When you go into the hospital for surgery, it is very important that you do the following, all to  best protect yourself:

-       Make sure you personally meet with the anesthesiologist and review in detail your medical history (including any and all allergies) and ask the doctor what problems can be expected with the drugs they are going to use. If you have had any prior problems with anesthesia drugs, please tell the doctor. Also, tell the doctor that you want your airway protected as much as possible. Finally, ask the doctor how many surgeries he or she  have had that day and if the doctor is tired.

-       If at all possible, have a family member or good friend with you. You want someone to be your advocate.  

-       If you are getting surgery to any body part, such as a knee surgery, mark the knee that is being operated on,  so that everyone knows what body part is being operated on.

-       Make sure you tell all the doctors what medicines you are taking so they can ascertain if any of the medicines might cause complications.

-       If you have sleep apnea, make sure this is clearly marked in your file and you tell everyone you want protection in this regard.

-       If something does not feel or seem right, you are probably correct in your belief and tell the doctors or nurses immediately. Never hesitate to speak your mind.

-       Make sure you have given a family member or friend a durable power of attorney and that you have completed your will, trust and other documents that pertain to your wishes.

Ohio to Adopt New Cell Phone Laws

Governor John R. Kasich has signed into law the texting & driving legislation approved by the state Legislature. The ban takes effect at the end of August, 90 days after Kasich’s signing. A six-month warning period will follow.

The new law has two levels of enforcement: There is only secondary enforcement for adult drivers who text message. This means that police need another reason to stop and cite violators, such as weaving or speeding. For drivers under the age of 18, texting and use of other portable electronic devices will be a primary offense.

Fines for adult violators: $150. For teen violators, fines top out at $300 with possible loss of the driver’s license.

Washers and Dryers

Clogged clothes dryer exhaust hoses and lint filters cause approximately 15,500 fires a year and at least 10 deaths. Clean out the dryer lint filter each time after use, and at least twice a year it is crucial to inspect and clean out the vent hose for lint accumulation. Most people forget to do this and this is typically what causes the fires.

An Invisible Danger

Even if the tire looks fine, once it is 6 years old it could be ready to rip apart on the inside. Aging tires begin to deteriorate, dry out, and develop adhesions. The tire breakdown can cause tread separation, which can lead to catastrophic tire failure. Often, service technicians may replace flat tires with tires older than 6 years. Please check your tires and if they are obviously worn or look fine but are 6 years old or older, purchase new tires immediately. This is the safest thing you can do to protect you, your family, and others on the road.

WellCare Healthcare Plans, Inc. will pay $137.5 million  to the federal government and nine states (Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and New York) regarding its violations of the False Claims Act and Medicare, where it provides managed health care services to 2.6 million Medicare  and Medicaid beneficiaries. Knowingly retaining overpayments and falsifying data were some of the charges brought initially by four whistleblowers. To date, thanks to the brave employees and lawsuits restitution is now $217.5 million.

Knowing Your Medical Records

Many people do not know about the Medical Information Bureau [“MIB”]. The MIB is the world’s largest insurance reporting agency representing at least 750 insurance companies. It collects and provides data on consumers  to MIB members for underwriting purposes. While the MIB collects much data on people, its main function is to accumulate people’s medical information. It is crucial that a consumer knows what is in his or her record and if there are errors, they potentially can be fixed. We strongly recommend that every consumer order a copy of one’s MIB file once a year, which is allowed. Call 866-692-6901 or visit the website, http://www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html. If an error is found, a consumer can fix it by asking for a REQUEST FOR REINVESTIGATION FORM and specifying the disagreeable record. The MIB may require certified records from doctors. If not satisfied with the outcome, one can submit a statement of dispute that becomes a permanent part of the MIB file.