Wellness visits are for everyone Going to the doctor isn’t just for when you feel sick. Visiting your doctor when you’re well is important too. It’s called preventive care, and it helps you stay healthy by catching problems early and reducing your risk of serious illness. Wellness visits are regular checkups that focus on prevention rather than treatment. They give your provider the chance to identify potential health concerns before they become serious and help you manage any chronic conditions. They also provide an opportunity to discuss lifestyle choices, nutrition and other factors that affect longterm health. Who needs wellness visits? No matter your age, wellness visits are important. Kids and adults both benefit from these visits, though their needs may be different. When to schedule your next wellness visit Adults should have regular wellness visits. Most health insurance plans recommend annual wellness visits, but you may need checkups more often depending on your recommended screenings or chronic conditions. Children need more frequent wellness visits, especially in the first few years of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends: ● Infants and toddlers: visits at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months. ● Ages 3 years and up: yearly checkups. What to expect at a wellness visit A wellness visit may include: ● A full health review. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, lifestyle and any concerns you have. ● Physical exam. Height, weight, blood pressure and other health metrics are checked. ● Screenings and tests. Depending on your age and risk factors, screenings may include vision, hearing, cholesterol and others. ● Immunizations. Your doctor will check that you’re up-to-date on your vaccinations and administer new ones as needed. ● Health and wellness guidance. Your doctor may offer advice on diet, exercise, mental health and more. Take charge of your health Preventive care helps you stay ahead of potential health problems. Don’t wait until you feel sick—schedule your wellness visit today. A simple checkup can make a big difference in your long-term health. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Medical Association; MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Open Enrollment is coming! Kern County Health & Wellness Open Enrollment will be held Oct. 5 through Nov. 6, 2026. This is your yearly opportunity to review and update your benefit elections for the upcoming plan year. For important details and enrollment information, see page 5. FALL 2026 Kern Legacy Health Plans
How to help your child when they are in mental health distress When you know your child well, sudden mood and behavior changes can be worrisome. Are they just acting out, or are they suffering from mental health distress? In general, find help for your child if: ● The behavior persists for a few weeks or longer. ● It causes severe distress for your child or family. ● The changes interfere with how your child interacts at school, at home or with friends. What to look for While symptoms vary by age, your child may need more mental health support if they: ● Show severe anxiety or worry. ● Lose interest in friends, have difficulty making friends or withdraw from social interaction. ● Sleep too little or too much, have nightmares, or seem sleepy during the day. ● Struggle in school, have recently declining grades or have behavioral issues. What to do Most important, seek immediate help if your child’s behavior is unsafe or they say they want to hurt themselves or someone else. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained counselors can provide immediate emergency response or refer you to local resources. Tell your child’s pediatrician about your concerns. Your child can be referred to mental health professionals who specialize in treating children and teens. Sources: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; American Academy of Pediatricians; National Institute of Mental Health Is it ADHD? When is it more than acting out? Have you ever wondered if your child’s high energy and short attention span are just part of their personality? In many cases, they are. But they can also point to attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). How can you tell the difference between typical childhood behavior and signs of ADHD? Here’s what you need to know. ADHD is a condition that affects focus, self-control and activity level. Some kids can exhibit mostly inattentive behaviors, while others show mostly hyperactive/impulsive behaviors. Many kids with ADHD have a combination of both types of behavior. Of course, all kids do these things sometimes. But if these behaviors frequently get in the way at school and at home, it’s worth finding out if it’s ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD ADHD can be diagnosed at any age, and it’s a lifelong condition, but signs often become more noticeable when children start school. A proper diagnosis takes time and input from multiple sources. Your child’s provider will ask both you and your child’s teachers to fill out questionnaires about their behavior. The provider will also look for patterns that persist over time and show up in more than one setting, such as at school and at home. Before diagnosing ADHD, your child’s provider will need to rule out other conditions too. For example, instead of ADHD, a child might be dealing with anxiety, dyslexia or even obsessive-compulsive disorder. Managing ADHD Many kids with ADHD thrive once they get the support they need. Treatment often includes several strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy can make a big difference in daily routines. Medication can help with focus and self-control. And at school, accommodations—like extra time on tests or more frequent breaks—can help. If you notice any signs of ADHD, make an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider. For a full list of contracted providers, visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com or call the Member Services phone number on the back of your ID card. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Child Mind Institute; HelpGuide; National Institute of Mental Health
Total joint replacement surgery If you experience joint pain that prevents you from doing routine activities, sports or hobbies, it may be time for a change. As dramatic as it sounds, completely replacing your aching joint could bring you some much-needed pain relief. What is total joint replacement? Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure. It is performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center. During the surgery, your doctor removes damaged cartilage and bone from the affected joint and replaces it with a device made of metal, plastic or ceramic. This device is called a prosthetic. It is designed to move just like a natural joint. Joint replacements are performed most often on hips and knees. But other joints can be replaced, too, such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist or ankle. Typically, your provider will want you to try nonsurgical treatments before choosing surgery. These can include weight loss, low-impact exercise, joint injections or medication. If you have tried some of these options and still have severe symptoms, your provider may suggest surgery. Is it safe and effective? Hip and knee joint replacements are common procedures. Each year in the U.S., about 790,000 knee replacements and 544,000 hip replacements are performed. You can expect your joint replacement to last for 20 years or more. How long is recovery? In most cases, patients can resume normal daily activities by six weeks after surgery. Your doctor will want you to walk with assistance on the day after surgery. This may be challenging, but it will improve your recovery in the long run. After the surgery, you will progress from using a walker to using a cane or nothing at all within a month or two. During recovery, avoid highimpact activities such as sports. You’re likely to have some pain during your recovery. Follow your provider’s post-surgery instructions, and ask them about any concerns you have. Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons What is an orthopedic specialist? Break a bone? Tear a tendon? Have pain from arthritis or an injury to your joints or spine? An orthopedic specialist, or ortho, can help. These providers treat people with issues involving their bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Training typically includes five years of residency, as well as one or more years of advanced training in a specialty. What they treat These are some problems and areas of the body that an ortho can treat. Hands and wrists. They can treat carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, infections, and nerve and tendon injuries. Elbows. Orthos can address elbow problems such as biceps tears, dislocations and fractures, and tennis or golf elbow. Spine. They offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for degenerative disk disease, spine fractures, herniated disks, infections, tumors and nerve problems. Hips, knees and shoulders. Orthos treat issues in these areas, including joint replacements. Sports-related injuries. They can provide nonoperative treatment—for pros and amateurs alike—for the 90% of sports injuries that don’t require surgery. When to see an ortho If you break a bone or have intense pain, visit the Emergency Department. For ongoing, nonemergency symptoms, your primary care provider may recommend that you see an ortho. Your ortho will likely try nonsurgical approaches first, like pain medication and rehabilitation. If these don’t work, they have the expertise to perform surgery to repair an injury or correct a condition. Make an appointment Visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com or call the Member Services phone number on the back of your ID card for a full list of contracted providers. Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
Breast cancer: What are your risks? Do you know your personal risk factors for breast cancer? While no one factor is a sure sign you’ll develop the disease, it’s important to know about them. You may be able to reduce certain risks. What you can’t control You can’t change some risk factors. These include your: ● Biological sex. While men can get breast cancer, it’s far more common in women. ● Age. Most women with breast cancer are diagnosed after age 55. Your risk increases as you age. ● Genes. Up to 10% of breast cancers are hereditary. The most common cause of this type of breast cancer is a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, but there are others. ● Ethnicity. White women have a slightly higher risk for developing breast cancer in general. But under age 40, breast cancer is more common in African American women. ● Family history. Most women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. But if your mother, sister or daughter has it, your risk is almost doubled. (Don’t forget to consider your father’s side of the family!) ● Breast density. If you have dense breasts, meaning the tissue is more fibrous than fatty, your risk is higher. This isn’t something you can feel, but it can be seen on a mammogram. About half of women 40 years and older have dense breasts. ● Menstrual history. Women who have had more menstrual cycles have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. This includes those who started their periods early (before age 12) or went through menopause later (after age 55). Things you can change Some risk factors are related to your lifestyle, which means you can control them. These include your: ● Alcohol use. Drinking alcohol increases the risk for breast cancer. It raises the risk for some other types of cancer as well, like cancers of the head or neck. ● Weight. The link between weight and breast cancer risk is complex, but generally your risk goes up after menopause if you’re overweight. ● Activity level. Regular exercise can reduce your risk for breast cancer, especially after menopause. ● Reproductive history. Not having children, or having your first child after age 35, slightly raises your risk. Having many pregnancies and becoming pregnant at a younger age reduces your risk. ● Choice to breastfeed. Breastfeeding may slightly lower breast cancer risk, especially if it continues for a year or more. ● Birth control use. Some birth control methods use hormones, which might increase your risk. Screening is key Talk to your provider about regular mammograms starting at age 40. Visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com or call the phone number on the back of your ID card if you need a provider. Sources: American Cancer Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Protecting men’s health through awareness and screening This month is dedicated to increasing awareness about one of the most common cancers affecting men and the importance of early detection. Because prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, regular screenings and conversations with healthcare providers are essential for identifying potential concerns. At Kern County Health & Wellness, we encourage men to take an active role in their health by learning about their risk factors, discussing appropriate screening options with their physicians and staying current with recommended preventive care. Through increased awareness, education and early detection, we can help improve treatment outcomes and support the health and well‑being of individuals and families affected by prostate cancer. If you have questions about your health benefits or need assistance accessing preventive care services with one of our contracted providers, please contact Kern County Health & Wellness by calling the Member Services number on the back of your ID card or visiting www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com.
Life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or changes to your household can impact your health and insurance benefits. To help ensure your coverage remains accurate and up-to-date, it is important to notify Kern County Health & Wellness of any qualifying life events within the required time frames. Taking action promptly can help prevent gaps in coverage, avoid unexpected expenses and ensure your loved ones receive the benefits they are eligible for. Please review the reminders below to stay informed and protect your benefits. Kern County Health & Wellness Open Enrollment for the 2027 plan year will take place from Oct. 5 through Nov. 6, 2026. During this period, eligible members can evaluate medical, dental, vision and voluntary benefit options to ensure their coverage continues to meet their healthcare and financial needs. Taking the time to evaluate your options now can help ensure you have the coverage and protection you need throughout 2027. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will become effective on Jan. 1, 2027. Purpose of Open Enrollment Open Enrollment allows members to: ● Enroll in health coverage for the first time. ● Change medical or dental plans. ● Add or remove eligible dependents. ● Review plan costs and upcoming benefit changes. ● Update beneficiary and personal information. ● Select flexible spending or health savings account options, when applicable. Outside of the enrollment window, changes are only permitted following a qualifying life event, such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, or loss of other coverage. Employees and retirees are encouraged to carefully compare premiums, deductibles, provider networks and out-of-pocket costs before selecting a plan. Marriage If you would like to add your spouse to your health plan, you must submit the required enrollment forms within 30 days of the marriage date. Requests received after this deadline may not be eligible for coverage until the next Open Enrollment period. Divorce If you have recently divorced, your former spouse and any stepchildren must be removed from your health plan within 30 days of the divorce. You will be responsible for any claims incurred by ineligible dependents who remain enrolled after they lose eligibility. Newborn children You have 60 days from your child’s date of birth to enroll him or her in your Kern County health coverage. Please be aware that no claims will be paid until your newborn has been added to your Kern County health plan. Prompt enrollment helps ensure your child maintains uninterrupted coverage. Life insurance beneficiaries Life changes can affect your beneficiary choices. Take a moment to review your beneficiary designation(s) and make any necessary updates to ensure your benefits are distributed according to your wishes. Address changes Have you moved recently? Be sure to update your address with your Payroll or Personnel Department. Keeping your contact information current helps ensure you receive important health plan notices. Your Kern County Health & Wellness team is here to support you. If you have questions about your coverage, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call our team at 661-868‑3182 for assistance. You can also visit our website at www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com for additional information. 2027 Plan Year Benefits Open Enrollment October 5, 2026–November 6, 2026 Important benefits reminders
This puzzle features important terms commonly used in health insurance and benefits plans. As you search for words like premium, copay, EOB (explanation of benefits) and provider, you’ll become more familiar with the language that helps members understand and manage their healthcare benefits. Whether you’re learning these concepts for the first time or refreshing your knowledge, this fun activity is a great way to explore key health insurance vocabulary. Happy searching! Welcome to the Kern Legacy Health Plan word search! Authorized Coverage Care Deductible Claim EOB Coinsurance Formulary Copay Health Insurance Plan Legacy Premium Member Provider Network Wellness Open Enrollment A INSURANCEDZEC CULEGACYLOERWO FQTBPLAPAKDCE I JMBHRPGL IAUOLN NETWORKAMMCVLS HMI CVRHNUDTENU EBMDINI IFRIRER AEWBDSMZAUBASA LROGEEVEESLGSN TECAREHYXDEELC HKJPFORMULARYE OPENENROLLMENT Standard U.S. Postage PAID Yakima, WA Permit No. 157 KERN LEGACY HEALTH PLANS 1115 Truxtun Avenue, First Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301 A LEGACY OF GOOD HEALTH is published as a community service for the friends and members of KERN LEGACY HEALTH PLANS, 1115 Truxtun Ave., First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301, telephone 661-868-3182. Information in A LEGACY OF GOOD HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2026 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Kern Legacy Health Plans
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