Articles

TASA ID: 1604

Trying to plan a response to health care reform these days is like telling a man on fire to find water. Most agents are reeling after being slaughtered on individual and small group commission reductions during a time when the process of ensuring people became 10 times more difficult with mandates, changing plans/networks, tax credits and penalties. President-elect Trump has stated that he intends to repeal, at least in part, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) enacted in 2010 by President Obama. Estimating what the new president will approve, or at least support, is a bit easier knowing that one political party, the Republicans, control the whole enchilada, and can essentially approve, cancel or choose not to enforce selected provisions of the law. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has shed a little light in public comments on the issue, but details have not been provided. The central question on everyone’s mind is, “What provisions will change in 2017?” The blank-eyed mantra is “repeal and delay.” That oxymoron speaks for itself.

TASA ID: 2379

I have been performing Independent Chiropractic Medical Examinations (IMEs) for more than 20 years. One of the most frequent questions I am asked is what criteria I use in determining whether an examinee should have more chiropractic treatment recommended or not, as a result of my examination.

  
Certainly, patients know how they feel about this: the need for more care is obvious, doc: I am still in pain! Pain is an important feature of my own clinical decision-making process.  But what else is there to consider when making a decision regarding future treatment?

TASA ID: 2379

Standard legal advice applies here: Sit upright; keep your hands in your lap; always answer questions in short, concise sentences, and never extemporize or add more to your answer than was asked.  This can lead to an opposing attorney taking something you said, and using it against you, or finding an opening to lower your credibility, or have you seem less clear as an expert in the matter being discussed.  If you do not know the answer to a question, or you are not sure, say so, and do not make up an answer in order to seem more expert.

TASA ID: 2379

 I have been performing peer and utilization reviews for a multitude of carriers for many years now, and I can tell you that, first off, it is not personal.  It is policy.  Insurance companies need some way to “manage care,” and utilization reviews are a part of that management.  They need to know if a bill is their responsibility or not.  Is the treatment for an acute spell of care?  An exacerbation?  Is it effective, or just going on and on with no end in sight?  Are there other, more effective means of treating the presenting condition?  

TASA ID: 501

Attorneys who represent families that have had a member die or been seriously harmed by synthetic marijuana, or have clients who have been harmed in vehicular accidents caused by this drug, or otherwise harmed by a user under the influence, should consider whether litigation is appropriate and viable to secure compensation for the victims.