Doc For All with Dr. Linda
"Helping you stay healthier for life."Do You Know?
(an ongoing community service -- last updated 5/18/2009)
MEDICATION NEWS:
• Pfizer pharmaceutical company is now providing 70 of it prescription medications for free, if you qualify. Medications are provided for up to one year. Examples of the medications included in this program are: Lipitor, Celebrex, Lyrica ,and Viagra. In order to quality for this program you have to have lost your job and health insurance (beginning in January 1st 2009). You have to have been taking the medication(s) for three months or longer. To apply call (866) 706-2400, or go to their website at www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.
• The FDA has a relatively new website called MedWatch, www.fda.gov/MedWatch/, phone 1-888-463-6332. The site serves as the FDA’s safety information and adverse event reporting program. If you or a family member develops a serious reaction to a medication or medical product, go to this website and submit an online report. At this time, manufactures of over-the-counter products are not required to report adverse side effects to the FDA. Therefore, the responsibility falls into the consumers’ hands. As a result, consumers need to be proactive and promptly report any problems to the FDA so they can investigate when need.
• You do not have to be a Costco member to use their pharmacy. If you are a Costco member and you do not have health insurance, Costco will give you a cash discount on the medication(s) that you fill at their pharmacy.
• Wal-Mart and Sam's Club pharmacies have over 300 prescription medication for $4.00 (up to a month’s supply), and $10.00 for a ninety day supply. But did you know what Fredmeyer’s also has the $4.00 prescription program as well – just ask.
• Safeway pharmacies also give vaccines. It’s easy, just go to their website www.Safeway.com and schedule an appointment. Examples of vaccines provided: Influenza, Pneumococcal (to prevent pneumonia), Tetanus (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis), Hepatitis A & B, Meningoccal (to prevention of meningitis), Zostavax (to prevention of shingles), and Gardasil (to prevention of cervical cancer).
• Are you unable to afford your medications and need help now? Contact Partnership for Prescription Assistance, website www.pparx.org or call 1-888-4PPA-NOW. This program was launched in 2005. They have over 2,500 brand-name & generic medicines available, and you may receive them for free or nearly free. Another program is NeedyMeds.com.
• Check your medication cabinet yearly. Any prescription or non-prescription medications that are expired need to be thrown out.
• Proper disposing of out-dated medication: do not flush out-dated medication down the toilet or throw them out in the garbage. Expired medication is considered a hazardous waste and can actually get into the soil, causing environmental hazards.
Instead:
1) ask your pharmacist if they hold periodic drives to collect out-dated medication
2) Contact your doctor’s office
3) Contact your city’s local Hazardous Waste Facility
4) Consider donating out-dated medication to organizations that send them to third world countries such as Africa. The Starfish Project is such an organization based in New York, www.TheStarfishProject.org, (212)-746-7164.
• If you are on the new antidepressant medication called Pristiq, ask your healthcare provider for the new “CD-ROM card.” This card is given out by Wyeth, the pharmaceutical maker of this medication. It entitles you to a 50% co-pay discount at your pharmacy each time you fill the prescription. If you are a cash-pay customer, this card will give you 50% off the total price of each monthly prescription, as long as you continue to take the medication as prescribed.
PERSONAL NEWS:
• Fredmeyer Pharmacies (selected locations) are offering free health screening, consisting of: blood pressure check, BMI (body mass index), and fasting lab work (blood sugar and cholesterol panel). Call your nearest Fredmeyer and schedule an appointment today. This program is open to everyone.
• Need help to stop smoking, call the Tobacco Quite Line: 1-800-Quite-Now (1-800-784-8669) or visit their website: Quiteline.com
• Are you in a stressful relationship and need to talk with someone now? 24 hour domestic violence hotline: 1-800-764-2420. Services also provided: support groups, legal assistance, low income housing and clinics.
• Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, www.foodaddicts.org, (781) 932-6300. They are an international organization located in Woburn, MA. They believe that “through shared experience and mutual support, we help each other to recover from the disease of food addiction.” There are no membership dues, no weigh-ins at meetings. Visit their website for more information and the location of a meeting near you.
• Drug & alcohol treatment: Schick Shadel Hospital in Seattle 1-800-500-6395, available 24/7, website www.SchickShadel.com .
• Substance abuse treatment program: Sundown M Ranch in Yakima Washington, 1-800-326-7444, website www.Sundown.org.
• Alcoholic Anonymous website: www.aa.org
• Narcotics Anonymous website: www.na.org
• Al-anon / Alateen – help for families & friends of alcoholics. Website www.Al-anonFamilyGroup.org. Phone 1-888-425-2666
• Sexual Assault Crisis Center: 1-800-756-7273
• 24 Hour Mental Health Crisis Line: Pierce County 1-800-576-7764 , King County 1-866-427-4747
• Need a mammogram and can’t afford it? Contact Health Point: website www.chckc.org or call 253-372-3659. If you are between the ages 40-60, and you have a referral from a doctor, you can receive a mammogram at no change. Health Point has over 12 locations throughout King County. They also provide primary healthcare and dental services.
• Planning to travel outside the US or Canada soon? Please call a “Travel Clinic” for advice regarding vaccine update, preventative medication and safety issues. Virginia Mason Travel Medicine (206) 583-6585, or visit their website www.VirginiaMason.org
INSURANCE NEWS:
• Scheduling diagnostic tests and procedures (i.e., X-rays, CT scans, MRI’s, DEXA bone test) at a non-hospital facility can save you and your insurance company up to one-third of the cost!
• Looking to purchase individual, family, or small business health insurance for the best price? At eHealthInsurance.com, you can shop and compare health insurance plans online. They have partnered with over 175 insurance companies, offer over 10,000 plans, and are licensed to sell in all states. Located in Gold River California, 1-800-977-8860.
• Consider purchasing only Major Medical Insurance. This plan functions to cover you for unforeseen medical emergencies that may require hospitalization and/or surgery. An unexpected financial burden like this could be financially devastating, leading to the loss of your home or bankruptcy. This is a good time for us all to review personal insurance policies, while reminding ourselves of the real purpose of insurance: “to help guarantee compensation for a specific loss; to financially protect assets.” In addition, major medical Insurance is less expensive than traditional health insurance, but it carries a higher deductible. For example, the monthly premium for an otherwise healthy 35 year old male purchasing traditional health coverage would be about $236.00 (with a $1,000 deductible). Now, compared this to a major medical plan with a $126.00 monthly premium ($2,500 deductible), or $83.00 monthly premium ($7,500 deductible). Short-term (a year or two), you may want to consider at least purchasing a major health insurance plan, thereby protecting your assets, until you find a job that includes health insurance, or you are in a more stable financial situation.
• Use a hospital emergency room wisely. Just walking into an emergency room will cost you and/or your insurance company $350.00 – $400.00. An Urgent Care will cost about $120.00 - $150.00 just to see a doctor, not including any additional x-rays or blood work that might be ordered. This is certainly where having a primary care doctor (Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrician) can save you lots of money. Call and see your primary doctor if possible first. Reserve the ER for true emergencies, and if we all do this, in the event you really need the ER help, you will not have to wait for 3-6 hours to be seen.
• Do you have Medicare? You can purchase supplemental insurance policies from non-Medicare sources that cover omissions (i.e., co-payments and even your annual deductible) but of course for a price. Do not be misled. If Medicare does not pay for a particular service, usually the supplemental insurance (secondary insurance) will not pay either. Be careful, and read the fine print before you sign up for something you may not receive.
• More and more doctors are not accepting Medicare as a result of the low insurance reimbursements and their failure to pay claims on time or at all.
HOME ASSISTANCE NEWS:
• Home Health Service: Gentive 1-877-647-7007, Highline Home Health (206) 439-9095, Multicare Home Health (253) 876-8175, Visiting Nurse Service (425) 778-2400.
• Senior with Pets Assistance (food bank for pets): Pierce County (253)581-8870
• Alzheimer’s Association: 1-800-848-7097
• Food Bank for those in need in Washington (will deliver to those homebound in certain locations). Website www.Hope-Link.org or call (425) 869-6000
• Need a ride to a medical/dental appointment, a free service (King /Pierce County): 1-800-923-7433
• Hospice is a healthcare service that assist terminally ill patients, their family members, and doctors with end of life care. It represents a concept of caring that focuses on comfort care, rather than curative treatment. Hospice provides such services as: nursing care, spiritual support, medications, hospital beds, wheel chairs, shower chairs, commodes, etc. Hospice also has a program called Respite Care that provides family members a temporary rest from caring for their loved one. When requested, Hospice will place the ill individual in a skilled nursing facility for up to 2 weeks per year. It is very difficult to care for a dying family member. It is both emotionally draining and physically challenging, even if you have a medical background. Support is what is needed at this time - - always ask for help.
MEDICATION NEWS:
• Pfizer pharmaceutical company is now providing 70 of it prescription medications for free, if you qualify. Medications are provided for up to one year. Examples of the medications included in this program are: Lipitor, Celebrex, Lyrica ,and Viagra. In order to quality for this program you have to have lost your job and health insurance (beginning in January 1st 2009). You have to have been taking the medication(s) for three months or longer. To apply call (866) 706-2400, or go to their website at www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.
• The FDA has a relatively new website called MedWatch, www.fda.gov/MedWatch/, phone 1-888-463-6332. The site serves as the FDA’s safety information and adverse event reporting program. If you or a family member develops a serious reaction to a medication or medical product, go to this website and submit an online report. At this time, manufactures of over-the-counter products are not required to report adverse side effects to the FDA. Therefore, the responsibility falls into the consumers’ hands. As a result, consumers need to be proactive and promptly report any problems to the FDA so they can investigate when need.
• You do not have to be a Costco member to use their pharmacy. If you are a Costco member and you do not have health insurance, Costco will give you a cash discount on the medication(s) that you fill at their pharmacy.
• Wal-Mart and Sam's Club pharmacies have over 300 prescription medication for $4.00 (up to a month’s supply), and $10.00 for a ninety day supply. But did you know what Fredmeyer’s also has the $4.00 prescription program as well – just ask.
• Safeway pharmacies also give vaccines. It’s easy, just go to their website www.Safeway.com and schedule an appointment. Examples of vaccines provided: Influenza, Pneumococcal (to prevent pneumonia), Tetanus (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis), Hepatitis A & B, Meningoccal (to prevention of meningitis), Zostavax (to prevention of shingles), and Gardasil (to prevention of cervical cancer).
• Are you unable to afford your medications and need help now? Contact Partnership for Prescription Assistance, website www.pparx.org or call 1-888-4PPA-NOW. This program was launched in 2005. They have over 2,500 brand-name & generic medicines available, and you may receive them for free or nearly free. Another program is NeedyMeds.com.
• Check your medication cabinet yearly. Any prescription or non-prescription medications that are expired need to be thrown out.
• Proper disposing of out-dated medication: do not flush out-dated medication down the toilet or throw them out in the garbage. Expired medication is considered a hazardous waste and can actually get into the soil, causing environmental hazards.
Instead:
1) ask your pharmacist if they hold periodic drives to collect out-dated medication
2) Contact your doctor’s office
3) Contact your city’s local Hazardous Waste Facility
4) Consider donating out-dated medication to organizations that send them to third world countries such as Africa. The Starfish Project is such an organization based in New York, www.TheStarfishProject.org, (212)-746-7164.
• If you are on the new antidepressant medication called Pristiq, ask your healthcare provider for the new “CD-ROM card.” This card is given out by Wyeth, the pharmaceutical maker of this medication. It entitles you to a 50% co-pay discount at your pharmacy each time you fill the prescription. If you are a cash-pay customer, this card will give you 50% off the total price of each monthly prescription, as long as you continue to take the medication as prescribed.
PERSONAL NEWS:
• Fredmeyer Pharmacies (selected locations) are offering free health screening, consisting of: blood pressure check, BMI (body mass index), and fasting lab work (blood sugar and cholesterol panel). Call your nearest Fredmeyer and schedule an appointment today. This program is open to everyone.
• Need help to stop smoking, call the Tobacco Quite Line: 1-800-Quite-Now (1-800-784-8669) or visit their website: Quiteline.com
• Are you in a stressful relationship and need to talk with someone now? 24 hour domestic violence hotline: 1-800-764-2420. Services also provided: support groups, legal assistance, low income housing and clinics.
• Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, www.foodaddicts.org, (781) 932-6300. They are an international organization located in Woburn, MA. They believe that “through shared experience and mutual support, we help each other to recover from the disease of food addiction.” There are no membership dues, no weigh-ins at meetings. Visit their website for more information and the location of a meeting near you.
• Drug & alcohol treatment: Schick Shadel Hospital in Seattle 1-800-500-6395, available 24/7, website www.SchickShadel.com .
• Substance abuse treatment program: Sundown M Ranch in Yakima Washington, 1-800-326-7444, website www.Sundown.org.
• Alcoholic Anonymous website: www.aa.org
• Narcotics Anonymous website: www.na.org
• Al-anon / Alateen – help for families & friends of alcoholics. Website www.Al-anonFamilyGroup.org. Phone 1-888-425-2666
• Sexual Assault Crisis Center: 1-800-756-7273
• 24 Hour Mental Health Crisis Line: Pierce County 1-800-576-7764 , King County 1-866-427-4747
• Need a mammogram and can’t afford it? Contact Health Point: website www.chckc.org or call 253-372-3659. If you are between the ages 40-60, and you have a referral from a doctor, you can receive a mammogram at no change. Health Point has over 12 locations throughout King County. They also provide primary healthcare and dental services.
• Planning to travel outside the US or Canada soon? Please call a “Travel Clinic” for advice regarding vaccine update, preventative medication and safety issues. Virginia Mason Travel Medicine (206) 583-6585, or visit their website www.VirginiaMason.org
INSURANCE NEWS:
• Scheduling diagnostic tests and procedures (i.e., X-rays, CT scans, MRI’s, DEXA bone test) at a non-hospital facility can save you and your insurance company up to one-third of the cost!
• Looking to purchase individual, family, or small business health insurance for the best price? At eHealthInsurance.com, you can shop and compare health insurance plans online. They have partnered with over 175 insurance companies, offer over 10,000 plans, and are licensed to sell in all states. Located in Gold River California, 1-800-977-8860.
• Consider purchasing only Major Medical Insurance. This plan functions to cover you for unforeseen medical emergencies that may require hospitalization and/or surgery. An unexpected financial burden like this could be financially devastating, leading to the loss of your home or bankruptcy. This is a good time for us all to review personal insurance policies, while reminding ourselves of the real purpose of insurance: “to help guarantee compensation for a specific loss; to financially protect assets.” In addition, major medical Insurance is less expensive than traditional health insurance, but it carries a higher deductible. For example, the monthly premium for an otherwise healthy 35 year old male purchasing traditional health coverage would be about $236.00 (with a $1,000 deductible). Now, compared this to a major medical plan with a $126.00 monthly premium ($2,500 deductible), or $83.00 monthly premium ($7,500 deductible). Short-term (a year or two), you may want to consider at least purchasing a major health insurance plan, thereby protecting your assets, until you find a job that includes health insurance, or you are in a more stable financial situation.
• Use a hospital emergency room wisely. Just walking into an emergency room will cost you and/or your insurance company $350.00 – $400.00. An Urgent Care will cost about $120.00 - $150.00 just to see a doctor, not including any additional x-rays or blood work that might be ordered. This is certainly where having a primary care doctor (Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrician) can save you lots of money. Call and see your primary doctor if possible first. Reserve the ER for true emergencies, and if we all do this, in the event you really need the ER help, you will not have to wait for 3-6 hours to be seen.
• Do you have Medicare? You can purchase supplemental insurance policies from non-Medicare sources that cover omissions (i.e., co-payments and even your annual deductible) but of course for a price. Do not be misled. If Medicare does not pay for a particular service, usually the supplemental insurance (secondary insurance) will not pay either. Be careful, and read the fine print before you sign up for something you may not receive.
• More and more doctors are not accepting Medicare as a result of the low insurance reimbursements and their failure to pay claims on time or at all.
HOME ASSISTANCE NEWS:
• Home Health Service: Gentive 1-877-647-7007, Highline Home Health (206) 439-9095, Multicare Home Health (253) 876-8175, Visiting Nurse Service (425) 778-2400.
• Senior with Pets Assistance (food bank for pets): Pierce County (253)581-8870
• Alzheimer’s Association: 1-800-848-7097
• Food Bank for those in need in Washington (will deliver to those homebound in certain locations). Website www.Hope-Link.org or call (425) 869-6000
• Need a ride to a medical/dental appointment, a free service (King /Pierce County): 1-800-923-7433
• Hospice is a healthcare service that assist terminally ill patients, their family members, and doctors with end of life care. It represents a concept of caring that focuses on comfort care, rather than curative treatment. Hospice provides such services as: nursing care, spiritual support, medications, hospital beds, wheel chairs, shower chairs, commodes, etc. Hospice also has a program called Respite Care that provides family members a temporary rest from caring for their loved one. When requested, Hospice will place the ill individual in a skilled nursing facility for up to 2 weeks per year. It is very difficult to care for a dying family member. It is both emotionally draining and physically challenging, even if you have a medical background. Support is what is needed at this time - - always ask for help.
"Practical healthcare advice for everyday life."
