Presbyterian | Spring 2018 | Your Story

4 Teens, get ready to handle your own healthcare Changing doctors is never easy. We know this can be true when you are a teen reaching adult age and you need a new provider, like a doctor or nurse. Moving from pediatric (child) healthcare to adult care is even harder when you have a chronic illness (one that lasts a long time or keeps coming back). These include illnesses such as diabetes (high blood sugar) or cystic fibrosis (illness in the lungs). Medicaid says children should move to adult care by their 21st birthday. For teens who see a pediatrician (a doctor who sees children), this move means you will need to: ■ ■ Find a new provider ■ ■ Get your health records ■ ■ Get to know your new health plan First, you should talk to your pediatrician. You may be able to stay in the same practice and just move over to an adult provider. When teens turn 18, parents may no longer have legal control over their child’s healthcare choices, though there are some exceptions. This means that teens moving to adult care will also need to know how to fill and renew their prescription medications (drugs you get from the pharmacy). Parents might find it is hard to let go of their child’s health choices, but you can get ready (and help your parents get ready) by asking the right questions. Teens, get ready for adult care by using this checklist from The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health at www.gottransition.org/ resourceget.cfm?id=229 . Our Tobacco Quit Line is here to help you You can get help to quit smoking and using other forms of tobacco. Call the Tobacco Quit Line for Presbyterian members at 1-888-840-5445 , TTY: 711 . We know it can be hard to quit. That’s why we give coaching sessions over the phone to help you. The Tobacco Quit Line is available: ■ ■ Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ■ ■ Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ■ ■ Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Presbyterian Video Visits Being seen by a medical provider for your nonurgent medical questions just got a whole lot easier. Are you a Presbyterian Centennial Care member and need to see a provider right now? You can talk with a medical provider day or night using your smartphone, tablet, or computer webcam. Think of it as your own virtual provider visit. This great service is available at no extra cost for Presbyterian Centennial Care members. Important: If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER). Presbyterian Video Visit providers cannot prescribe narcotics or certain other types of medications. Please consult with your health plan provider for these types of medications. Ready to stop tobacco?