Blog

August 19, 2016

MANITOBA HEALTH APPEAL BOARD: Your right to appeal

MANITOBA HEALTH APPEAL BOARD
Your Right to Appeal

Have you ever felt alone?

In need of an impartial decision re a health process?

The Manitoba Health Appeal Board is an independent body established by The Health Services Insurance Act. Members of the Board are appointed by the Legislature and are not employees or officials of Manitoba Health.

The Board is responsible for hearing appeals under The Health Services Insurance Act, and its regulation, The Emergency Medical Response and Stretcher Transportation Act and the Charges Payable by Long Term Patients Regulation 155/97 under The Mental Health Act.

What kind of appeals does the Board hear?

Insurance Benefit Appeals – ie denied entitlement to a benefit for out-of-province medical service claims and/or transportation subsidies
Home Care Appeals – if you are dissatisfied with a regional health authority’s decision re eligibility, type or level of service
Authorized/Residential Charge Appeals – dissatisfied with assessed, authorized/residential charges (daily rate) in a personal care home, hospital or other health facility
Personal Care Home Placement Decision
Hepatitis C Financial Assistance Program

How does a person appeal a decision?

Complete the appropriate notice of appeal form which can be obtained from the Board office or on the website
Write a letter that states the decision you are appealing
Must be completed within 30 days of decision being appealed

For further information, contact us:
Manitoba Health Appeal Board
Main Floor, Room 102-500 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB. R3C 3X1
Phone: 204-945-5408. Toll-Free: 1-866-744-3257. Fax: 204-948-2024
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.manitoba.ca/health.appealboard

August 11, 2016

FAMILY DOCTOR FINDER: Connecting you to your health care

FAMILY DOCTOR FINDER

Connecting you to your health care

There is an easy way for you and your family to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner with Manitoba’s new Family Doctor Finder program.

BETTER CARE

CLOSE TO HOME

Simply call or register online and we will help connect your with a health-care professional in your area that best meets your needs.

Call or register online

To register, please call our contact centre between 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday at:

204-786-7111 (in Winnipeg) or Toll-free 1-866-690-8260

Online at: Manitoba.ca/familydoctorfinder

Community | Health | Holiday Market | News

August 6, 2016

STAY ACTIVE, STAY HEALTHY: Physical Activity & Arthritis

STAY ACTIVE, STAY HEALTHY
Physical Activity and Arthritis

Carefully planned physical activity can help you manage arthritis. There is a difference between exercise and physical activity. Physical activities are part of your everyday life. They include household, workplace or lifestyle activities that can be used to help you be more active.

If there were ever a reason not to be physically active, arthritis pain would seem to be it. In fact, research show quite the opposite. Properly designed activities may not only decrease your arthritis pain, but may also increase your flexibility and overall fitness…and it can do wonders for your state of mind.

If you are not physically active or have never exercised before, starting a new routine might seem intimidating. It does not have to be difficult. Your body is designed to move and it’s surprising how little time it takes to become and stay healthy.

Beginner’s check list:

Consult your health-care provider
Set goals that are within reach
Set a time that works with your schedule
Be aware that increased pain will appear at first, but, it will disappear
Listen to your body and balance activity with rest periods
List activities you would like to do

One, two, three…exercise. If only it were that easy. Do a bit of research, planning, goal-setting and record keeping to chart your progress.

Helpful tips to get started:

Consider activities designed for groups
Explore local community programs and resources
Choose a setting you are comfortable in
Ensure you have proper, supportive footwear
Do not take pain meds before activity. Masking pain may cause injuries to occur without you knowing.

S.M.A.R.T
Set goals that are S.M.A.R.T.:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time-bound

Overcoming barriers:
Increasing your level of activity or exercise can be difficult and you may face many challenges, such as pain, fatigue and lack of motivation. All too often, it’s easy to find a reason not to begin. Here are some common problems you may confront and some advice to overcome them:

“I’m in too much pain”. May happen at the start but long term physical activity will decrease the pain caused by arthritis
“I’m tired”. If your activities leave you feeling overly tired, you are probably doing too much too fast. Start slowly.
“The weather is bad”. Be physically active indoors and out. If it is too hot or cold, go for a walk around a mall, museum, on a treadmill, walk the stairs or go swimming.
“There isn’t enough time”. For the 15 to 18 hours you are awake each day, you only need to accumulate 30-60 minutes of activity to reach a level recommended by experts.
“I can’t afford a gym membership”. Who says you have to exercise in a gym? Go for a walk, walk the stairs in your building, go mall walking. Lift bottles of water while sitting watching TV.
“It’s boring”. Make it a part of schedule and you will not notice. Listen to music while walking. Watch TV while stretching.
“I’m not experiencing pain anymore”. All the more reason to keep up your active lifestyle.
“I’m afraid of losing my balance or falling”. Lean against a wall, sit down to stretch and move, lie in bed. As you gain strength, your balance will improve.

REMEMBER, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START!

ARTHRITIS: FIGHT IT!

To learn more:
Call: 1-800-321-1433
Web: www.arthritis.ca

Holiday Market

July 27, 2016

STAYING ON YOUR FEET – Taking Steps to Prevent Falls

STAYING ON YOUR FEET

Taking Steps to Prevent Falls

While anyone can have a fall, if you are 65 years of age or older, you are at a greater risk of falling. A fall can result in serious injuries that affect your mobility, independence and lifestyle.

1 in 3 Canadians age 65 and over fall at least once a year
Falling is NOT a normal part of aging
Most falls can be prevented

The following checklist can help you identify the things that put you at risk of falling.

Answer the questions below to help you stay on your feet and prevent falls:

Have you had a fall in the last year?
Do you have trouble with your balance, are unsteady on your feet or have difficulty getting up from sitting?
Do you spend less than 30 minutes each day being physically active?
Do you take 3 or more medications a day?
Do you take medications for sleeping, blood pressure, mental health or pain, or any medications that make you drowsy or lightheaded?
Do you take less than 1000 IU of Vitamin D each day?
Do you eat less than 3 nutritious meals each day?
Do your shoes have high heels, slippery soles or fit poorly?
Do you wear slippers, socks or stockings without shoes?
Have you had a stroke?
Do you have arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease or problems with your heart, blood pressure or bladder?
Has it been more than 2 years since your eyes were tested or 1 year since your glasses were checked?
Do you do activities that put you at risk of falling such as climbing a ladder or using a step stool?
Are there hazards in your home that could cause you to fall such as scatter rugs, clutter on the floor or stairs, poor lighting?

Answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions identifies a personal risk factor that could lead to falls.

Share this checklist with your family, close friends or healthcare providers so they can help support your efforts to prevent falls.

For information and tips on how to prevent falls, visit www.preventfalls.ca

Take action TODAY to prevent falls and maintain your mobility and independence.

Community | Health | News

July 20, 2016

RENT ASSIST (formerly Rent Aid)

RENT ASSIST (formerly Rent Aid)

Rent Assist provides direct monthly cash to renters 55+ who are living in privately owned buildings and who meet certain qualifications. The monthly allowance is based on total gross income and on the monthly rent paid. An application must be completed by the tenant. People living in publicly owned seniors housing, rent supplement housing or personal care homes are already benefitting from government subsidies and are not eligible for Rent Assist.

For more information, contact:

Family Services
Provincial Services Branch
102-114 Garry Street
Winnipeg, MB. R3C 1G1

Phone: 204-945-2197
Toll-free: 1-877-587-6224
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.gov.mb.ca/jec/eia/rent/assist

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