"I QUIT!"

There are a number of reasons why employees leave their jobs — they’re bored and unchallenged, they don't get recognition for their work, they have a strained relationship with their boss, they have to frequently work overtime, etc. All of these relate to one single problem: Their time isn’t respected.

Day off communication

Avoid sending emails to your employees on their day off. When your mind is always on work, you're unable to recharge and think creatively. As an employer, try to limit communication to only urgent and important matters when your team is on their own time.

Recognition of work

"Great job!" That's all it takes. Sixty-nine percent of employees are willing to work harder for a company that recognizes their accomplishments. Managers may forget to celebrate and only communicate when performance is low. For people to advance in their careers, they need to improve. That’s difficult if you are not being recognized for the work you've already done. Constructive criticism also falls into this category. It shows that you value a person’s time and efforts if you give them tips on how to improve.

Autonomy and independence

Micromanagement is an easy trap to fall into. This is inefficient for both parties and does not build a relationship based on trust and respect. Giving your employees autonomy to do their work is key to getting more things done and unifying a team. Once employees are properly trained and are clear on correct avenues of communication to management, they should be able to be left alone to do their jobs.

Early Monday meetings

Starting the work-week with an early meeting is rough. No one is chipper at 8:00 a.m. on a Monday. Families are forced to balance getting kids to school on time, and those who don't would rather not start planning their work-week early Sunday evening. If you want to start the week off "right," have that meeting later in the day, once everyone has had a chance to get going and become focused.

Long hours and weekends

Working long hours has a cumulative effect on employees and their families. Feeling like you are "never home" causes you to resent your job plus experience pressure from your family that you’re not at home. Really good companies that think long-term know that their employees have lives and communities outside of the office. It should be a person's choice to work longer hours at night or on weekends.

Bored and unchallenged

Career development is a benefit and one of the main reasons people choose one job over another. If you're lucky enough to have employees who have chosen to work for you, be sure to have ways for them to grow within your organization. Growth doesn’t have to be vertical. Come up with meaningful projects that don’t necessarily lead to advancement. Most importantly, they feel like they’re work is important.

Optional happy hours

Company “optional” happy hours on Fridays at 5:00 p.m. are a bad idea. The whole office pressures one another to go, and turnout ends up being pretty good, but this peer pressure and ritual ends up creating exclusion rather than inclusion. Let your employees start their weekends at home with family and friends. If you choose to offer outside social events, make them truly optional, much less frequent, and schedule well ahead of time.

Being late

Nothing says “my time is more important than yours” than being late. It's an offense that over time degrades respect and reliability between coworkers. Communication about delays plays a key role.

The best way to prevent people from feeling like they want to be somewhere else is to respect their time. Create an environment where the company, managers, and employees respect each other's time, and you'll build a company culture that's sustainable for everyone.

Source: Dane Hurtubise, Parklet.co

The Benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 70 percent of people who reach age 65 will need long-term care services at some point in their lives. Long-term care (LTC) insurance provides valuable support and financial resources that help cover the cost of long-term care you might need in the event of an illness, accident, or through the normal effects of aging. By helping to protect your assets, and giving you choice and control over where you receive care—including in your home—LTC insurance helps you and your family confidently face the future. Without a plan to pay for LTC services, you could be putting at risk everything you’ve worked for.

Most aging seniors wish to stay in their own home and are in need of a plan designed to care for for them there. Our long-term care insurance products cover all types of care (skilled, intermediate, and custodial care) in a variety of settings, including your home, community, an assisted living or nursing facility. We offer a range of optional features that enable you to customize a policy based on your needs, including inflation protection that helps ensure your coverage keeps pace with the rising cost of care.

Many people wonder if they are already covered?
Many people mistakenly believe their long-term care needs are already covered. However, long-term care assistance isn't typically paid for by health or disability insurance. In addition, government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid aren't designed to cover long-term costs over long periods of time.

Medicare is the federal program providing hospital and medical insurance to people ages 65 or older, as well as to certain ill or disabled persons. In only certain conditions are benefits available for home health care. Generally, Medicare may pay for up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility per benefit period - 100% for the first 20 days (after a three-day hospital stay, if skilled care is needed). From days 21-100, Medicare requires a co-payment.

Medicaid coverage is primarily based on income and assets, and in most states it only covers care received in approved nursing homes. Each state has different policies, so depending on where care will be given, this will vary from state to state.

Personal income and assets, including your home, may often be used to cover the cost of long-term care, which can have quite an effect on savings and profound effect on family members.

Family members may often assume the burden of care, which over time may have a significant impact on their lifestyle, personal and work commitments, and their physical and emotional well-being.

For many people, Long-term care insurance is one of the most viable options to cover the cost of care. It allows you to feel confident about your future by providing you with the means today to maintain choice, control, and independence in your later years. It is a cost-effective way for you to take responsibility for your health and long-term care decisions. And, it will help you secure your family's future and your own quality of life by helping to protect your retirement savings. Groups that offer their group LTC may also be eligible for tax relief depending on plans.

Selvaggio Insurance Services offers a comprehensive array of LTC insurance products available for professionals and employers. We offer group plans for companies with as low as 3 employees and 25% employer contribution as well as plans with minimum underwriting.  We also offer discounts for spouses and can usually find a fit that meets your budget. Life insurance can be added as well. For additional information about LTC insurance please call Erica at (714) 969-6032.

Tips for Saving Health Care Costs – Without Sacrificing Quality – Part 2

Here is Part 2 of Saving Health Care Costs. Understanding the rules of your plan plus doing a little homework might save some money.

4. Play by the rules. Annually review your insurer's rules regarding emergency care and whom to call for approval. That way, you'll have a plan in place before an emergency, and you won't get stuck with extra charges because you didn't know the drill. Plus most plans have lower cost clinic options for routine care. Be sure to take advantage of this.

5. Get your drugs through the mail. Mail-order pharmacies often provide a three-month supply of drugs for the same price as a one-month supply at a local pharmacy. This strategy could save you more than $1,000 per year on the cost of Crestor, for example.

6. Compare drug costs at DestinationRx.com. This site shows generic equivalents and therapeutic alternatives to your medications and how much you can save through mail order or pill splitting.

7. Get no-fee preventive care. Schedule a screening. Many insurance plans must now provide certain preventive-care screenings without charging deductibles or co-payments. Depending on your age, this rule may apply to blood-pressure, diabetes and cholesterol tests, mammograms and colonoscopies, flu shots, well-baby and well-child visits, and other preventive services. Be sure to check with your carrier for the services that are available to you.

Source: Kimberly Lankford – kiplinger.com

Tips for Saving Health Care Costs – Without Sacrificing Quality – Part I

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Figuring out your costs within the structure of your health plan may seem like a maze at times. With a little planning and some simple detective work, you might save some money.

1. Make sure everyone you see is in-network. Most people don't realize how much they actually save by staying within the insurer's network: An imaging center in Connecticut, for example, charges a list price of $1,200 for an MRI. But your insurer may have negotiated a rate far less than that. If you were in your policy's deductible period and the facility was out of network, you'd pay the difference.

If you're referred by your doctor to a specialist, check to see that he or she is in-network. And make sure that everyone involved in a procedure is in-network, too. For example, if you're having surgery, check on the facility, the doctor and the anesthesiologist.

2. Save big at independent facilities. Different facilities charge vastly different prices for x-rays and tests. For example, the average in-network cost of an MRI at a hospital is $1,145, but the average in-network cost at an independent radiology facility is just $560, says Kang. "The radiologist is the same. The only difference is where the procedure is done," he says.

If you haven't met your policy's annual deductible, you could save $585 by going with the lower-cost facility. But even if you have met your deductible and you're on the hook only for a 20% coinsurance payment, choosing the independent radiology facility could still save you $117 in out-of-pocket costs.

3. Switch to generic drugs. The savings can be huge. Someone who takes Glucophage, Prilosec and Zocor can save more than $4,500 per year on the total cost of the drugs by switching to generic equivalents metformin, omeprazole and simvastatin.

Not only is the list price lower, but the co-insurance rates are usually lower, too -- often 15% for generics, 25% for preferred brand-name drugs and 35% for non-preferred brand-name drugs. You may get an even better deal on your own. Some chain stores -- such as Walmart and Target -- charge $4 for a 30-day supply of certain generic drugs or $10 for a 90-day supply.

Source: Kimberly Lankford – kiplinger.com

What has been happening at SIS since 2005?

• The 7 original companies that followed me and supported me are still with me after 10 years!
• Got married in '06 to my husband, Fred
• Had our first daughter, Isabella in '07. Many of you got to see her when she was little when I would bring her with me to our meetings :)
• Arrival of our second daughter, Eliana in '09. And you all stuck with me handling two babies. :)
• 2010 delivered a lot of referrals from my current business clients and I got to grow
• 2011-2012, one of my companies grew to 150+ man group from 25 employees; a trend exhibited with many other companies that hired that year
• Became educated on more products through classes like Long Term Care and got certified to sell Medicare plans and Part D as my clients get wiser
• 2013 - Expanded to the point of hiring an employee
• 2014 in June - Business is doing so well that we have moved into a larger office space!
• Early 2015 - To date I proudly sell group health insurance to 550 employees

“None of the above would be possible without all your support. You have each helped me to meet and achieve my goals and I am truly blessed out of the bottom of my heart to say THANK YOU! And to many more years ahead!!”

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10 years ago:
    •    New England Patriots win the Superbowl with Tom Brady as QB
    •    Average cost of a gallon of gas: $3.18
    •    Hurricane Katrina strikes the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coastal areas.
    •    The marriage of The Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles takes place
    •    The Disneyland Resort celebrates 50th birthday
Popular Films
    •    Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
    •    Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith
    •    Madagascar
    •    Mr. & Mrs. Smith
    •    Hitch
Popular Musicians
    •    Mariah Carey
    •    Green Day
    •    50 Cent
    •    Kelly Clarkson

Ebola: what you need to know

It’s hard to turn on the news without a story concerning the Ebola virus disease. Separating the facts from rumor is important for your peace of mind and protecting yourself and your family. I wanted to share some information put together by Anthem Blue Cross that clears the air on this significant public health threat. This threat is not just about Western Africa (where it continues to infect thousands of individuals, and has yet to be contained), but for the global community. Well-publicized cases in Texas, New York and Spain have established the potential for Ebola virus to travel beyond Western Africa.

You may be wondering:

• What is it and what are the symptoms?

• How is it spread to others?

• What should you do if you show signs of Ebola?

What is Ebola and what are the symptoms?
It's a rare and deadly disease caused by an infection of one of the Ebola virus strains.1 Signs of Ebola include:2

•   A fever higher than 101.5° F

•   Severe headache

•   Muscle pain

•   Vomiting

•   Diarrhea

•   Stomach Pain

•   Bleeding or bruising that can't be explained

How does Ebola spread to others?
Ebola is not spread in the same way as flu - you can't get it from breathing in air near someone who has it.

But you may be at risk if you:

•   Had direct contact with blood or body fluids from a person with Ebola.

•   Had direct contact with items that touched the blood or fluids from a person with Ebola.

•   Touched bats or primates (such as apes or monkeys) or had contact with blood, fluids or raw meat from these animals.

•   Went to a hospital where Ebola patients were being treated and had close contact with patients.

How can you protect yourself from Ebola?At this time, there is no vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Ebola. Vaccines and treatments are being developed, but they have not been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.

To help protect yourself from Ebola as well as other diseases you should:2

•   Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

•   Don't touch the blood or body fluids of people who are sick.

•   Don't handle items that may have come in contact with a sick person's blood or body fluids.

How is Ebola treated?
There is no FDA-approved medicine for Ebola yet. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that some basic steps, when taken early, can significantly improve the chances of survival:3

•   Giving fluids by I.V. (in the vein) and balancing electrolytes.

•   Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure.

•   Treating other infections if they happen

Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive care and the patient's immune response. People who recover from Ebola develop antibodies to fight future infection.

And finally, what should I do if I show signs of Eubola?

If you have signs of Ebola, call your doctor or the emergency room (ER) before you go

for care. That will help them care for you and protect other people at the doctor’s office or ER.

All the insurance providers are watching the news about Ebola very closely. We are continuing to look at ways we can help our members and the communities we serve.

To get the latest updates on Ebola, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Information in article sourced from Anthem Blue Cross

California Proposition 45 - how will it affect Individual and Small Group Plans?

What is Proposition 45?

There has been a lot of debate over California Proposition 45, the Public Notice Required for Insurance Company Rates Initiative. Essentially, the initiative would give the elected Insurance Commissioner, Dave Jones, authority to either approve or disapprove anything affecting health insurance. This not only includes rates but also coverage for individuals or small group plans.

If approved, Proposition 45 would:

• Demand that any changes regarding health insurance rates be approved by the California Insurance Commissioner before taking effect.
• Require that the public be notified of any health insurance rate changes.
• Prohibit health, auto, and homeowners insurance from denying coverage or determining enrollment eligibility based on credit history or previous coverage.
• Health insurers would be required to submit a sworn statement to the Insurance Commissioner regarding the accuracy of their proposed rates and justification of any changes.
• This proposition only applies to small group business and individual policies. Large group employer health plans would be exempt.

Why are people opposed to Proposition 45?

• Individuals and organizations would be able to collect fees and challenge insurer rates in front of a court room - similar to how Consumer Watchdog does this to keep home and automobile rates down.
• There are concerns that the Insurance Commissioner will change over time and thus may side differently (either with consumers or with the insurers).
• The Insurance Commissioner will be an elected official who can receive funding for his or her campaign from insurers or people with special interests which may cause bias.

What your vote means:

• By voting Yes, rates for individual and small group health insurance would need to be approved by the Insurance Commissioner before taking effect.
• By voting No, state regulators would continue to have the authority to review, but not approve, rates for individual and small group health insurance.

Before you vote, please research and review all the information relating to Proposition 45 so that you can cast an informed vote. Here are a few links to refer to:

• An interesting video from the Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters: https://vimeo.com/105180557
• NAHU and CAHU are working to help band agents together to take real action. For information on how you can get involved in your area, go to: www.agentsofaction.org
• This is a fundraising arm that is helping to fund a lot of NO on 45 efforts: www.cahupac.org

Sources of information:

• www.tasconline.com
• Legislative Analyst
• http://www.stevegrady.net/blog/2014/09/what-is-proposition-45

Life Insurance - Can you live without it?

It’s a sensitive subject that none of us like to think about, but in the event of a tragedy, have you considered how your family would cope financially if you were to die? Life Insurance is the simple answer. There are a number of different types of Life Insurance policies available, but the resulting benefits are all the same: they pay cash to your family after you die, helping them to remain financially protected.

A Life Insurance Policy can help in the following ways:

• Pay for funeral costs
• Help pay the bills and meet ongoing daily living expenses
• Pay off outstanding debt, including credit cards and the mortgage
• Continue a family business
• Finance future needs like your children’s education
• Protect a spouse’s retirement plans

Most Americans need Life Insurance, and many who already have it may need to update their coverage. Please give us a call for a free review of your current plans or for a free quotation: 714-969-6032.

References: http://www.lifehappens.org/insurance-overview/life-insurance/

Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

Are you getting enough sleep? According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, more than 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder, and most are completely unaware that they could be getting better sleep(1). Inadequate sleep can cause impaired memory and thought processes, depression, increased perception of pain and decreased immune response(2). 

Sleep also seems to affect weight, as your body responds to a lack of sleep by craving more fuel, particularly foods high in fat and carbohydrates(3). A 2004 study showed that people who slept less than six hours per night were almost 30% more likely to become obese than those who slept more(3). 

While the necessary amount of sleep varies from person to person, most adults need seven to eight hours a day. However, some people may need as few as five or as many as 10, and pregnant women in their first trimester often need several more hours of sleep each day than they did before getting pregnant(4). If you feel drowsy during the day, even when you are bored, you haven’t had enough sleep(4).

Sleep and work
While many of us wear our sleep deprivation as a badge of honor, the lack of importance our society places on sleep is having serious effects. A study published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that annual fatigue-related productivity costs came to about $1,967 per employee. Those who weren’t getting enough sleep were significantly less productive, performed worse and had more accidents on the job than workers who were getting adequate rest(5).

Common treatments
If you aren’t getting enough sleep, speak with your doctor. There are many treatments available to help you, including(6): 

Bright light therapy
Spending even a short amount of time each day in front of very bright lights can help to reset your internal clock. The time of day and type of light therapy depends on the sleep problem you have.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Relaxation training and biofeedback, stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive control and psychotherapy are treatments typically used for insomnia. These therapies address the underlying cause of your sleep problem.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
This treatment for obstructive sleep apnea involves wearing a mask that blows air into the back of your throat while you sleep to keep the airway open.

Oral appliances
Mouth guards like those worn for sports can protect your teeth if you grind them in your sleep. They can also help with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Medications or nutritional supplements
Medications are available to treat many sleep problems, and certain nutritional supplements may offer some benefit as well.

Surgery
Some sleep problems, such as obstructive sleep apnea, may require surgery.

Resources
Not sure if you’re getting enough sleep? Check out the sleep evaluation tools on sleepeducation.com. You can also download a sleep diary that will help you and your doctor identify what’s keeping you up at night.

Tips for getting good sleep

• Keep a routine. Get up at the same time each morning, have meals at regular times, and go through the same bedtime ritual (bath, snack, book, etc.) each night. This keeps your body clock accustomed to going to sleep when it is bedtime.
• Safeguard your bedroom as a place for sleep. Keep your bedroom quiet, cool and dark. Don’t read, eat, watch TV, write, talk on the phone or worry in bed. Once you get in bed, your mind should be off for the night.
• Be aware of what you put into your body and how it affects your sleep. Do not have any caffeine after lunch. Avoid alcohol (and heavy exercise) within six hours of your bedtime. Don’t smoke before bedtime, and keep any bedtime snacks light. Try to avoid relying on sleeping pills.

Information obtained from http://timewellspent-ca.anthem.com/images/sleep-habits-bc/bc-promotional-wellness-flyer-sleep.pdf

Sources
(1) American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Disorders (accessed April 1, 2010): sleepeducation.com
(2) WebMD, Are You Getting Enough Sleep? (February 9, 2009): webmd.com
(3) WebMD, 10 Things to Hate about Sleep Loss (February 17, 2010): webmd.com
(4) WebMD, Are You Getting Enough Sleep? (February 9, 2009): webmd.com
(5) Rosekind, M. R., Gregory, K. B., Mallis, M. M., Brandt, S. L., Seal, B., & Lerner, D. (2010). “The Cost of Poor Sleep: Workplace Productivity Loss and Associated Costs.”
(6) Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 52(1), 91-98.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Common Treatments (accessed April 2, 2010): sleepeducation.com
(7) WebMD, Spring Forward with 10 Sleep Tips (March 1, 2010): webmd.com

SeeChange Health Insurance Withdraws from the Market - How SIS Can Help Those Affected

SeeChange Health will be withdrawing from the California and Colorado group health insurance markets effective January 1, 2015. This withdrawal impacts both small and large group insurance policies. 

Existing groups covered by SeeChange Health Insurance will be allowed to renew their coverage through December 1, 2014. Grandmothering will be available to eligible groups. However, regardless of a group’s renewal date, coverage with SeeChange Health Insurance will end at midnight, December 31, 2014.

What are your options when your SeeChange Health Insurance Coverage ends?

SeeChange are working to automatically move your clients into the plans of another carrier. However, your clients are not obliged to enroll with this new carrier. Your clients have the option to enroll with any new carrier and can do so at any time prior to Jan 1, 2015. 

How can Selvaggio Insurance Services (SIS) help you?

SIS is one of the leading Insurance Agencies in California. We have a very personalized approach to working with our clients. We listen first to your needs, then we share what we know, matching you to a budget-friendly plan and network provider that is a good fit with your company and one that will benefit your employees and family.

For further information about how we can help your business simply get in touch to book a free consultation to discuss your options.

Information obtained from SeeChange Health Insurance. To keep track of the latest news, processes and information on this market withdrawal, please visit www.SeeChangeHealth.com.

California Minimum Wage Increase Effective July 1, 2014

On September 25, 2013, California Assembly Bill 10 (AB 10) became law. It came into effect July 1, 2014, increasing the state’s minimum wage from $8.00 to $9.00 per hour. (Effective January 1, 2016, AB 10 increases the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour.)

Click on your preferred link below to view California’s new minimum wage posters:

• English poster
• Spanish poster

This minimum wage change is important to businesses with 100+ full-time equivalent (FTE) California minimum wage employees using the Rate of Pay Safe Harbor for determining affordability of employer-sponsored coverage to avoid an employer penalty in 2015.

It is crucial for employers to adjust their affordability calculation to account for this change in California’s minimum rate of pay from $8.00 to $9.00 per hour effective July 1, 2014.

California minimum wage comparison 

If you have any questions about any of the information in this blog please don't hesitate to contact us by email or by phone:  714-969-6032.

*Information in article sourced from Word & Brown General Agency

"Grandmothering" Bill now in effect - What it means for “early renewal” clients

In California, many small employers opted for “early renewal” of their coverage at the end of 2013. This action allowed these small employers to keep their current, non ACA-compliant plans or policies until late 2014.

On July 7, 2014, Governor Brown signed into law SB 1446, sometimes called the 'Grandmothering' Bill. This legislation allows some small groups to keep their current health insurance coverage when they renew in 2014 even if their current coverage does not meet certain requirements of the Affordable Care Act.  To simplify: they get to keep their 2013 plans for another year.

• SB 1446 permits, but does not require, carriers to further extend the coverage for 2013 “early renewal” small groups.

• To save you time, we’ve created a comparison chart showing how California carriers have indicated they will be handling “grandmothered” plans, including renewal dates for which this option is available. Click here to access this chart.

• Health plan contracts and insurance policies renewed under SB 1446 are exempt from some ACA provisions. Click here to read more.

• A small employer health plan or insurer that offers renewals under this bill must provide notice to the group contract holder regarding the option to renew coverage using a specified federal notice with wording outlined in SB 1446. For easy reference, link to SB 1446 here.

If you have any questions about how this might effect you, please don't hesitate to get in touch by email or by phone 714-969-6032.

Information obtained from Word & Brown General Agency

Kaiser Permanente Small Business Retroactive Termination Change

Effective August 1, Kaiser Permanente will enforce the existing subscriber termination policy for small business customers.

That means small group customers can no longer retroactively terminate subscribers or dependents prior to the month the request is received unless it is set for a future termination date.

• Example: To terminate a subscriber’s coverage beginning August 1, small business customers must submit their request no later than August 31. A termination request received in August cannot be made effective retroactively to July 1 or June 1.

Customers can still add subscribers or dependents and have the coverage effective retroactively up to two months prior to the current month.

• Example: Customers have until August 31 to add members with a coverage effective date of June 1.

This change does not impact large group customers, as they are already complying.

IN SUMMARY:

Who's this for? Brokers & consultants, small business and large commercial.
What's it about? Changes to small business retroactive termination; Large group termination timelines are not impacted.
What should I do? Understand the retroactive subscriber termination policy.

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch by email or by phone 714-969-6032.

Information obtained from KaiserPermanente.org