Nurse recognition
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point awarded registered nurse James Riley as the February DAISY award winner. Riley is a nurse on the 2 Central Unit and was recognized by several patients for the care he provided them. The patients praised Riley for making a lasting impact, and for taking time out of his busy day to just sit and listen, and talk to them. The DAISY winner receives a Healer’s touch sculpture, cinnamon rolls for the whole team, and a DAISY pin. Riley, center, stands with hospital officials and members of his unit with the award.
Premier Healthcare updates
Premier Community Healthcare’s health centers will remain open at this time, but all events have been postponed, and there will be limited contact based on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for social distancing.
Premier is limiting its waiting room capacity to five persons. After checking in, patients will be asked to wait in their vehicle until a nurse calls the patient to be seen.
All Premier locations will be closed on March 27 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and will reopen for business at 10 a.m.
As per the recommendation of the American Dental Association, Premier’s dental centers will provide emergency dental services only, if you or your child is experiencing oral pain. This will remain in effect until April 6, at which time a re-evaluation will take place for updates.
Protect against Medicare fraud
Every year, many seniors are targeted by scammers who want to steal Medicare numbers to do things like rack up fake health care charges and commit identity theft.
A webpage with information for Medicare beneficiaries related to COVID-19 can be found at Medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus.
According to a news release from the Department of Elder Affairs, Medicare covers these related needs:
- Lab tests for COVID-19. Patient pays no out-of-pocket costs.
- All medically necessary hospitalizations, which includes if patient is diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged, but instead a hospital quarantine is necessary
- If a vaccine becomes available, it will be covered by Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D).
A Medicare Advantage Plan gives access to these same benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 lab tests. Always check with your plan on coverage and costs.
Medicare also covers virtual check-ins to connect with a doctor by phone or video, or even an online patient portal, to determine the need for an in-office visit.
To protect yourself from Medicare fraud, keep these points in mind:
- DO protect our Medicare number and treat your Medicare card like it’s a credit card.
- DO review your Medicare claims for errors and problems, including fake charges, double billing or other fraudulent activity, waste or abuse.
- DO visit Medicare.gov/fraud to learn more about protecting yourself.
- DON’T give your Medicare card or Medicare number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.
For questions or more information, visit ElderAffairs.org, or call (850) 414-2000.
Donate to CARES
In an effort to expand CARES (Community Aging & Retirement Services) outreach during this ever-developing pandemic, Jemith Rosa, president and CEO, is asking for monetary donations.
According to a news release, the organization reports that due to the crisis, many seniors will face a loss of socialization and will turn to CARES as a lifeline for quality of life, and critical information.
As a result, the organization is in need of food, nonperishable items, medications and more, as it foresees an inevitable increase in demand from seniors.
With seniors self-isolating to stop the spread of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), CARES will need additional funds to operate the telephone assurance program. The program makes weekly phone calls to home-bound seniors to provide comforting conversation and verification of the senior’s well-being.
The telephone program is looking to expand to help get critical information to the senior population.
Donations can be sent to CARES, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Hudson, FL 34667, Attn: COVID-19, or online at CARESfl.org.
For information, call Melissa Mathe at (727) 862-9291, ext. 2046.
Coronavirus info line launched
AdventHealth has launched a free phone service for Floridians who have questions about coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), including the opportunity to speak with a nurse, as appropriate.
According to a March 20 news release, the AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line, (877)-VIRUSHQ, is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
It serves as a one-stop shop to connect Floridians with resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health.
The phone line is not intended to replace a physician-patient relationship. Nurses can answer general medical questions and will refer the caller to the appropriate next steps.
AdventHealth is hoping this service also will offload nonclinical call volumes from health care offices.
AdventHealth also has launched CoronavirusSignsAndSymptoms.com, so consumers can get answers to top COVID-19 questions.
