ORH October 2008 Newsletter
Find the presentations from this year’s conference at:
http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/outreach/oregonruralhealth/about/conference/index.cfm
AND DON”T FORGET TO MARK YOU CALENDARS FOR NEXT YEAR!!!
November 5-7, 2009 at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort!
Each year plans change what they cost and what they cover. Now is the time for people with Medicare to review the changes being made by their current plan and compare it to others to make sure it still meets their needs. Those who don't have prescription drug coverage also can enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan during open enrollment.
All people with Medicare should:
- Review the 2009 costs for their current drug and health plan. (Look at the premium, co-pays, and deductibles.)
- Compare the cost and coverage to other plans in their area. (Check to see if the plan covers their medicines, works with their pharmacy and doctors, and covers the services they need.)
- Choose a plan that meets their needs.
Caregivers, family members, providers, and others who assist Medicare beneficiaries will find helpful tools and information at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/openenrollment.asp and can use these resources to compare the cost or benefits of Medicare health or prescription drug plans in the area. They can get answers to Medicare questions, learn how to lower health care costs and stay healthy, and find out about local resources in the community. By working together for better health, we can reach those who are unaware, unsure, or unable to make their health plan decisions and to apply for extra help.
CMS also has a number of resources available for Medicare beneficiaries to use when reviewing and comparing plans. The Medicare Planfinder, located at http://www.medicare.gov/, is an online resource that provides tailored plan comparison information—including cost, coverage, and convenience—of each prescription drug and health plan. Please note that by mid-October, the Planfinder will be updated with 2009 information for all prescription drug and health plans. Beneficiaries also can get the same information by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). In addition, throughout the month of October beneficiaries will receive the annual Medicare & You 2009 handbook, a guide that explains Medicare coverage. Local organizations such as the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs and thousands of other Medicare partner organizations also are available to provide personalized assistance throughout the fall.
Here are links to news in the Spotlight for the upcoming annual open enrollment season:
- 2009 Drug Plan Information - State Fact Sheets
- 2009 Medicare Part D National Stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans
- 2009 Drug Plan, Medicare Advantage Plan and SNP Source Files
Here are links for some Tools to help in choosing a plan:
- http://www.medicare.gov/ - The Official Web Site for People with Medicare
- Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Personal Information Worksheet
- Things to Think about when You Compare Plans
To get their Medicare questions answered, beneficiaries can:
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or for TTY users, call 1-877-486-2048.
- Visit and become a user of MyMedicare.gov to get Medicare information any time.
http://www.uoworks.com/articles/remarks.ruraldoctors.html
The US House and Senate sent to the president H.R. 5571, legislation extending the Conrad J-1 program through March 6, 2009. The program allows state health departments to request J-1 visa waivers for up to 30 foreign physicians per year to work in federally designated health professions shortage areas or medically underserved areas. The bill originally passed the House in May, but was amended by the Senate to shorten the extension from five years to six months. In addition to extending the program, the bill doubles to 10 the number of physicians per state who may serve in facilities that are located outside medically underserved areas but which treat patients from those areas. To find out more, go to:
http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/hc_providers/j1visafaq.php
http://rhr.sph.sc.edu/report/SCRHRC_DentalHealthAmongRuralChildren_Exec_Sum.pdf
Although children's dental health in the U.S. has improved over recent decades, a subset of children continues to suffer dental disease severe enough to constitute a public health problem. This Chartbook examines dental health status, use of preventive services, and dental insurance among rural and urban children. The Chartbook provides information specific to rural children, and in particular rural minority children, not available in similar detail from other sources. This information can be used at the state level for program planning and assessment.
A copy of the full report is available through the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center's Online Report Request System at http://rhr.sph.sc.edu/request.htm. You may elect to receive a paper or an electronic copy of the full report. Generally, the requested report will be sent to you via postal mail (paper copy) or email (electronic copy) within one working day.
Press Ganey Associates has come out with its 2008 survey of job satisfaction among 200,000 healthcare professionals at 423 healthcare organizations nationwide—including 45,000 nurses—and the news is neither good nor surprising.
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/221645/topic/WS_HLM2_COM/Hey-CSuite-Your-Nurses-Arent-Happy-Are-You-Listening.html
This brief presents NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis research conducted to better understand the experiences of CAHs in operating an EMS unit. Using key informant interviews, researchers examined motivations for acquiring EMS services and the effect of these services on the level of emergency care available in the community. The benefits and challenges that CAH providers face in operating EMS services are discussed.
http://www.norc.org/NR/rdonlyres/B4E5BD5E-7151-417B-A75B-A80074CA6CD4/0/PolicyBriefCriticalAccessHospitalsEMSOctober2008.pdf
If you want to know more, check here:
http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/outreach/oregonruralhealth/news/ta-post-10-08.cfm
The AHEC of SW Oregon has begun an electronic (pdf) newsletter and archive. These can be found here:
http://www.healthyoregon.com/newsletters/
