What can we do for you? Call the
Aspirus General Clinic to make an
appointment at
715-623-2351
.
A COUGH THAT WON’T GO AWAY.
A
swollen ankle. A sore wrist.
These could signal something as
benign as a common cold or a mild
sprain or as serious as cancer. It’s nice
to know you can take these concerns
to someone you trust—someone who
knows more than just your name.
That person is your primary care
physician (PCP). PCPs can respond to health issues ranging
from the straightforward to the more complicated. And
they are familiar with you and your health care needs.
Not Just Any Doctor
When you have a health issue, your PCP is the first person
you call. PCPs are doctors who specialize in treating the
whole person. For example, they can:
➜
Offer preventive care.
➜
Answer medical questions with sound, specific advice.
➜
Manage care for chronic conditions, such as diabetes
or heart disease.
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS
Your Partners in Health
Lakshmi Deep,
MD
➜
Refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist, surgeon
or oncologist, when you need to see one.
➜
Coordinate your health care, lab tests and medications
among multiple health care providers.
Choosing a PCP
A good relationship with your PCP can have a positive
effect on your health and health care. If you don’t already
have a PCP, make choosing the right one a priority. Look
for someone you feel comfortable with.
Be sure to choose the right doctor for your age
and health history. Often, PCPs are internists, family
physicians or pediatricians. Family physicians
treat people of all ages, from infants to older adults;
pediatricians specialize in children’s health; and
internists focus on health issues
common just to adults.
Sources: American Academy of
Family Physicians; American
College of Physicians
JAN. 1 MARKED MORE
than the beginning of 2014. It
also marked the date when many key provisions of the
Affordable Care Act took effect.
These provisions are intended to make it easier for
you to purchase health insurance. They also provide new
protections if you already have health care coverage. For
instance, as of Jan. 1:
Health exchanges offer affordable insurance
options.
The exchanges are online marketplaces where
you can shop for health plans. All of the plans must meet
certain standards for benefits and costs. Some of the
exchanges are run by the federal government. Others
are run by individual states. You can sign up online
at
Tax credits help many people buy insurance.
These
credits are available to people with incomes between 100
and 400 percent of the poverty guidelines who can’t afford
coverage elsewhere.
Access to Medicaid increases.
In Wisconsin, if
you earn less than 100 percent of the Federal Poverty
2014: The Affordable Care Act
Hits Full Stride
Level,
you’re
eligible to
enroll in this
government-based
insurance program.
Coverage can’t be
denied because of
pre-existing conditions.
This protection applies if you’re
seeking new coverage or renewing an existing policy.
Annual benefit caps are banned.
This means
insurance companies cannot put limits on the benefits
you receive in any given year.
Originally, another key aspect of the law was expected
to kick in on Jan. 1: Large employers were supposed to
begin offering their workers affordable health coverage or
face fines. That provision has now been delayed a year in
order to help businesses comply with the law.
Sources: Healthcare.gov; U.S. Department of the Treasury
• Pathways
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