You Have the Right to View Your Medical Records

August 4th, 2011

Have you ever left a doctor’s office or hospital with unanswered questions about your health condition or medical treatment? Given our current health care system, in which most doctors or medical providers spend only a few minutes with their patients, it is not uncommon for the patients themselves to have little or no information regarding their own healthcare.

While the health care provider may not provide much information directly to the patient, the patient’s medical record often contains important information regarding the patient’s health. When it comes to ensuring you are receiving the best medical care possible, obtaining copies of your medical records is a terrific way to meet this goal.

Most people have more than one doctor involved in their health care. While your primary care physician usually acts as the manager of your health care, often your specialist physicians do not communicate with each other or do not receive important information about your medical history. Lack of communication between your physicians can lead to mistakes and problems. One of the best ways to avoid problems and to ensure that all of your medical providers have the information they need about your medical history is to keep copies of your own medical records and bring them with you to medical appointments. This doesn’t mean you need to carry around stacks and stacks of medical records. However, it is suggested you have your most up-to-date medical records with you at your medical appointments. It is not safe to assume that your specialist physicians, such as cardiologist, orthopedists and endocrinologist, have seen your medical records or have all the information they need regarding your health.

You ask!  The simplest way to obtain copies of your medical records is to ask your doctor’s office for copies following each appointment. Even if they are not immediately available, you should request your records or test results be mailed to you as soon as they become available. You will be required to confirm your request for records in writing and sign such request.

The laws in New York State allow a patient to request their own medical records from any medical provider or health facility. For example, the “Patient’s Bill of Rights” allows a patient to review their own hospital medical record without charge and to also obtain a copy of such records for a reasonable fee. The hospital is not permitted to deny you a copy of your medical records just because you cannot afford to pay the charged fee.

Other “qualified persons” can also gain access to medical records and obtain copies if requested. Such “qualified persons” include parents of minor children, attorneys, holders of health care proxies for living people and distributees of a deceased family member.

The quick answer is maybe, or maybe not. In the “old” days, medical records were kept in actual medical charts, on real paper, and were stored on shelves. However, those days are gone. You have probably noticed that many doctor’s offices and hospitals have computers, which the doctors, nurses and receptionists use to record everything that occurs during your doctor’s appointment or hospital stay. Many times the record or note of your medical appointment is only available on a computer system and is never printed off and placed in your “paper” medical chart. While computers have aided the medical community in sharing information about patient such as you, often times medical providers don’t know where to look for a patient’s medical records. One doctor may only look at the computer records and not the paper medical chart itself, when there could be valuable information found only in the paper chart, and not on the computer, or vice versa.

That is why it is very important that when you request to view or copy your medical records, you also request copies of any computer or electronically stored materials that relate to your health. For example, laboratory test results or radiology reports may only be available by searching a computer database, and not recorded in the paper chart, so you want to make sure to specifically request all records, not just those that are contained within your “paper” medical chart.

It seems like everyone today has a Blackberry®, IPhone® or at least a computer they use everyday. Why not create a “cheat sheet” of your medical information for quick use at medical appointments or in case of a medical emergency? It can be as simple as a list of what medications you are currently taking (including dosage and frequency) and the name, address and phone number of all of your current treating physicians. You may also want to include your health insurance plan information and the name and contact information of your heath care proxy, if you have one.

With your “cheat sheet” available, you can have confidence that your medical providers will have basic up-to-date information at each appointment. You can even provide the nurse or doctor with a copy of your “cheat sheet” to save time and ensure accuracy.

Talk to an experienced upstate New York medical malpractice lawyer. Contact Powers & Santola, LLP, online or call  toll-free at 866-689-9692 to schedule a free initial consultation at the Albany or Syracuse law office.

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How to Find Good Rental Properties

August 2nd, 2011

The idea of owning rental real estate seems to be gaining popularity as investors tire of the swoops and swoons of the stock market. As I pointed out in a separate column, not everyone has what it takes to be a landlord. But those who do may find rentals to be a good way to build wealth.

Once you’ve made the decision to buy rental property, your real work begins. Finding a profitable rental property usually takes time, connections and plenty of research.

Here’s what you need to know to get started:

Know your time horizon with Rental Property

As with any other investment, you should have a good idea how long you plan to own a rental property before you buy it, says Robert Cain, publisher of the Rental Property Reporter newsletter.

The longer you plan to own the property, the more you’ll probably need to invest in maintenance, repairs and improvements, Cain said.

“If you’re keeping it for 20 years, at some point you’re going to be putting a new roof on that property. You’re going to be putting in new appliances and doing some major repairs,” Cain said. If you’re only planning to own a property for five years, by contrast, you’ll probably want to avoid making any major improvements unless you’re sure you can recoup the cost with a higher sale price.

You also may face more investment risk with a shorter time horizon. Although your rental will almost certainly appreciate over 20 years, it could easily lose value in the next five, particularly if you’re buying in an overheated market. You’ll need a bigger potential annual return to make up for that risk.

Foreclosure_REO_ListingsFor many small investors, long-term ownership makes the most sense, said Pat Callahan, an attorney, landlord and founder of the American Association of Small Property Owners. You’ll have plenty of time to ride out any swings in the market, and rental income can make a nice supplement to your day job. Find enough rental properties, and being a landlord may become your day job.

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Develop a network of Property Sellers and Foreclosures

Experienced landlords find their properties in a variety of ways. Some hunt for foreclosures, making friends with city hall clerks or bank employees who know which properties are about to be sold. Some run ads in local newspapers. Others work with real estate agents who keep their eyes peeled for possible buys.

Several landlords recommended joining a local landlord or property owner’s association to make contacts. Callahan’s Web site offers links to local groups, as does the National Real Estate Investors Association.

“When you begin to own rentals, all the other investors start coming out of the woodwork,” said Sean Hoppe, a landlord in Pottsville, Pa., who owns 11 properties. “Through investor meetings, networking, etc., I can find out what is for sale.”

You also can try approaching landlords directly to see if they’re willing to sell, by calling the numbers listed on rental ads in the classifieds, by cruising neighborhoods looking for “for rent” signs or by talking to any landlords you know personally.

That’s how Bob, who asked that his last name not be used, bought his rental property near Albany, N.Y. The landlord of the three-unit building where Bob had rented for 15 years was tired of the hassles and ready to sell.

“We love (the area) and jumped at the chance to buy it,” Bob said.

So far, Bob and his wife have been pleased with their purchase. They raised rents and required security deposits, which caused the property’s less desirable tenants to leave. He also has a backup plan for the building in case he starts to feel like the prior owner.

“If being a landlord got to be too big a hassle”,Bob said, “we would just get rid of the tenants and make it our own place.”

Get your finances in shape. The better your credit, and the less credit card and other consumer debt you have, the better your prospects for getting a decent loan, Callahan said. Lenders usually require bigger down payments, higher interest rates and generally stronger finances when you’re buying rental property. That’s because they know people are more likely to default on investment property than they are on their own homes.

Landlords say it also pays to have a substantial cash reserve left over after buying a property.

This can help pay for unexpected repairs and vacancies. Although there are few rules of thumb, setting aside at least one month’s rent for each unit is a good start. CPA Paul Berning suggests having a line of credit, secured either by the property or your own home, to cover larger costs.

You also should make sure you can save enough for retirement and other goals before investing in rental real estate. While rental income can supplement your retirement kitty, most people shouldn’t count on it to replace other investments or allow themselves to be entirely exposed to the whims of the local real estate market. Rents and property values can fall as well as rise, and those who are adequately diversified with investments in stocks, bonds and cash will be better able to endure the bad times as well as the good.

Avoid overpaying

As one experienced landlord put it: “You make your profit when you buy a property, not when you sell it.” Pay too much, and you’ll never recoup as much as you could have had you driven a better bargain.The rental real estate market is generally tougher on investors who overpay than on homeowners who do the same thing, several landlords said. While a home is often an emotional purchase, which can lead to “I must have it!” offers and bidding wars, most landlords look strictly at the numbers to see if their investments will pay off. If you pay too much for a rental, you can’t count on a “greater fool” coming along later to bail you out.

For more information visit www.RealEstateInvestorsLife.com

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Think Again Before You Crumple Up That Traffic Ticket!

August 2nd, 2011

 A lot of people when they get a traffic ticket put it on the back burner and do not treat it very seriously. They do this of course until the court date rolls around and then panic often sets in. At this point, an individual often debates whether or not to simply “mail it in” and plead guilty or instead obtain an attorney and hope to plead to a lesser charge.

While it may be easier and more convenient to sign the back of the ticket, mail it in to the “powers that be” and be done with it, this is almost always not the best choice. By blindly pleading guilty to a traffic ticket, an individual risks points being placed on their license and an increase in insurance premiums often go hand and hand. This can further be of consequence to those who are prone to getting stopped for speeding. The more points a person has on their license, the less likely of a chance they may have in successfully negotiating a plea to a reduced charge.

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This is all common sense of course, which is why it should be a no brainer to hire an attorney when getting a traffic ticket. The cost in legal fees will be far less than the increase in insurance rates if a ticket is ignored or a blind plea of guilty is entered.

A lot of times, people plead guilty not knowing of the consequences to only later find out that they now have numerous points on their license. They then tend to seek legal counsel to try to remedy the situation. At this point, an attorney can file what is known as a Coram Nobis, which is a request to the court to review its own judgment. This is an up hill battle to say the least and it can be expensive in terms of legal fees.

In short, when a person gets a traffic ticket, whether it be for speeding or running a red light or stop sign, it is wise to seek legal counsel right away in order to avoid unnecessary points on ones license and increased insurance premiums. To avoid financial burden and overall stress, be sure to think again before you crumple up that traffic ticket.

Martin A. Carbone, Esq. is an attorney practicing out of the Albany, New York area.

 Carbone & Carbone LLP, Martin A. Carbone, Esq., Attorney at Law

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States Sue Over Overhaul That Will Bust State Budgets

July 31st, 2011

President Barack Obama faces a fight over the health-care overhaul from states that sued today because the legislation’s expansion of Medicaid imposes a fiscal strain on their cash-strapped budgets.

Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania are among 14 states that filed suit after the president signed the bill over the constitutionality of the burden imposed by the legislation. The health-care overhaul will make as many as 15 million more Americans eligible for Medicaid nationwide starting in 2014 and will cost the states billions to administer.

States faced with unprecedented declines in tax collections are cutting benefits and payments to hospitals and doctors in Medicaid, the health program for the poor paid jointly by state and U.S. governments. The costs to hire staff and plan for the average 25 percent increase in Medicaid rolls may swamp budgets, said Toby Douglas, who manages the Medicaid program for California, which hasn’t joined the lawsuits.

“The states are coming through the worst fiscal period in the history of record keeping,” said Vernon Smith, a former Medicaid director for Michigan and now a principal at the research and consulting firm Health Management Associates in Lansing, Michigan. “Medicaid is the most significant, most visible and most costly part of this expansion and states fully expect to see increases in their spending.”

California’s Deficit

For California, with a billion budget deficit, the extra load will cost at least an additional billion to billion annually, said Douglas, chief deputy director for California’s health care programs. He said the overhaul is currently projected to add 1.6 million people to the 7 million enrolled in his state’s program.

“We face enormous challenges just sustaining our existing program,” said Douglas in a March 18 telephone interview. “I just don’t see states having the capacity to move forward on these changes in this environment.”

The numbers of new enrollees because of the overhaul are based on current estimates and may be low, he said in an e-mail. The estimate doesn’t incorporate the growth that the program, known in California as Medi-Cal, may experience even without the new federal legislation, he said.

Medi-Cal recipients are projected to increase 4.3 percent to 7.3 million in fiscal 2011, which begins July 1, spokesman Norman Williams said.

Court Challenge

Douglas’s state is battling in court over Medicaid spending cuts it tried to make this fiscal year. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 3 barred California from reducing payments to doctors and hospitals, saying federal law required states to maintain “equal access to basic health care” for the poor. California is appealing the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The federal government mandates that states provide health coverage under Medicaid to children, pregnant women, and the elderly and disabled poor. States set the rules on eligibility and decide which benefits to provide, making for a complex hodge-podge of coverage standards across the nation. The health- care overhaul simplifies the system by setting a minimum national floor and requires that all states cover childless adults, who will make up almost all of the expansion enrollees.

Medicaid Spending

Medicaid spent more than 4 billion in 2008, about 15 percent of total national health-care expenditures that year, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which administers the program. It currently covers 60 million, about the same as Medicare, the federal program for the elderly and disabled, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation in Menlo Park, California. The U.S. government covered about 57 percent of Medicaid’s cost in 2008, the foundation said.

Florida will have to spend an additional .6 billion for Medicaid and hire 1,000 new workers to accommodate the overhaul, the state’s Attorney General Bill McCollum said yesterday in Orlando, Florida.

“This is a bad bill,” he said. “That’s a political determination and a practical one.”

The states that sued are Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington, McCollum said in a statement on his office’s Web site.

The complaint posted on the Florida attorney general’s Web site called the legislation an “encroachment on the sovereignty of states,” and said Florida will be asked to “broaden its Medicaid eligibility standards to accommodate upwards of 50 percent more enrollees.”

Insurance Mandate

Besides the added Medicaid costs, the states are also challenging the right of the federal government to impose a mandate requiring individuals to buy health insurance. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, whose state filed a separate lawsuit today challenging the law, called the health legislation an “unconstitutional overreach” of the federal government’s authority.

Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, said the president isn’t “concerned” about the potential legal challenges. Congress has the “inherent authority” to mandate coverage under the commerce clause that allows the federal government to regulate interstate commerce, she told Bloomberg Television yesterday.

The historic health-care bill, which the House passed March 21 after 13 months of debate and discord, marks the biggest expansion of health coverage since enactment of Medicaid and Medicare in 1965. Obama signed it into law today.

Legislation Amendments

The House on March 21 also passed legislation amending the overhaul, expanding the number of those who will be covered by insurance and raising the total cost to 0 billion. The Senate is scheduled to take up these amendments this week. The package of bills would increase the number of Americans insured by 32 million, raising the portion of people under the age of 64 with insurance to about 94 percent.

The bills raise the threshold for people to qualify for Medicaid to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, which was ,050 for a family of four and ,830 for an individual for the 48 contiguous states in 2009, according to guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The biggest challenge states face is dealing with a program where the growth in annual spending regularly exceeds the growth in state revenue, said Smith of Health Management Associates.

“It has been a very, very difficult period for the states,” Smith said. “They had to cut spending at a time when significantly more people needed it.”

Falling State Revenue

Most states have confronted drops in revenue since the beginning of the recession in late 2007 as tax collections fell for an unprecedented fifth straight quarter by the end of December last year, according to the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany, New York. In the first nine months of 2009, states suffered the biggest decline in revenue ever recorded.

In fiscal 2009, Medicaid enrollment increased a record 3.29 million nationally, with another rise of 1.29 million the year before, based on reports compiled for the Kaiser foundation.

Medicaid spending accounts for about 22 percent of state spending, according to the National Governors Association, which said it doesn’t expect revenue to return to pre-recession levels until at least 2014. Budget directors estimate the fiscal 2011 budget gap could expand to 2 billion and may even reach 0 billion, the Kaiser study said. States by law, unlike Washington, must balance their budgets.

“In the past, Medicaid was only as strong as its weakest link,” said Stephen Somers, president of the health-policy nonprofit Center for Health Care Strategies Inc. in Hamilton, New Jersey. ” Now, there is the first universal floor and it will form the foundation for universal coverage.”

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As Commercial Loans Tighten Up Secondary Lenders are Getting Money to Main Street

July 30th, 2011

Albany, NY (PRWEB) March 10, 2011

As national, regional and local banks continue to tighten restrictions on loans and are constantly calling notes in, a tidal wave of small businesses are looking to new avenues to raise capital in this down economy according to Commercial Capital Training Group. As even SBA loans have flat-lined over the past three years, the private lending market comes in and has supported and sustained small businesses and growing businesses, alike.

?In my nearly two decades of experience in the lending market, I have never witnessed an overcrowding need for private lending sources,? said Kris Roglieri, principal, Prime Commercial Lending. ?At the same time as banks tighten their restrictions, the lending need is out pacing the available capital and businesses are seeking additional sources.?

Roglieri founded Prime Commercial Lending in 1994 with the vision of building a company that would be diverse enough to withstand any economic climate and at the same time providing businesses an array of capital solutions. After working at a regional bank, Kris was, like so many people today, downsized out of a job. ?I pledged to myself on that day that I would never be dependent on one financial instrument again,? said Roglieri. With this goal Roglieri has grown his company to include 35 different products to offer capital to businesses from stock loans to equipment leasing to commercial loans to Small Business loans, among many others. The company with more than a dozen employees in Albany, New York and Atlanta, Georgia lends capital directly and arranges for financing to businesses nationally and internationally.

?Believe it or not, in a time like this our best friend, our best referral source is bankers,? added Roglieri. ?As banks are tightening their belts and saying ?no? to more and more customers they are also looking to keep their depository accounts and by providing a solution the bank keeps that relationship while helping their client at the same time.?

In the past two years Prime Commercial Lending has witnessed a (60%) increase in (calls) and is securing more than ($ 75 Million) in investments, a (35%) increase.

In addition to the commercial finance company, Roglieri is also turning out more entrepreneurs for the lending market. After spending years traveling throughout the country providing commercial finance training to companies like mortgage firms, CPA firms, and financial companies looking to broaden their product offering, Roglieri founded Commercial Capital Training Group. Now business leaders from across the country fly to Albany each month for this six-day intensive course. The training provides graduates with in-depth knowledge of dozens of lending products, industry know-how and marketing expertise to help them get their own commercial finance business up and running. ?The training group has been a huge success helping many people start new careers and become entrepreneurs. Our graduates or commercial loans brokers, walk out of this training fully prepared to provide a host of lending opportunities with the tools and support to achieve economic independence.?

Commercial Capital Training Group ? with more than 75 years of commercial finance experience, Commercial Capital Training Group has developed a one-of-a-kind program which provides the tools necessary to allow graduates to successfully own and operate their own full service commercial finance company.

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Tips For New York Home Owners

July 29th, 2011

New York is a wonderful state, with a greater variety of living environments than many realize. From big cities to small farm towns, there is some place to live for almost any temperament. However, purchasing property in the state can actually be quite difficult, especially for new transplants to the area. If you are buying property in New York, remember to learn about the housing market, search for a decent mortgage, and purchase home insurance New York.

Play the Market

New York City is famous for its high cost of living, but many areas in the state have unusually high house prices. A smart buyer, though, will also be aware of the price differences between trendy neighborhoods and those streets just a few blocks away. If you see a home that you enjoy, make it a point to look for a comparable home that is a few blocks away. You may be surprised to find that you are paying more for a street name than you would for a home.

Home Insurance in New York

If you are a home insurer anywhere in New York, it is vital that you purchase home insurance New York. The weather in the Empire State is notorious for being a bit crazy, and the last few years have done nothing to ease the reputation. From New York City’s major snowstorms in 2010 to Buffalo’s brush with an October blizzard, homes have been damaged in record numbers. For many, the only way to afford the often costly repairs is by purchasing solid homeowners insurance. Try not only to find the best premium, but a deduction that is realistic for your income.

Shop Around for the Best Mortgage

The market for mortgages has changed greatly since the early years of the twenty first century. Not only are fewer banks offering loans, but also entirely different entities may exist that most homeowners would never have heard of just a few years ago. Try to shop around as best you can before actually accepting a loan; while common wisdom would state that you are lucky to get a loan of any sort, there are actually certain companies that offer better rates than others. Be willing to explore the market, and you will likely be rewarded.

A reasonable mortgage rate, home insurance New York, and a smart look at the housing market can help any buyer secure a better deal in New York. Whether you are looking in Queens or Amherst, Rochester or Albany, you will be able to find something that speaks to your own unique tastes. By taking the time to do a bit of research, you can take a bit of the sting out of New York’s notoriously high housing prices.

Please visit our website here for more information or visit our blog. Thank you.

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Media Publisher Gains Momentum In European Market

July 27th, 2011

Emeryville, CA (PRWEB) October 4, 2007

Media Publisher, Inc., the leader in Enterprise Video Communications (EVC), today announced it has partnered with London-based Albany Creative Ltd, a business to business solutions provider of video communications, corporate event management and multimedia production.

The partnership will enable Media Publisher to more effectively meet the region’s increasing need for a complete software solution that centrally manages the video communications lifecycle.

“Through a combination of customer feedback and market research, it’s becoming very clear that EVC is the newest growth sector in our industry,” said Graham Blackstock, Managing Director, Albany Creative Ltd. “Teaming with Media Publisher to add their software and consulting services to our arsenal will help further enhance and differentiate the integrated EVC solutions we can offer our customers.”

European Momentum

Founded in June of this year, Media Publisher’s UK office was established to further expand its customer base throughout Europe. Teaming with London-based Albany Creative will instantly place additional resources in the field for Media Publisher and significantly extend the company’s rapidly growing presence across the region.

“Albany Creative offers not only a rich history in the video space, but also a keen understanding of the needs of our European customers,” said Brian Haynes, Director of EMEA of Media Publisher. “Partnering with them is a testament to our commitment to developing this market.”

Media Publisher is seeing growing momentum in EVC in a number of vertical industries in Europe, and is focusing primarily on the finance, banking and insurance (FBI) sectors. The significant number of knowledge workers, coupled with the need to reach geographically dispersed customers, has resulted in the rapid adoption of enterprise video communications solutions by financial institutions.

Industry-leading early adopters of video technology include Media Publisher customers BBVA of Spain and Denmark-based Jyske Bank.

Streaming Media Europe Conference

This week at the Streaming Media Europe conference, Lars Aarup Jenson, head of corporate communications at Jyske Bank will detail how Denmark’s second largest independent bank used enterprise video communications to transform its customer interactions and internal communications–including everything from financial service delivery and product announcements to company news and innovative branding. The session, entitled, “Realising the Vision of Enterprise Video Communications,” will take place on Thursday, October 4 from 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. GMT.

Additionally, Steve Pattison, vice president of marketing and business development at Media Publisher will moderate “From the Web to your TV: New Media Delivery Revolution” on Friday, Oct. 5 at 3:00 p.m. GMT. The panel–which also features representatives from Nativ, Real Time Content and Level 3–will outline the latest devices being used to deliver consumer content and examine how content creators are utilizing these new tools. Panelists will also discuss how online content is being treated differently from traditional broadcast content and what potential business models are being created to support the monetization of consumer content.

Visitors to the Copthorne Tara Hotel, London, UK from Oct. 4-5 can speak to Media Publisher’s industry experts and experience the company’s EVC solutions at Stand 12 or Gold Sponsor Albany Creative on Stand 8. For more information about Streaming Media Europe, please visit: http://www.streamingmedia.com/europe/.

About Media Publisher, Inc.

Media Publisher is the only company to offer a complete software solution that centrally manages the video communications lifecycle, simplifying how organizations create, publish, manage, report, and deliver thousands of live and on-demand webcasts securely across private networks. The power of Media Publisher stems from its unique platform designed to work with existing video, storage, and distribution components, providing a single management system for the enterprise. Customers worldwide, including eBay, AT&T, Capital One, Lockheed Martin, Lamar University and Jyske Bank, rely on Media Publisher and its award-winning commitment to customer value. Visit http://www.mediapublisher.com for more information.

About Albany Creative

Albany Creative is a business to business solutions provider of video communications, corporate event management and multimedia production. Albany provides consultancy and corporate solutions to the private and public sector within EMEA and Australia. Albany specializes in interactive multimedia production and streaming of live events, internal communications and event production, video networking solutions for corporate business, and rich media content management and hosting. Visit http://www.albanycreative.com for more information.

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Four Things To Consider When Opening A Business In New York

July 27th, 2011

Opening a business in New York is, on paper, a good idea. With three cities that have metro populations of over or near a million, there are certainly plenty of consumers to go around. However, simply marching in to the state as if it was any other can have dire consequences for your business. Before opening your doors, consider where you want to operate, purchasing business insurance NY, the taxes, and your existing competition.

Areas of Operation

New York is a wonderfully diverse state, but most outsiders think of it as only consisting of New York City (and even more specifically, only Manhattan). If moving a business in from outside the state, carefully consider exactly where you are moving. A business in Buffalo will have different needs than one in Albany, and a business that counts on a relatively large number of customers may falter if the owner chooses to locate in Mendon instead of Manhattan.

Business Insurance

With the incredibly high costs of property in many areas of New York, it is wise for any good owner to invest in Business Insurance NY. Property insurance will be necessary to protect your premises, while having workers’ compensation insurance is necessary for the survival of the business in such a labor friendly state. Make sure to check in to liability insurance for professional services as well, as most of the major cities have large populations of very talented attorneys.

Taxes

One of the primary things that any business owner needs to think about before opening a business in New York is taxation. The state has a reputation for high taxes (they are amongst the highest in the nation), and individual cities and counties may set rates that are considered highly unfriendly to commercial interests. Before deciding on your location, take in to account not only the state taxes, but also any other taxes that may exist at the city or county levels.

Competition

Finally, be sure to consider your competition. What few fail to realize is that many communities in New York are actually quite old and many businesses are quite entrenched. While the Big Apple may have a reputation for being a center of fads and fashion, the greater part of the state often features a population that is comfortable following a fairly regular routine. If you want to have a new business in the state, be sure that it actually serves a need. New ventures generally tend to draw a fair number of customers early on, but staying power is needed to continue operations.

Operating in New York is not easy. Between paying for business insurance NY, finding the right niche, and dealing with taxes, it is a wonder that so many businesses thrive. However, by remembering those four key factors, any business should be able to have a measure of success.

Please visit our website here for more information or visit our blog. Thank you.

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Medicare Claims Database Highlighting Fraud and Abuse

July 25th, 2011

Article provided by Albany medical malpractice Attorney – Powers & Santola, LLP

According to The Wall Street Journal, almost every person age 65 and older is insured by Medicare. While most doctors and providers use the system properly, incidence of Medicare fraud and abuse cost taxpayers billions of dollars every year.

The federal government notes that errors in the Medicare program are typically the result of billing mistakes and not an attempt by a doctor or company to improperly bill the program. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the program made nearly billion in improper payments in 2009, almost doubling the previous years’ rate.

The price of fraud, however, runs even higher. A CBS report notes that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers an estimated billion a year, and some estimates put the figure at nearly 0 billion.

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According to Medicare.gov, the official government Medicare site, common types of Medicare fraud include patients being charged for services they never receive, or being billed for equipment or services they do not need. Fraud can also involve doctors using another person’s Medicare card to bill for services or companies billing for home equipment that has been returned.

There have been some high-profile cases of fraud recently. The New York Times reported that 40 members of an organized crime family were arrested and charged with stealing the identities of numerous patients. These identities were then used to bill out nearly 0 million in Medicare costs to clinics in 25 states. And in Miami, the management at a chain of mental health clinics was charged in a 0 million Medicare scheme in which patients were billed for group therapy sessions that never happened.

A recent Wall Street Journal report details the practice of one New York City physician who billed out and was paid more than million from the Medicare system in 2008. While the doctor practiced family medicine, she repeatedly billed the program for extraordinary procedures that are uncommon in a family practice, including “polysomnography sleep analyses, nerve conduction probes and needle electromyography procedures.” As a result, she was one of the highest paid family medicine practitioners in the system.

The Journal gathered this information from the Medicare claims database, which houses information on payments made by the Medicare program. Though payments made to individual doctors remain confidential, the database does show the amounts paid for services to hospitals and other institutional providers. The report notes that this prevents the public from knowing how Medicare spends one-eighth of its funds, over billion in 2009.

But some argue that the database is misused and that the information, including doctor’s payments, should be fully disclosed. This disclosure would let the public know where and how fraud and abuse affect the 0 billion program.

Medical malpractice lawyers Powers & Santola, LLP, are one of New York’s pre-eminent personal injury law firms. They have been nationally recognized for our accomplishments in representing individuals who have been injured as a result of medical negligence. They work with a wide range of medical experts to develop strong cases for our clients’ financial recovery.

Call 518.478.6616 or visit online for a free consultation.

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John Hughes Hyundai Complaints – Info

July 24th, 2011

NOT PUSHY! Michael listened to what we wanted and showed us many different vehicles with out being too pushy. Gave us time to discuss and believe about the vehicle. I can’t think of any way to enhance as our entire buying experience proceeded quite smoothly. M. Barlow – Bayswater.

ABOVE & BEYOND…!!! We accidentally took the keys of our traded-in vehicle residence with us after collecting our new automobile and Trevor provided to pick them up from our home that evening. This was a lot appreciated, specifically since it was our mistake and it was above and beyond our expectation. S. Henshaw – Heathridge.

I was impressed! I was impressed with Patrick’s integrity. V. Bailey – Morley.

Friendly Approach!! I was impressed by Andrew’s friendly approach. I was fairly nervous and apprehensive as this was the initial time I had bought a vehicle on my own. But Andrew put me at ease without the usual pushy salesman pitch one sometimes gets. Farquhar – High Wycombe.

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Really Helpful!!!! Troy was really friendly and nice. Chris the finance manager went out of his method to assist us. He was quite helpful. They all made us really feel like we had been dealing with our local vehicle dealer. We live in Shark Bay. G. Parker – Denham.

NOTICE: The reviews of this organization have been provided by consumers of the John Hughes Group. This positive testimonial review of John Hughes might be modified to qualify as unique content within the review space supplied herein. Call John Hughes, Perth, Western Australia on 1300 856 518 for much more reviews and ratings.

When purchasing or financing your next New or Employed car in Western Australia. Decide on your dealer before you pick your automobile! John Hughes can supply new Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Kia, Volkswagen, Ford and Geely cars with great customer sales and after sales support. New and used vehicle sales are conveniently located just over the Causeway in Victoria Park and on Albany Highway Bentley, Western Australia. Along with vehicle Servicing Centres in East Victoria Park, Bentley and Welshpool and a mobile service choice for clients residing inside the wider Perth metropolitan region. Make your selection from our range online at your convenience and enable us to show you the John Hughes distinction.

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