November Edition 2019
Inside This Issue
Austin at the Cutting Edge of a New— Business of Health Dell Medical School is Bringing Together Diverse Partners – Including Community-Based Organizations, Health Care Payers and Investors – In New Ways To Rethink The Path To Better Health For Vulnerable Populations.
Paralyzed Veteran Now a Marathoner See pg. 8
INDEX Legal Matters....................... pg.3 Oncology Research......... pg.4 Mental Health...................... pg.6 Healthy Heart..................... pg.12
Age Well Live Well See pg. 13
W
it h t h e u lt i m a t e g o a l o f improving population health, a novel initiative launched by Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin is working to shift the focus to health – not just health care – and creatively aligning unconventional partners to identify, prove and pay for drivers of health outside of more traditional settings like clinics and hospitals. Known as Factor Health, the program’s first efforts are focused on well-known health challenges among two vulnerable groups: chronic disease management for home-bound older adults and the mental health impacts on youth who have experienced family trauma. The atypical assortment of players involved, all with a stake in Factor Health’s success, include the Houston-based Episcopal Health Foundation, which invested $2.6 million to launch the program; managed care payers Amerigroup Texas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas; and Austin-based social service providers Meals on Wheels Central Texas and grassroots youth development organization Youth Rise Texas.
“The major gap in all of our talk about health care is that we are failing to address health,” said Mini Kahlon, PhD, Dell Med’s vice dean and executive director of Factor Health. “There are all kinds of organizations that are, today, contributing to better health. The problem is, the healthcare system doesn’t pay them for it. That’s where Factor Health and our team at Dell Med come in.” The Factor Health approach is different, Kahlon said. “It’s about moving beyond traditional, fee-for-service care found in hospitals and clinics, to helping everyone in the health ecosystem – investors, health care payers, community-based organizations, academic medical centers – see themselves and the roles they can play in health differently.” “Factor Health has already been successful in bringing together unconventional partners who are thinking creatively about health outcomes,” said Karen DeSalvo, MD, MPH, a Dell Med professor and former acting assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Now the challenge is to demonstrate measurable improvements in health. I expect that payers around the country – not to mention other academic medical centers – will be watching with interest.”
Demonstrating and Measuring Success As a first step, the Factor Health team is testing health programs that include an anchor provider, payer partners and a funding partner. The team will work with each to maximize opportunities and enable success, including identifying business needs, finding and vetting relevant partners, defining success metrics, addressing policy hurdles, enabling data sharing, defining health outcomes and collaboratively crafting new payment methodologies. Partners will regularly and collaboratively review results, and plan for payment models based on outcomes to support the program at scale after the demonstration period. Ultimately, the intent is for payer partners to transition to longer-term funders. The first two programs, both funded by the Episcopal Health Foundation, include: Aging at Home: Diabetes Management for Older Adults Anchor provider partner: Meals on Wheels Central Texas Payer partner: Amerigroup Texas This project is designed to help older adults with diabetes better manage their disease at home, thus improving overall health and decreasing the need for expensive (and see Business of Health... page 13
1 PERMIT #NO 1149 AUSTIN HOUSTONTX TX PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID
Austin Medical Times
Page 2
A team in healthcare law that’s the
PICTURE HEALTH of
Driving business, practicing law.
100 Congress Avenue, Suite 1800, Austin, TX 78701 Fletcher Brown: 512-685-6400
wallerlaw.com
November 2019
austinmedtimes.com
Austin Medical Times
Legal Matters Texas Passes Consumer Protection Law on Pharmaceutical Drug-Pricing Transparency By Ebad Khan, J.D. Polsinelli, PC
A
s Texas residents are largely dependent on prescription drugs to manage their healthcare conditions. As the costs of prescription drugs continue to spiral and the complexity of the pharmaceutical industry increases, consumers have dealt with their fear of not knowing whether they would be able to afford the cost of their drugs. To overcome this fear, the Texas Legislature recently took aggressive action to enact one of strongest drug-transparency laws in the country. This new Texas law (H.B. 2536) requires pharmaceutical drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, and health plan issuers to report specific data and information in order to create and foster
drug-pricing transparency within the pharmaceutical industry. Senator Kelly Hancock, a sponsor of this Bill in the Senate, stated the following in a press release, “Prescription drug costs are a significant portion of the household budget for many Texans. When the price of a prescription spikes, people deserve to know why their wallets are taking a hit. This legislation serves as a much-needed consumer price check on a complicated industry that, frankly, could do with a lot more transparency.” This drug-pricing transparency law requires all pharmaceutical drug manufacturers to submit an annual report to the Texas Health and Human Service’s Commission (“HHSC”) that includes the current wholesale acquisition costs (the cost manufacturers charge to wholesalers or direct purchasers) of all drugs sold in or into Texas. Additionally, in the event the wholesale acquisition cost of a drug increases (a) 40% or more over the preceding three years, or (b) 15% or more in the preceding
year, manufacturers must report, among other things, the following: the name of the drug, whether it is a brand name or generic, aggregate company-level research and development costs for the most recent year, and a statement regarding the factors that caused the increase in costs. Both the annual report and the increase in costs report will be made available by HHSC on its website. This new law further requires all pharmacy benefit managers (“PBMs”) to file an annual report with the Texas Department of Insurance (“TDI”). The annual report must include the aggregate amounts of rebates, fees, price protection payments, and any other payments collected from manufacturers, and the payments that were passed on to health insurance issuers and their enrollees or retained as revenue. This information will be made available by TDI on its website. Finally, the law demands that all health insurance issuers file an annual report to TDI as well. In this report, the issuers must, among other things,
Page 3
list the names of the 25 most frequently prescribed drugs, the percent increase in spending for the 25 drugs, and the percent increase in premiums that can be attributable to those 25 drugs. TDI will also make this information on its website. In passing this law, Texas has clearly shown its intent to act in the best interest of its residents by shielding them from any additional increases to pharmaceutical drugs. By publicizing the above mentioned reports, Texas shifts the burden to the pharmaceutical industry to introspectively consider whether any increase to drug costs to the consumers could withstand the scrutiny resulting from this newfound transparency and the justifications that the industry may provide.
Official Rolex Jeweler austinmedtimes.com
November 2019
Austin Medical Times
Page 4
Oncology Research A Patient’s Guide to Managing Cancer as a Chronic Illness By Punit Chadha, M.D., cancers that have spread or come Texas Oncology back in other parts of the body, such South Austin as metastatic breast cancer or prostate
E
very day in laboratories and clinics across the world, biologists, physicists, researchers, and physicians are working to identify cancer cures. Their work has led to important breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis and treatment. But for some types of cancer that remain beyond the reach of the ultimate solution – a cure – treatment has advanced that makes it possible for some patients to live with and manage cancer as a chronic illness. The American Cancer Society defines chronic cancer as controlled or stable cancer, meaning tests and scans show the cancer is not progressing over the course of time. Some cancer types, such as chronic leukemia, and some lymphomas and ovarian cancers, are ongoing – meaning they are never completely gone from your body. Some
cancer, may also become chronic cancers. The ACS estimates the five-year survival rate for all cancer patients increased about 20 percent in the past 30 years. People are living longer, fuller lives as a result. Each patient experiences cancer differently. Living with cancer as a chronic illness is very different from a patient’s life after cancer. Below are considerations for living with chronic cancer. “New” vs. Recurring Cancer. Understand your diagnosis and what it means for your long-term health and quality of life. Sometimes, chronic cancer is diagnosed after a recurrence, when the first cancer type returns. This is different than being diagnosed with a second cancer. It’s essential to openly communicate with your oncologist and care team to understand your diagnosis and have a complete picture of your long-term treatment plan. Stick to the Plan. Adhere to your treatment plan, medication, and
follow-up appointments. When you are managing cancer as a chronic illness, treatment becomes a “normal” part of life. The goal of long-term treatment for chronic cancer is to help patients live their best quality of life for as long as possible. This requires an ongoing partnership between patient and care team. Patients may experience unpleasant side effects. For example, the National Institutes of Health reports that pain occurs in 50 percent of people with cancer. Adhering to the treatment plan, staying consistent with medication and follow-up treatments, and communicating honestly are ways for patients to stay on top of managing their care. Take Care of Yourself. Dedicate time to care for your emotional well-being – and know you’re not alone. Learning you have cancer is
devastating – learning it’s not going away may bring an entirely new set of fears and frustrations. Some patients experience depression, and living with uncertainty may feel overwhelming at times. This is normal, and patients are encouraged to seek support. A part of taking care of emotional well-being may also include making lifestyle changes, such as changing the way you eat, the activities you have the energy to participate in, and learning to become more open about your emotional health. The number of Americans currently living with a history of cancer is approximately 14 million, according to the Journal of Oncology Practice. That’s a lot of hope for a lot of people living with cancer. At Texas Oncology, we’re honored to serve our patients through every season of their cancer journey.
Women in Media Psychology Dorothy Andrews (at right in front) is joined by her Fielding Graduate University professors. Dorothy is currently working on a PhD in Media Psychology where she is studying how media technologies are affecting perceptions of risk aversion, neutrality, and affinity. Dorothy Andrews is the Chief Behavioral Data Scientist and Actuary for Insurance Strategies Consulting LLC.
Online & Hybrid
PhD, MASTER’S & Certificate Programs
November 2019
Fielding.edu/MediaPsych For 45 years, Fielding has been educating scholars and leaders in pursuit of a more just and sustainable world.
austinmedtimes.com
Austin Medical Times
Page 5
Serving those who provide care.
IT’S IN OUR DNA. We’re taking the mal out of malpractice insurance. Delivering the best imaginable service and unrivaled rewards is at the core of who we are. As an organization founded and led by physicians, we understand the value of superior care. Because for us, it’s not just a best practice, it’s in our unique code. Join us at thedoctors.com
7239_TX_HoustonMedTimes_DNA_Nov2019_0919_f.indd 1
9/13/19 9:07 AM
austinmedtimes.com
November 2019
Austin Medical Times
Page 6
Mental Health Neuroscientists Win DOD Grant To Help Veterans with Gulf War Illness Neurosteroid To Be Tested for Effectiveness By Sarah Elmer
M
any Gulf War veterans across the country are unable to escape chronic reminders of their time in combat. Specifically, 25 to 32 percent—or about 175,000 to 224,000 Gulf War veterans—are suffering from Gulf War illness (GWI). GWI causes unexplained cognitive difficulties, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory symptoms, chronic headache, insomnia and widespread pain. There is an urgent need to develop therapeutic pharmaceuticals for those suffering from GWI, because they currently have no targeted treatment options. Researchers from the Texas A&M College of Medicine have teamed up with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to serve military members who have served our country. D. Samba Reddy, PhD, RPh, professor of neuroscience and experimental therapeutics at the College of Medicine, was recently awarded a grant from the Department of the Army for $342,000
over two years to conduct research on neurosteroid therapy for GWI. The Gulf War, which lasted from 1990 to 1991 under President George H.W. Bush, was started when Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait. Roughly 700,000 U.S. personnel were deployed as part of coalition troops. Combat started in January 1991 with a six week-long air and naval attack by the U.S. and its allies on targets within Iraq. In February of 1991, the coalition troops took their combat to the ground, where they were victorious against the Iraqi forces. During combat, U.S. soldiers were exposed to numerous chemicals, including pyridostigmine bromide (PB), an oral pill taken as a prophylactic measure in case of a nerve agent attack. They were also exposed to N,N-diethylm-toluamide (DEET) and permethrin (PM), which were agents applied to the skin to protect soldiers from mosquito-borne diseases. Shortly after returning home, many of the soldiers who had been in combat started
experiencing unexplained symptoms and illnesses that could not be properly diagnosed by existing medical diagnoses or laboratory tests. “Basically, we hypothesize that GWI patients may have relatively low levels of neurosteroids in the brain due to exposure to chronic stress and chemical agents, including PB, DEET, and PM during the Gulf War,” Reddy said. “Low levels of neurosteroids means that there is a low level of tonic inhibition in the brain, which ultimately means that the brain is hyper-excitable and may be firing and sending messages to various areas of the body when it shouldn’t be.” Reddy and his team have proposed a unique therapy that would use a synthetic neurosteroid, ganaxolone, which is currently undergoing clinical trials by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This treatment, combined with noninvasive neuroimaging using MRI, is an innovative therapy that can be rapidly applied to human clinical trials to offer relief to veterans with GWI. Since neurosteroids reduce GWI hallmark features of peripheral pain, central inflammation, neuronal tonic
excitability and neurodegeneration, ganaxolone can be very effective in mitigating GWI symptoms. Reddy will collaborate with Ashok Shetty, PhD, professor of molecular and cellular medicine. Shetty has developed a model of GWI that will help in testing the neurosteroid. His previous research has focused on addressing the neuroinflammation associated with the condition. “Neurosteroids have been shown to be powerful neuroprotectants,” Reddy said. “The proposed therapy is uniquely broad spectrum towards GWI and is also based on our proven results from a previous chemical agent project. I am looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the military community through this new research project.”
Subscribe to Our Digital Issue Now you can get the Austin Medical Times delivered straight to your inbox. Never miss an Issue of Austin’s Leading Local Healthcare News Online.
austinmedtimes.com November 2019
austinmedtimes.com
Austin Medical Times
austinmedtimes.com
Page 7
November 2019
Austin Medical Times
Page 8
Paralyzed Veteran Now a Marathoner By Todd Goodman
T
MARINE MILITARY ACADEMY
REPARE FOR COLLEGE
CONQUER LIFE! At Marine Military Academy, challenge leads to growth, and growth leads to success. By providing a college-preparatory curriculum in a structured, disciplined and focused setting, our cadets rise to new heights as scholars and leaders. No other school can unlock a boy’s potential like MMA.
NOW ENROLLING FOR 2019-2020
MMA-TX.ORG »» 956.423.6006 ADMISSIONS@MMA-TX.ORG MMA »» A College-Prep Boarding School for Boys in Grades 7-12 MMA »» 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. »» Harlingen, TX 78550 November 2019
he National Veterans W heelchair Games have given Army Veteran Candice Caesar a new social circle and extended family—but the inspiring part is what she’s had to overcome. Caesar was stationed in Germany in 1999 when she was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The vehicle slid on black ice and crashed. A Soldier in the back seat, who was not wearing a seatbelt, flew forward and slammed into her, breaking several of her vertebrae. She also Army Veteran Candice Caesar, a walking quadriplegic, runs her punctured a lung and first marathon with her son by her side. She was paralyzed in a sustained a traumatic brain 1999 auto accident. injury. turned on, she said. The first time She was paralyzed. “I couldn’t move anything she walked, she took two steps and then it was back into the on my right side,” she said. A German doctor fused her wheelchair. “There was a lot of falling,” vertebrae but nicked her vocal cord in the process, leaving her she said. “There was a lot of bleeding. There was a lot of crying. barely able to speak for six years. Doctors told her they didn’t Some days I lay in bed and said, ‘God, why did this happen to me? think she would walk again. “I couldn’t believe it,” she I need to die. I can’t kill myself, said. “You don’t know what you’re but just let me die. Let me close talking about. I went straight into my eyes and just die.’ I was in an denial. And that is when I leaned awful place.” She was desperate to get on my faith and said, ‘I’m going to walk a marathon.’ I did not know home to her two-year old son, that a marathon was 26.2 miles. whom she hadn’t seen since the That is just what came into my accident. She begged doctors to brain. You don’t know what you’re discharge her. After approximately talking about. I just didn’t believe five weeks in the hospital, using a flat-bed crutch and a cane, she them.” As she lay in bed, she was able to walk enough to go lamented her lost military career. home. She covered her right side She was going to be a drill in band-aids so her son would sergeant, get her commission, and know not to touch her there. With communication an issue, as she become a physical therapist. “I had a plan and now you’re could barely speak above a whisper, telling me I can do none of these she used what was available. “I blew whistles,” she said. things?” Caesar said. “So, now you’re taking away my career and “When I wanted him to stop, I you’re telling me I can’t walk? Well, blew once. When I wanted him to you’ve got to leave me something. turn around, I blew twice. My kid I can’t have my Army career, but I was trained like a dog, basically. can have movement over my body. But that’s the best I could do.” A speech therapist inspired And that’s what happened.” That attitude, as powerful her, working on her swallowing, as it is, only works when it’s
austinmedtimes.com
see Veteran...page 14
Austin Medical Times
Page 9
Take one tablet daily to view the CME courses you want. FEATURED COURSES
ADDRESSING ACEs: Learn how to identify, treat and reduce the effects of trauma and toxic stress and reinforce resiliency in young patients. Earn ethics CME.
INTERPERSONAL YOUTH VIOLENCE: Implement proven strategies to identify, intervene in and prevent behaviors such as bullying, self-injury and suicide, dating violence and sexting. Earn ethics CME.
Join more than 100,000 medical professionals who get free CME with Texas Health Steps Online Provider Education. Choose from a wide range of courses relevant to your practice, including short tutorials and podcasts on topics like Medicaid guidelines, ethics and mental health — all available 24/7. Learn more at TXHealthSteps.com.
PRECONCEPTION AND PRENATAL HEALTH: Integrate best practices for preconception health care and counseling into preventive medical checkups.
Content on the Texas Health Steps Online Provider Education website has been accredited by the Texas Medical Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, UTHSCSA Dental School Office of Continuing Dental Education, Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Texas Academy of Audiology, and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Continuing Education for multiple disciplines will be provided for some online content.
austinmedtimes.com
November 2019
Austin Medical Times
Page 10
New Unitedhealthcare App Now Gives Millions Of Plan Participants On-Demand Access To Virtual Visits
M
illions of Americans now have access to on-demand telemedicine services 24/7 with the new UnitedHealthcare app. The UnitedHealthcare app provides health information for people on the go, offering plan participants a single source to help maintain and improve their well-being, access care and make the most of their health benefits. Eligible plan participants can now use the app to directly schedule and conduct a Virtual Visit with a doctor, helping eliminate the need for multiple sign-ins or to download a separate app. The app is available now for download at no additional charge for Android and Apple devices to more than 27 million people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare health benefit plans.* People enrolled in most UnitedHealthcare
employer-sponsored plans have coverage for virtual physician visits, giving plan participants secure, online access to a physician via mobile phone, tablet or computer 24 hours a day. “Digital health resources are fundamentally changing how people navigate the health system, making it possible to access care from anywhere at any time and helping remove barriers to care,” said Anne Docimo, M.D., UnitedHealthcare chief medical officer. “The new app is part of UnitedHealth Group’s more than $3 billion annual investment in data, technology and innovation, helping build a health system that is more intuitive, affordable and convenient.” Implementing more virtual care solutions is a top priority for many employers, with 51% of companies planning to do so, according to a 2019 study by the National Business Group
on Health. The expansion is especially important for people with chronic conditions and the 20% of the U.S. population that lives in rural areas where access to health care, particularly specialty care, is often lacking. About 25% of emergency room visits involve conditions that could appropriately be addressed with a virtual visit.[1] Virtual care generally costs less than $50 per visit compared to an average of $740 for an emergency room visit for a similar low-severity condition[2], and is designed to provide an alternative way to access care when clinics and urgent care facilities are closed. Virtual visits typically last about 20 minutes, and doctors can diagnose see Virtual Visits...page 14
HELP US BUILD A HEALTHIER AUSTIN
Access to nutritious food is essential for a healthy, thriving community. Learn about how we’re leading the fight against hunger at centraltexasfoodbank.org. November 2019
austinmedtimes.com
Austin Medical Times
austinmedtimes.com
Page 11
November 2019
Austin Medical Times
Page 12
Healthy Heart Eat “Festively” Smart in November By American Heart Association
W
e are so grateful for the incredible turnout that we had at this year’s 2018 Austin Heart and Stroke Walk. It is so powerful to see such a diverse and committed community of people walking together to help us all live longer and healthier lives. The critical funds raised from this event not only help support life saving research, but they also help us educate the public on the importance of things like healthy eating. The holiday season is around the corner, and while that means fun get-togethers with family and friends, it also means hearty meals that can add up at the waistline. That’s why this month the American Heart
simple steps to eat healthier by celebrating Eat Smart Month in November. It’s fun and easy! We provide materials and how-to information for workplaces, schools, individuals and communities - http://www. hear t.org/en/ healt hy-living/ h e a l t hy- e a t i n g /e a t- s m a r t / e at-s m a r t-mo nt h. • Ask for healthier restaurant food. Americans eat and drink too many calories, sodium, sugars, and saturated fat from restaurants. A single restaurant meal can have more sodium than a person should have for the entire day. You can make a difference. Take back control of your food and tell restaurant CEOs to prioritize
THE STRENGTH TO HEAL and get back to what I love about family medicine Do you remember why you became a family physician? When you practice in the Army or Army Reserve, you can focus on caring for our Soldiers and their Families. You’ll practice in an environment without concerns about your patients’ ability to pay or overhead expenses. Moreover, you’ll see your efforts making a difference.
To learn more about the Army or Army Reserve, call MAJ Tamela Mitchenor at 210-692-7376, or tamela.l.mitchenor.mil@mail.mil
©2010. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.
November 2019
Association is kicking off Eat Smart Month. Studies show that half the weight gain from the holidays sticks around until summer. About two in three adults and one in three children are overweight or obese. Eat Smart Month is part of the AHA’s “Healthy for Good” movement, which focuses on eating smart, adding more color - such as vegetables - to meals, getting more exercise and making “being well” a priority. Here are 6 ways to celebrate Eat Smart Month with your friends and family: • Get the Eat Smart Toolkit. Take
austinmedtimes.com
healthier options. • Tell your friends about processed foods. Most of the sodium we eat comes from processed, prepackaged, and restaurant foods, not the salt shaker. • Watch for sneaky sodium. There’s no question that sodium can be sneaky. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks can add up to a whopping 4,000 mg of sodium. • Cut out Added Sugar. Added sugars are sugars added to
see Healthy Heart..page 14
Austin Medical Times
Age Well Live Well Have You Had the Talk? By Will Armstrong Texas Health and Human Services
T
alking about potential aging needs and issues with family members is important, yet many families never have conversations about aging because it can be overwhelming and uncomfortable. Texas Talks is an annual fall campaign from Texas Health and Human Services that encourages families to talk about aging needs and issues with their loved ones. The campaign provides tools, resources and easy-to-digest guides for families to use as a stepping stone to begin discussions answering important questions such as: • What type of Medicare does mom or your spouse have? • Have they met the deductible for the year? • Who is the legal guardian should anything happen, and is it written down? • Is a will written? • How do they feel about assisted living, or is home health their preference?
Business of Health
Continued from page 1
preventable) emergency room visits and hospitalization. Meals on Wheels volunteers are already delivering specially made meals and providing essential human connection to more than 5,000 of their neighbors in the Austin area. For this project, the Factor Health team will assess the impact of incorporating additional home health assessments, such as measuring glucose levels and conducting depression assessments, as well as referrals and other services that provide real-life support. Resilience for Life: Addressing Mental Health Impacts of Family Separation on High School-Age Youth Anchor provider partner: Youth Rise Texas Payer partner: Blue Cross and Blue
• Can they afford home health? • Do they have long-term care insurance? “I think many of us are culturally uncomfortable with growing old,” said Camden Frost, a former caregiver. “I hope we continue to work toward changing these negative attitudes and perceptions about aging.” Conversations about aging normalizes aging and empowers families to quickly respond to age-related needs and issues when they arise. Most families don’t talk about potential aging needs, challenges and preference until after a health care emergency. This sets up a dynamic where a family member must figure out how to respond to the immediate health care emergency and everything else from finances and perhaps even caregiving expectations and capacity. It can be
Shield of Texas This project is focused on supporting youth who have experienced family trauma, such as separation from parents and family due to incarceration and deportation. Depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies are common among this group, as is self-medication with alcohol and drugs. In an effort to help reduce associated and long-term medical needs, the Factor Health team will support Youth Rise Texas in expanding, scaling and evaluating outcomes for a peer-facilitated, learning and leadership curriculum focused on improving mental health for a group of approximately 150 teens. Factor Health leaders understand that long-term success involves building real-world programs that deliver measurably better health outcomes at scale. Beyond the launch of Factor Health in Austin this summer, the program team is already working to connect organizations, payers and investors in the Houston area. Partner perspectives:
“We
know
that
an overwhelming and seemingly never-ending task. “As a former family caregiver for two grandmothers, I experienced a lack of preparation in multiple ways,” Frost said. “Families need to know their loved one’s preferences for care, living arrangements and health needs, and creating regular opportunities to talk with your family can give insight and understanding on important, personal choices. Building a solid foundation for your family member’s continuum of care helps the entire family navigate each issue that comes up.” Organizations can choose to participate in the Texas Talks campaign with their employees
expectations have evolved and people today expect a more customized and seamless experience. As a result, Amerigroup is expanding consumer-centered care delivery capabilities and investing heavily in creating new models that simplify the healthcare experience, make care more accessible and reach people where they are.” - Dr. Cealee Thomas, Medical Director, Amerigroup Texas “At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, we understand the importance of supporting behavioral health programs for young people facing unique life challenges. We are proud to be part of a program that helps them overcome these hurdles so they can lead healthier lives.”- Janice Fagen, Vice President, Texas Medicaid Operations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Page 13
by going to the HHSC website, hhs.texas.gov, and searching for “Texas Talks.” Select “Request the Texas Talks Toolkit” link to receive a free toolkit that includes template emails and articles which organizations can send to their employees this fall. In 2018, over 150 organizations participated in the Texas Talks challenge by requesting the HHSC toolkit and sending out the campaign materials to their employees, encouraging them to proactively think and talk about aging issues with their family members and friends. To learn more, email A geWel l LiveWel l@h h s c . s t ate. tx.us or call 800-889-8595.
root cause of health issues. The health care system, with its $3.5 trillion annual expenditures, should pay for successful non-medical interventions, because that is what improves health.”- E l e n a Marks, President and CEO, Episcopal Health Foundation “This is an opportunity to do even more for the people we already serve, and to emphasize the wide-ranging role our volunteers play in improving health and wellness.”- Adam Hauser, President/CEO, Meals on Wheels Central Texas “When a teenager loses a parent to incarceration or deportation, the consequences can be far-reaching, including a negative impact on long-term physical health. We’re looking to break that cycle.”- Kandace Vallejo, Founder and Executive Director, Youth Rise Texas.
“Medical care alone isn’t enough to keep many Texans healthy, because it doesn’t address the non-medical, underlying causes of poor health. Factor Health works outside the doctor’s office consumer to find successful solutions targeting the austinmedtimes.com
November 2019
Page 14
Austin Medical Times
Veteran
Continued from page 8 her pitch, and her ability to project. She even suggested something at the time, which seemed unthinkable—a career change. “She said, ‘You can be a speech pathologist.’ What are you talking about? I can’t remember anything! I can’t speak! I can’t hear! And the therapist told me, ‘I’m going to get you right.’” When Caesar was medically retired from the Army in 2002, life was tough, with many nights spent in tears. However, she kept getting physically and mentally stronger, incorporating more and more muscles. “When I left the Army, I was able to walk with a cane, with assistance, and some leg braces,” she said. “To walk I have to pick my hip and quad up and put it down. I’ve got a lot of movement. It’s still weak, but it’s movement.” So much movement that she did what she assured her doctors in Germany that she would do—run/ walk a marathon. So far, she’s done 17 marathons and 73 half marathons
in 43 states. When her Houston VA doctor advised her to find other activities, as running was too tough on her body, Caesar joined Paralyzed Veterans of America Texas Chapter and discovered a slew of things she could do, to include Wheelchair Games. “I had the best time with Wheelchair Games,” she said. “When I left (this year’s games in Louisville, KY), I had 20 new connections. I will never be alone again in another state. I didn’t understand the different activities and organizations that I could be a part of and learned all of that by going to Wheelchair Games and being hooked up with the Paralyzed Veterans of America. They just have no idea how they’ve changed my life. Her favorite event at the games was using a hand cycle to do the 10K. There was a “killer hill” that she had to pass several times. That hill almost got the best of her, but she persevered and once she conquered it the first time, her confidence soared.
“When I passed somebody using his legs and I’m using my arms, that just gave me a little extra power,” she said. “I thought, ‘Oh! I can beat people using their legs!’ For me, I was like, “Oh, my God, I’m passing him up!’ That gave me some extra motivation. I could have gone another 10K around the course, I had that much fun at Wheelchair Games.” Caesar is determined to make these games an annual event, no matter what is going on in her busy life. Since the accident, she’s gotten two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree in speech pathology and currently works as a speech pathologist, working with autistic children. She continues to receive care for her spinal cord injury at the Houston VA Medical Center. “I have to be at the Wheelchair Games,” she said. “I have people to hang out with, people to talk to, connections to make, and some rivals to beat.”
Continued from page 10 medications; • comparison shop for care based on quality and cost, including the ability to review information for approximately 800 medical services; • save their favorite care providers within the UnitedHealthcare network, and save claims and insert notes for follow-up; • locate nearby physicians, hospitals, and urgent care centers using a smartphone’s GPS functionality, which may make it easier for consumers to find care providers
when they are out of town; • schedule a call with a UnitedHealthcare customer service advocate using the callback feature to address any questions about claims and benefits**; and • view information on the status of deductible and out-of-pocket spending, and check account balances for health reimbursement, flexible spending and health savings accounts.
they also help you get needed nutrients. Fruits and vegetables are nutritious and can naturally have less sodium than many processed foods. Here’s wishing all a festive, happy and thankful November. We
are thankful to be part of the Austin community. Join our FB page – AHAAustin – and post a picture of your healthy Thanksgiving meal with the hashtag #eatsmartmonth. We’ll be looking for them!
Healthy Heart
Continued from page 12 foods and beverages when they’re processed or prepared. Consuming too much can lead to disease – and even early death. • Eat more fruits and veggies. We know that fruits and vegetables add color to your plate, and November 2019
Director of Media Sales Richard W DeLaRosa Senior Designer Jamie Farquhar-Rizzo Web Development Lorenzo Morales Distribution Brad Jander Accounting Liz Thachar Office: 512-203-3987 For Advertising advertising@ medicaltimesnews.com Editor editor@medicaltimesnews.com
Virtual Visits
a range of nonemergency medical conditions, including allergies, flu, colds, pinkeye, fevers and rashes. If needed, doctors can prescribe medications and send prescriptions to local pharmacies for pickup. The UnitedHealthcare app also enables people to: • access their health plan ID card on their smartphone, and email it directly from the mobile device to the plan participant’s physician office or hospital; • review and manage prescription
Published by Texas Healthcare Media Group Inc.
austinmedtimes.com
Austin Medical Times is Published by Texas Healthcare Media Group, Inc. All content in this publication is copyrighted by Texas Healthcare Media Group, and should not be reproduced in part or at whole without written consent from the Editor. Austin Medical Times reserves the right to edit all submissions and assumes no responsibility for solicited or unsolicited manuscripts. All submissions sent to Austin Medical Times are considered property and are to distribute for publication and copyright purposes. Austin Medical Times is published every month P.O. Box 57430 Webster, TX 77598-7430
Austin Medical Times
Page 15
The Offices at Gateway to Falconhead PROFESSIONAL & MEDICAL OFFICE CONDOS - FOR SALE OR FOR LEASE
IDEALLY LOCATED BETWEEN THE HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA AND BAYLOR SCOTT AND WHITE OFF RANCH ROAD 620 AND FALCONHEAD BLVD. RETAIL AMENITIES LOCATED IN PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT. BEAUTIFUL HILL COUNTRY AND LAKE TRAVIS VIEWS FROM EXTERIOR PATIOS SPACE AVAILABLE: 80,000 SF total Building A
5,000 SF – Stand-alone building
Building B
5,000 SF – Stand-alone building
Building C
5,000 SF – Stand-alone building
Building D
5,000 SF – Stand-alone building
Building E
Building F
30,000 SF (2-15,000 SF floor plates)
30,000 SF (2-15,000 SF floor plates)
- All buildings are delivered in warm shell condition. TI materials stocked in each building - Buildings E & F – have a 43.47 KW roof mounted solar system installed - Covered Parking - Energy efficient design using VRF HVAC, LED lighting and spray foam insulation JOHN W. COLLINS IV Executive Director C 512.565.9626 jcollins@stcroixca.com
STEPHEN DEPIZZO Managing Director C 614.570.1260 sdepizzo@stcroixca.com
ST. CROIX CAPITAL REALTY ADVISORS, LLC 9 0 1 S M O P A C E X P R E S S WAY, B A R T O N O A K S P L A Z A 1 , S U I T E 1 6 0
|
A U S T I N , T X 7 8 74 6
austinmedtimes.com
|
5 1 2-3 9 1 - 07 1 8
|
w w w. s t c r o x c a . c o m
November 2019
Austin Medical Times
austinmedtimes.com