Member Newsletter – Winter 2021

imageedit_6_2264770777

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

We hope to be opening our doors again soon.

  • The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the COVID-19 Vaccines
    • Phase 1A: Healthcare Professionals and Long Term Care residents and personnel.
    • Phase 1B: Child-care, preschool, K-12 school, and district office staff.
    • Those who are older will receive their vaccines first. For up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the vaccines, please visit their website at: https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19.
  • There are a lot of worries circling around the COVID-19 vaccine due to the sudden release and distribution of it. OHA has put together a Fact Sheet to help put your mind at ease.
  • UHA’s Care Coordination
    • Recently, three additional Care Coordination team members received their certification to become Community Healthcare Workers (CHW). This is a great addition to the work they are already doing for our members. They connect members to community resources for transportation, housing, employment, food etc., as well as assist with understanding the healthcare system and serve as a liaison between you and the community providers.
    • The Intensive Care Coordination team consists of 2 Registered nurses, 2 Registered Respiratory Therapists, and 1 CHW. This team focuses on members with complex medical needs to develop a plan of care that fits their person healthcare and social needs.
    • The Transitional Care Coordination team consists of 1 RN, 1 LPN and 1 CHW. This team will assist you in coordinating your healthcare needs after a hospital or skilled nursing admission and will assist you with coordinating your healthcare needs if you move out of the area.
    • The Integrated Care Coordination team consists of 3 MA’s, one of which is a CHW. This team will assist in coordinating your discharge needs during a hospital admission, and are also available to coordinate healthcare and social needs in general.
    • If you would like more information about Care Coordination, Intensive Care Coordination (ICC), Transitional Care Coordination, Integrated Care Coordination, CHW’s, or Traditional Healthcare Workers (THW), please visit our website at https://www.umpquahealth.com/case-management/.
      • You can find a list of our CHW’s and how to contact them as well.
      • You can also call UHA Customer Care at 541-229-4842 to connect with a Care Coordinator.
  • UHA’s Member Handbook has been updated for the year 2021! You can have a copy of it mailed to you, at no charge, by calling Customer Care at 541-229-4842. You can also find it on our website at https://www.umpquahealth.com/umpqua-health-member-handbook/.
  • Umpqua Health Alliance cares about you and your health!
      • Are you experiencing difficulties receiving the quality care or service you deserve? Do you have problems interacting with your provider or getting access to the care you need? UHA wants to help! Members have the right to file a grievance (complaint) for any matter.
        • You can file a grievance with UHA by phone, email, or mail as listed at the top of the newsletter. You also have the right to contact OHP Client Services Unit (CSU) at 800-273-0557 or OHA’s Ombudsperson at 577-642-0450.
      • Have you received a denial letter? It would have a title called “Notice of Adverse Benefit Determination.” THIS IS NOT A BILL. It is a letter to notify you when your provider asked UHA to cover a service or item and it was denied. This happens when your diagnosis or treatment request does not meet OHP criteria. If you disagree with this decision, you can file an appeal.
        • You can start the appeal by calling Customer Care at 541-229-4842. However, a written appeal form (OHP 3302) is still required. This form is sent to you with your denial letter. If you need another form, they are available on our website at umpquahealth.com/appeals-and-grievances/, or by calling Customer Care. We can also help you complete this form. You can ask for a fast appeal if needed.
        • You must start the appeal process within 60 days from the date on the denial notice.
      • For more information on the grievance and appeal process details and timelines, or if you need help, visit our website (link located above), or call Customer Care.
      • If you would like to mail us a complaint or appeal, please send it to:

    Attn: UHA Customer Care
    500 SE Cass Ave, Suite 101
    Roseburg, OR 97470

Healthy Habits

  • February is American Heart Month
    • A lot of people have had the symptoms of a heart attack ingrained into their brain from an early age. And why not? Heart attacks are a major factor in heart disease which is has been the leading cause of death in America for a long time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 655,000 Americans die from heart disease every year.
    • But what causes heart disease?
      • Heart disease happens when plaque builds up in the walls of someone’s arteries. When this happens, the arteries become more narrow which makes it hard for the blood to flow properly throughout your body. If a blood clot forms, it could get stuck. If it gets stuck, it could block your blood from going where it needs to go. If that happens, you could have a heart attack or stroke.
    • Heart disease can affect anyone, no matter your gender, race, or age. According to the American Heart Association, you can start building plaque in your arteries as early as childhood and adolescence. With the ever growing issues with obesity and lack of exercise, it has become more common for middle-aged people to develop heart disease.
    • February 5th is National Wear Red Day. The American Heart Association has created the Go Red for Women program. It is dedicated to ending the number 1 killer of women. To join the cause, please visit https://www.goredforwomen.org/en.
    • The American Heart Association has developed an interactive online tool that helps you assess and track your heart health so you can better understand your risk of developing heart disease. It’s called My Life Check ®. It helps you learn more about Life’s Simple 7 ®. These are the 7 risk factors that people can improve by simple lifestyle changes.
  • To go along with Heart Month, March is National Nutrition Month
    • One of the best ways to help keep you from developing heart disease is to eat healthy. With you and your family spending so much time at home lately, and with spring right around the corner, why not start your own vegetable and/or fruit garden?
      • Spinach seeds are best sowed, or planted, outside in the end of February or early March.
        • Sowing is when you plant a seed by scattering it either in the ground, or on top of it.
      • Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, and Cabbages are also great to plant outside in March.
      • Strawberries can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. This usually means when the ground will no longer freeze at night. You can buy seeds to start out. The easiest way to get a good crop of strawberries, however, is to buy a start from the store.
      • There are local plant warehouses like Young’s Gardens that provide seeds and plant starts as well as a wealth of knowledge on the plants you’re buying.
      • Once you’ve homegrown your fruits and vegetables, what do you do with it?
        • Sounds easy right? Just eat it! Not as simple as it sounds surprisingly enough. It’s hard getting into the habit of using what you grow instead of what you buy at the store. A lot of people will still go to the grocery store to buy what they need for a recipe, even if they grew it right outside their house. theseasonalhomestead.com has a blog called “Garden to Table: How to Make the Most of Your Homegrown Food”. It breaks down the reasons behind why we tend to buy foods that we’ve already grown ourselves. They give you alternative ways to think about your grocery shopping so that you don’t end up wasting all that hard work on your garden.
      • The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is celebrating National Nutrition Month by challenging everyone to participate in their campaign to learn about making better food choices and learning healthy eating habits. They include a list of 40 ideas to get involved in the campaign. This includes a flyer for Smart Snacking Tips for Kids, and 20 Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables. You can find these flyers and more at https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month/ideas-to-get-involved-in-nnm.

Service Spotlight

  • Shaw Heart and Vascular Center
    • Part of CHI Mercy Health, Shaw Heart is a group of heart and vascular specialists dedicated to providing high-quality care to residents of Roseburg and surrounding areas. They have state-of-the-art technology and was the first facility in the Pacific Northwest to receive national Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence (ACE). They offer services that include diagnostic procedures, non-surgical intervention, and cardiac rehabilitation.
  • Language Access for UHA Members
    • All members have the right to know about UHA’s programs and services. Anyone who does not speak English as their primary language, or who have limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, have the right to request an interpreter at their appointments.
    • UHA provides at no cost to you:
      • Sign language interpreters,
      • Spoken language interpreters for other languages,
      • Written materials in other languages,
      • Braille,
      • Large print,
      • Audio,
      • Auxiliary Aids and other formats.
    • All written materials can be sent to you within 5 business days.
    • If you have any questions, or need an interpreter at any of your doctor appointments, please call UHA Customer Care at 541-229-4842, or toll free at 866-672-1551, TTY 541-440-6304 or 711.

Community Resources and Events

  • The Ford Family Foundation has created a free book program called “Select Books”.
    • You can pick from many of their titles to be shipped to you, free of charge. These books range from children stories to how to help your children deal with stress. You can also get books that about education, the economy, community, arts, and engagement.
    • Currently available (subject to change), is a book called Mabel and the Fire. The story is about a puppy and her family who lost their home in a wildfire. With the wildfires that Douglas County suffered this past summer, it’s a helpful way for children to understand how they feel about what happened. It helps them identify their emotions.
    • To browse their book selection and order your own copy of their many titles, please visit https://www.tfff.org/select-books.
  • Umpqua Community Veg Education Group (UC-VEG) has officially kicked off this year’s Lifestyle & Nutrition Course!
    • Formerly known as T.H.I.P., this program outlines disease prevention, living a healthy lifestyle, nutrition, movement, exercise, and avoiding chemicals and toxins. It also touches base on the impact of our dietary choices and how to manage stress among other things.
    • This is a 13-week course held once a week via virtual Zoom on Thursdays, from 5:20PM- 7:30PM. The current course started on January 7th, but stay tuned for the next one!
    • To sign up or get more information, please email UmpquaCommunityVeg@gmail.com or call 541-378-6359. You can also visit their website at https://ucveg.org/activities-programs/course/.
  • Celebration of Literacy is putting on some events!
    • Blast Off for the Gigantic Book Giveaway!
      • February 6th, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, Fir Grove Elementary School is giving away books to everyone for all ages!
      • Each child will be able to choose up to 4 books to take home.
      • Fir Grove Elementary is located at 1360 W Harvard Ave in Roseburg.
    • Wildlife Safari is celebrating Literacy!
      • On Saturday, February 20th, from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, all cars with children from Douglas County will get free admission to the Wildlife Safari Drive-Through.
      • The driver of the vehicle must have a copy of the event flyer (found here: http://www.celebrationofliteracy.net/PDFs/Safari2021.pdf) or a valid driver’s license with a Douglas County address.
      • Each child present will receive a free book!
    • If you have questions about either of these events, please visit the Celebration of Literacy programs website at http://www.celebrationofliteracy.net/.

Did You Know?

  • Alcoholics Anonymous has many different online Zoom meetings and open chats available to fit your needs.
    • There are over 1000 online meetings worldwide. They offer video, phone conferences, email, and chat. These are available in English, Spanish, and many other languages.
    • 24-hour assistance is available through email if you are looking for help with a drinking problem.
    • To get to their directory of ongoing and upcoming meetings, please visit their website at https://aa-intergroup.org/oiaa/meetings/.
  • Telehealth and Telemedicine. Which providers can I see?
    • As you all may know by now, telehealth has been a necessity to help keep yourself and medical staff safe. Here is a list of UHA’s contracted Primary Care Providers that provides telehealth services:
      • Evergreen Family Medicine: 541-677-7200
      • Aviva Health: 541-672-9596
      • Cow Creek Health Center: 541-672-8533
      • SouthRiver Community Health Center: 541-492-4550
      • Umpqua Health Newton Creek: 541-229-7038
    • For a full list of providers, including specialists, please see the “Find a Provider” on our website: https://www.umpquahealth.com/ohp/.
  • You can contact UHA’s Behavioral Healthcare Coordinators for help finding:
    • The AA/NA support groups in our community. They can help you find groups that are close to you, or ones that are online.
    • They can also help you find behavioral health providers that offer telehealth services.
    • You can call Customer Care at 541-229-4842 and ask for a Behavioral Health Coordinator.

Kids Corner!

Welcome to our newest section of the Member Newsletter! Here we will provide fun and healthy ideas for children. If you have any ideas or have anything you want to ask us to put in here, please let us know! Call 541-229-4842 or email us at info@umpquahealth.com.

Valentine’s Day is here!

  • Looking to make a cute craft for your children to do for their parent or other family member? How about the “Love You to Pieces” DIY Valentine Wreath!
    • This fun project is good for a wide age range (with adult supervision). All you need is an old puzzle, maybe one you’re missing a few pieces out of, some paint, and some glue!
    • Full instructions courtesy of The Soccer Mom Blog found here: https://thesoccermomblog.com/diy-valentine-wreath/.

 

 

  • How about trapping your own leprechaun for St. Patrick’s Day? As a kid in school, it was always so much fun helping the class build a trap to catch that tricky little leprechaun. You can get as elaborate as you want with this one. The crazier it is, the easier it is to trap them!
  • March also brings the first day of spring! There are so many activities that can be done in spring. With the flowers starting to bloom, nature walks are a great way to get some fresh air, and exercise. Oregon has a lot to offer when it comes to the abundance of nature. See what you can find! Just remember to be safe. Always know your surroundings and never go somewhere you don’t know well without telling someone where you are.

Start typing and press Enter to search