The costs of healthcare are going up, increasing expenses for insurers, employers, and patients. Health insurance premiums are rising, too, forcing some to forego coverage altogether.

In a 2019 survey of United States employers, researchers discovered that the annual cost of a family plan is often more than $20,000, with employees paying an average of $6000 in premiums per year.

That doesn’t include out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles and coinsurance, which averages $1,396 per year for an individual. Compare that to the average out-of-pocket expenses in 2009 – just $533 per year for an individual.

The rising cost of medical insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses has prompted a search for less expensive alternatives. Enter Health Savings Accounts.

Health Savings Accounts:
The Healthcare 401k

Many individuals and families are turning to high-deductible healthcare plans, which are designed to protect patients from major illnesses and serious accidents. They offer lower annual premiums, but the deductible is quite high – and fewer basic services are covered when compared to traditional medical insurance.

The most popular solution for managing large deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses is pairing high-deductible insurance plans with Health Savings Accounts (HSA). 

HSAs are often presented as “healthcare 401(k)s”, because they offer a variety of benefits to ensure funds are available in case of a medical disaster. Understanding the benefits of an HSA, as well as eligibility requirements, is key to deciding whether this option is right for you.

What Is A Health Savings Account?

Health Savings Accounts were introduced in 2003 as a replacement for the outdated medical savings account system. Essentially, individuals and families with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) were encouraged to set money aside to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses. 

Health Savings Account vs Flexible Savings Account

Funds deposited into an HSA enjoy certain tax advantages, and unlike Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), the money doesn’t have to be spent by a certain deadline.

Savings can be rolled over and invested year after year, which means people who are relatively healthy can accumulate a sizeable nest egg to cover medical emergencies.

*Note that HSAs are not the same as company-owned Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) – that is a separate program altogether.

How Do
Health Savings Account Work?

In a nutshell, income deposited to an HSA is not subject to federal taxes, and if it is withdrawn to pay for a qualified medical expense, there is no federal tax liability.

Distributions for non-medical purposes may result in taxes and penalties depending on factors similar to those that govern tax-advantaged retirement accounts like IRAs and 401ks.

Many employers make contributions to staff members’ HSAs to offset the additional deductible expense. Some encourage employees to add their own funds to an HSA through a matching contribution system.

Aside from delivering tax savings and improved financial security against medical expenses, many industry experts believe HSAs offer larger, more global benefits. The theory is that HSAs give consumers more power to make decisions about when and where to purchase medical care.

This may drive competition and bring healthcare costs down – or at the very least, prevent the seemingly unstoppable steep upward trajectory.

HSA Eligibility Requirements

Anytime you have untaxed income, you can expect to see eligibility guidelines and distribution rules. HSAs are no different. These are the basics you need to know before deciding whether to open an HSA:

HSAs are intended for individuals and families with High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) coverage. 

HDHPs are defined as those with annual deductibles of at least $1,350 for individuals and $2,700 for families.

Family plans are those that cover the policyholder and at least one other person.

The annual out-of-pocket maximum for in-network services under HDHPs can’t exceed $6,750 for individuals and $13,500 for families. These figures apply to the 2019 plan year, and they are reviewed each year. Expect changes based on inflation and other economic factors.

Plan Members Are Responsible

In addition to requirements around deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, the structure of HDHPs follows certain parameters. Specifically, the plan member is responsible for the first costs of healthcare, including prescriptions, up to the deductible.

Preventive Care Not Included

Once the deductible is met, HDHPs begin to cover additional healthcare expenses. An important caveat is that preventative care is not included in the “first costs” stipulation.

These services are covered whether or not patients have met deductible requirements.

If all of these criteria are met, the plan qualifies as an HDHP and members may be eligible for the HSA program.

Is an HSA Right For You?

If you are covered by an HDHP, you can determine your eligibility for an HSA by answering the following questions:

• Are you concurrently enrolled in another non-HSA qualified health insurance plan? If so, you are not eligible for an HSA.
• Do you own or use a standard or general Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? If so, you are not eligible for an HSA.
• Do you own or use a limited-purpose FSA for vision, dental, or dependant care? If so, you may be eligible for an HSA if your HDHP does not cover this sort of care.
• Can you be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return? If so, you are not eligible for an HSA. However, you may be covered under someone else’s HSA program if you are covered under their HDHP.
• Are you enrolled in Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or Medicaid? If so, you are not eligible for an HSA.

If you are eligible for an HSA now, you can open an account today to start saving.

If your situation changes in future years and you are no longer eligible to contribute, you are still entitled to tax benefits for the funds you set aside while you are eligible.

>> Is Health IQ Life Insurance Right For You?

Covered Expenses

A wide variety of medical expenses qualify for HSA payments, but it is important to be aware of expenses that are not eligible.

If you apply HSA funds to ineligible expenses, you may find yourself subject to taxes and penalties.

The following are common qualified expenses, though this list is by no means exhaustive:

• Standard/common medical procedures
• Standard prescription medications
• Standard/common vision care
• Standard vision care equipment such as corrective lenses
• Standard/common dental care
• Standard dental accessories such as dentures
• Medical equipment prescribed by a physician
• Over-the-counter medications with a prescription

HSA funds cannot be used for the following purchases:

• Medical insurance premiums
• Over-the-counter medications without a prescription
• General wellness equipment like a humidifier

Your HSA provider can advise you on any unique scenarios that you encounter.

Health Savings Account Contribution Limits

There aren’t very many opportunities to earn tax-free income, so it can be tempting to put large amounts away in an HSA – particularly in years when you are in a higher tax bracket.

Unfortunately, the IRS isn’t willing to risk overuse of HSA plans – and a subsequent loss of tax revenue – so there are annual contribution limits.

For 2019, the maximum amount single HDHP participants can contribute is $3,500. This represents an increase of $50 over 2018 contribution limits.

Participants who have a family plan can contribute up to $7,000 in 2019 – an increase of $100 over 2018.

For 2020, the maximum amount single HDHP participants can contribute is $3,550 or $7,100 for family coverage.

As with other limits and thresholds, these figures are reviewed each year and updated as appropriate.

>> Get Health with this AI Trainer

Other Health Care Savings Rules and Requirements

You aren’t required to open an HSA if you are covered by an HDHP, though most people choose to do so.

One of the most pressing reasons, aside from the tax advantages and financial security, is that many employers make contributions on employees’ behalf as part of a comprehensive benefits program.

If you have not opened an HSA, you cannot receive this “free money”.

As long as you meet eligibility requirements, you can continue to make contributions to your HSA – but if your financial situation changes and you are no longer eligible, don’t worry. You still own your account, and you can keep it indefinitely. There are no distribution requirements. You simply can’t continue to make contributions.

Some choose to include HSAs as part of their retirement planning efforts to ensure their ability to pay for uncovered medical expenses after they leave the workforce.

How to Open an HSA

If you meet eligibility criteria, opening an HSA is quite simple. You have a variety of providers to choose from, and you aren’t required to select the provider suggested by your employer.

Lively offers one of the easiest, most user-friendly HSA programs available. You can sign up online in less than five minutes.

All Lively HSA accounts are FDIC insured through Lively’s bank partner, Choice Financial, so you can be confident your money is safe. There are no fees associated with this account, and you can access investment options with the click of a button.

Lively is completely paperless, which makes managing your money easier and more secure. You get a free debit card to pay for qualified expenses, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of submitting for reimbursement.

Learn more about Lively HSA opportunities at Livelyme.com.

The article Health Savings Accounts Rules And Limits was originally posted on Investormint

Lola Tampons Review: LOLA delivers organic tampons, pads and liners to your door as part of a customizable subscription service. You get to choose how  many boxes you want, when you want them shipped and how often you want them shipped.

The packaging is discrete, the pricing is good, the product lives up to its marketing claims, and the experience opening the aesthetically pleasing box rivals what you get buying products from Apple or Warby Parker.

LOLA also provides you a feel-good factor when you purchase natural tampons and toxin-free feminine hygiene products. Since it launched, LOLA has donated over 1,000,000 tampons to low-income women and girls across the US in 27 states, 60 cities, and 100+ shelters.

The Lola Story: How It Got Started

LOLA, which is also called MyLOLA, was founded by two entrepreneurial women, Alexandra Friedman and Jordana Kier, who identified a problem in feminine care and decided to solve it.

The story of LOLA began when the two co-founders researched feminine hygiene products but couldn’t figure out what was inside them.

They realized the problem of lack of transparency about what women were putting into their bodies existed and decided to create organic tampons with no toxic ingredients.

Did you know that some tampons are made with polyethylene? Alexandra and Jordana say they didn’t know what polyethylene was but for years they had been putting it in their bodies via brand name tampons.

They knew an opportunity for greater transparency existed, and LOLA was born.

As a testament to how well the co-founders have succeeded, Lola tampons reviews have been almost universally positive. So how does MyLola work?

LOLA Tampons Review: How It Works

The step-by-step process of selecting feminine products (read: My Lola Tampons) from LOLA involves first picking the organic cotton product that meets your needs.

You choose whether you want:

• Ultra-thin LOLA pads with wings
• Ultra-thin LOLA liners
• Non-applicator LOLA tampons
• Applicator LOLA tampons

Once you have selected your product, choose your assortment options that are customizable to meet your needs.

Next choose how many boxes you want so that you’re prepared for upcoming cycles.

And finally, select the frequency with which you would like to receive your LOLA tampons, pads and liners. For example, you could get two boxes shipped to you every other month.

LOLA gets extra brownie points for its no commitments policy; you can modify, skip or cancel your box anytime.

A soothing touch LOLA provides is the comforting text inside the box which says:

“This too shall pass”

As a company founded by women for women, these thoughtful features go a long way towards winning customer loyalty.

YES! I Want Organic Tampons!

Lola Tampons Price

When you order your first boxes with LOLA, you enjoy discount pricing as follows:

LOLA is highly customer-focused, which is evident in many small ways. For example, if you want to skip a month for some reason, you won’t get charged. It’s not like a gym membership that obligates you to pay regardless of whether you use it.

At LOLA, you pay only for the boxes you get. After your initial orders, prices increase for ongoing monthly subscriptions.

YES! I Want Organic Tampons!

LOLA First Period Kit

A first period can come as a shock and preparing as much as possible can help to alleviate the surprise of a first menstrual cycle and period pain.

LOLA tries to ease the experience by preparing parents for their daughter’s first period with a First Period Kit, which is complete with necessary products and instructions.

In the First Period Kit, LOLA provides the following products:

• 6 day pads for medium to heavy days
• 6 night pads for overnight coverage
• 10 liners for light days or backup
• 10 light tampons for slim-fit protection

Each first period kits also comes with the following features:

• Instructional card for each product
• 1 canvas pouch when on the go
• 1 sheet of stickers which acts as a period tracker
• 1 keepsake box for storage at-home
• $5 LOLA credit for new subscription

LOLA worked with leading pediatrician, Dr. Lisa Stern, to create a free, downloadable e-book guide that covers what girls need to know about their first period.

The information is clear, direct and comprehensive, and features common questions posed by girls and their parents.

What Are LOLA Hypoallergenic Tampons Made Of?

Lola Tampons are FDA approved, made from 100% organic cotton top sheet, 100% organic cotton core, plant-based waterproof backing, and non-toxic adhesives.

The cotton is sourced in Europe and expands sideways for absorption and comfort.

Sizes offered include:

• Light LOLA tampons
• Regular LOLA tampons
• Super LOLA tampons

They’re absorbent, breathable, adaptable and soft with leak protection. LOLA tampons are also hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested.

LOLA tampons do NOT contain synthetic fibers, fragrance or deodorant, chlorine bleach, latex, parabens, or formaldehyde.

The plastic applicator is BPA free and the product is 100% biodegradable.

• Rating

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
• Standout Feature
  Organic Tampons
• Pricing
  First Box: $9 to $10
  2+ Boxes: $8 to $9
• ORDER NOW

Sexual Wellness by Lola

In addition to 100% organic tampons, LOLA now offers an entire collection of sexual health products. If you’re sexually active, you’ll want to check out their sex collection so that you can protect yourself from disease or unwanted pregnancies using organic, healthy products.

Here’s a look at the products that LOLA offers in their sex collection.

Ultra Thin Lubricated Condoms

LOLA condoms are made out of natural rubber and use silicone oil as a lubricant.

You can order up to three boxes of 12 at a time so that you’ll always be protected without sacrificing either your health or your ability to enjoy sex.

Personal Lubricant

LOLA’s aloe-leaf lubricant is made to emulate the natural moisture of a woman’s vagina so that she can enjoy sex without putting anything artificial in her body.

The formula is gynecologist-approved for optimum health and is delivered via a one-click pump system. This allows you to apply it whenever you need without disrupting what you’re doing or ruining the mood.

Cleansing Wipes

After great sex, you don’t want to have to spend a long time cleaning up!

LOLA’s cleansing wipes are 100% bamboo and soaked in purified water so that you can quickly and easily take care of gynecological hygiene without getting out of bed. As with the condoms, you can buy up to three boxes of 12 at a time.

Sexual Wellness Kit

Whether you’re making love for the first time or are a sexually experienced woman, LOLA’s sexual wellness kit can help enhance the experience.

The kit comes with an assortment of cleansing wipes, lubricant, and condoms so that your sexual health needs are always covered and LOLA also throws in a 50-page guide to sexual health and wellness that covers everything from antaomy 101 to how to make sure sex is consensual, fun, and safe for both partners.

Sex Essentials Box

The sex essentials box contains condoms, lubricant, and wipes so that you’re always ready to take care of your sexual health. You can purchase this box once or set up a subscription so that you always have what you need anytime the mood strikes you.

YES! I Want Ultra-thin Condoms Made From Trusted Ingredients

LOLA Tampons Review: FAQ

Can I receive a Lola tampons sample?

The first box you order from MyLola is discounted in price so you can sample Lola tampons, albeit not risk-free.

Does Lola make organic tampons?

Yes, Lola tampons are made from 100% organic cotton top sheet, 100% organic cotton core, plant-based waterproof backing, and non-toxic adhesives.

Lola tampons reviews: customer rating?

Since launch, Lola tampons reviews have been overwhelmingly positive with Trustpilot awarding MyLola a 9.2 out of 10 rating.

Feel Even Better With Lola Tampons

Since 2015, LOLA has donated over 1,000,000 tampons to low-income women and girls in over 100 shelters in 60 US cities.

LOLA partners with Support The Girls, Distributing Dignity, and Simply The Basics to distribute tampons to women and girls.

Their philosophy is captured in the Twitter campaign, #TamponsAreNotALuxury, which is designed to spread the message that tampons should be available to every woman and girl who needs them, not just those who can afford them.

Meet The Lola Founders

Alexandra Friedman is a Dartmouth College graduate who went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Thereafter, she worked at the Boston Consulting Group for a couple of years before joining Flurry Analytics, which was acquired by Yahoo in 2015.

In 2014, LOLA was born and in under 3 years garnered so much traction that a host of investors jumped on board to fund the seed and Series A rounds of LOLA to the tune of $11.2M.

Jordana Kier is also a Dartmouth College graduate who earned her Master’s in Business Administration from the Columbia Business School.

She has been a Manager of Artistic Planning at the New York City Opera and has brand name companies like Quidsi and Rent The Runway on her resume.

More LOLA

Listen to more from Alexandra Friedman and Jordana Kier on the Radiate podcast with Betty Liu.

And how transparency will disrupt the $15 billion feminine care industry with 33 Voices:

YES! I Want Organic Tampons!

LOLA Investors

Among the seed investors in LOLA is Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and CEO of Warby Parker. Warby Parker provides eyewear users with a sublime purchasing experience that rivals the experience Apple users enjoy when opening the packaging of an iPhone or iPad. LOLA follows in the footsteps of Warby Parker with a world class packaging experience that makes receiving your organic tampons ‘in-a-box’ delightful.

Other LOLA investors include Dave Gilboa, Warby Parker co-founder, and Jeffrey Raider. Jeffrey Raider was co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker and subsequently co-founder and co-CEO of billion dollar men’s shaving company, Harry’s.

Featured Investors:

• 14W
• Spark Capital
• LivWell Ventures
• Nathaniel Ru
• Lerer Hippeau Ventures
• Lena Dunham
• Joshua Kushner
• David Gilboa
• Vayner/RSE
• Will Gaybrick
• Nicolas Jammet
• Neil Blumenthal
• Seth Berkowitz
• Jonathan Neman
• Expansion Venture Capital
• Brand Foundry Ventures
• Box Group
• BBG Ventures
• Andy Dunn
• Allison Williams

*Source: Crunchbase

LOLA Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

Want to learn more? Check out Lola social channels:

• Lola Instagram
• Lola Facebook
• Lola Twitter

The article LOLA Tampons Review 2020 was originally posted on Investormint

Vi Trainer offers a cool way to work out. By pairing together premium heart-rate sensing headphones and an app complete with an artificial intelligence personal trainer named Vi, it offers the support and data you need when you’re working out.

Whether you want to push yourself to run a new distance, pick up speed as you train for an upcoming race, or get back to running after some time away from the sport, the Vi Trainer can help.

You’ll get real-time feedback on your vitals as well as encouragement every step of the way. It’s also an excellent way to collect data about your runs and track your progress.

But what else do you need to know? In this Vi Trainer review, we dive in to see if this is the right artificial intelligence fitness trainer for you.

What Is Vi Trainer?

The best way to describe Vi Trainer is as an artificial intelligence trainer with smart earphones.

It works in conjunction with an app that you download and use on your choice of smartphone.

The training system syncs to the app, and therefore your phone, so that you can track your training and your results on your phone after each run.

The wireless headphones are comfortable and deliver exceptional sound, and your personal trainer named Vi will direct you throughout your workout.

You can choose from a wide variety of workouts depending on your schedule and your goals. You can also set the Vi Trainer for a free-run workout, allowing you complete freedom on the go.

When you work out, your Vi Trainer will track your heart rate, your speed, and how much distance you’ve covered on the run.

You can also ask the Vi Trainer questions using specific voice commands to get real-time feedback.

The longer you use the Vi Trainer, the more it will understand you as a runner. It will grow to understand your voice with ease and get familiar with your running speeds and goals.

GET STARTED WITH VI TRAINER TODAY

Is Vi Trainer Right for You?

A question you might be asking is whether Vi Trainer is the right choice for you. Most runners can benefit from the sheer amount of data that Vi Trainer can provide.

You’ll get so much information on your speed, the elevation you gain on a given run, and how fit you’re getting over time.

For those who are training for a race, the Vi Trainer comes loaded with training plans that can help you cross the finish line.

You can use the Vi Trainer on your weekday runs, on those long runs on the weekend, and even when you’re toeing the line on race day itself.

The Vi Trainer is also beneficial for anyone who wants to get into running but doesn’t know where to start.

Vi will be the voice in your ear encouraging you to pick up the pace after a walk break and telling you to cool down at the end of a run.

The Vi Trainer is optimistic and encouraging and makes you feel as though you have an experienced and friendly runner by your side.

Whether you’re looking for someone to be your running companion or your personal trainer, Vi can fit the bill perfectly.

Vi Trainer Vs Fitness Trackers

There is no shortage of fitness trackers currently on the market. However, virtually all of them are designed to be worn on the wrist.

For a number of reasons, this isn’t always ideal. If you find it uncomfortable to wear a big watch on your wrist or you find it unnatural to keep looking down at a screen on your arm, the Vi Trainer is a fantastic alternative.

Since the information comes right to your ears when you want it, you can focus on your form and keep your eyes straight ahead whether you’re running in a busy neighborhood or on a technical trail.

Vi Trainer Review:
What Makes It Great

There are countless features that set the Vi Trainer apart from any other fitness trackers or accessories.

First, the app itself is sleek and easy to use. You can quickly and easily view past runs as well as specific information about your most recent workout.

Take a look at your personal records that show how far you ran and even how many calories you burned based on your height, weight, age, sex, and heart rate.

In addition, the wireless Bluetooth headphones that are part of the Vi Trainer are exceptional.

The neckband stays put and won’t bounce around while you run, and the headphones stay firmly in place even as you sweat.

There are also four different earbud sizes so that you can get the perfect, comfortable fit.

The sound is clear and rich, and it is more than loud enough to drown out any city noise in the background.

Plus, the Vi Trainer can sync up with your Spotify preferences.

That means you can listen to music and hear the Vi Trainer commands and motivational comments with ease. There are also preset music channels if you’re looking for something new while on the run.

The Vi Trainer is also completely customizable. It is not just designed for expert runners or limited to beginners.

It meets you at your exact fitness level and pushes you to become that much better.

Whether you’re ready to improve distance, improve time, or lose weight, there are programs through Vi Trainer that can help you accomplish your goals.

Plus, you can even adjust the Vi Trainer to be as chatty or as direct as you like.

Imagine a personal trainer that you can dial up or down depending on your mood and your goals for the day.

GET STARTED WITH VI TRAINER TODAY

How Vi Trainer Works

The Vi Trainer is remarkably intuitive, but it isn’t ready to use straight out of the box.

Although it will come completely charged, you need to spend some time downloading the app to your phone and then pairing the Bluetooth headphones with your device.

This is also when you need to input some personal details so that the Vi Trainer can better assess your running.

The Vi Trainer will ask for your height, age, and weight as well as your biggest running goals.

You’ll also need to adjust some settings on your phone so that the microphone function is available.

Next, it is time to choose your overarching program.

Right now, these are:

• Improve Fitness
• Lose Weight
• Go Faster
• Reduce Street
• Go Farther
• Maintain Fitness

If you have something in mind already, you can also input the number of miles you want to run as well as your preferred speed.

The Vi Trainer recommends that you start each run with a brief warm-up jog for two minutes.

During this time, the Vi Trainer will find your heart rate and start playing your choice of music, if applicable. Then, the workout will begin.

Vi Trainer will immediately begin providing verbal feedback, but you can choose just how much feedback you want while on the run.

The Vi Trainer comes with three feedback settings:

• Short and Sweet
• A Little Less
• Lead the Way

Choose the level of feedback that you want on your run, and keep in mind that you can easily change it at a later date.

If you pause on the run, Vi Trainer will also pause and wait for you to restart your run before turning back on and providing more feedback and motivation.

As you run, Vi Trainer will give you encouragement and let you know how you’re doing.

If you want additional information at any time, just tap the right earbud with your finger. When you do, you’ll hear a tone, and you can ask Vi Trainer one of the preset verbal commands.

You can find out what your heart rate is, how fast you’re running, how far you’ve run, or how much further you have to go until the workout is complete.

GET STARTED WITH VI TRAINER TODAY

Drawbacks of Vi Trainer

There are a few drawbacks to using Vi Trainer.

If you’re used to wearing very lightweight headphones or running without them at all, it may take some time for you to adjust to the neckband.

It is also worth noting that the Vi Trainer takes some time to get used to your running and your level of fitness.

The first two to three hours of running with the Vi Trainer may not be entirely accurate as the program calibrates to your specifics.

Some users also find it difficult to clearly speak the voice commands to Vi Trainer while on the run.

When Vi Trainer doesn’t understand your commands, it will issue a system rejection and have you try again. If you’re out of breath while running, this can be frustrating.

The good news is that this happens less and less over time as Vi Trainer learns to recognize and respond to your voice better.

How Much Does Vi Trainer Cost?

There are different Vi Trainer items that you can purchase. The most common and the most effective, Vi Sense, is $149 through the Vi Trainer website.

This includes the high-quality Bluetooth headphones along with the app and a 12-month subscription to the Vi Trainer service.

A slightly more affordable option is Vi React, which comes with water-resistant headphones but not a neckband. This option includes two months of audio-guided workouts, but it is not as responsive as the true Vi Trainer.

Finally, it is important to note that Vi Trainer is a subscription-based program.

Each month, you’ll need to have an active subscription if you want to continue using the service.

Once your original 12-month subscription expires, you can purchase a new subscription that costs $9.99 per month.

Compared to the cost of an actual personal trainer, this price is a tremendous bargain.

GET STARTED WITH VI TRAINER TODAY

Vi Trainer Review Summary

Having Vi Trainer is like having a friend with you on the run.

It’s also like having a personal trainer to motivate you, and it tracks your data like any wearable fitness tracker.

Whether you are trying to step up your running, start running, or just improve your form, Vi Trainer can help.

Although there is an initial investment, paying just $9.99 per month is very reasonable for a trainer that you can rely on every single day.

GET STARTED WITH VI TRAINER TODAY

The article Vi Trainer Review – Your Artificial Intelligence Fitness Trainer was originally posted on Investormint

For the 2018 report, more than 20,000 doctors across more than 30 disciplines were analyzed.

And drumroll…

The average overall salary for physicians, including primary care providers as well as specialists, is $299,000, a modest increase over the previous year.

While becoming a physician is certainly a lucrative proposition, it is becoming even more so. The average compensation that a doctor receives has been steadily rising since 2010

In just 7 years, the figure has increased by approximately 50% from $200,000 in 2011.

Why the increase? Some say the trend is reflected in the moving price, which is the amount necessary to convince a doctor to uproot his or her life and move to a new location.

According to Medscape, the top three earning disciplines for 2018 are the same as those in 2017. These specialties are plastic surgery at an average compensation of $501,000, orthopedics at $497,000 and cardiology at $423,000.

While orthopedics and cardiology were in the top three five years ago, plastic surgery was not. In fact, average compensation for plastic surgeons has increased more than 35 percent in that time.

The top 3 earning disciplines for 2018 are plastic surgery, orthopedics, and cardiology with median incomes of $501,000, $497,000 and $423,000 respectively.

Which Doctors Make the Most?

The earning potential of doctors is a significant motivation behind why many choose this career path, but not all medical fields are equal in terms of how much you can earn over the course of your career.

Of the three disciplines that have experienced the largest increase in earnings, only plastic surgery is present among the top 3 earning and the top 3 fastest-growing fields.

In addition to plastic surgery, this list includes psychiatry as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Plastic surgery continues to boom as it becomes more socially acceptable and younger “patients” embrace them more.

Increases for psychiatrists is driven by a demand for mental health services, which is explained by higher life expectancies and social issues, such as the opioid crisis.

Which Doctors Have Suffered
Lower Earnings?

In some disciplines, the average practitioner has lost income over the last 5 years.

The top three income declines according to the Medscape report are:

Considering these domains, the decreases in income may reflect better early detection and preventative treatments.

Where Do Doctors Earn
Most and Least?

A physician’s ability to earn is not limited simply by the specialty that he or she chooses. There are other factors as well, and perhaps chief among them is where a doctor chooses to live and practice.

The Medscape report for 2018 organizes the United States into nine regions. It then assigns an average compensation for each region across all specialties.

Compensation ranges from $275,000 to $319,000, and it is perhaps surprising at first that the top spot is held by the North Central rather than a coastal region. However, these coastal regions are the most competitive for doctors which in turn suppresses salaries.

The doctors who on average earn the least are located in the Northeast.

Other regions at the low end include the Southwest at $277,000 and the Mid-Atlantic at $281,000.

In addition to the North Central, the top three includes the Southeast at $309,000 and the Northwest at $306,000.

These averages account for market conditions, competition and business costs as well as Medicare payments and other factors that can vary from state to state.

Do Women Doctors
Make as Much as Men?

A hot topic in the conversation about modern employment, including among doctors, concerns disparities between salaries for male and female professionals.

In 2018, male doctors earned on average 18% more than their female counterparts.

In 2017, primary care physicians who were male earned on average 16 percent more than those who are female. Male specialists earn about 36% more, which can be a difference of $75,000 or more annually.

It may be worth noting that not all specialties are well-represented by women. The fields that are include family medicine, pediatrics, public health, preventative medicine and plastic surgery.

Medical fields that have a low percentage of women include cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics and radiology.

What Benefits Do Doctors Get?

Coveted jobs often offer an extensive benefits package in addition to a salary. Physician and other medical jobs are not unlike most professional positions in that benefits are usually included.

Like most employees, doctors usually receive health insurance, and most receive dental insurance as well.

About 66% of them receive time off, and that aligns with the percentage of employed versus self-employed physicians.

More than half of employed doctors do not, however, receive either short- or long-term disability, and if they want that kind of protection, then they have to pay for it out of pocket.

A common benefit for medical professionals that is not typical across most industries is malpractice insurance.

Medical professional liability insurance helps protect health care professionals and their employers from certain liabilities.

>> Can You Run A 9 Minute Mile? Check Out Health IQ

How Much Debt Do Doctors Have?

While many doctors will earn significant incomes over the course of their careers, they will also take on heavy debt.

There is no doubt that a high income is one of the key attractions of the medicine profession, but the long-term financial obligations that doctors face are significant.

While the average student borrower in 2016 owed $28,400 upon graduating, doctors are not the average student.

Private school students can easily owe as much as $75,000 or more, and that is just for earning a Bachelor of Science degree and before ever attending actual medical school.

The average cost annually to attend medical school in 2016 was $32,495. That does not include books, room, board, transportation and so forth.

It becomes clear why the Association of American Medical Colleges reports that the average debt for a physician upon graduation is about $200,000.

How Long Does It Take
Doctors to Pay Off Loans?

A recent study in the personal finance industry found that less than half of all surveyed doctors would choose a career in medicine if given the option to do it all over again.

Doctors work long hours, are under a great deal of pressure and have to manage their mountains of debt.

Physicians take on a great deal of financial risk not just in the debt they assume but also in the professional liabilities they may face.

Despite most doctors earning six-figure salaries, it often takes them between 11 and 14 years to pay off their loans.

In other words, the typical physician is not earning a full-time salary until at least a decade after most other college graduates.

How to Pay Off Your Medical Loans

Doctors and other medical professionals need a loan repayment strategy upon graduating.

Interest is a significant portion of the debt burden, and while there are many repayment options available, interest rates can vary greatly.

Two of the best student loan and loan refinancing options on the market are offered by CommonBond and SoFi.

CommonBond was founded by students who had suffered firsthand under the burden of high student loans.

This top tier lender specializes in private student loans and in refinancing existing student loans.

It also has a social component; each loan issued is accompanied by a promise to fund the education of a child through Pencils of Promise.

CommonBond is not just a vessel of goodwill, though. It is a streamlined financial enterprise that targets super-prime borrowers and offers highly competitive rates.

For new loans, it offers both fixed and variable rates over terms of five, 10 and 15 years.

Borrowers who want to refinance can acquire fixed, variable and hybrid loans for up to $500,000 and for up to 20 years in term length.

COMMONBOND SPOTLIGHT
InvestorMint Rating 1 2 3 4 5 5 out of 5 stars	Best Feature: Low rates Products: Student loan refinancing + private student loans Get Started via Commonbond secure site

SoFi is a direct competitor of CommonBond, and it targets a group of people that it has coined HENRYs: high earners not rich yet.

It even has an exclusive HENRY community on Facebook to which SoFi borrowers have access. These are people who may be cash-poor now but who are likely to be rich in the future.

As with CommonBond, SoFi offers new private student loans as well as student loan refinancing, and super-prime borrowers can expect rates that are much more favorable than are generally available through traditional student borrowing options.

SoFi can also help borrowers as they grow in their professional and personal lives with mortgages, life insurance, wealth management and other services.

SoFi and CommonBond are both intriguing options for the student setting out on a path toward medicine and the medical professional who has already graduated and is striving to move forward toward financial success. Which company is better will depend on your unique situation and personal goals.

Which Lender Is Best For Your Medical Loans?

If partnering with a single financial company throughout your life is attractive to you, then SoFi is a very appealing option.

When it comes to student loans, CommonBond tends to offer more favorable rates, and it does not charge origination fees nor penalize for prepayment. SoFi, on the other hand, offers lower Parent PLUS refinancing.

CommonBond and SoFi both offer effective strategies for managing your student debt.

CommonBond likely appeals most to the average student and recent graduate for the lower costs in the near-term, but SoFi is a worthwhile option for the physician with a financial vision beyond just the repayment of his or her student loans.

Choose CommonBond >> Choose SoFi >>

The article How Much Do Doctors Make A Year? was originally posted on Investormint

If your tooth aches and your dentist has told you that you need treatment, the first thought to cross your mind may be how much does a root canal cost?

Before you add heartburn to your tooth ailment when you discover the price of a root canal procedure, it may be worth taking a deep breath and thinking about the consequences of not pursuing treatment.

If you procrastinate on necessary root canal treatment, you may need a tooth extraction down the line.

Fillings and antibiotics may not be enough to get rid of the infection.

And if you let the infection linger and ultimately need your tooth pulled, your other teeth may drift, which can cause bite changes and even alterations to your facial appearance.

So, if you are going to forego dental work, a root canal is probably not the dental procedure to skip. So if you must sit in the dentist’s chair, how much will a root canal cost?

Root Canal Costs
Without Insurance

The cost of root canal treatment is not fixed but instead varies by where you live, the dentist you choose, and the tooth needing treatment.

The reason cost varies by tooth is that front teeth have just one root while molars can have up to three roots.

And after the root canal procedure has been completed, your endodontist will generally need to place a crown on the tooth.

If you are lucky, you may escape with just a filling but a crown is more likely unless you visited your dentist as soon as you felt some tooth sensitivity.

The cost of the crown is added to the root canal cost so the total can add up to a hefty sum.

Provided no complications, such as a cracked tooth occur, you won’t be hit with additional charges.

And you may even be able to use insurance to help offset the root canal cost and the crown placement.

We gathered data provided by FairHealthConsumer.org on the costs of root canal treatment in different geographies.

For the San Francisco Bay Area, the out-of-network uninsured prices for initial treatment excluding final restoration are as follows:

Related procedures can add up to another $265:

With a known price estimate, you can negotiate with a non-network dentist if you do have insurance or an in-network dentist if you don’t have insurance.

If your dentist quotes you a much higher price, you can use the data from Fair Health Consumer for your zip code to request a lower price.

If you live in Manhattan, negotiating is probably a good idea because the out-of-network uninsured prices for initial treatment excluding final restoration are even higher than Bay Area prices:

Related procedures can add up to another $346:

From our research, root canal costs in the middle of the country, such as Iowa, were 30% cheaper than those in California’s Bay Area and 50% cheaper than the prices in Manhattan.

Dental Crown Cost

Generally, a restorative crown is needed in addition to the root canal procedure.

In Manhattan, the average cost of a porcelain or ceramic substrate crown is $2,250 without insurance.

On the West Coast in San Francisco, the average price is quite a bit lower: $1,600.

And in the middle of the country in Iowa, the cost of a dental crown is about half of the price that New Yorkers pay: $1,156

When you sum up the totals, Big Apple residents may pay as much as $4,250 for a root canal procedure plus a restorative porcelain or ceramic crown while West Coasters will fork over as much as $3,195 and patients in the middle of the country get the best deal by shelling out approximately $2,150.

No matter where you live, the prices are steep. So how can you save on root canal costs?

Root Canal Costs
With Insurance

When you visit your dentist for a crown or root canal procedure, your dental insurance plan may cover up to 90% of the cost after you pay a deductible.

Imagine for a moment that you need a root canal with a restorative crown procedure that your dentist charged $3,000 to treat, how much would you pay out of pocket?

If your deductible was $250, and your dental insurance plan covered 90% of the cost after the deductible, then you would pay 10% of $2,750 which amounts to $275.

Some dental insurance plans may only cover half the price after the deductible, meaning that you would pay $250 plus 50% of $2,750 for a total of $1,625.

The wide spread between having a dental insurance plan that covers almost the entire cost of the root canal procedure and only half of it is so large that it would be well worth your time shopping around for dental insurance plans to get the best deal.

How To Save Money On
Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatments are expensive, especially if you don’t have dental insurance but you do have options to lower your dental bill.

NEGOTIATE LOWER DENTAL BILL

Your best bet to save money on your root canal treatment is to negotiate with your dentist.

If you are honest with your dentist about how paying for the procedure is a financial struggle, you may be able to earn a price discount.

You could even go so far as to ask your dentist for a discount for providing patient referrals.

BUY DENTAL INSURANCE

Dental insurers are smart enough to know that some patients will buy insurance today for a dental procedure tomorrow. To mitigate this risk, insurers frequently won’t provide dental coverage for a period of time that can be many months in the future.

If you have a root canal that needs urgent treatment, you don’t want to be waiting for your coverage to take effect but if time is on your side it may be well worth the annual cost of a few hundred dollars per year to have your insurer foot the bill for a few thousand dollars down the line.

When you shop around, you may find the dental insurers charge hefty premiums so you could explore a HMO that may be cheaper but will also usually have fewer dentists.

VISIT A SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

Believe it or not, you could save on root canal costs by visiting a school of dentistry where student dentists will perform the procedure.

While the thought of an inexperienced student dentist having free reign over your achy tooth may seem terrifying, the reality may be much more mundane because professors generally oversee procedures.

You will likely be stuck in your chair longer than if you were with an experienced dentist however, but it may be worth the extra time to save on cost.

FIND A DENTIST ABROAD

Jumping on a plane to another country may not be an ideal way to lower your dental bill but when you crunch the numbers you might be surprised to find it could be more economical.

Salaries paid to dentists in other countries, such as Mexico, can be as much as 70% lower than those paid to U.S. dentists and that can translate to significantly lower dental treatments.

The big caveat when traveling abroad to find a dentist is that you will need to do some extra due diligence to verify the quality of care is up to par.

Some dentists abroad may even be willing to accept U.S. health insurance plans.

PAY BY CASH

If you have been depositing cash in a piggy bank at home for a rainy day, an upcoming root canal treatment may be the time to break it open.

But before you take a hammer to Ms. Piggy, ask your dentist first if you can receive a discount for paying by cash upfront.

It may be a win-win whereby your dentist receives immediate payment while you get a deal.

CHECK DAILY DEAL SITES

Groupon and Living Social are constantly scouting local businesses for opportunities to promote daily deals to their website visitors.

Often, you will find dentists feature special deals for procedures that would otherwise be costly.

The dentists hope that by giving you a bargain basement deal, you will become a loyal customer so both of you win when you sign up for the deal.

PAY YOUR DENTAL BILL BY CREDIT CARD

When you pay your dental bill with your credit card, you may be able to earn points that offset the cost of the bill a little bit, even if only by a few percent.

Although you should try to avoid taking on credit card debt if you can at all avoid it, you might not be left with much choice if you need an urgent root canal treatment.

And if you do rack up some credit card debt, you could look to transfer the balance to a card like Discover It later to save on interest rate charges.

ASK FOR A PAYMENT PLAN

It is common when buying furniture or expensive appliances to be offered a payment plan.

Companies like Affirm specialize in helping customers to pay over time when checking out at a retail store so why not ask your dentist for a similar deal?

You could suggest that you pay for your root canal procedure in installments.

If you do plan to ask for a payment plan, make sure to mention it before the treatment so your dentist is agreeable to the idea.

Root Canal Costs:
The Bottom Line

No matter where you live in the United States, root canals are costly but you will be stung with especially high charges if you live in cities like New York and San Francisco.

When you get a root canal, you should expect to pay not just for the procedure but also for the cost of a restorative crown.

To lower your dental bill, it is ideal to have dental insurance coverage that pays for a good chunk of the bill but if you don’t have insurance, consider alternative payment solutions.

For example, you could travel abroad, ask for a payment plan, pay cash upfront, negotiate a lower bill or even visit a school of dentistry.

No matter what payment option you choose, it would be wise not to let any infected tooth linger untreated because the risk of a more serious and costly procedure later may be high.

Have you had a root canal treatment? What tips can you share to save on costs? We would love to hear your experiences. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

>> Is Health IQ Best For Life Insurance?

>> What Is The Best Organic Tampons Brand?

The article How Much Does A Root Canal Cost? was originally posted on Investormint

Do you know what is inside feminine care products?

If you are like most women (and men), you probably haven’t spent a lot of time trying to figure out what synthetic additives, dyes and even toxins are in tampons, liners and pads.

Even if you have, you might be surprised to discover that many of the so-called best tampon brands don’t tell you what is inside feminine care products.

LOLA aims to provide women the best organic tampons by ensuring only 100% organic cotton is used.

The feminine care company offers applicator tampons, non-applicator tampons, ultra-thin pads with wings, and ultra thin liners that are hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested.

LOLA even provides a First Period Kit for girls so they are prepared with everything they might need.

The nice thing about LOLA products is that delivery is automatic. Simply select your subscription box and your tampons, liners and pads are delivered monthly or bi-monthly with free standard shipping.

If you want to cancel at anytime for any reason you can do so easily without penalty. And if you want to skip an order at anytime for any reason, such as when you are on vacation, you can do so easily too.

The bottom line is if you are searching for all natural tampons, LOLA has the quality, price and convenience to earn it the top spot as the best organic tampons brand.

What Is In LOLA Organic Tampons, Pads & Liners?

LOLA ORGANIC TAMPONS

LOLA tampons and pads are 100% organic and certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and ICEA.

Unlike many top tampon brands, LOLA tampons contain no dyes, toxins, latex, pesticides, GMOs, fragrances or formaldehyde.

Tampons come in two forms: applicator and non-applicator. They are available for various absorbency levels except ultra absorbency tampons.

LOLA tampons follow the standard absorbency ratings outlined by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA):

If you are not sure how frequently to change a tampon, the FDA recommended guidelines are to replace them every 4-8 hours, and to never leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours.

LOLA ORGANIC PADS

LOLA pads are also free from all the yucky stuff and are made of just 3 ingredients:

1. 100% organic cotton
2. Plant-based backing
3. Non-toxic adhesive

Both day and night pads are available. The day pads are intended for medium flows while the night pads are best for heavy flows and overnight protection.

If you don’t know which might suit best, you can select a box that contains both so you can try each out.

LOLA recommends switching out pads every 4-6 hours, though encourages you to choose the frequency that is best for your needs.

LOLA LINERS

Like LOLA organic pads, LOLA liners are made of 100% organic cotton, non-toxic adhesive, and plant-based backing.

They are also free from fragrances, toxins, dyes, formaldehyde, pesticides, synthetic fibers, and latex.

And like LOLA tampons and pads, they are certified by the ICEA and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

Similar to LOLA pads, liners should be changed every 4-6 hours on average, though you are encouraged to switch them out as often as you need.

For animal lovers, take solace knowing that LOLA liners are not tested on any animals so they are cruelty-free.

A drawback for thong-wearers is LOLA does not yet provide thong liners.

Order LOLA Tampons, Pads & Liners Now

How Does The LOLA Subscription Box Work?

It is easy to get started with LOLA. The first step is to select what products you want: tampons, pads, or liners.

Next, you get to choose the assortment of products you prefer, so you can mix and match to try out different absorbency levels for example.

Then decide how frequently you want your box delivered. You can pick a monthly schedule or every other month depending on what works best for you. Packaging is discreet so you don’t have to worry on that front.

Once you enter your shipping and billing info, you’re all set!

If there was one service you would want to be charged for on a subscription basis, LOLA tampons, pads and liners delivered to your door is probably it.

LOLA makes it easy to subscribe by automatically renewing your second and subsequent orders, though if you wish to skip, cancel, or modify an order you can do so easily.

To leave you in no doubt, you will receive a reminder email 2 days before your order is set to renew.

With the exception of the First Period Kit product, all other products are sold on a subscription basis.

A bonus at LOLA is that shipping is always free so while no free samples are on offer, neither do you get hit with an exorbitant shipping cost as you might elsewhere. Plus, first time customers enjoy $5 off their first orders (no coupon code needed).

What Is The Price Of LOLA Tampons, Pads & Liners?

LOLA offers customers greater discounts with higher volume orders and always provides free shipping.

APPLICATOR TAMPONS

Applicator tampons are 100% organic cotton in BPA-free plastic applicators.

They are hypoallergenic, unscented, compact, biodegradable and expandable (widthwise) for comfort.

You can choose 18-count boxes with ever increasing discounts:

NON-APPLICATOR TAMPONS

Non-applicator tampons are 100% organic cotton. They feature leak protection, and are also hypoallergenic, unscented, compact, biodegradable and expand widthwise.

You can choose 18-count boxes with discounts when you order 2 or 3 boxes:

ULTRA THIN PADS WITH WINGS

Ultra-thin pads with wings are breathable yet absorbent, discreet, dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic and feature wings for a secure fit.

You can choose 12-count per box and enjoy discounts if you purchase 2 or 3 boxes.

ULTRA THIN LINERS

If you are having a lighter day or expecting a first period, ultra thin liners might be the best choice because they offer leak protection yet are discreet, soft and breathable.

Like LOLA ultra-thin pads, they are dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic. They are made to be soft yet breathable and also feature an edge-to-edge adhesive for a secure fit.

You can choose a 28-count per box selection and enjoy discounts when you purchase 2 or 3 boxes.

A nice feature for first time LOLA buyers is that the $5 discount enjoyed by first time buyers does not require any coupon codes – it is applied automatically.

LOLA First Period Kit

The First Period Kit at LOLA comes with 6 ultra-thin day pads with wings, 6 ultra thin night pads with wings, 10 light applicator tampons, 10 ultra thin liners, 4 instructional tear cards, 1 canvas pouch, 1 set of stickers, 1 keepsake box and a $5 credit towards a new subscription.

The First Period Kit is intended for girls between the ages of 9 and 15, the typical range when a girl will get her first period. However, if you want to try LOLA for the first time, the First Period Kit offers a good sampling of products.

Order LOLA First Period Kit Now

Meet LOLA Founders

Alexandra Friedman and Jordana Kier founded LOLA after stellar careers in the consulting world as well as other top tier startups. Both attended prestigious business schools before beginning their journey to bring all natural tampons to the masses.

A feel-good factor you enjoy when purchasing LOLA is that Alexandra and Jordana have integrated a philanthropic dimension to their business so for every LOLA purchase, a menstrual product is donated to a LOLA partner, such as Support The Girls, Distributing Dignity and Simply The Basics.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started with your LOLA subscription box today!

Order 100% Organic Tampons Now

The article Is LOLA The Best Organic Tampons Brand? was originally posted on Investormint

Before Health I.Q. made a splash in the life insurance market, no company rewarded health conscious individuals with lower rates. Traditionally, if you suffered any health challenges, you paid higher life insurance costs. And if your parents suffered ill-health, other insurance agents bet that you would be more likely carry higher health risks too, so you would be charged even higher rates.

Health I.Q. flips the penalty-based life insurance paradigm on its head, and instead rewards you when you take steps to improve your health. Do you workout regularly? Check. Do you have a healthy diet? Check. Are you savvy about healthy lifestyle choices? Check. Check. Check!

When you check those health conscious boxes at Health I.Q. you may qualify for lower life insurance rates. It’s a simple idea, but it’s a powerful one, and a game-changer in the life insurance industry. So, if you are concerned about providing for your loved ones and enjoy a healthy constitution, Health I.Q. may be a lower cost life insurance alternative.

Health I.Q. unabashedly targets a healthy audience who will live longer and rewards them with lower rates every step of the way. But if you don’t qualify for special rates, they also provide competitive life insurance rates that are worth checking out.

Health I.Q. Spotlight

HEALTH IQ SPOTLIGHT
InvestorMint Rating 1 2 3 4 5 5 out of 5 stars	Physically Active Users Save Up To 25.5% On Life Insurance Get Free Life Insurance Quote via Health IQ secure site

How Health I.Q. Works

Health I.Q. invites you to take a health quiz to uncover how diet savvy you are and whether exercise is part of your regular routine. Upon completing the health quiz, you will be asked to verify your activity levels using various methods, including common fitness apps, such as Strava.

To get started, you will be invited to take a health quiz. It doesn’t take very long to complete but we found it can reveal a lot about how much you know about what you eat on a daily basis and how healthy your food is for you.

Do you know how many types of carrots there are? Do you know know which foods are high in protein and antioxidants? Your health knowledge is tested during the quiz and you will probably learn a thing or two about yourself along the way. It may even provide a helpful nudge to focus on smarter eating habits and exercise routines.

The interesting thing about the health quiz is how incisive the questions are. Individuals who laze around all day and enjoy a staple diet of fast food will probably find themselves stumped on quite a few questions. But if you know how to separate your acai berries from your blueberries, and pay attention to carb vs. protein levels, the health quiz is right up your alley.

After you complete the quiz, Health I.Q. verifies your activity level. That’s right, you’re not done after the quiz. After all, it’s no walk in the park to get better life insurance rates!

You have to go the extra mile and show them evidence of your marathons, cycling races, triathlons, swim competition results or even weightlifting if that’s your preferred fitness activity.

You can use digital resources, such as mobile apps available in the App Store for iPhone users or Google Play for Android users. Popular apps such as Map My Run, Strava, Map My Ride and RunKeeper are all valid.

So, whether you are a tennis player, runner, swimmer, yoga aficionado, or cyclist, Health I.Q. can take care of you.

Do You Need Health I.Q. Life Insurance?

To assess whether you need health insurance, calculate the ongoing life insurance costs as part of your household budget and determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

Life insurance is one of those monthly costs that seems like a pesky nuisance until it is needed – at which time it is invaluable.

Health I.Q. life insurance covers a broad range of areas, including mortgages, estate taxes, funeral costs, student loans, medical bills, college tuition, childcare and elderly care.

In fact, it is so extensive that even cases of suicide are covered, though not within the first couple of years after the policy has been written.

Perhaps the best way to evaluate the necessity of life insurance is to weigh up the costs and benefits for your own financial circumstances.

Life has a habit of throwing curveballs from time to time, and it’s in those moments that life insurance becomes so important.

Look over your household budget, and calculate the payout from life insurance versus the monthly costs. You might be surprised to discover just how much it can save you or your loved ones on a rainy day.

This is especially true for parents with dependent children. In the event of death, bequeathed assets may be subject to taxation and the last thing you want loved ones to experience at a difficult time is further trauma by having to sell a house to cover estate taxes for example.

Get Life Insurance Today

What Health Bucket Does Health I.Q. Put You In?

If you decide that the benefits of health insurance outweigh the costs, and you have received an elite score in your health quiz, Health I.Q. will categorize you based on your risk level.

Non-smokers enjoy preferential treatment over smokers as you might expect from an insurance agency that rewards health conscious individuals.

Within the smoker category, Health I.Q. divides up individuals by standard or preferred levels. In the non-smoker category, it buckets individuals into four categories:

• Super preferred non-smoker
• Preferred non-smoker
• Standard plus non-smoker
• Standard non-smoker

Smoking is one of many factors considered alongside your activity levels. Family history does play some role though the inference at Health I.Q. is that you won’t be as heavily penalized for parental pathologies as you might be elsewhere.

Your medical history, age, sex, and lifestyle are all ingredients that are combined to provide you with a personalized life insurance quote.

Is Health I.Q. Reputable?

Although comparatively new on the scene, Health I.Q. has already made a name of itself by partnering with major carriers, such as Lincoln Financial Group, Transamerica, Prudential, Mutual Of Omaha, and John Hancock.

This wide selection of partners enables Health I.Q. to provide a competitive product selection that aligns with its customer-focused philosophy.

Winning business partners is one thing but winning over customers is quite another. Health I.Q. has passed with flying customers where customers are concerned with a 9.7 rating out of 10 from Trust Pilot and an A-rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Get Life Insurance Today

Which Life Insurance Product Do You Need?

Life insurance policies come in a variety of forms, depending on how long you need coverage and how much control you want among other factors.

If you only need coverage for a specific time period, term life insurance should be sufficient. However, if you need coverage for an indefinite time period, permanent life insurance is best.

Permanent life insurance comes in various forms depending on your circumstances:

• Whole life insurance policyholders enjoy a cash value that grows at a guaranteed (typically low) growth rate.
• Variable life insurance policyholders control the death benefit and premium amounts.
• Universal life insurance policyholders can modify the premium or benefit amount and the cash value grows at a variable interest rate that may be dependent on a Fed rate hike.

Lastly, a unilateral contract is binding on the carrier but as a client you are permitted to change or cancel terms at any time.

>> More: Health I.Q. Review

Health I.Q. Synopsis

If your daily routine involves a healthy dose of exercise and smart food choices, Health I.Q. can provide lower life insurance rates than you will find elsewhere.

Health I.Q. will make sure you are who you say you are by asking you to take a health quiz and verify your fitness levels. You may also be required to take a physical exam.

After jumping over these hurdles, Health I.Q. will deliver you a personal life insurance quote that is designed to beat the competition because quotes reflect health-focused behaviors.

The bottom line is if you take care of your body, Health I.Q. can take care of you with cheaper life insurance.

Get Life Insurance Today

The article Is Health I.Q. Best For Life Insurance? was originally posted on Investormint

At 37 years of age, Health .I.Q. founder and serial entrepreneur Munjal Shah, found himself in the Emergency Room after suffering from chest pains following a 10K race. The experience was a wake-up call for him, particularly given his family’s medical history – his father had suffered a first heart attack at age 45.

Over the next few years, Munjal dropped 40 pounds, overhauled his diet, and ran 3 marathons. It also spawned a big idea to financially reward health conscious individuals rather than penalize those who were not.

Since launching in 2013, Health I.Q. has conducted extensive research and gathered data to show that health conscious people have lower mortality rates. Health I.Q. used that data to convince insurance companies that health conscious individuals deserve lower rates, and have secured billions of dollars in insurance coverage for tens of thousands of people in subsequent years.

If you are a health conscious individual looking to minimize life insurance costs, Health I.Q. offers compelling value.

Health I.Q. Spotlight

HEALTH IQ SPOTLIGHT
InvestorMint Rating 1 2 3 4 5 5 out of 5 stars	Physically Active Users Save Up To 25.5% On Life Insurance Get Free Life Insurance Quote via Health IQ secure site

What Is Health IQ?

Health I.Q. is the only insurance agent to offer special rate life insurance products to health conscious individuals.

Health I.Q. is an insurance agency that uses health information to offer health conscious individuals life insurance at lower costs than they might otherwise incur.

Where other insurance agencies use the “stick” approach to penalize less health conscious individuals, Health I.Q. prefers the “carrot” to incentivize users to become more health conscious. Simply put, you are likely to pay less for life insurance via Health I.Q. if you get your butt in shape!

The agency distinguishes itself because it is the only one to offer special rate life insurance products for health conscious individuals. For example, if you are a long-distance runner or a weightlifter, there is a good chance you qualify for a better rate with Health I.Q. than you might find elsewhere.

Comprehensive term life insurance is available at special rates as well as competitively priced standard life insurance products for people who don’t qualify for special rates.

Health I.Q. Trivia: the company is licensed in all 50 states and to add to its credibility, it is the official partner of USA Weightlifting, U.S. Masters Swimming, Road Club of America, and USA Triathlon.

How Does Health IQ Work?

To qualify for special life insurance rates, Health I.Q. requires users to follow two steps: take a health quiz and provide evidence of fitness activities.

The first step at Health I.Q. is to take the Health I.Q. Quiz. If you receive an elite score on the quiz, you may be eligible for the special rate.

Step two involves verification. Health I.Q. requires you to provide proof of your running or cycling mileage, timing results from triathlons, marathons, or cycling races, or evidence of participation in weightlifting competitions or swim meets.

If you use any fitness apps, such as RunKeeper, Strava, Map My Run, or Map My Ride, those electronic records may also be used to track the activity you’re passionate about, including:

• Running
• Cycling
• Weightlifting
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Triathlon
• Yoga
• High Intensity Workouts

Even vegan is featured as an area of passion and rowing and hiking are expected to feature soon too.

A nice feature at Health I.Q. is that customer care is a top priority so if you get stuck at any stage or have questions, licensed agents can help you figure out the next steps.

And if for some reason you don’t qualify for the special rate, Health I.Q. has been successful in getting a majority of applicants (54%) better rates on standard insurance products.

Some policies require you to take a physical exam. Either way, a telephone interview is conducted to gather health information and medical history details.

Get Life Insurance Today

What Does Life Insurance Cover?

The coverage areas for life insurance are extensive, including:

• Mortgages
• College tuition
• Living expenses for family
• Cosigned debt, including auto loans, student loans and medical bills
• In-home labor costs, such as childcare and domestic duties
• Funeral costs
• Elderly care
• Estate taxes

The only exclusion featured is for cases of suicide within the first two years of the written policy – though even suicide is covered thereafter which speaks to the extent of coverage provided.

How Is My Health Rated?

After you complete your onboarding at Health I.Q., you will typically be classified according to one of the following categories:

• Super preferred non-smoker
• Preferred non-smoker
• Standard plus non-smoker
• Standard non-smoker
• Preferred smoker
• Standard smoker

Life insurance policies are highly personalized to unique factors of age, medical history, lifestyle, health, gender, and medical checkup results and as a Health IQ customer, special advantages may also be factored into your rate.

Can I Trust Health IQ?

Health I.Q. is rated highly across the board, from the Better Business Bureau, which awards it an A-rating to TrustPilot, which awards it a stellar 9.7 out of 10.

Plus, Health I.Q. counts some of the largest and longest established carriers among its partners, including:

• Lincoln Financial Group
• Brighthouse Financial
• Transamerica
• Mutual of Omaha
• Principal Financial Group
• Ameritas
• Legal & General America
• SBLI
• Prudential
• Assurity
• John Hancock

By partnering with a broad range of carriers, the idea is to make sure that you receive a competitive selection of products.

What Are My Life Insurance Options?

Life insurance comes in many forms, so to simplify the playing field we broke down the various options below:

Health I.Q. Summary

Whether you are a cyclist, swimmer, runner, athlete, yoga practitioner or generally health conscious, Health I.Q. offers exclusive life insurance rates to reward you for statistically having lower mortality rates than the general public.

Health I.Q. goes the extra step to cater to the needs of its healthy audience. For example, it uses athlete friendly measurements, including waist-to-hip ratios in addition to BMI for muscular individuals. And the company focuses on the individual more so than family history so adverse family medical history is minimally penalized if you are otherwise healthy.

If you pursue a low-carb diet or manage conditions such as diabetes or hypertension well, Health I.Q. will reward you with better rates than you will find elsewhere.

The bottom line is if you’re a health conscious individual looking for better life insurance rates, Health I.Q. is definitely worth checking out.

Get Life Insurance Today

The article Health I.Q. Review 2020 was originally posted on Investormint