ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 TAG: 9604230178
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Health Notes
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
A senior citizen who is told to leave the hospital because Medicare payments are stopping should get that notification in writing and even then the patient has a right to request a review of the decision.
The review can generally be done within a day, said the Virginia Health Quality Center, which is the federally designated Medicare Peer Review Organization for Virginia. If a patient waits until after he has been discharged to request a review, the review group has up to 30 days to complete it.
The Virginia Health Quality Center can decide if a patient should remain in the hospital and if that happens, Medicare must pay.
A hospital is required to issue a Hospital-Issue Notice of Noncoverage (HINN) to Medicare patients or their representatives if the hospital decides the care the patient is receiving or is about to receive is not medically necessary, is not being delivered in the appropriate setting or is custodial care.
HINNs must be in writing and must contain the procedures for requesting a review. HINNs may be given prior to admission, upon admission or during the hospital stay. HINN reviews can be requested by calling (800) 545-3814. You also can report concerns about quality of care in a hospital, same-day surgery center, nursing facility or from a home health agency to this number.
Spotting 'charlatans'
Quick cures seldom are, but they can be appealing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration knows that so it has two new free booklets to help you make decisions on that "two-week supply for just $49.95" medication.
"Choosing Medical Treatments" (Item 537C) discusses health fraud scams and how to recognize alternative therapies that can help. "Unproven Medical Treatments Lure Elderly" (Item 546C) alerts seniors to unproven medications and therapies geared particularly toward them.
To order a publication, send your name, address and the item number to Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colo. 81009.
While you wait for the booklets, these tips might help you spot unfounded claims:
* Beware of cures advertized as "amazing," "miraculous," or "a medical breakthrough."
* The same rule applies for a cure touted as a "secret" or "ancient" formula.
* Beware if the cure claims to have immediate and permanent results with no side-effects.
* Beware, too, if it's promoted only through back-page ads, direct mail, telemarketing or infomercials.
* Be wary of products that employ testimonials from satisfied customers as proof that they work.
You also can connect to the Consumer Information Center electronically. To get information on doing that send an e-mail message to "Send INFO" to cic.infopueblo.gsa.gov, for directions to Bulletin Board System (202-208-7679) and Internet site.
Baby blues
Dr. Anita Clayton of Outpatient Psychiatric Services at the University of Virginia Health Science Center will discuss postpartum depression and some of the other feelings new mothers have on May 1 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Lewis-Gale Foundation.
For information or to register for the program, call 774-4022. The program is sponsored by SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. The foundation auditorium is on the Lewis-Gale Medical Center complex.
'Life in the '90s'
Eating disorders and how to help family members get help are topics that will be tackled by the Mental Health Association of Roanoke Valley in sessions Thursday and May 16 at the Jefferson Center Training Theater on Luck Avenue.
Deborah Miller, a counselor with Lewis-Gale Clinic, will discuss "Understanding and Treating Eating Disorders," 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday. The program will include information on anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
On May 16, Dr. C.A. Nottingham, a physician with North Roanoke Family Physicians, and Diane Kelly, executive director of Mental Health, will hold a session on "Helping Others Get the Help They Need: Accessing Mental Health Care."
A $5 fee is charged for each workshop and can be paid at the door. Preregistration is not required. The training theater is at the rear of the renovated Jefferson High School, now called Jefferson Center.
You can reach Sandra Brown Kelly at 981-3393 or through e-mail at skelly2180@aol.com
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