JustCare

Category: Drugs and technology

  • The kiosk that takes your blood pressure is a tool to make money off of your personal data

    The kiosk that takes your blood pressure is a tool to make money off of your personal data

    Have you ever checked your weight or blood pressure at a health-screening kiosk?  These kiosks are popping up at major supermarkets and mega retail stores.  What you might not realize is that these kiosks are designed to collect lots of your personal information.  It’s valuable to health insurers and other health care companies.
    According to Kaiser Health News, SoloHealth owns these machines and will have 5000 of them in stores by the end of this year.   They take the names, email addresses and phone numbers of the people who use their kiosks and sell them to companies who want to market to you.  They also can sell your weight, age, and blood pressure information.If you’re not looking to gift your personal information to SoloHealth, it’s best to keep in mind that there’s no such thing as a free health kiosk screening.  For more information, click here.
  • People with Medicare are paying less for their drugs

    People with Medicare are paying less for their drugs

    People with Medicare are paying less for their drugs. The US Department of Health and Human Services just reported $11.5 billion dollars in prescription drug savings for 8.2 million older adults and people with disabilities since 2010.  Sylvia Burwell, HHS Secretary, credits the Affordable Care Act for these savings. People with Medicare are saving more and more on their prescription drugs since passage of the ACA.  The average savings is $1407 as a result of drug discounts for people without coverage in the Part D prescription drug “donut hole” and drug rebates.  For a state by state breakdown of savings, click here.
    Overall, drug savings are up $4.5 billion since last year.  Drug savings will continue to grow over the next six years until the donut hole closes in 2020.