Archive for the ‘FAQ’ Category
Simple Guide to Senate Health Care Bill Provisions
Posted by Todd Fries | Filed under FAQ, Health Insurance
Here are a few provisions of the Senate bill that would impact consumers the most, with a summary of how the House bill compares:
Required coverage (the “individual mandate”): American citizens and legal residents would be required to have health insurance, or pay a fine. For an individual, the fine would be $750 per year or 2 percent of household income, whichever is greater; for a family, the maximum fine would be $2,250 per year or 2 percent of household income. The fines would go into effect gradually, starting in 2014. The House bill is similar, with exemptions for certain low-income people. (more…)
What Age Do I Start Screening? (Mammograms)
Posted by Todd Fries | Filed under FAQ
Many women (and men) are confused about the recent, controversial comments made by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force regarding breast cancer screening. The group, established in 1984 and operating as an independent panel of private-sector experts, said in November they no longer support mammography screening for women under the age of 50. Instead, they recommend biennial screening start at 50 and continue through age 74.
The USPSTF based their revised recommendation on two studies analyzing benefits and harms presented by early screening. Modalities reviewed were breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, film and digital mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging. (more…)
To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate. H1N1 in California
Posted by Todd Fries | Filed under FAQ, Medicine
More Americans died from the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 than were killed in WWI, the Vietnam War, or in any hurricane in American history. There’s no cure for H1N1 Virus-Swine Flu-and the normal, seasonal flu vaccine doesn’t offer protection against infection from the new virus. One human sneeze can eject billions of viruses. (more…)
How to Identify and Relieve Back Pain
Posted by Todd Fries | Filed under Back Pain, FAQ
At one time or another, everyone suffers from some form of back pain. It’s the #1 cause of missed work, and one of every five Americans is suffering from back right now!! According to Timothy Carey, M.D. director of the Sheps Center for Health Services Research at University of North Carolina obesity and stress are the leading cause.
It’s often hard to pin down the exact cause of a person’s back pain-unless you have pain accompanied by a red-flag symptom such as numbness or weakness of the legs or feet, changes in bladder control, fever, or night sweats, or you have a history of cancer. In such cases, health care professionals agree, you should see a doctor ASAP!! (more…)
Generic vs. Brand Name Prescription Drugs
Posted by Todd Fries | Filed under FAQ, Medicine
With the rising costs of medications, Generic Prescriptions are becoming more popular than ever. Some 65% of all prescriptions filled in the U.S. are now Generic, yet they account for only 20% of dollars spent on Rx. That shows the enormous savings between Generic and Brand Name prescription drugs.
By law, Generics must have the same active ingredient and the same action as the Brand version, which allows Generics to piggyback on the original safety and efficacy trials of Brand, hence the much lower price. (more…)
