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Respiratory Health Education Program
Added Benefit for Members at Greater Risk
For Complications of Respiratory Illness
The misery of a cold or flu is temporary and, in most cases, not serious. These
illnesses, however, can lead to more serious respiratory infections such as sinusitis
or pneumonia. People who are especially at risk are those whose resistance to infection
may be low. This group includes smokers; the elderly; and those who suffer from
chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease, or
lung conditions such as emphysema or bronchitis.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Advantage and those BlueAdvantage Administrators
of Arkansas employers who purchase the program offer enrolled members a free community-based
Respiratory Education Program to furnish information about prevention and management
of respiratory illnesses. This information should help you:
- Know more about what causes different types of respiratory infections, how they
are spread and how they can be treated most effectively;
- Learn about the actions you can take to prevent or reduce your chances of acquiring
respiratory illnesses;
- Access more specific information and resources about asthma, sinusitis and pneumonia
and how to prevent and manage symptoms.
Program Benefits
- Registered nurse case managers who can assist with your health-plan benefits;
- Information and education from community and national resources that follow the
standards set forth by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. These include
tips on prevention of respiratory infections at home and work, simple techniques
to relieve symptoms, and information on the role of medication in the treatment
of respiratory infection;
- Information and education from local resources on availability and cost of smoking-cessation
classes for those members who want to quit smoking.
Program Highlights
- Voluntary Health Survey: A comprehensive telephonic questionnaire to help
determine your current health status and possibly identify your health education
needs. After you complete the survey, a personalized report will be mailed to you.
- Physician Collaboration: A registered nurse case manager available to work
with you and your physician to provide assistance with your health-plan benefits
and information on respiratory illness.
- Health-Care Resource Lists: Comprehensive
lists to help members locate community resources and educational classes for
access to respiratory care with special focus on sinusitis, pneumonia and asthma.
Lists contain toll-free telephone numbers and Web addresses for your access.
- Education on Self-management Techniques: Quick reference guides that you
can use to help prevent respiratory illness, to relieve symptoms, and to help you
understand the role of medications in the treatment of respiratory infection.
- Satisfaction Surveys: To keep us informed on how the program is working for
you.
Physician Support
The physician remains your caregiver and makes all medical decisions. The Respiratory
Education Program is designed only to provide assistance through education and benefits
management and the facilitation of access to local and national resources.
Health/Cost Advantages
If you have experienced the effects of a respiratory illness, such as a cold, flu,
sinusitis, pneumonia or asthma, you know firsthand the overall impact to your health,
comfort and quality of life. The financial costs are an additional issue. Better
health leads to a higher quality of life and lower costs to you, the patient. Through
the Respiratory Education Program, we want to work with you, under the guidance
of your physician, to provide education about how you can prevent complications
associated with respiratory illness. Preventing respiratory complications can have
a substantial impact on reducing hospitalization and further reducing health-care
costs to you. Please check your member benefits document for coverage of services.
How To Enroll
Call a registered nurse case manager
at your nearest regional office to enroll in the Respiratory Health Education Program
today or download the Patient Enrollment Form (103 KB PDF) and send it to your regional office. The program
is completely voluntary, and you may choose to leave the program at any time.
NOTE: The Respiratory Health Education Program is for educational purposes
only. We do not offer medical advice or medical services. You should always consult
your treating physician for any medical advice or services you may need. You, as
a member, are responsible for selecting providers, services or products. All suggested
health services may not be covered under your health plan. Please check your member
benefits for coverage of services. Information furnished by you is kept strictly
confidential and only used to provide us with the information necessary for your
participation in the Respiratory Health Education Program.
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