what do you think of HealthFirst organization?
827006
According to their website, Healthfirst was established in 1993 and is currently owned by 39 prestigious and nationally recognized hospitals and medical centers located in New York City and Long Island. We have been the fastest growing Medicare Plan in New York City and the #1 health plan in New York State in the overall membership for Medicaid, \nFamily Health Plus and Child Health Plus programs. Healthfirst has network of more than 20,000 participating physicians and specialists in the five boroughs of New York City \nand Long Island with over 400,000 members under management. \n\nAs a healthcare company providing medical access to the under-served, Healthfirst's mission is to provide access to affordable and high quality healthcare for residents of New York City and Long Island. They have partnered with the provider community to increase the effectiveness of healthcare delivery to our members and support quality care by reinvesting in member hospitals.\n\ncc
144557
I think it is firstgov.gov. Not sure but that is a start.
229353
A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a type of Managed Care Organization (MCO) that provides a form of health insurance coverage in the United States that is fulfilled through hospitals, doctors, and other providers with which the HMO has a contract. Unlike traditional indemnity insurance, care provided in an HMO generally follows a set of care guidelines provided through the HMO's network of providers. Under this model, providers contract with an HMO to receive more patients and in return usually agree to provide services at a discount. This arrangement allows the HMO to charge a lower monthly premium, which is an advantage over indemnity insurance, provided that its members are willing to abide by the additional restrictions.\n\n\nTypes of HMOs\nHMOs operate in a variety of forms. Most HMOs today do not fit neatly into one form; they can have multiple divisions, each operating under a different model, or blend two or more models together.\n\nIn the STAFF MODEL, physicians are salaried and have offices in HMO buildings. In this case, physicians are direct employees of the HMOs. This model is an example of a closed-panel HMO, meaning that contracted physicians may only see HMO patients.\n\nIn the GROUP MODEL, the HMO does not pay the physicians directly, but pays a physician group. The group then decides how to distribute the money to the individual physicians. This model is also closed-panel.\nPhysicians may contract with an independent practice association (IPA), which in turn contracts with the HMO. This model is an example of an open-panel HMO, where a physician may maintain his own office and may see non-HMO members.\n\nIn the NETWORK MODEL, an HMO will contract with any combination of groups, IPAs, and individual physicians. Since 1990, most HMOs run by managed care organizations with other lines of business (such as PPO, POS and indemnity) use the network model.\n\n\n\nHistory\nThe earliest form of HMOs can be seen in a number of prepaid health plans. In 1910, the Western Clinic in Tacoma, Washington offered lumber mill owners and their employees certain medical services from its providers for a premium of $0.50 per member per month. This is considered by some to be the first example of an HMO. In 1929, Dr. Michael Shadid created a health plan in Elk City, Oklahoma in which farmers bought shares for $50 to raise the money to build a hospital. The medical community did not like this arrangement and threatened to suspend Shadid's licence. The Farmer's Union took control of the hospital and the health plan in 1934. Also in 1929, Baylor Hospital provided approximately 1,500 teachers with prepaid care. This was the origin of Blue Cross. Around 1939, state medical societies created Blue Shield plans to cover physician services, as Blue Cross covered only hospital services. These prepaid plans burgeoned during the Great Depression as a method for providers to ensure constant and steady revenue.\n\nIn 1970, the number of HMOs declined to less than 40. Paul Ellwood, often called the "father" of the HMO, began having discussions with what is today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that led to the enactment of the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973. This act had three main provisions:\n\nGrants and loans were provided to plan, start, or expand an HMO \nCertain state-imposed restrictions on HMOs were removed if the HMOs were federally certified \nEmployers with 25 or more employees were required to offer federally certified HMO options alongside indemnity upon request \nThis last provision, called the dual choice provision, was the most important, as it gave HMOs access to the critical employer-based market that had often been blocked in the past. The federal government was slow to issue regulations and certify plans until 1977, when HMOs began to grow rapidly. The dual choice provision expired in 1995.\n\nStarting in 1990, Switzerland has founded several HMOs which at the moment
408318
we can help you to start your own health and well being business, we are looking for honest and ethical people to join our team. We have the backing of a worldwide company, this means you can take your business any where in the world and recieve support and training . tHE COMPANY HAS BEEN TRADING FOR 27 YEARS  sO there is a proven track record that people can use to their advantage. It really is an exciting opportunity for people to make extra money whilst developing their business into something that can produce a substantial residual income. The company offer incentives like car plan, international travel, etc \nWe would show you how to start and we would work to your goals and time scale not ours, this is why this is so unique as there is no pressure to perform to someone elses plans and there is so much support to help you, \nthe products are all excellent due to the beneficial outcomes they can have on animals as well as humans. I am really glad i am part of this company as i can see this as providing my family with a better lifestyle, you meet wonderful people who help you in any way they can. it really is nothing like work so it cant be bad can it?!!\nif you would like to find out more just contact me and i will be happy to help just remember to leave a contact email so i can reply thanks x
290504
I don't believe it's necessary.\n\nWhat I believe IS necessary is price regulation of the Health Care Industry.\n\nThe doctors are only a small part of the problem. However they do not make as much as the CEO's of the so-called Health Insurance companies.\n\nFigures below from the Wall Street Journal's Career Journal.\n\nMedian annual total compensation - Heath Insurance\n(First link below)\n\nChief executive officer......2,064,000.00\nSecond-highest executive.......956,000.00\nThird-highest executive........866,000.00\nFourth-highest executive.......802,000.00\nFifth-highest executive........642,000.00\n\nThe following text can be found at the second link below;\n\n"To recruit executives to fill the talent gaps that are increasingly apparent within their organizations, companies are starting to pay more... Actuaries -- always in demand -- now can take home salary packages of $500,000 or more a year, Mr. Corey says, compared to $35,000 when he started in the field some 25 years ago. "For talented, high-quality people that can produce, it has become a seller's market," he says."\n\nThe only way they can pay these high salaries is to over-charge for many services. How many people have looked at the bill and found they were charged $1.50 to $3 for a single Tylenol tablet when you can purchase 50 of the same for $6 at a drugstore?\n\nWe don't need universal insurance, we don't need the Feds to make a law regarding insurance. What we need is for Washington D.C. to stop playing the stock market with health care company stock so they can have a clear mind when regulating them.\n\nThey ALL own stock and voting interests in major companies, including health insurance. How can they be making a good decision for us when it goes against their own selfish interests?\n\nCongressmen and Senators, their aides, or their immediate families should not be allowed to purchase stock of any kind during their terms. \n\nMaybe if this was the law we would have some people up there who honestly want to do the country some good - instead of getting the job only to line their pockets.\n\nDisclaimer: I am in NO way advising anyone in their decision to purchase insurance or choose a job with insurance. I simply would like people to become aware of ALL facts before making a decision.
826384
Your link looks like a pension question, but you are using it for national health care purposes??? Would you rather ask about Social Security to make it more relevant?\n\nYou can get more information about this issue and analysis of the health-care problem from all the angles at the link below.\n\nLaissez-faire health-care economics makes no sense. Markets are good for some things, bad for much and  immoral for health-care. Markets can function efficiently if people have choices. There is no choice in your health-care requirements. If you have congestive heart failure, you can't say to yourself, "Ah, I don't need the attention of a thoracic surgeon this week, I'll put it off until next week."\nOr, "I don't have any need for cancer right now, I'll take indigestion instead."\n\nTherefore, a market solution will only distribute our health resources inefficiently and inequitably. Rich hypochondriacs get all the care they "need" while poor folks with bad hearts let their conditions deteriorate until they need the most expensive care available.\n\nOur high malpractice problems and claims are a direct result of having no national health insurance. When those poor folks who can't afford health-care finally are faced with a heart attack or some other acute episode, they head to the hospital to a doctor they've most likely never seen with no medical records to speak of. The doctors are "flying blind" trying to save the patients not knowing the full array of ailments, allergies, etc they might have.
513617
By giving management better information on what is going on in the organization.  They may get better information on costs, or use of supplies, or length of stay broken down by disease, injury, ward, age, etc.  Inventory control is another possibility.  As an example:  how many defibrillators do you have?  Where are they located?  Who is trained to use them?  When were they last serviced?  Which one has been used the most, or the least?  Where have they been used?  If you have a location that has a lot of need, why not move the least used one there?  \n\nDepending on the design of the system, it might be able to answer any or all of these questions.
533723
How 'bout doing it one thing at a time. Healthcare's more critical at the moment. I mean, talk about the only industrialized country, and a superpower to boot, which doesn't have a national healthcare system. Social Security doesn't count.
631273
I am for neither, I am 45 yrs of age, it seems to me that this Country is in some serious Crap. We/USA are always more concerned with other Countries and their well being. The USA is not taking care of their own people first, as they should be. We have many, many people in our own country that is homeless, going hungry, etc. Yes there are a few programs out there that are trying to help, but come on, all that food and medical that other Countries are getting, why not give it to our country first where it is so desperately needed. Medical in the USA is crazy, I have to work 2 jobs at 32 hours a week for each, yes i am correct here on the hours, i get very little sleep and am getting burned out. just so i can have medical, one medical plan does not cover what i would like it to, so i have to have another medical plan to try and make up for the first one. Now how crazy is that? You asked me whom I am standing up for? believe in? well no one has earned my belief yet. I hope the future changes that.
173059
I am opposed.\n\nWhen socialized medicine is enacted a single huge infusion of money is provided.  Then all growth stops.  When the profit incentive is removed how many people will be doing research on newer and better diagnostic tools and procedures.  Okay, that would be the government and we all know how efficient the government is.  \n\nIf you want to do some research, check out the number of MRI machines, or CT scans, or any other sophisticated diagnostic tool per person in England or Canada or any other country with socialized medicine.  \n\nMy uncle had open heart surgery 5 days after his doctor said he needed it.  A co-worker was under the knife in 4 days and a former boss had his surgery 3 days after the decision was made.  All three of these men were very ill and wouldn't have lasted long untreated.  I have read where 2 and 3 year waits are not uncommon in Canada.  Haven't heard how well England does getting things done.\n\nTo be fair I worked with a German for many years and we discussed the issue on several occasions.  He said that under the German system everyone had an annual physical.  I would never say that is "a bad thing".  On the contrary it would almost certainly make for a healthier populace.\n\nStill, with all things being equal, I'll stay with my current system.\n\nI heard someone say that if you think health care is expensive now, wait until it's free.
514610
R u advertising 4 the F-whatever Health Care group or something?\nWhatz the Question?what about it????
184278
I work for a non profit and we have a 9 member BOD. They are responsible, ultimatley, for the management, financial and other conditions of the non profit. They review all monthly, quarterly and yearly financial info, check managment to insure no decisions are made outside the realm of responsibility, maintain the integrity of the non profit, sort of "police" the actions of the employees, and our BOD is a final resting place for any problems or disputes that management cannot handle to the satisfaction of our members. Our BOD is involved in guiding investment decisions, building locations, and the general movement of the organization. They are not figureheads, but real workers. All are unpaid volunteers who love the organization and want to see it succeed. They are not yes men (and women) who blindly give a stamp of approval to management, but do support management greatly. A good BOD is very important to your success, in my opinion.
389719
Could you be more specific?\n1)From the health insurance perspective, there is NO CRISIS as\nthey are raking in the dough. They hardly pay anything to the physcians. So they keep more of the premiums you pay every month.They do their best to make your coverage as confusing as possible, so you won't know what they will pay for. Then when they don't pay for something, you can't talk to anyone at the insurance company that wants to help you. \n2)From the Doctor's point of view, it is harder and harder to provide quality health care to their patient's. They need to have the latest most up to date equipment to diagnose and treat their patient's. There is a lot of overhead to pay for. To get enough payment from the insurance companies to cover the overhead, they have to see a ton of patient's every day. This results in not being able to spend enough quality time with each patient......   \n3) From the patients point of view, it is all very confusing. The insurance companies tell you one thing, your doctor's office tells you something else. Just when you build a relationship with your doctor, your insurance changes, and you have to find a different doctor that is with that insurance company. There is no consistency to your\nmedical care that way.\nHow do we solve this? Good question. I don't have the answers, but also find it all very frustrating. You have to know how to work the system to get the health care you need.
864130
Sounds like a great organization.\n\nYou may need a lawyer to help your group become a nonprofit.
34056
Despite some efforts to create a national system, healthcare is still funded largely by joint employer/employee contributions, with the employer typically picking up 70-80% of the cost.  \n\nMore and more options involve HMO's, or health maintainence organizations.  They trade a low-cost co-pay (or insured share of medical cost) for managing practically every decision involving your care.  HMO's often make decisions based on financial considerations.  Other insurance plans are available, but at substantially higher prices.\n\nWith healthcare costs skyrocketing, largely due to vastly increased malpractice insurance premiums, a better solution is needed.  There has been continued talk of "tort reform" which reduces the liablility of a doctor or hospital in a suit.  Other "consumer-driven" insurance plans have been developed that put the insured in more of a position to determine how much his health care will cost.  My wife and I have such a plan, and it offers us some incentive to choose our doctor visits more carefully.
235126
I work with an Inc 500 Company that's been in business for over 20 years.  They are in the Health aand Wellness Industry.  Not only do they have a great standing with the better business bureau they also have receive awards from them. The Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming division of the Better Business Bureau recently presented Our President and CEO with its 2005 "Hall of Fame" award. This prestigious \naward honored the company for its example of ethics and integrity in dealings with customers, employees, and the community.\n\nIf you would like more information on what we do and how we get paid... contact me through my 360 page.
1157743
I think that's a great idea.  Sure, it'd mean a bit more in taxes, but First Aid and CPR are worth the money, and basic living skills may even save money in the long run by helping out people who aren't well-off stay off welfare and medicaid.