Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after MiltonBoat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after Milton Crews have opened the Sanibel causeway to everyone, even those without a hurricane re-entry pass, but the city asks that people avoid the island unless they live there or need to travel there for business.
CAPE CORAL Boat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard A boat built by a father and son smashed into pieces after Hurricane Milton. Not only did the boat wash onto shore, but it washed into the seawall of someone’s home on McGregor Boulevard.
MANASOTA KEY Residents hope to return home to Manasota Key Life will never be the same for people living on Manasota Key. Right now, only emergency services and county officials are allowed on the island.
Man rescued by two Charlotte County residents during Milton Two Charlotte County men saved an evacuee during Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night.
MATLACHA Impact on local businesses on Matlacha after Milton Residents are focused on rebuilding one brick at a time.
SANIBEL First look at Sanibel after Hurricane Milton Friday, WINK News visited the island for the first time since the hurricane.
Lee County man reflects on rescue after Milton We’re hearing more rescue stories as people venture back to the flooded homes they escaped after Milton.
Tornado damage in Glades County due to Milton A cyclone twisted through Glades County before Hurricane Milton, leaving a trail of destruction in its path.
CHARLOTTE PARK Charlotte Park couple flooded out of home after Milton given help from community A Charlotte County couple had their prayers answered after their home received flooding during Helene and Hurricane Milton.
MARCO ISLAND Clean up on Marco Island after Milton Marco Island has gone through a lot to get to where it’s at today, and now another hurricane has come and set them back once again.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach cleans up together after Milton The Fort Myers Beach community has been through so much during the last two years and the list of challenges they have to get over just seems to grow. Now we are meeting a man who is explaining exactly how people on the island feel.
CHARLOTTE PARK Charlotte Park couple struggling after damage from Milton A Charlotte Park couple’s home was damaged by both hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving them struggling to find a comfortable place to sleep.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
SANIBEL City of Sanibel urges residents to not use water as Milton recovery continues Sanibel residents are being told not to use the water, as the process to restore services after Hurricane Milton continues.
CAPE CORAL Latest updates in Cape Coral after Milton The City of Cape Coral has provided their latest updates regarding the aftermath of Milton.
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after Milton Crews have opened the Sanibel causeway to everyone, even those without a hurricane re-entry pass, but the city asks that people avoid the island unless they live there or need to travel there for business.
CAPE CORAL Boat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard A boat built by a father and son smashed into pieces after Hurricane Milton. Not only did the boat wash onto shore, but it washed into the seawall of someone’s home on McGregor Boulevard.
MANASOTA KEY Residents hope to return home to Manasota Key Life will never be the same for people living on Manasota Key. Right now, only emergency services and county officials are allowed on the island.
Man rescued by two Charlotte County residents during Milton Two Charlotte County men saved an evacuee during Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night.
MATLACHA Impact on local businesses on Matlacha after Milton Residents are focused on rebuilding one brick at a time.
SANIBEL First look at Sanibel after Hurricane Milton Friday, WINK News visited the island for the first time since the hurricane.
Lee County man reflects on rescue after Milton We’re hearing more rescue stories as people venture back to the flooded homes they escaped after Milton.
Tornado damage in Glades County due to Milton A cyclone twisted through Glades County before Hurricane Milton, leaving a trail of destruction in its path.
CHARLOTTE PARK Charlotte Park couple flooded out of home after Milton given help from community A Charlotte County couple had their prayers answered after their home received flooding during Helene and Hurricane Milton.
MARCO ISLAND Clean up on Marco Island after Milton Marco Island has gone through a lot to get to where it’s at today, and now another hurricane has come and set them back once again.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach cleans up together after Milton The Fort Myers Beach community has been through so much during the last two years and the list of challenges they have to get over just seems to grow. Now we are meeting a man who is explaining exactly how people on the island feel.
CHARLOTTE PARK Charlotte Park couple struggling after damage from Milton A Charlotte Park couple’s home was damaged by both hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving them struggling to find a comfortable place to sleep.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
SANIBEL City of Sanibel urges residents to not use water as Milton recovery continues Sanibel residents are being told not to use the water, as the process to restore services after Hurricane Milton continues.
CAPE CORAL Latest updates in Cape Coral after Milton The City of Cape Coral has provided their latest updates regarding the aftermath of Milton.
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.