New Asthma Care Toolkit Now Available

Date: May 19, 2022Attention: All ProvidersProviders should monitor the Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) Provider Portal regularly for alerts and updates associated with the COVID-19 event.  TCHP reserves the right to update and/or change this information without prior notice due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 event. Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) is celebrating May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness month. In doing so, we would like to unveil our new Asthma Care Toolkit. Given that it is peak season for asthma and allergies sufferers, it is an ideal time to educate patients about this illness. Some asthma quick facts:

• Approximately 25 million Americans are living with asthma – 5 million of them are children.
• Each year, asthma leads to more than 1.6 million emergency department visits and 170,000 hospital stays.
• On World Asthma Day (May 3, 2022) and throughout May, people with asthma and organizations dedicated to asthma control and education join together to increase awareness about asthma and improve the lives of all people with asthma.
• Allergic asthma, or allergy-induced asthma, is the most common form of asthma. If your asthma is allergic, your symptoms are most often triggered by inhaling allergens. An allergen is a typically harmless substance such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen or mold.

How this impacts providers: The Asthma Care Toolkit has been tailored for our providers to make resources easily available to them so they can provide the best care to our members and their families. The toolkit includes downloadable tools, resources and self-management ideas for members. Some features include:

• Asthma Quick Guide provides members with a quick-use resource on asthma medications and proper use, types of asthma attacks, tips for self-management and goals of asthma care.
• Asthma Action Plan helps providers create an action plan against asthma with members during their doctor visit.
• Single Inhaler Controller and Reliever (ICS/Formeterol) Medication highlights information for providers and members regarding a new treatment that will help your lungs work better, reduce symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
• How to Use Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) and Spacer Devicesincludes a step-by-step process that providers can share with patients about the proper use asthma medication and devices.
• Cleaning Your Home to Control Asthma guide provides some “asthma friendly” cleaning tips and products.

Next steps for providers: TCHP encourages providers to share these valuable resources with patients that will greatly benefit from them. Providers can access the Asthma Care Toolkit online at: https://www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/for-providers/provider-resources/asthma-resources-toolkitIf you have any questions, please email Provider Network Management at: providerrelations@texaschildrens.org.For access to all provider alerts,log into: www.thecheckup.org or www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/for-providers.