Health Insurance Archives - Page 20 of 52

Millennials Health Is Declining, How EZ Can Help

Recent data from insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield shows that one-third of millennials have health conditions, with around 44% of older Millennials having at least one chronic health condition, putting them on track to be one of the unhealthiest generations in United States history. This means that millennials are shelling out more money in treatment costs than any other generation; if you’re in this boat, and if you don’t have sufficient health insurance, you’re probably paying a lot more than you should be for your health care, or you might not be getting the care that you need. EZ.Insure can help you find a great affordable plan that will make sure you’re fully covered and that you’re saving money.

Rising Health Issues

person's hand drawing an arrow going upward — *Millennials health has been steadily declining, making them the unhealthiest generation in American history.*

Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996, also known as Gen Y) suffer from higher rates of physical ailments and behavioral health problems when compared with the generation before them. For example, research shows that between 2014 and 2017, rates of depression among Millennials rose by 31%, rates of hyperactivity rose by 29%, and rates of hypertension rose by 16%. When compared to Gen-Xers, Millennials are especially experiencing greater rates of major depression and Type 2 diabetes.

The sad reality is that, if these trends continue, Millennials will have a shorter life expectancy than the generation before them – mortality rates could rise by 40% when compared to rates that Gen-Xers experienced at the same age. Not only that, but health spending because of these rising ailments could increase by 33%!

“This is going to be a very negative, self-reinforcing cycle, and we need to break it,” said Mark Zandi, a chief economist for Moody’s, speaking at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health of America Forum at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, PA.

The Causes

So what are some of the reasons behind Millennials’ health issues? Many experts blame economic worries; for example, many Millennials watched their parents lose their homes and jobs during the recession, ultimately increasing their risk for behavioral and psychological problems, which has made many turn to substance abuse. Millennials are also more likely to be financially unstable themselves, which could impact their physical and mental health: some have struggled to find jobs, others have been forced to take low-wage jobs, and most are entering the workforce with a lot of student loan debt. “Ten years in, many of the Millennials are struggling to catch up,” Zandi said.

In addition to student loans and low salaries, health care costs are also plaguing millennials. For example, in 1960 the average annual cost of healthcare per person was $146, but in 2016 that number rose to $10,345, a ninefold increase! These out-of-control costs mean that many millennials do not go to the doctor for any medical issues that come up, or they visit the emergency room, which is a less-than-ideal solution for everyone. In fact, a Blue Cross report found that 1 in 5 millennials diagnosed with major depression do not seek treatment, likely because they can’t afford to do so.

How EZ Can Help

silhouette of a person with a headset on and a network around — *EZ agents work with the top-rated companies in the country, and can compare plans instantly.*

If you’re a Millennial struggling financially, we get that it’s important to save as much money as possible, but it’s also important to take care of your physical and psychological well-being! We know that the rising cost of health care can make it seem like you can’t afford to do this, but EZ can help: we offer our services at no cost to you, because we want to help you find a great plan, without you having to worry about spending any extra money.

Depending on your circumstances, and with the extra Affordable Care Act subsidies that are currently on offer, we might be able to find you a great plan for as low as $0 a month! Come to us, and we’ll match you with your own agent, who will compare all available plans in your area, and find a plan that suits your needs – we’ll even sign you up for the plan for free. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890.

High Cholesterol Is More Common Than It Should Be

More likely than not, you know someone with high cholesterol, or maybe you have been diagnosed with it yourself: roughly 38% of American adults have been diagnosed with this condition – and even more might have it and not know, because there are no symptoms. It is important to get checked and to know your numbers, though, because high cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in America. In honor of September being National Cholesterol Education Month, we will discuss what different cholesterol levels mean, what is considered high, and how to help manage and lower your high cholesterol.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that is produced naturally by your liver and found in your blood; it is also found in certain foods and animal products, and eating foods high in saturated fat and trans fat will raise the levels of cholesterol in your blood. While we might automatically think of all cholesterol as “bad,” it’s actually necessary for good health, because your body uses it for making hormones and digesting fatty foods; in addition, there are two types of cholesterol, one that is considered “good” and one that is considered “bad.” Having a higher “good” number is helpful, but having too much “bad” cholesterol in your blood is a problem, and puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke. There are no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol, so the only way to know if you have it is to get blood work done.

Understanding Cholesterol Numbers

Cholesterol travels through the blood on proteins called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins:

LDL (low density lipoprotein), also known as “bad” cholesterol, because it builds up on the walls of your blood vessels in the form of plaque; this plaque makes your blood vessels narrower, meaning blood will have a harder time flowing to and from your heart, which is what causes heart attacks. So, if your LDL number is high, you are at greater risk for heart disease and stroke.
HDL (High-density lipoprotein), also known as “ good” cholesterol. Your body will absorb this type of cholesterol, carry it back to the liver, and flush it from the body. Having a higher HDL will help lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

When you have a blood test to check your cholesterol levels, you will be presented with 4 numbers:

Your bad cholesterol, or LDL, which should be less than 100 mg/dL
Your good cholesterol, or HDL, which should be at least 50 mg/dL in women and 40 mg/dL in men.
Your total cholesterol number, which should be between 125 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL.
Your triglycerides, which is a type of fat in the blood. Normal levels should be below 150 mg/dL.

According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 5 adolescents, and nearly 93 million U.S. adults aged 20 or older have total cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL. Nearly 29 million adult Americans have total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL.

deep fried chicken wings — *Eating deep fried foods can increase your cholesterol level.*

What Causes High Cholesterol?

Everyone is at risk for developing high cholesterol, although your risk does go up with age; it can be caused by multiple factors, including your lifestyle and a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol, known as familial hypercholesterolemia. In many cases, though, your diet is the culprit: your body naturally produces all the bad cholesterol it needs, so eating foods high in certain fats will cause your body to produce too much LDL cholesterol. The main dietary causes of high bad cholesterol include:

Not eating enough foods containing healthy fats– Healthy fats will help increase your good HDL cholesterol levels.
Eating foods containing unhealthy fats– Full-fat dairy products, butter, deep-fried foods, and baked goods such as biscuits and pastries are high in trans fats, which raise LDL levels.
Not eating enough foods containing fiber– Eating foods high in dietary fiber, like veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds can reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your blood.
Older age– The older you get, the harder it is for your body to clear cholesterol from your blood.

Conditions That Increase Your Risk

Certain health conditions can increase your risk of high cholesterol, such as:

Type 2 diabetes– lowers your good cholesterol levels and raises bad cholesterol levels
Obesity– linked to higher LDL cholesterol levels, and lower HDL cholesterol levels

Prevention & Treatment of High Cholesterol

Getting your cholesterol levels checked is extremely important for catching and managing high bad cholesterol, since there are no symptoms of this condition. Everyone aged 20 or older should get tested every 5 years; if you have cardiovascular disease risk factors, you should get tested more often.

If you do find out that your numbers are high, you can take steps to help lower your cholesterol levels, including:

Losing weight- Being overweight or obese raises bad cholesterol levels and lowers good cholesterol levels. Losing weight can help improve those numbers.
Eating a healthy diet– Limit foods high in saturated fat, such as full-fat dairy products, fatty meats like red meat, fried foods, butter, and coconut oil. Instead focus on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, healthy protein sources such as fish, lentils, and nuts, avocados, low-fat milk, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and foods high in fiber.
Exercising- A sedentary lifestyle will lower your good cholesterol levels. You should aim to do about 2 ½ hours a week of some type of aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or biking.
Quitting smoking– Using tobacco products, including vaping, lowers your HDL cholesterol. By quitting, you can lower your LDL cholesterol and increase your HDL cholesterol levels.

If you are unable to get your cholesterol numbers down through diet and exercise alone, you might need to take medications like statins to help manage your cholesterol, and lower your risk of heart disease. You will likely be prescribed medicine if:

You have already had a heart attack
Your LDL cholesterol level is 190 mg/dL or higher
You’re 40-75 years old and have diabetes

Be Prepared

Having the right health insurance plan means being able to get tested and treated for conditions like high cholesterol, without having to worry about forking out a lot of money for medical bills. If you do not have health insurance, or your current plan is not sufficient for your needs or is too expensive, EZ can help. One of our highly trained agents will work with you to compare available plans in your area and will find the right one for your medical and financial needs. All of our services are free, so your focus can be on finding a great plan, not worrying about spending extra money. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890. No obligation and no hassle.

How Does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Work?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a federal law passed in 1993, allows employees to take leave from work for an illness, or to take care of a family member without fear of losing their job. This leave is unpaid, but you will still be able to keep your employer-based health insurance during this time; before taking the time off you need, though, it is important to fully understand your rights under FMLA, and how you can protect your job and health insurance.

How FMLA Works

Compensation While Taking Leave

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, eligible employees are entitled to 12 work weeks of leave in a 12-month period. The leave is unpaid; the law is only meant to protect your job while you are sick or are taking care of a family member. That being said, if you have accrued paid time off, you might be able to use that paid leave while on FMLA leave; depending on your employer, you might be able to use your vacation or sick days, as well as any other type of paid leave your employer offers. You should double check with your employer about using this time for FMLA before taking leave.

Taking FMLA Leave

You are only eligible under FMLA to take time off in certain circumstances, which include:

To recover from a serious health condition that can prevent you from fulfilling your job duties.
The birth of a child.
To care for your newborn within one year of birth.
Placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
To help care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition.
To recover from your own personal health condition.

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) also added the Covid-19 vaccine as an optional addition to the FMLA: “Congress extended the current tax credits for voluntary sick leave pay to Sept. 30, 2021, and added a new reason for leave. Now, workers may be eligible for time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or if they are having side effects related to receiving the vaccine,” according to a guide on the FMLA during the coronavirus pandemic from U.S. News & World Report.

Which Employers Does the FMLA Apply To?

Some companies are not bound by the FMLA: it only applies to employers who have at least 50 employees, or that had 50 employees for at least 20 weeks of the previous year. In addition, even if the law applies to your employer, it might not apply to you: you need to have worked for the company for one year and for at least 1,250 hours during the current year in order to be protected by the law.

illustration of a man with glasses on looking at a laptop with exclamation points — *Your job is secured while on FMLA leave, but not your job title.*

Your Exact Job Title Might Change

The FMLA requires that your employer reinstate you as an employee once you come back from your FMLA leave, but the law does not require your employer to give you your old position back. According to the Department Of Labor (DOL), “an employee must be restored to the employee’s original job, or to an equivalent job with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.”

FMLA Benefits

While you are out on FMLA leave, employer-provided medical coverage should continue, but if your health insurance premiums are usually paid through payroll deductions, your health insurance could be in jeopardy while you are out on leave and not getting paid. In order to avoid losing your insurance, you should make sure one of two things happens: either you can arrange with your employer to have them pay your share of the premium payments and then recover the payments from you once you return, or you can speak to your human resources department and arrange to pay your premiums through them. If you don’t do either of these things, your health insurance will be terminated, so make sure you speak to your employer before your leave, so you can be sure to maintain your coverage.

The FMLA was passed to ensure you will still have a job to return to if you need to take time off to care for yourself or a loved one. It offers some peace of mind, but there are still some things to consider before taking the time off, especially how you intend to pay for your health insurance while you are not receiving a paycheck. If you cannot afford your health insurance, and your employer will not pay for your share, your medical insurance will be terminated – but you will have the opportunity to find a new plan, and EZ can help. We will compare plans in your area and find a plan that meets your health and financial needs, at no cost to you. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890.

PrEP Must Now Be Completely Covered By Health Insurance Companies

Although we might have been focused on other illnesses for the past few years, HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, has by no means been eradicated in the United States. 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV; around 14% of them are unaware they are infected, and only a little over half of those who are aware of their condition are virally suppressed. Fortunately, there are now effective treatments for the virus (but still no cure), as well as a drug that can help prevent getting infected, known as PrEP. And now, in an attempt to prevent the spread of HIV, the federal government has announced that all health insurance companies in the U.S. must completely cover the cost of this drug. But will it be offered to everyone, and when can people expect to get the PrEP pill at no cost?

All About HIV

illustration of the human body and HIV symptoms that affects each part of it — *Be aware of the signs and symptoms of HIV, because if it is not treated, it can progress to AIDS.*

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, was once considered a death sentence, and a diagnosis of it can still sound extremely scary today. And while it is a serious virus that attacks the body’s immune system, and which, if not treated, can lead to the more deadly AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), there are now treatments that can slow or prevent the progression of the virus. The problem is that there is currently no cure for HIV (or AIDS), which is why it is important for those who are at a higher risk of contracting HIV to protect themselves with PrEP.

Fortunately, a lot of myths have been debunked about HIV, but there are some things about the virus that might still be surprising to many people, including the following statistics:

In 2018, there were almost 40,000 new HIV diagnoses.
Gay and bisexual African American men account for the largest number of HIV diagnoses.
Approximately 23% of people living with HIV in the U.S. are women, and about one in nine of them are unaware that they have the virus.
Among all women diagnosed with HIV in 2018, 57% were African American, 21% were white, and 18% were Hispanic/Latina.
Young adults aged 13 to 24 accounted for more than 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses in 2018.

When To Consider PrEP

PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a daily medication that can reduce a person’s chances of getting HIV if taken daily; doing so will reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%, and more than 70% for people who inject drugs. A person can benefit from the drug if they:

have a sexual partner with HIV
have not been consistently using a condom
have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months
inject drugs and share needles with an injection partner who is infected with HIV

Who Can Get PrEP For Free & When?

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the drug will be free for people who are insured. They will not have a:

Drug copay
Lab test copay
Coinsurance fee
Doctor visit copay
Deductible payment

Health insurance companies will have 60 days from July 19th to comply with the new mandate.

While the new rule currently only applies to those with health insurance, there is some debate on giving access to the medication to everyone, not just the insured. Kenyon Farrow, managing director of advocacy and organizing at the activist group PrEP4All, called upon the federal government “to look for ways to cover people who are uninsured, particularly in non-Medicaid-expansion states, to be able to access PrEP services.”

“If we’re serious about ending the HIV epidemic,” Farrow said, “we have to ensure equal access to PrEP in all communities and not only for the insured.”

Some Countries Are Now Requiring Visitors To Have Travel Health Insurance

When the coronavirus hit the world last year, travel came to a halt, leaving many to be refunded or credited for their airplane and cruise tickets, hotel rooms, and more. It was a tough time for everyone around the world, with many people unable to see their friends or family, but now, with millions of people getting vaccinated, countries are opening their borders to visitors from abroad, and people are ready to travel. There is a catch though: depending on where you are going, you might have to purchase travel health insurance beforehand.

Where Will You Need Travel Health Insurance?

Some countries are currently requiring people to get travel health insurance before entering, and so far, one cruise line, Royal Caribbean International, is requiring it of all passengers. This requirement was originally only for unvaccinated Americans, but now many countries are insisting that all travelers be insured before making their journey, and are asking that the coverage be sufficient to cover Covid-19-related medical expenses, including quarantine and evacuation.

cruise boat in the waters of aruba — *Some cruise ships and countries, such as Aruba, are requiring visitors to have travel health insurance before coming.*

Countries requiring travel health insurance include:

Anguilla
Aruba
Bahamas
Bermuda
Cambodia
Cayman Islands
Chile
Costa Rica
Cuba*
Dubai (United Arab Emirates)*
Ecuador*
Egypt*
French Polynesia
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Lebanon
Nepal
New Zealand*
Qatar*
Russia*
St. Maarten
Thailand
Turkey*
Turks and Caicos
Ukraine

*Country requires even non-Covid-19-related medical insurance for visitors.

How Much Is It?

Fortunately, travel health insurance is not very expensive, generally costing around $30-$80 per traveler. Speak to your health insurance provider to see if they offer it, and to find out the exact cost for you.

You should also know that some countries will require you to have a specific amount of coverage; for example, in order to visit Dubai, you will need at least $100,000 in general emergency medical coverage and $50,000 for medical evacuation. Aruba is requiring $75,000 for hospital costs, medical transportation costs, and more. For trips to Antarctica, where different nations control different areas, tour operators will most likely require at least $100,000 in both medical coverage and evacuation expenses.

The coronavirus has changed the world, and countries are trying to protect themselves by mandating that travelers get health insurance to cover their medical expenses in the event they contract Covid-19. And this might be just the beginning when it comes to these types of requirements: many think this will remain the standard for countries from now on.

Travel health insurance is offered by some health insurance companies, and you might be able to add it to your current policy; if not, you can always search for a plan that does offer it, with the help of an EZ agent. Our agents can compare plans for you in minutes to help you save money and time. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-350-1890.

Could Your Frequent Infections and Anemia Be Sickle Cell Disease?

Do you often feel tired? While tiredness can be a symptom of many different health conditions, if it is accompanied by other symptoms like bacterial infections, anemia, and eye problems, you might be suffering from sickle cell disease, also known as sickle cell anemia. There are four main types of sickle cell disease, each caused by different gene mutations, and knowing which one you (or your child) have will allow you to better manage the condition and avoid the complications that can develop if it is not treated properly. To better understand this condition, you should know how it develops, and what treatment options are available for managing it.

Sickle Cell Disease Defined

Sickle cell anemia is one of the most common types of inherited blood anemia, primarily affecting African Americans. Almost 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with sickle cell anemia in the United States each year, with the condition affecting 1 in 500 U.S. African American babies.It is an inherited genetic condition that affects the red blood cells, making them fragile and abnormally shaped like a crescent, or sickle, which is why the disease is named sickle cell anemia. The red blood cells’ abnormal shape makes them sticky and rigid, making them more likely to get trapped in smaller blood vessels, blocking blood from reaching various parts of the body, and causing pain and tissue damage. These sickle-shaped red blood cells are also more prone to rupture; when they do rupture, it means you will have fewer red blood cells, leading to anemia.

The 4 Types Of Sickle Cell Disease

There are 4 main types of sickle cell anemia that are caused by different mutations in the hemoglobin genes. Hemoglobin is the protein in red bloods cells that help carry oxygen throughout the body; in healthy individuals, there are two hemoglobin alpha chains and 2 hemoglobin beta chains, but a mutation in the hemoglobin beta chain (which is sometimes absent) causes sickle cell anemia: The four types of this condition are:

Hemoglobin SS Disease– This is the most common and most severe type of sickle cell disease, which occurs when a child inherits the hemoglobin S gene from both parents.
Hemoglobin SC Disease– This is the second most common type of sickle cell disease, occurring when a child inherits the hemoglobin beta S gene from one parent and the hemoglobin C gene from the other. People with this type of sickle cell disease will have similar symptoms to individuals with hemoglobin SS disease, however symptoms are less severe.
Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta Zero) Thalassemia– This occurs when a child inherits the hemoglobin beta S gene from one parent and a hemoglobin beta 0 thalassemia gene mutation from the other parent.
Hemoglobin SB+ (Beta) Thalassemia– This occurs when a child inherits the hemoglobin beta S gene from one parent and a hemoglobin Beta+ thalassemia gene from the other parent. This form of sickle cell is less severe and symptoms are usually milder.

Signs & Symptoms

illustration of a thermometer with the red shooting up near the top — *Fever in infants can be a sign of sickle cell disease.*

Sickle cell disease is usually diagnosed at birth with a standard newborn screening, but as far as symptoms go, they usually do not show up until 4 to 6 months of age, because before this age, infants are protected by fetal hemoglobin. Signs and symptoms in infants include:

Fever
Abdominal pain
Painful swelling of the hands and feet
Pneumococcal bacterial infection

For adolescents, teens, and adults, symptoms include:

Feeling tired or weak
Anemia
Swelling and inflammation of the hands and/or feet
Lung and heart injury
Leg ulcers
Bacterial infections
Eye damage
Bone infarcts, or the death of portions of bone

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with the environment and other conditions influencing symptoms. Sickle cell disease can become worse under certain conditions, including:

Dehydration
Illness
Stress
High altitude
Menstruation
Changes in temperature
Intense exercise

Diagnosis

All newborns in the United States are screened for sickle cell disease in the hospital. Testing is normally performed on a smear of blood using a special low-oxygen preparation, also referred to as a sickle prep. The disease is then confirmed by using hemoglobin electrophoresis to determine the types of hemoglobin present.

Treatments of Sickle Cell Disease

Treatments will vary depending on the type of sickle cell disease present. Different forms of treatment include:

Blood transfusions
Receiving oxygen through a mask
Rehydration through an IV to help red blood cells return to a normal state
Pain medication when needed
Bone marrow transplant to help treat sickle cell anemia in children younger than 16 with severe complications
Sticking to a healthy diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Drinking more water
Regular exercise

Complications of Sickle Cell Disease

Diagnosing and treating sickle cell disease is very important, because a number of complications can result from the disease, including:

Severe anemia
Hand-foot syndrome, which causes swelling of the hands and feet, as well as leg ulcers
Splenic sequestration, or the sudden and painful enlargement of the spleen
Delayed growth
Neurological complications, such as strokes caused by brain blockages
Eye problems
Heart disease and acute chest syndrome (a term used to cover conditions characterized by chest pain, cough, fever, low oxygen level, and lung infiltrates)
Lung disease
Priapism, or a painful erection that can lead to impotence if left untreated
Gallstones

If you get treatment for sickle cell disease, and change your lifestyle as necessary, you can remain symptom-free for many years; if sickle cell anemia is left untreated, however, many people will not live more than 40 years. To stay as healthy as possible, blood transfusions, medications, and even possibly a bone marrow transplant might be necessary; if you don’t have sufficient health insurance coverage, you could find yourself facing large medical bills. If you need a better plan, come to EZ: we’ll compare plans in your area at no cost to you, and find a plan that offers you the coverage you need at an affordable price. Our agent will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision on your health insurance plan. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890.

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