The Great Expectations^® COPD program is our educational program for members with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a chronic disease of the lungs. It really consists of two diseases — chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of COPD, although you can also get it from other environmental factors.

The program helps members learn how to better manage their COPD and improve their quality of life. We enroll all members with COPD at no charge.

There are many benefits to participating:

• Members receive educational materials about COPD, breathing retraining, medications, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.
• They also receive information about BlueChoice HealthPlan's coverage of COPD medications and supplies.
• Seasonal newsletters.
• For our higher risk members, we provide telephone counseling by respiratory therapists. All members are welcome to call us with their questions about COPD or their coverage for COPD services, medications or supplies.

COPD can be a serious illness. Fortunately, you can help to manage it with the proper medications and some simple lifestyle changes. If you have COPD, learn how to take action to breathe better now.

An important part of COPD management is having a COPD Action Plan that your doctor has filled out for you. If you don't have one already, you can print a blank one and take it with you to your next visit. The COPD Action Plan is maintained by Boehringer Ingelheim, an independent pharmaceutical company that provides health-related information for health care professionals and patients.

We strongly encourage members enrolled in the program to quit smoking. Although quitting smoking will not reverse lung damage, it will slow the progression of COPD. If you smoke and would like help quitting, there are many resources you can access through the Great Expectations^® Quit Smoking program.

Feedback

We value your feedback! If you have been or are currently enrolled in the Great Expectations^® COPD program, please take the program satisfaction survey.

For more information or to enroll in a Great Expectations^® program, please log in to My Health Toolkit^®. Select "Great Expectations" from the Health and Wellness menu.

Other Helpful Links

Allergy and Asthma Newsletters
American Lung Association
American Sleep Apnea Association
CaringBridge
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Senior Health

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