Men's and Women's Heart Attack Symptoms: Know the Difference Joint Care for Young and Old
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41
| 20
TER
WIN
Your Health Matters
Men’s and Women’s
Heart Attack
Symptoms:
Know the Difference
Joint Care for
Young and Old
Winter
Safety Tips
Pennock_HG_WI14_H31511_08.indd 1 12/31/13 5:01 PM
Dear Friends,
2 FIND THE
HIDDEN HEART
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
The need for health care touches all of us but often in very
different ways, depending on who we are and where we
find ourselves in our life’s journey. This issue of Healthy Find the hidden heart in this issue of
Generations takes a balanced look at several healthcare Healthy Generations—see details
topics that are often considered in a more one-sided way. below—to win a Pennock coffee mug
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and and pound of State Grounds Coffee.
women but is often thought of as a “man’s disease.” On pages
4 and 5, you can read about how heart attack symptoms differ
Send an email or postcard with your
between men and women, as well as about a new initiative at name, address, and phone number,
Pennock Health Services that provides faster treatment in the crucial along with the page number and location
first minutes of a heart attack. of the stethoscope, and tell us what you
think of our new, expanded magazine
Although joint replacements are more common at older ages, the orthopedic
conditions or injuries that typically lead to surgery can begin at younger and any topics you would like to know
ages. Articles on pages 8 and 9 can help younger adults keep their joints more about.
healthy, help parents avoid orthopedic injuries in teen athletes, and help
people at any age examine their options for knee replacement. Email jdalman@pennockhealth.com,
subject line: Health, or mail to: Pennock
On this page, you can read the inspiring story of our new physician, Dr. Thai. Marketing, 1009 W. Green St.,
As a child, she saw her father, an educator, provide lifesaving health care on
a refugee boat when the family was fleeing Vietnam. Hastings, MI 49058.
A winning entry will be drawn from all
You can also read about how to more effectively make new year changes on
page 3, winter healthcare tips on page 10, and an update on affordable health responses received by February 7, 2014.
insurance options on page 11. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Employees and immediate family
On pages 6 and 7, you can read about our services and hospital-wide makeover. members of Pennock Health Services
Whoever you are—male or female, young or old, responding to healthcare are not eligible.
challenges or working to stay healthy—Pennock can help. We are dedicated
to providing people in West Michigan with the care they need, when
they need it. We appreciate your trust in us. Please enjoy this issue of
Healthy Generations.
Sincerely,
The mission of Pennock Health Services
is to provide quality health services delivered
in a personal, professional, and progressive
Sheryl Lewis Blake, FACHE
manner in partnership with the community.
Chief Executive Officer Our vision is to be the best community
healthcare organization delivering
exceptional quality and personalized care.
Chief Executive Officer
Sheryl Lewis Blake, FACHE
Meet Dr. Thai Editor-in-Chief
Janine Dalman
Publisher
Uyen Hoang Thai-Budzinski, DO, family medicine Liz Presnell
physician at Pennock Health Services
Managing Editor
Rich Bailey
How did I become interested in medicine? My parents have been
the inspiration and motivation for who I am today. They made sacrifices to Contributing Writers
provide their children with opportunities and a future in a free country. We Thomas Crocker, Valerie Lauer, Tiffany Parnell,
left Vietnam as boat refugees in 1979. They instilled not only confidence but, most importantly, compassion Colin Stayton, Rachel Stewart, Jonelle Todd,
and Laura Ward
for others, and these qualities guided me to my interest in medicine. My mother was a nurse midwife. My
father’s background was in education, but when faced with a challenge while on the refugee boat, he not only Designer
delivered an infant but resuscitated her and saved her life. Skye Childers
What do I find most rewarding in my work? I am very happy when the time and great effort I spend Developed By
to help a patient understand disease processes, long-term complications, treatments, side effects, and True North Custom, (800) 624-7496
prevention lead to improving his or her health.
This publication in no way seeks to diagnose
What would I like readers to know about me? I am a goal-oriented daughter, sister, wife, mother, and or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for
physician, but overall I am a humble, devoted, compassionate, average person guided by my strong faith and professional medical care. Please see your
family values to help others. physician if you have a health problem.
What do I do away from work? I enjoy relaxing and spending time with my husband, Joe, and our children,
Jonathan and Grace Ann, planning home projects, visiting families, cooking, and trying new recipes.
Pennock_HG_WI14_H31511_08.indd 2 12/31/13 5:01 PM
SIPS
3
Your Way to
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
New Year’s
Success
S PECIFIC
You may already know that you want to save money, be more
active, or make more time for family or friends, but knowing
and doing are two different things. Determine what you want
and plan exactly how to get it from the start. Having a
detailed, written record can help keep you on track.
Consider including a timeline, step-by-step objectives,
and a list of resources you’ll need to succeed. Check
your plan periodically for an instant productivity boost.
I NCREMENTAL
Making sweeping changes to your lifestyle can be uncom-
fortable and disruptive, so try making small ones instead.
Think of them as stepping stones on the path to your goal.
Try adjusting one habit each week. Before you know it, these
small changes will add up to a whole new way of living, and
your big mission—getting organized, learning something
new, quitting smoking, etc.— will be within your reach.
P UBLIC
You don’t have to go it alone. In fact, telling others about
your goal not only holds you accountable for the improve-
ments you’ve resolved to make, but it also opens up the
possibility of gaining allies who are on board for changing
for the better, too. If you have a fitness goal, working out with
a friend helps keep you motivated. Studies suggest people
who work out with friends lose more weight than those who
try on their own.
S UBSTITUTIONS
Making positive changes is a good thing, and ditching bad
habits at the same time gives those new ones a big boost.
It’s empowering to leave unhealthy practices in the past.
Try swapping a fatty afternoon snack for a crisp apple or a
quick stroll with coworkers. Replace an expensive weekend
shopping trip with a brisk walk or workout at the gym.
It’s a new year and,
FOR MORE TIPS ON GETTING WELL AND STAYING WELL, VISIT
like 45 percent of
WWW.PENNOCKHEALTH.COM AND SELECT “HEALTHY LIVING.”
Americans, you’ve
resolved to make
a change. Here is
NEED HELP?
a simple, four-step TRY THESE HEALTH RESOURCES:
guide to setting the • For tips on staying well, check out the B.Healthy Barry County website—
kind of goal you can visit www.bhealthybarrycounty.com.
actually achieve. • Start a healthy workout routine at Pennock’s Health & Wellness Center—
for more information, visit www.pennockhealth.com/gym.html.
• For help to quit smoking—call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Pennock_HG_WI14_H31511_08.indd 3 12/31/13 5:01 PM
4
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
120 200
BLOOD PRESSURE 80 CHOLESTEROL MG/DL
Be Sure You’re
Heart Healthy
Although many people think of heart disease as a HIS SYMPTOMS—THE USUAL SUSPECTS
“man thing,” it’s the leading cause of death for both The most common and well-recognized heart
men and women in the U.S. attack symptom is chest pain. In men, chest pain
often radiates down one or both arms. According
Protect yourself by understanding some essential to the American Heart Association, some people
numbers—levels of good and bad cholesterol, experience sudden chest pain that lasts for several
blood pressure, and blood sugar. Talk to your minutes, while others experience intermittent pain.
doctor about what your numbers mean and Sometimes, feelings of chest fullness, chest pressure,
Michael Lojek, MD
about the big picture of heart health. Most risk or indigestion are reported. Less common symptoms
factors for a heart attack are controllable, including include shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, fainting, or
smoking, abnormal or high cholesterol, high blood dizziness, according to the National Institutes of Health.
pressure, alcohol consumption, obesity, stress, not
getting enough exercise, and poor diet. “While these are the most common symptoms, not every
man experiences every symptom,” says Michael Lojek, MD,
Are you eating a heart-healthy diet? Do you get 30 minutes cardiologist on the medical staff at Pennock Hospital. “Heart
of moderate-intensity exercise on most days? attacks may occur with no symptoms at all for both men
and women.”
Also, be sure you know the symptoms of a heart attack. Most
people think a real heart attack looks like one on television: a While some heart attacks occur without warning, fatigue,
dramatic event that leaves little doubt as to what is happen- chest pain, and heart palpitations during exercise all
ing. In reality, the signs of heart attack can be much more suggest cardiovascular disease, which means an increased
subtle and are often different for men and women. risk for heart attack.
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5
ENHANCED
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
CARDIAC CARE
As part of its commitment to delivering the best possible care, Pennock
Health Services is participating in Project UPSTART, a nationwide
initiative that seeks to reduce the time between a patient’s arrival at the
emergency department (ED) and restoration of blood flow within the
blocked artery responsible for a heart attack.
Since implementing Project UPSTART, the Pennock ED staff has reduced
the time it takes to get a patient established for transfer to an appropri-
ate cardiac catheterization laboratory to an average of 15 minutes.
“Project UPSTART is a fantastic program that has resulted in improved
outcomes for our patients,” says Lori Meindertsma, RN, director of
emergency services at Pennock. “Our goal is for patients to be in the
catheterization lab receiving treatment within 90 minutes of their arrival
at the emergency department, and by reducing assessment and transfer
time, we are better able to meet this goal.”
To learn more about Project UPSTART, visit www.projectupstart.com.
100
BLOOD SUGAR MG/DL
Think you’re not at risk for a heart
attack? No matter how healthy
you feel, be sure you know your
numbers, talk to your doctor
about risk factors, and learn the
symptoms of a heart attack …
just in case.
HER SYMPTOMS—EASY TO MISS OR MISINTERPRET
Not all heart attack symptoms are created equal. The
Women’s Heart Foundation reports that one-third of
women do not experience chest pain during a heart attack.
Women are also more likely to experience a wider range of
symptoms, including chest pain, back pain, nausea or upper
abdominal pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness,
sweating, and extreme fatigue, according to the American
Heart Association.
Many women mistakenly disregard their symptoms, believing
they are simply the result of stress or an illness, such as the flu.
Some women report no symptoms at all before a heart attack. DIAL 911
If you or a loved one experience chest pain or any combination of
“Women are more likely to dismiss their symptoms or delay
symptoms that could indicate a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
treatment,” says Brent Webb, RN, director of specialty
services at Pennock Health Services. “This can have serious “Any time a heart attack is suspected, it is important to quickly seek
consequences. Far more women die of heart disease than help,” says Matthew Scarff, MD, emergency physician at Pennock
from breast cancer.” Health Services. “We would much rather see a patient in the emergency
department and realize it’s a false alarm than have someone delay
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CARDIAC SERVICES PROVIDED potentially lifesaving treatment because they are unsure if their
THROUGH PENNOCK, VISIT WWW.PENNOCKHEALTH.COM. symptoms are serious.”
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6
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
Look at What’s
HERE!
Pennock Health Services
continues to add more of
the healthcare options you
want, right here in the heart
of Barry County. From state-
of-the-art diagnostics and
procedures to top-notch
services, Pennock is
changing health
care—for
the better!
Pennock_HG_WI14_H31511_08.indd 6 12/31/13 5:01 PM
EXTRAORDINARY CARE, RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD 7
We hope you stay healthy enough not to experience our most advanced
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
diagnostic and treatment capabilities. But we want you to know that
Pennock is ready to take care of you when you need us, with the latest
technology, the highest caliber of doctors and nurses, and one-of-a-kind
personal service. And we’re close to home, where you need us. Take a look
at some of our convenient, top-notch services.
Orthopedics
MUSCLE-SAVING HIP REPLACEMENT
Pennock offers the most up-to-date surgical techniques for hip and knee replacement.
Anterior hip replacement allows your surgeon to reach the hip joint from the
WHAT’S NEW AT
front, rather than the back. No muscle tissue is cut or removed, so you experience PENNOCK? A LOT.
reduced pain, less blood loss, and faster recovery. We also offer the Legion™ Knee We’ve just finished a hospital-wide makeover
Replacement System with Verilast™ Technology, which is the first replacement joint to improve patients’ experience at Pennock and
designed and tested to last 30 years, more than twice as long as other knees. create the best possible healing environment.
Women’s Services Every patient room has been renovated and
converted to a private room. Research shows
ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT SERVICES
that the calmer, quieter environment of a private
In addition to Pennock’s comprehensive program of primary health services
room promotes quicker recovery. All rooms are
for women, we offer many specialized services for breast care, including digital
now equipped with state-of-the-art monitors and
mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and
equipment that make it easier for our medical
breast scintigraphy, which allows more accurate imaging for women with dense
staff to do their jobs without disturbing patients
or lumpy breasts. We use da Vinci® robotic surgery to perform many services—
and families. Rooms are larger, making it more
including hysterectomy, fibroid removal, pelvic floor procedures, and cancer
comfortable for loved ones to spend time with the
treatment—on a minimally invasive basis.
patient, providing support and aiding in recovery.
Heart & Vascular Services Warm colors and wood paneling are more
welcoming than a traditional hospital room.
BETTER IMAGING, BETTER DIAGNOSIS
Our new state-of-the-art GE Nuclear Medicine Camera—one of only three in In the last year, the hospital implemented a new
the state of Michigan—performs the most up-to-date imaging and diagnostic wayfinding system. Clearer and simpler signs
testing. We offer stress echocardiogram and nuclear stress testing. With our new make it easier for you to get where you need to be.
technology, we can view the heart with a patient lying on the stomach, called
prone imaging, which allows the radiologist to better diagnose heart disease.
Robotic Surgery
SMALLER INCISIONS, EASIER RECOVERY
Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System uses a
small number of tiny incisions to reduce hospital stay and recovery time. Pennock
offers da Vinci single-site gallbladder surgery, which uses a single incision in the
belly button to reduce scarring. Our surgeons use Firefly technology—infrared
imaging that lets them see better inside the body during surgery—to accurately
distinguish healthy and unhealthy tissue. This is particularly important to improve
patient safety and outcomes with bowel surgeries.
Diagnostics
FASTER INFECTION FIGHTING
Our super-fast Biofire FilmArray® instrument uses DNA sequencing to analyze
a patient’s blood sample for 23 specific bacterial and viral pathogens in a total
of one hour. This instrument—together with another test called Procalcitonin—
dramatically shortens the time needed to get a patient the right antibiotic to fight
infection. Pennock offers an array of testing options and procedures using the
very latest in diagnostic technology, such as our MRI and 64-slice CT scanner.
Why travel miles out of your way when you can have your diagnostic tests
done right here at Pennock?
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PENNOCK’S EXTRAORDINARY CARE THAT IS CLOSE
TO HOME, VISIT WWW.PENNOCKHEALTH.COM AND SELECT “MEDICAL SERVICES.”
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8
Orthopedic
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
Care at
Every Age
Joint replacement can be a blessing for someone
who’s in chronic pain, but taking steps to prevent
long-term joint damage is an even better option. Help
healthy joints stay that way.
Keeping Joints Healthy
Protecting your joints while you are young can help you avoid • Control your weight. Excess pounds place extra stress
painful joint conditions later in life. on joints.
INJURIES AND OVERUSE • Exercise safely. Warm up before working out and cool
Young, active adults are vulnerable to an array of down afterward. Use the proper technique, equipment, and
orthopedic injuries, including sprained or torn ligaments, protective gear for your sport. Mix up your exercise routine
particularly the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the to avoid an overuse injury.
knee. Not all joint injuries are traumatic. Overuse injuries
occur when the joint is exposed to repetitive stress and • Strengthen muscles around
not given time to heal. Some of the most common overuse the knee to help support
injuries among young adults affect the hand and wrist, the joint.
elbow, and shoulder.
• Improve balance, flexibility,
ARTHRITIS and agility. This helps prevent
An injured or overused joint is more likely to develop osteo- injuries from falls, twisting,
arthritis, a chronic condition in which the cartilage cushion sudden stops or changes of
between bones breaks down. The soreness, stiffness, and direction, or landing in an
pain of osteoarthritis can make it difficult to walk or perform awkward position.
daily activities, and may require surgical repair or even
joint replacement. • Pay attention to pain.
Avoid lasting damage to the When joint conditions or injuries
arise, physical therapy is often an
MAKE A JOINT EFFORT joint by seeing your physician important component of treatment
To help keep your joints healthy for a lifetime: promptly about any injury. and recovery.
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Helping Young Athletes Avoid Injury 9
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
Children and teens participating in sports and recreational To prevent orthopedic injuries, the American Academy of
activities are susceptible to orthopedic injuries that can spoil a Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests making sure your child:
season or even sideline them for good.
• warms up before practice or play
Acute injuries include broken bones, sprained ligaments, • wears the proper protective equipment
and strained muscles and tendons. Most are caused when a • learns correct body mechanics, form, and technique
child falls, twists, or strikes something during play. • participates in a conditioning program geared to the sport
• gets adequate rest
Overuse injuries are caused by repeated, excessive • limits participation and training to one sport per season
stress on growing bones, joints, and connective tissues, • never “plays through the pain”
especially in the elbows and knees. They can cause pain
and functional impairments that last into young adulthood Tell your child you want to know about any aches or soreness,
and beyond. and make a visit to your pediatrician or family doctor if pain
persists or recurs.
Growth plate injuries may be caused by a blow or by
overuse. The growth plates, located at both ends of the long PENNOCK HEALTH SERVICES OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF ORTHOPEDIC
bones in the arms and legs, are where bone tissue is weakest. AND PAIN MANAGEMENT SERVICES. TO LEARN
While most heal completely, some injuries can stop the bone MORE, VISIT WWW.PENNOCKHEALTH.COM/
from growing normally. BONEANDJOINT.HTML.
Knee Replacement Q & A
If you’re considering joint replacement surgery because you’re tired of living with knee pain,
here’s what you should know. James Horton Jr., DO
Q: Am I a candidate for knee replacement surgery? experience discomfort the first week home. After the pain
subsides, you will undergo physical therapy for anywhere
A: If you agree with any of the following statements, you may between two weeks and two months.
be a candidate for knee replacement:
· My knee pain prevents me from walking more than a few “Advanced surgical techniques allow us to make smaller inci-
blocks at a time. sions with less trauma to surrounding tissue, which results
· I have to use a cane or walker to get around. in shorter recovery periods,” Dr. Horton says. “If you have a
· My knee hurts even when I’m resting. desk job, you can return to work in as little as two weeks.”
· My knee is often inflamed or swollen despite adequate rest
and medication. STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? CALL HASTINGS ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC AT
· Conservative treatments have failed to improve the pain. (269) 945-9520 TO SET UP A CONSULTATION WITH AN ORTHOPEDIC
SURGEON.
“Surgery can be a highly effective treatment for knee
arthritis, but it should be considered a last resort,” says
James Horton Jr., DO, orthopedic surgeon at Pennock Health
Avoiding Surgery
Services and Hastings Orthopedic Clinic. “We often recom- If you’re just beginning to experience arthritic knee pain, you still have
mend further conservative measures, such as weight loss and time to improve symptoms and stop further joint damage. Here are a
cortisone injections, before considering surgery.” few lifestyle changes that can help:
Q: Am I too young for knee replacement surgery? · Lose excess body fat. If you’re overweight, losing 5 to 10 percent of
your body weight can significantly reduce strain on your knee joints.
A: The average age of a knee replacement recipient is around
68, and most recipients are at least 50 years old. However, · Maintain motion. Exercises and stretches that increase range of
advances in artificial knee joints have increased the average motion and flexibility can diminish joint stiffness over time.
life of a knee replacement, with some implants lasting as long
as 25 years. If you’re in your 40s and have severe arthritis · Lower your impact. Keep your joints moving with low-impact
that hasn’t responded well to conservative treatments, you activities, such as biking or swimming.
may be eligible.
· Strengthen muscles. Performing leg lifts and dips strengthens the
Q: What is recovery like? muscles around your knee, providing more cushioning and joint support.
A: Patients who undergo total knee replacement are usually For more ideas on how to stay healthy, please visit
hospitalized for three or four days, while partial knee replace- www.pennockhealth.com.
ments may only require a one-day hospital stay. Expect to
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10
Outwit Old Cold weather can take a toll on
seniors’ health, but a few simple
Man Winter
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
prevention strategies can help you
weather winter hazards.
First, get a flu shot. It’s one of the most
important actions you can take to
protect your health.
“Seniors are particularly vulnerable
to the flu because their immune
systems are slower to respond than
when they were younger,” says
David Parker, MD, internal medicine
physician with Pennock Health
Services. “If they catch the virus, the
results can be severe. Vaccination
decreases the risk of developing
flu and can reduce the severity of
symptoms if infection occurs.”
Next, follow these tips to avoid other
common winter pitfalls:
• Dress warmly, but loosely. Hypothermia—dangerously hours of daylight during winter. If you develop persistent
low body temperature—can occur in any cold environment, or worsening symptoms of depression, seek help from a
even indoors. Wearing several loose layers of clothing will medical professional.
help retain heat better than close-fitting items, which make
blood circulation and body temperature regulation difficult. • Tread carefully. Stay indoors during snowy or icy
conditions if you can, but if you must venture outside, wear
• Maintain healthy habits. Exercising, eating healthily, non-skid boots, walk or shuffle slowly, and only use cleared
and getting plenty of sleep help prevent seasonal affective paths. If you lose your balance, try to fall on your side.
disorder, a form of depression associated with fewer
IF THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS THIS WINTER, OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND PENNOCK URGENT CARE ARE HERE FOR YOU SEVEN
DAYS A WEEK. TO FIND OUT WHERE TO SEEK TREATMENT, VISIT WWW.PENNOCKHEALTH.COM AND CLICK “URGENT & EMERGENT CARE”
IN THE “MEDICAL SERVICES” DROPDOWN MENU.
Heat Your Home Safely
Follow these home heating “dos and don’ts” to stay safe and snug this winter.
• Do ensure your home • Don’t allow space • Do have the chimney • Don’t use a gas stove
has working smoke heaters to overload of your wood-burning to heat your home.
and carbon monoxide circuits, and don’t use fireplace cleaned and
detectors. them in small spaces inspected before use, • Do crack open a
near flammable items. and keep a fireplace window when using a
screen in place when a kerosene heater.
fire is burning.
The Pennock Foundation is once again providing a grant to the Barry County United Way, which
coordinates with Barry County fire departments to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to
area residents to make homes safer this winter. If your home needs smoke detectors—and you’re
older than 55 or your family’s income is less than $40,000 per year—you might qualify to have a
firefighter visit and install or replace the devices and batteries, as needed.
TO APPLY FOR A SMOKE DETECTOR, VISIT WWW.BCUNITEDWAY.ORG AND CLICK “SMOKE
DETECTOR PROGRAM” IN THE “OUR WORK” DROPDOWN MENU, OR CALL BARRY COUNTY
UNITED WAY AT 269-945-4010.
Pennock_HG_WI14_H31511_08.indd 10 12/31/13 5:02 PMYou +
11
H EALTH Y G EN ER ATI ON S
Health in
2014 =
If purchasing
insurance
coverage on
the healthcare
exchange
remains on your to do
list after January 1, 2014, don’t
Are You
worry. You still have time to get
the health coverage you and you
family need.
If you have coverage
by March 31, 2014,
you will avoid an income
Enrolled?
tax penalty. But remember
that it may take a few weeks
for your coverage to begin
after you sign up, so don’t
wait until the last minute.
With more than 43 health plans to
choose from in Michigan, it’s natural to
feel overwhelmed by choices. Here are
some considerations to keep in mind as
you weigh your options.
CHANGE YOUR COVERAGE IF YOU NEED TO
FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU NEED Did you sign up for a plan then decide another plan will work
While all insurance plans must include essential health benefits, better? You can change your coverage as long as it hasn’t
premiums and cost sharing will vary. Plans fall into three cat- gone into effect. For example, if you sign up between now
egories: bronze, silver, and gold. Bronze is the most affordable and March 31 but decide on another plan, you can switch to
but isn’t as comprehensive as plans that cost more; gold has the the new plan before May.
best benefits and is the most expensive; silver is in the middle
in terms of both premiums and benefits. When selecting a plan, DON’T GET PENALIZED
you should also consider how long your coverage would last. If you don’t have health coverage—through the healthcare
exchange or your employer—you might face a tax penalty.
• If you’re an individual or employer, it’s as easy as visiting Depending on your income, tax penalties in 2014 range
www.healthcare.gov, choosing “Apply Online,” then and from $95 for individuals to $285 for a family of four. If you’re
selecting “Michigan” from the dropdown menu. putting off signing up because you’re confused or over-
whelmed, each state has specially trained navigators who can
• If you’re registering your children for the Children’s Health walk you through different plans and explain the differences.
Insurance program, visit www.insurekidsnow.gov. In the state of Michigan, they are divided by districts, so visit
www.enrollmichigan.com, then click “Find Your Navigator”
• For Medicaid coverage, visit www.michigan.gov to see if —under the “Individuals & Families” or “Small Businesses”
you qualify for coverage. pulldown menus—to locate the one closest to you.
FOR HELP ENROLLING, YOU CAN VISIT WWW.LOCALHELP.HEALTHCARE.GOV, OR CALL 1-800-318-2596, OR CALL THE BARRY-EATON DISTRICT
HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT 269-945-9516, OPTION 4.
Pennock_HG_WI14_H31511_08.indd 11 12/31/13 5:02 PMZ IP C
OM O
FR Nonprofit Org.
DE
U.S. Postage
M AILED
24 5 0 6
1009 W Green Street PAID
Permit No. 830
Hastings, MI 49058
Come in for
{
gallbladder
surgery.
Go home with
virtually no scars.
At Pennock, it’s possible. Robotic-assisted da Vinci Single-Site surgery
requires only one incision in your belly button. That means less pain, less
time in the hospital, and quicker recovery—so you can get back to your
daily activities sooner and hit the beach with confidence. Our physicians
perform colorectal, general, gynecologic, thoracic, and urological
procedures right in the robotic surgical suite at Pennock.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR ROBOTIC SURGERY OPTIONS AT PENNOCK,
VISIT WWW.PENNOCKHEALTH.COM, CLICK ON “MEDICAL SERVICES,” THEN
SELECT “ROBOTIC SURGERY” OR CONTACT PENNOCK’S HASTINGS SURGEONS
OFFICE AT 269-948-8411.
www.pennockhealth.com/robotics.html
Pennock_HG_WI14_H31511_08.indd 12 12/31/13 5:02 PMYou can also read
