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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
•
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