services

Abornewords Healthcare: Health Insurance Explained The You Toons Way

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 10:20:53 +0100

Finding ways to keep morale up at work is usually a top priority since high morale often equates to high productivity. When we feel good and love what we do, it shows in how we produce and accomplish things on the job. Making work fun can involve many things and finding the video explaining Insurance using animation makes me feel like I have a resource that can definitely contribute to the fun for me and many Insurance Agents who want to keep fresh on the basics so that our clients and prospects get correct information. Having the proper resources and knowing where to find information is a huge part of my job. When I am taking calls I want to be ready to answer questions and I also want to ensure that the Customer Experience I provide is not only informative but fun for the client.

No matter how much I learn selling insurance, being refreshed on the basics still helps me to feel more prepared to answer questions. That is exactly why I have found value in this video.

That's all. Kudos...

Abornewords Healthcare: Clearwater Florida Doctor Living In Mansion Committed Fraud

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 03:18:50 +0100

It is not clear if opporunity or financial pressures or maybe a combination of both, led to the crimes of fraud committed by Doctor Jayam Iyer. In a press release issued by the Department of Justice, writing illegal prescriptions and the questionable billing practices resulted in an investigation, leading up to the loss of her Medical License earlier this month. The Florida Doctor agreed to pay back over 51,000, after pleading guilty to Healthcare Fraud. The Pain Management Clinic called Creative Medical Center is where she documented phony office visits and took notes from family and friends of established patients. writing prescriptions for controlled substances like oxycodone without conducting the required office visits or making the proper evaluations.

As a result, she violated her agreement with Medicare and Medicaid Services. She should have conducted office visits with the actual patient(s) before prescribing controlled substances like oxycodone and also provided truthful statements about patient evaluations. It was her duty as an approved Medicare Provider. Now, the former Doctor is not only facing prison time and financial penalties but she has to find a way to rebuild her life and career. She is permanently excluded from partipation in Medicare and Medicaid Programs. It's safe to say her name will be placed on the Exclusion List.

In Florida in particular, 2016 MFCU Statistical Data listed stats of the 664 investigations undertaken, 606 were fraud related, 58 were documented as abuse/neglect investigations. Only 78 indictments were issued, resulting in 41 convictions for fraud and 10 for abuse/neglect. Total finacial recoveries amounted in over 165 million dollars. That stats are proof, all investigations do not lead to indictments. Of those that do, there are still those who fall by the way side, escaping any prosecution. That's all. Kudos...

Source: United States Department Of Justice

Abornewords Healthcare: Cybersecurity Is Up Next With FWA

Sun, 16 Sep 2018 20:47:04 +0100

As a Blogger, I use the internet a lot to research, share and stay connected to the people and products I love. There is no doubt that the Internet helps to take me across the world and pretty much anywhere I want to be just through the click of the mouse. I appreciate having so much information at my fingertips and though I love the library, the internet would be my first choice for getting my work done more efficiently every time. That is the reason I was so alarmed when I read about the Cybersecurity scare that puts patients and the Healthcare System at risk, as a whole. According to information shared by the Office of Inspector General, the connectivity that is making it easier for Healthcare Professionals to communicate and be informed about their patients conditions, is the very thing creating vulnerability. Various Networked Medical Devices in particular were highlighted as being at risk. Oh My God, have the Hackers won?

Apparently not. The FDA seems to have a through review process in place, one with the right checks and balances to encourage manufacturers to avoid being vague when describing a devices risk factors for Cybersecurity Threats. As an Insurance Agent, I am required to recertify every year, training on the Medicare Basics and Plan Specific information for the plans offered by Insurers on and off the Marketplace. The training includes being able to recognize FWA (Fraud, Waste and Abuse) which may happen in the Healthcare Industry. Whether a violation for over billing or something as simple as unnecessary test being ordered by Physicians, these violations put consumers at risk. I have to be able to identify (violations), protect (report violations and compliance issues), prevent (be in compliance).

When I am collecting information, I have to disclose and document properly), performing in such a way to honor the position of trust I have been entrusted to serve in. The FDA recommends a similar process for manufacturers who intend to submit devices for approval which will be used on patients and by patients. Below are the five areas to consider before submitting products for review and approval, along with explanations shared in the Report issued by The Office of Inspector General.

Identify. Identify the networked medical device’s intended use, use environment, type of connectivity, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, likelihood of threat, and probable risk of harm.
Protect. Protect the networked medical device using appropriate security controls.
Detect. Implement features that allow for cybersecurity threats to be detected, recognized, and logged.
Respond. Develop a response plan that end users can use and implement features that will protect a device’s critical function in the case of a cybersecurity attack.
Recover. Provide methods for retaining and recovering control of a device.

The FDA has policies and procedures in place to ensure that the review process holds manufacturers accountable for the devices they intend to provide for use in our Healthcare System. Read the full report here. That’s all. Kudo’s...

Abornewords Healthcare: FDA Comprehensive Plan For Tobacco And Nicotine Regulation

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 17:47:56 +0100

The health risk associated with tobacco use should be enough to deter usage of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Yet, the probability of heart disease, lung disease or even cancer does not seem to scary enough for some to begin their journey to quitting. The CDC (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention) reports over 50,000 Americans die each year from smoking/smoking related illnesses. The CDC puts cost for smoking and related illnesses at over 300 billion annually, citing a 156 billion dollar loss in productivity. As a former smoker, I can tell you I am so glad I quit because I kept getting these throat irritations and I was very afraid since my own Grand Daddy died of Throat Cancer. The road to quitting factors in so much more than just creating awareness like having a support system of family and friends who hold you accountable and remind you of why you need to quit or continue your smokefree journey.

Though very young at the time, my Son Rodell encouraged me and reminded me that smoking was harmful. I started out by simply decided not to smoke in my apartment so that meant no more cigarettes in the bathroom. Every time I wanted to light up, I had to exit my home. A major inconvenience but one that helped me to ultimately smoke less. Then, I decided I would only smoke after I arrived home in the evening. I smoked even less then and seeing what I had accomplished doing those things, I eventually was able to quit after starting to smoke cigars once a day. I did not use medicinal products to help me to stop but made my process to stopping easier by setting boundaries. A chart on the CDC Website seems to support the idea of education being a factor in decrease use of tobacco products. The numbers are listed below.

Education Level Prevelance

Less than HS 24.1%
GED 40.6%
HS Graduate 19.7%
Some College 18.9%
Associate Degree 16.8%
Undergraduate Degree 7.7%
Graduate Degree 4.5%

Creating Awareness about health risk associated with smoking may not be enough to immediately get smokers on a journey to smoke-free lifestyles. Still, campaigns like the one being shared by the FDA will help to educate and hold Tobacco Manufacturers accountable. Sharing our individual stories, educating and creating awareness is necessary to hold us all accountable for our actions. My hope is, smokers will start their individual journey toward a healthier and more productive lifestyle. That's all. Kudos...

Abornewords Healthcare: How To Become A Physician Assistant (Omar Abdul-Malik)

Sat, 21 Jul 2018 12:02:18 +0100

Learning to apply the knowledge we gain as we are on our individual journey's is vital. Knowing is never enough. We make what we learn practical through application, communicating it, using it. In the video Omar makes this point very clear by sharing information on a number of courses he has taken and how going to Nursing School and doing the clinicals made what he learned more practical. His journey is proof of an Oprah quote, "Do what you have to do, till you can do what you want to do". Meaning, we do not always start where we want to finish so keep this in mind as you contribute in society and explore your career options. Omar Abdul says there is a difference between theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge and recommends using Medical Journals for the most current information on what is happening in the Medical Community. He has been a Physical Assistant for about 17 years. That's all. Kudos....

Abornewords Health: Netflix Documentary On Adderall Is Brainful Media

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 05:05:06 +0100

Lawmakers are creating dialogue around the topic of opioid use but adderal has long been a controversial topic for those who believe it dangerous for children and unnecessary for those who may have been misdiagnosed. Rohit Bhargara seems to believe that indulging in brainful media like documentaries can help us to become more mindful and also help us to curate ideas and predict the future. The Professor and Author is always gathering information and writing. Not sure, where he stands on the adderal debate but I am sure he would call this Documentary Brainful Media. That's all. Kudos...

Abornewords Healthcare: Blink Health Will Not Help You Avoid The Late Enrollment Penality

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 03:06:24 +0100

Let's face it, being sick is expensive and with the rising cost of Healthcare Plans which increased about 40% across the board this past season, finding ways to save on cost will certainly help us all to keep money in the bank. Dr. humor on the Sermo website made me consider what the green monster in the room for me is and I determined as an Insurance Agent, having to tell clients that a medication is not covered was it for me.

Hearing that would be scary for me so I know it is even more concerning for someone who is strapped for cash and looking for ways to save on prescriptions. Blink Health may be the answer for some, so watch this video and take it in with a grain of salt because it will not help you to avoid the LEP (Late Enrollment Penalty).

What is a late enrollment penality? It is a percentage of cost charged to those who do not enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan once becoming eligible for Medicare at age 65 and using Blink will not help you or your loved ones to avoid the inevitable so enroll into a Prescription Drug Plan once you become eligible at age 65 and encourage your loved one to do the same. Remember you can enroll 3 months before your 65 birthday. in the month of your birthday and 3 months after your birthday. That's all. Kudos...