Extend Your Life Expectancy
Testimonial
SEEING A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN IS VITAL
“I was concerned about making the decision regarding my transition to Medicare, but Chris eased my anxiety by providing clear details and simple explanations. He carefully guided me through the process and encouraged me to make decisions in
When I enroll clients in a Medicare Advantage/Part C plan, part of the application is putting down the name of your primary care physician (PCP). I cannot complete the application without a doctor’s name. Sometimes I have to randomly pick a name because some individuals don’t have a PCP. Medicare and the insurance companies require a PCP because they know how effective a primary care physician can be for your health care success. Primary care is the heart of the health care system. Since the early 2000s, however, the nation has been experiencing a primary care shortage, with declining access affecting many Americans. Research shows that increased primary care provider density in an area improves the detection and diagnosis of diseases and reduces health disparities. PCP utilization also increases your expected lifespan. A primary care physician is often the first point of contact when patients seek health care, and a primary care physician’s role is designed to be person-focused, coordinated, and comprehensive. Evidence shows PCPs improve health regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, employment, income, health insurance, and smoking status. In a national study, 29% of patients who received medical services between 2016 and 2022 did not visit a primary care provider. Another study reported that a gain of 10 additional primary care physicians per 100,000 people is associated with an increase in life expectancy by 51.5 days.
identified source of primary care decreased from 77% to 75%. The decline affected patients of every age, except those in their 80s. The most significant drops, however, occurred in patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. According to a September 2022 report, 97.6 million Americans now live in an area with a designated primary care health professional shortage; removing that designation would require 16,940 additional practitioners. As the shortage worsens, experts predict that rural areas will be more severely affected than suburban or urban areas, while marginalized and low- income populations will also be heavily affected. Although the health care professional shortage extends to all medical specialties, primary care is experiencing the most significant deficit, especially in the Western and Southern regions of the U.S. By 2034, the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a primary care physician shortage will grow from 17,800 to 48,000. My wife, Bev, a medical professional herself, persuaded me to go with her primary care physician, Dr. Joseph Sheehan. Since my heart attack in 2018, I started to take my health care seriously, and since he’s Irish, he should be adequate. Surprisingly the heart attack messed with my kidneys and liver, so I’ve been watching those with my doctor. I’m all about odds, so if the stats are correct, I’ve increased my probability of living an additional 51.5 days. Hopefully, those days will all be on the beach in Florida with a hot redhead by my side (Bev is a redhead).
my best interest. Chris is friendly, and I enjoyed his company. He is a fine professional, and I highly recommend his services.” –Rich & Arlene R.
Cod and Asparagus Bake
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
Ingredients • Oil for baking pan • 4 4-oz cod fillets • 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
From 2002 to 2015, the proportion of adult Americans with an
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