Kern Legacy Health Plan | A Legacy of Good Health | Fall 2020

Most of us know that primary care providers (PCPs) treat illnesses from the flu and sore throats to chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. But this may sur- prise you: Their goal is to treat you as a whole person, not just your disease. That means your PCP is trained—and ready—to help you with behavioral health issues. For instance, if you have diabetes, your PCP will do far more than check your blood sugar and watch for complications. Your PCP can also help you cope with the emotional challenges of living with diabetes: watching your diet, making time to exercise, managing medicine and more. Likewise, if you’re a smoker with a lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your PCP can help you over- come the emotional and physical challenges of quitting. These are just two examples of how PCPs can care for all of you. Whatever behavioral health problems you might face, your PCP can either help you directly or refer you to an appropriate profes- sional or program. Not all Kern Legacy Health Plans require you to select a PCP; however, having a PCP to manage your care is an important tool in maintaining your health. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; National Institutes of Health Your primary care provider: Caring for all of you You are able to search for a Kern Legacy Health Plans PCP by visiting the Health & Wellness website at www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com . Open enrollment highlights Times are changing, but the Kern Legacy Health Plans are committed to bringing you a plan that will meet your and your family’s needs during these uncertain times. Consider your options Visit www.kerncountyhealth benefits.com to find detailed infor- mation regarding the health plans, including open enrollment virtual events, rates, plan changes, eligibility policies and much more. Virtual events In our commitment to keep every- one safe, we will not be holding any in-person open enrollment events this year. Instead we will be host- ing a variety of virtual meetings. For details, please visit our website at www.kerncountyhealth benefits.com . Mailing Your annual open enrollment mailing for plan changes and premium rates for the 2021 Plan year should arrive by mid-October 2020.