Premarin Pandemonium Prices!

Premarin Vaginal Cream is at an all time high of $379. Insulin is at all time high of unaffordable over $100 per bottle for most people who need it.  Do no harm is the medical mantra yet harm is done each time a person has to even think about buying medication.  Unaffordable prices is hardly the answer to this deceptive dilemma. Stay in the best health you can to prevent medication dependence.  Prevention and early intervention are essential to great health.  Seek alternatives to help you heal and stay well.  

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest patients in the care of the main frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. -Thomas Edison

Best health!


Integrate Medical Treatments
https://mypatienthandbook.blogspot.com/2017/03/medical-treatments-for-your-good-health.html

Money and Your Medication 

https://mypatienthandbook.blogspot.com/2016/09/money-and-your-medication.html

More Money Saving Medical Tips

Save Your Money on Your Health

Saving money is healthy and good way to promote good health and wellness. Health prices are escalating more rapidly than prices of other services right now.  There are some things you can do to help avert financial stress. This can include:

·       Shop around for best care and prices.  Your insurance company may cover a diagnostic test with partial payment. This may be higher than the actual charge if you pay yourself.  Call places in your area that offer the same test to check for prices that are cheaper and fit your budget.  If your health insurance deductible is a hefty $6,000 or more, this may fail to be attained.  Paying out of pocket may come out less expensive than $6,000.

·       Cook at home.  Home cooked meals are healthier and cheaper.  You can get more meals from unprepared and uncooked grocery items.  The average cost of one restaurant meal without drinks is about $30.  The grocery equivalent would be two or more good, healthy meals cooked to your taste and perfection.

·       Use cheaper non-prescription medication.  There are many over the counter medication that can do the same as more expensive, newer drugs.  Many of these were prescription medication at one time.  They may be safer as well since they have been in use for a longer time, and been proven effective.

·       Exercise at home.  Create your own exercise plan.  Use exercises you learned in school physical education classes.  Simple stretching, arm rolls, jumping jacks, deep knee bends, sit-ups, and more.  Walking and running on land or in the pool are good aerobic activities.  Exercise can also be done in bed and in a chair.

·       Read more.  The cost to read is better health, more knowledge, and more information of your choice.  The actual cost of reading material can be as free as you make it using the library and Internet.

·       Develop a home entertainment program.  Your choices of your interests have proven to be healthier.  There is less stress over programs and their content.  If it must include television, make your own library with your preferred DVDs and TV sticks that attach to the television.  This works on your schedule. It is free of thoughtless commercial time, unpleasant images, and loud opinions that take away from a program’s content.  Cutting the cable cord can be healthy and good for wellness as well as a big money saver.

·       Take more staycation.  Vacations at home and nearer to home can be much healthier, cheaper, and less stressful.

·       Try to buy mainly that which is necessary leaving the desired for another time when extra money is available.  Reward yourself every now and then, but stay within your means.

·       Save consistently.

For more ways to save money check out “10 Money Saving Medical Tips” http://bit.ly/1Gt4f8I .  Best health!

HEALTH INSURANCE PRICES RISING

Your health insurance price is going higher.  Since July 2015 there have been reports of health insurance premiums rising in 2016.   Prices have risen by 25 per cent or more with many health insurance plans.  It may actually be cheaper to be uninsured especially if you are healthy and stay that way.  Since the Affordable Care Act took effect in 2014, insurance premiums are on the rise again.  If deductibles are included, it resembles prices of yesteryear.  The premium may be less, but adding the deductible balances out to about the same yearly amount as before the health law was passed. 

With premiums likely to rise as much as 25% again next year this could set the stage for more uninsured as patients find they may be able to do better without insurance. The 2016 yearly penalty imposed if one declines to be insured by a health plan is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child but can be no more than $2085 per family or 2.5% of family yearly taxable income.  This increased over 50% from $325 and $162.50 respectively in 2015 with total to be no more than $925 or 2% of yearly taxable income. In 2014 when the Affordable Care Act went into effect the penalty started at $95 per adult and $47.50 per child with total to be no more than $285 or 1% of yearly taxable income. 

Many are paying between $200 to over $1000/ month for “affordable” health insurance.  If health care could be attained at less than $2085 a year, could it be to your advantage to opt of health insurance coverage and pay the health premium penalty? The choice is yours to make for health coverage.  With or without it, price increases continue. Though it may appear cheaper and healthier to be uninsured it may be more risky.  One unexpected consultant visit or diagnostic test can easily exceed $2085 for the year! 

If you are without any major illnesses or chronic disease, and have a healthy genetic predisposition, do you really need health insurance?  Should you save your money in a medical fund until you need it instead of having health insurance?  There are folks doing this, and they are spending less on their medical care than the price of what health insurance would cost.  Many are able to afford their medicines (if they are taking any) and other treatments as well as routine screening tests that may be needed.  Their own health savings account is their “insurance”.  Saving enough money for your health care is difficult because health changes as unexpected health challenges arise especially with aging. 


Should you have health insurance?  Do you have enough money in your budget for health insurance and/or a health savings account? It is prudent to have some type of coverage solely because your health is so important.  Health insurance is prevention intervention as well as diagnosis and treatment coverage.   As more insurance companies focus on wellness and prevention, more services are covered at much less than what you will pay for them yourself. Health insurance benefits do seem to give you more bang for your buck and your body.
The choices for your personal health maintenance are there.  Health insurance is important like home and car insurance.  You are your most important asset.  To keep the car and house  while maintaining financial stability, you must stay in good health.  Find a plan to fit your needs medically and financially.  Even if you have health insurance, unless it's the "gold" plan you will most likely have to pay some out of pocket as well (deductibles, copays, full pays for services not covered).  Saving your health can help save your money. Best health!

Mobile Healthcare:Telemedicine Telehealth

If you could visit your doctor 24/7 how much money and time could you save?  Telemedicine healthcare makes this possible.  Telemedicine makes virtual reality a reality as real as visiting your doctor in the office.  Through your smart phone, tablet or computer you can make a doctor visit.  No travel time. No wait time. Just quality doctor time.

Telemedicine is a billion dollar business that is becoming a trend in our connected world of convenience and crucial time management.  It entails the use of electronic communications to monitor and improve a patient’s health status.  In addition to saving money for patients and all providers (including insurance companies, hospitals, clinics), there is better access for everyone. Studies have shown that overall quality of care improves as patients are given more of the attention they deserve to make their healthcare experience more beneficial. .  It is helpful for patients in remote areas with limited or no transportation and those with chronic conditions that limit their ability to make an in person office visit.   

As telehealth develops, doctors and patients will find even greater access with connectivity via personal electronic health devices and applications (apps, for short).  Telemonitoring allows patient and doctor to check and follow together such parameters as blood pressure, blood sugar, and much more in real time together.  If that noon time blood sugar is too high, your doctor can be aware and advise accordingly at the time of occurrence instead of on the next appointment in 2 weeks.  This alone saves the patient’s health as well as travel time, office visit wait time, and the money to do all of this.  It potentially avoids an emergency room visit and hospital admission. 

In addition to patient care, doctors are able to communicate in a more timely, efficient manner with other doctors and health facilities.  The CT scan you had this morning is can be viewed by your doctor within minutes after completion instead of days after. Mobile collaboration allows your doctor to discuss your health case with other healthcare professionals like specialists (in the same or different locations) to determine the plan for your care.  This can actually happen the same day a test is done!  This eliminates delays in care that could be life threatening to a patient. 

As costs for telemedicine access decrease and more insurance companies/plans reimburse, it will become the portal of choice for many patients, doctors, and other healthcare providers.  Your doctor visit time can be more about you at your convenience in your home.  Best health!

Family Health: Continuity of Your Care

Your family's health is of utmost importance.  Continuity of care is disrupted all to often due to lack of communication and follow-up.  Make sure your family members have accurate information for each person,  These suggestions will help you continue your health care communication continuous with less stress:

• call your doctor's office, testing center prior to appointment to be sure all is on time as scheduled
• reschedule appointments that are over an hour late especially if it jeopardizes your health conditions (e.g. persons with diabetes, hypertension, arthritis)
• read often on your health condition
• use email, fax, postal mail if unable to reach your doctor by phone
• get copies of your medical records and reports from all doctors you see
• contact your doctors for your test results, specialists reports if you fail to get contacted within 1 week
• tell your doctor what other doctors have told you as these reports often arrive after your visit, if at all

Best health!

Your Choice: Medication or Food?

As health care costs rise everyone is looking for ways to save and cut costs. Recent studies and polls reveal that many are foregoing their medicine for other necessities of life like food and shelter.  Patient compliance has dropped to a new low.  Patients are taking their medication as needed when their budget allows.  This means less to none on a daily basis. Many are finding this indeed saves money, and possibly affects their health outcome minimally.

As food is the sustenance of life, many are making healthier choices.  This helps their medical maladies as well.  For hypertension and diabetes proper food choices can often alleviate the need for “stronger” treatment with medication. As more patients learn about dietary management and adhere to it, they find that they can indeed save money.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are noncompliant with your medication because of the cost, or side effects that may cause other conditions requiring more medication, more money.  Be sure to get formal diet and nutrition counseling.  This will help make the right choices when you shop for food.  Contrary to popular myth, healthy food is actually affordable.  Shop smart to save your money and your health!     

No Insurance or Cash, No Medical Care

Doctors today are faced with so many issues that divert their attention from their patients. One of these is payment for services.  If a patient has no health insurance, cash or credit card, that patient will go without, or seek medical care at the ER and pay later. As physicians are faced with so many diversions like increasing patient visits and "paper work" (computer, phones, etc.) primarily associated with insurance issues, many are taking cash only.  Cash only secures immediate payment without paper pushing.  This decreases overhead as well because less staff is needed.  More doctors are finding this the preferred way to do business. 

Patients with insurance are already finding that some doctors are not taking any insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.  Why?  Reimbursement rates for their services are getting less each year thereby decreasing overall income, and profit to run their office. The overwhelming amount of “paper work” is taking more time and often requires more staff.  Without this more time is spent in patient care.  This is what most doctors find rewarding – more time with patient care and doing what they do best, taking care of their patients.

Yes, you must pay to see your doctor and other health care providers, but how you pay may determine the availability.  Cash allows you to see who you want to see.  Health insurance usually has provider networks of who they want you to see.  Should you want to see an out of network doctor that you know, or feel would be better for you, you still have to pay for services rendered.  Even with health insurance cash/ credit is required for deductibles and co-payments.

The bottom line remains, no cash or health insurance, no medical care.  At least with health insurance, you are covered especially if a major medical malady occurs like surgery http://bit.ly/1hwqnpX or chronic disease.  If you have the cash you’re covered.  If not, get covered.  Great health is true wealth.

Best health! http://amzn.to/13m51UU

Surge in Surgery

How many surgeries does the average person have in a lifetime?  According to the most recent study of its kind from 2002, it was found that you could need surgery at least 9.2 times if you live to 85 years of age. It is no surprise that surgeries increase with age.  Surgery is also prevalent in women during their reproductive years.  For both men and women between ages of 45 to 75 there is also an increase.  Three of the top ten most common surgeries were for women’s gynecological conditions.  C-sections ranked as number one.  For men the top surgery was for cardiac conditions (angioplasty, heart bypass).  Fortunately many surgeries done today are minimally invasive done as an outpatient instead of in a traditional hospital stay.

These facts indicate that you will have surgeries in your lifetime.  Think about the cost of this.  Would you be able to pay for it?  Rising health care costs and increase in illness have made this nearly impossible for most on an average income of today. The sensible and responsible thing to do is have health insurance.  Is your health more important than that $50,000 car or $200,000 home you insure? Plus these insurances are usually required.  Your health deserves to be insured as well.

If your health insurance policy has been cancelled, your health insurance provider has other plans that will fit your need with comprehensive, affordable coverage that covers more and includes your same providers.  Look at the cancelled product as new and improved health benefits at a much lower price. Basically your policy has not been “cancelled”, but upgraded with many more options.

There is also the option of looking at the National Healthcare Insurance Exchange by phone, paper application, online, or in person at designated places.  This offers more choices from other health insurance providers with different “levels” of coverage.  Each level offers basic and free preventive care from less than 60%  to 90% coverage.  The cost is now actually less than what you may have paid previously under the “cancelled” policy!  Now that health insurance is more affordable and chances are you will need surgery, it makes sense to have it.  Plus you get the chance to maintain your health with prevention and proper treatment in hopes of preventing surgery.

The yearly cost of your health insurance premium is much less than the cost of one major surgery and recuperation (equals 5-10 years worth). Even if you have enough cash to pay, you will save more than your money by being insured. Get covered for good health!

Best health!

Healthcare Deja Vu Come True?

As health care access decreases and costs increase, we must look ahead to improving it for everyone.  In 2011 employers paid an average of $11,000 for employees and their families, while yearly insurance premiums rose from $13,000 to $15,000.  The following is an excerpt from "Building an American Healthcare System" released in 2002 when the average premium paid by employers was $6500. While proposing ways to decrease cost and access, one is able to see that good healthcare can be deja vu come true.

One stop shopping for medical care is in order. By having more clinics, easy access to care will help people to get what they need in a timely manner. Waiting to see the doctor is one of the reasons our health care is out of control. The Public Health facilities will be a setting in which health care providers will employed and compensated as in the private sector. It will be just as prestigious to work for the Public Health as the private sector. In addition, permanent protection of physician incomes can be guaranteed by the government much like the recent ruling in Britain (British Medical Journal, April 5, 2003). The concept of second rate, low paying health care for the low income associated with Public Health Service must be changed and amplified. We must be proud to work for our country’s health system, and to obtain top notch health services! In this set up, the uninsured are insured and objectives of the Fair Care to the Uninsured Act of 2003 will be met. This is very important. Those without insurance are sicker, die younger and receive less care for many conditions. The risk of illness increases the longer one is without insurance.


More emphasis from the USPHS for education, prevention and screening, eldercare, disabled care, chronic condition care/ chronic multisystem illness (CMI), health awareness, and education is needed. The Public Health clinic will evolve from the barely visible building or little trailer in the field to highly visible, easily accessible structures. Vacant malls and warehouse buildings can be bought and transformed to mini-medical facilities that provide it all. Pre-existing clinics in the area can be merged, or remain as satellite facilities. The goal is to have health care at every corner much like the neighborhood convenience store. The era for traveling 100 miles to your doctor, waiting half a day or more only to spend the average 5 minutes with your health care provider must cease.

Minnesota has set up a system that covered about 95% of its residents under 65 in 2001 (86% in 2000). It uses government and private insurance together to achieve insurability.  "Approaching Universal Coverage: Minnesota’s Health Insurance Plans" by Debra Chollet & Lori Achman of Mathematica Research Policy, Inc.states that it has been successful at serving "all populations in need at all levels of income". Coverage is included for the "medically uninsurable" like the person with chronic multisytem disease, or pre-existing conditions. Its GAMC and MA plans includes coverage for expenses that occurred in the 3 months prior to application, and do not have premiums or co-pays. Minnesota's programs have been, or are currently used in other states, and can be used to help lay the foundation for health care uniformity. The Commonwealth Fund has several publications that look at other states' health systems, and universal health coverage.

The effort to consolidate the American health system is a priority. Karen Davis' summary, "Time to Change: The Hidden Cost of a Fragmented Health Insurance System", states that the present system "is not up to the challenge of ensuring a healthy and productive nation because it is 'fragmented' ". The focus of her summary exemplifies how lack of uniform health services costs more with less results.


Attention must also be placed on employer health provisions.  In 2002 companies spent an average of $6500 per person for health care. This does not include the patients' out of pocket payment for services. The pages of uncovered services listed in many insurance handbooks grows longer. About 41 million employed by small business pay directly for services at prices compatible with the Medicare and Medicaid models. Through the leadership of the Public Health Service all businesses are uninsured primarily because it is unaffordable. Congress is presently looking at a concept called an Association Health Plan (AHP) as part of the Small Business Health Fairness Act. This would allow small business owners to offer large corporation health discounts. It would also be uniform nationwide. The AHP is in use in some states, and has come and gone in some. Last year 16 states closed down 48 AHP plans. This would be a great opportunity to "phase in" national coverage. As employer health programs are phased out, patients should be offered the option to obtain national insurance. Each person preventive and screening will be done without charge. Eventually this will lead to a healthier people, and health system at a much lower cost.

  

Health Care Fiscal Physical

Back in 2002 healthcare experts made it apparent that our healthcare system was unable to serve everyone. Analysis of the situation is outlined below.

Fiscal discipline is a must. Every penny should be accounted for. In 2003 health care spending is projected to be about $1.6 trillion. In 2000 it was about $1.3 trillion (13% of GDP) compared to $73 billion (7% of GDP) in 1970. Health spending costs for 2001 were 37% for hospital outpatient, 28% for physician services,21% for prescriptions, and 14% for hospital inpatient. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), hospitals provided $21.5 billion in uncompensated care in 2001; however, the government pays for most of health care. About 20 -30% is administrative, much being attributed to redundancy and overhead costs ("Government Share of Health Care Expenditures" by Asaf Bitton, James Kahn, M.D., M.P.H. from University of California, San Francisco - March 5, 2003, msJAMA). The CMS
estimate for 1999 government health spending is 45.2% ($548 billion). The elderly, disabled, low-income children, and some low-income adults are covered by government. Medicare and Social Security gets 7% of this amount. This is expected to double in 10 years. The average monthly health insurance premium for an individual is $255 ($3060/yr.), while that of a family is $663 ($7956/yr.) which represents a 12% increase from 2001 to 2002.

The forecast for 2004 federal budget is a record $2.7 trillion. Payroll taxes comprise 38% of the federal revenue. Taxes collected for 2003 are expected to be about $1.9 trillion (Congressional Budget Office, CBO, current budget projection report, March 7, 2003 - (www.cbo.gov). Projected health spending for 2003 is $1.6 trillion. This is over half of the budget! Furthermore, the Office of Management & Budget forecasts that the federal government will run a deficit of about $316 billion for fiscal year 2003 reaching $385 billion for 2004. This is projected to decrease in 2005 with forward projections of a $10 billion surplus by 2012. The
government debt is actually an estimated $6.4 trillion (about
$70,000/ family).

So where does this leave health costs? The HHS expense alone for 2002 is greater than the deficit ($460 billion). The majority of this ($375 billion) is for the CMS. For 2004 the projected expense for HHS is expected to be $500 billion. Other basic government allotment proposals for 2004 are: $400B for Medicare prescription program (over 10 years); $35B for uninsured (federal and state funds); $5 B for SCHIP; $2B for FDA; $60B to Dept of Defense (about $15B for aid to other nations, $21B for military health care); part of estimated $20B to rebuild Iraq (starting with a $2.5B down payment this year). There is $9 billion of “other”. There is an extra $80B approved for war costs ($62.4B to Pentagon, $4B for domestic security, $2.2B for state and local law enforcement and emergency workers; $7.9 foreign aid; $1.1B for Jordan; $1B for Israel; $1B for Turkey; “and money for Afghanistan, the Philippines and Colombia”). This includes $2.9B for airlines (many have filed for bankruptcy or are on the verge in spite of funds given after 9/11), and "for other projects pushed by lawmakers". This is money for use up to the end of the fiscal year ending 9/30/03. What are these "other" projects ($16M for SARS research and $142 M for smallpox vaccine program are $158M of this $2.9B) ? Not included in this is extra 26 weeks of unemployment for employees which was requested by some lawmakers.

So what attention will health care get if a person is unable to get a stipend to live off of while seeking employment? All of this should be itemized and accounted for with more priority given to health and well being. How much can we expect to get for our ailing health system with these other "priorities"? Perhaps much of it can be put on the backburner, while more monies are allotted for remodeling the American health care system to provide health care for all.

Excerpted from "Building An American Health System" (2003) by J. L. Richardson, M.D.

High Blood Pressure Home Remedies

Treating hypertension with lifestyle changes that promte good habits is key to staying 120/80, the normal blood pressure reading. Of course, maintainimg healthy weight for your height, eating the right foods, regular exercise, limited alcohol intake, avoidance of cigarettes and severe stress help. If these things fail to keep you 120/80 then you will need blood pressure medication prescribed by your primary care physician or cardiologist.

Many regimens start with a diuretic ("water pill") either alone or combined with any other medication groups like beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and more. Many of these have lots of side effects as well as create new medical problems (e.g. diuretics can cause loss of potasssium resulting in cramping, heart rhythm abnormalities; beta blockers can cause bradycardia, exacerbate asthma, COPD). When used in combination this can worsen. Home remedies may offer healthier and safer treatment.

Some high blood pressure home treatments include:
- honey and onion juice in equal amounts equal to 2 teaspoons daily
- garlic clove daily
- foods: fruits esp banannas, oranges, apples, watermelon. papaya; fish (less
red meat; vegetables especially carrots, spinach; whole grains; low fat
- apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons daily
- aloe vera
- tea (black, green, hibiscus)
- coconut water ("noelani")

Many of these remedies also help other maladies, but more importantly they are natural, wholesome and inexpensive requiring no prescription. Remember to also halt the salt!

Best health!

Is the Doctor Really "In"?

Dear Patient,

It has indeed been a privilege and wonder to take care of you and your family.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must vacation indefinitely so we can find the best solutions for cost effective health care.  Our budgets are lean as well and get leaner as more patients drop out to do self care or go to emergency rooms, public health clinics, or stand in "lotto" lines to get get health care from traveling clinics.

We must campaign for your healthcare and our salary.  Routine sequential cuts for reimbursement by Medicare and Medicaid are taking its toll.  Insurance companies demand more time with less pay as well.  Now that the healthcare bill requiring each and every one of you to have insurance has been repealed.  Self pay is an option, but you must have food and shelter first.  Less money in, more money out.

Due to lack of campaign funds and time for raising necessary monies to do so, we are using and pooling our resources.  We wish to provide you with continuity of care, but we must also find ways to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.  Many of my fellowess and fellow physicians are supplementing our income as well through other occupations.

Thank you for allowing me to care for you and the family.  We are true believers that great health is true wealth; however, you must have money to keep it.

Best health,
Dr. Feelgood

P. S. Check out Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide via links in the right column.  Get a heads up and start checking yourself and your family.

Letter to the President: Code Blue! Get Crash Cart STAT!

Dear Mr. President,

Please be aware that the doctors of this great nation are finding it near impossible to care for our patients, your people.  Our patients are literally dying as the debt crisis looms in limbo for way too long.  We are trying to avoid our patients demise, but with almost 1/2 of our population, especially seniors and kids, on Medicare and Medicaid this is already a major problem.  Further cuts would be detrimental to us and our patients, your constituents. 

Quality of care and proper treatment is near impossible especially with the physician shortage.  Medicare and Medicaid should be increases to help us provide, instead of being cut again and again. Payment delays are unacceptable. This statement from the American Academy of Family Practice (Payment Delays Resulting From Debt Ceiling Impasse Are Possible, AAFP Warns http://ow.ly/1dZzY0 ) details the problems as does the letter sent to you and  in June by AAFP Board Chair Lori Heim, M.D., who said, "If any budget proposal is to restrain the growth in health care spending, it must also support programs that build the family physician and primary care workforce, pay for quality and outcomes of medical care, and ensure that everyone has access to that care."  http://bit.ly/pFjeE7  This is a code blue! Can you imagine not getting paid for your hard work? Or getting sued because you lacked?

The worriation of this debt disease is infecting our people in many obvious ways.  I see those on limited incomes with no less than five chronic conditions struggle to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads as their health expenses become obliviously unaffordable.  We all know what happens then.  Chronic medical care that could have been avoided incurs, and we all pay, especially the patient and doctor.

As we strive for a Healthy People 2020, it is looking bleak.  Though Congress has the purse strings, the buck stops with you.  Eliminate this unnecessary worriation that has gone too far and too long causing more anxiety, suicide, and worsening of overall health for many. 

As family physicians on the forefront of patient care, the burden rests with us to do our best. The most you and Congress can do is resolve the present debt crisis.  If this was was your doctor treating you and your family, such delay would be unacceptable most likely leading to adverse outcomes.  Everyone must do their job as if someone's life depended on it. Much too often it does, especially for patients and doctors.

Thank you, Mr. Obama. 

Best regards,
Dr. Richardson

Lose Your Wealth for Health...or Die Trying

Lose your wealth, lose your health? Is draining your finances the way to live a healthy life? Medication can cost thousands of dollars especially new non-generics and injectables. Recent news reports a new one at $30,000 for treatment for one person. This was a preliminary guesstimate, mind you. It was unclear how long the treatment would take or how many shots is a cure. Perhaps this is part of the pre-debut gimmick that medicine companies produce time and again. Regardless of this scene, it is up to you and your health care basic instinct to determine how much money your health is really worth.

Is it really worth debt? Should you have to suffer health loss and financial loss? Is $30,000 a year the magic number for health care expenses? Oh wait..."I don't even make $30,000!" That's near the poverty line. Government assistance like Medicaid usually requires more. For instance, to qualify for nursing home placement you must lower your net worth by decreasing your assets to $2000. Does that qualify one for a $30,000 drug?

Great health is true wealth, but how much are you willing to pay? Death and taxes are sure bets, and so is your health.

Health Insurance Update

Health insurance companies are overcharging again! Treatment for medical illness that helps patients is consistently ignored and unapproved. Paying an additional $360 per month to get what you need in addition to your $1000 monthly premium is obtusely extreme. Many drugs used have potential for serious life threatening complications, yet health care providers continue to be pill pushers ignoring reports of better results with alternative treatments. The cost of the medicine may be one-fourth the price in dollars and more deadly, but it is the approved standard of care.

Earnings for the health insurers poured in recently revealing huge profits, earnings, and executive compensation packages. A good chunk of patients' health insurance premiums surely helped this cause as well as that of the lobbyists and uninsured. Health care reform measures that may help patients insurance costs will not kick in for who knows how long - anywhere from one year to four years or more. The patient will be unable to dodge the bullet shooting another increase because it was a fact before health care reform was more than radar blip on the national agenda.

How much longer will patients be ignored and treated so casually by the very people who are supposed to be helping them, healing them, taking them from cradle to grave in a dignified manner?

How much longer will patients be forced to suffer in silence and pain from their diseases while drug companies and health insurance entities continue to prosper in such an adverse environment?

How much longer will patients have to choose between a meal or a pill?

by J.L. Richardson, M.D

Author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide
www.mypatienthandbook.com/

Read excerpts on google Books www.bit.ly/aTBrEN

Disability Insurance & You

Have you thought about what you would do financially if you were were unable to work? If you were disabled short term or long term, where would the money come from? Disability insurance is one of the best lifetime investments you can make. Hopefully you will not have to use it, but you may need it.

It is important because anyone can have a devastating health challenge that could wipe them out physically and financially. Medical costs are one of the top reasons people end up in the poor house. Disability insurance payments allow you to have money for health needs as well as for everyday necessities. This is a very sensible thing to do.

Disability insurance is seldom talked about when it comes to insurance you need. Your house is insured. So is your car. So you should be insured, too. Life insurance is good, but pays off after you die.


Disability coverage is available as "own occupation" coverage. This type covers you for being unable to work at the occupation for which you have been explicitly educated, trained, and employed like doctor, lawyer, broadcast media, president, etc.
It is usually more expensive than basic generic coverage like Social Security, and pays more. The going rate is two-thirds of your salary.

If you pay for your own policy instead of allowing your employer to do so, your money is tax free. If you withdraw IRA monies early and provide proof of disability you are exempt from the penalty.


Protect yourself financially from medical disability and potential financial free fall. Disability insurance like health insurance protects your most important asset - YOU.

by J.L. Richardson, MD, family medicine physician and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/
www.twitter.com/MD4U
www.blogtalkradio.com/drjfpmd

Health Insurance Costs

Written a year ago, this blog post is still relevant. For more posts on healthcare reform, click on in index to the right.

Health care costs are up at least 5% from last year. Health insurance is up from 6% to 40% or more! This means that health insurance company profits are up. Check the earnings. Their profit is up even with decreased net income and higher medical costs. Almost 100 million people are paying off medical debt while insurers rake in piles of profit.

Hopefully President Obama will allow exemptions from medical debt, and allow capped prices on insurance premiums without regard to pre-existing conditions. Health insurance companies should discontinue lifetime limits on health coverage. At an $100,000 lifetime coverage limit, one or two major surgeries or a chronic disease with complications your coverage could evaporate in a year or two or less.

More consumer protection is needed. Protection with lifelong health membership would be optimal. The national health plan, National Health Insurance Exchange, will likely make this a reality giving all the privilege of being insured as securely as our President and Congress.
With a premium of $1000 month, your payment for one year is $12,000. This should be enough to guarantee lifetime coverage. After all, your insurance premiums are giving insurance companies lifetime profits.

by J. lL. Richardson, MD, family medicine doctor and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/
www.twitter.com/MD4U

Some Doctors Miss the Mark

For the past few years I have seen pain management specialists for chronic pain. Seeking relief after many, many years has indeed been a challenge. Each time I was referred to a pain management specialist for the neck and back pain (from arthritis and herniated discs), treatments offered were medicine (especially samples of new stuff), and invasive procedures like epidural spinals and trigger point injections. Alternative treatment was rarely offered, and if so was limited to 20-30 minutes physical therapy sessions for about six weeks every few years, upon my request.

Fortunately, my neurosurgeons saw the light. In efforts to achieve pain control and maintain function without surgery, other treatments such as massage and acupuncture were recommended. Sadly enough, these choices are not covered by my insurance. I am still waiting for over a year now for approval and payment for long term treatment (which works) instead of six weeks.

Even though some doctors miss the mark, there are others who are on the mark. As a savvy patient you must always recognize this. You have choices even if you must pay for medical services you need out of your pocket. It is a tough choice, but the best for your health. If there is something you need that is not covered by your insurance, you have choices. Make the one best for you, especially if your doctor misses the mark.


by J. L. Richardson, MD, family medicine doctor, patient advocate and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

Read excerpts at Google Books http://books.google.com/books?id=kPmXiNrg1pYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=patient+handbook+to+medical+care

www.twitter.com/MD4U

5 Medical Money Savers

Here are five medical money savers to help you spend your health dollars wisely.

1. Keep weight stable. It is the healthy thing to do. This will save on grocery and clothing expenses. Long term savings on medical expenses.
2. Get prescription meds in bulk quantity of 100 versus thirty day supply especially if you are paying for your meds.Buy nonprescription medical items in bulk when on sale. You will be amazed at your savings when you buy a six to twelve month supply on sale. This tip is also effective for emergency preparedness.
3. Check with your state provisions for health care. Many states have low cost insurance plans available. Check what your state has to offer by contacting the state health agency.
4. Talk with your doctor by phone, fax, and email to save on the cost of an office visit payment. Just think about the number of office visits you have been to where all you did was talk (after waiting for a long while). Save your time and money.
5. For blood pressure checks, get yourself a home blood pressure monitor. Call in your readings. Many doctors will discover that your blood pressure is actually stable when the stress of the doctor's white coat is absent. For diabetics, a home glucometer is very useful for monitoring blood sugar.

Invest in your most important asset - YOU.
Great health is true wealth!

J.L. Richardson, MD, family medicine expert, is the author of the award winning, Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.