Medical Insurance Info

Does a health check do any good?

There is a growing debate concerning health check ups. Here we will discuss whether health check ups are beneficial or just a campaign promoted by the medical profession. 

Much of the literature centers around the Cochrane Systematic Review and Meta Analysis. Researchers performed 16 randomized trials on 182,880 persons. Of these, some persons where chosen for the study who had a health check and compared to another group that did not have a check up.

Results were studied by two independent researchers who submitted their findings. The trials were performed on sub groups to determine mortality rates, cardiovascular disease and cancer. By groups here are the findings:

9 trials were conducted on mortality with 11,940 deaths. The risk ratio was .99 to 1.03
8 trials were done on cardiovascular disease with 4,567 deaths. The risk ratio was 1.03 to 1.17.
8 trials were conducted on cancer patients with 3,883 deaths. The risk ratio was 1.01 to 1.12.

The conclusion stated that health checks had no beneficial effects on mortality, hospitalization, disability, additional doctor visits or work absences. 
1 trial reported a 20% increase in total new diagnoses per person over a 6 year period.

We ask: “Are these findings true and accurate?” The answer is Yes. “Are these findings meaningful?” Probably not. Then why not?

First off, the medical profession does not know the CAUSE of diseases. They only treat symptoms and prescribe treatment AFTER you have a disease. Since the medical profession does not know the CAUSE of death any finding that concludes that health check ups had no effect on mortality is true but meaningless. The same is true for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

Let's take some examples. Two patients are diagnosed with high blood pressure, both with the same numbers. Both are given the same dose of medication, On patient goes on to live a normal, healthy life, while the other suffers multiple heart attacks.

Two patients have the same high blood sugar levels. Both are given the same dose of medication. One lives a normal life, while the disease in the second person becomes worse, resulting in amputations and death.

Prostate cancer cells can be diagnosed with a blood test. Here again two persons have the same diagnosis, both are given the same medication. In one person the cancer cells are contained and the tumor shrinks. In the other patient, the cancer cells spread throughout the body resulting in death. Why this happens is still a medical mystery.

What each person must ask is: “Do I want to know if I have a conditions that need treatment. Most would say yes, and some just don’t care. It would seem beneficial to know is you have high blood pressure, or high blood sugar or the presence of cancer cells in your blood. What you choose to do about it is your own personal decision. 

To answer the question whether medical check ups are beneficial is, in the final analysis, an individual decision.

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This week's health news round-up

PMI and the economy

One of things about PMI that differentiates it from other types of insurance is that what it buys you is twofold: first, the peace of mind in knowing that if you require any treatmant that's covered by the policy you will have that treatment in good surroundings. Secondly, it also means being seen on a prompt basis - so there's the added peace of mind in knowing that there won't be the need to join any waiting lists.

Waiting lists of course coninue to make the headlines, and earlier this year it was reported that the number of patients waiting for treatment in England had climed to a five-year high of 2.9 million. However the number of very long waits was decreasing, with the amount of people waiting for over 18 weeks (5.5 months) down by 55,000 in three years.

During tough economic times, though, people may well scrimp and save where they can - and PMI has seen effects of the downturn and subsequent economic vicissitudes in the time since.

Of course, we're technically out of recession now. In fact it's been a non-recessionary UK since the third quarter of 2009 - according to the figures. But that doesn't of course mean thata boom time followed - and at one point it even looked like the country had gone back into recession - a double dip.

But even if we haven't been in a recession for the entire time since the start of the downturn, it definitely feels like a changed world much of the time. 

The health insurance market will of course change over the coming years and decades - and with the ageing population (plus the resultant state healthcare resources this could use up) PMI will no doubt figure more and more as a must-have product.

 

Strategies for managing stress: a new essential?

We've all seen the type of stress headlines that crop up with a disconcerting regularity. Here are a few culled from the most recent articles around this particular topic:

GPs suffering highest stress rates for 15 years

Stress named the most common trigger for migraines

Poll says more than half of us experience stress in the workplace

Don't feel like this: manage your stress and minimise its effects

Luckily, we now live in a much more open culture as regards mental health than previous generations. So while there is very likely to have been a rise in stress levels associated with the downturn, it's coupled with the fact that people these days are far more likely to seek a diagnosis.

The 'stiff upper lip' of old has (thankfully) given way to a more flexible approach to mental health, a dissolving of stigma, and a workplace that's far more accepting of the fact that mental healt should be factored in when looking at wellbeing policies.

Given the prevalence of stress, though, it's becoming more and more apparent that we should probably all acquire an understanding of stress management so that we can help minimise its effects should it ever arise.

There's a good range of books on all aspects of stress management from effective work prioritisation and other work-related things, as well as mindfulness meditation, breathing techniques, tai chi and so on.

If you're looking for advice on stress management, this week the medical insurance provider AXA PPP healthcare is holding a live question and answer session with one of its resident experts on the topic of stress and anxiety. The chat takes place between 3 and 4pm on Tuesday the 24th September, and is a great opportunity to discuss stress issues with someone who can provide an expert's view.

If you can't make it along for the live question and answer session but would like to submit a question, just click the link above and you can do so on the site.

 

 

Tips for a healthy workplace

Some of the things in this clip may seem quite obvious - such as making sure that your chair and desk are 'working for you'. But in terms of workplace health, there's often more to things like this than it may seem at first. There are bound to be plenty of people for whom the work station set-up was perfectly acceptable until an assessment was carried out, and changes made. And it's tehse changes that can make all the difference in avoiding things like RSI.

The ergonomics of seat and desk design and use also link with things like posture -even if everything's at the correct level, we still need to be mindful of the correct posture and try to ensure that we adopt it as often as possible. Check out this post on correct posture too. Did you know there was a 'correct slump'? Me neither.

 

Staff benefits

Do you know what staff benefits are available to you?

Various things are offered to staff as part of an employment package, and one of the main reasons for doing this is of course that in an age when the competition for talent is increasingly strong, organisations have to do all they can in order to recruit the best staff - and also to retain those staff too.

According to a recent report, though, it appears as if many staff are unaware of the benefits available to them - and it could be costing £2.7 billion per year. According to research by Cass Business School in London, a comparison of companies who offer the same amount and level of benefits - where one organisation communicates benefits but the other doesn't - has shown that in the latter case, staff turnover and sickness absence are higher, hence higher costs that would otherwise be avoidable.

More on this story here.

 

Fitness after cancer treatment

As has been said many times before - and in many different ways - if there was a health superhero, it would be exercise. Pretty much anything you'd care to name seems to be improved by getting enough physical activity. Among the benefits of exercise are the following:

• improved mood
• lowers risk of diabetes and other conditions
• lowered risk of dementia
• improved self esteem
• helps control weight
• builds stamina

In fact, one doctor who is quoted on the NHS Choices exercise page goes as far as to say that "If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented".

However, when recovering from cancer treatment is it still beneficial to get active? According to this guide, it used to be that doctors would recommend patients reast after treatment, but that greater numbers of clinicians and oncologists now believe in a exercise 'as a strategy' in helping with the side effects of cancer treatment, speeding recovery and for general improvement in quality of life.

Of course if you have cancer and are interested in exercising, the guide we link to above does say that it's very important to err on the side of caution and communicate with your medical team to make sure that you're not purring yourself at any risk by exercising.

Focus is also placed on enjoyment - doing something that you enjoy such as going for a walk in the park or doing a salsa class, as they point out that when you're recovering from treatment it's all about the benefits of getting some physical activities rather than trying to be superfit.

For more info on cancer and physical activity please also visit this link to Macmillan cancer care 

 

 

 

 

Obesity epidemic and your family's health

There's a lot of talk in the media about an obesity epidemic. And whil ethe UK isn't the nation with the biggest challenge in terms of overweight and obesity, we are one of the nations higher up the list 0 as are many of the western nations with developed economies.

But what can we do as individuals to ensure that we keep to a weight that's within the recommended range - or rather, have a body mass index (BMI) that is healthy. It's worth noting that BMI isn't the be all and end all though - for instance athletes and people who do sports may be heavy due to muscle mass and so the scales aren't showint them to be overweight as such - just heavier than the average person of their height and build.

Keeping to a healthy weigh isn't simply about the amount we consume. Sure, it definitely helps to keep out of the habit of eating foods that are packed with energy but have little in the way of nutritional value - such as sugar heavy soft drinks.

Activity plays its part as well -and not only can make us feel better about ourselves, exercise can also reduce the risk for a range of diseases.

The obesity epidemic - while it's a governmental challenge here and in other countries too, it's also a fight we can do our own individual contribution to winning. 

Private medicine

Interesting and helpful clip on private medicine - worth a look.  

PMI market boost

The private medical insurance market saw encouraging news this week with the year on year subscriber figures for one of the industry's biggest players showing a very respectable increase.

PMI provider AXA PPP healthcare saw an 11% increase in member numbers for 2012 for UK and international PMI combined, which is likely to be encouraging news for the industry as a whole - especially given that we're not yet hearing much talk of the recession lifting once and for all.

It's interesting to note that the company's international PMI is seeing an increase in subsriber numbers, since this area is one that's been on the increase for a while now. part of the reason for this is that - even despite the effects of the downturn on many companies - more and more people are emnbarking on international assignments through their employer.

The number of expat employees is expected to continue to grow for at least the next 5 years, and expat insurance will be an area to watch as this continues. 

The value of private health and healthcare services in the UK is £40 billion (source: laing and Buisson) and this is likely to grow due to a number of factors including

• ageing population more of whom as time goes on will be likely to insure health
• changes to the structure of the healthcare market as a whole
• increasing amount of people travelling to the UK for elective procedures
• new drugs and treatments offered under private medicine may not be available elsewhere, attracting more subscribers to PMI

Of course, there's always the possibility that the economy could find its upturn sooner than expected too, which would also provide a fillip for the market.

Ensuring you get the right medical cover

If you're looking to buy private health cover, then there are a few things worth thinking about as you consider your potential purchase.

The first of these is deciding on what level of cover you require. If you're new to private medical insurance (PMI) then it's a good idea to take a little time and look at the range of options available - PMI policies aren't one size fits all, giving you the opportunity to pick and choose the things you require, while also of course not subscribing to or paying for the elements of coverage you don't require.

Another important aspect of buying (as with any financial product) is of course to make sure that the provider you choose is a reputable, established name. If you want to find out more about insurance generally then check  out the Association of British Insurers website, which has info for consumers. The much-respected consumer magazine Which? also has a very useful insurance section which has lots of sensible advice for prospective PMI customers and information about things like cutting the cost of PMI and the plus points of getting cover.