Students Of Success

Health insurance is offered in various forms today. Traditionally, health insurance plans were indemnity plans; the insured paid a premium, the physician provided health care services, the health insurance plan was billed, and the health insurance plan paid for covered services. As health care costs became astronomical, health insurance companies developed different plans that were aimed at providing quality health care at affordable prices. Managed health care became the buzzword for the health insurance industry, and health insurance plans became more complicated.

Health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, and preferred provider networks, or PPOs, have largely replaced the traditional indemnity health plan. HMOs and PPOs utilize strategies to contain health care costs. These health plans are similar in certain ways. Both HMO and PPO plans contract with health care providers to provide health care services at reduced rates for the health insurance plan members. Typically both plans require the the member have a primary care provider, or PCP, who serves as a “gateway” to coordinate care for the member, and all specialty services are accessed by referral from the PCP. Both HMOs and PPOs require that certain services and products, usually the more costly ones, be reviewed by the health insurance reviewers for prior approval or prior authorization before the service is rendered. The health care provider must submit justification for these services as “medically necessary”, and the reviewer determines whether the service is a covered service. The plans do make provision for emergency situations that cannot wait for prior approval/authorization, but still require an approval process.

HMOs and PPOs differ in significant ways, however. A PPO plan often covers services rendered by providers that are not in the plan network, though usually at a lower rate than given for network providers. HMOs usually offer no coverage for out-of-network health care providers.

Advantages of HMO/PPO plans typically include lower health insurance premiums than those of traditional health insurance plans. HMOs and PPOs often offer coverage for preventive and health maintenance care not covered by indemnity plans. The health plan member is usually not required to file claims for health care services; contract providers bill the health insurance plan directly.

Disadvantages of these managed health care plans include limiting coverage to providers in the health care plan. Plan members must change primary care providers if their provider is not in the health plan network. Many members do not want to change health care providers. Another disadvantage is that prior approval/authorization processes can be time-consuming and slow down the delivery of needed health care services. Specialty health care can only be accessed through referral from the PCP.

In summary, HMOs and PPOs offer lower premiums and increased coverage, but limit members to their network of providers. Indemnity plans allow the member to see the health care provider of their choice, and to access specialty care when they want, but usually pay higher premiums for health insurance coverage. Ultimately the health plan member must decide whether choice of physician and access to specialty care are worth the higher premiums. Whatever plan is chosen, it is vital for members to know their health insurance plan, including what services are covered and what providers are in network.

Kay Lowe holds a Master’d degree in health care ahd has 30+ years in the health care field. She is also webmaster for Health-Infosource.com, a website dedicated to disseminating health information.

Brick fundraising is an easy way to raise money for schools,
hospitals, religious institutions, non-profits, government
buildings, or any worthwhile project.

It’s easy to start a brick fundraising project -

First decide the price of a personalized brick. People will
donate that amount to participate in a fundraising campaign that
contributes to a meaningful cause and enables them to
participate in a brick project that will last for years. Decades
from now, their children or grandchildren can point to that
brick and say “there’s my family brick, there’s my Grandfather
or Grandmother”.

Participating in a brick fundraising project allows donors to
participate in a cause bigger than themselves, and to
permanently establish themselves as part of that group.

Many brick fundraising projects were started to raise funds,
then the group found lasting intangible benefits from the
enhanced commitment donors feel when they see a name on a brick
fundraising project. Memorials leave a moving tribute to those
whose names are inscribed.

As a high school principal pointed out regarding a 1992 brick
fundraising wall, people lose their annuals but the wall is
still there as a tangible reminder that they are part of the
community and were part of the school.

Brick fundraising projects can go on almost anywhere - on inside
or outside walls, sidewalks, entryways, corridors, foyers,
fountains, plazas, or raised earth surfaces. They leave a
moving, often functional memorial.

Since 1988, Brick Sculpture by Cannon has helped many brick
fundraising projects. Larry Cannon is a brick artist, who often
engraves 6 foot brick sculptures as centerpieces for brick
fundraising projects - providing moving public art that raises
needed funds.

Sitting opposite a doctor and trying to listen as you are handed a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis is a life defining moment.

Even if your physical symptoms:

• Tremor/shaking

• Unsteadiness/problems with balance

• Uncoordinated movements/clumsiness

• Impaired walking ability

• Muscle rigidity

had aroused suspicions within you, it is still shocking to hear the words spoken out loud. Shock causes a kind of mental paralysis that can prevent you hearing and processing the words being spoken and you leave the consultation in confusion and distress.

Parkinson’s Disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages and mis-diagnosis is not uncommon. The important thing is to learn as much as you can about the syndrome; the causes, the risks, the treatments and the things you can do for yourself. Having full information can reduce stress levels and this is important as high stress levels have been shown to increase the severity of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

New treatments for Parkinson’s Disease are at the cutting edge of current research with experiments being conducted with stem cells and gene therapy. However, in the first instance you should not be surprised if no treatment is offered when you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Some doctors are reluctant to start medication for mild symptoms as the effectiveness of current prescription drugs has been shown to reduce over time and some also have associated side-effects. It is often the case that medication is not commenced until the symptoms begin to severely impact daily life.

It is true that, at the moment, there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease but this is not a cause for despair. There is an enormous amount individuals can do for themselves to supplement drug treatments by making adjustments to diet and lifestyle; symptoms can be minimised and controlled for many years and research is uncovering more possibilities on an almost daily basis.

Darcy Harris is dedicated to encouraging wellness for life in all domains of life. She is the author of Everything you Need to Know About Parkinson’s Disease found at http://wflparkinsonsdisease.com and an expert contributor to http://wellnessforlife.info To contact the author please email articles@wellnessforlife.info

Switzerland is a country with amazing scenery. A tourist who visits Switzerland can expect to see some amazing nature, as well as interesting city sites. There are all kinds of options for a vacation in Switzerland, but some people choose to see the country by camping Switzerland. In comparison to some places in the world, Switzerland is a pleasant place to camp. The typical Swiss campsite is clean and well equipped. Most are open throughout the year except the ones at extremely high altitudes in the mountains. Almost every town or city has a campsite or two of some sort.

One problem with camping Switzerland is that it is often just as expensive as staying in a hostel. Most people camp to be economical while they are traveling abroad. But in Switzerland most of the campsites are located far enough outside the city that it will be an added expense for you each time you return to your campsite. In addition, the sites charge for tents and for parking your car. When you add all these fees together, it may save you time and effort to simply crash at a hostel. However, if you want to camp out in the mountain wilderness of Switzerland, that may be well worth the effort.