There’s a new bill in the works in California, and it stands to force health insurance companies to cover programs that would help people who smoke to try and quit. Considering there are already bills that require California healthcare companies to cover things like in-vitro fertilization, and bone-density screening, it’s hard to believe that a bill such as SB 220 has taken this long to come to possible fruition.

Understanding the language of SB-220

There is much optimism that the bill will pass, complete with provisions for copays and OTC (Over-the-counter) medications such as nicotine gum and patches. It also includes provisions for group counseling, which is very effective for some individuals. The bill is designed to make it easier for Californians who smoke to kick the habit by making treatments available at little cost to those who wish to try.

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Struggling to make it through in the midst of an ever-worsening budget impasse over Medicare reimbursement, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) couldn’t wait any longer. CMS is now implementing a 21% cut in physician payments, which will affect an estimated 50 million claims. Claims that were held back since June 1 will be the first to feel the effects of the cuts.

In the late 1990’s the funding formula for Medicare reimbursements was first enacted in conjunction with the Balanced Budget Act. However, even at that time it was thought by some to be flawed. Today the formula is thought to be seriously flawed, and is growing more and more out of sync with its original intended purposes with each passing year.

Medicare Cuts Could Affect Quality of Care

Even though Medicare has instituted this drastic cut it too may stand to be on the losing side of the board as well, considering there are already a huge number of medical practices that currently do not take on Medicare’s elderly patient population.

Participating physicians will see a direct impact of the 21% cut with the average office visit now being reimbursed at about $8.00 less than what they were in 2007. Medicare may also feel the brunt of this unresolved state of affairs.

If a resolution is indeed reached, and the cuts reversed, they are looking at having to swallow about .30 cents per claim that is reprocessed. This translates out to a staggering potential of $15 million dollars for the first 50 million claims alone.

Only time will tell how it will all play out in the end, if there ever will be an end. In the meantime, there is no way for anyone, including physicians, patients and even Medicare to avoid the huge impact of this monumental move.

California has one of the highest rates of uninsured citizens in the country with more than 6.4 million people currently without health insurance coverage. That said, it stands to reason that any additional coverage at the federal level is a huge plus for not only the California government but for the residents as well.

Positive effects of health care reform in California

When it comes to California, the federal overhaul would help those who can afford health insurance but are currently unable to get it. It will assist those who aren’t able to obtain coverage by providing them with a means to acquire health care benefits. Additionally, the bill will also go a long way in tackling the desire to provide Californians with the preventative means to uncover unhealthy conditions in the early stages, where they can be addressed promptly, and thus help everyone get more affordable California health insurance. There is a downside of this bill, however; read below to learn what it is.

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There’s a lot to try to understand about the newest health care bill signed into law this past March. There are a lot of provisions in the act, and all of them will affect every American citizen in one way or another. The Class Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program) is one of the provisions in the bill. Here’s a brief overview of the basic details of this act.

CLASS Act

The CLASS Act is a national, voluntary insurance program that is designed to provide cash benefits if you have a disability or some form of limitation in your ability to function. The idea is to provide a way for individuals who fall into this category a way to help pay for their long-term care services.

Eligibility Requirements for CLASS Act

The plan will mostly be offered by employers and paid for by employees. Self-employed individuals may also enroll in the plan. You may enroll in the act if you meet the following criteria.

• If you are actively at work
• If you are 18 years or older
• If you are not living in a nursing home or a long-term care facility at the time of your enrollment.

You cannot be excluded from the plan if you have a pre-existing condition.

Benefits of the CLASS Act

Once you have paid into the plan for 5 years you are eligible to receive cash benefits if you have a functional impairment or disability that is expected to last more than 90 days, if you have a significant cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s or if you will need substantial assistance with at least 2 daily activities of daily living that is a direct result of your impairment.

Tax-exempt hospitals will be required to meet new requirements under health reform.

There has been so much back-and-forth debate about healthcare reform it can make your head spin. The Democrats say one thing, and it seems as if the Republicans claim the polar opposite. It doesn’t matter what piece of the reform is in question, it seems as if the two parties will never see eye-to-eye. In the midst of this ongoing debating (and sometimes arguing) the general public is more confused than ever about what the individual pieces of the health reform act mean. Here’s a brief look at how the health care reform will affect tax-exempt hospitals.

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Is Your Teen Equipped for Health care?

Adolescence is a unique time in the human life span. Between the ages of 10 and 19, biological changes occur at a greater rate than at any other time barring prenatal development and infancy.

Teenagers aren’t just slightly bigger children – and once the childhood stage of preschool vaccinations, childhood checkups, and summer camp physicals is over, they’re much less likely to get regular preventative medical care.

In fact, a new report suggests that many teens are slipping through cracks in the health care system simply by virtue of their age, and the existence of an “in-between” stage in the health care system that means teenagers aren’t being provided for.

For most teens, adolescence is a time of not only change, but also of boundary-pushing and risk-taking that can involve anything from smoking cigarettes, to experimenting with drugs, underage drinking, reckless driving, sexually transmitted diseases, or teenage pregnancy.

Just as important, habits that are formed during these teenage years are very often the habits that persist throughout adulthood. That tends to be true whether it’s work ethic, social behavior, or health-related habits.

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A few key points you should know about acupuncture

It almost seems like an oxymoron doesn’t it? Stick needles into your skin to ease pain. You’d think that sticking needles into your body would produce pain, but that’s not what happens. The art of acupuncture has been around for more than 4000 years. Though it is still not completely understood how it works, and many remain skeptical, those who have had acupuncture treatments will attest to its effectiveness. Scientists have recently made a correlation between a molecule called adenosine and the effects of acupuncture.

What is Adenosine

A team of scientist as the University of Rochester Medical Center identified the molecule, adenosine, as a major player in the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture. The report was published online in Nature Neuroscience, and indicated that scientists were able to triple the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture in mice by using a chemical which makes it harder for body tissue to remove adenosine.

How do I obtain acupuncture health insurance?

Acupuncture coverage generally falls under the larger category of alternative therapy coverage. This is a type of health insurance that offers benefits that are tailored to patients who are interested almost exclusively in alternative forms of health care (whether it is natural health remedies, chiropractic care, hypnosis, energy healing, homeopathy, and more). You can request a free quote for health insurance here, which will get you on the right track.

How Adenosine Works With Acupuncture

Adenosine is a natural compound that is known to regulate sleep, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Adenosine also acts as a natural painkiller by inhibiting nerve signals which signal the brain to feel pain. Adenosine dramatically increases the effects of acupuncture treatments by almost tripling the amount of adenosine in the muscles where acupuncture treatments are administered.

Research already shows that acupuncture creates signals in the brain that cause the body to produce the larger amounts of endorphins; another natural painkiller found in the body. This study shows has revealed the role of adenosine in acupuncture treatments.

For many people, acupuncture is a mainstay in their fight to relieve pain. Although it isn’t completely understood just how it works, thousands of people will attest that it does.

photo credit: sushiphotos

For over a year, Congress has been squabbling over the health reform bill championed by President Barack Obama.  The long effort finally came to fruition last Sunday, when congress narrowly passed (by a 219 to 212) margin of victory.  Known as HR4872, the bill was revised from an earlier bill that was passed by congress on Christmas Eve of 2009.

As a result, the nation seems even more divided than it was before the bill, with Republican John Boehner vowing to fight the bill, and adding, “The American people are angry… Shame on us!”

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The economy is sick and in desperate need of a transfusion of new ideas. Everyone hopes that President Obama’s proposals for a revamp of the health care system will prove successful, but in the meantime how do you keep the sick economy from having a negative effect on your own health?

Even for the insured, the cost of copays and other out-of-pocket expenses add up quickly, whether you’re single or have a family. If you’re feeling the pinch, you’re not alone – according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 53% of respondents said they had cut back on their health care to try and save money.

Many respondents reported an increased use of over-the-counter medications or home remedies, rather than scheduling a visit to their doctor. Others said they didn’t fill prescriptions to save money; some even skipped treatment or tests that their doctor recommended.

Ignoring your doctor’s instructions could prove risky if you have a serious medical condition. But no matter health status, you can cut down on some of the costs of healthcare without having to neglect your health. What can you do?

• When you visit a doctor, make sure you’re prepared. Take along all the information the doctor might need, including paperwork and medical records if necessary. Take note of whether your health has changed recently, including energy or weight fluctuations. If you have any questions you want to ask, make a note so you don’t forget them. Being prepared for a doctor’s visit cuts down on the need for repeat visits, and helps save on copays.
• Get your test results over the phone. Most of the time you won’t need to return to your doctor to get test results, so there’s no reason to spend money on the copayment when it’s not necessary.
• Consider setting up a flexible spending account when open enrollment comes around. Flexible spending accounts let you put pre-tax dollars aside to fund certain types of medical expenses.
• Call an organization such as the Patient Advocate Foundation (800- 532-5274) if you have a chronic disease and want some help with getting the most out of your insurance plan.
• If you’re uninsured, then consider visiting a store clinic. In some locations, retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart now run clinics where you can receive routine medical care for about half the price of a doctor’s visit.
• Try and track down locations where you can receive free medical screening. Organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can help you locate such programs.
• Request a quote for affordable health insurance here. Our system is able to connect you with leading health insurance carriers from across the country, and it could save you a lot of money on premiums or health care costs.

photo credit: effekt!

The Obama administration is in the midst of making plans to spend $19 billion on modernizing medical record-keeping systems, but is it going to be enough? Most hospitals are seriously behind when it comes to digital technology, with a full 98% of American hospitals retaining a paper-based medical record-keeping and billing system. And with the debate over Universal Health Care in full swing, it seems that everyone is looking for ways to save on individual health insurance and health care.

According to the results of a new national survey, less than 2% of American hospitals have completely switched to an electronic medical record-keeping system.

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