Health Archives

Understanding Pricing in the U.S. Healthcare System

How are prices determined in the U.S. healthcare system? How do doctors bill for their services? In the United States, prices for medical procedures are determined by the American Medical Association of Physiology (AMA). Once set, the Relative Value Units (RVUs) have systemic national implications, nudging doctors toward performing the higher compensated procedures. In addition, doctors have their own methods to fluff up the patient’s bill. This article takes a look at the pricing in healthcare, including the strategies that doctors themselves use to bill their patients.

Medical Billing Codes—Explained

What is medical coding? Who creates and maintains medical billing codes? In the United States, medical billing codes are used to identify medical procedures and communicate to health insurance companies the type of treatment that has been provided to the patient. Three types of billing codes are now prevalent: CPT, HCPCS, and ICD. Keep reading to learn about medical billing, its history, and its implications for healthcare providers.

Morning Energy: Exercise and Diet Are the Keys

How is your morning energy level? Could you use more energy in the morning to get your day started right? In The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod shares his routine for maximizing the first part of your day. This includes activities that boost your morning energy level. Elrod provides insights to help you leverage exercise and eating to get more energy in the morning. Read more to discover ways to boost your morning energy.

Health and Success: Tips From the Titans

Are healthier people more successful? What health habits do successful people practice? Health and success go hand in hand. In his book Tools of Titans, entrepreneur and lifestyle guru Tim Ferris details the health practices of “titans”—highly successful people who are at the top of their game. The titans gave a broad set of advice for health. We’ve cataloged the breadth of ideas here.

American Hospital Bills: A Peek Behind the Curtain

How do hospitals bill for their services? Why does hospital care cost so much more in America compared to other developed countries? American hospital bills can get exorbitantly high because the pricing practices are designed to maximize billing to the point of what’s acceptable. Hospitals can even add optional services without necessary patient benefit—using ultrasound to inject steroids in a knee adds $300. This article takes a look at the hospital billing system in America and gives some practical recommendations on what you can do to reduce your bill.

Brené Brown’s Guidepost #10: The Importance of Fun

Why is it so important to laugh, sing, and dance? How can you overcome the feelings of self-consciousness that come with public displays of enjoyment? In the book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown says that making time to laugh, sing, and dance is the final guidepost to living Wholeheartedly. The importance of fun shouldn’t be overlooked, partaking in these activities can have a significant impact on your life. Continue reading to learn about the importance of fun and how to overcome the fear of embarrassment.

The History of Medicare in the United States

When did the U.S. Medicare program start? What kinds of coverage does it provide? Medicare is the national U.S. health insurance scheme that covers citizens over the age of 65, young adults with certain disabilities, and people with permanent kidney failure. The history of Medicare dates back to 1965 when, under the leadership of President Lyndon Johnson, it was enacted under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Keep reading to learn more about the history of Medicare and how it worked in its infancy.

How to Improve Your Quality of Life: Best Tips

Do you want to know how to improve your quality of life? Why is knowing the difference between pleasure and enjoyment so important? According to Csikszentmihalyi, the author of Flow, the two best ways to improve your quality of life are to adjust your environment to align with your goals and to adjust your experience. And in order to adjust your experiences in life, it’s important to keep in mind the difference between pleasure and enjoyment. Keep reading to learn how to improve your quality of life with advice from Flow.

Why Is Healthcare So Expensive in the U.S.?

Why is healthcare so expensive in the U.S. compared to other countries? Why do American doctors make so much money? There are several reasons why healthcare costs in America are so exorbitantly high. Medical school fees are only part of the problem—the most salient reason is that U.S. healthcare prices are determined by market forces. In most other countries, healthcare is at least partially under the control of the government. To understand how this state of affairs has come to be, we need to go back to the middle of the 20th century.

Brené Brown’s Guidepost #8: Practice Calm & Stillness

How can practicing calm and stillness help you to fight anxiety? What are the major barriers to calm and stillness? In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown advises readers to practice calm and stillness in order to fight anxiety. Her goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety—that’s nearly impossible—but to help you recognize it and work on ways to reduce its impact. Here is Brené Brown’s advice on how to practice calm and stillness and what barriers you’ll need to overcome.