Join us at the 25^th Annual San Rafael Business Showcase on September 11, 2013!

 

Open House from 4:30-7:30pm at Embassy Suites, 101 McInnis Parkway in San Rafael

Stop by and visit us at booth #17 at the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase. This is the largest network expo in the North Bay and a great opportunity to get know your local businesses, neighbors and friends!

It’s on Wednesday, September 11 from 4:00 – 7:30 at the Embassy Suites, San Rafael. There will be complimentary food and wine, as well as raffle items and over 80 local exhibitors.

Mark your calendar and plan to attend. You can view the details on the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce's website. We will look forward to seeing you there!

Marin County Senior Information Fair 2012

We had a great time and met with some great people!

Thanks for having us, and see you again next year!

John & Rick at our booth

Suzanne & Rick

Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care Facilities

Mid Fall 2012 Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care Facilities

Many people make the mistake of going to the Emergency Room for non-life threatening issues.  This may be due to their doctor's office being closed or because they feel it is more convenient.  Remember going to the Emergency Room for treatment is usually the most expensive way of getting medical attention.  In addition, they are geared around serving those with life threatening emergencies first, so the wait time to see a doctor or nurse can be extensive.

There are options in dealing with your healthcare needs when your doctor's office is closed.  Below are procedures to consider in lieu of running to the Emergency Room:

First and foremost, if you are dealing with ANY LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY, go directly to the emergency room, or depending on the situation, call 911 for assistance!

If you do not feel your issue is an emergency, contact an advice nurse offered by your health insurance carrier. This is usually a free service where licensed nurse practitioners offer medical advice over the phone and can give you direction when it comes to your particular need.

If the advice nurse feels that your issue is not urgent, she or he may recommend you wait until your physician's office opens to call for an appointment.

If your issue is more of an urgent nature, they may recommend that you go to an Urgent Care facility to be seen or go directly to Emergency.

It is wise to locate your nearest in-network Urgent Care BEFORE you have a medical need. Using an Urgent Care facility will save you money in a time of need.

Smartphone users and Rx takers rejoice!

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/health-health-care/app-helps-shop-lowest-prescription-prices/nMJwN/

Senate Bill 222 (SB222) will become state law in California on July 1, 2012

Senate Bill 222 (SB222) will become state law in California on July 1, 2012

This new law in the State of California will require all health insurance policies to provide coverage for maternity services for all insured’s covered under the policy.

Included in “maternity services” is: prenatal care, ambulatory care maternity services, involuntary complications of pregnancy, neonatal care, and inpatient hospital maternity care including labor, delivery and postpartum care.

Great news for families this summer!

FYI: Lipitor discounts and now a generic version!

If you are on Lipitor, check out the link below and see if this $4 Co-Pay discount card applies to you!

https://www.lipitor.com/patients/LIPITORforYou.aspx

Also, BIG NEWS! As of 12/1/11 Lipitor finally has a generic version:  Atorvastatin (a·tor·va·stat·in)

See the press release:

Brand Name	Generic Name	Indications
Lipitor	Atorvastatin	Cholesterol lowering

As of 12/01/11, the generic drug atorvastatin has been added to the preferred brand tier and is being processed with a preferred brand copayment for Medicare MAPD and PDP plans. 

Atorvastatin, the generic for Lipitor, is commonly used to help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and to help lower cholesterol.

The brand name drug Lipitor will be a preferred brand until 12/31/11 for all Medicare MAPD and PDP plan formularies, except for members on Formulary 8 (the formulary used for basic plans) where Lipitor is non-formulary. 

On 1/1/12, the brand name drug Lipitor will be considered a non-formulary drug for all Medicare MAPD and PDP plan formularies.

CPR PROCEDURE - to save a life

This short video illustrates the best demonstration and gives the simplest explanation of exactly what to do if someone near you collapses and is presumably having a heart attack.   You could very well save the life of a friend or loved one.  Someone you share this video with might save your life!      

http://medicine.arizona.edu/spotlight/learn-sarver-heart-centers-continuous-chest-compression-cpr