Have you been to the doctor yet this year? Now is a good time to schedule your checkup to check in on your health. These are important, especially if you have a chronic condition like diabetes. Besides spending one-on-one time with your doctor, it’s also a good time for your doctor to do special tests to make sure your diabetes is under control and not causing other problems. Your docto [...]

When you’re filing your 2016 tax returns, you’ll show proof that you had health insurance using Form 1095. You may receive one or more versions of the form, depending on how you enrolled or if you changed from a PPO to an HMO anytime during the year. If You Enrolled Through Healthcare.gov (The Marketplace) If you enrolled in your 2016 plan through the government [...]

March was National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme was “Put Your Best Fork Forward.” It’s a reminder that each bite counts—and you hold the tool in your hands to make healthy choices happen. When your life is busy, it’s often easier to grab food on the go. Sometimes, though, we sacrifice convenience for nutrition. The good news is that you can get the nutrients your body needs even when [...]

This morning, I joined Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in an effort to raise awareness about the child abuse epidemic in our country. Tragically, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. will experience physical, psychological or sexual abuse before the age of 18. Violence against children in any form is unacceptable, yet nearly 5 child [...]

Are You a Primary Caregiver for a Loved One? Caring for someone can take a toll on your health. No matter how much you have to do or how much help your loved one needs, it’s important to take care of yourself first. Manage your stress: If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, think about the reason and take a break from it if you can. Simpl [...]

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.But even if you en [...]

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. And since I’ve lived with Crohn’s disease (a type of inflammatory bowel disease) for 28 years, I try to find as much humor as I can when it comes to any type of bowel screening. I’ve had at least a dozen colonoscopies over the years. And I’ve tried all the different preparations for colon cleansing. If you are age 50 or older, call yo [...]

Looking for a fun way to spend a Saturday morning? Check out your local farmer’s market to scoop up some fresh veggies, like cucumbers, onions and greens. Loading your plate with fresh veggies can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease and other conditions. Bonus: They taste great too. This easy-to-make and affordable Greek salad is loaded with veggies that are in season in s [...]

If jogging, yoga or going to the gym isn’t part of your daily routine, that’s OK. You can easily start to fit exercise into your life with some small adjustments. Get up from the couch at home and take a 10-minute walk. Find an activity that is easy for you. Start slowly and make sure to follow your doctor’s advice, especially if you have an ongoing health condition, like heart disease. [...]

If it’s not caught and treated early, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack and other dangerous health problems. Getting an accurate blood pressure reading when you see the doctor is important to catch problems as early as possible. Florida Blue’s Dr. Paul Kaplan answers common questions about blood pressure and explains some things you may not know about this common health measu [...]