News center archives

Explaining the Medicare
doughnut gap

September 2016, Pharmacy Benefits Specialist Judy Mai from Sharp Health Plan is featured in this article from Sharp Health News on the Medicare doughnut hole. The article explains the hole and Mai provides valuable tips on how to keep yourself out of it.

Get creative with after-school snacks

August 2016, Jessica Bixenmann from Sharp Health Plan’s Best Health team is featured in this article for Sharp Health News on healthy after-school snack alternatives.

Do sweatsuits make workouts more effective?

August 2016, Jessica Bixenmann of Sharp Health Plan’s Best Health team was featured in this article for Sharp Health News about whether or not you should purposefully make yourself sweat more during exercise to lose weight.

Know the dangers of heat stroke

July 2016, Jessica Bixenmann from the Best Health team is featured in this Sharp Health News article on the dangers of heat stroke.

5 tips for finding the right sunglasses

July 2016, Jessica Bixenmann of the Best Health team was featured in this Sharp Health News article on five tips to follow when shopping for sunglasses.

Have diabetes? Don’t delay eye exams

June 2016, Sharp Health Plan’s Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Tuteur is featured in this Sharp Health News article on diabetic retinopathy. This serious vision condition is now the leading cause of blindness in people ages 25-74 in the U.S.

Health insurance options when you travel

June 2016, Director of Pharmacy Benefits Debi Reissman is featured in this article for Sharp Health News on insurance coverage options for both domestic and international travel.

5 tips to help you stick to your meds

May 2016, Debi Reissman, Sharp Health Plan’s director of pharmacy benefits, is featured in this Sharp Health News article offering tips to help you remember to take your medications.

Secondhand smoke: Big risks for little ones

May 2016, Heather O’Gorman from the Best Health team is featured in this article from Sharp Health News. She provides tips on helping your children avoid secondhand smoke. Recent studies on the dangers of secondhand smoke on children are also included in the article.

Staying healthy post-college

May 2016, With graduations approaching, Chief Business Development Officer Michael Byrd is quoted in this article on health insurance options for those college bound.

7 ways to fit exercise into your daily routine

April 2016, Sharp Health Plan’s Jessica Bixenmann is featured in this article on Sharp Health News. She provides valuable tips on how to build exercise into your day at home, at work and in your weekend activities.

Hit the trail with these hiking tips

April 2016, For National Walking Day on April 6, Sharp Health Plan’s Jessica Bixenmann was featured in this article for Sharp Health News on hiking tips. She provides advice on what to do before, during and after your hike, along with helpful links on popular hiking paths.

Wearable fitness tech: not just for the young

March 2016, Sharp Health Plan’s Heather O’Gorman was featured in a Sharp Health News article on wearable technology. Surprisingly, studies show older adults use wearable fitness technology more than their younger counterparts.

Your prescription questions answered

January 2016, Sharp Health Plan’s Director of Pharmacy Benefits Debi Reissman answers your top prescription questions in this article from Sharp Health News. Learn the benefits of using a generic, what to do if your medication isn’t covered under your plan and more.

Read this: 4 health benefits
of reading

January 2016, Best Health’s Michelle Milles is quoted in an article on the health benefits of reading. You’ll receive tips on why you should incorporate reading into your daily schedule and shut off the eReaders at night.

Get the most health from your health plan

January 2016, Sharp Health Plan’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cary Shames is quoted in this article on how to get the most out of your health plan. For the new year, members should take advantage of all the preventive health benefits available to them without a copay.

6 tips to stick to your weight
loss goals

December 2015, Sharp Health Plan’s Best Health team members Ben Aragon and Jessica Bixenmann are featured on Sharp Health News in an informative article on sticking to your weight loss goals. Following their tips will help you change your eating and exercising habits.

5 ways being outdoors can make you healthier and happier

December 2015, Sharp Health Plan’s Behavior Change Expert and Wellness Coach Jessica Bixenmann is quoted in this article on ways the outdoors can make you healthier and happier. It’s an especially beneficial activity during the stressful holiday season.

Easy ways to burn holiday
calories (infographic)

December 2015, Sharp Health Plan’s Health and Wellness Coach Jessica Bixenmann gives expert tips on managing portion sizes during holiday events in this helpful infographic. It demonstrates even the most simplistic activities can burn calories.

What you need to know before filling your next prescription

December 2015, Sharp Health Plan’s Director of Pharmacy Benefits, Debi Reissman, provides valuable tips for filling prescriptions. From effective methods in saving time and money to what questions to ask the pharmacist when filling new prescriptions, find out what you need to know.

Manage your stress during the holidays

December 2015, Sharp Health Plan’s Health Promotion Lead Ben Aragon and Health Coach Jess Bixenmann provide advice on how to manage stress during holiday season for Sharp Health News. The easy-to-follow tips help you experience the joy this time of year should bring.

Quit Day: make a plan to stop smoking

November 2015, The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout Day is Nov. 19^th, and encourages smokers to make a plan to quit. Sharp Health Plan’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cary Shames and Health Coach Heather O’Gorman provided expertise for an advice article.

Sharp Health Plan earns national recognition for quality and service

November 2015, Sharp Health Plan recently received major ratings confirmations for its commitment to quality and service. These include achieving the highest level of Excellent Accreditation status by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and obtaining 4 out of 4 stars in the Covered California Rating System. Read the press release.

Sharp Health Plan’s Chief Business Development Officer helps San Diegans navigate open enrollment

October 2015, Michael Byrd, Chief Business Development officer for Sharp Health Plan, discusses open enrollment for the individual and family plan (IFP) market in the San Diego Union Tribune. The article educates the public on navigating the insurance renewal process and answers commonly asked questions. Read the whole article in the San Diego Union Tribune.

Sharp Health Plan names Dr. Cary B. Shames as new Chief Medical Officer

January 2015, Dr. Cary Shames has been appointed to the role of Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Sharp Health Plan. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shames will be responsible for oversight of Sharp Health Plan’s clinical operations to include Quality, Network Management and Performance, Pharmacy, Medical Management, and other activities and interventions to enhance the quality of health care services delivered.

Prior to joining Sharp Health Plan, Dr. Shames held several key executive and medical director positions at major medical device and managed health care organizations, including ResMed, Anthem/Wellpoint, PacifiCare Health Systems and Aetna.