It’s easy to feel bombarded by the latest healthy eating trend or buzzworthy ingredient. But good nutrition is really about consistently choosing healthy foods and beverages. With healthy eating patterns, it’s possible to enjoy food and beverages that reflect your preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations.
Tips for a healthy diet in 2023:
- Bump up your Fiber intake
- Increase Calcium and Vitamin D
- Add more Potassium **People with chronic kidney disease and people taking certain medications may have too much potassium in their blood, speak with your doctor before making a change to your Potassium intake**
- Limit added Sugars
- Replace Saturated Fats
- Cut back on Sodium
- Keep Hydrated **At a minimum 4-6 cups per day**
- Limit Sugary drinks
- Limit processed foods
** Please note that fluid intake & Potassium intake needs to be done in consideration of your current health condition diagnosis and discussed with your primary health care provider.
Healthy eating emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein. A healthy and balance diet can have great overall effects for your health and wellbeing. You should always consult with your doctor before making any major changes to make sure the choices are right for you.
References/Resources:
Strategies For Improving Care Coordination for Individuals With Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Stephan Deutsch, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Partners Health Plan (PHP), a nonprofit managed care organization dedicated to serving individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), will be a featured presenter at a Resources for Integrated Care (RIC) webinar on August 9 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. The webinar will discuss strategies for providing coordinated care for individuals with IDD, risk stratification strategies to drive interventions, and family or caregiver support, education, and outreach.
Other webinar presenters include Joan Beasley, PhD, Research Professor, National Center for START Services, Director, National Research Consortium on MH-IDD, Institute on Disability (UCED), University of New Hampshire; and Emily Lauer, PhD, MPH, Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, UMass Chan Medical School. Presenters will describe the current gaps in care for individuals with IDD and they will share strategies for delivering person-centered care using interdisciplinary teams (IDTs) and innovative care coordination models.
Partners Health Plan has operated the New York Fully Integrated Duals Advantage for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FIDA-IDD) demonstration since 2016. It is the only FIDA-IDD plan in the nation and has been successfully delivering services that address the whole person and promote community involvement and independence for people with IDD who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
“Webinar participants will understand the impact of person-centered coordinated care strategies based on data,” stated Dr. Stephan Deutsch, Chief Medical Officer for Partners Health Plan, “in a managed care environment to enhance the quality of care for each individual with IDD so he/she may achieve optimal healthcare and social outcomes.”
Webinar Registration
Click here to visit the RIC website to complete the webinar registration form. If you need assistance in registering, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Continuing Education (CE) credits are available for Continuing Nursing Education and the National Association of Social Workers. Individuals are encouraged to check with their specific licensing boards or other agencies to confirm that courses taken from these accrediting bodies will be accepted by that entity.
About Partners Health Plan
Partners Health Plan (PHP) is the first-in-the-nation, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), so they have the most complete care package. PHP provides person-centered care for whole-person wellness addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs of individuals to assist them in living a quality life. The plan operates in 4 New York State regions (nine downstate counties): New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Rockland County, and Westchester County.
Partners Health Plan Presents:
Leadership Speaking Engagements
Steven Merahn, MD, Medical Director, present "Value and Outcomes in IDD Care: A Radical Proposal” at the NY Alliance Annual Conference on April 19, 2023. The presentation focused on new models for outcomes measurement and value of services provided to the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. Dr. Merahn explored how to drive meaningful impact for individuals with IDD, supporting their efforts to fully participate (emotionally, socially, economically) and succeed as active, productive members of family and community.
Dr. Steven Merahn also presented on Autism Outcomes at the annual meeting of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) in Tampa, FL on April 23, 2023. Dr. Merahn’s “Radical Proposal” engaged participants in a discussion about the ongoing challenges of defining the value of services provided to children with autism and how to best measure them. The goal is to look beyond autism symptoms and help map a plan for children with autism across their lifespan. CASP is an international trade association of autism service provider organizations focused on delivering quality, safe and effective care.
Partners Health Plan (PHP) submitted a proposal to The Arc of the United States to present at the National Conference of Executives (NCE) Summer Leadership Institute (July date TBD) on the “Positive Impact of Telemedicine in the IDD Field.” It was successfully selected from a competitive submission process.
Scott Doolan, RN, BSN, MBA, AVP Health Care Management, will present and provide participants with details related to the PHP telemedicine program and provide a detailed analysis of emergency room and admission avoidance related to the program with the clinical and positive financial implications leading to the justification in maintaining a proactive member/caregiver-initiated telemedicine program post- pandemic to improve the quality of care for the IDD population.
The NCE unites executives, leaders, and professionals from across the disability sector in pursuit of a shared mission. This summer’s conference will focus on the most pressing issues faced by the disability community, including COVID-19 vaccination, HCBS developments, the DSP workforce crisis, the American Rescue Plan, and more.
For more information, please contact Elizabeth Wales, AVP Communications at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Members-Only Event: Specialized Mobile Dental Clinic Brings Care and Smiles to Partners Health Plan Members
A specialized mobile dental clinic, in partnership with Solvere Health, brought dental care and smiles to Partners Health Plan (PHP) members on February 18. PHP is the first-in-the-nation, non-profit, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with IDD. We are dedicated to expanding access to quality healthcare to assist members in living quality lives.
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Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are known to have poorer oral/dental health than people without IDD. Studies show that people with IDD have 30% more untreated cavities, 50% more missing teeth, and 150% more gum disease.
The biggest reason for this health disparity is access to oral health care for children and adults with IDD: lack of preventive and regular care, including management of secondary medical conditions that are related to oral health, leads to more significant oral health problems. Wait times for IDD specialized services can be as long as a year at practices and dental school programs that offer them.
But Partners Health Plan (PHP), a NY-based health plan that is exclusively dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of individuals with IDD, is committed to ensuring the oral health of its members.
“Improving access to dental care for our community of service in New York State is mission-critical,” added Steven Merahn, MD, Medical Director, Partners Health Plan. “Our overarching goal is to improve the quality of life of our members and the relationship between oral health and overall well-being is well established.”
To achieve this goal, PHP has partnered with Solvere Health to deploy specialized IDD mobile dental clinics at select-day service locations in Metro New York to reduce travel demands.
Solvere Health is a company that specializes in the delivery of high-quality clinical services through group health events via mobile medical units or pop-up clinics to underserved populations. Individuals with IDD may struggle with the sights, sounds and experiences encountered during dental care, and the PHP-Solvere Dental Health Program will conduct specialized desensitization sessions to prepare individuals for the dental care experience and mobile clinic environments. The mobile dental units are also fully accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.
“Expanding the availability of quality healthcare services to underserved communities is central to Solvere Health's mission. We view the collaboration with Partner Health Plan as a way to make quality dental care accessible to persons with I/DD,” stated Edward Lorch, CEO, Solvere Health, “Our mobile clinics offer a solution that is empathetic and considerate. We factor in the patient population's comfort (including desensitization), convenience, mobility, and communication. When engineering and staffing the mobile clinic, we understand that taking a holistic view of the patient leads to a positive oral healthcare experience and repeat preventative care.”
“This mobile dental clinic initiative is a very exciting opportunity as it will open access to oral healthcare,” noted Rita Marie Bilello, DDS, CEO, and former Dental Director of Metro Community Health Centers. “This new dental care model will bridge a much-needed gap for Partners Health Plan (PHP) members, all adults with IDD, who have been unable to access routine preventative oral health care services. Mobilizing dental services will begin to address some of the access issues and will allow for PHP to better assist in getting their members the oral care that they need.”
About Partners Health Plan
Partners Health Plan (PHP) is the first-in-the-nation, provider-led managed care organization that fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid for individuals 21 years and older with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), so they have the most complete care package. PHP provides person-centered care for whole-person wellness addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs of individuals to assist them in living a quality life. The plan operates in 4 New York State regions (nine downstate counties): New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Rockland County, and Westchester County. For more information, visit www.phpcares.org.
About Solvere Health
Working with state and federal, institutional, and corporate partners, Solvere Health brings a business discipline to health challenges across the United States through onsite, mobile, and digital healthcare solutions. Deploying a team of highly motivated, accountable problem solvers, we stand up sustainable, end-to-end programs in rapid response to group health events, disaster relief, and underserved rural communities, via onsite pop-ups, mobile clinics, and strategically placed brick-and-mortar locations. Our efficient approach combines exacting strategic planning, comprehensive compliance management, unparalleled logistics, state-of-the-art mobile healthcare technology, and emerging digital health applications.
Please visit the The Arc of New York advocacy platform to email Governor Hochul and ask her to establish a wage enhancement and an 8.5% Cost -of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in the 2023-2024 NYS Executive Budget.
CLICK HERE to learn more about 2023-2024 Executive Budget Request.
Thank a Care
Manager Today!
Partners Health Plan will be celebrating Care Management Week 2023 beginning on Monday, October 9 through Friday, October 13.
Each year, we recognize this week to acknowledge and thank our Care Management employees for the important work they do each day in support of members and their families.
If you would like to thank or recognize a particular Care Manager, we invite you to submit an appreciation message by clicking on the button below. Your message will be shared directly with Care Management staff and help celebrate this important week.
Submit a Thank You Message!
Authors:
Stephan Deutsch, MD, Physician Consultant
Scott Doolan, RN, BSN, MBA, AVP Health Care Management
The Flu is a viral disease caused by Influenza A and B viruses. The annual flu season usually starts around September/October with the peak of cases typically occurring between December and February. Because of COVID-19 it is more important than ever to get the flu vaccine.
With the 2022-2023 Flu season currently ongoing, PHP’s number one goal is to educate you about the importance of getting your vaccine. If you have not received your flu vaccine for this season yet, it's not too late. We want to help increase the access to the Flu Shot and can provide assistance with scheduling an early appointment for vaccination and arranging transportation. Your Care Manager, can work with you to get access and can discuss the best way to keep you healthy and safe this flu season.
Common Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. Complications from the Flu can affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and lungs, causing respiratory and kidney failure. Annually the flu has been estimated to kill between 25,000 to 60,000 people per year, affecting certain groups of people worse than others. People 65 and older; people with heart disease, stroke, asthma, diabetes, cancer, pregnant women, young children, people with obesity and people with HIV and AIDs. You can reduce your risk of getting a severe case of the flu.
Wait a minute, have I been describing the Flu or COVID? A good question because they are similar regarding the symptoms and who is at highest risk for severe case. They are also similar when it comes to how the disease is spread and prevention techniques. For both the flu and COVID-19 the best protection is a vaccine that can prevent the disease or lessen its severity. You can even get both vaccines on the same day We know that the earlier in the flu season people get vaccinated the more effective it is. In both adults and children, it has been shown that once vaccinated, even if you get the flu, the severity of the disease is significantly decreased.
But what happens if you do start to feel ill? You can call StationMD, our telehealth partner, anytime, night or day, seven days a week. You will speak to an Emergency Room Doctor who will assess you and when possible, treat you from your home. These doctors have additional training in working with people with IDD. In most instances this will help you avoid crowded Emergency Rooms, which increases your exposure to the flu, COVID-19, or other infections. It has saved our members hundreds of emergency room visits and multiple unnecessary hospital admissions. Even though PHP has great programs to assist you if you get sick, what we really want to do is prevent you from getting sick. So please reach out to us so we can help you with avoiding the flu and get your vaccine.
Visit Partners Health Plan's Health Resources to learn more about the flu as well as other informative health-related articles.
H9869_Flu Season Article_2022
