Patients could pay as much as 683 percent more for the same medical procedure, in the same town, depending on which doctor they choose, according to a recent study. This means you could save up to hundreds of dollars on your next MRI or CT scan, depending on which doctor you visit.

You may have never considered “shopping around” for health care before, but there are advantages – just like any other service or product you buy. Particularly for bigger,  non-emergency procedures and treatments, doing some research could save you serious cash.

Wondering how to get started? Unfortunately, medical care prices are not as easy to obtain as most other services, but there is reliable data available. You can start by calling each doctor office or hospital in your area and asking the cost for your procedure. In addition, these websites offer medical cost information that can be helpful in making the best choice:

• http://i.usatoday.net/money/_pdfs/110630-costs.pdf
• www.healthgrades.com
• www.newchoicehealth.com

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to be aware of prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. One in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test can help detect prostate cancer in its early stages. Though it does not show whether or not you have prostate cancer, it shows abnormalities that would prompt further testing, where cancer may be identified.

The survival rate when prostate cancer is detected early is nearly 100 percent, and the PSA test can help with early detection. The American Urological Association recommends that men receive a PSA test starting at age 40.

Some men assume that only older men get prostate cancer, but this is false. It is extremely uncommon for men under 40 to get prostate cancer, but for ages 40-59, the risk jumps to 1 in 38 men.

Some also assume that no symptoms mean no cancer. However, prostate cancer is often symptom-free, which is why it is important to get tested.

Though all men have some risk of getting prostate cancer, the following things can increase your risk:

• Age: Though men over 40 all have risk, the older you get, the greater your risk.
• Race: African-Americans are the most likely to develop this cancer, while Asian men have the lowest risk.
• Family History: If your father or brother has prostate cancer, you are twice as likely to develop it.

In addition to getting tested, research suggests that exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower your risk. Talk to your doctor today about getting tested for prostate cancer, and other ways you can take charge of your health.

Prescription medication may play an important role in your health and treatment of medical conditions. Understanding your prescription and following these tips will help you get the most benefit from your medication.

Track your medicines

Keep a list of all medicines you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins and herbal supplements. Bring this list with you whenever you visit a doctor or pick up a prescription. This can reduce medical mistakes and improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of your health care.

Take your medications safely

Medicine is prescribed to help you. But it can hurt you if you take too much or mix medicines that shouldn’t go together. For every medication you are prescribed:

• Know what the medicine is for and how to properly take it.
• Ask if there is a generic substitution.
• Ask about side effects and what to do if they occur. Also ask what to avoid (for instance, some medication shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol or may make it unsafe to drive).
• Read the label and warnings that come with your prescription. Ask the pharmacist about anything you don’t understand.
• Ask what you should do if you skip a dose or accidentally take more than the recommended dose.
• When you pick up your prescription, make sure it is the same thing your doctor prescribed.
• If you have any questions while taking the medication, call your doctor or pharmacist.

Follow your treatment plan

To stay healthy and safe, follow your treatment plan and take your medication as prescribed. Also:

• Ask your doctor if you will need a refill, and how many.
• Tell your doctor if you are having side effects.
• Don’t share your medication with anyone.

Ask if you need tests to find out if the medication is working.

Photo Credit via Flickr @wrgenec

Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Studies show that kids who are supported by friends and family or surrounded by active people are more likely to be active. Engaging in physical activity as a family can be a fun way to get everyone moving.

Benefits of Activity
Physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It can help prevent chronic diseases, control weight, build lean muscle, reduce fat and decrease the risk of obesity. Children need at least an hour every day of moderate to vigorous activity to maintain a healthy weight.

Active Families

Being active as a family increases opportunities for kids and families to be physically active. Here are some activities you and your family can consider to get started on a path to a healthier lifestyle.

• Give children toys that encourage physical activity, such as balls, kites and jump ropes
• Encourage children to join a sports team or try a new physical activity
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Facilitate a safe walk to and from school several times a week
• Walk around the block after a meal
• Find time to spend together doing a fun activity, like family bike day or swim day
• Make a new house rule: No sitting still during television commercials
• Issue a family challenge to commit to physical activity five days a week for six weeks

Other Ways to Get Active

Increasing your family’s physical activity is not the only way to help your kids get active. Here are some other ways you can be involved:

•  Limit TV time and keep the television out of your child’s bedroom

•  Talk to your children’s principal or write to your district superintendent to incorporate more physical education in schools

•Encourage schools to hold recess before lunch to increase physical activity before mealtime

•Volunteer to help with after-school physical activity programs or sports teams

Source: www.letsmove.gov

Your employee handbook is a key legal document. To avoid lawsuits and protect your company in the event of one, it is vital that your handbook is thorough, up to date, legally compliant, clear and readily available to all employees. The following are common legal mistakes employers make with their handbook.

Not staying up to date on changing laws. Always update your handbook to comply with new and changing laws. Also be sure to notify employees of the change and provide updated policies.

Glossing over employee rights.Some employers omit employee rights out of fear more employees will sue, but it is important to include them to avoid significant legal liability.

Not clearly defining the at-will employment relationship.Your handbook needs to be explicit about this relationship and what it means. Also be sure other policies (such as probationary periods or progressive discipline) don’t undermine this one.

Unclear employee classification. Wage, hour and overtime complaints are among the most common legal actions taken by employees. Your handbook must be clear in the distinction of exempt and non-exempt status, and all employees must be properly classified.

Computer usage.Make clear that the company owns its computers, email and all data, and that nothing on a company computer or other device is private.

Failure to follow through.Ensure that your company follows through on all policies and procedures outlined in your handbook.
Because employee handbooks are so important, consider having legal counsel review yours periodically.

BACKGROUND

For plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010, non-grandfathered group health plans must cover certain preventive health services without any cost-sharing. The preventive care mandate does not apply to grandfathered plans.

In July 2010, HHS, along with the Departments of Labor and Treasury, issued interim final rules relating to coverage of preventive health services. The interim final rules identified the following recommended preventive health services as those that must be covered without cost-sharing requirements:

• Evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of A or B in the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force, including certain preventive care for women, such as mammograms, cervical cancer screenings and prenatal care;
• Immunizations for routine use in children, adolescents and adults that are currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and included on the CDC’s immunization schedules;
• Evidence-informed preventive care and screenings for infants, children and adolescents, as provided for in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) guidelines; and
• Evidence-informed preventive care and screening for women, as provided in guidelines supported by HRSA, which were required to be developed by Aug. 1, 2011.

More information on PPACA’s preventive care mandate, including specific information on the covered preventive health services, is available at: www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/preventive/index.html.

COVERAGE GUIDELINES

On Aug. 1, 2011, HHS issued the HRSA-supported preventive care guidelines for women to fill the gaps in the current preventive health services guidelines for women. According to HHS, these new guidelines will help ensure that women receive a comprehensive set of preventive health services without having to pay a copayment, a deductible or coinsurance. Non-grandfathered health plans will need to include these services without cost-sharing for plan years beginning on or after Aug. 1, 2012 (Jan. 1, 2013, for calendar year plans).

The new preventive care guidelines for women cover the following health services:

• Well-woman visits – Includes an annual well-woman preventive care visit for adult women to obtain the recommended preventive services, and additional visits if women and their providers determine they are necessary.
• Gestational diabetes screening – Screening for women 24-28 weeks pregnant, and those at high risk of developing gestational diabetes.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing for women age 30 and older – Women who are age 30 or older will have access to high-risk HPV DNA testing every three years, regardless of Pap smear results.
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) counseling – Sexually active women will have access to annual counseling on STIs.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening and counseling – Sexually active women will have access to annual screening and counseling on HIV infections.
• FDA-approved contraception methods and contraceptive counseling – Women will have access to all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures and patient education and counseling. These recommendations do not include abortifacient drugs.
• Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling – Pregnant and postpartum women will have access to comprehensive lactation support and counseling from trained providers, as well as breastfeeding equipment.
• Domestic violence screening and counseling – Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence.

According to HHS, health plans may use reasonable medical management techniques for women’s preventive care to help define the nature of the covered service, consistent with guidance provided in the interim final rules. For example, health plans may control costs and promote efficient delivery of care by continuing to charge cost-sharing for brand-name drugs if a safe and effective generic version is available. In addition, the interim final rules confirmed that plans may continue to impose cost-sharing requirements on preventive services that employees receive from out-of-network providers.

In connection with this guidance, HHS issued an amendment to the interim final rules to allow religious institutions offering health coverage to decide whether or not to cover contraceptive services, consistent with their beliefs.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS

Employers with non-grandfathered health plans should confirm with their insurance coverage issuers that the preventive health services for women will be covered, without cost-sharing, effective for plan years beginning on or after Aug. 1, 2012. Employers may see a rise in insurance premiums related to this expanded coverage.

In addition, due to the amount of media attention the new guidelines have received, employers should be prepared to answer questions from their employees regarding preventive care coverage for women, including: (1) the scope of the guidelines, (2) when they will be effective, and (3) whether their health plan will cover the preventive health services for women at no charge, which depends on whether the plan has grandfathered or non-grandfathered status.