Neighborhood Encourages Annual Checkups and Open Communication

Originally broadcast Feb. 19, 2018 on WPRI.

Neighborhood is committed to making sure that every one of the thousands of Rhode Island children we cover has access to the best quality health care available. We believe that starts with strong parent-doctor partnerships and a regular schedule of well visits for all children.

Mom and her child in a Visit in NHPAs we explained on this appearance on The Rhode Show, doctors are not only for when a child is sick. Regular “well-child” visits allow your doctor to get to know you and your child better, and will help them recognize when there’s a health problem. Well-child visits are also an opportunity for building stronger relationships among parent, child, and pediatrician – helping you become a team focused on keeping your child well and healthy.

Those visits are also a time for actions that protect your child’s health – things like getting immunizations against dangerous childhood diseases, checking that growth and activity patterns are developing as they should, and making sure that s/he has not been exposed to poisons like lead.

Guy doing his eye testWe also remind parents that they should never be afraid to ask questions. If you are concerned about any part of your child’s development or behavior, don’t wait for the doctor or someone else to ask you about it.  Speaking up and acting early can make a big difference in catching and fixing any problems.

Through our “Member Rewards” program, Neighborhood members may be eligible for special perks, discounts and rewards just for taking part in healthy behaviors – like well-child visits!

We’re also excited to say that on a 2017 nationwide survey called the CAHPS Child Survey, 92% of parents rated Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island an 8, 9 or 10 out of 10 for overall Rating of Health Plan. In fact, Neighborhood ranked 3rd out of 162 Medicaid health plans nationally on this measure. And that’s a check-up we are very proud of!