Tag: insurance

Will Insurance Cover Air Ambulance Transport?

Air ambulance transportation can be extremely expensive. The cost of one trip in an air ambulance can take a chunk out of the wallet and savings. In some instances, an air ambulance transport can cost over $100,000. With such extreme fees, it seems that people can’t afford to be critically ill or injured. Will insurance cover such high rates for air ambulance transport?

In many cases, insurance companies will cover air ambulance transport when it is deemed medically necessary. The insurance company may not cover every aspect of the transport, but the patient will not be left fully responsible for the charges. It is important to learn exactly what your insurance will cover and under what circumstances.

The key term here is “medically necessary”. If the doctor feels the patient must be transported by air to another health care facility to receive proper treatment, then the insurance company will typically go along with the charges and pay for the air ambulance transport of the patient. On the other hand, if someone is hurt or ill while out of the country and simply wants to fly home for treatment, the insurance company may not look upon this situation very favorably.

In such a case, the patient may be left vulnerable to all incurred charges for the air ambulance service. To protect yourself from this situation, it is possible to purchase air ambulance coverage while traveling. Such insurance is often reasonably priced in annual or monthly installments on an individual, family, or group basis. This type of coverage will protect you, your family, and your wallet.

Typically, the air ambulance service coverage is not only reasonably priced, but available to nearly everyone. Consumers are often concerned about exemptions and denials for pre-existing conditions, but frequently there are no such exclusions in this type of coverage.

When a patient requires air ambulance services, it is standard procedure for the air ambulance company to secure payment prior to the flight whenever possible. If it is not possible to prove that insurance coverage for air ambulance service can be secured, the patient or a family member must pay the charge up front in the form of a credit card, wire transfer, money order, or other verifiable payment. For many families, coming up with this large sum of money would not only be difficult, but nearly impossible.

Keeping this in mind, it is important for you to learn what coverage you have for air ambulance services. If you are unsatisfied with the current coverage the insurance plan offers, it may be time to consider other options to protect your finances in the event of an emergency. During a medical emergency, stress is high for the entire family.

Although no one wants to use air ambulance transport, it is important to concern yourself now with this issue. Contact the insurance company today to verify the ins and outs of coverage for air ambulance transport before you really need this service. Your health and your wallet may depend on this information in the future.

What is the Cost of Air Ambulance Transport?

If you or someone you love will be needing air ambulance transportation in the foreseeable future, then it is time to start doing a little homework. It is important to start compiling a list of air ambulance services that will be able to meet the needs. After comprising a list of potential air ambulance transport companies, it is time to compare costs. Just like any other business or service, prices will vary.

There are many variables that can affect the cost of air ambulance transport. You can receive quotes from contacting the air ambulance service company yourself or by contacting a broker. Do be aware that the broker will find the lowest cost possible, then add an additional fee for his or her services to the cost. Whenever possible, it is wise to deal directly with the air ambulance service company.

The type of aircraft needed for the transport will directly affect the cost of the air ambulance service. It is important to know the distance of the flight before deciding on a specific type of aircraft. Cost alone should not determine the aircraft used for transport of the patient.

Another factor that influences the cost of the air ambulance service is the number and type of medical staff needed for the flight. If the patient requires two trained people on board, the cost may be dramatically less than a patient requiring an entire specialized medical team.

Frequently, the cost of the air ambulance transport will include the fee for ground transportation to and from the aircraft. This is commonly referred to as bedside to bedside service. Also, the cost often includes the cost of any additional passengers where applicable.

Many private insurance companies will cover the cost of air ambulance transportation if it is deemed to be medically necessary. It is wise to check with your insurance provider before calling to make arrangements for the air ambulance transportation, if possible. If it is unable to prove coverage for the service before the time of the flight, secured payment is usually required. For most companies, acceptable forms of payment include major credit cards, wire transfers, certified checks, or money orders for the amount of the flight.

The actual cost of the air ambulance transport can range widely. Typically, the fees run between $10,000 and $100,000.

Due to the extreme expense of the air ambulance transport, it is advisable to compare costs whenever possible. If the patient has insurance coverage, learn the facts about what air ambulance transportation costs are covered and under what conditions. Dealing directly with the air ambulance service company can be a method for saving money by doing a little research on your own.

A broker can locate air ambulance service, but will charge additional fees. Be specific about details such as needed medical staff and type of aircraft when asking for quotes. Also, learn what specifics are included in the cost when making the decision to select one air ambulance service company over another. With a little research, patients and their family can get the best service at a great value.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture was developed in China many centuries ago. The Chinese call acupuncture Zhue Jiao, which means “needle heat”. The needle regulates an inner force called “Qi”, which is responsible for the health of the body. The regulation of Qi using acupuncture can restore physical health, give a release from stress, or improve physical or mental health in other ways. A very healthy person should have Qi energy flowing freely in several distinct pathways, and these pathways are like the roads for maintenance crews. Freely flowing energy distributes everything the cells need, and take away what waste is produced. This produces not only physical, but also mental, health. If Qi is stopped at some point, there will be some symptoms, often a physical illness. The acupuncturist will determine where the needles should be placed in order to return the flow to normal, or as close to normal as is possible. This might happen in one treatment, or a series of treatments. Many Chinese get acupuncture treatments regularly in order to stay healthy, to keep their Qi flowing at a nearly ideal level. In several places in China, a practitioner of acupuncture gets paid only as long as their clients remain healthy, not when they get sick.

Nearly all acupuncture techniques use needles, though there are varieties that also use electric stimulation, burning, and herbs. The needles used are solid needles, not hollow tube needles like Western doctors use. In America, certified practitioners of acupuncture use pre-sterilized disposable needles. There is usually no medicine on the needles, for the needle itself acts on the Qi energy to make the change in the flow. The practitioner may use a particular angle to insert a needle, or may manipulate the needle a little (such as a small rotation) to get the best results for a particular client.

If you think like the Chinese, you may want to visit your acupuncture clinic regularly to maintain an optimal flow of Qi, and to maintain really good health. A particular health or emotional problem may need only one or two visits, or might require a series of up to eight visits or more, depending on the problem. During a visit, the acupuncturist may insert several needles, and not necessarily at the same points from visit to visit. As the condition improves, a different set of locations might be chosen to affect a change in Qi flow to move even more quickly to good health. Sometimes the needles are inserted just underneath the layer of the skin, while at other times some of the needles may be inserted up to a depth of three inches. Insertion of the needles usually does not hurt at all. Some clients remark on an occasional pinching sensation when a needle is inserted. Once the needle is in place it can easily be forgotten. Sometimes there is a pleasant relaxing or warm sensation around the insertion point, which is an indication that the Qi flow is being redirected in the right manner.

Acupuncture is a very good way to correct a number of illnesses, and one of the best ways to maintain health on a regular basis. This introduction gave a brief overview to encourage you to consider acupuncture as a health option. More and more insurance companies are giving coverage for visits to an acupuncture clinic, and this should be explored.

Facial Exercises For A Firm Neck And Throat

Looking your best takes a lot of work, but it sometimes seems as though you just can’t win the battle against aging. No matter how good you are to your skin, wrinkles and sagging start to appear. The neck and throat tend to be a major problem, but that doesn’t have to be the case. You can do simple facial exercises for a firm neck and throat.

Understanding the cause of the problem will help you to find solutions. As you get older, your skin loses some of its elasticity, and this is the main cause of wrinkles. At the same time, you start to lose some muscle tone, which contributes to sagging. Some people go for the all-out solution and pay thousands of dollars to have plastic surgery. While surgery is always an option, it can have complications (as can any form of surgery), insurance does not typically pay for elective procedures, and there is no guarantee of how the finished result will look.

The good news is that you can do facial exercises to firm up your neck and throat, and turn back the clock a few years. You should do all of the following exercises gently, because overstraining your muscles can lead to injury, and that would only make things worse. Also, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about any health concerns that you have. With that in mind, here are a few facial exercises for a firm neck and throat to get you started.

Sit down on your floor with legs comfortably folded, making sure to keep your back straight. Slowly tilt your head back and hold it there for 10 to 15 seconds before returning it to the starting position. Do this 10 times. You should feel a gentle stretch along the length of your jawline.

Maintain the same seated position for this exercise. Lower your shoulders slightly, and look straight forward. Turn your head almost as far as it can go (again, don’t overdo it) to the right. Hold it for 5 to 10 seconds before returning to the forward position. Do this 5 times, and then switch to the left side.

While still in this position, tilt your head towards your right shoulder and hold it there for 5 to 10 seconds, then return it to the center. Repeat this 10 times before tilting it towards your left shoulder. This is a wonderful exercise for a firm neck.

Get on your hands and knees and drop your head toward the ground, being sure that your back, neck, and elbows are straight. Breathe in slowly. While exhaling slowly, arch your back gently downward as you lift your head up. Do this 5 times.

You can do the next exercise in just about any starting position, even while sitting in your car (when stopped at a red light is a perfect time). Tilt your head back, and while it is still tilted, open your mouth wide, and then close it. You should feel a relaxing stretch in the middle of your neck and throat.