Patient Safety During COVID-19
To our valued patients and community members:
We have recently implemented some COVID-19 protocols in our outpatient centers. Your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of our staff and community, is our first and most important priority.
We have taken many prevention and preparedness steps to ensure we keep everyone safe. We hope that by providing this information, you can make a clear decision to continue your plan of care with us during this time. The following protocols are now in place:
Patient screening: All patients will be screened upon arrival of their appointment time to make sure they’re not exhibiting symptoms. If a patient is presenting with COVID-19 symptoms, they will be advised to return home and contact their physician.
Staff screening: All employees will be screened for COVID-19 daily. Those presenting any level of symptoms will return home and follow up with their physician before returning to work.
Health hygiene protocols: Ongoing reinforcement to all staff regarding hand washing and other preventative measures for equipment and supplies are in place and being reinforced.
As a trusted and leading health care provider, it is our goal to ensure you can continue receiving care with the confidence that we have taken every precaution necessary regarding your safety while in our center. Please limit the number of people who accompany you to your appointments, unless they are necessary for transportation or assistance. If for any reason you are not feeling well, please contact the center and we will be happy to re-schedule your appointment.
We will continue to work closely with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as well a local, state and federal health officials as the situation evolves.
Thank you, as always, for your support in our shared mission to provide exceptional and safe patient care. Do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide further information regarding our preparedness and protocols.
In good health.
TO: Bloomfield Businesses, School, Churches, Organizations and Citizens
FROM: Bill Aslin, Mayor of Bloomfield
SUBJECT: Covid-19 Virus Update
DATE: March 23, 2020
Due to receiving additional knowledge about Covid-19 and how it can spread, along with how long it can live on exposed surfaces, I and the city council have voted to close down our City Park Playground area along with all bathrooms in the park. At this time we are leaving our walking track, tennis and basketball courts open. Please abide by CDC, National and State recommendations as to the limitation of ten or less to gather. I and our city council are in agreement that as soon as we get notice we have Covid-19 under control we will immediately open up our park to be enjoyed by all.
As a reminder: Effective today March 23rd, all city offices will have doors locked. This includes City Hall, Department of Public Safety, City Tax Collector and Library. Our staff will remain at their duty stations and will continue to serve our citizens. As previously stated we have a drop box at city hall for payments. If you need to contact us with questions or concerns please call Kari Standley, City Clerk, at: 573-568-3464. Our Public Safety Department phone numbers are still the same.
As of now our Transit Service will continue, however, this could change quickly but we want to try and continue to provide this needed service to our citizens that have no other way to get to the store, pharmacy etc.
The city council meeting scheduled for tonight, March 23rd has been canceled.
These very tough decisions are made in order to protect our city staff and our citizens.
I ask all to monitor our various Social Media Sites for future updates as your city council and I make them.
STAY SAFE!!!!
Malden Mayor’s message By Denton Kooyman
Today I want to make a few very important points to the community as we head into a new week.
The first is that we all need to do our part to smooth the curve of this pandemic. Take social distancing seriously. There are still reports of kids gathering in groups. The school is closed and closed for a reason. Do the right thing. It is in the best interest of our community and all of our residents.
We understand that there is much concern in the City of Malden – and throughout our nation – regarding the coronavirus. In times like this, it’s critical that we remain patient and calm, and use common sense. This situation is continually evolving, and one of our challenges is the continuation of necessary public services in the face of circumstances that are constantly changing. Please know that the City of Malden is working to ensure local services, while at the same time ensuring the health and safety of our workforce and the public.
We will continue to follow directives from the state and take guidance from the County Health Department. Again, the situation continues to change, and therefore our actions in response to the situation may also change. If you do not have Facebook this is the time to get it. If you know someone that doesn’t have it tell them to get it. The City, State, and County Health Department are all passing most information on this platform and believe this is the fastest way for us to get you constantly changing information.
We understand there may be different procedures in place within different city’s; however, we are working to communicate and coordinate with other agencies in order to ensure we have the most up to date information and implement best practices.
We have a lot of great Churches in our area, take advantage of their online messages and support. Say a prayer for everyone, God is constantly watching over us all. This is not the time for us to not worry about politics this is the time to take care of one another. Together as a whole, we are stronger. We wish you a wonderful week. We are here working for you. Stay positive. Be kind to one another. Keep your social distance. Stay safe. We will get through this! Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mayor Denton Kooyman
TO: Bloomfield Businesses, School, Churches, Organizations and Citizens
FROM: Bill Aslin, Mayor of Bloomfield
SUBJECT: Covid-19 Virus Update
DATE: March 20, 2020
As stated in my previous release dated March 19 as developments change, they are rapidly, I want to give updates on decisions being made as it relates to our city facilities and services amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Effective Monday, March 23rd, all city offices will have doors locked. This includes City Hall, Department of Public Safety, City Tax Collector and Library. Our staff will remain at their duty stations and will continue to serve our citizens. As previously stated we have a drop box at city hall for payments. If you need to contact us with questions or concerns please call Kari Standley, City Clerk, at: 573-568-3464. Our Public Safety Department phone numbers are still the same.
As of now our Transit Service will continue, however, this could change quickly but we want to try and continue to provide this needed service to our citizens that have no other way to get to the store, pharmacy etc.
The city council meeting scheduled for Monday night, March 23rd has been canceled.
These very tough decisions are made in order to protect our city staff and our citizens.
I ask all to monitor our various Social Media Sites for future updates as your city council and I make them.
STAY SAFE!!!!
The Annual Medicare Edition
Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7 of every year. Open Enrollment allows Medicare Beneficiaries to join a Medicare Prescription Drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan if they have never enrolled previously. Beneficiaries may also switch their drug plan, or switch between a drug plan and an Advantage plan. Any changes made during this time will take effect on January 1, 2020.
Medicare Advantage Plans are Medicare approved plans that cover Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B and usually the Part D also. Medicare Advantage Plans sometimes offer services not covered under Original Medical, things like vision, dental and fitness benefits. For 2020, Medicare Advantage Plans can offer even more benefits including transportation to doctors, stipends for over-the-counter drugs and other services that promote health and wellness. These services will vary from plan to plan. Medicare Advantage Plans charge different copayment amounts for their covered services. Most Medicare Advantage Plans have a network of doctors you must use to get the most benefit from the plan. You can check the difference in different Advantage and Part D plans by using the Medicare Plan Finder.
The Medicare Plan Finder is the tool used to look at Medicare Prescription Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. The Plan Finder has been completely revamped for this Open Enrollment; everything is new so if you do not want to be surprised on October 15, I urge you to look at it now. Prescription medicines are entered and the available plans are sorted so the costs for each medicine, the premium amount and the deductible are easy to see. You can also compare the Advantage Plans and see the different benefits they offer. This will allow you to make an educated choice about what coverage you want for next year.
When you are reviewing your plan, coverage for 2020 it is also a great time to check to see if you are eligible for any of the Extra Help programs. For those who meet the income and asset guidelines there is help to pay the Medicare Part D premiums and assist with co-pays for medicine, there are also programs that can help pay the Medicare Part B premium.
I just want to also mention that there will be some changes for Medicare Supplements in 2020. Medicare Supplement plans C and F will no longer be available for those who become eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. For anyone eligible for Medicare before that you can still purchase a C or F plan. If you have a C or F plan, you can stay on it.
Aging Matters will have Open Enrollment events at senior centers, libraries and other locations throughout our service area to assist Medicare Beneficiaries, let us know if you need assistance.
To make an appointment for Medicare Part D or for more information call Aging Matters at 1-800-392-8771.
