MEDSTAR
FAMILY CHOICE • SPRING 2015
D.C. Healthy Families/
D.C. Healthcare Alliance
IN THIS ISSUE uu
Asthma and Allergies.......2
HPV: Get Your Child
Vaccinated.........................3
Diabetes Testing...............3
Dental Care.......................4
What is Care
Management?...................5
Pre-Natal Care:
Protecting Me and
My Baby.............................6
Protecting the
Privacy of Your
Health Information...........6
Notice: Vision Provider.....7
Healthy Recipe..................7
Out in the Community......8
Heart Healthy Event.........8
Health Education...............9
Asthma and Allergies
Word Search................... 10
Healthy Families
Transportation................ 11
Is it Time for You to
Recertify?........................ 12
WE ARE
WASHINGTON
DC
SPRING 2015
Spring Asthma - Allergy Tips:
•Give your child his or her asthma controller or medicine as
prescribed.
•Contact your child’s doctor if he or she needs refills.
•Watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, or dry scratchy throat are all signs
of allergies.
•Beware of your child’s triggers. Consult with your doctor
about triggers.
•MedStar Family Choice will cover over-the-counter allergy
medication.
•Limit open windows, so pollen won’t enter the home.
•Use a damp mop to clean up dust inside the home.
MedStarFamilyChoice.com
Be Prepared for Spring Asthma and Allergies.
Spring is here! With warmer weather and longer days, you might want to open windows and doors. The cool
breeze of an open window might feel good, but this can affect your asthma and allergies. Spring can cause
sneezing, runny noses and asthma attacks.
Asthma can be started by many things, such as dust mites, mold, pets, exercise, cold air, and viral infections, as
well as pollens. About half of people with asthma also have allergies or will have allergic reactions to grasses
or pollen. Many people with asthma find that their symptoms are worse during certain times of the year, like
spring. When pollen from various plants are present in the air, it can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions.
There are forms of allergic reactions, such as rashes, contact dermatitis and hives. It is important to know
what the triggers are for each of your family members, especially your kids. It is recommended that if you
have allergy symptoms, you should consult your doctor.
Asthma and Allergy Tips for Adults and Children
Allergies can cause asthma attacks for both children and adults. Here are some tips to help manage asthma:
•Clean up surface dust inside your home.
•Limit open windows or walking in areas with heavy triggers in the air (examples: fresh cut grass, pollen,
flowers, dust, etc).
•Use an asthma controller and or allergy medicine everyday as prescribed.
•Call your doctor for refills on your asthma controller and allergy medications.
2
MEDSTAR
FAMILY CHOICE
HPV: Get Your Child Vaccinated
The Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) states
that there are 6 million
new genital HPV
disease cases in the
United States each year.
A high amount of them
occur in 15 to 24 year
olds. That means 12,000
teens and young adults
each day are newly
infected. That’s why it is
very important that your
son or daughter get the
vaccine, which can help
protect him/her from
the virus. HPV causes
cancer of the mouth, throat,
cervix, vulva, vagina, and penis.
The HPV virus is passed from one
person to another by skin to skin
sexual contact. Parents can protect
their preteen son/daughter from HPV
by getting them vaccinated. Boys
and girls can start getting vaccinated
by age 10. Both boys and girls can
receive vaccinations through 26
years of age under their parent’s
insurance plans.
There are two vaccines for HPV:
Cervarix and Gardasil. These vaccines
help protect your son/daughter
against the HPV virus. Gardasil is
approved for females 9 to 26 years
old to prevent cervical cancers and
genital warts; also for males 9 to 26
years of age to prevent genital warts,
cancers of the mouth and throat,
penis, and anus. Cervarix is approved
for females 10 to 25 years of age
to prevent cervical cancer and
precancers.
Schedule your
Diabetes Testing
HPV vaccines work best when
preteens get all three vaccine doses
because it allows time to work in the
body before they begin sexual activity
with another person. This is not to
say that your preteen is ready to be
sexually active.
In Washington D.C., if your child is
enrolled in the DCPS school system,
he/she can get the vaccine for HPV for
free. Vaccines are given in a series of
three shots over six months and can
safely be given at the same time or
with other needed vaccines. The best
way to remember to get your child all
three shots is to make an appointment
for the second and third shot before
you leave the doctor’s office after the
first shot. Remember to consult with
your doctor or DCPS before allowing
anyone to administer a shot to your
son/daughter.
A1C lets you see if your
overall diabetes control
is on target. If your
A1C is high (more than
seven), your doctor can
change your diabetes
treatment plan to help
get better control and
prevent complications.
LDL is your bad
cholesterol. If your LDL
is high, your doctor
can treat it so you can
prevent heart disease.
Microalbumin, or
protein in your urine,
might mean that
diabetes has affected
your kidneys. If
microalbumin is high,
your doctor can provide
treatment.
3
SPRING 2015
Dental Care
The foods you eat and the beverages you drink can have a bad or good affect on your teeth. For instance:
•The form of the food—whether it’s liquid, solid or sticky—makes a difference
•How often you eat sugary foods and drinks
•How often you eat or drink sour foods and drinks
•The nutritional make up of the food
•The combination of the foods you eat and the order in which you eat them
•Medical conditions and medicines
All of the above listed things can be bad for your teeth if not careful. What you eat can cause germs in your
mouth. Cutting back on sugar and sweets helps prevent cavities. Limit added sugars in your diet by reading
the backs of food labels. Another tip for spotting sources of sugar—watch out for terms ending in “-ose.”
These foods have sugar! Always consult with your doctor if you have questions.
Brushing your teeth and
flossing is important.
Brushing and flossing
helps remove plaque
(yellow bacteria on
teeth caused by lack
of brushing/flossing or
the food you eat). The
best way to do this is
by brushing your teeth
twice a day and flossing
at least once a day.
Brushing also stimulates
the gums, which helps
to keep them healthy
and prevent gum
disease. Brushing and
flossing are the most
important things that
you can do to keep your
teeth and gums healthy.
4
MEDSTAR
FAMILY CHOICE
What is Care Management?
Utilization Review
The utilization review process begins when a doctor
sends a request for a patient service. Decisions are
made based upon what the doctor recommends
(e.g. as needed or prescribed). We do not financially
reward our providers, staff or anyone contracted
with MedStar Family Choice for denying services.
In addition, we do not financially reward anyone
involved in the decision process in such a way
that would encourage less use of services. Call
888-404-3549 to contact Member Services for
additional information or for language assistance.
We are open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday. If you or someone you know, is
deaf or has trouble hearing, call 711 for assistance.
This information is also available on our website at
MedStarFamilyChoice.com.
Complex Case Management Program
Complex case management is for our members
who have many medical conditions and need
help getting care, medications and/or medical
equipment. Our nurses and social workers are
here to provide services when needed. The case
managers work closely with doctors. They work
with the members by telephone or in person to
help with doctor visits, medicines and medical
equipment. Call 855-210-6203 if you would like
more information about this program, or if you are
already in one of these programs and would like to
stop. We are here from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Voice messages received after hours
are returned during the next business day.
diseases and get up to date on all of their testing
and check-ups. The programs are:
•Adult High Blood
Pressure
•Children and Adults
with Diabetes
•Heart Conditions in
Adults
•Pediatric Asthma
•Infants, Toddlers,
School-Aged Children
and Adolescents with
Developmental Delay
and Mental Disabilities
•Pregnancy
•Adult Respiratory
•HIV/AIDS
•Drug Abuse/Mental
Health Needs
MedStar Family Choice members do not have to
enroll in these services. You may be automatically
enrolled if we see that you have certain illnesses.
Membership is voluntary. Contact us at
888-210-6203 if you would like to ask about one
of these programs, or if you are already in one of
these programs and would like to stop. We are
available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Voice messages received after business
hours are called back during the next business day.
Disease Management Program
Disease management is available to our members
who need help with their long-term diseases. This
service is provided by nurses and social workers
who work closely with our members and their
doctors. They contact members by telephone or in
person. They also help members understand their
5
SPRING 2015
Prenatal Care:
Protecting Me and My Baby
What is prenatal care? Prenatal care is the health
care you get while you are pregnant. It is important
to take care of yourself and your baby. Getting care
early while you are pregnant can prevent future
complications. If you know you’re pregnant, or
think you might be, call your doctor to schedule an
appointment.
Why prenatal care is important? Prenatal care can
help keep you and your baby healthy. Babies of
mothers who do not get prenatal care are three
times more likely to have a low birth weight and five
times more likely to die than those born to mothers
who do get care.
When you visit your doctor, he/she can spot early
signs of problems; this allows doctors to treat
problems early. Early treatment can cure many
problems and prevent others. Doctors also offer
advice to women about things they can do to give
their unborn babies a healthy start. There are many
dos and don’ts while you are pregnant. Make sure to
consult with your doctor and ask him/her to provide
you with a list so that you can become familiar.
Protecting the Privacy of Your Health Information
MedStar Family Choice is committed to protecting the confidentiality of your protected health information.
For your protection, MedStar Family Choice has policies to make sure that your protected health information
is safe. These policies explain how we protect oral (verbal), written or electronic protected health
information. Before talking about your protected health information with anyone over the phone, we verify
the identity of the caller and make sure the caller has the authority to know this information. Within our
company, we make sure that any discussions about our members’ protected health information occur in a
way that only those individuals who need to be involved in the discussions will hear them.
MedStar Family Choice also makes certain that we
secure all written (paper) or electronic protected
health information. Paper documents are kept in
secure locations. Electronic information is protected
with a password and code, including information
on portable devices. Only staff members who must
have access to your information to perform their
jobs have access. When using your information, only
the minimum amount needed is used. In addition,
all of our employees receive training on how to
protect our members’ health information.
6
With your enrollment packet, you received a
copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices. This
important document describes how MedStar
Family Choice may use and disclose your medical
information, how you can access this information
and how to report a complaint if you feel your
privacy has been violated. You may call to request
a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices by
calling Member Services at 888-404-3549. Visit
MedStarFamilyChoice.com for more information.
MEDSTAR
FAMILY CHOICE
Tip for Serving Food
Healthy Recipe
When taking food off the stove or grill,
don’t put cooked food on the same
plate that was used for uncooked meat
or poultry. Always use a clean plate.
Any harmful bacteria present in the raw
meat juices could infect cooked food.
Kale and Sweet Potato Soup
Notice: Block Vision
Provider is Now
Superior Vision.
The MedStar Family Choice vision
provider, Block Vision, is changing its
name to Superior Vision. This name
change does not impact your vision
benefits. Please continue to dial
888-785-8990.
Serves 6
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound Yukon Gold or red potatoes, peeled and cut into 1⁄2-inch
cubes
1
⁄2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1
⁄2 teaspoon smoked paprika
4 sprigs thyme
1 sprig rosemary
1 bay leaf
8 cups water
1 small bunch kale, center stems removed and leaves cut into
thin ribbons
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Garnish (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1
⁄2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Heat 2 tablespoons
olive oil in a large pot
over medium heat. Add
onion and cook, stirring
occasionally, until soft.
Add garlic and cook,
stirring, for 30 seconds.
Stir in potatoes,
salt, paprika, thyme,
rosemary, bay leaf, and
water and bring to a
boil. Reduce heat and
simmer, covered, for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in kale. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until kale is tender.
Discard bay leaf, and rosemary and thyme stems. Taste and
season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
To make garnish, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small saucepan
over low heat. Stir in paprika and heat for 1 minute.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls and drizzle paprika oil on top.
7
SPRING 2015
Black History Month:
Getting the Community
Involved
MedStar Family Choice Spotted in the
Community
For Black History Month, MedStar
Family Choice hosted a community
health forum event at Woodland
Recreation Center. Participants
enjoyed: food, raffles, Black History
facts/trivia games, a fitness boot
camp, healthy food demonstrations,
face painting, a diabetes education
class, and more. Young and old
alike enjoyed the event and the
demonstrations that were provided.
Heart Healthy Event
MedStar Family Choice participated
in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and
Safeway Heart Health Event at the
Safeway Hechinger Mall location. Eating
healthy meals, such as Kale Sweet Potato
Soup, is good for your heart. Screenings
for BMI and blood pressure, and
exercising with bands was demonstrated.
Delta Safeway Event. Exercise Demonstrated by SoxtraFit
Pretty and Pampered Breast Health Event
MedStar Family Choice Health Screening
Cinco De Mayo Event
Cinco De Mayo Event
Delta Sigma Theta Safeway Event
Cinco De Mayo Event
Cinco De Mayo Event
Delta Sigma Theta Safeway Event
8
MEDSTAR
FAMILY CHOICE
Upcoming MedStar Family Choice Events and Education Classes
We invite you to attend these upcoming education classes and Family Fun Days:
Topic
Date
Time
Location
Smoking Cessation Class
June 23, 2015
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
UPO Petey Green Community Center
Pretty and Pink Breast Health Event
July 11, 2015
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community of Hope
Dental Education Class
July 15, 2015
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
UPO Petey Green Community Center
HPV Vaccine Educational Class
July 23, 2015
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
UPO Petey Green Community Center
Family Fun Day at Shepard’s Park
July 25, 2015
noon to 4 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and
Malcolm X Avenue, SE
Smoking Cessation Class
July 29, 2015
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
UPO Petey Green Community Center
Dental Education Class
Aug. 13, 2015
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
UPO Petey Green Community Center
Back to School Family Fun Day
in Collaboration with
MPD Beat the Streets
Aug. 20, 2015
1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Barry Farms Recreation Center
1230 Sumner Rd., SE
Washington, DC 20020
HPV Education Class
Aug. 27, 2015
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
UPO Petey Green Community Center
Seating is limited. RSVP is required.
Gift card drawings. Winners must be present to win. Children’s activities will be available during the meeting.
FREE food will be provided during each class.
For more information and to RSVP, call 202-243-5400 (press 112).
D.C. Healthy Families: For transportation, call 866-208-7357.
9
SPRING 2015
Asthma and Allergies Word Search
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MEDSTAR
FAMILY CHOICE
Healthy Families Transportation Benefit
MedStar Family Choice offers members free,
nonemergency transportation to covered health
services for all Healthy Families members, including
dental visits. Members may only travel to in-network
medical facilities and doctors unless authorization
is given.
Information on Van/Sedan/Wheelchair Service:
Pick-up place/pick-up time: Members eligible
for van/sedan service are only covered for pick-up
transportation at their home address listed in the
system. Exceptions will be made on a case by case
basis and are often only made when a member is
staying with a caregiver.
Van/sedan pick up times will be scheduled an
hour and half before the member’s appointment
time to plan for travel time and traffic. Members
will get a call 24 hours before their pick-up time
to confirm the trip. Members must be ready and
looking for their driver’s arrival 15 minutes before
their pick-up time.
Pick-up from the facility/pick-up time: After your
health appointment is completed, call the number
the driver gave you to ask for a return pick up. Be
sure to let the driver/transportation provider know
where you will be waiting. Please be waiting outside
at the time quoted by the driver. Your driver will
pick you up within an hour of your phone call. If
your driver does not come within an hour, please
call 866-208-7357 for help.
11
SPRING 2015
MEDSTAR
FAMILY CHOICE
Is it Time for You to Recertify?
What are Clinic Days?
• D.C. Healthy Families
members have to
recertify once a year
by mail.
• D.C. Alliance members
have to recertify every
six months in person
at the Department of
Human Services (DHS).
• All members should
receive a letter and/or
recertification form 45
to 60 days prior to their recertification date.
• If enrolled in D.C. Healthy Families, members are
advised to fill out the form and mail it back to DHS
as soon as possible.
We have developed clinic days for our members
to provide them with the health services that they
need. Currently, the Outreach department has a
few days scheduled each month with clinics in our
network and our staff reaches out to members
who are in need of a doctor’s appointment. Please
contact the MedStar Family Choice Outreach
department at 888-210-6203 for information on
how to schedule an appointment during a clinic day.
Alliance members must have a face-to-face interview
with the Department of Human Services every six
months unless the member is 65 years of age or
older, disabled or in the hospital. Contact the DHS
or the Economic Security Administration (ESA) at
202-724-5506 if you have not received information
on how to recertify, if you have questions or if
you need to have a copy of your recertification
information sent to you so there will be
no breaks in your healthcare benefits.
Here When You Need Us
At MedStar Family
Choice, we know a
health problem can
happen when you least
expect it.
Our nurse advice line
is here 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. Just
pick up the phone call.
If you have an illness,
injury or just a question about your health, our nurse
advice line can help you get the care you need—
whenever you need it. Call 888-210-6204 any
time.
The MedStar Family Choice member
newsletter is a publication of MedStar
Family Choice.
Submit new items for the next issue
to [email protected].
Kenneth Samet
MedStar Health CEO
901 D St., SW, Suite 1050
Washington, DC 20024
888-404-3549 PHONE
MedStarFamilyChoice.com
This program is funded in part by the Government of the
District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance
15-MFCDC-1003.062015
Katrina Hawkins, MPH
Editor/Copywriter
Tallulah Anderson
Managing Editor
Eric Wagner
President
Cyd Campbell, MD
Medical Director