Medical Director's Message
As a medical director for Healthy Blue, I want our members to be as healthy as they can be, in body and mind. This newsletter has articles with tips and tools to help you be well mentally and physically.
Mental health is not talked about as much as it should be. But we are making progress. Part of the problem has been the stigma around mental health. Stigma is a negative way of thinking or certain bad feelings someone might have about a person or situation. It is usually an unpleasant point of view that could cause unfair treatment, stereotypes, labeling, fear, embarrassment, anger and avoidance.
More than 20 years ago, I participated in a study about mental health stigma. Since then, more research has been done. Even movies like Pixar Animation Studio’s Inside Out have slowly changed how people think about mental health. More people are talking about it. Social media has also played a mixed role. It has boosted awareness about mental health. But unfortunately, social media also spreads untruths about mental health symptoms and treatment. In fact, people of different cultures and backgrounds may feel differently about mental health treatment. But, while there is still much to do in this area, I am hopeful things will keep getting better.
There are things we all can do to help. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child, the best thing you can do is to be a part of your child’s life.
- Know their friends.
- Read to them at night.
- Sit down and share a meal.
- Talk about each other’s day.
- Let your child hear and see how you handle tough things.
- Give them the space to be open to talk when something is wrong.
Being an active part of your child’s life will help make it easier for you to notice any changes — even small shifts in their behavior that may not be as clear-cut, such as:
- Not talking to a current friend.
- Not sleeping as well.
- Changes in eating patterns.
If your child is fully participating and enjoying school and playtime, as well as their relationships with friends and family in an age-appropriate way-- then mental health issues are less likely. If you start seeing changes in these areas, contact your child’s pediatrician or school counselor for advice. They can help you find useful resources and/or referrals, if needed.
Keep in mind — there are no copays for Healthy Blue members when you go to the doctor. Healthy Blue also covers mental health services. Be sure to give mental health the same attention for you and your child as you do your physical health.
Jennifer Pender, MD, MPH BH
Medical Director, Healthy Blue
BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina
Learn More About Mental Health
Mental health is so important. Check out these blogs to learn more about why mental health matters and how to get help!
Pharmacy Notice
As of July 1, there may be changes to the list of drugs that Healthy Blue covers. There is now a Comprehensive Drug List that your doctor will use when giving you medicine.
This list of medicines is checked every three months by a group of doctors and pharmacists. They help make sure the drugs on the list are safe and useful for our Healthy Blue members.
Most of these medications can be prescribed without getting an OK from Healthy Blue.
If your medicine is not on the list, it may need our approval for coverage. Your doctor can send us a request called a prior authorization. We review pharmacy prior authorization requests within 24 hours from the time we get all required information.
If you have questions about which drugs are covered, there are a couple things you can do:
- View our Comprehensive Drug List to find a complete menu of covered drugs.
- Talk to your doctor about the medications you take. If you get a letter in the mail that says your drugs are not covered any more, make sure you take that letter to your doctor.
- Reach out to Customer Service at 866-781-5094 (TTY: 866-773-9634) for help. They can also send you a printed list of covered drugs by mail.
Let's Get Cooking
Check out this healthy recipe for easy egg wraps! Easy-to-make, low-carb, high protein breakfast, lunch or snack that kids will love. Perfect for school lunch, after school or after sports. Wraps can be made ahead of time and eaten warm or cold.
Start the School Year Off Right
Learn more about how to keep your kids safe and healthy!
Extra Benefits for Our Youngest Members
Healthy Blue offers many free extra benefits to our youngest members to make sure they can stay healthy and ready to do well in school this fall!
Want to join us at free community get-togethers?
We’re out and about in your neighborhood! Swing by a local community event for a fun and helpful time. Chat with our Healthy Blue community outreach specialists, pick up some health and wellness info, and grab free giveaways. Take a look at where we'll be next!