Monthly Spotlights

Buckeye Health Plan – Education Benefits for Members

At Buckeye Health Plan, we believe education is key to a healthier future. That’s why we partnered with GEDWorks, to offer special education benefits to help our members grow personally and professionally.

 With GEDWorks™ members receive:

• Flexible, customized study plans
• Online testing
• A dedicated bilingual advisor
• Practice tests
• Free 24/7 online tutoring
• Test pass guarantee

These services are offered at no cost to Buckeye members. Let your patients know they can apply here.

Buckeye Health Plan is focused on assisting families with children 5 – 17 manage asthma symptoms and emergency room visits.  Young Ohioans are affected by:

Air Quality and Pollution

• Poor air quality can trigger and worsen asthma symptoms, especially in urban areas like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

Indoor and Outdoor Allergens

• Many children in Ohio are exposed to indoor asthma triggers such as dust mites, mold, pet dander, and secondhand smoke.

Disparities and Social Determinants

• Urban areas with high traffic congestion and industrial activities have higher asthma prevalence and emergency room visits among children.

We have a Healthy Homes program rolling out in several counties, with more counties on the way. The program will aid in the following ways:

• reducing ED utilization
• educating families on how the home can instigate triggers
• prevention tools and resources, to promote an asthma free home

You can order Health Homes Tip Cards to share with your Buckeye patients and have them contact us to see if they qualify. Together, we can keep children breathing easier!

Eating Disorder Awareness Week February 24^th – March 2^nd, 2025

Eating Disorders in Women: A Growing Concern

Eating disorders are complex mental and physical health conditions that affect millions of individuals worldwide. In the United States alone, approximately 28.8 million people will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. While these disorders can impact anyone, women are disproportionately affected. Compared to men, women are up to five times more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder and 1.5 times more likely to receive treatment.

Eating disorders encompass a range of conditions, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. These disorders are not simply about food; they are often rooted in deeper psychological and emotional struggles, such as low self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, and societal pressures.

Why Women Are More Affected

There are several factors contributing to the higher prevalence of eating disorders among women:

1. Societal Pressures: Media and cultural ideals often promote unrealistic beauty standards, emphasizing thinness as the ideal body type. Women, from a young age, are bombarded with images that equate worth with appearance.
2. Psychological Factors: Women are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and body dissatisfaction, which are key risk factors for developing an eating disorder.
3. Diet Culture: The normalization of dieting and weight-loss trends disproportionately affects women, leading to harmful eating behaviors that can escalate into full-blown disorders.

Breaking the Stigma

Despite the prevalence of eating disorders, stigma and misconceptions still prevent many women from seeking help. It is crucial to recognize that eating disorders are not a choice or a sign of vanity but serious mental health conditions that require compassion and medical intervention.

Raising awareness, promoting body positivity, and encouraging open conversations about mental health can help break down barriers to treatment and support recovery for those affected.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Office of Woman’s Health

Heart health in minority populations is a critical issue that intersects with social, economic, and cultural factors, contributing to disparities in cardiovascular health outcomes.

Buckeye Health Plan is committed to supporting over 95,000 members with prevention and education to ensure healthier outcomes regarding hypertension.  Within our Provider Network, we share the same goal to support communities in Ohio; we have developed tip cards that we can deliver to your office to share to Buckeye Health Plan members. See the selection. and order. Together we can help patients understand the importance of maintaining a healthy heart.  

As we close out 2024 and roll into 2025, BHP has strived to ensure health equity is ingrained in every facet of our work.  Discussing best practices, health literacy and maternal child health – has allowed an increase in cultural competency within our provider network.  This has opened opportunities for engagement and community partnerships, utilizing our Mobile Unit to meet members where they are.  There are many big things in store for 2025 and we cannot wait to share!

Happy Holidays from the Health Equity Department at Buckeye Health Plan!

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by airflow obstruction that makes breathing difficult. It encompasses two main conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  Buckeye Health Plan serves about 23,000 members living with COPD across all lines of business (Medicaid, Medicare, Mycare and Ambetter) in Ohio.  Our data shows that the 66–80-year-old, male and female population have the highest prevalence, living in Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton counties.  Health inequities have been identified among individuals with COPD worldwide. Individuals with COPD of lower socioeconomic status (SES), living in rural settings, and those from marginalized communities often have decreased access to health care that is necessary to manage and treat their condition (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

BHP has the following resources available to share with patients:

• Krames Library allows for patients to have a detailed overview of diagnosis and/or medications that are prescribed bhp.kramesonline.com
• American Lung Cancer has resources and quizzes to assist patients lung.org

Together, we can ensure that quality care is provided and education on COPD management is available for all patients. Supporting patient questions, encouraging the ability to manage symptoms and lifestyle changes can allow for COPD to be manageable.  Overall, early diagnosis and effective management are crucial for improving quality of life and slowing disease progression.

Lung Association Screening Resources

Buckeye Health Plan strives to promote health equity to all we engage with.  We connect with our providers to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and cultural competency.  Please view the attached infographic detailing health equity and how we can best support members together.

Health Equity - Health Literacy (PDF)

According to Pfizer, 100,000 people are living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in America.  This is a common rare disease, that often gets overlooked as well as patients living with the condition.

Across Ohio, Buckeye Health Plan is utilizing care managers to assist our members, your patients with managing their sickle cell condition.  We utilize standards that align with health equity for all, ensuring that culturally linguistic services are being utilized for every member.

We ask that you continue that service, when your patient is experiencing a sickle cell crisis by remembering a few of the following:

• Understand and acknowledge the linguistic, economic, and social barriers members face that may prevent access to healthcare and other services.
• Understand that a member’s culture and beliefs may impact their choices of care, including ethical issues such as nutrition and life support.
• Treatment recommendations should be sensitive and responsive to the identity and beliefs of the individual member.
• Engage with Buckeye Health Plan’s Provider page on our website and check out the Cultural Humility Resources here.

Together we can ensure healthy individuals and families, understand their health care journey!

Here are a few additional resources to share:

Sickle Cell Disease Foundation
Educational and support programs, services that meet physical, psychosocial and economic needs. Information at SCDFC.  909-743-5227

The Sickle Cell Consortium – Mental Health initiative
Platform to address patient/caregiver mental health needs and concerns.

Reference: Sickle Cell Disease Pfizer

Buckeye Health Plan has resources available to support Moms and their babies, who opt to breastfeed.  Breastfeeding is incredibly important for both infants and mothers for several reasons:

• Nutritional Benefits: Breast milk provides all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that a baby needs for healthy growth and development. It contains the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and is easier for infants to digest compared to formula.
• Immune System Support: Breast milk contains antibodies and other immune-boosting factors that help protect infants from infections and diseases. This is particularly crucial in the early months when a baby’s immune system is still developing.
• Bonding: Breastfeeding fosters a close bond between mother and baby through physical closeness, skin-to-skin contact, and emotional connection.
• Health Benefits for Mothers: Breastfeeding can help mothers recover from childbirth more quickly by promoting uterine contractions and reducing postpartum bleeding. It also lowers the risk of certain cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancer, and can aid in weight loss after pregnancy.
• Economic Benefits: Breastfeeding is cost-effective compared to formula feeding, which can be expensive. It also reduces healthcare costs by lowering the incidence of illnesses in infants.

While breastfeeding offers many benefits, it’s also important to recognize that it might not be possible or the best choice for every family due to various reasons. Support and understanding for different feeding choices are essential in ensuring the health and well-being of both mothers and babies.

Connect your patient to their local WIC office by contacting the Help Me Grow hotline 1-800-755-GROW (1-800-755-4769)

Reference: Women’s Health/Breastfeeding

Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) assessments during medical appointments play a crucial role in providing comprehensive patient care. By evaluating factors such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood conditions, and access to healthcare, clinicians can gain a deeper understanding of the influences affecting a patient’s health. This holistic approach allows for tailored interventions that address not only the clinical needs but also the social barriers that may hinder a patient’s ability to maintain or improve their health. Recognizing these determinants is essential for fostering effective communication, building trust, and ensuring that care plans are both relevant and practical.

The Health Equity Specialists are here to assist BHP members with identified social determinants. Using this link, a quick screening can be completed by your identified clinical staff and shared with Buckeye Health Plan to connect patients with Health Equity Specialists to provide support and connect to community resources.

Together, we can assist in providing effective, personalized care and a more equitable healthcare system for all.  

AAFP

Magoon, V. (2022) ‘Screening for Social Determinants of Health in Daily Practice.’, PubMed, 29(2), pp. 6–11.

African American men's health encompasses a complex interplay of societal, cultural, and biological factors that significantly impact their well-being. African American men experience disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and prostate cancer, often diagnosed at later stages when treatment options are limited. Addressing these disparities requires multifaceted approaches, including increasing access to quality healthcare, culturally competent medical services, community outreach, and targeted health education initiatives. By prioritizing equitable healthcare access and promoting holistic wellness strategies, we can work towards eliminating disparities and improving the overall health outcomes of African American men.

Buckeye Health Plan and providers are working together to support our African American men, with education and information for preventative efforts to save lives early.

See our website page customized for Minority Men's Health.

Did you know we have a mobile unit available to you for clinical services?

Buckeye is looking for provider partners to staff our mobile unit: this could be practitioners, physician assistants and/or certified nurse practitioners with accompanying nurses to provide clinical services. Our goal is to help as many Ohioans as possible by meeting them where they are to get the care, resources, and services they need. Although Buckeye will focus on identifying members with care gaps, there is no expectation to limit outreach and services to only include Buckeye members. Clinical staff can provide services to their patients and community members according to their administrative policies, billing, and strategic initiatives.

Some of the HEDIS measures that can be provided with our mobile van:

• Controlling High Blood Pressure
• Adult BMI Assessment
• Vaccinations
• Diabetes Control/Cholesterol

Our mobile van is on YouTube to view and if interested in partnering with us, access our Buckeye Mobile Van page of our website. 

January 23 is Maternal Health Awareness Day and Buckeye Health Plan is committed to providing education to aid in the prevention of preterm births, low birth rates and infant mortality. According to the Ohio Hospital Association, "Ohio’s review of maternal health outcomes reported more than 185 women in the state died from pregnancy-related complications over the nine years studied. Of those deaths, 56% were classified as preventable."

Together we can provide implement prevention tools and strategies to educate patients and members on how to improve their pregnancy related health outcomes by doing the following:

• Discussing birthing plans, catered to the patient’s needs.
• Providing nutrition education while pregnant to promote healthy fetal development.
• Discussing warning signs during pregnancy and delivery.
• Emphasizing the importance of post-partum care for mom and well child visits for baby to eliminate complications and detect any issues.
• Understanding how the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) needs patients experience can impact health outcomes.
• Advocating for policies that improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.

Throughout 2024, Buckeye is committed to working together with our providers to reduce maternal mortality, improve the health of mothers and newborns, and contribute to overall community well-being.

Centers for Disease Control/Maternal-Mortality

Ohio Hospitals/Infant-Mortality-Initiatives-Maternal Health

The flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you from illness. However, flu shots and other preventive health resources aren’t offered or accessed equally across different racial groups.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 2021–2022 season, flu vaccination coverage was 54% among White and Asian adults, 42% among Black adults, 38% among Hispanic adults, and 41% among AI/AN adults. Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN adults were hospitalized with flu at higher rates than White adults during most seasons from 2009 to 2022 (newsmedical.net).

By promoting flu vaccination in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, providers can effectively convey the message that immunization is a universally accessible and essential measure. This inclusivity is crucial in preventing the spread of the flu among non-English-speaking populations, promoting community health, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility in the fight against seasonal influenza.

Buckeye Health Plan serves communities that speak Nepali, Swahili, Somali, Arabic and Spanish.  We strive for inclusivity and to ensure that each member understands their health and wellness journey.  Providers can access an telephonic interpreter, by calling 1-866-246-4358 which can be found on the Buckeye Health Plan website.  We encourage you to have multi language materials available in waiting rooms and within facilities that have patient activity, to share updates and other information with patients. Outreach materials, educational campaigns, and vaccination clinics should be culturally sensitive and linguistically tailored to ensure that everyone, regardless of language background, can access and understand the importance of getting vaccinated; this could include using materials with images representative of those in the community, providing information that is transparent and promotes the benefits of and reasons for vaccination, addressing community-specific concerns and misinformation, such as vaccine side effects or risk, and using the predominant language spoken in the community. This Buckeye Health Plan link can be utilized to share with patients.

References

Ramsey, L. (2023, October 22). CDC report highlights disparities in flu outcomes and vaccination coverage. News Medical Life Science. 

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness

Medicaid serves over 96,000 individuals throughout Ohio who identify as adults living with hearing difficulty. Buckeye Health Plan, with the assistance of Ohio State University – Wexner Medical Center, would like to provide accessibility training for providers with deaf and hard of hearing patients. 

This training conveys insight for providers on the barriers and needs of patients to navigate through health care appointments and/or phone calls. Participants will gain effective communication strategies and ensure provider practices are well-versed on how to best support patients. You can access the interactive training here. 

For additional resources, visit our Health Equity Resources website page.

Disclaimer: This training does not qualify for CME credits

Help Your Patients Understand Their Health and Health Care (PDF)

Nepali Speaking Members

Buckeye Health Plan recognizes Nepali as the highest non-English speaking language of our members. We currently serve 3,070 Nepali speaking members (70% female/29% male) with the majority living in Summit, Franklin, Butler, Licking and Hamilton County.  Nepalese society is multicultural and multiethnic. Cultural factors like beliefs, perception and behaviors can have a great impact on decision making processes related to health care utilization and adherence.

As part of our commitment to cultural competence, we would like to share several tips for engaging our Nepali speaking members:

• In greeting and welcoming into your office, eye contact is generally kept to a minimum, so don’t be offended if it is not matched.
• Wait for initiation of handshake, especially with women, as they may not be comfortable touching the opposite gender; there may be a light grip w/handshake and always use your right hand.
• Buddhism & Hinduism are religious beliefs practiced in their community and defines the laws of healthcare and treatment; traditional home remedies are utilized to treat illness and some diseas are considered a “bad person’s karma”. Patients may need encouragement and positive reinforcement to feel comfortable sharing their use of traditional practices with providers.
• Sexual education is not openly discussed and causes awkwardness with women; due to religious beliefs, contraceptives are forbidden. Additionally, due to traditional gender roles, mothers may be hesitant to describe their own health concerns but will voice the health concerns of their children or spouse
• Lastly, if when conversating with a Nepali speaking patient, if there are misunderstandings, please ask to repeat yet be sensitive to how accent barriers can cause embarrassment and suggest interpreter services.

Sources

Cultural Atlas

EthnoMed

ClinicOne

National Library of Medicine