Spring • 2026 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Salem, OR Permit No. 86 El Paso Health PO Box 971100 El Paso, TX 79997-1100 Why should you see your doctor after a hospital stay? Seeing your doctor after you leave the hospital is very important. It helps you adjust to being back at home, school, or work. It also helps make sure the progress you made in the hospital is not lost. A follow-up visit lets your doctor or therapist check how you are doing. They can look for early signs of new symptoms or problems with your medicine. These visits show that your care is continuing. Why is a follow-up visit important? 1. You can talk about how you have been feeling and whether your medicines need to be changed. 2. Your doctor can help you find the right therapist or support group. They can suggest programs that fit your needs. 3. Regular visits help your doctor see how you are improving. 4. If you have side effects or worries about your treatment, this is a good time to talk about them. Tips for your visit ■Before the visit, write down any questions or concerns you have. ■Bring a family member or friend for support if you want. ■Be honest about how you’re feeling. El Paso Health has a crisis line open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained staff member is always ready to help. If you need help, call the toll-free crisis line at 1-877-377-2950.
2 wellness Adult Protective Services (APS) is a program that helps keep older adults and adults with disabilities safe. APS will investigate abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of adults who are elderly or have disabilities. Abuse can include hitting, yelling, or taking someone’s money without their permission. Adults who need support may get shortterm help with shelter, home repairs, food, money management, and mental health services. If you or someone you know has been abused, you can report it to APS. You can call Texas APS at 1-800-252-5400, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 right away. Spring cleaning for your health and safety Spring in El Paso is a great time for families to come together and freshen up the home. Warmer weather and longer days make it easier to clean, organize, and make sure everyone stays safe. Avoid falls Start by asking family members to help clear walkways in the home. Pick up loose rugs, cords, or clutter that could cause trips or falls. Keeping hallways and doorways clear is especially important for loved ones who use a cane, walker, or wheelchair. Good lighting helps everyone move around safely, day or night. Organize meds Spring is also a good time for families to check medications together. Throw away expired medicines, and keep current medications in 1 safe place. If there are questions, a family member can help call the doctor or pharmacist for support. Stay safe Next, take time as a family to check safety items. Test smoke detectors, change batteries, and make sure grab bars and handrails are secure. Little steps like these can make a big difference. Opening windows on nice days lets in fresh air and helps the home feel brighter. Cleaning together helps keep loved ones safe and shows care for one another. Need help? Your Service Coordinator is available to help if you have safety concerns, need resources, or have questions about services. STAR+PLUS is here to support you and your family. Care for older adults and adults with disabilities
3 resources Why you should protect your health information It’s easy for people to find information online these days. Because of this, it’s really important to keep your health and personal information safe. The best way to do this is by knowing who should see your information and who should not. By law, only the people who are taking care of you, like doctors and nurses, should have your health information. They can only use it to help you get better. They can’t share it with anyone else unless you say it’s OK. Be careful, though, because there are people who might try to trick you into giving out your personal or health information. They want to steal your money or your identity. Use these steps to protect your information ■ Be careful on the phone. Do not give your information to anyone who calls you. ■Keep secrets secret. Never give out your Social Security number, date of birth, or bank information to someone you don’t know. ■ Throw away empty bottles. Before you throw away old medicine bottles, tear off the labels so no one can see your name or details. ■Hide your papers. Never leave doctors’ notes or insurance cards in your car or lying around where others can see them. If you feel like someone has stolen your information, you can report it to the Compliance Anonymous Reporting line by calling 1-888-310-3434.
resources ABOUT YOUR HEALTH is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of EL PASO HEALTH, 1145 Westmoreland Drive, El Paso, TX 79925, telephone 1-833-742-3127, website www.elpasohealth.com. Information in ABOUT YOUR HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health-care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2026 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. EPHSPM10872603-Spring 2026 Member Newsletter Know your rights and responsibilities Do you know what your rights and responsibilities are under your Medicaid plan? It is important to understand what you can expect from your Medicaid plan and what your plan expects from you. Knowing your rights and responsibilities helps you get the best care possible. Your rights You have certain rights as a Medicaid member. These rights help protect you and make sure you are treated well. You have the right to: ■Be treated fairly and with respect. ■Have privacy. Your medical records and talks with your doctors must be kept private. ■Be treated with dignity and without discrimination. Your responsibilities You also have responsibilities. These help you stay healthy and get the care you need. You are responsible for: ■Working with your doctor as a team to decide what care is best for you. ■Learning how your choices and actions can affect your health. ■Doing your best to stay healthy. ■Treating your doctors and staff with respect. If you do not, it may be harder to find care; doctors; or services, like transportation. ■Talking to your doctor about all the medicines you take. Want to learn more? If you want to read more about your rights, responsibilities, or benefits as an El Paso Health STAR+PLUS member, you can look at your STAR+PLUS Member Handbook or access it online at www.elpasohealth.com/ documents/starplus _member_handbook -digital.pdf. You can call Member Services Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1-833-742-3127. We are happy to have you as part of our health plan family!
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