Health Care

How Technology is helping Seniors Age at Home

 
 
Chia-Lin Simmons, the CEO of LogicMark, a NASDAQ company which provides medical alerts, remote monitoring hardware and SaaS services joins eHealth Radio and the Senior Care and Technology Channels. LogicMark offers two-way communication devices for emergencies, helping to give caregivers peace of mind and their loved ones the independence they deserve.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Chia-Lin Simmons discuss the following:
We will be soon experiencing the largest group of aging seniors, are we prepared for these large numbers? How will this impact caregivers?
Chia-Lin, tell us a bit about your company’s product that helps people live more independently.
Are we overlooking our veterans? How can your technology help them? Tell us how you work with veterans.
Your company Logicmark is leveraging some new and emerging technologies in your business. Is there something you might be able to share with us today?
Where can listeners get more information on Logicmark and its offerings?
Chia-Lin Simmons joined LogicMark as CEO on June 14, 2021. Before LogicMark, Ms. Simmons was the CEO and Co-Founder of LookyLoo, a patent-pending AI social commerce company. She is active in the AI, automotive, mobility, digital media / music and e-commerce technology space as an executive, advisor and board member. Prior to LogicMark and LookyLoo, Ms. Simmons was an executive at a number of high visibility technology companies. She was the former Head of Global Partner Marketing for Google’s Google Play Music and the Google Play Store; former VP of Marketing & Content for Harman International / Samsung; former VP of Marketing and General Manager of Playphone North America; a senior business development executive at Time Warner/ AOL, as well as the former VP of Strategic Alliances at Audible / Amazon.
Ms. Simmons serves on the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee for Servco Pacific, a global automotive and consumer goods company with businesses in mobility and automotive distribution and sales as well as entertainment through Fender Guitar. Ms. Simmons is also a board member New Energy Nexus, an international organization that support clean energy entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators and networks. She is an active angel investor in technology and founded the #bindersproject, which helps connected women tech founders with global funders looking to accelerate them.
Ms. Simmons graduated Magna cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from U.C. San Diego. She received her MBA from Cornell University, where she received a full-ride scholarship and stipend as a Park Leadership Fellow and built the Big Red Incubator as a Managing Partner. Ms. Simmons earned her JD from George Mason University School of Law and is a licensed New York State attorney.
 
Website: https://www.logicmark.com 
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LogicMarkLinkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/logicmark Twitter: https://twitter.com/logicmark 

Annual Enrollment – Choosing the Right Health Coverage Option

 
Christine Cooper, the CEO of aequum LLC and the Co-Managing Member of Koehler Fitzgerald LLC, a law firm with a national practice along with Jack Towarnicky an ERISA/Employee Benefits compliance and planning attorney, having over forty years of experience in human resources and plan sponsor leadership roles again joins eHealth Radio and the Healthcare and Legal Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guests Christine Cooper & Jack Towarnicky discuss the following:
Painful mistakes you and/or your employer should avoid at annual enrollment.
Eric: Number 10 – Christine, what’s number 10?
Christine: Number 10 is an employer mistake. It is the employer who fails to offer workers a choice of coverage. Regardless of the size of the employer, the employer should anticipate a diversity of medical coverage needs, today, AND tomorrow! At a minimum, the employer should offer at least two choices, typical would be a PPO and Health Savings Account capable options.
Eric: Who has number 9? Jack?
Jack: Number 9 is also an employer mistake. It is the decision to use a passive process. Passive means that the worker’s existing coverage will continue unless they take action to review the options and make choices. The annual enrollment process should prompt individuals to make affirmative elections – even if it is the same choices, year after year.
Eric: Interesting, so what is Number 8?
Jack: Number 8 is another employer mistake. It is the failure to adjust the coverage comparison so the differences, especially the differences in provider networks and costs are apparent, obvious. For example, where a HSA-capable coverage option is offered, the employer often fails to adjust the deductible for the other choice, typically the PPO, so that the deductible for the PPO applies in the same way. Bottom line, once you have a good idea about your expected utilization, if you must spend more than 5 minutes looking at a side-by-side comparison, that means that the differences aren’t obvious, or that the comparison has too much detail.
Eric: OK, three strikes and the employer are out. So, our audience now knows that the employer should offer a choice of coverage, and at least one of the options should allow the worker to save in a Health Savings Account. The employer should have an active enrollment process, not a passive process, where workers must make affirmative elections of coverage. And the side-by-side comparison should be clean and clear enough so that a worker who knows what they expect to spend on medical can make a decision in less than 5 minutes. OK. So now we have some ideas about what you might ask your employer.
Eric: What’s next? What’s Lucky Number 7?
Christine: More like unlucky #7. Number seven is bias. We let bias affect our decisions. We tend to make decisions by relying on heuristics, or rules of thumb. One example is where people might think Expensive is Better … that the coverage with the smallest deductible or the highest contribution must be the better choice – even though I don’t anticipate any significant medical expenses.
Eric: With six you get egg roll! You could look it up. What is number six?
Jack: Over insurance, you paid too much! Or, as one insurance company motto says, only pay for what you need. Over insurance can result by focusing too much on monthly or per payday costs (what is affordable) versus an estimate of all costs for an entire year. Bias also causes workers to overestimate the likelihood of easy to imagine outcomes, or recent events, what some call the availability heuristic – for example, a coworker who suffered an illness or injury. People sometimes fixate on “what if?” As in what if I need surgery?
Eric: What is five?
Christine: Uncertainty. Uncertainty tends to result in opportunity losses. There is a lot of uncertainty in predicting medical utilization. But, for almost everyone, medical spend increases with age. So, the time to save is now, because our out-of-pocket expenses are likely to increase in the future. And, when it comes to saving for future medical expense, the best option is the Health Savings Account. Why the HSA? Well, it saves on taxes. Often, there is an employer contribution. And consider this. Most of us are likely to make it to retirement age, when, if we are lucky enough to have avoided medical costs, we can spend HSA dollars the same way we spend money from a 401k or an Individual Retirement Account. Actually, saving in a HSA is often better than saving in a 401k.
Eric: Saving in a HSA is better than saving in a 401k? Where can you find more info?
Christine: Contact us at aequumhealth.com, or specifically, contact Jack with your questions about Health Savings Accounts. Or, if your employer doesn’t offer a Health Savings Account capable plan, have your employer reach out to Jack. Jack is one of America’s foremost experts when it comes to the Health Savings Account, its features and value. He’s been participating in a HSA over 17 years, since 2005. You can find his email address by visiting us at www.aequumhealth.com. 
Eric: OK, we’re down to the last four. Number 4?
Jack: It’s another employer mistake – choice blindness, or choice overload. Studies show that three choices are often one too many – especially for something as complex as medical coverage.
Eric: Number 3?
Christine: It is another employer mistake, this time in marketing or communications. Too many times, employers focus communications on the deductible. Some even name the options that way – for example, the $500 plan. That results in something economists call an “anchoring bias”. It draws an inordinate amount of attention to the size of the deductible. During annual enrollment, in your decision-making, you should compare the difference in deductibles between options, the difference in contributions between options and the difference in total costs based on your expected utilization.
Eric: We are down to the Number 2 mistake.
Jack: Myopia. One big mistake we all make is limiting our focus to today, next week, next month, next year. But we all expect to live beyond 2023. So, our coverage decisions should include today and tomorrow, specifically saving, improving our household’s financial resilience. Accumulating savings in 2023 ensures you are better prepared for future annual enrollment decision-making.
Eric: And the Number 1 mistake people make when it comes to annual enrollment?
Christine: Inertia. People are inert. Most don’t spend more than 30 minutes on benefits decision-making each year. Some skip annual enrollments altogether. I mean, nothing has changed in your life, or your household, or in the coverage marketplace, or in your employment over the past 3 years, right? Remember to ask other adults in your household for their input. If you are enrolled in the same health coverage today that you were before the pandemic, you should at least reconsider any available alternatives … just in case they changed. Also, if you are enrolled in a Health Savings Account, it is a good time to update your rate of contributions … but remember, unlike other accounts, you can prospectively change your HSA contribution rate, any month during the year. Keeping the same choice, year after year after year is a form of status quo bias. How would you know if it is still the right choice…unless you give it a new, fresh look. Don’t know where to start, ask for help.
We’ll put a summary of this discussion on our website www.aequumhealth.com – so you can refer to it for this year’s annual enrollment (and future years as well). Start today. Ask your employer for the dates of the annual enrolment, and what coverage option will be offered in 2023. Have them contact Jack and encourage them to offer a Health Savings Account capable option. Start putting together your estimate what you and your household members will spend on medical in 2023.
And, when annual enrollment comes, don’t forget to take time to review your choices and make an affirmative decision, election for 2023.
Christine M. Cooper, CEO and Member, aequum LLC
Christine M. Cooper is the CEO and Member, of aequum LLC. A patent lawyer recruited to Koehler Fitzgerald LLC in 2016 because of her large law firm experience and IT skills, Christine was quickly elevated to a member of Koehler Fitzgerald LLC and leads the health care practice. Christine is the CEO of aequum and is dedicated to assisting and defending plans and patients.
Jack Towarnicky Member, aequum LLC
As an ERISA/Employee Benefits compliance and planning attorney, Jack has over forty years of experience in human resources and plan sponsor leadership roles. This includes twenty-five years as the leader of a Fortune 100 corporation’s benefits function. While serving in those roles, Jack and his team won a multitude of individual, team and corporate recognitions. In 2020 Jack joined aequum and provides plan drafting and compliance services to employers and plan sponsors.
About aequum
Founded in 2020, aequum LLC serves third-party administrators, medical cost management companies, stop-loss carriers, employer-sponsored health plans and brokers nationwide to protect plan participants, improve employee satisfaction with their health care plans, and generate plan and participant cost savings. aequum helps patients defend medical balance bills and brings savings to employer-sponsored health plans by providing administrative and other services to its partners. In addition, its sister organization, Koehler Fitzgerald LLC, provides legal advocacy to plan participants.
Website: https://aequumhealth.com 
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://facebook.com/aequumbykoehlerfitzgerald Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/aequumllc/about Twitter: https://twitter.com/aequumhealth 
 

Advanced EOB: How it works for healthcare consumers and employer-sponsored health plan members

 
 
Christine Cooper, the CEO of aequum LLC and the Co-Managing Member of Koehler Fitzgerald LLC, a law firm with a national practice. Christine leads the firm’s health care practice and is dedicated to assisting and defending plans and patients again joins ehealth Radio and the Healthcare and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Christine Cooper discuss the following:
What is the Explanation of Benefits or “EOB”? What role does it plan in your employer-sponsored health plan?
What is an “Advanced” Explanation of Benefits (EOB), and how does it work for healthcare consumers and employer-sponsored health plan members?
How can health plan members ask for an Advanced EOB?
How does a member evaluate an Advanced EOB when received? How can they request another quote for the same procedure from a different provider?
How can members work with its plan administrator for guidance and to identify a reasonable price for procedure?
Christine M. Cooper is the CEO and Member, of aequum LLC. A patent lawyer recruited to Koehler Fitzgerald LLC in 2016 because of her large law firm experience and IT skills, Christine was quickly elevated to a member of Koehler Fitzgerald LLC and leads the health care practice. Christine is the CEO of aequum and is dedicated to assisting and defending plans and patients.
About aequum
Founded in 2020, aequum LLC serves third-party administrators, medical cost management companies, stop-loss carriers, employer-sponsored health plans and brokers nationwide to protect plan participants, improve employee satisfaction with their health care plans, and generate plan and participant cost savings. aequum helps patients defend medical balance bills and brings savings to employer-sponsored health plans by providing administrative and other services to its partners. In addition, its sister organization, Koehler Fitzgerald LLC, provides legal advocacy to plan participants.
Website: https://aequumhealth.com 
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://facebook.com/aequumbykoehlerfitzgerald Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/aequumllc/about Twitter: https://twitter.com/aequumhealth 

The Future of Community Health Resources

 
 
Jane Chai, master of public health, is the Community Health Content Expert with Conduent Healthy Communities Institute (HCI) and joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.
Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Jane Chai discuss the following:
What is the Conduent Healthy Communities Institute (HCI)? What type of resources does it provide and for who?   
Can you tell us more about the HCI platform and the data it provides?
Why is this information and data important, and who uses it? Can you share an example of an action that has been taken to improve community health, using this data?
What are some of the lesser-known factors that contribute to poor health within a community?
Can you share an example of how this data can lead to identifying underserved, invisible populations? 
Jane Chai, MPH is the Community Health Content Expert with Conduent Healthy Communities Institute (HCI). She holds a Master of Public Health from the UCLA School of Public Health in the field of community health sciences. Ms. Chai has worked in the field of public health for more than 20 years on topics ranging from reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, Asian American community health, and substance use. In her current position, Jane provides thought leadership and expertise to HCI, which recently launched a Mental Health Index to help identify communities at greatest risk for poor mental health outcomes.
Website: https://www.conduent.com/CommunityHealth 
Social Media Links: Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/conduent Facebook: https://facebook.com/Conduent Twitter: https://twitter.com/conduent  Instagram: https://instagram.com/conduent 

Renowned Primary Care Physician discusses new Physician Insight’s Tool, an effective and efficient way to measure quality of care

 
 
Expert on the new Physician Insights Tool and family physician at Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC) in Columbus, OH, Dr. Kristin Oaks joins eHealth Radio and the Healthcare and Health News Channels. Dr. Oaks also serves as COPC's agilon health Medical Director.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Kristin Oaks discuss the following:
How and why was the Physician Insights Tool created?
How did Central Ohio Primary Care work with agilon health to develop the platform, and how did the partnership form?  
What standards of care does the Physician Insights tool measure?
How are you using the tool to help your physicians improve the quality of care they provide? How does it provide opportunities for improved performance?
Collectively, how does the Physician Insights Tool benefit patients?
How will this new platform make a difference in healthcare delivery going forward? 
Kristin L. Oaks, D.O. is a primary care physician at Central Ohio Primary Care in Columbus, OH with a passion for women’s health, getting patients on track with diet and exercise, and taking care of families and older adults. She has been practicing medicine for over 25 years. Dr. Oaks is a verteran of the United States Navy, and she is now a mother of five and spends some of her free time cycling, often times for charities such as the American Cancer Society. Dr. Oaks believes that “the most important part of primary care is the relationship we have with our patients.
 
 
Website: https://www.agilonhealth.com 
Social Media Links: (Central Ohio Primary Care): Facebook: https://facebook.com/CentralOhioPrimaryCare  Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/central-ohio-primary-care-physicians  Instagram: https://instagram.com/junodiagnostics 
Social Media Links: (agilon health): Instagram: https://instagram.com/agilonhealth  LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/agilonhealth 

Virtual Family Behavioral Health: Digital care solutions that help working parents, children and teenagers get the support they need

 
 
Kim Darling, the CEO and Founder of Competitive Health (CHI), a provider of virtual healthcare access technologies and benefit management solutions again joins eHealth Radio and the Healthcare and Technology Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Kim Darling discuss the following:
For many working parents and caregivers, balancing the demands of a full-time job and family can be overwhelming. How are children and teens being impacted?
What is the core problem with accessing Family Behavioral Health today?
How is Behavioral Health Care responding to the demand for therapy with Virtual Care.
How can employers support their employees with offering virtual behavioral health?
What resources are available to help guide employers and working parents?
Kim Darling, CEO and founder, Competitive Health
Kim is an entrepreneur and inventor who advocates for the practical use of technology. Having more that 30 years of healthcare and technology experience, Kim excels at consultatively finding unique value and solutions, and holds multiple U.S. Patents that advance innovation of healthcare data, payments and engagement.
About Competitive Health, Inc.
Founded in 1996, Competitive Health is the preeminent builder of custom health solutions. Utilizing award-winning digital health programs, 22 telehealth specialties, and healthcare ancillary services, providing unlimited access and unprecedented savings to our clients and their members. Last year – Competitive Health saved employer groups, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, affinity groups, and exchanges over $100 million dollars.
 
 
Website: https://competitivehealth.com 
Social Media Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CompHealthInc  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CompetitiveHealth  Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/competitive-health-inc. 

Virtual Care Solution to Support Behavioral Health Care in Post-Pandemic Era

 
 
Kim Darling, the CEO and Founder of Competitive Health (CHI), a provider of virtual healthcare access technologies and benefit management solutions joins eHealth Radio and the Healthcare and Technology Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Kim Darling discuss the following:
What is driving the current demand for behavioral health care?
What do you see as needed to address America’s mental health crisis?
What is the greatest challenge to behavioral health support?
How are telehealth technologies supporting access to counseling and therapy?
How is CHI responding to challenges and barriers to accessing affordable, quality mental health services?
Kim Darling, CEO and founder, Competitive Health
Kim is an entrepreneur and inventor who advocates for the practical use of technology. Having more that 30 years of healthcare and technology experience, Kim excels at consultatively finding unique value and solutions, and holds multiple U.S. Patents that advance innovation of healthcare data, payments and engagement.
About Competitive Health, Inc.
Founded in 1996, Competitive Health is the preeminent builder of custom health solutions. Utilizing award-winning digital health programs, 22 telehealth specialties, and healthcare ancillary services, providing unlimited access and unprecedented savings to our clients and their members. Last year – Competitive Health saved employer groups, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, affinity groups, and exchanges over $100 million dollars.
 
 
Website: https://competitivehealth.com 
Social Media Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CompHealthInc  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CompetitiveHealth  Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/competitive-health-inc. 

Two Founders of Female Physician Leadership Council Address Gender Parity in Health Care

 
 
Dr. Amanda Williams, a Family Physician and Medical Director at Physicians Group of Southeastern Ohio, and Dr. Victoria DiGennaro, a Family Medicine Physician at Pioneer Physicians, two of the founding members of the Women’s Physician Leadership Council joins eHealth Radio and the Healthcare and Health News Channels. 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guests Dr. Amanda Williams & Dr. Victoria DiGennaro discuss the following:
What do you believe are the top challenges and opportunities facing female primary care physicians today?
What can be done to address those challenges? What can women in healthcare do?
Why did the two of you decide to join forces with agilon health to create the Women’s Physician Leadership Council?
What is the council, and What are some of its initiatives or goals in addressing gender parity?
Can you please explain the value-based care model that you practice with agilon health and how or if this has an impact on providing more opportunities for female physicians?
Why is it so important that more female physicians assume leadership roles within their practice and in their communities?
What are some of the reasons there is a high burnout rate among women in healthcare?
What is the top piece of advice that you would give to the next generation of female physicians considering primary care? 

Amanda Williams, D.O., is a Family Practice Physician and Medical Director at Physicians Group of Southeastern Ohio. Along with Dr. Victoria DiGennaro and a group of other female physicians, Dr. Williams was one of the founding members of the Women’s Physician Leadership Council created by agilon health. This Council is an organization of female physicians from all over the country who are helping to “break the glass ceiling for female physicians nationwide.
Victoria DiGennaro, D.O., is a Family Medicine Physician at Pioneer Physicians Network in the Akron area in Ohio. Dr. Digennaro received her bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University, and she studied medicine at Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Since she enjoys taking care of patients across the entire spectrums of their lives, Dr. DiGennaro chose to specialize in family medicine.
Along with Dr. Amanda Williams and a group of other female physicians, Dr. DiGennaro was one of the founding members of the Women’s Physician Leadership Council created by agilon health. This Council is an organization of female physicians from all over the country who are helping to “break the glass ceiling for female physicians nationwide.
 
 
Amanda Williams, D.O. https://www.pgseo.org
Victoria DiGennaro, D.O. https://www.pioneerphysicians.com
agilon health: https://www.agilonhealth.com

A People’s Guide to End of Life with Dr. Joseph Layon

Dr. Joseph Layon, a 30-year intensive care physician present at the beginning of the three major pandemics of our era – HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2, he presently cares for ill fellow humans with these and other critical illnesses joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel. He is author of the new book: A People’s Guide to End of Life.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Joseph Layon discuss the following:
Can you share with our listeners a little about your medical background and what prompted you to write A People’s Guide to End of Life?
If a friend or family member are placed in the ICU and intubated and cannot advocate for themselves, and they are not expected to survive, what can you do to ensure the proper care is given for your loved one’s end of life?
You mention in your book you share some real-world examples of cases that went wrong, and right? Can you share?
What are your final thoughts on advice for our listeners, on the death and dying process in our healthcare system today?
A. Joseph Layon, MD, FACP
Professor of Anesthesiology- The University of Central Florida, College of Medicine Orlando, FL Intensivist – ICC/HCA Ocala, FL
Joseph Layon, MD is an intensive care physician. Trained at Grossmont College, the University of California, San Diego and UC, Davis, and specializing in internal medicine, anesthesiology, critical care and neurocritical care, he has functioned as a clinician, educator, investigator, division and department chair, Faculty Senate Chairman, Medical School Financial “fixer”, internationalist and – in what was the most difficult and painful task of all of these – as an (inadvertent) whistleblower in a compromised health system.
Present at the beginning of the three major pandemics of our era – HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2, he presently cares for ill fellow humans with these and other critical illnesses, writes, reads, rows, and remains an activist in the struggle to make our country and world livable, and just, for all.
 
Website: https://ajosephlayonmd.com 

AscellaHealth’s Craig Caceci, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Terebellum

 
Craig Caceci, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Terebellum, part of AscellaHealth Family of Companies, based in Dublin, Ireland, offering premier pre-commercialization and market access expertise, supply chain logistics and distribution, and unique pharmaceutical financial solutions, such as loan-based assistance to Life Sciences partners and other industry stakeholders joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Craig Caceci discuss the following:
Can you give our listeners some background on your work within Terebellum?
The AscellaHealth Family of Companies recently announced Terebellum’ s plans for expansion into Germany and the United Kingdom. Will this expanded international footprint come with any additional services and if yes, will they differ from those offered in the US?
How will this expanded marketplace impact the scope of opportunities now available to pharmaceutical companies and what impact will these services have on lives of patients with complex chronic conditions or rare diseases?
From the specialty drug manufacturers’ perspective, what are the advantages of accessing services from a robust resource that includes pre-commercialization to fulfilment programs with the ability to tailor services to individual unmet needs?
I understand Terebellum has extensive payer expertise within Europe. How does working the Terebellum help ensure seamless product access for patients?
Please explain how Terebellum’s services are offered as both an inclusive package or a la carte.
Craig Caceci, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Terebellum, part of AscellaHealth Family of Companies. Terebellum is a Dublin, Ireland based subsidiary of AscellaHealth representing AscellaHealth’s global footprint throughout Europe. The premier group purchasing services, unique pharmaceutical financial solutions, payer and market access expertise and custom pull-through programs targeted to Life Sciences partners and other industry stakeholders ensure optimal cost savings and enhanced clinical outcomes. Terebellum’s leadership team has the deep payer, reimbursement, marketing, and financial expertise needed to provide a consultative approach for branded specialty products to be brought to market successfully.
 
Website: https://ascellahealth.com 
Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/ascellahealth