The Winter 2021 edition of thrive., a quarterly magazine from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, was recently released. For those who missed the print edition, there’s a full selection of stories available through thrive. online, including some exclusive content.

The most recent edition, which can be found at thrive.bluecrossmn.com, features a look at how diet and lifestyle changes can make a big difference in preventing and managing Type 2 diabetes.  In the cover article “A Taste for Life,” you’ll find a real-world example from Blue Cross member Sue Behr that shows how it is never too late to change your habits and improve overall wellbeing.

From the article:

[Sue Behr] knew that her diet was impacting her health, especially as she got older. She felt fatigued, always thirsty, and started having vision problems. She knew she needed to make a change, and a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis confirmed it.

“It was a real wake-up call for me that if I didn’t do something, I was going to end up in serious trouble,” says Behr, 71, a Blue Cross member who lives in Bloomington.

Read the full story.

Also from the edition:

A step ahead

Preventive screenings and routine doctor visits are critical to your health and wellness, as they can help you stay ahead of illness, chronic conditions and related complications. This article looks at some important checkups to get on your schedule.

Read the full story.

Stay positive

A recent Blue Cross poll found that there are ways to stay positive in the year ahead. Find the top three tips from the poll in thrive.

Read the full story.

Walk safely

Snow and ice have returned to Minnesota, making it more important to be aware of the risk of falls. Check out this brief article for tips from the National Council on Aging on how to stay safe while walking.

Read the full story.

Stages of coverage for Part D drug plan

What you pay out of pocket will change through the year depending on what coverage stage you are in. If you have a Medicare Part D plan, thrive. created a handy chart that walks through the four coverage stages and how they work.

View the chart.

Caregiver Corner

Staying on Track: In this edition of Caregiver Corner, learn about the required Authorization of Health Information form that Blue Cross members and their caregivers must complete annually. It’s a good idea to keep this signed form on file with Blue Cross in case of an emergency situation in which your loved one is unable to sign it.

Read Caregiver Corner.

Ask the Doctor

Step Therapy:  The doc is in with answers to health, medical and wellness questions.In this edition, Dr. Amy Fendrich offers a look at what a step therapy program for prescription medication is and how the process works.

Read Ask the Doctor.

Ask the Pharmacist

Access to Medications:  Find professional insight and practical tips to answer medication questions. From this edition, Dr. Anita Sharma offers tips on finding ways to bring down medication costs or find less expensive alternatives.

Read Ask the Pharmacist.

You can find much more content on thrive. online.