"Thanks, Mom."

As Mother’s Day approaches, I often think back on the advice my Mom gave me.  Things like, keep your feet clean, wash behind your ears, milk is good for you, eat some more vegetable, and so on.  When I was a kid those words flowed into one ear and out the other.  Now that I’m grown with a child of my own her words seem to have more resonance in my life.

My Mom has always taken good care of herself.  She gets regular check-ups with her physician and various specialists.  She eats good food, exercises, and always gets a flu shot in the fall.  Because of this she is able to enjoy her age and her life.  My brothers and I have lived healthier lives by following her example.

In Indiana, we have a number of Medicaid programs.  Two of them are the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and Hoosier Healthwise (HHW).  HHW is a program intended for children, pregnant women, and families with low income in Indiana.  HHW covers medical care like doctor visits, prescription medicine, mental health care, dental care, hospitalizations, surgeries, and family planning at little or no cost to the member or the member's family.  You can find more about both programs at http://indiana.gov/fssa

HIP is an affordable health insurance program for uninsured adult Hoosiers. The program is sponsored by the State and only requires minimal monthly contributions from the participant. HIP is for uninsured Hoosiers between the ages of 19-64. It offers full health benefits including hospital services, mental health care, physician services, prescriptions and diagnostic exams.  If you qualify for the HIP program, you are set-up with a POWER Account.  POWER Accounts give participants a financial incentive to adopt healthy behaviors that keep them out of the doctor's office. When they do seek health care, plan participants will seek price transparency so they can make value conscious decisions to better manage the funds in their account.

Both of these programs make me think of the advice Mom has given me for years:  take care of yourself and your health.  If you do not live in Indiana or you need information about other Medicaid programs, you can contact a Navigator (like me) or by calling 1-877-KIDS-NOW.  You can also visit healthcare.gov to find information about the Affordable Care Act and find a Navigator in your area.  And if you have a mom or caregiver in your life that has made a big difference, take a minute to say, “Thanks, Mom” this Sunday. 

Me, Mom, and her dog, Bella.