International Travel Health Insurance

Santa Rosa, CA (PRWEB) January 24, 2012

This week, KQ Insurance Services introduced a new web page showcasing Travel Health Insurance on their site. The new product allows the online agency to offer emergency travel benefits to Americans and non-citizens who are traveling outside of their home country. The international line of business is underwritten and administered by HCC Medical Insurance Services, in association with Lloyd’s of London.

“In March 2011, we stumbled on short term health insurance through HCC. When we discovered how many consumers were benefiting from temporary insurance, we asked HCC about other insurance products they offered. We decided to give international travel health insurance a try because it complemented the other business lines we offer,” said Esmeralda Mercado.

Travel medical insurance provides protection for many situations not normally covered under a standard health policy. For example, it helps pay for a return trip home if the trip is interrupted by a covered incident, such as death of an immediate family member. Travel health insurance also extends coverage to non-medical emergencies, like incidental home country coverage. This benefit allows travelers who are away for an extended period to be able to return home for a visit before resuming their travel plans. This is especially helpful for non-U.S. citizens who are visiting family members in the United States. Travel insurance is also a good consideration for newlyweds on their honeymoon, couples celebrating a mile-stone event by traveling abroad, business people away on assignment, and people on missionary trips.

In the past, KQ Insurance Services has not aggressively pursued international travel health insurance leads, but they are now testing the waters, beginning with the launch of the new web page.

About KQ Insurance Services

Since 2005, KQ Insurance Services has ranked as one of the top online individual and group health insurance agencies. The company consists of benefits specialists who provide personalized insurance services to individuals and businesses needing assistance with enrollment, quotes, and health plan questions.

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New York, NY (PRWEB) February 15, 2012

Will high-resolution ultrasound become the new screening and diagnostic method for imaging silicone gel breast implants? A recent study suggests that portable, surgeon-performed, high-resolution ultrasound may have advantages over magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when screening for implant failure. Preliminary results from the study demonstrated that high-resolution ultrasound provides excellent visualization of current fourth- and fifth-generation silicone gel implants in scanning models. In addition, in vivo surgeon-performed ultrasound accurately identified implant status and correlated with radiologist-performed ultrasound, MRI, and surgical findings. The results of the study, “Surgeon-Performed High-Resolution Ultrasound in the Detection of Silicone Gel Breast Implant Shell Failure: Background, In Vitro Studies, and Early Clinical Results,” appear in the February issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

“Our preliminary findings show that portable, surgeon-performed, high-resolution ultrasound is feasible for screening silicone gel breast implants, matching the capabilities of MRI in detecting shell failure,” said lead author Bradley Bengtson, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon in private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “Although we are still working to define the role of this technology in the screening and diagnosis of patients with different silicone gel breast implant styles, there are several obvious benefits over MRI, including convenience, cost, availability, and dynamic, real-time visualization of the implant.”

Funded in part by a grant from the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF), the multi-part study evaluated several currently available base and transducer systems, using them for both in vitro and ex vivo scanning model assessments of a variety of normal and damaged implant models (Phase 1). These technologies were also applied clinically to provide imaging experience in three patients previously diagnosed with unilateral implant failure (Phase 2). A preliminary prospective evaluation was then performed to compare the accuracy of MRI, surgeon-performed high-resolution ultrasound, and radiologist-performed high-resolution ultrasound scans in predicting the shell integrity of 29 implants in 15 consecutive breast implant patients who subsequently underwent secondary implant surgery (Phase 3). In Phase 1, all hardware models easily detected both intact and intentionally damaged shells in currently marketed fourth-generation responsive gel implants and in investigational, fifth-generation highly cohesive gel devices. Although multiple transducers were able to detect shell failure, the 12-MHz head produced the best images at the normal clinical depth range. Confirmatory scans in Phase 2 correctly identified the side of rupture and were consistent with MRI and surgical findings. In Phase 3, high-resolution ultrasound accurately predicted implant shell integrity in all 29 imaged breasts (100%) as confirmed at the time of surgery in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. MRI is currently is currently recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for device surveillance.

“For both the patient and the surgeon, portable, high-resolution ultrasound has many potential benefits over MRI in the setting of breast implant screening,” said co-author Felmont Eaves, MD, Associate Clinical Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and immediate past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). “This office-based technology may also have broader applications, such as hand and facial fracture identification and treatment, vein surgery and ablation, visualization prior to shaped implant rotation, identification and management of seroma, and general breast evaluation.”

A prospective study is currently ongoing to help define the sensitivity and specificity of high-resolution ultrasound in the evaluation of current implant designs.

“Portable, high-resolution ultrasound that can be performed by the surgeon has the potential to enhance many areas of aesthetic breast surgery practice,” said Foad Nahai, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Aesthetic Surgery Journal. “We look forward to more information from this study.”

About ASJ

The Aesthetic Surgery Journal is the peer-reviewed publication of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and is the most widely read clinical journal in the field of cosmetic surgery, with subscribers in more than 60 countries

Website: surgery.org

Follow ASAPS on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ASAPS

Become a fan of ASAPS on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AestheticSociety

Aestetic Surgery Journal: http://aes.sagepub.com

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Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) February 13, 2012

Slingshot SEO, the innovative firm delivering digital relevance to deserving brands, and HCC Medical Insurance Services, a leading provider of international medical, are hosting a free webinar at 11 a.m. on Wednesday February 22, to brands interested in meshing their SEO and social media plans for maximum ROI and impact.

The webinar will be led by HCC Medical’s Muhammad Yasin and Slingshot SEO’s Jesse Laffen.

In this webinar, participants will learn:

    How social influences a website’s ranking factors
    How to create social content based on specific SEO keywords
    What social signals mean for a brand’s ROI

The SEO webinar is free but registration is required.

Muhammad Yasin is the Social Media Strategist for an international travel medical and short-term health insurance company. His social media marketing campaigns reached over 2 million people in 2011. Muhammad’s innovative use of social media in the healthcare industry was nominated for a Mira Award in 2010 as well as being featured as a case study in the book Search Engine Optimization: An Hour a Day. He was recently recognized as a Rising Star by the Indianapolis Star and by the Indianapolis social marketing community as the most influential Up and Comer of 2011.

As an evangelist for the use of social media, Muhammad Yasin regularly publishes tips at http://www.muhammadyasin.com.

Jesse Laffen is the Director of SEO Performance at Slingshot SEO. For the past four years, Jesse has been practicing search marketing on behalf of clients to achieve top organic rankings on search engines like Google and Bing. Jesse’s other areas of Internet marketing expertise include conversion rate optimization and copywriting.

About Slingshot SEO

Indianapolis-based Slingshot SEO was ranked #58 on the 2011 list of Inc’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies, and was #14 on the 2011 Tech200. Founded in 2006, Slingshot SEO provides professional SEO services to more than 150 clients across the country. The company’s results are driven by a tireless passion to make deserving brands digitally relevant. For more information about Slingshot SEO and to read customer reviews, visit http://www.slingshotseo.com.

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Less Cancer Founder Bill Couzens

Rye, New Hampshire (PRWEB) February 04, 2012

National Cancer Prevention Day, February 4th, 2012, serves to remind people that when looking at cancer they need to look at prevention, and reducing risks for human health and the environment. The resolution, entered in the House of Representatives, states that when we work to prevent cancer risks, it impacts human health, the environment, and the economy.

“Today on National Cancer Prevention Day, we recognize everyone who has been touched by this terrible disease, either directly or indirectly,” said Congressman Steve Israel, Co-Chairman of the House Cancer Caucus. Having introduced the resolution, he went on to say, “I encourage all of us to think about prevention and how we can reduce risks in our environment and lead healthy lifestyles. I applaud the work that Less Cancer is doing in this regard.”

At the state level, the work for Cancer Prevention Day started when Resolution SJ 358 passed on February 3, 2011 in the Virginia Senate honoring the work of Less Cancer and naming February 4, 2011, and every succeeding February 4, as Cancer Prevention Day in the state of Virginia.

Virginia State Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel, who introduced the resolution, later said, “It is my honor to undertake the work to establish Cancer Prevention Day in the Commonwealth. The more energy and resources that we direct toward awareness, education and prevention, the more lives we save.”

Bert Johnson (D – Detroit, Michigan) introduced the resolution for February 4th of each year as “Cancer Prevention Day” in Michigan. “Nearly everyone knows a friend or loved one who has suffered from or lost someone to cancer,” Sen. Johnson said. “As with most health care issues, raising awareness and increasing prevention is one of the best ways to combat this disease.”

Bill Couzens, who originally hails from Detroit, Michigan is a graduate of Wayne State University and the Founder and President of the nonprofit Next Generation Choices Foundation and the widely known Less Cancer Campaign. The Campaign has worked to raise awareness for the reduction of cancer risks. Founded in 2004, Next Generation Choices Foundation partners with communities to create and dispense educational tools that focus on environmental health advocacy and lifestyle choices.

The public charity was formed in response to the escalating cases of cancer and the lack of education and knowledge about potential causes. Couzens has been recognized by Congress in addition to the Commonwealth of Virginia for his work in initiating and creating best practices to reduce pesticide drift in health effected communities such as schools. He has been published in a number of periodicals and has been a speaker on the topic of reducing harmful environmental exposures linked to cancer. Couzens regularly speaks on human health and environment issues.

Next Generation Choices Foundation Board is Chaired By Thomas M. Sherman, MD, and Board Members include Bill Couzens, Greg Lam, Ronald B. Herberman MD, Veronique Pittman, Maryann Donovan PhD, MPH, Science Reporter Miles O’Brien, John Couzens, Stormy Stokes Hood.

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Garden City, New York (PRWEB) February 05, 2012

The team of Long Island spine specialists at Reconstructive Spine Surgery is enthusiastic about the improvements they are seeing as a result of technical advances in spine stabilization surgery.

Dr. Marc Agulnick, a member of the Reconstructive Spine Surgery team who is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, says patients with spinal column deformities are benefitting from advances in the understanding of the spine’s biomechanics.

“Not only do we know more about spine stabilization surgery, but there have been great technical advances in the tools used during surgery,” Dr. Agulnick says. “The instruments we’re using now are both stronger and lighter than before.”

Dr. Agulnick says development has been so rapid that he is seeing significant improvement in surgical outcome compared to only 2 years ago.

“The goal of spine surgery in New York is to reduce back pain while correcting the deformity,” Dr. Agulnick says. “Each patient needs an individualized approach to his or her spinal deformity, and these advancements enable us to design each procedure to match the patient’s exact needs. It’s exciting to see how much these advancements have helped our patients in just the past 2 years.”

Dr. Benjamin Cohen, another member of the Reconstructive Spine Surgery team, is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He treats a wide range of neck and back conditions related to both illnesses and injury.

“Advances in surgical techniques allow surgeons to more effectively treat specific conditions,” Dr. Cohen says. “This is important because our goal is to stop conditions from worsening and to alleviate back pain for our New York patients.

Dr. Thomas Davenport, a plastic surgeon at Reconstructive Spine Surgery, says that specializing in a specific area of medicine has allowed him to perfect his skills.

“Working with Dr. Agulnick and Dr. Cohen has given me greater insight into the world of spine surgery and has enabled me to develop my skills as a plastic surgeon,” Dr. Davenport says. “The three of us work together as one unit to give patients the best results possible.”

The surgeons at Reconstructive Spine Surgery treat a range of conditions related to the spine. They continue to stay involved and up to date concerning advancements in spinal surgery techniques.

Reconstructive Spine Surgery (http://www.reconstructivespinesurgery.com) is a practice made up of 3 surgeons who specialize in 3 specific areas: orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and plastic surgery. They work together to treat a range of conditions such as spinal trauma, spinal infection, spinal deformity and spinal tumors. Their multidisciplinary approach allows for the most effective solutions to a variety of conditions, and their commitment to continuing education enables them to provide the most advanced techniques with safe and long-lasting results.

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Sarasota Plastic Surgeons Discuss the Importance of Doctor-Patient Communication

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) February 02, 2012

At their Tampa Bay plastic surgery practice, Dr. Jeff Scott and Dr. John Leikensohn say patient consultations are an essential preliminary step in the cosmetic surgery process and a top priority in patient care, particularly in breast-related procedures as they become more and more popular. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows in its latest statistics that breast augmentation and breast lift procedures combined account for almost 25% (386,134 of the 1.6 million) of the total cosmetic surgical enhancements performed in 2010. Drs. Scott and Leikensohn say that because breast surgery requires such an acute eye for aesthetic shape and personal preference, taking care as a patient to communicate properly with one’s surgeon can significantly enhance one’s results and satisfaction.

Performing approximately 300 breast augmentations and 100 breast lifts per year, Drs. Scott and Leikensohn say they have encountered patients who know exactly what they want from a procedure and also patients who are looking for a professional opinion during their consultation. They say patients who are considering a breast lift or breast augmentation in Tampa Bay are typically looking to correct droopiness (ptosis) and/or create a more perky, full appearance. Dr. Scott says because each patient has different goals, discussing with one’s doctor exactly how they would like to look ensures the highest quality results are achieved.

“It basically boils down to the position of the nipple related to the breast inframammary fold and also if there is excess skin and breast glandular tissue ‘bottoming out’ below the nipple/areolar complex. Some women definitely know a breast lift is needed and come to my office requesting it. However, those that have less ptosis often are not sure. Keep in mind that a large percentage of women undergoing a breast lift also have implants placed to provide upper breast fullness to complete the natural perky appearance. Those decisions should be part of a lengthy discussion between the patient and her plastic surgeon.”

Regardless of whether patients are seeking breast surgery or another type of procedure, Dr. Scott adds patients should feel comfortable with their surgeon’s experience level, qualifications, and investment into their interests during the consultation. He adds that through the skilled hands of a passionate, board-certified plastic surgeon, patients can achieve natural and proportionate results that lead to increased self-confidence and a more positive outlook on life.

“It is very important that a patient only go to a plastic surgeon who is also a good listener. There is no procedure where it is more important to fully understand the patients goals and desired look than with breast augmentation and/or mastopexy. As a surgeon, I must first fully understand how each patient visualizes himself or herself appearing, and only then can I give him or her recommendations to accomplish those goals. It is important that patients leave the breast consultation with a good gut feeling that the plastic surgeon listened enough to fully understand and thus accomplish his or her desired goals.”

About Jeff Scott, MD, FACS

Dr. Jeff Scott earned his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Oklahoma and his medical degree with honors from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed a five-year residency in general surgery and trauma followed by a two-year residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Dr. Scott is board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Florida Medical Society, and the Manatee County Medical Society.

About John R. Leikensohn, MD, FACS

Following graduation from Duke University, Dr. John Leikensohn attended medical school at Georgetown University. He completed two years of general surgery training in addition to advanced training in otolaryngology and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Leikensohn also completed two years of training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of California San Francisco. He is dual board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, in addition to being a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Lipolysis Society, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

The Plastic Surgery Center in Florida has two locations at 5807 21st Avenue West in Bradenton, FL, reachable at (800) 941-4302, and 1219 East Ave South, Suite 201 in Sarasota, FL, reachable at (800) 305-2450. It can also be contacted online via the website floridacosmeticsurg.com.

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Proasis all-natural protein shot

Whitehall, PA (PRWEB) January 28, 2012

Protica has announced that it has developed a unique, all-natural product intended to help make it simple to lose weight in a healthy way. This product, known as Proasis®, is designed to allow consumers to supplement their diet with concentrated nutrition and protein.

“It’s pretty easy to lose weight on a restrictive diet, but it is very difficult to maintain such a diet when there is so much temptation out there,” says Jim Duffy, founder and president of Protica. Duffy wanted to develop an all-natural product that would help the consumer to avoid the risks of unhealthy eating habits and restrictive dieting. Duffy believes Proasis can be used to help people lose weight without having to skip meals and deny the body its nutrients. Proasis was designed to provide all-natural, concentrated nutrients to supplement foods that lack proper nutrition.

The two major impediments to weight loss are poor diet and a lack of exercise. Popular diets offer the chance to shed the weight without having to work at it. Unfortunately, most of these diets require a person to forgo foods they love and embrace a diet designed for shedding weight. Few people have the will-power to maintain a diet indefinitely. Protica believes thta Proasis will provide a more effective approach to alter an individual’s eating habits and embrace a more balanced diet.

Proasis provides essential vitamins as well as twenty-five grams of protein. Protein is a natural source of energy, and high protein foods help to increase metabolism and burn calories more efficiently. “The protein found in Proasis can fortify any meal and allow the consumer to burn away their calories,” says Jim Duffy.

A high protein diet can help a person to lose weight, especially when combined with exercise. Protica hopes Proasis will help people in their fitness and weight loss efforts.

About Protica

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a research-based nutraceutical firm headquartered in Whitehall, Pennsylvania. In its privately owned 250,000 square foot facility, Protica manufactures capsulized foods, such as Profect® ready-to-drink liquid protein beverage, Isometric® ready-to-drink meal replacement shot, Fruitasia® ready-to-drink fruit and vegetable shot, Protein Gem® ready-to-eat healthy gelatin, Protein Twist® ready-to-eat protein candy, Pediagro® ready-to-drink children’s meal replacement, Proasis® all natural ready-to-drink liquid protein shot, and many other brands in ready-to-drink and ready-to-eat form. To learn more about Protica please visit http://www.protica.com

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Omaha , NE (PRWEB) January 11, 2012

According to a recent Gallup Poll, obesity and health related illness costs US companies more than $ 153 billion in lost productivity, revenue and health costs annually. Complete Nutrition, the nation’s leading health and weight loss supplement retailer and wellness consultants is hosting a city wide weight loss wellness challenge in Omaha to bring attention to this serious health and economic issue.

Complete Nutrition and Mayor Jim Suttle are challenging Omaha businesses to “Weight No More” and get ready to shed those pounds in a city-wide corporate weight loss and wellness challenge to take place among area businesses that have made a commitment to lose weight and get fit over 12 weeks of 2012. Complete Nutrition chose the January to April time period based on most individual’s desire to lose extra weight that may have been gained over the holiday season.

The Complete Nutrition “Weight No More” Wellness Challenge will allow the participating companies to field a team of competitors whose goal is to safely lose the largest amount of weight by percentage through a regimen of healthy meals, exercise, hydration and supplements over a 12 week period from January 23rd ending on April 16th, 2012.

Complete Nutrition president Ryan Zink came up with the idea for the competition to address the growing issue of obesity in the country and its effect on business and the economy. “Complete Nutrition prides itself on being the leading partner for our customers in weight loss and that starts with education around how to cure or prevent weight gain. We feel the Complete Nutrition ‘Weight No More’ Wellness Challenge will be an exciting step in our effort to help educate and motivate the Omaha community to look, feel, and perform better in 2012.”

Mayor Jim Suttle has named January 10, 2012, the announcement date of the competition, “Complete Nutrition ‘Weight No More’ Wellness Challenge Day” in the City of Omaha and will officially launch the event with the presentation of the Mayoral Proclamation at City Hall at 10AM on January 10, 2012. Mayor Suttle will invite all Omaha residents to join the area’s leading businesses in an effort to lose weight and get healthy in 2012. In making the proclamation Mayor Suttle said; “Obesity and health related issues cost American businesses over $ 153 billion annually in lost productivity and increased costs. Right now between 70-90 percent of health care spending comes from preventable health risks such as smoking, a lack of exercise, stress, obesity, high blood pressure, and high alcohol use. I have worked hard to encourage city employees to adopt healthy lifestyles which could significantly cut down on the City’s health care costs and I am excited that an Omaha company, Complete Nutrition, is bringing attention to this important issue. We wish our local businesses and their employees good luck in the competition and look forward to awarding the Grand Prize to the winning company.”

Each company will be assigned one of Complete Nutrition’s store staff coaches who will be responsible for all aspects of education, consultation and motivation for that company’s team. The coaches will conduct events at company locations to provide health and fitness tips and counseling throughout the competition which will be open to all company employees whether they choose to participate in the competition or not. In addition to its high quality and effective product line, Complete Nutrition is known for its experienced in-store consultants, nearly 70% of which are personal trainers and fitness consultants. Qualified staff and quality products are what have made Complete Nutrition one of the country’s fastest growing franchise businesses.

Competitors will participate in a supervised weigh-in process at the outset of the competition and report their weekly weight loss or gain via an independent online provider WeightLossWars.com which specializes in proprietary software to track and manage weight loss events and which will provide real time updates, statistics and standings for the competition. At the end of 12 weeks there will be a final “Weigh-Out” event where the Grand Prize winner will be announced and the $ 5,000 check presented to the Juvenile Obesity research organization by Complete Nutrition.

In addition to gaining city-wide bragging rights, the winning team will have a donation of $ 5,000 made in their name by Complete Nutrition to The the Alliance for a Healthier Generation which works to address one of the nation’s leading public health threats – childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference in a child’s health; homes, schools, doctor’s offices and communities.

In celebration of the Complete Nutrition Weight No More Wellness Challenge, the company will offer all participating team members, employees of participating companies, as well as anyone else who comes into one of the five Complete Nutrition retail locations in the Omaha area and mentions the “Challenge”, a 31% discount off all Complete Nutrition products.

Complete Nutrition is based in Omaha and will premiere the event there in 2012 with plans to roll it out nationwide to its franchisees in 2013. Live Well Omaha is also involved with the initiative in a city where some two-thirds of the population is considered obese and which the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has listed at 182 out of 183 cities studied for good health.

Complete Nutrition congratulates the participating companies and applauds their commitment to fitness in 2012. There’s still room for additional companies to get involved and they can do so by contacting: Deb Gray of Complete Nutrition at 402 680 6020 or by email at dgray(at)completenutrition(dot)com.

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Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 22, 2012

Atlantic Information Services, Inc., publisher of Health Reform Week, is pleased to announce its January 24 webinar, The New Member Profile: Marketing and Benefit Design for Subsidized Exchange Members. See webinar details at http://aishealth.com/marketplace/c2r05_012412.

The Medicaid expansion called for by the health reform law is expected to move 16 million Americans into health insurance exchanges in 2014. They’ll join the millions who already have Medicaid, who qualify for subsidies or who are purchasing unsubsidized commercial coverage via the exchanges. But low-income members have significantly different needs than do other exchange participants.

On January 24 Stephen O’Dell, from Molina Healthcare, Inc., and Andrew Berenato, from the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies, will outline strategies to attract, manage and retain these members. During the 60-minute presentation and 30 minutes of Q&A, participants will get insider perspectives on key questions such as:

The best approach for tailoring benefit designs to the needs of different population segments, using a Basic Health Program, a separate Medicaid program or other options.

How to create an exchange product that is customer-friendly, transparent and customer-service-focused.

Why exchange-based products should reform the one-size-fits-all model of Medicaid.

Why lower-priced products will help stabilize the exchanges, attracting both subsidized and unsubsidized members.

How exchanges should be structured to avoid adverse selection, address varying consumer needs and ensure both choice and quality for customers.

Strategies for integrating and coordinating Medicaid and commercial exchanges to improve functionality and reduce churn.

Visit http://aishealth.com/marketplace/c2r05_012412 for more details and registration information.

About AIS

AIS develops highly targeted news, data and strategies for managers in hospitals, health plans, medical group practices, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. Learn more at http://www.AISHealth.com.

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The Green PolkaDot Box supports youth athletics and sports nutrition at a fund raising basketball tournament!

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) January 18, 2012

Rod A. Smith, founder of The Green PolkaDot Box™ (GPDB) was pleased to provide a sports and nutrition message along with healthy snacks and one adult and one youth basketball team to help support the AMP Athletics “3 on 3 Basketball” fund-raising tournament. The Green PolkaDot Box, a new online “buying collective” membership club, provides families with affordable access to healthy, natural and clean foods and products from their organic products warehouse in Spanish Fork, Utah. AMP Athletics is a non-profit corporation founded to provide opportunities for children who have the desire to participate in athletics but are limited because of finances. GPDB shared healthy and delicious snack options at the AMP Athletics 60-team basketball fund-raising tournament at the Salem Hills High School, located near The Green PolkaDot Box organic food warehouse in Spanish Fork, Utah.

The Green PolkaDot Box, newly launched in December, is a national company based in Utah, was honored to provide healthy snack options for 600 athletes and their families. Organic Snacks options being offered at the fund raising basketball tournament included dried fruit, coconut water and gluten-free, organic snacks. The Green PolkaDot Box also sponsored two basketball teams, a company team and the only all girls youth team entered in the tournament.

GPDB founder, Rod A. Smith, says that with 41 million American kids playing competitive sports it makes sense that 78 percent of U.S. families – more than ever before –are starting to include some organic foods in their diets, according to CNN and a study recently published by the Organic Trade Association.

“American families who want to eat well and live well are often limited by lack of affordable resources,” says Rod A. Smith. “The Green PolkaDot Box gives members access to clean, organic foods at up to a 60 percent savings, making it more affordable than ever for families to invest in sports-nutrition based eating habits. AMP Athletics helps fund children who want to participate in sports. Together, we hope to educate children and their parents who love sports, about healthy food options that afford them the opportunity to play healthier!”

According to Ryan Bowler, many parents in the United States cannot afford to pay for school lunch let alone to pay for their kids to play sports. He says 38 percent of students, over 215,000 children in Utah alone, are receiving free and reduced school meals. Ryan and his wife Amanda founded AMP Athletics to help families with the additional costs associated with sports so more families would have the opportunity to sign their kids up for the sports and activities they love. The AMP Athletics “3 on 3 Basketball Tournament” fund raiser model is their way of helping children while involving people and sponsors in the sports they love.

“AMP Athletics wants to make sports programs affordable to all children who have an interest,” says Ryan Bowler, AMP Athletics founder. “We are pleased that The Green PolkaDot Box would join us to share an affordable sports and health message which will help all families support our youth in living healthy and active lifestyles.”

AMP Athletics believes kids can learn discipline, hard work, communication, positive conflict resolution, and other life skills through sports that they may not learn by sitting around at home. AMP Athletics believes when children are denied the opportunities to get involved in sports due to lack of finances they miss out on life skills they learn that help prepare them to lead productive lives. Their goal is to AMPlify the lives of underprivileged children by enabling them to participate in sports facilitating their physical, emotional, and social development. http://www.ampathletics.org.

Rod A. Smith and his family created The Green PolkaDot Box online buying club as a result of their efforts to eat better, after being faced with a diet-related health issue. Their goal to find affordable, organic, and non-Genetically Modified Organism products led to the formation of The Green PolkaDot Box (GPDB) which now provides affordable organic and clean foods and products directly to the homes of their rapidly growing membership of over 12,000 families nationwide. http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/rod.

The Green PolkaDot Box™ is an online “buying collective” membership club that provides the lowest pricing on organic, natural and other healthy food products through partnerships that obtain the best pricing from manufacturers and growers and deliver directly to consumers in any Zip Code. A family business, founded by Rod A. Smith, the Green PolkaDot Box does not carry any products that contain harmful ingredients, including foods that are known to be genetically modified. The GPDB annual membership program includes both “club” and “reward” memberships; the latter offering a referral rewards program to help consumers earn their healthy food purchases. Both membership types feature a FREE delivery option on purchases over $ 150. Learn how the GPDB referral rewards program helps consumers earn their healthy food purchases. http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/rod.

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