Americans: Tell Your Senators NOW to Promote Better Health Care with ICD10!

B'SD

29 Adar II, 5774

BIG news in America's medical world: 

The World Health Organization long ago alerted the federal government and the medical world of the USA that compliance with the most recent version of the

International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 

had better occur by October 1, 2014. BUT... things did not work out smoothly. 

Some medical professionals objected to the most recent version, ICD10, citing its exacting levels of specificity and initially cumbersome use in daily life.

For reasons not clear to me, someone, not yet identified, inserted a single sentence to allow a vote against the use of ICD10 in a bill presented to Congress last week. 

The hullaballoo began on Wednesday. On Thursday the House of Representatives voted to delay ICD10 implementation another year. 

Today, Monday, US senators will vote to confirm or not to confirm that vote.

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) cites serious financial and medical objections to the denial of ICD10's implementation/use in the USA.

AHIMA is getting the word out in multimedia and social media. An ICD10 medical coding student poised to be certified with credentials from AHIMA this summer, I hope that you'll join us in asking US senators to vote "NO" to bill HR4302.

Here are some of my Tweets on the topic. Click on the links in those messages or go directly to AHIMA's website http://www.ahima.org/ to learn more.

Yocheved Golani ‏@yochevedgolani  22h

Why ICD10 is necessary. #SGR #NoDelay http://www.ahima.org/topics/icd10  http://fb.me/1gQ3V0UrT 

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Yocheved Golani ‏@yochevedgolani  22h

Know the facts US senators! A 1 year delay of #ICD10 could cost between $1 billion - $6.6 billion. #SGR #NoDelay

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Yocheved Golani ‏@yochevedgolani  23h

US Senators: #ICD10 is worth the effort. Understand why & vote no on HR4302. #NoDelay http://ow.ly/vaeA9  http://fb.me/1fksypArq 

I hope you'll join the Tweetfest and/or contact your senator directly, to promote the use of ICD10. 

$1-6 BILLION is not chump change.

Lives, quality of lives,
and 

the futures 

of those lives 

are at stake.

In terms of medical care, medical research and more, the implementation of ICD10 is a most serious issue.

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

File your opinion with people who matter.

 

Unconditional Love can Save Lives. Here's How!

B'SD

28 Adar II, 5774

Medical dogs are featured in the 
Global Resources section of

Why? 

Because they protect and save lives. 

Even if your dog does not smell a disease, its love is good for your emotional and mental health.

Care for your dog as a treasured friend. It needs shelter, exercise, playtime, food, water and veterinary care.

You might be able to get a dog for free, at your local dog pound. Ask!

If you want a dog trained to help you with medical issues, learn how to get one when you read the Global Resources section of

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face your future with Optimism.

Feel the unconditional love of a furry friend. 

 

A Medical Coding Update in My Life

B'SD

23/24 Adar II, 5774


I update you from time to time about my ICD10CM/PCS medical coding studies. I'm learning HCPCS/CPT coding, too. My coursework began in July and I've had lots of studying to do after long schooldays.

Classmates and I are learning to translate medical records from hospitals, private medical offices, rehab centers, nursing homes, just name the medical facility, into alpha-numeric codes that provide At-a-Glance information to insurers and medical researchers about why someone needed specific medical care.

We've studied anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, mental health issues, medical terminology, US insurance laws and other related topics. 

We take tests daily. Cumulative tests that keep us focused on remembering past lessons quite well.

The pressure-cooker classroom is populated with diverse types of women. At first blush, you could wonder if we'd get along with each other in what could easily become a highly competitive atmosphere. 

Time for a reality check, class! Read on for an excerpt from The Daily Dose of Kindness, a newsletter serving worldwide subscribers.

A Daily Dose of Kindness Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Today's Story A classroom of women from various parts of Israel, who had never met before, met for the first time this past July.  We are gathered in Jerusalem to pursue complex studies about medical coding. We are in class from8:30AM to 2:30PM Sundays-Thursdays, under lots of academic pressure.  We're learning to translate medical records into alpha-numeric codes that inform medical researchers and insurance people about exactly why a person needed specific medical services, which services were provided to the patient(s), and the results of the medical interventions. Despite the Israeli snowstorm of the decade, traffic-clogging funerals and protest rallies, we greet each other daily with mutual respect and helpfulness. We overcome obstacles and forge ahead. We tutor each other in highly detailed subjects we've mastered as we earn our medical coding credentials. One student excels in preparing highly informative and very helpful spreadsheets of information about our studies. Some of us share humor, informative videos and other supplemental information to augment our studies. We joke that we are a private support group. We keep each other going. All of us share delicious home-cooked foods and nobody doubts that one women's kitchen is less kosher than her own. We dine on friendship and flavor. We've collected money to buy gifts as each student celebrates a simcha (happy occasion) of some sort. We presented our proctor with presents on holidays. Through it all, we've gotten along well day after day. Imagine: people from various walks of life, with different approaches to religious observance, simply getting along day in and day out! We accept each other as we are, no demands are made to change the way we are. With G-d's help, we will graduate this spring, and launch our medical coding careers. We've bonded as a team that can do necessary work no matter the obstacles in our way. Instructors, and the whole student body, are delighted at how well we get along.

Graduation day is rapidly approaching (summertime). I'm excited to be completing a two-year certification course in less than one.




Want to learn tips for treating the medical people (and family or friends) in your life that well?

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism. 

Feel free to treat your colleagues as friends, not competitors, too!

 

Noninvasive Brain Surgery - Medical History Made in the Middle East!

B'SD

22/23 Adar, 5774

Medical history was made in Israel last week. I'll let the video tell you the story.

I plan to post more miraculous medical stories, so keep coming back for more of them. And remember:

Thank GOD for the miracles!

Learn of other cutting-edge medical treatments and how to benefit from them. 

Read the list of charitable organizations - worldwide - willing to help you to pay your medical costs.

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.  

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. 

Face Your Future with Optimism.

 

Testing Well and Smiling Widely

B'SD

12 Adar II,  5774

I've been studying around the clock for an ICD-10CM/PCS final exam these past few weeks. It covered everything I've studied since July. 

It's a nice feeling to report that I scored well and learned so much.

I'm now studying the latest versions of HCPCS  and CPT medical coding, which affect Americans and their insurance realities.

All along the way, my medical coding classes, books and other study materials teach me the importance of nurturing one's health (and protecting your health insurance).

I have a few more months to go before I'll graduate, and LOTS more studying to do. The pressure to excel at my work has been intense. It's also rewarding. I've learned of new ways to heal people.

I'm about to relax as I enjoy a few days of pure spirituality and good-natured fun with the holiday of Purim. I'll be smiling widely the whole time.

Look for my upcoming blogposts about innovations in the healthcare world.




Need to know who can help you to heal - or how to pay for medical/mental health care?

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Doctors recommend it!

Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face your future with optimism.

Find ways to smile. That's good for inner and outer health!