By Hillary Wicai, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – St. Louis' growing Bosnian population has a new tool for those who find the U.S. health care system confusing. A new language-specific Audio Guide CD helps explain health insurance, what to expect at a doctor's office and other health issues.
Mercy Health Plans' Samantha Fenner says there are about 40,000 Bosnians in St. Louis and her company will offer the CD at a health fair Monday morning.
"We felt that it was really important to arm families with information; to empower them to make good medical decision for themselves and their children," Fenner said.
The CD will also be available in Spanish and Vietnamese.
Fenner also says she believes this is a first of its kind in the health care field.
"I went out and did a search on the internet just trying to find a place to start and there wasn't anything. This is the first time that anyone's attempted to do this for folks who don't speak English as their primary language."
The project was 2 years in the making and will be offered at a health fair at the St. John's Mercy Neighborhood Health Center at 3846 Ohio (near Chippewa), in south St. Louis city.