Monday, July 26, 2010

HB Magazine Feature: Health Care - The Era of Unintended Consequences by Mike Grumet

Why is the cost of health care on the rise? Yes, there is profit motive. No question there is corporate greed. But there are unintended consequences as a result of actions by everyone in the system from consumers and lawyers, doctors and politicians to insurance and drug companies.

At the consumer level, we demand that drugs that not designed to treat serious illnesses or medical conditions (i.e. allergies) be covered. We request often unnecessary medical tests to eliminate our own fears about having a certain illness or condition and then ask that our physician help get our insurance company to pay for it - the unintended consequence of which is higher premiums and future difficulty in obtaining insurance.

The lawyer who sends you to a doctor, chiropractor or therapist with the goal of exaggerating your pain or injury in order to better position you for a higher insurance settlement not only affects both liability and health insurance costs, but also limits your ability to acquire insurance in the future due to pre-existing conditions.

Physicians who bill for services not performed raise the cost of insurance. A friend recently told me of a co-worker who paid $10 for an hour massage at a chiropractic office whose insurance was subsequently billed $3,000. So who really pays for that massage?

You have to wonder what the impact will be when politicians pass laws with far-reaching financial implications (like the California Legislature who passed a law after a major earthquake which required over 400 hospitals to be retrofitted to withstand bigger earthquakes. Don’t the hospitals have to get that cost reimbursed in the form of higher contracted amounts with insurance companies? Won’t the insurance companies in turn raise our rates?).

When insurance companies take their time in reimbursing healthcare practitioners for services rendered, the result is an increase in administrative costs, higher premiums and fewer doctors accepting insurance (my chiropractor tells me that it takes about $50 in administrative cost for every $100 visit he bills to an insurance company, so he’s opted to take cash only and charge less for his services).

Drug advertisements has been a double-edged sword. While informing consumers about drugs which might benefit them, the un-intended consequence is that an increasing number of patients ask or even demand “the new good stuff” from their physicians. Generally speaking, the newest brand-name pharmaceuticals on the market also come with a higher price tag, which … you guessed it, results in higher rates.

Then we have the intentionally un-insured. Many people say they can’t afford insurance, but what they really mean is that they aren’t currently sick and don’t want to have to pay for insurance now. Instead, they typically wait until the day they become sick or injured to try to acquire insurance and then want to cancel their policy after the benefit is no longer needed. Meanwhile, responsible consumers pay more because the pool of non-paying (mostly healthy) consumers aren’t contributing premiums.

There has been a veritable explosion of radio and billboard ads for “Lap Bands” to help you lose weight. The radio tag says something like, “maximize your PPO benefits now.” Our society encourages us to overeat, get fat, have surgery, lose weight and make the insurance pay for it. In contrast, I wonder how much diet and exercise would cost our healthcare system?

What about electric chairs for seniors? No politician will vote to reduce those benefits, but doesn’t asking insurance companies and Medicare to cover more benefits translate to having our premiums go up to help offset the cost?

As the system implodes due to over-use who will the politicians blame - the evil insurance companies? Of course! However, more regulations imposed on insurance companies which demand that they insure individuals with pre-existing conditions will simply result in the same skyrocketing insurance premiums.

So the next time you complain about the increasing cost of insurance premiums and the cost of health care, ask yourself this question: “How do I contribute to the increased cost or savings in the system?”

Don’t our collective choices really determine future cost of healthcare?

Mike Grumet Insurance has been serving the community with life, health, disability, long term care and Medicare supplement insurance since 1992. He is located at 16541 Gothard St., #202. Huntington Beach, CA 92647. For assistance, contact Mike at (714) 698-6453.

HB Magazine Feature: Finding the Perfect Make-Up Routine by Nathan Johnson

Finding the perfect make-up routine is not an easy feat for anyone. But when you mix in the stress and responsibility of being a working girl or a busy mom, even the easiest routine can seem like way too much effort. Working hard and having kids does not mean your days of glamour have to be a thing of the past. Follow these SIMPLE steps and you will be beautiful (in minutes) with no guesswork.

Let’s deal with the complexion first. Sweeping a layer of tinted moisturizer over your face will even out your skin tone, giving you an over all smooth and pulled together look. As an added bonus, the dewy finish of the tinted moisturizer gives the skin a youthful glow. TIP: Apply tinted moisturizer (or any other foundation product) with a foundation brush. Your fingers being dry and full of crevices, they will gobble it up, wasting product and money. A brush will also make the application smoother and more accurate. Choose a quality synthetic brush and, with proper care, it will last you a lifetime.

Dark circles are public enemy number one, but also a side effect of having kids or a tough job. Hiding them is essential. This spring, Beauty Society will release a revolutionary concealer called Incognito. This powerhouse will more than conceal; it will cure. The six shades will perfectly mask any discoloration while brightening and color correcting. With continued use, the skin healing ingredients like ceramides will make dark circles, puffiness and sunken sockets a thing of the past.

Bronzer is key to having the glow and radiance of healthy skin. Choosing a shade with a gold hue will add extra vitality to most skin tones. With a fluffy brush, lightly dust color on high points of your face (all the areas the sun would touch), forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose and chin. Then, with a smaller brush, apply the bronzer over your eyelids to add just enough color for a sultry pop to the eyes.

Next up, lip and cheek stain. A dewy flush to the cheek will keep you looking healthy and sexy all day long. Buff it right into the apple of your cheek so it looks like the color is rolling up from underneath the skin. Using the same stain on your lips will supply the perfect kiss of color that will last all day long.

Last but not least, mascara. By darkening, thickening and lengthening the lashes, you will accentuate, add depth and open the eyes. Enormous Lash by Beauty Society is AMAZING! It is full of vitamins and nutrients that treat, condition and enhance your lashes.

While the mascara adds length, curl and volume, the conditioning ingredients will actually grow your own eyelashes…Try and find another brand that can do all of that! If your lashes are straight or point downward, a good curl would do you a lot of good; otherwise, curling is not a necessity. If you want a touch more pop in the eye, Add a swipe of taupe or espresso shadow to the crease with a blender brush to further open and add definition. For even more depth, use an angel brush to apply the same powder to the upper lash line.

After a time or two, you will have this routine down to 3 minutes (or less). Give it a try. I promise it will leave you looking (and feeling) beautiful. Now was that easy or what?

Nathan Johnson is a film, television and celebrity make-up artist with over 17 years experience. His work has adorned over 75 recognizable faces ranging from Paul McCartney and Angela Lansbury to Ice T and Annette Bening. Some of his most notable credits include Project Runway, The Tony Awards, The CBS Early Show and Good Morning America. Nathan is proud to serve as the executive make-up artist for Beauty Society, where he can work with his favorite client ‘the real woman’. Call 866.446.8848 or log onto www.beautysociety.com to learn more about the products or joining our team. Visit the Beauty Bar at 214 5th Street in Huntington Beach for a complimentary facial or make-up application. Have a skincare or make-up question for Nathan? Write to him at Nathan@beautysociety.com and your answer could end up in a future issue. Bring this article into the Beauty Bar to receive 20% off your purchase.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

HB Magazine: Dream Dinners - Vacation Meals Made Easy

Dream Dinners "travels well" for vacations – be it by boat, RV, auto or airplane. Co-owners Beverly Wurth and Duffy Humbert’s customers have even taken Dream Dinners along on vacation to Hawaii, which saved them from having to run to the grocery store and shell out exorbitant Island food prices at the market or dining out. One customer fed 35 members of her extended family “Dream Dinners” all week, which meant that instead of spending time at the store and in the kitchen, meal prep was already taken care of and dinner was ready in no time! Pack Dream Dinners in a cooler bag and check it as a piece of luggage. he undercarriage of an airplane is VERY cold, so there's no risk of the meals thawing out on the plane ride.

Because Dream Dinners includes all the ingredients pre-prepped, it takes up hardly any space at all. This makes it ideal for small space refrigerators like those found on most boats and RVs. Dream Dinners enables moms to enjoy the family vacation too - instead of spending time in the kitchen cutting and prepping and cleaning.

The Dream Dinners summer menu is chock-full of great grillable dinners such as Italian Pomodoro Burgers, Swiss Bacon Burger w/ Tangy BBQ Sauce, Firecracker Beef Sliders, Sonoma Grilled Steaks, Garlic & Balsamic Flank Steak, All American Beef Kabobs, St. Louis Smokehouse Ribs, Savory Grilled Pork Chops, Savory grilled Chicken with Sesame Honey Butter.

Dream Dinners is located at 8760 Warner Avenue in Fountain Valley. For more info, call (714) 375-9525 or visit www.dreamdinners.com

HB Magazine Summer Feature: Hardy Window Company

Replacing old shabby windows and doors can not only update the look of your home, but can also reduce noise, improve your comfort and security, and save you money on your heating and air conditioning costs. Hardy Window Company carries every major brand of windows and doors, so you’re sure to find the perfect style for your home.

Owner Chance Hardy credits his employees for making Hardy Windows one of the largest sellers of top-quality window and door products in Southern California.

“When everyone in the company takes pride in their work, customers can feel the difference as soon as they walk in the door,” Chance said. “I guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with the results when you work with us, because we’re not happy until you’re happy.”

At every point of contact with Hardy Window Company, you’ll receive added value. Request a free estimate, and you’ll find it detailed and easy to understand with testimonials from scores of recent satisfied customers. The installation professionals who come to your home are all highly skilled Hardy employees, not subcontracted workers. The full-time service department staff strives to schedule maintenance requests on weekends, so you don’t have to miss work.

If you think this level of service sounds expensive, it’s not! Hardy Window Company carries such a wide variety of products that they’re able to accommodate any budget, guarantee they’ll beat competitors’ prices and reward clients who refer new customers. The purchase of certain home energy saving windows and doors may even qualify you for a tax credit of up to $1,500.

In business since 1989, this family-owned company has a proven track record of success, boasts an impeccable customer service record, and is one of the only window companies in Southern California with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

The Hardy Window Company is located at 3425 La Palma Avenue in Anaheim. For more info, call (714) 996-1807 or visit www.hardywindows.com

HB Magazine Editorial: Choosing the Right IT Partner for Your Business by Malachi Clark

As a business owner you wear many hats. You have to manage employees, finances, and the general day-to-day operations. Among these hats you wear is one for choosing vendors and suppliers. Choose a great vendor and you have a partnership that can last for decades, choose the wrong one and it could take decades to recover. The IT needs of your business are no less important. A question I often receive is, “Why should I hire people to manage my IT needs?” It is a valid question. Can one of your hats be IT? Can you do it yourself? It seems that everyone has a 'cousin' that can 'fix computers'. Here are a few points to consider about why your business needs much more than just computers that are 'fixed.'

Partnership - A great IT partner, should be just that, a partner, not a nameless vendor that comes in and always does it their way. A good IT partner is interested in a long-term relationship that benefits both parties, not just to make a quick dollar. Every business is different and has unique needs. Your IT partner should listen and take the time to get to know you and how your business operates. The right IT partner will work with your business to determine what to upgrade and when. Should you upgrade the old computers that work just fine? Should you get the latest smartphone? Will that new software make your business run more smoothly? Are your current systems holding your business back? Will that new upgrade work with my existing systems? What about Facebook or Twitter? These are all questions that can only be answered if your IT partner understands you and the way your business operates.

Inform - The right IT partner should take the time to make sure you understand your existing and future technology needs. It is vital that you understand why you need certain technology solutions and how they will reduce your costs or help to make your business grow. Knowing this information allows you to easily adapt to changing market conditions including, if necessary, changing IT partners. The right IT partner will not force you to be locked into a long term contract, instead their work should encourage you to want to work with them. While a long-term contract can provide some benefits, it can also lock you into a bad situation for longer than you want.

Planning - Beyond answering the questions you have, the right IT partner will know the questions you should be asking. IT professionals stay informed of the latest trends, what is new and useful to your business, while keeping in mind that a new trend that is correct for other businesses may be just 'trendy' for yours. The right IT partner should work with you to help you budget and plan for the future and to help grow your business through technology.

Availability - Your IT partner needs to be ready to work when you are. Emergency or run-of-the-mill, 9 to 5 or after-hours, your business shouldn't have to wait on IT.

Proactive - The right IT partner does more than 'fix' your computers. Proactive maintenance and updates reduce the need for repairs. Businesses of all sizes benefit greatly from IT partners that perform regular preventative maintenance. These regular planned cycles can minimize unexpected IT expenditures and save you money and downtime. Your IT partner should help your business move from a "break-fix" mentality to proactive IT approach.

Price - Obviously price is a concern for any business. While cost cannot be the only factor in deciding on an IT partner, if they are too expensive, it doesn't matter how good they are. The opposite side of that is summed up beautifully by a quote from Red Adair, "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." An experienced IT professional will not only cost your business less long term, but will help your business grow faster.

Perform - Ultimately, the right IT partner will be able to get the job done. A great IT partner will combine all the elements above and do what needs to be done to help your business.

Malachi Clark is the President of Techglia, Inc., which provides managed services, custom application development, outsourced IT, Online Backup, and Help Desk support to Orange County businesses. For more info, visit www.techglia.com/hb or call (714) 545-3284.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

HB Magazine Summer Feature: With Prince Charters, It’s Smooth Sailing

Special occasions, such as a marriage proposal, intimate wedding ceremony, birthday celebration, or anniversary are the times of your life when memories are made. With Prince Charters, Ltd., of Huntington Beach, you can turn these celebrations from “special” into breathtaking, magical moments. Imagine a romantic dinner for two in the moonlight on the deck of a moored yacht…or the exhilaration of slicing through sunlit water with the ocean breeze in your face. Prince Charters has been in the business of turning memories into magic since 1965.

Current Prince Charters Captain Doug Misterly learned to sail as a young boy with his grandfather, Dr. Gilbert Prince, completing his first solo sail at age 10. Dr. Prince was an ordained minister who took small groups sailing—sometimes for pleasure, to perform a shipboard wedding, or scatter the ashes of a loved one at sea. When he was 12, Doug helped his grandfather crew a sea burial, and decided then and there to continue the family legacy of Prince Charters.

Captain Doug’s vessel is a 34-foot Catalina sloop, fully equipped with the latest safety technology (including GPS and radar), a roomy cockpit, galley with refrigerator/freezer and microwave, stove, oven, an enclosed bathroom with a push-button electric toilet, shower, and two private cabins that sleep seven. You can charter the yacht for a minimum of two hours, an overnight trip to Catalina Island, or anything in between. Choose your adventure and customize your trip so that friends, family, or clients have the most fun and enjoyment.

“You can relax with friends on a coastal tour, entertain clients, stop at ocean-front restaurants before continuing your trip - the possibilities are endless,” Captain Doug said. “We can do a sunset dinner service on white linen, where just the two of you are alone on deck. You can participate in one of Southern California’s famous holiday boat parades. We can even arrange for a yacht race with other sailboats as a corporate team-building event. Whatever you can dream up, we can make it happen.”

A former first officer for Hornblower Yachts, Captain Doug has more than thirty years of sailing experience. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master Mariner’s License for sailing in ocean and bay waters. Captain Doug is licensed to perform shipboard weddings or a customized memorial service before the scattering of a loved one’s ashes (either people or pets) at sea. A signed certificate with the exact GPS coordinates is included.

“Your safety and comfort always come first,” Captain Doug said. “Whether you’re a first-time or experienced sailor, we do everything we can to make your trip enjoyable.”

Prince Charters also provides private sailing lessons. For those who prefer smoother sailing, Captain Doug can sail within the harbor behind the breakwater.

The departure point for Prince Charters is Alamitos Bay, located in Long Beach. Charters are available seven days a week. Summer weekends are being booked now, so plan in advance. Contact Prince Charters at (714) 642-9711 or online at www.princechartersltd.com.

AnnMarie Librescu is a freelance writer and public relations consultant in Irvine. She can be reached at alibrescu@cox.net

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

HB Magazine Business Showcase: EyeStyles for Lifestyles Reinvents Eye Care

At EyeStyles for Lifestyles, the name says it all. The two Orange County EyeStyles locations (in Costa Mesa/Newport Beach and Huntington Beach/Westminster) provide all the vision services you need under one roof. Whether you’re looking for new glasses or contacts, considering laser vision correction, or need treatment for an eye condition, you’ll find it at EyeStyles for Lifestyles.

Since 1986, EyeStyles for Lifestyles co-founder and optometrist Dr. Robert Glass has been revolutionizing the delivery of eye care. At Eyestyles, there are no doctors in white coats and ties. Instead, it feels like a great retail store where you can choose from thousands of contemporary European and American designer frames. EyeStyles is also your sunglass and sports eyewear headquarters, and they carry all the top brands of contact lenses. If it’s not in stock, they’ll order it for you.

“EyeStyles is a unique place, where fashion, function, and eye health are inseparable,” Dr. Glass says. “We’ve created a casual, friendly atmosphere that’s designed to make you feel comfortable. Our focus is on providing a fun, pleasurable visit for everyone, from children to adults of all ages.”

At EyeStyles, the doctors and knowledgeable staff members help you make the best choices for your unique needs and lifestyle. If you play sports or engage in activities that require certain specific types of visual acuity and function, the EyeStyles professionals know how to assist you in finding the right choice in eyewear and contact lenses. As a licensed pilot, Dr. Glass also specializes in the vision needs of private and commercial airline pilots.

You can schedule an exam with a doctor six days a week, including evenings and weekends, and walk-ins are welcome. Doctors are board certified to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the eyes and lids, such as allergies, dryness, minor injuries, and “pink eye.” If Laser Vision Correction is the right option, EyeStyles is a TLC Affiliate, and offers complimentary consultations. EyeStyles also features the newest technologies, including Optomap retinal exams, which provide an ultra-wide view of your retina without dilation, and Izon wavefront correcting lenses that improve visual acuity and quality to high definition.

If you have a prescription from another doctor for glasses or contact lenses, bring it to EyeStyles’ complete optical lab with full-time staff. Most prescriptions can be filled within the hour, and they have an extensive selection of contact lenses in stock.

“At EyeStyles, we provide state-of-the-art eye care that’s convenient and affordable,” Dr. Glass said. “We’re dedicated to giving you an unbeatable selection of frames and lenses, the most vision correction options, and personalized service. You won’t find better quality, value or service anywhere else!”

Call or stop by to schedule your appointment today. Most major vision plans are accepted. EyeStyles Costa Mesa/Newport Beach is located at 1696 Newport Blvd (at Newport and 17th). For more info, call (949) 574-0200 or visit www.eyestylescostamesa.com. EyeStyles Huntington Beach/Westminster is located at 16498 Beach Blvd. (at Beach and Heil). For more information, call (714) 848-3937 or visit www.eyestyleswestminster.com.