June Checklist
 
Follow the Shadow Rule: When your shadow is shorter than you are, stay out of the sun. The sun's damaging rays are strongest at this time.

Protect pets from the sun: Apply dog-specific sunscreen to vulnerable areas (the bridge of the nose, ear tips, belly, groin and exposed areas of nonpigmented skin). Light-skinned, white-haired cats that sunbathe indoors may need cat-specific sunscreen.

Keep carpenter ants from damaging your home: Trim trees and bushes so that they do not touch the house. Store wood away from the home. Clear clogged gutters, and fix other problems that may allow moisture into the wood.

Prevent motion sickness: Eat a light snack before traveling. Avoid fat-rich, heavy or spicy foods. Cars-sit in the front. Rest your head against the seat back. Don't read or watch videos. Planes-choose a window seat near the wings. Boats-book a lower-level cabin near the center of the ship. 
 
United Healthcare to Exit California's Obamacare Market
Read Full Aricle Here
UnitedHealth Group Inc. is leaving California's insurance exchange at the end of this year, state officials confirmed Tuesday.

The nation's largest health insurer announced in April it was dropping out of all but a handful of 34 health insurance marketplaces it participated in. But the company had not discussed its plans in California.

UnitedHealth's pullout also affects the individual market outside the Covered California exchange. Existing policies will remain in effect until the end of December.

Read Full Article Here
Is There Gunk On Your Greens? 4 Things To Know About The Listeria Recall
Frozen vegetables are a staple in many diets, so a huge recall of them has us peering at the packages in our freezers.

On Tuesday evening, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an outbreak of the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria and frozen vegetables and fruits are believed to be the cause.

More than 350 products like green beans, broccoli, peas and blueberries sold under 42 brands at U.S. and Canadian grocers including Safeway, Costco and Trader Joe's have now been recalled.

Read Full Article Here
Obamacare Premiums In California May Rise 8 Percent Next Year, State Predicts
California's health insurance exchange estimates that its Obamacare premiums may rise 8 percent on average next year, which would end two consecutive years of more modest 4 percent increases.

The projected rate increase in California, included in the exchange's proposed annual budget, comes amid growing nationwide concern about insurers seeking double-digit premium hikes in the health law's  insurance marketplaces.


U.S. Sees First Case of Bacteria Resistant to Last-Resort Antibiotic
Read Full Article Here
U.S. health officials on Thursday reported the first case in the country of a patient with an infection resistant to a last-resort antibiotic, and expressed grave concern that the superbug could pose serious danger for routine infections if it spreads.
"We risk being in a post-antibiotic world," said Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, referring to the urinary tract infection of a 49-year-old Pennsylvania woman who had not traveled within the prior five months.

Read Full Article Here
15 Uses for Healthcare FSA Money
Here are some common medical expenses you can use your pre-tax healthcare flexible spending account money for, according to Aetna. You can no longer (since Jan. 1, 2011) use FSA money to buy over-the-counter drugs--unless you have a prescription, but an FSA is still a valuable perk.  Note: If you have both an FSA and a Health Savings Account, you can use the FSA only for dental and vision expenses.
The Benefits Store
(800)446-2663
CA Insurance License #0680704