family health At El Paso Health, we work hard to make sure our members get the care they need. But sometimes, doctors may bill us for appointments that didn’t happen. This can lead to big problems, including higher costs for everyone. To help with this, we’ve started the “Verify Your Visit” program. If you or your child recently had a doctor’s appointment, you may receive a text message from us. Please take a minute to follow the link in the text message and answer a short, 3-question survey. It’s quick, easy, and available in both English and Spanish. When doctors bill for services that were not provided, it could be considered fraud or abuse. Fraud happens when someone knowingly does something wrong, like billing for an appointment that didn’t occur. Abuse happens when rules are not followed, even if it’s unintentional. Both of these can drive up health-care costs. If you suspect fraud or abuse, you can report it confidentially. Your report can even be made anonymously. Report to: ■El Paso Health Fraud Hotline: 1-866-356-8395. ■Texas Office of Inspector General: 1-800-436-6184 or oig.hhs.texas.gov. By verifying your visits and reporting concerns, you help protect our health-care system and ensure that resources are used properly. Thank you for helping us fight fraud and abuse! What vaccines does my young adult need before college? Before heading to college, it’s important for young adults ages 17 and older to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Not only does this help keep them healthy and safe from serious diseases, it also ensures they meet college requirements. To avoid any delays or issues with enrollment, it’s best to plan ahead and ensure your young adult has the necessary vaccines. Here are the key vaccines college students should have: Meningococcal vaccine. This vaccine protects against meningitis, a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord. College students living in dorms are at higher risk. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). This vaccine protects Verify Your Visit HELP US AVOID PROBLEMS AND EXTRA COSTS IN YOUR HEALTH CARE against 3 contagious diseases that can spread easily in crowded places, like college campuses. Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). This vaccine is important for protection against whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, and diphtheria. It’s recommended for all young adults. HPV (human papillomavirus). HPV can cause certain types of cancer. The vaccine is recommended for both males and females to help prevent these cancers. Flu vaccine. Each year, the flu vaccine helps protect against the seasonal flu, which can spread quickly on college campuses. Before your young adult leaves for college, be sure to talk with a health-care provider about which vaccines they need. For more information, visit the Texas Health and Human Services “Immunization Schedules” webpage at dshs.texas .gov/immunizations/public/ schedules. 3
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