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Health briefs: Health insurance enrollment problems

Some people are encountering problems enrolling in health insurance through the Connect for Health website. Anyone who is having problems should send an email to help@sc.connectforhealthco.com with name, phone number and account number as it appears in the application.

Monday is the deadline to enroll in health insurance that will be effective Jan. 1. For those who have encountered an error, the deadline may be extended.

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association has health coverage guides available to assist with health insurance enrollment. For more information, call 970-871-7647 or visit http://www.nwcovna.org/healthinsurance.php.



Health coverage guides will be available during a drop-in open enrollment session from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Yampa Valley Medical Center.

Support groups to meet this week

• A bereavement support group meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Rollingstone Respite House. The group is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Call 970-871-7628 prior to attending your first meeting.



• A domestic violence support group for women is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Advocates Building Peaceful Communities. Call Diane at 970-879-2034 before attending.

• A Heartbeat Suicide Survivor support group meeting is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Yampa Valley Medical Center’s Integrated Health campus, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave. The group is for survivors to learn skills to help manage grief. Enroll by calling 970-846-8182.

• A depression, anxiety and bipolar support group meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Conference Room 2 at Yampa Valley Medical Center, 1024 Central Park Drive. The group provides support, education and tools to help with everyday life. Family and friends are welcome. Call 970-819-2232 for more information.

• A Parkinson’s care partners meeting for those who care for people with Parkinson’s disease is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. For the meeting location, contact 970-879-0518 or sherilu1@gmail.com.

• The Heartbeat of Steamboat support group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Rollingstone Respite House, 480 Rollingstone Drive. The group is for those who have lost a loved one or friend.

• The Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group meets Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs, 2250 Copper Frontage Road, No. 202. The group also has a recovery-based yoga beforehand at 4:30 p.m. The group will explore recovery through meditation, book study and all open discussion. Meetings are open to all faiths and addictions. For more information, call 720-670-8642.

• A cancer support group to help cancer patients deal with pain, nausea, fatigue and side effects is from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays at Integrated Health, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave., Suite A. For more information, call 970-846-4717.

VNA drop-in flu clinics are Thursdays

Flu cases are increasing in Colorado, and drop-in flu clinics are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101.

The vaccine is $21.50 for adults and children’s flu shots and $21.50 for children’s FluMist. Insurance will be processed, so bring your insurance cards.

It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become effective. For more information, call 970-879-1632.

Open enrollment sessions go through Feb. 10

Open enrollment sessions for health insurance will be held every Tuesday through Feb. 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Yampa Valley Medical Center.

Drop in for a one-on-one assistance from a certified health coverage guide. Learn more about qualifying for free or low-cost health insurance through Colorado Meidcaid for adults, CHP+ for children or reduce-cost plans through Connect for Health.

You must enroll by Monday to have insurance by Jan. 1.

Schedule an appointment by visiting http://northwestcoloradovisitingnurseassociation2.fullslate.com.

Casey’s Pond Senior Living in need of bingo prizes

Donations now are being accepted for jewelry, small stuffed animals or similar items to be used as bingo prizes at the Doak Walker House at Casey’s Pond Senior Living in Steamboat Springs.

Drop them off at the concierge desk or call Celia with questions at 970-457-4883.

Parkinson’s exercise class on Fridays has time change

The Parkinson’s exercise class consists of exercises developed by neuroscientist Becky Farley (http://www.pwr4life.org) and Gary Sobol (who has Parkinson’s and is the founder of GZ Sobol’s Parkinson’s Network: http://www.parkinsonsnetwork.org) to specifically address Parkinson’s symptoms (eg., dexterity, rigidity, balance, bradykinesia, voice softness). The class participants warm up their muscles, focus on big, powerful movements and loud voices, and work together as a group to encourage one another, share tips and revel in good humor.

The classes are from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Fridays at the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs, Eighth and Oak streets. Use the alley entrance.

The first class is no charge, and after that, it’s $10 for drop in and $80 for a 10-punch card. Care partners are no charge. Contact Jacqueline Teuscher at 303-829-2869 or jacqueline.teuscher@gmail.com or Eva Gibbon at 970-846-9887.

VNA offers birth control, STD screenings

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Community Health Center is offering low-cost birth control, STD screenings (for men and women), pap smears, breast exams and general women’s health care based on income. All income levels are welcome. Make an appointment in Steamboat by calling 970-879-1632 or in Craig by calling 970-824-8233.

LiveWell program to help families with healthy eating

LiveWell Northwest Colorado is helping families be healthy by working to improve eating habits and to be more physically active through the “Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0” program. The program sets the goal each day of eating five or more fruits and vegetables, watching two or fewer hours of TV, getting an hour or more of physical activity and drinking zero sugary drinks. For more information about the program, visit http://www.nwcovna.org/livewell.php or call LiveWell Northwest Colorado Community Coordinator Barb Parnell at 970-819-4110.

Planned Parenthood can help with annual exam costs

Planned Parenthood can cover the cost of an annual exam for women who are uninsured or underinsured, according to a news release. Call 970-879-2212 for information or to make an appointment or stop by the health center on 11th Street between Lincoln Avenue and Oak Street.

Northwest Colorado VNA offers options to help quit tobacco

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association offers options for those looking to quit smoking. The VNA has counseling available to help tobacco users of all ages to quit using cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Quitting tobacco usually takes multiple attempts, but studies show cessation support can significantly improve a person’s chance for success. Counseling helps tobacco users set quit goals in a judgment-free environment. Participants also may receive support for weight management, nutrition, heart health and stress control. There is no fee for this service. It is available in English and Spanish. To be connected with a Cessation Counselor in Steamboat Springs or Craig, call 970-871-7634.

Other programs the VNA offer include:

• The Colorado QuitLine, which offers free personalized cessation phone support for smokers. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

• SmokefreeTXT program provides free personalized text message support. Text the word QUIT to IQUIT (47848).

To submit a health brief, email happenings@SteamboatToday.com.


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