#considering how much health information is NOT protected by HIPAA

[professionalrelocation]

How to Secure Your Data During IT Equipment Relocation

Relocating IT equipment is a critical process that requires meticulous planning to ensure that data security is maintained throughout the transition. This article outlines the key elements necessary to secure sensitive data during the relocation of IT assets, focusing on encryption, data wiping, and transport protocols. Furthermore, we will discuss best practices for compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulatory frameworks, as well as secure methods for disposing of obsolete equipment.

1. Encryption for Data Protection During Transit

To prevent unauthorized access, it is essential to encrypt all data stored on IT equipment before relocation. Encryption ensures that even if devices are lost or intercepted, the data remains protected and unreadable without proper decryption keys.

Best Encryption Practices:

Full-Disk Encryption (FDE): Use tools like BitLocker or VeraCrypt to encrypt the entire drive, ensuring that every file is protected.

End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Implement encryption at both the source and destination points during data migration.

Secure Key Management: Store encryption keys in an offline or hardware security module (HSM) for additional protection.

2. Data Wiping and Sanitization Before Relocation

Before relocating sensitive data, it is essential to perform secure data wiping to prevent residual data from being accessed on redundant or old devices. Data wiping goes beyond simple deletion by overwriting all sectors with random data, ensuring no trace of the original content remains.

Recommended Wiping Techniques:

DoD 5220.22-M Standard: Performs multiple overwrites to ensure data destruction.

NIST SP 800-88 Guidelines: Offers best practices for media sanitization.

Physical Destruction: For highly sensitive data, use shredding or degaussing to physically destroy storage media.

3. Safe Handling Protocols for IT Equipment

Handling IT equipment improperly during relocation increases the risk of data breaches. Implementing strict protocols for the physical transportation of IT assets mitigates potential threats such as tampering or theft.

Secure Transport Guidelines:

Use of Tamper-Evident Seals: Secure all equipment cases with tamper-evident tape to detect unauthorized access attempts.

GPS-Tracked Vehicles: Transport IT assets in vehicles equipped with GPS tracking to monitor movement in real-time.

Chain of Custody Documentation: Maintain detailed logs of who handles the equipment at each point of the relocation.

4. Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and Other Regulations

When relocating IT equipment containing personal or healthcare data, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations is critical. Non-compliance can result in heavy fines and damage to reputation.

Compliance Guidelines:

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): Implement encryption and data minimization techniques to protect personal data.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Use proper data handling practices to safeguard electronic protected health information (ePHI).

ISO 27001 Standards: Establish an information security management system (ISMS) to control risks related to data security.

5. Secure Disposal of Redundant or Outdated Hardware

Once IT equipment reaches its end of life or is no longer required, disposing of it securely is essential to prevent data leakage. Improper disposal can expose organizations to regulatory non-compliance and data breaches.

Recommended Disposal Methods:

Certified E-Waste Recycling: Partner with a certified recycling vendor that provides certificates of destruction.

On-Site Shredding Services: For highly sensitive equipment, consider shredding storage media on-site.

Asset Tagging and Reporting: Maintain a detailed asset disposal report to ensure a complete audit trail for compliance purposes.

Relocating IT equipment involves much more than just moving hardware from one place to another. Organizations must prioritize data security through encryption, secure handling, and regulatory compliance to protect sensitive information. Proper sanitization and safe disposal of outdated hardware are equally crucial to prevent unauthorized access to data. Adopting these practices will minimize risks, ensure compliance, and safeguard the integrity of your organization’s data during relocation.

[isocertificationinfrance]

Understanding HIPAA Certification  Ensuring Compliance and Protecting Patient Information

In the age of digital health records and rising cybersecurity risks, safeguarding the privacy and security of patient information is more important than ever. This is where HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) comes into play. HIPAA Certification in Afghanistan indicates that an organization follows the tough requirements established to protect patient health information (PHI). This article delves into what HIPAA certification involves, its significance, and the methods necessary to obtain it.

What is HIPAA Certification?

HIPAA compliance certification verifies that a covered entity, such as a healthcare provider or business associate, has successfully completed a third-party HIPAA compliance programme. This confirms that the covered entity was HIPAA compliant at the time of completion. After that, HIPAA certification no longer ensures compliance.

Benefits of a HIPAA certification:

HIPAA in Australia programmes and processes you learn throughout HIPAA certification courses will help you become a more patient-centered hospital. You will learn how to take crucial precautions to preserve sensitive patient information such as health records, personal information, credit card information, and other documents and data. The more knowledgeable and trained your staff is, the better treatment your patients will receive.

Certification programmes can also help you get better organized and ready for future HIPAA audits. These programmes and specialists may handle minor concerns before they become major issues, walk you through documentation requirements, and provide hands-on advice for achieving or maintaining compliance.

Working with the right programme is essential for achieving the highest level of certification. Before scheduling your next certification class, consider the following:

The provider's industry and compliance expertise

How long have they been in business?

Reviews from previous organizations that went through the programme

The types of training courses they provide

How long do their courses take to complete?

Whether they provide online, in-person, or a combination of ways.

Who Wants to Be HIPAA Compliant?

Compliance with HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules is required of all "Covered Entities" and their "Business Associates."

Covered Entities are healthcare organizations or professionals who create, keep, or transfer protected health information (PHI), including doctors, nurses, hospitals, pharmacies, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses.

Business Associates are service providers or professionals who perform healthcare duties or activities on behalf of covered entities and require PHI access to complete their tasks. Business associate categories include:

Services offered include legal,

 actuarial, accounting, 

consulting.

Data aggregation, 

management/administration,

 and financial considerations.

How much does HIPAA certification cost?

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), after adopting the HIPAA Final Rule in 2013, the expenditures per organization for obtaining HIPAA Cost in china  are as follows:

$80 to update the Notice of Privacy Practices.

$763 for upgrading the breach notification standards.

$84 for revising the business associate agreements.

$113 to ensure compliance with the Security Rule.

As a result, the estimated total HIPAA cost for each organization was $1,040. However, it is crucial to highlight that this estimate may only be partially accurate, particularly given the Security Rule's intricacies.

The Top HIPAA Certification Expert for Your Company

Discover top-tier HIPAA Certification Consultants in Bangalore through B2B CERT, a globally acknowledged service provider. If you need expert advice on HIPAA certification or help implementing it in your organization, our skilled team is ready to provide top-tier services. Recognising the challenges that businesses encounter, B2B CERT provides important certification audits to help overcome roadblocks and improve overall business efficiency. B2BCERT ensures instant recognition and easy contact with influential decision-makers. B2BCERT is your go-to solution for HIPAA credential enrollment.

[thoughtsofjessica]

Healthcare App Development: A Step-to-Step Guide

In the fast-paced world of technology, healthcare app development has emerged as a crucial tool to enhance patient care, streamline processes, and improve overall healthcare efficiency.

Developing a healthcare app requires careful planning and execution. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the key stages of healthcare app development, providing a roadmap for developers at an intermediate level.

Define Your Purpose and Target Audience

Before you start Health Care App Development, you need to know why you're making it and who will use it. Think about what the app will do – whether it's helping patients keep track of their health, connecting doctors and patients online, or managing medical records.

Understanding the purpose helps you make decisions about what features to include. Then, consider who will be using your app. Are you targeting patients, doctors, or both? Knowing your audience helps you design the app in a way that meets their needs. For example, if it's for patients, the app should be easy to use and provide helpful information.

If it's for doctors, it should support their work efficiently. By defining your purpose and target audience clearly, you set the foundation for a successful healthcare app that truly helps people and makes a positive impact in the world of healthcare.

Conduct a Comprehensive Market Research

Before starting your business, it's crucial to do thorough market research. This means taking a good look at what's happening in the market where you want to sell your products or services. Market research helps you understand your customers better and figure out what they need and want.

You can do this by talking to people, looking at what your competitors are doing, and studying trends. By doing this, you can find out if there's a demand for your product or service and if there's room for your business to grow.

It's also important to look at things like pricing and how you'll reach your customers. Market research might seem like a lot of work, but it's really important for the success of your business. It helps you make smart decisions and gives you a better chance of doing well in the market. So, take the time to do your research and learn as much as you can before diving into your business venture.

Ensure Compliance with Healthcare Regulations

The healthcare sector is highly regulated, with stringent laws protecting patient data and privacy.

Familiarize yourself with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to ensure your app complies with legal requirements.

Plan Your App Architecture

When you plan your app architecture, you're figuring out how everything will work together. It's like making a blueprint before building a house. You need to decide what features your app will have and how they will connect.

Think about it like organizing different rooms in a house so that they make sense and are easy to move between. In the same way, you'll organize different parts of your app so that users can navigate easily and everything works smoothly.

You also need to consider what tools and technologies you'll use to build your app. Just like a builder chooses the right materials for a house, you'll choose the right software tools for your app. This step is crucial because it sets the foundation for the entire development process. By planning your app architecture carefully, you can make sure your app is sturdy, reliable, and easy to expand in the future.

So take your time, think it through, and create a solid plan before you start building your app. It'll save you a lot of time and headaches later on!

Choose the Right Technology Stack

Selecting the appropriate technology stack is crucial for the success of your healthcare app. Consider factors such as the platform (iOS, Android, or both), programming language, and database. Opt for technologies that align with your project requirements and team expertise.

Develop a User-Friendly Interface

Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface that caters to the specific needs of healthcare professionals and patients. Prioritize simplicity and accessibility to enhance user experience, making it easy for users to navigate through the app.

Implement Robust Security Measures

Given the sensitive nature of healthcare data, security is paramount. Implement robust security measures to protect patient information and maintain the confidentiality of medical records. Encryption, secure authentication, and regular security audits are essential components.

Integrate Data Interoperability

Healthcare apps often need to exchange data with other systems, such as electronic health records (EHRs) or laboratory information systems. Ensure seamless data interoperability by implementing standardized protocols and formats for data exchange.

Test Thoroughly

Thorough testing is essential to identify and fix bugs before the app goes live. Conduct functional, security, and usability testing to ensure a reliable and error-free healthcare app. Engage users and gather feedback during the testing phase to make necessary improvements.

Obtain Regulatory Approvals

Before launching your healthcare app, obtain necessary regulatory approvals and certifications. This step is critical to ensure your app complies with healthcare standards and is deemed safe for use by both healthcare professionals and patients.

Conclusion

healthcare app development is a meticulous process that demands attention to detail, compliance with regulations, and a user-centric approach. Following this step-by-step guide can help intermediate-level developers navigate the complexities of healthcare app development, ultimately contributing to the advancement of healthcare technology and improving patient outcomes.

[technicaldr]

How To Ensure Telemedicine HIPAA Compliance In 2022? Best Guide

For healthcare organizations to ensure that they are fulfilling all rules and regulations laid out in the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, they must have a Telemedicine HIPAA compliance plan to be followed. 

Telemedicine benefits every healthcare professional and patient likewise and has made it very easy for the two to interact without physical contact or the need to go to any hospital or clinic. Although the Telemedicine app cost is somewhat between $40,000 to $55,000, and developing a Telemedicine app can be a bit challenging but such apps have proved to be very useful for healthcare professionals. 

Many healthcare professionals believe that passing on the ePHI (Protected Health Information) is safe if the communication is between the physician himself and the patient and this is where Telemedicine and HIPAA compliance needs to be linked together. 

  How to make sure that your Telemedicine services are HIPAA compliant? 

Certain ways can be implied to make sure that your Telemedicine services are HIPAA compliant. A few of them are mentioned below: 

One way to ensure Telemedicine HIPAA compliance is to ensure the encryption of all web forms. 

Securing the healthcare website using an SSL certificate can also be considered to make your website HIPAA compliant for Telemedicine providers.

Assuring that third-party service providers make a HIPAA business associate agreement (BAA) with a Telemedicine software development company also paves the way to HIPAA compliance Telemedicine.

Securing the location of data and the servers, and using secure user authentication can also help to make sure that your Telemedicine services are HIPAA compliant. 

Why is HIPAA compliance important for Telemedicine providers to protect patient privacy?

Everything is getting digital these days but it also means data theft. Data theft poses a serious threat to online businesses and privacy. The purpose of HIPAA-compliant telehealth is to ensure that patient information remains highly confidential and secure in the hands of HIPAA-trained healthcare professionals. 

Telemedicine HIPAA compliance allows patients to ask for their medical information whenever they want to. 

Tips for setting up a secure and compliant Telemedicine system

To ensure that your system is compliant with HIPAA you can take the following steps: 

Ensure Secure Connection

A secure connection between a physician and a patient is one of the key factors to ensure Telemedicine HIPAA compliance. Be it messaging, voice chat, or video chat, everything needs to be secure. Third parties like Zoom, e-mail apps, or Skype do not provide Telemedicine HIPAA compliance so it is best to avoid such apps to develop a connection between a physician and a patient. 

User Authorization

It is important to give access to PHI only to authorized people. Keep patients’ information highly protected and confidential and never pass it on to another physician or any other person without the consent of the patient. 

Automatic Log-Off

Usually, people forget to log off their desktops. This can lead to the misuse of information by anyone. Therefore, automatic logging off after a period of inactivity for some time can enhance data security and prevent its misuse. 

Appoint someone with good IT expertise

To ensure the protection of patients’ data, appoint someone who has expertise in IT because they will be able to monitor everything in a much more productive and effective way. It is very important because the administration already has a lot of responsibilities and might not be able to effectively manage all the data. 

The benefits of using a HIPAA-compliant Telemedicine platform

Combining Telemedicine and HIPAA compliance software and incorporating it into the healthcare system will provide numerous benefits in the process. A few HIPAA-compliant Telemedicine benefits are mentioned below: 

One of the most significant advantages of Telemedicine HIPAA compliance is that it ensures a patient’s trust in the healthcare organization. This way, patients will achieve a sense of safety and peace of mind knowing that their personal medical information is perfectly safe and secure with that institution.

Another benefit of adhering to Telemedicine HIPAA compliance programs in Telemedicine is that organizations will not have to endure any sort of penalties because not adhering to the set standard can lead to fines, and lawsuits imposing a huge threat to the financial stability of the organization in some cases. 

Best practices for ensuring HIPAA compliance with your Telemedicine platform

Here are some best practices for you to follow so you can ensure Telemedicine HIPAA compliance.

Download or store PHI on an unsecured mobile device

Telemedicine mobile apps are very convenient but you need to use strong passwords for your device. Make sure you establish a process for reviewing data stored on that device before throwing it away. 

Install a remote wipe feature on your device so that in cases where your device might be stolen or get lost, your data immediately erases and there is nothing left on the device for anyone to misuse. 

Make sure that your Telemedicine staff is HIPAA trained 

There are always new challenges and new workflows for employers and staff likewise. Without proper training of staff, it would be very risky for you to step into Telemedicine. 

Use a Secure way to communicate with patients 

Communicating with patients has become very easy all thanks to Telemedicine. Physicians can have easy access to all their patients and engage effectively with them. And same goes for the patients as well. Communication through text or email is not a safe option to go for because using such means to communicate means you are sharing PHI without any security. Make sure that the information is protected with encryption and is secure.

Make sure you share the updated notice of privacy practices with patients.

Patients need to be informed about the ways you are opting for in order to protect their PHI. Make sure you update the Notice of Privacy Practices which covers your Telemedicine program and platform. Do not forget to share it with patients.

FAQs

How can Telemedicine providers ensure that they are compliant with HIPAA? 

Telemedicine providers must ensure that their platforms have the following features to be compliant with HIPAA requirements.

Make sure only authorized people have access to ePHI.

Confirm the identity of users who request access to confidential data of the patients.

Ensure secure, encrypted communications between the physician and the patients. 

Monitor communications that contain ePHI.

How can patients be sure that their information is protected when using Telemedicine services?

A patient can be sure that his information is protected on a Telemedicine app by confirming through the Telemedicine app itself. The confirmation usually comes in the form of an authenticator app or a code sent to a user’s mobile phone. Multi-factor authentication should form a key part of your telehealth security measures and such measures help you the patients to be sure that their information is safe and secure. 

Conclusion

To sum up, the digitization of data and businesses has guaranteed easy access to everything in today’s world, but at the same time hospitalization has led to cyber theft and exploitation of sensitive data as well. But with the implementation of Telemedicine HIPAA compliance, sharing data on such platforms has become a lot easier and more secure. 

Technical Doctor's insight:

Contact Details : inquiry@technicaldr.com or 877-910-0004 www.technicaldr.com

[dogsliampaynedoesntinstagram]

Good morning Ralph! I’m an attorney in the US and I saw your anon asking about the legality of vaccine requirements set by artists. I can shed some light, though probably not much and I’m going to do that annoying thing that lawyers do where we say “well it depends!” and refuse to give anyone any solid answers. But that’s really, truly, honestly, cross my heart hope to die, because in the case of the legality of vaccine requirements it does depend on a lot of different factors and we don’t have very many solid answers. This is not something anyone has ever really had to deal with before, the legal system looks to past precedent when deciding how to handle current issues, and there just isn’t much of that here. As a kind of general rule, though, the baseline we start from is the idea that private entities are free to require basically whatever they want as a prerequisite to service, and consumers are free to choose not to patronize those entities if they don’t like the requirements. An important thing to remember, that I think a lot of people tend to forget - all those handy rights the US constitution affords its citizens only apply to the government. There are limited exceptions - the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act are two of the biggest examples. But, so long as they’re complying with the guidelines provided by those limited exceptions, private entities can and always have been able to do pretty much whatever they want.

Now, vaccines are an interesting question because you start to get cross over into other issues - the right to privacy, bodily autonomy, “compulsory” disclosure of personal medical information, etc. If the question was “can an artist require me to wear a mask at his concert even though wearing a mask wasn’t required at the time I bought my ticket” the answer would unequivocally be yes. Artists and venues can (and do!) require all sorts of things for entry - you have to have a ticket, you have to submit to a bag search and go through a metal detector, you’re generally required to be wearing shoes and pants and a shirt. Masks absolutely can be added as a requirement, at any time, and whether or not it was a requirement that you reasonably could have anticipated when you bought the ticket doesn’t matter. But vaccines feel a little different, and admittedly they are. A mask is, in essence, a piece of clothing for your face. You wear it for a few hours, you take it off, you go about your life. It’s a temporary measure. Vaccines are not. A vaccine is a medical treatment, once you’ve gotten it you can’t “take it off” or decide you don’t want it anymore. It just feels like there should be a higher level of scrutiny than just “if you don’t like the requirement don’t support the entity.” But there really isn’t. That old idea that a private entity can set pretty much whatever rules and restrictions for access to and use of their private property stands. That tenant is arguably strengthened when the issue involves public health risks, because an employer has a duty to protect their employees and customers.

The EEOC ruled in May that companies can legally require their employees to be vaccinated. There are no federal laws preventing an employer from requiring employees to provide proof of vaccination, that information just has to be kept confidential. If there is a disability or sincerely held religious belief preventing an employee from being vaccinated they are entitled to a “reasonable accommodation” that does not pose an “undue burden” on the business. This isn’t a 1:1 comparison to your anon’s question about whether or not artists can require vaccination of concert attendees, but it is really useful guidance, because it’s a statement about what is and isn’t appropriate re: vaccine requirements straight from the mouth of one of the biggest federal players in the game. If, for example, a bunch of maroon five fans decided to sue the ban for their vaccine requirements, the EEOC decision is something judges and lawyers would look at in evaluating the suit.

HIPAA is the big one that a lot of people like to cite as protecting them from being asked about vaccination status by businesses or employers, but that’s just entirely untrue. HIPAA prevents a specific list of entities - doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, etc. - from disclosing medical data about a patient in their care. Event venues, artists, employers - none of them fall into the category of a “covered entity” that has to abide by HIPAA requirements. And even then, there’s an argument to be made that HIPAA still wouldn’t prevent them from asking if you’re vaccinated and refusing you entry if you’re not, just that they can’t turn around and tell someone else what your vaccination status is.

So on a high level the answer is yes, artists can absolutely require vaccination of concert attendees. Full stop.

But that’s only taking into account federal laws. There are state laws at play too, and those are absolute mess. It feels like each state is handling their approach to vaccine requirements differently, and a lot of them conflict with the federal laws at play. While in theory federal laws should trump state laws, that’s not really true in practice, and a lot of people who are much smarter than me are still struggling with how to navigate that maze, so I’m not going to bother adding my two cents about how I think it should go. From a fact based standpoint, though, know that state laws are an issue and add even more “it depends on ____” factors to our already uncertain analysis. Texas, Arkansas, and Florida, for example, all have laws prohibiting businesses and governmental entities from requiring digital proof of vaccination. Whether or not these laws will withstand judicial scrutiny in the places they conflict with federal law remains tbd, but as it stands now an artist playing a show in Texas couldn’t require vaccines for entry to that show. But if their tour stop is, say, Indiana, they could require vaccines there, because Indiana state law only prevents governmental and quasi-governmental entities (schools) from requiring vaccines. Private entities can do whatever they want.

The final thing I want to touch on is your anon’s concern that the vaccine requirement wasn’t in place when the tickets were originally bought. It doesn’t matter. If the question is “can an artist require vaccines” the answer is “yes” and whether or not that requirement was in place when you bought your ticket doesn’t matter. BUT! As with everything else, there are exceptions. There might be an argument that adding a vaccine requirement is a contractual violation, if we were to imagine the exchange of ticket purchase for entertainment a contract between the buyer and the artist. There’s maybe an argument that you paid for a service you’re no longer getting because the circumstances under which the service will be provided has changed so drastically. These are issues that if someone wanted answers to they’d have to hire an attorney to file a civil suit against the artist, and then see the litigation through to get a ruling from a judge. To the best of my knowledge that hasn’t been done. But even if it is is done in the future, the answer to the overarching question “can an artist require vaccines” won’t change. All that will change is the artist will be required to come up with some sort of refund scheme for those who choose not to be vaccinated.

Anyway! I didn’t mean to write an entire treatise in your inbox. I saw the anon’s question and immediately went “oh interesting! I know a little bit about that” and, as per usual, a little bit has turned into a rambling lecture that I’m not actually sure anyone will even learn anything from. At the very least it might entertain you.

Xoxo, a US attorney who really needs to go do work someone will pay her for and stop theorizing about the interplay of federal vs state laws.

Thanks anon! That's all very interesting and relevant information. It gives a really good sense of how complex the situation is and the relevant dynamics in play. And also a good sense of what the law does and doesn't cover - because there's a whole practical side of this that is largely

I'll throw in one more thought. One of my concerns about vaccine passports are the equity issues. Existing issues of access to healthcare have played out in vaccine rates and that's true of both race and class everywhere that I have looked at. I don't think vaccines can be considered meaningfullly accessible if poor people and black people aren't accessing them. In general, the best answers to that will be resourcing to take vaccines to where people are and (and the situation for native americans really undscores this) and paid sick leave. But while vaccination rates are lowest for those who face most marginalisation, restricting access to society on the basis of a vaccination is discriminatory in a serious way.

[risingfire17-the-weeb-trash]

MysMe reacts to MC having an eating disorder- Part 3: Jumin

The next part of the MC with an eating disorder reaction headcanons. For this one I was really inspired by the role of friends/family getting proper help in ED recovery. If someone you love has ED, please educate yourself on the matter, and try to convince them to seek treatment if they haven’t already! Also, know that supporting a loved one through something like this can be taxing, and if you become overwhelmed consider getting help for yourself too! Plenty of therapists take a “family-systems” approach, where they treat the entire family for the repercussions of one member’s struggle. (This applies not only to ED, but also mood disorders, substance abuse disorders, grief counseling, pretty much anything) Feel free to message with any questions and I’ll tell you what I know. Without further ado, here’s the HC:

                                               ~~~

·         The first sign was when the clothes he ordered for you were too big. He could have sworn he’d remembered your size correctly. Then his head house staff asked if he could provide a list of the lady’s food preferences, since she barely touched her meals and the kitchen staff wanted to make sure everything was to her taste. When he found out this had been going on for at least a month, he scheduled for his doctor to come to your home and check on you.

·         You put on a happy face for the doctor, and even when he suggested the possibility of an eating disorder you laughed and said you just hadn’t been hungry. He knew there was no convincing you, so he just suggested drinking milk to stimulate appetite without straining the stomach.

·         When the doctor told Jumin what he thought, Jumin was confused.* Starving oneself seemed to be the most illogical thing on the planet to him. How does she intend to live if she won’t eat? Why would she do it? He admits he has no clue how to handle this, but good thing he can pay for someone who can. He gets some information for therapists who specialize in this stuff.

·         You are shocked and afraid when the therapist comes to see you. The therapist says you are always free to refuse treatment but that they were already paid by someone who loves you and is incredibly worried for you. You decide to humor this shrink, if only for Jumin’s sake. You slowly start to let out that you don’t feel good enough for this high society lifestyle, that you’re not a corporate whiz or a trust fund kid or a famous actor or model, that no matter how hard you try you’re just a nobody, that at least controlling your calorie intake is something you can do, even if it’s not enough for him. The therapist asks you if you can decide for someone else if you’re good enough. That gets you thinking and it’s hard to keep up your expressionless gaze. When the therapist asks if you’d like to make another appointment, you hesitate, and then nod.

·         Jumin walks in and mumbles an apology, that he didn’t realize it wasn’t over. The therapist reassures him that you’re just finishing up and asks if he had finished with his session. Your mouth drops.

·         After the therapist leaves…”What did he mean, ‘your session?’”

·         Cue Jumin blush. “Well, I didn’t know anything about this, and I couldn’t take any chances with your health, so I decided to get help from an expert. He’s helping me understand and work through it with you. I…want to become someone who can help you.”

·         You fall into his arms, which he more than willingly wraps around you. He’ll do anything in his power to protect you; that was what made you fall in love with him in the first place. You can’t even be mad that he scheduled appointments for you without your permission, but…

·         “From now on, I’ll schedule my own appointments. I’ll fight this for you. For us.”

·         “One thing I learned is that a common cause of these disorders is feeling a lack of control over one’s life.” He blushes ferociously. “Do I…not give you enough control over your life?” Probably not but you just say you need to think that one over with your therapist and let him know.

·         He drops to his knees and hugs you around the waist. Shocked by the sudden intensity of emotion, you run your hand through his hair until he looks at you. A single tear has escaped his eyes. “You know I would do anything to protect you, right? Knowing that something managed to get in and wound your heart like this, it’s terrifying, and I want to do anything I can to make sure it can never touch you again.”

·         You pull him to his feet and tearfully thank him for everything he’s doing. “You deserve nothing less, my love.” Feeling brave, you call the kitchen staff and order a glass of milk. When it arrives, you shudder as all the thoughts come back. He stands behind you, holding your free hand and stroking your hair, silently cheering you on as you start to drink. It takes a while, but when you finish, he gently wraps his arms around you and kisses the top of your head. “I am so, so proud of you.”

*In America (where I live), sharing diagnosis and other details of treatment of adults, even with family members, is prohibited under HIPAA laws. However, from what I understand, in Korea this information is not confidential and it is common practice to share it with family members and significant others to ensure continuity of care at home. If I’ve got this wrong please let me know because I don’t want to misrepresent a culture! 

[aion-rsa]

Why The Truth About Britney Spears Is So Elusive

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Britney Spears is one of the most-covered and least-known celebrities of the modern era. She is a millennial icon whose songs were the soundtrack of a generation. A choreographed contradiction from her earliest burst onto pop stardom, the singer became a blank canvass for anyone carrying a paint brush. The FX docuseries The New York Times Presents “Framing Britney Spears” is an attempt to find the artist’s place in the gallery. It is also searching for Britney’s whereabouts in general. Spears was placed into a conservatorship when she was 26 years old. That was 13 years ago this month, and she has been petitioning the court to have that changed.

Britney’s conservatorship, overseen by her father Jamie Spears, has been profitable. With a net worth of over $60 million, maybe too profitable to ever get resolved. It could be a form of life imprisonment and wannabe jailers appear to come out of the woodwork regularly in Britney’s career. Spears also currently has a restraining order against Sam Lutfi, one of her former managers.

According to “Framing Britney Spears,” court documents call the singer a “high-functioning conservatee.” Britney’s fans point out their favorite star released four albums, went on three world tours, performed a sold-out five-year residency in Las Vegas, was paid $15 million to be a judge on The X Factor, and put her name on a billion-dollar perfume line. Yet, she has been deemed incapable of taking care of her finances or life, and even when she can drive.The case is being proceeded over by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny.

For a pop queen in exile, Spears hasn’t been invisible. She’s been spotted at Starbucks with her boyfriend, Sam Asghari. She’s posted clips of her dancing, working out, painting, and giving impromptu fashion shows on Instagram during the coronavirus lockdown. Her posts, of course, only fuel the fire of conspiracy theorists, regardless of their apparent mood or meaning. Spears’ song titles like “Work Bitch,” “I’m a Slave 4 U,” and “”Out from Under,” could also be read as messages concerning her career. 

Spears commands loyalty, and her fans love her. This is poignantly evident in Chris Crocker’s viral 2007 YouTube plea to “Leave Britney Alone.” The #FreeBritney movement rose up spontaneously after the conservatorship. The fan-produced podcast “Britney’s Gram” has dedicated itself to getting information to the public. Miley Cyrus shouted “Free Britney” during a performance. Paris Hilton and Rose McGowan have shown support. Britney’s mother Lynne Spears has been known to “like” comments with the #FreeBritney hashtag. 

Samantha Stark, the director of The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears, freelanced as a choreographer while making the two-step into video journalism. Writing at The New York Times for the past 8 years, she also produced and directed episodes of The Weekly. Stark spoke with Den of Geek about the difficulties of reporting on Spears’ conservatorship, and the future of journalism in a changing media climate.

Den of Geek: What drew you to Britney, of all the cases?

Samantha Stark: We started filming this before a lot of these court filings about the conservatorship started happening. The original concept was to look back at media coverage of her through this 2020-then-lens, post-MeToo and post when things like talking about mental health are more mainstream. There’s not as much stigma. Looking back at the media coverage of her from the early 2000s feels so shocking now. That was the original concept. Then while we were filming, these court filings started pouring in.

Could you have picked two better names for this case than Wallet and Judge Penny?

Right? There are a lot of similar names that run throughout it. You have Jamie Spears and Lynn Spears and Jamie Lynn Spears. You have a lot of Kevins, just like a ton of Kevins running throughout. There are a lot of Sams also in Britney’s story. There are a lot of re-occurring names. But yeah, Andrew Wallet.

What’s the first misconception “Framing Britney Spears” will clarify for the casual Britney Spears fan?

A huge misperception of her, that I had going into the project, is a lot of people think that the creation of her image and the music that she does and the way her shows are and the outfits she wears are other people’s decisions. But what I learned over and over again was how much of a say in her early career, including “Baby One More Time” at the very beginning, she had in her image and the way she was presented. How involved she was creatively in every show she did and every music video she made, particularly at the beginning of her career. I think a lot of people think she’s this puppet that was sexualized as a teenager and didn’t know it. And I think, from talking to the people who worked with her then, that that was her. She had a really big say in that.

From my unscientific survey, asking everyone I came into contact with “what’s the first thing they think of when they think of Britney Spears”: A lot of people say, “Oh, that time she shaved her head,” or “the picture where she shaved her head.” One of the reasons it’s called “Framing Britney Spears” is there seems to be these very few still-image frames in our collective subconscious, that burned into us when we remember her.

We went into it wanting to figure out how we could learn what was behind the frame, outside of the frame. I think a lot of people don’t realize all the different factors that were leading up to that point. A lot of people don’t realize that she was going through a custody battle then and how important her role as a mother was to her, or is to her still. There’s a lot of pulling back the curtain we could do.

Danny Ramos, the photographer we interviewed, was one of the only people doing video during the big paparazzi explosion. We wanted to talk to him and use his video, so you could see what was happening outside of the frame. He describes the time with the umbrella, that’s another big photo that people remember, like the head shaving. What people don’t realize is how upset she was that day because she was trying to see her kids and wasn’t able to. And how much he pushed her buttons before that happened, some deep buttons. So that’s outside of the frame. 

Another one is the central mystery of our film. I think a lot of people don’t know that Britney Spears is still in a court-sanctioned conservatorship and that, for most of the 12 years, her father was the one in charge of her personal, medical, and economic decisions. He controls what happens with her money. The central mystery of our piece is something that Joe Coscarelli, one of our reporters, says in the film: “She’s living the life of a busy pop star, and yet we’re told she’s at risk constantly.” How is someone who can live the life of a busy pop star also be so at risk that she can’t make basic decisions for herself like medical-care decisions, where she lives, contracts, what to do with her money?

Britney’s lawyer, Adam Streisand, mentions a health report he wasn’t allowed to see, and was told by the judge it was justified withholding. I’ve seen a lot of reported diagnoses on the internet. Do you have any idea what that report said specifically?

Absolutely not. I think that’s important. Part of the difficulty with reporting on conservatorships, Britney’s and also any conservatorship, is that a lot of it has to do with medical records. Also, they do have court investigators that go out and interview the people involved. They have different kinds of people who submit reports about the person, and they’re protected under HIPAA and also allow the person some privacy.

Britney has signaled recently through her court filings that she doesn’t want her records to be sealed, that she wants people to be able to see them. But that’s particularly with her estate, which is different from the medical records. Who knows if she would want people to see that report also? But her conservators and lawyers in the past have decided it’s against her best interest. That’s something else interesting about conservatorships, is that other people decide what is in the person’s best interest. As Britney is performing in Vegas, other people are deciding for her what’s in her best interest all the time.

Since we don’t know anything about that report, we don’t know if Britney has a mental health diagnosis. She could not, there could be nothing actually in that realm. A lot of people like to speculate what kind of mental illness she might have, but we don’t know if she even has one. I think that’s important to remember.

Britney’s request for an outside independent party taking conservatorship seems like the most rational solution to the situation. Why is this so difficult?

That is the question. It seems as if Britney requests, “I don’t want my father in charge of being a conservator of the estate. I want this trust, Bessemer Trust, instead.” Yet her father is still in charge. That is legal. The judge made that decision. We don’t know why. A lot of questions about the conservatorship system, as a whole, have been brought up during this process. When someone is under a conservatorship, they are under a conservatorship because it’s considered that they cannot act in their own best interest. Conservatorships are mostly given to the elderly with Alzheimer’s, because a lot of people try to take advantage of people with Alzheimer’s and get them to sign over their money or their wills. And this was put in place to protect those people, which is really necessary.

It’s confusing because Britney is not. It’s a very unique situation, they always say, but we don’t know why.Jamie’s argument is that he has been doing a good job on this for the past 12 years. Her estate has grown, and that if he gets taken off and a whole new company takes over, it can harm her. Bessemer Trust does this professionally. They manage people with gigantic estates’ money all the time. So, the merits of that argument are questionable. But the judge decided that way. She’d left the door open. She didn’t decide he’s definitely staying on. She didn’t do an emergency suspension. That’s what they were asking for. They could still file to remove him.

These legal processes take a really long time, and as they’re happening, everybody’s getting paid. Britney’s estate pays the lawyers on both sides. She pays for her own lawyers, and then she pays for the lawyers arguing against her own lawyers, as well as the conservators’. That is oftentimes what happens with the conservatorship system. That’s also a place where people point to as something that could be a systemic issue in conservatorship systems: are these lawyers always acting in her best interest while also getting paid as long as the conservatorship is in place?

Is Britney a hostage, or is this a self-imposed exile?

I have no idea. We don’t know. Another really hard part of reporting this is there’s such a strong circle around Britney, seemingly controlling who she interacts with, because of the conservatorship, that we can’t talk to her. And she has not said anything publicly on her social media. Through her court documents, she said she appreciates the long “informed support” of her fans and that she “doesn’t want this battle hidden away like a family secret.”

Those were quotes from her court documents written by her lawyer, Sam Ingham, who legally is responsible for speaking for her since she’s not legally necessarily supposed to speak for herself. She could. So, that’s a mystery. Why isn’t she saying anything? Is it because there are people around her stopping her, or is it because she doesn’t want to say anything? Maybe Britney doesn’t want to talk to anyone about this. We have no idea. It makes it very frustrating to report on.

Just because you report on something doesn’t mean you agree with it. Do you think Spears speaks in code on her Instagram posts?

I don’t know. I have looked at every post since 2015 and some before that. It’s really fascinating to look at. Something about her Instagram that I love was this period of time where she was posting a lot of herself with her kids. It was just so beautiful to see her as a mom, because I know from talking to people close to her, that’s the number-one thing she’s ever wanted, to be a mom and to be seen as a mom. So those are really moving to me. Whether or not she’s speaking in code with other things, it’s so hard to tell because they’re always so surprising what she puts up there.

It seems she’s been doing it consistently, even in her songs throughout her career.

Yeah. It is interesting to listen to some of her songs now that we’ve seen all this come out in court. Even the song “Overprotected.” Listening to that now, wow. It has such a different meaning knowing that she does not want her father to be “protecting” her. A lot of her music videos and music has this bondage theme. Britney is often seen in chains or in cages. Also, a lot of themes of people taking from her, like “Gimme More.”

I think people haven’t taken that seriously, but when you look at it and you think of these as art and expression, even if she doesn’t have a song-writing credit on the songs a lot. Felicia [Culotta], her assistant and friend, who’s been with her for most of her career, said she would go into the studio and talk to the people who were writing the songs about what was happening in her life. And they would often write songs based off of what she was saying, which I guess is standard in the industry. I didn’t know. But we can draw our own conclusions to why there is such a big theme, yeah, of bondage and of people taking stuff from her.

Britney was a trendsetter musically. She explored dubstep, and she really is the face of the millennials. Do you think the #FreeBritney movement will also become a millennial icon?

Well, one of the things I find so compelling about the #FreeBritney movement is talking to Kim Kaiman, who was the marketing director at Jive Records. She was the person who met Britney when she first came in at 15, and decided how to market her, what her image was going to be. She very much expressed that she wanted it to be based off of who Britney actually was as a person. She describes her as “your friend that you kind of idolize a bit and look up to, but is the same as you, has the same hopes and dreams as you have.” And the 12, 13-year-old preteen age was who they were marketing her towards, I think she really connected with that.

Kim says she captured so well the dichotomy of what a teenage girl is. Teenage girls want to be grown women, but they’re also kids. It’s this wanting to be sexy and in control feeling that she captured that really spoke to these young people. Almost everyone in #FreeBritney who I talked to was in their late 20s or early 30s. So they were that age then. They were those kids that she was being sold to. I feel like the idea that she’s your friend really carried over, because they’re like, “This is my friend that they’re doing this to. I have to go stop it,” from what they said to me.

When they were that age, she was sold as this perfect, all-American girl. Kevin Wu, who’s one of the #FreeBritney organizers, says this in the film. He was saying finding out that she wasn’t perfect, that time where she was super vulnerable to people, and she was having public issues. I hate saying meltdown because I really don’t know what it was. But the vulnerability that she showed there really, really speaks to this group, and also, I would say, that age bracket in general.

I keep quoting people, but Felicia, it’s not in the film, said “Britney was judged and criticized for who she was. Even when she came out as a teenager, she was judged and criticized for being too sexy. A lot of people who are kind of these outsiders or people who were bullied or LGBTQ people, they were judged and criticized for who they were when they were younger, and so there’s this connection. They can relate to each other.” She said, “Britney relates to them as well.”

There’s kind of this counterculture fandom that the #FreeBritney people are like the people who were bullied when they were younger. And it is kind of millennial. We want to be more open talking about mental health. We don’t want bullying. We want diversity. I do think that it really speaks to that.

You worked extensively with the #FreeBritney movement players. In the review, I wrote you treated them like stringers. How do you rate them as journalists?

I would not say that we treated them like stringers because we did all our own reporting ourselves. We have our own journalists. Liz Day, who’s featured in the piece. Everything that they were finding out and bringing up we independently investigated and verified, absolutely. But I will say, I think they became their own investigators for themselves. There weren’t people doing investigations into it when they first started in 2019. And so, they definitely became their own investigators trying to dig up court documents. But we definitely did that ourselves.

But part of the story is that they became these investigators, so we do feature that in the story. It’s fascinating. Some lawyers are involved with #FreeBritney, and they know how to find the publicly available court documents. They would take them and put them online and highlight them. And as soon as a new court document would come out, like if Sam Ingham, Britney’s court-appointed attorney, would file something new, they would know immediately and post it online and dissect it. But we did that ourselves too.

It’s so much easier for us to do it because we have a full infrastructure set up for it. These people were spending so much time. The reason they started doing the investigating is because there wasn’t any media covering it, and they really wanted that. They wanted people to look into this. And so, they started doing it themselves, and it got a lot of attention. Then the media did look into it.

We had an investigation into her conservatorship in 2016, so we were one of the only people to be looking at it in that way. It was by the reporter who’s in the film, Joe Coscarelli. They did this “Is Britney Spears Ready to Stand on Her Own” questioning: is she ready to not be in this conservatorship? A lot of people are interested in it because of what they started digging up.

I see it similar to the hijacking of right-wing hashtags by the K-pop stans or what’s happening right now with the GameStop stock. The community is bringing the attention and journalism is keeping up with it.

The fact also that the age of a lot of these people means they’re so adept at internet culture and social media culture. They are using social media in a sophisticated way to get people to pay attention to them, for sure.

Do you think Britney had any idea how creepy the Star Search Q&A with Ed McMahon was, or was she just blindsided by the stupidity of it?

I think you can look at her face and be the judge of that. She was 10, but she handled it very well. I think it boded for the future of men asking inappropriate things to her. She just kind of like, “It depends. Boys are mean. It depends.” She kind of shook it off quite well as a ten-year-old.

And you see her in our piece later, when there are men asking her inappropriate questions, she sidesteps it in a really good way, in a really way that’s interesting to watch.

The shocking one was her being told about a mother saying that she wanted to shoot her because she was a bad influence.

The wife of a governor, by the way. That’s the kind of thing that you look at and you wonder would it happen now? I think we’ve come some way of not trying to shame people for their sexuality, but who knows?

There’ve always been persistent dark rumors about Britney, along with other celebrities who reach a certain tier. Why do you think people are so eager to demonize them?

Well, I wonder if that is still true today. I feel like it was very true during this height of the tabloid era, like 2004 to 2009. We’re not as eager to enjoy celebrities’ crashing and burning. If they’re going to rise, they have to fall, that kind of narrative. I feel like our culture is not as into that now. I think we’re less mean-spirited. And I don’t know. That’s what I was trying to figure out this entire time making this piece. Like, why? Why Britney? Why are we, as a culture, consuming all of this?

The reason that there was paparazzi around her all the time is because it sold. We consume that. It sold the magazines better than any other light “storylines.” I don’t know why. I mean, just my opinion, maybe the idea of what could be beautiful in society and perfect in society was so narrow that people were resentful of that. The majority of the US Weekly readers were women, so the majority of people buying those photographs were women. Is it because this ideal was so narrow back then that people became jealous and resentful of her? Now, I think the standard of beauty has opened up much wider, but that’s just my guess.

One of the experts says she’s never seen anyone successfully terminate a conservatorship. If Britney does succeed, will that upset the guardianship designation in the future?

Only time will tell. Who knows? I mean, if there are issues within the system that need to come to light, I think it would help them come to light.

Just because we’re Den of Geek and you’re from The New York Times, I have to ask, are you at all related to Tony Stark?

You know, I get that question a lot, and the true answer is we don’t know.

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The New York Times Presents “Framing Britney Spears” debuts Feb. 5 on FX and FX on Hulu.

The post Why The Truth About Britney Spears Is So Elusive appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[krbement]

Hot Topic: In-person vs. Teletherapy

→ Assuming you are still reading because you are even more interested in clinical psychology now, I’d like to go through a hot topic in the field currently. It is important to know what is happening in the field of your future career because this could set up different pathways for you. There are quite a few different debates in the field right now but I want to zero in on one specific topic: teletherapy.

What is teletherapy?

→ Teletherapy is the 21st century improvisation to in-person therapy. The latin root “tele” means “distance” or “transmission over a distance”. Therefore, teletherapy is the act of providing therapeutic counseling for emotional issues via the internet. With the increase of technology in recent decades, the proposal for therapy through the internet has increased with it. 

 →  The first sign of “e-therapy” was in 1972 when computers from Stanford and UCLA were used in what is now considered the first online counseling. I know it seems crazy that there was online therapy before cellphones were even invented because now most of us are aware we can attend a therapy session via zoom right from the comfort of our own homes.

Why is there a debate?

→  The tech boom in recent years really drove the need for online therapy for people like the stay at home moms who can’t leave their kids at home to go to therapy, or the busy bees who just don’t have enough hours in the day to get to an in-person meeting. Many argue these individuals’ mental health shouldn’t suffer and that teletherapy should be more widely accepted. On the flip side there are many who think that therapy loses its integrity when it is no longer a face to face interaction. Here are a few of the pros and cons as listed by different experts in the field.

Pros:

-Easy and simple to access: Skype is a very easy tool for patients and therapists to utilize in their sessions. 

-Much more affordable than traditional psychotherapy: Traditional therapy can be quite pricey, up to $200 for a 45-60 minute visit, whereas teletherapy is much cheaper.

-Accessibility for people with physical limitations: There are many individuals who may not have the physical means to get to an in-person meeting so they are now able to meet with a therapist remotely without the trouble of getting there. 

-More frequent contact with the therapist: Patients can call their therapist quickly and efficiently if needed rather than having to wait a week or more to get an appointment. 

-Good for patients with social anxiety: Many individuals who suffer from social anxiety are not comfortable meeting with a therapist in person. This way they can ease the social pressure and be in a comfortable space while receiving the help they need.

-Necessary during COVID: Due to mandatory shut down of many offices for safety reasons- teletherapy has been on the rise as people still need help from their therapists and even more so for some during a global pandemic. 

Cons:

-Confidentiality: It is hard to protect patient and therapist information from being hacked into.

-HIPAA Compliance: Lines are blurred on whether or not teletherapy complies with restrictions of HIPAA outlined here.

-Interruptions of communication like dropped calls: It is hard to prevent power outages or bad wifi connections. 

-Insurance companies may not cover it: Some insurance companies do not cover online therapy and It mainly depends on the state you live in. 

-Some states do not provide out-of-state providers: Therapists are licensed by the state they live in and therefore can only provide care to those who are also in that state. 

-Lack of response to crisis situations: It can be difficult to respond efficiently if there is an immediate crisis. 

-Overlooks important body language: Nonverbal communication is very important for therapists to read as they are helping assess a patient’s problems. Without these cues, therapists are missing out on valuable information that they may not get otherwise. 

-Online therapy alone is not enough for severe mental health issues: There are some individuals with serious psychiatric illnesses that require close and direct interventions that online therapy can not provide.

-Some types of therapy are nearly impossible to conduct online (e.g. animal assisted psychotherapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy [EMDR]): Different problems require creative solutions and it is nearly impossible to administer the above treatments through an online forum.

How has COVID affected this debate?

→ You may be wondering if this debate has been fast tracked by the current climate of the world. Well you would be 100% correct. The rapid spread of this virus forced anti-teletherapy individuals to get on board in order to protect the safety of themselves and their clients. An article in the MIT technology review even noted that there has been a large spike in the usage of wellness apps ranging from meditation to teletherapy. 

→ The increase in usage can be explained both by the restrictions being lifted on telehealth meetings and an increase in the number of people seeking therapy. “Nearly half of Americans report the coronavirus is affecting their mental health”, reports William Wan from the Washington Post. People are struggling with the fear of the unknown that this virus brings. Many are worried about their loved ones’ safety, losing their jobs and homes, not being able to provide for the family, not being able to afford school, and any combination of these. It is not surprising that teletherapy is now booming, the world is a scary place right now. 

So, what’s the right answer?

→ Typically these debates have more of a clear right and wrong side. However, as you have read, this debate has very logical, ethical, and moral reasons for both arguments. I am in favor of the rise in teletherapy due to the current climate of the world. There are so many people these days that need help in dealing with their mental health issues and I am glad that people are able to access the help that they need. I also firmly believe that we need to be working hard to improve the security of these platforms for both the therapist and client. But I’ll let you decide for yourself what side of the debate you fall into. 

[desempleopandemico-blog]

Interesting features of Affordable Health Insurance Plans

PUA

When consumers search for affordable medical health insurance, they have price in their head as the top priority. A general conceiving among the consumers is that affordable health plans should not be costly-the cheapest health plan in the market is their target. But this approach is not good. Often, paying for a cheap health insurance strategy but still not getting the required a higher level coverage results only within wastage of money.

PUA

With the execution of the affordable care work, the reach of reasonably priced health plans is set to enhance. Or at least, this is what is regarded as the objective of healthcare reforms. Still lots of consumers are still inside confusion about how things works. In this article, we will discuss a number of detailed options that shoppers can try while looking to acquire affordable health plans.

To have a hand on affordable medical insurance plans, consumers need to take involving certain things. First one of them is about knowing the options from the particular state of the property. There are lots of state and national government-run programs that could be suited to consumers. Knowing the options is definitely important. Next would be to be familiar with terms and conditions of all the programs along with check the eligibility criteria per one of them. Further, consumers should be aware their rights after the rendering of healthcare reforms, the other within a few days, they may be eligible for a particular program or may be allowed to avail a particular health care insurance plan. If consumers manage these steps, there is no good reason that consumers can't land on a cost-effective health plan that could serve the medical care needs.

Let's take a discuss some options linked to affordable health insurance plans state-wise:

State-run affordable health insurance courses in California

While taking into consideration California, there are three very affordable health insurance plans that are manage by the state government. Consumers could surely get benefitted through these if they are eligible for the huge benefits.

• Major Risk Medical care insurance Program (MRMIP)

This program certainly a handy one offering restricted health benefits to California locals. If consumers are unable to order health plans due to a current medical condition, they can see if that they qualify for this program and get positive aspects.

• Healthy Families System

Healthy Families Program presents Californians with low cost wellness, dental, and vision protection. This is mainly geared to young children whose parents earn excessive to qualify for public aid. This program is administered simply by MRMIP.

• Access with regard to Infants and Mothers Plan (AIM)

Access for Newborns and Mothers Program supplies prenatal and preventive look after pregnant women having low earnings in California. It is applied by a five-person board containing established a comprehensive benefits deal that includes both inpatient in addition to outpatient care for program enrollees.

Some facts about affordable health coverage in Florida

While discussing affordable health insurance options throughout Florida, consumers can take into consideration below mentioned options:

• Floridians who lost employer's group health insurance may are entitled to COBRA continuation coverage with Florida. At the same time, Floridians, who have lost group health insurance caused by involuntary termination of job occurring between September one particular, 2008 and December thirty-one, 2009 may qualify for analysis tax credit. This credit score helps in paying COBRA or maybe state continuation coverage payments for up to nine months.

• Floridians who had been uninsured regarding 6 months may be eligible to obtain a limited health benefit program through Cover Florida.

• Florida Medicaid program could be tried by Floridians obtaining low or modest family income. Through this program, expectant mothers, families with children, clinically needy, elderly, and handicapped individuals may get help.

• Florida KidCare program can assist the Floridian children underneath the age of 19 years and not necessarily eligible for Medicaid and at present uninsured or underinsured.

• A federal tax credit to help you pay for new health coverage for you to Floridians who lost their very own health coverage but are receiving advantages from the Trade Adjustment Aid (TAA) Program. This credit rating is called the Health Coverage Taxation Credit (HCTC). At the same time, Floridians who are retirees and are long-standing 55-65 and are receiving retirement benefits from Pension Benefit Ensure Corporation (PBGC), may are eligible for the HCTC.

Some info about affordable health insurance in Florida

While talking about affordable medical health insurance options in Virginia, individuals need to consider their protection under the law:

• Virginians who missing their employer's group medical insurance may apply for COBRA as well as state continuation coverage within Virginia.

• Virginians have to note that they have the right to get individual health plans via either Anthem Blue Get across Blue Shield or CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Face shield.

• Virginia Medicaid software helps Virginians having very low or modest household revenue may qualify for free or even subsidized health coverage. Through this method, pregnant women, families with little ones, and elderly and impaired individuals are helped.

• Household Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) helps Virginian children beneath the age of 18 years acquiring no health insurance.

• Throughout Virginia, the Every Lady's Life Program offers totally free breast and cervical cancers screening. Through this program, in the event that women are diagnosed with cancer tumor, they may be eligible for treatment throughout the Virginia Medicaid Program.

A number of facts about affordable health insurance inside Texas

While talking about inexpensive health insurance options in The state of texas, consumers need to consider all their rights:

• Texans diagnosed with group insurance in Mississippi cannot be denied or minimal in terms of coverage, nor may be required to pay more, because of the health and fitness status. Further, Texans getting group health insurance can't get exclusion of pre-existing situations.

• In Texas, insurance firms cannot drop Texans off of coverage when they get sick. Simultaneously, Texans who lost their own group health insurance but are HIPAA eligible may apply for COBRA or state continuation insurance coverage in Texas.

• Tx Medicaid program helps Texans having low or small household income may acquire free or subsidized coverage of health. Through this program, pregnant women, young families with children, elderly as well as disabled individuals are helped. As well, if a woman is diagnosed with chest or cervical cancer, this lady may be eligible for medical care by way of Medicaid.

• The Colorado Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers subsidized health coverage certainly uninsured children. Further kids in Texas can time in their parent's health insurance insurance policy as dependents till age 26 years. This term has been implemented by the medical care reforms.

• The The state of texas Breast and Cervical Cancers Control program offers free of charge cancer screening for certified residents. If a woman is afflicted with breast or cervical malignancy through this program, she may well qualify for medical care through Medicaid.

Like this, consumers need to look at state-wise options when they seek out affordable health coverage. It goes without saying in which shopping around and getting oneself well-equipped with necessary information can be quite much important to make sure customers have the right kind of health ideas.

[kylenesusan]

What’s that like: Routine eye exam

I had an idea for a project that I’m going to work on writing. I’m going to call them “What’s that like?”  – it’ll be a description of things that I’ve done that range from the really mundane to the more complex. I got the idea after telling my grandmother and aunt what it’s like to go to the airport and take a flight because they have never, ever flown anywhere and they have no idea what that’s like. And I think that’s something that’s more common that maybe expected, because I ran into the same thing another time, where someone was asking about what something else was like, I think it was a sleep study, because they had one scheduled and didn’t know what to expect and were really anxious about getting ready for it. And I thought, you know, that’s potentially something that could be really interesting to write about, while also possibly being helpful to someone who’s trying to prepare for an experience – either young adults who are doing something on their own for the first time or people who experience some sort of difficulty, like anxiety or a physical handicap, or any number of other people.

To get this started, I’m going to write about going to a route eye exam. And I’m going to put it under a fold because, oh baby, this got long.

First, a disclaimer: 

The information in this post is from the standpoint of a Caucasian cisgender (meaning I identify with the gender I was assigned at birth) woman aged late 30s / early 40s with no children (childfree by choice) living in the southeast region of the United States of America. It is not intended to be used for legal advice of any kind. Other people’s experiences may be vastly different from my own. This is not intended to include all possible experiences in this situation, nor is it intended to exclude any other possible experiences in this situation. This information is presented only as an example of my own experiences. Your experience may be different from my own.

Okay. A little background – I am nearsighted and I don’t even know how long I’ve been going in for eye exams. I think I’ve been wearing contacts since I was 13, when Mom said I was old enough for that responsibility. I was wearing glasses a least a few years before that. My prescription isn’t that severe, but it’s serious enough that I need corrective lenses in order to drive. I wear soft contacts most of the time, but I have glasses and prescription sunglasses for when my contacts aren’t agreeing with my eyes, typically in the spring when my allergies are flaring up.

Justin and I are covered by insurance through my work that covers most of the yearly eye exams and a certain dollar amount to put toward glasses frames, glasses lenses, and contact lenses.

So the framing of this experience is someone who has a slight visual impairment and is covered by pretty decent insurance. I don’t know what it’s like to go to the doctor while having perfect vision or without insurance.

There are a couple terms that you might run into during this process that I’ll go over first because they sound very similar: Optometrist, ophthalmologist, and optician. (Reference: Healthline.com.) Optometrists are most likely the person who will be the doctor at your routine eye appointment. Ophthalmologist is who you would see if you needed surgery. And an optician is someone who works for the eye doctor helping the patients with glasses and stuff – not everybody there will be one, but the person fitting your glasses should be.

Eye doctor appointments should be scheduled ahead of time – there might be some that accept walk-in patients, but my recommendation is to set up an appointment with the office ahead of time. If you have insurance, follow the information from your provider to make sure that the doctor you would like to see is actually covered by your insurance – with my insurance, I can look up local doctor’s offices through the insurance website to check or I can call the insurance and ask someone over the phone to look it up. My eye coverage is separate from my medical coverage, so when contacting my insurance about eye care, I have to contact a different provider than I do for most of my other stuff. Make sure you know who you need to talk with about your eye care insurance coverage, if you have it. And be aware that some providers are specific about the location where the doctor is working – so a doctor could be covered by insurance at one location but that exact same doctor could be considered “out of network” at another location, which will mean that your insurance coverage will be very different. It’s a stupid insurance thing, so make sure to check ahead of time.

I don’t have any advice about finding a good eye doctor other than looking at reviews and asking around to see if anyone has any recommendations about who to go see. What I can say is that if you get to the end of the exam and really didn’t like the doctor or the people working there, you don’t have to go back there again. Just find a different doctor next time and try again. Don’t feel obligated to go back to someone you didn’t like.

Okay, so you’ve found an eye doctor and set up an appointment. You’ve checked with your insurance to make sure that you’re covered to see this doctor at this exact location. And now you’re ready to go to the appointment.

If you have corrective eyewear, you should wear/bring that to your appointment. (Also, I’m not sure why you’d be reading this post because how did you get that without having an eye exam?!)

There is going to be paperwork to fill out – you might get this ahead of time if the doctor’s office sends it or they might send you to their website to find it or you might have to do it when you get their office. You should plan to get there with some extra time before your appointment to give time to complete it. The paperwork will ask about your personal information like your name, address, age, etc. It will also ask for your insurance information. They will probably want a copy of your state ID and your insurance card for their records – they’ll make a scan/photocopy at the office so make sure to have these two cards with you when you get to the office. The paperwork might also include questions about family medical history and payment information and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) release forms. (If you’re not familiar with HIPAA, your health information provided to doctors is protected by law and if you have anyone who you would like the doctor to talk with about your information, the doctor’s office needs a signed form that says that they’re allowed to release that information. More information about HIPAA here. As a side note, please don’t share private health information with groups who are not covered by the HIPAA laws, like something in Ye Olde Book of Faces. They are not required to keep your information private.)

At future appointments, you won’t have as much paperwork to complete. You’ll need to review that the previous information is still accurate and provide updates, but it won’t take so long.

At the office where I got my exam, I kept my paperwork with me instead of handing it back to the person working at the desk. A different person then called me back to a room for pre-exam tests and ask about my current medications and current eyewear. There are a variety of different tests that this person will do and I don’t actually know what all of them are testing. Most of them require not wearing my contacts, so she provided a space for me to wash my hands and remove those. One of the tests was a handheld item (she held it) that puffed little bursts of air into my eyes and made my eyes water a lot. (I think that’s the glaucoma test and this is a whole lot better than the old one where I had to put my face into a thing and wait for the puff to make me jump.) There was another one where I looked into a machine to look at a picture of long road to a balloon that went in and out of focus. Another machine showed a green dot that then flashed bright white light, like a camera flash, first in one eye and then the other. (That one also made my eyes water. I don’t like bright lights.) She had me look at a book and tell her what number was written in all the dots. (I do know that this is a colorblindness test.  Here’s an example.) And then she had me put on 3D glasses and tell her which of the 4 dots in the diamond was standing forward of the others.

She also dilated my pupils by putting in eye drops that would have that effect. She had me look up at the ceiling and she put the drops into my eyes and then told me to blink until it stopped stinging. If you have trouble with your blink reflex being seriously strong, like Justin, then this is tricky – he tends to blink before the drops hit his eye. I think the work-around is to put the drops on the side of his nose where they run into his eye from the side. They do this dilation in order to get a really good look at the inside of your eye to look for a whole bunch of potential problems. It’s annoying, but it’s for your own good. And I do mean it’s annoying. Everything was so bright and I couldn’t focus on anything closer than arm’s length, so reading my phone or a book or a computer screen was completely out of the question. And the drops keep my eyes dilated for several hours – something like 4 to 6 hours. I was able to read before they completely got back to normal, but things were bright and sometimes one pupil was a different size than the other and I looked like I was having a stroke. I definitely would not plan to go back to work or do anything important for the rest of the afternoon.

If you get your eyes dilated, make sure to have sunglasses for the trip home. And it might be helpful to have someone else with you who can see to help with the payments and stuff at the end of the appointment. Justin seems to be able to see better than I am after getting this done, so maybe some people handle this better than others.

The first time coming to this doctor’s office, the person doing these pre-exam tasks also checked the prescription on my glasses so the doctor would have that information. They use a clever little machine that tells them that information, but I have no idea how it works.

After doing these tests, we walked to the exam room. The exam room will have a chair with a stand next to it and it might look intimidating. There are so many tools and machines that are used in eye exams that I haven’t seen anywhere else. It’s okay; you don’t have to know what they do or how they work because you won’t be expected to touch them. And they should always warn you before they use anything.

I was asked to sit in the chair and with a spoon-shaped paddle over one eye, read the letters on the eye chart shown on the wall ahead of me, and then swap and read the letters with the other eye covered. This is just a sort of baseline that was part of the pre-exam testing and once she was satisfied that I could read with both eyes, she excused herself from the room and told me the doctor would be in with me shortly.

I wonder what they do if they find out the person coming in for the eye exam can’t identify letters… Can’t illiterate people get eye exams? Hrm….

Anyway, after a short wait, during which I read the informational posters on the wall and admired my doctor’s wedding photos, she came in and we started the actual exam. She asked if I was experiencing any problems with my eyes or if I had any questions, and since I was good and just needed to get more contacts for the year, we started looking at the eye charts.

Because I wear corrective lenses and she already knows what that prescription is, she had me look at the eye chart on the wall through the big butterfly shaped thing that she placed in front of my face. This has lots of lenses and things so she can swap things around to see which lenses look more clear to me. So, she’ll set it up, and then, with one eye blocked and only looking with the other eye, ask if I like one set of lenses better than the second option. And then, based on the answer that I give, do I like this one better than the next one? And how about this other one? And what’s she’s doing is trying a lot of different lenses to see which of them are the ones that I should use to see. Sometimes the difference between the two options is really easy to say which one is better, but not always. Sometimes, it’s hard to really know – like they’re the same focus, but maybe one is a little smaller? Just be open to say what you’re seeing to the doctor and let them know. They want you to go home with the best possible vision that they can provide and that’s going to depend on your answers to these questions.

As this process was going on, flipping between different lenses, she was asking me to read smaller and smaller letters off the eye chart on the wall ahead of me. And when she got to a point where she was satisfied, she asked me to look one more time, with both eyes open, and make sure that I could still see clearly with both eyes.

My prescription changed very slightly this year, but not a concerning amount. She asked if the contacts I’ve been wearing are still working for me and how frequently I swap them with new ones (to check that I’m disposing of them in the right amount of time – I’m supposed to use new contact lenses every 2 weeks). And then she brought me a new pair to try on to make sure that the prescription would work. She had a sink in the corner where I could wash my hands again before putting them in, and then had me sit on the chair again and, this time without the butterfly-looking thing, read the eye chart to make sure I could still see it, which I could see just fine.

After that, she did a close-up eye exam. And this is why you need to feel comfortable with your eye doctor because they are going to seriously invade your space at this point. She had me put my chin on a little stand so she could look at my eye with a lens that lets her see inside my eye. She asked me to look at her ear and then up and down while she held the lens in front of one eye and then the other. There’s a bright white light stripe on the lens that made my eyes water, but she’s good and quick at this and it didn’t take her very long to check both eyes.

She’s looking for damage to the eye and different diseases that show up in there. She’s also looking to make sure that the contact lenses I’ve just put in are fitting my eyes nicely.

Once she was happy that my eyes are nice and healthy and that my contacts were going to work and updated my information in the computer, she asked if I had any questions or anything else I wanted to ask, and then walked me out to the front of the office, where she thanked me and told the optician what I would be ordering.

Since I’m an established patient at this office, they already know what I use for my contacts, but if I was new, I would have discussed with the doctor the different types of contacts available and the different length of use that are available. I use 2-week contacts, but I have used longer ones and there are options for ones that swap out daily. This length is good for me and I like this brand, so I’m not changing right now. But that is a conversation that would be held with the doctor before putting in the new contacts.

If I was in the market for new glasses, this in the point in the appointment when I’d be looking at the different options for that. There are a lot of frames on the walls of the office that they have available for sale. These are just samples to try on and see if you like how they fit your face. They should have a little price sticker on them, and with our insurance, we get a frame allowance every 2 years up to a certain amount. Anything over that amount comes out of our own pockets.

After trying on a bunch of frames and deciding which pair you’d like, the optician will help select the lenses to put into those frames. There are a lot of options for this, too. If your prescription is really bad (meaning you can’t see for squat) then your lenses might be really thick normally, but you can chose an option that makes them significantly thinner. You can get tinting, anti-glare (I really recommend this option if you work at a computer a lot), anti-scratch, and a bunch of other things, I’m sure. I don’t wear my glasses enough to know what’s available for this. Be aware that each option will increase the amount you pay for your lenses, and our insurance again has a cap of how much they will pay for these. So, you might have to decide to pay out of your own pocket or not choose all the bells and whistles that you’d like.

Also of note for insurance, if I recall correctly, my insurance will either pay for glasses or contacts, but not both. So be aware that you might face limitations there as well.

Once you’ve selected frames and the options for your lenses, they will need to take some measurements of your face to make sure that your glasses will fit your face correctly. And then they will order your glasses. (There might be places where you can walk out that same day with glasses, but I have no idea.) Once your glasses arrive, they will call you in to make sure that they got everything right and the glasses fit and the lenses are right. They can make some tweaks to the fit before sending you home with your new glasses, so let them know if they don’t feel right.

Some offices have better frames selections than others and some frames that you got from one location might not be able to get lenses fit at a different location. The glasses Justin got from the eye doctor in Bluffton couldn’t get lenses fit correctly by the eye doctor here in Savannah. Also, there are a lot of options to buy glasses from online companies, which isn’t something I have experience with yet, but I think Justin’s planning to do that in the near future. He just had to request a copy of his prescription to take home when he left his appointment.

And I think that covers it! Please let me know what you think!

[therewillbesparkles]

medical marijuana recommendation

With a California medicinal marijuana card or a cannabis membership card California residents can legally receive medical marijuana from any of the medical marijuana dispensaries within the state. So seek for one thing like "Denver dispensary review" or simply "one of the best Denver dispensaries" and you should get you the appropriate results. Subsequently, every dispensary has its personal brand and array of merchandise. Along with your card in hand, it’s now time to make your first medical marijuana dispensary. Most individuals choose to go to a medical marijuana dispensary with their prescription. Marijuana is just not only very efficient in treating various illnesses and diseases but it surely additionally has turn out to be a drug which is extraordinarily protected -- safer than most medicines prescribed every day. Medical marijuana has been extremely profitable within the therapy of all above-talked about diseases. Some states, including Washington State, don't basically concern a medical marijuana card. He joked "when I have seven-eighths of a gram of marijuana, I consider myself to be out of marijuana." He defined that he has a "medical marijuana" card issued in California.

Medical marijuana card ensures to offer excessive level services & fulfill their customer needs. Though the Florida Medical Marijuana Card software and qualification process is frustrating, My Florida Inexperienced has labored exhausting to streamline the method, present entry to one of the best Medical Marijuana docs, and secure patient knowledge with HIPAA-compliant know-how. If you’re a former member of the military, you possibly can presumably be exempt from submitting an software for a CDL. Merely fill out our New Member Type and Affected person and Caregiver Waiver to become a affected person with Revolutionary Clinics. If a chosen caregiver is authorized to develop medical marijuana, they might develop outside, however must adjust to the legislation. Any intent to renew after the expiration date will require a new application for each you and your designated caregiver. If you would relatively full a bodily application than going the web route, you can download your affected person application proper here.

With this card, you possibly can see the doctor at home in your cellphone with our app. Different caveats: Cops running your license won't have the ability to see that you are a affected person, however they can use their own senses to detect impaired driving or marijuana in a vehicle. Can simply anyone see them? You may learn extra about the many conditions that medical marijuana is helping folks like you alleviate day by day, click on Qualifying Situations for Advice for more info. There are a lot of situations that are shared on most lists. Weedmaps and Leafly are each great resources for finding cannabis-pleasant physicians near you. Solely doctor approved patients can use cannabis legally in California. Now, you still can’t develop your individual cannabis, however you should buy it and eat it. If a patient has a health situation that might profit from the usage of cannabis, the place would he or she discover a listing of medical marijuana medical doctors?

We know it may be difficult to find constant and dependable skilled medical marijuana doctors in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Know the laws on how caregivers can provide assistance. Two state supreme courts have now so concluded (these stunned by Bourgoin doubtless either did not learn Coates, didn't perceive Coates, or forgot Coates). At this stage, it is now doubtless to achieve the agreed quantities of medical marijuana dispensaries, among different issues supplied now in some nations within the United States. Drying and shredding of the 'hemp' plant is how marijuana is produced. He should possess a medical marijuana license. If there's a cannabis therapy program in your state, studying easy methods to get a medical cannabis card is important for benefiting from it. The very fact that you have a Registry Card is protected by State Legislation and it's possible you'll choose to maintain your possession fully non-public. CBD is fully THC free and could also be made use of for in depth pediatric care for kids and delicate adults too.

The Compassionate Use Act allowed for the enlargement of the MMP’s shops and qualifying conditions, however the DOH has not even begun the process for increasing the program. When you don’t mind paying somewhat extra, their premium service will delve even deeper and produce a ultimate report which is one of the detailed we have now encountered. Nonetheless, it’s good to keep the above in mind when making use of on your card. Then again, having a cannabis card eliminates the sales tax and the financial savings start to add up very quickly. Everybody pays different taxes, either instantly or not directly, including a 15 percent state excise tax and pot-particular local taxes (4 % on gross gross sales in Sacramento). Be an Illinois state resident with proof of residency. The online verification program does not disclose any information about our patients. GreenStar patients receive more than a physician suggestion, we guarantee patients will likely be educated by a extremely credible workers. Some individuals is not going to really feel that it helps them, and others will discover surefire relief from using it. Note: You'll have to pay a certification payment.

Legal medical marijuana cards Marijuana - Busting the Myths of Medical Cannabis This November, numerous Americans will vote of what will certainly be among the landmark elections in our time. With weighty issues much like the economy, the disappearing middle class, and LGBT rights being weighed inside the Presidential election, other conditions are still being played out inside more localized state elections. One of the most interesting local elections will be a proposed bill in Massachusetts to legalize medical marijuana. The researchers switched off the receptor called cannabinoid 1 or CB1 in knockout mice, an exclusive sort of genetically engineered mouse, and this increased the speed of growth of dementia in comparison with the control group as presented inside latest issue from the PNAS (Proceedings in the National Academy of Sciences). They also reported until this receptor won't have an addictive potential that creates the intoxicating effect induced by marijuana. But it does play a crucial role in brain degeneration because of its protective effect on nerve cells. Natural components and ingredients of marijuana called endocannabinoids bind about bat roosting CB1 receptor proteins, triggering a sequence of biological signals.

Sixteen states have legalized marijuana medicinally, and then for various conditions. California, for instance, has the most lax rules with what medicinal marijuana may be recommended and ID cards received. Forty six percent of CA voters actually said yes recently to outright legalization. Medical marijuana continues to be legal in CA since 1996. The number of deaths recorded due to usage of each drug was manually counted because information furnished by the FDA included each of the adverse events of which just a portion included deaths. A copy of the adverse events, these being looked as whereby traders the utilization of drugs of any dosage including medical devices including in vitro diagnostics or medical food, infant formula, vitamin supplements, and other special nutritional goods are suspected to have triggered a negative outcome in the patient have also been submitted.

Provided that the credit card holder is holding a legitimate card and abiding by the medical cannabis laws in their state - which differ from one state to another slightly - they are afforded protection from legal prosecution for possessing medical cannabis. Most states have even created an electronic digital system for law enforcement to verify that the card is valid, in order that they don't arrest a lawfully biding patient who is within their protection under the law to work with this natural medicine. Patients that are marijuana medical card holders can possess, transport and employ - and in many cases also grow - medical cannabis for personal usage; or their caregivers who employ a card are afforded similar protection under the law and protections, too.

[researchdive]

Disaster Recovery as a Service Market Expectations & Growth Trends Highlighted until 2026

Thinking about the possibility of a disaster is obviously not picked by everyone. It’s much easier to think that it is never going to happen to me in business. However, when disaster does strike, this false sense of security often results in organizations and people finding themselves miserable. At a certain point between human error, equipment failure, natural calamities, and cyber-attacks, you will surely experience a disaster through the life of your business. The potential loss of customers, their trust, and data has put many businesses under loss.

Some of the eye-opening and alarming facts are as follows:

As per the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), around 40-60% of small businesses never revive following a disaster.

According to a survey, about 75% of small businesses are not ready with a disaster plan.

According to a Nationwide Insurance survey, the owners of around 50% of small business say that recovering from a disaster takes at least three months or more.

Thankfully, with the rapid adoption of cloud, these statistics can soon be a part of the past. As per Research Dive analyst review,  cloud has become its own comforting prospect to any calamity by familiarizing the world with Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS). The best DRaaS providers give you an immediate access and keep your data secure in the aftermath of a disaster. Hence, there is no need to maintain the infrastructure of storage.

Request an PDF Sample@ https://www.researchdive.com/download-sample/147

However, the following four factors should be considered before choosing a right DRaaS provider in order to make sure you made the right choice for your entity or business.

1.    Understanding and Support

Before moving on to other considerations, it’s important that your provider understands your processes and business needs. Just make sure your DRaaS provider is able to remediate any issues that can hamper alignment with their own architecture. Considering support is the second most important thing as some providers leave you and set you up on your own. For larger organizations, this may be acceptable as they already have a full-time IT staff. But smaller organizations can be benefitted more from the provider owing to the technical assistance they provide when necessary.

2.    Recovery Speeds

How quickly your DRaaS provider can get you back in business can be determined by the following:

RTO (Recovery Time Objective): It is the passage of time before affecting the Business Community Plan (BCP) during a disaster. 

RPO (Recovery Point Objective): It is the expanse of time to avoid business continuity breaks or negative consequences for a business function to be restored. 

Thus, to keep your business close to a zero RTO and RPO, you’ll have to find a DRaaS provider that delivers quick recovery speeds, and also follows a CPD model (Continuous Data Protection).

3.    Compliance

When considering DRaaS providers and cloud backup, it is crucial to make sure that they meet the needed compliance requirements for your organization. The most important to look for include the following:

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) set the standards for shielding sensitive patient data, which is now a necessity for healthcare organizations.

A program initiated by the state bureaus and FBI, namely the CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services), in order to identify the precautions to be taken in regards to fingerprint records, criminal background, and other information gathered by the agencies of law enforcement.

4.    Location

Traditionally, organizations have to physically move data to an outside location. Following a disaster, accessing this data resulted in unhappy customers, displaced employees, and long downtimes.

Customize report as per your Format and Definition of Disaster recovery as a Service Market@ https://www.researchdive.com/request-for-customization/147

With DRaaS, organizations can now store their most crucial data offsite in a cloud that is best suitable for their business needs. Florida’s Department of Agriculture did exactly the same by bringing in DRaaS partner DSM to support their DR initiatives. Now, their most crucial data is tucked away in Tallahassee, which is a new location away from their headquarters. Thus, there’s no best time to prepare for disaster than the present. Your time and business can be saved when knowing what and when to look for the best disaster recovery solutions that are right for you.

[hipaacompliantmailer]

How to Ensure HIPAA Compliance in Direct Mail

If you are wondering how to ensure HIPAA compliance in direct mail, you've come to the right place. Here are some tips to help you make sure your direct mail marketing campaign is secure. Moreover, it is a good idea to choose a HIPAA-certified direct mail partner. This way, you can rest assured that your direct mail will be free of any legal or privacy issues.

First, you should consider choosing an envelope type that does not show any PHI. HIPAA does not specifically mandate the type of envelope, but you need to make sure that the contents are not visible through the window. Otherwise, a person might be able to read the sensitive information when the envelope is held up to the light. If you don't want your direct mail to be open, use self-mailers to ensure HIPAA compliance.

Using a mail provider that is HIPAA-compliant is a great way to reach a target audience. HIPAA compliant direct mail is also a good way to protect personal health information. By using a reliable mail courier, you can rest assured that your direct mail campaign is safe from hackers. And remember: if you don't use certified mail, the risk of PHI being compromised is much higher.

Another way to ensure HIPAA compliance in your direct mail campaign is to use closed face envelopes. When mailing postcards, you need to make sure that the envelopes are closed and the contents are not jostled during the process. Additionally, the outer section of self-mailers should not have personal data. When mailing postcards, you should also make sure to avoid using them in your direct mail campaigns.

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[olivebranchtherapygroup]

Why Traditional Therapy in the Age of BetterHelp?

If you’ve sought out therapy in the last year, chances are you’ve seen ads for (or maybe even thought about trying out) mental health and therapy apps. There are a lot of them now (and every podcast seems to be advertising them!) But what’s the deal with them? Are they really as good as they seem?

The main selling point behind these apps is that it is affordable and accessible care. There has been a huge uptick in the need for mental health services since the start of the pandemic, and while it’s great that so many people are reaching out for help, it can mean that it’s harder to get seen simply because of the demand for it. Naturally, frustration over not being able to get in anywhere makes the idea of instantly accessible care seem very appealing!

They also try to appeal to therapists with big claims about flexible hours and big money, but what isn’t being talked about is how those things are achievable–and how that affects the care given to those seeking the therapy in the first place!

So what isn’t being considered when it comes to these different therapy apps?

Quality control:

Therapy apps try to appeal to both client and clinician by offering affordable care and promising high pay for the people who provide it. But how much are the therapists needing to work in order to make that money? In order to provide the low cost for clients, therapists who offer services through these apps then have to work way more than they would have to in private practice in order to make the money promised to them–which sounds like a one way street to burned out therapists. And when therapists themselves are burned out, quality of care goes way down.

Privacy:

Just like with any other app, these therapy apps are collecting your data. And once they have it, it’s not considered yours anymore–meaning they can sell it to whoever they want. And in fact, have already been found selling data to companies like Facebook! And just like any other information Facebook gets from us, we don’t really have a clear idea how it will be used. We know almost certainly that at the very least it will be used to find new, invasive advertisements to show to us, but beyond that it’s uncertain.

There’s also concern that insurance or employment could be affected.Take this quote from Molly Osberg and Dhruv Mehrotra at Jezebel:

“And while there’s no reason to believe the information Better Help is collecting will be weaponized, there is still some stigma in struggling with mental health. Insurance companies and employers are barred by law from discriminating against people based on their mental health histories; that doesn’t mean they always follow the rules.”

While you might think that HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) would protect users’ data on the apps, it’s actually not the case. In fact, just because it has to do with mental health doesn’t mean the information is automatically protected the way it would be at a doctors office. HIPAA applies to information collected by “covered entities”–this would be your doctors offices, your insurance companies, etc. So because they aren’t a covered entity, they are not bound by the restrictions or privacy expectations of HIPAA.

Misleading claims:

Therapy apps are advertised as accessible, affordable therapy–but have you noticed it’s often called “therapy services” instead of just therapy. Did you ever wonder why? It’s because it’s a sneaky sort of distinction to let consumers ‘know’ that what they’re paying for isn’t necessarily legally considered therapy–even if it’s administered by a licensed therapist. You can see it’s even stated on the BetterHelp FAQ page:

“The professionals who work through BetterHelp are licensed and credentialed therapists who were certified by their state’s board to provide therapy. However, while the service may have similar benefits, it’s not capable of substituting for traditional face-to-face therapy in every case. Please note that your provider won’t be able to make any official diagnosis, to fulfill any court order or prescribe medication.”

So what are the benefits of using traditional therapy instead?

The main one of course, is privacy! Your therapist is legally obligated to follow HIPAA, and protect your information to the best of their ability. They won’t be sharing it or selling it to anyone–and if it does need to be shared with someone outside of their practice, you will have to give permission to do so via a Release of Information form.

If the 24/7 care of the apps appeals to you:

If you’re in a crisis, your therapist often will have an available number you can call in emergencies; or you can work out a plan with them for what to do when you feel you need urgent support. If you’re in need of genuine 24/7 support from a mental health professional, you won’t be able to get the care you need from a chat on an app anyway.

And, having unlimited access to your therapist can actually prevent you from practicing your own coping skills between sessions. A lot of the work done “in” therapy is actually done outside of therapy. It’s how you practice new behaviors and thinking patterns when you’re not with your therapist that a lot of the work really gets done. If you have the ability to skip out on that and get instant comfort from a therapist, you’re not allowing yourself to fully engage in the process.

But what about the cost?

If you’re able to, it’s important to think about what your money is doing. Why are app therapy sessions so much cheaper? How can they afford to offer that? Does it align with your values to give your money to a company that does not guarantee a livable income for its employees? Burned out therapists who have to work nonstop for money are likely not going to offer the quality care you deserve.

And, many therapists in private practice also offer sliding scale rates to work with you so you can access quality care that you can afford. Some of the apps are $90/week anyway. That’s a lot of money for something that isn’t technically therapy!

It also facilitates a stronger relationship between you and your therapist.

When your therapist is able to have reasonable professional boundaries (when they don’t have to be available 24/7, when they can have reasonable maximum clinical hours, etc.) they’re able to be present and develop a more genuine therapeutic relationship with you.

Someone you’re assigned to work with on an app might be a wonderful therapist, but they likely won’t know anything about where you live or your community. A local therapist can connect with your experience, and even have local resources that can help you along on your healing journey.

Also consider what’s communicated through body language! If you’re going in to see a therapist, they’ll be able to learn a lot about you just by the way your body behaves in session. A virtual session won’t be able to have that layer to your therapists’ understanding of you.

If you’re looking for support, get in touch with our office today to find a therapist who can help you. Reach out today by visiting our website.

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How to Ensure HIPAA Compliance While Storing PHI on the Cloud

For medical organizations, cloud information stockpiling is a well known and useful other option. The overall Healthcare Cloud Computing industry is projected to extend at a 14 percent yearly speed, coming to $40 billion by 2026.¹ Convenience, decentralization, and, much of the time, further developed reliability and security are for the most part benefits of cloud information stockpiling.

The cloud gives a protected stage to organizations to have a few or all of their PC foundation. Utilizing cloud facilitating organizations' state of the art innovations might offer more prominent security than an on-premises arrangement. Considering that information security is a vital part of HIPAA guidelines, the issue is whether HIPAA consistence can be accomplished utilizing a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

HIPAA Regulations: What Do They Require? The security and security of ensured wellbeing data (PHI) are at the cutting edge of HIPAA consistence conversations. PHI should be overseen as per two significant guidelines. The HIPAA Privacy Rule just as the HIPAA Security Rule are the two standards. Some wording should be disclosed to completely fathom the complexities of these principles and how they can best be noticed.

Ensured wellbeing data (PHI) alludes to any clinical information that incorporates recognizable parts like a patient's Social Security number and name. PHI that is kept carefully is alluded to as ePHI (electronic PHI).² Covered Entities are associations that handle ePHI or PHI consistently. The HIPAA norms, which are managed by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), should be trailed by these associations. Clearinghouses, wellbeing plans, and medical care suppliers, for example, wellbeing record administrations are completely Covered Entities. Business Associates (BAs) help Covered Entities in the administration of PHI and ePHI. They should likewise hold fast to HIPAA's security and NIST guidelines. The HIPAA Security Rule is the foundation of HIPAA guidelines, laying out three arrangements of assurances that should be followed while building up strategies(the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) and cycles that handle PHI and ePHI.

Regulatory protections portray how associations report and execute rules to follow the HIPAA Security Rule's necessities. Representative preparing is incorporated to guarantee that workers know about what they might access and how they would use PHI. Actual protections portray the actual limitations that have been set up according to any gadgets or extra rooms that hold individual data. It incorporates ensuring outsider experts expected to fix PHI-putting away gear are appropriately prepared, guaranteeing that changed or outdated ePHI media is securely obliterated, and limiting admittance to gadgets with ePHI to approved work force. The mechanical highlights of PCs and gadgets used to communicate or store ePHI safely are alluded to as specialized shields. At any rate, frameworks should consolidate further developed organization security, firewalls, and hearty validation techniques. The Covered Entities and Business Associates who are needed to observe HIPAA guidelines are exceptionally assorted. Little private facilities without in-house data innovation (IT) help are among them. Enormous organizations with particular server farms are among the others. The prerequisite for a HIPAA consistent answer for handling PHI is something that these extremely different associations share for all intents and purpose. For an answer, large numbers of them go to the cloud.

A HIPAA Compliant Cloud Hosting Solution's Ingredients Clinical programming advancement needs to consent to various administrative guidelines.³ The cloud has arisen as a reasonable option for some, organizations attempting to conform to HIPAA guidelines. Nonetheless, not all cloud frameworks are fit for satisfying the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Rule's assurances. A portion of the basic server attributes expected to offer clients with a HIPAA consistent cloud facilitating administration are as per the following:

1. Server Uptime Agreement A high-accessibility foundation with an uptime administration level arrangement (SLA) will protect you assuming the administrator neglects to keep the framework fully operational. Most of firms in the medical services area can't withstand a delayed blackout. Demanding server uptime in the arrangement assists with staying away from upsetting shocks later.

2. Security Firewall The expansion of a completely overseen security firewall to the server facilitating ensures that undesirable admittance to your framework is forestalled. Cutting edge firewalls (NGFWs), circuit-level passages, application-level doors (intermediaries), stateful investigation firewalls, and bundle sifting firewalls are the five essential sorts of firewalls, as per the US Department of Commerce's NIST firewall rules as extended by TechTarget.⁴ Making sure that main approved workers approach PHI is a critical component of protecting its security and security.

3. Area Dependence It's additionally critical to get nitty gritty data on the innovation's area. Facilitating a server in eastern Europe, for instance, might be problematic assuming your business is situated in the United States and your information gets hacked. In the event that you permit your information to be kept in an outside country, the laws of yours won't generally ensure you.

4. Information Encryption HIPAA consistence requires the utilization of scrambled and hearty virtual private organizations (VPNs). To follow with HIPAA guidelines, information should be scrambled during transmission. Since you should either encode very still or utilize another option, encryption very still is likewise viewed as magnificent practice.

5. Seaward Data Backups To appropriately get electronic wellbeing records and assurance that frameworks producing ePHI can be reestablished immediately and without information misfortune in case of a disappointment, on location and seaward information reinforcements are required. Offsite reinforcements ought to be kept in the nation where the business is arranged. Reinforcements should likewise be scrambled to keep unapproved clients from getting to PHI put away on reinforcement media.

6. Malware Protection Hostile to malware assurance is a fundamental element to search for in your cloud facilitating suppliers. Keeping a malware-and infection free climate is basic to furnishing PHI with the level of security it needs.

7. Multifaceted Authentication Multifaceted verification is safer than utilizing an essential client ID and secret phrase to gain admittance to ensured frameworks. This protect forestalls the chance of illicit access because of frail passwords.

8. Information Segregation A HIPAA agreeable climate should be isolated from your cloud facilitating supplier's different customers. Experienced providers are better prepared to establish a safe climate that ensures PHI while keeping you in consistence with HIPAA guidelines. Try not to have your data kept on servers that are imparted to different organizations while haggling with a facilitating supplier to keep defilement from neighbors. This is frequently alluded to as shared facilitating. In the event that you utilize any product as an assistance (SaaS) arrangements, make certain to ask regarding how your information is isolated.

9. SSL confirmations Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) testaments are needed for all servers, areas, and subdomains that remember ePHI for your frameworks.

10. Marking BAAs A Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is accessible to indicate the obligations of your accomplices in protecting your PHI. This arrangement doesn't exonerate Covered Entities of their commitments to shield PHI, yet it is useful in characterizing the jobs that every business plays on account of an information break.

End The cloud might offer a protected and HIPAA agreeable climate for creating PHI whenever done appropriately with the assistance of a specialist supplier. To ensure that all bases are covered, get an agenda from a legitimate supplier. In case a specific provider can't satisfy the prerequisites illustrated in the agenda, search for a superior choice that can give the HIPAA consistent air you really want.

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5 Step Process To Increase Practice Collections

These are the crucial times where providers need to give more attention to patient collection and balances since there is now a situation with more financial responsibility from insured patients. This is a direct impact of high dollar deductible health plans related to health saving accounts or tax-advantaged medical savings accounts.

Proven patient collection strategies are about the basic concept of good communication and education of medical debt owed. These strategies for patient collection are meant to solve one of the greatest challenges that patient collection costs two to three times as much to collect from patients as it does to collect from payers. Hence, practices need to avoid costly measures that result in ineffective statements and calls that don’t pay off.

This Article Talks About 5 Ways to Increase Patient Payments and Boost Practice Revenue

Patient payments are an important element of every practice’s revenue cycle management, but when patients avoid taking financial responsibility, practitioners and their practices take a hard hit. According to a report from the American Hospital Association, US hospitals have provided more than $502 billion in uncompensated care expenses since 2000. More patients are spending more out-of-pocket costs for medical care expenses than ever. Let’s see 5 ways your practice can increase patient payments that boost your practice’s revenue.

Patient Statements & Collection Notices Design

Neatly designed patient statements and information need to clearly mention the balance due for medical services. The details about an effective statement should clearly inform the patient not only of the balance due but also, the important information regarding the services performed, provider of services, charges of services, payer payments, and adjustments, along with contact name, address, and contact number for statement inquiries. Many statements sent to the patients lack the information for the patient to understand the charges they are being asked to pay. Your practice may stand a better chance of getting a patient to respond if they understand how they relate to the services performed.

Point of Service (POS) Collections

Another most effective time to collect money to meet the financial responsibility of the patient is at the time of service. The staff registering patients need to have deep knowledge and skills to understand and communicate to the patient the due amount for the services they are getting. Registration staff should perform well by taking patient demographic information along with understanding and communicating the financial responsibility of the patient based on the services rendered. (Note: the practice owners that implement POS collections are more successful in collections when the provider performs the registration).

Payment Arrangement Policy

Payment policies matter. When practice allows patients to opt for an option to make time-based payments or discounted amounts may motivate the responsible party to pay the debt which otherwise would go unpaid. This is specifically necessary while working with uninsured or underinsured patients. Many times, time-based arrangements are allowed through a structured plan when the patients call to inquire about their accounts. The provider’s payment arrangement policy should be generously disclosed at the time the services are rendered and through other clear written and verbal communications.

Patient Follow-up Programs

Patient follow-up programs are more than the traditional written communication; they have action steps to actively reach out to the patient/guarantor. Successful programs give priority to patient follow-ups based on an algorithm of elements that help the patient to consider their propensity to pay; hence, identifying where follow-up efforts should be focused. For standard practices, these follow-ups generally happen once a month through phone calls and emails.

Online Patient Portals

Offering patients an easy way to pay bills via any form of the online portal is an acceptable practice and rapidly becoming a general practice. Providing payment options as a portal and using current technology is attractive to all patients, but particularly, to younger generations. Just like we talked about the patient statements, it is necessary to have user-friendly online patient portals that offer the patient deep information about the nature of their bill. Another crucial part here to note is the importance of using a patient portal that follows the highest standards of security, to protect your patient’s information and to meet HIPAA compliance requirements.

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For more information, visit www.247medicalbillingservices.com and enroll for a free consultation. Let’s discuss how we can increase practice collections for your practice.

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