State board of health holds forum
Two women in their 50s – both in need of hip replacement, one with insurance and the other without – illustrate the disparity of a broken health care system.
Their stories were recounted by an advocate for the poor at a public forum of the Washington State Board of Health, which convened last week at the Public Health Center in Spokane. Every five years the board holds such forums across the state to gather information for the State Health Report, which guides legislative and budget requests for state health care agencies.
One of the panelists at the forum was Cathy Mann, executive director of VOICES, a local advocacy group for low-income residents. She told of Susan, 57, a government worker who had full health coverage, no deductible and $5 co-pays. The other was Bonnie, 55, who worked at one of a series of low-wage jobs she held while she raised three children. Bonnie had insurance with a $500 deductible and $20 co-pays.
During the first two months of 2005, Susan, whose right hip was replaced in 2002, began to feel pain in her left hip. Bonnie complained of pain in both hips and scheduled a May appointment at a local health clinic that serves low-income patients.
In March 2005, Susan had an appointment with her personal physician, including X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging. Her doctor diagnosed hip dysplasia and recommended replacement. She was given a prescription for the pain and scheduled for surgery in September of last year. She had to reduce her work hours to half, but she retained full pay.
In May, the health clinic ordered X-rays of Bonnie’s left hip, as well as other diagnostic tests. A physician’s assistant diagnosed hip dysplasia. In July, her workload increased, she was unable to keep up and she lost her job. She was eligible for unemployment benefits, but the cost of COBRA insurance was prohibitive. The state’s Basic Health Plan has a nine-month wait for pre-existing conditions.
By August, Susan had to walk with the help of a cane. Bonnie needed a walker or wheelchair and help getting dressed.
Susan had hip replacement surgery in September. Her insurance covered a weeklong stay in the hospital and one week of home care. She spent October and November recovering while on sick leave from her job at full pay. She hired live-in help at her own expense.
Last fall, Bonnie had more appointments at a health clinic for which she paid cash. Her condition deteriorated, and she treated her intractable pain with over-the-counter medications. She was advised to apply for GAU (general adult unemployable) assistance for health coverage
By January 2006, Susan was back at work. Her total out-of-pocket cost was $345, plus the $100 cost of home health care.
In March, Bonnie had new X-rays. She is scheduled to have an MRI this month. Her total out-of-pocket expense so far: $2,080. After 14 months, she has yet to see a physician, much less have surgery.
“I’m still waiting for the state to approve it,” said Bonnie Roberts, who attended last week’s forum at the Public Health Center. “I’m just really frustrated because I thought I would get an operation and get back to work.”
Car seat alert
A recent car seat safety check in Spokane produced alarming results, according to the Spokane Regional Health District.
Out of 85 seats checked, only 10 were properly installed.
Among the problems with the child safety seats examined April 8 were loose harness straps, second-hand purchase, no recline, no whiplash protection, children moved to seat belts too soon, children had outgrown harnesses, outdated or expired seats, seat belts misrouted and forward-facing seats in recline position.
The health district’s Child Passenger Safety Program has a hotline that provides updated information about child seat laws and guidelines as well as notice of upcoming seat inspection events and where to have seats inspected year round. Call 232-2985.
Medicare deadline coming
People currently eligible for Medicare’s new prescription drug program have less than a month to sign up.
If you haven’t enrolled because you think Medicare Part D is just too difficult to figure out, you’re not alone. Out of 827,000 people in Washington eligible for Medicare, more than 333,000 had not signed up as of March 8, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
But the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors wants you to know there is help available. In some places, such as Whitman County, volunteers will even come to your home to help you select the plan that’s best for you.
If you need assistance, or wish to attend a public Medicare Part D enrollment event in your area call (800) 562-6900.