Winter 2026

Welcome to another edition of Whole You, a newsletter from CMS Health Plan that helps you get the most from your child’s benefits.

Keep reading to learn more about medical appointments from home, managing your child’s health plan on the go, and ways to protect their smile and eyes.

In case you missed it, read the Fall 2025 newsletter.

Long wait times, crowded waiting rooms and traffic can make it hard to get to the doctor when your child is sick. Consider using telehealth to get non-emergency medical help for your child from the comfort of your home. Access doctors right from your phone or computer anytime.

Telehealth appointments are covered by CMS Health Plan and your child can quickly get the care they need. Call your child’s primary care provider and ask if they offer telehealth appointments. If they do not provide these services, then try these telehealth providers instead:

KidzDocNow

KidzDocNow is an app that helps children attend video visits with pediatric doctors 24/7. KidzDocNow offers:

• Treatment for skin conditions
• Prescription refills
• Advice for newborn concerns

Visit KidzDocNow or download the KidzDocNow mobile app today.

Teladoc

Teladoc is available 24 hours a day and you can visit doctors over phone or video for non-emergencies. Licensed doctors diagnose and prescribe medication if medically necessary for many conditions. Teladoc helps with:

• Annual check-ups
• Common injuries and illnesses
• Allergies and common cold

Visit Teladoc, download the Teladoc mobile app today or call 1-800-835-2362.

Brave Health

CMS Health Plan members 13 and older can receive virtual mental and behavioral health care from Brave Health. This includes therapy and other support services. Book an appointment and virtually meet with a therapist anytime, anywhere. Brave Health offers:

• Medication management
• Specialty programs and support groups
• Customized mental health treatment plans

Text or call Brave Health at 1-305-902-6347, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. Email start@bebravehealth.com or visit the Brave Health website to get started.

Taking care of your child’s teeth is an important part of their health. Good brushing habits can protect their teeth from germs.

Keeping teeth clean helps avoid cavities, which are damaged areas on teeth. Cavities can be painful and lead to more issues if they are not treated. If you think your child has a cavity, make an appointment with their dentist.

Follow these tips to protect your child’s teeth:

• Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Watch and help your child with brushing if needed.
• Encourage flossing once a day when your child’s teeth start touching.
• Visit a dentist every six months for regular cleanings.

Learn more about your child’s dental services. If you have questions or want to change your child’s dental plan, call 1-877-711-3662 to talk to a Medicaid Choice Counselor.

Foods packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals are important for your health. CMS Health Plan members can receive healthy home delivered meals through their expanded benefits. Expanded benefits are extra services CMS Health Plan provides free of charge to members.

Home Delivered Meals:

• Home Delivered Meals (General): Your child may be eligible to receive 10 meals.
• Home Delivered Meals (Disaster Preparedness/Relief): Get one emergency meal kit annually.
• Home Delivered Meals (Post-Facility Discharge, Hospital or Nursing Facility): If your child was discharged within 2 weeks from an inpatient facility, they may be eligible to receive 10 meals. Inpatient facilities may include hospitals, a Skilled Nursing Facility or Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Call your child’s Care Manager to see if they are eligible, and ask what qualifications are required for your child to receive this benefit.

Your child’s nose is running. Their head is aching. But do they have the flu or is it just a cold? Read the symptoms below to help you understand the difference between a cold and the flu.

It could be a cold if your child’s symptoms are:

• Symptoms start gradually
• Fever lower than 100.3° F
• ore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Mild to moderate cough
• Sneezing
• Feeling tired

It could be the flu if your child’s symptoms are:

• Symptoms start suddenly
• Fever higher than 100.4° F
• Headache
• Cough with chest discomfort
• Fatigue or weakness
• Body pain
• Body chills

Your child’s Primary Care Provider (PCP) is your first stop for care. Be prepared and know your options for getting care when you need it.

• Call your child’s PCP’s after-hours line.
• Call the Nurse Advice Line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The nurse will listen to your concerns and help you decide what to do next.
• Your child has access to telehealth services. See a doctor from home via computer or phone.

Visit Sunshine Health Connects to find programs that help with food, shelter, healthcare, financial education, jobs and more. Go to the database and enter your zip code. You will find a list of local programs available near you.

Your child’s vision can change as they grow up. Just like other parts of the body, it is important to take care of your child’s eyes. Here are some tips:

• Annual Eye Exams: Schedule yearly eye exams to see if your child has any new vision problems. Even if your child has 20/20 vision, annual eye exams can help find other health issues.
• Healthy Diet: Encourage your child to eat healthy and nutritious foods. Vitamin A is important for vision. Foods like sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots are rich in vitamin A.
• Limit Screen Time: Spending a long time on electronic devices can lead to dry eyes, blurred vision, eye strain and other eye issues. Lower your child’s screen time and have them take breaks when using a computer or other device. Use settings on your device to block blue light.
• Wear Sunglasses: Make sure your child wears sunglasses when outside. UV rays from the sun can damage their eyes. Also, tell them not to directly look at the sun.

Questions about your child’s covered medical services? Call your child’s Care Manager or Member Services at 1-866-799-5321 (TTY 1-800-955-8770).

With ABLE United, you may be able to start saving money tax-free to support your child.

ABLE United is a program where parents, guardians and loved ones can create tax-free savings accounts to help qualifying children with disabilities. These funds can be used to cover medical costs and other expenses related to:

• Health and wellness
• School or education
• Housing
• Transportation
• Legal fees
• Financial management
• Employment training and support
• Assistive technology and personal support services
• More

People who qualify for ABLE United can save up to $19,000 per calendar year, either by themselves or with help from others. The money saved does not count toward income and will not be taxed. Your child will still remain eligible for federal benefit programs, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

To qualify for ABLE United, your child must:

• Be a Florida resident
• Have a qualifying disability

Visit ABLE United to learn more.

Urgent care centers offer many of the same services as emergency rooms, but with shorter wait times. If your child needs care for a non-life-threatening illness or injury, urgent care may be a better option.

Choose urgent care for minor issues, like ear infections, small cuts, minor burns or the common cold. Emergency rooms are meant for life-threatening injuries and illnesses, like severe allergic reactions, poisoning or concussions.

If you have questions about what kind of care is best for your child, call the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1-866-799-5321 (TTY 1-800-955-8770). Speak directly to a nurse who can help you decide on the next steps.

A new diagnosis can be a lot to take in. We want to help you understand your child’s condition and connect them to available benefits and services.

See our diagnosis guides to learn about symptoms, treatment options and how CMS Health Plan can support your child’s health. We have guides on:

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Disruptive Behavior Disorders
• Epilepsy
• Sickle Cell

If your child’s diagnosis is not listed, there are other ways you can get help, support, or ask questions:

• Call your child’s Care Manager
• Call Member Services at 1-866-799-5321, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern
• Visit Sunshine Health Connects

Sunshine Health has Community Connections Centers across the state to serve members and local communities. These centers are open to the public. You can come by and get help managing your child’s CMS Health Plan benefits.

Get connected to resources, support groups and other community supports. Visitors can also access computers, the internet and phone services at no charge. Contact your local center for a schedule of events.

Monthly Farm Share Food Pantry

Community Connections Centers host monthly food pantries. Pick up fresh and shelf-stable foods at no cost for your family. All are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis, the third Thursday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon. Your child does not need to be a CMS Health Plan member to get food.