• What is the Health Improvement Program Cardiac Program?
• Created in consultation with nationally recognized cardiac resources
• Goals of the Cardiac Program
• Educational and self-care tools
• How the program works with your doctor
• Questions?

The Health Improvement Program Cardiac Program is a focused approach to providing support for people living with heart disease and heart failure. Health care professionals, including nurses and dietitians provide individualized support and educational materials to you and your doctor. If eligible for this program, you and any dependent family members with heart disease can participate at no additional cost to you as part of your employer’s benefits package. You’ll receive valuable support to help you:

• Manage your condition
• Make your daily care easier
• Enjoy a healthier quality of life

The Health Improvement Program Cardiac Program was developed with experts using nationally recognized resources for the most up-to-date, medically sound, effective and efficient treatments:

• The Heart Failure Society of America
• The American College of Cardiology
• The American Heart Association
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

The program also relies on the best medical judgment of each member's primary care physician. The program team follows the individual treatment plan created by the doctor who knows you best - your personal doctor.

• To help you better manage your heart disease, reduce related health problems and improve your quality of life.
  
  
• To achieve consistent, quality care by using nationally recognized clinical guidelines.
  
  
• To provide your doctor with confidential reports and opportunities to support your care and treatment plan.

What does the Health Improvement Program Cardiac Program do for members? You will receive educational and self-care tools at no additional cost. All program materials are carefully selected and delivered directly to you. In addition, samples are provided to your doctor. You will receive this valuable support:

• Outlook for a Healthy Heart - A free quarterly newsletter for people living with heart disease or congestive heart failure. .

• Cardiac Workbook - Contains detailed information about medications and treatments, guidelines for care, tips and pointers on how to manage symptoms and make lifestyle changes, tools for self-monitoring test results and medications, and developing an action plan for optimal health.

Self-Care Tools - A key to success in managing your heart disease is education and awareness. As you learn proper care for heart disease and become aware of your progress, you gain control over your health and your quality of life. Since one of the primary goals of the Health Improvement Program is to keep your care simple, the program provides easy-to-use forms and reminders to help you keep up with necessary tests and exams and track your progress toward the goals you set with the Health Improvement Program team.

• Self-Care Goals Plan - A plan developed by you with help from the Health Improvement Program team to set personal goals for your progress.

• Self-Care Reminder Letters - Regular reminders of important screenings, immunizations and tests. Members are encouraged to take advantage of preventive care services.
  
  
  • Guidelines for Care Reminder Letter - Mailed to you once a year to remind you to ask about getting important tests and/or exams.
    
    
  • Flu and Pneumonia Vaccine Reminder Letter - Mailed to you once a year when it's time to ask whether flu and/or pneumonia vaccine is appropriate for you.

• Educational Resources List and Educational Topics Sheets - Other educational resources and services and health information on a variety of issues relating to improved self-care and management of heart disease available to you through the Health Improvement Program team.

• Telephone Support - Convenient, toll-free access and support from a team of health care professionals led by nurses specializing in condition management. When you learn proper care for a condition like heart disease, you gain an important sense of control over your health and quality of life. You'll see how even simple lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of health complications.

Communication is key in all aspects of the Health Improvement Program. The program provides your doctor with a description of the materials sent to you.

Your doctor will also receive useful information and updates developed especially for health-care providers. The Health Improvement Program supports and assists your doctor; your doctor provides the treatment plan and sets the direction of your cardiac care.

Do you want to know more about the Health Improvement Program? Answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions are online.

To find out if the Health Improvement Program is available to you or your dependent family members, call the toll-free Health Improvement Program number: 1-866-816-5270.