Barb's Daily Dose

Don't Stop Your BP Meds Even if Your Insurance Stops

I received a phone call this weekend from a friend, who was in the hospital because their partner, who was only in his mid 40's had a stroke. A stroke? He's too young, he doesn't smoke, what happened?  My brain was working overtime.  Maybe he has an inherited clotting disorder or there was an aneurysm or an AV malformation?  Something didn't make sense.  The most obvious reason never occurred to me, he had high blood pressure and he had stopped taking his Blood Pressure medication, because after losing his job, and losing his insurance, he couldn't afford it anymore.

A Caregiver's Guide to Home Healthcare After Hospital Discharge

Our Featured Guest Writers Today are Leslie Kernisan, M.D., Caring.com Senior Medical Editor, and Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com Senior Editor

What to Expect When Home Healthcare is Prescribed

When your loved one is discharged from the hospital back to home, skilled home health services probably will be ordered. That's because being well enough to be discharged from the hospital doesn't mean one feels well or is completely well.

Reform Law's Preventive Benefits, Expanded Coverage Succeed in Bringing Patients Back to the Care They Need

Our Guest Writer Today is Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer and Cancer Survivor.  This is the third part of a 3 Part Series of how beneficial the affordable Health Care Act is for real americans with real health issues.

Part One of the Series / Part Two of the Series

I was interviewed for this article on the Health Reform Act.  I am seeing many more patients who can now access care.  There are still many more who skip medications and don't see their providers because they still can't afford it.

Hidden Costs of Health Care

Insurance Companies Have Record Profits, More People Skip Their Medicines

Not surprising, but there are lots of hidden costs when it comes to our health care. Many people can not afford to buy their medication, and are skipping exams because they just don't have the funds.  Even with the Affordable health care plan's first provisions getting the ball rolling, there are still many more provisions that aren't slated to start for 1-3 more years.

Part II - Kill Health Reform? Not on Their Lives

Our Guest Writer Today is Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer and Cancer Survivor.  This is Part 2 of a 3 Part Series of how beneficial the affordable Health Care Act is for real americans with real health issues.

Mental Health Advocates See Health Reform Law as Victory

Jennifer, a 33-year-old college student, struggles with mental illness. It’s been an ongoing battle for Jennifer, who’s founder of a nonprofit organization for cancer survivors. Fortunately, health reform has enabled her to breathe some relief. 

Affordable Health Care Act and You

If you're like many Americans you probably don't have the Affordable Health Care Act by your bed for a little night time reading.  Raise your hand if you've read the bill....Right, neither have I.  It's probably a gazillion pages long and I'm too busy trying to figure out my co-pays, my out of pocket deductible, the amount you-must-pay before we do, as well as my in-network coverage and whether I should sign up for the prescription mail order plan.

Part I - Kill Health Reform? Not on Their Lives

Our Guest Writer Today is Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer and Cancer Survivor.  This is Part I of a 3 Part Series on the Health Reform Act.  Many people are unaware of the positive changes that this bill has brought to people's lives.

Here is a Portion of Part I of the Series:

There’s been a lot of controversy over whether the health reform law was worth the struggle and whether it should ultimately be repealed, but it’s plainly evident from my personal experience that some folks have benefitted from it already – and why some can’t wait for provisions to kick in three years from now.

What's Your Health Reform Bill IQ?

Most older adults who responded to a national survey released this month on the new health reform bill were not up on how the bill will affect them as Medicare beneficiaries.  Even the people who thought they had the basics were in for a surprise.

Are you up for testing your knowledge?

Then click on the this link.  The link will also lead you to more information that cuts through jargon, and tells you what you need to know about the legislation signed into law earlier this year.

Submitted by Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer

Prescription Medications Cost Too Much? Here's What to Do

Our Featured Guest Writer Today Is: 

Melanie Haiken, Caring.com, Senior Editor

A new study shows the prices of common prescriptions jumped almost 10 percent this year; here's how to cope:

One of the most popular discussion topics among family caregivers is the insanely high cost of prescription medications and the failure of Medicare to cover that cost.  It's a topic that comes up over and over again, and for a good reason.  When you can't afford the drugs you need to stay healthy, it's a serious situation.

What Health Insurance Companies are Hiding

Written by Our Featured Guest Writer:  Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer

There’s a lot of people who are confused by Health Care Reform. We thought it would be good to take a step back and look at why we need this reform in the first place.  No matter where you stand on this issue, take a moment and read the facts that were gathered by our very own, Arlene Karidis.

Profits Before Patients?

To those who fear that inching slightly closer to “insurance for all” will force this country into financial ruins, here are some facts: