Tag: News

Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know

Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know

It’s that time of year again, you are looking for all the best deals possible to cross off items on your Christmas list, but don’t forget to shop for health insurance! Tis the season for open enrollment across the nation. Barbour Community Health Association has been conducting outreach, education and enrollment into the ACA Marketplace for the past five years and is here to continue answering questions you have about open enrollment. To start you off – here is a quick guide to open enrollment:

Am I eligible?

If you are between the ages of 18-64 and are not already covered by Medicaid, an employer, parents or Veteran Affairs, you are eligible. Health insurance sources that use open enrollment include: Medicare, job-based insurance and individual market health insurance.

Return customers? Need to re-enroll?

Come and reenroll with us! New plans and prices are available, and plans may be more affordable than you think. In fact, some premiums are dropping in many parts of the country.

What to bring:

First time applicants should bring as many of the following to speed up the eligibility process:

    • • Social Security Card/Number, identification (i.e. drivers license, government issued photo ID, school ID with photo), proof of citizenship for the applicant (U.S. birth certificate, U.S. naturalization certificate, U.S. passport), proof of residency, proof of income, terminated income, proof of pregnancy, childcare bills, record of medical expenses, utility bills.

Dates to know:

Open enrollment began November 1st and runs until December 15th. Plans bought within this period go into effect January 1st, 2020. If you don’t act by December 15th, you won’t receive coverage for 2020, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Make a plan to enroll early and avoid the deadline rush! If you would like more information, to get a quote, to enroll or to re-enroll request an appointment at BCHA today by clicking here!

BCHA Announces Two New Board Members

BCHA Announces Two New Board Members

Barbour Community Health Association (BCHA) announces the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the Board of Directors to serve three-year terms are Tonya Cooper and Amanda Sisson.

“BCHA is pleased to welcome these community leaders to the Board. Their experience and leadership will strengthen BCHA’s mission and values into the future,” said Eric Ruf, CEO.

Cooper is currently a first-grade teacher at Belington Elementary School. For the past twenty years Cooper has been a patient of either the Belington or Myers Clinic. Along with BCHA, Cooper is committed to the Belington Elementary PTA as Treasurer and a lifetime member, LSIC committee and the Leadership committee at Belington Elementary School and teaching Sunday and Bible School. Particular interests she hopes to address in healthcare are customer service and patient needs.

Sisson is currently the Chief Operations Officer at the WV Coalition to End Homelessness. As a patient of the Myers Clinic, Sisson commends the high quality of care received. Through her experiences with the WV Coalition to End Homelessness Sisson feels she can better represent the needs of people who may be experiencing homelessness in Barbour County to BCHA and be a leader in innovative practices to improve healthcare for West Virginia’s neediest residents. Along with BCHA and her commitment to WV Coalition to End Homelessness, Sisson is currently Treasurer of the Covered Bridge RiverJaxx Baseball Board of Directors, a non-profit travel baseball organization based out of Barbour County, founded in 2015.

Top 6 Reasons to Attend Our Pulmonary Screening Event

Top 6 Reasons to Attend Our Pulmonary Screening Event

Partnering with Broaddus Hospital Pulmonary Staff, Barbour Community Health Association is excited to be providing FREE Pulmonary Screenings to the Barbour County community at the Myers Clinic on Thursday, May 24th.

There are many reasons to consider scheduling an appointment for a pulmonary screening. Mild breathing problems or shortness of breath can be a sign of a serious condition or disease including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea and chronic bronchitis. As with any disease prevention, early detection and treatment are key. Here are our top six reasons to schedule an appointment today:

  1. Screenings are FREE for Barbour County community members
  2. Appointments are limited so schedule your screening ASAP
  3. Screenings can aide in early diagnosis and prevention
  4. We’re close to home – The Myers Clinic is local, you can find us at 3 Healthcare Drive in Philippi
  5. Screenings are for ALL ages
  6. Free pulmonary screening events don’t occur often, so take advantage of this opportunity

Free pulmonary screening events don’t occur often, so take advantage of this opportunity. By scheduling a free pulmonary screening, you are paving the way to improved lung health and better quality of life. To make an appointment or for more information call Christina at 304-457-2800, Ext. 223.

5 Reasons to Attend PANIC

5 Reasons to Attend PANIC

During the past eleven years, the PANIC (Physical Activity and Nutrition in the Community) program has been a fun opportunity for the entire family to learn exercise and nutrition tips to lead healthier and happier lives. Here are the top 5 reasons to participate in PANIC this year:

  1. Learn How To Have Fun Exercising – We have a variety of fun exercises, from yoga, square dancing, Zumba and more. Get motivated in a group workout session and learn new ways to exercise from home or the gym.
  2. Learn A Lot – Guests speakers will present on various health and wellness topics, filling you in on relevant health news. Take home informational packets on the topics presented to share with your family and friends.
  3. Get Prizes – You can win BIG just for participating! From Wellness Center memberships to blender bottles and gift certificates you could take home a prize. 
  4. It’s Free – Did we mention it’s FREE? Don’t miss out on the fun, prizes and healthy tips you’ll gain from this year’s PANIC sessions.
  5. Get Six Free Gym Coupons – A coupon for six free admissions to the Belington Wellness Center will be given to each registered participant to use during the six-week program if you do not have a current membership. These coupons are only valid for those that are registered for the program and are non-transferable. Use excludes any scheduled weekly classes.

Don’t miss out on the fun at Belington Middle School. Remember that sessions are held on Monday evenings March 2nd through April 6th from 6PM to 8PM. You’ll need to bring along your water bottle and clean shoes. Free healthy snacks will be provided. Register NOW >> http://bit.ly/2MZaCNO 

Barbour Community Health Association Receives AIMS Grant

Barbour Community Health Association Receives AIMS Grant

A $175,000 grant was awarded to the Barbour Community Health Association’s (BCHA) Behavioral Health program recently to aid in the development and expansion of mental health services. Funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), BCHA was one of 1,178 health centers and 13 rural health organizations in the United States to receive monetary support to increase access to behavioral health services with a strong focus on substance abuse. These grants go directly to local organizations, which are best situated to address mental health issues in their own communities.

Other areas of emphasis include the treatment, prevention and awareness of opioid abuse, leveraging health information technology and providing training in the primary care setting. In addition to expanding the BCHA Behavioral Health program, the grant enables the hire of additional staff including Robert W. Kiser, a Licensed Professional Counselor from Buckhannon, to support the increase in services.

Kiser’s education and professional experience are rooted in clinical counseling and music therapy. The implementation of the AIMS grant will allow for early intervention and the ability to work with children and young adults before trauma or adverse experiences can have a lasting negative effect. Kiser states, “With early intervention, these young individuals will be able to go on to lead happy and productive lives.”

Contact Us for more information on the AIMS grant or behavioral health services.

Partnership Eases Student Access to Behavioral Health Services

Partnership Eases Student Access to Behavioral Health Services

Barbour Community Health Association benefits from its new partnership with the WVU School of Medicine Telepsychiatry Program. Through collaboration with the Brandon Wellness Center at Phillip Barbour High School, students will now have the opportunity to receive telepsychiatry health services.

This partnership allows WVU’s Telepsychiatry Program to implement its new initiative called the West Virginia Children’s Access Network at the Brandon Wellness Center where psychiatric and pediatric specialists can connect with students via teleconference. By allowing this vital interaction, medical professionals can screen, consult and treat patients efficiently and successfully at the Brandon Wellness Center, bridging the gap between rural settings and specialized health care services.

Secure and independent, the West Virginia Children’s Access Network ensures timely care for students in Barbour County, where access to specialized health care is limited. The program’s other focuses include early detection of students at high risk for obesity, diabetes, asthma and oral health problems. Educational and administrative video-conferencing services are also provided.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Brandon Wellness Center at 304-457-4000.