Does The Big Game Come With A Big Risk?

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Football Season is in full swing, with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers facing-off for a chance to be this year’s NFL Champions. Emotions are at an all-time high, and anything is possible. Regardless of which team we support, the uncertainty keeps us on the edge of our seat, our hearts pounding with adrenaline until the final seconds.

So, what exactly happens to our body during the most stressful moments that have and will come to define sports history?

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, research found that viewing a stressful soccer match more than doubles the risk of having a minor cardiovascular event. Some fans have a very emotional response to an intense game that triggers their fight-or-flight. This can increase heart rate, blood pressure, cause narrowing of blood vessels and sometimes arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythm. According to NOAH provider Nicole James, FNP-C, this is a “completely normal” response as adrenal glands release hormones that increase blood pressure and heart rate. Increased heart rate and blood pressure requires extra workload on the heart and those individuals with preexisting heart conditions, such as heart disease or coronary artery disease, may experience more significant symptoms when they’re excited or nervous at a sporting event.

Furthermore, a study from the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that while tuning into a hockey game, TV viewers’ heart rates increased by an average of 75%, and game attendees’ heart rates increased by 110%, the equivalent to heart rate seen during moderate-to-vigorous exercise.

However, most individuals watching sports are just fine. Dr. Robert Kloner, director of cardiovascular research at Huntington Medical Research suggests being aware of symptoms of chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, palpitations, feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness, or passing out during the big game.

Despite the minimal risks, watching sports allows us to escape real life stressors and connect with a like-minded community. Doing so allows us to experience a collective glory when our team does well and gives us hope for better even when they don’t. Game on!

NOAH Pharmacy Coming Soon!

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NOAH is thrilled to announced that Pharmacy Services will be available at our Cholla Health Center location in late 2023! This initiative is set to enhance the healthcare experience for not only our patients, but also our wider community. At NOAH, we are committed to making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and convenient for everyone.

Comprehensive Medication Access

One of the most significant advantages of the open-door pharmacy is its inclusivity. We welcome patients from all walks of life, and most major insurance plans will be accepted, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to quality healthcare. For those who qualify, we are proud to continue offering our sliding fee scale program, which provides deep discounts on medications, making essential treatments affordable for everyone.

Convenience at Its Best

Convenience is key, and we’re creating an environment where patients can pick up their prescriptions immediately after a visit with their healthcare provider. This streamlined process reduces wait times, allowing you to focus on your health, not on your medication.

Medication Counseling

We understand that taking medications can sometimes be a complex process. Our dedicated team will provide thorough medication counseling to ensure that patients understand how to use their medications, what to expect, and how to manage any potential side effects. Our team also conducts comprehensive medication reviews before every dispensing, guaranteeing there are no drug interactions, duplications, or other issues that could jeopardize your well-being.

Medication Synchronization

Say goodbye to frequent trips to the pharmacy. With our medication synchronization service, you can pick up all your prescriptions in a single visit, saving you time and effort. This hassle-free system ensures that you never run out of essential medications.

Digital Convenience with MyChart

Through our MyChart platform, you can easily request refills online. This service puts control in your hands, offering you the freedom to manage your health on your own terms.

Prescription Delivery

Our commitment to convenience extends beyond our doors. NOAH will eventually offer prescription delivery to our other NOAH Health Centers, allowing you to enjoy one-stop shopping with ease. This is especially beneficial for those who have mobility issues or limited time to visit the pharmacy in person.

Specialized Care

NOAH Pharmacy Services will go above and beyond, offering medication-assisted treatment options for those struggling with substance use disorder. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing the support and guidance you need to manage these conditions effectively.

Seamless Transfers

Switching your prescriptions to NOAH’s Cholla Pharmacy is hassle-free and cost-effective. We offer prescription transfers at no charge, handling the process for you. We will contact your current pharmacy and arrange the transfer to our location, ensuring continuity in your care.

NOAH’s Pharmacy is more than just a place to pick up your medications. It’s a hub of convenience, affordability, and expertise in medication management and healthcare to ultimately improving your overall well-being. Join us at NOAH and experience the future of healthcare – accessible, affordable, and always there when you need it. Your health is our priority, and at NOAH, we open doors to a healthier, happier you. Stay tuned for more updates about this exciting new chapter!

Ways to Support NOAH

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In celebration of National Health Center Week, August 6-12, we are spreading the word about health centers, how they function, and how you can help us make a difference in the communities we serve.

What is a Health Center?

According to the Healthcare Advocacy Network, there are four main components every health center must have in order to operate as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

Organizations must:

  1. Be located in areas of high need: Designated as medically underserved areas or populations by the federal government
  2. Offer a comprehensive set of services: Based on community needs, health centers offer medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and enabling services
  3. Be open to everyone: Regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and offer sliding fee scale options to low-income patients
  4. Have patient-majority governing boards: At least 51% of every health center board of directors must be made up of patients

By meeting the above criteria along with lots of other detailed requirements, health centers can be designated as FQHCs. This designation makes health centers like NOAH eligible to receive federal grant funding.

Are FQHCs Funded by the Government?

Not entirely. FQHCs have been around for nearly 60 years and while healthcare has changed a lot in the last six decades, health centers have too. Here’s a look at how FQHCs are funded today:

  • Grants and contracts consist of all government allocations including limited-time funding like COVID-19 relief dollars.
  • Patients includes all dollars exchanged for patient services billed through medicaid (AHCCCS), medicare, private insurance, and self-pay options.
  • Other refers to individual and corporate donations.

What is the Impact of FQHCs?

Health center visits nationwide saw a five-year growth rate of nearly 18% from 2015 to 2020. In Arizona the number of visits grew by more than 60% while health center locations have grown by 40% both locally and nationally. This shows a major need for health center facility growth in Arizona. At NOAH, we’ve addressed this growth by increasing telehealth services and expanding the size and capacity of our clinics. Our Desert Mission location opened in early 2022, and we unveiled our new expanded Cholla Health Center in south Scottsdale in November of 2022.  In 2022, NOAH managed 252,000 patient appointments and provided care to more than 47,000 patients across the valley.

What Can You Do to Help?

Vote in Every Election

Health centers rely on government funding for a significant portion of our operating costs. This funding is decided on by our elected officials and/or guidelines set through legislation. Both of these factors are determined by YOU, your neighbors, your friends, your family, and your opinions when you vote. Take the opportunity to share your voice by voting in every election. Voting can be complicated but there are lots of unbiased resources to help explain who and what is on the ballot in terms that are easy to understand. If you need more information on how to vote or register to vote, check out vot-er.org.  

Donate or Support Businesses Who Do

While the piece for “Other Funding” is seemingly small in comparison to the rest of the pie, it accounts for a lot of budget dollars – in NOAH’s case $4.5 million. Donating doesn’t have to mean writing a check or dropping a $20 bill in a collection box. There are lots of other ways to donate. Programs like Fry’s Community Rewards gives a portion of what you spend to an organization of choice in your community. There’s also the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit which essentially lets you allocate up to $800 (married filing jointly) or up to $400 (individual) from your taxes to NOAH as a qualifying non-profit organization.

Tell Everyone You Know

Spread the word about health centers, our impact, and all the ways to support our efforts in each community. It’s as easy as hitting “share” on social media, asking your community to sign up for fundraising opportunities that benefit NOAH, or telling your friends and family about the NOAH health center in your neighborhood.

Become a Patient

Choose a health center for your family’s healthcare needs. NOAH offers high-quality integrated healthcare in multiple locations throughout the valley as well as telehealth options for virtual appointments wherever you are.  Everyone is welcome at NOAH and it is our privilege to serve you. Request an appointment today.

A Titan Among Leaders: Celebrating Wendy Armendariz

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Congratulations to our CEO, Wendy Armendariz, for being selected as part of the Titan 100!

The Titan 100 is a national program that recognizes a premier group of 100 CEOs or C-level executives in a region. These Titans of Industry demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, passion, and influence in their field.

“These leaders have built a distinguished reputation that is unrivaled and preeminent in their field… their achievements create a profound impact that makes an extraordinary difference for their clients and employees”.

Jaime Zawmon, President of Titan CEO

Wendy, along with her fellow Titans, will be recognized at an awards event on August 24 and will be given the opportunity to connect with the Titans multiple times throughout the year.  The complete list of Titan designees for 2023 is featured on the Titan 100 website and individual profiles will be highlighted on LinkedIn, one per day for 100 days following the recognition event.

This well-deserved recognition highlights Wendy’s outstanding leadership, unwavering commitment, and remarkable achievements in the business realm. Join us in celebrating Wendy’s extraordinary accomplishment and her invaluable contributions toward achieving NOAH’s mission to provide compassionate quality healthcare for all.

Meet our NOAH Desert Animals!

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You might have seen our new desert friends popping up as stick puppets at NOAH health centers over the past year as a tool to entertain and engage children visiting NOAH; either for their own care or the care of a loved one. NOAH’s Desert Friends quickly gained popularity among patients of all ages inspiring an additional character, naming opportunity, photo backdrop, and more.

Kicking off at NOAHfest in January, event participants were invited to submit name suggestions for each animal. The naming campaign continued throughout the month at NOAH health centers throughout the Valley. From over 100 names submitted by NOAH patients and friends, the top five names for each animal were chosen with final names determined by popular vote among NOAH team members. NOAH is proud to introduce NOAH’s Desert Friends!

Meet the Characters

Niko the coyote is friendly, smart, and helpful but gets worried easily.

Maya the hummingbird is very active, opinionated, and full of advice.

Javi the javelina is somber but pleasant. You can find him always eating his vegetables.

Sheldon the tortoise is shy, unsure, and easily embarrassed.

What’s Next?

This year is turning out to be very busy for our new buddies. In partnership with the Arizona Lottery, NOAH has created an original children’s book which tells the story of our four friends helping one another overcome obstacles while learning important life lessons. Books will be distributed in English and Spanish to patients 6-12 years old participating in NOAH’s wellness exam and sports physical Back-to-School events. Grow With Me kits and coloring books, also funded through the Arizona Lottery Gives Back program, will be offered to patients ages 0-12 during the Back-to-School events scheduled for July 29 (at Palomino Health Center) and August 5 (at Cholla Health Center) while supplies last. More information about our Back-to-School events will be coming soon.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for our new companions, and check back often to learn about the exciting future activities our pals have planned!

Time to Re-Enroll!

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DON’T LOSE COVERAGE!

Changes to AHCCCS and KidsCare Renewals
1 in 4 People Currently Enrolled Will Lose Coverage
We Can Help!

What is Happening?

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government required state Medicaid programs like AHCCCS and KidsCare to automatically renew, even if a member’s eligibility changed. Effective April 1, renewals have reverted to the process in place prior to the Public Health Emergency which means eligibility no longer automatically renews as it used to. 

Who Does This Affect?

More than 600,000 members will lose coverage because they are no longer eligible (due to income or other requirements) or have not responded to AHCCCS requests for information.

How Do I Get Healthcare Coverage if I am No Longer Eligible for Medicaid?

Members who are no longer eligible for Medicaid will be referred to the Healthcare Marketplace for coverage options. Losing Medicaid coverage is considered a qualifying event and the Healthcare Marketplace will accept new enrollments through July 2024.

What Do I Need to Do?

  1. Update your contact information. If AHCCCS can’t reach you, you may be dropped even if you are still eligible.
  2. Check your mailbox for renewal information.
  3. Respond within 30 days to any requests from AHCCCS.
  4. Schedule an appointment with NOAH Community Resources for help 602-562-3448.
Request an Appointment

NOAHfest Carnival and Health Fair

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Read more

New Cholla Health Center Ribbon Cutting

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NOAH welcomed community members and partners to the new Cholla Health Center November 17 for a ribbon cutting event. Attendees were able to learn more about Cholla’s history, the patients, and the NOAH team.

NOAH CEO Wendy Armendariz kicked off the ceremony by introducing the Cholla Health Center, along with Wendy Lyons presenting the history of NOAH. Immediately following was David D. Ortega, Mayor of Scottsdale, and Thomas Galvin on behalf of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Board of Directors, Kavita Bernstein closed out the ceremony by showing recognition to NOAH community partners and staff.

NOAH Recognized for Community Health Quality

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How Badges are Determined

NOAH, along with all other FQHCs and look-alikes are required to report a core set of information known as the UDS or Uniform Data System to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) every calendar year. This data includes patient characteristics, services provided, clinical processes and health outcomes, patients’ use of services, staffing, costs, and revenues. Upon review of this information, Health Centers are awarded Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges for notable quality improvement achievements in the areas of access, quality, health equity, health information technology, and COVID-19 public health emergency response.

NOAH was awarded the following badges:

Access Enhancer

Increased the total number of patients and the number of patients who receive at least one comprehensive service (mental health, substance abuse, vision, dental, and/or enabling) by at least 5%.

Addressing Social Risk Factors

Conducted regular screening for social risk factors impacting patient health and increased the proportion of patients receiving enabling services.

Health Disparities Reducer

Achieved at least a 10% improvement in low birth weight, hypertension control, and/or uncontrolled diabetes for at least one racial/ethnic group, while maintaining or improving overall performance; and/or met specific benchmarks in these areas for all racial/ethnic groups.

Advancing Health Information Technology

Utilize an electronic health record (EHR) system, offer telehealth services, exchange clinical information electronically with key healthcare providers, engage patients through health IT, and collect data on patient social risk factors.

National Quality Leader – Behavioral Health

NOAH was the only organization in the state to receive this badge!

Met or exceeded national benchmarks for depression remission, depression screening, and follow-up; at least 5% of all patients receiving Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), and at least a 10% increase in patients receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).

Patient Centered Medical Home

Achieved PCMH recognition in one or more delivery sites.

Visit HRSA’s Community Health Quality Recognition Dashboard for a complete list of award categories and badges earned by health center organizations in Arizona and throughout the country.

Who Should Get the New Bivalent COVID-19 Booster?

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Along with the approval of the new bivalent COVID-19 booster comes new recommendations from the CDC that everyone who is eligible should receive this booster. So who needs which vaccines and when? NOAH’s expert and Pharmacy Director, Eric Scherf weighs in on the most frequently asked questions.

Q. How is this vaccine different from previous vaccines?

A. The new bivalent COVID-19 boosters protect against the original strain of COVID and the omicron variant. Previous vaccines and boosters have only been monovalent, meaning they only offered protection against the original strain of COVID-19.

Q. Which COVID vaccines should patients have before getting this vaccine?

A. To be eligible for the bivalent COVID-19 booster, patients should have completed their primary series vaccine and any boosters at least two months ago.

Q. Which bivalent COVID-19 boosters does NOAH offer?

A. NOAH currently offers Pfizer and Moderna bivalent boosters. Availability varies by clinic so patients having a preference of manufacturer should inquire when scheduling.

Q. What ages are eligible for the bivalent COVID-19 booster?

A. Patients ages 12 and up are eligible for the Pfizer bivalent booster and ages 18 and older are eligible for the Moderna bivalent booster.

Q. Can patients get the bivalent COVID-19 booster at the same time as their flu vaccine?

A. Yes! Patients can schedule to get the flu vaccine and bivalent COVID-19 booster during the same appointment.

Q. Will the bivalent COVID-19 booster make patients sick?

A. If patients experience any side effects, expect them to be minor and brief, as with previous COVID-19 vaccines, the bivalent booster may cause pain, redness and swelling at the injection site; fatigue; headache; muscle pain; joint pain; chills; nausea/vomiting and fever.

Q. How much does the bivalent COVID-19 booster cost?

A. At this time, COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are covered by the federal government. Insurance, if applicable, may be billed for costs associated with administration of the vaccine.

Q. How can I sign-up to get the bivalent COVID-19 booster?

A. Patients who would like to get the booster can request an appointment online or call 480-882-4545 to schedule.

For more details about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, feel free to ask your NOAH provider or check out the CDC website.