Posts Tagged ‘wellness’
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
However you may feel about health care reform and the changes it will bring, one major outcome will be the mandatory implementation of preventative care on all policies. It is proposed that preventive care will be covered without any co pays or deductibles. Considering it is thought that half the conditions we treat in our health care system could be avoidable, the expansion of preventive screenings and vaccinations should help to bring down the number of chronic conditions that we see today.
It is estimated that 75% of our health care spending in on such chronic health conditions. If these illnesses could be treated and diagnosed in the earliest stages, the better the outcome for the patient. Plus, it would result in less financial strain on our health care system. While opponents to the bill state that “unnecessary screenings” will ultimately cost us more, you can’t argue that prevention yields a longer, healthier, and more productive life.
Tags: Chronic Condition, health care costs, health insurance, preventative care, wellness
Posted in General, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
Health Care Reform promises to ensure that all Americans have access to medical coverage. The most pressing concern is the fact that many children are without coverage and the care they need now, so the bill states that by September 23rd, 2010, no child can be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. While this is well needed, it does bring to light the fact that there is an increasing shortage of Pediatric Specialists. With an influx of new patients entering the system, and the demand for both medically necessary and non-medically necessary treatments rising, will there be enough physicians to handle the load?
The problem lies in the way these specialists are compensated. Since the majority of their reimbursement comes from Medicaid, and is only covering about 67% of the cost, many new physicians decide to pursue alternate fields of specialty. With limited doctors, the average wait time to see a specialist can be as long as 114 days. This may cause parent’s to turn to the emergency room instead of waiting for a pediatric visit, putting the child at risk with inferior medical care. Hope lies in requiring Medicaid to pay Medicare rates, assisting new doctors with outstanding medical school loans, and funding for continued training. If we lose our pediatric specialists, we put our future at risk.
Tags: children's health, health insurance, pre-existing, Universal Health Care, wellness
Posted in Family, General, Individual, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Though no one knows where the health care reform bills are headed, it is of utmost importance that disease prevention and health promotion are at the top of the list. If we aim to “fix” a broken system, we need to ensure that the system is designed to “fix” us as well. This will be achieved by balancing the cost of providing medical care with providing services to help avoid the need for such services in the first place. Some concepts for prevention strategies are (notes from San Francisco Chronicle):
- a yearly personalized prevention plan for Medicare patients
- national assistance to wellness programs at the worksite
- a vast public-private partnership to teach everybody about prevention and health promotion, including Web site tools for self-assessment and personalized prevention
- educating patients how to reduce their risks for chronic disease
- support for community-based prevention and health promotion (i.e. no-smoking rules, seat belt mandates, calorie counts on restaurant menus)
The concern lies in the fact that if these strategies are not implemented, positive and healthy life choices will not occur. By encouraging such lifestyle changes, and providing resources to help people start and maintain healthier living, the return is invaluable – healthy people, fewer chronic conditions, and an enormous reduction in the need for medical intervention.
Tags: Chronic Condition, health insurance, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Family, Government Run Health Plan, Individual, Resources, Tools | 1 Comment »
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Diabetic clients will be finding more comprehensive dental and vision benefits with Anthem Blue Cross starting 1/1/2010. These integrated benefits will help such individuals obtain the care they need to manage their conditions, and prevent diabetes related complications.
Diabetic Retinopathy can be a common occurrence, but is almost 90% preventable with proper vision care. Therefore, members who have the Blue View Vision plan and the 360 degree health program will be enrolled in the ConditionCare for Diabetes program. This program will help clients take a proactive role in managing their condition should a diabetic-related vision diagnosis occur.
Dental benefits will also be extended for diabetic clients, adding one additional dental cleaning or periodontal maintenance procedure every year. High blood glucose levels can help germs to build up on teeth and gums, and increase the probability of gum disease and ultimately tooth loss. Another concern is the fact that dental infections can worsen diabetes by causing hyperglycemia.
Please contact us with any questions regarding these vision and dental enhancements. We want to help you to get the care you need to stay as healthy as possible in 2010.
Tags: added benefits, group health, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Group | No Comments »
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Recent studies show that the United States spends almost 44% more for health care than Switzerland, though Switzerland has the second higher per capita health care costs. Even with these escalated costs, Americans have fewer visits and spend less time with their doctors, as well as experience shorter hospital stays than any other industrialized nation.
The reason for this is also one of the strongest arguments for health care reform: Americans pay more for the same level of care than anywhere else in the world. Part of the problem lies in the fact the governments set the rates that will be paid for different treatments and drugs in other countries, while this is not the case here in the United States. This results in private insurers paying higher rates for the same services – at times astronomically higher — as they are carrying the load of negotiating fees. This results in a trickledown effect as consumers face skyrocketing insurance premiums, and ever higher deductibles and coinsurance.
As Americans, we need to take control of our health care costs and re-evaluate what we consider “medically necessary”. The latest and greatest technology, though nice to have on hand when necessary, should really only be used if they achieve a desired clinical benefit. By controlling unnecessary spending, we can curb excessive spending, and put the money back in our pockets for when we really need it.
Tags: health care costs, negotiated rates, wellness
Posted in General, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Monday, October 12th, 2009
Many carriers have released information that they will be covering the H1N1 virus (swine flu) vaccine and all administrative costs associated with obtaining the vaccine. Although focus will start with clients at most risk, all members will be ultimately covered. The two anti-viral medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, both offered in a generic formula as well, will be covered under the Tier 1 benefit, which ensures the lowest copayment for members to get their medications.
Companies that have agreed to this thus far are Blue Shield of California, Aetna, and BCBS IL, with more carriers joining in every day. Please contact us or check your insurance companies website to see how they will help you to protect yourself and your family members.
Note:
It is important to understand that these benefits are subject to the vaccine’s availability. The CDC is working with local health departments to ensure the following targeted priority populations receive the vaccine first:
1. Pregnant women
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
4. Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
5. People ages 25 through 64 years who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Tags: Coinsurance, deductibles, preventative care, wellness
Posted in General, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
How would you feel if your boss told you to get a checkup? You would be surprised at how many employers are now realizing the importance of regular exams for their employees. First, it helps find and treat illnesses earlier, resulting in better overall health for the employee. Second, it helps keep insurance premiums down. As employees get older and continue to practice unhealthy lifestyles, medical claims and expenses rise – along with the monthly rates.
If more employers would push their employees to get regular checkups, conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer can be detected earlier – or before they become an issue at all. Though this may result in more out of pocket costs for the employee (for testing and prescriptions, for example), the costs for major surgeries and heart attacks is far beyond these costs.
Implementing wellness programs, designed to help employees lose weight or quit smoking are another motivational tool to keep employees healthy, and employers ensured productive and happy employees.
Tags: added benefits, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Individual | No Comments »
Friday, August 14th, 2009
Small Businesses are definitely hit the hardest when it comes to premium rates. However, recent studies have shown that incorporating ancillary benefits, such as life, disability, and dental benefits, ensures employees are not only healthy and happy – but loyal as well. A MetLife study showed that 73% of employees who felt adequately covered were happy with their job. On the other hand, those employees who felt that their coverage left them too exposed, were not. Only 22% of such employees stated that they were satisfied with their job.
Productivity is also greatly affected by health benefits. If an employee knows that the coverage is there when they need it, they will push further for their employer. With economic times at their tightest, knowing that they will not incur large medical or dental bills, or leave their family without protection if something should happen to them, means employees can focus on the task at hand. In these cases, everyone benefits!
Though the economy is in tough shape right now, Employers may find that a bit more out of pocket costs for their employees will result in a return of happy, healthy, and productive workers in the end.
Tags: added benefits, health plan, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Employers, Group | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
Worrisome polls show that less than 50% of adolescents are receiving recommended preventative care. It is during these years that children can discuss health concerns and learn about healthy living habits that they carry with them for their entire lives. However, at a time where preventative care and health education are vital, most are forgoing such care for reasons such as high co pays, deductibles, or lack of coverage altogether.
If children are getting in to see their providers for their preventative visits, concern lies in the fact that the visits are not as comprehensive as they should be. Physicians receive little compensation for these visits from insurance companies, resulting in little incentive to schedule them. One on one time is not a priority, though it should be as it creates a sense of connection between the doctor and patient from an early age.
We know from experience that chronic conditions can be a financial drain, so establishing good preventative care from an early age will only result in improved health for the client and a strained healthcare system. Guaranteeing these visits for our children is invaluable, and should be at the top of the list for reform. Providing co pay free preventative care visits, and reimbursing pediatricians who provide these services, will result in healthy living habits for our future leaders.
Tags: Chronic Condition, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Family, Individual | No Comments »
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Once you or your loved one has been diagnosed with a chronic health condition, the most important thing is to become self-aware and gain the ability to manage the impact that this illness will have on your life. The first step is to understand your illness. In doing so you will gain the upper hand in preventing further complications.
Most insurance carriers offer nurse lines specific to your illness and access to support groups. Such groups can be vital for both physical and emotional support, resulting in overall improved health. Subjects covered include:
• Communicating well with your family, friends, and health care providers
• Exploring the possibility of new techniques and treatment options.
• Learning ways to deal with problems such as frustration, low energy, pain management, etc.
• Utilizing exercise to maintain and improving strength and flexibility, and increase endurance
• The proper use of medications
• The role nutrition plays in your healing process
Studies have proven that individual with chronic conditions who take an active role in their treatment plans and take proactive steps to improve their lifestyle have achieved significant advances in their healing process, and fewer hospital, emergency room, and outpatient visits.
Call us with any questions, or access your insurance carrier website to get more information on the management of chronic illnesses.
Tags: Chronic Condition, wellness
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, General, Individual, Resources | No Comments »
