What's shakin', Portland? Um, maybe the wrong question on a Tsunami Tuesday. Check below for some pointers as to how to handle it if it appears a big wave is headed your way. Every ballot counts The big question: Have you voted? Wait, you knew there was an election today, right? Measure 101 will effectively decide Oregon's major Medicaid funding mechanism. As Elizabeth Hayes writes, it "asks voters to ratify a package of taxes on hospitals and health insurance companies to close a $320 million…
Reported by bizjournals 15 hours ago.
5 things to know on an earth-shaking Tuesday
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State officials praise CHIP renewal
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama officials are praising a result of the federal budget deal: Continued funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program The compromise approved Monday will provide a six-year renewal of the subsidized insurance program for children in low-income families. The program proves health care for 150,000 Alabama children. U.S. Sen. Doug Jones […]
Reported by Seattle Times 11 hours ago.
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Assembly speaker open to Walker health insurance changes
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he’s open to Gov. Scott Walker’s call for a bill to guarantee people with pre-existing conditions get health insurance and to seek a federal waiver to lower premiums. Walker announced Sunday that he wants a state law that would prohibit insurers from denying coverage due to […]
Reported by Seattle Times 10 hours ago.
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Republicans fund children's health insurance program, but leave their local health centers in the lurch
Congressional Democrats and Republicans alike are congratulating themselves for finally passing new funding for the Childrens Health Insurance Program—and for another six years yet!
The funding, which was part of the continuing resolution to end the three-day government shutdown, brought to a close... Reported by L.A. Times 10 hours ago.
The funding, which was part of the continuing resolution to end the three-day government shutdown, brought to a close... Reported by L.A. Times 10 hours ago.
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Bill would put Medicaid policies into separate risk pool
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Senate Health and Human Services Committee is considering a bill aimed at addressing sharp increases in health insurance premiums. About three-quarters of those in the state’s individual market saw their premiums drop or remain flat this year because they’re part of the state’s expanded Medicaid program or get […]
Reported by Seattle Times 9 hours ago.
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9 million kids get health insurance after the shutdown — and progressives are calling that a bad deal?
To the editor: Many people want to paint the Senate Democrats as having “folded” by agreeing to keep the government open until Feb. 8, at which time if the Republicans’ promise to hold a debate and vote on a bill to protect “Dreamers” is not kept, Democrats are free once again not to fund the government....
Reported by L.A. Times 9 hours ago.
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Louisiana ends prep work for children’s health program cuts
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana is ending its preparations for cuts to a health insurance program for low-income children after Congress renewed the program for six years. Andrew Tuozzolo, with Louisiana’s health department, said Tuesday the state already was in the process of rescinding regulatory changes proposed in case the federal funding ran dry. […]
Reported by Seattle Times 7 hours ago.
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Kyoto University and Fujitsu Launch Joint Research Project to Advance Medicine through the Use of AI
Figure: Overview of the ResearchTOKYO, Jan 24, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Kyoto University, Fujitsu Limited, and Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. today announced that they have established the Department of Medical Intelligent Systems, a joint research project at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine to use artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of medicine. The research activities are being conducted as of January 2018 and will run for approximately two years.
The joint research project will use all types of medical information, including patient data accumulated on electronic medical records collected by Kyoto University Hospital and the Fujitsu Group's advanced AI technology, Fujitsu Human Centric AI Zinrai. Through collaboration between Kyoto University's physicians and bioinformatics researchers(1) and the Fujitsu Group's AI engineers, the project will leverage this information and use AI to accelerate R&D toward advanced, next-generation medicine, such as creating new approaches to diagnostic support and drug discovery. Fujitsu and Kyoto University aim to apply the knowledge database platform they've developed through their joint research and the insights it elicits to related fields, such as health insurance, and broadly put them to use for the benefit of society.
Background
With rapid advances in scientific technology, the digitalization of medical front lines continues to progress, and a wide range of medical information (real world data) is being accumulated. It is strongly anticipated that this trend will bring about advanced, next-generation medical care that will deliver optimal care to patients, stemming/resulting from the combination of this data with revolutionary advances in AI to evaluate and analyze medical information, while applying it to the actual clinical front lines.
Currently, AI has already demonstrated an impressive ability to evaluate and analyze certain types of medical images. At the same time, to build AI that can make more sophisticated determinations, it is necessary to use detailed clinical time series data. Much of this data, however, consists of unstructured information, such as notes written by medical personnel. Moreover, there is not yet any AI technology that, in a practical application, can integrate and link together the huge volumes of various types of data, such as the text and figures in electronic medical records, reports in medical journals, genomic data, and diagnostic images. To put this data to use, it has become essential to develop AI for medicine through the close collaboration of researchers with a high degree of knowledge of the medical field with AI researchers and engineers.
Overview of the Research
http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Fujitsu12418Research.jpg
Figure: Overview of the Research
1. Research Period
January 2018 to March 2020
2. Name of the Joint Research Project
Department of Medical Intelligent Systems (Project Leader: Department of Biomedical Data Intelligence, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University Dr. Yasushi Okuno)
3. Project Location
Clinical Research Center for Medical Equipment Development (CRCMeD), Kyoto University Hospital (located in Kyoto)
4. Description of the Research
The research will use a wide range of different and highly sophisticated medical data, including:
- Patient data collected on the electronic medical records of Kyoto University Hospital
- Cancer patient data recorded in the Kyoto University Cancer Treatment Support Database System
- And cohort data(2)
For all of the above, consent has been applied for and given by an ethics committee from the Department of Biomedical Data Intelligence and the Clinical System Oncology Project of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine.
To be able to use AI to generate new knowledge and insights, the data will first be preprocessed using AI (natural language processing), and an environment for analysis will be built. Next, with this huge volume of comprehensively sorted data, another form of AI (machine learning) will be used to extract the common characteristics for each disease indication and create models that will contribute to new approaches to diagnostic support, including the identification of specific disease characteristics from medical images, and the discovery of next-generation drugs. In addition, research will be conducted on advancing AI technology specifically within the field of medicine.
The new knowledge and insights discovered, as well as the AI technology for the medical field, will be comprehensively built onto a platform, leading to the future realization of a knowledge database that can be widely used in the medical field.
Data to be used
a. Electronic medical records stored by Kyoto University Hospital as well as data from its diagnostic support database system
b. With consent from an ethics committee by Kyoto University, data for use in cohort research that has been approved by the steering committee of the Department of Medical Intelligent Systems
c. Public text data from sources such as diagnostic/treatment guidelines and prescription drug documentation
All patient data and cohort research data used in this joint research will be rendered anonymous.
5. Respective Responsibilities
Kyoto University will provide the expertise of its doctors and bioinformatics researchers, personnel training, and evaluation of clinical data.
Fujitsu Group will offer AI technology and big data analysis technology, development of AI technology for the medical field, and construction of the knowledge database platform.
Expectations for the Joint Research Project
By using AI to analyze the large volumes of advanced medical data that have been accumulated on the front lines of medicine, Kyoto University and Fujitsu expect to not only improve the quality of medical care, but also to discover new treatments and diagnostic methods. The partners anticipate that this could precipitate major social change, not only in the medical field, but also in related fields like pharmaceuticals and insurance. Furthermore, Fujitsu will continue research on this platform and system for combining and connecting a wide variety of diverse data in the anticipation that it will also prove broadly useful in fields other than medicine, including manufacturing and finance.
This joint research project will not be limited to just evaluating technology, but through the use of real data, will also create genuinely effective and useful knowledge, giving back meaningful results to society.
(1) Bioinformatics researchers
Experts in bioinformatics, which fuses life science with information science, who analyze information relating to biological life and handle life science questions from a computational theory standpoint.
(2) Cohort
A group used in researching topics such as the causes of disease by comparing the data obtained from following the group, consisting of people with certain elements in common, over a set period of time.
About Fujitsu Ltd
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 155,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.5 trillion yen (US$40 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.
* Please see this press release, with images, at:
http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/
Contact:
Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations
Tel: +81-3-6252-2176
URL: www.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Reported by ACN Newswire 3 hours ago.
The joint research project will use all types of medical information, including patient data accumulated on electronic medical records collected by Kyoto University Hospital and the Fujitsu Group's advanced AI technology, Fujitsu Human Centric AI Zinrai. Through collaboration between Kyoto University's physicians and bioinformatics researchers(1) and the Fujitsu Group's AI engineers, the project will leverage this information and use AI to accelerate R&D toward advanced, next-generation medicine, such as creating new approaches to diagnostic support and drug discovery. Fujitsu and Kyoto University aim to apply the knowledge database platform they've developed through their joint research and the insights it elicits to related fields, such as health insurance, and broadly put them to use for the benefit of society.
Background
With rapid advances in scientific technology, the digitalization of medical front lines continues to progress, and a wide range of medical information (real world data) is being accumulated. It is strongly anticipated that this trend will bring about advanced, next-generation medical care that will deliver optimal care to patients, stemming/resulting from the combination of this data with revolutionary advances in AI to evaluate and analyze medical information, while applying it to the actual clinical front lines.
Currently, AI has already demonstrated an impressive ability to evaluate and analyze certain types of medical images. At the same time, to build AI that can make more sophisticated determinations, it is necessary to use detailed clinical time series data. Much of this data, however, consists of unstructured information, such as notes written by medical personnel. Moreover, there is not yet any AI technology that, in a practical application, can integrate and link together the huge volumes of various types of data, such as the text and figures in electronic medical records, reports in medical journals, genomic data, and diagnostic images. To put this data to use, it has become essential to develop AI for medicine through the close collaboration of researchers with a high degree of knowledge of the medical field with AI researchers and engineers.
Overview of the Research
http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Fujitsu12418Research.jpg
Figure: Overview of the Research
1. Research Period
January 2018 to March 2020
2. Name of the Joint Research Project
Department of Medical Intelligent Systems (Project Leader: Department of Biomedical Data Intelligence, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University Dr. Yasushi Okuno)
3. Project Location
Clinical Research Center for Medical Equipment Development (CRCMeD), Kyoto University Hospital (located in Kyoto)
4. Description of the Research
The research will use a wide range of different and highly sophisticated medical data, including:
- Patient data collected on the electronic medical records of Kyoto University Hospital
- Cancer patient data recorded in the Kyoto University Cancer Treatment Support Database System
- And cohort data(2)
For all of the above, consent has been applied for and given by an ethics committee from the Department of Biomedical Data Intelligence and the Clinical System Oncology Project of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine.
To be able to use AI to generate new knowledge and insights, the data will first be preprocessed using AI (natural language processing), and an environment for analysis will be built. Next, with this huge volume of comprehensively sorted data, another form of AI (machine learning) will be used to extract the common characteristics for each disease indication and create models that will contribute to new approaches to diagnostic support, including the identification of specific disease characteristics from medical images, and the discovery of next-generation drugs. In addition, research will be conducted on advancing AI technology specifically within the field of medicine.
The new knowledge and insights discovered, as well as the AI technology for the medical field, will be comprehensively built onto a platform, leading to the future realization of a knowledge database that can be widely used in the medical field.
Data to be used
a. Electronic medical records stored by Kyoto University Hospital as well as data from its diagnostic support database system
b. With consent from an ethics committee by Kyoto University, data for use in cohort research that has been approved by the steering committee of the Department of Medical Intelligent Systems
c. Public text data from sources such as diagnostic/treatment guidelines and prescription drug documentation
All patient data and cohort research data used in this joint research will be rendered anonymous.
5. Respective Responsibilities
Kyoto University will provide the expertise of its doctors and bioinformatics researchers, personnel training, and evaluation of clinical data.
Fujitsu Group will offer AI technology and big data analysis technology, development of AI technology for the medical field, and construction of the knowledge database platform.
Expectations for the Joint Research Project
By using AI to analyze the large volumes of advanced medical data that have been accumulated on the front lines of medicine, Kyoto University and Fujitsu expect to not only improve the quality of medical care, but also to discover new treatments and diagnostic methods. The partners anticipate that this could precipitate major social change, not only in the medical field, but also in related fields like pharmaceuticals and insurance. Furthermore, Fujitsu will continue research on this platform and system for combining and connecting a wide variety of diverse data in the anticipation that it will also prove broadly useful in fields other than medicine, including manufacturing and finance.
This joint research project will not be limited to just evaluating technology, but through the use of real data, will also create genuinely effective and useful knowledge, giving back meaningful results to society.
(1) Bioinformatics researchers
Experts in bioinformatics, which fuses life science with information science, who analyze information relating to biological life and handle life science questions from a computational theory standpoint.
(2) Cohort
A group used in researching topics such as the causes of disease by comparing the data obtained from following the group, consisting of people with certain elements in common, over a set period of time.
About Fujitsu Ltd
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 155,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.5 trillion yen (US$40 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.
* Please see this press release, with images, at:
http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/
Contact:
Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations
Tel: +81-3-6252-2176
URL: www.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com Reported by ACN Newswire 3 hours ago.
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Vakrangee Announces Excellent Q3 FY2017-18 Results
*Vakrangee Q3 FY2017-18 *
· Net Sales stood at `1,802.42 Crore, YoY growth of 84.13%
· PAT stood at `246.66 Crore, YoY growth of 87.50%
· Vakrangee Market cap at Rs. 50,000 crore
· BSE Code: 511431 & NSE Code: VAKRANGEE
*Vakrangee* is a unique technology driven company focused on building India's largest network of last-mile retail outlets to deliver real-time Banking, Insurance, ATM, e-Governance, e-Commerce and Logistics services. The Company has crossed Rs. 50,000 crore in market capitalization.
*Vakrangee Kendra outlet*
Vakrangee Announced excellent Q3 FY2017-18 results with net sales witnessing a growth of 84.13% stood at `1,802.42 crore in Q3FY2017-18 as against `978.86 crore for the corresponding quarter last year, while PAT increase by 87.5 per cent to `246.66 crore. EPS (basic) for the face value of `1 stood at `2.33 in Q3FY2017-18 as against `1.25 in Q3FY2016-17.
The company is one of the main beneficiary of the government's financial inclusion drive. It runs around +44,200 '*Vakrangee Kendras*' across 17+ states. "We forecast that its store or "*kendra*" revenue and EBITDA will triple over FY 2017-20E, from a doubling of kendras to 75,461; Amazon's activation of services in 58 per cent of its kendras; and an increase in mature stores to 75 per cent from 45 per cent" said *Neerav Dalal, Analyst, MayBank Kim Eng Securities*.
The company offers assisted e-commerce services offering strong platform for buying/collecting/delivering large variety of products; alliance with Netmeds Marketplace Limited to offer medicines and other health products; the Company has also alliance with RedBus for offering bus ticketing services and with Mahindra eMarket Limited, a subsidiary of M&M for promoting and booking automobile products using the last-mile distribution network of Vakrangee Kendra outlets.
The Company has alliance with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) for offering Railway E-Tickets booking through Vakrangee Kendras and has also alliance with IndusInd Bank Limited for Bharat Bill Payment System platform to deliver wide range of bill payment services from Vakrangee Kendra outlets.
The Company has alliance with Vasco Worldwide, an avant-garde travel service enterprise, to provide Travel Concierge & Visa support services and has also tie-up with DMI Finance Private Limited (DMI) to act as a Lead generator for offering its various loan products and collection of EMIs to citizens across Pan India.
The Company has corporate agency tie-up for Life, General and Health insurance with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited and other Insurance Companies.
The Company has also alliance with FedEx Express, Aramex India Private Limited, Delhivery Private Limited and First Flight Couriers Limited for courier and logistics services (Forward Delivery as well as Reverse Pick Up services) using the last-mile distribution network of Vakrangee Kendra outlets.
Vakrangee moves towards its vision 2020 has strategic tie-up with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), India's largest commercial enterprise and Vakrangee Kendra shall be set up in about 20,000 plus IOC Retail Outlets (Filling/Gas Station) located PAN India. Reported by NewsVoir 1 hour ago.
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Check children's health insurance funding off the worry list | Editorial
Congress agreed Monday to provide $124 billion through 2023 for the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Reported by nola.com 19 hours ago.
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Breast Reconstruction: Why Going Out-of-Network Might Work for You
Tips from Practice Manager Andrea Smith for Breast Reconstruction Specialist Dr. Constance M Chen
NEW YORK (PRWEB) January 24, 2018
January 2018 – A diagnosis of breast cancer turns a woman's life upside down. Despite roiling emotions, she must make crucial decisions about treatment and figure out how to manage her life in the face of a new reality. Not least among her concerns are the financial ramifications of her illness, particularly if she will need a mastectomy. Will her insurance cover reconstruction? The surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the hospital, the lab? Procedures on the healthy breast to ensure symmetry? What if she elects to have reconstruction at a later date? What if her preferred surgeon is not in her insurer's network? According to Andrea Smith, who has worked with multiple in-network and out-of-network plastic surgeons in the past and is currently Practice Manager for Breast Reconstruction Specialist Dr. Constance M. Chen, the most important information is that all insurance policies will cover – in fact, must cover – breast reconstruction if it covers mastectomy.
In 1998, Congress passed the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), a federal law that requires group health plans and individual health policies that cover mastectomy to also cover breast reconstruction in connection with such mastectomy. “Before the passage of the WHCRA, insurers could refuse coverage for reconstruction on the grounds that these were cosmetic procedures and not medically necessary,” says Smith. “Women had to pay for reconstruction themselves or forgo it. Supporters of the WHCRA recognized that ensuring that a woman has the option of reconstructive surgery following mastectomy is important to her physical and emotional well-being.”
But even with the protection of the law there is no escaping the anxiety and uncertainty that accompany decisions about breast reconstruction – anxiety that is compounded by the difficulty of navigating the rules and regulations that govern insurance coverage and claims. “A critical decision at this time is the woman's choice of surgeon,” says Smith. “She must choose a doctor who offers a full range of reconstructive options, including the most advanced techniques, but she must also feel comfortable that her medical team understands her unique concerns and preferences and understands how to work with her insurer to ensure that she receives all the benefits to which she is entitled.”
Given the importance of this decision, whether or not the doctor is in her insurer's network is an important concern - but it is one that a woman may be able to overcome. “Out-of-network” simply means that a doctor does not have a pre-negotiated contract with a given health insurance program or company. “In-network” providers have contracted with insurers to provide services to plan members at pre-negotiated rates. “Patients have been conditioned to avoid out-of-network providers for fear that their costs will be higher,” says Smith. “But that will not always be the case and often an out-of-network surgeon will be exactly the right choice for breast reconstruction.”
There are many reasons a woman may choose an out-of-network provider for breast reconstruction: She may have researched restorative options, decided on a particular one, and found that in-network providers either do not offer the procedure or do not have the experience and expertise to instill confidence. Or her research might have pointed her to a particular doctor who has developed or perfected an advanced technique. She may have a compelling recommendation from a family member, a friend, or a trusted medical source. Or she may have met with in-network providers and felt that they were not right for her for any number of reasons.
“The most important criterion in choosing a surgeon is the patient's confidence and comfort level,” says Smith. “This is relevant not just for the surgery itself but to ensure that her care will not impose an undue financial burden.” The surgeon's team must work with the patient to help her understand – in advance – her insurer's requirements, to accurately estimate her expected out-of-pocket costs, and to minimize the risk of unexpected costs.
Smith: “In our practice, the surgeon focuses exclusively on the clinical aspect of the patient’s condition and treats every person without considering her insurance status. My job is to make sure that every patient who wants to go out of network has full access to our services. We want women to be able to focus their energies on getting well. We have many years of experience working with insurers and we do everything we can to relieve our patient of the anxiety and stress of managing the financial aspects of her care.”
Andrea Smith is the Practice Manager for Constance M Chen, MD, PC, a boutique plastic and reconstructive surgery office located in New York City that focuses on innovative natural techniques to optimize medical and aesthetic outcomes for women undergoing breast reconstruction. The practice is committed to patient advocacy and a woman’s right to choose her own breast reconstruction journey. http://www.constancechenmd.com Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.
NEW YORK (PRWEB) January 24, 2018
January 2018 – A diagnosis of breast cancer turns a woman's life upside down. Despite roiling emotions, she must make crucial decisions about treatment and figure out how to manage her life in the face of a new reality. Not least among her concerns are the financial ramifications of her illness, particularly if she will need a mastectomy. Will her insurance cover reconstruction? The surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the hospital, the lab? Procedures on the healthy breast to ensure symmetry? What if she elects to have reconstruction at a later date? What if her preferred surgeon is not in her insurer's network? According to Andrea Smith, who has worked with multiple in-network and out-of-network plastic surgeons in the past and is currently Practice Manager for Breast Reconstruction Specialist Dr. Constance M. Chen, the most important information is that all insurance policies will cover – in fact, must cover – breast reconstruction if it covers mastectomy.
In 1998, Congress passed the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), a federal law that requires group health plans and individual health policies that cover mastectomy to also cover breast reconstruction in connection with such mastectomy. “Before the passage of the WHCRA, insurers could refuse coverage for reconstruction on the grounds that these were cosmetic procedures and not medically necessary,” says Smith. “Women had to pay for reconstruction themselves or forgo it. Supporters of the WHCRA recognized that ensuring that a woman has the option of reconstructive surgery following mastectomy is important to her physical and emotional well-being.”
But even with the protection of the law there is no escaping the anxiety and uncertainty that accompany decisions about breast reconstruction – anxiety that is compounded by the difficulty of navigating the rules and regulations that govern insurance coverage and claims. “A critical decision at this time is the woman's choice of surgeon,” says Smith. “She must choose a doctor who offers a full range of reconstructive options, including the most advanced techniques, but she must also feel comfortable that her medical team understands her unique concerns and preferences and understands how to work with her insurer to ensure that she receives all the benefits to which she is entitled.”
Given the importance of this decision, whether or not the doctor is in her insurer's network is an important concern - but it is one that a woman may be able to overcome. “Out-of-network” simply means that a doctor does not have a pre-negotiated contract with a given health insurance program or company. “In-network” providers have contracted with insurers to provide services to plan members at pre-negotiated rates. “Patients have been conditioned to avoid out-of-network providers for fear that their costs will be higher,” says Smith. “But that will not always be the case and often an out-of-network surgeon will be exactly the right choice for breast reconstruction.”
There are many reasons a woman may choose an out-of-network provider for breast reconstruction: She may have researched restorative options, decided on a particular one, and found that in-network providers either do not offer the procedure or do not have the experience and expertise to instill confidence. Or her research might have pointed her to a particular doctor who has developed or perfected an advanced technique. She may have a compelling recommendation from a family member, a friend, or a trusted medical source. Or she may have met with in-network providers and felt that they were not right for her for any number of reasons.
“The most important criterion in choosing a surgeon is the patient's confidence and comfort level,” says Smith. “This is relevant not just for the surgery itself but to ensure that her care will not impose an undue financial burden.” The surgeon's team must work with the patient to help her understand – in advance – her insurer's requirements, to accurately estimate her expected out-of-pocket costs, and to minimize the risk of unexpected costs.
Smith: “In our practice, the surgeon focuses exclusively on the clinical aspect of the patient’s condition and treats every person without considering her insurance status. My job is to make sure that every patient who wants to go out of network has full access to our services. We want women to be able to focus their energies on getting well. We have many years of experience working with insurers and we do everything we can to relieve our patient of the anxiety and stress of managing the financial aspects of her care.”
Andrea Smith is the Practice Manager for Constance M Chen, MD, PC, a boutique plastic and reconstructive surgery office located in New York City that focuses on innovative natural techniques to optimize medical and aesthetic outcomes for women undergoing breast reconstruction. The practice is committed to patient advocacy and a woman’s right to choose her own breast reconstruction journey. http://www.constancechenmd.com Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.
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Apple is going after a project Google abandoned — easy access to your complete medical records (AAPL)
· *Apple is expanding its health app to include information from medical records. *· *That way, iPhone users can track everything from allergies to vaccines to lab results.*
· *It's a big move to get patients their electronic health records, something companies have been trying for years that hasn't taken off. *
--------------------
Along with photos from your recent vacation and your music library, your iPhone will soon be able to store your medical information.
The hope is that by storing all your information — like when you last got a vaccination, your lab results, or which treatments you've been prescribed — it will give doctors a fuller picture of your health and, in turn, lead to better care.
Doctors already have access to some information. Electronic health records allow doctors to get some data about your medical history. But they don't get it all — like information from an emergency room visit in another state, or notes from telemedicine appointments.
The information will be stored under Health Records within the Health app on the iPhone. Here's what it looks like:
"Our goal is to help consumers live a better day. We’ve worked closely with the health community to create an experience everyone has wanted for years — to view medical records easily and securely right on your iPhone," Apple COO Jeff Williams said in a news release.
Apple isn't the first tech company to try this. Google Health had built a personal health information service, but the project was shut down in 2011. Health IT giant Epic Systems operates a service called MyChart that helps patients see their information and communicate with doctors. There are also services that will store your personal health information though these are mainly managed by patients instead of doctors.
To start, Apple's Health Records will roll out to patients at certain medical facilities, with more joining in over the next few months. Here's the initial list:
· Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore
· Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles
· Penn Medicine in Philadelphia
· Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania
· UC San Diego Health in San Diego, California
· UNC Health Care In Chapel Hill, North Carolina
· Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
· Dignity Health in Arizona, California and Nevada
· Ochsner Health System in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
· MedStar Health in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia
· OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio
· Cerner Healthe Clinic in Kansas City, Missouri
*SEE ALSO: Health insurance startup Oscar has a new way to get all your medical details in one place for your doctor*
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: 7 science-backed ways for a happier and healthier 2018 — this is what you do the very first week Reported by Business Insider 16 hours ago.
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Change to state workers' health insurance plans was 'seriously mishandled,' Mass. AG says
A major change to Massachusetts public employees' health insurance plans was "seriously mishandled" and should be reconsidered, state Attorney General Maura Healey said Tuesday, adding that she's heard from "terrified" state workers. The Group Insurance Commission (GIC) manages insurance for over 400,000 state employees and retirees. The GIC went through a process to decide which plans to allow in for coverage, and is seeking to remove Tufts, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Fallon. The move will…
Reported by bizjournals 15 hours ago.
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U.S. sued over approval of Kentucky Medicaid work provisions
(Reuters) - A group of Kentucky residents have filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government's approval of new requirements that people who receive benefits from the state's Medicaid health insurance program work or get jobs training.
Reported by Reuters 12 hours ago.
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Idaho to insurers: Give us plans that don’t follow Obamacare
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho is revealing a plan that will allow health insurance companies to sell cheap policies that ditch key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. It’s believed to be the first state to take such a step without prior federal approval. Idaho’s top insurance official revealed details Wednesday. He says creating policies […]
Reported by Seattle Times 12 hours ago.
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Senate confirms Alex Azar as Trump's 2nd health secretary
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's second health secretary won Senate approval Wednesday. Alex Azar will take on the leadership of a sprawling department shaken by the administration's tumultuous first year. The 55-43 vote to confirm the former drug company and government executive as secretary of Health and Human Services was largely along party lines. A 50-year-old Ivy League-educated lawyer, Azar says he has four main priorities: to help curb the high cost of prescription drugs, make health insurance more affordable and available, continue bipartisan efforts to focus Medicare payments on quality, and confront the growing opioid addiction epidemic.
Reported by SeattlePI.com 11 hours ago.
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Health insurance stocks rise on further premium increases
Australia's listed health insurers are still growing profits despite rising health care costs and stagnant wage growth.
Reported by Motley Fool 3 hours ago.
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How Congress used the shutdown deal to cut more taxes
WASHINGTON (AP) — The deal that ended the government shutdown also further cut taxes, adding billions more to the national deficit. The tax cuts were a little noticed element of the much discussed deal, which provided funding to keep government agencies operating for about three weeks and renewed a popular health insurance program for poor […]
Reported by Seattle Times 2 hours ago.
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Opponents of Medicaid work requirement file lawsuit to try to stop Kentucky plan
Three organizations opposing profound changes to Kentucky's Medicaid program filed a lawsuit Wednesday to block the nation's first experiment to compel low-income people to work or otherwise engage in their communities to qualify for the safety-net health insurance.
Reported by Denver Post 1 hour ago.
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India Network Visitor Health Insurance announces New Pre-existing Conditions Health Insurance Plans for Visitors to the USA in 2018
India Network expands its offering of visitor health insurance plans for pre-existing conditions, accidents and new medical conditions to all visitors coming to the United States. CHUBB American Insurance Company underwrites the Fixed Benefit and Network PPO programs.
ORLANDO, Fla. (PRWEB) January 25, 2018
India Network is pleased to announce new programs and plan options for visitors coming to the USA in 2018. India Network Foundation is a non-profit organization with more than 30 years of experience in helping foreign visitors to the United States through sponsorship of various visitor health insurance plans. The visitor medical insurance plans offer affordable health insurance for all age groups of visitors (0 - 99 years old) irrespective of their health conditions. Coverage is available for pre-existing conditions through American insurance companies and all claim processing is carried out in the United States. Every year, thousands of families benefit from India Network Visitor Health Insurance plans that facilitate visits from parents and grandparents from around the world to the USA.
India Network Plans in 2018 are underwritten by CHUBB American Insurance Company and AXIS American Insurance Company of USA. The AXIS American Insurance company provides programs that offer value for the money to anyone looking for a good visitor health insurance coverage and willing to take higher responsibility for out of pocket costs. The BasicCare Fixed Benefits Plan provides minimum essential coverage for any healthy visitor coming to the United States with lowest premiums possible. Medical Evacuation, Repatriation, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage is also included in the minimum essential program. The AXIS Plans offer fixed benefits with limited pre-existing conditions, defined to cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions. More details on this specific coverage can be found at http://www.kvrao.org
CHUBB Insurance company underwrites India Network Health Insurance fixed coverage programs and network plans. These plans offer excellent coverage for pre-existing conditions, new problems and accidents. The CHUBB Premier and Network Plans offer pre-existing conditions coverage on par with new problems and accidents. A major deviation in definition of pre-existing conditions coverage make these plans life savers for many visitors over the years. The Network Program pays 80 percent of covered medical expenses for covered pre-existing conditions and non-pre-existing conditions. A unique feature of the CHUBB program is to provide unconditional medical insurance coverage for a visitor who can be assured of their coverage, for example, a visit to emergency room, irrespective of the reason.
"India Network Foundation has been working with several American Insurance companies such as Gerber Life, AIG, ACE, AXIS and CHUBB since its inception in1990s to provide excellent health insurance coverage for Asian Indians and others visiting the USA. CHUBB has more than $160 billion in assets and $35 billion of gross premiums written in 2016. CHUBB’s core operating insurance companies maintain financial strength ratings of A++ from A.M. Best. It reassures our members that they are in good hands when they get their coverage through India Network Sponsored Plans," said Dr. KV Rao, Founder President of India Network Foundation, USA.
About India Network Foundation
India Network Foundation, established as a US non-profit organization, has been helping the Asian Indian community in North America with programs and grants to academics from India for more than two decades. India Network Foundation sponsors visitor health insurance to tourists, students, temporary workers (H1 visa holders) and their families. All insurance products are administered by India Network Services.
For more information visit http://www.indianetwork.org
About India Network Health Insurance
India Network Services is a US based company that administers visitor health insurance to transition residents, tourists, students, temporary workers and their families. Visitor medical plans are offered for all age groups with both fixed coverage, comprehensive coverage and with pre-existing condition coverage.
For more information please visit http://www.kvrao.org Reported by PRWeb 3 hours ago.
ORLANDO, Fla. (PRWEB) January 25, 2018
India Network is pleased to announce new programs and plan options for visitors coming to the USA in 2018. India Network Foundation is a non-profit organization with more than 30 years of experience in helping foreign visitors to the United States through sponsorship of various visitor health insurance plans. The visitor medical insurance plans offer affordable health insurance for all age groups of visitors (0 - 99 years old) irrespective of their health conditions. Coverage is available for pre-existing conditions through American insurance companies and all claim processing is carried out in the United States. Every year, thousands of families benefit from India Network Visitor Health Insurance plans that facilitate visits from parents and grandparents from around the world to the USA.
India Network Plans in 2018 are underwritten by CHUBB American Insurance Company and AXIS American Insurance Company of USA. The AXIS American Insurance company provides programs that offer value for the money to anyone looking for a good visitor health insurance coverage and willing to take higher responsibility for out of pocket costs. The BasicCare Fixed Benefits Plan provides minimum essential coverage for any healthy visitor coming to the United States with lowest premiums possible. Medical Evacuation, Repatriation, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage is also included in the minimum essential program. The AXIS Plans offer fixed benefits with limited pre-existing conditions, defined to cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions. More details on this specific coverage can be found at http://www.kvrao.org
CHUBB Insurance company underwrites India Network Health Insurance fixed coverage programs and network plans. These plans offer excellent coverage for pre-existing conditions, new problems and accidents. The CHUBB Premier and Network Plans offer pre-existing conditions coverage on par with new problems and accidents. A major deviation in definition of pre-existing conditions coverage make these plans life savers for many visitors over the years. The Network Program pays 80 percent of covered medical expenses for covered pre-existing conditions and non-pre-existing conditions. A unique feature of the CHUBB program is to provide unconditional medical insurance coverage for a visitor who can be assured of their coverage, for example, a visit to emergency room, irrespective of the reason.
"India Network Foundation has been working with several American Insurance companies such as Gerber Life, AIG, ACE, AXIS and CHUBB since its inception in1990s to provide excellent health insurance coverage for Asian Indians and others visiting the USA. CHUBB has more than $160 billion in assets and $35 billion of gross premiums written in 2016. CHUBB’s core operating insurance companies maintain financial strength ratings of A++ from A.M. Best. It reassures our members that they are in good hands when they get their coverage through India Network Sponsored Plans," said Dr. KV Rao, Founder President of India Network Foundation, USA.
About India Network Foundation
India Network Foundation, established as a US non-profit organization, has been helping the Asian Indian community in North America with programs and grants to academics from India for more than two decades. India Network Foundation sponsors visitor health insurance to tourists, students, temporary workers (H1 visa holders) and their families. All insurance products are administered by India Network Services.
For more information visit http://www.indianetwork.org
About India Network Health Insurance
India Network Services is a US based company that administers visitor health insurance to transition residents, tourists, students, temporary workers and their families. Visitor medical plans are offered for all age groups with both fixed coverage, comprehensive coverage and with pre-existing condition coverage.
For more information please visit http://www.kvrao.org Reported by PRWeb 3 hours ago.
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