The information below may not directly affect you, but may affect someone that you know and has, thus, been included for informational purposes to help keep you educated.

By Lisa Zamosky

WebMD Health News

Health Insurance Exchanges Go Online

The big story to watch in 2013 will be the development of state-based health insurance exchanges. These marketplaces will allow uninsured people and small businesses to shop for, compare, and enroll in health plans. Only through the exchanges will people learn if they qualify for and can take advantage of federal tax subsidies to help cover the cost of insurance. Exchanges must be up and running by Oct. 1, 2013, and it's going to be a mad rush to get the job done.

States were given the option to build their own exchanges and had until Dec. 14 to decide. Just 18 states and the District of Columbia agreed to build their own. Seven states have opted for a partnership exchange, a model where the states and federal government work together to operate the marketplace. That leaves the federal government to put in place health insurance exchanges in the remaining 25 states that declined to participate.

Increased Medicare Taxes on the Wealthy 

If you have Medicare coverage and earn more than $200,000 a year or are part of a married couple earning more than $250,000 annually, get ready to pay higher taxes for Medicare hospital insurance (Medicare Part A) in 2013.

Starting in January, taxes will rise by 0.9%, up to 2.35%, on earnings above $200,000 for individual taxpayers. In addition, income earned from investments (as opposed to salary) will face a 3.8% tax assessment.

Together, these two Medicare tax increases are expected to raise a total of $210 billion over 10 years to help pay for the changes brought by the health reform law.

Changes to Itemized Medical Deductions

For years we've been allowed to deduct unreimbursed medical costs that amount to 7.5% of our adjusted gross income. Starting next year, anyone under the age of 65 will see that threshold increase to 10%.
 

Limits to FSA Contributions

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow people to set aside pre-tax salary dollars to pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance. Starting in January, contributions to these accounts will be limited to $2,500 a year.

Medicaid Expansion Becomes Optional

The Supreme Court's ruling earlier this year brought changes to the part of the law that expanded the Medicaid program to include more low income Americans. The expansion allows for individuals who earn about $15,400 a year and families that earn about $26,300 annually to participate. In its decision, the court said the Medicaid expansion will be optional for states, not a requirement.

In response, many governors opposed to the law said they would refuse to expand their Medicaid programs. To date, 18 states have agreed to broaden rules for their Medicaid program, 11 states have said they would not expand their programs, and 16 remain undecided.

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States moving forward to implement health care law, build health insurance marketplaces

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced that more states are now on track to implement the health care law and establish health insurance marketplaces, or Exchanges.

A Partnership Exchange allows states to make key decisions and tailor the marketplace to local needs and market conditions.

"States across the country are working to implement the health care law and build a marketplace that works for their residents," said Secretary Sebelius. "In ten months, consumers in all fifty states will have access to a new marketplace where they will be able to easily purchase quality health insurance plans."

Because of the Affordable Care Act, consumers and small businesses in every state will have access to a new marketplace starting in 2014 where they can access quality, affordable private health insurance. These are similar to those choices that will be offered to members of Congress.

Consumers in every state will be able to buy insurance from qualified health plans directly through these marketplaces and may be eligible for tax credits to help pay for their health insurance. 

 Courtesy WebMD.com

Primary symptoms of flu are fever, fatigue, aches and pains, chills, and cough. The cough is a bronchial tube irritation and is usually not productive -- you're not coughing up gunk. The flu is usually at its worst for three to four days. The cough may linger longer. Recovery can take seven to 10 days. You may have lingering fatigue for several weeks.

There's one catch with these viruses. About 24 to 72 hours after you're infected, you become contagious. Yet you may not have symptoms, so you don't know you're sick. You feel completely healthy, and go about your daily affairs -- spreading the virus wherever you go.

Stay at home while you've got the flu, and for at least 24 hours after you get over your symptoms. Once you start feeling symptoms, you've already exposed co-workers to the virus -- and you're still contagious. Also, you will recover quicker if you get some rest. 

There's no single "best" treatment for flu, but there are many ways you can ease symptoms.

Prescription flu drugs can shorten the time you feel sick if taken when your first symptoms appear. They work best when taken within 48 hours of symptoms, but they can also prevent severe disease if taken more than 48 hours after the first symptoms. Over-the-counter cold and flu medicines can offer some relief from fever, aches, stuffy nose, and cough. They don't "cure" the flu, but may help keep you more comfortable.

What can help? Decongestants can help you breathe by shrinking swollen mucous membranes in your nose. Saline nasal sprays can also help open breathing passages. Cough preparations, along with water and fruit juices, can help soothe a cough.

Don't use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children under 4. If your child is between 4 and 6, ask your doctor before giving medicine. It's safe to use these medicines to help relieve symptoms in kids 6 and older. Never give medicines with aspirin to young adults and children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.

It's very important to drink a lot of fluids to keep your body hydrated. This helps loosen mucus. Limit drinks like coffee, tea, and colas with caffeine. They rob your system of fluids. As for eating, follow your appetite. If you're not really hungry, try eating simple foods like white rice or broth.

Antibiotics will not help treat the flu. Antibiotics kill bacteria, but they do not kill any viruses, including viruses that cause the flu or colds.

However, the flu can weaken the immune system and open the door for bacterial infections. If your flu starts to get better and then gets worse, you may have a bacterial infection. See a doctor right away. Antibiotic treatment may be necessary.

When should you see a doctor? These symptoms are signs that flu may have developed into something serious like pneumonia. See a doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent fever
• Vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Painful swallowing
• Persistent coughing
• Persistent congestion and headaches

 Click here to read expanded information to managing and preventing the flu