New Mexico Health Connections | my connection | Fall 2017

FALL 2017 MY CONNECTION is published as a health and wellness service for the members of NEW MEXICO HEALTH CONNECTIONS. Information 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 primary care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2017 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ID0583-0917 Find us online: mynmhc.org Contact us: Customer Service : 855-769-6642 mynmhc.org/Contact_Us.aspx Michelle McRuiz, editor michelle.mcruiz@mynmhc.org Facebook “f”Logo CMYK / .ai { W E W A N T Y O U T O B E S A T I S F I E D } New portal and app put your health plan in your hands This summer, we switched to a new member portal that gives you clear, easy access to your benefit information, claims data, electronic ID card and more. You can also search for a provider when you’re logged in to the portal and link quickly to health and wellness resources on mynmhc.org . Take the NMHC member portal with you wherever you go with our new mobile app for Android and iOS devices. You’ll find links to download the app when you log in to the portal. Note: If you were registered on our old member portal, you will need to re-register for our new portal. Registration is quick and simple. Visit mynmhc.org/my-account-login.aspx to get started. Take aimat the flu Every year, NMHC asks you, our members, your thoughts on satisfaction with our provider network, our service to you and the health plan in general. This year, more than 600 NMHC members who are enrolled in our plans, both on and off the exchange, responded to our survey. Some of the questions related to getting care quickly and getting care when needed, as well as knowing how well your provider is coordinating your care and communicating with you. Also, we asked how our customer service team is working for you. Here are a few of the 2017 survey results on these topics. The responses represent the average score for those respondents who answered “Usually” and “Always” to these questions. of the time, members can get care quickly . of the time, members can get needed care . of the time, members feel that their care is well-coordinated . of the time, members feel that their doctor communicates well with them . of the time, members feel that customer service was responsive and provided the information needed . of the time, members feel that their claims are managed timely and accurately . We continually strive to be the best possible health plan in New Mexico. If you responded to the survey, thanks for giving us your feedback. It will help us continue to improve. W ho should get a flu shot? Chances are, the answer is you! Nearly everyone 6 months and older needs to get this yearly vaccine. That’s because the flu can make people very sick and cause serious complications. People miss a significant amount of time from work or school because of the flu. Even worse, every year people are hospitalized or die from the flu. The vaccine is particularly recommended for people who are most vulnerable to the flu and its complications, including: • Children 6 months to 4 years old. • People 50 and older. • People with chronic lung, heart, kidney and other diseases. • People with weak immune systems. • Women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season. • Residents of nursing homes or other long- term care facilities. • People who live with or care for children younger than 5 years old and adults 50 and older. There are rare exceptions to the flu-shot rule. For example, people who have severe, life-threatening allergies to a flu vaccine or any ingredients in a vaccine shouldn’t get it. Or people who have a history of a disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome should talk to their doctor before getting a flu shot. When to roll up that sleeve It’s best to get vaccinated before flu season hits hard. Try to get your shot before the end of November. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccinations should be offered throughout the flu season. Some children need to get two doses of the vaccine. (Talk to your child’s doctor if you’re not sure whether that’s the case for your child.) Experts recommend that those kids get their first dose as soon as possible after the vaccine becomes available. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NMHC members can get a flu vaccine at no cost by visiting an in-network provider or pharmacy. Ask your provider or pharmacist if they offer flu vaccines. Many retail pharmacies, such as Walgreens, Walmart, Smith’s, Albertson’s and many others, offer flu shots. Check out the list of pharmacies that participate in OptumRx at mynmhc.org/formulary.aspx . 75 % 77 % 74 % 90 % 76 % 89 % { MY CONNECTION } 3 { W E L L N E S S }