Blueprint magazine-SUMMER 2020 (WEB)

physician, nurse, and front-line care team member — thank you for putting the health and wellness
ighbors and communities before your own.
A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies SUMMER 2020
r members, we want you to be healthy and continue to take recommended precautions to protect
s, and others, from the coronavirus. We encourage you to take care of your physical and emotional
ery day — stay active, eat right and seek medical care when you need it.
enters and doctors’ offices are prepared to take care of you.
u’ve been delaying needed medical care,
ADDICTION Unmasked
a great
Jimmy
time to
McGill’s
connect
amazing
with your
recovery
doctor.
journey continues – even in a COVID-19 world PAGE 8
9462.8 6/20

Word
a
with Curtis Barnett
Our President and
Chief Executive Officer
The Pandemic After 120 Days
At the time I’m writing this, just over 120
days have passed since the COVID-19
pandemic was declared a national
emergency on March 13, 2020. Yes, I
agree; it seems much, much longer. We’ve
experienced so many things we previously
could not have imagined.
We’ve learned a lot: about leadership, about
our institutions, about our ingenuity, about
our concern and respect for one another,
about courage, about our own resilience,
and, oh yes, we’ve learned a lot about
COVID-19.
What have we learned?
We’ve learned what works in controlling
the spread of COVID-19; not just here in
the United States but all around the world.
We’ve learned that COVID-19 is highly
contagious and it can be catastrophic and
deadly, especially for those with underlying
medical conditions such as heart disease
and diabetes.
We also know that social distancing,
washing hands and wearing face coverings
or masks in public work. And, using those
tools, we can carefully re-open some
businesses. We must remain vigilant in
controlling the spread of COVID-19. We
need to be thinking about the next 200 days,
to fall and winter, when COVID-19 and the
flu could be circulating together.
Contact Tracing
We know testing, tracing and isolating
works. This classic public health approach
involves identifying people who have
come into contact with an infected person
(contact tracing), testing them, and then
isolating them if they test positive so they
cannot infect others. But these activities
have to be done in large numbers to have
a significant impact.
In Arkansas, the governor and public health
officials are pushing hard to increase the
levels of testing and contact tracing. At
Arkansas Blue Cross, we’re doing our
part. We’ve committed well over 100 of
our employees to work with the Arkansas
Department of Health on contact tracing.
Mental Health
We have learned that the pandemic,
combined with the economic downturn,
unemployment and social unrest, is taking a
tremendous toll on people’s mental health.
We’ve seen troubling increases in suicide,
substance abuse, depression and anxiety.
We likely face a mental health epidemic once
the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
There are a few silver linings. More people
struggling with mental health conditions
are willing to reach out for help, whether
it’s to a hotline or their health plan. You
see that many people are finally willing to
accept that mental health is as important
as physical health to our overall well-being,
and that the two are deeply connected.
A recent survey commissioned by the
National 4-H Council after the pandemic
started revealed that 82% of teens aged
13 to 19 believe America should talk more
openly and honestly about mental health.
That’s an encouraging sign as we strive to
remove the stigma around mental health.
Patients and providers are much
more willing to use new technologies,
like telehealth, to treat mental health
conditions, which is allowing us to
overcome social and economic barriers to
care. For Arkansas Blue Cross, well over
25% of our telehealth visits since March
have been for mental health services.
Take Action
No question, better days are ahead. Right
now we must stay focused on our efforts
to control the spread of COVID-19 by doing
the things that we know work. And, we
need to take care of ourselves and each
other. I encourage you to take advantage
of the mental health resources available
from your health plan or in your
communities, and check on your family,
friends, co-workers and neighbors and
let them know you care.
We should look to the next 120 days with
hope and determination.
SUMMER 2020
EDITOR
Greg Russell
Editor@arkbluecross.com
DESIGNER
Ryan Kravitz
PHOTOGRAPHER
Chip Bayer
CONTRIBUTORS
Chip Bayer
Jennifer Bridgeman
Katie Eisenhower
Suzi Parker
Marie Trotter
Kimberly Walker
VICE PRESIDENT of
CORPORATE MARKETING
Alison Melson
Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield and its family
of affiliates comply with
applicable federal civil
rights laws and does not
discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, age,
disability or sex. ATENCIÓN:
si habla español, tiene a su
disposición servicios gratuitos
de asistencia lingüística.
Llame al 1-844-662-2276.
CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt,
có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ
miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số
1-844-662-2276.
2
SUMMER 2020

Take Care
Arkansas:
Doctors Are Ready to See You
While the COVID-19 pandemic
continues, so do the healthcare
needs of Arkansans who are not
affected by the virus.
But have you been wondering if it is
safe to get the healthcare you need
in the middle of the pandemic?
It is.
For the first time in history, six
Central Arkansas hospitals have
come together for the greater
good and to better the health of
Arkansans. These hospitals and
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
are part of a Fifty for the Future
initiative that reminds Arkansans
that our state’s hospitals, emergency
rooms and physician offices have
never been safer or better prepared
to provide care. There is no need to
delay healthcare.
The six hospitals are Arkansas
Children’s Hospital, Arkansas
Heart Hospital, Arkansas Surgical
Hospital, Baptist Health, CHI St.
Vincent and the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Arkansas Blue Cross is a sponsor
of this initiative.
Fifty for the Future is an Arkansas
nonprofit organization led by
progressive, community-minded
business leaders with the mission of
identifying, developing and supporting
regional projects and policies that
will have a significant long-term
positive impact on the metro Little
Rock region. Priority areas of focus
include economic development, public
education/workforce development
and public safety.
“At Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, we recognize the success
of the healthcare system rests with
our collective ability to get and
keep people healthy,” Curtis Barnett,
president and chief executive
officer of Arkansas Blue Cross,
said at a press conference to
launch the initiative. “We also
recognize that a big part of getting
and keeping people healthy is
getting the healthcare they need
when they need it.
“When we started hearing stories
from our members several weeks
ago that they were delaying care
because of concerns of being
exposed to COVID-19 and these
delays were having a terrible effect
on their health, we knew we had to
do something. So when the Take
Care Arkansas initiative under Dr.
[Dean] Kumpuris’ leadership began
to take shape and began to come
together, we were pleased to provide
matching seed money for this
campaign and to stand in support of
our healthcare providers.”
“
Now it’s time
for Arkansans
to get back to
their everyday
healthcare needs ...
Staying home when
you need care can
be extremely risky.
If you delay any
medical needs, that
decision can have
negative long-term
consequences on
your health.
“
– Dr. Dean Kumpuris
medical director of
Fifty for the Future
Dr. Kumpuris said that Arkansas’
healthcare organizations are
responding “generously and
effectively” in the fight against
COVID-19.
“Now it’s time for Arkansans to get
back to their everyday healthcare
needs,” Dr. Kumpuris, medical
director of Fifty for the Future, said.
“In fact, staying home when you
need care can be extremely risky. If
you delay a trip to the ER, a surgery,
your child’s routine vaccinations, a
yearly wellness visit or any other
medical needs, that decision
can have negative long-term
consequences on your health.”
The new Take Care Arkansas
website (takecarearkansas.com)
and Facebook page highlight new
safety protocols and emphasize the
importance of returning to regular
healthcare visits.
SUMMER 2020
3

Your trusted source for health
and coverage facts, info and tips
Healthy living. Wellness. Getting the most
value from your health insurance. Where do
you go for help with these goals?
Blueprint!
Blueprint is the new name for a number of
resources we use to share reliable information
and fresh ideas. You can use Blueprint
resources to plan a healthful future and choose
a path for your healthcare journey.
Blueprint includes:
The new Blueprint information hub
(hub.arkansasbluecross.com) gives you
information on your health, your benefits,
your community and the future of healthcare.
The new and improved Blueprint magazine
(formerly known as Blue & You), which is now
also available on the Blueprint information hub.
Healthy conversations. Blueprint engagement
materials can give you information on your
benefits, highlight programs that can help you
live a healthier life and empower you to take
charge of your life and live it to the fullest. We
want to be part of your healthcare journey.
You will soon see Blueprint in social media
or in emails that link you to topical health
videos. Blueprint may help you stop smoking
or guide you through a virtual doctor
appointment on your phone.
The My Blueprint member portal.
You can access this powerful self-service
tool on your smartphone or computer to
manage your benefits, find care, check
costs, track deductible information and
much, much more.
Blueprint can help
you build a healthy
life ... or chart your
best course through
the healthcare
system ... or both!
We’re here – with
information and
people you can
trust – to help
you design the
life you want.
4 SUMMER 2020

Preventive planning is the key to
playing well during a pandemic
Summer is usually a prime time for outdoor fun. And during
a time of lockdowns and quarantine, these activities may
be even more appealing. But before you head to a trail,
park, pool, beach or other destination, consider these tips:
Visit places close to home.
Traveling long distances may
expose you to people and/
or objects tainted by novel
coronavirus, the virus that
causes COVID-19.
Keep your hands clean.
You know the drill: Soap.
Water. At least 20 seconds.
When soap and water are not
readily available, use hand
sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol).
Stay 6 feet or more away from
people who don’t live with you.
Social distancing is a vital
preventive measure. Open
areas and wide trails/paths are
best. Avoid crowded areas.
Wear a mask when you’re
around people who don’t
live with you.
When social distancing is
difficult, masks are vitally
important. But kids younger
than age 2 and people who
have breathing trouble or can’t
take their mask off should not
wear masks. For this group, it’s
even more important to keep a
safe distance from anyone who
is not in your household.
If you follow the rules,
pools can be cool.
Evidence suggests that
COVID-19 is not spread through
water properly treated with
coronavirus-killing chlorine or
bromine. But that doesn’t mean
pools, water playgrounds and
such are totally COVID-19-safe.
You still need to practice social
distancing and hand hygiene
and wear a mask around people
who do not live in your house.
Know before you go.
Is the park, recreation area,
beach/swimming area,
playground, etc. open? What
specific facilities or services
(visitors’ centers, restrooms,
concessions, etc.) are closed?
These answers will help
you know what to take with
you – like food, water, hand
sanitizer, etc.
Check out playground
cleanliness.
Playgrounds can be hard to keep
safe. If you are unsure whether
a playground is adequately
disinfected, don’t go there. If you
do go, all the other precautions
(social distancing, masks, hand
hygiene, etc.) still apply.
Stay home if you have
(or might have) COVID-19.
Don’t visit a trail, park, beach or
other destination in the great
outdoors if you are sick with or
have tested positive for COVID-19
or were recently (within 14
days) exposed to COVID-19.
Avoid parks or other
recreation spots that
are crowded.
Stay away from places where
you cannot stay at least 6 feet
away from anyone who does
not live in your house.
SUMMER 2020
5

Responding
Arkansas Blue Cross helps members
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its
nonprofit Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier
Arkansas have taken a number of steps to help meet
the needs of the members and communities we
serve during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Whether from our own personal experiences or from
what we see and hear in the news each day, it’s clear
that the coronavirus pandemic has become not just a
public health crisis but also an economic and social
crisis that’s impacting every part of our lives,” said
Curtis Barnett, Arkansas Blue Cross president and
chief executive officer. “As we have been for more than
70 years, we’re here for Arkansans, providing critical
funds for our communities. We are working closely
with our customers and state agencies to monitor
needs and respond.”
9.
Mercy Health Foundation
Northwest Arkansas in Rogers
6.
Madison County
Medical Group
So far, we have:
Temporarily waived member costs for COVID-19
diagnostic tests and treatment
Conway Regional
Medical Center
4.
Temporarily increased access and coverage
for telehealth services for medical care,
dentistry, behavioral health services and
select therapeutic services
Temporarily enhanced access to maintenance
prescription medications and extended prior
authorizations on many medications for
90-day supplies
8.
Mercy Health
Foundation in
Fort Smith
1.
2.
Worked with groups and individual members
to help them maintain vital health coverage
Worked with healthcare providers (with cash
advances, advanced payments, etc.) to lessen the
economic impact to their practices and facilities
Encouraged our members (in an ad campaign)
not to delay medical care and assured them of
the safeguards now in place
Began assisting the Arkansas Department of
Health in its coronavirus contact-tracing initiative
Funded a $286,000 grant to the Northwest
Arkansas Council Foundation to educate members
of the Latino and Marshallese communities in
Northwest Arkansas about COVID-19 prevention
7.
Arkansas
Hospice
(a 43-county service area)
6 SUMMER 2020

to COVID-19
and communities cope with the pandemic
Invested $500,000 to fight food insecurity through grants to
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Arkansas Foodbank, the Pack
Shack and 17 United Way organizations
Awarded $150,000 to the Arkansas Community Foundation to
match funding from other corporate and philanthropic leaders
St. Bernards
Medical
Center
The University of
Arkansas for Medical
Sciences (UAMS)
Jefferson Regional
Medical Center
3.
11.
Drew
Memorial
Hospital
10.
5.
White River
Health System
in Batesville
Arkansas Rural
Health Partnership
in Lake Village
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Distributed $1.7 million in pandemic-related grants, through the
Blue & You Foundation’s Rapid-Response COVID-19 Relief Program,
with almost $1.5 million (86%) assisting programs initiated by
healthcare providers, such as:
The University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
in Little Rock – to purchase
personal protective equipment
(PPE) and supplies and to
conduct statewide mobile
screenings
Jefferson Regional Medical
Center in Pine Bluff – to provide
testing in underserved rural
counties in Southeast Arkansas
Drew Memorial Hospital in
Monticello – for rapid testing
Conway Regional Medical
Center – to equip a 26-bed
critical care unit with infectioncontrol
systems to help care for
COVID-19 patients
St. Bernards Medical Center
in Jonesboro – to convert
emergency department
treatment rooms to negativepressure
rooms for COVID-19
patients
Madison County Medical Group
– to increase COVID-19 testing
and increase telemedicine patient
visits for at-risk patient groups
Arkansas Hospice – to create
a new IT platform for telehealth
for a 43-county service area to
provide safe delivery of care to
patients, family members and
staff during the pandemic
Mercy Health Foundation in
Fort Smith – to purchase two
ventilators and lab equipment
to allow fast and reliable testing
for people in western Arkansas
Mercy Health Foundation
Northwest Arkansas in Rogers
– to convert 29 rooms to
airborne infection isolation
rooms
Arkansas Rural Health
Partnership in Lake Village –
to enable member hospitals
to provide telehealth care to
COVID-19 patients throughout
south Arkansas
White River Health System
in Batesville – to expand
telehealth monitoring for
patients in north central
Arkansas who have COVID-19,
high-risk conditions
or chronic diseases
We are still monitoring the situation closely and will continue to
address the needs of our members and our state.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
SUMMER 2020
7

a lifeRecovered
Jimmy McGill’s incredible journey
from addiction to freedom
Jimmy McGill
does a lot
more smiling
since entering
recovery five
years ago,
after two
decades of
addiction.
8 SUMMER 2020
ven when Jimmy McGill
woke up in the Lonoke County jail
in 2014 with no idea how he had
gotten there or how long he had
been there, he didn’t think he had
a drug problem.
Several days earlier, he had been
spotted lying unconscious in his
car. When the sheriff woke him and
asked him to step out, a lapful of
drugs spilled onto the pavement.
Busted ... again. It turned out to
be the last of dozens of arrests
spanning more than two decades
spent in pursuit of drugs.
Everyone else could plainly see
McGill was an addict, but he didn’t
buy it. Not yet.
Today, McGill tackles his job as
recovery coordinator with the
Arkansas Drug Director’s Office
with the same gusto he used to put
into finding drugs. He’s a virtual
evangelist of recovery and has put
the state’s fight against substance
use disorders in the spotlight.
And he’s a key ally to Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the
battle against substance abuse.
Arkansas Blue Cross and its
affiliates are helping to:
Train and supply first
responders to handle opioid
overdoses with potentially
lifesaving tools.
Support affected members
by covering medicationassisted
treatment.
Connect healthcare providers to
UAMS (University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences) experts,
via the AR-IMPACT program’s
video network, to discuss opioid
concerns. (The Drug Director’s
Office also supports this program).
Equip the state’s employers to
deal with substance use disorders
in the workplace (the Together
Arkansas initiative). Programs
McGill has created are part of the
toolkit available to employers.
a family tradition
In his addiction days, McGill
was following a path set by his
grandfather (a moonshiner who
died an alcoholic) and father (a
violent drug user who spent much
of McGill’s childhood in prison).
Physical and sexual abuse drove
McGill to seek relief in alcohol
and drugs around age 11. What
followed was “a self-imposed
prison called addiction,” a life of
personal turmoil, gang activity,
failed relationships and even
several prison stretches of his own.
“I never saw a good home – a
happy home – until I broke into
someone else’s,” McGill said.
“I tell people I only got high once
... it just lasted 23 years.”
a fateful transition
The turning point came in two parts:
His addiction came into sharp
focus in 2014. In the Lonoke
County jail, he “got clean.”
Weeks without drugs let his

Recovery
in a COVID-19 world
Tips for dealing with a pandemic’s
threats and isolating effects
natural charisma come out. Good
behavior earned him coveted
“trusty” status and all its perks. Life
was good. Then his cellmate scored
some drugs. “I resisted,” McGill
recalled. “But I finally gave in. For
the first time, I hated myself for not
being able to turn it down.” “Trusty”
status revoked, life got worse.
He recognized himself – and the
possibility of a drug-free life –
in a fellow addict’s recovery story.
A life-changing “first” came in
2015. He was paroled to a recovery
residence. In a support group,
another addict said: “Addiction is
hard to see when you’re in it. When
I sold my food stamps for drugs,
I thought I had a hunger problem.
When I sold my TV to get drugs,
I thought I had an entertainment
problem. When I sold my car to get
drugs, I thought I had a transportation
problem. It never dawned on me that
what I had was a drug problem.”
“That just hit me like a brick in the face,”
McGill said. “I was 38 years old, and I
was just learning that recovery was even
an option. Lots of very smart, caring
folks had tried to help me: counselors,
teachers, pastors, doctors. But they all
lacked the one thing I needed, and that
was credibility. I couldn’t relate to them,
and I was too ashamed to tell them all
the horrible things I had done.
“But when I met people who were in
recovery, I saw everything clearly. I had
a path forward, and I saw that someone
just like me had made the journey
successfully. And they were accepting
me and hugging me. An addict in
recovery did in two minutes what people
had been trying to do for 20 years.”
Continued on page 10
In a time fraught with fear, isolation,
economic downturns and socialdistancing,
how can people recovering
from substance use disorder stay on track?
The general principles are the same
as before the pandemic, but sticking
with them may take some planning
and creativity.
Here are some tips and resources:
Protect your physical health – Follow
the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19
guidance: hand hygiene, social
distancing, masks, etc. And call your
doctor right away if you experience
symptoms of COVID-19. You may
be at higher risk for serious effects.
Because it attacks the lungs, the
virus could be a bigger threat if you
smoke tobacco, marijuana or e-cigarettes. If you are a recovering
opioid or methamphetamine user, you could be more vulnerable
because of those drugs’ effects on respiratory and pulmonary health.
Stay the course – If you are in treatment for substance use, maintain
contact with your provider. Learn how the necessary COVID-19 distancing
policies impact your treatment to ensure you continue with care.
Stay connected – Connecting with people who can support you in your
journey (and those you can support) is the lifeblood of sustainable
recovery. In response to the pandemic’s effect on in-person meetings
of support and accountability groups, self-help classes and the like,
the 25,000 Arkansans living in recovery now have The Recovery Clinic
(facebook.com/TheRecoveryClinicAR/). This Facebook-based platform
offers support and empathy, recovery assets and information on an
array of resources (like naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, peer
recovery systems, etc.). The page features two live broadcasts each
week (11 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday) by State Opioid Response
Coordinator Jimmy McGill and Christopher Dickie, chief executive
officer at Natural State Recovery Centers in Little Rock.
Manage your stress – Excessive stress can be a trigger for substance
use. We all have stress, especially during a pandemic, but keeping it in
check can be a big part of staying on your recovery path. For practical
tips on how to manage your stress, anxiety and depression during a
disaster, see the article on page 11.
Stay busy – Downtime does not have to lead to old habits. If you’re at
home more, off work, etc., focus on helping others, furthering your
education or pursuing new or existing hobbies/interests.
For more great strategies, check out the following websites:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) –
drugabuse.gov/related-topics/covid-19-resources
A masked Chelsea McGill
(McGill’s wife) displays her
recovery chip to show it’s
possible to stay substance-free,
even during a pandemic.
The National Institute of Mental Health – nimh.nih.gov/
Arkansas Drug Director’s Office – artakeback.org/wellness/recovery/
SUMMER 2020
9

These days, McGill often finds himself in the company
of leaders like his boss, state drug czar Kirk Lane (right),
and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (left).
McGill is in demand as a public speaker. He spoke at
the grand opening of Natural State Recovery Centers
in Little Rock, before the pandemic was declared.
Continued from page 8
recovering “out loud”
“I made a decision that I was going to pursue recovery the
same way I had pursued drugs,” McGill explained. “I actually
listened to people. And I began recovering ‘out loud.’ Before
I knew it, my life was filled with completely different people,
places and things. And everywhere I’ve wreaked havoc, I’ve
tried to go back there and make up for it.”
For McGill, part of recovering “out loud” included
starting a personal Facebook page, on which he shared
his story and insights about his recovery. Some visitors
may have mistaken him for the “Better Call Saul”
Jimmy McGill from the popular TV series. But however
they got there, many of them liked what they saw. His
posts were read and shared at a high rate.
People began asking for help – dozens a day.
And McGill helped – with personal support and
connections to recovery resources. Word spread. He
was in demand as a speaker on addiction and recovery
– so much so that just 18 months into his recovery
journey, he was invited to speak at an opioid overdose
awareness ceremony at the Arkansas State Capitol,
alongside dignitaries and experts that included state
drug czar Kirk Lane. Lane recognized McGill right
away. He had arrested him several times.
hooked on recovery
Today, McGill has passed five years in recovery, is
happily married, has a renewed faith, is back in his
children’s lives and is hooked on helping people find
recovery. In fact, recovery is something of a family
business. He and his wife, Chelsea (they met in
recovery), have started a nonprofit to help women
overcome addiction. “It’s almost like I married my
sponsor,” he joked.
McGill also has developed a statewide network of
more than 300 peer recovery specialists and created
incredibly effective programs – like the one at the very
Lonoke County jail where he recognized his addiction.
That program has an astounding 74% success rate.
That result, he says, shows the power of giving
addiction a face.
“The more we can do to humanize this disease,” he
said, “the more we will be able to kill the stigma of
addiction. I now realize my past had a purpose. So
if sharing my story helps someone get on the road
to recovery, I’ll go anywhere I can and tell it as many
times as I am asked. It’s the least I can do.”
But the transformed Jimmy McGill made a big
impression, and the two started a new relationship that
eventually made them coworkers in the state’s fight
against narcotics and addiction.
10 SUMMER 2020

Emotional
impact
Pandemic stress can
amplify depression and anxiety
The COVID-19 pandemic is like a natural disaster –
it can impact your body but also wreak havoc on your
mental/emotional well-being.
If you have a preexisting mental health condition, stick
with your treatment and watch for new or worsening
symptoms or issues. The Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website
(samhsa.gov/disaster-preparedness) has some great
resources for managing mental/emotional health during a
disaster. You can always call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress
Hotline at 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
In a crisis, the following tips can help you manage your mental/emotional health:
Guard your
physical health
Eat healthy,
well-balanced
meals, exercise
regularly and
get plenty of
sleep. Avoid
alcohol,
tobacco, illicit
drugs, etc.
Common
signs of
distress
include:
Connect
Share your
concerns and
how you are
feeling with
someone you
trust. Healthy
relationships
and a strong
support system
are vital – even
if you have to
social distance.
Be appropriately
informed
A lack of
information (or
misinformation)
can generate
needless stress
and anxiety. Keep
your news intake
in balance and turn
to reliable sources.
Too much news
coverage can
amplify stress.
Feelings of numbness, disbelief,
anxiety or fear
Changes in energy, appetite and
activity levels
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty sleeping, nightmares and/
or upsetting thoughts or images
Take “me time”
Unwind and
remind yourself
that “this, too,
shall pass.”
Deep breathing
may help, too.
Don’t abandon
enjoyable
activities, as
long as you can
do them safely.
Get help if
you need it
If distress
impacts your
life for several
days or weeks,
don’t hesitate to
get professional
help.
Physical reactions: headaches, body
aches, stomach trouble, rashes, etc.
Worsening health issues
Short-temperedness, irritability
or anger issues
Increased substance use (alcohol,
tobacco, drugs, etc.)
If you experience these feelings or behaviors
for several days in a row and can’t carry out
normal responsibilities, call the behavioral
health number on the back of your insurance
card to talk to a mental health professional.
Many of our members have coverage through
New Directions Behavioral Health. You can call
them at 800-528-5763 or visit ndbh.com.
SUMMER 2020
11

in
Historic Washington
State Park
Washington, AR
Arkansas
Historic Washington State Park
Take a walk back in time
Want to do some time travel, enjoy the great outdoors
and get some exercise while social distancing?
You can do all three at Historic Washington State Park
in southwest Arkansas.
From Hope, head northwest along Arkansas Highway
278 and in just 10 minutes, you’ll roll right into history.
The 101-acre Historic Washington State Park is
Arkansas’ premier 19th-century village and is conserved
and interpreted by Arkansas State Parks, in cooperation
with the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation.
Park your vehicle at the visitor center, which is housed
inside the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse. Pick
up a map for a self-guided tour along the same streets
where Davy Crockett, Sam Houston and Jim Bowie once
strolled. In fact, the legendary Bowie knife was actually
created in Washington in 1830 by blacksmith James
Black. You can visit a reconstruction of his shop.
Historic Washington
State Park
103 Franklin St.
Washington, AR
71862
870-983-2684
Prior to the Texas Revolution, which began in 1835, the
town was less than 30 miles from the Mexican border. It
was one of the last places where travelers bound for the
border could exchange dollars for pesos. It was a vital
stop along the Southwest Trail, the route many pioneers
took to get to Texas.
12 SUMMER 2020

Williams’ Tavern Restaurant
Open 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.
Period houses, churches and businesses line the streets.
Many are now home to attractions like the print museum,
the weapons museum and the candle shop.
The 1836 Hempstead County Courthouse, which served
as the temporary capitol of Arkansas during the Civil
War, sits near the oldest Magnolia tree in Arkansas. The
massive tree was planted in 1839 to commemorate the
birth of Daniel Webster Jones, who grew up to become
the 19 th governor of Arkansas (1897-1901).
The beauty and history of the town are so consuming
that you may not even realize you’ve walked several
miles. However, when rest and refreshment are needed,
Williams’ Tavern Restaurant is ready to serve you some
authentic Southern cooking in a rustic atmosphere that
brings the Arkansas of the 1800s to life.
If you need a quick getaway that is steeped in “Arkansasness,”
give Historic Washington a visit.
The park is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily,
except major holidays.
SUMMER 2020 13

ESCAPEvape
the
Your health plan can help you quit smoking and/or e-cigarettes
14 SUMMER 2020
Almost 70% of smokers in the United States
want to quit. So, when something is marketed
as a safe and effective smoking-cessation
device or method, people take an interest.
But marketing can be deceiving.
For more than a decade, battery-powered
electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been
pushed to consumers as a safer alternative to
tobacco smoking. Instead of smoke, the device
releases aerosol mist that can be laced with
nicotine and other chemicals and flavorings.
The vapor-like aerosol they emit is where
the term “vaping” comes from.
E-cigarette manufacturers say their devices
are safer than tobacco cigarettes and can
help people stop smoking. But the research
does not conclusively support these claims.
Studies show that e-cigarettes pose serious
health risks. Here are some common myths
about e-cigarettes.
MYTH: E-cigarettes are a harmless
alternative to tobacco cigarettes
The modern e-cigarette has only been
marketed in the United States since 2007,
so researchers do not have long-term
data on the effects of vaping. However,
the short-term data is in, and it’s not good.
E-cigarettes are harmful to your health.
E-cigarette use increases blood clots, blood
pressure and heart rate and damages arteries
and veins. Some people who vape report
difficulty breathing, coughing, mouth irritation,
nausea and vomiting. In 2016, the American
Lung Association reported that vaping
contributes to an irreversible lung disease
called bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung),
which scars and thickens the smallest airways
in the lungs. Symptoms include a dry cough,
fatigue, shortness of breath and wheezing.
The disorder originally was linked to a
chemical: diacetyl. It was commonly used as
butter flavoring in microwave popcorn until
factory workers who inhaled it began showing
those symptoms. Popcorn manufacturers
stopped using the chemical. However, today
75% of flavored e-cigarettes test positive
for diacetyl.
Tobacco smoke has been around for hundreds
of years, and we have decades of data on
it. It contains more than 7,000 chemicals,
250 of which are known to be harmful to our
health. We have much less data about vaping,
but already, we can see it is not a harmless
alternative to tobacco smoking.
MYTH: I can’t get addicted
to e-cigarettes
Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical
present in virtually all e-cigarettes. According
to a 2015 study by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), 99% of
e-cigarettes sold in U.S. convenience stores
and supermarkets contained nicotine. Some
e-cigarettes marketed as nicotine-free
actually contained nicotine. A few labels
didn’t disclose how much nicotine was in the
product. Nicotine is added to the liquid that
creates the vapor.
MYTH: E-cigarettes will help
me quit smoking
The research does not support this belief.
Unfortunately, many people switch to vaping
because they believe it will help them quit
smoking. A 2020 report from the U.S.
Surgeon General showed that roughly half of
adult smokers who used e-cigarette products
continued to smoke tobacco. They are called
dual-users. Studies also show that roughly
1.9 million young adults, ages 18-24, have
taken up vaping. They are four times more
likely than their nonvaping peers to become
regular tobacco smokers.
TRUTH: You CAN quit
It’s difficult to quit smoking – it’s one of the
tougher habits to break. But if you want to
stop smoking (or vaping), your health plan
can assist you. Just call the customer service
phone number on the back of your member
ID card to explore the options available to you.

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Financial Information Privacy Notice
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its
affiliates (including HMO Partners, Inc. d/b/a Health
Advantage) understand how important it is to protect
your private information. Because of the nature of
our business, we often must collect highly personal
information. We are committed to maintaining,
securing and protecting that information.
Customer information
Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates compile only the
information necessary to provide services that you (our
members) request and to administer your business. We
collect nonpublic personal financial information (any
information that can be tied back to a specific person and is
gathered by any source that is not publicly available) from:
Applications for insurance coverage. The application
includes information such as name, address, personal
identifiers such as Social Security number, and medical
information that you authorize us to collect.
Payment history and related financial transactions.
This information is generated from the purchase
and use of your coverage.
Your membership status. This information is related
to your standing as a member.
Arkansas Blue Cross
800-238-8379
Health Advantage
800-843-1329
Self-funded group members
should call Customer Service
using the toll-free
telephone number
on their ID card.
Sharing of information
Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates do not disclose,
and do not wish to reserve the right to disclose, nonpublic
personal information about you to our affiliates or other
parties except as permitted or required by law. In some
instances, Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates may
provide personally identifiable information about you to
affiliates or other third parties. This information includes
(but is not limited to) your name, postal and email
addresses, telephone numbers and related nonpublic
financial information. Such information may be shared
with our affiliates and/or third parties:
To service or process products that you have requested
To provide information as permitted and required
by law to accrediting agencies
To provide information to comply with federal, state
or local laws in an administrative or judicial process
To provide information to a business associate
(including one of our affiliated companies) to provide
services to our health plans, sponsoring groups and
you, our members
How we protect your information
Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates use various security
mechanisms to protect your personal data, including
electronic and physical measures and company policies
that limit employee access to nonpublic personal financial
information. Improper access to and/or use of confidential
information by an Arkansas Blue Cross employee can
result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
of employment.
Disclosure of Privacy Notice
Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates recognize and
respect the privacy concerns of potential, current and
former customers. Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates
are committed to safeguarding this information. This
Financial Information Privacy Notice is provided for
informational purposes and will be updated and distributed
as required by law. It is also available on our website at
arkansasbluecross.com or from our Customer Service call
centers. Our Customer Service call centers are open from
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Central time, Monday through Friday.
Arkansas Blue Cross Health Advantage
800-238-8379 800-843-1329
Members of self-funded health plans should call
Customer Service using the toll-free telephone number
on their member ID card.
SUMMER 2020 15

To every physician, nurse, and front-line care team member — thank you for putting the health and wellness
of our neighbors and communities before your own.
And to our members, we want you to be healthy and continue to take recommended precautions to protect
yourselves, and others, from the coronavirus. We encourage you to take care of your physical and emotional
health every day — stay active, eat right and seek medical care when you need it.
OUR
HEROES
Medical centers and doctors’ offices are prepared to take care of you.
To every
of our ne
And to ou
yourselve
health ev
Medical c
To every physician, nurse, and front-line care team member — thank you for putting the health and wellness
of our neighbors and communities before your own.
So,
And
if
to
you’ve
our members,
been delaying
we want you
needed
to be healthy
medical
and
care,
continue to take recommended precautions to protect
yourselves, and others, from the coronavirus. We encourage you to take care of your physical and emotional
health every day — stay active, eat right and seek medical care when you need it.
So, if yo
now
Medical
is a
centers
great
and
time
doctors’
to connect
offices
with
are prepared
your doctor.
to take care of you.
So, if you’ve been delaying needed medical care,
now is a great time to connect with your doctor.
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now is