’s
September 6, 2013 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
Are You Going to Market? The Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the health insurance "exchange,“ is a new way to find health coverage that fits your budget and meets your needs. The Marketplace simplifies your search for health coverage by gathering the options available in your area in one place. You can compare plans based on price, benefits, quality, and other features important to you before you make a choice. In the Marketplace information about prices and benefits will be written in simple language. You get a clear picture of what premiums you'd pay and what benefits and protections you'd get before you enroll. Compare plans based on what's important to you, and choose the combination of price and coverage that fits your needs and budget. Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013. Plans and prices will be available then. If you live in Kansas, you’ll use the website, www.HealthCare.gov, to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. Until then you should take steps to simplify the enrollment process: • Ask your employer if they plan to offer health insurance in 2014. If not, you may need to get insurance through the Marketplace or from other sources. If you don’t have coverage, you may have to pay a fee. • Learn about different types of health coverage. Through the Marketplace, you'll be able to choose a health plan that gives you the right balance of costs and coverage. Make sure you understand how coverage works, including things like premiums, deductibles, out-ofpocket maximums, copayments, and coinsurance. You'll want to consider these details for each plan. • Explore current options. You may be able to get help with getting coverage now through existing programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). SCKMC will soon have free brochures available containing additional information on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Sept. Employee of the Month Chantiel Barron-Galdamez, CNA for the Medical Surgical Unit, is the Exceptional Service Award winner for the month of September! She was nominated by a patient for the comfort and attention she provides. Pictured: Chantiel (left) with Nurse Manager, Tracy Austin.
Healthy Living: Getting Healthy, One Plate at a Time At SCKMC we know that an important part of a healthy lifestyle is balancing physical activity with eating the right foods. That is why our Registered Dietitian, and our entire healthcare team, support the "Choose My Plate" program. The USDA has developed www.ChooseMyPlate.gov to illustrate the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet using a familiar image—a place setting for a meal. Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl. • Grains - Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas, and grits are examples of grain products. • Vegetables - Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as a member of the Vegetable Group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed. • Fruits - Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the Fruit Group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed. • Dairy - All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group. Most Dairy Group choices should be fat-free or low-fat. Foods made from milk that retain their calcium content are part of the group. Foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not. Calcium-fortified soymilk (soy beverage) is also part of the Dairy Group. • Protein - All foods made from meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts, and seeds are considered part of the Protein Foods Group. Beans and peas are also part of the Vegetable Group. Learn more about our dietary services at www.sckmc.org.
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