Stress During a Crisis It’s only fitting that April is Stress Awareness Month. We are facing unprecedented times regarding our health. Our health and the health of our loved ones is paramount always. We want to be vigilant and protect ourselves in every way possible. How does that work during a pandemic or if you have a history of a certain disease in your family? We don’t have a crystal ball when it comes to our health. What we do have is the ability to manage stress. There are … [Read more...] about STRESS RELIEF
Community Health News
New Study Finds Patient Satisfaction is Higher at Freestanding Emergency Centers
Austin, TX— A new study published in the prestigious American Journal of Emergency Medicine found patient satisfaction is higher at Freestanding Emergency Centers (FECs) than at Hospital-Based Emergency Departments (HBEDs). The study collected data in the following four areas: a. physician courtesy; b. physician listening ability; c. whether patients were informed about their treatment; and d. physician concern for patients’ comfort. In all areas, FECs received higher patient satisfaction … [Read more...] about New Study Finds Patient Satisfaction is Higher at Freestanding Emergency Centers
Opossum Billboard Sparks Wildlife Rehab Donations
Recently one of our billboards brought opossums into the limelight. Some in the community felt that our billboard, showing a snarling opossum, perpetuated the myth that opossums are vicious animals that carry rabies. Our intention was to indicate that any wild animal bite would require a visit to the ER. In any case, let's be fair and address some misconceptions many folks have about our furry opossum friends. Do Opossums Carry Rabies? While any mammal can contract rabies, … [Read more...] about Opossum Billboard Sparks Wildlife Rehab Donations
It’s Time To Take A Stand For Emergency Care
With the end of the Texas legislative session coming on May 27, 2019, it’s time to take a stand. Insurance companies are doing what they do best…delaying and denying to avoid covering their patients. We are fighting for several bills that protect patients and hold insurance companies accountable. Time Is Running Out! Tell your legislators insurance companies need to honor their contractual and legal obligations to cover your medical emergency. Tell them to end the rampant and disgraceful … [Read more...] about It’s Time To Take A Stand For Emergency Care
How the Texas Legislature can fulfill “our promise to patients” this session
By Eric McLaughlin, M.D. & Board Member, Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) Texas consumers increasingly have their access to emergency medical care delayed or altogether thwarted, and their coverage for legitimate care denied. After witnessing this alarming trend, Texas’ freestanding emergency room community is taking action to better protect and inform patients and their families. Together, we are making a wide-ranging commitment to remove much of the … [Read more...] about How the Texas Legislature can fulfill “our promise to patients” this session
Freestanding ERs seeking Medicare and Medicaid Recognition
BASTROP, Texas (Nexstar) -- Texas is home to more than 200 independent, freestanding emergency centers. They aren’t affiliated with a hospital and aren’t recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, so people with that insurance may have to pay full price if they go there. Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D., R-LA, has introduced a bill titled the “Emergency Care Improvement Act," which would provide Medicare and Medicaid recognition of freestanding emergency centers and provide a … [Read more...] about Freestanding ERs seeking Medicare and Medicaid Recognition
Pet Safety on Independence Day
This July 4th the smartest thing you can do is to keep your pet indoors at all times. Loud noises may cause your pet to panic and attempt to run in an attempt to find safety. Other great pet tips to remember this 4th of July are: Don’t Put Insect Repellant on Your Pet that isn’t Specifically for Pet Use Alcoholic Drinks Poison Pets Have Your Pet Properly Identified NEVER Use Fireworks Around Pets Don’t Give Your Pet “Table Food” Lighter Fluid and Matches Are Harmful to Pets … [Read more...] about Pet Safety on Independence Day
Texas Standard Takes On BCBS of Texas’ New Rules Limiting ER Coverage
WITH BLUE CROSS BILLING CHANGES, SOME PATIENTS COULD BE FOOTING E.R. BILLS IN FULL Texas’ largest healthcare insurer recently said that HMO subscribers may have to pay the whole bill for out-of-network emergency room visits if the health problem isn’t deemed serious enough. Read More @ Texas Standard … [Read more...] about Texas Standard Takes On BCBS of Texas’ New Rules Limiting ER Coverage
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Puts Profits Over Patients’ Lives
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas announced that they will start implementing a new policy to deny patients coverage for their emergency room visit unless THEY deem the condition was an emergency... after the fact. This dangerous policy has already been implemented in 7 other states, but in all cases it violates a patients Prudent Layperson standard for seeking emergency care. This law exists to protect patients from self-diagnosing in an emergency. #StopAnthemBCBS o fight back against this … [Read more...] about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Puts Profits Over Patients’ Lives
