Utah Insurance Blog

Highlight: Supplemental Accident Coverage for Utah Residents

Summer is just around the corner and I'm preparing my family for what's ahead. Last year we started riding four wheelers and dirtbikes. There were a few close calls and we were all lucky enough to not get injured. My five year old son broke his leg last fall jumping on the trampoline.

Accident Insurance

So, needless to say, I thought it would be a good idea to purchase an accident policy to pay our deductible in case we have another accidental injury.

The best policy I was able to find (the most comprehensive & affordable) was through American General. It's called *Accident Expense Plus. Here are two examples of how the pricing comes in:

• A 30 year old male can get a $10,000 accident policy for $24.17 per month. (with a $500 deductible)
• A 50 year old female can get a $10,000 accident policy for $17.32 per month. (with a $500 deductible)

Spouses and children are often less to add. Families can usually get a good supplemental accident benefit for $50 - $60 per month.

More about the Coverage

The claim has to be submitted as an accidental injury in order to be paid. You can use this policy alongside your group health plan through work, or your individual/family plan. It's even eligible to be used with a qualified high deductible health plan. So, if you're using a health savings account, this is a great way to protect yourself from having to pay your high deductible for accidents. Benefits offered range from $1,000 to $15,000, and deductibles for the policy range from $0 to $500.

How active are you going to be this summer? This winter? If you're concerned about accidents, this is a great way to protect yourself against accident related out of pocket costs.

Request a Custom Proposal

If you'd like a custom quote for you and/or your family, complete an accident insurance quote request form and let me know who the coverage is for. I'll send back a brochure and custom quote for your review.

Sincerely,

Jared Balis
Utah Insurance Advisors

*Accident Expense Plus Policy Form Number 07120. Rates listed here are not guaranteed and are subject to change. Coverage is not guaranteed until your application is approved by American General. The coverage on this policy is limited to accidents only, and is not meant to replace a major medical policy, but rather to be used in conjunction with one. Please contact Jared Balis at 801-679-0405 for updated rates and coverage information.

Day 3 - Audio of the Supreme Court's Arguments on Severability

Interested in listening to audio of the Supreme Court's arguments about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid, and severability? Here's a site where you can listen to the oral arguments for day three.

Supreme Court Oral Arguments for the Affordable Care Act on March 28th.

Day 2 - Audio of the Supreme Court's Arguments on the Affordable Care Act

Interested in listening to audio of the Supreme Court's arguments about the Affordable Care Act (ACA)? Here's a site where you can listen to the oral arguments for day two.

Supreme Court Oral Arguments for the Affordable Care Act on March 27th.

Day 1 - Audio of the Supreme Court's Arguments on the Affordable Care Act

Interested in listening to audio of the Supreme Court's arguments about the Affordable Care Act (ACA)? Here's a site where you can listen.

Supreme Court Oral Arguments for Anti Injunction Act and the Affordable Care Act on March 26th.

The Supreme Court Will Review The Healthcare Reform Bill on March 26th - March 28th, 2012

The Supreme Court will be reviewing four different parts of the health care reform bill. They are:

1. The constitutionality of the requirement for all Americans to have health insurance (individual mandate).
2. Whether or not other parts of the law will be undone by the undoing of the individual mandate.
3. Whether the courts have jurisdiction to consider the case at this point.
4. Whether the Medicaid expansion portion of the law is an illegal takeover of the states autonomy.

Decisions will be handed down in late June, 2012. Although the supreme court may make decisions that will affect the future of the law, the next President and congress could also repeal the law in part, or in whole.

Audio recordings of the court hearings will be released as they conclude.

Utah Health Insurance Market Update: 2012

Here's what happening in the Utah health insurance market:

Health Reform: Nationally, there aren't many changes that will be apparent on the surface. The reform bill is encouraging efficiency and an increase in the quality of care in 2012. The state of Utah continues to improve it's defined contribution system in the group health insurance market.

HumanaOne has a new rating structure that keeps health insurance affordable for single-parent families! Their Enhanced Copay plan with a $1,000 medical deductible has become more affordable in 2012. They also have a *Cancer Cash Plan that's only $8.99 per month for a family of 5 (parents, age 45) for a $5,000 cancer cash benefit. It's a way to protect yourself financially against devastating medical costs and lost income while you recover from a battle that many people win. Get a quote for this plan now.

SelectHealth seems to have some competitive pricing on lower deductible HSA-eligible plans. This is a great way to receive tax benefits and lower your health insurance premium! Get a quote for their HealthSave product now!

Altius Health Plans has a new product called Peak Preference. It's similar to an HMO product, but you don't need a referral to see a specialist. Rates are about 15% lower than their main product. Great way to save some money and still keep good coverage! Explore your options instantly online.

Hospital Cash Plan / Supplemental Health Insurance: Currently I know of one plan that pays a daily benefit when the insured is admitted to a hospital. Call me at 801-679-0405 to find out more!

Dental Insurance: Dental Select of Utah has some of the most competitive dental rates in the Utah market. Explore your plan options!

Term Life Insurance: It's been super-affordable for a while, and rates are still near an all time low. If you haven't explored term life insurance as part of your long term financial plan, get instant term life quotes with no obligation.

If you have questions on what's happening in the Utah health insurance market, or would like quotes for any type of insurance, please email or call me at 801-679-0405!

*Kanawha Policy Form 70620 UT.

What Does Preventive Care Mean?

I've run into a number of Utah residents who want to understand how preventive care is covered under the new law. I recently came across an article in a SelectHealth newsletter that gives a good explanation.

*This article is provided by SelectHealth. For more information about improving your health, visit www.selecthealth.org/newsletters.

What Does Preventive Care Mean?

The goal of preventive care, such as regular checkups and screenings, is to help you avoid illness and to detect problems when they are most treatable. Many preventive services are now available at no cost to you. Examples of preventive services include the following:

• Examinations and/or screenings (for example, a mammogram, colon and prostate cancer screening, etc.)
• Flu and pneumonia vaccinations
• Screening laboratory and X-ray tests (such as Pap smears or cholesterol tests)
• Routine immunizations

Checkups may include tests performed by your doctor to manage a known condition, such as treating high blood pressure to prevent a heart attack or a stroke. Services performed to maintain a known condition are not usually considered preventive. Your regular copay, coinsurance, or deductible will apply to these additional services.

SelectHealth has always been committed to covering preventive services. However, not every preventive service is appropriate every year, and recommended screening guidelines may vary. Discuss your specific health needs with your doctor. If you would like to learn more about preventive care, visit selecthealth.org/stayhealthy/proactivecare.

If you are interested in finding out more about SelectHealth's individual and family health plans, please visit our page about SelectHealth.

2 Quick Windshield Tips for Entering the Winter Season!

I looked outside just now and saw that it was snowing! Because snowplows are so active during the winter in utah, the amount of rocks and debris on the roads is a lot greater in the winter. Here are a couple of tips to avoid problems with your car windshields this season.

Tip 1

Fix any windshield chips you have right now! The cold temperatures could easily turn that chip into a crack. The cold weather is here, so this is something to do in the next day or so. It's much easier to have a chip fixed, than it is to get a new windshield. Most auto insurance companies will pay for you to have a chip fixed, so they don't end up paying for a new windshield instead!

Tip 2

Consider lowering the comprehensive deductible on your auto insurance to $100. Windshield coverage falls under the comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy. In most cases, it's quite affordable to lower your comprehensive deductible to $100 from $500 or $1,000. Many of the windshield repair companies in Utah are willing to pay that $100 deductible for you, often times allowing you to get a free windshield if you need it!

Of course, sometimes it takes some haggling. In the past, if I've been told a company won't waive my $100 deductible, I've told them that I'll go somewhere else. Normally, they'll say "hang on", talk to their "manager" and get back on the phone willing to waive my $100 deductible. Our family has done this three times in the last five years and it has worked every time!

Good luck and drive safe!

Sincerely,

 

Jared Balis

Utah Auto Insurance Agent

Utah Insurance Advisors

 

Health Insurance Options for People Who Have Been Denied for Pre-existing Conditions

If you've been denied for individual health insurance in Utah, there are several quality coverage options you can explore. Here are three of the most common:

High Risk Pools

High risk pools are designed to cover people who have ineligible pre-existing conditions and/or have been denied health insurance in the private market. They are typically state funded programs and eligibility is not based on income.

Although health insurance through high risk pools can be more costly than private insurance, the fact that you can't be denied for medical conditions carries a lot of value. The coverage, while often not as comprehensive as private plans, is still more than sufficient for most people's needs. Contact your agent for more information about Utah's high risk pool.

Temporary Health Insurance

Temporary health insurance plans can provide excellent short term protection for people who have been denied health insurance. While most short term plans don't cover pre-existing conditions, they can be used as a temporary protection against unpredictable catastrophic medical expenses. 

Temporary health plans are ideal for someone who knows they'll have permanent health insurance in the near future (through an employer or other source). They are not meant to be used long term.

Employer Sponsored Plans

Group plans, or employer sponsored plans, are a great option for people with pre-existing conditions or people who have been denied health insurance in the private market. Employer sponsored plans are guaranteed issue, meaning that you can't be denied due to pre-existing conditions.

In order to qualify for an employer sponsored plan, you must work full time for an employer that offers health insurance, and make it through the company's health insurance waiting period. Group plans are an excellent way to get guaranteed issue coverage after being denied.

The three ideas above are only a few of the many options you can explore. Find out about more options for people who have been denied health insurance because of pre-existing conditions by visiting our webpage to learn about options for people who have been denied health insurance for pre-existing conditions.

Child Life Insurance - a Gift for Their Future

Sometimes when people approach me for life insurance, they ask me about adding a child rider. The child rider provides a small amount of protection for the insured's child(ren). It's a relatively affordable coverage, but usually only provides $5,000 or $10,000 of term protection, and ends when the policy term ends.

A Valuable Option

Last year I ran across an interesting life insurance product for children that is often more affordable ($45 per year, per child!) and provides $20,000 of term protection that automatically converts to a whole life policy when the child turns age 25.

More Than Pure Life Insurance Protection

I really like the fact that there's more in it for the child than just the death benefit. Once the policy converts to a whole life policy, it can build cash value which can be taken advantage of in different ways. In addition, the policy allows the child to increase the life insurance coverage at ages 25, 28, and 31, by an additional $20,000 at each of those ages. This gives them the opportunity to accrue $80,000 of whole life insurance by age 31, without having to prove insurability.

Protect Their Insurability

Not having to prove insurability can be especially valuable if a child develops a medical condition which makes them uninsurable when they are older.

Popular Uses

I've had parents purchase these policies for their kids for the basic benefit and grandparents purchase them as a gift for their grandchildren.

If you are interested a policy for your child, grandchild, or someone you know, email me at jared@utahinsurance.org or call me at 801-679-0405.