Between Nov.1 and Dec. 15, more than 145,000 Coloradans enrolled in health coverage for 2016, either in private health insurance purchased through the state health insurance Marketplace or in Medicaid, or Child Health Plan Plus, according to new data released today by Connect for Health Colorado and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

Open Enrollment began Nov. 1. Since then, 116,394 people enrolled in private health care coverage through Connect for Health Colorado, due to the heavy volume of customers enrolling and inclement weather leading up to the Dec. 15 deadline.

In addition, the coverage gains include 27,341 in Medicaid and 1,448 in CHP+.

---

---

VNA offers low cost FluMist for children

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association has low-cost FluMist available for children who do not have insurance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends individuals six months and older receive a flu vaccination every year.

To make an appointment for flu or other routine immunizations, call 970-824-8233. If you are insured, pbring your insurance card.

---

---

Online giving and Christmas Auction at Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center

Yampa Valley Pregnancy & Family Center can now receive online giving on its website. Visit yvpfcenter.org and click on “Financial Giving Options,” then “Make a Donation.” You also can have part of your purchase price donated to the Pregnancy & Family Center via Amazon Smile or City Market by following the links on its website.

The center is also offering items for auction on its website through Dec. 22. It hopes to raise extra funds by offering extra items donated for the Chili Supper last month as Christmas gift options. Enter bids through the website.

“There is so much happening at the Pregnancy & Family Center right now it’s hard to keep up with all the great changes,” said Executive Director Vicki Van Couvering. “A big thank you to Yampa Valley Gives for offering online giving for us. Check our website often to see what’s new!”

Bariatric support group meets bi-monthly

Renewed Lifestyles, a bariatric support group, meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month at The Journey at First Baptist Church in the basement.

Advice is available for insurance enrollment

Individuals who need health insurance or need to renew their plans must do so by Jan. 31. Be aware of the following important information:

· There are new plans and prices every year. Financial help is available to lower monthly costs.

· Free in-person assistance is available to help you find the right plan.

· If you’re already enrolled, you need to renew your plan to retain coverage. Be sure to review your options.

· There are tax fines for not having health insurance.

· You must enroll or renew your plan by the following dates:

• December 15, 2015 for coverage beginning January 1, 2016.
• January 15, 2016 for coverage beginning February 1, 2016.
• January 31, 2016 for coverage beginning March 1, 2016.

For assistance in enrolling in health insurance, call a Health Coverage Guide at the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association at 970-871-7324.

Drop-in open enrollment assistance also is available 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at YampaCare Family Medicine, 595 Russell St.

Yellow fever vaccine shortage

The yellow fever vaccine, recommended or required for travel to some international destinations, is in short supply. Anyone planning travel to a yellow fever risk area should contact the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s travel clinic to verify the vaccine is available. If possible, travelers should do this at least one month prior to departure.

Contact the VNA’s travel clinic at 970-871-7336. A list of all Colorado clinics providing the yellow fever vaccine is available at colorado.gov/cdphe/international-travel.

Pregnancy Center offers perishable foods, new fundraiser

Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center now offers Earn While You Learn participants up to $25 in perishable foods — such as produce, meat and dairy — for those who earn 12 Baby Bucks.

The center also now participates in AmazonSmileAmazonSmile, a fundraising program that donates a portion of individual Amazon.com purchases to the Pregnancy Center. , a fundraising program that donates a portion of individual Amazon.com purchases to the Pregnancy Center.

AmazonSmile, a fundraising program that donates a portion of individual Amazon.com purchases to the Pregnancy Center.

Anyone who shops on Amazon.com can support the center by making purchases through smile.amazon.comsmile.amazon.com instead of the regular Amazon website, and select Yampa Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center, Inc., as the charitable organization you want to support. instead of the regular Amazon website, and select Yampa Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center, Inc., as the charitable organization you want to support.

smile.amazon.com instead of the regular Amazon website, and select Yampa Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center, Inc., as the charitable organization you want to support.

No separate or additional Amazon account is necessary. Your shopping cart, wish list, wedding or baby registry and other account settings will remain the same.

The Pregnancy Center is also experiencing a shortage of high chairs and strollers and is looking for donations of those items in good condition.

For more information, visit the Pregnancy Center at 25 W. Victory Way or call 824-5204.

Weigh and Win program offers incentives for healthy living

Weigh and Win, a free community weight loss program, has installed a kiosk in the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse AssociationNorthwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association lobby in Craig. lobby in Craig.

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association lobby in Craig.

The program, aimed at reducing obesity rates in Colorado, provides cash incentives to participants who reach their weight-loss goals, as well as monthly prize drawings for participating. Participants weigh in quarterly (every 90 days) at the kiosk.

Colorado residents 18 and over can sign up for free and will receive daily coaching on healthy eating and active living by email or text message. The coaching includes tips for weight loss, daily exercise and meal plans, weekly grocery shopping lists and more.

The kiosk is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Craig VNA, 745 Russell Street. Participants can enroll at the kiosk, at http://www.weighandwin.comhttp://www.weighandwin.com or by texting JOIN to 303-500-1702. or by texting JOIN to 303-500-1702.

http://www.weighandwin.com or by texting JOIN to 303-500-1702.

For more information, visit http://www.weighandwin.comhttp://www.weighandwin.com or call 970-875-1880. or call 970-875-1880.http://www.weighandwin.com or call 970-875-1880.