Why MNsure May Not Be the Best Healthcare Option

It is important to understand your healthcare plan and what changes may affect you in the coming months. MNsure is a local healthcare reform plan that is intended to help Minnesotans but is proving it may not be the most reliable option. Buying privately can be a safer option when choosing healthcare and it is not always as expensive as one would think. With a resource like Dave Toeben at Insight Insurance Services you will be better able to find a private plan that is inexpensive and encompasses all of your healthcare needs. Take a look at this testimonial from a couple who were experiencing healthcare confusion:

"When my husband and I received our health insurance rate increase of $160 per month we were frustrated! Since we already have a very high deductible, our insurance carrier has not paid out a penny for the years we have been with them. We knew it was time to search other insurance providers for a better rate. Neither of us was looking forward to the internet search and all the time it takes to provide our personal info, wait for quotes and then try and decipher what really is the best way for us to go.  

The mailing that Dave Toeben at Insight Insurance sent to us, to offer his services, was very timely. When we called him to see what he would provide, we realized he had the access, staff and knowledge to accomplish this for us. By providing some basic info to him, within a few days he had some quotes and we set up a time to discuss them. Our decision on a new carrier was made very easy. Dave saved us a lot of time by researching his network of providers and narrowing it down for us. He completed the application process and all the administrative pieces.  

I have recommended Dave to others because we find using the people who are experienced in a particular field saves us time and money." 

Dan & Karen Sauk Rapids MN

Federal healthcare plans like MNsure and the Affordable Care Act have been unstable and undergoing constant changes at such a high rate that it is almost impossible to keep up and to feel confident in our healthcare plans.

MNsure had to postpone their enrollment date which led to confusion for consumers. The Chief of MNsure just recently resigned without severance because she was unable to handle the scrutiny, changes, and confusion of her own healthcare option. With evidence like this it is clear that MNsure may be a risk that is not worth taking when shopping for a healthcare plan.

Dave Toeben, President and owner of Insight Insurance, has been a trusted resource in the St. Cloud area and has over 15 years of experience in the health insurance industry. In these confusing times it is important to have a trusted resource to call for healthcare information so that you, your loved ones, or your employees have the coverage necessary. Call Dave Toeben at Insight Insurance Services for help navigating these murky waters.

Why the Holidays Are the Perfect Time to Purchase Health Care

With the Affordable Care Act in the works and rolling out fully in January 2014, you may end up paying more for your current health care insurance. After all of the spending that occurs during the holidays do you really want the unwelcome surprise of a higher health care bill? I think not. That is why it is important to partner with an advisor to help you to find the best coverage for the lowest price. Here's an example of an individual who reached out for help when trying to navigate the health care maze:

"Navigating the new health insurance landscape was proving challenging for me. The exchange websites are famously and frustratingly flawed, so not a great option for me as I looked for information.  Dave was readily available, took time to understand my situation and needs, and provided a variety of options for my consideration. I enthusiastically recommend Dave and his agency to anyone trying to sort out their health insurance decisions."

Brian
St Cloud MN

If you or your loved ones do not already have health insurance the holidays are a great time to purchase coverage because a lot of health related incidents happen around the holiday season. Different types of viruses and the flu tend to spread in the winter months and good health coverage would help combat the expenses associated with doctor visits and medications. The holidays are also a time when more accidents occur. We hope that accidents can be avoided, but sometimes they just cannot and that’s why it is good to be prepared with a quality health insurance plan.

If your family or friends do not have health insurance the holidays are a good time to discuss this with them because you are together more frequently. With all of the dinners and parties during the holiday season it may be easier to have a casual conversation with your loved ones about looking for health care insurance and how they can utilize an advisor to find coverage that is inexpensive but still comprehensive.

Here at Insight Insurance Services we want you to have a safe and happy holiday! We can help you and your loved ones to find the health care coverage that is right for you and your budget. There is no better time than now!

Health Care Questions?

1. Do I need to purchase health insurance from the Minnesota exchange?
2. Do I qualify for a government health insurance subsidy?
3. Should I purchase health insurance from: Blue Cross Blue Shield, U Care, Medica, Preferred One, Health Partners, Assurant, OR the Government?
4. I own a small business. Am I required to provide health insurance for my employees?
5. How do preexisting medical conditions affect me?
6. How will my age affect the cost of my health insurance?
7. I can’t afford a $5,000 deductible. What are my other options?
8. Which health insurance option is best for keeping the cost of my prescription medication low?
9. How does the new law affect people who are insured by the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA), and am I covered under the high risk pool?
10. What is the penalty if I do not purchase health insurance?

Confusion reigns supreme... but it does not have to.

Dave Toeben, owner of Insight Insurance Services, can be your local resource for health insurance information.

Dave has operated Insight Insurance Services in St. Cloud for 15 years. He is professional, knowledgeable, highly ethical, and well respected within the insurance industry. Dave will act as your advisor, your guide through the health care maze of confusion. There is no cost for his valuable services! The insurance companies pay him. Dave will act as your advocate. He has no vested interest in which program you choose. His only job is to provide you professional advice as to what health insurance option is best for you. 

Even if you believe you already have a satisfactory insurance plan, you may want to think again. Premiums for people who currently have individual health insurance plans are increasing 20-40%. The new plans beginning in 2014 for Minnesota residents have premiums that are far more reasonable and inexpensive. The possibility of being able to have better coverage and benefits at a lower price is worth scheduling a FREE consultation with Dave.

Once again, there is no cost to you for his consultation services. Consults will take around ten minutes- that's all Dave needs to determine which option is best for you. This is a far better alternative to calling the exchange and being put on hold for an hour, and not knowing the professional on the other line. Information needed to get started are: the name and DOB for each person insured, along with the zip code and country for the household.

Schedule a meeting with Dave. His professional insights will successfully guide you through the maze of health care confusion.

Dave Toeben

dave@look2insight.com​

320.258.3122

Teladoc becomes NCQA Certified

Insight Insurance Services has been offering their Freshbenies program for some time now. This easy-to-use card offers an individual the following benefits:

· Telehealth

· Medical Health Advisor

· Medical Bill Saver

· Dental

· Vision

· Pharmacy

· Safe Identity

· Legal Savings

· Roadside Assistance

Recently, there have been new developments to the first benefit listed- the Teladoc service. This service gives an individual 24/7/365 access to a national network of U.S. board-certified doctors who can resolve many of your medical issues over the phone, or online video consultations. It's quality healthcare, when and where you need it, at a price you can afford. Telehealth doctors can even diagnose, treat and prescribe medication!

Teledoc has just announced that they are the first & only telehealth company

in the U.S. to have a provider credentialing process that is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This means that Teladoc has very strict standards for managing their physician network. Their physicians must be U.S. board-certified, licensed, and “highly seasoned” with an average of 15 years of practice experience. Teladoc’s commitment to providing top-quality care earned them a score of 100% from the NCQA. For a look at their current quality criteria, click here.

Telehealth is a fairly new concept, but so far Teladoc has set the standards in the industry. They are the only program that has certified, U.S. based doctors that are available 24/7. Typically, other telehealth programs offer a similar service, but with nurse practitioners.

If you would like to learn more about this service, please visit Insight Insurance Services or contact Dave Toeben directly at dave@look2insight.com.


© 2013 Teladoc, Inc. All rights reserved. Teladoc and the Teladoc logo are registered trademarks of Teladoc, Inc. and may not be used without written permission.Teladoc does not replace the primary care physician. Teladoc does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. Teladoc operates subject to state regulation and may not be available in certain states. Teladoc does not prescribe DEA controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs and certain other drugs which may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. Teladoc physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential misuse of services. Teladoc phone consultations are available 24 hours, 7 days a week while video consultations are available during the hours of 7am to 9pm, 7 days a week.


Disclosures
This plan is NOT insurance.
This plan provides discounts at certain healthcare providers for medical services.
This plan does not make payments directly to the providers of medical services. Pharmacy discounts range from 10% to 85% on most medications. The plan member is obligated to pay for all healthcare services but will receive a discount from those healthcare providers who have contracted with the discount plan organization. The plan is not insurance coverage and does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act or Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 111M and 956 CMR 5.00. This discount card program contains a 30 day cancellation period. The range of discounts for medical or ancillary services provided under the plan will vary depending on the type of provider and medical or ancillary service received. The discount medical card program makes available, before purchase and upon request, a list of program providers, including the name, city, state, and specialty of each program provider located in the cardholder’s service area. Member shall receive a full refund of membership fees, excluding registration fee, if membership is cancelled within the first 30 days after the effective date. AR and TN residents: A refund of all fees will be issued if membership is cancelled within the first 30 days. MD Residents: The membership fee and one-time registration fee (minus $5.00) will be refunded if cancelled within the first 30 days and upon return of the discount card. Discount Medical Plan Organization: New Benefits, Ltd., Attn: Compliance Department, PO Box 671309 Dallas, TX 75367-1309, 800-800-7616. Website to obtain participating providers: www.mymemberportal.com. 

How Green is Your Grass?

Approximately 50% of all American workers are dissatisfied with their job. A recent survey revealed that only 29% of employees gave their employer benefits program a positive rating. Modern technology and Social Media (especially LinkedIn) make it easier for employees to shop around for greener pastures.

Companies which experience a high degree of employee turnover typically suffer from low employee morale and reduced productivity. Remaining employees will ask themselves (and co-workers) : Why are people leaving the company? Is the grass greener on the other side?

Employee turnover is expensive. When an employee resigns, it typically costs 150%-250% of that employee’s annual pay and benefits to recruit and train the new employee. An average new hire is 75% effective during the first 20 weeks of employment but is paid 100% salary during this time.

In order to keep the grass green and the bottom line black, employers must be PROACTIVE. The employer must strive to create and maintain a positive workplace environment. Greener grass will help retain valuable employees, attract the best and the brightest new employees and lower overall expenses.

Insight Insurance Services presents: The "Grass is Greener" Benefit Program.

​This program includes two separate benefit plans:

1. Dental Plan (Second most requested employee benefit)

Dental plans as low as $10/mo. per employee

Insight Insurance Services will conduct a FREE dental insurance audit for all employers. The businesses we work with have realized an average annual savings of $197/mo. per employee. All it takes is a brief 18 minute meeting for us to conduct your FREE dental audit.

-Choose any dentist.
-2 year rate guarantee.
-No employer contribution necessary.
-We only require 2 employees to participate.
-Orthodontics coverage for adults & children
-High Annual Maximums $5,000 a year per person.
-Stellar Claims paying service.
-No waiting periods on benefits.
-Lifetime Deductibles

2​. Vision Plan (Third most requested employee benefit)

-Group Vision Insurance down to 2 employees.
-Extremely affordable premiums and can be offered at no cost to employer.
-Premiums as low as $5 per employee per month.
-Employees receive up to $130 for frames, single, bifocal, trifocal lenses covered in full if in network.
-Lots of vision providers.
-Contacts reimbursed up to $130.
-20-30% in network savings.
-High perceived low cost benefit for employees

If you would be interested in exploring these benefit packages for your company, please contact Dave Toeben at dave@look2insight.com or submit your information here.

The Future of Telehealth

How often have your trips to the doctor’s office consisted of spending more time in the waiting room than the actual appointment? How much easier would it be if you could call your doctor, explain your symptoms, and be treated right then and there? Over 70% of medical issues can now be taken care of over the phone, thanks to telehealth technology.

Telehealth gives patients more responsibility over their health and leads to the achievement of better and faster health outcomes, such as a more thorough understanding of medication and the technology monitoring their health. By managing conditions at home, patients reduce the need for primary care and hospital visits. Some healthcare providers even use text message to remind patients about the appointments they do need to come into the hospital for. Technology makes health care services more accessible, convenient, and efficient.

Telehealth allows the care to be uniquely focused on the patient because the physician conducting the virtual appointment must exercise keen listening skills. Careful communication is amplified, and listening is critical. Words are not lost in the hustle and bustle of a doctor’s many visits between patients. Additionally, with the Telehealth services provided as a component of the freshbenies program, all physicians are based in the United States. The ability to call 24 hours per day, seven days per week provides convenient treatment and saves money by avoiding expensive urgent care visits outside of the clinic’s operating hours. Doctors can even provide a prescription by phone. The flexibility of telehealth allows for treatment at any time of day, without missing a beat. While telehealth does not completely replace the care of a physician, it provides fast care for non-emergency issues such as cold and flu, bronchitis, pink eye, pediatric health, and sinus infections, just to name a few.

The convenience of telehealth technology makes it a viable option for anyone. In fact, the telehealth industry is experiencing explosive growth. In 2012, Frost and Sullivan reported that “Over the next five years, telehealth markets will transition from the best kept secret in healthcare, to being consistently demanded by professionals and patients alike.”

How can telehealth technology work for you? Visit http://bit.ly/12MzAkG to learn about the Freshbenies Program offered by Insight Insurance. With the ability to call the doctor for minor medical issues, the days of waiting for the doctor and reading old magazines in the waiting room are over!



Disclosures
This plan is NOT insurance.
This plan provides discounts at certain healthcare providers for medical services.
This plan does not make payments directly to the providers of medical services. Pharmacy discounts range from 10% to 85% on most medications. The plan member is obligated to pay for all healthcare services but will receive a discount from those healthcare providers who have contracted with the discount plan organization. The plan is not insurance coverage and does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act or Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 111M and 956 CMR 5.00. This discount card program contains a 30 day cancellation period. The range of discounts for medical or ancillary services provided under the plan will vary depending on the type of provider and medical or ancillary service received. The discount medical card program makes available, before purchase and upon request, a list of program providers, including the name, city, state, and specialty of each program provider located in the cardholder’s service area. Member shall receive a full refund of membership fees, excluding registration fee, if membership is cancelled within the first 30 days after the effective date. AR and TN residents: A refund of all fees will be issued if membership is cancelled within the first 30 days. MD Residents: The membership fee and one-time registration fee (minus $5.00) will be refunded if cancelled within the first 30 days and upon return of the discount card. Discount Medical Plan Organization: New Benefits, Ltd., Attn: Compliance Department, PO Box 671309 Dallas, TX 75367-1309, 800-800-7616. Website to obtain participating providers: www.mymemberportal.com.