Nemaha Valley Community Hospital & Seneca Family Practice

11/10/2025

Making sense of Medicare can feel like a maze, but you don't have to get lost. Let us help you navigate your Medicare options! 🗺️

With Original Medicare you can see any provider who accepts Medicare, which is most. However, Medicare Advantage plans typically require that you get care from a more limited network of providers, and in most cases, you will need a pre-authorization from the insurance payer to see specialists, receive Part B drugs, get skilled nursing facility stays or inpatient hospital stays, receive mental health services or receive diagnostic services such as procedures, labs, tests, therapy, dialysis, hearing, eye exams, dental care and many other services.

11/07/2025

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about diabetes prevention, management, and support. At Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, we’re dedicated to helping individuals live healthier, more confident lives through our Diabetes Education Program.

Our diabetes education team works with patients to develop personalized plans for managing diabetes through nutrition, physical activity, medication management, and ongoing support. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing diabetes for years, education and support are key to improving long-term health outcomes.

Medicare Coverage for Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT):
Medicare covers up to 10 hours of initial Diabetes Self-Management Training during the first year — this includes one hour of individual training and nine hours of group sessions. After the first year, patients are eligible for two hours of follow-up training each year. These sessions are a great opportunity to learn practical skills, stay motivated, and make informed decisions about your health.

When to See Our Diabetes Specialist:
There are several critical times when meeting with our diabetes specialist can be especially beneficial:
At diagnosis – to learn the basics of managing diabetes.
Annually – for a refresher and to update your management plan.
When new complications arise – such as changes in vision, heart health, or kidney function.
When life changes occur – like starting new medications, lifestyle changes, or other health conditions that affect your diabetes.

Join Our Diabetes Support Group!
You don’t have to manage diabetes alone. Our Diabetes Support Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month and offers a welcoming environment to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others living with diabetes.

For more information about our Diabetes Program or to schedule an appointment, please contact:
🌟Leah Heinen RD, LD, CDCES at 785-336-0322
🌟Becky Bartkoski RN, BSN & Diabetes Educator at 785-336-0351

Together, we can take steps toward better health and greater confidence in managing diabetes every day.

11/07/2025

Today is the day! Hope to see you there!

We’re excited to partner with Life Care Center of Seneca, Nemaha County Health Department, Meals on Wheels, and Nemaha County Public Transit for this fun, educational, and health-focused event!

📅 Friday, November 7
🕥 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Seneca Community Building – 1500 Community Dr., Seneca, KS

Stop by and visit with our teams from Seneca Family Practice, Ancillary Departments, Outpatient Clinic, Case Management, Community Health Worker, HPM (Pain Management) and many more!

Enjoy a variety of free health resources, including:
✔️ Blood pressure checks
✔️ Cognitive testing
✔️ On-site vaccinations
✔️ Community wellness information
✔️ And more!

Come learn, connect, and take a step toward better health! 💪

11/06/2025

👂🏻Protecting Our Hearing!👂🏻

Today, Ashley Hunninghake, RN spent time with Centralia Middle School students to share an important message about hearing loss prevention.

Students learned:
🎵 How the ear works and why our hearing is so valuable
📢 What decibels are—and how loud is too loud
🎧 Safe ways to use earbuds and headphones
⚠️ The long-term effects of hearing loss, including how it can impact learning, communication, and overall health

Ashley reminded students that once the tiny hair cells in the ear are damaged, they cannot be repaired—making it even more important to protect our ears now.

💡 A big thank you to Ashley for helping our area students understand how to make smart choices for lifelong healthy hearing!

11/05/2025

Congratulations to Courtney Schmelzle, NVCH’s October 2025 All Star!

Courtney is known for her cheerful personality, positive energy, and community spirit. She takes pride in producing high-quality marketing materials that highlight NVCH’s services and tell the story of how we care for our patients and community.

In addition to her marketing work, Courtney is passionate about advocating for rural health care in Kansas. She works to promote the importance of supporting local hospitals and ensuring access to quality care close to home. Her dedication to the people we serve is evident in her willingness to go above and beyond—such as staying late in the evenings to assist individuals with Marketplace health insurance enrollments, helping ensure community members have the coverage they need.

Courtney’s compassion shines through in every aspect of her life. One especially heartwarming example is her kindness in driving a community member to football games so they can continue enjoying something they love despite being unable to drive.

Thank you, Courtney, for your advocacy, generosity, and commitment to both NVCH and our community. You truly make a difference every day!

11/05/2025

🎄✨ Holiday Hours – Nemaha Valley Community Hospital & Seneca Family Practice ✨🎄

As we celebrate the upcoming holiday season, please take note of our adjusted hours:

🦃 Thanksgiving
Thursday, Nov. 27 – CLOSED
Friday, Nov. 28 – 8am–3pm
Saturday, Nov. 29 – 9am–Noon

🎄 Christmas
Wednesday, Dec. 24 – 9am–Noon
Thursday, Dec. 25 – CLOSED

🎉 New Year’s
Wednesday, Dec. 31 – 9am–Noon
Thursday, Jan. 1 – CLOSED

👉 Seneca Family Practice, Outpatient Clinic, Ancillary Services, and our Administrative & Business Offices will observe these holiday hours.

Please remember: our nursing staff is available 24/7. If you need to contact the hospital, call 785-336-6181.

Wishing you and your family a safe and joyful holiday season!

11/04/2025

🌱 Come Grow with Us! 🌱

Are you a skilled and compassionate person looking for an opportunity to make a difference? Come grow with us at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, where your expertise is valued, and your career can thrive! Be part of a team that saves lives.

👉Why NVCH? We have a dynamic work environment with growth opportunities and a team that supports your success!

📩 Submit your resume today! This is a future position, interested applicants can send resume to rworthley@nemvch.org.

🔗 Learn more at: nemvch.com/careers

11/03/2025

Nemaha Valley Community Hospital has one Certified Application Counselor (CAC) this year—Courtney Schmelzle. Courtney is trained to help consumers explore Marketplace health coverage options and complete eligibility and enrollment forms.

Marketplace coverage is designed for people who don’t have affordable employer insurance, individuals who aren’t eligible for Medicare or Medicaid but need coverage, and families seeking affordable, comprehensive plans.

Open Enrollment runs November 1–December 15, 2025 for coverage beginning January 1, 2026; enrollment continues through January 15, 2026 for later effective dates. Appointments are being scheduled now. To schedule, contact Courtney Schmelzle at 785-336-0426.

11/03/2025

Feeling overwhelmed by Medicare choices? 😫 Don't let Medicare cramp your style! Nearly all Medicare Advantage plans (99%) require approvals and authorizations before care can be given.

Medicare Advantage plans denied 3.2 million prior authorization requests for health care services in whole or in part in 2023, or 6.4 percent of the 50 million requests submitted on behalf of enrollees that year, according to a KFF analysis of federal data.

Contact your local health care providers. They can connect you with individuals who can help you navigate the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

10/31/2025

🎃🏆 Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winners! 🏆🎃

Our teams got creative this Halloween season for our annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest—and the results were spooktacular! 👻✨

A big congratulations to this year’s winners:
🥇 Respiratory Therapy - Candy Corn Blowfish
🥈 Lab - Ice Cream Cone
🥉 Surgery - Pink Flamingo

Thank you to all the departments who participated—you are all incredibly creative!

10/31/2025

We’re excited to partner with Life Care Center of Seneca, Nemaha County Health Department, Meals on Wheels, and Nemaha County Public Transit for this fun, educational, and health-focused event!

📅 Friday, November 7
🕥 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Seneca Community Building – 1500 Community Dr., Seneca, KS

Stop by and visit with our teams from Seneca Family Practice, Ancillary Departments, Outpatient Clinic, Case Management, Community Health Worker, HPM (Pain Management) and many more!

Enjoy a variety of free health resources, including:
✔️ Blood pressure checks
✔️ Cognitive testing
✔️ On-site vaccinations
✔️ Community wellness information
✔️ And more!

Come learn, connect, and take a step toward better health! 💪

10/31/2025

🎃👻 Happy Halloween! We’re wishing everyone a safe, fun, and spooktacular holiday.🎃👻

Stay safe, enjoy the treats, and remember—we’re always here when you need us! 🏥