The THIPA Difference - Torrance Health IPA

Happy New Year!
The New Year is a
time of celebration
and new beginnings. One cause
for celebrating is
our brand new office space located at :
23326 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 200,
Torrance CA 90505.
Our address isn’t the only thing
that’s new. It’s also our first year as
an affiliate of Torrance Memorial
Medical Center. What this means
to you is access to many more
resources and services to improve
your health.
One thing hasn’t changed: our
mission to make your medical care
our top priority. We work hard to
continue bringing you the highest
quality medical care whether that
care is at your physician’s office,
in the hospital, even in your own
home.
On behalf of all of us here at THIPA,
I wish you a New Year filled with
good health and happiness.
Issue #44 January 2013
The THIPA Difference
We hear from seniors all the time
who want to know what Torrance Hospital IPA Medical Group (THIPA) is and
what exactly we do. So let’s clear up any
confusion you might have…
In January 2009, we formed the THIPA Senior Advisory Board. We chose nine
senior members from across the South
Bay and asked about their top medical
care concerns.
We’re a network of doctors, specialists, service providers and hospital that
make up your provider group. To put it
simply, we deliver the medical services
your health insurance company pays
for.
They told us of their worries about
scheduling appointments with specialists, confusing medical bills, and trouble getting to the doctor’s office when
they’re sick.
THIPA members enjoy access to
the South Bay’s finest doctors,
specialists and hospital services at
Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
Our network of doctors communicates with each other and works together to monitor each patient. This
not only ensures you’ll receive superior
medical care, but helps save you time
and money.
We take special interest in the health
of our community’s seniors.
Well, we’ve created solutions for all
of these problems and many others. And
every month in this newsletter we tell
senior members like you about THIPA’s
special health services and programs
we’ve designed just for seniors.
Main THIPA number:
310-257-7250
Event Reservation:
310-257-7255
Member Services Toll Free:
1-800-568-4472
Sincerely,
Stephen Linesch, MBA,
CEO, THIPA
Inside This Issue
• Meet Your Senior Member Services Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3
• What the Comprehensive Care Center can Do for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
• Chronic Health Problems? Don’t Face Them Alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5
• Members Only Discount on Torrance Memorial Health Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5
What does
THIPA mean?
How THIPA Works For You
THIPA stands for Torrance
Hospital Independent Practice
Association.
What is THIPA?
THIPA is a physicians network
that provides the medical services that your Medicare Advantage plan covers (excluding prescriptions). We are
contracted with your health
insurance company.
How did you become a
THIPA member?
When you selected your Medicare Advantage Health Insurance you selected a primary
care physician within THIPA’s
physicians network. 45,000
people, including over 5,000
seniors in the South Bay have
selected THIPA because of our
reputation for cost-effective,
high-quality health care.
Why choose THIPA?
THIPA has 29 years experience
serving the South Bay. We
are now part of Torrance
Memorial Medical Center,
one of the highest ranked
hospitals in the South Bay.
How do you know if you’re
a member of THIPA?
On your health insurance
card there is a line that should
read “THIPA” or “Torrance
Hospital IPA” located on the
front or the back of your
card.
Page 2
Issue# 44 Jan. 2012
Torrance Hospital IPA gives you easy access to the South Bay’s leading
doctors, specialists and healthcare practitioners, plus so much more…
Offers Leading Doctors
THIPA offers over 150 primary care doctors
and 260 specialists to serve you. It’s the
only physician network directly affiliated
with Torrance Memorial Medical Center,
one of the highest ranked hospitals in the
South Bay.
Self-Referral for
Direct Access to Specialists
Enjoy direct access to over 70 self-referral
specialists in eight specialties without
seeing a primary care physician for a
referral. You’ll save time and money on copays. It’s the only self-referral program of
its kind in the South Bay!
Erases the Confusion of Medical Bills
We take care of your bills from doctors and
hospitals, except for co-payments and coinsurance. If there’s a problem with a bill
you receive, our Senior Member Services
Team will investigate it for you.
Special Hospital Care,
24 Hours a day
If you’re admitted to Torrance Memorial
Medical Center, you get a dedicated
“hospitalist.” This is a highly trained
physician specializing in hospital care to
ensure effective communication between
you, your hospital doctors and your
primary care physician.
Senior Outreach Program
Returning home from the hospital can be
difficult. Fortunately, THIPA provides a Senior
Outreach program. It’s staffed by volunteer
seniors who call all THIPA seniors returning
home to share get-well wishes and important
resources to aid in the recovery process.
2 Urgent Care Centers Care When You Need It
Enjoy immediate medical attention for
colds, flu, stomach problems, minor injuries,
bladder infections and more. Save time
and money by visiting our two convenient
locations in Manhattan Beach and Torrance.
Free Health Screening at the
Senior Health Center
Enjoy personalized medical attention in a relaxed setting with an annual senior consultation. During this extended 90 minute appointment, you’ll meet with a doctor or nurse
practitioner specializing in senior healthcare
and receive a consultation with a nutrition
counselor. Best of all, there is no cost to you
and a full report is provided to you and your
primary care physician.
Personalized Care Management
When chronic or complex health conditions
strike, our care management team can help.
They act as a liaison between you, your
doctors and your specialists to make sure
you’re getting the care and medical resources
you deserve.
Meet Your
Senior Member
Services Team!
You can see a specialist without a
referral. Here’s how…
Member Services Team: from left to right: Angel Thomas, Karen
Tanori, Nancy Parrilla (top), Loretta Morrow, and Ana Vasquez
If you call THIPA’s Senior
Member Services Department,
the person who answers the
phone might be Loretta Morrow.
If your health insurance is Blue
Shield of CA, ask for Loretta or dial
ext 7233. You can also email
loretta.morrow@tmmc.com
Loretta leads a team of four
people to help you. “We’re
the first contact many of our
members have,” says Loretta.
“The most important thing is
that we give our members the
personal attention they deserve
so they can get the care they
need.”
If you have Anthem Blue Cross
or Blue Shield Commercial ask for
Nancy, dial ext 5322, or email
nancy.parrilla@tmmc.com
Your Senior Member
Services team can help
• Verify your insurance eligibility, copays and benefits
• Resolve billing issues
• Speed up authorization of
medical treatments
If you have Aetna or Humana
ask for Karen, dial ext 5324 or
email karen.tanori@tmmc.com
If you have Health Net or United
HealthCare ask for Ana, dial ext
5325 or email
ana.vasquez@tmmc.com
If you have Citizens Choice,
Cigna or Care 1st ask for Angel, dial
ext 5326 or email
angeline.thomas@tmmc.com
• Get “same day” appointments
with certain doctors
Call Senior Member Services
Toll-Free: 1-866-568-4472
Mon -Fri: 8:30am -5:00pm.
Prefer to ask your question in
Spanish? Ask for Ana or Nancy,
• And much, much more...
they’re bilingual.
If you move, contact your health plan to formally change your address.
This is very important.
• Resolve complaints
Roasted Stuffed Pepper
Calories 213
Total Carbs 16.4 g.
Cholesterol 40 mg. Protein 13.8 g.
Sodium 55.1 mg.
Fiber 4 g.
One of the most valuable benefits you get as a
member of THIPA is our free Senior Self-Referral
Program.
In other provider networks, you have to make an
appointment with your primary care doctor and
pay a co-payment to get a refer­ral to see a specialist. Sometimes it can take a month or more. But
not as a THIPA mem­ber!
We trust our members to know what specialty services they need. Therefore, you can make appointments immedi­ately with 70 different specialists
with­out a referral from your primary care doctor.
All you have to do is pick up the phone and call for
an appointment with any THIPA specialist in:
• Cardiology
• Care Management
• Dermatology
• Gastroenterology
• OB & Gynecology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Podiatry
• Pulmonology
• Urology
For a complete list of all 258 specialists in the
THIPA network, including those in the Senior
Self-Referral Program, call your Senior Member
Services Team or view them online at
www.thipa.org
Want a specialist in a specialty not listed in
the Senior Self-Referral Program?
Your Senior Member Services Team can also help
you get a referral from your primary care doctor
right away, usually within 24 hours!
Ingredients:
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 4 bell peppers
• ½ cup wild rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ lb ground turkey
(optional)
• 1 cup parsley, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
For seasoning: Black
pepper, oregano, thyme,
paprika powder, sea salt
(Recipe continued on bottom of page 4)
Csilla Molnar
Nutrition Counselor
Page 3
Issue# 43
44 Dec
Jan. 2012
THIPA Comprehensive
Care Center
Torrance Memorial Urgent Care
No appointment necessary!
Receive urgent care in our comfortable new facility featuring
state-of-the art medical equipment.
• Staffed by Emergency
Medicine Physicians
• Help for illness and
infections
• On-site laboratory
• Digital X-ray
• Care for wounds, cuts
and fractures
• Spanish speaking staff
• EKG
• Customized exam rooms
for seniors
To learn more, visit:
www.torrancememorial.org/urgentcare.
Two Convenient Locations
SE PU LV EDA
BLVD
PCH
MANHATTAN BE ACH BLVD
HAWTHORNE B LVD
OCEAN AVE
22 6T H ST
Age-related changes in your body and mind often require
special attention. That’s why we created the THIPA Comprehensive Care Center (formerly the Senior Health Center for
Active Living) to give you the time you need and deserve. At
the Comprehensive Care Center you’ll enjoy a ...
Free Senior Wellness Visit
You’re entitled to a free Senior Wellness Visit every year
to complement the care of your primary care physicians and
specialists. During this extended 90 minute visit you’ll receive a detailed review of your most recent lab work, medication and
nutritional supplements as well as a consultation with a nutrition counselor.
Post Hospital Discharge Visit
Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM-8:00 PM;
Sat-Sun & Holidays, 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
If you’re ever hospitalized, your doctor may refer you for
a no-cost post discharge visit. You and your family will have
ample time to go over your discharge instructions, your medical condition, test results, medication list and follow-up plans
with Dr. Ujjwala Dheeriya. Dr. Dheeriya is a Board Certified
Internal Medicine doctor with 12 years experience in primary
care and hospital medicine.
855 Manhattan Beach Blvd. 101,
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
For more information about Comprehensive Care Center
services or to schedule your free annual Senior Wellness Visit,
call Maggie Dare at 310-257-7250 Ext. 5359 today.
22411 Hawthorne Blvd,
Torrance, CA 90505
310- 784-3740
22 6T H ST
HAWTHORNE B LVD
Mon-Fri, 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Sat-Sun & Holidays, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
BLVD
OCEAN AVE
S EPU LV EDA BLVD
JOHN ST
N. POINSETTA AVE
SE PU LV EDA
310-939-7873
22411 Hawthorne Blvd,
Torrance, CA 90505
310-784-8713
Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Roasted Stuffed Pepper - Directions
1. Make the rice by sautéing half the onion in 1 tbsp oil.
Add the dry rice, fry it for a minute, and then add the water,
a pinch of salt and some seasoning. Cook rice on low heat
following package instructions.
2. In another pan sauté the other half of the onion in 1
tbsp oil, then add the ground meat. Stir fry until the meat is
not pink anymore. Careful not to overcook, the meat will be
finished in the oven.
Page 4
Issue# 44 Jan. 2012
3. When all is done mix the rice and the meat together, add
the fresh parsley and season generously (easy on the salt.)
4. Cut the top off the peppers, remove the seeds and fill each
pepper with the rice/meat mixture.
5. Replace the pepper top and put peppers in a baking dish
with a small amount of water.
6. Cover with foil. Bake on medium heat for 45 minutes.
Then remove foil and roast lightly for about 15 minutes.
Save 40% on Torrance
Memorial Health Programs!
THIPA Care Management Team: From left to right: Hang Le, MSW, Care Manager, Veronica Ortiz,
Department Assistant, Carol Ecklund, RN, MN, ACCN, Director of Medial Management and Helene
A. Park, MSG, CPG, Care Management.
Announcing a new, exclusive benefit of your
THIPA membership: You’ll now receive a 40%
discount on select Torrance Memorial Medical
Center Health Education Programs and Health
Link Classes when you mention you’re a THIPA
member.
Chronic Health Problems?
For a complete list of classes go to
www.torrancememorial.org/health_education
Or call 310-517-4711 if you have questions.
If you have chronic health problems you need more than medi­cal help.
You need support, attention and extra ‘tender loving care.’ That’s why THIPA
has Care Managers on its healthcare team.
THIPA’S Brown Bag
Rx Seminar
“We understand how difficult it is to manage life at home when you’re
strug­gling with chronic illness,” says Carol Ecklund, Director of Medical
Management for THIPA. “We can help you organize your medications, assist
in coordinating doctor’s visits, and even arrange for transportation.”
Get the latest information on drug side effects
and potential interactions. Bring your medications for review by a pharmacist. Free. A brown
bag lunch will be served.
Carol, a nurse who has worked in on­cology, hematology, medical and
surgi­cal areas for 18 years, leads a team of four THIPA care managers.
Thursday, January 24th
12:00 -1:30 p.m.
23326 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 200,
Torrance, CA 90505
Don’t Face Them Alone…
“We know your doctors, we know the community, we know the hospital
and we know the resources that are avail­able,” says Carol. “We work with
you to create a plan of care that can help you heal at home safely and
comfortably.”
This plan also includes care manag­ers’ expertise to help you better
monitor your illnesses and remain independent in your home.
“We can help you identify red flags with each of your conditions,” says
Car­ol. “You’ll learn when to call the doctor or when to go to urgent care or
when to go to the hospital.”
In addition to helping you understand what’s happening with your health
and your medical care, THIPA Care Man­agers can also help you find inhome assistance, locate support groups for emotional help, and even get
at-home haircuts and help with other domestic needs.
If you have questions about caring for yourself or a THIPA senior suffer­ing
from complicated medical issues, contact THIPA’s Care Management team.
They’re here to help Monday thru Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Call Veronica at
310-257-7250 ext 5338.
Get Senior Living! If it’s your first time reading Senior Living,
get it at your home or email address by calling 866-568-4472.
GO GREEN! To receive Senior Living online, email: thipa@tmmc.com
THIPA Members only. Space is limited.
Reservations required.
Call Veronica Ortiz at:
310-257-7250 Ext. 5338.
“My wife and I have had our
THIPA doctors for the last 20
years, at least. I’m astounded
at the work they do at THIPA
and how little that’s really
known when you get out in
the community.
I don’t think the insurance carriers really
ever bring it up. The caliber of people at
THIPA is so professional.”
- Noel Palm, Manhattan Beach
Next Month Meet some of
THIPA’s leading new doctors here
to serve you in 2013
Page 5
Issue# 44 Jan. 2013
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Los Angeles,CA
Permit No.3344
Members Only Discount on
Torrance Memorial Health Classes
(See page 5 ...)
Inside this Issue:
Thank you for voting
a South Bay Best!
Torrance Memorial Urgent Care
• Two Convenient Locations • Staffed By Emergency
• NEW Extended Hours
Medicine Physicians
www.torrancememorial.org/urgentcare
Manhattan Beach
855 Manhattan Beach Blvd. #101
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Mon. - Fri.
Sat. - Sun.
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
310-939-7873
Torrance
22411 Hawthorne Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505
Mon. - Fri.
Sat. - Sun.
9:00 am - 8:00 pm 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
310-784-3740
• Understanding The THIPA Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 1
• Meet Your Senior Member Services Team . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3
• What the Comprehensive Care Center
Can Do for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5
• Chronic Health Problems?
Don’t Face Them Alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5
Questions? Call the Senior Member Services Team
1-866-568-4472 (Toll-Free)
Hearing Impaired: TTY/TDD: 310-257-7256
Blue Shield of CA
Call Loretta at ext 7233
Health Net,
United HealthCare,
or Secure Horizons,
Call Anna at ext 5325
Anthem Blue Cross
Call Nancy at ext 5322
Aetna or Humana
Call Karen at ext 5324
Citizens Choice , Cigna, Care 1st
Call Angel at ext 5326
www.THIPA.org