Fall • 2025 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Salem, OR Permit No. 86 El Paso Health PO Box 971100 El Paso, TX 79997-1100 ■STI test (chlamydia / gonorrhea): ages 11 through 20 ■HIV test: ages 11 through 20 Your child’s good health is one of the most important things in life. By Health risk tests for kids Just like your car needs tuneups to stay in good shape, your child needs checkups to stay healthy. These visits help find and fix health problems early. They are also important for checking your child’s growth and development. Texas Health Steps is a program for kids and teens from birth to 20 years old who have Texas Medicaid. A Texas Health Steps checkup may include lab tests based on your child’s age and health risks. These tests can check for things like type 2 diabetes; high cholesterol (dyslipidemia); and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and syphilis. When tests happen Required cholesterol (dyslipidemia) test: ■Once between ages 9 and 11 ■Once between ages 18 and 20 Required HIV test: ■Once between ages 16 and 18 Risk-based tests (only if needed or at risk): ■Cholesterol test: ages 2 through 20 ■Diabetes test: ages 10 through 20 including these tests in your child’s checkups, you’re helping them stay healthy and giving them the best chance at a great future. Sources: American SPCC; Community Health Choice
2 family health Medicaid and CHIP plans include dental benefits only for members 18 years and younger. Adults do not have dental benefits. If you or your child meets the requirements for dental coverage, you will choose your dental plan once you have been approved for Medicaid eligibility. You can reach your dental plan at the numbers below if you have questions about dentists or benefits: ■DentaQuest: 1-800-516-0165 ■MCNA Dental: 1-800-494-6262 ■UnitedHealthcare: 1-877-901-7321 If you do not know what your dental plan is, call Member Services at 1-877-532-3778 or 915-532-3778 for assistance. Project Bravo Project Bravo is an agency with programs and services that provide extra help for people with low incomes in the El Paso area. The services can help with utility bills, housing, and home repairs. For more information, you can call 915-562-4100. Who qualifies for dental benefits Value-Added Services El Paso Health offers pregnant members 21 years of age and older some dental benefits under our Value-Added Services (VAS). These members can get up to $500 each year for dental checkups, x-rays, routine cleaning, fillings, and extractions as part of their pregnancy coverage. Pregnant members can call to make their appointment for these VAS services at: ■Project Vida: 915-465-0810 ■Centro San Vicente: 915-859-7545 Thank you for being the best part of El Paso Health!
3 wellness Every year, it’s important to visit your doctor for a wellness exam. This checkup helps make sure your body is healthy and developing the way it should. At the appointment, the doctor might listen to your heart and check your height, weight, and blood pressure. They may also ask questions about how you feel, both physically and mentally. Some of these questions might be about your mood, like how school is going or if you ever feel sad, worried, or stressed. These questions are not meant to be scary. They are very important, because your mental health matters just as much as your physical health. Feel your best Doctors ask these questions every year because how you feel on the inside can affect your body and your life. If something is bothering you, it’s OK to talk about it. The doctor is there to help, not to judge. Keeping these questions in your yearly exam helps catch problems early, so you can get help if you need it. It’s also a good time to learn new ways to stay healthy and happy. Just like brushing your teeth or eating good food helps your body, talking about your feelings helps your mind. Everyone has hard days, and asking for help is a brave and smart thing to do. Caring for your body and mind KIDS AND TEENS: WHY YEARLY WELLNESS EXAMS MATTER Wellness exams are a way to take care of your whole self—from head to toe, inside and out. So when your next yearly exam comes up, remember—it’s there to help you feel your best.
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 www.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. 2025 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. EPHM11492507-Fall 2025 Member Newsletter Member Services Department 1-877-532-3778 wellness ‘Free’ medical supplies may be a trick STAY INFORMED AND PROTECT YOUR CHILD’S BENEFITS: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT Have you ever received a call saying your child can get a free back brace or medical supplies? Maybe they say, “Just give us your Medicaid number, and we will send it right over.” It might sound like a good deal, but be careful. These calls are often scams. Some people try to get your child’s Medicaid number so they can bill for things your child does not need or never receives. They do not work for your doctor, and many times, you do not know who they are. Only your child’s doctor should decide if special equipment is needed. If your child has not been seen recently or you have not talked to a doctor, it is OK to say no. If you are not sure if something is real, call El Paso Health or your child’s doctor. It is always better to check. What you can do to avoid scams ■Do not give your child’s Medicaid number to people you do not know. ■Do not accept supplies you did not ask for. ■Report anything that feels strange or confusing. Stress management and mental health There are many challenges farmworker families face: Low wages, long hours, and job insecurity can lead to mental distress for many families. At El Paso Health, we are committed to supporting farmworker families. We offer special Medicaid services for farmworker children, along with a 24/7 behavioral health service hotline. Additionally, we can assist you in finding mental health resources and counseling for your children. For help accessing these services, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-532-3778, ext. 1075. To report Medicaid fraud, call El Paso Health or the Texas OIG hotline at 1-800-436-6184.
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