Open enrollment can be spooky

Don’t be afraid! You don’t have to navigate insurance alone this year.

Schedule your appointment today so we can help you with your enrollment.

Let’s Set a Date

EVERYONE needs to schedule a phone call appointment to re-enroll for 2018 coverage.

The Only Exceptions:

• Medicare Supplement plan holders
• Individuals with grandfathered plans
• If you have coverage through your employer

THE countdown HAS BEGUN!

We aren’t just counting down to Halloween! Our office is gearing up for the 2018 Open Enrollment season and we need you to get ready as well!

Choosing the wrong insurance plan can haunt you. Let us help you choose the best policy for your needs.

WHAT’S changing in 2018:

Humana is discontinuing their individual plans for 2018. If you are currently enrolled with Humana we will help you choose a new insurance company during our phone call.

BE prepared! (MUAHAHA)

Here are a few things we will need you to have prepared for our phone call:

• 2018 estimated household income. Make sure to include every person that is on your tax return.
• Who will you claim on your 2018 tax return?
• Married? As a reminder, you must file a joint tax return with your spouse.
• Does your employer or spouse’s employer offer group health insurance? If so, what is the cost for the employee only coverage?
• Does your income fall between 138% and 400% of the FPL according to your tax size household?

D O N ‘ T ^. G E T ^. S P O O K E D !

Our time frame is super short this year, so we are setting appointments NOW. We have between NOVEMBER 1st and DECEMBER 15th to make changes that will go into effect JANUARY 1st.

Please click the link below or call our offices to schedule your appointment TODAY!

Appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes so we’ve got to talk fast and make a decision quick. Being prepared is a MUST this year!

We are happy and honored that you continue to choose us as your insurance broker. We strive to give you the best possible service before, during and after the enrollment. We love our clients and hope to make this enrollment season super easy for you.

Please show us plenty of grace and mercy as we help you, our valued clients, with this nearly impossible task of re-enrolling over 1,000 clients in 6 weeks. Have you done the math? Yeah… that’s 45 clients per day including Saturday and Sunday. Oh my…

We Love Our Clients!

SCHEDULE NOW

 

Trish & Tori Freeman, The Insurance Lady

(225) 622-6554

trish@insurancelady.com

tori@insurancelady.com

Reasons to use an independent agent

1. Knowledge

When you require legal advice, you contact a lawyer, and when a health issue arises, you visit your doctor, so when you need assistance with your insurance coverage, you need to use an industry expert. In addition to having many years of experience in the industry, independent insurance agents work with many different insurance companies and are knowledgeable about their individual strengths. Although one insurance company may provide unmatched claims service, another may offer more competitive rates. Based on what is most important to you, an independent agent will find the best match for you.

• We write 1,000’s of policies each year and know the quickest way to get in and out of the system.
• We know the insurance lingo – we are the experts.
• We know which plans are best within each company.
• We do the research and leg work for you.  We study the plans each year BEFORE talking to you.
• We know the Louisiana insurance market.  The MarketPlace does not, nor are they licensed insurance agents.

2. Customer Service

If you have coverage questions or worse, need help with a claim, would you rather reach an automated recording or an actual person when you call? More and more companies have switched to automated systems, often making it difficult and time consuming to reach the right person. However, at many independent insurance agencies, an actual person will still greet and assist you.

• We make sure you get the benefits you need.
• We want a long-term relationship with you.
• We are there to assist you all year long.  You have one point of contact and one person to help you solve any issues that may arise.

3. Personal Shoppers

Working with an independent insurance agent can be compared to having a personal shopper. Similar to the way in which a real estate agent sorts through properties to help you find your ideal home, an insurance agent reviews many different insurance companies’ rates and coverage options to help you secure policies that best suit your needs. You may believe that this comes at an additional cost to you, but independent agents do not add extra charges to insurance companies’ rates. So you can choose to work with an independent agent, who will handle your coverage needs, assist you with claims and answer any questions you may have, from billing issues to coverage concerns, always advocating on your behalf, at no additional cost to you.

4. Understanding 

Independent insurance agents understand that insurance can seem complicated and confusing, especially when you don’t deal with it on a daily basis. For this reason, your insurance agent will work to ensure that you fully understand your coverage, from what is and is not included, to the deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. After you purchase your policies, an independent agent’s work isn’t over – instead, we are available year-round to help answer your questions, update your policy and make coverage recommendations.

5. Reputation

Reputation plays a crucial role in finding a company you can trust, and many independent agencies take pride in the years, if not decades, they have spent serving their local communities. Not only can a company’s many years of service speak to its well-established reputation in the community, but it can also help you feel confident about its financial stability. Although there are many different ways to obtain insurance, would you rather obtain a quote from a startup Internet-based insurance provider that advertised on television, or call a local agent who your friends, co-workers and neighbors could recommend?

6. Protection & Peace of Mind

Above all, working with an independent insurance agent will provide you with peace of mind, knowing that when you save money on your insurance, it won’t come at the expense of comprehensive coverage. When it comes to protecting your home, family, business and other invaluable assets, relying on an independent agent you can trust is a great place to start.

New Blue Cross Employee Enrollment Forms

We have attached the NEW Blue Cross Employee Enrollment Forms. You MUST use this form for all employees with effective dates for 7/1/17 and after.

2017 GROUP EE App – Updated 7-17

Skimping on your Health Plan may be a poor financial decision

According to chief financial analyst, Greg McBride,

“It doesn’t make sense to go without health insurance. A healthy 30-year-old could break their leg tomorrow.”

Under Affordable Care Act guidelines, Americans without health insurance may face a tax penalty.

The flip side is, you may also qualify for subsidies that bring down the price of a health plan.

2017 Individual Open Enrollment

LET’S GET READY

Schedule your appointment today

EVERYONE needs to schedule a phone call appointment to re-enroll for 2017 coverage.

The only exceptions are:

• Medicare Supplement plan holders and
• Individuals with grandfathered plans

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN

OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS TOMORROW! Our office is gearing up for the 2017 Open Enrollment season and we need you to get ready as well! Here are a few changes that you will see in 2017:

• Blue Cross will move to a closed RX formulary, meaning some prescriptions simply will not be covered. On RX copay plans, members will have a generic RX copay but pay a coinsurance for all covered brand and non-preferred brand RX.
• United Healthcare will not be an option for 2017. If you are currently enrolled with United Healthcare we will help you choose a new insurance company during our phone call.
• Humana is discontinuing some of their individual plans for 2017. Watch for a letter about a specific plan design.
• Vantage will remain an option on and off the Marketplace.

BE PREPARED

Here are a few things we will need you to have prepared for our phone call:

• 2017 estimated household income. Make sure to include every person that is on your tax return.
• Who will you claim on your 2017 tax return?
• Married? As a reminder, you must file a joint tax return with your spouse.
• Does your employer or your spouse’s employer offer group health insurance? If so, what is the cost for the employee only coverage?
• Does your income fall between 138% and 400% of the FPL according to your tax size household?

Let’s Set a Date!

Our time frame is super short this year, so we are setting appointments NOW. We have between November 1st and December 14th to make changes that will go into effect January 1st.

So… let’s set a date.

Please click the link above or call our office to schedule your appointment TODAY!

(225) 622-6554

Appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes so we’ve got to talk fast and make a decision quick. Being prepared is a MUST this year!

We are happy and honored that you continue to choose us as your insurance broker. We strive to give you the best possible service before, during and after the enrollment. We love our clients and hope to make this enrollment season super easy for you.

Please show us plenty of grace and mercy as we help you, our valued clients, with this nearly impossible task of re-enrolling over 1,000 clients in 6 weeks. Have you done the math? Yeah… That’s 45 clients per day including Saturday and Sunday. Oh my…

Team #NoDaysOff #WeLoveOurClients

Trish Freeman, The Insurance Lady

(225) 622-6554

trish@insurancelady.com

Louisiana Marathon Discount

Blue Cross and HMO Louisiana members can use the code BCBSLA to get 20% off the registration fee for the 2017 Louisiana Marathon and its shorter distance races.

The Louisiana Marathon is a nationally recognized, three-day running festival that has a race for everyone. There will be a kids’ marathon, 5K, half marathon and full marathon. It will be held January 13-15, 2017.

To sign up or learn more visit thelouisianamarathon.com or follow the Louisiana Marathon on Facebook or Twitter @thelamarathon

 

Stay Strong & Live Long

Admittedly, not all of us are as fit as the Olympic athletes that we’ve been amazed by this past week. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how the human body can even achieve the impossible feats we have seen. Unfortunately things only get harder as we age. As you age, you gradually lose muscle mass your muscles begin to weaken. However, it’s never too late to start strengthening your body and reaping the benefits.You can slow this natural part of aging by keeping your muscles strong.

According to BCBSLA, studies show that strength training may help you stay active longer. It can prevent bone loss, or osteoporosis. That may protect you from a fall or a serious injury if you do fall. What’s more, stronger muscles may help people with a chronic condition, such as heart disease or arthritis, live better.

Here are a few tips from BCBSLA that can help you get started:

• Choose one or two exercises for each of the 6 major muscle groups. Your routine should focus on your chest, shoulders, arms, back, abdomen, and legs.
• Try using your own body weight. Heavy weights aren’t needed for strength training. Resistance exercises, such as pushups or lunges, work, too. But you may want to add weights later for more of a challenge.
• Schedule some days off. Your muscles need time to recover. So it’s best to fit in a day or two of rest between each strength-training session.
• Aim for 8 to 10 repetitions, or reps, for each exercise you do. For example, to strengthen your chest, you can do one set of 8 to 10 pushups. You may want to add more sets as you grow stronger.
• Focus on your form. When lifting weights, in particular, keep your movements slow and steady. And remember to breathe.
• Mix in some aerobic activity. The more physically active you are the better. Along with 2 sessions of strength training a week, experts also recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity like brisk walking.

Expecting Moms

Healthy Blue Beginnings Can Help You

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, or have a baby who is younger than 1 year old, the Blue Cross Healthy Blue Beginnings program may be for you. Through the program you can get confidential help from nurses to help keep you and your baby healthy. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you extra if you have maternity coverage or dependent coverage for your baby.

Call Blue Cross nurses and speak to someone who is dedicated to Healthy Blue Beginnings

• Call 1-800-317-2299
• To speak with a nurse, press 1

An Aspirin a day?

According to Blue Cross, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that studies show aspirin lowers the risk of heart attacks and other health problems in some patients. But taking aspirin doesn’t fix everything, and it isn’t for everyone.

What to ask your doctor about taking Aspirin:

1. Is taking aspirin a good idea for me?
2. What are the risks?
3. How much should I take?
4. Will it cause problems with the other drugs and vitamins I take?

 

How to stop getting paper EOBs

Blue Cross Explanation of Benefits (EOB) forms can be accessed online instead of through the mail. Besides clearing the clutter, going paperless is good for the environment and lowers your plan’s administrative costs.

Steps to stopping paper EOBs:

1. Log in to your online account at bcbsla.com
2. Under Account Management, click My Preferences
3. Under My Services, click Paperless

After you’ve changed your settings, Blue Cross will stop mailing paper copies of your EOBs. Instead they will post each one to your account and send you an email when one is ready for you to view. You can print out an EOB anytime.