Illinois Health Connect would like to congratulate the Chicago South Side Nurse-Family Partnership on the highly successful start of this initiative that works to improve the health, behavior and independence of the families involved.
The Chicago South Side NFP has filled 55 of its 100 client openings as of May 24.
NFP is an evidenced-based community health program, which focuses on intensive home visits with vulnerable mothers who are pregnant with their first child. The home visits continue though the child's second birthday as the Chicago South Side NFP provides education, support and guidance.
IHC assisted the Chicago South Side NFP with raising its profile in the South Side communities through a provider outreach campaign. We look forward to a continued partnership with the Chicago South Side NFP as well as working with other local initiatives.
The Chicago South Side NFP will host a celebratory Jazz Brunch to benefit its program on June 8. The brunch will be held at Parkway Ballroom (4455 S. King Drive). Tickets are $50. For more information, contact Shena Manning of the Young Women's Health Initiative at 773-891-2500.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
MEDI Web site now supports JAVA Version 7, Update 4
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services recently posted a notice encouraging MEDI users to update the JAVA software on their computer used to access the MEDI Web site to JAVA Version 7, Update 4.
This update is not required. MEDI supports JAVA Version 5, Update 1 through Version 7, Update 4.
To update your JAVA, follow these steps:
This update is not required. MEDI supports JAVA Version 5, Update 1 through Version 7, Update 4.
To update your JAVA, follow these steps:
- Click on "Start" (Windows start on your computer screen)
- Click on "Control Panel"
- Click on "Add/Remove Programs"
- Click on "Remove" (Remove all JAVA software; you may have more than one version currently installed).
- Download Version 7, Update 4
- Click on "Agree and Start Free Download"
- Click on "Run" to begin installation
- Close and re-open your Internet browser to complete installation
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
How to add a newborn to your medical card
If you have a baby, you will need to add your newborn to your medical card. This needs to be done so the baby can get All Kids medical benefits. There are several ways to add the newborn to your medical card.
You might be able to add your newborn to your medical card at the hospital when the baby is delivered. Not all hospitals provide this service. Ask the hospital if they can help you add your newborn to your medical card.
For clients who pay co-payments or a monthly premium, the All Kids Unit in Springfield handles your medical card. You should call the All Kids Switchboard at 1-866-255-5437 (TTY: 1-877-204-1012). All Kids will help you add your newborn to your medical card.
If you do not pay co-payments or monthly premiums, your Department of Human Services (DHS) local office/Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) handles your case. To locate your DHS office/FCRC, use the office locator on the DHS Web site. That address is www.dhs.state.il.us. At your FCRC, your caseworker can assist you in person with adding the newborn to your medical card. If you don’t know who your DHS caseworker is, call the DHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154.
All Kids Application Agents (AKAA) can also help. Go to www.allkids.com/akaa/search to find an AKAA in your area.
A child born to a mother who has an eligible medical card at the time of birth will get medical benefits. The only information needed to add newborn to medical card is child’s last name, date of birth and sex.
If the mother doesn’t have an active medical card, additional information is needed. The mother will need to show proof of application for child’s Social Security card and proof of income.
If you have more questions, call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY 1-866-565-8577). This call is free.
You might be able to add your newborn to your medical card at the hospital when the baby is delivered. Not all hospitals provide this service. Ask the hospital if they can help you add your newborn to your medical card.
For clients who pay co-payments or a monthly premium, the All Kids Unit in Springfield handles your medical card. You should call the All Kids Switchboard at 1-866-255-5437 (TTY: 1-877-204-1012). All Kids will help you add your newborn to your medical card.
If you do not pay co-payments or monthly premiums, your Department of Human Services (DHS) local office/Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) handles your case. To locate your DHS office/FCRC, use the office locator on the DHS Web site. That address is www.dhs.state.il.us. At your FCRC, your caseworker can assist you in person with adding the newborn to your medical card. If you don’t know who your DHS caseworker is, call the DHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154.
All Kids Application Agents (AKAA) can also help. Go to www.allkids.com/akaa/search to find an AKAA in your area.
A child born to a mother who has an eligible medical card at the time of birth will get medical benefits. The only information needed to add newborn to medical card is child’s last name, date of birth and sex.
If the mother doesn’t have an active medical card, additional information is needed. The mother will need to show proof of application for child’s Social Security card and proof of income.
If you have more questions, call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY 1-866-565-8577). This call is free.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Please promote Text4Baby program to expecting parents
Text4baby is a free educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition that provides pregnant women and new moms with information to help them care for their health and give their babies the best possible start in life.
Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411(or BEBE for Spanish) will receive free text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth. These messages focus on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health: immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health, birth defects prevention, oral health and safe sleep. Text4baby messages also connect women to prenatal and infant care services.
Please promote the Text4Baby program to all pregnant women and new mothers in your practice. Expecting fathers and grandparents should also be encouraged to sign up for Text4Baby.
The Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition has Text4Baby posters, tear-off pads and other promotional materials available for distribution in your office. For more information, you can call IMCHC at 312-491-8161.
Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411(or BEBE for Spanish) will receive free text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth. These messages focus on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health: immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health, birth defects prevention, oral health and safe sleep. Text4baby messages also connect women to prenatal and infant care services.
Please promote the Text4Baby program to all pregnant women and new mothers in your practice. Expecting fathers and grandparents should also be encouraged to sign up for Text4Baby.
The Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition has Text4Baby posters, tear-off pads and other promotional materials available for distribution in your office. For more information, you can call IMCHC at 312-491-8161.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
When Should I go to the Emergency Room?
You should only use the Emergency Room (ER) when there is an emergency. An emergency is a health problem that puts you in danger of death or severe harm.
How do you know when to go to the ER and when to go to your primary care provider (PCP) at your medical home? It is important to give this some thought. That way you are ready when an emergency occurs.
The first step is to make sure you know who your PCP is at your medical home. Your medical home is the place you go to see your PCP for most of your healthcare. If you don’t know who your PCP is for your medical home, call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY 1-866-565-8577). The call is free! Illinois Health Connect will give you information about your PCP or help you pick a different doctor for your PCP.
When selecting a PCP for your medical home, make sure you are comfortable with the doctor. You will also want to make sure that you are able to make appointments with your PCP at times that work for you.
The next step is to know what a medical emergency is. An emergency is a health problem that is life threatening or one that will seriously affect your health if not treated right away. Examples are chest pains, poisoning, or seizures. An emergency can be from an accident or sudden illness. If you are not sure you have an emergency, you should call your PCP first. If the problem is not serious, make an appointment to see your PCP. Only go to the Emergency Room if the problem is serious.
If you are unable to reach your PCP after hours or on 24 hours on weekends, you can call the Illinois Nurse Helpline at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY 1-866-565-8577). During the week, the Illinois Nurse Helpline is open from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. The call is free. The nurse will answer your medical questions and give you information to help you decide if you need to go to the Emergency Room or call 9-1-1 (if available in your area).
In an emergency, you can use any hospital or other emergency provider. If you need a list of emergency providers in your area, call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY: 1-866-565-8577). This call is free.
How do you know when to go to the ER and when to go to your primary care provider (PCP) at your medical home? It is important to give this some thought. That way you are ready when an emergency occurs.
The first step is to make sure you know who your PCP is at your medical home. Your medical home is the place you go to see your PCP for most of your healthcare. If you don’t know who your PCP is for your medical home, call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY 1-866-565-8577). The call is free! Illinois Health Connect will give you information about your PCP or help you pick a different doctor for your PCP.
When selecting a PCP for your medical home, make sure you are comfortable with the doctor. You will also want to make sure that you are able to make appointments with your PCP at times that work for you.
The next step is to know what a medical emergency is. An emergency is a health problem that is life threatening or one that will seriously affect your health if not treated right away. Examples are chest pains, poisoning, or seizures. An emergency can be from an accident or sudden illness. If you are not sure you have an emergency, you should call your PCP first. If the problem is not serious, make an appointment to see your PCP. Only go to the Emergency Room if the problem is serious.
If you are unable to reach your PCP after hours or on 24 hours on weekends, you can call the Illinois Nurse Helpline at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY 1-866-565-8577). During the week, the Illinois Nurse Helpline is open from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. The call is free. The nurse will answer your medical questions and give you information to help you decide if you need to go to the Emergency Room or call 9-1-1 (if available in your area).
In an emergency, you can use any hospital or other emergency provider. If you need a list of emergency providers in your area, call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY: 1-866-565-8577). This call is free.
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