beniebuzz blog

Did you know Americans spend almost $3 trillion a year on medical care? That’s a big number, but what’s scarier is this: it’s estimated that about 30% is spent on unnecessary care. What? Since the average family spends $3600 each year in out of pocket costs – avoiding unnecessary care is worth about $1,000 savings. 

Is it just me or does there seem to be more overweight kids running around (or maybe I should say, “not running around”)? According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), it’s not just me. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In 2012, more than 1 in 3 children and adolescents were overweight or obese. 

Are you paying more for prescription drugs? The stats say that you probably are. I recently wrote an article about the prescription drug industry. Through my research, I learned that nearly 7 in 10 Americans are on at least one prescription drug and more than half of Americans take two drugs. It’s a $326 billion industry and growing – that breaks down to an average of $1459 per person each year or $122 per month. 

Have you spotted a senior citizen rockin’ a pair of big black cataract sunglasses? Before this article, that was about the extent of my cataract expertise. Well, turns out it’s not far off: according to Statistic Brain, 50% of Americans over the age of 80 have cataracts and Medicare spends $3.4 billion each year treating the disease!

We’ve heard it a million times: the US is a litigious society – we’re lawsuit crazy! Last year, Faces of Lawsuit Abuse posted their top 10 most ridiculous lawsuits and there are some doozies. How about the grown man who sued his parents for their “indifference” to his problems (to which I say, “If I had a nickel for every kid who felt indifference from their parents…”) or the dad who sued the county for $40 million because his son was kicked off the track team for excessive absences? 

If you’re like me, you can remember a time in your life when cleaning your braces with a Waterpik™ was part of your daily routine. While most of us didn’t fully understand the implications of receiving braces as a child, we can look back thankfully on this financial gift from our parents.

Have you ever had symptoms of a medical issue and you knew exactly what was going on? When my eye is gooey, pink, sealed shut and I want to gouge it out from itching…it’s a pretty safe bet I have the dreaded Pink Eye. 

Enter telemedicine! Simply put, telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology. If you’re not familiar with the tactical steps of a telemedicine doctor visit, click hereto learn more. 

Did you know it is National Cancer Survivor’s Day at the beginning of June? In honor of the day, I interviewed Wendy Harpham MD, FACP on embracing life after a cancer diagnosis. Dr.