Health care tops concerns for seniors, boomers in Fairbanks
Published Thursday, December 4, 2008
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — A survey of senior citizens and baby boomers in Fairbanks shows older residents feel the community needs to address a shortage of health care options.
State leaders already lament slim access for seniors to doctors and health care providers, citing a physician shortage as one cause.
The survey indicates the availability of doctors — either focused specifically on Medicare patients or, more generally, on older patients — emerged as the most important services among seniors and those nearing retirement age. It also showed residents are less satisfied with the low availability of doctors accepting Medicare patients than with services like transportation and recreation.
A state senior-issue specialist indicated the findings reflect similar sentiments in other parts of the state and in parts of the Pacific Northwest.
“(And) we’re lucky we have one or two” doctors who specialize in Medicare services in Fairbanks, said Torie Foote, a former assemblywoman who helped organize the survey. She said other major cities in Alaska have none.
A report including the results of the survey, “Seniors and Future Seniors in the Fairbanks North Star Borough: A Quality of Life Assessment,” suggests Fairbanks should open a center to help agencies and service groups collaborate to address health care issues, from planning transportation services to sharing referrals and providing home-care services.
The survey, conducted earlier this year when energy costs were temporarily headed through the roof, also found seniors cite slim affordable housing and expensive home-heating costs as major issues that influence their decision to either stay or leave town.
The survey project was funded by the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and released this winter.
The borough government helped pay for the study to learn more about issues important to seniors in and near Fairbanks.
The heavy importance placed on health care in Fairbanks could result partly from a well-documented doctor shortage in Alaska. Judith Bendersky, who directs the state’s Senior Information Office, said Alaska has plenty of well-covered, privately insured residents who often become the focus of many doctors’ practices. The few providers that do accept Medicare patients, she said, find that the government’s reimbursement rates are too low to cover their high operating expenses.
“There is a crisis for seniors to find a primary care provider who will care for them,” Bendersky said of the doctor shortage. She said problems similar to those seen in Alaska, which lacks a medical school, exist in varying degrees in parts of Oregon, Idaho and Washington. “Many seniors wind up going to an emergency room for simple medical problems that could be taken care of by a primary care physician.”
Organizers of the study also recommended that Fairbanks, if it wants to help hospitals and clinics attract more doctors, take steps to boost the general quality of life. The study focused on improving schools and expanding cultural opportunities.
The borough government has only a limited legal power to directly address health and social service issues — basically through grants like the one funding the study — and lacks the authority to, for example, directly address the lingering issue of alcoholism.
The survey indicated, however, that many residents mistakenly believe the borough government carries the power to confront social service and health issues. The borough acquired its limited health powers in 1993 through a public election, borough attorney Rene Broker said. Public officials have occasionally discussed expanding those powers, most recently when the topic of alcoholism arose during discussion of alcohol taxes early this decade.
“Those type of social service issues have been the most commonly requested, but they’ve never gone anywhere,” Broker said of limited proposals to expand public health powers.
The study was pitched earlier this year partly as a tool to address economic-development issues.
Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker noted at a Monday presentation at the Noel Wien Library that baby boomers and seniors make up the biggest and fastest-growing age demographic in Fairbanks.
“We need to recognize that and deal with it,” he said.
The study also found that many residents living miles away from urban centers have grown frustrated with the perception that many tax-funded and private-sector services are focused in the borough’s densely populated urban center. Many indicated they felt “out of reach” of available services.
Community Discussion
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"The study also found that many residents living miles away from urban centers have grown frustrated with the perception that many tax-funded and private-sector services are focused in the borough’s densely populated urban center. Many indicated they felt “out of reach” of available services."
I find this attitude appalling. It smacks of a feeling of entitlement.
When people choose to live miles away from urban centers, aren't they deliberately choosing to be far from all the goods and services that cities offer? The genius of cities is that, by concentration, they make all kinds of transactions more convenient. Aren't those who locate out of town choosing to pass on the convenience of proximity in exchange for quiet isolation in their residential life?
If we built a medical center at, say, 30-mile Chena Hot Springs Road, it would need to have water and heating oil delivered frequently. It would also need to be staffed by, what, a dozen? half-dozen? people who now must make daily car trips to work along a dangerous road. What entitles sparsely populated suburban residents to this allocation of common resources -- or to the ecological cost we would incur by providing them?
I don't want to detract from the article's main point that there's a shortage of health care for seniors. However, I'm distressed by the apparent perception that the Borough (or other organs of government) ought to continually geographically expand as far as people are willing to reside.
I'm willing to see reason. Will somebody please help me be sympathetic?
James, we don't get it for free. Check your facts before expounding on something you evidently don't know anything about. Mine is $360 a month, which I supplement with VA prescriptions. The latter I really had to earn, can you say the same.
This a REAL problem as my family experienced within the last couple days. My father was told he was going to die by army doctors who shipped him to FMH who told us the same thing and we should say good bye. They gave him a shot and he came out of it. come to find out he was taken off of medicine by FWW doctors unproperly. He was doing good at FMH and we went to see him yesterday he was transfered back to FWW to the people that almost killed him without notifying us or the FWW hospital that he was coming. This was done by a doctor that said it would be CHEAPER for them (FWW) to take care of him then us (FMH). Is there anyone that could suggest who to contact to try to get these type of incidents to stop?
Article says-The few providers that do accept Medicare patients, she said, find that the government’s reimbursement rates are too low to cover their high operating expenses.
This is nothing but greed! Have you ever seen a doctor living an average lifestyle? Have you ever seen a poor doctor? Not since Little House on the Prairie. Their highest operating expense is themselves! When you walk into most doctors offices, they could care less about you, they want your money. You are a walking dollar sign to them. No matter how much money they get, it's not enough. If the natives can have their own clinic and not worry about medical bills, why can't the elderly who have spent their entire lives here in Alaska receive the same benefit? Military doctors don't get paid per patient. Why can't there be some kind of system like that? Those good doctors are out there, you just have to catch them before they are tainted by the love of money.
Paul- No need to be sympathetic for the choice of others to live away from clinics, grocery stores and so on.
No reason to be sympathetic to anyone who complains about the high cost of fuel in Fairbanks, after all you choose to live here. So what if the State gave Anchorage a break on gas. Same thing with health care dollars, Anchorage gets the State money. The one thing everyone over looks is the borough government does not have social service powers and that includes health care. Whitaker has tried for years to grab more power for local government. Isn't Foote's husband a Doctor. The two of them are up to something in increasing borough government power and taxes.
For years there have been state programs aimed at keeping people in Alaska -- State retirement checks include an Alaska COLA for in-state retirees. There was the Senior Citizens Bonus Program, and Alaska Student Loan Program (low interest, with a forgiveness clause). Likewise, the PFD is an incentive for residency, though hardly a reason to MOVE here. These well-intentioned programs are a form of social engineering. But who stays BECAUSE of these programs? Answer: In some cases, Bottom Feeders -- people willing to stay for a few hundred dollars a month.
Some of us like it here, even with limitations. For us these programs are a windfall -- rainy day money, NOT walking around money.
The legislative/political argument for these programs is that these are incentives to keep good people in Alaska. (Ultimately they become vehicles for "buying" votes.) Some folks use this money to manage our higher cost of living. Others spend indiscriminately, effectively living beyond their means. But if the politicians try to rescind these programs, look out!
Now, if folks saw the PFD as a fuel subsidy, for instance, and not a bonus for "toys", then life would be more "affordable". Instead many see these programs as a way of taking their lifestyle to another level, then crying out "Woe is me!".
Researchers tells us folks who live in remote areas want the services, with the convenience, that urban residents enjoy. Some of those who live in remote areas, when asked about the difficulties, provide an honest answer which is NOT necessarily intended as a complaint, simply a fact. It DOES cost more to live in a remote place. Services ARE less accessible. And, if you asked someone living in rural Alaska, they might say they WISH services were closer, fuel and food were cheaper, etc. They may NOT be complaining (or begging), just stating facts. People who use such survey data to imply that rural residents are miserable and "deserve" more services may be going beyond the scope of the data. Journalists should be particularly wary of this.
I fear the legislature/politicians/do-gooders will interpret these survey comments to create yet another entitlement program which subverts the fact that people must take responsibility for their choices, including where they live.
How about a survey of what people LIKE about living remote?
I also agree with what Paul Adasiak wrote.
I would like to know who was surveyed. My wife and I and most of our friends are over 60 years of age and no one has ever asked us our opinions. I do not disagree with everything that has been written or commented on, but if you are going to do a survey and make a general statement, I would suggest you do a survey which includes all aspects of the target population.
What many people seem to conveniently forget is that people living in outlying areas of Borough still pay high taxes on their property but get no services from the borough, other than those for taxes paid for road service if there is a service district, and fire service if it is there. Seniors and people over50 usually don't have kids in school but are charged for education. In short half the population lives outside the city limits and pays for all those nice services provided primarily to core area residents.
I find it interesting that the newsminer didn't question this survey even though it was performed by an outfit from Maine, and asked questions that were not open ended, ie forced the respondent to pick a supplied answer for most questions. They also didn't ask about peoples concerns about quality... or cost other than the medicare issue. I know more than one senior who is facing bankruptcy because this hospital charges more than $50,000 for a hip or knee replacement. The Newsminer on the other hand, downplayed the Fox Statistical study done last winter that evaluated Health Care Needs and Opinions throughout Interior Alaska.
FOR SALE home in Two Rivers. This senior household is selling out so we can move to where we can live without having to ask for help from the government or our families. Not only is medical care hard to comeby living expenses are more than someone on fixed incomes can handle. Even selling our home we couldn't live intown because of the costs. And Alaska winters are not for the weak in heart or pocketbook.
It is even to expensive to have your body disposed of. When checking into having my body donated for research there is no program of that type in Alaska. Because of health issues I was denied life insurance unless it was an accident. With diabetes and heart conditions it's very unlikely it would be an accident.
So Las Vegas here we come as soon as house sells.
I always find it offensive when I witness or read anything slamming army doctors. The men and women who serve their country as physicians do so under less than optimal conditions. Army Doc's do their job with fewer auxillary services, large patient loads, long hours, and on call that never seems to end.
These are ruff times, wake up and smell the coffee.
Posters who deny the "entitlement" seniors and others have to quality health care in Alaska should become movie historians. Can you recall Edward G. Robinson's final screen appearance in the 1973 sci-fi classic "Soylent Green" (starring Charlton Heston)? Should we just shuffle off to the recycling center to be euthanized while watching a nature film and processed into protein-rich wafers for mass consumption? Forget 'death with dignity': remember 'life with dignity' or you'll suffer the consequences when your turn inevitably comes. "Pass (away with) the ketchup."
Alaskaphil + others, why does it have to be either 'inadequate health care for seniors' or 'if you don't like Fairbanks you can leave' ? I believe Fairbankans deserve decent health care options for seniors and that's only going to come through discussion, not 'if you don't like the way it is then leave' attitude. Personally, I am trying to persuade my parents to move up (they want to live near their grandkids), but I am scared for their well-being with the existing health care and they're not rich. So let's have discussion, let's improve things...unless of course you directly benefit from the current system... (Then I understand why you and some elected officials employed by current providers don't want to discuss positive change.) or you're one of the rich folks who just fly down to the lower 48 when you need healthcare (as many long time Fairbankans do, what does that say about their trust in Fairbanks health care??). Otherwise, let's agree current status is unsat for seniors and fix it.
Maybe the State needs to impose a law that any doctor working for a CON operated hospital cannot deny services when using medicare...
Oh and I ran into this and I am sure others have too.
I was asked by FWW to have a test run down at anchorage because the price charged at FMH is too high.
I went down there too have the tests done,.
VA sent the bill too Premera Blue cross who then sent me a statement showing how much the hospital charged.
They noted that the charge was to high and they would only pay 80% of the charge they believed to be more reasonable, which was about 1500 dollars less than the charges.
So how are you supposed to know what is reasonable when you go too the Doctor. I mean If I went in and they said the Test cost's X (I would think the price was too high, but not having a way to compare or even an alternative how would I really know).
Maybe the Hospital should be required too turn in there menu of charges to all the Insurance companies within Alaska and let them fight it out instead of letting the person who has been paying for insurance thinking that hospital charges x and by contract the insurance picks up x percent instead of forcing unexpected cost's on the patient.. If they couldn't work out the difference in price there needs to be some form of notification up front...so people won't get slammed after the bill arrives..
Right on for you alaskastoryteller!
There is more to life than Alaska. Alaskastoryteller's got the best idea. Best of luck to you, enjoy!
User6244, the insurance companies claim they pay a certain amount based on the "usual and customary" charge in a given geographical area. But when asked they refuse to give the insured any "facts" to substantiate the amount they come up with. There should be some way to force insurance companies to pay a fair price.
I like your idea of the state requiring providers to take Medicare and Medicaid patients as a condition of licensing. They could be required to allocate a certain percentage of their practice to such patients. What is the point of having government programs like Medicare and Medicaid if providers refuse to see those who are covered? Doctors and dentists used to do "pro bono" work. Handling patients whose coverage doesn't pay as much wouldn't be much different. On the other hand, the government should be paying fair rates to the providers.
I agree. Doctors around here make too much money! I mean, why should they make more than anyone else (i.e. angryalaskan). I'm sure that "angryalaskan" spent at least 12 years of expensive training after high school to learn his/her trade. I'm also sure that "angryalaskan" has school debt, office, staff, malpractice, licensure costs, etc to continue to perform his/her job. I'm also sure that "angryalaskan" would be happy to accept 10 cents on the dollar from government funded agencies (Medicare) for the valuable service that he/she provides. Oh wait... "angryalaskan" doesn't have those costs and or financial issues? Well I'm sure that "angryalaskan" will step up to the plate and devote the next 15 years or so of his/her life to go to college, medical school, residency training and then come back to Fairbanks to provide medical care to individuals much like themselves who have no clue what it takes to become a doctor.
Keep smoking, eating fast food, drinking too much alcohol and polishing your rifle in your dimly lit cabin "angryalaskan" - I'm sure that everything is going to work out just fine for you in the future...
As for danzop...
I love it when people bash the military physicians when they CHOOSE to keep their military benefits for health care. Guess what... if you don't like the quality of care you are receiving from your military physicians, don't go to Bassett anymore. Oh wait... then you'd actually have to PAY for your medications, labs, copays, etc. We can't have that. Let's just make ignorant comments on blogs about your father's health care when you have no real concept as to what his medical issues are. Your father chose to receive his medical care through the military, you can't just pick and choose to accept your care there when it is convenient for you. You are a sad, entitled individual.
By the way, "James", who do you think "really" paid for doctor's educations? You??!!?! What great news! Can all of the physicians in town send their student loan payments to your home for you to pay? I am sure the physicians in town are very disappointed because they never received any of your checks while they were in medical school. I suspect you weren't around to co-sign for their education loans. Oh well, that's O.K. - just send your support checks for their education now and they'll call it even.
You are delusional. You really need to get in to see a physician (whose education you apparently paid for) and be medicated as soon as possible.
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