Spring • 2022 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 El Paso Health PO Box 971100 El Paso, TX 79997-1100 Keep updated on COVID-19! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to learn more about COVID-19 and get some great health tips for you and your family. Find us at: facebook.com/ ElPasoHealthPlans; instagram.com/ElPasoHealth. Starting Feb. 1, 2022, Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) is adding a new Medicaid benefit for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for members 20 years of age or younger with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prior authorization will be needed for all ABA services before getting the services. Autism spectrum disorder is a condition characterized by restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities and deficits in social communication and social interaction, with onset of symptoms occurring in early childhood. ABA is a therapy that focuses on behavior and learning. The overall goal of ABA is to figure out why children behave the way they do and then focus on ways to encourage those good behavior habits and correct the harmful behavior habits. ABA focuses on positive reinforcement in order to decrease those unwanted behaviors. The therapy helps improve socially significant behaviors, including communication and social skills, memory, academic performance, and language. New Medicaid benefit for applied behavior analysis services
2 wellness These past few years have been rough on all of us. The new year is a time for change, stability, and a new beginning. Many of us want new beginnings and changes in our life. One of them is making healthy choices. Making small changes to your diet can have a big effect on your overall health. Deciding to eat a healthy breakfast such as egg whites, fruits, and smoothies can put you one step closer to your goal. Exercise, like going for a run or walk in the morning, is also good for your health. Walking in the morning and the evening for just 15 minutes is a great way to make changes. Another type of exercise is participating in a yoga class, or you may search for a yoga video and participate in the comfort of your own home. Maybe you’re not into yoga—what about a dance class? The word healthy doesn’t just mean eating fruits and vegetables or going to dance class—you can also start managing your sleep. Make sleep a priority, because it is! The more sleep you get, the stronger your mind and body will be in the morning. Another suggestion for change is getting rid of bad habits. Avoid skipping breakfast or eating late at night, as this can affect your metabolism. Although these suggestions are easier said than done, deciding to start can make a huge impact on your life, placing you one step closer to a better, healthier, happier life. Help us fight suspicious charges on your health account Did you know El Paso Health has a phone app and online tools you can use to help us fight suspicious charges? How does a suspicious charge happen? Doctors will sometimes charge us for an appointment when a member never even showed up and or bill us on the wrong day instead of the day of your actual appointment. These are examples of suspicious and incorrect billing. When someone does something wrong and they know it, it is fraud. When someone doesn’t follow the rules, it is abuse. So how can you help? Visit our member portal online at elpasohealth.com, click on the Member Portal link at the top right of the page, then click download app. Once downloaded you can log in or register if you have never logged in before. Finally, you can click on the Claims tab to see a list of claims for you or your children. Keep an eye out for any claims on there that look suspicious. This can include claims on days you know you or your children never went to the doctor. This can also include claims for doctors you know you or your children have never visited. If you are concerned this is happening, or if you are concerned about something else that might be fraud or abuse, there are several ways to let us know. Anything you tell us is private. You are not required to include your name, address, or any other identifying information. YOU CAN REPORT SUSPECTED FRAUD TO: El Paso Health Fraud Hotline: 1-866-356-8395 Texas Office of Inspector General, toll-free: 1-800-436-6184 or https://oig.hhs.texas.gov/ repor t-fraud-waste-or-abuse Making healthy choices
3 family health Dr. David F. Jimenez PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGERY EL PASO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Appropriate use of antibiotics Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial infections. They will not treat viral infections, because they cannot kill viruses. This is why viruses like the common cold or the flu should not be treated with these medications. Antibiotics will not help you feel better if they are taken when not needed. You may also suffer from side effects like rash, dizziness, or nausea. Antibiotic resistance is also a dangerous result of taking antibiotics when they are not needed. This happens when the germs learn how to fight against the medicines designed to kill them. This causes antibiotics to be less effective in treating bacterial infections for everyone. Illnesses like the common cold or flu should go away in 1 to 2 weeks. Ask your Primary Care Provider if antibiotics are needed when you feel sick. Follow these tips to feel better and protect others: ■Get plenty of rest. ■Drink plenty of fluids. ■Wash your hands often. ■Cover your coughs and sneezes. ■Stay home. Challenges COVID-19 has caused to farmworker families There are many challenges farmworker families face throughout their difficult journey while working in the fields. COVID-19 has made it even more difficult for them. They have been facing different situations such as lack of employment, access to health care, child care, proper education, and nutrition programs no longer being offered at the schools. These challenges have caused mental distress to the parents and to their children. Many times, farmworker children have to deal with anxiety and stress at school. El Paso Health has special Medicaid services for farmworker children. We can assist you with finding mental health resources and counseling for your children. To help you get these services, please call us at 1-877-532-3778, Ext. 1075. El Paso Health is happy to tell you about Dr. David F. Jimenez, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at El Paso Children’s Hospital! Dr. Jimenez came to El Paso from San Antonio. He is known all over the world for his work with babies who have a rare condition with the head that does not let the brain grow to its normal size. He also treats children with brain tumors. Dr. Jimenez has many honors, like being named one of America’s Top Doctors and one of the Best Doctors in America. El Paso Health members who need the special services that Dr. Jimenez offers can stay in El Paso to get care instead of going to another city. That means they get to stay home close to friends and family. Welcome to El Paso, Dr. Jimenez!
As of mid-October 2021, children ages 5 to 11 have experienced more than 8,300 COVID-19related hospitalizations and nearly 100 deaths from COVID-19. In fact, COVID-19 ranks as one of the top 10 causes of death for children ages 5 through 11 years. Children who get infected with COVID-19 can also develop serious complications, like multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), a condition where different body parts become swollen, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Children are as likely to be infected with COVID-19 as adults and can: ■Get very sick from COVID-19. ■Have both short- and long-term health complications from COVID-19. ■Spread COVID-19 to others, including at home and school. Help protect your entire family and slow the spread of COVID-19 in your community by getting yourself and your children ages 5 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19. Check with your child’s doctor about whether they offer the COVID-19 vaccination. You may also check your local pharmacy to see if vaccination walk-ins or appointments are available for children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021. COVID-19 Vaccines for Children & Teens. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html ABOUT YOUR HEALTH is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of EL PASO HEALTH, 1145 Westmoreland Drive, El Paso, TX 79925, telephone 1-877-532-3778, website elpasohealth.com. Information in ABOUT YOUR HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health-care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Member Services Department 1-877-532-3778 2022 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. EPHM4582112 EPH-MBR-Spring 2022 Member Newsletter COVID-19 COVID-19 at-home testing El Paso Health is committed to the health and safety of our members. Beginning Jan. 3, 2022, STAR and CHIP members can obtain a COVID-19 at-home test kit at a participating pharmacy, with or without a prescription. There is a limit of 4 tests per calendar month, and any of the brands listed below are covered. Why children 5 years and older should get vaccinated from COVID-19 COVID-19 TEST-KIT NAME InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test BinaxNOW COVID-19 AG Card BinaxNOW COVID-19 AG Card Home Test BinaxNOW COVID-19 AG Self Test Everlywell COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit DTC
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