Dental Insurance: To Have Or Not To Have

Is a dental policy worth the cost, especially when you know that dental insurance premiums can be more expensive than simply paying out of your own pocket for routine checkups and cleanings?

And like so many other questions  in modern world, you need to say, "Well ... the depends." The answer depends on whether you are expecting to face aching bills for your teeth.

Dental insurance comes in four varieties:

• The HMO, or health maintenance organization, option restricts coverage to dental professionals within a specified network. 
• The most popular plans are PPOs, or preferred provider organization, policies. Some 70 percent of dental policies are PPOs. They are similar to HMOs but allow patients to see dentists outside the network. 
• An indemnity plan which allows a patient to see any dentist and picks up a percentage of the costs. The advantage of PPOs over indemnity plans is that here's a negotiated discount for services. Dentists within the PPO network typically agree to accept lower fees and can't bill you for the difference. 
• Discount plan which charges an annual fee in exchange for discounted services from network providers. Enrollment fees often run between about $80 and $120 a year. Providers' discounts can range from 10 to 60 percent. Before buying in, be sure to take a careful look at what the plan covers. There is often a lot of restrictive fine print. Although these plans typically cost less than HMOs and PPOs, most often they won't save you as much money in the long run. 

Most dental insurance policies emphasize prevention and diagnostics, typically covering two annual exams and cleanings, plus X-rays and, for children and older adults, fluoride treatments. But the real benefit is being covered for bigger-ticket procedures, such as fillings, root canals and crowns.


Dental policies vary widely, and choosing the right one can be difficult. People with dental insurance commonly have what's described as "100-80-50" coverage, meaning it pays 100 percent of the cost of routine preventive and diagnostic care, such as checkups and cleanings; 80 percent for fillings, root canals and other basic procedures; and 50 percent for crowns, bridges and major procedures.

The vast majority of coverage is provided through employee and group policies, with annual premiums of between $235 and $435 per person. The cost to buy an individual policy averages about $360 a year. Paying out of your own pocket for two exams and cleanings and a set of X-rays would cost about $370, on average, according to the American Dental Association.

Most plans cap coverage at $1,500 a year, although higher annual limits can be had by paying a higher premium.

The Affordable Care Act requires insurance providers to offer dental insurance for children younger than 18. Although the new act does not require dental coverage for adults, most state marketplaces will also offer dental coverage for adults. Coverage may be offered as part of a comprehensive health plan or as stand-alone dental insurance. 

Dental plans don't bar coverage for pre-existing conditions, though some policies may restrict coverage for people with missing teeth. Cosmetic dental procedures are rarely if ever covered by insurance.

Cost savings can be had by traveling to other countries for dental care. An estimated 400,000 Americans cross international borders for dental care each year and there is a lot of competition for this business. But, if you're considering this option, do plenty of research. The decision to visit another country for dental care should go beyond simply comparing prices or evaluating the dentists' expertise. Countries differ in their standards for infection control and safety. The use of fresh gloves, sterile instruments and safe water are not standard practice in all countries. Without these precautions, patients could be infected with diseases such as hepatitis B.

Resources: Osteoporosis

Over 10 million American suffer from Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low-bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, thus leading to weak bones and a greater risk of fractures. About 34 million more are believed to have low-bone mass. Eighty percent of those affected are women. According to Surgeon General's report, half of all Americans over 50 will have weak bones by the year 2020, if they do not adopt lifestyle changes.

Thus, today we present a list of resources where you can find important and useful information about osteoporosis:

National Osteoporosis Foundation
(800) 223-9994
www.nof.org

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
www.aaos.org

NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases -- National Resource Center
(800) 624-2663
www.osteo.org

To receive a printed copy of Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis, call (866) 718-2663

'Best Bones Forever' Campaign for young girls: Visit http://www.bestbonesforever.gov/ which promotes optimal bone health among girls ages 9 to 12. You may also visit http://www.girlshealth.gov/nutrition/bonehealth/eating-for-strong-bones.html .

Resources: Elderly Care

Whatever be your age, you may need help regarding care issues of yourself or your elderly relatives. You may approach the folowing organizations for various kinds of help and information:

Support:
Children of Aging Parents 800-227-7294
The Family Caregiver Alliance 800-445-8106
National Shared Housing Resource Center

Government Programs:
The Elderly Locator 800-677-1116
The National Council on The Aging

Legal Help:
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys 520-881-4005

Financial Advice:
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors 800-366-2732
The Financial Planning Association 800-282-7526

Estate Planning:
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys 800-846-1555

Resources: Skin Care

Summer is slowly spreading its presence all over the country. Everybody loves the warmth of the sun, but when you leave your skin unprotected from from its damaging rays, you're playing with fire. So, as you are planning to pack for a summer vacation, make sure you include the following: sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Plan your itinerary to avoid direct sun exposure from 10 am to 4 pm.

Also, become familiar with all moles and blemishes on your skin so you can identify any changes. A changing, new or unsightly mole may require medical attention. Be familiar with symptoms and preventive measures of skin cancer from the following resources:

Skin Cancer Foundation (800) SKIN-490

American Cancer Society (800) ACS-2345

American Academy of Dermatology (866) 503-SKIN

If you are doubtful about your moles and blemishes, you may go for a skin cancer screening. A useful listing of all public skin cancer screening locations can be found in this Free Skin Cancer Screening Map .

Also, you may wear specialized dresses for protection from sun. Coolibar.com, SolarEclipse.com, SunPrecautions.com, SunProtectiveClothing.com are some of the leading companies in the business of sun protective clothing.

Health Resources: Diabetes

Diabetes affects over 150 million people in the world today. According to American Diabetes Association,"There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease". Here are some resources for the diagnosis and treatment of Diabetes:

American Diabetes Association: For diabetes-related questions or to request a diabetes information packet, you may email: AskADA@diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC):

Tel: (800) 860–8747, Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov

Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association :

Tel: 1-800-898-4322, Email: desa@diabetes-exercise.org

American Dietetic Association: For information about food and nutrition.

Tel: (800) 877-1600

International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet Clinic—St. Louis Park.

Tel: (888) 825-6315

Joslin Diabetes Center (affiliated with Harvard Medical School).

Tel: (617) 732-2400

American Association of Diabetes Educators:

Email aade@aadenet.org Tel: (800) 338-3633

Diabetes123 : http://www.diabetes123.com/

Website "Information about Diabetes" : http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/

Setebraid Services

Insulin Pumpers : http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/

Websites focused on Kids:

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International,

Children with Diabetes

E-visits : Health Care Goes Online

In many cases of illness, the best care still calls for actual human touch. Still, in some special situation, if you're sick, you may not feel like wasting time in a doctor's office waiting room. And here comes a solution for such cases.

With the penetration of internet into all aspects of our daily life, health care couldn't remain aloof from all those advancements. It started with educational programs for degrees in healthcare management and nursing. Nowadays, more and more physicians are conducting online exams, and a growing number of insurance companies are supporting the concept. It's projected that one in five office visits could be eliminated through online communication. Recently, some of the biggest insurance companies, including Aetna and Cigna, started reimbursing doctors for E-exams.

The visits utilize questionnaires to help the doctor properly diagnose any problems in the patient. All of it is documented in the patient chart to refer to for future visits and care. The American Academy of Family Physicians also supports the idea, but stresses that only non-urgent medical issues can be handled this way. E-visits are best suited for people with easy to diagnose aches and pains, or for established patients who have previously received care from the physician's practice and now need follow-up visits.

E-visits should be a payable physician service. Usually, the patient initiates the process and agrees to e-visit service terms, privacy policy, and charge for receiving asynchronous care from a physician or other qualified health professional. Thereafter, electronic communication occurs over a HIPAA-compliant online connection, which includes the total interchange of online inquiries and other communications associated with this single patient encounter.

The physician appropriately documents the E-visits, including all pertinent communication related to the encounter. The physician or other qualified health professional has a defined period of time within which responses to an e-visit request are completed.

So, next time you are sick, may be putting your hand on the mouse would be a more convenient idea ....

2008 Medicare Drug Plans : Deadline 31st Dec

If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you have exactly 4 more weeks -- until Dec. 31 -- to select a new "Part D" prescription drug plan for 2008. Many of you may find rising costs and coverage changes for specific drugs that you use.

About 24 million people are already enrolled in Medicare, the federal health insurance program for those 65 and older and the disabled. The prescription-drug plans are administered by private companies, with United Healthcare and Humana two of the largest providers. There are about 1,800 individual drug plans for next year, 17 of which are national in scope.

It is wise not to blindly default to your current plans without checking alternative offerings. Also, even though low premium is a desirable factor, do not make that your priority -- It may turn out to be the costliest plan if you do not carefully consider your requirements. So, please compare plans based on your pharmaceutical needs and total costs.

First, prepare a list of the drugs you currently take and their dosages and then find out (i) if the plan covers your drugs and offers you a cheaper alternative than what you currently pay, (ii) if the pharmacies you regularly use are in the plan's network, (iii) if the plan puts any kind of restrictions on the purchase of your drug.

Starting this year, Medicare is offering an online feature drawn from multiple data sources for the quality of services offered, that compares local drug plans for pricing, ease of prescription fulfillment and customer service. It appears on the plan finder tool on its Web site, http://www.medicare.gov/ . You can put your ZIP codes and scrutinize a plan's performance before deciding to go for it.

Medicare also offers help via the toll-free phone 1-800-Medicare. The Medicare Rights Center also staffs a toll-free number with counselors ready to help at 1-800-333-4114.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month: Many mammogram facilities offer their services at special fees during this period.

Not all insurance companies pay for mammograms, and not every woman is eligible for the government's program intended for low income families. If your insurance company does not cover mammogram and/or you cannot afford to pay for this important test, the following organizations can help you identify free and low cost mammograms in your area:

1) You'll get lot of information and check what kind of deal you can get for mammogram at the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Website, http://www.nbcam.org/ .
2) "Images of Health: Mammograms for a Million Moms," a public education campaign, is helping to save lives by encouraging women to visit http://www.imagesofhealth.com/ and pledge to get a mammogram. The site allows visitors to share their breast cancer stories, search for mammography centers and view video of the mammography process.
3) The American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/ 800-ACS-2345. Contact their local office.
4) YWCA's Encore Plus program: Contact local office. The National office at 800-95-EPLUS .
5) National Cancer Institute: 800-4-CANCER http://www.nci.nih.gov/ .
6) State Office of Breast and Cervical Cancer: Contact your State Dept of Health.
7) October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month: Many mammogram facilities offer their services at special fees during this period. So, In September, you may call and see what kind of deal you can get or check online at http://www.nbcam.org/ .
8) Medicare coverage of mammograms: 800-MEDICARE.

Urgent Worldwide Toothpaste Voluntary Recall

In a fresh development on the Chinese toothpaste issue, U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Web site posted a statement today that the company Gilchrist & Soames has voluntarily recalled tubes of Chinese-made toothpaste after tests showed some samples contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a chemical used in anti-freeze.

You may recall that FDA advised consumers on June 1 to toss out Chinese-made toothpaste because diethylene glycol may have been used in place of U.S.-approved thickening agents and sweeteners. Chinese brands cited by the FDA contained 3 to 4 percent of the chemical by weight, and some weren't labeled as having the ingredient, the agency said. The substance, mixed with cough syrup, was responsible for more than 40 deaths in Panama beginning in September 2006, according to the FDA Web site.

The company urged all hotel guests who took the toothpaste home with them to throw it away. The suspect product is from one of Gilchrist & Soames's two Chinese suppliers, Ming Fai Enterprises International Co. The only product being recalled is toothpaste in 0.65- ounce tubes with the label ``Made in China''. Concern about tainted Chinese imports developed in the U.S. after the discovery of contaminated pet food, seafood and toothpaste as well as defective tires and toys with lead paint.

Gilchrist & Soames has a distribution center in the U.S. that sent the toothpaste to hotels in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados, the Dominican Republic and the Turks & Caicos Islands, according to the company's statement.

Free Mammograms

Last week, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential aspirant John Edwards and the mother of two young children, appeared with her husband on the campaign trail and confessed to having failed to get a mammogram. She was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly four years ago. The cancer went into remission after chemotherapy and radiation, but resurfaced and has spread to her ribs. It is incurable.

"I do not have to be in this situation," she told an audience in Davenport, Iowa. "I am responsible for putting myself, this man, my family and frankly, putting you all at risk, too, because I think you deserve the chance to vote for this man."

Currently, "Images of Health: Mammograms for a Million Moms," a public education campaign, is helping to save lives by encouraging women to visit www.imagesofhealth.com and pledge to get a mammogram. The site allows visitors to share their breast cancer stories, search for mammography centers and view video of the mammography process

If your insurance company does not cover mammogram and/or you cannot afford to pay for this important test, here is some advice. Not all insurance companies pay for mammograms, and not every woman is eligible for the government's program intended for low income families. The following organizations can help you identify free and low cost mammograms in your area:

1) The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org 800-ACS-2345. Contact their local office.
2) YWCA's Encore Plus program: Contact local office. The National office at 800-95-EPLUS .
3) National Cancer Institute: 800-4-CANCER www.nci.nih.gov .
4) State Office of Breast and Cervical Cancer: Contact your state Dept of Health.
5) October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month: Many mammogram facilities offer their services at special fees during this period. So, In September, you may call and see what kind of deal you can get or check online at www.nbcam.org .
6) Medicare coverage of mammograms: 800-MEDICARE.

"Fruits & Veggies—More Matters"

Today, the nonprofit organization, Produce for Better Health (PBH) Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveiled a new nationwide public health initiative, "Fruits & Veggies—More Matters", the next generation of the 15-year-old “5 A Day for Better Health” program, to encourage Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Since 1990 the Dietary Guidelines for Americans has recommended consuming at least 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables daily. However, two studies from John Hopkins University published in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine clearly showed that Americans are not meeting the mark. This is a serious public health concern because consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk of obesity and certain chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gives the following tips to help you meet your fruit and vegetable goals: (i) Keep a bowl of fruit handy, (ii) Go for variety (iii) Serve a salad with dinner, (iv) Add beans to chili or soup, (v) If you're ordering pizza, add some veggie toppings, (vi) Put chopped vegetables in pasta sauce or lasagna, (vii) Dip fresh fruit in low-fat yogurt or pudding, (vii) Dip raw veggies in low-fat salad dressing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also has the following advices for parents who say their children get more tempted by other foods and aren't interested in eating fruits and vegetables: (i) Set a good example with your own diet, (ii) While shopping, let kids pick a new fruit or vegetable to try, (iii) Kids often like foods served separately, so don't mix vegetables on their plate, (iv) Offer children a choice of fruits at lunch, (v) Top kids' cereal with berries or a smiley face made of sliced bananas for eyes, raisins for a nose, and an orange slice for a mouth, (vi) Use cut-up vegetables as part of afternoon snacks, (vii) Let kids decide on the dinner vegetables or what goes into salads, (viii) If children are old enough, let them help shop for, clean, peel, or cut up fruits and vegetables.

Warning: Peanut Butter & Salmonella

The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to eat certain jars of Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter because of the risk of contamination. The affected jars have a product code on the lid that begins with the number “2111.” The affected jars are made by ConAgra in a single facility in Sylvester, Ga., the FDA said. Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected, the agency said.

ConAgra is recalling all Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter beginning with product code 2111. The largest number of salmonella cases were reported in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri. About 85% of the infected people said they ate peanut butter, CDC officials said.

Important links:

Full text of the FDA warning

To know more about Salmonella, visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website.

Consumers who have questions should also contact ConAgra at 866-344-6970.

Alli: First OTC Diet Pill

The FDA issued its first ever approval for an over-the-counter (OTC) diet pill – Alli, the marketing name for the generic drug orlistat. It is a reduced strength version of the prescription drug Xenical.

Alli is expected to be available in stores nationwide by summer and the price, not yet final, is projected to be less than two dollars per day. It is only approved for those age 18 and older. The recommended dose of alli is one 60 mg capsule three times a day with meals containing fat. The FDA approval says, "the most common side effect of the product is a change in bowel habits, which may include loose stools. Eating a low fat diet will reduce the likelihood of this side effect."

Senior citizens and others with diabetes, thyroid disease or taking blood thinning medicine should consult with their physician before using it.

Taken at meal-time, alli works by blocking about 25% of the fat in the food. It must be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet containing about 15 grams of fat per meal. The GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare says it selected "alli" as the brand name because it conveys the concept of partnership with consumers in their weight-loss efforts. To help consumers get off to a successful start, the alli package will include Welcome and Companion Guides, a Guide to Healthy Eating, a Daily Journal, a Calorie and Fat Counter, Quick Fact Cards, and free access to an individualized online action plan at myalli.com to follow an "appealing, reduced-calorie, low-fat diet," says the company.

Warning to Diabetics: Fake Test Strips

A public alert issued by the Food and Drug Administration today warned diabetics to watch for counterfeit versions of test strips commonly used to monitor blood sugar levels. The test strips, for use in glucose monitors made by a Johnson & Johnson company, were distributed nationwide.

The phony test strips are for use with various models of LifeScan Inc.'s OneTouch brand of blood glucose monitors. LifeScan is part of New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson. The counterfeit test strips could give incorrect blood glucose values, leading patients to take too little or too much insulin and suffer injury or death, the FDA said. Diabetics who purchased the counterfeit test strips should stop using them, replace them immediately and call a doctor. The counterfeits are:

-OneTouch Basic/Profile, lot numbers 272894A, 2619932 and 2606340. The 50-count packages are labeled in English and French.
-OneTouch Ultra, lot number 2691191. The 50-count packages are labeled in English, Greek and Portuguese.

Samples of the stripes tested by LifeScan do produce blood-glucose results, but they do not meet company specifications. The fakes were distributed nationwide but primarily in Ohio, New York, Florida, Maryland and Missouri by Medical Plastic Devices Inc., of Quebec, Canada, and Champion Sales Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., the FDA said.

Consumers with questions can call LifeScan at (866) 621-4855.

Don't Eat Bagged Spinach

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called on consumers not to eat any fresh, prepackaged spinach after officials said they identified an outbreak of E. coli that has killed a person in Wisconsin and sickened at least 48 people in eight states: Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, New Mexico, Utah and Wisconsin which was hit hardest with at least 20 cases. The investigation spearheaded by FDA appears to implicate prepackaged, prewashed spinach, but officials have not identified a specific brand yet.

E. coli can cause diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. To date, 50 cases of illness have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including 8 cases of HUS and one death.

New Guidelines For Heart

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology issued new guidelines for helping people with heart disease avoid more trouble. The new guidelines come as the result of a number of new trials completed and apply to a wide range of patients: Those who have had heart attacks, those with the variety of heart problems called acute coronary syndromes, and those with other blood vessel conditions such as peripheral arterial disease.

For example, the new rules recommend that anyone with heart disease get a flu shot every year. People diagnosed with heart disease should get 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, at least five, and preferably seven, days a week. The old guidelines called for this type of exercise 3 or 4 days a week.

The old guidelines recommended that blood levels of LDL cholesterol, the bad kind that clogs arteries, should stay below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and, ideally, below 70 mg/dL for very high-risk patients. Those guidelines are now recommended for all people with established heart disease. Levels of all blood fats, excluding HDL cholesterol -- the good kind that helps keep arteries clear -- should be kept under 100 milligrams per deciliters.

Blood pressure still should be no more than 140 over 90 for most patients, and less than 130 over 80 for people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

For diabetes management, a test for blood sugar levels is recommended every 2 to 3 months, with the desired level kept to less than 7 percent.

The guidelines recommended lower dosage of aspirin for patients with heart disease or other blood vessel problems such as peripheral arterial disease -- between 75 and 162 milligrams a day. The old rule allowed daily amounts as high as 325 milligrams.

As for weight, the recommended body mass index (BMI) is between 18.5 to 24.8, with waist circumference less than 40 inches for men and less than 35 inches for women (Statistically, the obesity starts at a BMI of 30).

5 colors Everyday

It’s important to get a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables into your
diet every day! Eating 5 or more servings of colorful fruits and vegetables
a day is part of an important plan for healthier living. That’s because
deeply hued fruits and vegetables provide the wide range of vitamins,
minerals, and phytochemicals your body needs to maintain good health
and energy levels, protect against the effects of aging, and reduce the risk
of cancer and heart disease.

It’s all about color – blue/purple, green, white, yellow/orange, and red. So
when you're grocery shopping, planning your meals or dining out, think color.

The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3)
consumer education foundation whose mission is to be the catalyst for
creating a healthier America through increased consumption of a variety of
fruits and vegetables. PBH is chair of the National 5 A Day Partnership,
consisting of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry
working in collaboration to expand 5 A Day efforts to increase
consumption of fruits and vegetables for improved public health. The
5 A Day for Better Health program is the nation’s largest public-private
nutrition education initiative with 5 A Day coordinators in each state,
territory, and the military.

In this connection let us mention that the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) also provides a useful website MyPyramid.gov where
you will be able to know the amount of each foodgroup you need daily.