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7 costly health insurance mistakes

1. Your doctor isn’t in the network

You’ll pay more to use health care providers who aren’t in your health plan’s network, so check to see if the doctors and other professionals you want are included.

A plan that tightly restricts you to a local network might be sufficient if you need care only in your area, but it won’t benefit a kid away at college or meet all your needs if you spend a lot of time on the road, says Pete Villemain, the president of Employee Benefit Services, which manages employer benefits plans.

Make sure any specialists you need are also covered by the plan, Rosen says. Don’t assume a specialist is in the network just because your primary care doctor gave you the name.

2. You pay huge insurance premiums to save a few bucks on the co-pay

“The mistake I see individuals make so many times is they focus so much on getting a low co-pay and they fail to look at how much extra premium they pay for it,” says Villemain.

He suggests evaluating how you’ll use your plan and comparing the costs accordingly. If you go to the doctor only a couple of times a year, is it worth hundreds of dollars extra on the premium just to get a lower co-pay?

3. The drugs you take aren’t covered

Some states require individual plans to offer prescription drug coverage, but in other states, many individual health insurance plans don’t cover drugs, says benefits consultant Michael Goodheim of Farsighted Strategies in Seattle.

If the plan provides prescription-drug coverage, check to see if your medications are included on its formulary, which lists the preferred drugs for coverage, Goodheim says. Expect to pay more if you take a drug that is not listed.

4. You’re overinsured

In addition to comprehensive health plans, many employers offer supplemental insurance policies, such as cancer or critical illness insurance, that pay a lump sum of cash after diagnosis. Such policies can provide valuable protection, but they might be unnecessary if you already have broad coverage under your medical insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance, Goodheim says.

5. You can’t afford your share of the medical bills

Low premiums are an attractive feature of high-deductible health plans, but make sure you’re prepared to pay all the out-of-pocket medical expenses, Goodheim says.

Besides the deductible, check the maximum out-of-pocket expenses you pay. After you pay the deductible, many plans pay only a portion, such as 70%, of covered medical expenses. Your 30% share is called co-insurance, which you must fork over until you reach the cap on out-of-pocket expenses.

“Those dollars can really add up,” Goodheim says.

6. You’re expecting, but your policy doesn’t cover maternity care

Most employer-sponsored plans cover maternity and prenatal care, thanks to the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as well as many state health insurance mandates for group coverage. Some states also require individual health insurance plans to include maternity coverage, but in states where there is no such mandate, many individual health plans pay only a small portion of the costs or don’t cover maternity at all. Even if the plan includes maternity coverage, read the fine print to know exactly what is covered and whether there’s a monetary cap.

Starting in 2014, individual and small-group plans sold through state health insurance exchanges must include pregnancy and newborn care, along with other essential benefits.

7. You don’t check your health plan for changes

Scrutinize group health plan offerings from employers each year during open enrollment, Rosen says. Don’t assume the plan is still the same. Coverage levels, costs and networks could change from one year to the next, even if the plan is offered by the same insurer.

“If you’re not sure about something and it raises a flag in your mind, then check it out,” Rosen says.

Doctors have been using X-Rays since the late 1800s (History).  The fact that X-Rays are still used around the world today shows their functionality in the medical world.  “X-Ray” is a shortened form of the term “electromagnetic radiation”, which sends wavelengths through solid objects.  When X-Rays were first introduced, doctors were amazed by the new technology and used it frequently in examining their patients.  They were unaware of the consequences of the radiation until the doctors themselves and their patients started to become ill.  This is called “radiation sickness”.  Today, doctors must consider the amount of electromagnetic radiation that is harmful to humans because too much radiation can cause many debilitating health risks.

Excessive amounts of radiation from X-rays can cause cancer and many other health issues, like DNA mutations and leukemia.  X-rays can be dangerous because the charge of the wavelengths can break a cell’s DNA chains.  This cell now has the potential to die or mutate, which can cause the cell to become cancerous.  Additionally, it is dangerous for both men and women to get and X-Ray if you are pregnant or looking to become pregnant.  Exposure to X-Rays (especially in the reproductive area) can cause mutations of the sperm or egg, causing your child to develop leukemia or birth defects.  However, if you get occasional X-rays at doctor’s office visits, you will not be at high risk for cancer.  It’s the excessive amounts of exposure that pose a threat.  In fact, X-Rays may be more beneficial than problematic.

Are X-rays Really Dangerous?

X-Rays are used to examine broken bones, detect cancer and tumors, and reveal many other medical conditions.  Using an X-Ray Machine is much safer than methods used previous to X-Rays.  For example, doctors in the past had to perform surgery on their patients to examine broken bones.  This more easily posed health threats to the patients, such as putting them at risk of infections.  Now, a simple X-ray can help the doctors with these examinations and without the risks of surgery.  It is also important to note that since the discovery of X-Rays, researchers have discovered that lead is a key component of X-Rays.  Due to its thick density, lead can be used to shield patients from some (but not all) of the electromagnetic wavelengths from an X-Ray.  This shield gives us more protection and a lower risk of the rays harming our body.  Lead shields can be made for any type of X-Rays, both dental and medical.

If you go for regularly scheduled exams, doctors are aware of the radiation risks.  Don’t refuse a single X-Ray because you’re afraid of its health effects.  Now you know that the amount of radiation that reaches your body is very minimal, especially with shielding.  And the harm on your body will me slim to nothing.  This X-Ray can detect a posing health risk that is more threatening to you health than the radiation from an X-Ray.  If you go to multiple doctors and are concerned about the X-Rays, let your doctor know about your other experiences with radiation.  Your doctor will know the precautions to take regarding radiation and your health.

Preventative healthcare saves lives and money.  It is estimated that thousands of lives and millions of dollars can be saved annually if more Americans take preventative measures with their healthcare.  Preventative tests promote early detection of many medical conditions as well as thwart conditions from arising in the first place.  They allow doctors to check for any signs of a threatening condition.  By finding a condition before it is able to develop, you are able to medicate (and hopefully cure) the condition before while it is still tolerable.  These tests will require less advanced technology and therefore will be less expensive.  Depending on your age and gender, it is recommended that you get certain tests and vaccines more often than others.

Vaccinations are just one of the preventative services we all need

9 preventative measures to maintaining your health:

1. Routine Vaccinations: it is important to get routine vaccinations, like the flu, tetanus, and Hepatitis shots.  Protecting yourself from illnesses will keep your immune system healthy and ready to fight off other diseases.
2. Blood Pressure Screenings: these screenings will monitor your blood pressure and advise you on how to maintain a healthy blood pressure level.  Regular screenings will monitor your level to avoid the risk of a cardiac event.
3. Cholesterol tests: your awareness of this level will also help you know if your level risks a cardiac event.  If your cholesterol level is too high, your doctor can give you tips for lowering it.
4. Blood tests: these tests can determine if you have certain conditions that you are unaware of.  Such conditions include diabetes, anemia, and thyroid disorders.
5. Annual check-ups: these will check to make sure you’re maintaining a healthy weight (unhealthy weigh puts you at risk for many medical conditions) and they will check that you are up to date on all your medications.  Check-ups are also another opportunity to get your blood pressure and other tests updated.
6. Bone mass tests: these tests examine you bone density to determine if you are at risk for osteoporosis.
7. Mammograms (for women): women should get an annual mammogram to detect breast cancer.
8. Cervical Cancer Shots (for women): these shots will help protect women against developing cervical cancer.
9. Prostate Cancer check-ups (for men): There is a 1 in 6 chance that men will develop prostate cancer.   Men should get regular examinations to catch any signs of the development of prostate cancer.

Now, new Healthcare regulations require that many preventative tests are covered by your insurance carrier!  These new regulations will be applied to insurance plans no later than September 23, 2010.  So there is no reason why you should avoid doctor’s office, even when you are healthy.  Also, it is important to stay up-to-date on all of your medical tests.  This task of managing all of your medical needs may seem daunting at first, but making it more of a routine will help you stay on track.  Importantly, routine visits to the doctor’s office will develop your relationship with your doctor.  Your relationship is so central to your health because it allows your doctor to become familiar with you and your conditions.  This way, he or she will be able to notice changes in your behavior and medical tests that may be indicative of an arising medical condition.

Every year, more than 16,000 Americans are infected with Lyme disease, a disease spread by deer ticks that carry the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Discovered in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975, Lyme disease can be found throughout the United States and even into Europe. Ticks themselves are infected with the disease after feeding on deer and mice. Ticks can also easily bite people as they’re walking through grass, and pets are known to carry deer ticks into the household.

Check out what a deer tick really looks like! Placed next to a belt buckle you can see how tiny they really are!

Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because few people remember even being bitten by a tick, while lab testing has accrued false test results. People with Lyme disease have been misdiagnosed with other neural illnesses, like Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and even Multiple Sclerosis. The Time for Lyme organization is working to fund more research on Lyme disease.  Currently, researchers are working to more easily determine Lyme disease from other neurological diseases to avoid wrong diagnoses and improve patient health.

Most people develop a red “bull’s eye” shaped rash, also known as erythema migrans, generally located around the legs or buttocks.  The rash is very distinctive, with pale skin surrounded by a red circular rash. Even this can cause problems with diagnosis, because around 20 percent of people with Lyme disease don’t even get the rash. Other Lyme disease sufferers can experience flulike symptoms—especially fever, chill, and fatigue. Others suffer from joint pain, stiff neck, facial paralysis, heart problems, and other physical problems.

Early stage Lyme disease is often treatable by a regimen of antibiotics. In June, Massachusetts passed a law allowing physicians to treat Lyme disease with extended aggressive treatment, protecting them from regulatory bodies and allowing patients to get the treatment they need. Many Lyme disease patients feel that long term, aggressive treatment is more effective in combating the illness. Opponents, including some physicians’ groups, argue that such prolonged use of strong antibiotics may be detrimental to patients’ health in the long run. Connecticut passed a similar law back in 2009.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Lyme disease.  Deer ticks are most visible from May to July, so take extra precautions during this time period.. There are several simple steps you can take to avoid both ticks and infection. Remember, not every tick carries Lyme disease, although it is important to remain vigilant. If you can, try to avoid grassy areas where deer ticks may lurk. If you have to enter woody, grassy areas, wear long pants and tuck them into your shoes to protect skin from ticks.  Plus, make sure you utilize tick repellent (with 20 to 30 percent DEET) to maximize your protection.  You should not use tick repellent on young children.

Check your body after going outside, and if you do find a tick on your body, remember that it takes 24 hours for a tick to infect you with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, so you can safely remove it with tweezers.  Still, if you have been bitten by a tick, make sure to consult a doctor.

Being healthy starts with what you eat!

You’ve always been reminded to “eat your fruits and veggies”, but what is the big attraction to these two food groups? Eating your fruits and veggies can reduce your risk of chronic diseases. The news frequently gives us new stories divulging the latest research about foods you need to eat more of or foods you should avoid.  Some claim to lower your cholesterol, help you lose weight, or make you live longer.  These boundless stories and choices make it difficult to decipher which foods are actually the best choices to eat. Well, we have narrowed down the list for you.  The following are foods that you should make sure to eat every day.  Chronic diseases are the cause of 59% of deaths around the world yearly. By eating these foods each day, you can reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

1-2. Blueberries and Tomatoes

Fruit, in general, is known to reduce your risk of many cancers, such as mouth, lung, and digestive cancer.  Blueberries are known as the “miracle fruit” due to all of the health benefits of blueberries.  They have tons of antioxidants that prevent the damaging of cells. All these antioxidants and vitamins help keep your immune system running in good order and it helps with vision and healthy skin, among many others.  The nutrients in tomatoes have similar health benefits and, yes, a tomato is considered a fruit.  The bright red color of a tomato is given by a carotene called lycopene which protects against many other cancers.

3-4. Carrots and Spinach

Vegetables are important in your daily food intake because they are known to help prevent Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), a chronic heart disease.  Carrots in particular have a high content of Vitamin A and fat-solutes.  These sources reduce your risk for cancer by promoting good cell communication.

For spinach and leafy foods, a darker leaves have more nutrition.  These nutrients reduce muscle degeneration, which protect your bones at risk for osteoporosis.  Spinach contains folate.  This vitamin reduces your risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).  These vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in vegetables reduce your risk for many cancers.

5. Yogurt

Yogurt contains several vitamins and nutrients.  These help boost your immune system to reduce your risk of chronic disease.  Calcium and Vitamin D found in yogurt will protect your bones from osteoporosis.  You can also find “probiotic” bacteria in yogurt, which is active in your digestive track to help reduce digestive cancers.  Calcium also prevents tooth decay; and good mouth health can increase your immune system and reduce your risk of bacterial infections.

6-7. Salmon and Nuts

Salmon and walnuts are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.  The high content of omega-3s is great for heart protection.  They lower your blood pressure and raise circulation, both of which reduce your risks for chronic heart diseases such as CHD.

8. Whole grains

The fiber found in whole grains help to lower your cholesterol, which reduces our risk of heart diseases.  They also have low concentrations of glycemic.  This reduces your chance of becoming diabetic.

Eat right and stay healthy! Exercise is also important to maintaining your health and reducing your risk of chronic diseases.  You should have 20 minutes of vigorous cardio activity 3-4 times per week.  To reduce your risk of many chronic diseases you should also avoid high alcohol consumption, lower or avoid tobacco use, and reduce the amount of salt in your diet.

You may be familiar with the saying “too much of anything isn’t good for you”.  This is entirely true.  Even simplest things in life, like water, can threaten your health.  Consuming large amounts of any substance can be extremely damaging to your health – and some even deadly.  But, if you follow to this simple advice and don’t over-indulge in one thing, you will not have to worry about harming your health.

Too much caffeine or sugar can really harm your health!

Believe it or not, drinking too much water in a short period of time can be fatal.  This occurrence has been diagnosed as “water intoxication”.  People who have water intoxication show similar symptoms of alcohol intoxication, such as disorientation and nausea.  An excess amount of water in your system will cause your brain cells to swell (sometimes sending you into a coma) and then burst, which disrupts normal brain functions.  It can cause your brain and kidney to become dysfunctional and it can provoke heart failure.

However, water intoxication is not something you should worry about every time you go to drink another glass of water.  You should consume 8-10 glasses (about 2-2.5 liters) of water daily.  Water intoxication is only triggered when this turns into a situation like 4 liters in less than 4 hours.  We should all know from common sense that this not a smart idea.  Also, if you’re exercising it is true that you’re going to need to consume more water.  Just know your body’s limits and spread out the drinks over time.

There are other substances that people consume daily in minimal amounts that can be toxic in large amounts.  Take caffeine for example.  The average American drinks about 3 cups of coffee a day (Coffee Fun Facts)!  Meaning that many Americans drink even more than that.  Does this mean that those people who drink more coffee are putting their life at risk for a caffeine overdose? Not at all.  The average cup of coffee contains no more than 200 mg of caffeine.  Toxic levels way surpass this amount.  Consuming 10g or more of caffeine could be fatal (that would be over 50 cups of coffee in one day!).

A well balanced diet will keep you healthy.  Continuing on the theme of “too much of anything isn’t good for you”, too much of any one food can be seen as a health hazard.  If you eat too much of one particular food, this means you’re going to eat less of other varieties of foods containing additional vitamins and minerals.  These other nutrients are essential to your health and well-being.  Also, over-indulgence of one particular food can pose long-term health risks.  For example, if you consume too much sugar with not enough exercise you put yourself at risk for diabetes.  The human body is such a well-designed complex that it well let you know when enough is enough.  It sends out warning signals, such as nausea, indicating that it has reached its limit.  You risk unhealthy conditions when you push this limit.  Listen to your body.

Approximately 75% of Americans wear some type of vision correction.  Blurring of our vision is mostly genetic and out of our control.  It occurs when light enters your eye and is focused to a point around the retina, instead of directly to the retina.  When and if you need vision correction (although not everyone will), glasses and contacts have been designed to fix this condition.  Once diagnosed, the question is glasses or contacts? For some, the decision is quite obvious depending on their lifestyle; but for others, the decision may be more difficult.

Glasses or Contacts?

Many Americans find that glasses are a more appropriate choice for their lifestyle, while others find them more inconvenient.  On the down side, many find glasses to be a bit of an annoyance.  The frames can obstruct your vision and the lenses do not cover your peripheral vision.  The distance from the lens to your eye may distort your perception, too.  Also, you have to take your glasses on and off throughout the day when necessary, which can be irritation for some people.  And the more you have to touch your glasses for adjustments, the more you’re going to have to clean them off.  They also require cleaning or wiping according to the weather (wiping off rain drops) and sudden temperature changes.

On the plus side, many people love their glasses.  They enjoy being able to take their glasses on and off as they please and not worry about falling asleep while wearing contacts.  When you wake up in the morning, your glasses can be immediately available, instead of stumbling to the bathroom for your contacts.  Also, you don’t have to be anal about cleaning your glasses daily to prevent the risk of infection.  Importantly, a pair of glasses could last you a lifetime! This makes them a more affordable option over contacts and not to mention they can be quite stylish.

Although there are millions of glasses wearers in the US, many people are aficionados to their contacts.  12% of those who need vision correction wear contacts; more women wear them than men.  Contacts are popular because they are suitable for any type of lifestyle.  Even those who don’t need vision may choose to wear colored contacts to make a fashion statement.  Since they’re directly on your eye, there is no vision distortion or obstructions.  Contrary to popular belief, contacts do not make your vision worse more quickly than glasses.  However, people find that the maintenance of contacts is not worth the convenience.  They can be dry and uncomfortable.  Contact wearers risk the possibility of a bacterial infection as well as a contact tear and damage to the eye.  Those who wear contacts must be very cautious because your eyes are delicate organs.

The decision between glasses and contacts can be simple – get both! Many people choose to wear both since both options are relatively affordable.  With both glasses and contacts, you have flexibility to wear either whenever you would like.  Or if you’re really courageous, Lasik is now an option.  During this procedure a laser is used to correct your vision so you will no longer need glasses or contacts.  In the end, we all make the decision that best suits our need and lifestyle.

Get out of that tanning bed!

When summer comes along, many people just can’t resist lying out in the sun to develop a deep, golden tan. Now, the summer tan is no longer limited to the summertime. The rise of the tanning bed, coupled with the idealization of tanned bodies from shows like the Jersey Shore, has led people—mostly women—to tan year round. Tanning, whether out in the sun or in an indoor tanning bed, can have harmful consequences. Here are the top seven reasons for you to quit tanning once and for all.

1.      Tanning—especially in tanning beds—can actually be habit forming and at worst, addictive. Research has shown that tanning is often habit forming, and some people show behaviors similar to drug and alcohol addicts. In a study reported by ABC News back in April, researchers found that between 30 and 40 percent of individuals who used tanning beds demonstrated the psychiatric diagnostic indicators for addiction.  Some “tanorexics” just can’t stop tanning no matter what they try, while others miss social opportunities just to tan.

1. Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is highly linked to exposure to UV rays. Both tanning beds and the sun produce UVA and UVB rays, and overexposure to UV rays can cause cancer. In particular, melanoma is one of the most common cancers affecting young people, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

3.      Ultraviolet rays also cause premature aging of the skin. Yes, that means wrinkles.  UV rays break down the collagen in your skin. Collagen keeps your face smooth and wrinkle-free. Do you really want to risk turning your skin into leather just to keep up a Snooki-esque tan?

4.      Proponents of tanning have argued that exposure to sunlight and tanning bed light generates Vitamin D, which may be able to reduce the risk of certain cancers.  However, a recent study showed that high levels of vitamin D weren’t necessarily linked to reduced risk in cancer.

5.      Overexposure to the sun can also damage the DNA in your skin, leading to increased risk of skin cancer.  Tanning bulbs also prevent your body from repairing the damaged DNA, another factor that may increase cancer risks.

6.      Anyways, soaking up the sun is not the only way to increase Vitamin D intake.  Alternative sources include fish, cheese, and fortified foods like milk, as well as vitamin D supplements. Limited exposure to the sun is a good thing, but baking in tanning beds and burning in sunlight is not a good way to obtain Vitamin D.

7.      Not only does tanning hurt your health, but it can also hurt your wallet.  If you choose to tan in a tanning salon, by default you must pay for services. Add in expensive tanning lotions meant to enhance your tan. By the time you factor in the 10% tanning tax that starts July 1^st 2010, you’ve made a sizeable dent in your wallet.

The Situation with tanning does not look promising. “Fake-n-bake” tanning and sunbathing alike can be very harmful to your wallet, and most importantly, your health. If you’re not willing to cut down on your tanning habits, consider at least reducing your time under the heat lamps. If you prefer to brown outside, wear sunscreen to protect your skin. Follow Lindsay Lohan’s lead—this is probably the only time you’ll ever be told to listen to Lohan—and use sunless tanning products. Self-tanners and spray tans can give you that golden glow without harming your health.

When I was in high school, the hot-ticket school lunch item was never salad, but greasy cheese pizza, spicy breaded chicken sandwiches, or hot dogs.  Students were more likely to buy ice cream than a milk carton or fruit. Needless to say, the most popular items on the menu were definitely not the healthiest items on the menu, and I doubt that things have changed in the span of a few years.

Recently, school lunches have been the target of criticism by parents and politicians looking to improve child nutrition and reduce the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic.  Plus, remember that many schools and universities are also working to improve conditions for students with food allergies. A large percentage of school-age children consume nearly half of their calories in the school cafeteria. Many poverty-stricken children rely on school lunches for both sustenance and nutrients. On top of that, over 30 million students are enrolled in the National School Lunch program, which provides reduced-cost or free lunches to students in need. Those two factors, coupled with the growing obesity epidemic, make it even more imperative that something be done about school lunches.

One teacher actually went undercover, eating, documenting, and blogging about school lunches every day for an entire school year.  A good percentage of students at her school received free or reduced price lunches. However, students tended to pick at their food, which was mostly either packaged or frozen instead of fresh. The teacher noted that when one student consumed 5 sugar cookies (that he’d bartered for at lunch), he bounced off the walls and was unable to focus for the rest of the day. Food truly impacts both the mental and physical well-being of kids, making it imperative to provide them with the healthiest, freshest food possible.

Although schools do have nutritional standards (for reimbursement purposes), often side items like French fries are counted as vegetables.  Plus, many a la carte items like French fries, Supporters of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act argue that kids should have access to healthy meals, even at school.

On December 13^th, President Obama signed the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act into law, pumping over 4.5 billion dollars into school lunch programs nationwide, subsidizing more meals for students in poverty-stricken areas and improving the overall nutritional quality of food served in school cafeterias.

As a result of this new legislation, over 100,000 more children will be eligible for school lunch programs. The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act will also add healthier options to school vending machines and increase the meal reimbursement rate by 6 cents per lunch. The bill received bipartisan support in the Senate, although some budget-conscious Republicans are understandably concerned about the 4.5 billion dollar price tag.  

These initiatives may not seem like much, but they are a step in the right direction regarding child nutrition. While schools should not bear the entire burden of child nutrition, it is important that schools provide adequate meals for our children. Hopefully the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act will provide needy kids with the healthful food they need to thrive.

In another one of my blogs, I outlined the reasons why you should quit tanning once and for all. I mainly focused on the health risks associated with tanning, including skin cancer and premature aging. One important new tax to know about is the tan tax, a tax on indoor tanning services that began on July 1 2010.

A tax on indoor tanning will help pay for healthcare reform

To fund the 2010 Affordable Care act, the federal government will now levy a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning, which started on July 1^st.  Spray tans and other sunless tanning products will not be taxed under the new legislation.  The tanning tax is expected to generate 2.7 billion dollars towards health care reform.  Dermatologists and other advocates hope that the tanning tax will dissuade people from baking their skin in indoor tanning beds.

Why tax tanning?

To begin with, countless dermatological studies have shown that tanning has a negative impact on the body. Exposure to UV rays damages the skin’s DNA, leaving people more than three times more likely to develop skin cancers like melanoma.  Although many skin cancers can be treatable, melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer—as well as the most common type of skin cancer found in young people. Indoor tanning beds can also contribute to premature aging of the skin, causing younger people to develop wrinkly or leathery looking skin. A young survivor of skin cancer who tanned in his youth even wants to ban tanning for minors because of health risks.

Initially, cosmetic surgery procedures were the victims of the tax—known as the “Botax” for the popular Botox procedure, until dermatologists successfully lobbied Congress to hit indoor tanning beds instead.

Still, tanning businesses fear that the new tax will put a damper on their fun in the sun. Before the 10% tax went into effect, many small businesses expressed their concern over the tax’s impact on business. Although tanning packages purchased at tanning salons will be exposed to the tax, health clubs that also feature tanning beds are exempt from the new legislation. One famous tanning salon patron, the Jersey Shore’s majestically orange Snooki, claimed that she would stop using tanning beds for good because of the tax, and use spray tan services instead. Other tanners said that the tax wouldn’t affect their tanning habits.

Other businesses claim that they have already noticed a drop off in sales. According to an article in the Washington Post, one tanning salon in Arlington, Virginia noticed a 20 to 30 percent drop off in business since the recession, and anticipated worse since the tanning tax went into effect July.  Then again, it is July, the height of beach season, when indoor fake n’ bake tanning really isn’t necessary, which could factor into that sales decline.

While time will tell how hard the tax will hit the tanning industry, I feel tanning salons should not be the only establishments subject to the tax.  By exempting fitness centers from taxation, the government is really squeezing the tanning industry. Still, the tax may serve as an additional incentive—including health—for people to stop tanning once and for all.