Reflections 1 Mod 2_HCIN 540: Heath Care System Debate
Objective: Demonstrate graduate level writing skills and knowledge of health care terminology to discuss relevant health care topics
The United States spends more on health care than any other nation in the world. However the healthcare system does not provide corresponding result. It has been shown that the system remains woefully inefficient. The result is that consumers are fed up with soaring costs and poor outcomes, insurer companies take issue with market instability, and healthcare providers lament rising barriers to quality care. While government is forced to contend with enormous financial strain, employers fear that rising health care costs will impact wages and sap their competitive advantage.
Defenders of the status quo have argued that:
The United States health care system is outdated and deeply fragmented. True reform would require widespread modernization and integration and a rebuke of current practices. The basis of such a reform need to include Health Districts where healthcare providers, insures and patients are compensated based more on the general health and wellness of the population of the District and less on volume of patient visits, labs results, etc.
Reflections 2 Mod 2_HCIN 540: Medical Billing-My Dream Job
Objective: Demonstrate an understanding of the United States Health Care payer systems (including newer/evolving systems) and their impact on population
About three decades ago, a career in medical coding would require a large amount of paperwork. But the advance of technology and the implementation of electronic health records is changing everything including medical coding and billing. With that change comes a lot of other opportunities in the medical coding and billing profession. With Health Information technology on the rise, medical coders and health information managers are in a new field that requires them to integrate a number of skills into the emerging technologies and using them to provide a vital link between providers, insurance companies and the patient.
Medical coders transcribe information about a hospital patients visit (complaints and, symptoms) into a diagnosis and medication that is stored in a database of the patient’s medical history. Information from this database can now be retrieved by patients and hospitals for billing, insurance companies for reimbursement, and pharmacies for drug dispensation. It also provides a database that could be used by data engineers for research, analysis and design (artificial intelligence). Governments and institutions also rely on this database for policy decision and more. This places the medical coding and billing at a critical juncture in the technological advancement of the industry. Knowing this has endeared me to the profession as the importance of accurate and reliable data is very evident.
With a degree in Health Care Informatics, this will enable me to understand the rudiments of data collection so as to be in a position to manager such database as Health Information Technology (HIT) professional.
Reflection 3 Mod 2 HCIN 541 Hypertension
Objective: Demonstrate an understanding of chronic disease drivers for the United States Health Care System
High blood pressure is one of the most common chronic medical problems in the United States. The cost of untreated and inadequately controlled high blood pressure is approximately $361b every year. Effective treatment and management of hypertension can be hindered by inadequate diagnosis, treatment and control. Patient challenges of adhering to multi drug regime and accepting the need for therapeutic life style changes constitute significant hindrance in the treatment and care of hypertension. Clinical trials have also shown that lowering blood pressure significantly reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Through the use anti hypertensive drugs, the medical cost of treating preventable diseases such as stroke and heart failure can be reduced. Pharmacoeconomic analyses regarding anti hypertensive drug therapies, their costs, and the relevant reductions in health care expenditures are a useful framework for optimizing current strategies for hypertension management.
High blood pressure is the most common chronic medical problem in the Country. It is estimated that only one third of the 50 million American adults with hypertension have their blood pressure controlled to less than 140/90 mm Hg. Thus, about two thirds of Americans with hypertension are at increased risk for cardiovascular events. The cost of untreated and inadequately controlled high blood pressure is enormous. Effective treatment and management of hypertension can be hindered by inadequate diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension. Other obstacles such as inability to lower blood pressure with mono-therapy and reluctance to increase therapy are also facing health care providers. Patient challenges of adhering to multi drug regime and accepting the need for therapeutic life style changes constitute significant hindrance in the treatment and care of hypertension. Nevertheless, the achievement of blood pressure goals (as defined in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Core Values) is possible and within reach.
Given the impact of hypertension on the society and its projected effect, all hands have to be on the deck for the prevention, treatment, and if possible, eradication. Notwithstanding, recent estimates suggest that it will get worse before it gets better. The need and urgency required for the control and treatment is obvious. This will require a multi prong approach involving the use of education to affect life style changes, promoting government policies that are sympathetic to prevention and cure of hypertension and the use of advances in medical science to cure and treat hypertension. All these efforts should be geared towards prevention starting with education. Our educational curriculum should be structured to provide functional knowledge of quality, preventive and healthy living.
Government policies should provide incentives for corporation, health care providers and individuals for reducing any and all activities that could cause hypertension. Such policies as the sodium content of products, avoiding too much salt in diet and encouraging health care providers to suggest alternative treatment are fundamental first steps. It has been shown that hypertensive adults who successfully lower dietary sodium and urinary sodium excretion are more likely to maintain a lower BP after withdrawal of anti hypertensive medication. Through the use of telemedicine in the treatment and control of hypertension, a substantial amount of hospitalization has been reduced. The saving in cost arising from telemedicine is just one of the ways of reducing cost while achieving same or better results. The use of self-reporting Apps will not only save lives but also provide effective data for R&D.
Objective: Demonstrate graduate level writing skills and knowledge of health care terminology to discuss relevant health care topics
The United States spends more on health care than any other nation in the world. However the healthcare system does not provide corresponding result. It has been shown that the system remains woefully inefficient. The result is that consumers are fed up with soaring costs and poor outcomes, insurer companies take issue with market instability, and healthcare providers lament rising barriers to quality care. While government is forced to contend with enormous financial strain, employers fear that rising health care costs will impact wages and sap their competitive advantage.
Defenders of the status quo have argued that:
- Seeking a complete remodel of the existing heath care system wastes valuable time and resources. American consumers would be better served by targeted regulations that reign in abuses and set the marketplace on a course for success.
- With a few incremental policy changes, such as expanding the insurance market through mandatory enrollment and cost offsets for low-income buyers, the United States can provide affordable, quality health care without overhauling its existing system.
- The power of special interest groups may be declining. Given widespread demand for affordable care, lawmakers will soon have no choice but to act on health reforms or lose elections.
- Innovative medical professionals, administrators and providers alike, are already enacting meaningful changes within their own organizations. They prove that quality care, at affordable costs, is possible.
The United States health care system is outdated and deeply fragmented. True reform would require widespread modernization and integration and a rebuke of current practices. The basis of such a reform need to include Health Districts where healthcare providers, insures and patients are compensated based more on the general health and wellness of the population of the District and less on volume of patient visits, labs results, etc.
Reflections 2 Mod 2_HCIN 540: Medical Billing-My Dream Job
Objective: Demonstrate an understanding of the United States Health Care payer systems (including newer/evolving systems) and their impact on population
About three decades ago, a career in medical coding would require a large amount of paperwork. But the advance of technology and the implementation of electronic health records is changing everything including medical coding and billing. With that change comes a lot of other opportunities in the medical coding and billing profession. With Health Information technology on the rise, medical coders and health information managers are in a new field that requires them to integrate a number of skills into the emerging technologies and using them to provide a vital link between providers, insurance companies and the patient.
Medical coders transcribe information about a hospital patients visit (complaints and, symptoms) into a diagnosis and medication that is stored in a database of the patient’s medical history. Information from this database can now be retrieved by patients and hospitals for billing, insurance companies for reimbursement, and pharmacies for drug dispensation. It also provides a database that could be used by data engineers for research, analysis and design (artificial intelligence). Governments and institutions also rely on this database for policy decision and more. This places the medical coding and billing at a critical juncture in the technological advancement of the industry. Knowing this has endeared me to the profession as the importance of accurate and reliable data is very evident.
With a degree in Health Care Informatics, this will enable me to understand the rudiments of data collection so as to be in a position to manager such database as Health Information Technology (HIT) professional.
Reflection 3 Mod 2 HCIN 541 Hypertension
Objective: Demonstrate an understanding of chronic disease drivers for the United States Health Care System
High blood pressure is one of the most common chronic medical problems in the United States. The cost of untreated and inadequately controlled high blood pressure is approximately $361b every year. Effective treatment and management of hypertension can be hindered by inadequate diagnosis, treatment and control. Patient challenges of adhering to multi drug regime and accepting the need for therapeutic life style changes constitute significant hindrance in the treatment and care of hypertension. Clinical trials have also shown that lowering blood pressure significantly reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Through the use anti hypertensive drugs, the medical cost of treating preventable diseases such as stroke and heart failure can be reduced. Pharmacoeconomic analyses regarding anti hypertensive drug therapies, their costs, and the relevant reductions in health care expenditures are a useful framework for optimizing current strategies for hypertension management.
High blood pressure is the most common chronic medical problem in the Country. It is estimated that only one third of the 50 million American adults with hypertension have their blood pressure controlled to less than 140/90 mm Hg. Thus, about two thirds of Americans with hypertension are at increased risk for cardiovascular events. The cost of untreated and inadequately controlled high blood pressure is enormous. Effective treatment and management of hypertension can be hindered by inadequate diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension. Other obstacles such as inability to lower blood pressure with mono-therapy and reluctance to increase therapy are also facing health care providers. Patient challenges of adhering to multi drug regime and accepting the need for therapeutic life style changes constitute significant hindrance in the treatment and care of hypertension. Nevertheless, the achievement of blood pressure goals (as defined in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Core Values) is possible and within reach.
Given the impact of hypertension on the society and its projected effect, all hands have to be on the deck for the prevention, treatment, and if possible, eradication. Notwithstanding, recent estimates suggest that it will get worse before it gets better. The need and urgency required for the control and treatment is obvious. This will require a multi prong approach involving the use of education to affect life style changes, promoting government policies that are sympathetic to prevention and cure of hypertension and the use of advances in medical science to cure and treat hypertension. All these efforts should be geared towards prevention starting with education. Our educational curriculum should be structured to provide functional knowledge of quality, preventive and healthy living.
Government policies should provide incentives for corporation, health care providers and individuals for reducing any and all activities that could cause hypertension. Such policies as the sodium content of products, avoiding too much salt in diet and encouraging health care providers to suggest alternative treatment are fundamental first steps. It has been shown that hypertensive adults who successfully lower dietary sodium and urinary sodium excretion are more likely to maintain a lower BP after withdrawal of anti hypertensive medication. Through the use of telemedicine in the treatment and control of hypertension, a substantial amount of hospitalization has been reduced. The saving in cost arising from telemedicine is just one of the ways of reducing cost while achieving same or better results. The use of self-reporting Apps will not only save lives but also provide effective data for R&D.
artifact_1_mod_2_hcin_540_health_care_system_debate__2_.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
artifact_2_mod_2_hcin_540_medical_billing.docx | |
File Size: | 19 kb |
File Type: | docx |
artifact_3_mod_2__hcin_541_hypertension.docx | |
File Size: | 34 kb |
File Type: | docx |