Helpful Health Care Links: January 16, 2015

Stethoscope on laptop keyboardOur helpful health care links focus primarily on Obamacare and privacy news — Johnson and Johnson working with Yale to make clinical trial data available to outside researchers and the head of the California Obamacare exchange warning residents about potential penalties. We also include an article from The Wall Street Journal about a new dieting device for your stomach. 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!

Johnson & Johnson Will Make Clinical Data Available to Outside Researchers

Healthcare giant, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to make detailed clinical trial data on its medical devices and diagnostic tests available to outside researchers through a collaboration with Yale University.

Obamacare ‘Fine’ Not Dandy, Says California Exchange Boss

The head of California’s Obamacare exchange warns California residents about increased fines under Obamacare this year for not having health insurance.

Still Waiting For Strong Privacy Laws

President Obama this week proposed privacy laws that could give Americans greater control over their personal information.

U.S. Healthcare Executives Say Obamacare Is Not Going Anywhere

U.S. healthcare executives say Obamacare is likely here to stay, despite repeated calls from Republican lawmakers for repeal of the 2010 law aimed at providing health coverage for millions of uninsured Americans.

FDA Clears ‘Pacemaker For The Stomach’

Federal regulators approved a novel dieting device that acts like a pacemaker for the stomach by manipulating the nerve pathway that makes people feel hungry or full.

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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. HealthSpin’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!

How Much Does Insurance Cost?

Medical insurance and health care money concept. Female doctor wSince everyone is now required to have health insurance, the question on everyone’s mind is, “How Much Does it Cost?”  Well, it depends….  Not a very satisfying answer for sure.  

Why does insurance costs vary?  Costs are determined by your current health, age and income.  If you are young and healthy, you will pay less than someone who is middle aged and has some health issues.

Premium v. Out of Pocket Costs:  It is important to not only look at the cost of the insurance premiums each month but also the over all costs of care.  You might think that a $250/month premium is very expensive.  After all, that is $3,000/per year.  However, if you get sick or break a bone, your out of pocket costs for not having insurance could exceed the $3,000 cost with one hospital visit.

You Can Now Compare Prices:  One of the good things about ObamaCare is that for the first time you can compare the costs of the various health insurance that is being offered.  Prior to the health exchanges, there was no real way to know what the insurance plans cost and what was included.  You needed to be a Ph.D. in healthcare in order to compare the various plans.  Now, all the plans have to include the same basic services and the prices for the various plans are listed on the health exchange.

We have a long way to go to fixing healthcare but being able to compare prices is a good start.

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To help you make sense of ObamaCare, check out HealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: ObamaCare.

We hope this post helps you Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

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ObamaCare Penalties: Consider Your Options: VIDEO

The idea behind ObamaCare is that everyone should have health insurance. If you do not have health insurance, there are some penalities you will have to pay. In this video, healthcare expert, Lori-Ann Rickard, discusses ObamaCare penalties and various options you may want to consider if you find that your premiums are too expensive at this time.

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If you’re young and healthy, you may believe that you’re better off to pay a penalty and not have insurance.  You want to remember that even a fairly minor health problem such as a broken bone or having your appendix taken out can cost a lot of money which you had not planned on spending.   Having insurance can protect you from that sudden financial crisis.

To help you make sense of your insurance options, HealthSpin is preparing Easy Healthcare:  Choosing an Insurance Plan.   COMING SOON!!!

We hope this post helps you Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

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