If you are pregnant, it is very important to prepare for childbirth so that you can have a healthy baby. Health Choice has many programs to help you get the health care you need to keep you and your new baby healthy.
Special Delivery: Maternity Resources
BCBSAZ Health Choice members who are pregnant will receive a packet called a “Stork Packet” in the mail at no cost to them. The Stork Packet contains educational and resource information on health and wellness during, and after pregnancy. The packet also contains information on newborn health, behavioral health, and family planning.
Maternity Care Management
BCBSAZ Health Choice offers a care management program for pregnant women with high risk conditions. Maternity care managers are nurses who are available to provide condition specific education and help pregnant women obtain the medical, behavioral, social, and community resources they need during the pregnant and post-partum period. If you are pregnant and have a high risk condition, care management is available to help.
Examples of high risk conditions are:
- diabetes
- hypertension
- history of preterm labor or delivery
- pregnant with more than one baby
- teenager
- previous delivery less than 18 months
- late prenatal care
- sexually transmitted diseases
- HIV
- age 35 and older
- drug or alcohol use
- homeless
- domestic violence
- history of post-partum depression
- serious mental illness
For information about our Maternity Care Management program, please call the Stork Line toll-free at 1-800-828-7514.
Well-child Visits and Immunizations
Taking your baby to the doctor for well-child visits and shots is one of the most important things you can do to keep your child from getting very sick. Children ages 0-2 years should visit their physician at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months. Many important items that should be addressed include:
- Checking normal height, weight, and head growth
- Assisting mothers with breast feeding and other feeding/nutrition concerns
- Checking for proper vision, speech, and hearing development
- Checking the teeth and making needed dental referrals
- Checking blood count, lead level, and possibly TB screening
- Giving vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, hepatitis A and B, and chicken pox
To help you with making sure your child gets an annual check-up, BCBSAZ Health Choice offers a special program for babies, children and youth up to the age of 21. In this program, your child may receive check-ups, covered health care services and dental services at no cost to you. In addition, if your child needs to see a specialist, Health Choice will cover that service as long as you receive a referral from your provider.
Healthy Start, Bright Futures
Taking your children to the doctor for well-child visits and shots is one of the most important things you can do to keep them from getting very sick.
- Make sure your baby gets all needed shots before your baby is 15 weeks old.
- Take your baby for eight (8) well-child visits before the baby is 15 months old.
- Make sure your baby gets all of their shots before your baby’s second birthday.
- Make sure your child gets all their shots before your child’s thirteenth birthday.
Health Choice will mail reminders to you before each important date. The letters will tell you everything you need to know to keep your family healthy!
For more information about Healthy Start, Bright Futures, call Member Services toll-free at 1-800-322-8670, Monday through Friday (except holidays), 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. TTY/TDD users can call 711. You can also contact us by email at HCHComments@azblue.com.
Family Planning
BCBSAZ Health Choice covers family planning services. For information about Family Planning, click here.
Childhood Immunizations
We want to help you keep your kids healthy! For a FREE Childhood Immunizations magnet, call Member Services toll-free at 1-800-322-8670.
Stork Newsletter – Summer Edition