The assistance available to individuals and groups from within communities that can provide a buffer against adverse life events and living conditions, and can provide a positive resource for enhancing the quality of life. Social support may include emotional support, information sharing and the provision of material resources and services. Social support is now widely recognized as an important determinant of health and an essential element of social capital. The Medicare DRG program makes special optional payment provisions for SCHs, most of which are rural, including providing that their rates are set permanently so that 75 percent of their payment is hospital-specific and only 25 percent is based on regional DRG rates. Lawful practice of a health occupation as a self-employed individual.
Solo practice is common among physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, and pharmacists.
Specialists usually have advanced education and training related to their specialties. The amount of expenditures for health care services, relative to income, that qualifies an individual for Medicaid in states that cover categorically eligible, medically indigent individuals. States may use SSI income limits to establish Medicaid eligibility. Social support has been defined as the comfort, assistance or information one receives from one's social network. Natural and professional sources of social support include family, tribe, friends, neighbors, parishioners, classmates, coworkers, merchants, health and social services providers.