News Articles
Register Bikes for Free
The Lincoln Police Department receives bicycles that have been found on a daily basis with no means to return them to their rightful owners.
In an effort to gain cooperation from the community to register bicycles, Chapter 10.76 of the Lincoln Municipal Code was recently revised making bicycle registration a no-cost service to the community.
Beginning immediately, the Lincoln Police Department will begin registering bicycles at community events and at the police department during regular business hours.
Your bicycle registration information will be kept on file at the police department. In the event your bicycle is lost or stolen, the police department will have the means to identify and return bicycles to their owners.
For more information on the Lincoln Police Department Bicycle Registration Program, call Community Programs Coordinator Kimberly Wiley at (916) 645-4040.
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Some Contrarian Ideas About Health Reform
Dec 10: Presidential candidates from both parties are braking up the wrong tree when they suggest we can reform the nation’s health system by increasing the number of Americans with insurance.
They seem to equate an insured population with a healthy one that receives good and appropriate medical care when it is needed. That ain’t necessarily so.
Many Americans who fail to exercise and eat right and avoid tests such as mammograms and colonoscopies have insurance.
Research showing that patients (about 16 percent of whom are uninsured) receive optimal care only about half the time, suggesting that many insured patients aren’t getting exactly what they need. Getting everyone insured may be a dream that’s both misguided and unattainable.
Every state now requires that everyone with a driver’s license, which, in an ideal world, would include every driver, have auto insurance, but the Insurance Research Council concludes that about 15 percent of drivers are uninsured.
In other words, the percentage of drivers who are uninsured (estimated by the IRC at 14.6 percent in 2004) despite laws mandating coverage is roughly the same as the percentage lacking health insurance (which the Bureau of the Census put at 15.8 percent in 2006).
Often they’re probably the same people. Intriguingly, the Internal Revenue Services assumes that unpaid taxes hover around this order of magnitude as well. There seems to be a pattern getting most people to follow the rules is doable, but reaching that last 15 percent is one tough, and perhaps impossible, task.
Many of those uninsured cannot afford coverage, but this isn’t simply a financial problem. Nearly every American child who lacks insurance is eligible for free coverage, yet hundreds of thousands are not yet enrolled. Whatever their reasons, significant numbers of people elect to remain outside the system.
The idea of mandating insurance coverage, which has bipartisan support, is simultaneously radical by American standards and inadequate to solve many of our problems. It promises to be both disruptive and ineffective.
Wedding Insurance
Weddings are joyous events that can be marred by unexpected events or unfulfilled commitments. Part of any good wedding preparation is to plan for the unexpected. What happens if a vendor goes out of business before your wedding? What happens if the bride, groom, or parents of the bridal couple can’t get to the wedding site due to weather or transportation shutdown? What if the wedding dress is damaged or the wedding rings are lost? What if you are required to show more liability coverage than you already have? What if the photos are ruined?
Travelers Insurance has just introduced Wedding Protection Insurance. This policy covers all these potential problems, as well as a myriad of others. Starting at less than $200, you can work into your wedding plan a way to recoup lost expenses incurred by having to postpone or cancel a wedding. With the average cost of a wedding at $27,000, both wedding planners and couples should make sure the event has the insurance protection that is needed.
Drugs Work as Well as Angioplasties
More than half a million people a year with chest pain are getting an unnecessary procedure to unclog their arteries because drugs are just as effective, suggests a study that challenges one common practice in heart care. The stunning results found that angioplasty did not save lives or prevent heart attacks in non-emergency heart patients. An even bigger surprise: Angioplasty gave only slight and temporary relief from chest pain, the main reason it is done.
Dr. William Boden of Buffalo General Hospital in New York led the study. Angioplasty remains the top treatment for people having a heart attack or hospitalized with worsening symptoms. But most angioplasties are done on a non-emergency basis. According to the study, those patients should try drugs first. Then, if that doesn’t help, they can consider angioplasty. Why do angioplasty not help more? It fixes only one blockage at a time whereas drugs affect all the arteries, experts said. The new study shifts the argument from which type of stent to use to whether to do the procedure at all.
In the study, only one-third of the people treated with drugs ultimately needed angioplasty. “You are not putting yourself at risk of death or heart attack if you defer,” and considering the safety worries about heart stents, it may be wise to wait, said Dr. Steven Nissen, a Cleveland Clinic Heart specialist and president of the College of Cardiology. Angioplasty already has lost some popularity because of emerging evidence that popular drug-coated stents can raise the risk of blood clots months later.
“We deliberately chose to enroll a sicker, more symptomatic group” to give angioplasty a good chance to prove itself, Boden said. All were counseled on healthy lifestyles, and half were assigned to get angioplasty. After three years about 70% of each group was free of chest pain. After four and half years, 19% in each group had died or had a heart attack. Neither treatment proved better for subgroups like smokers, diabetics, or older, sicker people. After five years, about 73% of each group was free from chest pain.
The new study should lead to changes in the treatment of patients with stable coronary artery disease, with expected substantial health care savings. Angioplasty costs $30,000 to $40,000. The drugs used in the study are almost all available in generic form. Dr. Maron said people should give the drugs a chance. “Often I think that patients are under the impression that unless they have an angioplasty done, they’re not getting the best of care and are at increased risk of having a heart attack and die,” he said. The study shows that is not true.
Sole Proprietors
DID YOU KNOW…
…you may qualify to be a guaranteed issue “Group of One” for health insurance? You are if you are self employed and can prove you have been in business for at least a year. Also, your last Schedule C must show that your company had receipts of at least $40,000.
If you live in the Sacramento Valley area and have health reasons why you can’t qualify for health insurance in the private market, we may be able to help you get a quality HMO plan at an affordable rate.
Please call (916) 645-7816 and ask for agent Patty Feathers at extension 203 to discuss rates, benefits, and eligibility for this plan.
Motorized Toys
Christmas is right around the corner and there are a few insurance concerns to consider as “Santa” packs his big, red bag.
If a motorized toy is on your list, it is as important to know that many Homeowner Insurance carriers want to have little exposure to the liability risk for “toys”, such as motorized skateboards, quads, scooters, and dirt bikes. To be fully covered, you should get a Recreational Vehicle policy, which can run $250-$350 a year.
On the other hand, less-powerful “toys”, such as child-sized Barbie cars and GI Joe Jeeps, are covered under the liability for standard homeowners policies, but carriers are very specific about the circumstances:
- The vehicle that caused the damage or injury must be owned by the insured
- The damage or injury occurred must be on the insured premises
So, if your child injures a pedestrian while using their own motorized toy in a public place, there is typically no coverage under a standard homeowners policy. Good news is that most of our preferred carriers will automatically extend liability coverage (the exception, unfortunately, is Travelers, who has no coverage off premises.) If your home is written with a non-preferred carrier, though, you might have no coverage available.
Are we saying it’s a bad idea to get one of these toys? No!! We just want you to be aware if you own or plan to own on of the smaller/slower toys (under 10 miles/hour). To be covered for theft and/or repair, these toys need to be declared as Scheduled Property on your homeowners by showing a copy of the receipt. Owners of the more powerful dirt bikes and quads should call in with the horsepower and VIN for each one.
What can happen if you do not have the right coverage and a claim occurs? Your insurance company may deny the claim and you would be responsible for the cost of all repairs and bills. They can and probably will, cancel or non-renew your homeowners policy. And this kind of activity on your insurance record will make it hard to get a good price for a replacement policy.
So make your list – check it twice – and call your agent soon to add the toy to your policy (they’ll keep it secret) or call in January to let them know what Santa left under the tree!
As I See It
HSAs Launch a Consumer Revolution
by Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI)
Health Insurance Underwriter
The skyrocketing cost of health insurance is the biggest domestic crisis facing us. It affects our jobs, our economy and our families' way of life. That's why I worked to pass Health Savings Accounts into law. Today, HSAs are already providing more Americans with access to affordable health care.
Critics claimed HSAs would appeal only to the young, healthy and wealthy. But, so far, the demographics of those opting for HSAs tell a different story. The average HSA owner is 40 years old with one or more children. Forty percent of all HSA purchasers have incomes below $50,000, and more than one-third of HSA purchasers were previously uninsured. And 18% of all HSA purchasers have at least one pre-existing health condition.
When HSAs took effect on January 1, 2004, consumers were ready. Since their introduction, well over a million individuals and thousands of small businesses have found relief from soaring health care costs through these tax-free savings accounts. These accounts, which were a key component of the new Medicare law, are a landmark victory on the road to consumer-driven health care.
Americans spend $1.7 trillion annually on health care. That money is primarily spent by large employers through full-coverage health insurance plans. HSAs have been able to redirect control of health care dollars to individuals. Even if a business contributes to an employee's HSA, the individual makes the decision about how and where to spend that money. The accounts have empowered patients to be more cost-conscious and judicious in their use of medical services, thus helping to reign in out-of-control health care costs. Furthermore, HSAs create a new dynamic in which health care providers compete to earn individuals' business.
Many Americans are already finding that HSAs help them afford quality coverage for themselves, their families and - in the case of small-business owners - their employees. There are, however, ways to expand on this progress and broaden HSAs' reach.
Specifically, I support allowing an individual who purchases a high-deductible health plan combined with an HSA to deduct from his or her taxable income the amount of the premium. Tax credits should also be offered to small businesses that contribute to their employees' Health Savings Accounts. Moreover, Congress ought to assist low-income individuals by providing a tax credit for the purchase of health insurance. Finally, we must find ways to make HSAs more accessible in the large-employer market.
When it comes to the success of the consumer revolution, information is power. Price transparency and quality information are the keys to a successful transition to a consumer-based health care system and, ultimately, will bring down the cost of quality health care. Health care providers must concentrate on publishing price and quality data that allows patients to make better-informed decisions about the health care they receive. Through price transparency and improved quality information, we will promote healthy competition within the medical community, which will ultimately lead to better-quality health care for patients.
The next challenge for consumer-driven health care is to introduce price transparency in the health care market. HSAs can be doubly effective if consumers are fully aware what doctors and hospitals in their area charge for various medical procedures.
Though still in their infancy, HSAs' potential impact is clear. The numbers show that Americans are ready to regain control of managing their health care. Of the many reasons that health care costs escalate annually, the fact that consumers have been left on the sidelines while insurance companies and providers direct health care trends has been a driving force.
As HSAs give choices and influence back to individuals, it is only a matter of time before they begin - loudly - demanding price and quality data to make informed decisions. When Americans begin acting like true consumers, it will transform the health care landscape to improve quality, access and affordability. The early findings on how HSAs are performing in the marketplace are the first signs that this consumer revolution is on track.
Teen Insurance Woes
by Ann Job
MSN.com
Teens can't wait to get behind the wheel, but young, inexperienced drivers face some of the biggest auto insurance premiums. Almost without fail, a teenage driver will add significant cost to the family auto insurance. Here are some tips:
Expect Higher Premiums
Statisticly, young and inexperienced drivers account for 3 times the amount of fatal crashes and a disproportionate amount of all accidents.
Get a Dealer Quote
Then, take a few of the quotes to your insurance agent and find out how those particular vehicles will affect your premiums.
Check out Alternatives
In some cases, a teen owning an old clunker and getting their own insurance can be more cost effective. The trade-off is the old clunker might not be as safe a car, so parents will need to evaluate their youth's driving skills.
Money Saving Strategies
Qualify for as many discounts as possible - Good Student, Defensive Driving Classes, and making your teen an "occasional" driver will all help reduce premiums.
Limit Problems
If you think insurance costs are high when your teen starts driving, just wait and see how quickly they climb if your teen starts to collect tickets or gets into crashes. Prevent this by convincing your teen of the need to behave responsibly and have consequences if they don't. Limiting the kinds and numbers of friends who ride and imposing a curfew have shown to be very helpful the first few months your teen starts to drive.
Last Resort!
Don't let them drive, at least not until they're older! Good Luck with that One!!
America's Most Stolen Vehicles
by the Editors of MSN Autos
MSN.com
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released in February 2005 the top 6 most stolen vehicles in during the 2003 calendar year. They are the 2000 Honda Civic, the 1989 Toyota Camry, the 1991 Honda Accord, the 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup, the 1994 Dodge Caravan, and the 1997 Ford F-150.
The NICB recommends following a "layered approach" to make cars less attractive to thieves. The four layers are:
- Common Sense - Lock your doors and take the keys.
- Warning Device - install an alarm or other warning device.
- Immobilizing Device - If you want to, you can go a little more sophisticated and install a fuel cutoff or a smart key that prevents the car from being driven.
- Tracking Device - the most expensive, but most efficient deterrent is the use of a tracking device, such as LoJack.
There are many reasons that thieves prefer some vehicles over others, but data suggests some cars are stolen for the value of their parts, which may explain why the same make and model are targeted in sequential years. And don't forget that vehicle thieves follow market trends and target the most popular vehicles because they provide the best market for stolen vehicle parts and illegal export to other countries.
San Diego Union-Tribune
About 6 million Californians now have one-stop access to an array of discounted or free medication provided by drug manufacturers. Rx Help for Californians, a new $10 million program sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry, debuted March 16, 2005. The service provides individuals with access to more than 350 discount and assistance programs and 2,300 medications.
"Most people don't know there are hundreds of drug company and government-sponsored programs that make it easier for people to get their prescription medications," California Medical Association chief executive Jack Lewin said in a statement. "Rx Help for Californians is a no-cost, one-stop service that provides this information."
The eligibility requirements vary by program - some target patients with specific diseases, others are designed for low-income individuals or the elderly. The average savings will vary depending on the individual.
The service is free and can be accessed on your computer at www.rxhelpforca.org or by phone at (877) 777-7815. Translators are available for about 16 languages. After answering several questions about such things as age, income and medications, patients will find out what programs best meet their needs.
The program also will provide information about enrolling in government assistance programs such as Medi-Cal, Medicare and Healthy Families. More than 60 patient and health-care advocacy organizations supported the program.
Tips for Keeping Your Home Protected
By Kristin Davis, Kimberly Lankford, and Elizabeth Razzi
Reader's Digest, January 2005
- Increase your deductible: going from $250 to $2,500 can drop a premium by 30%
- Never submit claims less than $1,000
- Check your Credit and CLUE reports and correct errors
- Keep a record of all claims
- Stay with a Carrier: Don't switch carriers just to save a few bucks. Chances are, at renewal (or even before) your policy will go up to match or surpass the original.
- If you do decide to switch, keep the old one until you are locked into the new one. At first glance a new carrier sounds great, but they might end up charging more for a claim than who you had originally, or their underwriting department might decline coverage altogether.
Water Claims are the worst kind of claim you can make. They really stand out and just one can get your policy canceled, according to the California Department of Insurance. Insurance Carriers share information about claims thru a database called CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange), so no claim is secret. The biggest problem with a water claim is the potential for problems down the road with rot and mold.
One last note - many carriers have been underpricing home policies for years and are now playing catch-up and increasing their rates even when no claims have been made. If you had no claims and your policy increased, this might be the answer!
Embracing Opportunities & Challenges in 2005
by Ron Goldstein, CLU
Studies find that healthier, higher imcome imdividuals are more likely to enroll in a consumer-directed plan. The high-deductible, low-cost PPO products protect against major or catastrophic illness while giving individuals the tools to self-direct their own care as needed.
Comsumer-directed healthcare is a refreshing option for those who want hands-on involvement. Many feel that, if given the right informational tools, they are more suited to directing their healthcare than their employers. They also want to be able to choose the right doctor and benefit level.
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