New member checklist

Welcome to Sharp Direct Advantage!

This checklist is designed to help you to get the most out of your health coverage in your first 90 days.

Use your new member ID card and new coverage.

• Carry your new Sharp Direct Advantage member ID card with you.

  Show your member ID card when you visit your doctor or fill a prescription. Your ID card also has important benefit information, including as your plan medical group and plan network.

  If you also have Medi-Cal: Show both your Medi-Cal ID card and your Sharp Direct Advantage ID card when getting care.

• Tell your doctor’s office about your new coverage.

  Whether you're keeping your same doctor or are new to Sharp, contact your primary care physician’s  office to share your new insurance information. Check your ID card for your doctor's office phone number.

  New patients: Let your doctor’s office know you’re a new patient. They can help you find an appropriate time for an office visit.

Access your health information

• Set up a Sharp Health Plan online account to manage your new benefits

  Track health care spending, sign up for paperless bills, and more. To set up your online account, use the activation code we sent separately. You can also create an account using your new member ID#, listed on the front of your ID card.

• Use your patient portal to manage your care online.

  View test results, send secure messages to your primary care physician’s office, schedule and cancel appointments, and more. Your plan medical group is listed on the front of your ID card.

• Share your health information with loved ones.

  If someone assists you, be sure to complete authorization forms with both Sharp Health Plan and your plan medical group.

  Sharp Health Plan: Fill out the following forms as needed.

  • Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Health Information
  • Appointment of Representative Form

  Your plan medical group: Ask your primary care physician's office to request your plan medical group’s PHI form.

Transfer prescriptions, referrals and medical records

• Transfer your prescriptions.

  Use our pharmacy search tool to find an in-network pharmacy near you. If you choose a new pharmacy, let your new pharmacy know that you need your prescriptions transferred from your old pharmacy. Also, tell your primary care physician about any special authorizations you have for prescriptions that may need to be re-authorized.

  Convenient, safe refills: Rx Delivery by Mail is an easy, affordable way to get your medications delivered right to your home. Sign up with CVS Caremark.

• Transfer any existing referrals and medical records.

  Your existing referrals and authorizations do not automatically transfer between medical groups. If you have existing referrals to see a specialist, ask your new doctor to re-authorize the referral with your new coverage.

  If you changed your primary care physician: Make sure your new primary care physician has your up-to-date health information. Contact your former doctor’s office for help with transferring your medical records to your new doctor.

Take advantage of health assessment tools

• Fill out your confidential Health Risk Questionnaire from Medicare.

  A questionnaire is mailed to you every year as a requirement from Medicare to assess your health care needs. Your answers are kept private and shared only with your primary care physician and other members of your care team as needed. You can also take the questionnaire online.

• Add our After-Hours Nurse Advice line, 1-800-359-2002, to your phone contacts.

  When you need medical advice on weeknights and weekends, call our After-Hours Nurse Advice line and speak to a specially trained registered nurse with Sharp Nurse Connection^®.

Sharp Direct Advantage is offered by Sharp Health Plan. Sharp Health Plan is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment with Sharp Health Plan depends on contract renewal. Read the full disclaimer.

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