April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day to discuss and document your healthcare wishes. We owe it to our families to be prepared in the event of a health crisis. We've found that having "the talk" is easier than one might think; it just requires a little inspiration or a reminder. Prepare with free resources, including free advance directive forms and a great short video to get you thinking. Advance care planning is something we ALL should do and encourage others to do, regardless of age or current health. We have excellent books on advance care planning as well. Discussing your wishes can be one of the most important gifts you ever give your loved ones.

Beginning January 2013, Kansas Medicaid recipients will be served by one of three health plans or Managed Care organizations (MCOs).

The goal of the MCOs is to provide coordinated care to improve the overall health of each patient. Patients will receive all of their current Medicaid services and new services such as weight-loss surgery and some preventive dental care for adults.

For complete information check out the new KanCare website.

You probably wouldn’t buy a new car without checking the Kelley Blue book for the price and shopping the competition. Jeffrey Rice, Duke University trained radiologist-turned-businessman, wants consumers to do the same when choosing a doctor or hospital. Medical pricing information is usually hard to come by – at least until you’re billed. But Rice mines databases for geographically specific health care cost data and posts it online in the Healthcare Blue Book (HBB). (Bargaining for Healthcare by Rita Ziedner)

HealthWave is a Kansas program that provides government subsidized health insurance for children through age 18. The children must be from families that earn no more than 238 percent of federal poverty guidelines in order to qualify, or about $40,000 a year for a family of three.   Those who earn up to 150 percent of poverty pay nothing for the coverage. Those who earn more than that pay a per-family premium between $20 and $75 a month, depending on income level.

Kansas HealthWave Applications

You have your reasons to quit using tobacco. KanQuit can help. Call the toll-free hotline and sign up for comprehensive support before, while and after you stop smoking.

National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), June 27, is an annual observance to promote HIV testing. The National Association of People with AIDS Exit Disclaimer (NAPWA) founded the day in 1995 and continues to be the lead for this observance.
Resources listed on this page include:

• Locate HIV Testing Near You
• Webinar/Conference Call Archive
• Learn about HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns in the U.S.

We all want to look our best, but a healthy body is not always linked to appearance. In fact, healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Young women especially struggle with this and parents can help by encouraging a healthy body image. Changing your body image means changing the way you think about your body. At the same time, healthy lifestyle choices are also key to improving body image.

Everyone can benefit from thinking about what their healthcare choices would be if they are unable to speak for themselves. April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day set aside to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. Learn more about how you can make informed decisions about treatment choices at the end of life through these helpful websites, Kansas Health Ethics  and The Center for Practical Bioethics.

Please take just a few minuutes to complete a brief survey assessing your access to healthy food. The Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition along with the assistance of the Mid-America Regional Council will use the results to better understand our region’s food challenges and resources. 

Addiction is a chronic public health problem that affects individuals, families, friends, employers and society and inspiring those suffering from addiction to seek treatment. Here are some of the best resources for those considering treatment:

Do you know the signs that alcohol might be causing you harm? Rethinking Drinking  provides a questionnaire to help you answer this question and other questions about alcohol and your health.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse 's mission is to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This site has lots of information for parents and educators and provides a research-based guide to treatments for all types of drug addictions.

Have a friend in need? Feeling like you could use some support? Reachout.com offers facts and support for struggles with anxiety, eating disorders and other mental health issues. They feature video and audio stories from teens for teens.

Learn more about medication assistance options for families seeking short term medical care from Kansas City's Medicine Cabinet »

Make the most of your conversations with your doctor. This guide gives you hints about which questions to ask so that you can be an active participant in your health care.

Would you like a FREE checkup of your child's health and your home? Read more (PDF) and then call (816) 235-6331.

The goal of the Kansas Early Detection Works program is to reduce death from breast and cervical cancer among the women of Kansas through screening, diagnosis and referral for cancer treatment. To qualify for these services, a woman's income must fall within 225% of federal poverty guidelines and she must be between the ages of 40 and 64. Further, a woman must have no health insurance or inpatient-only insurance with a high, unmet deductible.

What did your doctor just say? Check out this short easy tutorial about medical words.

MedlinePlus Health News is the best source for health news that you can actually use to improve your health. Don't miss the informative videos!

Take the Great American Smokeout Challenge!
Free help is available by phone from KanQuit, the 24-hour toll-free Kansas Tobacco Quitline.

Clear communication between health care providers and patients is critical. Asking questions can help you take care of your health, prepare for medical tests and take your medicines the right way. Learn the three questions you need to ask your doctor to help you understand your health.

Back to school means checking to make sure all vaccines are up to date. Read more about:

• how vaccines work and why they are important
• school immunization requirements in Kansas

The New Harvard Guide to Women's Health updates a valued health reference for a new generation--and for those women who have come to rely on the Harvard Guide and are now wondering what to do about their health as they enter a new stage of life, asking questions like the following:

• I've been on hormone replacement therapy. Should I stop? How?
• Could this rash be lupus?
• I've been on the Pill. What is my risk for stroke?
• What screening tests do I need now?

Read it online now. All you need is a library card and PIN.