The Nurse Advice Line is here to help El Paso Health has a 24-hour Nurse Advice Line for all members. A registered nurse can help answer your health and medical questions and instruct you on where to go for care. Our nurses are bilingual and can help you in English or Spanish or arrange for translation services. Experienced nurses are ready and waiting to help. Call anytime, day or night, 365 days a year: 1-844-549-2826. Examples of questions the Nurse Advice Line can help answer: ■“My legs are swollen. What should I do?” ■“I have a fever. Do I need to go to urgent care or the ER?” ■“My stomach really hurts. What medicine can I take?” For life- or limb-threatening emergencies, always call 911. For mental health emergencies or suicidal thoughts, call 988 to speak with a trained counselor from the national 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Salem, OR Permit No. 86 El Paso Health PO Box 971100 El Paso, TX 79997-1100 Winter • 2025
Call us if you have questions As a STAR+PLUS member, you can call us with questions you have about our plan and your benefits. Call Member Services at 1-833-742-3127, option 2, then option 2 again, for help with: ■Primary Care Provider changes. ■Replacement ID cards. ■Questions on Medicaidcovered services. ■Transportation for medical appointments. Call Service Coordination at 1-833-742-3127, option 2 and then option 1, for help with: ■Speaking to your Service Coordinator. ■Questions about your LTSS benefits, which include: ■Personal assistance services. ■Day activity and health services. ■Respite. Your Service Coordinator can tell you which LTSS benefits you qualify for. Call the Behavioral Crisis Line at 1-877-377-2950 to speak to someone for mental health needs. Call the Nurse Hotline at 1-844-549-2826 if you don’t feel well but don’t know if you should go to the emergency room or wait to see your doctor. We are here to help. Thank you for choosing El Paso Health. Fighting hunger and obesity with the Food FARMacy program With two-thirds of El Paso’s population being overweight or obese, health issues like diabetes and heart disease are becoming more common. Many doctors also feel they don’t have enough training to talk about nutrition with their patients. Thankfully, 2 local nonprofit organizations—El Pasoans Fighting Hunger and El Paso Health—have teamed up to offer a helpful program to fight these problems. The Food FARMacy program, run by El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, has already helped over 300 people. It provides free, healthy food and teaches participants how to manage health conditions caused by poor diet. To take part, members must meet certain requirements, as the program is designed to assist those who are truly in need. The goal is to prevent illnesses by offering the tools and information needed to make better food choices. People learn about portion control, balanced meals, and how important good nutrition is for their health. Jorge Guzman, MD, Chief Medical Officer at El Paso Health, says, “Our support for the Food FARMacy shows our commitment to the health of all El Pasoans.” This program gives members a chance to improve their nutrition and overall health. If you or someone you know meets the requirements and is struggling with a diet-related health issue, you can refer them to the Food FARMacy. For more information, contact Louie Salazar at 915-213-2941 or email lsalazar@epfhfb.org. 2 resources
EL PASO HEALTH STAR+PLUS ValueAdded Services for 2024 Did you know that as a STAR+PLUS member with El Paso Health you are eligible for ValueAdded Services? These ValueAdded Services may include additional resources like transportation, dental care, vision services, or wellness programs. They improve the quality of your overall healthcare experience and support your well-being beyond standard Medicaid benefits. These services can assist you with things such as: ■Getting a ride to your appointments and health education classes or any other locations that may not be covered under the non-emergency medical transportation benefit. ■Extra vision service allowances. ■Discount pharmacy / overthe-counter benefits up to $140 once a year: $35 gift card every 3 months for over-the-counter medications and other healthrelated supplies not covered by Medicaid. ■$25 gift program for completing the following preventive screenings: ■Your annual wellness exam each year. ■Receiving the annual flu and COVID-19 vaccine. ■A follow-up doctor visit within 30 days of getting out of the hospital once per year. ■HbA1c blood test each year. ■Diabetes eye exam. ■Cervical cancer screening once every 3 years (for female members ages 21 to 64). ■A doctor follow-up visit within 30 days of hospital discharge for a mental illness. To find out more about these benefits, visit our website at www.elpasohealth.com or call us at 915-532-3778. (Restrictions and limitations may apply.) 3 resources
Have you ever asked yourself: Should I go to my doctor or to the emergency room (ER)? Unless it’s an emergency, your family doctor is often the best bet. Here are a few reasons why: Your doctor knows you. This means they understand your health. Knowing your history helps them recommend the best care for you. Your doctor is highly trained. They can help with a wide range of health issues. These include common things like stomach bugs or aches and pains. They can also help with long-term issues, like asthma or diabetes. Preventive care can help you avoid new problems. Your doctor can help you get the tests and shots you need to stay well. Office visits cost less. A trip to the ER can be pricey. Seeing your doctor is a less expensive way to stay well. If it’s a true emergency, call 911 or go to the ER. They’re best able to handle severe or life-threatening problems there. Otherwise, call your doctor first. It’s a smart way to stay well. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American College of Emergency Physicians; HealthCare.gov 4 reasons to see your family doctor first 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. 2024 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. EPHSPM10012410-EPH-SPM-Winter 2025 Member Newsletter family health
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