Dear Bird Talk, I reference the advice given to John & Debbie Chalmers in the spring 08 issue in the bird talk section. You stated that Florida requires an individual to have a Florida driver’s licence number in order to register a motor vehicle in their system. This has not been my experience. In late […]

Dear Bird Talk, It was with some surprise that I read your article about needing a Florida driver’s licence in order to register a car in Florida. Over the years, I have purchased three cars in Florida and registered them with my B.C. driver’s licence and nobody ever told me I needed a Florida driver’s […]

In the fall 2016 issue, a writer asked if blood pressure medication containing both hydrochlorothiazide and another medication was considered as ONE medication. Your reply was “it is only counted as one pill (medication).” I, as an RN, was rather surprised at this…should this not be explained on the application form? Something to the effect […]

If a person requires routine tests, for example blood work or an ECG that is not an emergency while they are in the U.S., how is that arranged and paid for? Laurel Pettigrew Cochrane, AB Response: Ed: No travel insurance policy covers non-emergency treatment or routine care for a chronic condition that requires monitoring. You […]

This is a shout-out to J. Ross Quigley for his article in the summer 2016 issue in which he referred to laser treatment to stop smoking. As any former or current smoker knows, quitting is very hard. Having been a smoker for more than 50 years, I failed with every quitting method offered by my […]

During my recent doctor’s appointment, I asked about getting the shingles shot but mentioned that I didn’t know whether I had had chicken pox as a child. Her recommendation was to get a blood test to determine whether I had the chicken pox virus in my system. If the test is negative, I am to […]

Do you recommend getting a shingles shot? We winter in Palm Springs. Thanks. Delores DAlberta Response: Ed; Absolutely!! And the two pneumonia shots, as well. And the flu shot every year before you travel. Past-president Gerry Brissenden ended up with a case of shingles a few years ago and it was brutal. Medipac has five […]

Section C, question 6b on the Medipac Travel Insurance Application asks if you have been prescribed three or more medications for hypertension. One of my medications is a combination of Ramipril/Hydrochlorothiazide in one pill. To answer that question correctly, is this considered one medication or two when applying for travel insurance? Patrick L Huntsville, ON […]

In reply to the letter about atrial fibrillation and the avoidance of foods containing vitamin K. The editorial reply has confused vitamin K with K-potassium. The former, vitamin K, encourages clotting (and should be avoided if you have AFib), while potassium (found in bananas) is good for the heart and blood pressure. Another food high […]

Your article speaks glowingly about the outstanding benefits and recommends without exception that everyone should consume green tea and enjoy the amazing health benefits to be derived as a result. My eyebrows were raised on reading the article, particularly because I have a disease called atrial fibrillation and I consume the prescription Warfarin daily as […]