MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'benefits'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:51:23 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130746&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysician-enjoys-the-ease-of-a-new-emr%2F2011.08.15 Seven months into 2011, things look very different than they did this time last year at my office. Not only have I been using an electronic medical record for nine months now, but I’ve also been submitting claims electronically (through a free clearinghouse) using an online practice management system. I’ve also begun scanning patients’ insurance cards into the computer, as well as converting all the paper insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) into digital form. I’ve even scanned all my office bills and business paperwork and tossed all the actual paper into one big box. As of the first of the year I even stopped generating “daysheets” at the end of work each day. After all, with my new system I can always call up the information I want whenever I need it. How did such a comm... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130746 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:00:48 +0100 5130746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050827&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2F4-ways-digital-hospital-signage-improves-hospital-experience Hospital signage benefits are most easily seen through the enhanced navigation experience provided for patients, but benefits also come with a multitude of other factors. From bolstering brand identity to reducing administration costs, hospital signage is a growing industry with a continuous supply of new and sophisticated tools that spread hospital communication. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050827 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:10:12 +0100 5050827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008196&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fare-the-benefits-of-smoking-cessation-eclipsed-by-obesity%2F2011.07.07 Obesity is filling in for smoking as a cause of death in working class women, concluded researchers after reviewing mortality rates from a nearly 30-year study in Scotland. In Europe, wealthier people either aren’t starting to smoke or are finding it easier to quit, which accounts for up to 85% of the observed differences in mortality between population groups, researchers noted. Their analysis showed higher rates of being overweight or obese among those who’d never smoked in all occupational classes, with the highest rates in women from lower occupational classes. Almost 70% of the women in the lower occupational classes who had never smoked were overweight or obese, and severe obesity was seven times more prevalent than among smokers in higher social positions. Among women wh... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008196 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:00:00 +0100 5008196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984448&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fosteoporosis-treatment-with-bisphosphonates-is-exercise-good-or-dangerous%2F2011.06.30 My 86 year-old mother, who is generally in good health, slipped and fell recently and suffered a fractured femur. She was unfortunate to have suffered the accident, but had the good fortune to be discovered quickly, treated promptly and well by the paramedics who responded to her, and then to have a swift and skillful operation by an orthopedic surgeon to repair the fracture. Almost miraculously, she was standing upright (with a considerable amount of pain) the next day and had begun the rehabilitation process. At her age—indeed at any age—a fractured femur is a very significant injury. This past year, I have learned of friends and others who have suffered falls and broken their legs, ankles, or backs, as well as others who suffered “pathological fractures.” The latter group had th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984448 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:00:00 +0100 4984448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975869&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmore-employers-are-dropping-healthcare-insurance-coverage%2F2011.06.26 McKinsey Quarterly has reported its survey concluding there will be a radical restructuring of employer-sponsored health benefits (ESI) as a result of President Obama’s following the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act. Healthcare insurance rates have already skyrocketed as a result of anticipating the conditions of Obama care. President Obama has been powerless to do anything about the increases. Thirty percent (30%) of companies providing ESI to their employees will drop healthcare insurance coverage once Obama care takes effect in 2014. The survey included 1300 employers providing ESI across industries, geographies, and employer sizes. Other surveys have found that as we get closer to 2014, President Obama’s Healthcare Reform Act will provoke a much greater number of employers t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975869 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:00:51 +0100 4975869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921423&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhigh-deductible-health-insurance-plans-incentivize-patients-to-skip-screening-tests%2F2011.06.10 Almost half of health plans in the US have deductibles of at least $1,000 according to a new study.  It’s called “cost shifting” and it’s a big part of the future of American health care. There are two major reasons why employers are doing this. First, higher deductible plans are cheaper, since there is less risk to insure.  Think of your car insurance – why would you make a claim for a ding on your door when it’s cheaper for you to just pay to have it fixed (or fix it yourself)?  The higher the deductible, the lower the premium, even if it means more out-of-pocket cost for you for the small stuff. Along these same lines is the second reason.  If employees spend more of their own money on health care, maybe they’ll be smarter about how they spend it. It sounds good – bu... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921423 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:00:50 +0100 4921423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893969&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FNINJaOvIXWQ%2F Conclusion It should quickly become apparent that your mind is improving, and you will feel calmer, happier, and more relaxed. It is also likely that you will experience improvements in other areas that I have not even mentioned in this article. For variety, you may soon wish to discover different methods of meditation. There is almost a limitless amount of different techniques to experiment with. With a little experience you can probably develop your own unique techniques, specifically tailored for yourself. Enjoy! Jon Rhodes is a clinical hypnotherapist, musician, author, and meditator. He is owner and operator of the Meditation Den. If you want some help meditating, then please click here for details of our collection of Meditation Mp3s. Don’t Forget to Follow PickTheBrain on Twit... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893969 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:27:25 +0100 4893969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4876421&cid=t_101588_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F28%2Fhelping-others-is-good-for-your-health-an-interview-with-stephen-g-post-phd%2F Mahatma Gandhi once said that “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” I have benefited from that advice, for sure, especially in the months that I was crawling out of a very severe depression. An expert on the perks that come with helping others is bestselling author Stephen G. Post, author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get us Through Hard Times (Jossey-Bass, 2011). He is Professor of Preventive Medicine, Heard of the Division of Medicine in Society, and Director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University. Visit him on his website at www.stephengpost.com/hiddengifts. I have the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with him for... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4876421 Sat, 28 May 2011 10:07:20 +0100 4876421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820823&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F80UGSK8Bg5Y%2F By Tad DeHavenGeorge Will makes a good point in his latest column: Democrats maintain a peculiar “conviction that whatever government programs exist should forever exist because they always have existed.” Will’s observation centers around the shameless Democratic attacks on Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) proposal to reform Medicare and Medicaid. According to Will, “Ryan’s plan would alter Medicare. But Medicare has existed in its current configuration for only 46 of the nation’s 235 years.” Actually, “current configuration” isn’t quite accurate. For example, Medicare’s prescription drug component added by Republicans, which Ryan voted for, went into effect only five years ago. Regardless, I agree with Will that so-called “progressives” have a “constricted notion ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820823 Thu, 12 May 2011 20:33:52 +0100 4820823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813488&cid=t_101588_129_f&fid=27216&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifewithadhd.com%2Fadhd-research%2Fnew-adhd-research-the-benefits-of-getting-the-right-type-of-treatment.php While there is little doubt now that the genetic link for ADHD is a major player in the cause of this mental disorder, new ADHD research suggests that the health of the pregnant mother may also play a determining role. Results from a very interesting study at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, London, suggest that stress together with anxiety or depression during pregnancy could account for up to 15% of ADHD cases. The study was a fairly small one which involved about 1,700 mothers. In the latest ADHD research from Norway, the reasons why a woman might suffer a pre birth depression could be linked to not getting enough support from their spouses or partners. This particular study was organized by The Norwegian Institute of Public Health. In some interesting new ADHD rese... Life With ADHD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813488 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4813488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813416&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fcrossing-digital-divide-connected-health Often when I speak about connected health, I am asked ‘What are you doing to provide these services to communities with health disparities?’ For many years, connected health advocates took it on the chin when this important topic was brought up.  We relied heavily on home computers and home Internet access to achieve the power of our programs.  Yet, underserved populations had fewer home computers and less Internet access.  We were left to half-heartedly mention that access was improving and of course folks could always go to the library if needed. No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813416 Wed, 11 May 2011 13:50:38 +0100 4813416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742661&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F5SdEWHIw0Mw%2F My two-year-old daughter doesn’t balk at all the water I give her to drink. But when I told my 7-year-old son to drink a glass of water, he said, “But I’m not thirsty. Can I have root beer instead?” Suddenly I got a flashback to my early years. There was never a dull moment with my family growing up, but I didn’t learn the importance of drinking water. Water just tasted bad to me, and I chose not to drink it. I didn’t have a clue that I was depriving myself of the most important factor for enjoying good health: drinking plenty of water. What turned me around was something I learned in my late 20s while watching a show on television. An object lesson was used to teach the importance of drinking water. In essence, if you washed your dirty dishes with orange soda, they wouldn’t ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742661 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 07:38:50 +0100 4742661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734046&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHARaQeQERsI%2F By Caleb O. BrownThe Institute for Humane Studies Learn Liberty project continues to offer clear-headed analysis in video form. The latest effort features Ben Powell of Suffolk University explaining the concept of concentrated benefits and diffuse costs in the context of ongoing budget fights. Cato recently produced two short videos on complementary aspects of the budget fights. For a more detailed treatment of many aspects of public choice, get your free (cheap!) copy of Cato’s excellent book, Government Failure: A Primer in Public Choice. Public Choice and Spending Cuts is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734046 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:07:15 +0100 4734046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4724293&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FEe4jYxmNUSY%2F Your friend texts you about their frustrating day, your taxes have to be filed, the radio spouts news of another disaster somewhere, and you still haven’t taken your car in for its oil change.  With the wonders of technology and high-speed interaction between us all, we’re finding it more and more difficult to keep our mental machinery chugging away at optimum performance.  What you need is scheduled maintenance. Just like your car, your brain needs fuel and regular care to perform like you need it to.  If you drive your Ferrari too many miles without adding gasoline, it will sputter and quit on you.  If you go months without replacing oil and tires and hoses and belts, your Maserati will eventually respond with sluggishness or even more catastrophic ends.  Your brain is prec... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724293 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 04:16:22 +0100 4724293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696977&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FpfrilgNNta4%2F I’m not a meditation teacher. I’m not even a very enthusiastic meditator. I’ve averaged about 20 minutes once a week for the past couple of years, and any serious meditator will tell you that’s not enough to really benefit you. Except it seems like it is, because I’ve noticed some benefits that I can’t attribute to anything else. I’m sure I’d get far more benefit if I meditated more regularly (I’m experimenting quietly with doing that). But here’s what I’ve gained even from a rather hit-and-miss practice. Well-known benefits of meditation Everyone who knows much about meditation knows that it helps to decrease negative thoughts and increase positive ones. It trains you to pay attention. It lowers blood pressure, reduces irre... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696977 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:41:38 +0100 4696977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693355&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2Fa740ntLRR_8%2F Casey Quinlan wrote a really fantastic article about why “What’s the ROI?” is only half the question in healthcare IT. She quickly identifies the real challenge with putting an ROI on an EMR implementation by acknowledging that an ROI discussion quickly leads to a financial discussion. Indeed! The financial side is only have of the EMR ROI question. I’ve written about the EMR ROI up down backwards and forwards. You have the camp that wants EMR software saying that it provides a great ROI and you have the camp that doesn’t want EMR saying that it doesn’t. The correct answer is that they’re both right. Your EMR ROI is often what you make of it. Not to mention that what you make of it starts with your EMR selection. In any ROI discussion, I quickly po... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693355 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:31:05 +0100 4693355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684260&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FR4kmVtI45Ts%2F By Michael F. CannonIt's not an easy period for major media organizations, what with all this creative destruction revamping that sector of the economy.  So the Washington Post Co. couldn't help but be pleased when it received a $570,000 bailout from ObamaCare's Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.  That program allows the Obama administration to run up the national debt another $5 billion by doling out cash to corporations that provide retiree health benefits.   The CBS Corporation received more than $720,000.  General Electric, a part owner of NBC Universal, Inc., cleared nearly $37 million. Since The Washington Post, CBS News, NBC News, and MSNBC have now received subsidies (the latter two indirectly) from this very controversial law, their reporters should disclose that fact to thei... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684260 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:05:21 +0100 4684260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643013&cid=t_101588_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FToG6Y-gk47M%2Fworkplace-benefits-are-needed-to-meet.html The collision of the economy, the health care crisis, and a growing number of aging Americans has put many families in or near financial crisis according to a new report from Volunteers of America. “Plurality of caregivers say the economy has made it more difficult to provide care to a family member,” said the report. ”Few—roughly one in 10—are paid for the care they provide.” More than 46 percent report that the economy has made it harder to be able to provide care. Three quarters of caregivers state that the person to whom they provide care is 70 years or older. “We have a potential catastrophe looming with the collision of a significant, and growing, aging population, the economic downturn, and the health care crisis,” said Rosemarie Rae, executive vice president with... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643013 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:08:00 +0100 4643013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636670&cid=t_101588_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FJ6HVw1UZWqw%2Fsharing-good-news.html Aging with Grace is proud to announce we have been ranked #22 by  Seniors for Living as one of the Top 100 Senior & Boomer Blogs & Websites in the category of  All Things Aging. We are honored to share this category with: 20.  New Old Age Blog 21.  AARP 22.  Aging with Grace 23.  RetireLife 24.  Love to Know: Seniors View the entire list (Source: Aging with Grace CareConnection) Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636670 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:45:00 +0100 4636670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600682&cid=t_101588_129_f&fid=27216&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifewithadhd.com%2Fadhd-research%2Fnew-adhd-studies-reveal-benefits-of-behavioral-ampamp-natural-treatments.php New ADHD studies are showing that things are actually looking up for patients and their families. Where there was once difficulty in achieving a diagnosis and a limited amount of treatment options, there is now a better understanding of the causes of ADHD and with it, new avenues for treatment which promise long term results. Though the amount of diagnosed cases of ADHD has risen in the last decade or so, so too has there been an increase in forms of treatment. The latest ADHD news is full of possibilities for treatment and management of the condition. Everything from dietary changes to behavioral therapy and homeopathic remedies has opened the doors to this much misunderstood condition, offering much hope for positive change. Many new ADHD studies have been focusing on pinpointing the ... Life With ADHD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600682 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4600682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575255&cid=t_101588_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FaYDX9RqEUrk%2Fcredit-card-debt-that-outlives-mom.html  By SHERISSE PHAM Following a recent post on the rising levels of credit card debt among the elderly, several readers raised an important question: What happens when borrowers die? Do they take their credit card balances to the grave, or are those left behind responsible for the debt? Tom from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, offered an answer: “Excess debt over the value of the estate is considered insolvent and cannot be passed on to heirs.” He’s right, it turns out. Experts say that unlike a mortgage or a car loan, credit card debt is unsecured, meaning that it isn’t tethered to an asset. When someone dies, credit card companies have to wait near the back of the line to receive payment. If what’s left over after settling the estate isn’t enough to pay the bill... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575255 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:54:00 +0100 4575255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560354&cid=t_101588_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F08%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-march-8-2011%2F My first year of grad school was one of the most relaxing years of my life. Sounds crazy right? But the reason for my surprising sense of peace and tranquility, despite the stress of moving to a new city and all the papers and presentations that come with getting your masters, was due to one simple word. Meditation. My first course in the semester was, “Stress Management 101.” My daily homework assignment consisted of an hour’s worth of meditation on my own time and than 3 hours of talking about and practicing mindfulness meditation in class at night. Basically, on top of sleeping better, I was spending a good part of my day focused on being relaxed. Boy do I miss those times. But then I wondered what the difference was between now and then? Why do I need a homework assig... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560354 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:46:36 +0100 4560354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4478164&cid=t_101588_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fresearch-confirms-aa-effectiveness%2F Science Validates Long Held Beliefs About AAThere have been many studies extolling the benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) participation. Indeed, 12-Step therapy (TS) is the prevailing alcohol treatment model in the United States. The focus of current research has now shifted from whether TS is beneficial to those with alcohol-related problems to questions of why and how TS is successful.Research presented at a symposium in 2001 indicates that AA participation directly affects abstinence and affects abstinence indirectly through lifestyle changes.Researchers confirmed that those with support from AA members were more likely to remain abstinent than those whose support came only from non-AA members or those with no support at all.The results of another study suggest that even in partner-i... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4478164 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:52:00 +0100 4478164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464493&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthree-rs-of-health-and-wellness%2F2011.02.11 I’d like to talk about how rodents, relationships, and riding relate to overall health and wellness. This idea comes from a nicely-written New York Times piece entitled, “Does Loneliness Reduce the Benefits of Exercise?” Here, Gretchen Reynolds reviews a few intriguing studies about how relationships may affect exercise, stress hormone levels, and intelligence. The combo caught my eye. Anyone who pays attention to wellness knows that exercise produces more flexible arteries, more durable hearts, and leaner body shapes. These benefits are obvious, and honestly, sometimes a bit tiresome to write about. To me, a far more interesting — and lesser known — benefit of regular exercise is that it might make us smarter. Here’s where the rodents come into the story. As ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464493 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:00:40 +0100 4464493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464496&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmaking-employee-health-a-fundamental-part-of-company-culture%2F2011.02.11 Dick Quinn of Quinn’s Commentary has a pithy post about why it’s hard for the government to control healthcare costs. He says: Nobody complains about the cost of healthcare, rather they complain about their insurance premiums or their payroll deductions for health benefits. He’s right about what politicians react to. The healthcare reform law is loaded with things that are meant to contain the price of coverage. But I would add two words to his post: “Nobody who votes complains about the cost of healthcare.” It’s true: The large employers who pay for much of healthcare in America complain about the cost a lot. But they are doing something about it. In my work, I have the opportunity to present at events with some of our Fortune 500 clients. (I have one this week with The Home ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464496 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:00:28 +0100 4464496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445786&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSQe9ZSH2R2w%2F By Michael F. CannonFrom my latest Kaiser Health News op-ed: When 34 Senate Democrats joined all 47 Republicans last week to repeal ObamaCare's 1099 reporting requirement, their votes confirmed what their talking points still deny: ObamaCare will increase the deficit, no matter what the official cost projections say... This public-choice dynamic [of concentrated benefits and diffuse costs] is why the Congressional Budget Office, the chief Medicare actuary, and even the International Monetary Fund have discredited the idea that ObamaCare will reduce the deficit. It is one of the principal reasons why, as Thomas Jefferson wrote, "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground." In other words, the game is rigged in favor of bigger government. It als... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445786 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:22:35 +0100 4445786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424281&cid=t_101588_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F01%2Fposting-about-health-concerns-on-facebook-twitter%2F If you’re thinking about posting your health or mental health concerns on Facebook or Twitter, you may want to think twice. According to an article published last week in The LA Times, health insurers will often turn to social networks to check out someone’s story — especially when that person is receiving medical leave or disability payments from an insurer. If you’re filing (or intending to file) a health insurance claim, be careful. This once-hypothetical scenario is now commonplace, as insurers look for ways to keep cutting costs and payments to what they perceive as people intending to commit fraud against them. In fact, insurance companies don’t just randomly check out a social networking website when a claim comes in — it is now standard practice,... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424281 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:10:47 +0100 4424281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399647&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FCzR0gStvBd8%2F I’ve now had two people send me links to a study coming out of Stanford University that says that EHR software doesn’t improve patient care in the US (Here’s one story about it from Reuters). So I figure that it must be a topic that my readers would enjoy me discussing. Here’s a portion of their summary: A team from Stanford University in California analyzed nationwide survey data from more than 250,000 visits to physicians’ offices and other outpatient settings between 2005 and 2007. They found electronic health records did little to improve quality, even when there was “decision support” software that gives doctors tips on how best to treat individual patients. I’ve always found it a bit off to talk about EMR software as a means to improve ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399647 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:49:41 +0100 4399647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4352854&cid=t_101588_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fbenefits-of-recovery-from-alcoholism-2%2F There are two benefits from recovery: we have short-term gains and long-term gains.The short-term gains are the things we can do today that help us feel better immediately.We can wake up in the morning, read for a few minutes in our meditation book, and feel lifted. We can work a Step and often notice an immediate difference in the way we feel and function. We can go to a meeting and feel refreshed, talk to a friend and feel comforted, or practice a new recovery behavior, such as dealing with our feelings or doing something good for ourselves, and feel relieved.There are other benefits from recovery, though, that we don’t see immediately on a daily or even a monthly basis. These are the long-term gains, the larger progress we make in our life.Over the years, we can see tremendous rew... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4352854 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:03:57 +0100 4352854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337937&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2F%25e2%2580%259cjust-in-case%25e2%2580%259d-heart-tests-can-they-do-more-harm-than-good%2F2011.01.12 Here’s an important equation that all of us — doctors include — should know about healthcare, but don’t: More ≠ Better “More does not equal better” applies to diagnostic procedures, screening tests meant to identify problems before they appear, medications, dietary supplements, and just about every aspect of medicine. That scenario is spelled out in alarming detail in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Clinicians at the Cleveland Clinic describe the case of a 52-year-old woman who went to her community hospital because she had been having chest pain for two days. She wasn’t having symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, unexplained nausea, or a cold sweat, and her electrocardiogram and other tests were fine. The woman’s doctors concluded that her ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337937 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:00:10 +0100 4337937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331278&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FImwOCVvVcjk%2F In this article I’m going to show you the way I learned to meditate, based on research and the teachings of different gurus. Meditation is a pretty common subject these days As with many things that fall into popular use, its true meaning and purpose can become distorted. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what exactly meditation is, and how one should do it. Common Misconceptions It’s strange that there is so much confusion, as it’s one of the simplest things you could ever do. First, meditation isn’t reflection. The whole point of meditation is transcendence of the mind and the need for self concepts, so critical thinking and any sort of analysis are by default out. Sitting in the lotus position or humming also have precious little to do with it, th... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331278 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 07:03:16 +0100 4331278 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322568&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2Fn_aBTJhXj8w%2F A source just told me that an insurance company that does only professional liability insurance for doctors is providing a 5% discount to all doctors who implement EHR and use it in a meaningful manner. This is really interesting news for me since I’ve seen a number of really interesting debates about whether use of an EHR would actually raise liability insurance for doctors or lower it. This is the first confirmed company I’ve found that has actually acted on a doctors use of an EMR in their liability insurance premiums (of course, maybe there are more I don’t know about). Of course, there are a lot of details missing in the statement posted above. For example, how does the liability insurance company plan to measure if the doctor is using an EMR in a “meaningful m... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322568 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:27:57 +0100 4322568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305135&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fc_evH8F9qQQ%2F Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is allow yourself to rest. Unfortunately, this isn’t always as easy or natural as it seems. Even babies will sometimes fight getting the sleep they desperately need. As adults, we constantly ignore our body’s signals to slow down, but then we wonder why we can’t focus or get more done. Use the following strategies to teach yourself to wind down so you can finally get the rest your body’s been needing. Work When it’s Work Time, Rest When it’s Rest Time Technology is great, but it’s also led to many of us never establishing a consistent time to quit work for the day. The first step in getting the rest we need is making a firm commitment to stop working at a certain point each day and enjoy our down time. You might be losing hours ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305135 Sun, 02 Jan 2011 19:57:45 +0100 4305135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4275325&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Freassuring-patients-about-ct-scans-and-radiation-risks%2F2010.12.20 Emergency patients with acute abdominal pain feel more confident about medical diagnoses when a doctor has ordered a computed tomography (CT) scan, and nearly three-quarters of patients underestimate the radiation risk posed by this test, reports the Annals of Emergency Medicine. “Patients with abdominal pain are four times more confident in an exam that includes imaging than in an exam that has no testing,” said the paper’s lead author. “Most of the patients in our study had little understanding of the amount of radiation delivered by one CT scan, never mind several over the course of a lifetime. Many of the patients did not recall earlier CT scans, even though they were listed in electronic medical records.” Researchers surveyed 1,168 patients with non-traum... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4275325 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:00:00 +0100 4275325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253135&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Femployee-health-the-first-benefits-package-blog-carnival%2F2010.12.13 Welcome to The Benefits Package — the very first employee benefits blog carnival. After healthcare reform, employee benefits move to center stage as one of the most important issues facing Americans. So what are employers, insurers, and the government really doing to rein in healthcare costs, get their employees to live healthier lives, and improve healthcare quality? The Benefits Package is the first-ever blog carnival dedicated to these issues. With benefits executives starting to make the leap into the blogosphere, The Benefits Package will highlight the best insights and opinions on this important subject. You will discover new blogs, learn new things, and hopefully think about issues a little differently. I’ll host the first couple of Benefits Packages, and then others will ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253135 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:00:58 +0100 4253135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4238102&cid=t_101588_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F07%2Fan-end-to-unemployment-benefits-a-victory-for-family-values%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. An End to Unemployment Benefits? A Victory for Family Values. You kids get out of that cement pond! Filed under: Politics Tagged: benefits, congress, extension, mitch mcconnell, robert donna trussell, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4238102 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:24:59 +0100 4238102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214107&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-recommendations-for-vitamin-d%2F2010.11.30 Vitamin D has been talked about as the vitamin — the one that might help fend off everything from cancer to heart disease to autoimmune disorders, if only we were to get enough of it. “Whoa!” is the message from a committee of experts assembled by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to update recommendations for vitamin D (and for calcium). The IOM committee’s report, released this morning, says evidence for many of  the health claims for vitamin D is “inconsistent and/or conflicting or did not demonstrate causality.” The exception is the vitamin’s well-documented (and noncontroversial) benefits on bone growth and maintenance. The IOM panel’s report also says most North Americans (Canadians as well as Americans) have more than enough vitamin D in their blood to a... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214107 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:00:45 +0100 4214107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4200564&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fimproving-health-for-older-adults%2F2010.11.24 New clinical trials and published research are giving us information on how to improve health in elderly patients. Here are some brief points from the Cleveland Journal of Medicine that were surprising to me: – Each year 30 percent of people age 65 or older fall and sustain serious injuries so preventing falls and fractures is important. Vitamin D prevents both falls and fractures, but mega doses of Vitamin D (50,000 mg) might cause more falls. A better dose is 1,000mg a day in people who consume a low-calcium diet.  – Exercise boosts the effect of influenza vaccine. – The benefits of dialysis in older patients is uncertain, as it does not improve  function in people over age 80. We don’t even know if it improves survival. Older patients who receive dialysis... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4200564 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4200564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183341&cid=t_101588_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F19%2Fyour-brain-on-exercise%2F It is quite common to read about, or hear exercise enthusiasts explain the benefits that exercise has on the heart, muscles, lungs, connective tissue, and so on. But, I have rarely heard mention of how exercise improves brain health.  Although, there is plenty of evidence showing that exercise is beneficial to the brain. Exercise improves memory and learning in humans and animals.  Exercising individuals might be less susceptible to loss of cognitive functioning associated with aging or neurodegenarative disease.  One of the key mechanisms underlying these effects on the brain is neuronal growth in the hippocampus — an area of the brain important for cognition (Kobilo, et al., 2010). In an article published in Trends in Neurosciences (2009), H. Van Pragg made the following commen... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183341 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:08:35 +0100 4183341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183297&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Femployers-up-the-ante-for-workers-health%2F2010.11.19 More than half of employers are likely to keep offering insurance rather than use state health insurance exchanges when they become available under health care reform in 2014, reported a survey by an insurance broker. Willis Human Capital Practice released results of its Health Care Reform Survey 2010, which showed 55 percent of employers would keep their health plans in 2014 even if the new state exchanges offer competitive prices. The survey sampled 1,400 employers of varying sizes, industry sectors and geographies whose plans cover more than 9 million employees and dependents (including retirees). Key findings from the survey include: • 88 percent believe that group health plan costs will increase as a result of health care reform; • 76 percent expect administrative compliance co... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183297 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4183297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175675&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fj_EsjnqhVrU%2F By Tad DeHavenThe U.S. Postal service has announced a net loss of $8.5 billion for fiscal 2010. Since 2006, the USPS has lost $20 billion, and the organization is close to maxing out its $15 billion line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. Although the USPS has achieved some cost savings, they haven’t been enough to overcome a large drop in revenue due to the recession and the greater use of electronic alternatives by the public. The USPS is required to make substantial annual payments to pre-fund retiree health care benefits. Last year, Congress allowed the USPS to postpone $4 billion of its fiscal 2009 into the future. However, Congress did not provide similar relief on this year’s required payment of $5.5 billion. Critics of the retiree health care pre-funding requirement argue that n... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175675 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:04:02 +0100 4175675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175697&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fgive-a-microloan-get-healthier%2F2010.11.17 Research has shown that giving to others can lead to a healthier, happier, and longer life. Generous behavior reduces depression and risk of suicide in adolescents.  Volunteerism on the part of older adults significantly reduces mortality. Giving to others enables people to forgive themselves for mistakes — a key element in well-being. One way to have a lot of fun on the Internet and get a health boost while doing so is to log on to a cool site called Kiva. For as little as $25.00, ordinary people like you and me can be part of the worldwide microloan (or microcredit) community. Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth* (Source: Better Health... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175697 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0100 4175697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168223&cid=t_101588_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FWVio53qIHx8%2Fone-womans-mission-to-help-elderly.html by Patricia Grace, National Senior Care Examiner, Examiner.comThis Veterans Day, it is important to show up to a parade, applaud our veterans, and to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. However, there is something more you can do to help honor veterans, become informed about Veterans benefits. Too often, veterans go without services they need simply because they are unaware of the benefits they earned through their service. One New Jersey woman took up the mission to help elderly vets access a still little known VA Pension benefit commonly known as “Aid and Attendance.”Since 2001, Rita Files, partner & COO, Aging with Grace, became increasingly frustrated about how low-income elderly veterans were not receiving the assistance that they needed and “deserved.” As a nurs... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168223 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:44:00 +0100 4168223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159527&cid=t_101588_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FWVio53qIHx8%2Fone-womans-mission-to-help-elderly.html by Patricia Grace, National Senior Care Examiner, Examiner.comThis Veterans Day, it is important to show up to a parade, applaud our veterans, and to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. However, there is something more you can do to help honor veterans, become informed about Veterans benefits. Too often, veterans go without services they need simply because they are unaware of the benefits they earned through their service. One New Jersey woman took up the mission to help elderly vets access a still little known VA Pension benefit commonly known as “Aid and Attendance.”Since 2001, Rita Files, partner & COO, Aging with Grace, became increasingly frustrated about how low-income elderly veterans were not receiving the assistance that they needed and “deserved.” As a nurs... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159527 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:44:00 +0100 4159527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4134315&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FQmpFx4E-JP4%2F “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” ~Theadore Roosevelt Feeling better is easier than you think. If you are looking for ways to restore balance, peace and order to your days, while helping your loved ones live a better life, the solution is simple. Being a caregiver for seniors is a labor of love that can help build fulfilling relationships and make a difference in how you feel about yourself. Being a caregiver is a job that comes with responsibilities and problem solving, followed by the singular joy that comes with making a difference. When you care for a senior citizen you are likely to find many moments of inspiration, and interaction. Do it well and you’ll be having so much fun it will bar... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4134315 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:17:00 +0100 4134315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4124992&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0hPkDWmEbdM%2F By David BoazColbert King, the Washington Post‘s Pulitzer-winning columnist, has a pretty good handle on how D.C. mayor-elect Vincent Gray’s call for “more public input” on the budget would work out in practice: The council is elected to make decisions, not to take polls. What’s more, people know a set-up when they see it. Gray’s scenario, intentionally or not, is a prescription for raising taxes. Here is how it would work: Council members, with the elections safely behind them, produce a deficit-closing term sheet that reads like a doomsday manifesto. It describes deep cuts in areas likely to produce the most screams: public safety, education, health care, workforce reductions, arts and culture, etc. That is followed by council hearings at which long li... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4124992 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:10:49 +0100 4124992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4106104&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FgfT0NQvFL8c%2F My three-year-old seems to have an endless supply of energy. He is ready to go the minute the sun peeks over the horizon. And by ready to go, I mean, he’s ready to play, dance, and run laps around the house … in the morning. As adults, we tend to burn the candle at both ends, thinking we’re three years old, with an endless supply of energy. We stay up late, work hard, go to bed at irregular hours, and eat on the run. And then we wonder why we can barely crawl out of bed most mornings, let alone hit the ground running. While we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can get some of that zip back in our step. Here’s how to lose that lethargic feeling once and for all! Sleep Interestingly, one of the most important things you can do to energize your body is to give it... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4106104 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:00:41 +0100 4106104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077637&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F3xMZNnJt4cU%2F Retreat or withdrawal brings the idea of weakness and defeat to mind. On the surface, it looks as if you are running away because you cannot handle a situation. But at times, you may have to make a planned retreat when faced with overwhelming odds to stage a comeback. A well-planned retreat is a prudent move with benefits that can help you on a personal and a professional level. Read on to find out what the benefits are. Maintains Relationships Relationships define our lives. Whether it is on a personal or professional level, most of us have to interact with people. And as you already know, interacting with people is not easy. You have to give and take. In the course of any relationship, you will face conflicts from time to time. Conflicts have the potential to harm a relationship if you ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077637 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 01:35:17 +0100 4077637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074068&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Funscientific-medicine-what%25e2%2580%2599s-the-harm%2F2010.10.14 Any promoter of science-based medicine often faces the question: “What’s the harm?” What is the harm if people try treatment modalities that are not based upon good science, that are anecdotal, or provide only a placebo benefit? There are generally two premises to this question. The first is that most “alternative” placebo interventions are directly harmless. The second is that direct harm is the only type worth considering. Both of these premises are wrong. The pages of Science Based Medicine (SBM) are filled with accounts of direct harm from unscientific treatments: Argyria from colloidal silver, death from chelation therapy, infection or other complications from acupuncture, burns from ear candleing, stroke from chiropractic neck manipulation — the list goes on. ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074068 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:00:50 +0100 4074068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065357&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D683 Just to add a breather to our blog, check out this news regarding veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afganistan. Did you know that less than half of the veterans who are eligible for retroactive stop loss pay have applied? If you know -or are – a veteran, check this out and make sure our vets get the support they need when they come home.  Who knows, one of them will be a mom or dad someday! If you’re a vet or in the military now, contact us for a discount reserved especially for moms and dads-to-be in active or reserve duty. (Source: Cord Blood News) Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065357 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:21:01 +0100 4065357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040553&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D683 Just to add a breather to our blog, check out this news regarding veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afganistan. Did you know that less than half of the veterans who are eligible for retroactive stop loss pay have applied? If you know -or are – a veteran, check this out and make sure our vets get the support they need when they come home.  Who knows, one of them will be a mom or dad someday! If you’re a vet or in the military now, contact us for a discount reserved especially for moms and dads-to-be in active or reserve duty. (Source: Cord Blood News) Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040553 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:21:01 +0100 4040553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036648&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Freal-reform-in-healthcare%2F2010.10.06 “We want our employees to spend their time on real issues,” said Charlie Salter, VP of Benefits at ConAgra. He means it. Charlie and ConAgra have built their healthcare benefits around some simple concepts that are yielding impressive results. How impressive? Close to flat healthcare cost trend since 2007. Charlie’s work is part of a growing trend among America’s most innovative companies: Designing healthcare benefits in ways that have a real impact on quality and cost. It’s why I [recently] asked Charlie to share the podium with me in Boca Raton. ConAgra is showing it’s possible to control healthcare costs by helping people do the right thing. The vision behind ConAgra’s programs is simple: Employees have to be responsible for managing their own care. But, says Charlie,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036648 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:00:37 +0100 4036648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031222&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgDCEfD3omyc%2F By Tad DeHavenThe Washington Post recently reported on the federal government’s cash-welfare program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Despite the deep recession, the TANF welfare rolls haven’t seen a dramatic increase. Meanwhile, other federal anti-poverty programs have seen the sizable increases that are to be expected in a recession: Nationwide, welfare cases grew by 11 percent from the start of the recession through March, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. In contrast, the number of families getting food stamps jumped by 50 percent and the number getting unemployment benefits more than doubled. Medicaid grew by more than 13 percent from late 2007 to late 2009, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. As I’ve noted before, TANF’s tighter work an... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031222 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:15:44 +0100 4031222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4022978&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2010%2F09%2F30%2Fi-use-emr-and-so-i-am-my-own-transcriptionist-doc-at-aafp%2F I’m currently in Denver attending the AAFP conference. So far I’m really glad that I’ve come to the conference. It’s really fantastic to be surrounded by providers. It’s a stark contrast to HIMSS where you’re mostly surrounded by industry insiders and not that many providers. The practical questions the doctors ask are fascinating. Of course, the comments they make are also fascinating. The title of this post is a comment one lady made in the David Kibbe session on Meaningful Use: “I use EMR and so I am MY OWN transcriptionist.” The problem with this comment is that it just doesn’t have to be true. It could be true depending on which EMR software you selected and how you implemented the EMR. However, that’s a choice you make when ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4022978 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:58:38 +0100 4022978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013622&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FTP0P_xE2kA4%2F It’s so easy to put off exercising. Long work hours, chores to do at home, friends and family to see … hitting the gym ends up being yet another forgotten item on an overwhelming to-do list. After all, “I don’t have time” seems like a decent enough excuse. You’ve got other priorities. You might not even like exercise much. And those folks who do spend an hour or two every day walking, cycling or working out? They’re clearly not very focused on their work or the other “should do”s in their life. The thing is, if you’re busy, you can’t afford not to exercise. Exercise Gives You More Energy Maybe you’re put off exercising because you’re worried about being tired. If you hit the gym at lunch, you’ll be exhauste... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013622 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:38:44 +0100 4013622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3998933&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F201508%2F New Benefits Are Coming: Things to consider while preparing for the new health care laws. (via US News and World Report) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3998933 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:08:26 +0100 3998933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976730&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FahCasI2t9wI%2F Meditation helps. Meditation heals. And we all know that. But the problem arises when we realize we must meditate but don’t have time enough for that. Get up at seven, quick bath, get ready, breakfast, run for job, return late, parties with friends – everything tires us, and by the end of the day we’re too tired to concentrate on anything. We know meditation will help us relax more, but we don’t have time for that. This meditation technique is a very simple and easy technique and is subtly a part of almost all types of traditional and ‘commercial’ meditation systems like ‘Art of Living’ and ‘Transcendental Meditation’. You just need to separate twenty minutes from your daily schedule – at a fixed time every day. These twenty minutes must be ‘reserved’ for meditati... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976730 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 04:22:31 +0100 3976730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933077&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F30wBufdzMh0%2F By Michael F. CannonAs I blogged earlier, yesterday the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust released their survey of employer-sponsored health benefits in 2010. For most of this survey’s history, it included a very useful graph of the average growth rate of employer-sponsored insurance premiums.  Here’s the graph from their 2007 survey: (The grey and light-green lines represent year-to-year growth in overall inflation and wages, respectively.) Unfortunately, 2007 was the last year that KFF/HRET included that graph in their annual survey.  Had they included that graph this year, it would have shown an even more heartening moderation of premium growth: A lot of things can drive premium growth.  I discussed a couple of them in my last post... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933077 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:20:13 +0100 3933077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933089&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprevention-magazines-inaccurate-coffee-cures-story%2F2010.09.03 The September issue of Prevention magazine inaccurately headlines the story ”4 Ways Coffee Cures.” There’s no solid proof that coffee cures anything — unless some of you cure bacon with java, which I don’t want to know about. What the story (below) did was to try to present a cute little graphic summary of observational studies that show a statistical association between increasing coffee consumption and fewer early deaths, fewer deaths from heart attack, fewer cases of dementia, and fewer cases of type 2 diabetes. But such observational studies (they actually never cite the source — I’m just giving them the benefit of the doubt that they’re citing observational studies) CAN’T establish cause and effect, therefore it’s inaccura... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933089 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:00:50 +0100 3933089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933080&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FynRut6Tk9w8%2F By Michael F. CannonEvery year, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust produce the leading survey of employee health benefits.  Yesterday, KFF and HRET issued their survey of health benefits in 2010 with a news release that begins: Family Health Premiums Rise 3 Percent to $13,770 in 2010… Premiums rose by just 3 percent?  Great news!  Last year, KFF/HRET guesstimated that the average cost of family coverage could hit $14,539 in 2010.  Working families saved hundreds of dollars! Not so fast, says KFF/HRET.  The main reason premiums rose less than expected is that “businesses have been shifting more of the costs of health insurance to workers through … deductibles and other cost-sharing,” said KFF president and CEO Drew Altma... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933080 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:35:21 +0100 3933080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3876648&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-and-alarm-fatigue-potential-for-patient-harm%2F2010.08.17 The hospital is never a quiet place. Walk through the wards on a typical day and you’ll hear a cacophony of alarms, bells, and other tones coming from both computers and medical equipment. American Medical News recently discussed so-called “alarm fatigue.” They cite a study showing find that “16,934 alarms sounded in [a medical] unit during an 18-day period.” That’s astounding, and for those who are wondering, that’s about 40 alarms an hour. It’s not surprising that doctors become desensitized to these alarms, and that has potential to harm patients, as physicians may miss legitimate, emergent findings. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3876648 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 01:00:48 +0100 3876648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3854712&cid=t_101588_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F08%2F10%2Fgop-on-the-deficit-what-part-of-balance-the-budget-dont-you-understand%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. GOP on the Deficit: What Part of ‘Balance the Budget’ Don’t You Understand? Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: bush tax cut, comics, deficit, democrat, political cartoon, republican, unemployment benefits (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3854712 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:13:43 +0100 3854712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3831557&cid=t_101588_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpsPxmCx5ruw%2F How’s this for a budget battle? With all of the economic pain around the country, the Milwaukee teachers union has chosen an interesting issue over which to draw a line in the sand - they want a judge to order the school board to reinstate Viagra and other impotence pills in their health insurance plans. Never mind a financial crisis that may cause hundreds of union members to lose their jobs. The filing is the latest in a two-year legal campaign in which the union has argued, so far unsuccessfully, that the board’s policy of excluding impotence pills discriminates against male employees, the Associated Press writes. The union says Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and others are necessary treatment for “an exclusively gender-related condition,” and filed a lawsuit that was l... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3831557 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:50:44 +0100 3831557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816448&cid=t_101588_107_f&fid=35026&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheTreeOfLife%2F%7E3%2FLpfJM5_CjjE%2Fhuman-genome-project-oversold-sure-but.html Well, the piling on the human genome project continues, it seems at an accelerating pace.  I think most of this comes from the fact that we are in the range of the 10 year anniversary right now.   Here are some examples of recent stories suggesting the human genome project (or projects, if you count the public effort and Craig Venter's effort as separate) have had little benefit: 7/31/10: The Human Genome Project: 10 Years Later, Progress but Still a Puzzle - WNYC. Interesting piece by Sarah Kate Kramer discussing the limited clinical value of the HGP.  Includes some criticisms of personalized genomic medicine.  7/29/10: Spiegel interview with Craig Venter with the headline "We have learned nothing from the genome".  Has lots of interesting tidbits. &nbsp... The Tree of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816448 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:18:29 +0100 3816448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3794772&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fminnesotans-get-more-lower-back-mris-why%2F2010.07.27 Kudos to Christopher Snowbeck and the St. Paul Pioneer Press for digging into new Medicare data to report that the state the newspaper serves is out of whack with the rest of the country in how many expensive MRI scans are done on Minnesotans’ bad backs. Snowbeck artfully captures the predictable rationalization and defensive responses coming from locals who don’t like what the data suggest. Because what they suggest is overuse leading to overtreatment. So here’s one attempt a provider makes to deflect the data: “The Medicare billing/claims data, which this report is generated from, would not capture conversations between a patient and provider that may have addressed alternative therapies for lower back pain,” said Robert Prevost, a spokesman for North Memor... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3794772 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:00:39 +0100 3794772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776380&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-insurance-companies-help-kill-primary-care%2F2010.07.21 Most doctors have a love/hate (and mainly hate) relationship with health insurance companies. We struggle with their confusing and complex coding rules in an effort to be reimbursed for our care of patients. When patients leave the office, they may think that a bill is sent to their insurance company and payment follows. More often than not it rarely happens that way. I am staring at an explanation of benefits (EOB) from Blue Shield of California for a patient I saw for a physical exam and Pap test. This patient had recently been hospitalized with a life threatening throat infection and abscess and saw me for needed follow up. I spent about 45 minutes with the patient, reviewing the events leading to hospitalization, coordinating the medications, as well as addressing the routine screening... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776380 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:00:00 +0100 3776380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3742187&cid=t_101588_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fmake-plans-and-sleep-on-them.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3742187 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:48:00 +0100 3742187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737140&cid=t_101588_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FuKpYLNAv230%2F This study supports another one we commented on a few years ago on how Bilingual brains stay sharp longer: “In short: learning and speaking a foreign language provides constant brain exercise to the frontal lobes, the area of the brain right behind your forehead that focuses our attention, helps us ignore distractions, and make decisions.” (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737140 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:01:20 +0100 3737140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3726599&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhealthcare-road-rage%2F2010.07.05 Road and construction projects have stopped all over town, thanks to concerns about future healthcare benefits. From ChicagoBreakingNews.com: Construction companies and labor unions are divided over healthcare packages. The unions seek a 15 percent annual benefits increase over three years, while contractors have countered with a 1 percent annual increase. -WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. *This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3726599 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3726599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721835&cid=t_101588_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FJB8hPVPp_-Q%2F [Guest post by Tom Pollard, Policy and Campaigns Assistant for Mind] A quick check of the media coverage would lead anyone to believe that welfare spending is squandered on ‘cheats’ and ‘scroungers’. The suggestion is that slashing this corner of the budget will not hurt anyone honest, whereas cuts in other departments will hit decent working folk. The more that can be carved out of the £192bn that is spent on welfare each year, the less painful the cuts in other departments will be. As it happens, disability benefits only make up a small proportion of welfare, as a closer look at Government spending will show you. But let’s put that aside for now and consider the essence of the Government’s plans: that many people on Incapacity Benefit could and should go back to work. Many ... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721835 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:56:47 +0100 3721835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718364&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fgovernment-healthcare-site-launches%2F Today a new government site launched, Healthcare.gov, aiming to inform the public about what their best (and cheapest) options for insurance are, and what changes will take place under the new healthcare bill. Sounds like a good idea to us. It might piss off insurance companies, but it seems like a step in the right direction for the American public. Not only does it make information more accessible, but you can even follow the site on Twitter @HealthCareGov for up-to-date information about insurance and health care. We doubt their tweets will make you LOL as much as some Twitter buds, but they’ll probably help save you money and get better health care. Post from: BlissTree Government Healthcare Site Launches (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718364 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:36:22 +0100 3718364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3703004&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2010%2F06%2F24%2Fthe-falling-chart-another-case-for-emr%2F Sometimes when we think about EMR, I think we forget about the subtle nuances of paper charts that make them so undesirable. Check out this story which I got in response to my post called “Think About the Problems with Paper Charting.” It’s a a good illustration of some of the more simple things we often forget about: I was recently visiting a relative at a major teaching hospital in the Midwest. While in the hall I noticed that they had charts in binders stored in boxes affixed to the wall. Just as I was wondering why such a prestigious institution relied on paper charts a nurse went to re-insert a chart into its box. She was in a hurry and missed, the chart dropped to the floor and binder opened and paper went all over the hall. What was even more surreal was the nurse ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3703004 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:14:58 +0100 3703004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679736&cid=t_101588_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F21%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-303-no-20-2%2F This article considers the case of Mr Q, a 42-year-old man who has consistently sought ways to preserve his health and is at a crossroads in his discussions with his doctor about the health effects of his regular, limited alcohol intake. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of the article. Filed under: Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals, Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Alcohol, Coronary Heart Disease, Health Benefits (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679736 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:59:22 +0100 3679736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644565&cid=t_101588_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fsleep-helps-legendary-guitar-heros.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644565 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:12:00 +0100 3644565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3678593&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2010%2F06%2F08%2Fthink-about-the-problems-with-paper-charting%2F Back in April, Evan Steele, CEO of SRSsoft, wrote an interesting post about EMR adoption and he asked the question, “Why Are You Still on the Fence?” It’s a very good question. Plus, he adds some value to the conversation by listing some of the problems with paper charts versus an EMR. Here’s a section of his post: So why are these physicians, who have determined that government incentives are not relevant or achievable, still on the fence about adopting an EMR solution that will deliver measurable benefits? Staying with paper charts is not a good business strategy because there is nothing more inefficient! The costs associated with the excess staff needed to manage these medical records are massive and wasteful—these positions can be eliminated or the employees ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3678593 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:06:02 +0100 3678593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644756&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fg05BfzWMZi4%2F By Tom G. PalmerThe professionally ignorant (and I’m thinking here of Lou Dobbs, among others) never “get it” about trade. They think it’s some complex swindle, in which we deny ourselves “jobs,” or that it should be about being “fair” or “balanced.” They don’t see how free trade creates prosperity and peace. I was inspired by the outstanding trade economist Doug Irwin of Dartmouth to explain what goes on when people trade. The challenge was to explain international trade in under 3 minutes. So here’s the result in 2:57: The Great Prosperity Machine. Share it with your favorite protectionist, or with professors and teachers. (There’s more information at AtlasNetwork.org/BastiatLegacy.) Watch and share: (Source: C... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644756 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:41:56 +0100 3644756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629622&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FlozD2SQ86hs%2F By Christopher PrebleOver at National Journal’s National Security Experts blog, this week’s question revolves around the health of the U.S. economy, and its relationship to U.S. power.  The editors ask:  How serious a threat is the mounting debt to the nation’s standing as the world’s only superpower? Can the U.S. continue to spend more than all other countries combined on its military forces given burdensome debt levels? In what other ways does the mounting debt undermine the country’s strategic position? [...] My response: Our long-term fiscal imbalance, which increasingly amounts to a massive intergenerational wealth transfer, is clearly a sign of our decline. But it is a decline that has been a long time coming. (I first wrote about the insolvency of t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629622 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:51:45 +0100 3629622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621959&cid=t_101588_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FHpBKrixmcew%2F Surprising health benefits of dark chocolate promoted to healthcare professionals – alternate to antioxidants in alcohol. Doctors, dietitians and nutritionists are being promoted the health benefits of dark chocolate in the new Switch to Dark campaign. A Switch To Dark campaign highlighting the health benefits of consuming small portions of dark chocolate has been launched in leading healthcare publications, which include the Australian Doctor and Medical Observer; the Dietitians Association of Australia as well as the "prescriber’s bible", MIMS. Emerging evidence suggests that dark chocolate is a surprisingly rich source of antioxidants which may contribute to some health benefits. "The evidence is there, that dark chocolate is a good alternative to milk choc... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621959 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:50:00 +0100 3621959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603591&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Forganic-food-is-it-better-for-you%2F2010.05.27 In 1952 Martin Gardner, who just passed away this week at the age of 95, wrote about organic farming in his book Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science. He characterized it as a food fad without scientific justification. Now, 58 years later, the science has not changed much at all. A recent review of the literature of the last 50 years shows that there is no evidence for health benefits from eating an organic diet. The only exception to this was evidence for a lower risk of eczema in children eating organic dairy products. But with so many potential correlations to look for, this can just be noise in the data. Another important conclusion of this systematic review is the paucity of good research into organic food –- they identified only 12 relevant trials. So while there is a lack of ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603591 Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:08 +0100 3603591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603675&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2F2LDtSbc2n8k%2F One of my readers emailed me about a presentation he was looking at doing about EMR software and consumers. I was really intrigued by the idea of presenting on the benefits of an EMR to the consumer (Translation: Patients). I’d spent quite a bit of time thinking about the benefits of an EMR to doctors, but I hadn’t put as much thought and effort into the benefits of an EMR to patients. Here’s our initial brainstorm on the benefits of an EMR to patients. Feel free to add to the list in the comments: -Online Appt Scheduling -Online Prescription Refills -Online Patient Information -Online Forms (possibly pulled in from a PHR) -e-Visits (this is a controversial one) -Secure communication with doctor -Recall/Reminders Electronically -Patient participation in health record (ie.... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603675 Thu, 27 May 2010 08:00:30 +0100 3603675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595554&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fweight-gain-in-the-wrong-places-daily-health-quiz%2F How much do you really know about your health? You may think you know all the ins and outs of staying well, but our daily Health Smarts Quiz will test your knowledge on the spot. Answer our question, below, and check back tomorrow for the correct answer and your next pop quiz. Today’s Question: It is more dangerous to carry weight on your body in certain places than others? A build-up of fat in one particular part of your body will make you more likely to develop health problems. Which part of your body is the riskiest place to have a build-up of fat? #MicroPollDiv_257236 { width: 250px; margin: 0px auto; } Answer to our last health quiz: We’ve heard that those who take birth control aren’t supposed to smoke, but is there actually a risk? According to Our Bodies, Oursel... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595554 Mon, 24 May 2010 21:46:38 +0100 3595554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592210&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwill-large-employers-dump-healthcare-coverage%2F2010.05.24 Fortune magazine has made some news recently about the impact of healthcare reform on large employers: Internal documents recently reviewed by Fortune, originally requested by Congress, show what the bill’s critics predicted, and what its champions dreaded: many large companies are examining a course that was heretofore unthinkable, dumping the healthcare coverage they provide to their workers in exchange for paying penalty fees to the government. The only trouble? There’s no way these employers are seriously thinking about doing this. I can understand why the employers would do the math. According to healthcare reform law, penalties for failing to provide health coverage are a small fraction of the cost of that coverage. But as with most everything else in healthcare, there’s muc... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592210 Mon, 24 May 2010 12:00:30 +0100 3592210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556075&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FvviZrkjQrdw%2F By Daniel J. MitchellKudos to the Detroit News for a great story revealing that people are refusing to accept jobs because of government unemployment benefits. None of this should be surprising to people who understand that if you subsidize something, you get more of it. Alan Reynolds has been beating this drum for quite some time, but the message doesn’t seem to get through to politicians who think it is compassionate to lure workers into lives of dependency. But perhaps this excerpt from the Detroit News report will help (In a perverse way, I admire the one guy who admits that he doesn’t plan to find work until the government stops sending him checks): In a state with the nation’s highest jobless rate, landscaping companies are finding some job applicants are rejecting ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556075 Wed, 12 May 2010 00:19:20 +0100 3556075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3542546&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fhealth-and-beauty-treatment-10-spas-where-you-can-float%2F Image courtesy of Tranquility Floatation, Massage & Healing Center What the hell is floating? (a.k.a. REST, Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) Think 800 pounds (!) of Epsom salt dissolved into 10 inches of water in a fancy, enclosed bathtub, or an actual flotation tank (typically eight feet long, four feet wide, and four feet high, or higher) that looks like something you’d find on the planet Krypton. Basically, the idea is that the salt is so powerful that it relaxes you and sucks all the toxins out of your body. I’ve floated a lot in my day, and I hate to admit it (because the costs can add up), but it kind of works. And if you like taking baths, you’ll love floating. (And if you really get hooked, you can install one in your house!) You float on your b... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3542546 Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:22 +0100 3542546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529789&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthblawg.typepad.com%2Ffiles%2Fgeorge-pantos-hpm-institute-healthblawg-interview-with-david-harlow-042110.mp3 Healthcare costs are a perennial issue for employers and employees. There are a variety of approaches out there designed to improve health status and health outcomes and reduce costs at the same time. Proponents of a variety of approaches have been featured here on HealthBlawg in the past.  I recently had the opportunity to speak with George Pantos, of the Healthcare Performance Management Institute, a brand-new organization on the scene, founded by a group of folks who have developed tools for managing these costs. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at HealthBlawg :: David Harlow's Health Care Law Blog* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529789 Mon, 03 May 2010 17:00:33 +0100 3529789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508245&cid=t_101588_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F27%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-27-2010%2F You know what I love most about this crazy roller coaster ride we call life? I appreciate the opportunity it gives us each and every day to do better and be better. And through challenges, heartbreaks and rock bottom moments, we pick ourselves up, keep growing and learn more in this ongoing classroom of life. We just need to be fully conscious and open our eyes and hearts to take advantage of it. Take this week’s round-up of top posts, for example. Scroll down and you’ll discover new movements and programs changing our world, ways to become a better person, how to get clear on your fears and take control of your own destiny. Not a bad list for the beginning of the week. Puppies Behind Bars: Helping Inmates and Veterans Alike (Forensic Focus) – Dogs provide a wealth of phy... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508245 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:59:16 +0100 3508245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3504897&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEV-gfxTNYqA%2F By David BoazConcern about the pay, benefits, and performance of government employees seems to be growing. Chris Edwards’s articles on how government pay is outpacing private-sector pay have generated media attention, cartoons, and angry rebuttals from the head of the federal Office of Personnel Management. Steven Greenhut has a new book, Plunder! How Public Employee Unions Are Raiding Treasuries, Controlling Our Lives and Bankrupting the Nation, and is writing lots of newspaper articles on the high costs of government unions, also the topic of a recent Cato Policy Analysis. New Jersey unions are not finding much sympathy as they try to hold on to their raises, benefits, pensions, and work rules in the face of Gov. Chris Christie’s attempt to cut the budget. Liberal journalist... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3504897 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:08:35 +0100 3504897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3482954&cid=t_101588_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2Fg2DjJtRj8Zc%2F           It’s common sense that you should be educated about any drugs you use.  But how knowledgeable is the average person when it comes to interactions, side effects or recommended dosages – factors that are even further complicated by age? Too often manufacturers, pharmacists and caregivers are either unaware of these factors, or don’t explain them properly.  From coughs and colds to fever, aches and pain, heartburn and other common ailments, we often use nonprescription or “over-the-counter” (OTC) medicines to treat our symptoms.  But even though OTCs are safe when taken as directed, they are also serious medicines.  That is why it is so important to be Drug Wise when buying and taking OTC medicines.            Over-the-counter (OTC) medi... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3482954 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 16:21:29 +0100 3482954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463561&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F10-pick-me-ups-for-spent-moms%2F Though definitely a cliché, it’s true that being a mom is a full-time job (with overtime). Add multiple kids and/or a career outside the home to the equation, and you have the recipe for an extremely wiped out mommy. Here’s a list of 10 ways to help tired moms survive the day. Image: istockphoto Remember to Eat “Skipping meals literally starves the body – it’s like running the car on empty,” explained Marlene Merritt, founder of the Merritt Wellness Center to CNN.com. Drink Up A wide variety of liquids can have you on your toes again in no time – from Monster Energy Drinks to 5-hour Energy to your favorite coffee at Starbucks. Breathe Deeply Real Simple teaches us that stress leads to a failure to breathe deeply, and a failure to breathe deeply leads to f... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463561 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:50:26 +0100 3463561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463564&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F174244%2F Working Hard for the Money: A new study reveals that employee work loads have increased since 2007, but benefits have stayed the same. (via Huffington Post) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463564 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:44:06 +0100 3463564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453956&cid=t_101588_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F09%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-9-2010%2F Happy Friday! Hope everyone has an exciting weekend planned, even if “exciting” means sleeping in and vegging out in front of the TV. I don’t know about you, but I love this early spring weather, when the sun’s out, large clunky sweaters get stored away and tank tops and flip flops finally show their face. However, for some the warm weather brings up other things like spring cleaning, getting organized, taxes (ack!), a reminder of what we haven’t accomplished from our 2009 New Year’s Resolution, or our body image issues. In regards to the latter, ever notice that the two most busiest times at the gym are after New Year’s and spring? What’s great is that I’m noticing a new trend, one that has to do with self-acceptance regardless of size... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453956 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:51:17 +0100 3453956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3443659&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fget-the-perfect-massage-%25e2%2580%2593-for-your-baby%2F Massaging your baby will help her relax, reduce crying, and strengthen your bond together. These days, baby massage is becoming more and more popular – you can even find classes on it at community colleges, children’s hospitals, parenting centers, and from one-on-one instructors. It’s beneficial for newborn infants, babies, and even older children. In addition to relaxation and bonding benefits, massage improves circulation, enhances neurological and physiological development, reduces pain from teething, helps increase oxygen flow, teaches babies to self-soothe, and increases sensory awareness. The video below highlights some basic baby massage techniques; it’s best to practice massage when your baby is calm, and at least a half-hour after eating. Right after bathtime i... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3443659 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:50:14 +0100 3443659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374106&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUA3h7xM7mE4%2F By Michael F. CannonThe Associated Press reports: Buyers, beware: President Barack Obama says his health care overhaul will lower premiums by double digits, but check the fine print… The [Congressional Budget Office] concluded that premiums for people buying their own coverage would go up by an average of 10 percent to 13 percent, compared with the levels they’d reach without the legislation… “People are likely to not buy the same low-value policies they are buying now,” said health economist Len Nichols of George Mason University. “If they did buy the same value plans … the premium would be lower than it is now. This makes the White House statement true. But is it possibly misleading for some people? Sure.” Nichols’ comments are also m... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374106 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:51:05 +0100 3374106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354301&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FNhKpCeZLjag%2F By Michael F. CannonNoting that premium increases, such as Anthem’s proposed 39-percent hike in California, have caused individuals and employers to purchase less coverage, Kaiser Family Foundation president Drew Altman writes: Rising health care costs and insurance company practices are leading not just to more expensive premiums, but to skimpier, less comprehensive coverage as well; slowly redefining what we have known as health insurance. To be sure, some economists argue that this is precisely what should happen…But this is not likely how regular people see it. Appropriate cost sharing is one thing, but we may be reaching the point in the individual market where the policies many people have simply cannot be considered meaningful coverage. Of course, this is the whole idea ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354301 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:57:34 +0100 3354301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331271&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FaIbxtY5oaD4%2F By Daniel GriswoldIf you want to witness the clash of two worldviews on trade, check out the online debate I’m having with Ian Fletcher of the U.S. Business and Industry Council. A self-described protectionist, Fletcher has written a new book with the unambiguous title, Free Trade Doesn’t Work: What Should Replace it and Why. In the opposite corner, I argue for eliminating barriers to trade, drawing on my own recent book, Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. The debate is being hosted by the International Economic Law and Policy Blog. We’ve already filed two 600-word posts each, with a third to come at the end of this week and concluding arguments early next week. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331271 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:05:21 +0100 3331271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331277&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FvIY9CEB2c48%2F By Jason KuznickiWouldn’t it be great if we could just get the state out of the marriage business? Perhaps. Marriage is fundamentally private, after all. It’s a matter for families, churches, and couples to decide for themselves. Yet state recognition of marriage often acts to keep the government out of private life, to ensure family stability, and to give regular, orderly rules for all those times when, despite our best efforts, family and state still collide. Here are just a few of the things that the civil side of marriage does: If you’re happily married and you have children, you don’t have to worry for a moment about child custody law. Your children are yours to raise jointly, whether they are biological or adoptive. If you’re married and you die without... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331277 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:36:59 +0100 3331277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318378&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FkWx3DqwyBI4%2F By Alan ReynoldsSen. Jim Bunning (R., Ky.) blocked “extended” unemployment benefits beyond their scheduled expiration on February 27. That thwarted bill would also have put off, again, a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians. Democrats were outraged. But why? Bunning just wanted to use leftover “stimulus” money to pay for the benefits. Why not? Such transfer payments accounted for over 80 percent of stimulus spending last year. Besides, as Federal Reserve policymakers noted, the evidence is overwhelming (see here and here) that extending unemployment benefits from six months to nearly two years has raised the unemployment rate by a percentage point or two. I’ve waited since 1991 for someone to prove I’m wrong about that. Nobody has, because nobody can. If ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318378 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:39:00 +0100 3318378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306828&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FrH1K8GAlV04%2F By Mark A. CalabriaToday, in what seems like an endless string of 3-2 votes, the SEC moved to restrict the ability of investors to short stocks, claiming that such restrictions would restore stability and protect our financial system.  The truth couldn’t be more different.  Short sellers have long been the first, and often only, voice raising questions about corporate fraud and mismanagement.  For instance, shorts exposed the fraud at Enron, WorldCom and other companies while the SEC largely slept. Bush’s SEC, lead by former Congressman Chris Cox banned the shorting of various financial industry stocks during the crisis.  The SEC then, as now, would have us believe that Bear, Lehman, AIG, Fannie, Freddie and others were not the victims of their own mismanagement, but rather vict... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306828 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:50:16 +0100 3306828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302304&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F616ciamU-w8%2F By José PineraThe Maastricht Treaty requires countries in the eurozone not to exceed a public debt of 60% of GDP. Well, now almost all of them have an official debt exceeding that ceiling. But the situation is immensely worse because European states also have huge, and largely hidden, unfunded liabilities arising from their pension and health systems. According to a 2009 study by my colleague Jagadeesh Gokhale, the true debt of the 25 European countries is, on average, 434% of GDP. And the treaties that underpin European integration do not say a word about such debt. Greece’s true debt is 875% of GDP and its current problems are just the first act of the coming fiscal bankruptcy of Europe. In my 2004 essay “Will the Pension Time Bomb Sink the Euro?”, I concluded that... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302304 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:27:26 +0100 3302304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231631&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2010%2F02%2F01%2Fhas-emr-helped%2F An EMR vendor saw my question, “Has EMR helped?” and they sent it to one of their EMR users to get some feedback. Here’s their response: I am absolutely in the camp where this transition to EMR has been helpful. Long and steep learning curve but the benefits of accessing readable notes and histories and helping patients off hours has all been great. I believe I am writing better notes and noticing HCM issues more, and I hope the drug interactiion piece will be helpful down the road also. SO, yes, this has been great. I’d love to hear more people’s response to the question: “Has EMR helped?” Related posts:Does EHR Software Save Time? The question every doctor wants to ask is, will the... The Real Long Term Benefits of Broad EMR Adoption Do we rea... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231631 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:30:11 +0100 3231631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220762&cid=t_101588_180_f&fid=38610&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.productivity501.com%2Fgetting-more-out-of-your-job%2F6560%2F Most people focus on their paycheck as the reward for their work. While it is true that this is a significant portion of what you get in exchange for your time and effort, there are often other benefits.  Many jobs offer benefits like: Health insurance Life insurance Retirement accounts Financial planning services Training opportunities Tuition reimbursement Contribution matching Mentoring programs Corporate discounts Wellness & Fitness programs Not every job offers every benefit mentioned above, but I’m consistently amazed at how many people have no idea what their company offers.  The best way to find out what is available is to get a copy of your employee manual and re-read it every year or so.  Some of these programs can add a significant amount to the value you receive... Productivity501 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220762 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:00:16 +0100 3220762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220593&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2010%2F01%2F28%2Freasons-for-adopting-an-ehr%2F I’m still a little bit partial to my list of EMR benefits which is pretty specific in its description of the possible benefits of an EMR. However, today in an EMR stimulus webinar they listed the following reasons for adopting an EHR: Financial Quality Patient Satisfaction Clinical Research Community Leadership Not a bad list of reasons to consider for those people on the fence about adopting an EMR. Related posts:Top Reasons to Get an EMR or EHR 1. Quickly locate a chart, never look for a chart... EMR Adoption Rates Increasing – Why Are Doctors Adopting EMR’s Now? Dr. Rob Lamberts recently blogged about how EMR adoption is... 5 Reasons Your EHR Implementation Will Succeed I recently read a really interesting and informative article called... (Source: EMR and HIPAA) EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220593 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:11:53 +0100 3220593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216639&cid=t_101588_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F28%2F7-tips-for-making-the-most-of-online-support-groups%2F Online support groups can be a great source of emotional support and valuable health information you won’t find on any website from the National Institute of Mental Health or others. Some people are a little leery of joining an online support group, however. Others don’t quite understand what benefit they may gain from joining one. Still others understand a support group’s benefits, but feel like they still don’t gain as much from joining one as they had hoped. Your experience in an online support group will inevitably vary. But these tips may help you get the most from your experience, and keep your expectations in check. 1. Take what you need, leave the rest. Many people come into an online support group with their story, asking a specific question about treatment... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216639 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:01:20 +0100 3216639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200664&cid=t_101588_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FPkQG6ItLcls%2F Romantic sex is the healthiest Lose weight. Reduce stress. Lower your cholesterol level. Improve your circulation. Live longer. Stay younger. Sounds like an ad for a new wonder drug right? In fact it’s a partial list of the benefits of humanity’s oldest and most pleasurable pastime – sex. Most of us are aware of the feel-good benefits of sex while we’re engaged in it, but do you also know that there are benefits which carry on after the sweaty bodies have dried and the sweet talk has reverted to sports? For instance: Maintaining Ideal Body Weight Sexual intercourse burns approximately 150 calories per half hour. Here’s how that stacks up against some other activities that may be part of your fitness regime: yoga 114 calories per half hour, dancing – 129,... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200664 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:47:46 +0100 3200664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201793&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2F6nt0fzuk-qQ%2F Today, I decided that I’d ask people to share a benefit they’ve received from an EMR (or seen received if you’re an EMR vendor) that you didn’t expect to happen when you implemented an EMR. I’ll start off with one unexpected benefit of an EMR: audit logs. There’s so many things you can do with audit logs. It resolves so many issues with accountability for a record. You just run a quick report on the audit logs and you know exactly when someone did something in the EMR. This is also true for patients when we check to see for things like when a patient checked in and when they were seen. The audit logs can tell you a lot about your clinic. Plus, it just feels so much more secure knowing that everything that’s being done in the EMR is being audited. N... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201793 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:46:46 +0100 3201793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193667&cid=t_101588_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F21%2Fchildren-in-out-of-work-benefit-households%2F Title: Children in Out-of-work Benefit Households Skinny: Statistics from the Department for Work and Pensionss showing the numbers of children living in households where at least one parent or guardian claimed one or more of the following out-of-work benefits: Job Seekers’ Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance, or Pension Credit at May 2008. The key points from the latest release are: There were 2.40 million children living in an out of work benefit household at May 2008. They represented 1.27 million households. 1.9 million children lived in households claiming Income Support. 193 thousand children lived in households claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance. 699 thousand children lived in households claiming Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablem... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193667 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:42:31 +0100 3193667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175858&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsxH4epVmmjQ%2F By Julian SanchezThat’s the slogan the Transportation Security Administration is apparently using to entice people to apply for jobs as airport screeners. Now that they’re preparing to expand the use of whole body imaging scanners, which can produce moderately detailed nude images of travelers, maybe they should consider a tagline that doesn’t sound like it’s designed to recruit voyeurs. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175858 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:15:48 +0100 3175858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153354&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLE3EQtuGuQk%2F By Daniel GriswoldThe Center for American Progress and the Immigration Policy Center released a new study this morning that finds comprehensive immigration reform would boost the U.S. economy by $189 billion a year by 2019. The bottom-line results of the study are remarkably similar to those of a Cato study released last August. Titled “Raising the Floor for American Workers: the Economic Benefits of Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” the CAP study was authored by Dr. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda of the University of California, Los Angeles. It finds that legalizing low-skilled immigration would boost U.S. gross domestic product by 0.84 percent by raising the productivity of immigrant workers and expanding activity throughout the economy. Using a different general-equilibrium model of the U.S. ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153354 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:19:45 +0100 3153354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3123432&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FK5Yrg6-ugNU%2F In the press release I wrote about in my previous CCHIT certification post, they had a nice summary list of the meaningful use requirements as we know them today: • Allow patients to access clinical information • Comply with state and federal privacy, security and data sharing regulations • Document patient progress and provide clinical summaries • Exchange critical information with other care providers • Implement drug interaction safeguards • Send patient reminders about follow-up and preventive care • Submit immunization and laboratory data to relevant public health registries • Use computerized physician order entry systems to transmit prescription Interestingly, this is what I think many doctors consider meaningful use of an EHR: • Lower costs • Increase revenue �... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3123432 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:31:05 +0100 3123432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092778&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FnaQJ3skPWfE%2F “Physician order entry and decision support I believe offer the most chance of improving healthcare delivery. There are a lot of information systems with bells and whistles that don’t focus on physicians’ real needs.” – Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA, Chief of Medical Services, San Francisco General Hospital source I previously posted about the benefits of EMR interoperability. The above quote touts Physician order entry and clinical decision support as the most likely to improve healthcare. Are these the three most promising features of an EMR or is there something they’re missing? What’s the killer feature of an EMR that will make every doctor implement an EMR whether they like it or not? Related posts:Killer EMR Features According to EMR Vendors I... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092778 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:25:34 +0100 3092778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084855&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2009%2F12%2F10%2Fbenefits-from-emr-come-from-interoperability%2F “Looking for savings in hospitals that use EMRs is short-sighted. The real payday for use of EMRs will come with interoperability. Measurable savings will be realized as middleware is installed that will allow for the electronic transmission and translation of patient records across different proprietary systems between delivery networks.” – Jim Lott, Executive Vice President, Hospital Council of Southern California, Los Angeles source “EMRs don’t save money in standalone situations. However, EMRs will absolutely save significant money (and improve care and safety) when connected and sharing clinical information.” Johnny Walker, MBA, CPA, Founder and past CEO of Patient Safety Institute, Plano, Texas source These two quote remind me a lot of my previous ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084855 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:04:02 +0100 3084855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048092&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_VXuFTws38Q%2F The state of California recently received $60 million in U.S. Department of Labor stimulus funds to upgrade its 23 year-old unemployment benefits system. But according to the Associated Press, California is yet to spend $66 million it received from Labor in 2002 to upgrade its system. The price tag isn’t whopping by federal standards, but it is another reminder of the need to return to fiscal federalism. Apparently, the Department of Labor couldn’t care less: The federal government has no plans to sanction or fine California for not completing the original technology upgrade. The Labor Department said it was more concerned that new stimulus funding is used in a way that will allow more workers to qualify for unemployment assistance. At the same time, California’s unemployment insuran... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048092 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:03:24 +0100 3048092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023227&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2009%2F11%2F18%2Femr-roi%2F HIMSS has been collecting stories of EMR success. One of my readers asked for more of these stories as well. So, I figured I’d highlight one that I found that was an interesting look at the ROI he received from implementing an EMR. Here’s an excerpt of the ROI they Glynn Medical Associates out of Georgia saw: The first three months of going paperless were stressful. However, returns have proven the transition well worth it, with the practice saving approximately/conservatively $200,000/year. Also, one physician in the practice is seeing 33 percent more patients daily with use of the EMR system helping to increase patient satisfaction. Glynn described that the above benefits came from: Transcription Cost Savings Reduced Medical Records personnel (through natural attrition) Redu... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023227 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:18:44 +0100 3023227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003725&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOMyfED4MxVw%2F The U.S. Postal Service reported that it lost $3.8 billion last fiscal year and that it expects to lose $7.8 billion this year. The loss occurred despite cost-cutting measures and legislation that allowed the USPS to forgo $4 billion in required payments to pre-fund retiree health benefits. From the Associated Press: The post office has been struggling to cope with a decline in mail volume caused by the shift to the Internet as well as the recession that resulted in a drop in advertising and other mail. Total mail volume was 177.1 billion pieces, compared to 202.7 billion pieces in 2008, a decline of almost 13 percent. For the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 the agency had income of $68.1 billion, $6.8 billion less than in 2008. Expenditures were down $5.9 billion to $71.8 billion. The rec... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003725 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:11:41 +0100 3003725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958821&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4JpnKXs7Q4M%2F Yahoo News is highlighting the story “10 Jobs With High Pay and Minimal Schooling.” Topping the list: air traffic controllers, who work for the federal government. These workers make sure airplanes land and take off safely, and they typically top lists of this nature. The median 50% earned between $86,860-142,210, with good benefits. Air traffic controllers are eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service, or after 25 years at any age. Huge salaries and retirement after 20 years — sweet deal! Air traffic controllers seem to provide a good illustration of my general claim that federal workers are overpaid. I don’t know what the proper pay level for controllers is, but I do know that we should privatize the system, as Canada has, and let the market figure... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958821 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:53:01 +0100 2958821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954553&cid=t_101588_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F03%2Fwhat-health-care-reform-means-for-mental-health%2F Now that it looks like some form of health care reform will be passed this year — barring a catastrophe like Joe Lieberman — we have some idea of how the eventual act will affect mental health services. All of the plans now under consideration will mean some real improvements for mental health consumers, and there doesn’t seem much likelihood of these improvements being cut out before passage. However, it appears that individuals and employers will still have to purchase their insurance from private insurance companies, without competition from a strong public option like Medicare available for everyone. Nevertheless, the “reform” aspect of the bill would require private insurers to make some real changes in how they treat mental health issues. Key Benefits Parity for m... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954553 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:08:39 +0100 2954553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934651&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbdO1uXt8MtA%2F The National Park Service announced Friday that it has removed its superintendent at Gettysburg National Military Park and reassigned him to work in a cultural resources office as an assistant to the associate director. His job duties have not yet been determined. John A. Latschar said Thursday that his demotion was in response to the public disclosure of Internet activity in which he viewed more than 3,400 “sexually-explicit” images over a two-year period on his government computer — a violation of department policy. The misconduct, which Latschar acknowledged in a sworn statement, was found during a year-long investigation by the Interior Department’s inspector general and was documented in an internal Aug. 7 report obtained by The Washington Post. The reassignme... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934651 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:04:03 +0100 2934651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2927300&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Ffi7e4yaNdfY%2F The fact is that although nearly 250 million Americans do have health insurance, according to a monthly survey of about 50,000 households done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, an estimated 46 million Americans do not. Listed below you’ll find arguments for not having health insurance that I hear on a regular basis. As a broker, I’ve provided a reality check for individuals to consider before making their final decision. 1. It costs too much. The reality: Should a catastrophic illness or injury occur, it would likely bankrupt most people who do not have health insurance. It’s the terrible fact of life in 2009. Medical care is incredibly expensive, and employers are increasingly less likely to be able to support an injured or ill employee. So if something happen... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927300 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:19 +0100 2927300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2908581&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FF4OyERJiqJM%2F If the goal is to improve health, then the answer is clearly no. Ironically, even though universal coverage is presumably about helping the sick, the Democrats’ pursuit of universal coverage demonstrates not how much, but how little they care about their neighbors’ health. Economists Helen Levy and David Meltzer explain, in a book published by the Urban Institute, “There is no evidence at this time that money aimed at improving health would be better spent on expanding insurance coverage than on…other possibilities,” such as clinics, hypertension screening, nutrition campaigns, or even education.  In the Annual Review of Public Health, they explain further: The central question of how health insurance affects health, for whom it matters, and how much, remains largely unanswered ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2908581 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:15 +0100 2908581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904863&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fjyf0Z5I3kX0%2F Governments love to promise benefits.  But politicians prefer not to have to raise the funds necessary to provide the promised services.  The result for nationalized medical systems is political rationing … and long waiting lists.  The Mackinac Institute, located in Michigan, has produced a series of videos on Canadians speaking about how their system works.  The British Columbia Automobile Association even developed medical access, or wait list, insurance, before abandoning the program under pressure. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904863 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:32:53 +0100 2904863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2898927&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsOTk-fBoGcU%2F Social Security benefits are indexed for inflation, but because inflation has been roughly zero for the past year, the adjustment formula implies no increase in benefits this year. Nevertheless, President Obama on Wednesday attempted to preempt the announcement that Social Security recipients will not get an increase in their benefit checks for the first time in three decades, encouraging Congress to provide a one-time payment of $250 to help seniors and disabled Americans weather the recession. Obama endorsed the idea, which is expected to cost at least $13 billion, as the administration gropes for ways to sustain an apparent economic rebound without the kind of massive spending package that critics could label a second stimulus act. This is outrageous on four levels: 1. If the president ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2898927 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:34:58 +0100 2898927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862727&cid=t_101588_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FEFMvTyNOCLQ%2Fbenefits-check-up-searches-1750-public.html I want to introduce you to a website for all seniors (older people) called Benefits Check Up. This service from the National Council on Aging has helped more than 2 million people find over $7.6 billion dollars worth of service. The website streamlines the process of finding programs that can help you pay for prescription drugs, health care, meals, utility bills, and more. If you have never used the site, I suggest you go there and fill out the comprehensive service form. Once you fill out the form you will be taken to a list of services that are available to you or your loved one. This is an important service that could save you money and its free. Benefits Check Up is the best site I have seen on the Internet for caregivers searching for help, ways to reduce prescription costs, and sp... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862727 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:29:25 +0100 2862727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838904&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FvvX7j9SH63w%2F The Washington Post has an interesting story today on the program of the Cuban government to transfer idle state-owned land to private farmers so they can resurrect the dilapidated agricultural sector on the communist island. As Ian Vásquez and I wrote in the chapter on U.S. policy toward Cuba in Cato Handbook for Policymakers, before this reform, the agricultural productivity of Cuba’s tiny non-state sector (comprising cooperatives and small private farmers) was already 25 percent higher than that of the state sector. At stake is an issue of incentives. Collective land doesn’t give farmers an incentive to work hard and be productive, since the benefits of their labor go to the government who distributes them (in theory) evenly among everyone, regardless of who worked hard or not. Whi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838904 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:57:50 +0100 2838904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832416&cid=t_101588_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2F6s8Kxd0TSPU%2Fva-benefits-top-reasons-claims-are.html The VA’s own website (www.va.gov) confirms that 75% of all VA pension applications (commonly referred to as Aid & Attendance) are denied the first time. The main reason VA applications are denied is because they are not complete and well-documented. Here are 5 things you should know to avoid having your claim denied:# 1: Failure to Document Income and Unreimbursed Medical Expenses. On the application, the VA can ONLY confirm the amount of your Social Security benefits independently. Everything else should be documented with a written explanation, this year’s award letter or an annuity agreement. When in doubt, document it. Unreimbursed Medical Expenses should be documented on the VA form 21-8416. If you have any other recurring, ongoing or continuous unreimbursed Medical Expenses (... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832416 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:51:00 +0100 2832416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828357&cid=t_101588_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Flina-miles%2Flinda-miles-dr-rhonda-savage-on-dental-benefit-plans%2F TWO SIDES OF THE MANAGEMENT COIN: DENTAL BENEFIT PLANS STAFF’S VIEWPOINT: BY: Linda Miles, CMC DOCTOR’S VIEPOINT: BY: Rhonda Savage, DDS Dental insurance can be a frustrating topic for dentists and dental team members. In this article, we’ll review common concerns from both sides, then present an end-of-the-year insurance benefits template that you can use for your insurance patients. Staff’s Viewpoint “There are just too many insurance plans to keep track of. Why don’t the patients understand their dental benefits?” “I get so weary trying to explain these benefits.” “It is so time-consuming to do pre-authorizations, and 80% of the patients still say ‘no’ to treatment after we wait for weeks to get the responses back. What a waste of time!” “Doc... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828357 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:03:02 +0100 2828357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823955&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9d_QjFkWqlY%2F As Michael Cannon discussed in an earlier post, the White House is trying to claim that health care “reform” does not mean higher taxes. This is a two-pronged issue. First, there is a mandate to purchase health insurance. Second, there is a tax (the White House calls it a fee) on people who fail to purchase a policy. The White House claims this mandate is akin to state-level requirements for the purchase of health insurance, and that the newly-insured people will be getting some value (a health insurance policy) in exchange for their money. These assertions are defensible, but that does not change the fact that a tax is being imposed. It might be plausible to argue that the mandate is not a tax if the value of the insurance policy to the individual was equal to the cost. But ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823955 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:45:48 +0100 2823955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2803867&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fbreastfeeding123%2Ffeed-the-mother-who-feeds-the-baby%2F In celebration of my 1,000th post here at Breastfeeding 1-2-3, I want to share a very happy story I came across. You might remember this post I wrote for Blog Action Day last year on Breastfeeding and Poverty (read it if you haven’t already — it’s one of my better posts if I do say so myself ). In that post I shared what I learned about how a malnourished mother should continue breastfeeding and not wean and give her baby f*ormula. I remembered that information as I started to read a post by Mary at Owlhaven.net on her sister Sophie’s medical mission in Ethiopia (you can read my review of Mary’s book A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family and check out her newly released book Family Feasts for $75 a Week: A Penny-wise Mom Shares Her Recipe for C... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2803867 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:54:01 +0100 2803867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800301&cid=t_101588_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F16%2Fdynamic-benefits-towards-welfare-that-works-a-policy-report-by-the-csj-economic-dependency-working-group%2F Title: Dynamic Benefits: Towards Welfare That Works: A Policy Report by the CSJ Economic Dependency Working Group The Skinny : Report from the thinktank Centre for Social Justice that presents a review of the UK benefits system and proposals for a radical recasting of state support for the jobless and low-paid. The proposals would result in 600,000 households coming off welfare dependency and into work, boost the incomes of the lowest paid by nearly £5 billion and help move more than 200,000 children out of poverty. In addition the report suggests that this reform will make welfare spending predictable and promote a culture of working rather than not working. Publisher: Centre for Social Justice Size of Publication: 369p Published: 16/09/2009 Posted in Employment, Grey Literature, Health ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800301 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:15:17 +0100 2800301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796831&cid=t_101588_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FiIQvQtWwkF0%2Fva-benefits-using-aid-and-attendance-to.html Most people who have heard about Pension (Aid & Attendance) know that it will cover the costs of assisted living and, in some cases, cover nursing home costs as well. But the majority of those receiving long term care in this country are in their homes. Estimates are that approximately 70% to 80% of all long term care is being provided in the home. All of the information available about Pension overlooks the fact that this benefit should be used to pay for home care. Maybe if more people knew this fact, more people would be applying for the benefit.It also comes as a surprise to most people that VA will allow veterans’ households to deduct the annual cost of paying any person such as family members, friends or hired help for care when calculating the Pension benefit. This annual cost... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796831 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:23:00 +0100 2796831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2786172&cid=t_101588_125_f&fid=38161&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalheroes.com%2F5-things-you-can-do-to-make-the-economy-work-for-your-dental-practice%2F The following is guest post by Monica Cross, author of  UrgentDentalCareServices.com. Interested in guest posting on Dental Heroes? Have a look at our guidelines and sign up. There is no doubt that today’s economy has had a profound effect on industries across the board. Consumer spending is way down due to heightened unemployment, salary cuts and the housing crisis. While the dental industry has proven to be recession-proof in the past, fears of losing jobs and/or insurance benefits have made many consumers reluctant to pay for dental treatments. Don’t Cut Back While common sense is telling many business owners to cut back during this time in order to manage costs, the recession actually presents a great opportunity for dental professionals to stand out from their competitors. Al... Dental Heroes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2786172 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:00:56 +0100 2786172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774572&cid=t_101588_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F08%2Fhouse-of-commons-public-accounts-committee-supporting-carers-to-care-forty%25e2%2580%2593second-report-of-session-2008%25e2%2580%259309-report-together-with-formal-minutes-oral-and-written-evidence%2F Title: House of Commons Public Accounts Committee: Supporting Carers to Care: Forty–second Report of Session 2008–09: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence The Skinny: Report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee on support to carers. Findings and Recommendations are: The Department of Work and Pensions approach to providing carers’ benefits is complex, making it difficult for carers to access financial and other support.  Some applicants ineligable for Carer’s Allowance have to apply for it in order to recieve Carer’s Premium or the Additional Amount added to existing benefits. Direct application for these should be enabled. Communications can be lengthy, incomprehensible and confusing for carers.  All communication should be in plain e... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774572 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:13:26 +0100 2774572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2765958&cid=t_101588_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F04%2Fcomparing-taxes-and-benefits-in-1979-1997-and-2008%2F This study uses ‘lifetime simulation’ for different income earners to look at the impact of taxes and benefits over time. Using three ‘model lifetimes’ for low, average and high earners and also looks at child and pensioner poverty under the systems of 1979, 1997 and 2008. It analyses changes in tax and benefit policy since the mid-1970s Publisher: Joseph Rowntree Foundation Size of Publication: 4p Published: 03/09/2009 Posted in Deprivation, Equity, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Inequalities in Health, Poverty, Public Health, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion, Taxation Tagged: Economics, Equity, Grey Literature, Social Security, Social Security Benefits, Taxation (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2765958 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:02:22 +0100 2765958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757879&cid=t_101588_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FX3EHmZz2J5U%2F I’ve been discussing the case for EMR implementation recently both on my blog and in emails with various people. In fact, someone even recently commented that the cost of an EMR was less than the EMR stimulus money and so it was a negative return on investment. I quickly responded that maybe he was looking at the wrong EMR companies and also that there were other benefits to implementing an EMR beyond just the EMR Stimulus money. One example of these benefits is those people who have multiple locations. I was recently talking with someone about how they managed paper charts between multiple offices. What a mess. I’m sure those who read this blog who have done this know about all the challenges. The most important of which is that sometimes you’re left without the chart fr... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757879 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:29:00 +0100 2757879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751980&cid=t_101588_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FUQphnFTa97A%2F We’ve heard for years now that taking a daily dose of aspirin may help prevent heart attacks. Certainly, for those who have already had heart trouble, aspirin has proven to be a great benefit. But new research looked at healthy people who were taking aspirin as a precaution, and found that it may do more harm than good. Researchers have found that is a person is healthy, taking aspirin does not necessarily reduce the risk of having a future heart attack. More than that, however, daily aspirin use in healthy people may up the risk of internal bleeding at some point. This research clearly contradicts the advice to take an aspirin every day if you’re healthy. What should you do? Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Aspirin may still be a good choice for you, but only ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751980 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:44:51 +0100 2751980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2747914&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFOSgWZM_BO0%2F What do workers in finance, energy, and the federal government have in common? Very generous compensation packages, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. When I posted federal compensation data last week, I received a flood of comments that disputed my contention that federal workers are overpaid. A common retort was that “federal workers are not burger flippers.” That’s true, but workers in the computer systems design, computer manufacturing, and chemicals industries are not burger flippers either, yet those folks also earn less than federal workers, on average. The Bureau of Economic Analysis presents compensation data for 72 industries that span the U.S. economy (Table 6.2D). Figure 1 shows the 20 industries with the highest levels of average compensation, inclu... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2747914 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:49:33 +0100 2747914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737700&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZptJwMYfVis%2F My post yesterday on federal worker pay generated a large and aggressive response from federal workers, both in my inbox and on websites such as Fedsmith.com. (See also Federal Times and Govexec). Here are four points raised in criticism: First, people accuse me of producing distorted data somehow. Actually, it’s essentially just raw Bureau of Economic Analysis data, but the data is usually overlooked by the media because I don’t think the BEA puts out a press release on it. Anyway, the average wage data is from BEA Table 6.6D. The average compensation data is simply total compensation (Table 6.2D) divided by the number of workers (Table 6.5D). Second, people argue that reporting overall averages for wages and compensation is somehow illegitimate. People email me co... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737700 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:19:26 +0100 2737700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737704&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F7X_pJG6gRnI%2F An article published this week by National Review magazine blames the many problems of California on—take a guess—high taxes, over-regulation of business, runaway state spending, an expansive welfare state? Try none of the above. The article, by Alex Alexiev of the Hudson Institute, puts the blame on the backs of low-skilled, illegal immigrants from Mexico and the federal government for not keeping them out. Titled “Catching Up to Mexico: Illegal immigration is depleting California’s human capital and ravaging its economy,” the article endorses high-skilled immigration to the state while rejecting the influx of “the poorly educated, the unskilled, and the illiterate” immigrants that enter illegally from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America. Before swallowing the article’s ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737704 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:34:18 +0100 2737704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2734019&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6Egsv8D10hY%2F The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released its annual data on compensation levels by industry (Tables 6.2D, 6.3D, and 6.6D here). The data show that the pay advantage enjoyed by federal civilian workers over private-sector workers continues to expand. The George W. Bush years were very lucrative for federal workers. In 2000, the average compensation (wages and benefits) of federal workers was 66 percent higher than the average compensation in the U.S. private sector. The new data show that average federal compensation is now more than double the average in the private sector. Figure 1 looks at average wages. In 2008, the average wage for 1.9 million federal civilian workers was $79,197, which compared to an average $49,935 for the nation’s 108 million private sector workers (measured i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2734019 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:57:52 +0100 2734019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727083&cid=t_101588_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FH4kgQqimzAs%2F At last week’s Mont Pelerin Society meeting in Stockholm, Deirdre McCloskey argued that it was important for society to affirm entrepreneurship.  How right she is. The economic benefits of the new technologies and processes constantly created by people with new economic ideas is obvious.  But the social benefits of such inventions also are enormous. Consider James C. Marsters, who helped end the isolation of the deaf around the world.  The Wall Street Journal reported on his death: As an orthodontist, a licensed pilot and a sometime-professional magician, James C. Marsters mastered fields challenging for anyone, even more so for a profoundly deaf person such as himself. His greatest feat was to conjure the text telephone, or TTY, which for the first time gave deaf people independ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727083 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:26:38 +0100 2727083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709206&cid=t_101588_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F7B6-docGX0U%2F We’ve hear for a while that garlic is one fabulous food item when it comes to benefiting the heart. As soon as the news was out that garlic was good for us, we saw everything from packaged to powdered to pill form. But which is best? You probably guessed this, being the smart reader you are: fresh garlic. Fresh is usually best! The original is always better than the copy. Book always better than the movie… ooops, got off topic there. (But the book usually IS better than the movie – I think most of us can agree on that.) Anyways, a new study has confirmed that fresh garlic helps suppress those nasty chemicals that “act as a “death signal” for heart muscle cells.” So include some fresh garlic in your dinner meal. Who knows, it may make you a little bit heal... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709206 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:24:43 +0100 2709206