Health Archives - Page 16 of 35 - Consumer Insurance Guide

Lower deductibles cut cost of long-term care insurance

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
February 6, 2013February 26, 2013

Although buying long-term care insurance might seem like an expensive proposition, choosing a lower deductible can offer considerable savings. Choosing a long-term care insurance policy with a 90-day deductible can reduce annual costs by hundreds of dollars. “You can significantly reduce the cost of long term care insurance when you select the right combination of benefits and option,” Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, said in a statement. “In…

Tax deductions available for long term care insurance

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
February 5, 2013February 26, 2013

Although millions of Americans file for tax deductions each year, many of them could be unaware that premiums for long-term health insurance could be deducted from their state and federal income taxes. Some 20 million Americans are expected to file individual tax returns this year with some 7.2 million of them itemizing deductions. To spread awareness of this issue, The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance has published a guide detailing what options are available….

Using pre-tax funds to pay for long-term care insurance

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
February 4, 2013February 26, 2013

Among the many uses for Health Savings Accounts is paying premiums for long-term care insurance with pre-tax income. An estimated 14 million Americans have these accounts. The 14 million American individuals who have health savings accounts were encouraged to use this benefit to pay for long-term care insurance protection. “Millions of Americans now have high-deductible health insurance coverage which enables them to take advantage of Health Savings Accounts, a tax advantaged medical savings account that…

Questions for women to ask on long term care insurance

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
February 1, 2013February 26, 2013

Because of a new trend in long term care insurance, it’s expected that women will be paying more for coverage than men. Providers are treating men and women differently in setting rates, so women could soon pay 20 to 60 percent more, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. This has produced a rise in interest among women themselves who could be looking to lock in lower rates before prices rise. There are…

Binge drinking among women an under-recognized problem

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
January 24, 2013February 26, 2013

Although binge drinking is a dangerous behavior that can lead to tragic circumstances, it’s not often associated with women. Yet nearly 14 million U.S. women binge drink about three times a month and consume an average of six drinks per binge, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women who engage in this behaviro are at an increased risk for many health problems such as breast cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, heart disease and…

More Americans turn to the Internet for medical advice

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
January 17, 2013February 26, 2013

Although seeing a doctor is still the preferred choice for serious medical issues, an increasing number of Americans are turning to the internet for a first or second opinion. One in three U.S. adults said that at one time or another they have gone online specifically to try to figure out what medical condition they or someone else might have, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project….

Eating berries could reduce a woman’s heart attack risk

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
January 15, 2013March 26, 2013

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, berries might be even better. A recent study in the U.S. and the U.K. discovered that women who ate at least three servings of blueberries and strawberries per week had fewer heart attacks. It seems blueberries and strawberries contain high levels of compounds that have cardiovascular benefits. The research, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, indicated that women who ate three or more…

Advice on combating the flu

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
January 14, 2013March 26, 2013

The flu season started early in the U.S. and has reached epidemic proportions, according to the Centers for Disease Control. With hospital wards filling up and people lining up for vaccinations, the CDC warns this could continue for some time. Fortunately there are steps people can take to avoid getting the flu, or keep from passing it on to others if they do become sick. Influenza, commonly called the “flu,” is a contagious viral infection…

Americans less healthy than others but it’s not clear why

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
January 10, 2013March 26, 2013

Although Americans are less healthy than those in other wealthy nations, the reasons for this are hard to discern, according to a new report by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. It found that on average, Americans die sooner and experience higher rates of disease and injury than people in other high-income countries. The report found that this health disadvantage exists at all ages from birth to age 75 and that even advantaged…

Flu season worse this year

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
January 9, 2013March 26, 2013

Most of the country is experiencing higher levels of the flu, according to the Centers For Disease Control. The CDC is encouraging those who haven’t been vaccinated to get a flu shot before they run out and to seek antiviral treatment when appropriate. Reports of Influenza-Like-Illness are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons, according to Dr. Joe Bresee, chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in CDC’s Influenza Division. “While we…