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Ten ways to reduce health care costs

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University of Missouri
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Gail Carlson, MPH, Ph.D., former State Health Education Specialist, Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri Extension

Good consumers take the time to understand the products and services they are buying. Whether you are talking about buying a house, car or health care, the quality and value of your purchase should be an important consideration. In the case of health care, higher cost does not necessarily mean better quality. Health care costs can vary greatly depending on type of procedure, where the care is provided (emergency room, outpatient clinic or doctor’s office), and where you live and receive care.

The following are 10 ways to reduce your health care costs while adding value to the quality of your health.

  1. Take good care of yourself. Eight out of 10 health problems are treated at home. By doing a good job of self-care you can reduce your health care costs. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you will save money on health care and treatment now and in the future.
  2. Practice self-examination and get appropriate health screenings. Work out a schedule with your health care provider for preventive health screenings that are appropriate for your age and gender.
  3. Become aware of the health risks of different lifestyle choices like alcohol and drug use, home and driver safety, and eating habits. The riskier your lifestyle, the more likely you are to have health problems.
  4. Know what your medical benefits cover. You need to know what your benefits are before you can use them appropriately.
  5. Take an active role in health care decision making. Take the time to build a good relationship with your doctor. Making sure that your doctor understands your expectations and needs can result in a more effective treatment plan.

For the complete list of 10 ways to reduce health care costs, view the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/healtharticles/health38.htm

Many uses for pumpkins

By
University of Missouri
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Photo Credit: Rich Bowen
Photo Credit: Rich Bowen
Photo Credit: Rich Bowen

Tammy Roberts, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Bates County, University of Missouri Extension

The most popular use of pumpkins this time of year is for jack-o-lanterns and fall decorations. But pumpkin is healthy and versatile, so we could be preparing and eating it in a variety of ways as well. Pumpkin provides fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium and protein.

Here are some guidelines when choosing a pumpkin for cooking:

  • Choose a small pumpkin that weighs between two and six pounds.
  • “Pie pumpkin” or “sweet pumpkin” is a good choice, but the jack-o-lantern variety also works just fine for eating.
  • Look for a pumpkin that has one or two inches of stem left. Pumpkins with shorter stems decay more quickly.
  • Choose a pumpkin that has a rich orange color with skin that cannot be easily broken or scratched by your fingernail.
  • For every pound of whole pumpkin, you can expect to get one cup of pumpkin puree.

If you want your pumpkin to have multiple uses, you can first paint a funny face on it for a decoration using non-toxic paints. After the holiday, you can wash and cook it.

To use the pumpkin for maximum benefit, don’t throw out the seeds — they can be roasted and eaten.

For instructions on roasting the seeds and preparing the pumpkin to make puree, view the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut199.htm

Know the basics when choosing a health insurance plan

By
University of Missouri
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Jasleen Kaur

Adapted from MU Office for Financial Success Finance Tip of the Week blog post by Graham McCaulley and Brenda Procter, Personal Financial Planning, University of Missouri Extension

Whether you get insurance through your work or buy it on your own, most people have some level of choice in the type of plan they have. Health insurance, which has a language all its own, is a contract that requires your health insurer to pay some or all of your health care costs in exchange for a premium. As you make health insurance choices for you and your family, understanding some basic terms will help you know what your costs will be for certain health care services. Understanding how health insurance works can also help you decide which type of plan is best for you and your family.

Basic health insurance terms and how they work together

Premium – The fee you must pay for you or your family to have a health insurance plan.

  • Is usually paid once a month.
  • Must be paid to keep your coverage, whether you use it or not.
  • Can vary greatly in amount.

Out-of-pocket costs – The dollars you pay out of your own pocket for health care services.

  • Does not include monthly premiums.
  • Usually includes deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
    • Deductible: The amount you owe for covered health care services before your health insurer or plan begins to share expenses with you.
    • Copayment: A fixed amount (e.g., $15) you pay for a covered health care service, usually paid at the time of service. The amount can vary by the type of covered health care service you receive and whether the service is in-network or out-of-network.
    • Coinsurance: Your share of the costs of a covered health care service. The amount you pay is a percentage (e.g., 20%) of the charge for the service.
    • Out-of-pocket maximum: A dollar limit on the amount you will pay each year toward your medical care.
      • Your out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copayments and coinsurance) count toward your out-of-pocket maximum, but monthly premiums do not.

In general, less expensive premiums mean more out-of-pocket costs, and more expensive premiums mean fewer out-of-pocket costs. Different health insurance companies will charge different premiums for different types of plans. You may pick the least-expensive premium to be able to save money each month, but that could cost you more in the long run depending on how you use your insurance. Also, you may have different in-network and out-of-network levels of coinsurance, which affect your out-of-pocket costs. Plan networks vary considerably, and it is critically important that you find out which facilities, health care providers and suppliers are in a plan’s network before making a final decision, especially in rural areas.

For important tips on choosing the plan that is right for you and your family, read the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/financearticles/healthins.htm

Alternative party treats

By
University of Missouri
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0
Photo Credit: C. Levine
Photo Credit: C. Levine
Photo Credit: C. Levine

Janet Hackert, Regional Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, University of Missouri Extension

Childhood obesity is more prevalent than ever. This is something to keep in mind throughout the fall and winter holiday season, when parties and snacks abound.

When it’s time to give kids a treat, it’s easy to think of candy, cake or soda; however, there are fun alternatives available that promote health rather than encourage unhealthy choices.

Frank Booth, MU professor in Biomedical Sciences, says many people incorrectly believe that overeating is the sole cause of obesity.

“Body weight is a balance between caloric intake and expenditure,” Booth said.

When looking for treats for party-goers or trick-or-treaters, think outside the box. Consider nutritious and tasty foods or non-food options, including things that get children up and moving to burn the calories they have consumed.

Individual packages of dried fruit or baked pretzels are easy to distribute. Fresh fruit, often called nature’s candy, can also be a real treat.

For great examples of non-food treats and activities that you can use for birthday or holiday parties at home or at school, view the full version of this article at
http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut105.htm

Hutchinson Regional Healthcare professionals selected to speak at state meeting

By
Editor
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Hutchinson Regional Medical

Hutchinson, KS – Hutchinson Regional Medical Center was well represented as a result of

presentations from several hospital staff members at the sixth annual Kansas Healthcare

Collaborative Summit on Quality on October 17 in Wichita.

The idea for the day-long meeting saw its inception in 2008 when the Kansas Medical Society

and the Kansas Hospital Association joined forces to form the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative.

Founders of the Collaborative established a long range goal of engaging and aligning healthcare

providers to insure the state as a role model for the nation in the area of healthcare quality.

Physicians, Hospital Administrators, Nurses, Quality Improvement Directors, Risk Managers

and Infection Prevention Officials from healthcare facilities throughout Kansas were in

attendance at the Wichita meeting.

Julie Wiens, RN, MSN, WCC; Skin/Wound Care RN at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center,

presented a poster entitled: “Targeting Zero: Preventing Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers,”

sometimes referred to as bed sores.

Wiens said pressure ulcers are a significant concern for the nation’s acute care facilities, but is

a medical issue on the decline as the result of a prevention program established at Hutchinson

Regional Medical Center.

The program, according to Wiens, has far exceeded expectations.

Wiens’ poster detailed components of the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center program which

she shared with other healthcare contemporaries in attendance. Following the presentation,

Wiens was available for one-on-one consultation with other delegates to respond to questions.

Courtney Eales, RN, ICU Charge Nurse; Shana Eaves, RN, ICU; and Lori Pauls, RN, BSN, ICU

Charge Nurse; delivered a poster presentation entitled “Surviving Sepsis.”

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening infection that can trigger inflammation that may

potentially damage multiple organ systems, causing each to fail.

A program established at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in January 2014 has produced

favorable results and an education program for hospital staff has significantly improved

treatment methods including early detection.

Eales, Eaves and Pauls prepared a poster highlighting the Hutchinson program and its success to

date.

Kevin Miller, F.A.C.H.E., President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said

teamwork is extremely important among healthcare facilities across the nation.

“A healthy interchange of ideas among healthcare facilities is vitally important and the Summit

on Quality accomplished that objective,” Miller said. “At Hutchinson Regional Medical Center,

we are pleased to share our success stories with other healthcare facilities and, at the same time,

gain knowledge from other hospitals of new innovative programs that are working for them. It is

a win-win for healthcare in Kansas.”

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center is a member of the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare

System. Other members include Health-E-Quip, Horizons Mental Health Center, Hospice and

HomeCare of Reno County, Ray E. Dillon Living Center and the Hutchinson Regional Medical

Foundation.

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