These resources are from the Presbyterian Board of Pensions. Other denominations likely have similar resources.
Preventative Health Care
Studies show that good preventive care reduces healthcare costs, improves medical outcomes, and even saves lives. That’s why there’s no office copay for annual well visits for Benefits Plan members to network primary care physicians and gynecologists. You, your spouse, and your covered dependents, if applicable, will not be charged office co pays for covered preventive care visits, so that when you see network doctors for annual preventive care and get approved tests and screenings, it won’t cost you anything. Be sure to give your doctor an up-to-date preventive schedule, which shows the screenings, tests, and immunizations that are covered for your age group. This schedule is available on our website at www.pensions.org call the Board of Pensions to request the preventive schedule (800.773-7752)
Manage Your Health Condition
Get help from ActiveHealth Management for many chronic diseases or conditions. Through their health management program, Informed Care Management, you’ll be assigned a nurse who will work with you over the phone as your health coach. Your nurse coach can help you make smart choices about treating and controlling your health issues. By working with a nurse, you may be able to delay the onset of complications — or even avoid them altogether.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to be sick to call the 24-Hour Nurse Line, a hotline provided through ActiveHealth Management. You can speak with an experienced, registered nurse at any time about your health concerns. Under your medical coverage, you do not pay office visit copay for your annual wellness exam with either a primary care provider or a gynecologist for any age appropriate tests and screening as listed on the Preventive Care sheet, available on the Board of Pensions website at www.pensions.org; or for more information, contact ActiveHealth call 866-794-3127.
If you have an ongoing medical condition, you can get help managing it from a program provided through your medical benefit. Offered by ActiveHealth Management, Informed Care Management (formerly “disease management”) can help you to better manage your health and work with your doctors to improve your care. The program will be offered at no cost to you if you have any of the medical conditions listed below, and it’s your choice whether to participate. The program pairs you with a nurse who will serve as your personal health coach, providing one-on-one telephone support. He or she will work with you — and your family, as appropriate — on all of your medical conditions.
Your nurse will:
- answer your questions
- send you specific information about your health concerns
- review warning signs to watch for
- advise you on topics to discuss with your doctor
When you work with a nurse through the Informed Care Management Program, he or she typically will schedule calls with you about four times a year. These calls are not a substitute for a visit to the doctor;
rather, they are intended to help you work more effectively with your doctor and avoid future complications.
Conditions included as part of this program are:
- heart and blood vessel conditions
- diabetes
- lung conditions
- stomach and intestine conditions
- kidney conditions
- Cancer
- bone and joint conditions
- neurologic conditions
- cystic fibrosis
- HIV
- sickle cell anemia
Programs also are available for children and teens with the following conditions:
- asthma
- diabetes
- cystic fibrosis
- high blood pressure
- sickle cell anemia
- weight management/obesity
Your medical benefits include a confidential Case Management Program, provided by ActiveHealth. This program helps you when you have frequent or prolonged hospital admissions, require ongoing healthcare services in your home, or need ongoing care in outpatient settings. Case Management helps members get the best available treatment when underlying health conditions may be complex or challenging to address.
The program can assist you by:
- helping you understand the resources available to you
- coordinating and helping arrange medical services for you
- providing education and support for you and your family
A nurse will work with you and your physician to facilitate approval for medically necessary services under the provisions of the Medical Plan. Your nurse will also help evaluate treatment needs and options under the direction of your attending physician. Contact ActiveHealth Management: 866-794.3127
I’m working on several small booklets on clergy health. If you want to know when they are available, let me know at steve@smccutchan.com
