You cradle your tiny newborn in your arms, newly swathed in his “coming home from the hospital outfit.” He looks so cute in the stretchie and hat, after 2 days of wearing impersonal nursery blankets. You look forward to these next 2 days of rest and relaxation, good food, and pretty surroundings at the kimpiturinheim. It’s exactly what you need. And the best part? It’s paid for by your insurance.

Amerigroup is an insurance available to Medicaid participants. With the steady growth they’ve experienced in the Lakewood community, Amerigroup has some exciting news: additional benefits and rewards for participants. In an effort to enhance its value added benefits to the core Medicaid benefits in a way that would appeal to the Lakewood community, Amerigroup asked “What do families need?” and came up with real substance. As of last month, the insurance covers either 2 days at La Isha in a double-occupancy room, or vouchers to meals for the family to make the new mother’s life easier.

But the initiatives go beyond a 2-day stay and suppers – In an effort to encourage participants’ overall health, there are numerous ”healthy activities” a participant can do to earn rewards such as car seats, strollers, free diapers, potties, and water pitchers. Healthy activities include many things people do already such as prenatal doctor visits, post-partum visits, well-visits for the baby and lead screening for babies and toddlers. In addition to mother and baby health, people with chronic conditions are encouraged to keep on top of them through healthy activities. Diabetics can earn diabetic socks, asthmatics earn hypoallergenic pillowcases. Gift cards to large retailers are earned for many activities.

Amerigroup values “Whole Person Care,” in other words, a person isn’t just a patient.  He has many ways in which his health and wellness can be cared for, and ways he can be introduced to preventative measures that can help his overall well-being. The assistance for new mothers is part of this concept which acknowledges that a new mothers isn’t just a  patient who delivered and was discharged from the hospital, but a person who can regain her strength and energy better if she is cared for a little longer.

For this reason, Amerigroup decided to become a presence in the community where they could educate and assist. The insurance group has spent the last months fashioning a newly designed health center remodeled from several store fronts on Clifton Avenue in an area close to municipal lots with ample parking. Scheduled to be open by the end of the year, it will provide busy people with a way to address their insurance questions and health needs. To the question “What do you want when you need information?” Amerigroup came up with the answer that people want clear answers – quickly, easily, from knowledgeable representatives. Even with customer service phone lines and user-friendly websites, Amerigroup believes that nothing can replace face-to-face service, so the center will be staffed with representatives to answer questions about benefits and help with paperwork.

The health center is designed with a “business center” where participants who don’t have access to the internet can print their i.d. cards, and take care of other paperwork conveniently.

Amerigroup knows that people will increase their health I.Q. if information is easily accessible in a convenient location.  Blood pressure and other screenings, seminars supplying information on healthy eating, immunization, chronic disease management, pre-natal and post-partum care will be available. There will be male and female educators to assist with information on a broad range of health topics to care for the whole person.

In order to benefit from any of the rewards, participants must register. An expectant mother should register before her due date in order to take advantage of the La Isha stay or meals. She is required to have been a participant for at least her entire third trimester and delivered while on Amerigroup. A Prenatal Risk Assessment . It’s easy to register by calling 800-600-4441 or on the website.

[Press Release]