New Medicare regulations allow for annual “end-of-life” counseling as part of the annual wellness check-up covered by Medicare as of January 1, 2011.  This end-of-life counseling, covered in Section 1233 of the Healthcare Reform Bill passed by the House, but not included in the final bill signed into law by President Obama, is the section of the Healthcare Reform Bill dubbed ‘Death Panels’ by opponents of the bill.  Since most Americans still indicate that they oppose the Healthcare Reform Bill, writing this provision into the new regulations, rather than include it in the bill, is an attempt to circumvent the political process, and the will of the people.  Politics aside, what are the ramifications of this regulation to the Medicare Provider?

New Medicare regulations allow for annual “end-of-life” counseling as part of the annual wellness check-up covered by Medicare as of January 1, 2011.  This end-of-life counseling, covered in Section 1233 of the Healthcare Reform Bill passed by the House, but not included in the final bill signed into law by President Obama, is the section of the Healthcare Reform Bill dubbed ‘Death Panels’ by opponents of the bill.  Since most Americans still indicate that they oppose the Healthcare Reform Bill, writing this provision into the new regulations, rather than include it in the bill, is an attempt to circumvent the political process, and the will of the people.  Politics aside, what are the ramifications of this regulation to the Medicare Provider?

The laser (Light Amplified Stimulated Emission of Radiation) recently had its 50th birthday. As an interesting historical twist, this technology was first called Light Oscillated Stimulated Emission of Radiation or “Loser”. This was never going to work, so the name was quickly changed to Laser. It’s a good thing, because Laser Therapy is a winner! I can tell you from personal clinical experience. Over two years I have had the opportunity to treat dozens of different conditions with Laser Therapy with remarkable success.

There are several changes in Medicare, which are required by the Healthcare Reform Bill, which took effect on January 1, 2011.   These changes largely affect the amount paid by Medicare for Medicare participants for drugs and doctors’ services.  Here is a brief recap of the changes which occurred on January 1, 2011:

Semantics?  Or is there a tangible difference between the two words and professions?

The dictionary claims that there is difference between the two words, then later says that the two are interchangeable, at least in the US.  So which one are you?

A physician (technically speaking) is a person skilled or involved with ‘physic’.  Physic is an old French word for ‘art of healing’ or’ natural science’.  The suffix ‘ician also from the old French and refers to the person skilled in a profession, and now refers to an occupation.  Therefore a ‘Physician’ is a person skilled in the occupation of healing or natural science.  Does this describe you?