Taking care of yourself to cut your chances of getting cancer is a great health goal, but how exactly can you do that?
Common Myths about Cancer
It's easy to think you're invincible. There's no way cancer can happen to you, right? Unfortunately, it can.
- You won't get cancer if it doesn't run in your family. A family history of any type of cancer is an important thing to share with your provider, but many people who have cancer have no family history.
- It's always a lump you can feel. Cancer doesn't always present as a lump, especially if it's in an early stage.
- You don't need to worry about cancer if you keep a healthy lifestyle. While maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, exercising, and limiting tobacco and alcohol use can lower your risk, there's no guarantee you won't develop cancer.
- You only need to be screened for cancer if you have symptoms. Often, early-stage cancer is diagnosed when you're feeling fine. Since it's common to not have any symptoms, it's important to keep up with your recommended screenings, even if you feel great.
- If you got the HPV vaccine, you don't need to be regularly screened for cervical cancer. Even if you received an HPV vaccine, you're not fully protected or immune. You should be screened for cervical cancer yearly at your well-woman exam.
Don’t Wait to Get Screened
The aim is to prevent cancer or find it early when it's easier to treat.If you can do that, it may help save your life. Preventive care, including health screenings, is the place to start.
Preventive care is very important for people of all ages. Scheduling an annual wellness exam will give you a chance to see if you're on the right track with your health. It can also provide a bit of direction and motivation for taking better care of yourself.
Based on your age and health history, you may be encouraged to get certain cancer screenings. These screenings can help catch cancer before you have any symptoms. Make sure to discuss the need for specific screening tests, such as mammograms or colonoscopies, with your primary care provider.
Lifestyle Changes
Preventive care is one basic step for better health. You can also boost your health and well-being by making some lifestyle changes:
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Get regular exercise.
- Don't use tobacco.
- Limit alcohol use.
- Aim for a healthy weight.
Resources for TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard
Provider Finder®
Our Provider Finder offers an easy way to find a doctor, hospital or other type of medical care. You can search by location, gender or specialty. You can also research providers using patient reviews, certifications and recognition information.
The Fitness Program
Your health plan gives you so much more than coverage for doctors' visits. It includes a variety of programs to help you take a well-rounded approach to your health and wellness at little to no extra cost.
Sign up for the Fitness Program to get affordable, no-contract memberships at gyms nationwide.
Well onTarget®
Start working with a wellness coach through Well onTarget® and sign up for self-guided digital courses on managing stress, improving your fitness level and dietary habits, losing, or maintaining weight and improving cholesterol and blood pressure.
Resources for TRS-Care Medicare Advantage
Real Appeal®
Lose weight with a personal coach and a program designed just for you. Real Appeal is a proven weight management program designed to help you get healthier and stay healthier. It's available to you and eligible family members at no additional cost as part of your TRS-Care Medicare Advantage benefits. Join today at Real Appeal by Rally Coach.
SilverSneakers®
SilverSneakers® is a fitness benefit that includes:
- A free membership and access to group exercise classes at participating fitness locations.
- Classes to get active outside of traditional gyms.
- Virtual resources and a support network through SilverSneakers LIVE™, SilverSneakers On-Demand™ and the SilverSneakers GO™ fitness app.
- SilverSneakers Steps for members 15 miles or more from a participating fitness center.
- Choose the kit that works best for you: general fitness, strength, walking or yoga.
Find a participating location at SilverSneakers or call toll-free 1-888-338-1722, TTY 711.
Resources for TRS-Care Medicare Advantage Continued
Let’s Move by UnitedHealthcare®
Let's Move, our health and wellness program, helps keep your mind, body and social life active. With simple resources, tools, events and personalized support, Let's Move helps you explore ways to eat well, stay connected and be financially, physically and mentally fit — all at no additional cost to you. To explore, visit Let's Move by UnitedHealthcarethrough your UnitedHealthcare member website.
Annual in-home visit
UnitedHealthcare HouseCalls is a yearly preventive care check-in that helps you stay on track with your health between your regular provider visits. It's done in the comfort of your home and allows plenty of time to ask questions about your health. We send a summary of your HouseCalls visit to you and your provider so you both stay informed. The visit includes recommended screening tests at no added cost to you.
What does the HouseCalls visit include?
- Up to an hour of 1:1 time with the health care practitioner
- Health screenings tailored to you
- A medication review
- A chance to get advice and ask questions to help you manage your health
- A visit summary that is sent to you and your primary care provider
Think of a HouseCalls visit as an extra layer of care. It gives you valuable one-on-one time you don't always get in your provider's office.
To learn more, visit UnitedHealthcare HouseCalls or call 1-866-447-7868, TTY 711.
Healthy at Home
UnitedHealthcare® Healthy at Home provides you with the support you may need to recover from inpatient hospital and skilled nursing facility stays. You are eligible to receive:
- 28 home-delivered meals when referred by a UnitedHealthcare Engagement Specialist
- 12 one-way rides to medically related appointments and to the pharmacy when referred by a UnitedHealthcare Engagement Specialist
- 6 hours of non-medical personal care provided through a professional caregiver to perform tasks such as preparing meals, bathing, medication reminders and more. A referral is not required.
To learn more, call 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. local time, Monday-Friday or visit Health & Wellness on your UnitedHealthcare member website.
Virtual visits
See a medical provider or talk to a behavioral health specialist anytime using live video chat from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
- Virtual Provider Visits: Ask questions, get a diagnosis or even get medication prescribed and have it sent to your pharmacy
- Virtual Behavioral Health Visits: Talk to a behavioral health specialist for addiction, depression, anxiety, stress, loss, and behavioral health medication management
Find a list of participatingVirtual Visit providers by logging in to your UnitedHealthcare member website.
No-cost Annual Wellness Visit and preventive care
- Check in with your primary care provider (PCP)
- Create a preventive care plan
- Review medications
- Talk about any health concerns
For help scheduling, call 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. local time, Monday-Friday.
Routine transportation
Twenty-four one way or 12 round trip rides per year up to 100 miles to and from medically related appointments and pharmacy trips. For more information call 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. local time, Monday–Friday.
Mental and behavioral health resources
- Ongoing mental health support with Optum® Behavioral Health
- Resources through our Health and Wellness experience
To learn more, call 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. local time, Monday-Friday or visit Health & Wellness on your member website.
UnitedHealthcare® Hearing
- Receive friendly, expert advice through our national network of 6,500+ hearing providers — or try virtual appointments
- Get personalized support to help you adjust to your new hearing aids
- Choose from the latest technology from popular brands, including Phonak, Starkey®, Signia, ReSound, Widex® and Unitron™
To learn more, call 1-866-445-2071, TTY 711, or visit UnitedHealthcare Hearing.
24/7 provider support
Get answers to your health questions with 24/7 provider support.
- Providers can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, and prescribe medication
- Connect by phone, web or app from anywhere
- Results of the visit can be shared with your Primary Care Provider
Find a list of participating providers by logging in to your member website.
In-home personal care
Eight hours a month of nonmedically related care which may include grocery shopping, meal preparation, transportation, personal care, medication reminders and more. For more information call 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. local time, Monday–Friday.