For the love of ... your beating heart!

Valentine’s Day… Blah. Blah. Blah. I’m not trying to be a scrooge, it just seems that Valentine’s Day is hitting the shelves before the New Year’s Eve champagne is fully swallowed and kisses to celebrate the New Year are given. All you hear and see is Valentine’s Day signs and pink and red hearts all over the stores and on TV. Whether or not you celebrate this “special” day, it is time to take advantage of these signs and start thinking about your heart. I am not talking about your emotional heart, but the one that beats in you to keep you alive.

This is a great time to take advantage of your Preventive Care Schedule provided through your medical plan. Here are some steps (figuratively and literally) that you can take to help your heart today.

1. Call your provider and get your annual physical scheduled
2. If you’re a covered individual under the Mayo Medical Plan, take a peek at the Preventive Care Schedule for the Mayo Medical Plan below and look at the age specific testing that can be done at 100% coverage when in-network.
3. Assess your own health. Are there things in your life that you want to gain control over to create a healthier heart so you can live longer and share real love with those you truly love?
   1. Stop smoking?
   2. Learn how to eat right?
   3. Manage stress better?
   4. Increase your physical activity?
   5. While talking with your provider, talk about the list that you create and see what resources are available to help you.

We (the Total Rewards Team) would love to hear from you and what things you want to work on. We’re happy to share additional resources in future discussions based on your replies.

In all seriousness, Happy Valentine’s Day.

 

 

2018 PREVENTIVE CARE SCHEDULE

All Ages

• BRCA risk assessment, counseling and genetic testing for women at higher risk for breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer
• Breastfeeding comprehensive support and counseling for pregnant and nursing women
• Breast cancer preventive medications*
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for women
• Formulary generic contraceptives for women: devices, emergency (not including abortifacient drugs), female condoms (male condoms not covered) and oral
• Folic acid supplements for women who may become pregnant*
• Hepatitis C virus infection screening for antibodies for all adults born during 1945-1965, one time screen
• HIV antibody screening
• Immunizations
• Non-hospital grade manual or electric breast pump once per pregnancy and supplies for pregnant and nursing women when purchased at a Durable Medical Equipment supplier
• Screening for preeclampsia throughout pregnancy
• Syphilis screening
• Tuberculin skin testing

 Birth - 6 years

• Autism screening between 0-2 years
• Expanded newborn screen (blood)
• Evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE) once at birth
• Fluoride Chemoprevention supplements for children without fluoride in their water source*
• Iron supplements for children between 6-12 months at risk for anemia*
• Lead level
• Pediatric vision screening

 Birth - 10 years

• Routine hearing exam

 Birth - 18 years

• Hemoglobin or hematocrit
• Well-baby/child care

 Between 2-20

• Dyslipidemia screening for children at higher risk of lipid disorders

 Beginning at 5

• Hepatitis B, once per year and once per pregnancy

 Between 9-26

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination

 Between 11-65

• Annual well-woman gynecological services

 Beginning at 18

• Annual preventive service
• Diabetes screening once per year
• Sterilization

 Beginning at 20

• Lipid panel once every 5 years

 Between 21-65

• Cervical cancer screening for women (papanicolaou smear) every 3 years

 Beginning at 30

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening for women every 3 years

 Beginning at 40

• Mammogram for women, including Tomosynthesis

 Between 40-75

• Simvastatin, other low or moderate intensity statins, when cardiovascular criteria are met (prior authorization required)

 Between 45-79

• Aspirin for men to prevent Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)*

 Beginning at 50

• Colorectal Cancer Screen Options (one of the following):
  • Fecal occult blood test annually (series of three) with flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
  • Barium enema and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
  • CT colonography every 5 years
  • Colonoscopy once every 10 years
• Cologuard DNA screening once every year up to age 85
• Osteoporosis screen for women
• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test for men up to age 75

 Between 55-79

• Aspirin for women when the potential benefit of a reduction in ischemic stroke outweighs the potential harm of an increase in gastrointestinal hemorrhage*
• Low-Dose Computed Tomography Lung Cancer screening for those with smoking history

 Beginning at 60

• Varicella-zoster (shingles) vaccine

 Between 65-75

• Abdominal aneurysm screen one time only for men

*prescription required