Health News

Features

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.…

Drowning Prevention

by DR. JOY JACKSON As the temperature begins to rise outside and the water begins to heat up, Florida residents enjoy the summer days and nights by the water. Whether it be the backyard pool, a local lake, or the ocean, swimming and boating are two of the most popular summer activities for people living…
Wisdom Teeth Facts to Brush By

by GERALD V. CERDAN, DMD One little known fact about wisdom teeth: While many patients do need to have their wisdom teeth removed, your wisdom teeth can stick around as long as they don’t cause any trouble with your oral health. If your wisdom teeth come in straight, have enough room in the mouth…
Proper Preventative Eye Care

Dr. Tincy Thomas Healthy vision involves several different elements including preventive eye care and appropriate management of existing eye conditions. Prevention begins with your first comprehensive, dilated eye examination. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that infants should have their first eye exam at six months of age and continued yearly from age three unless…