Becoming a leader

This is my fifth years working for this medical insurance company. I am the second FTE (full-time employee) in my functional group within a very small IT organization, whose primary function was to oversee a out-souring firm that has managed the company's IT operations for 40 years. When my predecessor left shortly after I joined, I anchored this group solely for a couple of years until when the management decided to bring in 75% of IT work in-house, I started building up the team to consist of 5 FTE and 3 contractors now.

It has become very obvious that I am a leader without a fancy executive title, which I don't really care about. However, since the company sets a goal of promoting 65% of managerial position from within, I am identified as an ideal candidate. So, here I am, going to classes so to acquire more management and leadership skills

"Becoming a Leader" is taught by Gustavo Rabin, Managing Partner and Founder of Sapience Silicon Valley at Stanford Continuing Studies. It's interesting as it focuses on identifying participant's growing edge, the areas where each person can focus on and improve. All the participants completed an online leadership profile and the results were discussed anonymously in the class. I was surprised to learn that my leadership profile is very consistent with my personality type.

Mr. Rabin also discussed a 5-step effective conflict resolution technique, four stages in changes, why the role of leader is to reduce follower's fear and increase their passion on the goal and mission, and the conversion meter. He also had a quest speaker, Kristine Schaefer, principal of Loma Communications, in the afternoon session. I learned about global listening, the power of influence through communications, digital thinking or binary thinking. The group exercises were intriguing as they reflected the dynamic of human interactions and the pattern of behaviors.

Overall it's an interesting workshop with active interactions between instructors and participants. It makes me thinking of what does it mean to be a leader, either professionally or personally. However, I was greatly troubled by a few individuals whose idea of leader is that someone who is superior than the followers. I disagreed with this notion and voiced my concern. I fell it's condescending when one man thinks that he is superior than his fellow human beings.

Life-long learning is one of the things that I can't live without, regardless whether I have a fancy big title or not, attending good workshop like this one certainly helps me grow as a person.

A dental emergency - the cost

It has been a month since the episode of my emergency root canal procedure in May. While I am still waiting for the crown to be done in July, I have received the bills from all of my three dentists involved in the care, as well as the EOB (explanation of benefits) from my insurer. Now, it's time to look at the total cost.

Dr. Yang filed a total of $135 claim that consisted two line item:
(1). ADA CODE D0140, limited oral evaluation - problem F, for $100
(2). ADA Code D0220, intraoral-periapical-first F, for $35.

I was surprised to see that my insurer paid Dr. Yang claim it in full since he is an out-of-network provider network.

Dr. Ebeid, an in-network provider, filed a total of $1,503 claim that consisted of three line items:
(1). ADA Code D0220, intraoral-periapical-first F, for $45. The insurance allowable amount for this procedure is $21. My insurer paid it in full without any out-of-pocket payment from me.
(2). ADA Code D9310, consultation (diagnostic service), for $162. The insurance allowable amount for this procedure is $118. My insurer paid 80% of it for $94.40, and I have a coinsurance payment of 20% for $23.60.
(3). ADA Code D3330, root canal therapy - molar (excluding final restoration), for $1,296. The insurance allowable amount is $980. My insurer paid 80% of it for $784, and I have 20% of coinsurance payment for $196.

Dr. Ebeid received a total of $1,119 for his service. My insurer paid $899.40 and my out-of-pocket expense was $219.60.

Dr. Gamboa submitted a pre-authorization of ADA Code D2750 for a crown with a cost of $1,112 for final restoration in July. the insurance allowable amount for this procedure is $746. My insurer will pay 50% of it for $373, and I am responsible for the other 50%. I pray that there won't be any surprises when I go for the crown in July.

The total tab of this dental care is $2,000, out of it my insurance picked up $1,407.40 and I paid $592.60.

Life is fragile and human body is unpredictable, regardless how diligent I am in taking care of myself, emergency does happen. I am fortunate to have dental coverage and am able to pay my share of the cost. With the cost of health care sky rocketing, I wonder how many people who can't get the treatments when they need it? what can be done?