Balance (AUTUMN 2022)

alanceAUTUMN 2022
Bringing Walmart plan participants a healthy balance in life
Let’s kick
“buts!”
PAGE 2
Keys to better
breast health
PAGE 3
Life is
better with
you in it
PAGE 4
Stay on guard
with Vaccines
PAGE 6

Let’s Kick
“Buts!”
As the weather gets colder, we tend to stay inside
more, and our risk of contagious respiratory viruses
such as COVID increases. That makes this an
especially important time to focus on lung health.
Nothing damages the lungs more than smoking.
If you are a smoker, you know quitting tobacco
isn’t easy. There is always a “but” to keep you from
quitting. “But” my life is so stressful. “But” I’ll stop
after this pack …
If you are ready, Walmart can help you kick those “buts.”
Smoking harms more than your lungs
Smoking can harm nearly every body organ and
leads to disease and disability. More than 16 million
Americans are living with a disease caused by
smoking. For every person who dies because of
smoking, at least 30 people live with a serious
smoking-related illness. Smoking causes cancer,
heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Smoking also increases the risk for tuberculosis,
certain eye diseases, and immune system problems,
including rheumatoid arthritis.
Here’s how we can help:
• KICK BUTS – Walmart offers the Kick Buts
program at no cost to all associates and
immediate family members. Kick Buts is a simple
and interactive coaching program that works
through your mobile phone. Once you enroll, Kick
Buts supports you via text messages and works
with you until you’ve quit for good. If you have a
craving, Kick Buts is there 24/7. If you slip up, Kick
Buts helps you get back on track.
• NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY – Walmart
provides Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
products at no charge to those who enroll in
the Kick Buts program. NRT products, like gum,
patches and lozenges, help you manage cravings
by easing the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Ready to kick
the habit?
If you want help quitting tobacco,
we encourage you to enroll in the
free Kick Buts program. Register
online at kickbuts.com/kbewmt,
or call 855-955-1905 M-F,
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT.
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Achieving Your
Best Breast Health
Breast cancer is the second most common cause
of cancer death among adult women. We all know
regular breast exams and mammograms are the best
strategies for detecting breast cancer, but there’s
much more you can do to boost good breast health.
Maintain a healthy weight. Staying a
healthy weight reduces your lifetime
risk of developing or dying from cancer.
Exercise regularly. Physically active
women are 25% less likely to develop
breast cancer than sedentary women.
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of
water and fill your plate daily with
fruits and vegetables.
Limit alcohol to one drink per day.
Women who drink more than one
alcoholic beverage daily — even just
two drinks — increase their risk of
developing breast cancer.
Take your vitamins, especially vitamin D.
Women with low vitamin D levels may
have a higher risk of developing breast
cancer. Breast cancer survivors with low
vitamin D levels may have a greater risk
of disease recurrence. Research also
suggests high vitamin D levels are linked
to better breast cancer survival rates
Conduct regular breast self-exams.
Nobody knows your body as you do.
By doing self-exams, you can
determine how your breasts vary in
sensitivity and texture during different
times of the month. Watch for lumps,
pain or nipple discharge. If you have
signs or symptoms that worry you,
be sure to see your doctor.
The importance of
early detection
Mammography screening is a valuable early
detection tool that can identify breast cancer at an
early stage when treatment is more effective and
less expensive. The following screening schedule is
recommended for women of average risk:
Women ages
50-74
should receive
a screening
mammogram every
2 YEARS
Women
younger
than
50
should talk with their
physician about their
family history and
general health to
determine whether
they need a screening
mammogram.
Women whose family history has an increased
risk of breast cancer genes (mutations in
BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes) should receive genetic
counseling and evaluation for BRCA testing.
If breast cancer is detected, you should outreach
to your health care advisor at BlueAdvantage
Administrators of Arkansas to discuss how they
can assist you. Please see the number on the
back of your plan ID card.
balance AUTUMN 2022 3

Life
is better with
you in it
Suicide prevention: know the
signs and ways to get help
The Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday season can be
a joyous time of the year. Late fall gatherings with
family, buying presents for loved ones, decorating
and preparing special meals are all part of the fun.
But maybe instead of joy, what you feel is pressure.
Or you feel alone and left out of celebrations. You
could even dread the shortening of daylight, a
symptom of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
When these feelings get out of hand, the risk
of suicide grows. Nobody wants to talk about
suicide, but ignoring the problem won’t make
it go away. The good news is that there are
signs you can watch for to help prevent
someone from attempting suicide, things
you can do to reduce the risk, and resources
you can reach out to for help.
Need help?
Call Resources
for Living at
800-825-3555.
Need to speak to a
counselor?
With Resources for Living you and your family have
access to 10 face-to-face counseling sessions per
person, per issue per year, all at no co-cost. But not
everyone can fit a counseling office visit into their
schedule. Talkspace is a benefit through Resources
for Living where, instead of 10 individual sessions,
members can access 10 weeks of chat therapy through
the convenient website or app. While there aren’t live
sessions, you can send messages to the therapist you
choose to work on a variety of needs in a way that fits
your lifestyle. Call Resources for Living at 800-825-3555
or visit One.Walmart.com/RFL for more information.
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Here are
four ways
to reduce suicides:
1.
Maintain Meaningful
Social Connections
Cutting down on social
isolation can have positive
effects not only in
preventing suicide but on
the overall quality of life.
If someone you care for
seems isolated, reach out.
That means you, too.
2.
Identify whether you
or someone you know
has untreated mental
health needs
Hidden symptoms of
mental illness can give
a false sense of security.
Addressing the issue
by seeking help from a
professional is the first
important step.
3.
Reduce access to
items that could be
used for self harm
Studies explain that the
suicide rate drops when
easy access to lethal
means is restricted or
eliminated.
4.
Be Aware of Risks
While they don’t
necessarily predict suicide
attempts, you should watch
for these risk factors:
• Mental disorders, particularly
mood disorders, schizophrenia,
anxiety disorders, and certain
personality disorders
• Alcohol and other substance use
disorders
• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• Family history of suicide
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of relationship(s)
• Hopelessness
• Easy access to lethal means
• Impulsive and/or aggressive
tendencies
• History of trauma or abuse
• Local clusters of suicide
• Lack of social support
and sense of isolation
• Major physical illnesses
• Stigma associated with
asking for help
• Lack of healthcare, especially
mental health and substance
abuse treatment
Take care of yourself and those
near and dear to you during
the upcoming holidays.
• Cultural and religious beliefs,
such as the belief that suicide
is a noble resolution of a
personal dilemma
• Exposure to others who have
died by suicide (in real life or
via the media and Internet)
balance AUTUMN 2022 5

Stay on Guard
with
Vaccines
Fall is a busy time of year, with kids back in school
and the holidays approaching. It’s easy to forget
getting a flu or COVID-19 shot with such a hectic
schedule. But just think of how much you won’t
get done if you get sick!
With the flu, we are used to the regular call to
get a vaccine before the flu season (typically late
fall or early winter) begins. COVID is a newer threat
but getting vaccinated is the best way to fight it.
Here is up-to-date information on COVID and
flu vaccines.
Can you get
both vaccines
at once?
You can get a COVID vaccine and other vaccines,
including a flu vaccine, at the same visit. Your
immune response after getting vaccinated is
generally the same when the COVID vaccine
is given alone or with other vaccines.
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A couple of quick vaccines and
you don’t have to worry about
that busy life grinding to a halt.
Who should get the flu shot?
There are a variety of types of flu vaccines, making
it easy for most people over the age of 6 months
to receive a flu shot. Standard-dose inactivated flu
vaccines are approved for people as young as 6
months of age. High-dose inactivated vaccines are
approved for people 65 years and older. Even people
with egg allergy can get a flu shot.
Some people are at higher risk of hospitalization or
death from the flu:
• Children younger than age 5 years — especially
those younger than age 2 years
• Pregnant people and those who are up to two
weeks postpartum
Who should get the COVID shot?
• COVID primary vaccines: everyone
ages 6 months and older
• COVID boosters: everyone eligible
ages 5 years and older
Who SHOULD NOT get a COVID shot?
It’s a pretty short list. People who are moderately
or severely immunocompromised have different
recommendations for COVID vaccinations and
should discuss with their primary doctor what
kind or how many vaccines they may need.
Source: CDC.gov, nfid.org/flu
• People with certain chronic health conditions
like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes,
obesity or a compromised immune system
• Certain racial and ethnic groups including Black,
Hispanic or Latino, and American Indian or
Alaska Native persons
• Adults age 65 years and older because they
often have weak immune systems
Who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot?
• Children younger than 6 months
• People with severe, life-threatening allergies to
a flu vaccine ingredient (other than egg proteins)
including gelatin, antibiotics or other ingredients
• People with a severe allergic reaction to a flu
vaccine in the past. If you had a severe allergic
reaction to a flu vaccine, talk with your doctor to
determine whether vaccination is appropriate.
balance AUTUMN 2022 7

BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas
P.O. Box 1460
Little Rock, AR 72203-1460
blueadvantagearkansas.com
PRSRT STD.
US Postage
PAID
Permit 7
Caney, KS
67333
Don’t Let
Diabetes
Overwhelm You
Fall is in full swing – school is back in
session and Thanksgiving and Christmas
are right around the corner. Your to-do list
has grown from a few items to an endless
scroll. Managing your diabetes during this
busy time can be a real challenge.
Feel overwhelmed yet?
No worries. Help is here.
Making the Most of myAgilelife
People with diabetes can lessen their burden with
myAgilelife – a free text messaging-based coaching
support program. myAgileLife provides the motivation
and personal support needed to be successful. It will
send anywhere from two messages a week to three
messages per day, depending on the goals you want to
hit. As part of the program, you’ll be assigned a personal
health coach who will support you every step of the way.
Use myAgilelife to stay on course with:
Diet
Exercise
00096.04.01-1022
Medicines
Preventive health
screenings
Q: How do I sign up for myAgilelife?
A: There are three ways to get started:
Text ‘DIABETESB’ to short code 63141, and
a text message will be sent to you with a link
to a mobile web page that describes the program.
Click on the ENROLL NOW button to get started.
Go to myAgilelife next, enter Program Code “DIABETESB,”
and then, click on the ENROLL NOW button.
Call 1-855-955-1905, M-F 9 AM to 6 PM (CT)
and a myAgileLife customer service
representative will help enroll you.
During the enrollment process, you will need to provide
some basic information including:
• Your name (as it appears on your insurance card)
• Demographics (gender, date of birth, zip code, etc.)
• Mobile phone number (where text messages will be sent)
• Facility ID (Store Number or Department Number
for non-store associates)
• Member ID Number (from your insurance card)