Smart Choices
by Thomas Miller, RPh, Topeka Pharmacy
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
N
o matter what your
politics are, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also
known as Obamacare, will
have an impact. We hear many questions about this topic and would like to
highlight the following to help you understand some of the coming changes:
•
•
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The government will try to make
affordable health care available
to most people, with the focus
being on prevention and wellness,
and over-all reduction of healthcare spending.
There will be more emphasis on
communication between providers
and specialists in order to avoid
tests being repeated unnecessarily.
Payment to healthcare providers
will be affected by how well the
patient does in the long run.
In keeping with this emphasis on
prevention and wellness, we can all
make important choices concerning
our own health. Some ideas are:
•
Care at “home” will be emphasized
and will be reimbursed by insurance more often than before.
•
Healthy eating and wellness will
result in lower “out of pocket”
expense … we can all share the
benefit over time.
Wellness exams and screenings
will be covered more completely
for virtually everyone.
Sponsored by
260-593-2252 • 101 N Main. St. • Topeka, IN
Maintain or establish a healthy
weight through sensible eating and
regular exercise.
•
Make fast food and big sugary
drinks a treat ... not a lifestyle!
•
Get immunized (even adults).
•
Wash your hands regularly, especially during the flu season.
•
Do routine maintenance with your
primary providers (doctor, dentist,
eye doctor) in order to catch health
problems early.
Payment to hospitals and posthospital care will be based more on
•
the achievement of positive results
of treatment.
•
•
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Avoid known harmful habits like
the use of tobacco and illegal
drugs, or excess alcohol use.
The new healthcare law will involve
a “Marketplace” that will open October 1, 2013. Coverage will start on
January 1, 2014. If you do not have
coverage, there will be a penalty that
will increase yearly to the maximum
allowed. The penalty will be waived if
you belong to certain groups including
the Amish church. Go to www.healthcare.gov for more information and
enrollment, or call 800-318-2596. Your
pharmacy will also be able to help you
navigate the new marketplace.
As always, you can count on
Topeka Pharmacy for classes on wellness and diabetes. We have a dietitian
on staff to help you and your family
achieve better health every day.
Phone 260.768.7043 • Fax 260.768.7085
24 Hour Service 260.463.1404
Ryan Miller • Glen Miller
Monday - Friday 8-5 • Saturday 8-1
7965W 050N • Suite 1 • Shipshewana, IN 46565
½ mile south of US 20 on the left hand side
in the old Double Eagle Building
New & Used Tires
Major Brand Tires
Off Brand Tires • Flat Repairs
Custom Wheels • Trailer Wheels
Brakes • Oil Changes
Suspension • Ball Joints
Tranny Flushes • Much More
We do tires for: Semis • Trucks
SUVs • Farm Equipment • Etc.
Think Power Equipment
Think Wana Engine
Honda Tillers
Honda
Mowers
Honda Electric
Start Generators
Wide Cut
Mowers
Wana Engine Center
Shipshewana • 260-768-4165