Health and Wellness Programs
Keeping you healthy and active
Many of our Medicare Advantage plans offer special programs and services to help you reach and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some can even help you save money.
Care management program
If you have a chronic condition, we make it easier to follow your prescribed treatment plan with support from our care management team. This free program includes access to nurse and social worker case managers, pharmacists and behavioral health specialists who will help you manage your condition.
Member health reminders
We want to make it easier to manage your health. That's why we provide personalized reminders to let you know when you're due for routine preventive services. You can also search for a doctor or specialist near you or see if you're due for a checkup.
Opioid safety information
Opioids are medications that can be very helpful for severe pain, like after a surgery or injury. They work on receptors located on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the body. Examples of opioid medications include: OxyContin, Vicodin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl patches and others. While they can be useful, these drugs are also associated with dangerous side effects and risks.
What are the side effects of opioid use?
Taking opioids for short-term pain relief can cause:
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Confusion
- Slowed breathing
- Constipation
The risks of opioid use increase the longer you take them and include the development of:
- Increased risk of falls
- Tolerance (medication becomes less effective as your body gets used to the drug)
- Physical dependence (you may experience withdrawal symptoms when stopped)
- Addiction (substance use disorder that can result in overdose, brain damage and death)
Overdose risk increases:
- When opioids are used with alcohol and/or other drugs that suppress respiratory function such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, anesthetics or some pain medications.
- When high dosages of opioids (more than 100 mg of morphine or equivalent daily) are used.
- When opioids are used after an extended period of not having opioids. For example: After detoxification, release from prison or treatment/hospitalization where opioid medications were discontinued.
If you are taking opioids, your doctor or pharmacist may provide you with a drug called Naloxone. This drug can reverse the effects of opioids in case of an overdose.
HAP Medicare Advantage plans cover treatments for substance use disorders. Treatment may involve counseling and/or prescription medication. Please call the HAP customer service phone number on the back of your ID card for more information about covered treatment options. Our customer service representatives are available Oct. 1 - March 31 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week or April 1 - Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday - Friday.
You have options to manage pain
Opioids are only one way to treat pain. Other effective ways to manage pain that do not include medications are:
- Physical therapy
- Exercise
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
Coverage of these treatment options may be limited by your plan. Please reference your plan's Evidence of Coverage or call the HAP customer service number on the back of your ID card for more information. Customer service is available Oct. 1 - March 31 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week or April 1 - Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Also, non-opioid medications can be used to treat pain. Examples include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Meloxicam, Diclofenac and Celecoxib (most are taken by mouth, but Diclofenac can also be applied to the skin)
- Lidocaine patches
- Gabapentin
- Pregabalin
- Duloxetine
These medications may require prior authorization and have quantity limits. Please see your Part D formulary (list of covered drugs) for more information.
Opioid safety checks at the pharmacy include checking for unsafe amounts of opioid pain medication, limiting the day's supply of the first fill of opioid medication and checking the use of opioids with benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepine examples include: alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Klonopin).
How to safely store and dispose of drugs
Opioid medications are highly addictive. It is important they are stored in a secure location where children and others cannot access them.
If you have unused or expired opioids, there are programs that will take and safely dispose of them. You can talk to your pharmacist or the websites linked below give more information on how and where to dispose of your medications.
How to Safely Dispose of Drugs
Diversion Control Division Drop-Off Locations Search
Drug management program
HAP has established a Part D drug management program to identify and address overuse of frequently abused drugs for the purpose of protecting Medicare members and complying with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements. HAP conducts case management including investigation, outreach and notifications for members that meet the criteria for the drug management program.
Have questions?
You can send us an email or call to speak with a representative by visiting the Contact Us page. For more information, see the Medicare Safer Use of Opioid Pain Medication fact sheet.
