stock_health_care_briefs

Christus Trinity Clinic Hallsville adds Primary Care Services

Byron Hutson will join Christus Trinity Clinic Hallsville for primary care services.

“We understand that primary care services are a huge part of serving our patients in the Hallsville area,” said Shanna Konvalin, administrative director of Christus Trinity Clinic. “Our patients in the Hallsville area now have a highly trained, experienced and capable provider ready to meet their day-to-day health care needs — seeing patients five days a week. Mr. Hutson is committed to this area, to serving this community and to calling East Texas home for a long time to come.”

Hutson joins Christus Trinity Clinic from his position as a physician assistant at Hill Country Memorial Hospital: Family Medicine in Marble Falls. He served in the hospital and clinical environments, serving internal and family medicine patients as well as urgent care and cardiothoracic surgery. Hutson holds degrees in kinesiology from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin as well as health care sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, in addition to his masters degree in physician assistant studies from UT San Antonio. Hutson is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Family Physicians, and served his country as a combat medic in the United States Army.

Financial Assistance & Help With the Sign-Up Process is Available

Texans will have a month and a half to sign up for 2019 health insurance through healthcare.gov. Sign-up began Thursday and will end Dec. 15.

Throughout Texas, community organizations will have experts on hand during the open enrollment period to help Texans understand their options and sign up for insurance through the Affordable Care Act. This is the only chance to sign up for health insurance for 2019 through healthcare.gov unless you experience a “qualifying life event” during 2019, such as getting married or losing your health insurance.

This year, some insurance plans offered through healthcare.gov will have lower monthly premiums than last year. Additionally, the vast majority of Texans who sign up for insurance through healthcare.gov are expected to receive significant financial assistance to reduce the costs of insurance and is only available for health plans on healthcare.gov.

“Most Texans who sign up for insurance on healthcare.gov will get financial assistance to help pay for a health plan,” said Stacey Pogue, senior policy analyst at the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a member of the Cover Texas Now coalition. “Getting that health plan could end up helping you treat cancer before it spreads, keep your costs down at the pharmacy or avoid a pile of medical bills you can’t pay.”