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How to Determine Whether Your Practice Should Accept Medicare: An Interview with an Active “Old Geezer”

August 26, 2016 No Comments

My success in reaching 79 years of age might be attributed to moderation in the usual “abuses”–alcohol, drugs, tobacco, stress, excessive food and lots of exercise every day.  Had I subscribed to this regimen when I was in my 30’s and 40’s, it would have been even more prudent — maybe leading me to tip over the century mark.  But who really wants to do that?

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How Health Insurance Companies Discriminate Against Women

August 14, 2016 No Comments

Living in pain is horrific. Statistically, women are four times more likely to suffer from chronic pain than men.  Making an awful situation worse – many of these conditions are neglected or poorly understood, causing many women to suffer intractable pain for years before they find relief.  With insurance often denying coverage for these conditions, years of pain can also be financially devastating.

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Legal update: Insurance coverage for telehealth

July 23, 2016 No Comments

Where I live in Chicago, the population density is about 10,000 people per square mile.  Generally, if an area has less than 1,000 people per square mile, it’s considered to be a “rural area.”  Before this spring, private insurance plans in Arizona were only required to cover telehealth services rendered to those living in rural areas.  But as of May 17th, they’re required to cover telehealth services statewide.

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How to Obtain Informed Consent from Non-English Speaking Patients

July 21, 2016 No Comments

Patients who feel that they received treatment to which they didn’t consent may feel betrayed by their providers and distrustful of the medical system.  This does patients and providers a disservice, and it undermines the patient’s dominion over his/her body. “Patient autonomy” isn’t a buzzword; it’s a mandate.

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How Physical Therapy Changed My Life in Just 15 Days

May 31, 2016 No Comments

More times than I can count, I’ve been asked: “How long did it take for you to start feeling better?”  I met Sandy, my physical therapist, when I was wheelchair-bound and in constant, horrific pain.  So, I’m sharing this journal entry, written 15 days after meeting Sandy.

And to answer the question: It took less than 15 days.

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How to Avoid Being Surprised by a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

May 18, 2016 No Comments

The provider-patient dynamic has long been plagued by paternalistic decision-making, timid patients, and communication failures.  I believe that the system is the problem, not thepeople who comprise it.  And the system is inextricably linked to the insurance companies, the business of hospital management, and the exhausting balancing of practice profits against patient savings. 

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How to Change the Language You Use to Discuss Your Patients, and Why It Matters

May 10, 2016 No Comments

You have been retained to help the patient, not to investigate her.  By using accusatory language, even in your personal notes, you reinforce an anti-helpful dynamic that is far from a partnership.  If your goal is to build a relationship with your patient, then speak with her in plain language, document your notes using non-judgmental words, and trust her.

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