Provider Updates
Fax alerts
Sharp Health Plan uses FAX publications to send information to providers regarding clinical guidelines, provider resources and more. FAX Alerts are also posted online.
Formulary Updates — January 27, 2012
Disease Management/Case Management Referrals — January 20, 2012
Quality Improvement Program and Member Rights & Responsibilities Updates — December 30, 2011
New SHP Network — Blue Choice and Gold Value — Correction — December 23, 2011
New SHP Network — Blue Choice and Gold Value — December 2, 2011
2012 Provider Operations Manual — October 21, 2011
Formulary Updates — October 14, 2011
Electronic Health Record(EHR) Program Information — September 30, 2011
Specialty Provider Services Requiring Prior Authorization — August 19, 2011
Annual Provider Satisfaction Survey — August 4, 2011
Fax Alert Archives
Member communications
Sharp Health Plan takes pride in helping our members get well and stay well. We believe when people work together with their doctors on a plan for good health, chronic health diseases and complications may be delayed or prevented. That is why we regularly communicate with members to remind them of the importance of routine screenings, vaccinations and other recommended health interventions.
Here are a few health topics that may be of interest to you:
Mammograms for women 40 and older
There have been many improvements in treatment and early detection of breast cancer and thanks to that, millions of women are surviving it today. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends the following guidelines for finding breast cancer early in women without symptoms:
Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every one to two years and annually after age 50. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer.
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular exam by a health expert at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health expert every one to two years and annually after age 50. It might be a good idea to have the CBE shortly before the mammogram. You can use the exam to learn what your own breasts look and feel like.
For more information, please visit www.cancer.org.
Source: US Preventive Services Task Force and American Cancer Society
Pediatric and adolescent immunizations
Staying up-to-date with your child and adolescent’s immunizations is important. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled a list of recommended vaccines or series of shots.
• Recommended Immunization Schedule: Birth to six years old
• Recommended Immunization Schedule: Seven to 18 years old
If your child or adolescent has missed any shots, check with the primary care physician about getting back on track.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Colorectal cancer screening for men and women 50 and older
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer among men and women in the United States. According to the CDC, you should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50 and then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier than 50 if: you or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer; you have inflammatory bowel disease or you have genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
Be sure to talk with your primary care physician about when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested or go to www.cdc.gov for more information.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Blood pressure control for men and women
According to the American Heart Association, nearly 60 million people in the United States have high blood pressure. Knowing your blood pressure is critical to your health. Here are some things you can do that may benefit your health:
| Diagnose and Monitor –Diagnosis of high blood pressure is critical, and a quick and painless test can be performed by a health care professional. Because your blood pressure can fluctuate, home monitoring and recording of your blood pressure is a good option. Blood pressure monitors are available without a prescription and can be purchased at most drugstores. | |
| Know Your Risk – Knowing your risk for high blood pressure can help you live your healthiest. Once tested, determine if you are at risk for serious problems by talking with your primary care physician. Other factors that may affect your risk include family history, age, stress, smoking, lack of physical activity, overweight and alcohol consumption. | |
| Lifestyle Changes –To help manage your high blood pressure, look at lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is beneficial for your overall physical health and can help to reduce or prevent high blood pressure and lower your risk of diseases including stroke, heart and kidney. |
For more information, visit the American Heart Association’s website at www.heart.org.
Source: American Heart Association
Obesity counseling and BMI measurement for men and women 18 and older
Overweight and obesity are both labels for weight ranges that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify weight ranges that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.
For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the "body mass index" (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat. Calculate your BMI today with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) BMI Calculator.
• An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.
• An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
If you fall into any of these categories and want to learn how to get your weight under control, call a Best Health Health Coach at 1-877-849-2363 or email besthealth@sharp.com. Coaching services are free for Sharp Health Plan members.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Common questions parents ask about infant immunizations
Having an infant can be scary, especially when it comes to immunizations and which ones to take and when. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a list of Common Questions Parents Ask About Infant Immunizations.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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