Drug Rehab Costs Are Chump Change Compared To the $Billions Big Pharma Spends On Marketing
by Rod MacTaggart
Big Pharma is spending almost twice as much money on promotion as it does on research and development of new drugs - contrary to what they say. And the effects of all this promotion can be seen across the country where tens of thousands of prescription drug problems are treated at drug detox and drug rehab centers.
In 2004, according to researchers at Canada's York University, Big Pharma spent nearly 25% of their $235.4 billion in sales, or about $60 billion, promoting its drugs - and that's probably an underestimate, the researchers said. But in spite of the industry's claims that research and development far exceeds all other costs, R&D expenditures were only 13.4%. The relentless marketing of drugs to the public as well as to doctors can't help but be a factor in the soaring rates of prescription drug addictions and numbers of people requiring prescription drug detox and drug rehab.
Because of the endless television, print, radio and internet advertising, prescription drugs have become a way of life for most Americans. But Big Pharma's promo costs are not just for advertising, they also include many other promotion activities. For example, Big Pharma promotes its brands directly to individual doctors in the hope their drug will be prescribed over another company's drug. The industry averaged $61,000 per doctor promoting its drug brands to physicians across the country in 2004, the study said. Yet doctors and medical staffs can have trouble keeping up with all the drugs, according to articles in medical journals, causing mistakes such as wrong drug combinations, overdoses, and even addictions that result in patients becoming dependent or addicted and needing drug detox or drug rehab.
The authors limited their study to the United States because it is the only country for which sufficient information is available. The US is the world's largest market for pharmaceuticals, representing 43% of global sales and promotion expenditures. With over 22 million prescription drug abusers, according to the Centers for Disease Control, America also probably has the most prescription drug deaths, addictions and prescription drug rehab treatments in the world. As for why our health care costs are also the highest in the world, one need look no further for at least one of those reasons: Big Pharma passes along its promotional costs to us in the price of its drugs.
The study claims that Big Pharma is market-driven, far from the research-driven, life-saving health-care industry it claims to be. But of course, we already know that by the increasing numbers of injuries and deaths caused by prescription drugs, and the sky-rocketing number of people needing a prescription drug rehab program.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 13 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2551
Drug Free Rehab vs. Medication As A Drug Rehab : Alcohol rehab Drug rehab review 2008 treatment
Drug Free Rehab vs. Medication As A Drug Rehab
by Lora French
I do not understand western medicine's fascination with medication. It seems these days that everyone is searching for a pill that will be the answer to all of their ailments. Take this pill for that. Take that pill for this. Research which drug will cure this or aid with that. It simply goes on and on. We have become a medicated nation.
I am baffled by this when we see the consequences of drug addiction in our communities. We think our problems with addiction will be solved if only we can get a handle on the meth problem or the heroin problem or the marijuana problem. We can't see that many of the medications that are being handed by our doctors and pharmacies can be just has destructive as so-called street drugs. What's frightening to me is that we are trying to solve the drug addiction problem in our country by creating new drugs that these drug addicts can take to cure their drug addiction.
Does this faulty thinking make any sense? Are more drugs truly the only way to handle a drug addict's drug problem? Why can't we provide those suffering from addiction with a comprehensive drug free rehab program? Yes, I said it. Drug-free. This means skip the methadone clinic. Skip the Subaxone. Skip the anti-depressants. Skip the quick fix.
The cover story for the July 16, 2007 issue of Time Magazine delves into the nature of addiction and how "new brain research is helping us understand why we get hooked." The researchers involved use addicts' brains to "design new drugs that are showing promise in cutting off the craving that drives an addict irresistibly toward relapse." Great! Right? If an addict just didn't crave the drug, he would be fine.Partially, yes. But there is so much more to what causes an individual to get hooked on drugs. There are always underlying issues that the once sober individual is trying to escape. Giving an addict a drug to stop the craving only addresses a part of the problem. There must be drug free ways to reduce the cravings an addict experiences and provide a complete drug free rehab for the drug addict.
Holistic approaches to drug addiction have been developed and have been proven to work. One such program, the New Life Detoxification program offered at Narconon Vista Bay, truly addresses the cravings an addict experiences by cleansing the body of drug residues in a drug free setting, using vitamins and a sauna program at its base. The end result is that the cravings for drugs have disappeared. However, the program also addresses the underlying causes for the addiction in the first place. None of these wonder drugs for addiction deal with the root causes, which in all honesty, makes me question the motivation behind developing these types of drugs.
Who profits from these wonder drugs? Is it the drug addict who now has to support his new habit? What happens to this addict when he can't afford to get his medication? Will he return to using the bad street drugs and find himself caught in the trap of addiction all over again? These drugs to cure addiction are new. That means long term side effects are unknown. What will they be? What side effects will the addict have to deal with?
We have already seen what happens to those on methadone. We know that Subaxone is classified as a narcotic. We have seen that Ritalin, a methamphetamine, causes serious problems for our children. And yet, we keep pushing this idea that medication is the answer to addiction. When will see that drug free rehab is truly the only solution to our drug addiction problems?
by Lora French
I do not understand western medicine's fascination with medication. It seems these days that everyone is searching for a pill that will be the answer to all of their ailments. Take this pill for that. Take that pill for this. Research which drug will cure this or aid with that. It simply goes on and on. We have become a medicated nation.
I am baffled by this when we see the consequences of drug addiction in our communities. We think our problems with addiction will be solved if only we can get a handle on the meth problem or the heroin problem or the marijuana problem. We can't see that many of the medications that are being handed by our doctors and pharmacies can be just has destructive as so-called street drugs. What's frightening to me is that we are trying to solve the drug addiction problem in our country by creating new drugs that these drug addicts can take to cure their drug addiction.
Does this faulty thinking make any sense? Are more drugs truly the only way to handle a drug addict's drug problem? Why can't we provide those suffering from addiction with a comprehensive drug free rehab program? Yes, I said it. Drug-free. This means skip the methadone clinic. Skip the Subaxone. Skip the anti-depressants. Skip the quick fix.
The cover story for the July 16, 2007 issue of Time Magazine delves into the nature of addiction and how "new brain research is helping us understand why we get hooked." The researchers involved use addicts' brains to "design new drugs that are showing promise in cutting off the craving that drives an addict irresistibly toward relapse." Great! Right? If an addict just didn't crave the drug, he would be fine.Partially, yes. But there is so much more to what causes an individual to get hooked on drugs. There are always underlying issues that the once sober individual is trying to escape. Giving an addict a drug to stop the craving only addresses a part of the problem. There must be drug free ways to reduce the cravings an addict experiences and provide a complete drug free rehab for the drug addict.
Holistic approaches to drug addiction have been developed and have been proven to work. One such program, the New Life Detoxification program offered at Narconon Vista Bay, truly addresses the cravings an addict experiences by cleansing the body of drug residues in a drug free setting, using vitamins and a sauna program at its base. The end result is that the cravings for drugs have disappeared. However, the program also addresses the underlying causes for the addiction in the first place. None of these wonder drugs for addiction deal with the root causes, which in all honesty, makes me question the motivation behind developing these types of drugs.
Who profits from these wonder drugs? Is it the drug addict who now has to support his new habit? What happens to this addict when he can't afford to get his medication? Will he return to using the bad street drugs and find himself caught in the trap of addiction all over again? These drugs to cure addiction are new. That means long term side effects are unknown. What will they be? What side effects will the addict have to deal with?
We have already seen what happens to those on methadone. We know that Subaxone is classified as a narcotic. We have seen that Ritalin, a methamphetamine, causes serious problems for our children. And yet, we keep pushing this idea that medication is the answer to addiction. When will see that drug free rehab is truly the only solution to our drug addiction problems?
8 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Residential Drug Treatment Center : Alcohol rehab Drug rehab review 2008
8 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Residential Drug Treatment Center
by John Frank
Facing the fact that someone you love is not only suffering from drug addiction, but now must receive help to overcome the addiction, is difficult for anyone. Where should you start? Who do you turn to? What questions do you need to ask about drug treatment programs? Perhaps, you may have been at this point before, and you now feel a sense of hopelessness in finding a residential treatment center that will work this time around. Maybe, though, this is the first time you've had to take these steps to help someone you love. The process can feel overwhelming.
Ultimately, you want your loved one back. You want that person you love free from drugs. You want that person to live a healthy and productive life. By asking the right question on each of the following areas when choosing a residential drug treatment center, your chances of making this happen for your loved one will increase.
1. Success Rate -
What is the success rate of the residential drug treatment center? Obviously, the higher the success rate, the more likely your loved one will succeed. Ask to speak with graduates of the drug rehab facility or their families. Get real opinions from real people.
2. Methods -
What method does the drug treatment center use? Ask yourself if they are addressing all aspects of your loved one's addiction, including what led them to drugs in the first place. Methods that only deal with one aspect of addiction are more likely to fail. Remember addiction results from a combination of many factors, including a lessening of morality and integrity and an increasing burden of guilt and shame. The life of an addict includes bad habits, poor health and difficulty facing problems. After speaking with the facility, ask yourself if they are handling not just the psychological aspects, but also the physical and mental aspects of addiction as well. Are they providing practical skills that will help your loved one succeed once the drug rehabilitation program is completed?
3. Services -
What services does the residential drug treatment center offer? This is not only for your loved one, but for you as well. Will they help with legal issues? Will they assist in an intervention? In other words, to what length will they go to make certain your loved one gets the drug treatment they need?
4. Staff -
Who are the staff members at the residential drug treatment center? The best trained staff will have had experience with drug addiction. They will not have learned about it in a book. Are they qualified for their positions? What real-life knowledge do they have with drug addiction? What is their reason for working in this field?
5. Follow-up Program -
What type of follow-up program does the residential drug treatment center offer? This is important. Sending a newly rehabilitated drug addict back into the world without any follow-up can be disastrous. Make sure that there is a program of this type in place. Good programs keep in touch over the phone regularly after one leaves the program.
6. Location -
Where is the residential drug treatment center located? A residential drug treatment center should be protected. Ask how easy it would be for your loved one to leave. Many addicts when first coming off drugs want to leave. Ensuring that this is difficult, while not seeming like a prison, increases the chances that the person will stay to finish.
7. Length -
How long does the residential drug treatment center take? Although the standard program is 28 days, if the residential drug treatment center offers a longer program, it is more likely your loved one will succeed. However, if the residential drug treatment center allows your loved one to work at his or her own pace, without imposing time constraints, your loved one has an even greater chance of overcoming drug addiction. An example of a program that is not based on time but on completion can be seen at http://www.drugrehab.net
8. Price -
How much does the residential drug treatment center cost? Before eliminating any program because of its price, ask yourself this: What are they offering? Look back at the points above and determine what the drug rehab is truly giving to the one you love. Yes, the more it offers, the more likely the price will be higher. However, your loved one will have a greater chance at becoming a healthy productive member of society. How much is that person worth to you?
Choosing a residential drug treatment center can be difficult. Dealing with a loved one suffering from drug addiction is devastating. By breaking the process down into what is important and finding out the answers to the questions above, you will be able to make an informed choice as to which residential drug treatment program can best help you and your loved one. Drug addiction can be dealt with and overcome.
by John Frank
Facing the fact that someone you love is not only suffering from drug addiction, but now must receive help to overcome the addiction, is difficult for anyone. Where should you start? Who do you turn to? What questions do you need to ask about drug treatment programs? Perhaps, you may have been at this point before, and you now feel a sense of hopelessness in finding a residential treatment center that will work this time around. Maybe, though, this is the first time you've had to take these steps to help someone you love. The process can feel overwhelming.
Ultimately, you want your loved one back. You want that person you love free from drugs. You want that person to live a healthy and productive life. By asking the right question on each of the following areas when choosing a residential drug treatment center, your chances of making this happen for your loved one will increase.
1. Success Rate -
What is the success rate of the residential drug treatment center? Obviously, the higher the success rate, the more likely your loved one will succeed. Ask to speak with graduates of the drug rehab facility or their families. Get real opinions from real people.
2. Methods -
What method does the drug treatment center use? Ask yourself if they are addressing all aspects of your loved one's addiction, including what led them to drugs in the first place. Methods that only deal with one aspect of addiction are more likely to fail. Remember addiction results from a combination of many factors, including a lessening of morality and integrity and an increasing burden of guilt and shame. The life of an addict includes bad habits, poor health and difficulty facing problems. After speaking with the facility, ask yourself if they are handling not just the psychological aspects, but also the physical and mental aspects of addiction as well. Are they providing practical skills that will help your loved one succeed once the drug rehabilitation program is completed?
3. Services -
What services does the residential drug treatment center offer? This is not only for your loved one, but for you as well. Will they help with legal issues? Will they assist in an intervention? In other words, to what length will they go to make certain your loved one gets the drug treatment they need?
4. Staff -
Who are the staff members at the residential drug treatment center? The best trained staff will have had experience with drug addiction. They will not have learned about it in a book. Are they qualified for their positions? What real-life knowledge do they have with drug addiction? What is their reason for working in this field?
5. Follow-up Program -
What type of follow-up program does the residential drug treatment center offer? This is important. Sending a newly rehabilitated drug addict back into the world without any follow-up can be disastrous. Make sure that there is a program of this type in place. Good programs keep in touch over the phone regularly after one leaves the program.
6. Location -
Where is the residential drug treatment center located? A residential drug treatment center should be protected. Ask how easy it would be for your loved one to leave. Many addicts when first coming off drugs want to leave. Ensuring that this is difficult, while not seeming like a prison, increases the chances that the person will stay to finish.
7. Length -
How long does the residential drug treatment center take? Although the standard program is 28 days, if the residential drug treatment center offers a longer program, it is more likely your loved one will succeed. However, if the residential drug treatment center allows your loved one to work at his or her own pace, without imposing time constraints, your loved one has an even greater chance of overcoming drug addiction. An example of a program that is not based on time but on completion can be seen at http://www.drugrehab.net
8. Price -
How much does the residential drug treatment center cost? Before eliminating any program because of its price, ask yourself this: What are they offering? Look back at the points above and determine what the drug rehab is truly giving to the one you love. Yes, the more it offers, the more likely the price will be higher. However, your loved one will have a greater chance at becoming a healthy productive member of society. How much is that person worth to you?
Choosing a residential drug treatment center can be difficult. Dealing with a loved one suffering from drug addiction is devastating. By breaking the process down into what is important and finding out the answers to the questions above, you will be able to make an informed choice as to which residential drug treatment program can best help you and your loved one. Drug addiction can be dealt with and overcome.
Health Insurance Buying Guide : Health insurance Healthy care review 2008
Health Insurance Buying Guide
by Clelland N. Green
Medical expenses have risen so high that health insurance has become a necessity. With countless insurance companies claiming to offer the best health insurance plans, it has become very difficult to decide which insurance company or healthcare plan is most suitable. This health insurance buying guide will help you learn some important things to keep in mind when buying a health insurance plan.
Type of Health Insurance Plans: Health insurance plans have three broad categories:-- Indemnity Plans-- Managed Care Plans-- Consumer Directed Plans
Indemnity plans are traditional insurance plans where you can choose the doctor and the insurance company will fully or partially cover your health care expenses according to the insurance agreement and the reasonable and customary allowance for the provider's fees. You are supposed to pay for the services and then be reimbursed, but most insurance companies and doctors will allow you to assign your benefits to your provider, allowing for the insurance company to pay the doctor directly.
Managed care plans are programs where the insurance company acts as more than the insurer, and they manage the care as well as provide you with incentives to get proper preventive care. Managed care plans include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and point of service (POS) plans and provide coverage that includes features like doctor office and prescription copayments rather than deductibles and coinsurance. Find more about Types of Health Insurance Plans. It is very important to choose the right insurance plan to gain maximum benefit. Do compare various plans and evaluate the benefits, coverage details, exclusions and provisions.
Consumer directed plans are new plans where you buy a high deductible insurance plan and can then set up a tax-advantaged savings account from which you can pay for your routine health care expenses. This account is called a Health Savings Account (HSA). These plans encourage the consumer to manage their own care by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and shopping for health care services. In general, these HSA's are the most cost effective choice for most consumers. Find out more about Health Savings Accounts.
Insurance Coverage: The most important thing while selecting an insurance plan is to determine what your needs are for insurance and to not over-insure yourself. You wouldn't buy an auto policy in order to get your oil change covered, think in those terms when selecting a health plan. Health insurance coverage includes hospital expenses, surgical expenses, physicians' expenses and other benefits like maternity care, drug prescription, mental health care, preventive care, etc. All good insurance policies provide broad coverage and protect you against catastrophic illness or injury, but it is very important to read the exclusions and limitations of your policy to avoid future problems.
Pre-existing Conditions: Most individual health insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions and you may not qualify for coverage depending on your current health. If you have a serious pre-existing condition, there are offer guaranteed issue plans available in most states.
Doctors and Hospitals: Another thing that you need to check is the pool of doctors and hospitals that are in the network of your insurance provider. If you have a managed care plan, you will get better benefits if you use a provider who is in the network, and of course, if you current physicians are in the network, that becomes a lot easier to do. Prices and Premium: Health Insurance premiums are filed with the department of insurance in your state, so there are no special deals available. If you are dealing with an agent who claims to have a better deal than the competition, you should run, not walk. The most important thing to do here is to compare similar plans from different insurance companies and not to look at price alone.
Insurance Broker: Using an insurance broker who specializes in health insurance is one of the smartest things you can do. Their services are free. Premiums are the same if you go directly to the insurance company or use an agent. They also have information from all of their customers about which companies provide good claims service, have the best features, and they know all the options available - something you will never find on any internet site. You will be able to easily connect with an expert local insurance agent by getting your health insurance quotes at Benepath.
Insurance Company: There are many companies that deal in health insurance but it is very importation to select a reliable firm. It is advisable to take help of a licensed health insurance consulting firm that can provide you useful information about reliable insurance companies and most suitable and affordable health insurance plans.
Benepath works with local insurance agents across the country to provide you with health plans from industry leaders who deliver responsive service, such as United Healthcare, Assurant - Time Insurance, Aetna, Blue Cross Plans and Health America. Get your health quotes at http://www.benepath.com to find more about the best health insurance plans at most competitive prices.
by Clelland N. Green
Medical expenses have risen so high that health insurance has become a necessity. With countless insurance companies claiming to offer the best health insurance plans, it has become very difficult to decide which insurance company or healthcare plan is most suitable. This health insurance buying guide will help you learn some important things to keep in mind when buying a health insurance plan.
Type of Health Insurance Plans: Health insurance plans have three broad categories:-- Indemnity Plans-- Managed Care Plans-- Consumer Directed Plans
Indemnity plans are traditional insurance plans where you can choose the doctor and the insurance company will fully or partially cover your health care expenses according to the insurance agreement and the reasonable and customary allowance for the provider's fees. You are supposed to pay for the services and then be reimbursed, but most insurance companies and doctors will allow you to assign your benefits to your provider, allowing for the insurance company to pay the doctor directly.
Managed care plans are programs where the insurance company acts as more than the insurer, and they manage the care as well as provide you with incentives to get proper preventive care. Managed care plans include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and point of service (POS) plans and provide coverage that includes features like doctor office and prescription copayments rather than deductibles and coinsurance. Find more about Types of Health Insurance Plans. It is very important to choose the right insurance plan to gain maximum benefit. Do compare various plans and evaluate the benefits, coverage details, exclusions and provisions.
Consumer directed plans are new plans where you buy a high deductible insurance plan and can then set up a tax-advantaged savings account from which you can pay for your routine health care expenses. This account is called a Health Savings Account (HSA). These plans encourage the consumer to manage their own care by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and shopping for health care services. In general, these HSA's are the most cost effective choice for most consumers. Find out more about Health Savings Accounts.
Insurance Coverage: The most important thing while selecting an insurance plan is to determine what your needs are for insurance and to not over-insure yourself. You wouldn't buy an auto policy in order to get your oil change covered, think in those terms when selecting a health plan. Health insurance coverage includes hospital expenses, surgical expenses, physicians' expenses and other benefits like maternity care, drug prescription, mental health care, preventive care, etc. All good insurance policies provide broad coverage and protect you against catastrophic illness or injury, but it is very important to read the exclusions and limitations of your policy to avoid future problems.
Pre-existing Conditions: Most individual health insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions and you may not qualify for coverage depending on your current health. If you have a serious pre-existing condition, there are offer guaranteed issue plans available in most states.
Doctors and Hospitals: Another thing that you need to check is the pool of doctors and hospitals that are in the network of your insurance provider. If you have a managed care plan, you will get better benefits if you use a provider who is in the network, and of course, if you current physicians are in the network, that becomes a lot easier to do. Prices and Premium: Health Insurance premiums are filed with the department of insurance in your state, so there are no special deals available. If you are dealing with an agent who claims to have a better deal than the competition, you should run, not walk. The most important thing to do here is to compare similar plans from different insurance companies and not to look at price alone.
Insurance Broker: Using an insurance broker who specializes in health insurance is one of the smartest things you can do. Their services are free. Premiums are the same if you go directly to the insurance company or use an agent. They also have information from all of their customers about which companies provide good claims service, have the best features, and they know all the options available - something you will never find on any internet site. You will be able to easily connect with an expert local insurance agent by getting your health insurance quotes at Benepath.
Insurance Company: There are many companies that deal in health insurance but it is very importation to select a reliable firm. It is advisable to take help of a licensed health insurance consulting firm that can provide you useful information about reliable insurance companies and most suitable and affordable health insurance plans.
Benepath works with local insurance agents across the country to provide you with health plans from industry leaders who deliver responsive service, such as United Healthcare, Assurant - Time Insurance, Aetna, Blue Cross Plans and Health America. Get your health quotes at http://www.benepath.com to find more about the best health insurance plans at most competitive prices.
Your Pet Health Insurance Questions Answered : Health insurance Healthy care review 2008
Your Pet Health Insurance Questions Answered
by Mike Selvon
Most people are familiar with healthcare insurance for themselves and their family but what about their pets? Animal cover is a new idea in insurance to help cover the four-legged members of the family.
Granted, your workplace may not cover the insurance but it is very valuable to have in case your mammal becomes sick. Routine veterinary care may not be expensive but if your mammal was to become sick or injured, costs could quickly mount up and be beyond your ability to repay. The old adage of "better to be safe than sorry" is very true when it comes to insurance.
It is better to have it and not need it than to find yourself with a sick animal and no way of paying the vet bills. Most people are unaware or inexperienced when it comes to mammal cover but this article will cover some of the basics when it comes to what to expect in it.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is healthcare insurance for your pet. Primarily this insurance is taken out by dog and cat owners. Really expensive pets can be insured for their value. Chances are that if you can afford a $500,000 horse, you can pay for the veterinary bills out of your own checking account.
Pet insurance is used by those who would not be able to afford if their pets became seriously ill and required extensive care. It is a way to manage veterinary costs in the same manner as normal healthcare coverage.
Is there a co-pay or deductible?
Just as you pay a deductible for your own health insurance, pet insurance also has a deductible. But it is a significant amount lower. Most pet insurance deductibles are $50.00 per accident category.
Pet insurance does not work in the same manner as typical healthcare insurance. At the time of the vet visit you will pay for the entire amount and then fill out a claim form that is then submitted to the pet insurance carrier.
The carrier will pay you a set amount for that procedure. The costs allowed per procedure vary and only the insurance company can determine what percentage you will have to pay after the deductible.
How much out of pocket will I be expected to pay if my pet needs surgery?
Unfortunately the downside to pet insurance is that you will have to pay for the entire amount out of your pocket before the cover company pays you a portion back. When you take your animal in for surgery you will need to take along a claim form that the veterinarian will complete.
After completing the form and filling out the claim information, along with attaching copies of the receipts and invoices, you will mail or fax the information to the insurance. After reviewing the information the cover company will mail out a check for the amount of the procedure they cover.
Some veterinary clinics will make payment arrangements with you in case of an emergency. If you have a long history of good payments to your vet, you can discuss this at a visit.
Chances are high that he or she can work with you. The ultimate goal of both you and the vet is a healthy and safe animal.
Is there a limit on what my pet insurance will pay out?
Yes, there is a limit on how much of the procedure is covered by the insurance company. This amount varies depending on which cover plan you select, what your deductible is and how much the actual procedure runs. When you sign up for pet insurance the company will provide you with a list of procedures they cover along with how much per procedure is covered.
Can I buy my pet's medications online and then be reimbursed for the expense by the insurance company?
All FDA approved medications will be reimbursed. All you have to do is include the receipt from your purchase of the medication, fill out a claim form and submit the information to the insurance company. The insurance company can provide you with the allowed amounts they pay for medications.
by Mike Selvon
Most people are familiar with healthcare insurance for themselves and their family but what about their pets? Animal cover is a new idea in insurance to help cover the four-legged members of the family.
Granted, your workplace may not cover the insurance but it is very valuable to have in case your mammal becomes sick. Routine veterinary care may not be expensive but if your mammal was to become sick or injured, costs could quickly mount up and be beyond your ability to repay. The old adage of "better to be safe than sorry" is very true when it comes to insurance.
It is better to have it and not need it than to find yourself with a sick animal and no way of paying the vet bills. Most people are unaware or inexperienced when it comes to mammal cover but this article will cover some of the basics when it comes to what to expect in it.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is healthcare insurance for your pet. Primarily this insurance is taken out by dog and cat owners. Really expensive pets can be insured for their value. Chances are that if you can afford a $500,000 horse, you can pay for the veterinary bills out of your own checking account.
Pet insurance is used by those who would not be able to afford if their pets became seriously ill and required extensive care. It is a way to manage veterinary costs in the same manner as normal healthcare coverage.
Is there a co-pay or deductible?
Just as you pay a deductible for your own health insurance, pet insurance also has a deductible. But it is a significant amount lower. Most pet insurance deductibles are $50.00 per accident category.
Pet insurance does not work in the same manner as typical healthcare insurance. At the time of the vet visit you will pay for the entire amount and then fill out a claim form that is then submitted to the pet insurance carrier.
The carrier will pay you a set amount for that procedure. The costs allowed per procedure vary and only the insurance company can determine what percentage you will have to pay after the deductible.
How much out of pocket will I be expected to pay if my pet needs surgery?
Unfortunately the downside to pet insurance is that you will have to pay for the entire amount out of your pocket before the cover company pays you a portion back. When you take your animal in for surgery you will need to take along a claim form that the veterinarian will complete.
After completing the form and filling out the claim information, along with attaching copies of the receipts and invoices, you will mail or fax the information to the insurance. After reviewing the information the cover company will mail out a check for the amount of the procedure they cover.
Some veterinary clinics will make payment arrangements with you in case of an emergency. If you have a long history of good payments to your vet, you can discuss this at a visit.
Chances are high that he or she can work with you. The ultimate goal of both you and the vet is a healthy and safe animal.
Is there a limit on what my pet insurance will pay out?
Yes, there is a limit on how much of the procedure is covered by the insurance company. This amount varies depending on which cover plan you select, what your deductible is and how much the actual procedure runs. When you sign up for pet insurance the company will provide you with a list of procedures they cover along with how much per procedure is covered.
Can I buy my pet's medications online and then be reimbursed for the expense by the insurance company?
All FDA approved medications will be reimbursed. All you have to do is include the receipt from your purchase of the medication, fill out a claim form and submit the information to the insurance company. The insurance company can provide you with the allowed amounts they pay for medications.
Importance of Having a Health Insurance : Health insurance Healthy care review 2008
Importance of Having a Health Insurance
by samrosy
Health insurances play several roles in helping people when they end up in hospitals. Uninsured people receive very less medical care when they end up having health complications; this actually becomes a burden for the family as they need to spend thousands of dollars for the medical bills from the hospital. Getting a health insurance also gives you lot of additional benefits and added services, so getting yourself insured aids you with timely coverage for regular or at least with annual health check ups. According to a medical institute, there are nearly about eighteen thousand deaths in uninsured adults. This can be due to numerous reasons, for instance most of them weren’t able to afford for the medical expenses.
Uninsured adults habitually get very few screening or preventive services. Shortfalls are noticed for many kinds of condition or illness, which is including screening for cancer diseases related to breast or cervical. As they are uninsured they often tend to ignore medical check ups, and they are more likely to get diagnosed only at a later stage of the illness, when treatment is not much successful. Pregnant women who are uninsured use lesser services, and children and adults who are uninsured are less likely than their insured counterparts to report having a regular source of medical care, to see medical providers, or to receive all recommended treatments and health check ups. Shortfalls are predominantly notable for conditions which are chronic. For example, adults who are uninsured and having heart conditions are less likely to stay on with drug therapy for high blood pressure.
So how your health insurance helps you indirectly? If you have a health insurance, you frequently visit the doctor for regular health check ups, as you need not spend money on your doctor or the medical expenditure is very minimum. If you’re insured and you come to know that if you have health complications, then you can treat yourself earlier to avoid further problems. But incase you are uninsured; you try to avoid health check ups since you need to spend lot of money. The biggest disadvantage of being uninsured, is that, if you end up having any disease then you need to shell out large amount of money. Today there are many health insurances available, which offer you great medical or health coverage. You can choose the Blue Cross of California health insurance, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, PacifiCare, Nationwide Health Plans, Cigna Health care, etc…
by samrosy
Health insurances play several roles in helping people when they end up in hospitals. Uninsured people receive very less medical care when they end up having health complications; this actually becomes a burden for the family as they need to spend thousands of dollars for the medical bills from the hospital. Getting a health insurance also gives you lot of additional benefits and added services, so getting yourself insured aids you with timely coverage for regular or at least with annual health check ups. According to a medical institute, there are nearly about eighteen thousand deaths in uninsured adults. This can be due to numerous reasons, for instance most of them weren’t able to afford for the medical expenses.
Uninsured adults habitually get very few screening or preventive services. Shortfalls are noticed for many kinds of condition or illness, which is including screening for cancer diseases related to breast or cervical. As they are uninsured they often tend to ignore medical check ups, and they are more likely to get diagnosed only at a later stage of the illness, when treatment is not much successful. Pregnant women who are uninsured use lesser services, and children and adults who are uninsured are less likely than their insured counterparts to report having a regular source of medical care, to see medical providers, or to receive all recommended treatments and health check ups. Shortfalls are predominantly notable for conditions which are chronic. For example, adults who are uninsured and having heart conditions are less likely to stay on with drug therapy for high blood pressure.
So how your health insurance helps you indirectly? If you have a health insurance, you frequently visit the doctor for regular health check ups, as you need not spend money on your doctor or the medical expenditure is very minimum. If you’re insured and you come to know that if you have health complications, then you can treat yourself earlier to avoid further problems. But incase you are uninsured; you try to avoid health check ups since you need to spend lot of money. The biggest disadvantage of being uninsured, is that, if you end up having any disease then you need to shell out large amount of money. Today there are many health insurances available, which offer you great medical or health coverage. You can choose the Blue Cross of California health insurance, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, PacifiCare, Nationwide Health Plans, Cigna Health care, etc…
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