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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.…

Floaters in Your Vision

Common visual symptoms of floaters present themselves in my office on a daily basis and are very common with aging. Let’s talk more about floaters. Usually, the patient will comment about seeing little dots, lines, “worms” or “cells” in one or both eyes. When asked, patients will report seeing these whenever the lights are bright. …
Fall Treats Your Teeth Will Enjoy, Too

Now that the kids are back in school, autumn is just around the corner! Fall is a great time for tasty treats. Popcorn balls, caramel apples, and pumpkin spice everything – it’s enough to make your taste buds tingle. Although these goodies might go down easy, they aren’t always easy on your teeth. Sticky sweets…
Protect Your Eyes

While aging is a fact of life we cannot escape, there are certain measures that can be taken to ensure the best possible vision as you age. The following lifestyle modifications can help delay or prevent certain eye diseases. Regular Eye Examinations One of the most important things you can do is schedule yearly eye…