Bad news continues to plague the Obama Administration’s signature achievement — health reform.

Medicare’s Chief Actuary recently projected that the nation’s healthcare bill will increase — not decrease — as a result of the new law. And a separate study from private research firm Avalere Health estimates that more than three million seniors will have to switch drug plans this fall — despite President Obama’s much ballyhooed promise that “If you like your health care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health care plan.”

These reports provide only the latest evidence that Obamacare will be disastrous for seniors.

Under the terms of the president’s reform package, Medicare will eliminate about 25 percent of the drug plans currently available to seniors in order to “simplify” the system. As a result, roughly one-fifth of the 17.5 million seniors enrolled in stand-alone drug plans could find themselves looking for new drug coverage.

Those who are forced to switch may face higher premiums and co-payments.

The drug-plan debacle will be the first of many to befall seniors in the coming years. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Obamacare will cost about $1 trillion over the next decade. Seniors will end up footing much of that bill, as the law is financed with $575 billion in cuts to Medicare.

Obamacare will extract a big chunk of that — $202 billion, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — from Medicare Advantage (MA).

Nearly a quarter of Medicare patients participate in this popular program, whereby the federal government partners with private insurers to deliver health benefits. Between 2003 and 2009, enrollment in the program doubled, from 5.3 million to 10.2 million.

But under Obamacare, enrollment in Medicare Advantage is projected to decline 50 percent by 2017, largely because of cuts in the level of benefits provided by the program. Some 10 million MA patients could see their benefits gradually decrease by an average of $43 a month.

MA beneficiaries won’t be the only ones under assault thanks to Obamacare. Seniors covered by traditional Medicare will find it harder to get the care they need, as the health reform law cuts payments to all manner of healthcare providers. Medicare Chief Actuary Richard Foster predicts that nearly one in seven hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and home health agencies will become unprofitable by 2019. Two-fifths could be forced out of business by 2050.

Obamacare’s cuts could also force doctors to shutter their practices. Already, the government reimburses physicians who treat Medicare patients at less than cost. Because they lose money on every Medicare patient they see, more and more doctors are simply refusing to see seniors.

Nearly a quarter of Medicare patients seeking a primary care doctor have trouble finding one, according to a report released earlier this year by the independent Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. The Texas Medical Association surveyed doctors a couple years ago and discovered that just 38 percent of primary care doctors took new Medicare patients.

By cutting reimbursement rates further, Obamacare will only exacerbate this unfortunate trend — and indirectly ration care. The health reform law provides for the direct rationing of care, too.

Obamacare creates an Independent Payment Advisory Board, which will advise Congress on how to reduce Medicare spending if it’s growing too fast. The president will appoint the 15 members on the panel, and none will be required to represent the interests of the seniors whose lives will be affected by its decisions.

The panel isn’t supposed to raise taxes, change benefits, or ration care. But how else will it reduce spending? If the board recommends more cuts in payments to doctors and other providers, for instance, Medicare patients will have no choice but to wait longer for care.

Obamacare guts Medicare right as the baby boomers are set to swell its ranks. In just the next five years, another 7 million people will become eligible for the program.

Medicare was designed to provide a safety net for America’s seniors. But Obamacare threatens to shred that net and consign our aging population to long waits and substandard care.

Article by Sally C. Pipes

Sally C. Pipes is President and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute. Her latest book, The Truth About Obamacare (Regnery 2010), was just released. The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect the views or ideas of Insight Magazine, its staff or its publishers.

Featuring Drs. Srinivas Seela, Harinath Sheela and Seela Ramesh

At Digestive and Liver Center of Florida their goal since 2005 has been to create a sophisticated medical practice that emphasizes equal parts state-of-the-art medical care along with a warm and caring environment for patients. In an effort to make patients feel comfortable with the highly skilled medical staff, they spend as much time as necessary to answer any questions patients may have.

Below are some of the common questions they encounter regarding food allergies at their Lake Underhill and Downtown Orlando practices.

What exactly is a food allergy?

Essentially a food allergy is an abnormal immune response to certain foods that the body reacts to as harmful. Reasons for the allergies are not completely understood at this time. Risk factors associated with food allergies include genetic predisposition, being younger than 3-years-old, family history of asthma and more.

What foods cause food allergies most often?

Eight foods account for 90 percent of all food-allergy reactions believe it or not. They are: egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, cow milk, wheat, shellfish and soybeans.

Can you have a reaction after smelling or touching a problem food?

It is possible, yes, but these reactions are normally far less severe than if you were to eat the foods. Still, it’s worth noting that a severe reaction to problem food is still possible in these circumstances, even if the risk is generally lower.

What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

Food intolerances share some of the symptoms of food allergies, however they do not involve the immune system. Intolerances cause discomfort, but they are not life-threatening, as some allergies may be. Intolerances stem from the body not being able to digest certain food groups because of a lack of a specific enzyme needed to break down that food.

What are the symptoms of food allergies?

Food allergy reactions can be sudden and severe. Commonly they include: hives, tingling in the mouth, abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, rash, dizziness, swelling in the throat, difficulty breathing, coughing and even loss of consciousness.

How are food allergies treated?

Mild food allergies are often treated with an antihistamine or bronchodilator. More severe reactions typically require epinephrine. The recommended method for managing food allergies is to strictly avoid the foods that cause the reaction.

Would You Like More Information?

If your question was not answered or you would like to schedule an appointment, contact Digestive and Liver Center of Florida Today.

Digestive and Liver Center of Florida
7975 Lake Underhill Road, Suite 360 - Orlando, FL 32822
3000 N. Orange Ave., Suite C - Orlando, FL 32804
407.384.7388

www.DLCFL.com

www.Twitter.com/Digestive1

www.Youtube.com/DLCFL1

www.Facebook.com/DLCFL

The skill to heal. The spirit to care. More than a marketing tagline, it’s something that every team member at Florida Hospital East Orlando (FHEO), the area’s only hospital, must understand, possess and exude in everything they do. That’s why one of their newest additions, the hospital’s only upper extremity orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Brian Leung, is such a good fit with the organization.

Treating all orthopedic conditions from the neck to the ankles and everything in between, Leung brings a wealth of orthopedic knowledge to FHEO from his residency at Dartmouth and upper extremity fellowship at the University of Florida. Although he specializes in restoring function of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, joints and nerves of the upper extremities, he is expertly trained in all other orthopedic areas as well.

But more than his training, Leung brings with him the unique sensibilities Florida Hospital looks for in all of its personnel - most importantly a patient first attitude. “Every one of my patients is completely different, and I really enjoy that,” he says. “Being able to help them and have that relationship and dialog where you almost become a part of their family is wonderful. I enjoy taking them from the beginning where they’re suffering to the end where they’re so grateful that they’ll come back to see you or, better yet, feel confident enough to tell their family and friends to come see you.”

Seeing patients that range from infants to the elderly, Leung performs routine and complex orthopedic procedures on all groups and conditions, many of which are minimally invasive. “For me, treatment always begins with the least invasive procedures to the most invasive,” he stresses. “If we can treat anything without an operation, that’s the preference, even though I am a surgeon. If we do have to perform surgery, I’m also involved heavily in rehab and getting patients back to what they like to do and back to work.”

Working hand-in-hand with the Florida Hospital Rehabilitation team, Leung continually searches for the best solutions to a patient’s problem. “Everything has to go right for the patient to be successful, especially in extreme cases, so we do whatever we can to make sure that happens,” he says.

Recently, another aspect of his training has created a unique partnership with the Florida Hospital for Children downtown as well. Although the Children’s Hospital has pediatric orthopedists, Dr. Leung fills the void for the upper extremity expertise for children. Because a portion of his fellowship focused on congenital hand deformities for infants and pediatrics, Leung is able to handle a broad range of what may be considered complicated cases.

“That’s one of the things that I enjoy most about this hospital, is that they are open to listening to ideas and open to change if it means creating a better patient experience,” explains Leung. “I chose to work at Florida Hospital East Orlando because of the opportunity to work with the incredible staff, the hospital’s commitment to excellence and their facilities are second to none. They are constantly upgrading and striving to become even more of a top tier facility - I couldn’t ask for a better work environment.”

Even though he has only been in the area since September, Leung has already begun to cement himself in the East Orange community along with his wife of three years and their 2-year-old daughter. An avid clarinet, piano and saxophone player, he has already signed up to be a guest lecturer for the UCF’s Health and Wellness class for musicians, and he is scheduled to be the guest speaker at the Spring Forum for UCF’s Music and Orchestra.  He will be speaking on common repetitive movement injuries that musicians face in their lifetime. He is also planning to join the faculty of the UCF College of Medicine in the near future. Additionally, he has also joined the Sports Medicine Team for Lake Nona High School Athletics providing game coverage and orthopedic care for the school’s athletes.

“I learn just as much as students do when I’m teaching, and I really enjoy the relationships we can create. I’m a big proponent of giving back to the community where I live,” he says.

Raised in Miami, Leung is also fluent in Spanish. “A lot of Hispanics in the community aren’t sure where to go or who to turn to in the medical field, and they want to feel comfortable and speak to someone who speaks their native language,” he says. “Being that doctor for them has been a great experience and it’s something I truly treasure.”

His practice may still be in its infancy, but it has already taken off. “I think that’s because, not only is there a need, but we treat everyone as individuals,” he says. “Patients have commented sometimes they can feel like ‘cattle’ when going to a doctor’s office; and they have a fear that surgeons just want to open them up without explaining how or why.  That’s not something I’d ever do and they appreciate that.”

Instead, for Leung and his staff, it’s about working together to figure out what’s best for a patient and how they can get better. “That’s what any practice should do, in my opinion,” he says.

Dr. Leung is currently seeing new patients. To learn more or to schedule your appointment contact:

Orthopedic Specialists of Central Florida

258 S Chikasaw Trail, Suite 301

Orlando FL 32825

407.303.6785

Article by Corey Gehrold

Reviewing multiple avenues for health insurance coverage and benefits can be overwhelming; and unfortunately, insurance doesn’t come in a “one-size-fits-all” package. So, before delving into what may seem to be a confusing and frustrating world of insurance, consider these tips to help break the process into easy-to-learn steps.

When selecting a policy, consider all costs involved. Be realistic when deciding financial factors. Remember, a premium is not the only cost to weigh. You must also review deductibles and co-pays as well.

“Increasing deductibles saves premiums, although it obviously places more financial burden on families when you have a claim,” says Bill Taulbee, senior vice president of Lykes Insurance. “Going forward, consider health insurance more as protection for catastrophic situations.” Embedded deductibles are also important components to research, he says. For family plans, make sure each family member only needs to satisfy his or her individual deductible, rather than the entire family deductible, prior to receiving plan benefits.

Once you have reviewed what you can afford, make a list of your current and future needs. Would you prefer having office and hospital visits included? Do you currently have a family or are planning to have children? Is prescription coverage necessary? These are all questions to ask when choosing a plan.

In addition, pay attention to network affiliations of the insurance provider. Networks designate specific doctors and hospitals to provide services to those covered. Should your current healthcare provider not be included in the network, research out-of-network possibilities. Some plans will allow you to go out-of-network with prior approval; however, they will frequently charge a higher co-pay or deductible. Others may not allow you to go out of network at all, leaving you with the option of finding a new doctor.

Be aware of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart health complications or back problems. “Currently, insurance companies can choose to Rate (charge a higher premium & cover the condition), Exclude (no coverage for the specific condition or anything that could be related to it) or Decline coverage for an applicant with pre-existing conditions,” says Susan Collins of Susan Collins Insurance Agency. “The condition will often  determine what action the insurance company will take.”

After reviewing these factors, start shopping around and compare various policies. Although coverage and prices may vary, be sure similar benefits and exclusions are included in each estimate.

Researching insurance companies online? To avoid fraudulent businesses, conduct a background search. Look for seals of approval or quality ratings from other customers. In addition, determine the annual and lifetime maximums. “Make sure you are working with a financially stable insurance company and a licensed agent,” explains Taulbee. “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Although you may need insurance within a short timeframe, do not feel pressured to rush into a decision without reviewing all terms and conditions.  Review benefits thoroughly to ensure you receive what you need and are not paying additional costs for unnecessary coverage.

“It’s important to know what you’re covered for and, more importantly, what you’re not covered for,” says Collins.  Since many policies renew annually, take the opportunity to review, reassess and make any necessary changes, as individual and family needs may vary each year.

Then, once you have selected a policy, be aware of how often you utilize benefits. The greater the use, the more likely your premiums and deductibles will increase the following year.

Keep in mind wellness programs provide options to reducing the likelihood of premiums rising. For instance, rather than making a doctor appointment for minor injuries or colds, consult a 24-hour nurse hotline. This gives you the opportunity to speak with a healthcare professional without affecting your insurance.

You may be interested to know there may be options to lower your prescription costs as well. “Consider using your insurance company’s mail order prescription service for daily medications - over time the savings will add up,” says Taulbee. “Also, don’t assume your physician will write a prescription for generic medications, ask them specifically.”

As with most things in life, it’s never a good idea to bury your head in the sand, especially when your health is concerned. Although insurance may seem like an unpredictable wild card, make a resolution this year to take a closer look into your health insurance coverage.

Article by Carol Galbicsek

A new year is sometimes seen as an opportunity to implement healthier eating habits. Many families have jumped on the “organic” bandwagon in recent years, and you may be considering joining them. Once the specialty of health food stores only, an increased quantity and variety of organic foods are now on shelves throughout major food stores.

You may be wondering what the difference is between many organic foods. And what do labels touting foods as “sustainable,” “natural,” “free-range,” or “grass-fed” mean? The following tips will help you understand what’s behind the label.

Defining Organic

If a food is labeled “organic,” it meets the organic standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is grown without:

• Pesticides
• Fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge
• Herbicides
• Antibiotics
• Bioengineering
• Hormones
• Ionizing radiation

Organic animal products - meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy foods - come from animals that are fed 100 percent organic feed products, receive no antibiotics or growth hormones, and have access to the outdoors.

If a product is labeled “organic,” it means that a government-approved certifier has inspected the farm where it was produced to ensure that the growers followed all the rules necessary to meet the USDA’s organic standards. Farmers producing organic foods use renewable resources that conserve the soil and water for future generations. And any company handling or processing the food on its way to the grocery store must be certified organic, too. Foods labeled “organic” are either:

• 100 percent organic: Completely organic or made of all organic ingredients
• Organic: At least 95 percent organic.

• Made with organic ingredients: The food contains at least 70 percent organic ingredients, but can’t be labeled as “organic.”

Sustainable Foods

Another term you might hear is “sustainable food.” Sustainable foods are grown locally, using techniques that don’t harm the environment, are seasonal and preserve agricultural land. Sustainable practices are humane to animals, pay growers fairly, and support local farming communities by distributing their food through farmer’s markets and other local venues.

You Might Also See:

• Cage-Free or Free Range: Seen on eggs or poultry products, these terms can be misleading. “Cage-free” implies that birds were not housed in cages, but is not a guarantee that they had access to the outdoors - or to roam freely - and it isn’t verified by any third party. For eggs to be considered “free range,” producers must demonstrate that poultry has been allowed open-air access. The USDA has no requirements as to the amount of time spent outdoors, nor the size or quality of the outside range.
• Grass-Fed/Open Pasture: “Grass-fed” signifies that the livestock received a diet of natural forage outdoors, but sometimes cows are fed grass while indoors or in a pen or only for the first few months of their lives. So “grass-fed” can - but doesn’t always - mean “pasture-raised” or “open pasture.” Pasture-raised animals roam freely outdoors where they can eat the natural grasses and other plants.

Natural Foods

Natural foods are minimally processed and remain as close as possible to their original state. Natural foods don’t have to adhere to the same rigorous standards organic foods do. However, the term “natural” generally means a product has no artificial ingredients or preservatives and that meat or poultry is minimally processed and free of artificial ingredients. Natural foods can be organic, but not all are. If you want to be sure that what you’re eating is organic, look for the “organic” labeling.

Getting More Information

Understanding these terms and their meanings can be confusing. The USDA is now developing consistency standards for labels like grass-fed, pasture-raised, and others that will be subject to USDA inspection. Also, many individual food producers, dairies, farms and orchards have websites you can visit to find out more about their standards.

For more information on organic eating, visit www.KidsHealth.org.

Article by Suzanne Sheres MMSc, RD, LD/N, CDE

Suzanne Sheres MMSc, RD, LD/N, CDE is a registered dietitian at Nemours Children’s Clinic in the Division of Endocrinology which  provides services to treat children of all ages with diabetes, growth disorders and other conditions of the endocrine system.