independent health

Most independent retailers make their living generating sales and revenue from one store location. In order to expand to other locations it takes a lot of money, organization, key personnel and a marketing plan that can be duplicated. Few small business owners have the time or funds to undertake such an endeavor. To make big bucks, think like a franchise corporation with goals of expanding nationwide and around the world . Luckily, there is a way for small business owners to put this plan into practice.

In this case, though, instead of opening up new store locations, the individual business owner can market a product through a network marketing company and create his or her own network of independent store owners who do the same. Why are franchise corporations like McDonald’s and Starbucks so successful, for example? Put franchising principles to work for you, and take advantage of the wholesale and retail capabilities that some network marketing companies now offer to independent store owners.

Network marketing is simply the process of marketing a product person-to-person rather than through a retail outlet or store. Recently, however, some of these companies have given their independent distributors the ability to buy their products at wholesale and retail them just like in traditional grocery stores and shops. The savvy retail owner can now take that same product, and through the power of networking with other independent retailers, can create a virtual marketing empire that reaches around the world. Check out network marketing companies and the products that they sell. Some of them carry some of the best health related items that are just up the alley for independent health food stores.

Health Insurance HMO

There is a little research to be done and get the findings organized to choose the health insurance plan that is best for you.

There are two types of affordable care plans, namely the HMOs and PPOs.

HMO’s (Health Maintenance Organization) is an organization of healthcare providers (e.g. doctors and hospitals) that have contracted with an insurance company to offer their services at a fixed price.

HMO plans are normally quite restrictive and with lots of rules. You will be asked to select a primary care physician, who handles all aspects of your healthcare. The primary care physician must be a member of the HMO. The advantage is that HMOs are cheaper compared to other plans. Premiums are lower, copayments are normally low or free. Do remember, though, that HMOs are profit-based businesses, and must somehow make money. PPOs (Preferred Provider Organization)
PPOs also have contractual relationships with insurance companies. Difference is that they are more loosely organized and are not as restrictive as HMOs.

With a PPO, you can choose to see whichever doctor you like, but if the doctor is not in the network, you will have to pay more out-of-pocket. You don’t need a referral to see a specialist.

While PPOs are more costly compared to HMOs, many people tend to choose them as they are less restrictive and your healthcare decisions are more within your control.

So, how do you decide based on the difference between HMO and PPO?

You can cover preventive care and emergencies with HMO individual or family health care plans, which also provides long term protection for you and your family. What is really good is that it offers a lower premium and outside of catastrophic health plans, it is the most affordable plan. HMO also offers low deductibles, prescription drugs discount, and co pays on doctors.

Compared to HMO, PPO plans are a little more expensive, but it is still a more affordable option compared to fee for service plan. You can choose to lower monthly premiums by raising your deductibles.

HMOs are significantly cheaper, and limit the amount that you have to pay out-of-pocket. PPOs give your more flexibility and control.

Department of Health Human Services

DEPARTEMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES ON SECRET

The proliferation of wrongful convictions in New York State prompted the NYS Bar Association to create a Blue Ribbon task force to study its systemic, procedural and statutory causes, and to propose solutions. Indeed, a report by the Innocence Project found New York State to be the national leader, outpacing all other states in its rate of wrongful convictions. The Blue Ribbon findings, embodied in a document entitled “Final Report of the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on Wrongful Convictions” was unanimously endorsed by the Association’s House of Delegates.

Wrongful convictions do not solely implicate the New York State criminal justice system. They are also reportedly rife in the legal practices of the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH), known for ignoring due process and abusing power in its disciplinary actions against physicians. Several bills aiming to redress these inequities were all vetoed. Reported among many of these due process violations is the denying of witnesses for physicians’ defense, the use of tainted judges, and the coaching of plaintiffs by prosecutors to lie – indeed, “winning” cases is vital for their career advancement. Especially targeted in these malicious prosecutions are physicians practicing complementary medicine. One physician who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution remarked, “Convicting doctors is a cinch: just don’t allow them any witnesses; then the Department is free to make up whatever it wants.”

The tragedy of wrongful convictions in matters of health care affects far more than physicians. The plight of patients suddenly obliged to forgo the continuity of their medical care by the forcible removal of their long term physicians via the challenging of their license is illustrated in press and Internet releases entitled, ‘Patient Mortality Linked to Judicial Errors.’ Noted are certain fragile patients who, “vulnerable, sick, alone, frightened and suddenly deprived of their main lifeline (their physician), became acutely demoralized, refused referrals to other doctors or failed to bond with them, eventually giving up their will to live and neglecting their medical needs.” One physician reported the untimely deaths of 7 patients, including one from suicide, the rapid decline of 8 Alzheimer’s and the relapses of 12 psychiatric patients – whose medications had been delicately adjusted – leading to their serial hospitalizations.”

In response, petitions have now been forwarded to agencies concerned with patient welfare, calling for independent impact studies on state-ordered patient abandonment. Agencies contacted include the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. The petition has also been sent to Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, NYSDOH.

This landmark study, of major interest to medical, psychiatric and medico-legal communities and the public at large, would aim to show that abruptly severing medical and psychiatric services by state agencies has serious and sometimes fatal consequences for patients – especially patients who are disadvantaged, infirm, chronically ill or psychiatrically disabled. It would also suggest remedial action. Indeed, if state agencies assume the power of terminating the basic care to patients provided for by their physicians, they presumably also should accept the responsibility for adequately supporting said patients through crisis, by providing them with life-saving continuity of care.