An AARP Report On Nursing Homes Gave Texas Poor Marks

By Coleen Elkins

A 2010 AARP report on quality of nursing homes left Texas in nearly last place. Texas rates 49th of the 51 the District of Columbia was included in the nursing home quality of care report.

Twenty seven percent of the long-stay patients in Texas received anti-physchotic medications compared to the national average of 20.2 percent this is quite high. The number of nursing home workers that left their jobs in 2010 was 72 percent. That is nearly twice the national average of 38 percent.

Families that make the decision to place a loved one in a nursing expect a high level of care for their family member. It is very disheartening to learn that may not be the case. This report came to light just days before DADS (Department of Aging and Disability Services) is scheduled to appear before the state Sunset Advisory Committee.

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Is Medicare In Need Of An Overhaul?

By Coleen Elkins

As we look at all the changes to health care in the United States over the last few years could Medicare be next?

A Medicare overhaul has been kicked around Washington for a very long time. There have been proposals that would reportedly reduce the deficit. One suggests unifying Medicare benefits under a single deductible with a cap on senior's out of pocket expenses. The fear is that could increase costs for seniors not utilizing hospital benefits.

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Government Paying 76 Percent Of Premium Under Healthcare Law

By Coleen Elkins

If you look at the photo it represents 75 percent of a pie.

Seventy six percent of people that applied for health insurance received assistance paying for their benefits. The assistance is provided by the Federal Government.

The Federal exchange is responsible for 36 of the 50 states as only 14 states have their own exchange. Only 24 percent of those enrolling did not receive a subsidy. The average premium is $346.00 what that means is typically an enrollee pays just $82.00 per month for their health insurance. In Mississippi the average premium paid by the enrollee is $23.00. It is unclear if the data on the 14 states running their own exchanges will impact these numbers in any way.

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Study Finds The United States Ranking Last In Health Care

By Coleen Elkins



A study finds the United States healthcare system spends the most money with the poorest results. The study was concluded prior to full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and goes on to say the law should improve the U.S. standings.

Some of the measures were health outcomes, quality and efficiency. It seems we lack coordination of care, and dealing with administrative issues. Interestingly Canada is right behind the U.S. at number 10 with a Nationalized health plan.

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Medicare Wades Through 357,000 Disputed Claims

By Coleen Elkins


Medicare has fixed dollar amount limits they will allow for certain services. One of those services is physical therapy. If a Medicare patient has a stroke there are many physical therapy components that are usually needed by the patient. They need to work on mobility and speech and improving their daily living. If a small provider has been paid by Medicare for services rendered it can really impact their bottom-line when they are asked to pay it back because the amount exceeded the Medicare limit.

A provider can wait up to 2 years for a case to be heard because of the back-log. Medicare has suspended hearings for the year as the renew contracts with third party vendors.

Read more about Medicare's back-log here

Is Your Smart Phone Or Tablet Making You Healthier?

     

 By Coleen Elkins

Mobile Medical apps can have many functions and serve many purposes. They can help us become healthier and stay healthy. They can provide information on certain medical conditions, monitor caloric intake. They can help nursing mom's know the effects of certain medications while nursing their babies. They can help doctors have research at their finger tips. Some apps can diagnose Cancer or Irregular heart rhythm.

Companies such as Weightwatchers offers an app to help you track your daily food intake and exercise. Apple is introducing more health programs to their operating system this fall.

The FDA has a website dedicated to medical apps here

Who Makes Your Healthcare Decisions?

By Coleen Elkins







Should you be proactive in your healthcare decisions? Growing up we learned to be respectful of those who are of "authority". With sixteen years of training and years of experience a doctor certainly does hold a position of "authority".  Of course you want to give your doctor the respect they deserve. Do you want to give them the ultimate decision making power over your healthcare?

A study finds that in some instances such as a medical condition that is a threat to public health the doctor should have ultimate authority. Another example is should a patient decide on a treatment that may be harmful to them?

Should you have a chance to weigh in as well under "normal" circumstances?

Conversations with your doctor will educate you on your medical condition and could improve your health. It may be good to show up at your doctor's appointment with a note pad and be prepared to take notes. Those notes may generate more questions for a later visit. Your questions may lead you to treatment options.

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