Posted on Thursday, November 12, 2015

Should I Get a Flu Shot?

It’s flu season and for anyone who has experienced an unfortunate bout of the virus, you’ll know its something to be avoided. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), on average between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu every year, causing thousands of hospitalizations and deaths. Additionally, flu seasons have a serious impact on the economy with $10.4 billion in medical expenses and $16.3 billion in lost earnings.

Fortunately, the fall flu season has been relatively mild, but the CDC still recommends everyone over 6 months of age get a vaccination. Here are some things you should know about the flu shot:

What is a flu shot?

A flu shot is a vaccine that features several weakened strains of the seasonal virus and help your immune system fight against viral infection. It can also reduce the severity of the virus if you do contract the flu.

What are the benefits of a flu shot?

There are many benefits to the flu vaccine. In addition to protecting you from illness, you’ll also reduce the chances of passing along the virus to other people. If you do get sick, the vaccine will also likely reduce the symptoms.

When should I get a flu shot?

Flu outbreaks generally occur between October and May and peak between December and February. The CDC recommends that people receive a flu vaccine by October. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become effective in adults. Children ages 6 months to 8 years need two vaccinations given at least four weeks apart.

Are there any risks to getting a flu shot?

While the benefits are great, there are a few risks. According to The New York Times, people typically develop a sore arm for a few days after receiving a vaccination and in some cases a low-grade fever. Flu shots are also developed using eggs and can cause allergic reactions in small portions of the population. In very rare cases some people develop a nerve disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Patients with weakened immune systems, such as those who are pregnant, children under the age of 2, cancer patients, the elderly, and those with asthma should avoid the nasal spray called FluMist.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from year to year. The shot is developed based on research estimates of which strains will be most prevalent in a particular season and it’s not an exact science. According to the CDC, there are two factors that determine how effective a vaccine will be: 1) The recipient’s health and age, and 2) how well vaccines match the particular flu strains in a season.

Where do I get the flu vaccine?

Visit Flu.gov to find places near you where the flu vaccine is administered.

Of course, you should always check with your doctor to make sure the flu shot is right with you.

Want to know more about things you can do before you get sick? Check out my book Easy Healthcare: Before You Get Sick.

Empower yourself with the knowledge to Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015

Ask Me Your Holiday Health Questions

If you’ve set foot in a store lately, you probably noticed that the holiday season is upon us. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month and continue right on through to all of the December celebrations, you may be anticipating a lot of visits with family and friends.

Whether you realize it or not, healthcare is likely to be on your mind. Perhaps your biggest concern is how you can avoid getting sick at this busy time of year. Maybe you are wondering if it is the right time to discuss family health concerns.

So I want to know: What are your health questions this season? What are you concerned about? What are you preparing for? Let me know by leaving a comment on this post, sending a message on Facebook or Twitter, or send me an email.

On Wednesday I will be answering your holiday health questions in my webinar 7 Strategies to Keep Your Family Healthy this Holiday, so send them in and let’s make sure you have a healthy, happy holiday season.

If you haven’t already done signed up for the webinar, you can register here.

Posted on Thursday, November 5, 2015

Understanding Health Insurance Costs

With the launch of Obamacare in late 2014, everyone is required to have health insurance whether through Obamacare or another provider. The enrollment period for most health plans begins in November. If you are planning to enroll or renew your health insurance, you may be wondering how much it will cost.

Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer, but there are a few things you may want to know as you price plans.

1. Costs vary.
Why? Because costs are determined by your current health, age and income. Young and healthy individuals will pay less than those who are middle aged or older and have some health issues.

2. What should you look for?
Consider premium vs. out-of-pocket costs. It is important to look not only at the cost of the monthly insurance premiums but also the overall costs of care. A $250 per month premium may seem expensive—that’s $3,000 per year! However, if you get sick or break a bone, your out-of-pocket costs for not having insurance could exceed the $3,000 cost with a single hospital visit.

3. What can you do?
Compare prices. One of the good things that came from Obamacare is the ability to compare the costs of health insurance plans. Prior to this change, it was tough to decipher exactly what insurance plans cost and what was included. Now, all plans must include the same basic services and the prices for the various plans are listed on the health exchange, which makes comparing them much easier.

Health insurance costs have become a lot clearer in the past year. Consider your family’s needs, then compare plans, and remember: the monthly fee may make you grumble, it could also save you money down the road if a health issue creeps up on you.

To help you prepare for health insurance enrollment, check out MyHealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Book Set Two which includes three of my ebooks: What You Need First, Choose Your Health Insurance, and Obamacare.

Empower yourself with the knowledge to Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!