Life and Health

Your oral health affects your physical health. Heart disease and osteoporosis are two health challenges that can stem from poor oral health. Try several natural methods that improve your oral health. To figure out if the methods work for you, try them for at least two months.

Eat Whole Foods

When you eat only whole, unprocessed foods, your oral health improves. That’s because refined flours and sugars promote tooth decay. Alternatively, fresh foods contain vitamins, minerals and nutrients that grow strong teeth and healthy gums.

Choose Sugar Substitutes

If you have to consume sweets, look for foods made with sugar substitutes such as xylitol and sorbitol. These substitutes fight cavities.

Drink Tea

Green and black teas contain flavonoids. They stop the bacteria growth that causes tooth decay. Teas can also contain fluoride that reduces cavities and strengthens teeth.

Take a Multivitamin

A quality multivitamin reduces dietary deficiencies. It also contains selenium and zinc, two minerals that improve your immune system which then fights dental bacteria.

Avoid Environmental Toxins

Lead breaks down tooth enamel and creates chalky lesions on your teeth. By avoiding exposure to it, you can improve your oral health.

Use Mouthwash That’s Alcohol-Free

Alcohol dries your mouth, which allows bacteria to grow. Mouthwashes with chamomile, myrrh and Echinacea kill germs and reduce dryness.

Minimize Medication Usage

Certain medications cause oral health problems. For example, antidepressants reduce saliva levels, which can cause tooth decay. Birth control pills also promote bacterial growth and increase your risk of developing gum disease. If you must take medications, ask your doctor for a lower the dose or take extra vitamin C and chew sugar-free gum to reduce the adverse oral effects.

Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly

Worn toothbrush heads don’t remove food and plaque effectively. You could end up with tooth decay, gum inflammation and gingivitis. At least once a month, replace your toothbrush.

Improve Your Brushing Technique

The way you brush your teeth can efficiently remove food debris and plaque. Use five to 10 strokes on all surfaces of each tooth. Brush downwards on your upper teeth, upwards on the bottom teeth and in a circular motion on your back teeth.

Brush Regularly

At least once a day, brush your teeth. For optimal oral health, brush after every meal.

Take these natural steps to strengthen your teeth, prevent cavities, reduce gum disease and improve your overall oral health. You should also use your dental insurance benefits and visit your dentist at least once every six months. Receive a thorough cleaning and an oral exam as you prevent dental problems and promote oral health.

Because of high deductibles in the United States and affordable treatment overseas, medical travel continues to gain popularity. Almost one million Americans traveled overseas for medical treatment in 2014. One-third of these patients had dental work done, and one-fourth went for surgeries like bariatric operations and coronary bypasses. Cosmetic surgeries and hip and knee replacements were also popular. If you’re considering getting your next medical procedure done overseas, do your research.

Who Will Pay for Your Overseas Procedures?

In 2014, roughly five percent of employers covered surgeries aboard. Up to 25 percent plan to add that coverage by 2019. These companies pay for overseas surgeries and may even offer employees a cash bonus because medical travel saves them money. For example, one company saved $11 million since it started offering a medical travel program in 2010.

However, the majority of employers do not cover medical travel. Your health insurance may not cover it, either. That means you will pay the full cost out-of-pocket. Figure out the payment details before you schedule your procedure.

How do you Choose a Facility?

The Joint Commission International website can assist you in finding accredited hospitals that meet high quality and safety standards. Be sure the specialist you choose is board-certified, and ask for references. You may also hire a third-party facilitator. He or she will introduce you to specialists, manage appointments and assist you in making travel arrangements.

Next, confirm the treatment with your primary care physician. He or she needs to ensure you are healthy enough to travel and approve the procedure. You are then ready to get a written agreement from your chosen facility and specialist. The agreement includes details about the procedure, including the covered treatment, care, supplies and extra amenities. It should also outline what happens if there’s a complication or you need additional medical care during or after the procedure.

What Happens While You’re Overseas?

An English-speaking concierge will meet you at the airport and drive you to the hospital where you’ll meet your surgeon and get any blood work or required tests. After the procedure, you’ll receive any necessary therapy. Someone will give you after care instructions and possibly a hard copy of your medical records before you’re driven to the airport when you’re well enough to return home.

Medical travel can save you big bucks on your next procedure. Do your homework before you schedule the appointment. Then consider purchasing medical travel insurance that covers medical malpractice and includes a death or disability benefit. This insurance gives you peace of mind as you travel overseas for your next medical procedure.

February is the month of love. Millions of couples will get engaged on Valentine’s Day or get married this month, and couples spend an average of $260 on cards, flowers, jewelry and other gifts. Those gifts could include life insurance. It’s not the first gift you think of when you consider romance, but it’s a good way to express your love to the important people in your life. In fact, you could think of life insurance as love insurance. Seventy-five percent of life insurance purchasers buy a policy because of love. This February, show your love with a life insurance policy, too.

Life Insurance for Yourself

When you buy a life insurance policy for yourself, you give your loved ones financial security and peace of mind. While life insurance benefits don’t replace you, they are a small way you can continue to provide for your loved ones after you’re gone. Your beneficiaries can use the money for miscellaneous purposes, including daily living expenses, an emergency fund for the future, debt repayment, school tuition or retirement account funding.

Life Insurance for Your Fiancé or Spouse

Maybe you won’t give your fiancé a life insurance policy along with the engagement ring, and a policy is probably not the first thing you buy together as a newly married couple. However, life insurance is an expression of your love and care. Your partner can choose the beneficiary and provide financial assistance to children or aging parents. The policy payout could also repay your partner’s outstanding debts, fund a favorite charity, cover end of life expenses or boost your retirement savings.

Life Insurance for Your Children

Kids have their whole lives in front of them, but they aren’t immune to birth defects, accidents and diseases like cancer. You can’t protect your kids from everything, but you can give them life insurance. A child’s life insurance policy can pay for medical expenses, funeral expenses and other end of life arrangements. It can also be donated in your child memory to his or her favorite charity or be used for the educational costs of surviving siblings. Whole life insurance policies also grow with your child. When they turn 21, they take over the policy and keep the same coverage or purchase additional insurance for their future.

This February, purchase life Insurance for your loved ones. A policy can cost less per day than your daily coffee, and it provides peace of mind. It’s a loving gift that keeps on giving. Discuss available policies with your insurance agent today.

Thanks to your health insurance policy, you can receive routine checkups, specialist consultations, lifesaving medications and necessary procedures for just a few dollars a month. Your premiums may be rising this year, though, because of increased health insurance policy costs and decreases in your employer’s budget. Instead of dropping your coverage or paying a fortune for health insurance, stay healthy and balance your personal budget in 2016 with six tips.

1. Review Your Benefits

Does your current health insurance policy include vision, dental or prescription medicine coverage that you rarely use? Dropping these options could reduce your health insurance costs.

2. Shop for Private Health Insurance

Instead of automatically accepting your employer’s coverage with higher monthly premiums or fewer benefits, shop around. Private health insurance could be a more affordable option for you.

3. Increase Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Put your good health to good use and elect to pay lower monthly premiums in favor of higher out-of-pocket expenses. Yes, your deductible and copays will increase, but you could save money in the long run.

4. Consider Joining Your Spouse’s Policy

If your spouse or partner has employer-sponsored health insurance, discuss the costs of joining his or her policy. You could save money by switching to family coverage instead of carrying individual policies.

You should also check out your options after qualifying events occur in your life. In those cases, you may be able to switch your health insurance coverage and save money. Those events include:

• Marriage
• Child Birth or Adoption
• Legal Separation or Divorce
• Death of Spouse or a Dependent

5. Rethink Insurance Options When You’re Laid Off

January is a typical month for downsizing. If you lose your job, you could be eligible for Cobra (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). You continue to pay your health insurance premiums plus a two percent administrative fee, and your insurance does not lapse.

The costs of COBRA can be expensive, though, especially when you aren’t receiving a paycheck. You have 60 days to decide if you want your COBRA benefits or not, so start researching private options as you make the best financial decision for you.

6. Get and Stay Healthy

Little things like exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and quitting smoking can reduce your health care costs since you’ll see the doctor less often. Additionally, your employer may offer wellness incentives for healthy living that can reduce your premium costs. Even if they aren’t offered, you will save money when you get and stay healthy.

Your life insurance policy provides financial peace of mind to your family after you’re gone. While it’s an important part of your estate planning, the premiums can be expensive. Maximize your policy with these tips.

1. Buy When You’re Young

Young people enjoy the best life insurance premium rates because of their age and good health. Instead of waiting until you’re married or have kids, buy a policy when you graduate high school and lock in low rates.

You can also purchase a whole life insurance policy. It comes with a steady premium and provides coverage for the rest of your life, no matter what happens with your life circumstances or health.

2. Buy a Term Policy

This type of life insurance covers you for a set number of years. It’s the life insurance most people choose when they are the primary caregiver for someone, including an aging parent or young children. While it pays nothing if you do not die before the term expires, it’s an affordable option and gives you the peace of mind you need.

3. Quit Smoking

Life insurance premiums are significantly higher for smokers than for non-smokers. That’s because smoking causes a variety of health problems, lowers life expectancy and increases the probability that the insurance company will need to pay your life insurance claim.

Kick the habit and be smoke-free for 12 months to get cheaper life insurance rates. If you had a life insurance policy as a smoker, contact your insurance company to get the discount you deserve for your hard work.

4. Cover Only What you Need

Most financial advisors recommend that life insurance policies provide at least 10 times your annual income. This amount can pay off the mortgage and cover outstanding debts, final expenses, schooling and daily living expenses. You may not need this much coverage, though. Maybe your mortgage is paid off or you don’t have children.

Take time to calculate exactly how much life insurance you need. Then buy a policy for that amount. You’ll end up eliminating unnecessary coverage while still having enough to meet your family’s needs.

5. Buy Separate Policies

If you purchased a joint policy for you and your spouse, consider switching to separate policies. This way, you can adjust your payout to match different earnings. The premiums could be cheaper, too.

When you’re laid off from work, you typically lose your benefits package. Instead of putting off essential treatment or facing financial hardship because of your medical bills, consider several options that assist you in keeping important medical coverage when you’re laid off.

Sign up for COBRA

If you quality for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), you’ll receive a letter from your employer. You have 60 days to enroll, and it’s effective for up to 18 months. With COBRA, you keep the same coverage as you had when you were employed, but you’ll pay the full premium and possibly a two percent administrative fee.

Join Your Spouse or Partner’s Health Insurance Plan

If your spouse or partner has health insurance through his or her job, ask if you can be added to that policy. Many companies offer an enrollment grace period for laid-off spouses or partners, but you’ll need to apply within 30 days of your layoff.

Buy Short-Term Health Insurance Coverage

Also known as gap or temporary insurance, short-term health insurance lasts for six months to one year. These plans typically cover emergency care or medication you need for an acute medical condition, not routine care or treatment for pre-existing conditions. You also may be unable to renew your coverage, but it’s an option if you’re healthy, expect to find another job soon or can buy regular health insurance when the short-term coverage ends.

Investigate Private Health Insurance

A variety of companies offer private health insurance. You can enroll online or in-person at a local insurance agent’s office. Be sure to compare several packages to get the one that fits your needs and budget.

Check with the organizations you belong to, too. Professional, trade, college and religious groups may provide discounted health insurance for members.

Apply for Affordable Care Act Coverage

Since you no longer have health coverage from your employer, you can apply for Affordable Care Act coverage from the federal government. Based on your income, you could receive health insurance at a reduced cost. The application is available at healthcare.gov.

Pursue Low-Cost or Free Options

Because your income may have dropped after your lay off, check into programs that offer low-cost or free health insurance. You can apply for medical assistance through the Department of Public Welfare, and CHIP may cover your kids. Free neighborhood clinics also provide treatment at no cost to you.

Even though you are laid off from your job, you can still have health insurance coverage. Research your options. Additionally, take care of your health as you reduce the risk of illness or injury. For additional assistance, contact your insurance agent.

Getting life insurance can be the responsible choice if you are a significant earner in your family. The payouts from life insurance can protect your family in the future should something bad happen to you. Part of the process involves considering your options for policies and providers and comparing quotes. A policy with a longer term and greater benefits is more expensive, but it is important to also understand the other factors that affect the quotes.

Your Age and Gender

Younger individuals can obtain less expensive life insurance because, simply enough, they are less likely to die and require the provider to pay benefits. On average, women can expect lower quotes than men of the same age. It’s not a question of favoritism toward women. The truth is that women have longer life expectancies than men.

Your Lifestyle and Occupation

Smokers are at higher risk for heart disease, certain cancers, respiratory illnesses, and death. If you smoke, your life insurance quotes are going to be higher than for someone who doesn’t smoke or use tobacco. Similarly, drinking is also associated with health risks, and heavy drinkers can expect higher quotes. You can get lower rates by quitting smoking or drinking.

Individuals with high-risk occupations, such as police officers and dirt bike racers, have higher rates than those with low-risk occupations, such as those involving office jobs.

Your Health

Your quote considers your current health, health history, and family history because these all affect your risk of dying. Chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer can all raise your rates. You can lower your rates by managing certain chronic conditions. For example, keeping your blood sugar in check if you have diabetes can get you a lower quote.

Since obesity is a risk factor for health complications and death, your quote is likely to be higher if you are obese. Losing weight can get you better rates.

We’re in the depths of flu season – which makes it more important than ever for you and your family to stay as healthy as possible.

Although your first step should be to get immunized for influenza, you should also focus on keeping your immune system strong. Dr. Bruce Underwood, a certified nutrition and preventive care specialist with Healthy Futures, Inc., recommends these “best practices” for maintaining wellness:

• Get enough rest. To keep your immune system as robust as possible, experts recommend six to eight hours a night of sound sleep.
• Exercise regularly, but don’t overdo it. The Surgeon General urges adults to walk at least 10,000 steps, or about four miles a day. However, Underwood notes that both lack of exercise and over-exercising can weaken the immune system – so exercise common sense.
• Make sure you get the right amount of essential nutrients.

These include:

1. About 1,000 milligrams a day of vitamin C (from fruits vegetables, and certain cuts of meat) to counteract such toxins as cigarette smoke and air pollution, and the physical and psychological effects of stress.
2. 10 to 40 milligrams a day of zinc (from meats, seafood, dairy products, nuts, legumes, and whole grains) can help maintain a healthy immune system, however, taking more than 100 milligrams a day can lead to fever, fatigue, and other problems.
3. 440 milligrams a day of fatty acids, especially omega-three acids of the EPA and DPH types (from fish, fish oil, and flax) for overall health, according to the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids.

College students are graduating deeper in debt than ever, as tuition and fees keep escalating while family incomes stagnate. The average student debt jumped to nearly $30,000 for the Class of 2012, compared to $26,000 in 2011, according to the Project on Student Debt at The Institute for College Access and Success. Average student loans in 2012 were even higher for newly minted physicians ($167,000), veterinarians ($152,000), and attorneys ($125,000).

If you’re a young professional with debts on this scale, you might well find it difficult to pay off these loans during the early years of your career, before you earn enough to build up savings. If you died before paying your loans, who would be responsible for the balance? Although federally financed student debts are forgiven in case of the borrower’s death, the burden of payment for a private loan would fall on your family or the guarantor (co-signer) of the loan – most likely your parents.

Not to worry. A term life insurance policy can cover this risk, so your loved ones won’t take a financial hit when they’re already reeling from grief. The policy will cover you for a fixed period, such as 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. You can either buy coverage for as long as the loans are likely to be paid off, or have a co-signer (for example, your mother) purchase a policy on your life, with herself as the beneficiary.

You can obtain this financial peace of mind for pennies a day. A 20-year, $250,000 term life policy for a healthy 30-year-old costs only about $150 a year, according to LIMRA, a life insurance trade group.

For more information, just give us a call. We’re always here to help.