How Does the Affordable Care Act Work?

Get a step-by-step breakdown of how the health care reform law works, who is now eligible, and what happens if you already have health insurance.

The Affordable Care Act stirs up lots of questions. As we near the October 1 open enrollment date, you may have some, too. Here, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions and help you find ways to buy insurance if you’re in the market.

How does the Affordable Care Act work?

Beginning in 2014, the health insurance rules are changing. Health insurance providers cannot deny you coverage if you have a pre-existing condition or illness or have been previously denied coverage. Every person who wants health insurance coverage will be able to buy it.

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Here’s how it works: Additional clients in an insurance plan mean insurance companies can collect more money through insurance premiums. That also means they have more doctors and hospitals to pay. To make up for this greater expense, the law requires all people who can afford it to buy health insurance. The trade-off: Healthier individuals who will not use their insurance coverage often offset the expense of individuals who rely more heavily on their insurance. People who do not participate in the health insurance exchange and do not purchase insurance will have to pay a penalty.

Who is eligible to purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace?

People who live in the United States, U.S. citizens or nationals, and those who are not currently in jail are eligible to purchase health insurance through the federal health insurance exchange.

Residents of a U.S. territory, such as Puerto Rico or Guam, are not eligible to purchase health insurance through the Marketplace.

When can I purchase insurance?

The first open enrollment period begins October 1, 2013 and ends March 31, 2014. During that timeframe, you can submit an application for health insurance and receive offers from health insurance companies for plans that meet your needs. Depending on your state, the Marketplace is maintained either by your state government or the federal government.

Once the open enrollment dates end, you cannot apply for health insurance until the next annual open enrollment period begins. However, an exception can be made if you experience a qualifying life event—such as the birth or death of a family member. If you or your family has a life event that changes your health insurance status, you will be able to alter your insurance plan coverage to reflect your new status.

When will my insurance take effect?

Your insurance coverage can begin as soon as January 1, 2014. Depending on when you purchase your insurance, your start date may be different.

My employer provides health insurance. What does the open health care exchange mean for me?

As long as your employer continues to provide you with health insurance and it meets the minimum essential coverage requirement, you will not have to pay a fee. If you lose your job, you may be eligible to use the health care exchange to find new health insurance.

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What happens if I do not want to buy health insurance?

Under the Affordable Care Act, every person who can afford to take responsibility for their own health insurance must do so or face a penalty. If you choose not to purchase health coverage, you may have to pay a fee. You also lose all protection against bankruptcy or financial burden in the event you suffer a serious or catastrophic health event and need medical care. That can be very expensive. (Currently, people without health insurance can receive medical care and assistance to cover the costs of that care if they cannot afford to pay for it. If you do not purchase insurance, you will not have these protections once the insurance exchange begins.)

How much is the fee?

In 2014, people who do not purchase health insurance will be required to pay 1 percent of their yearly income or $95, whichever is higher. Parents who do not purchase health insurance for their children will be required to pay $47.50 per child. For the year 2014, the maximum penalty for a family is $285. After 2014, the penalty will increase every year.

The Ultimate “Deskercise” Stretch Routine

Who Uses That Gym Membership, Anyway?

An analysis of job industry trends over the past fifty years revealed that at least 8 in 10 American workers are desk potatoes. Neck and shoulder pain are common pals of a sedentary job.
Not surprisingly, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that about 8 in 10 Americans will experience significant lower back pain at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, ladies, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, women are more likely to experience lower back pain and neck pain than men.
Work out your computer screen kinks and paperwork pains with these deskercise gems

The Daydream

Gently pull each elbow to the opposite side overhead. Just pretend you’re under a Tahitian waterfall and need to scrub your shoulder blades

The Carpet Gazer

Remaining seated, extend your legs and reach toward your toes. Stare at the purplish-gray office carpet or search for lost bits of popcorn for 20 seconds

The Half-Bear Hug

Hug one knee at a time, pulling it toward your chest. Tell passers-by you need a mini childhood flashback, or that “this is how you roll.”

The Olympic Diver

Clasp your hands in front of you and lower your head in line with your arms. Pretend you actually know how to dive correctly, and use this “proper technique” to impress your cubicle companions

The Almost-Aerobics Reach

Extend each arm overhead and to the opposite side as you imagine Richard Simmons goading you toward a fabulous body

The “Who Cares if I’m at Work” Shrug

Raise both shoulders at once up toward the ears. Drop them and repeat as you explain to your boss that you are, indeed, listening with interest

The Freedom Search

Clasp hands behind your back, push the chest outward, and raise the chin. Count yourself lucky if you’re not looking at suspended ceiling tiles and fluorescent bulbs.
Tip: If you’re feeling really tight, try holding the pose for longer

The Spine-Popping Chatterbox

Cross your legs and alternate twists toward the back of the chair. Use the rear-facing position to comment on your neighbor’s color-coded file system with near genuine admiration. Tip: Exhale as you lean into a stretch for a greater range of motion

The Happy Cheer

Clasp hands together above the head, stretching upward. Follow up with “spirit fingers” or some other equally cheesy high school rom-com reference to aerobic activities

The Leaning Tower of Cheer

Repeat The Happy Cheer, but lean arms and shoulders to the side—as if you’ve had too much to drink and the floor really is that crooked under your chair

The Dead Robot Dance

Lean your head forward and slowly roll from side to side. Picture all of the times you finished a less-than-polished robot dance with dangling head and arm, and vow to record it next time

The “Get Back to Work” Finale

No stretch here, silly. This is where you drop the deskercise routine and get back to your file-filled reality. Sorry

Did You Know?

One study found that workplace stretching can improve flexibility and—even better—your sense of attractiveness and self-worth. But that’s not all. Research indicates that periodic workplace stretching may reduce pain by up to 72 percent. And some studies show that a bit of exercise in the workday can relieve both physical and mental stress.
Still not convinced? According to The Harvard School of Public Health, physical activity—even for short periods of time—can improve your mood. Take that, mid-day slump!

Stretch It Out

An ergonomic facelift of your cubicle isn’t necessary to reap major physical benefits from your deskercise routine. A study published in the Journal of Sports Science found that just imagining yourself performing an action can actually increase your flexibility. 
So go ahead and stretch it out—or at least take a coffee break to daydream about it.








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10 Daily Habits To Stop Back Pain

Although determining the cause of back pain can be complicated, preventing pain is actually quite simple. It's all about relieving pressure, reducing strain, protecting the spine, and strengthening the muscles. Simply changing a few daily habits could make the difference in maintaining a healthy, pain-free back for the short and long term.

1. Sleep With a Pillow Under Your Knees

Elevating your legs slightly relieves pressure on your back as you sleep. Sleeping on your back puts an estimated 55 pounds of pressure on your spine. By placing a pillow under your knees, you can cut that pressure in half.

2. Work Your Core

The numerous health benefits of exercise are well known, but a regular strength training routine that focuses on the core muscles of the body can also help reduce your risk of back-related incidents, such as strains and muscle spasms. For a stronger, more flexible back, try to incorporate some sort of back and abdominal strengthening exercise into your workout at least twice a week.

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3. Up Your Calcium and Vitamin D Intake

Strong bones can help prevent osteoporosis, one of the most common causes of back pain later in life, particularly for women. Keep the bones in your spine strong by consuming plenty of calcium and vitamin D, whether in milk, yogurt, leafy greens, or vitamin supplements. However, always consult you doctor before taking any kind of supplement.

4. Change Your Shoes

Comfortable, low-heeled shoes are best bets for back pain prevention as they reduce the strain on the back while standing. Sorry ladies—pumps with less than a one-inch heel are the best bet for your back.

5. Straighten Up

Good posture isn't just a way to look more proper. It protects the intricate pieces of your spine to keep them functioning and healthy. Bad posture puts strain and stress on the back and, over time, can actually change the architecture of the spine itself. Avoid rounding your shoulders, slouching, or bending sideways while standing.

6. Don't Slump Over Your Desk

When sitting in your office chair, use the same good posture techniques you would use while standing. Because many of us spend hours each day sitting down, it is absolutely critical that you maintain good posture and support your back. Choose a quality chair that provides firm support in the lower back area, and make sure your knees are a little higher than your hips when you sit.

7. Mingle

Whether you are at an office party or a bar for happy hour, avoid sitting in an awkward position or standing in one place. Instead, move around the room. This prevents undue pressure on the spine, a result of standing in one place for too long.

8. Put Out That Cigarette

We all know smoking is a serious health risk, but numerous studies have found that smokers are also more likely than nonsmokers to experience back pain, particularly later in life. One reason for the higher risk is that nicotine restricts the blood flow to the spine's disks, and this can cause them to dry out, crack, or rupture. Smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood thus reducing nourishment for the muscles and tendons in the back. An unhealthy, weak back is more vulnerable to accidental strains and pulls that cause back pain.

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9. Lighten Your Load

Back pain is frequently caused by improper or heavy lifting, but it doesn't happen only to those lifting heavy boxes on the job. Carrying a bulky laptop bag, suitcase, camera, or load of groceries could also cause a sudden strain on the back. Whenever possible, take some weight off your shoulders by carrying less, distributing the weight to both sides of the body, or shifting the weight from shoulder to shoulder to give each side a rest. For heavier loads, such as bags of groceries or boxes of files, consider using a rolling cart or bag with wheels. 

10. Stretch

Standing, sitting, or lying down in one place for an extended amount of time may be a necessary part of life, but it is not healthy for your back. Relieve the strain of the day whenever you can by getting up, walking around, and doing some simple stretches. This will help keep the blood flowing through the bones and muscles of your back and ease away any strains or aches caused by inactivity.

Back Pain 101

Chances are you know back pain all too well. It's the dull, constant ache in the lower back or the sudden painful twinge below the shoulder. It lasts for an hour, a day, or several weeks. Back pain, in its many forms, is one of the most common medical problems in the United States; it affects more than 80 percent of Americans at some point in their lives.

Because of its broad range of effects, back pain can severely disrupt your quality of life by limiting your ability to work, exercise, or just move around. It's no wonder millions of Americans go to the doctor each year asking for help dealing with back pain.

How it Works

Despite its prevalence, treating back pain is problematic as it is usually a symptom of another problem and not a medical condition itself. The back is a complex part of the body in which many delicate parts work together to provide flexibility, an upright stance, and protection to the spinal cord. A vital step in relieving back pain is diagnosing the underlying problem. Back pain could be caused by any number of problems related to bones, joints, the discs and nerves that make up the spine, or the muscles and ligaments in the back.

When Things Go Wrong

Most often, back pain is triggered by a simple strain from everyday activity such as improper or heavy lifting, intense exercise, or accidental injury. Even a strong sneeze or cough can cause a muscle spasm that could result in a painful strain that lasts for days.

Structural conditions of the back, such as bulging discs, arthritis, curves in the spine, or osteoporosis can also cause back pain. Discs are particularly vulnerable as we age because they can become dry and stiff, a process called disc degeneration. Because of this, age is one of the primary risk factors for back pain, followed by obesity, a diet high in calories and fat, and the presence of other diseases such as arthritis and some forms of cancer.

Types of Back Pain

There are two main types of back pain:

• acute pain, which happens suddenly and typically lasts fewer than six weeks, and
• chronic pain, which can't be tied to a specific trigger and lasts longer than three months. Chronic pain is less common.

Fortunately, most cases of back pain respond well to self-treatment and fade rather quickly, without medical intervention or surgery. Healthy habits, such as exercising and eating right, can greatly reduce your risk of developing back pain and help you manage chronic pain. If you are experiencing recurring back pain, see your doctor to determine the cause and find out what treatment options work best for you.

Xanthoma

How Is Xanthoma Treated?

Treating the medical condition that is causing the xanthoma is necessary to get rid of the deposits of fat under the skin and minimize the likelihood that they will return. Diabetes and metabolic disorders that are well controlled are less likely to cause xanthoma.
Other treatments for xanthoma include surgical removal, laser surgery, or chemical treatment with trichloroacetic acid. Xanthomas can return after treatment, so these are not necessarily curative. Talk to your doctor to see which treatment is right for you and whether the condition can be treated through medical management of the underlying issue.
 

 

Is Xanthoma Preventable?

This condition may not be completely preventable, but there are steps you can take to decrease your chances of developing xanthoma. If you have a metabolic disorder, follow your doctor’s instructions about how to treat and manage it. See your healthcare provider for regular checkups.
Keep your blood lipids and cholesterol at an appropriate level. This can be done through diet and exercise or, if necessary, medication. Getting regular blood work done to check these levels can help you keep your lipid and cholesterol levels in check.
 

 

 

Xanthoma

Risk Factors for Xanthoma

In addition to the medical conditions described above, there are other risk factors that may increase your chances of developing xanthoma. High cholesterol or triglyceride levels can increase your risk of xanthoma, as can being an older adult. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and what you can do to minimize the chances of developing this condition.

Xanthoma

What Is Xanthoma?

Xanthoma is also called xanthelasma or described as fatty skin growths. It results when certain fats accumulate under the skin. These growths can appear anywhere, but typically develop on the joints (especially the knees and elbows), feet, hands, and buttocks.
A xanthoma can vary in size. It looks like a flat bump under the skin and sometimes appears yellowish. It usually does not cause any pain. If the xanthoma is large, it may make you feel self-conscious about your appearance.
The condition is usually a symptom of an underlying problem with high levels of blood lipids, or fats. These underlying conditions can include:

• diabetes
• hyperlipidemia: high blood cholesterol levels
• metabolic disorders: These are genetic conditions affecting body’s ability to break down chemicals and maintain life. Examples include porphyria, Krabbe disease, or congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
• cancer: a type of condition in which malignant cells grow at an uncontrolled rate
• cirrhosis: scarring of the liver

Xanthoma itself is not dangerous, but the underlying medical condition causing it needs to be addressed. There is also a type of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids. However, this is not always linked to high blood lipid levels. It may appear even when there is no medical condition present.