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Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket will present a Shed the Meds event on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from noon to 4 p.m.

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office hosts this safe way to properly dispose of unused medications, essential to protect the environment and ensure that old drugs don’t end up in the wrong hands.

Please note: The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office cannot accept any liquids, needles, creams, or ointments of any kind. They are only accepting unused or expired medications from individuals (not large quantities from a doctor’s office or health care facility).

This service is open to the public.  There is no need to register or to be a Three Village resident to participate. Questions? Email [email protected]

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Breast cancer survivors in front of the new sign. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Breast cancer survivor Leslie Drake spoke at the event. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Declan Doyle, President of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital spoke at the event. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Members of the Commack Community, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital Administration and Breast Cancer Doctors, the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce, Breast Cancer Survivors and the Town of Smithtown Administration pose before the newly erected sign announcing Phase 1 of Survivors Park at Valmont. Photo from Town of Smithtown

On Oct. 28, Commack community members and local businesses gathered together at Valmont Park for a special unveiling ceremony to kick off the upcoming construction of Survivors Park, a tribute and reflection space dedicated to breast cancer survivors and their loved ones. The Town of Smithtown hosted the event in partnership with St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, who donated $50,000 towards the project, and the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce, to announce plans for Phase One, set to begin in Spring 2025.

“Survivors Park will be a reminder to every mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and niece that you will not fight alone. We are a special community. One that comes together in our darkest of hours, that celebrates together in our brightest and best days. The people you’ve heard from today are great stewards of this point. Together we can endure the unthinkable. Together we will celebrate the victories, big and small. Together we will build Survivors Park,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

Community leaders such as NYS Senator Mario Mattera; Declan Doyle, President of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; Dr. Jana Deitch, Breast Surgeon and Director of the Siena Breast Health Program at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; Thomas Morrissey and Venise Mulé Smith from the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Reiss of Morgan Stanley; and breast cancer survivor Leslie Drake, spoke at the event, expressing the park’s significance as a place of healing, reflection, and community strength.

The project’s initial phase was made possible courtesy of a $50,000 donation from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, matched by the Town of Smithtown, and an additional $5,000 donation from Morgan Stanley. Over the course of the next few months, the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce will facilitate additional donations from local businesses, and families who wish to support the vision behind the space. The support from these organizations underscores the community’s commitment to honoring survivors and supporting their families.

Survivors Park will serve as a permanent reminder of the strength and resilience of those impacted by breast cancer. Phase One of the park design includes a pathway shaped in the form of an Awareness Ribbon, creating a symbolic entrance near the playground. Future phases of the park will introduce benches, ornamental lighting, and a Reflection Pool to create a peaceful, reflective space for visitors. Lush landscaping with native flowers and cherry blossom trees will enhance the space, offering year-round beauty.

The sign unveiling drew a large crowd of Commack residents and local businesses, who gathered to celebrate this meaningful addition to Valmont Park. The ceremony, held during Breast Cancer Awareness month, was a touching reminder of the community’s dedication to its members, providing strength to those impacted by breast cancer.

 

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Photo from Mather Hospital/Jim Lennon

Northwell’s Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson announced on Oct. 24 that it has achieved numerous accolades for clinical excellence from Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. Mather Hospital’s distinctions include: 

  • America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care Award™  
  • America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award™  
  • Four Specialty Excellence Awards, placing the hospital among the nation’s top 10% for Critical Care, Gastrointestinal Care, Coronary Intervention and Pulmonary Care 
  • Five-star rated for seven services: Coronary Intervention Procedures, Treatment of Heart Attack, Treatment of Stroke, Treatment of Pneumonia, Treatment of GI Bleed, Treatment of Respiratory Failure and Sepsis 
  • A Five-Star Distinction in Outpatient Total Knee Replacement  

According to Healthgrades, Mather Hospital was also ranked third in New York for Critical Care and second  in New York for Pulmonary Care. These achievements place Mather Hospital in the upper echelon of hospitals for these specialties nationwide and reflect the organization’s commitment to consistently deliver  care that exceeds expectations. 

“Healthgrades’ latest rankings for Mather Hospital reflect our ongoing commitment to the highest quality patient care,” said Hospital President Kevin McGeachy. “Led by our Magnet-recognized nursing staff, every member of the Mather team is focused on safety and quality and treating our patients like family. Northwell’s investment in our new Emergency Department, scheduled to open in 2025, is an example of that commitment.”

Previously Healthgrades ranked Mather Hospital in one of America’s best 250 Hospitals nationwide  and top in the country for overall patient experience for the past three years.

As part of its 2025 hospital assessment, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for more than 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine the top performers in specialty care. The Healthgrades objective performance measures help consumers find and select a hospital that excels in providing the care they need. 

As variation in performance among hospitals continues to grow, it is increasingly important for consumers to seek care at top-rated programs. Healthgrades’ 2025 analysis revealed that if all hospitals as a group performed similarly to five-star hospitals during the 2021-2023 study period, on average, 224,958 lives could potentially have been saved and 141,692 complications could potentially have been avoided.*  From 2021-2023, patients treated at hospitals receiving the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care Award had, on average, a 58.3% lower risk of dying than if they were treated in a hospital that did not receive the award.*

“Healthgrades commends Mather Hospital for their clear commitment to delivering consistently superior patient outcomes in critical service areas, including Pulmonary Care, Coronary Intervention, Gastrointestinal Care and Critical Care,” said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. “Mather Hospital’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to clinical excellence set a high mark for specialty care in New York and nationwide.” 

Consumers can visit healthgrades.com  to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access a patient-friendly overview of how we rate and why hospital quality matters.

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2021 through 2023 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2025 Specialty Awards and Ratings Methodology.

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Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Cold and flu season typically runs from October to May, but with summer colds, COVID outbreaks, RSV and allergies, it’s a pretty safe bet that you and your family may be dealing with a variety of symptoms of one kind or another, no matter the season.

Given this year-round battle against illness, the ever-rising costs of medications can put a strain on your wallet and cause confusion as to how best to guard against all of those various bugs out there.

“It’s vital for families to get reliable information on how to prevent illnesses, especially during cold and flu season when many bugs are at their worst, and what to do if they do come down with something,” said Preeti Parikh, Executive Medical Director at GoodRx, the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S. “This includes information about how to get the best price on any medications they need.”

That’s where GoodRx comes in. It is an online platform that does double duty. GoodRx can save you up to 80% off retail prices of medications, plus it offers trusted information on the myriad health conditions that families deal with. GoodRx’s articles, written by a team of doctors, pharmacists, health economists and public health experts, provide you with authoritative and trustworthy answers to your most pressing health questions so you can make better decisions for your family’s health.

When it comes to navigating cold and flu season, Dr. Parikh offers the following tips to prevent illness and manage treatment if you do become sick.

* Get vaccinated. Everyone should get their flu shot and COVID booster by the end of October, and these shots can be done at the same time. It’s the most important thing you can do to prevent illness, not only for yourself, but for vulnerable people in your community, such as children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions.

* Older Americans should investigate the RSV vaccine. All Americans aged 75 and older should receive one dose of the RSV vaccine. Adults aged 60 to 74 with serious chronic conditions, pregnant women, and young babies may also need to get vaccinated. Work with your healthcare provider to determine if the vaccine is best for you.

* Wash your hands. Everyone should practice good disease prevention! Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and sneeze or cough into your elbow.

* Protect others. If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to the office or out shopping or dining. If you must go out, wear a mask to help avoid passing those bugs around.

* If you do become sick, GoodRx can help you save on treatments, including antibiotics that can treat your infection, cold medications to help with symptoms, and antivirals, which can shorten the duration or alleviate the symptoms of your illness. On average, GoodRx users save $34 on cold and flu treatment medications.

So, how do the savings work? It’s actually very easy. Just go to GoodRx.com or the mobile app and type in the name of the medications you have been prescribed. You’ll get a listing of local pharmacies and their prices. Choose the lowest one, and a coupon will pop up. Bring your phone with you to the pharmacy and show the coupon to your pharmacist to get the lowest possible price on your medications.

To arm yourself with information about how to battle the bugs, and ways to save at the pharmacy, visit GoodRx.com/go/fluseason. (BPT)

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METRO photo
Lowering inflammation and expanding lung capacity are keys

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Welcome to autumn! It’s the time of year when we revel in the beauty of changing foliage, the joy of Halloween decorations and costumes, and the prevalence “pumpkin spice” everything.

Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when we are most alert to influenza (the flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 variants circulating in our communities.

If you have a lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, or if you smoke or vape, the consequences of these viruses are especially concerning.

The good news is that you can do a lot to improve your lung function by exercising, eating a plant-based diet with a focus on fruits and vegetables, expanding your lung capacity with an incentive spirometer, and quitting smoking or vaping (1). 

Does diet improve lung function?

It’s no surprise that your dietary choices can help or hinder your health. What is surprising is diet’s impact on your lung health. Let’s review some of the studies.

In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), results show that asthma patients who ate a high-antioxidant diet had greater lung function after 14 days than those who ate a low-antioxidant diet (2). They also had lower inflammation at 14 weeks, which was measured using a c-reactive protein (CRP) biomarker. Participants in the low-antioxidant group were over two times more likely to have an asthma exacerbation.

The high-antioxidant group had a modest five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit daily, while the low-antioxidant group ate no more than two servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit daily. Using carotenoid supplementation in place of antioxidant foods did not affect inflammation. The authors concluded that an increase in carotenoids from diet has a clinically significant impact on asthma in a very short period.

In a longer-term analysis of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, researchers assessed and stratified diets into three tiers to identify the impacts of diet quality on long-term lung health (3). Researchers found that a nutritionally-rich plant-centered diet was associated with significantly less decline in lung function over 20 years, even after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors influencing lung health.

What is the impact of fiber on COPD risk?

Several studies demonstrate that higher consumption of fiber from plants decreases the risk of COPD in smokers and ex-smokers.

In one study of men, results showed that higher fiber intake was associated with significant 48 percent reductions in COPD incidence in smokers and 38 percent incidence reductions in ex-smokers (4). The high-fiber group ate at least 36.8 grams per day, compared to the low-fiber group, which ate less than 23.7 grams per day. Fiber sources were fruits, vegetables and whole grain. The “high-fiber” group was still below the American Dietetic Association’s recommended intake of 14 grams per 1,000 calories each day.

In another study, this time with women, participants who consumed at least 2.5 serving of fruit per day, compared to those who consumed less than 0.8 servings per day, experienced a highly significant 37 percent decreased risk of COPD (5).

Both studies used apples, bananas, and pears to reduce COPD risk.

What exercise helps improve lung function?

In a study involving healthy women aged 65 years and older, results showed that 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise three times a day improved FEV1 and FVC, both indicators of lung function, in just 12 weeks (7). Participants began with a 15-minute warm-up, then 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise on a treadmill, followed by 15 minutes of stretching.

You do not need special equipment. You can walk up steps or hills in your neighborhood, do jumping jacks, or even dance around your home. It’s most important to increase your heart rate and expand your lungs. If this is new for you, consult a physician and start slowly. Your stamina will improve quickly when you do it consistently.

What is incentive spirometry?

An incentive spirometer (IS) is a device that helps expand the lungs when you inhale through a tube and cause one or more balls to rise. This inhalation expands the lung’s alveoli.

Incentive spirometry has been used for patients with pneumonia, those who have had chest or abdominal surgery and those with asthma or COPD, but it has also been useful for healthy participants (8). A small study showed that those who trained with an incentive spirometer for two weeks increased their lung function and respiratory motion. Participants were 10 non-smoking healthy adults who took five sets of five deep breaths twice a day, totaling 50 deep breaths per day. 

In recent years, some small studies examined the impact of IS on patient COVID-19 outcomes. One study of 48 patients in an outpatient setting found that study participants using an IS three times a day experienced a 16 percent increase in maximal inspiratory volume over a span of 30 days (9).

Another pilot study followed 10 patients diagnosed with moderate COVID-19 to determine whether IS use prevented development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (10). IS users had improved PaO2/FiO2 ratio, improved chest X-ray findings, shorter hospital stays, and sooner improvement of symptoms than non-users.

We all should be working to strengthen our lungs. Using a three-pronged approach including diet, aerobic exercise, and incentive spirometer can make a tremendous difference.

References:

(1) Public Health Rep. 2011 Mar-Apr; 126(2): 158-159. (2) Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Sep;96(3):534-43. (3) Res Sq  [Preprint]. 2023 Apr 26:rs.3.rs-2845326. [Version 1] (4) Epidemiology Mar 2018;29(2):254-260. (5) Int J Epidemiol Dec 1 2018;47(6);1897-1909. (6) J Phys Ther Sci. Aug 2017;29(8):1454-1457. (8) Ann Rehabil Med. Jun 2015;39(3):360-365. (9) Cureus. 2021 Oct 4;13(10):e18483. (10) Eur Resp J 2022 60: 268.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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Photo courtesy of StatePoint

Foot ulcers develop in about 15% of the 25 million Americans living with diabetes and are a top cause of hospitalization. These ulcers can lead to serious complications, such as infection and amputation. According to foot and ankle surgeons, there are steps you can take to prevent complications and keep your feet healthy, as well as breakthrough treatments that are saving limbs, restoring mobility and improving lives.

“The majority of lower-extremity amputations are preceded by a reoccurring foot sore or an ulcer that won’t heal,” says John S. Steinberg, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member and Past President of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “Patients do best when they take charge of their foot health with the help of a foot and ankle surgeon.”

The surgeon members of ACFAS are sharing some important insights into preventing foot ulcers associated with diabetes and treating them if they do occur.

Make these precautions part of your foot care routine:

• Inspect feet daily using a flashlight and mirror to see the bottoms of your feet.

• Moisturize dry, cracking feet to prevent sores. Use powder to control moisture that can result in blisters.

• To prevent injury, wear protective, well-fitting shoes and socks at all times, even in the house. Change socks daily and more often if your feet get wet or sweaty. Avoid socks with holes or seams. Sometimes diabetic shoes are prescribed to avoid pressure and rubbing on the feet.

• Get regular foot exams from a foot and ankle surgeon, which can reduce amputation risk by 45-85%. The surgeon can also screen feet for loss of protective sensation.

• Manage your diabetes. Out-of-control blood sugar levels can lead to nerve cell damage, making it harder to detect foot problems.

Look for telltale signs that an ulcer may be developing:

• Swelling. The foot or ankle may look puffy or engorged and larger than the other.

• Temperature. Cold feet might mean a circulatory issue, whereas hot feet might mean infection.

• Color changes. Redness and even other colors might appear before an ulcer forms.

• Calluses. If a callus changes colors or develops dark, “dried blood” colored spots, it may be time to have a foot and ankle surgeon offer a proper diagnosis.

Ask your foot and ankle surgeon about innovative treatments:

If you do experience a non-healing ulcer, talk to your foot and ankle surgeon right away about innovative technologies that stimulate healing.

Groundbreaking approaches include stem cell therapy, the use of bioengineered skin substitutes to accelerate growth of healthy skin, and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to promote healing and enable healthy, new tissue to grow. Today, foot and ankle surgeons rarely do a skin graft without NPWT. Skin grafting for foot ulcers has also advanced. Surgeons now use advanced reconstructive surgery and grafting techniques to promote wound healing and decrease wound recurrence.

The success rate of these advanced therapies is high, providing substantial improvement over treatments of the not-too-distant past, when doctors would clean and bandage the wound and hope for the best.

“Thanks to the many advances in diabetic foot care, patients today are having simpler surgeries, avoiding amputations, and getting back to everyday life sooner than ever before,” says Dr. Steinberg.

For more information or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. (StatePoint)

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Photo from Brandpoint

College student Jamie Schanbaum was studying at the University of Texas at Austin, just 19 years old, when she was rushed to the hospital with severe symptoms that seemed related to asthma or the flu.

Jamie Schanbaum

Two days later, Jamie and her family were stunned to learn she had contracted meningococcal disease, a serious, life-threatening illness. Meningococcal bacteria can infiltrate the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis, or the blood, causing septicemia. People can carry the bacteria in their nose or throat without being aware of it and spread it to others. Jamie ‘caught’ the bacteria and developed septicemia.

While Jamie fortunately survived, her life would not be the same. Her legs and fingers needed to be amputated due to the infection. But her strength and determination have caused her to become an effective advocate for meningitis awareness, and after two years of walking on prosthetics, Jamie joined the USA Paralympic Cycling team in 2011.

“Jamie is making a difference for others every day,” said her mother, Patsy Schanbaum, “including inspiring the founding of the J.A.M.I.E. Group, a nonprofit organization that raises meningitis awareness and educates people about the importance of prevention through vaccination. We work with many other meningitis groups, often started by families impacted by this horrible disease, to help save lives.”

The J.A.M.I.E. Group has also worked to pass legislation requiring meningitis vaccination for college students, who are at higher risk for meningitis.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a devastating and debilitating infection that can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time. Those at higher risk of meningococcal infection include young children, adolescents, older adults, people living with chronic and immunocompromising conditions (such as HIV) and those living in close quarters – including college students and military recruits.

Bacterial meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. Even with prompt diagnosis and treatment, death and brain damage in survivors are common outcomes. Most cases of bacterial meningitis are caused by three different bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Pneumococcus (Pnc) and Meningococcus.

Meningococcal disease is transmitted person-to-person, through droplets of secretions from people who are carriers. Carriers are healthy people who have meningococcus in their nose and throat. Transmission is also through contact with contaminated items such as utensils and living in close quarters with a carrier.

Symptoms of meningococcal disease may begin like influenza (the flu), but can worsen rapidly to include fever, severe headache, stiff neck and a skin rash.

Approximately 10-20 percent of people with bacterial meningitis will die within 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms, and 10-30 percent of people will sustain permanent damage and disability, leading to life-changing events including brain injury, depression, hearing loss and/or limb loss.

The good news: Meningitis is preventable

Vaccination has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the risk of illness and disease transmission, which is especially crucial during the winter months when more people are spending time together indoors and many different viruses are spreading.

Routine use of vaccines in infants and children against Hib, Pnc and the common groups of meningococcus that cause the majority of illness have been very successful in preventing disease. The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine administration of a single dose of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine against serogroups A, C, Y and W to children 11 or 12 years of age, with a booster dose at age 16. Meningococcal B vaccination is available to all adolescents and young adults (ages 16-23).

Vaccine protection can decrease within five years following vaccination, so getting vaccinated at the recommended times maintains your protection and reduces the risk of illness and disease transmission.

Prevention is power. Talk to your doctor about vaccination against meningococcal disease for you and your family members, especially those who may be at higher risk. Visit MeningitisAwareness.org to learn more. (BPT)

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Photo from Brandpoint

As many in the type 1 diabetes community can attest, it can be difficult at first to understand the purpose of screening or the subsequent tests before and following a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and what the results can mean for you or a loved one.

To help alleviate any uncertainties around which screening or test to take (and why), it’s time to bring it back to basics. Below are the “ABCs” of some of the screenings and tests (e.g., Autoantibody Screening, Blood Glucose Test, and A1C Test) that are currently available for type 1 diabetes, with the goal of empowering people of all ages with the tools and information necessary to advocate for their health when they are speaking to their doctor. It’s important to note that while a blood glucose test and an A1C test are crucial to the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of type 1 diabetes, an autoantibody test is the only test that can confirm your risk of developing the disease.

Autoantibody Screening

Autoantibody screening is a blood test that can detect whether someone is at risk for developing type 1 diabetes. The blood test looks for type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies, which are proteins that appear in the blood in the early stages of the disease before there are noticeable symptoms, which tend to occur when type 1 diabetes has already progressed to a later stage after weeks, months, or even years.

When it comes to detecting type 1 diabetes early, knowledge is power. As a nurse who lives with type 1 diabetes herself, Grace Cochran could not agree more: “Having insights into whether you are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes is incredibly important. Early information can give you more time to educate yourself and your family about the disease and prepare for what will eventually come,” Cochran shared.

“People may think ‘ignorance is bliss’ when it comes to a future type 1 diabetes diagnosis, but as someone who not only received an unexpected diagnosis that required a hospital stay myself but also as a nurse who cares for people who might be in a similar situation, I can tell you that it’s 100% worth it to get screened,” Cochran continued.

The1Pledge.com has useful information about the importance of early screening and detection and how to start a conversation with your doctor. By the time someone is in the later stage of disease, complications of untreated type 1 diabetes can lead to an emergency room visit and hospital stay, as they did for Cochran, and lifelong insulin dependence begins – which brings up the “B” of the ABCs.

Blood Glucose Test

A blood glucose test not only confirms a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, but also helps people living with type 1 diabetes regularly monitor their disease. Doing so is important, as it gives a person insights into whether their blood glucose or sugar levels are within a normal range. Many factors can impact blood glucose levels, such as food, activity level, stress, illness, and certain medications and dehydration.

“There are a lot of tools these days that can help make routinely monitoring blood glucose levels easier and more convenient,” Cochran said. “For example, a doctor can test a person’s blood glucose levels, and many people living with type 1 diabetes also use devices to self-monitor their blood glucose levels throughout each day because this condition requires 24/7 care and attention. In addition to working with my care team, I’ve learned tips and tricks since I was first diagnosed 17 years ago to manage my glucose levels – but I, of course, still monitor my blood glucose levels multiple times a day, every day.”

Indeed, finding the right care team is incredibly important for people living with type 1 diabetes. For instance, an endocrinologist, a specialist who cares for people with diabetes, can work with someone living with type 1 diabetes and help them maintain normal blood glucose levels. Not only that, but they can also measure how someone is managing their disease over time, leading to the “C.”

A1C Test

An A1C test, which is also referred to as an “estimated average glucose,” can be used to show average blood sugar levels over two to three months. For people with type 1 diabetes, an A1C test can provide an overview of blood glucose management over a set period of time and help them, along with their endocrinologist, understand if any adjustments need to be made in the way they are managing their disease.

ABC Recap

It’s important to understand the role of screening before a type 1 diabetes diagnosis and the tests that are used following a diagnosis to monitor the disease and guide appropriate management. You can learn more about how to get screened early for type 1 diabetes and what to expect after screening by talking to your doctor. (BPT)

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Bariatric surgeons at Mather Hospital were on hand to celebrate the occasion. Photo from Northwell Health

Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson recently marked a new milestone: surgeons performing the hospital’s 10,000th bariatric surgery. The hospital offers gastric bypass, revisional surgery, gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss.

The 10,000th surgery, a sleeve gastrectomy, was performed by Arif Ahmad, MD, Director of the Center of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery™. The procedure involves removing part of the stomach to help reduce food intake. The Center of Excellence provides support for patients before and after weight loss surgery. In addition to Dr. Ahmad, the team includes nurses and registered dietitians. A support group allows patients to share experiences and help keep them on track to achieve their weight loss goals.

Dr. Arif Ahmad – Bariatric Surgeon at Northwell Health

 

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Photo from Brandpoint

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which runs from October 15 to December 7 is here, and with it comes a wave of changes that could make this year one of the most challenging yet for beneficiaries. But navigating AEP doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s how you can prepare and make the most of this crucial time:

Review Your Current Plan

Start by reviewing your Annual Notice of Change letter, which arrives in September. It will outline key changes to your current plan, including costs, doctor, pharmacy networks and other additional benefits. Knowing these changes can help you decide whether your current plan still meets your needs.2. Compare Your Options

Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans can vary significantly. Use this time to compare plans and assess how they meet your prescription needs, preferred doctor networks, medical facilities and budget. Doing so could save you money and ensure you’re getting the coverage that best fits your health and financial situation.

Use Available Resources

If comparing plans feels overwhelming, there are resources available to help. Platforms like eHealth provide easy-to-use tools that allow you to compare a wide range of plans from top insurance companies, both online and over the phone. According to a recent study of 67,884 user sessions nationwide, eHealth found that Medicare Advantage enrollees who compared their current Medicare Advantage plan with available 2024 plans using eHealth’s platform could be saving an average of $1,100 per year on medical bills and prescription drugs with a lower cost plan.

Get Help from a Professional – For Free

Licensed insurance agents can provide personalized assistance at no cost to you. They’re knowledgeable about different plans and can help match you with one that suits your needs. An eHealth survey of more than 2,100 Medicare Advantage enrollees conducted in March found that beneficiaries who work with an agent feel more confident in their choice, with 66% feeling “very confident” in their plan selection. And remember, agents are paid the same for similar plan types and there is no obligation to enroll. Their goal is to help you find the best fit for you.

Don’t Procrastinate

It’s tempting to delay deciding, but waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed choices that may not be in your best interest. Schedule time early in the AEP period to review your options, consult with an agent if needed, and make a confident decision.

This year, tackle your insurance plan coverage with confidence. To learn more, compare plans and find help from a professional licensed insurance agent and benefits advisor please visit eHealth at www.ehealth.com or call 844-373-9751, TTY 711. (BPT)

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