Since 2002 I have been running insurance and self catering holiday home advertising websites as an introducer agent under the terms of the UK’s FSA regulations. This means I cannot offer advice, speak to any clients or accept money on behalf of an insurance provider. This is of course not at all bad with an automated system like at jml.insurance.co.uk, as this means people can find a product and then access the insurance company’s own site for more information and even contact them direct about any concerns.
One of the problems of being an introducer affiliate is actually making sure that you receive commission for affiliate sales as some companies tracking systems are not as good as others.
I have found with certain providers we instantly get a notification of a sale, others might have this but in addition have established agents areas where you can actually see day to day activity. I have also had to monitor their payment process.
Fortunately the majority pay directly into our bank account and we receive a notification saying payment will be made on a given date. Occasionally they forget (not intentionally but by a clerical upset) and have to be reminded.
Over the years I have purchased landlords property insurance, travel insurance, car hire excess insurance and overseas property insurance using the online links. This has been a great way to see if the system works or not and it is most reassuring to know it does.
As technology has improved in most cases the tracking has improved as well. Recently I was sent a household insurance reminder and wanted to change the level of cover from the renewal date. The insurance broker told me about the revised price and I thought I would shop around.
I immediately went into the jml-insurance.co.uk site and followed the link to an insurance company that specializes in overseas property insurance, holiday and second home insurance and also main residence insurance.
I filled out their online questionnaire and within a few minutes was phoned back for the adviser to obtain further information. A quote was emailed within minutes. As this was a lot more competitive, but covered exactly what was covered by the original insurance company, I arranged car payment on line and it was all set up.
A couple of days later the policy documents arrived in the post. Prior to that I had logged into the agents area of the insurance company’s website and saw the word “sale” recorded. Had nothing happened with this transaction or others that I and my family had carried out I would have been onto the company in question very quickly. I certainly don’t want to be in a situation whereby the website is generating enquiries and sales for insurance companies without our receiving our commission.
Whenever I need to rent a car I usually use a car hire provider that advertises on the jmlvillas.com site and again keep any eye out for commission from these companies as well.
It’s definitely a necessity to maintain good health and well-being within the family. After all, you can’t afford to be sick, considering that there are still many bills to pay. That’s why it’s a prerogative for moms and dads to secure health plans not only for themselves but also for their children.
One of the plans can be dental plans. Proper care of the teeth and gums has been taken for granted by a lot of family these days. Normally, parents thought that tooth decay will just be a passing problem in their children. Soon old decayed teeth will simply fall, and new ones will come out. Fathers and mothers too are no longer keeping track of the health of their gums. Thus, there are less people who are flocking dental clinics for their monthly or regular checkups. But do you know that they have profound effect to your general health? Unknown to you, perhaps, the bacteria that cause them can also damage your heart and important veins in your body. They can actually precede the development of coronary heart disease.
Going against Dental Insurance
Probably your first thought will be to get your family a dental insurance. You must then know that they don’t come cheap these days. In fact, they can drain whatever money you may have left in your bank. After all, there are premiums that you have to shoulder. The benefits that you’re going to enjoy will also be highly dependent on the coverage that you’ve chosen. Worse, if you don’t pay, there’s a huge possibility that your insurance will be cut off, and you have to content yourself with paying the dental bills on your own.
There are also a lesser number of employers who grant their employees with medical insurance. In fact, there are around 70% Americans who don’t have any dental insurance at all. If they do, the coverage will never be enough to meet their needs. They can’t use the insurance for any orthodontic treatment, and if there are pre-existing conditions, they won’t also get to enjoy the privilege.
Family Dental Plans Are the Right Choice
You can actually get your family the kind of dental benefit you’ve always dreamed of while spending less through family dental plans. These are very affordable and are excellent substitutes to dental insurance. You can even save as much as 25% when you’re talking about special dental treatments, such as oral surgery, and periodontics. For oral examinations, you can keep almost 80% of your money. There is also no limit on the kind of dental procedure that you can do. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to have your teeth holes filled or attach dentures. You can cut down your expenses to 60%.
There are also different types of family dental plans that you can avail. For example, you can have a dental plan that will supplement whatever medical or dental insurance that is being provided by your company. This means that you can have the freedom to choose the types of oral examination and surgery that you want. Thus, you may settle for those that are not covered by your present dental insurance. You also have the chance to pick your own dentists, as long as they can accept payments from your dental plans. On top of these, because these plans are not meant to be insurance policies, you don’t have to pay any premium or fill out claim forms. There is also no annual limit.
Applying for a dental plan is also no hassle as there will be no paperwork. This means that moms and dads don’t have to burden themselves of going to any company even if they already have busy schedules. There will be no limits when it comes to dental visits too. Hence, the entire family can go for their regular checkup the entire year and not worry about spending too much for them.
If you need to look for the right dental plan for your family, you can always scour for them in your area. You may also check out the National Association of Dental Plans. Certainly, they have a list of dentists that you can go to. Also, you may check the Internet. There are already several online companies that are offering dental plans for the family.
Before individual state governments passed much-needed legislation, many assisted living facilities were only private pay situations. Fortunately, for many older Americans facing housing dilemmas, Medicaid waiver programs have taken up much of the slack that Medicare did not. Providing funds for placement in assisted living facilities as well as a number of other helpful services, Medicaid helps lower-income, elderly individuals receive the care they need.
All states accept funds from Medicaid waiver programs for placement within a nursing home, which are normally more expensive than assisted living facilities. While many states do not recognize funds from Medicaid waiver programs for assisted living, those that do are located throughout the country and offer many options to aging Americans needing assistance with daily living activities. After searching high and low, finding a general overview of states that offer the Medicaid waiver program for assisted living was rather nonexistent, but my research is your gain.
Medicaid Waiver Programs State Line-Up
As of publication, there are no definitive lists that outline states with Medicaid waiver programs for assisted living facilities. At best, the government (via the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services) has created an online list of all Medicaid waiver programs (1), meaning visitors have to spend time finding the desired information. Although I’ve outlined the states that do accept Medicaid waiver programs, certain impediments may be in place to securing a Medicaid-covered bed in an assisted living facility. Be aware that some states may offer the program on a trial basis, follow limited participation quotas, or are just introducing the program to state residents. As always, verify eligibility requirements with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
i. Arkansas – Aged and disabled program participants are provided with adult residential care, assisted living, and medication assistance and consulting till death.
ii. California – Beginning in 2003, California began offering Medicaid waiver programs to aged individuals.
iii. Delaware – Program participants with Alzheimer’s, dementia, physical disabilities, or needing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) are provided with funds for assisted living facilities.
iv. Florida – There are quite a few Medicaid waiver programs for the state of Florida, including a broad waiver for all individuals aged 65 or older; individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia; case management services; assisted living; incontinence supplies to frail, elderly, and disabled individuals aged 60 or older; and a home and community based waiver that offers mental health services to seniors in specific areas of the state.
v. Iowa – Many assisted living facilities across the state accept money from Medicaid waiver programs; however, the number of residents in a facility using these funds is limited.
vi. Indiana – Aged and disabled individuals are provided with case management, transportation, assisted living, medical equipment, congregate care, home delivered meals, nutritional supplements, and much more. The state also offers a targeted assisted living waiver program that focuses on therapeutic social and recreational programming.
vii. Maryland – Program participants are assessed and, if deemed eligible, are offered either services in the home or placement in an assisted living facility.
viii. Mississippi – Medicaid waiver programs for this state cover individuals requiring assisted living services due to disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia as well as individuals aged 65 and older needing adult residential care.
ix. Missouri – Program participants aged 65 and older needing assisted living services are eligible.
x. Nebraska – Individuals aged 65 or older who agree to participate in medical and health care evaluations are eligible for home services or can be placed in an assisted living facility (2).
xi. New Jersey – Under the Enhanced Community Options waiver (3), individuals can either remain at home to receive assistive services or be placed in an assisted living facility.
xii. Ohio – The Ohio Department of Aging is responsible for determining applicants’ waiver eligibility, evaluation of disabilities, prognoses, and financial assets for proper placement within assisted living facilities.
xiii. Rhode Island – Aged and disabled individuals are provided with assisted living services, case management, and specialized medical equipment.
xiv. Vermont – Eligible Medicaid recipients are provided with assisted living services under Choices for Care, 1115 Long-Term Care Medicaid Waiver, as well as a number of other care options.
xv. Virginia – This state’s Medicaid waiver programs apply only to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia who require the services of assisted living facilities. Depending upon the medical circumstances, age limits may be in effect.
xvi. Washington – The waiver program provides for aged and disabled residents at assisted living facilities.
xvii. West Virginia – Aged and disabled program participants are provided with adult residential care and assisted living services.
Additionally, some states offer details on restrictions and eligibility that can be downloaded by navigating to each respective state’s Medicaid waiver informational link.
What to Look for in the Future
State governments determine eligibility based on income, giving lower-income seniors an opportunity to be placed in a facility that will look after their needs and supervise daily activities. With the baby boomers retiring as we speak and well into the coming years, will we see growth in the number of Medicaid-eligible assisted living facilities in other states? Perhaps the thirty-three or so other states will realize the incredible benefits to both seniors and society in general.
Sources
1. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidStWaivProgDemoPGI/MWDL/list.asp?intNumPerPage=all&submit=Go
2. http://www.nenaaa.com/finding-care/aged-medicaid/
3. http://www.state.nj.us/health/senior/go.shtml