0 Beware of scams during Hurricane Sandy cleanup

Whether you're a victim of Hurricane Sandy seeking relief or someone who wants to help out, don't become a victim of fraud.

Our experts and those at the Federal Trade Commission note that scammers target disaster-affected areas trying to defraud those seeking help or wanting to donate. Protect yourself from financial harm or identity theft by following the tips below.

Before you donate:

• Give to only charities you know and trust, such as the American Red Cross.
• Check a charity before you donate. See the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.
• Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight.
• Ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser, who they works for, and what percent of your donation goes to the charity vs. the fundraiser.
• Don't give out personal or financial information unless you know the charity is reputable.
• Never send cash. You can't be sure the organization will receive your donation, and you won't have a record for tax purposes.

If you need to hire a contractor, be sure to:

• Ask for copies of the contractor's general liability and worker's compensation insurance.
• Check the contractor's identification and references.
• Avoid paying more than the minimum in advance.
• Deal with reputable people in your community.
• Call local law enforcement and the Better Business Bureau if you suspect a con.

For more information, check out Consumer Reports' post-Sandy coverage.

Source:
FTC Warns Consumers: Charity and Home Repair Scams May Appear After a Disaster

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0 Did the storm ruin your drugs?

The ravages of Hurricane Sandy may have ruined your medications. Follow this advice from the Food and Drug Administration to make sure the drugs you take are safe:

• Refrigeration needed. Drugs that require refrigeration should be discarded if your power has been off for awhile. But if the drug is absolutely necessary and you don't have access to a replacement, use it until you can get a new supply.
• Unsafe water. Any drugs exposed to flood waters may be contaminated and must be discarded. Use only bottled or purified water for children's medications that need to be mixed with water.
• Fires. If your medication was exposed to high heat from fires, it should be replaced.

For details, see safe drug use after a natural disaster from the FDA. And see our post-Hurricane Sandy survival tips.

0 Finding clean water after a flood

Floods can contaminate the water you drink, making a bad situation worse. Obviously, the simplest step is using bottled water if you can. If that's not available, follow this advice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

• If you don't have bottled water, boil water. That kills most types of disease-causing organisms. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water before boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.
• If you can't boil water, disinfect it with household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
• If you have a well that has been flooded, get it tested and disinfected as soon as possible after the flood waters recede. If you think that your well is contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.

For details, see advice on safe water after floods from the USDA. And see our post-Hurricane Sandy survival tips as well as our advice on water filters.

0 What to do after a hurricane if you use a home medical device

If you rely on electricity for home medical equipment like an oxygen tank, ventilator, medical bed, wheel chair, or blood glucose monitor, losing power can be much more than an inconvenience. Your first step should be to call your electric company and fire department to let them know that you have a medical device that needs power. While you wait for power to be restored or help to come, here's some advice from the U.S. Food and Drug and Administration on what else to do:

• Read your user instructions or call your distributor or device manufacturer to find out if your device can be used with batteries or a generator.
• If it can, hook the device up to a generator if possible.
• Make sure you check for water before plugging in your device. Don't plug in a power cord if the cord or the device is wet.
• When the power is restored, check to make sure the settings on your medical device have not changed (often medical devices reset to a default mode when power is interrupted).
• If you use a blood glucose meter, check the meter and test strip package insert for information on use during unusual heat and humidity.

For details, see the tips from the FDA on using medical devices during hurricanes and other emergencies. And see our post-Hurricane Sandy survival tips as well as our advice on home blood glucose meters and home blood pressure monitors.

0 In Sandy's wake, roll up your sleeves—for possible fight with your home insurer

As survivors of Superstorm Sandy start cleaning up the estimated $20 billion in destruction, homeowners need to prepare for another possible squallwith their insurance company, according to the latest data from the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

When disaster strikes, your home insurer might not live up to your expectations, especially if you have a large claim, based on the results of our 2011 survey of 11,250 subscribers who filed claims in the past few years. The greater the damages, the greater the likelihood that home insurers paid less than expected, we found.

Overall, almost 10 percent of respondents reported disagreements with their insurer over the amount of a claim payment. But when damage was $25,000 or more, 19 percent disagreed with their insurer's assessment of what was due. That was more than three times the disagreement rate for claims worth less than $2,500.

Among those in the higher-damage group who disputed estimates, insurers paid a median of $7,000 (or 20 percent) less than the claimed loss, leaving the policyholders less satisfied.

Now, with some $7 to $8 billion in Sandy claims at stake, according to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, homeowners need to get into fighting trim. Here's what you should do to stay on your toes and make sure you get all of the damage claim dollars that you have coming to you:

1. Take pictures of the damage as soon as it's safe and practical. Then take steps to prevent further damage, such as covering a hole in the roof with a tarp and moving undamaged furniture and other items to a safe place.
2. Keep receipts for any money you spend to prevent further losses. But don't repair anything or dispose of ruined property until an insurance adjuster has examined everything.
3. Report the loss to your insurance agent as soon as practical. Most big insurers now have smart phone apps that make taking pictures (with the phone's camera) and filing claims a snap. Alternatively, your insurer will send claim forms, which you should return as soon as you can. Ask about the time limit for filing claims, details about what's covered, and how to get repair estimates. If you have an inventory of your possessions, submit it with your claim along with any photos of damage, receipts, police reports, and other evidence that documents the loss.
4. Keep notes about any promises that insurance representatives give you, the date and time of each contact, and the name and title of each person you deal with. Make sure the adjuster sees everything. Ask for a copy of his or her report and scrutinize it for mistakes. You're also entitled to a copy of your entire claims file. Copy everything you give the adjuster and ask for a receipt.
5. If the adjuster advises you to start repairs, get that in writing so promises and permissions can be accurately passed on if your case is transferred to another person. If you get payments up front for temporary living expenses, don't sign any documents that make them your last payments or that surrender your right to collect further payments.
6. If your insurer says your policy doesn't cover certain damages or if the damage estimate and claims payment offer are too low, ask for the policy exclusion or limit in writing. If you've been misled by policy wording, contact a local attorney who specializes in insurance law. The Consumer Federation of America notes that courts have consistently ruled in favor of policyholders on such ambiguities.
7. If you reach an impasse, consider getting help from a public adjuster. You'll pay a hefty fee, typically 10 percent of the policy payout. But one Florida study of more than 76,000 claims found that policyholders who used public adjusters got payments that were 19 to 747 percent larger than those who didn't, though the cases took longer to settle.

To find a public adjuster, go to the website of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, at napia.com. Look for references, several years' experience, and a state license if required.

Sources:
Hurricane Sandy Threatens $20 Billion in Economic Damage [Bloomberg News]

0 Food safety when the power goes out

If you lost power during Hurricane Sandy, don't taste the food to see if it's OK. Instead, follow this advice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. That will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for about 48 hours, or 24 hours if it is half full and the door stays closed.
If you can, get block ice or dry ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic-foot full freezer for 2 days.
If the power has been out for several days, check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer or food thermometer. If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 F or below, the food is safe.
If you don't have a thermometer, check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still has ice crystals, it's safe.
Throw away refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after 4 hours without power.
Finally, when in doubt, throw it out!

For details, see advice from the USDA on food safety during an emergency. And see our Hurricane Sandy Survival Tips, including our advice on generators.

0 Medicare open enrollment: Did I mess up by not taking Part B when I retired from my federal government job?

Q. I retired from a federal government agency and did not enroll in Medicare Part B when I became eligible. Instead I continued my coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program. I understand that if I ever want to enroll in Part B in the future there will be a 10 percent penalty for every year that I delayed. Did I make a mistake?

A. Last week brought a spate of queries from federal retirees who are in the enviable situation of having multiple health coverage options. But with options comes complexity.

While most of us who retire from private-sector jobs have no choice but to sign up for Medicare Part B when that day comes, federal employees can choose to continue with their regular FEHBP coverage for the rest of their lives instead. But that does come at a price: If you change your mind later, you face a permanent 10 percent premium penalty for every year you could have signed up, but didn't.

There's no single correct answer here; every federal retiree has to make a decision that's right for his or her family, financial, and medical situation.

To help you focus, read through this blog that I wrote last year about the various options that federal retirees should consider.

For more information, see our Health Insurance Buying Guide as well as rankings of health insurance plans.
Got a question for me? Ask it here.

0 Is your pharmacy open during Hurricane Sandy?

Want to find out if pharmacies in your area are open during Hurricane Sandy or other disasters? A useful online tool we discovered is from a group called Rx Response, which has just activated its emergency response system in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.

Here, you can see on a detailed map which drugstores are open and their address, if they participate in the program. The map currently shows, for example, several pharmacies have already closed in lower Manhattan and along parts of New Jersey and Brooklyn.

The group is an effort between a number of pharmacy associations and biopharmaceutical groups as well as the American Red Cross, and came about after Hurricane Katrina to provide a single source of information for the industry as a disaster unfolds. They also post an ongoing Situation Report that compiles updated information about transportation, pharmacy status and evacuation information. Although that information may be geared mostly for drug distributors and pharmacy support companies, you may find it useful as well.

[ Sources ]
Rx Response detailed pharmacy status map [ Rx Response ]
Rx Response Hurricane Sandy situation report [Rx Response]

[Additional links]
Safe drug use after a natural disaster [Food and Drug Administration]
Disaster preparation and recovery [National Institutes of Health]
Tips for emergency preparedness for people with diabetes [American Diabetes Association]
Be prepared for an emergency [ Consumer Reports ]

0 Avoid injury when carving your Halloween pumpkin

Jack-o'-lanterns are an essential part of Halloween decorations, whether you're going to create a sophisticated, over-the-top masterpiece or more of a homespun, simple look. No matter the effort, you need to be careful, because pumpkin carving can be dangerous.

According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, each October pumpkin carving results in hospitals dealing with four to five times more hand injuries than normal. Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds to the hand can damage nerves, tendons, and joints.

Read our advice and watch our video (below) so you can avoid a pumpkin-carving nightmare:

• Don't let young kids carve. Children under 14 shouldn't do the actual carving. Instead, have them draw the pattern with a marker and clean out the pulp and seeds with their hands or a spoon. It's important to supervise older teens, too.


• Use the right tools. Consumer Reports tested pumpkin-carving kits a few years ago and found that specialty tools do a good job sawing through pumpkin rinds, poking holes, and scooping out innards without being razor sharp. The instruments are also generally small, which made them easier to control than most knives.


• Take precautions. Carve in a clean, dry, well-lit area, keep your hands and tools clean and dry, and take your time.


• Do decorative work before taking off the top of the pumpkin. Cutting the pattern on the surface before gutting the pumpkin will reduce the likelihood that you'll put your hand in the pumpkin, where it could be vulnerable to injury.


• Know first aid. In case someone gets cut when carving a pumpkin, apply direct pressure to the injury using a clean dry cloth. If bleeding doesn't stop in 15 minutes, get to an emergency room or urgent-care clinic.

Sources:
Hand Surgeons Warn of Pumpkin Carving Dangers [American Society for Surgery of the Hand]
Epidemiology of Pediatric Holiday-Related Injuries Presenting to US Emergency Departments [Pediatrics]
Halloween Safety Tips That Are No Trick [American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons]

0 Don't let these allergy and asthma triggers ruin your child's Halloween

Some 41 million children 5 to 14 years old could hit the trick-or-treat trails this Halloween, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and for children with asthma and allergies, the holiday fun can turn into a scary reality. Candy and other treats are among the usual suspects, but costumes and makeup can also bring on allergy and asthma symptoms.

Consider these tips on how to help your little ghost or goblin stay wheeze- and sneeze-free this Halloween:

Treats: Eggs, milk, peanuts, and tree nuts are common ingredients in chocolate and other confections. For kids with food allergies, eating these Halloween treats can bring on anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction. Candies containing gelatin, such as gummy bears are potential triggers, too. For children prone to food allergies, it's a good idea to have some non-candy treats on hand, like stickers or small toys. Also, be wary of "fun size" candy which can contain different ingredients than regular size packages, and teach your child to politely say no to food that may not be safe. Verify that adults or friends accompanying your child understand his or her food allergies and what to do in an emergency.

Costumes: Halloween costumes packed away in a box for months can be laden with dust mites, which could trigger an allergic or asthmatic response. Be sure to wash any dusty or hand-me-down costumes in hot water. Also watch out for nickel in costume accessories such as cowboy belts, magic wands, pirate swords, and tiaras. Nickel can cause allergic contact dermatitis, making for an itchy, bumpy, uncomfortable kid.

Makeup: Cheap Halloween makeup may include preservatives that can cause allergic reactions, such as a rash or swelling. Opt for higher quality theater makeup, and test the makeup on a small area of your child's skin well in advance of Halloween.

Pumpkins: Pumpkin allergies, while rare, can cause itching, chest tightness, and other symptoms, and they can appear suddenly, even if there has never been a problem before. Also keep in mind that pumpkin patches are often moldy and dusty, and are thus an allergy and asthma trigger for some.

Decorative contact lenses: If your Twilight fan is asking for colorful, vampire-inspired contact lenses, consider this warning from the Food and Drug Administration before saying yes. An eye doctor must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how the eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including cornea scratches and infection, conjunctivitis (pink eye), decreased vision, and even blindness. Never buy the lenses from places that sell them without a prescription, such as street vendors, salons, novelty stores, and the Internet.

Fog: If you're planning on using a fog machine at your Halloween party, keep in mind that fog can trigger asthma in some sufferers.

Sources:
Avoid the Danger of Anaphylaxis this Halloween [American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology]
Don't Let Allergies, Asthma Haunt Halloween Fun [American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology]
Decorative Contact Lenses: Is Your Vision Worth It? [FDA]

0 Energy drinks linked to cases of caffeine toxicity

Incident reports filed with the Food and Drug Administration linking the energy drink Monster with five deaths in recent years have cast doubts on the safety of these highly caffeinated beverages. And rightly so. Other research suggests that more than 13,000 people a year visit U.S. emergency rooms because of symptoms associated with these drinks, and thousands more call regional poison control centers. And our tests of energy drinks, out today, found that, per serving, some energy drinks contain as much as twice the caffeine in a typical 8 oz cup of coffee. Often, labels don't reveal the caffeine levels.

Energy drinks are found on the shelves of most convenience stores and rest stops, and their popularity continues to rise, especially among teenagers and young adults who appear to be the target audience of an omnipresent advertising campaign extolling the health and wellness benefits of these products.

The concerns about Monster stem from FDA reports released earlier this week. Today, the FDA confirmed that they are reviewing the reports of five fatalities and one heart attack, which "serve as a signal to FDA and do not prove causation between a product or ingredient and an adverse event."

According to news reports, the family of one victim, a 14 year old girl, is suing the Monster company, claiming she died after drinking two 24 oz cans, each containing 240 mg of caffeine. This is the equivalent of four or more cups of coffee or bottles of caffeinated soda. The company issued a statement that it did not believe its product was in any way responsible for the death. Before the FDA story broke, we asked Monster why it didn't list caffeine levels. A representative replied, "because there is no legal or commercial business requirement to do so, and because our products are completely safe, and the actual numbers are not meaningful to most consumers."

Despite the presence of additional ingredients in many of these drinks, it is caffeine intake that is associated with the frequently reported adverse physical and mind altering reactions. Symptoms may include restlessness, tremors, palpitations, and nervousness, and can lead to life threatening heart rhythm changes. People who have heart disease or high blood pressure are at additional risk.

We all respond to a cup of coffee differently. Some of us have no problem falling asleep at the usual time, while others toss and turn for hours. Safe limits for caffeine are still being studied, but data suggests that most healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. Pregnant women should consume no more than 200 mg, and children no more than 45 to 85 mg, depending on their weight.

But how do you know how much caffeine is included? While some of the energy drinks on the market advertise caffeine as a primary ingredient, many don't say exactly how much they contain. In our recent tests of 27 top-selling energy drinks, 11 did not list caffeine amounts.

This lack of information needs change. I urge the FDA to thoroughly investigate this important public health issue and hope this will lead to much needed labeling reform.

Sources
The buzz on energy drink caffeine Consumer Reports

Study shows nearly a ten-fold increase in the number of hospital emergency department visits involving non-alcohol energy drinks between 2005 and 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

0 Many Banana Boat sunscreens pulled from shelves, and lose our top Rating

Twenty-three Banana Boat sunscreens are being pulled from shelves because of concerns they might burn your skin if you come too close to a spark or flame before they dry. As a result, we no longer recommend one of the products, Banana Boat Clear UltraMist Sport SPF 30, and are removing it from our sunscreen Ratings. The other affected products were not included in our Ratings.

The maker of the sunscreens, Energizer Holdings, Inc., says it has received five reports of burns associated with the UltraMist Sport SPF 30 and SPF 50 products. The company says the spray valves on the products dispense "more than is typical in the industry for continuous sun care spray," and, as a result, take longer to dry on the skin. The other products were removed because they use the same kind of spray valve. See a complete list of recalled products. Use the UPC info to help guide you if the product names are confusing.

Energizer Holdings is also the parent company for Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens. But a company spokesperson told us that those products use a different spraying mechanism and so aren't included in the current withdrawal.

Consumers who bought the affected Banana Boat sprays should stop using them and contact the company for compensation at 1-800-SAFESUN (1-800-723-3786) or SUNCARE@customerfollowup.com. A company spokesperson said it will either be a refund or product coupon. The products were sold from January 1, 2010, through September 30, 2012.

Sources
Energizer Holdings Inc., Announces the Voluntary Nationwide Market Withdrawal of several Banana Boat Sun Care Products [FDA]

0 Consumer watchdog to oversee debt collectors

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has published a rule that will allow the agency to supervise large consumer debt collectors for the first time. Today, the CFPB is holding a field hearing in Seattle to gather information about the consumer debt collection market from both the industry and the public.

Approximately 30 million Americans have, on average, $1,500 of debt subject to collection, according to the CFPB.

The CFPB is also publishing new questions and answers about debt collection in its Ask CFPB database. For example, whether a debt collector can still try to collect even if you are disputing the debt, or whether collectors have the right to tell others about your debt.

Under the new rule, CFPB examiners will evaluate whether debt collectors provide required disclosures, accurate information, have a consumer complaint and dispute resolution process, and communicate civilly and honestly with consumers, among other things.

Consumers Union, the public policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, called on the CFPB to protect vulnerable consumers from abusive debt collection practices before the federal agency's Seattle field hearing began.

"There's been an explosion of shady debt collection tactics in recent years that have triggered a record number of complaints from consumers," says Suzanne Martindale, staff attorney for Consumers Union. "Businesses have a right to collect what they are owed but not to harass consumers for debt that that has been paid off already or doesn't belong to them."

Previously:
Consumer watchdog proposes oversight of debt collectors and credit bureaus
Zombie debt never dies

Sources:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau To Oversee Debt Collection Market (pdf) [CFPB]
Consumers Union Renews Call for Debt Collection Reforms As CFPB Prepares For October 24 Field Hearing On Topic [Consumers Union]

0 The pumpkin patch takes over: Store shelves are bursting with pumpkin goodies

If you love pumpkin, then this is the year for you: It's everywhere. Supermarkets have gone way beyond the obligatory Thanksgiving pie. For the 2012 Halloween season you can fill your shopping cart with pumpkin bagels, bread, beer, cookies, coffee, custards, doughnuts, ice cream, muffins, pancakes, pasta, soups, and yogurt.

Consider, for example, Trader Joe's "pumkin-ified" product lineup. Numerous pumpkin products are on the store's shelves this season, including pumpkin cream cheese, granola, tea, and even pumpkin-flavored dog treats.

Is pumpkin just the latest flavoring fad, or is it here to stay? It's probably too early to know. What we do know is that pumpkin, on its own, has several health benefits to offer.

The power of pumpkin
Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, as well as a powerhouse of beta-carotene (which the body converts into vitamin A). Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and vitamin E. The seeds are quite caloric, however, so it's a good idea to limit yourself to cup serving per day.

Previously:
Celebrating the health benefits of the Great Pumpkin

0 Trick or treat! Tips for Halloween safety

Parents know the drill--they want their little ones to have a super-fun and not-too-spooky time trick-or-treating, all the while staying safe. No problem: Follow these handy tips and your little princess, Batman, or Spider-Man should be good to go.

There are about 41 million potential trick-or-treaters between the ages of 5 and 14, according to the latest U.S. Census data. That's a lot of kids out on the streets getting their Halloween on. And where children go, there go safety concerns.

"Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for children," says Kate Carr, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations with a mission to prevent unintentional childhood injury. "And it's an important night for parents to be extra vigilant, because the reality is, twice as many kids are hit by a car while walking on Halloween than any other day of the year", she said, citing a statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On Halloween, kids are enjoying new sensations and experiences that are fun--but distracting. They're wearing unusual outfits in unfamiliar material. They may be wearing headgear such as a crown or pirate hat, or wearing face paint. And they're suddenly at liberty to venture outdoors in these ensembles, knock on doors, and munch on some candy while they're at it.

Keeping your kids safe starts with some smart choices, Carr said, including picking a costume that's safe for your child to move in and see out of. "Loose fitting clothing and oversized shoes can trip a trick-or-treater," she says, advising that families also "leave sharp objects, like pirate swords, at home." Since masks can obscure vision, she suggests using face paint instead.

Halloween usually means mobs of kids will be walking the streets at dusk, so it makes sense to talk to your kids about pedestrian safety, too. "Remind them to cross at crosswalks or at a corner, make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street, and check left, right and left again," Carr suggests.

When it comes to older kids, "Remind them to take out the headphones and pocket their cell phone when crossing the street," Carr urges. "That's actually a good reminder for every day of the year."

Whether mom or dad plan to dress up as a witch, vampire, or pirate, you can set a good example for your kids with your costume and your conduct so everyone will have a great night. Some more Halloween safety tips for families:

• Buy costumes and wigs labeled "flame resistant."


• Never walk near lit candles or luminaries while wearing costumes.


• Wear shoes that fit well.


• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.


• Be cautious with face paint--much of it isn't FDA-approved and could trigger allergic reactions. (Always test it first on a small patch of skin.) Remove it before bedtime to avoid skin/eye irritation.


• Never use decorative contact lenses; they can result in severe eye infections.


• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.


• Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.


• Always walk and don't run from house to house.


• Stay on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic. Look for cars when walking by a driveway.


• Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.


• Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult.


• Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses.


• Never accept rides from strangers.

0 Isis Mobile Wallet tests begin—but will consumers take to pay-by-phone?

Three big cellular service providers yesterday announced a "milestone" in the transformation of your smart phone into a payment device for purchases at bricks and mortar store cashiers. But October 22, 2012 will probably be as historically memorable as September 19, 2011.

In case you've already forgotten, the latter date is when Google Wallet launched nationwide on the Sprint network, with great fanfare and a major glitch. And Google recently conceded that mobile payments won't be an overnight success.

Now, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile have commenced testing Isis Mobile Wallet in Austin and Salt Lake City. American Express, whose eligible cards work with Isis-ready smart phones, hailed the start-up as "a significant achievement in terms of enabling consumer adoption of mobile payments," which promises to dramatically enhance the consumer shopping experience and prod the speed and growth of mobile NFC payments in the U.S.

Well, maybe. The problem is that Isis "solves" a non-existent problem. Consumers are perfectly happy making payments with credit or debit cards in the blink of an eye; by contrast, making an Isis payment took about 30 seconds, when we put a stopwatch to one trade-show demo.

Some analysts forecast that only one in five cell phone users will be making mobile payments via systems like Isis by the year 2016and that prediction is contingent on an increase in the number of merchants willing to invest in the necessary NFC reader hardware, software, and cashier training, and on consumers finding convenience in fiddling with their sometimes persnickety cell phones and data service on a checkout line.

Even as a test, Isis seems like a tough draw for many customers. It's available in just two of 239 big U.S. cities. Pay-by-cell fanatics must choose from only nine of 109 smart phones to get an Isis-capable model, though some popular handsets are Isis-ready (including the Droid Incredible, the Galaxy S III, and the HTC Amaze, but not the iPhone), and up to 11 more models are promised by year's end.

Only certain American Express, Capital One, and Chase credit cards can be loaded onto the wallet right now, along with a Chase-issued Isis Cash prepaid card. Finally, only 956 retail locations are able to accept Isis payments in Austin and Salt Lake City, which means loyalists are out of luck in the other 99.4 percent of the nation's 1.5 million retail locations.

Bottom line: Isis, like Google Wallet, still seems to require a lot of work and needless complexity for the questionable convenience of paying by cell phone.

Sources:
Isis Launches in Austin And Salt Lake City; as many as 20 Isis Ready Handsets to be Available by Year End [Isis News]
Google says mobile payments growing fast but won't catch on overnight [Computerworld]

0 Medicare open enrollment: Can I put my wife and 20-year-old son on my Medicare Advantage plan?

Q. I am 82, retired, and on Social Security with a private Medicare Advantage plan. My wife is 52, unemployed, and uninsured, and we have a 20-year-old son in college. Is our son eligible for coverage under my Medicare Advantage Plan as per the Affordable Care Act?

A. No, he's not. The provision of the Affordable Care Act that allows young adults to remain on parental plans until their 26th birthdays applies neither to Medicare (including Medicare Advantage and Medigap) nor to "retiree-only" health plans, employer plans that cover retirees only and do not have any active employees in them.

Moreover, all Medicare and Medigap plans are available on an individual basis only. There's no such thing as dependent coverage with these plans. To get Medicare, you have to be personally eligible for it.

I suspect, based on conversations I've had with officials charged with implementing the health reform law, that it didn't occur to the people who wrote it that Medicare-aged people might have children under 26. But they most certainly can and do, judging by the steady flow of queries I've received from people in your situation.

So you're going to need to purchase health insurance on the individual market for your wife and son. Don't delay; going without health insurance is risking financial disaster if an unexpected illness or injury strikes. Here's our guide to what good insurance looks like, and here are instructions on how to shop for an individual plan.

Your son may have another option as well. Most colleges have student health plans, and the Affordable Care Act has greatly improved their quality and comprehensiveness. Check with your son's college to see whether it has a health plan and, if so, when's the next time he can sign up for it.

For more information, see our Health Insurance Buying Guide as well as rankings of health insurance plans.
Got a question for me? Ask it here.

0 American Academy of Pediatrics weighs in on organic foods

Organic foods don't seem to be nutritionally superior to conventionally raised foods, and there's no proof that eating them translates into less disease, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. But the report also notes that organic foods do have lower levels of pesticides, and that organically raised animals are less likely to be contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria, points that Consumer Reports' experts also stress.

"While we wait for more research it's important to note that organic diets provide less exposure to pesticides and antibiotics, two important safety benefits," says Michael Hansen, Ph.D., a senior scientist at Consumers Union. "We feel strongly that it's worth paying extra for organic milk and meat to avoid exposure to pesticides and antibiotics," he says.

There are some ways you can save on organic foods. For example, they often cost less at farmers markets, and many of those markets now accept foods stamps. Or try buying lots of produce during the growing season and then canning or freezing it. And look for coupons, something many organic dairies now offer on their websites. Finally, if you're buying organic to reduce exposure to pesticides, then it pays to buy produce that tend to have the highest levels of those chemicals, including apples, berries, grapes, bell peppers, potatoes, and green beans.

Our earlier investigation found that although there are lots of 'no antibiotics' choices in supermarkets, you have to learn how to decipher product labeling. For more, read our report: Antibiotics are widely used by U.S. meat industry.

You can also use our organic food guide to test your organic IQ and decode food labels.

Previously:
Is organic meat safer?
Don't give up on organic food, our experts urge

Source:
Organic Foods: Health and Environmental Advantages and Disadvantages [Pediatrics]

0 Should I take Crestor or Lipitor, with niacin, to lower my cholesterol?

A: No. The combination can be risky. Some doctors will prescribe high doses of niacin to help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, or decrease elevated triglycerides, when a statin alone has not been enough. But the combination of the two might increase the risk of muscle pain that can be debilitating, and a rare, life-threatening form of muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis that can lead to permanent kidney damage and coma. There's also no clear evidence that statin drugs and niacin together work any better than a statin alone, according to an analysis by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Statins by themselves can cause the same muscle problems, especially when taken at high doses. But that risk, for some people, is worth taking, because statins have been proven to help lower cholesterol levels and to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in appropriate patients. Unfortunately, they can also increase the risk of other serious side effects, such as type 2 diabetes. As with all medications, the benefits must outweigh the risks.

"When the benefits of a medication are unproven or questionable, any risk, no matter how uncommon, is unacceptable," says Marvin Lipman, M.D., Consumer Reports chief medical adviser.

Many people with high cholesterol might be able to reduce it to healthy levels by getting regular exercise, modifying their diet, losing weight and making other lifestyle changes, without the need for medication. If you already take a statin, those changes might allow you to stop your medication or reduce the dose, which can in turn lower your risk of side effects. However, a statin can be appropriate if you have very high LDL levels or other heart-attack risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease.

To learn more about statins, check out our free Best Buy Drugs report on these medications. Also, read about ways you can reduce your cholesterol without medication.

0 Medicare open enrollment: Will Obamacare end Medicare Advantage?

Q. I keep hearing rumors that the federal government will stop reimbursing Medicare Advantage plans in a year or two and people insured under these plans will have to look for new insurance. What do you know about this matter?

A. Variations of this question arrive in my mailbox on a regular basis. This rumor is not true. Medicare Advantage is not being eliminated. In fact, since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, enrollment in these plans has risen from 24 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries to 28 percent. Not only that, but the quality of the plans available to consumers is going up.

"There's nothing in the law that cuts back the Medicare Advantage program in the sense of changing what plans are authorized," explains Marsha Gold, Sc.D., a senior fellow at Mathematica Policy Research, a Washington, D.C., research group, and an expert on Medicare. "The only thing that's changing is the cost. The plans had been getting paid a lot more than the traditional Medicare program, and the Affordable Care Act is slowly trying to reduce that."

Here's what's going on. As of 2010, these plans, run by private insurance companies, were getting paid about 9 percent more per enrollee than original Medicare, which in turn cost the Medicare program an extra $8.9 billion that year, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based health policy research group. "Everyone was paying higher Part B premiums to subsidize extra benefits for one in four beneficiaries," says David Lipschutz, policy attorney at Center for Medicare Advocacy in Washington, D.C.

The Affordable Care Act is in the process of phasing out these overpayments until, by 2017, Medicare Advantage plans will, on average, be getting paid about the same as original Medicare costs.

But rather than roll back payments to all plans willy-nilly, the law takes a more delicate approach. For instance, it cuts funds for the plans that were getting the highest overpayments more severely than plans that were doing a better job containing costs. And it has also instituted a bonus system that awards extra money to plans with higher scores on quality of care and customer service.

Judging from the plans available for 2013, this process is working. In 2013, people on Medicare will have access to 127 plans with the top ratings of four or five stars, compared with 106 such plans in 2012, according to Medicare officials.

Should you be worried that Medicare Advantage plans will economize by reducing your benefits? "The plans are required to provide all Medicare benefits, so there's no way they can cut them," Gold explains. That includes the free preventive services added to Medicare by the Affordable Care Act. And Advantage plans that include a drug benefit are closing the doughnut hole just the same as stand-alone Part D drug plans. The only area where plans can even consider cutting back are for optional services such as dental and vision benefits, but the plan finder on Medicare.gov still features plenty of plans that have these bonus features.

For more information, see our Health Insurance Buying Guide as well as rankings of health insurance plans.
Got a question for me? Ask it here.

Sources
The Impact of Health Reform on the Medicare Advantage Program: Realigning Payment with Performance [Commonwealth Fund]
People with Medicare have more high quality choices. [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

0 5 tricks for scaring up Halloween bargains

Halloween pop-up stores, which typically materialize a month or two before October 31 and disappear shortly thereafter, have become as sure a sign of the holiday as candy corn, Stephen King reruns, and trees full of toilet paper.

This year they're back big time--and no wonder. Consumers are expected to spend a record $8 billion on Halloween candy, costumes, and decorations, according to the National Retail Federation. Pet costumes alone are expected to fetch $370 million in sales.

So what's the trick of finding the best treats at a Halloween store? As we reported this time last year:

1. Don't go batty. The temporary nature of pop-ups can create a sense of excitement and urgency, notes Christina Norsig, CEO of PopUpInsider and author of "Pop-Up Retail" (Bauhaus Press). So it's easy to feel that if you don't buy right away you'll miss out. While pop-ups usually carry a wider selection of Halloween merchandise than less specialized outlets, you may save by comparison shopping online or at the discount store down the block.

2. Ask about returns. If you need to return something, where do you take it or mail it after the pop-up has closed for the season? What kinds of items are returnable? (Costumes and inflatables, for example, sometimes aren't.) Also ask if you'll have to pay a restocking fee to return something. You may need to search online for the answers. Pop-up store workers and even their managers are often temporary hires who may not know the company's policies.

3. Inspect the merchandise. That might not matter much with a $5 pair of Spock ears, but if you're spending $300 on a life-size animatronic werewolf, better take a close look before you buy.

4. Pay by credit card. If you didn't get what you paid for, you may be able to dispute the charge through your card company. Debit cards and cash give you less leverage.

5. Haunt the clearance sales. Once Halloween is over, pop-ups have to pack up all their unsold merchandise and store it until next year. Not surprisingly, you can scare up some serious markdowns come November 1.

0 Multivitamins to prevent cancer? Not so fast.

A study out today in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that multivitamins might help prevent cancer. Does that mean you should start popping the pills? Not so fast, say our medical experts.

The study is a good one, a randomized trial of nearly 15,000 male physicians 50 or older, led by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard Medical School. After an average of about 11 years, 1,290 men who took the multivitamin (in this case, Centrum Silver) were diagnosed with cancer, compared with 1,379 men who took the placebo.

That's promising, but as the researchers who led the study point out, it represents only a modest 8 percent reduction in risk. More important, this one study has to be put into the context of years of other research into the effect of supplemental vitamins and minerals, including multis, on health.

And that research is murky at best. As we reported in our September report 10 Surprising Dangers of Vitamins and Supplements, other large clinical trials have repeatedly found that multivitamins don't improve the health of the average person. For example, researchers from the Women's Health Initiative, who tracked more than 161,000 women, concluded that women who took the pills had no lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or death from any cause over an eight-year period than those who didn't. And some studies hint that multivitamins may even increase the risk of certain health problems. For example, a Swedish study that tracked some 35,000 women over 10 years found that those who took multivitamins were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those who didn't take the supplements.

"The only end point that reached statistical significance, and that barely, was in the occurrence of cancer in general," says Marvin Lipman, M.D., Consumer Reports' Chief Medical Adviser. "The use of multivitamins did not affect site-specific cancers, such as colon cancer, nor did their use decrease the death rate from cancer," he says. "This study would not persuade me to tell my patients to take multivitamins."

Instead, we continue to recommend that when possible you get your nutrients from foods, many of which contain their own potent cancer-protective properties. If you do need more of certain nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D, we think it's usually better to get that from specific supplements rather than from a multi.

People who might need a multivitamin include women who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to conceive; dieters consuming fewer than 1,200 calories a day or cutting out an entire food group (carbs, for example); strict vegetarians; and those with medical conditions that affect digestion and food absorption. For more detailed advice, see our Ratings of multivitamins.

Note that our Ratings found that most of the multis we tested contained what they claimed, so we advise that if you do opt for the pills you choose by price, not brand. Centrum Silver was near the middle of the pack in price. Kirkland Signature Daily Multi (Costco) and Equate Complete Multivitamin (Walmart) were the least expensive.

Source
Multivitamins in the prevention of cancer in men [JAMA]

0 Medicare open enrollment: Why should I sign up for Part B or Part D if I'm healthy?

I recently got a question from a woman who wondered why she should sign up for Medicare Part B, which covers doctor bills and other kinds of outpatient treatments, since she is in great shape and gets most of her care from a doctor who practices natural medicine. And I got another question from a man who said he didn't want to sign up for Medicare Part D, which covers drugs, because he doesn't spend much on medication. My opinion: Both people are courting disaster. Here's why.

Both readers made the common, all-too-human mistake of basing coverage decisions on the current state of their health, instead of considering what might happen if they develop a serious condition that's expensive to treat and/or medicate.

For example, one of the readers was a 66-year-old woman who said she was in great shape. She wrote, "I get a couple of blood tests and take a natural thyroid replacement, and my total out-of-pocket expenses for the year are around $3,000. I haven't taken Medicare Part B because it doesn't seem to cover any of these expenses. Is there a Part B that can accommodate my preference for natural medicine?"

While she may have admirable diet and exercise habits that reduce the risk of plenty of diseases, they have nothing to do with other ones that afflict people because of bad luck or bad genes. Parkinson's disease and many kinds of cancer come immediately to mind. Consider, for instance, what would happen if she developed breast cancer. It costs north of $100,000 to treat, mostly in the form of outpatient radiation and chemotherapy that's covered by Part B, not Part A. In that case, her total out-of-pocket expenses would zoom from $3,000 a year to $50,000 or $60,000.

The other reader says he and his wife do plan to buy a Medigap plan but not a Part D drug plan because it would cost "us over $1,000 per year, with an annual deductible of about $300 apiece, whereas our drug expenses don't add up to more than about $600 to $800 a year."

My thoughts: Your drugs may be cheap now, but what happens if in a couple of months one of you comes down with an ailment whose treatment involves $750 a month of prescriptions? Can your budget handle it?

And don't take comfort in the fact that you can always sign up for Part B and Part D later if your medical situation changes. This "right" comes with some expensive strings attached.

If you don't sign up for Part B when first eligible, you will be assessed a permanent 10 percent surcharge on your premium for every year you could have been on Part B, but were not. So already the woman, at 66, is looking at a 10 percent fine. Even worse, if you eventually do decide to go on Part B, you can only do it during the annual general enrollment period. The next one is Jan. 1 through March 31, 2013, with coverage to begin on July 1. So if you were to be diagnosed with breast cancer today, you'd have to foot the entire bill for your outpatient treatments for the next eight months.

Part D works a little differently. If you don't sign up when first eligible, you are assessed a permanent 1 percent premium surcharge for each month you could have been on Part D, but were not. For 2013, if you have delayed signing up for a full year, the penalty totals about $3.74 a month.

And as with Part B, if you delay signing up you can only join a plan once a year, during the open enrollment period that started Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, with coverage to start on Jan. 1. So if you don't sign up and suddenly need an expensive new drug in February, you'll be paying for it out of pocket for 11 months before you can start Part D coverage.

p.s. In answer to the healthy woman's question, no, there is no special Part B for natural medicine enthusiasts. However, if your doctor accepts Medicare payments, Part B may cover some of your blood tests, depending on what they are and why you need them, and will definitely entitle you to a free annual "wellness visit." It also covers chiropractic treatment for certain indications. Part D does not cover over-the-counter nutritional supplements.

For more information, see our Health Insurance Buying Guide as well as rankings of health insurance plans.
Got a question for me? Ask it here.

0 Wireless carriers on track to provide overage alerts to customers

Good news for anyone who's suffered from bill shock: The FCC announced today that wireless carriers have fulfilled their commitment to start providing free alerts to customers both before and after they exceed their usage limits. "Bill shock" is the unpleasant discovery that you've exceeded your cell phone's voice, text, or data limits for the month and incurred extra charges

Ellen Bloom, Director of Federal Policy for Consumers Union (the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports), commented on the FCC's report:

If you've ever struggled to make sense of your wireless bill and keep track of your limits, these alerts can offer some real relief... We're glad to hear that companies are living up to this agreement, and we're going to keep monitoring them to make sure consumers get the alerts they need.

+
Today is the one-year deadline for the agreement that was announced by the FCC and the wireless trade group CTIA last year. Wireless carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, agreed to notify customers as they approached their limits on data, voice, or text, as well as international roaming charges. Companies agreed to provide at least two types of alerts by today, and all four types of alerts by April 17.

Related:
Avoid bill shock on your monthly wireless plan
Wireless industry will work to end cell phone 'bill shock'
Wireless industry should step up anti-bill-shock efforts, says Consumers Union

0 Shingles vaccine can help prevent the disease in older adults

Older adults who get the shingles vaccine can cut their risk of this painful condition in half, according to a study out today. Unfortunately, many people who could benefit from the shot haven't had it, in part because the wrongly assume they don't need it, and because

The new study, published by the Cochrane Library, found that the vaccine is more effective for people in their 60s than those 70 or older because they have a higher immune response. But those in their 60s also face a higher risk of side effects.

Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes childhood chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, because the virus can remain dormant in the body for years, until declining immunity from age or disease causes it to reactivate, travel through nerves to the skin's surface, and produce painful blisters. More people than ever are getting the disease, in part because people are living longer.

Unfortunately, many of us wrongly assume that vaccines become less important as we age. We've listed eight vaccines, including shingles, recommended for adults, and outlined who should get each one and why.

We recommend that adults 60 or older get the vaccine, which is called Zostavax, regardless of whether they have had chickenpox in the past. It's also approved for those 50 to 59 years old as well.

But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently found that only 6.7 percent of adults 60 and older had received the vaccine. Part of that low rate may be due to the high cost of storing and handling the vaccine, plus supply shortages may have limited interest from doctors and led manufacturers to promote it less forcefully. Regardless, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the vaccine shortage that occurred last year is now resolved.

The biggest obstacle for people who should get the vaccine is perhaps that Medicare makes getting the shot cumbersome by treating it as a prescription. As a result, people 65 and older often have to get their doctor to write a prescription for the vaccine and then find a pharmacist who is certified to give the shot, or then bring the vaccine back to their doctor.

Medicare Part D plans cover the shingles vaccine, but the amount you have to pay can vary. Medicare Part B does not cover the shingles vaccine. If you have private insurance or Medicaid, your plan may cover the vaccine (contact your insurer to find out). If your private insurance covers the vaccine, you can bypass the Medicare issue by getting the shot before you turn 65.

Previously:
Shingles vaccine effective, but underused

Sources:
Vaccines for preventing herpes zoster in older adults [Cochrane Summaries]
Shingles Vaccination: What You Need to Know [CDC]
Current Vaccine Shortages & Delays [CDC]
Biologic Product Shortages [FDA]

0 Medicare open enrollment: What's the best Medigap policy?

Q. No matter where I look, I find an overwhelming amount of data about Medicare Advantage but very little about Medigap. Where can I find ratings on Medigap policies?

A. Unfortunately, nowhere. Although a lot of people confuse Medicare supplemental (Medigap) plans with Medicare Advantage plans, they're nothing alike. Medigap plans essentially begin where original Medicare leaves off, picking up some or all of out-of-pocket expenses such as the $1,156 deductible for hospitalization under Part A or the 20 percent coinsurance for outpatient and physician care under Part B. With most Medigap policies, this coordination is automatic: after Medicare has paid its share of the bill, it forwards the claim to your Medigap carrier to pay its share.

In all but three states, Medigap is sold in 10 standardized flavors designated with letters. Plan F, which picks up pretty much every out-of-pocket expense for Parts A and B, is by far the most popular choice among the nearly 10 million Americans who buy Medigap plans, with 51 percent of the market, according to the most recent data from America's Health Insurance Plans, the major health insurance industry trade group. The runner-up, Plan C, which is slightly less generous, has 14 percent of the market.

The difficulty for consumers is that the nature of Medigap makes it a lot harder to shop for than Medicare Advantage. Here's why. Medicare Advantage plans are regulated and overseen on a national level. Medicare routinely collects all kinds of information on them about customer satisfaction and quality of care. In addition, the premium of a specific Medicare Advantage plan is the same for each customer. As a result, it's possible (as I explained yesterday) to go to Medicare.gov and compare Medicare Advantage plans in detail, including quality ratings and price. It's also why we can publish rankings of Medicare Advantage HMOs and PPOs through our partnership with the National Committee on Quality Assurance.

None of this is true for Medigap plans. While the federal government does set minimum standards for how the plans are priced and sold, the plans themselves are licensed and regulated state by state. Some states don't go beyond the bare minimum of regulation, while others have extensive consumer protections. Also, because Medigap plans don't have provider networks or get directly involved in whether to cover a treatment or test, there's little to rate them on. To top things off, the cost of a plan can vary greatly depending on which company you buy it from, the premium pricing method the company uses, how old you are when you buy it, and whether you have any pre-existing conditions.

So how do you go about buying a Medigap plan? Start at this Medigap policy search page on Medicare.gov. When you enter your zip code you'll see a list of the standardized lettered plans. Click on the one you want and you'll get a list of companies that sell it in your location.

Sadly, what you won't see are prices. For that, you'll need to contact the companies one by one. Or you can work with a trusted independent health insurance broker who can get that information for you. Be aware that in states without extra consumer protections there are only specific times when you're entitled to buy a Medigap policy with no questions asked about your health history. At other times, you can be turned down or charged more for a pre-existing condition.

It's complicated, for sure, and we've only scratched the surface here. I recommend downloading Medicare's excellent brochure, Choosing a Medigap Policy, to learn more.

For more information, see our Health Insurance Buying Guide as well as rankings of health insurance plans.
Got a question for me? Ask it here.

0 Drivers' smoking give passengers high levels of secondhand smoke

Smoking tobacco while driving might seem harmless. But smoking drivers are subjecting themselvesand their passengersto extremely unhealthy levels of air pollution, say scientists.

The study, conducted by British researchers and due to be published in the journal Tobacco Control, was the largest of its kind and examined more than 100 car trips made by 17 drivers, 14 of whom were smokers. Thirty-four of the trips were smoke-free and averaged about 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3), well below the 25 g/m3 safe level as recommended by the United Nations' World Health Organization.

But in trips with smoking drivers, scientists found interior pollution averaged 85 g/m3. The levels of particulates in the car's interior varied according to the number of cigarettes smoked and the length of the trip. But the study says that peak levels of pollution averaged about 385 g/m3 for trips with smokers. And on one occasion, scientists found a reading as high as 880 g/m3. What's more, even with the cars' air conditioning on or the windows open for ventilation, passengers were still exposed to air pollution levels that exceeded WHO's guidelines.

"Children are likely to be at greater risk from [secondhand smoke] exposure due to their faster breathing rates, less developed immune system and their inability to move away from the source in many home and car settings," wrote the study authors.

Several states, including Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, and Maryland, and countries have banned or are considering banning drivers smoking in private cars.

Smoking tobacco can lead to lung cancer and other medical conditions. Use our advice to learn how to quit smoking.

Sources:
Secondhand smoke in cars [Tobacco Control]
Arkansas Law Bans Smoking With Kids In Car [ABCNews, Fort Smith - Fayetteville, Ark.]
Should it be illegal to smoke in your own car? [Los Angeles Times]
Maryland Senate passes bill banning smoking in cars holding young passengers [The Washington Post]

0 Peanut product recall expands due to Salmonella contamination

Sunland Inc. has extended its recall of peanut products because of Salmonella contamination to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts processed at its plant in Portales, New Mexico.

The extended recall is the result of an ongoing investigation by Sunland and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunland has stopped producing and distributing all products from both its peanut butter and peanut processing plants while the investigation continues.

The raw and roasted peanuts included in this recall are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date. For a list of the more than 70 peanut products added to the existing list of originally recalled products, see the FDA announcement of the expanded recall.

Sunland's original September 24 recall included peanut butter and other nut butter products produced in a separate building from where raw and roasted peanuts are processed. At that time, 29 people in 18 states reported illnesses linked to Salmonella, and 12 of 14 reported having eaten the same Sunland product. As of October 5, the total number of confirmed illnesses reported was 35.

This latest round of recalls of peanut products underscores the need for the Food Safety Modernization Act. That safety bill has been stalled by the U.S. government for the past nine months. The Act was actually passed in January 2011, in response to illnesses tied to tainted spinach in 2006 and recalled peanut butter in 2009, but has been stalled since then.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weak immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

For kid lunch options that don't rely on peanut butter or other peanut products, read our "guide to healthy school lunches that your kids will love." And for more information about how to get involved with food safety, check out NotInMyFood.org.

For more information about this recall call Sunland at 1-866-837-1018.

Previously:
Trader Joe's peanut butter recall shows the need for tougher food safety regulations

Source:
Sunland, Inc. Announces Voluntary Extension of Ongoing Recall To Include Raw and Roasted Shelled and In-Shell Peanuts Due to Possible Health Risk

0 Drivers' smoking give passengers second hand smoke in spades

Smoking tobacco while driving might seem harmless. But smoking drivers are subjecting themselvsand their passengersto extremely unhealthy levels of air pollution say scientists.

The study, conducted by British researchers, was the largest of its kind and examined more than 100 car trips made by 17 drivers, 14 of whom were smokers. Thirty-four of the trips were smoke-free and averaged about 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3)well below the 25 g/m3 safe level as recommended by the United Nations' World Heath Organization.

But in trips with smoking drivers, scientists found interior pollution averaged 85 g/m3. The levels of particulates in the car's interior varied according to the number of cigarettes smoked and the length of the trip. But the study says that peak levels of pollution averaged about 385 g/m3 for trips with smokers. And on one occasion, scientists found a reading as high as 880 g/m3. What's more, even with the cars' air condition units on or the windows open for ventilation, passengers were still exposed to air pollution levels that exceeded WHO's guidelines.

Scientists said in the report, due to be published in the British health journal, Tobacco Control:

Children are likely to be at greater risk from [second hand smoke] exposure due to their faster breathing rates, less developed immune system and their inability to move away from the source in many home and car settings.

Several statesincluding Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, and Marylandand countries have or already considering bans on drivers smoking in private cars.

Smoking tobacco can lead to lung cancer and other unhealthy medical conditions. Read How to quit smoking and other healthy lifestyle tips from Consumer Reports Health.

Sources:
Secondhand smoke in cars [Tobacco Control]
Arkansas Law Bans Smoking With Kids In Car [ABCNews, Fort Smith - Fayetteville, Ark.]
Should it be illegal to smoke in your own car? [Los Angeles Times]
Maryland Senate passes bill banning smoking in cars holding young passengers [The Washington Post]

0 Medicare open enrollment: How can I find a better plan?

Medicare open enrollment for 2013 begins today, October 15, and runs through December 7. Pay attention to it, Medicare people. Your pocketbook could depend on it. Daily for the next week, and at regular intervals through the end of open enrollment season, I'll be answering some of your most frequently asked questions about Medicare, starting with this one:

Q. My wife and I are not happy with our current Medicare Advantage policy. We have to get a referral for almost everything, there's absolutely no dental coverage, and the choice of eye doctors is very limited. What would be a better option, since we will be able to change our coverage in October?

A. You are already somewhat ahead of the game in that you (a) realize you have a Medicare Advantage plan, not a Medicare supplement and (b) understand that you can switch to another plan during fall open enrollment.

That's not always the case. Nearly one in four Medicare recipients isn't aware there's an annual open enrollment period, according to a national survey just out from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Even people who are perfectly happy with their current Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plans should review their coverage every year, because plans can change: doctors come and go, premiums increase, drugs come off the preferred list, or vice versa. In fact, I notice your current plan will have another name in 2013 (I can tell it's the same one because the Medicare number of the plan isn't changing).

OK, so here's what you do. Go to Medicare.gov, Medicare's consumer website, and click on "Find health & drug plans" in the big yellow box near the top. Following the prompts, enter your zip code and other information (including the drugs you regularly take, if any).

Eventually, you'll be shown a "summary of search results." Click on "Medicare Health Plans with drug coverage" to see a list of full-service Medicare Advantage plans. (A few days ago I explained how to conduct this same exercise for Part D prescription drug plans.)

I ran this search using a zip code from your county of residence in a southwestern state and by golly, you're right; your current plan has no dental or vision coverage.

The good news, however, is that there are two other plans available in your area that do offer vision and dental, as well as limited hearing coverage. Both from the same carrier, they have very high Medicare quality ratings of 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars. That means the plans are getting an extra quality bonus from Medicare that they are using either to add optional benefits (such as vision and dental) or to reduce the overall cost of the plan to members.

One of the plans charges no extra premium beyond your regular Part B premium. The, other costs an extra $25 a month. In return, it has slightly lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs and medical services. And both have lower out-of-pocket costs than your current plan. Moreover, these two plans have an annual cap of $5,000 on your out-of-pocket medical costs, versus $6,700 for your current plan.

The one caveat is that these two plans do not have a national pharmacy network like your current one does, meaning that you'll need to fill your prescriptions locally.

What about doctor availability? On the Medicare site you can directly compare up to three plans, and when I selected your current plan and these other two plans, I saw that your current plan says it has 1001-1500 "physicians and providers," compared to 4001-5000 for the other two plans. For each plan you can click on "View provider and physician network website," which takes you away from Medicare.gov and onto the plan's own website, where you can search its provider directory to judge for yourself whether it has enough doctors to meet your needs.

Here ends the lesson on why it pays to review your coverage every year.

For more information, see our Health Insurance Buying Guide as well as rankings of health insurance plans.
Got a question for me? Ask it here.

0 Should you avoid all steroid injections for your back pain?

The news about fungal meningitis from steroid injections has many back pain sufferers wondering if they should now avoid the shots entirely. Our medical experts say no: The deaths and health problems currently being reported are associated with three batches of the drug made by a single pharmacy. And steroid injections sometimes do seem to help relieve debilitating back pain. But our experts also caution that the injections should be used only for specific kinds of back pain, and even then only if a number of simpler methods have been tried first and failed, and if a number of precautions are carefully followed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that as of Monday morning 200 people in 14 states have been found to be infected with fungal meningitis, and 15 have died from it. All of them were linked to a steroid product made by New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass. The CDC has an online map that shows the states affected and lists the clinics that received the contaminated product. The CDC also has advice on what people should do who think they might have been given one of the injections.

Our medical experts say that the injections pose other concerns, too, and offer limited benefits. "The vast majority of people with lower back pain don't need the shots," says Orly Avitzur, M.D., Consumer Reports medical adviser and neurologist. Their benefits seem limited mainly to people with lower-back pain that also travels down the buttock or leg, according to guidelines from the American Pain Society, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the American Academy of Neurology.

And our analysis of the shots last year found that even in those cases the shots typically provide only short-term relief, and don't do much to reduce the need for surgery or provide pain relief beyond three months. But they can help people through a particularly painful stretch, which might allow them to, for example, start an exercise program, or use them as a last-ditch effort to avoid surgery.

In addition, the shots can cause a number of side effects, ranging from minor and short-lived ones such as headaches and dizziness to rare but potentially deadly ones. Those include not only meningitis but also damage to the spinal cord, nerve injury, and an epidural abscess, which can cause incontinence, urinary retention, fever, and back pain.

For those reasons, our experts say that most people with back pain, including pain that radiates down the leg, should start with simpler measures. Those include over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, hot and cold compresses, physical therapy, exercise, and nontraditional therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and spinal manipulation.

If those measures don't help, shots might. But even then, you should take steps to make them safe. That includes getting medical clearance from your doctor and seeing an experienced practitioner.

For details, see our report Steroid injections for lower-back pain: Worth a shot? and our comprehensive guide to treating back pain.

0 Retail spending down as back-to-school shopping season kicks off

Retailers may be in for disappointing back-to-school sales this year. The Consumer Reports Index, a gauge of consumer financial health, shows that Americans' retail spending declined slightly in the past month. In addition, purchases registered a sharp decline when compared to a year ago.

"This month's data indicates the fragility of the economy," says Ed Farrell, director of Consumer Insight at the Consumer Reports National Research Center. "Retailers might be expecting a back-to-school sales bump, but after showing some promise of improvement last month, retail activity has retreated, showing declines versus one year ago."

The Consumer Reports Index's past 30-day retail measure wavered slightly this month, dropping to 9.4 from 9.9 last month, yet is well behind what it was at this time last year (12.0). Planned purchasing over the next 30 days (8.8) was virtually unchanged from last month (8.6), but also lags last year (9.3). Categories that saw a drop in the planned purchasing measure include back-to-school products such as personal electronics, which dropped to 16.5 from 17.7 the previous month, and small appliances, which dropped to 12.2 from 12.7 last month.

The Consumer Reports Index's overall sentiment measure dipped into negative territory this month, to 49.5 from 53.1 the prior month. The decline was most pronounced among Americans earning less than $50,000, falling to 44.0 from last month's 50.9.

Despite the drop in Americans' overall sentiment, the Consumer Reports Index's Trouble Tracker, a gauge of financial difficulties faced by consumers, fell this month to its lowest level since first measured in April 2009 (39.8, from 41.8 last month). Behind this decline, the rift widened between lower- and upper-income Americans. The Trouble Tracker measure increased for those in households earning less than $50,000 to 64.7 from 58.9 a month earlier, while financial difficulties continued to decline for those earning $100,000 or more.

The Consumer Reports Index's employment measure softened this month and also declined into negative territory at 49.9 from 50.9 last month. Though more Americans lost versus started jobs this month, the proportions are in near balance, 5.0 percent versus 4.9 percent, respectively.

The Consumer Reports Index, a monthly telephone poll of a nationally representative sample of American adults, is conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. A total of 1,017 interviews were conducted between July 26 and 29, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3.2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

Previously:
Last month's Consumer Reports Index: Americans optimistic about their economic situation

0 Tablets and smart phones go back-to-school shopping

A lot of back-to-school shoppingand shopping researchis happening on mobile devices this school year, according to the National Retail Federation. Its 2012 Back-to-School and College Surveys found that almost seven of 10 tablet owners will shop for school and college items using their tablets, and more than half of all smart-phone owners will shop via their phones.

Some details: 43.8 percent of tablet owners will use the tablet to research products and compare prices. Nearly three in 10 shoppers with children in grades K-12 will make a purchase with their tablet, and 34.5 percent will buy college items with tablets. As to smart phones, 33.3 percent of K-12 shoppers and 31.5 percent of college-bound shoppers will use their phones to research products and compare prices; fewer respondents said they'd use them to make purchases.

If you're looking for a new mobile device to shop with, see our free buying guides for tablets and smart phones.

In money news, the study found that families with children in grades K-12 were most likely to pay for their back-to-school purchases with debit cards (42.5 percent), followed by cash (28.4 percent) and credit cards (25.6 percent). College shoppers also favored debit cards, though credit cards edged out cash for second place.

Here's some advice from our shopping experts on playing your cards right at back-to-school time or any time:

How to handle a college student's money needs
Credit card buying guide
Prepaid card buying guide
Rewards card buying guide
Store credit card buying guide

And see our new Back-to-school shopping guide for plenty of additional tips

0 Ab Circle Pro marketers to pay up to $25 million in refunds

The Federal Trade Commission filed deceptive advertising charges against the marketers of the Ab Circle Pro, for telling consumers that exercising on the device for just three minutes a day would lead to losing 10 pounds in two weeks. The defendants agreed to settlements that include $15 to $25 million in refunds, depending on how many requests are received.

The Ab Circle Pro is a large disc with handlebars and knee pockets that you kneel on and then rotate your body from side-to-side. In advertisements, the makers of the device promised that a three-minute workout on the Ab Circle Pro was equivalent to doing 100 sit-ups. The infomercial also featured people claiming they had lost as much as sixty pounds using the device.

We tested the Ab Circle Pro in our labs back in 2010, and although the exercise device does engage core muscles, we found it burns no more calories than brisk walking.

If purchased through the infomercial, the Ab Circle Pro cost $200 to $250, while the price at various retailers varied widely. If you bought the Ab Circle Pro you can submit a refund claim here.

In addition to multiple versions of the infomercial, which the FTC says aired more than 10,000 times in 2009 and 2010, the Ab Circle Pro was also hyped in print ads, online, in stores, and in one- and two-minute television commercials.

The FTC complaint named the following defendants: Fitness Brands, Inc., Fitness Brands International, Inc., and the two individuals who control them, Michael Casey and David Brodess; Direct Holdings Americas, Inc. and Direct Entertainment Media Group, Inc.; infomercial producer Tara Borakos and two companies she controls, Tara Productions Inc. and New U, Inc.; and Jennifer Nicole Lee and two companies she controls, JNL, Inc. and JNL Worldwide, Inc.

Source:
Marketers of 'Ab Circle Pro' Device to Pay as Much as $25 Million in Refunds to Settle FTC Charges [FTC]

0 More women than men sleep with their pets

Seventy percent of women and 57 percent of men admit to sleeping with their pets, according to a recent survey of 1,313 Consumer Reports subscribers who owned a cat or dog (or both). Women are also a lot more likely to sign cards with a pet's name or picture, and give holiday gifts to Rover and Garfield.

Both men and women like to show off their furry friends. Almost a third of pet owners surveyed have posted their pet's pictures on social media sites. And love for pets is boundless for both genders. An equal number of men and women said, "Money is no object" when asked to pick an amount they would spend if a pet needed lifesaving treatment.

Here are some of the things our pet-loving subscribers told us:

	He says	She says
Sleep with pet	57	70
Search for hotels that accept pets	27	30
Give pet holiday gift	45	58
Take your pet on vacation with you	30	30
Take your pet to "doggie day care" (dogs only)	19	18
Put pictures of your pet on social media sites like Facebook	27	31
Create a Facebook page (or some other social media site) in your pet's name	2	2
Sign cards with pet's name or picture	28	46
Dress up pets in cute outfits	12	14

See more of our results from our latest survey of pet owners and find out how cat and dog owners face off when it comes to things like snuggling at night and giving holiday gifts.

Is there anything you do with your pet that's not on the list above? Gourmet pet treats, anyone?

0 Oversight of reverse mortgages needed to protect seniors

Reforms are needed to protect seniors from the potential pitfalls of reverse mortgages, says Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, and the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, which today urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to adopt such measures.

The CFPB is collecting public comment on reverse mortgages as it considers whether to strengthen oversight of the industry.

Reverse mortgages let homeowners 62 or older draw on their home equity while continuing to live at home. The loan is due when the borrower dies, or moves out of or sells their home. Borrowers pay a loan origination fee, closing costs, and compounding interest on the loan principal, which can be significant and can rapidly deplete a home's equity. Most reverse mortgages are insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; that coverage guarantees that lenders will be repaid in full when the home is sold. Borrowers who fail to maintain the property or pay homeowners insurance or property taxes risk default and foreclosure.

"Seniors can be an easy target for unscrupulous reverse mortgage lenders who prey on borrowers who may not fully understand the complex nature of these loans," says Norma Garcia, senior attorney and manager of Consumer Union's financial services program.

Reverse mortgage defaults have risen. About 54,000 HUD-insured reverse mortgage borrowers are in default, the vast majority of which are triggered when borrowers can't pay their property taxes or keep up with their homeowners insurance.

"We are concerned about seniors who have taken out reverse mortgages without fully understanding what they were getting themselves into," said Prescott Cole, senior attorney for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.

Consumers Union and the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform recommended the following reforms:

• Ensure loans are suitable for borrowers. Lenders and brokers should be required to consider whether the loans put borrowers at risk of losing their homes, if the borrower understands the complex nature of the contract, and if there are more viable alternatives available to the borrower.

• Lenders and brokers must be required to act in the best interests of the borrower and should be held liable for violating this fiduciary duty.

• The CFPB should investigate marketing practices by "lead generators," who may be misleading seniors into providing information to sell to loan originators and brokers.

• Prohibitions against cross promotions of other financial products by lenders and brokers should extend to non-HUD-insured loans.

• HUD counselors should be required to hold an in-person session with prospective borrowers to determine whether a reverse mortgage is suitable for the borrower.

• Spouses and tenants whose names are not on the reverse mortgage loan should be notified about their limited rights to remain in the home after the borrower dies or permanently moves out of the home.

Reverse mortgages can be an appropriate option for some older homeowners. For more about living off your home equity read Reverse mortgages and their alternatives.

Source:
CFPB Urged to Protect Borrowers From Reverse Mortgage Abuses [Consumers Union]