Central California Alliance for Health | Living Healthy | December 2019

7 HEALTHY Have you ever wondered who is on the other end of the phone when you call Member Services? Our representatives are caring, dedicated professionals. They are here to answer your calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our representatives are ready to: ❱  ❱ Help you understand how your health plan works ❱  ❱ Answer questions about your benefits ❱  ❱ Explain how you can get medical care and services ❱  ❱ Let you know which doctors and clinics you can go to ❱  ❱ Help you choose or change your primary care provider ❱  ❱ Offer interpreter services if you do not speak English ❱  ❱ Send you a new Alliance ID card if you lose yours ❱  ❱ Assist you with concerns or complaints We have representatives in Santa Cruz, Monterey and Merced counties. They live and work in the communities we serve. What they have in common is that they care about our members and are here to help. Service with a smile! Brandon, age 6—Monterey County Brandon’s father, Jose, shared that he first learned Brandon was considered overweight at a doctor visit. This was very eye-opening because he did not realize Brandon was considered overweight. The family decided to start making changes, such as eating dinner earlier and adding more vegetables to their meals. They reduced junk food and fast food that they ate as a family. Jose feels it is important for Brandon to be physically active. Brandon enjoys going to the park and playing soccer, so these have become family activities to support the whole family in being healthier. Jose shared that programs like HWL are extremely beneficial to the community. He is aware that as human beings, we tend to get trapped in our routines. He says that programs like HWL help people get out of unhealthy routines and explore healthier options or gain ideas for healthier lifestyles. He shared that children learn from observing their parents, and he feels it is important for parents to also be good role models. Both Jose and Brandon felt that winning the bike and participating in HWL will keep motivating the family to continue their progress in making healthier lifestyle changes. Josue, age 16—Santa Cruz County Josue shared that one day he just decided he did not want to be overweight anymore. He started to make changes to his eating habits and snack choices. Before HWL, he would eat hot Cheetos, drink a lot of sugary drinks and have sweet breads for breakfast. He shared that he has reduced the hot Cheetos to only once in a while and substituted the sugary drinks for water. He has also learned to count calories and increased his physical activity. Josue feels his doctor greatly helped him continue with his quest to make healthier choices. At every appointment, his doctor complimented the amazing progress Josue made along the way and reminded him to keep eating well and staying active. Josue plans to use his new bike to stay active. His advice to those who are thinking of making lifestyle changes: “Don’t think about it; just do it.” Josue’s mother shared that in the beginning, it was hard to see her son not eat the same. He still eats what she cooks—just smaller servings of it now. Josue and his mother are both grateful that the Alliance provides the HWL program and incentives like bikes to help members continue to be healthy.