JCH&L to Offer COVID Boosters in November

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Jefferson Community Health & Life will offer COVID-19 booster vaccines in November. Clinics will be held Nov. 5, 12, and 19 at the Fairbury Presbyterian Church. Appointments are required by calling 402-587-5188.

Boosters are available to:

*those who are 65 and older;

*those who are 18 to 64 who have underlying health conditions;

*those who are 18-64 who live or work in high-risk settings.

To receive a booster, individuals must have had their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer’s vaccine at least 6 months prior to receiving the booster; or have had their Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months prior to receiving the booster.

Those receiving boosters may choose to get a booster of the same vaccine series they started, or they may choose to get a different brand for the booster.

For an appointment for the booster, please call 402-587-5188. Please leave on the voice mail your name, telephone number, date of birth, vaccine you prefer, and date you prefer.

Those who are coming to the booster clinic should wear a mask and expect to be screened. Please bring  your insurance card, photo ID, and your COVID vaccination card. Please wear a short-sleeved shirt. Please plan to stay to be observed for 15 minutes after your vaccine.

If you need carside service, please let us know when you make your appointment.

There is no cost for the vaccine. An administration fee will be billed to your insurance.

JCH&L Women’s Health Day Scheduled for Nov. 2

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Wellness Experience Offers Women a Convenient Way to Take Control of Their Health

In just about three hours women from Jefferson County and beyond can complete their annual health checks and receive a well-deserved indulgence at the same time. Women’s Health Day is a complete wellness experience designed to make women’s health easy. Jefferson Community Health & Life is now scheduling for the experience on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The program is available at the Jefferson Community Health & Life Health Center and Fairbury Clinic on select days every month, and includes:

* Personalized guidance from an on-site Women’s Health Day navigator

* Important health screenings, including fasting lab tests, a screening mammogram and a routine annual exam to assess overall and gynecological health (lab test and mammogram results will be available before participants leave for the day, while Pap test results will be provided later by mail)

* Complimentary breakfast and a relaxing indulgence—such as an express manicure or hand massage, for example. Offerings may vary.

* Reserved parking

“It’s so important for women to make time for their own health, but we know life sometimes gets in the way,” said Erin Starr, Chief Nursing Officer. “That’s why we created Women’s Health Day—to provide a convenient way for women to get their essential health screenings all at once, while also taking time to unwind.”

All major insurance plans are accepted for screening and exams (coverage is subject to individual policy terms). JCH&L Fairbury Clinic accepts new patients.

Appointments for the Women’s Health Day experience start as early as 6:30 a.m. To schedule, call 402.729.6841.

Mobile Screening Services to be Offered

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Mobile Screening Services from Bryan Health will be offered at Jefferson Community Health & Life on Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The screenings are available on a private-pay basis only.

Several types of screening are available. Atrial fibrillation screening is available for all ages. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia, affecting 2.7 million Americans. The cost of this screening is $10.

The other three screenings offered are available to those who are 65 or older, or age 55 with certain personal risk factors or family history. Please discuss your eligibility with the scheduler when you call to make an appointment. Screenings available based on age or risk include:

  • Peripheral Arterial Disease screening – A painless, non-invasive test called the anklebrachial index (ABI) compares the blood pressure in the ankles to the blood pressure in the arms to determine how well the blood is flowing. Cost– $20.
  • Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound screening – This painless, non-invasive screening detects the presence of an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta (four hour fast required.) Cost – $40.
  • Carotid Artery Ultrasound screening – This painless, non-invasive screening detects plaque deposits in the carotid arteries. These plaque deposits are a leading risk factor for stroke. Cost – $40.

Appointments for any of the screenings maybe made by calling JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-3351. For appointments, please call weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Lab Pricing Made Consistent Between Health Center, Clinic

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Lab pricing was made consistent between Jefferson Community Health & Life health center and clinic services on Oct. 1.

“Because we are all one organization, having different lab prices for the clinic and the health center was confusing, and was a potential compliance concern,” said Chance Klasek, JCH&L CFO. “For compliance, consistency, and less confusion, lab prices were made consistent across the board within our facilities as of Oct. 1.”

If you have questions, please contact Chance Klasek, CFO, at 402-729-3351, extension 4427.

New Lab Service to be Available Soon

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Discounted lab testing at the patient’s request will be available soon at Jefferson Community Health and Life.

Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 20, area residents will be able to schedule their own lab without a physician’s order for a variety of commonly requests lab screenings. These screenings are private pay only, we will not bill insurance. A general wellness panel including general chemistry, lipid panel, complete blood count and TSH will be $75. Individual tests available at various prices include general chemistry, lipid panel, Complete Blood Count, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Hemoglobin A1C, PSA, Vitamin D and blood type.

This service will be available every other Wednesday and every other Friday. Wellness Wednesdays will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Fasting Fridays will be from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Area residents may be interested in this service if they wish to have more frequent testing than their health plan covers; to access and manage their health on a regular basis; or are uninsured or have a high deductible and want to take advantage of lower out-of-pocket expenses.

“In the past, we have offered reduced-price lab screenings once a year. We believe offering the opportunity weekly throughout the year will be a great advantage to many area residents,” said Erin Starr, JCH&L Chief Nursing Officer.

Results will be available on the JCH&L Patient Portal, and will not be shared with providers.

To make an appointment, call 402-729-3351 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are required at least 24 hours before testing. Payment at the time of testing can be made by cash or check. If you would like to use a credit card, please ask for arrangements when scheduling.

JCH&L Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Jefferson Community Health & Life encourages women to follow their doctors’ recommendations for breast cancer screening.

Regular mammograms are just one way for women to take care of themselves – but it is an important part of breast health. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, every woman who has a mammogram in October will receive a gift.

Mammography is typically recommended in combination with regular examination by a physician and breast self-awareness. The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommend that women age 40 or older have a mammogram every year. Women are encouraged to ask their doctor about mammography recommendations specific to their needs, risks and health history.

Many insurance companies pay for screening mammograms. The Every Woman Matters program is also available to assist women with the cost of regular mammograms, and other routine health screenings. JCH&L also has a mammography fund which can help those who need a mammogram and need financial assistance.

Jefferson Community Health & Life Radiology offers digital technology in a newly renovated radiology department. JCH&L uses the state-of-the-art system, Selenia™ digital mammography from Hologic.™

Digital mammography is different from conventional mammography in how the image of the breast is acquired and, more importantly, viewed. The radiologist can magnify the images, increase or decrease the contrast and invert the black and white values while reading the images. These features allow the radiologist to evaluate microcalcifications and focus on areas of concern.

Besides mammography, JCH&L Radiology offers ultrasound, which is another test a radiologist may recommend to evaluate the breast tissue, and CAD (Computer-Aided Detection) software which identifies and marks areas of concern on mammogram images to bring them to the attention of the radiologist.

JCH&L offers a Women’s Health Day which allows women to have all of their annual screenings in one day morning, including lab, mammogram and annual physical. The day includes pampering (such as a mini manicure or hand massage) and breakfast. Tests and screenings can be billed to most major insurances and Medicare. The next Women’s Health Days are Nov. 2 and Dec. 7.

JCH&L Radiology can accept orders from any physician, not only JCH&L physicians. Women can schedule a screening mammogram without a physician’s order. We are also accepting new patients.

It is typically recommended that a woman have her mammogram a few days before her annual physical so the physician has results for the physical (except in the case of Women’s Health Days, which make results available the same day.)

Jefferson Community Health & Life is a private not-for-profit health care organization with the vision of being our community’s most trusted partner for a lifetime of health.

For further information, or to schedule a mammogram, please call the Jefferson Community Health & Life Radiology at 402-729-6841.

2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE