- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen you are diagnosed with cancer, money is usually not the first thought that comes to mind. For many individuals, however, thoughts about money, insurance coverage and income maintenance are part of the second wave of questions. The following tips may be helpful to keep a handle on the financial aspects of treatment. Don’t be afraid to talk about the cost of treatment. It’s important to know what to expect from treatment, both in terms of physical and financial side effects. If your provider doesn’t raise the issue of cost, you should. Call your health insurance company and request an insurance case manager. This single point-of-contact with the health insurance company will help you understand your coverage. Having a case manager allows you to build a relationship and keeps you from having to explain your situation each time you call. Ask a friend or family member to help you keep medical bills organized. Keeping up with the explanation of benefits (EOBs) statements from your health insurance company and matching them to the bills received from multiple providers can be an overwhelming task. Friends and family often want to help in some way. Asking someone you trust to keep track of this aspect of your care can benefit both of you. Take advantage of the resources available. If you have questions or concerns, please ask. The oncology social worker on the team is a good starting place for general questions about how to make ends meet. He or she can be a listening ear and direct you to additional resources based on your situation. Financial counselors are available at AAMC to help you understand your medical bills and determine if you are eligible for assistance. Call 443-481-6500 to speak with a counselor.0
- Community, Giving, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s not unusual to lose touch with old friends as we age and move around. Hank Libby moved around a lot after leaving his native Louisiana. He earned Ivy League degrees in law and finance, practiced law and venture capitalism in Washington, D.C., took sailboats across the Atlantic, and settled in Annapolis. But, Hank has never forgotten his rural Southern roots or his friend back home. “When I was about 20,” Hank explains, “I had a very good friend who saved my life. Quite sometime later, I found out he was dying of cancer (in rural Louisiana). He couldn’t afford a doctor and had no access to medical care.” Hank quickly got the man to a New Orleans hospital. It was too late to save him, “but I told him at the time that it isn’t right, and I’m going to take care of your family, and I’ll take care of trying to get them access to medical help.” Hank has expanded that commitment to his friend through his support of AAMC’s community clinics, and through his service as an AAMC Foundation Board Member and Founding Chair of the Community Health Philanthropy Council. Hank believes community clinics are vital. In Annapolis, like almost everywhere, he says, too many low-income and uninsured people go to the emergency room for ailments that could be treated elsewhere. It’s terribly expensive, he says, and it’s unwise medically, because the patients “don’t form a relationship with a doctor.” “With the clinics, patients are treated in a place of comfort with respect and dignity,” Hank explains. “They pay a little bit if they can, and they grow to trust the doctors and return for continued and preventative care.” Outreach to the underserved has grown from one to three clinics in the time Hank has been involved. He says, “I was on the ground floor of establishing the Forest Drive Clinic, for which I am particularly proud.” Access to medical care for the underserved is near and dear to Hank and his family. Through Hank, the Carol M. Jacobsohn Foundation, founded by his aunt, gave a matching challenge grant that provided significant support to the AAMC Community Clinics. Hank encourages potential donors to recognize the leverage of tapping into matching grants. “When you tell them it’s going to net two or three dollars for every dollar that they put in,” he says, “it has an impact. I believe in matching gifts.” With Hank’s leadership, it has certainly made a significant impact on AAMC’s community clinics. AAMC’s Community Clinic Locations AAMC Community Clinic – Forest Drive 1419 Forest DriveAnnapolis, MD 21403 AAMC Community Clinic – Morris Blum 701 Glenwood StreetAnnapolis, MD 21401Phone: 410-990-0050 For more information about how to support the hospital’s clinics, please call 443-481-4747.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogKnowing when your child is ready to talk about sexual health can be a challenge. Knowing how to talk to you child about sex is another puzzle. While having this conversation may seem daunting and uncomfortable, it’s much better to address the topic instead of staying silent. Consider the current statistics on teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that girls ages 13 to 19 had a birth rate of 26.5 per 1,000. And according to The Department of Health and Human Services, nearly half of the 20 million reported new cases of STDs each year in the United States occur in youths ages 15 to 24. Starting the conversation It’s important to establish an open line of communication with your teen to discuss sexual health and the pressures or desires to engage in sexual activity. Establishing this type of communication can prevent teens from engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. Start by answering your child’s questions with age-appropriate answers and correct terminology. Try to avoid including extra details or information. But it’s not all up to you to educate your child. They may already be learning about sexual health in the classroom. In Maryland, local school boards developed a standard for sexual health classes to begin between the ages of 10 and 12. Asking your child about what they’re learning is a good place to start the conversation. Involving your child’s doctor Your child’s pediatrician or primary care doctor can also talk to your child about sexual health at their annual physical. It’s a chance for both you and your child to ask questions and discuss concerns. Before the physical, you may speak with the doctor to discuss family values and standards. While your child’s doctor is a resource to you, I recommend you also personally share these views with your child in an open discussion. During the physical, many providers will ask you to leave the exam room for a period of time. Don’t take offense. Your child may be embarrassed to make a comment or ask a question in front of you. This time allows the doctor to talk to your child about emotional wellbeing and risk behaviors. If needed, the doctor can also help your child share concerns with you. As your child’s doctor continues the discussion into their late teen years, your child will build a trusting relationship with his or her doctor. This way, there’s already an established relationship of trust between teen, parent and doctor when your teen gets older and asks more questions about sexual health. Keep in mind that Maryland Minor Consent Laws allow minors to be seen without the consent of parents to discuss contraception, diagnosis or screening of STDs and decisions related to pregnancy. As a parent, it’s important to build a foundation of trust for the future. A primary care doctor is a resource, but not a replacement for your own communication with your child. Looking for a provider? Search our Find A Doc directory and find one who is right for you and your family.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTori Bayless, president and CEO, was appointed to the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) by Governor Larry Hogan. The HSCRC is a state agency that sets reimbursement rates and global budgets for Maryland’s hospitals. Tori joins six other commissioners who will oversee the HSCRC for the next four years. The commission’s primary responsibility is to review and approve reasonable hospital rates. They also publicly disclose information on the costs and financial performance of Maryland hospitals. Maryland’s all-payer system puts the state at the forefront of revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered. As a commissioner, Tori will be among those leading this groundbreaking work. “The Governor’s appointment of Tori Bayless is a testament to the importance of the contributions she has made to the healthcare sector. Her vast experience with the healthcare system as well as her ability to bring people together will directly benefit the commission and, subsequently, the community,” notes Ed Gosselin, chair of AAMC’s Board of Trustees. This is Tori’s first gubernatorial appointment. She serves on various healthcare industry boards and has been the president and CEO of AAMC since 2011. Formed in 1971, the HSCRC is an independent state agency with seven commissioners appointed by the Governor. The Commission began setting hospital rates under the Maryland all-payer system in 1977.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic intestinal diseases. These diseases involve inflammation of all or part of your digestive tract. The two most common IBDs are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. UC is limited to the large intestine (colon) and Crohn’s disease can affect the digestive tract from mouth to anus. IBD symptoms can involve: Significant and persistent diarrhea. Stomach pain and cramps. Fatigue. Bloody stools (more typical with UC). Reduced appetite. Unintentional weight loss. “It’s common to confuse Crohn’s disease and UC with other conditions because they share common and nonspecific symptoms,” explains Mark Flasar, MD, who specializes in gastroenterology and IBD at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Crohn’s and Colitis Clinic AAMC recently opened its patient-centered Crohn’s and Colitis Clinic. The clinic’s team includes nutritionists, physicians, gastroenterologists and surgeons—all with focused training and experience in IBD management. A multidisciplinary approach to IBD therapy offers the best path to a better quality of life. “When the IBD patient is at the center of a team, we can expedite care and hopefully achieve remission,” says AAMC Department of Surgery Chair Adrian Park, MD. “With the entire team in one clinic, everything revolves around the patient,” explains Dr. Park. “Instead of sending patients out for consults, we collaborate as a team to help the patient. This seamless process provides a better level of care.” There’s no definitive trigger for IBD. This makes flare-ups unpredictable. In addition, there’s no cure for Crohn’s disease and UC can only be cured by removing the large intestine. With proper care, though, many IBD patients achieve long-term remission. Here are three reasons to seek medical help if you suffer persistent IBD symptoms. You’re not alone. It’s important to have a network of support as you adjust your lifestyle to manage IBD. About 1.6 million Americans have IBD, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Doctors diagnose 70,000 new cases of IBD in the United States each year. New treatments are available. Advances in genetics, immunology and microbiology have led to far more options to treat IBD. Start with a frank discussion with your primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP may refer you to a gastroenterologist, who can pinpoint the best and latest treatment. Self-medication is never a solution. “When you have IBD, your immune system is attacking your intestine. Over-the-counter medications may mask the diarrhea and pain, but intestinal damage is still going on,” Dr. Flasar stresses. “Only a physician can help control symptoms and possible long-term damage.” Remission results are impressive. According to the CCFA, 70 percent of UC patients and 45 percent of Crohn’s disease patients in remission remain relapse-free during the next year. There’s evidence that early IBD treatment may help minimize intestinal tract damage and reduce life-altering symptoms. Read more about our new Crohn’s and Colitis Clinic. Contributors Mark Flasar, MD, is a gastroenterologist at AAMC. Adrian Park, MD is the chair of AAMC’s Department of Surgery.0
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