If you are looking for affordable health insurance in Massachusetts, you are a few steps ahead of the game compared to other states. However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t take some time and make an effort to find further savings and get the best plan available for the lowest price possible.Affordable Health Insurance in Massachusetts: Health StatsMassachusetts is one of the healthiest states in the nation. For 2010, they ranked 3rdamong all states for overall health and finished first in several key indicators. This is good news for residents as it helps to control medical insurance rates. Massachusetts health care reform has increased the amount of residents with health care insurance to 97 percent of all residents. The reforms require most residents of Massachusetts 18 and older to obtain health insurance. If you do not purchase Massachusetts health insurance, and do not qualify for exemption, you may face tax penalties for the time in which you are uninsured.Affordable Health Insurance in Massachusetts: Employee-Sponsored CoverageEmployers are required to make health insurance accessible to employees as long as they have 11 or more employees. Those employers with fewer than 11 employees are exempt from mandated accessibility, but still face some requirements. Employee-sponsored health care insurance is generally cheaper as employers are required to make a contribution to premiums for comprehensive coverage. However, you are not required to participate in your employers coverage offerings, you may seek health care coverage on your own or attempt to qualify for coverage through one of the public plans. If you refuse the employer-sponsored plan, and choose a private option, your employer is required to make a “fair and reasonable contribution” to your premiums.Affordable Health Insurance in Massachusetts: Public PlansThe most notable public plans offered by the state include Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice. Commonwealth Care is in place to offer comprehensive coverage for those meeting income and other eligibility requirements. Plans are available that offer partial to complete subsidization depending upon income as long as all other qualifications are met. Commonwealth Choice is a collection of approved plans that have survived a bidding war to offer affordable health insurance in Massachusetts to families, employers and individuals. To learn the specifics of these two programs, you should contact the Massachusetts Health Connector or visit their website.Affordable Health Insurance in Massachusetts: Private PlansThe old-fashioned way of getting medical insurance on your own through a private medical insurance company is still alive and well in Massachusetts. If you wish to get coverage on your own, you are still among the majority. When seeking out private plans, you should still compare the reputations of prospective companies, quality of plans and overall cost. The best way to do this is to visit the websites of prospective companies and to learn about their philosophy and plans. You can then begin gathering rate quotes to find out which option is the most affordable for you.Affordable Health Insurance in Massachusetts: CompaniesMost residents of Massachusetts still get their health care coverage from private health plans, so first look for coverage through your employer and then look for private insurance on your own. When doing so, you will want to know which companies are out there. You will want to research each company you are considering to find a provider you are comfortable with. Some of the most prominent include:Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
CeltiCare
Fallon Community
Harvard Pilgrim
Health New England
Neighborhood Health Plan
TuftsCompetition is fierce in the state, so comparing competing companies with public and employer-sponsored options is how you will find affordable health insurance in Massachusetts.

As the mother of the bride and second most special woman on the big day, it is important to include yourself and your appearance in the wedding planning. Needless to say, wedding planning can be extensive and all but overwhelming with the millions of details to attend, so it’s imperative to include appointments and activities during this special timeline for yourself.The following are seven beauty tips to help you as you get through the maze of things to do in perfect time and look beautiful on the wedding day.1. Elegant DressWhat defines the perfect mother of the bride dress? An elegant dress that you feel both comfortable and beautiful in is the first step in becoming a beautiful mother of the bride.A dress that coordinates with the formality of the wedding, the wedding colors and with the mother of the groom is also important. These wedding criteria are also referred to as the “wedding dress code”.A dress that looks good on YOU (both the color and the fit) and not just looks good in the wedding is of the utmost consideration. You can never go wrong with a tea length dress for the wedding, but it is nice to be able to show off a pretty long gown if the wedding is a formal affair.It is highly recommended that the mother of the bride select her dress at least four months in advance. (or as soon as the bride has picked out her dress and the bridesmaid dresses.) That leaves enough time for the mother of the groom to pick out her dress and follow suit. Traditionally, the mother of the bride sets the outfit trend and tone of dress for the two.2. Beautiful Hair While many magazines show the mother of the bride wearing her hair in a formal style such as an elaborate up-do or sprayed, curled and set, this can often be aging. If this look is your desire and makes you feel gorgeous, then by all means, wear your hair that way.If an up-do isn’t “you”, however, it’s a wonderful idea to wear your hair more ‘casual’. Looser, flowing hair can definitely look more youthful.3. Updated MakeupThink about the last time you updated your makeup. If it’s been a while, now is a great time and reason to do so. You can get this done at your beauty salon or at your favorite department store beauty counter.Let the makeup artist know if the wedding is a daytime or evening affair. Watch carefully and have her explain the techniques and products as she does your make-over. Also, be sure to let her know the color of your dress. This is really important for the best blush color and lip color. If you already have your dress, you could even take it with you in order to pick out the most complimentary colors.If you plan to have a makeup artist apply your makeup on the wedding day, be sure to have it done once prior to the wedding so that you get it exactly the way you envision and like it. The wedding day is not a day for makeup surprises.4. Perfect ManicureStudies show that next to your face, people look at your hands secondly. Our hands transmit our emotions and thoughts as well as our own well-being to others.Have your manicure done the morning of the rehearsal dinner (if the rehearsal dinner is the evening before the wedding) and be sure to buy the exact color to keep on hand for any last minute touch ups for the wedding.A subtle manicure is best and also the most youthful.5. White SmileA white smile can make you look 10 years younger! With today’s cosmetic dentistry options, a white smile is more possible than ever.If you have front bridges or crowns, however, it’s a little more difficult and time consuming to achieve a brighter whiteness, so you’ll need to start well in advance of the wedding date to get the white smile perfect for you. It can be a true gift to yourself and can greatly add to your self confidence. A beautiful smile is nature’s most perfect accessory and can go far in creating a beautiful mother of the bride impression.6. Physical FitnessMost brides plan their weddings at least six months in advance, if not twelve to fourteen months. (12-14 months is the average wedding planning timeline.)Most any woman can ‘get fit’, meet reasonable weight loss goals and look her best with six to twelve month’s notice. So – if you don’t feel fit and beautiful upon the announcement of your daughter’s wedding plans, start your fitness program that day! You can make huge strides in fitness and in beauty with that much time.A simple program of walking a few miles a day and counting calories will result in weight loss and a more fit body. And, it’s free! It’s up to you what you do during the pre-wedding days, but the investment of time in yourself will pay off in big dividends if you’ve been neglecting any of the fitness and/or beauty areas of your life.Do it now. Start today and can rejoice that you did when you walk down the aisle during the ceremony and greet the wedding guests at the reception. Your gain in fitness will also be noticeable to you since your stamina will increase by being more fit. It will take you through the day with ease and grace!7. Self Confidence The feeling that comes from within once you look your best AND feel your best are two of the greatest confidence builders there are. Confidence and beauty (both inner and outer beauty) will enable you to focus more on others as the hostess of the wedding instead of being self-conscious or worrying about what others are saying and thinking about you (when you don’t look and feel your best). This inner self assurance that you can achieve by the wedding date will also be present in your life long after the special day is over. Go for it!Treat yourself to the beauty and fitness plan in these seven steps during the wedding planning days. Once you do, the results will be fabulous for the big day and not only show in the loads of photos that will be taken, but will also show for many years to come.