Provider Alert! Talking with Patient’s about the COVID -19 Vaccination

Date: February 19, 2021
Attention: All Providers

Providers should monitor the Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) Provider Portal regularly for alerts and updates associated to 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) strongly encourages network providers to engage in conversation with our members on the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. Here are some suggestions from the American Medical Association to help you prepare for these conversations:

• Understand your patients’ concerns
• Ask why a patient is hesitant
• Counter any misinformation
• Know you are the most trusted information source
• Tell patients they need to get the vaccine
• Tailor your message
• Address patients’ fears about side effects
• Prepare your staff to answer questions
• Show your vaccination pride
• Tell stories to make impact

To read the full article, click here.

How this impacts providers: Providers should enroll in the DSHS Immunization Program, if they have not already done so,  in order to receive doses of and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. To enroll, physicians can go to EnrollTexasIZ.dshs.texas.gov. Only providers registered through this site can receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. Medical facilities must provide a list of providers who will be responsible for vaccinations. Each facility or location, including those that are part of a hospital system or clinic network, must register separately. For more information on vaccine registration click here.

Next steps for providers: Providers should also prepare their staff to address patients’ questions on the COVID vaccination. Click here for a helpful COVID-19 vaccine script that offices can utilize when speaking with patients. Additionally, providers should access this communication; Providers are encouraged to register to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine for information on vaccination sites and resources while anticipating their vaccine inventory to arrive.

If 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