Mental Development of Children with ADHD

Researchers are using a new image analysis technique to identify the density of the cortex in the brains of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A National Institutes of Health study found that children with ADHD have thinner areas in the cortex compared to children without the disorder. These cortex areas control thinking, planning, and attention.

The good news is that these children will probably outgrow the behaviors that come with ADHD. The research shows that the brains of children with ADHD mature in a normal progression just at a slower rate. For example, a child who has a healthy brain might achieve maturity in these regions at age 7, while a child with ADHD might not until they recieve age 10.

UnitedHealth Group's Pending Settlement

The New York Times published an article on January 15, 2009 titled UnitedHealth Settlement Near, but Faces a Potest. In the article the author, Reed Abelson, writes about how UnitedHealth has come to a settlement price of $350 millions for several class action lawsuits pending against them for not paying enough money or " reasonable and customary" rates for patients that use their coverage out of network.

The computer software that UnitedHealth had used to calculate the amount to pay toward claims and doctor reimbursement was significantly under estimating health care true market value. "Insurers typically agree to pay 70 to 80 percent of the 'reasonable and customary' local market rate for out-of-network medical services. A n investigation by Mr. Cuomo's office concluded that the database had understated the true market rates of medical care up to 28 percent.

Got a question about health insurance, ask me, the Insurance Guy, from Gizmo Health Insurance. visti www.Gizmohealth.com or call 1-312-884-5150.

Healthcare Spending Grows as Prescription Drug Use Tapers

The overall cost of health insurance and healthcare related expenses has grown signfically over the last decade. The Associated Press "...attributes the slowdown to consumers increasingly using 'generic drugs instead of brand-names to fill their medicine cabinets,' noting that use of generic drugs increased from 63 percent to 67 percent in 2007." With our current economic situation, consumers are looking to cut back on the medical expenses anyway possible. Most are switching their current coveage to higher deductibles and/ or using generic drugs instead of brandname.

Americans are nervious about the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and what the new adminstration can being to the table. There is a clear picture of the underlying problem Obama, and lawmakers "must resolve" because the "healthcare speading continues to escalate at a faster rate than the economy and than workers' wages. The question that is on the mind of all Americans now, is if the bailout money is going to be around when the issue of re-structure the healthcare industry. Call a Gizmo Health representative at 1-312-884-5150 or visit our website at www.Gizmohealth.com.

BMI: Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight which applies to both men and women. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool that compares your height to weight and gives you an indication of whether you are overweight or at a healthy weight for your height.

BMI = ((Weight in Pounds) / (Height in inches) * (Height in inches)) *703

or

BMI = (Weight in Kilograms) / (Height in Meters) * (Height in Meters)

BMI is an important factor in determining your overall health risk. BMI provides an estimate of the degree to which you may be over or underweight. BMI as it relates to health insurance is important because the insurance carriers look that this indicator to judge your health status. A health insurance carrier can adjust the initial premium amount of your policy, if they think you fall outside the bell curve of the Body Mass Index (BMI) chart.

A Gizmo Health representative can help you calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and the apparent associated with having a high or low BMI reading. Please visit our website, www.Gizmohealth.com for more information on quotes for individual and group health insurance coverage.

Cobra: Continuation of Coverage

COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which was established in 1985. This act included a provision which allowed employees and their dependents to continue their existing health insurance coverage through their previous employer. This act allowed the terminated employee to temporarily continue their work-based plan until they found individual coverage or other employment.

COBRA applies to work-based health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees. COBRA is a continuation of your existing policy which means that the cost is exactly the same. The difference is that your previous employer is not paying your portion anymore or subsidizing your premium amount. You are paying the full premium amount plus a 2% administrative fee.

COBRA coverage can last for 18 months to 36 months, depending on the reason for termination. For example, if you are the employee's spouse and lose coverage due to a divorce or legal separation, you are eligible for 36 months of COBRA. For a complete list of "qualifying events, " please call a Gizmo Health representative at 1-312-884-5150 or visit http://www.gizmohealth.com.