Hello, Healthy Blue Members!
I am happy to share with you this first issue of our member newsletter.
In each quarterly issue, you can find the latest news on our Healthy Blue programs, services and online tools. Plus, we will explore topics that can help you take charge of your health. For instance, this issue takes a look at good dental care and shares tips for having a fun, healthy summer.
Your health care journey starts with Healthy Blue. As a part of the BlueChoice Health Plan of South Carolina family, we put your health and wellness first in all we do.
As a member, you can enjoy extra benefits such as:
- Healthy Rewards gift cards for completing wellness visits and preventive screenings.
- Free adult eye exams once a year and new glasses every two years for members 21 and older.
- Free diapers and a free car seat for qualified members.
- A free sports physical for members 6 to 18 years old.
Learn more about our extra benefits.
If you have not yet renewed your Medicaid benefits, now is the time to do so. Look for your renewal form in the mail from South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid. When you receive your form, return it by the listed due date. Learn more about how to renew.
We hope you enjoy this issue of our newsletter. Have a healthy and happy summer!
Sincerely,
Tim Vaughn, President
BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina
Greetings, Healthy Blue Members!
As a medical director, one of my goals is to make sure our Healthy Blue members have information that can help them live happy, healthy lives. I hope to share ideas in future newsletters that will make a difference in how you approach your family’s health care.
In this first issue, we focus on how both you and your children can practice good dental care. Then, with summer here, we offer tips for enjoying warm weather activities while protecting yourself from the sun.
To help support your dental care, Healthy Blue offers benefits through an independent company, DentaQuest.
To find a dentist near you, call DentaQuest at 888-278-7310 or visit *www.DentaQuest.com/en/find-a-dentist. We are so happy that you are part of the Healthy Blue family. I hope our newsletter helps improve your health and wellness!
Best regards,
Lloyd M. Kapp Jr., M.D.
Medical Director, Healthy Blue
BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina
DentaQuest is an independent company that provides dental services to members of Healthy Blue.
Get In the Habit of Brushing Teeth Daily
Practicing good dental habits for toddlers ages 18 to 24 months can be the foundation for your child’s oral health over his or her lifetime.
Get on the right foot every day by helping your child brush for two minutes, twice a day, after breakfast and at bedtime.
Here is how to brush your child’s teeth:
- Use a soft-bristled brush and brush gently. Brushing too hard can hurt gums and teeth.
- Be sure your child’s toothbrush is the right size. The American Dental Association says the size and shape of the brush should fit your child’s mouth so it can reach all areas easily.
- Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with fluoride.
- Tilt the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the teeth.
- Let the tips of the bristles get under the gums. Move the brush gently to remove plaque there.
- Only clean one or two teeth at a time.
- Replace your child’s toothbrush every three or four months.
The American Dental Association is an independent organization that offers health information you may find helpful.
What You Eat Matters
Healthy eating and drinking are important for teeth. Limit food between meals, especially sweet snacks. In fact, sugar makes acid levels in the mouth go up. This can cause cavities, or tiny holes in the teeth caused by tooth decay.
Here’s a list of healthy snacks from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
 Fruits
|  Cooked Vegetables
|  Dairy
|
As for drinks, juice has a lot of sugar. Mix one part juice to three parts water to reduce the amount of sugar. Milk has sugar, too, that can stay in your child’s mouth. The sugar in these drinks can cause cavities. If your child likes to have a bottle or sippy cup at bedtime, fill it with cool water.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an independent organization that offers health information you may find helpful.
Why Is It Important to Wear Sunscreen?
You’ve probably heard you need to use sunscreen every day. But you may not know all the reasons why.
Wearing sunscreen daily helps to maintain the overall health and appearance of your skin.
Here are some reasons why putting on sunscreen should be your first step before leaving home every day:
- Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancers. Protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation lowers your risk of skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States. By correctly applying sunscreen every day, you cut in half your risk of getting skin cancers.
- Sunscreen helps maintain even skin tone. Sun damage can cause dark spots, discoloration and leathery skin.
- Sunscreen helps prevent early aging. Sun damage from UV rays will cause your skin to sag and get lines and wrinkles. Studies show that being in the sun without sunscreen leads to visible signs of aging, no matter the color of your skin.
Sweet Country Coleslaw
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar, plus 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups packaged shredded cabbage and carrot mix
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together all wet ingredients, sugar and seasonings.
- Add the cabbage and carrot mix. Stir until well coated. The mixture will be very thick.
- Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. The coleslaw may shrink by half during the standing time. *
* Be sure to keep your coleslaw refrigerated.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: ½ cup
Nutrition Information per Serving: 50 Calories, 1 g Total Fat, 3 mg Cholesterol, 128 mg Sodium, 9 g Carbohydrates, 1 g Protein