What the Bailout Means for Mortgage Rates, More

Falling home prices are the main culprit behind the big fat mess the American economy finds itself in now. The colossal $700 billion bailout plan Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke are trying to push through this week is supposed to provide relief for the real estate market -- and ultimately stabilize prices.

The core premise of the plan is this: The government will buy mortgage-backed securities in the open market, allowing lenders to get dubious loans off their books. This comes just two weeks after the government agreed to give Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac up to a $200 billion capital infusion. Both actions are meant to stabilize the mortgage industry – giving lenders the confidence to extend mortgages, and financial firms the confidence to buy, hold and sell them.

But what does this mean for the little guy? The American who’s looking to finally sell his home, or buy a new one? The short answer is no one really knows. Still we posed the questions to experts in the field to get their insights.

Will consumers see a reduction in mortgage rates?

Maybe. "It's hard to know at this point," says Keith Gumbinger, vice president at mortgage-information firm HSH Associates. "Until we know the shape and size of the proposal [to buy up banks' bad assets], it's too early to know how the market might react to it," he says.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.98% Wednesday, according to Bankrate.com, up from 5.73% the previous week. Both are lower than the 6.66% borrowers could get in August 2007, when the credit crunch began to pick up steam.

It’s worth noting that these rates are quite good by historic standards, says Eric Tyson, co-author of "Mortgages for Dummies." Indeed, mortgage loan application volume increased 33.4% for the week ending Sept. 12 (after the government's bailout of Fannie and Freddie), according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey. But during the following chaotic week (ending Sept. 19) -- which included a general undoing of the financial-services sector -- the index fell 10.6%. The association foresees more volatility until the markets can see what Congress ultimately passes.

Bottom line? No one can say for sure that rates will be a whole lot better, say, six months from now.

Will it be easier to get a home loan?

Borrowing requirements haven't changed much in the last few weeks. The tougher lending standards are still in place. To get the best rates, you’ll likely need a down payment of 5% and a credit score of 720 or higher, says Gumbinger. Another requirement: a lower debt ratio, which is the percentage of your income that goes toward paying debt. Before, you might have been able to secure a loan with a ratio as high as 55%, but these days the maximum is around 43%, says Gumbinger.

The good news is we probably aren’t going to see the requirements get any tougher – and down the road we could see those standards ease up, although we’re not going to return to the days where all you needed to do to qualify for a mortgage was prove you were breathing.

It's near impossible to say exactly when underwriting criteria will moderate, says Jason Bloom, president of the Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals. The consensus in the housing industry suggests that borrowing requirements won't see big changes until the market stabilizes. When housing values level off, "that seems to be when we'll see the markets and the lending industry revert back to some semblance of normalcy," allowing more consumers to qualify for mortgages, he says.

Still, if you qualify, now is a good time to be in the market. "If you've got financing, you can buy a house at prices 30% to 40% of what homes sold for a couple years ago,” says Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance, an industry newsletter. See tips on how to increase your credit score.

Will home prices begin to rise?

That’s the $700 billion-dollar question. Obviously, "you're not going to get top dollar selling today," says Tyson. But waiting this out may not necessarily be the right move either. While prices may stabilize over the next year, we aren’t likely to see the kind of rapid appreciations that will add significantly more dollars to your pocket any time soon, he says.

The National Association of Realtors is predicting that housing prices will start to recover in 2009. Most recently, the group reported that while existing home sales fell in August, total housing inventory saw a 7% drop. Sometime next year "we think inventory will be drawn down to a point where aggregate prices will begin to rise," says Walter Molony, NAR’s spokesman.

6 Ways to Save on Homeowners Insurance

Strapped consumers often look to their homes as a potential cash cow. However, these days taking out a home equity loan or line of credit is practically a pipedream. But there is one way to reap some financial benefits from your home: through homeowners' insurance.

Premiums on homeowners' policies can cost thousands of dollars a year, but they don't need to be so pricey. Insurers base their premiums on the square footage of the home, the estimated cost to rebuild it, neighborhood crime and the relative danger of natural disasters -- almost all of which are constantly in flux. By reassessing your coverage and taking steps to lower your risk profile, you can keep hundreds of dollars in your wallet.

Seeking such savings should not entail cutting corners on your policy, though, cautions Noreen Perrotta, finance editor for Consumer Reports. Should an inadequately-covered home get destroyed by a fire (or any other disaster), the owner may not have enough money to rebuild it.

Here's how to save without putting your home at risk:

Maintain a healthy credit score

A poor credit score does more than hurt your chances of landing a loan. Coupled with negative factors, such as a history of late payments or numerous insurance claims on your home, a poor score can prompt an insurer to raise your premiums, warns Loretta Worters, vice president for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry trade group. On the other hand, a stellar score serves as added proof to the insurer that they aren't taking too much of a risk on you, which can result in a better rate. (For tips on how to raise your credit score, read our story).

Inquire about discounts

Ask your insurance provider whether they offer a reduced rate for bundling policies, say, a homeowners and an auto policy, says Jeff Leiman, senior director of J.D. Power and Associates' insurance practice. Such a move can yield discounts of up to 15%. Also, some insurers offer loyalty discounts of 5% to 10% on premiums to customers who've held policies at least three years, reports the Insurance Information Institute. If you can't finagle a better rate in either of those ways, then shop around. Start by visiting rate comparison web sites like Insurance.com and NetQuote.com.

Increase your deductible

Just a small increase in the amount you're responsible for should disaster strike can pay off big in premium savings, says Perrotta. A homeowner who raises his deductible from $250 to $500 could save as much as 15% on monthly premiums. If they raise it to $1,000, they can save up to 25%.

Disaster-proof your home

Simple safety improvements, such as buying a fire extinguisher or installing a smoke alarm or deadbolt lock can reap a discount of up to 5% with most insurers, says Perrotta. Expect even bigger rewards for larger projects, like installing shatterproof windows (10% in windstorm-prone areas) or high-tech security systems (15% to 25%). Just make sure to check your insurer requirements before you start knocking out the windows.

Another potential safeguard: you. Most insurers offer discounts of up to 10% to retirees. The assumption is that retired people spend more time at home, therefore they can react swiftly to incidents such as a fire or a broken water pipe, says Worters.

Monitor neighborhood changes

Where you live is a primary factor in your insurance rate, says Worters. Alert your insurer to any changes in your neighborhood that could lead to a more favorable rating, and in turn, less expensive premiums. For example, new storm drains may prevent flooding, while installing extra fire hydrants and clearing brush from empty lots will help reduce possible fire damage.

Pay promptly

Insurers like to know your payments are a sure thing, especially in today's economy, says Leiman. Signing up for automatic payments that are debited from your checking account can often land a discount. Or, if you can afford it, pay your annual bill all at one time. That way, you avoid the monthly convenience fee of $2 to $5 that many insurers tack on.

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Assessing Insurance When You Buy

If plunging real-estate prices are enticing you to buy a home, make sure to factor in homeowners' insurance costs as you shop. "You may be able to afford the house, but find you can't afford the insurance," says Worters. Ask the current owner how much he pays, and consider these five factors:

Construction materials
Ask insurers which materials are preferred locally. A brick house in Long Island, N.Y., would get a favorable rate for its ability to withstand wind, says Worters. But the same house would be far pricier in Los Angeles, where brick is among the least stable in an earthquake.

Home systems
You'll pay up to 15% less if the home's heating, plumbing and wiring systems are less than a decade old, says Perrotta.

Flood zoning
If your home is in a zone at risk for flooding, it requires extra insurance -- adding an average $400 annually, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Neighborhood
The home's proximity to a fire hydrant and the nearest police station, as well as its crime rate and other factors, help determine the risk level of your neighborhood. The more risk, the bigger your premiums.

Past claims
Ask the seller to provide a copy of the home's Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report, which details the property's history of insurance claims.

The Need for HIPAA Complaint Medical Billing Software

by: Damian Sofsian

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) includes seven sets of rules that will affect your practice. The Department of Health and Human Services, or DHHS, issues these in the form of the "Notice of Proposed Rule Making" or NPRM. Every practice, regardless of size, must comply with HIPAA privacy, security and transactional regulations. Moreover, adherence to all subsequent regulations is also required. This covers most everything in your practice, including your medical billing software.

When you are shopping for medical billing software, ask how and for whom the system was designed, and whether the data will be safe and secure on backed-up, protected, HIPAA-compliant servers accessible only to authorized persons. Look for companies who provide free updates to ensure continued efficiency and HIPAA compliance. The new HIPAA standards require huge changes to how healthcare organizations deal with their patient information, including coding, security, patient record management, reimbursement and care management. HIPAA‘s provisions include stringent codes for the unvarying transfer of electronic data, including routine alterations and billing.

Clearly your approach to HIPAA medical billing software must include a serious investigation of software security. Most computer experts will agree that there is no such thing as absolute computer or software security, so working closely with your HIPAA software providers to help determine data deficiencies is a good idea. HIPAA Complaint Medical Billing Software can be easily expanded to meet future needs, and can be targeted directly to the size and complexity of your practice. Options for new HIPAA compliant software have never been better, as there is unlimited scalability, a wide range of customization choices, and a large selection of useful features that will prevent the patients' privacy from being compromised.

Innovations in the technology of medical billing software have created a new criterion for digital precision. Make certain that the HIPAA compliant medical software packager you chose includes all finalized aspects of HIPAA to guarantee full compliance with HIPAA standards as they relate to the electronic transfer of protected health information. The regulations themselves took effect in February 2003, and affect every medical practice in the United States. Effective April 2005, HIPAA mandates security measures to physically and electronically secure electronic protected health information (PHI) against unauthorized retrieval, reliably store the electronic data, and provide for emergency access to the data.

Since most medical billing software packages are now designed to be HIPAA compliant, it is just a matter of choosing the right software for your practice, and your medical billing software will run as smoothly and efficiently as ever.

About the author:
Medical Billing Software Info provides comprehensive information about medical insurance billing software, HIPAA compliant medical billing software, easy and free medical billing software, and medical billing software prices and reviews. Medical Billing Software Info is the sister site of Medical Billing Web.

Parkinson’s Disease & TAI CHI THERAPY

by: Bill Douglas

Copyright 2005 Bill Douglas

In a special to CNN, the Mayo Clinic’s mayoclinic.com reported that, “Parkinson's disease is progressive, meaning the signs and symptoms become worse over time. But although Parkinson's may eventually be disabling, the disease often progresses gradually, and most people have many years of productive living after a diagnosis.” This would indicate that there may be effective interventions that could perhaps slow the progress of the disease. When we get such a diagnosis, our first reaction might be to withdraw and give up. However, the old adage “use it or lose it” tells us that just the opposite is true. If you have Parkinson’s, you’d likely be best off to use everything your body is, every which way, on a regular basis.

Tai Chi movement’s gentle balance enhancing motions can obviously help the Parkinson’s patient by helping to reduce the gradual loss of balance that Parkinson’s sufferers often experience. However, there may be much more it offers. For example, Tai Chi movements rotate the human body in about 95% of the ways the body can move, when a long form is practiced. This is far beyond what other exercise offers, and in fact the closest would be several swimming strokes, which together would only rotate the body in about 65% of the ways it can move. For Parkinson’s sufferers, or anyone for that matter, this would indicate that by “using” 95% of the body’s possible motion several times a week, the possibility of “losing” the ability to do so diminishes accordingly. This isn’t rocket science, but simple common sense.

Yet, perhaps Parkinson’s patients have even more to gain from Tai Chi. A few years ago I taught several classes at local medical centers. I was continually frustrated because although I’d seen emerging reports that Tai Chi was beneficial to people with Parkinson’s Disease, or arthritis, or chronic hypertension, etc., even though the departments that specialized in those conditions were often just down the hall from my Tai Chi class . . . they might as well have been a million miles away. Because the physicians who ran those departments were either ignorant of or unwilling to refer their patients to the possibilities that Tai Chi offered their lives.

I remember though, that at one medical center a visionary neurologist began to refer patients with balance disorders to my Tai Chi classes and the result was very beneficial for his patients. Another physician actually wrote prescriptions for my Tai Chi classes to treat the chronic hypertension of his patients, who’d seen a significant drop in their blood pressure since beginning the classes weeks before. A clinical psychologist brought me in to teach Qigong (Chi Kung) meditation and Tai Chi to her patient group to enhance their sense of well being and provide effective stress management training. So, even back then some physicians were seeing the potential Tai Chi offered their clients, and even more are now, but the number of physicians who are still not informing their patients of Tai Chi’s direct therapeutic or at the least adjunct therapy benefits to their patient’s efforts to deal with their conditions and life, is increasingly indefensible in this day and age. Given the research that has exposed the many physical, mental, and emotional benefits Tai Chi offers, for physicians to not educate themselves on this and share their knowledge with each and every patient is tantamount to mal-practice. Health educators should likewise be making such therapies part of their medical student education programs as well.

Tai Chi for Parkinson’s is being recommended increasingly by support groups and some progressive medical centers, but until everyone that has Parkinson’s knows about it, then our work at World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is not done, nor is the medical community’s. There are many obvious reasons everyone with Parkinson’s should be doing Tai Chi, but it’s the ones that are not yet obvious that may be the most intriguing. One obvious reason is that Tai Chi is the most powerful balance and coordination enhancing exercise known. In many studies at major universities Tai Chi was found to be TWICE as effective in reducing falls as the other balance enhancing exercises being studied. For people with Parkinson’s, who often see their balance deteriorate as their condition progresses, it is unforgivable for them to not be informed of Tai Chi’s potential benefits at the earliest stage possible while their balance is still good.

Now, regarding the less obvious reasons Tai Chi may benefit Parkinson’s patients. Both my wife and daughter, who co-taught a Tai Chi class together noticed that a young man with severe Parkinson’s tremors . . . completely lost his tremors once he joined the class in flowing through the Tai Chi movements in class. In another class I was teaching an older man with advanced Parkinson’s attended my classes for many months, and he always came in very slow with his walker. Once we began the Tai Chi movements he no longer used his walker, and had learned the entire long form of Tai Chi I taught, which was over 15 minutes of continuous changing forms. His form was unique and tailored for his limitations, but nonetheless a challenging set of exercises he was able to accomplish without the use of his walker. What do these anecdotal experiences portend for others with Parkinson’s? I don’t know, but there should be massive research dollars coming from the National Institutes of Health to find out. Given the promise Tai Chi seems to offer people on so many profound physical, emotional, and mental fronts from preliminary research, the current total research money earmarked for complimentary and alternative medicine’s (CAM) is a mere pittance.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), now in its sixth year, supports more than 300 research projects and has an estimated budget of over $120 million for 2005 (up from $50 million in 1999). Total spending on CAM by all NIH institutes and centers is expanding as well, and is expected to reach $315 million by 2005.

Sounds like a lot? However, $120 million is less than “one half of one percent” of the total NIH FY2005 budget. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges the NIH’s total annual budget for FY 2005 is $28.8 billion (http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/05pch8.htm). Remember, we are talking about only spending much much less than one half of one percent to study an exercise that preliminary research has shown to: n Lower High Blood Pressure (about 1/3 of Americans have hypertension – roughly over 90 million Americans) n Boost Immune Function profoundly (a study sited at drkoop.com indicates that a Tai Chi practicing group was TWICE as resistant to the shingles virus, and researchers believed this would carry over to other viral resistance as well.) n Dramatically reduce falling injuries by about half (complications from falling injuries in older Americans is the 6th leading cause of death for seniors in America)

If Tai Chi only addressed this chronic condition affecting 1/3 of Americans, while boosting the immune system of all practitioners profoundly, and cutting in half the sixth leading cause of death for seniors, without any negative side effects, that would seem to be, for the rational person a reason for pouring massive resources into researching it further. However, Tai Chi’s benefits only begin with the above preliminary findings. We also know that it may very well relieve depression, anxiety, and mood disturbance, as well as reduce ADHD symptoms in teenagers diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. There are indications that Tai Chi may greatly reduce or even eliminate chronic pain conditions, and lessen allergic and asthmatic reactions, and improve overall respiratory function.

My point is, “where is the massive attention this would garner on talk shows, and in health newspaper sections, if this were a drug or surgery that could provide such a seemingly massive breakthrough in health treatment?” Peter Chowka, in a brilliant two part series for Natural Health Line, entitled “Complementary & Alternative Medicine in 2000,” wrote, “Conflicts of interest are not uncommon in most aspects of life. But in medicine, the biggest business in the U.S. (over $1.5 trillion a year constituting over 14 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, according to the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine report issued January 10, 2001), serious conflicts are particularly well entrenched.” Mr. Chowka wrote of physicians like Dr. Marcia Angell voicing concerns of the “troubling” result massive research money from drug and medical-equipment companies was having on the scientific process. In the New England Journal of Medicine’s May 18, 2000 issue, Dr. Angel wrote an editorial entitled, “Is Academic Medicine for Sale?” She wrote, "As we spoke with research psychiatrists about writing an editorial on the treatment of depression . . . we found very few who did not have financial ties to drug companies that make antidepressants. . .The problem is by no means unique to psychiatry. We routinely encounter similar difficulties in finding editorialists in other specialties, particularly those that involve the heavy use of expensive drugs and devices."

So, who can make a multi-billion dollar fortune teaching Tai Chi to people? No one can. Tai Chi cannot be bottled, or mass marketed. It is a decentralized labor intensive industry that employees many people, but keeps the profits small and local. Yes, there are videos and DVDs that teach Tai Chi effectively, but ultimately even those who utilize videos are drawn to live class like structures. As I mentioned before with the “anecdotal” experiences of my students with Parkinson’s, Tai Chi seems to offer something profoundly beneficial to the quality of life of Parkinson’s sufferers. It needs further study. We are in a catch 22, where many health professionals feel they cannot recommend Tai Chi because too much of the preliminary research is anecdotal. However, when Tai Chi is jockeying for position to get a crumb of the .5% of total NIH money going to ALL complimentary and alternative medical therapies . . . the result will be many long years of millions of people suffering needlessly from conditions or symptoms of those conditions that Tai Chi could likely safely lessen or even eliminate.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT TAI CHI AND PARKINSONS?

Tai Chi is being recommended by some forward thinking medical institutions already. The Cleveland Clinic of Neuroscience Center encourages Parkinson's Disease patients to seek out a hobby or activity they can enjoy and stick with such as “Tai Chi” and other activities. The Alexian Neurosciences Institute in Illinois offers a course in their The Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center. Also, the American Parkinson’s Disease Association at Stanford University Medical Center, in it’s “Beyond Pills.... Alternative Approaches to Coping with Parkinson's Disease” program, offered “Tai Chi, The Art for Living with Parkinson's” by Mwezo & Jane of Kujiweza Healing Arts. (Learn more at: http://parkinsons.stanford.edu/symposium.html). The Parkinson’s Society of Canada recommends Tai Chi for Parkinson’s patients, suggesting “Tai Chi may prevent or at least slow down the onset of degenerative diseases; in the long run, it can reduce need for rehabilitative care.” (http://www.parkinsons.ca/managing.html#taichi)

In the United Kingdom a Parkinson’s Tai Chi study was conducted at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital, Cornwall. Their conclusion of the study was such, “Tai Chi training was well tolerated by PD patients in this study, but had no measurable effect on motor performance using UPDRS score or GAG time. There was a non-significant improvement in quality of life scores (PDQ 39). Larger studies would be needed fully to evaluate the value and efficacy of Tai Chi. However our results are encouraging, and provide evidence for its safety and tolerability and would support the feasibility of further study.” (http://www.pdcornwall.org.uk/showarticle.pl?n=30&id=81)

WCHS TV during a news report focusing on Tai Chi’s ability to boost immune system function, also reported that “Tai Chi has also been shown to help illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and arthritis.” (http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/healthyforlife/2177.shtml)

The Neurology Channel reported, “The slow flowing movements of Tai Chi help maintain flexibility, balance, and relaxation. The Struthers Parkinson’s Center in Minneapolis, which teaches a modified form of Tai Chi, consistently reports benefits achieved by patients in all stages of Parkinson’s.” (http://www.neurologychannel.com/parkinsonsdisease/surgery.shtml)

Physicians at the Mayo Clinic recommend Tai Chi for Parkinson’s therapy, under their Parkinson’s “self-care” section for avoiding falls, where they suggest you “Ask your doctor or physical therapist about exercises that improve balance, especially tai chi. Originally developed in China more than 1,000 years ago, tai chi uses slow, graceful movements to relax and strengthen muscles and joints. “

At a popular health website called “RemedyFind.com” viewers can vote on therapies they’ve found benefited their condition, or didn’t benefit it. The rating there for Tai Chi as a Parkinson’s therapy received a rating of 9.8 out of a possible 10. (http://remedyfind.com/rem.asp?ID=13945)

A Study at the University of Florida in Jacksonville found that patients who attended Tai Chi classes for one hour each week for 12-weeks were less likely than a group of control patients to experience an increase in the severity of their condition and a decrease in motor function. . . .[of alternative therapies] the most popular therapies being Tai Chi, yoga, and acupuncture. (http://www.worldhealth.net/p/275,1526.html), (SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 13th November 2002)

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported, “Parkinson’s Meets It’s Match in Tai Chi.” In this article they write that Dr. Mark Guttman, director of the Centre for Movement Disorders in Markham, Ontario, recommends people with Parkinson's do exercises that involve a lot of stretching, similar to the movements of tai chi.

"Tai chi is wonderful; it can help people with disabilities as well as people with Parkinson's," he says. He added that studies on animals show exercise induces a change in the brain that prevents the symptom’s of Parkinson’s from emerging.

The Tai Chi teacher for this program, Ms. Embree, spoke of how people with fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and Parkinson’s often attend her classes . . . “Doctors are now sending people here," adds Ms Embree. (for the entire article, go to: PARKINSON’S MEETING IT’S MATCH IN TAI CHI, April, 13, 2005, http://www.ajc.com/health/content/health/0304/lvtaichi7.html)

At the National Parkinson’s Foundation site, Melanie M. Brandabur, MD NPF Center of Excellence, University of Illinois at Chicago and Jill Marjama-Lyons, MD NPF Center of Excellence, Shands Jacksonville, wrote, “Most patients derive a great deal of benefit from today's medications and surgical therapies for Parkinson's Disease . . . However, benefits of these therapies can be limited. As time goes by, the medications may not seem as effective as they once were. Side effects or unpredictable response may develop. Surgical therapies are not curative and often treat only selected aspects of Parkinson's Disease. For these reasons, patients may decide to explore other modalities, such as massage therapy, Tai Chi, yoga, or herbal preparations to augment their Parkinson's medication . . . Many patients with Parkinson's Disease have become interested in complementary therapies to supplement medications and other traditional PD treatments. These physicians also suggest that as Tai Chi and other modalities benefits are exposed by clinical research, physicians will advocate their use more widely. (http://www.parkinson.org/site/pp.asp?c=9dJFJLPwB&b=238635)

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day joins a growing number of health professionals specializing in fields like Parkinson’s who believe that much more research needs to be done to illuminate the full spectrum of benefits Tai Chi offers all people as well as those specifically with chronic conditions. This will enable more physicians to make Tai Chi a regular prescription written as therapy or adjunct therapy for a host of maladies many are already enjoying the benefits of for their condition, but paying out of pocket for. Ultimately more and more health insurance plans should and will make Tai Chi classes a deductible medical expense for their clients. The end result of this shift may portend the savings of hundreds of billions of dollars annually in saved health care costs as patients are better trained in self care techniques, training the great visionary Thomas Edison referred to as “the care and maintenance of the human frame,” which Edison envisioned would more and more reduce the need for expensive surgeries and life long dependence on medications as human beings maximized their own self healing abilities. Traditional Chinese Medicine has spent centuries developing and evolving self healing technologies like Tai Chi. Now the west can learn about their results, and physicians can prescribe them to their patients and our entire society will be healthier and more abundant for it.


About the author:
Bill Douglas is the Tai Chi Expert at DrWeil.com, Founder of World T'ai Chi & Qigong Day (held in 50 nations each year), and has authored and co-authored several books including a ##1 best selling Tai Chi book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to T’ai Chi & Qigong.” Bill’s been a Tai Chi source for The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, etc. You can learn more about Tai Chi & Qigong, and also contact Bill Douglas at http://www.worldtaichiday.org

An Explanation of Medical Billing Software

by: Damian Sofsian

Medical billing is an increasingly popular office or home-based small business opportunity that involves using skills and knowledge in medical terminology, insurance claims, and customer service to ensure that physicians and clinics receive payment from patients and insurance companies.

Whether working from home based small-businesses or at large hospitals, every medical biller utilizes medical billing software. Though still referred to as medical billing software, today’s electronic medical billing software is also more accurately called medical practice management software and covers many functions. Up-to-date medical billing software will generate a variety of reports based on data, manage appointments, as well as collect, transmit, and track billing information and payments. Current medical billing software will also make sure that records are kept in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act security standards. When deciding on software to buy, compliance with this act is an important consideration and will help you steer clear of some of the software scam artists out there.

When considering software for a medical billing business, here are some things to ask yourself or potential suppliers:

• Does the software include the ability to manage several different accounts?
• Can the software handle multiple doctors or multiple offices?
• Does the software recognize current procedure and diagnosis codes and it is updatable for the future (very important!)

Many vendors will allow a trial use of their program to see if it fits your needs. You will also be able to address whether the supplier answers questions in a timely fashion and if the are helpful in a trouble-shooting situation. Remember that a good medical billing software suite will cost at least $500 so don’t be fooled by people trying to sell $50 products that don’t even function.

Though electronic billing is still mainstream, there is a movement towards online billing where a subscription is setup on the web allowing a paperless entry of patient information, claims, and more. This service will cost more than $200 per month so you have to research and weigh the benefits of a one time investment for electronic medical billing software that is local or the online web-based software that can be used from any web-connected computer or device.

About the author:
Medical Billing Info provides comprehensive information about medical billing software, services, jobs and companies. Medical Billing Info is the sister site of Medical Billing Software Web.

Before You Look for Health Insurance

by: Richard Keir

Copyright 2005 Richard Keir

Shopping around for medical insurance can be a confusing business. You need to keep your wits about you and keep track of the benefits and costs of each policy and each type of policy. Too often we tend to look at the price first and the rest of the policy becomes a blur of fine print. And we're off to check the next policy.

Slow down. There some important things you should do before you start chasing around to get a policy. Doing these few things will make the whole process simpler and clearer - and you're much more likely to make a good decision.

You need to carefully consider your situation. Think about these questions and note your answers:

What's the general state of your health?

How old are you?

Do you have any serious medical problems currently or in your medical history?

Do you have any history of recurring or on-going medical needs?

Do you use tobacco? How much?

Do you drink? How much?

Are you over- or under-weight for your height, body-type and age?

Is your job hazardous?

Do you participate in any activities or sports that could affect your health?

Now this may be unpleasant but if there's any chance an insurance company could discover a history of drug or alcohol abuse or sexual behavior that might put you in a high risk group, you may want to be direct and upfront about it - especially if it's in the past. Having a claim denied later because you had failed to disclose medical information to the insurance company would be far more upsetting - and very expensive. The same goes for any significant medical condition. Insurance companies are in it to make a profit - at least most of them are. Paying large claims isn't their favorite activity, so they often do investigate.

If you're seeking a family policy you'll need to make the same analysis for everyone and consider carefully what kind of coverage you want.

Do you need dental, orthodontic, pregnancy, mental health, and/or drug coverage? Do you need long-term care coverage, either inpatient or in a nursing facility? Assisted living coverage? What about traveler's or international coverage?

If there's a possibility that you may require - or want - in-home care as opposed to a residential nursing or assisted living facility, be sure that coverage is included and be sure you understand exactly what you can expect to receive.

Think about deductibles and what you could afford pay to reduce your insurance costs. But be very careful here, because medical expenses tend to pile up quickly and reach nearly insane levels for complex treatments or inpatient stays. Many drugs in common use are ridiculously over-priced and depending on the specifics of your insurance you may not be able to use the least expensive sources.

If you will end up with multiple sources of coverage, be clear about how they fit together and what the rules are about overlapping or combined benefits.

Once you are clear on your current situation, your (and other family member's) medical history, and your projected needs, you can begin looking in a organized way with a better sense of where you're going and what will actually meet your needs. This may seem like a tedious process, but it will serve you well in finding appropriate and affordable health insurance and making sure your health care needs can be met by the medical insurance you choose.

Take some time to work through these questions. Write down your answers. Make a chart with your desired coverages and any special conditions the policy must meet. As you look at health insurance policies, note the rules, exclusions, information about pre-existing conditions, any limitations, the dollar amounts covered and especially any deductibles.

Don't try to do too much at once. If you hurry, it'll become confusing and tiring. You may hate it (I know I do), but you really do need to read all that fine print and understand it. That's not a task to rush through. You might as well face up to it, because it's a lot better to do it BEFORE you need medical services than after you get a bill for the uncovered portion that sends you into shock.

So is it an impossible job to find health insurance that works for you? Not at all. There's a world of resources on the internet to help you find the policy you need. Just be sure to do your homework first.


About the author:
Richard is a writer, educator and consultant providing services to medical, scientific and business professionals. For more on choosing a health insurance policy or finding the best medical plan for you, visit http://www.aboutinsurance.info/

Health Care Costs Are Rising At Epidemic Proportions - Here's How To Protect Yourself

by: Blaine G. Dares
Health care costs are now approaching 15% of our national economy and the economic repercussions have been felt by most American families as employers are unwilling to absorb the bulk of the health care cost burden.

In 2004, employer health insurance premiums increased by 11.2% - nearly four times the rate of inflation. The annual premium for an employer health plan covering a family of four averaged nearly $10,000. The annual premium for single coverage averaged $3,695. Health insurance premiums will rise to an average of more than $14,500 for family coverage in 2006.

In 2004, health care spending in the United States reached $1.7 trillion, and is projected to reach $1.9 trillion in 2005. Health care spending is 4.3 times the amount spent on national defense.

Overall national health care costs will increase further with the implementation of Medicare prescription drug coverage. Too many Americans are uninsured while even a greater percentage have no insurance at all. Uninsured individuals also present a problem for hospitals and other providers who must provide treatment in catastrophic situations without compensation.

Many employees receive restricted coverage and insurance plans that are negotiated between employers and insurance providers limit coverage to a single insurance carrier or an HMO.

Prescription drugs are the fastest-growing part of the nation's health care expense. Pharmacy bills have become a significant item in the budget of most families.

For 37% of Americans without prescription coverage, the problem is critical. Especially for seniors who constitute 12% of the population but use 37% of prescription drugs. The rest especially those without health insurance, is significantly affected by high drug prices.

What has caused this cost increase?
Much of it is due to a riddled health care system of excessive administrative expenses, inflated prices, poor management, inappropriate care, waste and fraud. These problems significantly increase the cost of medical care and health insurance for employers and workers.

On the other side of the cost issue there is the recent development of new effective medications for a variety of illnesses. Such newer "brand name" medications are patent-protected and cost far more than generic medications.

The drug industry argues that the higher cost of new medications helps fund research and development of even newer medicines. Many critics argue that much of the research and development of pharmaceutical products is actually government funded.

Also contributing to the cost increase is marketing. As this is 30% of a drug manufacturer's budget. Brand-name U.S drug makers were reported to employ 81% more people in marketing than in research and development of much needed drugs.

Policymakers and government officials agree that health care costs must be controlled. But they disagree on the best ways to address rapidly escalating health spending. Some favor price controls and imposing strict budgets on health care spending.

Others believe free market competition is the best way to solve the problems but if people can't afford it, how will they protect themselves and their family?

Well there is something you can do and that's become apart of the solution and not the problem by learning more about our troubled medical industry.

Visit http://www.medicalcardsavings.com and sign up to our weekly ezine and receive our Free ebook for complete details and answers to these questions and mo

Share this article with others and we will reward you with cash and more subscribers. for your eZine. http://www.medicalcardsavings.com/ezinepublisher.html

About the author:
Blaine Dares is the President of Medical Card Savings USA Saving over 1 Million Americans over $100 Million on Dental, Medical, Prescriptions, Vision & Chiropractic Care. Instant Nationwide Savings. For complete details visit http://www.medicalcardsavings.com

Medical Billing Companies: An Overview

by: Damian Sofsian
Every healthcare provider, including dentists, surgeons, doctors, or chiropractors, is entitled to receive money for their services. Medical billing companies are setup to make it easier for them to wade through the murky waters or regulation and insurance company code to ensure proper and timely reimbursement.

Employees trained by medical billing companies are trained to understand health insurance and the healthcare industry in all its complexity. Their individual responsibilities are then to bill patients and insurance companies based on the proper codes according to their superbill (treatment record). Then, they have to follow up on claims and answer any questions regarding billing. In addition, medical billers must submit reports and help their clients to understand the positive and negative aspects of their cash flow.

There are many large medical billing companies to choose from and they all offer a range of services. Any full-service medical billing company should be able to offer the following:

• Expedite the claim/reimbursement process using advanced software and expertise
• Follow up on unpaid bills with both patients and insurance companies
• Provide accurate and timely feedback on their client’s practice in the form of reports
• Stay up to date on all new regulations

Good medical billing companies help clients to increase their revenue by getting claims reimbursed quickly and accurately.

Besides the many large medical billing companies, there are also many small one or two-person businesses that operate from homes across the nation. These small-business medical billing operations have the advantage of more personal attention to their client’s needs. Anyone with sufficient training and expertise can run an effective home-based medical billing company if they dedicate themselves.

When looking for medical billing companies, it is important to shop around. Larger companies may let you have a trial period so you can see if you like the way they handle your billing issues. Whether you decide to try a small or a large medical billing company, be sure to ask for references and address any concerns you have upfront so you can make sure the arrangement is positive on both ends.

About the author:
Medical Billing Info provides comprehensive information about medical billing software, services, jobs and companies. Medical Billing Info is the sister site of Medical Billing Software Web.

Medicare and Hearing Aids

While approximately .08% of children born in the U.S. have some degree of hearing impairment, the vast majority of audio-impaired people are over age 50. Because the people in this age range often have limited resources for health coverage, purchasing hearing aids can be financially difficult.

It is not unusual for older people to procrastinate about going to hearing evaluations. They usually know if they are losing their hearing and know that hearing aids are expensive. If they are uninsured or underinsured, they may have trouble making such a purchase.

Unfortunately for those without private health insurance, hearing aids may have to be purchased out-of-pocket. The debate of the issue of Medicare and hearing aids has been a lengthy and ongoing battle. With only a few exceptions, Medicare continues to exclude hearing aid coverage in both of the plans: A & B. Even people who purchase additional Medigap policies through private insurance companies will not receive hearing aid coverage.

Luckily, however, over the past few years, Medicare has increased health coverage options. Some seniors now have the option of a Medicare HMO plan. Similar to private HMO’s, seniors must choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) and only visit doctors and specialists in their particular network. By paying a small co-payment each time they visit a physician, they are able to save money on premiums and often get additional benefits.

If Medicare and hearing aids are of concern to you, you should become a wise consumer. Learn as much as you can about the Medicare HMO you plan to choose and make sure that they offer additional benefits such as vision care and hearing aids. These plans will generally offer services for auditory evaluations and fittings for the hearing aid. Medicare sometimes pays the full amount and other times you may be asked to meet a deductible. It depends on your specific coverage.

About the author:
Hearing Aids Info provides comprehensive information about digital, programmable, behind-the-ear, discount, wholesale, and cheap hearing aids, as well as child hearing aids, Medicare and hearing aids, and reviews of best hearing aids. Hearing Aids Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

Guide To Evaluating Budget Car Insurance

These days, Internet shopping makes it easy to find budget car insurance coverage for your needs. However, it helps to know what you're getting in car insurance even when you want to save a buck, which of course you do.

First of all, if you drive an older car and you don't have any payments on that car, you don't need two types of insurance: collision insurance or comprehensive insurance. You do need liability insurance no matter what type of car you drive. Laws vary from state to state as to the amount of liability insurance you need to have, but if you're on the road, you do absolutely have to have liability insurance. It should be noted that liability insurance does not cover you or your vehicle in any way. It simply guarantees that you are responsible for the other party's car and/or injuries up to a certain amount, if you are deemed at fault in an accident. Budget car insurance can also include simple liability insurance, as well as two other types of insurance, comprehensive and collision insurance.

If your car is newer and/or you still owe payments on that car, then you'll want to have both comprehensive and collision insurance. This is because the premiums you pay also include the insurance company's replacement of your car in the event you're in an accident.

For the best kind of budget car insurance, of course you want to pay as little as possible for the coverage you need, whether it's just simple liability insurance or it includes comprehensive and/or collision insurance as well. So first, determine whether your car is old enough and not worth the cost of having it covered with comprehensive and collision insurance. Collision insurance covers your car's damage in the event you're in an accident, whether or not it's determined you're at fault. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if it happens when you're not driving, such as if your car is vandalized when it's parked or if a tree limb falls on it, for example.

Collision and comprehensive coverage become unnecessary when your car is old enough that its replacement value is not worth your insurance premiums. In that case, you're better off putting the extra money you save on premiums in a savings account or some other place where it's going to earn interest and then buy a new car with that money if your old one is in an accident and is no longer operable.

However, if your car is new enough that collision and comprehensive coverage make the extra premiums worth your while because replacement cost is more than the premiums you pay, then you should indeed carry comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. You can get budget car insurance for these types of coverage, too.

Once you have determined what type of insurance you need, go search for budget car insurance. Depending on your driving record, your age, any accidents you've had, any previous insurance claims you had, and so on, you'll qualify within a certain risk category. Within that risk category, though, quotes can vary wildly depending on the company and the underwriters' assessment of you. Therefore, it's best to shop around for the lowest cost insurance with the greatest coverage depending on what you need.

Remember that budget car insurance can be had no matter the type of coverage you need or your driving record; it's true that if your driving record is less than perfect or if you're within a certain age and/or gender category, you may pay more than someone else will regardless. The area you live in also helps determine the amount of insurance you pay. Nonetheless, you should be able to get the best rate possible with budget car insurance by doing some homework and assessing competing quotes. Choose the lowest quote with the highest coverage in it. Make sure you also research insurance companies to make sure they have good records and handle claims promptly and fairly. If you do this, though, it should be easy to find budget car insurance for your needs.

One last word of advice is that you should shop around both online and offline. There is budget car insurance available from some very reliable and reputable companies online, but just because you got it online does not guarantee that it will be the best of cheapest. Shop around, both online and offline, make sure you are comparing apples to apples for coverage and deductibles, and then you can determine which is most cost effective for you.

About the Author

For more insights and additional information about finding Budget Car Insurance as well as getting a very aggressive online car insurance quote, please visit our web site at http://www.tips-for-car-insurance.com

THE TOP FIVE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

Since competition in terms of health insurance is on the rise, it is no wonder that more and more forms of health insurance are being designed. Among these, there are few that are popular and they are briefly described below.

Individual Insurance: Ensuring a person individually is a common mode of insurance. One may be selective about what s/he wants in a plan through this process. Accordingly, one has required premium is calculated, and the insurance plan takes effect.

Group Insurance: Another type of insurance is the group arrangement. Through this type of insurance, one is compelled to abide by what others are going for, and this is dependent on the insurance providers. They are the ones that decide what is feasible to include in a plan, and on that basis, a group insurance can take place.

Indemnity Plan: This plan allows one to go to any doctor when one needs to; there are no restrictions on this, and it is believed to be more of a traditional plan. One does not need permission to go to a particular health care provider. However, usually what happens is that the member pays 20% of the total fee for treatment while the insurance provider pays 80%. In addition to this, there is a period through which one pays up in this manner, and then the company takes over paying the whole 100%.

HMO: The Health Maintenance Organization is one that allows a member to select a particular doctor off the panel. It is these selected doctors that will deal will with members' problems. The selected doctor is the one that will be approached for checkups of any kind, and if there are problems with a member that cannot be handled by him or her, the member is referred to specialists.



About the author:
For more information, visit http://www.healthinsuranceinfocenter.com

Health Insurance and health care

Health insurance is something that everyone needs today. The rising cost of visiting a health care provider or a hospital stay makes it imperative that everyone have some type of health care coverage. Government statistics estimate that over 40 million people in America are not covered by any type of health insurance on any given day. That's an enormous number of people who really are taking a financial risk.


Even if you're on a tight, limited budget, it's very important that you pick up some kind of affordable health insurance. Even if you only have a plan that covers unexpected hospitalization, your peace of mind will be greatly enhanced. Keep in mind that a catastrophic health insurance policy can come with a high deductible before their coverage kicks in. They don't pick up the cost of preventive physician visits or emergency room visits to get a few stitches.


Some questions to ask when considering affordable health insurance.

1) Can your and/or your family afford to pay ALL your medical expenses if you're sick or injured?

2) How much is the deductible?

3) How much are the premiums?


With a little searching and comparison shopping you find the best rate for your personal affordable health insurance.



About the author:
Mike Yeager
Author/Publisher
http://www.a1-healthinsurance-4u.com/

Life insurance – wise investment in personal finance or excessive caution?

Life insurance is typically taken out to offer valuable financial protection for your family in the event of your death, upon which a payment is made to your financial beneficiaries, heirs or family members. The extent of this payment will depend on your insured sum and earnings. Life insurance and life assurance may be interlinked in advertisements, though bear in mind the two policies are different. Life assurance is a form of financial protection which is also an investment, as you should always get a pay-out at the end of the term of the policy. Life insurance on the other hand is simply financial protection for your family, avoiding the issue of debt in the event of your death.

According to an article by the Fair Investment Company, the British life insurance industry shrank to almost half the size of the pensions industry last year and according to the Association of British Insurers, less than 50% of UK households hold a life insurance policy.

In their most recent newsletter about this issue, the Association of British Insurers found that 25% of mortgage holders had insufficient life insurance to cover their debt. The ratio of new life insurance policies to new mortgage loans was apparently 68% in 1994, but by 2004 this had dropped by half to 33%.

The absence of mortgage life coverage poses a serious risk for the dependants of homeowners. If banks were to embark on wide scale repossessions as a result of this absence of life insurance, this would impose a risk on their loan books and reputations. The Association of British Insurers also state that one of the main reasons behind the increased gap between mortgage loans and insurance is the emergence of people remortgaging their property to take advantage of equity release through a rise in value, without insuring their borrowing. In their report it was stated that around 63% of new mortgage loans were remortgages or further advances, compared to 34% in 1994. Egg reported at around the same time, that three out of four of these new loan homeowners had no intention of insuring this additional debt. This is particularly worrying if couples are remortgaging their property later in life – towards retirement, given that should anything happen to the breadwinner, the partner would be left with significant debts without the capability of paying the loan back.

Reasons for the downward trend in life insurance take-up include:

* Relaxation in lending policy – increased competition in the mortgage market means that lenders are not forcing life insurance policies on their customers

* High house prices have stretched homebuyers, in particular first time home-buyers, in terms of their mortgage repayments, that the additional costs of a life insurance policy are deemed too expensive

* There are more households with no dependents

If you’re interested in researching a life insurance policy, make sure you shop around. UK websites such as moneynet ( http://www.moneynet.co.uk ) provide life insurance and life assurance information guides, as well as providing price comparison research for the different products. In the states, the website LowerMyBills.com also offers a similar service.

Because of the various factors listed above, people have also become less familiar with the term life insurance and without the awareness there is little recognition of the importance of this type of insurance. However as speculation increases that UK households are not coping with their debt, so should the awareness of life insurance as an essential product in the personal finance portfolio.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

About the author:
About Rachel:

Rachel writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla:

http://www.cashzilla.co.uk

Rachel is a disillusioned, disaffected and broke graduate, exploiting new media for financial therapy. ;-)

E-mail: rachel@positiveinterest.com
Phone: 0131 561 2251

Using Payday Advance Loans Wisely: Emily’s Smart Move

Thinking about taking out a payday advance loan but worried about falling into a debt trap? Read this real-world scenario of how one person navigated the maze of payday advance loans to stay out of debt.

Ever wonder how some people manage to take out expensive payday advance loans and still come out on top financially? It’s not easy, but it is certainly possible. This is the story of Emily, one person who used a payday advance loan to dig herself out of a financial rut.

Emily’s charge card, car payment, cellular phone bill, and rent were all due in three days, $1,500 total. Emily had $500 in the bank. Her monthly pay check wouldn’t come for ten more days, and her boss said no to a payday advance. Loans were out of the question, she thought. She needed the money in three days, and a bank loan would take that long just to mail her the paperwork.

If Emily was late paying her $300 credit card bill, she would incur a $35 late fee which would make her balance exceed her credit limit, earning her a $50 over-the-limit fee. She couldn’t afford to be late on her car loan, cellular phone or rent, even though there were no late fees. Having paid each of those bills late a few times in the past, she’d be skating on thin ice if she did it again.


Cash Advance Payday Loans: Emily’s Salvation?



Emily decided to apply for a cash advance payday loan. She knew it would be foolish simply to trust a lender of these loans for information. Searching on the internet, she found a website that did not belong to a payday advance loan lender, but instead reviewed the payday loan lenders.

She visited the website of online payday advance loan lender that was rated particularly well. Emily knows there are a lot of cheats on the web, so she was careful. Here’s what she looked for:


• The loan company’s website had a link to the Better Business Bureau. Clicking on the link, Emily saw the company’s record: member in good standing with no unresolved complaints.


• The loan company’s application clearly stated what the fees were, and what the annual percentage rate (APR) was. It also stated what penalties Emily would have to pay if she did not pay back the loan on time.


• Looking at a few other websites, Emily saw that the original loan company’s loan terms, fees, and interest rates were competitive.


• She double-checked that her upcoming paycheck would be enough to cover all her outstanding bills.


• She then checked into all the bills she would have to pay in between her upcoming paycheck and the one after that. After all, with her next paycheck going to repay the payday advance loan, she would need to make sure there was enough money left over to pay her remaining bills. She didn’t want to have to take out another loan after that.


• Emily figured out that she would have $300 left over after she paid all the bills between now and the next month’s paycheck. Living for 40 days on only $300 would be a challenge. But she decided she could do it if she economized. She would bring her lunch to work rather than buy it in the cafeteria, and give up going out at night--including un-inviting herself from a co-worker’s upcoming birthday party at the neighborhood bar.


• She posted notes on her refrigerator, steering wheel, and wallet, reminding herself not to make too many car trips, waste food, or splurge. She made herself the goal of reading several books she’d always wanted to read, rather than going out. She got them free from the library.



Did Emily’s Payday Advance Loan Plan Succeed?



Fully prepared, Emily took a $1000 cash advance from the ABC Loan Company and repaid it on the 15th along with a $50 fee. She saved $85 in credit card penalty fees. She also stayed on the good side of her landlord, car loan lender, bank, and cellular phone provider.

The experience also brought home to Emily that she was living too close to the limits of her paycheck. She realized that she would be better off moving out of her studio apartment, into a room in an apartment of a few friends. She’d also save money on gas by moving closer to work.

Today, Emily is grateful to the payday lender for saving her from financial disaster. She’s also proud of herself for being able to stay out of the debt trap so many other payday cash advance borrowers get into. She recommends to all her friends that if they ever get a payday loan, they do their homework, just like she did.

About the author:
Joel Walsh is a regular contributor to Payday Advance Loans : http://www.payday-loan--online.comGo to Payday Advance Loans for more tips on avoiding high fees on payday loans online.

Get an Auto Loan the Smart Way

Did you know that most people pay hundreds or thousands of dollars more on auto loans than they have to? Get an auto loan the smart way. Read on.



Most people really get taken for a ride on their auto loan. Did you know that differences in the total cost of different auto loans can run into a thousand dollars or more? Here’s how you can get the lowest rate:

*

Make a list of different auto loan lenders and their interest rates and terms, before you go to the dealer (the web is usually the easiest way to do that). Did you know dealers get a commission on the loans they refer? If you’re not careful, that extra bit of money for the lender could mean you pay a higher rate than you would if you got the loan yourself.

*

Get a credit report and figure out your FICO scores. Removing any incorrect negative information from your report will help you get a better deal. Knowing exactly what your score is will help you figure out what interest rate you can realistically get.

*

Have bad credit? Try going to your credit union, bank or another institution where you have a relationship. Lenders like to help out established customers. If your bank still won’t help, online "bad credit auto loan" lenders usually offer better less expensive loans than dealers who advertise their great deals for people with poor credit.

*

Use a vehicle loan calculator. It will tell you what your loan will cost each month. It saves you the time of looking at vehicles you can’t afford, makes you aware of what information you’ll need to apply for a loan, and is a "reality check" of your financial condition.

*

Comparison shop, comparison shop, comparison shop. You don’t get the least expensive car by choosing a dealer at random, and you won’t get the least expensive auto loan that way, either.

Start researching your options now:

Get credit reports and FICO scores here:

Use this vehicle loan calculator:

Comparison shop among these lenders:


About the author:
Joel Walsh is a regular contributor to Auto Loan :http://www.cars-auto-loans.com, a website with information on car loan lenders, vehicle loan calculators, and other auto loan tools

Auto Loans: Don’t Dig a Money Pit in Your Garage

Choose the wrong auto loan and you might drastically increase the chances of defaulting and losing your car. Find out step-by-step how to avoid a money pit.

Car loans are certainly less costly than home mortgages, student loans, or other kinds of loans. So why do so many people end up defaulting and losing their cars? Find out these hidden dangers:
Biggest Hidden Car Loan Danger: The Inherent Money Pit

Unlike home mortgages, student loans or other big-ticket loans, car loans are inherently money pits. A house can build equity; higher education can increase earning potential; even jewelry can sometimes be re-sold for as much as was paid for it. If you borrow to buy one of those things, you may eventually get a return on investment. But every single car loses significant value and keeps losing it as time goes by.

Solution: spend as little on your car as possible.

Of course, in order to spend as little as possible over the life of the vehicle, you need to get a well-made, fuel-efficient car, rather than the one with the lowest price on the windshield.

But a pickup truck, SUV, sports car, or "luxury" model is a guaranteed money-loser. Don’t worry about what other people will think. Think about it: when was the last time you saw an expensive automobile and thought, "I really like and respect whoever owns that!"

The best buy? Many economists actually recommend buying a used car that's a year or two old. That way you can actually benefit from the fact that cars only drop in value. Even a car that’s just six months old may offer you a substantial savings. Just have it inspected thoroughly so you don't lose what you've saved on maintenance payments.
Hidden Car Loans Danger: Dangerously High Monthly Payments

Unfortunately, most people never figure out the total cost before signing on the dotted line. They end up staying up late at night trying to figure out how to make ends meet. They live in smaller houses. They skip going out at night. They don’t go on vacation.

All that sacrifice to have a brand-new SUV in the driveway!

Take a hard look at your finances, and figure out how much you can pay total each month for your car. Be sure to take into account insurance, tax, maintenance, and fuel. Usually, when people actually do calculate the total monthly cost of the car they’re considering buying, they’re amazed by how high it is.
How Much Car Debt Can You Afford?

1) Make a list of your average monthly non-car expenses, and subtract them from your earnings.

-___your monthly after-income-tax income

-___any other taxes

-___housing (including any fees and property taxes, and utilities)

-___food

-___health insurance or HMO

-___life insurance

-___debt payments

-___401 (k), IRA, or other long-term savings

-___short-term savings

-___telephone, cellular phone, cable, internet, etc.

-___entertainment and fun stuff (be honest!)

-___cost of yearly vacation(s) divided by 12

-___other expenses

= ____what you can spend on a car

2) Subtract your monthly car-related expenses from the amount you have left over from your other expenses.

___What you can spend on a car (from above)

-___Amount you’re spending per month on gas (raise or lower this figure depending on whether you are getting a car with higher or lower gas mileage).

-___Monthly maintenance (remember: your new car won’t stay new long, so maintenance will be an issue).

-___Monthly insurance (remember that for a new car, your insurance premiums may go up).

-___Tax.

= ____ Maximum monthly loan payment.

Now plug the number above into a vehicle loan rate calculator to figure out big of a car loan, and how much interest you can afford.
Final Hidden Auto Loan Danger: Unnecessarily High Rates

If you simply take the first loan the dealer offers you, you are probably paying too much. Do some comparison shopping on the internet, and bring a list of the best loans with you when you negotiate loan terms with the dealer.

Don’t let the dealer cheat you by shifting the cost from the car loan to the car price to the deal on your trade-in. Make sure you get a good deal overall.

Congratulations! You now are far better prepared to stay out of an auto loan money pit than the vast majority of car buyers.


About the author:
Joel Walsh is a regular contributor to Auto Loans :http://cars-auto-loans.com, where he writes about how you can get the best car loan

Long-Term Care Insurers Agree to Reconsider Denied Claims

Idaho Department of Insurance Director Bill Deal wants residents to be
aware of a multistate settlement involving Conseco Senior Health Insurance Co. and
Bankers Life and Casualty Insurance Co. that may affect past claims.
Idahoans with long-term care insurance policies from these two companies who filed
claims from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2007, that were later denied, may
have their claims reviewed for possible adjustments.
Following a multistate market conduct examination of the two companies that found
problems with their claims handling practices, a corrective action plan to address
concerns for the benefit of current and former policyholders was developed.
Long-term care claims that were initially denied will be reviewed a second time. Insureds
may be asked to provide further documentation to support the claim. The companies must
notify affected policyholders by letter that their claim is being reviewed.
Under the settlement, the insurance companies are required to review their claims and
complaint handling practices to ensure that all claims are handled in a timely and
appropriate way that is compliant with applicable state laws.
Conseco Senior and Bankers Life policyholders can call Conseco’s multistate toll-free
information line at 866-452-6589 with questions about how to refile claims or
complaints.
The Consumer Affairs office of the Department of Insurance can help Idahoans with
these or other problems with their insurance. Call 334-4250 in Boise, 800-721-3272
statewide or visit the website, www.doi.idaho.gov.

STUDENT LOANS A Great Istrument For Cost Recovery In The Next Educations

Governments and universities have trouble reconciling the goal of keeping higher education widely accessible with the need to retrieve some of its costs from students. Student loans offer a plausible solution to the problem. But loan programs turn out in practice to have been a disappointing instrument of cost recovery: analysis of twenty-three programs found that students repay only a small portion of the value of the original loan. Subsidies, high default rates, and high administrative costs have eroded the value of repayments. Sometimes loan programs have proved as expensive as outright grants.

This article argues that most loan programs could be reformed to improve financial effectiveness—through targeting, charging positive real interest rates, designing repayment plans to take account of the likely pattern of graduate earnings, and ensuring that the oversight institutions can and will collect. Or governments could explore alternative devices for cost recovery, such as a graduate tax. This approach levies a higher income tax rate on beneficiaries of government-subsidized higher education and thus preserves the idea, implicit in loan programs, of paying for education with future earnings. As part of an effective tax system, a graduate tax could bring in significantly more revenue than traditional loan programs.

Department of Insurance Expresses Concern Over Toyota Ads

The Idaho Department of Insurance (DOI) has joined forces with the
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, a Washington group that includes insurers, law
enforcement officials, and consumer groups, in expressing concern over the recent
Toyota ad campaign. This campaign shows people dumping their cars so they can
buy new ones.
Every scene depicted in the ads is a crime. The DOI and the Coalition believe the
message is as much about increasing insurance fraud as it is about increasing car
sales.
DOI Fraud Investigator, Don Roberson, has written to the president of the Toyota
company asking him to pull the ads. “Insurance fraud is a very costly and very
harmful venture,” said Roberson. “It affects all of us in the form of increased
premiums.”
Over one in four adults in the United States believe that it is acceptable to cheat on
an insurance claim, up from 21% just nine years ago. The National Crime Bureau
and the Coalition estimate 10-25% of each insurance premium dollar spent by
consumers goes to insurance fraud. That annual cost is $60 billion.
In a response posted to the Coalition’s blog, Toyota had this to say, “The
ridiculous situation portrayed in the commercial is intended only for levity, and is
not meant seriously or to encourage ridiculous or antisocial behavior.” They added,
“Our only intention is to advertise our products. We hoped the commercial would
create a pleasant moment of laughter that would help the viewer keep Toyota in
mind.”

Health Insurance: What to do if a Health Insurance Company Denies Your Claim

Major illness or a hospital stay following an accident can be stressful. It's not a time you want to be worried about your insurance coverage. However, for some insurance
consumers, this is when they are hit with a denial – notification their insurance company
won't pay all or part of a claim.
The Idaho Department of Insurance offers the following suggestions to help you
understand your options when a claim is denied:
Read and Understand Your Policy
Your individual health insurance policy is a legal contract with an insurance company.
You must read your policy thoroughly to understand your rights and responsibilities.
Your policy will also detail the medical conditions and benefits for which the insurance
company will and will not pay. If you need clarification, contact your insurance agent or
company.
What to Do if a Claim is Denied During Treatment
Make a list of questions and immediately contact your insurance company. You will find
contact information on the back of your insurance card.
Keep thorough notes of all conversations you have with company representatives. Include
in your notes the name of the person with whom you speak, as well as the date and time
of the conversation.
If you are positive and stay calm, the process will go more smoothly and could result in a
more beneficial outcome on your behalf.

Be Persistent
Keep in mind that simple errors such as miscoding or incorrect routing might have caused
your claim to be denied. These types of errors can usually be cleared up quickly. Be sure
to obtain the claim denial in writing.You might need to make several calls to the
company before the claim is paid.
What to Do if an Insurance Carrier Continues to Deny Your Claim
Contact the Department of Insurance for assistance appealing your claim. Eileen
Mundorff, Consumer Affairs Officer for the Department, said, “We need written
permission from the insured.” Be prepared to provide as much information as possible
about the situation.
“We will not take a complaint from doctors, hospitals or attorneys on behalf of insureds
without a signed consent from the insured,” Mundorff said.
Written complaints, along with supporting documentation, should be mailed to Idaho
Department of Insurance, Attention: Consumer Assistance, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID
83720-0043. Complaints may also be submitted electronically via the Department
website, www.doi.idaho.gov.

Governor Otter Signs Fraud Awareness Week Proclamation

Governor Otter signed a proclamation today declaring this week to be Idaho
Fraud Awareness Week. Fraud is a problem that all Idahoans must be aware of in order to
avoid becoming vicitms.
Fraud Awareness Week is being sponsored by the Idaho Department of Insurance along
with many business, community and insurance industry partners. Department of
Insurance Director Bill Deal said, “Insurance fraud alone causes increased premium rates
for Idahoans. We want to help the residents of Idaho be proactive in protecting
themselves against fraud.”
During Fraud Awareness Week Idaho residents are encouraged to attend free fraud
awareness seminars that are being held throughout the state. The schedule of locations,
times and dates for these classes is available on the Department’s website,
www.doi.idaho.gov.
The Department recently released a toll free fraud hotline for consumers to call with
information on fraudulent insurance activities they may be aware of. The number is 866-
939-SCAM.
Fraud is a crime that everyone pays for. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates
insurance fraud costs Americans nearly $30 billion each year. According to information
from the Northwest Insurance Council, Idahoans are not only paying for fraud with
higher insurance rates, but also higher taxes and higher prices for consumer goods.
The Department of Insurance wants to help Idaho residents with any insurance problems,
questions or complaints they may have. Call 334-4250 in Boise, 800-721-3272 toll free
statewide, or visit the website.

Sending Your Children Off to College? Be Sure Insurance Needs are Met

While packing needed belongings for the college experience, review
insurance policies to be sure your student is covered away from home. Health and
property insurance coverages may change when your child is no longer living under your
roof.
In Idaho insurance policies cover dependents who are full-time students until the age of
25. However, individual policies differ so families should check with their providers for
specific information about how the policy defines a full-time student.
Idaho Department of Insurance Director Bill Deal encourages families to talk to their
insurance agents to be sure personal property is covered away from home. “Take an
inventory of personal belongings that are going with the student to college,” said Deal.
This inventory will help in the event of an insurance claim or catastrophe.
If your student is taking a car to school, be sure coverage is adequate for the city and state
in which your child will live.
The Department’s website has more useful insurance tips for families sending children
off to school. For information, click on the Consumer Alerts link at www.doi.idaho.gov.
For any insurance-related questions, problems or concerns, call 334-4250 in Boise, or
800-721-3272 toll free statewide.

Idaho Fire Code Book Available Online

The Idaho Fire Code is now available in an online format. Through the joint
efforts of the Idaho Department of Insurance, Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office and a
licensing agreement with the publisher, the code is now available as a reference to
everyone via the internet.
For years the general public only had access to the fire code through fire-related agencies
unless they purchased a copy. In support of Governor Otter’s request for better customer
service, State Fire Marshal Mark Larson has made the book available to the general
public.
“This is a significant improvement in the way we are providing the residents of Idaho
access to fire code information,” said Larson. Idahoans will no longer be required to visit
the Fire Marshal’s office or their local fire department to read it.
As one of a family of codes affecting building in Idaho, Idaho Fire Code sets forth the
minimum standard for the state of Idaho. According to Larson, the Fire Marshal’s office
receives numerous calls each week from people wanting to review the code for
clarification or information.
Idahoans can access a direct link to the Idaho Fire Code from the Fire Marshal’s website,
www.doi.idaho.gov. The State Fire Marshal’s office can also be reached at 334-4370 in
Boise, 800-721-3272 toll free statewide.
The Idaho Fire Code is also available for purchase. Information about the international
family of codes is available through www.iccsafe.org.

Department of Insurance Assists Families Affected by Fire

The morning after Monday’s devastating fire, Idaho Department of
Insurance personnel were on the scene to aid and assist homeowners with insurance
concerns and questions.
The Department is tasked with the responsibility of providing assistance to consumers. In
a disasterous situation such as this fire, homeowners will have many questions about
where to turn and what to expect from their insurance companies.
“This is one way we can provide superior customer service to Idahoans,” said
Department Director Bill Deal. “We want the residents to know we are here to help them
with the claim process if needed.”
Amy Lambrecht, consumer affairs officer for the Department, answered coverage
questions and assisted one homeowner in contacting his insurance company. “This is an
emotional time for these people,” said Lambrecht. “They will go through a readjustment
process as they sift through the rubble.”
The Department has tips for consumers regarding homeowners insurance, including a
household inventory form, on the website, www.doi.idaho.gov.
For questions or problems regarding these fires or other insurance related issues,
consumers are encouraged to call 334-4250 in Boise, or 800-721-3272 toll free statewide.

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