Lower rates of smoking, earlier diagnoses and better treatments have all resulted in a decline in death rates from cancer. A decline of 1.6 % for men from 1993-2003 and .8 % for women during this period.
Increases in breast cancer have leveled off. There was a jump, however, in thyroid cancer with rates increasing amongst women , year over year. This has been attributed to better diagnosis. Two thirds of poeple diagnosed with thyroid cancer are between 20 and 55 years of age. Thyroid cancer has a 97 percent five year survival.
For more information go to www.cancer.org or call 800-422-6237 for the American Cancer Society.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Keep Seniors Healthy- should I request records from my doctors?
Should you request your medical records from your doctor?
Most seniors are uncomfortable with this concept.. they trust their doctor implicitly... much like a "Marcus Welby, MD"...and they feel the doctor may resent their requests and read into this as a "doubt or questioning" of their ability or treatments... I think this is untrue..most doctors are not and should not be threatened by a patient's request for his records..Nowadays with electronic medical records and fax... it has become commonplace for doctors to receive requests for records... particularly by insurance companies that need this info to evaluate their applicants for their risks... this is very very common.
I think once a doctor understands why you are requesting his records..ie for your own recordkeeping purposes..ie creation of your own personal medical record through services like http://www.PassportMD.com or http://www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com , then I believe they understand and appreciate their patients' desire and motivation to keep themselves proactive as it relates to their medical care. Doctors understand the value of good, legible, organized notes and historical information, as they request it daily so that they themselves can see it before initiating treatment. It is better medicine and it is better for you.. do you keep track of personal belongings, receipts, automative work, accounting, bills, finances, housing products, electronics, house maintanence?? If you do this... dont you think you should do the same for yourself, your health of your family, children, parents, and you depend on it.
Will doctors release your records when you request it?
They will and they have to ..Under HIPAA , doctors have 30 days to comply with your requests for records. Charges are limited to actual costs and states limit the maximum a doctor can charge per page. PassportMD facilitates this process for people requesting their records.
Most seniors are uncomfortable with this concept.. they trust their doctor implicitly... much like a "Marcus Welby, MD"...and they feel the doctor may resent their requests and read into this as a "doubt or questioning" of their ability or treatments... I think this is untrue..most doctors are not and should not be threatened by a patient's request for his records..Nowadays with electronic medical records and fax... it has become commonplace for doctors to receive requests for records... particularly by insurance companies that need this info to evaluate their applicants for their risks... this is very very common.
I think once a doctor understands why you are requesting his records..ie for your own recordkeeping purposes..ie creation of your own personal medical record through services like http://www.PassportMD.com or http://www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com , then I believe they understand and appreciate their patients' desire and motivation to keep themselves proactive as it relates to their medical care. Doctors understand the value of good, legible, organized notes and historical information, as they request it daily so that they themselves can see it before initiating treatment. It is better medicine and it is better for you.. do you keep track of personal belongings, receipts, automative work, accounting, bills, finances, housing products, electronics, house maintanence?? If you do this... dont you think you should do the same for yourself, your health of your family, children, parents, and you depend on it.
Will doctors release your records when you request it?
They will and they have to ..Under HIPAA , doctors have 30 days to comply with your requests for records. Charges are limited to actual costs and states limit the maximum a doctor can charge per page. PassportMD facilitates this process for people requesting their records.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Keep Seniors Healthy- Seniors are Getting Wired
According to a report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, about 8 million Americans 65 or older use the internet. This is a 47% increase from 2000 to 2004. Seniors are getting wired up and are becoming one of the fastest growing groups on the internet.
Are you a senior? Do you find navigating the internet easy or difficult? What are the biggest obstacles you face in using your computer or in getting to feel comfortable with surfing the net?
What are your main reasons for using the internet?
Are you a senior? Do you find navigating the internet easy or difficult? What are the biggest obstacles you face in using your computer or in getting to feel comfortable with surfing the net?
What are your main reasons for using the internet?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Keep Seniors Healthy-Unnecessary medical testing and Physician Report Cards
Attention Seniors...
What are your thoughts about physician "report cards". These are the newest thing that are being generated by insurance companies as well as private industry to "grade" your doctor. If you ask most physicians, they probably are not in favor of this. You can understand why. What if some beligerent or hostile patient, created a smear campaign for a physician and consistently wrote or submitted negative grades and comments on that particular physician? The doctor would have no real defense of unjustified attacks or unvalidated claims regarding their performance. There is one Michaign Insurance Plan that allows phsysicans to challenge inaccurate data online. Also, an unintended consequence of scorecards or report cards is that htey could motivate physicians to avoid noncompliant patients.
The flip side is... are you the consumer entitled to see this info recognizing that some of it might not be accurate? What are your thoughts? Is it fair to have a "report card" on doctors generated by patients? Whould these only be used internally by health insurance companies or do you the consumer want to see them also?
Keep in mind , it is unclear that report card rankings actually reflect a physician's true quality.
Let us know your thoughts on this issue.
What about Unnecessary medical testing? Why do you think doctors do it? Millions of dollars are spent each year on unnecessary medical tests? Do you think these are motivated by medicolegal concerns by the doctor, ie "if I dont order it, I will be held responsible for this and may get sued". Doctors are concerned about missing diagnoses that could cost them in a malpractice case.. as lawyers will jump all over this... so doctors tend to want to take a "cya" approach to practicing medicine. Can you blame them?
What are your thoughts about physician "report cards". These are the newest thing that are being generated by insurance companies as well as private industry to "grade" your doctor. If you ask most physicians, they probably are not in favor of this. You can understand why. What if some beligerent or hostile patient, created a smear campaign for a physician and consistently wrote or submitted negative grades and comments on that particular physician? The doctor would have no real defense of unjustified attacks or unvalidated claims regarding their performance. There is one Michaign Insurance Plan that allows phsysicans to challenge inaccurate data online. Also, an unintended consequence of scorecards or report cards is that htey could motivate physicians to avoid noncompliant patients.
The flip side is... are you the consumer entitled to see this info recognizing that some of it might not be accurate? What are your thoughts? Is it fair to have a "report card" on doctors generated by patients? Whould these only be used internally by health insurance companies or do you the consumer want to see them also?
Keep in mind , it is unclear that report card rankings actually reflect a physician's true quality.
Let us know your thoughts on this issue.
What about Unnecessary medical testing? Why do you think doctors do it? Millions of dollars are spent each year on unnecessary medical tests? Do you think these are motivated by medicolegal concerns by the doctor, ie "if I dont order it, I will be held responsible for this and may get sued". Doctors are concerned about missing diagnoses that could cost them in a malpractice case.. as lawyers will jump all over this... so doctors tend to want to take a "cya" approach to practicing medicine. Can you blame them?
Keep Seniors Healthy-Refund on your long distance phone service tax
You can now claim a refuon on you 2006 tax return when youfile next year. Forms will include a line requesting the refund. For all those long distance phone calls you made to your grandchildren and children, for instance, between March 1, 2003 and July 31, 2006, you may request a refund with interest on the excise tax that yo paid on long distance phone service.
If you dont have the records for that period, you can claim a standard refund rate .
If you dont have the records for that period, you can claim a standard refund rate .
Keep Seniors Healthy- A Place to Call 411 for free
Instead of paying higher and higher rates to call 411 , which now cost anywhere from $1.40 with Sprint PCS to $3.49 with MCI, you can now call 1-800-FREE411 and pay nothing. You may have to listen o a short ad before getting your free listing. The company that provides this service is called Jingle Networks.
Keep Seniors Healthy- Victims of Flood or Hurricane Damage
If you are a victim of a flood or hurricane damage and you are having trouble settling insurance claims. There is a website resource that may help with some good advice on getting advance payments for losses and coverage issues, go to http://www.femainfo.us .
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
More Hurricane Tips for Seniors
1. keep a 2 week supply of food on hand-mostly canned foods.
2. remember to have bottled water. (a gallon per day per person for drinking and sanitation)
3. Gallon sized freezer bags for ice
4. Household bleach to purify water
5. duct tape
6. basic tools
7. flashlight and extra batteries
8. fire extinguisher
9. matches
10. first aid kit
11. plastic eating utensils
12. 2 week supply of pet food
13. mosquito repellant
14. cat litter for soaking up spills
15. whistle or horn
16. rope or cord
17. blankets or sleeping bags
18. shoes with rubber soldes
19. Know where breaker panel is in the house
20. Stay clear of pudddles
21. Dont use public water until local water utility through media says so
22. avoid driving
23. obey curfews
24. Double check all medical supplies
25. Put valuables and documents in safe place including list of possessions
26. Can store valuable documents online at http://www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com
27. Use Common Sense.
2. remember to have bottled water. (a gallon per day per person for drinking and sanitation)
3. Gallon sized freezer bags for ice
4. Household bleach to purify water
5. duct tape
6. basic tools
7. flashlight and extra batteries
8. fire extinguisher
9. matches
10. first aid kit
11. plastic eating utensils
12. 2 week supply of pet food
13. mosquito repellant
14. cat litter for soaking up spills
15. whistle or horn
16. rope or cord
17. blankets or sleeping bags
18. shoes with rubber soldes
19. Know where breaker panel is in the house
20. Stay clear of pudddles
21. Dont use public water until local water utility through media says so
22. avoid driving
23. obey curfews
24. Double check all medical supplies
25. Put valuables and documents in safe place including list of possessions
26. Can store valuable documents online at http://www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com
27. Use Common Sense.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Keep Seniors Healthy During Hurricanes
Here are some good basic tips:
1. Stock up on plenty of bottle water
2. Stock up on plenty of batteries, the size that fits your am/fm radio and your flashlights
3. Organize any critical papers such as financial documents, living will, pet documents, insurance documents, and bills... pre pay any bills that you think might be due at the same time the hurricane is destined to hit..
4. Organize your medical records, prescriptions, actual pills, and doctors names and numbers..
5. Use a service like ours... http://www.Passportmd.com or http://www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com to safely store your important legal documents and medical records..it will keep them offsite , easily accessible , and like a "safety deposit box" for information that you may need at any time during the after math of the hurricane.
6. Create a list of emergency phone numbers to keep with you for after the hurricane.
7. Make sure , loved ones or friends, will know where you will be during a hurricane.
8. Find a safe place to "wheather" the hurricane.
1. Stock up on plenty of bottle water
2. Stock up on plenty of batteries, the size that fits your am/fm radio and your flashlights
3. Organize any critical papers such as financial documents, living will, pet documents, insurance documents, and bills... pre pay any bills that you think might be due at the same time the hurricane is destined to hit..
4. Organize your medical records, prescriptions, actual pills, and doctors names and numbers..
5. Use a service like ours... http://www.Passportmd.com or http://www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com to safely store your important legal documents and medical records..it will keep them offsite , easily accessible , and like a "safety deposit box" for information that you may need at any time during the after math of the hurricane.
6. Create a list of emergency phone numbers to keep with you for after the hurricane.
7. Make sure , loved ones or friends, will know where you will be during a hurricane.
8. Find a safe place to "wheather" the hurricane.
Keep Seniors Healthy- US initiates program to improved older citizens health
The US Dept HHS has earmarked a $15 million dollar initiative through public and private collaborations to help older people manage their chrnic disease, improve their diet, increase their activity and and up to 12 states will receive grants for this. Each stat that participates will use evidence based prevention programs in 3 different geographic regions to study this.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
What is the biggest problem for seniors today as it relates to their doctors?
If you could change anything about how you, as a senior, or as a caretaker of a senior, what would you change as it relates to your experience with medical care, doctors, nurses?
What is the biggest problem you face in health care? is it costs? is it the doctor patient relationship? is it the doctor's front office ?
Is it the doctor?
Many people complain that doctors dont spend enough time with them during their visit? Do you agree?
Other people, complain that doctors deal out to many prescriptions...
Let us know your thoughts...
What is the biggest problem you face in health care? is it costs? is it the doctor patient relationship? is it the doctor's front office ?
Is it the doctor?
Many people complain that doctors dont spend enough time with them during their visit? Do you agree?
Other people, complain that doctors deal out to many prescriptions...
Let us know your thoughts...
Keep Seniors Healthy- Bush mandates Transparent Pricing, will ebay start listing medical procedures and doctors
Is Transparent Pricing a good or bad thing?
In other words...should everyone.. understand and have access to the pricing costs of medical care, of your doctor? your hospital?
will ebay start listing medical procedures?
will people bid on their doctor to receive the lowest priced service?
Is this a good thing or not ?
Will market forces create a better priced medical delivery model?
In other words...should everyone.. understand and have access to the pricing costs of medical care, of your doctor? your hospital?
will ebay start listing medical procedures?
will people bid on their doctor to receive the lowest priced service?
Is this a good thing or not ?
Will market forces create a better priced medical delivery model?
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Keep Seniors Healthy- What are medicare beneficiaries doing to reduce their health care risks?
According to an article in Medical Economics Magazine, June 16, 2006.. more than 100,000 medicare beneficiaries have joined 8 pilot programs to reduce their health risks and improve the quality of life for the chronically ill. These programs were created by the Modernization Act of 2003 and are operating as Medicare Health Support Programs in Florida, Chicago, Washington D.C., Mississippi, Georgia , Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
This seems like a positive move from seniors and from medicare..do you agree? Have you had any experience with these programs that you can tell us about on this blog?
This seems like a positive move from seniors and from medicare..do you agree? Have you had any experience with these programs that you can tell us about on this blog?
Keep Seniors Healthy- Facts about Health Insurance
(according to “The coverage Gap: A State by State Reort on Access to Care” prepared for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation by State healthy Access Data Assistance Center, University of Minnesota, April 2006)
Did you know that 15 % of adults age 50-64 are without health insurance?
How would you solve this problem?
Did you know that 41% of uninsured adults age 18-65 could not afford to see a doctor when needed within the past 12 months?
Do you consider this a health care problem? Is this your responsibility to fix? Are we in a health care crisis?
Did you know that 57% of uninsured adults do not have a personal health care provider or physician?
Do you have any thoughts on how to lower this percentage?
Are you one of these 57%?
Did you know that 15 % of adults age 50-64 are without health insurance?
How would you solve this problem?
Did you know that 41% of uninsured adults age 18-65 could not afford to see a doctor when needed within the past 12 months?
Do you consider this a health care problem? Is this your responsibility to fix? Are we in a health care crisis?
Did you know that 57% of uninsured adults do not have a personal health care provider or physician?
Do you have any thoughts on how to lower this percentage?
Are you one of these 57%?
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Greetings From Your Editor...Steve, CEO PassportMD
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Hello, that is my picture to the left when I was hiking a glacier in Alaska. My name is Steve and this is the first time I have ever written a blog. I am writing this blog as the CEO of PassportMD to help PassportMD customers and visitors and potential customers learn about and communicate with our company.
I was inspired to set this blog up for many reasons: I enjoy writing, I enjoy helping Seniors (as a physician I have done this for the last 15 years), and also most importantly, I have an interest in using technology to help people take better care of themselves. I recently created a web site that serves just that function. The web site is called Keep Seniors Healthy.com (http://www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com). I am hoping that this blog serves to make people aware of my web site, http://www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com, as I have worked very hard to create a software application that can provide real benefit to people. I believe that web site will help people better manage their own health and be prepared for unexpected emergencies. I am also hopeful that this blog can create a forum or community for seniors to come and ask me questions regarding technology or larger healthcare issues. I am not creating this blog to treat, diagnose or advise anyone concerning their own personal health problems. For that I suggest you see a doctor. I just want to help with the confusing issues that face seniors in navigating the waters that we call ... healthcare.. finding the right doctors, insurance issues, discussions on experiences with their physicians, managing their healthcare, healthcare proxy, advanced directives, financing the cost of their medicines, prescriptions, new insurance alternatives, drug cards, how technology impacts your healthcare choices and your healthcare delivery, how you can be pro-active with your healthcare, and so much more...
I hope that this blog becomes something very valuable to everyone as a source of information and discussion.
Sincerely,
Steve
CEO, PassportMD, Inc
Founder of www.KeepSeniorsHealthy.com
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