Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014

Helpful Health Care Links: December 12, 2014

Our helpful health care links focus on a variety of topics — 6 tips to avoid headaches during the holiday season and the suspension of the trial for a Canadian-Developed Ebola Vaccine. We also include a story from The Wall Street Journal touching on the importance of exercise, which doctors call a “vital sign.” 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!

Healthcare.gov breaks 1 Million as Obamacare Sign-Ups Surge

The upsurge in enrollment comes in advance of next Monday’s deadline to sign up for health insurance that goes into effect by Jan. 1, 2015.

Canadian-Developed Ebola Vaccine Trial Suspended

A clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine has been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure after four patients complained of joint pains.

6 Tips To Avoid Holiday Headaches

Between the shopping, the cooking and the decorating, does holiday stress make your head throb? These tips may help you avoid holiday headaches.

Many Aren’t Seeking Cheaper Health Plans As First Deadline To Switch Nears

Across the nation, millions of people who bought insurance through the exchange must decide by Monday whether to switch plans for 2015 if they want a new plan starting January 1.

Doctors Dole Out Prescriptions For Exercise

Patients are coming out of the doctor’s office with prescriptions for physical activity in addition to drugs, doctor referrals and follow-up protocols.

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Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2014

Can Patients Still Have High Deductible Health Plans?

Surprisingly the answer is “yes.” Due to a loophole in ObamaCare, high deductible plans are still allowed when an employer also offers one health plan to its employees that meets the Affordable Care Act’s requirements.

For patients, this means that it is more important than ever to check to see what your coverage is before assuming that a health insurance will cover all costs.

Many companies are providing its employees with “fixed indemnity” plans which will cover certain services like a doctor’s visit for a set price but will have limits on the amount of visits per year. Thus, many necessary services will not be covered or the patient will max out of coverage before the necessary services are provided.

Starting in 2015, employers with over 50 employees must provider health plans that meet the basic requirements of the Affordable Care Act or face penalties. Many employers are planning on offering 2 plans – one that meets the basic requirements and one that does not. Article

Patients should make sure to:

Check their insurance prior to receiving care.
Educate themselves about ObamaCare.
Become aware of any changes their insurance and relay this to their healthcare practitioner. Communication is “key.”
If you have questions your healthcare provider can’t answer, call your insurance company, employer or 1-800-318-2596 for questions about healthcare.gov

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Posted on Friday, December 5, 2014

Helpful Health Care Links: December 4, 2014

Our helpful health care links focus on many topics dealing with both personal health and the government — the effectiveness of this year’s flu shot and the status of ObamaCare enrollment after the second week. We also include a story from the Miami Herald touching on the court rejection of Florida Governor Rick Scott’s drug testing for welfare applicants. 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!

CDC: Flu Shot Less Effective This Year Because Current Virus Has Mutated

Scientists are concerned about what they’re seeing so far this flu season. The CDC agency advised doctors that this year’s flu vaccine is not as effective because the current strain of the virus has mutated.

Scientists Find Why Male Smokers May Run Even Higher Health Risks

Male smokers are three times more likely than non-smoking men to lose their Y chromosomes, according to research which may explain why men develop and die from many cancers at disproportionate rates compared to women.

Running Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Death Risk

Running more than 15 miles a week may reduce the risk of dying from Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests.

Court Rejects Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s Drug Testing of Welfare Applicants

A federal appeals court on Wednesday dealt another blow to Gov. Rick Scott’s crusade to conduct drug tests on welfare applicants when it upheld a lower court ruling that the practice was unconstitutional.

ObamaCare Enrollment at 765K After Week 2

About 765,000 people have chosen a private health plan on the federal ObamaCare marketplace since year-two enrollment began on November 15.

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