Rick Blum PA-C Joins Jefferson Community Health & Life

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Rick Blum, PA-C, joined Jefferson Community Health & Life this month. He will be caring for patients in JCH&L Fairbury Clinic and in the Emergency Room.

Blum received his undergraduate degree from UNO, and his PA training at Nebraska Med Center. He was a PA in Beatrice for 23 years. He currently serves in Valentine and Friend, in addition to JCH&L Fairbury.

“Medicine is fun. It’s challenging,” Blum said.

He said what he likes most about medicine in rural areas is the relationships built with patients, which are “unique to small-town medicine.”

Blum said the JCH&L campus is impressive. He appreciates JCH&L offering its community long-term care, a fitness center, and being part of Cedarwood assisted living, in addition to quality family medicine and hospital services.

He and his wife, Michele, live near Beatrice and have 4 grown children, 19-27.

Blum has been seeing emergency room patients since early May and begins seeing patients at the Fairbury Clinic June 6. He will accept new and established patients. To make an appointment, call 402-729-3361.

JCH&L Working With United HealthCare on Provider Issue

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Jefferson Community Health & Life is currently working with UnitedHealthCare on an issue which has resulted in patients receiving notice that Kensly Williams, PA-C, will no longer be covered under their plan as of July 31. Kensly has been a PA at JCH&L since 2020.

“We are working to determine what happened that resulted in UnitedHealthCare sending a letter to those who have seen Kensly. We are working with the company to get the situation straightened out,” said Ashley Norden, JCH&L Fairbury Clinic Administrator.

JCH&L is a participating provider with UnitedHealthCare and all providers at JCH&L are included.

“We were surprised by the information that stated Kensly would not be part of the network, and we are working to determine what happened and how to correct it,” Norden said.

Kensly is currently out of the office on maternity leave. Despite rumors the UnitedHealthCare letters may have sparked, she is scheduled to be back in the clinic to see patients in late July.

Caregivers Support Group to Meet June 13

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The Caregivers Support Group offered by the Alzheimer’s Association will meet on Thursday, June 13, at 4:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Community Health & Life Clinic Conference Room. The program will be a video “Caregiver Training: Depression and Apathy” from UCLA.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the signage to “Caregiver’s Support.”

The Caregiver’s Support Group is a program of the Alzheimer’s Association. The group meets on the second Thursday of each month in the JCH&L Clinic Conference Room.

The support group is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.  The group provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease and learn from other’s experiences. There is no cost, and no pre-registration required.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-6855.

JCH&L Recognizes Hospital Week

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During National Hospital Week, May 12-18, Jefferson Community Health & Life thanks the many individuals who contribute to the excellence of health care in our community.

 Jefferson Community Health & Life is one of Jefferson County’s largest employers with more than 250 full- and part-time employees. JCH&L employs staff from Jefferson County and all of the surrounding counties. In fiscal 2023, JCH&L’s total salaries and wages totaled $14.8 million, and benefits added $3.9 million.

JCH&L appreciates the community support which is shown through use of its services, as well as donations to the non-profit charitable organization.

 JCH&L provides a wide range of health care services, including emergency, inpatient, outpatient, surgical, family medicine, visiting specialists, home health, occupational health and long-term care services.

 JCH&L also provides a variety of outreach services – health education opportunities, community health programs, a community fitness center, health fairs, speakers on health issues, support groups, screenings, and more.  JCH&L provides donations for many area activities, events and programs. In fiscal 2023, JCH&L provided more than $150,000 in charity care to area residents. JCH&L subsidizes the services provides by the Burkley Fitness Center, Home Health and Gardenside to make these services possible in the community. According to the Nebraska Hospital Association Community Benefit report, JCH&L provided $2,251,955 in total community net benefit in fiscal 2023, along with writing off $448,061 in bad debt expenses. Besides the donations and time provided by the organization, individual staff members also volunteer in many area organizations and for events in their communities. 

“Jefferson Community Health & Life is committed to provide quality health care to our area residents,” said JCH&L CEO Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, MBA, CHFP, FACHE. “We also take pride in being an active member of our community.”

More information about Jefferson Community Health & Life is available by going to its website at JCHealthandLife.org.

Medicare Fraud Attempt Reported

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A Medicare fraud attempt using the pretenses of an offer from Jefferson Community Health & Life has been reported by a Fairbury resident. JCH&L reminds patients to never give their Medicare number, social security number or other personal information over the phone.

The Fairbury resident reported that they had received a call which showed caller ID of JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, and claimed to be her physician’s office letting her know about an opportunity the patient would have to receive a genetic testing kit for neurological issues. The call stated the patient would receive another call. In that call, the patient was asked to give a Medicare number.

A press release from 2019 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of  Inspector General website gives information about this particular scam.

It states: “Genetic testing fraud occurs when Medicare is billed for a test or screening that was not medically necessary and/or was not ordered by a Medicare beneficiary’s treating physician.

Scammers are offering Medicare beneficiaries “free” screenings or cheek swabs for genetic testing to obtain their Medicare information for identity theft or fraudulent billing purposes. Fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries through telemarketing calls, booths at public events, health fairs, and door-to-door visits.

Beneficiaries who agree to genetic testing or verify personal or Medicare information may receive a cheek swab, an in-person screening or a testing kit in the mail, even if it is not ordered by a physician or medically necessary.

If Medicare denies the claim, the beneficiary could be responsible for the entire cost of the test, which could be thousands of dollars.”

JCH&L recommends that if you receive such a call, don’t give your Medicare number. If you have given you Medicare number, call the number on your card and report possible Medicare fraud. If you have questions or concerns about calls which appeared to come from JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, please call Ashley Norden, clinic administrator, at 402-729-3351, extension 7125. Medicare questions may go to Kim Shadduck, business office manager, at 402-729-3351, extension 7124.

The OIG has this advice for Medicare recipients:

  • If a genetic testing kit is mailed to you, don’t accept it unless it was ordered by your physician. Refuse the delivery or return it to the sender. Keep a record of the sender’s name and the date you returned the items.
  • Be suspicious of anyone who offers you “free” genetic testing and then requests your Medicare number. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.
  • A physician that you know and trust should assess your condition and approve any requests for genetic testing.
  • Medicare beneficiaries should be cautious of unsolicited requests for their Medicare numbers. If anyone other than your physician’s office requests your Medicare information, do not provide it.
  • If you suspect Medicare fraud, contact the HHS OIG Hotline.
  • If you get a call, text or email asking for your Medicare number, don’t respond. Don’t give your Medicare card for Medicare number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it. (The Fairbury Clinic would not typically ask for your Medicare number over the phone.)
  • Check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or claims statements carefully. If you see a charge for a service you didn’t get or a product you didn’t order, it may be fraud. If you suspect fraud, report it at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227.)
  • Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card.

Please visit Medicare.gov, the official source of Medicare information, to learn more about preventing Medicare fraud and medical identity theft. Here’s a link to a booklet  about protecting yourself and Medicare from fraud. See more information at:

https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10111-Protecting-Yourself-and-Medicare.pdf

JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center Brings Back Adventure Race

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The JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center is excited to bring back the Fairbury Adventure Race in 2024!  The date for this 8- to 12-mile course is set for Saturday, June 8.   It will include bicycling, running and orienteering using a simple map.

The race will start at the Burkley Fitness Center and will finish at Rock Creek Station.  Transportation back to the Fitness Center will be provided for participants and their bikes.  This will be a team event only (no individual participants).  Teams must consist of 2 or 3 participants.  All participants are required to be 16 years of age or older.

The entry fee is $60 per team.  Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on race day with the pre-race meeting and map distribution beginning at 8:30 a.m.  Race will start a 9 a.m.

Required Items:

  • Mountain Bike
  • Bike Helmet
  • Hydration Pack or water bottle

Suggested Items:

  • Extra bike tubes and pump
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug repellant

Please register before May 10 to be guaranteed a t-shirt.  There will be CASH PRIZES for the top 3 teams.

*State park permits are required for vehicle entry to Rock Creek Station.  Bicyclists do not require a permit.*

The BFC would like to thank all of our sponsors for this event.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits June 10

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The next Nebraska Community Bloodbank blood drive will be held on Monday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the mobile unit in the parking lot of JCH&L’s North Building, 825 22nd St.

All types are needed. Giving blood is giving a gift of life. Nebraska Community Bloodbank is Jefferson Community Health & Life’s blood supplier, and the two organizations partner for blood drives in Fairbury to save lives.

Appointments are recommended. To make an appointment, call JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851, or visit NCBB.org/searchdrives and use sponsor code JCHC.

With iDonate you can save time by completing your health history on line ahead of your bloodmobile visit. To get started, visit mbc.org/iDonate

Raffle Tickets Available for Nostalgia of Cars Show

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As part of the Nostalgia of Cars show on Sunday, May 19, JCH&L Gardenside and Heritage are offering a fund-raising drawing.

Buy a ticket for $10 and have a chance to win the prize package valued at $500. it includes: 22-inch Blackstone Griddle, griddle cover, 18-piece grill accessory kit, 2 zero gravity lawn chairs, Camp Zero 12.6-quart cooler.

Proceeds benefit residents of Gardenside and Heritage.

Must be 18 to purchase tickets. Drawing to be held on Sunday, May 19, during the car show.  Need not be present to win. Tickets available at JCH&L and Heritage Care Center.

For more information call 402-729-6855.

JCH&L Gardenside Regains 5 Star Rating

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Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside has regained its 5 Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.  Gardenside had been a 5 Star facility since the rating system began in 2008, and was rated as 4 Star in October 2023. The 5 Star rating was regained in February 2024.

Nursing Home Compare and the star rating system allow consumers to compare information about nursing homes. It contains quality of care, staffing and survey information for all 15,000 plus Medicare- and Medicaid-participating nursing homes. Facilities are assigned star ratings from a high of 5 stars to a low of 1 star based on health inspection surveys, staffing information and quality of care measures. Five stars indicate much above average quality, while a one star indicates much below average quality. The ratings are publicly available on the agency’s Nursing Home Compare website at  www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare.

“While Gardenside has been a 5-star facility for years, CMS revised how facilities earn these stars, making it much harder to stay a 5-star facility,” said Laura DeBoer, RN, director of nursing at JCH&L Gardenside. “Gardenside staff and administration strive to remain at the 5 Star rating. Staff work hard to ensure that our residents receive the best care possible. We believe the well-being of our residents and their quality of life is crucial.”

JCH&L Gardenside has been providing long-term care to area residents since 1963. Currently, Gardenside is licensed for 40 beds, and has one dedicated Hospice room available. Gardenside has an aviary and a variety of activities in which residents can participate including organized activities in the evenings and on weekends.

Gardenside prides itself on having a homelike environment, and being a small, family-oriented care facility. Three enclosed courtyards provide outdoor space for residents and their families to enjoy.

“What really sets us apart and makes our facility special is our wonderful staff,” DeBoer said. “Their hard work, dedication and care for our residents truly makes us an outstanding facility.”

The Nursing Home Compare statistics can be accessed by going to www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare and selecting Gardenside LTC-JCHC.

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