You've Found Personal Health Insurance - Should You Buy Long-Term Care Insurance for Aging Parents?

By Ryan Patterson

Planning to cover your own insurance needs, from finding good personal health insurance to choosing the correct auto insurance coverages, can be a challenge. Don't forget to consider your role in caring for aging parents as you build your insurance portfolio. Between the financial extremes of abundance (stockpiled cash, trust funds, or earmarked annuities) and a poverty-based qualification for Medicaid, choosing LTC insurance becomes more complicated when considering what's reasonably affordable. The price tag for three weekly in-home visits seems small compared to assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), but those home visits might not cover all your real needs.

Payment options are also a sobering concern. If your family member is a veteran, the Veterans Administration may pick up some of the expenses related to a stay in a long-term facility.

Medicare and private health insurance policies do not cover LTC; they generally cover only medicine and medical care-though Medicare covers limited short-term care services if they follow a hospital stay of more than three days. Medicaid only covers those without assets or income.

An increasingly popular option is LTC insurance. Advantages include lowered or locked-in rates if purchased well in advance of its use. Another plus is that most LTC premiums qualify for tax breaks. Remember, though, LTC insurance does not provide medical coverage. It is a complement to, not a replacement for, medical insurance.

Tips and considerations:

* Think about purchasing a policy before you or your parent reaches the age of 65. Today's healthy 50-year-old pays a yearly rate of about $1,500 for LTC coverage, while a healthy 65-year-old might pay $2,000 to $3,500. This increases in proportion to a decline in health. Overall rates are expected to increase dramatically in the next few years.

* Read the fine print! Ask an Elder Law Attorney to check policies before you sign them. Ask whether the premium can be modified in the future (e.g., whether additional coverage may be added, how coverage is adjusted with changes in health, and whether it would remain consistent if an emergency evacuation required a move), and at what price.

* Make sure the policy clearly states what is covered. Some policies cover nursing home care, but not assisted living; others are more inclusive. Choosing a limited type of coverage is often less expensive, but a gamble since need is hard to predict.

* Check whether the policy includes a waiting period during which you must pay all of your expenses out-of-pocket before your LTC coverage kicks in-a kind of LTC insurance deductible. The downside is that expenses during this period (called an elimination period) may be very costly and drain what resources you have. The upside is that some companies lower their premiums in proportion to the length of the waiting period, which can be up to 100 days.

* Look at what qualifications the policy requires for benefits to kick in. Does it require a hospital stay? What about pre-existing conditions? Does coverage change if dementia is thrown into the mix?

* Perform a background check on the financial health of your provider. Companies such as A.M. Best and Moody's do annual evaluations on all insurance companies, reporting such events as complaints filed for non-payment. Avoid providers with reputations for dropping clients when health status changes.

Finally, for all of these LTC options, remember the bottom line: Will your plan provide complete coverage, overall savings, and real value, or merely cut down on year-over-year cost?

Ryan Patterson is president of US Insurance Online based in Austin, TX. He graduated in 2000 from the University of Texas with a combined business and computer science degree, and started the company in May of 2005 with fellow entrepreneur Jim Waltrip. The recently re-launched site is designed to provide insurance shopping help and free insurance quotes. For assistance finding the right personal health insurance plan, visit http://www.USInsuranceOnline.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Patterson

Vegetarianism and Personal Health

By Joseph Devine

One of the beautiful things about living in the United States is the freedom that we are given to exercise our rights and choose the kind of lifestyle that we ultimately want to live. Fortunately, we also have that specific choice when it comes to our own personal health. While growing up, I found that an increasing number of my peers had converted to vegetarianism. A vegetarian is a person who does no participate in eating meat. Under very strict interpretations, this includes anything associated with an animal.

There are several reasons why a person might engage in vegetarianism. For some, religion clearly states that ingesting another living, breathing being is wrong. For others, it is a self-made conscious decision based on personal ethic, compassion for other animals, or purely health. Culture has a huge impact on the perception of vegetarianism. In some areas, vegetarianism is looked down upon because it isn't readily understood. The opposite can hold true as well. In India for example, the killing of a cow is expressly against the law, as the cow is considered a sacred animal.

There are some benefits to being a vegetarian. One of them is having lower levels of saturated fats and cholesterol in the body. This reduces the chance of developing heart disease late in life. Also, higher levels of fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamins C and E, as well as phytochemicals provide a lower risk of developing cancer and other forms of potentially fatal diseases.

The debate over protein intake is still on-going. Studies have shown that vegetarians and non-vegetarians differ minutely with regard to the level of protein intake. Vegetarians are able to get the sufficient amount of protein with certain plants, including soy, hempseed, and buckwheat.

The scientific community is of the opinion that the body was best designed for omnivorous activities, simply because of our natural ability to digest both plant and animal material. A small minority of people maintain that eating animals is an unnatural activity, citing that human teeth were not designed for ripping through pieces of flesh.

No matter what the choice, becoming a vegetarian is a personal decision that must be made at the individual level. Sometimes you may be met with skeptical criticism and judgmental advice, but being confident in the choice that you make is the key in sticking to that personal decision.

For more information and vegetarianism and health, visit www.healthdirectoryforyou.com.

Joseph Devine Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

Five Things That Can Make Personal Health Insurance More Affordable

By Joe Stewart

If you are an individual in need of a personal health insurance policy, you have a few options to choose from. If you're on a budget or currently have no health insurance coverage at all because you're unable to afford it, there may be ways that you can slash your costs in order to get a modified plan into your budget also. Let's take a look at a few options that are available to you, both paid and free.

#1. Your Employer - If you have health insurance available through your work you should do your best to take advantage of it. The reason for this is because your employer has bought what's called a "group" plan and there are several people buying into it, which means that the rates are going to be much lower than usual because you're being given a substantial group discount. There's almost no way that you'll find a bargain like this buying health insurance through a private agent.

#2. Private Insurance Agency - As mentioned above, you're definitely better off buying coverage through your employer if it's available. However, if you don't have that option or if you're self employed, you'll likely be paying more. There are ways that you can lower these costs to where they're more manageable. Make sure to get several free health insurance quotes so you can compare costs. You can do this easily online.

#3. Raise your annual deductible - By doing this it's likely that you'll end up paying most or all of your routine doctor visits out of your own pocket. The thing that most people don't realize is that, on average, you'll only see a doctor 1-2 times per year anyway. This means that you'll likely only spend $200-$300.00 so you'd have to pay that out of pocket anyway.

#4. Consider cutting or reducing coverage from the policy - This isn't the most desirable scenario, however, I'd rather have a policy with reduced coverage than no personal health insurance at all. The idea is to make sure that there's coverage for any long term care, but you must make sure that you've set aside a few hundred dollars so you can see a doctor when you need to.

#5. Seek Government assistance - There's absolutely no shame in this. If you are a tax paying American citizen that is in need of medical treatment then don't be afraid to ask for help. There is a welfare system that, as long as it's not abused, is there to help needy individuals. There are free or low cost clinics in most larger cities. There are Veteran's Administration hospitals for those that have served in the armed forces. Do not go without medical treatment because of your personal pride. That's just plain silly!

The bottom line - There are personal health insurance options available for most people that have a steady income. You'll have to look around and decide which option is best for you.

Wait A Minute! You Can Now Learn More About Your Personal Health Insurance Options And Even Get Free Health Insurance Quotes Right Now By Visiting http://TheHealthInsuranceGuys.org or by clicking on Personal Health Insurance

Joe Stewart Is A Former Life & Health Insurance Agent That Now Works Independently Sharing Expert Information With Others.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Stewart

Personal Health Insurance - How to Get the Best Rate

By Brian Stevens and Stacey Schifferdecker

Personal health insurance provides you with financial coverage for medical expenses or lost income resulting from illness or injury. It can include:

* Health coverage

* Dental coverage

* Vision coverage

* Major medical/accident coverage

Typical expenses covered by such a plan include both preventive and diagnostic care such as :

* Physicians' fees

* Medical exams

* Laboratory tests and X-rays

* Hospitalization costs and surgical fees

* Maternity care

* Prescription drug costs

Unless you can buy this insurance through your employer, it can be quite expensive. However, you can save money by following these tips:

Build Healthy Habits

People who avoid tobacco, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight pay less for their health insurance.

Consider a PPO or HMO plan

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans cost less than traditional fee-for-service (indemnity) plans. You will be limited in your choice of doctors and hospitals, choosing from a list provided by the insurance company. In addition, with an HMO plan, you may need approval to see a specialist.

Consider Major Medical Insurance

Major medical plans cover larger expenses, such as surgery or injuries. You pay for smaller expenses such as routine office visits yourself. This type of plan saves money if you are in good health.

Choose a Plan with High Deductibles

The higher you set your deductibles, the lower your premiums will be.

Shop Around

Insurance rates vary dramatically from company to company, so you should comparison shop when you buy personal health insurance.

Fortunately, insurance comparison websites on the Internet make it easy for you to compare rates and companies. You just fill out the simple questionnaire on the website and you'll receive quotes from multiple A-rated health insurance companies.

On the best websites, you can even talk with insurance professionals, asking questions and getting quick, expert answers (see link below).

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get personal health insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more tips and advice in their Articles section.

The authors, Brian Stevens and Stacey Schifferdecker, have spent 30 years in the insurance and finance industries, and have written a number of articles on personal health insurance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Stevens

Personal Health Insurance

By Ryan Steven Davis

Every person needs health insurance. With the rising costs of health care you have to have insurance. Without health insurance, a doctor's office visit can be anywhere from $100 to $200 depending on where you live. A visit to your local Emergency Room in your local hospital can be at least $250 to $500 just for the minimum cost. A hospital stay can be in the $10,000 range and higher, most of the time it is higher depending on the illness.

With our economy like it is, it would be extremely important that you have health insurance. Where to look for health insurance? Most employers offer a health plan of some kind. This would be the least expensive to get signed up for. Most employer plans have a deductible of anywhere from $500 to $1000 and a co-pay of $15 to $30. In other words, you will pay for family doctor your co-pay before you see him or her. You may have some charges that are not fully covered by the plan until your deductible is met. Once the deductible is met then they could pay 100 percent of the medical costs or in some cases 80/20 or 70/30 may apply. That would then mean that once the deductible is met the plan will only pay 80 or 70 percent of the medical costs and you will be responsible the the remaining expense.

When you sign up for health insurance through your employer, please read the brochure that you are given. This will tell you how much your deductible is, how much your co-pay is and if there is an 80/20 or 70/30 percentage that will apply. This brochure will tell you about PPO and HMO. This information is there so you know what to do in case you are billed for medical expenses in error. Keep this book close at hand and get to know what your health plan will cover and what it will not cover.

If you are self-employed you can buy a plan through an agency, or you can buy a plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield direct. There are several other companines that offer health insurance for an individual or even a family plan. Go on-line and search the internet. Get several quotes and then do the comparisons of what meets you and your family's needs the most and at the best price. Be sure to ask about the 80/20 percent and 80/30 percent, hopefully you can get 100 percent coverage after your deductible is met. Also, keep in mind that the higher the deductible the less expensive the policy. Keep in mind that some policies have "pre-existing" clauses in them. You need to know what constitutes or qualifies a "pre-existing" condition. If it is "pre-existing", it will not be covered by any health insurance policy.

There are several good companies that offers great health care plans that have great reputations. Make a list of questions you need to ask before contacting these companies. Do your research, then will you be able to get the best health care plan for you and your family and at the best price. You can start your research by getting a free health insurance quote from multiple carriers to find the best deal.

Ryan Steven Davis reviews health insurance plans to find the best deals for personal health insurance at http://couponredeemer.com/healthinsurance

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Steven_Davis

Stability Ball Workouts-Achieving Your Optimum Health With The Aid Of A Stability Ball

By Josh Neumann

Stability balls have been used for a very long time in physical rehabilitation field. However, their use in fitness regimes is a very recent development, as the power and benefit they offer to your health is only beginning to be realized in health circles today.

Stability ball workouts can be challenging as well as invigorating. These balls can be used for support while doing abdominal exercises or even as a support tool for other exercises. Many people use these exercises for support while doing workouts like push-ups instead of using a bench.

The reason these stability balls are so powerful is quite simple-they focus on your body core muscles, which are essential for keeping your balance and overall health. These are the muscles in the midsection of your body, which include the pelvis, abs, back and chest muscles. These are responsible for your balance and overall strength.

When your body core muscles are strong, it is much easier to achieve strength in the other areas of your body such as legs or arms. All too often, people simply by-pass the core muscles and attempt to get stronger by lifting weights, jogging, etc. The core muscles will provide the foundation for good health for the rest of your body, and cannot be overlooked.

While using a stability ball, it is very important to consider purchasing one that is suited to your height and weight. Stability balls are engineered to provide support to your body while you work out, so make sure that while you sit on the ball, your knees are parallel to the floor. This will minimize the risk of any injury that might occur while you are exercising.

Stability balls are very useful as a back support if you want to do sit ups and push-ups. They not only provide you with the support for your back and abdomen, but they can also be used to give your routine an extra kick by adding resistance.

Stability balls are also great tools for doing low impact exercises such as yoga. You can use them in more ways than one. This is one great exercise tool that offers unlimited possibilities. You will be amazed by how many different ways you can use a stability ball.

You can add a stability ball to your exercise routine to develop your abdominals and define them. Six pack abs are in constant demand but many people do an endless amount of crunches without any success in achieving this goal.

The bottom line? You can call them by either name: Stability balls or Swiss balls-but you will notice a big difference in your overall health if you include stability ball workouts in your routine.

To learn more great tips on total gym fitness, as well as how to stay in shape for the rest of your life, try checking out http://www.onlinefitnesstips.com. This is a popular fitness site that reviews fitness equipment for your home gym and gives great fitness tips to achieve your goals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Neumann

Explore the Benefits of Detoxing For Optimum Health

By Anthony Chambers

Our bodies will accumulate toxins over time. For this reason, every one of us should explore the benefits of detoxing. After many years of putting stuff into your stomach, your body will begin to react negatively to this kind of stress. Your feeling of well-being will slowly diminish, and pretty soon you may even feel ill. Some of the signs of toxins in your body will begin to manifest themselves and your feeling of discomfort will increase.

Toxins are found in just about every human being, to greater or lesser degrees. Toxins are usually stored in your fat cells. If you find that you are gaining weight, are probably constipated, or you suffer through bouts of diarrhea, you may be a prime candidate for a total elimination of toxins from your body. This is commonly known as a detoxification or a detox. For your good health and fitness, let us explore the benefits of detoxing together.

There are specific organs in your body which deal with waste management. As we eat and drink each day, our bodies basically extract what it needs from our food, and eliminate the rest. If the body's ability to eliminate these waste matters is impaired in any way, this can be a real problem, and this elevate the need to do a total body detoxification sooner rather than later. To understand how our bodies deal with waste matters, let us look at some of the major organs of our bodies that help us accomplish this.

1. Your liver is the organ that recycles the unwanted chemicals in your body. It sorts out the toxins and readies them for elimination during the process of circulation. The principal elimination organs will help the liver store these toxins for later elimination from the body. To really gain the maximum benefits from detoxing, any action taken in this regard, should include care and detoxing of your liver.

2. The lymph glands also play an important role in eliminating toxins from our bodies. This network of tubing, carry out the excess waste of the bodies to our final eliminating organs. The appendix, thymus, tonsil, and spleens are major lymphatic glands that help the major organs of the body in the process of cleansing and detoxing.

3. Your kidneys help you to manage water in your bodies. Our kidneys do this by managing our blood alkaline balance, a process of dissolving acid wastes in our bodies. You can help your kidneys to function better by drinking plenty of water every day. In the tropics, many people drink coconut water to help them do this. Experts recommend drinking fresh alkaline juices and purified water because you may be doing more harm than good if the water you are drinking is not pure. You may also take a small quantity of alkaline everyday to see positive results benefits from detoxing.

4. Our lungs are the organs that keep the blood air purified. They allow the oxygen to go directly into your bloodstream. Your lungs are also responsible for removing waste gases that are found in your bodies, especially from today's polluted cities. Deep breathing and fresh air can be very helpful in keeping your lungs healthy and free from toxins. If you are in the urban areas, we recommend that you find oxygen rich areas where you can perform deep breathing exercises. This would be areas such as parks, or gardens, with lots of green trees.

5. Our colon manages the solid waste from our bodies. Doctors and naturopathic practitioners have found that many people carry around, up to 80-pounds of mucus and other solid waste in the walls of their colon. Detoxing and cleaning the colon can be a really difficult thing to do. However, having your colon free from wastes will have immediate and even dramatic benefits. Firstly, you will lose weight. Secondly, you are less likely to have diseases such as cancer of the colon. Having a clean colon is one of the major benefits of detoxing.

Some of the signs of detoxing are joint pains, acne breakouts, and even allergy attacks. If you are experiencing some signs of detoxification, you may try walking briskly or doing other forms of exercise. Exercise will help the process of detoxing your body, and is also a major factor in overall good health. Many dietitians suggest that you drink plenty of lemon water, instead of plain water. This is an effective way of maintaining good circulation, and can increase the rate of detoxification inside your body.

Anthony Chambers is a writer and marketer with many years online experience. He has just published his huge search portal where you will find a huge listing of health tips for any area of your life.: Benefits of Detoxing His best tips are found at his blog at:Anthony's tips

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Chambers

Optimum Nutrition - Build Residual Income Streams While Maintaining Optimum Health - Part 1 of 4

By Earlyn Shuffler

Without Health There is no Real Wealth

You need Optimum Nutrition to be healthy. Residual income streams will allow us to create wealth but it has to be stressed that balance is also an essential ingredient in your quest for success and wealth. You must allocate time for yourself (your health) and your family or the one's you love and care about. More and more successful people are coming to the realisation that, without health there is no real wealth and you need optimum nutrition to have optimum health.

It is advisable to take up a form of exercise to keep your mind and body positively active. A healthy body serves as a perfect vehicle to do well. Have you ever noticed how alive you feel after taking a brisk walk, an early morning jog or completing a fast pace workout in the gym? This type of exercise gets the blood flowing and demands deep breathing, which helps to remove toxins from the blood and push more oxygenated blood through your brain. You feel energised and ready to take on the world because your metabolism is in high gear - but you need optimum nutrition to sustain that energy.

I have been fortunate to discover the benefits of balancing life and making room for exercise, quiet time for reading/meditating, continuous learning and planning time for work so that I have a sense of balance. We all want to create enough reliable streams of residual income so we can achieve financial independence but it is also important to include a plan for maintaining good health and a balanced lifestyle. There are many ways to do this but I would like to share five basic rules that have worked for me over the last twenty five years.

1. Do not become a workaholic or a wealthpreneur freak in your quest for success, lest it damage your relationships with the ones you love and also your attempts to sincerely succeed in life.

2. Do not deviate from the path of righteousness or the Law of Nature. It is great fun indeed to witness success and wealth, and the joy that wells up is beyond belief. However, if happiness, joy and success all come at once at the expense of your health, then I am afraid it is all a terrible waste.

3. Believe in your own success. Wealthy individuals create their own career/destiny because they are true believers of their own ability to achieve success. You want to be healthy and live long enough to enjoy what you have created.

4. Maintain a positive attitude in everything you do. The habitual inclination of our thought patterns is ultimately the deciding factor, which determines our abilities, talents and personal characteristics. This valuable information lies in the art of cultivating the thought patterns that bring success. We are what we think we are.

5. Believe that you can accomplish anything through the power of thought. You must use the power of visualization and your imagination to allow yourself to have a clear picture of your success while achieving your earnest goal. It is true when Masters say that: Your Thoughts create the environment. Successful people learn to surround themselves with people and things that support their success.

In Part 4 of this article series I will expand further on what I have learnt about the power of maintaining a positive attitude and managing my thoughts to support my success goals. However, in Part One I want to share a few thoughts about how to use Optimum Nutrition to maintain good health while achieving wealth.

Support Peak Performance with Optimum Nutrition.

So often I have worked with people who are constantly complaining about being tired. How can you focus and produce your best work if you lack energy and enthusiasm for the task at hand. If you have ever been - tired of being tired, you need to take another look at what you are feeding your body. What we eat provides the fuel for our bodies and will determine the energy we have available to focus and vigorously produce the results we want each day. Get Genesis for a real energy boost. Many of us use the computer as a tool in building our online businesses and know how easy it is to spend 8-10 hours a day sitting. We need to have a vigorous exercise program to balance this inactivity and great nutrition to keep us energised. The following approach works wonderfully for me:

1. Begin the day with a quiet time for meditation and review of your plan of Action for the day.· Prepare a power drink and/or your energy nutrition with some fruit to put some instant fuel in the system. Visit my website and check out the Optimum Nutrition web page for some of the most powerful nutrition available today.
2. Workout for 30-60 minutes to get your body stimulated with some physical exercise. Do what you like best because this should be a lifestyle that we commit to. Some may like a jog, take a brisk walk, a yoga session, a swim in the ocean or a workout in your favourite gym.
3. Now you are ready for your first meal of the day and your energy booster (visit my web page "Your Health" and check out Symmetry's Ultra Vitality and Genesis). Most mornings I just eat seasonal fruits and my selection of nutritional supplements because this provides the quickest supply of energy to get me started. Most fruits digest in less than an hour while other food such as bread/serials will take over four hours to digest before they can supply you with any energy, so my first choice is fruits in the morning.

In Parts 2 & 3 of this article series, I will cover some ideas for meals that help to optimise your energy and let you focus on your goals every day. You will be able to keep building your residual income streams and maintain your health with optimum nutrition.

Earlyn Shuffler is the owner of a website which promotes some of the top performing affiliate programs on the internet. He shares powerful ideas on building multiple streams of residual income with affiliate programs.

He is also very interested in maintaining optimum health while creating wealth. Visit his website and learn more about "Your Health" - Optimum Nutrition is your key to Optimum Health. Also look for Ultra Vitality, Genesis, NutraPack and other great nutritional products that can improve your health.

Website: http://www.sixfigureyearlybusiness.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Earlyn_Shuffler

For Optimum Health Benefits - Choose Organic Teas

By Sandra Fierling

To keep healthy or improve your health, choose organic teas. They are grown on organic soil, which is without herbicides or pesticides. Blended teas, especially in inferior tea bags can include chemicals from the leaves and soil which are not good for your body. Choose organic to give you the best health benefits.

If you're looking for a healthy alternative to coffee, choose teas grown naturally in organic soil. You will experience the great aroma and taste of teas in their purest form. It's easy to order teas online and many websites offer organically grown teas. They are available for all tea sorts, from black Assam, Chinese or Japanese green tea, to the many herbal teas on the market. Green tea, for example, often accompanies a meal and it is great for digestion.

Tea is not only a healthy drink but also inexpensive so when you go shopping for tea, make sure you choose the organic variety. These teas are now readily available at most supermarkets and tea comes in lots of varieties. If you have a favorite, make sure you find the organic option - you'll be very please you did. You will notice the difference and when drinking a good cup of tea, you can be assured that it's doing the very best for your body.

Teas can improve your health and are a great alternative to coffee. Make sure your cup of tea is the best you can have. Organic teas come in the best qualities. Teas are so very good for you, but organic is the absolute best - it's an easy choice.

Sandra Fierling is a published author and loves writing about tea in order to educate people about its many benefits. To learn more about tea, please visit Best-Tea-Talk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Fierling

For Optimum Health Benefits - Choose Organic Teas

By Sandra Fierling

To keep healthy or improve your health, choose organic teas. They are grown on organic soil, which is without herbicides or pesticides. Blended teas, especially in inferior tea bags can include chemicals from the leaves and soil which are not good for your body. Choose organic to give you the best health benefits.

If you're looking for a healthy alternative to coffee, choose teas grown naturally in organic soil. You will experience the great aroma and taste of teas in their purest form. It's easy to order teas online and many websites offer organically grown teas. They are available for all tea sorts, from black Assam, Chinese or Japanese green tea, to the many herbal teas on the market. Green tea, for example, often accompanies a meal and it is great for digestion.

Tea is not only a healthy drink but also inexpensive so when you go shopping for tea, make sure you choose the organic variety. These teas are now readily available at most supermarkets and tea comes in lots of varieties. If you have a favorite, make sure you find the organic option - you'll be very please you did. You will notice the difference and when drinking a good cup of tea, you can be assured that it's doing the very best for your body.

Teas can improve your health and are a great alternative to coffee. Make sure your cup of tea is the best you can have. Organic teas come in the best qualities. Teas are so very good for you, but organic is the absolute best - it's an easy choice.

Sandra Fierling is a published author and loves writing about tea in order to educate people about its many benefits. To learn more about tea, please visit Best-Tea-Talk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Fierling

What Are My Personal Health Insurance Options?

By Ivan A Cuxeva

Health coverage has always been a social problem in the US, the increasing rates on insurance options has kept several people away from such services, however this is not a healthy or recommended practice because sooner or later you will need to go to the doctor in order to have your ailment taken care of.

If you are between jobs and you had health coverage provided in part by your employer you might want to learn more about COBRA and the many options they offer in order to extend your coverage while you are not employed. Getting in touch with this agency is crucial if you don't want to get caught uninsured at a crucial moment.

If you work for an employer who offers group health insurance you pretty much have to accept their terms if you want to get the benefits of a lower payment, on the other hand personal health insurance can be tailored to your unique needs which will fit your budget. It is very common for personal health insurance to be more expensive than group health insurance because you are no longer sharing the costs with your employer, however there are many benefits you will get by using a personal health insurance such as:

- Extended health insurance which will cover you when you are between jobs, this is a very important benefit that you get with personal health insurance which is not offered by group policies because once you stop working for your employer the health coverage stops.

- If your current plan doesn't offer certain treatments or doesn't offer all the benefits you want, you can use personal coverage in order to cover the gaps left by your current provider.

- You can also have a customized long-term health insurance policy which will benefit your entire family, not just you.

If you opt for the personal coverage option you will want to shop around in order to get the best rates possible which will cover each of your requirements. Having house insurance can sometimes be of great help because such companies also offer packages where you can get yourself medically insured at a discount rate so make sure to ask these companies. Remember that the healthier you are the lower the costs will be so try to quit any bad habit you may have and set your deductible as high as possible, this will lower your monthly payments but be careful to set it at an amount you can afford.

Info4HealthyLiving provides more information about personal health insurance and even pilates exercise reviews, get tips about insurance companies, visit us today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ivan_A_Cuxeva

Benefits of Personal Health Records

By Jennifer Salerno

Gone are the days when people used to carry their health records in unwieldy files when visiting a doctor. The advances in technology made it is possible to carry the entire documents in pocket-sized devices like CD-ROMs, pen drives and now on dedicated websites who take the responsibility of saving and updating medical data. To keep a track of our medical history and share and use it when necessary, we need to create a personal health record. Let us try to understand what it is exactly and what it can do for us and how can they make our life easy.

A personal health record is the consolidated information related to health; stored and managed by an individual. Today, they are also popularly known as, personal health diary, patient health record, or personal medical records. While the concept of this type of records is not new, it has evolved from a stage when these records were stored by the medical professionals and health care providers; to a stage where each person today is keeping their health records by using various technologies such as websites, personal health software and so on. The primary purpose of these is:

• To keep a track on personal health and

• To help the doctors for providing better care through the valuable health information.

Ideally, it should contain every single bit of information related to your health. The information stored in it may differ according to the software or service providers, but any personal health records will contain the crucial health information. Some of the most common parameters that a personal health record contains are as follows:

• Name of the patient, birth date, blood type

• Date of last physical tests or screenings

• Major illnesses or diseases occurred in past with dates

• List of medicines and dosages taken by you

• Allergies and chronic diseases

• History of illnesses in your family

This piece of information can be very important in case of emergencies and can save your life.

Personal health records have numerous benefits not only to the users but also to the health care systems and physicians. A detailed health record can be used by physicians to take important decisions in time of emergencies. Some of the significant benefits of personal health records are as follows:

• Empowering patients: personal health record allows the patients to access, update and verify their own medical records. With the use of personal health records, one can also set reminders for health maintenance services.

• Improves patient-doctors relationship: this is especially true when you have a family doctor or a physician to whom you frequently visits. Doctors find it easy to communicate with patients who own personal health records.

• Improves patient's safety: As the patient keeps updating their health records, it helps them to identify missed procedures and services, drug alerts, and important test results.

• Delivers efficient care: personal health records also avoid duplicative testing and unwanted or unnecessary services.

• Cost-effective tool: patients can save huge amounts which are otherwise spent unnecessary on malpractice costs.

• Privacy: personal health records can be kept confidential by using passwords. Today, most of us want our health records to be safe and secure in our hands so that no one misuses it. It allow patients to keep their health documents safe and secured.

The list of benefits of maintaining personal health records is never-ending and they are slowly and steadily becoming a basic necessity to keep ourselves and our beloved ones healthy. After all, a small initiative towards health can reap great rewards. So, step ahead and create your Personal Health Record!

Jennifer is an expert Internet marketing professional with years of experience in various industries such as: Business, Finance, Real Estate, Electronic Health Record, Web-Design, and many more.

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Keeping Your Personal Health Insurance Costs Down

By Alston Balkcom

Your family's costs for health care insurance and the typical price for medical care insurance in your vicinity can be very different. Several factors will influence price for medical insurance. Some factors you have control over and some factors you do not.

The main factors that affect your price for individual or private health coverage are:

• age
• gender
• zip code
• tobacco use
• healthcare history
• weight
• insurance carrier
• plan and options

Age and Sex

Your age and gender are very important factors that can impact your bills for health care coverage. The older we are the more likely to need medical care. Since women carry most of the burden of creating the next generation, they visit doctors more frequently than men during their teens through their fifties.

Your City

Your location can impact the cost of your medical care policy. Usually, the more affluent the area, the more health care providers will cost. This impacts the size of bills the insurance company pays for and of course these bills are passed on to their policy holders who reside in those locations.

Tobacco Use

Most private health insurance carriers will penalize you if you have smoked in the last twelve months. Smoking has a huge influence on your need for morbidity and therefore the costs a medical care insurance company has to pay. Now you have one more reason to quit.

Health Status and BMI

Your health status and your body mass index (basically your height to weight ratio) are very important regarding not only the cost of your private health care insurance plan, but also the availability of coverage. Insurance companies do not have crystal balls, but they are great at analyzing statistics. Individuals in different weight ranges have different health care costs.

It is not possible to fortell the future for one person, but when they analyze large numbers of individuals, they see definite patterns. They have a very good idea regarding which healthcare conditions are most likely to cost them the most and will do what they can to keep their company profitable. Sometimes it means they will reject an application. Sometimes they will charge more and/or eliminate coverage for a particular medical issue.

Regular exercise and enjoying a health lifestyle can reduce your costs for your insurance plan keep you around longer. Many health conditions are beyond our control, but most can be prevented. Regular physicals, eating well, stress management and a myriad of other factors that are within your control can help you keep your medical payments down. You probably have more control over your health than you give yourself credit for.

Your Choice of Carrier and Plan

It really pays to shop around for healthcare coverage. One insurance carrier may charge much less than the average price for health care insurance in your county and another may cost much more. The carrier that has the lowest rate for twenty years old may not be the same carrier that offers the lowest price for those in their forties.

The same is true for different deductible ranges. The insurance carrier that has the best low-co-pay HMO may have the worst premiums for an HDHP HSA plan.

Catastrophic Plans and HSAs are becoming more popular. These policies may seem to have much less protection. However, when you look at all the benefits as well as the costs, you might find that these plans are the best low cost option for your family.

Conclusion

Some of the things that impact coverage prices can't be controlled. However, you may find that some things are.

When you are considering new homes in different state, you may want to investigate the coverage rates associated with each vicinity. You may want to check on programs that smoking cessation or weight management and find a system that will work for you. Shop for the best combination of price and benefits, different carriers will have different costs for similar policies. You don't have to contact all the companies that service your area, you can work with a broker who represents the multiple companies serving your state. Finally, be open to higher deductible insurance options. Most people's overall expenses will be lower if they handle the costs for the small things out of their pocket and let the insurance carrier pay for the big things.

Alston J. Balkcom has been an insurance broker since 1985. He now has several websites that help consumers find rate quotes for low cost Arizona health insurance and insurance prices in other areas of the US.

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The Immune System - Your Personal Health and Longevity Bodyguard!

By Patrick N Warren

So often in life, we don't think and care about how many things work until something goes wrong. The same can be said about our bodies too. We don't ever stop to think "What is keeping me healthy and what can I do to help?" If you find yourself being sick time and again, then now is the time to start thinking about your health and the health of your immune system!

We first need to understand what the immune system is and how it protects our bodies. The immune system is a powerful and complex network of cells and organs that protects us against "foreign" invaders (or antigens) such as viruses, bacteria, microbes, parasites, and toxins from entering the body by first creating a mechanical barrier (the skin). If one of these invaders gets through the barrier, the immune system produces white blood cells and proteins targeted to attack and defeat the foreign substances. The next step the immune system takes is to find the antigen and remove it from the body before it has a chance to reproduce and damage the system.

However, the immune system can often break down from time to time, allowing antigens the opportunity to reproduce resulting in various illnesses and diseases. When this happens, your immune system revs up to fight off the invaders (this may explain why we get fevers). Most of the time, our body and our immune system are strong enough to fight off the foreign invaders that result in deteriorating health.

But, sometimes our immune system becomes weakened and cannot defend itself against every antigen. The result! You get sick. This is sometimes known as immune deficiency. As you age it becomes more and more difficult for your immune system to function properly - increasing your likelihood of getting infections. Also, poor nutrition, stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, and environmental toxins compromise your health and/or immune system.

There are several important aspects of your life and lifestyle that can help support your immune system and keep you and your family safe from unwanted viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Nutrition, exercise, and sleep all play significant roles in shaping the strength of your immune system. Maintaining a healthy eating habit and incorporating antioxidant vitamins into your diet not just boost your resistance from those "foreign" invaders, but also provide essential support and nutrition to your immune system. Getting adequate rest and exercise is also incredibly beneficial to immune support and lifespan longevity. By taking these simple, preventative steps a strong and healthy immune system may guard against sickness from invading pathogens and help you avoid more serious immune disorders.

Now that we've discussed what our amazingly resilient and powerful immune system is and how we can take simple, yet preventative measures to help our immune system keep us healthy. Also let's discuss why it is so important to maintain complete immune support!

Everyone has suffered from some sort of cold or infection. A majority of us have also experienced the pain and inconvenience of cuts and scrapes that became infected. In situations like these, we are all used to our bodies coming to our defense and healing on its own. There are, however, situations where the body cannot heal itself, when an immune deficiency takes hold and can truly compromise ones health.

But, you don't have to let poor immune health keep you from being with the people you love and the activities you enjoy! Take pride in following a healthy diet. Find joy in getting regular exercise. Make it a priority to get plenty of rest. And stop undermining your health! Start protecting your immune system today...and you'll start protecting your personal Health and Longevity Bodyguard!

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Personal Health Cancer With Built in Quandary

By Karl Dorads

Cancer presents the patients with the most challenging times their life. They have to face the prospect of losing their life and at the same time, they have to take decisions regarding the treatment. Cancer has various stages. People who have cancerous cells before it starts spreading are faced with issues of personal health cancer with built in quandary. There may be multiple options to choose from and some of them may involve some sacrifices to personal health. Let us take the case of breast cancer in women to find out how a typical sequence of events plays out.

In breast cancer, there is a specific type of cancer called D.C.I.S. or Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. Majority of these cases are non-invasive. However some have the potential to become invasive in the future. A large number of such cases are being recorded as the screening process has improved which has resulted in an increase in the health cancer checkups. A number of women who are healthy get their breast X-ray so that any cancerous cells may be detected early. This situation presents a quandary for the doctors who now have to advise the women on the possible treatment options. The doctor has to first find out whether the cancer may actually turn out to be invasive by biopsying it. In this case, there are a number of possible treatment options and each of them has their own unique price to pay. This is what makes the situation of personal health cancer with built in quandary so difficult for the doctors. If there was default treatment option which does not come with any side effects, then the doctors are only happy to treat the cancer.

The patients also find themselves in a difficult situation. They have to take a decision regarding the type of treatment they want. When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, the best option is to go for mastectomy. This involves the removal of the breast with the cancerous cells so that they do not spread. This is a difficult option for some women and their family members. When D.C.I.S. is found in women, the choice becomes extremely difficult as there is only a slight chance the cancer will become invasive. The patient has to do extensive research and consult some other physicians to find out their opinions. The patient eventually has to come to a decision with full knowledge of the side effects. One advantage the patient has in this situation is absence of emergency. She can take her time and come to a decision after carefully weighing all the factors and outcomes to take decision regarding personal health care with built in quandary.

This situation can exist in all other types of cancer as well. The basic factor in personal health cancer with built in quandary is that the patient has to decide between personal health and other side effects when looking at treatment options. This can be largely mitigated only through careful analysis and study of the various factors. The eventual aim should be personal health as the health outcomes issues in cancer is the most important.

You can visit our website for more information about Cancer and Sarcoma. We have a lot of articles about Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer and Sarcoma Muscle Cancer.

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Affordable Personal Health Insurance

By Fran Murray

The need for health insurance is an ever increasing need, but are we paying to much for insurance that we do have? What if we have none is there a way to get insurance within a our budget? There are many questions that we can ask ourselves. Some people just want to throw their hands in the air and just give up.

Recently the U.S. Government threw out a statistic of 16% of families do not have insurance coverage, but at the same time our government also stated that overall 41% of Americans do not have coverage. Why? Two reasons. First, many employers now to do not offer medical or health insurance. Secondly, the other reason is that health insurance is extremely expensive to buy on your own.

If your one of the lucky ones your employer will offer health insurance with a reasonable deductible, co-pay or any combination they choose. The advantage to this process (even if the insurance is expensive) is that the employer will take your premiums for you on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Depending on your companies payroll schedule. Some companies will kick in some of the cost for you and others will not. Some of these policies will offer only individual coverage and other will offer family plans.

Employers will do this for many reasons. The top three reasons are...
- Retention of Employees
- Healthy Employees
- Meeting Company Production Goal (keeping healthy employees long term is a business strategy)

The insurance package should include a number of different provisions in order to adequately protect the individual and their family members. In addition to insurance for health, the affordable health insurance package should include provisions for dental, short-term and long-term disability insurance in the event of a health crisis and hopefully vision insurance. From an employee's standpoint, more services and benefits the better the insurance is, especially if the employer is paying for a share of the premium.

What if in the event you are one of the 41% that do not have health insurance? Do you recognize that you need it? You may ask yourself, "What should I do to get started?" Here our a few suggestions to get you started.

Decide what kind of health insurance package that you need. Do you need medical with vision, dental or both? Whatever you decide, be aware of the provisions in your policy before you sign or pay for anything.

Do they cover pre-existing conditions? Some companies will make a wait 1 month to a year depending on the policy. Some insurance policies may not cover pre-existing conditions at all.
Make absolutely sure that shop around for quotes. Don't take the first policy that your offered. Also talk to a real person and any questions that come to mind.

I would recommend you start with an online search for pricing and to get acquainted with some of the insurance terms.

For more helpful information about Personal Health Insurance.

My name is Francis Murray and I am creator of http://www.personal-health-insurance.info visit my site and Join my Newsletter!

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6 Easy Steps to Create a Personal Health Record

By Marty Perdew

The first thing that you should do is collect all your health records from your different healthcare providers. This includes your general practitioners, eye doctor, dentist, and any other specialist you go to.

Here are a few easy steps for you to create your own PHR:

1.) Contact your doctors office and medical records staff at each location that you receive care. Request copies of your electronic medical record and ask the medical records staff or physician which parts of the record you need. Call the customer service department if you want the medical records kept by your health plan.

2.) Complete the "authorization for release of information" form from the medical facility. This will allow you to gain access to the records. Remember, it may take up to 60 days to receive your medical records so plan ahead.

3.) Choose which method to store your information. You have a choice on which platform to store your medical information. You can store in a physical paper file, electronically via the internet, or digitally via a CD that you can carry with you. The are PHR tools available online that you can use. Some are free and others require a subscription fee to use.

4.) Store the information. Depending on the method you use, you can store the information in a physical disk or paper file. Type or write the information into the completed PHR.

5.) Keep adding and updating the PHR with each successive visit to a healthcare facility.

6.) Keep your information safe and protected. Let your trusted family members know that it exists but beyond that keep it safe.

CLICK HERE To Find a FREE Ebook and more valuable information on personal health records

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What is a Personal Health Record and Why is it So Important?

By Marty Perdew

A personal health record is a way of tracking, collecting, and sharing vital information about your health. It is maintained by each individual person, ultimately making you responsible for making informed decisions about your health. Although a PHR does not normally replace legal medical records from a provider, it will allow you to make better health decisions and ultimately improve your quality of care.

Each time you visit a physician, hospital, or other healthcare professional, a record is created compiling what is known as your medical or health record. This record is protected under HIPAA and ensures privacy and security. Its important to note that medical records that are not part of your provider's electronic health records are not considered HIPAA sanctioned and thus are not considered legal health records.

Every time you pay a visit to a different healthcare provider whether it is a family physician, an allergist, a pulmonary specialist, or a cardiologist, a new file of information is created. The chances are, you have many different medical records and each one is separate. Even if they work in the same health care facility, they may have separate records and will not be aware of the treatment you are receiving from each health care professional. This can undoubtedly lead to a disconnect in your treatment because each healthcare professional may not know your comprehensive history.

Keeping your own medical records will allow you to be proactive and will allow you to be more of a partner with your providers in the treatment of your health. It will allow you to reduce the risk of duplicate procedures and save tons of healthcare dollars. It will allow you to include more information that you feel will affect your health, for example, including things such as your exercise routines, your diet and glucose levels if you are diabetic.

Here just a few of the benefits of having an online PHR

- Information to provide to new caregivers

- Ability to knowledgably discuss your health with providers

- Easy access to health information when you are traveling

- Access to information when you cannot contact your doctor

- Your own progress chart for health specific goals

To Find a FREE Ebook and more valuable information on personal health records CLICK HERE

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What You Should Know About Personal Health Insurance in Canada

By Shannon Hutcheson

In Canada, you'll find that if you are a resident or citizen, you qualify for government sponsored health care. There are certain things that can take too long, or be too expensive, if you are waiting for your provincial health plan to kick in or if you aren't a proper resident. For anyone who has recently moved to a new province, it can also take up to 3 months to get established and get your health benefits transferred over. In the meantime, you may have to pay for a simple visit to the doctor's office.

Extra health insurance is a good idea when most Canadian health care government sponsored programs don't cover "extras" such as massage therapy, chiropractic, and orthopedics. Homeopathic treatments and visits are not covered either - including most "alternative medicine" options.

Why You Need Extra Health Insurance

There are a number of common health issues that simply aren't covered by standard provincial health plans. Rather than pay full price for these, it is almost always cheaper to opt for a monthly plan where you can pay a certain amount in order to get coverage for things not included in regular Canadian health insurance.

Some of the things that may not be included in your provincial plan include the following:

- Dental work beyond basic cleaning
- Chiropractic care
- Naturalpath or Homeopathic visits
- Podiatrist and Orthotics

Prescription drugs can become very expensive in Canada if your Provincial Health Care Plan has a low limit and your prescription isn't on the list of pharmaceuticals covered. For this reason alone, many people opt for extra health insurance to make sure they can afford these additional expenses.

How It Works

Using personal Canadian health insurance isn't that complicated. It works like any other insurance plan. You'll be paying a monthly fee for the coverage and if or when you need it, you'll be responsible for paying a deductible, the first part of the cost. For example, if you have a deductible of $100, you'll be paying that amount and any further expenses will be taken care of by the insurance company.

Where to Find Canadian Health Insurance

If you are looking to create a more comprehensive health care plan, you'll need to find an insurance company that offers what you need for a good price. This means knowing what you actually need included. There's no reason to pay more than necessary if you don't require certain things to be covered, so look for a plan that suits you.

There are quite a few insurance companies that can help you out with good policies and that can make it tough to pick just one. A good way to go, in this case, is with a website that offers comparisons of several insurance providers.

You'll be able to see at a glance exactly which services are suitable for you, according to price and what they cover. At the very least, you'll want to include a higher prescription limit and eye care. However it's important to note that there are other options, as well. For example, you might want to look at the "extras," such as massage therapy and chiropractic care which isn't covered in Provincial health care programs .

Canadian health insurance provided by the government doesn't always give you what you need, so you may want to consider getting your own personal insurance. This will afford the coverage needed and can be far less costly than later having to pay out of pocket for health care that isn't covered.

Business and Insurance resource site features information on home insurance, Canadian life insurance, health insurance and travel insurance. When looking for relevant and reliable information for your insurance needs, consider the Business Advocate.

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Holism in Action - Public Health Versus Personal Health - What's the Difference?

By Iris Bell, MD PhD

Consumers of health care often face the difficult task of deciding for themselves what to do with "expert" advice. Mainstream medicine has moved toward setting the standard of evidence-based practice. The advantages of evidence-based health care would seem obvious - increasing the choices of effective and safe treatments for any given condition.

The disadvantages are less obvious, but they exist. What happens if the evidence indicates that people generally, or even a subgroup of people who have a specific diagnosis such as diabetes, fare better or worse on a particular therapy. For example, in general, for the public health, eating whole grain foods is better than eating processed foods from which fiber and vitamins were removed.

Then you have your own personal situation. You could launch on a campaign of eating only 100% whole wheat bread, pastas, and even pizzas. It could benefit your nutritional status. You'd consume a lot more fiber and B vitamins. Those are generally good for you.

But, in holistic medicine, providers and consumers individualize the treatments. What happens if you are intolerant of wheat and related products? What if you have celiac disease (gluten intolerance, where gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley-containing foods)? What if you have a wheat allergy of one mechanism or another? Eating whole wheat foods will make you sicker in a variety of ways, perhaps even causing poor absorption and assimilation of the very nutrients that would benefit you, but that can't get into your particular body's cells properly.

In the latter cases, eating whole grain rice, for example, might be the best course of action to get the health benefits of a "whole grain" approach without stirring up a food intolerance or allergies.

This is a simple but common example of how general public health recommendations can benefit the population at large, on average, but not necessarily you personally. The individual must always weigh and balance what is right for him or her. Many different types of holistic medicine include the individual's unique situation in choosing the specific treatment program.

Iris Bell, MD PhD, is a holistic medicine researcher, author, educator, and consultant.
Discover the secrets of using alternative treatments the right way, from a doctor who is an internationally-known researcher in alternative therapies. Visit us to learn more about the Getting Whole System and our new award-winning book on creating your own holistic health care program for chronic illness at http://www.GettingWholeSystem.com

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Personal Health Information - Keeping Tabs On Your Health In Texas

By Patt Carpenter

Your personal health information — do you know who has it or where to find it in Dallas, Houston or in the other Texas cities where you have lived? Do you have it? In most cases, a complete record of all of your personal health information can’t be found at any single location or in any consistent format. Each one of your healthcare providers (family practitioner, allergist, OB-GYN, etc.) compiles a separate medical record on you. And often times, these multiple medical records can lead to an incomplete story about your health.

Keeping your own personal health record (PHR) provides doctors with valuable information that can help improve the quality of care you receive. A PHR can minimize or eliminate duplicate tests. It can also help you receive faster, safer treatment and care in an emergency. In short, with a PHR, you can play a more active role in your healthcare.

Starting a Personal Health Record

Your health information is scattered across many different providers and facilities. A Personal Health Record is a collection of this information about your health or the health of someone you are caring for, such as a parent or child that you would actively maintain and update. The information comes from your healthcare providers, and most importantly, from you.

Why Start a PHR?

Your own PHR should provide a different perspective, showing all your health-related information. It can include any information that you think might affect your health, including information that your doctor may not have, such as your exercise routines, dietary habits, or glucose levels if you are diabetic.

In addition, the PHR is a critical tool that enables you to partner with your providers. It can reduce or eliminate duplicate procedures or processes, which can save healthcare dollars, as well as your time and the provider’s time.

What Should be in Your PHR?

When collecting information from your health records, make sure you include:

* Personal identification, including names, birth dates, and social security numbers

* Emergency contacts

* Names, addresses, and phone numbers of your physician, dentist, and other specialists

* Health insurance information

* Living wills and advance directives

* Organ donor authorization

* A list and dates of significant illnesses and surgeries

* Current medications and dosages

* Immunizations and their dates

* Allergies

* Important events, dates, and hereditary conditions in your family history

* A recent physical examination

* Opinions of specialists

* Important tests results

* Eye and dental records

* Correspondence between you and your provider(s)

* Correspondence between you and your health insurance company

* Permission forms for release of information, operations, and other medical procedures

* Any information you want to include about your health – such as your exercise regimen, any herbal medications you take and any counseling you may receive.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a PHR

Young, healthy people move, often frequently. Therefore you are likely to have health records scattered over all over Texas and beyond. Remember the flu last year in Dallas? And the routine exam three years ago in Houston? Keeping your own personal health record (PHR) provides new and existing doctors with valuable information that can help improve the quality of care you receive.

To start your personal health record, you will need to request a copy of your health records from all your healthcare providers, including your general practitioner, and your eye doctor, dentist, and any other specialists you have seen. Don’t feel that you need to gather all your health information at the same time. One way to handle your record retrieval is to ask for your recent records each time you visit a healthcare provider.

Incorporate the following steps, at your own pace, when creating your own personal health record:

1. Contact your doctors’ offices, the health information management (HIM) or the medical records staff at each facility where you have received treatment. Ask if your records are in an electronic format that you can access, or if you need to request copies. Also, ask your physician or the HIM professional to help you determine which parts of your record you need. Furthermore, find out if your provider has his or her own plan for helping patients to create their PHRs.

2. Ask for an "authorization for the release of information" form. Complete the form and return it to the facility as directed. Most facilities charge for copies. The fee should only include the cost of copying (including supplies and labor), as well as postage if you request the copy to be mailed. It can take up to 60 days to receive your medical records, so ask when you can expect to receive the information you’ve requested.

3. Now that you’ve gathered your information, there are a few different ways you can maintain your PHR. One way is to simply gather your information in a file folder. Not all information may be available to you in an electronic format, so an old-fashioned file folder or three-ring binder may be the easiest and most inclusive format. You can divide the binder into sections by family members. Then, within each family member’s section, divide information by year or illness.

4. There are many great digital PHR tools and services to help you get organized. You can burn data onto a CD. Also, portable devices, like keychain USB drives that plug into most computers, will make your PHR information extremely portable. There are also Internet-based services where you can store and retrieve your health information, including services which may be sponsored by your insurance company. Some services even help collect your data from your doctors and other healthcare providers.

Some of these digital PHR tools may be available free of charge and others are products or services you will need to purchase or pay a subscription fee to use.

5. Bring your PHR to all healthcare provider visits so that you have the information with you. And remember to keep adding and updating it with entries from providers, yourself, or your family member.

6. Because you won’t always have your PHR with you, create and carry a card that has vital information on it—such as medications or allergies—with you at all times.

7. Remember, this private information is yours and your family’s, so protect it and maintain its confidentiality. Let trusted family members know it exists, and where it’s being kept, but beyond that, keep it safe and protected.

Knowledge is power and your Personal Health Record can certainly empower you. The information gathered gives you information you can use when preparing for medical appointments. And it gives you more intimate knowledge of your healthcare, including giving you an active role in your preventive care and care management.

It’s easier to start gathering your medical records while you’re a young, healthy Texan compared to when you’re older and have a more complex medical history. Start with your parents and work your way up to your current healthcare providers.

With your PHR in hand, you will then want insurance to help with the costs when you need to visit physicians or have an unexpected hospitalization. Why not take a look at the revolutionary comprehensive individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for young, healthy individuals? Precedent offers affordable, individual health plans,. For more information, visit us at our website, www.precedent.com. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans, and an unparalleled "real time" application and acceptance experience.

Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at http://www.precedent.com.

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Personal Health Care Products

By Danny Wright

Personal health care products are things that practically everyone needs for one reason or the other. It can be medical products, hygiene products or beautifying products. Whatever the product, everyone has to buy it frequently. With the advent of the internet, there is no need of going to a store as all your personal health care products can be bought while sitting in the comfort of your home.

Buying personal health care products online is quicker and more discreet than buying from traditional retailers. There is no need of visiting the store as orders can be made while sitting in the comfort of you home. It is the elderly people who benefit the most from this form of buying personal health care products as they can continue living at home without being dependent on others to take care of their medication and day to day needs.

Many a time, buying personal health care products through the internet proves to be rather cheaper too as it is possible to compare between the many online stores offering products. While sitting at home, you can find out which store offers the most reasonable rates for your personal health care products and buy accordingly. There are some sites that offer product reviews which can give you better insight about a particular product.

Some people who are confined to bed and have a need for things like adult undergarments, patient lifts and lightweight wheelchairs find it rather difficult to go and buy these products on their own. Moreover in the long run, the expenses for these products tend to run high. And if there is no medical coverage in insurance for these supplies, they end up using poor quality products.

In such conditions, it is better to buy medical and personal health care products online without having to pay retail prices. There are also wholesale clubs where you don't have to pay for memberships, or fill out lengthy paperwork. You are sure to find some online medical supplier that supplies top quality products at reasonable prices.

When buying personal health care products via the internet, it is better to use reputable site like to do your transactions. Just because a site offers products at discounted price, it does not mean that the product will be up to the mark. Check on the reputed sites with some internet research so that you end up with good products, at reasonable rates.

It is always better to buy your personal health care products using a credit card than by paying cash. This is because when you use credit cards, it is possible to cancel payment if you find something wrong with the site or the product. Make sure that you take a print out of the order you place to be on the safer side. And before placing orders for personal health care products, check on the privacy policy and return policy of the site. Make sure that none of the information you provide in your order will be used in other surveys or by other sites. With the return policy, you will be able to return the product if you find some fault.

Danny Wright is the webmaster for MerchantLand.com We invite you to come and find out which are the best personal health care products for you. Read our consumer product reviews. Satisfaction guaranteed.

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Personal Health Insurance - 3 Tips That Might Make Personal Health Insurance Affordable

By Joe Stewart

Personal health insurance is a necessary expense, especially in the event that you have an illness or injury that requires long term care. The problem with personal health insurance these days is that it's so expensive that many people simply can't afford it.

Recent statistics show that a large part of personal bankruptcy in the United States is caused by excessive medical bills. If a person can't afford to pay for personal health insurance in the first place, how in the world can they be expected to pay for long term hospitalization costs? There are a few options that a person could take in order to make their medical insurance less expensive. Here are a few ideas.

#1. Raise your deductible to the maximum - I realize that this will create more out of pocket expenses, however, your main goal is to have coverage in the event of major medical needs, so by raising your deductible you could easily cut your premium by 30-50% and, therefore, make owning a policy affordable. The secret to making this work is to put away an additional $20-25.00 each month for those rare occasions where you must see a doctor. $25.00 per month adds up to $300.00 per year and should be sufficient enough to cover a doctor visit (or two) for things like colds, flu, ect. Also, get your flu shots each year. Those people that tell you it "gives you" the flu are full of it. It's a dead virus, so how's it suppose to give you the flu. Anyway, get over it quick, get the shot and save money later.

#2. Get a policy with minimum coverage - I realize that this isn't preferable, but if you're trying to add personal health insurance protection into your budget, you'll need to cut corners wherever you can.

#3. Buy a discount plan - These plans are not insurance. They have a flat fee for each medical procedure that you must pay out of pocket when you see your doctor. However, the savings can be quite large, especially on hospital costs. Also, because these are not personal health insurance, they don't fall under insurance regulations. This means that if you are uninsurable for any reason you should be able to get a discount plan.

These are just a few ideas that you can work with. It's impossible to give professional advice without knowing you, knowing your budget, your needs, etc.

Learn More About Health Insurance And Get Free Health Insurance Quotes For Individual And Family At His Website http://TheHealthInsuranceGuys.org or by clicking on Personal Health Insurance Joe Stewart Is A Former Health Insurance Agent. He's Made Understanding Health Insurance Easy.

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Simple Rules For Personal Health and Hygiene

By Karen Peralta

Have you been following a plan for your own personal hygiene, or do you get up in the morning, take a bath, brush and blow dry your hair, use the bathroom through the day, and go to bed at night? If you only do the latter, you need to put more planning and preparation into your personal care and grooming.

Cleanliness is seen nowadays as next to Godliness, and neglect of your own personal hygiene may cause health and social problems of which you are not even aware. Bad breath, for example, is a common problem--the perpetrator is often accused of it, but he or she may not be attending to it. Problems such as dandruff are forgivable, but good looks are usually the result of great care and attention paid to personal grooming. You should put some time and effort into it if you want to feel and look your best every day.

All external parts of the body need time and attention. Below is a partial list of the body parts which you should be taking care of with your grooming plan. Here are some tips as to how to attend to your most common and ordinary daily grooming needs.

HAIR

First of all, keep your hair at a length and style which you can properly maintain in a cleanly manner at all times. Wash your crowning glory at least twice per week, using a mild shampoo devoid of borax or alkalis. It is not a good idea to use soap, as it can leave a fine film of stickiness in your hair. Shampoo is meant to wash totally out of your hair. Be sure and carefully towel dry your hair after you wash it, and be cautious with the blow dryer. You don't want your hair to become too dry and brittle. Especially if you have long or thick hair, brush it three to four times per day, using a soft bristled brush or wide toothed comb. Be sure to wash your hair grooming tools every time you wash your hair. And oil your scalp with grooming oil once per week, preferably one hour before you wash it. A hot oil treatment is fine--if you know exactly what you are doing.

Hair coloring or dye is not recommended, as no current dyes have been found to be completely safe for long term use. They contain chemicals which can seep into your scalp and even cause premature hair loss. So we recommend not using hair dye if possible. Also, try not to wear a hat for a very long period of time. Wearing hats has also been shown to cause premature hair loss. Redheads need to be particularly concerned, as they are subject to early hair loss.

SKIN

A good bath once or twice per day is essential for cleanliness and good grooming. You should always bathe after any strenuous physical activity. Mild soaps are best, and you don't need to use a germicidal or antiseptic soap unless you have a medical or "smelliness" problem. Bath brushes, bath sponges, and mildly abrasive scrubbers are recommended. You must also pay special attention to your genitals and anal area, as lack of care paid to these can lead to serious infections--as well as an inadequate sex life. Rinse yourself thoroughly after washing, and be sure to use a dry and clean towel to properly dry yourself. Don't ever share towels, try not to share bathing equipment, and wash all of your equipment after each bath. Putting a teaspoonful of bleach in one gallon of warm water, rinse your bathing equipment in the water, and then under warm running water. And always change into completely clean underwear after each bath.

It's good to use a fine organic moisturizing oil or cream every day, especially as you get older. Put it on at night to avoid that sticky feeling, and so as to not attract dust and filmy dirt throughout the day.

TEETH

Brush your teeth two to three times every day, or after meals or snacks as needed. It's important especially to brush right before bedtime. Pay attention to getting rid of the food particles stuck between your teeth. Flossing is highly recommended over toothpicks for this. You only need about a pea sized dab of toothpaste on your toothbrush. When brushing, brush down on the upper teeth and brush up on the lower teeth, using a circular motion. Also, brush the inner as well as the outer surface of your teeth, and before you brush each time, carefully brush your tongue.

Your toothbrush should never be shared with anyone. It should have resilient bristles, and it should be well rinsed and left somewhere completely sanitary to dry after each usage. Try to use organic toothpaste, one that's completely safe and free of harsh abrasives or strong antiseptics. Baking soda has been found to be a very effective substitute for toothpaste, if you don't mind its strong flavor.

HANDS

You should always be washing your hands. There's no such thing as too often. Use a good hand cream if they become dry. Pay attention to your fingernails when you wash your hands. A good nail brush placed near your bathroom sink is a sound investment. Use soap every time you wash, and always wash before and after meals--and after you go to the bathroom. Many infections such as E. coli are caused every day by people who don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom. You should also keep washing your hands while preparing meals.

NAILS

Your fingernails completely replace themselves every five to six months. You need to keep them well trimmed, and preferably buffed and polished too. Men can buff their nails and use a nail shining tool instead of polish to give their nails a healthy glow. Women may of course polish their nails with beautiful colors, which can hide the discoloration that comes with age. Clip your nails to the length you want them, but don't ever trim too close to the skin. If your nails chip easily, consider adding more protein to your diet, as finger and toenails are all made of protein. Eating gelatin can work for this.

Very brittle, highly yellow or discolored nails can be a sign of a serious health problem. Please see your doctor immediately if you have this. Also, do not always keep your nails painted with polish. This can lead to stripping of the natural keratin of the nails. Also, either go out or give yourself a home manicure and a pedicure once every couple of weeks. Be sure and buy a very good manicure kit for this purpose.

FEET

Many people take no care whatsoever of their own feet, usually to their detriment. Always keep your toenails clipped, shaping the nails but not cutting too close to the skin. Always give your feet a good scrubbing with a pumice stone or mildly abrasive brush when taking a bath, and before you put on your socks, dry carefully between your toes. Try wearing a clean pair of cotton socks every day; this will pamper your feet and keep them dry and not smelly. Powder your feet after you take a bath. Try not to wear the same pair of shoes every day, and alternate wearing your shoe pairs. And make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Comfort and safety should come before stylishness. High heels can lead to the shortening of important calf muscles.

DEODORANT

Your underarms don't emit an odor until you hit your preteens. That's when your apocrine glands, which are located under your arms and around your genitals, begin to function, producing a milky, oily type of perspiration. Bacteria then thrive in this sweat, causing the familiar underarm odor.

To control strong odor, you can wash daily with an antibacterial soap such as Lever 2000. You should always wear clean clothes that are free of staining and sweat. Use a deodorant that is also an antiperspirant, which will dry up moisture in the armpits. Cut back on your caffeine intake-it puts your apocrine glands into overdrive. After a bath, dust yourself liberally with a fine talcum powder. Always drink plenty of water, both to flush your system of toxins and to regulate your bowels. This alone may end some problems you may have with "smelliness."

TANNING

Getting a "healthy tan" is not considered to be healthy anymore. Now doctors are telling us that you shouldn't mind your pale skin. Skin cancer, which is often deadly, is not a fair trade for good looks. When sunning, protect your fair skin with an at least SPF 30 sunscreen lotion. Keep your skin oiled and moisturized during the summer, and don't bother with the "bronze look."

BODY HAIR

Around puberty, your hair follicles respond to hormones raging in your body. You can end up with hair around your belly button, on your back, near your breasts and for both women and men, on your upper lip. If it's especially coarse, show your doctor, as you may have a treatable hormonal imbalance. Some such "peach fuzz" is normal for girls, and if it seems unsightly to you, you can try bleaching or removing it. Nair is known to be a gentle permanent hair remover.

I hope you found these simple rules to be helpful to you. If you follow your own careful grooming and personal care plan, you will feel better, look more attractive, and probably live a longer, happier and more fulfilling life.

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