Hurricane Assistance Sites on the Web
September 11, 2008 at 2:57 pm | In advocacy | Leave a CommentIn the midst of this season’s alphabet soup of storms, government officials are reminding both health care providers and their patients with chronic illness and disability to be aware and prepared.
The Interagency Coordinating Council on Individuals with Disabilities and Emergency Preparedness offers the following list of Web sites for information and resources:
Current information on storms from the National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov
Information on emergency resources and activities in the following states:
- Louisiana: www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/default.htm
- Texas: www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/publicinformation.htm
- Mississippi: www.msema.org
- Alabama:http://ema.alabama.gov
- Florida: www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
- Georgia: www.gema.state.ga.us
- South Carolina: www.sc.gov/Portal/Category/EMERGENCYMANAGEMENT
- North Carolina: http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/Index2.cfm?a=000003,000010
- Virginia: www.vdem.state.va.us
Information on hurricane preparedness: www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html
Up-to-date tracking of weather events where you live: www.weather.gov
This disability preparedness site also provides information on how people with and without disabilities can prepare for an emergency, along with information for family members of, and service providers to, people with disabilities at www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/ppp/disabil.htm.
In addition, the site includes information for first responders to help them better prepare for serving people with disabilities at www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/emrscp/index.htm.
WASHINGTON–On Aug. 31, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt declared a public health emergency in response to Hurricane Gustav to ensure that individuals, including those enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama continue to receive their health care items and services. For the full text of the waiver, click here.
Beneficiaries can call 1-800-Medicare for information about suppliers serving their current location. Those with access to the Internet can obtain a listing of suppliers at www.medicare.gov/supplier/home.asp.
Additional information about Hurricane Gustav (and others), including a complete list of common questions and answers, and several other announcements with hurricane information are posted at www.cms.hhs.gov/Emergency/02_Hurricanes.asp.
New Medicare Policy for Urinary Catheters
September 11, 2008 at 2:42 pm | In advocacy | Leave a CommentAs of April 1, Medicare approved a more generous policy for urinary catheters. You may see some suppliers begin to promote this, but the new policy applies to ALL suppliers. Instead of just 4 a month, your physician can write an order for one sterile urinary catheter per use, and Medicare should cover the cost at their pre-set approved rate. It will probably be necessary to get a new physician order to place on file with your supplier.
If you and your physician feel it is advisable to use a sterile catheter each time you catheterize your continent urostomy or natural bladder, this new Medicare policy allows that to happen with less financial burden on you. But bear in mind that if you have been doing well with washing and re-using urinary catheters, it is not necessary for you to change your practice - don’t feel pressured by a supplier into accepting a larger number.
Hello World,
September 11, 2008 at 2:38 pm | In advocacy | Leave a CommentWelcome to the blog of the UOAA. One section of the blog is that of the “ostomyadvocate”. Right now many entries to that section are being written by Linda Aukett, who is Advocacy Chair for the United Ostomy Associations of America.
It’s my hope and intent to bring you news of what is happening in the “ostomy and continent diversion” world that will have an impact on you when it comes to: public policy (the decisions made by government bodies), insurance (Medicare and other kinds); the activities of industry and various allied organizations and professional societies and, to a much lesser extent, the medical world in general. I will avoid strictly clinical matters, politics and religion.
In addition to bringing you news, I will also let you know when there are opportunities for you to have some impact on the above subjects that will make life better for folks like you and me (yes, I have an ostomy too). The words advocate and advocacy have a common root in the Latin words voc- or vox , meaning voice. When there is something happening that will negatively affect all of us, it doesn’t do much good if my voice is the only one being heard – we need all of you to use your voices too. We”ll help you know when and how to do that.
Again, welcome! I hope you will visit periodically to see what’s new.
Linda
Invisible Illness Awareness Week Brings Thousands Together Who “Get It”
September 9, 2008 at 8:31 pm | In advocacy | Leave a CommentTags: chronic illness, Crohn's disease, ostomy, ulcerative colitis
Living with an invisible illness can cause heartache and bitterness when one feels no one understands the significance of the illness. Invisible Illness Week provides that validation that people with invisible diseases often seek.
San Diego, CA — (SBWIRE) — 08/27/2008 — While we assume that most people are generally healthy, you may be surprised to find out that an alarming nearly 1 in 2 people in the United States live with a chronic illness. So why is it that most of us don’t even know when a friend or co-worker is dealing with diabetes, heart disease, lupus, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome? Because, according to the U.S. Census, about 96% of people have invisible illnesses.
National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is being held this year, September 8-14, 2008. It’s a secular event sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill. Visit the invisible illness awareness campaign’s web site at www.invisibleillnessblog.org . You can be encouraged through dozens of articles, including daily guest bloggers, find ideas to get involved in the outreach, and goodies to help promote awareness, from silicone bracelets to brochures. Tired of those looks when you park in a handicapped spot? Be sure to pick up a license plate or bumper sticker.
The focal point of the awareness campaign is September 8-12 (M-F) during which 20 telephone seminars will be held on a variety of topics and are open to anyone. Topics may also be of interest to those with loved-ones who have an illness. Some seminars include:
- Assess Yourself: Find the Job You Desire and Can Do Despite Illness Limitations
- The Civil Rights of Patients with Invisible Chronic Illnesses
- Overcoming Self-Defeating Behaviors
- Secrets of Paying for Medical Care
- How to Get Paid to Blog
- After the Diagnosis: The Journey Beyond
The theme this year is “Hope Can Grow From The Soil of Illness.”
Lisa Copen, 39, began National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in 2002 as she continuously witnessed hundreds of people emotionally hurting just because they felt as though no one “got it.” Lisa has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia for fifteen years and understands how validating it can be to just have one friend who you don’t have to explain everything to.
“Though there are hundreds of illnesses represented, and large differences in symptoms and pain levels, none of that matters more than feeling like someone understands you. When our best friends and family members are skeptical about our disease, it can be that last straw that sets us off into a spiraling depression.”
She says, “We plan to unite the millions of people who live with chronic pain and illness by offering an oasis of hope and understanding, as well as helpful information and practical tools to live the best life possible.”
Through the guest bloggers of Invisible Illness Week, to 20 seminars that supply tools to ensure that one is cared for–both body and soul–National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is succeeding in meeting that goal.
Find out more information and receive daily updates at http://www.invisibleillnessblog.org
Welcome
March 16, 2008 at 9:34 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentThank you for visiting the official blog of the United Ostomy Associations of America.
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