Posts Tagged ‘Hoosier Healthwise’

An innovative in-person education network is now live for those Indiana families who are members of Managed Health Services (MHS).

The MHS Family Education Network (FEN) is a partnership between MHS and the Indiana Minority Health Coalition (IMHC) and the organization’s 25 local minority health coalitions serving 29 counties across the State of Indiana. The FEN is now available in the following five Indiana counties: Marion, Lake, Elkhart, Vanderburgh and St. Joseph. The FEN will continue to grow, and additional counties will be added as the program develops.

The FEN works to provide specialized education to Hoosier Healthwise and Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) members on a variety of topics, such as the scope of health plan benefits, how to access care, as well as an overview of MHS programs and members’ rights and responsibilities.

Comprising the Network are staff designated by IMHC and trained to develop in-depth knowledge of the Hoosier Healthwise program and Healthy Indiana Plan, including but not limited to overall program benefits, choosing a PMP and the importance of preventative services and building a medical home. The Network team works with individual members and groups to help clarify how plans work, how to take full advantage of plan benefits and how members can meet the plan’s financial, healthy behavior and personal responsibility requirements.

MHS will first direct its members to the IMHC corporate offices in Indianapolis, who will then assign each member to the appropriate IMHC local office to schedule and conduct the education and assistance sessions.

Indiana families enrolled in the state’s Hoosier Healthwise and Healthy Indiana Plan healthcare plans through Managed Health Services (MHS) can now consult an independent advisor to help them navigate through their family’s healthcare needs at no charge.

Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI) now acts as a third-party client advocate – or ombudsman – for MHS plan members. In this role, MHAI will provide information, guidance and support for MHS plan members and help them resolve any concerns they may have with MHS, its services or network of primary care providers or the Medicaid system in general.

“Our goal with this new ombudsman program is to provide our members with free and easy access to a trusted, non-profit organization that will assist them with all their needs,” said MHS CEO Patrick Rooney.

“MHAI will help MHS members complete forms, help with health system navigation or any other assistance that they may need,” said Stephen C. McCaffrey, president and CEO of Mental Health America of Indiana. “MHAI will also investigate any complaints that may arise as an independent party for positive resolution. We look forward to beginning our partnership with MHS and its members.”

This program is a free service MHS plan members throughout Indiana may utilize. MHS members are not required to consult an ombudsman. MHS members who’d like to speak to an ombudsman regarding their family healthcare needs through the plan should call (877) 647-5326. Members can also call MHS Member Services directly to discuss any needs at (877) 647-4848.

The Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) has named Managed Health Services (MHS) its 2010 “Corporate Partner of the Year.”

The award recognizes an IPHCA Corporate Partner that has demonstrated a strong commitment to IPHCA’s mission and vision in the following ways: participating in collaborative efforts to help high-risk populations in Indiana; fostering advocacy on behalf of access to primary care for high-risk populations in Indiana; or by providing significant resources for the work of IPHCA or an IPHCA member Community Health Center.

MHS works in partnership with community health centers on innovative outreach programs across the state to increase access to primary care for Indiana families enrolled in the state’s Hoosier Healthwise and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and, beginning in January 2011, the Healthy Indiana Plan. For example, MHS brings patients and doctors together through the “Health Check Health Day” program, designed to encourage and support the “medical home” and foster the primary care-patient relationship.

“We are pleased to announce MHS as our 2010 Corporate Partner of the Year”, said Phil Morphew, CEO of IPHCA. “MHS has proven itself to be a true partner to community health centers throughout Indiana, and we are looking forward to continuing and building on our long relationship of serving the health care needs of Hoosiers.”

“It’s truly an honor to win this award, especially because it highlights the strong partnership MHS enjoys with the community-based health centers IPHCA represents,” said MHS CEO Patrick Rooney. “It’s this partnership that empowers our members to positively impact their health. It also allows MHS to reach out to the community at large through health fairs, health education events, local community health center sponsorships and other important community initiatives.”

As part of a year-long celebration recognizing 15 years of meeting the healthcare needs of Indiana Hoosier Healthwise program participants, Managed Health Services is embarking on a new, statewide initiative that encourages Hoosiers to follow 15 basic healthy-living tips to improve their personal health.

The “15 Ways to Live a Healthy Life” initiative focuses on these 15 basic healthy-living recommendations:

1. Get regular physical and dental check ups.
2. Make sure immunizations are current for yourself and your entire family.
3. Eat well-balanced meals with whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
4. Get plenty of exercise, at least 30 minutes a day five days a week.
5. Get an annual flu shot.
6. Drink plenty of water.
7. Wear a seat belt when driving and as a passenger in a car.
8. Use sunscreen when out in the sun.
9. Manage stress and take time to laugh.
10. Create a home safety and exit plan in the event disaster strikes.
11. Learn CPR and First Aid.
12. Secure guns and bullets in a locked, safe place to keep them away from minors.
13. Wear a bicycle helmet when riding no matter what age you are.
14. Get fresh air daily, even in the cold winter months.
15. Limit fat, sugar and extra calories in your diet.

“This new campaign carries a very critical message, which is by following these 15 basic health-related recommendations, one can immediately improve their state of health and encourage their families and friends to do the same,” said MHS President and CEO Patrick Rooney. “These live-healthy tips are relevant in the lives of men, women and children of all ages throughout our state. By utilizing our staff, network of physicians, community partners and members themselves, MHS looks forward to sharing these important tips and helping Hoosiers live healthier lives during our 15-year celebration and beyond.”

The “15 Ways to Live a Healthy Life” recommendations will be communicated to MHS members and the community at-large through community events, on the MHS Web site, and by billboards encouraging healthy lifestyle activities such as playing soccer and baseball.

MHS is headquartered in Indianapolis in the Landmark Center at 1099 N. Meridian St. MHS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of St. Louis-based Centene Corp., a leading, multi-line healthcare enterprise that offers both core Medicaid and specialty services.

Free back-to-school supplies are being offered at two Indianapolis locations on Saturday (Aug. 1) thanks to communitywide sponsorships by MHS, one of the state’s leading health plan providers.

One event is being held in the parking lot of the Marion County Health Department at 3838 North Rural Street. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., school-age children can obtain some items they’ll need once classes start in just weeks. Student-athletes can also have their physicals completed at the event. Parents can purchase copies of their children’s birth certificates for a small fee with a valid ID. Free health screenings and immunizations will be offered and there’ll also be games and activities to keep young children entertained.

The other event is at the Martin Luther King Center at 40 West 40th Street. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free back packs, school supplies and more will be available for area families while they last. Parents can take advantage of free glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings offered at the event through a partnership between MHS and Ivy Tech Community College.

At both events, MHS mascot RosieRoo will be present giving high fives and encouraging children to live active, healthy lives. Check out more about RosieRoo and other “Just for Kids” cool things on the MHS Web site.