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

AARP?!

I checked my mail today, and to my surprise, I am now a senior citizen.

I received an official "laminated" AARP card and membership ID. 

{what the heck?!}

Now, I knew my life was moving pretty fast here lately, but oh gee - I didn't realize it passed by me THIS fast! haha

Even if I did become a member (which dear lord, I would never...it's probably a scam) but hypothetically, if I did, there would be plenty of perks...

• I could get movie discounts (because they don't do student discount anymore...stupid, I know!)
• Senior citizens get free pie at village inn! whoooo, who doesn't like FREE pie?!
• Shopping discounts! On certain days the old folks get super savings on their clothes! (can you say, jealous!)
• Fast food joints and even dine-in restaurants offer special savings to those over the age of 55! (heck 15% off your meal or free drinks can really add up ; )

...the list continues! This gets me thinking that just maybe...living the "good-OLD-life" won't be half bad after all <3

Speaking of old(er) people, I have a quick story.

Yesterday my family got together for no apparent reason, but just for the fact that it was a nice day and we decided to have a Sunday grill out.

After dinner, we pulled out the good old game known as "Taboo" - the purpose of this game is to get your teammates to guess the word on the top of the card without using the basic words that most people think of to describe it. 

For example if the word is [pizza] you can't say sounds like, rhymes with, or the words: slice, cheese, food, junk, eat, etc... it actually is quite difficult.

You see... the problem when we play "team games" is that my grandmother is 91 years old and she tends to (for lack of better words) suck at these things. Granted, she is old and processing time is quite different and much more difficult, but we always dread if grandma gets put on your team.

*sorry grandma*

Funny thing is  this: she ended up killing it & rockin the show! She even showed up my mother and got THREE words completed before the timer ran up! (My mom only got ONE. ha, it was great)

-This might have been a "you had to be there type story, but it really was funny" - 

She is so independent and hates asking for help. 

Quite the stubborn one she is. 

I know I will be just the same when I get older, I can foresee my future already.

(man, I feel bad for my future children already!)

Anyways.

Goodnight all.

Hope all is well :)

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