The Weather Authority: Hotter with scattered storms Wednesday afternoon and eveningNegotiations between NCH and Florida Blue could impact SWFL residents
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Hotter with scattered storms Wednesday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a hotter Wednesday ahead; scattered storms are expected in the afternoon.
Teenage boys suspected of car stealing spree According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, two 16-year-old boys have been connected to 5 stolen cars and 28 vehicle break-ins.
naples Negotiations between NCH and Florida Blue could impact SWFL residents A high-stakes healthcare negotiation is hanging in the balance as Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) and Florida Blue are at odds over how to handle the rising cost of health.
Cape Coral’s Darrion Jones ready to go from Seahawk to Jayhawk Cape Coral senior safety Darrion Jones reflects on his time in high school and looks ahead to playing for the Kansas Jayhawks in college.
Preserving paradise: protecting our water quality There’s a local effort underway to protect what many believe is our most precious resource: our water.
NORTH FORT MYERS What will happen to the Shell Factory’s animals after it closes? The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers is set to close after nearly ninety years of business. The owner plans to sell the property, but what will happen to the hundreds of animals?
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New details about Lee County man arrested for animal abuse A newly updated Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrest report details a troubling past for a new animal abuse arrest of a Lee County resident.
EVERGLADES CITY Museum of Everglades opens Python Hunters exhibit A new exhibit gives us a closer look at how bad the Burmese python invasion really is. The exhibit opened on Tuesday in the Museum of the Everglades.
NORTH FORT MYERS Habitat for Humanity receives $50 million grant for over 200 new homes The Lee and Hendry County non-profit applied for a grant back in April, and on Tuesday, the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved them for $50 million.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge shrimp boat makes it under on 3rd attempt The Florida Department of Transportation has reported that the Matanzas Pass Bridge was hit again by the same passing shrimp boat that struck it a day before.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors upset over constant flooding in Port Charlotte A couple living in Port Charlotte says they’ve been dealing with flooding issues for years, every single time it rains.
LEHIGH ACRES Roundabout approved for intersection at Gunnery Road and Buckingham Road Lee County officials are looking to improve safety and make traffic smoother with a roundabout at the intersection of Gunnery Road and Buckingham Road.
Local man falls victim to rare Guillain-Barré syndrome One day, a local man was happy and healthy, and the next day, he was paralyzed and needed breathing and feeding tubes. That’s how fast Guillain-Barré syndrome can strike.
CAPE CORAL 5 vehicle crash in Cape Coral near Pine Island Rd. and Chiquita Blvd. Authorities are investigating a multi-car crash that occurred in Cape Coral on Tuesday afternoon.
2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythons The 2024 Florida Python Challenge has concluded, and we have a winner.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Hotter with scattered storms Wednesday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a hotter Wednesday ahead; scattered storms are expected in the afternoon.
Teenage boys suspected of car stealing spree According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, two 16-year-old boys have been connected to 5 stolen cars and 28 vehicle break-ins.
naples Negotiations between NCH and Florida Blue could impact SWFL residents A high-stakes healthcare negotiation is hanging in the balance as Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) and Florida Blue are at odds over how to handle the rising cost of health.
Cape Coral’s Darrion Jones ready to go from Seahawk to Jayhawk Cape Coral senior safety Darrion Jones reflects on his time in high school and looks ahead to playing for the Kansas Jayhawks in college.
Preserving paradise: protecting our water quality There’s a local effort underway to protect what many believe is our most precious resource: our water.
NORTH FORT MYERS What will happen to the Shell Factory’s animals after it closes? The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers is set to close after nearly ninety years of business. The owner plans to sell the property, but what will happen to the hundreds of animals?
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New details about Lee County man arrested for animal abuse A newly updated Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrest report details a troubling past for a new animal abuse arrest of a Lee County resident.
EVERGLADES CITY Museum of Everglades opens Python Hunters exhibit A new exhibit gives us a closer look at how bad the Burmese python invasion really is. The exhibit opened on Tuesday in the Museum of the Everglades.
NORTH FORT MYERS Habitat for Humanity receives $50 million grant for over 200 new homes The Lee and Hendry County non-profit applied for a grant back in April, and on Tuesday, the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved them for $50 million.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge shrimp boat makes it under on 3rd attempt The Florida Department of Transportation has reported that the Matanzas Pass Bridge was hit again by the same passing shrimp boat that struck it a day before.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors upset over constant flooding in Port Charlotte A couple living in Port Charlotte says they’ve been dealing with flooding issues for years, every single time it rains.
LEHIGH ACRES Roundabout approved for intersection at Gunnery Road and Buckingham Road Lee County officials are looking to improve safety and make traffic smoother with a roundabout at the intersection of Gunnery Road and Buckingham Road.
Local man falls victim to rare Guillain-Barré syndrome One day, a local man was happy and healthy, and the next day, he was paralyzed and needed breathing and feeding tubes. That’s how fast Guillain-Barré syndrome can strike.
CAPE CORAL 5 vehicle crash in Cape Coral near Pine Island Rd. and Chiquita Blvd. Authorities are investigating a multi-car crash that occurred in Cape Coral on Tuesday afternoon.
2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythons The 2024 Florida Python Challenge has concluded, and we have a winner.
COVID-19 is causing hospitals to cancel elective procedures which could make your healthcare cost skyrocket. (CREDIT: WINK News) 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 capacity, forcing tough decisions to be made when it comes to prioritizing operations. “This virus spiking in different areas in an unpredictable manner is overwhelming healthcare systems,” said Dylan Geraci with KMG Insurance Solutions. Some groups have delayed elective procedures entirely while others like Lee Health are only offering a small, limited amount. If your elected procedure is still available, experts recommend making the decision carefully. “It really comes down to someone’s level of pain,” Geraci said. “Is your quality of life really being affected by the level of pain they’re in? Can you not live the quality of life that you want to live? If yes, then you want to get that procedure done.” The delay in procedures could cause costs to skyrocket for individuals. Especially because some patients strategically plan their operation, often first spending their medical deductible before going under the knife. Jon Hess with Athos Health said if patients are forced to wait until after their benefits reset, it could cost tens of thousands of dollars out of their pocket. “Depending on how long this goes, and how long it takes to reschedule some of these procedures, you might have a year where you have to pay your deductible again,” said Hess, chief executive officer with Athos Health. “You might have some extra cost that you weren’t planning on,” Hess added. The word “elective” can be subjective with medical professionals and affordable care at a premium. If a patient is dealing with increasingly unbearable pain, experts say more advice could lead to the right solution. “You’ve got to be a smart consumer in medical care. You want to seek a second opinion when you’re told to get a surgery. You want to do your own research,” Geraci said. Hess agrees. “Most physicians I know are more than willing to have that conversation with their patients. And if you’re confused or get an answer you don’t like, get a second opinion. Don’t be afraid to ask for it,” Hess said. MORE INFORMATION: Serious medical procedures can be intimidating. For more information that can help you make a smart decision, here is a list of expert-recommended websites: U.S. Preventative Services Task Force ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely Cochrane JAMA Internal Medicine If you or a loved one have had any issues or questions about cost of care, you can email costofcare@winknews.com.