BY LYNN EDMONDS
Staff Writer
The Queens Tribune Health and Wellness Fair was an opportunity for visitors to get information about a number of low-cost health insurance options, enabling those without insurance to become compliant with the law, and those with insurance to shop for better deals.
Over 20 healthcare businesses, both local and national, were represented at the fair, held at the Flushing YMCA. The companies spanned a broad range of needs and target customers, with many of the services designed for seniors and individuals with low incomes. Additionally, many of the companies offered information both in English and Chinese.
But the fair was not limited to insurance providers. Care providers ranging from senior centers to postural specialists to dermatologists advertised their services, as well as manufacturer NMI Health.
An attendee talks to a vendor at Saturday’s Health and Wellness Fair in Flushing. (Photo by Lynn Edmonds)
Asian Americans for Equality was one of the organizations present that offers services for both seniors and those with low incomes, in English and Chinese. The non-profits’ health branch helps clients gain access to Medicare and Medicaid entitlements by offering free consultation on medical care.
Representative Wennie Hanson said a typical question from clients was “What government-sponsored healthcare program am I entitled to?” She said her colleagues would help answer the question by collecting household information in order to help them navigate government bureaucracy – even if they have limited English.
Non-profit Amida Care also catered to clients who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, including those with HIV, helping them pay for co-pays, medications and vision and dental care that are not covered by the state programs. Charline Covington, a company rep, said that subscribers “save a ton of money” on the plan.
On the other side of the room, Postural Alignment Specialist Natalie Graniela was deeply engaged in a visitor who suffered from knee pain.
The small business owner welcomed anybody “that’s got a chronic ache or pain that they can’t get rid of” to give postural therapy a shot, emphasizing that it “doesn’t require manipulation, surgery, or drugs.”
Graniela, who is a certified Gyrotonic trainer, said that most people’s aches originate from a sedentary lifestyle. She said she had designed a fifteen minute program that people could do while seated at work, to help fight those pains.
The therapeutic technique she uses, called the Egosscue method, was developed by a badly injured Vietnam veteran who had to “fix himself.”
She treats a range of clients from athletes to individuals with limited mobility.
President and CEO of publicly traded NMI Health Edward J. Suydam, who also represented his company at the fair, highlighted the company’s line of antimicrobial towels, scrubs, and other fabrics. These products prevent the transmission of pathogens including MRSA, the bacteria dreaded among athletes for causing “Staph” infections. The germ-fighting mechanism is silver yarn, a natural antimicrobial, woven into the fabric. The company’s towels and other products are sold to the NFL, the NBA, and hospitals around the country. Within months, they will be available to consumers at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Another local business present at the fair was NY Medical Skin Solutions, offering surgical, medical and cosmetic dermatology services. Ritu Saini, M.D., a doctor at the company, said that their personalized care, emphasis on prevention, and the wide range of services they offered set them apart from competitors.
Other organizations at the fair included: Services Now for Adult Persons, Inc, Healthplus Amerigroup, Metroplus Healthplan NY, Aetna, Humana, VNSNY, Wellcare, Affinity, National Metrap, Village Care, NYC RX Card, Alpha Care, Elderplan/MJHS, Americare, Guildnet, American-Italian Cancer Foundation.
Reach Lynn Edmonds at (718) 357-7400 x127, ledmonds@queenstribune.com or @Ellinoamerikana
