Archive for the ‘Health Care’ category

Universal Health Care, Socialism and Some Thoughts

December 10th, 2010
Lance Winslow asked:




Many Americans are demanding universal health care and promise to vote for any politician who promises it. Recently this discussion came up at an online think tank and it was amazing the differences of opinion. Can the United States afford Universal Health Care considering the sky rocketing costs of health care these days? One think tanker puts it bluntly;

“It is a “No-Go!” for several reasons, but I think I have the solutions figured out if anyone is interested, of course they aren’t. Such a system cannot survive in the present climate with the laws and regulations in the Healthcare Industry. It would bankrupt the nation. The biggest issues I see is people that do drugs like “Crystal Meth” who will be needing heart valves at age 35. What will happen is we will start making laws to prevent people from the dumb things they do, which will cause less privacy in personal matters, what we eat, etc. to shore up the run-away costs.”

Indeed, some of what he is saying makes sense, common sense in fact. But what are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Universal Health Care in America?

Disadvantage; We will bankrupt our nation and then lose it all.

Advantages; People can continue to be irresponsible for their own health and not exercise or watch what they eat.

People need responsibility for their own health and the care they need. And we need some deregulation so the “Patel Family” can convert hotels into hospitals with minimal laws. The over night stay in a hospital is nuts.

The costs for a plastic IV Drip is $500.00 that is crazy as the plastic container costs $1.95 to produce and the stand only $30.00, we have run-away lawsuits too. We cannot afford universal healthcare. We need to focus on preventative and education and responsibility. Also we need primary care costs lower and more doctors and less lawsuits too. Any thoughts?

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Does Medicare Pay For Home Care?

December 10th, 2010
Jesse Slome asked:




It’s increasingly likely that you are going to live a long life, into your 80s, your 90s and quite possibly even into your 100s. When you live a long life, the chances are you’ll need some long-term care. And, when you need that care, you’ll want to receive it in your own home surrounded by familiar things and the people you know and love.

That’s what most people want. Problem is, when that time comes, many people discover that Medicare has very specific rules about what home care is covered and what isn’t. The care that isn’t covered forces many people to deplete a lifetime of savings or force loved ones to become unpaid caregivers. Long-term care insurance is an option worth considering as an alternative and it’s best to start looking into this protection in your 50s and early 60s while you are still healthy enough to qualify. It’s certainly worthwhile if you are concerned about Medicare’s ability to pay in the distant future.

The following is a general overview of what Medicare covers (currently) in terms of home health care. Care must be temporary and part-time, and you must meet these requirements:

Your doctor must say that you need the care. Your doctor must document that you need care at home and make a plan for that care.

You must need skilled care or therapy (physical, speech or occupational).

You must be homebound. Homebound means that leaving home is a major effort and you cannot do it without help. When you do leave home, it must be to get medical care, or for short, infrequent non-medical reasons such as a trip to get a haircut, or to attend religious services or adult day care.

The home health agency must be Medicare-approved.

If you meet all the requirements for home health care, Medicare will pay for:

Occasional skilled nursing care: This is care that can only be done safely and correctly by a licensed nurse. That’s either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

Physical therapy: Physical therapy includes exercise to regain movement and strength to part of your body, and training on how to use special equipment to take care of yourself.

Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy helps you do daily activities by yourself, such as eating, putting on your clothes or combing your hair.

Speech-language therapy: Speech-language therapy is exercise to help you speak more easily and clearly.

Medical social services: These services can help you with social and emotional concerns related to your illness. For example, you might need counseling or help finding resources in your community.

Some medical supplies such as wound dressings, but not prescription drugs.

Some medical equipment such as a walker or a wheelchair.

Medicare might pay for personal care like bathing, help using the toilet or help with dressing if you are also receiving skilled care such as nursing care or other therapy. But keep in mind that many people need long-term care simply as a result of the frailty that comes about simply because of aging. Medicare doesn’t cover this type of need and you’ll pay out-of-pocket or have insurance to cover qualifying circumstances. Medicare also does not pay for 24-hour-a-day home care, prescription drugs, meals delivered to your home or homemaker services such as cleaning, laundry and shopping.

Typically, when Medicare does cover home care you do not have to pay for anything except 20 percent on certain kinds of durable medical equipment. There is no time limit on home health care as long as you continue to meet the requirements.

If you are interested in learning more about long-term care insurance as an option to pay for home care costs visit the Consumer Information Center of the American Association. There is a wealth of information and you can access the Associations comprehensive online directory of over 3,000 insurance professionals who can assist with your long-term care insurance needs.

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Companies Can Pay Healthcare Reform Costs Using Factoring

December 9th, 2010
Kristin DeAnn Gabriel asked:




During the last year, the economy has made it very difficult for many small business owners. In order grow, and in some cases, stay in business, businesses need cash. Now business owners are faced with more expenses from the new health care reform laws.

Some small businesses have discovered a solution known as accounts receivable factoring, a way to garner fast cash. The new health care reform laws will not be fully implemented until the year 2018. Many small business owners will feel the impact almost immediately, while others will not.

In the remaining year of 2010, businesses with fewer than 26 employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000, who pay more than half of their employees’ health benefits, can claim a tax credit of up to 35 percent of the premium costs. Individuals who have a medical condition will be able to buy insurance at a reduced rate. health insurers will not be able to put lifetime limits on insurance by fall 2010. If a company has less than 100 employees, they will be eligible for grants to set up wellness programs in the year 2011.They will also be able to offer bonuses of up to 30 percent of the cost of insurance, and the law requires them to disclose the value of health-care benefits the W-2 forms of workers.

In 2013 the wealthy will see Medicare taxes rise to 2.35 percent. This is up from 1.45 percent. It includes earnings of over $200,000 for individuals, and $250,000 for those who are married. Tax-exempt contributions to flexible spending accounts for medical expenses will be limited to $2,500 per year. And, employers’ tax deductions for the cost of a retired person’s Medicare drug benefits will be eliminated completely.

Any legal U.S. resident must have insurance by the 2014. Businesses with up to 100 employees will be able to shop for coverage by way of a health exchange. Insurers will not be allowed to reject anyone with a pre-existing condition. Any company with 50-plus employees that don’t offer insurance could face penalties of $2,000 per person.

As cost increase to meet the new insurance coverage requirements, small businesses must be prepared to avoid penalties and pay. This is how accounts receivable factoring can assist them. Factoring companies first typically look at the creditworthiness of the client’s customers, and they do not expect to buy 100 percent of a company’s receivables.

Since most companies don’t get paid immediately for delivered products or services, factoring benefits businesses that do not get paid for 30, 60 or 90 days by advancing up to 90 percent against the company’s invoices.

A company will be able to get short-term working capital, pay higher insurance costs, and improve cash flow and grow their businesses.

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Electronic Health Care Records & EMR Software

December 7th, 2010
Thomas Boggo asked:




What’s the big deal about electronic health care records? And why should medical practices and hospitals consider electronic medical records (EMR) software? We heard about a paperless society for years now and that’s the point of electronic health care records and EMR software. Electronic health care records offer many benefits in terms of cost reductions, more comprehensive and centralized medical records, the ability to back up electronic health care records to reduce loss of records, and faster access to vital medical information in cases of medical emergency which could save patients lives.

EMR software has the ability to automate processes that were previously manual and took a lot of time so they will increase the productivity of any hospital or medical practice. For example, EMR software eliminates the need to keep paper medical records in filing cabinets where they can be misfiled or even lost in some cases. With EMR software, each patient’s electronic health care record is available at that click of a mouse.

EMR software solutions allow for patient data to be entered directly into the system and can work in conjunction with diagnostic systems to boost office productivity even further. The lack of paper and ability to input information directly into the EMR software makes the data more accurate. There is a much reduced issue with deciphering illegible handwriting since the information is typed in and easily readable. Hospitals and medical practices with EMR software solutions also pay reduced malpractice premiums. Patients can even access their electronic health care records and make appoints through a website.

Electronic health care records are not without their detractors specifically privacy advocates. EMR software makes it very simple to remotely access electronic health care records and even to disseminate a person’s entire medical history at the click of a button similar to how simple it is to send and receive email. Privacy advocates raise concerns about this ease of access to electronic health care records.

They argue that employers and insurance companies can too easily gain access to private information and use to discriminate in make decisions. Insurance companies may deny coverage to individuals they deem to be high risk based on information obtained in electronic health care records. Similarly, employers may make hiring and/or promotion decisions based on medical information. Perhaps individuals with past substance abuse problems would be denied employment or a promotion for example.

So just like with many technological advancements, there are two sides of the story with electronic health care records. One the hand, EMR software can increase productivity, reduce costs, and save lives but detractors argue that electronic health care records are too accessible and rife for abuse by employers and insurance companies. Which side will win remains to be seen.

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The Current State of Employee Sponsored Healthcare

December 7th, 2010
Everson Ferriola asked:




According to a survey by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the number of offers for private health insurance has increased but due to strict eligibility rates the enrollment in the employer sponsored health insurance has gone down. The findings in the study further suggests that the primary reason for a decrease in enrollment might just not be the strict criteria but instead of the continuing trends in sharing healthcare with a spouse. Others factors that may contribute to the decrease in enrollment include the higher premiums, Medicaid expansion and an increase in inflation rates.

Firm Size: Large vs Small

The same study revealed the impact of offer according to a firm’s size. It found out that nearly 98 percent of people who are employed in a corporation with 50 or more workers are offered some type of health insurance by their company. The trend decreased significantly with the firm size. Only 64 percent of the small business, who employed 50 or less workers, offered health insurance to their workers. Small corporations point out that the workers have other means of getting health insurance therefore it financially is not a feasible venture to offer healthcare coverage. These trends in employer based health insurance program don’t necessarily mean that workers in large corporations are a happy lot.

It should be noticed that large companies do offer health insurance program but it is another issue if the workers are able to afford the expenses. In 2001, there were around 32 percent employees in US workforce that worked for corporation with more than 500 employers but remained uninsured. A study by Common Wealth Funds in Oct 2003 reveled that these uninsured workers remain without the insurance due to decline in manufacturing jobs and decreased power of Unions. It is now a common fact that the workers, both in small and large organizations are feeling the brunt of healthcare costs irrespective of their social status.

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