Elevate Chiropractic
Financial Health: Part 2 – How Staying Healthy Can Make You Rich!
A few months ago I discussed the High Deducible Health Plan (HDHP) with all of you and we received some great feedback. Review that blog post here! This week I’d like to highlight something that goes hand and hand with the HDHP, the Health Savings Account (HSA)!
When you have a HDHP you are eligible to have a HSA. This is NOT an FSA (Flexible Spending Account). With an FSA if you “don’t use it you lose it” at the end of the year. Whereas the money in an HSA is always yours!
What is an HSA?
An HSA is a savings account that you can put money into for your “qualified healthcare expenses”…TAX FREE! Some employers will set up your HSA for you and give you some or part of that money as part of your benefits package. Others will load that money into your account from your paycheck tax free for you. While others may not set up the HSA or contribute to it, that is still definitely something you can do on your own! Important note – to be eligible to open an HSA as of 2011, your deductible must be at least $1200 if you are a single person, or $2400 on a family plan.
I purchase my own health insurance so I shopped around and found a bank I liked that offered an HSA. Then I move money into that account myself from my paycheck. To ensure I get the tax savings I just have to make sure I take that deduction when I file my taxes each year. Don’t forget, deductions for contributions made to a health savings account are allowed to be taken IN ADDITION TO the standard deduction. (NOTE: If your employer takes the money out for you, it is already pre-tax and therefore there would be no deduction for you to take). For more details and up to date information check Publication 969 from the IRS and discuss all of this with your accountant and/or financial planner.
This sounds like too much work…why bother?
Because by not doing this you are LOSING your hard earned cash! Lets say the government keeps 30% of your paycheck in taxes, and you have a $2,000 deductible. If you have an HSA that covers the amount of your deductible, you’re only spending $2,000. If you didn’t have an HSA you would be spending $600 more because it is post taxes. Yes there can be fees associated with having a health savings account but if you shop around you can find one that keeps them to a minimum and still end up saving. On the flip side of this, remember in many cases when you have a copay plan, the money you pay at your appointments is not tax free. This is something you should take into account when computing which plan is best for you and your family.
And how is this going to make me rich?
The IRS sets limits on how much you can put into an HSA. In 2010 a single person can put $3,050. But what if I don’t meet my deductible? The money stays in my account and accrues interest. What about next year? I can contribute another $3,050 (or whatever they set the maximum at). Even if I use part or all of my deductible, there will still be money in my account. Lets say I keep a HDHP until I turn 65. That is a lot of years! If you stay healthy you could have well over $100,000 set aside in that account. Guess what, once you turn 65 you can use that money on whatever you want (it does NOT have to be related to health care). Sounds like a great way to supplement your savings for retirement!
What does this have to with chiropractic?
It has been our experience that people who make chiropractic a regular/consistent part of their lives are more healthy. They don’t get sick or injured as often, they don’t miss as much time from work…the can enjoy their friends and family more, they have more time for hobbies and traveling, they are happier. In other words, the people who chose chiropractic truly LIVE.
We probably all define “living” differently, just like we probably all have our own definition of what “wealth” is. But no matter your definition, the take home message here is if you can attain more health you will most certainly attain more wealth! Chiropractic can help you attain more health…so what are you waiting for?! Call and make an appointment to get adjusted now. You can’t afford NOT to!
Should I Exercise? We’ll Tell You Why
Introducing our new service, dynamic therapeutic exercise consultations!
Corrective and rehabilitative exercises are an essential aspect of both the chiropractic lifestyle and everyday health. Movement is a critical key to a healthy frame- at Boehly Chiropractic we know how to get you moving in all the right ways! We know that our snowy, cold winters here in Rochester, New York don’t always help motivate the gym-goers in us and it is why we’ve decided to introduce our new exercise library for you! We’ll be including photos, videos and how-to posts to help you achieve health all season long.
Corrective exercises are prescribed to each of our patients specific to their individual health concerns and goals. Most of what you will see featured here will apply to almost everyone’s skill level and be suitable to incorporate into your everyday routine. With that being said, please always ask us about your exercise plan or about any of the exercises or stretches we feature here. We want to be sure how you move is accentuating the care we offer to keep you strong and aligned toward wellness! We’re more than happy to run through a quick tutorial at your next visit. We’ll make special notes with our features if we think you should ask us first!
If you’d like to schedule a consultation to develop an exercise plan that’s right for you, we are ready now!
At Boehly Chiropractic, your feedback is always important to us. We hear great things from you, but we always love hearing more! Please let us know how we can make your experience at our health center the very best for you!
We look forward to getting moving with you soon!
Probiotics: Your Immune Army
My Immune System “Lives” In My Digestive System?
Would you believe that approximately 80% of diseases originate in the digestive system? Research indicates digestive health as one of the top ways to prevent disease and live well. Not only is the GI tract responsible for nutrient absorption and waste elimination, but it is also our first line of immune defense! Today we’re going to discuss the GOOD bacteria that protect us from disease and keep us healthy everyday.
Probiotics, the Army in the Digestive System
You’ve all heard of beneficial bacteria, sometimes referred to as healthy intestinal flora. These healthy bacteria, probiotics, are the infantry soldiers of your digestive army. Their job is to maintain order and keep harmful bacteria and other invaders from permeating the digestive lining. Without them, invaders can easily take over and wreak intestinal havoc.
If our healthy levels of bacteria have been diminished, invaders are now allowed to freely pass through the digestive walls and reduce our protective mucosal lining. This often creates GI disturbance, weakened immunity and a pre-disposition to other diseases. If beneficial bacteria are allowed to thrive, the digestive lining will remain protected from invaders and prevent unwanted illness.
How Important Is This Really?
In one word, essential. Without healthy, good bacteria thriving throughout the digestive system, our body loses the ability to develop the specialized immune cells that help us ward off both acute and chronic pathogenic influences.
Probiotics are safe and essential for both children and adults; especially those who could use a little dietary clean-up. If you ask me what aspects of health probiotics help maintain, my answer is everything! Here’s a list of benefits you’ll be happy to read.
Probiotics:
- reduce the harmful affects of food allergies such as gluten and dairy.
- improve infant and childhood immunity helping to prevent earaches, intestinal flu, seasonal flu, GERD and overall digestive issues.
- reduce the length of the common cold.
- help to prevent other auto-immune disease progression.
- prevent GERD, stomach upset, assist with Chron’s, colitis, diverticulitis, ph imbalance, intestinal herniation, gastric and duodenal ulcers.
- improve bad breath!
- regulate bowel patterns.
… and the list goes on. You can ask me about more here.
What Should I Do?
A multi-strain probiotic supplement of pharmaceutical grade is generally the best option. Beneficial microbiology lives in each section of our intestines, protecting and enhancing the differing target tissues all along the route. Most people are familiar with acidophilus. Acidophilous is only one of the many strains necessary to maintain this delicate and necessary balance. Over the counter brands from reputable re-sellers can be good, but they often only contain probiotics that will populate the lower regions of the large intestine. At your next visit, ask us about which one is right for you and your children.
Two of my favorite over the counter, bio-available (highest absorption), multi-strain choices are:
- Natural Factors: Dr. Michael Murray’s Ultimate Probiotic 12/12 Formula.
- Udo’s: Adult Multi-Strain Blend.
Headlining photo courtesy of Puuikibeach.