Telemarketers Offer Misleading\u00a0 \u2018ACA Compliant\u2019 Insurance Plans To\u00a0 Idahoans Seeking Health Coverage<\/b>The Department of Insurance warned via news release that consumers shopping for health insurance should be wary of telemarketers and websites promoting \u201cdiscount health plans\u201d that allegedly meet requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).<\/p>\n
Consumers are encouraged to visit the\u00a0Department website\u00a0or to call (208) 334-4250 to verify the licensing of any individual, agency or company using robocalls or online advertisements to promote discounted plans claiming to be ACA compliant.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The Department strongly advises consumers seeking health coverage to utilize the state\u2019s insurance exchange, Your Health Idaho, or call (855) 944-3246 to speak with a Your Health Idaho representative.\u00a0The DOI has received numerous complaints from consumers who say they were misled. For more information, visit doi.idaho.gov.<\/p>\n
Spirit N\u2019 Motion To Host 2nd Annual\u00a0 \u2018Christmas Classic in Sun Valley\u2019 Gymnastics Meet<\/b><\/p>\n
Spirit N\u2019 Motion Athletic School (SMAS) is set to host the second annual<\/p>\n
\u201cChristmas Classic In Sun Valley\u201d regional gymnastics meet. This two-day event will take place Dec.15-16 at the Wood River High School gymnasium in Hailey.<\/p>\n
Around 300 athletes from all over Idaho and Utah are registered to compete. Everyone from the community is invited to attend.<\/p>\n
Spirit N\u2019 Motion is home to several of the top-ranked gymnasts in the state and region (Region 2). In March 2019, SMAS will also be hosting the Xcel Idaho State Championship gymnastics meet, which will bring over 500 athletes to Hailey.<\/p>\n
To learn more about the Spirit N\u2019 Motion and its upcoming gymnastics meets, visit spiritnmotion.com.<\/p>\n
Sun Valley Resort\u2019s Annual Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting This Weekend <\/b><\/p>\n
Sun Valley Resort announced in a press release the beginning of the holiday season with the annual Winter Wonderland festivities and events happening throughout December.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s theme in the Sun Valley Village highlights the magical scenes in a snow globe.<\/p>\n
This weekend\u2019s first event is \u201cHoliday Storytelling\u201d in the Sun Valley Lodge Sunroom on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 3:30\u20135:30 p.m. Presented by The Community Library, children of all ages can hear old and new Christmas classics, as read by the library staff. Admission is free and open to the public.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Dec. 14, Warren Miller\u2019s \u201cFace of Winter\u201d is screening at the Sun Valley Opera House at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5.50 at the door.<\/p>\n
The open-air holiday market on the Sun Valley Village lawn happens from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16.<\/span><\/p>\n The tree-lighting ceremony in the Sun Valley Village begins at 5:30 p.m., featuring Santa, live music and free hot cocoa and cookies. A Winter Wonderland scavenger hunt in the Sun Valley Village is happening through Dec. 31.<\/p>\n Details and additional information about the Winter Wonderland holiday events can be found at sunvalley.com\/holidays.<\/p>\n St. Luke\u2019s Wood River To Offer Complete Health Improvement Program In February<\/b><\/p>\n St. Luke\u2019s Wood River announced in a press release that it will be offering the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), beginning in February. CHIP provides education and tools focusing on all aspects of health, including nutrition, physical activity, becoming resilient, managing stress, building and strengthening relationships, finding meaning and purpose, and maintaining positive change.<\/p>\n CHIP is delivered in 18 sessions using a group format. These sessions include viewing educational and entertaining videos followed by facilitated group discussion and food samples. The participants receive a textbook, workbook, cookbook and exercise workbook. A health risk assessment, blood tests (lipids and hga1c), and biometrics (weight, waist circumference, blood pressure) are done on every participant, pre- and post-program.<\/p>\n The cost of the course is $379 per person and you can bring a spouse or a friend for support. Sarah Seppa is a certified CHIP instructor as well as a registered dietician and clinical nutritionist at St. Luke\u2019s Wood River.<\/p>\n Seppa will provide a sneak peek of what lifestyle medicine and CHIP entails at two free information sessions this week, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the St. Luke\u2019s Hailey Clinic, Carbonate Rooms, and 5:30-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13 at St. Luke\u2019s Wood River Medical Center, Ketchum, in the Baldy Rooms.<\/p>\n No registration is required for the information sessions. For more information, call (208) 727-8356.<\/p>\n Idaho Rep. Reacts To Investigation Of\u00a0 Nationwide Treatment Of Sexual Assault Kits<\/b><\/p>\n According to a press release from the Idaho State House of Representatives, CNN is publishing a report\u00a0following a nationwide investigation of how sexual assault kits are being handled. The report details hundreds of instances since 2010 involving 25 law enforcement agencies in 14 states\u2014including Idaho\u2014where sexual assault kits were destroyed prior to the statute of limitations running out. The report prompted Washington state\u2019s attorney general to issue a statewide order not to destroy the kits.<\/p>\n Representative Melissa Wintrow is quoted in the story, calling for increased training of law enforcement agencies and calling the problem something the \u201centire country has to do better on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0However, Wintrow is encouraged that many of the reforms contemplated in the report are already on the books in Idaho. Over the last three years, Idaho lawmakers have passed legislation: (1) requiring all kits be tested except under limited circumstances; (2) requiring they be stored for up to 55 years; and (3) that the state pay for the cost of processing the kits. In addition, the Idaho State Police Crime Lab has developed software to track the kits throughout the criminal justice process\u2014software being sought by many other states.<\/p>\n \u00a0The latest phase in Idaho\u2019s transformation on this issue begins in early 2019. The Idaho State Police Forensic Services Laboratories is using federal grant money to conduct training for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (\u201cSANE\u201d) with a goal of certifying 250 nurses statewide.\u00a0The program is aimed primarily at rural hospitals where trained staff is scarce for this specific discipline.<\/p>\n Temporary Window To Add Medigap Plan For Those Under 65 Closes December 31\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n There is still time for Idahoans under the age of 65 on Medicare to take advantage of a temporary three-month time period to purchase a Medicare supplement plan, according to a press release from the Department of Insurance.<\/p>\n The additional time expires at midnight on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n Separate from Medicare\u2019s annual open enrollment period that runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, the three-month window allows those who qualified and enrolled for benefits under Medicare parts A and B to apply for or make changes to part D prescription drug plans and\/or Medicare Advantage plans.<\/p>\n Newly eligible beneficiaries under 65 may also buy a Medicare supplement policy within six months of qualifying for coverage, effective Jan. 1.<\/p>\n Medicare beneficiaries with questions can contact the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) with the Idaho Department of Insurance at (800) 247-4422.<\/p>\n Idaho State Police Warns Of Attempted Scams Of People Listed On Sex Offender Registry<\/b><\/p>\n The Idaho Central Sex Offender Registry, part of the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification, has been made aware of several attempted scams targeting sexual offenders in several Idaho counties, as well as in other states.<\/p>\n According to a press release from the Idaho State Police, one scam involves a caller posing as a law enforcement officer who tells the sexual offender that they have missing or out-of-date registration information. The caller then threatens that, in order to avoid arrest for failure to register, the registrant must bring a gift\/money card to a specified location (other than the local law enforcement\u2019s registration office).\u00a0 The caller may provide a callback number with a voice mail message that sounds as if it belongs to the local law enforcement\u2019s registration office.<\/p>\n In another report, the caller says they are with the sheriff\u2019s office and they have a warrant for being noncompliant and the only way to take care of it without being arrested is to go to the store and get a money card and give them the number over the phone.<\/p>\n If contacted, those on the Sex Offender Registry should not follow these instructions. Report any such contact to your local sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n Sun Valley Center For The Arts Presents Film \u2018The Irish Pub\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n The Sun Valley Center for the Arts announced in a press release that the 2018\u20132019 Film Series continues Thursday, Jan. 10, with \u201cThe Irish Pub\u201d\u2014a documentary film that celebrates what is perhaps the greatest institution in Irish society: the Irish pub, and the interesting characters who own and run these establishments.<\/p>\n The film, which is presented as part of The Center\u2019s BIG IDEA project, \u201cAt the Table: Kitchen as Home,\u201d will be shown twice at the Magic Lantern Cinemas in Ketchum at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Tickets are $10 for members of The Center and $12 for nonmembers. To purchase tickets, visit sunvalleycenter.org, call (208) 726-9491 or visit The Center\u2019s box office at 191 Fifth Street East in Ketchum.<\/p>\n Galena & The Trails Winter Benefit\u00a0 To Be Held Jan. 26, 2019<\/b><\/p>\n The Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) announced in a press release that the annual Galena & The Trails Winter Benefit will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, in the Limelight Room of the Sun Valley Inn. This fun-filled evening brings Nordic, hiking and biking communities together to help raise crucial funds for the maintenance and sustainment of the beloved Galena Lodge and the surrounding trail systems.<\/p>\n The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction and drinks, followed by dinner, a live auction, the Stand for Galena paddle raise and ends with dancing to the sounds of the High Street Party Band.<\/p>\n This annual celebration is brought to you by the\u00a0Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD), the Galena and the Trails Advisory Council and Tastevin Wines.<\/p>\n \u00a0 Reservations are now open for this sell-out event at bcrd.org. Tickets are $100 a person and tables are available for eight and 10.<\/p>\n Middle School Choice: Hemingway STEAM And Wood River Middle School Hold Open Houses For Parents And Students<\/b><\/p>\n Blaine County School District will now offer a choice when it comes to middle school, according a press release from the district.<\/p>\n Parents can now choose between Ernest Hemingway STEAM School in Ketchum and Wood River Middle School in Hailey.<\/p>\n Starting in the 2019-20 school year, Hemingway\u2019s STEAM School will add eighth grade along with the education integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The school offers elective courses and world languages.<\/p>\n WRMS already offers a well-rounded curriculum that includes world languages and dual immersion. Elective courses and extracurriculars include art, music, technology and athletics. Transportation is provided for middle school students living in Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue for both middle schools.<\/span><\/p>\n Parent and student open houses will take place at Hemingway from 5:30-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15, and at WRMS from 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 16.<\/p>\n A tour with the Hemingway principal is available every Friday in January from 1-1:45 p.m.<\/p>\n For more information, visit blaineschools.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Telemarketers Offer Misleading\u00a0 \u2018ACA Compliant\u2019 Insurance Plans To\u00a0 Idahoans Seeking Health CoverageThe Department of Insurance warned via news release that consumers shopping for health insurance should be wary of telemarketers and websites promoting \u201cdiscount health plans\u201d that allegedly meet requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Consumers are encouraged to visit the\u00a0Department website\u00a0or to call […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10110,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","_pvb_checkbox_block_on_post":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[84,18,36],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-10105","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-in-brief","8":"category-news","9":"category-slider"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10105"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10105\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}