I am please to announce that on Thursday December 6th at 8 ET I will be on the WOWO 1190 AM morning show hosted by Charly Butcher. All are invited to listen to the live stream at www.wowo.com.

Many people consider a raw food diet an all natural means to a healthy lifestyle. One great resource for anyone interested in a raw lifestyle is Arnold's Way. Arnold’s Way is a raw and organic café owned and managed by Arnold Kauffman in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

In addition to his own menu of raw meals that you can find on his Web site, Arnold also sells raw food ingredients, cooking supplies, books, DVDs, and rebounders. If you don’t live in eastern Pennsylvania, you can see Arnold at youtube.com/user/ArnoldsWay. He has recorded over 30 videos on raw food preparation and juicing. Also included are many stories of individuals who have reversed very serious disorders through a raw food diet.

Related links:
http://youtube.com/user/ArnoldsWay
http://myspace.com/arnoldsway
http://www.arnoldsway.com/

Vimo (http://www.vimo.com/hospital/cost.php ) provides resources that allow you to take charge of your healthcare spending. It compares pricing information for every procedure by the hospital. Since most pricing information is not shared openly by the hospital with patients, this is a novel idea in healthcare. As we begin to assume more of a burden for increased deductibles and hospital and doctor fees, cost will become an even more important component of quality.

The Happy Times in Healthcare Podcast is here to help healthcare consumers become better educated in order to receive the best possible healthcare available to them. This new podcast series covers a wide variety of topics including paying for healthcare - when you are insured and when you are not insured, selecting a new physician , using healthcare quality rating tools, and understanding your medical record. In this episode:

Pain in the Pocketbook - Dr Russo and attorney Joseph Russo discuss this week's cover story for BusinessWeek Magazine, Fresh Pain for the Uninsured.

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In this video attorney Joseph Russo and I discuss this week's cover story for BusinessWeek Magazine, Fresh Pain for the Uninsured.

In this week’s cover story for BusinessWeek, Fresh Pain for the Uninsured, the author discusses a growing trend in healthcare where uninsured and underinsured patients are financing their healthcare through third parties such as GE or Capital One. Collections for self pay patients have often been difficult for hospital administrators. Many facilities (even nonprofit hospitals) are transferring the debt to commercial banks where the patient can end up getting charged extravagant interest rates. One possible solution for millions of Americans is addressed in my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare, and it lists 10 resources for the uninsured. The book also contains information that patients can utilize to find free or lower cost healthcare.

For instance under the Hill-Burton Act there are over 300 hundred facilities in the US that are required to provide a reasonable amount of free services for those who can not afford payment.

The Happy Times in Healthcare Podcast is here to help healthcare consumers become better educated in order to receive the best possible healthcare available to them. This new podcast series covers a wide variety of topics including paying for healthcare - when you are insured and when you are not insured, selecting a new physician , using healthcare quality rating tools, and understanding your medical record. In this episode:

WOWO 1190 AM Spot - WOWO 1190 AM’s Charly Butcher talks with Dr. Ruthann Russo about her new book 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare on Ft. Wayne's Morning News.

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As healthcare costs continue to rise and many people are paying higher out-of-pocket expenses, shopping for healthcare is becoming more and more important. By using the freely available web-based tools from Vimo.com, the savvy healthcare consumer can maximize the value of the healthcare dollar.

Vimo shows consumers exactly what each hospital charges for a particular surgery. The pricing information includes a list price as well as a negotiated price for each surgery. The negotiated price is the amount insurance companies pay. In some cases, the insurance company pays as little as 30 percent of the provider’s charge. The norm is about 50 to 60 percent. Vimo also provides national averages and information for individual hospitals.

Medical research is often a controversial topic, however there are many regulations in place to protect patients rights.

Providers must follow specific requirements of informed consent
for research purposes. There is widespread agreement that informed consent for research must contain three basic elements: (1) the physician researcher must provide information to the patient, (2) the patient participant must understand the information, and (3) the patient must voluntarily participate in the study.

With more and more hospitals shifting debt to third party financing companies, uninsured patients are frequently turning to healthcare credit cards to pay for healthcare services. This can quickly lead to large high interest debt that can financially cripple a consumer.

The Happy Times in Healthcare Podcast is here to help healthcare consumers become better educated in order to receive the best possible healthcare available to them. This new podcast series covers a wide variety of topics including paying for healthcare - when you are insured and when you are not insured, selecting a new physician , using healthcare quality rating tools, and understanding your medical record. In this episode:

Patient-Physician Communication - Knowing the limited time you have with your physician, being clear on what you want to address and how you want make a decision is key in ensuring you have the best possible encounter with your physician. Dr Russo provides 10 steps you can take to improve communication with your physician.

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Knowing the limited time you have with your physician, being clear on what you want to address and how you want make a decision is key in ensuring you have the best possible encounter with your physician. Dr Russo provides 10 steps you can take to improve communication with your physician.

As mentioned in yesterday’s netcast here are 10 steps you can take before and during your visit to improve communication with your physician:

1. Think about your goals: what do you want to achieve from the visit?
2. Get organized. Create a list of questions you want to ask. Bring relevant medical records.
3. Research your problem to better prepare questions.
4. Decide whether you want your healthcare mentor to join you.
5. Answer all your physician’s questions fully.
6. Tell the physician your goal(s) for the visit.
7. Listen attentively to the physician and maintain eye contact.
8. Repeat instructions or recommendations the physician gives you. Take notes, if necessary.
9. Ask the physician to clarify anything you do not understand.
10. Ask for instructions in writing.

Vascular surgeons operate on arteries and veins and provide conservative therapies for diseases of the peripheral vascular systems. For further clarification, cardiothoracic surgeons operate on the heart and neurosurgeons operate on the brain. With the introduction of minimally invasive techniques, the numbers and types of surgeries performed by vascular surgeons have grown considerably. Vascular surgeons remove clots in the veins or arteries. They also re-attach the ends of arteries or veins.

Common types of conditions they treat conclude varicose veins, aneurysms, thrombosis, and embolisms.

Orthopedic surgeons generally perform surgery on patients with trauma and with arthritic joints. Examples of trauma surgery include repairs of fractures, torn ligaments, herniated discs, and dislocations. Surgery for joints involves replacement or repair of joints like the hips, knees, and shoulders.

An otolaryngologist diagnoses and provides medical and surgical therapy for disorders or injuries of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, face and jaw. Head and neck oncology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and the treatment of disorders of hearing and voice are fundamental areas of expertise for this specialist.

There is now a free sample chapter of my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare available for download at www.7stepshealth.com.

In this downloadable sample chapter I discuss how one of the keys to good healthcare is planning ahead and building a healthcare team. Your two most important team members are your primary care physician (PCP) and your medical mentor. You will find out how to select a PCP, determine the role your PCP should play, and how to maintain an effective relationship. You will also find out what a medical mentor is and how they can help you with acute or long term health challenges. You will also find out how to be a medical mentor yourself. By combining common sense explanations and tips for building your healthcare team along with real life patient stories, this sample chapter provides a strong base for anyone interested in personal health planning.

The Happy Times in Healthcare Podcast is here to help healthcare consumers become better educated in order to receive the best possible healthcare available to them. This new podcast series covers a wide variety of topics including paying for healthcare - when you are insured and when you are not insured, selecting a new physician , using healthcare quality rating tools, and understanding your medical record. In this episode:

The Pharmaceutical Industry and Prescription Drugs - Dr Russo and attorney Joseph Russo discuss the pharmaceutical industry and prescription drugs and some things you should be aware of when talking with your doctor.

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Dr Russo and attorney Joseph Russo discuss the pharmaceutical industry and prescription drugs and some things you should be aware of when talking with your doctor.

I am pleased to announce that the winners of the contest have been chosen and are listed below.

Not one of the lucky winners? Due to the overwhelming success and positive feedback of the drawing we're currently planning a new contest. Keep an eye on the weekly newsletter for more details coming in January.

Grand Prize, iPod Touch: Shawn M. of Springdale, AR

1st Prize, iPod Nano: Diane B. of Agawam, MA

2nd Prize, iPod Shuffle: Vicki T of Sarahsville, OH

3rd Prize, $25 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com:
• Rena P. of Oklahoma City, OK
• Dale R. of Big Rapids, MI
• Craig T. of Westfield, IN

I am pleased to announce that on Dec. 26th at 6:30 PM ET I will be on WDIY 88.1 FM's Take Charge of Your Life hosted by Eleanor Bobrow.

A live stream will be available at www.wdiy.org

The Happy Times in Healthcare Podcast is here to help healthcare consumers become better educated in order to receive the best possible healthcare available to them. This podcast series covers a wide variety of topics including paying for healthcare - when you are insured and when you are not insured, selecting a new physician , using healthcare quality rating tools, and understanding your medical record. In this episode:

Obtaining Your Medical Record - Dr Russo and attorney Joseph Russo discuss how to get a copy of your medical record and why it is important for your overall health planning. They also share a recent experience that highlights some of the differences that you may encounter between various doctor offices.

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Dr Russo and attorney Joseph Russo discuss how to get a copy of your medical record and why it is important for your overall health planning. They also share a recent experience that highlights some of the differences that you may encounter between various doctor offices.

Question: “Is there a place to check on whether a doctor has had disciplinary actions brought against him or her?”
From: Kathy H., of Stigler, OK

Answer: Kathy, thank you for your excellent question. We spend a great deal of time shopping for a new car, including test drives, checking Consumer Report and the Blue Book for value, but how much time do we spend researching physician qualifications and disciplinary actions against that physician. Below are a few websites to check on a physician’s training and disciplinary history:

The Happy Times in Healthcare Podcast is here to help healthcare consumers become better educated in order to receive the best possible healthcare available to them. This podcast series covers a wide variety of topics including paying for healthcare - when you are insured and when you are not insured, selecting a new physician , using healthcare quality rating tools, and understanding your medical record. In this episode:

Take Charge of Your Life Interview - Part 1 of 2 - Eleanor Bobrow of the highly acclaimed public radio show Take Back Your Life talks with Dr. Ruthann Russo about how to navigate the healthcare system when a loved one is ill.

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Question: “If hospitals really can turn indigent people away who need serious help?”
From: Roxane M. of Roscommon, MI

Answer: The answer to your question is NO but this needs further explanation. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Law (EMTALA), if any patient presents to an Emergency Department requesting examination or medical treatment, the patient must be provided with adequate medical screening to determine if an ”emergency medical condition” exists. If not, the hospital is under no further obligation, but if it is determined that such a condition exists, the hospital must treat the patient until stable or transfer to another hospital within conditions defined by the statute. What qualifies as a medical condition is ultimately a medical definition but there are legal reviews. The patient may be transferred to another facility after stabilized or if the situation requires care that the initial hospital cannot provide and the risks are outweighed by the medical benefits to the patient.

You can also find a list of the Top Ten Resources to use when you are uninsured or underinsured in my book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare and on the website 7stepshealth.com. These resources can help in the event you need medical care that is not considered to be an “emergency”.