Health and Wellness 4

tips connected to 3telehealth COVID-19

By d-mars.com News Provider

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to mount, many Americans may be considering where to go for care if they develop potential symptoms. One important - yet potentially overlooked - resource is telehealth, which may enable people to connect 24/7 with a health care provider via a digital device and avoid potential exposure risks associated with in-person trips to health care facilities.

"Telehealth may be especially helpful as an initial option for medical advice related to COVID-19 and to help evaluate other possible health issues, as well as to assist people who live in rural areas," said Dr.

Anne Docimo, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare.

To help people more effectively take advantage of this technology during the evolving COVID-19 situation, here are three tips to consider:

through a telehealth visit to help confirm a diagnosis for COVID-19 (if needed), care providers can help guide patients to a local care provider or public health authority for testing and follow-up care. Making these connections may help people take the appropriate steps in advance of an in-person test, which may help reduce the risk of your exposure and possible exposure to other patients and health care providers. For other illnesses (not COVID-19 related) that are treatable with medications, telehealth care providers can write prescriptions and discuss how to obtain them safely, such as using medication home delivery or drive-thru pickup at a local pharmacy. Due to the COVID-19 situation,

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Identify available resources: To find telehealth resources, check with your care provider group, health benefit plan or employer. According to a recent Mercer study, nearly nine out of 10 employers offer telehealth visits to their employees, as do many Medicare and Medicaid health plans (in some cases by telephone). Meanwhile, 76% of hospitals connect patients and care providers using video or other technology, according to the American Hospital Association. In some cases, people can currently access telehealth visits without cost sharing. Since the outbreak emerged, some health plans are now encouraging patients to use telephone or live videoconferencing (if available) to connect people with local network medical providers, currently waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 related visits and treatments. Docimo points out this is especially important for people with certain complex conditions, such as diabetes or Parkinson's disease, as it may enable them to "see" their own physician for acute or follow-up care related to their condition and help avoid potential exposure to the coronavirus during an in-person visit.

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Understand likely next steps: During a telehealth visit, care providers can give general medical advice to evaluate possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing). While diagnostic testing services are not available

it is important to note that people may anticipate potential wait times, as some care providers offering telehealth may be currently experiencing a surge in appointments.

Access other health services: While elective health care procedures may be delayed to help enable care providers to focus on COVID-19 cases, telehealth may help people more effectively manage other health issues without the need to go out and risk potential exposure to the virus. Telehealth can help address myriad medical issues, including allergies, pinkeye, fevers, rashes and the regular flu. In addition, so much time at home can also contribute to behavioral health issues, so people should consider telehealth as a resource to connect with a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist. Importantly, people who experience a significant or serious medical issue should go to the emergency room (ER).

By considering these tips, people across the country may be able to more effectively use telehealth resources to help stay safe during these challenging times. For more information about the COVID-19 situation, go to www.uhc. com/coronavirus.

Source: BPT

Don’t ignore heart attack symptoms, even during COVID-19

By d-mars.com News Provider

If you're experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, doctors urge you to not delay seeking treatment because of COVID-19 concerns.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors across the nation are reporting a sharp decline in patients coming to the hospital for heart attacks and strokes. These conditions don't stop during a pandemic, and the decline has doctors worried that many people experiencing symptoms may not be seeking treatment, or that they are seeking treatment only after their condition has worsened. Delaying care could pose a significant threat to your health.

"Heart attacks and strokes required emergency care before the COVID-19 pandemic, and they continue to require emergency care now," said

Certainly the consequences of not seeking timely care for heart attacks and strokes are far greater than the risk of COVID-19 exposure in the hospital."

Facilities have implemented routine screening procedures to evaluate if any visitors entering the facility might have a risk of COVID-19 exposure, even before they step foot inside the building. Many facilities are separating COVID-19 patients into separate wards or buildings to ensure other patients are protected and not exposed. Routinely checking temperatures, masks and protective equipment for healthcare workers and other staff are some of the other measures that help to ensure a safe environment.

Newly Unemployed? Understanding Your Health Insurance Options

By d-mars.com News Provider

With millions of people nationwide filing for unemployment since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals and families across the country are suddenly finding themselves without health insurance at a precarious time. Fortunately, new options may be able to help those on tight budgets.

“The sudden and unexpected loss of health insurance only compounds the stress caused by job loss amidst this unprecedented economic and public health crisis. However, unemployed individuals have more options for affordable health insurance than they did during past economic recessions thanks to provisions in the Affordable Care Act, along with actions recently taken by Congress and some states,” says American Medical Association (AMA) president, Patrice A. Harris, M.D.

Whether you recently lost your job-based health insurance or were uninsured before COVID-19 struck, the AMA, a long-time advocate for health insurance coverage for all Americans, is highlighting the following options:

D. Pokorney, MD, MBA, Assistant Professor of Medicine in

Sean

the division of cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine. "If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your doctor or call 911 now, as you may need immediate care to save your life."

Contact your doctor for these heart attack & stroke symptoms

You may be having a heart attack if you have symptoms such as

• chest pain

• difficulty breathing

• discomfort in your chest, arms, back, neck, shoulder or jaw

You may be having a stroke if you are experiencing:

• numbness, weakness or loss of movement in your face, leg or arm, especially on one side

• loss of balance

• confusion, including trouble speaking or understanding

Health experts urge you to contact your doctor or call 911 if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Hospitals have safety measures in place to protect you Patients may be understandably nervous about going to a hospital during COVID-19, but hospitals have implemented many safety measures to protect you from coronavirus. These facilities are ready now to safely care for you if you are experiencing serious health issues.

"Hospitals are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of patients who need critical care," said Pokorney. "With all of these measures, going to the hospital is probably at least as safe as going to the grocery store.

Waiting now can cause complications later

Bad news doesn't get better with time. Delaying treatment for a heart attack or stroke can have serious consequences, causing a bad condition to worsen and making recovery more difficult. For some patients, postponing care can be the difference between life and death.

"I've talked to patients who are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or warning signs for sudden cardiac death and some are choosing to take their chances at home," explained Pokorney. "The unfortunate result is that those patients may die at home or have worse long-term outcomes from the delays in care - and that's avoidable."

The recovery period after a heart attack may also require critical care. "A heart attack is a potential risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating," said Mary Newman, Executive Director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. "If you've had a heart attack, your doctor can help to determine if you are at risk and can discuss treatment options to keep you safe. But they can only help if you follow up on your symptoms."If you are having symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, getting care quickly is critical to your treatment and recovery. When you seek help immediately, the care you receive is more likely to be lifesaving, you can likely get better more quickly, and you can limit the damage to your heart and your overall health.

• A ffordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces: Family and individual health plans can be bought in the health insurance marketplaces created by the ACA. Losing a job is a qualifying life event that allows unemployed individuals up to 60 days to enroll in a marketplace health plan before the close of a special enrollment period. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, certain states have reopened enrollment periods when all consumers -- not only those who have experienced a job loss -can enroll in marketplace health plans and potentially qualify for financial assistance to purchase these plans based on their income.

Subsidies available to eligible individuals through the health insurance marketplaces can help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs, making coverage more affordable. The Kaiser Family Foundation can help calculate an estimate of premiums and subsidies based on an individual’s income, age and family size. It will also estimate an individual’s eligibility for Medicaid.

• Medicaid: While each state’s program has unique attributes for coverage, Medicaid can offer no- or lowcost coverage for those with the lowest incomes with limited cost-sharing requirements. Unlike the ACA marketplaces, there is no defined open enrollment period for Medicaid, and eligible people can sign up at any time. State eligibility requirements and income qualifications vary by state. Every state covers low-income children, pregnant women and people with disabilities, while 36 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid coverage so that adults with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level can qualify.

• B eware Short-Term Plans: The AMA cautions patients to avoid short-term limited duration plans whenever possible, especially during this pandemic. Short-term plans are designed to fill temporary gaps in health insurance when comprehensive coverage may not be an option. But it is important to understand that these plans offer very limited benefits and do not usually cover COVID-19 testing and treatment, preexisting medical conditions, mental health services, prescription drugs, and preventative and wellness care.

“Avoiding gaps in coverage should be a top priority for anyone who has recently lost their health insurance,” says Harris. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having meaningful health insurance coverage.”

Source: (StatePoint)

It‘s your heart. Don‘t hesitate.

It‘s your heart. Don‘t hesitate.

How to take charge of your mental health

By d-mars.com News Provider

Our nation is sharing in an experience with the COVID-19 crisis that will serve to reshape the future of our communities, our work, our families, and each and every individual. With so much attention focused on the diagnosis and treatment related to the virus, we recognize that those feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and even substance use may impact substantially more of us than a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Nearly half of American adults report that the COVID-19crisis has affected their mental health, according to recent polling by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Meanwhile, Mental Health America's (MHA) free, anonymous screening tools have seen a 70% increase in individuals taking their anxiety screen, and a 64% increase in the number of people taking their depression screen between January and April of this year.

During this public health emergency, it is important to take care of ourselves, support one other and spread the message that "you are not alone."

You are not alone

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is partnering with Anthem Inc., one of the nation's largest health benefits

companies, on a month-long campaign focused on reminding all of us that "You Are Not Alone." May is National Mental Health Month, and together, NAMI and Anthem, Inc. are focused on the power and necessity of maintain- ing social connections and well-being during a time when many are physically distanced from each other.

As NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. shared, "Especially during this time of isolation, uncertainty and tragedy, it is vital that no one feels alone in their mental health journey."

He continued, "The COVID-19 crisis not only shines a spotlight on our need for social connectedness, but also our need for real mental health resources. To support individuals during this crisis, NAMI is raising awareness to change our fragmented mental health system into one that serves everyone, so people can get the care they need."

"Caring for ourselves - physically and emotionally - is critical to improving lives and communities," said Dr. Prakash Patel,

executive vice president and president of Anthem, Inc.'s Diversified Business Group. "During this challenging public health crisis, it's important to know there are resources out there, whether through your employer, healthcare provider or community organizations, to help us get through this difficult time. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as our physical health. This month is a great reminder to take care of ourselves, as well as each other."

Caring for yourself, caring for others

To take charge of your mental health during the current crisis:

* Care for yourself. Recognize the importance of "me time" and carve out a part of each day to do something that rejuvenates yourself - listen to a podcast, do yoga, connect with a friend, or just go outside for a breath of fresh air.

* Seek help if you need it. Talking to a friend or family member is a good start, but professional mental health services may also be necessary. The earlier people seek help, the better their results. While going to see someone in person may not be possible, telehealth offers a way to talk to a professional while practicing physical distancing. If you are thinking about harming yourself, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can provide free and confidential emotional support in times

of crisis.

* Explore community resources. There are many valuable and often underutilized resources available. These include Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), which are offered by many employers and include free therapy sessions and telehealth, as well as digital resources, like the mental health resource site, Psych Hub. And you can contact NAMI for nationwide peersupport and resource referrals, by phone (800-950-NAMI) or email (info@nami.org).

* Support one another. Caring for others is one way to care for yourself. Call an older adult who may be experiencing loneliness, text a friend who's working long hours, or join your family or friends for a video dinner. A simple gesture can go a long way for you and for them.

* Talk about it. Let people know that they are not alone. Your experience matters. Taking time for yourself? Share your #MeMinutes, whether on social media, using the hashtag, or with others in your community. Sharing your own self-care routine may encourage others to care for themselves, too.

Sharing your personal experience engages others and fosters acceptance and awareness around mental health, and encourages others to take the steps to access treatment and support during difficult times. You are not alone.

For more information, visit www.nami.org.