June 2023 - Soak up the Summer
Summer is upon us and that means long, lazy days in the sunshine! The doctors at DCPP want to remind you to always use sunscreen – even on those cloudy Pittsburgh days – to help protect yourself and your families against sunburn and skin cancer. Check out our Instagram and Facebook accounts for tips from our doctors for keeping your skin safe and healthy this summer.
Beyond sunburns, it’s the season for bug bites, scrapes, and sprains. Whatever health woes may come your way, remember that you don’t have to face them alone. DCPP is here to deliver healthcare without the hassle!
Updates from Our Docs
Visit your DCPP doctors at the upcoming Farmers’ Markets: Come say “hi” to Dr. Rebecca Byard at the Greentree Farmers Market from 4-7 p.m. June 15 and July 13, with more dates to come. The market is located at 895 Greentree Road in the Green Tree Park lower parking lot.
Walk with a Doc: Join Dr. Natalie Gentile as she continues her Walk with a Doc program for another season. The next walk is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. June 23 at the entrance of Highland Park. If you can’t make it this month, fear not! Walk with a Doc will happen every fourth Friday of the month during the nice weather season. The event is free and open to the public.
Food for Thought workshop: Join Dr. Gentile and mental health therapist Blake Watterworth from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Dr. Gentile’s wellness studio Rebel Wellness(opens in a new tab) in the East End. They will be holding their next Food for Thought workshop, where participants will learn about culinary medicine and how mood and mental health are connected to what we eat. During the workshop, participants will get the learning component, make and enjoy plant-based dinner (including drinks and dessert) and make some fermented foods to take home to enjoy. DCPP members get a discount on the ticket price, making it $25 to participate in this don’t-miss-it event! Use the access code DCPP23 when you purchase via this link(opens in a new tab).
Coming this fall: Medical Trauma Support Group
Dr. Kirsten Lin will co-host with Dannielle Logan, LPC of Mendolia Behavioral Health, a series of online medical trauma support group slated to run from September through November. Topics to be covered will include the broken healthcare system, advocating for your physical and mental health needs, the basics of PTSD, how medical trauma can lead to PTSD, health issues specific to women, and more. More information on dates and how to register will be featured in future newsletters.
DCPP News
Dr. Gentile has a new regular segment on the new KDKA-TV talk show, “TALK PITTSBURGH.” See her segment at 3 p.m. every other Wednesday to discuss the health issues that matter most to you! Watch her latest segments on the CBS Pittsburgh website.
Dr. Gentile also was recently featured on the “Going Beyond the Food” podcast with Stephanie Dodier. They had an educated conversation about what to consider before taking Ozempic or any medicalized treatment for weight loss. Listen to it online.
COVID-19 Support and More
Did you know: The COVID-19 federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) expired on May 11. This does not mean COVID-19 is over. But what does it mean? Read on for more information …
Can I still get tests? COVID-19 tests will no longer be available for free by mail-order to U.S. addresses, and by law, Medicare does not generally cover over-the-counter services and tests. Current access to over-the-counter COVID-19 tests ended with the end of PHE.
Will I have to pay for vaccines and boosters? The federal government plans to continue purchasing and distributing COVID-19 immunizations, and any federally purchased vaccine will be available at no cost to patients with both private and public health plans. Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover the entire cost even after the government supply runs out. Private insurance providers will also continue to cover the cost, but there may be exceptions if the vaccine was provided out of network. For underinsured and uninsured Americans, free vaccines will be provided through a CDC program at their local health department.
Will telehealth services still be provided? Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 provides for an extension for telehealth flexibility through the end of 2024. In addition, some behavioral health telehealth visits are being approved permanently and without geographic restriction. Telehealth visits greatly expand the availability of behavioral health care and have been very successful.
Source: The Allegheny County Medical Society https://acms.blog/2023/04/05/end-of-covid19-phe/
Have any additional questions or concerns? The doctors at DCPP are here to help! Reach out to your direct care physician today!
Recipe of the Month: Refreshing watermelon mint salad
Ingredients:
- 1 watermelon, cubed (about six cups)
- 1-2 cups of fresh blueberries
- 3 tbsp agave
- Juice of one lime or lemon
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 1/4 tsp salt
Directions:
- Mix watermelon, blueberries, mint and salt in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix the agave and lemon or lime juice.
- Pour agave mixture over the melon and chill in the refrigerator or serve immediately
Patient Spotlight: Share your DCPP story with us!
Patient Spotlight is our monthly feature where we highlight the stories of our DCPP patients and what direct primary care means to them. From corporate work to creative endeavors, we’re so inspired by our DCPP family.
Would you like to be featured in an upcoming newsletter? Please let your DCPP doc know!