America's Healthcare Advocate

Today my Spira Care guests are Dr. Becky Gernon, Department Vice President and Medical Director at Spira Care and Sharon Wilkinson who is the Clinical Performance manager at Spira Care centers as we discuss Spira Care’s integrated behavioral health component designed to see that patients’ needs are met both physically and mentally. This is a great episode, and we delve into how behavioral health, like physical health, affects all our lives and that even though we rarely look at it that way. and how Spira Care continues to be on the forefront of behavioral health care and reports to us that nearly 15% of all of their patients also had a visit with a BHC (Behavioral Health Clinician) in 2023. Ep: 2010 Learn more by calling 833-605-6901 or visit SpiraCare.com I'm Cary Hall, and if you need help or have something to share, you can send me a message here: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

My guests are Medicare and Medicare Advantage experts! Joining me from RPS Benefits by Design are Carolee Steele, who is the Director of Medicare, and Maria Ahlers, Chief Operating Officer, Employee Benefits at RPS Benefits By Design. Together, they offer Medicare Advantage plans from every carrier out there that has a Medicare Advantage plan: Blue Cross, Aetna, Humana, United… they all have zero premium plans. Hear how they can help ensure you find the right plan that fits your needs with allowances for dental, vision, hearing and even transportation via a debit card that are built into the Medicare Advantage plans. Did you know, the “extra benefits” that are built into the Medicare Advantage plans is how the carriers compete with each other? That’s important and they tell us why. And, most people start with comparing prescription benefits. Find out why that matters. Ep 2006 Terms used in this episode: Simply Blue plan the Blue Cross of Kansas City RPS Benefits by Design: 877-385-2224 https://www.rpsbenefitsbydesigninc.com/ Primary Care: Spira Care: https://spiracare.com/ Primary Care: CenterWell https://www.centerwell.com/ Medicare Part B Medicare Part D Medicare Advantage Plans I'm Cary Hall. Contact me if I can help you: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

They say that 40 cents of every $1 that’s paid for Primary Care services goes to the relationship between the Insurance company and the Doctor. So we're going to talk about a different model of primary care today. It's an alternative. It's something different, and I'm intrigued by it. And I think you will be, too. It's a model that obviously is working well because they continue to expand the number of clinics they have here in the KC Metro, and you'll find similar value based primary care throughout the USA. My experts this episode are Troy A. Burns, MD, a pioneer in healthcare reform. He was among the first to adopt the new Direct Primary Care model that fixes many of the problems with our broken healthcare system. Dr. Burns is joined by Angela Prato, M.D., who joined ProPartners Healthcare in 2018. Learn more about ProPartners Health Care: ProPartnersHealthCare.com or call 913-451-4776 Have an idea, or an issue you need help with? Send me a note or submit a topic here: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us This is S20 Ep 4 and I'm Cary Hall, America's Healthcare Advocate.

Today we visit with CenterWell Market President Drew Hare and back for a second visit is Dr. Stephanie Ikeme. I am a fan of the CenterWell model for Senior Primary Care and I think you will find this to be a fascinating episode as we investigate what makes CenterWell so amazing. CenterWell Senior Primary Care features a care team approach that helps each patient live a healthier, happier life by supporting the mind, body and spirit. As a result, our patients frequently mention how they don't feel rushed when they come in for an appointment. They feel like they can be heard. Our returning guest, Dr. Stephanie Ikeme, is the regional medical director for CenterWell Senior Primary care. If you are a senior or if you are the care giver to a parent or relative who is, this episode is for you! While we discuss the Kansas City market specifically, the information is for all seniors in the US who are seeking a better level of primary care. For those outside of Kansas City, CenterWell is in 26 states currently and it is well worth it to see if they operate near you. Learn more about CenterWell by calling 816-640-8522 or visit http://seniorfocusedkansascity.com Do you have a problem I can I help you with? Let me know by sending an email: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us Thank you! -Cary Hall

Our topic today is a different primary care model that is centered on Seniors. CenterWell Senior Primary Care features a care team approach that helps each patient live a healthier, happier life by supporting the mind, body and spirit. Or, as our guest Dr. V says: “One of the things patients frequently mention to me is they don't feel rushed here. They feel like they can be heard. I think that's important because when you feel like you can't express yourself, you're not going to bring things that are of concern to you to the forefront.” Our goal with this episode is to help you feel happier and healthier everyday and my expert guest: Vinod Naidu Velakaturi, MD from CenterWell Senior Primary Care in the Kansas City Metro. --- Are You Someone's Care Giver: CenterWell can make a big difference? Not only do they provide transportation, but there are other things that might be something for mom, or dad or for a grandmother or grandfather. Learn More about CenterWell: https://seniorfocusedkansascity.com/ (816) 640-8522 America’s Healthcare Advocate, Season 20, Episode 02 --- Other contact information: RPS Benefits by Design, Carolee Steele and Maria Ahlers: (877) 385-2224 https://www.rpsbenefitsbydesigninc.com/ Need help or have something to share? Contact Cary Hall: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us Senior Care Consulting, Steve Kuker 913 945 2800 seniorcareconsulting.com

The America's Healthcare Advocate Winter Multi-Topic Show has fascinating details, takes and closer looks at -The mRNA Breakthrough, Nobel Peace Prize and "Unprecedented Vaccine Development" -RSV's Winter Surge -How Loneliness is Tied to Death Rate -Nikki's "The 3rd Rail" of Healthcare Entitlements: Medicare Advantage -Regular Exercise Mitigates the Effects of COVID 19 Ep 1940 I'm Cary Hall. Join me for part one of our Winter Multi-Topic Series! If you have a topic or a problem that I can help with: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

Claire Benson’s health insurance was abruptly cancelled when she tried to update her information in her healthcare.gov account. Claire bought her insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace and after the policy was in place, she was asked in an email from healthcare.gov to update her account to reflect her married name and provide documents. She needed help logging in and called the 1-800 number for help. The navigator on the other end of the phone reviewed her policy, and encouraged her to update pregnancy information, too. So, Claire clicked “yes” and revealed her pregnancy. As first reported by KCTV5 Investigative Reported Angie Ricono: “I was just following instructions,” said Benson, “speaking to the person who answered the phone at Marketplace, trusting that she would tell me what I needed to know and guide me in the right direction.” Benson’s health insurance was immediately terminated. Angie offered Claire several ways to deal with this including getting me on the case to advocate for her. In this episode, Claire and I discuss her terrifying journey and offers this story to anyone finding themselves in this situation. Ep 1941 Have an issue? Send me a message and let’s talk: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

With so many people Turning 65 Every Day, we check in with America's leading Senior Care Consultant and give you everything you need to know about senior care for your spouse, your parent, a grandparent or sibling... anyone needing help finding care. Whether it be an assisted care living facility, nursing home or care in the home, Steve Kuker knows it all. How to choose a facility and the pitfalls of using a "Free" placement service, finding safety and abuse records on every facility as well as help with home care scenarios and how to make the best decision. Excerpt from this episode. Our expert guest, Steve Kuker: “In the first step when I meet with someone is to conduct a geriatric care assessment. It's a proprietary geriatric care assessment to answer all of the big questions. • What level of care do we need? • What type of care • Our payment method • Location parameters, and • personal preferences and needs "So those are the big five. We also uncover other issues or needs as well during this consultation. But that's our starting point. And now I know exactly what that person needs. Then I research the entire market and identify our top options. The next step is we actually go out and tour those facilities together and I conduct a performance audit at each place. --I've been an administrator of nursing homes and assisted living facilities and I look at this differently, I think, than most people”. AHA Ep: 1939 Background: Steve Kuker, Senior Housing Expert, Senior Care Expert, Franchisor, Radio Broadcaster ------------------------------------------------- Plus, in our 3rd segment, Steve discusses how you can start a Senior Care Consulting franchise yourself using his same model and tried and true practices. To learn more about becoming a franchise partner: https://www.seniorcareconsulting.com/... OFFER from Steve: A free home care provider screening tool and it's a list of 30 or 35 questions. It's a really good list and I'll just send it out free of charge. Just call or send me an email and I'll reply sending it to you for free. Senior Care Consulting 913-945-2800 Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevekuker/ https://www.seniorcareconsulting.com/ Need help or have a question? Contact me, Cary Hall: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

Stop reading fiction on the internet and listen to these 2 doctors explain who should take these vaccines and who is a greater risk, like seniors and toddlers. Our experts will get you ahead of the curve, so that you know going into cold and flu season what your risks are and what you should be doing, whether you've got infants, toddlers, children that are teenagers, or whether you're a seasoned citizen and someone at greater risk. My guests are Dr Tracy Stevens M.D., a board-certified cardiologist with Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants and is on staff at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, and Dr Sarah Boyd, MD, who is board certified in Infectious Diseases, Member of IDSA, SHEA, HIV medicine association and has practiced at Saint Luke's North Hospital since 2007. Dr. Stevens is the Julia Irene Kauffman Endowed Chair for Women’s Cardiovascular Health, the Ben D. McCallister, MD, Community Ambassador, and a professor of medicine at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine. Read more about these doctors: https://doctors.saintlukeskc.org/provider/Tracy+L+Stevens/1458158#provider-details-experience and https://doctors.saintlukeskc.org/provider/Sarah+E+Boyd/1458542 Can I help? Contact me here: Contact Cary Hall, America’s Healthcare Advocate: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

My guests are John Massey, President, Mak Booher, VP and Danny Spencer, Treasurer and their 501(3)(c) nonprofit "ZuZu's Petals". This extraordinary charity organization brings the spirit of Christmas to underprivileged communities by providing festive decorations, food and gifts. Find out how they started, what they have accomplished and how you can help right now. We offer this episode nationally, even though Zuzu's Petals is local to the Kansas City metro, because they are a stellar example of transparency in the operation of a charitable organization, and I encourage you to find this kind of transparency in any charity you support that is local to you. Look into Zuzu's award-winning transparency: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/f86605e8-1730-47a2-8b7f-0346ddf468b0 Click here to donate: https://zuzus-petals.org/donate-today kcchristmas.org