SPRING 2024 Kern Legacy Health Plans Do you want your children to be adventurous eaters? Invite them into the kitchen to help you cook. Kids who help their parents cook are more likely to try all the foods you prepare, even if they don’t embrace them right away. Cooking teaches kids about nutrition and food safety—not to mention mathematics and science. And a child who becomes skilled in the kitchen is less likely to quickly grab processed foods when hungry. Ready to have your kids begin cooking? Here are some tips for enlisting their help. Start with food safety. Be sure your children know the basics, like: ● Washing their hands with soap and running water before and after handling food. ● Keeping work surfaces clean. ● Keeping raw meat, poultry and fish separate from other foods. ● Waiting until food is cooked before tasting. ● Cooking foods to their proper temperatures. Let them explore with their senses. Kneading dough. Rinsing produce. Tearing lettuce and snapping green beans. These activities will pique a child’s curiosity about food with senses other than taste. If your child is hesitant to taste a food, invite them to smell it first. Taste it yourself and tell them how good it is. Teach them how to read (and follow) a recipe. Show your kids how to gather ingredients and utensils for a recipe. Tell them why it’s important to measure the correct amount of each ingredient for the recipe to work. Emphasize safe kitchen skills. Teach your child how to use kitchen tools the correct way to avoid injuries. They may not be ready to use knives, even with adult supervision, until they are 10 to 12 years old. Show them how to wear oven mitts to protect themselves from burns, and explain why they should turn pan handles inward to avoid bumping into them. Be sure they know how to turn appliances on and off. Cooking with your kids can set them on the path to a lifetime of healthy eating while making fun family memories. Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; American Academy of Pediatrics Be their role model Early feeding practices are important for the healthy growth of children. Once children are 12 months old or older, they will eat more of the foods that you eat. Healthy eating patterns set a good example for your children. Healthy eating patterns focus on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or fat-free dairy. It is also important to limit foods that are high in sodium and added sugars. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Invite your kids into the kitchen
Take advantage of our 90-day maintenance medication prescriptions Prescription maintenance medications are prescription drugs commonly used to treat chronic or long-term conditions. These conditions usually require regular, daily use of medications. For medications you take every day, save time and money with 90-day refills. Convenient refills for maintenance meds Maintenance medications are prescription drugs commonly used to treat chronic or longterm conditions. These conditions usually require regular, daily use of medications. For medications you take every day, save time and money with 90-day refills. Start by asking your doctor to send a new 90-day prescription to your pharmacy (other than for diabetes, which has a custom program through WellDyne Mail Order for 90-day supplies). CVS Pharmacy Take advantage of your 90-day prescription refill at your local CVS pharmacy. Find a participating CVS pharmacy by using the WellView member portal. WellDyne Mail Order Prescription delivery is a great choice! Skip the trip to the pharmacy and get all your medications, including a 90-day supply of your maintenance medications, delivered straight to your door. Register for mail order using the WellView member portal ● Go to wellview.welldyne.com and select “Register Now.” ● Make sure to have your member ID card handy. ● Update your personal information, shipping address and payment method. How do I get my first prescription filled and delivered? Once you’ve registered, your doctor can submit your prescription for the number of days your plan allows (for example, 90 days) the following ways: ● Electronically to WellDyne. This is the fastest way to receive your prescription shipments. Your doctor can e-prescribe to “WellDyne Prescription Delivery.” ● By fax to 888-830-3608. ● By phone to 888-479-0163. ● By mail to WellDyne, PO Box 90369, Lakeland, FL 33804. Once we receive your prescription, your medication will arrive in approximately 7 to 10 business days by standard shipping. For help getting started, please call WellDyne at 888-479-0163. How do I get started with mail-order prescriptions?
Prescription medicine tips It’s hard enough being sick, so taking medicine should be easy. Here are a few tips for getting the most from your medicine: ● Take your medicine as prescribed—make sure you take the correct dosage every day. Even if you start feeling better, always take all of your medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you stop—especially with antibiotics—you may become even sicker. If you want to stop because of side effects, call your doctor. ● Be aware of side effects—read the information that comes with your medicine. Realize that some side effects don’t appear right away and can show up days, or even weeks, after you start your medicine. Call your doctor right away if you think your medicine is causing an unpleasant reaction. ● Order your refill three weeks in advance. If you’re using the WellDyne Mail Order service, be sure to order your refill at least three weeks before your prescription runs out. If you’re using a retail pharmacy, sign up for automatic refills, if available. You want to make sure you have your medicine when you need it. ● Use WellDyne Mail Order services. A service like the WellDyne Mail Order service gives you a three-month supply of medicine, so you don’t have to refill as much. And your medicine is delivered to a location of your choice. Plus, you may be able to save on co-pays. ● Save money—ask your doctor to write a prescription for a generic medicine instead of a brand-name medicine. Generics tend to be lower-priced than brand-name medicines, and they are just as effective. Using generics can help you save big on prescription costs. Mandatory WellManaged Diabetes Program The WellManaged Diabetes Program is mandatory for all Kern Legacy Health Plan members with a diabetes diagnosis. The program promotes evidence-based treatment of diabetes and provides one-on-one access to dedicated certified diabetes educators (CDEs). The program’s clinicians provide patient education, suggest healthy lifestyle changes and interact with your physician to make sure you are receiving the best possible care. In addition, the WellManaged Diabetes Program provides: ● Zero out-of-pocket cost for all covered diabetes medications. ● Informative newsletters to help manage your diabetes. ● Additional educational resources and access to diabetes experts. ● Ongoing communication with a clinical care team. All diabetes medications included in this program are shipped directly to your address at zero cost. For questions regarding this program, contact WellDyne at 888-479-0163 or go to welldyne.com for assistance.
Knowing your prescription coverage WellDyne prescription coverage puts patients first, offering safe and cost-effective medicine while providing the clinical care and support you need to manage your medication treatment. From the moment you enroll with WellDyne, we make it a priority to connect with you as an individual, offering the level of support you need at every step of your treatment plan. We are skilled at dispensing specialized medications for challenging health conditions, and our involvement goes beyond the basics. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get regarding your prescription coverage. Do I need to take my ID card with me to the pharmacy? It’s a good idea to carry your member ID card with you at all times. When you fill a prescription at a new pharmacy or start a new insurance plan, the pharmacist will need the specific information on your member ID card. This information will allow your pharmacy to properly fill your prescription, process your claim and tell you what your copay is at the time of purchase. Once you are in the pharmacy’s system, you shouldn’t have to show your ID card again, but it’s a good idea to keep it handy just in case. Who can I call for help? If you have questions about your benefit coverage, you can contact WellDyne Member Services at 888-479-0163 or go to welldyne.com for assistance. Why can’t I get my prescription filled? There are many reasons your prescription request might not process. Here are some common reasons. Check your plan information to see if any of these apply to you. Refill requested too soon. Your prescription can’t be refilled before it’s expected to run out. ● What can I do? If you need to refill sooner than allowed, ask your doctor to call WellDyne at 888-479-0163 to request an early refill. This may also require approval from your plan. Quantity limits. Based on your plan, your prescription might not be filled if the quantity requested is too high. Limits are placed for safety and to keep you from being overcharged. ● What can I do? Ask your doctor to call WellDyne at 888-479-0163 to request approval for the quantity over the limit, or get a new prescription from your doctor for an amount less than the limit set by your plan. Prior authorization. Depending on your plan, you may need to receive approval before you can get certain drugs. ● What can I do? Ask your doctor to call or fax WellDyne a prior authorization request. What is my co-pay? Your benefit program has three medicine categories, or tiers, that determine your co-pay. For information regarding your specific Kern Legacy health plan, visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com to see your pharmacy co-pay structure or see what tier your medication is on by viewing the WellDyne Universal Formulary. ● Tier 1 drugs are typically generic drugs and have the lowest co-pay. ● Tier 2 drugs include preferred brand drugs and cost more than tier 1 drugs. ● Tier 3 drugs are typically nonpreferred brand drugs, and they have a high co-pay. Your plan may have additional tiers for specialty drugs or drugs that treat conditions that are not life-threatening. The co-pay for these tiers may be more or less expensive, depending on your plan.
Straight and steady does it The importance of retaining posture, balance and flexibility What are the secrets to staying healthy as we age? You probably know the usual recommendations, such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. But it’s also important to focus on three other things: good posture, balance and flexibility. They can help ward off some of the health problems—such as broken bones, digestive problems, and neck and back pain—that can derail our health and enjoyment of life at any stage, but particularly as we get older. Follow these suggestions for retaining your stability and range of motion so you can enjoy better mobility and a healthier life. For better posture. Maintaining or improving your posture aids with your balance and flexibility. By holding your body correctly, your spine will align at your neck and back to provide support and steadiness. The key to proper posture is being mindful at all times. If you find yourself slouching when working at your desk, watching TV, walking around or standing in the grocery line, think about what your mother may have told you: ● Stand and sit up straight. ● Put your shoulders back. ● Pull your stomach in. When standing, place your weight on the balls of your feet. When sitting, uncross your legs, and keep your feet flat on the floor or a footrest. Ensure that your chairs have enough padding for back, thigh and hip support. For better balance. To improve your stability throughout your day: ● Stand on one foot for 10 seconds. ● Walk heel-to-toe in a straight line for 20 steps. ● Stand up from a seated position without grabbing your chair. If you feel unsteady, have a wall, a sturdy chair or a person nearby. As you feel more stable, you might not need support. For more flexibility. Focus on stretching your back, inner thigh, back of leg and ankle. The National Institute on Aging has a series of stretching exercise videos for older adults on YouTube that show you how to safely stretch those areas. Keep moving! Movement can also help with improving posture, balance and flexibility. Two great overall movement practices are yoga and tai chi. Also remember to take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and gently stretch. Additional sources: American Heart Association; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Effective Nov. 28, 2023, the hospital formerly known as Bakersfield Heart Hospital was officially acquired by San Joaquin Community Hospital (aka Adventist Health Hospital) and will now do business as Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield Hospital. Kern County Health and Wellness is excited to announce that effective Jan. 1, 2024, Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield Hospital was added to our existing networks. For questions regarding network providers for your Kern Legacy Health Plans, visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com or call the Member Services phone number listed on the back of your ID card. BREAKING NEWS….
Shoulder pain making you miserable? It may be time to replace that achy joint If you’ve been putting up with severe shoulder pain, you might wish you could just get a new shoulder and get back to living your life again. The good news: That may be more than wishful thinking. While it isn’t as well-known as knee or hip replacement surgery, shoulder replacement surgery is an option in certain situations. And it works just as well at relieving joint pain as hip or knee replacement, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Why it’s done Severe arthritis is one reason to consider shoulder replacement surgery. Over time, arthritis can damage the cushioning cartilage within a joint so severely that bones begin to rub against bones. The result: a painful, stiff shoulder. Fractures and certain severe shoulder injuries (unusually large or long-lasting rotator cuff tears) are some other reasons a shoulder might be replaced. If you have shoulder pain due to arthritis or another problem, your doctor will most likely want you to try conservative treatments like physical therapy or steroid medication. If these things don’t work, shoulder replacement surgery may be recommended, especially if, for instance: ● Shoulder pain limits your daily activities, like getting dressed, using a toilet or bathing. ● Your shoulder is weak and hard to move. ● Your shoulder hurts even when you rest, and it keeps you awake at night. How it’s done If you decide to have shoulder replacement surgery, your surgeon will most likely remove the damaged parts of your shoulder’s balland-socket joint and replace them with new metal and plastic parts. Or he or she may replace just the ball part of the joint. It will depend on the condition of your shoulder. After shoulder replacement surgery, you’ll stay in the hospital for a few days. Full recovery can take up to six months. Additional source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases DESK EXERCISE SITTING SHOULDER STRETCHTry this routine to work out the kinks while you’re at your desk. LOCK HANDS BEHIND HEAD HOLD 20 SEC., EXHALE RELAX & REPEAT BRING ELBOWS BACK AS FAR AS POSSIBLE INHALE DEEPLY WHILE LEANING BACK & STRETCHING Source: National Institutes of Health Standard U.S. Postage PAID Yakima, WA Permit No. 157 KERN LEGACY HEALTH PLANS 1115 Truxtun Avenue, First Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301 A LEGACY OF GOOD HEALTH is published as a community service for the friends and members of KERN LEGACY HEALTH PLANS, 1115 Truxtun Ave., First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301, telephone 661-868-3182. Information in A LEGACY OF GOOD HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2024 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Kern Legacy Health Plans MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! Don’t let shoulder pain bring you down. Make an appointment with one of our contracted orthopedic providers. Visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com or call the Member Services phone number on the back of your ID card for a full list of contracted providers.
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