The 2017 Health Insurance Premium Rate Hike The notice sent out by Covered California encourages customers to sign into their Covered California online account and to use the shop and compare tool to identify exactly how much their premiums will be for their current plans. Customers will also be able to compare the cost of their premiums and the details of their plans to other plans within their region. Although customers have experienced moderate rate increases over the past two years, premiums are expected to skyrocket in 2017 by an average of 13.2 percent throughout the entire state. It wasn’t until recently that customers knew how the expected rate hike would affect them since health plan prices differ throughout the state, by insurer and by a number of other factors that include age, income level, family size, and more. Some customers are seeing massive out-of-pocket premium hikes even after tax credits are applied. There have even been cases in which some customers have experienced increases of 57 percent. It’s recommended that anyone facing such a large rate hike shop around and choose the lowest priced plan available at their current level of benefits. Doing so can allow them to cap their premium increases at five percent. One of the problems facing many customers is that they do not want to shop around because they don’t want to lose the doctor that they currently have, whom they know and trust. What’s worrying to many customers is that rates will continue jumping even higher year after year. Insurance premiums are expected to go up drastically in 2017. For more news concerning the rate hike or insurance plans in general, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

The Way Genetic Changes Lead to Cancer In order to be a cancerous cell, a cell must have at least six faults or mutations. This stops the cell from functioning normally and causes it to become cancerous. Changes in a body’s cell can occur due to a number of reasons, from random mistakes during a cell’s division as a person grows older or due to the exposure to substances known as carcinogens. These types of gene changes won’t affect all body cells and aren’t inherited. In some cases, a history of cancer in the family can just be coincidental. Cancer is relatively common, especially among older people, which means that it’s not uncommon for several persons in your family to have had cancer. The Way Cancer Risks Are Passed On So how exactly can cancer be hereditary? Some faulty genes that increase the risk of cancer can be passed from the parent to their child. These are known as inherited cancer genes. They happen when the genes within the egg or sperm cell contain a mistake or a fault. Roughly five to 10 percent of all cancer cases happen to those who have inherited genetic mutations that raise their risk of developing cancer. Some of the mutations and syndromes that can increase cancer risk include BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, Cowden syndrome, and multiple endocrine neoplasia. Although a higher risk of developing cancer can be inherited, most cancers are caused by gene changes such as aging or lifestyle choices. To educate yourself on more health-related topics, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Cancel old vehicle insurance. In addition to having a primary vehicle, some people also have secondary or third vehicles. If they never use their secondary vehicles, they should consider either selling them or stopping their insurance on them. For example, there’s no point in paying insurance on a motorcycle that’s been gathering dust in the garage for years. The amount being paid on insurance for such an unused vehicle can add up to be substantial. Check for bank fees. Many bank customers don’t realize that their banks are charging them fees for certain things. For example, some banks charge their customers a fee if they don’t retain a certain amount in their savings account each month. Customers should check with their bank to see if any such fees exist and find out if they can switch to an account that doesn’t have such fees. Avoid ATMs. Out of network ATMs usually charge a small fee – usually around two dollars. This may not seem like much, but some people find themselves using the ATM on a regular basis, which means that those fees could add up to quite a lot. Instead of getting money at an ATM, get cash back at grocery stores, convenience stores, or pharmacies where they don’t charge additional fees. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. A lot of people don’t realize that simply turning off an appliance or electronic device doesn’t stop them from absorbing power. As long as the device is plugged in, it is using up energy. Unplug appliances such as the toaster, coffeemaker, hairdryer and laptop when not in use in order to reduce monthly energy costs. Anyone having difficulties with their finances should be sure to check to see if they’re experiencing any of these money leaks. For additional advice on saving money – especially in regards to health insurance plans – visit The Benefits Store today.

The survival rate over the course of five years is close to 90 percent. Many of the women that are diagnosed with breast cancer do not need treatments that are either disfiguring or highly aggressive. Many women believe that a mastectomy, which involves removing the entire breast, improves long-term survival of breast cancer patients. This isn’t actually true – survival doesn’t depend on the removal of any additional healthy tissue. Because of this, a majority – between 60 and 75 percent – of breast cancer surgeries are lumpectomies, which involves the removal of only a small part of breast tissue. Although lumpectomies can be quite effective and result in the breasts still looking mostly the same after surgery, there is a drawback to the procedure. Around 25 percent of the women that undergo lumpectomies will have to have a second lumpectomy to remove cancer cells that weren’t successfully removed the first time around. There’s also a slightly greater chance of the cancer coming back than there is if a mastectomy is performed (less than five percent versus one to two percent). In some cases, chemotherapy may be considered before surgery instead of after. Chemotherapy is usually recommended after breast cancer surgery. However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is sometimes recommended prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumor. By undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the patient may only need to undergo a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. Because many newly diagnosed breast cancers are estrogen or progesterone-receptor positive, the exposure to hormones can increase the risk of recurrence. The use of drugs that block hormones can kill tumor cells that may have otherwise spread beyond the breast. These are six things to know about breast cancer. For new information about beating cancer, be sure to visit The Benefits Store today.

Tooth Brushing Selfies Participants of the study propped their smartphones up on stands so that they could film themselves while brushing their teeth at home. Researchers discovered that this resulted in a number of changes, including: An eight percent improvement in tooth brushing skill An increase in the number of toothbrush strokes An increase in the accuracy of toothbrush strokes These changes occurred in the same amount of time the participants spent brushing their teeth before they began taking selfie videos. According to Lance T. Vernon, who is a senior instructor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, most people want to brush their teeth the right way and have the ability to do so – they just don’t because they are using improper techniques and don’t realize it. Tooth brushing is often learned and practiced without being properly taught, and according to Vernon, changing tooth-brushing behaviors that are learned at an early age can take a lot of time and guidance since those habits become tied to muscle memory. Filming a selfie while brushing one’s teeth can help disrupt such habits. This is because it makes participants more aware of their brushing and can help them develop new muscle memory. Selfies could also be used to receive feedback from dental professionals to ensure that people are brushing correctly. The use of selfies haven’t just been applied to improving oral health. A whole new area of data gathering through the use of selfies has developed called mHealth (mobile health). Selfies can help identify the progression of diseases as well as the effectiveness of treatment. Be sure to keep up with all the latest health-related advancements and news by visiting us at The Benefits Store.

The Walk Again Project Research gathered from the project was recently published in Scientific Reports. The study involved eight patients suffering from spinal cord injuries that led to the paralysis of their lower limbs. Their injuries occurred in a number of different ways, from car crash impacts to falls. The project included over 100 scientists from 25 different countries. It was headed by Dr. Miguel Nicolelis, a neuroscientist at Duke University and the co-director of the Duke Center for Neuroengineering. The combined efforts of the project team led to a patient suffering from paralysis being able to kick a soccer ball using a brain-controlled robotic exoskeleton. In fact, this particular feat was on full display in 2014, when the patient showcased the result at the opening ceremony of the World Cup. Previous studies involved the use of rats and monkeys. These animals were provided with brain-implanted microelectrodes, which allowed them to learn how to control levers and walk on treadmills using only their brain activity. Basically, researchers discovered how the brain codes for movement and were able to apply this to paralyzed humans. The patients involved with the project were able to use their brain activity to simulate full control of their legs. Of the patients participating in the project, five had been paralyzed for at least five years and two had been paralyzed for more than ten years. All eight patients spent two hours a week or more using devices controlled by their brain signals. After a year, their muscle control and sensation improved to the point where their diagnosis was changed from complete to partial paralysis. For more news concerning advancements in the medical field, visit us at The Benefits Store.

Greek yogurt is healthier than all other types of yogurt. Greek yogurt has roughly twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt. However, it also has more saturated fat than regular yogurt – not to mention that it lacks the calcium that regular yogurt has. Greek yogurt loses its calcium during the process in which whey and lactose are strained out. Anyone that’s lactose intolerant should avoid eating yogurt. Actually, the good bacteria found in both Greek and regular yogurt helps predigest some of the lactose, thereby reducing the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Low-fat yogurt is the best option. Many consumers avoid full-fat yogurt in favor of low-fat yogurt. However, full-fat yogurt doesn’t just have the saturated fat most people are trying to avoid – it also has conjugated linoleic acid, which is actually linked to protecting against type 2 diabetes. Not to mention that full-fat yogurt makes one feel fuller for a longer period of time as the fat takes longer to digest, thereby staving off hunger. Out of all available dairy products, yogurt is the most rich in probiotics. Probiotics are a friendly bacteria that can enhance digestion and improve the function of the immune system. As previously stated, Greek yogurt is known for being packed with probiotics. However, there are other dairy products that also contain probiotics. For example, kefir has way more probiotics than Greek yogurt. While yogurt is an incredibly healthy food that shouldn’t be ignored, there are a lot of myths surrounding yogurt, such as these, that should be dismissed. At The Benefits Store, we strive to keep California residents up to date on all health related news and information, including dietary advice.

Under its new plan, Aetna will be providing healthcare options to only 242 of the 778 counties that they previously operated in through the public exchanges. Whereas they had previously offered plans in 15 states, they will now only be available through the public exchange in Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, and Virginia. According to the CEO of Aetna, Mark Bertolini, it has become impossible to provide affordable and high quality healthcare options without a balanced risk pool. Bertolini stated that 55 percent of their individual on-exchange membership was new in 2016 and that in the second quarter of this year, they saw individuals in need of high-cost healthcare take up an even bigger part of their on-exchange population. The company believes that coupled with the inadequate risk adjustment mechanism that’s currently in place, serious pressure is put on increasing premiums, which creates concerns over sustainability. Aetna’s concerns over the exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act are shared by two of the other five largest insurance providers in the U.S. – Humana and United Healthcare. Both companies have stated that they are planning to greatly reduce their presence in the exchanges. One of the arguments made by these insurers is that most of the patients that are coming to the exchanges are older, which means that they are more expensive to cover – and that not enough young people are coming on to help offset those costs. This could be a real issue for customers since the affordability of the plans on the exchange depends greatly on the number of insurers that are competing through it. Some believe Aetna’s actions may be linked to the U.S. Department of Justice blocking a proposed merger between Aetna and Humana. Stay up to date with all the newest health insurance news by visiting The Benefits Store today. Image courtesy of Katherine Welles / Shutterstock.com.

Computer vision syndrome. Computer vision syndrome refers symptoms caused by staring at digital screens, which includes computers, tablets, cellphones, TVs, and more. The symptoms range from mild to disabling and include eyestrain, headaches, double vision, itchy eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and difficulty focusing, to name a few. These symptoms are a result of blinking less when focusing on a screen, staring at a screen at an angle that exposes more of the eye to dry air and – that’s right – staring too close to the screen. Cataracts. Although there’s yet to be definite proof, there have been links made between the exposure to blue light and the development of cataracts — especially now that many patients are developing cataracts in their mid-30’s. Retina damage. Many people don’t just use their digital screens constantly during the day, they take one to bed with them at night. Around 60 percent of Americans use digital technology for their alarm clocks. Staring at blue light at night can lead to retinal damage, which could result in macular degeneration and damage to the central vision. Headaches. Out of all the negative effects that the over exposure to digital devices can cause, headaches are the third most common. The eyestrain caused by staring at a screen for too long can cause tension headaches. This is because the eyes have to focus harder to see the contrast between the darkness of the text and the brightness of the screen. The overuse of digital technology could have a negative impact on healthy vision. To stay up to date on all the newest health related news and information, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Choosing the Right Medicare Prescription Drug Plan People can avoid high prescription drug costs by choosing the right Medicare prescription drug plan. One thing to keep in mind is that premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and the list of accepted medications can actually change from one year to the next because of the fact that insurance companies revise their formularies throughout the year. The following are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing a medicare prescription drug plan: Prepare a list of prescription medications that you expect to take over the next year. Compare insurance plans with a Medicare Part D drug plan. Choose three plans to compare. Compare the plans and drug formularies at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services website. Speak with a representative at the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Speak with a pharmacist. Most pharmacists have in-depth knowledge in regards to different prescription drug plans. Compare the annual costs of prescription drugs. Evaluate each plan by comparing premiums, deductibles, and out of pocket expenses. Those with a Medicare Advantage plan don’t need to do this since their drug costs are part of the plan. Check the formulary, which is a list of covered medications. Make sure your medications are covered. Drug cost tiers change over the years – especially for brand names. Figure out all costs – sometimes you can be charged differently depending on the pharmacy you use. Use these tips to choose a Medicare prescription drug plan and visit The Benefits Store for more health insurance advice.

Vaccines for Adults Doctors in California are making a greater effort to get adults to schedule the shots that they need. In fact, the California Medical Association Foundation published a schedule specifically concerning vaccines for adults and when they should be taken. The foundation continued to raise awareness this year by releasing a public service announcement in both English and Spanish. Many of the vaccines that adults were given when they were children, such as diphtheria and tetanus shots, wear off over time and need to be taken again as adults. There are many factors that determine what vaccines an adult needs to take, which include the age of the adult, their current health, and any travel plans they might have. Vaccine Coverage There are limited federal and state funds for the California Department of Public Health to use on providing vaccinations to children and adults at local health departments and community health centers. In fact, federal funding for the vaccination program decreased by $24 million from 2010 to 2014. This vaccination program was aimed at uninsured residents. Fortunately, many of the vaccines recommended for adults can be obtained without having to pay a copay or other out-of-pocket costs under the Affordable Care Act. These vaccines generally include shots for flu, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, meningococcal disease and tetanus, amongst others. According to state public health officials, there are many adult Californians that neglect to get the vaccinations they need against diseases, many of which are dangerous. Californians should check with their primary care physicians to find out what vaccines for adults they need. To stay up to date with the latest health and health insurance related news in California, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.

UnitedHealth will most likely continue to offer coverage to California employers as well as to government workers and their families via the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. Stephen Hemsley, the Chief Executive of UnitedHealth, released a statement back in April announcing that the company was no longer willing to keep losing money on the health insurance exchange business. He claimed that UnitedHealth would not be able to serve the market on an effective and sustained basis because of the smaller size and the short-term, high-risk profile of the market segment. UnitedHealth had only joined the California exchange this year. This means that their withdrawal will not have too big of an impact considering that they only had 1,200 enrollees. According to the California Department of Managed Health Care, as of April 27th, UnitedHealth did not have any individual policyholders that existed outside of the exchange. However, critics of the Affordable Care Act are using the insurer’s exit from California, which is a high-profile state, as evidence that health-law insurance exchanges are not financially sustainable. This claim has been rebuked by the President’s administration, who have pointed out that the number of health plans that offer exchange policies have actually increased since they launched back in 2014. There are around 1.4 million people enrolled in the state’s insurance exchange — and unlike other states, large insurance companies have reported profits from selling on California’s marketplace in part because they have one of the healthiest risk pools in the nation. For additional information about the state of the health insurance industry in California or for all health insurance–related news, be sure to visit us at the Benefits Store today. Image credited to  Katherine Welles / Shutterstock.com