Topic: Health Planning

genetic testing
Sep 23 2020

What you should know about the potential unintended consequences of genetic testing

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

I recently talked with KevinMD on his podcast about the potential unintended consequences of genetic testing. You can learn more about the subject in this post.   Clinical and direct-to-consumer genetic testing are much less expensive and more common than they used to be. You can buy a genetic test kit at Walmart or your... Read More

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COVID-19
Sep 1 2020

Strategies to help you manage the high cost of care for COVID-19

Health finance  •  By Miles Varn, MD

There’s no doubt the cost of the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 is high. Data collected by FAIR Health found costs that ranged from approximately $37,000 to more than $93,000 per patient, depending on age, location, and whether the patient had other health problems that increased the risk of complications from the virus. Early in... Read More

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preventive care
Aug 18 2020

Preventive care: Should you skip checkups during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Depending on where you live and whether cases of COVID-19 are rising, stable, or falling, you may get a reminder from your doctor and dentist that you’re due for a preventive care appointment or a recommended cancer screening. Even in areas of the country where the number of new COVID-19 cases are staying about the... Read More

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advance directive
Aug 11 2020

An advance directive is only for the elderly and other myths

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

You may think of an advance directive as a document you only need once you’re in your 60s and 70s or when you’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness. In fact, it’s a good idea to create your advance directive when you’re young and healthy. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that anyone at... Read More

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benefits
Aug 4 2020

Four mistakes that can lead to large medical bills and how to avoid them

Health finance  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Large medical bills can have a significant impact on your financial wellbeing. Approximately one-third of Americans have some type of medical debt and 28% of those with medical debt owe $10,000 or more according to one survey. The issue doesn’t just affect people who do not have health insurance. With high deductible plans and increasing... Read More

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work during the pandemic
Jul 21 2020

Returning to work safely during the pandemic

Health Risk Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If you’ve been working remotely or have been furloughed during the pandemic and your employer is now reopening your workplace, you may have concerns about whether it’s safe to return to work during the pandemic. If you’re in a group that’s at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including people over 65 and... Read More

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doctor retiring
Jul 14 2020

What is concierge medicine?

Personalized Healthcare  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Imagine having direct access to your primary care physician, 24/7 access to care, same-day appointments, and highly-personalized comprehensive care. Concierge medicine offers all these advantages and more. This tailored form of healthcare is becoming increasingly popular, especially among families, people over the age of 50, and those who face more serious medical problems. Keep reading... Read More

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elective surgery
Jul 7 2020

Is elective surgery safe during the pandemic?

Disease Management  •  By Miles Varn, MD

As states begin to reopen, hospitals are starting to schedule elective surgeries that have been postponed because of the pandemic. But many people wonder if now is the time to undergo elective surgery. While 31% of people have chosen to delay care and 50% of people over 65 have decided to wait to receive care... Read More

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healthcare documents
Jun 23 2020

What healthcare documents do you need at each life stage?

Family Caregiving  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If your 19-year-old college student ended up in the hospital, would you be able to get the information you need about her condition from the doctors treating her? What if your parents were having trouble managing multiple doctor’s appointments? If your spouse or partner had a heart attack, would you be able to make medical... Read More

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summer safety
Jun 9 2020

Four tips for a safer summer

Family Caregiving  •  By Miles Varn, MD

The combination of nice weather and cabin fever from stay -at-home rules to curb the spread of COVID-19 probably have you wanting to spend as much time outdoors and active as you can on sunny summer days. These tips can help you and your family have a safer, healthier summer. Protect yourself from the summer... Read More

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