Driscoll Health Plan going strong with value-added services

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Since its expansion last year, Driscoll Health Plan (DHP) has become firmly rooted in the 10-county Hidalgo Service Delivery Area (SDA), with 51,628 Medicaid members enrolled to date. DHP opened a new office in Edinburg in January and is the only non-profit, provider-sponsored plan in the Hidalgo SDA, which includes the counties of Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, McMullen, Starr, Webb, Willacy and Zapata.

DHP goes beyond Medicaid benefits, offering members a long list of value-added services that promote healthy lifestyles and improved health. For example, pregnant women can receive dental care, new moms can receive gift cards for baby diapers and children can earn prizes for eating healthy and staying active.

Here is a snapshot of the value-added services that DHP offers. An asterisk indicates new services:

• Transportation services – For eligible members, DHP will assist with transportation issues that may arise outside of the standard medical transportation program.
• Preventive care dental benefits* – Pregnant members at least 21 years old may receive routine dental exams, dental x-rays, two teeth cleanings per year and additional gum treatment benefits.
• Vision services – Children and adults can receive a $100 corrective eyewear allowance every 24 months.
• Sports/school physicals – Free sports/school physicals are offered to all members ages 5-19.
• Free cell phone minutes – DHP will provide application assistance for members to receive a free cell phone through the Lifeline Assistance Program and 250 additional minutes for pregnant members or members with special healthcare needs.
• Cadena de Madres – This program includes prenatal education, lactation consulting, nutritional counseling and free prenatal educational baby showers for pregnant women enrolled in State of Texas Access Reform (STAR) and/or residing in the following counties: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy.
• Birthing classes* – DHP will sponsor local hospital programs to provide birthing classes for DHP members.
• Asthma services – DHP will provide a home evaluation for members with asthma. Asthma educators will interview the parent/member to identify triggers and assist families with care management services. Members participating in the evaluation will also receive a free pillow cover and bed cover.
• Asthma camp sponsorships* – DHP will provide summer camp sponsorships for certain children ages 7-14 with asthma that are designed to provide physical and social experiences that are fun while increasing the child’s understanding of his or her asthma.
• Membership at Boys & Girls Clubs – DHP members can obtain a family membership by presenting their member ID card at any participating location throughout South Texas.
• Going NonStop™ Program* – Members track their daily habits such as physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, TV watching, computer use and fast food consumption.
• Incentive programs for Texas Health Steps* – Members who complete a post-partum checkup and four newborn Texas Health Steps checkups on time will receive up to six gift certificates for disposable diapers and other rewards.
• Emergency Preparedness Kit Gift Program* – DHP will provide one emergency preparedness kit per family upon enrollment.

“These value-added services demonstrate that DHP cares about our members,” said Mary Dale Peterson, MD, MSHCA, chief executive officer of DHP. “We want them to stay well and have some fun.”

For more information about DHP, families in the Hidalgo SDA can go to www.dchpkids.com or call 855-425-3247. This is the first in a series of four press releases about DHP. Subsequent press releases will focus on specific value-added services under the plan.