LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Provides information to patients from periodicals, pamphlets and reference works covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.

On Monday, July 6, 2020, the Columbia City Council passed a mask ordinance in a 6-1 emergency vote. Under the ordinance, everyone 10 years of age and older that is within Columbia city limits will be required to wear a mask when around people who are not household members. The ordinance goes into effect on Friday, July 10 at 5 p.m. This ordinance is in place for 90 days unless otherwise rescinded or extended.
Mask Ordinance FAQ
Ordinance No. 024284
Press Release

Case Counts & Statistics

• Boone County, MO COVID-19 Information Hub
  A clearinghouse of up to date COVID-19 case counts, statistics and hospital status for Boone County.
• Callaway County COVID-19 Update
  A joint effort by Callaway County and the City of Fulton to keep Callaway County citizens informed about COVID-19, including regular updates on case numbers.
• Columbia Public Schools 14-Day Tracker Information
  Tracks the 14-day case rate per 10,000 people in the portions of Boone County served by Columbia Public Schools. This is a significant benchmark Columbia Public Schools is using to determine changes to in-person learning.
• Coronavirus Tracker
  Resource for accurate and updated numbers on this global pandemic.
• Maps & Visuals
  A collection of links to different maps and data visualizations of the evolving pandemic from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
• Missouri COVID-19 Dashboard
  Statewide COVID-19 information for Missouri- Definitions, statistics, case counts, hospital status and other up to date information can be found here.
• Student cases at Mizzou
  Source for the number of MU students who test positive for COVID-19. Figures are updated on a weekly basis.

General Information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  Information from the leading national public health institute of the United States.
• Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services
  Up-to-date information on emergency preparedness and downloadable signs for workplaces and schools.
• How to “Flatten the Curve”
  Excellent explainer from the Washington Post about how social distancing can slow the spread of the coronavirus.
• Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
  Missouri news related to the outbreak and a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19 (the disease caused by the novel coronavirus). Call the hotline at 877-435-8411.
• The Path to Zero: Key Metrics for COVID Suppression
  A collaboration of top scientists at institutions around the country, lead by the Harvard Global Health Institute, who have joined forces to create a unified set of metrics for the coronavirus pandemic, including a shared definition of risk levels — and tools for communities to fight the virus.
• Reopening Metrics from Propublica
  The nonprofit, investigative journalism organization Propublica created this tool to track the trajectory of cases in each state. The tracking metrics are derived from a set of guidelines published by the White House for states to achieve before loosening restrictions.
• World Health Organization
  Health topic page from the World Health Organization (WHO), an agency of the United Nations that focuses on world public health. Includes a “myth busters” page that addresses COVID-19 rumors.
• Your pets and COVID-19
  Information on the health and welfare of domestic animals, including pets, during the COVID-19 pandemic from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Medical Advice & Help

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Hotline: 877-435-8411
  The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Boone Hospital Center Coronavirus (COVID-19) Page
  Information on screening and testing through Boone Hospital Center.
• MU Health Care Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Page
  Information about what to do if you’re sick and how to get tested through MU Health Care.

Information for Parents & Child Care Providers

• Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus
  A kid-friendly comic explaining the facts about the coronavirus and tips for prevention from NPR
• Resources for K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs From the CDC
• Talking to Children About COVID-19
  A parent resource from the National Association of School Psychologists

Assistance

• Ameren Missouri COVID-19 Clean Slate Program
  Multiple community partners and agencies will participate in administering this program and determining income eligibility. Once the agency determines your eligibility, the program can help you clear the remaining balance on your account after you make a down payment of 25% of your current balance owed.
• COMO Crisis Shelter
  The temporary website for Columbia, Missouri’s Covid-19 Crisis Shelter for the unhoused. There are opportunities to volunteer or donate supplies.
• CoMoHelps
  CoMoHelps is a joint effort of Heart of Missouri United Way, City of Columbia, Boone County and Community Foundation of Central Missouri, offering assistance to those who are struggling in the COVID-19 pandemic and to those who wish to help.
• COVID-19 FAQs for Businesses and Workers
  Coronavirus information from the Missouri Department of Labor. Includes information about unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation and discrimination.
• Get Help (COVID-19)
  The City of Columbia and Boone County are coordinating the community’s mass care and human services response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here you can find up to date information about social service and healthcare resources for residents of Boone County.
• Mental Health for Essential Workers
  Boone County residents who are teachers, childcare providers, caseworkers, social workers, counselors, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who are in the healing field and dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for no-cost mental health services through HeartSpace Clinic. funded through the Boone County Community Health & Medical Fund.
• Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
  COVID-19 resources from the Small Business Administration.
• Student Loan Forbearance
  To provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency, federal student loan borrowers can be placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payment.
• Tax Relief
  Special section of the IRS website focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.

Affordable Care Act & the Health Insurance Marketplace

• HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov
  The federal government’s hub for health law information, including the Health Insurance Marketplace.
• Cover Missouri
  A project of the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) to promote quality, affordable health coverage for every Missourian, including guidance for Missourians exploring options for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Medical Information

• Consumer Health Complete
  Provides content from periodicals, pamphlets and reference works covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.
• MEDLINE
  Provides authoritative citations from over 5,400 journals on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system and much more.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Provides information on everything from health conditions and emergency preparedness to travelers’ health.
• Healthfinder.gov
  Find government and nonprofit medical and health services.
• Health Literacy Media
  HLM aims to bridge the gap between complexity, understanding, and action by building and operating programs that embrace health literacy best practices. 
• KidsHealth
  A wide array of topics about medical, emotional and developmental issues for children, parents and teens.
• MedlinePlus
  Authoritative information from the National Institutes of Health.
• Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services

Alternative Medicine

• Consumer Health Complete
  Search for articles about complementary, holistic and integrated approaches to health care and wellness.
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Drug Information

• Missouri Rx Plan
  MoRx is Missouri’s State Pharmacy Assistance Program created to coordinate benefits with Medicare’s (Part D) Prescription Drug Program.
• National Institutes of Health Drug Information Portal
  Provides links to MedlinePlus drug information as well as to scientific journals, clinical trials, etc.
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance
  Offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs.
• Dapoxetine Online Laboratories
  Helps qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through public or private programs.

Organizations

• American Cancer Society
• American Diabetes Association
• American Heart Association
• American Red Cross – Mid-Missouri Chapter
• Arthritis Foundation – Eastern Missouri  Chapter
• Easterseals Midwest
• United Way Missouri 2-1-1
  2-1-1 is a fast, free and confidential way to find info for many local social services.

Local Medical Facilities

Boone County

• Boone Hospital Center
• Cancer Research Center
• Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services
• Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
• Family Health Center
• Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
• MedZou Community Health Clinic – serves patients without insurance
• Rusk Rehabilitation Center
• University of Missouri Health Care
  • MU Hospital Medical Access Videos (available in 8 different languages)- Family Health Center and South Providence Medical Park
  • MU Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Callaway County

• Callaway County Health Department
• Fulton Medical Center

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace is a website created as part of the Affordable Care Act where you can compare health insurance plans and buy the plan that is right for you. Here you can shop for plans, compare options, see if you qualify for financial assistance and enroll for coverage. The Open Enrollment Period for 2021 coverage is November 1, 2020 to December 15, 2020. In some cases (loss of coverage, major life event), you may be qualified for a Special Enrollment Period.

How to Enroll Online

• Open enrollment begins November 1.
• Visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov
• Create an account
• Fill out the application. You will need:
  • Address
  • Name, birth dates, age and Social Security Number for anyone applying
  • Income information for anyone applying
  • Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering household members
  • Information about any employer-offered coverage, even if you have opted out
• Compare plan options
• Pick the plan that best meets your needs

Other Ways to Enroll

• By phone at 1-800-318-2596
• By mail: printable form and instructions.
• In person with the help of trained staff. See “Getting Help” below or visit localhelp.healthcare.gov to find a location near you.

Getting Help

Get help from local organizations’ trained staff who can answer questions and help you fill out your application.

At Library Locations

Primaris Foundation, the organization that has coordinated in-person help at both our Columbia and Callaway library branches during the fall/winter, do not have the volunteer or staff capacity to offer in-person sign-up help at our libraries this year due to COVID-19.

• Mid-Missouri: 573-817-8338
• Throughout Missouri, contact Cover Missouri: 800-466-3213

Boone County

• Aging Best
  1121 Business Loop 70 East, Suite 2A, Columbia, MO
  Call 573-443-5823 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance. Persons do not need to be 60 and older. This service is open to all uninsured individuals and families.
• Central Missouri Community Action
  Call 573-443-8706 toll free for assistance.
• Family Health Center
  1001 W. Worley, Columbia, MO
  Call 573-214-2314 or  877-677-4342 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance.
• Missouri Kidney Program
  2800 Maguire Blvd. Suite B110, Columbia, MO
  Call 573-882-2506 or 800-733-7345 to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance.
• Primaris Foundation
  4215 Philips Farm Road, Ste. 101-A, Columbia, MO
  Call (573) 817-8300 or (800) 735-6776 to schedule individual assistance.
• Spectrum Health Care
  1123 Wilkes Boulevard, Suite 100, Columbia, MO
  Call 573-875-8687 to schedule individual assistance.

Callaway County

• Community Health Center of Central Missouri
  561 Commons Drive, Fulton, MO
  Call (573) 632-2777 for assistance.

Forms and More Information

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  A comprehensive selection of health insurance marketplace resources from CMS.gov.
• Cover Missouri
  A project of the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) to promote quality, affordable health coverage for every Missourian, including guidance for Missourians exploring options for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
• Kaiser Family Foundation
  Healthcare reform information and resources from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
• The Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace for Individuals – Fact Sheets – from covermissouri.org
• Frequently Asked Questions from covermissouri.org
• Health Insurance Marketplace information for other states.
• About Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace
  If you are currently enrolled in the Medicare program, you are already covered under a health insurance program and WILL NOT be required to participate in the new program.

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Provides authoritative citations from over 4,800 journals on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system and much more.

Crisis Hotlines

• Mental Health Crisis Hotline (Burrell Behavioral Health)
  1-800-395-2132
• Mid-Missouri Crisis Line
  1-888-761-4357
  Columbia: 573-445-5035
• Suicide Prevention Hotline
  1-800-273-8255
• Vet2Vet: Veteran’s Crisis Hotline
  1-800-273-8255
• United Way 211
  From a cell phone dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-427-4626

Select Reading Lists & Library Resources

• Consumer Health Complete
  Provides content from periodicals, pamphlets and reference works covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.
• Mental Health To-Go Kits

Evaluation, Counseling & Treatment

• Arthur Center
  Provides outpatient behavioral health services and crisis intervention for youth and adults of east central Missouri (including Callaway County).
• Burrell Behavioral Health
  Burrell is a private, not for profit organization that provides a wide range of mental health services for individuals and families.
• Compass Health Network
  Not-for-profit center serving 45 Missouri counties that provides a full continuum of behavioral health services and supports.
• Family Counseling Center of Missouri, Inc.
  Not-for-profit mental health service organization with both outpatient clinics and residential treatment centers in mid-Missouri.
• Fulton State Hospital
  A regional long-term adult inpatient facility serving 31 counties in central and northern Missouri and providing “Maximum Security and Intermediate Security Forensic mental health services for the entire state of Missouri.”
• Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
  Find information on Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), counseling and other support services for veterans, families and caregivers.
• Missouri Psychiatric Center (Formerly Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center)
  Treatment services for “adults, adolescents, children and their families who are in crisis or who need a comprehensive diagnosis evaluation in an inpatient setting.”
• New Horizons
  Not-for-profit mental health program providing adult psychiatric services, assistance with medication, drop-in rehabilitation, structured substance abuse treatment programs and support for transition from homelessness.
• Phoenix Programs, Inc.
  A behavioral health center focusing on individuals and their families who seek long term recovery from substance use disorders and enhancement of mental and physical wellness. Programs include residential treatment for adult men and outpatient treatment for men, women and adolescents.
• University of Missouri Psychological Services Clinic
  Through the university’s Department of Psychological Services, the clinic provides outpatient counseling and therapy for children and adults in the Columbia area.

Local Resources & Support Organizations

• Mental Health First Aid Training Program – Missouri Dept. of Mental Health
  A program designed to teach basic first aid interventions for common mental health problems (anxiety, depression, substance abuse, etc.) or crisis situations (suicidal behavior, drug overdose and the like).
• Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare
  Provides a complete listing of community mental health centers and alcohol and drug abuse treatment agencies in the state.
• Missouri Dept. of Mental Health
  The Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) “is responsible for assuring the availability of prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals and families requiring public mental health services throughout the State of Missouri.”
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Columbia
  NAMI is dedicated to “improving the lives not just of individuals with mental illness, but of the entire family” and locally provides support group meetings and education services.

National Resources & Information

• American Psychological Association (APA)
  Search by topic to find information on disorders, treatment and resources.
• AllPsych – DSMV-IV
  Provides authoritative definitions and diagnosis of mental disorders.
• Mental Health America
  A non-profit organization working to inform, advocate and enable access to quality behavioral health services for all Americans.
• MindFreedom International
  A non-profit, advocacy organization critical of the psychiatric drug industry.
• National Institute of Mental Health
  Information, reports and updates on treatment from government and privately funded research. Includes information on clinical trials, medications and statistics with many printable publications and fact sheets on frequently asked questions.
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
  Government agency providing mental health publications, data, a service locator and links to help hotlines.