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The Health Mistake 1 in 10 People Make
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Get This: Your Friends May Be Screwing with Your Health
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The Truth About 5 Popular Health Drinks
A slew of drink manufacturers are getting sued for making false health claims. Is your go-to beverage as nutritious as you think? Continue reading
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Confused About Your Health Insurance Options?
As you may know, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is launching a Health Insurance Marketplace on October 1 to help simplify the open enrollment process and demystify the different health insurance plans and rates available to Americans who don’t receive health benefits through their employers. But what can you do to learn more about your options until then? Dial into the newly available call centers or log onto the new website from the Department of Health And Human Services (HHS).
Yesterday, the Obama administration launched a new education effort around the Health Insurance Marketplace by opening new call centers and re-launching its website, www.HealthCare.gov to provide more information to consumers.
“The new website and toll-free number have a simple mission: To make sure every American who needs health coverage has the information they need to make choices that are right for themselves and their families—or their businesses,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a press release.
Consumers can reach the call centers 24/7 at the toll-free number (800) 318-2596. The call centers, which HHS will eventually staff with as many as 9,000 workers, can answer questions about coverage, premiums, plans, and enrollment. Those with hearing impairments can call (855)-889-4325 for assistance.
Like the call centers, the website provides detailed information on the Affordable Care Act itself, coverage eligibility, how to get lower cost on coverage, plans for small businesses, and more.
The site features a countdown to the Oct. 1 start of open enrollment, as well as to the Jan. 1 coverage start date and the Mar. 31 enrollment end date. Additional features include informational videos, a health insurance blog, live chat capability, social media integration, and an email update alert system.
“In October, HealthCare.gov will be the online destination for consumers to compare and enroll in affordable, qualified health plans,” says Marilyn Tavenner, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. When that date hits, you’ll be able to view specific plan and pricing options, create accounts, and fill out enrollment applications online. But by checking out the site and calling in for information before the big day, you’ll be ready to register and find the coverage that fits you best right from the get-go.
photo: HealthCare.gov
More from Women’s Health:
Affordable Care Act: The Answers to Your Biggest Questions
“Why I Support the Affordable Care Act”
How Health Care Reform Helps You
Get This: Women Prioritize Health Over Clothes
Check out the list of links that should be on your radar today:
In a recent survey, more than 80 percent of women said they’d rather have a healthy body than an awesome wardrobe. [HealthNewsDigest.com]
Scientists have discovered a new part of the eye (hint: it’s in your cornea). [LiveScience]
Judy Blume is a fan of Girls. Old-school young adult novel authors—they’re just like you! [TheCut]
Ted Dwane of Mumford & Sons has a blood clot in his brain. [USA Today]
Pregnant women who are overweight have a higher chance of delivering prematurely. [Reuters]
People who suffer from depression face 32 times the suicide risk of those who don’t. [The Atlantic]
A new report finds that overdraft services now make up 60 percent of fees from consumer checking accounts. [MarketWatch]
News you can use: Lego figurines’ expressions are getting angrier, according to research. [U.S. News]
photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Health Insurance Is Getting Cheaper—for the Fit
You don’t always have too many options when it comes to health insurance costs, but pretty soon you may be able to lower your rates just by being healthy. Last week, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury issued final rules on employment-based wellness programs, which allow companies to lower health insurance premiums for employees who participate in them. This final rule (which provides guidance on an existing section of the Affordable Care Act) will go into effect for insurance plans beginning on or after January 1, 2014.
The Affordable Care Act created these incentives to promote healthier workplaces, and these final rules give companies more flexibility to offer their employees rewards for staying fit. In the past, companies could reduce premiums up to 20 percent when employees took part in “participatory wellness programs,” which were available to anyone regardless of their health (like completing a health risk assessment or attending a health education seminar).
But these new guidelines bumped up the maximum discount to 30 percent and gave new standards for “health-contingent wellness programs,” which are programs designed to reward employees for meeting certain health standards (like quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol or BMI, or taking actions toward certain health goals). As an added bonus, the maximum reward is raised to 50 percent for participating in programs that prevent or decrease tobacco use.
One important thing to note: Employers will be able to give either rewards or penalties to employees based on their participation. So essentially, if you’re a smoker who chooses not to use a smoking cessation program, your company could charge you more for your healthcare premiums than your tobacco-less coworkers.
So does this mean everyone can expect lower costs if they’re healthy? Not necessarily. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the rule only applies to companies that offer participatory or health-contingent wellness programs, so check with your human resources department to find out what’s available to you. And unfortunately, just because the ACA has raised the maximum allowed discount, that doesn’t mean your employer will automatically reduce your rates by 30 percent. Regardless, it’s a great way to save a little cash while staying fit if your company does offer the option. A healthier you and some extra money in your wallet? That’s a win-win!
photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
More from Women’s Health:
Michelle Obama: Taking Control of Our Health
Your Biggest Affordable Care Act Questions–Answered
5 Ways to Lower Insurance Costs
Sunlight Tied to Heart Health
Just as the sun is finally starting to peek out after a long, cold winter (bet you almost started questioning its existence for a while there!), a controversial new study says its rays might be heart-healthy: Sunlight exposure may cause lowered blood pressure—which may in turn reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to research presented last week at the International Investigative Dermatology conference in Edinburgh.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh placed participants under tanning lamps for 20 minutes and measured their blood pressure during their lamp exposure and for an hour afterward. The researchers then repeated the experiment, but covered the participants in a foil blanket. Both groups’ blood pressure fell immediately after the sun exposure—but the ones who weren’t covered in the blanket had reduced blood pressure levels 30 minutes afterward, as well. Senior author Richard Weller, MD, a senior lecturer in dermatology at the University of Edinburgh, believes they got these results because of a compound called nitric oxide, which can be released from our skin into our bloodstream when we’re exposed to UV light, possibly causing a decrease in blood pressure.
Weller says more research needs to be done to determine if a long-term drop in blood pressure could come about as a result of UV exposure. “What I’ve shown is an interesting mechanism by which sunlight might prove to have big general health benefits, but it’s not proven,” says Weller. “We want to find the amount of UV that will reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke but won’t increase the risk of skin cancer. But for the moment, the advice remains what it’s always been.”
That last part is key: These study results are in no way (none, zip, zero) a go-ahead to ignore your dermatologist’s sun safety recommendations.
You should continue to follow the same guidelines you’re already familiar with: Avoid the midday sun, wear an SPF 50 or higher, reapply sunscreen when you’re outside (remember it’s not waterproof!), and shade your face with hats and sunglasses, says Michele S. Green, MD, a New York City dermatologist who was not involved in the study. “I don’t want people in a tanning bed under any circumstances,” she says.
You should also note this: These researchers are interested in a risk-benefit ratio for the population—overall, more people die from cardiovascular disease than skin cancer. But for you, that should be a moot point: You should already be working to keep your blood pressure down the good old-fashioned ways: by eating well, exercising, and never, ever smoking.
Check out these links on sun safety and exercising outdoors—so you can work on your cardiovascular health and reap the health benefits of nature (even with that sunscreen slathered on):
7 Reasons to Take Your Workout Outdoors
The Top 10 Nature Runs in the United States
photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
More from Women’s Health:
5 Steps to a Healthy Heart
The Truth About Heart Disease
Heart Health: Numbers to Know
The Health Marker You Need to Know
A high heart rate on the treadmill is a good thing. But when you’re sitting on the couch? Not so much. People with high resting heart rates may face an increased risk of mortality, according to a new study published in the journal Heart.
Researchers started tracking the health of 6,125 men in 1971, but when they followed up in 2001, only 2,798 of the men were still alive. While the specific causes of death were unknown, researchers looked at the participants’ resting heart rates and found that, for every additional 10-22 beats per minute, mortality increased by 16 percent.
Even when physical activity level was controlled for, researchers determined that a high resting heart rate is an independent mortality factor.
To measure your resting heart rate, simply take your index and middle fingers and place them between your neck and jaw or the inside of your wrist. For 15 seconds, count the beats you feel and then multiply that number by four to get your resting beats per minute.
A normal resting heart rate is anywhere between 60-100 beats per minute, but don’t panic if you’re at the high end of the range; adopting a healthier diet or an exercise routine can help you lower it, says lead study author Magnus Jensen, MD.
If your resting heart rate is greater than 100 beats per minute, visit a doctor to figure out what may be causing the issue and what you should do to lower it, stat.
photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
More From Women’s Health:
The Truth About Your Heart Health
Heart Rate Monitors
Heart Health: The Mechanics
The Best Umbrellas for Your Health
You might want to grab your umbrella—even if the weather forecast doesn’t call for rain: Umbrellas can help protect against ultraviolet rays when it’s sunny outside, according to new research out of Emory University in Atlanta.
For the study, researchers collected 23 umbrellas. They included traditional umbrellas, a larger golf umbrella, a children’s novelty umbrella, and a travel umbrella specifically designed to block out the sun. On a cloudless day, the researchers measured UV radiation (UVR) without an umbrella, as well as from two positions underneath each umbrella. The umbrella created to block rays was the most effective option (it deflected 99 percent of UVR), but all of the umbrellas protected against at least 77 percent of UVR.
The worst pick? A white umbrella. No surprise, black proved to be much more effective: All of the black umbrellas blocked at least 90 percent of UVR, with most blocking more than 95 percent.
While umbrellas can provide an additional layer of protection when the sun’s beating down, you still have to apply plenty of sunscreen. “We feel like this could make a nice complement to what people are already doing for sun protection,” says Josette McMichael, MD, the first author of the study and chief resident of grand rounds in Emory’s department of dermatology. These results also mean that your umbrella does double-duty on rainy days; UVR can make its way to your skin even when it’s cloudy, says McMichael.
Check out these stylish options to help keep you safe:
photo: Amazon.com/Fashion
Tumi Luggage Medium Auto Close Umbrella
This sleek umbrella is super compact, so it’s easy to carry around in your purse.
$ 60 at Amazon.com/Fashion
photo: MoMA Design Store
Sky Umbrella
No matter the actual weather forecast, the sky always looks clear from inside this umbrella’s sky blue canopy.
$ 48 at MoMAStore.org
photo: Mango.com
Glitter Umbrella
The glittery accents on this umbrella shine extra bright on sunny days.
$ 19.99 at Mango.com
photo: BrooksBrothers.com
New Stick Umbrella
The genuine Malaca wooden handle adds a sophisticated touch.
$ 60 at BrooksBrothers.com
photo: Coolibar
42” Titanium Travel Umbrella
This umbrella was specially designed to block UVR. (The travel sun umbrella in the study was also a Coolibar.)
$ 39 at Coolibar.com
photo: wisiel/Shutterstock
More from Women’s Health:
What Is Sunburn?
Sunscreen Myths Busted
Get More from Your Sunscreen
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