Message from the President

Saying goodbye for the last time to a member is always difficult but when it happens so quickly and unexpectedly it adds to the pain. When we gathered at the volunteer luncheon Lucille Cardace was her usual bubbly self. She was pleased to receive the pin signifying the Orion award. Being a patient visitor was a very significant part of her life. When I read the obituary in the May 12 Asbury Park Press, I learned that Lucille had been one of the Radio City Rockettes. As a member of Mended Hearts the dance went on. You can honor her memory by volunteering to be a patient visitor; she would like that. Requiescat in pace Lucille, you are missed.

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This month’s message will try to concentrate on helping you get your health care money’s worth. A good place to start is a visit to your doctor. I have noticed most of them are overbooked and hurry from patient to patient. In the process they seem to talk faster than my hearing can process, I don’t think I’m alone. So how do you deal with this? The first step is your own preparation. If it is a routine checkup, you should come prepared with routine questions. If there are issues that have appeared since your last visit you should make a list with specific symptoms and questions. When talking with the doctor it’s always valuable to have a friend or caregiver with you taking notes. Another alternative is to purchase a small handheld audio tape recorder; a recording will allow you to replay both your questions and the answers. The editor of our newsletter always records the speakers at the programs he attends. His recorder is only about 2” x 6” wide. (And you thought he did it all from memory). Many doctors’ offices are now offering e-mail questions and answers; your physician might be one of them. The technology is there; use it.

Sometimes you have to spend money to find ways to save it. I have subscribed to the Consumer Reports on Health. It’s a monthly publication, chock-full of information. Copyright laws prohibit complete use of the articles but I can give you a synopsis. A June cover story dealt with how to stretch your health funds. Most of it dealt with people still working, however the last segment is specifically targeted to people with Medicare. It gave reference to a website that Medicare Rights Center operates on the web, www.medicareinteractive.org. The article dealt with some interesting topics such as understanding the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage, understanding the trade-offs offered by Medicare Advantage and cautioning the reader to carefully select private fee-for-service plans. The last segment suggested that you find out whether you’re entitled to government help, read the Medicare publications.

Another article is titled “How to save a bundle on prescription drugs.” The article suggests you should seek your doctor’s help. I have found when doctors are prescribing a medication they may have samples to get you started. Dealing with one pharmacist is not only convenient but just plain sensible. An alert pharmacist can identify medical incompatibility that can arise with two or more doctors prescribing medication for different symptoms. Some health plans’ prescription services prefer to deliver a three-month supply of the medication. If it’s a generic drug, your local pharmacist may be able to provide the same quantity at a much lower cost. Check the federal website at www.Medicare.gov for more information. I would encourage you to ask your local library for the Consumer Reports on Health publication. If it’s not available, ask the librarian if they would purchase a subscription. It is good reading.

For the people that have asked for information about Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader: I don’t think your local library will have them but Barnes & Noble has a good selection. A couple more of his gems, “lemons contain more sugar than strawberries do” and “60% of all chicken soup sold in the United States is bought during cold and flu season.” You just can’t fool Uncle John.