Health
- Details
- Written by: Editor
On the eve of the 49th anniversary of the signing of Medicare and Medicaid into law, new information released Tuesday by the Department of Health and Human Services shows that people with Medicare in California have saved $951,941,676 on prescription drugs as a result of the Affordable Care Act.
Nationally, more than 8.2 million seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare continue to enjoy prescription drug savings as a result of the Affordable Care Act, saving $11.5 billion since 2010.
This news comes on the heels of continued historic low levels of growth in Medicare spending.
According to the recent Medicare Trustees report, the life of the Trust Fund has been extended to 2030, up from its projection of 2017 in 2009, and Part B premiums are expected to stay the same rather than increase for the second year in a row.
Additionally, a new HHS report found that per capita Medicare spending growth has averaged 2 percent over 2009 – 2012, and nearly 0 percent in 2013, one-third of the growth rate over the 2000-2008 period.
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, seniors and people with disabilities are saving on needed medications,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “By making prescription drugs more affordable, we are improving and promoting the best care for people with Medicare.”
The Affordable Care Act makes Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable by gradually closing the gap in coverage where beneficiaries had to pay the full cost of their prescriptions out of pocket, before catastrophic coverage took effect. This gap is known as the donut hole.
Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, out-of-pocket savings on medications for people with Medicare prescription drug coverage continues to grow.
In California, people with Medicare have saved $951,941,676 on prescription drugs in the Medicare Part D donut hole since the law was enacted.
Nationally, more than 8.2 million seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare have saved over $11.5 billion since 2010 on prescription drugs as a result of discounts in the donut hole and rebates in 2010, for an average of $1,407.
These figures are higher than last year at this time when over 6.6 million seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare had saved over $7 billion on prescription drugs averaging $1,061 per beneficiary in donut hole discounts.
Because of the Affordable Care Act, in 2010, anyone with a Medicare prescription drug plan who reached the prescription drug donut hole received a $250 rebate.
Beginning in 2011, beneficiaries in the donut hole began receiving discounts on covered brand-name drugs and savings on generic drugs. These savings and Medicare coverage will gradually increase until 2020, when the donut hole will be closed.
In 2014, people with a Medicare prescription drug plan who fall into the donut hole will save from discounts and increased coverage in the gap about 53 percent on the cost of brand name drugs and save from increased coverage in the gap about 28 percent on the cost of generic drugs.
For state-by-state information on discounts on the donut hole, please visit http://downloads.cms.gov/files/Medicare-Part-D-Donut-Hole-Savings-Summary-2010-June-2014.pdf .
For more information about Medicare prescription drug benefits, please visit http://www.medicare.gov/part-d/ .
- Details
- Written by: Editor
UKIAH, Calif. – There is a familiar quote in American vernacular that resonates with many people that have undergone a major surgery that has left them scarred: “They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. But the truth is, you knew exactly what you had; you just thought you’d never lose it.”
Fortunately for North Coast residents there is a new local service available which is able to help repair and rebuild that which was lost through cancer or trauma.
Robert M. Green, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon, specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery and will begin seeing patients at Ukiah Valley Medical Center in July.
“I am really looking forward to working with the physicians, surgeons, and the Mendocino county community,” said Dr. Green. “In the past 22 years I have lived in Humboldt County and been able to help change the lives and outlooks of patients that had fallen into a depressing state-of-mind after they had been scarred by breast cancer, skin cancer, or other life trauma. I am glad that I am able to provide restorative procedures and improve the lives of patients seeking this kind of service here at UVMC.”
“This is an incredible service for our community,” said Gwen Matthews, chief executive officer of UVMC. “Dr. Green’s restorative services for a mastectomy or other surgical scar and cosmetic enhancement services will enrich the lives of those seeking his care – giving them confidence and a feeling of well-being.”
Dr. Green graduated from Rutgers Medical School and completed his surgical training at the prestigious Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, NY.
Characterizing himself as a family man, Dr. Green has a passion for changing his patients’ lives and helping them achieve their desired results. When not seeing patients Dr. Green enjoys surfing, sailing, and backpacking.
Dr. Green is now accepting new patients for breast reconstruction, breast reduction, skin cancer reconstruction and scar revision services. He also specializes in cosmetic body and face rejuvenation.
His office is located at the Ukiah Valley Medical Center General Surgery office at 246 Hospital Drive in Ukiah.
To schedule an appointment please call 707-4638011.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
SACRAMENTO – Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, has warned consumers not to use White & Blue Lion tattoo products because testing has found microbial bacterial contamination in both the inks and needles.
Use of the contaminated inks or needles may result in bacterial infection and can lead to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection.
One illness has been linked to the affected products at this time.
White & Blue Lion Inc. of City of Industry, California, is voluntarily recalling the following varieties of tattoo products: Tattoo ink, tattoo needles, and tattoo kits incorporating tattoo ink and needles.
These products were distributed by White & Blue Lion and sold separately by 8Decades and White & Blue Lion, Inc. online.
Product labeling on the Inks indicate a “Best if used by date” of “16/12/16” (December 16, 2016).
Photographs of the affected packages can be found on FDA’s Web site at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm404788.htm .
The recalled products were sold separately and in kits by 8Decades and White & Blue Lion Inc. through www.amazon.com .
Consumers in possession of the recalled products should discard the products following acceptable biohazard and sharps disposal methods.
CDPH recommends that consumers experiencing any ill effects after use of these products should consult their health care provider.
Consumers that observed the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll-free complaint line at 800-495-3232.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake with its parent company, Adventist Health, has been named one of the most wired health systems in a national survey conducted by Hospitals & Health Networks and announced today.
Most Wired organizations use information technology to better connect care providers and patients.
They must meet a set of rigorous criteria across four operational categories, including infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety, and clinical integration (connecting inpatient and outpatient services, physicians and patients).
Using information technology reduces the likelihood of medical errors and allows clinicians and patients to have the information they need to promote health and make the most informed decisions about treatments, according to Rich Umbdenstock, president and chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association, which helped conduct the survey.
“Our hospital, physicians and patients have benefitted from being part of a system in which enhancing information technology has long been a strategic priority,” said David Santos, CEO of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. “In addition to reducing medical errors, it improves patient care and engagement plus increases operational efficiencies.”
Health Care’s Most Wired Survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their IT initiatives.
Respondents completed 680 surveys, representing 1,900 hospitals, or more than 30 percent of all U.S. hospitals.
More information about the survey can be found in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine at www.hhnmag.com .
Adventist Health is a faith-based, not-for-profit integrated health care delivery system serving communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Visit www.AdventistHealth.org for more information.