Guidelines to Keep You Healthy

Yearly health checkups are called well exams by UPHP. Well exams can find problems early so that they can be treated early. All UPHP members should get yearly well exams. Members should also get screening tests, such as Pap smears, mammograms, and chlamydia testing, if needed. Call your provider to make an appointment for a well exam within 60 days of enrollment in UPHP. 

Visit HealthFinder.gov for a list of important screenings and vaccines recommended at every age.

Both nutrition and physical activity play a big part in keeping you and your family healthy and keeping your Body Mass Index (BMI) in a normal range. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. A high amount of body fat can lead to weight-related diseases and other health issues.

Why is physical activity or exercise important?

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to improve their health. Moving more and sitting less have great benefits for everyone.

For adults:

• Lowers risk of high blood pressure
• Lowers risk of stroke
• Improves aerobic fitness
• Improves mental health
• Improves cognitive function
• Reduces arthritis symptoms
• Prevents weight gain

Healthy Eating

Everything you eat and drink matters. The right mix can help you be healthier now and in the future. There are many resources available for people to learn about healthy eating. It’s important to follow guidelines that fit your lifestyle.

About one out of three United States adults are living with high blood pressure. This common condition increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. The good news is you can take steps to prevent high blood pressure or to control it. Your provider may prescribe medications and lifestyle changes.

• Work with your health care team
• Eat a healthy diet
• Be active
• Do not smoke, talk to your provider about quitting

Having high blood cholesterol raises the risk for heart disease. No matter your age, you can take steps each day to keep your cholesterol levels in a healthy range. Talk to your health care team about steps you can take to manage your cholesterol numbers.

With the right tools and support you can manage your diabetes and enjoy a happy, healthier life. To find out more about what support UPHP offers, visit our Keeping UP with Diabetes Program page.

People who use tobacco have more health risks. Ask your health care provider for advice on how to stop using tobacco. Keep trying until you succeed.

UPHP offers the following benefits as part of a Quitting Tobacco Wellness Program:

• Michigan Tobacco Quitline (1-800-784-8669) – UPHP Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan members who call the Quitline for four tobacco counseling sessions could earn a gift card.
• Quitting smoking and tobacco use counseling visits with your provider.
• Truth Initiative EX Program – FREE access to the EX Program. A personalized digital program to help whether you smoke, dip, vape, or chew tobacco. By completing the EX Program, you could earn a $100 gift card.
  • To learn more: https://www.becomeanex.org/
  • To sign up: TheEXProgram.com/UPHP

UPHP also covers many medications to help stop using tobacco.

Additional information:

• Visit this site to learn how quitlines can help:
  https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking

• Visit these sites to learn about ways to quit and how to make a plan:
  https://smokefree.gov/
  https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/

Call 800-835-2556 for more information.

The goal of cancer screening is to find cancer early, before there are symptoms. When cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and more curable.

There are many types of cancer. Cancer can affect any part of the body. Some ways that you can decrease your chance of getting cancer include:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Avoid tobacco in any form
• Limit alcohol
• Exercise regularly
• Reduce stress
• Ask your provider about recommended cancer screenings

To learn more visit the American Cancer Society website.

UPHP encourages everyone to talk to their provider about when to screen for cancers. Treatment for cancer is a covered benefit.

• Mammogram/breast cancer screening (ages 50 and older)
• Pap smear/Cervical cancer screening (ages 21 and older)
• Colonoscopy/colorectal cancer screening (ages 45 and older)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most common infections in the United States. They are becoming more frequent. Chlamydia is the most common. Most of these infections have no warning signs until late in the infection process. It is easy to spread STIs to other people and not know it. Some of these infections, like HIV, can cause death. Others, like chlamydia, if not treated, can prevent a woman from having children. Young adults and sexually active adolescents should have a screening test for chlamydia every year. If you think you have a problem, talk to your provider. Testing can be as simple as a urine test. Ask your provider which test is right for you.

Good oral health is important to help keep your entire body healthy. We offer dental coverage to all beneficiaries ages 19 and above enrolled in Healthy Michigan Plan, as well as all enrollees ages 21 and older, enrolled in Medicaid.

• We are contracted with Delta Dental to provide your dental benefits. If you have any questions about your dental services, please contact Delta Dental at 866-558-0280.
• To find area dentists in plan, visit the Delta Dental Provider Search.

Please note: All members under age 21 and enrolled in Medicaid are automatically enrolled into the Healthy Kids Dental program. If you are enrolled in this program, please refer to your Healthy Kids Dental Member Handbook for information on your dental benefits. You can also call the Michigan Beneficiary Helpline at 800-642-3195 for help. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Michigan Health Insurance Plans | BCBSM
Phone: 800-936-0935

Delta Dental of Michigan
Individual Dental Plans | Delta Dental of Michigan (deltadentalmi.com)
Phone: 866-696-7441

Substance use disorder means someone is using alcohol or drugs in a way that hurts them. Prescription drugs can be misused when they are not taken as ordered by the doctor. Alcohol and drug use can cause many problems. A person’s feelings and actions can change. Money problems may arise.

UPHP wants to help if you are living with a drug or alcohol problem. Be honest with your provider about the problem so they can help you get treatment.

For more information and to seek help, visit:

• Reduce or quit alcohol
• Great Lakes Recovery
• NorthCare Network

To find out more about what support UPHP offers visit our Mental Health page.

The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated every year. For information on the flu vaccine visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/index.html.

• Mental illnesses are conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior, such as:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia

To seek help, visit:

Dial Help: 1-800-562-7622

NorthCare Network: 1-888-333-8030

To find out more about what support UPHP offers visit our Mental Health page.