Time to Re-Enroll!

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DON’T LOSE COVERAGE!

Changes to AHCCCS and KidsCare Renewals
1 in 4 People Currently Enrolled Will Lose Coverage
We Can Help!

What is Happening?

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government required state Medicaid programs like AHCCCS and KidsCare to automatically renew, even if a member’s eligibility changed. Effective April 1, renewals have reverted to the process in place prior to the Public Health Emergency which means eligibility no longer automatically renews as it used to. 

Who Does This Affect?

More than 600,000 members will lose coverage because they are no longer eligible (due to income or other requirements) or have not responded to AHCCCS requests for information.

How Do I Get Healthcare Coverage if I am No Longer Eligible for Medicaid?

Members who are no longer eligible for Medicaid will be referred to the Healthcare Marketplace for coverage options. Losing Medicaid coverage is considered a qualifying event and the Healthcare Marketplace will accept new enrollments through July 2024.

What Do I Need to Do?

  1. Update your contact information. If AHCCCS can’t reach you, you may be dropped even if you are still eligible.
  2. Check your mailbox for renewal information.
  3. Respond within 30 days to any requests from AHCCCS.
  4. Schedule an appointment with NOAH Community Resources for help 602-562-3448.
Request an Appointment

Easy Egg Substitutes That Won’t Cost You The Farm

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People can’t stop talking about the price and availability of eggs and we don’t blame them. 

According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price for a dozen eggs increased by 59% last year and doesn’t show signs of coming down anytime soon.  

Luckily, if we’ve learned anything through supply shortages and rising costs in recent years, it’s how to let go of everyday staples and learn to get by with alternatives.  

Finding an alternative to eggs might be easier than you think.  

Aside from being fried, scrambled, poached, deviled, and chopped – a great source of flavor and protein – eggs are most often used as a recipe ingredient to help baked goods rise, thicken sauces and soups, bind dry ingredients together, and add moisture. 

Egg Alternatives – Replaces one egg in a traditional recipe.

Leavening (helps baked goods rise) 

  • ¼ cup of diet soda, seltzer, or carbonated water 
  • 2 tbsp. water, 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, and 2 tsp. baking powder 
  • 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tbsp. vinegar 

Thickening 

  • 1 tbsp. plain gelatin dissolved in 1 tbsp. cold water, then add 2 tbsp. of boiling water 
  • ¼ cup mashed white or sweet potatoes 
  • 1 tbsp. ground flaxseeds (or chia seeds) and 3 tbsp. water 
  • 3 tbsp. aquafaba (liquid from canned/cooked beans) 

Binding and Moistening  

  • ½ cup bananas, mashed 
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (replaces eggs, butter, and oil in traditional baking recipes or box mixes) 
  • ¼ cup canned pumpkin or squash 
  • 2 tbsp. tomato paste 
  • ¼ cup soft tofu (pureed)  
  • ¼ cup plain yogurt 
  • 3 tbsp. creamy nut butter 
  • ¼ cup buttermilk 

Take inventory of which of these ingredients are floating around in your pantry or fridge, pair them up with savory or sweet recipes, and see how these egg alternatives measure up to the real thing. It might take some trial and error to find what flavor and texture works in your favorite recipes, but it sure beats the price of eggs. 

Keep in mind that while these substitutions for eggs might make a recipe turn out the same, the nutritional value may differ. Eggs are a great source of protein which is essential to your diet. If you have questions about creating or maintaining a balanced diet, schedule an appointment with one of NOAH’s registered dietitians today. 

Honoring Black History Month: Dr. James Durham

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By Lisa Nails | Patient Navigator

James Durham is noted as the first African American Physician to practice medicine in the United States.

James Durham

Born in 1762 and working most of his life as a slave, he was able to gain knowledge in the field of medicine from his slave owners who were doctors. One of his slave owners, Dr. Robert Dow, who became sort of a mentor to him, trained Dr. Durham as a physician and allowed him to treat and perform procedures on patients of different races under his supervision.

In 1783, Dr. Durham paid for his freedom from his work as a physician and was able to open his own independent practice, despite not obtaining a medical degree. In 1789, his practice is reported to have grossed $3000 annually. From there, he built a reputation for successfully treating patients with yellow fever and his work in diphtheria. Dr. Durham’s success would eventually catch the attention of Dr. Benjamin Rush in Philadelphia, who would later join his practice.

In 1801, Pennsylvania laws restricted anyone from practicing medicine without a formal degree. Dr. Durham continued to practice in secret until 1802, when he mysteriously disappeared. Although his whereabouts remain unknown, it is speculated that he was murdered because of his success as an African American man during that time.

For more life-saving stories of Black history and healthcare in America, check out these posts:

Understanding the Tuskegee Study

The Lasting Impact of Henrietta Lacks

Enslaved Women and Modern Gynecology

Honoring Black History Month: Dr. Charles Richard Drew

Honoring Black History Month: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams

Honoring Black History Month: Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett

Honoring Black History Month: Dr. Alexa Irene Canady

Honoring Black History Month: Dr. James Durham

Honoring Black History Month: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler

Honoring Black History Month: Dr. Louis T. Wright

How to Maximize Your Appetite

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By Maggie Hensley, RD | Registered Dietitian

Appetites, like bodies, are complicated and can be affected by a huge variety of factors. It is inevitable that fluctuations in appetite will happen due to chronic medical conditions, illness, mental health issues, and certain medications. Even when we have little to no appetite, it’s crucial to give our body the energy and nourishment it requires. For short term episodes of poor appetite, here are a few creative tips you may want to check out.

Scent – A somewhat non-conventional way to increase appetite is through the nose. Often fragrant smells can remind our bodies that we haven’t eaten in a while. Popping some popcorn, baking some cookies, or even lighting some food scented candles can help.

Liquids – When low appetite makes it hard to even think about eating anything, liquids are usually the way to go. They are easier to consume, better tolerated, and feel less like we’re forcing ourselves to eat. An added bonus is that protein shakes or fruit smoothies are usually easy to prepare and can be taken on-the-go.

Downsize your meals – Smaller, more frequent meals work in a similar fashion. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the thought of a large meal, having 4-6 quick, easy to eat snacks (granola or protein bars, trail mix, a piece of fruit) can be a more realistic goal.

Enjoy a meal with someone – If possible, eat with others. We tend to eat more when we get together with friends or family.

Consume foods you enjoy – Focusing on preferred foods is another good short-term option. Eating a favorite food can be a good safety net until appetite returns to normal and more variety can be reintroduced. This can be especially helpful during times of grief, depression, and other high stress times. Eating something is always better than not eating at all.

Incorporate higher calorie options – If concerns about unintended weight loss arise, focus on incorporating calories and protein into meals/snacks that are already consumed.  For example, cook with butter, use whole milk instead of skim, or add some unflavored protein powder to soups.

Listen to your body – Lastly, the two strategies that I recommend the most are eating consistently and reconnecting with our own hunger cues. Eating consistently helps our bodies feel safe (that we can be trusted to give it what it needs when it needs it) and keeps our metabolism stable. It is easier said than done as our hunger cues are often subtle. It is all too easy in our culture of busy schedules, social commitments, and lots of distractions to lose touch with the hints that we are hungry. This will usually lead to eating when we feel so hungry that we overeat.

If a low appetite persists for a long time, please check in with your NOAH provider. They can refer you to one of NOAH’s Registered Dietitians, the resident experts in nutrition science and who are conveniently located at all the NOAH clinics.  

Why Do I Feel Like This? Stress or Anxiety?

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Imagine yourself getting ready for your day. As you get out of bed and jump in the shower, do you find yourself thinking about how busy the week has been and all the things that need to be done around the house? Or are you feeling a deep sense of dread, but you can’t quite figure out why? Your stomach feels nauseous, and you haven’t been able to sleep because your mind never turns off? Both stress and anxiety seem similar because they are part of the same response system in our body when dealing with a perceived threat.  How do you know if how you feel is stress or ongoing anxiety? It can be hard to tell. Here are some things to consider.

Stress is most often related to a specific situation or circumstances in your life and is short term. For example, you are in school and have two exams and a paper due in 3 days. You feel pressured and stay up late to study.  During this time, you experience tightness in your neck and shoulders and find yourself more irritable than normal. Once the tests are done and the paper has been submitted, you feel much better and can now enjoy time with your family and friends.

While anxiety can have very similar symptoms to stress, it is usually more generalized (not focused on one specific event or circumstance) and will linger longer than stress. Many times, a person with anxiety will say they don’t know why they feel worried or can’t sleep. Anxiety shows up in a variety of ways and is different for each person. Irritability, upset stomach, difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive worry, and feeling like something bad is about to happen are all symptoms of generalized anxiety.

Everyone will experience stress or anxiety at some time in their life. Here are some quick tips to manage your symptoms. First, know that stress and anxiety can often bring with it a range of unpleasant physical symptoms. If you find your heart beating fast or have trouble taking a deep breath, find a way to slow down that works best for you. This could look like:

  • Focus on breathing with intention.
  • Engage in box breathing – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEmt1Znux58
  • Talk to a trusted friend/family member.
  • Move your body by engaging in some enjoyable physical activity.
  • Briefly place your face in cold water.

It can be hard to decide when to seek help for your symptoms. A good rule of thumb is if your symptoms are impacting your everyday life or are getting in the way of taking care of yourself. Seek the advice of your PCP or a behavioral health practitioner. Most people experience symptoms of stress or anxiety at some time in their life and both respond well to treatment. Just know that how you feel does not have to take over and you can find ways to take control of your thoughts and feelings!

How Can I Prevent Cavities?

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By Jane Roots, RDH | Dental Hygienist

“Brush and floss your teeth to avoid cavities.” Sound familiar? 

While we all know we’re supposed to brush and floss to keep our teeth healthy, cavities remain a common problem that we all have to contend with at one point or another, but there are some very important things we can do to prevent cavities from happening.

  • Brush with a Fluoride toothpaste after meals. Brushing regularly and properly with a soft brush gets rid of bacteria/plaque, especially after meals and before bedtime.
  • Flossing gets rid of food lodged between the teeth.
  • Visiting your dentist/hygienist regularly for a comprehensive exam and cleaning.
  • Rinse with mouthwash.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Avoid frequent snacking and drinks – cut back on acidic foods and beverages high in sugar.
  • Consider dental Sealants.
  • Consider a Fluoride treatment.
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Quit smoking – this leads to gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer.

According to Amy Nowinski of the UIC College of Dentistry, a comprehensive exam and discussion with your dentist/hygienist is the first step in taking control of your oral health. Your dentist/hygienist can inform you of your cavity risk levels, suggested treatment options, and any necessary changes you may need to make. Once you know your risk level, then you can take a more specific, effective approach to improving your oral health.