Who Owns your Medical Records?

Do you know who owns your medical records? It’s a question that at first glance seems to be simple, that is until you consider it within the realm of the U.S. medical system. Unlike the more straightforward ownership issues of a car or a home, the question of medical record ownership is much more complex and one that can vary on where you live in the U.S. Depending on the state where you reside, a medical record could be owned by a patient, the hospital, the health care provider, or the hospital and health care provider. Surprisingly, the majority of states have no laws on the ownership of medical records at all. In these cases, the information on the chart has the potential belong to the patient, but the paper or form on which the information is printed remains the property of the health care provider. This is one of many reasons why obtaining medical-related information can be confusing. Who Decides? Questions on how to deal with medical record ownership not only plague the states but is also a highly debated issue among health care providers. Depending on who you ask, you’re bound to find differing opinions about why or why not patients should own their records. From issues of privacy to how the information can be shared, the issue of ownership shows no signs of being solved anytime soon. To find out where your state stands on this issue, check out this interactive map with national comparisons for medical record ownership. The informative graph is a joint project of the George Washington University Hirsh Health Law and Policy...

The Often-Overlooked Cancer Financial Resource

The battle against brain cancer is often defined by a never-ending cycle of searching for resources to fund escalating medical bills, travel costs for appointments and chemotherapy, housing during treatment, and assistance with prescription drug programs and co-pays. Investigation into assistance often requires a lengthy time commitment, something few caregivers have when caring for a loved one. Even after locating a resource, there will often be an untimely lag between filing the application and ultimately receiving the resource(s). A Need for Information and Financial Resources Progression of the disease brings with it a number of swiftly developing cognitive and behavioral changes in the patient. These in turn create a demand for more information, educational resources, and support systems. Because there is no “normal” battle with brain cancer, patients and their caregivers are often in the midst of an uncomfortable limbo wondering which resource might be needed next and if it will be readily available to cover the need. Even with the growing number of financial resources out there for brain cancer patients, the search for resources has its own prohibitive costs of time and energy. A Continuing Need for Resources 700,000 people in the U.S. live with a primary brain tumor, a tumor that starts in the brain. 69,000 Americans will receive a diagnosis of a primary brain tumor this year. National Brain Tumor Society Turning Life Insurance into Financial Assurance Caring for a loved one fighting brain cancer shouldn’t require an uphill battle of combing through lists of resources and making the necessary inquires to see if your loved one qualifies for assistance. There is an easier way...

The New Cancer Concern for those Under 50

For years, doctors have advised individuals to begin colon and rectal cancer screenings at age 50. That recommendation could be changing as a result of the growing incidence of colon and rectal cancer in individuals under the age of 50. Of the 145,000 people diagnosed each year, 25,000 are individuals age 50 or younger, making colon cancer one of the top cancers affecting people age 20 to 49. In those age 50 and under, the symptoms of the cancers, which include constipation, severe abdominal pain, and a change in bowel habits or unexplained anemia are often attributed to stress, irritable bowel syndrome or a possible food allergy. Because of the relatively young age of the individuals, neither the doctor nor the patient is thinking of cancer when it comes to a diagnosis. As a result, related diagnosis delays occur in 15 to 50 percent of young-onset colon cancer cases. When diagnosis does happen, patients are often already into the advanced stages of the disease, making treatment more difficult. Cases of young-onset rectal cancer increased at nearly twice the rate of young-onset colon cancer cases. Introducing the Idea of Screening Earlier Considering this changing landscape, one would think that people would just get screened earlier, but even at the recommended age of 50, it still takes approximately seven years before individuals actually schedule and have their first colonoscopy. Besides the obvious reasons for putting off the procedure, other reasons include fear of the results, no insurance coverage, or they don’t want to make the time for the procedure. Couple those obstacles with the so-called rule of seven. This unofficial rule...

ALS, Beyond the Ice Bucket Challenge

Last summer, it was hard to miss the excitement surrounding the ALS ice bucket challenges. Everyone from your neighbor to rock stars and celebrities were showcasing their bravery and raising money and awareness to fight a devastating disease. Who would’ve thought that something that began as a simple dare among friends would so quickly evolve into one of the most impactful awareness campaigns to date? ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a swiftly debilitating disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. For many years, the disease was primarily known as Lou Gehrig’s disease (named for the famous baseball player who had the disease). As result of Gehrig’s swift and significant decline, the public saw first-hand the cruel and debilitating impact the disease had on his body. A Disease of Continuing Mystery ALS was first discovered in 1869 by Jean-Martin Charcot, a French neurologist. Despite this early discovery, there was little public recognition until Lou Gehrig’s diagnosis in 1939. Despite increased awareness of the disease glimpsed through Gehrig’s decline and the recent ice bucket initiative, diagnosis of the disease remains tricky because of its variable progression on the body. Often signs go unnoticed for some time because the most common symptoms of weakness and atrophy develop at variable rates in different people. Because of the sheer range of ALS symptoms, there’s often no single approach in regard to diagnosis of the disease. HIV, Lyme disease, Polio, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus and West Nile Virus can all produce similar symptoms. Tests for diagnosis might include electromyography and nerve conduction study. Both tests help detect electrical energy in...

Finding Cancer Hope at the Integrated Health Conference

On March 20, integrative doctors, cancer patients and survivors, and those looking to improve overall health gathered in San Diego for the second annual Integrated Health Conference. Created to be a comprehensive platform for the integration of conventional and alternative disease treatment therapies, the event featured speakers such as Leigh Erin Connealy, M.D., an integrative doctor from the Cancer Center for Hope in Irvine, California. The conference attracted a variety of attendees from holistic and integrative doctors and oncologists, cancer patients and their loved ones, and health practitioners and researchers. Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to hear the latest science and integrative medicine breakthroughs in the prevention, healing and reversals of degenerative diseases such as cancer. Practitioners of integrative medicine strive to heal the body through the assessment and treatment of the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Subjects shared at the conference included Inflammation and Cancer: The Role of Anti-Inflammatories in Health and Cancer; What your Oncologist will Never Tell you but you Need to Know; Verification and Validation using Heart Rate Variability; Healthier Approaches to Healthcare, and Virotherapy for Cancer Treatment. Other topics during the event-packed, three-day event, included information about boosting the immune system, healthy eating, detoxification, increasing cardiovascular health, enhancing neuro-regeneration, and ways to improve energy and stamina. Those in attendance discovered an integrated approach, offering a number of alternatives to the traditional one-size-fits-all approach of fighting cancer through surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Conference Takeaways In addition to providing information on the latest science and health breakthroughs and traditional and alternative healing resources, the event also offered attendees a large dose of hope,...

Eliminating the One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Cancer

No one expects a cancer diagnosis. When it happens, the most immediate thought is one of life expectancy followed by what needs to be done to rid the body of this foreign invader. Because no one is ever prepared to receive this news, the plan of attack is often one of the tried-and-true forms of cancer treatment. Embedded within this traditional model comes the go-to choices of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, drugs and/or surgery. While these modalities work on some forms of cancer, a number of them are likely to also leave the patient feeling emotionally drained and physically sick. Introducing Integrative Oncology Because traditional methods of chemo, radiation and surgery are usually the first considered, any exploration of alternative methods is often delayed until a patient becomes progressively sick as a result of the treatment. Those having this experience and those who helplessly watch from the sidelines are left wondering if there’s a better way, a method that could enable them to “thrive while surviving.” Rather than taking a stoic wait-and-see approach, a number of cancer patients are finding an element of hope through integrative oncology. This is defined as a “systematic, patient-centered, healing-oriented, whole-being and functional approach to the individualistic causes and treatments of cancer using all appropriate therapies.” Instead of purely focusing on the treatment of cancer in the body, an integrative oncology approach considers the overall quality of health for the individual dealing with the disease. This shift from physician-centric to patient-centric treatment takes the physician’s oath a further step by pledging to avoid bodily harm to the patient whenever possible, even throughout the rigors of...

Bridging the Medicare Gap

All Medicare plans A and B and prescriptions drugs have built in “gaps” or limits as to what they will cover. The prescription drug plan has the most publicized “gap” called the “donut hole.” In 2015, this occurs when the combined amount + deductible reaches $2,960 on covered drugs. Once this amount is reached, the plan holder is in the coverage gap. To alleviate issues caused by the Medicare gap, it’s important to have a Gap or Tie-in plan to fill in the coverage holes. Available options for Gap and Tie-In Plans Group plans – People on group plans who turn age 65 and become Medicare eligible only need to apply for Part A coverage. The group plan will be used as primary coverage and Plan A will tag along. Individual plans – These can be purchased (A-F) from organizations such as Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) or AARP. Individual plans will fill in the gaps of Parts A and B. Medicare Part F is the best and includes drug coverage with no Donut hole. Medicare Advantage – These plans operate similar to the individual plans mentioned above and also include drug coverage. Considerations for Group Coverage vs Individual Gap Plans Age of individual on the plan and the age of the spouse Cost of group plan vs. individual plan Treatment of drugs (in- or out-of-network) The Necessity of Being your Own Advocate When you sign up for Medicare, you’ll be asked to supply personal information and the date you signed up for Medicare Part A. This Initial Enrollment Questionnaire (IEQ) is the first step in setting up your...

Breaking down the Basics of Medicare

Once you reach a certain stage in life you would think that it was time to move beyond the basic ABC’s, but considering the complexities of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, particularly for cancer patients, it’s more important than ever to mind the necessary P’s and Q’s. As confusing as it may be, as a cancer patient or survivor it’s important to know which plan is best not only for your current health situation but also for the future. This process is best begun with a visit to www.Medicare.gov to determine if a particular item, test or service is covered by the Plan you’re looking at. This is a starting point to understand the differences between what’s available under the individual Medicare plans and how to cover Medicare gaps with an individual or group plan. Breaking down the basics of Medicare Part A, B, C and D Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) – received automatically upon turning 65. This covers hospice care, inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, and some home health care. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) – designed to cover supplies and services that are considered to be medically necessary to treat a health condition. This could include outpatient services, preventative care, ambulance services and durable medical equipment. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) – a Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare. This company provides benefits from Medicare parts A and B. Most Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) – created to supply prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries who...

Exploring Alternative Cancer Therapies

Cancer is not only a complex disease, it’s also one that can be prohibitively expensive to treat. Conventional therapies are typically limited to what is covered by health insurance while most all experimental and/or alternative treatments must be paid by the patient. Many cancer patients are typically prescribed conventional treatment(s) such as chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery, despite a low cure rate. Realizing this is a personal fight, many patients seek out alternative cancer therapies. Sometimes the alternative treatments are paired with traditional Western medicine. Others choose to forego radiation and/or chemo altogether for an alternative approach. Even the Mayo Clinic recommends that cancer patients consider exploring alternative cancer therapies as a way to help manage symptoms such as anxiety, stress, nausea, insomnia, and fatigue. Some of these proposed coping mechanisms include acupuncture, massage, and meditation. With new discoveries, the number of alternative cancer therapies continues to grow. Currently there are more than 400 alternative cancer therapies, however the number considered appropriate for late stage cancer patients is significantly lower. The choice of treatment is unique to the individual (depending on their philosophy and/or financial resources). It can be extremely comforting to both the patient and their loved ones to know there are alternative treatment options outside the conventional choices. The following are a summary of Stage IV treatments outlined by www.cancertutor.com (see site for more details). Cellect-Budwig Protocol – a default treatment designed to address every type of cancer without swelling or inflammation. The Cellect powder, made of vitamins and nutrients, is mixed with Cod Liver oil. The Budwig Protocol involves a diet that incorporates flaxseeds, cottage cheese and...

Don’t Forfeit Life Insurance Benefits

Life insurance is typically purchased with the thought that the policyholder will have the ability to leave their loved ones in a better position after their passing. According to the U.S. Census stats there’s an estimated 291 million individual and group life polices with a total face amount of $18.1 trillion in force in the United States. At first glance, these statistics should provide a correlating level of well-being throughout the nation as a result. But what the statistics don’t show is that an estimated 92 percent of those same policies are forfeited before their death benefit is ever paid out. These are incredible stats. Why are so many policyholders missing out on the full benefit of a life insurance policy? Often it’s linked to missing premium payments because of rising premium costs, a change in financial stability or loss of job, or simply seeing the policy as no longer useful. Take a Second Look There is another option. Rather than let a life insurance policy lapse, policyholders have the choice to sell the policy in a viatical settlement. The sale depends on a number of factors including: age, health, and life expectancy requirements. Life insurance that’s kept up to date through the lifespan of a policyholder can have a tangible financial benefit during their lifetime if the premiums are consistently paid in full, on time. A policy can be sold through a life settlement broker by individuals who are over the age of 70 or who have a life-threatening or terminal illness. The money received through the settlement can then be used to pay for medical bills and...