Comments for Enabling Healthy Decisions

Comment on Waiting In Line For Flu Shots by brian

brian — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:24:39 +0000

The Kaiser clinic in Lafayette, Colorado was geared up for large-scale vaccination volume as we went by this weekend. Large flashing message signs along the highway, police detail for traffic handling. Activity appeared brisk but not entirely out of control. I’ve already encountered 5+ people here in Boulder (one of the “healthier” places in the US) who have had H1N1-like symptoms over the last 14 days. Unreal.

Comment on Marathon / Triathalon Deaths Per Million by Blane

Blane — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:20:48 +0000

But the evidence appears to be mounting that long-duration, steady-state exercise (i.e. “aerobic”) is not good for you in large amounts, like the amounts that marathon runners and triathletes endure. Low sex hormones, deteriorating joints, weakened immune systems, muscle wasting, chronic fatigue, crippling injuries, etc. These are all part of the lives of endurance athletes. No thanks!

Comment on “Insights” Gone Wrong by George Van Antwerp

George Van Antwerp — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:25:18 +0000

Frederick – As always, good point. I have discussed exercise before on the blog, but it has been a while. The blog definitely ebbs and flows with my work and research which is typically around how communications can enable consumers (or patients) to navigate the existing healthcare system to choose lower cost options and minimize their customer service hassles (for example). And, as I’ve disclosed before, in my job, I work for the PBMs and managed care companies of the world so a lot of times I try to bring my perspective to them about how to think about interacting with consumers.

Comment on Why Wellness Matters by J Maguire

J Maguire — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:32:27 +0000

I read an article that had a startling statistic from the World Health Organization, http://www.ourblook.com/component/option,com_sectionex/Itemid,200076/id,8/view,category/#catid107 placing the US as #37 in overall health care. There clearly is a problem with our system. You couldn’t be more correct when with your statistics as well, prevention is a key element of this debate.

Comment on “Insights” Gone Wrong by Frederick Navarro

Frederick Navarro — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:58:22 +0000

When your blogs show up in my email, it says “Enabling Healthy Decisions”, I make note of the fact that you never discuss enabling exercise, which is the healthiest decision you can make.

Comment on Kaiser Family Foundation: Medicare 101 Webinar by toni

toni — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:35:32 +0000

Does Medicare reimburse hospitals for the services of the Patient Advocate? Does Medicaid? Does anybody?

Comment on Where’s the Mail Pharmacy Price Matching? by Laura

Laura — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:42:10 +0000

Really like your blog, would you be interested sharing your knowledge and experiences on telehealth at http://www.boost.me? a free community for telehealth professionals and we can do a link exchange as well.

Thanks
Laura

Comment on Where’s the Mail Pharmacy Price Matching? by HW

HW — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:30:04 +0000

Hi George,

This is a great question. The definition of mail-order pharmacy has always been spoken in the context of large PBMs like Medco or Express Scripts. There is no legal retail version of a mail-order pharmacy today in United States.

For full disclosure, I work for HealthWarehouse.com. We are the first “retail” mail-order pharmacy selling directly to consumers in 39 states via the Internet and I believe the answer to the question above.

We not only match the price for Walmart and others, but beat them on 300 medications charging $3.50 with free shipping to the customers door.

There are many inherent advantages to “retail” mail-order:

1. Low Prices – We have no costly real-estate for brick-and-mortar locations and ship everything from one centralized licensed warehouse in Cincinnati, Ohio. This leads to lower prices to the consumer.

2. Convenience – Consumers no longer need to drive to the pharmacy and wait in long lines to get their medications. This is especially frustrating when taking maintenance drugs every month.

3. Service – We offer great customer. If you do a quick search on Twitter on a retail pharmacy name, you will get a picture of the dissatisfaction consumers have.

Walmart has done a great job bringing transparency to drug prices. We offer that same transparency, but with the convenience of mail order.

In addition, we are taking it a step further by innovating on refills. While most pharmacies offer 90 day supply of medications, we offer 180 day and 360 day supplies. Retailers offer 90 day supplies so they can get you back into the store to purchase other items.

Being a 100% mail order operation, we don’t have that motive. Our goal is to provide the best solution to the consumer.This eliminates the need for refills, saves time, money and again makes it more convenient for the consumer.

Sorry for the long post and I enjoy reading your blog very much.

Keep up the good work!

Comment on New Inc. 500/5000 Healthcare List by Health care -- how do we move forward

Health care -- how do we move forward — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:28:49 +0000

And they say a public plan is needed to provide health care competition…

The only thing for sure is that if we ‘reform’ health care we will trade one set of problems for a different set of problems. In case you haven’t noticed even the supposed best health plans in the world aren’t a walk in the park. They, too, haven’t figured out the affordability issue.

Follow the healthcare debate and health delivery challenges at http://www.ilovebenefits.wordpress.com

Comment on A Pet’s 10 Commandments by D Moore

D Moore — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:25:34 +0000

The vet told me yesterday that it was time to put my 19 year old cat to sleep. It is so hard for me to make that decision, but I don’t want him to suffer. He has had mouth cancer for several years but I don’t want to make the decisison of which day he will die. He has given me so much happiness and has been there with me through divorce, children getting married, loss of grandmothers and loss my mother. He has loved me unconditionally as I has loved him. Even through my frustrations with him, he always came back purring. I will definitely be with him on this difficult journey. I would never turn my back on him.
When I was 18 years old, I had to make the same decision with my 13 year old cat which was just as hard. On my way to the vet’s she died in my arms. I guess God knew this decision was too hard for me and before it was done, he relieved me of that hurt. I have prayed he will do that again.
I love these 10 commandments and they are so true.