Hat Day in Honor of Pat Landback

Our Tampa Office had hat day in honor of Pat Landback one of our long term employees who is battling cancer.  She had surgery on Monday and continues to improve. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and her.

United Healthcare's Children Foundation

We just received a wonderful "Thank You" letter from United Healthcare's Children Foundation.  Our contribution helped to provide medical grants to meet the needs of numerous children.  We are elated to be able to help such a great cause.

Why are Health Insurance Costs Rising??

Milliman Medical Index shows why insurance costs are rising

The health care consulting firm Milliman Inc. reported that health care costs for families rose again in 2011. A family of four insured through an employer will average costs of $19,393 this year, up 7.3 percent ($1,319) from last year. Milliman also found:

• Health care expenses for families have more than doubled in the last nine years.
  
• Workers are being required to shoulder a greater percentage of those expenses. Payroll deductions for insurance increased by 9.3 percent this year, while employers' share of the cost fell 6 percent.
• Employers have increasingly been offering health plans with higher deductibles and co-payment limits.
  
• Employers are covering about 59 percent of employees' health care costs. Employees cover about 24 percent of the cost through their insurance payment and another 17 percent in out-of-pocket costs.

Milliman's annual Medical Index also explores the reasons for the cost increases. The study found:

• "For the third year in a row, outpatient facility costs have increased more than any other component; 90 percent of that growth is attributable to increases in unit costs, while (10 percent) is the result of increased utilization."
  
• "Hospital inpatient care experienced the next highest rate of growth."
  
• "Pharmacy costs rose 8 percent. About a quarter of the increase came from increased usage, while most of the change came from higher average prices."
  
• "Premium rate reviews do nothing to directly influence the underlying drivers of health care costs but can put pressure on insurers to find ways to keep medical costs down."
  
• "The effort to comply with the MLR requirements may result in a one-time decrease in premium trends but does not influence the health care cost trend."

Healthy Recipe Feature

I found this great recipe from Cooking Light's May 2009 magazine and it is deliciously healthy!  I am always trying to create a new dish with the ever so boring chicken.  This recipe really does take a blah chicken and dazzle it up with mushrooms, pasta, and a great sauce PLUS it's healthy.  With this recipe you can help to make sure your body is being taken care of.  How can you beat that???!!??

Chicken Breasts with Mushroom Sauce

INGREDIENTS

6 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves

3 tablespoons butter, divided

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 ounces morel mushrooms

4 ounces button mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup whipping cream

4 1/2 cups hot cooked egg noodles

fresh flat-leaf parsley springs (optional)

PREPARATION

1.  Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet.  Heat 2 teaspoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper.  Add 2 breast halves to pan and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until done.  Repeat procedure twice with 4 teaspoons butter and remaining chicken.  Keep warm.

2.  Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in pan over medium-high heat.  Add mushrooms to pan, saute 5 minutes or until moisture evaporates, stirring frequently.  Remove mushroom mixture form pan.  Add broth to pan; bring to boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.  Cook until reduced to 1 cup (about 5 minutes).  Return mushroom mixture to pan.  Stir in cream; cook 2 minutes or until slightly think, stirring occasionally.

PrimeGroup Insurance FACEBOOK Page

PrimeGroup Insurance (PGI) finally has a facebook page.  Check it out and "like" us:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/PrimeGroup-Insurance-Services/209685669055209?sk=wall

Cover Florida is ENDING

Cover Florida is ending.  Read this great article from South Florida Business Journal below.  I can't help but think this is what is to come with the Health Care Reform...

Cover Florida health plan program getting scrapped

Premium content from South Florida Business Journal - by Brian Bandell

Former Gov. Charlie Crist’s signature plan to help uninsured Floridians buy health insurance has gone belly up as insurers have abandoned Cover Florida.

With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s decision to stop enrolling new members in its Cover Florida plan, all six insurers that were selected by the state to offer the plans starting in 2009 have withdrawn. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration spokeswoman Shelisha Coleman said the state has taken down the Cover Florida website, as no insurers want to participate.

It only took two years for Cover Florida to collapse.

Michael W. Garner, president and CEO of the Florida Association of Health Plans, said Cover Florida failed to attract enough relatively healthy enrollees to counteract all of the sick enrollees. That created a “death spiral” of higher claims and escalating premiums, he said.

“It does show you to really think through these type of issues before you put new plans into play, or you will have pretty substantial negative consequences,” Garner said.

With the federal government seeking to introduce new health plans for the uninsured as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the demise of Cover Florida shows that launching new plans can be perilous.

Crist signed Cover Florida into law in 2008. He promised it would provide an affordable option for uninsured residents. The plan allowed insurers to offer stripped-down benefits with annual coverage limits, but the individual plans were guaranteed issue, meaning they had to accept people regardless of health conditions.

Report said plan was unlikely to work

In July 2008, before the program had even started, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities issued a report saying that Cover Florida was unlikely to work as a remedy for the uninsured problem because the benefits were too skimpy to attract most enrollees.

Crist touted Cover Florida last year during his unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign. Yet, the program had only 6,385 enrollees as of Dec. 31, according to ACHA data.

As of the most recent U.S. Census Bureau count, Florida had 4.1 million uninsured residents in 2009 – representing 26.6 percent of the population under age 65.

John Herbkersman, BCBSF’s senior director of external communication, said the insurer discontinued Cover Florida enrollment because it was concerned about the long-term financial viability of the program. It will honor its existing contracts with enrollees through January 2013.

As part of PPACA, the federal government has created a health plan for people with pre-existing conditions that could provide individual coverage to people who can’t pass medical underwriting, he noted.

Another part of the federal law would set up health insurance exchanges so people could pool together and buy coverage, including with federal subsidies for those with low-incomes. It would be guaranteed issue.

The downfall of Cover Florida shows that health insurance exchanges will not work unless they attract enough healthy enrollees, FAHP’s Garner said.

“The people who went into it didn’t have employer-sponsored coverage and couldn’t qualify for individual insurance because of their health conditions,” he said. “Yet, the problem was that younger uninsured people weren’t enticed to join Cover Florida and buy that policy.”

Cover Florida had more chronically ill patients than expected, especially older women with health problems, he said. By the end, the premiums for Cover Florida were no longer a good value.

Garner noted that the federal plans for a health insurance exchange sought to avoid this problem by making health coverage mandatory. But, a lawsuit by the state of Florida seeks to stop the insurance mandate and throw out the health reform law.

“I don’t know how you make it work if you have guaranteed issue,” Garner said. “Outside of mandating coverage, they haven’t solved how to do it.”

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Read more: Cover Florida health plan program getting scrapped | South Florida Business Journal

Great Preventive Care Guide from BlueCross BlueShield

The best way to prevent numerous chronic diseases, heart disease, and obesity is to make sure you are getting certain tests done at your doctors to office on a regular basis.  Below is a great guide put out by BlueCross BlueShield of Florida that tells you what preventive care service you should have done during a certain timeline:

2011 Preventive Care Guidelines: To discuss with your Health Care Provider
Children & Adolescents (Birth – 18 years of age) Preventive Schedule

General Health Exams
Physical Exam and Developmental Behavioral Assessment	Every visit
Height and Weight	Every visit, BMI beginning at age 2
Blood Pressure	Annually, beginning at age 3
Vision and Hearing and Dental Screening	Annually, beginning at age 3
Recommended Screening for at Risk Patients
Cholesterol Screening	Annually, beginning at age 2
Lead test, TB, Sickle Cell & Blood Sugar	As indicated by history and/or symptoms
Chlamydia and STD Screening	As indicated by history and/or symptoms
Anticipatory Guidance
Injury/Violence Prevention	Annually, more often if indicated
Nutrition/Physical Activity Counseling	Every visit
Screen/Counseling for Tobacco, Alcohol and Substance Abuse	Every visit starting at age 14, earlier if indicated

Adult (age 19+) Preventive Schedule^*

Physical exam including history, blood pressure, height, weight, BMI	Annually
Blood Sugar Test	Annually
Nutrition/Physical Activity Counseling	Annually
Dental Exam	Annually
Vision Exam	Discuss with your physician
Recommended Diagnostic Check-Ups
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Check	One-time screening for men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked
Bone Mineral Density Screening	Women starting at age 65; if increased risk for fractures and osteoporosis, start at age 60
Cholesterol and Lipid Screening	Ages 35+: All Men: Annually
Colorectal Cancer Screening	Ages 50-75; With either a colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test or sigmoidoscopy
Mammogram	Annually at ages 40+ (per the American Cancer Society); Every other year at ages 50+ (per the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force)
Pap Test	Sexually active women or women age 21+, should have a Pap Test every year for 3 years with normal results; then one every 2-3 years thereafter: Over 65 discuss with your physician
Recommended Screening for at Risk Patients
Chlamydia and other Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Screening	Sexually active, non-pregnant women age 24 and younger should be screened. Over age 24 talk with your physician.
Cholesterol and Lipid Screening	Ages 20+: Men & Women at increased risk: Annually
Prostate Cancer Screening	Discuss with your physician
Skin Cancer Screening	Discuss with your physician
Guidance
Screen/Counseling for Depression, Tobacco, Alcohol and Substance Abuse	Every visit, as indicated
Injury/Domestic Violence Prevention	Every visit, as indicated
Immunizations*
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Td/Tdap)	Ages 19+: Booster every 10 years
Influenza**	All Adults
Pneumococcal (polysaccharide)**	Ages 65+: 1 dose. By physician recommendation ages 19-64: 1 dose
Shingles (Zoster)	Ages 60+: 1 dose
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal	Ages 19+: if other risk factors are present
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) & Varicella	Physician recommendation based on past immunization or medical history

UF Gators uniting with Alabama Crimson Tide

News Channel 5 WPTV is helping us to spread the news about the Palm Beach County Gator Club food and supply drive for those affected by the devasting storms that hit Alabama. Watch the news story below...

UF Gators uniting with Alabama Crimson Tide

Food/Supply Drive for Those in Alabama

My wonderful agency, PrimeGroup Insurance, is teaming up with the Palm Beach County Gator Club to help collect supplies for everyone who was affected by the storms that devastatingly raged through Alabama.  Please read below and stop by our office to contribute to this great cause!!!

 

"RIVALS ON THE FIELD, UNITED OFF"

There is no better rivalry than when the University of Florida Gators line up to face the Alabama Crimson Tide. The history, the passion, the fan base, it is truly a southern tradition. 

While we may be rivals on the field, this Spring the Palm Beach County Gator Club is reaching out to stand united off the field with our friends from Alabama.  Over the past week we have all witnessed the devastation that has taken place in Alabama.  Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected. As Gators, we are familiar with the phrase "in all kinds of weather we all stick together." Well Gators, the Palm Beach County Gator Club is announcing a "Call To Action" and encouraging all Gators far and wide to unite and "stick together" with our friends from Alabama. 

Starting on May 5, 2011 through May 20, 2011 the Palm Beach County Gator Club will be holding a "United Rivals" support drive. We have enlisted the help of our official Palm Beach County Gator Club viewing locations as well as other local businesses (listed below with their respective address).  At each donation location, the Palm Beach County Gator Club has setup a collection box. We are asking all Gators and their families, friends, co-workers and others to stop by one of the viewing locations and drop off any of the following supplies:

        a.  Gatorade & Bottled Water

        b.  Canned and/or Non-Perishable Goods

        c.  New and Unused Blankets, Sheets. Towels and Pillows

        d.  New and Unused toiletries and hygiene items

        e.  New and Unused Pet Supplies

        f.  New and Unused Baby Supplies

On May 21, 2011, which is International Gator Day (as explained below), the Palm Beach County Gator Club will host a "United Rivals" support drive wrap-up party.  This event, which is free and open to the public, will serve as the culmination point of this support drive. We will spend the day sorting and packaging up all of the supplies collected, socialize among friends and make a last-call for collections. THE LOCATION AND TIME OF THIS EVENT WILL BE PROVIDED AT A LATER DATE.

This "United Rivals" support drive is being held in conjunction with International Gator Day.  From London to Seattle to New York to Palm Beach, Gators Clubs® from all around the world will come together on International Gator Day to coordinate community service events.  This year, International Gator Day will be held on May 21, 2011. This day of service will utilize the size and spirit of the Gator Nation to help positively impact local communities. This year, the Palm Beach County Gator Club will expand its efforts from impacting local communities to positively impacting the Alabama community.  

As a 501(C)(3) charitable organization, the Palm Beach County Gator Club is unable to raise money for other organizations, so we are unable to solicit and/or accept any monetary donations for this "United Rivals" support drive. However, if you would like to make a donation to support those affected by the devastation or learn more about how you can help, please visit http://www.redcross.org/, http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/, or http://www.servealabama.gov/.

We understand that this "United Rivals" support drive will certainly not address all of the needs and issues of those in Alabama, but it is our hope that it provides a stepping stone of support that they can build upon as they rebuild their homes, business and lives.

ATTENTION SPONSORS: The Palm Beach County Gator Club is also looking for a few good sponsors to help support the "United Rivals" support drive. Once all supplies are sorted and packaged, the Palm Beach County Gator Club intends to ship such supplies to our friends in Alabama. If you or your company would be interested in making a monetary donation to help fund such shipment, please contact us. Special marketing and advertising opportunities are available in connection with each sponsorship, as the Palm Beach County Gator Club supports those who support us.

For more information please contact brianhickey@gmail.com.

DONATION LOCATIONS:

Roxy's Pub                                                                            
309 Clematis Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401   

Kravit Law, P.A.
902 Clint Moore Road, Suite 136
Boca  Raton, FL  33487

Old Key Lime House                                                            
300 East Ocean Avenue                                                          
Lantana, FL 33462 

Atlantic Grove Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
401 W. Atlantic Avenue, Suite O15
Delray Beach, FL  33444

Cypress Creek Country Club                                                
9400 S. Military Trail          
Boynton Beach, FL  33436  

PrimeGroup Insurance Services
11891 US Highway One, Suite 204
North Palm Beach, FL 33408

Nason, Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce, P.A.                    
Sabadell United Bank Tower                                  
1645 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 1200 
West Palm Beach, FL  33401

Martino Tires1213 State Road 7
Royal Palm, FL 33411