US Family Health Plan Alliance Celebrates Veterans Today and Throughout the Year

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Veterans Day offers an opportunity to say thank you to those who have served in the United States military in defense of freedom and democracy.  The six US Family Health Plan health care systems participate in events throughout the year to celebrate and honor our veterans.

For example, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center, participated in the annual “Vets Rock” event at Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut for the second year in a row. This event supports the nonprofit organization, Til Duty is Done, and includes a career fair and professional sessions for service members, veterans and military spouses. The event is capped off with a concert that this year featured host Tony Orlando and musical performances by Drop Kick Murphys, Godsmack and Madison Rising.

VetsRock

“This is personal for me,” stated Maria Green, a retired Army Sergeant First Class and St. Vincent’s US Family Health Plan staff member. “Since retiring, I have devoted my second career to serving the military community.  Being a retired service member, I know first-hand the needs of veterans.  I do my best to provide valuable information on available resources to my fellow veterans.  This event in particular covers the full spectrum of resources from employment opportunities to health-related information and individual well-being seminars—and a dynamic closing concert to boot!”

For more than ten years, St. Vincent’s has also hosted “Breakfast with a Hero” to honor members who serve or have served our nation and which provides an opportunity for US Family Health Plan members to share stories with staff and friends over breakfast.

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“We look forward to this day,” said Debbie Sorrentino, practice manager at the Fort Wadsworth Family Health Center.  “Everyone gets involved in setting the stage for this day. Our staff starts decorating two weeks prior to Veterans Day.  This year, we created a flier to remind patients to come by and celebrate with us.  The word spreads quickly, and our patients schedule their routine appointments on this day to participate in the festivities as they check in on their health.”

Another US Family Health Plan organization, Christus Health, participates in the “Houston Salutes American Heroes” event with the City of Houston, a celebration that features a job and resource fair, a recognition ceremony honoring local heroes, and a parade of heroes. This year, Christus Health will provide health screenings and flu shots to more than 1,000 veterans and those in need, hosting games and other interactive events throughout the day.

These kinds of events allow the organizations that participate in the US Family Health Plan program to give back, in a small way, to those who have given so much to our great nation.  In honor of all who have served, the US Family Health Plan organizations express their sincere and enduring gratitude.

 

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps from the US Family Health Plan

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The US Family Health Plan Alliance wishes the brave men and women of the United States Marine Corps a Happy Birthday today as it celebrates 241 years of service to our country.

The Alliance thanks all current, former and retired Marines for their service to the nation and for protecting our freedom.  While we can never fully repay their service and sacrifice, we want all in the Marine Corps family to know of our gratitude.

The member organizations of the US Family Health Plan Alliance look forward to many more years of providing care to our nation’s finest and their families.

Happy Birthday to the US Navy and Air Force from the US Family Health Plan

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The US Family Health Plan Alliance extends Happy Birthday wishes to two branches of our nation’s armed forces.

The Alliance salutes both the U.S. Navy, which celebrates its 241st birthday today, and the U.S. Air Force, which celebrated its 69th birthday on September 18.

Our country owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in both the Navy and Air Force throughout the years. We’re privileged to enjoy trusted relationships with many retirees and family members of active duty service members from these branches and are honored to be charged with their health care.

Back to School: US Family Health Plan Kickstarts a Productive and Healthy School Year

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The end of summer brings the excitement of the beginning of another school year for children (and parents) across the country. The US Family Health Plan takes pride in keeping its youngest members – the children of military families across the country – healthy so they can have a productive, stimulating and educational school year.

In this spirit, one US Family Health Plan, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers, produced a list of helpful back-to-school preparation tips. Saint Vincent partnered with Operation Homefront on a series of Back to School Brigade events across Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania to provide more than 2,500 military families with book bags loaded with school supplies.
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Parents and students pick through school supplies at Back to School Brigade events
sponsored by US Family Health Plan provider, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers.
(Click on article to view photo slideshow.)

In addition to having the right supplies for school, it is even more important for children to have the right medical care when they need it. Here are some useful health tips to keep in mind for your children:

  • Eat Right: Give your children a healthy edge with the right nutritional approach, including these dietary recommendations from Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers.
  • Stay Focused: Mental health and proper sleep habits are just as important as a proper diet. US Family Health Plan member Johns Hopkins HealthCare covers these areas and more in its Back-to-School Guide for Parents.
  • Eye Exams: It can be hard for children to learn well if they struggle to see the chalkboard. Ask your primary care physician about scheduling an eye exam for your child.
  • Annual Physical: Whether your children play sports or not, we recommend an annual physical to survey their general health and to ensure they are on track for continued healthy growth and development.
  • Vaccinations: Confirm with your primary care physician that your children’s vaccines are up to date and in alignment with school requirements.

Managing care throughout the school year can be hectic for parents. That’s why all US Family Health Plans are committed to making healthcare as easy as possible for our nation’s military families.

US Family Health Plans Earn Top National Ratings among Private Health Insurance Plans

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Consistently rated one of the best care programs in customer satisfaction, the US Family Health Plan now boasts two of the highest-rated health insurance plans in the country, according to the independent National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

In NCQA’s Private Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2016–2017, NCQA gave 5 out of 5 ratings to both Martin’s Point US Family Health Plan (ME) and the Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan – two of the US Family Health Plan’s six regional health plans.

“Our goal is to provide high quality health care to our members and to keep them extremely satisfied,” said Jim Schweiter, US Family Health Plan Alliance CEO. “The latest NCQA ratings prove that the US Family Health Plan program delivers the results our military family and retiree members deserve.”

The NCQA report rates private, Medicare, and Medicaid health insurance plans on a 5-point scale for customer satisfaction, prevention and treatment. It also considers NCQA Accreditation standards scores. Both Martin’s Point and Johns Hopkins are NCQA-accredited and were among just 13 private plans in the country that earned a 5 out of 5 rating, out of the more than 1,000 plans rated in the report. Both plans improved on their 4.5 out of 5 ratings from last year’s Private Health Insurance Plan Ratings.

The Martin’s Point US Family Health Plan, based in Portland, Maine, is the top-rated private plan in the state.

“The NCQA ratings demonstrate the effectiveness of the US Family Health Plan’s model in managing care, achieving better health outcomes and delivering top-rated care to our members. We are proud of this recognition and proud to serve the military community,” said Dr. David Howes, President and CEO of Martin’s Point HealthCare.

The Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan is one of two private plans based in Maryland that received an overall rating of 5 out of 5.

“We are honored to earn the NCQA’s five of five rating in service to our members. We learn so much from the military families and retirees we serve, and we pledge to continue to deliver the exceptional care that led to the NCQA rating,” said Mary Cooke, vice president of the Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan.

The US Family Health Plan has been labeled as a model for exemplary patient satisfaction nationwide by the annual Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey, which gave the plan a 91.5 aggregate member satisfaction rating in 2015 – more than 25 points higher on a 100-point scale than the national average for commercial health plans. CAHPS scores are incorporated into the NCQA rating system.

“The health and satisfaction of our members has been our top priority in delivering care to beneficiaries of the Military Health System for more than 30 years, and we look forward to continuing to provide high quality care in the years ahead,” Schweiter said.

MEMBER MINUTES VIDEO: ‘Quality Care from the Right People’

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USFHP Member Minutes Profile

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Charles Halsted, Retired

Charles “Chuc” Halsted served three decades in the U.S. Air Force National Guard after four years of active-duty Air Force service. Upon his retirement six years ago, he and his wife, Christine, returned home to Maine and joined the US Family Health Plan Alliance through local provider, Martin’s Point Health Care.
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Chief Halsted knows that caregivers working with military retirees or active-duty families need to have an understanding of the military culture to establish trust, which he says is especially important in medical care. This culture of trust is what drew Halsted and his wife to Martin’s Point and the US Family Health Plan.

“When you step out of the service, and you look for trust – that kind of trust you’ve been used to for a long time – you look for quality care,” he says. “Are you secure day in and day out that you have the right people for you? US Family Health Plan and Martin’s Point were a no-brainer.”

Chief Halsted also discusses the importance of the positive culture and reliable access at Martin’s Point, a major factor in his family’s decision to stay in Maine.

“I’ve seen a lot of care. I couldn’t be happier with US Family Health Plan and Martin’s Point in the care I get from them,” Halsted says. “I know I can be well taken care of. And when I look down the line, at my age, I know they’ll be there for me, and there’s tremendous security in that.”

The Halsteds are among nearly 150,000 US Family Health Plan members nationwide who enjoy access to quality healthcare with top-rated patient satisfaction through six regional TRICARE Prime providers. To learn more about US Family Health Plan, watch the interview above or explore the rest of our website.

Freedom and Fireworks Fly at 2016 US Family Health Plan Freedom Over Texas Festival

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Earlier this month, US Family Health Plan Alliance member organizations celebrated Independence Day by participating in patriotic events across the country. In Houston, Christus Health proudly served as title sponsor of the Freedom Over Texas Festival, an annual Fourth of July event that draws more than 50,000 people from across the state and region.[layerslider id=”7″]

Christus Health, part of TRICARE’s US Family Health Plan program, serves members in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Overall, the US Family Health Plan program provides care to nearly 150,000 military family members and retirees across the country.

This year, the Freedom Over Texas Festival featured fireworks displays and musical performances by country music superstars Darius Rucker and the Eli Young Band. The day also included a historic flyover by two Vietnam War-era helicopters, flown by two veterans who had been shot down on July 4, 1971.

Alongside the festival events, Christus Health worked with the Houston Dynamo, the local Major League Soccer franchise, to host Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, July 2. This partnership is an extension of Christus Health’s relationship with the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success program, which helps Houston-area kids who might normally lack the resources to play soccer.

“We were so grateful to be a part of this event that gives back to the city of Houston and surrounding communities in a way that highlights the sacrifices of our armed services,” said Anita Leal, Executive Director of the Christus Health US Family Health Plan.

For more information visit www.freedomovertexas.org.

USFHP Member Series: From Marine One to Brighton Marine

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Former Marine One “Trip Leader” Now Focused on Family’s Health and Happiness in New England

When retired Gunnery Sgt. Dan Aronhalt reflects on his 20 years in the military, he remembers the familiar tune of Lynn Anderson’s country song, “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden,” used notably in the U.S. Marine Corps’ recruiting commercials.

Aronhalt – a US Family Health Plan member now living in Pawtucket, Rhode Island – recounts how an intervention of fate dramatically reshaped his future. Fresh out of high school, Aronhalt knew he didn’t want to go to college, opting instead to join the military and serve his country. But after unsuccessfully trying to meet with a U.S. Navy recruiter in Pawtucket, he instead ended up in front of a recruiter for the Marine Corps.

This encounter launched Aronhalt’s career in the Marines, half of which he spent overseeing the fleet of Marine Corps helicopters that includes Marine One, the call sign for whichever Marine vehicle transports the president of the United States. Aronhalt’s service on Marine One spanned nearly 10 years and the presidencies of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. As designated “trip leader,” Aronhalt worked in maintenance control, overseeing a crew of 125 personnel as they made necessary repairs to all Marine One aircraft.

“It’s a good feeling to say I’ve done this because not many people have the opportunity to do what I did. Working on a presidential aircraft was an honor, and I’m glad I did it for as many years as I did,” Aronhalt says. “I’ve shared my experience with many people, and it kind of makes them go, ‘wow.’”

Though Aronhalt no longer spends his time in the company of U.S. presidents, the good feelings continue as he and his wife, Sandy, enjoy the ease of managing their healthcare through US Family Health Plan of Southern New England through Brighton Marine Health Center. The Aronhalts were married last summer and joined US Family Health Plan in January.

Still Newlyweds: Dan and Sandy Aronhalt were married at an “I Do” barbeque at their Pawtucket home last summer.

Still Newlyweds: Dan and Sandy Aronhalt were married at an “I Do” barbeque at their Pawtucket home last summer.

Describing himself as being in “fairly good health,” Aronhalt has never had a problem accessing care when he needs it. He rates the plan a “10” and said he and his wife could not be more satisfied with the quality care they receive, especially the prescription service and 24-hour telehealth line.

“The way that US Family Health Plan handles prescriptions is excellent,” Aronhalt says. “The Brighton Marine facility takes care of all my prescriptions, and they do a fantastic job. The costs are less than I was paying during active duty, and they cover even more. The people are helpful, and everything works well because they’ve made it so easy. If you call the 24-hour line, you’ll likely get in to see a doctor that day.”

Aronhalt says military service is an experience anyone would benefit from in gaining knowledge and training. And, while the military never promised him a rose garden, now retired, he appreciates the ease of care management he and his wife enjoy through US Family Health Plan.

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Tedford (USAF Ret.) and his family.

MEMBER MINUTES VIDEO: ‘Access Is Everything’

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USFHP Member Minutes Profile

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Tedford

After a 30-year active-duty career in the U.S. Air Force — including eight years as communications chief on Air Force One — Chief Master Sergeant Michael Tedford has enjoyed nearly a decade of retirement with his wife, Katrina, and their children.

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Tedford served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years, including 22 years at Joint Base Andrews and eight years in the cockpit of Air Force One.

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Tedford served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, including 22 years at Joint Base Andrews and eight years aboard Air Force One. He is pictured above with former President George W. Bush and at bottom with former President Bill Clinton and crewmates.

Retirement has been “very smooth,” Tedford says, as a result of the reliable and convenient access to quality healthcare he and his wife receive through the Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan.

“My wife and I have been enrolled in the Plan for nine years,” Tedford says. “The US Family Health Plan has been a phenomenal success, and once we got into it and saw how good it was, we’ve been nothing but big proponents.”

Chief Tedford touts the US Family Health Plan’s convenience of access, a necessity due to a daily commute from his home in Maryland to downtown Washington, D.C., and his and Katrina’s primary care and surgical needs.

“Especially as my wife and I get older, I think it’s going to be significant to our health, because if we didn’t have the Plan available I think our health would suffer as far as the quality and the access. Access is everything,” Tedford says.

The Tedfords are among nearly 150,000 US Family Health Plan members nationwide to enjoy access to quality healthcare with top-rated patient satisfaction through six regional TRICARE Prime provider organizations. To learn more about the US Family Health Plan, watch the interview above or explore the rest of our website.

US Family Health Plan Alliance CEO Jim Schweiter Discusses Military Health Care Reform

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Jim Schweiter, US Family Health Plan CEO

Jim Schweiter

In a recent article for the National Military Family Association (NMFA), US Family Health Plan Alliance CEO Jim Schweiter addressed the series of proposed reforms to the Military Health System that are under consideration as part of the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

In his piece, Schweiter highlights a recent study from the University at Buffalo that emphasized the importance of health care providers who serve our military community having a full understanding of military culture. Further, he urges Congress to preserve those elements of the current system, including TRICARE Prime’s US Family Health Plan program, which have been shown over time to work well, provide high quality care, and achieve better health outcomes and high beneficiary satisfaction.

 

A recent study from the University at Buffalo and published in the journal Military Behavioral Health concluded that health care provider networks that serve veterans and families in the military community need to have a fundamental understanding of military culture in order to provide effective care and improve patients’ health outcomes. This kind of understanding of the military community and culture can only be acquired by working with the military and serving the community and its people over time.  

The findings underscore the critical importance of understanding how military service impacts care utilization—fundamentals that the US Family Health Plan provider organizations have developed and refined through more than 30 years of serving nearly 150,000 military family members.

The US Family Health Plan view is that service members and their families deserve the greatest respect for their service, and also the highest-quality health care. The US Family Health Plan has been a long time leader in quality care for military families, retirees and other beneficiaries in the Military Health System, systemically providing the critical components of health care that is tailored to military families as outlined in the study’s findings:

  • An in-depth knowledge of military culture, values and ideals;
  • An understanding of the stressors of military life and post-service adjustment;
  • Recognition that a person’s military service might influence his or her care utilization habits;
  • Avoidance of individual barriers to a patient-provider relationship.

To read Schweiter’s full commentary for the National Military Family Association, click here.