Although Diabetes is a chronic illness, it can be managed. Diabetes affects the way your body uses the sugar from the foods you eat. Signs and symptoms of Diabetes often present slowly. It may take years for you to become aware of the condition. You should see your doctor on a regular basis to help you stay healthy.Some signs and symptoms of Diabetes are:- increased thirst.- increase in urine output.- being tired.- blurry vision.- slow to heal sores.- frequent infections.- darkened skin in your armpits and neck.As you get older, your chances of becoming a diabetic increase especially after the age of 45. As people get older, they tend to exercise less, lose muscle, and gain weight. Increased age along with decreased activity increases the chance of developing diabetes. Being overweight is also a risk factor for developing diabetes.A healthy lifestyle can help reduce your chance of developing diabetes. If you already have diabetes, then a healthy lifestyle can help you to control the disease.A healthy lifestyle can help reduce the likelihood of developing nerve damage, vision problems, slow healing wounds, or prolonged infections.Consider getting active, joining a gym, or contacting your Health Plan to ask about the Silver Sneakers membership benefit. Consult your doctor when starting any exercise program. Your doctor can help direct you on what level of activity is best suited for your health. Eating healthy foods will also be helpful in controlling the harmful effects of diabetes. Please speak to your doctor regarding healthy foods that are specific to your needs.Your Health Plan is available to help you in controllingyour diabetes. The Health Plan has Nurses on staff that are available to assist you in identifying proper foodsand exercise routines that can keep you feeling great. In addition, some members qualify for over-the-counter medication and including diabetic test strips. This can help with your out-of-pocket expenses.Catch Problems Early with Preventive Health ScreeningsPreventive health tests can give us information about your health. These tests can find health problems early, before they become serious. Your Plan adopts preventive health standards for our members. These standards are based on nationally recognized standards of care. We provide these guidelines to our members to help you stay current with preventive health screenings and tests. Every year we review the standards and update them as needed. Our Quality Committee approves the changes to our recommendations. Throughout the year, we send information to our members about various preventive screenings that are recommended. We let our network doctors know what preventive health standards we have adopted on a regular basis.Recommendations may be based on age and gender. They can also be based on other risk factors and health conditions. Some examples of preventive health standards that are recommended include colorectal cancer screening, high blood pressure screening, and breast cancer screening in women.Find out what preventive health standards will benefit you, by taking the following steps:Review the preventive health recommendations that are posted on our website. (The link is listed below.)Find out which ones are relevant to you, based on your age, gender, and risk factors.3. Talk with your doctor about your preventive Health Plan. Agree on what tests you should have and how often.4. Then dont forget to schedule your screenings and put the dates on your calendar.Be sure to talk with your doctor about changes in your lifestyle based on the results of your preventive health tests.To see the Plans most up to date preventive health standards and a helpful Member Guide for Preventive Services, please visit our website at:www.freedomhealth.comg About UsgUtilization & Quality gQuality ManagementgPreventive Health Information

As a Health Plan member, nurses are available to you by phone to help you manage your chronic condition such as Diabetes or Heart Disease. The nurse can help you with: Diabetes. Nurses have the latest information to help you control your blood sugars. The nurses can help with suggestions for meals, exercise, and taking medications. They will answer questions that you have about your care plan and if you are having trouble obtaining diabetic supplies or a glucometer, nurses can help. Heart Disease. Nurses can help you with information on managing your cholesterol and heart healthy eating. They will answer questions that you have about your care plan. They can also help you understand how to reduce your risk factors and live a healthier life. Our nurses will work with you and your primary care doctor to come up with the best plan to manage your health. Do you know when to report symptoms to your doctor, or what questions to ask at your next appointment? If not, nurses can help. Did you start this year off right by setting health related goals?  Our nursing team is ready to work with you and your doctor to help you meet your health goals. Our nurses can help with a variety of goals including weight or medication management. Meeting health goals can also help you improve your blood results for cholesterol and diabetes. Your Health Plans website has tools and resources, regarding the program, that are available to you. Tips on weight management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation and even depression are there. This Disease Case Management support is a free service. Call for assistance at 1-888-211-9913 during normal business hours, Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. Dont Miss Calls from the Health Plan! Have you missed calls from the Health Plan because those calls have been marked as Spam?  You can prevent these calls from being marked as Spam by adding the Health Plan phone number to your cell phones contacts. Simply add the telephone number 813506-6000 to your contact list in your cell phone and the Health Plans number will no longer show up as Spam on your caller ID.  And since there are so many scammers out there, its also a great way to verify that the caller is truly from your Health Plan.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, walking may have become a large part of your daily routine to get out of the house and get some much-needed exercise. However, since then, for many of us, our lives have returned to normal, and a brisk walk no longer forms part of our daily routine.It is worth remembering that walking is one of the simplest ways to get active. Its a low impact form of exercise that helps you to get fitter and feel stronger while burning calories at the same time. In this article, we will look at some of the many health benefits of walking and how it can aid a healthier, happier life.Before setting offWalking should be a pleasant experience so its important to make sure you have suitable clothing and footwear. Your shoes, walking boots or trainers should be comfortable and provide adequate support for where you intend to walk. Clothes should be weather appropriate, and you may wish to take a water bottle, hat, and energy snacks for longer walks. If walking at night or in poor visibility, wear bright colours, head torch or a high-visibility vest to ensure others can see you.Health benefits of walkingWalking is one of the easiest exercises you can do as it is low impact and can aid in weight loss and promotes a healthier lifestyle. Below are six main health benefits of walking.1. Burns caloriesRegular walking is a great way to burn calories and can help lose weight. How many calories you lose depends on how fast you walk and for how long. For example, according to WCRFs exercise calorie calculator, walking normally for 30 minutes is estimated to burn 147 calories for someone weighing 185lb/84kg. The brisker the walk and the steeper the incline, the more calories you will burn.Read our article Achieving and maintaining your healthy weight for more healthy tips on how to lose and manage your weight. 2. It could make your heart healthierWalking at even a slower pace increases blood flow throughout the body which can help to strengthen your heart, lower blood pressure, lift your heart rate and reduce the risk of heart disease. To learn more about high blood pressure, you may find our article Raising awareness of high blood pressure useful.3. It may boost your energyMany of us rely on our morning cup of coffee to give us our daily energy boost, but walking is a healthier, calorie-free way to achieve the same result. This form of exercise boosts oxygen circulation in the body, allowing your body to function more effectively and to use energy more efficiently. A moderate or brisk walk releases endorphins which can leave you feeling energised, refreshed and more positive.4. It may contribute to a longer lifeThere is evidence to suggest that walking can help you live longer and reduce the risk of an early death. According to Healthline, people who walk more each day have a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease than those who are generally less active and you dont have to walk for hours to get the benefits. Even a brisk 10 minute walk can make a difference and counts towards your weekly 150 minutes of exercise, as recommended by the NHS.5. It may improve sleepAccording to The Sleep Charity, moderate and aerobic exercise such as walking or swimming has been known to help people fall asleep quicker. If you are struggling to sleep, it is recommended to aim for 20-30 minutes of walking per week. However, the NHS recommends not exercising for at least 4 hours before bedtime as exercising too close to bedtime could cause adverse effects and leave you feeling more awake.6. Supports your mental healthWalking not only improves your physical health, but it can also have a positive effect on your mental health. As we walk, our body produces the hormones known as endorphins which naturally relieves pain, boosts mood, and lowers stress levels. Similarly, walking increases blood flow throughout the body, helping us feel more energised and refreshed.Walking can also be a great social activity which is important for mental health, especially if you work from home or have limited social interaction elsewhere. A walk in the park or out in the countryside is a great way to spend time with others in a natural, relaxed environment.Make walking part of your daily routineIf you struggle to make walking part of your daily routine or find it hard to stay motivated, there are steps you can take to make walking a habit rather than a chore. Walk at the same time each day so it becomes as important part of your day as brushing your teeth or taking a shower.Leave the car at home and walk to work or to the shops.If you work from home, take a short morning walk.Turn it into a social activity and take regular walks with friends or even join a local walking group. Find some music or a podcast you enjoy to help you stay motivated and engaged during your walk.Download the NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker app which allows you to set goals and track your steps

If youve been worrying about a nagging cough or shortness of breath, finding out you have ChronicObstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may at first come as a relief. But as the diagnosis sinks in, you may feel like youve had a one-two punch: a chronic illness and the anxiety and depression that often accompany it.Practical education may be your immediate concern, overseen byyour Primary Care Physician (PCP) or Pulmonologist: symptoms to watch for,medications which can help and lifestyle changes to prevent a worsening of the physical disease. But nearly as important is paying attention to your feelings. You might be ashamed or afraid to admit you need help. It takes courage to talk to another human being, even a healthcare provider, about stresses and worries related to COPD.BUT THERE IS REAL HELP AVAILABLE TO YOU: Pulmonary Rehabilitation - it can help you breathe easier, which will relieve anxiety and improve your outlook. Ask your provider if you qualify. Family and friends - this is the time for heart-to-heart talks about feelings (yours and theirs) and challenges now and in the future. Spending quality time with those you love can transform your mood and broaden your perspective. Exercise  with the ok of your PCP or Pulmonologist, physical activity can help your lungs and your feelings. Even regular walks in a natural setting can make a difference. Go back to school - try in-person or online classes such as yoga and tai chi. Many of these practices can be done either seated or standing. COPD support groups - where people will understand firsthandwhat youre going through. Your providers can connect you withlocal groups, or you can find support at: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/ living-with-copd/finding-support If you cant shake your feelings of sadness or fear, go to a pro  call Carelon Behavioral Health (the number is on your Plan ID card) and arrange to talk to a counselor. You can see an in-network behavioral health provider without a referral from your PCP, though its always good to let your PCP know. Take a look at your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for details under Outpatient Mental Health Care, or call Member Services (the number is on your ID card) and a representative can look up your EOC.

Because we care about your well-being, Your Health Plan includes the Silver Sneakers fitness program. This fitness      and lifestyle benefit gives you opportunities to stay active, make friends and connect with your community all at no additional cost. Exercise is a key part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and can support a healthy immune system.1 Silver Sneakers offers a variety of options to help you keep moving, from working out at a participating fitness locatio2 to virtual classes you can do at home. Create an account at SilverSneakers.com to get your ID number, and make the most of Silver Sneakers, including: Memberships to thousands of participating locations2 nationwide means you can visit as many as you want, as often as you like. In addition to equipment, pools, and other amenities2, select locations offer group exercise classes designed for all abilities3. Silver Sneakers also offers fun activities held outside the traditional gym. Silver Sneakers LIVE gives you full length, live classes and workshops on the Silver Sneakers website via Zoom4. Classes and workshops are led by expert trainers, and no equipment is needed. Multiple activities are available per day, such as cardio dance and yoga classes, and The Happiness Effect and Balance Builder workshops. Silver Sneakers On-Demand gives you access to 200+ online workout videos ranging from easy, low-impact exercises to high energy cardio. In addition, get information on topics like nutrition, fitness challenges an more. Go to Silver Sneakers On-Demand to view on-demand workouts like Silver Sneakers Classic, Yoga, etc. The Silver Sneakers GO mobile app gives you access to workout programs that can be tailored to your fitness level. You can modify exercises to different levels with just one click, schedule activities and get notification to stay on track. Go to Silver Sneakers GO to download the app today. Stay connected. Many Silver Sneakers members who come for the fitness en up staying for the friendships. Visiting participating locations is a great way to socialize and make new friends! Get the latest program news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Silver Sneakers newsletter. Learn more and start using your Silver Sneakers benefit today. Go to SilverSneakers.com to create your account, get your Silver Sneakers ID number and use all the digital resources at your convenience. Find a participating location near you with the handy location find.Always talk with your doctor before starting an exercise program. 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/29713319h 2. Participating locations (PL) are not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. or its affiliates Use of PL facilities and amenities is limited to terms and conditions of PL basic membership. Facilities and amenities vary by PL. 3. Membership includes Silver Sneakers instructor-led group fitness classes. Some locations offer members additional classes. Classes vary by location. 4. Zoom is a third-party provider and is not owned or operated by Tivity Health or its affiliates. Silver Sneakers members will access Silver Sneakers Live classes are subject to Zooms terms and conditions. Silver Sneakers member must have Internet service to access Silver Sneakers Live classes. Internet service charges are responsibility of Silver Sneakers.

IDENTITY THEFT CAN BE A SCARY AND CONFUSING SITUATION FOR ANYONE TO GO THROUGH. KNOWING HOW TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY CAN SAVE YOU FROM BEING BECOMING A VICTIM. It is so important to always be proactive in protecting your personal information. Scammers are getting more creative in their approach to steal your identity to commit fraud. Diabetic testing kits, durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics, wound care and genetic testing are all examples of known services that scammers use to try and obtain your personal information. Please remember that for any medical necessities like the services mentioned above, go to your primary care doctor. You can also contact the Plan for assistance. Here are some tips to help protect your identity NEVER GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION  to a random caller saying they can provide you DME supplies or diabetic supplies to you at no cost. This is a scam! If you require any DME supplies etc., please consult with your primary care doctor. YOU WILL NEVER RECEIVE CALLS FOR TELEHEALTH SERVICES unless you have asked for this service with your doctor. NEVER SIGN UP OR GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION to any social media ad(s) offering free gift cards for doing lab tests. NEVER SIGN UP to receive free items from a source you do not know and trust especially from social media ad(s) or unknown calls. THE PLAN WILL NEVER CALL YOU to ask for your personal information. We will already know the information for the person we are calling unless we are verifying your contact information for HIPAA reasons. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR EOBS (Explanation of Benefits) for any mistakes.- When you go to your doctors appointment, write down the dates you went and save any receipts you get from the doctors. That way, you will be able to compare it with the EOB you receive from the Plan to check for any errors.TO REPORT SUSPECTED MEDICARE FRAUD, CONTACT FREEDOM HEALTH PLAN AT 1-800-401-2740.