Presbyterian Health Plan, Inc. P.O. Box 27489 Albuquerque, NM 87125-7489 www.phs.org Important plan information TC Standard U.S. Postage PAID Presbyterian Health Plan INSIDE Keep your eyes safe this winter 6 How to reach your health goals 9 Your Winter 2026 for Turquoise Care members En español: Si usted desea obtener este boletín en español, llame al (505) 923-5200 o al 1-888-977-2333. Vaccines help protect you and your family from getting very sick. Two important vaccines to know about are the flu vaccine and the RSV vaccine. These vaccines help your body fight germs before they can cause serious illness. The flu and RSV are common viruses that can spread more during the fall and winter. They can cause mild symptoms but can also be dangerous. The flu affects people every year. It is a virus that can cause fever, cough, body aches, and other symptoms. The flu vaccine helps your body fight the flu virus and can prevent you from getting really sick. RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. RSV can cause a lung infection. It can be more serious for babies, older adults, and people with weak immune systems. The RSV vaccine helps your body know how to fight the virus. Here are some guidelines for who should get the vaccines and when. Flu vaccine When: You should get a new flu vaccine every year. Who: Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Pregnant people should get a vaccine to help protect both the pregnant person and the baby. Older adults should get the flu vaccine because they have a higher chance of serious illness. Exceptions: People with health problems — such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weak immune systems — should talk to their provider about the flu vaccine. RSV vaccine When: Most people only need one RSV vaccine. It is not needed every year. Who: An RSV vaccine may be given during pregnancy to help protect the baby from RSV. Babies, especially those born early or with health problems, may need RSV protection. Ask your child’s provider what is best. Adults ages 75 and older should get the RSV vaccine if they have not already had it. Exceptions: Adults ages 50 to 74 with certain health problems should ask their provider about the RSV vaccine. The flu and RSV: Why it’s important to get vaccinated
2 Stress is your body’s built-in response to events, situations, and people. While you can’t control many of these factors, you can control how you react to them. Learning stress management is worth the effort. You’ll feel better in the short term and could also protect your health in the long term. Negative effects of stress There are two types of stress. Acute stress happens in response to something short-lived, such as a traffic jam or an argument, and it subsides quickly. Chronic stress happens when you have persistent stressors in your life, such as financial trouble, unhealthy relationships, or chronic illness. You may feel powerless to change these circumstances. Both types can affect your physical health and emotional well-being. Acute stress can make it difficult to think clearly and get enough rest. Over time, chronic stress can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, weight gain, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, and more. Learn to manage stress Stress management starts with finding what causes you stress. Ask yourself: • What are your biggest stressors? • How do you react physically and emotionally to stress? • Do you accept stress as unavoidable or blame it on others? To avoid unnecessary stress: Limit your exposure. When possible, steer clear of stress-triggering people, places, and topics of conversation. Trim your to-do list. Reduce tasks, responsibilities, and free-time activities. Practice saying no. Being choosy about what you say yes to can lighten your load. Reach out. Talk to a trusted friend or family member who’s a good listener. Strive for stability. Aim for a healthy balance between work, relaxation, time with others, and solitude. Take steps to MANAGE STRESS
www.phs.org/Medicaid 3 You don’t have to worry about the stress of getting to your healthcare appointments. Get help from anywhere with VirtualPRES. You can find primary care and urgent care online. You also have dermatology, behavioral health, and medication management virtual options. VirtualPRES provides: • Access. Appointments are available within two weeks. • Cost savings. Services are at low or no cost for most members. • Convenience. You can receive care from home without the need for transportation. Featured virtual services include: Virtual Dermatology You can get online care for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. You can discuss your symptoms with a provider and receive a treatment plan over video. If a biopsy or removal is needed, you will be scheduled with a Presbyterian Medical Group specialist. Virtual Behavioral Health Virtual Behavioral Health services include Virtual Talk Therapy for counseling for a variety of things — anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Virtual Medication Management Virtual Medication Management provides consultation, diagnosis, and medication treatment for behavioral health conditions. You will meet with a licensed psychiatrist with prescribing authority. Healthcare is just a click away with VirtualPRES When you can’t avoid stress, learn to adapt: Reframe your thoughts. Look at the situation rationally. Things may not be as bad as they seem. Go easy on yourself. Seeking perfection is a surefire way to increase stress. Learn when “good” is good enough. Let go. Many things are beyond your control, like the weather, other people, or the stock market. Focus on what you can control. Be grateful. Each day, think about what you’re grateful for, including your own abilities. Look for the positive. Stress can be a useful tool for personal growth. Consider what your reaction to stress can teach you. Seek help If you are experiencing an emergency related to mental or emotional strain, call 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are not experiencing an emergency but would like help managing your stress, schedule an in-person or Virtual Behavioral Health appointment. You can visit www.phs.org/virtual-pres or call the number on the back of your member ID card. Sources: American Psychological Association; HelpGuide hey how are you Go to www.phs.org/virtual-pres to explore your virtual care options. can we talk? i’m kind of stressed
4 Opioid use disorder: Find the help you need Your provider can tell you more about treatment options for OUD. Talking about it is the first step toward recovery. Opioids can help with pain when a provider prescribes them for you. But they have risks. Addiction — or opioid use disorder (OUD) — is one of them. OUD can happen to anyone who takes opioids. It can make you crave opioids and use them even if you don’t need them anymore — even if you know they’re causing problems in your life. Your body can depend on opioids too. You may feel like you need to take more than before to get the same level of pain relief. If you stop taking opioids, you could have withdrawal symptoms. For example, you might: • Feel anxious and achy • Have a hard time sleeping • Feel sick to your stomach Going through withdrawal can be hard. But recovery is possible. Treatment and recovery Are you or someone you know struggling with OUD? There is help. Treatments can help people get back their lives and lower their risk of an overdose. Ways to treat OUD include: • Medicines. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are some of the medicines for OUD. They can help people stop or use less opioids. Some can help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. • Counseling combined with medicines. Talk therapy and group therapy are also used to treat OUD. They are often most effective when used in combination with medicines. You don’t always need to go to a treatment center. But some people may need to do that to get better. It helps to have support from your family, a provider, or a support group too. People who relapse and start using opioids again can overdose on a smaller dose than they used to take. Ask your provider about this risk. You can also call customer service at (505) 923-5200 or 1-888-977‑2333 (TTY: 711) to learn more about your options. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Library of Medicine
www.phs.org/Medicaid 5 Ready to quit? QuitNow New Mexico is here to help Quitting tobacco or vaping isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. QuitNow New Mexico is a no-cost benefit for Turquoise Care members who want help quitting nicotine for good. Members receive one-on-one coaching from trained Quit Coaches. They help create a quit plan made for your goals and lifestyle. The program provides tools, strategies, and ongoing encouragement to manage cravings, reduce stress, and stay tobacco-free over time. If you’re ready or even just thinking about quitting, QuitNow New Mexico will support your journey. With QuitNow New Mexico, you get: • Personalized coaching and a quit plan • Support for quitting cigarettes, vaping, and other tobacco products • Tools to handle cravings, triggers, and setbacks • Encouragement every step of the quit journey Sign up at www.quitnownm.org or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1‑800-784-8669), TTY: 711. Healthy habits can be hard to keep up with a busy schedule, but you don’t have to do it alone. Presbyterian Health Plan’s Path for Wellness Healthy Weight Program can help. It offers supportive, one-on-one health coaching to help you make lasting changes. This program focuses on building sustainable habits, not quick fixes. Members get help and encouragement made for their goals and lifestyle. Feel better, have more energy, and take control of your health. More than half of the people in the program have had an average weight loss of 5.5% of their total body weight. Take the first step toward better health! You can get ideas for healthy eating and activities when you join. The Path for Wellness Healthy Weight Program is offered to eligible Presbyterian Turquoise Care members at no additional cost. It is designed to help members: • Build healthy habits • Lose or manage weight • Be more active • Reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes It’s easy and fun to participate. The program is available online or by phone. The classes are also offered in Spanish. This program is here to encourage and guide you — one step, one choice, one day at a time. Small steps to a healthier you To learn more about the program and how to sign up: • Visit PHPPreventionProgram.NationsBenefits.com/Nutrition • Call 1-855-249-8587 • Scan this QR code
6 When the weather is warm and the sun is beaming, it is important to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses. It is equally important to protect your eyes in the winter too. Many eye health issues can arise during cold-weather months. This can include dry, itchy, or watery eyes. If you take part in winter sports or spend time outdoors, the glare caused by snowfall can harm your eye health. Due to seasonal changes during the winter, many people feel discomfort from dry eyes. There are treatment options available. But you might need to use a mix of the following options to see the best results. • To restore moisture to your eyes, use artificial tears or an eye ointment. Apply it to your lower lash line at bedtime. You can buy ointment over the counter. • Warm compresses can soothe irritated eyes. Soak a washcloth in warm water. Apply it to your eyes for 10 minutes to reduce discomfort. • Use an indoor humidifier to restore moisture to the air. It is key to keep humidifiers clean, since they attract mold and bacteria. When snow first falls, it can feel like you’re living in a winter wonderland. But the harsh glare can cause damage to your eyes. Snow reflects 80% of the sun’s rays, which increases the risk of UV radiation. • Wear sunglasses or goggles that absorb 95% or more of UV rays. • If you wear glasses, consider investing in photochromic lenses. These lenses darken automatically in the sunlight and block 100% of UV rays. • Wear a hat with a brim to protect your eyes from the sun. • Make sure to wear polycarbonate lenses to protect your eyes from damage in case of accidents if you play winter sports. Eye safety for winter months Winter dry eye Reduce snow glare
www.phs.org/Medicaid 7 Right from the start, babies use their eyes to explore and learn. But their vision is still developing through the teen years. Here are some of the ways their vision develops as they grow: Helping kids have healthy vision If you want to know more about protecting your eye health, make an appointment with your eye care provider. Please note: If you use the treatments and preventive methods mentioned above and your symptoms don’t improve, contact your eye care provider. To learn more, visit www.versanthealth.com/ welcome. Many conditions that cause dry eyes can also result in itchy eyes. If you wear contacts, your eyes might feel gritty or stuck. In addition to using lubricating eye drops and ointments, there are other steps you can take to reduce itchy eyes. • Stay hydrated. It’s crucial year-round to make sure you drink plenty of water. This is important during the winter months since the drop in temperature lowers humidity. • Eat foods that are rich in omega3s, which promote healthy tear production. Our eyes naturally make tears not only to keep them moist but also to wash away irritants. Tears protect your eyes from your environment, including the cold winter temperatures. This causes some people to make too many tears. This can lead to watery, uncomfortable eyes in the winter. • Wear goggles to protect your eyes from the cold winter weather. • Wear sunglasses to help reduce the irritation that leads to watery eyes. Soothe itchy eyes Protect watery eyes from the cold You can help your child develop good vision skills by offering toys (like building blocks) that support hand‑eye coordination, playing catch or rolling a ball, and encouraging drawing. It’s also important to watch for signs of vision problems. For example, if your child has trouble seeing, they may: • Tilt their head to look at things • Blink, squint, or rub their eyes • Avoid activities that require up-close vision Uncorrected vision problems can affect a child’s school performance and overall well‑being. Kids need regular vision checks Routine eye health screenings can typically be done by your child’s regular healthcare provider. An ophthalmologist may need to do a comprehensive dilated eye exam if a screening shows a possible problem or if your child has certain risk factors. In general, kids should have their eyes checked when they’re: • 6 to 12 months old • 12 to 36 months old • 3 to 5 years old • Every one to two years after age 5 These exams can help find and correct problems early, including nearsightedness (trouble seeing distant objects), farsightedness (trouble seeing up close), and misaligned eyes. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, talk to your child’s provider. 2 to 3 months. They begin using both eyes together. 3 months. They can focus on and track nearby moving objects. 4 months. They see colors better. 6 months. They can notice differences between objects. 3 years. They can often see about as well as adults.
8 Healthy habits like eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep are important tools to help you live well. Here’s another one to add to your tool belt: getting regular health screenings. Routine screenings don’t replace regular checkups with your healthcare provider. But they are another essential part of preventive healthcare. They can find signs of problems or diseases at earlier stages, when they may be easier to treat. Screenings could even save your life. The type and frequency of tests you need depend on many factors. Talk with your provider about which screenings you need and the screening schedule that’s right for you. Talk to your provider about these essential health screenings. Blood pressure. This test measures the force of your blood flow. High blood pressure raises your risk for stroke and heart disease, and it often has no symptoms. Breast cancer. A mammogram is a special X-ray that takes pictures of breast tissue. It can reveal early signs of cancer or other changes in the breasts. Cervical cancer. The HPV test and the Pap test can detect abnormalities in cervical tissue that could be cancer. Cholesterol. This blood test measures your HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. High cholesterol increases your risk for cardiovascular disease. Colorectal cancer. There are many testing options to check for cancerous growths in the colon. One option is a colonoscopy, which can find and remove growths during the procedure. Diabetes. This blood test, taken while you’re fasting, measures your blood glucose (blood sugar). High levels may put you at higher risk for diabetes. Eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam provided by an eye doctor looks for vision changes and eye problems that could need treatment. Some eye problems can also indicate other health issues. Lung cancer. If you smoke or used to smoke, a lowdose CT scan can check for lung changes that could be cancer or another issue. Osteoporosis. A bone density scan checks the strength and density of your bones. Low bone density can indicate osteoporosis and raise your risk for bone fractures. Prostate cancer. A PSA test is a blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen levels. You may need this test if you have an average or higher-than-average risk for prostate cancer. Top screenings for folks over 40 Sources: American Cancer Society; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association; American Optometric Association 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Top 10 health screenings
www.phs.org/Medicaid 9 It’s easy to get excited about setting goals to improve your health. At first, you feel motivated, but it often doesn’t take long for that motivation to wear off. This may be especially true if you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other executive function deficits. You may have extra trouble prioritizing things, getting started, and maintaining focus, which can make following through with a goal overwhelming. Even if you don’t have ADHD, you may still need a boost of motivation now and then to stay on track. These research-backed ideas can help you succeed. Smart ways to stick to your health goals 5 stick-to-it strategies Rethink your goal. Still right for you? Adjust it if it’s not a good fit. Make it small and achievable, and don’t overthink it. For example, if your original goal was a healthier diet, commit to adding one serving of vegetables per day. Create an action plan. What steps will you need to take to stay on track? Write them down. Include how you will cope when you’re feeling challenged. Focus on the process, not the result. Visualize your success, but don’t let it distract you. Zeroing in on daily actions can help you feel more present and in control while striving toward your goal. Remove barriers. Set up your yoga mat before you go to bed, or put your walking shoes and jacket by the front door. Stack habits. Add your new habit to an existing one. If your goal is to move more, for instance, park farther away from your office building and take the stairs. Or do some squats or pushups while your coffee is brewing. Micro-habits add up. Finally, be patient and kind to yourself. Health goals can be hard, but you can reach them if you stick with it. Sources: American College of Sports Medicine; American Heart Association; Child Mind Institute; Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; HelpGuide
10 PresRN is an easy way to speak with a Presbyterian nurse if you are not feeling well and need advice or just have a general health question. A PresRN nurse will help you and your family whether you require a trip to the emergency room or urgent care, a virtual visit with a provider, or self-care at home. The best part is all you need is a phone. Presbyterian nurses are happy to answer any questions. Please call even if you are healthy but need some advice. As part of your Presbyterian healthcare team, we let your provider, care coordinator, and health coach know of your health concern so that you will have continued care and follow-up. We are here when you need answers! Communication is important to you and to us. That’s why we offer translation services if you need them. We want to make sure you have the information in the language or format you use so you can take charge of your own healthcare. We have bilingual staff and certified translator services if you want to use these services. These services are available to help you talk with providers, nurses, and caregivers; learn about your health plan; and much more. Our translation and interpreter services include: • Language translation • Written materials translation • Telephonic interpreters • In-person interpreters • American Sign Language interpreters • Video remote interpreters It’s easy to request these services. Call the Presbyterian Customer Service Center at the number on your Presbyterian member ID card. Presbyterian’s translation and interpretation services Speak with a Presbyterian Nurse at any time You have access to PresRN, a nurse advice line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even on holidays Call PresRN at (505) 923-5677 in Albuquerque or toll-free at 1-888-730-2300. If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911.
www.phs.org/Medicaid 11 Keep these numbers handy The Presbyterian Customer Service Center (PCSC) is available for members Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Members can reach the PCSC at the following numbers: (505) 923-5200 or 1-888-977‑2333, TTY: 711 Children in State Custody: (505) 923-8417 or 1-844-233-4887, TTY: 711 Navajo/Diné members: (505) 923‑5157 or 1-888-806-8793, TTY: 711 Other important numbers PresRN: (505) 923-5677 or 1-888-730-2300, TTY: 711 New Mexico Crisis and Access Line (for a behavioral health crisis): 1-855-662-7474 (1-855-NMCRISIS) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7): 988 or 1-800-273-8255 Presbyterian Turquoise Care Ombudsman: Phone: (505) 923-5780 Email: ombudsman@phs.org Modivcare Transportation Services (24 hours a day, seven days a week) — you can call at any time for a reservation or for dischargerelated requests: (505) 923-6300 or 1-855-774-7737 Sign up for paperless delivery Did you know electronic delivery (e-delivery) is available to you? This means you can get email notices when important health plan or medical documents are ready. This makes it easier, faster, and more secure for you to stay up to date with your healthcare. Don’t have a myPRES account? Signing up is easy. Go to www.phs.org/myPRES to create a user ID and password. Please make sure you have an active email address. Already have a myPRES account? Make sure your email address on the “Contact Information” page is correct and has been verified. This will make sure you don’t miss any notifications. How to start receiving email notifications: 1. Log in to your myPRES account. 2. Select your account drop-down menu in the upper right of the page, and select “My Account.” 3. Select “Communication Preferences” to set or change your delivery and language preferences. E-delivery is available for members 14 years old or older.
Yourstory Your Story is published for members of Presbyterian Health Plan, Inc., and Presbyterian Insurance Company, Inc. P.O. Box 27489, Albuquerque, NM 87125-7489 www.phs.org Managing editor: fluentqc@phs.org Information in Your Story comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Such services are funded in part with the State of New Mexico. Presbyterian complies with civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of protected status including but not limited to race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation or gender expression. Free language assistance services are available to you. Appropriate auxiliary aids and services to provide information in accessible formats are also available free of charge. Call 1-855-592-7737 (TTY: 711) or speak to your provider. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. También están disponibles de forma gratuita ayuda y servicios auxiliares apropiados para proporcionar información en formatos accesibles. Llame al 1-855-592-7737 (TTY: 711) o hable con su proveedor. SHOOH: Diné bee yáníłti’gogo, saad bee aná’awo’ bee áka’anída’awo’ít’áá jiik’eh ná hóló̜. Bee ahił hane’go bee nida’anishí t’áá ákodaat’éhígíí dóó bee áka’anída’wo’í áko bee baa hane’í bee hadadilyaa bich’į’ ahoot’i’ígíí éí t’áá jiik’eh hóló̜. Kohjį’ 1-855-592-7737 (TTY: 711) hodíilnih doodago nika’análwo’í bich’į’ hanidziih. For more information, visit www.phs.org/nondiscrimination. 2026 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. MPC072651 Medicaid #TC7319 Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/PresHealth Ingredients 11⁄ 2 cups quinoa, uncooked and rinsed 11⁄ 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 3 cups sliced mushrooms 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth (plus up to 1 cup additional, if needed at the end) 1 large shallot, thinly sliced 5 cloves garlic, minced 1⁄ 2 teaspoon each of dried thyme, basil, and oregano 1 tablespoon coconut oil* 1⁄ 2 teaspoon pepper Juice of 1 lemon or 2 tablespoons lemon juice 4 cups roughly chopped, packed spinach 2⁄ 3 cup grated Parmesan cheese *May substitute coconut oil with oil of your choice. Directions • Place all ingredients except spinach and cheese in slow cooker. • Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. • When almost done cooking, the liquid should be absorbed, and the mixture should be slightly sticky. If very sticky, add up to 1 cup additional broth and stir to combine until texture is creamy. • Stir in spinach and cheese, cover, and continue cooking just until spinach begins to wilt (about 2 to 5 minutes). Slow cooker chicken, mushroom, and spinach quinoa risotto Nutrition information Serving size: 1⁄ 6 of recipe. Amount per serving: 380 calories, 11g total fat (4.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat), 90mg cholesterol, 32g carbohydrates, 37g protein, 4g dietary fiber, 280mg sodium. Source: American Institute for Cancer Research Makes 6 servings. This dish can be made vegan by omitting the chicken, swapping chicken broth for vegetable broth, and replacing the Parmesan cheese with ¼ cup nutritional yeast. Quinoa risotto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
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