English
SpanishThe CEC Health Center, a Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid (CEC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)* that provides integrated healthcare services at its Bethpage, Hauppauge and now Glen Cove locations. We provide care with excellence and compassion to historically underserved community members with limited incomes including those with autism, learning and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health concerns.
CEC recently merged with the Melillo Center for Mental Health in Glen Cove, a health center with over 40 years of experience serving the community in the heart of Glen Cove. Renamed CEC at Glen Cove, a Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid will continue to provide supports that include mental health clinic, outpatient chemical dependency outpatient services, assertive community treatment (ACT), supervised community residences, supported housing and respite housing.
Recent Blog Posts From Our Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid
Natural Methods of Boosting your Immune System
Now more than ever, it’s important to have a healthy immune system. What many people don’t know is there are tons of ways to provide a boost to your immune system that are completely natural and good for the body. Many of these methods are so simple that you can implement them today! However, if you do fall ill, visit the CEC Health Center, home to the best Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid. Using the following tips will help keep you and your family healthy!
Getting Enough Sleep
Several studies have shown that sleep and immunity have quite a strong correlation. A study of 164 adults found that those who got less than six hours of sleep a night were more likely to catch a cold than those who got more than six hours of sleep. In general, you should shoot for at least seven hours of sleep, giving your body a chance to recharge and rejuvenate. If you have a hard time falling asleep, try to limit your exposure to blue light (the light from your phone, computer, or TV), as it can disrupt your wake/sleep cycle.
Exercise
Unsurprisingly, exercising regularly improves your overall health, including strengthening your immune system. Engaging in about two and a half hours of moderate exercise (brisk walking, riding a bike, a light jog) per week can have tremendous benefits on your immune system. A recent study found that those who engage in moderate exercise just once a week receive a boost to the effectiveness of their vaccines. Although it may seem simple, just going for a walk is one of the best ways to get exercise and decrease stress simultaneously, and walking for just about 20 minutes a day can make a difference in improving your immune system. Exercise also releases endorphins, which help lower stress levels and pain while increasing happiness. In general, being more active tends to be correlated with reaping more health benefits, so try to do as much physical activity as possible! However, there is such a thing as too much exercise. If you feel extremely burnt out or exhausted, our Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid recommends it may be time to tone it down a notch, as being worn down can make your immune system more vulnerable.
Diet
What you put into your body has a tremendous impact on the effectiveness of your immune system. It is important to eat as clean as possible and to maximize the number of nutrients your body absorbs. For starters, you should try to drink more water, as although it doesn’t fight off bacteria or flush out illness, being dehydrated increases your chances of falling ill. Secondly, try to eat more healthy fats, which tend to reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation hinders your immune system, making eating more healthy fats a good way to balance out your diet.
Additionally, try to eat whole plants, whether they be fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes. These foods are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber. Antioxidants specifically help combat inflammation, while vitamin C has been shown to decrease the duration of the common cold, among other benefits. Lastly, limiting your intake of added sugars has numerous benefits, and one study found that those with obesity (which sugar can play a key role in causing) are twice as likely to get the flu than those without it when both parties are vaccinated. Cutting sugar also makes weight loss far easier, promoting general health as well. The following is a list of healthy foods our Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid recommends you should try to incorporate into your diet to boost your immune system.
- Salmon
- Chia Seeds
- Almonds
- Yogurt
- Citrus Fruits
- Broccoli
- Red Bell Peppers
- Spinach
- Garlic
Managing Stress and Anxiety
Those who are stressed out for long periods of time tend to have an increased risk of inflammation, which makes you more susceptible to illness. Managing your stress by meditating, practicing yoga, keeping a journal, or exercising can help ensure that your immune system is working at an optimal level. Additionally, these activities will help you to think more clearly and feel more at peace as you go through your day. Keeping a positive mindset is also very important for decreasing stress and anxiety, and having positive thoughts is shown to improve resilience to the common cold and the flu.
Seeking a Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid?
Here at the CEC Health Center, we care deeply about the health and well-being of our patients. Hopefully, these tips and tricks can help keep you happy and healthy during these trying times. If you are seeking a Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid and would like to learn more about our practice or schedule an appointment contact us! To learn more about insurance/payment options, click here!
The Importance Of Preventative Care
As we age, it becomes easy to cut corners when it comes to our health. However, the importance of visiting your physician once per year or more as directed cannot be understated. At CEC Health Center, we are a Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid committed to providing excellent and affordable care to the traditionally underserved members of the community. We emphasize the importance of preventative medicine to help our patients live long and healthy lives.
Types Of Routine Exams:
Many aspects go into a person’s health. As a multidisciplinary healthcare facility, our team understands this better than most. This is why CEC Health Center is committed to providing our patients access to the vital medical examinations needed to keep them healthy. Below are a few examples of the routine exams we offer, and what the practitioner does during them to allow for preventative care to be administered.
Physical Exam:
- Take a brief look at your medical history and lifestyle behaviors.
- Check your vitals, which include your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
- Perform heart and lung exams.
- Administer various other health-related tests.
Dental Exam/Cleaning:
- Examine your tongue, gums, cheeks, and teeth.
- Perform X-rays to determine any misalignment issues or impacted teeth.
- Call-out any cavities and schedule an appointment to have them filled to fight against tooth decay.
- Thoroughly clean your teeth and gums to remove any plaque or tartar to prevent gum disease.
Gynecological Exam:
- Ask questions about your menstrual cycle, sexual activity, and any health changes that have occurred since your last visit.
- Perform a pap smear to check for cervical cancer, HPV, and other abnormalities.
- Administer pelvic exam to check for STDs and vaginal issues.
- Examine your reproductive organs for complications that may arise during a potential pregnancy.
A Focus On Prevention:
For any medical condition you may face, the best treatment plans will always begin with prevention. It is always one of the main goals we’ll focus on during any medical examination. After making a full evaluation of your health, we will provide medical advice and treatment for any issues that need to be resolved. Examples of advice that may be given includes:
- Eating more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods.
- Going for a thirty-minute walk each day.
- Perform strength training at least twice a week.
- Cutting back on smoking or consuming alcohol, if you do so.
- Increasing your focus on brushing and flossing your teeth.
- Visiting your medical provider more often.
Why Preventative Care Is Important:
While many people attribute illness with having unmissable symptoms, this is not always the case. For many people, symptoms for dangerous illnesses/conditions may lay dormant for weeks or months before presenting themselves. By the time of their arrival, treatment will be more difficult than it would have been if caught earlier. That is why you must always focus on scheduling and attending routine medical exams. By doing so, our Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid can catch ailments before they reach a serious state. Early detection allows our doctors to offer swift treatment, and provide advice on making changes to your lifestyle that prevents illnesses from reoccurring.
Preventing The Flu
With flu season in full swing, you must monitor you, and your loved ones, for symptoms of the flu virus. The flu can be extremely contagious, and when left untreated, more serious complications may arise. At CEC Health Center, our Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid is committed to keeping our patients healthy throughout the year. Here is some helpful advice on how to avoid the flu!
Strains Of The Flu:
When trying to protect yourself from the flu, you must first understand that there is more than one strain of this virus. According to the CDC, there are three types of influenza viruses that affect humans, types A, B, and C. Types A and B are what cause the seasonal epidemic known as “flu season” each year. Types C tends to cause milder issues than A and B and is not thought to have an epidemic effect on the population. To break it down further, Types A and B then get classified into a variety of subsets and strains, meaning there are many different iterations of the flu. Though each strain causes issues each year, the CDC predicts which one will be most prevalent on an annual basis, which ties into our first prevention method.
Get The Flu Shot:
As the simplest and most effective method of fighting this virus, getting the flu shot each year should be right at the top of everyone’s to-do list. This vaccination will help keep you and your loved ones safe throughout the flu season. To determine which strain(s) this vaccination covers, the CDC gathers annual surveillance data to predict which ones are most likely to circulate throughout the “flu season.”
Wash Your Hands Often:
Another easy way to prevent the flu is to focus on consistently washing your hands. Due to its contagious nature, areas like handrails and doorknobs can be high-risk areas for contracting the flu. Something as simple as washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds throughout the day can be enough to keep your hands free of the virus, reducing your chances of exposure.
Limit Your Time Spent Around Sick People:
No matter the time of year, staying away from people with the flu until they are no longer contagious is always recommended. If, for some reason, you’re required to be around someone who is sick, abstain from physical contact with them. Handshakes and hugs should be avoided.
Stick To A Healthy Routine:
Although healthy habits are no guarantee you will not get the flu, giving your body the best starting point can help you to avoid getting sick. For the best results, make sure you are doing the following:
- Receiving adequate rest.
- Making time to exercise.
- Keeping allergies under control.
- Eating nutritious foods.
Don’t let the flu ruin your 2020! If you are looking for more ways to avoid this virus, or want to receive treatment fast, contact us today. At CEC Health Center, our Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid is here to help you fight the flu by offering immunization for the virus, medication (if applicable) and our helpful advice. Visit our website, or give us a call at (516) 622-8888 to learn more and to set up an appointment.
Why CEC Health Center?
CEC provides a team-based approach by putting the patient at the center of their care. Using the highest standard of medical care we give the patients the tools they need to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
CEC Board Certified physicians provide more than healthcare, they provide life care.
Insurance & Payment
CEC accepts Medicare, Medicaid and all Medicaid Managed Care Plans and Commercial Insurance with out-of-network benefits. A sliding fee scale is available. For more information please contact our office at (516) 622-8888.
Office Hours & Locations
Nassau County
857 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, NY 11714
(516) 622-8888 Press 1
Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Glen Cove
113 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Cove, NY 11542
(516) 622-8888 Press 3
Suffolk County
305 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788
(516) 622-8888 Press 2
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Chemical Dependency Clinic
Monday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Mental Health Clinic
Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
About Our Family Medicine Doctor in Freeport That Accepts Medicaid
The CEC Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)* that provides integrated healthcare services at its Bethpage, Hauppauge and now Glen Cove locations. We provide care with excellence and compassion to historically underserved community members with limited incomes including those with autism, learning and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health concerns.
We focus on preventative healthcare to ensure healthy lifestyles and to minimize trips to hospital emergency rooms. CEC services are available to all community members and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care, and private insurance plans.
Our physicians and support staff are bi-lingual in English and Spanish and other interpreters are provided according to need.
The specific services offered at the CEC Health Center include:
- Adult and Pediatric Medicine
- Dental
- Women’s Health (Gynecololgy)
- Behavioral Health (Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Services)
- Neurology
- Podiatry
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
- Mental Health Housing
- Case Management
- Transportation
CEC recently merged with the Melillo Center for Mental Health in Glen Cove, a health center with over 40 years of experience serving the community in the heart of Glen Cove. Renamed CEC at Glen Cove, the Center will continue to provide supports that include mental health clinic, outpatient chemical dependency outpatient services, assertive community treatment (ACT), supervised community residences, supported housing and respite housing.
The CEC Health Center is licensed by the NYS Department of Health, the NYS Office of Mental Health and the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports and is supported by Nassau County Department of Human Services.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) the CEC Health Center is a sub-recipient of Hudson River Health Care.
For patients who find that visiting the doctor or dentist can be a fear and anxiety-producing experience, CEC has created Social Scripts to help prepare for your next visit. Select the appropriate visit from the list below to see what you can expect to see on your next scheduled appointment.
Social Story for Medical Appointments (Adults)
Social Story for Dental Appointments (Adults)
Social Story for Mental Health Patients (Adults)
Social Story for Doctor Appointments (Pediatric)
Social Story for Dental Appointments (Pediatric)
Donate
To make a donation to CEC Health Center, please call (516) 822-0028, Press 1