June 4 , 2008

It pays to know the numbers that count; just ask this grateful FirstCarolinaCare subscriber

SANFORD – As early as preschool, we are taught the importance of numbers. We learn to track howold we are, what the date is and how to count.

Over time, we progress to more complicated mathematical processes such as adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. We move from counting beads to counting money, and we begin to learn about the need to know our personal numbers. We start out by memorizing our home address and telephone number. Later, we add personal identification numbers, Social Security numbers and account numbers.

Forrest Woodson had no idea that he had dangerously high blood pressure until he took part in a health screening conducted at his workplace by FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company. The screening set in motion a series of events that probably prevented a heart attack for the Carolina Pools employee.

Unfortunately, too many of us overlook the numbers that can affect our health and well-being – numbers that can actually predict our potential for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Not knowing such numbers could have cost Forrest Woodson his life. Thanks to his employer, Carolina Pools, and to FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company (FCC), though, the Sanford resident learned just how important knowing the right numbers can be.

In November 2007, Carolina Pools enrolled its employees with FCC. In addition to providing the benefits commonly associated with quality health insurance, FCC partners with employers to offer on-site access to health screenings and other programs that encourage disease prevention and wellness.

“Through our relationship with FirstCarolinaCare, we were able to schedule an event right at our location,” says Mary Lett, Carolina Pools payroll manager. “All of our employees were eligible to participate in screenings that monitored blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and trigylcerides.”

For Woodson, the event was a life-changing experience.

“I have a history of high blood pressure in my family,” he says. “I had noticed some shortness of breath, but I never really took the time to look into it. When I scheduled the appointment for the screenings, I didn’t really expect anything too unusual.”

That one visit set in motion a series of events that led him to a cardiologist and probably prevented a heart attack.

At the time of the screening, Woodson’s blood pressure was 180/100 – well above a safe level. Although he did not have a family physician, he was encouraged to schedule a visit with a provider as soon as possible. By the time of that appointment two weeks later, his blood pressure had climbed to a dangerous 200/110.

“The doctor referred me to a cardiologist for a stress test and an echocardiogram,” says Woodson.

Based on the test results, Woodson was scheduled for a catheterization and then open-heart surgery. Cardiac surgeon John Streitman, M.D., performed five bypasses during the March 15 open-heart procedure at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. Within days, however, Woodson was recovering at home and looking forward to getting back to work.

“I actually came home on Friday the 18th,” he says. “I was back to work in six weeks. I feel very fortunate. That screening was timed perfectly for me. Thanks to those numbers, I avoided a heart attack. I don’t feel that I would’ve made it otherwise.”

According to Joyce Taylor, R.N., FirstCarolinaCare’s health resource coordinator, it’s easy to delay routine health care, especially when you’re feeling well. “If we feel good, and we are able to do all of the things that we want to do, it’s easy to put off getting recommended annual physicals and health screenings,” she says. “However, when we are feeling well is actually the best time to build a relationship with a health care provider. Staying up to date using recommended guidelines ensures that we can recognize a potential health risk before it becomes a problem or begins to affect our day-to-day routines.”

Employers who are enrolled with FirstCarolinaCare are eligible for yearly screening events for their workforces. After each group screening, FCC provides a summary report to the larger employers that provides an overview of the health of their workforce and recommends programs that the employer might want to implement. (Individual employee results are never shared with the employer, just the mass information.)

These recommendations might include establishing weight-management programs, organizing quit-tobacco classes or developing an employee assistance program. FCC will tailor a plan to improve overall employee health and wellness at the employer’s request. In addition, FCC nurses make quarterly visits to each enrolled site to follow up with individuals who have had abnormal blood pressure checks as well as those with diabetes.

“We monitor blood pressure and, for the diabetic members, do A1C testing to establish how well-controlled a patient’s diabetes is,” says Taylor. “Doing so helps us ensure that problems are identified early so that the individual can avoid a health emergency.”

For more information about how FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company can help your business or employees, call (910) 715-8100 or (800) 574-8556 toll-free.