Most of us are familiar with head pain. Some is worse than others, but we’ve all had headaches. June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month. This month, AFSPA wants to raise awareness about migraine and other types of headaches.  

Migraine impacts 40 million people in the United States, 1 billion people across the globe, and is recognized as the #2 cause of disability worldwide [1]. Currently, about 16 million people with migraine in the U.S. are undiagnosed. 

In addition, approximately 400,000 Americans experience cluster headaches, a series of relatively short but very painful headaches every day for weeks or months at a time. This is recognized as one of the most painful diseases a person can have [1]. 

So, what’s the difference between a migraine and an average, everyday, headache? A migraine is a chronic neurological disease, whereas a headache is non-specific, less severe, and most often tension induced [2]. 

How AFSPA Can Help:  

Pain Management through In Touch Care (ITC) 

If you experience migraines or other types of headaches, our Pain Management Program, designed for Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) members with chronic pain, can help. Members enrolled will receive coaching, support and assistance with psychological effects of chronic pain.  

The program also assists with identifying treatment plans that may include non-pharmacologic modalities for the treatment of pain. This may involve reduction of opioid use, avoiding opioid use and resources for those who are dependent on opioid medications.  

For more information, or if you are interested in the ITC program, please call 800-593-2354. We are available to assist you Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST). 

Generous Alternative Benefits 

FSBP members are covered for up to 50 chiropractic, 50 acupuncture, and 50 massage therapy visits per calendar year (Up to $60 per visit). You can visit any licensed facility in the U.S. See section 5(a) of the plan brochure for details on these treatments that may help with migraines or other headache diseases.  

Telehealth Services/Nurse Advice Line 

Telehealth consultations are available for general medicine through our telehealth vendor, vHealth (Worldwide). Through vHealth, members can book a consultation for headaches or migraines. For more information click here.  

FSBP members also have access to The Nurse Advice Line. The Nurse Advice Line provides members with a live registered nurse to advise them about urgent issues and answer health-related questions. The Nurse Advice Line is 855-482-5750 or 705-834-6782.  

You can also engage a registered nurse in an online chat via Aetna’s secure member website. Once you log on the site, select “Wellness Tools” and then “Nurse Advice Line.”  

[1] https://headaches.org/2021/05/27/national-migraine-headache-awareness-month-2021/

[2]  https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a25228512/migraine-vs-headache/