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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Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2014

Helpful Health Care Links: November 29, 2014

This holiday week is a time for reflection. Our helpful health care links focus on many topics — changes in healthcare coverage for immigrants under President Obama’s new program and tighter FDA menu regulations for many restaurants. We also included a local story from The Wall Street Journal about a Detroit neurosurgeon arrested for alleged insurance fraud. 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!

A Warning on Nutmeg

During the holiday season, nutmeg is one of the most well-loved spices, but it has quite the twisted history. Toxicologists warn: measure your nutmeg carefully.

Illegal Immigrants Could Receive Social Security, Medicare Under Obama Action

Under President Obama’s new program to protect millions of illegal immigrants from deportation, many of those affected will be eligible to receive Social Security, Medicare, and a wide array of other federal benefits.

FDA Menu Labels May Freak Restaurants into Swapping Fries for Fruit

The Food and Drug Administration unveiled long-awaited rules requiring restaurants, grocery deli counters, convenience stores, and other outlets with more than 20 locations to post calories counts on their menus.

Turning 21? Here’s How to Avoid a Big Hike in Health Insurance Premiums

For those insured through the federal health insurance marketplace that operates in about three dozen states, turning 21 could mean a whopping 58 percent jump in health insurance premiums in 2015 if you don’t take the steps outlined in this article.

Detroit Neurosurgeon Aria Sabit Arrested for Alleged Insurance Fraud

A Detroit-area neurosurgeon was arrested for allegedly defrauding federal and private health-insurance programs by billing for spine surgeries that he either didn’t perform or that were medically unnecessary.

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Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014

3 Things Young Adults Should Know About ObamaCare

The ObamaCare enrollment period is upon us and the surprising fact is that 35% of the enrollees are young adults under 35.

Young adults enrolling in ObamaCare is good for everyone. Health insurance costs are often impacted by the people who are in what insurers call the “risk pool.” Older people tend to have more health issues. Young adults, on the other hand tend to have less. If there are many people in the risk pools who have varying degrees of health issues, that lowers the cost of healthcare for everyone.

If you are under 35 or have a young adult child who is under 35, here is what you should know:

You can no longer be denied health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions.This means that you can easily change jobs and don’t have to worry that you won’t be able to get healthcare from a different employer.
There is no maximum cap on the total healthcare you use in your lifetime. In other words, if you get a serious illness, like cancer, you can’t be denied insurance coverage no matter how high the cost of your care is.
Consider whether it’s cheaper to stay on a parent’s health plan. A parent may be able to add a child under the age of 26 for little or no cost compared to the cost for him or her to buy insurance from the health exchange.

If you are a young adult and you have not signed up for coverage yet, open enrollment began on November 15, 2014 and ends on February 15, 2015. However, if you have a “qualifying life event,” such as losing your job, you will have 60 days to sign up for ObamaCare.

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