Tuesday, June 25, 2013

PPACA multistate program?

Affordable Care Act multistate program not sparking competition - Brett Norman - POLITICO.com

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Silently

One thing I decided to do this Christmas, to begin my un-commercialization of the holiday, was to keep the magi away from the nativity until after Christmas. Unlike a local faith-based hospital, I decided to add the baby Jesus on Christmas morning and have the wise men BEGIN their trek on Christmas Day. Their arrival is, after all, why we have Epiphany on the twelfth day of Christmas!

Aside: I occasionally watch The Today Show and caught it as well as Kathie Lee & Hoda on Christmas Eve. I wholeheartedly agree with Kathie Lee's tradition of limiting the number of gifts to three - that's what Jesus got, why should we get any more? Big duh-huh moment for me and a tradition to begin next year!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we had a pared-down but exceptional Christmas! Family & friends for brunch (even better when those categories overlap); a little down time; then gear up for the afternoon Christmas feast with even more family.

During the down time, it felt good, just to BE. And then, I noticed that Jesus was absent still from the nativity on top of the piano. It felt even more right that I not make a big hoopla about adding him. He now sits up there, with the other pieces of the set, awaiting the kings.

"How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may his His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in" http://www.carols.org.uk/o_little_town_of_bethlehem.htm

A blessed and Merry Christmas to you!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Travel to Italy?

I am by no means a world-traveler, but I am somewhat seasoned. I'd love to go back to Italy again, and I think I'll try to get there by this contest. Ends tomorrow, so if you want to join me . . . try here!

Thanks for reading - oh, and let me know if I can offer any tips or ideas about your Italy trip. Even if I don't win, I want to go back one day!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Networking Made Easy for Introverts : The Work Buzz

Networking Made Easy for Introverts : The Work Buzz

What an incredible article! Kudos to Kate Lorenz for nailing it - coming from a networking introvert!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

9/23/10, just another day?

One of many days that will live in infamy. In the insurance business. Yep, whether you like health care reform or not, it will affect you eventually. And the insurance lady will be here to explain it all. (Eventually.)


See, we're still waiting for some of the new stuff to get defined, much less started. But I'll be here to help when it does.


A potential client calls & explains to me their dilemma. Their insurance company won't cover a child's "pre-existing medical condition," even after a predefined one-year waiting period had been met. Whoops.


Likely, this condition may never need to be treated. Still, their current insurer says they won't cover anything related to it for at least one more year, even though last year they said no penalties after one year. Imagine what sports would be like if penalties were defined pre-game, but mid-game, the refs decided to make a change. HA.


This really stinks. So, I put on my thinking cap and advise this person to look into reapplying for a whole new plan. Hey, maybe even with a whole new insurance company. Because, as of 9/23/10, no carrier can deny that coverage to anyone under age 19. (But since their current plan was purchased BEFORE 9/23/10, they can.) Yep, magic date!


But said person's current agent didn't think about that when asked . . .


Nope, I'm not perfect either. But I'm good at creative thinking. I may have found a way to help this small business owner and their child. Let me know if I can ever help you.


And if you have questions or comments for me, please post them!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Resources you didn't know you had!

So, we all know health insurance is in chaos right now. Too many new regulations, too many people (like the Dusty Springfield song: just wishing and hoping and thinking and praying . . . planning . . .) for what's to come.

Personal opinion: not enough research was done to define and address the root cause of our problems right now, before passing a bunch of hockey that nobody could read to try to fix it. Until we all understand, acknowledge, and address the actual cost of care, we'll be putting band aids on Mount Saint Helens to stop the lava flow. OK, enough of that. Off soapbox, 'cause it is what it is.

And what it is right now is . . . anyone? Bueller, Bueller, Bueller? chaos!

People who need coverage the most have the hardest time getting it. Well, I can help some of those folks with great products and prices, but for those who fall into that netherworld of: "I'm healthy! Really! I'm FINE as long as I keep my pacemaker battery charged/get my annual brain transplant/keep my raging herpes under control, (insert expensive/difficult treatments of choice here)." These are the folks who need help but have the hardest time getting it.

Here are some options I give my clients when nothing else will work. These resources suit people between the proverbial rock and hard place in this order: 1) the Augusta, Georgia area dubbed CSRA for you local yocals, 2) the great state of Georgia, and 3) the entire US. Check for similar programs in your area and maybe even check with the United Way, in case they have resources or recommendations beyond what I offer. Hey, I'm good, but I haven't been ALIVE as long as United Way has been helping people!

So, here goes. Let me know if this helps you in any way, 'cause that's what I'm here for:

Coverage For All: www.coverageforall.org

Partnership for Prescription Assistance: www.pparx.org

Christ Community Health Services Augusta, Inc.: www.christcommunityaugusta.org

CSRA Partnership for Community Health: www.csrapch.org

Richmond County Project Access: www.rcprojectaccess.org

Doctors Direct of the CSRA: www.doctorsdirect-csra.com

And don't forget the $4 Generic Prescription deals available at

Wal-Mart: www.walmart.com,

Target: www.target.com,

Kroger: www.kroger.com/generic/Pages/default.aspx, and other drugstores. Too many folks pay more for a plan so that it has coverage for name-brand drugs, when most of their prescriptions are available in generic form. Why waste premium AND dollars at the pharmacy?

And if you don't know quite what to do or where to turn, just ask me! If I can't help you, I'll help you find someone who can.

Got coverage?

Tracy