Doctors aren’t just for treating illness; they’re also key to providing preventive services designed to keep you healthy. Because of this, the Affordable Care Act requires that all new health insurance plans offered by private carriers fully cover certain preventive services at no cost to you—that means no copayments or coinsurance. This applies even if you have not yet met your yearly deductible. So long as these preventive services are administered by in-network physicians, t...

It’s estimated that over 50 million Americans are obese, which has caused past problems with obtaining health insurance. Obesity can lead to severe health conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes and poor cardiovascular health. Many insurers do not consider obesity to be an illness, but they do pay for any resulting illnesses, which means that it costs more for an insurer to keep an obese individual as a customer due to the high risk of developing resulting illnesses. In the past, this meant ex...

Time: 4 p.m. Location: Your desk Stomach: Growling When afternoon hunger hits at work, and it always does, it can be tough to resist the siren call of the vending machine and all of the cookies, chips and candy bars stocked there. So how do you? Two words: Plan ahead. By bringing your own healthy snacks to work, you can avoid those high-fat, high-calorie treats and stay satisfied until dinner. A perfect snack should be less than 180 calories, high in protein and low in saturated fat ...

The nutrition of your prepared meals doesn’t rely solely on the ingredients you use. The way you cook your food can either boost ingredients’ nutritional value or deplete it. In some cases, heat can break down up to 20 percent of vitamins and other nutrients. In others, heat releases antioxidants and makes them easier for the body to absorb (this applies primarily to carrots, spinach and tomatoes). Let’s take a look at some of the most common cooking methods and how they affect...

How much insurance is enough? It’s a great question, and agents at Allen Harmon Insurance hear it repeatedly from customers.   As agents, we are here to help you secure the coverage you need. To do this, we go through sort of a “checklist” process to understand all aspects of your requirement for coverage. Then we lead you through a process to help you arrive at a decision that is best for you. It is not up to us to decide for you. Independent agents at Allen Harmon...

Its gotten to the point in winter where you either go crazy from being cooped up indoors or you go out and embrace the weather. You might be headed to the slopes, strapping on some snowshoes, ice skating or just shoveling the driveway, but its a good idea to keep some of these safety tips in mind to stay in good health. Avoid going out by yourself, but if you do, let someone know where you are headed and when you expect to return. Dress for the elements. Warm boots, glove...

After plenty of bad publicity for unhealthy food products and their effects on the human body, many Americans are trying to make healthier lifestyle choices. Healthcare professionals and nutritionists are quick to recommend both a healthy diet and an exercise routine. But, some people think they can simply hit the gym extra hard after downing a greasy burger. While it’s perfectly acceptable to treat yourself from time to time, maintaining a healthy diet is more important than you may thi...

Research indicates that cold weather leads to a higher number of heart attacks. Many theories have been developed to explain why this season causes more heart issues. One is that blood vessels constrict due to the drop in temperature. Another theory is that people are not as active in the winter and when they are active, they overexert themselves. That, combined with the constricted blood vessels, leads to disaster. Shoveling is a perfect example of an activity that occurs in cold, winter w...

How much do you worry? For many people in today’s ultra-connected and more in-demand community, worry is a daily part of life. You worry about the kids, money, your relationships, your job and much more. Yet, worry does not just make life miserable. It also can impact your health in a variety of ways. Worry creates stress. Stress creates physical limitations on your body and mind. How Does Stress Impact Your Health? Mental stress has a physical outcome. On a daily basis, you may feel mus...

Chronic health conditions are those that last longer than 12 months and require ongoing treatment. Examples of chronic health conditions include diabetes, heart disease and cancer. If you’ve developed a chronic health condition, providing for your family in case you pass away is a top priority. The best way provide for your family after your death is with life insurance. Life insurance can relieve the financial burden on your family. It can help pay off your mortgage, car or other debt. ...

Health insurance doesn’t guarantee the same prices for every level of care. As you likely know, treatment involves different levels of care based on your need. For example, you may visit your primary care provider for the flu or other common ailments. But, if you suffer from kidney or have a heart conditions, you may need to see a nephrologist or cardiologist. These doctors are specialists who practice in one specific area of medicine. Specialist services have different impacts on your ...

Only rarely will someone in Michigan pay nothing for their medical care, even with insurance. Though private health insurance can greatly reduce an individual’s out-of-pocket responsibility for care, it almost never makes health care entirely free. Whenever you go to the doctor or use your health insurance, you can reasonably expect to pay a cost. Based on the care you need and the coverage you have, these costs may vary. 1. Premiums Your premium is the amount you pay your insurance com...