New Mexico Health Connections | my connection | Spring 2015

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{ SPRING 2015 | FOR MEMBERS OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH CONNECTIONS }
NURSE ADVICE LINE
Trusted help,
whenever you
need it
For the times when you have an
illness or injury, can’t reach your
doctor and are not sure what to
do, keep this toll-free number handy:
877-725-2552. NurseAdvice New Mexico has
experienced registered nurses available who
can offer guidance on your health problem
and help you know what steps to take. (For
hearing-impaired/TTY help, call 800-659-8331
or 711.)
What is a PCP? PCPs are doctors and
other quali ed providers who manage your
healthcare needs. ey provide services such
as annual exams, routine immunizations
(vaccines, shots), and treatment for illnesses
and injuries.
Why do you need one? Finding and devel-
oping a relationship with a PCP will help you
and your family get the most out of your health
What’s a PCP?
HEALTH INSURANCE TERMS
YOU SHOULD KNOW
plan bene ts. Seeing your PCP regularly can
help you nd and treat health problems before
they become complicated and costly to treat.
Where do I find a PCP?
Our network of PCPs includes doctors,
physician assistants (PAs) and certi ed nurse
practitioners (CNPs) in the areas of family
medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.
You might be able to choose another type of
provider if that provider’s scope of practice
includes all aspects of primary care and if the
provider chooses to accept the responsibilities
of a PCP. Note: An OB-GYN or a doctor of
Oriental medicine must obtain approval from
our medical director to be designated
as a PCP.
Find a provider online
Go to and click on
“Find a Provider” at the top of the page. You
can browse the provider directory by pro-
vider name or specialty using the “Online
Provider Search Tool.”
You also can view a PDF of the entire
provider network. Please read the search
instructions underneath the directory link.
After choosing a PCP, be sure to call his
or her o ce and make sure the PCP is ac-
cepting new patients—even if the directory
says he or she is. You may have to call several
PCP o ces before nding one who can see
you in a timely fashion. Most PCPs will
want you to set up a rst visit before they
consider you a patient.
After you nd a PCP, please let us
know of your choice. You may do this
in one of two ways:
1. Call Customer Service toll-free at
855-7MY-NMHC (855-769-6642),
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to
5 p.m., MST.
2. Log in to our “Member & Provider
Login.” You will nd a link to the
portal at the top-right corner of our
home page,
You can change your PCP at any time
in one of the two ways listed above.
Got a PCP?
Let us know!
{ B E I N F O R M E D }
It’s easy to become confused in the
healthcare system, especially if
you have health insurance for the first
time in a while—or ever! In each issue of
My Connection, we’ll define a different
term that you’re likely to come across as a
New Mexico Health Connections member.