Health
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“AB 1445 recognizes the need for patients to on occasion make two visits in one day,” said Herrmann Spetzler, Executive Director of Open Door Community Health Centers in Humboldt County. “When patients who live in rural communities travel long distances to see their health care providers, it makes sense for them to receive all necessary services at each visit. This may include medical, dental or behavioral services since these services are most often co-located in the same clinic.”
Currently, Medi-Cal does not reimburse for a patient to see a primary care provider and a behavioral health specialist on the same day. Only one visit is reimbursed in this situation.
Federal law permits reimbursement for same-day medical and behavioral health visits and provides federal matching funds for states that choose to allow same-day visits. Currently, California doesn’t take advantage of these federal funds.
AB 1445 would allow federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to be reimbursed by Medi-Cal for a maximum of two health care visits, a medical visit and a behavioral visit, that occur on the same day at a single location.
“Withholding these critical same day services results in increased medical visits, hospitalizations, and emergency room utilization,” Chesbro said. “As trusted medical providers in these communities, health centers play a unique role in treating individuals who otherwise face barriers to accessing health services anywhere else.”
Chesbro said Medi-Cal’s reimbursement policy has created a barrier to providing two visits on the same day, despite it being cost effective because of federal matching funds. “It’s also the best way to ensure patients receive the care they need in a timely manner. This bill will remedy this shortcoming in the law.”
AB 1445 now goes to the Senate for approval.
More information on AB 1445 can be found at the California Legislative Council’s bill information Web site, www.leginfo.ca.gov .
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CLEARLAKE – St. Helena Hospital Clearlake nurse Lisa Denny, RN has received the distinguished nursing honor, the DAISY Award, a national program which recognizes members of the hospital’s nursing staff for extraordinary patient care.
“The Daisy Award program was created to honor individuals who exemplify the best in nursing care,” said Joan Rogers, chief nursing officer at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake. “Lisa was recognized for her compassionate care and extraordinary strength to the care of her patients. She consistently thinks about her patients’ mental state as well as their physical being – making sure they are balanced and their needs are met is Lisa’s gift.”
Denny, who received her nursing degree from Napa Valley College, has been a staff nurse at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for 18 years.
She is the hospital’s second recipient of the DAISY Award, which presents this award two times a year.
Patients and family members, volunteers, doctors and staff members are invited to nominate a nurse who they think provides outstanding care.
DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The Foundation was formed in January 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of an immune disease. The Barnes family was deeply moved by the kind and compassionate care Patrick received from his nurses and established the DAISY Award to honor them and their son’s memory.
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Coalition members, who will serve for 12 months, will participate in legislative activities at both the local and state level.
In addition, members coordinate efforts to educate residents of Lake County about the environmental impacts of second-hand smoke and tobacco litter.
Applicants should have a desire to effect change in societal norms regarding tobacco use, eliminating exposure to harmful chemicals in second-hand smoke, and helping to stop youth access to tobacco products. Both adult and youth members are encouraged to apply.
The next scheduled meeting of the Coalition will be on June 4 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Lake Family Resource Center, 896 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport. Breakfast will be served.
If you would like to attend the June 4 meeting and/or are interested in serving on the LCTEP Tobacco Coalition, please call Program Director Joy Swetnam at 707-262-1611, Extension 104.
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LAKEPORT – Think you can’t afford a massage? Wonder if acupuncture hurts or heals? Still trying to figure out what exactly homeopathy is?
Sutter Lakeside Hospital Wellness Center Integrative Healing House practitioners have the answers, and solutions, to all these questions and more!
“There has been a recent increase in the integration of medical care with wellness care,” explained SLH Wellness Center director Tammi Silva. “We are starting to see more clients visiting the Healing House and participating in practitioner services.”
Added to the already amazing line up of services available at the Healing House, we welcome Gina Winter, holistic massage therapist; Lotus Zen Therapeutic Massage; Svetlana Petrowizky, L. Ac, licensed acupuncturist and herbalist; and Sasha Shempliner, CH, classical homeopath.
“We believe that massage should not be just for the ‘rich and famous’ nor should it be considered just a luxury,” said Zen, partner of Lotus Zen Therapeutic Massage, now seeing clients out of the Healing House. “We believe that everyone should be able to afford and receive a massage, especially those who work hard for their money and whose bodies receive the most abuse from hours of hard manual labor.”
Lotus and Zen attended Konocti College of Holistic Studies under Director/Instructor Connie Eddings, HHP, where they graduated with full honors as Certified Massage Therapists with over 500 hours of course studies and certifications, and now have worked over 6,000 hours in their own practice.
Along with muscle tension reducing holistic massage, Gina Winter is also a detox scrub therapist, specializing in energy-based body work. Your signature massage from Winter will include “a unique mixture of healing techniques such as Swedish, Esalon, lymphatic drainage, neck and shoulder relief, aromatherapy and reflexology.”
Both Winter and Lotus Zen have pre-paid massage package specials available, along with discounted single massage sessions.
Relocating to beautiful Lake County from Southern California, acupuncturist Svetlana Petrowizky and homeopath Sasha Shempliner will join the practitioner team at the Healing House in mid June.
“The focus of my treatment is on combining hands-on healing with acupuncture, herbology and nutritional counseling,”, explained Petrowizky. “I integrate the treatment of the spine with traditional Chinese medicine. By guiding the person to improve their diet and lifestyle, the problem is addressed at the core.”
All Integrative Healing House practitioners are accepting new clients with services including: acupressure, acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic care, healing touch, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, journey work, massage, meditation, naturopathy and Reiki.
Please call the SLH Wellness Center at 707-262-5171 to learn about all services available or to make an appointment. Visit www.sutterlakeside.org/wellness to learn more.
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