Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction (ASiR) is an advanced image reconstruction technique that makes it possible to dramatically reduce radiation doses when delivering a CT (Computed Tomography) scans. The ASiR technique allows radiologists to reduce noise in an image and improve quality. The image can be adjusted to reduce the fuzzy and enhance sharpness.
Recall radiation is a process where energy travels through space. Radiation can result in changes to the person it passes through, Radiation with sufficiently high energy can alter the person at the atom level. The changes of the atoms is thought to contribute to the development of cancer. The lower the radiation the less the concern about changes at the atom level.
Medical providers depend on the information a CT (Computed Tomography) scan can reveal to improve the accuracy of diagnosing. The CT images give the viewer of glimpse of disease development much more precise than available with the naked eye. Expect to see machines with ASiR technology showing up in Wisconsin hospitals to better serve patients.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Judge Roger Vinson Receives Motion To Clarify Home Care Path
On January 31, 2011 Florida Judge Roger Vinson delivered a ruling on Health Care Reform. Florida Judge Roger Vinson's ruling did not impose an injunction, which would of clearly communicated the law is no longer valid. Judge Roger Vinson had merely issued a declaratory statement, leaving the States participating in the court action unsure on how to proceed.
On February 19, 2011 The United States Department of Justice submitted a motion to Florida Judge Roger Vinson, asking him to clarify whether or not his judgement on Januray 31, 2011 relieves the participating States of their responsibilities under (ACA) The Affordable Care Act. The Motion To Clarify seeks to resolve the confusion between The Federal Administration and the participating States on whether Florida Judge Roger Vinsons judgement allows implementation of the Affordable Care Act to continue moving forward while the case is currently under appeal.
This reveals to the reader how Health Care Policy intersects with Health Care Delivery under legislative guidance. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to continue to follow this legislation as it unfolds.
On February 19, 2011 The United States Department of Justice submitted a motion to Florida Judge Roger Vinson, asking him to clarify whether or not his judgement on Januray 31, 2011 relieves the participating States of their responsibilities under (ACA) The Affordable Care Act. The Motion To Clarify seeks to resolve the confusion between The Federal Administration and the participating States on whether Florida Judge Roger Vinsons judgement allows implementation of the Affordable Care Act to continue moving forward while the case is currently under appeal.
This reveals to the reader how Health Care Policy intersects with Health Care Delivery under legislative guidance. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to continue to follow this legislation as it unfolds.
Monday, February 21, 2011
The 30 Day Notice ALERT Home Care Path
This is written to alert families of a gap in service that seems to be related to the system and occurs repeatedly.
The families senior was experiencing memory issues so they moved him from his home and placed him in an assisted living dwelling. The family then goes to the county and speaks with a benefits specialist. The county explained that when the seniors checking and savings account balance falls below 2 thousand dollars he would be attached to a care management organization (CMO), who would then pay for his care.
The senior resides in an assisted living facility for 18 months at 5600.00 per month. On the 18th month the seniors checking and savings account balance is fallen below 2 thousand dollars. In the last 18 months the seniors home went to foreclosure and the contents of the home were assumed by the bank and sold through a contracted firm on the banks behalf.
After the 18th month the family and senior have multiple meetings with the county benefits specialist for the next 4 months. The county assures the family and the senior he qualifies for programming that will pay to keep him in an assisted living facility.
The senior continues to reside in the assisted living facility and be billed the 5600.00 per month he cannot pay. From the time the seniors checking and savings account fell below 2 thousand dollars and the (CMO) care management organization was able to begin service is a 4 month gap. The senior now owes 5600. times 4 months a balance of 22,400.00 to the assisted living facility. The senior is now given a notice of being behind in payments and having 30 days to vacate the assisted living facility. Kicked out.
The county benefits specialist explains that they are not a valid pay source. The State of Wisconsin has lifted authority from the counties and placed with (CMO's) care management organizations who serve regions, multiple counties. The (CMO) care management organization explains that they could not by law provide payment for service prior to the senior being enrolled in the program. The assisted living facility explains that their policy and proceedure require them to serve notice on deliquent bills and they hate to see you go. The senior explains he is totally out of money and frustrated because he has followed through on all the advice he has been given.
So the gap appears to be the time that occurs from when the senior is out of money and eligible for county programming to the time he is actually enrolled in a CMO care management organization. This is written only to give the reader a sense of how this gap seems to repeatedly reoccur.
Home Care Path provides non-medical in home custodial care for seniors in south central Wisconsin. Valueing home and human life.
The families senior was experiencing memory issues so they moved him from his home and placed him in an assisted living dwelling. The family then goes to the county and speaks with a benefits specialist. The county explained that when the seniors checking and savings account balance falls below 2 thousand dollars he would be attached to a care management organization (CMO), who would then pay for his care.
The senior resides in an assisted living facility for 18 months at 5600.00 per month. On the 18th month the seniors checking and savings account balance is fallen below 2 thousand dollars. In the last 18 months the seniors home went to foreclosure and the contents of the home were assumed by the bank and sold through a contracted firm on the banks behalf.
After the 18th month the family and senior have multiple meetings with the county benefits specialist for the next 4 months. The county assures the family and the senior he qualifies for programming that will pay to keep him in an assisted living facility.
The senior continues to reside in the assisted living facility and be billed the 5600.00 per month he cannot pay. From the time the seniors checking and savings account fell below 2 thousand dollars and the (CMO) care management organization was able to begin service is a 4 month gap. The senior now owes 5600. times 4 months a balance of 22,400.00 to the assisted living facility. The senior is now given a notice of being behind in payments and having 30 days to vacate the assisted living facility. Kicked out.
The county benefits specialist explains that they are not a valid pay source. The State of Wisconsin has lifted authority from the counties and placed with (CMO's) care management organizations who serve regions, multiple counties. The (CMO) care management organization explains that they could not by law provide payment for service prior to the senior being enrolled in the program. The assisted living facility explains that their policy and proceedure require them to serve notice on deliquent bills and they hate to see you go. The senior explains he is totally out of money and frustrated because he has followed through on all the advice he has been given.
So the gap appears to be the time that occurs from when the senior is out of money and eligible for county programming to the time he is actually enrolled in a CMO care management organization. This is written only to give the reader a sense of how this gap seems to repeatedly reoccur.
Home Care Path provides non-medical in home custodial care for seniors in south central Wisconsin. Valueing home and human life.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Health Care Reform Got No Money Home Care Path
On Friday Feb. 18, 2011 The United States House Of Representatives voted in measures to remove the money needed to implement Health Care Reform. The conflict surrounds the requirement of all citizens to have a valid pay source (health insurance) for utilization of clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. The U.S. House Of Representatives voted in the following three measures.
1. Prohibits the use of federal money as payment in salary for any employee involved in the implementation of health care reform law.
2. Prohibits The Department of Health and Human Services from investing money toward the implementation of Health Care Reform Law.
3. Prohibits the use of federal funds by The Internal Revenue Service to participate in the mandate requiring all citizens to have a valid pay source (health Insurance) for utilization of clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes.
These measures all appear to deliver a barrier to the enactment and implementation of the Health Care Reform Law. Readers are encouraged to consider that how an individual purchases health insurance may be playing a role in the unfolding of this legislation. Home Care Path provides non- medical in home custodial care for seniors in south central Wisconsin.
1. Prohibits the use of federal money as payment in salary for any employee involved in the implementation of health care reform law.
2. Prohibits The Department of Health and Human Services from investing money toward the implementation of Health Care Reform Law.
3. Prohibits the use of federal funds by The Internal Revenue Service to participate in the mandate requiring all citizens to have a valid pay source (health Insurance) for utilization of clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes.
These measures all appear to deliver a barrier to the enactment and implementation of the Health Care Reform Law. Readers are encouraged to consider that how an individual purchases health insurance may be playing a role in the unfolding of this legislation. Home Care Path provides non- medical in home custodial care for seniors in south central Wisconsin.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Prostate Cancer Drugs Slow Growth Home Care Path
Medications (Avodart GlaxcoSmithKline and Proscar Merck Co.) used in a recent study indicate potential to help slow the growth of prostate cancer. The study suggests combining medications with ongoing monitoring with cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in early stages.
The drugs are being recognized as a strategy to prevent the progression of the prostate cancer. The study suggests that drugs that shrink the prostate seem to help suppress the cancer. The study involved surveillance of about 300 men from the U.S. and Canada with low risk cancer confirmed by biopsy.
This will allow men diagnosed in early stages the time to investigate and fully understand treatment options.
The drugs are being recognized as a strategy to prevent the progression of the prostate cancer. The study suggests that drugs that shrink the prostate seem to help suppress the cancer. The study involved surveillance of about 300 men from the U.S. and Canada with low risk cancer confirmed by biopsy.
This will allow men diagnosed in early stages the time to investigate and fully understand treatment options.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Turns Away 637K Federal Health Reform Grant
On January 5, 2011 Governor Scott Walker appointed Ted Nickel as Wisconsin Commissioner Of Insurance and Dan Schwartzer as Deputy Commissioner. On Thursday Feb 10, 2011 the Office of The Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance announced a discontinuation of a 637, 114 grant authorized for issue through the federal health reform law.
This is federal grant money to be utilized in the State Of Wisconsin by local organizations to facilitate process structure that insures consumers insurance options and easy access to appeal denials of care. This money would help establish a foundation for the coming Health Insurance Exchanges.
Health insurance exchanges will be a new place to shop for health insurance. Health insurance exchanges facilitate retail competition in to the marketplace. Currently most health policies available are more expensive than comparable health policies offerred to large businesses. Exchanges allow individual's and small businesses to accompany buying groups resulting in better prices and more variety in health insurance options.
The Federal Government will provide states with start up money for establishing Health Insurance Exchanges . If the state does not have an operational Health Insurance Exchange by 2014 the federal government will step in and open an Exchange.
OCIIO The Office Of Consumer Information And Insurance Oversight is the federal authority for the state exchanges and qualifed health plans.
The State of Wisconsin appears to be acting on the assumption that Health Care Reform is repealed. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to continue to follow this legislation as it unfolds.
This is federal grant money to be utilized in the State Of Wisconsin by local organizations to facilitate process structure that insures consumers insurance options and easy access to appeal denials of care. This money would help establish a foundation for the coming Health Insurance Exchanges.
Health insurance exchanges will be a new place to shop for health insurance. Health insurance exchanges facilitate retail competition in to the marketplace. Currently most health policies available are more expensive than comparable health policies offerred to large businesses. Exchanges allow individual's and small businesses to accompany buying groups resulting in better prices and more variety in health insurance options.
The Federal Government will provide states with start up money for establishing Health Insurance Exchanges . If the state does not have an operational Health Insurance Exchange by 2014 the federal government will step in and open an Exchange.
OCIIO The Office Of Consumer Information And Insurance Oversight is the federal authority for the state exchanges and qualifed health plans.
The State of Wisconsin appears to be acting on the assumption that Health Care Reform is repealed. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to continue to follow this legislation as it unfolds.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Virginia Expedited Health Care Reform Supreme Court
State of Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli filed a 23 page appeal on Tuesday Feb. 8, 2011 with The Supreme Court requesting a quick review of (PPACA) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli invoked rule 11, as a strategy to encourage an immediate review. This would by pass the familiar appellate route so that discussion and debate on the Affordable Care Act is not fully apparent as the court decides to consider the matter.
Recall that on Monday December 13, 2010 U.S. District Courth Judge Henry Hudson of the Eastern District of Virginia ruled against the Patient and Affordable Care Act. The case was brought to Judge Henry Hudson by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli was questioning congressional authority regarding an individual amendment to the internal revenue code that would tax citizens who do not have a valid pay source (health insurace) for being treated by a doctor in a clinic, hospital, or nursing home.
Under the change the citizen can buy health insurance or they can pay a tax roughly equal to the cost of health insurance, which is then used to subsidize the governments health care program and families who wish to purchase health insurace. It is suggested this is similar to industrial taxes placed on businesses that do not comply with pollution standards.
Those arguing for state everyone will need medical services at some point in their lives and therefore is either a current or future participant in the health care delivery system market and therefore subject to taxation. The citizens with no valid pay source cannot be left to die on the hospital entrance.
Those arguing against state the U.S. Government cannot declare a citizen a user of health care delivery service (clinic, hospital, nursing home) just to regulate behavior through a commerce clause. A person should be able to purchase health care service only when needed.
Recall that the Constitution is perceived to give the United States Congress the power to tax (collect money) and spend (redistribute money) for the general welfare. On December 13th portion of Judge Henry Hudsons ruling: The unchecked expansion of congressional power to the limits suggested by the Minimum Essential Coverage Provision would invite unbridled exercise of federal powers. At its core, this dispute is not simply about regulating the business of insurance, or crafting a scheme of universal health coverage, it is about an individuals right to choose to participate.
Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to watch this legislation as it unfolds.
Recall that on Monday December 13, 2010 U.S. District Courth Judge Henry Hudson of the Eastern District of Virginia ruled against the Patient and Affordable Care Act. The case was brought to Judge Henry Hudson by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli was questioning congressional authority regarding an individual amendment to the internal revenue code that would tax citizens who do not have a valid pay source (health insurace) for being treated by a doctor in a clinic, hospital, or nursing home.
Under the change the citizen can buy health insurance or they can pay a tax roughly equal to the cost of health insurance, which is then used to subsidize the governments health care program and families who wish to purchase health insurace. It is suggested this is similar to industrial taxes placed on businesses that do not comply with pollution standards.
Those arguing for state everyone will need medical services at some point in their lives and therefore is either a current or future participant in the health care delivery system market and therefore subject to taxation. The citizens with no valid pay source cannot be left to die on the hospital entrance.
Those arguing against state the U.S. Government cannot declare a citizen a user of health care delivery service (clinic, hospital, nursing home) just to regulate behavior through a commerce clause. A person should be able to purchase health care service only when needed.
Recall that the Constitution is perceived to give the United States Congress the power to tax (collect money) and spend (redistribute money) for the general welfare. On December 13th portion of Judge Henry Hudsons ruling: The unchecked expansion of congressional power to the limits suggested by the Minimum Essential Coverage Provision would invite unbridled exercise of federal powers. At its core, this dispute is not simply about regulating the business of insurance, or crafting a scheme of universal health coverage, it is about an individuals right to choose to participate.
Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to watch this legislation as it unfolds.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Bundled Payment Wisconsin Home Care Path
Wisconsin Health Planning Groups now see the Medicare payment system as fragmented, and believe paying providers on volume is inefficient. In cooperation with WHIO the Wisconsin Health Information Organization is the Wisconsin Payment Reform Initiative. The focus of the Wisconsin Payment Reform Initiative is to develop a bundled payment process for diagnosis specific hospital stays.
Bundled Payment is defined as the reimbursement of a health care organization on the basis of expected costs for clinically defined episodes of care. This is seen as different than fee for service in which health organizations are paid for each service rendered to the patient. Also different than capitation in which health organizations are paid a lump sum per patient regardless of how many services the patient receives.
Bundled payments were first noted in 1984 when the Texas Heart Institute began to charge flat fees for cardiovascular surgery. Today, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Affordable Care For America Act contain provisions for bundled payments.
The idea behind bundled payments is to lower the cost paid for the services (save the Medicare system money) while maintaining a high level of care (good patient outcomes). Note the health delivery system can involve the participation of many separate Medicare certified providers. This adds to the challenge of introducing bundled payments to the landscape of Wisconsin providers.
Bundled Payment is defined as the reimbursement of a health care organization on the basis of expected costs for clinically defined episodes of care. This is seen as different than fee for service in which health organizations are paid for each service rendered to the patient. Also different than capitation in which health organizations are paid a lump sum per patient regardless of how many services the patient receives.
Bundled payments were first noted in 1984 when the Texas Heart Institute began to charge flat fees for cardiovascular surgery. Today, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Affordable Care For America Act contain provisions for bundled payments.
The idea behind bundled payments is to lower the cost paid for the services (save the Medicare system money) while maintaining a high level of care (good patient outcomes). Note the health delivery system can involve the participation of many separate Medicare certified providers. This adds to the challenge of introducing bundled payments to the landscape of Wisconsin providers.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
USAID Funds Online Predict Home Care Path
USAID is the United States Agency For International Development. USAID has awarded grant money to a consortium of experts on human and animal diseases founded in 2009. The USAID grant money is funding the development of technological processes for complete and continuous tracking of animal diseases that can infect humans.
The technological system known as predict will monitor information from 50 thousand web sites. This filters bits of information to construct useful data. The system rapidly reads information posted by Health Organizations, Animal Experts, Wildlife Stations, Farm News web sites, and more. The system can display graphic information to map the outbreaks of animal diseases that may infect humans.
The review of collected information indicates the outbreak of SARS and the family of viruses that include Ebola are thought to have originated in bats. Hopefully closer surveillance of animal diseases that can infect humans will reduce the spread and severity of disease.
The technological system known as predict will monitor information from 50 thousand web sites. This filters bits of information to construct useful data. The system rapidly reads information posted by Health Organizations, Animal Experts, Wildlife Stations, Farm News web sites, and more. The system can display graphic information to map the outbreaks of animal diseases that may infect humans.
The review of collected information indicates the outbreak of SARS and the family of viruses that include Ebola are thought to have originated in bats. Hopefully closer surveillance of animal diseases that can infect humans will reduce the spread and severity of disease.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Financial Planning Transaction Fee Home Care Path
Financial planners work with investors when picking out investment options. Many investments are governed by the Securities and Exchange act of 1934, as amended. The standard practise involves matching an investor to an appropriate investment.
A transactional fee is a charge a financial planner assesses for assisting in the sale or purchase of investments. The transaction fee can be a flat rate (fixed fee) such as 1.00 per transaction. This fee appears with every event in which the financial planner changes the investment on behalf of the investor. The transaction fee may be a percentage (varied) of the value of the transaction. This could be one percent of the money used in the transaction. Ask the financial planner to explain the investment cost of a transactional fee.
Understanding transactional fees can be an important piece of properly utilizing the knowledge a financial planner brings to your investments. Approaching or during retirement seniors need to be able to account for every penny taken from their hard earned savings.
A transactional fee is a charge a financial planner assesses for assisting in the sale or purchase of investments. The transaction fee can be a flat rate (fixed fee) such as 1.00 per transaction. This fee appears with every event in which the financial planner changes the investment on behalf of the investor. The transaction fee may be a percentage (varied) of the value of the transaction. This could be one percent of the money used in the transaction. Ask the financial planner to explain the investment cost of a transactional fee.
Understanding transactional fees can be an important piece of properly utilizing the knowledge a financial planner brings to your investments. Approaching or during retirement seniors need to be able to account for every penny taken from their hard earned savings.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
PTSD and FMLA and Military Service Home Care Path
PTSD is post traumatic stress disorder , a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma. With PTSD the person re-expereinces the original trauma through flash backs and nightmares. The person will fear (phobia) and avoid stimuli associated with the trauma. The person will show bouts of anger, difficulty sleeping, increased arousal, hypervigilance, and obsessive compulsive tendencies.
FMLA is the Federal Family Medical Leave Act which requires employers with 50 or more employees, who meet certain guidelines to allow 12 weeks of unpaid leave for eligible conditions in a 12 month period. The National Defense Authorization Act Of 2010 includes the Supporting Military Families Act, provision. This provision expands military leave enititlements with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allowing leave in more circumstances.
PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disease that may not show itself immediately. Family members are eligible to take care giver leave to care for a veteran suffering a service related illness or injury, as long as the veteran was a member of the armed forces, national guard, or military reserve within five years of requiring care. This recent provision allows leave to care for a family member with a service related illness (PTSD) that may not show itself immediately. This includes military leave for a family member who had a preexisting serious illness, that has been aggrivated, or exacerbated by recent military duty.
This change will be helpful with families of a military veteran experiencing signs and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ supports our veterans.
FMLA is the Federal Family Medical Leave Act which requires employers with 50 or more employees, who meet certain guidelines to allow 12 weeks of unpaid leave for eligible conditions in a 12 month period. The National Defense Authorization Act Of 2010 includes the Supporting Military Families Act, provision. This provision expands military leave enititlements with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allowing leave in more circumstances.
PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disease that may not show itself immediately. Family members are eligible to take care giver leave to care for a veteran suffering a service related illness or injury, as long as the veteran was a member of the armed forces, national guard, or military reserve within five years of requiring care. This recent provision allows leave to care for a family member with a service related illness (PTSD) that may not show itself immediately. This includes military leave for a family member who had a preexisting serious illness, that has been aggrivated, or exacerbated by recent military duty.
This change will be helpful with families of a military veteran experiencing signs and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ supports our veterans.
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