Medical Insurance Sucks
I have noticed an up tick recently in the number of my friends who are having medically necessary treatments or procedures declined for payment by insurance companies. It seams like the insurance companies are trying to save as much money now as they can before the new laws take affect.
Personally, I have begun asking my doctors office if they take my insurance, and how much or what percentage is covered for each service the doctors office provides. I am doing this, because the doctor might see me, or order tests with out thinking about my insurance coverage, and then I might end up in collections because I can’t pay the bill. Apparently, it’s up to me to be pro active if I want to stay out of medical bill debt.
Personally, I would have liked the health care bill to require the medical profession to make the costs the same for any test, procedure or treatment no matter where it takes place. If a CAT scan is ordered on my shoulder, the price should be the same all across the country. If a specific blood test is ordered by my doctor, the cost should be the same in a hospital or in a local private clinic. If I have 12 visits for my physical therapy for my broken leg, the cost should be the same no matter where I go for therapy.
I realize, that some people would call my idea the beginning of socialized medicine, and that others would argue that you should be able to go to the most expensive place you want if it means getting better care, but the system we have now is just not working. Many of the doctors we see also own a piece of the labs or therapy clinics we go to, so not only are they making money from our office visits, they are making money on the tests they order as well. If you’re a doctor, how cool is that.
If you have an opinion, tell us about it, let others know how you think, share your feelings. If you want to let your government officials know how you feel, then send them a letter through www.directcomplaint.com.
Who’s minding the store?
I was at Best Buy the other day, to get the serial number for an Apple computer that was stolen from my daughter’s car. She made the mistake of leaving the computer in her car over night, and in the big city, that’s a no no.
I gave the clerk at Best Buy the information he needed to look up my computer purchase, and in no time at all, he found it. I mean he found my purchase, but not the serial number. Apparently, the serial number of the computer is not kept by the store. According to the clerk, the serial number was only on the box the computer came in, or on the recovery disk that came with the computer.
I explained to the clerk, that the Boston PD wanted it to see if the computer is in any pawn shops, but he still insisted that Best Buy didn’t have the number. I explained to the clerk that I was sent into the store by the corporate customer service department, who told me that the serial number is only kept on file in the local stores, and not in the Best Buy corporate offices. According to the clerk, I was given wrong information by the corporate office. The bottom line is no serial number, no chance of getting back the computer.
I would have thought that in today’s world of tracking and accountability that the store would be more diligent in their record keeping, but apparently I was wrong. I would have thought that Apple Computer Company would have required Best Buy to keep the serial numbers of the computers sold, if for no other reason then for accounting and inventory control, but I was wrong again. I would have thought that the serial number would have been printed on the receipt, or the extended service plan for easy tracking, but I would still be wrong.
It seams to me that stores like Best Buy should be required to keep records of the serial numbers of big ticket items like computers if for no other reason, then to be able to prove that the computers sold did not come off of the back of some truck high jacked three months ago. The store was glad to sell me the computer, and take my money, but apparently, that is where their responsibility to me and to Apple Computer ends. The next time my daughter buys a new computer; I will have to insist that she keep the box.
If this is the new way of doing business, we will all end up with a store room full of empty boxes just to prove that every thing we own is really ours.
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Hotel Discounts Abound
According to many experts who track trends in the hotel, motel industry, room rates have dropped from nine to as much as twenty percent in the last year. Many hotels and motels are even offering amenities such as baby sitting services or spa treatments at substantially reduced rates to lure customers into their establishments.
A growing number of hotels are even offering packages that include off site activities such as skiing or water sports to entice us to stay with them even longer. Some hotels and motels are even teaming up with restaurants with in walking distance, and offering two for one breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials. Some of the larger hotels will offer you theater or theme park tickets as an enticement to get you to book with them.
Naturally, picking the place you want to visit is not always easy, but think about trying to go during the off season if possible, you will save even more money. Airlines are even offering better discounts on fly and stay packages, so be sure to check them out if your destination is too far to drive.
Pricing for specials can change from minute to minute, and the so called discount web sites don’t always have the best deals. I suggest that you use all available methods at your disposal to find the best prices. You might even call the hotel directly, and tell them what you found for the lowest price. You never know, they might just offer you a better deal.
Why use a travel agency, if you can do it yourself. Sure, the travel agency can do it all for you, but often, if you have the time to do it yourself, you will save money. If you are willing to share your space with others, you might try checking out youth hostels for something different. They are almost always cheaper, and they are a great way to spend time with other like minded people.
Tell us about the places you have gone, especially if you think it was a fantastic deal. If you have problems with a hotel or motel, visit www.directcomplaint.com, and use the Hotel /Motel complaint form in the Consumer Complaint Center.
Free Food In Your Room!
I just love it when I get into my hotel room, and the refrigerator is stocked with all kinds of goodies. There are so many things to choose from, I especially like the candy bars, and I like the idea of putting little nips in the refrigerator with in reach of small children. I wonder who thought of that great idea.
It’s too bad that the things I love to eat and occasionally drink cost so much money. Why don’t they clearly post the prices, I don’t like seeing an extra $1,000 appear on my credit card. In some hotels, they don’t even post the prices on the food and drink items, so we can really be surprised.
On the other hand, who wants to go out late at night for a box of cracker jacks, a bag of chips, a coke, or a bit of rum to go with the coke? That is what the hotel is counting on; most of the food consumbed is between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am. If I leave in the morning with out stopping at the check out desk, I can be assured that the extra charges will appear on my credit cards next statement.
This raises another question, what if the made decides to tie one on at my expense, how do I prove it. What if they have no money for lunch, and they eat all of the cheese and crackers. With room rates coming down because of the recession, hotels need to find other ways to make up the losses, but at whose expense.
I have an idea, why don’t they just eliminate the room refrigerators all together, or provide me with a key card to open the thing. At least that way, I will know when I am spending my money.
Tipping at a Restaurant
I have just finished my meal out at the restaurant, and I am ready for the check, or am I? I have to think for a moment, should I base the tip on the time of the meal, like breakfast, lunch or dinner, or simply on how good or bad the service was.
Here are a few simple suggestions for tipping I have always found useful.
It doesn’t matter the time of day, if the service was excellent, leave 20% for a tip. If the food was bad, and the service was still excellent, then leave 15%, and let the Waite staff know that the food was not to your likening. If the food and service were both just average, then leave 15%. If the food was just average, but the service was poor, only leave 10%, and lastly, if the service was really bad, even if the food was OK, leave a penny, and run out of the restaurant. In some restaurants, the Waite staff has been known to chase a person down the street demanding a better tip. Perhaps if they spent more time making sure that the customer was happy during the dining experience, they wouldn’t feel the need to go running after the patron(s) who for sure now will never go back to that restaurant again.
If I just order a drink at a bar, the minimum I will leave is 50 cents per drink, and the same goes for a cup of coffee. At a take out window or drive through, I do not leave a tip, but if I go into a fast food restaurant for a cup of coffee, or a slice of pizza, I will leave at least 50 cents, that is, if there is a tip cup on the counter.
The percentage of the tip is calculated by first subtracting the tax from the bill, and then leaving your tip based upon the percentage you feel is right. If you are with a group of people, and you are each paying for your own meal, or you are all just splitting the check, it is best to figure out the amount for the tip, and then divide the amount equally amongst each person paying the bill. Doing this, will not leave the person who is handling the money left with a higher amount to pay then anyone else. If it was all just a bad experience, then leave nothing, but it makes sense to also let the manager or owner know why you are not leaving any tip at all. At least that way, you are attempting to be informative, and not just rude.
Try to keep in mind, that the Wait staff works for very low wages, in most states, this means between two and three dollars per hour. The majority of their income is based upon the tips they take in during their shift. Many restaurants require the Wait staff to tip the bussing and or bar tending staff for helping them. If the manager or the owner of the establishment is the one serving you, it is not necessary or considered bad etiquette not to leave him or her tip.
Going out to eat should always be a pleasurable experience; it should not be about nickel or dimeing the people who do their best to satisfy our every need. All too often, I see elderly people stuffing food into their mouths, or even their bags, but when it comes to leaving a tip, they act like they are all suffering from memory loss. I wonder if once we turn 60 years old, we get tip dementia. Younger people are no better; they must be suffering from bad manners disease. I don’t expect a ten year old to leave a tip, but surely, a 21 year old should know the rules. I have a solution that will solve the problem of age related tipping disorder once and for all. I will suggest that restaurants only serve people between twenty five and fifty nine years old, and only if they carry the good tipping card issued by the National Tipping and Grooming Society.
Tell us, how do you feel about tipping? Have you ever stiffed your sever, are you cheep, or do you consider yourself to be one of the best tippers around?
Picking a Health Club
Picking a health club can be a daunting confusing task that is unless there is only one or two in your area.
There are so many things to think about, from the equipment, to the classes offered, to the personal trainers, and the cleanliness of the facility.
Before joining a club, consider the following set of questions.
a) What are you expecting from your health club? Are you looking for group classes, cardio equipment, weights, a pool or sauna?
b) Is the health club near or on the way to your place of employment?
c) When you are given a tour, did the facility appear clean, and did the members appear happy and relaxed?
e) Does the club offer a juice bar, showers with towels, healthy snack machines, free trials for classes, or does that even matter to you
f) How attentive is the staff to the needs of the members? Were they smiling, glad to offer assistance, and answer questions.
Do they know how to use the equipment, and are their personal trainers on the floor if you have questions?
I recommend, that before you join the club, ask any of your friends or co-workers if they have used the facility, and how they feel about the place.
Ask them how much they pay, and how long they have been a member.
You should always ask the club if they are offering free passes or trial offers to try out the facility.
What ever you do, what ever club you choose, have fun, feel good, and get fit.
Experiment at the gym, learn more about yourself.
We all have our own schedules, routines and ways of working out at the gym. I can't help but to notice the people who are there the same time I go, doing the SAME things everyday.
It's great that they are working out and doing what they do to stay healthy, but on the other hand-switch it up! I can see how some gyms elaborate equipment and extensive class list can be overwhelming, where do you start?
Experiment with everything, that's what I'm doing. I never thought I would LOVE Yoga so much, I never thought I would have to leave Kickboxing halfway through the class. But, even though the class might not feel comfortable, don't give up & try again. When you are experimenting, you are learning more about yourself, your limits and what you need to improve.
Your body will tell you what it likes and doesn't like.
Break away from the few machines you are familiar with and when reading the machines instructions isn't clear, ask a staff member to help you, that's why they get paid.
Your gym generally has dumbbells, resistance bands and exercise balls. Learn to start integrating weights into your workout. This will help you burn more calories, even after your workout.
Then, there is always the pool, racket ball or basket ball court. So many options!
Although the gym may only offer exercising indoors, other resources like fitness magazines have new tips every month on broadening your weight training and mat exercises, clip the articles out and bring them with you.
We all have different personalities& lifestyles,
what type of exercises are right for you?
Take this Fitness Quiz
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For more tips on how to make your membership pay off-take a look Here
Personal Trainers- Bad Attitude-No Brain.
I have been to several health clubs in the past thirty years of my life, and worked with a fist full of “personal trainers.” I can’t help but note, that not one of the trainers has ever asked me any health related questions in order to design a training regiment fit for me.
I have never been shown how to measure my heart rate, or take my pulse, and I have never had a trainer offer to measure them for me. I haven’t even had a personal trainer offer to show me stretching exercises before I begin my workout.
The personal trainers that I have worked with are generally focused on showing me how the equipment works, and talking about themselves. They spend a little time going over technique, but rather then stand their watching me; they usually walk away and chat with their friends. Most of the personal trainers that I know don’t even bother to make sure I am hydrated, or ask if I am taking any medications that could interfere with an elevated hart rate from exercising.
My biggest problem is with personal trainers that push people to run faster, put more weights on the leg press, and lift weights way above their limit. Some trainers will even have people do things that they themselves would never do. Why is it that trainers always want to push us beyond our own limitations. We are the ones who know our bodies best. We are the ones that can feel the pain, the racing heart beat, or the stress in our shins or lower back. It’s up to us to tell the trainer that enough is enough. The answer is simple, we have to be pro-active and speak up rather then feel intimated by a person who thinks they are the know it all fitness guru that they are not.
Free Health Club Memberships?
Join our health club for free, all fees waived until further notice.
It sounds like a great deal, but like most great deals, the devil is in the details. Your local health club is smart, they know that they will probably only have one chance to get you to sign up, and they don’t want to loose it.
Health clubs change their promotions almost weekly, always looking for the enticement that works best. They will promise to waive the membership fee, or the initiation fee, or to give you extra personal training sessions, all in an effort to get you and your monthly dues in the door. When the club waives the start up fees, they usually compensate by increasing the monthly dues. They will offer you special introductory rates on personal training packages, knowing full well that you will probably not use up the entire package.
The health club will do what it takes to get you to commit, but when it comes time for you to freeze or cancel your membership, they don’t make that very easy. With out realizing it, your signing contract was probably for one or two years, and if you try and freeze your membership, you still have to pay a small monthly fee until the end of the contract. Even worse, if you try and cancel the contract, they will not stop trying to take the monthly membership fees from your bank account.
If your health club requires a contract, ask to see the freeze and cancellation policies before giving them your money. If you don’t like the terms, ask them to put a rider more to your likening in the contract, and to have a manager sign off on the changes. There is almost always room to negotiate for a lower rate, or reduced fees, but if you don’t ask for it, you won’t get it.
Airlines and Baggage
I was packing my bag for a trip to Florida, when it occurred to me that I had some items that might be broken if they were not wrapped securely.
I decided to repack my bag, carefully placing the wrapped breakables between layers of clothing. I was careful, but guess what; my bag was thrown around by the Delta baggage handlers when it was off loaded. How do I know this? My friend saw my bag tossed out of the plane and fly through the air before it landed not so softly on the hard ground.
At the time, I didn’t have a complaint company like http://www.directcomplaint.com behind me, and the airline refused to admit that they were careless. It took me three months, and at least 20 phone calls before they agreed to send me a check for $400 to compensate me for my broken items.
The airlines want our business, but then when they make mistakes, they won’t take correct measures to make things right. If it were only as easy as getting a voucher for giving up a seat on an over booked flight, we all would be very happy.
