UnityPoint Health - Visiting Nurse Association

Offers recommended immunizations for infants and children up to 18 years of age for uninsured and under-insured families who cannot afford to obtain the immunizations from a physician office. These clinics are a component of the Federal and State of Iowa Vaccine for Children Program. Contact the VNA office for eligibility criteria.

Provides a variety of services to at risk, uninsured and Medicaid children including education and screenings at WIC and VNA clinics and at area schools. Also provides referrals to dentists' offices and limited funding for children with dental needs. Sealant clinics conducted in Dubuque Community schools provide exams and sealants for second and third grade school children each year.

Hawki offers free or low-cost health care coverage for children ages 0-19 and is provided through the state CHIP program and designed to ensure children access to medical and dental care. Many families may qualify for Hawki if they do not qualify for Medicaid due to income status. Presumptive eligibility is also offered for children needing health or dental coverage through either Medicaid or Hawki. For more information or assistance with an application, contact the VNA Hawki Outreach Coordinator at (563) 556-6200.

You may also visit the Hawki website at hhs.iowa.gov/hawki or call Hawki Services at 1-800-257-8563.

Home visits are made by Family Advocates and/or social workers to families at increased risk for child abuse and/or neglect. Referrals are received through the VNA's own Perinatal Mother/Baby Program, Department of Human Services, and other community agencies. Program assists families in obtaining needed health care and social services in the community. This program is voluntary and the goal is to promote appropriate parenting and child care skills.

VNA coordinator assists doctors' offices with resources to ensure children are on track with age-appropriate physical and mental development. Also promotes screening for maternal depression which can affect a child's ability to grow and develop.

The Community Partnerships for Tobacco and Control program offers education on health effects of tobacco, benefits of quitting and other resources for youth and adults. Technical assistance on policy review, employee resources and client resources are available. Goals are to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, encourage tobacco free/nicotine worksites and living, and increase community partnerships.

Supportive services, including assistance with personal cares and homemaking for low income elderly and chronically ill clients in their homes. Services are available on a sliding fee scale for those earning above low income guidelines or through the Dubuque County Public Health Services grant for those who qualify.

The VNA received a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association for the purchase of Tyvek suits to protect clients and staff from the spread of bed bugs in their home care programs.

Respite service allows caregivers time outside the home for errands or personal time away from care-giving responsibilities.

Provides Dubuque County with investigation service for reportable infectious diseases, client education, assistance with access to medical treatment and monitoring of medication treatment regime. Service is critical to limit spread of infectious disease and limit outbreaks.

Programs provide free and confidential testing, screening, follow-up counseling and referral. Includes risk assessment for Hepatitis C Testing and provides Hepatitis A and B vaccination. Education for clients on healthy practices to reduce risk for HIV and Hepatitis.

A VNA case manager is assigned to provide assistance to HIV-positive Iowa residents to access primary medical care and medications as well as identify and remove barriers to medical care. The focus is on ensuring access to insurance coverage for care and medication. Case managers will work closely with HIV-positive individuals on an individualized plan of care to ensure maximum health by regularly seeing a physician and taking prescribed medications.

Provides referrals and assistance to low income women over 50 years of age who meet program criteria and have no insurance to obtain pap smears and mammograms through community health providers.

The Community Partnerships for Tobacco and Control program offers education on health effects of tobacco, benefits of quitting and other resources for youth and adults. Technical assistance on policy review, employee resources and client resources are available. Goals are to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, encourage tobacco free/nicotine worksites and living, and increase community partnerships.

Home visits are made by Family Advocates and/or social workers to families at increased risk for child abuse and/or neglect. Referrals are received through the VNA's own Perinatal Mother/Baby Program, Department of Human Services, and other community agencies. Program assists families in obtaining needed healthcare and social services in the community. This program is voluntary and the goal is to promote appropriate parenting and child care skills.

Focuses on ensuring that a child and his/her family's long term needs are addressed helping families establish a medical and dental "home" with a local provider. Helps families get health insurance coverage or with application for Iowa Medicaid or Hawki programs.

The 1st Five Program works with medical providers to promote developmental screenings as recommended by the AAP and Medicaid EPSDT Program. For families, 1st Five staff at the VNA provide care coordination to children referred by their primary care provider and assist in connecting them to early intervention services and other community resources.

Service area includes the following counties:

• Allamakee
• Chickasaw
• Clayton
• Delaware
• Dubuque
• Fayette
• Howard
• Winneshiek

Learn more by contacting the 1st Five Coordinator at (563) 556-6200 or by visiting https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/family-health/1st-five.

Program providing lead screening, case management, and cleaning services if needed, for families at risk for lead poisoning. Lead screenings are done at immunization clinics and on scheduled days at the VNA office. Contact the VNA office to schedule an appointment.

Assists families who qualify for Medicaid in setting up well child physicals, immunizations, dental care and other preventive medical and dental services in the community.

Offers health education and food supplement program for prenatal, postpartum and children zero to five years income eligible.

Service provided in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.

Offers Iowa residents ages 12 through 54 family planning services so they can start a family when they are ready, protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases, and make healthy choices for a better life.

Counties served by VNA include:

• Allamakee
• Chickasaw
• Clayton
• Delaware
• Dubuque
• Fayette
• Howard
• Winneshiek

To learn more, contact VNA’s Family Planning Coordinator at (563) 245-1145.

Disclaimer: This project is supported by the Office of Population Affairs of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $109,629 with 100 percent funded by OASH. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OASH or the U.S. Government.

We offer many services to help both women and men keep themselves healthy and make informed decisions about their sexual health, birth control options and pregnancy.

Services We Offer:

• Gynecology
  • Contraception
  • Abnormal pap smear evaluation and treatment
  • Gynecological problem diagnosis and treatment
  • Menopausal evaluation and treatment
  • Premenstrual syndrome evaluation and treatment
  • Urinary tract and vaginal infection evaluation and treatment

• Family Planning & Reproductive Health
  Our advanced registered nurse practitioners are all skilled in providing preventive healthcare and patient education to meet the specific needs of each individual. They encourage their clients to be active participants in their own health care with a collaborative approach that respects each individual's needs and allows time for clients to ask questions, describe concerns and become involved in healthcare decisions.
  
  

• STI Testing & Treatment
  Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are so common that more than half of all sexually active adults will have become infected by the age of 25. STIs can be serious illnesses that do not go away unless they are treated.
  
  Many people who have an STI in their body don't know they're infected. There is no single test that can check for every STI, but we'll help you decide if you should be tested; when you should be tested; what type of tests you may need to have; and how much (if anything) the test will cost. STI testing for everyone, including teens, is confidential.
  
  Most STIs can be treated with antibiotics. Don't let fear, embarrassment or lack of insurance keep you from getting diagnosed and treated.
  
  We offer testing and treatment for illnesses including:
  
  • Chlamydia
  • Genital Herpes
  • Gonorrhea
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus/Genital Warts
  • Syphilis

  To schedule your STI test, call (563) 245-1145.

---

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will they accept my insurance?
  We accept most major forms of insurance, including Medicaid.

• What if I don't have insurance?
  No one is turned away for inability to pay. We are a Title X-Family Planning funded delegate of the Iowa Department of Public Health (supported in part by Title X contract #PHTHMRH25413). For answers to your health questions, please contact us at (563) 245-1145.

• How do I make an appointment?
  You can call (563) 245-1145 to schedule.

• How long will my appointment last?
  Most patients are in and out of our office in about an hour.

• What do I need to bring to my appointment?
  We can help patients with no insurance or low income apply for programs to help cover the cost of an exam and birth control. To apply for help, bring with you the following information:
  
  • Photo ID
  • Birth certificate
  • Social Security number
  • Verification of all income received for the past 30 days, including any wages, child support, unemployment, disability, etc.
  • If you have insurance, bring your card along. You may still qualify for financial help.
    
    • What if I don't have all of this information with me on the day of my appointment?
      Keep your appointment. Don't cancel just because you can't find a piece of paper. You will have time after your appointment to send in any information you don't have with you the day of your appointment.
• Can I have a female healthcare provider for my exam?
  Yes. In fact, all our staff are women.

• Can I come in without my parents?
  Yes. In Iowa, minors (teens) are not required to have parental permission for family planning services, including pregnancy testing, and testing for sexually transmitted infections. Your privacy is important to us. We don't want you to avoid scheduling a visit because you're worried about someone finding out. Even if you're under 18, you can still trust us to help you confidentially. The information you give your healthcare providers, and the details of your visit are completely confidential. This means we won't tell anyone anything – unless there's an emergency.
  
  • Together for Youth & Young Parents Together
    Making decisions regarding your sexual health will be some of the most important decisions you will ever make. A resource you may find helpful is Together for Youth and Young Parents Together.
    • Together for Youth believes young people can make healthy, safe and responsible choices when they are given knowledge, skills and access to services
    • Young Parents Together is an adolescent parent education and support program designed collaboratively and specifically for pregnant and parenting teens

• How do I get my results?
  You can create a profile with MyUnityPoint which allows you to access test results, chart notes, send and receive messages with your care team and request medication refills.

• Can I get emergency contraception ("morning after pill")?
  Yes. You can also get emergency contraception, without a prescription, from a local pharmacy. You have up to five days after having sex to start taking emergency contraception.

• Where can I get free condoms?
  You can always get condoms for FREE! You can also buy them online for discreet delivery.
  • www.bedsider.org/birth-control/condom
  • www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness

• What is the Title X Program?
The Family Planning Title X program was created to provide affordable birth control and reproductive health care to people who could not afford these services on their own.

Federal Title X funding was intended to ensure that everyone has access to basic, preventive reproductive health care. Services provided include contraceptive education and management, breast and cervical cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy diagnosis and counseling. Title X services do not include termination of pregnancy as a method of family planning.

Learn more at Together For Youth.

• Who can I call with questions about my bill?
  We will try to help in any way we can. Call our office if you have questions about billing, funding or your insurance at (563) 245-1145.

Iowa’s Healthy Pregnancy Program is a FREE service available statewide and provides education and support to pregnant and postpartum women. Healthy Pregnancy Program services are extra services clients receive beyond what is include in prenatal care.

Services include but are not limited to:

• Pregnancy testing
• Identification of pregnancy risk factors
• Promotion of healthy lifestyles
• Community resources
• Home visits
• Insurance applications
• Tobacco cessation referral

Counties included in service area:

• Allamakee
• Chickasaw
• Clayton
• Delaware
• Dubuque
• Fayette
• Howard
• Winneshiek

Focuses on ensuring that a child and his/her family's long term needs are addressed by getting them into a medical and dental provider.

Offers periodic immunizations for infants and children for uninsured and underinsured families who cannot afford to obtain the immunizations from a physician office. These clinics are a component of the Federal and State of Iowa Vaccine for Children Program.

Provides a variety of services to both uninsured and Title XIX children for screenings through WIC and VNA Child Health clinics. Also provides referral and funding for children with emergent dental conditions. Provides screening and referrals at area preschools.

Program providing lead screening and case management for families at risk for lead poisoning. Lead screenings are done at all WIC clinics. A certified lead inspector is on staff to assist with detection of lead sources and education.

Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment. Assist families who quality for Title XIX in setting up well child physicals, immunizations, dental care, and other needed medical services in the community.

Hawki offers free or low-cost health care coverage for children ages 0-19 and is provided through the state CHIP program and designed to ensure children access to medical and dental care. Many families may qualify for Hawki if they do not qualify for Medicaid due to income status. Presumptive eligibility is also offered for children needing health or dental coverage through either Medicaid or Hawki. For more information or assistance with an application, contact the VNA Hawki Outreach Coordinator at (563) 556-6200.

You may also visit the Hawki website at hhs.iowa.gov/hawki or call Hawki Services at 1-800-257-8563.

Iowa's system for providing early intervention services. It is available to infants and toddlers from birth to age three who have a condition known to cause developmental delays if early intervention services are not provided or who are showing a developmental delay in one or more areas of development.

Offers health education and food supplement program for prenatal, postpartum and children zero to five years income eligible.

Service provided in Clayton, Allamakee, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.

Offers nurse to assist with education of child care staff in daycare centers and implement QRS (Quality Rating System).

• Home Care Aide and Homemaker Service - Supportive Services, including assistance with personal cares and homemaking to low income elderly and dependent clients in their homes.
• Adult Health Maintenance - Nursing care for medically needy individuals with stable chronic conditions who are no longer eligible for Medicare home care coverage but can be maintained at home with intermittent nursing visits.
• Foot Care Clinics - Nurses provide basic nail care, health assessments, teaching and referrals for seniors who need assistance with foot care.

Adult immunization programs including vaccination for influenza, tetanus and Hepatitis B and tuberculosis skin testing.

Home and phone visits, epidemiology client education, assistance with access to medical treatment and monitoring of medication treatment regime.

The 1st Five Program works with medical providers to promote developmental screenings as recommended by the AAP and Medicaid EPSDT Program. For families, 1st Five staff at the VNA provide care coordination to children referred by their primary care provider and assist in connecting them to early intervention services and other community resources.

Service area includes the following counties:

• Dubuque
• Clayton
• Fayette
• Delaware
• Howard
• Chickasaw
• Winneshiek
• Allamakee

Learn more by contacting the 1st Five Coordinator at (563) 556-6200 or by visiting https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/family-health/1st-five.

Offers Iowa residents ages 12 through 54 family planning services so they can start a family when they are ready, protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases, and make healthy choices for a better life.

Counties served by VNA include:

• Allamakee
• Chickasaw
• Clayton
• Delaware
• Dubuque
• Fayette
• Howard
• Winneshiek

To learn more, contact VNA’s Family Planning Coordinator at (563) 245-1145.

Disclaimer: This project is supported by the Office of Population Affairs of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $109,629 with 100 percent funded by OASH. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OASH or the U.S. Government.

We offer many services to help both women and men keep themselves healthy and make informed decisions about their sexual health, birth control options and pregnancy.

Services We Offer:

• Gynecology
  • Contraception
  • Abnormal pap smear evaluation and treatment
  • Gynecological problem diagnosis and treatment
  • Menopausal evaluation and treatment
  • Premenstrual syndrome evaluation and treatment
  • Urinary tract and vaginal infection evaluation and treatment

• Family Planning & Reproductive Health
  Our advanced registered nurse practitioners are all skilled in providing preventive healthcare and patient education to meet the specific needs of each individual. They encourage their clients to be active participants in their own health care with a collaborative approach that respects each individual's needs and allows time for clients to ask questions, describe concerns and become involved in healthcare decisions.
  
  

STI Testing & Treatment
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are so common that more than half of all sexually active adults will have become infected by the age of 25. STIs can be serious illnesses that do not go away unless they are treated.

Many people who have an STI in their body don't know they're infected. There is no single test that can check for every STI, but we'll help you decide if you should be tested; when you should be tested; what type of tests you may need to have; and how much (if anything) the test will cost. STI testing for everyone, including teens, is confidential.

Most STIs can be treated with antibiotics. Don't let fear, embarrassment or lack of insurance keep you from getting diagnosed and treated.

We offer testing and treatment for illnesses including:

• Chlamydia
• Genital Herpes
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B
• Human Papillomavirus/Genital Warts
• Syphilis

To schedule your STI test, call (563) 245-1145.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will they accept my insurance?
  We accept most major forms of insurance, including Medicaid.

• What if I don't have insurance?
  No one is turned away for inability to pay. We are a Title X-Family Planning funded delegate of the Iowa Department of Public Health (supported in part by Title X contract #PHTHMRH25413). For answers to your health questions, please contact us at (563) 245-1145.

• How do I make an appointment?
  You can call (563) 245-1145 to schedule.

• How long will my appointment last?
  Most patients are in and out of our office in about an hour.

• What do I need to bring to my appointment?
  We can help patients with no insurance or low income apply for programs to help cover the cost of an exam and birth control. To apply for help, bring with you the following information:
  
  • Photo ID
  • Birth certificate
  • Social Security number
  • Verification of all income received for the past 30 days, including any wages, child support, unemployment, disability, etc.
  • If you have insurance, bring your card along. You may still qualify for financial help.
    
    • What if I don't have all of this information with me on the day of my appointment?
      Keep your appointment. Don't cancel just because you can't find a piece of paper. You will have time after your appointment to send in any information you don't have with you the day of your appointment.
• Can I have a female healthcare provider for my exam?
  Yes. In fact, all our staff are women.

• Can I come in without my parents?
  Yes. In Iowa, minors (teens) are not required to have parental permission for family planning services, including pregnancy testing, and testing for sexually transmitted infections. Your privacy is important to us. We don't want you to avoid scheduling a visit because you're worried about someone finding out. Even if you're under 18, you can still trust us to help you confidentially. The information you give your healthcare providers, and the details of your visit are completely confidential. This means we won't tell anyone anything – unless there's an emergency.
  
  • Together for Youth & Young Parents Together
    Making decisions regarding your sexual health will be some of the most important decisions you will ever make. A resource you may find helpful is Together for Youth and Young Parents Together.
    • Together for Youth believes young people can make healthy, safe and responsible choices when they are given knowledge, skills and access to services
    • Young Parents Together is an adolescent parent education and support program designed collaboratively and specifically for pregnant and parenting teens

• How do I get my results?
  You can create a profile with MyUnityPoint which allows you to access test results, chart notes, send and receive messages with your care team and request medication refills.

• Can I get emergency contraception ("morning after pill")?
  Yes. You can also get emergency contraception, without a prescription, from a local pharmacy. You have up to five days after having sex to start taking emergency contraception.

• Where can I get free condoms?
  You can always get condoms for FREE! You can also buy them online for discreet delivery.
  • www.bedsider.org/birth-control/condom
  • www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness

• What is the Title X Program?
The Family Planning Title X program was created to provide affordable birth control and reproductive health care to people who could not afford these services on their own.

Federal Title X funding was intended to ensure that everyone has access to basic, preventive reproductive health care. Services provided include contraceptive education and management, breast and cervical cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy diagnosis and counseling. Title X services do not include termination of pregnancy as a method of family planning.

Learn more at Together For Youth.

• Who can I call with questions about my bill?
  We will try to help in any way we can. Call our office if you have questions about billing, funding or your insurance at (563) 245-1145.

Iowa’s Healthy Pregnancy Program is a FREE service available statewide and provides education and support to pregnant and postpartum women. Healthy Pregnancy Program services are extra services clients receive beyond what is include in prenatal care.

Services include but are not limited to:

• Pregnancy testing
• Identification of pregnancy risk factors
• Promotion of healthy lifestyles
• Community resources
• Home visits
• Insurance applications
• Tobacco cessation referral

Counties included in service area:

• Allamakee
• Chickasaw
• Clayton
• Delaware
• Dubuque
• Fayette
• Howard
• Winneshiek

Offers health education and food supplement program for prenatal, postpartum and children zero to five years income eligible.

Service provided in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.