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 Creating a birth plan 2 Medicaid and Medicare updates 10 Your Fall 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. Feeling frazzled? Try these stress-busters Good mental health helps you live and feel your best. But too much stress can put your emotional well-being at risk by draining your energy and joy. Consider taking everyday steps like these to reduce and manage your stress. Calm your mind. You might try closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Focus only on the present moment. Or try progressive muscle relaxation. It involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups for 10 seconds at a time. Make time each day for things you enjoy. Maybe that’s a hobby or a leisure activity like reading a book. Get enough shut-eye. Too little sleep can increase your stress. Engage your senses. Did you know that using your senses of sight, smell, touch, hearing, or taste can soothe stress? You might: • Listen to your favorite song. • Savor a piece of chocolate. • Touch the leaves of a plant. • Take a nature walk and feel a gentle breeze on your skin. Manage workplace stress. Most jobs are stressful sometimes. Along with setting healthy work-life boundaries, some things that may help reduce work stress include: • Prioritizing your tasks. What must be completed today? What can wait? • Tackling big projects in small steps. Often, this makes work more manageable. • Checking in with your supervisor or co-workers. Asking for help isn’t complaining. In fact, it can make you more productive. Take a play break — you’re never too old. Play with a pet, share a laugh with a friend, or toss a football around. The endorphins your body makes during these upbeat moments can help relieve stress. Talk to someone you trust about your stress. They may not have the answers, but it helps to be heard. Check in with your provider too If your stress feels overwhelming, talk to your provider. They can offer more advice to help you manage stress. Sources: American Heart Association; American Psychological Association; HelpGuide
2 If you’re a mom-to-be, you likely want a joyful childbirth experience that aligns with your wishes. A birth plan can help your provider and nurses support that goal for you. A birth plan is a written document you create and share with your provider. It tells them how you want your labor and childbirth to be, if possible. If you want to make a birth plan, ask your provider for a form you can use. Or you may find a sample form online to start with. What should you put on your birth plan? Start writing things down. What should be on the list? That’s up to you. Here are some things you might include: Pain relief. Do you want to try to have your baby without pain medicine? Or do you want options, like an epidural? Support people. List the person or people you want with you, such as a labor partner, family members, or a doula. Labor preferences. Do you want to move around, try certain labor positions, or use a birthing ball? Medical treatments. How do you feel about things like an episiotomy, assisted delivery, or treatments that induce labor? Newborn care. Do you want your partner to cut the umbilical cord? Are you interested in delayed cord clamping? Also consider how you want to bond with and feed your baby. Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Pregnancy Association Creating a birth plan The best-laid plans Remember, plans can change. It’s not always possible to do everything listed on a birth plan. Your provider may need to depart from it if it’s medically necessary to do so. What matters most is a safe, healthy delivery for your baby and you.
www.phs.org/Medicaid 3 Food is Medicine Benefit during pregnancy Making healthy eating choices can be hard during pregnancy. Having a diabetes diagnosis while pregnant can make it even harder. Presbyterian Health Plan has partnered with New Mexico Health Care Authority to help make it easier. You can get nutritious, diabetic friendly meals during pregnancy and up to two months post-delivery. Turquoise Care members who also have a diabetes diagnosis (Type 1, Type 2, or gestational) during pregnancy qualify to receive up to two meals per day. You can choose from: Grocery boxes, stocked with produce, proteins, and other pantry items Prepared, ready-to-heat meals OR Meals or groceries are sent directly to your home weekly. If you cannot get deliveries at home, you can work with the program to set up an alternative location for your delivery. For more information, or to self-refer, please contact our Maternal Child Outreach Line at (505) 923-2008. You can also send an email to foodismedicine@phs.org with your contact information.
4 Taking care of your health after pregnancy is very important. In New Mexico, people who give birth can get Medicaid coverage for a full 12 months after a pregnancy ends. In 2022, New Mexico expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage. Before this change, coverage ended after 60 days. Now, coverage lasts for one full year. This applies no matter how a pregnancy ends. This helps make sure people can get the care they need during recovery and healing. Postpartum Medicaid coverage lasts 12 months What services are covered During the 12 months after pregnancy, Medicaid may cover: Postpartum checkups and follow-up visits Regular provider visits and preventive care Mental health support, including help for depression and anxiety Breastfeeding and lactation support Care for long-term conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure Family planning and birth control Prescription medicines Doula services that offer education, emotional support, and help finding community resources
www.phs.org/Medicaid 5 New Mexico Tobacco Quitline: Personalized support to help you quit for good New Mexico Tobacco Quitline is a no-cost benefit for Turquoise Care members who want support quitting tobacco or nicotine. The program offers help from trained quit coaches who work with you to create a quit plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. The program offers guidance, tools, and ongoing support. Build the skills and confidence needed to quit! With New Mexico Tobacco Quitline, you get: • One-on-one support from trained quit coaches • A quit plan tailored to your goals • Help managing cravings, stress, and relapse triggers • Support for quitting cigarettes, vaping, or other tobacco products • Convenient access by phone, online, or text-based support • Tools and motivation to improve your health Why this coverage matters Many health problems related to pregnancy do not happen right away. Some happen weeks or even months later. These can include depression, heart problems, high blood pressure, or heavy bleeding. Getting care on time can prevent serious problems and save lives. With 12 months of Medicaid coverage, people can focus on caring for themselves and their baby. They can get help for both physical health and mental health during a big life change. Who can get this coverage If you had Medicaid during pregnancy, your coverage continues for 12 months after pregnancy. You do not need to reapply. Changes in income or family size usually do not affect this coverage. If you are pregnant or within one year after pregnancy and do not have Medicaid, you may still qualify. You can apply online at yes.nm.gov, by phone, by mail, or at a local field office. Know the warning signs Some symptoms need care right away. These include severe headaches, chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, extreme swelling, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. If you get medical care during your first year after pregnancy, tell your provider that you were pregnant within the last year. Free and confidential crisis and mental health support is available 24 hours a day. State and national hotlines can be found on the website below. Need more help? If you have questions about your benefits or how to connect to resources or rewards during and after pregnancy, you can contact our Maternal Outreach and Engagement Line at (505) 923-2008. Learn more about postpartum Medicaid at www.nmmaternalchildhealth.org/ postpartummedicaid and share this information with others who may need it. Access to care during the postpartum year saves lives. No one should go without the support they deserve. Sign up directly: • Visit www.quitnownm.org • Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784‑8669), TTY: 711, or • Use the QR code
6 Offer healthy foods — to the whole family Rather than single out your child with a weight issue, make it easy for everyone to choose healthy snacks instead of chips, cookies, or other processed foods. Offer a variety of foods with meals, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins like skinless chicken or beans. As many as 1 in 5 kids struggles with their weight, and it can harm their physical and mental well-being. Kids with obesity have a higher risk for health problems, like asthma and depression. They’re also more likely to become adults with obesity, which raises the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and other problems. And, all too often, bullying and teasing can harm their self-esteem. If you’re parenting a child with weight issues, your child needs your support. You can start with these strategies. Help your child reach Be active together Take family walks. Ride bikes. Shoot some hoops. Keep it fun so that your child will want to keep moving. Focus on health, not looks When supporting healthy changes, emphasize the rewards of being healthy and feeling great. Avoid making comments about appearance, which may increase feelings of guilt or shame. A HEALTHY WEIGHT Skip sugary drinks Cut back on sodas, fruit drinks, and other beverages with sugar added to them. They pack a lot of calories with no nutritional benefit.
www.phs.org/Medicaid 7 You have access to PresRN, a nurse advice line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even on holidays. 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 on 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 that 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! Talk to a healthcare provider Your child’s provider can determine what a healthy weight range is for your child and offer more ideas for making healthy changes as a family. Establish family rules about screen time For overall health, kids need 60 minutes of active play or exercise each day. But they may not have time for that if they’re always staring at screens. Set an example by limiting your screen time too. Encourage a good night’s sleep Missed sleep may lead to weight gain. In general, younger kids need nine to 12 hours per night; older kids need eight to 10 hours. Speak with a Presbyterian nurse at any time Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Psychological Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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.
8 Make sure your child is up to date on vaccines Vaccines children need to attend school • Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTaP/DT/Td) • Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) » Seventh through 12th graders require proof of one dose of Tdap regardless of when the last Tdap-containing vaccine was given. » Children 7 to 9 years old who receive one dose of Tdap as part of the catch-up series require one additional dose at 11 to 12 for seventh grade entry. • Polio (IPV) • Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) • Hepatitis B (HepB) • Hepatitis A (two doses required for kindergarten through second grade) • Pneumococcal (PCV) • Varicella (VAR) » For kindergartners through ninth graders: Receipt of vaccine; titer or laboratory-confirmed diagnosis required as proof of prior disease. » For 10th to 12th graders: Receipt of vaccine, written proof of immunity by a physician/ healthcare provider, or laboratory titer is required. » For all newly diagnosed varicella cases: Lab confirmation of disease is required. • Meningococcal (Men ACWY) (one dose required for seventh to 11th grade entry. Two doses required by grade 12 and recommended at age 16.) Recommended but not required to attend school • Influenza, COVID-19, and HPV vaccines are not required for school entry but will continue to be strongly recommended, as it is considered best practice. If you want more information about these vaccines, you can visit: www.nmhealth.org/ publication/view/policy/9611. Vaccines can help keep your child healthy. They can also help keep other children healthy this school year. Below is a list of the vaccines children need to attend school. Make sure they are on track. Talk to your child’s provider if they need a vaccine or if you have questions.
www.phs.org/Medicaid 9 Taking care of your health isn’t always easy. Busy schedules, daily stress, and limited food choices can make healthy habits feel out of reach. Presbyterian Health Plan’s Path for Wellness Healthy Weight Program can help! This program supports you with one-on-one health coaching. It helps you work toward healthier eating and lifestyle choices. If you focus on small, realistic changes, you can build habits that can lead to meaningful results over time. The Healthy Weight Program helps members build better daily habits. Instead of quick fixes, it focuses on long-term habits that support overall wellness. The goal is to help you feel better, have more energy, and take control of your health. Over half of people in the program see an average weight loss of 5.5% of their total body weight. Get ideas for healthy eating and healthy actions when you join the Path for Wellness Healthy Weight Program. This program offers healthy weight management to eligible Presbyterian Turquoise Care members at no extra cost. It can help members: • Build healthy habits • Lose or manage weight • Be more active • Reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes A healthier you starts here It’s easy and fun to take part The program is offered online or by phone. The classes are also in Spanish. Whether you’re starting your journey or looking for extra support, this program is here to help you. To learn more and sign up: • Visit PHPPreventionProgram.NationsBenefits.com/ Nutrition or • Call 1-855-249-8587
10 Medicaid and Medicare updates: What you need to know You may have heard about changes to Presbyterian’s Medicare or Medicaid this year. Here is what you need to know: Most members do not need to make any changes this year. If you have Medicaid only, your coverage is not changing. You can keep your current Medicaid plan. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual coverage), you may hear that you must change plans. For most people, this is not true. In New Mexico, some changes are coming in 2027 and 2028. This is to better connect Medicare and Medicaid for people with dual coverage. Most members with dual coverage can keep their Presbyterian coverage now and next year without making a change. Starting in 2027, Presbyterian Dual Plus will be the first plan in New Mexico to move to a model called FIDE (Fully Integrated Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan). This means Medicare and Medicaid will work together as one plan to make care easier for you. Benefits to this include: • One plan for both Medicare and Medicaid • One customer service team to call • Better coordination between providers, services, and benefits • One-stop support for members and families If you have questions, we can help. Contact us at the number on the back of your member ID card. We are here to help you make the right choice at the right time based on your needs.
www.phs.org/Medicaid 11 Presbyterian’s translation and interpretation services 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. 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
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. MPC062601 Medicaid#TC7296 Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/PresHealth Ingredients 2 t ablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 p ound lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 large onions, chopped 4 medium carrots, cubed 2 c ups diced leeks, rinsed well 6 g arlic cloves, finely chopped 2 c ans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes in juice 2 c ans (6 ounces each) tomato paste 2 c ans (14.5 ounces each) fat-free, reduced-sodium beef broth 3 t ablespoons dried oregano 2 cups water 2 large potatoes, cubed 1¼ p ounds frozen green beans 2 cups chopped kale Salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions • In a large pot or stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. • Add 1/2 of beef and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring, until browned on all sides. Remove beef from pot and set aside. Repeat procedure with remaining beef. • In the same pot, sauté onions for about 5 minutes, stirring until translucent. Remove onions from pot and set aside. • Add carrots, leeks and garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until barely tender. Return beef and onions to pot. Add tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, broth, oregano, and water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour, until beef is almost tender. • Add potatoes and bring back to a boil. Lower heat, cover partially, and simmer for about 15 minutes, until potatoes are barely tender. • Add green beans and kale and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes, until kale is tender. • Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve. Nutrition information Serving size: ⅙ of recipe. Amount per serving: 440 calories, 10g total fat (2.5g saturated fat), 64g carbohydrates, 29g protein, 12g total fiber, 350mg sodium. Source: American Institute for Cancer Research New American beef stew Makes 6 servings.
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