Issues in Healthcare

The semi-annual visit to the medical clinic at Waikiki Health Center (WHC) occurred on July 11th. The main purpose of the visit was an orientation with a new assigned physician. Blood tests were ordered, and a prescription for the new two-shot shingles vaccine was received. A referral to a dermatologist is being established in order to deal with facial warts. There will be another visit to the WHC later this month for another tooth cavity treatment. There are several more cavities remaining. Alas, so many visits to the clinic that it’s difficult not to feel like a decrepit senior citizen.

An interim self-treatment plan for the facial warts has been invoked using Differin® retinoid gel for acne problems. The active ingredient is a very low potency formula of the actual prescription medication. Hopefully, that will curb the problem until the visit with the dermatologist.

At this point in time, the goal is take care of as many of the medical issues as possible. Come November, there is a high probability that the Medicaid/Quest medical insurance coverage will be mummified as Medicare kicks in.

To receive nearly the equivalent coverage as Medicaid/Quest, there would be a monthly outlay of about $300 for the “optional” Medicare Parts B and D premiums. Currently, the decision has been made to decline the additional coverage unless Medicaid/Quest continues as an adjunct coverage.