Page 27 - Cannabis News Florida Dec 2020

A Happy Ending
Is It Possible to Recover

BY JOEL SECHLER from COVID-19 and Become

In September, Mario
Alfano began to develop a UNINSURABLE?
fever and shortness of
breath. As symptoms The short answer is YES!
worsened, he was hospi- The long-term health impact of testing positive
talized, developed pneu- for Coronavirus is still unknown. Is it possible
monia and ultimately that this virus can create future health issues and
went into full respiratory shorten the lifespan of survivors? Quite possible.
failure. He is one of the A recent study performed at University
many members of our Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany showed that 78%
community that had con- of people who had recovered from COVID-19
tracted COVID-19. Mario (including many who never had been hospital-
required intubation with ized) still had some kind of heart abnormality
an endotracheal tube to that was detectable on MRI scans two months
maintain his respiratory later.
function while in the hos- “COVID-19 symptoms can sometimes persist BY HOWARD
pital. A PEG feeding tube for months,” according to Mayo Clinic. “The WOLKOWITZ
was also placed to allow virus can damage lungs, heart and brain, which
him to receive nutrition increases the risk of long-term health problems.
while he was unable to eat Much is still unknown about COVID-19 and how
by mouth. Mario spent it will affect people over time.”
months in bed while
receiving medical care, Patient Mario Alfano (center) Do you take your insurability for granted?
and eventually the doc- If you do, that can make a short-term life insurance policy potentially dan-
tors decided that they and speech therapists, Mario demon- gerous. Suppose you own a 10-year level term now and have owned it for 5
were able to remove the endotracheal strated rapid progress. After only a 2 years. This means you will need to start shopping for a new life insurance pol-
tube. week stay at Encompass Health Miami, icy in the next 5 years. But what if your health has changed? Now what?
Just days after the endotracheal tube Mario was able to walk, go up and down I have witnessed many people who needed life insurance but could not afford
was removed and he started breathing on stairs and perform self care activities the coverage due to adverse health ratings. Why lock in your insurability for
his own, Mario was transferred to without any assistance. With the assis- 10 years when you can potentially lock it in for up to 40 years? Life insurance
Encompass Health Rehabilitation tance of speech therapists, he was able to is not the place you want to be “penny wise and pound foolish.”
Hospital of Miami. He presented with return to eating regular foods, and
cardiorespiratory complications and ensure that his cognition was the same as Ask yourself these critical questions:
required supplemental oxygen via a it was before contracting COVID-19. How do I know if my future pre-existing condition started now?
nasal cannula. He was followed by inter- Mario demonstrated an incredible atti- How do I know if I will be insurable in the future?
nal medicine and rehab physicians, and tude, remaining positive and motivated How do I know if and when I develop a chronic illness?
required nursing care and respiratory every day of his stay in rehab. He was How do I know if and when I develop a future heart disease or cancer?
treatments. Upon his arrival to able to achieve his ultimate goal of being
Encompass Health Miami, Mario needed able to return home with his wife and 2 Due to the pandemic, many people are going through stress and loss. This
physical assistance to get out of bed, kids without requiring any supplemental crisis is creating depression, alcoholism, smoking and drug addiction. As a
stand, and walk. He was also unable to oxygen. Mario is just one example of our result, many people will find it difficult or impossible to qualify for current and
perform his self care activities such as community members that have over- future insurance coverage.
getting dressed and bathing without come COVID-19 with the assistance of You may not know how close you are to a rate change or to a denial when it
help. Residual difficulties with swallow- the therapists, nurses, and medical staff comes to purchasing life, disability and long-term care insurance. NOW is the
ing, affecting his ability to eat normal at Encompass Health Miami. time to know your options and how to take advantage of them.
foods and drink liquids were also a resid-
ual affect of the intubation. Through Joel Sechler is a Therapy Team Leader at To learn more about your options and to get a quote, go to LifeInsureAssure.com
hard work with physical, occupational, Encompass Health. or call Howard Wolkowitz at (954) 558-3673 for a complimentary consultation.

10 December 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News