The Mix - December 2015 - Family Health Plan Edition

DECEMBER

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A Blend of T ips So You Can Be Your Best

WARM UP TO YOUR

HEALTHCARE

COVERAGE THIS WINTER

Catch a ride with us Know where to go for care Beat boredom when you’re stuck inside

Just the Right Mix for Your Health The Mix is our newsletter for Medicaid members.

It’s always a great time to get connected to the care you need and to use your benefits to their fullest.

This winter, start taking advantage of our free rides to doctor visits, learn where to go if you get sick or hurt and fight boredom with fun games for the whole family.

Take this newsletter someplace cozy. It’s time to Get in The Mix.

Mix in Health

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Health Alliance Connect helps make sure you get the care you need from start to finish. That means you’ll have a primary care physician (main doctor, also called PCP) who focuses on all your health needs. You can also get rides to covered medical appointments and you may be eligible for community services and other support to help you meet your goals. Plus, all your health records stay in one place.

Have a Question? Call Us. • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• FHP (Family Health Plan)-Medicaid: 1-877-633-2526

Get a Ride to Better Health

Seeing your doctor is important, but sometimes it’s hard to get to his or her office. That’s where Health Alliance can help. We coordinate your care from start to finish, and as part of that care, we connect you to free rides to and from your doctor visits. We’ll even take you to the pharmacy on your way home from your appointment. If you do not have a ride to your next visit with your doctor, call the number on the back of your Health Alliance Connect ID card as soon as you know the date and time you’ll need a ride. Please call three business days before the visit and tell us about any special requirements, like if you’ll be riding with a caretaker or service animal or if you need a van for a wheelchair. We’ll take it from there.

Our rides to the doctor’s office are part of your plan and are no cost to you, so make the most of your coverage by letting us help you get to the doctor. If you have a true emergency, call 911.

We have info about public transportation if you need to get other places, like the grocery store. Just go to “Need a Ride or Other Support” at HealthAllianceConnect.org.

Reminder: Get Your Free Flu Shot Get the flu shot this year to protect yourself and those around you. The shot is free when you get it from an in-network provider or pharmacy. To find in-network providers and pharmacies, go to HealthAllianceConnect.org or call the number on the back of your Health Alliance Connect ID card.

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Get the Right Kind of Care

Your primary care provider (PCP) is your partner in health. He or she knows the full picture of your health, like any past issues and what your goals are. When you need care and it’s not an emergency or urgent problem, set up a visit with your PCP. Sometimes it can be hard to know if your sickness or injury is bad enough that you need to go to an urgent care clinic or to the emergency room instead of seeing your PCP. The lists below can help.

What should I see my PCP for?

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Regular health checkups and screenings Low fever (above 98.6 degrees but below 102) Cough or other signs of a cold Unexplained weight changes Pain that won’t go away

Have a Question? Call Us. • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• FHP (Family Health Plan)-Medicaid: 1-877-633-2526

What is an emergency?

When do I need urgent care?

• Possible broken bone • Sore throat or earache • Bad coughing • Vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration • Pink eye • Rashes • Muscle sprains or strains • Fever of 102 degrees or higher in people older than 3 months

• Serious accident • Injury to head, neck or back • Eye damage • Heavy bleeding • Bad cuts or burns • Severely broken bone • Trouble breathing or chest pain • Blacked out • No heartbeat or pulse • Overdose • Sexual assault • Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher in babies younger than 3 months • Any time you think your life or health is at serious risk Please note: These are examples, not complete lists.

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p , call t at 1the A a visit w o get 855ith yo nytim 802ur eme e 4 N 6 urse 12 fo rgen c L r hel p. Bu ine hosp y, always ital r t in a go to ight n the c away l o s e or ca ll 911 st 4 .

Fight Cabin Fever with Family Fun

Don’t let the cold keep your family from having fun this winter. There are lots of things you can do without leaving the house. Get the family together and try some of these ideas for fighting cabin fever.

Learn a new dance.

Do you remember how to do the Electric Slide? Search YouTube to learn it and other fun dances. Dancing is a great way to get the whole family up and moving.

Go on a treasure hunt Have the kids find 10 things that are the same color. When they’ve done that, start on a different color.

See what kinds of treasure-hunt themes you can come up with on your own.

Play with balloons.

Blow up a balloon and turn your couch into a volleyball net. Bop the balloon back and forth over the couch. See how many times you can hit it before it touches the ground.

Get creative with the furniture.

Use pillows and couch cushions to turn your living room into an obstacle course or use them as steps to cross flaming hot lava (your carpet). Grab some blankets and build a fort. It’ll be a great place for the kids to wind down at the end of the day.

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Have a Question? Call Us. • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• FHP (Family Health Plan)-Medicaid: 1-877-633-2526

Play Simon Says.

Put an active twist on this classic by including things like jumping jacks and running in place.

Make your own bowling alley.

Set up empty plastic bottles as bowling pins and find a small ball to bowl with. Make it even more fun by painting your own designs on the bottles before you bowl.

Put on a puppet show.

Write a short script or make up a play as you go. Grab a few socks. You can decorate them or leave them as is. You and your kids can use your hands to make the sock puppets look like they are talking. Throw a blanket over a table to use as your stage. You can even decorate it with props if you’d like. Just kneel down behind the table and let the show begin.

Make gumdrop sculptures.

The next time you’re at the store, pick up some toothpicks and gumdrops. Stick them together to make animals, people and cars or see who can build the tallest tower before it falls.

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301 S. Vine St. Urbana, IL 61801

2016

EV ENT

CALENDAR For more community events, visit our website, HealthAllianceConnect.org.

Give a Gold Star Have you had a great experience with somebody at Health Alliance Connect?

If so, you can give that person a Gold Star as a special way to say thanks.

We’ll share your story with that person and his or her manager and peers.

You can thank someone today at HealthAlliance.org/GoldStar.

Relax Under the Stars Peoria Riverfront Museum | 222 SW. Washington St. Peoria, IL | First Wednesday of every month |12–1 p.m.

Family Game Day Dr. G’s BrainWorks | 1146 Hickory Point Mall | Forsyth, IL Every Sunday in January & February | 2–4 p.m.

The Evolution of Alice in Wonderland for 150 years Milner Library, Illinois State University | 201 N. School St. Normal, IL | Every day until February 12 | All-day event Second Saturday Board Games Urbana Free Library | 210 W. Green St. | Urbana, IL January 9 | 2–6 p.m.

Snack-tivity Champaign Public Library-Douglass Branch | 504 E. Grove St. | January 25 & February 22 | 4–5 p.m.

Don’t forget to stay in touch!

Just like your friends and family, we need to know if you move or get a new phone number. That way we can keep in touch, send you important info about your plan and make sure you get your copy of The Mix. You can also connect with us on social media. We’ll keep you in the loop on news and events, plus give you healthy living tips and info.

Facebook.com/HealthAlliance

Twitter: @Health_Alliance

Pinterest.com/HealthAlliance

Please call 1-877-633-2526 and tell us what changed (TTY users call 711). Or send an email with your name, address and phone number to connect@healthalliance.org. caid-themixFHPdec-1115