No Health Insurance? There Is Help and Hope!

Thanks to: http://www.healthcare-information-guide.com for this article. 

No Health Insurance?

There Is Help and Hope!

"What to do if you have no health insurance but still need medical care".... This subject is very near and dear to my heart.

As a nurse, I know how important it is to do whatever you have to do to stay healthy. Neglecting to stay on top of a "small" medical condition like a simple cough that won't seem to go away can turn into a life-threatening pneumonia.

But I also know that paying for medical care is very expensive. When you have to decide whether to pay for your blood pressure pills verses food for your family or gas for your car, trying to do the right thing can become blurred.

There is hope!

There are a growing number of assistance programs to help those with no health insurance, or those who need assistance paying their premiums or co-payments. Hopefully, the resources and recommendations provided here will help make the decision to stay on top of your health clearer and easier.

• CoverageforAll.org provides a state-by-state directory which answers many of your insurance questions and provides contact information. Some of the topics it addresses include considerations with COBRA and if alternatives are better for your circumstances, determining eligibility in programs based on the Federal Poverty Level, are you and your family eligible for Medicaid, how to apply for children's healthcare coverage and more.
  To find out more go to: http://coverageforall.org/resources.



• If you have children but have no health insurance, Insure Kids Now is a wonderful resource.
  Insure Kids Now is a state and Federal government program which provides medical, dental and psychological care for children through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  Their website includes how to apply for coverage, finding healthcare providers in your area and more. To learn more, go to their website at www.insurekidsnow.gov or to find how to apply for coverage go to http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/state/index.html.



• In 1993, legislation was passed to allow states to create a safety net for individuals who had been, or could be, denied healthcare coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Many states now have their own High Risk Pool (http://www.naschip.org/states_pools.htm) for those with no health insurance or those who are facing high insurance costs due to pre-existing conditions.
  States contract with major insurance carriers to manage the high risk pool programs and offer plans that are similar to individual policies offered by these carriers. You can even choose your own deductible.
  The plans are created to be affordable while providing you with comprehensive healthcare coverage.
  To see if your state participates in the High Risk Pool program you can go tohttp://www.naschip.org/states_pools.htm or, to learn more about the High Risk Pool program you can go to: http://www.naschip.org/portal/.



• Free clinics are also an option if you have limited health coverage or no health insurance. The United States Department of Health and Human Resources provides a list of free clinics in your area. To find a health center in your area go to:http://www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/index.html. If you are a member of a federally-recognized American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, services are also available through the Indian Health Service.


• No health insurance? This is not a problem for most urgent care facilities. Most facilities are able to offer cash paying patient 20% off of their services and will work with you to provide you with the care you need.
  Some urgent care facilities will offer a family package. Your package would include basic exams plus any urgent care you or your family may have throughout the year.
  My husband and I have been very impressed with the compassion and high quality care provided by the urgent care facilities near our home.
  Check with your local urgent care provider to see what they have to offer.



• Nonprofit hospitals must provide you with emergency medical care regardless of your ability to pay. Often times these facilities are able to write off a certain portion of your bill and/or help you set up low payment plans if you are able to provide them with proof of your income.
  Some physicians may be willing to negotiate a lower rate for uninsured, cash-paying patients. This website, written by 2 doctors, should give you good reason to ask for a lower rate if you have no health insurance. It's becoming more widely known about the disparity in the charges for healthcare costs for those with insurance and those without.
  Whether you are negotiating rates with a lab or healthcare provider, the Healthcare Blue Bookis a wonderful resource to help you determine the cost of medical services in your area. Having an idea of how much things cost can help you with your negotiations. The Healthcare Blue Book includes the cost of basic labs, dental services and more.
  For a percentage of your bill, you can hire a medical negotiating company to assist you in evaluating whether or not you have been over-charged and help you with the negotiating process.
  If you would prefer to use one of these agencies or you just want to see what they have to offer, you can find a list of medical negotiation companies at www.billadvocates.com.



• There are more and more financial assistance programs available to those with no health insurance in need of help with dental care, prescription coverage, medical care, mental health needs, and even vision.
  I have listed quite a few resources located at the bottom of this page and will continue to add to them as I find more and more.
  If you would like to find some resources on your own and share them with others, you can Google® "patient assistance programs".
  Don't forget that Schools of Dentistry and Medical Schools can often provide you with free care!
  Some church organizations can also be a resource for individuals in need of counseling and support.



• Prescription assistance and numerous $4 generic drug programs are popping up everywhere! The $4 generic drug programs are available to those without healthcare or those without prescription coverage on their health plan. Some of the bigger $4 programs include Target, Kroger, Safe-way and Sam's Club/Wal-Mart.
  Many of the larger pharmacies such as CVS, Target, Walgreens and others offer American Automobile Association club members (AAA) prescription discounts.
  RxAssistance (www.rxassist.org) is run by pharmaceutical companies. The program provides free medications to those who cannot otherwise afford their prescription drugs.
  Other prescription programs include: RxHope (www.Rxhope.com), NeedyMeds (www.needymeds.org) and RxOutreach Assistance Program for Discount Prescription Drugs (www.rxoutreach.com).
  Many pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, and Merck also provide patient assistance programs. You can always check with the pharmaceutical manufacturer of brand name drugs to learn more about their programs for those with no health insurance, or if you need help with health coverage.
  While we are all facing challenging times, the good news is, with the growing number of assistance programs available your health does not have to suffer!



• Older Americans with no health insurance can check for those resources and long-term care benefits and help with paying for food at BenefitsCheckup.org and Eldercare.gov.

Resources

www.naschip.org/states_pools.htm The National Association of State Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans provides this link for a state-by-state break down. If you would like to know more about the high risk program you can go to their site at www.naschip.org.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/financialassistance.html The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and National Institute of Health is a great "one-stop shopping" site which provides you with links for Medicaid, Children's health assistance programs, disease-specific assistance and more.

http://www.nmha.org/ go to the "Affiliate Search" section of Mental Health America's website to find treatment, support groups and a host of other resources available to low income individuals or individuals with no health insurance who find themselves in need of counseling or support.

http://www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/index.html The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides a link to help you find a community health center in your area. Your local community health center can help address not only you physical, but your mental health issues as well.

http://www.thebody.com/index/hotlines/other.html The Body provides a state-by-state directory of resources available to those with HIV.

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/financialhelp/ The National Kidney and Urological Disease Information Clearing House provides listings of patient assistance programs (PAP's) for those with kidney disease who are in need of medical and prescription coverage in addition to links to Medicare and Medicaid.

http://www.needymeds.org/ Needy Meds is a non-profit organization which provides resources forthose who cannot afford medical care or prescriptions. Their website provides links to SCHIP, Medicaid, patient advocacy groups and other programs.

http://www.pparx.org/en/prescription_assistance_programs Partnership for Prescription Assistanceprovides links to co-payment programs in addition to links for financial assistance for prescription medications.

http://www.1dental.com/v2/ Carington Dental Plan provides affordable dental, vision and prescription coverage.

I was happy to see that there are quite a few dentists who are participating in this program including my dentist! HURRAY! Now I can get my teeth taken care of too!

www.freeclinics.us The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) provides a list of free clinicsthroughout the United States.

http://www.eyecareamerica.org/ Eye Care America provides links for resources (financial assistance and more) for seniors, patients with diabetes, glaucoma, medication assistance and more for those withvision care needs.

http://www.aoa.org/visionusa.xml Vision USA is another organization which helps provide eye care to those who do not qualify for Medicaid.

http://insurekidsnow.gov/index.html You can go directly to the website for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to learn more about the program including how to apply for dental and medical care for your child.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/12/ep.health.insurance.help/index.html CNN has provided a wonderful article entitled "No Health Insurance? Get help here" This is a wonderful article which provides ideas on ways you can lower your healthcare costs if you have limited coverage or no health insurance.

http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/ HealthWell Foundation is a non-profit organization that assiststhose with insurance who are unable to afford their co-payments.

www.familywize.com FamilyWiz is a non-profit organization that provides free prescription discount cards. The cards can be used by those with no health insurance, and for those with healthcare coverage during deductible. This site will tell you more about the program and where to find the cards!

www.copays.org Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Co-Pay Relief (CPR) program providesfinancial assistance for those who meet the medical and financial qualifications. PAF covers a vast array of healthcare conditions. Go to their website to see if you qualify.

www.gooddaysfromcdf.org Chronic Disease Fund (CDF) is a non-profit organization which providesfinancial assistance to those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma and much more.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/financial/#financialsources The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) provides information about sources for financial assistance for complementary and alternative medicine.

http://www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/health/health_care/complementary_and_alternative_medicineThe National Resource Directory provides you with links to free complementary and alternative (CAM) care if you are a veteran or have cancer. It also provides other valuable resources such as caregiver and family supports. This is definitely a site you will want to bookmark!

http://consumeraction.gov/insurance.shtml The Consumer Action Website is an absolute treasure chest of information!! It not only provides you with information on how and where to file a complaint against a healthcare provider but it also provides you with information on how to select a physician and hospital. I have placed this link in several areas of my website just because I think it is such a great find! I hope you will think so too!

PriceDoc is a service in which the consumer pays out of pocket but at a reduced rate, much like popular travel sites in which you can negotiate pricing for the services that you need. The benefit to you is that the services will be at a lower cost than normal; the benefit to the provider is that they can fill in gaps in their appointment schedules. The down side for you is that the services have to be paid out of pocket; the providers are therefore paid directly and in full. See their "About Us" page for further details. This could be another solution if you have no health insurance, but take into consideration its benefits and drawbacks.

Islets of Hope provides an extensive list of resources for persons with diabetes, including state-by-state resources, Canadian and New Zealand resources, charitable and private resources (including those for pump supplies), etc. An extensive source, especially if you have no health insurance and are trying to pay for diabetic supplies.

An additional page of resources can be found at 'Insurance Resources', which provides links to other organizations and government agencies.

No compensation was received from any of the websites included on this page. They are provided for information purposes only. 

How to Have Your First Lucid Dream

So you want to learn how to have your first lucid dream? Join the party! You have - rest assured - come to the right place.

Whether you've dabbled in lucid dreaming without success, or have just recently discovered this wonderful mental skill and want to get started ASAP, I'm here to take you by the hand and show you exactly how it's done...

3 Ways to Trigger Your First Lucid Dream

Today's quick-start guide will cover some of the essentials.

First, commit yourself to learning this incredible new skill.

You'll be very lucky to start lucid dreaming the first day you hear about it (although it happens, thanks to the power of subconscious incubation).

Most people need to start with some background reading and mentally prepare themselves. This website is a good place to start.

A very simple 3-step plan for beginners to get going is to:

1. Write down at least one dream in your dream journal each morning
2. Perform at least 10 reality checks throughout the waking day
3. Do at least 20 minutes of mindful meditation, day or night

Ok, I'm really skimping on the details. There's a lot more you need to know.

But so many people ask me for the most direct route to lucid dreams - and let's face it, you've got to start somewhere. This is the best place.

For most people, those are the basic minimum steps to start lucid dreaming, because they systematically train your mind to:

• Remember more dreams, more vividly
• Become more self-aware (observant of your reality)
• Incubate your desire to recognize when you're dreaming

Other techniques I recommend will train you to:

• Pre-program specific dream content and themes
• Visualize your way to a lucid dream from waking
• Recognize dream signs that trigger lucidity
• Adjust your sleep habits for more lucid encounters
• Induce lucid dreams via "out-of-body" experiences

A Dream Herb to Stimulate Lucidity

I often call dream herbs and supplements as the lazy man's way to lucid dreams. That's because they don't require any mental training, but they can produce wildly vivid and tangible dreams, which more easily become lucid.

My favorite dream herb for beginners is called Calea Zacatechichi - available here from Amazon.

This dream herb was discovered by Mexican shamans to induce vivid and meaningful dreams. These are leagues apart from your regular dreams.

In one of my favorite Calea Z dreams, I lived an alien life that seemed to last for years, and followed complex and dramatic plots involving many characters. It was an amazing experience. Such dreams can be completely normal or out-of-this-world... they are intense and seem so real, that's why I enjoy them.

Calea Z may well lead you to your first lucid dream. That's because the "realness" will trigger you to recognize that you're dreaming. It stirs the conscious brain and creates instant lucidity. Even if not, such dreams can certainly give you a taste of what an intensely vivid dream life can be like.

For more on this dream herb, see my Calea Z review.

The First Thing to Do

When you realize that you're dreaming -- while dreaming -- it's important to stabilize your lucid dream using a few simple techniques:

• Look at the palms of your hands and study the details
• Rub your hands together and feel the friction
• Say out loud "I'm dreaming!" or "Clarity now!"
• Spin around and feel the sensation of movement

There is a method to this madness. Each of these techniques stir the higher conscious brain in one way or another. And that is the switch that will turn your half-lucid dream into a full blown lucid experience.

What Else to Do in Your First Lucid Dream

Once you have stabilized yourself within your first lucid dream, it's important to stay calm and simply explore your environment.

Generally speaking, don't try to do anything too fancy too soon, like teleport to the moon. It could prove too exciting and cause you to wake up.

So initially just walk or float around, touch nearby objects, and soak up the atmosphere. Relish the fact that your fuzzy internal dream has just been transformed into a living, tangible virtual reality.

This will help you stay in your first lucid dream for as long as possible.

Just had your first lucid dream? Share it in our lucid dream forums.

Native American Lore #6: How The Fly Saved The River

Many, many years ago when the world was new, there was a beautiful river. Fish in great numbers lived in this river, and its water was so pure and sweet that all the animals came there to drink.

A giant moose heard about the river and he too came there to drink. But he was so big, and he drank so much, that soon the water began to sink lower and lower.

The beavers were worried. The water around their lodges was disappearing. Soon their homes would be destroyed.

The muskrats were worried, too. What would they do if the water vanished? How could they live?

The fish were very worried. The other animals could live on land if the water dried up, but they couldn't.

All the animals tried to think of a way to drive the moose from the river, but he was so big that they were too afraid to try. Even the bear was afraid of him.

At last the fly said he would try to drive the moose away. All the animals laughed and jeered. How could a tiny fly frighten a giant moose? The fly said nothing, but that day, as soon as the moose appeared, he went into action.

He landed on the moose's foreleg and bit sharply. The moose stamped his foot harder, and each time he stamped, the ground sank and the water rushed in to fill it up. Then the fly jumped about all over the moose, biting and biting and biting until the moose was in a frenzy. He dashed madly about the banks of the river, shaking his head, stamping his feet, snorting and blowing, but he couldn't get rid of that pesky fly. At last the moose fled from the river, and didn't come back.

The fly was very proud of his achievement, and boasted to the other animals, "Even the small can fight the strong if they use their brains to think."

---

Ojibway - an explanation:

The tribes called "Chippewa" (a corruption of Ojibway, itself not the native name) generally call themselves Anishnabeg people. This linguistic/ethnic/cultural group, which is located around the Great Lakes in the U.S. and Canada, is comprised of many tribes and reserves--most of these defined by modern (that is 19th century) treaties with the respective governments of the U.S. and Canada.

NASA Predicts Alien Life Discovery Within 20 Years

According to a NASA rep, in 20 years, we just might be able to answer the question, “Is there intelligent life out there?”

NASA scientists confirmed that evidence of extraterrestrial life may be discovered within 20 years, in an announcement at its Washington headquarters this week. The space agency predicted that over 100 million planets in our galaxy could support life, suggesting that extraterrestrial life is possible to exist in any of these planets.

Meanwhile, Matt Mountain of the Space telescope Science Institute, explores the possibility of one day discovering an alien civilization within the timeframe given by NASA,” Just imagine the moment, when we find potential signatures of life. Imagine the moment when the world wakes up and the human race realizes that its long loneliness in time and space may be over – the possibility we’re no longer alone in the universe.”

“What we didn’t know five years ago is that perhaps 10 to 20 per cent of stars around us have Earth-size planets in the habitable zone. It’s within our grasp to pull off a discovery that will change the world forever.”

According to NASA administrator, Charles Bolden on possible life beyond earth, “I would venture to say that most of my colleagues here today say it is improbable that in the limitless vastness of the universe we humans stand alone.”   

Child star Skye McCole dies aged 21

Actress Skye McColl, who has been found dead Photo: WireImage

Actress Skye McCole Bartusiak, who portrayed Mel Gibson's young daughter 

in the 2000 film The Patriot, died in her Houston home, her mother said Sunday.

 She was 21.

Helen Bartusiak said she tried to resuscitate her daughter but could not. She said the actress had been healthy and did not drink or do drugs and the family did not yet know a cause of death.

Bartusiak made her acting debut in the television miniseries Storm of the Century in 1999 and also had a role on 24 in 2002-2003.

She made her film debut in the The Cider House Rules in 1999 and starred with Michael Douglas in Don't Say a Word in 2001. Her most recent move was Sick Boy in 2012.

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Bartusiak was best known for her role in Gibson's Revolutionary War epic The Patriot, where she played the daughter of militia leader Benjamin Martin who struggles to speak with her father.

"The Patriot" cast also included Heath Ledger, who died after an accidental overdose of painkillers and sedatives in 2008.

James Garner, TV Star, Dies Aged 86

James Garner of the TV program 'Maverick' arrives at the Emmy Awards with his wife, Lois Clarke, in 1958. Associated Press

James Garner, who died Saturday at the age of 86, was the ultimate affable man of action.

Although he appeared in over 40 films and was nominated for an Oscar for his star turn in "Murphy's Romance"—a 1985 comedy about a small-town love story in which he co-starred with Sally Field —Mr. Garner made his greatest impact on the small screen, first as the star of the western series "Maverick" and then as detective Jim Rockford on "The Rockford Files."

He was found dead of natural causes Saturday at his home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, police said.

His film career included such gold-plated projects as "The Great Escape," "The Children's Hour" and "The Americanization of Emily," plus two smash comedies with Doris Day —"The Thrill of It All" and "Move Over, Darling."

James Garner in 1989 Associated Press

Matthew Weiner, creator of the TV show "Mad Men," said the character of ad executive Don Draper was inspired by Mr. Garner. "The characters he played were always a little cynical but had at their wounded core the heart of a Boy Scout," Mr. Weiner said.

Mr. Garner was born James Scott Bumgarner, although some references say Baumgarner, in Norman, Okla. He left home at 14 and worked as a chauffeur for a traveling salesman. Later he moved to Los Angeles where he pumped gas and installed carpets, taking time out to serve in the Army in the Korean War.

He became an actor more or less by accident, when a friend who had become a stage producer got him a nonspeaking role in the Broadway production of "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial." After a few small TV roles, Mr. Garner signed a studio contract with Warner Bros. in 1956. The studio shortened his name and cast him in "Sayonara," an Army romance set in Japan. The film starred Marlon Brando and the two young actors struck up a friendship.

In 1957 the ABC network, desperate to compete on ratings-rich Sunday night, scheduled "Maverick" against CBS's CBS -0.94% powerhouse "The Ed Sullivan Show" and NBC's "The Steve Allen Show." ''Maverick" soon outpolled them both.

At a time when the networks were crowded with hard-eyed, traditional Western heroes, Bret Maverick provided a fresh breath of air. With his sardonic tone and his eagerness to talk his way out of a squabble rather than pull out his six-shooter, the con-artist Westerner seemed to scoff at the genre's values.

"I don't know what it is about people," he once said in an interview. "They like to see me get whipped."

The series not only launched Mr. Garner, but also helped popularize the word "maverick," which previously was a mainly Texas slang for stray cattle. When Warner's writers went on strike in 1960, the studio stopped paying Mr. Garner, who sued for breach of contract and won.

Mr. Garner returned to television in 1974 in what became his signature role, Jim Rockford—a downtrodden everyman who lived in a mobile home in a parking lot by the beach in Malibu, and took on a new case each week. The series ran six seasons, produced by Mr. Garner's company, and has been in syndication since.

In the late 1980s Mr. Garner sued Universal for $21 million for withholding syndication payments on "Rockford Files." He received an out-of-court settlement.

Well into his 70s, he remained active in both TV and film. In 2002, he was Sandra Bullock's father in the film "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." In 2003, he joined the cast of "8 Simple Rules…For Dating My Teenage Daughter," playing the grandfather on the sitcom after star John Ritter, who played the father, died during the show's second season.

Mr. Garner portrayed tycoon F. Ross Johnson in the 1993 TV movie "Barbarians at the Gate." He played a supporting role as a marshal in the 1994 "Maverick," a big-screen return to the TV series with Mel Gibson in Mr. Garner's old title role. When he received the Screen Actors Guild's lifetime achievement award in 2005, he quipped, "I'm not at all sure how I got here."

But in his 2011 memoir, "The Garner Files," he provided some amusing and enlightening clues, including his penchant for bluntly expressed opinions and a practice for decking people who said something nasty to his face—including an obnoxious fan and an abusive stepmother. They all deserved it, Mr. Garner declared in his book.

In 1957, Mr. Garner married TV actress Lois Clarke, and the union prevailed despite some stormy patches. In the late 1990s, they built a 12,000-square-foot house on a 400-acre ranch north of Santa Barbara.

An outspoken liberal, Mr. Garner was quoted in news reports as chastising John McCain for calling himself a maverick in his 2008 presidential run. "I never said any of those things," Mr. Garner wrote in his memoir. He added: "But I wish I had."

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Taking some time off..  Be back soon.
Mian