Flu Shots, do they really work?

Log into myuhc.com  Benefit Awareness News | September 2017 Do flu shots really work? Yes! Here’s how What to do next Don’t wait. Get your flu shot from a network provider as soon as it’s available. Here’s how to find a flu shot near you. Be sure to bring your health plan ID card with you. And tell your provider the flu shot is covered under your medical benefits, not your pharmacy benefits. Also in this edition Do flu shots really work? Yes! Here’s how Did your child catch something at school? Try a Virtual Visit Is your hospital safe? Discover a healthier you with Rally® Is it a cold or the flu? Colds and the flu have some similar symptoms. So it isn’t always easy to know which one you have. With a Virtual Visit, you can see a doctor from the comfort of your home or on the go. Connect with a doctor from your mobile device or computer 24/7. *Check your benefit plan to see what services may be covered. Benefit Awareness News sends articles based on topics of general interest to our readers. They are not targeted to individual members, nor are they individually customized. We do not have access to members’ personal health information. Therefore, we cannot send articles to members based on that information. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Food and Drug Administration © 2017 United HealthCare Services, Inc. 9700 Health Care Lane, Minnetonka, MN 55343 USA. Privacy policy

Benefit Awareness News

Benefit Awareness News | July 2016

Brought to you by: UHC

7 things to bring to your next doctor visit

When you need to see a doctor, it may save time if you already know what you need to bring with you.

Some of these things you'll need to gather right before your visit. But others can be ready to go ahead of time.

What to do in advance

Before your next sick day, make yourself a grab-and-go kit with these four things:

1. Your health plan ID card. You can review your benefits and print a copy of your ID card right from myuhc.com®.

Cool tool: Did you know you can use the UnitedHealthcare Health4Me® mobile app to view and share your ID card information with your doctor?

2. Your health history. Your doctor will want to know about your current medical conditions, as well as any past illnesses or surgeries.

Cool tool: You can use the Health4Me app to collect, track and share your personal health records.

3. A list of all the medications you take. Be sure to include both prescription and over-the-counter products, such as vitamins and supplements. And note how much you take and how often.

Cool tool: Use this prescription checklist any time your doctor prescribes a new medicine. It may help you better understand why you need the medicine — and how to take it safely.

4. A list of your questions. Asking questions may help you make more informed decisions about your health care. Between visits, jot down what’s on your mind so you won’t forget to ask.

Cool tool: Visit uhc.com/checklists to browse questions on a range of health topics.

What to gather on the fly

If you have time before you see your doctor, here are three more things that can help you have a good visit:

5. A cost estimate. Review your benefit plan — and understand what costs you may be responsible for.

Cool tool: You can compare estimated costs for procedures and providers at myuhc.com. Just look for the “Estimate Health Care Costs” button.

6. Online research. If you’ve looked up your symptoms or other information on a website, bring along your findings to discuss with your doctor.

7. A buddy. You can bring a friend or family member to your visit. This person can take notes, act as your advocate or offer other support.

What to do next
Not sure if you need a doctor? With NurseLineSM, you can talk with a registered nurse 24/7 for help with health or medication questions, finding a doctor or hospital, or understanding your treatment options. Choose the “Talk With Us” feature on the Health4Me app. Or call the member number on your health plan ID card.

Read More at:https://pages.unitedhealthcare-hmhb.com/page.aspx?qs=c76003443ff9837d856a4ecdb5606199ab3b8fdc602f72f559be5ce49c12de235f5c20efb4ad5feb3e34fc8158b800a0f9be8f401c14d0b8f536366a9e904fb2a41343590dff6a86f1e36b0de0e72e80ccae5e2c44fb0b36a0542a1870bf18a9 

NurseLine is for informational purposes only. Nurses cannot diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment and are not a substitute for your doctor’s care. NurseLine services are not an insurance program and may be discontinued at any time.

© 2016 United HealthCare Services, Inc. 9700 Health Care Lane, Minnetonka, MN 55343 USA.

You’re 65 and Working: What about Medicare?

Repost: 
Medicare Tips & Resources | Tue, Jun 14, 2016 @ 09:00 AM

You’re 65 and Working: What about Medicare?

Posted by Medicare Made Clear: Retirement used to be closely linked to turning 65. No more. The full retirement age — when you can receive 100% of your social security retirement benefit — is 66 for anyone born in 1943. And, it’s 67 if you were born in 1960 or later.

However, Medicare eligibility still begins at age 65, even if retirement does not. People on disability could be eligible for Medicare before they turn 65.The question is: What do employed 65-year-olds do about Medicare

Medicare Before You Retire? Maybe

If you or your spouse is working, then you may have health insurance through an employer. It’s important to understand how Medicare may work with your existing insurance.

Before you do anything about Medicare, you need to talk with your employer health plan administrator. Questions you may want to ask include:

• What kind of health plan do I have? For example, many employer plans are HMOs (health maintenance organizations).
• Does my employer require that I enroll in Medicare?
• How would my health insurance change if I enrolled in Medicare?
• How much is deducted from each paycheck for health insurance? (Remember that you do not pay taxes on payroll deductions for health insurance. You need to consider the tax savings to determine the total value.)

This information may help you evaluate your Medicare choices and decide what’s best for you.

Enroll in Medicare Part A? Probably

Most people enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) when they turn 65, whether they are working or not. This is because Part A is premium-free for most people. You earn this benefit by paying into the Medicare program while you’re working. You qualify for premium-free Part A if you or your spouse contributed to Medicare for at least 10 years.

In general, hospital expenses are covered first by your employer health plan. Medicare Part A is the secondary payer. It’s a good idea to enroll in Part A as soon as you’re eligible, so you don’t have to worry about signing up later.

There may be reasons to delay Part A, such as if your employer health plan is a Health Savings Account (HSA)—employer contributions could stop if you have Medicare. It’s very important for you to learn how Medicare may change your employer health benefits.

Enroll in Medicare Part B? Depends

Medicare Part B (doctor and outpatient coverage) charges a premium. In 2016, the monthly premium starts at $121.80 per month for new enrollees. It may be more for people with higher incomes.

Many people who have employer coverage delay enrolling in Part B to postpone paying the premium. You can sign up later during a Special Enrollment Period without penalty.

Part B may be of limited value when you have other health insurance. Exceptions may be people who are self-employed or who work for an employer with less than 20 full-time employees, since Medicare would become the primary payer in these situations.

It’s very important to find out how Part B would work with your employer plan before making your decision.

Conclusion

You have a number of Medicare decisions to make when you become eligible for Medicare. This is especially true when you have other health insurance. You may want to start learning about your choices ahead of time. Preparation may help you avoid unnecessary costs.

Brought to you by UHC - Medicare Made Clear 

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