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Slips, trips and falls are the number 3 cause of accidental death in the United States, right behind motor vehicle accidents. No matter where you are in the world, if you are indoors or outdoors, you can experience a slip or fall. Slips and falls can naturally happen indoors when going up stairs or walking on wet hardwood or uneven flooring, but they are more common outdoors in parking lots and on sidewalks, stairs, decks, and other areas that are affected by the weather. 

Follow these tips to keep yourself safe and avoid having a dangerous slip, trip or fall. 

 Consider Your Shoe/Footwear Choices 

Depending on the weather in your city, you may need to change your plans for the day. If your area is experiencing lots of rain, opt for shoes that have traction, like tennis shoes. If it’s really muddy and slick outside, look for shoes that are fit for hiking. When it comes to footwear in the wintertime, store your steel toe boots. If you wear them too long in the cold, they could cause hypothermia in your feet. Waterproof shoes that have good traction on the bottom should be the top qualities to look for when buying your next pair of winter shoes. 

Planning an outfit that requires heels or sandals? Make sure that the weather is sunny with no chance of ice, snow, rain, and the terrain is dry – or if the weather is wet, wear better shoes until you reach indoors safely. You’ll be protecting your ankles from any potential harm. If you are climbing stairs in shoes with heels or sandals, take mind to grip the stair railing to help keep balance you don’t fall.  

Tread Forward with Caution 

Wintertime environments are some of the most dangerous when it comes to the risk of a trip or fall due to the ice and snow that can accumulate. Another dangerous climate is one with a ton of rainfall. Rain can cause even the flattest of areas to become slick and offer up a one-way ticket to a fall. In order to protect yourself from experiencing a fall in these two dangerous climates, choose to wear shoes that are high in traction and waterproof. Another big tip is when entering or exiting buildings, do your best to avoid walking on curbs or steps if you can help it. Walk with caution and do not run in these conditions or you are increasing your chances of falling.   

Take All the Precautions You Can 

Here are a few things to be mindful of when faced with an inclement weather situation. When getting out of your vehicle, keep a hand on the vehicle to support yourself because you don’t know how slick the ground is. Did you know that putting your hands in your pockets to keep warm is more dangerous than it is worth? Keeping your hands free is necessary because by putting your hands in your pockets, you risk your balance since you’ve now lowered your center of gravity. 

What Happens If You Fall? 

The number one thing that you should do if you do happen to take a tumble is to tuck your head in towards your chest to avoid hitting your head. Keep your elbows and knees bent when you fall and try to land on your butt to help protect your body from sustaining any injury. If you’re unsure how your insurance would protect you in the event of a slip, trip or fall related injury, reach out to your local agent to make sure you’re covered for this common risk. 

February is known as Heart Month in the United States, so there is no better time to learn about cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association in a 2019 study, nearly half of all adults in the United States – 48% to be exact – have some form of cardiovascular disease. The term “cardiovascular disease” is used to refer to a number of conditions, including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve problems. Because this disease is so prevalent, it can lead to potentially serious or fatal health concerns for up to half of the members of your staff. The good news is that 80% of cardiovascular disease can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking, adequate exercise, proper nutrition, and maintaining a healthy weight. 

What are the types of cardiovascular disease? 

Heart Disease: 

The most commonly found type of cardiovascular disease is heart disease, which is caused by a buildup of a fatty substance called plaque in the arteries. As this plaque lining the arteries builds up over time, blood cannot flow as easily as it needs to. When the heart does not receive enough blood, or if the plaque forms a blood clot and blocks the artery entirely, this can cause a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease can be monitored and maintained if the individual makes new healthy habits. 

Heart Attack:

A heart attack occurs when a plaque buildup or blood clot in the arteries cuts off all blood flow into the heart. The cells in the muscles that make up the heart will begin to die without blood, and other parts of the body will begin to shut down as well. Although many heart attacks are not fatal when individuals receive immediate critical care, it still means lifestyle changes need to be made. The heart often remains partially damaged after, and it cannot survive multiple heart attacks. 

Stroke: 

When the arteries that carry oxygen-filled blood to the brain are blocked, a stroke can occur. If the brain cannot receive oxygen, cells will begin to die and cause symptoms such as the inability to speak or move. In many cases, patients will recover these abilities with time and the help of rehabilitation therapists. However, if enough oxygen is cut off for a prolonged time during the stroke, the damage can be irreversible. 

Heart Failure, Arrhythmia, and Heart Valve Problems: 

Unlike the first three types of cardiovascular disease, these three conditions do not mean that the body’s supply of oxygen-filled blood has been completely cut off. Instead, the heart will continue to pump blood, but it is not able to provide the body with an adequate amount. If heart failure occurs, the heart still beats but does not supply enough oxygen. If arrhythmia occurs, the heart beats at an irregular rate. It can beat too slowly and not supply enough oxygen, or it can beat too quickly and fatigue the heart muscles. When one of the heart’s valves does not open and close properly, it can cause blood to leak through. This can also cause the valves to close in the wrong direction, creating immediate circulation issues. All three conditions can grow worse over time if left untreated. 

How Can I Help My Staff Prevent Cardiovascular Disease? 

Simply based on the fact that 8 out of 10 Americans live with cardiovascular disease, it is likely that someone on your staff already faces some form of the disease. However, you can offer incentives to help encourage your staff to adopt healthy preventative behaviors. These can include workplace perks such as a monthly free lunch and specially designated parking, or personal perks like gift cards and fitness accessories. 

By offering high-quality medical insurance to your employees, you always have peace of mind knowing they will be cared for if a cardiac emergency occurs. If you would like to know more about medical insurance and preventative care benefits, talk with your local agent today.

A wellness visit, also known as an annual primary care visit, usually takes around 30 minutes and the cost is often covered through insurance.  These visits are important for everyone to attend because as you age, your wellness can change in an instant. As you age, your risk level rises for illnesses and diseases that begin to take effect in those later years.  

Saving Time and Money 

If you only visit a doctor when you are showing visible symptoms or if you aren’t feeling like yourself, it can end up costing you more in the long run. Did you know that regular primary care is associated with fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits? When you visit your doctor annually you will slowly be building and establishing a relationship with them, which will make it easier for you to schedule any unexpected appointments at a time that works best for you. A downside to not maintaining your regular annual primary care appointment is that if you do have to visit the emergency room or an urgent care center, treatment might mean longer waiting periods and take more time than necessary out of your day. 

Updating Your Wellness Exam Results 

When you become an older adult, health risk assessments become a forefront of important testing that you need to get taken care of. This kind of testing is crucial to preventing issues that could be a problem as you age and includes questions regarding your health status, injury risks, and behavioral health. Reaching this age means keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range because doing so can prevent serious cardiovascular issues, which include heart disease. Once your primary care doctor has determined that you have high blood pressure, it is possible that you will be prescribed medication in order to help bring it down or you may be referred to see a cardiologist.  

Catching a Disease in the Early Stages 

It isn’t always easy to notice symptoms of a progressive disease, such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart disease until it has reached one of its final stages. An annual exam can help your doctor identify if there are any progressive diseases that are showing early in your body. Catching diseases and illnesses early is the most effective way to treat them.

In order to help protect yourself in the future, schedule your annual appointment with your local doctor.  

Medicare is one of the biggest milestones you will reach in the later stages of life. Before going down your Medicare path, there are few things you need to know. Did you know that some people are automatically approved and placed on Medicare? This isn’t always the case, as a lot of people have to sign up before getting into the program. You may have to sign up if you are 65 or close to turning 65 and not getting Social Security. If you choose to sign up for Medicare Part B when you first become eligible, you can avoid a potential penalty! There are two great upsides when it comes to getting into your Medicare program: 1) you can choose how you get your Medicare coverages and 2) there may be ways for you to have assistance on paying your Medicare costs. 

 There are time frames in which you need to sign up to be on the Medicare program. These time frames also relate to when you can change your existing Medicare coverage if need be. More information on time frames is located below. 

Initial Enrollment Period

The Initial Medicare Enrollment Period is the time in which most people sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). The time period starts three months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after. As mentioned earlier, if you are not already collecting Social Security benefits before your Initial Enrollment Period starts, you will need to sign up for Medicare via online or contacting Social Security.

General Enrollment Period 

The General Medicare Enrollment Period is available if you missed the Initial Enrollment Period. This enrollment period is between January 1st and March 31st, and if you do enroll or make any changes during this time, coverage will go into full effect on July 1st.

Special Enrollment Period 

The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is available if you missed either of the previous two enrollment periods. This enrollment period means that you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B during an SEP if you have special circumstances. 

Overall, the best timeframe to join a Medicare or drug supplement (Part D) program is when you first turn 65. Making the effort to sign up when the opportunity first arises can help you avoid paying a lifetime Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty. If you could not get into the previously mentioned time frame, this would be your next best option. Medicare offers an Annual Open Enrollment Period which occurs from October 15th and December 7th. During this time, you have the chance to join a program, drop, or switch your coverage.  

Need more information on Medicare? Reach out to your local agent today.  

In addition to potentially saving you money on your life and health insurance, taking steps to improve your life expectancy can greatly increase your overall happiness in life. Here are 5 steps that have been proven to lead to longer, healthier lives.  

Get Daily Exercise 

Committing to daily exercise is the number one way to help extend your life expectancy. Those who exercise for around three hours a week have DNA and cells that were nine years younger than those who did not, according to a study. The easiest way to start your journey to committing to exercising is by daily repetition. To have results like those in the study, three hours is equal to thirty minutes a day. 

Maintain Regular Health Screenings and Testing 

It’s important to maintain an annual appointment with your primary care doctor for a number of reasons. The challenge is trying to figure out which tests you need to take and when. Everyone has a unique set of risk factors and family history, which means only your doctor can provide you with a timeline of what tests you should take and when. Regular mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears have been proven to decrease mortality and morbidity from the diseases they screen for.

Find Ways to Lessen Stress 

Stress can affect life expectancy in two significant ways. Direct and unhealthy effects of stress on the body in the long term is the first major way. The other way that stress can shorten your life expectancy is through the negative behaviors that become stress triggers. Comfort eating and smoking are unhealthy behaviors that come from these stress triggers. Try to pinpoint the things in your life that are causing you to hold onto stress and engage in negative, unhealthy behaviors. Once you find these stressors, try to find ways to counter them in order to have less stress surrounding you.

Reduce Your Time Watching TV 

Did you know that watching TV can lead to a less active lifestyle? Those who sit in front of the television are bound to eat more than those who spend less time in front of the screen. TV consumption can also lead to antisocial habits due to you being home, zoning in instead of being with others. TV is stressful because of the types of things that are on the news or shows that have high-stress situations in them. On average, people consume about four hours of TV a day, which adds up to nineteen hours a week – ultimately more than 1,000 hours a year. 

Stop Smoking 

Smoking is one of the biggest health risks in the world. Smoking can cause your lungs to lose their functionality. In addition, if you smoke around others, you are putting them at a higher risk for lung issues due to inhaling secondhand smoke. Breathing in secondhand smoke can increase the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke. If a child were to be exposed to secondhand smoke, it doubles their risk of getting chest related illnesses which include pneumonia, ear infections, wheezing and asthma.  

The better you maintain your health through exercise, healthy eating, and reducing stress and unhealthy behaviors, the more you can lower the costs of your health and life insurance. It’s never too late to make a lifestyle change, and your wallet will thank you as well as your body. Speak to your agent today about how you can lower your premiums! 

The year 2020 has finally come to an end and opened the door for our new year of 2021. Everyone has New Year resolutions that they list out in hopes of reaching them throughout the year of 2021, and one of the most popular is choosing to eat better and healthier. In this blog, we will go over some healthy eating trends that will take lead in the food market. 

Incorporate Immunity-Boosting Foods 

Immunity boosting foods are going to be one of the fore fronting foods that many will begin incorporating into their diets. Foods such as citrus fruits; vegetables like spinach, kale, sweet potatoes and carrots; eggs; beans; and fatty fish and shellfish are full of vitamins and minerals that will help support a healthy immune system. Eating these types of foods can help give you a small sense of control over your health.  

Some recommend that you start your day with an antioxidant-rich matcha latte. This is recommended because vitamin D that is found in fortified milk is a key factor in helping your body produce the needed proteins that kill bacteria and viruses. Match green tea powder is full of antioxidants that may assist in strengthening your immune system. If traditional matcha is not your cup of tea, there are various varieties of the powder online for you to try. 

Try to “Plantify” Your Diet 

What exactly does it mean to “plantify” your diet? The term “plantify” means to replace the meat in your diet with plant-based alternatives. Did you know that about eighty percent of chronic diseases we face are preventable and reversible by eating a more plant-based diet? The easiest way to make this transition is to start off is to “plantify” your favorite dishes. For example, if you really enjoy making tacos, try making the tacos veggie by skipping the meat and serving black beans or a tofu-based filling.

Choose Snacks That Are Rich in Fiber and Protein 

Did you know that boosting your fiber and protein it will help you crave less sugar? This is something that is helpful for those aiming to follow US dietary guidelines that strongly urge for people to limit their sugar intake.  

Snacks such as berries with some yogurt or chia pudding; sliced apples with nut butter; or a banana and peanut butter graham sandwich will be able to satisfy a sweet tooth while also keeping added sugar intake at bay. Shockingly, even snacks that contain chocolate can boost fiber and quell cravings.   

Medicare Advantage plans are one of the various ways to get Medicare coverage. Advantage plans are often referred to as “Part C” or “MA Plans.” Only Medicare-approved private companies are allowed to offer these types of plans, and this is only accepted if they follow the set of rules provided by Medicare. If you decide to get a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will still have Medicare, but a majority of your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (general medical insurance) coverage will be covered by the Medicare Advantage Plan and not traditional Medicare.  

How Do Medicare Advantage Plans Work? 

Medicare will pay a fixed amount for your coverage each month to a company if you join a Medicare Advantage Plan. As mentioned earlier, these companies must follow the guidelines set forth by Medicare in order for the coverage to be authentically offered. The plan must notify you about any potential upcoming changes before the start of the next enrollment year (traditionally this is on December 7th). No matter what, if you do join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will have all the same rights and protections that you would have with original Medicare.  

What Are the Costs? 

Much like any other type of insurance, things change. Every year, plans will set the payment amounts charged for premiums, deductibles, and services. The Medicare Advantage Plan will decide how much you pay for the covered services you get. There will be an out-of-pocket cost with the Medicare Advantage Plan that is in addition to the premium, deductible, copayments, and co insurance costs. Other things to consider when looking at the cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan: 

• What type of health care services you need and how often. 
• Do you go to a doctor or supplier for medication? 
• Does the plan offer additional benefits that require an increased premium? 
• If you currently have Medicaid or are getting help from your state with current health care costs. 

Who Can Get a Medicare Advantage Plan? 

You can join a Medicare Advantage Plan if: 

•  You have Medicare Part A and Part B 
•  You live in the plan’s service area 
•  You’re a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawfully present in the U.S. 
•  You don’t have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) 

Interesting in learning more about Medicare Advantage Plans? Contact your local agent today.  

Life insurance policies can be confusing. There seem to be endless different options, plans, and policies to choose from. You might have simply selected the cheapest life insurance policy because you didn’t fully understand your options. Maybe you selected a pricier policy because “You pay for what you get!” If these describe you, you might not be getting the most out of your life insurance policy. Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering your current life insurance policy. 

Do I Need Term or Permanent Life Insurance? 

Although this seems like a tricky question, it can really be boiled down to a few simple assessments. What is your budget? What are your family’s needs? If you’re young and single with no kids, you could save money by choosing a short term life insurance policy. On the other hand, permanent life insurance offers an added amount of safety and security. Higher incomes, larger families, and greater expenses require deeply rooted insurance plans. With permanent life insurance, you can rest assured that you won’t need to worry about renewing, re-assessing, or dealing with insurance agents.

How Much Coverage Do I Realistically Need? 

In order to accurately assess how much financial protection your family needs from your life insurance policy, you must know how much money would be required for your family to continue on after your death. This means estimating your current expenses, understanding funeral costs, and accounting for your income. Make certain that your life insurance policy meets or exceeds this assessment. Knowing that your family is covered if something were to happen to you will bring you and your loved ones peace.

Can I Make an Annual Payment Rather Than Monthly? 

Finally, you could save yourself money by paying for your life insurance annually rather than monthly. Most insurance agencies are charging you a small fee for making monthly payments. If you can’t afford to pay an annual fee, you may still be able to pay larger fractured payments every few months instead. If your provider allows, make as few payments as possible throughout the year; ideally, one annual payment. This way, you will ultimately pay less money in total. 

Discovering that you’re going to be a parent can be the most exciting news you’ll receive in a lifetime! But underneath all that joy and excitement is another emotion just as strong: fear. There is a ton of responsibility that comes with bringing your child into the world and you want to make sure you are doing it the right way. Even though your baby won’t arrive for another nine months, planning ahead is imperative. A great starting point to be sure that you and your bundle of joy are taken care of is by letting your insurance company know the amazing news. When you do, you should expect the following areas to be covered through your insurance plan. 

Prenatal Care Visits 

For many parents, it feels as though over half of the pregnancy is spent constantly visiting the doctor’s office while the other small part is the actual birth. However, every visit is important and results in news about your baby’s development. Gender revealing ultrasounds, glucose testing, multiple screenings, and hearing your baby’s heartbeat are all included in your visits. As the trimesters continue, you will even see your doctor more frequently to track and make sure your baby remains healthy. Typically visits happen every two weeks, but once the baby reaches a certain size, you will instead start showing up weekly. That’s a lot of visits! Make sure you have an insurance plan that covers all of them. 

Outpatient/Inpatient Services 

Without a doubt, the most important part of your health insurance is to make sure the delivery of your baby is covered. No matter how you give birth–natural, cesarean section, water birth or otherwise–this will be very costly if you are not taken care of financially. And it isn’t just the birth that will rack up the bill; room and board also comes with a price along with your meals, medication, and more. Luckily, with the right coverage plan, you won’t have to worry and can instead focus on bonding with your newborn child.  

Newborn Screening Coverage 

Many have said that time stands still when their child is born, but unfortunately, it cannot remain that way. Once they are welcomed into the world, they immediately have to undergo several tests that weren’t possible when they were in the womb. This is all to make sure that your baby is healthy and ready to go home. Screenings include testing for congenital hypothyroidism, hearing problems, phenylketonuria (PKU), and sickle cell anemia. Although these screenings, as stated before, do help ensure your baby’s health, they are not going to be free. At least not without insurance. If you are unsure about whether or not this is included in your plan, make sure you have a conversation with your agent as soon as possible.  

Newborn Baby Care 

Delivering a baby is by no means a simple task. It can take a serious toll on you both physically and emotionally. As a new parent, you will need a lot of rest to combat the unbelievable amount of exhaustion you will feel. However, having a crying newborn baby in the room may not help in this situation, regardless of how badly you want to see them. Nurses offer to take your child back to the nursery to tend to them throughout the night while you catch up on your much needed sleep. Luckily, newborn care is also covered through health insurance. 

Lactation Counseling and Breast Pump Rental 

For mothers who choose to breastfeed their baby, lactation counseling is available at the hospital to teach new mothers how to perform the task properly. Many see this as a great benefit, especially since it is one of the first of many bonding moments between mother and child. Even after the mother has left the hospital, breast pump rentals are made available to help you further and, as you may have guessed, are covered under your health insurance. 

As soon as your baby is brought into this world, you want to be sure to inform your insurance agency so that your son or daughter can be added onto your current plan. This way, they will continue to be covered throughout the rest of their life. To get started on the right insurance plan, give us a call today and let us insure all your major life moments.