Summer 2024

Hi there! We’re glad you’re joining us for another edition of Whole You, a newsletter from CMS Health Plan. We have a lot of good info to support your child and family.

Read our tips for a safe Halloween, plus a list of 10 family dinners under $10. Get info on our Community Connections Centers, learn how to get free rides, and read up on which vaccines your child needs to stay on track.

We hope this newsletter helps you get the most out of your child’s health plan. Questions? Contact your child’s Care Manager or call Member Services at 1-866-799-5312 (TTY 1-800-955-8770).

In case you missed it, check out our spring 2024 issue.

Halloween is just around the corner. Use these tips to keep your child safe while celebrating or trick-or-treating.

1. Test makeup first. Test any makeup your child plans to use to make sure they don’t have an allergic reaction. Check makeup ingredients and make sure none are banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
2. No colored contacts. The FDA warns against using colored contacts that have not been prescribed by a doctor. They are not approved for safety and may cause eye irritation, infection and decreased vision.
3. Dress safely. Make sure your child’s costume says “flame resistant” on the label. Wear bright colors, carry glow sticks or add strips of reflective tape so drivers can see you when it gets dark.
4. Buddy system. Don’t let your child trick-or-treat alone. It’s best for an adult to go with them. But if they are old enough to go with friends, make sure they know how to stay safe and have a way to contact you.

Source

Do you have a child with asthma? If so, you could qualify for extra support from CMS Health Plan.

We offer specialized benefits to members who are diagnosed with asthma. They help cut down on allergens in the air, like pollen and dust, that can make asthma symptoms worse.

• HEPA-filter vacuum: One vacuum per member, per household
• Carpet cleaning: Up to two cleanings per year
• Hypoallergenic bedding: Allowance to purchase hypoallergenic bedding

Interested? Contact your child’s Care Manager for details. For more tips and resources to manage your child’s asthma, check out our Asthma Guide. View all CMS Health Plan member benefits.

Is your child up to date on their shots? Which vaccines they needs depends on their age and health conditions. Talk to their primary care doctor to learn more. You can also check the child and adolescent immunization schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember: CMS Health Plan rewards members for getting certain vaccines and for going to yearly Well Child visits. Well Child visits are general checkups – and they can even be completed from home through telehealth.

See the member rewards below to see what your child can earn.

• Well Child Visit: 0-3 months
  • One visit per calendar year with PCP
  • $10
• Well Child Visit: 3-21 years
  • One visit per calendar year with PCP
  • $20
• Child Immunization Status (Combo 3)
  • Age 2. Full series of the following vaccines: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP); inactivated poliovirus (IPV); measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); haemophilus influenza type B (HiB); hepatitis B; varicella-zoster virus (chicken pox of VZV); and pneumococcal conjugate vaccinations (PCV).
  • $20
• Immunizations for adolescents (Combo 2)
  • Ages 10-13. Full series of the following vaccines: meningococcal and tetanus diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap); and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
  • $20
• HPV vaccine series
  • Ages 13-26. Full series of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
  • $20
• Lead screening
  • Blood test for lead poisoning. Annually up to age 2.
  • $20

Getting a ride is easy with CMS Health Plan. Call the MTM Ride Line at 1-844-399-9469 (TTY 711) to schedule a ride at no cost. Your child’s transportation benefits include:

• Up to 2 non-medical roundtrips per month through MTM Transportation. Use these to visit friends and family, go to the park, visit a Community Connections Center and more.
• Unlimited medical trips, like rides to doctor’s appointments or the pharmacy.

A new diagnosis is a lot to take in. There can be a lot to learn about how to help your child. Check out the CMS Health Plan diagnosis guides for help.

They give you information on symptoms, treatments, caregiving tips, benefits 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

What’s for dinner? It’s the daily question so many dread. Cost, time and nutrition is a lot to balance. Here are some family-friendly dinner options from the Food Network that cost just a few bucks per serving.

1. Lemon and Herb Roast Chicken and Vegetables. Roast your favorite cuts of chicken with some onion, celery and your favorite root vegetables. Throw it all together on a baking sheet for a simply delicious dinner.
2. Antipasti Penne. Combine the first items that you’d reach for on an appetizer plate with a simple tomato sauce. Stir in cooked and drained penne, and enjoy this twist on an appetizer pasta.
3. Vegetarian Tortilla Casserole. A meatless meal with many layers. Stack tortillas, tomatoes, spinach and salsa with layers of cheese.
4. Breaded Pork Chops With Apple-Cabbage Slaw. Juicy pork chops with a crunchy breading need a crunchy slaw to match. Herbs and a flavorful sauce make this meal a perfect plate.
5. Bacon and Broccoli Rice Bowl. Rice is a great canvas for all kinds of nutritious combos. Wake up and smell the eggs and bacon. Then eat your veggies for a full brunch experience.
6. Beefy Stuffed Sweet Potato. A smart spin on a classic meal. A nutritious sweet potato is the main act here. Make an easy ground beef filling and quick veggie side to complete the meal.
7. Bean, Kale and Egg Stew. Kale can be delicious when cooked. Throw it in a bowl of cooked beans topped with an egg. Cheesy toast is perfect for dipping and savoring your last few bites.
8. Chicken, Pepper and Corn Stir-Fry. Stir-fry is a healthy balance of meat and colorful veggies cooked together in a wok or skillet. Serve with rice for a well-balanced dinner option.
9. Spicy Fish and Olive Spaghetti. If you aren’t afraid of spice and garlic breath, try this! Flavorful pieces of tilapia on top of a simple tomato sauce and some pasta make an impressive dish in just a few minutes.
10. Grains With Chicken and Lentils. Leftover rotisserie chicken completes this flavorful dinner of plant protein, green beans and browned onions. Almonds and some Greek yogurt are just the cherries on top.

Source

School can be hard for students with special needs. That’s why CMS Health Plan is here to help you work with your child’s school to get the support they need. 

Say, for example, that your child needs extra time on tests. Maybe they need more breaks, special seating or an aide that helps them throughout the day. These types of changes to the typical school setting are called accommodations. 

CMS Health Plan school liaisons can work with you and your child’s school to have accommodations put in place that make learning easier. The accommodations a child receives depends on their personal needs. 

Contact your child’s Care Manager for a referral to the school liaison program. See other school resources.

Brave Health is a great option if your teenage child needs mental health support but doesn’t want to go to the doctor. They can use it to access therapy, psychiatry and medication management* services virtually, from the comfort of home.

Brave also provides:

• 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

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 bebravehealth.com.

See other telehealth options for CMS Health Plan members. Use the Find-A-Provider tool to search for more providers.

*Brave Health does not prescribe stimulants or psychotropics.

Obesity is when the body has too much body fat, or when being overweight increases the chance of serious health problems, like heart disease or diabetes.

About 1 in 5 children in the U.S. are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is mostly due to unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. Read on for tips on how to help your child keep a healthy weight. Try including the whole family.

Nutrition

• Pack meals with protein and vegetables
• Drink water over soda or juice
• Pick low-sugar snacks, like fresh fruit, nuts or baked chips
• Teach your child about how healthy foods fuel their body

Movement

• Any movement is better than no movement, even a quick walk around the block
• Search for easy workout videos on YouTube that you can do together
• Limit sedentary activities that require no movement, like watching tv or playing video games
• Aim for at least 60 minutes of exercise a day

Weight Loss Coaching: Members ages 10 and up who pledge to lose weight within 30 days and complete six coaching sessions within six months earn $<20> in rewards. Ask their Care Manager for details.

Grocery Assistance: Your child’s expanded benefits include $75 per quarter for healthy food items from Walmart. Ask their Care Manager for details.

Source