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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Do you offer primary care? 
     
    No, we do not offer primary care at any of our clinics and we do not have any medical doctors on our staff. However, you can obtain services at the health centers that include adult physicals, immunizations, and cancer screenings. If you have a medical emergency you should always call 911.

     

    Is my information kept confidential?  
     
    Yes, under the Health Information Portability & Accountability Act, your information is kept strictly confidential. Our staff completes annual HIPAA trainings and your information is kept with the utmost security.

     

    I am a tax-paying citizen, what services am I entitled to from the health department?                                             
     
    Local tax dollars make up a considerable amount of our annual budget. All residents in this county receive health department services on a daily basis that you may not be aware of. The restaurants you and your family visit are kept clean and safe, children and adults receive immunizations that help prevent the spread of disease, and education of healthy lifestyles occur on a daily basis, among many other services.

     

    Do you accept credit and debit cards?  
     
    Yes, we do. All of our health centers are currently equipped to handle credit and debit transactions.

     

    Sometimes when I go to the health department I have to pay for my services and sometimes I don’t, why?             
     
    Some of the health department programs do not require payment, such as WIC. Other services, such as STD testing, may require a fee which are based on a sliding scale fee schedule. In special cases, such as the H1N1 vaccine, the federal government paid for all of the costs associated with the vaccine.

     

    As a teenager, do I need parental consent to get birth control or to have STD testing?                                               
     
    No, you do not. You can call your health center and make an appointment to see a nurse practioner or registered nurse and receive those services without permission from your parent or guardian. Title X is the program that allows these services to be provided without parental consent.

     

    Can I get help to quit smoking or lose weight?                                                                                                              
     
    Our health education team as well as our clinic staff would love to speak with you about enhancing your health and quality of life. We offer a variety of classes, such as smoking cessation and physical activity sessions, which can help you achieve your goals.

     

    My family has bed bugs (or lice), what can you do?                                                                                                       
     
    Bed bugs and lice are no fun! However, those pesky problems are not considered a public health hazard. You can speak to any of our health environmentalists for tips on prevention and treatment, but we cannot treat the problem.

     

    Do I get food stamp or government assistance from the health department?                                                              
     
    No, you can seek government assistance from your local Department for Community Based Services. The health department does have the ability to allow an emergency medical card on a daily basis in case of an emergency. However, DCBS is the only place that can offer full enrollment. It is easy to get confused when trying to find the contact information for DCBS, so try looking under Kentucky, and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Our health centers have applications for the Kentucky Child Health Insurance Program.

     

    I believe my parents require home health services, what do I do?
     
    Our home health agency is staffed with competent and caring nurses, as well as physical and occupational therapists who visit homes and provide quality care to many people. We also staff home health aides who provide personal care. Physician referrals are the best way to acquire home health services, so speak with your doctor about obtaining a written order.

     

    What are the "3 rivers?"                                                                                                                                                     
     
    The three rivers consist of the Ohio River, the Kentucky River, and the Licking River, which are the three major rivers within our service area. Three Rivers District Health Department was formed July 1, 1975 in a collaborative effort between Carroll, Gallatin, Owen, and Pendleton counties. The four counties determined they could combine their efforts and resources to best serve our communities and protect the public health of our district.

     

    I visit my local health center/department, so what is Three Rivers District Health Department?                                 
     
    Our service area includes Carroll, Gallatin, Owen and Pendleton counties. Each of those counties has a health center that provides on-site clinical, environmental and education services. Three Rivers District Health Department is the jurisdictional entity that manages all four local health centers. Our district office, located in Owenton, houses our administrative and management staff along with the HANDS program and our home health agency.

     

    I see a cartoon water droplet on some of your stuff, what is that?                                                                              
     
    Meet Splash, Three River’s mascot! Splash makes appearances at community events, as well as in our schools and encourages you to Splash Into Health!