Blue
Notes
A newsletter for Horizon NJ Health Members
horizonNJhealth.com
Issue 2, 2016
Zika Virus:
Get the Facts, and Learn Who is at Risk
Zika is a viral infection that spreads through the bites of an infected Aedes mosquito.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel alert for
pregnant women planning to go to areas where Zika is spreading.
This includes parts of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
The CDC suggests pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant
think about postponing travel to these areas if possible. Zika is dangerous
for pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant.
Why is Zika
dangerous?
If a pregnant woman gets infected with Zika, it may cause
her baby to have a smaller than normal head size, which causes
the baby’s brain to be smaller and not develop normally.
Women who are trying to get pregnant should not have sex if
their sexual partner has recently travelled to a Zika-infested area.
The virus stays in the blood for one week and can be found in
semen for up to two weeks.
How can Zika
be prevented?
•Use insect repellent. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor
to make sure the repellent you plan to use is safe.
•Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
•Use condoms, especially for sexual activity when your partner
has been to an area where Zika is present.
What are the
symptoms?
Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, muscle pain and
headache. These symptoms usually start 3-12 days after a person
has been bitten by an infected mosquito. If you have any of these
symptoms during your trip or within two weeks of traveling to a
country where Zika has been reported, visit your doctor right
away. Your doctor may order a blood test to see if you are infected.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Blue Notes Issue 2, 2016
Page 2
horizonNJhealth.com
Dental Checkups and Cleanings: Schedule Your Dental Visit Today
It is important to visit your dentist for
a dental cleaning and exam twice a year.
Regular exams allow your dentist to see if you
have any problems with your teeth or gums.
Problems with oral health can lead to problems
in other parts of your body – especially if they
are not found early.
With Horizon NJ Health, your dental benefits
include routine dental care like cleanings, fillings
and X-rays. You do not need a referral from your
Primary Care Provider (PCP) or pre-approval for
these visits. Schedule a visit with your dentist
every six months. You may need to go more
often if you have certain health conditions
(like pregnancy). It is important to complete
the treatment your dentist recommends.
Children should also visit a
dentist twice a year, starting
when he or she turns one year
old or when the first tooth comes through
(whichever happens first).
Cavities can form in “baby teeth” as well as
permanent teeth, so complete the treatment
your dentist recommends for your child.
Good dental habits start early, so do not wait.
Schedule your dental visit today.
If you need help finding a dentist,
you can use our Online Doctor &
Hospital Finder at horizonNJhealth.com.
You Can Protect Your Daughters and Sons from Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV vaccines prevent cancer
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and chances are your child
could be at risk. HPV can cause genital warts and lead to certain types of cancers like
cervical and penile. You can protect your child with the HPV vaccine.
The HPV vaccine works very well. Since it has been available, the vaccine has lowered the number
of HPV infections in teen girls and lowered the number of teens getting genital warts. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the following people should get vaccinated:
•
•
•
•
eople with a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as HIV/AIDS
P
Preteen boys and girls who are 11 and 12 years old
Young men through age 21
Young women through age 26
The HPV vaccine is safe for both males and
females. Side effects are mild and can include
pain in the arm where the shot was given, fever,
dizziness or nausea. The HPV vaccine is covered
by Horizon NJ Health.
Make an appointment with your child’s
Primary Care Provider (PCP) to get the vaccine.
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Blue Notes Issue 2, 2016
Page 3
horizonNJhealth.com
Formulary Changes
Horizon NJ Health would like to let
you know about the recent changes
to our drug formulary list (see box).
Here is a list of recent changes:
Covered
Change
Description
Brand (Generic)
Drug Name
Alternatives
(if applicable)
Not Covered Bosulif (bosutinib)
Gleevec, Sprycel, Tasigna
Not Covered Iclusig (ponatinib)
Gleevec, Sprycel, Tasigna
The changes found in this list will be added to
our drug formulary list on the Horizon NJ Health
website, horizonNJhealth.com.
You can also find the formulary guide, which
includes an explanation and listing of step
therapy, quantity/age/gender limits and
drugs requiring prior authorization, on the
Horizon NJ Health website.
Covered
Protopic (tacrolimus)
N/A
Covered
Terazol (terconazole)
N/A
Covered
Gynazole (butoconazole) N/A
Covered
Maxalt, Maxalt MLT
(rizatriptan)
N/A
Covered
Prevacid
(lansoprazole)
N/A
Please talk with your Primary Care Provider
(PCP) about these changes. If your PCP
decides that, for medical reasons, you must
take a drug that is not on the formulary list or
needs pre-approval, including a brand name
medication exception, he or she can call us and
ask for special permission (prior authorization)
for you to get the drug.
Covered
Nexium 24HR
(esomeprazole)
N/A
Covered
Aciphex (rabeprazole)
N/A
Your PCP may call the Horizon NJ Health
Pharmacy Department at 1-800-682-9094
to request a prior authorization.
You Can Play a Role in Preventing Falls
Not Covered Donnatal (phenobarbi-
Proton Pump Inhibitors,
H2-Blockers, Sucralfate,
Miralax, Lactulose, OTC Stool
Softeners, Hyoscyamine,
Dicyclomine, Amitiza
Not Covered Robinul, Robinul Forte
Glycopyrrolate
Not Covered Vigamox (moxifloxacin)
Ciloxan, Quixin, Ocuflox
Not Covered Alphagan P 0.1%
Alphagan, Alphagan P 0.15%
Not Covered Capoten (captopril)
Enalapril, Fosinopril, Lisinopril,
Quinapril, Benazepril,
Trandolapril, Altace Capsules
Not Covered Leukine (sargramostim)
Granix
Covered
Repatha (evolocumab)
N/A
Covered
Synjardy (empagliflozin N/A
and metformin)
Covered
Orkambi (lumacaftor/
ivacaftor)
N/A
Covered
Narcan (naloxone)
N/A
tal/ hyoscyamine/atropine/ scopolamine)
(glycopyrrolate)
(brimonidine)
• Exercise to improve your
strength and balance.
• If your doctor has
recommended a cane
or walker, make sure you
use it whenever you walk.
• Remove loose rugs and
clutter on the floors.
They can make you fall or trip at home.
• Talk to your doctor to find out if your
medications are making you dizzy.
Not Covered Evzio (naloxone)
Narcan
Blue Notes Issue 2, 2016
Page 4
horizonNJhealth.com
Good Questions for your Good Health
Every time you talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, use the Ask Me 3®
questions to get answers to important questions or concerns about your health.
It is helpful to write down your questions and bring them with you to your
doctor’s appointments.
Use these 3 questions as a guide:
Asking these questions can help me:
• What is my main problem?
• Take care of my health
• What do I need to do?
• Prepare for medical tests
• Why is it important for me to do this?
• Take my medicines correctly
What if I ask and still don’t understand?
•Let your doctor, nurse or pharmacist
know if you still don’t understand
what you need to do.
•You can say, “This is new to me.
Can you please explain it again?”
Have You Moved?
You should not feel
embarrassed if you
do not know something.
Your doctor is there
to help you.
Be sure to keep your personal information up to date with your health plan.
If you have a new name, address, or phone number,
call NJ FamilyCare at 1-800-701-0710
(TTY: 1-800-701-0720).
Representatives are available Monday and
Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It is important to keep this information up to date
so you never have issues getting health care
benefits or services.
Note that this information should be changed
with NJ FamilyCare first, not Horizon NJ Health.
NJ FamilyCare will let us know about the change.
If your NJ FamilyCare eligibility was done through
your local County Welfare Agency (CWA), then
you must report any changes to that CWA.
Blue
Notes
Member Services 1-800-682-9090 (TTY/TDD 711)
24 hours a day, seven days a week. horizonNJhealth.com
Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline: 1-855-FRAUD20 or
1-855-372-8320 (TTY/TDD 1-800-654-5505)
BLUE NOTES is published as a community service for the friends and patrons
of Horizon NJ Health, 210 Silvia St., West Trenton, NJ 08628. Information in
BLUE NOTES comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any
concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health,
please contact your health care physician. Models may be used in photos and
illustrations.
Horizon NJ Health is part of the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey enterprise,
an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
© 2016 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
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