Textalyzer: A Breathalyzer for Your Cellphone
A new device called a textalyzer, designed to reduce the high number of auto accidents caused by distracted drivers, can check to see if drivers have been texting or performing other activities on their cell phones in the moments before a crash. What is the Textalyzer? A digital device, called the textalyzer, has been developed to help law enforcement crack down on distracted driving accidents caused by cell phone use behind the wheel. The new textalyzer technology is modeled after the current Breathalyzer device that police use to [...]
Residents Are Getting Illegally Dumped By their Nursing Homes [infographic]
“Hospital Dumping” is an illegal eviction process for nursing home residents which has become a major concern for the elderly in the U.S. and about 9,000 people fall victim to this practice every year. (Article continues below infographic) Illegal Hospital Dumping Thousands of elderly residents are getting dumped every year in hospitals where they are taken for acute care treatment of illness or injury. Once their hospital care is completed, they are told without prior warning that they cannot return to their nursing home. According to federal laws, [...]
PTSD: The Terror Continues After the Tragedy Ends [infographic]
Traumatic experiences can trigger PTSD which can have a long-term impact on a person’s health causing physical, emotional, and cognitive dysfunction. A person who has a traumatic stress event often experiences intense fear and feelings of helplessness that leave a significant mark on the brain, so future experiences can trigger similar reactions years later. (Article continues below infographic) Living With PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that has negative, long-term health effects on physical, mental, and cognitive functions. It’s caused by exposure, either witnessed [...]
One Tricky Way Insurance Companies Get Out of Paying
Insurance companies sometimes use rescission to deny benefits to consumers, especially when a large claim is filed. The canceling of insurance policies at the time of a claim due to innocent omissions or mistakes is a growing problem for consumers who are then left without current coverage and often struggle with the ability to obtain new insurance. Consumers must be extra cautious when filling out insurance forms to help prevent having a health or life insurance claim denied due to rescission. Consumers Bear the Brunt of Misunderstanding Forms [...]
Are Elders with Dementia More Likely to Be Abused?
Due to a decline in cognitive function, elderly people with dementia are at a much greater risk of abuse and neglect by their caregivers. Dementia causes a significant decline in thinking skills and memory, often severe enough to interfere with everyday tasks and activities. These deficits make dementia patients easy targets for various types of verbal, physical and sexual abuse. Elderly Patients With Dementia According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately five million Americans over the age of 65 who have some [...]
Auto Safety Issues Often Overlooked
Published on December 4, 2017, by Matthew Sharp
Car Accident
Drivers often overlook important safety issues such as vehicle defects, recalls, and proper maintenance that contribute to dangerous auto accidents. A vehicle’s age and style, and the type and scope of a safety-related recall have a significant impact on whether or not a recall is addressed or repairs are ever completed. When motor vehicle owners fail to make repairs, perform maintenance or address safety-related recalls, they place themselves, their families and other motorists at risk for serious injury and death. Overlooked Safety Issues Ignoring important safety issues and [...]
Does Your Disability Insurance Company Have You Under Surveillance?
Surveillance is a common tool used by disability insurance companies during the claims process. Insurance companies often hire private investigators to follow the activities of claimants who file for disability insurance benefits. Surveillance and Claim Investigations Disability insurance companies often use surveillance tactics during the claims process to determine benefit eligibility. Insurers claim that surveillance is used only as a fraud prevention tool to ensure that a claimant’s disabilities are legitimate. However, in some cases, surveillance is also used to deny claims. Private investigators are often employed by [...]
The Number of Consumers With Medical Bills Denied Might Surprise You [Infographic]
As many as 53 million insured Americans are denied payment for medical bills by their health insurance company. Recent medical data shows that 24 percent of insured individuals are denied payment for prescribed medical treatments. Denied Payment for Medical Treatments Over the last few years, many Americans have gained health insurance with the help of healthcare reforms through Obama Care (Affordable Care Act), however, many of those insured individuals with persistent conditions and chronic illnesses are facing medical billing denials for treatments. According to data from the [...]
A Denied Insurance Claim Could Cost Your Life
In states where assisted suicide is legal, some insurance companies are denying patient claims for expensive, life-saving medical treatments and offering cheaper payments for assisted suicide instead. Fatal Consequences of Denied Claims According to a physician in Nevada, insurance companies that operate in states with legal assisted suicide laws are denying medical claims for patients and offering cheaper assisted suicide options. Although these are life-saving treatments for many patients, insurance companies are focused on cheaper treatments that save the company money with no regard for patients’ care or [...]
Is Time Running Out on Your Ability to File a Bad Faith Insurance Claim?
The statute of limitations for bad faith insurance claims in Nevada is based on statutory grounds or common law. Claims filed under statutory grounds must be filed within three years of the violation, while claims filed under the common law must be filed within four years. Filing a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Nevada According to Nevada law, insurance companies have a duty to act in good faith and provide fair services to all policyholders. If an insurance company breaches its duty to provide a fair assessment of [...]
