2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE
JCH&L Reminds Everyone to Be Cautious About Scams, Fraud
JCH&L reminds everyone that it is important to protect yourself from scams and fraud. There are many reports of fraud and scams, and some are targeted at Medicare recipients. Another recent scam has affected area residents.
Medicare gives three tips to protect yourself from Medicare fraud and scams:
- 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.
- 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 Sleep Study Services Re-Accredited
Jefferson Community Health & Life has been re-accredited for sleep lab services and home sleep studies by the Accrediting Commission for Health Care. The accreditation is through October 2026.
Sleep studies, also known as polysomnography, are a non-invasive overnight exam that allows trained technicians to monitor the patient during sleep to determine if treatment is necessary for sleep disordered breathing. During a study, sensors measure sleep stages, heart and breathing rates, blood oxygen, snoring, body movements and eye movements. The study is interpreted by a board-certified sleep medicine physician and results are shared with the ordering physician. Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance companies will cover sleep studies.
Sleep studies can be ordered by family medicine providers or specialists, and will be coordinated at JCH&L by Respiratory Therapist Stacy Shumard. Stacy sets up all in-home studies, and technicians from Rural Sleep Solutions do studies that are done in the facility.
Jefferson Community Health & Life has been offering sleep studies locally since 2003, and was accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care in 2018 and 2020. The Medicare and Medicaid programs began requiring accreditation in 2017.
Mobile Screening Services to be Offered at JCH&L
Mobile Screening Services from Bryan Health will be offered at Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Outpatient Services Area on Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The screenings are available on a private-pay basis only. Those coming for screenings will use the Oupatient/Emergency entrance.
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 may be made by calling Erin at 402-729-6889. Call any time and please leave a message including your name, number we can reach you at, and type of screening you would like to have an appointment for.
JCH&L Holding Peach Sale as Fund-raiser
Jefferson Community Health & Life is partnering with Main Street Market of Milford for the sale of Colorado peaches by the lug, as a fund-raiser for JCH&L. Main Street Market owner Craig Bontrager has pledged to donate to JCH&L based on the number of lugs of peaches sold.
Peaches are $46 per lug, or $23 per half lug. (A lug is 20 pounds.) Pickup times will be Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 23, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both evenings distribution will be set up in the JCH&L main parking lot (west side of the building, accessed from H Street.)
Pre-orders may be placed by calling JCH&L at 402-729-3351 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday). Walk up sales will be offered during the pickup times, subject to peach availability.
Payment is to be made at the time of pickup, cash or check only, with checks payable to Main Street Market. No electronic payment options are available.
For more information, please call JCH&L at 402-729-3351 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.)
Scheele Honored for Service
Brian Scheele of Plymouth was honored with a plaque in honor of his years of service to the JCH&L Board of Directors.
Brian began serving on the board in 2013. He served as vice chairman of the board from 2014 through 2016, and board chairman from 2017-2019. During his final year on the board he served on the executive committee as past president.
Brian served on the board with four CEOs—Bill Welch, Chad Jurgens, interim CEO Vic Lee and Dr. Burke Kline. During his tenure, JCH&L completed a major renovation of patient rooms and ancillary services; opened a clinic in Plymouth; rebranded; added many new services; and began a major building project of a new Fairbury Clinic attached to the health center.
It’s Not Too Late for an Influenza Vaccination
It’s not too late to receive an influenza vaccination, and vaccinations remain available by appointment at JCH&L Fairbury and Plymouth clinics.
Call today to make your appointment for:
- JCH&L Plymouth Clinic, Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 402-729-6888.
- JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, appointments may be made for regular clinic hours of Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, call 402-729-3361 (option 1.)
When coming for influenza vaccination appointments this year, please:
- Wear clothing which allows easy access to your arm
- Bring your health insurance card and photo ID. Most health insurances cover the influenza vaccine. There will be a fee payable that day if it will be private pay.
- Bring a completed Health History form (available on our website at JCHealthandLife.org) if you have not had an appointment since we started our new Electronic Health Record on Aug. 17
The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months of age or older every year. Once the vaccine is administered, it takes about 2 weeks for peak immunity to develop. The flu season typically starts in about November, but can last until March or April.
The influenza virus can cause mild to severe symptoms, and can lead to death, especially among those who have additional risk factors: age (65 and older or 2 and younger), immune compromised, chronic health conditions or pregnancy.
If you have questions about influenza vaccinations or the JCH&L influenza clinics, please call 402-729-3361, and select option 2 for patient services.
Women’s Health Fair Successful
The third annual Women’s Health Fair was successful, hosting 150 participants for an evening of health education and information, pampering, shopping, and treats.
Ladies could sign up for a free chair massage on a first-come, first-served basis, sign up for lots of great door prizes, hear educational presentations, have screenings, and even check out some shopping opportunities.
Presentations included:
Vaping: Harm, addiction and help, by Jessica Borrenpohl, PA-C, and Kruz Schoenrock, school resource officer: Make Yourself a Priority, Too, by Kensly Williams, UNMC PA student; Annual Wellness Visit by Kelsey Maguire, PA-C; Bone Density, Risk Factors and Prevention, by Jessica Borrenpohl, PA-C; Women’s Self-Defense, Martinez Combative Arts, Burkley Fitness Center.
Video of the presentations and the power points that accompanied them are available on the Jefferson Community Health and Life YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYu8grGow8uKpMtjK4Q880A
Prizewinners were:
Heartland Bank & Walmart — Bike—Adrian Bowen
Bonham Golden Bucket—Becky Bruce
Ray’s gift card and Young Living oil, Lylice Schmidt
Luluroe clothing—Debbie Aden
Luluroe clothing—Cheryl Trimm
Pampered Chef—Shirley Schoen
Massage—Janet Ahl
Christmas sign—Erin Starr
Pampered Chef—Sherri Davis
Hope Crisis tshirt and P-Town Daily Grind certificate—Emily Adams
Massage—Sue Fox
Zyia—Theresa Fox
Burkley Fitness Center membership—Dianne Wurm
Fitbit—Annette Baxa
Cup and straws — Carrie Zweifel
Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet May 8
The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, May 8, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.
The program will be a webinar on “Nutrition and Parkinson’s Disease.” The program is a webinar by Heather Zwickey, Ph.D., Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and Professor of Immunology at the National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR.
Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCHC Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Conference Room.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door
The Parkinson’s Support Group generally meets on the second Monday of each month.
The group is designed to provide an opportunity for area residents to share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. There is no cost for participants.
For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health Center at (402)-729-3351.