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Issue No. 96
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September 15, 2015
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Personal health begins with you. Take steps to reduce your risk of disease and talk to your health care professional about your health concerns. Be an informed consumer, know your medical history, maintain a healthy lifestyle, schedule regular check ups and always ask for a full explanation when seeking medical assistance.
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. TACT encourages members to schedule annual screening in order to monitor current health and identify potential problems early.
You are a partner in health care decision making and you are partnered with a coverage provider that is thriving amidst pending change. For information on coverage or wellness screenings, feel free to contact us.
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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Customer Service for
TABA has a New Face
You have questions regarding a claim. You have questions regarding a provider. Something so simple has probably been daunting - until TABA! With all of your benefit needs under one roof, call one number and your questions will be answered right away...
Get to Know Bryan Scott!
Scott is new to the Texas Ag Benefit Administrators office in Amarillo, but is familiar with many of TACT's members, having previously worked for TACT's once third party provider that many will remember as Caprock.
"As part of the TACT team, I will be providing assistance with troubleshooting. Over the phone or out in the field, I can help with any need or question regarding providers or claims," Scott notes. Scott's work with TABA will also include handling in-network claims, documentation and negotiating for out-of-network claims.
TACT's recent move, bringing services in-house and becoming all-inclusive may be a new concept to members but the concept is completely familiar to Scott who has actually worked in the self-funded world for almost 20 years. "The goal with self-funding is to keep costs down," he notes. "And, TACT is doing just that!" Reducing overhead allows the company to give back to the members, but more, you will find that care is actually better because the claims/funding entity is part of the group. So, when that EOB arrives and the "explanation" needs explanation, or you have resolution issues with a provider, it's Scott who gladly accepts your call working to keep care in-network, keep deductibles in check and offer guidance toward processing claims. Service and return response are the most recognizable change members will find with TABA operating under the TACT umbrella. "With TABA, we are on the line with you, not an automated system," says Scott. "You are not lost in the mix of other participants." You know TACT and are now much more familiar with TABA. You have questions and we want to hear from you!
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US Surgeon General Launches Campaign With National Call to Action on Walking
Effort highlights health benefits of walking while addressing barriers to access
The United States Surgeon General issued a call to action to address major public health challenges such as heart disease and diabetes. Step It Up! The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities articulates the health benefits of walking while addressing the fact that many communities unacceptably lack safe and convenient places for individuals to walk or wheelchair roll. "Everyone deserves to have a safe place to walk or wheelchair roll. But in too many of our communities, that is not the reality," said Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th U.S. Surgeon General. "We know that an active lifestyle is critical to achieving good overall health. And walking is a simple, effective and affordable way to build physical activity into our lives. That is why we need to step it up as a country ensuring that everyone can choose to walk in their own communities." Data consistently show there are safety and accessibility issues that make communities less walkable. A 2013 study by the U.S. Department of Transportation, for example, found that 3 out of every 10 Americans reported that no sidewalks existed along any streets in their neighborhood. In many communities violence - and the perception of violence - may prove a barrier to walking. The Surgeon General calls on community planners and local leaders to create more areas for walking and wheelchair rolling and to prioritize the development of safe routes for children to get to and from schools. The call to action suggests that these designs should include sidewalks, curb cuts, crosswalks, safe crossings for the visually impaired and more green spaces. The Surgeon General further calls on city managers, law enforcement and community and public health leaders to address safety concerns by better maintaining public spaces, working with residents to promote a shared sense of community ownership, ensuring proper street lighting and fostering neighborhood watch programs. The Surgeon General's report discusses the health benefits of walking and calls on individuals to make walking a priority in their lives. Fewer than half of all U.S. adults get enough physical activity to reduce their risk of chronic disease, and only a quarter of high school students get the recommended amount. Physical inactivity contributes to heart and lung disease, diabetes and cancer, which account for 86 percent of our nation's health care costs. Building walking into daily life can reduce disease and save money. "We know that an average of 22 minutes a day of physical activity - such as brisk walking - can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes," added Dr. Murthy. "The key is to get started because even a small first effort can make a big difference in improving the personal health of an individual and the public health of the nation."
And, if you'd like to add a little music to your walks, be sure to check out the Surgeon General's walking playlist on Pandora at www.surgeongeneral.gov
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Labor Day Recognized -
TACT Celebrates Contribution to Economy Alongside YOU!
 Labor Day, celebrated only days ago, is annually held on the first Monday of September. It was originally organized to celebrate various labor associations' strengths of and contributions to the United States economy. It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events.
Agriculture and agriculture-related industries contributed $775.8 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013-2014, a 4.8-percent share. The output of America's farms contributed $166.9 billion of this sum-about 1 percent of GDP. The overall contribution of the agriculture sector to GDP is larger than this because sectors related to agriculture-forestry, fishing, and related activities; food, beverages, and tobacco products; textiles, apparel, and leather products; food services and drinking places-rely on agricultural inputs in order to contribute additional value to the economy.
As a part of that sector, TACT celebrates that contribution to the U.S. economy alongside YOU! As you made your last vacation trips and have officially begun settling into all that the fall season will shortly bring, we look forward to a continued season of providing great service and outstanding benefits, as well as SAVINGS to you!
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.
Read agriculture news on
our Facebook Page!
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September -
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
There is no better time than September, during Prostate Ca  ncer Awareness Month, for men to talk with their health care providers about this disease so that they can make informed decisions about maintaining their prostate health. Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men, when detected early it also boasts some of the highest survival rates.
This year approximately 217,730 men will learn they have prostate cancerand more than 32,050 men will die from the disease. African-American men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer, having higher rates of prostate cancer diagnosis and death thn men of all other racial or ethnic groups in the United States. Almost one third of prostate cancer cases are found in men during their prime years at work. Today, 1 man in 6 will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 man in 34 will die of this disease. More than 2 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. When detected during these earliest stages the 5-year survival rate is close to 100%.
The American Cancer Society recognizes September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The key, according to the American Cancer Society, is getting men to know the facts on prostate cancer and to know what their real risks are. Learning about your personal prostate cancer risk helps you make informed decisions with your healthcare provider.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men have the opportunity to make an informed decision with their health care provider about screening for prostate cancer after receiving information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits associated with screening. Men at average risk should start talking to their doctors beginning at age 50.
Men at higher risk, should talk to their doctor about prostate testing earlier, including African Americans, at age 45, and men who've had a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer, at age 40.
For both men at average risk and higher risk, information should be provided about what is known and what is uncertain about the benefits and limitations of early detection tests and treatments so they can make informed decisions about testing.
To read featured health news
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TACT offers prostate screenings for members over age 50 during wellness screenings for participating groups. We remind you of the importance of prostate health and encourage annual screenings. For more information, visit our website or feel free to give us a call.
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REFER US!
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to contact the TACT office.
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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
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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TACT is working to transform healthcare within the industry - YOUR industry, agriculture. Improving the quality of your insurance needs; focusing on prevention, wellness and disease management; reining in costs for all of Texas Agriculture. As the industry of ag and the industry of insurance grows and evolves, TACT continues striving to be a source of leadership and strength. We serve the members that we protect, giving you the freedom to look to the future in confidence.
These days, health insurance is something none of us can afford to be without. Texas Ag Coop Trust knows health and your livelihood go hand in hand and affect your family's well-being. We are dedicated to helping you find the plan that fits your health needs and that of your company. With TACT, you don't just rent your insurance company, you own it! You are part of this insurance company! YOU are our focus, YOU are our business.
Questions? Concerns? How can we help? Give us a call! We are certain that we have answers.
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.
TACT - Dedicated Insurance Professionals
you know and trust...like Family.
Next Issue: September 29, 2015
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