Risky business in the massage room
Just when you think it’s safe to read health news again, you get these stories about inappropriate massage conduct, "punching the gay" out of kids and celebrity overdoses.
A Closer Look
Rural vet shortage troublesome for food safety
Earlier this week, a dairy cow in California tested positive for mad cow disease on a routine test, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced. Even international authorities raced to assure us this was good news: The U.S. system is working.
So, let’s say this system is, in fact, working. There’s another component that’s not.
read moreA fictional cure-all for a fictional malfunction
People get hoodwinked into thinking alternative therapies work, often to the detriment of their wallets and possibly their health. One, craniosacral therapy, flies in the face of the understanding of human anatomy.
Food Safety
Consumer Recalls
Consumer Corner
To get out of Medicare plan, act by Tuesday. But it’s tricky
By Carol Gentry
Health News Florida
Medicare patients who enrolled in an HMO for 2012 and now have buyer’s remorse can still drop out of their plan if they act by Tuesday. But they could wind up a lot worse off if they’re not careful, experts say.
February 14 marks the end of the disenrollment period for Medicare Advantage (MA) -- the private managed-care substitute for the government insurance program for the elderly and disabled.
Unhappy MA members have the option of “disenrolling” and going back to original Medicare. They can also sign up for a Medicare-subsidized prescription drug plan.
Those who are already in traditional Medicare with a prescription drug plan cannot make any changes.
It can be very confusing, especially for beneficiaries who weren’t in managed care during their working years. Instead of having stable coverage, as in traditional Medicare, the benefits and prices in MA and prescription drug plans change year to year.
It’s especially confusing this year, because for the first time those enrolled in MA plans can’t switch to another MA plan in the early months of the year. Their only option is traditional Medicare with a drug plan.
Here’s where Medicare beneficiaries need to watch out, because those enrolled in original Medicare have to pay 20 percent of their bills unless they can afford a supplement plan, often called Medigap.
Not only that, signing up for a prescription drug plan can be tricky for those who are accustomed to getting drugs through their HMO.
No prescription drug plan covers every drug on the market and the difference in coverage can be substantial, says Ross Blair, CEO of PlanPrescriber.com, a private company that helps beneficiaries compare drug benefits. (Medicare offers a plan-finder, as well, at this site.
In Florida, Blair said, there is a big difference between two of the top-10 drug plans in enrollment. Part of the difference lies in cost – premiums as well as co-pays – while part lies in the extent of coverage.
Blair gives this Florida-specific example:
WellCare Classic costs $27 a month, while Humana Enhanced costs $41.50 a month. But WellCare has a $320 deductible, while Humana Enhanced requires none.
Also, Humana Enhanced’s formulary – list of covered drugs – includes 79 percent of all drugs on the market. Meanwhile, WellCare Classic covers only 47.5 percent.
“That’s why it’s really important for Medicare patients to make sure the drugs they take are covered by the plan” before they sign up, Blair said.
Some Medicare patients say they were misled on the government's plan-finder, according to an article in The Hill, because it says drugs are free on some plans without making clear that it's only true for certain pharmacies.
Even if the co-pay is just $5 to $7, that's significant to retirees. The median income for those 65 and older is about $25,500 for men and about $14,600 for women, Blair noted.
"What is critical for seniors is to understand why their costs may be higher than they expected and make sure they’re fixing the right problem," Blair said.
Each state has a federally-funded volunteer program to help seniors and the disabled figure out their best options. In Florida, that program is called SHINE, for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. It's operated by the state Department of Elder Affairs.
To get help from a SHINE volunteer, call 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or email information@elderaffairs.org.
--Health News Florida is an independent online publication dedicated to public-service journalism. Editor Carol Gentry can be reached at 727-410-3266 or by e-mail.
Resources
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.
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