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Benefits Chairman
JENNY BLANDFORD |
Does Membership have Benefits?
UPDATES ON BENEFITS OFFERED THROUGH J M MARKETING
Dental Policy Changes
We have received a 25% to 40% rate increase (depends on low or high option) on the current Dental policy to be effective September 1. Last year the rate increase was 22% on this policy. Allstate required a minimum of 1,000 members on the policy to keep the rates the same and we have 670 members.
J M Marketing has been searching the market for the last several months for another Dental policy. Dental Source-First Continental Life Plan is an outstanding Dental policy. Continental Life only business is Dental insurance throughout the country. They currently handle the State of Missouri employees, the City of St. Louis employees, and many school and teacher groups and are strong in the Medicare service for many states.
Continental Life has agreed to take over the NASCOE group with improved coverage at the same rate.
>Extended rate guarantee with a four year contract guarantee with NASCOE
>Use of any dentist and receive benefits
>No waiting periods on Premier Plan and immediate coverage for all current policy holders at third year coverage
>New policy pays procedures at the going rate fee-for-service dental fees not off a reduced schedule like current plan
>No payroll deduction change will be required; we will send each current policy holder a new description of coverage and ID cards along with claim information. Current policy holders will only have to notify J. M. Marketing, Inc. if they do not want to continue with their coverage.
Some examples of the improvements in the new Dental policy:
Dental code 0120 Exam Dentist Fee $50.00
Allstate allows $25 (member out of pocket $25 + $15 co-pay)
Dental Source allows $50 (no cost to member)
Adult Cleaning Dentist Fee $91.00
Allstate allow $50 (member may pay up to additional $41)
Dental Source allows $91 (no additional cost to member)
Dental code 2160 Filling Dentist Fee $219.00
Allstate allows 80% of $103 or $82.40
Dental Source allows pays 80% of 219.00 or $175.20
Dental code 2752 Crown Dentist Fee $1,031
Allstate pays 50% of the allowed $618 or $309
Dental Source pays 50% of $1,031 or $515.50
Dental code 7240 Impacted Tooth Removal Dentist Fee $495
Allstate allows 50% of $180.00 schedule fee or $90.00
Dental Source would pay 80% of $495 or $396
Dental code 3330 Molar Root Canal Dentist Fee $1,000
Allstate allows 50% of $620.00 or $310.00
Dental Source would pay 80% of $1,000 or $800
Dental Source fee allowances are much higher across the board than Allstate. While you still have your maximum annual benefit you can receive for each family member you will be paid on current cost rather than an older schedule cost. These examples are a few examples from the new policy, others are similar.
After the change you will have a new $1,000 per person benefit until December 31, 2009, then a new benefit of $1,000 from January 1 to December 31st of 2010. This is to move the NASCOE Dental benefit year to a calendar year. NASCOE members will be able to enroll during the initial change and again during December/January this year then only in December/January every year in the future.
Long Term Care
Long Term Care is changing. Everyone has received the information from the Federal Government that the John Hancock policy has a rate increase of 25% for individuals on the LTC policy that has a 5 % inflation rider on their policy. Most insurance companies are in the process of replacing their current LTC policies with a newer more expensive policy with often less benefits.
NASCOE members who purchased LTC through J. M. Marketing, Inc have some of the best LTC policies ever sold. Mr. Jim Mace, President of J. M. Marketing, Inc. tells why the sudden change in LTC. “Insurance companies are not making a profit on LTC and losses are difficult to control because of government requirements and increased length of confinements. You will see insurance companies moving away from lifetime benefits and guarantee purchase options. Instead you will be required to buy a 3 or 5 % inflation on your LTC policy resulting in a more expensive policy.”
Applications for the current LTC product through Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company must be received at J. M. Marketing, Inc. by July 5Th. For more information, call 1 800 330 6223.
Cancer Policy
J M Marketing has worked with Loyal American to offer a new cancer policy to members. The new policy offers greater coverage for, in many cases, less premium. The policy must be approved on a state by state basis before J M Marketing can offer the policy nationally. The company is working with the last six states and approval should be forthcoming soon.
Coming soon…..
A new item that J M Marketing hopes to add as part of their new contract with NASCOE is LIFELOCK. Lifelock offers identity theft protection. The package that J M Marketing hopes to offer NASCOE members has some additional features such as offering legal service for basic will preparation for the member, their spouse, their parents, and their spouses’ parents. This package will be offered to members at a price lower than the current Lifelock price and include the additional benefits.
Legal Services for NASCOE Members are available. See NASCOE Benefits Home page www.nascoe.org for details.
Liability coverage for state affiliates during Nascoe related functions.
Cell Phone Discounts Are Available for Members through AT & T and Alltel. Contact Area Benefits Chairperson for details.
Discount admission and parking to Kings Island Amusement Park available. Contact your State Benefits Chairperson for additional details.
Sam’s Club $10 discounts will be available again in June 2009! Details coming soon.
We just finalized the contract with AirEvac, a helicopter ambulatory service to secure a discount for the annual membership. This discount is equivalent to the one offered to Farm Bureau members. Air Evac covers 14 states (IN, IL,KY, OH, WV, TN, MO, AR, MS,IA, OK, AL, GA, and TX);however, it will be offered to all members as some may wish to purchase for a family member or loved one who lives in the covered area. As soon as corporate signs the contract, we will get additional details to membership.
Nascoetravel.com has had numerous bookings since its inception and to date has earned the organization $2676.25 in commissions. What a great way to book your business and vacation trips AND help your organization at the same time! Visit the site www.nascoetravel.com to see the latest specials and plan your next trip. Share with your family, friends and neighbors.
Position paper for Benefits issue were prepared and distributed at the Legislative conference in March 2009. The issues of FERS sick leave credit, the self plus one policies, allowing dependents to remain on health insurance policies until age 25, social security windfall elimination provision and government pension offset were discussed with Congressional contacts.
Membership does have its benefits!
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