CPT Codes; What are you Getting Billed for?
July 29, 2007
All of us visit some sort of medical office from time to time and some of us make the visit a routine. No matter how many times we go in for a checkup or treatment we usually end up paying a relatively inexpensive co-pay for the services rendered to us. So who makes up the difference and how do they pay it? Obviously, the doctors and nurses that we visit are not making a living off of our co-pay; so how do they obtain the additional money from our heath care provider? In this article, I will tell you the basic information about CPT Codes and what they are used for.
CPT Code background
Before CPT Codes existed and when ICD-9-CM codes were just being developed, doctors had to write out in words what symptoms a patient had, what the diagnosis most likely was, and what visits, services, and procedures they thought they should get paid for. Then in 1966 Current Procedural Terminology or CPT was designed by the American Medical Association to assist doctors in billing Medicare and health providers using codes. Doctors use the CPT Codes to specify to health care providers the service rendered so that they can get paid. Currently with 8,568 codes and descriptors available with the CPT 2005 Codes, it is easy to see why these codes can sometimes drive doctors crazy with regard to knowing which ones to use and for what. However, the general idea behind the codes was to help doctors and create a standard as to what Medicare and health providers will pay for.
Cycle Your Way To Weight Loss
July 29, 2007
Of all the possible exercises there are to help you lose weight, cycling is one of the best.
If you want to lose weight and are looking for the perfect exercise, or if you’re looking for a great calorie burning exercise to add to your exercise repertoire, this article is for you.
We’ll tell you why cycling is so great and what it can do for you, what you’ll need to get started and provide helpful hints that will help you to cycle effectively and safely for the rest of your life.
The benefits of cycling
Cycling has many health benefits, particularly for those that want to lose weight. Here are just some of the great aspects of cycling:
? Cycling is one of the easiest aerobics exercises to start with because it offers a very wide range of training intensities, including very low levels of intensity.
? Cycling is a non-weight bearing exercise so it is easy on the joints, muscles and tendons.
? Cycling burns a lot of calories (more than 500 per hour at a moderate pace for someone weighing 80kgs).
? Cycling can be a relatively inexpensive activity to participate in.
Brown Sugar is Not Brown Rice
July 28, 2007
Question from Jack:
A question from Jack, one of the subscribers to the MericleDiet newsletter, “Reference your tip regarding diabetes. The only sugar I use is brown and is this a concern in my case?”
Answer:
The word “brown” has gotten a lot of play lately regarding “healthy eating.” Brown rice and brown bread are both “in” while white bread and white rice are known to be “unhealthy.” It would be nice if brown sugar was as good for you as brown rice or some brown breads made from whole grains with no added sugar. Unfortunately, brown sugar is only white sugar that has been colored brown, usually with molasses. Sugar of some variety is the most common food additive today. Sugar is added to almost everything, even potato chips. I still can’t figure out why they would add sugar to potato chips, as if the salt and fat were not enough.
Varieties of Sugar
White sugar is extracted from the juice of sugar cane or beets. Once is has been extracted it is processed extensively to form a granulated white substance. This is sucrose, also known as table sugar, cane sugar, beet sugar, grape sugar, refined sugar or granulated sugar.
An Introduction to Tennis
July 28, 2007
Is tennis good for you?
Absolutely - tennis is a gentle way of exercising for beginners, and for more advanced players is a very thorough workout. Physical activity increases energy and also helps you to stay healthy, fending off germs and infections. Playing one set of tennis would give you thirty minutes moderate physical activity, not to mention plenty of fresh air!
How old do I have to be to start?
Obviously you have to be able to hold a tennis racket, but there are plenty of opportunities for youngsters. Mini Tennis is an excellent game for starting off young players under eight. Played with a scaled down racket, foam balls and a small court the game is a fun introduction to the full game.
How much will it cost?
Prices for coaching vary from club to club, but we always recommend keeping your lessons to half an hour or an hour, and to have group coaching. How can I develop my game?
One way is to go for an intensive week of tennis, or a break where you can play tennis at your leisure, there are tennis holiday companies offering holidays both in the US and abroad. You can see a list of these in Clubs and Camps.
Increase Your Production Of Nitric Oxide
July 28, 2007
What Is Nitric Oxide (NO)?
Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by healthy endothelial cells. The discovery of its function is possibly one of the most important in the history of cardiovascular medicine. In 1998 three Americans (Robert F. Furchgott, PhD, Louis J. Ignarro, PhD, and Ferid Murad, MD, PhD) were awarded the Nobel Prize for their independent discoveries concerning “nitric oxide” as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide (NO) is essentially a signaling molecule that helps control a range of processes in the body, including nerve signaling, immune functions, muscle growth and the dilation of blood vessels.
Nitric Oxide (NO) And Increased Positive Blood Flow
Since the discovery that Nitric oxide (NO) is able to induce vasodilation a large number of other roles have been described for Nitric oxide (NO). It is also known to play a role in the immune system, the nervous system, in inflammation and in programmed cell death (apoptosis). Nitric oxide (NO) has also been implicated in smooth muscle relaxation, pregnancy and blood vessel formation (angiogenesis).
Viagra and Nitroxagen Increase Nitric Oxide (NO) Levels
Weight Loss Information — Setting Effective Goals
July 28, 2007
Weight loss information is often confusing and misleading. The more specific we are in discussing weight loss information the better it is for everyone. Here’s an example…realistic goals. What are realistic goals? I wrote an article not to long ago that defined “realistic” as a 5-10% reduction of your total body weight. The 5-10% reduction is all the weight you need to lose to show a health benefit or improvement.
But I think there is a more specific term that can be used when disseminating weight loss information, specifically dieting goals. How about Effective Goals. What are effective goals? Effective goals are:
1) Specific and measurable
2) Attainable
3) Forgiving
“Exercise more” is a great idea, but it’s not specific. “Walk 1 hour everyday” is specific and measurable, but is it attainable? Maybe, maybe not. “Walk 1 hour 3 times per week” is a great goal. It’s specific, measurable, attainable, and forgiving (leaves room to miss a day).
A behavioral technique, called shaping, utilizes this concept of effective goals, but makes it even better. It uses only small short-term goals that get closer and closer to the ultimate goal. It is based on the concept that “nothing succeeds like success.” Shaping uses two important behavioral principles:
Achieve Instant Calm
July 27, 2007
For instant calm, try one or more of the following simple calming exercises, herbal allies, or movements, and can give you more details on how and why they work:
- Unfreeze yourself: Curl up in a fetal position (on your side with keens drawn up), breathe deeply, and hum. You may want to rock back and forth. Concentrate on what feelings want to emerge. Do not be surprised if grief is what you are really feeling.
- Focus your eyes: Look at anything, steadily, with concentration, and breathe deeply. Feel a warmth in your upper abdomen; breathe; focus.
- Conjure an image of safety: Imagine a huge image of safety, such as a cowrie shell, the palm of Buddha or Christ, a giant mother’s lap, or a cloud of pink light. Surround the object of your anxiety with this image. Fear locks up movement and speech; a clear visualization can unfreeze you.
- Take an herbal calmative: Tincture of red clover is a profound relaxer and soothing calmative. Its salicylic acid content (similar to aspirin) makes it an excellent pain reliever, too. Motherwort is also effective. Motherwort is not sedating, but calming, leaving you ready for action, not flying off the handle or bouncing off the walls. Try 10 to 20 drops as soon as you feel your nerves starting to fray or just before a stressful event. Repeat every five minutes if needed.
- Try yoga postures: Yoga postures, yoga breathing, and quiet, focused medication soothe the sympathetic nervous system instantly. Regular practice alleviates anxiety, often permanently.
Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.
Health Secrets of Cayenne
July 27, 2007
For many years, herbalists believe that Cayenne is the most useful herb on the entire planet. It’s especially significant in the health aid of the entire digestive and circulatory system. Cayenne has even been known to stop heart attacks in less than 30 seconds. In addition, it increases the effectiveness of other herbs when mixed together. For example, just a teaspoon of cayenne mixed with a tablespoon of olive oil helps to prevent sea and/or air sickness. It is also used as a weight loss aid when mixed with Ginger Root, Apple Cider Vinegar, Potassium, and a few other herbs. In fact, there is a powerful night time fat burner on the market that incorporates Cayenne into their secret mix of herbs that safely burns fat while you sleep. You can get more information by going to www.NaturalDietSystems.com.
Chew Your Food
July 27, 2007
I am going to share with you possibly the most important piece of advice you will ever receive about nutrition. This piece of advice is not about supplementation. It is not about what you should be eating. However this piece of advice affects every other dietary choice that you make.
Are you ready?
Chew your food!
Chewing is the first step of the digestive process. The fancy word for it is mastication. What it means is that what you put in your mouth is ground up into smaller pieces and mixed with some digestive enzymes to begin the digestive process.
What is the digestive process? To understand the process, it’s best to first understand the purpose. The purpose of digestion is to extract beneficial materials from what you eat and expel the rest. This process involves breaking down your food into smaller and smaller pieces. When some of those pieces are small enough they are absorbed into your bloodstream. Other components, like insoluble fiber, continue on through your intestines and help to expel other waste products and to clean the surfaces of your intestines.
Hypnosis For Weight Loss ? The perfect solution to losing weight
July 27, 2007
Temporary weight loss is easy!
You simply starve yourself on the latest fad diet, and watch those extra pounds disappear…only for them to reappear a short time later. Why does this happen? I believe it is because you have not made any fundamental changes to your behavior, which would result in weight loss. All that has happened is a short term deficit in your calorie intake, has delivered a sudden loss in weight.
The only sustainable solution to obesity is a change in your eating habits. There are two ways to bring about this change. The first is the use of determined willpower. Frankly if your willpower was that strong, you probably would not have a weight problem to start with. You would simply be able to resist and turn down the temptation to eat high calorie foods. The fact that you have a weight problem suggests willpower alone is not the solution.
The second more effective way is to change your attitude towards food, by re-programming your mind. This is most effectively done through a program of hypnosis. The theory being, that you can change your likes and dislikes of certain foods, and adopt healthy lifestyle habits by ‘re-wiring’ the pathways in your brain. In practice a hypnotist will plant suggestions in your mind, while you are in a deep state of relaxation. These suggestions are deeply embedded in your subconscious mind, and influence your day to day behavior.
