Orange County healthcare system is ‘in crisis’ as COVID-19 hospitalizations hit record
The number of coronavirus-positive patients flooding Orange County hospitals has hit crisis levels, prompting one official to warn that the region’s emergency medical system could be at risk of collapse unless steps are taken to alleviate the stress.
Orange County, like much of California and the nation as a whole, has been inundated with an unprecedented influx of COVID-19 patients, which has resulted in some ambulances having to wait hours to offload their patients, according to Dr. Carl Schultz, emergency medical services director for the county Health Care Agency.
The county’s healthcare system “is now in crisis resulting from an overwhelming increase in the number of COVID infected patients,” he wrote in a memo Wednesday to hospitals and ambulance and paramedic providers.
As of Thursday, there were 1,122 coronavirus-positive patients hospitalized countywide — an all-time high and more than double the number from two weeks ago. Of those, 265 people were in intensive care, according to the latest available data.
Tips And Advice To Keep In Mind When On The Hunt For Health Insurance
Some people are underinsured, or not insured at all, due to the high costs of health insurance plans. With so many different insurance plans out there, it is hard to decide which one is best for you. The tips in this article can help you understand the types of health insurance policies that are available to you and the differences in providers.
Choosing the right health insurance plan will be a time and money saver in the future. Whether it is an HMO, PPO, POS or any of a variety of coverage types, the cost associated with medical treatment needs to fit within your budget and needs. Look for plans that will encompass care from your family physician, which will make your coverage more practical.
Providing your family with dental insurance, not only helps to promote the health of their teeth and gums, but their bodies, as well. Research has linked periodontal disease with strokes and heart disease. In fact, a staggering number of systemic diseases cause oral complications, such as ulcers and inflamed gums, so early detection of these problems by a qualified dentist, could alert you that the underlying cause is a serious disease, such as diabetes, cancer or leukemia. Left unchecked, oral infections could also spread throughout the body, causing inflammation of organs or heart valves and resulting in complications of the digestive system. Nearly 50% of Americans do not have dental insurance and as a result, many of them do not receive adequate dental care. Don't let your family be a part of this statistic.
To save money on your health insurance deductible, opt for generic prescriptions. This is especially helpful if your plan does not cover any medications. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as name brand, but they only cost up to pennies on the dollar in comparison. Stop overpaying for your prescription medications.
If you do not want to change doctors or facilities, make sure that your current provider is covered when changing plans. It's frustrating to try to save yourself money only to find out you have lost your doctor of the past 10 years. Check on the approved facilities as well so you don't end up having to go to a hospital that is inconvenient for you.
Making sure that you renew your health insurance is extremely important, especially if you have children. Allowing your coverage to lapse is a bad idea. Accidents or illness can happen at any time, and most insurance companies will not allow you to come back with one of those evil "pre-existing conditions."
Many people are not aware of this, but you should ask the insurance company that you are interested in if they have a testing period. Some companies will allow you to use their services for up to six weeks with no obligation. You can leave after the trial period if you are not satisfied.
Before seeing a doctor, read more you should contact your insurance company to make sure that they are within your network. If you visit a doctor that is not in the network, you will have to pay for the visit on your own. This can be a very expensive visit especially if it is to see a specialist. You can make a call to your insurance company to find out if a doctor is in the network.
Some of the most affordable health insurance plans you can purchase will offer you a network of doctors and hospitals to visit should you get sick. Always check with the places and people mentioned in this network to see if the level of care provided is adequate for the money you're spending on the insurance policy.
Purchasing a good health care policy is amongst one of the most important decisions of your life, and you should make an educated choice. Know what each individual policy offers, deductibles, and co-pays. What you don't want is to purchase a policy blindly and find out in the event of an emergency you don't have the coverage you need.
Before you choose your health insurance, you may want to check out both federal and local laws regarding health insurance. Normally it is very standard information, but arming yourself with knowledge before talking to an agent can ensure that you aren't taken advantage of by an agent looking to get the best commission.
Keep an itemized list of all your medical expenses and health insurance payments. Even if you're not self-employed, you may be able to deduct at least some of them on your income tax. Co-payments, dentist visits and treatment, deductibles, premiums and uncovered health spending, can all be deductible, so be sure to check with an accountant.
Keep track of your health care spending. It will be a lot easier to ask your current insurer about discounts, or move to a new insurance company, if you know what kind of costs you're incurring already. You will also be able to move to a lesser or higher plan as necessary.
For example, if you already have a doctor that you are comfortable with and trust, then your doctor is one of the things your health insurance policy must account for. This means you should not purchase a policy that forces you to use a different doctor. Find out which insurance companies will let you do so.
Make a list of things that are important to you in your health insurance plan. If you currently love your doctors, make sure to sign up for a plan that covers their medical practice. Whatever your priorities are, it helps to be aware of them before applying for the health insurance to get exactly what you need.
Check your health insurance policies for loopholes. Even the very best health insurance companies and policies can have major loopholes. These loopholes can prevent your claim from being paid in certain cases. It is wise to get to know your policy very well to avoid a potential case of personal financial ruin.
As you can see, simply knowing your insurance company is a useful tool in getting the best care possible. Doing your research really pays off in the long run, and asking questions can help you evade any surprise bills. You are responsible for your health, and knowing how to handle your insurance company is part of this!