Posts for UPHP News
Marquette, Mich. – Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) and Upper Peninsula Health Group (UPHG) today launched the “Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures” campaign for the third straight year! The goal of the campaign, which will run today through the end of September, is to promote the completion of annual well care visits and recommended immunizations for children across the Upper Peninsula. UPHP and UPHG have partnered with 15 provider practices that will also be promoting the campaign within their own offices.
Well care visits are a preventive exam that allow health care providers to regularly monitor children as they grow. In the early years, immunizations are a large part of them, along with ensuring that children are growing and developing properly, both physically and emotionally. These well care visits are important even if children appear to be healthy; if children have an underlying health issue that is not presenting any symptoms, preventive visits such as this can catch things early.
“We understand that right now, amid the pandemic, parents may be apprehensive about bringing their children to the doctor when they’re healthy,” said UPHP CEO Melissa Holmquist. “However, provider offices have instituted a number of best practices to keep their offices safe, such as increased cleaning and use of personal protective equipment, and adjusting scheduling practices so healthy children are seen in the morning, while children who are feeling unwell are seen in the afternoon. Contact your doctor’s office to learn more about their safety efforts and to schedule your child’s next preventive visit.”
Well care visits should be scheduled every year for children three through 20 years old. From birth to three years of age, children are seen more often, per the table below:
UPHP members who complete their annual well care exam throughout the duration of the campaign will be put into a drawing for a $100 gift card! If parents are unsure whether or not their child is due for a well care visit, they can:
- Call their provider office and check to see when the last well care visit was done. For UPHP members, your primary care provider and office number is listed on your member ID card. The provider office staff can check and schedule if it is needed.
- Call our office at 1-800-835-2556 (TTY: 711) to find out if their child is due for an annual well care visit (UPHP members only).
For more information on well care, visit our website at https://www.uphp.com/medicaid/healthmanagement/childrenswellness.
This story was originally published July 7, 2020, here by MediaBrew Communications.
Marquette, MI – UPHP Clinical Coordinator Chelsea Tonn, LPN, joined Mark & Walt in the Morning today for an Upper Peninsula Health Plan Update to talk about the the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Children’s Campaign.
Tonn explained the campaign is a joint effort between Upper Peninsula Health Plan and Upper Peninsula Health Group and is designed to highlight the importance of preventive care and immunizations, also called well care visits, for kids of all ages.
She said the agencies are teaming up with roughly 15 different practices across the U.P. and promoting the campaign across the region. Tonn said it will run from July 13 through September 30, and they are offering prizes for UPHP members, including drawings for gift cards, who get their well care visit done during the campaign.
Tonn said well care visits should be scheduled every year for children 3-18 years old and really every year after 18 for adults. She added that if parents don’t know whether or not their child is due for an exam there are a few things they can do:
- First, they can call their provider office and check to see when the last well care visit was done. The provider office staff can check and schedule if it is needed.
- Tonn said for UPHP members, they can also call the office and someone will be more than happy to help look into it for them.
LISTEN – Chelsea Tonn with more about the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures campaign.
Note: This press release was updated 6/11/2020 due to a change in how traffic will flow for individuals attending the fair. See the map below for details.
Marquette, Mich. – Citizens of Marquette County are invited to join Upper Peninsula Health Plan and Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions for the second annual Marquette County Community Resource Fair, taking place Friday, June 19, in Marquette. Due to the current pandemic and the need to adhere to social distancing guidelines, this year’s event will be held in a drive-through “Express Style” in the parking lot of Lakeview Arena.
Free and open to the public, the fair will connect residents with resources from local organizations that are available to assist and support their day-to-day health and social needs. Informational handouts will be distributed in tote bags, along with essential items such as thermometers, hand sanitizer, masks, and more. The Feeding America Mobile Food Truck will also be onsite again this year.
“Now more than ever, people need help,” said UPHP Chief Executive Officer Melissa Holmquist. “There are a lot of people who have lost their jobs and livelihood as a result of the pandemic, and may be unaware of the community resources available to help them. We hope this event will help make that connection, and provide people with the goods and services they need to get through this difficult time.”
Individuals planning to attend should get in line for the event by entering into the Northern Michigan University Berry Events Center parking lot via the Fair Avenue/3rd Street entrance. From there, traffic will flow through the Berry parking lot, across Pine Street, and then behind Lakeview Arena where the food truck will be parked and resource bags will be distributed. Attendees should exit the arena parking lot onto Fair Avenue. Although the drive-through method is preferred, individuals without vehicles will be allowed to walk through the event, following social distancing guidelines of maintaining a six-foot distance from others. Masks are strongly encouraged.
Additionally, several volunteers will be onsite to help direct traffic and distribute the food and resource bags, and will be taking every precaution to make this event as safe as possible.
“We understand this is not the ideal format for this event,” said Holmquist. “But, as in many other scenarios since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have had to be flexible and creative in bringing the event to the public safely, and we’re excited to still offer it, albeit in a scaled-down capacity. We look forward to helping our community.”
Event Information:
When: June 19, 2020, from noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Lakeview Arena Parking Lot
401 East Fair Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. NO REGISTRATION/TICKETS REQUIRED.
This article was originally posted here on June 2, 2020, by mediaBrew Communications.
Marquette, MI – Marlene Beaudry, Program Assistant at Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions, joined Mark & Walt in the Morning to talk about the second annual Marquette County Community Resource Fair. The event is a collaboration between Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions and Upper Peninsula Health Plan.
Beaudry explained that due to the current pandemic and the need to follow social distancing guidelines, the fair is being offered in a scaled-down, drive-through format on Friday, June 19 from Noon to 2 p.m. outside of Lakeview Arena in Marquette.
She also talked about how the need for this kind of event was identified and what items and information will be available for people who attend. Beaudry also shared details about the drive-through format and what can people expect when they arrive.
Beaudry said that there will be a lot of signage and volunteers to help direct people, but when people arrive, they should enter the Lakeview Arena parking lot from the Pine street entrance.
This story was original posted here on May 5, 2020, by mediaBrew Communications.
Marquette, MI – Janey Joffee, Assistant Director of Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions, joined Mark & Walt in the Morning this week to talk about how Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions has quickly pivoted in the wake of the COVID-19 public health crisis to best assist their hospital network and providers.
She also shared information about the Marquette County Community Resource Forum on Thursday, May 14th. Joffee said UPHCS is inviting community based organizations and present an overview of their services they provide “rapid fire style” via web and provide attendees with a quick overview of service offerings and eligibility information.
Joffee also said they are actively promoting and encouraging all to complete the 2020 Census. She explained that census data helps ensure state and local communities have the resources needed to serve area residents.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
What is Tai Chi? Tai Chi is slow movement, deep breathing, and mindfulness to help people increase strength and balance.
Benefits:
- Improve balance
- Increase muscular strength
- Improve mobility
- Increase flexibility
- Improve mental health
- Decrease pain
- Prevent falls
Currently, MSU Extension is offering online Tai Chi to keep older adults active and safe at home.
How can I join? Visit: canr.msu.edu/tai-chi-for-arthritis/
A Matter of Balance
What is A Matter of Balance? Participants learn to reduce the fear of falling, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
How can I join? Visit: canr.msu.edu/matter-of-balance/
For health care providers to refer their patients to a fall prevention program, visit: canr.msu.edu/falls-prevention/for-healthcare-providers.
Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions will hold its second annual Marquette County Community Resource Forum Thursday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to noon. This year’s theme, “Building an Informed and Resilient Community Collaborative,” speaks to the current state of our ever-changing community needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The forum will bring together community-based organizations from around the county in a virtual setting to inform one another about available resources and discuss how we can continue to work together throughout the year so we can evolve and be ready to assist our residents through the next challenges we face.
Attendees have the option to listen in only, or listen and present on your organization’s behalf.
Register to PRESENT: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L5TPPK7
- Registration will close May 12 at 5 p.m.
- Presentation order list will be made available to all presenters by May 12 to accommodate for any changes needed.
- If you register to present you do NOT have to register to attend.
- There is no video required for presenting at this event.
Register to ATTEND only: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1894267626165890317
- This link is to attend in listen only mode.
- Please share this link with anyone who may be interested, anyone who assists in connecting community members with resources; coworkers, peers, patient navigators, community health workers, care managers, care coordinators, social workers or interested community members.
- If you register to present you do NOT have to register to attend.
For questions or additional information about presenting on your organization’s behalf, please contact Claudia Chavez-Rhoades at UPHCS at CChavez@uphcs.org12
This story was originally posted here on April 7, 2020, by mediaBrew Communications:
Marquette, MI – Nicole Sandstrom, RN, Clinical Services Manager at Upper Peninsula Health Plan joined Mark & Walt in the Morning today to discuss ways individuals can boost their immune systems amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sandstrom talked about several aspects of immunity, including what the body’s immune system is and what it does. She also explained some of the key ways our bodies build immunity and what people can do to boost their immune systems naturally.
Another important piece of information she shared was what are the best things are that people can do to avoid getting sick, with COVID-19 or any virus. She also talked about the importance and role of vaccinations in maintaining and strengthening immunity.
LISTEN – Nicole Sandstrom with UPHP with more about our immunity.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
In the wake of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s March 23 Executive Order to “Stay Home, Stay Safe,” I would like to personally share how Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) will continue to serve our members, providers, and community. The order directs all Michigan citizens to stay home, except for critical work and needs, and all nonessential businesses to temporarily close.
UPHP is considered an essential business and therefore will remain operational throughout the duration of the Executive Order, which is in effect until April 13, 2020. Though our physical building is closed to visitors (with the exception of mail delivery services), the vast majority of our staff are now working remotely. Our members and provider network can rest assured that we are prepared to provide the same level of service and quality they have come to expect in our 20 years of serving the Upper Peninsula.
- Our dedicated Customer Service and Transportation teams will continue to be available by telephone during our usual business hours.
- Pharmacy services, such as filling needed prescriptions, mail orders, prior authorizations, medication therapy management, and drug management programs, will continue as usual.
- We will continue to accept, process, and pay claims submitted by our provider network.
- Enrollments and membership changes for all lines of business will be processed as usual.
- Although they can no longer do in-person visits, our care managers are still accessible to our members by phone and email.
As we move forward, we will continue to update you on our efforts and plans as they evolve. These are unprecedented times for us all, but we will get through them just as we have through other challenges we have faced – by coming together and supporting one another. Until then, stay calm, stay healthy, stay home, and know that we are here for you.
Be well,
Melissa Holmquist
Chief Executive Officer
Upper Peninsula Health Plan
Marquette, Mich. – Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) will be taking action to ensure the health and safety of our members during the worldwide outbreak of a new coronavirus. The disease caused by the new coronavirus, called COVID-19, causes symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath. The number of cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. continue to spread from state-to-state and are increasing daily.
The information below outlines coverage changes for UPHP amid the COVID-19 outbreak. These changes will take effect immediately until further notice.
Diagnostic Testing Coverage Related to COVID-19
- For all UPHP members types (which includes Medicare Advantage, MI Health Link, Medicaid, Health Michigan Plan, and Children With Special Health Care Services [CSHCS]): UPHP is waiving all costs associated with any diagnostic laboratory tests for COVID-19, when used in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) testing recommendations. This measure will ensure patient testing and ensuing care is completed in an efficient, coordinated way with specialists at every level.
- For all UPHP member types: UPHP is waiving prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and for covered services related to COVID-19 that are medically necessary and in accordance with CDC guidelines. Prior authorization is approval from a plan that is required before the plan pays for certain services, medical equipment, prescriptions.
Prescription Medication Coverage
- For UPHP MI Health Link, Medicaid, Healthy Michigan Plan, and CSHCS members: UPHP is removing the current 30-day prescription limit and allowing 90-day supplies for maintenance medications, except for Controlled Substances and Specialty Medications.
- For UPHP Medicare Advantage (UPHP Advantage and UPHP Choice) members: UPHP continues to encourage members to utilize 90-day supplies of medications at their local or mail-order pharmacies.
Telehealth Services
Individuals seeking care for mild issues other than COVID-19 should consider telehealth options in order to avoid clinics and health care facilities with COVID-19 patients. This will help to stop the spread of disease and reduce the burden on health care facilities that may be overwhelmed with patients seeking care for respiratory illness.
- For UPHP Medicare Advantage (UPHP Advantage and UPHP Choice) members: UPHP is waiving all copays for telehealth services for the next 90 days.
- For UPHP MI Health Link, Medicaid, Healthy Michigan Plan, and CSHCS members: Access to telehealth services has been expanded by the State of Michigan and will be a covered benefit until further notice.
- Note: Telehealth services must meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services guidelines, be HIPAA compliant, and be furnished by a physician or other authorized practitioner.
- All UPHP member types: A 24-hour Nurse Advice Line is available anytime of the day or night at no cost to members. This help over the phone can answer your questions regarding symptoms and help point you in the right direction for any next steps in care. If you have questions about your health, please call the 24-hour Nurse Advice Line at 1-844-411-3695.
This is situation is developing quickly and information is constantly being updated as officials learn more about the virus. We will continue to track all updates regarding the disease’s activity, symptoms, travel restrictions and risk assessments from our federal, state, and local partners. UPHP staff are working diligently to provide our members with the utmost level of care and access to services at this time. Please visit http://www.uphp.com/coronavirus for up-to-date member information or call UPHP Customer Service at 1-800-835-2556 (TTY: 711).
Upper Peninsula Health Plan currently manages the care of nearly 50,000 Upper Peninsula residents enrolled in Michigan Medicaid, Children’s Special Health Care Services, the Healthy Michigan Plan, MI Health Link, and Medicare Advantage. Its network exceeds 2,000 providers. Learn more at www.uphp.com.