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Fall 2006

Inside This Issue:
	Consumer Driven Health
	HSA Investment Tool of the Future How Do I Find Out About Quality What Is It Going To Cost?
	Cancer Prevention
	7 Steps to Cancer Prevention Getting The Most From Your Mammogram
	Asthma
	What To Do When Someone Has An Attack
	Healthy Heart
	Heart Attack Symptoms
	Weight Management
	Conquering Childhood Obesity
	Healthy Life
	The Big 5
	Diabetes
	You Have Been Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes...Now What?

Quick Definitions

For Additional Health Info check out the following sites:

Health Care Medical Technology

State of South Dakota Bureau of Personnel

Health Finder

American Medical Association

WebMD

Pharmacy Update:

Zocor is now available in a generic form "Simvastatin".

By choosing generic, plans and members alike can save big $$$$. Example: For 20, 40 , 80 mg doses by going generic members/plans can expect to save approximately $20 per 30 day supply and approximately $44 per 90 days supply. Or $176-$240 savings per year per member!

Did you know that Grapefruit juice can increase blood levels of Zocor? Make sure your physician is informed of dietary and other possible contradictions.

There are many choices in the statin class for lowering cholesterol. Lovastatin (brand name Mevacor) is the cheapest. Simvastatin (brand name Zocor) and pravastatin (brand name Pravachol) are newly generic and their costs will be coming down in Fall of 2006 and early 2007. Atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor) is the most expensive with no generic on the market. If you are taking a cholesterol lowering medication check with your doctor as to what is the best statin for you and your pocketbook!

Did You Know?

Co-Insurance: Co-insurance refers to money that an individual is required to pay for services, after a deductible has been paid. In some health care plans, co-insurance is called "co-payment." Co-insurance is often specified by a percentage. For example, the employee pays 20 percent toward the charges for a service and the employer or insurance company pays 80 percent.

Co-Payment: Co-payment is a predetermined (flat) fee that an individual pays for health care services, in addition to what the insurance covers. For example, some HMOs require a $10 "co-payment" for each office visit, regardless of the type or level of services provided during the visit. Co-payments are not usually specified by percentages.

In-Network: Providers or health care facilities which are part of a health plan's network of providers with which it has negotiated a discount. Insured individuals usually pay less when using an in-network provider, because those networks provide services at lower cost to the insurance companies with which they have contracts.

Wondering about nutrition in a fruit or vegetable or a product that does not have a label. Try this web site: www.nutri-facts.com