Central Ozarks Medical Center: May 2017

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

No Insurance? NO PROBLEM!

Access to high quality, affordable healthcare should be an innate American right. Unfortunately, despite national programs to make healthcare more accessible to Americans, continually rising costs of both healthcare and insurance make it difficult for many people to afford the care they need.

At Central Ozarks Medical Center, Our Mission Is Simple:

We strive to increase access to comprehensive primary and
preventative healthcare and to improve the healthcare status
of underserved and vulnerable populations in
Camden, Laclede, Miller and Pulaski Counties.

While we do accept many insurance programs, our goal is to keep a person's lack of insurance from being a roadblock to the quality healthcare he/she deserves. For this reason, we proudly offer a sliding fee discount program to make our services affordable and accessible.

The Sliding Fee Discount Program at COMC

Our Sliding Fee Discount Program is a needs-based program designed to make our healthcare services affordable to anyone in need of primary or preventative healthcare, as well as medical, dental, and behavioral care.

Our needs-based program is based off of household size and household income. Please note that household income includes all income earned by all individuals counted in household size. Household size includes all people living in your home except those that you are not financially responsible for.

Qualifying For Our Sliding Fee Discount Program

In order to verify eligibility, we must ask you to provide personal financial information to prove your household income. Confidentiality is extremely important to us - please know that none of your personal information, financial or medical, can be released without written consent. The following are all acceptable forms of proof of income:

Paycheck stubs
W-2 or 1099 from last year
Tax return from last year
Letter from employer showing year-to-date wages and dates of employment
Letter from Social Security, Veteran's Affairs, Employment Office, etc.

Other forms of proof of income may be accepted. These other forms will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, all patients under the age of 19 must have a Medicaid denial letter in order to be eligible for the program.

The applications for our sliding fee discount program are effective for a period of one year. Ongoing patients at COMC are required to submit a new application each year in order to maintain eligibility for the program. If your income level changes at some point during the year, we ask that you notify our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks as soon as possible.

Contact Us For More Information

At Central Ozarks Medical Center, we believe that financial challenges should never come between you and the quality care you need and deserve. We pride ourselves on offering quality healthcare that works best with your financial situation.

In addition to our sliding fee discount program, we happily accept Medicare, Medicaid, most major insurance programs. If you are uninsured and would like to look at insurance options, we have Assisters on staff to help you navigate the process.

To learn more about our affordable healthcare services in Central Missouri, visit our website: www.CentralOzarks.org

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

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For Appointments Call
573.765.5141 -- Richland
573.302.7490 -- Osage Beach
573.346.4446 -- Camdenton
573.317.9200 -- Stone Castle
573.765.2510 -- Dental

Serving Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties

Thursday, May 25, 2017

7 Top Tips to Stay in Tip-Top Shape this Summer

Health isn't a destination - it's a lifelong journey. Every day, every single thing you do will either contribute towards (or detract from) your overall physical health. Getting regular physical exercise is an important way to boost your overall health. If you're looking for some ways to get a little more active and healthy this summer, Central Ozarks Medical Center is here to help. Here are a few suggestions to help you get in tip-top shape this summer season.

1. Visit The Farmer's Market.
Not only is visiting your local farmer's market a great summertime pastime - it offers numerous advantages as well. One, it allows you to get a little bit of mild exercise as you stroll past the various vendors. Two, it gives you access to fresh, healthy produce you can use to prepare your meals. Three, the produce available at farmer's markets is often priced much lower than comparable produce would be at the local grocery store.

2. Hydrate Before You Eat.
In our country, we commonly mistake the feeling of thirst for the feeling of hunger. As a result, it is not unusual for us to eat more food than we really need. Before reaching for snacks this summer, drink a glass of water to hydrate yourself. After that, you can evaluate whether or not you are actually hungry.

3. Walk Or Bike Instead Of Drive.
If you're only traveling a short distance, why not take the opportunity to walk or ride a bike to your destination instead of driving your car? Walking and biking are excellent forms of cardio exercise. You can also park farther back in parking lots to give yourself an excuse to walk a greater distance. As an added bonus, you'll save money on gas!

4. Go For A Hike.

The Lake Area is home to both Ha Ha Tonka State park and Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Both of these parks offer multiple beautiful trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Hiking is a great way to get outside and breathe the fresh air while staying active.

5. Snack On Watermelon.
There's a reason watermelon is a summertime favorite! This juicy fruit is 92% water, which means that consuming watermelon is a great way to stay hydrated (as well as curb hunger by quickly filling your stomach). It's also extremely low in calories - there are only 46 calories in a cup (152 grams)!

6. Avoid Overheating.
One of the only downsides to summer is the potential of overheating. Heat stroke can hit anyone, although young children and elderly individuals are often particularly susceptible. Stay in the shade as much as possible when you are outdoors, and be sure to drink plenty of water and electrolyte drinks when you are outside.

7. Limit Alcohol.
Iced or frozen cocktails, cold beer, and/or chilled wine are summertime staples for many people, but the unfortunate truth is that alcoholic beverages contain lots of calories. Not only that, but alcohol is inherently dehydrating. While you may understandably want to enjoy an occasional beer, glass of wine, or cocktail throughout the summer, limiting your alcohol whenever possible is a great way to stay in better shape.

Happy Summer!
On behalf of all of us at Central Ozarks Medical Center, we hope you have a truly spectacular summer! By adopting these strategies into your summertime routines, you should find it much easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle this season.

If you should find yourself in need of specific medical attention or would simply like to schedule a routine wellness check for you or someone in your family, don't hesitate to reach out to one of the staff at our health clinics in central Missouri. We look forward to serving you however we can.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Meet Our OBGYN Providers!

Support for pregnancy, hormonal shifts, and other aspects of women's health are some of the most important healthcare services a woman can receive. It comes as no surprise that the quality of obstetric and gynecological care women receive is of extreme importance to them. In order to provide optimum care to our female patients, our affordable health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks employ the best OBGYN providers in the area. This week, we're here to introduce you two the two primary OBGYNs on our team: Dr. Sarah Buchanan and Dr. Robert Nielsen.

Sarah M. Buchanan, MD

Sarah M. Buchanan, MD, is a graduate of University of Missouri-Kansas City Combined Medical Program. She completed her residency in Family Practice Medicine in 2004 from Seneca Lakes Family Practice (Seneca, South Carolina) and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Buchanan has volunteered with Volunteers in Medical Missions to Peru and with Global Volunteers to Ecuador providing health check-ups to villagers and street children as well as well-woman and well-child exams, respectively.

Dr. Buchanan has been practicing since 2005, and has been with Central Ozarks Medical Center for 4 years.

Dr. Buchanan is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Buchanan provides general obstetrics and gynecology services, including high risk pregnancies, menopause, adolescent care, and pelvic surgery. In addition her specialty in women's health, she takes a special interest in bioidentical hormone therapy, alternative medicine, and acupuncture.

Robert Nielsen, DO

Robert C. Nielsen, DO, is a graduate of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO. He completed his internship at Des Moines General Hospital and his residency at North Oakland Medical Center (Pontiac, MI). Dr. Nielsen served in the United States Army from 1978-1982, the Iowa National Guard from 1982-1989, and in the Michigan National Guard from 1989-1995 where he served in Operation Desert Storm as a Major in the Medical Corps.

Dr. Nielsen has been practicing Medicine for 27 years and has been with Central Ozarks Medical Center since 2011.

Dr. Nielsen is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Consider Us Your Resource For Obstetrics At The Lake Of The Ozarks

Knowledge and preparation are key to enjoying a healthy, safe pregnancy. From the confirmation of your pregnancy to your final postpartum checkup, our OBGYN providers at the Lake of the Ozarks will do everything they can to support your pregnancy and the delivery of your healthy newborn.

If you would like to learn more about our obstetric and gynecology care at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

The Danger Of Sitting

America is a predominantly sedentary culture. We sit at our desks, at the dinner table, in the car, at church, in class, in front of the TV, at rest stops, at presentations, and practically anywhere else we happen to find ourselves. We do this out of comfort, mainly - standing is tiring, whereas sitting allows us to relax and be comfortable. However, the unfortunate truth is that all this sitting is taking a serious toll on our collective health. Central Ozarks Medical Center is here to take a look at the danger of sitting for extended periods of time.

Health Risks Of Sitting

Sitting is least healthy position we regularly put our bodies in - it carries the potential for more adverse health effects than standing or lying down. This is partially because Americans, as a whole, sit with very poor posture that limits circulation and contributes to a variety of health problems. Here is a quick look at some of the parts of the body that may be adversely affected by prolonged sitting:

Heart
When you sit, your muscles burn less fat and your blood flows more slowly. This makes it easier for fatty acids to build up in your heart, which can significantly increase your chances of developing heart disease.

Brain
As blood flows more slowly, so does the transportation of oxygen and various important chemicals. All aspects of the body can be affected, including the brain. Sitting for several hours may cause your brain to become foggy and sluggish. If you've ever felt "brain dead" and resorted to a quick walk to clear your mind, then you probably know exactly what we're talking about.

Pancreas

Not long ago, we discussed how the pancreas produces insulin - a hormone that enables the body to break down the glucose in the blood and transform it into usable energy. Sitting for prolonged periods of time can cause the body to produce too much insulin, and when there is an excess amount of a certain hormone, the body begins to ignore its signals. Excess insulin may hinder the body's ability to convert blood sugar into usable energy, which can contribute to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (Learn more about diabetes here.)

Abdomen & Back
Standing or sitting upright requires your core abdominal muscles to work. However, if you're like most people, you relax into a comfortable slouch when you sit down. Slouching doesn't require any effort from your abdominal muscles, and as such they may become weak and atrophied overtime. Consistent slouching also causes numerous back problems.

Neck
The problems with slouching do not stop at the back. Hunching forward requires your neck to strain upwards in order for you to look straight ahead (at your computer screen, for example). Prolonged strain on the cervical vertebrae in this manner takes a serious toll on the body and may result in several problems, including headaches.

These five examples can help you get preliminary understanding of the different ways extended sitting adversely impacts health, but the list doesn't stop there. Extended sitting has also been linked to increased risk of:

Lung cancer
Colon cancer
Breast cancer
Hip problems
Varicose veins
Weak bones
Weight gain
Mental health issues

What Can We Do To Counteract The Problem?

Sources estimate that many American spend nearly half their lives (over ten hours per day) sitting down. Until recently, it was thought that by going on a walk, run, or jog (or performing another type of physical activity) in the mornings or evenings could offset the adverse health effects of sitting throughout much of the day. However, recent studies have indicated that this is not true.

Last year, the American Heart Association (AHA) went so far as to say that no amount of exercise can make up for how much we sit during the day. What, then, can we do?

Evening and/or morning exercise is important, but it shouldn't be our primary focus. Instead, we should make a point of moving as much as we can throughout the day. Unfortunately, if you have a desk job, this is often easier said than done. There are things you can do, however, such as getting up and take a quick walk outside, standing up frequently to grab a drink or a healthy snack, and/or taking the time to do a few stretches throughout your day.

Good Luck!

We hope that this information has inspired you to make movement a priority in your life. The important thing to remember is that any movement is better than no movement - rather than overwhelming yourself by setting impossible goals, focus on adding a little extra movement whenever and however you can.

If you should need professional medical assistance at any point, remember that Central Ozarks Medical Center is always here for you. With several convenient locations around the central Missouri area, our affordable healthcare services at the Lake of the Ozarks and in Richland are available whenever and wherever you need us.

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

8 Fun Ways To Celebrate Family Wellness Month

Welcome to May! When most people think about this month, they think of Memorial Day Weekend, swimming, grilling, and everything else commonly associated with the unofficial kick-off to summer. However, there's more to May than meets the eye - it's also National Family Wellness Month.

Family Wellness Month is a month designed to give families the opportunity to focus on developing (and maintaining) a healthy lifestyle. As your local healthcare providers at the Lake of the Ozarks, the team at COMC is here to help you celebrate Family Wellness Month with these simple ideas.

1. Start A Garden
Growing your own fruits and vegetables can be a fun way to encourage your children to connect with nature (while helping you save a little bit of cash at the grocery store). By growing your own produce, you'll also be able to avoid the harsh pesticides commonly found on commercially-grown produce.

2. Hit Up The Parks
When the weather is nice, spending time outside provides a great opportunity for little ones to be active and enjoy breathing in the fresh air. Instead of only returning to your usual haunt, try visiting every park in your city (or even some of the surrounding towns). You might find a new favorite!

3. Drink More Water

If you knew how much sugar you consumed just from beverages alone, you might be shocked. You can limit your sugar intake by exchanging one of your and your child's mealtime beverages for water. Be aware that fruit juice contains extremely high concentrations of sugar, as well - just because your child isn't drinking soda does not necessarily mean that she isn't still consuming large amounts of sugar.

4. Go Hiking
Hiking and walking are excellent example of family-friendly exercise. Central Missouri is home to several state parks with lots of beautiful trails. Why not take the opportunity to get out and explore some of the paths?

5. Exchange Food For Healthier Alternatives
Changing your diet can be a daunting task to say the least. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to do a total overhaul on your diet (although if you're feeling up for the challenge, there's no harm in giving it a shot). Instead, focus on exchanging a few items for healthier alternatives, such as using ground turkey instead of ground beef in your favorite recipes. Natural sweeteners can also provide a healthier alternative to highly processed sugars.

6. Go Easy On The Pasta
Pasta is often a family favorite, but the large amount of carbohydrates in traditional wheat pasta may cause you (and your kids) to pack on the pounds. If pasta is your go-to meal, try exchanging wheat pasta for a healthier alternative, such as brown rice pasta.

7. Get Your Children Involved
It's family wellness, after all - why not ask your children what ideas they have to help the family be healthier as a whole? Encourage them to think outside the box. You might be surprised by what they come up with!

8. Attend Regular Wellness Exams With Your Local Doctor
Visiting your doctor periodically for your wellness checkups is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your family. During your child's wellness exams, your Lake of the Ozarks pediatrician can monitor your child's growth and help ward off any potential issues that may present.

Happy Family Wellness Month!
On behalf of everyone at our Mid-Missouri health clinics, we hope you take advantage of the opportunities that Family Wellness Month presents. It's never too soon (or too late) to work on instituting a healthier lifestyle - you'll always be glad that you did!

Central Ozarks Medical Center
Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare