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Pop Quiz: Test your knowledge of managed-care plans

Preventing health insurance mishaps by knowing how you’re covered THERE’S NO GETTING around the fact that healthcare insurance plans can be complicated and confusing. There are many different types of plans, such as managed-care plans, and each has its own set of rules and requirements. However, having the right information — down to the smallest…
Health insurance update: Who falls in the coverage gap and how can they get insured?

“I think most of the providers that volunteer feel a moral and ethical obligation to help take care of those people.” — Dr. David Loewy, volunteer with We Care of Polk County LOCAL RESIDENTS who have issues getting health insurance coverage are fortunate in that there are many agencies here that offer a wide range…
Medicare and end-of-life care: What’s changing?

New proposed policy encourages the process of advanced-care planning END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS are complicated and fraught with emotion, but a recent announcement by Medicare will hopefully offer some clarity to those facing such tough decisions. In early July, Medicare announced plans to pay doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants for conversations with patients concerning end-of-life care.…

Body, Mind & Spirit: Restoring confidence while reconstructing the breast

Reconstruction of a breast that has been removed due to cancer or other disease, in my experience, is one of the most rewarding surgical procedures. New medical techniques have made it possible for us to create a breast that can come close in form and appearance to matching a natural breast. Frequently, reconstruction is possible…
Beyond breast cancer: Looking after your health

You’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and undergone the first phase of treatment: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. Now comes the next step in your journey: taking good care of yourself, monitoring your health, and learning habits to promote good health for the long run. As a breast cancer survivor, healthy habits and…
Publisher’s Note: Will the Medicaid overhaul favor certain FL-based HMOs?

It seems only yesterday it was August 2, when hundreds of pages describing the Florida Medicaid overhaul were released. The goal of this overhaul is to shift Medicaid beneficiaries into “managed-care plans” by 2013 while using a heavily debated pilot program until then to set the wheels in motion. But which companies stand to benefit most…