CRHC Fall Wellness Lab Draws & Flu Clinic Dates

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Health comes in all forms including physical, mental, and social well-being.

You may have heard about Social Determinants of Health in the news recently and the federal mandate from CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) regarding a Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool……. but what is it?

This is a group of questions to screen for safety, living conditions, educational needs, economic status, access to quality healthcare, and other situations that may affect a person's overall health. Once identified, Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) can assist in finding resources and help patients overcome some of these barriers.

Examples of questions you might be asked during admission may include:

• How hard is it for you to pay for the very basics like food, housing, medical care, and heating?
• In the past 12 months, has lack of reliable transportation kept you from medical appointments, meetings, work or from getting things needed for daily living?
• Within the past 12 months, you worried that your food would run out before you got money to buy more?
• How often does anyone, including family and friends, physically hurt you?
• How often do you feel lonely or isolated from those around you?
• Do you speak a language other than English at home?
• Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, do you have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

Of course, a patient has the right to refuse to answer any of the questions.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Maggie Brown at 712-542-8207 or mbrown@clarindahealth.com.

Sources: 

Healthy People 2030 | health.gov

The AHC Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool (cms.gov) 

Social Determinant of Health: Education Is Crucial (tulane.edu)

It's that time of year again! CRHC is putting on their annual Spring Wellness Lab Draws for our surrounding communities! CRHC will be visiting satellite sites at Braddyville, New Market, Clearmont, and College Springs in March and April. CRHC will also have lab draw dates at all of their clinic locations including Clarinda Regional Health Center, Villisca Family Health Center , and Bedford Family Health Center. You can follow CRHC's Facebook page  for updates and reminders about community lab draw opportunities. If possible, please sign up for a health fair opportunity at least three days before the clinic. If you have any questions about CRHC's lab draws or registering please visit our website www.clarindahealth.com  or contact CRHC's Wellness Specialist, Kylee Cowling, at 712-566-1684 or email at kcowling@clarindahealth.com

[Clarinda, Iowa]— The Hugh and Maxine Loudon Estate contributed $750,000 to the Clarinda Regional Health Center which has been used to develop and construct a state-of-the-art operating room facility. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare services and accommodate the growing needs of the community for advanced medical care. The newly constructed operating room is equipped with cutting-edge technology and modern amenities, fostering an environment conducive to precision, innovation, and patient-centered care.

 

The contribution was originally made by the Loudon Estate in 2013 to assist with the construction of the new hospital. With the hospital opening in 2012 and funding needs secured, Maxine’s daughter and son-in-law, Lyn and Orville Dodd, agreed the donation could be used for future expansion projects.  

 

The new operating room will facilitate various complex surgical procedures, enabling medical professionals at Clarinda Regional Health Center to deliver advanced care efficiently and effectively. This expansion emphasizes the collaborative efforts between generous donors and Clarinda Regional Health Center to prioritize patient well-being and elevate the standard of healthcare services in the region.

“Clarinda Regional Health Center is extremely grateful to the Loudon Family for this generous donation allowing us to remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote healthcare advancement and benefit the community at large,” stated Chuck Nordyke, CRHC CEO.

 

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Can you believe it? The new year is fast approaching and your list of things to do is probably fairly long as this point in 2023. We're not just talking about holiday planning either. At Clarinda Regional Health Center we want to make sure you are paying attention to your body too. Don't keep putting those health concerns to the side. 

Have you met your deductible?
If you've met your medical insurance deductible, every day between now and December 31st is your chance to receive some notably less expensive medical "self-care." Think of things like screenings, elective surgeries, scans or testing. Right now is a great time to look into those items you've been putting off the entire year. Some of these procedures you can schedule yourself too!

What is a Health Care Deductible and does everyone have one?
Your health care deductible is the amount of money you pay out of your own pocket for medical expenses before your insurance "kicks in" and your insurance provider pays for your procedures. And no, not all health care plans are the same, so not everyone has a deductible. To be sure if you have one, contact the number on the back of your medical insurance card and ask what your specific plan benefits are. 

Here is an example: If you have a $1,000 health care deductible, you're responsible for paying for all your health and medical expenses until you reach that $1,000 mark. Once you have reached that limit, whatever it is - it could be more or less - you've met your deductible. At this point, your insurance provider can now begin paying for a large portion of your health care costs. 

How Do I know If I've Med My Health Care Deductible? 
Your health insurance company will likely have a website that will let you log in and view your deductible status. Again, you can check the back of your insurance card for a phone number to contact to ask those specific questions as well. Or, if you keep track of your medical expenses or explanation of benefits your insurance company mails to you after a visit or procedure, those sometime indicate if your deductible has been reached by showing that you don't owe anything out of pocket. 

What type of visits or procedures should I schedule before the end of the year?
Most families, at this point in the year, have met their deductible and out of pocket maximums (or the highest amount you'll have to pay), so consider these types of visits before the December 13st deadline. 

• Elective Surgeries : These are the types of surgeries are the things that are put off by patients for long periods of time until they end up resulting in an emergent situation down the road. After reaching your deductible, elective surgeries become much more affordable, depending on your insurance plan. 
  • Anti-Reflux Surgery
  • Ear Tube Surgery
  • Eye Surgery for Cataracts
  • Gallbladder Surgery
  • Hernia Repair
  • Ulcer Surgery
  • Lower Extremity (Foot & Ankle) Surgery
  • Mole removal
• Elective Appointments: These types of visits also might be something you put off, but probably aren't life threatening if delayed. But these types of visits could definitely result in a healthier versions of yourself and are worth looking into. 
  • Physical Therapy
  • Pelvic Floor Therapy
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Dry Needling
• Screenings: Theses are generally diagnostic tools that are an important piece of your own personal healthcare puzzle. Screenings are used to detect a variety of illnesses, including different cancers. Depending on your age and existing health conditions, ask your provider if you should schedule some of these screenings. 
  • Colonscopy
  • DEXA Body Composition Scan
  • Endoscopy
  • Low Dose CT Scan
  • Prostate Screening

Take care of yourself all year long!
At CRHC our team is here for you 365 days a year. We'd prefer if you take advantage of all the services at Clarinda Regional Health Center throughout year instead of delaying important medical care, but we know that sometimes making your health a priority, along with the rising costs of everything, can be difficult. That's why we want to make sure you know the advantages your medical insurance can provide. So you let us know what is ailing you! We have the services, programs, and highly skilled teams you need to handle whatever health concerns you have. 

Check out our Request an Appointment tool online to get your foot in the door before the end of the new year. Talk to your provider about any healthcare concerns you have. You deserve the healthiest version of yourself today and in the new year!

Ryan Mahoney, DNP joins CRHC's team of medical providers