 Mark your calendars: Marketplace Insurance open enrollment starts Nov. 1
Open Enrollment for 2023 Health Insurance Marketplace coverage kicks off Nov. 1. If you don't have health insurance through your job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or another source that provides qualifying health coverage, Health Insurance Marketplace can help you get coverage.
All offered plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions and preventive services including maternity care, mammograms and other preventive care services. You cannot be denied health coverage for having pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer.
The certified application counselors at Coastal Health & Wellness stand ready to assist Galveston County residents apply for coverage in the 2023 Marketplace. Give us a call at 409.949.3439 for assistance.
Learn more about open enrollment for 2023 Marketplace Insurance.
Now is time to get flu vaccine
Nearly 900 Galveston County residents have been diagnosed with the flu in just the first two weeks of October, up significantly compared to previous years.
“Getting your flu vaccine is incredibly important this year,” said Dr. Philip Keiser, Coastal Health & Wellness executive director and Galveston County local health authority. “Flu is already here. That is clear. Do not wait to get vaccinated.”
People 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu. Children who need two doses of vaccine to protect against the flu should start the vaccination process sooner as the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart. Vaccination is especially important for certain high-risk groups including those age 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and those with chronic health conditions who are at higher risk for complications or even death if they get the flu.
Vaccination is also important for health care workers and others who live with or care for high-risk people to keep from spreading the flu to them. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against the flu to develop in the body.
It is especially important this year to protect those at higher risk for flu and COVID-19 complications.
“It is likely we’re going to see flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 spreading this fall and winter,” Keiser said. “There are thousands of Galveston County residents who are eligible to receive the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster dose who haven’t done so yet. We’re concerned we’re going to see an increase in COVID-19 cases while also facing what we expect to be an active season.”
Call us today at 409.938.2234 to schedule your flu vaccine appointment. Learn more about this flu season.
National Physician Assistant Week, Oct. 6-12
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Coastal Health & Wellness celebrated National Physician Assistant Week, Oct. 6-12.
Did you know, there are more than 140,000 PAs practicing in the U.S., and we have the best four right here at CHW!
We're proud to celebrate our fantastic PA team - Jason Borillo, Jacklyn Morgan, Julio Garza and Yaa Cheremateng - and their dedication to keep you and our community healthy.
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Medical Assistants Recognition Week, Oct. 17-21
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Coastal Health & Wellness celebrated its wonderful medical assistants during Medical Assistants Recognition Week, Oct. 17-21.
Our MA's play a vital role in helping perform administrative and clinical duties to make sure our patients have a comfortable visit.
A big THANK YOU goes out to Joana Gama, LaTonya Jones, Wendy Lazo, Ashley Gardner, Tabetha Breaux, Karen Trevino, Brenda Gonzalez, Sara Garcia, Cecilia Rodriguez, Ny’kedra Lartigue. (Not pictured are Jonathan Ramirez and Lilia Saenz.)
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Happy National Dental Hygiene Month!
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October marks National Dental Hygiene Month and we can't say enough about our fantastic dental hygienist team, Steffin John and Jamie Trinh!
Thank you for all you do to keep our patient's teeth squeaky clean.
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CHW, GCHD hosts Japanese Ministry of Health
Coastal Health & Wellness and Galveston County Health District earlier this month hosted four infectious disease doctors with the Japanese Ministry of Health, along with two doctors from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
They visited to understand the strategic approach against the monkeypox virus in the United States and the health district. The group was led by Dr. Norio Omagari, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo, and Dr. Nigo Masayuki, an infectious diseases faculty member at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The group saw frontline work including community outreach and education, mobile vaccine clinics and clinical care for those infected.
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Stay away from sticky candy this Halloween
If your planned Halloween festivities involve candy, you may want to check out these five ways to enjoy the spooky holiday, and keep your teeth healthy.
Stay away from candy and treats that stick. Unless it's sugar free, candies that stay in the mouth for a long time lead to an increased risk for tooth decay. Avoid beverages with added sugar and think twice before picking hard candies. The length of time sugary food is in your mouth plays a role in developing cavities.
Healthy lifestyle changes can lower chances of prediabetes
More than 37 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and another 96 million have prediabetes, a serious health condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Many with prediabetes don't even know it.
There is good news. Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing complications from the disease. Manage your diabetes by working with your health care team. Making small lifestyle changes can have a big impact - adopt a healthy diet, be physically active and work to lose weight.
Take control and learn more during National Diabetes Awareness Month.
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