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Treatment Options for Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is the most common type of serious heart arrhythmia. While some people might never experience any symptoms accompanying AFib, others might end up with serious health complications, including stroke. In fact, according to the CDC, more than 450,400 hospitalizations with AFib as the primary diagnosis are reported each year in the US. But there are multiple treatment options available for AFib; it’s important to know what they are, so you can find out which will suit your specific needs best.

Atrial Fibrillation & What It Does To Your Body

Atrial fibrillation typically develops in the upper chambers of your heart. If you are in AFib, it means that your heart’s electrical system isn’t working as it should, because your electrical impulses have become chaotic. Your SA node, which generates an electrical signal that causes the upper heart chambers to contract, isn’t directing your heart’s electrical rhythm. Instead, many different impulses are rapidly firing at the same time, causing a chaotic rhythm.

heart beat drawn

There are three main types of atrial fibrillation:

  1. Paroxysmal AFib lasts less than one week and usually clears up on its own without treatment.
  2. Persistent AFib lasts more than one week and requires treatment.
  3. Long-standing persistent AFib lasts more than a year and is sometimes difficult to treat.

You  have a higher risk of developing AFib if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Heart failure
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Lung diseases
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • High blood pressure

Treatment Options

There are multiple treatment options available for AFib, including:

Medications4 different types of medication pills

There are various types of medications that can help treat AFib, like rate control medications, which prevent the ventricles from beating too fast. There are also rhythm control medications, which help your heart beat in a normal rhythm, and are used to maintain the heart’s rhythm with no arrhythmias. In addition, blood thinners can reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke. Rate control medication is generally the first line of treatment for AFib, since it controls the heart rate without changing its rhythm, helping to bring your heart rate to a normal level. 

Surgeries

 Surgery is another option that can help regulate your heartbeat. Surgical options include:

  • Electrical cardioversion electrically “resets” your heart rhythm using low-energy shocks.
  • Pulmonary vein ablation uses catheters to deliver energy outside and around your pulmonary veins.
  • A permanent pacemaker might be inserted if you have a slow heart rate, but this is usually only done if you have another arrhythmia in addition to AFib.
  • Left atrial appendage closure is a procedure that reduces your risk of blood clots and stroke.
  • The MAZE procedure creates scar tissue that helps your heart’s electrical impulses travel in the right path., and has a high success rate.

Affordable Coverage

So, while AFib can cause serious complications, there are multiple treatment options that can help keep this condition under control. They can be expensive, though, so it’s important to have comprehensive health insurance.

The best way to find a plan that suits your needs is to work with a licensed agent who is familiar with all available plans. EZ can help you in your search for comprehensive coverage, since we offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Know The Early Signs of Sepsis Before It’s Too Late

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection, and can be life-threatening. In fact, of the over 1.5 million people in the US who are diagnosed with sepsis every year, around 30% of them do not survive. This extremely serious condition is a leading cause of death in hospitals, and is the main reason why people are readmitted to the hospital. September is Sepsis Awareness Month, so we want to help you to recognize the early signs of this condition before it’s too late.

What Causes Sepsis?

When your body has an infection that it cannot fight off, sepsis can develop. Inflammation and blood clotting that occurs when the body is in sepsis then causes reduced blood flow to limbs and vital organs, which can lead to organ failure and even death. 

Most sepsis is caused by a bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by viral infections, such as Covid-19, fungal infections; in addition, it can also develop after a traumatic injury. Common causes of sepsis include:

man holding the side of his stomach

  • Infection of the appendix
  • Bowel problems
  • Infection of the abdominal cavity
  • Gallbladder or liver infections
  • Infections of the brain or the spinal cord
  • Bacteria that enters the skin through wounds or skin inflammation, or the openings made with IV catheters
  • Urinary tract infections

Who Is At Risk?

Sepsis can affect anyone, but the following people are at a greater risk of developing it:

  • Adults older than 65 
  • Very young children 
  • Pregnant women
  • People with pre-existing infections or medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease
  • People with weakened immune systems
  • Patients who are in the hospital
  • People with severe injuries, such as extensive burns or wounds
  • Patients with catheters

Signs & Symptoms

It is very important to recognize the following signs and symptoms of sepsis, so you can get immediate treatment from a doctor or hospital. These signs and symptoms include:

  • Fast heart rate
  • Shaking or chills
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Clammy or sweaty skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Rash

Treatmentpink and gray pills

If you are diagnosed with sepsis, you will need to be treated at the hospital in an intensive care unit, so that doctors can control the infection and protect your organs. To do this, they will use antibiotics and fluids. And if you are in extremely critical condition, you might need a breathing tube, kidney dialysis, or surgery to remove the infection.

Most people can completely recover from sepsis, although some people might have permanent organ damage. Some evidence from the study of patients with severe sepsis has shown that sepsis disrupts a person’s immune system, leading to future infection risks.

Health Insurance 

It is important to have health insurance in case you need to be unexpectedly admitted to the hospital for sepsis. If you don’t have a healthcare plan, you could face thousands of dollars in bills and end up in debt. If you’re not sure what plan is right for you, speak to an EZ agent! EZ agents are highly trained and knowledgeable and will sort through all available plans to make sure that you’re completely covered no matter what. 

We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Unemployed? Get the Cheapest Functional Health Insurance With The Help of EZ

If you’ve lost your job or have chosen to leave your job, you’ve probably also lost your health insurance. And while it might seem like health insurance will be out of your reach now that you’re no longer working, there are very affordable plans for unemployed people. In fact, these plans can cost as low as $47 per month or less! The best way to find these types of plans is by working with an EZ agent, who can compare plans with great rates and coverage in your area within minutes, for free!

Special Enrollment Periods illustration of a person being carried out of work

If you lose your job, you qualify for what’s known as a Special Enrollment Period, because losing your job is considered a qualifying life event. This means you won’t have to wait for the annual Open Enrollment Period to purchase a plan. Not only that, but you will have many options available to you, whether you would like a short-term plan with a higher deductible, which is generally for healthier people, or are looking for a more comprehensive plan for you and your family. 

Your Options

If you’ve lost your job, you have a variety of options for insurance coverage, including:

  • ACA Plans– You can head to your state’s Marketplace and look for private health insurance. You will have multiple coverage tiers to choose from, each with a different cost-sharing structure. Because of the wide range of plans available, you should be able to find an affordable plan that meets your coverage needs. In addition, you cannot be denied coverage if you have a pre-existing condition.
  • Joining a family member’s plan– Another option for you would be to hop onto your spouse’s plan if they are working and have insurance. If you lose your insurance, you are automatically qualified for a 30-day Special Enrollment Period to get on your spouse’s employer-based plan.
  • Medicaid- States look at your current income when deciding if you qualify for assistance from this program. Eligibility varies by state, but the monthly income limits are generally $1,470 for an individual and $3,000 for a family of four.
  • COBRA– With this program, you can extend your employer’s coverage for up to 18 months. However, it is important to note that COBRA can be quite expensive because you are required to pay your entire premium.short term and long term written on a board
  • Short-term health insurance– These plans will provide you with quick coverage, since you can sign up at any time, but the benefits are not as comprehensive as those of traditional health insurance. You will have a lower monthly premium and a higher deductible with these kinds of plans, and there is usually a medical questionnaire to qualify for them.

More Affordable Coverage? 

While the price of employer-based health insurance varies, it’s generally fairly affordable for people with families, because your employer usually chips in and pays some money towards your premiums. But the good news is that you might be able to get even more affordable coverage while you are unemployed through the ACA Marketplace. 

You can get coverage regardless of your income, and the amount you’ll pay is based on your expected annual income. That means, if your expected income is $0 right now, you could get a plan for as low as $47 a month. In addition, you might also qualify for premium tax credits, which are subsidies that reduce the monthly cost of your health insurance and also give you cost-sharing reductions.

If you have recently lost your job, EZ will help you find an affordable plan to cover your healthcare needs. We will provide you with a personal agent who will compare all available plans in your area, and find one that fits your needs. To get started, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak with an agent, call 888-350-1890. Our promise is that we will help you find a great, affordable plan, so you can remain healthy and safe during these hard times. EZ’s services are free of charge because our focus is on making sure that you feel supported throughout your search for insurance, not on making money off of you.

Health Insurance Premiums Expected to Rise

Inflation has been on the rise for some time now, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be slowing down anytime soon. The rising costs of gas and groceries have been tough on many Americans, and as if that wasn’t enough, health insurance premiums are now expected to increase, as well. The reasons for the increase include the effects of the pandemic, shrinking tax credits, prices set by drug manufacturers, and other health care costs. And unless Congress extends the expanded subsidies for Marketplace coverage, premiums could increase by 50% for some. Don’t panic yet, though:  there are ways that you can save.

Tax Credits Disappearing

stopwatch approaching the word deadline
The American Rescue Plan Act was approved for only 2 years, which means tax credits are coming to an end next year. 

The American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law in March 2021, allowed Americans earning any amount of money to enjoy tax credits or premium subsidies, and also capped the amount that anyone pays for premiums at 8.5% of their income. Unfortunately, though, Congress put a two-year limit on these provisions, and at the end of this time, premiums are set to rise by more than 50% on average for people getting health coverage through a Marketplace plan.

“The default is that the expanded subsidies will expire at the end of this year,” said Cynthia Cox, a vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation and director of its Affordable Care Act program. “On average, premiums would go up more than 50%, but for some, it will be more.”

And if Congress does not extend the expanded tax credits, only people with household incomes of 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level will qualify for subsidies.

Increases in Drug Prices

What’s making the problem worse is that the prices of new drugs in the U.S. have climbed for more than a decade. According to a research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the launch prices of new brand-name drugs increased by nearly 11% every year from 2008 through 2021.

Eric Linzer, President and CEO of the NY Health Plan Association, says state legislatures are also contributing to higher premium costs, specifically with bills that prohibit any kind of change in health plan formularies (or the list of prescription drugs covered by insurance plans). For example, Bill S.4111/A.4668 would prohibit health insurance plans from making mid-year pharmacy formulary changes, resulting in higher health insurance premiums and exacerbating the increasing cost of drugs. graph going upwards with a green arrow

In addition, several states have passed legislation that prohibits the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (CAAP), or accumulator adjustment programs. These programs seek to reverse the impact of manufacturer cost-sharing assistance for prescription drugs by not counting the manufacturer assistance amount towards a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximums. If the co-pay assistance is not counted against the patient’s deductibles and coinsurance amounts, it will drive up the patient’s health care costs overall.

“If we’re going to get those costs under control and make premiums more affordable for individuals and employers it’s important that policymakers look at what the underlying costs are. 82% or more of the premium dollar goes to pay for doctors visits, hospital stays, prescription drug costs,” said Linzer.

Find Affordable Health Insurance

Even though health insurance costs are rising, it doesn’t mean you can’t find an affordable plan that provides the coverage you need. And remember, it’s always better to get a plan before an accident happens, or a chronic condition develops or worsens.

EZ provides you with easy, instant, accurate quotes with no strings attached. Your own personal advisor will provide you with instant quotes and a comparison of all the other top plans available. Not only will you save time and money, but you also won’t have to pay us a cent for our services. We have the technology and network to cut hours of time spent comparing plans down to seconds. When you visit our site, you’ll leave with complete details and comparisons from dozens of plans available to you. These come from our team of experts, who filter all insurance plans to find the most suitable to your health needs and budget. 

Don’t waste any more time missing out on savings! To get your instant quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890.

Stressed Out and Anxious About Money? Ease Your Stress with the Help of an EZ Agent!

Is money a major source of stress in your life? If you’re stressing over money, you’re not alone, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. But money is not the only thing stressing people out: in fact, studies show that 84% of Americans feel stressed over something in their lives at least once in a typical week. 

And if you’re already stressed out and anxious about money, looking for a great health insurance plan can feel a bit overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. EZ’s agents work with the top insurance companies in the nation, so we can take a load off your shoulders and find you an affordable plan in minutes!

Sources of Stress

Studies show that money remains Americans’ top stressor, with 32% saying money is their biggest source of stress, up 22% from last year. But money is not the only source of stress in people’s lives:

man with his hand on his forehead

  • Gen Zers and Millennials both name their boss as their biggest source of stress, while Gen Xers and Baby Boomers say their spouse or partner causes them more stress than any other person.
  • 44% of Americans say the pandemic has been the most stressful time in their entire lives. This is especially true for those laid off or furloughed during the crisis (59%) and parents with kids younger than 18 (58%), as well as Gen Zers (54%) and Millennials (51%).

Rising Stress Levels and Their Effects on Health  

It’s clear that stress levels are rising for everyone, especially women: 92% of women feel stressed at least one day in a given week, up from 84% last year. And these high levels of stress can really affect people’s lives, even leading to chronic conditions like high blood pressure and depression. Studies show that stress can also cause:

  • Irritability and anger in around 45% of people
  • Fatigue or low energy in around 41% of people
  • Anxiety, nervousness, or worry in around 36% of people
  • Headaches in around 36 % of people
  • Indigestion, acid reflux, or upset stomach in around 26% of people

In addition, long-term stress is often a contributing factor in many of the leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, cancer, lung disease, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

Looking For An Affordable Plan?money sign underneath a black umbrella

All of this stress and its effects mean that we’re more in need of good insurance than ever. In fact, around 75%–90% of doctor visits in the United States are in some way related to stress. We all need to take care of ourselves right now, but if your main source of stress is money, that can feel difficult to do. 

But don’t stress – EZ can help! We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can see all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Are Hair Loss Treatments Covered by Health Insurance?

Hair loss is a distressing reality for many men as they age, as well as for many women. In fact, did you know that around 50% of all women start losing their hair by the time they’re 50 years old?  For some men and women, hair loss begins even earlier, and can even lead to depression. Fortunately, there are various hair loss treatments available nowadays, with new ones being introduced as technology advances. But for women and men desperate to get their hair back, will their health insurance plans cover these treatments?

The Causes of Hair Loss

hair loss on a man's scalp
Hair loss is becoming more common in adults, and could be due to a variety of reasons.

More than 1 in 5 Americans will experience hair loss in their lifetime. 95% of this hair loss is genetic, caused by what’s known as androgenetic alopecia. One of the most common causes of androgenetic alopecia is a chemical called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which attacks the hair follicles.

But not all hair loss is genetic. “Some medical conditions can also cause hair loss,” William Yates, MD, a board-certified hair loss expert based in Chicago, Illinois says. “Severe or sudden weight loss, deficiencies of iron, protein, or vitamin D3, thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and a myriad of other health problems may lead to hair loss,” Yates says. 

Hair Loss Treatments

As we mentioned earlier, there are various hair loss treatments available, such as:

  • Hair transplant surgery– A surgeon removes hair from a part of the head that has hair and transplants it to the bald spots.
  • Medication– Over-the-counter drugs like Minoxidil can help regrow hair or slow the rate of hair loss. In addition, Finasteride, a drug that treats enlarged prostate, can help regrow hair in thinning spots.
  • Laser therapy- The Food and Drug Administration has approved a low-level laser device as a treatment for hereditary hair loss in men and women.

Does Health Insurance Cover Hair Loss Treatment?

In most cases, health insurance plans will not cover hair loss treatment or any consultations for these treatments. This is because hair loss treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure, and insurers argue that hair loss does not affect your daily life as an injury or illness would. Unfortunately, insurers still have a long way to go in realizing that hair loss can affect daily life, since it can actually lead to mental health issues in some people. illustration of a doctor with a woman and her hair brush full of hair

There are some cases in which a condition that can cause hair loss, such as PCOS, will be covered by health insurance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that treatment for the resulting hair loss will be covered. 

In the meantime, some lifestyle changes can help restore some of your hair, such as eating a vitamin-rich diet, taking over-the-counter biotin, or even trying holistic remedies, such as massaging rosemary oil into your scalp 2-3 times a week.

Looking For An Affordable Plan?

Even though most health insurance plans will not cover hair loss treatments, many plans can help treat conditions that might be the cause of hair loss. Before choosing a plan, make sure you understand what coverage it offers, and make sure it will cover evaluation and treatment for any conditions you need covered. 

We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can see all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

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