One of the primary concerns facing the recently unemployed is the loss of health benefits. Most U.S. workers receive health benefits through their employers, so they associate health insurance with employment. As unemployment rises, more people must find a way to pay for health insurance on their own.

Unfortunately, most Americans are unfamiliar with the options that they have as individual consumers. A recent survey conducted by Aetna found that the majority of consumers were unaware of an important option — individual health insurance plans. The survey also found that many consumers had significant misperceptions about the cost of coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, also known as COBRA, another insurance alternative which can cover a person for up to 36 months after losing a job.

“Our research found that 69 percent of consumers had never heard of individual health insurance plans or did not know much about them, and 38 percent said they expected to pay the same premiums for COBRA coverage as when they were employed when they could actually pay almost double in many instances,” says Frank McCauley, head of Aetna’s Consumer Business Segment. “With more and more people entering the individual health insurance market, it is essential for people to have a clear understanding of all of the options that are available to them.”

Knowing All of Your Options
According to McCauley, there are a number of different options that people should consider in this situation. This includes becoming a dependent on their spouse’s plan; receiving coverage through an alumni association or club membership; or finding out if they are eligible for free or low-cost state programs. Almost 11 million Americans are actually eligible for these free or low-cost plans, such as Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), but are not enrolled and remain uninsured.

Another option is COBRA coverage, which allows people to keep the same coverage they had through their employer, even after they lose their job.

While this serves as a good safety net, it can be expensive. Families USA, a consumer health organization, found in January 2009 that the average national premium to cover a family with COBRA eats up almost 84 percent of unemployment benefits.

A temporary solution to the high cost of COBRA came as part of the national economic stimulus package. Under this package, people who were laid off (or lose their jobs) between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 are eligible for a 65 percent subsidy to help them pay for COBRA coverage. This means they will have to pay 35 percent of the usual cost of COBRA.

However, even with this subsidy, many consumers may be able to find a more affordable individual health insurance plan. Many insurers sell these plans directly to consumers, and McCauley says that Aetna has a wide range of plan designs.

“We have plans that are similar to what a person would receive from their employer, as well as lower-cost options that might be a better fit for their budget,” McCauley adds.

People can go to Aetna’s Web site www.aetnaindividual.com to learn more about these plans, get a quote and even apply online. McCauley adds that consumers can also go to a Web site like www.ehealthinsurance.com to compare plans from different insurers.

To help educate consumers on all of the different health insurance options that are available to them, Aetna also developed information on the Plan for Your Health Web site www.planforyourhealth.com. This free site is a good starting point when searching for health insurance on your own.

Questions to Consider
As you start to search for the right health insurance option for you, McCauley says there are three questions that every consumer should keep in mind:
* How long do you expect to go without insurance? Not having insurance for a few months is very different from not having it for a few years.
* How much coverage do you need? A young man looking for his first job and a mother of two who owns her own business will make very different choices.
* How much do you want to pay? A lower premium (the amount you pay each month) might seem to be the best way to save a few bucks. Just be sure to find out how much more you will have to pay if something happens to you.
Whichever option a person chooses, it is extremely important to find some type of coverage.

“Health insurance is one of the primary ways that people can protect both their health and their financial well-being,” says Tracey Baker, a certified financial planner and co-author of “Navigating Your Health Benefits For Dummies”. “Even during difficult financial times, it is important to try to provide this security for you and your family.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Budget-minded families are looking to cut expenses that seem like a luxury, or even just frivolous — including gym memberships. Yet mounting evidence suggests that cutting out the gym may be exactly the wrong move for even the most cash-strapped family.

In its just-released report of annual health spending figures, published in the journal Health Affairs, the federal government confirmed that chronic illness accounts for 75 percent of all health spending. Yet exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce your risks for chronic illness and your medical bills.

“To put that in financial terms, for every dollar you spend on wellness, you can save as much as five dollars or more on illness,” says Dr. Richard Kreider, director of the exercise and sport nutrition laboratory at Texas A&M University. He has studied the effectiveness of the Curves women’s fitness program for the past five years.

“The women in our studies have been able to lose weight, gain muscle strength, raise metabolism, and make significant medical improvements in blood pressure, resting heart rate and aerobic fitness,” Kreider says. “Many of them no longer suffer from the chronic conditions that cost them so much money for medications and doctor visits.”

This can add up to a bundle of savings. The Health Affairs report shows that the average annual out-of-pocket expense for someone with cancer is $8,411, but the good news is that regular exercise can help you avoid the disease and the costs associated with it. A major report by the American Institute for Cancer Research published in 2007 found that obesity plays a key role in increasing the risk for many cancers — including breast cancer — by as much as 60 percent. And a study just published in the journal Cancer found that obesity increased women’s risk for ovarian cancer by a whopping 80 percent.

The benefits go beyond reducing the risk of cancer. A recent landmark study by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota found that people who went to the gym at least eight times a month had significantly lower healthcare costs than those who did not. These frequent gym attendees had:

* 39 percent fewer emergency room visits
* 41 percent fewer hospital admissions
* 18 percent lower overall claims costs

The research, then, is clear. “Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can save not only your life, but your money as well,” says Kreider. “Your health is your most precious asset, and not taking care of it is going to cost you more in the long run.”

So how can you get to the gym without breaking the bank? Many clubs are offering great deals on memberships because of the economy. Also, check with your health insurance provider to see if they have a wellness program that offers rebates on dues and membership fees. Some fitness centers, like Curves, have partnered with major health insurance and third-party providers, including Healthways SilverSneakers, AARP and Blue Cross Blue Shield, to make the cost of membership even more affordable. To learn more, visit www.curves.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Two-thirds of American adults are medically overweight or obese, and the incidence of medically significant obesity is rising rapidly, especially in children and teenagers. Unless this epidemic is brought under control, earlier appearance of diabetes and heart disease is expected to get worse.

“People who feel stressed, as many do in the midst of a financial recession, may turn to food for comfort and start to overindulge,” says Dr. Leonard Mastbaum, fellow of the American College of Endocrinology (FACE), senior medical advisor with OPTIFAST, a medically monitored weight loss program that focuses on changing patients’ lifestyles and how they interact with food.

Emotionally based overeating, or using food to satisfy negative feelings not related to hunger, is a frequent threat to maintaining good, healthy eating habits. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it accounts for 75 percent of overeating.

“The problem is that this behavior does not resolve the underlying problem and is often followed by feelings of shame or guilt, and a decrease in feelings of self-worth,” adds Dr. Jamy Ard, assistant professor of nutrition sciences and medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and medical director with OPTIFAST. “This process may lead to repetitive overeating and the onset of a downward spiral — resulting in significant weight gain.”

The current recession is not easing the situation. In a recent survey of 1,000 Americans, 25 percent responded that they were more likely to turn to high-calorie comfort foods because of the economic situation. Washington University in St. Louis has also reported strong evidence that economic uncertainty can cause significant weight gain.

The good news is that emotional (non-hunger) eating can be controlled with some effort. Mastbaum and Ard suggest the following steps:

* Take note of when you’re eating, but aren’t actually hungry.

Clues include eating a short time after a meal, or while doing activities such as reading or watching TV, sudden cravings for a particular food and feelings of guilt or self-deprecation after eating.

* Learn what triggers emotional eating for you.

Keep a diary and record when and what you eat and what you are experiencing or feeling at the time (boredom, anger, frustration, etc.), take note of how hungry you are at the time by rating your hunger on a scale of one to 10. Study the diary to try to determine your triggers and what foods you turn to at these times. Some studies suggest that chewy and crunchy foods are more commonly consumed during periods of stress, frustration or anger, while creamy foods are often used to combat feelings of loneliness or depression. Make eating a solitary activity rather than eating while taking part in another activity.

* Make a list of non-eating activities that you enjoy, to help alleviate your emotional eating triggers.

Physical activity can boost your mood. Keep a list of activities you enjoy with you at all times. This activity or exercise could make you feel better and will provide you with alternatives when you feel the urge to eat inappropriately.

* Recognize when you’re lapsing and eating on a non-hunger basis. Try to learn what triggers your own inappropriate eating.

Some clues: emotional “hunger” comes on suddenly, is associated with a craving for a specific food and is followed by feelings of guilt or shame.

* Get to the root of your feelings and take action to change them.

Much of the financial stress that stems from the recession may feel like it’s out of your control. Try to find actionable steps you can take to feel more in charge—it will help you feel like you’re making progress and, ultimately, less overwhelmed.

Overcoming emotional overeating is crucial to the success of any diet or weight loss plan. It’s also an important part of maintaining a healthy weight, but even the most dedicated dieters struggle with it.

The longer emotional eating is a challenge, the more weight gain and negative health effects are likely to occur. For those who battle significant weight problems and need to lose more than 50 pounds, Mastbaum recommends calling on a support team of professionals like those with the OPTIFAST Program to help you take control of your eating behaviors and achieve your weight loss goals.

For more information on OPTIFAST or to find a clinic near you, log on to www.OPTIFAST.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent