When benefits are offered to domestic partners, the level of coverage varies depending on the employer. Domestic partner benefits may include long-term care, group life insurance, family and bereavement leave, and most commonly, health, dental, and vision insurance. The definition of domestic partner may also vary from employer to employer. Some companies include same-sex couples, unmarried opposite-sex couples, and common law marriages. Regardless of how the term is defined, employers typically require domestic partners to sign an affidavit stating that they are in a lasting, committed relationship. They may also require that a couple live together for a specified period of time before they become eligible for domestic partner benefits.

Why do people wait until they are pregnant to look for health insurance and then get frustrated when 9 out 10 carriers will not carry them?

According to the American Pregnancy Association, about 13% of pregnant women do not have health insurance. Many women either receive inadequate pre-natal care or pay for their entire pregnancy out of pocket. The reason it is difficult to obtain health insurance once they are pregnant is because pregnancy is considered a pre-existing health condition. Insurance carriers know that pregnancy can be a high risk and will need more assistance with costs of health care, so most of them will deny them coverage.

There are not many options, but there are some options for health insurance for pregnant women.

1) Medicaid-If you fit into the income qualification bracket, Medicaid will help pay for pregnancy costs, even if you are already pregnant when you apply for coverage. (programs vary state by state, go directly to your state to see what is available)

2) WIC-Women, infants, and children is also a popular government sponsored option for pregnant, uninsured women.

3) Access Plans underwritten by Nova Casualty  is a guaranteed issue plan that will accept pregnant women. Depending on the plan that you choose, benefits may vary. If you would like a quote please call us directly at 1-866-488-5200.

If none of the above mentioned maternity options work for you, consider the following: using a birthing center instead of a hospital. the costs will range approximately $3,000-$4,000, which is about half of what a hospital birth would cost. Also, contact the financing department of the hospital you have chosen to give birth and see if you can set up a payment plan.

Catastrophic health insurance plans—more formally known as High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs)—were created as a way to lower overall medical costs by providing a lower monthly premium in exchange for a higher annual health insurance deductible. With catastrophic health insurance plans, you pay for almost all medical care until you reach the annual deductible amount. After that, traditional health insurance coverage begins.

Where to Get Catastrophic Health Insurance

High deductible health insurance can usually be purchased either as an individual plan or as a group plan. Certain pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes and mental health disorders, might mean you can’t qualify for an individual catastrophic health plan without prior qualifying group coverage, or at least that you can’t get coverage for those pre-existing conditions. Group catastrophic health plans are subject to HIPAA regulations, meaning you can’t be denied enrollment or coverage, but may have to wait for coverage of pre-existing conditions, depending on your prior health insurance coverage.

What Do High Deductible Health Plans Cover?

The type of coverage varies based on which high deductible health insurance plan you choose. Always read and understand the full policy and what it covers when comparing health insurance plans. Ask your agent or company to explain anything that seems unclear, and make sure you will get or can add coverage for medical conditions you might develop. In the past, catastrophic health plans did not cover things like routine care and prescriptions. Today, however, many high deductible health plans offer coverage for routine and non-catastrophic care. However, as a general rule, the more a plan covers, the higher the premium will be. Agreeing to pay more out of your own pocket shifts some of the risk away from the health insurance company on to you, resulting in a lower monthly premium.

Should You Get a High Deductible Health Plan?

If you’re sure you can cover the deductible and want to save money on the monthly premiums, a high deductible health plan may make sense. If you qualify for an HSA or other tax-exempt medical savings account and can contribute the deductible amount, you may have an easy way to pay your out-of-pocket medical costs while saving on premiums. Most people who consider catastrophic health insurance either are getting their own health insurance for the first time or are nearing retirement. The younger group tends to be less likely to incur medical expenses because they are young and healthy, while the older group tends to have enough money to pay for most medical care unless they experience a serious illness or emergency. Typically, high deductible health plans provide the most benefit to those who don’t require frequent prescriptions or office visits.

I would think that when I am prescribed a medication at the doctors office, the doctor has picked the best medicine for me to help me fight my sickness. Lately, on TV I see commercials saying if you took a certain medication and became sick from it you are entitled to money for damages that might have occur. Damages?! I thought medicine was suppose to help our system not destroy it.

Adderall is a popular medicine taken by people who have ADHD. It is suppose to increase alertness, concentration and overall cognitive performance while decreasing user fatigue. Anyone using this medication has multiple risk of side effects including but not limited too; elevated blood pressure, urinary tract infection, headaches, speech disorder and sweating. So I am understanding this correctly in order to increase my alertness I have the risk of raising my blood pressure and then also have a possibility of speech problems?? I think I will pass.

Moving on, Zolof is prescribed for major depression as well for OCD (obsessive complusive disorder). I don’t even know how depression and having unwanted thoughts of repeatedly washing my hands have anything in common, but let’s just look at these side effects. Abdominal pain, decreased sex drive, dizziness, dry mouth, gas, insomnia, nervosness, vision problems. So to start off I am already depressed. I am taking this medication not to be depressed but it might keep me up all day (insomnia) and what am I suppose to do, be happy that I am up. Also, my sex drive might be decreased! That might be the reason why I am depressed to begin with. Activities that may look exciting are now keeping me in the same mood as I was before.

How come back in the early 1900’s when medicine only existed for the rich and famous, our ancestors did just fine by using home remedies? Now we are in a more developed place, and there are more problems because of the medcine that is suppose to help us. In my opinion, always consult your doctor before taking a new medication and look carefully at the side effects. Also, keep in mind smoking increases chances of side effects!

When making a decision for health care many questions come to mind. One of the most important is should you get a HMO or a PPO?

There are similarities but researching the two you will find many differences.

Health Maintenance Organization or HMO you have to select a physician to be your primary care provider. That doctor who is usually part of the insurance carriers network will coordinate all of your medical needs or act as a “gatekeeper”. Any time that you are required to go to a specialist that primary care doctor will refer you to a specialist instead of you picking your own. If you decide to choose a specialist that is not part of the network most of the time you will be required to pay most of the cost. For most employers, selecting a HMO option is least expensive. HMO’s often provide preventive care for a lower copayment or for free in order to keep the insured from developing conditions that would require medical services. In addition, HMO’s have lots of rules that must be followed if you want them to pay your claims. Even if you have to go to the hospital you must have your primary care doctors permission prior to going.

Preferred Provider Organization or PPO is a subscription based medical care arrangement. The actual organization negotiates with providers to set fee schedules, and handle disputes between insurers and the provider. PPO’s are great for people who wish you spend the extra money and want to have more say in their healthcare choices. PPO plans have less restriction but cost more to the patients (insured). The insured has more control over their medical needs and does not need a referral or choose a primary care physician. PPO’s are usually more expensive due the fact that the plan usually covers 80%. Therefore that is usually the reason the copayment is higher. Also, you may have to meet a deductible to meet before coverage starts each year.

Before making any type of healthcare decisions always take a look at all options and make an informed decision. One could work for one that does not work for the other. HMO’s and PPO’s are not perfect. Do the research and pick the one that best suits you and your family.

Is Chemothepary the only treatment for Cancer? New studies show that alternative treatments are being used on certain cancer patients. Alternative is a term used to refer to non-traditional methods of diagnosing or treating cancer. Some cancer patients believe that the chemotherapy is “poison” to their system and would like another option. New drugs made in research labs sometimes turn out to be useless for treating cancer in humans even though doctors focus on the results of carefully conducted clinical studies. Some alternative treatments for cancer would include detoxification such as colon cleansing, fasting and water therapy.

In a related case Daniel Hauser, who fled with his mother to avoid chemotherapy is angry that he has to continue his chemotherapy. He and his family initially rejected the treatment for religious reasons, saying it harms the body. Daniel says he gets a headache and dizziness after every treatment and he still has approximately six months left of chemo. Even though his condition is improving he believes it has to due to the vitamin supplements, ionized water and organic foods he has been taking.

Is it possible that the Lifestyle changes, lowered appetite, and general concern for ones care that they adopt after chemotherapy has begun is the actual cause of recovery? If it did it would reflect that our ignorance toward out own bodies, and the way we consume food and drink could be the cause of cancer itself. It would be interesting to see studies conducted on the effects of diet and healthcare for chemotherapy patients, without having chemotherapy.

Or maybe its the attention that we get from being in such a sickly state after chemotherapy sessions. Maybe it gives people the time to think about themselves, their own mortality, and their relationships with others. Often in hard times people become closer, and as a whole grow healthier. Why do we have to resort to disasters or something like Cancer to realize the importance of our lives and those around us?