journaljunkie

Do Doctors Work For Insurance Companies

admin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

This is truly a complex question, it’s true that insurance companies do employ some physicians for claim and qualification purposes; however, the AMA’s code of ethics is also a document in play for physicians (at least those in the United States). In today’s world insurance companies tend to dictate the type of care and tests that can be conducted by a medical professional, because it comes down to will the professional be paid for their services and technology? Some physicians will alert a patient that a certain type of treatment or procedure may not be covered by insurance and therefore the patient is responsible for payment. Then the decision is left up to the patient themselves. While this is a way for the patient to work around insurance companies it is truly unfortunate that the doctors are bound to the insurance companies. Compared to an office situation where the boss issues payment through the accounting department for employees, the insurance companies issue payment to the doctors for the services rendered. Therefore, in a direct comparison the doctors do in fact work for the insurance companies, because that is who is paying them. It is just the reality of today’s world.

Do Insurance Companies Work For Doctors

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

People often question whether insurance companies work for doctors, especially in some cases of worker’s compensation. In a worker’s compensation claim a worker is supposed to be reimbursed financially for an injury that he or she acquired on the job. The claim goes through the job, then to an insurance company. This insurance company may send the injured worker to a specific doctor that it has lined up. The insurance company does not work for that doctor, but it may prefer that specific doctor for several reasons which will be covered.Didn’t catch that? This explains it.

Before payment of a worker’s compensation claim, the injured worker must see a doctor who is specified by the insurance company. The worker must have a physical examination by this doctor only. The doctor will then write up a diagnosis and recommendation and the insurance company will act based on the recommendations of that doctor.

Many times the doctor that is chosen by the insurance company will make a ruling that the injured worker is not injured at all. In cases like that, the insurance company will deny the claim. Other times the doctor will diagnose the worker as eligible to return to work in a very quick amount of time so that amount of award to the worker is very low. The insurance company does not work for the doctor, nor does the doctor work for the insurance company. However, it sometimes seems as if they are allies.

Doctors In Congress Make a Difference

www.journaljunkie.com — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

As lawmakers debate the logistics of President Obama’s health care overhaul and other equally important healthcare related matters doctors in congress make a difference. Politicians often cast their vote based on the sentiments of their constituents without fully understanding the complexity of an issue while a practicing physician has firsthand experience in dealing with the reality of health care economics such as the denial of a necessary procedure or medication by insurance carriers.

Insurance reimbursement is a factor most doctors will need to consider in how they will treat each individual patient. The physician must consider the financial consequences to their practice and the patient if the carrier decides a costly surgery or diagnostic procedure is not medically necessary. Sometimes against their judgment and medical training they must deny certain services to patients with insufficient coverage or without insurance altogether.

Without the input of practicing physicians important health care bills would certainly overlook the required verbiage necessary to make them practical and workable for real patients with real medical conditions. It is only through actual experience that one is able to predict the impact of issues such as Obama’s healthcare plan, funding for medical research, the AIDS epidemic, insurance regulation, etc.

College-Published Medical Journals

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Some of the best medical journals in the country come from college towns. Small hamlets of culture and intellectualism where home security companies and officers help residents at night and trendy restaurants stay open for decades. Here are a few of our favorites:
Dermatology Online Journal: Published by the University of California, this medical journal is rife with information about the ever-changing dermatological field. Experts weigh in on complex issues like cancer, sun damage and even oxygenation making this journal a must read for dermatologists.
American Journal of Clinical Oncology: Published by the good folks at the American College of Radiation Oncology, this medical journal hits on everything cancer related, from surgeries to alternative medicine. Cancer patients and doctors alike read this journal for trending topics.
Journal of Medical Toxology: Though not technically a “college,” the American College of Toxology works hard to continue education on the science of toxology. This medical journal addresses substance abuse, drug interactions and new potent drug combinations so it’s a good read for physicians and pharmacists alike.
Some of the great think tanks of the world are in college towns, so it makes sense some of the world’s most influential medical journals come from them, too.

The Top Rated Heart Doctor In The World

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In 2008 I happen to be the proud recipient of a four artery bypass. While getting the bypass the Doctor discovered an anurysm on the root of my Aorta. He determined that it required fixing and did just that.

The way I came to getting to this point was a strange situation. My doctor asked me to take a stress test, which is very difficult because I have had a left hip replacement and have had problems and cannot walk for any long distance. After the test, I was told that the doctor would contact me in a week or so to discuss the results.

The next morning, as I was playing mechanic, my Doctor called me and said “You were supposed to be here at 9. I told him what the nurse had said and he asked me to report to his office right then. I did take time to wash my hands, but did not have the time to clean my fingernails. Anyway, as dirty as I was, I went to his office. He said “you need to go directly to the hospital for heart surgery”. Of course my answer meant nothing to him but I told him I had to complete putting the engine and transition in my brothers pick up then I would see him. He was so mad. But come Sunday morning when I had chest pains I was certainly glad to see him enter the Emergency Room and start actions forthwith.

What I am trying to say that whether he was the best surgeon or not, he was the Best Heart Doctor in the World to recognize I was only a day or two from having a severe heart attack which may have killed me. But the Best Doctor in the World had me in his hands as soon as I was at the hospital.

Are Drugs From Canada Safe For Americans

admin — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

With the rising cost of prescription medications in the United States, many people are turning to the neighbor to our South for their prescription needs. There has been an incredible debate over rather the drugs from Canada are safe for Americans. The FDA has made several statements against purchasing drugs in Canada, but their reasons have been incredibly limited.

Rod Blagojevich, an Illinois governor had proposed legislation that would have given state employees the ability to obtain inexpensive prescriptions from Canadian sources. During the research for the legislation, which eventually failed, there was much debate over the very limited information the FDA has on Canadian medications.

Several sources asked for examples of Americans who had been harmed by Canadian medications, however the FDA was unable to provide the requested information. The Canadian government does have restrictions in place to protect the quality of medication. Research has shown that these requirements meet or exceed the restrictions of the FDA in every category.

Canadian medications are closely monitored. Many believe that the FDA is simply trying to help American drug makers keep pushing a profit. By all indication Canadian produced medications are as safe, if not safer than the counterparts produced in America.

The Food And Drug Administration Is A Necessary Agency

admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Food and Drug Administration, also known as the FDA, is necessary for the protection of public health. This agency assures the security, safety and efficiency of both veterinary and human drugs. They are the agency in control of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics and cosmetic testing, medical devices, and products such as biological products and such products that emit radiation. One may more commonly know of the FDA for their role in protecting the public’s’ health by educating on healthy food choices, ensuring the safety of widely prescribed medications, attempting to reduce smoking by minors, and educating the public at large on the dangers of tobacco products. Underage tobacco consumption is a very concerning matter. If you want to learn how to quit-smoking, http://www.healthline.com/health, is where my friend Justin found some great information that helped him to quit smoking. This is a large issue we are facing in today’s society. Other important things the FDA controls is the development of medical products to respond to natural and deliberate threats to our health. This is the role The Food and Drug Administration plays in our Nation’s counterterrorism campaign. Whether you know it or not this agency plays an active role in your everyday life. From the food you eat to the medications and vitamins you take the FDA is looking out for your health everyday.

Are Chiropractors Good For Back Problems

admin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Are chiropractors good for back problems? For some people the answer is a big yes. The manipulation and methods of a chiropractor along with the correct follow up care can make a big difference in some back problems. Most of these are the more acutely painful back problems that do persist for a really long time. If you strained your lower back lifting an object or just working around the house, or when playing a sport, you may have caused back spasms and pain. A chiropractor can offer you relief for this. They can also give you a plan to help you stay pain free.
If you have degenerative discs though, the condition where the discs in your spine are actually hardening and literally disappearing, a chiropractor can possibly provide some temporary relief from pain, but you will not eliminate the problem.
Chiropractors adjust or manipulate the spine. They will move your joints beyond the usual range of motion, keeping within the range of motion that the joint is supposed to move through. This is why a patient will hear popping or cracking noises during chiropractic adjustment.
Using ice on the area can relieve the pain too, and then if you are able to follow up with exercises for the back it will help maintain it.
The best exercises for the back are stretches, which done properly can alleviate a lot of the pain and strengthen muscles that help support the spine. Your abdominal muscles also need this kind of strengthening as they will assist in keeping the back pain free.

New England Journal of Medicine: Acetaminophen Toxicity

www.journaljunkie.com — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In partial response to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine dated October 16, 1997 which revealed that “suicidal patients ingested almost twice as much acetaminophen as those in the accidental-overdose group, and that those who accidentally overdosed on acetaminophen showed greater levels of liver necrosis” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) announced on January 17, 2011 that it will “limit the active pain-reducing ingredient in the pain medications Percocet and Vicodin.”The administration went on to say they would order drug manufacturers to reduce the amount of acetaminophen to 325 milligrams per tablet (or dosage unit) in pain medications such as Percocet (Tylox) and Vicodin (Lortab).It is reported that the FDA plans to completely phase out what it calls “high dose” prescription medications that contain acetaminophen within a three year period.The Deputy Director of the Office of New drugs in the FDA’s Center for Drug and Evaluation Research (CDER) commented the “FDA is taking this action to make prescription combination pain medications containing acetaminophen safer for patients to use” and went on to state that “overdose from prescription combination products containing acetaminophen account for nearly half of all cases of acetaminophen-related liver failure in the United States; many of which result in liver transplant or death.”Interestingly, over-the-counter acetaminophen is not facing the same restrictions currently pursued for its prescription counterpart (since the FDA has stated that it has no intention of imposing such restrictions on over-the-counter drugs) which means that after the three-year roll out it is feasible that over-the-counter acetaminophen will actually be stronger than the acetaminophen prescribed by doctors.How’s that for logic.

Possible Resources

www.journaljunkie.com — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

If you plan to dive into some medical journals in areas where you may not have a vast amount of expertise, you may want to also include the reading from one or more of the following (or at a minimum have handy for quick reference) as you navigate some vernacular that may not be on the tip of your tongue.Medical Terminology Made Easy (Jean M. Dennerll) promotes learning through word building. Book sections are grouped by topic and body system and each builds from simple to complex through a series of instructional and interactive coaching. Ideal for individuals who wish to teach themselves basic medical terminology or as a supplement to entry-level health care oriented courses.Medical Terminology with Human Anatomy (Jane Rice) is a comprehensive look at all aspects of medical terminology. The text is arranged by body systems and specialty areas and makes learning easy and interesting by presenting important prefixes, roots, and suffixes as they relate to each specialty or system. Readers’ vocabulary and knowledge develop in a systematic way.Medical Terminology for Heath Professions (Ann Ehrlich) targets those who need to grasp the concepts of medical terminology quickly and easily. Written in easy-to-understand language that appeals to all learning types, this book simplifies the process of learning hundreds of difficult to pronounce medical terms into manageable steps.Some of these (or others) may be available on Kindle for those who prefer paperless reading, so check with your local sources before purchasing hard copies.