My take on a big part of the high cost of health care and why we are
Posted By: being sacrificed. on 2008-12-08
In Reply to:
Do y'all know how much nurses get paid? My sister is a nurse and gets around $40 an hour, where she works no weekends, no evenings, occasional call for which they get paid very well, OT if they happen to have to go in on the weekend, DOUBLE PAY if they work on their birthday, etc., etc. And then there's the pension, and the great insurance and on and on. Sometimes all they have to do is make phone calls to make their dough, and I am not talking OR nurse. And then we get thrown to the dogs. And no, I am not going to go into nursing because I am too old. I am just disgusted.
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I think it's important to note why health care costs are so high, first of all, SM
one big problem is govt involvement, just like with college, the more the govt is involved, the more the cost goes up. Secondly, laywers run up the cost by frivolous lawsuits and docs have to pay higher premiums for their malpractice insurance. Third, we are paying for illegals, people using emergency rooms for care and not paying, the list goes on and on. Hospitals charge people with insurance more to make up for some of this, because they know the insurance will pay for it, so people who do pay cash really end up paying inflated prices too.
It's complicated, but that is the root problem.
Here's another reason why health care is so high people can't afford it and ...SM
A while back I had to go to the ER for a particularly bad Meniere's episode. I asked for an itemized bill, and you know what they charged me for 4 mg of ondansetron?
$544.
Everyone is PAYING for health insurance now because of soaring cost
of health insurance to employer. Retirement plans are also being retracted. It's a tough world out there and it's not the employer's responsibility to absorb the cost of insurance for employees. I know my company keeps raising my rate for family coverage and I pay for it or go to Sam's Club to buy it myself.
By the way, if you are interested in why companies are outsourcing it is because of the costs of the benefits for employees. I am working on a hospital account for my national MT company who has turned all work over to my company. It is a HUGE teaching hospital. They find it cheaper to pay my company than to pay employees an hourly wage plus benefits. And that is why so many jobs are being outsourced.
Considering the high cost of living in.....
Florida, you are giving away your services. Out in California they're getting 12-14 cents a line, and that was 5 yrs ago.
More on high cost of living...
That is right about California; in fact, over 15 cents is common, particularly for docs and administrators who are interested in keeping the work local.
If you live somewhere with a high cost of living, like
MTSOs are too cheap to give us a wage we can live on. CA also has more laws protecting the worker.
I am not sure about the health records part
PO does not have any of my husband's health care records, and he does not use any sort of PO identification number when he goes to the doctor. So I am a little confused by that statement.
IMO, people wont care. If will cost them more
x
MT in addition to other health care job?
I know that there are MTs out there that are MTs along with another HC job, but have never heard anything specific.
I am about to start MT school but in about 2-3 years the opportunity for me to go to school to become an RRT will present itself (it might not again for another 5 yrs past that point). It (being an RRT) is something I have wanted to do for a while, but only as PRN or part time work because of the shifts, the ages of my kids and my dh's work schedule (out of town a lot and weird hours). Because of that, I figure I could work as an IC (obviously 20hrs/wk or less) during RRT school and nights and weekends when I am not at my RRT job. We move every couple of years and IC work (for a national at home) could also serve as a steady income source while I find another RRT position (which could conceivably take a while considering my limitations regarding work hours outside my home).
Since I obviously do neither job right now, I don't know how realistic my expectations of this are. Does anyone juggle these two jobs? I know its most likely nurses that do this, but I welcome anyone's comments.
I definitely plan on going to MT school, because its available now, the work will be there, and being an MT is an excellent fit for me. Just trying to plan ahead - I know dh will want to know if I am giving up plans to go to RRT school because of this.
Thanks.
Socialized health care
http://www.liberty-page.com/issues/healthcare/socialized.html#britain
Here are some stats you might find interesting
Canadian Health Care
A 6-8 week wait time to see a gynecologist? Is that good or bad for the US. I personally have been waiting to see an endocrinologist for 1 year, 3 months...still nothing. Seriously. The wait time for any type of procedure of specialty is actually quite scary. Sometimes it feels as though we are in Russia, we just happen to pay more taxes. We "pay" for our health care with 13% tax on absolutely everything you buy. That is supposedly for health care, but it really doesn't seem to help. I personally believe the problem is in the fact there are not enough doctors. When you compare how many doctors there are in each specialty to the amount of patients that require them, that is where the wait time comes into play. Ironically, Canada is starting to implement "pay as you go" clinics for procedures because the wait time is so ridiculous. It seems that Canada is adopting the US's health system and the US is looking to adopt Canada's system. That reminds me of something...the grass is always greener on the other side (nope, same grass, different place). Take care all.
Try to work w/o distractions, if the cost of day-care is an issue -sm
then you will have to learn to work when your kids are sleeping basically. That is what I did. It is hard and you do not sleep much...I generally worked at night until 2am and got up at 8am before they were old enough for preschool, and squeezed in work here and there during the day. The younger they are though the easier it is to work I think. But you can do it, but you better be determined if you want to do it that way. I still work at night but not that late anymore since I have 7 hours during the day to myself now. It's still very hard to work when they are home (5&7) but my DH watches them a lot and takes care of them when I do have to work and they are home, so good home support helps too. I have 2 jobs so must still work crazy hours but I do what needs to be done.
Whether you like it or not, your private health care is distributed to others
Everytime you are diagnosed, have a test, go to the doctor, everytime you are billed, your information goes into a data base that all health care providers (insurance companies) have access to. I don't get the big deal over this all of a sudden. So someone in India finds out you are treated for a wart or depression. So what? What difference does it make as far as privacy goes if India MT knows this or Kansas MT knows this?
I will take canada's health care in a nanosecond
Well, I gotta tell ya, I would love to have Canada's health care, as I dont have health care..You see, if you are an SE, MQ does not offer health care. So, universal health care through the govt, IMHO, is better than paying out of my pocket.
Anyone have info on K Force Health care? nm
nm
This is an example of our mangled health care system.
So my husband smacks his elbow on something at work at the end of the day and as he is driving home notices his elbow is swelling up huge. He goes to the doctor and they say they can't do anything without his employer's consent to workers' comp and send him home without even an ice pack. The next day he goes to work and his boss gives him $100 to say it was done at home and to go get it fixed. I have taken a picture of his elbow and sent him to the doctor. He had already told them it was done at work when he went in yesterday anyway, so he is going to tell his boss that and give the $100 back. Amazing.
Aurora Health Care wiscionsin also.
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There needs to be a way to provide universal health care BUT sm
I don't believe that a national system is the right answer. If you look to Hawaii which has a law for universal coverage, it works pretty well.
We have had CHiPS which is the child health plan. I know something about that and had it for my own grown kids when it very first started. You get that if you don't qualify for Medicaid, and if your employer doesn't provide or if the premium of what is provided through employment is more than a given percentage of income.
This issue is one that I feel is best handled by the states, not by the feds. All you have to do is look at the No Child Left Behind to see how well that kind of thing works. States know what their demographics look like. They know what sector of the population is without health insurance and they know what funds they provide to various indigent programs to provide for the poor. It is the lower middle class woman and the lower middle class child who is most likely to be uninsured because they make too much for Medicaid and too little for any type of private insurance and most employers in this bracket can't/won't offer anything.
If you look at Medicare, which is a mess actually, and CHiPS which functions better, they are about the same idea for two different sectors of the population. There are HMOs and plans that one chooses. They are all a bit different, but you all know how this works. The companies who insure people through these plans keep costs and premiums down in order to participate.
I am in favor of the federal government figuring out a capitation rate along the lines of Medicare or Medicaid and paying this to the states, but more broadly to cover more people. Then, the states can figure out what they can contribute. If they eliminate funding for indigent services to cover these people under a statewide plan, that can go into the kitty. Every person in every state WITHOUT employer provided insurance, will be required to contribute to the state plan in some way, based on income. Employees with company provided insurance can opt to participate in the state program. The idea is to recoup the money wasted on county, city and state indigent programs and put it to the greater good. With having not to cover unpaid medical bills because there aren't any, anymore, it should help to raise the amount that states and other agencies have to pay into the system. Insurance companies will have to bid lower to participate in this, because I think it is best that they are the ones who administrate, private sector always does better...
well now I am boring you, but I see what I mean! LOL
A husband to take care of the bills and the health
nm
Soon it will be the government, Universal Health Care, nm
xxx
United Health Care medical insurance
 Well, I am about to use my vision coverage insurance for United Health Care. Eye Exam 2000 said they only covered 15-20% of the exam, 20% of cost of lens/glasses. I have never heard of such a low amount covered. I guess I have the wrong plan. Anyone else disappointed with United Health Care benefits besides me? I work for a large national.
Thanks. I guess I am hoping someone will tell me I am wrong and that 80% of the bill is covered. That this is all a mistake.
Signed,
Squinting
you can't insure your body, just paying for health care for it.
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off shoring tests for health care professionals
Below is an ad I found were they are offshoring the devlopement of questions now this is scary
Title: Healthcare Exam Question Writing |
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
![](http://www.offshorexperts.com/images/pixel_gray.gif")
The client is based in the United States that is providing training and education to health care professionals.
The client is looking to outsource the process to outsource agents who can write exam questions from the source material (source material can come from journal articles, books, etc.)
1. The client will provide the source material either by email or by providing the web address.
2. The outsource agent will write multiple choice questions from the source material provided. Each question will only have 4 possible answers, with only one answer being correct.
3. The client will designate the number of questions required per course.
4. The outsource agent will format the questions in a format that will be provided.
5. The outsource agent will email the questions to the client for review and editing.
6. The client will email the edited questions back to the outsource agent.
7. The outsource agent will upload the edited questions to the client website.
The client will pay one dollar US ($1) for each question written.
We believe that for a typical set of question will require 15 questions and will most likely take about 3 hours to complete. This equals about $5 US per hour. We anticipate rejecting some of the questions that are developed, though the client will consider paying for the development. The client will work with the selected agents in the future to assist with question development.
No Project Files
IL Health Care Worker Background Check Act
Type "225 ILCS 46/" in your search engine. It should give you the Health Care Worker Background Check Act for Illinois. There are several proposed amendments regarding non-fingerprint-based ID before the legislature for the 2007-2008 session. I hope this is what you seek.
OOps meant best health care in the world
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If you think that's bad, just wait 'til we get "free" health care. NM
xxx
Good for you. You're a wise woman. Take care of your health first. nm
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51yo female, divorced, 20yo son, 35 yrs in health care
Excuse me, but who was the health care worker who then disclosed the HIV status?
Ashe's HIV status and career decline. had nothing to do with a healthcare worker disclosing it.
Govt is promoting EMR to reduce health care costs.
Major cuts taking place in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. See Bush's Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, billions of dollars being cut. Word is that private insurance will follow suit, with higher deductibles among other things. You can thank the
Could your hubs become a patient of a home health care agency and then you could work for them
s
I started part-time in a doc's office while still in high school. sm
That was in 1984. My career just bloomed from there......
Study found that electronic health records did not boost patient care. sm
Link to article on yahoo news stating that electronic health records fail to improve care, study says.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/records_dc;_ylt=AsT2t1nasUEaoOxgIsyoMUOs0NUE
I dont care if you stay home because ofyour kids, a health issue - sm
or because you just like to work in tne nude. The fact of the matter is, settling for a lower rate jsut for the convenience of working from home is BS. I've been doing this for 25 years and have been home since 1996 and while I know I am not making the same money I did in the haydays, I sure as he11 will not work for less. Many of these companies are bluffing if they tell you they have to lower your rate. In fact, if you hold your ground and have a decent reputation, you can even make more.
It's too bad that so many people don't believe in their abilities and worth to hold out. You should never base your decision on fear. Use logic and common sense.
The easy part is making the decision to leave, the hard part is
actually doing it. Been in your shoes and it took me a year and a half to leave after I had made the decision to do so. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself and my girls. I had family and friends and a counselor telling me what needed to be done and I knew what needed to be done but until I had the courage on my own to do it I stayed. One day, we had an argument and he spit in my face and that was the last straw for me. Even though it is something that I will NEVER forget, that day is also a day I will never forget because it is the day that I took my kids and left. I am a single mom of 2 and have been single and supporting us for 5 years now. I have been healing ever since and still am to this day. You can do this. I know that if I hadn't have left and I would have stayed one of us would be dead by now or both.
Kinship care versus foster care/adoption
Having been placed in a position where I now have custody of my 3 YO granddaughter and going through the legal system, I sought an online network of relative caregivers for children. I would encourage you, especially since you are in Georgia, that if you take any children into foster care with the idea of adopting them, there is federal law that requires the state to take certain actions in a specific time frame. When a child is removed from it's bio parent(s), the state is required to investigate any possible relatives who can take the child before foster care is considered, but even before that, reunification with the parents is the priority. Once a child enters the system and is in the system for 15 out of any 22 months, the state is required to find permanent placement for the child.
The problem with this is that there are case workers who may favor a foster family and do not seek out relative care. I have a good friend in Georgia who had to fight all the way to the state level to get custody of her grandson after the child was placed from the hospital into a foster care home with the promise that the foster parents would be allowed to adopt. She has now adopted her grandson, but it was a long, hard battle to get the state to admit their own interests were placed above those of the child and/or family.
If you get a child placed through the state, please make certain there is not a relative who wants that child before you get your hopes up. The courts are now favoring return of children to relatives even after a child has spent years with a foster family who hoped to adopt them.
States get bonus federal funds by complying with the time lines and being able to close the case, so some states place children in foster care because it is easier than trying to locate relatives.
Didn't mean to go off on a tangent, but I can't imagine my sweet bella going to someone outside her family.
If it was a clinic, it might have been urgent care, but it was NOT acute care. sm
Acute care refers to work in an acute care setting, a hospital, doing at least History and Physicals, Discharge Summaries, Consultations, Surgery notes, Emergency Department notes, and much more, including GI procedures, Cardiology procedures, Neurological procedures, Pulmonary Function Studies. It goes on and on and it means and acute care hospital setting, not a clinic.
I always figure if they don't care about their dictation, they probably don't care about their
nm
Dont care how many languages you took. Care
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What's up with the CMT part A and part B exams?
I thought it was all one test. How can a half a test last 6-1/2 hours? If anyone knows, please share your info! Thanks!
We met in high school. My high school sweetheart
introduced us in a discussion over Ford versus Chevy versus Dodge. I used to race my Dodge Coronet with oldstyle 318 V-8 engine against the guys on the back roads and old highways. High school boyfriend had a Chevy truck. DH had a Ford Fairlane and later an AMC Javelin that just made me swoon. We didn't actually start dating until three years later, and my old high school boyfriend was a bit surprised at that since he introduced us.
Does anyone know if you are a part time employee for 1 company and part time IC for another can you
still claim deductions for IC on your income tax even though you are one of each.
Depends on how part time the part time jobs are.
You can do it. You just have to work out a schedule you can live with.
cost??
Why is Andrews so much higher than Career Step? Do you think it's worth it in the end?
cost?
You will not be disappointed with Career Step. It is affordable, thorough and helpful.
TAT cost
A few years back, we got a mass email out of my office about just how much the out of TAT issue had cost over a particular week...somewhere in the ballpark of over 30 grand for just the top 3 major accounts.
Yes, we've been told that the company has to pay hefty fines to the accounts for not being within TAT. Not sure how it is today, but I can't assume much has changed.
CMT cost?
how much does it cost to take the test to be CMT?
It DOES cost a lot more to be IC - SM
On top of the self-employment tax, etc., you don't get the benefit of your company paying 1/2 of your social security so that is where most of your money at tax time goes to. If you are an employee, they match what you pay into social security so it's not as much. I went through the same thing and decided it was not worth my time to work any extra as an IC. I saw the difference in the taxes I paid. Good luck to you.
You can, but it's going to cost you. sm
Several references on Google that will cost you between $40 and $80 for a search, but it would have to be worth what you're looking for before coming up with that kind of money and I really thing that these sites will not give you adequate information.
Check with your post office. They may not be able to give you information, but if you or someone you know is getting unwanted mail from a P.O. box address, they can stop it for you.
cost (nm)
x
cost
Don't know if you ever got an answer for that. I purchased a model 0421 a couple month ago. While this is an older model, it works just as well as long as you get an honest seller. They are expensive and you tend to go out on a limb when trusting that they one you are buying actually works. I paid $145 for mine. Total w/S&H was 170, which was an excellent deal. Either deal through ebay or this site. You can find them in the 150-175 range. Read instructions on ebay closely some say not tested. I actually emailed a seller and gave him him a number of how to test the machines and he was tickled to death. He had no clue what the machine was for. I would say buy a used one before spending the money on a new one. There are a lot of these floating around for sale that have just been collecting dust because people are downloading off the internet. Nothing wrong with the machine, these people just have no use for the machines right now.
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