Using Your Health Savings Account to Pay for International Travel

by: Wiley P. Long

Thousands of U.S. citizens are taking advantage of the low cost and high quality of foreign hospitals by traveling abroad for medical treatment. The savings are often 75 percent or more, and the entire cost of treatment may even be payable with tax-free money from a Health Savings Account. Medical tourism first began to get popular in the 1990's, when people began traveling in large numbers to Brazil for cosmetic surgery. But as costs have continued to rise, thousands of Americans have been traveling overseas for real medical conditions, such as knee replacements, by-pass operations, heart valve replacements, and other serious issues. Many countries are seeing medical tourism as a good way to bring in foreign money. In many cases the quality of medicine available overseas is equal to the top hospitals in the U.S. Patients are showing up at places like the Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, India, part of a 36-hospital chain founded by a cardiologist from Massachusetts General. A heart valve replacement may cost $50,000 to $100,000 in the U.S., and only $12,000 in India, including travel costs. Escorts Heart Institute and Research Center, in Delhi, India, is another popular medical tourist destination. It was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan, an authority on robotic cardiac surgery formerly based at New York University. Blue Cross Blue Shield has just announced that they will pay for treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital, in Bangkok, Thailand for individuals from South Carolina. Over 80,000 Americans received treatment there last year. The hospital boasts that over 200 of its doctors are board-certified in the U.S, and will perform a knee replacement operation for 20 percent of what it would cost in the U.S. Who Does This? Dodie Gilmore is a 60 year-old rodeo barrel-racing champ from Oklahoma. She runs a 180 acre ranch, but could no longer ride a horse because she needed a hip replacement. Her health insurance plan had an exclusion that wouldn't cover her operation, and she really didn't feel like paying the $35,000 it would cost her. Instead she and her partner flew to India where she had the surgery at the Max Institute of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement. Her physician was Dr. S.K.S. Marya, who averages one American hip-replacement patient every week. Dodie's total coast, including travel, was only $11,000. She even managed to take in a tour of the Taj Mahal. Forty to Sixty percent of those surveyed say they would consider surgery abroad if it could save them $5,000 or more. Going out of the U.S. (perhaps even just to Mexico), could be a worthwhile strategy if you have an exclusionary waiver on your policy, if you'll be having elective surgery not covered by your health insurance policy, or if you have a high deductible plan. What is the Risk? According to the Institute of Medicine, over 100,000 accidental deaths occur in hospitals every year. And that's here in the U.S. Hospitals are a dangerous place to be, and you want to spend as little of your life in one as possible. So there are risks everywhere, and probably greater risks outside the U.S. But the magic of the free-market does give you some protection. There is a lot of money flowing to countries and international hospitals that practice high-quality medicine. If a hospital does not provide quality service, you can bet its customers will go elsewhere, particularly if they are choosing among anywhere in the world. The influx of foreign patients (and money) is enticing more western-trained doctors to return home, so the choices are actually increasing, and the quality and prices continue to improve. I believe that if you use care in choosing your provider and structuring your treatment, the risks are no greater than having surgery here in the U.S. How to Research Your Options Keep in mind that most health insurance plans still will not cover for treatment outside the U.S., particularly if you are traveling specifically to receive medical care. So check with your insurer if the cost of the treatment is going to exceed your deductible. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations certifies hospitals here in the U.S. Their international division, Joint Commission International, certifies hospitals throughout the rest of the world. Make sure the facility that you are considering has been certified by them. Then check out your doctor. Confirm that he or she is English speaking, and was trained in the U.S., U.K., Australia, or Germany. Finally, consider hiring a consultant to help you choose the best hospital and surgeon for your needs. A good service will not only set up the treatment, but can also arrange all travel plans, meet you at the airport, and act as your liaison while you are being treated. If you spend money from your Health Savings Account to pay for international medical care, the amount you withdraw is tax-free. Health Savings Account regulations also allow you to cover the cost of your travel if the reason you are traveling to get medical care is not "for purely personal reasons." When choosing how to manage your health, you should carefully consider all your options. International travel is a great option for people with Health Savings Accounts.

About The Author
Wiley Long - President, HSA for America (http://www.health--savings--accounts.com) - The nation's leading independent health insurance firm specializing in individual and family coverage that work with Health Savings Accounts.

Need to Lose Weight? Then Increase Your Metabolism…

by: Matt Falconer

If you need to lose weight, one great way to start melting pounds away is to increase your metabolism. By increasing your metabolism, you'll be able to process food faster and therefore will store less fat in the body. In fact, with a better metabolism, you're body will even begin burning away existing fat in order to get the energy it needs to support itself. How Metabolism Works Your metabolism can either work for you or against you. The main way we all get energy is from glucose, commonly known as our blood sugar. When our blood sugar runs low, our metabolism burns the fat in our bodies in order to make more energy. However, when our blood sugar runs high, our metabolism stores fat in our bodies to use later. So now let's look at how you can get your metabolism to work for you. Go Ahead and Eat Many people believe that the key to losing weight is to stop eating. Well, that will actually have a negative effect on your metabolism. Eating less will cause your metabolism to slow down because it will sense that you don't have enough food. So when you finally eat, your blood sugar will jump through the roof and your metabolism will store the extra glucose as fat. Instead of starving yourself, eat many smaller, healthy meals that are low in calories and fat. Also, consume plenty of water, fruits, and vegetables. By eating smaller portions you'll not only curb your appetite, but you'll also trick your body into thinking that it's getting plenty of food. Therefore, your metabolism will kick into a higher gear. Then when it doesn't get the glucose it needs for energy (because you're eating healthy) then it will begin to take that glucose from the stores of fat that are already in your body. Get Yourself Moving Exercise is a guaranteed way to increase your metabolism. Always check with your doctor for what is the best exercise regime for you. Most of the time, walking as little as twenty minutes a day, will help increase your metabolism. Exercise actually helps you lose weight in two ways: First, exercise builds muscle and muscle burns calories on its own. Secondly, when you exercise your body is forced to come up with enough energy to support your activity. So, it begins burning fat in order to give the energy you need. Don't be put off when I say exercise - there is no need to be pounding away furiously on a treadmill for hours a day. A simple yet effective mini routine is all that is needed to give your metabolism a boost. Some Final Words about Losing Weight If you need to lose weight, you're certainly not alone. Millions of people are in the same boat. However, most people don't realize what it takes to first lose the weight and then to keep the weight off. If you increase your metabolism, you'll see that over time, your fat will melt off your body and your weight will gradually drop. The two best ways to increase your metabolism are to eat smaller meals more often and to exercise regularly.
About The Author
Matt Falconer's latest guide helps you shift pounds, boost metabolism and burn fat without spending hours in the gym sweating away on the treadmill. => http://www.12MinuteWorkoutPlan.Com

Orthodontics Anti-Snoring Appliances, Do They Work?

by: Frederic Madore

Do you have a major snoring problem? Have you tried every home remedy on the market, followed every old friends advice, family secrets or any other possible way to end this never ending nightmare? Well if this is your case let me surprise you. Have you tried your dentist? Did you know that it’s quite possible that your snoring problem is due to your jaw placement rather than some loose tissue or an enlarged uvula? Orthodontics Anti-Snoring Appliances Can be Created For You By Your dentist If your snoring problem is related to your jaw, than you should know that orthodontic anti-snoring appliance are very popular and effective to get rid of your snoring problem. You see snoring is often due to then soft tissues in your throat falling into the back of the throat, thus blocking the airways. This is exactly to prevent such thing that orthodontic anti-snoring appliances have been created. They bring the lower jaw forward and lift the soft palate to prevent it from falling back. Unfortunately this kind of device, created by your dentist, can be quite expensive. The good news is that there is an alternative for those who don’t have the money for such a “personal device”. There is an inexpensive version of the “oral splint” that is often called the “boil and bite” because it is exactly how you fit it in you jaw. The less expensive orthodontic anti-snoring appliance are made of soft plastic which soften in hot water. In order to make it fit your jaw you just need to place the oral splint into hot water for a while and then bit into the mouthpiece to mold it to your jaw. Buying this inexpensive device is a very good way to find out if this device can help you stop snoring, if it does, you should consider having one made just for you by your dentist. The Orthodontics Anti-Snoring Appliance – An Effective Snoring Solution So far the studies done on the use of orthodontics anti-snoring appliance demonstrate very good results. They have been used successfully on many users to help them get rid of their snoring problem. On the other hand theses studies also reported a small number of mild side effects such as: * dry mouth * tooth discomfort * excessive salivation Keep in mind that the complaints for these were few and must of course be counter weighed with the idea of restful sleep. If you would like to try this brand new method to help you stop snoring you should contact your dentist. On top of that make sure you see him each year to make sure you are not suffering from long term damage or dental work.

About The Author
Frederic Madore If you liked this article about orthodontic anti-snoring appliances, you should visit my website at http://www.snoringreliefpro.com for more information about the various aspects of snoring. Discover how to stop snoring once and for all.