Helpful Health Care Links: November 21, 2014

Insurance Or Assurance ConceptThis week, our helpful health care links focus on a variety of topics- a breakdown of what you need to know when signing up for ObamaCare this Open Enrollment period. We also included an eye-opening article from NPR discussing the level of privacy your smart phone apps provide you. All are worth your time. And, as always, if you ever come across a healthcare story that you think merits more attention, please send it our way!

Obamacare Open Enrollment Period: What You Need to Know

The second annual enrollment period for health plans through federal and state exchanges has started. If you need to buy health insurance or make changes to your current plan, you have until Feb. 15 to get it done.

Metro Detroit Employers Projected to Save in 2015 with Lower-Cost, High-Deductible Health Plans

Southeast Michigan’s total health benefit costs for active employees are projected to increase only 2.9 percent in 2015 as employers continue to make changes in benefit plans, primarily going to lower-cost, high-deductible plans.

How Well Do Your Apps Protect Your Privacy?

PrivacyGrade is a site for people to figure out what information their apps might be collecting. You’ll be surprised how much personall information is tracked by your phone activity.

New ‘Hutch’ Director Aims to Push Toward Cancer Cures Based on The Immune System

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle is announcing that it has hired former Merck cancer research boss Gary Gilliland as its next director.

As California Expands Medicaid to New Beneficiaries, Many Others Are Dropped

Even as the state celebrates its enrollment of more than 2.7 million low-income Californians in Medi-Cal in 2014, it may drop an unusually high number of beneficiaries from its rolls by year’s end.

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Healthcare has changed radically. Gone are the days when the only medical professional a patient saw was their trusted local doctor. MyHealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Healthcare Privacy walks you through the practical steps you can take to safeguard your healthcare privacy as a patient.

Available for download NOW!

Will Patients Have More Choices in ObamaCare Insurance?

Insurance PlansThe answer is YES. Insurance companies are flocking to the ObamaCare exchanges as they now see it as a money-making opportunity.

In 10 states, there are 27 new insurance companies that will offer ObamaCare plans.  This is a significant improvement from 2014.  Major insurers simply cannot afford to sit on the sidelines when 8 million Americans signed up for ObamaCare.

What does that mean for patients?  

More choices in where they can get their healthcare.

In the past, patients got referrals from their primary care doctors or their local hospitals.  They often just went to the closest physician or hospital.  OR the doctor who was referred to them.  Patients did very little research in selecting their doctor or hospital.

With more insurance options, patients will have more choices.  Additionally, patients are getting more tools to research their doctors to determine which one is best for them.

With healthcare reform, doctors and other healthcare providers must  “win” the patient and “keep them.”  As a patient, make sure your healthcare provider is offering the following:

  1. Great customer service
  2. Convenient evening and weekend hours
  3. Availability for questions via new forms of technology
  4. A patient portal where patients can get information about their care; and
  5. Compliance with current laws and regulations!

If your doctor doesn’t meet your standards, it’s never too late to find another provider who will better suit your needs.

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Healthcare has changed radically. Gone are the days when the only medical professional a patient saw was their trusted local doctor. MyHealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Healthcare Privacy walks you through the practical steps you can take to safeguard your healthcare privacy as a patient.

Available for download NOW!

 

Choosing An Assisted Living Facility: Part 1 VIDEO

What led Lori-Ann Rickard to start writing ebooks about healthcare? It all started when her father, who was living independently his whole life, underwent surgery causing him to lose his independence. Lori-Ann learned at every turn that choosing an assisted living facility takes a lot of work, communication, and coordination. Most importantly, she found out that there is no perfect answer. This video is for anyone who needs a “roadmap” like Lori-Ann did; a tool to consider much more than the obvious questions of location and cost.

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How do you make the right decision about moving yourself or a loved one into an Assisted Living Facility without being overwhelmed? How do you even begin talking about it? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility” ebook guide gives you all of the practical advice you need to make the right choice.

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Available for download NOW!