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Healthcare Provider Information |
Address:
Garrett Co. Health Dept.
1025 Memorial Drive
Oakland, MD 21550
Main Phone:
301-334-7777
or 301-895-3111
FAX: 301-334-7701
See department pages for individual phone numbers
E-Mail Webmaster
Alerts: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Previous Alerts
Notes: May 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Previous Notes
Occasional new human cases continue to occur in Indonesia, China, Egypt, and Viet Nam. A family cluster of AI infections (with 2 deaths) which occurred in Pakistan in November, 2007, suggested the possibility of limited human-to-human transmission. No further cases have been found in that area.
Dr. Manasse has prepared an excellent summary of the current status of pandemic influenza: "When is 'When' An Avian Flu Pandemic Update" for the Clinical Newsletter of the Western Maryland Health System. click here to view
Also he has written a new newletter about a special characteristic of some CA-MRSA strains, PVL, its possible link to greater pathogenicity, and the suspicion of different antibiotic sensitivities of these strains.
Plans for managing a possible Influenza Pandemic, or other catastrophic health emergency (CHE), in Garrett County continue. The county response will be led by the county health officer, coordinating three major planning and implementation groups: Health, Medical and Support .
Medical will be led by the hospital, assisted in professional matters by leadership from the medical staff.
This will include establishment of "Flu Clinics" for out-patient care , including triage , and dispensing of antiviral medication, and in-patient care , which will involve separation of flu and non-flu hospitalized patients, and various measures as required to accommodate increasing demand for hospital-level care ( surge ). This in turn may require changing policies for hospital admission, expansion of bed capacity, and development of shared hospital-level care with our county nursing homes.
Antiviral medications are currently stockpiled by the state only for treatment of illness, and then only for selected priority groups. The county is considering establishing our own stockpile, with a 7-year expiration date, and low government group purchase price. With such a stockpile we would expect to have faster access to the medications at the outset of an outbreak, and greater control over distribution and priorities.
Recent reports reinforce that Tamiflu may be effective in Avian Influenza if started early in the course of illness. Resistence has not yet been identified by Avian Influenza (H5N1), although resistance has developed to a small degree with Seasonal Influenza (H3N2 & H1N1).
The manufacturer of Tamiflu has ramped up supply capabilities, and profits in the American market may make more anti-viral medication available world-wide. Prescribing Tamiflu now for a personal supply for those persons requesting it might not be considered "hoarding".
Slots remain available in all our cancer screening programs. Have your patients/clients call the health department to be checked for their eligibility. The Breast and Cervical Cancer screening programs now offer mileage reimbursement ($0.50/mile) to clients to help them get to authorized BCCP cancer screening services.
Super Colon is Coming to Town!
The health department is working with local doctors and community groups to bring the educational display "Super Colon" to the county in conjunction with the local ACS " Relay for Life " Friday-Saturday, June 13-14. Look for more information in future newsletters.
Immunization Administration Fee
Effective April 1, 2008, there will be an administration charge of $12 for all health department immunizations; a single administration charge will cover all immunizations given at a single visit.
As with all services provided by the Health Department, no needed service will be withheld for inability to pay. If a person lacks income or has outstanding expenses that may prevent them from paying for needed services, a Fee Reduction Form can be processed and their fee adjusted according to health department policy.
Clients who have a family physician and/or have health insurance are encouraged to utilize private sources for immunization to facilitate coordinated comprehensive health care.
Adult immunizations offered by the health department will be charged under the following policy. A sample of the "cost to receive" a single dose of each of the following adult vaccines at the health department is currently:
- Zoster- $189
- HPV-$156
- HepB- $42
- Tdap- $52
Most other adult immunizations are also available, call 301-334-7777 to determine costs.
Insurance Billing:
Third party insurance companies will be billed by GCHD for all contracted insurance company(s). However, the client is responsible to have any required referral and co-payment prior to the administration of the vaccine. It is the client's responsibility to be aware of their individual insurance carriers plan and covered the services. The client will be required to complete an Advanced Beneficiary Notice indicating that in the event that their insurance does not pay for the service they will be financial responsible for the total amount of the bill. If a client presents with an insurance card that is not a contracted company with GCHD, we will not bill the insurance company and the bill will be paid in full by the client prior to the administration of vaccination. The client will be provided the necessary information to seek reimbursement from their insurance company.
Medicare (Part B Only) Billing:
Medicare will be billed for the following vaccinations: Hepatitis B (for high risk clients only as defined by CMS), influenza, tetanus, and pneumococcal. Any other vaccine will be the client's responsibility and paid in full prior to the administration of the vaccination. It is the client's responsibility to be aware of their individual insurance carriers' plan and covered services. Thus, the client will be required to complete an Advanced Beneficiary Notice indicating that in the event that their insurance does not pay for the service they will be financially responsible for the total amount of the bill. The client will be provided the necessary information to seek reimbursement from their insurance company.
Payment prior to Immunization:
Any client that presents for services who does not have insurance will be required to pay the total balance of the service prior to administration of the vaccination. The fee will be based upon the cost of the product plus 15% to pay for the expenses associated with ordering and maintaining vaccine supplies. Additionally there is the $12 administration fee charged each date of service.
Regular Reports: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -Previous Reports
Infection Reports:
WMHS - updated Feb. 2008, GCMH updated May 2008
WMHS April 2008 Clinical Newsletter: Is there a correlation between MRSA virulence and PVL?
References:
Advanced Directives/Living Wills
Quick Guideto Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Four Simple Things You Can Do to Protect You and Your family
GCMH Antibiogram, July 2006-June 2007
GCMH Antibiogram, July-December, 2007
Immunization Schedules and State Regulations
Maryland Lead Follow-Up Recommendations
