MediCaid information by Topic

Medicaid Information by Topic:

Eligibility

Medicaid and CHIP provide health coverage to nearly 60 million Americans, including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and individuals with disabilities. In order to participate in Medicaid, Federal law requires States to cover certain population groups (mandatory eligibility groups) and gives them the flexibility to cover other population groups (optional eligibility groups). More information is available in the Eligibility section.

Benefits

States establish and administer their own Medicaid programs, and determine the type, amount, duration, and scope of services within broad federal guidelines. States are required to cover certain “mandatory benefits,” and can choose to provide other “optional benefits” including prescription drugs. States receive federal matching funds to provide these benefits.  More information is available in the Benefits section.

Cost Sharing

States have the option to charge premiums and to establish out of pocket spending (cost sharing) requirements for Medicaid enrollees. Out of pocket costs may include copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other similar charges. More information is available in the Cost Sharing section.

Waivers

The Social Security Act authorizes multiple waiver and demonstration authorities to allow states flexibility in operating Medicaid programs. Each authority has a distinct purpose, and distinct requirements. To find out what kinds of waivers and demonstrations have been proposed and/or approved in each State, see the list below. This option will allow you to find a waiver operated under a specific authority. More information is available in the Waivers section.

Long-Term Services & Supports

The Medicaid program allows for the coverage of Long Term Care Services through several vehicles and over a continuum of settings. This includes Institutional Care and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). Please click on this option for more information. More information is available in the Long-Term Services & Supports section.

Delivery Systems

States have choices in their approach to reimbursement and delivery system design under the Medicaid Program. More information is available in the Delivery Systems section.

Quality of Care

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program seek to provide safe, effective, efficient, patient-centered, high quality and equitable care to all enrollees. To achieve these goals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) partners with States to share best practices and to provide technical assistance to improve the quality of care. More information is available in the Quality of Care section.

Data & Systems

Medicaid.gov is intended to become a major resource for information on Medicaid systems, coding information and data. The plan is to over time enhance the current capabilities of these Medicaid systems to share timely and meaningful Medicaid data. More information is available in the Data & Systems section.

Enrollment Strategies

The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) works with States to identify and enroll people who are eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program but who are not enrolled. More information is available in the Enrollment Strategies section.

Program Integrity

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to combating Medicaid provider fraud, waste, and abuse which diverts dollars that could otherwise be spent to safeguard the health and welfare of Medicaid enrollees. More information is available in the Program Integrity section.

Financing & Reimbursement

Medicaid is jointly funded by the Federal government and the States. The Federal government pays States for a specified percentage of program expenditures, called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). More information is available in the Financing & Reimbursement section.

Indian Health and Medicaid

The population of American Indians and Alaska natives living in the United States totals 5.2 million according to the Census Bureau.  More than 1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives are enrolled in coverage through Medicaid and CHIP and many more are eligible for coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. Medicaid and CHIP can serve as a critical source of care for this community. More information is available in the Indian Health & Medicaid section.

Outreach Tools

Throughout the nation, efforts to enroll eligible individuals in health insurance are moving forward. Millions are eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – in many states, more people than ever before – and still need to be connected to the vital health benefits these programs provide. Medicaid and CHIP enrollment is year-round and is not subject to an open enrollment period. Eligible individuals can enroll at any time and get coverage right away. More information is available in the Outreach Tools section.

Medicaid State Plan Amendments

A Medicaid and CHIP state plan is an agreement between a state and the Federal government describing how that state administers its Medicaid and CHIP programs. It gives an assurance that a state will abide by Federal rules and may claim Federal matching funds for its program activities. The state plan sets out groups of individuals to be covered, services to be provided, methodologies for providers to be reimbursed and the administrative activities that are underway in the state. More information is available in the Medicaid State Plan Amendments section.

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BELIEVE

I believe that all that we do and all whom we meet on our journey is placed on our road of life for a purpose. There are no accidents; we are all teachers! If we’re willing to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our positive instincts, and not be afraid to take risks, or wait for some miracle to come knocking at our door.

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Mental Stress Management “IMAGERY”

Mental Stress Management:

What Is Imagery?

Guided imagery is a stress management technique, where you use your imagination to picture a person, place, or time that makes you feel relaxed, peaceful and happy. Imagery is slightly different from other stress management techniques, in that it relies on the use of all of your senses.

For instance, in your imagination you hear the sound of birds chirping, you see the drops of dew on the grass, you feel the breeze on your skin, you smell the wildflowers, and you taste the cold drink. In imagery, using all of your senses is what creates such a powerfully relaxing experience, and this is why it’s so useful in managing stress and coping with difficult situations.

There are several other ways that you can use imagery to help you relax. For example, you could create mental pictures of stress flowing out of your body, or of your problems, your distractions, and your everyday concerns being folded away and stashed in a padlocked chest.

Some people are skeptical about the effectiveness of using imagery. However, research suggests that it can be incredibly effective in lowering your stress levels.

For instance, one study found that using stress management techniques alongside relaxation imagery, and even just using imagery alone, significantly reduced participants’ blood pressure. Another study, which researched the effectiveness of imagery on breast cancer patients, found similar benefits: patients who used imagery to cope with their disease experienced less stress, more vigor, and a higher quality of life than those who didn’t use the technique.

As well as these examples, many other studies have successfully used imagery to lower stress in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, abuse, depression, and other conditions, including occupational stress.

Note:

Imagery is similar to Visualization , in that you’re using your imagination for a specific purpose, however, visualization is more focused on a definite outcome. People use visualization techniques to imagine completing goals or working through a situation with an exact outcome in mind. Both are useful, but guided imagery is more relevant for managing stress.
Using Imagery to Reduce Stress

To start managing stress using imagery, take the following steps.

Step 1: Find a Quiet Place

If possible, find a quiet place to sit down. This could be a park bench, an empty room, or even your office. Close your eyes, and breathe slowly and deeply to calm down.

Step 2: Choose Your Setting

Once you feel relaxed, picture yourself in the most peaceful environment that you can imagine. This can be an imaginary place, or a memory of a place or time that has a special meaning to you.

The scene that you imagine is highly personal and should ideally be one that you feel emotionally drawn to. However, if you’re having trouble thinking of an image, consider using the following:

Relaxing on a sunny tropical beach, listening to the waves, and digging your toes into the sand.
Curling up in an armchair in a remote cabin, surrounded by mountains and snow, and relaxing in front of a fire with a cup of hot cocoa.
Going on a picnic with your family in your favorite secret spot.
Sitting by a waterfall deep in the forest, feeling the gentle moisture against your face, and listening to the birds.
It’s important to remember that imagery’s effectiveness relies on using all your senses.

For instance, don’t just imagine yourself in the remote mountain cabin. In your imagination, look around you. Pay attention to the rustic feel of the room. Feel the fire’s warmth against your skin, and inhale the musky, earthy scent of the wood’s smoke. Touch the cozy blanket, taste the sweet hot chocolate, and look out of the window at the deer finding food in the snow outside. Experience the feeling of having nothing else to do but eat, read, and go snowshoeing.

Your goal is to immerse yourself fully in the scene: this includes what you can see, taste, touch, and smell, as well as how you feel. The more details that you can include in your imagery, the more effective this technique will be.

Tip:

Keep in mind that when you first begin to use imagery, it might feel strange, and you may have difficulty immersing yourself fully in your imagined scene. With practice, this will get easier; your imagination will get stronger, and you’ll be able to enter a relaxed state more quickly.
Step 3: Relax

Stay in your relaxed scene for as long as you feel comfortable, or as long as your schedule allows. Continue breathing deeply, and try not to let any outside thoughts intrude.

When you’re ready to leave, sit quietly, and let your mind turn back to the situation at hand. You’ll now feel much more relaxed, in control, and ready to tackle your challenges.

Key Points
Guided imagery is a useful technique for managing stress and coping with difficult situations. In this technique, you imagine a scene, time, or place that is peaceful and that has an emotional connection with you.

Step 1: Find a quiet place.
Step 2: Choose your setting. Imagine yourself there, use all of your senses to immerse yourself in the experience, and include as many details as possible.
Step 3: Relax, for as long as your schedule allows you to.

Keep in mind that imagery is most effective when you use all your senses. The more details that you can include in your imagined scene, the easier it will be to relax.

Warning:

Stress can cause severe health problems and, in extreme cases, it can cause death. While stress management techniques have been shown to have a positive effect on reducing stress, they are for guidance only, and readers should take the advice of suitably qualified health professionals if they have any concerns over stress-related illnesses, or if stress is causing significant or persistent unhappiness.

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2014′ FDA Drug Safety Communications

2014 Drug Safety Communications

FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA reporting mental health drug ziprasidone (Geodon) associated with rare but potentially fatal skin reactions
12/11/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about case of rare brain infection PML with MS drug Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)
11/25/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA reviews long-term antiplatelet therapy as preliminary trial data shows benefits but a higher risk of non-cardiovascular death
11/16/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA approves label changes for asthma drug Xolair (omalizumab), including describing slightly higher risk of heart and brain adverse events
9/26/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA recommends not using lidocaine to treat teething pain and requires new Boxed Warning
6/26/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of rare but serious hypersensitivity reactions with certain over-the-counter topical acne products
6/25/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA review of cardiovascular risks for diabetics taking hypertension drug olmesartan not conclusive; label updates required
6/24/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns that cancer drug docetaxel may cause symptoms of alcohol intoxication after treatment
6/20/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of next-day impairment with sleep aid Lunesta (eszopiclone) and lowers recommended dose
5/15/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA study of Medicare patients finds risks lower for stroke and death but higher for gastrointestinal bleeding with Pradaxa (dabigatran) compared to warfarin
5/13/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA requires label changes to warn of rare but serious neurologic problems after epidural corticosteroid injections for pain
4/23/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA clarifies Warning about Pediatric Use of Revatio (sildenafil) for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
3/31/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA approves label changes for antibacterial Doribax (doripenem) describing increased risk of death for ventilator patients with pneumonia
3/6/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA to review heart failure risk with diabetes drug saxagliptin (marketed as Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR)
2/11/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA evaluating risk of stroke, heart attack and death with FDA-approved testosterone products
1/31/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of possible harm from exceeding recommended dose of over-the-counter sodium phosphate products to treat constipation
1/8/2014

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“Emotional Intelligence”

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE:

Emotion holds an over-arching control on humanity.
All decisions are monitored with regards to anger, happiness, boredom, or sheer frustration; how often, for example, have you chosen to watch a particular movie because you were sad? How often have you gone on vacation out of frustration of your daily grind lifestyle? You are a slave to your emotions. They are as much a part of us as your skeleton, as your kidneys and liver.

Your emotions are complex, psychological, involving three segments: a psychological response, a subjective experience, and an expressive, occasionally behavioral response. The subjective experience refers to the fact that people all over the world- regardless of their particular culture-experience the same basic emotions. However, these basic emotions have a highly subjective range of experience. Therefore, sadness means something different for everyone, besides the fact that it is a very basic human response to something upsetting.

Your psychological response is precisely what it sounds like, of course. When your stomach flutters with anxiety, when your heart beats rapidly, you are experiencing psychological responses to your emotions. Research shows that the amygdala, a portion of the brain, triggers these reactions as it enacts a very big role in the formation of emotions, most notably, in the formation of fear. Your behavior response, on the other hand, is your very particular expression of your emotion.

You enact your emotions and show them on your sleeve so often, as the expression goes. These expressions can be universal, like a smile indicating happiness; alternately, they can be cultural.

This expression of emotion is precisely what emotional intelligence is concerned with. Your ability to understand other people’s emotional expression is your emotional intelligence; some researchers state that your emotional intelligence is actually more important than your IQ.

After all, with a proper emotional intelligence, you can interact with people from all over the world. You can parse through any conversation because you understand, essentially what the other person is feeling. You can read them like an open book. Therefore emotional intelligence is like a map to the world.

1. Perceiving Emotions:
The initial step on the road to emotional intelligence is having the ability to correctly perceive emotions. This generally involves picking up on nonverbal clues like facial expression and body language and having the ability to assess what these things mean.

2. Reasoning and Thinking with Regards to These Emotions:
This step requires the utilization of emotions in order to promote cognitive activity. Through emotions, you can begin to prioritize the things you are paying attention to; you can garner your emotions with regards to the things that gain your attention.

3. Comprehending Emotions:
In this step you will look at your emotions a little bit closer. Each emotion carries a plethora of meaning. For example, if you see someone with angry emotions you must understand precisely where this anger came from and what this might mean for the person and for your surroundings. If in this example,, your friend is acting angry, he could be angry with something you sad last night; alternately, he could be angry because he got a speeding ticket or finds himself in a fight with his girlfriend.

The meaning behind different people’s emotions is incredibly varied, and it’s best not to any conclusions. Furthermore, you must begin to comprehend your own emotions. When you feel a certain way, you must diagnose where those feelings came from. What triggers you? This can help you understand yourself a little better.

4.
Managing Emotions:
You must begin to manage and regulate your emotions. Through this, you can begin to respond appropriately to your emotions and the emotions of others. This is the true high-level focus of emotional intelligence. You must have the ability to apply your perceptions of the world……………………

Jan McAvoy

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