Medical Professionals Rate Low in Customer Service

Another sore spot with me are lab results. Why is it that the medical profession insists our lab results read like that of a 20-year-old? Especially if you happen to be part of the baby boomer generation. My veins...my arteries are not 40 years younger. They are not supple anymore. Let's face it. They are hardening and it requires more effort to get things moving through them. That is one of the reasons why blood pressure climbs. It's a long way to travel to the brain and more pressure is required to get there. It is literally an "uphill" journey.

And what about cholesterol? After all, cholesterol is the "band-aid" required to patch up blood vessels that sustain nicks. This keeps the blood platelets from latching on and therefore causing a major "traffic jam" with the resultant build up that can lead to a blocked artery or vein resulting in a heart attack or stroke. If our cholesterol is supposed to be as low as the medical professionals have us believe, than there seems there wouldn't be enough "band-aids" to heal those nicks. It has been reported low cholesterol reading in the more mature years could be a sign of dementia or even Alzheimer's.

A trick of the trade is to divide your total cholesterol number by your HDL (the good cholesterol). I found out about this formula during one of my health screens. The comment was made, "You do have high cholesterol but we aren't worried because your HDL is high." Yes...it's high because I exercise and I watch that my simple carbohydrates are kept to a minimum. If the result is less than 5.0, you are not at risk of a heart attack. So...say your total cholesterol reading is 240 and your HDL is 60. After dividing the numbers, the result is 4.0. Now...your doctor will tell you that you will need to promptly start medications to lower that total cholesterol number. But you know good and well you are not at risk and you refuse the doctor's recommendation.

Another reading is blood sugar. Specifically fasting blood sugar. How reliable is that? Given the dawn phenomenon that usually happens in the middle of the night in which your blood sugars raise, preparing you for the start of the day, I would think the morning fasting is a bit skewed. And there are a lot of people who experience this. To top that off, one has to eat to stop those sugars from rising further. I firmly believe in the A1C readings done every three months. That seems to be more accurate in giving the reader the true picture of the way blood sugar is being used in the body.

Have I told you anything you already knew? I hope you, the reader, have at least begun to question any suggestions your doctor may give you regarding your health care. It is time we teach our family doctor that we are not a "paycheck" but people who rely on their expertise to help us reach an educated decision in our health care. We refuse to blindly accept their advice that makes us feel uncomfortable or there is no acceptable explanation forthcoming for this suggested treatment or that medicine to be taken, in our pursuit of a reasonable and healthy lifestyle.

Most of us have had to seek the advice of our family practitioner and when finished, wonder about the lack of customer service. That's right! Medical professionals need to brush up on their customer service skills when it comes to spacing appointments. How many of us wait, wait and then wait even more to see a doctor? Time is money and when we have to wait, we are wasting money. It is rare that you find a doctor who makes sure word gets back to their impatiently waiting patients that they are behind in appointments. Personally, I give the doctor a half hour and then reschedule my appointment, provided I am not too upset to do so. After all, we are the ones responsible for the lifestyle they have acquired and wish to maintain.

American Patients See Mexico As a Better Health Care Alternative

Plastic surgery in Mexico is getting a bit more organized. Due to the demand for lower plastic surgery cost and consumers still demanding savings for medical care, affordable plastic surgery in Mexico is again on the hype.

Two weeks ago, Grupo Angeles, the parent company of Mexico's largest private hospital group, Hospital Angeles, signed a contract with Health Travel Guides (HTG) to provide the technology infrastructure for managing its medical tourism operations. Another leading medical tourism agency, GoSculptura, now provides excellent but affordable plastic surgery packages in Mexico. GoSculptura now includes Mexico in its network of medical vacation destination and now has more than 500 satisfied patients and a 97% satisfaction rate. Other agencies such as Healthbase also chose the country to be part of its health care network and provide U.S. patients satisfactory plastic surgery in Mexico.

The overwhelming plastic surgery cost and the long wait to get medical treatment are two of the top reasons why American patients travel to other countries to receive medical and dental work. Whether a good new hip and a nice new face, you might have to dig deep into your wallet or wait several months before receiving the medical or dental care that you require. In 2006, more than 50,000 Americans go abroad to acquire affordable plastic surgery and dental work. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, year by year millions of patients from all places go to Mexico, Argentina, India, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Costa Rica. The reason - to evade the trauma of plastic surgery cost, to acquire affordable plastic surgery with less time to wait and experience inclusive vacation package and recuperation activities. These countries are top notch medical destination places where health care, medical facilities and surgeons are comparable and may exceed the quality of health care of the U.S.

As of now plastic surgery in Mexico is at the height of fame, thanks to medical tourism agencies. Mexico offers the same medical care quality as the U.S. but goes out with rock-bottom plastic surgery cost. Although the medical care in Mexico may not be as inexpensive as the ones in some Asian nations, the proximity to the U.S. is a big advantage to patients. Some U.S. companies are now sending employees to Mexico for their annual checkups. Some expert also find Mexico as a definite answer to treat the aging and under-insured Americans at a time when the retirement of baby boomers will further tax the U.S. health care system. An estimated 43 million Americans, about 15 percent of the population, are uninsured, according to a Census Bureau study.

The growth of medical tourism in Mexico and how the country will mature in terms of health care will determine the future of most American patients. According to Peter Maddox, Christus Health senior vice president for business, strategy and corporate development, "Our country will go broke unless we find a health care alternative". He sees Mexico as a wonderful alternative with incredible potential.

Paul D. Johnson is an analyst and one of the medical experts of GoSculptura, a medical tourism leader in the organization of packages for plastic surgery in Mexico. Patients will have the benefit to know information such as plastic surgery cost and inquiries on how to get affordable plastic surgery in Argentina by visiting the site - Gosculptura.com.

12 Reasons to Choose a Senior Planning Service

Not near your loved ones? Can't be there all the time to care for, support, and help? Concerned and fearful about their well being? No need to worry anymore....

That's now a Senior Planning Service's responsibility!!!!

1. Senior planning services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so you don't need to be there.
2. If you think your family is difficult to deal with, believe me, they probably have met worse.
3. Next time your Dad calls and starts to drive you nuts you can tell him to call the senior planning service instead. Your mother can call when ever she wants and talk all about her lumbago, sciatica, or Mrs Sweeny's gallbladder surgery. Every situation is different; every life unique; A senior planning coordinator will customize their services to meet the needs of each individual client.
4. A senior planning service can be less expensive than roundtrip airfares. They will save you time, money and aggravation while providing respect and compassion for your loved ones. A senior planning service can be less expensive than roundtrip airfares.
5. Senior planning coordinators are conscientious and dedicated and will provide you with important information that will allow you the ability to choose which assisted living or nursing facility best fits your parents needs and personality.
6. Your parents can't push their buttons. Senior planning coordinators are trained professionals and have experience in managing different situations, plus your parents didn't know them when they were in diapers.
7. To Mom and Dad your still a kid and wet behind the ears. How can you possible know what's best for them? A senior planning coordinator will explain to them in a way that they will understand and accept, what you have been trying to advise them all along.
8. A senior planning service can accomplish in two hours what could possibly take you weeks to achieve.
9. A senior planning coordinator can tell your "know it all" annoying sibling that they really "don't know it all" without causing a major family feud. They can mediate between family members without causing any hurt feelings.
10. A senior planning coordinator knows how to help your folks get through the fear of spending their retirement savings, when they are in need of additional help.
11. A senior planning service will provides you with the stress free, ease of mind knowledge, that they will quickly check up on your parent when you're told "everything is ok" and you know better.
12. A senior planning service will ensure that you and your family feel comfortable with your decisions and the quality of care your loved ones will receive.

"If You Have Touched One Heart, Taught One Lesson, And Given Unselfishly Of Yourself... Then You Truly Have Lived." - Bev Rosen Katowitz

Senior Planning Services to Help Older Adults & Their Families
Golden Autumn for Seniors - Planning Services
http://www.goldenautumnforseniors.com

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Healthcare Plans That Can Bailout Your Medical Expenses

How many of us had to go through the embarrassing situation where you found your pocket empty when you had to pay to the cabbie. Later when realizing the real reason behind such embarrassment was that just before taking a cab you were with all due respect robbed by the multinational hospital for your medical expenses for which you weren't left with not even a single cent. The reason for burning a hole may differ but the reason for finding ourselves in soup remains the same- which is getting robbed by the expensive medical care. So is there any bailout plan which can show us light at the other end of the tunnel?

Actually there is good news for all those who cannot afford costly medical care. A new crop of healthcare companies have forayed into healthcare space in providing quality supplemental healthcare for an estimated 47 million working population who can ill afford these otherwise expensive medical care. These healthcare companies are a force to reckon with in healthcare space. By bringing more and more innovative healthcare products to the reach of the masses they are doing good to themselves and to the public at large. This intention can be witnessed by viewing at the product line of these healthcare companies lined up for offer. Medical care plans offered by these companies start as low as $19.95 to not more than $200 that line up to suit varying needs of the members.

The focus is mainly put on the customer service and in delivering customized medical care service as per members' requirements. Importance is also given to the relevancy factor since it stands as the deciding factor between the success for a newly launched product and it's falling apart. Sensibility lies in grabbing this opportunity and let us hope that Americans are no different in using the opportunity thrown at them.

For further information, please visit http://www.health-dental-discount-plans.com

Prema,
http://www.legitimate-home-business-online.com/

Flexible Spending Accounts Bridge the Gap For Individuals Seeking Alternative Medicine

There are many patients who would like to seek out alternative health care practices but feel confined by their insurance policy and the cost associated with health care. Let me take a moment to let you know that there are some options out there for those of you who fall into this category.

First, just because an alternative health care provider does not file with insurance companies doesn't mean that there is no coverage. These health care providers are trying to keep their costs down so that they can keep their fees as low as possible. If you contact your insurance provider they can let you know if your plan allows for any out-of-network services. If they do, they can get you a form that you can fill out and submit along with treatment information from your doctor's office and proof that you've paid the bill. They will then reimburse you for a percentage of the total bill. This percentage will vary based on your particular insurance policy.

Second, it is time that you take control of your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). First, what is a FSA? It is an employer-established account with tax benefits. So the first step in your process is going to be to contact the person in charge of benefits at your company to find out if they offer an SPA.

Okay, you found out that your company does offer an SPA, now it's time to sign-up. You need to come up with an amount to put into your account. This is typically 100% from you, but some employers will contribute to the plan. Get a rough estimate of how often you go to the doctor/dentist/optomotrist, purchase medication, supplements, or any other medical related product (the list is HUGE, check out IRS publication 502). This is how much you want to put in your SPA to begin with. If you want, you can round down the first year and keep a more accurate record for next year.

What's so powerful about an SPA? First, the money is taken out before taxes. That means the hundreds or thousands of dollars that you spend on medical, dental and vision can be pre-tax dollars. Since this money comes out before taxes, your overall tax payment is lowered. And last, if your employer makes a contribution, this is not considered part of your taxable income and won't effect your tax bracket.

These accounts are wonderful and should be used, however, there are a few things you need to know. First, your balance does not carry over year to year. You need to use all of your funds each year - but with so many qualifying expenses, you shouldn't have a problem using up your funds at the end of the year. For a full list of qualifying expenses, you can check IRS publication 502. Second, your account is tied to your company - if you leave the company for any reason, you will need to use your funds at that point in time.

Just to name a few items that are qualifying expenses:

- acupuncture
- adult diapers (incontinence)
- allergy medicines
- ambulance services
- bandages/band aids
- birth control pills
- blood pressure monitoring device
- blood work/analysis (must be requested by doctor)
- braces (ankle/arm/leg)
- chemotherapy
- co-insurance amounts
- contact lenses
- condoms
- cough drops
- deductibles
- diabetic supplies
- Exercise equipment/program/gym membership - (MUST HAVE DOCTOR'S NOTE AND CAN NOT BELONG TO GYM PRIOR TO NOTE)
- Eye glasses
- Fertility/Infertility Treatments
- First Aid kits and supplies
- Guide Dog (buying, training, caring for)
- GYN exams
- Hearing Aids
- Herbal medicines & treatments (with doctor's notes)
- Hospital services
- Immunizations
- Laser Eye Surgery
- Nicotin - smoking cessation aids
- Pain Relievers
- PAP smears
- Pregnancy tests
- sales tax on all qualifying expenses
- shipping and handling costs on all qualifying expenses
- speech therapy (with doctor's note)
- sunglasses (prescription only)
- surgery (not cosmetic)
- Vaporizer
- Walkers
- Wheelchair

To learn more about naturopathic medicine visit Brannick Clinic of Illinois: http://www.bcnaturalmedicine.com/

To learn more about Flexible Spending Accounts - http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/index.html

Seven Reasons Why Canadians Love-Hate Their Health Care Program

A couple of years ago the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation held a television series attempting to nominate the most influential Canadian ever. The winner would earn the title The Greatest Canadian Ever. Many names were put forth over the weeks leading up to the final, and in the long run the winner was Tommy Douglas.

Tommy Douglas was the premier of Saskatchewan for 17 years but never Canada's Prime minister. Among his many accomplishments was the establishment of Canada's Universal Public Health Care. Among his claim to fame is the fact he is the grandfather of Kiefer Sutherland the actor.

Canadians have him to thank when they are suddenly taken ill or must visit their doctor for an ailment.

Here are the seven reasons why they love/hate it.

The plan is universal. Canadians are covered wherever they live in Canada.
Each province has it's own care card. Once a resident moves from one province to another all they need to do is to register, have their photo taken and they are issued a new card.

It is very inexpensive. No it is not free. A tax of 7 or 8 percent is collected on nearly everything we purchase. Automobiles and homes are exempt as well as children's clothing and some food products.

Show your health care card and you are into the hospital now. Arriving at a hospital or medical clinic Canadians are asked for their hospital care card. This will act as proof of coverage and the admittance procedure carries on.

Almost every medical test and procedure is covered. Not everything is covered. For instance if a person is hearing impaired and requires extensive testing by an audiologist before being fitted for a hearing aid, this in exempt. A portion of the aid may be covered. However, if the problem has resulted in the patient being profoundly deaf they may be a candidate for a cochlea implant. This procedure can cost as much as $50,000. And is provided free under the program.

Cosmetic procedures such as wart removal, breast implant, plastic surgery are not covered. Certain blood tests are not covered. If a specialist requires sophisticated testing procedures in an attempt to discover the reason for a pulmonary emboli they may ask for eight or more complicated blood tests to be carried out. Some of these are exempt.

Coverage works in strange ways. A friend had contracted glaucoma. Over the years she required many visits to the specialists. Eventually she required a cornea transplant. All of these procedures were covered. She then developed a cataract on her other eye. The plan covered the operation and the new lens. The lens coverage was based upon provision of an older type. The new and improved type cost was $300. And was not covered.

Because the health care plan is regulated by the government, bureaucracy shows it's ugly head. Waiting lists are long and wait times for certain procedures are equally long. For instance, in New Brunswick, a person requiring heart a bypass procedure may wait for up to six months. A knee replacement in Ontario takes about the same. These waiting times are expected and those in need should prompt their doctors to be proactive in diagnosing the problems and gaining access to the waiting list at the earliest possible instance.

The Canadian Universal Health Care Plan may not be perfect but it is one every Canadian citizen can be forever thankful.

Joe and Irma Mac Millan have enjoyed the Whistler Mountain and valley area of British Columbia for many years. They have camped, hiked and skied the mountains and fished and kayaked the rivers and lakes. Their website Whistler-outdoors is a must for anyone considering a trip to Whistler as well as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They invite one and all to take a look.

Are Changes Coming For Health Care Politically?

It's a hard time we are living in these days. The health care system in America is totally out of control and we are not sure what we are supposed to do to make it better. Sure the major presidential contenders have some ideas, but the real question is whether they can honestly make any changes or not.

Chances are if you closely examine the respective campaign platforms (found online at the candidates websites) you will find some interesting ideas, but not a lot of information to work with as to how these ideas are to be implemented.

The truth of the matter is that no matter what anyone proposes to do to make changes to the health care white elephant no amount of money in the world right now would be enough to even begin basic reforms.

In addition to the lack of money to implement reform, it would take much longer than just a mere four year first term to even begin to change anything. Not even eight years would actually be enough either.

The health care system is so - well incestuous - it is hard to figure out what to do with it. Change one thing and like a line of dominoes, things all over fall out of place creating havoc. It does no good to take pieces of the puzzle and just work with them, because the pieces are part of the overall picture that needs to fit together when the tinkering is all said and done.

America has a staggering deficit to begin with, how is it supposed to make significant changes to a health care system without the financial means to do that? The answer is that it isn't possible in this lifetime and may not be in the next.

We are actually the author of our own misfortunes when it comes to health care and how the system works - or doesn't work in some instances. Before you vote, take some time to compare the party platforms on health care. Ask yourself some hard questions and then vote for what you feel will best suit your needs.

Richard Cantu is with Texas Health and Life, a Texas health insurance and Texas life insurance agency in Texas. To learn more, visit http://www.texashealthandlife.com

Medical Care in America - A Futuristic Insight of Avoiding Costs

A recent survey by the federal agencies health department shows that medical care is the highest revenue generator and a significant contributor to the American GDP. These statistics shows that the usage of medicines have increased manifold and more and more people are made to go for expensive medical care more than ever before. The reasons behind falling sick may be many but the solution prevailing to fight illness is discouraging. Most of them are forced to shell out their hard earned money for expensive medical care. For even as small as fever, many of us think about visiting a doctor. So, is there any way out to bail us all from this otherwise avoidable overspending.

The solution lies in letting us make a conscious spending towards medical care. Of late, some companies have formulated programs that take the burden of lowering the medical care expenses. These come in the form of providing quality supplemental healthcare spanning their services from vision care, dental care, and chiropractic care and prescription drugs. One stand out feature that is drawing large middleclass working sections, to these programs, is the pricing column in the services list that are on offer. Healthcare plans range from as low as $19.95 to not more than $200 for individual and family packages. The most significant feature is the low start up fee for initial subscription. These healthcare companies help us save a lot of money and effort by bringing the service to the doorstep to its literal sense.

Customization and relevancy factor are the highlights in the success story of these healthcare companies so far. The strategy that is working in favor of the healthcare companies is the network of established service providers who are widely scattered all across America roped in to render medical care service for agreed rate of discounts. So, for each and every visit made to the nearest service provider the member is benefited up to 80% on medical care plans. On the other hand, the service provider is sitting pretty by getting business without spending even a single cent on marketing and advertising.

For further information, please visit http://www.health-dental-discount-plans.com

Prema,
http://www.legitimate-home-business-online.com/

A New Way to Get Health Care in the USA is Through Discount Programs

What is going on in health care? Did you know that more than 47 million Americans are uninsured and 31 million are underinsured? Are you one of them? Seven out of ten Americans have no dental plan.

Let's get a few things straight. Traditional health insurance is a rip off. There are many discount programs that offer incredible savings. The funny thing is, the vast majority of Americans don't even have any coverage. Now, if you research discount plans, prices may vary from company to company, but one thing is still the same. Most only cover one category. It is very difficult to find a company that offers a wide variety of discounts on all sorts of care.

There is a massive shift in the health care industry happening right now. People are starting to notice consumer driven health care. This is basically word of mouth advertising. By not spending money on advertising, the company can pay independent business owners (IBO's) to send people their way, and still offer huge savings to the consumer. By cutting out the middle man (your local insurance broker) families are finally getting the coverage they need and deserve. Don't fall prey to outrageous insurance.

It's funny. I walk into stores and restaurants and see business cards and so on... One time I picked up a card that said something like, "Save Big On Health Insurance..." On the other side it had pricing for individual and family plans. For a family plan it was several hundred dollars per month. I'm talking about your basic medical insurance plan. With a discount plan (one I know of personally) you can get a family plan for less than $60/month that covers just about everything you could think of. I'm talking about medical, dental, vision, prescription, chiropractic, a 24 hour nurse line, legal assistance, car club, and more - ALL for $60 per month - and that covers your entire family! Discount programs are the smart alternative to insurance. Cut out the middle man and you will save big money.

And check this out. Do you know of anyone who spends hundreds on prescriptions per month? You know, people with high volume "maintenance" type drugs? There are people like this everywhere who can't even afford their medications. Well, have you ever heard of an Unlimited Prescription Plan? Most people haven't. They wouldn't be spending outrageous money right now if they had. These people NEED their meds, and they HAVE TO pay for them. Maybe it's YOU. Imagine getting all the coverage I already mentioned above PLUS unlimited prescriptions for only an additional $82 per month. That's right. No quantity limit. No limit on the number of different types of medications either. Literally - Unlimited Prescriptions. Whatever you need. However much of it you need. You're covered. And the company does all the legwork.

What if you are spending hundreds per month on diabetic supplies? We have a plan that's right for you - no matter how many times per day you test!

Considering lasik eye surgery? You could save off 50% off the national average.

Not only will you save big, but you can also EARN big by helping spread the word. This new industry (consumer driven health care) is predicted to top over $10 trillion in the next few years. There is serious money to be made in a movement of this magnitude and there is no reason to miss the boat. You can save money and make money, all while getting the coverage you and your family need. The best part is, in a sluggish economy, these types of programs expand because people REALLY NEED them.

If I might add, there are a few more great reasons to be a part of a discount plan. They are: No limits on visits, services, or age. You can change providers whenever you want to. Pre-existing conditions are covered. Braces, lipid panels, lab work, etc. all included. Specialists included. No deductible. No claim forms. No waiting periods. Need I say more? If you currently have traditional health insurance, it would be in your best interest to switch to a discount program of some sort. Even if you have no problem paying for your current insurance and want to keep it, you can still get a very cheap discount plan, and get further discounts on what your insurance won't cover.

Let's say you have health insurance that is paid for by your employer, but it doesn't cover dental. Perfect. For less than $20 per month, you can get discount coverage on a variety of things including dental.

Learn more at the website. I wish you a healthy and prosperous year.

All The Best,

Andrew Hittle HealthReltedDiscounts.com

Andrew Hittle is telling others about health related discounts and exposing the truth about consumer driven health care at http://www.HealthRelatedDiscounts.com