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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Helpful Health Care Links: November 14, 2014

Background concept wordcloud illustration of medicare glowing liThis week, our helpful health care links focus on a variety of topics — an update on potential Ebola therapies to be tested in Liberia and information on the benefits flu shots have for seniors. We also included a local news update from Crain’s Detroit Business announcing a new Emergency Department for seniors opening November 17. 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!

Flu Shots Effective for Seniors, Says New Review

A new review of published studies finds that the seasonal flu vaccine is effective at protecting those over 60 during epidemics or widespread outbreaks.

Detroit Medical Center to Open Emergency Department for Seniors

Detroit Medical Center’s Detroit Receiving Hospital is the latest hospital in Southeast Michigan to offer a specialized emergency department for seniors.

Medicare Proposes Paying for Lung Cancer Screenings for Older Longtime Smokers

A draft decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would extend coverage for CT scans to Medicare beneficiaries who smoked at least a pack a day for 30 years or the equivalent.

3 New Ebola Therapies Will Be Tested; Liberia Lifts Emergency

Medical teams plan to start three clinical trials in the fight against the Ebola virus next month, administering the drugs at treatment centers run by Doctors Without Borders in West Africa. Two of the therapies involve antiviral drugs.

What the Election Results Mean for You

What will the recent midterm election results mean for seniors and their healthcare?

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Helpful Health Care Links: November 7, 2014

Vintage Hipster Face Geometric Pattern.This week, our helpful healthcare links focus on a variety of topics — a highlight on men’s health and Movember fundraising and tips for preparing your family and friends to make medical decisions on your behalf. We also included a shocking article from Kaiser Health News that reveals a backlog of 11,000 nursing home investigations in California. 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!

California Audit Finds Backlog Of 11,000 Nursing Home Investigations

California’s public health department has failed to manage investigations of nursing homes statewide, resulting in a backlog of more than 11,000 complaints – many involving serious safety risks to patients.

How To Prepare Others To Make Medical Decisions For You

Preparing yourself or your loved ones to make medical decisions on your behalf may be difficult or uncomfortable. But no one is too young to consider the choices they may have to make when faced with failing health.

The Nations Raising The Most Money For Movember

It’s that time of year again. Movember, the annual month-long mustache-growing marathon, is kicking off around the world. Challenging men to grow mustaches to raise awareness of men’s health, the idea has gained serious Mo-mentum since it was developed in Australia back in 2003.

Can Google Find The Cure For Autism?

To fast-track autism research, Google has partnered with scientists in using data analytics to find the condition’s roots and possibly cure.

In Men’s Fight Against Aging, How Much Risk To Take?

The Food and Drug Administration is trying to decide whether or not testosterone replacement therapy is safe.

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Want to avoid unnecessary grief and expense when you get sick? Then you need this essential guide to the business behind your healthcare decisions. MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: Before You Get Sick” ebook guide gives you all of the practical advice you need to take charge of your healthcare options!

Available for download NOW!