Small Changes to make for Heart Health

In this blog, we want to cover some changes that you can implement to help with your heart health. Our previous blog covered just how much heart disease affects Americans and also how deadly it is. Almost half of Americans today are at risk for heart disease, and many participate in a lifestyle that puts them at higher risk such as poor diet, no or little physical activity, smoking, excessive alcohol use, and obesity.

So here are some excellent tips if you want to help lower your risk of heart disease

Eat a balanced diet with lots of colors

A balanced diet consists of lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Two diets that are highly recommended are the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet. Both are noted to be a more balanced approach to dieting allowing people to stick with their plan and not crash and burn when they start to crave foods that are not allowed. If you don’t want to follow anything as formal as these diets, a helpful approach is to watch your portion size. Try using a small plate, that will immediately help cut your portions. And you will want to make sure that you are eating a lot of colors. More colors are in fruits and vegetables which are excellent for heart health.

Stop smoking

Smoking introduces deadly chemicals into your body. It also can build up plaque and harden your arteries which can ultimately lead to a heart attack. The good news is that as soon you do quit smoking the effects are immediate and your risk for heart disease begins to lower quickly.

Get up and move!

As with all healthy lifestyles, we recommend some moderate activity. Exercise allows you to keep your weight down which in turn reduces your chance of cardiovascular disease. We suggest something that will get your heart pumping for about 30 minutes each day.

See your doctor

Your doctor can give you the best information and recommendations about your heart’s health. Let them know that you are looking to make this a priority and they can walk you through what needs to change in your life or what additions will make all the difference.

Your heart health is important. Call us to schedule a meeting if you don’t have health coverage and are interested in seeing what your options are. Or request a quote online.

February 1, 2018January 27, 2020

American Heart Month

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month! Your heart is one of the most important organs you have because it keeps everything else working properly. Not taking care of your heart can lead to some serious health risks. Here are some statistics taken fromÂ heart.org* on where our country stands on taking care of their hearts.

220.8 per 100,000:Â The overall rate of death attributable to Cardiovascular Disease, based on 2014 data.

On average, someone died of Cardiovascular Disease every 40 seconds.Â That is about 2,200 deaths of CVD each day.

More than 65% of US adults have 2, 3, or 4 criteria at ideal cardiovascular health, with â‰ˆ20% adults within each of these categories. At any age, females tend to have more metrics at ideal levels than do males. Blacks and Hispanics tend to have fewer metrics at ideal levels than whites or other races.

85.7 million, or 34.0% of US adults are estimated to have hypertension, based on 2011-2014 data.

28.5 million, or 11.9% of US adults are estimated to have total serum cholesterol levels â‰¥240 mg/dL, based on 2011-2014 data.

1 in 6 males and 1 in 7 females in the United States are current smokers, based on 2015 data.

On average, 1 in 3 adults, or 30.4% Do not engage in leisure time physical activity. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic black adults were more likely to be inactive.

image source:Â www.cdc.gov

After seeing these facts, it may be easier to understand precisely why there is a whole month set aside to put a spotlight on heart health. Heath Disease is still one of the leading causes of death for men and women in the United States. Thatâ€™s why we want to do whatever we can to help get the word out about taking care of your heart. In our next blog, you will find some critical steps that you and your loved ones can do to keep yourselves from being a high risk for heart disease.

*http://newsroom.heart.org/events/february-is-american-heart-month-5712350

January 16, 2018January 25, 2018

Good Questions To Ask Yourself During Open Enrollment

Good Questions To Ask Yourself During Open Enrollment

Looking at what health insurance you need can be an overwhelming process. Sometimes you only look at one aspect, like the monthly cost, and find yourself with huge out of pocket bills to pay later. If you are looking to enroll or re-enroll in Covered California this month, these are some good questions for you to ask yourself.

Do you like your current plan?

Over the last year have there been any situations that you did not expect to happen with your level of insurance? Or did you have any unexpected bills? Were you happy with your doctor and the care of service provided to you and your family? It’s good to look and see if there were any pain points over the last year. If you know what you didn’t like, you can see if there are any easy ways to fix that for the coming year.

Are you planning on having any significant changes this year?

Are you expecting to have a child? Or are you getting married? Both of these are substantial life changes that you can consider in your health insurance. However, it is important to note that these are also considered life altering events that can put you in a special enrollment period where you can change your health insurance to better match your current needs.

Are you on any current prescriptions?

If you are on a prescription medicine it will be important to know if your new provider covers these prescriptions or if your current provider is looking to change their policies.

How much do you want to pay?

Looking at your budget is crucial. And this is not just looking at your monthly premiums. This question needs to entail what you will pay out of pocket. What does it cost to see your doctor, to get prescription drugs, to go to the emergency room? You should also know what your premiums cover.

If you need help answering any of these questions, please feel free to call us at Bernardini & Donovan.

January 10, 2018January 12, 2018

Open Enrollment 2018

Open Enrollment 2018

It’s 2018! We’ve made it past the holiday craziness and now find ourselves on the other side. The whole new year stretches out in front of us, open to any number of possibilities. We can have all the best intentions of what this year will hold for us. Which is such a lovely sentiment. And then reality hits. Bills need to be paid, stuff needs to get done, and life continues.

For us, reality hits when we realize all the things that we have put off to get through the holidays with some form of sanity.

As much as we cleaned before the holiday season, the house is in shambles again and needs a good cleaning. The laundry has been relegated to the back of the closet, and somehow we are all out of food. But there could be more significant things on your to-do list. Such as health insurance. Luckily for us in California, we have until the end of the month to still sign up if you are one of the many that may have put off this task. You have until January 31st to sign up and get coverage for 2018. There may be more incentive to sign up because even though the individual mandate has been taken away through our new tax bill, that doesn’t come into effect until 2019. As of right now, you still need to have health insurance in 2018, or you may need to pay a fine on your taxes. Of course, there may be more information coming in the following months, but for now, it is smart to ensure that you have health insurance and also avoid a fine.

If you need help signing up, have questions about Covered California or want to see all of your different options thoroughly explained as well as their various costs, we would love to help you. At Bernardini & Donovan, we are health insurance experts and can help you in ways that you are not going to find anywhere else.

January 2, 2018January 11, 2018

Dental Care

One of the things that people tend to overlook is their dental health. For some, they may have dental insurance, but they just don’t like going to the dentist. But more often, the people that overlook their dental health are those that don’t have dental insurance. Here are a few ways that you can help yourself if you find yourself in that situation:

Take care of your teeth!

It is essential to make sure that you are taking care of your oral hygiene. You will want to make sure that you are brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste. After brushing make sure you rinse thoroughly. Another critical element is flossing daily. For some dentists, they will say that this is even more important than brushing! Of course, you should always brush your teeth, but flossing is vital. Avoid overly sugary foods and beverages. Soda is not a friend to your teeth. Water is still the best beverage for your teeth and your general health.

Find a Dentist who can work with you

There are dentists available who would be willing to do a payment plan for specific procedures. You can also look at discounted dentistry schools or events when dentists are donating their time and services.

Don’t rule out dental insurance

Most people assume that they cannot afford dental insurance if it is not being provided for them. But there are some very affordable options available to you. There are DHMO’s that allow you to pay an annual fee for regular check-ups and give you a lower price for other services. There are also Dental Savings Plans where you pay a yearly fee and can get up to 50% off of dental services at many dentist offices.

If you are in need of dental insurance we are here to help you find the best possible coverage for the price that works for you and your family.

December 27, 2017December 21, 2017

New Year, New You

‘Tis the season of the new year’s resolution! Many people will start the new year with plans of how to improve their life. Here are a few resolutions that we would like to recommend:

Intentionality

One of our most significant assets in life is our time. Everyone is given the same amount of it every day. But what matters is what you do with that time. At the end of every year, it is easy to reflect back and realize that much of your time was spent doing things that don’t matter. Instead, we suggest doing this reflection much earlier. At the end of each day, at lunchtime, as you wake up, reflect over your last few hours. Think about what was important, what added something to your life and goals, and what detracted. What made you a better person and what was a waste of time. What can you do differently in your next few hours so that your precious time is used wisely?

Be your best you

For some of you, this may sound like “I want to drop 20 pounds” or the even more ambiguous I want to lose weight. Some will add the more positive spin saying “I want to eat healthier” or “Workout more.” While these are excellent goals, we want to point out that health looks different on every person. We all have our unique chemistry and genetic health history that causes us to need different markers for health. One of the best things you can do is go to your doctor and speak about what you would like. They can help you formulate different diets, exercise plans and offer you various options that are better for you than what your friend Sally did that worked for her. If you need help getting in to see a doctor, that’s where we can help. Its open enrollment right now and we can help you find an insurance plan that will let you see the doctors you want for a price that works for you. We hope that your New Year’s is terrific and that 2018 brings in the opportunities to be your best you.

December 19, 2017

Healthy Christmas

Christmas is around the corner and what an exciting season it is! Everywhere you go you see lights and decor and the children are getting more and more thrilled about how soon Santa is coming. We want you to have the happiest and healthiest Christmas you can. So here are a few options on how to have a healthy Christmas:

Keep your immune system strong

One of the best ways to ensure that you are not sniffling and coughing during Christmas is in the weeks before Christmas be taking care of yourself. Make sure that you are eating healthily and exercising before the big day. You will also want to wash your hands often and if at all possible, avoid others who are sick.

Talk a Walk

It’s easy around this time to want to plop yourself down on a couch and enjoy the massive amounts of holiday specials and movies. We all have our favorites ones that bring back sweet memories. But days of sitting while eating fatty foods can add to your waistline pretty quickly. Instead, take a family walk especially after a large meal which helps in digestion. If the kids got new bikes or scooters, take them out for a test drive. Create family experiences that are not around a television, and you will help yourself in the long run with health and many good memories.

Practice Portion Control

Tis the season for sumptuous foods! We all have our favorite holiday treats; maybe yours is that dessert that you only get this time of year or perhaps it’s Grandma’s special recipe that no one can recreate. But in this season of excess, have a little portion control can seriously help you. Try eating from a small plate if you don’t think you can stop yourself from filling up a full plate. Also, be mindful of all the little snacks that you pick up throughout the day. Being mindful of what you are putting in your mouth lets you make smarter choices during this time of year. Try to not eat in front of the television. You tend not to realize that you are full until it’s too late when your mind is on the plot line and not on your waistline.

Also, if you would like some ideas on some healthier recipes to serve or share at Christmas time check out this list: http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g4738/healthy-christmas-recipes/

December 4, 2017

Open Enrollment Is Up and Running

Open enrollment for Covered California is up and running.

It’s had an emphatic beginning. In its few two weeks, there were over 48,000 sign-ups. That up to 9,000 then this time last year. Part of this increase could be from the significant amount of money that is being spent on advertising for Covered California. The marketing budget is said to be around $45 million. All of the money is being poured into TV commercial spots and radio advertisements. There has also been about $100,000 spent on murals being painted across the state, many of which do not have anything to do with health insurance coverage.

This comes in stark contrast to the federal budget for health care.

Last year the budget for healthcare.gov was 100 million dollars, this year they have $10 million. The Trump administration has made it very clear that they want to get rid of Obamacare and even though their attempts on Capitol Hill have not yet led to any changes, they have slashed the advertising budget. California is one of 11 states that runs its health insurance exchange.

However, not everyone is a fan of how California is spending their massive budget.

“It’s a waste of taxpayer money,” said Sally Pipes, the president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute in San Francisco; “All of this money being used on murals and bus tours and TV ads, etc., it’s not going to change the number of enrollees that much. It would be better to save money and reduce taxes so that people have a lower tax burden.” Admittedly, we would not mind seeing these funds go to help with premiums. However, that does not seem to be the course at this time.

If you are looking for a health insurance plan that provides the care you require at a price that will not overwhelm you, please speak to us at Bernardini & Donovan. We would love to help you find the plan that will fit all your needs. We are experts in health care and can help you.

November 29, 2017

Covered California Confusion

Covered California Confusion

In the past year, we have had a lot going on with our healthcare laws.

When President Trump took office, that was one of the first issues that came to the forefront. From that point on we saw new health care bills being written, each one being scrutinized, debated, and ultimately dismissed. At this point, if any average American was asked what is going on with healthcare, I believe that the majority of them will respond with “I don’t know.”

The greatest takeaway that we have received from this healthcare upheaval is more confusion.

And that is unfortunate. Many Americans are unclear if it is worth it for them to sign up for healthcare. Especially with the news that subsidies are being cut and therefore premiums are going to skyrocket. This is what we can say. You will not know your premium until you look into it. Many times we make decisions based on what could be instead of what is happening. And that is the very reason why Bernardini & Donovan exists. We want to help each person look and find the best possible health insurance for them, their families and their business families. We don’t base our numbers off of guess-timastes. But instead, we spend time researching and looking for the best programs that fit not your only needs, but your budget as well.

Our health care in America is in an interesting spot. And we truly believe that come 2019 we will see some additional changes. But for this next year, we do need to move forward and do the best with that we currently have. If you are looking for healthcare here is what you need to know:

In the state of California, open enrollment goes until January 31, 2018

If you desire your coverage to start on Jan 1, you need to sign up before December 15th

Many people will wait until the last minute to sign up. Stay ahead of the curve and sign up before the holidays.

November 24, 2017November 27, 2017

Why You Should Be Active In The Fall And Winter

Why You Should Be Active In The Fall And Winter

Sometimes when Fall and Winter come, we tend to start to behave as though we are bears. No, not in that way. But some of us will want to pack on the layers and get ready for winter hibernation aka nesting under the covers. And trust us, we get the appeal. However, that mindset can hurt your health in the long run. Here are some reasons why you should be active during the fall and winter:

It helps your mood.

Getting a bit of sunlight gives you vitamin D which is just one way that you can help fight off seasonal affectedness depression or SAD. If you don’t know about SAD, you can read about it one of our previous blogs here. Also, when you work out, you’re releasing endorphins which also help raise your mood. There’s something to be said about feeling accomplished after a good workout.

Stay healthier

This is the season for colds. We almost seem to expect that sooner rather than later we will wake up with a scratchy throat and a few sniffles to boot. However, if you are working out regularly, you are helping your immune system be able to fight off colds better.

You know you’re gonna eat

Tis the season to be jolly, merry and maybe just a little bit gluttonous. It seems that everyone is at home baking and bringing in the fruits of the labor in the form of cookies, pies, cakes, and any other sweet treat. It’s hard not to indulge every once in awhile. But with these desserts, you are also celebrating big holidays that call for feasts. A workout can help offset any damage that these indulgences could have on you.

Get some good air

When you spend the majority of your hours indoors, you are breathing mostly recycled air that travels through air vents and other contraptions. Going outdoors and getting a bit of exercise can help your lungs to detox as well as breath fully without fear of picking up anyone else lingering germs and illness.

Blog

Small Changes to make for Heart Health

Small Changes to make for Heart Health

American Heart Month

image source:Â www.cdc.gov

Good Questions To Ask Yourself During Open Enrollment