Archive for February, 2010

International Medical Group Named Top Work Place

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Good Neighbor works with many insurance companies, and over the years we have built relationships with their employees, getting to know them as friends as well as business associates.  From time to time, we will invite them to be guest bloggers. This week we feature Angel from International Medical Group. 

Recently the employees of International Medical Group were invited to participate in a survey to the Indianapolis Star in association with Workplace Dynamics.  This was our chance to express anonymous opinions about working for International Medical Group®.   It was not surprising when the company was named Top Work Place in Central Indiana.

For the last 10 years, I have been working closely with producers who sell our products and we are blessed to enjoy Good Neighbor Insurance, Inc as  one of our top producers over these past years.  I like the fact that the IMG® places a strong emphasis on loyalty to our producers and rewards it with cash incentives and free leads.  The company carries a 20 year relationship with our strong financial underwriter, Sirius International Insurance Corporation (publ). 

I personally find comfort in trusting my travel insurance only with IMG.  My husband and I purchase the Patriot Trip Elite, which you may view and purchase at  http://www.healthinsuranceinternational.biz/outreach.asp#patriot , program for vacations.  In the event of something happening on the beach or anywhere, IMG was just a phone call away to provide emergency evacuation that could save our lives.  Also, at a time when companies are laying employees off; IMG increased its contributions to our 401k program by 2% – a total of 6%.  The company offers many other generous perks that amaze me since they do not have to yet seem to love taking care of their employees.

Outside of the IMG workplace, I enjoy time with my husband, Glen and our Fox Terrier, Lucy.  My additional interests are volunteer work for WeighDown Ministries, gardening, bird watching.

IMG is a worldwide leader in designing, distributing and administering global health care benefits – all services are done in house providing an advantage in excellent service and support.  IMG strives to be the company you want to do business with, not the company you have to business with.  It is apart of my focus everyday in assisting with this goal.

 

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Posted in General information |

Going Back to Basics to Understand What “Insurance” Means

Monday, February 15th, 2010

I had the privilege of taking a week long workshop on “sharpening your interpersonal skills” like listening, drawing people out, living in community, building personal trust, and many other areas.  There were lots of thoughts and ideas that were elementary but it was wonderful to look at it again, especially at the young age of 42.  There were also new ideas and thoughts I learned that I never heard, such as “people are the destination.” 

Now what does understanding health insurance have to do with what I learned this past week?  Plenty for sure but that would take a few more pages.  What we need to do at times is go back to basics and understand what  “insurance” really means.   I like the definition Lloyd’s of London has created:

 “A contract whereby an insurer promises to pay the insured a sum of money or some other benefit upon the happening of one or more uncertain events in exchange for the payment of a premium. There must be uncertainty as to whether the relevant event(s) may happen at all or, if they will occur (eg death) as to their timing.”  

You may be surprised to know our office , www.gninsurance.com, receives at least one phone call a week and at least two emails per week asking to purchase health insurance since they realized they currently have a medical issue where they need to see a medical facility as of now and some as of yesterday!  They didn’t plan for those “uncertain events” that Lloyds mentions, and so they were not prepared financially when they did happen.

There are times I wish I could predict the future but if I could I sure would not be writing this article and instead would be scuba diving the wreck at Tulamben , north coast of Bali, with laptop in hand emailing you my paypal account making you and I very happy indeed.  But alas, we will have to just open up those fortune cookies at our favorite Asian restaurant for our “possible” future fortunes.

Another thing to consider as we go back to basics on understanding insurance is that we all help pay for each other’s care if and when that may happen in the future.   So yes, we can call each of us the good Samaritan.  I gather many have not thought about this but purchasing insurance on yourself is actually making others who have your type of insurance very happy.  We can throw the six degrees of separation out the window because your insurance premium is actually helping the next person that is grouped in your policy portfolio.  Wow, talk about being able to “touch someone” and help them smile.  So when you are paying that monthly premium, which at times I do with a heavy sigh, realize that part of your hard earned income is helping pay for someone’s unfortunate medical concerns.  Now if that doesn’t bring a smile to your face just grab another fortune cookie!

Well, I feel we have gone back to basics enough for today talking about insurance.  If you want more, please feel free to email me. But in case you do not get a quick reply it is because my fortune cookie told me today that in 2 days I will be diving Tulamben. So, adios friends, I am heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport for some fun diving in Bali! Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas. He makes sure he always takes his credit card AND international travel insurance. Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.gninsurance.com/travel-A/international_travel_insurance.asp  for your next overseas trip and get a FREE quote.

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Posted in What is insurance? |

Needing medical care while at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics?

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

The XXI Olympic Games will commence tomorrow in Vancouver, Canada.  If you are one of the 2.3 million people expected to descend on British Columbia you should familiarize yourself with the recommended hospitals and emergency information.  You could be perfectly healthy when you arrive, but the elements and the large volume of people in crowded areas will expose you to potential injury or illness.  The Centers for Disease Control has put together a webpage full of suggestions for keeping healthy at the games, but in the event these tips fail to help you, here is some additional information:

Please keep in mind your US coverage may not cover you while in Canada especially when it comes to evacuation needs.  If you are needing coverage check one of our short term overseas health plans at  http://www.overseashealthinsurance.com/short-term.asp or at http://www.gninsurance.com/travel-A/international_travel_insurance.asp .

In the event of an emergency anywhere in British Columbia, call 911. 

If you don’t need immediate assistance, but you are looking for medical advice, HealthLink BC offers 24/7 non-emergency access to a nurse hotline by calling 811.

Looking for a pharmacy?  Chain stores include Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs and Pharmasave.  Pharmacies are also available in supermarkets and discount stores, such as Zellers.

The majority of the Olympic events will be held in Vancouver, but some events will be held in Whistler and Richmond.  Familiarize yourself with the options closest to where you will be staying and the events which you will be attending. 

VANCOUVER
St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver was selected by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) as the primary hospital for Olympic visitors.  Vancouver General Hospital will play a similar role for Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches.    

St. Paul’s Hospital
1081 Burrard St
Vancouver
+1.604.682.2344

Vancouver General Hospital
855 West 12th Ave
Vancouver
+1.604.875.411

Vancouver Coastal Health operates hospitals and urgent care centers in the greater Vancouver area.

There are also other facilities available in Vancouver, including the University of British Columbia Hospital, which also operates an Urgent Care Centre in the Koerner Pavillion.  A private outpatient facility called False Creek Surgical Centre is also offering urgent care services during the games.

UBC Hospital – Koerner Pavillion
2211 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver
+1.604.822.7121

False Creek Surgical Centre
6th Floor – 555 West 8th Ave
Vancouver
+1.604.739.9695

RICHMOND
Richmond, the site of the speed skating events, is served by Richmond Hospital.  There is also a private urgent care center called MCI Medical, located next to Zellers at the Landsdowne Mall in Richmond.

Richmond Hospital
7000 Westminster Highway
Richmond
+1.604.278.9711

MCI Medical
8311 Lansdowne Road
Richmond
+1.604.276.9550

WHISTLER
Although there is no hospital in Whistler, the site of the alpine events is served by Northlands Medical Clinic: 

Northlands Medical Clinic
101-4359 Main Street
Whistler
+1.604.932.8362

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Posted in Current events |

Getting health insurance for specific needs not covered by standard plans

Monday, February 8th, 2010

I phoned my bank last week and was greeted with a voice that gave me six options for directing my call to the right person.  The six options still weren’t enough. So I pressed zero to get to the operator.

Purchasing overseas health insurance can be like that.  There may be plenty of options in a standard health insurance plan, but Murphy’s Law predicts that the option you need won’t be listed.   

Below are eight unique and specific overseas health insurance needs that are not covered in standard plans.  You may view these plans on our web site at www.gninsurance.com .

 For American citizens:

  1. Coming home to USA, not going back overseas, and needs insurance while settling in and finding a job.
  2. Has lived overseas and will be going overseas again, but now needs USA coverage for 15 days to 3 years.
  3. Teams going overseas from the USA for 3 days to 3 months.
  4. One-time premium payment each year for a person who makes 3 or more trips outside USA every year.
  5. Term-life insurance in any country in the world.

For non-American citizens:

  1. Teams traveling outside their home country and/or to the USA.
  2. Immigrating to the USA and cannot yet qualify for USA health insurance.
  3. Needs insurance in USA that includes maternity coverage.

The good news is that we can help you if one of the above situations describes your need.  Call us on our toll free number at (866) 636-9100. An agent – not a recording – will greet you.  Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas. He makes sure he always takes his credit card AND international travel insurance. Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.gninsurance.com  for your next overseas trip and get a FREE quote.

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Posted in Why insurance? |

Health insurance for Workers in War Zones

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

According to the National Terror Alert website, January 24, 2010, Osama bin Laden reportedly has taken credit for the thwarted attempt to bring down Delta flight 253 on Christmas Day. The al-Qaeda terror chief also threatened fresh attacks against American targets.

The reavowal of ongoing attacks brings up the question of whether Americans working overseas can get medical and travel insurance that covers war.

Almost all international policies have a line in their Exclusion section that reads, “This medical plan does not cover…. any consequence, whether directly or indirectly, proximately or remotely occasioned by, contributed to by, or traceable to, or arising in connection with:

  •  war, invasion, act of foreign enemy hostilities, warlike operations (whether war be declared or not), or civil war;
  •  any act of any person acting on behalf of or in connection with any organization with activities directed towards the overthrow by force of the Government de jure or de facto or to the influencing of it by terrorism or violence . . . .”

I think you get the picture. So, if you are driving through town and get shot in a gun battle, you are not covered. You are also excluded if you get injured in your home from an incoming rocket. But what if you are walking down the street, trip and break your hand? Or you injure your head in a car accident? In those cases you are covered for it had nothing to do with a war.

The bottom line – We can write overseas health and travel insurance for people in war zones, but with the exclusion as listed above.

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Posted in Why insurance? |