CareSource Leads Back to School Initiative to Increase Adolescent Well-Child Visits in Montgomery County

State Managed Health Care plans agree to collaborate to build awareness about preventative care.

(Dayton, Ohio – August 20, 2018) CareSource, Dayton Public Schools, Five Rivers Health Centers, Dayton Children’s Hospital and Community Health Centers of Greater Dayton have partnered to build awareness about the importance of adolescent well-visits.

The Federal Department of Medicaid/Keeping Americans Healthy reports that Ohio adolescent well-visits are below the median of 42% for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) populations. This initiative was identified as an opportunity for each of the five Ohio Health plans following national research about adolescent well-visits and preventative care.

To get the numbers above the 50% mark, CareSource reached out to key partners in the Dayton community to develop activities that would promote the initiative.

“The partnership developed an education and outreach plan to help parents, children and the entire community understand the importance of scheduling a well-child visit and to distinguish the difference between the sports physical and the adolescent well-visit,” Deb Mals Vice President Care4U at CareSource said.

The attention during the school year is generally focused on the sports physical, which is just the beginning of the total checkup.

“A sports physical is a limited exam that only evaluates health issues that would prevent a child from participating in a school sports activity,” Dr. Jonathan Thackeray M.D., Chief Medical Community Health Officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital said. “The adolescent well-visit is a more holistic approach to health and well-being.”

Why the well-child visit is important for adolescents (11-21 years old).

• Contributes to building strong trusting relationships with their doctor
• Promotes discussions about health topics
• Provides a checkup on growth and development
• Delivers nutritional and stress management advice and support
• Identifies and delivers needed immunizations

Gregg Hopkins, Executive Director, Community Health Centers of Greater Dayton said, “The adolescent years are important in a child’s life and can be filled with major physical, physiological and social development. We are excited to be part of this effort to talk about health holistically.”

Parents and caregivers should be aware that teens and young adults should receive a well-visit annually. Medicaid insurance covers both the sports physical and the well visit for members. Families with private insurance should contact their insurer for coverage details.

Partnership Community Activities:

• Education / Outreach at Dayton Public Schools Back to School Rally – Aug. 12
• Development and distribution of a well-visit video (POSTED ON YOUTUBE) and each on organization’s website
• FAQ Guide for families about the adolescent and young adult well-visit 

CareSource – National nonprofit health plan offering Medicaid, MyCare, Marketplace, Medicare Advantage and Life Services / JobConnect.  (www.caresource.com) 

Dayton Public Schools – Serving Dayton, Ohio with an enrollment of over 14,000 students. (www.dps.k12.oh.us) 

Community Health Centers of Greater Dayton – A federally qualified health center focused on improving lives by providing quality primary and preventive health care services to those in need, regardless of ability to pay. (www.communityhealthdayton.org) 

Five Rivers Health Centers – A federally-qualified health center, committed to providing quality, cost-effective care for our patients and community, with respect and dignity. (www.fiverivershealthcenters.org) 

Dayton Children’s Hospital - The region’s only pediatric medical facility, providing specialty care for more than 300,000 children each year. (www.childrensdayton.org)