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Because group coverage is provided for many people through an organization, insurance companies are ultimately able to save money. Accordingly, you are more likely to receive comprehensive (or full) coverage than if you purchase as an individual on the open market. You are also likely to pay a lower premium than you would by purchasing individual insurance. One negative about purchasing insurance through an employer is that the employer probably makes various decisions about the scope of coverage. For example, the employer may want to only allow you to access physicians within one provider network. Your HR rep will guide you through the paperwork of joining a company insurance plan. Your company will generally offer several different plans from at least one, perhaps several, insurance carriers. In filling out your application, you may need information pertaining to:  Your previous insurance plan Any enrolling eligible dependents Any serious illnesses Many companies offer health insurance plans for full-time employees. You can also use these plans to cover an entire family, though you'll have to pay some monthly fees based on the plan that you choose and the number of people you are covering. Companies typically offer these types of plans.  Health Maintenance Organizations, or HMOs, are the least expensive option. In this type of health plan, you have a primary care physician who takes care of all health issues and refers you to a specialist when necessary. Preferred Provider Organizations, or PPOs, are more expensive, but give you more freedom in your choice of doctor. You are able to see any doctor within the organization without a referral. Point of Service, or POS, plans offer discounted rates for providers that are within a network, but you are free to pay higher rates to see a doctor outside of the network. You should complete the application and turn it in to HR in a timely fashion. Keep a copy for your records in case HR loses the application. After you submit your application to Human Resources, you should be notified promptly of your acceptance. However, your employer may have certain enrollment periods which limit when you can pick up coverage. Pay attention to when coverage begins. If accepted, look for your enrollment date, which is the date that you can start using your health care insurance to pay for medical expenses such as doctor visits. The enrollment date can sometimes be several weeks after you are approved. If you are laid off from your job, then you still have the option of carrying your insurance. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, allows individuals to continue an insurance plan after losing health insurance. While you will receive the same coverage, you will be responsible for the full payment of the insurance premiums. If you are leaving a job, your company will give you information about COBRA. Alternately, the ACA marketplace also offers insurance enrollment if you have left or been laid off from a job. Insurance through the marketplace is likely much cheaper than COBRA.

summary: Understand the benefits of group coverage. Contact Human Resources. Compare plan options. Fill out an application. Receive your health insurance card. Consider COBRA for temporary insurance.


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This procedure is done to quickly test for allergies. A small portion of a liquid containing an allergen is put on your skin. The doctor will then prick your skin and wait to see if you have any rash that forms around the area. Common allergens that are tested this way include:  Dust, pollen, animal hair, and food products. The controlled food challenge is another test that is similar to this one but is only used for food allergies. The test is only done in a doctors office and it can be dangerous. You would be given a small amount of food that you might be allergic to and observed for signs of an allergic reaction. If you think you may have food allergies, you can talk to a doctor about eliminating certain foods from your diet to see if you are allergic to them. The way the process works is you focus on eliminating one food group each week to see if your allergies clear up. You rotate eliminated foods until you figure out the food that is causing your symptoms. Foods that commonly cause allergies include eggs, nuts, wheat, milk and soy. Throat swabs are used to figure out what virus is causing the cold. A doctor will take a sterile cotton swab and gently run it along the inside of your throat. This can be uncomfortable but will help to figure out what kind of treatment you need if you do in fact have a cold rather than allergies. Once the doctor has gotten a large enough sample on the swab, he or she will send it off to a laboratory to be tested. Like a throat swab, a nasal swab is when mucus is collected from you by sticking a swab in your nose. Again, this can only be done by a doctor. When the doctor has collected a large enough sample, the swab will be sent off to a lab for testing. You will generally get your results back 48 hours after your visit to the doctor’s office. When you go into the doctor’s office, a nurse will take a sample of your blood. That sample will be sent to a lab for examination. Different types of allergens will be exposed to your blood so that the doctor can figure out what you are allergic to. This test generally takes a few weeks and is usually reserved for really severe allergies.

summary: Get a skin prick test done to test for allergies. Try eliminating things from your diet to see if you are allergic to a certain food. Have your doctor use a throat swab to see if you have a cold. Try using a nasal swab to test for a cold. Have a blood test done if you suspect that you have severe allergies.


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Flyaway hair is caused by dry hair, too much product build-up, or chemical damage. As hair gets drier, it produces more friction and static electricity. A silicone-based hair serum works for most kinds of hair, keeping it moisturized, shiny and flexible. But if you want to get serious about taming flyaway hairs, you'd consider what kind of hair you have and use product that's specifically designed with your hair in mind:  Hairspray designed to combat flyaways is best for fine to medium hair. A quick spritz should get the job done without sacrificing any naturalness your hair usually has.  Lightweight pomades designed to trap moisture is best for thicker hair. The trick with pomades is applying only a little; it goes a long way! Make sure you spread the pomade over your hands and coat evenly before applying to flyaways. That's what dryer sheets are for! you're thinking. Yep! They're excellent at controlling static electricity, and if you don't have any scruples about rubbing your hair with an anti-static sheet, they're very effective at taming flyaways. Perfect for when you're on the fly. Okay, so you won't be able to do this once you've gotten to class or the office, but this method works if you're still at home when you get the Medusa hair. Just take an ice cube and run it over any hair that's acting up, i.e. hair that's too dry. Cold water helps your hair retain moisture and help control it. The operating term here is non-greasy. As with the dryer sheet, you probably don't associate moisturizing lotion with your hair. But dab a little bit in your hands, spread it out, and work it into your hair, concentrating on the problem areas. Remember that flyaway hair is dry hair, and infusing it with some moisture-trapping lotion can go a long way. Only do this method if you have medium to thick hair texture.
summary: Use product specifically designed for your kind of hair. Try an unscented dryer sheet to control extra static. Get an ice cube and run it over your flyaway hair. Use a small amount of non-greasy hand- or body-lotion.