Ruthann Russotag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso/12008-07-02T20:32:18ZMovable Type Publishing Platform 4.01Meditationtag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5902008-07-02T20:29:13Z2008-07-02T20:32:18Z Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention, self-inquiry, and increased awareness. It usually involves turning the attention inward to a single point of reference, like breathing. Meditation is recognized as a component of most Eastern religions, where it has been practiced for over 5,000 years. During his address to the Millenium World Peace Summit at the United Nations, S. N. Goenka, the Vipassana Acharya, called meditation a nonsectarian remedy to a universal problem. Meditation...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention, self-inquiry, and increased awareness. It usually involves turning the attention inward to a single point of reference, like breathing. Meditation is recognized as a component of most Eastern religions, where it has been practiced for over 5,000 years. During his address to the Millenium World Peace Summit at the United Nations, S. N. Goenka, the Vipassana Acharya, called meditation a nonsectarian remedy to a universal problem. Meditation...
Small Company Insurance Ratestag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5892008-07-01T16:37:50Z2008-07-01T16:43:47ZQuestion: Why large corporations are given a better insurance discount, while small employers struggle to provide coverage at all. From: Kim W. of Colorado Springs, CO Answer: This is a very interesting question and before answering, I would like to provide some statistics from the National Coalition on Health. In 2007, $2.3 trillion (or $7600 per person) was spent on healthcare in the U.S. Total healthcare spending equaled 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)....Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
Question: Why large corporations are given a better insurance discount, while small employers struggle to provide coverage at all. From: Kim W. of Colorado Springs, CO Answer: This is a very interesting question and before answering, I would like to provide some statistics from the National Coalition on Health. In 2007, $2.3 trillion (or $7600 per person) was spent on healthcare in the U.S. Total healthcare spending equaled 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)....
KDKA Interview Part 3tag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5882008-07-01T15:23:53Z2008-07-01T15:27:03ZRuthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHITTraveling Abroadtag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5852008-06-18T12:00:08Z2008-06-17T13:50:04ZQuestion: What happens if you fall sick outside the USA? From: See L. of Forest Hills, New York Answer: What a practical question! I must admit, it made me stop and think and consider my actions when I next travel outside of the U.S. For those with private health insurance plans, it is important to check with your health insurance plan to learn if benefits are available when traveling to other countries. Even if your...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
Question: What happens if you fall sick outside the USA? From: See L. of Forest Hills, New York Answer: What a practical question! I must admit, it made me stop and think and consider my actions when I next travel outside of the U.S. For those with private health insurance plans, it is important to check with your health insurance plan to learn if benefits are available when traveling to other countries. Even if your...
Underinsured Rates Risetag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5862008-06-17T14:20:43Z2008-06-18T20:18:43ZAs healthcare costs continues to rise, a recent NY Times article describes the growing trend of underinsured Americans. This group now numbering 25 million people includes those who have health insurance coverage that may not adequately cover them in a healthcare crisis or have high out of pocket expenses and deductibles. “The rates of underinsurance among families earning more than $40,000 a year nearly tripled from 2003 to 2007. Most worked for small businesses with...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
As healthcare costs continues to rise, a recent NY Times article describes the growing trend of underinsured Americans. This group now numbering 25 million people includes those who have health insurance coverage that may not adequately cover them in a healthcare crisis or have high out of pocket expenses and deductibles. “The rates of underinsurance among families earning more than $40,000 a year nearly tripled from 2003 to 2007. Most worked for small businesses with...
Podcast: KDKA Interview Part 2tag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5842008-06-13T15:47:23Z2008-06-13T15:50:10ZRuthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHITWaiting months for a mammogramtag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5822008-06-12T14:48:06Z2008-06-11T14:55:25ZQuestion: Why does one have to wait months for a mammogram? From: Diane W. of Oreland, PA Answer: I’m not sure that there is one answer for every mammography center. I would hope that the main reason is that more and more women are scheduling their mammograms and heeding the recommendations for early detection. Please note that there are regular screening mammograms as well as diagnostic mammograms being done. The regular screening is usually done...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
Question: Why does one have to wait months for a mammogram? From: Diane W. of Oreland, PA Answer: I’m not sure that there is one answer for every mammography center. I would hope that the main reason is that more and more women are scheduling their mammograms and heeding the recommendations for early detection. Please note that there are regular screening mammograms as well as diagnostic mammograms being done. The regular screening is usually done...
Raw and Living Food Theorytag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5812008-06-11T14:39:39Z2008-06-11T14:44:57ZRuthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHITPodcast: KDKA Interview Part 1tag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5792008-06-10T19:52:10Z2008-06-11T13:58:37ZThe Happy Times in Healthcare Podcast is here to help healthcare consumers become better educated in order to receive the best possible healthcare available to them. This podcast series covers a wide variety of topics including paying for healthcare - when you are insured and when you are not insured, selecting a new physician, using healthcare quality rating tools, and understanding your medical record. In this episode: Podcast: KDKA Interview Part 1 - Dr. Ruthann...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
The Happy Times in Healthcare Podcast is here to help healthcare consumers become better educated in order to receive the best possible healthcare available to them. This podcast series covers a wide variety of topics including paying for healthcare - when you are insured and when you are not insured, selecting a new physician, using healthcare quality rating tools, and understanding your medical record. In this episode: Podcast: KDKA Interview Part 1 - Dr. Ruthann...
Choosing a Good Hospitaltag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5772008-06-10T15:02:40Z2008-06-10T15:09:10ZQuestion: Is there some sort of easily available rating system that can help one choose a good hospital? From: Steve W. of Rahway, NJ Answer: This question comes up fairly often and I am always happy to respond. It pleases me that consumers are actively looking into the best resources available for their needs, including the best healthcare. It is important, however, to do a self survey. What qualities are important to you? Is it...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
Question: Is there some sort of easily available rating system that can help one choose a good hospital? From: Steve W. of Rahway, NJ Answer: This question comes up fairly often and I am always happy to respond. It pleases me that consumers are actively looking into the best resources available for their needs, including the best healthcare. It is important, however, to do a self survey. What qualities are important to you? Is it...
Otomytag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5762008-06-04T17:54:37Z2008-06-04T18:02:11ZThe first thing I learned as a student in medical terminology is that the suffix otomy means “incision.” With that one piece of information, I felt empowered. Knowing that any term with the suffix otomy meant that the body part would have an incision made into it gave me instant understanding of a plethora of medical terms. For example, a gastrotomy means “incision into the stomach (or gastric region).” The more I learned, the more...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
The first thing I learned as a student in medical terminology is that the suffix otomy means “incision.” With that one piece of information, I felt empowered. Knowing that any term with the suffix otomy meant that the body part would have an incision made into it gave me instant understanding of a plethora of medical terms. For example, a gastrotomy means “incision into the stomach (or gastric region).” The more I learned, the more...
Flexible Spending Accounttag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5752008-06-04T16:32:14Z2008-06-04T16:35:08ZQuestion: How can I make better use of a Flexible Spending Account? From: Virginia G. of Santa Cruz, CA Answer: A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is essentially a cafeteria plan offered through an employer. It provides a tax advantage by allowing the employee to designate a non-taxable amount to be set aside from earnings to pay for qualified expenses within the cafeteria plan. The employee then submits for reimbursement from the FSA. It is more...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
Question: How can I make better use of a Flexible Spending Account? From: Virginia G. of Santa Cruz, CA Answer: A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is essentially a cafeteria plan offered through an employer. It provides a tax advantage by allowing the employee to designate a non-taxable amount to be set aside from earnings to pay for qualified expenses within the cafeteria plan. The employee then submits for reimbursement from the FSA. It is more...
Uninsured rates continue to climb for young adultstag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5742008-06-03T15:19:01Z2008-06-03T15:29:25ZAccording to a recent report from the Commonwealth Fund the number of uninsured young adults (age 19-29) has risen to 13.7 million people in 2006. While this group makes up approximately 17% of the population not eligible for Medicare they account for 30% of the uninsured. Full report....Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
According to a recent report from the Commonwealth Fund the number of uninsured young adults (age 19-29) has risen to 13.7 million people in 2006. While this group makes up approximately 17% of the population not eligible for Medicare they account for 30% of the uninsured. Full report....
Waiting in the emergency roomtag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5732008-05-28T16:53:40Z2008-05-28T16:58:57ZQuestion: Why do we have to wait so long in the emergency room before we receive treatment? The wait often seems so long and many of the patients don't look well. Why is there such a wait for treatment? From: Jack M. of Pittsburgh, PA Answer: I have heard this complaint from many people so it seems to be a rather common problem. According to the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, the U.S....Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
Question: Why do we have to wait so long in the emergency room before we receive treatment? The wait often seems so long and many of the patients don't look well. Why is there such a wait for treatment? From: Jack M. of Pittsburgh, PA Answer: I have heard this complaint from many people so it seems to be a rather common problem. According to the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, the U.S....
Values, Vision, and Mission Statements at Top Hospitalstag:www.ruthannrusso.com,2008:/ruthannrusso//1.5722008-05-28T16:15:57Z2008-05-28T16:36:36ZIf your values and your hospital’s values are aligned, you are more likely to be satisfied with your care. You can usually find a hospital’s values, vision, and mission statement in the “about us” tab on their Web site. Below is a list of the top 10 values, compiled from a random sampling of hospitals. I list the values in order, from those most frequently mentioned to those least frequently mentioned. Top 10 Values for...Ruthann Russo PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT
If your values and your hospital’s values are aligned, you are more likely to be satisfied with your care. You can usually find a hospital’s values, vision, and mission statement in the “about us” tab on their Web site. Below is a list of the top 10 values, compiled from a random sampling of hospitals. I list the values in order, from those most frequently mentioned to those least frequently mentioned. Top 10 Values for...