Health

Selecting a Health Care Provider: Resources to guide your selection

Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2023

(Family Features) Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you’re just getting started with Medicare or have changes in your life, such as a new diagnosis of a condition or disease. It can be overwhelming if you need services like nursing home care, have to find a new doctor or get home health care.

Using online tools like “Find Care Providers” on Medicare.gov can make it easier to make comparisons and help choose doctors, hospitals, nursing homes and more for you or the person you are helping provide care to. Consider these benefits of using the comparison tools to narrow your options.

A Resource for Research

The website provides a simple search and compare experience that allows you to find providers near you. Simply put in a ZIP code and the type of provider to receive a list of providers, their contact information and a map of locations. The information even includes “star ratings” and services provided. The tool can be used to find all sorts of providers, including doctors, hospitals, home health care agencies, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation providers, hospice and dialysis facilities.

For example, two sisters needed to find a nursing home that was right for their father. This proved to be a difficult, emotional decision. They didn’t know what nursing homes were in the area where he lives, so they entered his ZIP code and searched for nursing homes. They then received a list of each one in his area, complete with ratings as well as staffing data and inspection reports.

Using a laptop, desktop, tablet or mobile device, you can see how patients rate their care experiences at the hospitals in your area and find home health agencies that offer the services you might need, like nursing care, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Contact information for local inpatient rehabilitation facilities or long-term care hospitals is available, as well as hospice quality care ratings and specific care details, such as which dialysis facilities offer home dialysis training.

Finding Health Care Services

Many factors influence who you trust with your health care. In some cases, family, caregivers or friends may offer referrals to a doctor or medical facility based on their own experiences, and that can be a helpful guide.

Whether you have referrals or are starting from scratch, you can compare health care providers near you using the Medicare.gov tool, pinpointing which category of services you need, whether it’s doctors and clinicians, hospitals, hospice and home health agencies, dialysis facilities, inpatient rehabilitation centers or nursing homes.

In addition to searching by your location using your address or a combination of city, state or ZIP code, you can search by provider type and keyword to generate a list of providers that could fit your needs.

Finding a Doctor Who Fits

When you’re looking for a new doctor and not sure where to start, the tool makes it quick and easy to find and compare doctors in your area. You can find contact information, practice locations, specialty and hospital affiliation as well as hospital ratings.

Selecting the “compare” button allows you to compare up to three different health care providers at once. When you’re ready to schedule a visit with a new provider, be sure to take time during your scheduling call to verify general information, like the office location, whether the office is accepting new patients with Medicare and whether you need a referral to be treated.

Comparing Nursing Homes

Whether you’re planning ahead or need to make an unexpected decision, there’s a lot to think about when choosing the right nursing home for you or someone else. Many family members and caregivers prioritize location so they’re able to check in and visit frequently, but there are many other important factors you may want to consider, too.

The comparison tool at Medicare.gov provides filtering options that allow you to personalize your results by sifting through the criteria that matter most to you, such as inspection results, number of beds, staffing data and more.

You’ll be able to check out the nursing home’s overall “star ratings.” The information can serve as a guide of a provider’s track record to help assist you with finding a home that best suits the person’s needs.

Visit Medicare.gov/care-compare to access the tool and find health care providers and services in your area that fit your needs.

Paid for by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Caregiver Guide

Making decisions as a caregiver can be challenging but taking advantage of available resources can help you feel more confident in your choices.

For example, Medicare.gov allows you to find information about health care providers, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, home health agencies, dialysis facilities, inpatient rehab and long-term care hospitals near you. The website also provides quality ratings, so you can see the provider or facility’s history of service, among other details that help you make the most informed decision on behalf of the person you’re helping.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/health/

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Health

National Survey Shows People Need More Education on Colon Cancer Screening

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month good time to talk about screening guidelines

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2023

Daily News Staff

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month good time to talk about screening guidelines

COLUMBIA, Md. /PRNewswire/ — March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and a new survey conducted by MedStar Health shows people need more education when it comes to colon cancer screening.

Colorectal cancers are the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to prevent those deaths is through early detection.

MedStar Health releases new survey about colon cancer screening for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

The survey of 1000 American adults found:

59% are concerned about getting colorectal cancer.
Just 22% identified the correct age for a first colonoscopy.
Only 11% knew the regular schedule to receive colonoscopies for people with normal risk.
Only 21% of people over 45 got their first colonoscopy according to the recommendation.

“These important guidelines have been out for three years now, and we hope people are getting the message,” said Joseph Jennings, MD, MedStar Health gastroenterologist. “In 2020, the recommendations changed so people with average risk for colon cancer, meaning no family history and no symptoms, should start at age 45. The exceptions are for people with known family history of colon cancer or have certain genetic syndromes that would mean they should start earlier.”

With only 21% of those surveyed reporting they had a colonoscopy according to the 2020 guidelines, Dr. Jennings suspects they just haven’t heard about the new recommendations or they’re anxious about the preparation involved. Fortunately, he says the days of drinking liters and liters of a white chalky liquid for colonoscopy prep are over.

“Now we have smaller volumes, down to a couple of milliliters of fluid to drink, or even pills that can be taken with water and sports drinks that make the necessary prep much more palatable. The cleaner the colon the safer and more effective the colonoscopy is. It’s still not fun, but the preparation has gotten much easier,” Dr. Jennings said.

Dr. Jennings says colonoscopy is the only test available that allows physicians to find the smallest of polyps that can become cancer and remove them at the same time.

“This age guideline of 45 can help us find the polyps when they are smaller and easier to remove and, in the end, save lives,” said Dr. Jennings.

Colorectal cancer does not always have symptoms, but they can include a change in bowel habits, blood in stool, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss.

SOURCE MedStar Health

https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/

Health

How Melissa Joan Hart Gets Relief for Her Dry Eyes

Whether Melissa Joan Hart is on set directing her latest movie, recording an episode of her podcast or driving her kids to school, she is always on the move.

Published

5 days ago

March 24, 2023

Rebecca Bigham

(Family Features) Whether Melissa Joan Hart is on set directing her latest movie, recording an episode of her podcast or driving her kids to school, she is always on the move. When she first began experiencing dry, irritated eyes, she wasn’t sure how to relieve her symptoms. However, after a recommendation from her friend, she learned there was a line of eye lubricant products designed to relieve dry eye symptoms of eye dryness, burning, itching and discomfort.

“My eyes get dry and irritated, especially during long days on set when I’m spending hours staring at monitors,” Hart said. “I learned I am one of 35 million people in the United States who experience dry eyes. I didn’t know how I could find relief – until I discovered Refresh.”

Hart is teaming up with Allergan, an AbbVie company, to share her experience using the number one doctor-recommended family of products. The Refresh line was developed from more than 30 years of dedicated eye research and includes artificial tears, ointments and gel drops to relieve symptoms of eye dryness. The drops offer fast-acting relief for a wide range of individuals based on their symptoms and severity levels, including products for daytime, nighttime and anytime use.

“Many people experience eye dryness for many reasons and have different needs, which is why I like that the Refresh portfolio has several different products that offer fast-acting relief for a wide range of individuals,” Hart said. “Right now, I use Optive Mega-3 and Relieve PF Multidose to relieve my eye dryness and prevent further irritation. There’s a great tool on the Refresh website to help you figure out which product may be right for you.”

Hart continued, “Refresh has quickly become a part of my daily routine, on and off set. I have a few bottles tucked away in different rooms around the house and in my purse to use throughout the day. I don’t leave the house without them.”

Refresh eye drops can be found at all major retailers and online. Learn more at refreshbrand.com and take the quiz to see which product may help relieve your symptoms.

Use only as directed. For US consumers only.

Source: Allergan, an AbbVie company.

US-RFS-220152 2/23

SOURCE:
Allergan, an AbbVie company

Health

Monitoring Your Kidney Health

Published

1 week ago

March 21, 2023

Rod Washington

(Family Features) Kidney disease is one of the most common complications of living with diabetes and can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. There are steps you can take to keep your heart, brain and kidneys healthy, including an annual kidney screening. A urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio test is a simple urine test used to identify early signs of kidney disease and give you and your health care team important information to manage your risk. Learn more about taking charge of your health at KnowDiabetesbyHeart.org.