Solutions for Health Insurance Coverage

Written by Jill R. Hyland


When it comes to health care, there is no "one size fits all."

Ideally, working for an employer who offers non-contributory health insurance is what most of us would aspire to. However, that is not a realistic scenario.

Finding affordable, adequate health care coverage is a huge problem in our country right now. If you are in a situation where you require certain medications and have no access to reduced rates on prescriptions you can almost betrepparttar farm that you will be paying top dollar forrepparttar 141373 medications you need.

When considering a change in employment, scrutinizingrepparttar 141374 potential employers health care plan is a given. Sadly, many people look at everything about a new job exceptrepparttar 141375 health care plan. Contracting a debilitating illness or becoming an unwilling participant in an accident is not something that anyone can foresee.

Life situations change and a health care plan that was adequate for a single person may not apply should he/she marry and even have children while employed. If their policy has no provisions forrepparttar 141376 addition of dependents inrepparttar 141377 future you can find your health care woefully inadequate. Takerepparttar 141378 time to project what your future situation might be and plan accordingly.

One ofrepparttar 141379 most overlooked segments of our society arerepparttar 141380 self-employed. Depending on age and dependent requirements,repparttar 141381 cost for individual coverage can be astronomical.

If you are self-employed or a very small business owner, consider joining a local association like a chamber of commerce, better business bureau or some other type of business organization. Many of these organizations offer access to health care that might otherwise be prohibitive on an individual basis.

Unless you are in a category considered as "low income" that would afford you access to social health care, you can plan on paying hefty premiums. If you have a pre-existing condition, your chances of obtaining affordable rates are statistically very low. But, there are some things you can do.

Some tips to bear in mind are:

- Make certain you are looking at insurance that is appropriate and adequate for your needs. - Readrepparttar 141382 fine print so you understand what is included and what is excluded. - Never buy a policy that covers a single disease. - Are there deductibles and if so, how much? - Doesrepparttar 141383 coverage include major medical? - What isrepparttar 141384 maximum out of pocket expense you can expect to incur? - When does coverage begin? - Doesrepparttar 141385 coverage include prescriptions? - Are lab fees and x-rays included? - Can you choose your own physician or select from a list of providers? - What is most important to you? - Doesrepparttar 141386 coverage include dental, vision, maternity, well-baby care, etc.

Take Back Your Life 5

Written by Stephen Ayers


In parts 1-4 of this series of articles titled "Take Back Your Life", we discussed what could be consideredrepparttar four wheels ofrepparttar 141360 human wellness vehicle. We discussedrepparttar 141361 importance of proper cell function,repparttar 141362 necessity of having and maintaining a balanced endocrine system, andrepparttar 141363 role of vitamins and minerals, including certain trace minerals as they relate to wellness, andrepparttar 141364 value of antioxidants. When considering how many wheels we want on our car forrepparttar 141365 next road trip, we agree that it would be counterproductive to have less than four. The same is true, figuratively speaking, with regard torepparttar 141366 human body. We need four wheels or elements to continually move toward our destination of wellness. We would, most likely, also agree that family car would do well to have a spare wheel and tire inrepparttar 141367 back to be properly prepared for our next sojourn. Our bodies likewise need a fifth wheel or fifth element to help out on our journey to optimal health. That element is water.

Water is essential for life. Plant and animal cells are dependent on water to conduct their life processes. Water, next to air, isrepparttar 141368 most important thing we put into our bodies. Water is a natural solvent that carries to and removes waste products fromrepparttar 141369 cells of our bodies. The quality of water we consume therefore is a very important aspect of our journey toward wellness. Water that is properly filtered and enhanced can reduce lactic acid levels, increaserepparttar 141370 blood’s ability to absorb oxygen, and contribute to longer life spans and a higher quality of life. Most people overlook or underemphasize this single most important element of their health program. There are only 3 things that our bodies use and need that contribute to our state of good health. Those things arerepparttar 141371 air we breathe,repparttar 141372 food and food supplements we eat, andrepparttar 141373 water we drink. The cleaner, purer, and higherrepparttar 141374 quality of each of these that we get on a daily basis,repparttar 141375 better for our health and well being. No matter whatrepparttar 141376 specific health or fitness goal, we cannot achieverepparttar 141377 maximum benefit for any health program without drinkingrepparttar 141378 right kind of water inrepparttar 141379 proper amount. All experts agree, that next torepparttar 141380 air we breathe, water isrepparttar 141381 most important thing we will ever put into our bodies. Medical researchers report that there is virtually no function or reaction inrepparttar 141382 body that can take place withoutrepparttar 141383 presence of water. Approximately 75% of our body weight is water and water makes up over 80% of our brain and 90% of our blood. Water isrepparttar 141384 trulyrepparttar 141385 oil ofrepparttar 141386 human machine. Since water is an integral part of every thingrepparttar 141387 body does, there is enough evidence to indicate that insufficient hydration ofrepparttar 141388 body can , in itself, lead to or exacerbate specific health conditions and illnesses. It is a mistake to assume that just because we expect it, that all water coming out of a potable tap is good for you or is as good as it can get. All drinkable water is notrepparttar 141389 same quality nor has all tap water been purged of dangerous contaminants. Almostrepparttar 141390 same things are true of bottled water. Just because it looks crystal clear doesn't mean that it is good water nor does it mean that it is good for you. Every thing from its container torepparttar 141391 source and handling of bottled water must be considered suspect with regard to its quality. Tap water may contain trace to dangerous levels of nitrates, pesticides, heavy metals, radioactive compounds, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and parasites coming from its local municipal water supply. Bottled water may contain contaminants leached from its container or other toxins not removed duringrepparttar 141392 production process. The toxins and free radicals in these waters are made significantly more toxic to us byrepparttar 141393 addition of chlorine. Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant used in virtually all public water supplies in this country. It is believed that individuals who drink and bath in chlorinated waters have a greater likelihood of getting cancer in their lifetimes. Contaminants in our drinking water, such as heavy metals, organics, nitrates, radioactive nuclides, trihalomethanes, etc., and free radicals like chlorine and chloramine, acceleraterepparttar 141394 aging process and can contribute to various diseases. The current thinking is that once contaminants have been removed, all water providesrepparttar 141395 body withrepparttar 141396 same benefits. Nothing could be further fromrepparttar 141397 truth. There are many benefits to be gained from drinking healthful water. Drinking adequate good water helps to body absorb and assimilate nutrients inrepparttar 141398 blood stream and internal organs. Proper hydration helpsrepparttar 141399 body resistrepparttar 141400 formation of kidney stones, urinary infections, and constipation. Water also acceleratesrepparttar 141401 excretion of toxins and wastes fromrepparttar 141402 body. Sufficient clean water helps reducerepparttar 141403 risk of developing certain cancers like colon, breast, bladder and kidney. Drinking water before meals helps with weight loss and weight control since it aids digestion and reduces cravings. Water lubricates joints and muscles, reduces inflammation, aids inrepparttar 141404 recovery of injuries and decreasesrepparttar 141405 risk of certain types of physical injuries such as sprains and pulls. Water boosts mental performance. As little as 2% dehydration can lead to significant short term memory loss.

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