MONTEREY BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING MINUTES
Date: December 5, 2011
Present: Peter Kolodziej, Stephen Enoch, Robert Annelli and John Makuc
Also present: Cindy Croche and Lois Symonds of the Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association
The meeting began at 3:30pm
1. The minutes from 11.21.11 were approved as written.
2. Cindy Croche and Lois Symonds of the Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association came in at the request of the Board to answer questions about their current services offered to residents and what their limitations are (if any) when under Medicare and/or Medicaid. Medicaid is income oriented and some things can be picked up under here that can not under Medicare. The VNA is contracted under Physician’s Orders. Lois stated that once coverage from the VNA has run out the Elder Service’s could pick up where they left off. Cindy stated that at her monthly wellness checks (where she can check blood pressures, cholesterol, flu shots, etc) she hasn’t heard anyone needing additional care that isn’t currently being met or offered. Lois stated that if the VNA was aware of
anyone needing additional help, care or education, Cindy could call them to speak with them and refer them to an appropriate agency or service that may be available to them. There used to be an outreach grant available to the VNA that allowed them to make visits from Elder Service case managers that were caught in an in between. This grant is no longer available and this did upset a lot of people. Cindy has the information for eligible people to receive free automated blood pressure cuffs through the “Get Cuffed” program through a wellness grant. Lois and Cindy both agreed that a town nurse proposal is a good idea it’s identifying the need that’s difficult. The Board is also concerned about the town funding home visits by a “town nurse” that should really be covered under insurance. Lois stated that one of the biggest advantages of using the VNA vs. an independent person is working with the State on
communicable diseases and the investigation and reporting of them. Cindy stated when she gets calls from people that can’t make our clinics she gives them a list and times of other clinics in the area that may be more convenient. Lois explained that Medicare works in “9 week episodes” and the visiting nurse could provide evidence to get another episode approved; the person has to meet certain goals to be signed off on. They suggested starting a file of life through triad. The VNA currently handles our MAVEN reporting. It was also questioned if it was determined that there is a need is it better to have an individual possible duplicating some of the things the VNA is currently doing or just expand the services of the VNA.
3. Melissa informed the Board that she had spoken with Emilie Jarrett from the Community Health Association which is the organization that provides a service similar to a VNA to the towns of Richmond and West Stockbridge. She stated that the Community Health Association is a not for profit agency and they are not a town employee, the towns appropriate money for this service as we do for the Berkshire VNA each year and in addition they also receive private donations. She stated that they only serve 2 towns (Richmond and West Stockbridge) and the current appropriations for each town are $19,475 from Richmond and $20,800 from West Stockbridge.
4. The next Board of Health meeting will be on Monday, December 19th at 3:30.
The meeting adjourned at 4:53pm
Submitted by,
Melissa Noe
Inter-Departmental Secretary
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