For Immediate Release

January 9, 2017; 9:55am

DPHSS Release No. 2017-022

Medicare General Enrollment Period

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA), Guam District Office, would like to inform the community that Medicare Part B’s General Enrollment Period (GEP) is from January 1^st through March 31^st. Medicare is a medical insurance program for people who are 65 or older, and for people who are on SSA’s disability program or have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) at any age. The Standard Monthly premium for  Medicare Part B is $134.00 for 2017. The Part B premium can be higher if one does not enroll during their initial enrollment period or when they first became eligible; or if they have a higher income. If enrolled during the GEP, the effective date of coverage will begin on July 1^st.

If you are eligible and want to be covered by Medicare Part B medical insurance, now is the time to sign up with the Social Security Administration by visiting their office located at Suite 155 of the A.B. Won Pat Integrated Cargo Facility in Tiyan Barrigada from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays or you can enroll online through SSA’s  website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

For more information about Medicare, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website at www.medicare.gov, or read SSA’s publication on Medicare at Medicare at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html. Locally accessible assistance to learn more about Medicare is also provided by the Guam Medicare Assistance Program (Guam MAP) within the Division of Senior Citizens (DSC), DPHSS, To schedule an appointment to see a Guam MAP counselor, call DSC at 735-7415 or 735-7421.

For Immediate Release

January 4, 2017; 2:10pm

DPHSS Release No. 2017-021

Request for Provider Participation in the Guam Medicaid Assistance Program (MAP) and the Guam Medically Indigent Program (MIP)

The Department of Public Health and Social Services, Division of Public Welfare, Bureau of Health Care Financing Administration, invites all local Health Care Professionals, inclusive of local fitness centers, to participate as providers of service under the Guam Medicaid Assistance Program (MAP), and the Guam Medically Indigent Program (MIP).

The Guam Medicaid and MIP Programs continue to work aggressively to protect, promote, and improve the health of our Guam community, ensuring that all program beneficiaries are afforded high-quality care, which improves patient health and outcomes.

For more information or to request for an applications, please contact the Program Management Unit, at 474-7231, 735-7237, 735-7471 or 735-7472.   Additionally, you may request for an application via email to Ms. Annabelle Estrada, Program Coordinator, at annabelle.estrada@dphss.guam.gov, or Ms. Sandrina Cepeda, Management Analyst, at sandrina.cepeda@dphss.guam.gov.  Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).  

For Immediate Release

January 3, 2017; 8:45am

DPHSS Release No. 2017-020

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Fair at the Micronesia Mall

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) is pleased to announce that there

will be a “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies" Health Fair on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Micronesia Mall Center Court from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The theme for this year’s fair is “Help Me Grow.”

Exhibitors from various private, public and government organizations will be showcasing their respective programs and services including the Department of Education Head Start Program, Guam CEDDERS, the Guam WIC Program, Project Karinu, and Project Bisita I' Familia.

This annual event is sponsored by the DPHSS Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program.  The fair is held to promote healthy living and normal growth and development of children up to 18 years of age. Some of the table displays will include information on child and adolescent health, parenting skills, benefits of breastfeeding, nutrition, smoking cessation, and exercise. 

For more information, please contact Diana Santos at diana.santos@dphss.guam.gov or Maggie Bell at margaret.bell@dphss.guam.gov or call 735-7105.

For Immediate Release

December 29, 2016; 10:20am

DPHSS Release No. 2017-019

January 2017: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation Signing

The Department of Public Health and Social Services’ Guam Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and the Guam Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in collaboration and partnership with the Guam Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition, Guam Cancer Care, American Cancer Society, Guam Nurses Association, University of Guam, Guam Cancer Research Center,  Marianas Physician Group, United Airlines,  Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and the Non-Communicable Disease Consortium is hosting the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation Signing on Friday, January 6, 2017, 3:00 p.m at the Adelup Large Conference Room.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage women across the nation to get screened for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable especially if it is detected early through regular screenings and appropriate follow-up care. Each year in the United States, an estimated 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. At one point in time, cervical cancer was one of the most common causes of cancer deaths; but with the increased use of Pap tests over the last 30 years, cervical cancer death rates have gone down nationally by more than 50%. Guam data from the 2008-2012 Cancer Facts and Figures shows that the incidence rate is 35.8 per 100,000 and with a mortality rate of 2.5 per 100,000. Micronesians residing in Guam have the highest incidence rate at 42.4, followed by Chamorros at 25.1 and Caucasians at 24.4.

Moreover, 79 million Americans are currently infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) and many do not know that they are infected.  HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer. This event is also an opportunity to promote the importance of getting vaccinated for HPV as appropriate. Data from the Guam Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicate that Guam youth are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections such as HPV and also have a lower rate of Pap test screenings.

In line with this proclamation, we encourage everyone to join and participate in the several activities outlined in the CCAM calendar of events which will be disseminated to all our partners.

For more information for this event, please contact Ms. Arlie F. Bonto at 735-0672 or Rachel Ramirez at 735-0675.  

For Immediate Release

December 20, 2016; 2:35pm

DPHSS Release No. 2017-018

Lenny & Larry’s Inc. Chocolate Chip Products Voluntary Recall

The Department of Public Health and Social Services, in coordination with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, would like to inform the public of a voluntary recall involving Lenny & Larry’s, Inc., chocolate chip products because of a possible undeclared milk allergen contamination and the potential for adverse health effects.

People with a dairy allergy or sensitivity may run the risk of a serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recall includes the following products listed below.

UPC Code                                Best By Date                                             Item

7 87692-83461 7                   7-1-17 to 11-30-17                         Complete Cookie, Chocolate Chip (4 oz.)

7 87692-83538 6                 9-18-17 to 11-15-17                         Complete Cookie, Coconut Chocolate Chip (4 oz.)

The affected chocolate chip products were distributed to retail outlets nationwide.  This recall is limited exclusively to the Chocolate Chip and Coconut Chocolate Chip Complete Cookie varieties. No other Lenny & Larry’s products are impacted.

To date, the Division of Environmental Health has determined that affected Lenny & Larry’s Complete Cookie, Chocolate Chip (UPC# 7 87692-83461 7), were sold at K-Mart in Tamuning.  All affected products were removed from store shelves.

The Department has not received any local report of injuries or illnesses associated with the consumption of these recalled commodities.  Consumers who have purchased the items listed above are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Consumers who have a dairy allergy should consider discarding these products.  Consumers with questions can contact Lenny & Larry’s Consumer Relations Center by calling their number at 1-888–943–4212.

For any questions, please contact the Consumer Commodities Program at the Division of Environmental Health at 735-7221.

For Immediate Release

December 20, 2016; 9:40am

DPHSS Release No. 2017-017

State Plan Amendment on Guam Hospital Inpatient and Outpatient Reimbursement Rate

The Department of Public Health and Social Services announces that the Guam Medicaid Program will amend its State Plan on Guam Hospital Inpatient and Outpatient Reimbursement Rates.  

A copy of the Guam Medicaid State Plan amendments is available for public review at the DPHSS Bureau of Health Care Financing Administration (BHCFA) office, Room 238, 123 Chalan Kareta, Mangilao.

For more information, please call 735-7293.