Let’s Talk About Health

montcoguy0o asked:


Keep in mind, your health insurance premiums can’t be deducted if they’re taken out of your paycheck as pre-tax dollars. However, after-tax health insurance premiums are deductible, but they still are subject to a limitation of 7.5% of your AGI. If you’re self-employed, you may deduct a portion of your health insurance premiums as an adjustment. The self-employed deductible portion is 100% in 2007.

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Jeremy-Full Harvest Fundraising asked:


I have always been extremely interested in alternative health techniques and treatments. I am currently in a very good job that I am not really crazy about. I would like to move into the alternative health field and would like to eventually open a health food store and small health spa. I know it is a process but I want to know where I can start. As far as I know (and I could be wrong) there is no school to go to learn alternative health. I don’t know where to start learning and how. Also for the learning process I need to work around my full time job as I don’t have the option to not work as I need the income. I really want to start learning about this field and just need some suggestions on where and how to start. Is there perhaps a way to be like an apprentice to an alternative practitioner?

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Jeff Breazile asked:


In this economy, many people have lost their jobs or are in fear of losing them. Retirement savings are down and no one seems to know when the economy will turn around. In times like these we must pay close attention to how every dollar is spent. If you’ve lost your health insurance or otherwise need to get health insurance, it’s more important than ever to get the coverage you need to protect your family’s finances without paying for coverage you don’t need.

PPO, HMO, HSA…with so many health insurance plans to choose from, how do you know which health plan is right for you? With hundreds of health plans available it can be difficult to decide which health plan is best for you and your family.

The following guidelines are provided by Jeff Breazile, owner of Benefit Studio Health Insurance Services (http://www.benefitstudio.com), a California based independent insurance agency.

To help narrow down the many choices available and find the right plan for you and your budget, it’s important to compare premium quotes from different health plans. But what benefits do you get for your monthly premium? Look beyond just the quoted premium of a health plan and consider what benefits in a health insurance plan are most important to you.

Focusing on the benefits you need most is the first step in finding a Califorrnia health insurance plan that not only offers the protection you need, but is affordable as well. The health plan with the lowest premium may not give you the financial protection you need if you get sick, have an accident or otherwise need to seek medical attention. A comprehensive health plan that covers a wide range of services and benefits may cost more in premium, but could actually save you money over a basic or “catastrophic” plan on the other end of the spectrum where you would pay a much larger share of the costs when you receive medical care.

Here are some tips to help you narrow down the list of health insurance plans when deciding which plan will be the best fit. Start by deciding which type of benefits are most important to you. What benefits have you used most in the past? How much of the medical expenses could you reasonably pay yourself if you have a major medical event? Use the following list to focus on the most important benefits. Then you can compare the plans with the benefits that best fit your needs.

PPO or HMO plan maternity benefits deductible amount copayment (copay) coinsurance amount out of pocket maximum prescription drug coverage (generic + brand name benefits or generic-only) preventive care services health savings account (HSA) compatible health plan

 

PPO - Is it important to you that your plan offer a large network of participating doctors and hospitals? Do you want to be able to see a specialist without having to obtain a referral from your primary doctor? Preferred Provider Plans (PPO) offer the largest networks of participating doctors and hospitals. With a PPO you also have the option of getting medical care outside of your PPO network, although you will usually pay more if you receive care from a provider that is not in your network.

 HMO - Another option is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Although not as popular as PPO health plans, many people prefer them due to their simplicity. You can obtain most services for a low copayment and usually no coinsurance requirement. The tradeoff with an HMO is you must stay in network to receive covered medical services. HMO networks are normally smaller than PPO networks and generally a referral is required from your primary care doctor to see a specialist.

Maternity Benefits - While the cost of health insurance plans vary widely, and it’s important to choose a health plan that has the benefits you need, you may be able to save money by choosing a plan without certain benefits. If maternity benefits are not important to you, look for a health plan without maternity benefits. This alone could save you hundreds of dollars annually on your health insurance plan.

Deductible Amount - Except for services where you are only responsible for a copayment, the deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance plan pays anything. If you’re willing to pay more of the upfront costs when you need medical care, choosing a higher deductible can help keep your insurance premiums lower.

Copayment (Copay) - The copay is a flat fee you pay at the time of service. After paying the copayment, the plan usually pays 100 percent of the balance of covered services. Some California health insurance plans allow you to visit the doctor’s office for a low copay without having to meet your annual insurance deductible.

Coinsurance - In addition to the deductible, when comparing health insurance plans, pay attention to what coinsurance amount you will be responsible for after your deductible is met. Coinsurance is the percentage of the charges you are responsible to pay for covered medical services apart from any copays or your deductible.

Out of Pocket Maximum - The out of pocket maximum is the maximum amount per year you’ll have to pay for covered medical services. After reaching your out of pocket maximum, your health insurance plan pays for any additional covered medical expenses up to the plan’s lifetime benefit amount.

Prescription Drug Coverage - When it comes to prescription drug coverage, some health insurance plans keep the premiums lower by covering only generic prescription drugs. Keep in mind that while there are many generic prescription drugs available, not every prescription drug is available in generic form.

Preventive Care Services - In order to encourage healthy lifestyle habits and thereby reduce future medical expenses, many California health insurance plans offer low or no copayments or other financial incentives for preventive care services such as physical exams, immunizations, annual gynecological exams, mammograms, prostate exams and cancer screenings.

 Health Savings Account (HSA) - Are you interested in a health plan that will help you save money on your tax bill? Consider a Health Savings Account (HSA) compatible health plan. A Health Savings Account (HSA) combines high deductible health insurance with a tax-advantaged medical savings account. Withdrawals that are used to pay for qualified medical expenses, including your insurance deductible, coinsurance and co-payments are federally tax-free.

By focusing on these nine plan benefits when shopping for California health insurance, you’ll find a plan that fits your healthcare needs and your pocketbook.

 

 



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granny_sp asked:


The current health care system only allows working people with health care. After having my husband insurance dropped after his heart surgery because the medication made him to shaky and plagued with diarrhea and mental health problems to return to work I have to warn the others against this practice of associating health insurance on ability to work.

In addition I am not allowed health insurance now based on the fact my job is caring for a disabled family member and because mine and my husbands years of working I am allowed Social Security but not allowed health insurance.

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Agila asked:


Hi, I am planning to bring my husb and kid on visit visa. I heard that the health insurance is mandatory for visit visa. Where (or how) to get (or how to apply) this health insurance for vist visa. Please advice. Thanks.

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Salman asked:


 Health and Wellness Coach can help you:

Increase profits Attract and retain more customers Expand your reach beyond your facility Increase services without adding staff Greatly differentiate your gym from your competitors Improve the health and wellbeing of your customers A Health and Wellness Coach can expand your reach and increase profits without expanding your resources

Imagine that your members interacted with a health and wellness coach every day.  With consistent personalized attention, members would become more dedicated to their fitness regimen, feel better about themselves and their health, and be more satisfied with your fitness center—all of which makes them more likely to maintain their program and less likely to leave.

The Health and Wellness Coach solution from InfiniteHealthCoach.com

Our Health and Wellness Coach program is an affordable Web-based “virtual club and personal training studio” designed to help members succeed in achieving their fitness goals. It is a powerful and practical way for members to have daily interaction with a certified health coach, giving your fitness center an innovative advantage in member retention and profitability.

Each new member who joins your facility provides additional revenue that goes straight to your bottom line. In today’s aggressive market, it may just be the unique member benefit your fitness center needs to “outmuscle” the competition.

Boost Member Retention with Health and Wellness Coaching

By increasing your ability to provide personalized attention, InfiniteHealthCoach.com helps you reduce attrition, turning “at risk” members back into active members who renew at the end of their contract.

This high-quality health and fitness resource lets you target high-risk dropout candidates by offering them their own online personal trainer and health and wellness coaching service that…

Makes it easy to set goals and track progress Demonstrates proper exercise techniques Motivates and engages members regardless of their location

Satisfied members stay members longer, and each month they work with a health and wellness coach generates additional revenue for you.

Extend Your Reach with Health and Wellness Coaching

The anywhere, anytime the online convenience of health and wellness coaching allows you to expand your core services beyond the walls of your fitness center to reach non-traditional members who might not otherwise come into your facility. Offering a Web-based membership program to these individuals also helps you develop a feeder system for new traditional memberships.

Plus, you’ll be able to better serve corporate clients with a proven behavior-changing program that proactively addresses their rising health care costs. The system’s flexibility allows you to tailor a program to virtually any topic your client companies may request;from simple tobacco cessation or stress reduction to full-scale health and wellness coaching.

A Small Investment in Health and Wellness Coaching Yields Exceptional ROI

For a small per-member investment, InfiniteHealthCoach.com can help you provide a service that enhances your members’ success. As a result, members develop a better appreciation for your fitness center and the added value you provide. By giving clients fast, convenient access to their health and wellness coach, you can generate additional revenue over a longer period of time.

Health and Wellness Coaching for Fitness Centers

A Health and Wellness Coach can help you: Increase profits Attract and retain more customers Expand your reach beyond your facility Increase services without adding staff Greatly differentiate your gym from your competitors Improve the health and wellbeing of your customers A Health and Wellness Coach can expand your reach and increase profits without expanding your resources

Imagine that your members interacted with a health and wellness coach every day.  With consistent personalized attention, members would become more dedicated to their fitness regimen, feel better about themselves and their health, and be more satisfied with your fitness center—all of which makes them more likely to maintain their program and less likely to leave.

The Health and Wellness Coach solution from InfiniteHealthCoach.com

Our Health and Wellness Coach program is an affordable Web-based “virtual club and personal training studio” designed to help members succeed in achieving their fitness goals. It is a powerful and practical way for members to have daily interaction with a certified health coach, giving your fitness center an innovative advantage in member retention and profitability.

Each new member who joins your facility provides additional revenue that goes straight to your bottom line. In today’s aggressive market, it may just be the unique member benefit your fitness center needs to “outmuscle” the competition.

-

Boost Member Retention with Health and Wellness Coaching

By increasing your ability to provide personalized attention, InfiniteHealthCoach.com helps you reduce attrition, turning “at risk” members back into active members who renew at the end of their contract.

This high-quality health and fitness resource lets you target high-risk dropout candidates by offering them their own online personal trainer and health and wellness coaching service that…

Makes it easy to set goals and track progress Demonstrates proper exercise techniques Motivates and engages members regardless of their location

Satisfied members stay members longer, and each month they work with a health and wellness coach generates additional revenue for you.

Extend Your Reach with Health and Wellness Coaching

The anywhere, anytime the online convenience of health and wellness coaching allows you to expand your core services beyond the walls of your fitness center to reach non-traditional members who might not otherwise come into your facility. Offering a Web-based membership program to these individuals also helps you develop a feeder system for new traditional memberships.

Plus, you’ll be able to better serve corporate clients with a proven behavior-changing program that proactively addresses their rising health care costs. The system’s flexibility allows you to tailor a program to virtually any topic your client companies may request;from simple tobacco cessation or stress reduction to full-scale health and wellness coaching.

A Small Investment in Health and Wellness Coaching Yields Exceptional ROI

For a small per-member investment, InfiniteHealthCoach.com can help you provide a service that enhances your members’ success. As a result, members develop a better appreciation for your fitness center and the added value you provide. By giving clients fast, convenient access to their health and wellness coach, you can generate additional revenue over a longer period of time.

The Results-Oriented Approach To Health and Wellness Coaching

InfiniteHealthCoach.com offers members unlimited access to their own health and wellness coach and therefore are able use the service as often as they like, with no additional cost to you.

Through our health and wellness coaches employees not only learn what they need to do, but more importantly, they learn how to sustain their new, healthy lifestyles. The health and wellness coach is there to provide positive reinforcement, advice, additional information and support at every step.

The results speak for themselves.  Of those who used the InfiniteHealthCoach.com health and wellness coaching model…

94% of participants reach their primary goals 89% reported improved overall health and well-being 75% experienced fewer stress-related physical symptoms 56% improved aerobic conditioning 50% increased their healthy eating choices 72% of those who lost weight lost more than five pounds 40% remained tobacco-free at 6 months

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Dr Nihar Ranjan Ray asked:


A review of health seeking behavior: problems and prospects

  

Author: Sara MacKian               Article reviewed by: Dr Nihar Ranjan Ray

  

INTRODUCTION:

 

Health seeking behavior refers to all those things humans do to prevent diseases and to detect diseases in asymptomatic stages. In contrast illness behavior refers to all those activities designed to recognize and explain symptoms after one feels ill, and sick role behavior refers to all those activities designed to cure diseases and restore health after a diagnosis has been made.

I agree to the author that there is growing recognition, in both developed and developing countries, that providing education and knowledge at the individual level is not sufficient in itself to promote a change in behavior. We need do something extra or focus to a different dimension to bring effective changes in health indicators. One more important thing that the author has insisted that factors promoting ‘good’ health seeking behaviors are not rooted solely in the individual, they also have a more dynamic, collective, interactive element. Understanding of the social capital and proper understanding of health seeking behavior could reduce delay to diagnosis, improve treatment compliance and improve health promotion strategies in a variety of contexts. Author has given utmost importance to make studies of health seeking behavior more useful from a health systems development perspective. In initial part of the article the author suggested the two approaches namely

(a) Health care seeking behaviors: utilization of the system

(b) Health seeking behaviors: the process of illness response

According to author variety of studies were conducted on the basis of macro analysis. Taking age, sex, geographical region etc.. But author aptly suggested that these determinants can be further broken to smaller fragments like Status of women, Elements of patriarchy, Social Age and sex, Socioeconomic Household resources Education level, Maternal occupation, Marital status, Economic status, ‘Cultural propriety’, Economic Costs of care Treatment, Travel time, Type and severity of illness Geographical Distance and physical access, Physical, Organizational Perceived quality and so many to identify the reality of the back ground problems. Despite the ongoing evidence from different studies that people do choose traditional and folk medicine or providers in a variety of contexts which have potentially profound impacts on health, few studies recommend ways to build bridges to enable individual preferences to be incorporated into a more responsive health care system. I find it most interesting that has been quoted by (Needham et al, 2001).  As they suggested “the need to improve integration of private sector providers with public care to tackle this problem in a better way” And with the Indian perspective at least I can’t agree with Ahemad et al that the training to these non formal providers are wrong. At least we can use their community motivation in a modern way so that the health seeking behavior of these people will change gradually.

 Now it is time to focus upon to understand the psycho logical process of these people as discussed in the section  Health seeking behaviors: the process of illness response. The understanding of the ‘healthy choices’, in either their lifestyle behaviors or their use of medical care and treatment. Among the different models discussed here namely (a) social cognition models (b) Health belief model (c) health locus of control

 

•(a)  social cognition models:

Predicting health behavior with social cognition models as per the figure illustrates I am completely agree with the author as she criticizes the model as “The downfall of these models is that most view the individual as a rational decision maker, systematically reviewing available information and forming behavior intentions from this. They do not allow any understanding of how people make decisions, or a description of the way in which people make decisions.”

•(b)  Health belief Model:

The health belief model is a largely accepted theory and like any other theory it has its limitation also like the author writes “The health belief model has been criticized for portraying individuals as asocial economic decision makers, and its application to major contemporary health issues, such as sexual behavior, have failed to offer any insights” Any how I personally feel this can be a model of reference for contemporary diseases. and also what I feel this model is still holds good in describing the STIs though stigma, shame ness and sexual conservativeness comes into play.

 

It may be right that the way Mc Phill et all thinks “developed country research has a better track record of exploring this broader contextual picture, whilst work in developing countries tends not to acknowledge the poor relationship between knowledge and health seeking behavior.” Apart from the KABP model I find the description of the Reflexive communities are interesting .Reflexive communities reflect the particular ways of behaving, thinking and reaching decisions of individuals or groups, that in turn reflect the social construction of their position in wider society at a particular place and time. Information regarding health seeking has many facets and determinants like ‘moral, affective, aesthetic, narrative and meaning dimensions’. So more scientific way of approach will be ‘aesthetic reflexivity’ which “means making choices about and/or innovating background assumptions and shared practices upon whose bases cognitive and normative reflection is founded” In order to understand how people reach the decision  we need to know also how  the underlying, unspoken, unconscious feelings and assumptions which support that cognitive process. These concepts that are been discussed here  are seems to be more theoretical to practice . But still these issues are need to be addressed aptly for events like HIV/AIDS . I and I am completely agreed with Harvey that “the way people perceive risks and experience risk should be a matter for public policy”

 

Health seeking behavior and the probes: a review

Health seeking behavior differs for the same individuals or communities

when faced with different persons, times& illnesses.   The article has described some of the examples here. They have  given a very nice example here regarding the health seeking practices of women when faced with abnormal vaginal discharge, as opposed to malaria. I think this is more a big problem in countries like India & Bangladesh than the developed worlds. Again the shortage of the female Health care staffs worsens the problem. And the most important thing that I feel is most of the sensitive illnesses or diseases or public health problems are having this problem. Or thinking in the reverse way that due to this embedded problem it is very difficult to address these problems or not getting quick results. Among the examples I try to touch them in short. Only the key issues are given as described the author. I think she has identified it very nicely from different studies.

 

Tuberculosis

(a) Late presentation and delayed diagnosis are  problems for TB, reflecting both

individual and social factor. Delay can be related to social stigma, gender, fear or multiple health seeking.

(b) Culturally sensitive and situated understanding of health seeking behavior may

Provide better  treatment compliance and shorten delay of diagnosis.

©Health education should be started  at family and community level to improve

awareness and to avoid stigma.

(d)The doctor-patient relationship may need particular attention in relation to TB due to the lengthy treatment period.

 

Maternal and child health

(a) The way in which women reach the decisions they can have a great influence

on child morbidity and mortality and is therefore worthy of continued study.

(b) There may be a better ways of exploring women’s involvement in health

system and social structures .

 

Diabetes Type 1

(a)Perhaps the lack of material suggests there is more work needed in this area?

          (b)The doctor-patient dynamic can potentially be used to promote ‘good’ health

seeking behavior and compliance with treatment, and is an issue reflected across

the probes.

  

Social capital and Health & Development

Social resources norms and networks or processes and conditions within society that allow for the development of human and material capital. So  social capital is created and used through individual participation. Bonding social capital which links members of a particular group, and bridging  social capital which links across groups. So the first one when addresses the Horizontal Equity the later addresses the Vertical Equity. Social capital provides a means of shifting the focus from individuals to social groups, and the social involvement of the actions of individuals. Though it varies from community to community but social capital also has implications for the operation of health systems description of that in detail is beyond the scope of this literature.

Health seeking behavior in the context of health systems

Non formal practitioners  and birth attendants so embedded in the existing social

fabric and reflexive communities so that mostly the women deny delivery in favour of trained public service doctors. And in the Indian sub-continent  public doctors running private clinics alongside their public role, where they can charge patients they have referred from the public system, may have the effect of undermining trust in the wider system.

Conclusion

  “To begin to picture the resources and constraints…the way the actor experiences them, is to take a crucial step towards understanding why and how people do what they do”

   This statement by  Wallman and Baker I think we always need to remember be coz Health care is a system that is so much embedded into the society and individuality of the people that if you search for the influencing the factors than finally you will get all the branches of science on your table. So to be practical is more important than criticizing any issue theoretically and parallely we can’t ignore any issue how ever that may seem impractical. That is the beauty and problem of designing the policy for the Health care. What I feel like head of the family neglects himself in due course of taking care of other family members we should not land in a troubled water by focusing more on the peripheral issues of Health care delivery system than the center stage. We should not forget to address the problems of the internal clients to provide a better motivated care to the external clients. Which in my view very poorly addressed in international, national & regional level. And last but not the least is the financing system and its proper management is the key issue.

 

                   Dr Nihar Ranjan Ray

                   Indian Institute Of Public Health, Gandhinagar



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psych_minded asked:


My boyfriend neeeeds to quit smoking, he smokes like more than a pack a day! But! He doesnt have health insurance, and i have great health insurance through my job. Are there any potential dangers to getting him a prescription for chantix on my health insurance ? (i socially smoke so it wouldnt be a huge stretch at the docs office) Could it increase my insurance costs to admit that i am a smoker to insurers?

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Raphael asked:


Whether you are self-employed, have one or two jobs or retired, you need a good health insurance plan for yourself and your family. It is important to get good health insurance coverage against unexpected medical expenses in order to avoid to be buried in debt. However, a plan that is good for someone else may not be the right one for you. In industrialized countries like the US, where the health insurance companies constantly change their policy, it is necessary that you have adequate information before choosing a health insurance plan. This article explains the different types of health insurance, their advantages and disadvantages so that can choose wisely if you shop for health insurance.

Individual health insurance

Individual health insurance is a form of individual contract between you and an insurance company to guarantee the repayment of all or almost all medical expenses. This may includes hospitalization, medications, dental care, seeing a specialist, and certain therapies (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc.). This service may be provided by a government-sponsored social insurance program (mostly for individuals with low income), or from private insurance companies.

What is the history behind health insurance?

Some hundred years ago, before the appearance of health insurance, all patients used to pay their health care costs. Around 1694, Hugh the elder Chamberlen (1630-1720) introduced health insurance. At that time, the idea was not widely known and welcomed by the public. Around the end of the 19th century, health insurance took an expansion, and other forms insurance such as accidental or disability insurance started being available in certain states in the United States.

Franklin Health Insurance Company of Massachusetts was the first company to provide accident insurance in the United States. However, it covered only injuries caused by railroad and steamboat. As the insurance industry grows, in 1866, there were approximately sixty companies offering accidental insurance in the United States. Today, there are more insurance companies than we can count.

Although there are numerous insurance companies, health insurance plans are grouped into three main categories:

Fee-for-service - also known as indemnity plans is a type of insurance plan where you, patient, have to pay all medical expenses out of your own pockets, and then request a reimbursement from your insurance company. These types of plans have their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages: they offer more flexibility in choosing your own doctor. You can decide the time to see your health care provider, and what type of treatment you want; as long as you remain in the limit that your insurer will pay

Disadvantages: in indemnity plans, most doctors require upfront payment, so you have to submit claim forms to the insurance company to receive a reimbursement. That requires paper work, and sometimes many phone calls. Fee-for-service plans offer limit benefits; they do not cover annual physical exam and educational programs.

HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) - Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are managed care plans that offer health care coverage to their members through hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers that are in their network. That is, having their service, you are limited to members of their network.

Advantages: unlike Fee-for-service plans, you do not have to pay up front; although some of them require a copayment. You do not need to submit forms after forms to receive reimbursement. In addition, HMOs usually charge a lower cost.

Disadvantages: you can use only health care providers who are associated with the organization. Most HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) tend to refuse to approve certain treatments. Although some HMOs accept their members to see physician or specialists who are not in their network, they often charge you additional costs.

(PPOs) participating provider organization, also known as Preferred Provider Organizations - is a form of managed care organization of physicians , hospitals, clinics and other health care providers that sign a contract with an insurer to provide health services to its member at reduced rates . Usually, PPOs cost more than traditional HMOs, but offer more options to their members.

Advantages: Preferred Provider Organizations provide more flexibility to their members; they have a bigger network of doctors and hospitals. You can take service from health care providers that are not part of their networks (certain charges often apply). You pay Lower copayments for care from primary care physicians. In addition, you do not need a referral to see a specialist.

Disadvantages: PPOs cost more than traditional HMOs. You will more likely to make co-payments (usually from $10 to $30) when you visit a health specialist.

Do some health insurance companies offer better service to their members than others?

Yes. Some insurers offer better service to their members. To learn more about health insurance companies that provide satisfying individual health insurance plan in the US, visit our top rated list on www.individualshealth.com



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dionysus asked:


I know that certain trade organizations offer discount health insurance under group rates if you join. However, I am unaware of any groups for a person who is self employed as an expeditor–a person who works in the urban planning field filing cases. He pays a exhoribant monthy premium for his health insurance.

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