Gilmore Insurance and Bonding Blog
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If you've clicked onto any news channel or website today, chances are you're aware the Republican Party officially took control of the House today and that they are out for blood when it comes to health care reform. There is much speculation about whether they will or will not be able to repel the law with a Democratic Senate, President Obama in the White House, the cost, etc. What's funny about all the news channels and websites today is that, for the amount of coverage the health care reform act is getting from them, no one is actually explaining what it is!
The majority of the reform act kicks into effect in 2014, but did you know some really cool reforms went into practice on Jan. 1? I didn't and the more I researched to find out what they were, the more confused I became...and I'm a life and health insurance agent! No matter how you feel about the new law, it is a law so we might as well understand it as best we can, right?
After some world class Googling, I'm going to attempt to breakdown a few of the changes for you:
1.) There's no hiding nutrition
As of March 23, 2011 all restaurants with more than 20 locations will be required to post calorie counts and nutritional facts about all of their food and beverages on the menu. The FDA still needs to give the final ruling about how this is to be implemented, but as someone who has a serious love of french fries (and who needs to stop turning a blind eye!), I'm in favor of this part of the reform and so is my scale!
2.) Rebates? Priceless
Health insurance providers will now be required to spend a minimum amount of the premiums collected on actual health care for their customers. This means they can no longer justify keeping all your dutifully paid premiums with "administration fees". For large group plans, 85% of the premiums collected must be spent on actual health care and 80% for smaller group plans. According to PBS, the government estimates that up to 9 million (MILLION!) people could be eligible for rebates.
3.) Flex Spending is not so Flexible
Flexible spending accounts turned Walgreens and CVS into a playground, especially if it was strictly employer funded, but as of January 1, 2011, this is no longer the case. While you could once use these accounts for Kleenex, Nyquil and other over-the-counter cold and flu season supplies, you can now only use a FSA account for items prescribed for you by a doctor. You can, however, still use it to cover deductibles and co-pays.
These are just a few of the changes that took place January 1, 2011. Other changes include that children can now remain on a parent's health insurance until the age of 26 and a bonus program for Medicare providers was also put into place. As I said before, finding concise, easy to understand information on this subject was no easy task. If you'd like to read the original articles referenced in this blog, click here for PBS.org and here for an article featured in the LA Times.
The majority of the changes affect Medicare recipients. If you are currently on Medicare and have questions about your coverage, contact your provider. Medicare, with it's supplements and coverage options, can be different for everyone and you should seek advice from the professional who knows your situation and plan options the best.
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Posted Wednesday, January 05 2011 3:13 PM
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As those of you who regularly follow the blog know, I was in a car accident back in September. While I walked away fine, my 12 year old, payment-free love, the 1998 Toyota, did not. Anyway, I have been driving my new car, the 2010 Honda, for about 2 months now. I'm in love with her but, I swear, I just got my mirrors perfectly adjusted about 2 days ago. What a process! I went from driving a low to the ground sedan to a giant SUV and could not find the perfect spot! Everyone has a different opinion on how you "properly" adjust your mirrors too, so I wondered, what actually is the proper way? Then PJ, one of personal lines CSRs, shared with me this great video. Check it out and make sure your mirrors are positioned juuuuuuuuust right! It worked like a charm and I haven't had to touch my mirrors since!
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Posted Tuesday, January 04 2011 11:41 AM
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Happy Wednesday! First, let me apologize for a bit of an absence. It is Christmas which, inevitably, means Christmas cards and I have been hard at work on them! Look out for them in your mailbox soon.
So, this recipe comes to you a bit early in the week, but, if you're like me, you're in prime Christmas baking prep mode. I've got my list of the Christmas regulars, the items requested year after year but have been looking for some different things to spice things up for myself (and my Mom, Chief of the Christmas baking). I am not a big sweets person, so I like to look for a few salty-sweet items to add to the list. This year I think it will be cheese straws and redneck toffee!
What you need:
35 saltine crackers
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
8 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped, toasted pecans
What to do:
Place the pecans on a small baking sheet and toast for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. For the toffee, preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place the crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet. Cook brown sugar and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a rapid boil. Pour evenly over crackers. Use a wooden spoon to spread the mixture, if needed. Bake for 5 minutes. Immediately cover with chocolate chips and place back in the over for 1 minute to soften. Remove, use wooden spoon to spread chocolate over crackers and sprinkle with nuts. Once cool, break into pieces. Yum!
The original recipe is provided by the link above and contains step-by-step instructions, with pictures, if you need any clarification. Oh, and if anyone has a great cheese straw recipe, or if you need anything else from Gilmore Insurance & Bonding, send me an email at info@insurancefast.com!
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Posted Tuesday, December 14 2010 1:26 PM
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As the marketing director for Gilmore Insurance & Bonding, I, obviously, create and distribute a lot of advertisements and marketing material. One company I am always sure to include in these ads is Auto-Owners Insurance, right next to the logos for Nationwide and Progressive. And the top question I always hear from consumers is "What's Auto-Owners? Car insurance, right?".
Yes and no. Like Nationwide and Progressive, Auto-Owners is a terrific car insurance provider, but they also provide great life and business insurance in the state of Florida. They have an A.M. Bests Company rating of A++ (Superior) and have received the J.D. Power & Associates award for Highest Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Claims Experience three years in a row. They also boast a top 50 ranking in Ward Financial Group's list among insurance companies for outstanding finanical results, in addition to being a Fortune 500 company.
Auto-Owners began writing insurance in 1916 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. They expanded to other states in 1935 and opened shop in Florida in the 1950's. Gilmore Insurance & Bonding began writing business with them during 2003 and they have been a top carrier for us ever since. While I don't write auto or business insurance for the office, I am the Mary Esther locations go-to girl for life insurance. Auto-Owners provides every type of life insurance someone could want, with complete coverage and extremely competitive prices. According to our CSR's in auto and business, they are hard to beat in those arenas as well. Their service, products and pricing are always a top option for our customers.
This is the end of my little introduction to Auto-Owners Insurance. They really are such a great company, both to it's customers and it's independent agents, that I didn't think it was fair to be hearing "What's Auto-Owners?" on a weekly basis. At Gilmore Insurance & Bonding, we have the pleasure of representing 3 top insurance companies: Nationwide, Progressive and Auto-Owners among many other great providers, and we want our customers to know we represent companies that will provide them great price and service.
Call us today to learn more about this great company, or any of our other wonderful providers. Information and quotes are always free. Let us see what we can do for you!
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Posted Wednesday, December 01 2010 10:18 AM
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Happy National Sandwich day! It has been a few weeks since I posted a recipe blog but I was feeling a little uninspired in the cooking department and nothing I have made lately has been up to blog level. Anywho, today is national sandwich day and sandwiches are a staple in my household. We even go so far as to have a weekly "Sandwich Night", I kid you not, for optimal comfort during Survivor. The best part of that night? No one has to clean.
So, as you can probably imagine, a LOT of new bread, meat and cheese combos get tried in my house. One of my family's latest, and definitely greatest, sandwich discoveries is the Pepperoncini Roast Beef sandwich. It's super simple, cost effective and the leftovers get better every day!
What you need:
3 pound beef chuck roast
4 cloves garlic, sliced
16 ounce jar pepperoncini's (substitute banana peppers for a milder taste)
Hoagie rolls
Provolone cheese, sliced
Mayo, if desired
What to do:
Here's the greatest part of this recipe: all you have to do is throw the roast, pepperoncini's (with liquid!) and garlic in the crock pot before work. Cook on low for six to eight hours or until done. When you're ready to eat, drain the juice and chop up roast with the pepperoncini's. Pile the meat on a hoagie roll, with that mayo and cheese if you'd like, and toast in the oven. DELICIOUS!
As always, I hope you're having a wonderful week and Happy Sandwich Day!
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Posted Wednesday, November 03 2010 3:02 PM
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