Author: Lynn Dorman, Ph.D.

  • Only a pawn in their game [B. Dylan]

    Why is that “health” care companies feel they have the right to scam Medicare clients and all others?

    Why don’t they do health care insuring [and assuring] and not “pick-your-pocket” and “damn-the-consequences” type of behavior?

    From the Sunday New York Times

    October 7, 2007
    Medicare Audits Show Problems in Private Plans
    By ROBERT PEAR

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 — Tens of thousands of Medicare recipients have been victims of deceptive sales tactics and had claims improperly denied by private insurers that run the system’s huge new drug benefit program and offer other private insurance options encouraged by the Bush administration, a review of scores of federal audits has found.

    The problems, described in 91 audit reports reviewed by The New York Times, include the improper termination of coverage for people with H.I.V. and AIDS, huge backlogs of claims and complaints, and a failure to answer telephone calls from consumers, doctors and drugstores….The audits document widespread violations of patients’ rights and consumer protection standards. Some violations could directly affect the health of patients — for example, by delaying access to urgently needed medications. [emphasis mine – LD]

    Full article here HERE

    Call me whatever – but I’d rather have the government doing health care than these greedy, out-to-scam-everyone corporate types whose only interest is the bottom line and their shareholders.

    The people buying the insurance? We are just pawns in their game. And I have seen the “game” both as a provider and as an insured! Believe me – insurance companies are out for your money – not your health!

  • It’s Fall and the scams increase!

    As we approach the end-of-the-year holidays [and we now start approaching them in August] the scammers are as busy trying to get your money as are the stores. “Gift” items are moved into prime retail space…online businesses are telling you to buy for the holidays…..

    And the scammers are sending out numerous emails saying that your credit or debit card account has been compromised: reported as stolen, has strange charges on it, etc. You are asked to log in from the email page and give them all sorts of private information relating to your account – so they can “verify.”

    I guess enough people fall for this that it makes them all money – but it is a scam – and if you believe them – you will lose ALL of the money in your account as they will withdraw it – BECAUSE – you have given them the info they need…

    I am getting more and more of these by the day – allegedly from “banks.” But they are “banks” I have either never heard of and certainly do not use for my banking!

    If you pay close attention, the return email address is odd…that’s a give away clue. Also in small often faint print at the bottom it asks you to not reply to the email…why? In reality it is a “throw-away” email address and they will never see

    But more importantly:

    YOUR BANK WILL NEVER ASK FOR INFORMATION IN AN EMAIL- NEVER!!!

    If your bank needs to contact you, they have your phone number and your bank already has the information being requested in the phoney emails.

    If your bank has your email address – they might say “you have a message – log in to read it.” That is what all my banks do.

    So please – do not fall for these scare tactics. If in doubt – call your bank on the phone and ask if they really sent out that email.

  • Back to work

    Today I am back working on the book about child development – actually I did a lot of editing on it while in the courtroom yesterday as we had breaks…When it is done I will most likely offer some of it for free here and elsewhere and also sell the entire book online as well..It will be self-published and self-sold [is that’s a real phrase.]

    After the child development book is done I have a few other books I want to write.

    For whatever reason[s], and I mentioned it in another post, October 2007 is a GREAT October for me as I am on a role with ideas and plans of action. I wonder where the myths came from that we “older” persons just sit at home and vegetate and think back on our lives. I do think back but it’s not a bad thing – I use it to find ways to keep moving forward.

    Several of my neighbors and I, all over 60, are forming a neighborhood ski club for the coming winter [it’s already snowing on Mt. Hood.] Happily as I am over 65, I get the cheapest ski deals! Hey – I “earned” it!

    Think activity
    Think happy
    Think long health productive lives

  • Still a legal junkie

    I have been a legal junkie forever and that has not changed as I have aged…and if you have read some of my other blogs you know I also have a law degree – which I got when I was 51!

    Anyway – on October 3, our little neighborhood [Portland is made up of small neighborhoods and ours it s the smallest] is going to court to try and keep a TRO [temporary restraining order] in place to forestall cutting of over 100 trees.

    I live on the river side of a levee and we park and drive on the levee – it’s our road…also there are houses on the city side of this levee.

    Long story sort of but when I learned we were being outright lied to about the need to cut down all the trees – I jumped into this fight and have offered my research and writing skills along the way….

    If you are into trees, levees and or court hearings – you can read all about this at: http://ibridgeton.com

    As I am the neighborhood blogger, I have been posting about this and will be at the hearing.

    ain’t getting older fun?

  • Thoughts on being a grown up…..

    As I have aged, I realized that while others say I never figured out what I want to do when I am a “grown-up” – at now almost 68 I finally decided what to do when I am a grown up. My decision is that I do not ever have to make that decision…

    I never have to decide. Why pick one thing when there is so much to do that expands our minds?

    Can you start a new career?
    Can you turn a fun hobby into a money maker?
    Can you move to a new location where you do not know anyone?
    Can you ski? travel? bicycle? etc?

    The answer to all these questions is: SURE! Why not?

    We use so little of our minds that there is lots of space left for all manner of new stuff..

    So go ahead and span into the next stages of your life !