Wellness Blog

Are you a Medicare beneficiary with diabetes using insulin?

Alan Wong, MD | November 24, 2020 |

Well, there’s good news regarding insulin copay costs. As you know, insulin is often a critical component to safely managing diabetes. Unfortunately, for some, the cost can be a significant barrier. However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has good news for persons who have insulin-dependent diabetes.

The Insulin Savings Program

Through the Insulin Savings Program, CMS is allowing Part D sponsors (like Medicare Advantage plans) to offer predictable copays throughout the different stages of coverage. For example, here in Snohomish County, Medicare... Read More

Can someone with egg allergy get a flu shot?

Anusha Vadlamudi, MD | October 28, 2020 |

Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies among children in the US and is second only to milk allergy. It affects about 1.3% of all children and 0.2% of all adults in the US. Because the influenza vaccine contains a small amount of egg protein, people with egg allergy were typically told to avoid it. This has left patients and families with egg allergy with questions about safety of flu shots.

So, can someone with egg allergy get a flu shot? The short answer is, yes! A skin test may be needed to see if you're truly allergic to eggs. A nurse or doctor will scratch a tiny... Read More

The common cold: What helps and what doesn't

Janna Lam Keenan, MD | October 07, 2020 |

Fall is here and winter is just around the corner, which means common cold season! In times before COVID, we could expect a healthy kid under six years old to have 6-8 colds per year. But this year is anything but typical. With increased social distancing and masking, experts predict a decrease in common cold infections. Still, most of us can’t stay in a quarantine bubble forever and kids aren’t the best at avoiding germs. It’s important to understand what works and what alluring remedies are not proven to be effective. Since the common cold and COVID-19 can present with similar symptoms,... Read More

Why the buzz about Medicare Advantage?

Sara Rahman, MD | October 07, 2020 |

2020 has been a stressful year for all of us. As we ponder what socially distanced trick-or-treating might look like, it's important to have a health plan that’s working for you. Each year, millions of seniors choose a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan.1 You may have heard about these plans and wondered, why the buzz?

Medicare Advantage (also called Medicare Part C) has a few distinctive features:

Medicare Advantage plans work closely with your doctors at the Everett Clinic to ensure that you’re receiving the highest quality care. Together we:
• Coordinate your... Read More

Fall Fun during COVID

Everett Clinic, Staff | October 05, 2020 |

This year has been all about resetting expectations and understanding that our celebrations and holidays will be different than in years past. That doesn't mean they won't be fun or enjoyable, but it does mean that they will require a little more planning and caution compared to last year. Instead of focusing on how this fall will be different than previous years, instead focus on finding some new activites that fit within our current state of COVID.

It's still important to social distance from other people, wear a mask and keep washing your hands and using hand santizier. And as... Read More

Is your Medicare plan on your side?

Phuc (Bruce) Huynh, DO | September 14, 2020 |

Family dinners over Zoom. Learning how to use grocery delivery apps. Cancelled vacation getaways. This isn't the summer most of us had planned!

When life is full of changes, you want your health in trustworthy hands. The Everett Clinic, part of Optum, is serious about providing extra support to cope with the unexpected. We continue to offer: A variety of virtual care options and home visits Proactive outreach to members at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 A free app (Vivify) to track vitals and symptoms for... Read More

Catastrophic Air Quality

Sridar Chalaka, MD | September 12, 2020 |

The forest fires have caused dangerous air pollution which can harm anyone including healthy people, but especially children, teens, people with asthma, COPD and other lung diseases, anyone over 65, has diabetes, high blood pressure, or has suffered a heart attack or stroke.

Exposure to poor air quality can lead to both short-term and long-term health problems.

What to do Follow the Air Quality Index at AirNow.gov website. Healthy air quality index should be less than 50. Stay indoors as much as you can if the index is... Read More

Back to school anxiety: what to do about it!

Adam Waldron, LH | August 26, 2020 |

With the PNW summer now on its final stretch and back to school right around the corner, many families and educators are feeling their anxiety skyrocket. Here are four tips you can use right now to help bring your anxiety back to earth.

Get out of your head: Anxiety doesn’t start with thoughts; it starts with believing those thoughts. Try to make a conscious effort to not believe the thought and notice your anxiety gradually go away. After all, a thought is just a thought. Label, describe, and rate your anxiety: Take ownership of your anxiety and call it what it is. Then... Read More

Remaining hopeful and mindful during tough times

Fatima Malik, MD | August 12, 2020 |

As we watch the news, it seems that summer is not bringing what we thought was promised in late winter - the end of the pandemic. Cases are going up across the nation, instead of down. Summer, typically a carefree time, is instead strained by canceled vacations, worries the next school year, financial struggles, lost jobs and concerns about keeping well. The anxiety that was stoked months ago has proven to have some undying embers.

In my discussions with families at their checkups, the typical topics of eating, sleeping, development always come up, but now we inevitably meander... Read More

To Do: Exercise, work, pregnancy test, make dinner.

Christopher M. Beard, MD | July 20, 2020 |

Why does it take such a long time for the line to change color on a pregnancy test? Sweaty palms, rapid pulse, double blue lines 6 tests in a row. What’s next?

Whether you’ve been in this position before or are thinking of being this position soon, did you know that you have options for your obstetrical care? For all levels of pregnancy are, you can choose to see an OB/GYN provider. They handle both low and high-risk pregnancies as well as multiple gestations. For those who are seeking prenatal care and have a low-risk pregnancy, you can also choose to see a provider that offers... Read More

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