED AT YOUR PHARMACY:
Fast, convenient and free to you
Did you know that as our member * you
can get many important immunizations
at your local pharmacy for no cost? This
is a benefit of your pharmacy coverage,
not your medical coverage, so it is
important to understand the difference.
How it works
1. Check out the list of vaccines available
2. Go to your local pharmacy
3. Tell the pharmacist what
immunization you need
4. Wait while they process the claim
through their system
5. Get immunized!
Be sure you are not asked to pay for
the immunization yourself and ask for
reimbursement from us. Not only would
that be inconvenient, it won’t be covered!
Just ask your pharmacist to run the
claim before you get your immunization.
Vaccines **
Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Herpes Zoster / Shingles
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Inactivated Poliovirus (Polio)
Influenza (Flu)
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
Meningococcal
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus
Tetanus
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDaP)
Varicella (chickenpox)
Children
Adults
*
This benefit does not include our members with Medicare health plans.
**
Pharmacists in Arkansas can vaccinate children age seven and older. Those between the ages of 7
and 18 require a prescription from a physician for all immunizations except for the seasonal flu shot.
18 26 BLUE & YOU Autumn 2016

Notice of Privacy
Practices Availability
ARKANSAS BLUE CROSS
AND BLUE SHIELD
and
HEALTH ADVANTAGE
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its affiliated
company, HMO Partners, Inc., d/b/a Health Advantage,
are required by law to protect your protected health
information (PHI), and to explain how we may use and
release (disclose) your PHI. Our Notice of Privacy Practices
is posted on our websites and includes:
How we may use your PHI
Circumstances when your PHI may
be released to other entities
Your rights regarding your PHI
How to exercise your rights
How to file a complaint
To view the Notice of Privacy Practices, please go to
arkbluecross.com or healthadvantage-hmo.com.
You can obtain a paper copy of the Notice by contacting
the customer service number on your member ID card
(see below for a complete list of customer service numbers).
CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBERS
May we help?
For customer service, please call:
TOLL FREE Number
Medi-Pak ® members 1-800-338-2312
Medi-Pak ® Advantage members 1-877-233-7022
Medi-Pak ® Rx members 1-866-390-3369
Arkansas Blue Cross members 1-800-238-8379
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-863-5561
• Specialty Rx pharmacy questions 1-866-295-2779
Arkansas Blue Cross Metallic members
(Gold, Silver, Bronze, Catastrophic) 1-800-800-4298
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-969-3983
Health Advantage members 1-800-843-1329
• Pharmacy questions 1-800-863-5567
BlueAdvantage members 1-888-872-2531
• Pharmacy questions 1-888-293-3748
Federal Employee members 1-800-482-6655
Looking for health or dental insurance? We can help!
For individuals, families 1-800-392-2583
For employer groups* 1-800-421-1112
*Arkansas Blue Cross, Health Advantage and BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas
PAY YOUR *
B I L L
To pay by phone*, please call 1-800-354-9904
Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plan product
members must call Customer Service to discuss available
payment options. Health Advantage conversion plans are not
eligible for online, mobile or pay-by-phone payment options.
Prefer to speak with someone close to home?
Call or visit one of our offices near you:
• Arkansas State Employees /
Public School Employees 1-800-482-8416
• ArkansasBlue — Little Rock
2612 S. Shackleford Rd., Suite J 1-501-378-2222
• ArkansasBlue — Fayetteville
516 East Millsap Rd., Suite 103 1-800-817-7726
• Fort Smith
3501 Old Greenwood Rd., Suite 5 1-866-254-9117
• ArkansasBlue — Hot Springs
1635 Higdon Ferry Rd. – Suite J 1-800-588-5733
• ArkansasBlue — Jonesboro
2110 Fair Park Boulevard – Suite I 1-800-299-4124
• Little Rock
601 S. Gaines Street 1-800-421-1112
• ArkansasBlue — Lowell
507 W. Monroe Ave. – Suite B 1-888-872-2539
• ArkansasBlue — Pine Bluff
509 Mallard Loop Drive 1-800-236-0369
• Texarkana
1710 Arkansas Boulevard 1-800-470-9621
Visit our websites for more information:
arkbluecross.com
healthadvantage-hmo.com
blueadvantagearkansas.com
blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org
Autumn 2016 BLUE & YOU
27

;y
;
X
@
*
X
@
Have a
@
3
X
@
3
Blue Christmas at the
Museum of Discovery
6 to 9 p.m.
Friday, December 2
Get in FREE with a member ID card or
pick up free tickets (while supplies last)
at any ArkansasBlue location.
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with us!
*
X
FREE tickets (while supplies last)
at all ArkansasBlue locations
beginning November 1.
Visit arkbluecross.com for more details
on both events. Find ArkansasBlue
locations on page 27 or go to our website.
@
3
@
@
The Elves and
X
the Shoemaker"
*
3
at the
Arkansas Arts Center’s Children Theater
4 p.m.
Sunday, December 4
FREE tickets (while supplies last)
at all ArkansasBlue locations.
arkansas
blue
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