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2022

Eight Ways to Get Some Better Shut-Eye

Posted December 29, 2022 by Julie Sich, MS ATC, Director of Quality Improvement and Provider Engagement

When it comes to catching your zzzs, quality is just as important as quantity.

The average adult should get between seven to nine hours of sleep every night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. But even if you’re sleeping an adequate amount of time each night, if you don’t reach a deep enough stage of sleep, you won’t feel well-rested and refreshed in the morning.

Getting a quality night’s sleep means falling asleep after 10 to 15 minutes and...

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Volunteering Is Good For Your Community—And Your Health

Posted December 15, 2022 by Christine Elerick, Director, Member Experience

With today’s busy family schedules, fitting in time to volunteer can be challenging. But, finding the time to give back isn’t just a matter of kindness, it’s a matter of your health!

Volunteering makes a huge difference in the lives of others. Acts of service such as dishing out meals in a soup kitchen, fostering animals or making blankets for kids in hospitals give tremendous help to people in need, worthy causes and your community.

What you may not know is...

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Need Individual or Family Health Insurance? SummaCare Is Proud To Be Your Community Provider

Posted November 23, 2022 by Sue Crawford

Did you recently lose your health insurance? Does your employer not offer health insurance, or are you just looking to switch? Do you need to bridge the gap before qualifying for Medicare?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, SummaCare is here to help.

We offer insurance options for individuals and families who do not have access to group coverage, don’t yet qualify for Medicare or make too much money for Medicaid. For nearly 30 years, we’re proud to...

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SummaCare's 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan Earns a 5-Star Rating

Posted November 10, 2022 by Julie Sich

SummaCare is proud to share our 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan recently earned a 5-Star Rating (out of five stars) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This is an increase from our 4.5-Star Rating in 2022, which underscores our hard work, dedication and commitment to providing high-quality products and services to our Medicare members just like you.

Each year, CMS releases star ratings that deliver important information about the quality and performance of...

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Which Colorectal Cancer Screening Test Is Right For You?

Posted October 27, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG, Senior Vice President, Chief Quality Officer, Summa

Colorectal cancer screening should be an important part of your routine health care. Screening can detect cancer and even prevent it by identifying precancerous polyps, which can be removed.

Unfortunately, too many people wait until they experience symptoms before scheduling a screening. By then, the cancer may be more difficult to treat and cure. 

Colorectal cancer, like many cancers, can be found early before it has a chance to grow and spread. Studies prove catching it...

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Build-Your-Own Medicare Advantage Plan with SummaCare’s New Jade (HMO) with Bene-Flex

Posted October 13, 2022 by Sue Crawford

SummaCare is committed to contributing to a healthy community by guiding members to be the healthiest versions of themselves. That’s why we take pride in going beyond basic Medicare with valuable extra benefits designed to fit your different needs to reach optimal health.

Every year, we are pleased to add Medicare Advantage extra benefits and enhancements to our plans — and this year is no different.

We’re thrilled to introduce our new Medicare Advantage plan...

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Take Advantage of SummaCare's Scientifically Proven Brain Training Benefit

Posted September 29, 2022 by Henry W. Mahncke, Ph.D., CEO of Posit Science.

Brain health is important for everyone because our brain is at the center of everything we think, say and do. That’s why keeping our brain in optimal health is key to living a full, engaging and independent life.

As we age — even past mid-20s! — our brain starts to develop a kind of static that can make it difficult to focus and remember things. Fortunately, scientists now know what we can do to harness our brain’s unique power to adapt and change...

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Did You Know Not Taking Your Medication As Directed Can Be Dangerous To Your Health?

Posted August 25, 2022 by Tiffanie Mrakovich, Pharm.D.

When you’re prescribed medication, missing a dose or two seems like no big deal, right? Wrong. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medication non-adherence leads to up to 50 percent of chronic disease treatment failure and 125,000 deaths each year in this country.

There are many reasons patients don’t stick to their medication routine. Misunderstanding the directions, forgetfulness, uncomfortable side effects, high prescription costs...

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Don't Forget To Pack Your Health Coverage When Traveling This Summer

Posted August 10, 2022 by Christine Elerick, Director, Member Experience

With summertime upon us, many families are gearing up for their annual summer getaways — from lakeside adventures to beachside fun.

Now that your bags are packed, hotel reservations confirmed and the gas tank is filled (or boarding passes printed), you’re all set, right? Wrong. Packing your health coverage should also be on your to-do list before you hit the road (or board the plane). Even when having fun in the sun, the unfortunate can happen.

SummaCare makes it...

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Why Medicare's Star Ratings Are Important When Comparing Plans

Posted July 01, 2022 by Julie Sich

Having trouble deciding which Medicare Advantage plan is right for you? Whether you’re enrolling for the first time or considering a change, look no further than the Medicare Advantage Star Rating system.

Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) release star ratings that deliver important information about the quality and performance of specific plans to help Medicare eligible individuals compare them. Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription...

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Six questions to ask before choosing a Medicare Advantage plan

Posted June 08, 2022 by Sue Crawford, Vice President, Sales and Market Development

Whether you’re just turning 65 and newly eligible for Medicare or you’re simply looking to enhance your current Medicare coverage, there are key things to consider when weighing your options for a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage plans offer everything that original Medicare covers, but adds extra benefits and services. Those extras could include coverage for dental, vision, hearing aids, over-the-counter items, gym memberships, rides to your doctor and...

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It’s clear, diabetic retinal eye exams decrease the risk for vision loss

Posted May 19, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG, Senior Vice President, Chief Quality Officer, Summa.

If you’re battling diabetes, a retinal eye exam is imperative to your vision health. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss. In fact, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Prevention is key to living your healthiest — and happiest — life

Posted May 05, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office

While we can’t turn back the clock, we can be proactive and slow down aging. By making preventive health screenings and treatment a priority, you are taking the necessary steps toward living a longer, healthier life.

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Do you understand your health plan benefits? Here's what you need to know.

Posted April 13, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office

Catching on to insurance lingo can feel a little bit like learning a new language. Words like “copay, coinsurance and deductible” are common terms, but many wonder what do they mean and how does health insurance work?

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Start your journey to better health with SummaCare's Health Coaching

Posted March 31, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office

It’s estimated that six in ten adults have a chronic condition in this country, and four in ten have two or more, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sadly, chronic conditions, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer, are the leading causes of death and disability.

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Participate in the CAHPS survey and help improve health care

Posted March 18, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office

As the snow begins to melt and buds appear, it’s that time of year for the annual Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems (CAHPS) survey. Set to distribute in late March, the survey plays an integral role in how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) measures the quality of health care services and determines how to improve health care across the country.

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SummaCare Health Plan and Summa Health: Caring for Our Community Together

Posted March 02, 2022 by Bill Epling | President

SummaCare Health Plan and Summa Health – oftentimes we are asked, how are the two related? To put it simply, we are two Akron-based, integrated organizations tied together with a singular focus, improving the cost and quality of healthcare and providing well-being for our entire community. 

To share more about this lasting partnership, I must first share more about SummaCare’s history and how we got here.

In the early 1990s, one of the area’s largest...

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COVID-19 Protection: Booster vaccine, at-home test kits and N95 masks

Posted February 24, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office

The COVID-19 vaccine is a proven way to protect individuals from severe illness, hospitalization and even death from the virus in most cases.

However, recent studies have shown that immunity from the initial COVID-19 vaccine series begins to wane over time, especially in people aged 65 and older. The COVID-19 booster vaccine is an additional dose of the vaccine to help people maintain their level of immunity.

That’s why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the...

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Medicare Advantage enrollment periods: What you need to know

Posted February 10, 2022 by Sue Crawford, Vice President, Sales and Market Development.

Dates play a critical part in our lives. From birthdays to vacation times to doctor appointments, we mark important dates on our calendars. Recording Medicare Advantage enrollment periods on your calendar should be important, too.

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SummaCare's dedication to serving our members is receiving national recognition

Posted January 27, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office

SummaCare is proud to share that our 2022 Medicare Advantage Plan recently earned a 4.5 Star Rating (out of 5) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This is an increase from our 4-Star Rating in 2021, which underscores our hard work, dedication and commitment to providing high-quality service to our Medicare members.

Each year, CMS releases star ratings that deliver important information about the quality of specific plans to help people selecting Medicare...

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Schedule your annual Medicare wellness exam today. It's free!

Posted January 14, 2022 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office

Yearly wellness exams are an especially important tool to be proactive about your health. During these visits, you can discuss preventive care with your primary care provider, ask questions about current medications, address your health concerns and more. 

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