Answering your health questions has never been easier

Have a question about a medication? Wondering what to do about a minor medical issue? Not sure if you should call your doctor?

Whether you're seeking general health advice or information regarding a specific medical issue for your child, experienced registered nurses are available to provide you with prompt and efficient service.

Parents of UPMC for Kids members can call the MyHealth Advice Line at 1-866-918-1591. TTY users should call 1-866-918-1593.

Please note: This Advice Line is not a substitute for medical care. If an emergency arises, call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room.

Extended dental benefits for Pennsylvania CHIP members

If your child requires preventive, diagnostic, or other dental services that exceed the $1,500 maximum limit per calendar year, or orthodontia services that exceed the $5,200 lifetime limit, your child may be eligible for extended dental benefits.

In 2012, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department will make $1 million available for extended dental benefits for all Pennsylvania CHIP-covered children. These funds can be used for medically necessary dental or orthodontia expenses, up to $1,000 per child per year, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Extended dental benefits funding can be used only for services that are covered by UPMC for Kids.

If you feel your child could benefit from extended dental benefits, talk to your child's dentist, and he or she will work with UPMC for Kids to determine if your child is eligible for this additional funding.

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 a UPMC for Kids Member Advocate.

Benefit changes for full-cost CHIP members

Effective December 1, 2011, there was a change in the monthly CHIP premium payment for full-cost UPMC for Kids members. The new rate is $139.10, which will appear on your next bill. Please continue to pay your monthly premium so your child can continue to enjoy the same great CHIP benefits.

Also effective December 1, the full-cost behavioral health copayment for outpatient mental health and substance abuse visits changed to $0. Your child will receive a new member ID card with this change. Please begin using it as soon as you receive it.

UPMC for Kids is now on Facebook!

In fact, UPMC for Kids is currently the only CHIP provider in this region utilizing social media! Our page will be updated regularly with healthy tips, outreach events, and CHIP benefit information. If you are a Facebook user, please take a moment to browse and "like" our page.

What's the deal with BMI?

You probably know your child's height and weight. But do you know your child's BMI (Body Mass Index)? BMI is a calculation that uses height and weight to estimate a person's body fat. Although BMI is not a perfect way to judge if your child is underweight or overweight, it is often a good way to check on how your child is growing.

Once you know your child's BMI, you will see that he or she is in one of four categories:

1. Underweight: less than the 5th percentile
2. Healthy weight: Between 5th and 84th percentile
3. Overweight: Between 85th and 94th percentile
4. Obese: 95th percentile and above

A child whose BMI is at the 50th percentile is close to average compared with kids of the same age and gender who were measured. A child at the 85th to 94th percentile is considered overweight. And a child who measures at or above the 95th percentile is considered obese.

BMI is not the whole story when it comes to a child's weight. A muscular child might have a higher weight and BMI without having a lot of body fat. A smaller child may have an ideal BMI, but might have less muscle and too much body fat.

And it's very common for kids to gain weight quickly during puberty, which makes their BMI rise temporarily. It's always a good idea to talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about your child's weight.

If your doctor tells you that your child's BMI is high, ask what you can do to help lower it. In almost all cases, it's as simple as eating healthier and getting more exercise.

Questions about lead testing? Just ask your child's doctor.

Lead poisoning can produce many symptoms, including irritability, headaches, weight loss, nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. However, many kids with lead poisoning don't show any signs of the illness. If you're concerned that your child is at risk for lead poisoning, talk with his or her doctor. It's important to get your child tested for lead poisoning, as many other illnesses can cause these same symptoms.

If you are concerned about the possibility of lead poisoning, your doctor may recommend a blood test that will help to make (or rule out) a diagnosis of lead poisoning.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all kids get tested for lead poisoning at age 1 and again at age 2.

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.

Important pharmacy changes

UPMC for Kids is very proud of its large pharmacy network, which includes more than 30,000 pharmacies. It includes local pharmacies and national chains, such as CVS/pharmacy, Giant Eagle, Kmart, Rite Aid, Sam's Club, Target, Walmart, and Wegmans.

Beginning in January 2012, Walgreens will no longer be part of the UPMC for Kids pharmacy network. If you currently have your prescriptions filled at Walgreens, you will need to go to a new pharmacy after January 1.

If you need help finding a new pharmacy, call your UPMC for Kids Member Advocate.

Chlamydia: Screening is recommended

Screening for chlamydia — the most frequently reported sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — is recommended for all adolescent girls and young women. Up to 80 percent of persons with infections do not have symptoms.

Chlamydia is much more common in adolescent girls than any other sexually transmitted disease, regardless of race, place of residence, or socioeconomic status, according to the CDC. More than 80 percent of all cases reported in a year are from women age 24 or younger. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for chlamydial infection in all sexually active non-pregnant women age 24 or younger.

The test is simple and painless and is covered by your child's UPMC for Kids benefits.

You can help stop the flu

Unpredictable. That's the best way to describe flu season, which officially began in late October.

It's impossible to know what the 2011-12 flu season has in store for us. What we do know is that the flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness and can even be fatal. Every year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get yourself and your children vaccinated every year.

Who is at risk?
Even healthy children and adults can become very sick from the flu and spread it to family and friends. You and your children can pass the flu on before you know any of you are sick!

Who should get the flu vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months get vaccinated. Those at higher risk for serious complications include:

1. People age 65 and older
2. Children younger than age 5, especially children younger than age 2
3. People with health conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, as well as kidney, liver, and neurological disorders
4. Pregnant women

Others who should get a flu shot:

• Health care workers
• Residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, as well as family and friends who have contact with a resident
• Caregivers of young children, especially children under 6 months old, who are at the highest risk of flu-related complications

What is the best time to get vaccinated?
The sooner you get your child a flu shot, the sooner he or she will be protected. However, experts agree, it's never too late to get your child a flu shot.

Take your child to his or her pediatrician to get a free flu shot. Flu shots are also available at designated locations throughout the community. If you pay out of pocket for your child's flu shot, UPMC for Kids will reimburse you. To print a flu shot reimbursement form, go to www.upmchealthplan.com. Scroll down to Members and then select Commonly Used Forms. You can also call your Member Advocate and ask to have the form mailed to you.

Note: Not all children should receive the flu vaccine. Talk to your child's doctor to find out if this vaccine is right for your child.

Healthy comfort food

As the dark days and cold winter weather arrive, they can bring the "blahs" to the happiest of spirits. All too often people turn to food during these icy western Pennsylvania winters to cheer themselves up.

Instead of reaching for high-fat, high-sodium, and high-calorie convenience foods for you and your family, try your hand in the kitchen with any of these healthy, homemade recipes. Spend a day cooking, and then portion and freeze the recipes so you have healthy and delicious options to choose from any day of the week. Plus, your house will smell delicious.

All recipes were provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.