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Thursday, May 22, 2008

As an owner, should I consider a group LTD (Long Term Disability Policy) or an LTC (Long Term Care Policy).


With the lowest rates currently avaialable on these policies with high limits, no medical exams, and even guaranteed issue it may be time to consider as these plans are one of the lowest cost benefits offered to employer groups. The costs can even be shared with the employee, however with these low cost it makes good sense as a benefit.

Group plans me be offered along with voluntary plans that can add value since the group becomes a base and then the voluntary individual plans will cost less as the employee only needs to supplement a smaller portion of there risk.

What are some of the other benefits of these plans. Employees become more secure knowing they have income if the are sick or hurt and thereby are less likely to leave an employer saving turnover costs and return to work faster with a secure income that assist them with recover by relieving tension form that would have been there from financial stress. LTC policies have the same value with a low cost employer base plan allowing the employee to supplement an invidual policy at less expense to them. Another advantage is they can add not only a spouse, but parents, enlaws and others to a supplemental group plan even though they are not on the base group plan.

For more information: email, jbeyer@amsinsure.com or call 800-334-7875

click on the links below for more information:

Disability Income Plans…Often overlooked building a strong financial plan; this type of policy provides the base of all future plans. Consider the odds of every other risk in life and this one is ahead of them all. Take a moment to consider the possible problems for short term or long-term loss of income from an accident or illness. In a few minuets you can decide on whether you should get a proposal, it only takes a moment. Whether you work for a company, are self-employed or a business owner, there is a plan for you.

Long Term Care…(LTC) is a phrase, which is used to describe a variety of services in the area of health, personal care and social needs of a person who requires assistance with the basics of living. Services can be provided in home care, assisted living, or a convalescent care facility. Recent studies based on nursing home admissions indicate that 40% of all persons age 65 and over will enter a nursing home in the future.

Californians Get on the Web

More Californians are using the Internet than in 2004, especially to locate information about their insurance plan. In 2007, 56% of survey respondents went online to find information about medical conditions or prescription drugs. But only13% of them made provider appointments online and only 12% filled prescriptions online, according to a survey by the California HealthCare Foundation. Only 26% of the Internet users sought rating information on healthcare professionals. Twenty-three percent of respondents viewed online hospital ratings information in 2007. But only 1% actually made a change in their healthcare decisions based on the ratings. For more information, 800-334-7875 infor@amsinsure.com or go onlin at http://www.amsinsure.com/

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

How is Small Business doing in 2008

As a benefits agency working with small business we are keenly interested and aware of some of the problems facing business owners. If it is an established business or a new business the problems may be the same.

With personal foreclosures on real property and bankruptcy fillings growing it is not news that small business bankruptcies are also on the rise. There has been a 49% increase over last year with an average of 235 daily fillings in recent months according to the latest reports.

As a small business owner you may not be surprised to hear this with tight credit and rising cost squeezing the bottom line.

What can be done to work through these though times and get to the good times we all want to see arrive as soon as possible.

1) If you rely on credit in your business, banks are not going to make it easier even with all the fed interest rate cuts and may want some incentive to provide loan capitol.

2) Evaluating all the costs and revenue sources may help to keep things in line, including holding off on some expansion plans, and not adding new staff. In fact you may have to consider cutting back on staff. One consideration would be to increase the productivity of staff by offering incentives and benefits, which while adding some level of cost may in fact produce more revenue

3) Looking for value added services from your vendors which can enhance your operations without adding costs. Cutting benefit costs with lower cost plans and maintain contributions levels that are affordable.

4) It would be helpful to see both the federal and state governments provide some tax incentives and tax relief which while aiding the small business, which would lead to a strong economic picture and ultimately a broader tax base in the future.

As benefit consultants we can help you to reduce costs and add value through services like are HR and Payroll platforms.

Business Edge Newsletter current issue here
Recruiting: Staying One Step Ahead of the Competition

www.amsinsure.com
info@amsinsure.com
800-334-7875

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

State Poised to Crack Down on Discount Health Plans

Cindy Ehnes, director of the state Department of Managed Healthcare, wrote an article in Capitol Weekly describing how the state will be cracking down on fraudulent discount health plans. The state will be proposing new regulations to license companies, imposing strict consumer protections for those wishing to operate in California. The department issued an alert, warning Californians of deceptive discount health plans and suggesting questions to ask. In 2007, the DMHC received more than 200 consumer complaints about discount health plans, almost one third of which were because the consumer believed the discount plan to be insurance. “In the past month, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of complaints regarding discount plans, so it would appear that some fraudulent companies may once again be marketing heavily in California,” she said.

The alert is available in English and Spanish at (click on the title above).

Monday, May 12, 2008

HR Services as a value added client benefit!

Today the demand for real-time HR problem identification and resolution is a paramount concern for all successful enterprises, regardless of size. Owners
and managers of small and mid-sized businesses need this information as critically as their big business counterparts. Unfortunately, until now, these executives could not get the needed information without hours of research or without paying an attorney.

AMSINSURE.COM through its affiliated partner offers to meet the needs of such organizations for low-cost access to HR information, resources and personalized assistance.

AMSINSURE.COM through its affiliated partner places HR information, tools and experience at the fingertips of the owners and managers of small businesses. Because we leverage the power of the Internet to deliver HR solution and services directly to the desktop, clients enjoy maximum flexibility and convenience as a valued added service of AMSINSURE.COM and may add additional upgrade service over the basic service provided.

OUR MISSION
Bring required HR information, resources and professional assistance to the millions of small business owners and managers who need it. Present this information in a format that will be easy to access and to understand. Be there for our clients whether on the web or on the phone, not just as a reference but as a personal consultant who can help solve problems. Treat EVERY client with respect and make each one feel like he or she is our only client. Do all this at a subscription price any small business can afford.

OUR COMMITMENT
Our commitment is to provide high-quality HR resources, products and services to help you do your job. All you need to do is access these resources.
Ask how we can provide these services to your company.

info@amsinsure.com
800-334-7875

California Lawmakers Take a Stab at Legislating Healthy Habits



AMS Favorite Links…Value added services

Last week, an Assembly committee in California approved a bill that would require companies bidding on California state contracts to provide wellness benefits for employees. It's not a big part of anybody's health reform package, and the odds aren't good that AB 2360 will become law, but the attempt represents a significant shift in thinking about health care and how it can be legislated.Many states and employer groups, both public and private are starting to recognize that to truly achieve better results in health care including expenses is to do something to help encourage a healthier life style.
Many state legislatures now have or are working on legislation to help bring about more awareness and promotion of healthier life styles as a part of providing for health care programs that don’t just pay the bills for problems or cures."So much of Western medicine is geared to reacting when something goes wrong that we don't pay a lot of attention to staying away from trouble.
A generation ago, attempts to legislate wellness and healthy habits were unheard of. They're still rare now, but less so. Today there has been a noticeable increase in the number of bills promoting wellness programs in state legislatures.Bills have taken different approaches to encourage wellness programs, including insurance premium discounts or rebates for participation in wellness programs, discounts in group premium rates and tax credits.When one looks at the results of healthier life styles and the effect it has on individuals and groups, the results clearly show that future costs of health care can be dramatically affected if the percentage of people improving there life style through healthier habits grows.
Look to see more legislation, employer involvement in healthier lifestyle programs including incentives to help encourage people to participate and manage there life style programs.
Does your health plan or company benefit carrier have programs, check it out as most do and have for the last several years. As an employer or employee consider the many opportunities available.
Commercially you can sponsor programs from some of the top fitness, weight management, and health care testing companies in your own community.
Need some assistance with this, contact us and will consult with you on how to develop and encourage the use of these plans with your companies employees.
800-334-7875