What is Care-ADVANTAGE?
Care-ADVANTAGE is a program developed by ADVANTAGE Health Solutions to help you deal with long-term health problems; often called "chronic" conditions or illnesses.
If you have any of the following health problems, you can join Care-ADVANTAGE:
When you join Care-ADVANTAGE you:
As a member of Care-ADVANTAGE you:
Following a regular plan for care for your health problem can:
How does Care-ADVANTAGE work?
How do I join?
To join Care-ADVANTAGE today please:
We look forward to helping you achieve a healthier life!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asthma is a health concern which is increasing in children by an average of 4.3% a year. Also;
According to National Health Interview Survey, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC
Although asthma cannot be prevented it can be controlled. Due to the impact this disease has on our members, ADVANTAGE has developed the Asthma Self Management Program.
Enter the Respiratory Zone.
Asthma Educational Material Spring Focus on Asthma Summer Focus on Asthma Fall Focus on Asthma Winter Focus on Asthma
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COPD stands for; C = Chronic O = Obstructive P= Pulmonary D = Disease
COPD includes two lung conditions; Chronic bronchitis occurs when the lining of the airway gets red and full of mucus. Mucus can clog the airways and make it hard to breathe Emphysema happens when the air sacs at the end of the airways break down. Air can’t pass through damaged air sacs, which makes it hard to breathe.
Although COPD is a chronic condition there are several ways you and your doctor can help you feel better, live a more active life and slow the damage to your lungs.
More information regarding COPD
COPD Educational Material Spring Focus on COPD Summer Focus on COPD Fall Focus on COPD Winter Focus on COPD
Heart failure is a major and growing public health problem in the United States. In 2003, heart failure affected 5 million people and the estimated cost for 2006 is nearly $30 billion. Heart failure is the most common Medicare hospital discharge diagnosis, and more Medicare dollars are spent for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure than for any other diagnosis.
With appropriate drug therapy, diet, exercise and education, member's quality of life can be positively impacted and may prevent hospitalizations.
Enter the Heart Health Zone.
CHF Educational Material Spring Focus on CHF Summer Focus on CHF Fall Focus on CHF Winter Focus on CHF
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.
The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those adverse factors that put people at greater risk for heart disease and heart attack. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack, calling 911 right away, and getting to a hospital are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have had a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of future events.
ADVANTAGE Health Solutions has developed the Coronary Artery Disease Management Program for our members who have CAD. This program is designed to promote preventative health activities which can reduce negative health outcomes.
CAD Educational Material Spring Focus on CAD Summer Focus on CAD Fall Focus on CAD Winter Focus on CAD
According to the Indiana State Department of Health;
ADVANTAGE has developed a Diabetes Management Program to reach out to our members who have diabetes and to promote preventative screenings and education to improve better health outcomes.
Enter the Diabetes Zone.
Diabetes Educational Material - Type I Cooking for Kids Identifying Yourself and Managing School Recordkeeping and Eating Healthy Sports, Exercise, and Sick Days
Diabetes Educational Material - Type II Spring Focus on Type II Summer Focus on Type II Fall Focus on Type II Winter Focus on Type II
Hypertension is known as the silent killer. Statistics from the CDC state;
Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease. The ADVANTAGE Hypertension Management Program is designed to engage and educate our members on how to manage their condition and improve their health outcomes.
Hypertension Educational Material Spring and Summer Focus on Hypertension Fall and Winter Focus on Hypertension
Migraine is a common, debilitating, recurrent disorder that affects over 28 million Americans. Given that migraine affects approximately 12% of the US population, the impact of migraine on managed care organizations, providers, members and employers is significant:
Treatment with migraine specific medications early in the pain phase has been shown to be associated with significantly higher pain free response, less disability, fewer missed days of work and school and fewer ER visits. Migraine prevention may reduce the frequency, severity and duration, and improve functional impairment and response to migraine medications.
For more information on Tension Headaches click here.
For more information on Migraine and Cluster Headaches click here.
What are Migraines? Click here.
Migraine Educational Material Spring and Summer Focus on Migraines Fall and Winter Focus on Migraines
IF YOU HAVE A COLD OR THE FLU. . . . . . ANTIBIOTICS AREN’T FOR YOU! Feeling sick? Is it a cold, the flu or an infection caused by bacteria? Think you need an antibiotic? Remember:
Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide health problem. To help avoid getting sick remember to:
Questions about use of antibiotics? Talk to your doctor.
Expecting? Our Care-ADVANTAGE Baby on Board Program May be for You
ADVANTAGE offers for free our Baby on Board program to our pregnant mothers. Women who see their doctors early in their pregnancies and continue to do so throughout their pregnancies have healthier babies. The Baby on Board program staff will send you a health assessment to complete about your pregnancy. This will help us decide how we can support you throughout your pregnancy. Members who enroll receive:
If you are having problems during your pregnancy, a case management nurse may call you more often. He or she will help you get any additional help or services you might need to ensure you have a happy, healthy baby!
To enroll, please call 1-866-646-0288, or e-mail us at careadvantage@advantageplan.com
What Do You Know About Having a Healthy Pregnancy? Take the Quiz
The Case Management Society of America defines case management as "a collaborative process which assesses plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates options and services to meet an individual's health needs through communication and available resources to promote quality cost-effective outcomes."
Members requiring Case Management are usually sicker, have recently been hospitalized, or are experiencing multiple medical issues at one time. A Case Manager is assigned to contact the member to assist them in completing an assessment. Together the Case Manager and the member develop a care plan to meet the member's current health concerns and improve their current state of health. The collaborative effort includes the Primary Care Physician. The Case Manager monitors and coordinates services and resources as needed to promote quality cost effective outcomes with the members.
If you feel you need a case manager:
What You Need to Know to Quit
You'll have the best chance to stop smoking if you do the following:
The Indiana Tobacco Quitline is a free phone-based counseling service that helps Indiana smokers quit. Indiana Tobacco Quitline Website
How should I get ready to stop smoking?
Set a stop date 2 to 4 weeks from now so you'll have time to get ready. Write down your personal reasons for stopping. Be specific. Keep your list with you so you can look at it when you feel the urge to smoke.
To help understand your smoking habit, keep a diary of when and why you smoke. Using information from this diary, you and your doctor can make a plan to deal with the things that make you want to smoke.
Just before your stop date, get rid of all of your cigarettes, matches, lighters and ashtrays.
How can I get support and encouragement?
Tell your family and friends what kind of help you need. Also, ask your family doctor to help you develop a plan to stop smoking. He or she can give you information on telephone hotlines, such as 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), or self-help materials that can be very helpful. Your doctor can also recommend a stop-smoking program. These programs are often held at local hospitals or health centers.
What about stress and my urges to smoke?
You may have a habit of using cigarettes to relax during stressful times. Luckily, there are good ways to manage stress without smoking. Relax by taking a hot bath, going for a walk, or breathing slowly and deeply. Think of changes in your daily routine that will help you resist the urge to smoke.
Will I gain weight when I stop smoking?
Most people gain a few pounds after they stop smoking. Remember that any weight gain is a minor health risk compared to the risks of smoking. Dieting while you're trying to stop smoking will cause unnecessary stress. Instead, limit your weight gain by having healthy, low-fat snacks on hand and being physically active.
What about nicotine replacement products or medicine?
Nicotine replacement works by lessening your body's craving for nicotine and reducing withdrawal symptoms. This lets you focus on the changes you need to make in your habits and environment. Once you feel more confident as a nonsmoker, dealing with your nicotine addiction is easier.
ADVANTAGE now covers smoking cessation drugs. These medications will be covered for a single once lifetime maximum per member of no more than one hundred twenty (120) days of therapy of any single or combination of the above products.
These medicines do not contain nicotine, but help you resist your urges to smoke. Talk to your doctor about which of these products is likely to give you the best chance of success. For any of these products to work, you must carefully follow the directions on the package.
Today, two thirds of all adults in the US are overweight or obese which increases the risk of chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and certain cancers. Weight loss, eating a balanced diet or healthy foods, and exercise are all-important topics to most Americans. The warning signs and dangers of being overweight or obese are forever increasing, yet it continues to be a major contributor to chronic illness and depression.
ADVANTAGE provides our members with educational materials and web resources to identifying the growing risk of being overweight or obese. All our members are encouraged to work directly with their Primary Care Physician for additional resources available to them.
Enter the Exercise & Fitness Zone.
Enter the Diet & Nutrition Zone.
