Gluten is a protein found in rye, wheat, barley, and some lesser-known grains. Some people can be highly sensitive to gluten, to the point that they might suffer from a disease called celiac sprue. Unfortunately, most of the “on-the-go” snack options include bread, pastries, crackers, and other cereals. Cross contaminating these with grilled hamburgers can make it unhealthier. There are multiple options for gluten-free snacks. However, if you are running against time and have a busy schedule, there are a handful of easy snacks that you can prepare in a jiffy. Read the following article for some of the easiest gluten-free snacks, whether you are craving for something crunchy, sweet, or spicy. Almond snack bars – This nutty and easy snack recipe is for the people who prefer savory sweets on a gloomy afternoon. You will need at least a cup of smoked (or ordinary) almonds, pumpkin seeds, a quarter cup of puffed millet, smoked paprika, a quarter cup of brown rice syrup, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Preparation – Preheat an oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an 8×8-inch baking pan and coat the bottom and sides with a cooking spray. Chop the almonds roughly so that some are chopped to small pieces and some almonds are left whole.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program available for people who are above the age of 65, people with disabilities, and people suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Health insurance is mandatory in the country, and Medicare is one of the popular options to provide the necessary health cover. Original Medicare includes Part A cover for hospital insurance and Part B cover for medical insurance. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plan), on the other hand, is private insurance provided by third party companies. The Federal insurance program also features Part D drug coverage that pays for medical costs that are not covered by original Medicare. Original Medicare provides primary medical insurance cover. However, applicants can also benefit from supplement plans that will pay for copayment, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap policies feature ten types of plans, each with its own set of benefits and coverage options. One must also be aware of the insurance plans that are not considered Medigap policies. These include Medicare Advantage Plans featuring HMO, PPO or private fee-for-service plans, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicaid, Federal employee and union health plans, TRICARE, Veterans Benefits, and long-term care insurance among others. Things to know about Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) Applicants must have original Medicare insurance before they can opt for additional insurance coverage.

The key to a ripped body lies not only in gym workouts but also in the diet. Therefore, people who work out often watch what they eat and drink, as diet has a tremendous effect on the body. Diet includes everything from breakfast and dinner to what people munch on between their meals or snacks. Most gym goers often avoid snacking, as they don’t want to break the diet they are following. However, it is possible to snack healthy without compromising on the diet. More than snacking, it’s the healthy snacking that makes all the difference. Healthy snacking does not have to be a complicated process, as most would think. Though they are not easily available in a store like other snacks, they can be made at home with easy recipes, without much hassle of too many ingredients and without spending too much time in preparation. Those who work out can reap multiple benefits from sticking to healthy snacking. Eating snacks before and after a workout gives more energy, prevents muscle catabolism, and increases muscle anabolism. What to eat and when to eat are the two most important things to keep in mind when having meals or snacks. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the primary macronutrients one should consume in their meals and snacks.

As most of us have fixed earnings post-retirement, our health care needs and costs increase as we age. These expenses can harm our monthly budget, and make it difficult for us to gather funds for unforeseen health complications. Medicare is a federal program that provides health care coverage to American citizens. It provides affordable health care benefits to senior citizens (aged 65 and older) as well to those who meet specific criteria laid down by the government. There are two main types of Medicare plans, Medicare Part A which provides hospital insurance and Medicare Part B covers medical insurance. However, these two plans might not be sufficient as they don’t cover all the costs in most cases, leading to an increase in personal medical expenses. That is where Medicare supplement plans are handy. These supplements are a type of private coverage that bridge the gap between two Medicare plans. Following are some advantages of Medicare supplement plans that you should know: Medicare supplements cover expenses that are beyond the scope of original Medicare Part A and Part B. These supplement plans cover 100% of the expenses once the original Medicare plan has covered its share. They can cover copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, and emergencies during foreign travel as well.

Most parents will admit that the thought of whipping together interesting snacks for kids can put one into a dilemma. While feeding kids healthy and delicious snacks is essential during the day, we often find that hours in the day aren’t enough to create treats for wee ones. However, snacking is one the best ways to curb hunger among kids in between meals. Kids can often get irritable, and not having enough food in the tummy can make them all the more cranky. The hunger pangs affect their mood, and this has a direct effect on their overall health. Good news! You can now churn out the best snacks that are not only fantastic in taste but can also be whipped up in a jiffy. Creating tasty snacks for your little curb does not have to be as complex as solving a Rubik’s cube. Making the perfect yet easy snacks for kids just calls for the right inspiration and some preparation. A few creative ideas and you can turn the most boring snacks interesting to immediately satiate the taste buds of your young ones. What’s more? These snacks are extremely healthy. To make your easy snacks, here are a few simple, healthy snack options for kids.

Rising medical costs have made it extremely challenging for seniors to find decent but affordable healthcare services. Even insurance programs such as Medicare comprise coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles that can leave a huge dent in one’s bank account. One solution to this financial crisis is Medicare supplement plans. Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) are an additional form of health insurance that can be availed from private providers to cover fees that are not included in the Original Medicare plan such as deductibles, co-payments, and international medical insurance. However, this type of policy doesn’t reimburse for expenses such as long-term care, private-duty nursing, hearing aids, eyeglasses, dental, and vision care. Some plans might cover prescription drugs. This plan is only offered to individuals who are enrolled in Medicare Part A that covers hospital fees, and Medicare Part B that takes care of doctor’s services. Individuals with Medicare Advantage plans aren’t eligible for Medigap. Factors affecting Medigap policies The costs of a Medicare supplement plan varies across providers and locations. Therefore, before you purchase a Medigap policy, it is imperative to understand the multiple factors that affect premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance. Read further to know more. Type of Medicare supplement plan chosen As mentioned earlier, Medicare supplement plans are managed by private insurance companies and not federal agencies.

You can get the best deals on Medicare health insurance policies during specific periods in the year. Similarly, there are some norms associated with the purchase of this insurance. As per the rules and regulations levied by Medicare, you’re not allowed to buy health insurance plans at the same rates around the year. This brings up the question, when is the best time to buy Medicare supplement plans? Read along to find out more about this. Buy on first eligibility The best time to get yourself a Medicare supplement plan is when you become eligible to make the purchase for the first time. The initial 6-month window is listed as the most favorable time to buy Medigap supplement plans from the official Medicare website. This window will open when you turn 65 years old and are already enrolled in the Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). During this period, you can buy Medicare supplement plans that are sold in your state. You can make the purchase even if you have a pre-existing health condition. On the expiry of this 6-month period, you might not be allowed to purchase a Medicare supplement plan. Even if you are eligible for coverage, it might cost you a lot more than the original price of the policy.

The progress in the field of medical science has ensured that several formidable diseases are wiped out completely from the face of the earth. For the other forms of ailments that cannot be completely cured, there are researchers working relentlessly to ensure that these diseases can be controlled to a certain extent. For instance, most forms of cancer can be treated if they are diagnosed in the early stages. However, another obstacle people face is that these treatment methods are too expensive for the regular person. The condition worsens when you consider third-world countries where the general population is deprived of even the basic necessities of life, and medications and other healthcare amenities feel like a far-fetched dream. People in some of the poverty-ridden countries still fall prey to otherwise-curable diseases and end up losing their lives to it. These countries are in dire need of monetary and other forms of help that the developed countries can send their way. This is where charities step in; affluent figures from the developed countries and even the citizens of these countries play a proactive role in ensuring that their counterparts in the third-world countries can lead a life with dignity that every other human being is entitled to live.

The ceaseless progress in the field of medical science coupled with the availability of medications has played a pivotal role in erasing several formidable diseases from the face of the earth. Though the mortality rate has seen a steady decline in recent years, about 40 million people in the country suffer from one or the other chronic health condition. Chronic health conditions like diabetes or arthritis can be managed with the help of medications and necessary lifestyle changes. However, the only obstacle that halts a person’s endeavor towards leading a seemingly normal life and coexisting with the health condition is their inability to afford or access the required health care. Dealing with a chronic medical condition requires making amends to the individual’s lifestyle choices and relying heavily on prescription medicines. There are instances when a person’s health insurance falls short of covering their expenses concerning prescription medications, and as these medicines are indispensable to their well-being, patients have to bear the financial brunt. In such cases, using coupons for prescription medications appears to be a viable choice. There are several websites and mobile applications that can help you save money on the prescription medicines you need; you can compare the prices of these medicines, print coupons, and there are several other features that you can explore with top-rated apps that can help you save on prescription medicines.

A whopping $3 trillion is spent annually on healthcare expenses in the country. And this figure is only expected to soar significantly in the following year. A recent study by a leading insurance provider estimates that an elderly couple might shell out over $250,000 on out-of-pocket expenses during their retirement years. These unreimbursed costs primarily comprise prescription medicines, which might not be covered in standard healthcare insurance plans. The consistent price hikes in specialty medicines and patent monopolies are one to blame for overpriced prescription medicines. Handling the cost of prescription medications can definitely strain your monthly budget; however, there are some options that can help you significantly lower its prices. Read on to know more. Shop around Comparison shopping is one of the most effective ways to ensure that you get the best deal on prescription medications. This method can prove to be of great help if your medical insurance doesn’t cover prescription medicines. Wondering how disparate the prices can be? Different pharmacies charge considerably different prices for the same prescription medications. Therefore, don’t forget to contact local pharmacies and inquire about their base prices for prescription medications to know which one is the most affordable. Make contributions to an FSA or HSA Almost one-third of the total prescription medicine expenses can be saved by making contributions to the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (FSA).