|
Quick Links
Abbott, Harris and Perrelli
8625 E 116th St
317.595.0665
Fishers, IN 46038
Tony Abbott tabbott@ahplegal.com
Edward Harris eharris@ahplegal.com
Claire Ty clairety@ahplegal.com
All About Home Inspection LLC
John Lee, CHI
317.546.4616
allabthi@sbcglobal.net
Anytime Fitness
Geoff Heisey
9653 Olio Rd
317.336.5500
McCordsville, IN 46055
geistin@anytimefitness.com
DSR Management Solutions
Cell Phone Charges Recovery
Dee Applin
10667 Tarragon Ct
317.595.0658
Fishers, In 46038
dapplin@dsrresults.com
Kirk Realty Group
11650 Lantern Rd Ste 127
317.842.4191
Fishers, IN 46038
ShannonWright shannon@kirkrealtygroup.com
Russ Kirk russ@kirkrealtygroup.com
Kristie Kreations Custom Embroidery
Fishers, IN 46038
317.570.9355
krisite@krisitieskreations.us
Irwin Union Bank
Mark Clark, AVP
805 W. Carmel Dr.
317.575.8033
Carmel, IN 46032
mark.clark@irwinunion.com
Mathias Counseling and Consulting
Carlabeth E. Mathias, ICSW, LMHC, MS
11650 Lantern Rd
317.578.2141
Fishers, IN 46038
mathiascounseling@insightbb.com
McCarley Chiropractic A Creating Wellness Center
Dr. Brian McCarley
255 S 10th St
317.565.1726
Noblesville, IN
drbrian@mccarleychiropractic.com
Meridian Film Corporation
William Tobias
9910 Gulfstream Ct
317.585.1410
Fishers, IN 46037 bill@meridianfilm.com
Quantum Retirement Consultants
Vince Catania, CFP, CDP, MBA
8395 Keystone Crossing Ste 300
317.472.9336
Indianapolis, IN 46240
vince.catania@lpl.com
Sign-A-Rama
Barbi Garden, Manager
Mike Adams, Sales
7866 E 96th St
317-841-3524
Fishers, IN 46037
sales@signaramafishers.com
Sherpa Financial Group
Fitzgerald Charlier, CFP, CRFA, RFC
11650 Lantern Rd Ste 116
317.913.3365
Fishers, IN 46038
fito@sherpafg.com
Talent Auto Body Shop
Randy Vondersaar
7690 E 236th St Cicero, IN 46034
317.984.4576
swanvomdersaar@aol.com
The Neighborhood Source
Wesley Duke Sapp
7920 Georgetown Rd Ste 500
317.877.0806
Indianapolis, In 46268
wsapp@groupone.cc
Toupes General Repair Service
Mike Touponce, Sr
333 Polar Dr 317.877.0806
Noblesville, IN 46062
toupes919@msn.com
|
 |
| Featured Article |
 |
|
Here are some tips for the summer activities we all enjoy.
Tips on Managing the Heat
The risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke rises along with the temperature and humidity. Heat illnesses occur when the body's cooling mechanism becomes overloaded. When the heat starts to rise - slow down. Regardless of your activity level, drink more fluids - your body needs water to prevent dehydration during warm summer days. Stay away from liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. Stay indoors or in shaded locations; wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; and limit your outdoor activity to morning or evening hours when it is cooler outside.
Signals of Heat Emergencies
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop well after dehydration occurs. Those most prone to heat exhaustion include the elderly, those with high blood pressure, and children. Some symptoms of heat exhaustion include: cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; muscle cramps; heavy perspiring; nausea and sometimes vomiting; weakness; dizziness; dry mouth; and a headache.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. It occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. Heat stroke can occur within 10-15 minutes of the first symptoms. Signs of heat stroke include: very high body temperature (above 103 degrees); hot, dry, red skin; no sweating; nausea; dizziness; confusion, disorientation, hallucinations; or loss of consciousness.
Treatment of Heat Emergencies
If you feel you are suffering from heat exhaustion, it is important to get out of the sun and into a cool place; loosen clothing; drink water/fluids (be sure to avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages); take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath; and rest.
Heat Stroke is a medical emergency - have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Get the person to a shaded area; cool him/her rapidly using whatever methods you can (immerse in a tub of cool water, place in a cold shower, spray with cool water from a garden hose); do not give fluids; if convulsions occur, keep the victim from injuring himself; call the hospital emergency room for further instructions if medical assistance is delayed in responding.
Healthy Swimming
Summer time means fun in the sun, and plenty of fun and games in the water - but did you know that germs could contaminate swimming water? Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are spread by swimming in contaminated recreational waters such as: pools, water parks, lakes, and the ocean. Germs causing RWIs can be killed by chlorine, but it doesn't work right away. It takes time to kill germs, and some are resistant to chlorine and can live in pools for days. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself and your family from RWIs.
Swimmer's Ear
"Swimmer's Ear" is an infection of the ear and/or outer ear canal, which can cause the ear to itch or become red and inflamed. More common in children and young adults, movement or touching the ear can be extremely painful. Reduce your risk of getting Swimmer's Ear:
Dry your ears after swimming.
Check with the pool staff about the chlorine and pH-testing program at the pool. Those with good control are unlikely to spread Swimmer's Ear.
Avoid swimming in locations that may have been closed because of pollution.
Avoid putting objects (e.g. fingers, cotton swabs) in your ear that may scratch the ear canal and provide a site for infection.
Swimmer's Ear can be treated with antibiotic eardrops - contact your doctor if you think you might have Swimmer's Ear.
Swimmer's Itch
"Swimmer's Itch" is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to infection caused by certain parasites found in contaminated salt or fresh water. You may experience tingling, burning, or itching of the skin. Small reddish pimples may later occur and could develop into blisters. Swimmer's itch cannot be spread from person-to-person, and most cases do not require medical attention. If you have a rash - try not to scratch as this may cause the rash to become infected. You may try the following for relief:
Cool compresses
Anti-itch lotion; calamine lotion
Corticosteroid cream
Apply a baking soda paste to the rash
Children are more likely to be affected because they swim, wade, and play in the shallow water (where the parasites are most often found) more than adults, and they do not towel dry themselves when leaving the water. To reduce the risk of swimmer's itch:
Avoid swimming in areas where swimmer's itch is a known problem.
Do not attract birds by feeding them in areas where people are swimming.
Avoid swimming near or wading in marshy areas where snails are commonly found.
Towel dry or shower immediately after leaving the water.
Information provided by Federal Citizen Information Center
Pueblo, CO
|
|
|
Greetings!
Our agency is now global in health insurance! read more about our new plans below. Also, we have some sumemr tips regarding outdoor activities you might find useful and much more. And if you have need for any services, we have our quick links to our friends. May you enjoy this month of July to the fullest!
John Stewart, MSM, CDHP |
 |
We now are global with health insurance. |
 .
Stewart's Insurance Depot is now an agent for IMG through our affiliation with Assurant Health. IMG is a global health insurance company which has built its business on the international business and personal traveler. If one has the unfortunate situation of becoming ill overseas where can they get reliable care? IMG has international physician and provider networks which met their standards of care and safety. These new products are available for:
- Students
- Short or long stay periods
- Business people frequently traveling or living overseas
- Retirement people having a home outside the US
- Vacationers
- Non US citizens who want health coverage for themselves or family here or world wide.
Contact us for rates and plan types available. We can email you the information. Contact John Stewart at stewartsinsure@yahoo.com |
Most Baby Boomers are Financially Unprepared for a Potential Disability
Articel from America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) website.
Most baby boomers say they are financially unprepared for a potential disability, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Baby boomers would have difficulty paying bills and many would have to tap into their retirement savings if a disability occurred.
"Baby boomers have too much debt and not enough savings to weather even a short-term disability," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP.
The survey assessed how financially prepared baby boomers are if the primary wage earner in their household became disabled and was unable to work for an extended period of time. Most baby boomers (55 percent) say they are not at all or somewhat unprepared. Only 15 percent say they are very or extremely prepared if a disability occurred.
Baby boomers were also asked how long they could go without their primary wage earner's income before they had difficulty paying all their bills. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) would have difficulty within the first year, half (49 percent) would have difficulty in the first six months, and a third (33 percent) would have difficulty paying all their bills in just the first three months. Most baby boomers said they would have difficulty making their mortgage payments, car payments, credit card payments, and/or supporting dependents within the first year.
Almost a third (32 percent) of baby boomers say they would have to tap into their retirement savings if the primary wage earner in their household became disabled. Seventeen percent admit they do not have a retirement savings to draw upon.
Most baby boomers also admit having a significant amount of non-mortgage debt, including credit cards debt and auto or education loans. More than half of boomers (52 percent) have more than five thousand dollars in non-mortgage debt. A quarter (25 percent) of boomers have more than twenty thousand dollars in debt and nine percent have debt of more than fifty thousand dollars.
"Most baby boomers will face serious financial hardship if a disability occurs," said Humphrey Taylor, Chairman of the Harris Poll.
Please call me, I have solutions for short and long-term disability and long-term care insurance.
| |
|
Consumers key to healthcare revolution, says Steve Case
Healthcare IT News
By Bernie Monegain, Editor ...story...
ORLANDO, FL -
Revolution Health CEO Steve Case predicts that consumers will shake their concerns over the security of electronic health records just as they have with online financial transactions. Patient control of the data is critical to consumer confidence, he says.
Case, the co-founder of America Online who is now banking on a revolution in American healthcare with his new Web-based enterprise called Revolution Health, addressed an audience of hundreds at the Medco Health Solutions 2008 Drug Trend "Predictions" Symposium here.
"Consumers must be in control of the electronic health record, as there is far too much focus on who possesses the electronic storage cabinet," Case said.
In addition, consumers want to maintain their trusted relationships with their doctors, he said. "One of the most sacred relationships is between physicians and patients," he said. "We need to get the system out of the way."
ORLANDO, FL - Revolution Health CEO Steve Case predicts that consumers will shake their concerns over the security of electronic health records just as they have with online financial transactions. Patient control of the data is critical to consumer confidence, he says.
Case, the co-founder of America Online who is now banking on a revolution in American healthcare with his new Web-based enterprise called Revolution Health, addressed an audience of hundreds at the Medco Health Solutions 2008 Drug Trend "Predictions" Symposium here.
"Consumers must be in control of the electronic health record, as there is far too much focus on who possesses the electronic storage cabinet," Case said.
In addition, consumers want to maintain their trusted relationships with their doctors, he said. "One of the most sacred relationships is between physicians and patients," he said. "We need to get the system out of the way."
Case compared the skeptics of wired healthcare today with those who downplayed the development of the Internet in the mid 1980s. He argued that once a secure, ubiquitous system is in place, patients and payers alike would be drawn to the financial efficiencies and clinical benefits of connected care.
"The conventional wisdom 15-20 years ago was that consumers wouldn't want interactivity, and most people didn't believe in e-commerce, because they didn't think anyone would want to share their credit card information," said Case. "Turns out the key to uptake was interactivity and convenience. Not only did consumers share their credit card information, but they even allowed companies to store that information online and advise them on purchases based upon their personal purchasing habits."
In Case's view, empowering and engaging consumers to more actively manage their own care is key to accelerating technology uptake.
"It's crazy to think that consumers have exceptional tools to manage their financial portfolios and fantasy football teams, but lack valuable tools to effectively manage their healthcare," he said. "We need to get consumers much more engaged to be successful."
Do you agree with Steve Case that consumers are key to healthcare IT adoption? Tell us why or why not. E-mail: bernie.monegain@medtechpublishing.com.
| |
|
Annuity and suitability what is it and why? |
| John Stewart, MSM, CDHP
There have been several news stories and a few court cases over the years regarding annuities. Unfortunately in our point in time it is the sensationalism of the story or case which grabs the public's attention. So out of a few situations, the impression of annuities becomes one of trust. A major concept to remember is "an annuity is not right for everyone." Sometimes people get confused on what actually an annuity is and what it is not. That is where the insurance agent or broker must explain and provide illustrations when discussing an annuity with a client. Annuities can be of value for later use but if one needs immediate use ( say after the first year of the annuity) this product is usually not a good idea to have due to possible penalties as based on the contract design. Remember, annuities are design for long-term goals so that the funds in the annuuity can accumulate and have a long-term growth period. This is why the agent and insurance company go to great lengths to best determine if this product is right for the client.
The insurance industry must meet the requirements by each state's department of insurance before an annuity is allowed to be offered. Insurance agents and brokers are provided training as well as must meet the laws of the state(s) they are doing business in to offer an insurance company product. A major determining factor an agent or broker has to comply with is the "suitability of the product" to the client's goals and ability. The agent or broker needs to follow the insurance company's guidelines for soliciting and how to present annuity products to potential or existing clients.
What is suitability and why is it very important to the client and the insurance company and agent? We will be talking about suitability as it regards certificates of deposit (CDs), life insurance, traditional, fixed indexed and traditional fixed annuity conversion to another annuity. A major factor in determining suitability is the replacement of one type of product as mentioned previously with another. There are multiple aspects of the replacement of these mentioned types that suitability analysts review. If a client has short term CD(s), there must be a reason. If the client has a large sum CD why do they want to switch? If a client has a life insurance plan does it make sense to convert it to an annuity? The most important question is whether or not there is a "significant financial benefit" immediately and over the life of the contract for replacing the existing product with a new annuity. After the presentation and discussion with the client on the client's reasons or desires one of the major pieces of the application is the "suitability form." The agent or broker must submit this "suitability form" along with the application. This form helps determine if the annuity contract will be accepted by the insurance company or not based on the client's reasons and if the client has suitable resources beyond this applied for annuity.
"Significant financial benefit" is very high-level and subjective in evaluating the requested change using funds from one type of product to another. In order to make consistent comparisons between products, there are several factors to consider with the client.
- What is the rationale for this decision to purchase an annuity?
- How much of the client's capital is available for this product?
- Is there any advantage of converting a life insurance plan to an annuity?
- Where a client has a CD(s) and are short period is there a reason such as liquidity reasons?
- Coming out of a fixed index annuity, or traditional fixed annuity and which type is the client going into?
- Is there a surrender charge in moving the funds?
- If there is a charge, what is the amount and why is the client willing to accept that penalty? (*This is the client's own rationale for wanting to make the switch between products, and it is very important in helping a company determine whether or not it is comfortable with the replacement.)
- Does the current policy have to be annualized, and if so, what is the annuitization value?
- What guarantees does the existing annuity have and does the new one exceed those present?
- If it is a fixed annuity, what is the guaranteed interest rate?
- Is there an even better guarantee if the client utilizes the annuity for income?
These are some of the most common and important questions asked by suitability review committees regarding replacing annuities. Certain carriers may have additional questions they like to have answered in order to find out what a client's goals and objectives are for their decision. This process allows them to determine if the product the client wants to purchase is actually going to give them a "significant financial advantage" in accomplishing their goals, thus providing a win-win-win situation for the client and the insurance company offering the annuity.
For additional reading, the NAIC has a free brochure "A Buyers Guide to Annuities" available.
|
|
|
Feds Plan Five-Star Rating System for Nursing Homes
Detroit News
June 19, 2008
The U.S. has five-star rankings for restaurants and hotels. So why not five-star rankings for nursing homes?
The Bush administration announced Wednesday that it will put in place such a rating system by the end of the year. It's designed to give consumers another tool to consider when shopping for a nursing home. The ratings would be placed on a government Web site.
"The fact a home has a lower rating will likely put them on the path to improvement," said Kerry Weems, acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "I don't think we're going to see many people who are very anxious to put a loved one in a one-star home."
The agency said it would seek comment from the industry and consumers to determine the criteria for the rankings.
In announcing their intentions, federal officials also unveiled a final rule that would require all nursing homes to have in place sprinkler systems by 2013. Homes that fail to have the sprinkler systems could not serve Medicare participants.
Newer nursing homes all have sprinkler systems, but many older homes do not. Overall, the government estimates that about one out of every 10 of the nation's 1,600 nursing homes do not have sprinkler systems.
| |
I know talking insurance is just about as much fun as going to the dentist with a major tooth ache. But, both are essential. Don't put off getting insurance today. The benefits of insurance far out weigh the costs when needed. Have a requirement for any of our products? We are available Monday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM for your convenience. You can call us locally in Metro Indy 570.1271 or toll free 866.203.5097, visit our website at www.stewartsinsuredepot.com
Sincerely,
John
John Stewart, MSM, CDHP
Stewart's Insurance Depot |
|
|
