January 13, 2008
Topic
Health Insurance
Also, a Discussion on the
"Claims Appeal" Process
Guest
Erin Klug
Public Information Officer
for the Arizona Department of Insurance
www.id.state.az.us
WHAT?
The mission of the Arizona Department of Insurance is to faithfully execute the state insurance laws in a manner that protects insurance consumers and encourages economic development.
WHERE?
Arizona Department of Insurance
www.id.state.az.us
AZ-DOI
2910 N. 44th St. Suite 210
Phoenix, Az. 85018-7269
QUESTIONS?
Consumer Assistance
For insurance questions/problems...
Phoenix Area:
(602) 364-2499
Tucson Area:
(520) 628-6370
Statewide:
(800) 325-2548
The Insurance Term of the Week:
Short Term Medical
Short Term Medical provides lower cost comprehensive temporary medical insurance coverage for a period of generally 30 to 365 days.
Policies cover physician services, prescription drugs, x-ray and laboratory services, inpatient hospital stays, inpatient and outpatient surgeries, nursing facility care and rehabilitation with a lifetime benefit of usually 2 to 3 million dollars.
Larry's Tip of the Week:
Life can throw us many curve balls and there are situations that come up in life that fit the need for "Short Term Medical" Insurance. You could be between jobs, at a new job that requires a waiting period before you are eligible for group major medical benefits, or even a recent college graduate seeking full time employment and just coming off your parents health insurance plan.
Short Term Medical insurance is not an alternative to permanent major medical coverage, however, it is ideal for short term situations designed for families and individuals who do not need coverage for pre existing conditions because pre existing conditions are not covered in the policy.
Premiums are substantially lower than traditional major medical coverage and COBRA options available from previous employer group insurance plans. Short Term Medical Insurance is designed for people in transition and provides a good safety net in case of illness or injury that might occur during the coverage period.
As the name implies, Short Term Medical Insurance is temporary and most companies only offer coverage for up to 12 months. If you are going to need coverage for a longer period of time you should be considering a traditional major medical policy.
Always consult with your insurance adviser regarding your particular situation.
Coming Soon: Audio Archives of Your Insurance Matters
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january 20, 2008
Topics
Self & Wellness
Medical Technology &
Medical Advances
Guest
Lori Klauber
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
of Arizona, LLC
www.hbotofaz.org
live in studio
Andy Royal and Jody Berens
of Singleton Moms
www.singletonmoms.org
Lori Klauber
WHO?
Dr. Albert G. Reach, a retired Drugless Physician, (N.D. D.C.) established our facility in 1998. Dr. Howard Reuben M.D. is our staff physician. Ms. Lori Klauber is our general manager. Then we have Hyperbaric Techs. Everyone is well trained in this specialty. Everyone is here because we love seeing the results that this gentle, safe therapy brings to folks and changes families and lives
WHAT?
We are a non-hospital free-standing center for out-patient care. We have a state of the art, six place, comfortable chamber, where patients can watch TV, read, visit or just lay down. The patient breathes 100% medical grade oxygen through a mask or hood (both of which exhaust outside), while under greater than sea level atmospheric pressure.
WHERE?
We are in beautiful north Phoenix, Arizona, near motels/hotels/suites and not far from RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE.
WHEN?
We are open year round. Appointments are necessary and can be set up by the patient, the caregiver or health care practitioner.
HOW?
Consultations by phone and in person are at no charge. Evaluations are at no charge. Recommendations at that time will be discussed. We use world class clinically proven protocols that are fitted to the needs of the patient.
FEES:
We maintain our original fee of $150.00 per hour, with discounts for advanced payments and commitments when large blocks of treatments are necessary.
QUESTIONS?
Call Lori, we are here to help! 602-996-3348
Andy Royal and Jody Berens
WHO?
Singleton Moms is a new Arizona non-profit organization begun by Ms. Andy Royal and Mrs. Jody Berens in April of 2006. The focus of Singleton Moms is to help single mothers with cancer be able to endure their treatment protocol and look forward to recovery without feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of financial or household obligations.
Many studies have shown that stress weakens the immune system and Singleton Moms is dedicated to easing the causes of stress that if left unattended, would affect the well-being and future of these women and their children.
The organization fully supports the critical aspect of research and study in cancer treatment and prevention, but believes it is extremely important to also provide direct assistance to those who need help now. By reaching out to ailing single women with dependent young families, Singleton Moms is filling a much-needed gap within our community.
WHAT?
The focus of SingletonMoms is to help single mothers with cancer, be able to endure their treatment protocol and look forward to recovery without feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of financial or household obligations.
WHERE?
Singleton Moms
3370 N. Hayden Rd., #123-509
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.singletonmoms.org
CONTACT
Andy Royal
andy@singletonmoms.org
(480) 459-0472
Jody Berens
jody@singletonmoms.org
(602) 743-8873
The Insurance Term of the Week:
Actuary
When insurance companies determine rates, there is a method to the madness. This is known as an actuary.
An actuary is an insurance professional who is skilled in the analysis, evaluation and management of statistical information. The actuary evaluates insurance companies reserves, determines rates and rating methods and determines other business and financial risks.
Larry's Tip of the Week:
The dependent premium on group health insurance through your employer is not necessarily less expensive than individual major medical coverage. Many employers pay all or a part of the employee premium requiring the employee to pay a part or all of their dependents coverage.
Check with an independent insurance adviser who can help you compare the cost and coverages of several companies who write individual major medical insurance. You may be surprised to learn that you can provide as good or better coverage for your dependents and at a lower cost.
Besides the lower premium, the other advantage to you is that your dependents will have permanent coverage that they can keep until going on Medicare. They won't have to worry about trying to find medical insurance to cover pre-existing conditions when they come off of your medical insurance, if they already own a permanent plan.
Also, once covered on individual major medical insurance, premiums are not affected by personal health claims experience. Individuals pay the same rate based on plan, age and geographic location.
There is also an advantage to the employer. The health status of dependents will not adversely affect the rates on the group medical insurance. This can help to keep group health insurance premiums down. If group health insurance premiums can remain lower, than as an employee you will ultimately pay a lower cost for your portion of the coverage.
Where you need be careful is that individual medical insurance companies will not cover a medical condition that exists prior to purchasing the insurance. So you want to do this while your dependents still have their good health.
Coming Soon: Audio Archives of Your Insurance Matters
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january 27, 2008
Topics
Commercial Auto Insurance & Business Liability Insurance
Pet Health Insurance
Guests
Chris Lee
All in 1 Insurance
www.allin1insurance.com
Chris will be talking about Commercial Auto Insurance and Business Liability Insurance. Chris will also take your phone calls regarding your Auto, Home, or Business Liability Insurance.
Curtis Steinhoff
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
for VPI Pet Insurance
www.petinsurance.com
Curtis will talk about the growing market of Pet Health Insurance. He will discuss the different types of policies in the market and will discuss how the plans work, what consumers should look for in a plan as well as the viability of owning such coverage.
Chris Lee
WHO?
All in 1 Insurance - Auto, Home, Health, Life
WHAT?
Our mission is to save you time, money, and provide you with excellent service. While we don't have cave men, strange lizard things, guys in trenchcoats, or secret agent cartoons to assure your insurance bliss, we do have real live, local, honest people that are happy to assist you. We offer a more dynamic approach for helping you build the insurance policy that is right for you.
WHERE?
All in 1 Insurance
6362 W. Bell Rd.
Glendale, AZ. 85308
623-878-5109
Auto, home, business, motorcycle, RV, Business Contractor Bonds
www.allin1insurance.com
Curtis Steinhoff
WHO?
According to a recent independent survey, nine out of ten veterinarians who recommend pet health insurance recommend VPI.* Although other pet insurance companies exist, none have the financial stability, experience and history of VPI's proven success:
• VPI is 100% U.S. based with nearly 400 employees.
• VPI has in-depth veterinary knowledge with 10 veterinarians and more than 60 veterinary technicians on staff.
• VPI has paid out more than $300 million in claims to date.
• VPI policies are licensed in all 50 states.
No other pet insurance competitor can match VPI's credentials. We believe you're not just buying our product-you're also joining a family of professionals with decades of pet health knowledge, expertise and service dedication in an industry we pioneered.
* ACI Custom Research, September 2006
WHAT?
A VPI Pet Insurance policy provides reimbursement coverage for your pet's eligible medical treatments, surgeries, lab fees, X-rays, prescriptions and more, so that you can make optimal healthcare decisions for your pet based on your veterinarian's recommendation, rather than on the cost of treatment.
WHERE?
VPI Pet Insurance
www.petinsurance.com
CONTACT
Phone
888-899-4VPI
Mail
P.O. Box 2344
Brea, CA 92822-2344
The Insurance Term of the Week:
Business Interruption Insurance
Business Interruption Insurance is a type of policy that provides funds to make up the difference between a businesses normal income and the limited income it receives during a forced shutdown.
A forced shutdown can be due to an accident, or injury that causes the disability of an owner or key employee. It can be a legal liability claim or a property loss that might result from a fire, vandalism, natural disaster or theft.
Larry's Tip of the Week:
If a catastrophe causes your place of business to be temporarily unusable your business may have to re locate or close down for a while. You will still need to pay employees, the mortgage, leases, electricity and other debts. For a business that has no income or a reduced income the debt can accumulate rapidly.
Many small business owners fail to think what would happen if a fire or other disaster damaged their business premises and made it unusable for a period of time. A business that has to close down for a period of time may lose out to its competitors.
Business Interruption Insurance can keep capital flowing through the company. It can help you to create a continuity strategy, pay your operating expenses if you are forced to close for a period of time, pay for lost net income and continuing expenses and pay your advertising fees and relocation expenses if you set up shop at a temporary site.
Business Interruption insurance is not sold separately. It is added to a property insurance policy as a package plan.
There is usually a 48-hour waiting period before coverage begins.
Coming Soon: Audio Archives of Your Insurance Matters
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