Thứ Năm, 31 tháng 8, 2023

[Question - Other]Looking for help navigating care for a family member regarding patient advocacy. What should I be asking? Who should I be searching for?

By    21:33 // No comments

I'm in the US to preface all of this. (Lucky me, I know)

My step father is having some neurological issues mostly revolving around balance. Cognitively he is ok, but my mother is saying it has been declining. The main issue is he falls A LOT. Like weekly. This has been going on for a little over a year and has been in the ER half a dozen times. Broken ribs, concussions, etc.

My mom has been taking him to see neurologists, but no one seems to be taking it seriously. They can't find anything, and they just send him home telling him to rest and not move around. The problem is my mom is getting old and can't really take care of him. They live in a house that has the only bathroom on the second floor. So she has resigned to bathing him. He uses a portable toilet in the living room. So the situation is not at all ideal. Last week, while trying to dress him, he fell and took her with him. Sending them both to the ER. They are thankfully ok, but this needs to stop. I live 6 hours away, so there isn't much I can do in terms of physical support. My step brother lives nearby and has been instrumental in helping out, but he also has a family of his own to take care of.

I need to find who or what kind of person takes on cases like this. My mother needs help navigating insurance, finding an at home nurse, getting basic things like a walker or wheelchair. Every time I talk to her, its the same old "Doctor says I need this, but then I call my insurance and get the run around and then give up."

This is new to me. This is my first experience with aging parents and things are only going continue as the age more. What am I looking for? Social worker? Patient advocate? What do I search for? Are these things covered under medicare?

I appreciate ANY advice or even just pointing to a subreddit better suited for such questions. I'm stressing like crazy and just want to make my mother enjoy her later years and not be resigned to being a caregiver who regularly is put in harms way.

They live in a populated area (Philly suburbs) So I know things like this exist around them. I just don't know where to begin.

Thank you for at least listening to me.



https://ift.tt/QGIdgej Submitted August 31, 2023 at 09:02PM by numetalbeatsjazz https://ift.tt/syFNDGC

Legacy Health Unity Center, Portland, OR

By    02:32 // No comments

This may be similar to other hospitals, but deserves to be known, in the hope that Legacy will be aware of its reputation.

There is a reason that Unity Center for Behavioral Health was threatened with being closed in 2018, a year or so after opening. See the article, which can be found by a google search: not all of the article is accurate, but it gives the basic idea.
Management ignored at least a dozen serious (some lethal means in patients' rooms) internal safety reports for many months. Publicly, upper management blamed direct care staff. They took no responsibility for sparse training and blatantly ignoring safety reports.
Since this time, upper management continues to ignore direct care staff ideas and concerns. Amazing staff have left, flooding out of the doors in the last few years. Instead of looking at systemic safety issues, individual staff are (again, as in 2018) blamed and at times disciplined. We have no recourse with HR.

There are also staff who stay with Unity who have displays of temper that are, in an objective sense, utterly illogical. Ex. A call for help with a call badge is met with "What do you want?!" -An acusation. Not an appropriate response to a request for help with an immanent safety issue that staff needed help with. Ex. middle manager raging at staff in front of a patient with a history of unprovoked violence. Why? Staff requested immediate help.



https://ift.tt/RXT4Akb Submitted August 31, 2023 at 01:44AM by New_Worldliness_9680 https://ift.tt/mQ4SWH5

Thứ Tư, 30 tháng 8, 2023

[Question - Insurance] How can I explain to healthcare providers what a Health Reimbursement Arrangement is?

By    22:34 // No comments

My employer offers up to $500 in healthcare reimbursement per year to cover out of pocket costs. This is managed by my health insurance company and is paid directly to the provider. A major problem with trying to explain this is that even though it's called a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, the money is being paid directly to the provider instead of being reimbursed to me.

For example, if my out of pocket cost is $175, and there's $56 left in my Health Reimbursement Arrangement, then my insurance will sent $56 to the healthcare provider to cover part of the out of pocket cost. In this context, the insurance company is simply acting as an agent to pay the money from my employer to the healthcare provider. However sometimes the healthcare provider will not credit the bill for the $56 and will have no idea what I'm talking about when I call them. This is also the case when there's enough money in the HRA to cover the full bill, but they send me the bill anyway and don't understand what an HRA is.



https://ift.tt/RXT4Akb Submitted August 30, 2023 at 09:41PM by Control_Agent_86 https://ift.tt/MdeYu2q

My doctors office labeled someone’s specimen with my name on it

By    16:32 // No comments

CW bodily fluids

I (28f) had my annual wellness check 2 weeks ago. All went well. I got my lab work done and my labs came back good.

Except today I noticed I had a new message in my account along with a new test result. My doctor sent a message saying that my fecal occult result was normal. I checked the results tab and saw that it was published there as well….All I did was a blood draw….there wouldn’t be any reason for me to do this test anyway. I sent a reply to my doctor thanking her for following up, but I was confused about this result as I didn’t provide this sample.

They billed me like 40 dollars for it too, which i know is nothing but now I have to call and explain all this nonsense tomorrow. Has anyone else had this happen



https://ift.tt/RXT4Akb Submitted August 30, 2023 at 03:40PM by Dangerous-Reward2492 https://ift.tt/nZyLAYO

NPR News: It's big! It's bright! It's a rare blue supermoon! Here's how to check it out

By    06:33 // No comments
It's big! It's bright! It's a rare blue supermoon! Here's how to check it out
The Earth's lunar sidekick will appear extra big and bright as it reaches its fullest stage on Wednesday. It's not just the biggest supermoon this year, it's also a rare blue supermoon.

Read more on NPR

Rough surgery experience, am I overreacting?

By    05:31 // No comments

I recently had an outpatient procedure to deal with a fistula that had been an ongoing problem for 18 months.. My insurance didn't have anyone to do it so they sent me to the next city over, where, IMO, the care and communication was pretty abhorrent. From my 5 minute preop, which was about 4 weeks before when the surgery happened, I: -Got no info on the date or time of the surgery until 36 hours prior to the procedure, or even info what the procedure was going to be. Just that they "would deal with it" - had preadmission hound me for upfront payment ($1500+ coinsurance), calling me 6 times in a day and a half before the surgery for money. They had no medical information for me, just a bill to collect. Also the bill was conveniently enough to max my deductible and no more, which was strange. - canceled 2 hours before the surgery and proceeded to move the date 3 times over the course of the afternoon before settling on the next afternoon at 5, check in at 4. -called me at 10am day of requesting I arrive by 12, not giving me enough time to get water out of my system and pissing off the nursing staff. Ended up in the OR at 5 pm anyway because of this - Ended up with a.much different surgery than expected, ended up with a Seton that is causing pain and intense care needs. I have no idea if it comes out on its own or needs another surgery. -recived zero followup beyond the folder they sent me home with and the desk has yet to return my calls.

It's been 10 days now and I've plateaued in recovery, missed a ton of work I wasn't expecting to, and am just beside myself in the lack of communication outside of demands for money. Am I overreacting? Is this just how it is now? Is there any action I can take regarding this?



https://ift.tt/hPqUnwR Submitted August 30, 2023 at 04:41AM by MeesterBooth https://ift.tt/GNOLXBd

Would a flat tax for everyone work with Universal Healthcare?

By    03:34 // No comments

Let me preface this by saying that I am still very new to Universal Healthcare and Welfare programs as a whole so the answer to my question may seem obvious, or I may come across as ignorant and such. That said here's my question:

If every citizen, regardless of income bracket, paid the same percent income tax and still having a flat sales tax, wouldn't that function for Universal Healthcare and even other welfare programs. The way I imagine it is that if a privately owned hospital decided that the bandage they gave you should cost $1 (just bare with me), the Federal Government would step in a say "Here's a dollar, formed by every 300 million citizen offering up their own portion of it." So if someone who makes $10,000 got taxed 2% income tax but also made less purchases, thus they paid less sales tax, wouldn't they be offering up their fair share of money towards welfare products as an extremely rich person who makes billions and spends more on goods (more sales tax)? So the poorer person would be offering 100,000x less money to someone's medical bill but it would be the same percentage of their monetary intake.

Sorry again if this is obviously wrong and I'm dumb for not understanding, I'm still trying to figure this whole thing out and learn. Thank you for understanding.



https://ift.tt/hPqUnwR Submitted August 30, 2023 at 03:30AM by Zypton https://ift.tt/i1PK02V

Thứ Ba, 29 tháng 8, 2023

How is this allowed?

By    21:31 // No comments

One visit with the Rheumatologist. It was my first visit with her, though I've had too many at that facility with other doctors.

One visit, two charges for that visit. $898 for 20 minutes. It makes me sick to my stomach. :'(

​

https://preview.redd.it/ghnh0dlo02lb1.png?width=958&format=png&auto=webp&s=907fd5fa3d1fcef98e7955fe62e46422423fa5f8



https://ift.tt/hPqUnwR Submitted August 29, 2023 at 08:49PM by Pick_Up_the_Phone https://ift.tt/E5283UP

How to practice "evidence based medicine" in the midst of data manipulation?

By    20:32 // No comments

I am currently reading the book "Overdosed America" by John Abramson, M.D.

In the book he discusses how pharmaceutical companies only care about profit and making their shareholders happy. Not actually making lives better or improving old medications.

The ways that these drug companies are distorting their data is actually sickening. It's crazy to think that they OWN THEIR OWN DATA, it's not public. They can hide whatever they want. Sometimes, they will drop participants, leave out 6 months of data, certain types of study design that hide adverse effects, give only relative risk reduction and not absolute risk reduction, just to name a few. There's been drugs (like Celebrex and Vioxx) that have turned out to CAUSE acute cardiovascular illness, and these drugs are supposed to be a better alternative to NSAIDs for GI problems. Which there isn't much data saying they are actually better. But with clever study design they made it look like it was better. Insanity.

It's all advertising and there is no regulation to prevent them from straight up committing fraud. The FDA does what it can, but sometimes things fall through the cracks with clever study design and advertising/data manipulation. He also shows that even prestigious journals like JAMA and NEJM cannot be trusted as accurate since the pharmaceutical companies are involved in the publishing. Sometimes peer-reviewers are have commercial interests with these Pharma companies.

So, how as physicians, can we trust that the sources that we are taught? We are all taught "evidence-based medicine", but how can we see through the B.S. and really find studies/data that hasn't been manipulated? I have heard the "5 year rule" from many physicians. They tell drug reps to not talk to them about a new drug until 5 years as passed. This is probably a solid way to go about it.

If there is 50-100 studies about a certain drug being effective (p=0.01), then we can assume it's not false data, right? Believing so would be downright conspiratorial.

tl;dr - How do we practice evidence based medicine in the face of commercially-spun data from drug companies?

P.S. - If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend. He also went on Rogan.



https://ift.tt/hPqUnwR Submitted August 29, 2023 at 07:34PM by takeflight414 https://ift.tt/Co36WLb

How is this happening in a world as wealthy as the one we have today? What's your story?

By    16:31 // No comments

Hi all,

So I'm living in France and looking to leave, not only because the healthcare system is falling apart, but also due to the relative feeling of unsafety in the cities (I love urban environments, but the violence and crime in France is too much now).

Was looking into Canada, but between the drug/opioid crisis and healthcare also seeming to fall apart...

Just watched this video, and am starting to think: which country is not like this or going like this? https://youtu.be/l-Ms1ZekHVU?si=vEEAiy-MxwTPEdJs

For example I know that these ones are struggling on various fronts such as Emergency Care, Family Doctors, Dentists, and Specialists:

- France

- UK

- Netherlands

- USA

- Canada

- New Zealand

- Denmark

- Norway

The levels of failure are variable, but it appears that France, the UK, Canada, and the USA are some of the worst in all categories.

We're fortunate to be full remote and high earners, and are looking at moving to Dubai or Andorra to have our children and start a family in a safe environment with healthcare and good QoL.

But I feel for my parents, my friends, in various countries, and would love to hear other people's experience and if any medical professionals can answer that'd be amazing.

Another note: France killed my grandfather through bad medical care, they also screwed up my mum's cancer treatment and "forgot" to read a scan that showed her cancer was still there, stopping treatment for a year and effectively pushing her into stage 4... This was because and I quote "the specialists were swamped and lost your scan". My dad had a heartattack in January, and only had a followup last week because I called the hospital every day for the last 2 months to get a cancellation slot.



https://ift.tt/hPqUnwR Submitted August 29, 2023 at 04:13PM by Alpaca_lives_matter https://ift.tt/nUcfTai

Using the NY State healthcare exchange for a visa holder?

By    02:33 // No comments

Trying to get health insurance for someone. Just looking at the required immigration status for the health care exchange, it seems to cover their visa (visa listed in the link below) but I wasn't sure if this is the right way to go about it?

Do the subsidies on the exchange potentially lead to bar you from the country or future green card applications? Is it "OK" to apply for health insurance if you are an individual with non-immigrant visa status? Would appreciate it if anyone can comment with prior experience or even anecdotes

Reference https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/



https://ift.tt/utm4DO7 Submitted August 29, 2023 at 02:01AM by RajSab1990 https://ift.tt/GdBnlzb

Thứ Hai, 28 tháng 8, 2023

Anyone know how much a Flow Cytometry Test is supposed to cost? Think I was overcharged.

By    23:32 // No comments

I j ust received my bill from the hematologist for a flow cytometry test. The office charged $3000 to my insurance. I looked up the test and the average cost is upwards of $900, but as low as $120.

Was I overcharged for the test and if so, can I negotiate a lower cost?

This might be the wrong place to ask this



https://ift.tt/utm4DO7 Submitted August 28, 2023 at 10:50PM by GregHauser https://ift.tt/liOM5HB

NPR News: Ozempic seems to curb cravings for alcohol. Here's what scientists think is going on

By    16:33 // No comments
Ozempic seems to curb cravings for alcohol. Here's what scientists think is going on
People taking weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy report a dampening of the urge to drink. Here's how the drugs curb cravings and what that could mean for helping treat addiction.

Read more on NPR

Role of Data Analytics in the Healthcare Industry

By    14:32 // No comments

Healthcare organizations generate and accumulate a massive volume of data, ranging from electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical notes to administrative and financial records. Data analytics services in healthcare involve the systematic analysis of this data to identify patterns, trends, and correlations that can inform clinical decisions and enhance healthcare operations.

Learn More - https://us.sganalytics.com/healthcare-research-and-analytics-services/healthcare-data-management-solutions/



https://ift.tt/utm4DO7 Submitted August 28, 2023 at 01:46PM by Beautiful-Ad-7743 https://ift.tt/QoYPpKa

Overseas doctor looking into staring career in US

By    11:31 // No comments

Hello. I am posting this question for my family member who really wants to move to US, where he would continue his medical career. He graduated from a 6 year medical college in Ukraine, now starting a specialization internship as a surgeon. In the meantime, he is doing a medical school external study in Poland where he just completed 5th year and going into 6th year. He also completed lots of different courses and training in medical field. If it helps in any means, he is also a law school graduate, where he studied for 5 years.

  • How difficult would it be for him to start his career in the US?
  • What are the steps that he should take right now so that he does not waste his time and money overseas?
  • Is there any way he could get a permanent residency in the US, are there any programs for overseas doctors?

He is looking to start his career in Florida, where I am located. To add, he is a Polish citizen so any type of asylum is not an option. He depends on me to help him on this, so I would really appreciate your insights. Thank you!



https://ift.tt/utm4DO7 Submitted August 28, 2023 at 11:25AM by magnumpl https://ift.tt/kRtqXp1

How to find a decent primary care doc? One medical alternative?

By    04:31 // No comments

Long story short, I’m really in need of a good primary care doctor to help me diagnose and manage an issue that seems to be getting worse (pre-diabetes > parathasia (I’m thinking likely neuropathy) > now followed by ear pressure issues and imbalances). I’m will to pay for faster access, but don’t know where to go.

I have a referral to a neurologist to look into the parathasia, but it’s still months away. I currently have one medical, but can’t seem to ever find an appointment or consistent appointment with decent doctors (their quality has dropped off severely).The other local healthcare networks (I.e. UCSF, Sutter Health) are booked months out.



https://ift.tt/kAz1CuX Submitted August 28, 2023 at 03:38AM by whatsAbodge https://ift.tt/G1fZXB3

Chủ Nhật, 27 tháng 8, 2023

Who is "Guarantor" on Financial Assistance Forms?

By    11:32 // No comments

My uncle got some treatment at his local hospital for a chronic disease. I have been helping him with filling out the financial assistance forms (his income qualifies him for a sliding scale discount). However, one strange thing on the form is that it lists "Guarantor's signature" 2x on the form as well as "guarantor's details, income etc".

I wanted to know if my uncle needs a guarantor to sign for him? The whole point about financial assistance is that you can't pay and need help. Getting a guarantor would basically mean someone would have to take ownership of any possible outstanding balance (I definitely don't want to do it, esp with student loan payments restarting). Appreciate any advice.



https://ift.tt/kAz1CuX Submitted August 27, 2023 at 11:16AM by RajSab1990 https://ift.tt/4FYIopQ

Ringleader of NBA health care fraud gets 10 years prison. A former National Basketball Association player was sentenced on Thursday to 10 years in prison after leading a "brazen" scheme involving at least 19 players to defraud a league health plan into paying millions of dollars.

By    06:31 // No comments
https://ift.tt/ECvabUB

https://ift.tt/sR1kUKO Submitted August 27, 2023 at 05:47AM by RecentArmer https://ift.tt/ZERlFkD

Thứ Bảy, 26 tháng 8, 2023

Gate keeping mds

By    23:32 // No comments

Hey guys, I’m sure by now many of you have discovered the page noctor. After seeing people on there constantly posting and commenting bad things about multiple different health professions as a whole, me and another redditor have come together to create a page called gatekeepingmds it’s about extended scope of practice for all health professionals where you can discuss work, life, extended scopes, hardships you face from others because of your extended scope, and of course, research that supports extended scopes of practice!

We are a couple of pharmacy people that got banned from noctor for sticking up for extended scope of practice and are moderating the page. It’s in its early days, but every health profession is welcome to join!

So yeah, head on over to gatekeepingmds and let’s support each other as we navigate the troubling time stemming from changes to our professions. :)



https://ift.tt/Ng6YZFm Submitted August 26, 2023 at 10:41PM by bigbadworld_ https://ift.tt/ZaovcdQ

Bill question

By    11:31 // No comments

I'm in Illinois and I have insurance. But, I'm more interested in this medical bill I got for a med check. Basically I'm on anxiety medication, refills ran out, had to visit the doctor to get more. The visit was about 10 minutes total, between entering and leaving. Maybe 4 minutes with the nurse practitioner, the conversation was basically "they still working?" "Yes" "ok I'll write another prescription" and we talked about the weather a few seconds and that was it.

$550 bill, insurance paid $100

I just find this... excessive.

I called and the first person told me they couldn't send me an itemized bill, and said the visit was billed as a 25 minute consultation. I told him it was basically 5 mins, and other than my weight check and temperature, nothing else was really done. He said this billing was correct. I said the bill was excessive for what feels like nothing, he snarkily said "it wasn't nothing, you got your prescription." I told him I already had that, so it wasn't really anything new. He said we all have medical debt to pay.

I asked to talk to a supervisor and got disconnected. I called back and a woman basically told me the same thing, but said she could send me an itemized bill. That itemized bill doesn't really show anything other than a 25 minute visit for $550.00. She said management was busy and could take a message. They never called me back and it's been 5 days.

Is this normal? I expected the bill to be like $100ish which is still ridiculous, but this?



https://ift.tt/Ng6YZFm Submitted August 26, 2023 at 11:09AM by MissDarediva https://ift.tt/yHQPXK3

Do insurers have to abide by your states age limit cutoff?

By    08:32 // No comments

For example, states that allow adult dependents to remain on their parents health insurance plan until age 30 instead of 26.

If the insurer is out of state (for example BCBS Michigan, where the age cutoff is 26), but you live in New Jersey, where the age cutoff is 31. Does this mean that the employers plan must abide by the guidelines of the state that you live in despite the employer and plan being from a different state?



https://ift.tt/Ng6YZFm Submitted August 26, 2023 at 08:04AM by Imterrifiedrightnow https://ift.tt/OVZc87D

NPR News: Scientists hope to breed a heat-resistant saguaro as more die in a warming climate

By    05:33 // No comments
Scientists hope to breed a heat-resistant saguaro as more die in a warming climate
The record-breaking heat in the Southwest has killed some of Arizona's famous saguaros. Scientists are looking for ways to ensure the cactus can survive in a warming climate.

Read more on NPR

Thứ Sáu, 25 tháng 8, 2023

Ridiculous doctor charge

By    23:34 // No comments

Ridiculous doctor charge

I was part of a family plan at a doctors office, but I aged out of it during the new year. I had prescriptions with them, but I had a few refills left before finding a new doctor.

In May, my old doctor called me saying he will refill them one last time, and just reminded me to find a new doctor who takes my insurance.

Today, I get a text from my old doctors office saying I have a balance of close to $100. I call, thinking it’s a mistake, but the receptionist says that the 2 minute call the doctor GAVE ME is considered a telemedicine appointment and it’s not a mistake. I am no longer a patient there and haven’t scheduled any appointments or talked to them in any way.

I try to figure it out with her but she’s being rude and condescending saying it’s my fault and this is how “the real world is” (extorting unaware people for med costs? Sure sounds like the real world). Unhelpful and now I don’t know what to do.

Is there a way I can ignore or defer this cost? I know it’s very small compared to others on here but I’m not about to pay 100 for absolutely nothing without some fight. I have new insurance through my work, can I go to them?



https://ift.tt/j7NlUqu Submitted August 25, 2023 at 10:45PM by banestylex https://ift.tt/UjMNRQe

Only POC healthcare workers know how to stick an IV and find my veins

By    14:33 // No comments

I promise I don’t mean this in any sort of weird way at all but throughout many years of having IVs or bloodwork done (prolly hundreds of times at this point) I’ve finally come to the conclusion that the only time it has been a painless process is if it’s done by a person of color. If it’s an old white woman I know I will bleed way more than I need to.



https://ift.tt/j7NlUqu Submitted August 25, 2023 at 02:20PM by kornocopeea https://ift.tt/lzQtaSR

Strengthening Healthcare for Everyone

By    08:33 // No comments

Last time I've come across about hospital merging and how it can actually be a positive solution for our healthcare system. It's a topic that might not get much attention, but it has some significant potential benefits.

Here are some:

Hospital merging combines resources for more efficient use of funds, equipment, and staff, lowering costs and increasing affordability. Merged hospitals offer a broader range of medical services and specialties, minimizing patient travel. Advanced technology and research enhance diagnostics and treatments, while community programs focus on prevention and education. Merging also improves coordination among healthcare providers for better patient care and outcomes.

What do you all think about hospital merging as a solution? Have you come across any examples or experiences related to this? Please share your perspective.



https://ift.tt/j7NlUqu Submitted August 25, 2023 at 07:55AM by sleroatxgx https://ift.tt/1vNYS2s

Thứ Năm, 24 tháng 8, 2023

Should I pursue a fellowship after graduating with a MHA, even though I have experience in the field?

By    12:32 // No comments

I currently work as a supervisor in healthcare operations. My company does not offer an administrative fellowship, but I believe our leadership is supportive of growth and open to hearing new ideas. Would it make sense for me to potentially participate in a fellowship at my current company or maybe a different organization even though I am already in an operations leadership role? My goal at this point is to eventually be in a VP role.



https://ift.tt/jLFDO2a Submitted August 24, 2023 at 12:20PM by ElectricOdyssey https://ift.tt/uBKg5S6

What do I need to do in undergrad if I want to pursue a Master of Health Administration right after?

By    10:32 // No comments

If anyone has experience with this topic, I'm interested in applying for MHA programs after college, are there any prerequisites like pre-med or applications boosters that would be benefitial to have achieved in undergrad (specific major, extracurriculars, internship experience, etc)?



https://ift.tt/jLFDO2a Submitted August 24, 2023 at 10:18AM by N0tShy_N0tMe https://ift.tt/2Xo6QOk

Advice for a new clinical specialist

By    08:33 // No comments

I am a radiologic technologist who has recently taken on the role of a clinical specialist. Tomorrow is my last day working as a tech, I begin my training next week. I'm thrilled about this transition, but definitelya bit nervous. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!



https://ift.tt/jLFDO2a Submitted August 24, 2023 at 08:05AM by thecoolestbitch https://ift.tt/zfu69pL

NPR News: Here's why 6,000 octopuses like to be under the sea at an 'octopus garden'

By    01:35 // No comments
Here's why 6,000 octopuses like to be under the sea at an 'octopus garden'
Over 6,000 octopuses have been found huddling around an extinct volcano deep in the Pacific Ocean near California, and researchers now think they understand why the octopuses find it so cozy.

Read more on NPR

What happens if you don’t pay back a big medical bill?

By    01:33 // No comments

Have insurance, very good insurance actually. Ambulance brought me to the ER and was transferred to a different department for a week.

All out of network, balanced billing has been a common term, NSA advocates have been little help, even contacted my congressmen in NC district 14 with little help from their staffer. It’s just me up against United Healthcare and a 20k obligation between us.

I’m thinking of just… not paying it because I think it’s ridiculous. It’s going to be a tough hit on my credit. Currently I’m at 760, how low can it go? How long will my credit be affected. What else will happen if I just don’t pay these people back?



https://ift.tt/jLFDO2a Submitted August 24, 2023 at 12:34AM by SpecialCay87 https://ift.tt/2xlW4TJ

Urgent Help Needed: Mother-in-law Requires Blood Transfusion, Hemoglobin Levels at 4 - No Healthcare in NYC

By    00:32 // No comments

My mother-in-law has been diagnosed with critically low hemoglobin levels (at a 4) and urgently requires a blood transfusion. We live in NYC, and she doesn't have healthcare coverage here. She went to Mexico to get tested since her sister runs a hospital there.

Her situation is critical, and I'm looking for guidance on the best way to approach this issue, be it finding affordable healthcare, understanding legal options, or accessing immediate medical assistance in NYC.

Any advice, contacts, or recommendations would be deeply appreciated. Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.



https://ift.tt/ke9YW74 Submitted August 23, 2023 at 10:22PM by MitsuNietzsche https://ift.tt/jh0QYNz

Fiancé in Desperate Need of Diagnostic Procedure

By    00:32 // No comments

My fiancé has had an issue passing blood for about a year. At first, he was unable to afford an MRI, but considering how long it has been, his primary care referred him to a gastroenterology. At the GI, they want to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy to figure out what could possibly be the issue.

Herein lies the problem. When he was quoted for his part of the procedure, they told him it would be $150 with his insurance. Not great, but we could likely figure it out.

Today, someone from their office calls and tells him his part is over $612. She tells him he can make a payment of half.

We are so close to being homeless, it's no joke. He had to stop working because of how much he was bleeding. He was once doing roofing, and has now become my caretaker. (I am disabled). We don't know what to do here as his life is potentially in danger without knowing what his body is doing. These procedures are imperative to treatment.

I suppose I'm looking for advice, as I have no idea what else to do. I did call the doctor who saw him and left a message with the nurse about it, but we're at such a loss here.



https://ift.tt/ke9YW74 Submitted August 23, 2023 at 11:09PM by AbjectDissonance https://ift.tt/J2aDhZ7

Thứ Tư, 23 tháng 8, 2023

Urgent Help Needed: Mother-in-law Requires Blood Transfusion, Hemoglobin Levels at 4 - No Healthcare in NYC

By    22:33 // No comments

Urgent Help Needed: Mother-in-law Requires Blood Transfusion, Hemoglobin Levels at 4 - No Healthcare in NYC

My mother-in-law has been diagnosed with critically low hemoglobin levels (at a 4) and urgently requires a blood transfusion. We live in NYC, and she doesn't have healthcare coverage here. She went to Mexico to get tested since her sister runs a hospital there.

Her situation is critical, and I'm looking for guidance on the best way to approach this issue, be it finding affordable healthcare, understanding legal options, or accessing immediate medical assistance in NYC.

Any advice, contacts, or recommendations would be deeply appreciated. Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.



https://ift.tt/ke9YW74 Submitted August 23, 2023 at 10:25PM by MitsuNietzsche https://ift.tt/GAHCR1P

Rant: Nearly 5-month wait time to see a dermatologist. What is multi-payer healthcare really getting us in the US?

By    12:31 // No comments

A dermatologist I was referred to by my PCP just told me that the soonest they can see me is January 3rd, 2024. Based on availability trends in my area (New York's "Twin Tier" region), it's very likely that other dermatologists are booked similarly.

I'm always told that the trade-off for our health insurance premiums, co-pays and deductibles is reasonable wait times to see doctors who provide good care. Why does it seem like US healthcare keeps declining as premiums for our subpar coverage keep rising?



https://ift.tt/ke9YW74 Submitted August 23, 2023 at 11:46AM by Original-P https://ift.tt/GeuUA4l

Can Medicaid cover past expenses?

By    01:34 // No comments

I'm about to lose my parents' insurance due to turning 26, but I have a few months of physical therapy to do. I can get medicaid if I applied today but it won't start until October 1st. I can't miss next month's worth of PT because then I'll never be able to properly walk again. Will Medicaid (or a future employer's health insurance) retroactively cover September's expenses?



https://ift.tt/ke9YW74 Submitted August 23, 2023 at 01:31AM by BeestMann https://ift.tt/PeTRkn1

Thứ Ba, 22 tháng 8, 2023

Thứ Hai, 21 tháng 8, 2023

HIM vs Healthcare admin degree?

By    13:33 // No comments

Please can someone explain Healthcare Info Mgmt vs Healthcare Admin to me like I’m 5??! I’ve been researching and it seems that they are the same but not? I plan on enrolling at WGU for either of these degree within the next few weeks and I can’t make a decision on which program to pick.



https://ift.tt/EowI9bv Submitted August 21, 2023 at 01:24PM by No-Necessary3035 https://ift.tt/aP8mIw6

What criteria is required of UK citizens to get NHS care after living abroad?

By    04:33 // No comments

Hey all. I grew up half in the US and then half in England. I’m a UK citizen and have a national insurance card, but I have a US passport rather than UK and tend to travel on that especially having lived in the US more recently.

My question is, I’m about to leave the US for Central America, and I am trying to figure out the smartest approach to health insurance in case of emergency. I am in my 30s and healthy, and Costa Rican healthcare is notoriously high quality and affordable out of pocket, but if one day I were to suddenly be diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer or get in an accident where I needed/preferred to fall back on a home country for healthcare, would I be able to move back to the UK for it? What would I need considering I haven’t visited a doctor in the UK for years (e.g. proof of address to register with a new doctor)?

The US alternative is to pay hundreds of dollars every month in premiums for sub par health insurance just in case I needed it at some point, and then usually another nearly $10000 out of pocket if you need to use it for something expensive/major.



https://ift.tt/EowI9bv Submitted August 21, 2023 at 03:37AM by 47milliondollars https://ift.tt/8ajxCU4

NPR News: Tropical Storm Emily takes shape in the Atlantic, as storm activity starts to warm up

By    02:35 // No comments
Tropical Storm Emily takes shape in the Atlantic, as storm activity starts to warm up
As the season is nearing its peak, the Atlantic Ocean has suddenly become very active with several storms that meteorologists and weather forecasters are watching.

Read more on NPR

Healthcare EOB billing is completely ridiculous, why it works like that?

By    02:33 // No comments

I Just got a bill for a simple doc visit with a lab test. EOB says that health plan pays ZERO dollars and it just has some sort of discount. The plan is Premera and I already stopped understanding how this whole thing works. The doc is in-network, it accepts the insurance, yet insurance refuses to pay for the bills? How the hell is this even possible?

And when you get a bill for a doc visit with lab test in totall of almost 550$ you supposed to pay 450$? What the actual hell?

How can you even avoid this?



https://ift.tt/Wvg21fY Submitted August 21, 2023 at 02:12AM by sanek94cool https://ift.tt/cLTZrMN

Chủ Nhật, 20 tháng 8, 2023

NPR News: A new development in particle physics could point to the existence of a fifth dimension

By    19:35 // No comments
A new development in particle physics could point to the existence of a fifth dimension
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to Esra Barlas Yücel, a researcher at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, about Fermilab's most precise measurements of the muon particle's magnetic wobble.

Read more on NPR

How does getting a referral for an out of network psychiatrist work?

By    14:32 // No comments

I'm 25F and I've been diagnosed with ADHD since I was younger. I was taking generic adderall and my parents were paying for my psychiatric sessions out of pocket ($200/session), but since I began paying my own bills, this has not been sustainable. I continued paying out of pocket for a few years before discontinuing a few months ago since it was too much of a strain on my wallet. Since then, I've been having trouble focusing and accomplishing my goals, so I wanted to go back to my psychiatrist. I was just wondering if there was a way I would be able to get some of the burden of payment alleviated through insurance, since I currently have an "Anthem Silver 70 HMO" plan. I don't see my previous psychiatrist listed as in network through the app, but I would prefer not to change psychiatrists. Would this be possible?



https://ift.tt/Wvg21fY Submitted August 20, 2023 at 02:31PM by westanreddit https://ift.tt/fP9ILrC

Why do I view health in this way and how can I change it?

By    04:31 // No comments

Why do I view health in this way and how can I change it?

I realise this will be viewed as odd but I have always had quite a firm and I guess ‘unhealthy’ view on health. I have a thing about me being reliant on medication in order to function normally. I view health as differently from most (I think correct me if I’m wrong) and it makes accepting having a health conditions harder to accept mentally. I do have one which requires medication and in a way instead of just accepting it I feel ‘broken’. Let me try to explain

As a teenager I didn’t care much about makeup/clothes - I saw these things as very temporary, whereas health was everything to me- it basically allows you to exist. Lose the things around you and it is devastating but you will survive, lose your health and you won’t.

I would exercise at 5am everyday (only for 10 mins) and make myself eat a daily apple. I used to think that if everyone was thrown onto an island with no items/amenities - it wouldn’t be the best dressed, nicest hair or most well spoken who would survive, it would be the fittest who had less medical needs/did not rely on medication. Don’t take this the wrong way, I don’t assign value to a person based on any of the above, I am just trying to give a glimpse into my views on the importance of health and I guess the source of anxiety/overthinking.

If you see this as nonsense that’s ok and if you have read this far thankyou. So as you might be able to more easily see why a health condition makes me feel ‘broken’ and leads to a sense of disappointment when I think about it. I suppose I value being totally free and not connected to medication in order to function. As a result I don’t only feel intense dissapointment at my own health issue but also fear developing other conditions that I am now at high risk for. I would love to change this view but I don’t know how. I don’t know how others seem to easily accept health issues…

I understand this is probably seen as stupid and there are faults with it but we only have so much control over the way we see things.



https://ift.tt/Wvg21fY Submitted August 20, 2023 at 03:50AM by bluefortress05 https://ift.tt/6NWeYGD

Thứ Bảy, 19 tháng 8, 2023

Thứ Sáu, 18 tháng 8, 2023

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