Healthcare Shopper News
For the informed consumer of health care
December 2006 Monthly Archive
Planning for Cosmetic Surgery Abroad
There are excellent cosmetic surgeons throughout the world. However, Americans seeking surgery abroad requires homework. Consider establishing a relationship with a local board certified plastic surgeon before going on your trip. Then, if complications arise when you return home, a qualified surgeon will be familiar with your goals and procedures. Unless you have met the surgeon on a prior visit, and have seen the surgery facility, how do you know that you will be comfortable with him or her, and... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 28, 2006 8:06 PM
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Caution on New Drugs for Restless Leg Syndrome
You've probably seen those TV commercials for Requip (ropinirole), the first drug approved to treat "restless leg syndrome", a condition whose signature feature is creepy-crawly leg sensations that interfere with sleep and rest in nearly 1 of every 10 adults. But if taken too long, the drug can actually backfire, causing symptoms to worsen, say doctors who specialize in treating the condition. At this point, you can't just up the dose. The drug is part of the problem. They say... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 28, 2006 8:06 PM
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Employees Slow to Choose Consumer Directed Health Plans
When offered a choice of plans, relatively few employees (19%) select Consumer Directed Health Plans CDHPs (a combination of a high-deductible PPO health plan and a Health Savings Plan). This is a major reason why CDHP enrollment has not accelerated rapidly in the group insurance market. In comparison, based on a member survey, the industry trade group America’s Health Insurance Plans estimates that 23 percent of all new polices in the individual market were HSA-eligible plans. From the employee’s vantage... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 13, 2006 11:37 AM
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Most Believe They are in Good Health
Most U.S. adults say they are in good or excellent health, according to a new Gallup poll. Of those polled, 79% rated their physical health as "excellent" or "good," while 21% said it was "only fair" or "poor." Self-ratings for mental health were even higher: 86% said their mental health was "excellent" or "good," while 14% rated it "only fair" or "poor." Are Americans really as healthy as we claim? That's not clear. The poll didn't include specific health questions... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 13, 2006 11:37 AM
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Healthcare Costs Begin to be Disclosed by Some Insurers
Health insurance companies are beginning to reveal the costs of health care services, a move that might ultimately change what providers charge and how much consumers pay. Charges for services can vary by as much as 30% depending on the provider, according to Cigna. In January 2007, Cigna in 58 markets will begin to offer the Cigna Care Network, which will include doctors who score well on quality and cost-efficiency measures. The American Medical Association in November passed a resolution... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 13, 2006 11:37 AM
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Illinois Residents may be Required to Have Health Insurance
Illinois joins a growing list of states taking early steps toward mandatory health insurance. An Illinois state task force on Thursday approved a plan to require all residents to obtain health care coverage through their employers, public health programs or private insurance. The program would cost the state government and employers more than $5 billion annually. Under the plan, all state residents, including undocumented immigrants and college students, would be required to obtain health insurance or face penalties. A state... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 13, 2006 11:37 AM
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Minnesota rated the healthiest state in the U.S.
Based on a mix of factors, including personal health (such as exercise and obesity), clinical care, health insurance coverage, and health care policies the nonprofit United Health Foundation in partnership with the American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention published a new "healthiest state" ranking. The healthiest are: Minnesota Vermont New Hampshire Hawaii Connecticut Minnesota has topped the annual list 11 times since 1990. Minnesota's strengths include a low rate of heart disease deaths, a low premature death... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 5, 2006 2:34 PM
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More than half of Americans without health insurance cannot afford to purchase it and are ineligible for public assistance programs.
Lisa Dubay, a research scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and researchers at the Urban Institute found that more than half of Americans without health insurance cannot afford to purchase it and are ineligible for public assistance programs. 56% of uninsured U.S. residents are ineligible for public health programs and cannot afford coverage25% of of uninsured U.S. residents are eligible but not enrolled in public health programs20% of uninsured U.S. residents can afford insurance but have... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 5, 2006 2:10 PM
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Profit and Prostate
A radiation therapy known as I.M.R.T for prostate cancer may be emerging as yet another example of the way financial incentives can influence medical decisions. Among several widely used treatments for prostate cancer, I.M.R.T. stands out for the money it makes the doctors who recommend it - $47,000 or more a patient. That is many times the fees that urologists make on other accepted treatments for the disease, which include surgery and radioactive seed implants. And it may help explain... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 4, 2006 12:55 PM
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Put Federal Money Behind States' Healthcare Reform
Probably the best hope for moving health care reform forward lies at the state level rather than the federal. In fact, individual states have taken the lead in health care reform so far. But, there's no way this is going to get done without federal resources - state ingenuity and federal resources. Federal lawmakers have introduced three bills that would would encourage states to propose health care reform plans, which would be reviewed by a commission or task force that... read more
Posted by Phil Daigle on December 4, 2006 12:45 PM
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