From humble beginnings at the Kingsford House location, yoga studio in Oswego now features seven certified instructors and 100 participants By Tom and Jerry Caraccioli   As you enter Blossom…

By Lisa Harris, MD   Navigating health after 55 is about being informed, staying proactive, and working closely with your healthcare provider. As senior vice president and chief medical officer…

If you run out of alternatives, a temporary solution to get insurance could be healthcare sharing ministries By Jim Miller   There are several places early retirees can find health…

Transportation is often the missing piece By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant   Karli Byrd, corporate relations manager at ConnextCare in Pulaski, shared how the countywide organization helps patients who need assistance…

What’s the key to thriving in this competitive field? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant   Medical spas typically offer moderately invasive cosmetic procedures like Botox injection along with skin and sometimes…

You have options when it comes to large hospital bills you can’t payBy Deborah Jeanne SergeantThe average hospital stay costs $2,883 per day, in addition to expenses for lab work and specialists.A lengthy hospital stay can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although insurance can certainly help defray the out-of-pocket expense, it doesn’t guarantee affordable care.“Gone are the days of a $20 co-pay,” said Marissa Vartak, family nurse practitioner, board certified in family medicine and owner of On Care Family Health in Cicero. “Ninety percent of my patients have $6,000 deductibles.”These high deductible plans often cover up to 80% of the amount left after the $6,000 deductible has been met.A person with this type of insurance plan would pay $10,800 for a $60,000 hospital bill (a three-week stay, plus lab work and tests) after paying the $6,000 deductible, making their total out-of-pocket cost $16,800.Many people would find this sum out of reach, especially if they have missed work because of their hospitalization or if they live on a fixed income.Although most hospitals will set up a payment plan, unfortunately, many turn to suing patients to collect overdue bills. According to a sample of more than 500 hospitals across the (more…)

The market just became more competitive with the entry of St. Joseph’s Health: Does Central New York have enough cancer patients? By Aaron Gifford For years, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer…

Oswego is the latest to get dental services from Pulaski-based provider By Stefan Yablonski ConnextCare’s registered dental hygienist Holly Steffen began seeing dental patients at the school-based health center at…

It was all the rage during the pandemic years. Now, not so much, but experts say it remains popular for certain things By Stefan Yablonski There are several factors driving…