Convenience Care patients register at the LifeCare admitting desk at the main entrance to the hospital.  No appointment is necessary and there is no need to call before entering.

"It provides medical care for patients who would otherwise wait until morning or possibly through the weekend to get started on treatment" says LifeCare's Outpatient Manager Stacey Monkman, R.N.
LifeCare's Convenience Care team includes physicians, mid-level practitioners, nurses, lab, and imaging professionals to meet patient needs.
"The most common ailments presented to Convenience Care include cough, sore throat, ear aches, sprains, fever, and back aches." Monkman says.

Medical Advice
A patient may be referred to Convenience Care if they call the hospital for medical advice.
Like many medical facilities across the country, LifeCare will discontinue the practice of giving medical advice over the phone, according to LifeCare's Director of Nursing, Roxanne Fabian, R.N.
"Very few emergency departments give advice by phone anymore. It really is in the best interest of the individual to be seen by a health care provider and not try to address their medical concerns over the phone."
More and more people now seek answers online first or through nurse hotlines.
If a person does call in for medical advice, "we encourage them to come in to be seen by a provider since there are many factors that may determine a treatment plan," Monkman says.

Insurance Coverage
Most insurance companies cover Convenience Care, often at a lower co-pay than an emergency visit.
Patients are encouraged to talk to their health care insurance representative about Convenience Care payment guidelines.
Convenience Care check-in is easy.
Simply enter at the hospital/clinic main entrance and register at the LifeCare admitting desk. No appointment is necessary and there is no need to call before arriving.
Convenience Care is available 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
As always, the LifeCare Emergency Department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to treat any medical condition.

Several recommended internet sites include: www.medformation.com, www.webmd.com, www.mayoclinic.com, and www.lifecaremedicalcenter.org or call these nurse hotlines: Blue Cross/Blue Shield 800-622-9524 or HealthPartners 800-551-0859. To learn more about LifeCare's Convenience Care, call (218) 463-2500.
 

May Walk/Run raises $4,000 for the
fight against diabetes in Roseau County

Cool drizzly weather did little to dampen the spirit of the more than 300 people who contributed to the 7th Annual LifeCare May Walk/Run and Diabetes Health Fair.

Runners of all ages brave cool temperatures and drizzling rain as they bolt from the starting line during the 7th Annual LifeCare May Walk/Run for Diabetes in Roseau.

Among the 213 who participated in the Walk/Run were Roseau's Jacob and Kate Lundquist (see cover).
It was their first race since completing a "Couch to 5K" training program.
"This was a very emotional finish for me. I never ever thought I'd be able to achieve a mile, let alone a 5K," says Kate, who ran the entire distance and finished with a time faster than the goal she had set for herself.
Activities began at Roseau City Center with a pancake breakfast courtesy of the Roseau Lions.
A LifeCare sponsored health fair included a variety of vendor booths and an assortment of diabetes education materials.
This year's event raised over $4,000.
Since it's inception in 2004, LifeCare's May Walk/Run has raised a total of nearly $30,000 to fight diabetes locally.
Proceeds from the event are donated to the Roseau Area Diabetes Center and other local diabetes efforts.