Health Care

Are you one of the 180 million Americans who wants Health Care? Did you know that a recent study showed that the number one concern of those seeking employment was; Health Care Benefits? Health Care benefits are a big concern, especially for families and the costs have skyrocketed for employers. In fact General Motors had considered filing bankruptcy due to the increasing health care costs dragging down its auto manufacturing division. Instead the Union and GM management made a deal to reduce some of the benefits but keep operating as usual and instead shed its under performing finance arm GMAC.

Recently The Boeing Company Aerospace workers went on strike, not over pay so much as the benefits package and a better health care program. If you are concerned about Health Care you are not alone. Small Businesses across America now know that to attract and retain the best workers they need to provide health care benefits and if they don’t many of the top potential employees simply are not interested in working there. It is an extremely important issue to Americans one which employers must address to the satisfaction of the work force, a work force, which demands health care benefits.

One trip to the doctor for a kid’s broken arm could put a family in the poor house and they know this. Drugs are not cheap either for those who have medical conditions. Health Care is something that is on everyone’s minds these days but the costs are going thru the roof and many companies and families are nearing a breaking point. Think on this.

Tags: gm, boeing, employees, union, health care, small business, work force, benefits, drugs, serious

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January 1, 2006 marked the turning of a new page in Medicare history with the implementation of broad enrollment to Medicare Part D. While some have called it the most significant change to the program since its inception, we all know by now that it did not come about without noticeable concern for many seniors and eligible beneficiaries.

Representing a nationwide medical billing company, I’ve heard many of our clients - health care providers and practice owners across the US - remark how their patients are turning to them for assistance. Most of these providers maintain an inherent sense of care for their patients (perhaps why they entered medicine in the first place), but are unable to help due to limited resources, plan knowledge or time. Most have enough on their plate just keeping up on the latest medical news, not to mention managing their practice.

So, to assist doctors in helping their patients, I thought it might be helpful to research a few of the most frequently asked questions and gather some reputable reference points to convey to patients

Who is eligible for the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan?

• Coverage is voluntary and available to ALL people with Medicare. There is a multitude of choices in plan types, levels of coverage and premiums and co-pays for both generic and brand name prescriptions. Additional assistance is also available for limited income Medicare participants.

When can they enroll?

• Enrollment for the prescription drug plan began November 15, 2005 and continues until May 15, 2006. If choosing a plan prior to December 31, 2005, coverage is effective on January 1, 2006. For those choosing a plan after December 30, 2005, coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following the enrollment choice. After May 15, 2006 enrollment is still available, but enrollees can expect that premiums will increase.

How can eligible beneficiaries enroll?

• Enrollment information is available online at http://www.Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

What are the costs associated with Medicare Part D?

• When Medicare beneficiaries join the plan, they will have a monthly premium (averaging around $32, depending on the coverage they choose) and co-pays related to the prescriptions types (i.e. brand name vs. generic). It’s important for enrollees to consider the current cost of their prescriptions and weigh out the costs and benefits of the best options.

What factors should enrollees consider when making their decision?

• When choosing a plan within the prescription drug coverage, enrollees will benefit by considering the current cost of the prescriptions and the cost under the different plan options, then consider premiums and co-pays and decide which plan might afford the most benefit.

Where can I find other resources for my patients?

• Probably the most detailed “official” reference point for providers has been issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Provider Tool Kit. It includes reproducible patient brochures, quick facts flyers in English and Spanish that can be posted in your waiting room, as well as a letter from CMS Administrator Mark McClellan.
• AARP provides detailed review of the prescription drug plan on its website as well at http://www.aarp.org/health/medicare/drug_coverage/medicarerx_coverage.html that includes a “Watchdog report,” Blog and more.
• The Kaiser Family Foundation has created the Resource on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit pages, offering articles, general information, plan summaries and research reports.

As noted above, these are just a few of the most frequently asked questions. There are many other resources out available, but these appear to be among the most comprehensive and user friendly from our research.

Tags: medicare part d, medical billing company, medical billing articles, prescription drug plan

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As we Americans mourn the anniversary of 9/11 and the 2,973 people who were murdered on that day 5 years ago, an even more insidious homeland terror is scourging our nation. Every year in this country, more than 98,000* people die from an attack taking place in our local hospitals. This senseless terror is caused by medical negligence.

The silent epidemic goes unnoticed because its perpetrators are not wearing kefiyahs and carrying AK-47s. Instead they wear white lab coats, carry stethoscopes and masquerade as medical professionals. The 268 deaths they cause each and every day occur individually in thousands of hospitals, as opposed to the 2,973 deaths from that one horrific mass attack. And the medical community has succeeded in keeping its dirty secret out of the daily headlines. Healthcare providers do not inform patients or their families about medical errors, even when the result is death.

As a registered nurse, I’ve worked on the front line witnessing this atrocity and the devastation it causes victims and their families. As an attorney and legal nurse consulting educator, I’m acutely aware of the billions of dollars in unnecessary healthcare expense to the American public. It frightens me how easily the average person submits to a doctor’s or nurse’s decision without question, when you consider that for each day you’re in a hospital getting drugs pumped into your body at least one medication error will occur.** Startling, isn’t it?

Americans must be vigilant healthcare consumers. Our lives depend on it. Individuals need to research their own illness, be persistent in seeking specialists and insist that a friend or relative is always at their bedside. They should make sure their healthcare provider is not prescribing a drug or recommending a medical device based on incentives from the manufacturer. When hospital patients suspect something is wrong with their treatment, they should go up the chain of command all the way to the chief of staff, and if that doesn’t work, then to risk management.

It’s time to demand more accountability from our healthcare providers. Just as we demand that our armed forces keep the country safe from terrorist attacks, we need to also demand that our healthcare industry police itself and practice competently.

Tags: 9/11, medical malpractice, hospitals, health care

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