Miss open enrollment for health insurance this year? You may still qualify.

Open enrollment for 2016 health coverage has ended, and that means if you didn’t choose a health insurance option and you’re not covered by your employer’s insurance plan, you’ll have to wait until 2017 to get health insurance under the government’s open enrollment guidelines – unless you meet one of the criteria for a “special enrollment” or you’re eligible for another government-supported program.

Special Enrollment Criteria

Under the Affordable Care Act, you may be eligible to enroll or alter coverage beyond the January 31 cutoff date if you:

• have a baby born after the cutoff date or adopt a child after the cutoff date and need coverage for that child
• place a child into the foster care system
• get married
• lose your health insurance as a result of losing your job
• lose certain other types of insurance, including Medicare, CHIP and Medicaid or coverage under COBRA
• move to another state
• become a U.S. citizen
• are released from jail or prison
• turn 26 and “age out” of your parent’s plan
• have a change of dependency for someone covered by your plan (either gain or loss of a dependent or change in your own status that qualifies you or disqualifies you as a dependent)
• have a change in your income that affects your coverage qualifications
• have a death of a person covered by your insurance
• become a member of a federally-recognized tribe or become an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
• are determined ineligible for Medicaid or CHIP coverage
• are a victim of domestic violence or are abandoned by your spouse
• experience an exceptional circumstance such as an unexpected hospitalization or natural disaster that prevented your from enrolling

If you think you may qualify for one of these events or have a similar issue that prevented you from enrolling or affects your current enrollment, you can find out more about the special enrollment period by visiting the special enrollment page on the government website and using the enrollment qualification screener. You can also determine if you’re eligible for special enrollment by calling the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596.

Appealing a Decision

If you feel an error was made in determining your eligibility for certain healthcare coverage or your effective coverage date is incorrect, you may also qualify for enrollment after the January 31 cutoff if you file for an appeal. You can also appeal if your request to be considered for special enrollment is denied. Details about the appeals process can also be found on the government website.

No matter what circumstances caused you to miss the deadline, if you feel you qualify for an exception, it’s important to act as quickly as possible to determine if you can still enroll during the special enrollment period. Otherwise, you can be subject to fines for lack of coverage.

Need more help? Demetree Insurance Services is here when you need us. Give us a call at 904-309-9331 today.

Expecting a Diamond Ring this Month? Insurance Is a Girl’s – and Guy’s – Best Friend

Valentine’s Day: It’s a day for lovers – and a day for diamond engagement rings. According to a report from CNN, about six million people on average get engaged on Valentine’s Day, and most of those engagements involve a ring.

Getting engaged is big news, and if you do get a ring – diamond or otherwise – this Valentine’s Day, there’s a good chance you’ll be telling everyone you know, from your mom and dad to your best friend to your coworkers and just about anyone else you want to share your good news. But if you’re like a lot of people, there’s one more important party you should contact: Your insurance agent.

Of course, your engagement ring has a lot of sentimental value – but it also has a monetary value, and depending on how costly it was, it may need to be insured; according to a recent New York Time article, the average cost of an engagement ring is about $4,000 – no small chunk of change. And if you’re thinking your homeowner’s policy already provides coverage for diamond engagement rings and other jewelry, think again: Homeowner’s policies are not designed to cover the loss of high-valuable items like jewelry, artwork and antiques, which means you’ll need to invest in a separate policy “add-on” called a rider to be sure you have the coverage you need.

Before you start worrying about the extra cost of insuring your ring, take heart: Insurance riders can be amazingly affordable, usually costing just a few dollars extra per month, and the cost can be rolled into your regular premium so it’s even more affordable to have the protection you need for your peace of mind.

Getting a rider usually begins with an appraisal, which is often provided at no cost when a ring is purchased. If your purchase didn’t include an appraisal or your ring is an antique or family heirloom, you’ll need to arrange to have the ring appraised. Many jewelry stores offer appraisals for a very low sum; just be sure to receive a written appraisal and make two copies – give a copy to your insurance company or agent and keep the second copy for yourself, somewhere safe like in a lockbox.

Buying insurance for an engagement ring may not be the most romantic notion, but it is an important part of protecting your investment – and since it doesn’t cost a lot of money, it’s an investment in security that everyone can afford.

The 3 Best Ways To Shop For Car Insurance

Whether you drive a full-sized truck or the smallest compact hatchback you could find, you can’t go without the protection of car insurance. Insuring your vehicle helps you comply with state regulations and pay for the consequences of an accident. If you feel like you’re overpaying and you’re ready to shop around for a new insurance plan, consider these three methods that are listed from good to best.

3. Use Online Comparison Tools

Most people start with apps and websites offering quotes from multiple insurers from filling out a single form. While this approach certainly saves time, it doesn’t always help you figure out what each policy covers in exchange for the listed fee. One company may be quoting you a barebones liability policy, while the next option that is only a few dollars more per month includes a lot more for the money. You’ll still need to do plenty of extra research to find out how the company handles claims and whether their customers are satisfied or not.

2. Ask For Recommendations

Talking to friends and family members about their experiences with different car insurance providers can work a little better. Hearing real stories about how an accident was handled or the difficulty of a certain company’s claims process can give you trustworthy information to base a decision on. However, there’s no guarantee that you’ll receive a similar rate as your great-aunt or your cousin who has taken a defensive driving course each year of his adult life. You’ll still need to request your own quotes to find out the rates available based on your driving history, your local area, and the vehicle you need to insure.

1. Visit An Agent

Finally, visiting an insurance agent in person is the best way to shop for car insurance. An agent has access to all sorts of bargaining tools and discounts that most insurers won’t offer to members signing up on their own. They can also help immensely if you get into an accident and need extra help in preparing your claims and documenting your expenses. Having a local agent allows you to drop by with your payment five minutes before the due date deadline too.

Shopping for personal automotive insurance shouldn’t take hours on end or an entire weekend out of your busy schedule. Speed up the process by combining the first two methods to quickly narrow down the options, then visit agents from the shortlist of insurance providers to settle on the right choice.

Open Enrollment Is Here: Get the Healthcare Coverage You Need for 2016

Having adequate healthcare insurance isn’t just good for your peace of mind and your finances – it’s also the law.  If you don’t have coverage through your employer, you need to find a healthcare insurance plan during the government’s open enrollment period or you could face fines and penalties.

With so many options, choosing the plan that’s the right fit for your needs isn’t always easy.  At Demetree, we make it our mission to make choosing insurance of any kind as easy as possible.  Here’s a quick review of some of the most commonly asked questions about the open enrollment period to help you get the best coverage for your needs.

When is the open enrollment period?

Open enrollment for 2016 coverage began on November 1 and ends on January 31.  Coverage can begin on January 1 as long as you enroll by December 15, on February 1 if you enroll by January 15, and on March 1 if you enroll between January 16 and January 31.

What happens if I don’t like the plan I select?

Open enrollment is only available at certain times of the year, so if you don’t like your plan, you’ll have to wait until next November to change it.  That’s why it’s so critically important to take your time to make your selection during open enrollment: to ensure the plan you choose is the best one for you and anyone else covered under the plan.

What happens if I get married or have a baby?

Some life changes, like marriage, having a baby or adopting a child, or losing health coverage, qualify you for special enrollment circumstances, which means you can enroll at other times of the year.  Your agent will be able to tell you more about these qualifying life events, or you can find more information at www.healthcare.gov.

Can I keep the same plan I had in 2015?

That depends on whether that plan is still being offered.  Even if it is, it makes sense to review all your options, since new plans may be available now that are a better “fit” for your health and financial needs.

What is the summary of benefits and coverage?

The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to provide consumers with easy-to-understand summaries of what each plan offers to make comparing multiple plans much easier.  When reviewing plans, read the summary first to get a broad overview.  It can help you whittle your list down quickly.

Still confused?  You’re not alone.  At Demetree, we have many clients who turn to us for help in understanding their options when it comes to all type of insurance, including healthcare.  If you have questions, don’t wait until the last minute – call us today at (904) 398-5656, and let us help you find the best policy so you can get the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have the best coverage for your needs in 2016.

Seeing Your Doctor for Annual Exams is the Best Way to Ensure a Healthy Life

No one doubts the importance of staying healthy, but many people overlook one critical step that can help them ensure they stay as healthy as possible, especially as they get older: Seeing their doctor.  It’s only natural – most of us tend to think of visiting the doctor only when we’re feeling ill or having pain or other symptoms.  If you want to enjoy a healthy
life, you should be visiting your physician once a year for annual physical exams as well.

Why you need an annual exam

Seeing your doctor every year isn’t just some way for doctors to make some extra cash; annual exams are vitally important for establishing a continuum care that can help identify diseases in their earliest stages, when the signs and symptoms they cause can be very subtle.  Plus, having regular checkups is the best way to make sure you get the preventative care you need to ward off serious chronic medical conditions, like heart disease and type II diabetes, which can become more common as you get older. 

One of the best reasons to have an annual physical is to learn about screening tests you can – and should – have at different ages and based on your individual health risk profile.  Screening panels like blood tests, urinalysis and cancer screenings look for those tiny changes that can be difficult to detect with a physical exam alone, but which could indicate you’re at an increased risk for developing a disease – or could indicate a major disease process is already underway.  Based on the results of those screenings, your doctor can implement a proactive strategy of care that helps reduce your risks or prevent a disease from progressing to a more serious stage.

What screenings do I need?

One of the best things about health screenings is their ability to be customized to each person’s needs, based on age, family and personal medical history, and other factors, so you’ll get just the tests you need, when you need them.  Some of the most important screenings for men and women to have as they get older include:

• blood pressure measurement
• mammograms
• prostate exams
• colorectal cancer screenings
• glucose measurement (for type II diabetes)
• cervical cancer screenings
• cholesterol screenings

Your doctor will be able to determine which screenings are best for you based on your physical exam and medical history.

If you haven’t had a physical exam recently, you owe it to yourself – and your loved ones – to schedule one as soon as possible.  Routine annual exams are one of the simplest and most important steps you can take toward enjoying a healthy life for years to come.

4 Simple Steps to Avoid Phishing Scams this Holiday Season

The holiday shopping season is just around the corner, and with it comes lots of purchasing online as well as an increased use of credit and debit cards in traditional “brick and mortar” stores.  While credit cards and debit cards are a convenient alternative to paying cash for everything, every time you swipe your card or enter your information at an  online e-tailer, you risk having your identity – or at the very least, your credit and debit card information – stolen.

Of course, today’s e-tailers and stores use the most advanced technology to protect customer data.  But as the Target identity theft debacle of 2013 revealed, even the biggest stores aren’t exempt from ardent hackers focused on stealing account information.

Point-of-sale hacks aren’t the only thing you need to worry about when shopping this holiday season.  Phishing activity also typically increases during periods of increased credit card use.  Phishing is an attempt by would-be thieves to obtain personal information, like your account numbers, passwords, usernames, and social security numbers through deceptive phone calls, emails or other means.  The typical phishing email or phone call begins by telling you your account needs to be updated, it’s been compromised or there’s been suspicious activity on the account, followed by a request for your personal data to re-establish your account and check for fraud.

The problem is, these requests aren’t coming from your bank or credit card company; instead, they’re coming from the thieves and hackers themselves.  Today’s phishing operations aren’t run in dark back rooms and basements, they’re sophisticated operations, raking in billions of dollars every year and often destroying the credit of their victims.

Keeping your identity safe and avoiding cyber crime activity is possible, but it does require vigilance and a little extra effort on your part to keep your information safe.  Here are four tips to help you avoid cyber crime this holiday season and throughout the year:

• Change your passwords frequently. Changing passwords and PINs on a regular basis can be a powerful tool to prevent identity theft.  Be sure to pick a password that’s difficult to “crack,” including capital and small letters as well as special characters.
• Beware of emails in your spam folder. Today’s email programs are fairly good at detecting suspicious emails.  Always beware of any email that asks for personal identification, and if the email appears to come from a trusted source like your bank or credit card company, it doesn’t hurt to call the bank or credit card company directly to speak to ask if the email is legitimate.
• Be careful of phone callers seeking your personal information. Never give out your account numbers or other personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the call using a number you know to be legitimate.
• Look for the “s.” When shopping or banking online, be sure the site you’re using is secure.  Secure sites have the letter “s” at the end of the “http” preceding the site name (“https”).

There’s no reason to let identity theft mar your holiday season.  Use these tips combined with a little common sense and you can significantly reduce the risk of having your identity stolen.

Prevent Childhood Poisoning With These 8 Safety Tips

Every day in the U.S., more than 300 children receive emergency room care for poisonings after they ingest medicines, household cleaners or other hazardous materials around the home.  Of those 300 children, two die.  To help ensure your children remain healthy, here’s a brief list of critical safety tips to implement in your home today.

• Know this number: 1-800-222-1222. It’s the toll-free number for the poison control hotline.  Keep it handy – ideally, post it in a prominent place where you and other family members and babysitters will know where it is.  Save it on your cellphone as well.  The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Store medicines, household cleaners and other poisonous chemical products out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Never store cleaners and other hazardous chemical products in an unlocked cabinet, under the sink, or where children can reach them with a step stool.
• Never refer to medicine as candy.
• When taking medication, don’t place your medicines on the counter where children can reach them. If you’re interrupted while preparing medicines, never leave them unattended – even for a moment. 
• Take advantage of child safety caps on medicines and cleaners. Don’t tamper with the lids, and don’t opt for easy-open caps on medicines.
• If you have houseguests, make sure they know to keep any medicines they may have locked away, so your children cannot reach them.
• Use the same rules for alcohol – keep it locked away and out of the reach of children.
• When disposing of medicines, don’t simply throw them in the trash. Follow the safety guidelines provided on the Food and Drug Administration Web page, “Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know.”

If a child ingests a poison or medicine, don’t have the child vomit it up; some cleaners are caustic and can burn the throat.  Instead:

• If the child is awake and alert, call the poison hotline immediately for instructions. Be sure to have this information on hand: the victim’s age and approximate weight, the container of medicine or poison that was consumed, the time when the poisoning occurred, and the address of where the poisoning occurred.
• If the child is unconscious, call 911 instead.

Keeping your child safe from poisoning takes only a little effort, and implementing these safety practices is the first step.  Take a moment today to look around your home and secure medicines and other potential poisons to help ensure your child’s safety and prevent potentially deadly accidents.

The school bus is nearing: Get ready now for the back-to-school rush

As the song says, it’s the most wonderful time of the year – for parents, anyway.  In just a few short weeks, kids will be climbing on the school bus and heading back to the classrooms, and that means buying school supplies and preparing for early morning meltdowns until you and your kids get settled back into the daily routine.  This year, resolve to have a calmer, less costly back-to-school experience by doing a little planning.  The first step: Keep your eyes open for back-to-school sales to score major savings.

Most back-to-school sales used to occur in August, but over the years the sales have started much earlier – typically late July, with a smattering of sales occurring earlier, especially for dorm-related items.  Even if you don’t have a child in college, dorm sales can offer some great bargains, especially when it comes to organizing small spaces.  Dorm organization accessories can be ideal for your bath or kitchen, or you could consider swapping out old bedding for new.  After all, August is when two traditions collide: dorm sales and the August white sales, when sheets, towels and other linens traditionally reach some of their lowest prices of the year.

Of course, the biggest savings at back-to-school sales can be had in school supplies.  Major office stores, like Staples, run regular, ongoing sales with some items costing as little as a penny.  Plus, they offer convenient drop-off bins so you can donate any extras to local school kids in need.  Let your child pick the notebooks and supplies they like to get them into the back-to-school experience.

If your child needs to catch a school bus, consider investing in an inexpensive timer that can be carried from room to room as your child gets ready.  Let him be in charge of setting it so he can see how much time he has left before the school bus pulls up.  Not only can it keep them from missing the school bus, it’s also a great way to help them learn how to manage their time.

If your kids are very young, make sure they know the rules about school bus safety – no standing up or playing around on the bus; standing on the sidewalk and not in the road at the bus stop; and checking for traffic before crossing the street when the bus drops you off are all essential safety tips – and they are good to review with older kids as well.

A new school year takes some adjusting for every member of the family, but with just a little planning, most of the hassles and headaches can be avoided, and the back-to-school experience can be almost as relaxing as your summer.

From Rip Tide Warnings to Sunburns: 6 Tips to Stay Safe the Beach this Summer

Going to the beach is fun any time of the year in Florida, but especially during the hot, humid days of summer.  To make sure you get the most from your time in the sun and surf, here are a few simple beach safety tips to keep in mind:

• Know your flags. Those colorful flags you see by the water’s edge aren’t there just for their looks.  They can tell you important information about the swimming conditions.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection offers a complete review of flags and their meanings on their website.  In brief, there are flags for beach closure and high, medium and low hazard conditions, as well as a purple flag denoting the presence of dangerous marine life, like sharks or jellyfish.

• Take rip tide and undertow warnings seriously. Rip tide currents and undertows are strong currents that can quickly pull you far out into open water to drag you beneath the water’s surface.  Even the strongest swimmers can be overcome by these currents, so pay attention to warnings and stay away from dangerous areas.  Although they can exist in some areas all the time, rip tide currents and undercurrents are often worse when stormy weather is affecting the ocean, so listen to weather reports before heading to the beach.

• Don’t swim alone. Whether you’re in the ocean, the bay or a backyard pool, it just makes sense to swim with someone else present.  It’s not only more fun to swim with a partner – it’s also much safer.

• Don’t swim after dark or if you’ve been drinking alcohol. More common sense advice: Swimming after dark makes it more difficult for you to see how far you are from the beach or to spot other dangers, and it also makes it hard for rescuers to find you if you get in trouble.  Plus, there are no lifeguards after dark.  Drinking alcohol can impair your judgment and your physical ability, so never combine the two.

• Wear swim shoes. Broken glass, shards of shells, lost keys, sharp rocks – there are countless ways to cut your feet and toes while walking in the ocean or bay, so keep your feet safe by investing in swim shoes.  Carry a first aid kit with you as part of your beach gear, just in case.

• Don’t skimp on the sunscreen. You’ve probably heard this countless times, but it’s worth repeating: Wear plenty of sunscreen and apply it frequently during the day, especially after being in the water.  Don’t forget your ears and the back of your neck.

Before you hit the Jacksonville beaches this summer, make beach safety a priority.  Just a little planning and preparation is all it takes to avoid accidents and maximize your fun.

Planning a vacation? Protect your home from burglary with a DIY security system

Summer is a time for vacations, and that means it’s time to relax, kick back and let all your stresses and worries slip away, if only for a little while.  Unfortunately, summer is also the time when burglary rates increase as opportunistic criminals begin targeting all those empty homes.  So how do you keep your mind at ease when you know your home could be next on the list of break-ins?  Install a security system.

It’s true, security systems can provide a powerful deterrent to burglary, but not everyone has the time or cash to install a full-fledged system.  Fortunately, today there are plenty of DIY wireless options that let you install a system on your own – and without having to break through walls.  Wireless options rely on a hub that’s wirelessly connected to doors, windows and even cameras.  Some all-in-one options even let you control your lights and other appliances remotely.  With these options, you don’t have to worry about the cost of long-term contracts.

Most of today’s DIY systems communicate with you or with a monitoring company via the Internet or using cell signals.  Landline options may also be available, but remember: Systems that rely on a phone line won’t work if a storm takes down your phone wires or if a burglar cuts your phone line where it enters your house.

No matter which type you choose, one of the most important characteristics of today’s DIY security systems is that they can be monitored remotely right from your mobile device, which means you can keep an eye on your home even while you’re on vacation.  Once you get home, you can use the same functions to monitor your home’s security, your kids, your pets – even your plumber while you’re still in the office.

DIY security systems aren’t for everyone; some people appreciate having a system professionally installed and maintained.  If that’s your preference, just be sure you review your contract thoroughly before you sign it so you don’t wind up paying more than you expect.

Installing a security system to protect your home from burglary can be one of the most useful travel tips you’ll ever receive, and there’s one more bonus: Some security systems may enable you to qualify for a reduction in your insurance premiums.  If you’re considering a security system for your home – DIY or professionally installed – give your agent a call and ask about potential discounts that could play a role in helping you determine which kind of system to invest in.