How Do I Pay For It? Patient Education and Counseling

What I am about to tell you is sad, but I have found it to be true. I am sure it won't come as a surprise to many of you. The health care system is in the business to make a profit. Their goal is to make as much money for their shareholders as possible.

They are not in it to cure anything. In fact it is not in the corporation's best interest to cure anything. It is much better for them to find ongoing treatments for an illness because this way they can make more money off the disease. This is what they call unchecked capitalism.

The question then becomes "What is the best way to survive as a patient in this environment?" The key is to understand the system and how to work your way around it. Doing this allows you to discover how you can pay for your drugs, doctors visits and tests that you need.

I have been involved with chronic illness for most of my life starting at the age of 3 all the way to my current age of 49. I come from a family of 8 and we have experienced several chronic illnesses including type 1 diabetes and all of its complications, heart disease, different forms of cancer, kidney disease, mental illness, appendicitis, liver disease, circulatory disease and arthritis just to name a few. While dealing with all of these ailments we learned a lot about how to pay for all the treatments and drugs that were needed while not always having the money or insurance to pay for them. It is the purpose of this article to share what I have learned with you the reader so you can benefit from my experience.

The following is a list of things you can do to help pay for expensive treatments and medications you need but may not be able to afford.

1. Prescription drugs- First if you are prescribed a drug that is not in your insurance formulator you need to ask your doctor if there are any other options you can take. Options such as using generic, drugs that are already on the market and do the same thing and your insurance will pay for them.


2. Explain to your doctor's office your situation and ask if they are aware of any solutions.


3. Look into your local government and see if they have any programs available for people in your situation.


4. Last but not least contact the drug company who manufacture the medicine and explain your situation. The company may have a temporary program to help people who need but can't afford their medication. Usually these programs will get you the medicine at a discounter rate and sometimes for free. You will have to fill out applications and prove you're financially eligible.


5. Tests and procedures- If you are scheduled for a test or procedure and can't afford it talk to the business office about your problem. Many places have a discounted rate for uninsured or underinsured patients and they may cut the price by 30-50%. You can also ask the office if they would be willing to accept the medicare rate or an insurance company's negotiated rate.


6. You must have a "How can I?" attitude. Don't take no for an answer and don't be embarrassed about asking. In this day and age this is a common occurrence.


7. You can also check and see if there are any free clinics and or low income clinics in your area. Most cities have them and they will treat you and ask you to pay whatever you can afford.


8. Another option is to talk to your Priest, Rabi or minister and let them know you are on hard times. They will usually have some help they can provide or they may know of something you haven't thought about.


9. Worst comes to worse go to the emergency room and get your tests done or meds filled. They are supposed to be obligated to help and can't turn you down.


10. The very last thing you can try is to go to the local media and see if they have a human interest reporter. Sick person being refused treatment in the richest country in the world makes a great story and most hospitals and doctors don't want that kind of negative publicity

Teaching Education and IQ Tests Considered

It has been statistically proven and there is ample empirical evidence to suggest that students who score the highest on IQ tests tend to do the best in school and achieve higher success in educational learning institutions. That's been proven, and it's no longer debatable. Nevertheless, there are lots of other factors to consider when putting our trust into IQ tests.

A short time ago, an acquaintance from India stated it this way; "The same student who excels in one system while doesn't in another?" Yes, this is sometimes the case, most often actually, and thus, I asked what his thoughts were on Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theories? You see, there is some debate about Howard Garner's "Theory of Multiple Intelligences" but my acquaintance seems to side with the theory and believes it should be developed further, as do I.

Now then, I have read 4 or 5 of Howard Gardner's books on intelligence now, and have a good number of them sitting in front of me here on my bookshelf. You see, inherently what Howard Gardner is saying makes perfect sense. And if you practice a certain sport you start developing muscles for that sport. When I was a runner, I once went on a long 2,000 mile bike ride, and within a week, I started developing muscles I never had before. If you start using your brain for something else, your mind adapts and develops those regions of the brain you use for such skills.

Okay so, my acquaintance (19-years old, but extremely bright) asks the following

Who is considered to be an intelligent person?
Is it a person who scores high on an IQ test?
Is that all? I don't think so.

Indeed, see what I mean, these are important questions to ask, and my comment would be to the last questions/statement; Me either, in fact as the coordinator for the think tank, I merely base everyone's intelligence against my own, it's a good high-bar, baseline. My acquaintance went online and took a number of IQ tests, he scored reasonably high right out of the gate, as in "extremely high" compared to the 100 IQ average.

After taking these tests and thinking about the questions he said that some of the questions might show a strong set of skills for leadership, entrepreneurship, artistic ability, or academia, and that it makes sense to consider more of the data from the tests to determine, who'd be the best for what, and thus, help those folks into those types of endeavors, just as IQ tests are used to place academic students.

Indeed, yes, I completely agree with your line of reasoning. In fact, I wrote a short essay once on the Flow of Thought which essentially speaks about the same thing, not necessarily with IQ tests, but in general. When it comes to IQ tests both my acquaintance and myself have our doubts and perhaps you do as well?

You see, I am very skeptical of IQ tests, even though I like the results when I take them, they make me feel good, and I suppose it's an ego thing for me personally. But, I am still skeptical. Teachers and Educators ought to also be skeptical. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic.

Why Education and Training in the Business World Just Does Not Get It

It happened again. Today I received information on two separate learning events promising me significant cognitive growth. Upon closer, inspection these two announcements reinforced the reason why business education just doesn't get it. Please let me explain.

You probably know without thinking what 10 x 10 equals. However, if I asked you what 25 x 24 equals your response would not be nearly as quick. The simple reason is that you practice 10 x10 numerous times through the strategy of rote memorization. Today we call rote memorization spaced repetition.

However, you may have only answered 25 x 24 once to two times during your entire lifetime. You did not have numerous opportunities to commit the answer of this multiplication problem to memory.

Yet, there are companies that cater to the professional training and development industry as well as the K-12 education industry that promise to change behaviors. The only problem is that this change is very short lived.

Remember back during your school days and cramming for a final examination. You poured over the books the night before hoping to retain all that critical information. By the time of the test, you remembered only 50% especially if this was your first exposure to the material. You had a 50% chance of getting a true or false question right. Actually, the cramming was far better for multiple choice and fill in the blank responses.

Research tells us that 16 days after a one time exposure to a learning event you remember only 2%. Unless you, the learner have multiple exposures to the information and multiple opportunities to practice what you have learned, you will simply not retain it. Yet, businesses and organizations continue to purchase and deliver learning curriculum that cannot, let me repeat, cannot deliver sustainable performance improvement.

To truly change the behaviors of individuals require far more than read it, learn, test it and forget it. We must restructure learning from a perspective of performance that being the application of knowledge instead of the current perspective of learning that being the acquisition of knowledge.

The American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) through its ongoing research continues to reveal that most training does not deliver a positive return on investment. Yet, companies continue to send their people to one to three day business education seminars in hopes to change behaviors.

Let me ask you a question. How long did it take you to become the person that you are? Usually, years is the answer. So how can you change years of behavior over the course of 1 to 3 days? Simply speaking, you cannot!

Possibly, this is why corporate coaching and executive coaching has taken off because many of the coaches utilize a developmental process where the learning is staggered over weeks and months not hour and days.

Several years ago, my coach and now friend, David Herdlinger introduced the concept of the K.A.S.H. Box. I then expanded it into the K.A.S.H. Box for Sustainable Change. The core message is that when resources are directed solely to the knowledge and skills while ignoring the attitudes and habits there is no sustainable change that being return on investment. Monies are drained away from the K.A.S.H. Box. As my husband has said: It is not a question of do I know it, but rather do I want to do it.

Until the beliefs are changed that learning something will change behaviors, we will still experience less than positive performance improvement from employees. This belief that learning will change behaviors is the greatest obstacle to economic growth barring none.

So save your dollars and invest those dollars in extended learning engagements that will deliver a positive return on your training and education dollars. Finally, remember, that the brain will absorb only what the butt will endure.

Special Education and Family Choices

Most psychologists agree that coming to terms with the reality that your child has a learning disability is a tough thing to accept. However, parents also need to consider that their child's disability may be something other than merely a brain disorder. Consider if you will issues with eye-sight and hearing. Children who have trouble hearing might appear to be slow learners in the classroom, in day care, or kindergarten, but there may be nothing more wrong with them than the basic hearing issue, and once that is taken care of they can compete and do well in the classroom as any other child.

Therefore, parents need to make sure they get the proper tests done in advance of exiling their children into a special education category, where they may not belong. So, on one hand parents need to face the facts and admit there is a real problem and get over that issue, but on the second hand, they should not merely accept it before all the hard choices they will have to make. After all, it might be a year or two before the special education teachers realize that the child is perfect in every way except for a minor eye problem or hearing issue.

Luckily, our schools and therapists are getting much better at all this, so, generally speaking after taking a few tests with some professionals early detection is completely possible. Another issue is that often children experience learning disabilities which are temporary, and with minor modification, or working through other issues as described here. Perhaps the take-away here is to seek the right help early, and if you think your child is not responding correctly, or having trouble that other children aren't - then it behooves you to get the appropriate experts to figure out what is going on.

Indeed, it may be nothing, or it very well could be an easily correctable problem. These things need to be thought out, and you as a parent in this situation need to have a plan, so that your child gets the appropriate education. Sticking a kid in a special education class when they don't belong can have devastating effects and curtail learning due to a low challenge environment.

Now then, here is what I recommend; seek professional help early, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Be skeptical of anyone who tells you your child can't make it in a regular classroom without proper tests and proof. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this

Technology Education and Engineering - More Than Just Computers?

"Technology Education and Engineering is that like computer class"? Technology Education and Engineering is widely unknown to the general public. The common assumption is a typing/word processing class. While virtually unknown, Technology Education and Engineering offers students the ability to explore, discover, and create with technology tools like no other class ever before. It's greatest advantage is using real world lessons to prepare students for their future.

Traditional classrooms today haven't changed since the early 1900s. Meanwhile, outside of school, we continue to utilize technology in our jobs and personal lives. Most classrooms rely on the teacher as the dictator of information and knowledge. In this type of classroom learning is passive. There is very little critical thinking or creativity. For example, information is communicated through a series of lectures and note taking. Students are generally given a worksheet or crossword puzzle to access what was "learned." After the students pass the exam they forget the concepts that were covered. Most learning is linear starting with lecture and ending with exams.

Technology Education and Engineering allows students to take control of their learning. They have the opportunity to make choices, explore, and discover the information on the subject. They are able to take this information and do something with it by creating a project. We learn by doing, and gaining experience in an applied area, which is known as active learning. The skills for the projects are the same skills that professionals would use in a career.

The lessons combine all subjects as the student learns. It doesn't separate science, math, history, or English but combines them with the technology tools of today's world. When completing a project in a career, it will not separate the objectives according to subject.

For example, a bridge design project includes forces from science, critical weight calculations from math, a presentation of why they chose their design elements and how they fit in the budget, and computer aided drafting from technology. A presentation before engineers of bridge design choices, or send a letter to county or state officials on problem bridges and how to cheaply improve them for the future.

Technology Education and Engineering draws its concepts from real world examples. Activities work closely with STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Technology Education and Engineering incorporates solving problems with a group. Collaboration between team members is a vital workforce skill. As the students work together they motivate each other to a deeper understanding of the concepts and how to solve them. Each student has a responsibility in their group, and they hold each other accountable for the work to be done. Students understand how their roles and responsibilities relate to the entire project, and the real world.

Many people today seem to be looking for a change in education. They see the current system and understand the flaws in the traditional method of education. More people need to investigate Technology Education and Engineering as an example of 21 century learning. It is the class that is preparing students for tomorrow with the technology of today.

Online Education and Law Degrees - Something to Think On

The cost to go to law school these days is absolutely insane. Very few kids graduate with law degrees that have not spent over $150,000 in tuition fees. This means they have taken out loans that they must deal with even before they actually start making money. So many lawyers file bankruptcy because they are laden in debt, but this doesn't need to happen, after all, all you really need is the information, and then you need to pass the bar.

You can get a law degree, through several online educational companies. You might also be surprised how much you can learn about law by reading things online or going to the local library at your county. If you learn what you need to know to get a job as a paralegal, and then pay for your online education degree in full, and you won't have any tuition debt when you complete your courses.

If you have been paying attention all along and doing your homework you should be able to pass the bar without too much problem and now you are a lawyer. You can then start working for a local law firm, and eventually become a partner, and perhaps someday in the future a large law firm will make you an offer you can't refuse.

Best of all you will join a bunch of other lawyers and attorneys that are quite good in their field, except you have an average over all of them, you don't have the student loans to repay, so you're actually going to live a better lifestyle, without all that debt. Please consider getting an online education and a law degree, because it is definitely something to think on.

University of Pennsylvania

The famous University of Pennsylvania is situated in the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania in the country of the United States of America. The University of Pennsylvania is one of the few universities of the US that came into being at about the same time the country was established. As a result, the University of Pennsylvania boasts of a rich history. It is a reputed University and is part of the prestigious Ivy League group of universities. Benjamin Franklin, who was an important citizen of Philadelphia when Philadelphia and Pennsylvania were in their earliest stages of development, is credited with being the founder of the University. He was a student of the University himself. Franklin initiated several progressive reforms in the College of Philadelphia - that was the name of the University then - so that the College became one of the main seats of higher learning of the New World.

Aim, Goal, Motto

The University used the great Roman poet, Horace's work to devise its motto. The English translation of the Latin words (composed by Horace), the University represented in its motto were: 'of what avail empty laws without good morals?' These words were changed gradually over the years. The present motto is: 'laws without morals are useless.' This is only a slight modification of Horace's original words. As the University of Pennsylvania, also known as the University of Penn, proudly proclaims that 'laws without morals are useless', it should examine its own laws and morals thoroughly. Can the University be so cocksure of its own laws and morals?

Studies

The University of Pennsylvania is celebrated for its many departments or schools such as its School for Engineering and Applied Science, School of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences and 'The Wharton School', the well-known B-School of the world. The University of Pennsylvania is eminent for encouraging its students to pursue multidisciplinary careers. The University urges its students to study for more than one degree at a time and to pursue majors in subjects that are not commonly studied. It also allows a great degree of flexibility in its course curricula so that students with children and working students can study comfortably at the University.

The University of Pennsylvania is home to several graduate schools as well where students pursue graduate courses, professional courses and research programs. Some of these schools are the University of Pennsylvania Law School, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, and other schools.

Admissions

The University of Pennsylvania observes very strict admission procedures just to show that it is a great university and that it admits none but the best. It generally admits only 16% of the total number of applicants who apply to the University. It ensures that those it admits have secured top places in their respective high schools. Only 60% to 65% of the admitted candidates actually get through the stiff courses of the University and receive degrees. The University of Pennsylvania is ranked as one of the first 10 most difficult universities to secure admissions in, in the whole of the US.

On the whole, the University is also a seat of egotism apart from learning and higher education. Because it ranks within the top ten universities of the country, it thinks the world of itself. It automatically infuses its vanity into its students who think greatly of themselves when they graduate from the University. The students of the University of Pennsylvania feel that they have the right to demand respect from people who are ordinary and who are not so successful. It is sad that the more meritorious students are, the more haughty they become.