VIDEO: US Family Health Plan Regional Spotlight: Pacific Medical Centers, Northwest Region

/in

The US Family Health Plan Alliance comprises six regional health care providers that offer the TRICARE Prime benefit to over 150,000 military families and retirees across the country.  US Family Health Plan members living in the Puget Sound area of Washington State are served by the US Family Health Plan at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed™).

Dr. Rick Ludwig started his career with PacMed in 1981 as an internist and now serves as Medical Director and Chief of Primary Care for the US Family Health Plan at PacMed.  He oversees the majority of primary care for the region’s US Family Health Plan members.

In a new US Family Health Plan video, Dr. Ludwig highlights the patient-centered approach PacMed takes to providing health care to military families and retirees.

Read more

Family playing in the grass

Staying Healthy with the Changing Seasons

/in

As Spring begins, US Family Health Plan members looking to sustain their New Year’s health and wellness resolutions should focus on preventative health care. The six member organizations of the US Family Health Plan place a high priority on providing their patients with quality health care and educating them about how preventive care can help them stay healthy all year long.  Examples of preventive care include:

  • Annual Exams: Schedule your annual exams in the beginning of the year, monitor chronic conditions and discuss any recent changes in your health with your doctor.1
  • Eat Nourishing Foods: Eating nutritious foods – including fruits, vegetables and healthy protein – can help prevent illnesses, such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.2
  • Move Every Day: Exercise boosts your mood, gives you energy and improves sleep. Find ways to add in movement throughout your day.3
  • Maintain Your Brain: Keep your mind active with challenging activities like crossword or jigsaw puzzles – they’ve been shown to boost brain productivity and prevent memory loss.4
  • Socialize: Socializing regularly can help reduce stress and anxiety. Try scheduling one social activity a week—perhaps join a book club or sign up for a class at your local recreation center.5
  • Set Goals: Write down your health goals to keep them at the forefront of your mind.6

The US Family Health Plans’ preventive health care initiatives—including disease and complex care management programs and a patient-centered medical home concept that includes in-home patient monitoring—keep members active in lifestyle programs and invested in their health and wellness. For additional tips on preventative measures, contact your primary care provider.

References

  1. Regular Check-Ups are Important | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
  2. What Are the Benefits of Eating Healthy? | Medial News Today
  3. Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity | Mayo Clinic
  4. 12 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young | Harvard Health Publishing
  5. The Health Benefits of Socializing | Psychology Today
  6. An Easier Way to Set and Achieve Health Goals | Harvard Health Publishing

USHFP Member Profile Series: Health Coach Was My ‘Angel’

/in ,

Mary Jones (left) with her health coach Courtney Nelson

In 2018, Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan member Mary Jones received frightening counsel from her doctor: If she didn’t lose weight, she would die.  Mary, a diabetes patient, had been trying unsuccessfully to lose weight on her own for years. A few days after receiving this scary news, Jones received a call from Courtney Nelson, a Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan health coach.  Jones saw Nelson’s call as the answer to her prayers. “She was an angel that God sent to help me out,” said Jones, who is now much healthier at nearly 50 pounds lighter than when she received that first phone call.

Read more

US Family Health Plan Through the Decades

/in

Since 1981, the US Family Health Plan has provided high-quality health care to military retirees and family members of the seven uniformed services.  Throughout the years, the Plan has evolved and adapted to meet the needs of its members and developments in modern health care while continuing to provide our members with top satisfaction in their care.

Follow the timeline of US Family Health Plan’s evolution below. Read more

MEMBERS GO RINKSIDE AT MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT SPONSORED BY MARTIN’S POINT HEALTH CARE

/in

This past Veterans’ Day, US Family Health Plan members cheered for the local hockey team, Maine Mariners, at a military appreciation night sponsored by Martin’s Point Health Care, a US Family Health Plan member organization.

In a new US Family Health Plan Alliance video, members share what makes USFHP special and how it has helped them handle all of their medical needs.

Read more

US Family Health Plans Again Rated Among Nation’s Top Private Health Insurance Plans

/in ,

The independent National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has again rated two member organizations in the US Family Health Plan Alliance among the top private health insurance plans in the country.

Johns Hopkins US Family Health (MD, DE, DC, and parts of PA, Northern VA and WV) and Martin’s Point US Family Health Plan (ME, NH, NY, PA, VT) were among 46 private health plans in the country that received 4.5 out of 5 ratings in the NCQA’s Private Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2018–2019. Read more

High-Quality Health Care for Active-Duty Military Families

/in

The US Family Health Plan provides high-quality healthcare to over 150,000 members nationwide, including military retirees and family members of active-duty military personnel who receive the TRICARE Prime benefit.

In a new US Family Health Plan Alliance video, Dr. Steven Kravet, MD, MBA – president of Johns Hopkins Community Physicians – discusses the unique needs of active-duty military families and how the Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan delivers high-quality health care to active-duty dependents, bringing peace of mind to service members stationed abroad.

Read more

Pain Management for Military Families and Retirees Requires Cultural Understanding

/in

September is Pain Awareness Month, a time to promote better understanding of pain and pain management issues.  While retired military populations are likely to endure substantial pain after service and many may require physical therapy, military retirees are less likely than other populations to seek help for managing aches and pains.

Read more

Patriot Day Message from the US Family Health Plan Alliance

/in

As the nation reflects on the anniversary of the horrific September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the thoughts and prayers of US Family Health Plan Alliance and its member organizations are once again with all those who lost loved ones on that tragic morning. We remember the names, faces and lives of the men, women and children who were killed.

We invite you to join us in remembering 9/11 and all that this day means for our great country. It is important that all Americans remember the victims and first responders who died that day and pray for the families and friends that they left behind.

TRICARE Enrollment Changes for 2018

/in

On January 1, 2018, many changes were made to the TRICARE program.  Importantly, TRICARE continues to offer several different health plans, and plan availability still depends on who you are and where you live. Two of the key changes concern TRICARE plan options and new enrollment requirements.

Read more