Individual Health & Medicare Newsletter 

In This Issue
Individual Health News
Medicare News
HORAN Spotlight - Long Term Care
 
 

Sales Assistant

 

Kim Jalovec, Sales Assistant, achieves personal sales goals through her role as an individual health sales representative. She performs administrative and office support activities to enhance the individual health insurance department sales. In addition, she provides problem solving and troubleshooting, including billing and claim resolution for clients.

 

[email protected]

CONNECT 

 
 
 
 
  


Social Security Begins New Office Hours

 

Starting Wednesday, January 2, 2013, Social Security field offices nationwide will close to the public at noon every Wednesday. In addition, effective November 19, 2012, Social Security offices nationwide began closing to the public 30 minutes early each day. For example, a field office that used to be open to the public Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. now closes daily at 3 p.m. That includes the five in metro-Cincinnati and the Florence, Ky., office.

 
Health Tidbits

 

 

January

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Learn more here.

 

  

 February

 AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month 

Learn more here.

 

 

February 1 

National Wear Red Day 

 Learn more here.

 

 

March 

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Learn more here.

  

  March 26

American Diabetes Alert Day
 Learn more here. 

 

 

 

Individual Health & Medicare

First Quarter Newsletter 2013

 
Greetings!
 

As we start the new year with much enthusiasm, there are also many questions that need to be answered regarding Medicare and individual health going forward. Our goal in 2013 is to keep you, our valued clients, informed so you can make educated decisions with your health care and to protect your financial future. We thank you for your continued business and look forward to a healthy 2013.

 

From our team to yours, Happy New Year!

 

Chris Mihin, CBC

Account Executive

 

Individual Health

 
Update on Health Care Reform: Many Changes are Already Here, Though Major Ones Come in 2014

The Affordable Care Act started changing the country's health care system almost from the moment it was signed into law in March 2010. It has already expanded coverage of young adults by allowing them to stay on their parents' plans until they turn 26, outlawed lifetime limits on what insurance will cover, lowered the cost of drugs for seniors on Medicare, caused premium rebates totaling some $1.1 billion for up to 12 million consumers, and expanded access to free preventive care for patients of all ages. Last summer, it survived a challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

But all that is prelude to the transformation coming in 2014, when almost all Americans will have access to affordable health insurance that covers essential care.

 

Click here to read more about the health care reform changes coming in 2014.
 

Don't Let the Flu Catch You!
     

The best thing you can do to escape the flu is to get flu shots for yourself and for your loved ones. The flu vaccine protects you from the three viruses that research suggests will be the most common.

Click here
to read more about the best ways to avoid getting the flu this season.  

Medicare News

  

Medicare: The Past and Present of the Government Insurance Program

 

Medicare is a government insurance program that covers Americans who are 65 and older. When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill creating Medicare on July 30, 1965, only half of America's elderly had any health insurance. Today, those 65 and older represent the only age group in America with virtually universal coverage.

 

Initially decried by its opponents as socialized medicine, Medicare has become one of the government's most popular programs - and one of its costliest.

 

Click here to read more.   

 

New Billing Process for Anthem Clients

  

Individual members now only have monthly premium billing option

 

All Individual under 65 members who currently pay their premiums on other than a monthly basis (quarterly, semi-annually or annually where available) will be changed to monthly billing. This applies to existing and new members with medical coverage. It also applies to life and/or dental coverage with the exception of Dental Smart Access in Ohio and Dental Prime in Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana.

 

Existing members
Over the next several months, these members will be sent a letter advising that their billing cycle will be changed to monthly. If a member already paid more than a month's worth of premiums on their plan, that premium will be applied to future bills. If a member already paid their premiums beyond December 31, 2013, they'll be sent a refund for the portion paid for 2014.

 

New applicants/members
Since our paper and online applications are not changing immediately, our Enrollment Specialists are monitoring all incoming applications. If an applicant elects to pay their premiums on a cycle other than monthly, we will change it to monthly and send them the above letter to notify them about the change to monthly billing. 
The letter will also include a form giving both existing and new members the opportunity to sign up for our convenient Automatic Payment withdrawal options. This option simplifies the payment process, helps prevent lapses in coverage and assists in your retention efforts.

 

HORAN Spotlight - Long Term Care

 

The Facts You Need to Know About Long Term Care

 

Denny Nead, Sales Associate, specializes in Long Term Care, individual life and disability insurance for individuals and small businesses. As a Chartered Life Underwriter, Denny provides peace of mind and protection against the loss of assets from an unexpected health issue.

 

With industry experience since 1963, Denny has a wealth of knowledge and life experience. Denny regularly holds seminars on Long Term Care insurance to discuss the pros and cons of Long Term Care and why it is the largest unfunded liability in our society.

 

  • Close to 70% of all Americans, over the age of 65, will require long term care at some point in their lives.  
  • With Americans living longer, they are increasingly experiencing chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These ailments eventually require professional caregivers working within professional facilities to take care of them.   
  • Many Americans mistakenly believe that Medicare will cover the cost of long term care. Medicare typically covers nursing home costs for a  brief period following a hospital stay to recuperate from a serious illness or injury.       
  • For those who qualify, Medicaid will provide financial help to those requiring long term care. To qualify, you must prove you have been reduced to the poverty level.    
  • Family members constitute the vast majority of caregivers. A significant portion of family member caregivers will either cut back on their work hours or quit work in order to provide care.       
  • The estimated annual cost of a stay at a full care facility in 2012 is over $100,000. During the past 10 years, long term care costs have increased an average of 5.0% per year.      
  • A prolonged illness, requiring long term care, can have a profound financial impact on an estate. Proper planning can help minimize the chances of a potential "asset meltdown" due to the costs associated with providing long term care.         
  • Peace of mind and preservation of assets are the rewards of long term care.
Click here to learn more about long term care. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Chris Mihin, Kim Jalovec, Sherry Weaver and the Individual Health and Medicare Team

 

 

HORAN HWL