What you should know about the Affordable Care Act (AKA – Obamacare)
Since it took effect in 2010, the health reform law, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act or ACA, has made important changes to the way health care coverage works for children and families. Starting October 1, 2013, you can compare insurance options to find the right plan for you and your family. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created this list to explain some key things you should know. 1. Benefits and protections are already available. Expanded Coverage: Children under age 26 can be covered by a parent’s health insurance policy. Youth under age 26 who aged out of foster care at age 18 or older will be eligible for Medicaid coverage effective January 1, 2014 (enrollment begins October 1st). Children under age 19 can’t be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Benefits: Families can choose a pediatrician as a child’s primary care doctor. New private health plans must cover the cost of preventive care. Out-of-pocket costs are capped at $5,950/individual/year and $11,900/family/year. Protections: Insurance companies can no longer set lifetime dollar limits on health benefits. Insurance companies can no longer drop people if they get sick. 2. Having health insurance is now a requirement. As of January 1, 2014, almost all Americans will be required to have health insurance or pay a penalty. If you have access to affordable insurance through your employer: You do not need to change insurance coverage if you don’t want to. If you do not have access to affordable coverage: You can get health insurance through your state’s marketplace. Enrollment for new coverage begins October 1, 2013. 3. The marketplace is a new way to get health insurance for you and your family. You can buy insurance directly from an insurance company or through a broker, or you can sign up through your new state marketplace. Through the marketplace, you can also find out if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Through the marketplace, you can also find out if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 4. Your application in the health insurance marketplace will tell you if you are eligible for financial assistance to help you buy private insurance. The amount of assistance depends on your family’s yearly income. You may also have no cost if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. 5. The marketplace offers a number of different health plans, and families should compare plans to ensure they meet their needs. The marketplace offers 4 different levels of health insurance plans. Those least expensive (bronze) have fewer benefits and higher out-of-pocket costs. Those that are the most expensive (platinum) have more benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs. Make sure you choose an insurance plan that works for your family’s needs. Families, especially those who have children with special health care needs, need to make sure the plan they purchase includes: Access to pediatric specialists and pediatric surgical specialists. Preventive care, such as well-child check-ups and immunizations. Habilitative services to help a child keep, learn, or improve functioning. Rehabilitative services such as physical or speech therapy. Vision and dental care (dental plans may be sold separately) 6. Make sure your current pediatrician is included in the plan you choose. Choosing a plan that includes your pediatrician will allow you to stay within your current medical home. 7. Have questions? There are people who can help. Your state’s marketplace has people who can help you compare plans and enroll your family in coverage. Information shared from: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-marketplace-in-my-state/ Contact via phone (available ): 1-800-318-2596
New Years Resolutions for Kids!
We’ve found some great resolutions for kids of all ages. Pick a few with your kids for 2014! Preschoolers I will clean up my toys and put them where they belong. I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating. I won’t tease dogs or other pets – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths. I will talk with my parent or a trusted adult when I need help or am scared. Kids, 5- to 12-years-old I will drink reduced-fat milk and water every day, and drink soda and fruit drinks only on special times. I will put on sunscreen before I go outdoors on bright sunny days. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I’m playing sports. I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week! I will always wear a helmet when riding a bike. I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I’ll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt. I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends or who may have a hard time making friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school. I’ll never give out private information such as my name, home address and school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without asking my parent if it is okay. Kids, 13-years-old and up I will try to eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables every day, and I will drink sodas only on special times. I will take care of my body through physical activity and eating the right types and amounts of foods. I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day – at the most – on these activities. I will help out in my community – through giving some of my time to help others, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need. When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find helpful ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or talking about my problem with a parent or friend. When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk about my choices with an adult whom I can trust. When I notice my friends are struggling or making risky choices, I will talk with a trusted adult and attempt to find a way that I can help them. I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without forcing them to do something or using violence. I will expect to be treated the same way in return. I will resist peer pressure to try tobacco, e-cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. I agree not to use a cell phone or text message while driving and to always use a seat belt. The preceding New Years resolutions for kids are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Write Down Questions and Concerns for Our Pediatric Doctors
When your child is sick, your attention is focused on helping him or her feel better — as it should be! But while you’re soothing and hugging and making chicken soup, it’s also important to take a minute to write down information that will help us help you. Our children’s doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach can serve you better if you arrive at your appointment with details about your child’s illness and questions about things that concern you. For a sick child visit, it helps us if you have written down when you started seeing symptoms, what the symptoms are, and how they have progressed. Memory can be unreliable, so keep a running list of the information and bring it with you to the office. Also write down a list of questions you might have about your child’s condition and how you can help speed his or her recovery. Have you ever said to yourself, “Oh, I need to remember to ask the doctor about…” but then forgot when you got the office? You’re not alone. The best solution is to put your concerns on paper. Writing down your questions as they occur to you is just as important for well visits to our pediatric doctors and nurses. Because of the time between visits, a question that comes to mind a month or two before your scheduled appointment could be long gone by the time you come in. Whether you’re seeing us for a well visit or because of an illness, every symptom and question is important, so don’t take chances by relying on memory alone.
Employers and KidCare
Did you know that some Jacksonville employers offer 24X7 KidCare coupons as an employee benefit? They understand that by providing a resource for their employees to have their children receive timely treatment from pediatric doctors, they’re building worker loyalty and reducing the amount of time employees might need to have off from work to care for sick kids. For parents, pre-paid KidCare coupons provide peace of mind in two ways. For one, they allow you to save more than 50 percent on Jacksonville children’s doctor visits. For another, they help you avoid the potentially troublesome expense of an unplanned visit. Several options are available. Individuals can purchase a booklet for one well visit, five sick visits and five rechecks for $270 (a $630 value), or two well visits, five sick visits and five rechecks for $350 ($710 value). A family coupon booklet for two well visits, eight sick visits, and eight rechecks is available for $499 ($1,040 value). If you haven’t tried KidCare coupons, you can find more information here, or purchase a coupon booklet now by clicking here and following the instructions. And why not mention to your employer that providing workers with 24X7 KidCare coupons is great employee perk, either as a paid benefit or as part of a cafeteria plan of services. On top of that, it’s a sound business decision.
Our Children’s Doctors in Jacksonville Provide Summer Tips
Meet the Team: Allison Corbett
This month, we sat down with Allison Corbett, one of our office managers, to learn a little more about her. Here’s what we found out: Q: Where are you from? A: Jacksonville Beach, FL Q: What’s your favorite activity after work? A: Spending time with my family Q: How many children do you have or would you like to have? A: I have 2 girls. Isabelle, 12 and Abigail, 3 ½ Q: Do you have pets? A: NO Q: How would you describe your job at Pediatric Care Center? A: Fun and Fulfilling Q: Are you what you wanted to be when you grew up? A: I have never been able to pin point exactly what I wanted to be but once I started this job I knew I am exactly where I should be. Q: What’s the number 1 question you get asked in the office? A: Do you speak Spanish? Q: Have you seen any trends in the area that parents have questions about? A: A lot of children have a stomach virus. Parents want to know when to come in, what to feed their child when they have it and how long it can last. Q: Do you have any tips about what parents can do to make the most of their visit with the doctor? A: Make sure you come prepared with a list of questions you want to ask. Q: Tell us a funny story from the office. A: We had a cat out at the Beach office that lives on the porch. He was very playful and super sweet. One night a dad that we were checking in said, “Oh you have a cat?” So I said, “Yes, we have a cat,” as I was looking behind him, out the front door. He quickly responded, “NO, not outside, right behind you!” We all got a good laugh at the cat sneaking inside.
Meet the Team: Lacey Scandaliato
This month, Lacey Scandaliato, shares a little about herself. She is yet another smiling face at the reception desk in our office! Let’s get to know Lacey! Q: Where are you from? A: I was born in New Orleans, but I’ve lived in Jacksonville most of my life. Q: What is your favorite activity after work? A: My favorite thing to do after work is just relax. Not only do I work but I go to school full-time too. Q: How many children do you have or would you like to have? A: I can’t decide if I want 2 or 3 children. Q: Do you have any pets? A: Yes, I have a cockatiel named Winnie. 2 dogs, Frankie and Lucky, 3 cats, Bugsy, Pino, and Belle, and last but not least a sulcata tortoise named Gus. Q: How would you describe your job at Jax Beach Pediatrics? A: There’s definitely never a dull moment here. There is either always a phone to answer or a patient to check-in. Q: Are you what you wanted to be when you grow up? A: Well I am still growing up; I’m currently going to school to get a degree in Elementary Education. Q: What’s the number one question that you get asked in the office? A: The number one question I get asked is “do you speak Spanish?” Unfortunately I don’t speak Spanish, I took American Sign Language instead. Q: Have you seen in local trends (in illness) in the area that parents have questions about? A: There have been a lot of calls about rashes. The main question is “can I just have something called in?” Rashes could be from so many different things, and the doctor can’t diagnose over the phone so they always recommend bringing the child in to be evaluated. Q: Do you have any tips about what parents can do to make the most of their visits with the doctor? A: Write all the questions down so there isn’t one you forget and be completely honest with your child. Make them aware that the appointment is for them and let them know that they are getting shots at that visit. Many kids come in and the first question they ask us is “am I getting shots?” Tell us a funny story from the office. It was when the beach office started closing at 8:00pm. Nilsis and I were getting ready to leave and I had realized I didn’t have a key to lock the door. We were just going to wait until the cleaning crew arrived, but twenty minutes had passed and they hadn’t arrived yet. So I ended up calling one of the morning girls that was out in Ponte Vedra. After driving for fifteen minutes I got the key then got a phone call from Nilsis saying that the cleaning crew was there and we didn’t need the key.
Meet the Team: Jennifer Kesphol
Please take a moment to get to know our office’s Referral Coordinator, Jennifer Kesphol, this month’s featured staff member. Q: Where are you from? A: I am of Puerto Rican & Spanish decent. Originally from Brooklyn, NY but consider myself a beach girl since I did go to Fletcher. Q: What’s your favorite activity after work? A: My favorite is riding bikes around the beach. My “usual” is cleaning and laundry through! Q: How many children do you have or would you like to have? A: I have a 6 yr old daughter and almost 2yr old son. Q: Do you have pets? What kind? A: Yes, we have a retired racing Greyhound named Percy. Q: How would you describe your job at Jax Beach Pediatrics? A: Busy! I don’t see our patients face-to-face as much as I did as an Medical Assistant and I’m on the phone A LOT but I have a direct impact on their specialized care and enjoy what I do. Q: Are you what you wanted to be when you grew up? A: Yes, happy! Q: What’ the number #1 question you get asked in the office? A: By Patients: “how old is your baby now!?!” For some reason our patients always remember me as the very pregnant one and can’t believe it’s been 2 years already. By co-workers “did you get that message?” Q: Have you seen in local trends (in illness) in the area that parents have questions about? A: In my position I see patients who need specialist care. The most common things I see are nutrition related or allergy issues. Q: Do you have any tips about what parents can do to make the most of their visit with the doctor? A: Prepare your child and be honest. If they are coming for shots, tell them so. When kids think everyone at the office is “the mean one” they don’t trust us and that makes it harder to get them to cooperate. Q: Tell us one funny story from the office. A: Well, I helped with adopting one of our “office-cats”, Patrick through First Coast No More Homeless Pets. His tag was registered in my name. One night I got a phone call at 2am from the Gate gas station next to the office. They had Patrick locked in their bathroom!! They said he was running into the store and trying to steal snacks from the shelves! That cat was hilarious. He ended up going to a “real home’ with one of our patients families because he was too friendly to be just a porch kitty.
Dr. Benitez in TU
Take a look at Mark Wood’s column today in the Florida Times-Union about Dr. B’s trip to Haiti. Click here to read the article!
Dr. Benitez Haiti Update #9
The following posts are updates as written by Anna Benitez, Dr. Benitez’ wife, relating Dr. Benitez’ experiences while he was in Haiti as part of the MIMA Foundation medical mission. I got him!! He is home and safe. He says it was a “tremendous experience” and he is very glad he went and is proud of the work the group did there. On a more personal note, I am surprised to see he is a bit traumatized from the trip. We have done a lot of missionary trips, to some of the poorest countries in the world, but this one seems to have had a strong effect on him. He says the devastation is extreme and the misery is tremendous. Please continue to pray for the workers that are there, the people that are affected and hope that the rebuilding of the country is in the best interest of the people. When I asked him what he wanted me to say in this note, he said “tell them I’ll be back to work on Friday!” Anna