CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
S mokers have a higher risk than nonsmokers for many life-threatening health conditions such as cancer, emphysema, heart disease and stroke. In fact, smokers are two to four times more likely to get heart disease or cancer than nonsmokers. Tobacco is addictive and quitting is hard, but with the right help it’s possible. If you use tobacco and would like to quit, Medica is here to help. If you use tobacco, but do not have signs or symptoms of tobacco-related disease: You are covered for two counseling quit attempts within a 12-month period as a preventive service, with no extra cost to you if received from a network provider. Each counseling attempt includes up to four face-to-face visits. For counseling quit attempts received from an out-of-network provider, you will pay a share of the cost. If you use tobacco and have been diagnosed with a tobacco-related disease or are taking medicine that may be a ected by tobacco: You are covered for cessation counseling services. You are covered for two counseling quit attempts within a 12-month period, but will pay a share of the costs. Each counseling attempt includes up to four face to-face visits. Questions about Medica’s tobacco cessation programs? Call Medica Customer Service at the number on the back of your ID card or visit medica.com/wellness/medicare-tobacco cessation. Sources: Medica Evidence of Coverage, American Heart Association
AVOIDING SECONDHAND SMOKE CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE Even if you maintain healthy habits and don’t smoke yourself, just spending time around people while they’re smoking and breathing in their secondhand smoke can significantly increase your risk for heart disease. • If you breathe in secondhand smoke at home or work, you increase your risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent. • Because of secondhand smoke, each year in the U.S. 34,000 nonsmokers die of heart disease and 8,000 nonsmokers die of strokes. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
9
MEDICA MAGAZINE | SPRING 2020
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs