Health Care Systems

Medical Case Management Explained

2012-02-13T00:26:00.001-08:00

Although many have heard of nurse case management before, people are often unaware or misinformed on what it actually is and what role it plays in the medical care process. Understanding case management nursing will help you understand not only the processes of medical care as a whole, but also how specific diseases or patient problems are managed differently than others, while still providing the care needed.

Brief Description

In short, case management nursing is a medical cost containment service focused on developing a comprehensive care plan, for a specific client, with a specific set of needs, over a long-term period. Most often case management is needed for patients with long-term diseases or injuries such as AIDS patients, workers compensation patients, and even children with long-term conditions. Most case management nurses specialize in a specific area of treatment. This ensures a comprehensive treatment plan for the patients and a more efficient diagnosis and treatment period. It's also common for there to be on-site case management nurses at some specific treatment locations and care facilities.

Function

The basic function of such services is to make sure the care that is needed is received on time and most effectively to meet a patient's and care provider's needs. As simple as this may sound, it's a very complex task. To create the most beneficial cost containment plan, with the utmost results, nurse case management directs and coordinates treatment over the course the entirety of the treatment period including PPO channeling and specialty referrals. For many illnesses such as cancer this can be a lengthy period of treatment including primary care visits surgery, chemotherapy and follow up care. Others such as such as workers compensation and surgery patients may have a smaller period of treatment or may require different considerations for their injuries or health problems.

Proper management can help optimize treatment time as well as recovery time, reducing expenses for care providers and getting those being treated back to work and living normal lives faster. Effectively communicating between patients, insurers and providers ensures comprehensive and timely care and is an invaluable asset to the medical industry as a whole. Undoubtedly as technology and comprehensive treatment continues to improve in the future case management could become a feature of medical care that follows you not only through the term of treatment but post treatment, especially for children who continue with conditions or health issues as they grow.
About this Author

David Hutton serves as an internet marketing source for CompComplete, a medical bill review and Managed Care Services provider in Lawrenceville GA.

Reasons Healthcare Biomedical Equipment Services Are Here to Stay

2012-02-13T00:24:00.001-08:00

FIVE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS Regarding Biomedical Services That YOUR HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION Will Want Answered!

Question 1: What is the economic outlook for biomedical services? The future outlook for biomedical services is, in fact, very positive.

Comment: Biomedical services have historically been a "sleeper" but significant "cog" in the "accountability" arsenal of healthcare providers. This has been true long before the legislated "accountable care" option was on the table. Do you know that even the U. S. Department of Labor has predicted that a continuous growth for employment for biomedical service technicians and engineers will be much stronger than the average for all occupations through 2016? This "reveal" is predicated, in part, on the increased use of electronic medical devices, biomedical and diagnostic imaging equipment. The obvious benefits of life saving diagnostic, therapeutic and remedial services that are "up and running" are broadcast each day through your balance sheet and also the ultimate consumers......i.e., your VALUABLE patients.

Question 2: How is your biomedical service department currently configured, and are you getting the best value for your dollars spent?

Comment: The need for health care services will continue to increase, and containing your costs will be a major interest to the final results you see in your bottom line. Consider that healthcare services comprise a large percentage of our GNP: Hospitals, Ambulatory Outpatient Surgical Suites, government owned/operated healthcare facilities, and privately owned institutional facilities. It is not going away, folks! The consistent growth of healthcare without any "major new events" or "drivers" is going to increase...along with costs, of course. Biomedical Services that affect your bottom line are a key to cost containment.

Question 3: How are you going to contain costs and increase value with your current biomedical services engineering team, and what alternatives are you considering?

Comment: You must be well aware that competition and reputation within healthcare providers is on the rise. Rarely a day goes by that there are not announcements about some new outpatient surgery centers, private practice consortiums and hospital group consolidations. If you subscribe to any of the top healthcare publications, then you have observed this as well. All of these facilities have to be concerned with marketing their services due to the onslaught of facility options and the fact that consumers are talking a lot online about their healthcare. Biomedical equipment repairs, maintenance and up time are key elements that keep your hospital's reputation "positive" in the minds of your ultimate consumers....the patients. Your patients are tweeting, chatting on Facebook, and talking about your services with very little, if any, concern about legal compliance. Believe us when we tell you that you CANNOT afford to have your reputation sullied because the company handling your technical services and maintenance does not have your best interests at heart.

Question 4: Are you thinking in terms of your patients' happiness quotient and your reputation when delays occur within your facility due to "down-time" of technology?

Comment: It takes an incredible capacity to keep on top of all the new types of compliance models that underwrite an even greater need for accurate diagnostics, preventative maintenance and timely repair of sentinel life saving equipment. Hardly a discussion goes by without some reference to accountable care, meaningful use or electronic medical records with varying context but with little reference to the biomedical technology so important to modern medicine. As such, we enourage you to do some of your own investigating and stay tuned to our informative emails in the future.

Question 5: How are you calibrating your internal biomedical services teams relative to the costs of highly competent and reputable "outsourcers?"

Comment: Your biomedical team is one of the most "mission" critical groups of individuals in your entire hospital as it relates to quality of care. Today, hospitals and outpatient facilities are processing more and more patients with little time for recovery should systems fail, become obsolete or even not get repaired in time for reliable patient care. More often than not, well intended, busy hospitals provide their own "inside" biomets who are normally good "tacticians" engaged in repair, maintenance, and recording of equipment information on a day-to-day basis. Most of these teams are competent at what they know and yet are largely undirected by hospital management staff. Frequently, when an "event" occurs (and it will) with negative consequences, it is typically an issue that management might have addressed proactively as opposed to reactively. Such "events" can trigger huge expenditures for hospitals and outpatient facilities. Risk Mitigation, a "bigger picture" view, biomet human resources management, proactive thinking, industry associations, vendor networks and a seasoned biomedical services management team are all benefits offered by a solid third party resources. These services can translate to huge costs savings for hospitals via effective compliance to regulations as well as timely patient care and ultimately your facilities' reputation.

Tips for Getting the Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

2012-01-10T00:32:00.000-08:00

When seeking the ideal Medicare insurance, you need to get more information on Medicare supplement plans. Usually, these plans will give you the rates of payment as charged by Medicare supplement companies. This means you can use the various information about your preferred plans to establish the insurance plan that will meet your all your needs in the most affordable manner.

The main reason why many people subscribe to Medicare supplemental insurance or these plans is to be able to find the easiest way of meeting all Medicare costs. Given that many individuals have varied needs, many companies offer different supplemental plans to suit different customer needs and preferences. The varied plans cater for different Medicare services meaning you can settle for a plan or package that suits your needs best.

Medicare supplemental insurance is a recommendable way of meeting various medical needs, many companies target the older people mostly aged 65 years and above. However, this does not mean that the insurance only caters for older people as it is perfect when you cannot afford the medical bills of your household. As offered by different insurance organizations, the supplement plan gives the subscribers access to more qualified, affordable, and personalised medical services. Usually, all the medical needs of the subscribers are summarized into one and treated together.

Helpful information on choosing the best supplemental plans

When choosing the best Medicare plans, know that there are plans that offer more advantages than others. When you choose such a plan, you will be able to get more value for your money. The plans also vary from one company to another. The plans may also have different supplement rates. So, regardless of the rate gap that may have been created by the companies, you can still find the best rates and package with a little research on your end.

Helpful research tips

The first factor that you should consider when conducting your research is your monthly medical expenses.

Determine the number of people you would like to cover and the type of existing illnesses or the ones likely to come your way. With this information at hand, you will be able to make a better choice when choosing the most suitable Medicare supplemental insurance. It is also best to check your current insurance and its coverage. Then, settle for a plan that is not covered in your current insurance plan.

Get factual information from your insurance agent in regards to what the Medicare supplemental plans offer.

If you are looking for a fast delivery of services, choose an insurance firm that you have worked with before as they usually have most of the documents needed.

Compare different companies offering Medicare insurance services and settle for a firm that will offer adequate coverage for all your needs.

When making the company comparisons, ask the companies to give you Medicare supplement quotes so that you are able to choose the ideal Medicare supplement rates.

You can make a more informed choice by asking the supplement insurance agent to provide you with all the information you need. Find out if the company has what it takes to meet your insurance needs, know about its financial stability and ability to meet your claim needs, the application procedures and timeline for having your claims approved.
About this Author

Selina Cantu is the author of this article on Medicare Supplement Rates. Find more information, about Medicare Supplemental Insurance here.

Tips for Getting the Right Health Coverage After 65

2012-01-10T00:31:00.000-08:00

After you turn 65 the rules for dealing with your health insurance are totally different then they were before you qualified for Medicare health coverage. Even though the government pays many of your medical bills when you join Medicare from that point on, you still need to cover a lot of the costs of your healthcare yourself. You can buy several types of health insurance to fill in those gaps in your Medicare coverage. Here are some tips to help you pick the right health plans that will fulfill your need and pay the best price.

   1. Retiree benefits are generally your best option for health coverage, if you are lucky enough to have coverage through your former employer.

   2. A Medicare supplement policy can fill in many of the gaps standard Medicare doesn't cover if you don't have retiree coverage. When picking a health plan, make sure to assess how much extra coverage you are getting for the additional cost to you.

   3. There are huge Medigap price ranges for no real good reason. Of course that is just an opinion but many agree. Every policy with the same letter designation provides the same exact coverage, and customer service rarely varies to justify paying more. It is generally best to purchase the lowest priced policy for the letter designation you choose. But it is very important that you learn how the insurer sets their prices. Focus on companies with community rated or issue age premiums. These premiums do not rise just because you get older and tend to be lower cost over the long run.

   4. Make sure to give Medicare HMOs a good look. After a big infusion of funds from the federal government, many Medicare Advantage plans are offering very low premiums for prescription drug and healthcare coverage in more parts of the country than ever before.

   5. Everyone who qualifies should sign up for Medicare's prescription drug plan unless they have better coverage through a former employer regardless of their current prescription drug care costs.

   6. Compare more than just premiums when selecting a Medicare prescription drug plan. You need to look at the overall costs and premiums of the drug plan as well as your "out of pocket" expenses under the drug plan for the particular drug you take.

You can contact Medicare directly to find the best plan that will cost you the least each year or work with an experienced Medicare enrollment specialist that has the experience to help you get the most "bang" for your buck.
About this Author

For almost 20 years I have been an active contributor to many online publications. The topics I find interesting range from hobbies such as jewelry making to much more serious topics as healthcare.

The Specialism of Private Healthcare

2012-01-10T00:30:00.000-08:00

One of the main positives of private healthcare is that it is easier to get specialist care specific to the health issues a particular patient is suffering from. There are obviously specialists in the NHS for certain key areas, such as cancer, however private healthcare can offer specialist care where it may not be possible on the NHS, which has to cover all bases and provide for everyone within their budget.

On the NHS someone will initially have to visit their GP, even if thdy have a good idea of what the problem is. GP's cover everything and may not have much experience with this particular issue. If using private healthcare services a patient can, if they wish, go straight to a specialist who focuses on this area alone. Dealing with a specialist right from the start can be very beneficial. A patient might be referred to a specialist on the NHS but this will be through their GP.

Some private health clinics specialise in one area and one area only, for example mental health or pregnancy, so the entire clinic is dedicated to this alone. This can be advantageous to patients. They are dealing with practitioners who have a large amount of expertise in this area and they may be able to offer all kinds of services and extra's that might not be available elsewhere.

Specialist doctors can improve the service for patients. The first reason is an obvious one; they have a particular experience and expertise in dealing with the exact problems a patient is suffering from. They can, therefore, be better placed to help as they know this area inside out. It is also possible to receive very specific help rather than just within the same illness or condition. For example, rather than just seeing a bancer specialist, there may be specialists for different types of cancer, and then dietary experts and fitness experts who can advice patients on the lifestyle that is most likely to get them through their illness and prevent it from returning.

Unfortunately, the NHS has to be limited to some extent. It has to serve everyone and there are limited financial resources available to them. Extra services can be available privately that aren't available on the NHS. One example is pregnancy services. There is, of course, good quality pregnancy care on the NHS, but if going private, other services such as extra pregnancy tests are available. This is not a criticism of the NHS, but it is simply impossible for it to offer absolutely every service, so it has to prioritise. With private healthcare there are a wider range of services.

Are private doctors better than NHS doctors? The answer is that it is not the doctors that are better, but they are in a position to be able to specialise and offer more specialist services. They have more time to dedicate themselves to a particular specialism and more time to dedicate themselves to individual patients. This means they can offer a more personal touch and patients have more choice in how they are treated.

Andrew Marshall (c)
About this Author

If you are looking for a Private Doctor London visit the Medical Chambers, who have specialists across a wide range of areas.

Common PT PQRI Questions Answered

2012-01-10T00:29:00.000-08:00

Meeting and following Medicare Regulations are important for appropriate physical therapy practice management and necessary to provide the best patient care. However, this program can seem confusing at times and tends to generate questions from physical therapists concerning definitions and purpose. Here are four of the most common PT PQRI questions and answers.

What is the difference between PQRI and PQRS?

The Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) is a temporary initiative that was established by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As of January 2011, this program is permanent. With this change, the name changed from the PT PQRI to Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). Keep in mind, this change is relatively new and both terms virtually stand for the same system.

What is the function of PQRS?

PQRS provides a standard for 'satisfactory reporting' for Medicare Claims in an effort to optimize payment efficiency. By establishing a standard, the amount of fraud could also be reduced. CMS understands the additional physical therapy practice management efforts that this program entails, and in return offers a 1% bonus on charges.

How do I become eligible for the bonus?

To become eligible for the 1% bonus for Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule, you have to meet required measures for a specific percentage of your Medicare patients. There are many measures to choose from, including the use of an EMR. For claims-based patients, 50 percent need to be documented using these standards for reporting and for registry-based patients the percentage of those documents must be at least 80 percent.

What is claims-based reporting and what is registry-based?

Claims-based reporting measures clinical practice reported on claims. Here, the physical therapy professional or group practice themselves are responsible for the submission to CMS. Typically utilized more in smaller sized practices, claims-based reporting is cheaper and allows the professional to be in full control of data completion. Keep in mind that with this option, you'll need to have someone in the office with excellent knowledge of PQRS and can complete audits.

Registry-based reporting allows the professionals or clinic to submit data electronically to a registry. Here the data can be stored. The registry is then responsible for the submission of the measures to CMS on behalf of the clinic. With registry-based reporting, staff productivity is maintained and professionals can enjoy added insight and assistance when deciding on what is most appropriate. It is important to remember that with registry-based reporting, there is a fee, although money will be saved when office supplies and staff time are considered.

To run a more efficient and accurate PT clinic, consider the implementation of PQRS and take the time to fully understand the process, potential savings and benefits such as fraud reduction and payment optimization.
About this Author

Tom Brauch is the Director of Marketing at WebPT, the leading web-based Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system for physical therapy clinics. WebPT offers a complete suite of tools to streamline patient documentation and clinic operations. Our PQRS reporting system is approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a certified registry for PT PQRI. Find out how WebPT and PQRS can help improve you physical therapy practice management.

Urgent Adult and Pediatric Care

2011-12-19T00:41:00.000-08:00

There are places that adults can go for care without having to sit in the emergency room for hours. Whether or not you have an appointment at a care facility for urgent adult and pediatric care you will get in and out quickly.

No matter what time you are experiencing an emergency facilities can treat you as you need to be treated quickly and efficiently. There are places that you can go that are open 24 hours a day. Just because it's three in the morning it doesn't mean they will be working slower and taking their time.

Whether you have a bone break or a heart attack there will be something that these people can do for your emergency situation. You can go in and get out quickly feeling confident that your trip was successful. The facilities try their best to take care of you and get everything back to normal.

The doctors are trained professionals of course so you will not have to be nervous that they are new and don't know what they're doing. They are schooled and have many years of experience. Facilities try to bring the most skilled people on to their staff.

They go to schools for physicals as well. Sports teams and annual mandatory check-ups for kids can be done right in the school. The care facilities can send out doctors to on-call situations.

Emergency rooms usually cost an arm and a leg whereas care facilities will do their best to take all forms of insurance and even give discounts to those who are in financial need. They do not turn anyone away. If you go to the right place, they are about giving more than receiving.

Kids are entitled to exceptional work at urgent care places. They will be given superb treatment and quick attention. You will not have to worry about your child being in danger from waiting around with a fever for a long time. They can see your emergency in order of urgency.

Adults get great care as well. Just because you're an adult they will not having you waiting around forever. The places are fully staffed because they want you to be seen as fast as possible. They offer many different treatments for adults as well as kids in the building and on-call. They do drug testing for jobs for example. They can come to your work place and give your staff a full drug test and have it back within the time span you ask them to have it back.

It is just a matter of doing a little bit of research before any incidents occur so you will be able to pick the right place to go for urgent care. You don't need the emergency room. Just check out your local listing online.

Neurology Transcription Services

2011-12-19T00:39:00.000-08:00

Neurology is the branch of medicine, which deals with the disorders of the Nervous system. There are various neurological disorders which can greatly influence the central nervous system, the autonomous nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. This is a very perceptive specialty and transcription of the neurology reports is very much essential for the neurologists in providing proper care for the patient.

Neurologist, Neurology clinics using in-house often face the problem of receiving the delayed neurology reports leading to a lot of tribulations for them. The reason being, these average services use antiquated transcription methods, thereby delivering the files after elongated period, stretching up to 36 hours. This makes the physician to be on a very tense and pensive mood, as they are not able to give prompt, better care to the patient. Moreover these mediocre services, burden the company with their expensive costs. To document a single line of 65 characters, they charge a pricey sum of $35 to $38 dollars, thereby totally draining off the clinic's financial resources.

The clinics learnt from the costly experience, that maintaining an in-house is like maintaining a 'financial' white elephant in their capital investment. They shifted their focus on the well-jnown medical transcription companies. These top notch companies provide neurology specialty based transcription service at reasonable rates and quick turnaround time.

Neurology EMR dictation-Transcription Integration
Professional transcription service companies usually hire transcribers who are adept at providing neurology transcription services and are familiar with the medical terms used. The transcription specialists are very familiar in even handling the emr dictations. All these leading companies apart from accepting the phone-in-dictions, and dictations thorough handheld digital voice recorders, also accept EMR, EHR dictations. They provide all sorts of Neurology emr support services. The well known transcription companies integrate their online transcription module with a clinic's specific emr. The technical brains of the company mutually work with a clinics technical wing and setup a Virtual Private Network (VPN), between their online transcription module and the hospital's emr application. The duly signed HIPAA transcribers log into the emr with a help of a password enabled user account set up by the clinic's IT staff, access the dictations, document and place it for the neurologist's review. The physicians are given the options to e-sign the reports, print or fax it to the patients, referral physicians or to the insurance companies.

The leading neurology reports transcriptions services provide HIPAA compliant services. They are very much particular in maintaining the patient's medical profile information. All the datas are transported through secure FTP and 256 bit AES encrypted FTP protocols as HL7 messages.

To know more about their quality and accuracy standards, the leading providers voluntarily provide a no-obligation 7 day free trial, during which they document some of the neurology reports and it send it to the physicians, clinics for assessment. Once satisfied, a joint Business Agreement is mutually signed between the clinic and the medical transcription service.
About this Author

Neurology Transcription Services

Medical Transcription Companies

Human Health

2011-12-19T00:38:00.001-08:00

Constant Climatic changes pose a great challenge to Human Health. Even though toxins and disease pathogens are a threat to health, Climate change may cause health effects that are potentially harmful. These threats include impacts from heat waves, air pollution that causes ailments, severe storms and many infectious diseases.

Assessing the glaring effects of climate change to human health should realistically include setting up a capacity to manage the unpredictable climate conditions. Due to the health risks occasioned by the climatic change, there is needed to set up and run a vibrant public health infrastructure.

Since we live in a global village, increased of risks associated with diseases emanating from other countries should be considered. Climate change has made poor countries suffer greatly. Due to global trade that requires a lot of travelling between different countries, diseases are bound to flare-up in any part of the world. Extreme climatic conditions such as severe draught and storms also undermine the public health infrastructure that is in place.

It is worthy noting that;

• There has been a significant increase recorded in illness and death that has been caused by extreme heat waves. There is also death caused by extreme cold weather.

• It will be difficult to protect human health because set air quality standards won't be met due to Warming of the environment.

• Weather conditions that are extreme have caused physical and psychological problems to mankind. This has led to stress and depression related ailments.

• There is a marked increase in diseases that are transmitted by water, food and insects.

• Due to rising carbon dioxide concentration and temperatures, production of pollen is increased hence a number of plants with high rate of allergenic pollen have a prolonged pollen season. This presents a health risk to human beings.

Environmental contamination and emergence of infectious diseases has caused public health concerns world wide. Health threats have also affected the relationship between human beings with physical, biological and chemical conditions of our natural environments.

Over population has exerted pressure on health facilities and made it extremely difficult to maintain a sustainable public health policy and practice. Zoonotic and vector- borne ailments, airborne contaminants, Water contaminants and bio - accumulative contamination in the food chain have caused public health threats all over the world and require concerted efforts to develop solutions that are scientifically viable.

There is therefore need to understand as a prerequisite the ecological and environmental health so as to protect public health. Our scientists play an important and significant role in ensuring that our country has relevant scientific information and knowledge that will help us understand diseases that are a constant threat to human health and come up with preventive measures.

Psychiatry Transcription Services

2011-12-19T00:38:00.000-08:00

Psychiatry is an important and major specialty, which needs adequate attention from the physicians. Since this is a very sensitive one, the psychiatrists need to spend more quality time in giving better patient care. But a great deal of their precious time is taken in documenting the psychiatry reports, thereby obstructing them, to provide proper care for the patients. To alleviate their burden, a number of cost-effective psychiatry transcription services have forayed into the market. These foremost services transcribe accurate and expeditious psychiatry reports, and deliver them to the physicians in quick turnaround time, thereby facilitating them to provide proper patient care.

Psychiatrists, who use the service of the in-house, were often faced with complexities such as delayed TAT, error filled reports, etc. These run-of- the mill services, at their own convenience, lethargically transcribe the file. They make the physicians to impatiently chew their nails making them to wait for long hours. They finally deliver the files after a prolonged wait of 36 hours. The delay opens a Pandora box, from which hitches erupt, in the form of irate patients, cold stares from the referrals physicians and vehement insurance agencies, thereby bringing the revenue cycle of the clinic to an abrupt halt.

The entire above mentioned bottle necks can be removed, if one solicits the service of a leading medical transcription service. These companies have proficient medical transcription experts on staff. These people are thoroughbred professionals in the psychiatry specialty. They are accustomed to the nitty gritty things, the lingos, slangs, etc.

These professional services provide transcription solutions at dirt cheap prices. To document a single line of 65 characters, they charge a mere 10¢. This economical rate is not feasible, if one uses the service of in-house. Those mediocre services levy all sort of miscellaneous charges and bring the amount to $35 to $38 to document a single line of 65 characters..

Some of the transcribing services support EMR dictations. These high-end services, integrate their online transcription module with a clinic's EMR thereby establishing VPN (Virtual Private Network) Connectivity. The company's duly HIPAA signed transcriber log into the EMR, retrieve the physician's voice files, document and place it for the psychiatrist's review.

Maintaining the secrecy and confidentially of the patient's demographic information, is the first and foremost duty of these medical transcription companies. These dictation services stringently adhere to the HIPAA regulations. The patients' clinical information is transferred as HL7 messages through secure FTP and secure 256 bit AES encrypted protocols.

To know more about the quality and accuracy of their services, a clinic can make use of their 7 day free trial offer. In this trail phase, they document some of the physician dictations and sent it for the clinic's assessment.
About this Author

Psychiatry Transcription Services
Medical Transcription Services

Questions Answered in Medical Tourism

2011-12-19T00:34:00.000-08:00

Having a surgery or a medical procedure abroad is a major decision. Most patients have never travelled overseas and it could be a very trying time for many patients. They have to overcome uncertainty, safety, anxiety, fear and financial concerns. Here, we have tried to address the top 10 concerns voiced by patients.

Price: Why are prices so low overseas?
It is because the wages are low. Also many countries don't have hefty mal practice premiums like in western countries. This in the hospitalization and medical care reasonably priced for the medical tourists.

Hospitals: Are these hospitals any good?
Well. It depends on where you go. The quality is all across the spectrum. The JCI accredited hospitals are generally of excellent quality and compares well with American hospitals. Trent accreditation and ISO are also OK. But at the same time, watch out for the medical facilities with much cheaper prices than the established hospitals. Do you really want to get operated on in a "hospital" with less than 10 beds?

A typical JCI accredited hospital in India has at least 500 beds or more and has a dedicated international patient department. If this doesn't tell you something- may god help you.

Doctors: Can I trust these doctors?
Good question. Again, it varies upon where you choose to go. In some countries, the specialties are not well regulated by Medical Boards/ governments. In some countries, it is not rare to see a general surgeon perform a spine surgery. Again, go for hospitals with highest accreditation. They generally employ the best doctors with highest training and international exposure. The same thing cannot be said about the other bottom feeders.

Medical Tourism Companies: Whom should I trust? They all look good on the internet!!
It can be very difficult. A nice website doesn't necessarily mean anything. A high Google ranking also does not hold water in terms of quality. An ideal medical tourism company is professionally managed by health care professionals with on hands experience with real patients. A nice marketing call is not an assurance of quality. Be wary of the companies that deal with every hospital on the planet. How can they maintain relations with so many hospitals? Many companies claim that they employ nurses, but it is not true. Talk to the medical tourism provider and assess the situation yourself. The international exposure is a real asset for the medical tourism facilitator. The best medical tourism company has health care professionals on staff with real international exposure, selective in dealing with hospitals and has high level of ethical values

Quote: How can I decide on the quotes given? They all sound good!

Obviously look for the good hospital and the surgeon with good credentials. See if there is a fine print. Then consider the service levels of the hospital. Your medical tourism facilitator could be a great resource. If everything evens out, look for that special place you always wanted to go.

Safety: How can I make sure of safety?
There is no substitute for common sense. Do your home work before choosing your destination. Don't venture out alone after dark. Always let somebody know where you are going. Seek the help of hospital staff for recommendations or call your medical tourism facilitator.

Passport & Visa: Why should I send my passport to other country's embassy to get my visa?
It is their law. You are going to their country and you are required to follow their law. How would you feel if a foreigner intrudes into your country without proper controls and verification? Please make sure to have your passport before you start the medical tourism process. Allow about a month to get your visa. You might be required to provide medical documentation from your doctor to obtain your visa.

Airlines Tickets: What should I do?
Your medical tourism facilitator should help you out with this matter. Don't buy the tickets until you got the visa. Book your tickets as soon as possible to get best prices.

Touring abroad: How can I do that?
Plan ahead. Do plenty of research. Again, ask your medical travel facilitator for recommendation. The hospital staff and hotel staff can also help you. Sometimes, it might be a good idea to use the services of local tourism guides from reputed companies.

Upon return: What next? I have no idea!!
You should plan your continuing care. You might want to visit your primary care doctor. If you need to take medications after surgery, please make sure to plan ahead to get a substitute for you medicines from abroad. Please make sure to follow your surgeon's recommendations abroad. You might still be able to call your surgeon abroad, but please value his time.
About this Author

World Medical and Surgical is America's most trusted Medical Tourism company facilitating Medical Travel programs for North Americans seeking affordable surgery abroad.

Global Healthcare - Selecting the Right Medical Tourism Agent

2011-11-05T00:45:00.000-07:00

Global healthcare dates back centuries to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians travelling to hot mineral springs to obtain their healing benefits. Today global healthcare, or medical tourism is done through medical tourism agents (also known as facilitators). It has become very popular due to the higher level of care received, better recovery and deep discounts over U.S. healthcare.

For Americans, medical tourism is a new concept and many stumbling into it have no idea where to start when it comes to selecting a medical tourism agent. This medical tourism guide will give you a good idea of what you should look for when selecting a medical tourism agent or agency.

Company Size: How big is the company? Is the company real? The problem with finding a company online is you never know what is behind the company. There have been countless occasions when the businesses street address points to a house.

Time in business: Ask how long your medical tourism agency has been in business. It is also good to ask how they got their start. When you find a destination you like, it is a good idea to call the hospital and see if they know who the company is that you are booking through.

Network: How big is the network? When you need a heart stint do you want a network with 1 heart hospital or a network with all the very best heart hospitals the world has to offer? When it comes to your health make sure you are searching from the best hospitals. Global healthcare isn't global healthcare if it only extends to 3 or 4 countries.

Services: What services are included by the company? Do they pick you up at the hotel and airport? Is there a follow up? Do your medical records go directly to the doctor?

Quality of hospitals: Quality should be your greatest concern. There are world-class hospitals that surpass the quality and level of care in the United States. Hospital accreditations are a good place to start.

Member base: Are you travelling alone or with the power of members? There are companies that are membership based. This gives you far greater advantage when travelling, including no mark-ups on your procedure.

Communications: Are there transparent lines of communication between you, the doctor and the international patient coordinator? When it comes to your health, nothing should stand between you and your provider.

Money Transfer: I highly highly highly do not recommend travelling with cash or using credit cards to pay for your procedure. Carrying a large amount of cash puts you at risk, and credit card charges in foreign countries can be extremely high (as much as 18%). Always make sure you are paying the hospital directly.

Testimonials: Testimonials and references are always a must. This will put you at ease when it comes to seeing a new doctor. You can ask the company or the doctor directly for references.

This is just a guide to selecting your medical tourism company. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your medical tourism agent and your doctor.
About this Author

I'm always happy to answer any questions when it comes to global healthcare. Please feel free to contact me. If you are new to medical tourism I will encourage you to start your search at http://medicaltourismconnection.com

Author: Tom Jung
Position: Manager of Field Operations, Curatio Global
Contact: tom.jung@curatioglobal.com

Medicare Enrollment Tips

2011-11-05T00:44:00.001-07:00

When enrolling in Medicare there are many things to consider. It is not like a switch is flipped and all of a sudden you have medical coverage. There is a lot of paperwork to fill out and you will still be required to pay some expenses. There are Medicare patient advocate groups that can assist you. But here are a few thing you can do yourself to make the transition easier.

First and foremost there are tons of resources both online and off to help educate you about Medicare and navigating its huge bureaucracy. The process of getting enrolled in Medicare and utilizing the insurance can be complicate and frustrating but is well worth it once it is taken care of. By taking some time to do some research before you run into problems will take away a lot of stress and anxiety that many people experience.

It is very important to take the time and understand what your needs are from Medicare. Not everything is covered under original Medicare and you may need supplemental insurance. Many people are often surprised how much extra they will need to take out of their own pocket to get the coverage they need. But on the flip side you don't want to be paying for things that you don't use. By taking full stock of what your needs are now and what they may be in the future along with your options and financial resources you can get the care you need.

There are many changes that are occurring to Medicare and it is very important for you to understand what they are. If you are currently have health insurance and are going over to Medicare there are other changes that may occur. Can you still go to the same doctor? Are the co-pays the same? What will be the costs of medications? Make sure to fully understand what may change when you start to utilize your Medicare services. Cost of medications may actually go up. So take some time and understand the real costs for you that these changes may incur.

Having medical coverage is one of the most important things in our daily life. Especially as we get older. It can also be one of the most trying and dreadful tasks to deal with. By following these very simple steps you can not only have health coverage but the proper coverage at the right price. In the event the task is to daunting to handle, utilize a Medicare patient advocate service.

Medicare Supplemental Providers

2011-11-05T00:44:00.000-07:00

Seniors all around the world can look forward to having the comfort of Medicare on their side when it comes to healthcare needs. When you reach the age of 65, you are eligible to enroll in the governmental system known as Medicare. While this program will only cover 80% of approved medical expenses, many find that it is well worth it. Contrary to popular belief, the other 20% left uncovered does not have to be out-of-pocket. There are other healthcare plans available to act as secondary coverage that go along with your Medicare insurance.

Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, plans are available to those enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. These plans work with Medicare to help cover the 20% that is not covered with just traditional Medicare alone. Medicare Supplement plans are essential to those who may want to avoid paying thousands of dollars more than necessary for their healthcare coverage. Not being enrolled in a plan of this type can lead to having to pay a lot more than you should out of your own pocket.

Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans are standardized across the many states that recognize them. What this means is that whether you purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan G from one insurance company or another, the plan name and benefits will be the same. However, even though they are uniform in nature, insurance companies do not all charge the same for their plans as they are competing for your business. In fact, premiums are commonly based on a number of important factors. A few of the major aspects that play a role in how much you will pay for your insurance are:

Zip Code: Contrary to popular belief, the exact zip code in which you reside matters.

Age: Your age at the time you apply for a policy also plays a role in your premium. Obviously, the older you are, the higher your monthly payments would likely be.

Health Status: If you currently have a serious illness, it is probably safe to assume that you will require many doctor visits and health bills.

Gender: Believe it or not, there are some illnesses that people of one gender or another are more susceptible to contracting.

Tobacco Use: Those who smoke are likely to be at a higher risk for cancer among other serious diseases.

While there are many Medicare Supplemental providers available, it is important to take care when deciding which plan and insurance carrier is best for you.

Tips For Starting a Home Healthcare Business

2011-11-05T00:42:00.000-07:00

The aging population growth and the preference of many older people to remain in their homes around familiar surroundings is one reason why home health care businesses will be growing in the years to come. Starting a home health care business requires research on the industry as well as state and local regulations, but it can be a financially rewarding business.

Below are several steps that have to be thoroughly researched and explored, but if done correctly will help you when starting a home health care business:

   1. Review local home health care business regulations - each state will have rules and regulations regarding starting home health care businesses. Check with the local state department to determine which agency handles those regulations and request information. This is important to ensure that the business is meeting licensing and regulatory requirements from the first day of operations.

   2. Determine services provided - researching the types of home care services to be provided can help determine if there is a need for those services. Research other local home care agencies to determine the services being offered. Developing a special niche of services will set the home business apart from the competitors, such as offering medical services if the competition only provides non-medical care.

   3. Decide on the type of business entity - the business can be a sole proprietor, corporation, limited liability corporation, or partnership. It is best to consult with an attorney and tax accountant about which entity works best relative to tax liability, payroll, sales tax, worker's compensation and business liability.

   4. Obtain a business license - each business must have an Employee Identification Number (EIN) from the federal government. This number is easily obtained online, or by calling the IRS, and does not cost money. This number is like the business' social security number for tax and liability purposes. Protect the number the same as a social security number.

   5. Determine hours of business operation - will the home health care agency operation around-the-clock, or only specific hours of the day? This is where understanding the competition in the area can help with developing a niche that differentiates the business from competitors. If most home health care companies only provide daytime services, offering nighttime services can mean getting more business from customers who require evening or overnight care.

   6. Develop employee requirements and job descriptions - if offering non-medical services only, the skills required by employees will be different than a home health care business that offers medical services. Finding quality, dependable employees can be a major part of operating a home health care business. Contact local CNA (certified nursing assistant) schools, as well as nursing or other health care training schools to determine availability of competent graduates on an on-going basis. Marketing a skilled, trained staff will solidify the reputation of the business. Developing long-term relationships with training schools and agencies will generate a supply of available qualified, licensed staff. All staff should be required to pass federal criminal background checks and random drug testing.

   7. Obtain liability insurance - it is very important to have full liability insurance when operating a home health care business. Consult a licensed insurance agency to make sure that the insurance protects the owner, employees, and business from liability.

   8. Apply for Medicaid and Medicare acceptance, as well as private insurance - many insurance companies are paying for home care services in lieu of expensive hospital or nursing home care. Applying and meeting the guidelines of all insurers will result in a wider range of eligible patients, as well as a reliable stream of income.

   9. Determine minimum start-up costs, and work with local business start-up agencies to develop a business plan that will result in obtaining loans and funding for starting a home health care business. A business plan is not only for submitting to banks for funding, but will also serve as the guiding principles for the home health care business.

Facts About Medicare

2011-11-05T00:41:00.000-07:00

Medicare is a federally funded insurance program that was established in 1964. The following groups of people may be eligible to receive benefits:

• People who are at least 65 years old
• People under 65 who have specific disabilities
• People of all ages who have permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis

Individuals who are still working at 65 should enroll in Medicare Part A in order to receive benefits for expenses not covered by private insurance. A variety of private plans, called Medigap, that were designed to cover temporary gaps in benefits or supplement uncovered benefits are available to meet specific needs.

Medicare is divided into four categories and pays some of the costs for each of the following needs:

• Part A - in-patient hospital care, hospice, skilled nursing facilities, home health care
• Part B - out-patient hospital care, visits to doctors' office, home health care; some expenses not covered by Part A
• Part C - certain kinds of preventive care; also called Medicare Advantage Plans
• Part D - prescription drugs from companies approved by Medicare; help with prescriptions; possibly lowers prices of prescription drugs; also called Medicare prescription drug coverage

Although the Medicare system cannot be easily summarized in one short description, there are a few basic facts that make the research go a little more smoothly:

1. Medicare and Medicaid are two entirely different programs. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid is administered by the state and helps to pay for specific needs of people with low incomes. Some people, however, meet the requirements for both programs.

2. Medicare's preventive services are designed to prevent illnesses from occurring or from worsening. These services may include information, screenings, vaccinations, and tests that help to maintain healthy lifestyles. Patients who have had Part B for 12 months qualify for a yearly "wellness" visit.

3. Medicare-approved private insurance companies provide coverage for Medicare C and D. These plans may involve additional costs.

4. Physicians are required to file claims for patients covered under Original Medicare. Doctors are not required to file claims for patients who have Medicare Advantage because medical providers receive small payments monthly from these insurance companies.

5. Medicare does not usually pay for custodial care provided by nursing homes. However, patients who qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for these services.

Negotiating the benefits and yearly changes of health insurance can be time-consuming and confusing. For detailed information and answers to specific questions, visit medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare.
About this Author

Joann Carlisle is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on health care, Finance Dad offers readers tips for ways to cut health care costs.

Prevent Dehydration

2011-11-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

Dehydration can occur suddenly or over time, and may interfere with cognition vis a vis reduced mental clarity and physical performance. Studies show that dehydration symptoms can range from mild to fatal, and you may not even know you're dehydrated! On the other end of the spectrum, in 1995, 600 people reportedly died during a summer heat wave in Chicago. So, when in high temperatures, be sure to hydrate properly and take time out in cool areas to help prevent the cumulative adverse impact of heat exposure. If there is no air conditioning for you to cool off in, find a shady area and stay hydrated as much as possible.

Research shows that dehydration can result from many internal or external causes, and not necessarily from hot temperatures. For instance, exercise, medical conditions, medications, inflammation, diabetes, alcohol consumption, etc., may be causes or conditions which contribute to dehydration. If dehydration becomes severe, reduced blood flow to the brain and body, may leave you in a state of confusion and weakness. So, its important to learn and be aware of dehydration signs and symptoms. According to the National Institute of Health, when you are becoming dehydrated, you may have increased thirst, dry mouth, cessation of tear production by the eyes, cessation of sweating, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, and lightheadedness (especially when standing), which may manifest in heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, CALL YOUR DOCTOR and get some help.

So let's talk about hydration. While its important to drink several glasses of water a day, sometimes water is not enough to balance out the electrolytes in your body. According to leading American sports and fitness scientist, Dr. John Heiss, mental and physical performance is strongly related to the body's biochemical reactions to certain salt balances (electrolytes). It has been very hot in Los Angeles this week, and I noted this issue addressed with a few of my students who came off of a basketball court and took measures to properly replenish their electrolytes. They seemed ready to play another round - and once refreshed, seemed impervious to the heat!

I've personally found that when my electrolytes are replenished, I am aware of enhanced mental clarity and improved physical performance. As a Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) survivor, I can also tell you that although the cognitive and physical after-effects of chemo-therapy have been challenging, nutritional enhancements definitely have boosted my energy and cognitive performance.

PS. Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing when outside in the heat. Do drink plenty of water and carry a personal fan or mister to cool yourself!
About this Author

Too often many sports drinks have sugar or caffeine; however, Hydrate, a new bio-available electrolyte supplement, comes in tiny stick pack can fit in a pocket! This Stevia-sweetened alternative sports drink is only 15 calories. It quickly replaces lost salts and minerals, and adds C and B vitamins to sustain energy. Use it at workouts and outdoor events where sweating, activity, and heat stress cause fluid loss. All the best! Visit http://www.myhydrate.com

http://www.myhydrate.com

Health Prevention As a Priority

2011-11-05T00:27:00.000-07:00

On June 6, 2006, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and the richest man in the world, announced that he would scale back his work at Microsoft and allocate more time to the charitable foundation he co-founded with his wife Melinda.

Ten days later, Warren Buffett, the second wealthiest man in the world publicly announced he was handing over his fortune to the Bill Gates & Melinda Gates Foundation, which primarily focuses on improving global health.

The largest philanthropic foundation in the world had its beginnings and doubled to more than $60 billion.

Why would the wealthiest men in the world have such passion for one cause?

One reason for their dedication and philanthropic endeavor was they were saddened to find out that 3 million children die of diseases that are absolutely preventable. In addition, they share in their concern about the inequalities between people living in different parts of the world.

Bill Gates addressed the World Health Assembly, a part of the World Health Organization, and stated the following:

"I first learned about these tragic health inequalities some years ago when I was reading an article about diseases in the developing world. It showed that more than half a million children die every year from "rotavirus." I thought, "Rotavirus?"-I've never even heard of it. How could I never have heard of something that kills half a million children every year!?" Melinda and I had assumed that if there were vaccines and treatments that could save lives, governments would be doing everything they could to get them to the people who needed them. But they weren't. We couldn't escape the brutal conclusion that in--our world today-some lives are seen as worth saving and others are not. We said to ourselves: "This can't be true. But if it is, it deserves to be the priority of our giving."

Bill and Melinda Gates found global health.

Why should you care about global health?

First, health is a common experience for all humans.

It doesn't matter what social, economic, or cultural differences we may have that set us apart from each other. Every human being knows what it is like to be sick, or care for family members or friends who are ill or injured, and to mourn loss of someone we love. This is common among us. This should inspire compassion within us.

Second, Bill and Melinda Gates and physician, activist, and anthropologist, Paul Farmer make it clear that human beings have a fundamental right to health. Water, shelter, and food are human needs. If good health is a human need and right then millions of people around the world do not have access to basic health care because of where they were born, how much money their family make, or other circumstances that may be beyond their control.

If health is a human right, then regardless of the conditions that made them vulnerable to disability, illness, or premature death, people should have access to basic health care and prevention from preventable diseases.

Finally, globalization is constantly changing our economic and social makeup, as well as how we experience health. Our health and well-being is connected to everyone else. Our personal health practices like eating nutritious food, frequent hand-washing, exercise and getting vaccinations have the potential of keeping you, your family, and your co-workers health. However, infectious diseases like West Nile virus can fly over borders by birds that carry the influenza virus. In addition, insects are imported on leafs of lettuce and bananas. This complex means and spread of disease requires that we think beyond our households and local communities to the reality of global levels.

The world is becoming more interconnected. Modern transportation allows infectious diseases to cross over our borders. Good sanitation practices and enforcement of environmental laws geared toward keeping our food products safe is vital to our health and well-being.

The more educated and informed we are; how well we respond to safety hazards and infectious disease the healthier we become. Examine your values and consider what choices you make that may impact other people's lives. Consider taking a view on how you can become more involved in creating solutions to health problems.

You can make a difference in the lives of millions across the globe by becoming more involved in helping to form a healthier world.
About this Author

Learn more about living a healthier life. Visit the following link and you'll be taken to a website with more valuable information from George Zapo

Benefits Of BloodBorne Pathogens Online Training

2011-11-05T00:26:00.000-07:00

If you anticipate facing contact with human blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids in your job, it is imperative to complete BBP training. Training helps you get adequate knowledge on how BBP are transmitted from one person to another, how to prevent or reduce exposure to human blood and other infectious materials and steps to be taken if you are exposed.

BloodBorne Pathogens Training- Why Is It So Important?

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention estimated that around 380,000 workers in health care institutions were injured by sharp instruments like needles and infected with bloodborne pathogens.

Around 200,000 employers in other industries were also infected with these harmful microorganisms. Providing proper training to people who are at risk of exposure to blood and body fluids can help reduce the risk of developing a disease and transmitting infection. You can learn a lot of useful aspects by opting for BBP training-

• You can learn how to wash your hands thoroughly after they are exposed to blood or other potentially harmful materials.

• You will learn the importance of wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. You will be taught on when to wear gloves, gowns, footwear and face shields.

• Training helps you understand how to clean potentially contaminated surfaces thoroughly.

• You will be taught about the modes of bloodborne pathogens transmission and how to protect yourself against them.

• Training covers various topics related to bloodborne pathogens. You can learn what bloodborne pathogens are and how to identify them. You can learn the techniques to deal with them properly, so that you can protect yourself against the risk of infection and continue to provide first aid and care.

• Training helps you understand the emergency procedures that should be followed when there is exposure to blood and body fluids.

• It also teaches you how to dispose contaminated items that will release pathogens safely.

Benefits of receiving bloodborne pathogens training online

• As the online training is interactive, you can learn everything about pathogens, preventative measures and post exposure procedures easily and quickly.

• You can learn at your own pace as the training is accessible 24/7.

• As the course duration is just one or two hours, there is no necessity to take leave from your job to attend online pathogens training. You can complete the course at any time convenient to you.

• Online training can be opted for by those who wish to update their knowledge in this field or by those who are taking first aid training for the first time.

• You will get a course completion certificate at the end of training.

Bloodborne pathogens training is thus a necessity for anyone who anticipates coming in contact with human blood and other infectious fluids while performing the tasks assigned to them. It is mandatory to complete the training program for certain jobs at medical facilities. Opting for training online will equip you with sufficient knowledge and skills to protect yourself against dangerous bloodborne pathogens.
About this Author

For more information, please visit our blood borne pathogens website.