All posts by Debbie Sears

How Do These Higher Rates Affect Me?

December 14, 2015Healthcare updatesDebbie Sears

The Iowa Insurance Department approved rate increases for many insurance companies this past summer for January 2016. These requests for rate increases had to be justified. Through the process, the increases were granted and yes, this does affect everyone. I am referring specifically to the individual marketplace under age 65. So, what should you do?

I encourage you to call me 515-285-6766. I will look at what you have, your current costs and your utilization. I will ask you about changes that may have occurred in your life. Such as marriage, divorce, job change, new children, and children “aging out”, etc. to see if the benefits you’re paying for are truly the benefits that best suit your needs.

I will then provide you with many quotes. We will walk through these and quickly discard the high end and the ones that are not appropriate, leaving us with a few selections to compare. If the end result proves that you should stay where you’re at, I will very respectfully tell you that. If there is a discovery, that will be pointed out to you and whatever you choose to do is what will happen next. But, I strongly encourage you not to just be “deer in the headlights” with what’s on the table. Let’s dig into this as a team and find out how we can help make 2016 a better year for you.

Prescription Drug Plan Annual Enrollment Period Ends December 7th, 2015

December 7, 2015Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, RX drugDebbie Sears

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) allows individuals to switch, change, or drop Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Advantage – Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans and Prescription Drug (PDP) plans. Individuals can make as many elections as they want during the AEP and it is the last enrollment choice made that will become effective January 1^st 2016.

Please give us a call at 515.285.6766 for any questions you may have – we are enrolling all day today and are glad to help.

Part D Prescription Drug coverage for 2016

November 30, 2015Health Insurance, Healthcare updates, Part D, RX drugDebbie Sears

Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15 – December 7. Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.For all persons in need of Part D Prescription Drug coverage for 2016, please know that the window of time is coming to an end December 7. Please call me for quality plans.

Governor Branstad signed legislation effective July 1, 2015 changing the copays you would be responsible for when utilizing a physical therapist. The copay is that of your Primary Care Provider (PCP). This is a tremendous value for patients that need PT. Please call the number on the back of your health insurance ID card for verification. Here are two links for your reference.

http://www.iowaapta.org/en/advocacy/

Year end flyer with copay info via Optimum Performance

When you take just a minute to review Jon Schultz’s LinkedIn profile you know why it is real easy for me to refer my clients to him. He is just a very dedicated and accomplished PT within his industry. He is in private practice and can/will give you the individualized attention that you need and deserve. Please note that he will help a wide range of activities and ages.

Do you know Olla Rae Chicola?

November 23, 2015CommunityDebbie Sears

In 2008, sitting in a radiation unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, I had the privilege of meeting a lady named Olla Rae Chicola. There were many people there day in and day out, but for some reason, she and I connected. Started with eye contact, followed by a smile and from that day forward, we planned to meet up with each other. She learned about us, we learned about her. She was an advocate for her brother.

What else I learned about Olla Rae is AMAZING. This lady will go straight to heaven without passing go. She has been an absolute saint to those in need. Her family has been very instrumental in creating this movie (trailer below) and I would love to share this during this time of Thanksgiving. She has fed thousands of people – free – no ID required, if you’re there and you’re hungry, you eat. Please take time to catch this movie. It is extremely inspiring and wouldn’t the world be a better place if we had more Olla Rae’s?

At this time of Thanksgiving, I would also like to extend a thanks to all of my Clients and their families for the business and the referrals that you continue to give me year in and year out. This is my 38^th year as an independent insurance agent in Des Moines, and I could not have done it without each and every one of you. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Make the Fourth Quarter Count

November 16, 2015Health InsuranceDebbie Sears

It’s the time of the year for you to make decisions for your health care plans for 2016. If you have a plan that is a non-ACA plan, you may want to consider what changes you can make (or not) to possibly lower your premium without going to an ACA plan.

My fear is that an ACA plan has the potential for greater rate increases from year to year going forward. The reason I feel that potential risk is out there is because these plans require no medical underwriting. This is the only insurance that I’m aware of that can be purchased without underwriting.

Life insurance is underwritten. As is your home owners insurance, auto insurance, disability income insurance, long-term care. This process assesses a proper rate to the risk that the insurance company is willing to accept. If we ask an insurance company to provide coverage without knowing what any of the potential risks are that are insuring you, they do the best to price the product; however, it’s after the fact that the discovery comes if the price was even close.

Therefore, Wellmark sent letters out this year advising people in the individual market that the Iowa Insurance Division granted them a 26% increase in premium to off-set some of the unknown liabilities they have taken.

So, give me a call. We will look at all options so that when you set your compass for 2016, you know how and why you did it. One other thing is, what does it cost to have no insurance. Outside of the obvious, please look at this link as it will explain the individual penalties that will be assessed in 2016 for those opting not to insure.

Veterans Day

November 11, 2015CommunityDebbie Sears

Good Morning to all Veterans and their families. We cannot begin to tell you how blessed and fortunate we feel to be in the United States of America with such tremendous support from the people who secure our freedom.

It is so easy to take for granted what we have been born into. But, trust me, for any of us that have made foreign trips, one of the things that comes to my mind: we always say a prayer when we leave and we always kiss the ground when we return. It’s a beautiful world that we live in, but there’s no place like home.

I have grandfathers, my father, my husband, almost all of my uncles and the majority of my male cousins that have proudly served in every branch of our military. I have countless friends that also have served as far back as World War II and I just cannot believe the sacrifices they have made for us.

In appreciation for our true red, white and blue, you will notice that my website, my business cards and almost everything that I do somehow winds up being red, white and blue. There are a few things that I have come across on a day-to-day basis that I have included here that I would like to share with you.

Veterans Day Free Restaurants

The Veterans Site on Facebook

Please meet one of my younger cousins, Marty Osmundson. Marty has been in the military for most of his adult life and I had the pleasure of watching him transform from a young man that wasn’t sure exactly what his future would hold to a very honorable and dedicated soldier. Marty has served three tours of duty. I am so extremely proud of him as person and what he was willing to sacrifice for all of us. I am also thankful that he is home safe and sound, but always ready at a moment’s notice.

Life Happens

November 9, 2015life insuranceDebbie Sears

In addition to all of the other challenges that we are subjected to with our health, accidents, etc, life insurance can wear many hate. Life insurance can be for individuals, young families, established families, empty-nesters/retirees, or businesses.

So, you think to yourself, “Why is this something I need to spend money on?” This is not for you; this is for the people you love. As an example: Let’s say that my final expenses have been taken care of, however, I have children, indebtedness, a spouse, and what I would wish for those that I leave behind, is the ability to maintain the lifestyle that we’ve enjoyed together, or at least be able to make a comfortable transition into whatever that next step in life could be.

For those that are empty-nesters/retirees, who may have met all of their financial obligations, life insurance can be a wonderful estate planning tool and can be used to offset the costs associated with closing an estate. It can be used to build the estate, to pass on greater wealth/opportunities for those we love. An example that comes to mind is college education for grandchildren.

If I am a business owner, this would be a wonderful thing for my spouse, my children or any business partners to have as part of my business plan. So, whether your needs include term insurance, whole life or maybe a variable product, please know that life insurance is something that we all should have. Let us help you determine your needs and make some suggestions to put you in the right position going forward.

Open Enrollment

November 2, 2015Health Insurance, Healthcare updatesDebbie Sears

Some points to consider if you’re an employee that has employer benefits available to you.

Sit down with all options available to you. During this period of time, starting November 1, you are in the open enrollment period, which means that you can explore your options and make your moves accordingly for 2016.

Whether you want to lay these out in your mental buckets of individual, employer plan (self) and possibly employer plan (spouse), I would start with: What are my summary of benefits coverage (SBC). Ask your employers for a copies of your SBC (hopefully they’ll know what you’re talking about, too). Then, figure your cost for yourself, your spouse and your children under each of these buckets.

After you’ve done your homework, you might be well satisfied to stay where you are. However, I have had folks come to me with some discoveries and some questions and realize that they had been passing up some opportunities, whether that be benefits, whether that be the network of providers they have access to or their premium costs.

If you do not know anything about an HSA account, I encourage you to look into that. There are generally speaking, lower premium costs and opportunities for some tax savings. If you want me to help you evaluate your choices so that you can make the best decision for you and your family, please feel free to call me.

Trick or Treat and Fall Fun Can Mean Different Things to Different People

October 19, 2015UncategorizedDebbie Sears

Below are three links that I think will give you some fun ideas to entertain your little goblins. We personally visited the Cambridge Orchard and there truly is something there for everyone from babies to grandparents. This is a fun, family outing that will create some timeless memories. Enjoy!

http://dsm4kids.com/blog/

http://desmoines.citymomsblog.com/fall-faves-for-families-in-the-des-moines-area/

Special Enrollment Period

October 19, 2015Healthcare updatesDebbie Sears

In previous blogs and newsletters, I have outlined what the fourth quarter entails for individuals seeking health insurance. Whether you were under age 65 looking for a qualified life event or whether you were over 65 looking to make sure your prescription drug plan was suitable to your needs, so check back to my previous blogs for that. Throughout the year, there are qualified life events called special enrollment periods that give you a window of time to make changes on your current coverage outside of the open enrollment period. So, let me help you get this straight.

A special enrollment period (SEP) qualifies you for a window of time to make changes to your insurance. I have provided a link that I feel is quick and easy for you to refer to that has the life events and the time period in which you have to apply as well as the effective date. I realize this can be confusing when you’re not in the business, so please give me a call sooner rather than later, because the clock starts ticking on the day of your event. Sometimes people have good intentions and their window of opportunity disappears.

Open enrollment for individuals under age 65 starts November 1. This is the first day that you can enroll in a plan for an effective date of January 1, 2016. We should have 2016 rates available anytime. December 15 is the last day that you have to enroll in or change your plan for next year. January 15, 2016 is the last day to enroll in or change your plans for new coverage to start February 1.

Because this is confusing, I’m attaching a government link that seems to spell it out about as quick and easy. Bottom line is call me, let’s see where you are with your plan. If you want to make changes, now is the time. The more time you give yourself, the better the job I can do for you.