Winter 2025

Cheers to the new year! We hope yours is off to a great start. Welcome to the latest edition of Whole You, a newsletter from CMS Health Plan.

We’ll go through your options for doctor appointments from home using telehealth and share tips to keep your child’s teeth healthy. You’ll learn some interesting facts about kids’ eye health. We’ll explain how to access respite care, or temporary rest from caregiving.

Did you miss our last newsletter? View the fall 2024 edition

Caregiving is a hard job. All caregivers need a break sometimes. As the saying goes, you can’t take care of someone else if you don’t take care of yourself.

CMS Health Plan offers a benefit called respite care. Respite care is temporary rest from caregiving, where a trained caregiver will come to your home to care for your child while you do other things. This can give you time to relax, exercise or run errands without taking your child with you.

Each year, your child’s primary caregiver can get up to:

• 200 hours of in-home respite care
• 10 days of out-of-home respite care

Interested? This benefit requires prior authorization from CMS Health Plan. Contact your child’s Care Manager for details. You can also call Member Services at 1-866-799-5321 (TTY 1-800-955-8770).

We know getting your child to the doctor can be difficult, especially when they aren’t feeling well. Maybe you’re short on time or can’t get an appointment right away.

That’s where telehealth comes in. You can see a doctor from anywhere – all you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer and connection to the internet.

Your child’s doctor may offer telehealth appointments. Call their office to ask. If you can’t get an appointment with them, try these telehealth providers:

• KidzDocNow. On-demand video visits with pediatric doctors. Available 24/7, every day of the year. No appointment necessary. KidzDocNow doctors can help with:
  • Common injuries and illnesses
  • Prescription refills
  • Referral to in-person or specialty care

Visit KidzDocNow or download the KidzDocNow mobile app to learn more.

• Teladoc. Doctor visits over phone or video for nonemergency health issues. Available 24 hours a day. Teladoc can help with:
  • Common injuries and illnesses
  • Skin conditions, allergies and more

Visit Teladoc or call 1-800-835-2362 to sign up.

• Brave Health. Virtual mental and behavioral health care for CMS Health Plan members 13 and older. Includes therapy, psychiatry and medication management services. Brave Health offers:
  • Therapy (one-on-one or group)
  • Psychiatry
  • Customized mental health treatment plans
  • Support groups and specialty programs
  • Connection to community supports
  • Collaboration with your child’s doctors
  • Help setting up your device for telehealth visits
  • Medication management

Text or call Brave Health at 1-305-902-6347, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. You can also email start@bebravehealth.com or visit the Brave Health website to get started.

Dental health is a big part of your child’s wellness. Good brushing with the right toothpaste can go a long way in protecting their teeth.

Keeping teeth clean from bacteria prevents cavities, or tooth rot. If not treated, cavities can cause pain and infections, which can lead to more problems. If you think your child has a cavity, make an appointment with their dentist.

Use these teeth tips to protect your child’s smile:

• Visit a dentist twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups, even if their teeth seem fine.
• Use toothpaste with fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. They need only a pea-sized amount.
• Be sure they brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Help them until they can brush well on their own.

Learn more about your child’s dental benefits. If you have questions or want to change your child’s assigned dental plan, call 1-877-711-3662 to talk to a Medicaid Choice Counselor.

Source: CDC

As one of five senses that help humans experience the world, sight affects everything in your child’s life. Just as their vision changes over time, so do their eyecare needs. Here are 5 things to know about children’s eyes.

1. Newborns are very sensitive to light at birth. They can see some but are still developing their central vision for the first couple of months. They should be able to follow a moving object with their eyes by about 2 months old.
2. Smoking while pregnant is linked premature birth and bacterial meningitis. Both are known to cause permanent vision loss or even blindness.
3. Babies’ eyes change colors. Some children are born with light-colored eyes that darken over time due to a brown pigment called melanin developing in their iris. Usually, they have their final eye color around 9 months old, but some may have slight changes up to age 3 years old.
4. Screentime may be linked to vision problems. Studies suggest that limiting screen time may lower risks of nearsightedness and digital eye strain. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Look up from the screen every 20 minutes and focus on something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds before going back to the screen.
5. Sometimes kids’ vision problems aren’t obvious. Take them to the eye doctor if you notice them: Quickly losing interest in activities that require use of their eyes; losing their place when reading; or turning their head to look at something in front of them.

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology

CMS Health Plan offers specialized benefits for certain diagnoses and conditions. Use our diagnosis guides to learn more about what’s available to your child. They include information on symptoms, treatments, caregiving and more so you can support your child’s health.

If there isn’t a guide for your child’s diagnosis, there are other ways to find support or get answers to your questions:

• Contact your child’s Care Manager
• Call Member Services at 1-866-799-5321 (TTY 1-800-955-8770), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. If you need help outside those hours, call the same number and follow prompts for:
  • 24/7 Nurse Advice Line
  • 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Line
• Visit Sunshine Health Connects to find free and low-cost resources and supports in your area.
• Visit one of our 11 Community Connections Centers to connect with someone who can help.

Did you know you may be able to save money tax-free to support your child’s health, independence and quality of life?

ABLE United is Florida’s savings program for people with disabilities. It helps individuals and their families save money for everyday living expenses and larger purchases.

Your child can save up to $19,000 a year tax-free, either individually or with help from family and friends. The money your family saves with ABLE is not counted toward your income, so it will not impact your child’s eligibility for public programs, like Medicaid coverage or Supplemental Security Income.

To use ABLE, your child must:

• Live in Florida
• Have a qualifying disability (visit ABLE United to learn more)

ABLE accounts are flexible. You can withdraw funds at any time and for any reason via electronic transfer or by requesting a paper check. You may also request a reloadable ABLE Visa® Prepaid Card. Use your savings for:

Questions? For more info, visit ABLE United. Para Español, visite AbleUnited.com/Espanol. Find more financial and community resources.

Did you know that many urgent care centers offer many of the same services as the emergency room? And usually with much shorter wait times.

Urgent care centers are meant for injuries and illnesses that must be treated within 48 hours but aren’t life-threatening. This includes things like the flu, a cold, an ear infection or a fever – common sicknesses that aren’t emergencies.

The ER should be used for severe situations, like chest pains, shortness of breath, broken bones or poisoning. Use the chart below as a guide to decide what type of care your child needs.

Infographic Description

Title: Accessing Care

1. Is your child’s illness or injury life threatening? (Ex. shortness of breath, chest pains, bleeding that won't stop, poisoning, burns, broken bone)
   1. If Yes, Call 9-1-1 or go to the ER.
      Immediately go to an Emergency Room for:
       
      • Chest pains
      • Bleeding that won't stop
      • Shortness of breath
      • Broken Bones
      • Poisoning
      • Severe cuts or burns
   2. If no, does your child have a physical injury or an illness like the flu, an ear infection or a fever?
      1. If yes, do you want your child to see a doctor, or do you want to talk to a nurse for advice?
         1. If you want your child to see a doctor, is the doctor's office open?
            1. If yes, call your child’s primary care provider (PCP).
            2. If no, go to urgent care or call our 24/7 nurse advice line.
         2. If you want to talk to a nurse for advice, call our 24/7 nurse advice line at 1-866-799-5321.

It’s the time of year when goals are set but not always completed. Studies show that it can be hard to meet our goals without the right tools. Here’s a short list of helpful tips.

1. Teamwork makes the dream work
   Being with people with similar goals can be inspiring and motivating. Plus, they can help you stay focused.
2. Eating good feels good
   Pay attention to the food you eat and how it makes you feel. Understanding what you’re putting into your body can help you make healthier choices. 
3.  Get your boost with fruit
   There’s nothing wrong with sweet treats every so often. But try swapping for a piece of fruit from time to time for a healthy, natural form of sugar packed with vitamins and minerals.
4. Water up
   Feel like you could be drinking more water? Have a 12-ounce glass of water before and after meals. You’ll feel fuller longer. Plus, water improves brain function, skin health and more.
5. Shake it up
   Try signing up for an event like a 5K walk or run. Having an end goal and mixing up your routine can get you out of a slump.

Maybe your child hasn’t felt like themself lately. Maybe they seem nervous or sad, or they’re worried about things that never bothered them before. Everyone worries from time to time, but when worrying makes it hard for your child to focus or enjoy life, it may be time to ask for help. Remember that you have options to get them the care they need.

Visit your child’s doctor. Your child’s doctor is your partner in understanding your child’s physical and mental health. If your child doesn’t have a doctor, use the Find-A-Provider Tool to find one in your area.

1. Video visit with a doctor. Telehealth is good when there's not an emergency or when you can’t see your doctor. Learn about your child’s telehealth options.
2. Speak with a nurse anytime, day or night, at no cost. Call the CMS Health Plan Nurse Advice Line at 1-866-799-5321 (TTY 1-800-955-8770). Follow prompts for the Nurse Advice Line when you have questions or concerns about your child’s health that you want answered right away. Follow prompts for the Behavioral Health Crisis Line if your child is having a behavioral health crisis.
3. Call, text or chat for fast mental health help. With the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, you can get 24/7 help for you or a loved one. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Your child’s mental health matters. Find more mental health resources and contact their Care Manager or call Member Services if you need help.

We want to be here when you need us. Here are the best ways to get in touch:

On the Phone

• Your child’s Care Manager: This person is your go-to for questions about your child’s health care and needs. Make sure you have their emails and phone number handy.
• Member Services: Call 1-866-799-5321 (TTY 1-800-955-8770), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. If you need help outside those hours, call the same number and follow prompts for
  • 24/7 Nurse Advice Line: Talk to a registered nurse who can answer questions about your child’s health and help you find the right care.
  • 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Line: Get help if your child is in mental crisis.

On the Web

• Children's Medical Services Health Plan: A one-stop shop for all you need to know about your child’s health plan. Browse benefits, services and covered medications. Search for providers, download the Member Handbook, find key contacts and more.
• CMS Mobile App: Find all your child’s health plan information in one place, right from your smartphone. Search your app store for “Children’s Medical Services.” Then create an account using your child’s Member ID and birth date. Available in English and Spanish.

In Person

• Community Connections Centers: Sunshine Health has 11 community centers across the state. Visit them for help managing your child’s health plan benefits and to access computer, internet and phone services at no cost. The centers are open to the public and each has its own schedule of events. View locations and contact info.

Infrographic Description

Title: 11 locations across Florida