There's a Code for That!

I'm sure most of us have heard the ever so popular phrase 

"there's an app for that"

Well, the next "great" thing you will be hearing within years to come is "there's a code for that!"

"What does she mean?" you're probably thinking to yourself...

Read on for more information of some crazy things that are about to change in the health care/insurance world that will change things drastically...

Currently, there are approximately 18,000 different codes that's doctors have to use to categorize medical issues to send over to insurance companies to see if they will be approved or not for coverage.

 Code. noun: a system used for brevity or secrecy of communication, in which arbitrarily chosen words, letters, or symbols are assigned definite meanings. 

What are they? Health/Insurance codes are specific numbers that insurance companies use to categorize every little specific thing that doctors charge them for...

For example: If you break a bone, have your tonsils out, get an x-ray, flu shot, or need stitches. 

As mot of us know, getting insurance companies to approve your test/procedure/medicine/etc... can be quite difficult right now. Unfortunately, things are about to get even worse :/

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Within the next two years, the codes are going to increase from 18,000 to over 140,000 different codes

Instead of having a code for just a broken bone, there is going to be a code for ever specific bone in the body and how you broke it and where you were at! If you have to have surgery to repair an artery, it goes as far as to ask "which artery" needs to be repaired and "approved" to be compensated by the insurance companies.

These codes are so specific, and might I say RIDICULOUS that they even have codes for things such as...

I. being burned to do water skis starting on fire 

II. being struck by a turtle (seriously?!) 

and 

III. bitten by a turtle

I wish I was kidding...

These codes will be officially put into place starting October 1st. 2013 according to the Wall Street Journal Article found here

While some may feel this may not be such a bad thing to be "more specific", this allows insurance companies to control our health care even more and make it even MORE difficult to get the testing and procedures on may need, let alone a diagnosis! 

I don't know about you all, but just as the future holds great opportunities for medical research advancement, it also looks more and more grim for individuals with pre-existing conditions and poor health :/

♥photo credit

Just have to trust that in the end, it will work out for everyone <3

xoxo

-erinj0

A look into the U.S. Healthare System...

When you think of The United States of America 
- what comes to mind?

"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" 

Well, in order to have a life at all, one needs to be healthy.
In order to be happy, one needs to be healthy.
(Because you can't have a real "life" without being healthy...)

...and Liberty. Liberty involves a "right and/or privilege"

So the question is this. Is health care a right?

How can you DENY someone adequate health care when assistance is needed.
If you see an individual who is so sick they cannot function or lead a normal life - is it right to deny them the help they need.

It breaks my heart to see people not getting the services they need to live their life. 

For people suffering with preexisting conditions, getting insurance can be impossible or impossible due to the amount of money it may cost to attain health care.

We are discriminated against - we are denied a right. A right to health care. 

**I totally understand that some people feel that health care is NOT a right, but I totally, whole-heart-idly disagree**

Health care should be a right. No one should have to suffer - 

Please, watch this video of these two people I know (and love) who are suffering with Dysautonomia/POTS, EDS, and more...

Stand up for what is right. Spread Awareness. Let your Voice be Heard.

Thanks for listening 

♥

xoxo

-erinj0

How do some people manage?

Prescriptions (and even just general medicines) add up and sure can burn a whole in your pocket.

Fortunately, I am still covered under my mothers insurance and we are blessed to have an incredible 100% coverage. However, some of my prescriptions are not covered and the price is costly! I have opt'd out of taking some medicines that I really need based solely on financial reasons. I mean, just one medicine would cost me $87. That is just one (I am on a lot of other medicines that our insurance covers, but it still costs $20 bucks a pop) Take 6 meds x 20 and there's $120 dollars worth of covered meds in one month...then add in the ones they don't want to cover, plus over the counter non-prescriptions ... 

: / eeeek.

I just can't imagine how people without insurance or very minimal coverage get by when they are living with a chronic illness. It is such a pity that people need to make such life altering decisions such as buy food for the week or get your prescriptions - Both are vital for a healthy life!

I wish our healthcare system in the United States would improve. Wishful thinking, that I know - but I guess I'm allowed to just wish now. I pray for all those people who are struggling to get by and suffering from any symptoms that their disease causes just because they can't afford their medicines.

Oh boy
Even when people want to take control of their health and take things into their own hands, it can be almost impossible.

$$ is evil in my opinion. It controls everything...well almost everything

Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons. 
— Woody Allen 

Thoughts?