From noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, located at 4958 Ribble Road, MHS’ Healthy Lifestyles event will offer blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings. All screenings, in addition to an array of health- and wellness-related educational information, will be offered at no cost to those who attend.

“The screenings we will be offering are critically important as part of taking charge of overall healthcare maintenance and routine,” said MHS CEO Patrick Rooney. “MHS encourages everyone to have these screenings performed annually and take the necessary steps with their primary healthcare provider to treat any conditions needing attention or management.”

MHS staff will be available Sunday to provide information about the Hoosier Healthwise program, a healthcare program available to Indiana residents throughout the state. MHS will also be coordinating health-related giveaways for attendees of all ages throughout the event.

From 9 a.m. to noon at Methodist Hospital Southlake, located at 101 E. 87th Ave. in Merrillville, MHS plan members ages 40-69 who have not received a mammogram in the last 12 months can undergo a free screening by hospital staff.

Appointments are required as no walk-ins are accepted. MHS is also offering complimentary transportation for members if needed.

Eligible MHS members who complete a mammogram screening Saturday will receive $20 in credits on their CentAccount debit card to use on approved health-related items and at www.diapers.com for diapers, bottles and other approved baby-care items. If members follow-up with their primary care physician to get the results of their mammogram and undergo an annual cervical cancer and Chlamydia screening, they can earn additional CentAccount credits worth up to $40.

MHS will also be providing general women’s health information, smoking cessation materials, a breast exam shower hanger with information in both English and Spanish about how to conduct a self exam and complimentary health consultations. Light snacks will be provided.

MHS was the second of seven stops in the day-long pick-up and delivery of much needed items for the non-profit. Kirsten began her day accepting donations from RJE Business Interiors, a full-service furniture and design company located in downtown Indianapolis. RJE Business Interiors donated office furniture, desks, chairs, bookcases and a dining room table. Other donations for Project Home Indy included new baby cribs from Plews Shadley Racher and Braun, and smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a $2,500 gift card from The Home Depot.

“MHS admires the dedication and efforts of Tim Malcolm and Kirsten L’Orange of The Civics Projects and is grateful for the opportunity to support their initiative and assist Project Home Indy,” said MHS President and CEO Patrick Rooney. “Project Home Indy is an incredible venture to provide critically needed programs and services to pregnant teenagers and teenagers with babies and we at MHS are excited to support its cause.”

More About Project Home Indy…
Project Home Indy is an Indianapolis-based, non-profit organization that provides a nurturing residential environment that assists homeless teenage girls who are pregnant or parenting in building self-sufficiency. The organization creates opportunities to expand life skills, access healthcare and realize greater educational success. This summer, the organization began renovation on a historic home located on the campus of Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 32 E. 32nd St., to begin providing living arrangements for families later this year.

To learn more about the travels of Malcolm and L’Orange during their 50-day, 50-state journey for The Civics Projects, visit www.thecivicprojects.org.

Click on a thumbnail to view the full-size image in a new window.
Project Home Indy Employee Donation, Thursday, January 28, 2010

View more images on our event images page!

MHS Letter to PMPs (PDF)
IHCP Provider Monthly News – RCP Article (PDF)
MHS RCP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Providers

You can also find information about the RCP in our most recent Provider Newsletters:
Provider Watch January 2010
The Communicator Winter 2010

We know that in a busy office some visits may appear to be rushed or hurried to a patient. Sometimes patients may appear to understand your advice but not actually comprehend it. Here are a few proven tips that we’d like to share with you. They are taken from the article, “Improving Patient Communication in No Time”, published in Family Practice Management.

• Don’t omit the pleasantries. Smile, say hello, and sit down.
• Don’t appear rushed, even if you are. Don’t look at your watch and keep both hands off the door knob.
• Keep conversations on track. Gently guide the member back to the health matter at hand.
• Communicate with a dual purpose. When asking a patient about his or her children, also ask if they are current on their immunizations.
• Listen without interrupting. Studies show a doctor interrupts every 18 seconds. Allowing the patient to speak for three to four minutes without interruption will yield 90 percent of the reason for the visit.
• Relate with your eyes. Don’t stare at a chart or computer screen. Engage with the member.
• Manage patient expectations. Explain to patients what is realistic and discuss any expectations you have of them.
• Educate your patients at a level they can understand. One way to provide more information to your patients without a larger time commitment is to integrate patient education materials into the office visit and have a staff member go over it with them. Ensure patients have a clear understanding of any next steps before they leave the office. Ask them to recite any directions back to you to be sure the member comprehends.
• Make an extra effort to build trust. If you tell the patient you are going to call with lab results, make certain that you do just that. Doing this the first time will show your patients they can count on you.
• Empower your patients. Use a participatory model of care (i.e., the doctor serves as educator, shares in decision making and encourages patients to participate in their care).

Source: “Improving Patient Communication in No Time.” Family Practice Management, 1999, May;6(5):23–8.

Effective December 31, 2009 the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning will assume responsibility for the administration of the Hoosier Healthwise managed care organizations and Healthy Indiana Plan pharmacy benefits. Hewlett Packard (HP – formerly EDS) will process all outpatient pharmacy claims and manage pharmaceutical services for drugs and some drug-related medical supplies and medical devices provided by enrolled Indiana Health Coverage Programs pharmacy or durable medical equipment providers.

IHCP Provider Bulletin BT200948
MHS Pharmacy Benefit Changes Fax Blast (PDF)

Provider Manual and Quick Reference Guide
New versions of the MHS Provider Manual and Quick Reference Guide (QRG) effective 12/31/09, have been uploaded.
MHS Provider Manual
Chapter 8: Pharmacy has been replaced with Chapter 9 from the IHCP Provider Manual.
MHS Provider Quick Reference Guide

Pharmacy Preferred Drug List and Forms
Pharmacy manuals and forms are now located at the Indiana Medicaid and Indiana Pharmacy Benefits management Web sites.
Indiana Medicaid Preferred Drug List
Indiana Medicaid Pharmacy Forms

In response, MHS has prepared and released a clarifying letter to Indiana hospitals:

Letter to Indiana Hospitals (PDF)

Any questions should be directed to your MHS Provider Relations Specialist at (877) 647-4848.

The results of the third quarter key provider-related questions reflected:

• •68% of MHS members are “very happy” with their MHS doctor
• •18% percent reported being “somewhat happy” with their doctor
• •36% reported using tobacco
• •43% of those who indicated current tobacco use reported being advised by their doctor to stop tobacco use or receiving information regarding cessation of tobacco use.

There are opportunities for doctors to improve patient perceptions of care received. In addition, there are opportunities to increase efforts to discuss tobacco cessation with members and offer counseling or medication options to assist members who want to quit. MHS recommends referring these members to the Indiana Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. www.indianatobaccoquitline.net/

The survey also presented members with multiple choice questions and allowed for free-form comments. Overall, member comments were positive regarding relationships with their MHS doctors and the care they receive.

When asked what aspect of their relationship with their MHS doctor members most wanted improved, the most common response was shorter wait times in doctor’s offices during an appointment and shorter timeframes to see the doctor when scheduling appointments.

As a reminder, we ask MHS doctors to schedule appointments within the Indiana Medicaid programs’ guidelines, based on the patient’s medical condition, as listed below:

MHS thanks you for your efforts to provide quality care to MHS members. Together, we can continue to improve the health of Hoosiers. If you have any questions or comments regarding the above appointment standards, please contact your MHS Provider Relations Specialist, or call us at (877) 647-4848.

Updated 12/22/09

Pharmacy program changes for Hoosier Healthwise (PDF)

Article from the Fall 2009 Provider Report, Cenpatico Quarterly Newsletter:
Provider Report Fall 2009
www.cenpatico.com