Presbyterian | Your Story | Centennial Care | Winter 2020

www.phs.org/centennialcare 5 It’s not too late for a flu shot If you haven’t rolled up your sleeve for a flu shot yet, there’s still time to get one. Yes, it’s best to get a shot early in the flu season. But the season usually peaks between December and February. And as long as the flu virus is still around— sometimes as late as May—you still need protection from the flu. That’s because the flu can do more than send you to bed with a fever, cough, and body aches. While you’re fighting it off, the flu can cause a second infection—like pneumonia, which can be deadly. Your best protection against the flu is a yearly flu shot. And everyone over six months old needs one. It’s especially important for adults 65 and older, who face a higher risk of life-threatening flu complications, and for anyone with a chronic health problem such as heart disease, asthma, or diabetes. What’s more, getting a flu shot can keep you from spreading flu germs to others at high risk. That includes pregnant women and young children. Keep this in mind: It takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to be fully effective. So that’s one more reason not to put off a shot any longer. Free flu shots: Learn where you can get a free flu shot and how to prevent the spread of flu. Find a flu shot clinic by visiting www.phs.org/fluseason . Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute on Aging What a critical incident is and how to report one Presbyterian Centennial Care members should be able to live a life that is free from harm. Harmful incidents (events) should be reported to Presbyterian Health Plan, Inc. Incidents are, but are not limited to, abuse, neglect, exploitation, emergency services, death, environmental hazards, law enforcement intervention, or a missing person. Who should report a critical incident and how? ● Any Presbyterian Centennial Care member ● Any personal care service agency for members who get home- and community-based services (per the New Mexico Human Services Department) ● Members who get self-directed benefit services ● Members who get behavioral (mental) health services ● Your representative (agent) may also report a critical incident. Good faith incident reporting or the allegation (claim) of abuse, neglect, or exploitation is free from any form of retaliation (revenge). To report an incident, you can contact your Presbyterian Health Plan care coordinator, or you may call or email the Presbyterian Customer Service Center at: ● Phone (English and Spanish): (505) 923-5200 or 1-888-977-2333 (TTY: 711 ) ● Phone (Navajo/Diné): (505) 923-5157 or 1-888-806-8793 ● Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ● Email: info@phs.org The Presbyterian representative will file a report about the incident. The report will then be filed with the New Mexico Human Services Department.

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