Local physicians to schedule free sports physicals

Local physicians will offer free school sports physicals from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 at St. Luke's Clinic Trinity Mountain, located at 465 McKenna Drive in Mountain Home.

Organized by St. Luke's Elmore Center for Community Health, this year's event is open to students in grades 6 to 12 who are required to have a sports physical prior to participating in school sports programs.

Sports physicals are provided on a walk-in, first-come basis. Also known as a pre-participation physical examination, these appointments help determine whether it's safe for students to participate in a particular sport.

The sports physical clinic is scheduled each year to help those who don't have a family doctor, are uninsured or have not been able to get in to see their regular doctor. Students with a family physician are encouraged to see their regular doctor, if possible, for a more complete exam to ensure their overall health, medical officials said.

Medical providers attending the clinic include those from St. Luke's Clinic Trinity Mountain, St. Luke's Clinic Family Medicine and Glenns Ferry Health Center Inc.

A parent or guardian should accompany students to these appointments. In addition to bringing the student's most recent immunization records and a current list of any medications they are taking, they also need to submit a signed copy of the sports physical form the day of the exam.

Parents can pre-sign the consent portion of the physical exam form online at http://goo.gl/45NHBi.

During the clinic, representatives from the Central District Health Department will provide immunization record assessments and administer age-appropriate childhood vaccines. The student's vaccination status will not impact their eligibility to play sports and serves as an opportunity to vaccinate students and remind parents of recommended vaccines, medical officials said.

There is a $20.13 per vaccine administrative fee, payable to CDHD, for students needing immunizations. Central District Health will bill a student's insurance or Medicaid for these fees.

If the student is uninsured, they may be billed directly. However, CDHD offers a sliding fee scale, and no one will be denied vaccination due to inability to pay. For more information regarding available vaccinations, call the district health office at 580-6001.

For details on the sports clinic, call the Center for Community Health at 587-8401, extension 261.