Molina Health Care - Your extended Family

Measles is a serious disease that produces a rash and high fever, may cause diarrhea and lung infection, and can even affect the brain.

• As of February 11, 2019, 53 people have been diagnosed with measles in Clark County. Reports show that 47 of these were not vaccinated.
• As of February 11, 2019, one case of measles has been reported in King County, in someone who may have been exposed to the disease in Vancouver, Washington.

No virus spreads more easily as measles.
You can contract measles from an infected person who sneezes, coughs or even breathes near you. Children under five, adults over 20, pregnant women and people in poor health are at the highest risk of experiencing serious problems with the measles.

Stay safe. Get vaccinated now.
No matter where in Washington you live, it’s not too late to get your measles shot. Call your provider to ask about who in your family should get the vaccine.

Think you may have the measles?
If you have a rash but aren’t sure if you have the measles, please take one of these actions:

• Contact Molina Virtual Urgent Care at wavirtualcare.molinahealthcare.com or (844) 870-6821, TTY 711. This is free.* Talk to a doctor or nurse practitioner from your home, 24/7. No appointment is needed. Connect by 2-way video chat on your smartphone, tablet or computer. A virtual care provider can determine if you have signs of the measles.
• Call your primary care provider to schedule an appointment or go to an urgent care walk-in clinic. Please call before going so that other people in the waiting room are not exposed to you, in case you do have the measles.

To learn more about the measles and the outbreak in Washington, please visit:

• Washington State Department of Health website
• Clark County Public Health website
• King County Public Health website

*Virtual Care is free to Molina Apple Health (Medicaid) members in Washington State. The service is offered by contracted providers. Rates for internet and cell phone use may apply.

As many people are spending more time outside to enjoy the warm weather, it’s important to be mindful of harmful radiation that can cause skin cancer. 

What is skin cancer?

In the United States, more than one million people are diagnosed with a form of skin cancer each year. Skin cancer generally takes place when abnormal cells multiply in the outer layer of skin (epidermis) or when abnormal cells from the epidermis invade the inner layer of skin (dermis). There are two major categories: non-melanoma skin cancers and melanoma. Melanoma is fast-spreading and the most severe of skin cancers.

Melanoma mainly develops in sun exposed areas, including the scalp, face, neck, arms, hands, lips and ears, but it can form in other areas, too.

Causes

Most skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet (UV) light emitted naturally by the sun’s powerful rays and from tanning beds and sunlamps. Other causes include exposure to toxic substances such as arsenic.

Symptoms

Although symptoms vary depending on the type of skin cancer, look for these warning signs:

• New moles.
• Moles that increases in size.
• An outline of a mole that becomes notched.
• A spot that changes color from brown to black or is varied.
• A spot that becomes raised or develops a lump within it.

If you notice any changes to your skin, be sure to inform your doctor immediately.

Prevention Tips

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Make sure to protect yourself with the following suggestions:

• Stay indoors or in areas with shade during the sun’s peak hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This time frame is when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Use broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher when outdoors. Make sure to reapply every two hours or after swimming.
• Cover your skin with loose clothing, sunglasses and a hat. In addition to skin cancer, UV radiation can cause severe damage to your eyes.
• Avoid indoor tanning and exposure to harmful substances and chemicals.
• Pay attention to your body and monitor any changes in your skin. Visit your physician for an annual skin exam.

Treatment

If found early, melanoma can be treated effectively. Most non-melanoma cancers can be cured if detected and treated early.

Sources Used:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• WebMD
• Mayo Clinic
• American Cancer Society
• National Institute on Aging
• Cancer Council Australia

Recently, Ohio released the new state budget, which allocates nearly $140 million to reducing infant mortality, defined as the death of an infant before his or her first birthday. This commitment is especially encouraging because Ohio’s sleep-related infant deaths have dropped since 2015—a reduction that corresponds with intensive state and local initiatives promoting safe sleep practices. In other words, we’ve seen that using our resources to educate parents about infant mortality is an effective way to address the issue.

Now the state is putting methods in place to help reduce rates of other measures that have an impact on infant mortality including preterm birth, too-short intervals between births, smoking during pregnancy and birth defects—as well as expanding safe sleep promotion.

The following measures are proving successful here in Ohio, and may help you save the lives of more babies in your state, as well.

Preventing premature birth

• Progesterone is a hormone medication that can reduce the likelihood of pre-term delivery in at-risk women. In Ohio, we are working with a group or professionals comprised of perinatal clinicians, hospital personnel and government representatives to provide progesterone in high-risk communities. Specifically, managed care plan efforts, in partnership with Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative (OPQC) provider partner sites, resulted in an estimated average of 94 fewer births per year of infants born before 32 weeks of gestation in Ohio. Through this program, Molina also saw an average pregnancy gain of 4.5 weeks compared to patient’s most recent preterm delivery.

• Longer birth intervals of at least 18 months between deliveries allow a women’s body to fully recover, and reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. To promote longer birth intervals, we’re working to provide greater access to family planning and long-acting reversible contraceptives.

• Discouraging smoking—Because smoking increases the risk of preterm birth and low weight, the state is expanding publically-funded promotion of an evidence-based smoking cessation model, and awareness campaigns including “Baby and Me—Tobacco Free.”

• Prenatal Care—Ohio is leveraging federal grants to expand local voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services in areas with the highest infant mortality rates, to educate pregnant women about maternity care and parents about baby care.

• Recommending against medically unnecessary initiation of labor —the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative works to ensure that initiation of labor and caesarian section are pursued only when medically indicated.

Safe Sleep Practices

• Safe Sleep Screening—Ohio law requires birthing centers and maternity units to assess whether newborns will have a safe sleep environment before they are discharged to go home.

• Cribs for Kids®—For families unable to afford a safe crib, the state funds a network of local partners that provide a Graco® Pack ‘N Play for their newborn.

ABC’s of safe sleep—The state is relaunching a public awareness campaign that reminds parents to place babies Alone, on their Back, in a Crib, because babies who sleep on couches, in bed with others, or on their stomachs are more likely to die from an unexpected sudden cause.

• OB/GYN Toolkit—To insure patients get as much information as possible about keeping newborns safe, our Safe Sleep Subcommittee is putting together a toolkit for OBs, gynecologists, nurse midwives and lactation consultants to address safe sleep and educate their patients.

Community Partnerships

As part of the SFY 2016-17 biennial budget process, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) –in partnership with Managed Care plans – invested $26.8 million over two years to support community-driven proposals to combat infant mortality at the local level and enhance coordination among various agencies that provide care for women and infants at risk. Funding was awarded to community organizations located in areas of the state with the highest infant mortality rates. Initiatives included focused efforts on home-visiting, faith-based community support, fatherhood initiatives, centering, mental health and addiction, cultural competency training, and community health workers.

The same level of funding for these community efforts were also provided as part of the SFY 2018-19 biennial budget process.

Molina Healthcare is very invested in lowering the infant mortality rate and we are grateful for Ohio’s leadership in taking on this issue, and that these measures will make a difference. Here’s hoping every baby boy and girl gets a chance to celebrate their first birthday! ​​

It’s a familiar feeling: you want to be in better shape and have more energy. But depriving yourself of your favorite foods is no fun. And getting yourself to exercise when you’re tired—it’s tough every day. So why is it that some people can keep off the extra weight, and squeeze in those regular workouts? What’s their secret?

It could be the way they LOOK at eating right and staying active. Think of it this way: eating healthy is a gift you give to yourself. Exercising is self-care. You deserve to be taken care of, and you’re the perfect person for the job. Anytime you have trouble staying on track, remind yourself that this simple shift in perception can help you reach your goals of living, looking and feeling your best.

Below, we’ve got more tips to help you give yourself the gift of a healthier you.

• Focus on the deliciousness of healthy foods: If you’re having trouble staying on your healthy-eating diet, shift your mindset. Instead of letting yourself feel deprived, put it in your head that you’re indulging in delicious treats! A study that offered vegetables on a menu that described them with adjectives usually used for unhealthy foods (like “slow roasted,” “rich,” and “carmelized”) increased the consumption of vegetables by 41% over those described by the standard health-oriented adjectives.¹


• Think yourself healthier, literally: Just believing you are physically active, as opposed to thinking you are lazy and don’t exercise enough—this can improve your health. In fact, a recent study showed that people who thought of themselves as less active than others had a mortality risk up to 72% higher 21 years later than people who perceived themselves as more active, controlling for actual levels of physical activity. ². So to magnify the benefits of exercise, be sure to think of yourself as an active, healthy person.


• Drink lots of water: Everyone has heard the advice, "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.” It’s something simple you can do that really works. Why? Because drinking water can boost your metabolism, which helps your body burn calories faster. Try drinking water right before a meal and you may also eat less.


• Keep track of what you eat: The more you can count calories and pay attention to every snack and meal, the less likely you are to overeat. There are many ways to do this: keep a food diary, get a diet buddy and check in with them over what you eat, take pictures of everything, or use one of many smartphone apps—whatever works for you. Keeping a food journal not only helps a person lose weight but also helps them keep it off! Seeing the caloric content of your diet can influence your food choices and keep you on the right track.


• Reward yourself for doing the right thing: Choose the right kind of reward, in an amount that makes sense. If you’ve lost a lot of weight, you might want to give yourself a non-food-related prize, like a massage, new workout clothes, or a trip to the movies. Also, to keep yourself from feeling deprived, you can give yourself a LITTLE treat to eat. Just don’t go overboard. Try cheating on your diet once a week, as opposed to all weekend long. And don’t beat yourself up if you slip up. Everyone makes mistakes. Just remind yourself of everything you’ve done well and encourage yourself to get back on track.

1. Association Between Indulgent Descriptions and Vegetable Consumption: Twisted Carrots and Dynamite Beets. Bradley P. Turnwald, MS, Danielle Z. Boles, BA, Alia J. Crum, PhD

2. Health Psychology, Perceived Physical Activity and Mortality: Evidence From Three Nationally Representative U.S. Samples. Octavia H. Zahrt and Alia J. Crum. Online First Publication, July 20, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hea0000531

Shopping for health insurance is a daunting task, and with the Affordable Care Act in place, consumers have more options to choose from than ever before. Did you know that in some markets there are as many as 50 choices?

Finding the right health plan for your needs doesn’t have to be confusing. Start by answering these five questions to help guide your search for the perfect plan!

1. Are you looking for health insurance for the first time or do you have a health plan you could renew?

If you are looking for health insurance for the first time, you need to decide what is most important to you. Is it low monthly costs, generous coverage with low co-pays, or the ability to see specialists without a referral? Set your priorities before you shop to help make your search more streamlined.

If you were part of a plan in 2017, you’ll need to decide whether to keep your plan or elect a new one, based whether the plan details have changed and whether your old plan still suits your needs.

2. How much coverage do you need?

The answer here is based on your general health, and that of those who depend on you. How often did you or your family members visit the doctor last year? The answer to that question is a good indicator of what to expect in the next year unless something has changed. No one can predict the future, but if you have been generally healthy, there’s no reason to expect that will change suddenly, and you can probably choose a plan with low premiums and less coverage.

3. What kind of plan do you want?

Consumers have several choices when shopping for health insurance, but there are three major types of plans. HMOs are also called “managed care” – this option will usually offer a small group of doctors to choose from, and your primary care doctor will act as your first point of entry for all health services, referring you to other doctors as needed. A PPO, on the other hand—preferred provider organization—usually offers a network of providers who you may see without a referral from your primary care provider. The PPO option generally carries higher premiums and is more expensive overall.

4. How will your plan handle emergency care?

This is a key question for anyone electing new insurance. Though no one can plan for an emergency, you want to be sure you’re covered if you or someone in your family needs immediate care. Before you choose a health plan, check to make sure your choice includes emergency visits, ambulance rides, hospital stays and procedures such as X-rays and MRIs.

5. Do you have, or are you planning to have, children this year?

Young children tend to get sick more often than healthy adults, simply because their immune systems aren’t fully developed and they are exposed to lots of germs at school. Make sure your plan covers both sick and well-child visits and the cost of needed vaccinations.

If you are considering expanding your family, you will want to consider a few other things when shopping for your health plan. Check to make sure that pre and post-natal care are offered and included in your coverage, and ensure that once your new family member arrives, your plan will cover his or her needs as well. Even healthy babies spend a lot of time visiting the doctor during their first years!

Shopping for health insurance can be a daunting task, whether you’re looking at the marketplace or selecting from employer offerings. Keeping these five questions in mind when you shop will keep you on the right path toward finding the perfect plan for you and your family! ​