Cancer drugs are in short supply in our country and particularly people with lymphoma, testicular cancer, and leukemia are affected. Normally, a shortage of any product creates a supply and demand effect and companies scramble to cash in. Not so with these medications.
I’m not really sure how it all happened, but I ended up getting phenomenal care in a startlingly well-run hospital.
I got it all despite a lack of insurance or significant savings.
read moreFrustrated with the health-care system? Don’t know where to turn for help? Want more on the human side of health care? We’ve got you covered.
The politicians in Tallahassee are again bantering insurance reform. More precisely, they are considering revamp of the state’s controversial personal injury protection insurance.
For those of you new to the state or living under a rock, it’s the same insurance that has led to all the lawyer radio advertisements that practically beg you to save their phone number on your speed dial. It’s insurance that has led to the 1-800-PAIN jingle that you can probably sing in the shower and the same insurance that’s led to a very cozy relationship between chiropractors, lawyers and pain management doctors.
Let me stop right here and disclose that I am a licensed massage therapist in the state of Florida. I have worked for two chiropractors -- one for a couple of years and one for about a week. I quit working for the latter when I felt she was practicing questionable medicine.
That said, I have worked on many personal injury clients at the chiropractor’s office. I know how it works. Some of them were attorney referrals. Some of them weren’t.
I also am a Florida motorist and have a teenage driver. I am just as interested as the next guy in keeping my costs manageable. I was involved in a no-fault-of-mine auto accident a few weeks ago and have not hired a lawyer and have not sought unnecessary treatment. I have not received an MRI and did not go to an emergency room. I did receive one massage the day after the accident for neck and shoulder pain at a chiropractor’s office, a necessary move in my opinion, considering my profession.
Under current proposals in Tallahassee, advice of the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke regarding sensible self-care regarding back pain would be ignored, however, and anyone involved in an auto accident would need to visit an emergency room or doctor within 72 hours of an accident or insurance wouldn’t have to cover.
Never mind that pain can worsen over 72 hours. Never mind for back pain and injury that the NINDS does not necessarily suggest jamming into the ER for non-life-threatening injury, but rather using a solid approach to self-care, stating:
“Treatment involves using analgesics, reducing inflammation, restoring proper function and strength to the back, and preventing recurrence of the injury. Most patients with back pain recover without residual functional loss. Patients should contact a doctor if there is not a noticeable reduction in pain and inflammation after 72 hours of self-care.”
This would be sensible. Instead, Tallahassee is merely suggesting trading medical claims at the chiropractor’s office for more expensive medical claims at the ER and MD office, if you ask me.
It’s going to result in people racing even quicker to the doctor, probably getting an even higher level of invasive treatment of cortisone injections, MRI and CT scans or prescriptions for the ever-popular and very addictive pain pills and muscle relaxers, which seem a favorite of Florida physicians instead.
I am shocked by the number of my massage clients who have to pay out of pocket for massage after their own physician refuses to write a prescription for it, but are totally willing to shoot them up with cortisone or dole out a pain pill. (Possibly because the physician doesn’t offer massage at their location.)
If Tallahassee wants to reform anything, I would suggest reforms that allow patient true freedom and choice.
Instead of forcing patients into doctors’ offices or ERs for pain management, how about allowing the client to choose where they go? I would suggest that a fair number of patients would opt for much cheaper options such as yoga classes, massage therapy, acupuncture or water exercise therapies instead of the expensive lawyer-MRI-doctor-pain pill gravy train we have rolling now.
It seems Tallahassee’s “reforms” are just fewer options for the patients who need it most.
Kumari Kelly is a licensed massage therapist and can be reached at kumari_kelly@yahoo.com.
We’ve collected a list of resources for you, including federal and state agencies and private associations. This is a free listing, without paid advertisers.
Healthcare practitioner license search
People can look up a health-care professional to see whether they have any disciplinary history or pending complaints.
Nurse practitioner degree programs
This site, a personal project of Joyce McKay, lists schools across the country currently offering nurse practitioner degree programs.
Medicare Rights Center launches MRU
Medicare Rights University is a subscription-based online service that features courses on key Medicare topics and provides subscribers with information.
What is Medicare and what does it cover?
Here is an online guide that explains the four parts of Medicare.
Medicare Extra Help program
Medicare recipients now have access to the Medicare Extra Help Subsidy Program, which allows Medicare recipients to receive discounted prescription drugs. A family member, trusted counselor or caregiver can apply at www.socialsecurity.gov or call 786-469-4600.
American Lung Association of Florida
Florida Center for Public Health Preparedness
Florida Government e-Rulemaking Site
Provides notices of proposed rules and rule changes, public meetings, etc.
Continuation Coverage
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' site and helpline where unemployed workers may request review of a denial of eligibility for COBRA premium assistance.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-Consumer Guide
Falls-prevention DVD available to health professionals
The Florida departments of Elder Affairs and Health are offering a DVD on falls prevention to health professionals. For a copy, e-mail DEMO_InjuryPrevention
@doh.state.fl.us.
New fed site gives health information in Spanish
Federal officials have unveiled a Spanish-language version of its tool to help people navigate the increased coverage resulting from the health-care overhaul. Click here to visit.
Group offers free ‘living will,’ other forms
Free, downloadable end-of-life forms (to designate a health-care surrogate, for example) are available at a web site sponsored by the Hemlock Society.
Government site outlines new health-care law
A new government site, aimed at individuals, Medicare recipients and small employers, explains how the new health-care law works for the consumer as well as for seniors on Medicare. Click here to visit.
FDA site lets public find drug safety info
The Food and Drug Administration launched a website where patients and health-care professionals can find safety information about recently approved drugs and vaccines. Click here to access.
Florida sets up oil spill info line
Florida has set up a toll-free telephone line to provide residents and visitors with information about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. When you call 888-337-3569, operators will answer questions about the state's response activities, volunteer opportunities and health, safety and protective tips.
Complaints against licensees now online
Public administrative complaints filed against licensed health-care practitioners are now available on The Florida Department of Health Web site. Consumers can see if a public complaint exists for any health-care professional licensed by DOH at this site.
Consumer Reports looks at reform
Consumer Reports has a guide to health reform, with videos, Q&As, viewpoints and in-depth papers. Access it here.
Online resources for information on health reform
The Washington Post has compiled a handy list of guides to the new rules. Access it here.
Summary of new health-reform law
Here is a summary of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (adjusted by the reconciliation act that followed.
And here is the timeline for implementation.
Updated Medicare primer
The Kaiser Family Foundation has updated its Medicare primer that explains key elements of the program. It describes characteristics of the Medicare population and how much people pay out-of-pocket. The updated 2010 Medicare primer is at www.kff.org/medicare/7615.cfm.
Mesothelioma cancer risks in FL
A national group that seeks to inform the public about this type of cancer lists environmental risk factors in Florida.
Consumer health information
The FDA has created a partnership with Everyday Health to deliver FDA's consumer health information to the 30 million users who visit EverydayHealth.com each month. EverydayHealth.com/FDA will offer health information from FDA on food and medical product safety as well as prevention and wellness topics.
What you need to know about anti-viral drugs
Not everyone needs antiviral drugs when they get sick. This CDC fact sheet explains who should take them.
State offers flu hotline
The Florida Department of Health has launched a toll-free hotline, 877-352-3581, to provide public health information and updates on the H1N1 "swine" flu.
It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole.
Information can also be found at the department's website, doh.state.fl.us.
New consumer guides
Spanish-language consumer guides are now available from the Department of Health & Human Services's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for consumers and clinicians. To access the guides in Spanish as well as English, go to effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov. Audio versions of many guides also are available.
Suspect insurance fraud?
Call Florida's Fraud Fighters Hotline at 800-378-0445. It's operated by the Insurance Fraud Division of the state Department of Financial Services.
Helpful hint
Did you know the state offers a Web site where you can quickly find the best price in your local area for the drugs you take? The Drug Finder can save you money.
