Group Mediclaim Policy and Its Primary Benefits

Employee benefits are a core area for the consideration of the HR department of any organization. The policies that an organization's HR department makes for its staff are a reflection of the organization's attitude towards its employees. In the present scenario, employees are quite curious about the medical benefits that an organization provides.

While other benefits are mostly under the control of an organization, the mediclaim benefits are dependent upon a third party service provider, i.e., the insurance company. Hence, the medical benefits got by employees depend upon the HR department's understanding of the various insurance plans available in the market.

Lipika Verma, Head - Compensation and Benefits, Nokia India Pvt. Ltd., says "Medical security is the key thing while assessing insurance coverage and a seamless benefit on the medical side is something which an employee expects these days". In the present times, Group Mediclaim Policy provides the best option for providing a medical cover to the employee and his/her family.

This policy comes under the category of non-life insurance and takes care of an individual's hospitalization expenses up to a certain limit that is based upon the policy. Hospitalization may occur owing to ill health or on account of injuries sustained due to an accident, so long as it is for a period more than 24 hours. Hospitalization expenses generally include:

• Doctor's fees and nursing expenses.

• Surgical fees and operation theatre expenses.

• Expenses on medication.

• Room and boarding - subject to limits.

Following are some primary benefits of group mediclaim policy:

Covers Pre-existing Diseases: Group mediclaim policy provides complete cover even for pre-existing diseases while the individual policies offer no or limited cover for such diseases. Maternity benefits are an added advantage in the group policy, which were never included in individual policies.

Floater Option: This option allows a company to choose to insure an employee along with his dependents (parents and children) under a single cumulative amount. For instance, if the floater amount for an employee in an organization is Rs. 3,00,000/-, then the employee can avail hospitalization up to maximum three lakh rupees for himself and his family.

Corporate Buffer: Organizations usually choose to opt for a corporate buffer over and above the maximum limit fixed for each employee. This buffer proves very helpful for employees. Suppose, the maximum limit for an employee is Rs. 3 lakh while his hospitalization cost comes to Rs. 4 lakh; in such a scenario, the organization may provide the remaining one lakh from the buffer amount it has fixed with the insurance provider.

Overcoming Depression and Anxiety - The Root

Our brains are not biased to our wants or don't wants.At one point, it was thought to be impossible to overcome. The depression and anxiety. The anger, the fear...the emotional disorders. While these issues are very different from one another, the scientific system they operate on is the same.

Drugs and medication don't fix the problem. They indirectly make it more tolerable, which ultimately only supports the condition - the depression, the anxiety. Unfortunately, many well intending organizations only support the issue by the very way they try to correct it. You'll understand why in a bit.

Our bodies, our actions, are simply an end result of our beliefs and habits. Scientifically, beliefs are NEURAL NETWORKS on our subconscious mind, and these neural networks are what command our bodies. They control everything: the healing, the operation of every cell in our body, our balance, sleep, etc. This leads me to mention that what we consistently focus on directly or indirectly, become part of our beliefs. You may have noticed how people who are constantly concerned about getting sick, are always sick. People who believe they're experiencing depression and anxiety, will be noticing everything that states the symptoms of depression or anxiety or whatever the case. This, my friend, only affirms your thoughts about the condition.

Let's step a tad deeper now.

In a nutshell, there are two mechanisms in the brain that are making this happen real-time. The one that we'll talk about in this article is called the RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM(RAS). The RAS is like a search engine in our brain, constantly searching for "data" or things that support our beliefs. Just like you use Google and enter a keyword or phrase, the RAS is on the lookout for the "keywords" of our brains: our beliefs. The data that is found, is then forwarded over to our conscious mind, and ONLY then do we consciously, or knowingly, recognize it.

To illustrate, think of how before you bought your car, you never really noticed how many cars just like yours are on the road. Then after you bought it, or really started looking into it, you began to notice a lot more of them. It's not that your eyes didn't see them before, it just wasn't what your RAS was looking for, so it got spit out before it came to your conscious recognition.

Our brains are not biased to our wants or don't wants. It works with the material we feed it - the things we focus on. So if depression and anxiety are part of our focus, they become our beliefs. Our beliefs then instruct the brain to find that. The RAS begins to notice the articles that talk about depression and anxiety. We'll start to see the depression and anxiety related shows and stories and stats. We will begin to learn from these articles and shows, etc about how difficult it is...but what's really happening scientifically is:

...we're creating reference points in our brains, suggesting that difficulty is associated with depression and anxiety, and that depression and anxiety are associated with us. Not a good time. But the brain just does what we tell it to do. It's like a field. The field doesn't care whether you plant a poisonous or edible seed, or both. It will return whatever you decide to plant. Our brains will return whatever thoughts and feelings we decide to focus on.

To your success,
Dennis Andrew

Baby Blues Or Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression (PND) commonly known as "baby blues" apparently can affect not only new mothers but their partners as well. We are talking about almost 16% of male population (USA statistics).

If women have this depression in the first few weeks after giving birth, men generally are very happy at this time until all the responsibilities, tiredness, fears and worries catch up with them and they become depressed in 3 to 6 months after their child is born.

This kind if depression in men is more likely to happen if their partner is also depressed. That's why doctors have to pay attention to the whole family when treating PND in female patients.

To get depression help is more problematic for new fathers. First, they might not realise they have PND, as it's an illness commonly associated with women. Secondly, they don't communicate with other new parents and share their experiences.

The signs and symptoms of postnatal depression are usually quite similar to the ones of normal depression. In addition there are:

- Low mood, tearfulness are worse in the morning

- You are not enjoying new baby as expected

- You are very irritable with the baby and your partner

- You experience insomnia despite lack of sleep and tiredness

Scientists don't know the causes of postnatal depression but suspect they have something to do with hormonal changes after childbirth, when levels of estrogens and progesterone rapidly drop in women and levels of testosterone plummet in men (which is similar to what happen in ordinary depression) because of stress of doing something you've never done before and overwhelming sense of responsibility.

You are more likely to get PND if you have history of depression in yourself or your family members, had stressful life before the baby, or the baby was unplanned, or was born with serious problems.

Remember PND can be treated in much the same way as an ordinary depression; the doctor might even get you antidepressants that are safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Here are a few tips if you suffer from PND:

1. Share your fears and anxieties with others, talk to your doctor as well, - this is common and you are NOT alone.

2. Do not feel guilty that you are a bad mother or father and don't be afraid that someone will take your baby away if you don't cope with the pressure well. This is NOT going to happen. People will help you to deal with your depression instead.

3. Try to sleep when and where you can, - you need your rest.

4. Don't try to do everything yourself, get help.

5. Eat healthy and wholesome food; you'll need all your energy for the baby.

6. Share responsibilities and fears with your partner.

7. Don't forget to spend time with your partner without the baby, hire a nanny once a week or ask your parents to look after your child for one evening.

Did anyone have PND? Please, share!

Acupuncture and Infertility

What Does Acupuncture Actually Mean?

Acupuncture involves inserting and sometimes manipulating very thin needles into very specific points in the body. It's similar to physical therapy in that it is a process-oriented (i.e. ongoing) method of intervention. The insertion of the various needles are said to stimulate energy flow "Qi" (tee). Treatments for women with infertility commonly last three to four months spanning the time prior to insemination and after IVF. It's important to note that a commitment to acupuncture treatment means more than turning yourself over for needle manipulation. Most practitioners trained in Chinese medicine will conduct a complete physical workup that includes examination of the color of the tongue and taking of the pulse. The information from these preliminary activities helps the practitioner to understand the blood flow, body fluid balance and energy levels of the particular patient.

How Could Acupuncture Help a Woman Get Pregnant?

Because acupuncture appears to increase blood flow to vital organs, it may help in the regulation of hormone levels, and even improve ovarian and follicular function, making for healthier eggs. Also, blood flow to the uterus may increase, permitting for a thick lining of the endometrium that increases the chances that the uterus will hold implanted eggs to term with no miscarriage. For these reasons, it is not unrealistic to assume (and a few studies even seem to suggest) that acupuncture may improve the success rate of medical interventions such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Acupuncture is not going to help a woman get pregnant if her problem stems from something that needs surgical correction, such as a blockage in her fallopian tubes. But, in the special case of spasmed fallopian tubes (as opposed to blocked tubes) there may be some relief through acupuncture -- there have been cases in which spasmed tubes are de-spasmed (and therefore opened up) with acupuncture. That can be critical, because fallopian tubes must be open to permit an egg to travel past the cervix where it can be either inseminated or harvested.

Further, sometimes Acupuncture is combined with herbal medicine to treat hormonal imbalances, irregularities in a woman's menstrual cycle, and even some male factor infertility.

What do the Studies Really Say?

While many advocates claim that acupuncture can relieve almost any medical condition, it is now somewhat accepted that acupuncture can at least temporarily relieve pain and even regulate blood pressure by stimulating the central nervous system. These effects are achieved because the use of acupuncture causes the body to release endorphins which inhibit pain and gives the body the feeling of wellness. Endorphins may also release certain neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which some say encourage the body to heal itself.

A few studies have suggested acupuncture's benefits specifically when used in conjunction with IVF. A small German study in 2002 demonstrated a near doubling of pregnancy rates for women who received acupuncture both shortly before and shortly after embryo transfer. Another study in Great Britain produced similar results -- this study showed the odds of conceiving increased by about 65 percent for women who received acupuncture shortly before and after IVF procedures. Dr. Paul C. Magarelli, an infertility doctor at the Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., is co-author of an ongoing study into the use of acupuncture with IVF with Dr. Diane K. Cridennda, a licensed acupuncturist. While Magarelli was initially skeptical, he says he has been convinced by the data in his study that acupuncture improves a woman's chances of getting pregnant with IVF, and holding that pregnancy to term.

All of these studies were small in scale. One board-certified endocrinologist with the Reproductive Medicine Group in Tampa, Florida, Samuel Tarantino, acknowledges that existing studies have yielded good information, but the evidence is not yet sufficient to support a claim that acupuncture is a proven treatment for infertility. He attributes some of the reported success to a placebo effect. In other words, "if a patient believes it will work, it will work because of that. The brain has an intense power to heal itself." "It's impossible to say at this point," said Dr. Robert Schenken, president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, is another fertility specialist who feels that not enough controlled data from human clinical studies has been produced to draw any conclusions about acupuncture's effectiveness with infertile women.

If I want to use Acupuncture as Part of my Treatment, How Do I Go About It?

An increasing number of fertility centers have begun to offer acupuncture as an option as part of an IVF treatment protocol (bear in mind that even if your clinic offers it or gives you a referral, Insurance usually doesn't cover the cost of acupuncture, and a single treatment can cost anywhere from $75 up to $90). If you plan to use acupuncture as part of your overall treatment plan, consider beginning treatment three to four months before a medical procedure like artificial insemination or (IVF). Then, continue treatments both before and after insemination or embryo transfer. Do be sure to use an licensed acupuncturist with experience treating fertility. Your acupuncturist should not place needles in the abdomino-pelvic area after insemination or transfer.There is some risk that inadvertent mistakes in the placement of the needles by an acupuncturist who has not studied fertility could contribute to a miscarriage.

Are You Struggling to Get Pregnant?

Are you feeling sick inside yet simultaneously wracked with guilt at the amount of jealousy you are actually feeling from news of yet another pregnancy. Here you are, struggling to get pregnant when everyone around you seems to be, maybe feeling disgusted with yourself for feeling this way yet unable to change it.

There can come the endless barrage of questions and hurtful statements such as:

"when will it be your turn?"

"don't you want any children?"

"you're not getting any younger."

Or even perhaps, "why did you wait so long to try?"

The list is endless. How have you even coped, when all you have ever wanted was to become parents and hold your own baby in your arms.

Then can come possible negative emotional aspects such as:

- are you beginning to feel inadequate as a wife, unable to give him a child?

- do you even feel the same about having a child anymore and does he even want a child?

Possible facts:

- you are ovulating regularly each and every month.

- your blood tests have come back absolutely normal.

- there are no apparent signs of endometriosis.

- a laparoscopy has concluded no underlying abnormality that could be preventing you from conceiving.

- his sperm count is excellent, as is the motility.

- you are both healthy with no underlying problems in either one of you.

So why are you struggling to get pregnant?

These are some of the questions and emotions you may be going through but what about things you can do right now?

- Read as much as you can about infertility, ignorance is certainly not bliss, you are struggling to get pregnant yet inadvertently at the mercy of the information and advice that is being bombarded at you, due to lack of awareness.

- Never forget both you and your partner are in this struggle together, he knows what is happening because he is on exactly the same path as you. Feed from the comfort and reassurance from each other.

In your struggle to get pregnant it is very easy to lose sight of one another, they can become invisible, why not suggest a movie, perhaps a night out, things that you can do together as a couple.

- It is not about denying the pain of infertility but if you cannot express it outwardly why not try channeling your emotions by writing them down. It is a great way to release all the anger and disappointments.

After you have written them down burn the piece of paper if it helps. This is symbolic and very therapeutic as it can help release built up emotions.

- Let people into your world, give family and friends a chance to help you instead of shutting them out. On your own you are but one person, however, if you put one and one together it becomes eleven, remember that there is definitely strength in numbers.

- However, if nothing is helping, seek professional help, there is no shame in confiding with a stranger, that is what they are there for.

These are just some issues couples may face regarding infertility but my belief is just because you have been struggling to get pregnant and been told you are infertile does not mean another will also.

No one can predict the future but you can do everything in your power to change it for the good.

It might simply just mean the method needs to change.

The Myth Behind Maternity Insurance

Maternity is a period between conception and birth of the child. For most women and their partners alike, this period is filled with anticipation and excitement as they await the coming of their new baby. But this period can be quite burdensome too to the couple, especially to the mother. Aside from physical and emotional burden they experience, and lifestyle changes they have to deal with, the couple is faced with financial burden as well. Vitamins, maternity clothes, check ups and the baby's stuff are only few of the things they must spend for. To aid expectant mothers get through this very important stage in her life, insurance companies provide assistance through maternity insurance plans.

A maternity insurance provides financial security to women who are in the pregnancy period. This is especially helpful to middle-income mothers who may not be able to pay for high costs of pregnancy and childbirth all at once. It helps them cut maternity costs and allows them to avail of appropriate health care, services and medication they and their child need. There may be some medical assistance programs that also help cut expenses during pregnancy but they are not enough while a maternity insurance covers more maternity expenses.

In the event of any complication that may cause the mother or the baby to stay in the hospital for a longer time and may require an operation or other medical services, the couple can count on the maternity insurance. For instance, if the baby is premature, he or she would have to spend weeks or even months in an incubator. Expenses incurred during the period of incubation may not be covered by existing medical plan but unexpected expenses brought by these eventualities may be covered by maternity insurance plans.

Getting a maternity insurance is one of the best ways one can take care of her baby even when he or she is not yet born. Financial security allows the mother to get the best prenatal care that shall ensure that the baby develops normally. Furthermore, with the help of a dependable maternity insurance company, the couple can eliminate worries on how to pay for pregnancy and childbirth expenses. Going through the maternity period without these worries but instead, with the right attitude and disposition, ensures that the mother can give birth to a child that is physically, mentally and emotionally healthy.

With all the risks involved in pregnancy and childbirth, getting a maternity insurance is a life-saving decision. It helps an expectant mother get through her life's most crucial moment with security and hope. Moreover, maternity insurance is payable in easy installments so she and her husband can surely have more peace of mind. However, it is important to be extra careful in purchasing maternity insurance plan. If you are planning to get maternity insurance, make sure to get it only from a reliable insurance provider to prevent problems in the long run. It would be best to shop around first to know where to get the best maternity insurance policy that shall benefit you and your baby.

Which Insurance Companies Provide Short Term Disability?

Whether you are an employer seeking short-term disability coverage for your employees or an employee independently trying to find a policy for yourself, you will need to know where to look for these policies and the short term disability insurance cost. Not every insurance company offers this sort of coverage. Since these policies are not regulated equally in every state, finding short-term coverage is not as easy as finding a policy for your car or your general health.

The list below contains the names of some of the most highly rated carriers of short-term disability insurance. The list is not exclusive and it should not discourage you from looking further for other companies. These companies, however, are financially strong, offer numerous options in their insurance products and already have established reputations as excellent and reliable carriers.

Companies That Provide Short-Term Policies for Disability

American International Group (AIG)

AIG operates in 130 countries and jurisdictions around the world. This sort of size is reassuring when you are paying for a policy because you know that they can and will pay on properly filed claims. If you live and work in the United States, then choosing this company will put you in the hands of the country's largest underwriter of both commercial and industrial insurance. Besides offering disability coverage in the short-term, AIG also provides long-term coverage for serious disability.

Boston Mutual

Boston Mutual is a long-lived company that has been around since 1891. When you take out a policy with a business that has been around so long, you can count on their reliability. Some of the most respected reviewers of insurance companies believe in their trustworthiness. Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch have all rated Boston Mutual as one of the best in the insurance business in general. They offer short-term accident and sickness policies that you can add independently to your insurance coverage.

The Hartford

The Hartford is another top-rated company that has received accolades from Standard & Poor's and Moody's. They offer a wide range of insurance products that you can integrate with a short-term policy. These other products include long term disability (LTD) and workers' compensation. You can also just select your short-term coverage through them.

Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha has over 100 years of experience in providing insurance to a variety of customers. They have consistently earned strong ratings from Moody's and Fitch. This company offers policies that employers can manage for their employees and they also offer voluntary policies that employees can seek on their own.

Unum

A Fortune 500 company, Unum provides products and services that cover a variety of insurance situations, among them short-term needs for income during disabilities that do not qualify for long-term coverage.

The Cost of Short-Term Coverage for Disability

The cost of this coverage will vary from company to company. You should take advantage of the Internet and make a quick comparison of prices. Remember to examine all the features of such coverage. There are many different issues to consider when you pay for this sort of coverage. Monthly premiums are only one aspect of insurance that you should contemplate. You should also investigate how much each policy will pay, for how long and whether premiums will be taxed or payments will suffer taxation later.

The cost of these policies will also be affected by how well you handle the bureaucratic red tape. This is another issue which you should examine before you buy the policy. When injuries and illness have occurred, in your own life or that of your employee, you would probably prefer to think about the paperwork as little as possible. By reviewing the effectiveness of a policy before you buy it, you can save yourself a lot of trouble later on when an accident or an infection are the foremost problems in your mind.