Volume 26
Fall 2013
How to fight the flu
this season
The flu bug spreads fast and some people who
catch it can get very sick. But don’t worry.
Besides getting enough rest and eating right,
you can do a lot to prevent catching the flu.
Before we get to the tips, let’s look at
common symptoms of the flu: you may
have body aches, chills, high fever
and headache. Some people
feel tired or may get a
cough or sore throat.
On the other hand,
a cold means you
mostly have a runny
or stuffy nose and
you sneeze a lot.
See Page 2...
Protect Your
Medical Identity
Page 4
Local Resources
Page 5
Doctor Visit
Wait Times
Page 6
Para obtener un boletín en español,
llame a Servicios para Miembros de IEHP
1-800-440-IEHP (4347) Voz
1-800-718-IEHP (4347) para usuarios de TTY
Fight the Flu from Page 1...
Keeping the flu away
1. Get a flu shot – Schedule
a visit. Make sure you get
a yearly flu shot. There is
also a nasal spray vaccine
made to fight the flu. Ask
your Doctor which one is
right for you.
2. Wash your hands with
soap – The flu bug
spreads easily through the
hands. (So avoid touching
your nose or eyes).
3. Stay active – Walk each day or move about any way you can. This
cuts down on your stress, so your body can fight off colds and flu.
Flu bug got you down? How to feel better:
1. Rest in bed – This helps your body fight off the bug.
2. Drink plenty of liquids – You can help clear up your nose and chest
by drinking lots of water or hot tea.
3. Take a warm shower – Helps open your airways, besides relaxing
your body.
2
IEHP
1-800-440-IEHP (4347) / TTY 1-800-718-IEHP (4347)
M-F 8am-5pm
Fight the Flu from Page 2...
What should you do if you don’t feel better?
Depends on your age and health. In most
cases it takes10 days. If symptoms (such as
high fever or cough) still don’t go away, call
your Doctor. If you can’t reach your doctor
after office hours, call the IEHP 24-Hour
Nurse Advice Line at 1-888-244-IEHP(4347)
or 1-866-577-8355 for TTY.
You may also search for an IEHP Urgent Care
Clinic at www.iehp.org or by calling IEHP Member Services.
We've Moved!
As of August 26, 2013, the new IEHP address is:
Street address
Inland Empire Health Plan
10801 Sixth Street, Suite #120
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
General address
Inland Empire Health Plan
P.O. Box 1800
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729-1800
IEHP
This move will not impact your
care. It brings our team members
together to better care for you,
our members. You will continue to
get the same great care from your
Doctors, pharmacies and others.
1-800-440-IEHP (4347) / TTY 1-800-718-IEHP (4347)
M-F 8am-5pm
3
How to Protect Your Medical Identity
As you read this, someone could be seeing a Doctor or getting
medicine – by using your name. This is what’s called medical
identity theft. Instead of stealing your TV set, the thief goes after your
name or health insurance number to get prescription drugs or file
claims with your health provider.
There’s a chance the thief’s
health details could get mixed
up with yours. If that happens,
that could spell trouble for
your ongoing treatments or
payment records.
confidential
What can you do? Here are 5 tips:
Never give your Social Security or Medi-Cal numbers to
a stranger
Never give out the above I.D. numbers for a free service
Never accept medical supplies you never ordered
Never buy healthcare items or services from a
door-to-door salesperson
Never give out your I.D. numbers for money
For concerns, call the Medi-Cal Fraud Hotline at 800-822-6222.
4
IEHP
1-800-440-IEHP (4347) / TTY 1-800-718-IEHP (4347)
M-F 8am-5pm
Local Resources
National Association on Mental
Illness (NAMI):
(909) 252-4018
Advocates for access to services, treatment,
support and research.
Alzheimer’s Association:
(909) 944-9680
Works to enhance care and support
for all those with Alzheimer’s and
other related dementias.
Inland Regional Center:
(909) 890-3000
Case Management for people with
Developmental Disabilities to help them
live independently.
Disability Rights Legal Center:
(866) 999-3752
Information, referral, legal advocacy,
and cancer resources.
IEHP
1-800-440-IEHP (4347) / TTY 1-800-718-IEHP (4347)
M-F 8am-5pm
5
How long should it take to
see my Doctor for a visit.
When you need to see your Doctor, for any
reason, you want to get in right away. We all
do. In most cases, there’s a wait. That’s normal.
Here’s a chart to better show how long you
might wait based on the type of visit.
Type of visit
Medical Condition
Amount of time
Annual checkup
•Child
•Adult
Checkup & shots
First visit with Doctor (for new patients) or yearly visit
(for current patients)
Within 2 weeks
Within 30 days
Urgent Sprain, cough (with fever)
Within 2 days
Sick Flu, earache, sore throat
Within 3 days
Follow-up
(Or as directed
by your Doctor)
Post treatment to check healing Within 2 weeks
If you have a hard time reaching your
Doctor after hours, call the IEHP 24Hour Nurse Advice Line for help.
1-888-244- l EHP (4347)
1-866-577-8355 TTY
6
IEHP
1-800-440-IEHP (4347) / TTY 1-800-718-IEHP (4347)
M-F 8am-5pm
IEHP Wants You to Join...
the Persons with a Disability Workgroup
If you like talking in a group, apply for the Persons with
Disabilities Workgroup (PDW).
If chosen, you’ll meet (4 times a year) with people from
IEHP, and Members just like you. You will share your
experience in getting care and services. The PDW
helps us improve our programs – so we can serve
you better.
Interested? Call IEHP Member Services.
Remember...
Refill Your Medicine
Call in refills at least five business days before you run out.
••
••
••
•
Need food, clothing or housing?
Dial 2-1-1. Get free information on local health and social services
like community support groups, job training and counseling.
TALK
••
Need an interpreter?
Call IEHP Member Services at least five business days before your Doctor
visit. We’ll send a sign-language interpreter or an interpreter who speaks your
language to your next Doctor visit.
Need help finding a Doctor, pharmacy or hospital near you?
Use the IEHP website. Go to www.iehp.org/doctorsearch
IEHP
1-800-440-IEHP (4347) / TTY 1-800-718-IEHP (4347)
M-F 8am-5pm
7
P.O. Box 1800
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729-1800
www.iehp.org
Ask the Doctor
Mail your question to - Ask the Doctor - IEHP
P.O. Box 1800, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729-1800
Q
How can I protect myself from
the flu virus?
A
Get a flu shot every year. The Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) suggest all people ages
six months and older get a flu shot. If you have yet
to get one this flu season, talk to your Doctor today.
1-800-440-IEHP (4347) voice • 1-800-718-IEHP (4347) for TTY users
©2013 Inland Empire Health Plan. All Rights Reserved. SPD-14-00099