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Category: February 2022

Insurance Coverage of COVID-19 Testing

Posted on by djbechard

Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests should be covered by health insurance plans at no direct cost to the consumer. The process by which an insurer covers the cost of tests will vary. Kansans will either receive their tests at no out-of-pocket cost at the point of sale or will need to submit an insurance claim for reimbursement. Insured Kansans are encouraged to be on the lookout for guidance from their insurance provider for how to obtain their over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.

As a reminder, insurers should cover the cost of other diagnostic COVID-19 tests as well, without cost sharing requirements (i.e. deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance). In most cases, you should not receive any bill, including for a provider/facility fee. Kansans are encouraged to contact the Kansas Insurance Department if they receive a bill for COVID-19 testing and have questions if it was appropriately billed.

The Kansas Insurance Department’s consumer assistance division stands ready to assist Kansans with their questions or concerns related to insurance and can be contacted toll free at 1-800-432-2484 or via web at www.insurance.kansas.gov.

By: Brenda Langdon

Simply Produce is now in Jewell & Smith Counties!

Posted on by djbechard

Simply Produce is now in Jewell & Smith Counties!

“Simply Produce” offers customers approximately 15 pounds of produce for $15.00.  Produce baskets will contain a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and may vary slightly from what is typically available on the produce department’s shelves.  Basket contents will be different for each ordering period as well.  In addition to produce, customers will receive a recipe highlighting basket items, as well as educational materials on food storage and produce handling.

Produce baskets are purchased through the Grocery store register and must be paid for at time of ordering.  The purchase is taxable. 

  • Gene’s Heartland Details: For the next distribution, baskets must be ordered February 10th through February 15th (cutoff time 12pm) and distribution is set for February 18th from 12-12:30pm at the Mary’s Parish Hall, 403 US-36 in Smith Center. Customers will drive up to the Parish Hall and volunteers will bring out their -purchased basket(s). Distribution will be held on the 3rd Friday of each month. Contact Gene’s -Heartland by calling 785-282-3331

  • Kier’s Thriftway Details: For the next distribution, baskets must be ordered February 16th-22nd (cutoff time 12pm) and distribution is set for March 1 from 12-12:30pm at Kier’s Thriftway, 115 W Jefferson St, Mankato, KS. Distribution will be held on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Contact Kier’s by calling 785-378-3192.

By: Ashley Svaty

Terrariums are the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift

Posted on by djbechard

Terrariums are fun displays of plants and can be the perfect gift for friends or loved ones on Valentine’s Day. They are most useful for small plants and when well planted they can grow with minimal care. All you need are a few supplies you can find at the dollar store, or your local green house. Give it a try this winter to brighten your day!

 

More information on terrariums- https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/agguides/hort/g06520.pdf

 

By: Cassie Homan

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

Posted on by djbechard

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a Federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit. The 2022 LIEAP application period is Monday, January 3, 2022, through Thursday, March 31, 2022. Applications must be received prior to 5:00 PM, March 31, 2022. Benefit levels vary according to household income, number of persons living at the address, type of dwelling, and type of heating fuel. In order to qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • An adult living at the address must be personally responsible for paying the heating costs incurred at the current residence, payable either to the landlord or the fuel vendor.

 

  • Applicants must demonstrate a recent history of payments toward purchase of the primary heating energy. The combined gross income (before deductions) of all persons living at the address may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level according to the guidelines listed below:

 

2022 Income Eligibility Guidelines

 

Persons Living at the Address Maximum Gross Monthly Income
1 $1,610
2 $2,178
3 $2,745
4 $3,313
5 $3,880
6 $4,448
7 $5,015
8 $5,583

 

$568 For Each Additional Person

 

To apply, print or complete the application online at http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx or contact your local DCF office.

By: Brenda Langdon

Stay Healthy This Winter

Posted on by djbechard

Winter is here and it’s now more important than ever to take care of our health. Follow these simple tips to stay healthy and naturally build a strong immune system this winter.

  • Wash your hands often and thoroughly. I know, I know….you’ve heard it so much but do you actually wash your hands for 20 seconds each time you wash your hands? Take the time to scrub the fronts and backs of your hands and under your nails.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables with each meal and snack. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, like vitamin C, that are highly beneficial for our body’s immune system-plus they taste great! Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruit and vegetables count!
  • Stay hydrated with water. When the weather turns colder, we might not think about staying hydrated as much as we do when we sweat in the summer but we always need to drink water. When we don’t drink enough water, our body isn’t able to function as it should and it can impact our mood, sleep quality, and cognition. Learn more about hydration here.
  • Get adequate sleep. Adults should receive at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night. Learn more about sleep here.
  • Stay active. Move your body everyday either indoors or outdoors. Aim for at least 150 minutes of activity each week.

By: Ashley Svaty

Life Skills Challenge

Posted on by djbechard

 

The Post Rock District Life Skills Challenge is interactive learning for youth that lasts a lifetime. The first challenge, When Life is Tough, shares key tools to cope with stress. Future challenges will teach lessons on savings accounts, reading, leadership, and more.

Each life skill features a cartoon story, quiz, educational video, and downloadable interactive worksheet. Tackle one or all of the challenges with a single, no cost registration.
Learn more and register at postrock.ksu.edu/youth-development/life-skills.

If you’re looking for good tools to help your kids of all ages learn and grow, the Life Skills Challenge is a simple and fun resource created to build basic skills for a better life.

By: Nora Rhoades

Garden Books to Read This Winter

Posted on by djbechard
  1. Kansas Garden Guide. This full color, illustrated guide is perfect for the Kansas Gardener.

It features local research-based information. The guide is helpful for new gardeners but includes information for more advanced vegetable growers as well. It covers topics such as planning the garden, soil improvement, watering the garden, and harvesting and storage. My favorite part of the guide is the vegetable crops section. It lists many vegetable varieties, and highlights those best suited for Kansas, when to plant, spacing, and care. This book is a great way to cure the winter blues and dream of sunny gardening days to come.

The Kansas Garden Guide is available at your local Extension Office to purchase. It can also be downloaded for free at https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/s51.pdf.

 

  1. Nature’s Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy. Douglas W. Tallamy is a professor in Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. This book discusses environmental actions that homeowners can implement in their own landscape to make the planet a better place. My favorite parts of this book are the beautiful pictures of insects and wildlife. Tallamy gives practical tips for every gardener, even those with small landscapes.

The book is available on Amazon.

 

  1. Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas by Michael John Haddock. This book is a beautiful field guide for anyone interested in wildflowers of the Kansas prairie. The book is divided into sections based on the flower’s color. This makes it so easy to identify that purple flower you see every spring. There are 323 plant species represented in the book. It is sure to keep you dreaming of color and warmer weather as you turn the colorful pages.

The book is available from the University Press of Kansas at https://kansaspress.ku.edu/978-0-7006-1370-0.html.

 

  1. Growing Great Garlic by Ron L Engeland. I love garlic! I started growing it about 3 years ago and don’t plan to stop anytime soon. It’s such an easy plant to care for and can be used in just about every recipe. Engeland is also the owner of Filaree Garlic Farms in Washington State. They sell many different varieties of seed garlic. This book was gifted to me by fellow Extension Agent Chuck Otte, who is the ultimate garlic grower!

You can purchase this book from Filaree Farms at https://filareefarm.com/growing-great-garlic/.

 

  1. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. This is a heartwarming book that’s perfect for young readers! The story is about an oak tree named Red. In his neighborhood, people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and attach them to Red’s branches. This book spreads a message of wishes, inclusion, and friendships. It is the perfect, quick read for all this winter!

Find it on Amazon.

 

 

By: Cassie Homan