Background Image
Previous Page  3 / 12 Next Page
Basic version Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 3 / 12 Next Page
Page Background

Diabetes care

from head to toe

Did you know diabetes can affect your body from head

to toe? When your blood sugar isn’t under control,

over time, it can hurt your eyes, heart, blood vessels,

kidneys, nerves and feet. Seeing your health

care provider for regular checkups and

screenings is one good way to help protect

your overall health.

Eyes.

See an eye doctor once a year

for a dilated retinal eye exam. It is the

best way to help protect your sight.

Heart.

Have your blood pressure

checked at each health care visit and

your cholesterol checked at least once

a year.

Kidneys.

Go for an HbA1c test every

six months. This test helps show how well

you are controlling your blood sugar.

Feet.

Be sure to have your health care

provider check your feet for sores at every

visit. And see a podiatrist or foot doctor for a

thorough foot exam at least once a year.

Medication is another way to help control

diabetes. Talk to your doctor about what

type of medication may be right for you. If

your doctor prescribes medication for your

diabetes, be sure to take it as directed.

UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia has

a care management program. If you have

diabetes, a case manager can work with you

by phone to help you set goals and create

a care plan. To find out more about our

ConditionCare program or to speak with a

case manager, please call us at

1-855-254-3854

.

TTY

1-866-368-1634

.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention: CDC.gov/diabetes/consumer/problems.

htm, March 7, 2014; American Diabetes Association:

diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/

?loc=lwd-slabnav

Yes, adults need checkups too

Take a look at the chart to make sure you get

the ones you need

Don’t let illness sneak up on you. We have a chart that lists the

checkups, shots and tests you need at all ages, from child to adult.

The chart is called Preventive Health Care Guidelines. To see the

chart, just go to

UniCare.com

.

Click on

Medicaid

at the top of the screen.

In the

Select a State

menu, choose

West Virginia

. Click on the

orange

Enter

button.

Choose

Preventive Health Care Guidelines

.

Do you qualify for more

income from Social Security?

UniCare of West Virginia has partnered with Human Arc to

help determine if you or any family members may qualify for a

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment each month. Often

people don’t know they can apply for SSI. Or they are not aware

they can apply for more income help if they have children who are

disabled. In 2014, if you or a family member is eligible for disability

benefits, you may be able to get a payment of up to $721 each month.

This program is

voluntary

. It also costs nothing to be screened and,

if you qualify, Best Benefits help is

free

. Qualifying for the benefits

depends on your

medical conditions

and your

income and assets

.

If you did not get Best Benefits information but think you might

qualify for these benefits, call the toll-free number for

UniCare

of West Virginia Members

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Eastern Standard Time at

1-800-782-0095

.

Please think about this free help and find out if you can get extra

income today.

Rx to help control diabetes

If you have diabetes, take all the medicines (drugs) the way your

doctor tells you to. Your doctor might prescribe:

Pills or insulin to help control blood sugar.

Drugs to help control blood pressure.

Cholesterol drugs to help lower your risk of heart disease.

Special drugs to help prevent kidney problems.

Talk to your doctor about what drugs will work to help control

your diabetes.

My Health

3