Posted on Friday, November 21, 2014

Helpful Health Care Links: November 21, 2014

This 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.

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Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2014

Will Patients Have More Choices in ObamaCare Insurance?

The 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:

Great customer service
Convenient evening and weekend hours
Availability for questions via new forms of technology
A patient portal where patients can get information about their care; and
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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Available for download NOW!

Posted on Friday, October 31, 2014

Helpful Health Care Links: October 31, 2014

This week, our helpful health care links focus on a variety of topics — an update on new Ebola quarantine guidelines and a breakthrough in medical research with the approval of a new Meningitis vaccine. We also included an informative article from NPR about some important things to consider before undergoing surgery. 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!

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Obama Defends U.S. Ebola Guidelines, Backs American Volunteers in Africa (Reuters)

President Obama stated that the adopted policies in the U.S. shouldn’t discourage those who wish to fight the West African Ebola outbreak. Instead they should be applauded, and, when they return, authorities can work with them to make sure they are monitored prudently when they return.

Patients Do Better After Surgery If They Do ‘Prerehab’ First (NPR)

Patients are encouraged to participate in a rehabilitation program after a surgery, but research is showing that beginning that plan pror to the procedure could speed up recovery.

First Vaccine for Deadly Form of Meningitis Approved in the U.S. (The Washington Post)

The FDA approved a vaccine for one of the five forms of the deadly disease bacterial meningitis.

Arsenic in Gluten-Free Food: How Worried Should You Be? (NPR)

For those who suffer from Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, rice-based foods and flours tend to be a popular solution for a wheat-free diet. However, trace elements of arsenic have been found in many of these foods.

Petition Drive To Limit Hospital Charges Gets OK From State (Crain’s Detroit Business)

The Board of State Canvassers in Michigan approved a petition drive to limit what hospitals can charge the uninsured and underinsured.

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