Why is it important to take your medication to your doctor's appointment?

We are here today with Dr. Crayton with The Arthritis & Infusion Center talking about why it is so important to bring your actual medication bottles with you to each doctor’s appointment visit.

1.)    To watch for those drugs with similar names

2.)    To avoid any unwanted drug to drug interactions

3.)    Just because it is over the counter medication doesn’t mean it is safe

Thank you for joining us for this Health Tip with the Arthritis & Infusion Center.  If you have health or medical question that you would like more information on email them to us and we will feature your question on an upcoming blog post. 

WHAT MAKES DR. CRAYTON UNIQUE?

He is:

• The most tenured and experienced Rheumatologist in the region.
• The only Rheumatologist who also has a Masters Degree in Hospital Administration
• Adept in really listening to what his patients are saying – “If they say they hurt, I believe them,” says Dr. Crayton.
• A true patriot – serving in the U.S. Army as well as the Army Reserve.  He particularly enjoys his association with the Bay County Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee as well as his interaction in treating veterans.

• A Rotarian who embodies the Rotary theme of “service above self”
• He initiated the “Spread the Warmth” campaign that will be providing lap robes to area nursing homes each winter.
• An avid supporter of the Bay Arts Alliance and sponsored their entire 2010-11 as well as 2011-12 seasons.
• A member of the Board of Directors for the Bay County Chamber of Commerce (2012) and B.A.S.I.C.
• Actively involved with other area charities and, along with his wife, have endowed several scholarships in healthcare fields.

BETTER YET -- Do you want to find out for yourself why Dr. Crayton is so individually unique to his patients?  Understand that Pain is not normal.  Let The Arthritis and Infusion Center help!  873-6748 – www.DrCrayton.net

What is a Prior Authorization?

Have you experienced this statement “I’m sorry, but this requires a prior authorization.”  This very common phrase has become a major complication in the medical community and it is now becoming a heavy burden on the shoulders of patients.

According to insurance companies, Prior Authorizations, also known as P.A.’s, are an extra precautionary step in your overall medical care.  The insurance companies may attach the P.A. requirement to any medical procedure or medication.  Then, they will require the ordering physician to either produce a medical record or conduct a peer –to-peer conversation to justify the medical need.  Examples of such prior authorizations would include:  name- brand medications, MRI scans, and “elective” surgery. 

What does this extra step mean to the patient?  A prior authorization essentially puts a hold on the medication or procedure until the physician meets the necessary requirements set by the insurance company.   The patient will not receive the medication, or be permitted to have the medical procedure, until the P.A. has been satisfied.  Therefore, there is a disruption to your medical care.

What should you do if your medicine or medical procedure requires a P.A.? 

1.   Contact your physician.  Do not assume that your pharmacy or medical facility (such as a diagnostic imaging center), has contacted them.  Make sure they are aware of the issue in detail.

2.   Ask questions.  There are instances that will require the physician to rely on the patients’ past medical history to prove the need for the medication or procedure.  Ask your physician if there is any information you can provide to help speed the P.A. along.

3.   Follow up.  Things fall through the cracks from time to time.  After five to seven business days, call and follow up on the status of the P.A. 

4.   Be patient.  P.A. request are used heavily by insurance companies and your physician’s office has to address each and every request.  It is estimated that each request takes an office staff member approximately 15-25 minutes to complete.

The Arthritis and Infusion Center prides ourselves in “fighting” for the rights of our patients.  We will take the time to complete Prior Authorization requests and prove the need for the medication or procedure.  This personal attention to the needs of our patients is what makes the team at The Arthritis and Infusion Center stand above the rest.

What is the difference between Deductibles, Co-Payments, and Co-Insurance?

It’s that time again.  Each New Year brings about the dreaded rollover of deductibles. The Arthritis and Infusion Center has a few important tips and explanations to help you navigate through the world of insurance.  

A basic understanding of the most common insurance terms will ease tension and frustration at the beginning of the year.  The most frequent terms referred to by your insurance and medical providers are Deductibles, Co-payments, and Co-insurance.  

Deductibles

A deductible is a set amount of money, determined by your insurance provider, which is due from the patient before the insurance provider will start to pay.  In simple terms, you, the patient, must pay that set amount of money, from your pocket, before your insurance will pay any money toward your medical bills.  Typically, deductibles run for a calendar year, and will zero out each January 1^st. 

Example:  Your annual deductible is $500.  Your medical bill is $120 and you have not met your annual deductible.  You will be responsible to pay your medical provider the $120 bill until you have satisfied the $500 deductible.  You will still have $380 remaining before the deductible it is met.

 Co-Payments

Typically, a co-payment is a fixed dollar amount attached to a medical office visit, procedures, or medications.  “Co-pays” do not apply toward the annual deductible. Co-payments are a separate expense to the insured. Co-payments are often a money saving advantage for patients that do not require frequent medical treatment.

Example:  A regular office visit to your primary- care physician has a co-payment of $20.  You are required to pay the $20 and your insurance provider will pay the remainder of the visit. 

Co-Insurance

This is much different than co-payments.  Co-insurance is a percentage of a medical bill that is due from the patient after the annual deductible is met.  Depending on the particular policy, a co-insurance may apply to physician visits, procedures, and medications.  Once the annual deductible is met, the insurance provider will pay the medical provider according to the set contract.  After the insurance provider has paid their portion, it is then the responsibility of the patient to pay the percentage remaining (co-insurance).  A very popular co-insurance scenario for insurance providers is an 80/20 split.  This means the insurance provider pays 80% of the bill and the patient pays 20%.

Example:  Your monthly treatment costs $500.  Your annual deductible is met and your insurance company pays at a rate of 80/20.  Your co-insurance is 20% of the allowable amount.

Understanding your medical expenses can be very confusing.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions in order to obtain a full explanation of charges, payments, and amounts due from you.  A good rule of thumb: always ask medical providers questions before you have a procedure.  Ask about possible charges, if prior-authorization is required, and their in-network status.  A little legwork, prior to your visit to a physician, could save you thousands!             

How to Shake the Winter Blahs

About the time we have to set our clocks back, and the days begin to grow darker – quicker – many people tend to slide into a condition commonly referred to as “Seasonal Depression”.  Don’t give in to the “blues” … get up and take some very positive steps towards the sun … literally!  We are so fortunate to live in Florida where the sunny days outnumber the cloudy ones.  When things are dreary, immediately turn on the lights, go for more walks on the beach when the sun is out, or if your condition is really severe, you can invest in a Light Box, which is said to boost serotonin levels.  Regardless, get access to good light within an hour or two of waking. 

Some doctors feel a diet rich in figs (Vitamin B6), Swiss Chard (Magnesium), and dried, dark cherries (Melatonin) will also help this condition.  You might also consider having your levels of Vitamin D measured.  Setting regular times to sleep, and getting up at the same time each morning, will also help.  (If you have a hard time getting to sleep, a one (1) mg tablet of melatonin can be purchased across the counter.) 

 

It may also help to insert bright colors into your wardrobe, followed by trying to keep a “sunny” attitude!  Consider keeping a journal on the days when you feel “down”, recording your emotions within its pages.  It’s just like free therapy, because once you begin to focus on the good things in your life, you find that behind every cloud there really is a silver lining!  If you do all of the above and depression and/or anxiety persists, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your physician.  Dr. Crayton and his staff at The Arthritis and Infusion Center welcome any questions you might have about your health. We’ll address those topics in future blogs, e-newsletters, or our print edition of the practice newsletter.  Remember:  Pain is not normal.  Let us help!

How to Make the Holidays Less Harried

During Christmas and the entire holiday season, everyone’s schedule ramps up with huge expectations and crammed to-do lists.  The Arthritis and Infusion Center would like to remind you that this should be a time of celebration!  So, look at your plans and see what you can do to simplify.  Dr. Crayton would like to suggest that you don’t over complicate things.  Stop to recognize your family and friends, especially the seniors in your life, making them the focus of your time and holiday spirit.  Then, don’t over extend yourself … physically or monetarily.  One way to help with this issue is to become more organized and follow a set budget.  If you are experiencing unhappy emotions, it is actually healthier to notice and verbalize your feelings to someone who is close to you.  Of course it should go without saying that you should exercise, eat correctly, and get the appropriate amount of sleep each night.  Finally, take the focus off yourself and transfer it to others.  Even the smallest gesture toward others will be one of the best gifts you can give yourself … and a side benefit will be comfort and joy during the holidays.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Dr. Crayton and his staff.

DR. CRAYTON SPREADS Seasonal WARMTH!

Dr. Hulon Crayton, Rheumatologist and owner of The Arthritis and Infusion Center, is all too aware of the need for senior citizens to stay warm.  “As people age, their blood and skin thins, and certain medications, especially those used to treat arthritis, can also cause the person to feel perpetually chilly.  When we became aware of the opportunity at Community Health and Rehabilitation Center, we felt we had to get involved by purchasing extra lap robes for the residents to utilize,” said Dr. Crayton.

Betty L. Smith and Dr. Crayton

Marianne Martin, Administrator, at the Community Health and Rehabilitation Center was very grateful to Dr. Crayton and his team.  “We appreciate the extra lap robes, as our Residents enjoy the extra warmth they provide when navigating from room to room around our center.  We are so very grateful to Dr. Crayton for this donation,” said Ms. Martin. 

This winter, The Arthritis and Infusion Center would like to encourage Bay County residents to clean out their linen closets or purchase NEW lap robes and blankets for Dr. Crayton and his staff to distribute to area nursing homes.  “We’d like to continue to ‘spread the warmth’ as much as possible.  People who are interested in helping us with this important project can drop blankets at our medical practice any Monday through Thursday, 2917 Highway 77 in the Baldwin Plaza,” said Dr. Crayton.  “Help us continue to spread the warmth during this entire winter season!”

In addition to tangibly taking the chill off, the center’s residents will also enjoy a surprise musical concert from Dr. Crayton, who will play his saxophone to add emotional warmth to the holiday season.  (Dr. Crayton performs jazz concerts under the stage name of HULON with his On-Call Band.)  Dr. Crayton will be delivering, and performing, at the Community Health and Rehabilitation Center (3611 Transmitter Road) Friday, December 9^th, 2:30 p.m.

How can you spread seasonal warmth?

TheArthritis and Infusion Center will collect blankets to distribute from December 1 until March 31 at their medical practice.