Did you know that 37% of Americans resolved to lose weight, and 32% resolved to stay fit in the New Year? The weight loss industry definitely knows! It ramps up its marketing this time of year – you’ve likely seen offers for discounts at local and national gym chains. What these advertisements omit is that gym memberships are still expensive, averaging $58 per month. And that’s without counting any miscellaneous upfront charges. If you want to get fit without spending a ton, here are some budget- and body-friendly ideas to help you have a healthier 2017! 1.) Diet It doesn’t…

If you have ever tried to see if a family member or friend is in the hospital, you’ve probably been stonewalled by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted in 1996.  Even if you are only inquiring as to whether or not someone has been admitted to the hospital, you will not receive an answer in an effort to protect patient privacy. While HIPAA has proven to be effective against those checking up on sick family and friends, it hasn’t been effective in restricting hackers’ access to patient files. Besides potential health concerns, this can also lead to identity…

Summer is quickly approaching, and that means a large majority of us will be heading outdoors to enjoy the warm weather.  This also means many of us will stock up on sunscreen to protect ourselves from the damaging rays.  Recently, there has been some good news regarding this protection: applying sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) 30+ has been found to delay the onset of melanoma. Melanoma Research Melanoma is considered the most dangerous type of skin cancer that is often caused by too much sun exposure without protection.  The findings revealed that applying SPF 30 before being exposed to ultraviolet B…

Health insurance has changed quite a bit over the last few years, and you may have noticed a greater push for high-deductible plans. These plans are usually coupled with a Health Savings Account. Before you make any decisions about whether or not this type of plan will work for you, it helps to know what a Health Savings account is and why these high-deductible plans were created. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) HSAs are personal savings accounts that are used only to pay for medical expenses. As long as the money is solely used for health care, it’s not taxed. Unlike Flexible Spending…