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Follow-Up To Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus/Covid19 Patients Benefit From Telemedicine Appointments

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Follow-Up To Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus/Covid19 Patients Benefit From Telemedicine Appointments

March 19, 2020 — Until a couple of weeks ago, the use of telemedicine was mostly for convenience. Now, it is a necessity as people work to keep their collective distances from each other. As announced previously, Houston neurologist Dr. Steven Goldstein will offer his diagnostic and medical skills via virtual or ‘telemedicine’ appointments for both new and existing patients.  “As long as Houstonians are suffering from the effects of the pandemic, I will waive copayments for those who have health insurance and significantly lower fees for those without insurance,” Dr. Goldstein said. With so many working hard to prevent the increase of the virus, using an existing technology without sacrificing access to himself or staff is a beneficial service.

Looser Rules Benefit Houstonians

On Friday March 13, 2020, when Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency, he made it possible for state agencies to use telemedicine. The Texas Medical Board also allowed for the medical community to use telemedicine, including the use of phone only, to see patients.

There are many benefits as so many people are staying away from public spaces during the Coronavirus/Covid19 outbreak. Here are a few of those advantages:

  • With telehealth services, patients avoid unnecessary office or hospital visits, hopefully lowering their risk for contracting or spreading Coronavirus/Covid19.
  • Through an emergency declaration under the Stafford Act and the National Emergencies Act, Medicare coverage will now include three types of virtual services: Medicare telehealth visits, virtual check-ins, and e-visits.
  • Virtual check-ins allow Medicare beneficiaries to communicate from their home with a provider.
  • Those who must rely on public transportation will not have to venture outside their homes to come in contact with other people and surfaces where the virus can remain for some time.

Medical Specialties

All of the medical news is about the spread or containment of Coronavirus/Covid19. But people will still need to be seen by specialists, including neurologists like Dr. Goldstein. For those with symptoms that suggest a neurologist, Dr. Goldstein is available. Some symptoms include:

  • severe headaches,
  • seizures,
  • numbness,
  • weakness,
  • double vision,
  • dizziness,
  • passing out,
  • tingling,
  • trouble with movement,
  • memory challenges or confusion,
  • and trouble sleeping.

How To Be Seen

To be seen by Dr. Goldstein via ‘telemedicine’ call his office and make an appointment, just like always;  give the patients’ email address and then go to the App Store and download Zoom Cloud Meeting. Zoom is free. Dr. Goldstein will email a link to the patient to use during the time of the appointment. Dr. Goldstein can diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medication via the Zoom link. To make an appointment call (713) 451-5421, or (281) 481-4236.

Zoom App Information

Zoom is available for Apple, Google Play and Windows. For all the ways to download and use Zoom go to their download page here: https://zoom.us/download.

Follow Dr. Goldstein from his Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Houston-Healthcare-Initiative-192537484753616/?modal=admin_todo_tour. Or his website address: https://houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.

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To Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus/Covid19 Houston Neurologist Makes Telemedicine Appointments Available

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Houston, TX. (March 19, 2020) – As a result of the Coronavirus/Covid19 outbreak and efforts to contain exposure, long time Houston neurologist Dr. Steven Goldstein will offer his diagnostic and medical skills via virtual or ‘telemedicine’ appointments for both new and existing patients.  As long as Houstonians are suffering from the effects of the pandemic, Dr. Goldstein will waive copayments for those who have health insurance and significantly lower fees for those without insurance. “With so many of us all working hard to prevent the increase of this virus, I wanted to leverage existing technology and keep access to myself and my staff available without putting any of us or our patients at unnecessary risk,” Dr. Goldstein said. “It seemed like a pretty good way to be of service here in the greater Houston area during such a challenging time.” Those who do not have insurance pay $75.00 for a first time visit and $35.00 for any needed follow-up visit.  Virtual office visits are conducted via the free Zoom Cloud Meeting app. Payments via debit or credit card are available through the office.

To Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus/Covid19 Houston Neurologist Makes Telemedicine Appointments Available

Telemedicine

The use of technology along with the reduced price makes Dr. Goldstein’s expertise available to people who cannot come to his office or afford to see a specialist like him or both. “Virtual medicine is nothing new, but it has not caught on like other remote services have,” Dr. Goldstein said. “This way of seeing patients now may be a turning point for the use of remote communications technology during this health crisis, with positive implications into the future.”

Treat Patients & Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus/Covid 19

The focus of the medical world now is on the prevention of Coronavirus/Covid 19. But there are plenty of people with symptoms a neurologist needs to diagnose and treat. Some symptoms include:

  • severe headaches,
  • seizures,
  • numbness,
  • weakness,
  • double vision,
  • dizziness,
  • passing out,
  • tingling,
  • trouble with movement,
  • memory challenges or confusion,
  • and trouble sleeping.

How To Be Seen

To be seen by Dr. Goldstein via ‘telemedicine’ call his office and make an appointment, just like always;  give the patients’ email address and then go to the App Store and download Zoom Cloud Meeting. Zoom is free. Dr. Goldstein will email a link to the patient to use during the time of the appointment. Dr. Goldstein can diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medication via the Zoom link. To make an appointment call (713) 451-5421, or (281) 481-4236.

Zoom App Information

Zoom is available for Apple, Google Play and Windows. For all the ways to download and use Zoom go to their download page here: https://zoom.us/download.

Follow Dr. Goldstein from his Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Houston-Healthcare-Initiative-192537484753616/?modal=admin_todo_tour. Or his website address: https://houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.

 

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Houston Based Neurologist Explains Reason for ‘Surprise Hospital Bills’

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A Houston based neurologist, Dr. Steven Goldstein, explains the reasons patients can get very expensive hospital bills even if they went to a hospital, clinic or emergency room that is part of their insurance network on his latest podcast. The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast can be heard on Soundcloud, iTunes, Libsyn, or on www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org

Houston Based Neurologist Explains Reason for ‘Surprise Hospital Bills’

No Insurance Network Required for Doctors

While the insurance industry has trained patients, doctors, and hospitals that we all must have insurance and be part of an insurance network the same is not the case for doctors. While in-network doctors and hospitals have agreed with the insurance company how much procedures and tests will cost, not all doctors who work in hospitals are part of any insurance network and can charge more than what insurance will cover. To make this worse for patients and the ultimate cause of ‘surprise hospital bills’ hospitals, emergency rooms or clinics are not required to disclose this to patients or their loved ones. As Dr. Goldstein told his listeners, “behind the scenes, the in-network doctor and the hospital agreed in advance what the charges were going to be. So, the in-network doctor is paid a flat rate based on that agreement. The doctor who works at the hospital but is not part of the insurance network can charge more and get paid more. He is under no obligation to say anything about this to the patient and will not.”

How Can This Be? Private Equity Companies

Private equity companies that own staffing firms and place doctors to work in hospitals along with the American Hospital Association have stated publicly that restricting the independent pricing capability will make putting doctors in geographic or socially challenging locations much more difficult, as higher pay is the biggest incentive for going to work in rural or economically disadvantaged areas. These doctors have no incentive to join an insurer network, which would require them to cut their fees. These are the source of many surprise medical bills.

Doctor Patient Unity Unmasked

A shadowy lobbying group known as Doctors and Patients United are owned and funded by TeamHealth and Envision Healthcare, private-equity-backed companies that own physician practices and staff emergency rooms around the country. In late July, 2019 Doctor Patient Unity placed more than $28 million in ads opposing the legislation that would ban surprise medical bill, without disclosing who was behind the ads.

Current Information on Federal Legislation

There are several committees and bills on this being considered. At this writing the following bill was being considered: S 1895: Lower Health Care Costs Act. The bill was introduced by Senator Lamar Alexander (R, Tennessee) on June 19, 2019 and reported June 26, 2019. The committees assigned to this bill sent it to the House or Senate as a whole for consideration on June 26, 2019. For resources and the information to act on this bill please go to: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s1895.

Well-known and respected Houston based Neurologist Dr. Steven Goldstein is dedicated to reforming healthcare in the U.S. through education and information to the people who need it most. To learn more about the Houston Healthcare Initiative please go to www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.

Unexpected Emergency Room Bills Add To Patient Ills

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Patients may go to the hospital designated as in network by their insurance, but the doctors who treat them may not be part of that network. This is one of the main reasons for big bills even among those who have health insurance. Patients rarely have any say about who treats them, especially in the case of accidents where they are incapacitated. This is the message that Dr. Steven Goldstein has for podcast listeners this week. The Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OP podcast can be heard on Soundcloud, Google Play, and iTunes. The podcast and much more information is available from the Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OP website: www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org. Or click here to listen:

Unexpected Emergency Room Bills Add To Patient Ills

Wide Awake Nightmare

Imagine leaving the hospital after recovering from an accident, illness or some other unexpected and unwelcome ailment thinking that the worst is over, but then getting a walloping big bill to pay even with really good health insurance. It’s a scenario that plays out ever day and one that respected Houston based neurologist and founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OP thinks the public has a right to know.

The out-of-network billing problem exists in part because insurers have sought to rein in costs by shrinking their provider networks and steering patients to less expensive doctors and hospitals. But some specialists and provider groups have deliberately stayed out-of-networks because they can make more money.“This is especially true in emergency rooms, where the patients’ inability to choose their doctors provides a strong incentive for physicians not to cut deals with insurers,” Dr. Goldstein said.  “For example, a 2017 study on surprise bills by Yale University researchers reported that one group of emergency room physicians that exited networks to bill as out-of-network providers charged twice as much for care as their ERs used to charge. It’s ridiculously unfair.”

Facts About Bad Surprises

Unwelcome E.R. and hospital bill surprises are not unusual and that is the disappointing part. On average, 16% of inpatient stays and 18% of emergency visits left a patient with at least one out-of-network charge. “Most of those came from doctors offering treatment at the hospital, even when the patients chose an in-network hospital, according to researchers from the Kaiser Family Foundation,” Dr. Goldstein told his audience. “But the news gets worse because the same study found that when a patient is admitted to the hospital from the emergency room, there’s a higher likelihood of an out-of-network charge. As many as 26% of admissions from the emergency room resulted in a surprise medical bill.”

Why We All Tolerate This

When asked about the reasons the public chooses to tolerate this, Dr. Goldstein replied, “the medical and insurance industries have trained us all to think that there is but one choice for us and that is to work with them, exclusively, and that there are no alternatives available for anyone not old enough to get Medicare.” There are alternatives, like the one we have at the Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OP, but so few are aware of this and other similar organizations that we all simply take and pay for what is available.”

To learn more about the Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OP please visit the web site atwww.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org

Retired But Too Young for Medicare? What Now?

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Retired But Too Young for Medicare? What Now?

There are plenty of people who retire before the age of 65, whether this was their choice or had retirement thrust upon them. Regardless of the circumstance, these people need health coverage. And since they are ‘retired’ they likely need low or lower cost coverage without sacrificing their quality of care. There are several options for those people according to Houston based neurologist and founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OP, Dr. Steven Goldstein. 

Retired But Too Young for Medicare? What Now?

Fear of Loss

Employees fear losing their company subsidized health insurance and when accepting or choosing retirement, that benefit ceases along with the paycheck. According to Dr. Goldstein, it is a situation worth examining and planning for. “There are several alternatives for people who are not old enough for Medicare,” Dr. Goldstein said. “For one, they can choose an extension of their former employers’ insurance through what is known as COBRA.”

COBRA

COBRA stands for “Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. “It’s a law that since 1985, provides for continuing group health insurance coverage for employees and family members after what they call ‘job loss’,” Dr. Goldstein said. “But, it only applies at companies with more than 20 employees and to state and local government workers. It does not apply to federal workers, churches, or some church related organizations. What’s more this is a short-term fix because there is an 18-month limit on this option. So for someone who is 60 this will get them to 61.5. But there are those other 3.5 years remaining.” COBRA is also a costly choice. Those choosing it can expect to pay up to 102% of the premiums including the part your employer used to pay. 

Affordable Care Act

Options for the Affordable Care Act or Obama-Care are available on line. While the politics of healthcare mean that future choices may be different or even non-existent, but at the moment the law remains in place. “Here in Texas, everyone is required to have health insurance, but they are not required to purchase it through the government,” Dr. Goldstein said. “There is no longer the threat of a fine from the federal government for not having health insurance but going without is never a good idea.”

Healthcare Co-Ops

People can and probably should consider one of the health sharing cooperatives. There are several from which to choose, not the least of them the Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OP. But according to Dr. Goldstein, there is more to the Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OPthan inexpensive health coverage. “Our first priority is to improve our members health first and help pay for ‘sick care’ second,” Dr Goldstein stated. “As people work with us to manage their own health, the cost goes down. When they do get sick, we can provide lists of places to get the best prices on prescription medicine, tests, imaging and hospitalization. But, and I want to really stress this, our approach to managing the cost of healthcare is to find ways to be sick less often. We help people manage their weight, level of fitness and other choices they can consciously make to be healthier. So, if you want to save money on healthcare, find ways to be sick less often.”

To find ways to be sick less often and save on health coverage, then look to the  Houston Healthcare Initiative CO-OP and visit the web site at www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.

 

 

 

Special Offer From The Houston Healthcare Initiative

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The Houston Healthcare Initiative began for one reason and that was to improve health, lower healthcare costs and provide access to doctors, medicine and treatment. There is a myth promulgated by the insurance companies that you can’t get access to healthcare if you do not have insurance. This is just not true. Starting Monday June 1, 2020, The Houston Healthcare Initiative is offering a FREE Seizure Clinic.

Special Offer From The Houston Healthcare Initiative

For seizure patients out of work because of the pandemic, we will see in office for no fee as well as provide 30 days of seizure medication for free as long as supplies last. Patients may pay office visit fees after they get back on their feet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, new patients can be seen using telemedicine for $75 & followups for $35. Insured patients will have copays waived.

 

Houston Healthcare Initiative Offers Affordable Health Care Via “Cooperative” Payments

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A new way to fund healthcare is now available. The Houston Healthcare Initiative (HHI) is a member owned, non-profit medical co-op that is now open for business. Led by Houston based neurologist Dr. Steven Goldstein, the HHI (https://houstonhealthcareinitiative.org) will replace traditional health insurance for qualified individuals and families and provide incentives for members to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. HHI will provide affordable medical coverage through a combination of negotiated rates, low monthly payments, personal accountability and lifestyle incentives. The medical co-op promises to save qualifying individuals and families money on health insurance. At the same time, HHI will help uphold quality care by asking members to bear some responsibility and individual accountability for maintaining their personal health.

Complexities of Health Coverage

Healthcare and what causes rates for services and insurance to go up at a startling rate are complicated. What is not that complex is the need for an affordable way to pay for most medical and doctor related expenses. That is what the Houston Healthcare Initiative (HHI) is offering in the form of a member owned co-op. The HHI initiative can replace traditional health insurance for qualified individuals and families. HHI will provide affordable medical coverage through a combination of negotiated rates, low monthly payments, personal accountability and lifestyle incentives. The medical co-op promises to save qualifying individuals and families money on health insurance. At the same time, HHI will help uphold quality care by asking members to bear some responsibility and individual accountability for maintaining their personal health.

What HHI Offers

The HHI is similar to traditional insurance but with some unique distinctions. One is the health of the person(s) applying impacts the price charged by the co-op. The amount of the monthly payment is based on personal lifestyle outcomes. For example, a non-smoker who has a body mass index of less than 25 and can walk a mile in less than 30 minutes gets the best rate because he/she is the healthiest.

People who do not match these criteria pay more but have the opportunity to get the lowest rates if their weight and fitness levels improve. “We wanted to have a system that rewarded people who are healthier with lower rates while at the same time, provide incentives for them to improve,” said Dr. Steven Goldstein, founder of HHI. “With the exception of charging more for smokers, traditional insurance generally does not distinguish between healthier people nor does it give them a financial incentive to lose weight or become more physically fit. HHI does both.”

HHI Issued Debit Card

Members of the co-op receive a personal/family healthcare account that allows payment for routine medical procedures with a member debit card, issued by the HHI bank. The other is a trust that is maintained to allow members to pay for non-routine charges like hospital stays, specialists, surgery, and extensive tests to name a few. In addition to the cost savings, members receive a free screening (check-up) and access to the 24-hour free doctors’ hotline for routine questions. “Not every question for a doctor requires an office visit, which is why the hotline is so handy,” Dr. Goldstein said. “We believe that this approach to paying for health care will be a big help to people who are unable to afford it or do not receive employer subsidized health insurance.”

Summary of Benefits Defining Types of Health Care/Health Challenges

  1. Preventative – covered by the free yearly HHI check-up and doctor hot line.
  2. Behavior modification – leads to lower priced coverage under HHI.
  3. Injury treatment – covered by HHI.
  4. Acute illnesses – covered by HHI.
  5. Degenerative and/or genetic illness – covered by HHI.
  6. End stage care – covered by HHI.

About HHI

The Houston Healthcare Initiative (HHI) is a non-profit, member owned medical cooperative that combines affordable health pricing with personal accountability and lifestyle incentives. With a single payment, members pay monthly into two separate accounts. To learn more visit the company website https://houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.

 

 

 

Overweight People Have Double the Risk For Stroke… Is Losing Weight More Difficult Than Recovering from A Stroke?

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February 12, 2019 (Houston, TX.) Houston based neurologist and founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative (www.houstohealthcareinitiative.org) Dr. Steven Goldstein talked about the risk of strokes and their relationship to weight and obesity on his weekly podcast. To hear his weekly podcast go to: iTunes,Soundcloud or the Houston Healthcare Initiative web site.

While the outcomes from strokes are always bad, Dr. Goldstein allowed that from a pure psychological point of view, losing weight was more difficult than recovering from a stroke. “Assuming the patient survives and has the ability to rehabilitate him or herself, there is a lot of motivation for them to do the things that will lead to recovery,” Dr. Goldstein told his audience. Losing weight means changes in lifestyle, adding exercise, eliminating things that we all like to eat and drink in a process that takes a lot of sacrifice. It is very hard to maintain this type of change over any amount of time. Motivation for losing weight is psychologically challenging, but it is better to lose weight than endure a stroke.

What Is A Stroke

There are two types of strokes but a basic way to understand them is to know that a stroke happens when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. Brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. There are different outcomes from a stroke, and they are always bad. A stroke can cause the victim to permanently lose speech, movement, memory or even lead to death. In fact, there are approximately 185,000 people who die from stroke here in the U.S. every year. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability.

Different Types of Strokes

There are two types of stroke, hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common, in fact only 15 percent of all strokes are hemorrhagic, but they are responsible for about 40 percent of all stroke deaths. A hemorrhagic stroke is either a brain aneurysm burst or a weakened blood vessel leak. Blood spills into or around the brain and creates swelling and pressure, damaging cells and tissue in the brain. The hemorrhagic stroke is less common but deadlier where the ischemic stroke is more common and less deadly. But any type of stroke is to be avoided if possible.

Ischemic strokes occur when the arteries to the brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow, known as ischemia. Specific symptoms of an ischemic stroke depend on what region of the brain is affected. Certain symptoms are common across most ischemic stroke, including: vision problems, such as blindness in one eye or double vision, weakness or paralysis in the limbs, which may be on one or both sides, depending on the affected artery. Victims can also experience dizziness and vertigo, confusion, loss of coordination or even a drooping of face on one side.

Obesity and Strokes

New research shows that being overweight more than doubles the chances of having a stroke. In addition to increasing the risk of stroke, being overweight makes it more likely that you will have a stroke at a younger age. Medical scientists have found that being overweight leads to hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes both of which are the leading causes of stroke. Another effect of being overweight is that the body’s metabolism changes in ways that lead to an excess of circulating lipids, high cholesterol and elevated blood glucose, all of which, over time, harm the blood vessels of the brain and the heart and lead to the formation of stroke-causing blood clots in the heart and brain. There are some other links between obesity and stroke that are independent of hypertension, diabetes, and a high cholesterol level that are commonly associated with being overweight. So, to reduce your risk of stroke, try to lose weight.

To Learn More

The Houston Healthcare Initiative is set up to help people pay less for health care and become healthier. The more the costs of health maintenance arise, the more often the issue of weight comes up. There is help available in the form of co-operative relationships and the tools to lose weight and avoid a stroke. Those who want to know more can visit the web site at www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.orgor call with question at 346 400 2789.

Opioids and Pain Killers Can Make Back Conditions Worse

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February 25, 2019 – Dr. Steven Goldstein told listeners to his weekly podcast that not only were opioid pain killers not the best option for treating back pain but that they could make the situation worse. Dr. Goldstein is a well-known neurologist and the founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative Podcast. The podcast can be heard on iTunes, Soundcloud and at www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.

Why is Back Pain Such a Common Condition?

According to Dr. Goldstein there are numerous reasons. “The disk material that is in between each vertebral body deteriorates as we age,” he told listeners. “It is the shock absorber that protects the spine when weight is carried. The back and spine can be displaced from a sudden heavy lift or from an injury such as an auto accident and is commonly known as a slipped disk but is more likely when disks are degenerated. Other common causes of back pain include sprain of paraspinous muscles or sprain of ligaments that hold the spine in place.

Sprains can also occur in the small joints of the spine known as facet joints or in the ‘Sacroiliac joints’ where the tail bone connects to the pelvis.  Arthritic changes in the spine can flare and cause pain, seemingly without any injury. In the majority of cases the back pain will resolve with a short period of rest followed by gentle aquatic exercise to strengthen muscle and tighten ligaments. Contrary to popular opinion the pain from a slipped disk will respond to this treatment in most cases unless there is continued pressure on a nerve root exiting the spine. Studies show 90% will resolve in 12 weeks.

Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain is defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or longer. “In my practice, the most common cause is the use of opioids in the early acute phase of the illness,” Dr. Goldstein said. “What happens is that the narcotic is effective in relieving the back pain. The patient unwittingly gets up and goes about normal activity. If there is inflammation from a slipped disk or sprained muscles or ligaments the extra activity will make the condition worse.”

Instead of opioids, Dr. Goldstein recommends patients use the pain as their ‘friend’. “If a given activity is causing pain, stop doing it and lie down. If the pain is so severe that a strong narcotic is necessary, lie down and rest for 3-4 hours until the medicine wears off before trying to do any activity.”

The Houston Healthcare Initiative is a medical co-op that is a non-profit company, owned by the members to provide ‘insurance’ at greatly reduced costs. To learn more visit, www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.com.