Health center changing its billing service; Superintendent OKs contract for driver education; more

Health center changing its billing services

Jefferson County Health Center has teamed with Med Pay Management Systems in Moline, Ill., beginning Sept. 1, to provide enhanced billing services to patients.

Health center officials say teaming with Med Pay is an attempt to provide greater clarity to its statements.

It also will provide expanded office hours allowing more timely resolution to patients billing questions. Patients will be able to contact Med Pay for billing assistance from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Med Pay, as an extension of the Jefferson County Health Center?s business office, can be reached by dialing 800-654-2780.

Med Pay will offer on-line credit card payment, e-pay and e-statements.

Superintendent OKs contract for driver education

Fairfield Community School District Superintendent Art Sathoff approved a contract for driver education services Wednesday afternoon.

Sathoff said the contract is with Drive Quest LLC of Ottumwa.

The tuition for sessions this year will be $350, and a registration form for students interested in taking driver?s ed. will be available by next week in the Fairfield High School office, Sathoff added.

The contract is to be presented to the Fairfield school board at its Sept. 19 meeting.

A driver?s ed. class was set to begin Monday through Auto Right Driving School under a contract approved by the school board Aug. 16. But the district opted out of the contract after Auto Right?s former owner, Fred Bindner, was charged with providing alcohol to minors in Coralville during driving time June 27.

Sathoff said the district was unaware of the incident or charges when the contract was negotiated and approved. The fee would have been $350, with a $25 surcharge if gas prices rose above $4 per gallon.

Bindner is no longer with the Auto Right company, according to business manager and spokesman Ryan Turner.

Bindner is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 1.

FHS seeking donations for PE

The Fairfield High School is seeking donations of gently used athletic shorts for its physical education program.

For the past several years, students have had the opportunity to borrow PE clothes when they forget their own. The program has almost eliminated the failure of students who consistently forget to bring their clothes.

This fall, the program is need of men?s and women?s athletic shorts in all sizes. There are no color restrictions. The shorts should not be revealing and should not have any inappropriate print on them, but most athletic shorts are acceptable. Anyone who has gently used shorts to donate can contact FHS teacher Staci Wright at 472-2059 ext. 261 or drop off donations in the FHS office.

Jefferson County under burn ban

A burn ban in Jefferson County will continue until further notice.

Fairfield Fire Chief Scott Vaughan said absolutely no outside burning is allowed.