march 2, 2008 Topic
Flood Insurance Guest
Ron Williams
Executive Director, Arizona Insurance Information Association
www.azinsurance.org
WHO?
Executive Director, Arizona Insurance Information Association
WHAT?
The Arizona Insurance Information Association is a non-profit organization which independently researches issues and shares them with its member companies, the media, the public, legislative analysts, regulators, and anyone else who's interested in highway safety and property & casualty insurance-affordability issues.
The AIIA was chartered in 1986 as an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to “help educate the public and media on insurance-related matters.”
The AIIA’s primary objective is to help all Arizonans achieve a better understanding of insurance and related safety issues. To attain this goal, the AIIA develops, gathers and disseminates information to assist consumers, journalists, regulators and public policymakers.
By providing accurate and timely research to Arizonans, the AIIA helps promote the availability and affordability of insurance in a financially sound, competitive marketplace.
The AIIA is funded by a number of insurance companies and organizations that share its belief that the best decisions are based on the best information.
WHERE?
Arizona Insurance Information Association
11801 N. Tatum Blvd. # 142
Phoenix, Arizona 85028
Phone: 602-996-7009
Fax: 602-996-7016
www.azinsurance.org
The Insurance Term of the Week: Federal Insurance Administration
The "Federal Insurance Administration", FIA, is the federal agency in charge of administering the "National Flood Insurance" program. It does not regulate the insurance industry. When filing an insurance claim for flooding on your premises, if possible, photograph the outside showing any damage or flooding. Also photograph the inside of the premises showing damaged property and the height of the water. Call your insurance agent. Also, if your flood insurance is with a seperate agent call your flood insurance agent to report your claim. Your flood insurance agent will prepare a notice of loss form and an adjuster will be assigned to assist you. Seperate your damaged property from the undamaged property and put it in the best possible order for the adjuster to examine it. protect your property from any further damage as is reasonably possible. When the adjuster visits your premises let him know if you need an advance or partial payment of your loss. Having kept good records can assist your insurance company in giving you an advance payment. Have a home inventory and use your inventory to work with the adjuster in presenting your claim. Having good records speeds up the claims process. So before a loss should ever occur go to our website, www.yourinsurancematters.net Click on our links tab and go to the, Arizona Insurance Information Association. From there download the free home inventory software program and make your inventory. It is simple and easy to use. It could save you time and substantial dollars should you ever need to file a claim.
Coming Soon: Audio Archives of Your Insurance Matters
WHAT?
The California Nurses Association, and its national arm, the National Nurses Organizing Committee, is one of the nation’s premiere nurses’ organizations and health care unions. One of the fastest growing health care organizations in the U.S., CNA/NNOC presently has 80,000 members in 50 states, representing nurses at scores of hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies. Since 2000, over 19,000 RNs at 50 hospitals have elected to affiliate with CNA.
CNA/NNOC is a leading national advocate for universal healthcare reform, through a single-payer style system based on an improved and expanded Medicare for all. In 2007, CNA/NNOC is campaigning for single-payer legislation, HR 676 in Congress, and SB 840 in California. more...
WHERE?
NNOC Arizona
4904 S. Power Rd., Ste. 103-405
Mesa, AZ 85212
480-888-9758 Jennifer Lemmon at
928-255-3181 or
e-mail jlemmon@calnurses.org
The Insurance Term of the Week:
Medical Necessity
A medical necessity is something that your doctor has decided is necessary. Keep in mind that a medical necessity is not the same thing as a medical benefit. Your health insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company which lists all the medical benefits your insurance company agrees to cover. These benefits can include tests, treatments, drugs and preventative services. Your insurance policy also includes a section which lists all services that are excluded from your policy and services that are payable but only on a limited basis.
There are many different insurance plans. Do not rely on your doctor to know all the specific details of each policy. Most of the things your doctor recommends will probably be covered, but some may not. You could still receive the treatment your doctor recommended but you will have to pay for it yourself.
Take the time to read your policy and know what the insurance company will pay for before you receive a service, get tested or fill a prescription.
Talk to your insurance representative and have them explain your coverage and how it works. When shopping for health insurance use an independent insurance adviser who works for you. Someone who can show you many of the different insurance companies plans available and explain how they work.
Remember that it is your insurance company and not your doctor who makes the decisions about what will be paid for or not. it is ultimately your responsibility to know how your insurance policy works.
Coming Soon: Audio Archives of Your Insurance Matters BACK TO TOP March 16, 2008 TopicsArizona Foundation for Burns and Trauma
Annual Charity Ride for the Kids to the Burn Camp at Camp Courage Everything you ever wanted to know about Motorcycle Insurance Our guests will be live in studio and take your phone calls Free Give Away's, T Shirt, Pin, Patch and free registrations to ride in the event. All Motorcycles welcome. Lori Klauber, Treasurer
Mark Bryant, Director
Phoenix H.O.G Chapter 93 Ron Cadaret
Independent Insurance Agent
www.allin1insurance.com Lapre Scali & Company
Insurance Services
www.laprescali.com Captain Jerry Burghout &
Captain Sid Norwood
WHO?
Jerry "Burgie" Burghout is the Director, Road Captain & Web Master for the Phoenix Chapter of the Wind & Fire Motorcycle Club. Sid Norwood is the Treasure & Merchandise Director.
WHAT?
Wind & Fire MC is a united group of firefighters who ride Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. Presently we have over 3,900 members and 153 chapters. We have members living in 49 states and 22 countries.
Wind & Fire MC has a secondary focus which is charity.
Wind & Fire was founded by Jerry Eibert, a 30 year veteran firefighter and a member of I.A.F.F. Local #2046, in April 1991. Jerry lives in Santa Barbara California and as member #1, signed John Denning member #2 and with this Wind & Fire MC was born.
WHERE?
Lori Klauber, Treasurer
Mark Bryant, Director
WHO?
Lori Klauber and Mark Bryant are Treasurer and Director (respectively) of HOG (Harley Owner's Group) Chapter 93 in Phoenix, Arizona.
HOG Chapter 93 is based out of and sponsored by Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson.
WHAT?
HOG Chapter 93 has rides throughout the month and has a monthly event at Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley Davidson on the last Saturday of the month. This is a great way to meet some of your fellow Chapter members.
Membership meetings are the second Sunday of the month.
WHERE?
HOG Chapter 93
Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson 13850 North Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ 85022 Call us any time with any question. Our staff is on hand 7 days a week. Phone: (602)971-3400 Buddy Stubbs HDHOG Chapter 93
Ron Cadaret
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 Insurance6362 W. Bell Rd. Glendale, AZ. 85308 623-878-5109 Auto, home, business, motorcycle, RV, Business Contractor Bonds www.allin1insurance.com
Lapre Scali & Company
WHO?
Terrence M. Scali (Terry), Chairman/CEO
Mike Lapre, President Click here to read their profiles.
WHAT?
Commercial Insurance Executives Licensed throughout the United States and in business since 1982.
We are a National Insurance & Surety firm specializing in helping customers meet their Insurance & Surety needs throughout the United States.
WHERE?
Lapre Scali & Company Insurance Services8201 N. Hayden Rd, 85258 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Phone: 480-947-3556 Fax: 480-947-6699 www.laprescali.com
Coming Soon: Audio Archives of Your Insurance Matters BACK TO TOP march 23, 2008 Topic
The increasing role of Health Insurance in Alternative Medicine Self & Wellness Watch the Amazing
Curt Allen YouTube Video Toxin Found In Leading Organic Brands
Click here to see the full list of products
tested and the results. Guest
Lori Klauber
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
of Arizona, LLC
www.hbotofaz.org
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 The Insurance Term of the Week:
As defined by the "National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine"
CAM: Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
Cam is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. Some health care providers practice both CAM and conventional medicine. A way to use complimentary and alternative medicine along with traditional western medicine and save money on the insurance all at the same time. The problem with health care today: 1. State of health care is weak
2. We are headed in the wrong direction
3. We are paying way to much for diminishing results
We hate our health insurers: 1. HMO's routinely deny care and pressure doctors into providing insufficient care.
2. Many doctors are quitting medicine because of high malpractice insurance premiums that often exceed $100,000.00 per year.
3. The unemployed are often uninsured.
4. 1 of 7 of us are uninsured.
Americans pay a fortune for health care yet we get sicker each year.
Incidents of chronic diseases go up.
Diabetes, autism, ADD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, alcoholism migraine headaches, obesity, osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease and so many more on the rise.
Good preventative care is still not a major part of the health insurance picture.
We have yet to incorporate preventative measures into our overall practice of health care. Preventative measures like massage therapy, fitness training, yoga and nutrition are not routinely covered in traditional major medical plans
Our political candidates say they can give solutions to pay the massive health care bills we are ringing up as a nation. I'm not sure we even totally understand just the complexity of the problem, yet solutions are being thrown around like darts at a dart board. Solutions vary widely. 1. Some politicians want to tweak the system claiming their plan will save us billions of dollars.
2. Some want a single payer system. similar to Canada's socialized medicine. No one has really been honest as to what this will cost the American tax payer. Do you really want the government to make the decisions regarding your health care?
3. One solution I read about was group doctor visits. Where 3 to 7 patients at a time would see the doctor. The idea behind this is that it saves time and allows doctor to charge less per patient. (Talk about getting to know your neighbor.)
So my question is; How can I create a plan for my family's health, at least until we understand how to fix our current health care system.
The approach I'm suggesting is a set of services available today, that combined together, offers, the peace of mind of an insurance policy that includes the ability to also receive complimentary and alternative health services and provide the flexibility to handle the ups and downs of everyday life. Ups and downs such as: What if I loose my job, or I'm laid off? What if I'm self employed and pay for my own health care insurance? etc.
The Goals of this new health care approach: 1. Reduce the total amount that families pay for health care including insurance premium.
2. Allow families to focus on the safest, most effective and cheapest remedies first.
3. Move to the more dangerous and expensive remedies only after the first ones don't work.
4. Allow for the payment of a wide range of health care treatments including Chinese medicine, yoga, fitness training, herbs, nutrition and others while still retaining traditional western medicine for when it's appropriate.
So how do we do this? Stay tuned! On next weeks show I'm going to lay out the steps and back it up with some real numbers. Reference: "Health Insurance off The Grid", by Daryl Kulak Coming Soon: Audio Archives of Your Insurance Matters BACK TO TOP march 30, 2008 Topic
Health Care
Proposed Health Care Legislation,
Bill HB2041
"Patient and Nursing Staff Ratios"
Hear why the Arizona Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association want this bill defeated. The Conclusion
Part 2 of Larry's Tip
A way to use complimentary and alternative medicine along with western medicine in your overall health care plan and save money on the insurance premium all at the same time.
Click here to read Part 1 from
last Sundays show in the archive section. Guest
Arizona Nurses Association
www.aznurse.org
WHO?
The Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA) is the only statewide professional association of registered nurses, and is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association (ANA).
Since 1919, the Arizona Nurses Association has been helping nurses navigate an increasingly complex healthcare environment. AzNA is the largest and most widely recognized professional nursing organization in Arizona with members from all practice roles and settings. While many organizations talk about what they will do for their members, AzNA has been delivering results benefiting nurses for over 85 years.
WHAT?
AzNA is led by an eleven member Board of Directors elected by the association members. Unique to professional nursing organizations in the state of Arizona has a full-time Executive Director, a registered nurse, with other full-time and part-time office staff. In addition, AzNA has a paid lobbyist who works under the direction of the Executive Director, guided by the board of directors' approved legislative agenda, and in collaboration with the Legislative Committee. AzNA utilizes a host of expert consultants to support its mission and strategic direction.
OUR MISSION
"To advance, promote and protect the value, contributions and development of Arizona's professional nurses."
WHERE?
Arizona Nurses Association
1850 E. Southern Avenue, Suite 1
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-831-0404
www.aznurse.org
The Insurance Term of the Week:
Pre-Admission Certification
Sometimes called Pre-Certification Review or Pre-Admission Review, most health insurance policies have this provision.
This is approval by a case manager or insurance company representative (usually a nurse) for a person to be admitted to a hospital or in -patient facility, granted prior to the admittance.
Pre-Admission Certification must be obtained by the individual. Sometimes, however, the physician will contact the appropriate individual. The goal of Pre-Admission Certification is to insure the individual is not exposed to services that are not medically necessary. Larry's Tip of the Week: Solutions Part 2
"Providing a health insurance plan for my family that incorporates the use of complimentary and alternative therapies along with Western medicine and saving money on the insurance premium.”
Steps to take: 1. Sign up for a high deductible health insurance plan.
2. Create a 2nd health account.
3. Create a health savings account.
4. Sign up for health a health discount cared covering: dental, vision, vitamins and herbs and alternative medicine practice.
5. Add a medical expense rider to your auto insurance premium.
Let's start with the health insurance policy. What is health insurance? What is it's purpose?
"The nature of insurance is to cover the costs for an individual when those costs are so great that the individual would suffer great hardship if he had to pay them himself."
Example: When a house burns down, the cost of replacing the entire house is probably out of reach for the individual. So we buy house insurance and pay a small premium each month to insure that if the house burns down money will be there to replace it quickly. We don't, however, expect the insurance to pay every bit of maintenance from window cleaning to installing a new phone line or repairing a wall in the bedroom.
We seem to take a different approach with health insurance. We expect the health insurance to be there for the big stuff, but we also expect that it should coverall medical services no matter how small. When we visit the doctor with the sniffles, we want the insurance to pay. If we us one $50.00 bottle of prescription medicine, we want the insurance company to pay.
We need to change our current mind set with health insurance. What we have now is unworkable. We have created a monster with: 1. Sky high costs
2. Idiotic bureaucracy
3. Unhappiness in doctors and patients
We must rethink our approach to health care. The way to opt out of this madness is to buy a high deductible policy. Insurance companies make these premiums lower because you are saving them overhead. Buy a high deductible qualified HSA plan of $2500.00 family deductible with a co insurance of 100% the 2500 is an optimal deductible because even if you had a bad year and had to pay the entire deductible, you will still be ahead because you've been paying lower premiums. Lets compare some hard numbers | Low Deductible Plan | High Deductible Plan | $250 Deductible
Physician Co-Pay - $25
Prescription Drug Card
Monthly premium - $800 | $2500 Deductible/100%
not included
not included
Monthly premium - $330 | The monthly difference in premiums between the low and the high deductible is $470 ($800 - $330) Multiply that by twelve months in the year, and you've saved $5640.
|
Year One Scenario - No Big Illnesses
$900 Spent - $750 for doctor, $150 RX | Low Deductible Plan | High Deductible Plan | $0 Deductible
Physician Co-Pay X3 - $75
Prescription Costs (30%) - $45
Premium Paid- $9600
Total Paid - $9720 | $750 Deductible
Physician Co-Pay X3 - $0
Prescription Costs (30%) - $150
Monthly premium - $3960
Total Paid - $4860 | Overall the the savings from the high deductible
to the low deductible plan is $4860.
|
Year Two Scenario - Family Member Expenses
$67,000 spent in hospital, $5,000 in prescriptions
| Low Deductible Plan | High Deductible Plan | $250 Deductible
Physician Co-Pay - $2000
Prescr. Costs (30%) - $1500
Premium Paid- $9600
Total Paid - $13,350 | $2500 Deductible
Physician Co-Pay - $0
Prescr. Costs (30%) - $0
Monthly premium - $4860
Total Paid - $7360 | Overall the the savings from the high deductible
to the low deductible plan is $5990.
|
Year Three Scenario - Incorporate Holistic Health
$6,500 spent on Holistic Health,
$2,000 on Western Medicine (expenses outside Dr. Office)
| Low Deductible Plan | High Deductible Plan | $250 Deductible
Physician Co-Pay - $1300
Prescription Costs (30%) - $0
Premium Paid- $9600
Total Paid - $17,650 | $2500 Deductible
Physician Co-Pay - $0
Prescription Costs (30%) - $0
Monthly premium - $4860
Total Paid - $13,860 | Overall the the savings from the high deductible
to the low deductible plan is $3790.
|
Step #2
Take the $5640 you save in premiums and put it into a savings plan every year and it will grow to $113, 557 in fifteen years (4% return).
What could you do with $113, 557?
If you like using holistic, complimentary and alternative care you can incorporate this into your family's health care plan. Use this money to pay for holistic health services and products , such as: Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yoga Classes
Martial Arts Classes
Fitness Trainer
Herbs and Vitamins
Homeopathy
Naturopathy
Massage Therapy
Psychology
Energy Work
ETC.
Step #3 Open up a Health Savings Account as a way to cover the small expenses and save on taxes.
The HSA is a special type of account that works like an individual retirement account. Except that in an HSA in addition to writing off the amount deposited from your taxes, you can also withdraw the money tax free as long as it is used to pay for valid medical expenses. A partial list of valid expenses:
Co Pay from Dr. Visits
Insurance Premiums
Acupuncture
Chiropractor
Dental Treatment
Eye Glasses, Contact Lenses
Lab Fees
Pharmaceuticals
Weight Loss Programs
Medical Equipment and Supplies
For a complete list, http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
Take control of your family's health care plan. Essentially, be your own insurance company for the small expenses that fall under your deductible.
HSA accounts can be rolled over from year to year. There is no "use it or loose it" with HSA's. Whatever you don't use is rolled over to the next year (with interest). You can put more money in each year. Or just sit on the money you do have without additional deposits.
The HSA is only available if you have the high deductible qualified health plan. For an HSA established by an employee of a company, the employee, the company or both may contribute to the HSA. Employer paid contributions to an HSA are treated as employer-provided coverage for medical expenses. Step #4 You may want to look at purchasing a Dental and Vision card that provides discounts on dental and vision services and products, for further savings. Step #5 Purchase the health insurance rider on your automobile insurance. If you or a family member should need health coverage from a car accident, you will not have to pay the $2500 in deductible on your health insurance. Your car insurance company will pay it for you. Reference: "Health Insurance off The Grid", by Daryl Kulak Coming Soon: Audio Archives of Your Insurance Matters BACK TO TOP
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