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Permit No. 44

New name. New look. Same commitment.D id you notice our new logo? The news is out. We

have a new name and a new Medicare product. And while “Doing it Right” may be our new

tagline, it’s always been our philosophy. For nearly 30 years, we have worked to give our communities the resources needed to live informed, healthier lifestyles. That legacy of caring will certainly continue under our new company name—Health Partners Plans.

Although we have a cool new look and logo, these changes are much more than just a matter of style. It goes along with offering new products and innovations to expand our ability to help even more Philadelphia-area residents, with the addition of Health Partners Medicare. So now, Health Partners Plans offers:■ Health Partners—�our #1 in member satisfaction

Medicaid plan that has been serving the community for nearly 30 years.

■ KidzPartners—�our CHIP plan that has been providing free or low-cost health insurance to uninsured children and teens since 2009.

■ Health Partners Medicare—� our new plan that offers numerous benefits for people over 65 and others who qualify.

What’s more important is what’s not changing, including our commitment to our members, 24-hour helpline, fitness center memberships and much more. You can continue

to use your current member cards for the same great benefits and service. And although the logo is new, this Health Partners Talk newsletter will continue to bring you important health information and Medicaid plan details.

We may be doing more. We may be doing it with a new look. But we’re still “Doing it Right!”

For more inFormation about our products and services, visit www.HealthPartnersPlans.com.

partnershealthtalk

published for members of health partners Fall 2013

wellness

Get the lead outLead is a very toxic metal, especially to children. It can affect children’s intelligence, behavior and development. Children can get lead poisoning from plaster, lead-based paint, lead pipes, dirt and household dust containing lead. The signs of lead poisoning include vomiting, stomachache, tiredness, crankiness and even seizures. Even children that seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies. It’s very important for children to be tested for lead, especially in Philadelphia, where large numbers of children continue to be exposed to lead. If you think your home has lead, call 1-800-440-LEAD (1-800-440-5323).

All children under the age of 5 should receive at least two lead tests. We recommend that children be tested for lead at 9 to 11 months and at 12, 15 or 18 months if they have not been tested before. It’s OK if your child has already missed a screening. Just be sure to schedule a PCP appointment right away to have a test done. You may also take your child to any city health center for a lead test—just show your member card. If you have any questions about lead testing, contact our Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) unit at 1-866-500-4571 (TTY 1-877-454-8477).

Teaching boys respect“E at your vegetables. Don’t play

with matches. Finish your homework. Respect women.”

The above words are from a Coaching Boys Into Men program poster.

Boys get a lot of messages about how to be strong. They hear them in music, on TV and from friends. Too often these messages tell boys that they have to be tough and in control. These messages harm youth by making abusive behaviors seem normal.

Boys need advice on how to treat girls. A boy may not come out and ask how to act or talk respectfully to girls. However, boys often imitate the men around them. There are many ways that men can model positive behavior for boys.

Men can show boys:■ That abuse has no place in

a relationship.■ How to use respectful words in

a disagreement.■ How to consider a girl’s feelings

Men can also teach boys:■ How to talk things out instead

of scaring or hurting someone.■ Not to approve of sports figures

and other celebrities who demean women.

■ Why song lyrics or jokes that put girls and women down are not OK.

■ How to speak up when someone is saying hurtful words to a girl.

■ About safe ways to help a girl who is being physically hurt. It is important for boys to develop

healthy relationship skills. Be sure the boys in your life know that treating all girls with respect matters.

For more information on Coaching Boys Into Men, go to: http://www.futures withoutviolence.org/section/our_work/men_and_boys/ _coaching_leadership

Teens who need help can call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: ■ 1-866-331-9474■ 1-866-331-8453 (TTY for the Deaf)

To learn the facts about and risks of teen dating abuse, go to: ■ www.loveisrespect.org ■ www.breakthecycle.org or ■ www.loveisnotabuse.com/

web/guest.

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health partnerstalk

wellness

Don’t get stuck without a shotEveryone 6 months and older should receive an annual flu shot. The cost is covered by your Health Partners membership. The best way to prevent getting the flu is by getting a flu shot. If you are over 65 or have heart disease, HIV or diabetes, ask your doctor about also getting the pneumonia vaccine.

Don’t spread the flu! ■ Cough/sneeze into a tissue or into your upper sleeve or elbow. ■ Wash your hands often with warm water and soap. ■ If you or your children are sick, stay home.For more information,

visit our website at www.HealthPartnersPlans.com.

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H ealth Partners Plans is committed to keeping your

protected health information (PHI) confidential, while making sure you receive the highest-quality care. The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires us to have several policies and procedures that direct how we collect, use and disclose your PHI. Here are a few:

Notice of Privacy Practices Procedure. This procedure helps us define how your PHI can be used and shared by our employees. It tells us what to place in our “Notice of Privacy Practices” (NPP), like: ■ A description of how we use

and disclose your PHI.■ Statements of your rights.■ Identification of our legal duties

and responsibilities.■ How you can request further

information or file a complaint.Authorization for Use or

Disclosure of PHI Procedure. This procedure helps our employees understand who can access your PHI outside of healthcare operations. For instance, if there is a person you would

like to have access to your PHI, then a HIPAA Authorization Form gives us permission to share such information only for the

purposes you identify.

Access to PHI Procedure. This procedure helps

employees respond to a request from members to access their own PHI. You can inspect and/or receive a copy of your PHI that is maintained by us.

Our “Safeguarding of PHI” and “PC Security Procedures” ensure that we have practices in place to protect your PHI during any verbal conversations, while handling documents and any information in our computer systems. These procedures teach our staff how to verify identity, secure documents, fax safely and change their computer passwords.

Our NPP explains your privacy rights, how PHI may be used and how you can get access to your PHI. The Member Handbook and a copy of the NPP can be found online at www.HealthPartnersPlans.com. Or you can call Member Relations at 1-800-553-0784 (TTY 1-877-454-8477).

You have a right to privacy

Our NPP explains your privacy rights, how PHI

may be used and how you can get access to your PHI.

Don’t forget youWomen make about 80 percent of the healthcare decisions, and they are also more likely to be the primary caregiver. But you won’t be able to help others if you don’t take care of yourself. There are three very important medical tests and health screenings that will help you stay healthy, and they are covered by your Health Partners insurance.

Mammogram. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early. All women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year. When breast cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 96 percent, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Pap test. Beginning at age 21, women should receive regular Pap exams. The Pap exam detects

6-prescription limitThe implementation of a six prescription per month limit is on hold. You will be notified when the limit takes effect. When it is implemented, the limit will not apply to members who are under 21, pregnant, or living in a nursing home or intermediate care facility. Many types of drugs are also exempt. Your doctor can use our benefit limit exception process to request that we cover additional prescriptions. Please see the Member Handbook or formulary sections of www.HealthPartnersPlans.com for details about the limit and the exception process or call Member Relations anytime at 1-800-553-0784 (TTY 1-877-454-8477) for help.

abnormal changes in cervical cells that may over time lead to cervical cancer, and early detection is the key to staying healthy. Women ages 21 to 29 should have a Pap test every one to three years, depending on your doctor’s recommendations. At age 30, women should have a Pap test and an HPV test every five years or only a Pap test every three years. Your doctor can tell you if you need to be screened more often. If you are over 65, ask your doctor if you can stop having Pap tests.

Chlamydia screening. Chlamydia is a serious sexually transmitted disease that usually has very mild symptoms or none at all. But if left untreated, it can harm your reproductive organs and make it difficult for women to get pregnant. Sexually active women who are under the age of 25 should be tested for chlamydia every year.

24/7 help when you need itOur Nurse Advice Line is available 24/7 to answer your health questions or concerns. Our highly trained registered nurses will determine your needs and give medical direction for self-care or refer you to your PCP or to the nearest emergency room if necessary. Remember, if your situation is life-threatening or you need immediate medical attention, DO NOT call the Nurse Advice Line. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. To reach our Nurse Advice Line, call 1-866-825-6717.

member news

Copyright © 2013 Coffey Communications, Inc. WHN29585

6 Inches

1-800-553-0784  ■ 215-849-9600

TTY: 1-877-454-8477  ■ 215-849-1579

Executive Editor Felicia PhillipsEditor Rodney Yancey

HEALTH PARTNERS TALK is published for the members of HEALTH PARTNERS, 901 Market St., Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19107, telephone 1-800-553-0784, www.healthpartnersplans.com.

Information in HEALTH PARTNERS TALK 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 healthcare provider.

Models may be used in photos and illustrations.

www.HealthPartnersPlans.com

partnershealthtalk