Have a question you forgot to discuss at the doctor’s office or are too embarrassed to ask? The experts at Samaritan Health Services are here to help.
Q: Is it necessary for my child to have a well-child check every year?
A: Oregon has prioritized kindergarten readiness so children will enter kindergarten ready to learn and succeed. Annual well-child visits help your child’s doctor determine whether any health concerns may get in the way of your child succeeding.
A well-child check enables your doctor to get to know your child. It sets the stage for your child to stay on track with physical, emotional and social developmental milestones every year.
Here’s what to expect during your child’s visit:
Measurements.
Head-to-toe exam.
Immunization updates.
Time to talk.
Our role as primary care providers helping prepare children for kindergarten starts in the nursery, where we screen children for hearing deficits to facilitate normal speech development.
We continue to track their developmental progress, referring children whose development is lagging for further evaluation, enrollment in early intervention or extra therapies. As kindergarten nears, well-child check-ups take on more importance in ensuring that children are ready to start their educational journey.
If you haven’t already this year, please schedule your child’s well-child check. Call 541-348-7877 if you are a patient of Mid-Valley Children’s Clinic, or 541-721-8224 if you are a patient of another Samaritan clinic providing well-child checks.
— Edward Frothingham, MD, Mid-Valley Children’s Clinic
Q: I can’t afford health insurance for my family. How can I find out if my children qualify for Medicaid?
A: It’s important for every Oregon resident to have access to quality health care, regardless of income. The Oregon Health Plan can help when other insurance options aren’t possible.
OHP covers health care services children and teens need to thrive, such as well-child checks, vaccinations, mental health care, dental care and prescriptions. It also covers labs, X-rays and hospital care. It even pays for rides to and from medical appointments. There are many different programs covered under OHP. The plan is free for those who meet certain requirements. Learn more and find out if your family qualifies by going online to ONE.Oregon.gov.
Some things to know: All children 19 and younger may be eligible regardless of immigration status. There is no enrollment period — you can apply any time during the year.
The InterCommunity Health Network CCO (IHN-CCO) is the Oregon Health Plan administrator in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. Learn more at IHNtogether.org.
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Call Samaritan Health Services Find a Doctor line
at 800-863-5241 to find a provider who is right for you.
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