Health and Wellness
GO GRAY IN MAY
by Jessica Whiteman, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
**NATIONAL DAY OF GRAY: MAY 27
On May 27, we celebrate the efforts of our incredible volunteers and honor the lives of brain tumor patients and their caregivers.
QUICK BRAIN TUMOR FACTS
- An estimated 700,000 Americans are living with a primary brain tumor
- Approximately70% of all brain tumors are benign
- Approximately30% of all brain tumors are malignant
- Approximately 58% of all brain tumors occur in females
- Approximately 42% of all brain tumors occur in males
Brain tumors do not discriminate, inflicting men, women, and children of all races and ethnicities.
Using social media show your support for nearly 700,000 people living with brain tumors and their caregivers # TheGrayscale @headforthecure
According to the National Brain Tumor Society, approximately 85,000 more people will be diagnosed in 2021.
Join over 6,000 Facebook friends at Head for the Cure public group page: A nonprofit organization with the mission to build awareness, raise funds, and inspire hope for the community of brain cancer patients, survivors, their families, friends, caregivers and other supporters, while celebrating their courage, spirit and energy.
****** IN LOVING MEMORY OF CRAIG RIGGS 1972 -2020 *********
April Health Awareness
There are over a dozen health awareness/promotion topics this month and each are equally important. All topics deserve time in the spotlight for recognition but for the sake of time (and a really long video ) I narrowed it down to 3:
- Oral Health awareness
- Donate Life awareness
- STI prevention awareness
Important April Dates:
National Public Health week April 1-7
National Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer awareness week April 11-16
National Pediatric Transplant week April 18-24
Jessica Whiteman, MSN, APRN-FNP-C
Care for your Kidneys
MARCH: NATIONAL KIDNEY CARE AWARENESS MONTH
3D Illustration von menschlichen Nieren mit Querschnitt 
Nurse with stethoscope holding anatomical model of healthy human kidney. White background. 
Doctor supports kidneys healthy concept design .
My Epiphany as a Doctor: Navigating Today’s Healthcare for My Own Family–Part 2(VIDEO)
When the Doctor’s Family Needs Medical Care
My Epiphany as a Doctor: Navigating Today’s Healthcare for My Own Family–Part 1(VIDEO)
Giving Up Traditional Insurance
Cori Then and Now…Transformation Tuesday
Cori is an avid football fan and is loyal to our Kansas City Chiefs. Last spring she set out on a transformation that has changed her life.
Not only does she look fantastic but she feels healthier and happier with her progress. She is a mother of three active children and is excited to be setting a good example for them by being healthier and taking care of herself.
Cori’s encouragement for others is to be prepared for hard work. The results will not be instant and expect setbacks. It really is about making small steps towards a bigger goal.
How did she do it? Hard work. Nothing compensates for hard work. She began running and really watching her diet. Her diet focus was not only about healthier choices but also portion control. Cori has completed two half-marathons and has plans for more.
Go Cori and Go Chiefs!
Ann Riggs, DO
When our model hits home–the proof is in the pudding.
Pudding Proof
I recently had the opportunity to experience the pitfalls of my own commercial health
insurance. I tell patients all the time “the proof is in the pudding.” Well it was my turn to see how this pudding really was in the health insurance world.
Recurrent Strep
This past fall my daughter was hit with yet another bout of strep throat. She has fought it throughout her young life. At the age of seven I made the call to consult with one of my favorite ENT docs. It was an easy decision that she would do better if we proceeded with tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
High Deductible
I, like so many of my patients, have a high deductible plan that I have married with an HSA(Health Savings Account). I knew the bulk if not all of the cost of the procedure would be my responsibility. I did not hesitate to ask for cash pricing.
Insurance Negotiated Pricing vs Cash Pricing
Pricing for any surgical procedure needs to include the following fees:
- Surgeon’s Fee
- Anesthesiologist’s Fee
- Surgical Facility’s Fee
INSURANCE NEGOTIATED PRICING:
| Surgeon | $372.51 |
| Anesthesiologist + Facility | $2624.00 |
| Total Cost | $2996.51 |
CASH PRICING:
| Surgeon | $402.50 |
| Anesthesiologist | $578.00 |
| Facility | $879.83 |
| Total Cost | $1860.33 |
FINAL PRICING AND SAVINGS:
I was actually able to pay the insurance negotiated pricing for the surgeon and the cash pricing for the anesthesiologist and the facility. My final pricing was $1830.34 for the entire procedure. And there lies the proof in the pudding:
Almost $1200 in Savings
Happy Healthy Kid at Great Cost Savings by Paying Cash
Ann Riggs, DO
Baby Boomers Beware
The Scare
The recent commercial promoting screening for hepatitis C in the Baby Boomers has scared many of my patients and their friends. Scare tactics usually work for a desired action, but is this really necessary? I would argue it is not.
The Facts
Hepatitis C is a virus that is transmitted by blood exposure. It is estimated that almost 3.2 million people in the United States have the virus.
The hepatitis C virus can cause liver damage, can cause cancer, and can cause death because of the liver damage or cancer. You can also have the virus and never develop symptoms.
Risks for acquiring hepatitis C:
tattoos, blood transfusions, organ recipients, accidental needle sticks, IV drug use, and sexual intercourse
My Thoughts
Pharmaceutical companies that have a vested interest in the drugs used to treat hepatitis C have a lot to profit with increased diagnosis. With increased screening, we get increased diagnosis which leads to increased usage of medications which leads to huge monetary gains for the pharmaceutical companies. While we do not include hepatitis testing in our routine labs we do recommend annual evaluation of liver enzymes which indirectly looks for the presence of hepatitis C.
And while I have certainly lost patients from a variety of disease processes, I have never had a patient die from hepatitis C…don’t be scared regarding this issue, talk to your doctor.
Ann Riggs, DO
More Frazzled Than Dazzled?
Whether you are traveling or hosting the holidays, this time of year brings with it an abundance of stress. Finding the perfect gifts and dealing with difficult family members can, for some, overshadow the reason for the season. Oh, and everyday life keeps on ticking as well.
What can we do to slow down, relax, remain healthy and enjoy??
Try this simple breathing exercise. It’s called the 4-7-8 breath and can actually alter our nervous system. It is calming and relaxing, it is free and it is easy!
First, exhale completely, blow all that stress and frustration OUT.
Second, inhale through your nose to the mental count of 4.
Third, hold your breath for a mental count of 7.
Next, exhale through your mouth to a mental count of 8.
Lastly, repeat this sequence for a total of 4 breath cycles.
I recommend starting and ending your day with this breathing exercise and adding it in any time you feel stressed throughout your day.
This is quick, anyone can do it and it has research proven health/relaxation benefits.
This simple breathing technique can help us erase some of the stress in our busy lives.
The power of the breath! Is it really that easy? Try it and find out. Prepare to be Dazzled!!
—Beckie Moore, Integrative Family Nurse Practitioner
Direct Medical Care 