Health Specialist » Health

Overview Of Medical Assistance For Persons With Disabilities Ages 3-21

Health Specialist — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:09:00 +0000

Medical Assistance MA, or Medicaid, is a federalstate insurance program that pays for health and treatment services for children and adults with disabilities. Some of these services include such things as health screenings, therapies, behavioral support services, transportation, and home healthcare. Medical Assistance was authorized on July 1, 1969, under the Social Security Act, Title XIX, Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs. It is funded partly by the states and partly by the federal government. The code of federal regulations, Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, is another important source of law that states the federal regulations pertaining to medical assistance. Medical Assistance is a free program and anyone can apply for Medical Assistance, however, not everyone with disabilities is eligible for Medical Assistance benefits. Each state establishes its own eligibility standards, benefits package, provider requirements, payment rates, and program administration under broad federal guidelines. This paper will provide an overview of Medical Assistance eligibility requirements, services, and the rights of children that are Medical Assistance eligible, ages 3-21.

In order to meet the federal MA qualifications, the child with disabilities must meet the U.S. citizenalien requirements for MA, fit into one of the categories that MA establishes, and meet income and resource requirements Pennsylvania Health Law Project, 2003. In order to be MA eligible in Pennsylvania, one must be a resident of the state or a covered immigrant Pennsylvania Health Law Project, 2003. There are several categories within MA that cover persons with disabilities and they often have different requirements Pennsylvania Health Law Project, 2003. Children with disabilities that are eligible for Social Security Income SSI are automatically eligible for MA.

Children with disabilities that are categorized as severely disabled and are not on SSI are also eligible for MA, regardless of their parents income and assets and if their own personal income is less than the poverty level in 2003 was 749month. The Department of Welfare calls this category the loophole category Pennsylvania Health Law Project, 2003. In this category, if a childs income exceeds the poverty level, the child is still possibly eligible for CHIP Childrens Health Insurance Program or may be eligible for a Waiver program if the child requires a higher level of care Pennsylvania Health Law Project, 2003. Most children in Pennsylvania with severe physical, mental, or behavioral disabilities qualify for MA services Education Law Center, n.d..

Although a child with disabilities may be receiving special education services and have a particular diagnosis, it does not mean that the child meets the disability standards for Medical Assistance Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania, n.d.. The eligibility standards for special education are different from the MA disability standards. However, a childs Evaluation Report ER can be an excellent source that documents factors that are considered in the Medical Assistance disability standard Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania, n.d..

Children with disabilities that qualify for MA receive what is called an ACCESS card, which they can utilize for the purchase of a variety of prevention and treatment services. Anything that is medically necessary must be provided and children that are eligible are entitled to these services. Except through a Waiver program, MA does not cover any educational or rehabilitation services. MA services are free and there are no co-pays or additional charges. If a family has private medical insurance, this must be used first for the child with disabilities Education Law Center, n.d.

Examples of behavioral health services covered by MA include residential treatment facilities, behavioral services wrap-around services, therapeutic support staff, medication for behavioral problems, and partial hospitalization programs Education Law Center, n.d.. Examples of health services that are covered by MA include nursing care at home or at school, therapies, communication devices, medical equipment, and personal care services for children who need assistance with self-care skills, such as eating or dressing Education Law Center, n.d.. MA must also provide eligible children with any services that are necessary to meet the childs physical or behavioral needs during the day, such as a nurse, a specialized hearing aid, or a therapeutic support staff person. Many of these services, however, are also considered related services based on IDEA regulations, and school districts are responsible for listing these services on the childs IEP even if the services are being covered by MA Education Law Center, n.d..

MA recipients have certain rights in Pennsylvania. The following list of rights is an excerpt from the Pennsylvania Law Projects website

1. The right to receive and file an application on the same day that you ask for it.

2. The right to bring someone with you to help you with the MA application.

3. The right to have an application completed by a friend, relative, or official of a hospital, agency, etc. if you are ill or physically or mentally unable to do so.

4. The right to translation services and translated written material.

5. The right to receive coverage beginning with the 3rd month before the application, if you qualify for retroactive MA.

6. The right to have DPW quickly issue a MA card if you have an immediate need for medical services.

7. The right to receive medically necessary treatment and services without discrimination based on national origin, race, color, sex, or disability.

8. The right to free choice of MA enrolled health care providers unless you are enrolled in the Health Choices Program.

9. The right to be treated with dignity and respect.

10. If you are homeless, the right to apply for MA even if you have no address.

11. The right to have the MA programs explained to you and to receive help in determining the best possible coverage for which you qualify.

12. The right to prior notice of, and a fair hearing to contest, any decision by the MA agency or an MA HMO to deny, terminate, or reduce benefits.
Pennsylvania Law Project, n.d.

All decisions regarding the rejection of MA or the reduction or termination of MA must be provided to recipients in writing and with instructions on how to appeal. Recipients have 30 days to file appeals, but if the appeal is filed within 10 days of the date of termination or reduction notice, MA benefits must continue until there is an outcome to the appeal Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania, n.d.

Medical Assistance provides valuable health and treatment services to children with disabilities in order to help them to make meaningful progress and to achieve greater independence. As educators, it is important that we provide families with resources about Medical Assistance so that they can pursue the potential benefits and services that the program provides.

Gender Specific Gyms – the latest craze

Health Specialist — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:56:06 +0000

There have always been gyms that tend to attract a certain profile of person. It did have something to do with gender, but was really dependant on the work out level of the customers. The body building gyms have historically attracted a male audience, but most ladies are not looking to get buff. The other gyms were focused on weight loss and toning, which typically attract a female clientele. Let’s face it we are different and therefore have different needs in our work out.

There is a chain of gyms now that goes under the name of Curves. These gyms are only for women and tout a 30 minute workout. The basic premise is there is a circuit of machines and exercises that if you follow the cues you can finish in 30 minutes. This plays to the hurried life styles we live and the desire to be fit and tone.

The idea has caught on so well for the ladies that now there is a franchise for Cuts, same concept only just for men. You go in and do the circuit, change machines when prompted and are done in 30 minutes. The focus for men is on strength training while for women it is on toning and firming. In both cases it is about getting your heart rate up and keeping it there for the duration of the circuit.

In the end only you and your doctor can decide if this option is right for you. It comes in a low stress environment and without the hassles of impressing the opposite sex. A final reminder, before starting any diet or exercise program consult with your physician to determine what is right for you.

Health By Chocolate Why Dark Chocolate May Be Good For You

Health Specialist — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:10:57 +0000

It’s that time of year when giving and indulging in the sweetness of sweets especially with your sweetie is seen as perfectly acceptable.

But, new research shows that there are more reasons than ever to NOT avoid or deny your chocolate cravings all year long.

According to some studies done in Italy, dark chocolate has many of the same benefits as vitamin C helping the body use insulin more effectively and lower blood pressure.

The research examined two out of three chocolate varieties, dark chocolate and white chocolate. Dark chocolate is made up of cocoa solids and sugar but no milk solids prevalent in milk chocolate and white chocolate, although referred to as chocolate had no cocoa solids, but instead is made of cocoa butter the fat in chocolate, mil solids and sugar.

According to the study, participants who enjoyed 100 grams of dark chocolate daily for 15 days had reduced blood pressure and become more sensitive to insulin than they were prior to the “experiment”.

Researchers believe that the benefits of dark chocolate are because of the flavonoids it contains, which are associated with the ability to lower the risk of heart disease and some cancers. However, white chocolate exhibited no effect on patients since it is free of cocoa solids, where the flavonoids are found.

So what does this mean for you and me? Is it time to replace the celery and carrot platters with chocolate samplers and related goodies? Is it time to switch from “an apple a day” to “a chocolate bar a day”? The answer to this is probably a big “no”. Nonetheless, knowing this little tidbit and what other discoveries it may lead to in the future sure won’t inhibit a healthy person from treating themselves to the oh-so-desirable rich goodness of a nice piece of dark chocolate on occasion.

Your Body Wants To Fight The Flu

Health Specialist — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:35:54 +0000

The body’s immune system is our first line of defense against attacks from germs, bacteria, and viral agents like the flu. The immune system detects these harmful invaders and begins the process of isolating and destroying them. But the immune system only works if it has the fuel that it needs.

You see, the immune system is called a “system” because it is comprised of various organs and sub systems that work together in harmony. The major parts of the immune system include

Thymus
Spleen
Lymph system
Bone marrow
White blood cells
Antibodies
Complement system 30 specific proteins which circulate in our blood plasma.
Hormones

Each part of the immune system depends upon proper nutrition in order to be able to function at peak efficiency. If even one component of the immune system under-performs, the entire system is at risk of failing. A failed immune system leaves the body with no protection from any type of attack. That’s why HIV and AIDS are such devastating diseases.

Unfortunately, most people have diets that fail to provide even the minimum nutritional levels that our immune systems requires to do its work. And that’s one of the major reasons why this flu season may be the worst one ever. Citizens of developed countries are eating diets that are high in saturated fats and sugars and low in vitamins and minerals. Many citizens of underdeveloped nations are suffering from malnutrition and even starvation. Whether the immune system is affected by too much of the wrong food, or not enough of any food is not what’s important right now. What is important is that most people’s immune systems are ill prepared to ward off this latest flu menace.

But you don’t have to let your immune system fail you when you need it the most. You have options.

You can give your body’s immune system exactly what it needs to operate a peak efficiency, and you can do it without having to eat a variety of special foods or ingesting handfuls of vitamins and minerals. All you need to do is Winterize your body by taking just one capsule per day.

Where To Find Good Quality, Low Cost Health & Beauty Products!

Health Specialist — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:00:51 +0000

We are in a world where things are changing all the time. One thing, which is changing at a fast speed, is technology. Technology is becoming more advanced year by year. Fashion is also another thing that is changing on a regular basis. In fact a lot of people are now more likely to make sure that they are looking good and also keeping up with the fashion than what they use to. This is not just the women, a lot of men are also making sure that they are looking good. In fact, there are more men buying health and beauty products now to what there us to be a few years back.

As we all want to look and feel our best at all times, this sometimes requires that we spend money on some health and beauty products. In fact, some people spend hundreds of dollars on products every year just so that they can improve their looks and feel good. Some people are even having surgery just so they can improve their looks.

Not all, but some people think that if they want to look better than what they do now, they have to then spend money so that they can improve their appearance and get noticed by others. The more they spend the better and younger they will look and fell. The only problem with this is that if you keep buying health and beauty products so that you look and feel good, the costs add up over the years.

A good option would be to buy your health and beauty products of the Internet by using a health and beauty price comparison guide before you make a purchase. This is good as you can find the products that you need, you can then compare the prices from a large amount of different online merchants and you can then purchase your required products and save at the same time.

If you are located in the UK then buying products from a US merchant is something that you may not want to do. So you could always use 1HealthSeekings UK product price comparison guide at

Off course, some people are still weary about spending and using their credit cards online. There are more people spending on the Internet everyday, but there are still some people around the world that may not think that using an online site to purchase products is a good idea.

Thats one thing that is good about an online price comparison site. If you are not happy about spending money online, then you could still use a product price comparison site as a lot of price comparison sites include merchants that you have most likely seen at your local supermarket.

So instead of spending hours a day looking through every shop just so that you can find the cheapest price for a product, you could always do a search online through a product price comparison guide and then once you have done your search and found the product that you are interested in, you can then go to your local supermarket and purchase the product directly from the merchant itself.

After using a product price comparison guide, no matter which one you use, you are more likely to find the same products for a cheaper price and more quickly than what you would if you didnt use one. After time, you will notice your savings adding up meaning that you will be able to afford making your self look good and feel a lot better at a cheaper cost.

How to Choose a Podiatrist

Health Specialist — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:35:03 +0000

When you are trying to choose a Podiatrist you will find that it is much like choosing any kind of Doctor. You will have to take your time and check out the possibilities with care to ensure that you are getting the right specialist for you. It is always a good idea to choose one that has a membership in the American Podiatric Medical Association or the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. You can do many things to find the correct Doctor for you.

You can ask your family physician for a referral to a good Podiatrist. They will be able to tell you from experience who they think would be best for you. On a personal level you can ask many friends or family members to assist you in the choosing of a good physician.

One good place to find out information on any kind of Doctor, are the nurses. They usually work with a lot of physicians and can often be a good source for objective and helpful information. They can tell you a lot about their ability and their professionalism as well as their personality and their behavior.

You can also look in the directory if you are having a hard time finding out about any of the Podiatrists. You can always call their office and ask for patient referrals to help you make your decision. Usually there are a few patients that will allow their names to be used as references for other patients. You should ask questions and find out all you can about the Podiatrists that you are thinking of using.

The best thing that you can do is making an appointment with the doctor and sees how you feel about him. Do not be afraid to ask questions and find out all you can about his ability. You should also feel comfortable around this person. You are putting your life into his hands and you want the very best for your health care provider. Meeting with the Podiatrist will give you all of the information that you will have to have to make a good decision.

Make sure that you can trust this person to handle your medical procedures. You should be able to determine whether or not you can feel good about using this doctor right away. Your instincts are the best source of judgment on anyones character and this will include your Podiatrist as well.

The main thing is to do your research and find out all you can first. Do not go with a random search in the yellow pages. Your feet and health are important and you should be getting only the very best care for them.

Pesticides Cause For Concern?

Health Specialist — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:06:27 +0000

Many people are, in my opinion, rightly concerned about pesticides. 31,000 tons of pesticides are sprayed on UK land each year. Farm workers may have direct, intense contact with pesticides, but the general population are also exposed to pesticides via residues in and on food, pesticides in the air, as a result of spraying in fields, pesticides applied to road sides to control weeds, and even pesticide contamination of drinking water. As well as the active ingredients there are also likely to be chemicals used to help the stickiness and consistency of the pesticide.

PAN UK formerly the Pesticide Trust cites studies that have shown

93 of non-organic oranges analysed contained pesticide residues
78 of apples analysed contained pesticide residues
43 of all fruit and vegetables analysed had detectable levels of pesticides
50 of lettuce contained residues from 7 or more chemical
71 of cereal bars with residues
83 of oily fish showed pesticide residues

Looking at the health risks of pesticides is difficult because many of the risks may be long term and these can be difficult to establish. There is also the problem of pesticide interaction, and the interaction of pesticides with other chemicals encountered in the environment. We just do not know enough to be certain that these chemicals are safe for us, but harmful to pests.

There are two basic types of pesticides

Organochlorides kill pests by attacking their central nervous systems. Linked to cancer, birth defects and genetic changes in animals. They are fat-soluble and stored in body fat. They are far more persistent than organophosphates.

Organophosphates interfere with nerve conduction in pests. They are the most common pesticide used today. They are water-soluble and break down rapidly.

Governments control the use of pesticides through legislation, and there are various lists of banned and restricted pesticides. Since 1993 the EU has been implementing a programme to establish harmonised Maximum Residue Levels MRLs for pesticide residues in foodstuffs sold in the EU. Once the level is agreed for a pesticide, EU member states are obliged to incorporate these MRLs into their national legislation within 12 months.

How effective is pesticide policing?

Investigations continually show that illegal and dangerous pesticides are appearing in food. This appears to be from two sources illegal use of pesticides in a country, and also the use of pesticides that are legal or unpoliced in the country where the food is grown. In 1996 a UK investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food showed that over 4 of the milk supply contained amounts of lindane above the maximum recommended levels, and in 2 samples DDT was detected even though it has been banned for over 10 years. The Food Magazine, Issue 34, 1996

There are likely to be commonly used pesticides that will prove eventually to be harmful. This has happened repeatedly with problems only being scientifically pinpointed after many years of use. There is no reason to feel confident that governments have identified and banned all harmful pesticides. Surely it is better to ere on the side of safety and buy properly certified organic products?

Pesticides, Can we avoid them?

Can taking too much ginseng cause sleeping difficulties?

Health Specialist — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:37:36 +0000

While ginseng can be very relaxing, however, it is not the perfect herb. The risks are just as debated as the benefits are, but it is worth knowing about them before you take any ginseng so that you can be cautious if you need to be.

To start off with, there are some people who would be best to stay away from ginseng altogether anyone with a blood-related condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, people with plant allergies, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children. People with a plant allergy may find that ginseng makes them feel short of breath or swell up, and children should be kept away from ginseng because its effects on their developing bodies are not yet known. If you really want to take ginseng, it will probably be alright, but you absolutely must consult a doctor first.

The biggest controversy about the risks of ginseng surrounds a condition known as Ginseng Abuse Syndrome, discovered by a Dr. Siegel. He claims that taking too much ginseng can cause difficulty sleeping, all-over swelling and tense muscles. Ginseng producers and herbal enthusiasts hotly dispute these findings, but all the same, it is best to stick to the guidelines on your ginseng packet and not exceed the recommended daily dose.

As herbal supplements are not tightly regulated, it is also worth considering that what youre buying may not even be ginseng at all, or might have been contaminated somehow there have been many cases of herbal supplements accidentally getting contaminated with poisonous metals. To avoid getting fake or tainted ginseng, you should only buy from a shop you trust, not from street dealers, and avoid anything that seems suspiciously cheap or comes in unclear packaging. If in doubt, walk away over all, it is best to cheap to the larger health store chains for this kind of thing.

The Importance of Shape

Health Specialist — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:42:21 +0000

You may think you know when you look in the mirror, or you may be too busy trying to cover up unshapely areas to really see yourself as you are. Do you know how much fat youre carrying, compared to how much muscle? Do you know where you tend to gain weightupper body, lower body or around the middle? Until you know the answers to these questions, you are not ready to make your personal plan for losing weight and keeping it off. Understanding your body is the first step to reaching your best personal shape. As someone who teaches both doctors and the public about obesity, I believe weight loss has been overemphasized and body shape underemphasized. You have probably read about the Body-Mass Index BMI, which is a weight-to-height ratio. If your BMI is greater than 25, you are considered overweight in the U.S., and if it is greater than 30 you are obese. This ratio has been a powerful way for scientists to document the obesity epidemic in this country and its effects on health and disease. However, when it comes to you as an individual, it can be misleading. A football player can be considered overweight on the BMI scale, but if the extra weight being carried is muscle, he is not really fat. A thin woman can have a normal BMI, yet still be over-fat. So shape counts.

Shapes are personal and go beyond the usual apple and pear. Women can have three typical body shapesupper body fat, lower body fat and both upper and lower body fat. Men usually only get upper body fat. The upper body stores fat in times of stress and some people can lose and gain weight rapidly in the upper body. The lower body fat in women responds to female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone and stores fat for breastfeeding a newborn baby. Women who have both upper and lower body fat will lose their upper body fat first. Women with more upper body fat tend to have more muscle than women with lower body fat and will need more protein in their diet to help control their hunger. Losing weight is harder if you have lower body fat rather than upper body fat, but the medical benefits of losing your upper body fat are greater. Losing weight around your neck, face, chest and waist usually goes along with losing fat on the inside as well. So as you look better, you are also improving your health tremendously.

Finally, there are two more body shapes to consider The shape you can change and the shape you cant change. It is important to know the difference and work on the shape you can change, while adjusting your wardrobe and attitudes to the shape you cannot change. Due to low metabolism, many women with lower body fat cant lose weight just by cutting calories. These lower body-fat cells are resistant to both exercise and diet. Only a personalized program can help make sure you get enough protein to control cravings and build or maintain lean muscle.

Deadly Eating Disorders

Health Specialist — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:47:57 +0000

Three Deadly Eating Disorders

Healthy eating is very important for our everyday lives, but unfortunately, many people develop problems with body image with prevent them from this healthy eating lifestyle. Eating disorders vary greatly from person to person, but one thing remains constantthey are very detrimental to a persons health. If you or someone you know suffers from an eating disorder, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.

The first kind of eating disorder that a person may develop is anorexia. Anorexia occurs when someone is overly concerned with weight and simply refuses to eat. Someone suffering from this disease usually tries to hide it by discarding the food without anyone knowing, cutting the food into small pieces to make it look smaller, or lying about skipping entire meals. Anorexia is dangerous because it does not allow a person to lose weight in a healthy way. Cutting fat out of a diet is fine, but not getting enough proteins, vitamins, minerals, water, and other nutrients can make your body lose muscle weight and weaken.

Another major type of eating disorder is bulimia. While you may notice an anorexic person losing lots of weight in a hurry, someone who has bulimia may or may not be losing weight. If a person has bulimia, he or she does not have the will power to give up foods, but instead vomits or uses laxatives after meals to rid the body of these foods. Like anorexia, this can rob the body of key nutrients, and it can also lead to problems in the digestive system, throat, and mouth, which are not made for regular induced vomiting.

The third main type of eating disorder is binge eating. This is a combination of anorexia and bulimia in most cases. A binge eater will, like a bulimic, not deprive his- or herself from food. In fact, someone who is a binge eater will eat enormous amounts of food in a single sitting, and often these foods are not high in nutritional value. Instead of vomiting, a binge eater will then refuse to eat at all and exercise rigorously for a day or two, but then slip into a binge once again. This leads to major problems with weight.

Eating disorders can effect bother males and females, as well as people of any race, ethnicity, or age. Most commonly, victims of eating disorders are teen and young adult girls. Many people die every year due to complications with eating disorders, but if you or someone you know suffers from this problem, help is available.