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Value-based Care, Aligning Incentives, Changing Patient Engagement

Providers are busy… operators need to boost visit volume and close value-based care gaps… staff are tired.

Have you considered support to complete comprehensive visits for your patients, even the hard-to-reach or not currently seen this year?

EasyHealth’s aim is to promote better clinical outcomes in value-based care through completing comprehensive clinical profiles.

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Value-based care aligns incentives for operators and providers —

Better patient care leading to improved clinical outcomes becomes capital for providers. Value-based care is designed to change the incentives driving our actions.

This vlog post introduces you to value-based care and how it lets providers take equity and capture returns in patients’ health.

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The Old Model: Fee-for-Service Care

The old model of healthcare is called fee-for-service healthcare. Under this model, providers are paid for each service or item that they provide. This means the more services patients need, the better it is for healthcare providers who get to make money off of patient care instead of providing quality care.

The fee-for-service system has been widely criticized by health insurance companies and other stakeholders in today’s medical world. David Duel is the founder and CEO of the 400-person medicare platform EasyHealth, which has established its place in the healthcare industry through technological innovations and efficiently combining healthcare and insurance services. David Duel explains, “Under the fee-for-service model, medical providers end up making more money when patients are sicker. This means hospitals and health systems are incentivized to treat patients when they’re sick, not perform wellness checks and screenings to make sure they never get sick in the first place.”

What Is Value-Based Care

Value-based healthcare providers are paid for outcomes rather than services, so they need to focus on providing better health outcomes and not just performing medical procedures or prescribing medications. This aligns healthcare provider incentives so both the patient and the healthcare provider are incentivized to keep the patient healthy in the first place.

In the past, providers were paid for all of the services they provided. Now, doctors and hospitals are paid a flat fee per patient or bundled payment that is related to specific medical procedures. This way, providers make money when patients stay healthy instead of providing more healthcare services in an effort to keep patients well enough to return again and spend even more money on care.

Value-Based Care for Health Insurance Providers and Policymakers

Health insurance companies have been slow adopters of value-based healthcare because it means less revenue since they’re only paying out a lump sum versus charging premiums each month. However, health insurance companies can use data from provider organizations’ yearly outcome reports so they know which plans provide better outcomes at lower costs before deciding who to insure.

Policymakers are also looking at value-based healthcare as a way to lower costs for everyone, including patients who are currently paying out of pocket or are insured through government programs. Payers can use data from Provider organizations’ yearly outcome reports to see which plans provide better outcomes and charge premiums accordingly.

Value-Based Care for Health Insurance Companies

David Duel adds, “Health insurance companies should be the early adopters of value-based care since they’re getting paid less, but their risk is decreased because they know that provider organizations have good underlying health metrics before insuring them.” This means providers will want to keep patient populations healthy so claims don’t go up too much each year and payers won’t drop them due to poor performance on quality measures.

Why Are Some Doctors Hesitant to Adopt Value-Based Care?

Some doctors are hesitant to adopt value-based care because they worry about getting lumped into the same category as hospitals or providers who have had poor performance in quality measures. This means that patients may not want to go where the most money is being spent, even if it’s a high-quality facility.

The good news is that by looking at outcome data from individual procedures and medical cases, payers can see which provider organizations perform well on certain metrics before deciding whether or not they should be insured. Providers will also need to make sure their financials look great so insurance companies don’t start charging them more for new policies based on poor results over time instead of one bad year.

Value-Based Care Is Here to Stay

Value-based care is here to stay because it’s a better way for patient outcomes and healthcare providers’ incentives are aligned. Payers will want the best results from provider organizations so they can insure them, while doctors and hospitals have an incentive to keep patients healthy instead of prescribing medications or performing procedures if something goes wrong with their health.

For more info on EasyHealth and David Duel, see : Medicare startup EasyHealth gets $135M in series A to fill information gaps

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Dental Malpractice Attorneys See Increase in Dental Implant Nerve Injuries

Blog submitted by Dane Levy Attorney of www.Dentalmal.com. When you need a dental malpractice attorney in California, please call Dane Levy for assistance.

Dental implants have become super popular all over the US. That’s because they offer patients the ability to get new teeth where old ones have been lost. The reality is that many of us don’t practice good dental hygiene. As children we don’t always get those early dental appointments. This can lead to a lifetime of problems with our teeth.

Often, by the time someone is thirty years old, they have lost several permanent teeth and have fillings in several more. Dental implants give you the opportunity to get those teeth back. They are just like real teeth. The dentist will take x-rays of your teeth and gums. Then he will put together a plan to install dental implants in those places where you need them.

When the big day comes, the dentist must drill down into your gums and jawbone in order to insert the base for your new tooth. Once this is done, the new tooth is screwed into place. It becomes a permanent part of your mouth and looks exactly like a real tooth.

In most cases, things go according to plan. But sometimes the dentist makes mistakes. They drill incorrectly or damage vital tissue in your mouth. This can lead to the patient having years of pain and discomfort. If this has happened to you, then contact dental malpractice attorneys in your area for a free consultation.

Dane Levy, California dental malpractice lawyer, can provide more dental malpractice information. As highly skilled dental malpractice attorneys, Dane Levy and his group will help you win your case. Please visit his website for more information about dental implant nerve injury.

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Which Type of Foam Seat is Best for Outdoor Furniture?

Your health is one of the most important elements of living a long, happy life. No amount of money or power can restore your good health. Even though the medical profession has many great cures for illnesses these days, taking time off for yourself is super important. That’s why so many people transform their yard into a beautiful place of refuge. The next consideration is about which type of foam seat is best for your outdoor furniture.

A balanced healthy lifestyle incorporates good nutrition, adequate rest, and most of all regular exercise. Doctors recommend that we exercise at least three times per week for 30 minutes per session. Most of us would love to do that, but where can you find the time? You may already be juggling too many obligations. With a job, career, or business to run and children to raise, there are usually not nearly enough hours in the day.

When we think about the most comfortable materials for a foam seat many of us think of memory foam. Though this is good choice, conventional foam is also a smart idea. There are some good options out there these days and we haven’t even talked about dryfast foam. If there’s a chance your furniture will get wet, then this is probably the best option.

If you need help deciding what type of foam seat to get, contact The Foam Factory. Our friendly customer service agents can assist you by answering questions and helping you find exactly what you need.

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Affordable Foam Replacement Cushions for Home or Yard

When you need compelling designs that will transform any interior or exterior space, choose affordable foam replacement products. With today’s latest technological advancements, it’s possible to produce exciting foam rubber products that are truly excellent. Today’s great foam rubber products are very affordable and some of these are made from green sustainable materials.

If your furniture is looking old and tired, then consider replacing the foam or recovering the cushions. With foam replacement you may be able to save the old furniture and use it for several more years. This could save you money and it would be better for the planet. Our land fills are overflowing these days and it’s up to each of us to be more careful about throwing out old things. Try revamping furniture, rugs, lamps and even clothing so you can use these items for an extended period of time.

With foam replacement, you can enjoy working on a DIY project while saving money. If you need help or instructions, then visit the web for instructional videos. As we all learn how to update our older items, we will see how profitable and satisfying it is. Even if you can extend the life of indoor and outdoor furniture for one year, it’s well worth the trouble.

Affordable Foam Replacement

The Foam Factory has a reputation for strength, sustainability, integrity, and innovation. You can buy foam replacement products that are sturdy and comfy. The site offers many popular types of foam including memory foam, latex foam, eggcrate foam, conventional foam and several others.

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Does Your Pet Suffer With Sensitive Hearing?

Millions of dogs and other pets all over the world suffer with sound sensitivities. Dogs are more likely to have these issues because they have super-sensitive hearing. The condition can range from mild to severe and some research shows that the condition grows worse with age. With the increasing number of special events being accented with fireworks, this has grown into a severe problem for pet owners.

There are two primary causes:

Behavioral

Medical

All loud noises can cause a problem for dogs (or other pets) who have a sensitivity to loud sounds. Thunder is one of the most common triggers. Anytime it thunders, your dog may display any number of symptoms:

Trying to hide someplace dark

Running around the house frantically

Barking, whining, howling

Trembling

Pacing the floors nervously

Digging at a door

Destroying their owner’s things

Does This Worsen with Age?

In some cases, a dog can develop a noise phobia later in life due to repeated negatives experiences. For instance, your dog may be repeatedly exposed to loud noises because they are common to your living or work environment. A dog may live near a construction site where loud noises are normal. A big construction project might go on for months. This could leave your dog with a noise phobia.

One way to help alleviate the discomfort of loud noises is by sound proofing the rooms where your pet stays. Acoustic foam isn’t too expensive and can easily be cut into various shapes and sizes. Acoustic foam can be applied to walls and ceilings with a spray on adhesive.

The Foam Factory sells all types of acoustic foam on its website. Get exactly what you need at low prices that are affordable.

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How to protect your child’s teeth during sports

Article written by Elite Dental Group

Sports are a wonderful way for children to socialize while learning valuable lessons about leadership, patience, and teamwork. However, as with practicing any sport, children will be exposed to higher risks of sports-related injuries. According to the US centers for disease control and prevention, half of all annual injuries are from sports and recreational activities involving children as young as 5 years. Often these injuries occur to the face, mouth, and teeth which can be painful and difficult to fix.

To protect your child, consider the following dentist-approved recommendations.

Headgear – For children who play on a court or field, wearing a helmet can help to guard the face. Additionally, a helmet with a face shield will prevent damage around the eyes, nose, jaw, and teeth. Although face shields do prevent some injuries, children may bite down hard when they are injured causing teeth to crack or break.

Mouthguards – Most children need to wear mouthguards for sports like swimming and soccer. But are not required to wear them for sports like football, baseball, and lacrosse, which are also sports that can cause injury. Mouthguards are affordable and much less costly than fixing a chipped or broken tooth. Only invest in a mouthguard that has been approved by the American Dental Association as they meet specified standards required to protect young teeth. If you feel that the mouthguards at a sports store are uncomfortable, a pediatric dentist can custom make a mouthguard to your child’s specifications.

Additionally, let your child know that they should play as per the rules of the game and always avoid aggressive play which can result in injury. Letting your child know the dangers and injuries that could occur, will encourage them to play by the rules.

At Elite Dental Group they use the most modern technology to provide their clients with a pleasant, safe dental experience. Dr. Andre Eliasian and his team offer services such as cosmetic dentistry, wisdom tooth extraction, dental implants, tooth whitening, oral surgery, and more. If you are in Glendale, Burbank or neighboring cities call for an appointment.

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How to clean your RV mattress

Traveling in an RV is a wonderful experience as it allows you the freedom to travel anywhere. Keeping your RV clean is essential as small living spaces can accumulate allergens that can be harmful to you and your family’s health.

Your RV bedding can collect dust mites, mold, and mildew as traveling to humid climates can bring in moisture. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of your mattress will help keep it clean and reduce the growth of allergens in your foam, pillows, and linen.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your mattress:

Remove all linen and pillows – Machine wash your linen and pillows on a hot water setting, together with a quality detergent. Hot water will remove all traces of dust mites, their dropping, and most stains.

Vacuum your mattress – Vacuuming your mattress will remove all surface dust and dirt. It is important to flip your mattress over to make sure both sides are clean. If your mattress has an odor, sprinkle baking soda, leave it to settle for 15 minutes, and vacuum the excess.

For a deep clean – If you feel you need a deep clean, you can steam your mattress using a handheld steamer.

To disinfect your mattress – For this process, you will need an antibacterial solution and a spray bottle for application. Spray your solution on your mattress and wipe it down with a hot wet cloth. Place your mattress in the sun on a plastic cloth and remember to flip it after a few hours. Take your mattress in only when it is completely dry.

The Foam Factory offers a wide range of RV mattress foam that can be custom-made to your specifications. Their online store offers foam of different varieties and thicknesses to best suit your preferences.

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What is assisted living? And when should you consider it?

Blog provided by Glen Terra Senior Assisted Living

Assisted living are facilities and communities created as housing alternatives for seniors that are active and do not require the medical care of a nursing home. Making the leap is not easy, especially if it involves moving from your home and letting go of household items you cherish. There are some signs that it is time to consider the move, and that when you do so, it will be for your benefit. Let’s look at a few:

Feeling lonely or isolated

As people, we need to feel and be part of a community of our peers. It’s okay to feel the occasional bout of loneliness or isolation, but when it becomes chronic, you are starting to miss being around people. Ignoring these signs can lead to health issues and is probably the most glaring warning sign that you need to change your environment.

Declining health

Chronic health conditions can get worse over time, and for those that have at least one as a senior, it becomes critical to have at least some form of on-site medical care. Senior housing Glendale CA communities are built around looking after these issues.

Deteriorating hygiene

Another sign is when a senior cannot look after themselves well enough that standards of hygiene begin to deteriorate. All of this is taken care of in a senior assisted living Glendale CA and you get the extra mental bandwidth to deal with what you need to, and all the extras are taken care of.

If you’re looking for senior housing in Burbank, senior housing in Pasadena, or senior housing in Glendale, CA, Glen Terra Senior Assisted Living provides affordable senior housing with high-quality amenities, spacious living areas, and a full-scope wellness program. Their staff members are dedicated to treating all residents with the utmost care and compassion.

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5 Reasons why dentists resort to tooth extraction

Dentists will do their best to avoid an extraction but, in some cases, extractions are a necessity to ensure oral health and to maintain a beautiful smile. Here are some reasons why dentists may suggest an extraction:

Irreparable tooth damage – If a patient’s tooth decay has reached the center of their tooth, the bacteria produced by the decay can cause an infection. In some cases where the decay is less severe, your dentist may suggest a root canal procedure and further monitor your situation.

Periodontal disease – Periodontal disease is an infection that affects the gums, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone, and surrounding teeth. Usually, periodontal disease starts with gingivitis, which is an infection of the gums. Often periodontal disease is a result of plaque, which is a hard substance that forms around teeth. This disease can cause teeth to loosen resulting in additional extractions.

Impacted tooth – When a tooth is blocked and cannot erupt it may cause damage to surrounding teeth while trying to emerge. Extracting such teeth can reduce infection and overcrowding.

To eliminate overcrowding – Extractions can help to make space for other teeth, by eliminating overcrowding. Often dentists will extract teeth before a patient is fitted with braces to help teeth move and realign.

After an accident – Accidents to the jaw and teeth, such as a car crash can move and loosen teeth. Although a dentist will try their best to save a tooth if the tooth is loose and beyond repair, it will have to be extracted.

The Elite Dental Group is recognized for its patient-focused approach to dental care which offers patients the best options in terms of health, affordability, and aesthetic value. They encourage consultations for procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction and offer solutions such as dental implants and cosmetic dentistry procedures that will help patients maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

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Can installing acoustic foam improve your health?

Blog provided by The Foam Factory

Your home should be a place where you and your family can relax and unwind. As the size of modern homes become smaller and building materials change with a greater emphasis on glass, hardwood flooring, and bare walls, sound can resonate, making noise a disturbance.

To reduce noise and improve privacy, homeowners are installing acoustic foam in their homes. Installing acoustic foam has been made easy, with foam manufacturers offering a wide variety of acoustic foam that is easily installed.

Consider these benefits if you are planning on installing acoustic foam in your home.

Privacy – If you have kids, roommates, or guests, installing acoustic foam will mean that there is a lesser chance of anyone listening to your conversations. Acoustic foam is known to absorb sound preventing voices from carrying.

Comfort – General noise that comes from living next to a busy street, a train station, or an airport can make relaxing and sleeping difficult. Acoustic foam can reduce the sharpness of these sounds, creating a peaceful environment.

Lower levels of stress – High levels of constant noise can increase your stress levels and make concentrating difficult. Once your acoustic foam is installed, you will notice that outside sounds are a lot more manageable.

Enjoy your movies and music at home – Creating an at-home movie or music room can be a dream come true for any family. But you may be hesitant to make a change, as you may feel that this may disturb your entire household. Acoutic panels will be able to break up and naturally transmit sound, to give you a clear sound experience, while muting the sound to the rest of your home.

The Foam Factory offers a wide variety of quality acoustic foam that can be custom-made to your specifications. Their affordable prices together with quick delivery offer customers the best value for their money.