Legal Placement Services: The Difference Between Court Reporters and Paralegals

Many important professions are involved with legal placement services. Most people know the important ones, such as lawyers, defense attorneys, judges, juries, and others. However, some positions often get confused, those being court reporters and paralegals. Though they both assist law firms in some way, this is where the similarities end. This article will go on to describe the difference, and any additional amount of similarities there might be between court reporters and paralegals.

CourtReporters

The Court Reporting career path is a great choice for people who tend to be more on the shy, introverted side but are great writers. If the person gets uncomfortable around large amounts of people, they should not have to worry about doing so with this position. Besides transcribing the happenings of trials, the other tasks court reporters have that involve interacting with people is limited: swearing in witnesses, reading back parts of the trial, or asking certain people to repeat something if it is unclear. "Swearing in" is the process of reading the witness his or her rights before providing testimony.

Court reporters are sometimes called "law reporters," "shorthand reporters," or "stenotype operators." With today's technology, reporters sometimes require the skills of digital court reporting or voice writing reporting. These are self-explanatory because the reporters record and transcribe the trial at the same time. This may sound easier than it is. The National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) set requirements for reporters to pass typing tests with speeds of 225 words a minute for the United States. This varies by country. This NVRA requirement is often the reason why the dropout rate for this position is very high-nearly 95% for some schools. Training is difficult because it is a very difficult skill to obtain.

Paralegals

While court reporting is a great profession for introverted individuals, paralegals should definitely be more extraverted because it is a people-oriented position. Paralegals have the option of working for a law firm or independently. While most reporters tend to serve some sort of law or government firms (though some do choose to work freelance) most paralegals work independently. While paralegals are involved with some cases-conducting research, drafting documents, working with clients, and managing cases-they are not permitted to provide legal advice to clients directly unless it is permitted by law. One characteristic reporters and paralegals have in common is every state has different laws and certifications that must be completed by both professions, but every state is different.

There are some other characteristics paralegals and court reporters have in common, though they are few. These professionals must have excellent written and oral communication skills, though for court reporters it is mostly written skills that are most important. They must be detail-oriented and portray a high sense of professionalism since they are both working with legal placement services and the government. Though the similarities are few, it is still easy to see how these two positions could get confused. Hopefully, this article has cleared up any misunderstandings for those people who are looking into working with legal placement services.

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Types Health Insurance in India

The awareness for buying medical insurance in India is finally growing. People have realized that buying a medical insurance is a long term investment. To tap this growing demand, medical insurance providers offer various types of mediclaim policies to lure their customers. Before starting the buying process it is important to know the different types of medical insurance plans that are available in India.

1. Individual Health Insurance policy

Individual policy also known as the 'Standard Mediclaim policy' is one of the simplest forms of insurance, and is available with all health insurance companies in India. As the name suggests, this policy is designed to cover hospitalization expenses for an individual up to the sum assured of the plan.

For instance: Mr. Ram has an individual policy for Rs 3 lakh. If Mr. Ram is hospitalized, the insurance company / TPA will bear the medical expenses up to a maximum limit of Rs 3 lakh.

2. Family Floater Health Insurance

Family floater insurance policy provides a cover to the entire family under one umbrella. This plan covers self, spouse and two dependent kids in one policy. Some medical insurance companies also permit parents or parents in law under the same plan.

The main feature of this insurance policy is that the sum assured floats among the family members listed in the policy. The complete sum assured can be used either by a single member of the family listed in the policy or it can used by more than one member in the same year.

Quotes for a family floater health insurance is cheaper than the total quotes for individual insurance policies. In simple words, family floater policy offers a wider cover at a lower premium.

3. Critical illness Health Insurance policy

The critical illness health policy offers coverage only for the critical illnesses mentioned in the policy wordings. The highlight of this plan is that the insured individual receives a lump sum amount (irrespective of the hospital bill) as specified in the policy on being diagnosed with a critical ailment (as defined by the insurance company).

4. Senior citizen Health Insurance

As the name suggests, the senior citizen policy caters to individuals above the age of 60 years. This policy has a shorter waiting period. The senior citizen policy generally has a higher renewable age and the premiums are also higher.

Each type of insurance policy has its own set of advantages and drawbacks. The best policy that suits your needs would depend upon various factors like age, budget, number of individuals to be covered etc. Whatever you buy, you need a specialized agent to assist you and help you buy medical insurance

Buying Individual Health Insurance at Low Cost

Buying individual health insurance is easy, but you need to check whether you needs are covered or not. A reputed and esteemed health insurance provider covers pre-existing conditions as well so search a valued one.

People from all over the world understand the importance of buying health insurance plans. If a person is not employed or is unable to obtain insurance from his/her employer, then the person has to check various health plans available in the market. Buying health plans on your own is normally much more expensive than when you get it from employer. In fact, employer provided plans offer extensive coverage. According to experts, before finalizing any insurance policy, the customers should ensure they understand the terms and conditions, including type of coverage, benefits, limitations, and other benefits.

Here are some tips to ponder before buying individual health insurance:

Do not buy a cheapest insurance plan: People are suggested not buy a cheapest health insurance plan as it may be cheap in its quality as well. If your coverage needs do not covered, then it is waste of money and time for you. Buy a health insurance policy after confirming that it accomplishes your needs within your budget.

All individual insurance plans are not created for the whole consumers: The other thing you need to pay attention before buying a health plan is that different plans suit different individuals. Before finalizing a plan for you, understand your healthcare needs.

Understanding your needs thoroughly: Before getting a plan, it is vital for you to understand your plan and ensure does it cover your requirements. If you are seeking out to have dependents, it is vital that you understand the medical needs of your family members.

When you have a pre-existing condition: If you have a pre-existing condition, then you cannot buy a health plan blindly. Because, some insurance providers cover pre-existing conditions while some are not. So, it is advised to confirm whether the policy provider covers pre-existing conditions or not.

Taking prescription drugs: Individuals who are administering prescription drugs are advised to check their health insurance providers if they will cover their drugs or medicines or not as some health insurance companies do not cover them.

Get some vital information about your healthcare providers: One of the important things to check is whether the insurance provider is authentic or not. Being a customer, you can ask for the limitations or exclusions in your policy.

Lots of companies offer discounts: If you pay annual premiums for individual health policies, then your healthcare provider offers discount. Once you have decided to buy a particular individual health plan, then you need to decide whether you pay the premium annually to avail this discount or not.

Buying individual health plans

If you are planning to buy individual health plans at discount rates, then getting the assistance of the internet can be proved of great help. In addition, you can companies and their products before choosing one. So, do not get late. Just search a company and ask for individual health quotes.

Understanding More About The HMO Health Covers

In the present-day uncertain life, acquiring a health insurance policy has become very important. Health insurance helps in safeguarding you and your family against any kind of health issues. The health cover policies provide complete coverage to the insured person for dealing with the medical expenses, cost of surgeries and rehabilitation. Since the past few years, there has been a considerable rise in the rates of these health assurance plans and the people have been looking for various effective ways to deal with the augmentation. In the early 1990's, HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) was formed in order to curb the ever-growing rates of the insurance companies.

The main objective behind the formation of HMO was to contain the cost of insurance claims and offer lower cost health cover plans in return. This objective was accomplished by restricting the physicians and infirmaries to certain companies, who will consent to bring down the reimbursement rates for providing insurance services. Various HMO plans, started out with the doctors, hospitals and other organizations, helped in providing affordable health cover policies to the people. This step was beneficial for the people who used medical facilities within the stipulated network.

Before the HMO cover plans, the option of co-payment for the doctor's visit was unknown. These visits were included, but they were covered along with the other expenses which were also subjected to co insurance. For instance, if the deductible amount was $500 and the doctor's visit fees were $200, the patients had to pay $200 from their pocket. But, with the advent of MHO's, if you visit a physician within the stipulated network, you can get the co payment without worrying about the deductible amount. People were able to save extra amount of money, which was earlier used in paying heavy monthly premiums.

Obtaining HMO health insurance cover is a good idea for the people. However, there is a problem associated with obtaining these kinds of policies. You are restricted to a certain number of hospitals and doctors within the HMO network. If you are availing the benefits of HMO and visit a doctor outside your network, you will not be entitled to any kind of coverage. In order to curb the ever rising rates, HMO included only one doctor or hospital in the network. It is highly beneficial if you are visiting that particular hospital or doctor. But in case, you are seeing any other specialist outside the network, you will have to deal with all the expenses out of your own pocket.

In spite of these negative points, HMO's are still widely popular all around the globe. Now, these HMO's include a large number of hospitals and physicians in their network so as to allow the users to deal with the health issues effectively. With the help of these HMO health covers, you can save a great deal of money by visiting the doctors within your network. So, if you are looking forward to save a great deal of money while dealing with your chronic health issues, then obtaining HMO policies is the best option for you.

What Are The HIPAA Regulations For Medical Transcription?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has various regulations that seek to protect the private medical information of patients. All the confidential information that is provided by patients will be stored and transmitted electronically and HIPAA stipulates that there be various safeguards in place to help prevent any misuse or abuse.

Hospitals, clinics and health insurance companies store hundreds of records of patients each day and most of them use medical transcription for the purpose of storing. When the records are documented, it is important that the patient information is not accessed by anyone other than those authorized for this purpose.

Top 5 HIPAA Regulations For Medical Transcription

If the protected information of patients is stored on tapes, it would be best to convert them into electronic format. When the information is stored electronically, you will be able to safeguard them better. You can use passwords to protect them. Most hospitals and health insurance companies employ medical transcriptionist to store all patient information in a systematic manner. These medical transcriptionists will need to be trained in the various rules and regulations of HIPAA so that there are no violations and there is better compliance. If any protected information of patients is transmitted electronically over the Internet there should be enough safeguards in place to ensure that it is secure. It would be best if the files are encrypted. The access codes to the files should be known only to those who are authorized to access the files. So even if an unauthorized person does manage to access the files they will not be able to open them without the codes. All the data that is entered and stored by medical transcriptionists will need to be password protected. This will ensure that there is no unauthorized access. The computers or workstations from where this information is stored should also be password protected. The passwords need to be changed at regular intervals. Most covered entities have policies in place that stipulate that the password need to be changed once every 30 - 60 days. Any amendments or changes that are made to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act should be passed on the employees through special training sessions or newsletters or meetings. This will ensure compliance of HIPAA.

The workstations should be positioned in such a way that no one is able to see the screen and misuse the information that is displayed there. If the employee is not sitting at the workplace they will need to lock the computer so that any unauthorized access is prevented.

All the compliance standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act will need to be fulfilled by covered entities and their employees. If anyone tries to gain access to the computers or files there should be enough safeguards to sound a warning. It is the responsibility of the employee that all security and privacy rules of HIPAA are strictly enforced. There can be various penalties if the rules and regulations of HIPAA are not complied with.

The Affordable Care Act Means Health Care Rebate Checks for You in 2012

Yes it's true, starting next year rebate checks will be in the mail. Federal regulations issued on Nov. 22 2010 called the "Affordable care act" required health insurance companies to prove that they spent at least 80% of their collected dollars on medical care and improvement efforts.

These regulations force the health insurance marketplace to become more accountable and require that they spend more of their dollars on higher end care. This means that Americans are going to get a better value for all of their hard earned money spent on health care insurance.

Basically what these companies are doing with a large part of our consumer dollars is spending it on marketing, exec salaries, overhead and essentially just putting it their pocket. With the Affordable Care Act insurance companies will be required to spend 80 to 85% on actual medical care and quality health care improvement, instead of "administrative costs."

If they fail to comply, these insurance companies will have to provide a rebate check starting in 2012. These new rules will protect millions of Americans and some estimates are projecting that almost 9 million Americans will be eligible for rebate checks in 2012 with a value of almost 1.4 million dollars. The average rebate check will be around $164.

This federal regulation is requiring that insurance companies must publicly report how much they are spending on premium medical care, which is great information for all those consumers left in the dark for all these years. After years of input from the different states, public and stakeholders the decision has been made to make health insurance more of a fair process for consumers.

This act also requires the (NAIC) National Association of Insurance Commissioners to create uniform procedures and policies in calculating their medical loss ratio's, which is essentially how much is spent where and what part is being spent on quality medical care for the consumer and if it's not 80-85% the insurance companies will have to issue a rebate check for the difference.

Insurance companies in every state will now be responsible and held financially accountable in protecting the interests of the general public, policy holders and enrolled participants in their respective states.

It's outrageous that in some markets insurance companies spend as little as 60% on direct medical care and health care improvement. As much as 40 cents out of every dollar goes to the "administrative costs" of the health care insurance provider. So where does all this money really go you may wonder?

Timothy Jost who is a law professor at Washington and Lee University in VA says he estimates that these insurance companies spend 12% of every dollar that they get on pharmaceuticals and 31% for doctor's care, and 31% on administrative costs.

Hopefully this new regulation will force insurance companies to become more efficient and not raise premiums more than absolutely necessary and if they do then 80-85% of every dollar needs to be on actual care and not into the endless coffers of the insurance companies.

New Job Medical Insurance Benefits Do Not Start Right Away!

The best way to get medical insurance coverage in America is to get a job that provides benefits. These plans will not cost anything each month as the employer pays the monthly cost as long as you are employed. Some of these plans will start as soon as you begin working. However many times there will be a wait of 30 days to up to 3 months before the benefits start. This is considered somewhat of a probationary period, see if the employment is a good fit before offering all the benefits. The problem is that this can leave a gap in coverage and create a financial hardship situation should an unexpected medical expense occur during this probationary period.

Some people have other coverage through a prior job or a spouse's job. If that is the case you can simply keep the benefits until your new coverage starts. If you are switching jobs, you will be required to pay for the COBRA premiums each month until your new coverage starts. If you are sick or have chronic medical issues that cost to maintain each month, this may be your best option. However, many people who find themselves in this situation have discovered short term health insurance plans to bridge this gap with major medical coverage for emergency situations without costing the huge amount that COBRA would cost.

Short term health insurance plans are full major medical plans that are approved by each state's department of insurance. Coverage can start as early as midnight of the night you apply and you can get your cards emailed to you instantly. The difference in these plans is the cost each month. For a reduction in benefits to the most basic benefits you will lower your costs by over 50%. If you are hospitalized or have to have surgery, your expenses will be covered just like the most expensive plans. So if you know that you will have coverage provided by your new employer this is a fantastic option to keep from worrying about a major catastrophic event that could hurt your finances.

If you have gotten a new job with benefits, congratulations. Make sure you understand exactly when your new benefits will start. Consider your options for coverage until that time. If you can't believe how much COBRA is demanding each month, you do have other plans to consider that will provide the coverage you need. While you could go without coverage and risk a major medical expense, you don't need to if you research some short term health insurance plans online or with a local agent.

Shopping Online for Critical Illness Cover

Critical illness cover is cover that you get just in case you are diagnosed with illnesses such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease. These diseases are called critical because many people have died as a result. This is not the case anymore as medical advancements have made recovery from these kinds of illnesses very possible.

Most people do not necessarily die from having cancer, as there are treatments available in hospitals for these kinds of diseases. The truth however is that these medications require a lot of money and patients often have to stay for long in bed during recovery and may not have the strength to work for a living. This is the reason why you will need something to back you up, financially.

This is where critical illness cover comes in, as you will be paid a certain lump sum of money when you are diagnosed with a particular terminal illness like cancer or diabetes. This amount will depend on critical illness insurance that you get. Be sure to talk to your provider to explain to you exactly what amount you will be expecting. You will live in peace knowing that regardless of what happens you will be just fine. The lump sum may even be more than you need for the medication and you may have some left over to invest however you wish.

The first exercise will be getting yourself a critical illness insurance quote. There are many places from which you can get a quote. You may want to first ask friends or relatives who already have covers to refer you to their providers. This way you will have the assurance of dealing with someone who has already been proven to deliver. You should however not take their words for it and instead do your own investigations to find out as much as you can about their services. Ask him or her for a reference number of a former client to find out if the provider really does keep promises.

The other way which is normally simpler and easier way to shop for a critical illness cover is to do it online. You do not even have to leave the comfort of your living room to get a critical illness cover quote. At the click of a button, you will be able to access lots of information about medical covers and the kinds available. You just have to exercise a lot of patience to get the right one. There are those websites that will provide rates from different companies from which you can choose one that suits you best.

You will be able to compare critical illness cover premiums available. Remember not to compromise quality in exchange for a low insurance premium. It is always easier to get these cheaper insurance premiums when you are younger as compared to trying to get them at a later stage in life. When you have decided on one that you think suits you best, you should talk to and independent financial advisor who should be able to break things down for you clearly.

What Is The Procedure For Doing A HIPAA Audit?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal act that ensures that all confidential information of patients is protected from misuse and abuse. There have been numerous instances when the protected information of patients has been misused for commercial purposes or otherwise and HIPAA will help in preventing such misuse.

There are various organizations of the health care industry which are classified as covered entities and they will need to follow all the rules and regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. These organizations can also do an audit to determine whether all the provisions of HIPAA are being followed without any intentional or unintentional violation.

Top 5 Steps For Conducting The HIPAA Audit

1. Before starting with the HIPAA audit it is important you gain adequate knowledge about the recent amendments and changes that have taken place in the Act. This will help you be up to date with all the latest provisions of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. You will be able to get all the information that is necessary for this purpose from the HIPAA website.

2. All covered entities will have policies and procedures in place that will help them comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This should be in accordance to the policies and procedures that have been stipulated by HIPAA.

3. The audit should check to see how all information pertaining to the patients are handled by the different departments of the covered entities. As all the information pertaining to the patient is stored on electronic devices (computers, hard drives) it is necessary to ensure that these are password protected. Apart from this all files that hold protected information of patients will also need to have passwords to gain access to them.

4. If the information is stored physically in files then the audit will check to see whether they are kept in a secure place. If any patient information is destroyed there should be adequate safeguards to ensure that it is done properly. All the physical files will need to be properly locked and access to this place should be restricted only to authorized individuals.

5. If there have been reports of any violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, it needs to be examined. You will also need to determine what steps were taken after detection of the violation. If the violation has not been cleared within the stipulated period of time it will attract fines and imprisonment depending on whether the violation was intentional or unintentional.

All these checks and counterchecks will help in keeping the protected information of patients safe and secure. It will also help the organizations who store and access this information to bring policies and procedures in place to check any kind of misuse. All the internal controls of the organizations need to be checked and suitable changes made to it to ensure compliance of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This will ensure that all protected information of the patients remain safe.

Private Medical Insurance Premiums - How to Beat Rising Costs

Putting a price on health is near on impossible: good health it's priceless. But as the actual cost of health care rises, those with private medical insurance are now beginning to count the costs. We take a look at why medical premiums are on the rise and how you can still find competitive private medical insurance policies.

Medical insurance premiums are affected by a number of different factors. Inflation is the main offender when it comes to rising costs. It affects household budgets, energy prices and luxury goods, right through to insurance premiums. Medical premiums in particular have risen most sharply in recent years - almost at twice the rate of normal inflation and for a number of reasons. Not only have consultant fee's risen, but the base cost of medical treatments such as equipment and drugs have also - and they're likely to keep on rising. Cancer treatment for instance, which some private medical insurance policies cover, is predicted to rise by 65% over the next decade.

Couple this with the world population which has grown at an astonishing rate over the last 100 years, putting a growing strain on our health care systems. We're also an aging population living longer than ever before. The average life expectancy of men and women in the UK currently stands 78.2 and 82.3 years respectively. That's 8 years higher than in the 1970s. Whilst it's great that we're living longer, it means that more of us requiring health care, and more frequently.

Unfortunately, the way we are living is also exacerbating the system. Our modern lifestyle choices mean that we are exercising less, eating more unhealthily and probably washing it all down with too much alcohol. Often, this will lead to health problems such as obesity and illnesses such as diabetes which will ultimately require hospital treatment.

Finally, huge advances in medical treatments over the last couple of years have also pushed up costs. Although more of us may be suffering from serious health conditions, these medical advances mean we are no longer dying from them. Now, certain drugs can help patients control illnesses preventing death or at least prolonging life. This ongoing treatment however, comes at a cost. Figures from 2007 show that the US pharmaceutical industry spent nearly $60 billion on drug research and development but only 2 out of every 10 drug of these drugs which make it onto the market produce enough revenue to match their research or sale costs.

All these increases consequently means that health insurance premiums are going up. Talking to the Sunday Times, health care expert Keith Pollard said: "A combination of an older population and higher costs for new medical treatments is pricing many people out of private medical care all together." Although latest figures from analysts Laing & Buisson in 2010 show fewer people are taking out medical insurance, there are still 6.5 million people in the UK have private medical insurance. 2.9 million of these are employer-funded policies. So although prices are on the rise, there is still a large number of people who want to take advantage of these medical advances and treatments that may only be available through private medical institutions.

Customers can still obtain competitive deals but need to be aware that some medical insurance providers are lowering premiums by increasing excesses. Insurers usually charge around £50 per claim, but providers with higher excess may charge up to £2,000. Opting for a higher excess can reduce monthly payment costs significantly. Consider how comfortable you are sacrificing a lower premium for a higher excess.

Savings on premiums can also be made by tailoring your contract - known as a 'modular' policy. This means that you can customise your level of cover. For instance, a policy which does not include physiotherapy or cancer treatment could cost a lot less than a fully comprehensive one. This means weighing up your financial options and whether you can afford to risk certain elements of a policy. Searching for tailored private medical insurance can be both time consuming and confusing and it most cases may be most efficiently done through an independent private medical insurance specialist.

What Do You Need To Know About HIPAA Data Compliance?

Organizations that are classified as covered entities will need to comply with the data backup regulations stipulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This will ensure that all medical records of patients are safe and there are additional backups created to help keep them safe even in an emergency.

As all the files are stored electronically, it is advisable that organizations create a backup for these files. Most covered entities used to have a manual backup plan that helped safeguard the protected information of patients. However this proved to be quite inadequate as the volume of medical records of patients increased over a period of time.

Organizations needed a larger backup plan due to the enormity of the files that needed to be stored and safeguarded. The manual backup plan was also vulnerable for damage and loss of files. Due to this automatic backup of files became the norm as they help in saving larger volume of data easily.

4 Important Aspects Of HIPAA Data Compliance

1. All data that is stored in these automatic backup systems are encrypted and this will ensure that they cannot be accessed by any unauthorized individual. If someone intentionally or unintentionally manages to gain access to them, it will not be possible to open them without completing the decryption process. This will ensure safety and security of the protected information of patients.

2. Most organizations that need to comply with the various provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are also opting for a remote offsite data files storage facility. There is usually a 128 bit encryption before the files are transferred remotely for backup. These remote data centers will need to be HIPAA compliant.

3. The files in the remote backup facility are safeguarded using the latest in technology and this will help restrict any kind of unauthorized access. There is also a secure password and other biometric safeguards that help keep the files safe. They would also be able to store a huge volume of patient data. Organizations that have utilized all the space that is available to store the files can ask for an upgrade. This will ensure that more files are stored in this system.

4. Authorized individuals will be able to access the files that are stored remotely by following the necessary safety procedures. The remote backup plan helps keep the files safe even during natural calamities like floods.

All these measures will help ensure that even if all the electronic data in hospitals or clinics or health insurance agencies is destroyed there is still an option available for organizations to get back the data through remote backup facilities. This ensures that the data is safe at all times.

There is also a twenty four hour backup facility available at these remote backup sites and this ensures that the data is continuously captured and there will be no loss of valuable data. When organizations opt for such facilities, it will enable them to be HIPAA complaint and help avoid any penalties.

Why Medicare Supplemental Insurance Is Extremely Important for Senior Citizens!

Comparing Medicare Supplement Plans is simply the best way to thoroughly ensure that you have the lowest priced Medicare Supplement Policy that is available to you when you are on Medicare - over age 65.

When starting your search for a Medigap Insurance Plan, you should read through Medicare guides--you should receive a "Choosing a Medigap Policy" guide by Medicare when you first turn 65, and if you don't remember getting one, you can call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Once you feel that you have a decent understanding of supplemental Medicare insurance, the plans that are offered, and how coverage works, it is time that you start the process of selecting the policy you want, and from which company you will get it through.

One of the best resources you can use to your advantage when looking for a Medicare Supplemental Insurance plan is an independent insurance broker. By starting with a broker, you will have unbiased advise and plan recommendations--as opposed to a "captive agent" who will only work for one company and can only sell you one policy. Broker's are generally compensated by commission, so they will want to sell you a policy, but they usually have your best interest at mind and will do what it takes to make you happy.

The most popular supplement plans are by far the Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. Although there are really a total of 10 Medicare Gap Policies, the three mentioned are the most popular and account for over 90% of all Medicare Supplement sales. The Plan F has the highest level of coverage, and many senior citizens call it the "Cadillac" plan. Plan G is sort of in the middle (although very similar in coverage to Plan F besides a small deductible. Plan G has the best level of value. Plan N is one of the cheapest Medicare Supplement Plans, and due it it being cheaper, it also covers less benefits. Depending on your comfort level, one of these plans is sure to be suitable for you. Comparing Medicare supplement rates on all of these policies will ensure that you pick something in your price range, and are also not overpaying for a plan that could get elsewhere for cheaper.

Most senior citizens on Medicare are often overwhelmed by all of the numerous options that are available to them. Many people unfortunately end up choosing the "wrong" type of insurance plan because they simple were not aware of a more suitable type of coverage. Medicare does not do a good job of helping people age 65+ to understand what is available to them, therefore they are "in the dark". Doing your research will definitely pay off and help you to make sure all of your insurance needs are met.

Medigap (aka supplement) is a specific type of insurance designed by the centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services to reduce or even eliminate the large gaps that is left y the standard Medicare Part A & B coverage that most senior citizens have after turning age 65.

The best time to enroll in one of these types of insurance plans is generally when you are about 3 months away from turning 65. This will ensure adequate time to get the plan signed up, have your ID cards in the mail, and have your doctor's picked out. Although with Medigap insurance you can visit any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.

Keeping in mind all of these considerations when you are turning 65 will help you make the most out of your healthcare, golden age, and retirement future!

What Do You Need To Know About HIPAA?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that was passed as a federal law in 1996 helps in providing health insurance cover to individuals and their families even when there is discontinuation of employment or when they lose their jobs. Apart from this HIPAA also aims at safeguarding and protecting all confidential information of patients.

6 Basic Things That You Need To Know About HIPAA

All health care providers and health insurance companies that are classified as covered entities as per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act will need to comply with the various provisions of the Act. The health care providers include hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses, laboratories, pharmacies and nursing homes. There are some organizations that do have the medical records of patients but are not classified as covered entities according to HIPAA. These include life insurance companies, schools and other state and law enforcement agencies that are exempt. The patients have the right to be informed about how their protected information will be accessed and used. Apart from this the patients can also demand copies of their medical records. If there are any changes to be made to the medical records a request can be made to hospitals or clinics where the records are stored. The changes will need to be made within thirty days of making the request. The confidential information of patients can be shared by the various health care providers for treatment purposes. If the information is to be shared for any other purpose, it is important that there is a written or oral authorization from the patient to access the medical records. The patient can deny sharing of the records with family and friends by making a written request. The authorization to access the medical records will not be required under certain circumstances that are specified by HIPAA. The exemption from authorizations is when this protected information is required by federal agencies for the purpose of law. There can be civil and criminal penalties for violation of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The penalties can be fine or imprisonment or both depending on the nature of the violation. The fines are usually limited for a single offence and repeated offenders will have to pay a hefty fine subject to the maximum that has been fixed by HIPAA. The imprisonment period will also vary depending on the extent of the violation.

All organizations that are classified as covered entities as per Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act will need to train their employees for proper compliance of the Act. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide training.

There are many amendments that are made to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and individuals who will be accessing the protected information of patients will need to be aware of these changes. The amendments that are made will need to be distributed to employees as newsletters or through any other medium that will make it easier for them to become aware about them.

Choosing A Suitable Health Insurance Plan

Selecting a suitable health insurance plan is of utmost importance. Nowadays, landing in the clinic for even a single day can devastate your bank account. This is why you need to consider the price, the advantages, and the amount to which your personal health needs are met when selecting insurance. Research different plans that are obtainable, and evaluate how specifically tailored they are to your family member's requirements and monetary capabilities, to choose a plan that is best suited to you. This article is going to deal with some key information regarding this topic.

Now, let us talk about some key instructions in this regard. Make sure you go through the below mentioned points carefully.

• First of all, you need to sign on with the health insurance offered by your professional employer. We can say that it is the most economical option available with you. You can easily get several options in this regard.

• Now, you must evaluate your requirements, taking in to consideration your present use of medical care and your health expenditure for the near future. You got to enquire a lot about your dependants coverage. You must choose a plan depending upon your requirements.

• The next thing that you must do is to compare the advantages and coverage of specific items like co - payments, monthly premiums, and co - insurance rates, deductibles, preventive care, immunizations and physical exams. Some of the other services that could excite you are: nursing care, mental health coverage, fertility services and long - term care.

• Another important thing for you to do is to ask a lot of questions. You need to enquire about the hospitals that offer you insurance services.

• You got to check out if advantages are limited for preexisting situations, or if you need to wait for a specific time period before you get completely covered through an insurance policy.

• You got to research whether there is a fair appeals procedure obtainable if the firm denies treatment, and if these appeals are properly reviewed by an independent insurance agency.

• Choose a plan that suitably matches your requirements and priorities based on through online research. You got to go through all the materials and enquire the health plan agent as soon as possible.

• You must investigate long - term care insurance. The increasing price of health care can demolish your monetary savings if you are incapacitated for a long period of time. As soon as, you hit your 40s you need to opt for a suitable health insurance plan.

So, these are some of the most essential points to note regarding economical health insurance plan. You got to choose all your options carefully no matter what it takes. Internet is a great place for you to search for such amazing insurance policies. You need to visit a suitable agency and look out for some essential quotes. Read this article carefully for further information. It could be of great help to you. Have a lot of fun and enjoy yourself while choosing a health insurance plan.

How Is HIPAA Useful In Protecting Patient Information?

The privacy and confidentiality of patient information is protected by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that was passed as a federal law in 1996. All covered entities will need to adhere to the various rules and regulations of HIPAA.

There is an enforcement process in place by HIPAA and this handles all cases of violations. The penalties would vary depending on the nature and extent of the violation that has been committed. You would be surprised to know that most of the violations are unintentional and they mostly happen due to lack of awareness of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

5 Helpful Hints In Protecting Patient Information Using HIPAA

All communication with the patient will need to be safeguarded. The covered entities will need to have various policies in place to protect any kind of communication that a patient has with doctors, nurses, lab assistants and any individuals who will be part of the treatment process. Access to all information of patient should be restricted and only authorized individuals should be able to store, access and transmit information. The workplace should be kept where there is no easy access to it. The computer screens should also be turned away from public viewing. This will ensure that no one will look at the information that is displayed on the screens of your computer. All workstations should be password protected and this will ensure that any kind of misuse is prevented. If the patient information is kept as physical records, it will need to be kept locked. Access to places where the physical records are kept should also be restricted and this limits any misuse of such information. There should be regular training sessions held by the compliance officer appointed by covered entities. This will help in ensuring that all employees are aware of the various amendments and changes that take place in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The training should be a continuous process so that all risk factors are discussed and suitable remedies are suggested to help protect the confidential information of patients. If any physical medical records need to be destroyed, it is important that they are done properly to help prevent any misuse. It is advisable to use a shredder for this purpose so that all the confidential information is destroyed properly. Similarly if electronic information that is stored on computers and hard disks need to be destroyed, you will need to take enough safeguards to ensure that the files are deleted completely from the system.

All this simple measures will go a long way in ensuring that the protected information of patients is not misused or abused. If there are any violations even after following all the safeguards, you will need to take steps to correct the violation. The penalties for such violations are fines and imprisonment and this will vary depending on the nature and extent of the violation. There can be civil and criminal violations and the penalties will also vary due to this.

Australians Should Compare Health Insurance Policies for Pre-Existing Condition Coverage

Understanding your health insurance options can be confusing to begin with. If you or someone you love suffers from a pre-existing condition - that is an illness or condition that began within six months of acquiring health coverage - it becomes even more complicated. Determining whether your medical treatments are covered by your existing insurer can be just as intimidating as finding yourself insurance plans in anticipation of needing medical treatment. The sense of confusion and fear is often compounded by the stress endured from the medical condition itself.

There are online websites in Australia that can help you understand your rights when it comes to health insurance coverage, so you can compare coverage options and make a decision that suits your medical needs, and your budget.

A growing number of Australians suffer from chronic health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. A deficient diet, combined with a sedentary lifestyle are primary culprits in some of today's most common health problems. In addition to the challenges and risks of living with a chronic illness, many people who do not already have health coverage face the daunting prospect of what the cost of adding private insurance to their household budget will mean.

It is important to first examine the different types of insurance coverage available so you can move forward armed with the knowledge you will need to make intelligent comparisons of different policies offered by different insurers. Private health insurance often covers most medical treatment costs. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer Australians are able to afford private coverage, and for anyone suffering from a chronic illness, the idea of having no medical insurance can be downright frightening. Medicare is an alternative for those who do not have private coverage, however it may not be enough to pay all the medical expenses necessary to treat certain conditions.

In the past, insurers could refuse coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. However, legislation passed in 2007 halted the insurance companies' ability to refuse coverage for any pre-existing condition, making private health insurance available to anyone who needs it. However, when you compare insurance premiums, you could discover that a pre-existing medical condition increases the cost of the policy, and that a waiting period before treatments are covered may be required.

For many, private health insurance is simply unaffordable once the pre-existing condition rates are factored in. Insurance companies are not making much of a profit, if any, on these policies, and prefer to work with healthy individuals who are less likely to use their health care benefits very often. When a pre-existing condition factors into your health insurance coverage, you have no choice but to compare policies carefully to determine which insurer has the best coverage for your treatment needs, and your budget. find valuable information on comparing providers, and answers questions on difficult health-related subjects, including pre-existing conditions.

There are few things in life more challenging than dealing with chronic illness. Making tough decisions should not have to include worrying about which insurer can offer the best health coverage at the best rate. Find out more about your options and your rights when it comes to comprehensive health care by visiting online insurance comparison sites and examining your options.