The following is an excerpt from the 2018 Magellan Community Impact Report.

Care is core to every service we deliver and everything we do. For Magellan, success is about so much more than profit or prestige. It’s about doing well by doing good. We’re always caring, listening, learning and using our collective insight to make a difference. When we care together, we turn hope into reality.

Caring and sharing our lived experiences

Wyoming’s High Fidelity Wraparound program is just one of many examples where Magellan team members, who have lived through similar experiences, are returning the care and concern they personally received.

High Fidelity Wraparound is a voluntary planning and care coordination process for children and youth (ages 4-20) with complex behavioral health conditions. High Fidelity Wraparound’s community based solutions and planning process bring people together from different areas of a family’s life to form a team. The team creates steps to help youth stay in their homes, schools and communities.

Through our partnership with the Wyoming Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Financing (Medicaid), Magellan serves as the Care Management Entity for the High Fidelity Wraparound program, setting the rules and providing training for everyone involved in the process.

The  Wiederspahn  family

When Magellan Care Worker Chassity Wiederspahn’s son began  to struggle behaviorally, mentally  and emotionally in first grade, she knew she needed assistance but was at a loss.  Through High Fidelity Wraparound, she was  able to build a team around her family to guide  them in their search for help. The High Fidelity  Wraparound program allowed them to build a strong  support system and learn the resources available in their  community. It gave them confidence that they could handle  the challenges that might lie ahead. As a graduate of High Fidelity Wraparound, Chassity shares her story with the families and providers  she speaks to on a daily basis.

Many of our Magellan team members have lived these  experiences. which enables them to bring a valuable  set of life skills to their daily jobs each and every day.  As employees, the job is more than just the tasks at hand, we  truly care and offer ourselves as role models of hope and success.

The Campbell family

Magellan’s Kathryn (Kat) Campbell, family support specialist, is the proud mother of four beautiful children, two of whom are adopted from Wyoming’s foster care system. Blending a family was an overwhelming process despite the research and preparation of a therapist team. The crash course in secondary trauma left Kat and her partner reeling.

The family was referred by the local crisis center to High Fidelity Wraparound. The process created a safe space for Kat’s entire family to focus on caring for themselves, and they started to feel the support of those around them who were waiting to help. High Fidelity Wraparound’s empowerment and team building strategy gave the family the skills to run their own team for the high needs their children had, long after the family graduated from the process. Kat now trains and mentors providers who work directly  with families like her own.

The following is an excerpt from the 2018 Community Impact Report.

The MRx Cares program, developed by Magellan Rx Management, is one great example where we deliver – value and results!

Helping when life is complex

As a next-generation pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), Magellan Rx Management leans into the complex pharmacy challenges facing our members. One such challenge is specialty pharmacy. MRx  Cares is available to members who live with complex chronic conditions— like Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, HIV, Rheumatoid Arthritis and the aftermath of organ transplants—and are currently receiving their medication through Magellan Rx Specialty Pharmacy.

When members first fill a specialty medication, they are automatically enrolled in MRx Cares at no cost. Members receive an easy-to-understand welcome kit specific to their medications and conditions. Soon after, a personal health coach reaches out.

Our MRx Cares program offers a unique approach to member management with Motivational Interviewing-based health coaching. Motivational Interviewing is a counseling method that helps patients resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation to change their behavior and meet their personal goals.
Providing personalized support from  caring experts

The MRx Cares program is led by specially trained nurses and pharmacists. These expert health coaches work closely, one on one, with each individual. Together, they develop a personalized care plan with achievable goals. The health coaches check in monthly, or more if needed, via calls, texts or video consultations.

Helping improve drug adherence

In addition to 24/7 access to nurses and pharmacists who understand the member’s situation, the program offers monthly refill reminders to improve drug adherence. The health coaches are also there to help if members need assistance with the cost of their medications. They can help connect members to opportunities for financial assistance and community support groups.In the most recent participant survey, 99% of respondents indicated they were highly satisfied with the benefits of MRx Cares and the services they receive.

The following is an excerpt from the 2018 Magellan Community Impact Report.

Coming together for the win

Nowhere is our value of Win Together more apparent than when you see the smiling faces of our employees working together to help improve the communities we serve. Every year, Magellan employees, located throughout the country, voluntarily organize and participate in Magellan Cares community service activities. Magellan Health and the Magellan Cares Foundation also support our employees’ giving in two ways: paying for time off to volunteer and matching their financial gifts. And when times get tough, we help lift up one another through our eMbrace employee assistance fund. Fully funded by employees through payroll contributions, the eMbrace fund helps employees who are facing a personal financial hardship.

Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

• 2018 volunteer time spent: 17,000
• 2018 volunteer states served: 36
• 2018 volunteer impacted organizations: 560+

Matching Gifts

•  2018 matching funds total dollars: $69,398.77
•  2018 matching funds impacted organizations: 152
•  2018 employee donated matched: $25,416.54

eMbrace

•  2018 total gifts received: : $136,419
•  2018 Total distributions to employees: $144,770
• Total gifts received since 2012: $726,499

The Magellan Cares Foundation also provides grants to nonprofits or nonprofit organizations for initiatives that are aligned with our focus areas. Donations support national or large-scale health access and quality improvement initiatives; efforts that help improve the social supports around a quality healthcare system, such as access to housing, food, clothing or self improvement opportunities, and efforts to support America’s military service members, veterans and wounded warriors.

•  2018 total dollars granted: $560,000
• 2018 total impacted organizations: 130

Having type 2 diabetes can be overwhelming. The good news? While everyone’s treatment plan will be different, there’s a good chance you can manage your type 2 diabetes by making healthy choices. Convinced, but still struggling to work good choices into your real life? Start here for tips on treating type 2 diabetes.

The key to treating type 2 diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels controlled and in your target range.

All of the following help to lower blood sugar:

• Making healthy food choices. Try to manage the amount of carbohydrates you eat by spreading them out over the day.
• Losing weight, if you are overweight
• Getting regular exercise
• Taking medicines, if you need them

It’s also important to:

• See your doctor. Regular checkups are important to monitor your health.
• Test your blood sugar levels. You have a better chance of keeping your blood sugar in your target range if you know what your levels are from day to day.
• Keep high blood pressure and high cholesterol under control. This can help you lower your risk of heart and large blood vessel disease.
• Quit smoking. This can help you reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

It seems like a lot to do—especially at first. You might start with one or two changes. Focus on checking your blood sugar regularly and being active more often. Work on other tasks as you can.

It can be hard to accept that you have diabetes. It’s normal to feel sad or angry. You may even feel grief. Talking about your feelings can help. Your doctor or other health professionals can help you cope.

With a little support and guidance, patients with diabetes can live healthy, vibrant lives. Our Live Vibrantly: Diabetes care program helps manage all aspects of diabetes from improving wellness, diet, and exercise to optimizing medication use. To learn more about Live Vibrantly: Diabetes, click here.

©1995–2019, Healthwise, Incorporated

Read the full article here:  https://www.healthwise.net/magellanhealth/Content/StdDocument.aspx?DOCHWID=hw135189#hw135192

This document is for your information only. It is not meant to give medical advice. It should not be used to replace a visit with a provider. Magellan Health does not endorse other resources that may be mentioned here.

Follow your body’s hunger and fullness signals. Smart snacking can help you keep your blood sugar levels stable, especially if you are taking medicine for diabetes.

Try these tips:

• Enjoy eating the right portion. Try using a smaller plate, bowl, or glass while you slowly eat your snack.
• Make healthy choices. Eat a piece of fresh fruit. Or combine that fruit with some protein, such as a small apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter. Or try dipping your fruit in some light yogurt.
• Be prepared. Keep cut-up raw vegetables in your refrigerator. If these are ready to eat, you’re more likely to grab them than something else. Try a low-fat dip on the side.
• Eat nuts. Try a small handful of almonds, walnuts, or pecans. These treats each have less than 15 grams of carbohydrate.
• Choose filling foods that can satisfy your hunger without a lot of calories. Try a hard-boiled egg or an ounce of reduced-fat cheese, such as string cheese.
• Skip high-fat dips. Instead, mix plain yogurt, fat-free mayonnaise, cottage cheese, or fat-free sour cream with a small amount of dry soup mix. Or try a bean dip made with fat-free refried beans, topped with salsa.
• Get more fiber. Put that turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. Mix wheat germ into yogurt or sprinkle it on salads. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals.
• Try something new. Make a pita pizza with a piece of whole wheat pita bread, tomato sauce, and a sprinkling of reduced-fat cheese. Top with sliced zucchini or mushrooms. Bake until cheese is melted. Enjoy!

And remember:

• Don’t eat out of the bag or box. Take a single serving, and eat from a plate or bowl. It’s easy to eat more than you need or want when the bag is open in front of you.
• Don’t buy snacks that aren’t healthy choices. If unhealthy snacks aren’t around, you won’t eat them.
• Keep an eye on the nutrition facts label, especially in low-fat or fat-free foods. To make up for flavor, sugar and salt is often added when fat is taken out.

With a little support and guidance, patients with diabetes can live healthy, vibrant lives. Our Live Vibrantly: Diabetes care program helps manage all aspects of diabetes from improving wellness, diet, and exercise to optimizing medication use. To learn more about Live Vibrantly: Diabetes, click here.

©1995–2019, Healthwise, Incorporated

Read the full article here:  https://www.healthwise.net/magellanhealth/Content/StdDocument.aspx?DOCHWID=av2453

This document is for your information only. It is not meant to give medical advice. It should not be used to replace a visit with a provider. Magellan Health does not endorse other resources that may be mentioned here.

Wyoming’s High Fidelity Wraparound program continues to show successful outcomes for enrolled youth with complex behavioral health challenges.  Operated by Magellan Healthcare, Inc. through a collaboration with the Wyoming Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Financing (Medicaid), Wyoming’s High Fidelity Wraparound demonstrates that young people are getting more needs met in their own homes and communities.

High Fidelity Wraparound, an evidenced-based non-clinical intensive care coordination program, is a national model designed to bridge gaps for youth where challenges in behavior and mental health exist. The program uses peers and lived experience in a strengths-based way, focusing on what people do well and provides alternative options in addition to therapy and other traditional methods that fit individual preferences and cultures. This team approach provides a network of support for families, allowing them to be the experts of their lives and learn to drive the process.

“When youth behavior is extreme, there is higher probability of needing to leave home or school to address their needs in a clinical, therapeutic or detention setting. We meet people where they are, use assessments like the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) to identify needs and strengths, which inform the team of behaviors that should be addressed,” said Tammy Cooley, senior director of operations, Magellan Healthcare. “Youth are supported in meeting challenges like staying in school, having more positive relationships, and doing more of the things children should be doing at their age, which ultimately builds confidence and lasting positive change.”

In Wyoming’s High Fidelity Wraparound programs, CANS are administered at the beginning of a youth’s enrollment into the program and every three months until the youth successfully completes the voluntary program and transitions out.

Barbara Dunn, Director of Program Innovation and Outcomes for Magellan of Healthcare in Wyoming, said, “From July 2018 to June 2019, over 75 percent of youth enrolled in Wyoming’s High Fidelity Wraparound program experienced reduced severity of needs. The typical youth enrolls with nine treatment needs and resolves almost four while increasing strengths to maintain their gains.”

 Decreased Needs and Increased Strengths

July 2018-June 2019

Cooley said, “The evidence is powerful and shows reductions in high prevalence needs between a youth’s enrollment and discharge. Our program works when youth and families are engaged. Wyoming’s Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Financing (Medicaid) has given us a chance to deliver a quality home and community-based program through a care management entity model that gives high risk youth more access to care right where they need it most. From the results of this year’s CANS report, we show Wyoming’s High Fidelity Program is making a positive impact in the lives of our youth participants. We want all youth who qualify for this Medicaid program to see the benefits.”

 Wyoming CANS Initial Scores vs. CANS Discharge Scores in Key Intervention Areas

June 2019-July 2019

For more information about Wyoming’s High Fidelity Wraparound program, please visit www.MagellanOfWyoming.com.

About Magellan Health: Magellan Health, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is a leader in managing the fastest growing, most complex areas of health, including special populations, complete pharmacy benefits and other specialty areas of healthcare. Magellan supports innovative ways of accessing better health through technology, while remaining focused on the critical personal relationships that are necessary to achieve a healthy, vibrant life. Magellan’s customers include health plans and other managed care organizations, employers, labor unions, various military and governmental agencies and third-party administrators. For more information, visit MagellanHealth.com.

Primary care providers can be responsible for everything from first line dermatology to behavioral health to musculoskeletal injuries. In a world of rapidly changing technologies, and in which new therapies can cure or alter diseases that only a few years ago would have never been thought possible, the basics still matter. As a clinician, I’ve practiced internal medicine and psychiatry, and still have the opportunity to work with a FQHC in building integrated care. Those experiences and my national view of utilization and prescribing patterns highlight the need for provider support to care for persons with mental health conditions, including opioid use and abuse.

It is often challenging to translate new medical knowledge to the clinic setting. How does a provider care for the individual on a potentially lethal combination of opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants? Or, how does one address the young child who has been placed on a combination of psychotropic medications.

In our current health system, primary care providers are in the best place to begin patient care journey or change the course of an already established treatment plan. An effective solution for supporting providers in delivering high quality care is in the form of provider support, especially through programs that involve data analytics, followed by one on one academic detailing. PBMs are in a unique position, having the ability to assist providers in working with patients on complex behavioral health or opioid regimens. PBMs have access to data that allows for identifying outlier member and provider behavior and finding patients who are at risk for adverse outcomes. While PBMs don’t have access to prescription drug monitoring programs, they can see what prescriptions are filled, where there is overlap, and where there are multiple providers interacting with a patient.

Magellan Rx developed the Live Vibrantly: Whole Health program to address those outlier providers and members, with the goal of achieving higher quality care. This program uses evidence-based algorithms to find members who may be at risk for adverse outcomes, and targets prescribers who may be over-prescribing. We become the provider’s go-to source for translating the evidence to the bedside through assistance with difficult issues, such as withdrawing an individual from high dose opioids. Through taking an approach to support providers in delivering high quality care, we’ve been able to truly partner in leading our members to leading more healthy vibrant lives.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have difficulty in school, because their symptoms—inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity—get in the way of learning.

Success in school is important for the development of healthy self-esteem and confidence.

You can help your child succeed in school by:

• Working with teachers and other school personnel.
• Educating yourself about ADHD.
• Helping your child control his or her symptoms.

How can you help your child be successful in school?

You can help your child have the greatest chance of success in school by educating yourself, building relationships, maintaining open communication, working with your child, and keeping good records. Preschool or kindergarten is the best time to start using these techniques. But it is never too late to help a child improve his or her school performance.

Education                                                          

Learning as much as you can about ADHD and your child’s education rights will help you work with the school system more effectively.

• Learn about ADHD. Use the Internet to locate national organizations, ask your doctor, or visit your local library or bookstore for information about ADHD.
• Know your child’s symptoms and treatment plan. Talk with your doctor about your child’s behaviors that may interfere with learning and about ways to control those behaviors. Develop a record of your child’s treatment plan.
• Learn about your child’s education rights. Laws exist ensuring education rights for children who have conditions that interfere with learning. These laws also stipulate that parents have a right to be informed about and participate in educational decisions concerning their child. Contact your state and local education departments for information about ADHD in the schools and your rights to educational accommodations.
• Talk with other parents of children with ADHD. Join a support group for ADHD families. Find out how others have effectively worked with school systems.

 Build relationships

A positive relationship with teachers and other school personnel will improve your child’s chances of being successful in school.

• Start early. Before a school year begins, get to know the principal and other appropriate school personnel. Find out as much as you can about the school policies and rules, especially how behavior problems are handled. Find out if there are other children with ADHD in the school and how their behavior is being handled in the classroom.
• Share what you have learned. Find out if the teachers and other personnel need information about ADHD. Look for ways to help them get that information, such as suggesting books, pamphlets, or any local educational programs.
• Get to know your child’s teacher. Before the school year begins, talk with your child’s teacher about his or her style of teaching and discipline in the classroom. Find out whether the teacher has experience teaching children who have ADHD. Share with the teacher information about your child’s symptoms and what behaviors may interfere with his or her ability to learn. You may want to share your child’s treatment plan with the teacher.
• Make a school plan. Work with the teacher to design a plan to help your child perform to his or her potential. Address how to minimize misbehavior and how to react to it. Your plan will change as your child grows and develops. You may need to work with the school to develop an individual education plan (IEP) for your child. An IEP is a tool for classroom and homework adaptations for a child with a disability. For children with milder symptoms, the school may suggest a plan that is used for medical conditions that do not meet the IEP standards (called a 504 plan).
• Ask school personnel for help when needed. Tutoring or services that help with study or organizational skills are sometimes provided through the school. If not, school personnel often have a list of local resources that can help your child.

Keep communication open

Open communication with your child’s teacher can help resolve problems that may occur throughout the school year. The following are suggestions for working and communicating with your child’s teacher:

• Understand the demands upon your child’s teacher. Most children with ADHD can be taught in a regular classroom, although adjustments are sometimes needed. Not all teachers are trained to do this. Also, teachers are stretched to their limits by large numbers of children in the classroom, making it difficult to give each child personal attention. Ask the teacher what he or she needs from you to help assimilate your child.
• Keep the teacher informed. Share with the teacher any relevant changes in your child’s treatment plan. Help facilitate the sharing of information among you, your child’s teacher, and your child’s doctor.
• Visit the classroom. If possible, volunteer for school activities and parties. This will let the teacher know that you are interested in your child’s education and willing to help.
• Request progress reports. Children with ADHD often lose or forget their assignments. Ask the teacher to complete regular progress reports of your child’s performance and behavior.
• Have a final conference. Meet with the teacher at the end of the school year to discuss your child’s overall progress and the teacher’s suggestions for the next year. Ask him or her about possible teachers for the next year and how to help your child get the best chance for success in school.

Work with your child

• Use treatment methods as recommended by your child’s doctor. This may include medicine and/or behavior management techniques. This will help your child control symptoms of ADHD at home and school.
• Keep your child involved. Let your child know that you support his or her teacher. Clearly outline your expectations and the consequences of misbehavior. Talk with your child about how the teacher will let him or her know that a behavior is becoming inappropriate.
• Link school and home. Use the same signals (such as hand signals) that the teacher uses at school to indicate when a behavior is becoming inappropriate. Also, you can reward your child with privileges for remembering to bring home school progress reports. You can further reward him or her if the report is positive. If your child fails to bring a progress report home, you may treat it as if he or she had an unsatisfactory report and withhold a privilege.
• Help your child organize. Even young children can learn to use lists, daily planners, or calendars to keep up with homework assignments, tests, and activities. A young child may need a teacher’s help in writing down assignments.
• Use learning aids, such as tape recorders or computers. Teach your child how to take notes and to underline important information. If your child seems to learn best visually, ask about books that have helpful pictures and diagrams or workbooks.
• Have short sessions. Keep homework sessions to no more than 20 minutes without a break.

Keep good records

Health and school records can help monitor your child’s academic and behavioral progress as well as help identify when treatment adjustments are needed. You should keep and update the following records:

• ADHD evaluations. Collect copies of any records that are used to evaluate your child for ADHD. These records often identify the type of ADHD that your child has, which helps with treatment.
• Evaluations for any other conditions with similar symptoms.
• History of medicines. Record all medicines that your child has taken or is taking to treat ADHD.
• School progress records. Keep copies of any school plans, daily school progress reports, and formal progress reports throughout the year. Also, keep your child’s final grades and any achievement test results. You may find them helpful as you develop school plans for the following year.
• Individual education plan. If your school developed an individual education plan (IEP) for your child, ask for a copy. You may need to share that information with the health professionals working with your child.

©1997–2019, Healthwise, Incorporated

Read the full article here: https://www.healthwise.net/magellanhealth/Content/StdDocument.aspx?DOCHWID=tk1496

This document is for your information only. It is not meant to give medical advice. It should not be used to replace a visit with a provider. Magellan Health does not endorse other resources that may be mentioned here.