Question: Can I find out actions taken against doctors; complaints about doctors?
From: Mandy S. of Strasburg, PA

Answer: There are several websites available to check physician training. Some may offer information about disciplinary action taken against a physician but ease of access to the information may vary. Some state licensing boards may offer the information but getting it may be difficult. At a cost to the consumer, HealthGrades.com will indicate whether a physician has been disciplined but may not give specifics. The U.S. Office of the Inspector General administers two databanks that include disciplinary action against physicians but they are not available to the general public. They can be accessed by government agencies, credentialing organizations, and certain other parties. They are National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB). An on-line search will yield some sites such as Docinfo.org, a Web site operated by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). The public can access disciplinary, education, licensure and location information on U.S. licensed physicians and physician assistants. The consumer will pay a fee but can then receive credentialing and disciplinary information.

Question: What are dental care options on insurance?
From: Jane M. of Junction City, KS

Answer: Like healthcare benefits, dental benefits are often provided by an employer. Private coverage is also available but you want to research the premium cost, out of pocket responsibility, and the types of services covered and at what percent. There are truly many options out there (check the web) but be careful that you choose one that meets your needs. Your dentist’s office may or may not work with that plan so you want to check that point. Many dental providers know how plans work so ask your dentist’s office staff for their thoughts.

The phrase, medicalization of life refers to "society’s growing trend to classify more and more life problems as medical problems" and treating those problems with pharmaceutical or surgical intervention.There is a spectrum of medicalization issues that includes those a physician may treat with prescription medication and surgery to those that are cosmetic in nature. Many advertisements describe how to treat problems like restless leg syndrome, sexual dysfunction, and insomnia with a prescription drug and physician visit. These are examples of the medicalization of life today that 20 years ago we did not even have a medical diagnosis for. At the extreme, medicalization involves treating natural life consequences, such as minor body image issues, being slightly overweight, or experiencing hair loss as diseases that must be eradicated.

Medicalization involves asking questions, such as:

• When does a deviation from normal need medical intervention?
• Does every episode of depression or attention deficit require a medical intervention?
• What are appropriate alternative treatments?

On one end of the medicalization spectrum, an individual may be experiencing anxiety or depression. To the extent that any condition interferes with a person's ability to function effectively on a day-to-day basis, it is important to treat it. Physicians have professional judgment parameters in applying clinical criteria. If you choose to seek medical intervention for such a condition, your physician may recommend treatment with prescription drugs. You make the decision.

At the other end of the medicalization spectrum are conditions like wrinkles, hair loss or yellow, crooked teeth. If you have any of these conditions, you need to discern for yourself whether you need, want, or can afford medical or surgical intervention for problems like these. Whether you choose to seek medical intervention for a natural consequence of living may not be as important as how you do it. We count on our physicians to act ethically and in our best interests when making decision about when and if to treat a symptom, a condition or a "common life consequence."

Happy Times in Healthcare in association with 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare, is sponsoring the 6 Days at Disney contest to celebrate the launch of its newly re-designed website. In addition to a grand prize of Walt Disney World vacation for 4, other great daily, weekly, and monthly prizes are being awarded.

Please congratulate the following Daily Prize Winners for the week of 03/31 each of whom will be receiving a free t-shirt compliments of 7stepshealth.com:

 

• Susan Ogle of Dalton, GA
• Onolee Rector of Grand Rapids, MI
• Karen Schymanski of Midland, MI
• Adriana Guerrero of Lompoc, CA
• Beveerly Scott of Carmichael, CA
• John Mizell of Sunset, UT
• Raina Mills of Carrollton, TX

Weekly Winner!

Tara Obenauer of Massapequa, NY was the Weekly Winner for the week of 03/31and will be receiving a copy my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare.

Not Registered Yet?

If you haven't registered yet, you can sign up at www.happytimesinhealthcare.com and be eligible for our next drawing plus get a free sample chapter of 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare and a subscription to the e-newsletter, Here's to Your Best Possible Health.

I am happy to announce that I will be appearing at the Southern Lehigh Public Library in Center Valley, PA on April 9th at 7 PM. I will be discussing how you can take charge of your healthcare to get the best care for you or your family. Topics we will be discussing include personal healthcare planning, the importance of your medical record, choosing and communicating with doctors, evaluating healthcare quality and the changing healthcare paradox in the US.

Following the presentation there will be a question and answer session and a signing of my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare.

Southern Lehigh Public Library
3200 Preston Lane
PO Box 279
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-282-8825
www.solehipl.org

Question: Is cosmetic surgery covered under normal health insurance?
From: Sherri W. of Milpitas, CA

Answer: Most likely, no. Most medical insurance plans specifically exclude cosmetic surgery. Even dental coverage is limited or reduced for what may be considered cosmetic procedures. I can think of certain situations for which exceptions will probably be made-e.g., a burn patient or mastectomy patient in need of reconstructive surgery or prosthetics. If there is an issue in question, you may need a letter from your physician explaining the necessity of the surgery and that it is not merely for cosmetic reasons. But general cosmetic work such as liposuction, face lifts, tummy tucks, etc. are usually not covered by health insurance

Submit a question to Dr. Russo

I recently had the chance to speak at the Healthcare Prognosis 2008 hosted by the Main Line Chamber of Commerce at Bryn Mawr Hospital. The event was attended by many local providers and area business leaders and focused on how organizations can improve the healthcare of their employees and how that can actually reduce the cost of health benefits. After the panel, was finished there was a lively discussion regarding personal health planning and how a proactive approach to healthcare can dramatically increase the overall health levels of a community.

In many ways this event may have raised more questions than answers for the attendees. However, it introduced many new ideas to an important group of business and community leaders, which is crucial to effecting real long-term changes.

People share their healthcare experiences with Dr. Ruthann Russo and how they overcame significant challenges from within the healthcare system.

After my daughter Emmalea had her first seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy, she was treated by a neurologist at our local medical center, who I will call Dr. Smith. To be sure we were on the right path with such a serious diagnosis, we sought out a second opinion from Dr. Carl Bazil, a nationally known neurologist at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Bazil, who agreed with the local neurologist’s treatment, sent Dr. Smith a letter describing his visit with Emmalea and documenting his suggestions.  This is standard practice, and basic etiquette, for consulting physicians to inform the primary physician about their visit with the patient.

After her second seizure, frantic, I called Dr. Smith.  When I asked him what we should do, he responded, “Why don’t you ask your fancy New York City doctor......”   I immediately hung up the phone and called Dr. Bazil who provided guidance and counseling to us immediately. Our next step was to find another primary neurologist.  

I am happy to announce that I will be appearing at the Phillipsburg Free Public Library in Phillipsburg, NJ on April 15th at 7 PM. I will be discussing how you can take charge of your healthcare to get the best care for you or your family. Topics we will cover include personal healthcare planning, the importance of your medical record, choosing and communicating with doctors, evaluating healthcare quality and the changing healthcare paradox in the US.

Following the presentation there will be a question and answer session and a signing of my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare.

Phillipsburg Free Public Library
200 Frost Ave
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
(908) 454-3712
http://www.pburglib.org/

Happy Times in Healthcare in association with 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare, is sponsoring the 6 Days at Disney contest to celebrate the launch of its newly re-designed website. In addition to a grand prize of Walt Disney World vacation for 4, other great daily, weekly, and monthly prizes are being awarded.

Please congratulate the following Daily Prize Winners for the week of 04/07 each of whom will be receiving a free t-shirt compliments of 7stepshealth.com:

 

• Doug Barnett of Plymouth, MN
• linda baldwin of Spokane, WA
• Melanie Caiazza of Newtown, CT
• Millie McClave of San Antonio, TX
• Peter Starck of Fox Point, WI
• Dora Meredith of Grand Ledge, MI
• Tim Miller of Chico, CA

Weekly Winner!

Lisa Sibley of Springfield, NY was the Weekly Winner for the week of 04/07 and will be receiving a copy my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare.

Not Registered Yet?

If you haven't registered yet, you can sign up at www.happytimesinhealthcare.com and be eligible for our next drawing plus get a free sample chapter of 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare and a subscription to the e-newsletter, Here's to Your Best Possible Health.

Question: Why patients aren't informed as to what their test results, etc. are leading their doctors to believe as a possible diagnosis?
From: Leanne S. of Vineland, NJ

Answer: The federal government guarantees that patients have healthcare rights and providers have responsibilities they must meet in caring for their patients. You have probably seen these Rights and Responsibilities posted in hospitals and clinics that you have visited and have received a copy upon admission to a hospital. One of your rights is to receive information in a clear and understandable fashion and to accept or decline treatment. As a patient, you also have the responsibility to ask questions and share information pertinent to your healthcare issues. These rights and responsibilities apply to tests that have been performed so please ask your physician for an explanation and make sure you understand the results.

Submit a question to Dr. Russo

Question: Why are we so rushed in doctors’ offices?
From: D.M. of Winchester, IN

Answer: In my book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare, I cite a study by The American Academy of Ophthalmology which indicates that patients find quality of their physician appointments to be more important than quantity. The study goes on to say that patients who were satisfied with their doctor visit tended to overestimate the time spent and those who were dissatisfied complained that the physician hurried, even if the visits were actually long. Patients have an average of 16 minutes with their physicians so it is important to be prepared when going into the visit. As I explain in the book, the preparation will reap benefits in the dialog you have. Important points are to organize your questions (write them down so you don’t forget), research the problem so you know what to ask, answer all the physician’s questions fully, listen carefully, repeat what you are told or instructed, ask for clarification if you don’t understand, ask for written instructions. You may want to take someone along if you are comfortable with that arrangement.

Submit a question to Dr. Russo

We launched the website for my new book, The Raw Food Diet Myth, today. While it is a great resource for learning more about the raw and living food lifestyle, anyone can pick up some good tips about healthy living from the site. The website contains great resources, the basics of raw food preparation and the lifestyle. The book is due out on June 15th but you can download a free sample chapter from the site at http://www.rawfoodmyth.com/about/preview.php.

On the site, I describe a grass roots movement for raw and living foods and the things we all can do to enjoy greater well-being. The top 10 things each of us can do are:
1. Eat some greens everyday
2. Eat less meat, or none at all
3. Eat no refined sugar or products containing refined sugar
4. Jump on a rebounder 20 minutes a day or practice yoga daily
5. Fast once or twice a year from food or media
6. Look up the pH level of the 10 most common foods you eat and eliminate anything with a pH level less than 6
7. Drink only bottled water from artesian wells (like Fiji)
8. Eliminate dairy or only use raw dairy products
9. Meditate 20 minutes a week
10. Pick one super supplement to add to your daily regimen: bee pollen, blue-green algae, chlorella or spirulina as one of your daily supplements

Please visit the site and let us know what you think!

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:

Podcast: 10 things you should know about your medical record - Dr. Ruthann Russo discusses 10 things you should know about your medical record as a critical part of your healthcare and planning.

• Add to Zune
• Download / Listen in web browser
• RSS Feed

Dr. Ruthann Russo discusses 10 things you should know about your medical record as a critical part of your healthcare and planning.

Happy Times in Healthcare in association with 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare, is sponsoring the 6 Days at Disney contest to celebrate the launch of its newly re-designed website. In addition to a grand prize of Walt Disney World vacation for 4, other great daily, weekly, and monthly prizes are being awarded.

Please congratulate the following Daily Prize Winners for the week of 04/14 each of whom will be receiving a free t-shirt compliments of 7stepshealth.com:

 

• Linda McNeeley of Columbia, MD
• Jennifer Short of terra alta, WV
• Kenneth Rosenberg of New City, NY
• Pamela Mosher of Martinez, CA
• Denise Farris of Katy, TX
• Iliana Blair of Canandaigua, NY
• Lesha Anderson of Newburgh, IN

Weekly Winner!

Todd Walden of Bloomington, MN was the Weekly Winner for the week of 04/14 and will be receiving a copy my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare.

Not Registered Yet?

If you haven't registered yet, you can sign up at www.happytimesinhealthcare.com and be eligible for our next drawing plus get a free sample chapter of 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare and a subscription to the e-newsletter, Here's to Your Best Possible Health.

Question: Is Medicare really all it's hyped up to be?
From: Andrew L. of Cranbury, NJ

Answer: Your question is a broad one. Most people know that Medicare is federally funded and is available at age 65 or younger if disabled and on Social Security Disability for 2 years. What may not be as well known are the types of services covered by Medicare. The following is not an exclusive list of services covered by Medicare but will at least give you an idea of the benefits-inpatient hospitalization, inpatient skilled nursing services, physician coverage, outpatient surgery and therapy coverage, inpatient Hospice benefits, home health services at a skilled level, home Hospice services. Screening tests are also covered. As with any other insurance coverage, there are conditions to be met and limits on the amount of coverage (benefits are renewed if the patient is not an inpatient for at least 60 days). Many patients purchase Medigap insurance to supplement Medicare. Managed Care Medicare plans must provide the basic coverage available in traditional Medicare. More recently, Medicare prescription plans have arisen. Is it all it’s hyped up to be? It appears that the government intended to provide comprehensive coverage for its older and disabled population but also recognizes that ongoing improvements and changes will be necessary.

Submit a question to Dr. Russo

While you are the quarterback for your healthcare team, your primary care physician is your coach – without him or her – you wade aimlessly around the healthcare maze. Your primary care physician should work to keep you healthy, refer you to specialists and basically make sure nothing slips through the cracks.  Problem is, the number of medical school students going into primary care continues to decrease each year.  Worse yet, the number of primary care physicians leaving the practice of medicine is increasing.  The main reason for this defection is the reimbursement rates for primary care physicians compared to specialists. It could take decades before some of the government and medical school programs incentivizing more grads to enter primary care actually have an impact – if ever. In the meantime, what’s a patient to do?

I am pleased to announce that I will be speaking at the Human Performance Center in Allentown, PA on Wednesday, May 7th @ 12:00 and 7:00 PM. I will be discussing how you can take charge of your healthcare to get the best care for you or your family. Topics we will cover include personal healthcare planning, the importance of your medical record, choosing and communicating with doctors, evaluating healthcare quality and the changing healthcare paradox in the US.

Following the presentation there will be a question and answer session and a signing of my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare.

This event is open to the public and free of charge however reservations are required by contacting the HPC service desk at 610-973-1500. Event Details from hpcfitness.com

About Human Performance Center:
At HPC, we believe that both a healthy mind and body are essential to healthy living.
OAA’s Human Performance Center is the only Health and Fitness Center of its kind in the Lehigh Valley...
We offer everything you need to maintain your healthy lifestyle – from state-of-the-art fitness equipment and amenities, to exercise classes and programs, to nutritional counseling and lifestyle education – all under one roof and delivered by qualified exercise professionals.
www.hpcfitness.com

Question: I would like to know beforehand what I would have to pay for any procedure.
From: Esther S. of Saginaw, MI

Answer: This seems like a logical and reasonable request. You should also speak with the physician (s) providing the service and the facility where the procedure is to be performed. Remember that the facility, physician, and anesthesiologist will probably bill separately so you may have to make a few contacts. If you have insurance, contact the plan’s Customer Service Department and ask if this is a covered procedure and, if so, at what percentage. Also ask how each physician participating will be reimbursed. This should give you an estimate pending unforeseen issues.

Submit a question to Dr. Russo

Happy Times in Healthcare in association with 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare, is sponsoring the 6 Days at Disney contest to celebrate the launch of its newly re-designed website. In addition to a grand prize of Walt Disney World vacation for 4, other great daily, weekly, and monthly prizes are being awarded.

Please congratulate the following Daily Prize Winners for the week of 04/21 each of whom will be receiving a free t-shirt compliments of 7stepshealth.com:

 

• Patrick Morrison of Rockford, IL
• Dreama Colella of Grafton, OH
• Lisa Ranf of Spokane Valley, WA
• Mary Reisinger of Lancaster, PA
• Ann Babenco of High Bridge, NJ
• Marian Barton of Chula Vista, CA
• Christine Rodriguez of Phoenix, AZ

Weekly Winner!

Peter Starck of Fox Point, WI was the Weekly Winner for the week of 04/21 and will be receiving a copy my new book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare.

Not Registered Yet?

If you haven't registered yet, you can sign up at www.happytimesinhealthcare.com and be eligible for our next drawing plus get a free sample chapter of 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare and a subscription to the e-newsletter, Here's to Your Best Possible Health.