Medical Insurance for Pool Players and Billiard Related Businesss

Are You Interested In Getting This Health Care Program

  • YES

    Votes: 25 69.4%

  • NO

    Votes: 11 30.6%
  • Total voters
    36
  • Poll closed .
M

MikeJanis

Banned
Go to the below link for the latest update
ANOTHER 1ST FROM THE VIKING CUE 9-BALL TOUR !

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=97149


I am considering offering Medical Insurance to all Viking Tour member Individuals, families and billiard related business (this can be offered to your employees to).

This is a high quality PPO through a Nationwide carrier that allows access to any medical facility without having to get pre-approval.

I have compared it to many others and its one of the best around.

As an example, my Wife Terrie is a Nurse and this insurance is cheaper and just as good as what she gets from the Hospital she works at only about 40% cheaper. It allows you to go to any doctor or hospital and has low monthly premiums and a low deductible with about $30 office visits and cheap prescriptions. We, Terri and I have changed over to this and it saves us about $350 per month from what we pay through her work.

Right now this is just a feeler to see if anyone would be interested in a program like this offered through the Viking Tour. It would require anyone who wants this Insurance to be a member of the tour which is only $30 per year as an individual or $150 as a business member.


Please answer the pool question and post any comments or concerns you may have.

I will try my best to answer any questions presented.

Respectfully,
 
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JAM said:
Sounds like a wonderful idea, Mike.

JAM
Click to expand...

Thanks Jam.

Jam, I know Keith has been on the trail quite a long time. Do you know if any other billiard entity has ever offered him as a player Medical Insurance ?

Mj
 
Help me out here a little bit Guys and Gals.

Do you have Healh/Medical Insurance ?

Single, Married, Family ( # of ) ?

How much do you pay ?


Any info you can give might make this better for all the Business and Players that want/need insurance.

Right now my Wife (44) and me (39) pay about $950 per month for our insurance (Med, Dental, Vision) + Smokers. This program reduces it to about $530 per month for us.

Thanks,

Mj
 
MikeJanis said:
Help me out here a little bit Guys and Gals.

Do you have Healh/Medical Insurance ?

Single, Married, Family ( # of ) ?

How much do you pay ?


Any info you can give might make this better for all the Business and Players that want/need insurance.

Right now my Wife (44) and me (39) pay about $950 per month for our insurance (Med, Dental, Vision) + Smokers. This program reduces it to about $530 per month for us.

Thanks,

Mj
Click to expand...

My family policy cost me $600 a month. $15 copay for office visits and prescription mail plan. My retirement benifits kick in $100 a month. My cost is $500.
Purdman
 
Purdman said:
My family policy cost me $600 a month. $15 copay for office visits and prescription mail plan. My retirement benifits kick in $100 a month. My cost is $500.
Purdman
Click to expand...

Thanks Purdman. So I can better compare Apples to Apples, how many in your family, what ages and smoking (Y or N) ?

Also, what is your deductible ? Is it per person or Family ?
Does it include Dental and Vision ?

Thanks for your help,

Mj
 
Mike, I and my employees at southaven recreation center in southaven, ms and Highpockets in Memphis would be interested in something like that. thanks bill rowsey
 
MikeJanis said:
Thanks Jam.

Jam, I know Keith has been on the trail quite a long time. Do you know if any other billiard entity has ever offered him as a player Medical Insurance ?

Mj
Click to expand...

Keith has never been offered any medical insurance by any billiard entity.

At the Mid-Atlantic 9-Ball Tournament, about 5 or 6 years ago, he had such bad stomach pains that he could not leave the hotel room. I went to the players meeting nervous and scared, not knowing what to do, whether I should take him to the emergency room or not, with no medical insurance.

Thank the good Lord, a Navy doctor pool player was in the house, and he came to our hotel room and looked at Keith. We got some medicine for Keith, and he was able to function.

I have looked into getting Keith some medical insurance here in D.C., but unfortunately, D.C. does not offer many companies who will insure people in D.C. My medical insurance for me alone was just raised to $509 per month. It is a PPO with CareFirst BlueShield BlueCross.

Keith went to a doctor a few years ago and got a complete physical. We paid for the whole cost, blood work and everything else. It was expensive but had to be done. The doctor prescribed Nexium for his stomach pain, which we found out later cost $168 per month.

Because of Keith's income level, we were able to get FREE Nexium from AstraZeneca by submitting his tax papers to them. He qualified. There are many pharmaceutical companies which offer FREE prescription drugs to low-income folks. Check it out at www.phrma.org

A lot of folks have been critical that Keith has not played pool in recent times, since September of 2006 to be exact. What they don't know is that he had to work on getting healthy, doctor's orders. The Derby City Classic in Louisville, as an example, would not have been a good environment for Keith while he is working on getting healthy, though we both love that tournament a lot. :p

The AARP organization also offers medical insurance, another option for Keith since he will be turning 51 next week. There is catastrophinc medical insurance offered by AARP for about 150 bucks a month. I don't know how good the medical insurance programs are offered by AARP, but here is the link: www.aarphealthcare.com/prodsvcs/ehi...&returnurl=/prodsvcs/ehi/insurancebasics.aspx

If Viking Tour is able to offer a good plan for its members, I think this would be a "first" in the history of pool, at least that I am aware of. I know one thing for sure. If it works out, we will definitely be attending the next event on the Viking tournament trail, Mike! :p

JAM
 
MikeJanis said:
Thanks Purdman. So I can better compare Apples to Apples, how many in your family, what ages and smoking (Y or N) ?

Also, what is your deductible ? Is it per person or Family ?
Does it include Dental and Vision ?

Thanks for your help,

Mj
Click to expand...

No deductible, no smokers (cigarettes) ;) ,58 and 53 today (wife's birthday today) :D , no dental and no vision. I had $9,000 worth of dental before retiring and my plan examines my eyes for $15 due to diabetes.
Kaiser is the company.
I am very pleased with them. All records are in the system so all doctors have access to them before I go in.
Purdman :)
 
JAM said:
Keith has never been offered any medical insurance by any billiard entity.

At the Mid-Atlantic 9-Ball Tournament, about 5 or 6 years ago, he had such bad stomach pains that he could not leave the hotel room. I went to the players meeting nervous and scared, not knowing what to do, whether I should take him to the emergency room or not, with no medical insurance.

Thank the good Lord, a Navy doctor pool player was in the house, and he came to our hotel room and looked at Keith. We got some medicine for Keith, and he was able to function.

I have looked into getting Keith some medical insurance here in D.C., but unfortunately, D.C. does not offer many companies who will insure people in D.C. My medical insurance for me alone was just raised to $509 per month. It is a PPO with CareFirst BlueShield BlueCross.

Keith went to a doctor a few years ago and got a complete physical. We paid for the whole cost, blood work and everything else. It was expensive but had to be done. The doctor prescribed Nexium for his stomach pain, which we found out later cost $168 per month.

Because of Keith's income level, we were able to get FREE Nexium from AstraZeneca by submitting his tax papers to them. He qualified. There are many pharmaceutical companies which offer FREE prescription drugs to low-income folks. Check it out at www.phrma.org

A lot of folks have been critical that Keith has not played pool in recent times, since September of 2006 to be exact. What they don't know is that he had to work on getting healthy, doctor's orders. The Derby City Classic in Louisville, as an example, would not have been a good environment for Keith while he is working on getting healthy, though we both love that tournament a lot. :p

The AARP organization also offers medical insurance, another option for Keith since he will be turning 51 next week. There is catastrophinc medical insurance offered by AARP for about 150 bucks a month. I don't know how good the medical insurance programs are offered by AARP, but here is the link: www.aarphealthcare.com/prodsvcs/ehi...&returnurl=/prodsvcs/ehi/insurancebasics.aspx

If Viking Tour is able to offer a good plan for its members, I think this would be a "first" in the history of pool, at least that I am aware of. I know one thing for sure. If it works out, we will definitely be attending the next event on the Viking tournament trail, Mike! :p

JAM
Click to expand...

JAM, email me or send me your email and I will send you exactly what Terrie and I have. After you look it over tell me what you think about cost and coverage.

Mj
 
Happy b'day, Mrs. P!

I pay $263.36/ mo for Family coverage...Aetna POS2/ through employer.

Purdman said:
No deductible, no smokers (cigarettes) ;) ,58 and 53 today (wife's birthday today) :D , no dental and no vision. I had $9,000 worth of dental before retiring and my plan examines my eyes for $15 due to diabetes.
Kaiser is the company.
I am very pleased with them. All records are in the system so all doctors have access to them before I go in.
Purdman :)
Click to expand...
 
Black-Balled said:
Happy b'day, Mrs. P!

I pay $263.36/ mo for Family coverage...Aetna POS2/ through employer.
Click to expand...

I want your job......

Wanna trade ?

Unfortunately, us pool bums don't have jobs that co-sponsor medical insurance premiums. And unfortunately its the same for us small business owners.


My wifes work was just robbing us so we had to explore other opportunities and this program is the best we found. It was offered through another association we deal with but as the promoter I am I asked them if they would be willing to offer this to our members of the Viking Tour and to my surprise the answer was yes. In fact, they designed a program specifically for us to offer our members. PR forthcoming.
 
Last edited:
Black-Balled said:
Happy b'day, Mrs. P!

I pay $263.36/ mo for Family coverage...Aetna POS2/ through employer.
Click to expand...

I will tell her that for ya Walter and I will give he a big "Helloooooow" for ya! :D She loves that buddy.
Don P. :)

She just asked me "Where are my circus tickets?" She wants to see BELLO! Go Figure.
 
Comparing plans

It's really hard to tell what is a good deal until all details and out of pocket costs are evaluated for each year. For example I pay $20 dollars a week, but I have a $10,000 dollar deductible. However, my company takes care of a portion of that as well. All in all, my max out of pocket for the year is $4300. I have to say it is admirable that you are attempting to offer this for Viking members. Keep up the good work!

Eddie
 
Slow_roll said:
Mike,

Is this considered to be a "Group" plan?

Thanks,

SR
Click to expand...

I'm trying to get up to speed on the whole thing myself but yes I think it would be considered a group plan. However, if I read the contract correctly there are several million members now and if the Viking Tour as an association only has 1 member that joins the rate is still the same as if thousands joined.

My Insurance Experience:
I didn't have insurance as an adult until 2006. I can honestly say I do not know much about different plans, group or other. In 2006 I bought Kaiser for myself it was about $240 per month. No Dental or Vision as far as I remember. I had an emergency surgery (emergency depending upon which DR you talked to) and I had serious problems with Kaiser paying the bill because they didn't think it was an emergency ( I couldn't breathe, walk or talk so to me it was definitely an emergency). Anyway, we are still arguing about the bills. I dumped them immediately after the bill problem. Then I got Married and my Wife put me on her insurance which was fine until her pay was cut in 1/2 then we had to research other options. After months of research (mostly by my wife) this came up to be our best bet. It has many different options with respects to premiums, deductibles, prescriptions and such. We took the best package (Low Deductible, Cheap Prescriptions) and its cheaper than whet we had through the Hospital she works for. +++ Now I can go anywhere when I am on the road if I get sick. Thats the biggest benefit to me.

Mj
 
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Mike,

I'm 24 non-smoker with no dental or vision. My firm is small so rather than a company plan we're paid a stipend and we procure our own coverage.

Through Kaiser-Permanente:

Initially I had a comprehensive Individual HMO with $10 co-pay no deductibles, etc. etc. The full monty and I was paying ~$180/mo.

Since I'm young and indestructible (I haven't had a non-routine doctors visit in 7 years) I recently switched to a co-insurance PPO. I pay the first $1500 straight up then Kaiser takes over. This is approximately $90/mo.

I know I'm not your typical demographic but I thought I'd throw it out there. Good luck.

-J
 
fasteddienc said:
It's really hard to tell what is a good deal until all details and out of pocket costs are evaluated for each year. For example I pay $20 dollars a week, but I have a $10,000 dollar deductible. However, my company takes care of a portion of that as well. All in all, my max out of pocket for the year is $4300. I have to say it is admirable that you are attempting to offer this for Viking members. Keep up the good work!

Eddie
Click to expand...

Thanks Eddie.

PS, that Ltr was awesome!
 
MikeJanis said:
I'm trying to get up to speed on the whole thing myself but yes I think it would be considered a group plan. However, if I read the contract correctly there are several million members now and if the Viking Tour as an association only has 1 member that joins the rate is still the same as if thousands joined.

My Insurance Experience:
I didn't have insurance as an adult until 2006. I can honestly say I do not know much about different plans, group or other. In 2006 I bought Kaiser for myself it was about $240 per month. No Dental or Vision as far as I remember. I had an emergency surgery (emergency depending upon which DR you talked to) and I had serious problems with Kaiser paying the bill because they didn't think it was an emergency ( I couldn't breathe, walk or talk so to me it was definitely an emergency). Anyway, we are still arguing about the bills. I dumped them immediately after the bill problem. Then I got Married and my Wife put me on her insurance which was fine until her pay was cut in 1/2 then we had to research other options. After months of research (mostly by my wife) this came up to be our best bet. It has many different options with respects to premiums, deductibles, prescriptions and such. We took the best package (Low Deductible, Cheap Prescriptions) and its cheaper than whet we had through the Hospital she works for. +++ Now I can go anywhere when I am on the road if I get sick. Thats the biggest benefit to me.

Mj
Click to expand...

Mike,

Check out www.ehealthinsurance.com

Not to buy, but if you click on "help center" on the top right corner and then go into their FAQ section they answer all your questions on the terminologies and types of plans. They even have an animated tutorial that explains what you would pay in many different scenarios. I found it very helpful in educating myself on all the different terms and options.

Hope that helps!
-James
 
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