Can I count on your vote?

The News-Herald is looking for the Best of the Best companies in northeast Ohio. They are asking you, their readers and internet followers, to help them select the Best by voting for your favorites. 

You can cast your vote for any number of categories. And whether it's a great restaurant, your favorite golf course or your go-to insurance agency, it's your opinion that matters. It's a great way to recognize those people and business that you think do an outstanding job.

Please consider voting for my agency, Mutsko Insurance Services in Mentor for the Best of the Best Insurance Agency in Lake County. It would be an honor to be selected as the Best by our friends and customers. 

To vote, please click here:
http://oh.journalregister.com/news-herald/bestofthebest/
Only official New-Herald ballots and internet voting will be accepted. Limit of one entry per person, please. Official paper ballots are available at The News Herald.  Deadline for voting is 7/13 at 5 pm.

Where Do Your Employees Get Their Medicare Information

Business Owners and Managers . . .

Do you have employees who are approaching Medicare age? 

Are you or your HR people sure you have the most current Medicare information? 

If not, call me. I provide free one-on-one consultations and on-site group workshops on Medicare. I'll answer all their questions about going on Medicare so you and your staff don't have to. And, because we are continually receiving  information on any changes in Medicare you'll be sure your employees are getting the most up-to-date information.

There may be a  bonus for you, too. We often find that employers reduce the cost of their medical insurance premiums when eligible employees move to Medicare.

With so many people working past age 65, there's a good chance that you have someone who is eligible for Medicare.So, where do you get information on switching your employees to Medicare?

Are you turning 65 or going on Medicare soon?

Plan now to join me for one of my upcoming workshops where I can help prepare you for your transition to Medicare. I am teaching these information packed classes at Northeast Ohio colleges, community centers and libraries. You will find a complete list of workshops posted on my website at www.mutskoinsurance.com/seminars.

More than ten thousand (10,000!) baby boomers are turning 65 every day. The demand for accurate, up-to-date Medicare information is unprecedented. My Getting Started with Medicare class provides people like you who are approaching retirement or going on Medicare for the first time a chance to learn all the 'nuts & bolts' about Medicare. People who attend my class often comment that they are much more comfortable when it comes time to enroll in Medicare because they understand their options.

And rest easy . . . the class is not a sales pitch. Just straight forward information on Medicare. Pre-registration is required and can be made by contacting the colleges, libraries and community centers directly.  My next class is

Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Lakeland Community College

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

7700 Clock Tower Drive

Kirtland, OH 44094

440-525-7116

Long-term care is a plan . . . not a place

Have you given any thought to what you or your family would do if one of you needed care for an extended period of time? 

A growing number of my customers have been asking me about their options should they ever need extended care. I decided it was time for me to take steps to learn all I could about this complex field.

I recently completed a rigorous multidisciplinary course and passed a comprehensive exam that focuses on the profession of long-term care. The Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC) program that I completed is independent of the insurance industry and provides professionals with the tools they need to help their clients meet their long-term care needs.

I have had far too many families ask for my advice on what they can do after a loved one has had a serious accident or been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia or some other chronic illness. The fact is there is little that I can do to help at that point.

I will be offering workshops this fall to help people understand the financial, physical and emotional consequences associated with providing or paying for care over an extended period of time. I believe that once people have this information, they will understand their need to take action while they have options.

Former Smokers . . . Check your Life Insurance Policy

If you are a former smoker, you may want to check your old life insurance policies to see if they still list you as a smoker. You may save some money by letting them know you no longer smoke.

While you are checking, take a look at who you have listed as your life insurance beneficiaries. Families change. People divorce. Grandchildren come along. All these changes may affect who you want listed as your insurance beneficiary.

Want to Learn More about Medicare?

Are you approaching age 65?  Will you soon be going on Medicare for the first time? This is an opportunity for you to gain a basic understanding of how Medicare works. Learn what's covered and what's not. This class is designed to make Medicare easy to understand and help you get all your questions answered.

Call to register for one of the upcoming workshops:

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

SELREC

Lyndhurst YMCA
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

5000 Mayfield Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124
216-382-4300

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Lakeland Community College

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

7700 Clock Tower Drive

Kirtland, OH 44094

440-525-7116

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

City of Shaker Heights

Stefanie Tubbs-Jones Building

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

3450 Lee Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44120

216-491-2578

You can find more classes listed on my website at www.mutskoinsurance.com.

So what's a Certified Senior Advisor?

When I need someone to provide a service, I do my homework. I like to make sure I choose the right person for the job. I enjoy working with people who are easy to relate to and who get what I need.

I'm a Certified Senior Advisor. (CSA for short.) You may be thinking, "so, what." 

Certification as a CSA indicates that I have taken steps to supplemented my insurance licenses, credentials and education with knowledge about aging and working with seniors. I understand that that there are key health, social and financial factors that are important to seniors—and I know how these factors work together.

This knowledge is especially helpful when we are discussing Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplements, Prescription Plans and Annuities. It just give me a much better perspective on the needs of my clients.

Questions for your long-term care provider . . . before you hire them.

Many of us will be faced with the task of finding someone to provide extended care for a loved one. Often, the need arises suddenly because of an unexpected illness, recovery from a surgical procedure or simply a decline in health. Would you know what steps to take to find the right person or company to fit your needs?

Your research should begin with you asking lots of questions. Ask friends and family members for their recommendations. Ask health care professionals for their guidance. Check with your local aging agency to find out what services they may be able to offer. Once you figure out what services and level of care you you are looking for, you will want to interview the facilities, care providers or agencies. That means asking more questions. 

Here are just a few to get you started:

• Is the agency licensed by the state, certified by Medicare, bonded and insured?
• Can the agency provide references from doctors, discharge planners, clients and their families?
• Will you get to interview the people who will be providing care prior to them starting? Will you be able to specify a preference for a male or female caregiver? What if you don’t feel comfortable with the assigned caregiver?
• What arrangements are made for a substitute caregiver if your regular person is not available?
• How do supervisors monitor and evaluate the quality of care provided by the caregiver?
• What are the hiring practices of the agency? Do they do thorough background checks on all employees? How do they find their employees?
• Can the care provider provide references? Are the caregivers licensed and insured? 
• How does the agency train caregivers? Are they certified in CPR and first aid?
• How does the agency handle billing?  How are the hours tracked?

If you've been faced with hiring a caregiver, what other questions would you suggest asking?

How do you choose your insurance?

When you need insurance, how do you decide what to buy and where to buy it?  Do you go by referrals from friends? Do you call an 800 number, thinking that it will be less expensive than going through an agent or an independent insurance broker?

The next time you need insurance, consider contacting an independent insurance broker. The number one reason is an independent insurance broker is better able to provide personal service and attention to detail that many larger companies no longer offer.

As for myself, I am and independent broker and enjoy getting to know my clients. I compare plans from many of the nation's most respected insurance companies and help my clients select the insurance that's right for them. . . and their budget. I help them navigate the maze of rules and regulations and keep them up to date on changes that may affect them.

When my clients have questions, they can call me, not some impersonal telemarketer who doesn't knows them or their situation. Or they come in to my office and sit down with me face to face to discuss their concerns. That's something you won't get from the big guys!

All these services are provided at no charge to you. The premium you pay to enroll in any insurance plan will be exactly the same whether you apply directly through an insurance company or with me as your personal agent.

Let me know . . . how do you go about buying insurance?