A Major Milestone for Behavioral Health in Belington

The Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking expansion for behavioral health services in Belington, West Virginia. This significant development, initiated on April 16, 2024, marks a new chapter in the ongoing commitment to enhancing mental healthcare for our community. The new facility, which will be part of the Belington Medical Clinic & Wellness Center, is set to transform how we deliver comprehensive behavioral healthcare services, making them more accessible, integrated, and patient-friendly.

Why This Expansion Matters

Behavioral health is a critical component of overall well-being, yet accessing these services can often be challenging. Eric Ruf, CEO of BCHA, highlights the significance of the new facility in addressing these challenges.

“Our goal with this expansion is to create a more welcoming and efficient environment for our patients. By placing the new behavioral health space on the same level as our medical team, we are streamlining access and making it easier for patients to receive the care they need,” Ruf explained.

Building a Facility with the Community in Mind

Dr. Aaron Williams, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, underscores the community-centered approach of the new building. “Our focus has always been on providing accessible, confidential, and high-quality care. The new facility will incorporate soundproof rooms and sound machines to ensure patient confidentiality, which is a cornerstone of our service philosophy,” Dr. Williams said.

In addition to enhanced privacy measures, the facility will be fully ADA compliant. This means that individuals with disabilities or special needs will find the space easily accessible, aligning with our commitment to inclusivity and comprehensive care.

A Collaborative Effort for Greater Impact

The expansion project is a testament to the power of community support and collaboration. The project has been made possible by a generous financial contribution from the William Kester estate, which was matched by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

“Mr. Kester’s vision for expanding medical facilities in Belington is truly inspiring,” Ruf noted. “His generosity allows us to build a facility that is larger and more capable than we initially envisioned, enabling us to meet the diverse needs of our community more effectively.”

Envisioning a Better Future

Scheduled for completion by the fall of 2024, the new behavioral health facility promises to significantly enhance the capacity and quality of mental healthcare available in Belington. Here’s a closer look at what the community can expect from this exciting development:

1. Enhanced Patient Care: The new building will facilitate better synergy between medical and behavioral health services, making it easier for patients to transition between different types of care. This seamless integration is designed to improve overall health outcomes by addressing both physical and mental health needs in a coordinated manner.
2. Advanced Treatment Spaces: By providing larger therapy rooms and specialized areas for group therapy and psychological testing, the facility aims to create an environment that supports various therapeutic approaches and accommodates the specific needs of different patient groups.
3. Community Engagement and Education: BCHA plans to use the new space as a hub for community engagement, offering educational programs to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma. This initiative will include partnerships with local organizations to promote mental health literacy and encourage open discussions about mental health challenges.
4. Commitment to Privacy and Confidentiality: The design of the new building includes advanced soundproofing and privacy measures to ensure that all interactions and treatments remain confidential. This commitment to privacy is intended to make patients feel more comfortable and secure when seeking care.
5. Accessibility and Inclusivity: The facility’s ADA compliance ensures that it will be accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. This focus on accessibility reflects BCHA’s broader commitment to providing equitable healthcare services to all members of the community.

What This Means for the Community

The expansion of the behavioral health services in Belington is more than just a new building—it’s a crucial step toward better mental healthcare for our entire community. By increasing the availability and quality of behavioral health services, we are taking a proactive approach to addressing mental health needs and supporting the well-being of our residents.

Here’s what you need to know about accessing our enhanced services:

• Location: The new behavioral health building will be part of the Belington Medical Clinic & Wellness Center, conveniently located at 70 North Sturmer Street.
• Services Offered: Patients can continue to access all the current behavioral health services, including individual therapy, medication management, and counseling, in a more spacious and supportive environment.
• Operating Hours: The clinic will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, ensuring that services are available at convenient times.
• Contact Information: For more details or to schedule an appointment, you can visit barbourhealth.org or call Barbour Behavioral Health at 304-823-4000.

Looking Ahead

We are excited about the potential of this new facility to improve mental healthcare in Belington. By expanding our services and creating a more integrated approach to health care, we aim to better serve our community and support the well-being of all residents. As construction progresses, we will keep the community informed about developments and look forward to welcoming you to our new space in the fall of 2024.

Stay tuned for more updates as we build a healthier future together!

At Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA), we know that getting healthcare for your child can be complicated. Many doctors only offer appointments during the school day, and their offices might be far from the school your child attends. To see the doctor, your child might have to miss school, and you might have to leave work. Our school-based health services aim to make healthcare as easy as walking down the hall, ensuring that students receive the necessary medical attention and support to thrive academically and personally.

What are School-Based Health Clinics?

Our school-based health clinics are healthcare clinics that provide specific services directly within schools in Barbour County. These services aim to address the physical and mental health needs of students, ensuring that healthcare is convenient, accessible, and integrated into their daily lives. By situating health services within the educational settings, we can offer timely care and promote overall well-being among students.

Where are They Offered?

At BCHA, our school-based health services are offered at several schools within our community, making healthcare more accessible than ever.

Schools include:

• Brandon Wellness Center at Philip Barbour High School
• Philippi Elementary School
• Junior Elementary School
• Kasson Elementary-Middle School
• Philippi Middle School
• Belington Middle School
• Belington Elementary School

Our healthcare providers collaborate with school administrators to set up health centers or clinics in designated areas within the schools. These centers are staffed by qualified healthcare professionals, including nurses and medical providers, who are trained to address the unique health needs of students.

At our school-based health center, we prioritize the health and well-being of our students by providing accessible and timely medical care. Students are always welcome to walk in to speak with a provider at any time without an appointment. While appointments can be made for certain types of visits, they are not required to be seen. We understand that health concerns can arise unexpectedly, and our dedicated staff is available to assist students whenever they need us.

Please note that our staff is available at elementary and middle schools on select days. To ensure your student receives the care they need, we recommend that parents and guardians check-in with your student’s teacher or school office to find out which days our health center staff will be present at your student’s school.

Our goal is to make healthcare convenient and readily accessible for all students, and we are committed to being there for your family when you need us most.

What Services are Offered?

Our school-based health services cover a wide range of healthcare needs, ensuring students receive comprehensive care right where they are.

Some services we offer include:

• Primary Care: Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries.
• Behavioral Healthcare: Counseling and support for mental health and behavioral issues.
• Chronic Disease Management: Regular visits and monitoring for conditions such as asthma and diabetes.
• Sports Physicals: Mandatory physical exams required for participation in school sports.
• Health Education: Programs and workshops on nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Urgent Medical Care: Immediate care for sudden illnesses or injuries.
• Specialized Care: Treatment for sore throats, flu, common colds, rashes, acne, and other skin issues.
• Vaccinations/Immunizations: Both state-required and recommended immunizations.

What are the Benefits?

The benefits of school-based health clinics are numerous and far-reaching.

Key advantages include:

• Improved Access to Care: By providing health services within schools, we remove barriers such as transportation and scheduling conflicts that often prevent students from receiving timely medical attention.
• Enhanced Academic Performance: Healthy students are better learners. By addressing health issues promptly, we help reduce absenteeism and improve students’ concentration and participation in class.
• Comprehensive Care: Our integrated approach ensures that students receive holistic care, addressing physical, mental, and emotional health needs in a coordinated manner.
• Early Intervention: Early detection and treatment of health issues can prevent more serious problems later on, promoting long-term well-being.
• Support for Families: School-based health services can alleviate the burden on families, providing convenient care options and reducing the need for parents to take time off work for their children’s medical appointments.

How Does It Work?

Our school-based health services operate seamlessly within the school environment. Here’s how the process works:

• Collaboration: We work closely with school administrators, teachers, and parents to identify the specific health needs of the student population and tailor our services accordingly.
• Consent: Parents or guardians provide consent for their children to receive healthcare services at school. This ensures that students can access care as needed.
• Service Delivery: Healthcare providers are available during school hours to see students. They conduct assessments, provide treatments, and offer follow-up care as necessary.
• Communication: We maintain open lines of communication with parents and guardians, keeping them informed about their child’s health and any treatments or interventions provided.
• Referrals: If specialized care is needed, our providers can make referrals to external healthcare facilities or specialists, ensuring continuity of care.

Making an appointment for school-based health services at BCHA is straightforward and convenient. Here are the steps:

1. Contact the School Health Center: Parents or guardians can call the school health center directly to schedule an appointment. Contact information is typically provided by the school or can be found on the BCHA website.
2. Complete Consent Forms: Ensure that all necessary consent forms are completed and submitted. These forms authorize healthcare providers to see the student and provide the required services.
3. Appointment Scheduling: Appointments are scheduled during school hours, making it easy for students to access care without disrupting their academic schedule.
4. Follow-Up: After the appointment, healthcare providers will follow up with parents or guardians to discuss any findings, treatments, or additional steps that may be necessary.

School-based health services at BCHA are a vital component of our commitment to community health. By providing accessible, comprehensive healthcare within the school setting, we support the well-being and academic success of our students. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact your school’s health center or visit our website for more information. Together, we can ensure that our children have the health and support they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Navigating the complexity of Medicare can be a lot. In this blog, we will break down complex Medicare concepts into clear and actionable information for our patients and the surrounding Barbour County communities so you can make informative and actionable decisions.

To start, what is Medicare? Medicare is one of the federal and state health insurance programs available in the United States. It offers basic coverage to help pay for things like doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgeries. The program is funded in part by Social Security and Medicare taxes citizens pay on their income, in part through premiums that people with Medicare pay, and in part by the federal budget.

Medicare consists of four different “Parts” that cover specific healthcare services. To put it simply:

• Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.
• Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.
• Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits known as Medicare Advantage.
• Part D provides prescription drug coverage.

When eligible, patients can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, also known as Original Medicare which covers the essentials. Part A covers things like inpatient hospital stays, home health care, and some skilled nursing facility care. Typically, most people don’t pay for A if they have paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. However, if you don’t qualify for a premium-free Part A, it can be purchased for a monthly premium. With Part B, you are responsible for a monthly premium and Part B covers things like doctor visits, outpatient services, X-rays and lab tests, and preventative screenings.

Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plans are offered through private health insurance companies. When you join a Medicare Advantage plan, you still have Medicare which can be a common misconception. The difference is the plan covers and pays for your services instead of Original Medicare.

While some prescriptions are covered as part of Part A, Medicare Part D helps to cover the cost of prescription drugs. It can help lower drug costs now and help protect against higher costs in the future.

The Medicare program is for people 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a person who is entitled to monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits on the basis of disability is automatically entitled to Part A after receiving disability benefits for 24 months. For more information about special rules and Medicare based on disability, visit cms.gov.

Another common misconception to note is that patients are automatically enrolled in Medicare when they turn 65. While this may be the case for some, you should always contact Medicare to be sure. People may only be automatically enrolled when they turn 65 if they are already drawing social security benefits.

Other common questions include:

• Are all of my medical costs covered by Medicare? While Parts A and B provide great coverage, it rarely provides everything a patient needs. You will want to factor in costs for prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing and long-term care.
• Is Medicare free? To put it simply, no. However, there’s a good chance patients can receive at least a portion of their coverage at no charge, specifically Part A.
• Is Medicare the same thing as Medicaid? No, they are two separate programs. Medicare is a government-sponsored health insurance that is available to all Americans ages 65 and older or those with certain disabilities. Medicaid is a state and federal program that assists families and individuals with low and limited incomes. However, the two do work together when a patient has been deemed eligible for both.

The last area we will cover is Medicare wellness visits. The annual wellness visit is a yearly appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) to create or update a personalized prevention plan. The prevention plan may help prevent illness based on current health and risk factors. During your first wellness visit, in addition to developing your plan, your PCP may also check your height, weight, blood pressure and other routine measurements, give you a health risk assessment, learn about our medical and family history, review your level of safety, as well as list your current providers and current medications. Wellness visits after your first may consist of updating your preventative plan, checking your weight and blood pressure and screening for cognitive issues if needed.

To enroll in Medicare, contact the Social Security Administration or your local Social Security office. For more information regarding Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or contact your local Barbour County Health Association office. Both Quick Care locations are open with extended evening hours available. Visit the Myers Clinic location at 116 McClellan Road, Philippi on Mondays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or the Belington location at 95 S. Crim Avenue, Belington on Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.