Saturday, May 8, 2010
Soleil 100 Days
Soleil 100 Days: "There are thousands of fun, sharable prizes in the BIC® Soleil® 100 Days of Sunshine promotion. Join now! www.FeelTheSoleil.com"
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Returning to what I know
Finally, I feel like my life has settled down some. However, after working as a vendor for three years, I got an urge to return to practicing physical therapy. It came at a good time, since I had to purchase a new boiler for my house. Steam boilers don't come cheap. Well, my previous employer was more that happy to have me return and I had a warm welcoming by all my former collegues. I was a bit nervous to return, but was excited as well. I quickly picked up a new caseload of students, all of who were truly unique, sweet kids. I felt enthusiastic about working with the kids and the other therapists. It really is nice to be back.
I still have a love for adaptive equipment, which I will still be using with these students. I will help facilitate the other therapists knowledge of proper use and prescription of such equipment. My web site will still let me discuss my views and thoughts about current equipment on the market. Hopefully, my posts will be more frequent and enjoyable!!
I still have a love for adaptive equipment, which I will still be using with these students. I will help facilitate the other therapists knowledge of proper use and prescription of such equipment. My web site will still let me discuss my views and thoughts about current equipment on the market. Hopefully, my posts will be more frequent and enjoyable!!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Victim of the Healthcare Industry
I don't pretend that I know every facet of our health care system. As a matter of fact, I knew very little until I transitioned from being a pediatric physical therapist to being an equipment vendor. My eyes were opened to the number of people victimized by our existing health care system.
As a vendor, I worked with people of all ages, diagnosis and socio-economic status. I saw hardship on all levels. For those in poverty, I saw families struggling through the existing Medicaid/Medicare systems trying to get paid-for equipment. After waiting over long periods of time to get approval for their equipment, they were many times denied at the end of the process. Most of them did not have the knowledge or ability to fight the system.
The middle class population is the group that gets most exploited by the insurance agencies. This group consists of people who are working full-time jobs and are usually paying for a portion of their medical benefits. They assume that they have good benefits, but are quickly brought to reality when they get sick. They may normally find that their co-pays and prescriptions may be affordable, but are horrified when they need something like a wheelchair or walker. This type of equipment is called DME (durable medical equipment).
DME includes medical equipment such as: bathroom aids, wheelchairs, rollator walkers, diabetic shoes, lift chairs, patient lifts, compression stockings, etc. Most third party payers do not cover DME items fully (you would be very lucky if you have any coverage for these items). Suprising, isn't it? Most people with good insurance have an 80 percent coverage, but most have 50 percent with a yearly max of $1,000. That does not go very far. There is no dening it, all medical equipment is expensive. However, if a person needs a power wheelchair to get around, it will cost at least $7,000. Therefore, if you have 50 percent coverage and a $1,000 max, you will end up paying around $6,000 for it. Hopefully, you may have Medicaid or Medicare as another paying resource, but most people don't. With Medicare, you must have part B to get any help from them. They usually only cover 80 percent of durable medical equipment, which still can leave you with a large payment.
In regards to our health care system, you don't know how bad it is until you are a victim of it!! Please keep this in mind as you vote and plan for your own healthcare.
As a vendor, I worked with people of all ages, diagnosis and socio-economic status. I saw hardship on all levels. For those in poverty, I saw families struggling through the existing Medicaid/Medicare systems trying to get paid-for equipment. After waiting over long periods of time to get approval for their equipment, they were many times denied at the end of the process. Most of them did not have the knowledge or ability to fight the system.
The middle class population is the group that gets most exploited by the insurance agencies. This group consists of people who are working full-time jobs and are usually paying for a portion of their medical benefits. They assume that they have good benefits, but are quickly brought to reality when they get sick. They may normally find that their co-pays and prescriptions may be affordable, but are horrified when they need something like a wheelchair or walker. This type of equipment is called DME (durable medical equipment).
DME includes medical equipment such as: bathroom aids, wheelchairs, rollator walkers, diabetic shoes, lift chairs, patient lifts, compression stockings, etc. Most third party payers do not cover DME items fully (you would be very lucky if you have any coverage for these items). Suprising, isn't it? Most people with good insurance have an 80 percent coverage, but most have 50 percent with a yearly max of $1,000. That does not go very far. There is no dening it, all medical equipment is expensive. However, if a person needs a power wheelchair to get around, it will cost at least $7,000. Therefore, if you have 50 percent coverage and a $1,000 max, you will end up paying around $6,000 for it. Hopefully, you may have Medicaid or Medicare as another paying resource, but most people don't. With Medicare, you must have part B to get any help from them. They usually only cover 80 percent of durable medical equipment, which still can leave you with a large payment.
In regards to our health care system, you don't know how bad it is until you are a victim of it!! Please keep this in mind as you vote and plan for your own healthcare.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Puzzles and OCD
You know it's funny. I have always enjoyed puzzles. I could spend hours putting together elaborate jigsaw puzzles or work endlessly on crossword puzzles. I like when things fit into their place. I think that my love for puzzles relates with my passion for proper seating and positioning for the disabled.
As a physical therapist working with young students, I have been given the opportunity to provide wheelchairs and seating for my patients. Each person's physical condition and postural issues is unique, even if they have the same diagnosis. For example, patients that have cerebral palsy can exhibit a wide spectrum of postural deformities. My task is to position the client as best I can while making sure they aree comfortable and able to function well in their wheelchair. That task can be extremely challenging and requires a lot of foresight. However, the more difficult the situation, the more I love it.
While some people like "people watching", I find myself drawn to observing people in their wheelchairs and how I could make them look and feel better. Nothing drive me more crazy than eating in a restaurant and watching another patron repositioning themselves and uncomfortable in their wheelchair. It makes me feel helpless and frustrated. I know it's crazy, but that is my obsessive compulsive side!!
As an added note, I wanted to thank my mother, Gail and my Aunt Marie for proof reading the blog to make sure that it is easy for people to read.
As a physical therapist working with young students, I have been given the opportunity to provide wheelchairs and seating for my patients. Each person's physical condition and postural issues is unique, even if they have the same diagnosis. For example, patients that have cerebral palsy can exhibit a wide spectrum of postural deformities. My task is to position the client as best I can while making sure they aree comfortable and able to function well in their wheelchair. That task can be extremely challenging and requires a lot of foresight. However, the more difficult the situation, the more I love it.
While some people like "people watching", I find myself drawn to observing people in their wheelchairs and how I could make them look and feel better. Nothing drive me more crazy than eating in a restaurant and watching another patron repositioning themselves and uncomfortable in their wheelchair. It makes me feel helpless and frustrated. I know it's crazy, but that is my obsessive compulsive side!!
As an added note, I wanted to thank my mother, Gail and my Aunt Marie for proof reading the blog to make sure that it is easy for people to read.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Off to a new year!!
Happy New Year, Bloggers!!! Wow! This has been a very turbulent year for me. I hope that 2008 will prove to be a bit calmer. I lost both my father and my best friend within a day of each other in October. About that same time, I took and passed a professional exam. I can now add Assistive Technology Practitioner to my credentials. I am excited to have this opportunity to share my views and passion for assistive technology to promote independence. My experience has mainly been assisting children and young adults with disabilities, but I have had a great deal of experience providing clients of all ages with proper wheelchairs, standers, beds and bathroom equipment. I hope that you have a prosperous, healthy New Year.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Start Up
Welcome to my new start up blog. You probably have stumbled upon my blog because you were searching for information on medical equipment or services for the disabled and elderly populations. I decided to start my web site http://www.thesupportyouneed.com/ because I have a strong interest in helping disabled individuals of all ages and their caregivers. My experience includes practicing as a physical therapist since 1994 and assisting individuals get appropriate medical equipment to keep them independent. Most of my experience has been in working with disabled children and adults. As a physical therapist, I felt strongly that the most important way I helped my patients was by providing them with the best medical equipment. I also have furthered my experience and have attained certification as an assistive technology practitioner. I have had many opportunities to work with the adaptive equipment and have devoted the web site to discussing adaptive equipment and issues that impact that population. Please visit this blog regularly and feel free to email me any questions you have. I cannot prescribe any equipment. I will give you suggestions that you can discuss with your physician.
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