Monday, April 27, 2009

UnitedHealthCare Responds to Swine Flu Concerns

Hello all. I just got this email from UnitedHealthCare and wanted to share it with all of you.
As you may have heard, this past weekend, the United States declared a public health emergency in response to the recent reports of swine flu. UnitedHealthcare wanted to immediately update you on swine flu, offer you and your clients' resources for additional information and let you know what we are doing to address the situation.
What is Swine Flu?Swine influenza, or "swine flu", is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease generally found in pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Although humans do not normally get the disease, the current strain of the virus is contagious, and human infections can occur, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Why Has a Public Health Emergency Been Declared?The U.S. public health emergency declaration allows the federal government to free up additional resources to help address this situation, much like it recently did during the public health emergency declarations for the recent flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota.
What Are The Symptoms of Swine Flu?Swine flu symptoms are very similar to seasonal influenza and generally include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing, although some people also develop a runny nose, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals should use reasonable precautions if they suspect they may have been in contact with swine flu and contact their primary physician for specific advice. UnitedHealthcare fully insured members can also contact Care24®, a 24-hour toll-free telephone line staffed by registered nurses.
What is UnitedHealthcare Doing to Address this Situation?We are tracking and responding to developments surrounding this situation. We have strong partnerships in the public and private sector, including the CDC, local and state health agencies. We are prepared to fully leverage all available resources, including more than 10,000 in-house clinical experts to address this situation, if needed. We want to assure you, your clients and members that we will judiciously consider all information and are fully prepared to meet your clients' service needs if this situation escalates.
More InformationFor the most up-to-date information, frequently asked questions and more, please refer to the CDC or WHO Web sites:
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/http://www.who.int/en/
We will continue to keep you, your clients and members updated as new information is made available. Please visit UnitedeServices.com or UnitedHealthcare.com for the most up-to-date information.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Ten Tips for Shrinking Your Medical Bills

Word on the street is that health care reform is on the way, but medical costs are still phenomenally high at the moment. Health care spending in the U.S. reached a whopping $2.4 trillion in 2008, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.
Unless you and your family members all happen to be incredibly healthy folks, you’ve probably felt the financial impact of ever-rising medical expenses. These days, all it takes is one trip to the emergency room or a visit to a medical specialist—and suddenly your mailbox is flooded with medical bills.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can cut down on your annual health care costs. Here are ten medical bill slashing tips that could save you a boatload of money:
Find a primary care physician: In this day and age, many patients simply stop by the local urgent care center when they aren’t feeling well. These centers are fast, convenient and affordable. While going to a primary physician may seem passé, it’s still important to develop a relationship with a doctor you know and trust. Because a primary care physician takes time to get to know you and your medical history, they are more likely to diagnose you correctly and make well-educated decisions about your overall health—which could save you time and money in the long run.
Save on prescriptions: Ask your doctor to prescribe you generic drugs instead of costly brand-name drugs whenever possible. Most health insurance companies charge lower co-pays for generic drugs. You could reduce your prescription costs by $10 to $40 per medication.
Avoid the emergency room: Don’t go to the emergency room unless you actually have a medical emergency. Find out if your physician or pediatrician provides after-hours services or ask if they can recommend an urgent care center. This could save you a trip to the hospital and a great deal of money. Figure out which hospitals are in your health care network and keep the address and phone number on hand. Study your plan’s rules about ambulance services and emergency room co-pays. If an emergency does arise and you’re not sure what to do, call the 24-hour emergency help line number located on the back of your insurance card.
Cut back on specialist visits: Go to your primary care physician before you make an appointment with a specialist. Your regular doctor may be able to help you with your medical problem without a costly visit to a specialist.
Stay healthy: If you quit smoking, keep your weight at a healthy level, exercise regularly, take prescribed medications and get regular check-ups, you’ll save untold amounts money in the long-run on health care expenses. Plus, healthy lifestyle changes can help you keep chronic diseases under control, which means you won’t have to pay as much for costly treatments and prescriptions.
Review your meds: Discuss your regular medications with your primary care doctor every so often. Talk about how long you’ve been taking the prescription, whether it’s working or not and what negative side effects it may have. You and your doctor may decide you no longer need the medication.
Question expensive testing: If your doctor says you need to get an MRI, a CT scan or another costly test, ask if the test is absolutely necessary. Sometimes these tests lead to nothing more than hefty medical bills.
Don’t fall for the drug hype: Every time you turn on the TV there’s a flashy new ad for the latest “miracle” drug. Don’t get caught up in the hype. While some of these newly released drugs may have a few advantages over their older counterparts, the new meds are often much more expensive. Talk to your primary care physician about whether it’s worth it to make the switch—more often than not, it’s not worth the price you’ll pay.
Don’t go crazy with screening tests: Some screening tests are important because they can catch a disease in the earliest stages. However, you can easily get carried away with screening tests. Oftentimes, these tests lead to false alarms and unnecessary treatments. Try to stick with just the screening tests your doctor recommends based on your medical history.
Give it some time: Obviously some medical problems require immediate treatment. For example, if you think you’re suffering from a stroke or heart attack, get medical attention immediately. On the other hand, if you’re just feeling a little under the weather or having minor aches or pains in your joints, you probably shouldn’t rush to the doctor. Oftentimes, if you give yourself a week or so, the discomfort will go away. If you have a cold or a stomach virus, your body will fight it off naturally. Give yourself some time and see if your body can handle it without the help of medication. However, if these symptoms persist for a week or longer, you may want to see your doctor.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Rwanda Basket Co.

Before I leave this earth I want to do something to make a difference in the world. By being a Rwanda Basket Company Sales Consultant I am not only changing the lives of Rwanda's poor with every basket I sell, but I am showing the world that I care about women and children in need.With every basket I sell I am putting life-changing income into the hands of impoverished women and their children in Rwanda. I am truly making a difference! Our children learn by what they see -- As a sales consultant I am teaching my family and friends to care for those less fortunate than themselves as they watch me work to benefit Rwanda's impoverished women and children. I am joining a caring community of consultants that are growing and learning together about making a difference in the world.