Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

So here you are, pregnant with no maternity coverage. You start asking yourself, "How am I (are we) going to pay for the maternity bills?" You know they're coming, one way or the other, what are your options?

Logically, you decide that it would be great to get on an insurance plan that would cover your maternity expenses. So your next move is to call different insurance providers. Shortly you will find out that most insurance companies consider pregnancy to be a pre-existing condition and therefore would not cover any expenses relating to pregnancy. If you think about it from the insurance company's point of view, it makes perfect sense. They know that if you are already pregnant, it is a guaranteed expense out of their pocket with all the doctor visits, lab fees, hospital stay and the specialists. God forbid if you have any complications.

What would be your next move? You might be lucky enough to qualify for free maternity coverage through your county's health department. That is if your family's income is below or at the poverty level.

For all the other folks, the issue stays open. What else can you do? There is obviously a self-pay option, where you pay for all the bills yourself. It's scary to you, how much will it be? $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, more?

If you are self-employed, you have the advantage versus someone who is employed by another. Self-employed can qualify for the group insurance plan as long as the company consists of at least two people who would like to get insurance. This is the case for most states, but please check with your local insurance agent for additional details. Having your spouse as an employee should qualify you for group insurance plan.

The companies with more than two employees, might be required to offer group insurance to the rest of their full-time employees. This can significantly raise the cost of your group plan, defeating the original purpose of saving money. I recommend contacting an agent as soon as you find out about your pregnancy since there might be a waiting period before the policy is active. Be prepared to show your state's employer's tax forms showing taxes paid for each employee.

One of the disadvantages of having an employee is that you are required to pay the state and federal unemployment tax, Social Security and Medicare for each of your employee. So if you are thinking of putting your spouse on the payroll in order to get group insurance, consider the costs involved with paying the employment taxes that I listed above, based on his/her wages. If your spouse is already on the payroll, then you can disregard these costs as an additional expense.

Please, don't make a mistake of taking your spouse off the payroll once you receive insurance, just so you can save a buck on taxes. It's actually illegal and if at any time during your pregnancy, you submit a large claim to the insurance company, it can request your current employment records at any time you have the policy. And simply, if you or your spouse is not on the payroll, insurance company will simply deny coverage.

Questions to ask your group insurance provider or insurance agent

Do I have to cover all of my employees (if applicable)?
What are monthly premiums?
Is there co-pay for doctor's visits and hospital admission?
Do you have to pay additional sum when or before the baby is born in order to cover all of the newborn expenses?
Can you cancel your insurance at any time?
Can you start your insurance at any time? (If you don't mind waiting 2 or 3 months after you get pregnant, you won't have to pay as much in premiums)
What documentation is required?
What is the waiting period before the insurance is active?

If you are able to obtain group insurance, you might want to cancel your Individual or Family Insurance plan for the time being. This will save you some money as well. Make sure you check with your current company on whether you will have to pay a higher premium when you re-enroll, and obviously, if you accumulate pre-existing conditions in the time being, your premium may rise or you might be refused for coverage completely.

Many studies have established the fact that one can have a shot at getting pregnant after 40. Statistically speaking, women 40 and above have a ten-percent chance of being able to conceive during each cycle. However, all efforts need to be channeled toward the act because upon reaching 45, the chances can be very slim to none.

Successfully conceiving takes both the individuals/partners efforts. Here are some of the tips couples can employ to increase chances of getting pregnant after 40:

1) Talk with your partner and encourage him to have a healthy lifestyle. While you channel your efforts at being healthy to successfully ovulate, he should remain healthy as well to increase his sperm count.

2) Plan your sexual intercourse as to coincide with your ovulation. You need to diligently chart such date; meanwhile, your partner needs to wait to have sex until it is at least two days before, not after, ovulation.

3) Both of you need to stay away from things that can jeopardize your chances of getting pregnant after 40. Quit the use of detrimental substances such as alcohol and cigarette, as well as the intake of too much caffeine. You also have to keep the stressors from getting at you. Avoid intake of drugs unless prescribed by your physician.

4) Plan on how to hype both you and your partner's mood during "the day" when you are to try conception. You can go on a romantic trip as it is said that the psychological aspect of sexual endeavors can make or break your chances of getting pregnant.

When you are seeking affordable health insurance, you want to make sure that you have great coverage at an affordable monthly payment. Here are 5 secrets that can help you save money by making your health insurance and overall healthcare costs more affordable.

1. Get a discount health plan. The way this works is simple - you pay a little every month to get 20-40% discounts on the services you are provided when they are needed. Physicians within a discount health plan network have negotiated lower prices for office visits, checkups, and other medical procedures. So for example, if you have a medical procedure that costs $500, you will only have to come out of pocket for $300-400.

2. Start a Health Savings Account. A health or medical savings account (MSA) works like a bank account allotted to take care or medical expenses. First, you choose a healthcare plan with a very high deductible. This can range from $1700 to $2650 for an individual and $3500 to $5250 for a family. With a health savings account, you or your employer can deposit up to 75% percent of your deductible amount into it. The funds are held by a bank or your insurer and this money is free of income tax. Whenever you have a medical expense, your MSA can take care of your deductible. Your MSA can also be used to cover expenses that would not usually be covered by your insurance plan, like cosmetic procedures for instance. This account can be carried over between employers and can collect interest over time. It is important to note that this money can be used for non-medical expenses, however if it is, you will have to pay tax on it.

3. Drop maternity coverage. If you are not of child bearing age, or do not plan on having children at all, you may want to consider dropping your maternity coverage. Some plans do have an insurance rider that you can add on should you become pregnant, but it is not necessary to have that coverage in your plan the entire time. Maternity coverage can cost an additional $2500 a year so if you do not foresee a pregnancy happening, you could drop this coverage to save some money.

4. Check with your church. If you are a part of a congregation and there are several of you that are uninsured, you and your church members may be eligible for a group healthcare plan. The advantage is that most times group healthcare plans are cheaper than individual plans. You may find that you are not only helping yourself save money with a group plan, but other uninsured individuals just like you that are in need of affordable health insurance can save money too.

5. Use the power of the Internet. In our technology age, the world is literally at your fingertips. You should not have to settle for any insurance plan that does not meet your needs completely. Affordable health insurance plans are out there, and many plans can be customized to fit your life and lifestyle. There are websites ready to give you personalized quotes that you can compare for the best rate. Do not feel rushed or pressured into choosing something that is not right for you.

A new born baby needs special coverage not only with a cozy blanket and your warm affection but also, from health diseases which a child may acquire. A new born baby is like a delicate flower that needs your utmost care and proper handling in order to grow in a beautiful plant which will brighten your future. In the present situation, almost everyone needs a health insurance cover in the light of growing diseases and heavy hospital expenses.

A health insurance is as important for your baby as it is for you, since he/she will now be a part of your family who needs to be covered against any health problems. Newborns require monthly checkups, immunizations, proper nutritional guidance and countless other reasons why they may need to visit a medical doctor. There are insurance plans which will cover your child too under the insurance cover, but for that you need to apply for that scheme within 30 days of the child birth. If you happen to miss the deadline, your health insurer might ask you to wait until the next annual enrollment period before you can add baby to your plan. However, there is one special unique new program being launched in the market which will remove all your worries regarding the baby as well as the expectant mother. The plan includes several maternity benefits, and also this special scheme- A newborn baby will be covered as an insured person from birth itself. It also covers vaccination expenses of your newborn baby until he/she is one year old.

With this new plan you don't have to think about enrolling him under the health cover as he/she will be automatically insured. Health insurance coverage also serves the purpose of tax benefit as per the laws.

HMRC needs a way of accurately recording, and receiving the amount of income tax and national insurance everyone pays. The way that HMRC does this is through a system called PAYE (Pay As You Earn). Your employer calculates, and then makes, the necessary deductions from your pay, and then pays these deductions to HMRC.

The responsibility of making the correct deductions lies solely with the employer, and this includes all employees. NOTE: If your company is a limited company, then any directors qualify as an employee.

If you are paying electronically, the deductions must be paid to HMRC by the 22nd of each month. If you pay by any other means, then the deductions need to have reached HMRC by the 19th of each month.

If your average monthly payments are less than £1,500, you can request to pay the PAYE quarterly.

Furthermore, if any benefits are handed out by the employer, Class 1A NIC is paid on these benefits, and should be paid by 6th July after the end of each tax year.

With all the different forms and regulations that need to be followed, once you take on your first employee, you may just wish you hadn't! The tax rates, allowances and regulations can be hard to keep on top of, as they're constantly changing. It is often simpler, and a lot more time-effective, to get your Accountant, or a payroll agency to take care of the payroll for you, leaving you with less stress, and more time!

What does PAYE (Pay As You Earn) apply to?

For all types of payment to an employee, PAYE applies. As an example, some of the most common payments are listed below:

• Tips


• Expense allowances and claims when paid in cash


• Overtime


• Bonuses and Commission


• Statutory Sick Pay


• Statutory Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Pay


• Salary & Wages


• Payments other than in cash, for example shares of vouchers


• Lump sum and compensation payments including redundancy - unless they are exempt from tax

For any benefits that are taxable (most are), you will need to declare them to HMRC by using form P11D or P9D.

Paperwork Involved In PAYE

That's right - the dreaded paperwork! There are numerous different forms used for PAYE, but there are certain forms which all employers will use at some point. The most used of these are:

• P11 Deductions working sheet - This can be either manual, or computerized, but records all NIC and salary payments made


• Pay Slips - these are your own forms which you give to your employees in order to show them how their pay has been calculated


• Form P45 - If you hire a new employee, and they have had a previous job, they will give you a copy of this form from their previous employer, and you need to do the same with employees who leave your employment


• P35 - This summarises all deductions made from employees in the year to 5th April. It's also know as the Employer's Annual Return.


• P11D - As mentioned earlier, this is the form you use to provide details of any benefits and/or expenses paid to employees who earn over £8,500 and all directors.


• P14/P60 - This is the end of year summary which is given to the employee. Copies also need to be sent to HMRC

New Employees

Each employee is assigned their own tax code by HMRC. Once they have been assigned their tax code, the employer is then provided with these details, in order to correctly calculate the amount of income tax and national insurance that needs to be deducted from the employee's pay.

For new employees who have had a previous employment, this tax code will be on their P45. If a new employee has not had any previous employment, the employee and employer must complete form P46 in order to get a tax code assigned to the employee. For the time being, you will need to use the tax code given in section 2 of form P46.

Then, using the relevant tax & national insurance tables in conjunction with the employee's tax code, the employer calculates and deducts any tax & national insurance payable.

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Employee benefits are a core area for the consideration of the HR department of any organization. The policies that an organization's HR department makes for its staff are a reflection of the organization's attitude towards its employees. In the present scenario, employees are quite curious about the medical benefits that an organization provides.

While other benefits are mostly under the control of an organization, the mediclaim benefits are dependent upon a third party service provider, i.e., the insurance company. Hence, the medical benefits got by employees depend upon the HR department's understanding of the various insurance plans available in the market.

Lipika Verma, Head - Compensation and Benefits, Nokia India Pvt. Ltd., says "Medical security is the key thing while assessing insurance coverage and a seamless benefit on the medical side is something which an employee expects these days". In the present times, Group Mediclaim Policy provides the best option for providing a medical cover to the employee and his/her family.

This policy comes under the category of non-life insurance and takes care of an individual's hospitalization expenses up to a certain limit that is based upon the policy. Hospitalization may occur owing to ill health or on account of injuries sustained due to an accident, so long as it is for a period more than 24 hours. Hospitalization expenses generally include:

• Doctor's fees and nursing expenses.

• Surgical fees and operation theatre expenses.

• Expenses on medication.

• Room and boarding - subject to limits.

Following are some primary benefits of group mediclaim policy:

Covers Pre-existing Diseases: Group mediclaim policy provides complete cover even for pre-existing diseases while the individual policies offer no or limited cover for such diseases. Maternity benefits are an added advantage in the group policy, which were never included in individual policies.

Floater Option: This option allows a company to choose to insure an employee along with his dependents (parents and children) under a single cumulative amount. For instance, if the floater amount for an employee in an organization is Rs. 3,00,000/-, then the employee can avail hospitalization up to maximum three lakh rupees for himself and his family.

Corporate Buffer: Organizations usually choose to opt for a corporate buffer over and above the maximum limit fixed for each employee. This buffer proves very helpful for employees. Suppose, the maximum limit for an employee is Rs. 3 lakh while his hospitalization cost comes to Rs. 4 lakh; in such a scenario, the organization may provide the remaining one lakh from the buffer amount it has fixed with the insurance provider.

Do children deserve special attention when it comes to their health care needs? No, we aren't talking about charitable healthcare at all. How about children who have Medicaid coverage? Does the fact that they have free health insurance change anything about the kind of treatment they are given? Sad as it is, that's exactly what happens all over the country?as if by prearrangement. Anyone who tries to make an appointment for a child has to answer a question on the phone about the kind of coverage the child has. When the receptionist (or whoever) learns that there is no private children's health insurance involved?that it's only Medicaid, they right away schedule the child for an appointment one month away. If they don疆?簞 refuse an appointment altogether. There have been reports of how parents who call for an appointment for a child with a broken bone or a dog bite, are still given an appointment a week away.

So why should hospitals care about what kind of children's health insurance a patient comes in with? They still get paid the same whether it's private or Medicaid, don't they?

You'd think that, but as anyone knows about what it is like dealing with the government, hospitals that accept Medicaid patients find it takes them a whole lot longer to get paid (and Medicaid pays 50% less). They get a lot of grief dealing with red tape too. In general, no one is eager to deal with Medicaid. And things are only set to get worse. States all over the country are bankrupt and are planning on cutting down on their Medicaid budgets. And then, the new healthcare reform from President Obama promises to add several million people more to the Medicaid plan, further straining the program's finances.

All of this isn't mere anecdotal evidence, of course. An in-depth study on children's access to medical care published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June has all kinds of horror stories to report. The study sent researchers posing as parents of sick children to hundreds of clinics in Illinois, asking for treatment for broken bones, deep depression, diabetes, epileptic seizures, dog bites and the like. Two out of three times, these people found that they were denied appointments. People who have regular paid insurance will usually be denied treatment more than 10% of the time. In the study, anyone who sought treatment for a child with Medicaid insurance had to wait three weeks longer than any child with private medical insurance.

Most people would react with horror to how unfeeling human nature can be?denying medical care to a child with an animal bite or a seizure for three weeks. But think about it this way for a second?what would you do if you were doctor? If you spent your time treating a patient who had private children's health insurance, you would get $160 for your trouble. If you treated a child who had Medicaid, you would only get $100. You are worried about your student loans and your personal expenses. What would you do?

There are many pregnant women who would like to find out if it is possible to get a DNA test whilst the baby it is still in the womb. The simple answer is that Yes, you can have a DNA paternity test carried out whilst the baby in still unborn. DNA testing is done for many reasons. Some of the reasons are, but not limited to, finding out about genealogy, ethnicity or race and also to determine the paternity of a child. With that said, testing during pregnancy probably has the highest incidence of risk first to the fetus and then to the mother. It is therefore imperative that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into before you go ahead with this test.

Types Of DNA Testing Whilst Pregnant
There are currently two types of tests that can be done to help you determine the DNA of your unborn child. The first is called Amniocentesis and the second is called Chorionic Villus Sampling, CVS for short. We Will take a look at each of these, including the advantages of one over the other and the accompanying risks. But before we go any further, it must be stated that the time at which this kind of testing is done is absolutely critical.

Amniocentesis: It is simply where a sample of the Amniotic fluid, the fluid surrounding the fetus, is taken and analyzed. At what stage of pregnancy can this take place? Amniocentesis can only be carried out during the second trimester, that is between weeks 14 and 20, of pregnancy. What happens during this test? The doctor or medical professional carrying out Amniocentesis uses a very thin surgical needle, guides it into the uterus, through the abdomen. An ultrasound machine is used to guide him to ensure accuracy. He then draws a little amount of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, with the needle. This sample is what is used to carry out the test or DNA analysis.

Risk involved with Amniocentesis include possible harm to the baby and consequently leading to miscarriage. The mother may also experience bleeding and cramping. There are also instances where there is the leakage of amniotic fluid.

Chronionic Villus Sampling (CVS): During the pregnancy, the are little finger-like tissues projecting out of the uterine wall. These are called chorionic villi. These tissues come from the same fertilized egg that produced the fetus or baby. Consequently, they have the same genetic or biological make up as that of the fetus. It is these tissues that the doctor will try to get samples of in order to carry out the test.

When can this test be done? It is done during the first trimester, between weeks 10 and 13 of gestation. The procedure for CVS is a little different from that of Amniocentesis. During CVS, the doctor, again using an ultrasound machine, would guide a surgical tube or needle through the cervix to obtain the chorionic villi tissue. Afterwards tests are carried out with the sample to determine the baby's DNA.

The Cost of DNA Testing During Pregnancy
This procedure is not cheap, compared to the other types of DNA testing, and also considering all the risks involved. It is estimated that DNA testing during pregnancy will cost anywhere between US$1000 to US$2000. It is not possible to tell if your health insurer would pay for this procedure, unless of course the terms of the insurance covers cases like this.

From the aforegoing, it is clear you cannot just get up and decide you want to carry these tests. Unless it is utterly necessary, it is always recommended that you wait till the baby is born before you carry out testing to determine the DNA of your baby.

Your first reaction finding out that you are pregnant is probably to instantly make an appointment with the OB-GYN, and many women are surprised to find out that the first appointment will not be until possibly week eight of the pregnancy. The first appointment is mainly for your doctor to gain information about you and your health history, and typical insurance providers will not cover prenatal appointments in the early weeks of pregnancy. Keep in mind though that your gestational weeks are measured from the first day of your last menstrual cycle, and, therefore, if you are being seen at eight weeks gestation, your baby was only conceived five to six weeks ago, and there isn't a lot of prevention or intervention that can be done for a baby at that stage of development.

If you are considered "at-risk" it is important that you tell your OB-GYN during that first phone call. In this situation, you should be seen as soon as possible, and you should consider a doctor who specializes in such cases. Some high risks include previous early miscarriage, history of ectopic pregnancy, previous difficulties in carrying a baby to term, and a history of high order multiples.

Expect to fill out what will seem like excessive paper work involving your health history, your family history, and your insurance information. Nothing is too minimal to mention. You will most likely have blood drawn at your initial appointment for the purpose of checking for blood type, glucose, infection, and disease. All of these things can affect the health of your baby, so be forthcoming with information. Women with these difficulties are perfectly capable of giving birth to health babies.

A urine sample confirming your pregnancy will be given at this appointment, and expect to give a urine sample at all subsequent appointments to check for protein and glucose. Your due date will be calculated at this initial appointment, and, unless you have recently undergone one, you will have a pap smear and pelvic exam. For a lot of patients, pre-natal appointments seem too focused on the mother rather than the baby, but keep in mind that at this point in life, you are your baby's home, and, just as you will certainly child proof your home in anticipation of bringing the baby into it, your body needs to be the safest home it can be for your baby right now.

At this point, your OB-GYN should discuss protocol with you telling you how to reach him, reasons to call, how often to expect appointments, and when to expect those exciting milestones like hearing the heartbeat and getting an ultra sound. You will see your physician once a month until approximately your twenty-eighth week of pregnancy, twice a month until week thirty-six, and every week thereafter until delivery. Before you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor will see you again discussing what to expect during healing and giving you any needed prescriptions. You will see your doctor one last time for a six week post-delivery check up. OB-GYNs are available for regular gynecological care as well, and you should continue to see this or another gynecologist annually for optimal heath care.

In California, pregnancy discrimination is another form of sex discrimination. According to California statute, women have four months of pregnancy leave and are entitled to certain office accommodations for the pregnancy. Yet, depending upon certain circumstances exclusive to the employer, such as the size of the business, these rights may differ.

Pregnant women have the rights to be treated equally and the same with other employees who are not pregnant as long as they are capable of doing their jobs very well and their tasks do not endure harm to the baby that they carry in their womb.

Thus, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) or the amended Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964 states that discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy, childbirth or other related medical conditions represents unlawful sex discrimination. Therefore, women affected by pregnancy or related conditions must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees with similar capabilities.

If you believe you have been a victim of pregnancy discrimination, you got to know a lot about the pros and cons regarding your pregnancy rights. Pregnant women are protected with the following employment processes (Basic Rights under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978):

• Hiring. An employer cannot refuse to hire a pregnant individual and deprive her from working. As long as she is capable of performing her jobs, she is entitled to equality in the policies imposed by the company and fair considerations of the employer.

• Pregnancy and Maternity Leave. The employer should permit a leave to the pregnant employee as soon as needed without threatening her on the possibility of losing the job.

• Health Insurance. Any health insurance provided by an employer must cover expenses for pregnancy related situations on the same basis as costs for other medical conditions. Pregnancy related expenses should be refunded accurately as those incurred for other medical conditions. The amounts to be paid by the insurance provider can be limited only to the same level as costs for other conditions. No additional, increased or larger deductible should be required. Meanwhile, employers should grant the same level of health benefits for wives of male employees as they do for husbands of female employees.

• Fringe Benefits. The employers should not limit the pregnancy-related benefits to married employees. This type of benefit should be given to all female workers in spite of their position and rank. Hence, employees with pregnancy-related disabilities must be treated equal as other temporarily disabled workers. This is for the sake of endowing respect to everyone's rights in the company.

One of the first thing couples who have having problems with infertility discover is how expensive infertility treatments can be. Unless a couple is so fortunate as to be independently wealthy, they will probably need help for financing and paying for infertility treatments. Although advances in technology have reduced the costs of these treatments to some extent, most people will not be able to treat these as out-of-pocket costs. Some desperate couples have even taken out second mortgages on their homes in order to pay for in vitro fertilization.

It goes without saying that the simpler the treatment needed for a woman to become pregnant, the less expense is involved. If a cycle or two of Clomid will handle the problem, the cost will be minimal, but if several cycles of in vitro fertilization are called for, the expenses can mount to $30,000 or more. Unfortunately, most insurance companies tend to consider infertility issues as some sort of luxury, and will not cover them. Fifteen states have mandated that health insurance companies provide some help for paying for infertility treatments, but most will not, and the coverage is not complete. Before starting with infertility treatments, check to see if the state where you live has mandated coverage.

Anyone involved in seeking treatment for infertility will quickly become aware of how costly it is. Routine tests and examinations can run into hundreds or thousands of dollars, and once the problem is pinpointed, it may take several tries before a pregnancy occurs. Artificial insemination can cost between $300 and $800 per try, and in vitro fertilization can easily cost upwards of $20,000. Paying for in vitro can be difficult, but there are several options available to help with IVF treatment cost.

Some couples have found that fertility insurance can provide help for financing and paying for infertility treatments. As with any other kind of insurance, a monthly payment will have to be made, and there are limits to the coverage. Make certain that you understand exactly what will be covered and what will not and make a realistic determination of what you will be able to afford.

For those who are not able to get any insurance for their problem, they may be able to find help for financing and paying for infertility treatments with a loan designed just for that purpose. There are several companies that offer loans to pay for infertility treatments, and this might well be a way to finance everything from several cycles of Clomid to in vitro fertilization. Before signing on the dotted line, however, make sure that you understand exactly what the interest rate will be and how long you can expect to be making payments.

Besides loans and fertility insurance, there are now grants available to couples who otherwise could not afford infertility treatments. There is an international agency that will subsidize in vitro fertilization treatments, and other associations that will provide differing amounts of money to help with financing and paying for infertility treatments. A search on the internet will provide you with more information about these organizations.

For those of us who are not rich, it would be an excellent idea to explore every aspect of paying for infertility treatments. If the lower technology treatments are of no avail, it is good to know in advance what IVF treatment costs and exactly how you will be paying for in vitro fertilization.

If you are like most expectant mothers you want to create, design, and decorate a special place for your new baby, a place that speaks from your heart, is safe, and comfortable.

However, your good intentions could be endangering your new born. What most new mom's don't know is that redecorating means exposing your unborn child to toxic chemicals through; brand new paint, new carpet, washable vinyl, wallpaper, new crib with synthetic mattress, new no iron sheets, new easy care synthetic clothing, disinfectants, scented baby lotions, powders, synthetic fiber stuffed animals, plastic rattles all of which are made with toxic chemicals and are potential health risks to your new baby's health.

Children and babies are more susceptible than adults to the adverse health affects of toxins because pound for pound since they are growing their little bodies are metabolizing faster than adults, they breath faster, their blood brain barrier that protects adults from toxins, is not yet fully developed, their detox system, the liver and kidneys are still developing which means that their bodies have a difficult time eliminating toxins so the toxins are stored in their fatty tissue.

Furthermore, babies and small children play and crawl on the floor and ground where many toxins are found. They put their hands and toys into their mouths which increases their exposure to toxic elements in the home. They don't know what is toxic and what is safe.

Think about it. At no other time in history have there been more toxic chemicals in our environment. The most toxic environments are indoors where humans spend 65% of their time. New mom's and babies are at greater risk of long term exposure to toxic chemicals in the home because they spend 95% of their time in the home. That is why it is important to start now protecting yourself and your newborn baby. The best place to start is in the nursery.

I'm going to start with the crib because in the beginning your baby spends 90% of the time in the crib thus being exposed to toxic chemicals for prolonged periods. Some chemicals used to make synthetic mattresses are phthalates and PBDE - flame retardants, polyurethane, foam, polyester, plastic, formaldehyde. They all emit dangerous toxins that your baby breathes in or absorbs through the skin when in the crib.

Some examples of the dangerous chemicals mentioned above and the adverse health risks:

* Phthalates. Studies show they have been linked to damage of the liver, kidney and lungs, harmful to the reproductive system, and developing testicles. They are absorbed through the skin and by inhalation. Phthalates are found in plastics, flooring, cosmetics, nail polish, perfume, hair spray, to name a few.

* PBDE, fire retardant, has been linked to brain development and thyroid problems in lab rats. PBDE is found in most furniture fabrics and woods, cabinets, beds and in children's pajamas.

* According to the EPA the health effects of formaldehyde include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rash, severe allergic reactions and may cause cancer. In asthma suffers formaldehyde has been known to cause asthma attacks. Formaldehyde is used in many stains and other synthetic materials.

However, don't worry there are many solutions for a safe crib. Look for mattresses made of natural cotton or wool. Find blankets, sheets, clothing, and toys that are made of natural or organic cottons and wools. When buying natural buy organic, when possible.

If you can't find a natural mattress for baby then use a piece of thick cotton material to put over the synthetic mattress and under the fitted sheet. Thus, the fitted sheet for baby's mattress will go over the thick cotton fabric and the mattress. If possible use organic cotton. If you can't find organic cotton wash the thick cotton cloth several times so that you can wash out any toxins and pesticides.

Furthermore, when buying the crib be sure to buy something with a safe non-toxic finish. Maple is said to be the least toxic wood. See if you can find a crib made of maple with a non-toxic finish.

Do not ever paint the room yourself. Breathing in the toxic fumes from the paint can harm your unborn child even if the paint is no or low VOC (volatile organic compounds).

Sanding and scraping the walls while your pregnant may expose you to lead dust which can be extremely dangerous to your unborn child since their brains and central nervous system aren't yet fully developed. In addition, your unborn child may store the lead in their fatty tissue because their liver and kidney's aren't yet fully developed and able to eliminate it. Even children under the age of 6 are vulnerable to lead poisoning because their organs aren't yet fully developed. Exposure to low levels of lead have produced adverse health affects like low IQ, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, stunted growth, attention deficit disorder (ADD), impaired hearing, and kidney damage. High levels of lead exposure have contributed to mental retardation, a coma and even death.

Get someone else to paint and sand the room for you. Make sure they use water based, low or no VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. Similarly, due to increased environmental regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency paint and stain companies have been forced to reduce the VOC's in their products. However, the VOC levels are still dangerous in conventional paints so make sure that you ask for low or no VOC paint or stain. Most paint companies now have a line of no or low VOC paints.

What are VOC's? For years conventional paints needed VOC's to perform. These VOC's are toxic and have contributed to indoor air pollution. Paints with high VOC's emit low levels of VOC's into the air for many years to come. Moreover, VOC's have been linked to nausea, cancer, damage to liver and kidney, headaches, nose and throat irritation to name a few. For more information go to the Environmental Protection Agency, at http://www.epa.gov.

Be sure that you finish painting at least one month before baby is born. To dry paint use a room space heater. By drying the paint you will help the paint to harden so it doesn't release toxins into the air.

Absolutely stay away from new carpet and flooring, keep what is already in your home. New carpet is among the most toxic material in your home, it is treated with many different chemicals. If you absolutely have to put down new flooring use pre-finished hardwood, re-claimed wood, natural linoleum, bamboo all with water based non-toxic finishes. The best finish is water based as it is less toxic than oil based finishes. When you are shopping ask the manufacture if the finish is water or oil based.

Toys are difficult because you want to give your child everything. However, most toys are made with plastics which can be toxic. The best bet is to do what Toucan Sam says, "Follow your nose." If the toy smells weird or toxic don't buy it. The best toys are wood or made of natural fibers like cotton or wool.

Diapers. Beware of disposable diapers. They are made of plastics and synthetic fibers. Some companies add unknown deodorizing chemicals that can be irritating to your baby's skin.

Common health problems linked to disposable diapers are diaper rash; chemical burns, noxious chemical and insecticide odors, and babies pull diapers apart and put them into their mouths and noses. The synthetic, plastic materials don't allow babies skin to breath and thus contribute to diaper rash. Because disposable diapers feel dryer than cloth to parents, many parents postpone changing the diaper longer which means the bacteria from the urine remains in contact with baby's delicate skin longer. This also contributes to increased cases of diaper rash.

Since disposable diapers don't breathe and provide proper circulation of air to baby's skin, ammonia from the bacterial breakdown of urine is unable to escape causing further irritation to your baby's delicate skin. In addition, disposable diapers that have been bleached are known to have dioxins. Studies show that dioxins can cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and immune system suppression. Moreover, once dioxins enter the body they are stored in the fatty tissue where they stay, because they aren't able to breakdown and dissolve in fats, they are a "rock solid" stable chemical according to the World Health Organization.

On the other hand diapers made from natural materials breathe and give proper circulation to baby's skin and parents change them more often so they contribute to your baby's health and comfort. Furthermore, the natural fabric is soft and comfortable against baby's fragile skin.

Avoid toxic nail polish, perfumes, hair spray and deodorant while pregnant. I would avoid them altogether even after your pregnant, but particularly while you are pregnant. Conventional nail polishes and perfumes contain phthalates that can be absorbed by inhaling, through the skin, and ingested when they contaminate food. Phthalates are banned from nail polish in Europe. Phthalates have been linked to liver and kidney damage, damage of the lungs and the reproductive system, especially the developing testes.

Stay away from conventional hair sprays, hair gels and deodorants they contain toxic chemicals that can harm your baby. A rule of thumb I follow is if it smells toxic it probably is. Avoid it.

Steer clear of conventional cleaning and laundry products all have toxic chemicals. The most toxic conventional household cleaning products are: air fresheners, stain removers for clothing, anything that says anti bacterial, as it contains pesticides which are intended to be toxic and kill, chlorine bleach, ammonia and anything that smells toxic and strong. Again "follow your nose" and if it smells toxic, it probably is.

Simple solutions:

Instead of air freshener open a window or find where the odor is coming from and eliminate the source. Put a few drops (about 5 to 10) of pure, organic essential oil in a spray bottle of distilled water and use it as air freshener. Another trick for freshening air is put a few drops of essential oil on a light bulb that is going to be turned on. For stains on clothing, use clear liquid non-toxic soap on the stain as soon as you notice it. Simply poor the soap right on the stain, rub it in and put it into the laundry basket until laundry time. Most times the stain comes right out when you wash it. Stains become stains when they stay on the fabric untreated not because you aren't using toxic stain remover.

To rid your home of bacteria and viruses use simple warm water and soap, if it is good enough for hospitals to kill germs it is good enough for your home. Instead of chlorine bleach try non-chlorine bleach it works great without the toxic odor.

Many people say to me, ya, ya but families have been using toxic chemicals in their homes to clean for generations and they are fine. I say to them that it might seem like they are fine, but that doesn't explain why asthma in children has increased 40% since the 80's and it is being linked to environmental toxins and dioxins. There has been a rise in non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (a type of cancer that is unpredictable), and it can be linked to toxins in the environment.

Moreover, there has been a measured increase in the presence of pesticides in human blood. Remember this is dangerous because pesticides are created to kill anything living which includes plants, animals and humans. Every 2 to 5 years levels of PBDE's, fire retardants in humans have been doubling. In North America the levels are 40 times higher than on other continents. As mentioned above PBDE's are linked to brain and thyroid problems in lab rats and are stored in fatty tissue. Furthermore, babies are being born with toxins already in their bodies and each generation is more toxic than the previous generation.

It isn't necessary to use toxic chemicals in your home when there are healthy safe alternatives, especially in a home with a baby and children. Your health is all you have and protecting yourself and your new born from toxic chemicals in your home is an added layer of health insurance as well as added peace of mind.

"Think and go green,"

TheGreenQueen

Health Insurance coverage needs to travel with those who travel about the country and even when traveling internationally. If the traveler is going to a country where government run health systems is in effect, then the basic health insurance policy will be enough to take care of any medical needs that might come up while traveling there. However, when traveling to countries where health care is privately run, it is a good idea to carry a personal insurance policy that opts for the widest range and best coverage possible.

Countries with government run health systems have equal options available for everyone whereas those countries with privatized health care have levels of care where the better the insurance or ability to pay, the better the quality of care. This is why is it optimal to have a comprehensive health care plan to carry internationally in case of any as illness or injury where medical treatment is necessary.

International medical coverage can be obtained through most carriers and sometimes added to a person's current health care coverage. When applying for international health insurance coverage, applicants who have recently been seriously ill or who have a chronic illness will likely be denied international coverage. If a woman wishes to give birth in a foreign country, international health insurance can be purchased that will cover maternity medical care needs, however the woman in question cannot be pregnant at the time of the insurance plan purchase. Sometimes there is also a waiting period involved before maternity related expenses will be covered by the international health insurance plan.

Traveling abroad with full comprehensive health insurance coverage is the best way to insure there are no obstacles to the traveler receiving the best possible care when in a foreign country. In countries where the health care is privatized and good insurance is had, the hospitals are much nicer and the health care staff will always speak English. This is the level of health care travelers should strive to have when enjoying international adventures. If one decides to live in a foreign country some of the time, the health care plan can accommodate that, just talk to the company and set it up for the times abroad and the times at the primary country of residence. All of this sounds complicated and while it does take some figuring out, quality coverage can go internationally with travelers.

If you need help locating this coverage, please feel free to visit our website at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com and leave your contact information so we can respond to your request.

Have you and your companion decided to become parents? People worry all the time about the changes they have to make while being pregnant. However, there are things you should focus on before even trying. You must wait for a month or two and do these 10 things in order to prepare your routine, lifestyle and body for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Have a healthy diet:

Have an intake of nourishing and healthy foods in order to prepare your body with all the nutrients needed for pregnancy. Have two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables daily. If you can afford it, buy organic because it is proved to be more nutritional. In addition have an abundance of whole grain foods such as brown rice, wholemeal bread, milk, orange juice and yogurt because they will provide you with the calcium you need. Avoid high mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Methyl mercury in large amounts can damage your babys brain. However fish is still provides a great supply of protein and therefore you should have twelve ounces of low mercury fish a week. Examples include canned light tuna or salmon. Also try oily fish such as sardines and mackerel.
It is very important to have an intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid for at least a month prior to trying to get pregnant and beginning your first trimester. By doing this you will prevent the chance by 70 percent of your baby being born with neuraltube damage like spina bifida, which currently affects 1 in 1,500 babies born in the UK. Folic acid supplements may be purchased at drug stores. You may also take prenatal or standard multivitamin. However, make sure the latter does not withhold more than 770 mcg RAE (2565 IU) of vitamin A if its a type of beta-carotene, because it may cause birth defects. Foods such as leafy green vegetables, Brussels sprouts, bran flakes, black-eyed beans, papaya and broccoli are all good food sources for folic acid.

Refrain from consuming coffee, tea and colas. Caffeine reduces your ability to absorb the iron you require for pregnancy and enhances the danger of having a stillbirth. However if your body is too used to having these drinks on a regular basis, then cutting of suddenly may give you headaches. Switch to decaf and if thats not enough then try half decaf or half caffeinated drinks. Cut back a cup a day. Steamed milk with syrup is a good alternative because it provides your body with the calcium it needs..

Stay away from unpasteurized soft cheeses and dairy products, luncheon and deli meats, raw undercooked fish and poultry such as shellfish, and unpasteurized juices. The harmful bacteria and microorganisms in these foods can cause listeriosis, salmonella or E.coli, which lead to stillbirths and miscarriages.

Avoid Medications and Harmful Intoxicants:

Stop taking birth control. This can be easily done, however, stopping hormonal contraception needs more planning. Complete your current pack of The Pill to stop irregular bleeding.. Sometimes it takes months for your cycle to normalize, other times you become fertile the first month, most likely if you are under thirty. It will take some time for you to figure out how long your cycle is, and when you are most fertile. Contraceptive patch and ring can take up to a year.

There are many drugs that can influence sperm production, while everyday medications like anti-depressants, antibiotics, acne treatments and steroids can disturb your fertility. Some drugs remain in your system for months even after stopping use. See your doctor or health advisor to find out which prescribed drugs you need to stop using.

You must not smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol. Some drugs remain in your system long after their effects have disappeared and therefore you must stop immediately. Even second hand smoke can be harmful for your pregnancy. Indulging in these activities leads to miscarriage, untimely birth and unhealthy babies. Tobacco use also limits fertility, affects your fallopian tubes and drops the sperm count. Alcohol loads calories and weight, and does not allow you to have stable blood sugar required for hormone production.

Having a healthy weight:

Conceiving becomes much easier when you have a healthy weight. Make sure your BMI (body mass index) is between 20 and 30. A healthcare provider can show you how to best achieve your desired weight if you are not in shape.

Excess weight affects hormone production that is required to ovulate and consequently get pregnant. Oestrogen released by fat cells reduces the production of FSH, a hormone necessary for getting pregnant. Being underweight will not allow you to ovulate on a regular basis create an adequate amount of hormones to initiate pregnancy

Follow a fitness plan to have a healthy body that's ready for pregnancy. This means at least sixty minutes of physical activity like walking, jogging, cycling, weight training or yoga. By doing this you will relive the stress that accompanies the process of getting pregnant, and have a flexible, healthy body. You should continue your routine even after getting pregnant. If your body is not used to such a routine then start with a short exercise such as taking twenty minute walks. Change your activity to become more and more rigorous everyday.

Be in a healthy environment:

Be hygienic and avoid infections by washing your hands repeatedly and wear gloves when doing dirty jobs such as digging in the garden or sandbox. Avoid activities such as cleaning the litter box because the risk getting toxoplasmosis is dangerous for the baby.

Wash your hands regularly when cooking food and set your fridge at the temperature of 35 and 40 degrees F (2 to 4 degrees C) and your freezer under 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C) to make sure food does not go bad.

Make sure that your daily job is not harmful for your baby. Chemicals, radiation, cleaning products, pesticides, solvents, lean in drinking water from old pipes are hazardous for the baby. Discuss this with a doctor or midwife and see what changes need to be made.

Avoid X rays and other such treatments during this time, as they can be harmful for your baby.

Have the necessary check ups:

Hormonal changes such as increased progesterone and estrogen levels during pregnancy can make you more vulnerable to gum infections, and bring about different result to the bacteria in plaque, causing pregnancy gingivitis where the gums are bloated, bleeding or sensitive. This occurs to half the women who become pregnant. Women with the tooth condition periodontal disease are seven times more expected to give birth to underweight babies. Get a check up from a dentist to prevent these complications before getting pregnant.

Have a preconception check up with your regular healthcare advisor. You will be discussing your familys medical history, medication your are taking, diet, weight, exercise, suggested prenatal vitamin, update your immunizations, tested for immunity from the diseases you have had in the past such a rubella and chicken pox, possibly have a pelvic exam and a pap smear if it has been more than a year since your last check up, be tested for sexually transmitted diseases if at risk and possibly get genetic testing upon your wish to detect sickle cell disease, Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis etc.

If you see signs of depression such as loss of pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable, a change in diet, sleep pattern and loss of energy, feelings of despair and hopelessness and worthlessness then check your mental health with a therapist or psychiatrist. Women with depression are more likely to have problems with fertility. Do a mental health check before you get pregnant especially if you have a personal or family history of depression.

Do your own research:

Do some research on your family's health history. Find out if there is a history of genetic or chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, sickle call anemia, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease or bleeding disorders, mental retardation, developmental delays or anatomical birth defects like cardiac or neural tube defects.

Know your cycle. The average length is 28 day but it varies from 25 to 35 days in most women. Symptoms such as tender breasts, abdominal pain and increased libido can indicate when you are ovulating. You can calculate your ovulation day. You may start charting your basal body temperature and the changes in your cervical mucus. By keeping a record for several months you can figure this out. Purchase a special thermometer available at certain drugstores and record it when you wake up in the morning before getting out of bed. Ovulation predictor kits can also help but these are expensive.

Start thinking about the costs:

Contact your health insurance company and consider the cost of having a baby. Take a look at prenatal coverage, the cost of going out of network, the cost of a particular doctor or midwife, deductibles for prenatal visits and delivery, and insurance coverage of tests and procedures. Vaginal delivery costs around 7000 dollars, a cesarean section costs around 11,000 dollars and neonatal intensive care can cost around 3000 dollars per day without insurance.

Contact a financial advisor to find out the cost of raising a child and about saving. Families that make around 50,000 dollars a year are likely to spend around 200,000 dollars to raise a child.

Keep a check on your partner:

Keep a check in your partner too. Make sure that the limitations you set for yourself, you also make him follow. Caffeine, alcohol and weight have influence on the sperm as well as the eggs. A man's fertility can cause as many delays in conceiving as a woman's. Make sure he isn't stressed out and is eating healthily. Sperm production and quality is connected to a good healthy diet. Vitamin tablets such as Wellman tablets will advance his energy levels and make conception easier.

Have sex:

Have regular sex before you start trying. By getting comfortable with this activity on a regular basis, you will not have a problem when you need to have sex at certain amounts in order to conceive. Having sex with the intention to conceive can bring a lot of stress and pressure, so make sure you enjoy it. Buy some lingerie and feel sexy. It is suggested that women are more fertile when they are aroused so don't let it become a chore and have fun with it.

Mentally prepare yourself:

This is a big change in your life. There are many things you need to be sure about. Some of the things you should think about and discuss with your partner are about being equally committed about doing this, about religious differences affecting the child, giving up sleep, childcare responsibilities, balancing work and family, parenting a special needs child and hiring babysitters.
Are your prepared to dedicate yourself to these changes and responsibilities?

You may release stress by talking to a friend and confiding your emotions with them. They will support you and share your feeling of anticipation and excitement.

Have fun. Do all the crazy things you will have to avoid once you are pregnant. Ride a horse, Go on a rollercoaster. Treat yourself for this exciting journey to come.

Why do I need expat health insurance?

Even the smallest accident or minor illness can be expensive if you don't have adequate health insurance. Make sure that you and your family are fully covered before you move abroad and you have peace of mind knowing you will receive the best medical care, no matter where in the world you are and no matter how serious the illness or injury is. Expat health insurance is designed specifically for people moving from their country of origin to another location on a permanent basis. It makes sure that the transition from one system to another is smooth, and that you are not denied medical cover in your new home.

Some countries also insist that you have adequate health insurance in place before you take up residency. If it's a legal requirement and you don't have insurance in place before you arrive, you may be denied access to the country or even incur a hefty fine.

Expat health insurance is the same as a normal health insurance policy, but rather than just covering you in your country of origin, it ensures that you are covered for treatment in your new home from the moment you arrive.

Other reasons for taking out international health insurance

Apart from the legal aspect of entering your new country, there are a variety of reasons as to why you might need international health insurance including:

• The quality of your local country's healthcare system is poor or does not meet your needs
• Good quality local healthcare may be very expensive, even for prescription drugs or minor treatment
• The local healthcare system is confusing
• Language barriers make using the local system difficult

Why shouldn't I just wait until I arrive in my new home?

You could wait until you have reached your new country of residence (if they'll allow you in without medical insurance), but that could mean a delay of days or even weeks until you get coverage. During that time you would have no health cover to pay for any medical bills, which could become very expensive, very quickly. Even prescription drugs such as asthma inhalers and blood pressure tablets can be costly and cut into your family's finances at a time when you may need to spend more than usual. So not having medical insurance could easily add extra problems to what is what already a stressful period in your life.

Where do I find guidelines on requirements?

The Internet has a wealth of information on official government and state sites, which will tell you what insurance you need. While you are still in the UK you can check out the NHS website, which provides guides on healthcare in EU and non-EU countries. If you're moving to the USA, the State Department's website has a medical insurance and country guide that will give you with all the information you need. Other countries such as Australia and Canada also have their own personalised guides to health insurance that will help you decide which type of international health insurance is suitable for you.

What should I look for when buying Expat health insurance?

While we would all like to think that an accident will never happen or we'll stay in good health, you never know what might be around the corner. To ensure that you are covered for every eventuality, both short and long-term, you might want to choose a range of cover that includes:
• Chronic conditions such as cancer
• Maternity including pre and post-natal treatment
• Doctors/specialist visits and prescription drugs
• Emergency evacuation back to your country of origin
• Dental & optometrist treatment

You should also check if the plan offers "Paid in full" or whether it just covers a proportion of the costs for certain treatments, particularly for long-term illnesses such as heart disease. It is also sensible at this stage to decide what deductibles (excess) you are willing to pay. As with other types of insurance, the higher the deductible you are prepared to cover, the lower the overall premium.

You also need to what the maximum limit on the policy is so that you are certain that you are covered for everything, including emergency surgery or long-term medical treatment. The UK's Foreign Office recommends that you should take out a policy that provides at least 瞿2m / €2.5m / $3m in benefit limits.

It all sounds very complicated...

In fact, taking out expat health insurance is as easy as arranging any other form of insurance cover. The first thing to do is a little research into the requirements of your country of destination to find out what type of cover you will need. Then talk to insurance companies that specialize in expat health insurance, telling them where you're moving to and what kind of cover you would like. They will use their experience and expertise to find a policy that matches both your needs and the legal requirements of the country you are moving to. There are policies designed for international travellers who just want temporary cover, and for those who are planning to move to a new country on a permanent basis. Insurance providers such as CIGNA Global offer comprehensive international health insurance packages that are tailor-made to help people who are planning to make that big move abroad.

Once you've sorted out your international health insurance, you can then arrive in your new home, safe in the knowledge that you and your family will get the medical treatment you need, when you need it. Medical insurance also means that you won't have to pay a fortune for that treatment either.

According to the Social Security Administration, 3 from the 10 workers out there have a pretty good chance of becoming disabled at some point. If you might be one of those individuals, would you be prepared to support the financial percussions that might appear in this kind of situation? Unless you have other financial sources that you can use to pay your mortgage or other monthly financial obligations, it probably be good idea to purchase short-term disability insurance.

The injuries which are work related are usually being covered under worker's compensation. Of course, as you might have guessed already, off-duty injuries are not. It may very well pay a percentage of your monthly income or a rate which will have to be paid on a weekly basis. Employers might offer short-term disability insurance from 6 weeks to 2 years, with a restriction of how much you are able to receive in a certain period of time. For you to be eligible, you will have to be working for a particular period of time. Employer group coverage might even be offered to you free at costs.

If by any chance, your employer will not offer you any coverage, or you just simply want to buy some additional coverage, you might consider buying individual short-term disability insurance. Unlike employer coverage, individual insurance coverage will be limited depending on your health. Beside this, individual insurance coverage is usually in many situations more expensive. Individual coverage too just like employer coverage normally will offer you coverage up to 2 years. With this type of insurance you are able to determine the percentage of your own monthly income which you might want to reimburse.

As you might noticed by now there are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to short-term disability insurance and you are the only one who can know which is the right decision to make.

Let's face it, no one likes to read all the health insurance company's fine print to try to decipher just what is and is not covered, but with IVF rates as high as they are, couples who are struggling with infertility should definitely see exactly what their insurance covers before proceeding with any treatment plans. While it's impossible to say without looking at your actual insurance policy, there are a few things that you should know in general about insurance and paying for IVF.

Maybe, Maybe Not
First off, some insurance plans will cover some infertility treatments but not others. There may be a section on your health insurance policy that talks about whether or not you are covered for certain infertility treatments, but if you can't find it, you can either call your insurance company or your employer's human resources department, which will be able to walk you through the ins and outs of your policy. If your insurance will cover some infertility treatments or at least diagnostic appointments, you should definitely take advantage of that before jumping right in to IVF.

State Laws for IVF Insurance
Some states have laws in place requiring employers of a certain size - usually they have to have more than fifty employees - to offer insurance plans that cover at least some infertility treatments; even if you live in one of these states, though, you may not be covered for actual IVF treatments. The states with laws like these are Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and West Virginia. Some couples actually move, especially if they live close to the state and can find jobs there, in order to get infertility coverage before trying treatments.

The requirements in these states can vary greatly. In Arkansas, for instance, the couple must be infertile for two years before using the infertility coverage, and the benefits - copayment, limit, and deductible - for IVF are the same as those for other maternity coverage; insurers can limit coverage to a maximum of $15,000, which covers, on average, one cycle of IVF. In Illinois, on the other hand, couples only have to be infertile for a year, and the law requires insurance to cover IVF and more complex treatments like ZIFT and GIFT.

If you don't live in one of these states, though, don't give up hope. Some employers offer insurance plans with infertility benefits even if they aren't required to. The main thing is that you have to check with your provider. Before you get any treatments done, be sure you know the requirements such as how long you have to be infertile to use your insurance for infertility treatments, what types of clinics you can go to, and what types of treatments you can have. Also, ask about the lifetime limit for infertility treatment, since this can also vary greatly from one plan to the next. Knowing this information about your insurance beforehand can help you team up with the infertility clinic's financial department to determine the course of treatment that is most likely to get you a baby without breaking the bank.

As we mentioned in previous articles, infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It effects over 5 million couples alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world. Because of unawareness of treatments, only 10% seek help from professional specialists. We have spent most of the time in this series discussing the conventional and Chinese medicine in treating fertility. I believe, it is the best time to change the subject by discussing how Minerals--Copper effects fertility.

1. Immunity
Copper is vital in maintaining the production of antibodies and white blood cells as well as antioxidant enzymes, thereby increasing the immune system in fighting against infection and inflammation and preventing the immune abnormal function of antibody antigen production.

2. Enzyme production
Low levels of copper may alter enzyme systems in regulating the reproductive function in offspring production, leading to decreasing of the chance of fertility caused by sexual libido and low quality sperm production.

3. Nervous symptoms
Since our brain requires certain amount of copper in transmitting information. Deficiency of copper increases the risk of stress, resulting in over production of certain hormones ( adrenaline and serotonin), leading to nervous tension including emotional and physical stress.

4. Anaemia
Although zinc is important for the reproductive health, overdose of zinc may cause copper deficiency, leading to low red blood count and decreasing the blood function in oxygen absorption, thus increasing the risk of blood and nutrients deficiency, causing irregular ovulation in women and lower quality of sperm in men.

II. Side effects and risks
1. Over dose of copper is toxic and may cause unexplained infertility
2. Intake of copper supplements may increase the levels of gastric acids.
3. Over dose of copper for prolong period of time may cause liver and kidney diseases.

An Umbrella Company is simply a company that is structured to employ temporary agency workers permanently to work at a variety of temporary workplaces, stating in the workers contract that their permanent place of work is their home where they carry out the duties of finding work and keeping records of expenses incurred and contract assignments. The Umbrella employee should be able to claim a tax free amount each week of 瞿3 for the use of their home for an office. The benefit of this employment structure is that (mostly) travel related expenses from home to temporary workplace can be claimed as well as temporary accommodation and incidentals like replacement tools and a certain amount of subsistence. The expenses are taken from the gross receipt (the amount you would have been paid as gross salary if employed directly by an employment agency) and after being subtracted whatever is left is taxed as gross salary. It should be stated in the "overarching" employment contract that the workers salary is variable for this reason, but will never be less than the national minimum wage (NMW). Once the salary is taxed the net pay is then added to the tax free expense amount and paid to you. There is usually a fee or "margin" that is taken from the gross receipt as the Umbrella Company is in business to make money. Different Umbrella Companies have different "margin" rates; you would need to enquire with them at the time you sign up. Some companies quote gross fees and some quote net fees.

At the end of each working week you let the Umbrella Company know where you have been working, the name of the client (agency or contractor) and the hours and rates at which you agreed to carry out the work. The Umbrella Company will invoice your client (agency), collect the money, and when you have submitted your work related expenses they will calculate your pay and transfer it to you.

A well structured Umbrella Company will cover you under their employers and public liability insurance, give you access to a pension and cover all of your statutory rights like Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Maternity and Paternity Pay and paid holidays. The most compliant Umbrella Company's will take their responsibility so seriously that they will provide you with an employee handbook which should outline their Diversity and Equal Opportunities policy as well as give you guidance on their disciplinary and grievance procedure.

Advice on the available individual health insurance options should include topics such as preventative, preexisting conditions, long term care and life threatening conditions. Each individual health policy differs depending on the conditions of care that a policy holder wants coverage for. A younger individual may not want to care a long term care option or think they need to carry a cancer policy. An older individual may not need a maternity coverage.

Individual health insurance options can also include options that could cover prescription drugs, co-pays, doctor choices and lab costs. With today's individual health insurance options you can build a policy that is uniquely fitted to suit your needs. You can build an individual health plan that covers a set amount of doctor office visits with or without co-pays. Maybe you want your policy to have the option of a disability clause in case of an accident.

Available individual health cover options have many choices in today's health insurance market. You may want to make a list of what coverages are essential and which ones you think you may want to carry before purchasing a policy. Do you have pre-existing conditions? Do you have family history of certain diseases such as cancer? Do you visit the doctor's office on routine visits for check ups for an existing condition such as diabetes or blood pressure problems?

Available individual insurance options can include short term disability, long term care, cancer, heart, preventative, etc. Health insurance options can help you save money also on designing a policy that fits your individual needs. You can choose the amount of coverage, how many doctor office visits are included yearly, your co-pay and deductible and what prescription coverage if any you may require.

If you don't go to the doctor's office very often than you can tailor a plan to suit your needs. If cancer runs in your family then you may want to think twice about adding a cancer option that would help cover the cost of treatment should you need it in the future. If you do not need maternity coverage than this is an option you could drop. The available individual insurance options make designing a plan for anyone an easy solution to choosing the right health insurance plan.