Recently, employees from Magellan Rx Management were featured on Rx Radio, a podcasting media company serving the pharmacy profession with a goal of inspiring healthcare professionals to take an innovative approach with healthcare. Host Richard Waithe, President of VUCA Health, sat down with eight of our pharmacists to talk about the future of pharmacy, and what it is like to be a pharmacist in managed care.

Listen while you are at work, out for a jog or doing homework (looking at you, pharmacy students), and go inside Magellan Rx to get the full scoop on the work that we do.

Listen here and start with whatever episode makes you happy – we recommend starting with our General Manager of Specialty, Steve Cutts.

Follow our campaign on Twitter and LinkedIn using #ThisIsMagellanRx to learn more about our team!

The holidays are a fun and joyous time but also a very busy one, and holiday stress and anxiety in children can and does happen. During the holidays, there are lots of fun activities and events going on, both at home and at school. And while that can be a good thing, the constant hustle and bustle can be just as overwhelming and nerve-wracking for children as it is for adults.

Recognize the signs that your child is stressed out. These signs may include:

• increased irritability or anger
• clinginess
• more crying, whining, or complaining
• sleep troubles (or sleeping too much)
• physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches
• more or less eating
• isolation and/or refusal to participate in activities
• regressive behavior such as bedwetting or thumb- sucking

Try these tips to help alleviate your child’s stress and make the holiday season a merrier time for everyone:

Set a Calm Example

The most important way parents can help ease anxiety in children during the holidays is by trying to keep things relaxed as much as possible. As with so many situations, the way parents handle an issue can set the tone for how their kids will behave. If you let holiday stress get to you, your kids will definitely pick up on it, and child anxiety is more likely to be a problem in your house. To minimize anxiety in children during the holidays, take steps to handle your own stress and anxiety.

Set Up Conditions for Good Behavior

Avoid taking your child to places such as the mall or holiday gatherings when he is hungry or tired. It’s hard even for grown-ups to deal with noise and lots of stimulation when they’re not feeling their best; kids get hungry more often and become tired more easily, and may understandably have a tough time being on their best behavior and are more likely to experience holiday stress when they’re exhausted or hungry.

Remember the Importance of Routines

The holidays can throw a big wrench into household routines, and that can play a role in anxiety in children.  To minimize holiday stress in your kids, try to get routines back on track once an event or party is over. For instance, if a school holiday concert or a church gathering goes past your child’s bedtime, try to stick to quiet, calm activities the next day and get your child to bed on time the next night.

Watch What They Are Eating

Another thing that can fall by the wayside amidst the holiday hubbub is healthy eating. Between all the extra sugary holiday snacks and the lack of time to sit down  to regular meals, it can be all too easy for kids to eat less healthy foods, which can contribute to holiday stress and anxiety in children. Try packing healthy snacks when you have to go shopping or run other holiday errands and try to minimize the number of sweet treats at home. Whenever possible, offer healthy snacks, such as air-popped popcorn or apple slices with cheese and crackers and limit cookies and candy to after-snack treats.

Get Your Child Moving

Fresh air and exercise are essential for boosting mood and re-setting the spirit, which can alleviate holiday stress and anxiety in children. Make sure you schedule some time to get your child outside to run around and play.

Avoid Overscheduling

As tempting as it may be to accept every invitation from friends and family, try to limit your holiday parties and activities so that you and your child are not overwhelmed. A couple of events a week may be fine, but having an obligation every day can lead to holiday stress and anxiety in children.

Have Your Grade-Schooler Help You

Big kids love to help mom and dad, especially if they get lots of praise for being responsible and helpful. If you have to shop, ask your child to help you look for an item at the store (fun stocking stuffers for cousins, for example). Giving your child a task will not only boost her self-esteem, it’ll distract her and help prevent any holiday stress and anxiety.

Schedule Some Quiet Time

Having some peace and quiet with your child is more important than ever during the busy holiday season. Find a quiet corner and read a book with your child or create holiday pictures for grandma and grandpa. Take a walk outside in nature, away from noise and crowds and obligations.

Remind Your Child and Yourself What the Holidays Are Really All About

A great antidote for holiday stress and the bloated commercialism of the season is helping others, whether it’s by shoveling an elderly neighbor’s sidewalk or by wrapping presents for needy kids at your local church. Helping your grade-schooler become a charitable child will help alleviate her holiday stress and anxiety.

Help is available. For additional information, visit MagellanHealth.com/MYMH

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a challenge for you and your family. Your family may find it hard to accept some of the changes PTSD can bring to your life. By talking and supporting one another, you and your family will be better prepared for these changes.

Family support

Your family is an important part of your recovery. They can be there to listen and to help you through rough times.

It’s also important that you help your family understand PTSD. They may not always know how to respond when they see you hurting. They may feel scared, sad, guilty, or even angry about your condition.

Talking about PTSD can help you and your family cope. Talk about your symptoms and what triggers them. Discuss different treatments and how they can help you recover. When you open up, your family can better understand what you’re going through.

Family therapy can help. This is a type of counseling that involves your whole family. A therapist can teach you how to work through problems and communicate better.

Talking with your kids about PTSD

Teaching your kids about PTSD is important. They may not understand why you’re feeling bad or why you get angry sometimes. This can be scary for kids at any age. They also may blame themselves for things that aren’t their fault. Make sure your kids understand that they aren’t to blame for your PTSD. When talking with your kids about PTSD:

• Be honest and listen to what they have to say.
• Tell them it’s okay to ask questions. Ask them how they’re feeling, and let them know that their concerns are important.
• Make sure they feel safe, secure, and loved. They may be afraid that something bad is going to happen.
• Provide information about PTSD. Let them know what it is, how you got it, and how you can recover.
• Encourage a good support system of friends outside your family. Get them involved in school activities or youth programs in the community.
• Don’t promise that your PTSD is going to go away soon. Instead, talk about how treatment can help you feel better. It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers.
• Be as positive as you can. Your kids will notice how you react in difficult situations, which can influence their reactions.

Triggers Things that suddenly remind you of your traumatic event are called triggers. Triggers can bring up stressful feelings or cause you to have flashbacks, which means you feel like you’re reliving the event all over again.

Trying to avoid triggers is a common reaction. It’s normal to stay away from things that cause you stress. Because of this, you may feel like you can’t do the things you used to enjoy. This may be hard on you and your family.

Talk with your family about your triggers. They need to know what causes you stress. By being aware of your triggers, your family can help you find ways to cope with them.

Some common triggers include:

• Places, social events, or even smells and sounds. For example, smoke may trigger memories in someone who was hurt in a fire. Or a car that backfires may remind a veteran of gunfire.
• Being around others who were involved in your traumatic event. This may happen when veterans have a reunion.
• The anniversary of your traumatic event. Try to plan enjoyable activities on and around the anniversary date. It may help to be with friends or family.

Coping with holidays

Big holidays like Christmas and New Years can be stressful. The holidays can be a painful reminder of past times when life seemed better. Big groups of family and friends are often part of the holidays.

This may be stressful because:

• Groups tire you out or make you feel overwhelmed.
• You feel pressure to join family activities when you’re not up for it.
• You feel like you have to act happy when you’re not.

Your loved ones also might ask you questions about your life or about PTSD. You may not feel comfortable answering these questions. Keep in mind that your family may feel some of the same pressures.

You can cope with holiday stress by:

• Setting limits. Don’t join activities for longer than you can handle. You can choose when you want to be a part of the group.
• Taking breaks. Go for walks, or set aside a place where you can be alone for a while. This can keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
• Getting plenty of rest. Take naps if you feel like you’re not getting enough sleep at night.
• Talking with your family about how you feel. Your family can help you. Be honest with them about your stress.
• Not drinking too much. Alcohol may make your symptoms worse or cause you to have problems with your family.

For family members If you are the spouse or family member of someone with PTSD, here are some tips for helping your loved one during the holidays:

• Accept the mixed feelings your loved one may have about the holiday.
• Respect and support your loved one’s choices about being involved in the celebration.
• Plan ahead of time how you will cope with stress. This may mean talking about how your loved one will answer questions about PTSD, or deciding how long you will stay at a party.
• Remember to take care of yourself. Do things for yourself to relieve stress.
• Keep your expectations realistic.

The holidays can be a joyful time, offering a chance to reconnect with friends and family. They can also be stressful and hectic. You may feel pressure to buy and give gifts, have concerns about money, or feel like there isn’t enough time to get everything done.

Think about the kinds of events that trigger stress for you during the holidays. Then, you can focus on one or two things you can do that will help the most to reduce stress.

Here are some ideas:

Preparing for the holidays 

1. Know your spending limit. Lack of money is one of the biggest causes of stress during the holiday season. This year, set a budget, and don’t spend more than you’ve planned. It’s okay to tell your child that a certain toy costs too much. Don’t buy gifts that you’ll spend the rest of the year trying to pay off.
2. Give something personal. You can show love and caring with any gift that is meaningful and personal. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. Or, use words instead of an expensive gift to let people know how important they are to you. Make a phone call or write a note and share your feelings.
3. Get organized. Make lists or use an appointment book to keep track of tasks to do and events to attend.
4. Share the tasks. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Share your “to do” list with others. Spend time with friends and family while you share tasks like decorating, wrapping gifts, and preparing the holiday meal.
5. Learn to say no. It’s okay to say “no” to events that aren’t important to you. This will give you more time to say “yes” to events that you do want to attend.
6. Be realistic. Try not to put pressure on yourself to create the perfect holiday for your family. Focus instead on the traditions that make holidays special for you. And remember that just because it’s a holiday, family problems don’t go away. If you have a hard time being around your relatives, it’s okay to set limits on your time at events.

During the holidays

You may not be able to avoid stressful situations during the holidays, but you can plan to respond to them in a healthy way.

1. Take breaks from group activities. Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Spend a little time by yourself if you can. Meditate, or do some relaxation breathing. Go for a short walk.
2. Keep a regular sleep, meal, and exercise schedule. Limit your alcohol. Taking care of yourself will help you deal with stressful situations during the holidays.
3. Get support if you need it. Holidays can sometimes trigger depression. They can be especially hard if you are already dealing with the death of a loved one or the breakup of a relationship. You may feel embarrassed to ask for help, or you may think that you’ll get over “the blues” on your own. But most people need treatment to get better. Talk with your doctor about counseling and medicine for depression.

Help is available. For additional information, visit MagellanHealth.com/MYMH

The holidays are an opportunity to gather with family and friends and are filled with endless quantities of sweets at school, work and home. But the celebration over food and eating during this season can be very tough, especially for those living with diabetes.

Before you decide to hide from family and friends, you should know that being diabetic doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite holiday traditions. With a little planning and preparation you can make better choices this holiday season and still enjoy your favorite treats. Stay in control of your weight and glucose levels this holiday season by following these 10 easy tips.

Focus on the fun – The holidays are our opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Focus on some of the fun holiday rituals and traditions like tossing a football, trimming the tree or gathering with loved ones. Making a conscious effort to redirect your thoughts can make a big difference in the decisions you make.

Eat before the feast – Skipping a meal or snack earlier in the day to save calories for the big feast later on will make it much harder to control your blood glucose. People are more like to overeat when they are hungry.

Find treats that work – Look for treats to help you satisfy that craving to indulge over the holidays. Substituting sparkling water and tea in place of sugary soft drinks are ways to enjoy the holiday experience without adding a lot of calories. Consider seeds and nuts as they are a great source of protein and healthy fat.

Save calories for very special treats – Training yourself about what to indulge in and what to skip is a lot like effectively managing your money. Instead of eating the store-bought cookies, maybe hold out for the homemade treats that are special to you and your family.

Get back on track – Redirect your focus on the people around you, not the food. Try and incorporate some extra exercise that day, monitor your glucose levels and get right back on track the next day with your usual eating routine.

Reduce the fat – Reduce the fat and calories in the traditional recipes by using fat-free or low-fat milk and cheese. Trim meats before cooking and remove skin before eating. Cook meats on a rack so that the fat can slowly drip away. Many baking recipes can be adjusted by using applesauce in place of half the butter.

Go light on the gravy and sauces – You may not be able to control what’s being served during the holidays, but you can control what you put on it. Try limiting (or cutting out altogether) the less healthy sauces or gravies that are typically offered.

Stock your freezer with healthy meal options – Take a proactive approach several weeks ahead of time by cooking meals intended specifically for your freezer. And if you don’t have time to cook, purchase and store healthy frozen meals for your freezer. You’ll thank yourself later when you can pop one of those healthy meals in the oven and turn your attention to your holiday chores.

Drink in moderation – If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to remember to eat something beforehand to prevent low blood glucose levels. Drinking alcoholic beverages can add a significant amount of calories to your holiday intake. Try limiting servings to one drink for ladies and two drinks for gentlemen, per occasion.

Stay active – Lack of physical activity is a major reason we have problems with weight and diabetes management over the holidays. Understanding that this is a busier time of year than normal, it is extra important to plan time each day for exercise. Consider a nice long walk about an hour after a holiday meal.

This holiday season is about celebrating and enjoying the people in your life. With some careful planning and smart choices, you can make sure that your holidays are both happy and healthy. Try to focus your energy on the people you love and not the food. Invest in yourself and your diabetes health this holiday season by being prepared and planning ahead. Happy Holidays!

By Sam Srivastava and Mostafa Kamal

This week, the federal government took a significant step forward in helping address the opioid epidemic with the signing of the nation’s first comprehensive opioid legislation.

The Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act addresses a broad range of Medicare, Medicaid, public health and law -enforcement issues and aims to advance the recovery landscape for individuals living with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs).

As longstanding advocates for access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services, we’re deeply appreciative of the bicameral, bipartisan work of the Congress to successfully drive this critical effort forward. The legislation contains a number of impactful policies we at Magellan Health, and many others, have pushed for, including those recommended in our testimony to Congress this past spring. These critical policies promote clinically appropriate opioid prescribing, support opioid misuse prevention, and enhance access to evidence-based treatment and recovery services.

The signing of this law marks a significant milestone and step in the right direction, and we believe there are several ways it has the potential to address some of the day-to-day challenges of the nation’s opioid epidemic. Three key areas stand out.

Safer prescribing patterns. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act encourages the use of safe and effective alternatives to opioids for pain management, which – in addition to clinically appropriate prescribing practices – are key in breaking the cycle of prescription opioid misuse. These include the establishment of grant programs incentivizing the use of non-pharmacological opioid alternatives, the required implementation of safety limits for opioid prescriptions, new electronic prescribing requirements in Medicare, and beneficiary screening requirements in initial Medicare prevention exams, to name a few.

Our experience demonstrates the power of these and other safe-prescribing interventions—such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s prescribing guidelines, which Magellan has already implemented—to reduce opioid misuse rates.

Americans consume 80 percent of all opioid painkillers produced worldwide—and the risk of addiction after just four or five days of treatment is high. Opioid prescribing rates have decreased in recent years thanks to nationwide efforts to ramp up provider education. Yet the supply of prescription opioids remains high – approximately 66.5 opioid prescriptions for every 100 Americans in 2016 – reflecting the work still needing to be done.

By exploring alternative therapies to pain management, including non-pharmacological digital therapies, we can eliminate the risk of opioid misuse and addiction, and also equip individuals living with chronic pain with the tools and resources needed to live healthier, more vibrant lives.

Boosted access to evidence-based treatment. One of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for OUD is medication-assisted treatment (MAT)—considered the gold standard for reducing the risk of overdose and death. When combined with psychosocial interventions, like cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management, and recovery supports, including peer and family, MAT empowers the recovery journey while building resiliency.

Increasing access to MAT is critical to promoting recovery and preventing relapse. Today, while 900,000 U.S. physicians prescribe opioids, fewer than 35,000 physicians are certified to prescribe buprenorphine, one of three medications approved to treat opioid addiction.  Even fewer of these actually participate in prescribing MAT and, as a result, access to care is often limited or stigmatized. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act expands providers’ ability to prescribe MAT, including by expanding eligibility for certification to new provider types. With stigma also playing a role in the lack of widespread adoption of MAT, this provision is a solid and necessary step toward expanding access to treatment.

Reaching underserved communities. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act facilitates telehealth options for OUD treatment. In communities with limited resources for one-on-one OUD recovery support, telehealth services or a combination of virtual and in-office services provide the basis for the most evidence-based, person-centered and well-rounded approach to treatment. The package also authorizes pilot programs to provide temporary housing services for individuals recovering from OUD. We believe this is crucial to supporting those living with OUD and other SUDs, especially in rural and underserved communities, return to healthy and vibrant lives.

 The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act provides practical policy solutions necessary for addressing this national crisis. From expanded treatment options, to more effective care coordination, to improved prescription drug monitoring programs used to enhance detection and prevention of opioid misuse in real time, this legislation is an important step in the right direction.

We applaud Congress and the Administration on this bipartisan effort and important law, which will have a deep and lasting impact on health for generations to come.

 About the authors:

Sam Srivastava is Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Healthcare, and Mostafa Kamal is Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Rx Management.

Senior Whole Health, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Magellan Health, has a core mission of addressing the social and medical needs of individuals eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, with a special focus on putting services in place to allow elderly individuals to remain safely in their homes for as long as possible.

The average Senior Whole Health member is 76, female, has several chronic illnesses, and takes five or more medications. In spite of the fact that many members have home-based community services and regular nursing visits, a majority of the admissions for hospital and emergency department care are unexpected. While it is not feasible for all high-risk members to have a daily evaluation by a clinician, Senior Whole Health is implementing a program of passive home monitoring for select high-risk members allowing for early detection of changes in behavior that identify when an individual is at risk for hospitalization. With prompt interventions by clinical staff, trips to the Emergency Department and/or Hospital can be averted.

The program being used by Senior Whole Health is called Lively® Home, a GreatCall product offering. With advance permission of the member and their family, a suite of 10 passive sensors is installed in the home. Activities of daily living such as getting into and out of bed, using the toilet and opening the refrigerator are monitored, allowing for a normal pattern of activity for an individual to be modeled. In the event that the individual’s behavior pattern changes (such as staying in bed much longer than usual or using the refrigerator much less than usual), an alert is sent to clinical staff, allowing for a wellness call to the member to check on their status. Often a medical condition can be identified and treated in the outpatient setting, avoiding more serious outcomes including hospitalizations and/or premature nursing home admissions.

Seniors have listed losing independence as among their greatest fears of aging. The use of passive monitoring technology such as Lively® Home along with direct in-person support services is expected to further extend the ability of high-risk Magellan Health members to live safely and independently as long as possible at home.

Family members can play an important role in helping a loved one with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders get on the road to recovery. Support a loved one’s recovery by:

• Helping a loved one remember to take all prescribed medications for one or both disorders
• Listening to any concerns about medications – such as their purpose, benefits, and side effects – and helping address those concerns
• Making sure appointments with treatment providers are kept
• Working with the treatment team to stay informed and help address any issues related to medication

To learn more, visit Mind Your Mental Health.

Source: Behavioral Health Evolution