Page 3 - Jon Hess News Today

As COVID-19 swept across the world in 2020, insurance providers were covering 100% of medical expenses. Now, getting sick with COVID-19 could cost more than a million dollars. During a serious case of COVID-19, making it to the next day becomes the only priority. “You gotta fight the fight and hope for survival. And pray. […]

Healthcare groups across the country, including Lee Health, are delaying some elective procedures to deal with the rising cases of COVID-19. However, those delays can affect the cost of care for patients. Elective procedures are case-by-case, but experts urge patients to get informed and speak with multiple professionals before taking any action. Hospitals are nearing […]

Jun. 2—MIAMI TWP. — The township has approved a deal to hook up to the GATEway Public Fiber Network, joining several other suburban communities. The agreement passed by trustees Tuesday night will provide faster, more efficient internet connectivity speeds and better data storage at a lower cost, according to the township. By entering into a contract with the Miami Valley Educational Computer ...

Ionia County Sheriffs Office names jail administrator IONIA — A longtime corrections officer at the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office was named the jail administrator.  Capt. Andy Dinehart began his position Monday, May 17, replacing Jon Hess, who retired as jail administrator at the end of last year. Dinehart has been with the sheriff’s office since 2003. “I’m just trying to get settled in — just observing and seeing what changes may need to be made,” said Dinehart.  The jail ...

Young women paying to get breast cancer tests Published: April 28, 2021 4:37 PM EDT Updated: April 29, 2021 11:07 AM EDT Recommended A breast cancer diagnosis is scary, and the test to find out if you have it could cost you thousands, even with health insurance. That has a lot of women skipping their screenings. Women are told to have mammograms annually, but only if you’re over 50. Still, breast cancer concerns exist for everyone. Dr. Tasleem Padamsee, faculty affiliate at The Ohio State Uni...

Going for a COVID test cost woman $1,200 Published: April 15, 2021 6:27 PM EDT Updated: April 15, 2021 6:38 PM EDT Recommended In March 2020, before the world completely changed, Sandy Germain and her husband Joe were at Daytona Bike Week. When they started coming down with cold and flu symptoms, the COVID-19 virus had started to spread in Florida. They returned home to Naples, and at the advice of their physician, went to the closest hospital to get a COVID test. “At any other point in histo...

Insurance companies cover preventative care as an incentive for you to stay on top of your health; however, there is fine print for these so-called free exams and procedures with health care providers. A viewer from Fort Myers contacted WINK News’ Cost of Care after getting an unexpected $240 bill at what was supposed to be her well care visit, covered by Medicare. “I said, ‘It was my first well care with Medicare, and I thought it was all taken care of?” said Linda Baltes. “And (Lee ...

COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our lives over the last year. Now, it’s about to leave a lot of people with unexpected medical bills. But knowledge is key to avoid the sticker shock of a massive bill. At the start of the pandemic, many insurance companies were waiving all out-of-pocket costs related to […]

Patricia Mason says she has great insurance, but she just fell through the cracks Author: Mike Duffy Updated: 8:59 PM PST February 18, 2021 VACAVILLE, Calif. — Patricia Mason was one of the early patients with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital in March 2020. Like many others, she’s not sure exactly how she caught the virus but within a week, her husband rushed her to the emergency room. “They couldn’t help me,” recalled Mason. “My pneumonia was so bad...

Susan Leslie was elated to get the COVID vaccine weeks before she expected. She got her first dose in mid-January through a major hospital system in Central Texas. But that excitement turned to disappointment when she was asked to pay a $51 charge for the shot administration. “I really got angry, and I think that’s […]