Health Insurance Apps for Driod and iPod

Did you know that you could simply download an app on your smart phone to have access to your benefits summary in an instant?  Not only can you review your benefit summary online through some of the apps listed below but you can also review claims, find providers in your area, pull up your member id.  BCBS's Florida Blue app also allows you to have a Health Check, provides you with Weather Health Alerts when your area is high in pollen, and tells you about upcoming events in your area such as a health and wellness fair.  United Healthcare's Heath4Me app has key features such as Easy Connect Service and the ability to contact registered nurses 24/7. 

Supreme Court: Health Care Reform

Below is a great article I pulled off of Yahoo News in regards to the Supreme Court hearing of the Health Care Reform. 

By Joan Biskupic and James Vicini | Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared closely divided along ideological lines over whether Congress had the power to require most people in the United States to buy medical insurance, with conservative justices asking skeptical questions about President Barack Obama's healthcare law and liberals defending it.

During two dramatic hours of arguments, pivotal justices on the nine-member court suggested they would uphold the so-called individual mandate requiring people to obtain insurance only if they believed they were not giving Congress broad new powers over people's lives.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy, two conservatives who could join the four liberal justices to uphold the law, pressed an attorney for the Obama administration to say where the limits would be on federal power if people who opted against insurance were forced to buy coverage.

Both justices also raised to the two lawyers challenging the individual mandate the government's contention that Congress is validly regulating people who already are in the market because virtually everyone is going to need healthcare at some point.

"That's my concern in the case," Kennedy said, noting that young, uninsured people affect the overall market by not paying into it and ultimately receiving care over the long term.

The four liberal justices, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, all indicated that they believed the mandate was valid under the U.S. Constitution. Two conservatives, Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito, were vocal in their skepticism about the validity of the requirement.

Scalia in particular seemed concerned that Congress and the federal government would have unlimited powers if the law was upheld. "What is left? What else can it not do?"

The ninth justice, conservative Clarence Thomas who is expected to vote against the law, asked no questions. He has not asked a question from the bench for more than six years.

At the end of the morning, the momentous dispute over Obama's signature domestic policy achievement appeared to be a close case and that arguments among the justices would continue behind closed doors as they draft their opinions, likely to be released in late June.

A decision by the high court, expected just as the presidential and congressional campaigns will be moving into high gear, will likely be a flashpoint leading up to the November 6 general election no matter how the court rules.

The court's ruling on the insurance requirement could decide the fate of the massive multi-part healthcare overhaul meant to improve access to medical care and extend insurance to more than 30 million people.

Outside the white marble courthouse, a crowd of supporters and protesters filled the wide sidewalk, marching, chanting and carrying signs. A motorcycle shop manager from Massachusetts, Michael Wade, called the healthcare law a "power grab" by Obama. Supporters of the law marched and chanted: "We love Obamacare."

The centerpiece of the law is the mandate that most people obtain health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty.

The law, reviled by U.S. conservatives and denounced by the Republican candidates competing to become their party's nominee to face Obama in November, is being challenged by 26 of the 50 states and a small-business trade group. The challengers contend Congress exceeded its authority to regulate commerce with that individual mandate.

In more practical terms, the challengers say that if the government can force people to enter the insurance market, it would have latitude to force people to engage in other behavior, whether it be to buy American-made cars or even to eat broccoli.

A New York Times/CBS News poll showed that a narrow majority of Americans oppose the individual mandate, 51 percent to 45 percent, but strongly supported other provisions of the law covering pre-existing medical conditions and allowing young adults to stay on their parents' health insurance plans.

The Obama administration argues that virtually everyone will need medical care and that those who opt not to buy insurance put a disproportionate burden on the system. It has defended the law as a response to a national crisis and constitutional.

Among those who obtained a coveted ticket to the arguments included top Obama administration officials as well as Democrats who helped draft the law like Montana U.S. Senator Max Baucus and Republican opponents like Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley.

(With additional reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky and Ian Simpson; Editing by Howard Goller and Will Dunham)

Health Living: Pappardelle with Baby Spinach, Herbs, and Ricotta

I LOVE pasta, all types!  When I found this healthy pasta recipe on Cookinglight.com I just had to share it with all of you.  Pappardelle with baby spinach, herbs, and ricotta is delicious.  To make it even healthy you can substitute the whole-milk ricotta cheese with part-skim ricotta cheese.  I also suggest to add a little more fresh ground pepper than suggested.  ENJOY!

Pappardelle with Baby Spinach, Herbs, and Ricotta

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked pappardelle (wide ribbon pasta)

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1/3 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese

3 cups baby spinach leaves

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

3 tablespoons grated fresh pecorino Romano cheese

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

1. 1. Cook pasta with 1 tablespoon kosher salt according to package directions, omitting additional fat. Drain in a colander over a bowl, and reserve 1 cup cooking liquid.
2. 2. Combine 1/2 cup reserved hot cooking liquid and ricotta cheese in a food processor or blender, and process until well blended.
3. 3. Combine hot pasta, cheese mixture, spinach, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; toss gently to coat. Add additional cooking liquid to moisten, if needed.

Rori Trovato, Cooking Light
APRIL 2011

Focus on Fitness: Top Workout Songs

This month is all about focusing on fitness.  If you want to be healthy then you must exercise.  "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that healthy adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week along with at least two days of muscle-strengthening activity," according to www.livestrong.com. 

Excerising this much all week seems like quite a bit, but it is worth it for your health.  People who frequently exercise lower their chances of developing life-threating diseases.  I think the best way to keep motivated while exercising is to have some great songs to listen to that will keep you going even when you want to stop.  Here is a top ten list of workout songs from www.Shape.com that I love:

Give Me Everything (Sidney Samson Remix), Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer, 129 BPM

Super Bass, Nicki Minaj, 128 BPM

Dark Horses, Switchfoot, 83 BPM

Stereo Hearts, Gym Class Heroes & Adam Levine, 90 BPM

Edge Of Glory (Bare Noize Remix), Lady GaGa, 140 BPM

Rain Over Me, Pitbull & Marc Anthony, 128 BPM

Pressure, (Alesso Radio Edit), Nadia Ali, Alex Kenji & Starkillers, 129 BPM

We Don't Get Down Like Y'all, T.I. & B.o.B., 92 BPM

Party Rock Anthem (Russ Chimes Remix), LMFAO, GoonRock & Lauren Bennett, 129 BPM

Mr. Saxobeat, Alexandra Stan, 129 BPM

Healthy Living Recipe of the Week

This week's healthy recipe is Shrimp Pad Thai from "Now Eat This." 
Shrimp Pad Thai

If you've never had real pad Thai, it will change your life when you do.  It's a perfect example of Asian kitchen alchemy.  The texture of the rice noodles against the sweet, salty, sour, and bitter taste of the almost seventeen ingredients (in the original) is the thesis for every Asian fusion dish to come our of an American chef's kitchen since the 1980s.  "Complex," "layered," and "dynamic" are words that come to mind--and every bite is different.  All that comes with a price, though!  The original can tip the scales at 2,000 calories per servicing.  This made of version comes in at a fraction of the calories and a fraction of the work, and it tastes great.  Fish sauce is derived from fermented fish and can be found in many Southeast Asian dishes.  It is available in the ethnic or Asian aisle of most major supermarkets.  SERVES 4

Ingredients:
4 ounces brown rice noodles
12 ounces medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 cups bean sprouts
8 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed
3/8 cup Rockin' Asian Stir-Fry Sauce OR store-bought sugar-free teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons reduced-fat peanut butter
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fish sauce
4 scallions (white and green parts), sliced thin on the diagonal
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation:
1.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook the noodles according to the package directions.  During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the shrimp, 2 cups of the bean sprouts and the sugar snap peas.  Stir to distribute the ingredients evenly, and continue to cook until the vegetables are tender and the shrimp are cooked through, about 2 minutes.  Drain in a colander and set aside.
2.  While the shrimp are cooking, heat the teriyaki sauce in a medium saucepan over high heat.  When the sauce comes to a boil, which in the peanut butter, lime juice, fish sauce, and scallions until the mixture is smooth.  Pour the sauce into a large bowl.
3.  Add the cooked noodle mixture and the cilantro to the sauce, and toss until everything is completely coated.  Top with the remaining 1 cup bean sprouts, and serve.

NOW YOU CAN EAT THIS!
Fat Before: 45g
Fat After: 5.5g

Calories Before: 2,090
Calories After 291

Healthy Living Recipe of the Week

A big part of staying healthy is eating meals that are good for you.  Since I am a food snob sometimes I have a hard time eating what may be "good for me" instead of "what tastes good."  Well, luckily now I do not have to compromise.  One of my dear friends gave me this fabulous cookbook, "Now Eat This" by Rocco Dispirito.  It has 150 of America's Favorite Comfort Foods that are all under 350 calories.  YUMMY!  Here is what I will be cooking up tonight:

Roast Chicken Burritos with Corn and Black Beans

Although white rice is always included in the fast-food version of this dish, I left it out here.  It would have added about 100 calories per servicein, and these burrtios are really good without it--even better, I think.  If you can't find corn salsa, but fresh refrigerated salsa and stil in some low-sodium canned corn.  SERVES 4

Ingredients:
4- 9-inch low-carb tortillas
2 cups shredded skinless breast meat from a rotisserie or roast chicken
2/3 cup canned balck beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn salsa
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
3 ounces (3/4 cup) 75% reduced-fat cheddar cheese shredded
1/2 cup 2% Greek yogurt

Preparation:
1.  Using flameproof tongs, char the tortillas briefly on each side over an open flame, or toast them under a preheated broiler.  Kepp the tortillas warm by covering them with a kitchen towel.
2.  In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the shredded chicken, balck beans, and salsa.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave on high until the mixture is hot throughout, about 3 minutes.  Stil in the cilantro.
3.  Lay the torillas on a work surface.  Spoon one fourth of the chicken misture over the bottom third of each tortilla.  Top the chicken with lettuce, cheese, and yogurt.  Fold the sides of the tortillas in over the filling, and roll the tortillas up tightly to encase the filling.  Serve immediantly.

NOW YOU CAN EAT THIS!
Fat Before: 38 g
Fat After: 6.8g

Calories Before: 790
Calories After: 280

Healthy Tips
Add all-natural plan Greek yogurt to any sauce (at the end of the cooking time, off the heat, to prevent curdling) to make the sauce richer without adding much fat.  Greek yogurt is also an excellent source of protein and calcium.

PGI Tampa Helps Children Go Back to School

PGI's Tampa office participated in collecting and donating supplies for Smart Start 4 Kids program.  PrimeGroup Insurance loves giving back to our communities!

IRS 2012 HSA Contribution Allowances

The IRS can increased HSA Contribution Limits for 2012.  The new limits are $3,100 for individual coverage and $6,250 for family coverage.  The new maximum out-of-pocket expenses for a HSA-eligible health plan is $6,050 for individual coverage and $12,100 for family coverage.

Read more about the IRS Changes in this great email blast below from United Healthcare.

PrimeGroup Sponsors hYPe Event

PGI's North Palm office was one of the sponsors of the North Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce's hYPe event held a few weeks ago at Dirty Martini.  The event was a huge success and tons of fun.  PGI's Jenna Jones is below in an article featured in Florida Weekly.

Ali's Alliance Fundraiser In Herlife Magazine

I had the wonderful pleasure of helping with the set up of a fundraiser for the most wonderful cause--Ali's Alliance.  Ali's Alliance is a unique search engine to help those battling cancer and their loved ones find the resources, news, and support they need in this most difficult time in their lives.  Ali's Alliance very first event was held at the North Palm Beach Country Club and raised about $15,000 by hosting a fun filled casino night.  Below is a wonderful article about the event that was featured in HERLIFE Magazine.  Yes, that is me throwing the dice at the craps table in the top photo---what can I say, I will do anything to help raise money for a good cause.