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Women Pay The Price For Health Insurance by Sarah Varney April 2, 2009 Listen to the Story Morning Edition [4 min 40 sec] * Add to Playlist * Download * Transcript In Depth Search For Health Insurance Learn About COBRA Read About A Government Subsidy For COBRA A State-By-State Guide to Health Insurance text sizeAAA April 2, 2009 During the last economic bust, I got laid off and couldn't afford the monthly COBRA payments for my health insurance. I applied for an individual plan through Blue Cross. I was 28 at the time and had no health problems. I was thin and athletic. In fact, I'd done a triathlon and biked from San Francisco to Los Angeles twice. I got a letter from Blue Cross saying I was denied. They told me it was because my medical records showed I'd gone to the doctor complaining of stomach pain. The pain had long since gone away, but Blue Cross said if I wanted insurance, my doctor would need to fax a note guaranteeing I didn't have stomach cancer. He faxed the letter, and eventually I got a plan. It makes you wonder, though, if Blue Cross didn't want to insure me - a healthy 20-something - how on earth do actuaries determine who's a good risk and who's not? "It's very scientific and fact-based," says Jeff Fluke a senior underwriter with the risk management company Ingenix in Minneapolis. Fluke says actuaries first calculate average health costs over a broad population like 28-year-old women or 50-year-old men. Then the underwriter adjusts those averages based on your medical history and health status - your height and weight, and whether you have high blood pressure, asthma or hay fever. "Maybe there's a heart condition," Fluke says. "How long ago was it? What were the treatments? Are you on treatment now? What are the medications you're taking? Because some medications [are] expensive and some aren't." Complex Calculations These complex algorithms boil down to: Will you cost the insurance company more money than the insurer c

Women Pay The Price For Health Insurance by Sarah Varney April 2, 2009 Listen to the Story Morning Edition [4 min 40 sec] * Add to Playlist * Download * Transcript In Depth Search For Health Insurance Learn About COBRA Read About A Government Subsidy For COBRA A State-By-State Guide to Health Insurance text sizeAAA April 2, 2009 During the last economic bust, I got laid off and couldn't afford the monthly COBRA payments for my health insurance. I applied for an individual plan through Blue Cross. I was 28 at the time and had no health problems. I was thin and athletic. In fact, I'd done a triathlon and biked from San Francisco to Los Angeles twice. I got a letter from Blue Cross saying I was denied. They told me it was because my medical records showed I'd gone to the doctor complaining of stomach pain. The pain had long since gone away, but Blue Cross said if I wanted insurance, my doctor would need to fax a note guaranteeing I didn't have stomach cancer. He faxed the letter, and eventually I got a plan. It makes you wonder, though, if Blue Cross didn't want to insure me - a healthy 20-something - how on earth do actuaries determine who's a good risk and who's not? "It's very scientific and fact-based," says Jeff Fluke a senior underwriter with the risk management company Ingenix in Minneapolis. Fluke says actuaries first calculate average health costs over a broad population like 28-year-old women or 50-year-old men. Then the underwriter adjusts those averages based on your medical history and health status - your height and weight, and whether you have high blood pressure, asthma or hay fever. "Maybe there's a heart condition," Fluke says. "How long ago was it? What were the treatments? Are you on treatment now? What are the medications you're taking? Because some medications [are] expensive and some aren't." Complex Calculations These complex algorithms boil down to: Will you cost the insurance company more money than the insurer c

New Health Dialogue - logo Health Policy Facts February 27, 2008 - 1:57pm - admin "We're raising the first generation of children who may live sicker and die younger than their parents." --Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Upcoming Events February 27, 2008 - 2:11pm - Paul Testa Upcoming Events Obama and Health Care Reform Wednesday, September 23, 2009 12:00pm - 1:30pm American University Washington College of Law 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Room 603 RSVP here Recent Events: Health CEOs for Health Reform To see a webcast of this event click here The Wireless Future of Health IT For a summary of this event click here New Health Insurance Marketplace For a summary of this event click here CEOs for Health Reform To see a webcast of this event click here For previous events click here Health Policy Links February 27, 2008 - 2:17pm - Joanne Kenen * Who We Are * NEW SITE: The State of State Health * Health Policy Program Website * Guide for Journalists * Guide for Hill Staff New America Blogs * The American Strategist * Blockbuster Democracy * Climate Action * Ed Policy Watch o Early Ed Watch o Ed Money Watch o Higher Ed Watch * The Ladder * New America Voices * New Health Dialogue * Political Reform * The Religious Center * US Budget Watch * Wireless Future * The New America Network Topics Ambulance Diversion California California Cancer Chronic Disease Comparative Effectiveness Comparative Effectiveness Congress Cost Cost Coverage Disparities Emergency Rooms Employer Burden Global Health Good News HC4HR Health Care Health Insurance Health Insurance Health IT Health Politics Health Reform Health Reform Hospitals Hospitals Individual Mandate In the News In the States Lessons of 93 Mandate Massachusetts Medicaid Medical Errors Medical Homes Medicare Nurses Obama palliative care Payment Policy Payment Reform Prevent

New Health Dialogue - logo Health Policy Facts February 27, 2008 - 1:57pm - admin "We're raising the first generation of children who may live sicker and die younger than their parents." --Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Upcoming Events February 27, 2008 - 2:11pm - Paul Testa Upcoming Events Obama and Health Care Reform Wednesday, September 23, 2009 12:00pm - 1:30pm American University Washington College of Law 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Room 603 RSVP here Recent Events: Health CEOs for Health Reform To see a webcast of this event click here The Wireless Future of Health IT For a summary of this event click here New Health Insurance Marketplace For a summary of this event click here CEOs for Health Reform To see a webcast of this event click here For previous events click here Health Policy Links February 27, 2008 - 2:17pm - Joanne Kenen * Who We Are * NEW SITE: The State of State Health * Health Policy Program Website * Guide for Journalists * Guide for Hill Staff New America Blogs * The American Strategist * Blockbuster Democracy * Climate Action * Ed Policy Watch o Early Ed Watch o Ed Money Watch o Higher Ed Watch * The Ladder * New America Voices * New Health Dialogue * Political Reform * The Religious Center * US Budget Watch * Wireless Future * The New America Network Topics Ambulance Diversion California California Cancer Chronic Disease Comparative Effectiveness Comparative Effectiveness Congress Cost Cost Coverage Disparities Emergency Rooms Employer Burden Global Health Good News HC4HR Health Care Health Insurance Health Insurance Health IT Health Politics Health Reform Health Reform Hospitals Hospitals Individual Mandate In the News In the States Lessons of 93 Mandate Massachusetts Medicaid Medical Errors Medical Homes Medicare Nurses Obama palliative care Payment Policy Payment Reform Prevent

Earning less, paying more for health care: fighting a battle on two fronts By Hygeia | Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 Today, April 28th, is Blog for Fair Pay Day. In recognition of this important day, our guest post by Lisa Codispoti, Senior Counsel for Health and Reproductive Rights, National Women's Law Center, relates to health care and equal pay. Between 2000 and 2006, health insurance premiums increased 87.5 percent-4 times more than wages. In addition to the burden of inflated health care costs, women are still paid only 78 cents for every dollar earned by men-with women of color earning even less. In a world where women are earning significantly less than men for comparable work, how can they also afford health care? Pay inequity for women compounds the issues that already exist with our broken health care system. This is a system that makes unfair practices by insurance companies flourish, such as allowing health to be more expensive for women. For example, women pay higher premiums than men when they try to buy health insurance directly from an insurance company through the individual health insurance market (a practice known as gender rating.) Even worse is that many of these health plans do not cover maternity care or expect women to pay an additional fee (what is called a rider) to gain maternity coverage. Women are then left trying to stretch their already smaller paycheck for a much larger health care bill. (more…)

This educational program for clinicians provides information about the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ's) systematic review of the comparative effectiveness and safety of tamoxifen, raloxifene, and tibolone for reducing the risk of primary breast cancer in women.

The most common question arises in mind while taking a decision for abortion, should I go for abortion or not? And this question makes her concern every instance. It is a very bad and tough decision for the lady. However, abortion is the process in which the termination of undesirable pregnancy is done as per the choice of lady. It is difficult to declare that whether this decision is right or wrong because some conditions force them to do abortion. If it is related to the health of the mother and fetus, then abortion is the right decision. MTP kit is now to help you in your tough circumstances. This kit helps in the finishing of undesirable pregnancy.

These Feminine Wipes are an especially gentle formula that deliver a sophisticated clean, especially designed for women (no, not the baby!). Alcohol-free and pH balanced for sweet spots, this cocktail offers the best of both worlds - a refresher and a pick-me-up. For external use only.

Pregnancy is a word, which brings the lots of happiness in your life. Sometimes this good news turns into the bad when someone decided to go for the abortion. Abortion is not an easy step; it takes lots of strength and hard heart to go for the termination of pregnancy. The decision of the abortion totally depends on the woman to have a baby or not. Abortion word has upset the mind of many individuals.

Oil Change Intervals With improved technology, does the old mantra of 'every 3,000 miles' still apply? by Larry E. Hall Most of us already know that regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are a vital part of routine car maintenance that is necessary for engine longevity. During the miles between changes, the oil in your vehicle's engine gradually becomes contaminated with soot, metal particles, gasoline and other impurities. As mileage accumulates, so do the contaminates in the oil. Eventually, enough impurities accumulate that the filter cannot remove them and the oil cannot keep them in suspension. When this happens, the resulting sludge can dramatically shorten engine life. Even though modern technology has vastly improved engines and the oils that lubricate them, regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are still a vital part of regular, preventative auto maintenance. The question is: Just how often does the oil need to be changed? At regular intervals The old mantra of responsible motorists that said, "Change your oil every 3,000 miles!" is being replaced. Today car manufacturers' recommendations for oil changes range from 5,000 to 7,500, or even 10,000 miles for many cars when operated under "normal" driving conditions-more often if conditions are "severe." Before you relax, let me point out that the way most of us drive is listed as severe by the automotive experts. According to the owner's manuals of many new cars and trucks, normal operation of a vehicle is at least 20 minutes, at a medium speed with a steady throttle, and in a clean environment.

Gender can cost you in individual health insurance June 22, 2008 When it comes to health insurance, Valencia resident Tova Hack's first problem is that she works part time and thus needs an individual policy for medical coverage because her employer doesn't offer one. Her second problem is that she's a woman. Ads by Google / Ad Feedback * Blue Cross Blue ShieldHealth insurance plans as low as $4/day. Call 1-8... FREE! www.Vimo.com * Individual BlueSave Big on Health Insurance Rates- Get Affordable Brand Name Care Now! www.YourFreeQuotes.com * Nevada Health PlansFree health insurance quotes! Find the right plan and apply online. www.GoHealthInsurance.com * Blue Cross Short Term InsHealth Insurance Quotes Online from Blue Cross. Plans from $50 month. www.healthinsurancesort.com Hack, 22, a grad student at Cal State Northridge, is insured by Blue Shield of California. She just found out that the cost of her bare-bones, high-deductible insurance plan is going up 20%, to $119 a month from $99. But the real surprise -- which Blue Shield neglected to point out in its recent letters to individual policyholders but which was apparent from a close reading of an accompanying chart -- is that men and women will now be charged different rates. The change takes effect July 1. "I don't think it's fair at all," said Hack. "I'm in perfectly fine health." That may be. But as far as Blue Shield is concerned, Hack and all other women are somehow more accident-prone, or more likely to break a bone, or more susceptible to costly ailments. Why? Because they're women. "Our egghead actuaries crunched the numbers based on all the data we have about healthcare," explained Tom Epstein, a Blue Shield spokesman. "This is what they found." That women get sicker than men? "It's all about the statistics," Epstein said. It's not about pregnancy, though. Hack's policy doesn't even cover pregnancy and maternity care. No, this is purely a matter of Blue Shield deciding t

Gender can cost you in individual health insurance June 22, 2008 When it comes to health insurance, Valencia resident Tova Hack's first problem is that she works part time and thus needs an individual policy for medical coverage because her employer doesn't offer one. Her second problem is that she's a woman. Ads by Google / Ad Feedback * Blue Cross Blue ShieldHealth insurance plans as low as $4/day. Call 1-8... FREE! www.Vimo.com * Individual BlueSave Big on Health Insurance Rates- Get Affordable Brand Name Care Now! www.YourFreeQuotes.com * Nevada Health PlansFree health insurance quotes! Find the right plan and apply online. www.GoHealthInsurance.com * Blue Cross Short Term InsHealth Insurance Quotes Online from Blue Cross. Plans from $50 month. www.healthinsurancesort.com Hack, 22, a grad student at Cal State Northridge, is insured by Blue Shield of California. She just found out that the cost of her bare-bones, high-deductible insurance plan is going up 20%, to $119 a month from $99. But the real surprise -- which Blue Shield neglected to point out in its recent letters to individual policyholders but which was apparent from a close reading of an accompanying chart -- is that men and women will now be charged different rates. The change takes effect July 1. "I don't think it's fair at all," said Hack. "I'm in perfectly fine health." That may be. But as far as Blue Shield is concerned, Hack and all other women are somehow more accident-prone, or more likely to break a bone, or more susceptible to costly ailments. Why? Because they're women. "Our egghead actuaries crunched the numbers based on all the data we have about healthcare," explained Tom Epstein, a Blue Shield spokesman. "This is what they found." That women get sicker than men? "It's all about the statistics," Epstein said. It's not about pregnancy, though. Hack's policy doesn't even cover pregnancy and maternity care. No, this is purely a matter of Blue Shield deciding t

Treatment For Ovarian Cysts . Ovarian cysts tend to be very well-known. Most ladies don't realize the fact that they have even ovarian cysts. In most situations the cysts tend to be harmless. Ovarian cysts are actually fluid stuffed sacs which develop within the ovaries.

In the United States an estimated 62 million women between the ages of 15 to 44 are on some type of birth control. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the typical female in America wants to have two children. "To achieve this goal," according to the policy analysis organization, "she must use contraceptives for roughly three decades." For that reason, permanent birth control is a good option for women and couples who are satisfied with the number of children in their family and do not want to get pregnant again.

Walking Daily Helps Boost Your Metabolism and Can Reduce Anxiety and Depression. Simple Exercises for Promoting Better Mental and Physical Health.

home remedies for headaches

Fernandez Stork Home is the top natural birth hospital in Hyderabad, supports natural birth to the fullest, unless there is any emergency medical complication. Natural childbirth allows you to remain in control of your body as much as possible. If you choose natural labour, you accept the potential for pain and discomfort as part of giving birth. With the right preparation (childbirth classes) and support (especially of a professional midwife) you will be confident and empowered to make decisions. Stork Home, the best natural birth hospital in Hyderabad, offers you different types of preparations and motivation needed for natural childbirth.

The Commonwealth Fund released Women at Risk: Why Many Women Are Forgoing Needed Health Care, a report by Sheila Rustgi, Michelle Doty and Sara Collins, on May 7, 2009. The authors reported that about half of working-age women said they have problems accessing needed care because of costs. About 40 percent of men responded they have problems accessing care. Women who have insurance but are not fully covered are at the most risk of not getting the necessary care, Rustgi said. About two-thirds of underinsured women have problems accessing care compared to about half for men. According to the report, about 64 million women or 70 percent of Americans have no health insurance coverage

If serious diseases are not taken into account, women have to pay more for their health, it's true. Let's take birth control for instance. All methods are pretty expensive, not everyone can afford some of them. If you are interested, check https://birthcontrol.com/ for more information.

Cake recipes for kids should be easy to find, but it's not and a few of them that you find are actually healthy and delicious at the same time. But isn't that what we are all looking for in food, sweets, juices? Since I was little, I was a sugar maniac, bu...

Menopause is a natural process marking the end of a woman's period of fertility. In the United States, the average age of menopause is 51. It is not uncommon, however, for some women to start menopause in their 40s. While certain women may be happy about finishing their menstrual cycle, menopause does have some significant and uncomfortable side effects, from sleeplessness to mood swings and hot flashes. The good news is that there's a slew of physician designed and approved natural feminine products developed specifically for the purpose of decreasing and easing menopausal symptoms.

Intimate health includes caring for the vulva, which consists of the external genital organs including the pubic mound, labia, clitoris and the opening of the vagina. The vulva serves as protection for the uterus and also as the focus of sexual pleasure with stimulation of the many nerve endings located in these external organs. Secretions and odors are a normal aspect of the vulva and help to protect the vagina and the sensitive skin.