America's Healthcare Advocate

Our guest is Shannon Schneller from Focus Hearing in the KC Metro, who will discuss both sudden and gradual hearing loss, why when getting a tested the its "the sooner the better", how hearing loss is sneaky and that even younger people can have hearing loss, plus, what is a hearing test like? Learn more! Visit Focus Hearing https://myfocushearing.com or call (913) 754-2144 and as always if you need help or have something to share? Contact me, Cary Hall, America's Healthcare Advocate: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

Episode notes Sheriff Cal Hayden brings us inside the Johnson County Sheriffs Office and we learn about some amazing facts: They received 22,257 calls in May with 95% or answered in 10 seconds or less. Contrast that with other municipalities where 911 callers get put on hold and have to wait minutes, and their response times are under five minutes, yet Cal reminds us "when you think about that five minute period of time, I've been there when you're doing CPR on somebody or you need help right now, that's an eternity, before the officers get there... and, it's a brilliant analogy or exercise to, for anybody to just close their eyes and think about the worst day you've ever had: 'you're involved in a car wreck. a loved one is fallen, someone's passed away. A child is hurt, and you want help right now? Those seconds count. And, we want to get somebody there as soon as we possibly can. We take almost every ambulance call that comes in and we transfer it to them, and we want to make sure that we're there as fast

It comes down to lifestyle. Our food has changed. Our movement has changed. Our stress levels have changed. Our sleep has changed. All of the things that keep us healthy have shifted, and our bodies aren't responding to them well. When we shifted from growing food and making it ourselves to processing it to make it convenient to eat on the go and do all the other things we want to do in life. We changed our food system. We added things, we took away things. We changed what we were eating, how we got it, and it really it just dramatically changed what was going into our bodies. In S20 Ep16 we hear this and more for Dr. Courtney Younglove and Alexandria Lee, DPN, FNP-BC from Heartland Weight Loss. This show is fascinating and full of info we haven't understood until now: "Insulin we know is an energy storage hormone and it's a fleeting hormone. So it can be hard to track. But metformin does a really good job at working behind the scenes, in getting you metabolically healthier" What is good dietary protein &

The Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City is where building Self-Esteem gaining Leadership Skills and developing Confidence and Community Connections is taught, coached and mentored. Our guests are Heather Rollins, Manager of Individual Sales at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, Grant Lewis, President of the Black Achievers Society of Kansas City and special guest Tiana Rollins. Grant Lewis: “With our time, talent, and treasure we are working hard to influence our youth, impact industry with minority youth who will be college or trade school prepared and filling roles at various companies in the Greater Kansas City area creating a pipeline of minority youth that will be ready to change the world.” Learn more: https://www.blackachieverskc.org Need help or have something to share? Let me know what's on your mind, issues you are dealing with, or other health, healthcare, and health insurance questions and concerns. https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

Episode 2014 notes We are in the middle of America, literally! Kansas City is halfway to everywhere and sits at the crossroads of distribution as Interstate 35, going north and south, intersects with Interstate 70, which runs east and west. We know Fentanyl, Heroin, Marijuana along with Human Trafficking using the I-35 corridor and then being dispersed out into the communities. The Sheriff’s here today and this is: Our Health and the Health of our Communities, Part 2. From this episode, Sheriff Cal Hayden: "fentanyl and overdose poisonings are the number one cause of death for men between 18 and 40, it's the number one cause of death. We've almost had as many deaths as Covid. " Learn more: CalHaydenforsheriff.com or call 913-944-2623 Need help or have something to share? Contact Cary Hall, America's Healthcare Advocate and let Cary know what's on your mind, issues you are dealing with, or other health, healthcare, and health insurance questions and concerns: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/cont

Whether you are wanting to lose weight, prevent Type 2 Diabetes or both, you now can consider the class of drugs described as "glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists" that work by binding to GLP-1 receptors, which in turn results in lower blood sugar levels and A1C levels and are now being prescribed to reduce appetite and help with weight loss. But there is a high financial cost and you may need to stay on the drug for life. In this episode, I will discuss the latest on Ozempic and Wegovy and which is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat diabetes and which to help with weight loss or to lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Then we contrast these drugs with the latest knowledge about the effectiveness of "Brisk Walking" as I bring you the latest health and well-being news in this Multi-Topic episode! I'm Cary Hall, America's Healthcare Advocate. Ep 2011 Need help or have something to share? https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

Today my Spira Care guests are Dr. Becky Gernon, Department Vice President and Medical Director at Spira Care and Sharon Wilkinson who is the Clinical Performance manager at Spira Care centers as we discuss Spira Care’s integrated behavioral health component designed to see that patients’ needs are met both physically and mentally. This is a great episode, and we delve into how behavioral health, like physical health, affects all our lives and that even though we rarely look at it that way. and how Spira Care continues to be on the forefront of behavioral health care and reports to us that nearly 15% of all of their patients also had a visit with a BHC (Behavioral Health Clinician) in 2023. Ep: 2010 Learn more by calling 833-605-6901 or visit SpiraCare.com I'm Cary Hall, and if you need help or have something to share, you can send me a message here: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

My guests are Medicare and Medicare Advantage experts! Joining me from RPS Benefits by Design are Carolee Steele, who is the Director of Medicare, and Maria Ahlers, Chief Operating Officer, Employee Benefits at RPS Benefits By Design. Together, they offer Medicare Advantage plans from every carrier out there that has a Medicare Advantage plan: Blue Cross, Aetna, Humana, United… they all have zero premium plans. Hear how they can help ensure you find the right plan that fits your needs with allowances for dental, vision, hearing and even transportation via a debit card that are built into the Medicare Advantage plans. Did you know, the “extra benefits” that are built into the Medicare Advantage plans is how the carriers compete with each other? That’s important and they tell us why. And, most people start with comparing prescription benefits. Find out why that matters. Ep 2006 Terms used in this episode: Simply Blue plan the Blue Cross of Kansas City RPS Benefits by Design: 877-385-2224 https://www.rps

They say that 40 cents of every $1 that’s paid for Primary Care services goes to the relationship between the Insurance company and the Doctor. So we're going to talk about a different model of primary care today. It's an alternative. It's something different, and I'm intrigued by it. And I think you will be, too. It's a model that obviously is working well because they continue to expand the number of clinics they have here in the KC Metro, and you'll find similar value based primary care throughout the USA. My experts this episode are Troy A. Burns, MD, a pioneer in healthcare reform. He was among the first to adopt the new Direct Primary Care model that fixes many of the problems with our broken healthcare system. Dr. Burns is joined by Angela Prato, M.D., who joined ProPartners Healthcare in 2018. Learn more about ProPartners Health Care: ProPartnersHealthCare.com or call 913-451-4776 Have an idea, or an issue you need help with? Send me a note or submit a topic here: https://www.americashealthcarea

Today we visit with CenterWell Market President Drew Hare and back for a second visit is Dr. Stephanie Ikeme. I am a fan of the CenterWell model for Senior Primary Care and I think you will find this to be a fascinating episode as we investigate what makes CenterWell so amazing. CenterWell Senior Primary Care features a care team approach that helps each patient live a healthier, happier life by supporting the mind, body and spirit. As a result, our patients frequently mention how they don't feel rushed when they come in for an appointment. They feel like they can be heard. Our returning guest, Dr. Stephanie Ikeme, is the regional medical director for CenterWell Senior Primary care. If you are a senior or if you are the care giver to a parent or relative who is, this episode is for you! While we discuss the Kansas City market specifically, the information is for all seniors in the US who are seeking a better level of primary care. For those outside of Kansas City, CenterWell is in 26 states currently and i

Our topic today is a different primary care model that is centered on Seniors. CenterWell Senior Primary Care features a care team approach that helps each patient live a healthier, happier life by supporting the mind, body and spirit. Or, as our guest Dr. V says: “One of the things patients frequently mention to me is they don't feel rushed here. They feel like they can be heard. I think that's important because when you feel like you can't express yourself, you're not going to bring things that are of concern to you to the forefront.” Our goal with this episode is to help you feel happier and healthier everyday and my expert guest: Vinod Naidu Velakaturi, MD from CenterWell Senior Primary Care in the Kansas City Metro. --- Are You Someone's Care Giver: CenterWell can make a big difference? Not only do they provide transportation, but there are other things that might be something for mom, or dad or for a grandmother or grandfather. Learn More about CenterWell: https://seniorfocusedkansascity.com/ (816)

The America's Healthcare Advocate Winter Multi-Topic Show has fascinating details, takes and closer looks at -The mRNA Breakthrough, Nobel Peace Prize and "Unprecedented Vaccine Development" -RSV's Winter Surge -How Loneliness is Tied to Death Rate -Nikki's "The 3rd Rail" of Healthcare Entitlements: Medicare Advantage -Regular Exercise Mitigates the Effects of COVID 19 Ep 1940 I'm Cary Hall. Join me for part one of our Winter Multi-Topic Series! If you have a topic or a problem that I can help with: https://www.americashealthcareadvocate.com/contact-us

Claire Benson’s health insurance was abruptly cancelled when she tried to update her information in her healthcare.gov account. Claire bought her insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace and after the policy was in place, she was asked in an email from healthcare.gov to update her account to reflect her married name and provide documents. She needed help logging in and called the 1-800 number for help. The navigator on the other end of the phone reviewed her policy, and encouraged her to update pregnancy information, too. So, Claire clicked “yes” and revealed her pregnancy. As first reported by KCTV5 Investigative Reported Angie Ricono: “I was just following instructions,” said Benson, “speaking to the person who answered the phone at Marketplace, trusting that she would tell me what I needed to know and guide me in the right direction.” Benson’s health insurance was immediately terminated. Angie offered Claire several ways to deal with this including getting me on the case to advocate for her. In

With so many people Turning 65 Every Day, we check in with America's leading Senior Care Consultant and give you everything you need to know about senior care for your spouse, your parent, a grandparent or sibling... anyone needing help finding care. Whether it be an assisted care living facility, nursing home or care in the home, Steve Kuker knows it all. How to choose a facility and the pitfalls of using a "Free" placement service, finding safety and abuse records on every facility as well as help with home care scenarios and how to make the best decision. Excerpt from this episode. Our expert guest, Steve Kuker: “In the first step when I meet with someone is to conduct a geriatric care assessment. It's a proprietary geriatric care assessment to answer all of the big questions. • What level of care do we need? • What type of care • Our payment method • Location parameters, and • personal preferences and needs "So those are the big five. We also uncover other issues or needs as well during this consult

Stop reading fiction on the internet and listen to these 2 doctors explain who should take these vaccines and who is a greater risk, like seniors and toddlers. Our experts will get you ahead of the curve, so that you know going into cold and flu season what your risks are and what you should be doing, whether you've got infants, toddlers, children that are teenagers, or whether you're a seasoned citizen and someone at greater risk. My guests are Dr Tracy Stevens M.D., a board-certified cardiologist with Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants and is on staff at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, and Dr Sarah Boyd, MD, who is board certified in Infectious Diseases, Member of IDSA, SHEA, HIV medicine association and has practiced at Saint Luke's North Hospital since 2007. Dr. Stevens is the Julia Irene Kauffman Endowed Chair for Women’s Cardiovascular Health, the Ben D. McCallister, MD, Community Ambassador, and a professor of medicine at the University of Missouri–Kansas City

My guests are John Massey, President, Mak Booher, VP and Danny Spencer, Treasurer and their 501(3)(c) nonprofit "ZuZu's Petals". This extraordinary charity organization brings the spirit of Christmas to underprivileged communities by providing festive decorations, food and gifts. Find out how they started, what they have accomplished and how you can help right now. We offer this episode nationally, even though Zuzu's Petals is local to the Kansas City metro, because they are a stellar example of transparency in the operation of a charitable organization, and I encourage you to find this kind of transparency in any charity you support that is local to you. Look into Zuzu's award-winning transparency: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/f86605e8-1730-47a2-8b7f-0346ddf468b0 Click here to donate: https://zuzus-petals.org/donate-today kcchristmas.org

It's open enrollment for ACA, which starts in the month of November. On our BlueKC ACA Show we're going to talk about all the plans and we've got some really great information to share with you in the show! November 1st is going to be the start of open enrollment for ACA. It is going to end on January 15th, maybe (we will explain). My ACA Experts Ryan Roth and Sheri Blankenship from BlueKC join me on this episode to get you the information you need if you are looking for an ACA healthcare policy. They can help you find subsidies based on income projections that can significantly lower your cost and will examine how an ACA policy can include Spira Care, and hear about BlueKC networks like, Blue Select Network, Blue Select Plus Network and Preferred Care Blue Network, and what could be available to you. You can go to healthcare.gov and try and figure this out on the marketplace portal, but please listen to this episode first. While this information covers the Kansas City Metro, this episode of America's H

My guest for Ep 1932 is Mr. Gavin Quinnies, Chairman and CEO of US Health Center. Gavin is trained in engineering and management systems and started his career developing artificial intelligence, automated process planning, and intelligent networks in the aerospace industry where he developed industry-leading health, safety, IT, quality, sales, and productivity management systems. • He implemented his first incentive-based wellness program in 1992 resulting in a 4:1 ROI. Before co-founding US HealthCenter, Show Excerpt: Cary Hall: “So the headline here is Employers Health Plan Costs to Swell. Health Insurance costs are climbing at the steepest rate in years, some with some projecting the biggest increase in more than a decade will wallop businesses and their workers in 2024. Costs for employer coverage is expected to surge 6.5% for 2024. Such a boost could add sickness economy to the price tag for employer sponsored plans that already average more than $14,600 a year for each employee. Employers worry the

Understand all the Options from United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna and Humana. Ep 1929 Reviews all the plans, plan changes and some amazing new Coverage Options for 2024. Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15th through December 7th, 2023 for the 2024 coverage season. Our Certified Medicare Experts receive at least 40 hours of training to achieve AHIP Medicare Certification. Today joining us are Carolee Steele, Director of Medicare and Consumer Services at RPS Benefits By Design and Maria Ahlers, PHR, who has more than 19 years of experience in benefits administration. Episode Excerpts: Cary Hall: “Each year it is so important to review your Medicare health and drug coverage to make sure it's still fits your needs and finances, and this is a time if you want to make a change.I can't emphasize that enough because we're going to give you some specific examples of changes that have been made, some of them good, some of them not so good to all the providers coverage for 2024 that you that

My BlueKC Medicare Advantage Kickoff Show with 3 experts on hand to explain the new plans available to you and tell you whether it makes sense for you or not. This show is important to you because you want to make sure they have the best coverage possible with the most benefits possible. The first plan we discuss is the HMO plan Blue KC Secure with $0 premium, $0 deductible, $0 PCP co-pay. We also will tell you about the Blue Benefits Bundle, The Valor plan for Veterans that allows keeping VA prescription benefits yet with a Medicare Advantage plan. We also discuss the Spira Care centers: SpiraCare.com. Learn more at https://www.medicarebluekc.com and by calling 833 957-7720 Ep 1930 Our experts today are Barron Roberts, Manager of Medicare and Individual Sales at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City; Angie Sutton, Blue KC Broker Development and Engagement Leader and Barb Bins, Broker Development and Engagement Manager at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Contact me, Cary Hall, America's