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Dedicated Insurance Professionals you know and trust...like Family
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Issue No. 75
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November 25, 2014
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In a year that has been wrought with change and challenge, for TACT, the challenges have been turned into successes thanks to members and participants like you! You have focused on the future and you have focused on thriving! We are happy to help you do that by meeting your health insurance needs. TACT thanks you and is grateful.
You are a partner in health care decision making and you are partnered with a coverage provider that is thriving in the midst of change.
Now serving ALL of Texas Agriculture -
Contact us for more information
TACT - Dedicated Insurance Professionals
you know and trust...like Family.
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In the Spirit of
Thanks and Giving
In this season of Thanks and Giving, TACT recently received a testimonial of thanks. We wanted to take a moment to share with you. TACT - Dedicated Insurance Professionals you know and trust...like family. (please note, portions of the letter have been deleted to keep the identity anonymous)
I wanted to take time to say THANK YOU and compliment the work of Texas Ag Benefit Administrators during my recent medical ordeal. On September 8th I underwent surgery in Amarillo, after nearly a 6 month ordeal with what was diagnosed as an elevated PSA level. This was, by the way, detected during our [insurance provided] wellness screening back in April. It's enough for anyone to have to endure the potential nightmares that come along with such a diagnosis, but then having to deal with the numerous testing, exams etc. On top of that, the financial burdens that you're confronted with. Long story short, still mending from the procedure, the support I've received from within has been SUPERIOR!! First of all, with guidance from my employer, I was ab  le to negotiate with all of my medical entities (Dr.'s Office, Pathology, etc.) and reduce my balance by as much as 20% by offering to pay them in full with a credit card. The cafeteria plan, the company reimbursement once I met my out of pocket, and our "AWESOME" medical plan, were all HUGE for me!! Having to deal with this issue just by itself was enough! The added potential financial strain was seemingly as big of a stress factor as dealing with all the physical stuff. The fantastic support of TABA (I worked with Karen in Lubbock) exceeded beyond measure, anything I could have ever hoped for or expected. That group went far above the call of duty to help me in every way with questions, answers, follow ups and just super personal skills and treatment. What was an extremely stressful time for me was put to ease several times throughout the ordeal, by a friendly, helpful and sincere voice on the other end of the line. Thanks to everyone involved with my process along the way! I can't tell you how much our benefit package means to me.....US! You will never understand, until it's your turn, how much our insurance means! So in closing, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking care of us! As of this morning, ALL of my financial with this procedure has been settled! Ending with a $400.00 reimbursement that arrived in the mail yesterday!!
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Consumers Can Once Again Shop for Coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace
Courtesy HHS.gov
Starting November 15, consumers can sign up for 2015 health insurance plans through HealthCare.gov, the call center, or in-person assistance. With more issuers offering coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace this year, the consumers will find more options for themselves and their families.
"When Open Enrollment begins, consumers who are renewing their coverage or signing up for the first time will have an opportunity to obtain quality health coverage at a price they can afford," said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. "Whether consumers visit the simpler, faster and more intuitive HealthCare.gov or contact the call center, they're going to find more choices and competitive prices."
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a simpler way to purchase health insurance for Americans and their families. Consumers can go online to find and compare options, see if they qualify for lower costs, and select coverage that best meets their needs and budget. About 85 percent of those who signed up last year through the Marketplace received financial assistance. Coverage begins as early as January 1, 2015 for people enrolling by December 15, 2014.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is launching an education and outreach campaign in communities nationwide to drive both the uninsured and current enrollees to enroll in coverage or renew their coverage. Enrollment events will take place in local communities including in public libraries, churches, festivals, sports events, and community meetings.
"This day marks the beginning of an intense open enrollment and public education campaign for the Marketplace," said CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. "We want consumers to visit the Marketplace, compare their options, see if they qualify for lower costs, and reenroll or get new coverage that best meets their needs and budget."
CMS has worked to improve the consumer experience by making the application process easier. A window shopping tool allows consumers to answer a few simple questions, such as location and family size, in order to compare plans and get an estimate on how much financial assistance they may qualify for, without needing a log-in or submitting an application.
For most consumers who are renewing coverage, up to 90 percent of their application will be pre-filled based on last year's application. And a new streamlined application reduces the number of screens to 16 with fewer clicks to navigate through the questions for most consumers signing up for the first time. Last year, consumers went through 76 screens to sign up for coverage. This year, along with a simpler, faster application, consumers can shop and enroll on a smartphone, tablet, computer, or by calling the call center or with in-person assistance.
Secretary Burwell participated in an enrollment event at the Evergreen Health Center in Manassas, Virginia with local consumers and Certified Application Counselors who are helping consumers enroll.
Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace begins Nov. 15, 2014, and runs through Feb. 15, 2015. Consumers should visit HealthCare.gov to review and compare health plan options and find out if they are eligible for financial assistance, which can help pay monthly premiums and reduce out-of-pocket costs when receiving services. All consumers shopping for health insurance coverage for 2015- even those who currently have coverage through the Marketplace - should enroll or re-enroll between November 15 and December 15 in order to have coverage effective on Jan. 1, 2015.
A number of different resources are available to help consumers find Marketplace coverage. They can get more information through HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov. Consumers can find local help at:Localhelp.healthcare.gov or call the Federally-facilitated Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Assistance is available in 150 languages. The call is free.
The Marketplace includes a Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP), designed to give small businesses new health insurance options and a simpler way to cover their employees. The SHOP is available to small employers with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Starting November 15, 2014, the SHOP Marketplace will allow qualifying employers to find, compare, purchase, and enroll in 2015 SHOP health and dental coverage entirely online through HealthCare.gov. Employees will be able to view offers of insurance from their employer and enroll online through HealthCare.gov. Small businesses and their employees can get help from the toll-free SHOP Marketplace call center at 1-800-706-7893 or for TTY, call 711. The hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
Healthcare news such as this can be found on our Facebook Page!
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The Cost of Thanksgiving
Dinner Going Up
but not by much
Courtesy Salt Lake Tribune
Giving thanks will be a little costlier this year, but - and here's something you can be truly thankful for - it probably won't empty your wallet.
The price for putting Thanksgiving dinner on the table is expected to rise slightly this year, clocking in at $49.41. That's 37 cents higher than in 2013. For that, you can blame dairy products, coffee and that all-important marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole, according to the annual informal survey of consumer grocery prices performed by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The group found that the price of dairy - as in milk for the mashed potatoes and whipped cream for the pies - collectively jumped 25 cents over last year. Miscellaneous ingredients, such as coffee, sugar and eggs, account for another 28 cents, while 3 pounds of sweet potatoes jumped 20 cents.
The good news is that a drop in fuel prices won't just make it cheaper to drive to Grandma's house for the big meal, it also helped keep down the cost of some ingredients. Flour-based foods, such as stuffing mix, pie shells and dinner rolls, will run about 21 cents less than last year, likely due to energy cost savings by the processors, says John Anderson, the Farm Bureau's deputy chief economist.
The group estimates the cost of Thanksgiving dinner by averaging non-sale food prices around the country based on feeding 10 people a meal of turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk. And yes, their estimates account for needing leftovers.
And here's something to consider: Though this year's cost is up, it's still 7 cents lower than in 2012.
News earlier this week that turkey production is at its lowest level in nearly three decades and wholesale prices are at an all-time high briefly spooked some folks. But most consumers won't see that reflected on their grocery bills. Retailers aren't likely to pass on to consumer much if any price hike that they are paying for the big birds, and the Farm Bureau actually expects the cost of a 16-pound turkey to drop by 11 cents this year.
Of course, there are plenty of ways to spend more this Thanksgiving. Upgrade that 16-pound conventional bird to an organic, free-range model and suddenly the Farm Bureau's $21.65 estimate can jump to $100 or more at specialty online retailers. Not into baking? Instead of spending about $3 on a homemade pie, you can spend $25 or more on high-end mail order versions.
Or maybe you don't want to cook at all. A complete and fully cooked Thanksgiving dinner for 12 people from Whole Foods Market will cost around $170.
Then again, maybe you want to spend less. Shop smart at a bargain retailer and you could shave more than a third off the Farm Bureau's total. Using the same menu for 10 people, Wal-Mart estimates that shopping for Thanksgiving dinner at one of its stores will cost just $32.64.
But maybe you got off the hook this year and aren't hosting Thanksgiving. If instead of cooking you'll be traveling by car, you'll see savings at the pump. Gasoline is running about 33 cents less per gallon than it was a year ago, with a national average of $2.88, according to travel tracker AAA. And it doesn't matter where you're driving. Gas can be found for less than $3 a gallon in every state in the continental U.S.
Don't want to drive? If you're traveling by train, you'll pay a bit more. Amtrak says its ticket prices have increased an average of 2 percent over last year. Same goes for flying. The average price of an airline ticket for travel this Thanksgiving is $307.52, not including an average $51 in taxes and fees, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp., which processes ticket transactions for airlines and travel agencies. That's up 1.1 percent from last year.
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Ten Tips to Healthy
Holiday Eating
With the holiday season upon us, it is a time of gathering with  friends, colleagues and loved ones around holiday snacks and meals. To avoid the typical New Year Resolution of losing those holiday pounds, below are 10 healthy tips to holiday eating.
- Be realistic. Don't try to lose pounds during the holidays, instead try to maintain your current weight.
- Plan time for exercise. Exercise helps relieve holiday stressand prevent weight gain. A moderate and daily increase in exercise can help partially offset increased holiday eating. Try 10- or 15-minute brisk walks twice a day.
- Don't skip meals. Before leaving for a party, eat a light snack like raw vegetables or a piece of fruit to curb your appetite. You will be less tempted to over-indulge.
- Survey party buffets before filling your plate. Choose your favorite foods and skip your least favorite. Include vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced.
- Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Savor your favorite holiday treats while eating small portions. Sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy.
- Be careful with beverages. Alcohol can lessen inhibitions and induce overeating; non-alcoholic beverages can be full of calories and sugar.
- If you overeat at one meal go light on the next. It takes 500 calories per day (or 3,500 calories per week) above your normal/maintenance consumption to gain one pound. It is impossible to gain weight from one piece of pie!
- Take the focus off food. Turn candy and cookie making time into non-edible projects like making wreaths, dough art decorations or a gingerbread house. Plan group activities with family and friends that aren't all about food. Try serving a holiday meal to the community, playing games or going on a walking tour of decorated homes.
- Bring your own healthy dish to a holiday gathering.
- Practice Healthy Holiday Cooking. Preparing favorite dishes lower in fat and calories will help promote healthy holiday eating. Incorporate some of these simple-cooking tips in traditional holiday recipes to make them healthier.
- Gravy - Refrigerate the gravy to harden fat. Skim the fat off. This will save a whopping 56 gm of fat per cup.
- Dressing - Use a little less bread and add more onions, garlic, celery, and vegetables. Add fruits such as cranberries or apples. Moisten or flavor with low fat low sodium chicken or vegetable broth and applesauce.
- Turkey - Enjoy delicious, roasted turkey breast without the skin and save 11 grams of saturated fat per 3 oz serving.
- Green Bean Casserole - Cook fresh green beans with chucks of potatoes instead of cream soup. Top with almonds instead of fried onion rings.
- Mashed Potato - Use skim milk, chicken broth, garlic or garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese instead of whole milk and butter.
- Quick Holiday Nog - Four bananas, 1-1/2 cups skim milk or soymilk, 1-1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon rum extract, and ground nutmeg. Blend allingredients except nutmeg. Puree until smooth. Top with nutmeg.
- Desserts - Make a crustless pumpkin pie. Substitute two egg whites for each whole egg in baked recipes. Replace heavy cream with evaporated skim milk in cheesecakes and cream pies. Top cakes with fresh fruit, fruit sauce, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar instead of fattening frosting.
Enjoy the holidays, plan a time for activity, incorporate healthy recipes into your holiday meals, and don't restrict yourself from enjoying your favorite holiday foods. In the long run, your mind and body will thank you.
To read featured health news
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What You Should Know For the 2014-2015
Flu Season
 Courtesy CDC
What sort of flu season is expected this year?
It's not possible to predict what this flu season will be like. Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways. While flu spreads every year, the timing, severity, and length of the season usually varies from one season to another.
Will new flu viruses circulate this season?
Flu viruses are constantly changing so it's not unusual for new flu viruses to appear each year. For more information about how flu viruses change, visit How the Flu Virus Can Change.
When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?
The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. between December and February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.
What should I do to prepare for this flu season?
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the main flu viruses that research suggests will cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season. People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available, ideally by October, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins.
In addition to getting vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.
What should I do to protect my loved ones from flu this season?
Encourage your loved ones to get vaccinated as soon as vaccine becomes available in their communities, preferably by October. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk for serious flu complications, and their close contacts.
Children between 6 months and 8 years of age may need two doses of flu vaccine to be fully protected from flu. Your child's doctor or other health care professional can tell you whether your child needs two doses. Visit Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine for more information.
Children younger than 6 months are at higher risk of serious flu complications, but are too young to get a flu vaccine. Because of this, safeguarding them from flu is especially important. If you live with or care for an infant younger than 6 months of age, you should get a flu vaccine to help protect them from flu. See Advice for Caregivers of Young Children for more information.
In addition to getting vaccinated, you and your loved ones can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others.
Questions You May Have:
For answers to these and other questions, visit here.
To read featured health news
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Refer Us!
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Holiday Office Hours
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the TACT office will be closing at noon,
Wednesday, November 26.
The office will reopen Monday, December 1.
Kimberly Holcomb and Cisti Pinkert will be available via cell phone, should assistance be needed outside of these hours. TACT wishes you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful start to
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industry-related information.
Interact with us!
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Contact Us
Texas Ag Coop Trust
915 Austin Street
Levelland, TX 79336
806-747-7894
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Texas Ag Coop Trust
Officers, Board of Trustees
Kimberly Tullo-Holcomb
TACT Executive Director
Lubbock, TX
Jim Turner, Chairman
Dalhart Consumers Fuel Association
Dalhart, TX
Bret Brown, Secretary/Treasurer
Ag Producers Co-op
Sunray, TX
Ben Boerner
Texas Grain & Feed Assn.
Fort Worth, TX
Craig Rohrbach
Parmer County Cotton Growers
Farwell, TX
Dean Sasser
Farmers Coop Elevator
Levelland, TX
Tony Williams
Texas Cotton Ginners' Association
Austin, TX
Paul Wilson
United Cotton Growers
Levelland, TX
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Texas Ag Coop Trust
is endorsed by:
Texas Grain & Feed
Association
Texas Cotton Ginners Association
 Texas Coop Marketing Exchange
Texas Corn Producers
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American Diabetes Awareness Month
 Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. If it's not controlled, diabetes can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems.
One in 12 Americans has diabetes - that's more than 25 million people. And another 79 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The good news? People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes. These changes include: eating healthy, increasing physical activity, and losing weight.
How can American Diabetes Month make a difference?
We can use this month to raise awareness about diabetes risk factors and encourage people to make healthy changes.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Encourage people to make small changes, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Talk to people in your community about getting regular checkups. They can get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and ask the doctor about their diabetes risk.
- Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.
You are a partner in decision making and you are partnered with a thriving coverage provider.
Keeping YOU the priority. Keeping YOUR NEEDS in perspective.
With TACT, YOU are our business.
TACT - Dedicated Insurance Professionals
you know and trust...like Family.
Next Issue: December 9, 2014
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