Researchers at the University of Michigan may have solved a problem which has troubled oncologists and patients for decades. According to their recent study, published in Nature, it may soon be possible to distinguish aggressive prostate tumors requiring immediate treatment from those that grow slowly enough to be safely ignored. Sarcosine levels in the blood could be easily identified with a simple test that could replace or complement the PSA test. While the PSA has proven useful for identifying the presence of tumors, it does not offer insight into their ultimate prognosis. This discovery could minimize unnecessary treatment for a patient who is likely to succumb to other causes before their prostate tumors progress and identify which patients must seek treatment immediately.
Have a good Wednesday.
Blessings,
Rick
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Facing Medical Debt Because Of Prostate Cancer
My wife pointed out an article that she had read in our local paper about the number of people today who find themselves faced with huge debt because of medical procedures. This debt can affect both uninsured and insured alike.There are advocacy groups that provide help in working with insurance companies as well as medical facilities to negotiate charges. Groups like the not-for-profit Commonwealth Fund estimate that one third of all working-age Americans were struggling to pay medical bills in late 2007, the latest figures available.
With some 46 million Americans are uninsured according to estimates.
The paper listed several tools to help manage medical costs:
1. Talk to the doctor about whether all the recommended care is necessary.
2. Ask if the procedure can be done on an outpatient basis, to avoid a costly hospital stay.
3. Can you use less expensive, generic versions of the medicine you need?
4. Avoid using your credit card. If you pay it all off with that, you lose leverage with the hospital and you may have to pay high interest.
5. Remember your manners. Billing office representatives know how the system works and may be helpful if you don't yell at them.
6. Go beyond the billing office. People with higher levels of authority sometimes can approve larger discounts.
7. Talk to your doctor. A physician may show more sympathy than a billing clerk who hears customer complaints every day.
8. Check in-network coverage. Make sure your doctor, anesthesiologist and everyone else caring for you is in your insurance network.
9. Document everything. Keep a record of phone conversations and all paperwork so you can show what you were told, by whom and when.
I hope this information helps you navigate this new adventure you are on.
Have a good Monday.
Blessings,
Rick
With some 46 million Americans are uninsured according to estimates.
The paper listed several tools to help manage medical costs:
1. Talk to the doctor about whether all the recommended care is necessary.
2. Ask if the procedure can be done on an outpatient basis, to avoid a costly hospital stay.
3. Can you use less expensive, generic versions of the medicine you need?
4. Avoid using your credit card. If you pay it all off with that, you lose leverage with the hospital and you may have to pay high interest.
5. Remember your manners. Billing office representatives know how the system works and may be helpful if you don't yell at them.
6. Go beyond the billing office. People with higher levels of authority sometimes can approve larger discounts.
7. Talk to your doctor. A physician may show more sympathy than a billing clerk who hears customer complaints every day.
8. Check in-network coverage. Make sure your doctor, anesthesiologist and everyone else caring for you is in your insurance network.
9. Document everything. Keep a record of phone conversations and all paperwork so you can show what you were told, by whom and when.
I hope this information helps you navigate this new adventure you are on.
Have a good Monday.
Blessings,
Rick
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