Member Newsletter – Summer 2021

cover-art-summer-2021

Welcome

Thank you for your constant support! Umpqua Health Alliance (UHA) works hard to keep our members up to date on what’s going on in Douglas County as well as within our company. If you have any questions or have ideas for our next newsletter, please contact us by calling 541-229-4842 or email us at info@umpquahealth.com. To sign up for our Member Newsletter, please press Ctrl and click this link: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1907516/1716984/.

You can get this letter in another language, large print,
or another way that is best for you. Call 541-229-4842 (TTY 711)

Umpqua Health News

  • Customer Care is open for in person help, and we are still available by phone, email, Zoom and fax!
  • Umpqua Health LLC has invested in the Sobering Center that is currently being built here in Roseburg.
    • What is a sobering center?
      • It’s a place law enforcement can take you if you’re intoxicated and need a place to sober up. This is not a detox center. This is strictly a place to provide you a safe place to regain control and provides an alternative to going to the jail to sober up. It’s monitored by medical professionals, so you are in no danger of hurting yourself or others.
    • Adapt is managing this project and plans on opening the Sobering Center in July.
    • If you would like more information about this project, please contact Adapt at 541-673-3469.

Healthy Habits

  • July is Healthy Vision Month
    • Did you know that UHA has limited vision coverage for our members?
      • If you are 20 years old or younger, you are eligible for an eye exam and glasses with any of our in-network providers every year (12 months).
      • If you’re 21 or older and pregnant, you are eligible for a vision exam if you have not gotten one in the last 2 years (24 months)
      • If you have a medical diagnosis like diabetes, keratosis, hypertension, injury of the eye, etc., you are eligible for vision exams.
        • If you have a medical eye condition, contact your Primary Care Provider today to be referred!
      • As you get older, your risk for some eye diseases goes up. But age is not the only factor in developing many eye diseases. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI) (https://www.nei.nih.gov/), being overweight or obese, African American, Native American, Hispanic, or have a family history of eye diseases can also contribute.
      • Did you know that protecting your overall health can help keep your eyes healthy too?
        • Eating food that are high in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon or tuna) and leafy greens have the nutrients needed to help eye health.
        • Having an active lifestyle helps as well. Keeping your body in healthy condition can help prevent conditions that cause eye problems.
        • According to the NEI smoking also increases your risk of cataracts and harm to the optic nerve.
      • There are many things you can do to help protect your eyes on top of practicing a healthy lifestyle.
        • Wearing sunglasses during sunny weather. They are designed to block UVA and UVB radiation.
        • If you wear contacts or handle money on a regular basis, make sure you clean your hands well with soap and hot water. This will prevent germs and dirt from getting into your eyes causing damage.
        • When you’re doing construction, or using power tools, it’s best practice to wear safety goggles or other safety eye equipment. Airborne particles and dust can get into your eyes.
        • If your job requires you to stare at a computer all day, give your eyes a rest. The NEI suggests taking a break every 20 minutes and look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Think of it as having “20/20” vision exercises.
      • To learn more about eyes and eye health, please visit the National Eye Institutes website at https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision.
  • Observe August’s Summer Sun Safety Month with the American Cancer Society!
    • Summer for many Oregonians means being able to finally see enough sun to go outside without a sweatshirt! Unfortunately, with sun, comes sunburns. Obvious tip for avoiding sunburns is applying the appropriate sunscreen. There are many different sun protection factors (SPF’s) to choose from. The American Cancer Society suggests making sure you chose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Did you know you can also get lip balm with SPF in it?
      • Even with sunscreen, it’s always a good idea to limit your time directly in sunlight. Sunscreen doesn’t block all UV rays.
    • The American Cancer Society has many different resources and tips to stay safe in the sun. Please visit their website at: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun.html.
  • September is National Cholesterol Education Month
    • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “About 38% if American adults have high cholesterol.” Having too much cholesterol in your system can put you at risk for heart disease and stroke.
    • What is cholesterol exactly?
      • There are 2 types of cholesterol, blood and dietary.
        • Blood cholesterol is made by your liver. It helps create hormones and digest fatty foods.
        • Dietary cholesterol is found in some of the food you eat. Animal foods such as meat, seafood, dairy products, and eggs all have cholesterol. As with any other food group, these food items are ok to eat in portions. But eating too much of it can cause high cholesterol. To learn more about preventing high cholesterol, please follow this link: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/prevention.htm.
      • Why does my cholesterol matter?
        • Cholesterol circulates in your blood. The more cholesterol you have in your blood, the more of a risk there is to your health. Cholesterol can join with other substances in your blood to form thick, hard deposits in your arteries. This narrows your arteries and makes them less flexible. If a blood clot forms, it can get stuck in these clogged arteries. This can result in a heart attack or stroke.
      • Having your cholesterol tested regularly can help keep you on the right track to staying healthy. Your doctor can provide information on how to keep your cholesterol low by providing you dietary and lifestyle tips.
  • With summer comes the potential of having another bad fire season. The fire season for 2021 officially started on May 28th. On June 28th, the Douglas Forest Protective Association increased the fire danger to High. There are many things you can do to help protect Douglas County from having another devastating wildfire.
    • During High fire danger, the following activities are not allowed between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM:
      • Cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried grass.
        • This restriction does not include growing green lawns or the use of battery or electric trimmers. It also does not affect commercial harvesting of agricultural crops.
      • Welding, grinding, or cutting of metal, or using power saws for non-industrial purposes.
      • Use of power-driven machinery not specifically listed in DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions (https://9742688c-e20e-4b5c-9380-2232aa2a2813.filesusr.com/ugd/b18460_2652ee97234941cf8fe9172d8000fc85.pdf) for use on private property.
    • The fire danger may increase at any point this summer. To keep up-to-date on the current level, please follow the local news, or go to Douglas Forest Protective Associations website and read their current blogs at: https://www.dfpa.net/blog-1.

Service Spotlight

  • In our last issue of the Member Newsletter, we introduced you to Iris Healthcare. Umpqua Health is investing in the community through Iris’ Healthcare Empower Advance Care Planning platform. This is available to all Douglas County residents 18 and older regardless of whether you’re on UHA or not. Empowers goal is to improve the health and health care quality in our community.
    • Empower helps people create care plans that helps them achieve their quality-of-life goals. They make sure that your care plans are followed by your providers to create a higher quality of care. Iris created this online application program to simply advance care planning. They offer supporting information and pre-populated documents to help guide you with your planning.
    • Why do advanced care planning (ACP) if I feel great? The purpose of ACP is to create a care plan while you’re healthy in case something happens, and you can no longer speak for yourself.
    • Similarly, to an advance directive, this plan helps make sure that you receive the care you want, and not worry about getting medical treatment you don’t want.
    • If you would like more information about Iris’ Empower program, or to sign up, please follow this link: http://empower.platform.irisplans.com/link/xpmosben

Community Resources and Events

  • Starting July 1st, the eviction moratorium will no longer be effective. This means that residents will no longer be protected from eviction for not paying their rent due to the pandemic.
    • Tenants can still apply for assistance through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program can cover back rent that is due and up to 3 months of future rent.
    • If you are struggling to pay rent due to the pandemic and meet the requirements listed below, you may be eligible to receive this assistance.
      • You may qualify if:
        • You live in Oregon
        • Your household is currently getting unemployment (or you got it at any point in the pandemic)
        • You lost income due to COVID-19
        • Your living expenses went up during the pandemic
          • If your rent went up
        • You are at risk of eviction for non-payment
      • You can apply for this program regardless of your immigration status or citizenship. This program will not affect any other state assistance you receive. This includes WIC, SNAP, OHP, Medicare, social security, or HUD housing.
      • See if you qualify today! https://www.oregonrentalassistance.org/
  • Roseburg Public Schools will be doing the free summer lunch meals again this year! Every child and teen 18 and younger will be able to receive a free meal Monday through Friday between June 14th and August 13th (except for July 5th).
    • They will be delivering at the following places and times:
      • Saddle Butte Mobile Manor: 11:00-11:15 (222 Saddle Butte Lane)
      • Thompson Park: 12:25-12:40 (1448 SE Thompson St)
      • Creekside Family Church: 11:25-11:40 (731 Newton Creek Rd)
      • Stewart Park: 12:50-1:05 (1700 W Stewart Park Drive)
      • Eastwood Park: 12:00-12:15 (2823 SE Douglas Avenue)
    • They will also be serving breakfast and lunches at select school cafeterias:
      • June 14 – 18th Roseburg High Cafeteria:
        • Breakfast is served from 7:45-8:15;
        • Lunch is served from 12:00-12:30pm
      • July 6 – July 29 Monday – Thursday Fir Grove Cafeteria:
      • Breakfast is from 8:00-8:30;
      • Lunch is from 11:30-12:00
    • July 6 – August 12 Monday – Thursday
      • Hucrest, Melrose, Winchester and Sunnyslope Elementary:
        • Breakfast is from 9:00-9:30;
        • Lunch is from 11:30-12:00 in the cafeterias
      • Jo Lane:
        • Breakfast is from 7:15-7:45;
        • Lunch is from 11:30-12:00 in the cafeteria
      • Roseburg High:
        • Breakfast is from 7:30-8:00;
        • Lunch is from 11:30-12:00 in the cafeteria
      • Meal sites and times may change. To stay up-to-date on the information, please visit the website at https://www.roseburg.k12.or.us/departments/nutrition-services.
    • Winston/Dillard school district is putting on the Nutritious Summer Meals program. This provides free meals to all children 0-18.
      • Here are the times and locations:
        • For hot breakfast 6/14/2021-7/22/2021, Monday – Friday:
          • Winston Middle 8:30 – 8:45 (330 Thompson Ave, Winston)
          • McGovern Elementary 9:00 – 9:15 (600 Elwood, Winston)
        • Grab n Go meals (breakfast and lunch) 6/14/2021-8/19/2021, Monday – Thursday
          • McGovern Elementary 11:00 – 11:10 (600 Elwood, Winston)
          • Winston Middle 11:35 – 11:50 (330 Thompson Ave, Winston)
          • Riverbend Park 11:15-11:25 (223 Thompson Ave, Winston)
          • Community Park 12:00 – 12:15 (440 SE Grape St, Winston)
          • Dillard Church of God 12:20 – 12:30 (4th Street, Dillard)
          • Dillard Alternative high 12:35 – 12:45 (165 Dyke Rd, Dillard)
          • Civic Wayside Park 12:50 – 1:00 (by Grocery Outlet
        • For South Umpqua School District Free Summer Grab and Go Meals:
          • Lunchbox Express Monday – Thursday 6/14/2021 – 8/12/2021
            • Myrtle Terrace Apts. 11:00 – 11:15
            • Myrtle Creek Elementary 11:20 – 11:35
            • Millsite Park 11:40 – 11:55
            • Meadowlark Apts. 12:00 – 12:15
            • Tri City Elementary 12:25 – 12:40
            • Stagecoach Apts. 1:15 – 1:30
          • Riddle Park Monday – Thursday 8/2/2021 – 8/12/2021
            • Lunch from 12:50 – 1:05
          • Riddle Elementary Monday – Friday 7/6/2021 – 7/30/2021
            • Breakfast from 8:00 – 8:30
            • Lunch from 10:40 – 11:10
          • Is your child wanting to get into sports, but you don’t have the money for all of those expensive fees like registration and supplies? The Mercy Foundation has a mission of giving to help with that!
            • The Lance Michael Emmons Athletic Scholarship was created to help youth of Douglas County afford registration and equipment fees!
            • If you would like to apply for this scholarship or any other scholarships that Mercy offers, please follow this link: https://www.mercygiving.org/partner-fund.html
  • Starting July 6th, every Tuesday Music at 7:00 PM on the Half Shell will be starting! This time-honored tradition brings local artists from all over to provide great music to our community.
  • Also happening this summer is the Douglas County Fair
    • Oregon is once again opened enough to have the fair brought into town. The fair will be August 4th – 7th
      • Ticket prices are also changing this year! It has been announced that any child 12 and under will get in free this year.
      • Carnival rides will be going from 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
      • Buildings will be open from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • At this time there is no transportation schedules for the buses. However, there will still be parking at the fairgrounds, and parking will be $10 per vehicle.
    • To stay updated on the entertainment, and the bus rides, please keep an eye on their website at http://www.douglasfairgrounds.com/fair/index_fair.html.
  • 2021 has also brought back the Winston-Dillard Melon Festival!
    • Join in on the fun of Mud-Volleyball, Rainier Amusement Carnival, melon eating contests, Fireworks, and so much more!
      • The event will be held on September 17th, 18, and 19th at Winston’s Riverbend Park.

Keep up-to-date on the event on their Facebook page found here: https://www.facebook.com/WinstonDillardMelonFestival/

Did You Know?

  • UHA offers Care Coordination for anyone who needs some extra help. But what does this mean exactly?
    • Care Coordination is provided by a Care Coordinator. They help you with your healthcare and social needs. They help with navigating through the healthcare system and provide options to connect you to community resources.
      • This could be getting help with housing, transportation, in-home caregivers, TANF, WIC, UCAN, and more.
      • They can help you set up rides to and from your appointments.
      • They can set up coordination between your providers to ensure there is no gap in your care.
      • If you need help with housing, they have a Flexible Service program that may be able to help with that.
    • If you would like to be connected with a Care Coordinator, please contact Customer Care at 541-229-4842, or email Care Coordination at Casemanagement@umpquahealth.com.
  • If you would like someone to speak with Customer Care regarding your insurance, or to change your primary care physician, please let us know by filling out a Release of Information (ROI) form. You can get this form on our website at umpquahealth.com/ohp, or by calling Customer Care to ask for one to be mailed to you.
    • Because the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), we are unable to share any information about your healthcare to anyone other than yourself without an ROI. This is to protect your personal health information (PHI).
    • But I filled one out at the DHS office!
      • Unfortunately, ROI’s aren’t transferrable between companies. DHS and OHP are separate entities therefore we will need separate ROI’s.
    • Good news is, once you fill out and sign an ROI, we can talk to anyone listed on that form for up to 12 months!
      • If, in that time, you no longer want us to talk to that person, you can just give us a call and let us know and we’ll remove them from the list of people we can talk to.
  • When you become eligible on UHA, we send you a New Member Packet. In this packet is your Member Handbook, Member ID card, and our Notice of Privacy Policies (NOPP). The handbook goes over your rights and covered benefits. If you didn’t receive your New Member Packet or would like a new Member ID card or handbook, please contact Customer Care at any time. Our phone number is 541-229-4842. We will be happy to send you a new one!

Kids Corner!

  • Do you have a child under 5 years old that is eager to learn new things? A good time to start getting your child ready for school is now! It’s never too early to start. The Oregon Department of Education has created a section on their website called Kindergarten Ready. It’s designed to provide you with the information on what schools would recommend for children going into their kindergarten school year. They provide tools and resources to help you support your child in their learning adventures. Please visit their website at: https://oregonearlylearning.com/kindergarten-ready

 

  • Have you and your child/children read the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar? UHA Customer Care is celebrating summer by doing a Very Hungry Caterpillar book giveaway! The first 20 caterpillars brought into UHA will receive a free copy of this beloved children’s book, all you need to do is create your own special caterpillar! You can make it out of anything you want, the sky is the limit!
    • Here are some examples of what your caterpillar could look like!
  • To receive your free copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar book, please bring UHA your lovely creations to the Customer Care lobby at:

500 SE Cass Ave Suite 101

Roseburg, OR 97470

  • We’re open Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • We will trade your caterpillar for the book. We want to display your beautiful art in our office to brighten our days!

** Please make sure that there is an adult whenever using any sharp or hot objects**

  • With the sun finally showing its face for the summer, a fun way to bring color into your home is to create Stained Glass Art! All it takes is glue, food coloring, paint brushes (optional if you like to paint with your hands) picture frames, and suction cups.
    • Greatest part is you can find all of these items at the dollar store!
      • Take the backing off of the picture frame and take the glass out.
      • Squirt as much glue onto the glass as you want!
      • Add some drops of food coloring around the whole glass
      • Blend the colors away!
        • The blogger that provided this wonderful project suggests using toothpicks to help swirl the colors or blend them.
      • Once your child is happy with what they’ve made, simply let it dry and then put it back into the frame. Make sure to leave the backing off the frame so the sun can shine through the glass.
      • You can use the suction cups to adhere it to the windows so that the colors can really show!
    • For full instructions, please visit this website: https://bitzngiggles.com/stained-glass-art/
  • Children love science experiments! It gives them an opportunity to learn while making a mess! Who wouldn’t love that? Have you ever made ice cream before? It sounds pretty hard, but in reality, it’s really easy to do! And better yet, it gives your child the ability to let out a lot of energy and they get a yummy treat in the end!
    • It’s called Ice-Cream in a Bag. All you need is heavy whipping cream (or half and half), vanilla, sugar, a Ziplock bag, ice, and any extra flavors you would like to add (like strawberries or chocolate chips).
      • Put your cream, vanilla and other flavors/additions, and sugar into your bag and seal tight!
      • Grab another Ziplock bag (a bigger one this time) and fill it halfway up with ice. Then add some salt in that bag to help get the ice cubes REALLY cold.
      • Put your bag of ice cream mix into the ice bag and seal really well. It’s recommended to use 2 outer baggies to keep little ones from freezing their fingers.
      • Shake, run, jiggle, whatever gets you moving! You will need to shake the bag for about 10 minutes, or until the cream has completely frozen.
      • Once it’s all frozen, grab a spoon and start eating! It’s that simple!
    • For full instructions and the recipe, please follow this link: https://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/07/summer-fun-ice-cream-in-bag.html?m=1

Start typing and press Enter to search