by Admin. | May 1, 2015 | Health Care Reform, healthcare
Order Your Medical Records 5 Steps![Selecting medical records cartoon](https://5zs2d3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/reopening-clipart-medrecs-300x257.jpg)
Anyone who has moved has been confronted with the question “How to Order Your Medical Records?”. Requesting your medical records may seem complex at first its simpler than one thinks.
1. Get a HIPAA release form. The federal law known as HIPAA entitles every person the right to access his or her medical records, receive copies of them, and request amendments to them.
![Copy-of-Your-Medical-Records](https://5zs2d3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/900px-Get-a-Copy-of-Your-Medical-Records-Step-2-300x225.jpg)
2, Select your records. I would make this at least one month no more than 2 months This will give the office plenty of time to get you the records together. Specify the effective date, medical providers name, address, your name, address, medical record number ( you can get this from the staff) any identification numbers; i.e., Social Security Number or insurance ID number.
3. Submit forms. Fill out an authorization form giving one medical provider permission to share your records with another.Mark on that form which types of records you want included. Pay any fees that result.
4. Wait. The turnaround time under HIPAA can be 30 days. Most facilities, however, do not require that much time—many can fulfill a request in five to 10 days. Individual state laws may also dictate how quickly a facility must fulfill a request.
5. Follow up. In an imperfect world things can go wrong. What to do?
If your doctor has moved, you should be able to find your records at the practice she left. If that practice was affiliated with a hospital, the records may be housed within the hospital’s records system.
If your old provider says the records have been sent, but your new doctor’s office hasn’t received them, ask that they be re-sent. Doublecheck to make sure the old provider has the right contact information for your new one. You may find getting someone from your new doctor’s office involved could help. Having a nurse advocate for you, for instance, could put you in a better position.
If you’ve tried everything and are getting nowhere, offer to pick up the records yourself (but be aware that this may cost you), ask to speak with a manager or your doctor directly, or, as a final resort, contact your state medical board to file a complaint. This step is rarely necessary, but even suggesting you’ll have to go this route could get things moving on your request.
The Value of Requesting Your Records
There are many good reasons to request a copy of your medical records. Physicians don’t always share complete patient information or exchange a patient’s health records, so if a patient is seeing a new provider it is beneficial to ensure a copy of their record is sent to the new physician.. Also, it is beneficial for patients or caregivers dealing with multiple doctors and facilities to have all medical records in one place, which can then be used by providers to ensure thorough care.
Reviewing your record is an important way to ensure your provider has complete, correct, and up-to-date information, such as your known allergies. If you find information in your record that is incorrect or that you disagree with, contact the provider’s Health Info Management department.
Finally, it can be good for your health to keep a copy of your medical records, . Keeping an up-to-date copy of your health information will prevent redundant care, like repeat tests, and give all your physicians essential information about your health.
by Admin. | Apr 24, 2014 | healthcare, HSA, Tax
The IRS has released the 2015 Health Savings Account (HSA) inflation adjustments.
New HSA 2015 limits are as follows: ![HSA 2014 Limits HSA 2014 Limits Chart](https://5zs2d3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hsa-work.gif)
HSA Annual Contribution Limit:
Single – $3,350 (up from $3,300 in 2014)
Family – $6,650 (up from $6,550 in 2014)
HDHP Minimum Annual Deductible (No change from calendar year 2011):
Single – $1,300 (up from $1,250 in 2014)
Family – $2,600 (up from $2,500 in 2014)
HDHP Out-of-Pocket Maximum:
Single – $6,450 (up from $6,350 in 2014)
Family – $12,900 (up from $12,900 in 2014)
HSA/HDHP Market Growth
HSA holders own the assets in the accounts and can build up substantial sums over time. Enrollment in HSA-compatible insurance plans has increased to 10 million earlier this year, from 1 million in March 2005, according to, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a trade group.
HSAs were authorized starting in January 2004. Since then, AHIP has conducted a periodic census of health plans participating in the HSA/HDHP market.
- The number of people with HSA/HDHP coverage rose to more than 11.4 in January 2011, up from 10.0 million in January 2010, 8.0 million in January 2009, and 6.1 million in January 2008.
- 30 percent of individuals covered by an HSA plan were in the small group market, 50 percent were in the large-group market, and the remaining 20 percent were in the individual market.
- 14% of all workers in the private sector that have access to a Health Savings Account acc. to Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- States with the highest levels of HSA/HDHP enrollment were California, Ohio, Florida, Texas, Illinois and Minnesota.
HSA Advantages:
Opportunity to build savings – Unused money stays in your account from year to year and earns tax-free interest. The HSA also gives you an investment opportunity.
Tax-free contributions and earnings – You don’t pay taxes on contributions or earnings.
Tax Free Money allowed for non traditional Medical coverage– As per IRS Publication 502, unused moneys can be used for dental,vision, lasik eye surgery, acupuncture, yoga, infertility etc. Popular Examples
Portability – The funds belong to you, so you keep the funds if you change jobs or retire.
Our overall experience with HSAs have been positive when employer funding is at minimum 50% using either the HSA or an HRA (Health Reimbursement Account-employer keeps unspent money). Traditional plans trend of higher copays and new in network deductibles has also led to the popularity of an HSA.
Is your HSA compliant? Which pre-tax qualified HSA, FSA, HRA spending card is right is right for you? Please contact our team at Millennium Medical Solutions Corp (855)667-4621 for immediate answers.. Stay tuned for updates as more information gets released. Sign up for latest news updates.
(Note that a health plan will not fail to qualify as a high deductible health plan merely because it provides certain preventive health services without a deductible, as required under Health Care Reform.)
RESOURCE:
Qualified Expenses
by Admin. | Jan 22, 2013 | healthcare
Physician’s Poem
![Physician's Poem Physician's Poem](https://5zs2d3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/MD-picture-shaking-hand1.jpg)
Physician’s Poem: The Good Physician
Jay Jackson, MDYork, Pa. jackson@cyberia.com
Has a brain that works
Can tell a joke tastefully
Listens as much as talks
Conveys as much with a gaze as with expostulation
Avoids the counsel of scalawags and pontificators
Watches, with pride, the accomplishments of others
Adds to the value of every encounter
Welcomes newness in all its forms
and oldness when it turns newness inside out
Knows that the cerebellum is for dancing
Is not annoyed by mediocrity
Never underestimates the intelligence or ability of others
Realizes that when the procedure has ended, someone still has to clean up
Notes that being wrong and glib is tactless
Thoughtfully navigates divisions of cultural diversity
Is haunted by the difference between accomplishment and aspiration
Can touch
Accumulates a trove of magical ideas for sharing
Is well remembered for those things given away without a second’s hesitation
Understands the weight of oceans in a tear
Bumps into life with boldness and civility
Can use sotto voce
Asks for help when needed
Knows the names of everyone in the room and remembers
to thank them all
Is comfortable with silence
by Admin. | Dec 23, 2012 | family health insurance, Health Care Reform, healthcare, latest health insurance news, Obamacare, PPACA, Wellness
New Proposed Rules for Wellness Programs In another step forward to ncentivize wellness new proposal can give discounts for managing good health much like good drivers with auto insurance.New proposed rules issued under Health Care Reform address certain amendments to the nondiscrimination requirements for group health plans offering a wellness program to comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).Specifically, the proposed rules would increase the maximum permissible reward under a wellness program that requires an individual to satisfy a standard based on a health factor in order to obtain a reward, from 20% to 30% of the cost of coverage (and to 50% for programs designed to prevent or reduce tobacco use). The rules also include other proposed clarifications regarding the requirements for such wellness programs to avoid prohibited discrimination, including reasonable design and reasonable alternatives that must be offered for individuals to obtain the reward.Other Proposed Rules Released Under Health Care Reform
Separately, new proposed rules have been issued for health insurance companies regarding the law’s requirements related to guaranteed availability of coverage and essential health benefits.
- Under one set of proposed rules, issuers offering non-grandfathered health insurance coverage in the individual or group market would be required to accept every individual and employer that applies for coverage, with limited exceptions. Issuers in the individual and small group markets would be allowed to vary premiums within limits, only based on age, tobacco use, family size, and geography.
- Another set of proposed rules outline issuer standards related to coverage of “essential health benefits.” Essential health benefits are a core set of items and services that must be covered by non-grandfathered plans in the individual and small group markets beginning in 2014.
While its always been known a healthy living for employees makes a productive employee. Large businesses have benefited from a healthy work force as they can better afford programs and have a direct rate reduction in rates.
Although employers continue to use cost shifting to control health insurance expenses, many companies are also making wellness programs part of the overall strategy to keep costs down by keeping staff members healthy.“Our entire health care system is organized around treating diseases after they occur, not preventing them before they occur. We need a paradigm shift that places prevention at the center of our health priorities.” – Lynn C. Swann, Chairman, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The new proposed rules would apply for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. An overview of the proposed rules is available on Healthcare.gov. Our Summary by Year offers updates on other requirements related to Health Care Reform. |
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by Admin. | Nov 2, 2012 | healthcare
Carrier Update Nov 2
First, and most importantly, we hope that you and your families are safe and sound.
An office status for Health Insurance Carrier post Hurricane Sandy for your information. Millennium medical Solutions Corp is up and running and the offices are open until 2:00 PM today, Friday November 2nd.
Our building has power but we are having on and off phone/internet trouble but some calls are able to come through so you can call if you have any issues.
Carrier Update
• EmblemHealth still closed
• Horizon still closed
• AmeriHealth still had no power as of yesterday
• Oxford Update – see below
A few changes to business as usual in response to the storm:
1. The deadline for payment of October premiums has been extended. We’ve extended the deposit date for payments to November 9th. Customers should make their payments online, however, as we cannot guarantee that our overnight mailing facilities will be open and available to accept mail.
https://www.payerexpress.com/billmail/EBPP/Sites/Oxford/
2. The deadline for November renewals has been extended from the 1st to the 6th. This includes renewals run through our IDEA portal.
As we get any additionalupdates, we will reach out to you.
by Admin. | Aug 30, 2012 | Bonus Card, healthcare, individual health insurance, Wellness
![CLICK & PRINT! Use this link or print image below to begin using the FREE Pharmacy Card today.](https://5zs2d3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Bonus-Card.jpg)
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CLICK & PRINT!
Use this link or print image below to begin using the FREE Pharmacy Card today.
With our Bonus Card the Rx discount is FREE and a great way to reinsure after all anyone can save you money by taking away benefits.
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What can a Bonus Card card do for you?
Aside from the FREE Pharmacy Discount there added optional benefits. You get all the benefits below in one easy-to-use card for a low family rate of $9.95 or $14.95 per month.
Call a Doctor – Teladoc
Wouldn’t it be nice to just call a doctor when you need a prescription fast? Skip the office visit and wasted time in that germ-infested waiting room. Now, you can call a doctor 24/7/365 and get a prescription, if needed. Your Bonus Card health discount card gives you VIP access to our Teladoc service with fast treatment (within about 22 minutes, on average) for common ailments, from UTIs to pink eye. It’s like having a best friend who happens to be a doctor. Teladoc is just one of many services, including dental discounts, vision discounts and prescription discounts, all rolled into one easy-to-use health discount card. And, you get all this savings for one low monthly fee. There’s no risk with our 30-day, money back guarantee, so start saving time and money when you need to call a doctor to get a prescription (if needed).
Health Discount Card
Bonus Card is a health discount card that includes the ability to call a doctor 24/7 and get a prescription, if needed. It provides dental discounts at over 92,500 providers, vision discounts at over 12,000 providers and prescription discounts for prescriptions that are expensive or not covered by insurance. All that, rolled into one easy-to-use card! We know you’re busy and sometimes just need a prescription fast. You don’t have time to shop around for health discounts or a health discount card. Bonus Card gives you all these health services plus legal advice, identity theft protection and roadside assistance at one low price. You’ll love the time, money and frustration savings you’ll get with your very own Bonus Card health discount card.
Your 24/7/365 Dr. BFF! It’s like having a best friend who’s a doctor! Did you know up to 70% of medical issues could be solved over the phone? Call a doctor (US-based) & get a prescription written, if needed. No additional cost…no kidding! ![](https://www.bonusbenefit.com/images/closequote.jpg)
Two weeks after I received my discount card, I had a dental emergency. I was able to find a dental provider near our offices. The emergency that I experienced required that I have one tooth capped and another one filled. The discount card saved me $200.00. ![](https://www.bonusbenefit.com/images/closequote.jpg)
Wood S. from CA Learn More
Use this link or print image below to begin using the FREE Pharmacy Card today.
![Your Free Pharmacy Discount Card](https://www.nbdrugcard.com/(S(15zeaorzpaxzta55jp3j2p45))/images/NBDrugCard_template1.JPG)
Bonus Card – Pharmacy Discounts Only