 Over the past twenty years, technology has exponentially expanded into many fields. Healthcare industries have especially benefited from technological advances. Ever-increasing data is being collected about our bodies. There are medical breakthroughs all the time, creating innovations all around us being used to make medical diagnoses. We will explore some of these trends today.
Healthy Habit Tracking You may have seen it on your friend's wrist, or you may even be wearing one yourself. Habit tracking technologies such as FitBits are ever popular among the health conscious. These biotech inventions can track how many steps you have taken today, your heart rate, and even your sleeping patterns. By monitoring these habits, you can more precisely identify where your gaps are, and how you can improve on those gaps. Long gone are the days where you will wonder when you last exercised. The proof will be on your phone. Genetic Predispositions for Health Modern science has identified that some people are more susceptible to certain illnesses due to their genetics. As of recently, these include genetic predispositions to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, and probably the one that has seen a lot of press lately, breast cancer. By being able to identify what you are susceptible to due to your genetics, you can take the necessary precautions such as seeing the doctor sooner for screenings. Genetic testing can also identify specific allergies, and genetic carrier statuses, such as sickle cell anemia. These have been life-changing in improving quality of life, and family planning. Telemedicine for Improved Healthcare Access Access to a physician can be difficult for many people, especially those who work during doctor's office hours or those who have limited physical mobility. With the advent of video-conferencing and smartphones, telemedicine or telehealth is changing how we see healthcare. While many people still see their doctors in person, the option for remote consultations via telemedicine technologies provides a layer of convenience and comfort. Artificial Intelligence Hundreds of years of established medical science have identified that certain illnesses are predictable based on some select factors. The extensive collection of data in medicine allows us to predict, and in some cases even medically diagnose patients. This can result in fewer errors and faster treatment. BioTech trends are changing medicine, from an individual every-day scale to a worldwide scale. If you want to benefit from these wonderful medical technologies, make sure you have a trustworthy insurance company on your side! Resources: Fitness Peak Bioscience Resource Project Freenome Artificial Intelligence TeleMed 2U
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 Getting help for an addiction illness is an important consideration. Among the things one has to consider is what type of treatment to get and where to get that treatment. Unfortunately, addiction treatment has a price tag. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act of 2009, healthcare insurance plans are required to cover addiction treatment costs much the same as they would any other illness. But what about people who don't have insurance?
Types of Treatment First and foremost, the depth of the addict's addiction will often dictate which type of treatment is needed. In a financial pinch, outpatient treatment might be the best option, due to its superior affordability. Still, inpatient treatment is usually preferred because this option offers a more thorough solution. Of course, other treatment options might be necessary, including Suboxone, dual diagnosis treatment, or family therapy. Before selecting the appropriate treatment option, a prospective patient should consult with their healthcare insurance provider to determine what's covered and to what extent. Financing Addiction Treatment Costs When health care insurance is not available, patients might need to consider other financing options. Here are some alternative ways to finance your addiction treatment costs. Health Savings Account An HSA is a newer concept in finance, but it is quickly becoming the preferred method for financing out-of-pocket healthcare costs. HSAs are basically savings accounts, but they can only be used for healthcare expenses. The advantage of an HSA is that your contributions to the account go in pre-tax, which effectively means that Uncle Sam is matching approximately 20% of your contribution. HSAs are especially helpful when combined with high-deductible health insurance plans, which typically have far lower premium rates and out-of-pocket maximums. Personal Savings However, if you're already looking for tips on how to pay for treatment, chances are you need a more immediate source of funds. The thought of using your savings account might sound unappealing because you might feel like you are sacrificing a portion of your future. But frankly, you might not have much of a future without immediate treatment. Sacrificing savings might put a dent in your plans, but you'll get through treatment without incurring new debt, and you can always recover your savings by saving more aggressively in the future. Personal Loan If you have something of value to offer as collateral, you should be able to get a personal loan to cover some or all of your addiction treatment costs. You'll want to shop for the best possible rates. It's new debt, but it could be life-saving debt, and will probably come at lower rates than credit card debt or provider financing. Rehab Facility Financing Provider financing could be an excellent alternative because an addiction treatment facility is more likely to understand how debt might interrupt recovery. For this reason, they can usually create a custom financing package that's manageable for each patient. Let me say this very clearly: if you’re struggling with addiction, please get help now. However you pay for it, your well being, your future, and your very life are in jeopardy until you get clean. Don’t delay. Contact a mental health professional or a doctor and get a referral to a treatment center or program near you and start to reclaim your life. It’s worth it. References: https://www.addictioncenter.com/rehab-questions/cost-of-drug-and-alcohol-treatment/ https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/what-is-an-hsa/ https://rightpathaddictioncenters.com/suboxone-film-right-for-you/ https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction  With regards to insurance coverage for cosmetic procedures, there is good news as well as bad news. The bad news is that it is impossible for insurance to cover purely cosmetic procedures. However, if the cosmetic procedure is medically necessary, it may be covered by insurance even if it will also improve your appearance. And that’s the good news.
A Medical Nose Job Can Be Covered Certain medical nose procedures are typically covered by most healthcare plans. These medical jobs can also be called septoplasty or a deviated septum procedure. But if it’s rhinoplasty, that is for purely aesthetic reason, and it will not be covered. You are advised to work with an ENT who will help to justify that you need your nose reconstruction job to correct your breathing problems. Many patients with nose problems usually choose to undergo septoplasty combined with rhinoplasty at the same time to improve the appearance of their noses. The insurance will most likely cover the necessary septoplasty procedure, but you may be required to pay for the rhinoplasty. Orthodontic Procedures Can Be Covered There are dental insurance plans that cover certain orthodontic or dental procedures. But various factors affect the actual cost of orthodontic procedures such if you have or don’t have dental insurance and the recommended dental treatments or procedures. It will depend on your dental insurance plan as to how much discount you will get for the cost of undergoing dental. If you're wondering on the teeth straightening front, braces and plastic teeth aligners can also be paid for. You may consider the following tips if you want to save money on dental procedures:
Some Botox Procedures Can Be Covered If your Botox procedure is purely for aesthetic improvement, it will not be covered by insurance. However, if the botox procedure is functional or medically necessary, the insurance company will shoulder part of or perhaps even all of the expenses. The procedure should be considered as reconstructive and that your medical condition is considerably interfering with your quality of life. These medical conditions could include migraine headaches, facial and eyelid spasms and hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. Always remember to ask your doctor plenty of questions regarding the resources available for these, as they could have some financial resources available.  Depending on whether you want children, seeing positive results on a pregnancy test can either be a joyful experience or a terrifying nightmare. Maybe you never wanted kids at all. Maybe you want them one day, but right now, you’re unable to provide for them. Maybe you want to be a parent, but you're not sure if you're healthy enough for a pregnancy. No matter what your circumstances are, if you’re dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, life as you know it is going to change for a little while.
Before you panic, you need to make sure you have the best health insurance and visit a doctor in your network to confirm the pregnancy. Determining how far along you are and asking the right questions will guide you in making a choice. Am I Healthy Enough to Carry a Baby? Your overall health and fitness levels will affect your ability to have a healthy pregnancy. This isn’t to say that if you’re overweight, out of shape or currently eating a poor diet that you can’t turn things around. If you want this baby, then making changes now will have a substantial effect on the outcome. However, there might be certain conditions that will make pregnancy, delivery or parenting more difficult. It’s wise to talk to your doctor to gain a realistic view of what the future might look like before you make a decision. Am I On Any Medications that Could Prevent a Healthy Pregnancy? Studies show that millennials are having fewer children, and one reason for that is mental health. A lot of people suffer from depression and anxiety these days, and the medications for these disorders are often dangerous for a developing fetus. Some people have decided to skip parenthood because it would be too difficult or dangerous to go off of their medications. Other types of medications can be dangerous during pregnancy as well. If you are on opioids such as Percocet or Vicodin, or others like Thalomid, Codeine, Accutane, Ultram, or Prozac, speak with your doctor immediately. If you’re thinking about having the baby, be sure to ask your doctor if anything in your medication regimen needs to change. If it does, you can discuss alternative medications or therapies that may help during the pregnancy. What if I Don’t Want to Keep the Baby? Even if you think you’re against having kids, you should allow yourself some time to get over the shock and think about it. You don’t want to make a choice you’ll regret one day. That being said, if you know with certainty that parenthood isn’t for you, that’s okay. It isn’t for everyone, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about that. Once you’ve made up your mind, you can ask your doctor about your options. Adoption The benefit of adoption is knowing that you’ve done a wonderful, selfless thing for both your baby and their adoptive parents. The negatives include having to go through the pregnancy and having to suffer the pain of giving up your child. Adoption also comes with the possibility of regret. However, an open adoption, which allows the birth parent visits with the child, makes this option more appealing. You'll get to see the child and have some form of a relationship if you choose. This relationship may continue after the child reaches adulthood. If you decide to proceed with the pregnancy, it is essential to contact an OB within your insurance network to schedule a first appointment. To get health insurance today, contact George Beach Insurance Services. References: https://www.webmd.com/baby/managing-a-high-risk-pregnancy#1 https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preconceptioncare/conditioninfo/healthy-pregnancy https://aguardianangel.com/ https://prevailintervention.com/percocet-addiction-signs/  If you are scheduled for an upcoming surgery, it is only natural to have doubts and concerns. These feelings are normal, even for minor, minimally invasive surgeries. One of the best ways to alleviate anxiety about medical procedures is to ask plenty of questions before you enter the operating theater.  The Basics First of all, you should ask about the basics of the procedure. Your doctor should be willing to walk you through the process so that you know what to expect, from the moment you enter the hospital until you are discharged. If you are unclear on any aspect of the procedure, do not be afraid to follow up. This is about your health and life, and you are your own best advocate. You should also make sure that your insurance company is on board with this procedure so you aren’t left holding a huge bill at the end of the day. Inpatient or Outpatient You should also ask how long you will be in the treatment facility. Knowing this can help you plan what to bring, and can also help you navigate your insurance company's rules for inpatient versus outpatient procedures. If you will be in the hospital for several days, it is a good idea to bring some entertainment items, and arrange for visitors. Hospital food is notoriously unappetizing, so you might want to ask your care team if you will be allowed to bring in an outside snack or two.  Rules For Visitors Some people feel much more comfortable if a loved one can be present during the procedure. This is not always possible, depending on the type of surgery. Knowing in advance whether you can have a support person in the operating room with you can help you better prepare. What To Expect During Recovery Sometimes physicians are so focused on the details of the surgery itself that they fail to give you an adequate understanding of what the recovery period will entail. Ask as many questions about recovery as you do about the procedure. Find out how long you will be on bedrest or have limited mobility. Also, ask what options will be available to treat residual pain. Doctors often prescribe opioid medications as a post-surgery pain treatment, but these medications are highly addictive. If this is a risk you'd like to avoid, ask your doctor about alternatives.  What Resources Are Available
If your procedure will be performed at a large medical complex, contact the surgical center and find out what resources will be available for you. You might have access to recovery and support groups, outside funding, or other community resources. Knowing what tools you have at your disposal can make the recovery process a little easier. With research and communication, you will be an informed patient, ready for a successful and life-improving procedure. Your research should focus on all aspects, including how this will work with your insurance, what you need to do to prepare, and what you will need after your surgery. Resources: |
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