This is your source for disease management, health and wellness education, and much more. Please take some time to explore this information and discover everything it has to offer.

My Health Worksheet (fillable)

Addictions

Drug abuse and alcohol is widespread in our society. While there are dedicated efforts toward prevention and education, the incidence of addictions and the impact remain a serious problem.

Use of illegal substances, misuse of prescription drugs and alcohol abuse put your personal wellness at risk. In addition, there is impact to family, work, personal goals, legal issues, personal safety, self-esteem, energy and outlook. Illicit drug use makes it difficult to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors such as smoking cessation, regular exercise, weight management, and healthy eating. It can also adversely affect work performance, by contributing to an inability to follow through on tasks and by increasing illnesses, absences, accidents, and injuries.

If you or someone you know has a drug or alcohol addiction, be assured that it can be successfully treated. There are a wide range of resources available to you. Please see the corresponding pages for alcohol and drug addictions for more information. We are here to help, call us at 605-328-6807 or 1-800-805-7938.

Adolescent Health

Caring for an adolescent can be challenging. Sanford Health Plan opens the door to targeted, comprehensive care for adolescents, including:

• A reminder to parents to schedule an annual well care visit for their adolescents. A well care visit is more comprehensive and addresses a wide range of topics that can best address the health of an adolescent.
• Members turning 11 and 12 receive birthday cards with immunization reminders.
• Useful information on almost any teen topic is available.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). The inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating including smoking. When the airways react, they get narrower, and less air flows through to your lung tissue. This causes symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing. Asthma can be a real challenge, but doesn't have to limit you.

Members diagnosed with asthma can receive:

• An Asthma Toolkit that includes information on triggers, formal asthma education proper medication use, action plans, smoking cessation, online resources and more. The toolkit will be automatically sent to newly diagnosed members who are identified through claims.
• A FREE peak flow meter and a spacer to help manage their asthma.
• Phone calls from caring nurses in the event of medication compliance issues. The nurses also notify the member’s healthcare practitioner.
  

For more information visit:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology  - asthma research, diagnosis, treatment and management.
American Lung Association - Information connecting air pollution to asthma
Asthma Clinical Research Network (ACRN)  - ACRN is a division of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Information, community based services and support.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Parenting a child with ADHD can be challenging.  It is important to understand the condition so that you can assist your child in coping with ADHD. Sanford Health Plan has created a resource for you. Working with the healthcare practitioner to develop the right treatment plan is another important part of treating ADHD. Another key reason to work closely with the healthcare practitioner is to address other conditions your child may have. People with ADHD may have problems with moods or other mental health conditions.  Mood problems can include having anxiety or depression.

Once you have a treatment plan, this toolkit can help you see how your child is doing. This one-time mailing includes recommended guidelines and up-to-date information on ADHA symptoms and treatments. Help your child succeed at home, in school, and with relating to others.

Behavioral Health

Depression
Depression is a medical illness, like diabetes, which should be treated by a healthcare practitioner. Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed or does not receive the proper treatment. It Is important to treat depression symptoms so that relapse is less likely. Symptoms can vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms of depression include a strong feeling of sadness or loss of interest. Those with depression can experience a variety of other symptoms which may include:

• Feelings of worthlessness
• Excessive feelings of guilt or helplessness
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering details
• Trouble making decisions
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Irritability or restlessness
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Change in appetite or weight
• Persistent aches or pains

Please note: only a healthcare practitioner can diagnose depression. Understanding the symptoms of depression and ensuring that they are addressed in a treatment plan can increase the likelihood of a full recovery. There are many different ways to manage the symptoms of depression that may include: antidepressants, talk therapy and life style changes. It has been shown that using more than one treatment can improve the chances of recovery. For example: seeing a therapist while taking an antidepressant can improve treatment results. The most important thing to remember is that when a treatment plan is working, it is essential to stick with it.

If your healthcare practitioner determines it is appropriate, they can recommend a therapist. You may also look in the Sanford Health Plan Provider Directory for a listing of providers, use the Health Plan website, or give us a call if you need assistance in selecting a place to go. There are many choices, and there is help available – you may just need to ask if you need assistance.

Sanford Health Plan can provide:

• Education on antidepressant medications for members with a new prescription.
• Notification to practitioners when their patient who recently started taking antidepressant therapy has stopped filling their prescriptions.

Inpatient Behavioral Health
Targeted follow-up can make a positive difference for members who struggle with mental health problems. Sanford Health Plan can provide follow-up education immediately after discharge from a mental health facility and a reminder by letter and by phone to keep follow-up appointments.

Better Choices, Better Health® Online Workshop

Put Life Back Into Your Life. Consider Sanford’s Better Choices, Better Health® Online Workshop.  If you or someone you care for has a chronic health condition, Sanford’s Better Choices, Better Health® Workshop can help you take charge of your life. Chronic conditions include diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, cancer, weight issues, chronic pain, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and any others. You’ll get the support you need, find useful ways to deal with pain and fatigue, learn better nutrition and exercise choices, set weekly goals, problem-solve effectively, improve communication, relax, and handle difficult emotions. Learn from trained volunteer leaders with health conditions themselves. The no cost Better Choices, Better Health Workshop® is all online. This enables you to take part from any computer with Internet. You will log in at your convenience a couple of times a week for a total of about 2 hours each week for 6 weeks Go to selfmanage.org for more information or to register for this free online workshop.

Cancer Screenings

Mammograms, pap smears, PSA tests, colonoscopies…all are important. But many do not know when to get them. Sanford Health Plan makes it easy with Preventive Health Guidelines. Other friendly reminders include birthday cards, postcards, phone calls and more. Early detection of any cancer is best. Sanford Health Plan encourages members to get all recommended screenings. It is important to discuss cancer screenings with your healthcare practitioner to determine the best test or screening method for you. If you have questions about benefit coverage, call Member Services.

Breast Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer. Your chance of having invasive breast cancer some time during your life is about 1 in 8. Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk regardless of family history. If you have family members who have had breast cancer, your risk is even higher.

Early detection can save lives. Mammography is one of the most effective screening methods available for detecting breast cancer. Together with an annual clinical breast exam performed by a healthcare practitioner and annual mammograms beginning at age 40, you can increase the chance that any changes in your breasts will be detected early.

Know your body. Be familiar with the look and feel of your breasts. Possible symptoms are a lump, pain, bloody drainage from the nipple or change in breast shape. If you notice any of these changes, talk to your healthcare practitioner. While these changes can happen for other reasons and may not necessarily indicate cancer, it is best to make sure you bring them to your practitioner’s attention so they can determine the cause. You know your body better than anyone and are in the best position to ensure you get the quality of care you deserve. Never be afraid to ask questions or seek a second opinion if you are unsure about your care.

The American Cancer Society recommends:

Women 20 – 39:

• Clinical breast exam every three years
• Breast self-awareness
   

Women 40 and Over:

• Annual Mammogram
• Annual clinical breast exam by your healthcare practitioner
• Breast self-awareness

Cervical Cancer
The cervix is the lower part of your uterus (womb). Cervical cancer can be cured if it’s found at an early stage. Screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer by finding changes in cervical cells before cancer develops. Changes in cervical cells before cancer develops are called dysplasia. Removing cells that have dysplasia can prevent cervical cancer. If left untreated, dysplasia can lead to cervical cancer.

HPV (Human papillomavirus) is the most common cause of cervical cancer. The HPV infection usually does not have symptoms, so most people don’t know they have it. There is an HPV vaccine that can be taken.

• With either vaccine (Gardasil or Cervarix), girls as young as 9 years old can receive it, but is highly recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls. It is also recommended for women aged 13-26 who have not completed the series.
• Males ages 9 – 26 can also receive the vaccine. It will prevent anal cancer and genital warts in males.

The Pap test is used to look for abnormal cervical cells and are often done during the pelvic exam portion of a wellness exam. During a Pap test, your healthcare practitioner will collect a sample of cervical cells for analysis by a laboratory. This analysis may include a test for HPV. The American Cancer Society recommends that Pap tests be started about 3 years after becoming sexually active – vaginal intercourse- and no later than 21 years of age. Those that are sexually active are also recommended to be screened for other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) such as Chlamydia. Please ask your healthcare practitioner for these screenings.

Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer occurs when some of the cells that line the colon or rectum become abnormal and grow out of control. The abnormal growing cells create a polyp, which in turn may continue to grow and become cancer. Thanks to colorectal cancer screening, polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer. In addition, the earlier a cancer is found, the easier it is to cure.

Risk factors include:

• Age – All people over the age of 50 are at risk for colorectal cancer and should be screened.
• Polyps – Polyps begin as non-cancerous growths on the inner wall of the colon or the rectum. This is fairly common in people over 50 years of age. Over time, polyps can become cancerous.
• Personal history – Research shows women who have a history of ovarian or uterine cancer have a slight increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. In addition, people who have Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease also are at higher risk.
• Family history – A family history of colorectal cancer, polyps or hereditary polyp syndrome also increases the risk for colorectal cancer.
• Diet – A diet high in fat and calories and low in fiber may be linked to a greater risk.
• Lifestyle – Alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise and overweight status are additional risk factors.
• Diabetes – People with diabetes have an increased risk for colorectal cancer.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should check with your doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment:

• a change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
• a feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so, rectal bleeding, dark stools, or blood in the stool, cramping or abdominal (stomach area) pain
• weakness and fatigue lasting more than a few days

Due to increased screening rates, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for the past 15 years. Most doctors and medical groups recommend screening begin at age 50 for persons of average risk for colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends either:

• a yearly Fecal Occult Blood Test plus sigmoidoscopy once every five years
• colonoscopy once every 10 years, or
• a double contrast barium enema once every five years

For more information visit:
Sanford Cancer Center
American Cancer Society
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Cancer Institute
Prevent Cancer Foundation

Complex Case Management

Sanford Health Plan’s Complex Case Management Program is available to qualifying Health Plan Members and their families "FREE" of charge. Complex case management is a process that aims to identify high-risk or high cost Members, assess treatment options and opportunities to coordinate care, design treatment programs to improve quality and efficacy of care, control costs and manage Member care to ensure the optimum outcome. Concentrating for the most part on catastrophic or chronic cases, case manager nurses are called in to consult and manage diagnoses such as serious traumas, cancers, organ transplants, spinal cord injuries, multiple chronic illnesses and/or chronic illnesses that result in high utilization.

A designated case manager, who is a registered nurse, is responsible for managing these complex cases to ensure high quality, cost effective and appropriate utilization of health services. The case manager acts as a Member advocate, seeking and coordinating creative solutions to a Member’s health care needs without compromising quality health outcomes for selected medical diagnoses. The case manager contacts our Members by phone and mail. She is able to act as a resource, educator and/or coordinator of all medical care if needed.

If you would like more information about this program and whether you meet the criteria to participate in the program, please contact our Complex Case Managers at 1-888-315-0884 or 605-328-6800 or quality@sanfordhealth.org.

Diabetes

Participate and Take Control
The Diabetes Health Management Program is for Sanford Health Plan members who have been diagnosed with diabetes.  This program has a wide range of health information and tools to help members manage their health.  Educational mailings are done twice a year and include topics such as:  monitoring blood sugars, nutrition, medications, following a treatment plan, recommended tests, exercise and more. 

• Two mailings each year with the most up to date information about diabetes care. 
• Support from our nurses and other healthcare staff as needed.
• Members at high risk for health problems will receive extra information and nurse contacts. 

To sign up, go to myHealthPlan or contact Care Management.

Flu

For more information visit:

• InFLUenza Vaccines
• www.flu.gov *
• Symptom Help for Viruses

Headaches/Migraine

If you have chronic headaches, you know the difficulties. We can help. Members diagnosed with chronic headaches can find a variety of resources including tools to help identify triggers, symptom trackers, action plans and more.

A migraine is a very painful type of headache. Those who get migraines often describe the pain as pulsing or throbbing in one area of the head. During migraines, there is sensitivity to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting are also common.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some can tell when they are about to have a migraine because they see flashing lights or zigzag lines or they temporarily lose their vision.

Headache/Migraine Management Tips
Raising your migraine I.Q. is an important step toward understanding and managing your headache pain. The Headache Management Tip sheet will help you quickly assess your own headaches and your success in managing them.

The Headache Diary can be used as a tool to keep track of your headaches and also help your healthcare practitioner better understand your headaches. The headache diary helps to monitor deterioration and improvement in headache frequency, severity, and disability. Patterns in headache frequency, identification of triggers, and the impact on life can be clearly captured by keeping a headache diary.

Migraine headaches cannot be cured. But you can get greater relief and control of your headaches with a headache management plan. A good headache management plan has two parts: the treatment you get from your healthcare practitioner and the steps you take for yourself.

For more information visit:
National Headache Foundation

Healthy Heart

• Two mailings each year with the most up to date information on managing your heart health. 
• Support from our nurses and other healthcare staff as needed.
• Members at high risk for health problems will receive extra information and nurse contacts.

To sign up, go to myHealthPlan or contact Care Management.

Healthy Pregnancy

We offer a Healthy Pregnancy Program so members and their healthcare practitioners can take steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy. You will be contacted after you call to notify us of your pregnancy and obtain maternity care benefit information. Included in this program is:

• A health risk assessment to identify any special needs and to customize your educational materials.
• Education materials on nutrition, lifestyle, prenatal testing, exercise, stress, fetal development, breast feeding, postpartum care, childhood immunizations and more.
• Nurse phone support as needed.

REMEMBER if you want your baby to be covered by Sanford Health Plan, you must make a written request for coverage within 31 days of the newborn's date of birth. If enrollment for the newborn is not requested within 31 days from the date of birth, coverage may be denied or delayed until your employer's next open enrollment period.

Postpartum Visit to your Healthcare Practitioner
Taking care of you both before and after pregnancy can be difficult with a new baby. You need to be healthy to be able to take care of baby. Postpartum visits are important! Appointments are typically scheduled between 2 and 6 weeks. Some things that may be discussed during your Postpartum visit are:

• Emotional changes including evaluating for Postpartum Depression
• C-Section check includes looking at your incision
• Visit about your options for birth control, if requested
• Menstrual period return
• Problems or concerns with breastfeeding
• When to start exercising
• Changes in your breasts
• Going back to workBring a list of questions you have – they are there to help!
   

If you need to visit with your healthcare practitioner before your scheduled postpartum visit, please contact them.

For more information visit:
March of Dimes
Kids Health
Sanford Health Women's Center

Heart Failure Health Management Program

Program participants receive:

• Two mailings each year with the most up to date information on taking care of your heart. 
• Support from our nurses and other healthcare staff as needed.
• Members at high risk for health problems will receive extra information and nurse contacts.

To sign up, go to myHealthPlan or contact Care Management.

Immunizations

For the best start in life, children need immunizations. Recommended immunizations for children can be found at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Preventive Health

Sanford Health Plan encourages all members to take advantage of preventive health services and education. Special mailings and newsletters will have more information on this. Please refer to the Preventive Health Guidelines or in print upon request.

Tobacco Cessation

According to the National institute on Drug Abuse, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. The harmful effects of smoking extend far beyond the smoker. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause serious health issues.

Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco—including cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff and chewing tobacco contain the addictive drug nicotine. Nicotine is readily absorbed into the blood stream when a tobacco product is chewed, inhaled or smoked. Upon entering the bloodstream, nicotine immediately stimulates the adrenal glands to release the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). Epinephrine stimulates the central nervous system and increases blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate. Glucose is also released into the blood while nicotine suppresses insulin output from the pancreas, which means that smokers have chronically elevated blood sugar levels.

Like cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, nicotine increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which affects the brain pathways that control reward and pleasure. For many tobacco users, long-term brain changes induced by continued nicotine exposure result in addiction—a condition of compulsive drug seeking and use, even in the face of negative health consequences.

Talk to your kids about tobacco use. It’s up to us as parents to help our children understand from an early age that smoking is dangerous and deadly. Parents have the most influence on our children than anyone else, so start the dialogue with your child early, and mention your feelings about smoking often. Let them know how serious the addiction to nicotine is and educate them about the risks associated with smoking. The more you can do early on in your child’s development to turn them away from smoking, the better their chances will be of avoiding it altogether.

Tips for talking to young children:

• Speak directly about the risks associated with smoking. If you have friends or relatives who have died of a smoking-related illness, share the truth about it with your child.
• Help your kids develop a healthy self-image. If they feel confident and sure of themselves, they’ll be better able to resist social pressure to smoke.
• Discuss ways that they can say no to smoking. Help them prepare for situations by running through potential scenarios they might experience with friends.
• Let your child know that smoking in movies and on TV is NOT cool. Seeing their favorite stars smoking can have be very influential to a young person, so be aware of what your child is watching and be ready to counteract it.

Kids who use tobacco are more likely to:

• Develop respiratory problems such as asthma and coughing.
• Have trouble with athletic performance. Lung capacity is affected, along with endurance.
• Have yellowed teeth. Tobacco stains teeth and causes bad breath.
• Stink! Cigarette smoke clings to clothing, and the smell of stale smoke is strong and unpleasant.
• Become addicted to tobacco and find it very difficult to quit.

Your input is important! Help your child build a foundation that will keep them smoke free for life. Let them know early and let them know often that tobacco use is destructive and deadly. Set them up for a healthy life by educating them young about the dangers of smoking.

Cessation and Health Benefits:

• Lowers the risk for lung and other types of cancer.
• Reduces the risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
• Reduces respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
• Reduces the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Reduces the risk for infertility and risk for low birth weight for women during reproductive years.

If you or a family member decides to quit, you don’t have to do it alone. Seek the support of others. You also might ask your health care practitioner about medication or different strategies to decrease cravings. Help is available free of charge! Several stop smoking programs offer personal support.

Quit Line South Dakota: 1-866-SD-QUITS (1-866-737-8487)

Quit Line Iowa: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Quit Plan Helpline Minnesota: 1-888-354-PLAN (1-888-354-7526)

Quit Line North Dakota: 1-800-784-8669

Other States Quit Line Information

Sanford Health Plan has a Smoking Cessation Benefit. Call Member Services at 328-6800 or 1-800-752-5863 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (CST) for more information.

For members in ND and western MN you may also contact Sanford’s tobacco information line at (701) 234-3739 to speak to a tobacco treatment specialist about additional services that may be available in those areas. 

For more information visit:
Tobacco Cessation – You Can Quit Smoking Now!
Staying Healthy – Guide to Quit Smoking
Kids Health - Smoking Stinks!
Freedom From Smoking Online
Tobacco – Rethink It (Seriously) – For Kids and Teens
www.smokefree.gov*

* Available in other language(s).