No Picture
Health Products

Health Care in America is Desperately Flawed – Find Out How to Fix It

Desperate times call for desperate measures… or so our government would have us believe. Our health care system in the United States, and specifically California, costs more per capita than any other developed (or undeveloped for that matter) nation in the World. And for this, we receive some of the most pitiful health care services of the developed nations.
This is, in part, because when you count the cost per capita, this doesn’t count the people who are not paying. Such as: illegal immigrants, homeless, corporations who pay little to no taxes due to corporate tax loopholes, and other such entities. Corporations aside, however, these indigent individuals are still able to receive medical care at any emergency room due to California and Federal Law.
Basically, we have all of the NEGATIVE effects of “socialized” health care without actually having equal health care for all. Arguments against socialized health care, include the people not wanting the few to pay for the masses. But that is exactly what is happening here.
California has one of the highest percent of illegal immigrant populations in the country, and whenever they fall down or scrape there knee, the only medical care they can afford is going to the emergency room, with no insurance, no valid identification, and no money; and they get health coverage.
Myself, on the other hand, I work 2 jobs, pay my taxes, barely make enough to keep a roof over my head and food on the plates of my family, do not get such luxuries. An Emergency Room visit typically runs me $2,000+, which I must pay or else what is left of credit will disappear. I cannot afford health insurance/care, and with the economy today, my employers do not offer me any benefits as they will not let me work full-time.
This HAS to change. I know that many of you readers out there are against socialized health care systems, or plans to increase spending on government aide for health programs. Do not be so quick to throw these proposals out. In the long run, we are likely to save money, hopefully by removing the illegal immigrant populace, but more importantly, by offering affordable health care to EVERYONE, this will cease the overcrowded ER’s packed with people who never intend to pay for coverage, which increases the costs to tax-payers nationwide.
We must change our health care system immediately, or else we will continue to overpay for medical services for indigents, and the honest, hard-working American’s will continue to be denied health insurance coverage because they cannot honestly afford it.
America’s Flawed Health System at its finest. (Worst?) The Weekly Updates.…

No Picture
Health Products

Medical Bill Help

After a recent stay in the hospital following an emergency or planned procedure there is usually something in common. The cost of the visit is expensive, and getting more expensive. While recent progress with the health care reform has shown promise for changes to the system, it is putting a toll on things now. Health care costs are high, and so are health insurance premiums. Furthermore, these costs continue to rise. With that, people are having more problems when trying to pay their medical bills and afford health insurance.
If you are having trouble paying your medical bills, there are a few options you should consider before seeking any alternative routes of payment. First, you should always review the medical bills carefully for any errors. Often times, mistakes are made and those mistakes are costly. Saving a few hundred dollars due to finding an error could be a significant help.
You could also try notifying the health care provider or hospital of your financial situation. It is much better for the billing issues to be handled with these people, instead of having your account go into collections. You might want to talk directly with the billing manager or your doctor to expedite the process.
You can also try to negotiate your bill with your health care provider or hospital. Often times, they would rather negotiate and have you pay a portion of your bill, than lose the entire amount. Just be sure to request a written statement detailing the payment plan.
There are also some charity programs that offer financial assistance to people who can’t pay their medical bills so be sure to check into those as well.…

No Picture
Health Products

Six Big Mistakes People Make When Seeing Their Doctor

The doctor is the one with all the knowledge. So all we have to do when we’re sick or injured is show up, right? Well, you can take that attitude but your healthcare will suffer. Going to see the doctor (or physical therapists) should be far more involved than just “showing up.”
Below are six big mistakes people make when seeing their doctor. As you will discover there’s a central theme running through each mistake. That theme is you need to be responsible for your own healthcare.
Being Unprepared
You might spend hours picking out an outfit for a big event or taking copious notes for your upcoming fantasy draft, but when it comes to seeing your doctor you arrive completely unprepared. Do you have a list of your symptoms? Do you have a list of questions you’re going to ask your doctor? Do you have a list of the medications you’re taking? You don’t have a lot of time with your doctor so being prepared is the best way to make efficient use of the time you do have.
Being Unorganized
This goes hand in hand with being prepared. Remember, it’s your body and it’s your health. Your healthcare provider shouldn’t be the only keeper of your health history. You should be journaling, or at the very least, taking notes of your doctor visits, medical procedures, allergies, and the medications you’ve taken over the years. Having all your medical data at your disposal and easily accessible will play a huge role in ensuring that your doctor visits are positive and productive.
Being Uncommunicative
No two doctors are alike. Each has their strengths and their weaknesses. However, all doctors have one thing in common-none of them can read minds. That’s why you have to tell them everything. You can’t assume they already know or they’ll figure it out via a test result. Communicating effectively helps your doctor help you. Remember, you only have one doctor but he or she has hundreds of patients. They’re not spending all their time thinking about you and your health.
Being Shy
So you’ve got a thing on your thingy or you make an odd noise every time you bend over, don’t be embarrassed. Your doctor sure isn’t. They’ve heard it all before and probably more than once. Not only should you be brave and tell your doctor about that embarrassing seepage, or that awkward rash, but you should do it right away. If you wait until the last minute your condition won’t get the attention it deserves.
Being Passive
Like we said it’s your body and it’s your health. You need to take control. You need to educate yourself on what ails you and what options are available for your treatment. Reading a few articles on the internet doesn’t suddenly put you on par with your doctor, but it does show him or her that you’re taking ownership of your healthcare. They respect that. It also allows your doctor to spend less time on the basics and more time discussing the finer points of your condition.
Being Submissive
This doesn’t mean you need to boss your doctor around but it does mean you ask questions and thoroughly discuss your healthcare. Yes, your doctor is well-trained and educated, but that doesn’t mean you just get to sit there and agree with everything they say. You and your doctor should be on the same team; you should be partners. The hallmark of every good partnership is communication and mutual respect. So speak up, ask questions, and work with your doctor.…

No Picture
Health Products

Small Business Requirements and California Healthcare Insurance Considered

If you run a small or medium sized business you are the back-bone of our economy. Of course, with that incredible position, there are some responsibilities too. There are certain things you need to know, and be aware of when it comes to small business health care insurance in CA, such as tax incentives and penalty fees depending on the size of your payroll and number of employees if you choose not to cover health insurance for your employees.
California small business healthcare insurance and California small group insurance can be a good incentive for employees and the benefits they desire. By providing this insurance, you will improve the quality and productivity of your workforce and prevent excessive turn-over. Yes, it can be costly at times, and that’s why it’s important to look at all the options and get a plan that makes sense for your company.
Additionally, you may decide to use “carve-out” options in the policy, as an incentive for employees during their probationary period to maintain peak performance and productivity until they reach a point they may be added to the company policy. You might also wish to do this for executives or owners with individual health insurance policies already in place.
There are several ways to set up these group insurance policies and small business healthcare insurance plans in the California which can help you strategically, while maximizing your coverage and minimizing your risks and monthly premium expenses for your company health insurance requirements. After all, every business needs to watch costs and maximize profits to stay in business.
When it comes to the most common type of health care coverage; California private health insurance plans, and CA individual healthcare insurance it is quite common to create a policy that offers affordability and brings a bit of frugality to the equation. After all, affordable healthcare insurance is the primary goal; that is to say the lowest premiums for health insurance in California, reasonable co-pays, and maximum coverage.
There are many tactics we can employ to get this done. Some folks are okay with just catastrophic coverage, which usually means a higher deductible, along with very low premiums. If you are of substantial personal financial strength perhaps an HSA or health savings account might be wise. There might even be tax advantages for you to set up a Health Savings Account (HSA).
You can set up an HSA for your California family health insurance or your IL individual health insurance plan. Or, you might find it beneficial to consider ways to use such strategies in a private health plan in California or as part of your Medigap strategy. We can help with all these things, as we are your California health insurance specialists.
Your goal is to approach your health insurance needs with a strategic mindset to minimize risk and premium costs while taking advantage of tax incentives and benefits without sacrificing coverage. If you are a small business in CA, health insurance plans are on your mind, and you are not alone. Hundreds of millions of Americans and 30 million small businesses are also thinking here, many are worried, and uncertain about the future. That’s why you must do your homework and due diligence.
Many of the new rules for ObamaCare are very complex and have phase-ins between now and 2014, you need to know what is going on. So, you should call your local health care insurance broker for a small business guide and then ask them to help you through the process. Please consider all this.…

No Picture
Health Products

Diabetes – Stop the Madness!

CNN reports today by the year 2034 that 44.1 million Americans will be living with diabetes and the cost will rise from $113 billion to $336 billion per year. For the most part I believe, after having done the research, this is a disease that should be going down in cost. Why? Well if we start taking responsibility for our own health and stop leaving it with the Doctors and Pharmaceutical companies,
Diabetes would be reduced rather than increased. This is a disease that is brought on by our diet unless you suffer from type 1 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is brought on primarily by What we eat! That would include not only what we eat with our mouths but what we are eating with our eyes.
Fast food companies are not only guilty of saturating us with their fats and high fructose corn syrup but they also saturate our minds with commercial after commercial of individuals happily scarfing down their non nutritional food. What they don’t show you is their consumers having to test their blood day after day to try and maintain their normal insulin levels. They don’t show the individuals Who have to have their leg amputated from poor circulation nor do they show you people who have to take dialysis and the problems associated with it.
Back in the 50’s, yes way back before Ronald had his McDonald’s and his Big Mac heart attack, Doctors used to puff on their healthy cigarettes and tell us that it did not matter what we ate. Cigarette companies ran ad after ad telling us the benefits of smoking and how refreshing it was. Since that time cigarette companies are no longer allowed to run commercials on television to teach us about the wonders of smoking and our view of tobacco has changed. Not only has that changed but they have also been found liable for the promotion of death in the case of some individuals. Perhaps it is time we started to treat the fast food industry like we have treated the Cigarette company. Perhaps we need to put a warning label on Fast Food packaging and stop the commercial bombardment of their advertising. Maybe they are not as innocent as they claim to be when they are being tried for their accountability with regards to an individuals health, but then again neither are we.
How wrong it was in the past to not really teach nutrition and profess that your diet had little if anything to do with a persons health. How wrong it is proving to be. Not being concerned about eating healthy has made us very unhealthy and dependent on the world of pharmaceuticals to save us. For the most part, aside from a few exceptions, The pharmaceutical companies seemed to have made our world worse not better. They have fed us with a victim mentality and told us not to worry we have a drug for you. That is as long as you have insurance. Oh and don’t worry we are not going to cut your doctor out, you will need a prescription. If you don’t have insurance we are going to make up for the discount we give the insurance companies with our astronomical charge that we are going to lay on you. For the Medical industry, and I am talking about the commercial part of it, I’m sure they are looking at the article in CNN and thinking about all their profits for the future. For you and I, I hope we are thinking about stopping the Madness!…

No Picture
Health Products

The Best Mouth Washes For Gingivitis

In the treatment of gingivitis, getting back on track with a good oral health care program is a must. Gum disease treatment will be prescribed by your health care practitioner, but among the things you’re going to have to do to protect your oral health will be to use a good mouthwash that will treat your gingivitis so that bone loss and gum recession are minimized, if not eliminated.
In the treatment of gingivitis, which is the best mouthwash to use, though? Here are five considered to be very effective; you should also ask your health care practitioner to recommend one to you.
Essential oil over-the-counter mouthwashes
Popular mouthwashes like Listerine and its generic equivalents contain essential oils that are antibacterial in nature, kill germs, and help prevent or eliminate gingivitis. As stated above, these mouthwashes can be used in gum disease treatment and can be purchased over the counter. For best results, they should be used twice a day, usually, since they don’t have what’s called substantivity. That is, the active agent isn’t retained in the mouth over a long period of time so that it continues to have good effects.
Pre-brushing mouth rinses
You can buy or be prescribed prebrushing mouth rinses that will help remove plaque and kill germs. They contain sodium benzoate and are 7.5% alcohol; they work by removing plaque from the teeth during brushing, to a greater degree than brushing alone can do. These can be used in conjunction with after-brushing essential oil rinses as described above.
Stannous fluoride mouth rinses
Stannous fluoride mouth rinses are twofold, in that they are both anti-plaque, anti-gingivitis, and contain fluoride to prevent tooth decay. This can be beneficial, because oftentimes, with gingivitis, some gum erosion is present such that tooth surfaces are exposed. Stannous fluoride rinses can help prevent the formation of cavities both in the exposed root areas of the teeth and in above gum tooth surfaces. These have substantivity, in that they remain on tooth surfaces, and are also antibacterial. Some of them may need a prescription, while others over the counter.
Chlorhexidine gluconate
Chlorhexidine gluconate can only be gotten through prescription, but it’s a very effective anti-gingivitis mouth rinse that can help prevent progression and in some cases reverse gum disease.
Hydrogen peroxide
3% hydrogen peroxide can be gotten over the counter and in some cases can be very effective at reducing inflammation. With hydrogen peroxide, oxygen is released into gum tissues, zapping infection and promoting healing. Your health care practitioner should advise you on hydrogen peroxide’s home use, since improper use can cause further tissue damage, rather than alleviating it. Some experts have also said that prolonged use can cause an increase in cancer risk. Nonetheless, as a short-term treatment, most consider it to be very effective as long as it’s used properly and diluted as necessary in the treatment of gingivitis.
Remember that proper treatment of gum disease can literally save your teeth and your smile. Take the necessary precautions now, if you are suffering from gingivitis; your smile is too important to lose.…

No Picture
Health Products

Always Improving: Beauty Tips And Tricks

Beauty has its own definition according to each person you ask. While true beauty is, of course, on the inside, you should not therefore neglect the outside. Use the tips shared in this article to look your best.

Most skin types benefit from a mild facial washing, no more than twice daily. Before you start your cleaning routine, be sure all the makeup is removed first. If you do not do this you may clog your pores and get pimples.

Remove hair at least a day before applying a tanning product. It doesn’t matter if you wax or shave. Just ensure you do this 24 hours prior to applying the tan. This will make your tan even all around.

Apply a token moisturizer prior to makeup. Moisturizing products are terrific for the skin and also allow makeup to go on more smoothly. If you do not use a moisturizer, your makeup may look cakey and uneven. This can be a perfect method of making your cosmetics last much longer.

Use a highlighter or moisturizer that contains a gold or warm pink undertone to infuse life into your dull winter skin. A cosmetics sponge is key to applying makeup to your brows and your cheeks. Make sure you stop here; any more application will cause you to appear shiny.

Eating one teaspoon of curry-leaf chutney daily will help you ward off gray hair. This feeds your pigments and allows your hair to retain its luster. You can also apply rosemary essential oil (preferably scented) to your hair each day to keep your hair strong and healthy.

For a torn or split fingernail, use a teabag if you can’t run to the salon to fix it. You need to take the tea from the teabag first. Then trim out a portion of the emptied bag that is big enough to cover up the torn part of your nail. Finally, paint over the bag and nail with a clear polish.

Boar hair brushes are great to help reduce frizz in your hair. Frizzy hair is a common problem for many people. Using a boar bristle hair brush while blow drying hair can eliminate frizz. Brush your hair with it, making sure that the hair dryer is blowing downward.

Makeup artists rely on the power of pink to draw the eye from problems on the face. This will take everyone’s attention away from an unsightly blemish or red, bloodshot eyes.

Use cucumbers or rosewater to eliminate those dark circles under your eyes. These items can help make your skin lighter and tighter. Try dipping a piece of cotton in rosewater or cucumber juice, and apply it under your eyes for fifteen minutes.

Petroleum jelly will make your feet soft and smooth, as a long as you apply it regularly. It is less expensive than most other skin moisturizer and it works just as well. Use it up to three times a week on your feet to prevent chaffing, peeling, and to leave your feel smooth and soft.

Inner beauty will always win over outer beauty. While that’s true, you should still better and refine your appearance. The tips contained here can help you with improving your outer looks so that they match your inner self.…