Category Archives: Health Insurance

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Blue Zones, Health Insurance

Jon Schultz, owner of Optimum Performance Physical Therapy, has an amazing resume and performance track record with his many patients. I encourage you to read about Jon and his physical therapy business. He is quite an advocate of educating you on your issues and what you can do to remedy that. Jon has treated many different types of injuries, birth defects, children, veterans, etc. And I just cannot stress enough how important it is to follow his blog posts and take good care of your self. The insurance that we represent at Sears Insurance will take care of Optimum Performance Physical Therapy’s charges. I feel to keep ourselves toned, and fit, will better prepare us for any illnesses or injuries that may lie ahead of us. Please give Sears Insurance and Optimum Performance a Like on Facebook!

My Business is Built on Referrals

Health Insurance

My business is built on referrals. I want to earn your trust, your friendship and your business, so if you know anybody that could use my services, please contact me.

What makes a good” agent? I would say, be a good listener. Identify your needs. Identify your budget and find something of quality that meets your needs as well as your budget. At Sears Insurance, I have been quite particular and very selective as to what insurance companies I contract with. There is always an incentive, but nothing is greater than my friendships, my Clients and the business they bring me.

We offer the best quality followed up by the time investment in you to make sure that your needs are met and your budget is respected. Here are a few things that you may not know. The Department of Insurance sets the premium rates. These rates are based on your age, your residential zip code, smoking or non-smoking. So, you cannot get a better deal by “shopping around”. Most of the websites that promise to show you rates are actually lead generating companies. They capture your information and someone calls you to follow-up. You now have somebody on your phone in your inbox, in your mailbox and if you’re lucky, no one shows up at your door. I can get all of those rates for you.

Why should a person use me as their agent? I present you with all of your options. And then by process of elimination, I try to pare these choices down to what suits your needs. By doing so, we can also put you in a very quality product that’s budget friendly. If your schedule is tight, if it’s not convenient for us to meet, we can actually do this over the phone. I have Clients in many places afar that I have not had the privilege of meeting. In the world we live in today, these types of transactions can be very safely done over the phone and the Internet. I do have what I consider, a very nice office. We can meet at my office, at your business, at your home, whatever best suits your needs. For my over-65 Clients, respecting my elders has been drilled into me. I will always come to you. For my business Clients, the business required to build a quote, may be easier sought at your office than in mind. For those in the middle, call me! We’ll make it work.

Tax Preparation as it Pertains to Your Health Insurance

Health Insurance, Safety, Tax Deferal, Travel

As you prepare your documents for your CPA to complete your 2014 income tax, you will find a new document/disclosure regarding health insurance.

This form is for people who purchased coverage through www.healthcare.gov. If you did not purchase through a state or federal marketplace, then this form will not pertain to you. The form is being used to help determine subsidy eligibility and/or “penalties” for not participating in a plan.

We highly encourage people to take a look at all options available to them through their employer, spouses employment and individual purchases of their own, so you have control over your network of providers available to you at times of need. There are products and price tags to fit almost all budgets. Please call me. I would be happy to assist you. Please refer to this IRS form and discuss with your CPA to get all the details. We do not offer any tax advise, but we encourage you to obtain all of the knowledge you can. Taxes are changing, so be in the know!

Iowa Insurance Commissioner’s Recent Statement Regarding Security Breach

Health Insurance
In light of the recent news concerning the security breach and Anthem, please read this statement just released by the Iowa Insurance Commissioner. If you have any problems we encourage all to follow the Commissioners advice immediately.
He urged folks that feel they have been compromised as follows:
Affected Iowans should visit https://anthem.allclearid.com or call 1-877-263-7995 to sign up for the additional protections provided by Anthem.  For more information visit https://www.anthemfacts.com.

 

February is National Heart Health Month!

Health Care Reform, Health Insurance

February is National Heart Awareness Month, as deemed by the CDC. Here’s an article from the American Heart Association that is a quite in depth explanation of the warning signs of heart attack, stroke and cardiac address. The symptoms are different for women than there are for men, and sometimes these are silent, so I think my Valentine tip to all of the people I care about would be – know as much as you can about your ticker.

If you have the seasonal crud that seems to be circulating, it’s important to know the difference between a viral and a bacterial infection. Again, here’s an easy reference that explains the differences. There are certain things to do and there are certain things you should not do deepending on your situation. There’s an easy cheat sheet here as well as well as a mobile app.

If you’re looking for something to do over the Valentine’s weekend, click this link. Sometimes the best gift is a surprise. Sky’s the limit. Have fun, be safe, call me with your insurance needs.

Please be sure to have your insurance in place by the deadline of February 15 to avoid penalties. Call me. I would be glad to help you.

Commissioner Issues Press Release Regarding Liquidation

Group Health Insurance, Health Care Reform, Health Insurance

Sears Insurance always prides itself on quality and perfection.

When I make statements regarding how adamant I am about the quality and perfection, who I have in mind is YOU, your family and your health. The things money does not buy.

We represent “the A-Team”. We’re independent agents in the health insurance business and have been a recognized and reliable source for over 40 years. We can meet your budget, but we will do it in such a manner that when you or your loved one gets a “bad diagnosis”, you can go anywhere you want to seek professional medical help.

This press release issued by the Iowa Insurance Division explains the resolve to a company called CoOpportunity Health. While this is a very unfortunate thing, life happens, things change, but if you will call us, we will make the transition painless.

Health and Wellness Checkups

Health Insurance

Now that all of our holidays have come to pass and we’re all back to some sort of normal routine, let’s not forget that our annual wellness/preventative checkups should be maintained. Here are a few recommended guidelines for adult and pediatric patients as well as pre-natal.

When you go in for your checkup, I recommend that you take the time to create a list so that on your way home, you have maximized that visit and have all of your questions answered. Stay well, stay warm, be safe. Call me with any questions…

Happy New Year from Sears Insurance!

Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, Healthcare updates
As we embark on the new year, there have been several items that have come to attention on the health care front.  I always rely on, well respected industry resources anytime I make reference. As we progress forward through the years and the ongoing implementation the provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, I try to keep you informed. I take a very neutral political position, as there are always pros and cons to any law. Some will agree, some will win, others will not. It is not my job to judge, but to take the time to help each and every client sort through options and find a plan that meets their needs and their budget.
Below I have some interesting tax increases effective January 2015 that you should be aware of:
  • Top Medicare tax went from 1.45% to 2.35%
  • Top Income tax bracket went from 35% to 39.6%
  • Top Income payroll tax went from 37.4% to 52.2%
  • Capital Gains tax went from 15% to 39.6%
  • Estate tax went from 0% to 55%
  • These taxes were all passed under the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare
This article from Forbes regarding sales tax increases as well as the implementation time line provided by The Kaiser Foundation.
Another source that I refer to often is The Galen Institute. I am also providing their website explaining 46 Changes to Obamacare thus far.
Healthcare is a complex system and it is an expensive system.  The ACA has a schedule of provisions occurring each year and at the same time the cost for the Affordable Care Act is also increasing.
My suggestion is to explore your options.  The marketplace is like a store front.  Anyone can shop there…some have a “coupon” (entitlement) and some do not.  When it comes to your health and the providers that we want access to when we have a serious illness or injury…it eventually becomes a situation where it has to be “all about the money”.  Our finest doctors have high cost and a long number of years of education.  They have years of experience.  In some states there is “no cap” on their malpractice liability driving their malpractice liability insurance premiums. (i.e. you could have a OB/GYN that does not choose to make part of their practice delivery of newborns, rather see patients with other needs and refer to others in the practice for their expecting patients).  When a patient comes to them they are wearing more than one hat – yes they are a doctors first, however, they are also assessing their liability with the acceptance of that new patient.  They must also assess how they are going to be reimbursed for the liability that they are taking.  If your insurance carrier reimburses them at a very low reimbursement, they may refer you to someone that could be accepting patients with your choice of  insurance.  Think of it as a niche in their market – the doctor taking the lower reimbursement will have volume to offset the low reimbursement.  That doctor may see three patients to the first doctor’s one patient.  In essence, like most things, you get what you pay for.
I have heard from well educated people that have spent many hours trying to navigate the system – then make benefit determinations – and then the cost.  But in the end do they know what provider network they have access to? Do they know how they will be covered if they are out of their “home” location on a trip?  Do they know how their college children are covered several states away?  Do they know if any one of their family would leave the country, such as study abroad, vacation, business, etc. would be treated?  Usually that is no.  For the maintenance issues some lesser quality plans will work, but for highly specialized care or care provided out of a given area, they may not have been your best choice.
To find a plan that meets your needs and your budget we recommend an independent agent.  We will help you with your healthcare options, decisions and budget.  We will also make suggestions for some tax-deferred options.  At Sears Insurance our business comes from repeat clients and the direct referrals they send us…because we know our business and we take care of our clients.  Please give us a call for a free consultation.  Know where you’re at.

 

Insurance Commissioner Places Health Insurer CoOportunity Health in Rehabilitation

Health Insurance, Options
With the recent announcement regarding CoOpportunity, I encourage you to take a look at your options.  Whether you are an individual or a small business, please heed the recommendation of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner in the bulletin that is posted on the Department site.
I would like to draw your attention to Item 3 (bottom sentence) and Item 8 as it pertains to individual questions. On the Group platform, please be sure to note the recommendation in Item 1 – first sentence.
Please know that I have been in business for over 36 years as an independent agent and I only contract with quality carriers as defined by many criteria. We are not be the “bargain” agency representing “bargain insurance” but our quality can certainly be proven. When we have an emergency we probably do not want “bargain medical providers”.
We purchase insurance primarily for two reasons; preventative/wellness benefits, which is always encouraged and unpredicted, unscheduled catastrophic illnesses and injuries. When you purchase insurance, but realize that your access is very limited, you have put yourself and all that love you at a tremendous disadvantage. This disadvantage that I refer to is your health – one of the things that cannot be purchased – and then your financial health also becomes as risk.
I will work with your budget – I will show you all options – but I will not lead you down a path that will end on a questionable or bad note.
Please call me – our consultations and quotes are FREE – I can make this easy for you to understand.

Happy Holidays!

Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, Healthcare updates

Sears Insurance would like to thank you, each and every one of you, for your continued business and friendship. I have been helping families and businesses for 36 years and I could not have done it without you! As we near the end of 2014 it is time to give back to our family, friends, neighbors and the many individuals and businesses that we so truly depend on daily and throughout the year. We especially thank our soldiers and their families for the sacrifices that they consistently make for us.

In an effort to continue to strive to show appreciation to others, we must at some point put ourselves (our health) first. Without our health the rest of life and things take on a different meaning. An easy way to start the good intentions would be to log onto www.myWellmark.com. You can have all your health and benefits information at your fingertips. There is a personalized online health and wellness experience waiting for you. There is a wellness assessment, health, fitness and nutritional information, health trackers and tools…all Free! This is a very important tool if you are traveling or if you have a college student living other than home. Please check it out.

As we progress through each year of the Affordable Care Act, there are more questions, more regulations, more tax, and more confusion. On a State level, we have been challenged by Governor Branstad to be the healthiest state in the nation by 2016. “According to the 2013 Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index, Iowa is #10 in the nation when it comes to being physically, emotionally and mentally healthy. Though cracking the top 10 is a great improvement from the #19 positon we held when the Initiative was announced, we know we can claim #1 spot by 2016. It’s ambitious, but with your help, we can change Iowa and show the rest of the nation the road to wellness. Take the pledge to create a healthier, happier Iowa today! http://iowahealthieststate.com” To help accomplish this goal Wellmark has sponsored the Blue Zones Project. This project is a community by community well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to the environment, policy, and social networks. Please visit www.Wellmark.com to learn more.

I am pleased to share Wellmark’s new Blue Rewards plan starting January 2015. You can be rewarded for healthier choices with this collaboration between Wellmark, UnityPoint and Hy-Vee. Please call me for details!

If you have been wondering how the Affordable Care Act will affect you, I have a very user friendly timeline on my website. If you visit www.searsinsurance.info you will find newsletters and blogs with current information from well-respected sources for your reference. The timeline is easy to find at http://searsinsurance.info/2012/01/lets-look-at-2012-and-health-care/ I encourage you to educate yourself. If you are a business owner, you will want to know that Department of Labor and the IRS are both involved with the healthcare issues. Again, there is a lot of information out there…and it’s free…but what you need is an independent agent with experience and knowledge to assist you with your choices. There are many plans to suit your needs and your budget. When you are ready to enroll will provide you with personalized counseling and advice. Please give us a call.

Sears Insurance appreciates your friendship, your business and your referrals. Have a very safe and happy holiday season!

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