Is it Time to Renew Your Health Insurance?
Happy
HOLIDAYS AND
Best Wishes for the New Year
from your friends at Fidelis Care!
Every year, members enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans (Metal-Level Products) must renew their health care coverage. Before it’s time to renew, you will receive a notice by mail, email, or phone that will tell you everything you need to know about renewing your coverage. You must follow the guidelines and time frames given, or your coverage will end. If your coverage ends, you will need to reapply and you won’t be covered until your new application is processed. This could take one month or longer.
RENEW YOUR
COVERAGE
DON’T DELAY! Call 1-866-435-9521
today, visit fideliscare.org/renew, or stop by one of our convenient community offices for assistance. To find the office closest to you, visit fideliscare.org/offices. Fidelis Care is here to help you every step of the way toward keeping your health care benefits.
Has Your Address Changed? Have you moved recently or are planning to move? Make sure to update your contact information with the person or agency that helped you enroll with Fidelis Care. This could be a navigator or your local department of social services. If you enrolled through NY State of Health, please call 1-855-355-5777 or visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov to update your contact information.
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If you enrolled through Fidelis Care directly, you can update your contact information by clicking the “Account Profile” tab after logging into the Member Portal at members.fideliscare.org. You can also call us at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547).
IN THIS ISSUE Which Cancer Screenings Do You Need?
Member Portal: A Useful Resource for You
Healthy Living: Steps You Can Take Today
Understanding High Blood Pressure When your heart beats, it moves blood through your body by creating pressure in your arteries. A normal blood pressure for most people is 120/80 mm Hg, meaning a pressure of 120 mm Hg during heartbeats, and 80 in between beats. A lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular exercise, and not smoking helps keep blood pressure at healthy levels. Blood pressure that is too high can lead to vision loss, kidney failure, and heart problems. High blood pressure often shows no symptoms at first, making it key to visit your doctor regularly to check your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too high, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and/or prescribe medication. More information about high blood pressure is available here at: http://bit.ly/2kR6AcG
Member Portal: A Useful Resource for You The Member Portal gives you access to your Fidelis Care account 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Available at members.fideliscare.org, it is a quick and easy way to view important information about your health benefits and the resources that make it easy to use and keep your health insurance. The Fidelis Care Member Portal allows you to: ✔ Order new or additional member ID cards. ✔ Pay your premium online and set up auto-pay. ✔ Download important forms. ✔ Check your claims history. ✔ Find health care providers within the Fidelis Care network. .....and much more! It’s easy to sign up! Simply go to the Member Portal at members.fideliscare.org, click on the green “Register” button, and enter in your information. You can register all family members who have Fidelis Care health insurance under one account.
Call to Access Your Fidelis Care Account
Members can also call 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) to access your account at any time through the Fidelis Care Interactive Voice Response system. Just press 1 for English, and then 1 to enter your Fidelis Care ID number. You can: ✔ Order a new ID. ✔ Pay your monthly premium. ✔ Check your balance. ✔ Sign up for payment reminder text alerts.
Call 1-888-FIDELIS or visit fideliscare.org 2
Fidelis Care Member Newsletter ISSUE 4 • WINTER 2017-18
Which Cancer Screenings Do You Need? Regular preventive screenings can help detect cancer at its earliest stages, giving patients the best chance for successful treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends regular screenings for:
1
3
2
Depending on many risk factors, including family health history and lifestyle, your doctor may recommend more frequent or extra cancer screenings. Speak with your doctor about which screenings are right for you.
Breast Cancer
It is recommended for women 50 to 74 years old to have X-ray exams of the breast, called mammograms, every two years. Women age 40-49 should speak with their doctors about whether to have a mammogram.
Cervical
Cancer
It is recommended for women age 21 to 65 to have one Pap test every 3 years. Starting at age 30, women can instead choose to have a screening every 5 years if they have a Pap test and an HPV test together.
C olorectal
Cancer
Regular screenings are recommended for everyone age 50 to 75. Ask your doctor which type of colorectal cancer screening is right for you.
Healthy Living: Steps You Can Take Today A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and healthy eating can boost your energy level, making you feel happier. It can also help reduce the risk of health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Most people should do moderate exercise (such as walking) at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. For best results, try strength exercises (such as weight lifting) on days you’re not walking. Ask your doctor what type of exercise is right for you. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Avoid having too much sodium, sugar, cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats. In general, stay away from processed foods, and don’t go over your daily calorie needs. More information about healthy eating is available here at: http://bit.ly/2B8aGUv, and more information about exercise is available here at: http://bit.ly/2DdXxuA
Call 1-888-FIDELIS or visit fideliscare.org ISSUE 4 • WINTER 2017-18 Fidelis Care Member Newsletter 3
Feeling Blue This Winter? It’s common for many people to feel anxious or depressed at this time of year. The “winter blues” are often short-term, but they can evolve into a more serious mental health concern. Speak with your doctor if: • You have long-lasting feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness. • Your feelings are affecting daily life. • Your negative feelings get stronger. • You are thinking about death or suicide. Your doctor can recommend treatment that may include lifestyle changes, medication, counseling, or both. If you need help making an appointment, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547). Call 911 if you need help right away.
BabyCare Helps Moms-to-Be Have a Healthy Pregnancy Fidelis Care offers a special program called BabyCare to support the health of members during pregnancy. When you sign up for BabyCare, a Fidelis Care Maternal Care Associate is assigned to help you every step of the way. Associates have special training in prenatal care and can help you find programs, services, or resources you may need. They can also follow up with you after doctors’ appointments, and answer any questions you may have. Signing up is easy! Simply call 1-800-247-1441 and choose option 2. To learn more about BabyCare, visit fideliscare.org/babycare.
Call 1-888-FIDELIS or visit fideliscare.org
Fidelis Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Fidelis Care cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. Fidelis Care 遵守適用的聯邦民權法律規定，不因種族、膚色、民族血統、年齡、殘障或性別而歧視任何人。 ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544)。 4
Fidelis Care Member Newsletter ISSUE 4 • WINTER 2017-18