What’s the key to thriving in this competitive field? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant   Medical spas typically offer moderately invasive cosmetic procedures like Botox injection along with skin and sometimes…

You have options when it comes to large hospital bills you can’t payBy Deborah Jeanne SergeantThe average hospital stay costs $2,883 per day, in addition to expenses for lab work and specialists.A lengthy hospital stay can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although insurance can certainly help defray the out-of-pocket expense, it doesn’t guarantee affordable care.“Gone are the days of a $20 co-pay,” said Marissa Vartak, family nurse practitioner, board certified in family medicine and owner of On Care Family Health in Cicero. “Ninety percent of my patients have $6,000 deductibles.”These high deductible plans often cover up to 80% of the amount left after the $6,000 deductible has been met.A person with this type of insurance plan would pay $10,800 for a $60,000 hospital bill (a three-week stay, plus lab work and tests) after paying the $6,000 deductible, making their total out-of-pocket cost $16,800.Many people would find this sum out of reach, especially if they have missed work because of their hospitalization or if they live on a fixed income.Although most hospitals will set up a payment plan, unfortunately, many turn to suing patients to collect overdue bills. According to a sample of more than 500 hospitals across the (more…)

The market just became more competitive with the entry of St. Joseph’s Health: Does Central New York have enough cancer patients? By Aaron Gifford For years, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer…

Oswego is the latest to get dental services from Pulaski-based provider By Stefan Yablonski ConnextCare’s registered dental hygienist Holly Steffen began seeing dental patients at the school-based health center at…

It was all the rage during the pandemic years. Now, not so much, but experts say it remains popular for certain things By Stefan Yablonski There are several factors driving…

Oswego Health announced the recent acquisition of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System and the first robotically-assisted surgery performed at the hospital, which took place. July 9. Robotically-trained bariatric surgeon,…

Health officials in Onondaga, Oswego increase efforts to reduce the harms of drug use and connect residents to needed services By Stefan Yablonski Onondaga County, like much of the United…

Advanced medical providers extend physicians’ reach, patients’ access to health By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant When you last saw a medical provider, it may not have been a medical doctor. According…

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently awarded Oswego Health with a $10,000 Health and Wellness Award to support Primary Care at Lakeview. The Oswego Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Oswego Health,…