A brief overview of the four parts of Medicare insurance Medicare is one of the prominent insurances in the United States’ federal medical insurance policy. It is suitable and approved for people who are above 65 years, younger individuals with certain specific disabilities, and those affected with end-stage renal failure. There are four parts to a Medicare insurance policy with each one catering to specific needs. There is original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plan. Parts A and B belong to the original Medicare plan, Part C comprises the benefits offered by private insurance providers which are approved by Medicare, and Part D covers prescription drugs. There are many rules, appropriate costs, and special coverage restrictions for all the categories. Part A of the Medicare insurance covers hospital costs. 80% of expenses incurred for hospitalization for two months, or hospice, or skilled nursing care is taken care of by this. This is an assured, free-of-cost service for all citizens of the United States and their spouses who have worked and paid taxes to the Federal Government for at least ten years. And for the rest, Part A of the Medicare insurance can be availed for a monthly premium. Part B includes doctor’s fees, outpatient services, preventive and rehabilitative care, medical supplies, mental health care, etc. While it is optional to take coverage for Part B services, it must be noted that opting for this additionally later increases the monthly premium. Also known as Medicare Advantage, Part C refers to insurance plans offered by private insurance companies which are approved by Medicare. These cover the services offered by Parts A and B and sometimes also provide dental, eye care, and prescription drug coverage. Part D of the Medicare insurance plan provides coverage for outpatient prescriptions drugs. This part is only provided by private insurance companies that have contracts with the government. The optional Medicare Advantage plans, which are Parts C and D, calls for a compulsory enrollment in Parts A and/or B. The complex lineup of Medicare insurance policies are interlinked. Take a well-informed decision after understanding which Medicare insurance would suit the best for you.

While technology has pretty much touched all quarters of our lives, why should the field of medical science be left far behind? It comes as no surprise that in today's day and age, one gets to see the use of technology for many medical functions starting from diagnosis of an ailment to the treatment of the same. Technology has also changed the way we store our medical records. We now have electronic medical records that can call up your complex medical charts at the touch of a button. So, what are these electronic medical records? Read on to know more! Record information An electronic medical record is a system commonly known as EMR. This system is a software that scans your documents and records the key information in various fields that may be customized as per the doctor, the hospital, the specialization or even the patient. Further, this kind of software can be used by individuals to maintain a database of the medical charts and papers for the entire family. The recording of information happens by data encryption before it is sent to a cloud based source where it is stored for further recall and use. Track health metrics With the help of the EMR software and system, the doctors and patients have a foolproof way of organizing medical records so that they may be used to track the progress and further treatment or diagnosis of the patient. With electronic medical records, the doctors can compare and find metrics which may be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of other ailments as well. For example, if a patient is suffering from any allergies, this will be a key field in the diagnosis and treatment of some other complex condition, accordingly, the doctor may prescribe the correct medication and treatment method. Set a screening schedule The overall practice of health care goes through a sea change of improvement with the electronic medical records, as the screening schedules are set and the patient is reminded of the same on a timely basis. It would be helpful to get a medical record system like this for the whole family. You could also find out if your hospital or clinic already use one that you can also access.

Electricity rates usually reflect the cost to finance, maintain, build, and operate power plants and electricity grids. Every one of us pays our electricity bills on a monthly basis and seldom notice the tariffs and electricity rates until we see a skyrocketing amount in the bill summary. The first thing that we need to be aware of is that there are different electricity rates for different states in our country. There are other factors present that influence and decide electricity rates. A few of them have been listed below: Industrialization An industrialized city indicates towards it having higher electricity rates. This is based on the simple demand–supply phenomenon which can cause a considerable increase in the electricity rates. Mode of generation This factor mainly helps determines electricity rates. For instance, electricity generated from wind is costlier as compared to hydroelectricity. This is because harvesting electricity using wind requires complex machinery which comes with an upfront cost. Maintaining the machinery will also require skilled labor. This, however, is not true in the case of solar energy as it requires minimum labor. Electricity generated using solar energy does not have a complex setup which indicates towards the lower upfront cost. Hence, using alternative solutions can help you reduce electricity costs. Demographics The gross domestic product of a state or region also determines the range of electricity rates. The way the population grows economically also effects electricity pricing. Simply put, areas with wealthier people might have higher electricity rates. Weather patterns This is one of the most important factors that help decide the electricity rates of a state. People living in areas with extreme weather conditions experience an average of a 20 percent spike in the electricity rates when compared with ones living in moderate climate conditions. Type of customers The electricity rates are higher for residential and commercial consumers. This is because it is costly to distribute electricity to them. Industries receive electricity at less expensive rates because they receive it at a higher voltage which makes it more efficient. The average price of electricity rates in the country this year is roughly 12 cents/kWh whereas for industries it is 6 cents/kWh. Regulations Some states have regulated electricity prices and this is determined using public services and utility commissions; however, there are some states that use a combination of other unregulated prices for generators. Such states also use different prices based on the nature of transmission and service providers.

Your decision to purchase a cooking range or a front loading washing machine is a major one. These are costly items. You can go for online appliances to get a good deal. But before making a purchase, you need to think about the related issues. Home appliances make life easier. They serve a variety of purposes – heating, cooking, washing, chopping, grinding, etc. But, they are not an easy buy. The price of an appliance often depends on the technology, the size, and the features. A major appliance like a dishwasher, a washing machine, a cooking range, or a refrigerator can be costly. If you go for online appliances you may secure a deal, and reduce the overall cost. However, before making the purchase, you need to go through a decision-making process.

Ensure quality and make

If you are buying online appliances, you need analyze the quality. There is no way to return the product on the plea that it is not coming up to your expectations. You can return only if there is any defect in the item.

Reliable ecommerce stores

To ensure the quality, the best way is to buy online appliances from reliable ecommerce stores like Amazon. Even if you buy from some other ecommerce sites, you would be better off ensuring that the item is new and not a refurbished one. Reputed ecommerce sites also have better return policies, customer care, and warranty support.

Replacements, customer care, and warranty

If certain features of the product don’t match the product description in the ecommerce site, you may contact the customer support. They can arrange for replacements of the online appliances bought by you, with better ones. You must also ensure that the online appliances are covered by manufacturer’s warranty. You may not get this feature in some lesser known ecommerce sites.

Ensure that it will fit in your kitchen space

An oversized device is just a waste of money. So, before buying major online appliances like washing machines, you need to ensure that there is enough space for it. It is not a wise idea to buy first and then make space for it. So, note down the maximum dimensions of the appliance from one extreme to the other, in length, breadth, and height, in the product description column. This can make sure that the object just snugly fits into the space reserved for it.

Make arrangements for safe operation

Safety of family members is of paramount importance when you operate appliances running on gas or oil. Whenever gas or oil is burnt in very small or limited space, carbon monoxide is formed. This is poisonous. You need to take this out immediately. So arrange for vents whenever you are running an appliance on oil, gas, charcoal or wood. Apart from this, it would be safer for your family to install a CO monitor and a smoke alarm. In fact, you need two or three tire safety mechanisms to ensure that harmful gases don’t accumulate in the kitchen, even if they form.

Earthing is important for electrical appliances

For electrical appliances, you need to arrange for an earthing system. This is to ensure that even if there is an insulation failure, the device does not become charged. If the device becomes charged, you are not in safe hands at all. If you are buying online appliances, make sure to read the safety instructions carefully. Arrange for all the safety installations and then make the online appliances purchase.

Do they make a sound?

Home appliances are not made to produce erratic sounds. So when you take delivery of the online appliances, do make sure to turn on the devices and check for any sounds. If it makes a loud or awkward sound, call the customer support number and describe the problem to them. It is certainly possible to return the product or replace it with a proper one, if there is any abnormality in the product.

Teeth staining and erosion are common occurrences, and the food one eats is a major determining factor. Foods and beverages like ice, tea, coffee, sugar, and starches can cause enamel erosion and gum problems. Although whitening treatments and other dental procedures can help improve one’s smile, consuming certain foods promotes good oral health. Here are 16 foods to include in one’s daily nutrition plan for healthy white teeth and gums:

• Strawberries:Strawberries contain malic acid, which is a common bleaching agent found in many toothpastes. This can help reduce discoloration on the tooth surface. However, it is important to note that strawberries also have a rich citric acid content, which may weaken the enamel. Therefore, one must wait at least 30 minutes after consuming strawberries (or other citrus-rich foods) to brush teeth.
• Watermelon: Watermelon is also another great source of malic acid, which can help whiten one’s teeth and improve saliva production. Saliva washes off food and debris from the mouth, which can help avoid discoloration and prevent tooth decay.
• Pineapple: Teeth are covered in a layer of pellicles, which are salivary proteins. While they help protect the teeth, they also absorb food pigments, which can cause staining. Due to their sticky nature, pellicles can increase the accumulation of bacteria in one’s mouth, leading to plaque formation and tooth decay. Pineapple is a rich source of a proteolytic compound called bromelain, which can break down proteins in the pellicle layer and prevent tooth discoloration.
• Papaya: Papaya contains another proteolytic enzyme called papain, which can help break down proteins in the pellicle layer to prevent plaque formation and reduce stains.
• Dairy: Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese contain lactic acid, which can also help make teeth appear whiter. This is because they aid saliva production, which can reduce the occurrence of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. Additionally, dairy products contain casein, which uses calcium phosphates to reduce cavities and prevent plaque buildup to maintain good oral health.
• Water: While water has no nutritional value, it is important to ensure the daily functioning of one’s body. Saliva is almost entirely made up of water and is important to ensure optimal dental health. Water may also contain minerals such as fluoride, which can protect against tooth decay and gum disease. Furthermore, swishing water in the mouth after eating or drinking pigment-rich foods and beverages can help maintain a healthy, bright smile!
• Sugar-free gum: Chewing sugar-free gum can improve saliva production and remove food stuck in the crevices of the teeth. It can also help neutralize and remove acids that form when one consumes food, helping to protect one’s teeth and gums.
• Baking soda: One can also use a paste made of baking soda and water to scrub away plaque from the surface of the tooth and reduce discoloration. Baking soda is mildly alkaline and mildly abrasive, which helps it neutralize the effects of acids in the mouth and improve oral health.
• Broccoli: Broccoli is a rich source of fiber and iron. Fiber helps reduce inflammation in the mouth, while iron helps create a protective barrier over one’s teeth against abrasive, acidic foods and beverages. Due to its texture and fiber content, broccoli can also help mildly scrub the surface of the teeth while chewing, which can help reduce bacteria and discoloration.
• Apples: Apples are a rich source of malic acid and can improve saliva production, which can help protect against tooth decay. Due to their texture and fibrous nature, they are also slightly abrasive, which can help scrub the teeth to reduce discoloration.
• Celery: Celery is a great source of vitamins A and C, which can help strengthen the enamel. Chewing on a stick of celery also helps massage the gums and improve saliva production, which can help clean up food residue in the mouth.
• Basil: Basil is a delicious herb with natural antibiotic properties. It can help reduce the production of plaque in the mouth. It can also reduce the occurrence of bacteria in the mouth to prevent staining of the teeth.
• Carrots: Carrots contain vitamin A and keratin, which can strengthen the enamel and improve tooth and gum health. Due to their crunchy, fibrous texture, they also aid in removing plaque and bacteria from the mouth and improve saliva production.
• Onion: While this may seem counterintuitive given the strong smells associated with onions, they are laden with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can effectively kill bacteria to prevent tooth decay. This doesn’t mean one needs to bite off a piece of raw onion. Add onions to everyday meals such as sandwiches, salads, curries, or burgers to reap the health benefits.
• Kiwi: Kiwis are a powerhouse of nutrients. They are rich in fiber, calcium, and vitamin C. Fiber helps keep the teeth and gums clean, and calcium fortifies the enamel to prevent erosion and cavities, keeping the teeth looking pearly white!
• Seeds and nuts: When chewed, seeds and nuts are slightly abrasive, which can help scrub the tooth enamel of any stains and make it appear cleaner and whiter. They are also a good source of calcium, which improves enamel strength. Some seeds and nuts that can improve oral health include walnuts, sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds, and sesame seeds.

Computers, which were initially restricted for being used in different important offices and institutions, have now become a thing of necessity in many homes. With the increasing dependence on computers, several new brands have come up in the market and have manufactured a wide range of devices. Computers have undergone a sea of changes in the last few decades. To offer the required ease of use as well as portability, companies have now introduced laptop and tablets along with the desktop computers. Getting durable laptop batteries for your device can allow you to work in any remote place without getting it charged. A durable battery that can offer a constant backup is necessary for any laptop users, irrespective of their profession or reason for use. However, just getting the battery is not enough. When you are purchasing a laptop, you need to consider the additional accessories as well. One such is the laptop mouse. If you use the device extensively and need a detachable mouse other than the trackpad, you can search the web for it. Nowadays, users who prefer to use detachable mouse and keyboard for their laptops. Thus, it will not be very difficult for you to find the item of your choice. Just browse through any online store offering laptop accessories and check whether it has compatible items for your device. Laptop mouse or keyboards are not the only accessories that you may need to purchase. In some cases, users may also have to purchase laptop adapters additionally. This mostly happens if the original adapter has been damaged or lost accidentally. When purchasing laptop adapters, you should give special importance to the model number of the device. A mismatched accessory will never fit into your device. Even if it fits, it might cause damage to the battery or the entire device. So, purchase carefully. People who do not have the time to visit different stores for finding the right laptop mouse or laptop adapters can check the collections offered by online stores. Browse through a few stores and find the one, which is offering the right accessory at the right price. Nowadays, many stores offer laptop motherboards as well. However, replacing the motherboard of your laptop is something that you should try and avoid. It is the most important component of the device and changing it can affect the functioning of the device completely. Still, in case, you need to purchase laptop motherboards online, you should search for an authorized seller. Purchasing laptop batteries, motherboards or adapters can help you save some money as these stores charge a bit less than any local retailers. They may charge some shipping cost. Therefore, to save money, you should check the shipping terms and place the order.