Surprise! Here’s Your Medical Bill
Seems like everyone has a story about a medical bill that took them by surprise. You went to an in-network doctor but the facility they sent you to for a test or treatment was out of network. You were given an estimate on what a procedure would cost and the final bill arrived revealing a shock.
Congress passed the No Surprises Act which took effect in January of 2022. It was intended to address these issues and protect patients from these costs. Due to recent lawsuits, the Biden Administration has paused the arbitration process to rework it based on some of the rules.
If you are facing unexpected bills, we suggest reading Health.com’s piece or the New York Times’ article on how to fight them.
- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik
The Tasting Menu
Shingles - It's Catching (Sort Of) and Other Facts
5 Facts About Vaginal Atrophy
Patient Rights Under the ACA
Shingles - It’s Catching (Sort Of) and 4 Other Facts
When Maggie was a kid, her mother sent her to a friend’s house to play - and catch chickenpox. Before the vaccine was made available in 1995, that wasn’t an uncommon thing to do.
If you’ve had chickenpox, you may know that the virus never leaves you. And it may resurface in the form of a painful blistering rash known as shingles. Those of us 50 years or older are encouraged to get the shingles vaccine to prevent an occurrence. Here are some other facts to know.
Shingles is contagious - in the form of chickenpox. You can’t get shingles from someone else but if you haven’t had or been vaccinated against chickenpox, you catch it from someone with shingles
Its official name is Herpes Zoster
If the race develops on the fact, it can impact your vision
It usually resolves in 2 to 4 weeks and antivirals can shorten the duration and severity of shingles
You usually only get it once. If you’ve had it, you should still get the vaccine
5 Facts About Vaginal Atrophy
Vaginal atrophy – also known as vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) – is another condition that can affect anyone with a vagina, although it generally affects those in post-menopause as it’s caused by a drop in estrogen that happens during this time.
Here are 5 facts about this condition:
VVA happens when your vaginal lining becomes thin, dry, inflamed, and you experience pain
It can also lead to pain when urinating or during intercourse – which is where the “genitourinary syndrome” comes from
You may be at higher risk for GSM if you smoke, have not had any vaginal births, or have had no sexual activity
Treatments include use of vaginal moisturizers and water or silicone based lubricants during sexual activity
Estrogen replacement is also an option but comes with some big risks (like deep vein thrombosis or a stroke)
While vaginal atrophy is common, few people seek treatment. We recommend you see your doctor if you’re experiencing pain, discomfort, or unusual bleeding or spotting. Or, if treatments like moisturizers and lubricants aren’t being effective, that’s also a good sign to see a doctor for additional options.
Patient Rights Under the ACA
While you likely know it as the Affordable Care Act, ACA or Obamacare, the full name is actually The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It is about far more than access to affordable healthcare, although that’s one of its major goals. It is meant to provide patients with specific rights.
As approximately 50% of people in the U.S. get their health insurance through an employer plan, it’s important to know that some protections are specific to marketplace plans. In addition to the screenings we shared a few weeks ago, here are some rights we all have under the ACA:
Cover the cost of a pump for breastfeeding and follow the individual patient’s healthcare provider’s guidance on what’s medically needed.
Limits to mental health and substance abuse disorders can’t be more restrictive than medical services.
You cannot be refused coverage or be charged more for a pre-existing condition, including pregnancy.
Insurance companies are held accountable to publicly explain rate increases above 15% and to spend at least 80% of the money they receive on care and quality improvement.
Allow children to stay on their parent’s plan until they are 26.
Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics Federal Support of Breastfeeding resource
Healthcare.gov rights and protections
Medical Term of the Week
After an abnormal pap smear or an ongoing HPV infection, your medical provider may recommend a colposcopy. It is an examination of the cervix, vagina and vulva that is more in-depth that your regular pelvic exam.
The provider inserts a scope and applies a solution to the cervix and vagina. The colposcope magnifies and lights the area allowing a better view and liquid enables the provider to see abnormal areas more clearly.
During the procedure, your provider may also take tissue samples or biopsy for further testing.
Apple’s women’s health study released it’s initial findings with a big focus on menstrual health (From Apple)
We need to talk more about the 4th trimester, which might be more than 12 weeks (From Care.com)
Death at an earlier age from breast cancer risk may indicate black women should start screening earlier than 40. (From US News)