Becoming disabled and not being able to work and earn a living is one of the greatest financial risks people face. Many are not aware that:
• Disability causes nearly 50 percent of all mortgage foreclosures. That’s alarming, especially when you consider that 110 million Americans do not have long-term income protection.
• Three in 10 workers entering the work force today will become disabled before retiring.3
That’s why the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) is dedicating the month of May to educating the public on the benefits of having disability insurance. This month [name of employer] is working with Principal Life Insurance Company to make our employees aware of their disability insurance options and review their income protection needs.
Disability insurance protects your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Now’s a great time to learn about the coverage you have, get more information about the need for disability insurance and make sure you have the right protection.
• To learn more about income protection, go to Principal Life’s From Here to SecuritySM website (www.principal.com/disabilitysecure). You can use an interactive calculator to help determine how much disability coverage you may need.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Swine Flu information
I just read this on my Vistage site:
The recent outbreak of swine flu has many business owners concerned for their employees’ health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released detailed information on swine flu and says the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of the common influenza virus. The good news is that most people who become infected with swine flu will recover without hospitalization or long-term complications.
Symptoms
The most common swine flu symptoms include:
Cough
Congestion
Nasal Congestion
Body aches
Joint Pains
Fever
Chills
Sore throat
Headache
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Decreased energy
Those who are immune-compromised, older or pregnant may be at higher risk of complications or serious respiratory illness.
Transmission
This strain of swine flu is believed to be transmitted, like other human viral flus, by casual contact or through the air by sneezes or coughs. Touching or eating pork products will not transmit this flu.
According to the CDC infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you’re sick, as well as while you are sick.
Prevention
Here are actions people can take to help prevent getting or spreading the flu virus:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
What to do if you suspect you have swine flu
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your physician. Your doctor will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
Treatment
Currently, we are at the tail end of our normal flu season, and most people with flu symptoms simply have a viral infection and not the swine flu. Maintaining adequate hydration is highly important if you contract any viral illness.
If you contract the swine flu, there are two flu medications which can be helpful. The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine flu viruses. The CDC says that the antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine will not work against swine flu.
Young people under the age of 18 with fever or flu symptoms should not be given Aspirin or aspirin-containing products (such as bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
Travel
Susan Locke, M.D., Medical Director of Vistage Healthnetwork, discourages any nonessential travel to Mexico at this time. “If someone needs to go for business,” she said, “I would recommend seeing his/her physician prior to leaving and to get a prescription filled for either Tamiflu® or Relenza, both of which are effective against swine flu. These should be started at the onset of any flu-like symptoms.”
For those who have recently traveled to Mexico and have any flu-like symptoms, Susan recommends they go to their physician immediately and get tested for swine flu.
Swine Flu Vaccine
Currently, no vaccine is available to help prevent the swine flu. For those who received the flu vaccine this year, it does not offer protection against the swine flu.
The recent outbreak of swine flu has many business owners concerned for their employees’ health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released detailed information on swine flu and says the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of the common influenza virus. The good news is that most people who become infected with swine flu will recover without hospitalization or long-term complications.
Symptoms
The most common swine flu symptoms include:
Cough
Congestion
Nasal Congestion
Body aches
Joint Pains
Fever
Chills
Sore throat
Headache
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Decreased energy
Those who are immune-compromised, older or pregnant may be at higher risk of complications or serious respiratory illness.
Transmission
This strain of swine flu is believed to be transmitted, like other human viral flus, by casual contact or through the air by sneezes or coughs. Touching or eating pork products will not transmit this flu.
According to the CDC infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you’re sick, as well as while you are sick.
Prevention
Here are actions people can take to help prevent getting or spreading the flu virus:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
What to do if you suspect you have swine flu
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your physician. Your doctor will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
Treatment
Currently, we are at the tail end of our normal flu season, and most people with flu symptoms simply have a viral infection and not the swine flu. Maintaining adequate hydration is highly important if you contract any viral illness.
If you contract the swine flu, there are two flu medications which can be helpful. The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine flu viruses. The CDC says that the antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine will not work against swine flu.
Young people under the age of 18 with fever or flu symptoms should not be given Aspirin or aspirin-containing products (such as bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
Travel
Susan Locke, M.D., Medical Director of Vistage Healthnetwork, discourages any nonessential travel to Mexico at this time. “If someone needs to go for business,” she said, “I would recommend seeing his/her physician prior to leaving and to get a prescription filled for either Tamiflu® or Relenza, both of which are effective against swine flu. These should be started at the onset of any flu-like symptoms.”
For those who have recently traveled to Mexico and have any flu-like symptoms, Susan recommends they go to their physician immediately and get tested for swine flu.
Swine Flu Vaccine
Currently, no vaccine is available to help prevent the swine flu. For those who received the flu vaccine this year, it does not offer protection against the swine flu.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
What price nationalized healthcare?
I've been thinking a lot about the push towards nationalized healthcare. It's a scary thought. I'm not saying that as a benefit advisor, but as a citizen of the United States.
It seems we are taking an express train towards Big Government. The administration is pointing fingers at people who have worked hard, taken risks, and managed to earn big money. The administration insinuates to the masses that "Those rich people have all the money they need, so they don't need help". "If you earn over $xxxx dollars, this tax break/government subsidy/COBRA subsidy does not apply to you". "How could you possibly need help?"
This makes me sick. I've worked hard all my life and have gotten few breaks. Just out of college I ran the magazine department of a bookstore for $5.25 an hour. Did I grumble and complain? No. Because I knew that if I worked smart, looked for opportunities, took some big risks, then in America there is chance for big rewards. Big income. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.
And guess what? It works. I took a risk, started a business. Pulled countless all-nighters doing the work. Woke up in cold sweats from the responsibility of it all. That is The American Way.
But now, if things continue as they are, what will our kids have? Will they be stuck in a socialized nation with salary caps, government run business, high taxes, and no incentive to take a risk? I hope not.
Like it or not, our country was founded on principles of freedom, enterprise, and God. Our Founders were fighting to escape the big government that was England, and they wanted to make sure it did not happen again in their new country. Let's not forget that.
And guess what else? I know the importance of giving back. Give to the Church, give to non-profits, give to those in need. Ask most successful people and they will mention something charitable that they are involved in. They give time and money. Because many of them started out with nothing and know what it is like to have nothing. They can relate. The hard times, the rice and bean dinners. The things that can blindside you at 4:00 on a Tuesday. The successful people I know are not the "greedy CEOs" you hear about on TV.
What does Nationalized Healthcare have to do with all of this? It will remove our need to be responsible for our physical and financial health. It will remove our personal responsibility to look after our own well being. The American Way is to have options in regard to healthcare choices. Healthcare is not a right. I shop my health coverage each year to make sure I get the best deal, just like I look for the best options for cars, clothes, etc. I could choose to not have health insurance and pay as I go. Or I could pay an arm and a leg each month for a Cadillac plan. It is my choice and my responsibility. Go without, and pay the price. If you need it and cannot afford it, there are solutions already out there for you.
There, I am off my soapbox.
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