Did you know Medicare has a rating system that evaluates health plans based on dozens of quality measures and patient experiences? Very few plans receive the top Medicare rating. Out of 563 Medicare Advantage plans for 2013, only 11 plans with prescription drug benefits earned the top five-star rating. Six of those 11 were Kaiser Permanente plans.

“We are a top plan because we focus on our patients’ health,” said Jed Weissberg, senior vice president for Hospitals, Quality and Care Delivery at Kaiser Permanente. “We help our patients to exercise, eat well, maintain a healthy weight and get regular check-ups. Walking, for example, can have remarkable therapeutic value — cutting the rate of new cases of diabetes by half or more.”

Part of staying healthy is having a health plan that covers all of your medical needs. For seniors selecting a Medicare plan, this means finding one that has the right doctor and provides the care, treatment and pharmacy benefits you need. To help Medicare-eligible beneficiaries select a high-quality plan, Kaiser Permanente offers four tips.

1. Know your health plan’s star quality rating. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services assign an overall star rating to each Medicare plan for how well it performs. The Medicare ratings range from one star (lowest rating) to five stars (highest rating). The system rates plans on preventive care, managing chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service and pharmacy care.

2. Use the Medicare ratings to find a quality plan. The highest-rated plans feature well-coordinated, patient-centered care. When seniors suffer from chronic illness or require hospitalization, high-quality plans initiate best practices and treatment to deliver excellent follow-up care.

3. Look for customer service and responsiveness to your needs. The very best health care plans give patients support systems that include making online appointments, getting lab results electronically and providing secure email to their doctors.

4. Seniors can choose 5-star excellence almost any time of year through Medicare’s Special Enrollment Period. Seniors who become eligible for Medicare as they turn 65 should enroll during the three-month period prior to and after their 65th birthday. After this initial enrollment period, they may be subject to higher premiums or late penalties if there has been a gap in their coverage. To find out the latest 2013 ratings, visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan. Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and may change from one year to the next.

NewsUSA

Everyone has a dream — it’s the one thing they would rather be doing more than anything else (and are sure they could succeed at). Yet, it’s something entirely different from what it is they do to pay the bills.

What many fail to understand, however, is that enthusiasm for a product or service may not be enough to guarantee success when starting a business.

“So often, would-be entrepreneurs believe they have that one idea that will make them a millionaire, and in fact it may be a very good idea, but what they don’t understand is that there’s so much more involved for a business to succeed,” says Heidi Ganahl, CEO of Camp Bow Wow, a dog day care franchise and boarding authority. The business saw 20 percent year-over-year growth last year in revenues across Camps (individual franchise locations), which opened pre-2011.

“Unfortunately,” Ganahl adds, “passion alone will not dictate or ensure success.”

To this end, the following do’s and don’ts may help you assess whether your idea is ready:

* Do your research and prepare. So often, failure comes from a lack of preparation. According to Ganahl’s book “Tales From the Bark Side,” every good idea must come with the right support to make it profitable, including writing a winning business proposal. Ganahl says that lending or investing individuals will only consider an investment after a thorough review of your project.

* Don’t go into business if you’re not committed. Convinced that they have a good idea, but unprepared to be completely committed, people will try to have their feet in both the corporate world and their new business venture. If you feel the inability to put your all into your new venture, cut your losses.

* Do ensure you have enough capital. Business analysts report that poor management is the main reason for business failure and that poor cash management is probably the most frequent stumbling block for entrepreneurs. Understanding the basic ideas of cash flow will help you plan for the unforeseen eventualities that face nearly every small business.

* Do consider owning a franchise. With thousands of systems operating in dozens of industries, there is no shortage of choices here for the would-be entrepreneur.

The down side? The plethora of choices can make that decision a challenge, so be clear about what you want, what you’re willing to do and how much you need to make. For more information about franchise opportunities, visitwww.campbowwow.com/franchise.

NewsUSA

Basketball and bicycling rank highest for injuries among recreational sports, causing 1.5 million accidents per year. Baseball, soccer and softball follow, each with almost half a million injuries yearly, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Whether you’re upping your own practice schedule or you’re a parent of a student athlete headed back to school, heeding a few precautions goes a long way.

Here are some tips from osteopathic physician Marcel Fraix, member of the Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (FAAPMR) and assistant professor at Western University of Health Sciences. Fraix is also a staff physician at Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in California, where he specializes in sports-related disorders.

* Start with a check-up when possible. Physical stress on a young body can be harmful when coupled with an underlying medical condition or heart problem. Likewise, get an exam before stressing the heart if you’re middle-aged and mostly sedentary.

Pre-conditioning programs for specific sports help. Injuries usually occur at the beginning of the season, when you are most likely to be out of shape. Building hamstrings and inner quadriceps muscles helps prevent knee injuries.

* Diligently use the proper safety equipment, e.g., mouth guards, safety goggles, helmets and elbow and knee pads. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen SPF 15 or higher.

* Stay adequately hydrated with water or a water-electrolyte drink. Replacing fluid lost from sweating is essential to maximize athletic performance and prevent heat exhaustion, especially during warm weather.

* Treat injuries on the spot. Keep a first aid kit ready for cuts and scrapes, allergic reactions, insect bites and eye irritations. Most importantly, be prepared to treat muscle pain at the first sign before it sidelines you. There are safe, natural and unscented pain relievers available.

Look for a homeopathic medicine like Arnicare Gel (www.Arnicare.com), which works with the body instead of just masking pain. Try it on legs stiff from running or cycling, or on shoulders aching from too many tennis racket swings. It also helps with pain from strained ligaments or bumps and bruises from hard-fought basketball games.

* Limit practice and playing time. Nearly half of all injuries suffered by children are results of overdoing it. Consider allowing a child to take three months off per year and limiting practice to 12 hours per week for one sport, and 20 hours for multiple sports.

NewsUSA

Women ages 30 and older are growing increasingly aware of new wrinkles with each passing year. Yet, evidence suggests that sun spots may have as much of an impact on age-related appearance as wrinkles.

Nearly 63 percent of women older than age 35 experience age or sun spots, discolorations and uneven skin tone. The dark side? The problem reflects your apparent age.

“Getting a clear, even skin tone without discoloration is just as important as wrinkle-fighting to achieving a rejuvenated, youthful appearance,” says Dr. Ellen Marmur, prominent New York City dermatologist and author of “Simple Skin Beauty.” “To some patients, it’s even more important.”

Dermatologists like Marmur call it hyperpigmentation, but its various types are commonly known as age spots, sun spots, liver spots, freckles and melasma, brown patches of skin triggered by a hormone imbalance. Age spots, sun spots and liver spots are all the same ailment — pouches of melanin where the skin pigment has overproduced and dumped uneven amounts, the majority of which are a result of sun damage.

According to Marmur, the two most used topical treatments for discoloration are hydroquinone and retinoids, which both may have irritating side effects and require a prescription. However, a new alternative, StriVectin-EV Get Even Brightening Serum, is an over-the-counter solution that’s clinically proven to work quickly without the same risky side effects.

“StriVectin-EV Get Even products, both the serum and new Get Even Spot Repair, combine natural ingredients like willow bark, vitamin C and licorice with our unique, patented form of niacin for the most even supply of pigment, skin repair and anti-aging effects,” explains chief scientist and professor of Medicinal Chemistry Myron Jacobson. “Studies reveal 85 percent of women see reduced sun spots and more even skin color after eight weeks of use.”

But to treat the long-term problem, sufferers of dark spots should also heed the following sun advice:

* Wear sunscreen year-round with an SPF of 30.

* For prolonged sun exposure, get a wide-brimmed hat to wear outdoors.

* Neutralize stubborn spots with peach-toned concealer while using StriVectin-EV Get Even products to slow down melanin production.

* Beware of products that bleach skin, as this can cause white spots, another form of discoloration.

StriVectin is available at select Macy’s stores nationwide and www.strivectin.com. Get information at www.strivectin.com/promo/get_even.

NewsUSA

You know we’ve become a nation that insists on being “connected” at all times when even your grandmother is texting. Phones … email … the Internet. We want it all, and we want it now.

But with consumers jittery about spending on anything but the basics, the question naturally arises: Do you really need a landline phone if you also own a cellphone?

Here are four reasons against pulling the plug:

* Better 9-1-1 location tracking. Dispatch centers can find the exact address where landline calls originated. However, with wireless phones, emergency responders can only pinpoint an approximate latitude and longitude of wireless phones — not exactly comforting if, say, you’re having a heart attack in an apartment building. “Even if we nail your [cellphone] location, we don’t know what floor you are on,” says Steve Marzolf, president of the National Association of State 911 Administrators in a recent MSNBC.com (now NBCNews.com) article.

* Higher reliability. “Frustrating” may be the nicest word to describe the feeling of having an important cellphone call dropped, mid-sentence, due to a poor wireless signal.

* No need to constantly recharge. In what may be the strangest example of the perils of forgetting to recharge a mobile phone, the Washington Post recently reported that police in Silver Spring, Md., tracked down a serial burglar after he left his cell phone plugged in at the scene of his last crime. His own home, it turned out, had lost power in a storm. (See “Higher reliability.”)

* Sweetheart deals. The cost of maintaining a landline is actually plummeting in places where cable companies are offering great deals on phone, TV and Internet.

In fact, price may be spurring many to rethink cutting the cord. But thanks to the convergence of landlines and cellphones, consumers don’t have to answer the “either-or” question. For example, the new VTech DS6521-2 phone with “Connect to Cell” technology is the answer for anyone who wants the best of both worlds (www.vtechphones.com).

You can make and receive both cell and landline calls on this stylish, two-handset cordless phone system. Its one-button pairing feature makes set-up easy.

For those cell phone users who opted for frugality and are now suffering from “Cord Cutters Remorse Syndrome,” you’re in luck. You don’t even need a landline to use it, and outbound calls can be made using cellular minutes while at home — even if your cellular phone is charging.

So, if you’re someone who is entertaining the idea of going solely mobile, just remember that it may not be time to cut the landline cord just yet.

NewsUSA

Most of us have gotten the message that exposing our skin to UV rays without any protection is about as smart as handing a signed blank check to a stranger. But it’s only recently that health experts have seriously begun warning about an equally dangerous threat those rays pose to another part of our bodies: our eyes.

Think about it: The eyes are the only internal body tissues directly exposed to UV. Three hundred and sixty five days a year — no matter how “cloudy” it appears outside — radiation (mainly) from the sun is beaming down on our vulnerable windows to the world.

“The rods and cones of the eye are rich in light-absorbing pigmented molecules called chromophores, making it particularly susceptible to photochemical reactions,” says Dr. Howard Purcell, O.D., F.A.A.O., former chairman of the Cornea and Contact Lenses Department at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Optometry, noting that even the light produced by indoor fluorescent light bulbs relies on the release of UV radiation. “Over time, damage from UV radiation is cumulative and often irreversible.”

Among the potential effects of long-term exposure:

Cataracts. This progressive clouding of the eye’s lens is the primary cause of blindness worldwide, and recent studies have shown that UV accelerates the deterioration that leads to this age-related condition. Cataract affects more than 22 million people age 40 and older in the U.S. alone.

Eyelid Cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 5-10 percent of all skin cancers are found on the eyelids.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Damage to the blood vessels and corresponding nerves in the retina blurs fine detail and dulls colors.

Alarmed that 94 percent of the population remains unaware of the adverse effect UV radiation has on their eyes, an expert panel recommended the adoption of the eye-care equivalent of the successful systems used to rate skincare and sunscreen products. That’s now being done — in the form of the first-ever “Eye-Sun Protection Factor” (E-SPF) — by Essilor, the nation’s leading manufacturer of optical lenses (www.ESPF.com).

“This means consumers will be able to better evaluate the complete level of eye protection provided by their eyewear,” says Purcell.

E-SPF values vary from a low of two to a maximum of 25 for everyday lenses, with Essilor’s own Crizal No-Glare lenses being the first to attain the most complete daily protection level. For tinted and polarized sun lenses, the same company’s Crizal SunShield UV No-Glare lenses provide the maximum protection level with an E-SPF of 50+.

And, yes, that does translate into 50 times more protection than without wearing any lens.

NewsUSA

By: Jack Russell

With the rising energy costs there has been an increase in interest for energy saving appliances.
Efficent “tankless” water heaters have become very popular for their capability to heat hot water on demand, with no storage tank required.
Instead of holding water in a traditional water tank, they circulate the cold water through a series of electrically heated coils that warm the water as it moves pass this heat source.
This newer process of warming water requires more expensive equipment than the conventional water heater, but this money is regained in the long term with energy efficiency savings.
The energy savings is mainly gained from no longer needing to heat an entire tank of water.

Since the tankless water heaters do not store hot water but rather constantly heat water as it is demanded, they do not run out of hot water.
There is one exception, to this “endless” supply of heated water.
The flow rate is limited.
In other words if you simultaneously use more water than the flow of the water heater (i.e. 3 people showering at one time) you will receive unheated water.

Since conventional water heater stores the water together in a large tank it is able to provide water at a set temperature.
Tankless water heaters differ in this aspect since they are dependent upon the incoming water temperature and the flow rate.
The incoming water temperature can vary greatly from summer to winter.
The capacity of a tankless water heater is generally measured by how many temperature degrees it can increase water temperature by gallons per minute (gpm).
Most tankless water heaters are powered by gas to better handle the heat output and response time required.
These gas powered water heaters require proper venting, normally more venting than the older, conventional water heaters required.
If you are replacing a conventional electric water heater tank, you may want to add a power vent in the side of the wall. This would be the less costly alternative if there is no existing roof vent.
Some of the smaller and more portable single-fixture units are powered electrically.

Author Bio
Jack Russell is a retired construction worker who spends his free time as a freelance writer for sites like www.foremansfinder.com – an industrial resource site.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com – Free Website Content

Pet parenting can be as crazy as it is fun, especially around the holidays. Add the stress of hosting family and friends, and many pet parents end up ignoring Fido or Fluffy in favor of cooking a feast or wrapping last-minute gifts. So, how do you find balance between preparing for the holidays and tending to your pet?

Rose Hamilton — Chief Marketing Officer at Pet360.com, the ultimate pet-parenting destination — offers the following tips to keep your pet top of mind during the holiday season.

* Keep Plants and Goodies Out of Reach: Many traditional holiday plants, like poinsettias and mistletoe, can be harmful to your pet’s health, so be sure to keep these out of reach. Also, refrain from sharing specific holiday treats with your tail-wagger, particularly fruitcake and sugar-free goods, which contain dog-toxic ingredients.

* Decorate Wisely: Holiday decor can be dangerous for pets, so it’s important to take certain precautions when decorating. Place fresh trees in discreet corners, and keep lights, ornaments and tinsel off the lower branches. Deter your pet from electrical cords by spraying the cords with lemon peel or bitter orange tea.

* Mind Your Pet’s Manners: Heightened activity at home can affect your pet’s behavior, so it’s important to prepare. Hosting small gatherings prior to the holiday can help reinforce good manners. If you know your pet won’t hold back his excitement, set aside a safe room with a bed, water, toys and some treats where he can stay during your event.

* Get the Right Travel Gear: Crates are useful for all forms of travel, but if flying, be certain to use an airline-approved shipping crate. Take all health records with you, and ensure that your pet is wearing a collar and tag with appropriate contact information.

* Give Back with Gifts: While toys and treats are always welcomed by our furry relatives, consider a comfortable bed or deluxe grooming session to pamper your pet instead. Older pets may especially benefit from a therapeutic bed or massage.

For more tips on pet parenting around the holidays, visit www.Pet360.com.

NewsUSA

Decorating can be one of the most exciting times during your experience as a homeowner. Not only are you creating the essence of your home, you are also adding your very own personal touch and style.

One of the easiest ways to add unique spice to an ordinarily drab room — incorporate exceptional artwork.

“Many of my clients are simply amazed at how effective a colorful painting can be at bringing new life to a room that has become tired,” says Matthew Johnston, an artist known for his vibrant Tall Tulips paintings (talltulips.com).

However, as easy as it sounds, purchasing and hanging a painting on the center of the wall isn’t going to cut it in most cases. Johnston offers his advice to ensure your next painting purchases work with your room rather than against it:

Large High-Traffic Rooms

For family rooms, living rooms and rooms off the kitchen, Johnston recommends figurative diptych paintings to create a story within each area. Diptych paintings consist of two separate panels that hang together and work as one.

“In my figurative diptych paintings, each figure has their own physical space, yet they are a couple,” says Johnston. “Their face is cropped, and viewers can imagine themselves as being in the painting. The viewer has to look to other parts of the painting to imagine a story … each individual person can create a different story for the painting.”

Awkward Wall Spaces

For stairways, long hallways and between windows, Johnston recommends using a tall, narrow painting, like his Tall Tulips.

“They are perfect for hanging up a staircase,” says Johnston. “You can hang the Tall Tulips at different heights following the risers up the stairs; a great look for a difficult space.”

This style of painting also works well because they are bright and don’t require ideal lighting.

Focal Wall Areas

Spaces like the area over a fireplace will get a lot of attention from passersby. Hanging your prized piece is the perfect step for these spots.

“Many of my clients choose my large floral paintings,” says Johnston. “Oftentimes, they will hang these on a wall which faces the front door … to make an impression when first walking in the home.”

To learn more about Matthew Johnston and his work, visit www.talltulips.com.

NewsUSA

More Awesome Art

We are on the brink of giving the world its largest ocean reserve.

The national marine reserve network covers 40 per cent of our oceans, including the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea.But the reserves leave significant areas and ocean life vulnerable.

Now is the time to ask our environment minister to extend the protection for the creatures living in our majestic, biologically diverse oceans.

Sharks, tuna and wrasse can’t ask for protection, but you can:

http://www.protectourcoralsea.org.au/act-now/sign

This Article was found on The Australian Conservation Foundation web site.
Fish can’t type but you can.
We only have one planet and now is the time to take action.