Study conducted by Fifth Third Bank shows that providers are anticipating collection challenges as consumers increasingly pay out of pocket

The past several years have shown a significant shift in the payment for healthcare services through higher co-pays and deductibles. This shift is creating challenges for healthcare providers as the financial burden of consumer (patient) debt falls to them, according to a research study funded by Fifth Third Bank. The Bank released a white paper today entitled “The Impact of Consumer Directed Healthcare on Providers.”

Fifth Third Bank surveyed providers and thought leaders throughout the country to understand the impact they see in cash flow and operations as Consumer Directed Healthcare (CDH) rises. In addition, the research delves into how providers are reacting to this market movement in terms of enhanced processes and payment solutions.

“We understand that inefficiencies in the processing of healthcare payments exist today and that will become a larger issue as CDH rises,” said Nav Ranajee, vice president of Healthcare Solutions for Fifth Third Bank. “We conducted this research to determine what initiatives providers are pursuing to deal with this coming change.”

The creation of CDH plans such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have created a paradigm shift in how consumers pay for healthcare. The past year has seen rapid growth due to economic conditions, increased employer adoption and improved HSA/HDHP plan designs. A key stakeholder in this new environment is the provider.

While the research indicates the impact of CDH varies geographically, participants agree the CDH momentum is building. All research participants agree they must adapt their people, processes and technologies or risk a negative cash flow impact.

“Banks are a key stakeholder in this new CDH marketplace,” said Kevin Lavender, senior vice president, head of national healthcare for Fifth Third Bank. “Providers will require sophisticated payment solutions to streamline their collection processes.”

Other issues cited by research participants include: price transparency, lack of consumer HDHP understanding, under-trained frontline staff, outdated legacy systems, public relations sensitivity, inadequate payer communication and limited front end payment tools.

Source: Fifth Third Bancorp


When most people go out to mow the lawn, jump-start the car or get ready to do some spring cleaning, the last thing they think about is protecting their eyes, but it should be first on their mind.

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, and Eye M.D.’s across the country are urging Americans to protect their eyes from the extraordinary damage often caused by the most ordinary of activities.

“More than one million people suffer from eye injuries each year,” says Michelle Berger, M.D., an Austin ophthalmologist. “But 90 percent of these eye injuries could have been prevented if the individual was wearing appropriate protective eyewear (with ‘ANSI Z87.1′ marked on the lens or frame).

“I tell people to keep a pair of goggles in the trunk for when they need to jump-start their car,” says Dr. Berger. “Battery acid sparks and debris flying from car batteries can severely damage the eyes.”

Many household chemicals, such as cleaning fluids, detergents and ammonia, are extremely hazardous and can burn the eye’s delicate tissues. When using chemicals, always read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area and make sure spray nozzles point away from you and others before spraying. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use.

Before using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger, check for debris. Stones, twigs and other items can become dangerous projectiles shooting from the blades of a lawnmower, potentially injuring your eyes or those of innocent bystanders.

“I also warn people about one of the most dangerous activities, in terms of eye injuries,” adds Dr. Berger. “Each year hundreds of people end up with terrible eye injuries and burns from fireworks that are set off in the backyard. The majority of victims are bystanders and children. There’s just no way to use fireworks at home safely, even sparklers because they burn at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt gold. I tell all my patients ‘Go see a show put on by the pros — it’s safer, cheaper and more spectacular.’”

Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding serious eye injuries, so be sure to protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear.

Source: Texas Ophthalmological Association


Frequency of Sugar Consumption Is the Scariest Thing About Halloween

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Oct 20,2008

Washington Dental Service champions good oral health and promotes strategies for parents this Halloween and joins Woodland Park Zoo during its annual Pumpkin Prowl event

Ghosts, goblins and things that go “bump” in the night aren’t nearly as frightening as cavities and decaying teeth, according to Washington Dental Service. Each year, the nonprofit organization embarks on its annual campaign to educate parents about the severe effects that recurrent sugar consumption has on children’s teeth.

Dental disease is the number one chronic disease of early childhood. It can be painful and can affect children’s nutritional intake and early development.

More than 51 million hours of school time are lost each year, in fact, because of tooth decay and related problems. A 2005 Washington State Department of Health “Smile Survey” showed that nearly 60 percent of elementary school-aged children in the state of Washington suffer from preventable dental decay. Nearly 25 percent suffer from cavities in seven or more teeth.

By observing a few simple strategies and using common sense, however, parents can help protect their kids’ teeth and mount an attack on the large quantities of sugar they’ll find in their little ones’ goodie bags.

“Dental disease is a year-round concern for parents and children, but even more so during Halloween,” said Dr. Ron Inge, vice president and dental director at Washington Dental Service. “By following a few simple practices, parents can help their children reduce the negative impacts of too much sugar.”

As part of its strategy to raise community awareness, Washington Dental Service is partnering with Woodland Park Zoo during its annual three-day event, “Pumpkin Prowl,” from 5-8 p.m., Oct. 24-26. Pumpkin Prowl hosts more than 15,000 parents and children in the community with a Halloween celebration, including live entertainment, activities, costumes and trick or treating. For more information on ticket prices and a list of activities, visit http://www.deltadentalwa.com/ or http://www.zoo.org/ or call the zoo’s general information line at (206) 548-2500.

According to Dr. Inge, a few simple practices, with an emphasis on limiting the duration that children’s teeth are exposed to sugar, can prove effective in helping to prevent tooth decay:

  • Avoid hard or chewy candies, including suckers, caramels, popcorn balls and gum with sugar. These are often the worst offenders since they can bathe teeth in sugar for long periods of time and can be problematic for children wearing braces and other oral appliances.
  • Give your children small candy bars and other candies that can be consumed more quickly and easily.
  • Avoid letting kids “graze” because it can increase the exposure of teeth to sugar.
  • Monitor how much candy your children eat. Permitting them to eat a few small pieces in one sitting followed by drinking a glass of water or a thorough tooth brushing is an effective way to combat the effects of sugary candy.
  • Offer your children alternatives such as sugar-free candy, nuts or cheese.
  • Consider Xylitol gum or candy. Xylitol is proven to prevent cavities.

Sugar is the fuel that naturally-occurring bacteria in the mouth use to create destructive acids. Over time, these acids destroy tooth enamel and eventually cause tooth decay.

“Encouraging good oral health habits during Halloween and throughout the year will promote good oral health habits for a lifetime,” said Dr. Inge. “By following these tips, parents will ensure that a little extra candy at Halloween won’t be a setback for your kids’ oral and overall health.”

Washington Dental Service and the Washington Dental Service Foundation have a strong commitment to reducing tooth decay among children through several oral health initiatives, including the Access to Baby & Child Dentistry program (ABCD); Cavity-Free Kids; and, most recently, KC Kids, which provided $1 million to provide no-cost dental care to low-income children in King County.

In addition, Washington Dental Service and WDS Foundation committed $5 million to a new Early Childhood Oral Health Center (called ECOH), which will double the capacity of the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital to provide dental care to the underserved children in the community. The center, which will be located at Magnuson Park, is scheduled to open in 2009.

For more information on oral health tips and the importance of early, regular oral health care, visit the American Dental Association at http://www.ada.org/.

Source: Washington Dental Service


Halloween candy, Thanksgiving turkey, holiday eggnog, cookies and cake: We’re nearing the time of year that keeping one’s weight under control becomes especially challenging. One group of people faces a different kind of weight management issue and it’s ongoing in nature. For frail elderly with memory impairment, preventing weight loss, not gain, is key.

“What we see is that memory-impaired seniors may forget to eat or they may not be able to sit still long enough to eat a full meal,” said Anne Ellett, senior vice president of health services for Silverado Senior Living, which operates 17 memory-care communities in California, Texas, Utah, and Arizona.

“They may not like the food they are being offered and are not able to express that clearly. They could be having trouble swallowing. Depression, potentially undiagnosed and untreated, could also be the reason they start losing weight.”

Research points to the dangers of an underweight problem among the aged in America. A joint study by the University of California, Irvine and the University of Southern California that appeared in the May 15, 2006 American Journal of Epidemiology associated being underweight with higher mortality rates for those over 80. Study results published in the September 2006 Archives of Neurology show that the average rate of weight loss among the elderly doubles in the year before the first signs of memory impairment are detected.

Because maintaining proper weight is so important, Silverado has designed numerous methods for encouraging its residents to eat. Meals are tailored to individual preferences and food is easily available outside of scheduled dining times. The communities include country kitchens stocked with sandwiches, cookies, and cake that residents may munch on at any time. Residents are also offered foods that are easy to eat while walking, such as fruit, pieces of cheese, and small containers of pudding. Silverado staff are welcome to snack, with just one condition: they are to invite a resident to share whatever they’re having.

“Besides encouraging eating, it’s important to take a comprehensive look at why a frail elder is losing weight,” said Ellett. “At Silverado, we don’t just assume that weight loss is inevitable as part of memory impairment. We examine the entire situation, so that we look at all chronic illnesses, what medications the person is taking, whether there are issues with the ability to swallow, and what kinds of food the person has always liked. Then we design a program that meets specific dietary needs and preferences.”

More than 1, 700 people have started to feed themselves again and over 2,200 have regained the ability to walk while in Silverado’s care.

In addition to its memory-care communities, Silverado offers home care, care management and hospice care through its Silverado at Home and Silverado Hospice service lines in California, Texas, and Utah. Silverado is headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Source: Silverado Senior Living


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