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Friday, September 28, 2018

MEET OUR MHG PHYSICIAN EXTENDERS, AN EXTENSION OF YOUR HEART CARE TEAM! THIS MONTH WE RECOGNIZE CHERYL VINCENT

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group would like to introduce you to our physician extenders.  They are a critical part of the Cardiology team at Michigan Heart Group.  The Physician Extenders work hand and hand with the physicians, making decisions on the best treatment options for each patient on a case by case basis.  All of our extenders round on the weekends as well as work in the hospital during the week.  Most of our extenders also have office hours and we encourage our patients to feel comfortable following up with them in the office.  Our medical decisions are often a team approach that each extender is a part of and they are often at the forefront of each decision that is made.

The practice is made up of Interventionist (plumbers) and Electrophysiologist (electricians).  The plumbers are located at 4600 Investment Drive, #200, while the Electricians are in the building next door at 4550 Investment Dr., #250.  In addition Michigan Heart Group has two satellite offices to accommodate our out of town patients.  One in Macomb at 15959 Hall Road, #304, Macomb and another in Novi at Ten Mile and Haggerty, 39500 Ten Mile, #103, Novi. Each extender is trained and familiar with both specialties.

Each month we will be focusing on one extenders achievements, this month we recognize Cheryl Vincent.



Cheryl Vincent, MSN, A.P.R.N:  She started in August 1993, just 2 years after the practice was opened.  Cheryl received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Nursing from Wayne State.  She is licensed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Nurse Practitioner. Cheryl's focus is on risk factor management and patient education.  She works at Michigan Heart Rhythm Group with office hours all day Thursday-Friday, however you may see her rounding at Troy Beaumont Hospital as she assist the physicians with this task both during the week and on weekends.  Cheryl is the veteran of the group, having been here the longest she is very familiar with almost all of our patients.  You may not know her; however she will almost always know you.

OUR EXTENDER TEAM AND WHERE YOU MAY SEE THEM:


Cheryl Vincent, APRN:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Rhythm Group all day Thursday and Friday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Anita Juriga, MSN, A.P.R.N:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Howard Hollinger, P.A.-C.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Tuesday and Wednesday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Debby Goodall, RN. N.P.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group on Tuesday afternoons.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Michelle Forcina, P.A.-C.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Rhythm Group all day Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Rounds at both William Beaumont Hospital- RO and Troy on the weekends.

Dawn Mitchell, A.C.N.P.:  Sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

Lily Paciorkowski, R.N., MSN:   Sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

Ryan Havens, R.N.,N.P.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Monday and Friday afternoons Michigan Heart Rhythm Group.

Sarah Levin, R.N., N.P.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group Monday and Thursday afternoons. Also, she sees patients at

Mariann Graham, R.N., BSN:  Sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

We are very fortunate to have such a great, caring and educated team working with us.  They look forward to meeting you and we hope you look forward to meeting them.

Thank you!
The Beaumont Michigan Heart Group Physicians

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

FIND HELP TO COVER EXPENSIVE DRUG COSTS

When his seasonal allergies turned into chronic asthma, Harry Schaffner says he realized that he would face out-of-pocket costs of several thousand dollars per year, even with Medicare.  That was going to hurt.  A retired trial lawyer from La Quinta, Calif., Schaffner spent much of his retirement savings caring for his mother, who died at age 95.  His wife, a breast cancer survivor, requires an estrogen-blocker medicine that costs another $150 monthly.  All told, Medicare premiums and other health-related expenses have reduced Schaffner's monthly Social Security benefit by $700.

Schaffner, 75, decided to look for help.  After searching the Internet, he came across the Patient Access Network Foundation (www.panfoundation.org), a charity that helps cover out-of-pocket drug costs.  Schaffner applied for help and received a $4,500 annual grant, which goes toward co-pays and an inhaler that costs $230 monthly and isn't covered by Medicare.

For many older adults, out-of pocket prescription drug co-payments and other medical expenses can come as a shock.  In their working years, employer plans may have covered prescriptions entirely or required only modest co-pays and deductibles.  Seniors often worry about long-tern-care expenses eating into their wealth in retirement, but they don't realize how high their out-of-pocket medical costs can run, says Matthew Rutledge, a research economist with the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

A recent CRR study found that retirees pay an average of $4,300 annually out-of-pocket for Medicare premiums, co-pays and deductibles.  The costs eat up about a third of the average Social Security benefit, the study says.

Medicare beneficiaries like Schaffner generally have outpatient prescription-drug coverage through Part D or Medicare Advantage plans, both of which are offered by private insurers.  But most of these plans have a coverage gap, known as the doughnut hole.  For 2018, once you and your plan have spent $3,750 on covered drugs, you're in the doughnut hole.  You then pay 35% of the cost for brand name drugs and 44% of the cost of generics.  (These percentages will decrease as the doughnut hole closes in 2019 for brand name drugs only.  For generic drugs, the gap doesn't close until 2020.)

Once you exceed $5,000 in out-of-pocket spending, you're out of the coverage gap, and you automatically get "catastrophic coverage."  You'll face only a small co-insurance or co-payment of about 5% for covered drugs for the rest of the year- but if you suffer from an illness like cancer and need $100,000 a year in drug treatments, that 5% share can quickly add up.

The hardest hit by drug costs often are seniors with chronic illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.  These diagnoses often require specialty drugs, with cost of $10,000 a month or more, triggering high out-of-pocket payments, says Dan Klein, chief executive officer of the PAN Foundation.

"IF you do have a life-threatening or chronic or rare disease and you're on Medicare, you're likely to be very surprised by how much you have to pay for your drugs," Klein says.  "The majority of the patients we help are on Medicare."

Be aware that if you have Medicare drug coverage, whether through a Part D plan or Medicare Advantage, drug manufacturer discount or co-pay coupons won't help.  Federal law prohibits drug companies from giving their coupons to people who get their health benefits from the federal government.

Figure Out a Strategy:
If you are struggling to pay for expensive drugs, you have options.  Perhaps you can negotiate with your pharmacist for a lower price, or look for charitable foundations or drug-company programs that might help you with your out-of-pocket expenses.  You can try arguing for exceptions to your plan's rules to get a lower cost for your drug.

You can ask whether paying for a drug yourself might be cheaper than using your insurance, because you could then access a discount card or coupon.  The generic for Nexium, which treats stomach acid, often costs $241 for 30 capsules, but discounts could cut the cost to under $25.  "Shopping around can make a difference," says Rich Sagall, president of NeedyMeds, a company that compiles resources for help with drug and medical costs at www.needymeds.org. "You have to try all your options."

The PAN Foundation, which Schaffner used, has more than 65 different disease funds and gives out grants to cover co-pays.  PAN and similar foundations limit grants based on income, but they typically will work with applicants to help them qualify, taking into consideration monthly medical expenses and other adjustments to income.  Schaffner, for example, says he didn't have to include his house as an asset.

To find foundations, go to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance site at www.pparx.org and click on additional resources.  Then contact each foundation for eligibility and application information.  PAN usually can give you an answer within 15 minutes, even as you are waiting at a pharmacy counter.  The foundation helped about 262,500 people last year, providing about $347.9 million in grants, with an average annual grant of nearly $4,800, Klein says.  Other options include the Patient Advocate Foundation's co-pay relief program (www.copays.org) and the HealthWell Foundation (www.healthwellfoundation.org).

You often can apply for a second grant if your first one funs out.  Foundations also will refer you to other foundations if a fund closes and you could get a grant elsewhere, says Krista Zodet, president of HealthWell, which has 60 disease funds, including ones for hepatitis C, multiple myeloma and pulmonary fibrosis.

If you can't secure a grant, don't try to save money by reducing dosages on your own, she says.  Go back to your doctor.  It may be uncomfortable, but let the doctor know you are having trouble paying for your care.  Doctors are often willing to talk about the financial aspects of care and to work closely with patients to help them get what they need, she says.

If you pick up a prescription at your pharmacy and find you owe a $250 co-pay, don't just walk away.  Ask if the pharmacy can offer a lower price or has a low-cost drug program, such as Wal-Mart's $4 generic drug program.

Pharmacists sometimes are not permitted to tell you upfront they have a cheaper drug available but can inform you in you ask, says NeedyMeds' Sagall.  "Don't be embarrassed to ask a lot of questions," he says NeedyMeds.org also lists other low-cost drug program's, or you can call its helpline at 800-503-6897.

You may be better off paying cash for a prescription drug, if you have a steep co-pay.  In that case, download a discount card that can be used for generic medications from a website such as RXassist.org.  You can save up to 85% on generic medications, and you're eligible to use the card if you're not accessing your insurance to pay for the drug, says RXassist program manager Shirley Titus.

Or, pursue a tiering exemption through your drug plan, says Leslie Fried, senior director of the Center for Benefits Access at the National Council on Aging.  Drug plans use tiers to categorize drugs and drug pricing, and the drugs on the higher tiers are usually more expensive.  But you can ask your plan to move the drug to a lower, less-costly tier.  you will need your doctor's assistance to request an exemption, Fried says, and "you may have to jump through some hoops."

And reassess your Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage coverage options each fall during open enrollment.  If you are newly diagnosed with a chronic illness, you might consider switching to a plan with more coverage, although the price may be higher.

Where to Look for Relief
Some foundations, nonprofits, advocacy groups and other organizations offer resources to find programs that might help with your drug costs and other medical expenses.  Check with each program to determine your eligibility.

  • Use the National Council on Aging's Benefits' CheckUp tool (www.benefitscheckup.org) to find programs, including state pharmaceutical assistance programs, that NCOA says could save you an average of $4,000 a year on costs for medications, co-pays and deductibles.
  • Go to the Patient Advocate Foundation's site at www.patientadvocate.org and click "Connect with Services" to find Financial Aid Funds, individual case management services, the co-pay relief program and other sources of help.
  • Search for foundations, nonprofits and disease specific organizations that offer assistance at NeedyMeds' website (www.needymeds.org).  Look under "Patient Savings," and then "Prescription Assistance" for a company name list.







Mary Kane
September 2018 KIPLINGER'S RETIREMENT REPORT, 16-17




2018 MICHIGAN HEART GROUP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Michigan Heart Group closes in observance of all the major holiday's.  The 2017 days are listed below.  We ask, in order to ensure your prescriptions are refilled in time, please call at least one week prior to the holiday.  Calls taken after 10:00 am, the days before closing, are not guaranteed to be called in.



      





Monday


May 28, 2018


Memorial Day


Monday


July 4, 2018


Independence Day


Monday


September 3, 2018


Labor Day


Thursday


November 22, 2018


Thanksgiving


Friday


November 23, 2018


Day after Thanksgiving


Monday      


December 24, 2018


Christmas Eve (observed)     


Tuesday  


December 25, 2018


Christmas Day   


Monday       


Tuesday 
     

December 31, 2018


January 1, 2019

New Year’s Eve (observed)    (1/2 day)



New Year’s Eve   
 
 

Thank you:

The Michigan Heart Group Staff

Monday, September 17, 2018

TIPS ON NAVIGATING MHG'S PHONE SYSTEM....

To better assist you when calling our office, please use this list of phone prompts.  Choosing the correct extension will help expedite the time you spend on hold.  Some departments may be on the phone with other patients, however if you leave a call back number and time you can be reached they will get back to you that same day if you call prior to 3 pm.
  • If you know your parties extension or the prompt you need, you can enter it at any time. 
  • You do not need to ask for a receptionist to be transferred. 

Please note:  Phone are answered from 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday.   Phones are off between 11:30 and 12:30 for lunch.

1-  Medical Records
2-  Nursing, Medical Questions or Clinical Maters
3-  Prescription Refills, Medication Clarification, or Sample Request
4-  Physician's ONLY
5-  Fax Number
6-  Billing inquiries
7-  Schedule an appointment or speak with a receptionist
8-  Repeat menu

Friday, September 14, 2018

MICHIGAN HEART GROUP'S LOCATIONS AND SATELLITE OFFICES

Michigan Heart Group has 2 main locations and 2 satellite locations.  Different physicians see patients out of different suits.  
 
There are times, when a physician will need to SWITCH SUITES for one reason or another. It usually has to do with coverage or addition of office time.  
 
You will ALWAYS BE NOTIFIED of this DURING YOUR REMINDER CALL so PLEASE pay close attention to the LOCATION when we call you. 
 
 
MAIN CAMPUS:
 
Beaumont Michigan Heart Group:
4600 Investment Drive, #200
Troy, MI 48098
(248) 267-5050
www.mhgpc.com
 
OPEN MON-FRI (7AM-4PM), Different Physicians are in on different days (see below):
  • Steven Almany, MD (Monday and Wednesday)
  • Steven Ajluni, MD    (Monday and Thursday)
  • William Devlin, MD  (Tuesday and Thursday)
  • Terry Bowers, MD   (Wednesday and Friday)
  •  Michael Gallagher, MD  (Tuesday)
  •  Akhil Gulati, MD   (Friday)
 

Beaumont Michigan Heart Rhythm Group
4550 Investment Drive, #250
Troy, MI 48098
(248) 267-5050

OPEN MON-FRI (7AM-4PM), Different Physicians are in on different days (see below): 
  • David Cragg, MD (Wednesday and Thursday)
  • Brian Williamson, MD (Tuesday and Friday)
  • Ilana Kutinsky, DO (Monday and Thursday)

 
SATELLITE OFFICES:

Beaumont Western Wayne Heart Group
39500 Ten Mile, #103
Novi, MI 48375
(248) 267-5050
 
Physicians in on certain days (see below): 
  • Steven Ajluni, MD    (Every Tuesday)
  • William Devlin, MD  (3rd Monday of the Month)
  • Ilana Kutinsky, DO   (2nd Thursday of the Month)
  •  Akhil Gulati, MD (2nd Monday of the Month)

 
Beaumont Michigan Heart Group- Macomb
15959 Hall Road, #304
Macomb, MI 48044
(248) 267-5050
 
Physicians in on certain days (see below):
  • David R. Cragg, MD (Friday morning)
  • Terry R. Bowers, MD (Thursday morning)
  • Michael J. Gallagher, MD (1st/2nd Wednesday of the Month)
  • Akhil Gulati, MD (3rd/4th Wednesday of the Month

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

ACCESS YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION ONLINE!!!!!

WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN UP FOR THE PATIENT
 PORTAL AT MICHIGAN HEART GROUP

·         24/7 accessibility to medical records and important health information form any computer or smart phone
·         Quicker test results online
·         You now have the ability to email the office securely for:
§  Direct messaging to your physician
§  Appointment requests
§  Prescription refill requests

                                                                                                                                                         

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE PATIENT PORTAL AT
 MICHIGAN HEART GROUP

·         Go to www.mhgpc.com
·         Click the link on the left hand side of the page that says “Patient Portal”
·         Click “Create an Account”
·         Fill in the necessary account information
·         You will be directed to page called “Select a Log-in Method”. Click on the logo..........

·         Create a Username and Password and enter in your email address.  Click “continue”
              **Write your username down somewhere secure, if lost we cannot 
                 recover it**
·         You will be directed to a page that says, “Request Connection to Healthcare Organization”.  Type in the zip code 48098 and hit enter, and then select “Connect” next to Michigan Heart Group.
·         Click on the “Next” button where you will be directed to ta page that says, “Sign Release of Information Authorization”.  Select “I Accept”.
·         Once your account has been matched with your health record at our office you will receive an email notification, then you are ready to use the portal and view all of your information.
                                                                                                                                                            

Monday, September 10, 2018

LAB RESULTS, HOW TO ENSURE YOU WILL GET YOURS...

Ever been to your doctor and asked for your lab results and they aren't in your chart? This is because while most office run on some type of EMR (Electronic Medical Record), those EMR's don't connect with one another.  So if you had labs done at your PCP (Primary Care Physicians) office and didn't ask them to forward them to your Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, Hematologist, etc. The only person seeing the blood work will be your PCP.

If you have blood work done at a lab such as Quest Diagnostic or a Beaumont Lab these labs will get mailed or faxed to  ONLY the ordering physician.  If any of your physicians have access to EPIC, (The EMR that Beaumont uses) then they will be able to access your records.  Unfortunately Quest labs don't have don't have a system physician's can access from their offices, so the only way a specific physician will get your results is if you tell Quest where to send them.

In review, Labs taken at:
Physicians office:  Ask them to send labs to every physician office you think may need or want them

Quest Diagnostic:  Ask them to send labs to every physician office you think may need or want them

Beaumont Lab:   Ask them to send labs to every physician office you think may need or want them (Just to be certain)

Friday, September 7, 2018

MEET OUR MHG PHYSICIAN EXTENDERS, AN EXTENSION OF YOUR HEART CARE TEAM! THIS MONTH WE RECOGNIZE DEB GOODALL

Beaumont Michigan Heart Group would like to introduce you to our physician extenders.  They are a critical part of the Cardiology team at Michigan Heart Group.  The Physician Extenders work hand and hand with the physicians, making decisions on the best treatment options for each patient on a case by case basis.  All of our extenders round on the weekends as well as work in the hospital during the week.  Most of our extenders also have office hours and we encourage our patients to feel comfortable following up with them in the office.  Our medical decisions are often a team approach that each extender is a part of and they are often at the forefront of each decision that is made.

The practice is made up of Interventionist (plumbers) and Electrophysiologist (electricians).  The plumbers are located at 4600 Investment Drive, #200, while the Electricians are in the building next door at 4550 Investment Dr., #250.  In addition Michigan Heart Group has two satellite offices to accommodate our out of town patients.  One in Macomb at 15959 Hall Road, #304, Macomb and another in Novi at Ten Mile and Haggerty, 39500 Ten Mile, #103, Novi. Each extender is trained and familiar with both specialties.

Each month we will be focusing on one extenders achievements, this month we recognize Debbie Goodall.

Debby Goodall, A.P.R.N, A.N.P.-B.C.:  Debby joined Michigan Heart Group in September 2007.  Debby started at Michigan State for undergrad and then continued her education at Oakland University, completing her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and then going on to get a Masters for Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.  She has worked in some form of Cardiology of the past 15 years.  Debby’s focus is on nutrition and eating the right types of foods.   She has office hours at both Michigan Heart Group on Monday afternoons and Michigan Heart Rhythm Group on Friday afternoons.



OUR EXTENDER TEAM AND WHERE YOU MAY SEE THEM:


Cheryl Vincent, APRN:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Rhythm Group all day Thursday and Friday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Anita Juriga, MSN, A.P.R.N:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Howard Hollinger, P.A.-C.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Tuesday and Wednesday.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Debby Goodall, RN. N.P.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group on Tuesday afternoons.  Also, sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Troy, covers Beaumont RO when needed.

Michelle Forcina, P.A.-C.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Rhythm Group all day Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Rounds at both William Beaumont Hospital- RO and Troy on the weekends.

Dawn Mitchell, A.C.N.P.:  Sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

Lily Paciorkowski, R.N., MSN:   Sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

Ryan Havens, R.N.,N.P.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group all day Monday and Friday afternoons Michigan Heart Rhythm Group.

Sarah Levin, R.N., N.P.:  Sees patients at Michigan Heart Group Monday and Thursday afternoons. Also, she sees patients at

Mariann Graham, R.N., BSN:  Sees patients at William Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak, covers Beaumont Troy when needed.

We are very fortunate to have such a great, caring and educated team working with us.  They look forward to meeting you and we hope you look forward to meeting them.

Thank you!
The Beaumont Michigan Heart Group Physicians

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

2018 MICHIGAN HEART GROUP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Michigan Heart Group closes in observance of all the major holiday's.  The 2017 days are listed below.  We ask, in order to ensure your prescriptions are refilled in time, please call at least one week prior to the holiday.  Calls taken after 10:00 am, the days before closing, are not guaranteed to be called in.



      





Monday


May 28, 2018


Memorial Day


Monday


July 4, 2018


Independence Day


Monday


September 3, 2018


Labor Day


Thursday


November 22, 2018


Thanksgiving


Friday


November 23, 2018


Day after Thanksgiving


Monday      


December 24, 2018


Christmas Eve (observed)     


Tuesday  


December 25, 2018


Christmas Day   


Monday       


Tuesday 
     

December 31, 2018


January 1, 2019

New Year’s Eve (observed)    (1/2 day)



New Year’s Eve   
 
 

Thank you:

The Michigan Heart Group Staff