All posts by Debbie Sears

Shopping for Health Care

federal compliance, Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, Healthcare updates

EVERYONE is eligible to look at different plans in the individual health market from November 15, 2014 – February 15, 2015. Some people will want to keep their plans if they were written before January 1, 2014. Those with ACA (Affordable Care Act) plans may keep your current plan or make a change. To start your thought process, I’ve got three points I’d like you to be aware of and then call me, because I’m sure you’ll have questions:

If your plan has not changed since September 2010, you have what’s called a “grandfathered plan”. If you have a plan that was written between September 2010 and December 2013, you have a “grandmothered plan”. Nick Gearhardt, Iowa Insurance Commissioner, has allowed these plans to stay in force until 2016. A good share of these plans are Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa plans. There has been a request for a premium increase, however, the good news is, it should be a single digit increase. Hopefully, this will mean that the plan still fits your needs and you may not find it necessary to make any change at all.

If you have an ACA (Affordable Care Act), you can keep it and not make any changes if you still find it affordable. But, you can look at all plans. The expected premium increase on these plans will be much higher. The reason for that is pretty self-explanatory. These plans were written as a first-time-ever, meeting the guidelines of ACA, with no underwriting and consequently, there was no actuarial history to determine how these plans should be priced. The experience so far has been that an adverse selection (older, not necessarily insurable people) purchased a plan, has a procedure done, and did not renew, driving up the rates on the remainder of the policy holders. Until these have had a few years of history, the rates will undoubtedly experience a substantial increase. I recommend holding on to your traditional plans as long as possible.

Marketplace products. If you purchased your plan through www.healthcare.gov, you like your plan, your income has not changed from 2014 – 2015, perhaps it’s in your best interest to stay put. However, if your income is different in 2015, then 2014, I would encourage you to have a review before you incur a tax liability for 2016.

In summary of those three points, there are quality companies and products for us to choose from. I feel that our market has become more fragmented than ever before. What I mean is we have very low cost plans (you get what you pay for). We have some median coverage and price plans and of course, we have very quality products that would be priced possibly higher. The important thing is to have your agent review all of your options and by understanding your needs and your budget, assist you in making the right choice for you and your family. Call me, I’m sure you will have questions.

Large Group Employer Mandate Timeline

Compliance, Group Health Insurance, Health Care Reform, Healthcare updates

I have provided for you a time line of the provisions of the affordable care act (ACA) starting with its inception year 2010 running out and beyond 2015. If you click on the hyperlink under 2014, you will see the reform provisions that were implemented this year. If you go out to 2015, you’ll see even more.

The employer mandate in 2015 is something I’d like to draw your attention to. The employer mandate applies to large groups (50 or more full-time equivalent (FTE)). Please make careful note of this verbiage. You could have 80 people on your group, but you could actually have 40 that would be considered FTEs. This verbiage, as it applies to us here in Iowa, particularly impacts folks with seasonal occupations, such as our farmers, people doing outdoor work, possibly their jobs end in the late Fall as Winter approaches. Please read this carefully.

If you have any questions as to whether or not this applies to you, please give us a call. We will try to make the complicated appear simple. You will also see, on the left hand side of this web page, a menu of other items pertaining to the ACA. Towards the bottom, you will click on videos. These are short, very easy to understand, and cover a wide variety of topics. Scroll through this at your convenience. I hope you find this a helpful link.

Oftentimes, in your best interest, we will work closely with your CPA to determine the eligibility, if there is any doubt in an effort to keep you compliant and help you make strategic decisions going forward. We need to determine if you are a large group or a small group and then we would be happy to explain to you what your obligations are or not and how you can prepare, plan and budget this very important benefit to attract and retain quality employees.

Call Sears Insurance with any of your questions. We’ll be happy to help!

Blue Magazine Summer 2014

Health Insurance

To get the most from your health plan, Wellmark has their seasonal Blue Magazine. They have one for the under 65 population and one for the over 65 population. I will soon be sending you the one for Fall as it becomes available and I hope to have both issues for your reference. But, for today, I realize we’re working on all kinds of things as we prepare for the 4th quarter, but this little magazine is just full of good stuff! Everything from nutrition and fitness, to their exciting 75th birthday. Take time to click on 75 Days Ways to learn more about how Wellmark is giving back to the community. There’s an opportunity to vote on your favorite project on a daily basis. Check into this and see if there’s anything there that is of interest to you.

Now that our kids are back to school, please know your benefits. Your child may be “out of network”. Know how that works. I encourage you to download My Wellmark Membersite on your phone. This will give your student access to personal health assistance 24/7. Finding a dentist, finding a facility or finding a doctor. We realize that most scheduled visits happen at home with illnesses and injuries that are, of course, not scheduled….Your Wellmark is with you anytime, anywhere…in the world. Please visit their site or call me. I’m happy to help you anyway that I can.

New Information From M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Blue Zones, Cancer, Centers of Excellence

As I helped celebrate my grandmother’s 99th birthday, I overheard her talking about next year’s plan for her 100th, as if this was without question. On the inside, I smiled and I got a huge warmth and respect for her attitude.

photo-1 (2)

There’s been a million studies on why people live as long as they do, as healthy as they appear to be, both mentally and physically, and happy. Some of the studies that I refer to are the Blue Zones, which you’ve heard me refer to in the past, but trust me, if you have not explored Dan Buettner’s books on the Blue Zones and Thrive, I highly encourage you to read these books.

In addition to all of that, having been at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for our personal journey with Dan’s health, I continue to get their news and updates, and I will share these with you throughout as I feel that there are so many things we can do for ourselves. Their most recent e-newsletter has information on how weight affects your risk for cancer. Here it is for your reference. In our local area, we have Sheree Clark, Fork in the Road, which you can refer to as well. Very holistic, reasonable, very attainable goals for your personal health. The Healthiest State Initiative also ties a lot of these same components together.

I think there’s a lot of things we can do for ourselves that don’t cost money, it’s a matter of making it a priority. My grandmother attributes her longevity to “don’t tell lies and don’t carry weight”, which I found to be very humorous!

Do You Know Who’s Paying the New Obamacare Tax? YOU!

Health Insurance

Kaiser Health News is a source that the insurance industry feels very confident about as they are not an insurance company and they are not a government entity, but a private research firm that has been highly accredited for many years. This article concerns the Affordable Care Act and what kind of money it represents and where it is going to come from.

While there are pros and cons to any legislation, we feel that after 40 years as an independent health insurance agency, that this is perhaps the greatest change we have experienced. As America works its way through all of the provisions as they are enacted from year to year, there will be a huge shift of money to fund the plan as it stands today. Please read this article and know that visiting with an independent agent to know your choices and contain your costs undoubtedly is in your best interest. My intention here is to create an awareness so that you can be as informed as possible.

Are You an Employer? Do You Have Employees?

Compliance, federal compliance, Group Health Insurance, Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, Healthcare updates

The IRS and the Department of Labor are working together regarding the Affordable Care Act. If you have employees who have individual health insurance premiums and you are doing a pre-tax employer reimbursement for that, please consult your CPA immediately. This document explains the stiff penalties associated with the reimbursement of individual premiums.

In addition to talking to your CPA, and getting yourself in the proper position with your current situation, you may also want to contact me to explore the options and premiums associated with group insurance. Our quotes and consultations are free and keeping you compliant is a priority.

Attention All Moms and Dads!

Health Insurance

I received an email that I would like to share with you, but I will preface that with a brief introduction.

A very dear friend of our family, Mary Chase, sent me an email and also, we’ve had numerous telephone conversations, about a family medical emergency. Her 10 year old nephew, Carson Chase, spent approximately 15 hours in surgery today to remove a spinal tumor. The situation becomes very complex from a financial standpoint. And this is where I need everybody’s help.

Mom and Dad (Marty and Tawnya Chase) are both employed by small employers for whom FMLA is not an option. Therefore, they are both on a leave of absence to focus on this crisis. The other two children are being cared for by family. Here comes the financial pinch: they have all of the normal expenses that any young, growing family would have, but in addition to that, they have maximum out of pocket for 2014 and undoubtedly 2015, plus whatever uninsured expenses or durable equipment necessary for a very long recuperation. There will be travel expenses from Fonda, Iowa (where they currently live) to Iowa City and back and forth during his extended in-patient stay.

There have been a couple of fundraisers that I’m aware of, which is wonderful, but this is of such great magnitude, that I need all hands on deck. With the recent scams that have taken place, below, you’ll find the parent’s cell phone numbers and mailing address in Fonda, Iowa, but most importantly, Doug and Mary Chase’s (Aunt and Uncle) contact information. I prefer that you contact Doug and Mary Chase, as this family is in an emotional crisis and needs all the prayers and financial support that any of us feels that we can offer.

Would you please consider mailing any contributions to the mailing address of Marty and Tawnya Chase at the address provided in Fonda, Iowa.

Greetings Hawkeye friends, please see this message from Doug.

Last week my ten year old nephew, Carson Chase, had a tumor discovered on his spinal cord. Surgery will be required to remove the tumor.  The size and location of the tumor requires about 15 hours to complete the surgery. Following the surgery Carson will be spending an extended period of time in the ICU at University of Iowa Hospital and will also have several months of therapy in order to re-learn to walk. The expenses are overwhelming.

Uncle Doug is the contact you should use since the family is over-burdened at the moment

Doug Chase, CPA, CIA – Doug.Chase@conagrafoods.com
Manager  | Corporate FP&A

One ConAgra Drive 1-358, Omaha NE 68102
p: 402.240.8528   |  c: 402.541.8201

Mary E. Chase, Ed.D. – MaryChase@creighton.edu
Associate Vice Provost, Enrollment Management
Creighton University | Omaha, Nebraska
402.280.3105 | admissions.creighton.edu

Here is the contact information for the family:

Marty and Tawnya Chase
303 E. 3rd St.
Fonda, IA 50540

Marty’s cell: 712-259-4945
Tawnya’s cell: 712-259-0251

What is the Key to a Successful Business?

Health Insurance, Uncategorized

It could be an innovative product, cutting edge technology, the ability to raise capital, or attention to the bottom line. The answer is simple – people. From strategic decisions to customer demands, your employees make the company go. But what happens if you lose a key person? Does the company come to a halt? Can you easily replace the revenue, reputation or decision making? How do you get through the transition period?

Key person insurance from EMC National Life is designed to help businesses stay the course when a key employee is no longer present. When a key business person policy is utilized, the proceeds can be used to replace lost revenue associated with the death of a valued employee. This extra income can help keep the company moving forward during a difficult time.

Below is some of the information I would gather from you:

  • Obtain basic information about the business
  • Identify the key employee and reasons for his or her valued statue
  • Gather basic information needed for an accurate quote
  • Analyze finances to determine an appropriate amount of coverage
  • Review the benefits of different types of insurance products

Youth Plus Term Life Insurance

life insurance

Do you have any loved ones between the ages of 0 – 24?

EMC National Life has a life insurance plan that they call “Youth Plus Term Life Insurance“. Whether you’re a parent, a grand parent, or other loving relative, this is an affordable gift that provides future security for the children you love.

This is a two-stage lifetime insurance. It starts out as term insurance to age 25. You can make one single premium payment, or two year payment plans are available. This will provide the vital protection during dependency years. It’s convenient, fast and easy. Issued instantly. Credit card payments are accepted.

At age 25, A conversion privilege allows the insured to convert this term insurance to permanent insurance without evidence of insurability, up to $25,000. At that time, there is a guaranteed insurability option rider that can be purchased. If converted to a universal life policy without the evidence of insurability, $150,000 total coverage is available by purchasing $25,000 at ages 18, 31, 34, 37 and 40.

You can count on EMC to make life easy.

Life Insurance

life insurance

In last week’s blog, I talked about protecting your income. Please, if you haven’t read that, check it out. I’m going to continue to remind you to look at this.

However, EMC National Life Company has introduced two simplified issue products, one is term life and one is whole life, to their individual portfolio. These use a new short form application. They are quick and easy, I can do your quoting and your application online. Life changes, as I mentioned before. So, please, give me the call, let me do the work. I’ll show you the options and the numbers will actually guide you to the right answers for you and your family. There are no medical exams; it is simplified underwriting, up to $100,000. The prices will knock your socks off. Very, very low.

These term products not only are inexpensive, they are fabulous for buy sell agreements, for key employees, for children. There are a host of appropriate niches for term insurance. Whole life, on the other hand, can be used for planning final expenses, covering taxation from one generation to the next. And you cannot outlive it. Whole life costs more than term, obviously, but the question remains, what do you need and how much do you need? That would determine, or help you determine, some of the choices you need to make for your loved ones.

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