Beginning October 1, 2008, Medicare, and many health insurance companies, will no longer pay hospitals for the additional services needed for patients who suffer from “never events.” Never Events, as defined by the National Quality Forum, are those events which should never happen to a patient. There are 28 errors on the list ranging from […]
Never Events — Shooting the Messenger Read More »
Last week I spoke to a group of payers — health insurance executives, Medicare and Medicaid representatives — and shared with them the many ways in which we patients feel the American healthcare system is failing us. The points I made came from you — my readers — from the many stories you have shared
Guerrilla Patienting: Getting the Healthcare You Need Read More »
As more and more questions are being asked about how we Americans can possibly continue to pay for our healthcare, a documentary has surfaced that will help us citizens better understand why the American Healthcare System is on the ropes, and ready to implode. A new website called Snagfilms is now offering documentaries, independent films,
Peter Jennings, Healthcare Reform, Asking the Tough Questions Read More »
Like so many of you, my heart breaks at the loss of Tim Russert. On so many levels, we felt a kinship to him. Anyone who has tried to understand American politics or politicians during the past 20 years has gotten to know Tim Russert, as if he were the trusted friend and neighbor who
What Tim Russert Has Taught Us About Healthcare and a Healthy Life Read More »
Star Lawrence is a fellow health and medical blogger, commenting almost daily on the state of American healthcare, and her experiences. She’s often funny, and she’s always to the point. One of those “I have to laugh so I won’t cry” types of commentary. Star sent me a post to share with you, and it
An ER Nightmare: Hit to the Psyche and the Wallet Read More »
Last week was National Patient Safety Awareness Week. Seems like the press just caught up this week. From MSN and NBC, to Reuters, and hundreds of news outlets that are more regional or local in nature…. this week patient safety is the bulk of what I see in the headlines. Most of us patients don’t
Hospitals, Never Events and Your Bill Read More »
Put yourself in Patsy Bates’ shoes. She is a hairdresser who had health insurance coverage with Health Net, a large insurer in California. In 2004, Patsy was diagnosed with breast cancer, and part way through her chemotherapy treatments, Health Net decided to cancel her insurance. At the point where she owed almost $130 thousand for
Health Net Pays $9 Million for Canceling Patient’s Policy Read More »
Questions began circulating about the Pfizer TV and magazine commercials for Lipitor earlier this month. You’ve seen them — Robert Jarvik, the supposed “inventor of the artificial heart” touts his use of Lipitor as his way of controlling his cholesterol levels so he won’t have a heart attack like his father did. He runs. He
Jarvik’s Lipitor Commercials – Was Any of It True? Read More »
