Understanding Employer Options for 2015 health coverage made easy by local company

West Des Moines, Iowa -Since the launch of the Health Insurance Marketplace on October 1, 2013, employers have been met with a series of delays, lack of information as well as confusion regarding Marketplace products and Medicaid Expansion. New options exist now for employers to potentially save thousands while helping their employees get covered and avoid penalties.

Most people do not realize exactly what the penalties are and won't realize them until after the second enrollment period during tax season when it will be too late to enroll for 2015 and the penalty increases. The deadline to enroll is FEBRUARY 15, 2015. (SEE attached infographic explaining penalties)

Focus OneSource is currently working with both small and large employers to educate and better understand their options in the Health Insurance Marketplace and/or enrollment outside of the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Topics include :

·                  the range of options available with a group health plan and individual health insurance;

·                  the impact of health care reform on individual coverage;

·                  potential subsidies available to individuals and/or employers;

·                  new laws and income tax implications under health care reform;

·                  answers to any questions or concerns regarding the new statewide and

national approach to health insurance.

"With the ever-changing landscape of the health insurance industry, employers owe it to themselves and their employees to understand all the options.  The ACA employer responsibility provision takes effect starting in 2015, so it is important that employers evaluate these options to know what will best suit them and their employees," Michael Teachout, Vice President of Focus OneSource.

For more from Focus OneSource, go to focusonesource.com or call (515)369-7550.

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People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of many serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, vision loss, and amputation. But by keeping your diabetes in check ? that means maintaining good blood sugar control ? and knowing how to recognize a problem and what to do about it should one occur, you can prevent many of these serious complications of diabetes.

Heart Attack

Heart disease and stroke are the top causes of death and disability in people with diabetes. Heart attack symptoms may appear suddenly or be subtle, with only mild pain and discomfort. If you experience any of the following heart attack warning signs, call 911 immediately:

• Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest, lasting for a short time or going away and returning
• Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or lightheadedness

Stroke

If you suddenly experience any of the following stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. As with a heart attack, immediate treatment can be the difference between life and death. Stroke warning signs may include :

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body
• Feeling confused
• Difficulty walking and talking and lacking coordination
• Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason

Nerve Damage

People with diabetes are at increased risk of nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, due to uncontrolled high blood sugar. Nerve damage associated with type 2 diabetes can cause a loss of feeling in your feet, which makes you more vulnerable to injury and infection. You may get a blister or cut on your foot that you don't feel and, unless you check your feet regularly, an infection can develop. Untreated infections can result in gangrene (death of tissue) and ultimately amputation of the affected limb. A recent large study from Sweden of 2,480 patients with diabetic foot ulcers found that certain factors increased the likelihood of amputation, including being male and having had diabetes for longer than 23 years.

Diabetes can also make it more difficult for your body to fight infections, causing skin problems. Various skin conditions are linked to diabetes, and even the most minor cuts or sores can turn serious fast. Any bumps, cuts, or scrapes should be cleaned and treated with an antibiotic cream and monitored carefully.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• Inflammation and tenderness anywhere on your body
• Red, itchy rash surrounded by small blisters or scales
• Cuts, sores, or blisters on your feet that are slow to heal and are not as painful as you would expect
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your hands or feet, including your fingers and toes
• Sharp pain that gets worse at night
• Muscle weakness that makes walking difficult
• Bladder infections and problems with bladder control
• Bloating, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women

Kidney Disease

Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy, a condition in which the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged to the point that they cannot filter out waste properly. If left untreated, dialysis (a treatment to filter out waste products from the blood) and ultimately a kidney transplant may be needed.

Typically, you won't notice symptoms of kidney disease until it has advanced. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor:

• Swelling in your ankles and legs
• Leg cramps
• A need to go to the bathroom more often at night
• A reduction in your need for insulin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and paleness
• Itching

The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes-related kidney problems is to have your urine, blood, and blood pressure monitored regularly and to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control.

Eye Problems

People with type 2 diabetes are at risk of several eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy (which affects the blood vessels in the eye), glaucoma, and cataracts. If left untreated, these conditions can cause vision loss.

Call your doctor if you notice any of these warning signs:

• Blurry vision that lasts for more than two days
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Floaters, black or gray spots, cobwebs, or strings that move when you move your eyes
• A sensation of seeing "flashing lights"
• Pain or pressure in one or both eyes

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia means you have too much sugar in your blood. High blood sugar doesn't always produce symptoms; therefore, it is important to check your blood sugar regularly, as indicated by your doctor. When symptoms of hyperglycemia occur, they may include :

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst
• Feeling tired and weak
• Blurry vision
• Feeling hungry even after eating

If you frequently have high blood sugar, tell your doctor. He or she may need to make changes to your medication and suggest diet and lifestyle modifications to help you gain and maintain better blood sugar control.

The key to preventing many of the complications of diabetes is to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. To do this, eat right, exercise, monitor your blood sugar as recommended by your doctor, and don't smoke.

Report any unusual signs or symptoms to your doctor. Together you can work to prevent these diabetes-related health complications.

For more diabetes news, follow @diabetesfacts on Twitter from the editors of @EverydayHealth.

The link between chronic disease and inflammation based on a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle has been made clear by now, as outlined in an article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The article explores how humankind uncovered the tools to overcome infectious disease with germ theory, posited in the 19th Century. More than a century later, as we've encountered the wrath of chronic disease - including heart disease, cancer, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and many others - research has identified a modern-day equivalent, this time caused by inflammation.

"The best medicine to ease the massive suffering endured by so many in our population today is an active lifestyle and an anti-inflammatory diet; food should be nourishing and  pleasurable," says nutritionist and juicing pioneer Cherie Calbom, MS. ("The Juice Lady"). Her latest book, "The Juice Lady's Anti-Inflammation Diet," (www.juiceladycherie.com), outlines the causes of inflammation and offers solutions with healthy meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as robust juicing recipes.

"Whether you're on a vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, no-carb, Mediterranean, Neanderthal or any other kind of diet, there are delicious recipes available to anyone who wants to up their anti-inflammation efforts."

Calbom lists just three of her many recipes, with some ingredients that may already be found in your pantry, she says.

•  Breakfast: Spanish frittata and simple salad with maple orange vinaigrette (serves 4-6). Frittata: 12 large organic eggs; ½ cup coconut milk; ½ tsp. sea salt, or more to taste; 2 tbsp. coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil; 1 small red onion, small chop; ½ cup sautéed mushrooms or your favorite vegetable; 1 cup spinach or arugula.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk the eggs and coconut milk with 2 pinches of salt. Set aside. Prepare pan with coconut oil and medium-high heat and sauté onions until translucent, about 3 min. Add mushroom or favorite vegetable and sauté until soft. Toss in spinach and fold into veggie mixture just until wilted. Remove vegetables from pan; set aside. Turn down the heat to low, adding a little more coconut oil if needed. Using the same skillet, add the eggs, shaking to distribute the mixture evenly. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 min. using a spatula to spread the eggs from the edges to the center until the edges are no longer runny. Arrange the vegetable mixture over the top evenly.

Transfer to a 375-dgree oven and cook for 5 minutes until set and slightly browned. Remove from oven. Be very aware of the hot handle! To finish, slide partially cooked frittata onto a large plate; wearing oven mitts, place a plate over the pan and, holding the two together, invert them so the frittata drops onto the plate. Slide the frittata back into the pan so partially cooked side is up. Place back in oven to cook 3-4 min. more.

"The simple salad with maple orange vinaigrette is something I dreamed up for a 'breakfast for dinner' themed night - a nice complement to the main dish," she says.

•  Lunch: tropical quinoa salad with cashews with carrot fries (serves 4). Quinoa: 1 cup dried quinoa, rinsed well; ½ red onion, finely chopped; 1 cup apple or carrot, finely chopped; juice of 1 lime, 2 tbsp. honey or agave; 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large mango, chopped (not overly ripe); ¼ cup mint, finely chopped; 1 tsp. seal salt, to taste; freshly ground black pepper, to taste; ½-inch-piece ginger, finely chopped; 1 avocado, chopped or thinly sliced; 1 cup cashews, coarsely chopped; 3 cups Romaine lettuce (or greens of choice), roughly chopped.

Cook the quinoa: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan; add the quinoa and simmer, covered 15-20 min. Set aside and let cool (spread out for best results). In a large bowl toss the chopped red onion and apple/carrot. Whisk together the lime juice, honey and olive oil. Add to the bowl. Add the cooked, cooled quinoa and mango to the bowl and toss well. Mix in mint, cilantro, ginger and salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with sliced avocado and cashews. Scoop mixture over greens and serve chilled or at room temperature.
"Who doesn't like French fries? - Carrot fries are a healthy alternative!" Calbom says.

•  Dinner: grilled salmon and asparagus with stone fruit and lavender chutney (serves 4-6). Chutney: 2 lb. stone fruit, small dice; 1 large onion, finely chopped; zest of 1 lemon or lime; 2 tbsp. garlic, minced; ¼ tsp. chili flakes (optional); 1/3 cup red wine vinegar; ¾ cup raw honey or agave; ¾ tsp. sea salt; 2 tbsp. fresh lavender (or use basil or mint; use 1 tsp. dried lavender if you cannot find it fresh).

In a saucepan combine all prepared ingredients except the herbs. Bring to a boil. Continue cooking at a rolling boil, 15 min. Stir occasionally. Mix in fresh herbs and/or lavender at the end.

"This chutney will get you excited for salmon all over again," she says. "Of course, buy wild salmon, which is significantly healthier and environmentally friendly."

•  Snack: Cherry Chocolate Shake (serves 1). 1 Tbsp. unsweetened, unprocessed cocoa powder; ½ cup frozen dark cherries, pitted; 1 cup coconut; almond or flax milk; ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract; several drops of liquid stevia (suggest Sweet Leaf Vanilla Creme); ice cubes as desired

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.

Cherie Calbom, M.S.

Cherie Calbom holds a Master of Science degree in whole foods nutrition from Bastyr University. She is author of 26 books including The Juice Lady's Anti-Inflammation Diet, (www.juiceladycherie.com), The Juice Lady's Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies, The Juice Lady's Turbo Diet, Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing for Life, The Juice Lady's Living Foods Revolution, The Complete Cancer Cleanse, and Juicing for Life with over 2 million books sold in the US and published in 23 countries. She has worked as a celebrity nutritionist with George Foreman and Richard Simmons, and has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows and in scores of magazine articles. She appeared on QVC for over 13 years with the George Foreman grill. Known as "The Juice Lady" for her work with juicing and health, her juice therapy and cleansing programs have been popular for more than a decade.

Managing Hypertension Naturally with Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care

Moline, IL, February 5, 2015  -  According to the American Heart Association 1 out 3 or 77.9 million adults have high blood pressure, half of whom don't have it under control.  Heart disease is also the leading cause of death for both men and women.  In the Quad Cities, the prevalence of heart disease is 9.2% compared to the national average of 6.1%.

This month Healing Lotus Acupuncture & Moline Chiropractic Clinic are proudly participating in American Heart Month in order to increase awareness about the risks of heart disease, and what can be done to prevent it.  We will be giving free blood pressure readings all month, so when you have a few minutes, stop on by.

On February 10th at 6pm - 7pm inside Moline Chiropractic Clinic, Dr. Wayne Davis of Moline Chiropractic Clinic and Scott Stewart, MSAc., Dipl.Ac., LAc. of Healing Lotus Acupuncture will be giving a presentation on many of the often overlooked causes of high blood pressure, and the effectiveness of Eastern medicine and chiropractic care, along with lifestyle modifications, which can naturally lower blood pressure.  There will also be a brief synopsis on how the mechanism of acupuncture and chiropractic care can modulate the body's innate regulatory system, and thereby lower blood pressure.

To register for this event go to www.HealingLotus.co and click the registration button.  These events fill - up fast, so be sure to reserve your seat.  You can also call our office with any questions you might have, (309) 764-4753.

Scott is a licensed & board certified (NCCAOM) acupuncture specialist who believes in treating the whole person (body, mind, and spirit).  He achieves this through an integrative approach that combines Eastern & Functional medicine, both of which focus on exposing the root of disease.  His ultimate goal for patients is for them to have the ability to make healthier choices, in order to enjoy an improved quality of life.

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Contact:

Scott Stewart

4300 12th Ave

(309) 764.4753