Jacksonville Nephrology
  • Home
  • Your Team
  • How We Help
    • Dialysis
    • Hyperkalemia
    • Hypertension
    • Hyponatremia
    • Kidney Disease
    • Nutrition
    • Proteinuria
    • Remote Patient Monitoring
    • Transplant Managment
  • Dialysis
  • Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Book List
  • Online Access
    • Connect Health Tracker
    • Healow App
    • Patient Portal
  • Contact Us
  • The Bean
Picture

THE BEAN:
Kidney Empowerment

2 Hours to Happiness: Relaxing Places Within 2 hours of Jacksonville

8/12/2022

 
Picture
The Sunshine State is known for its beautiful beaches, theme parks, and outdoor activities. Take some time this summer and fall to enjoy some of the most relaxing places in Florida.

  • State Parks in Jacksonville:
    • Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
    • Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
    • Big Talbot State Park
    • Little Talbot State Park
    • Cary State Forest
    • Jennings State Forest
    • Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park
  • Springs: 
    • Ginnie Springs
    • Wekiva Springs
    • Ichetucknee Springs
    • Rock Springs
    • Silver Springs
  • Museums and Gardens
    • Cummer Museum and Gardens
    • Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens
  • Georgia Hot Spots
    • Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
    • Jekyll Island
    • Historic Savannah
  • Activities:
    • Massages
    • Picnics in the park
    • Painting with a Twist
    • Sunrise Yoga classes

As always, stay safe and hydrate responsibly! 

The Importance of Health Insurance

8/5/2022

 
Picture
What is insurance?
Health insurance is a contract between a patient and the insurance company that agrees to pay a portion of health and medical expenses in exchange for a premium. This generally covers the cost of routine care, emergency services, specialty care, and the treatment of chronic illness. 

What kind of health insurances are there?
There are a wide variety of insurance policies available in today’s market. Two of the most common are Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). 
  • PPO: allow patients to be seen by providers inside and outside of their network
  • HMO: tend to restrict patients to a limited network of providers
    • HMOs also often require additional steps prior to a patient having an appointment with a provider. These can include referral authorizations and/or prior authorizations for procedures and/or medications. Without proper documentation and information, care can be unnecessarily delayed by weeks. 

Why do we ask?
By asking about insurance, we are able to ensure that our patients are getting efficient and effective care. For example, the following may be affected by inaccurate insurance information:
  • Referral authorizations
  • Prior authorizations for procedures and medications
  • Virtual visits
  • Copay due at the time of service
​
How can you be proactive in your care?
  • Call your providers as soon as you have a change in insurance. These updates include, but are not limited to:
    • The company/carrier
    • The policy type
    • Policy, member, or group numbers
    • Copays and coinsurances
    • Insured and/or responsible parties
  • Call your providers and/or insurance company to ensure network status before initiating a change
  • Request referrals from your established Primary Care Physician (PCP) and prior authorizations from the ordering physician before appointments or procedures

Pandemic Precautions

7/26/2022

 
Picture

With constant changes to policies and procedures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to take a moment to keep you up-to-date with COVID-19 information and how we are working to keep you safe.


Office Policies:
  • Cleaning and sanitizing the lobby and exam rooms between patients 
  • Sanitizing high-touch items and areas
  • Using UV air purifiers in the lobby and exam rooms
  • Enforcing a masking policy for all patients, visitors, and staff
  • Limiting visitors and occupants in the waiting room
  • Vaccinated office staff
  • Rescheduling patients that are positive or within quarantine period
  • Offering virtual visits (when applicable)
*If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or are within the quarantine period, please call to reschedule any upcoming appointments with us. Virtual appointments are available upon request.*

Continue to keep yourself safe:
  • Maintain hand washing and sanitizing habits
  • Wear a mask
  • Maintain social distancing
  • Get vaccinated 
  • Stay informed 
  • Get tested if you have symptoms
Virtual Visits:
The State of Emergency COVID-19 Executive Order is set to renew on October 13th,  2022. We are tracking any updates and changes to the virtual visit guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns regarding virtual visit coverage, please contact your insurance company. 

COVID by County:
Duval, Clay, and St. John’s counties are within the high alert level for COVID-19. The alert level is determined by a number of factors which affect the precautions that need to be taken. Keep up with COVID-19 information by county here: CDC- COVID by County

Guidelines and Policies:
Our office follows CDC and Baptist guidelines and policies. You can find more information regarding these guidelines here:
CDC- COVID-19
Baptist Jax- COVID Updates

Vaccine information:
COVID-19 vaccines are available at most pharmacies in the area. If you need help finding a location to get vaccinated, you can find a search feature here:
CDC- Vaccine Information


As always, stay safe! 

Kidney Korner: What is a Kidney?

7/22/2022

 
Picture
Picture
The Kidney Korner is the newest installment of our blog, The Bean: Kidney Empowerment. We will be defining, explaining, and discussing various topics related to the kidneys, their function,  related issues, and conditions that may contribute to or result in kidney damage. We will also be providing helpful resources and infographics related to the topic. Check back monthly for new Kidney Korner posts!

Definition: Kidneys are fist-sized, bean-shaped organs that are located just below the ribcage in the back. Their main function is to filter the blood, remove waste from the body, and produce urine to remove the waste and excess water. Kidneys have approximately one million functioning, filtering units called nephrons. Nephrons contain small blood vessels called glomerulus that connect to tubules to filter the blood and fluids. 

What do kidneys do? 
  • Filters waste from the body (blood)
  • Produces urine
  • Contributes to blood pressure regulation
  • Electrolyte management
  • Fluid management 

How Dr. Munjal Helps:
Dr. Munjal comes from a teaching background and believes that a patient is more likely to succeed when they are knowledgeable about their diagnosis and conditions. He has a whiteboard in every room to be able to draw out and explain the importance, function, interaction, and relationships of various components regarding kidney diseases and hypertension. Based on the patient’s individual needs and case, he will prescribe medications, make lifestyle change suggestions, and order lab tests and imaging as necessary. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to discuss results and any other changes needed. Dr. Munjal’s office staff is also cross-trained with a wide knowledge base to assist patients with questions and concerns.

Helpful Resources:
Cleveland Clinic
National Kidney Foundation
National Institutes of Health

If you have any questions about how your kidneys function, call our office to set up a consultation with Dr. Munjal to empower yourself through education. 


Remote Patient Monitoring: Healthcare Beyond Appointments

7/14/2022

 
Picture
Our Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program allows our patients’ blood pressure and weight readings to be monitored remotely by their care team. Patients are able to remain in the comfort of their own home and receive personalized and comprehensive care. By identifying trends and out-of-range readings, we are able to alter a patient’s care plan with more precision in a timely manner to help improve overall health and wellbeing without frequent office visits.

Dr. Munjal seized the opportunity to incorporate this program into his practice when it became available to Medicare patients. Dr. Munjal’s passion for this type of program has only grown since the implementation of this program. “For twenty years, I have said that if I ran an insurance company, I would give all patients a blood pressure monitor and scale as they are two of the most effective tools to take care of one’s health. I have always asked patients to log all readings to review at appointments rather than relying on the one reading taken in-office. This reading may be wrong or an outlier (which happens more often than not) which can greatly affect decision making. If we can see a trend of regular readings in a consistent environment, then we are making better decisions for the patient. These devices are capable of transmitting readings in real time so patients no longer have to maintain a log themselves. Because of this, the care team and I are able to monitor and make decisions as we go along, thus fine-tuning the care plan.” 

Our office provides all of the necessities to get started. This includes your Bluetooth or 4G enabled devices and a personalized training session to become familiar with the devices and program. This program is covered by Medicare and most secondary insurances. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your insurance provider. We have seen a wide range of benefits from this program for our patients since we began in early 2021. Our care team has  been able to identify trends and intervene faster by altering care plans when we have noticed a change in health status. This has reduced potential hospitalizations, prolonged in-office follow-up appointments, and helped to improve care plans for other providers within the patient’s care team. One of our RPM patients, Mack Gooding, had this to say about his experience with the program: “It is extremely comforting, as a senior citizen who lives alone with multiple health issues, to know that my progress and health status are being monitored by healthcare professionals on a regular basis."

​You can learn more about this program by calling into our office, asking at your next appointment, or from our website here.  

Be HIP(AA) and Know Your Rights

7/7/2022

 
Picture
The CDC defines the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as “a federal law that requires the creation of national standards to protect sensitive health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge,”  (2022). The Privacy Rule addresses protected health information (PHI), uses, and disclosures. An explicit, written authorization is required from the patient to disclose any information for routine clinic practices and procedures as well as any marketing or research. Jacksonville Nephrology takes your rights to privacy very seriously. We require annual reviews of HIPAA compliant contacts and all contact information as well as screening all callers and records requests for proper authorization to release information.

What is considered PHI?
  • Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Address
  • Social Security Number
  • Any information that relates to past, present, or future physical or mental health condition
  • The provision of health care to the individual (appointments and scheduling, participation in programs, care plans, etc.)
  • Any past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to the patient

Empower yourself with more information about HIPAA and the Privacy Rule at the following sites:

​HIPAA- cdc.gov
HIPAA Privacy Rule- hhs.gov
HIPAA Privacy Rule- AAFP.org

Be proactive in maintaining your privacy and allowing others to speak to our office by filling out our HIPAA forms and finding our privacy policies on our website here.  

Our Fabulous Front Desk

6/30/2022

 
    The front desk team here at Jacksonville Nephrology does it all. Not only are they the first and last faces you see in the office, they are a well-oiled machine to make all of your visits and interactions smooth and efficient. They have a variety of responsibilities and a broad knowledge base that make them an invaluable asset as a part of your care team. You can often find our team multitasking with phone calls, chart notes, and handling interactions within the office.
    This part of the team is responsible for all aspects of the appointment process. This includes, but is not limited to, scheduling, retrieving lab and imaging results, processing new patient and outgoing referrals, and checking insurance and referral authorization status. Additionally, they are responsible for coordinating tasks associated with Dr. Munjal’s rounding outside of the clinic. Our front desk team handles most communications for the office including faxes, voicemails, emails, and other practices and providers. 
    Beyond this, our front desk team is the first line of defense when protecting your health information. HIPAA’s Privacy Rule sets strict standards and guidelines for the uses of patients’ health information. They work hard to maintain those standards by requiring annual reviews of HIPAA compliant contacts and all contact information (including all phone numbers on file, and mailing and email addresses), screening callers for HIPAA authorization, and other standard privacy protocol. They also frequently sanitize the waiting area and ensure safe social distancing practices within the waiting room.

Thank you to our front desk team for all that you do! We are so grateful for your hard-work and dedication.

Picture

Sunshine State Summer Safety

6/23/2022

 
Picture
Summer has arrived! Summer in Florida comes with relaxation and a plethora of fun activities and events. However, it also comes with many risks to be aware of and proactive in avoiding.

  • Sun Exposure: Always wear SPF when participating in outdoor activities. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is recommended 30 minutes before and every two hours after, especially if you’re swimming or sweating. It is also recommended to wear large-brimmed hats, covering with clothing, and wearing UV-blocking glasses. 
  • Dehydration: The summer heat can make us feel like we need to increase our fluid intake to stay hydrated. However, it is important to avoid overhydration, especially if you are a patient with a condition that causes swelling and water retention. Consult with your physician if you have questions or concerns about your suggested fluid intake.
  • Bugs: Florida has a wide variety of seasonal bugs with the most common being mosquitoes, love bugs, fire ants, and palmetto bugs. Keep bugs at bay by trying:
    • Citronella candles
    • Planting herbs that act as a deterrent such as lavender, basil, thyme, mint, and lemongrass
    • Removing standing water from outdoor areas
  • Disaster Preparedness: See our previous blog post for disaster preparedness checklists and other resources for this hurricane season here. 
  • Water Safety: Summer is full of water-based activities, so it is important to maintain good water safety practices. These can include swimming with a buddy, learning CPR, not swimming when ill, wearing proper flotation devices, and more. For more information and safety tips, visit the American Red Cross here. The National Weather Service has additional safety information about rip currents for those going to the beach here.
  • Signs of heat related illnesses: It is important to monitor for heat related illnesses, especially in the summer in Florida. There are a variety of symptoms to be aware of and ways to treat them. The CDC has a comprehensive list here.

We hope you have a fun-filled summer! As always, stay safe!


References
6 water safety tips to help save a life this summer. American Red Cross. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2022, from https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2021/6-water-safety-tips-to-help-save-a-life-this-summer.html
Ask the expert: Does a high SPF protect my skin better? The Skin Cancer Foundation. (2022, March 26). Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-does-a-high-spf-protect-my-skin-better/ 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, September 1). Warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html 
Kanuckel, A. (2022, May 17). 10 insect-repelling plants that are known to keep the bugs away. Farmers' Almanac. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-to-plant-to-keep-bugs-away-24734 
US Department of Commerce, N. O. A. A. (2021, July 13). How to avoid getting caught in a rip current. National Weather Service. Retrieved June 23, 2022, from https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent 

Rock You Like a Hurricane

6/6/2022

 
Hurricane season (June 1- Nov 30, 2022) is upon us. It’s important to be prepared if or when disaster strikes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a sales tax relief package into law that extends the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from 10 to 14 days (May 28- June 10, 2022). This package includes pet, household, and survival supplies. The price ranges for tax relief on these products are listed below. More information and advice for preparing for hurricane season can be found here:
https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/preparing-for-hurricane-season/

https://www.ready.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.htm

In addition to basic food and household supplies, it is important to have an emergency supply of prescription medications. We recommend that there is at least 2 to 3 weeks worth of all medications on hand in an emergency preparedness kit. A great way to store these are with pill bags or resealable plastic bags. The prescription name, dosage, frequency, and expiration date can be written on the front of the bag for ease of identification. Please contact your pharmacy for timely refills of your medications. 

For those who may want or need to evacuate or do not feel comfortable traveling to our office, we will be continuing to offer virtual visits. The virtual visit coverage under the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has been extended through July 15th, 2022 for Medicare patients. For commercial insurance, please contact your insurance carrier to inquire about virtual visit coverage under your plan’s contract. This is subject to change as more information is released.

As always, stay safe!



References:
Florida Dept. of Revenue - Home. Florida Department of Revenue. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://floridarevenue.com/DisasterPrep/Pages/default.aspx 
Home. FloridaDisaster.org. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.floridadisaster.org/ 
Renewal of de​​termination that a public health emergency exists. Renewal of De​​termination That A Public Health Emergency Exists. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PHE/Pages/COVID19-12Apr2022.aspx 

Picture
Picture

We Are Vaccinated!

3/31/2021

 
Picture
More of our team members have received their COVID-19 vaccine!  They proudly display their proof like a badge of honor and we are proud of their voluntary effort to protect themselves, their families and those that we care for.  

For more information on how to get vaccinated visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/.

​Stay safe.

<<Previous

    About The Bean 

    The Bean is a blog on a mission to share valuable information in the world of Nephrology.  We believe in empowering through education and The Bean is a great place to find resources and information on topics related to high blood pressure, kidney disease, dialysis and topics that enhance the kidney minded lifestyle.    Enjoy and be sure to subscribe!

    ​

      Subscribe to The
      ​Bean Blog!
      Get empowering updates right in your inbox.

    Subscribe

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021

    Categories

    All

Contact Us

Careers

Connect With Us

13241 Bartram Park Blvd., Suite 301
Jacksonville, FL  32258
Open Map

​
Tel: (904) 260-9898
​Fax: (904) 260-9891
Interested in joining our team?  Jacksonville Nephrology is dedicated to compassionate patient care through teaching and giving our team the tools needed to go above and beyond.  Learn more about current openings.  Learn More​
Picture

Empowering Through Education.

  • Home
  • Your Team
  • How We Help
    • Dialysis
    • Hyperkalemia
    • Hypertension
    • Hyponatremia
    • Kidney Disease
    • Nutrition
    • Proteinuria
    • Remote Patient Monitoring
    • Transplant Managment
  • Dialysis
  • Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Book List
  • Online Access
    • Connect Health Tracker
    • Healow App
    • Patient Portal
  • Contact Us
  • The Bean