Fall 2011 |
Caring for Kids eNewsletter | |
| Learn more about UPMC for Kids » | ||
UPMC for Kids Passes 15,000-member MarkPennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), brought to you by UPMC for KidsTM, has passed a milestone. We now have more than 15,000 members. UPMC for Kids, which is available in 32 counties in Pennsylvania, is one of the fastest-growing CHIP programs in Pennsylvania. "The continued growth of UPMC for Kids shows that more and more families trust us to provide health insurance coverage to their children and teens," says John Lovelace, who oversees UPMC for Kids in his role as vice president of the Children's Health Insurance Program for UPMC Health Plan. "Throughout the state, we have established a reputation for service and quality." CHIP is available to uninsured children and teens (up to age 19) who are not eligible for Medical Assistance. No family's income is too high to qualify for CHIP. All UPMC for Kids CHIP members have access to UPMC Health Plan's large network of world-class doctors and hospitals. To celebrate this achievement, UPMC Health Plan has made a major contribution to Reading Is FUNdamental (RIF) Pittsburgh. UPMC Health Plan also designed a special bookplate that gives children room to sign their name. The bookplates will be placed in the books delivered by Storymobile to day care centers throughout the Pittsburgh region. Children will be able to take these books home and keep them. While it's a fun way to spark a child's interest in learning, it will also help economically disadvantaged children in our community begin a lifelong love of reading. |
Enjoy the Sights — and the Savings — at the Heinz History Center this Fall!Limited-time offer: 40% off annual memberships for UPMC Health Plan members, families, and friends through December 21! As chilly weather returns to Pittsburgh, you'll find delightful indoor exercise for your body and mind at the Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street in Pittsburgh's Strip District. Six floors of original artifacts and interactive exhibits highlight our region's past 250 years. A new exhibit, Stars & Stripes: An American Story, features the people behind our nation's flag. Take the stairs between floors to view SmartSteps, a fit and fun exhibit in the stairwells created by UPMC Health Plan and the History Center. Climb to all six floors and receive a genuine Heinz pickle pin! Now through December 21, UPMC Health Plan members and their families and friends can save 40% on Heinz History Center individual and family member- ships. Memberships include admission to all Smithsonian museums, including the History Center; subscriptions to Smithsonian and Western Pennsylvania History magazines; and museum shop discounts. Call 412-454-6436. |
Contact your Member AdvocateDo you have a question about your child's UPMC for Kids benefits? Need a new member ID card or help finding a doctor? Call your UPMC for Kids Member Advocate at 1-800-650-8762. TTY users should call 1-800-361-2629. Our Member Advocates are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Baby-proofing 101The day your new baby begins crawling is very exciting. He or she now has freedom to move around and explore your home. Help keep your baby safe by taking some important measures to baby-proof your home. Each year, an estimated 22 million children are involved in accidents inside their homes and in their yards. As many as 9 out of 10 of these accidents could have been prevented by following simple household safety measures. Remember that babies can move quickly and get into trouble before you realize what's happening. Below are some basic baby-proofing tips. For a more comprehensive list, visit our eNewsletter Center online at www.upmchealthplan.com. Look for the article titled "Child-proofing your home." Living Room Safety
Kitchen Safety
Bedroom Safety
Bathroom Safety
Stair and Hallway Safety
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Access to MyHealth OnLine Self-Management ToolsYour child's UPMC for Kids membership now includes access to MyHealth OnLine, powered by WebMD®. The website can provide you with:
You can access WebMD through our website at www.upmchealthplan.com/upmcforkids. To register, click the "First time user" link, which is located in the log-in box for MyHealth OnLine. You can also request that online health information and tools be mailed to you or shared over the phone. Just call your UPMC for Kids Member Advocate. For more information on MyHealth OnLine, review the brochure that you received in your Welcome Kit. This brochure is available on our website at www.upmchealthplan.com/upmcforkids. |
Renewing is easy!When it's time to renew, we'll send you a reminder letter, including a renewal form, 90 days before your child's renewal date. You can make changes and additions directly on the form and send it back to us or you can renew over the telephone by calling 1-800-978-8762. TTY users should call 1-800- 361-2629. |
Simplify. Choose Autopay.If your child is enrolled in the low-cost or full- cost CHIP program, you can enroll in our Autopay program. Your monthly premium will automatically be deducted from your savings or checking account or applied to any major credit card on the 5th of every month (or the first working day after the 5th, if the 5th occurs on a weekend). For more information on Autopay, call our UPMC for Kids Member Advocates. |
Why sports physicals are importantIf your older child plays a sport, it's important — and even required — for him or her to have a yearly sports physical. Doctors often refer to this exam as a PPE (pre-participation physical examination). This exam helps determine whether it's safe for kids to participate in a particular sport. Getting a physical about six weeks before the sports season begins allows enough time to follow up if a problem is detected. There are two main parts to a PPE: Medical history The doctor will ask you and your child about:
The medical history questions are usually on a form that you'll fill out with your child. This is a very important part of the exam, so take time to answer the questions carefully. Physical examination During the physical exam, the doctor will usually:
A sports physical can help young athletes find out about and deal with health problems that might interfere with their participation in a sport. For example, if your child has frequent asthma attacks and is a starting forward in soccer, the doctor might be able to prescribe a different type of inhaler or adjust the dosage so your child can breathe easier while running. What about regular physicals? It is important for all children to have a yearly physical. The sports physical focuses on well-being as it relates to playing a sport. It's more limited than a regular physical, but it's a lot more specific about athletic issues. During a regular physical, doctors address kids' overall well-being, which include issues not related to sports. You can ask your doctor to do both types of exams during one visit; just be aware that it will take more time. Yearly physical examinations are a covered benefit of UPMC for Kids. However, there will be a charge associated with a sports physical. |
Getting the health care information you need — how you need itUnderstanding medical information can be difficult for anyone. And talking about health care can be especially confusing when English is not your first language. UPMC for Kids members who do not speak English can call a Member Advocate to be connected with a translator. You can find doctors who speak languages other than English at www.upmchealthplan.com. Click on the "Find a Doctor" link, and use the language tab to pick the language you prefer. You may also call our Member Advocates for this information. If you need information on how to get materials in an alternate format or language, contact us and we will work with you to meet your needs. |
We are excited to announce that UPMC for Kids is now on Facebook!In fact, UPMC for Kids is currently the only CHIP provider on Facebook and Twitter in this region! Our page will be updated regularly with health tips, outreach events, and CHIP benefit information. If you are a Facebook user, please take a moment to browse and "like" our page! |
Remember to get your child a flu shotWondering if your child should get a flu shot? Don't wonder any longer; the answer in almost all cases is YES! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people aged 6 months and older get a flu shot between mid-October and December. The flu contributes to many unplanned hospitalizations every year. In the worst cases, the flu can be life- threatening. Flu shots prevent flu and ease symptoms if you get the flu. Visit your child's pediatrician to get a free flu shot or go to a designated location in your community. Flu shots are a covered benefit of UPMC for Kids. |
Provider directory on the WebExcept for emergency care, you must get your medical services from doctors, hospitals, and health care providers in the UPMC for Kids network. The next time you need to find out if a doctor, hospital, or other medical provider is in the UPMC for Kids network, you can use a computer. You can quickly and easily search our large network of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers online. Go to www.upmchealthplan.com and click on "Find a Doctor" on the right side of the screen. You can search for a doctor by name, office location(s), specialty, the hospital or medical group the doctor is connected with, gender, languages spoken, and whether the doctor is accepting new patients. You can also see if the doctor's office has any restrictions, such as only accepting patients who are age 18 and older. The listing also includes the doctor's office hours and board certifications. When a doctor is board certified, that means he or she has additional education. If you're looking for a hospital, you can search by name, location, and accreditation status. The hospital listing includes the address, phone number, and services offered, for example, on-site lab or dialysis services. You can also call UPMC for Kids at 1-800-650- 8762 for help finding a doctor or hospital. TTY users should call 1-800-361-2629. Member Advocates are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Quality counts at UPMC for KidsThe quality of your child's health care is important to us. Our Quality Improvement Program helps us improve the quality of care, service, and safety. A committee of doctors directs the program. Working with these doctors, we make improvements to care and safety by:
We listen to your responses on member surveys. What you tell us helps us improve our services and products. Recently, members told us they are very satisfied with UPMC for Kids. They also said they get care when they need it and that they are happy with UPMC for Kids Member Advocates. To improve quality of care and safety, we look at the number of members who get:
We found that children and adolescents are having the necessary well-child visits with their PCP and that young children are getting needed lead screenings. You can learn more about our Quality Improvement Program at www.upmchealthplan.com. You can also find information on hospital quality and safety and on doctors. In addition, you can go online to look at your member handbook, which provides information about your benefits. To get a paper copy of information on our website or to learn more about our Quality Improvement Program, call our UPMC for Kids Member Advocates. |
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The content in this newsletter is not intended to provide specific medical advice, and members should contact their physician with questions about specific conditions and/or treatment. Not all benefits mentioned in this newsletter will necessarily be available to all members. Members should review their specific plan information to find out which benefits apply to them.
Member Services: 1-800-650-8762
TTY Services: 1-800-361-2629 Copyright 2011 UPMC Health Plan, Inc. All rights reserved. |