fight price

Fight Price Gouging for Important Medications with the Pharmacy Benefit

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Stopping at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription has become something many Americans fear, with pharmaceutical costs going through the roof. Recent news stories have brought to light the issue with privately owned medicine patents, and delivery devices, as evidence by first the Pharma Bro and then the Pharma Sis.

First it was a medication for AIDs patients, many of them children, suddenly unable to afford their meds when the price was inflated by the guy who had bought the patent. He was roundly denounced for price gouging a lifesaving drug, and public uproar had a negative impact on his company as the story went viral. Martin Shkreli became America’s most hated person overnight.

Next came an almost identical uproar over the price increases for the Epi-Pen – an injectable form of epinephrine in an easy to use delivery system. The Epi-Pen was patented by a company called Mylan, and when the CEO made the call to jack the cost of a two pack of pens up over $600, parents across the nation were outraged.

Since the pens expire yearly and must be replaced, used or not, the cost was seemingly overwhelming, even when 50% off coupons were distributed. The implications were clear – this wasn’t about helping children, but about increasing company profits, even as the company boosted legislation to make their devices mandatory in schools and other facilities across the nation.

Many other people find pharmacy costs out of control, with insurance companies often refusing to cover needed options and doctors writing name brand scrips over generics thanks to kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies. Things like migraine meds, acid blockers, and other quality of life medications are included in high priced categories. In many cases, people end up going without, or trying to take half doses to make meds last longer – neither idea a viable one.

2BenefitU’s Pharmacy Benefit can often save significant amounts of money even compared to insurance benefit final costs. The benefit is one of up to 20 or more benefits available for a low monthly cost starting at $15.95, and could provide the best savings option on generic medications at pharmacies coast to coast.

If you have been struggling with pharmacy costs, talk to your doctor about prescribing generics, and to your pharmacist about whether or not they accept the pharmacy benefit. Your medications costs shouldn’t impact your ability to pay for electricity and buy food – yet, sadly, that is the choice many Americans are being forced to make.

Chiropractic Relief

Three Conditions You Didn’t Know a Chiropractor Could Help With

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Chiropractors don’t just treat tweaked backs, sore necks, and kinked spinal columns. There are many conditions that can be improved by chiropractic treatment, including:

Chronic Headaches

Headaches can ruin an afternoon, a whole day, or – in severe cases – a week or more. Chronic headaches can be tension or stress induced, or you may suffer from migraines that have a more neurological component and leave you disoriented and disabled. Not all headaches can be treated with chiropractic measures, but tension headaches and headaches that begin in the neck can often benefit from spinal manipulation that relieves stress, alleviates muscle tension and joint irritation, and eases or reduces headache pain. Many patients find that regular “adjustments” lead to a reduction in the number of headaches they have as well as a lessening of pain when they do have a headache.

Anxiety or Stress

There are three main kinds of stress triggers – body, mind, and environmental. Something as simple as noise, weather, time crunches and performance expectations can cause stress, as can physical illness, mental distress, or a variety of other causes. When you are stressed, the hypothalamus in your brain goes into overdrive. It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing an increase in heart rate, blood volume and blood pressure, which can eventually lead to very real conditions such as high blood pressure, muscle tissue damage, diabetes, infertility, immune system compromise and more. A chiropractor isn’t a magician, but sometimes spinal manipulation can reduce nerve irritation and release muscle tension, relaxing the body and reducing the flight or fight response that pain sends to the brain.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed in patients who typically have a minimum of 11 out of 18 specific tender points on the body, plus symptoms such as long-term fatigue, mood disorders, and insomnia.  People with FM may also present with additional conditions such as IBS, TMJ, psychological conditions, and / or some autoimmune diseases. This widespread pain and sensitivity throughout the entire musculoskeletal systems is thought to affect about 2 percent of the United States population. In one study, 60 percent of the subjects treated by a chiropractor experienced a significant improvement: reduced pain, improved sleep and decreased fatigue, as pressure points can be relieved and nerve pain reduced with proper manipulation.

With 2BenefitU’s Chiropractic Benefit, you can get discounted care from a chiropractor and have these and other conditions treated in a way that may provide more or different relief than you can obtain through regular medical channels.*

* This information is not provided as medical advice and should not be taken as such. Please consult your doctor before obtaining treatment of any kind.

Eight Easy Ways to Start Saving Money This Year

Eight Easy Ways to Start Saving Money This Year

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The goal most Americans should be striving for is to put back 20% of their earnings into savings – but research shows that the average American is only saving 5.5% and many save none at all. How can you increase your savings and still maintain the lifestyle you want?

  1. Meal planning is one of the best ways to save money. By creating a plan for your week, shopping according to a strict list, and only allowing yourself to eat out when planned, you can save hundreds of dollars each year. Instead of driving through for fast food three time a week for lunch, brown bag it and treat yourself to one nice meal at a real restaurant twice a month. You’ll enjoy it more, and still save money.
  2. Cut the cable cord and go wireless instead. With even channels like HBO now available a-la carte, there’s no excuse for paying for packages with 50000 channels you never watch. Pick up a Netflix subscription and catch your shows online with an Amazon Fire Stick.
  3. Ditch your single gym membership. Using a ClassPass or picking up classes through discount online programs like Groupon will keep you motivated and let you switch up your workout. You can try cycling, yoga, Pilates, barre, strength training, boot camp, dance and more without multiple memberships.
  4. Host a potluck party instead of going out for drinks with friends. If everyone agrees to BYOB plus a dish, you can all eat, drink, and watch a movie and have just as much fun for a fraction of the price, Take turns hosting.
  5. Travel cheap. Vacationing can be inexpensive when you find a place to stay on Airbnb, Travelmob or Housetrip. You can often find a place that has a kitchen so you can cook instead of eating out, and visit local sights and museums in the locale where you are staying for a vacation that is fun and relaxed.  
  6. Make your own coffee. While visiting coffee shops and dropping $4 to $5 on coffee every day feels fun and special, it adds up tremendously. Invest in a high grade coffee maker and high end thermos, and learn to make your own gourmet coffees.
  7. Stop and wait before you buy. Click and buy options online make it easy to overdo with instant gratification. Imposing a 48 hour stay on any new purchases over a certain $$ amount can let you reconsider if you really need the item.
  8. Use VIP Savings when you do shop. 2BenfitU’s VIP Savings Benefit can let you save money every day on things you would be buying anyway, so don’t miss out on the chance to take advantage of this benefit!

Every time you save money, take the dollar and change amount and deposit it in a savings account, at the end of the year, you’ll be amazed at how much you saved!

12 Savvy Entrepreneur Tips for Businesswomen

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Women make up a massive percentage of small business owners, leaving the oppressive workforce to set their own hours and do what they love. These tips for businesswomen can be invaluable.

  1. Dream big! If you have something in your life that inspires you, figure out how to turn it into a profitable pastime. There is always room in the world for one more passionate woman looking for a way to be her own boss.
  2. Network, network, network. Join women’s business groups, look for meetups in your area, and sign up for conferences that focus on women helping women succeed.
  3. Go social – media! Social media is now one of the fastest growing ways for networking online, and you can expand your reach exponentially when you network with other female entrepreneurs seeking to connect.
  4. Get a mentor. Having someone who has already fought and won the battles ahead of you can be invaluable when it comes time to fight your own. Having a mentor can teach you to learn and grow via constructive criticism.
  5. Be a mentor. You can also learn by teaching, so take another woman under your own wing and share what you have learned. Women helping women creates a culture and environment of strength and happiness.
  6. Learn to delegate. Doing it all yourself is fine at first, but as you grow you have to learn to let go. Surrounding yourself with smart people you can trust and handing off tasks that speak to their individual strengths is the best way to grow your business and not fall apart just as things are taking off.
  7. Use experts for important stuff. Things like accounting and taxes can only get you in trouble when you do it yourself without proper knowledge. 2BenefitU’s Tax Advice Benefit can give you access to experts, so don’t ignore this valuable help.
  8. Find balance. Being a workaholic can leave you depleted and burned out at a critical moment, so make sure you make time for other things outside of work.
  9. Practice self-care. You can’t help anyone else if your own oxygen mask isn’t firmly in place, so take care of your emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs.
  10. Seek inspiration everywhere. Your home life can inspire your work life and vice versa. You can see hope and inspiration in everyone around you and expand your mind. Never stop growing.
  11. Keep searching. There is always something new to learn, to try, to be. Don’t let yourself stagnate. It’s ok if the thing that drove your passion a year ago is something different today. Embrace change as long as there is growth.
  12. Rejoice! There’s nothing quite as amazing as being your own boss, so don’t forget to practice gratitude and joy for your new station in life.

Are you achieving your goals as a businesswoman? Send yourself a bouquet and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!

Rabbit

Pet Rabbit Care Tips for a Happy, Healthy Bunny

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A rabbit is a great pet, but proper care is what will keep your pet bunny happy and healthy. These tips can make rabbit ownership easy and fun!

Build a diet plan. Contrary to popular belief, rabbits can’t live on carrots and iceberg lettuce. Carrots are meant to be given as a side dish, among other fruits and veggies, and iceberg lettuce is actually dangerous for your rabbit. Try deep greens like spinach and romaine lettuce instead, or even a cheaper alternative such as kale. For the most part, your bunny’s diet should consist of hay and grass, so be sure to give them lots of crunchy munchies!

Get a friend! Bunnies are a social species, so without proper companionship, your bunny may become depressed. Guinea pigs can sometimes suffice as a suitable house-mate, but nothing can really fill the void only a bunny can fill. Try pairing two females together, or get a fixed bunny of the opposite sex.

Provide a proper living space. While cages and hutches may provide a suitable sleeping quarter for a bunny, this is no way to live. Bunnies need space to run and play, as well as regular adventures outside their hutches or homes. Make sure your bunny can hop a few strides in their cage or hutch, and purchase a halter or a rabbit run for their outdoor play.

Groom your rabbit. While rabbits do not require as much care as a short-haired cat or dog, every pet needs some TLC from time to time. Purchasing a brush and some nail clippers will usually suffice, but you should avoid bathing your rabbit too often, as bunnies can easily fall prey to hypothermia if they get too cold.

Clean up after your rabbit. A bunny is only as clean as their living space, so be sure to dump hutch-pans and replace bedding regularly. Your bunny will appreciate the gesture more than you know, and it will smell much better too.

Provide entertainment and exercise. While a good dash in the grass can brighten any bunny’s life, no animal is happier than a rabbit with toys. Bunnies love toys, from rattle-balls to treat-toys. Just make sure nothing can pose a hazard to them, such as small pieces or toxic substances.

Give them veterinary care. Just like a cat or dog, bunnies need the vet sometimes. 2BenefitU’s Pet Care Benefit provides discounts at the vet for bunny care, too.

Plan ahead. A rabbit is not a fair weather pet. Just like a dog or a cat, a bunny is a commitment, and you should think about your future and where they will fit into it. Treat them gently, feed them right, and love them, and a rabbit can become a steadfast companion for many years!

What are the Differences Between CT Scan and MRI-

What are the Differences Between a CT Scan and an MRI?

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Ever been told you needed an MRI or a CT scan? Wonder what the difference is? If all you know is that the MRI is the big machine that goes RRR RRRR RRRRR and the CT is the other one, be prepared to learn!

CT Scans

A CT scan or Computed Tomography uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology. It can take the data and create a detailed, cross-sectional image of the body, including tissues, organs or tumors.

  • CT scans are used to get a closer look at the bony structures, soft tissues and organs in your body, to diagnose infections, and to identify masses and tumors or reach the right area during surgery or biopsy. CT scans can also be utilized to study blood vessels, and can be used with contrast in soft tissues.
  • CT scans take diagnostic images quickly; you normally won’t spend more than 5 minutes to take an image. As the scanner has a fast imaging speed, it offers images with high resolution and low motion artifact, or “jitter”.
  • CT scans involves radiation, which is usually the same amount you usually receive from background radiation in 3-5 years. You should not have a CT scan performed if you’re pregnant.
  • CT scans are less expensive than MRIs, are good for patients with claustrophobia (since you don’t have to be in an enclosed space), and are the only option if you have metal in your body.

MRIs

MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging is another diagnostic imaging technique used to produce cross-sectional images of your body. It uses a sophisticated computer and magnetic fields to take high-resolution images of your soft tissues and bones.  

  • MRIs are usually ordered to diagnose abnormalities such as tumors and brain aneurysms. If a CT scan is inconclusive, the next step is often an MRI.  MRIs are less detailed than CT scans, but provide more soft tissue details; useful for brain scans in particular.
  • MRIs generally take an average of about half an hour to take an image, though it can be as quick as 15 minutes or as long as 2 hours. You may be given a calming sedative if you are nervous, or music may be played for you. You have to be perfectly still during the MRI procedure.
  • MRIs don’t involve any ionizing radiation and thus are considered “safer” than CT scans. If contrast dye is used, there is a small risk of allergic reaction, so inform your doctor of any allergies or sensitivities so they can cross check ingredients.
  • Remember to always tell your doctor if you have metal in your body, as this precludes an MRTI. Also remove any metal such as piercings, jewelry, etc before your MRI.

Remember, if you have to have an MRI or a CT scan and the insurance will not cover it, you can use your 2BenefitU Imaging Benefit for deep discounts at participating providers.

You need an Advocate in your Corner – Especially when it comes to your Health!

You need an Advocate in your Corner – Especially when it comes to your Health!

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Sometimes it just gets to the point where you are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Managing your health care issues when you feel like giving up can be agonizing. All you want to do is get better – why does there have to be so much paperwork?

If you have medical care issues that require constant trips to the doctor, visits to the lab, and hours on the phone with insurance companies trying to figure out how much you actually are going to owe, an advocate is exactly what you need.

With our Health Advocacy benefit, you get a Personal Health Care Advocate to step in when you just can’t deal with another 30 minutes on hold. Each advocate is trained to understand complex medical issues, knows the right things to say to insurance representatives, can explain the difference between generic and brand name drugs to you, and be your guide while navigating the increasingly confusing world of the healthcare system.

When you have an advocate, everything gets easier! They can:

  • Untangle messy insurance and medical billing issues
  • Locate the right doctors, specialists, hospitals, dentists and pharmacies to deliver the best possible care
  • Research treatments and inform you about your options
  • Provide medical explanations you can understand
  • Coordinate your care among multiple providers
  • Arrange second opinions if you feel you are being misdiagnosed
  • Transfer medical records and get copies for you
  • Assist with eldercare and related healthcare issues
  • Negotiate payment arrangements with providers and find options for non-covered services
  • Provide information about generic drug options and prescription refill services

Whether you are seeking a new doctor, fighting over coverage, striving to make sense of lab results, or struggling to comprehend piles of bills, a Health Advocate can help you. When you are sick, paperwork and red tape is the last thing you should be concerned with – it simply adds stress and make you feel worse – so getting a pro to walk you through the processes so you can get feeling better is just common sense!

This benefit is huge – even if you only use it a few times each year, you could save well over what it costs as part of your subscription package. Best of all, Health Advocacy is only one of up to over 20 benefits you could be using, starting at just $15.95 per month. You could save five or ten times that amount in just one revised medical bill!

Hear that

Do You Hear That? It’s a Benefit Calling Your Name

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Amazingly, people who need hearing aids often go ten years past the time when they should have gotten them fitted before they give in and acquire their first set. The reasons are many; people associate needing a hearing aid with being “old”, they are too vain for a hearing aid, the cost is prohibitive.

In addition, many doctors don’t start testing hearing in adults until well after they have started suffering hearing loss. This is behind the times – people are losing hearing function at earlier ages than ever due to environmental noise; loud buzzing, screeching, or electronic feedback in the workplace; constant use of earbuds, headphones and Bluetooth devices, and more.

Getting your hearing tested and following up with the hearing aids you need is easy with 2BenefitU’s hearing benefit. When you have this benefit, you get:

  • A free initial hearing screening to help detect signs of hearing loss
  • Up to 35% savings on hearing aids at thousands of provider locations across the country
  • Access to a convenient mail order service where you can save 40 to 60% on over 100 makes of hearing aids, and have them shipped straight to your door.
  • A two year supply of hearing aid batteries
  • A two year warrantee with a one-time replacement  for covered losses and damages
  • Unlimited follow-up care for cleaning and checkups with purchase
  • 100% Service Satisfaction Guarantee during the first 60 days
  • Patient financing options
  • The latest technology in all models, so you can be sure you’re getting the highest quality products available.   

You can use your discount card as many times as needed, for yourself, your spouse, and your legal dependents. Choose your provider from a list of thousands, get your free screenings, and follow up with hearing aids as needed, choosing from six different brands.

Don’t let vanity get in the way of hearing the world in clear surround sound! If your hearing has been damaged or diminished, even if you aren’t a senior citizen, you can take advantage of this benefit and get the crystal clear hearing you deserve.

Like all of our benefits, the hearing aid benefit doesn’t come alone! It’s part of a package with up to 20 other benefits you can use for yourself and your family starting at just $19.95 per month per household.

Alternative Medicine

Frustrated by Lack of Access to Alternative Medicine? Get the Help you Need!

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Alternative medicine is changing the way Americans think about healthcare! While alternative methods can’t cure every condition, they can be extremely helpful with chronic ailments and provide a solid back-up to traditional medicine when needed. For example:

  • Chronic nerve pain can often be reduced and partially managed with alternative medicine when popping pain pills only dampens the issue. Different people react differently, but many find help from massage therapy and acupuncture.
  • Migraines can be mitigated, lessened, and even reduced in occurrence frequency with treatments like aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture and acupressure.
  • Back pain can be helped with careful yoga in some cases (make sure your doctor and your class leader are working together for safety)
  • Digestive issues can be helped with nutritional counseling to figure out what your body tolerates and when it needs special coddling.

More and more patients and physicians are choosing to use alternative medicine as a less invasive treatment for a variety of issues, and as a supplementary treatment for major problems that can be treated medically but have numerous side effects.  

With 2BenefitU’s Alternative Medicine benefit, you can save 10 to 30% on treatments such as acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, aroma therapy, nutritional counseling, and more. It’s easy to use, easy to save and you can choose from among over 43,000 participating providers working in over 40 different specialties nationwide to find a practitioner and a location that’s right for you.

Unlike many benefit programs, you can use this benefit as many times as needed, saving on each appointment as you bring your health into line with your lifestyle. You can try new things at a discounted rate, finding out what works for you and your condition, whether you suffer from constant headaches, live with daily chronic pain in your joints or muscles, are seeking a way to meditate and calm your brain, and more.

Biofeedback for insomnia issues; hypnotherapy to help you lose weight or quit smoking; reflexology to cut down on muscle cramps or other pain, yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates for extra flexibility and better core health are all available.

Don’t give up on the possibilities that alternative medicine may hold just because it’s usually not covered by insurance. Discounts with this special benefit can bring your costs for out-of-pocket treatment down to manageable levels. Start using the alternative medicine benefit today, and start being a healthier, happier you.

The best part of this benefit is it doesn’t come alone. It’s part of a package with up to 20 more amazing benefits starting at just $19.95 a month, helping you stay healthy, grow your wealth, and feel fantastic.

Have a Legal Question- Experts Have Answers!

Have a Legal Question? Experts Have Answers!

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Getting basic legal advice can be hard, and this keeps many people from pursuing action or defending themselves adequately in times of legal trouble.

Consider this: 22% of American adults say they have had a legal issue in the past year that could have warranted hiring a lawyer. However, 50% of Americans with minor children don’t have a will – and 41% of baby boomers don’t, either.

The problem? Lawyers are expensive. In 2012, the average hourly billing rate for a partner in a law firm was $536, and the billing rate for an associate was $370 per hour.

The law is a tricky thing, and knowing the ins and outs of the legal system can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on situations ranging from traffic tickets and real estate closing costs to creating a will or filing for divorce or bankruptcy.

Very few people have thousands of dollars to spend when they end up needing a lawyer, and most have to forgo the help of an experienced attorney simply because they can’t come up with the cold hard cash.

Unless you are lucky enough to have a lawyer in the family to turn to in times of need, you may find yourself woefully underrepresented in times when you really need a savvy, experienced practitioner to back you up.

In many cases, simply knowing the law can put you ahead of the game, whether it’s having the knowledge of the local laws regarding returns of rental deposits to insist on your due, to being able to stand up for yourself against a threat of a lawsuit over the phone from someone posing as a collector.

Legal Care Direct gives you access to legal answers from experienced lawyers at discounted rates. Professional attorneys can help with traffic tickets, bankruptcy, divorce, and spousal and child support. Additional services are also available at no cost to you!

  • Free services* include one-on-one consultations, attorney-made phone calls, help with legal documents, assistance with welfare and INS, representation in small claims court, and a Simple and Living Will.
  • In-plan attorneys only charge a maximum of $125 an hour or 40% off their hourly rate, whichever is greater, for cases that require more than the free services offered.
  • You also can get 10% off all contingency-based cases (cases in which a settlement is expected and the lawyer agrees to represent you and be paid from the settlement, if any, or forgo the fee in case of a loss).
  • You’ll be referred to plan attorneys based your location, language and area of law.

Legal Care Direct is part of 2BenefitU’s Ultimate package – which gives you 23 benefits for one low monthly rate of $29.95. Just a onetime use of an attorney’s services could pay for several months up to a year of the entire range of benefits!

*In certain situations, attorney liability may require plan attorneys to ask for a retainer prior to providing some of the free legal services.