PEDIATRIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES

Brittany Jimenez, RN              From the desk of        Brittany Jimenez, RN The kids are back in school. The homework and projects have begun.   HELP!!  Here are a few ways that parents can help their children to develop good study skills and have a successful school year! Talk to your child’s teacher before a problem arises. A quick email to your child’s teacher can be informative- are there any upcoming assignments or projects due? Is my child paying attention in class and turning in assignments on time? Does my child need extra help? Creating a team approach between home and school promotes success and offers support to both your child and their teacher. Many school districts offer websites that the parent can check for upcoming assignments, grades received, school activities, and resources that are available to students and families. Family life can be very busy. Parents are c...

Parent-teacher conferences are right around the corner.   As parents it can be stressful to hear from your child’s teacher anything negative.   Resist the urge to immediately defend your child without knowing the facts.   Remember too that many times kids will skew a situation in their favor. Here’s some things to remember: Listen to what the teacher’s concerns are.   Take a deep breath and count to ten before responding.   Think before your speak.   Your child is special.   BUT so is EVERY child!   Children aren’t perfect and will make all sorts of mistakes so be open to helping the teacher resolve any problem.   If your child is struggling with being bullied, having to speak in front of their classmates or they just don’t “get” math be frank with the teacher about your concerns.   Be open to the teacher’s suggestion and work together to find a positive solution.   Be an ally. ...

Starting today the Health Insurance Marketplace opens. Open enrollment runs October 1st to March 31st and is expected to take effect January 1, 2014. If you have insurance through your employer, you will fair better financially since they pay a portion of your premium than if you purchase a plan independently.   But if you have no insurance, here’s some of the important things to consider when reviewing the insurance plans offered at the marketplace: 1.       Are your physicians and hospitals in-network for the specific plan you are interested in? 2  .     Will you be eligible for any subsidy? 3.      Are the prescription medications you are on covered? There are 4 main levels of plans and offer essential benefits but each will have a different level of coverage and out of pocket expenses.   There is also a catastrophic plan available to those under 30 years of age or who have financial hardship.   He...