To prevent the dreaded drilling and pain, it’s best to stick to those six month visits! So whether you do not have Dental Insurance or are looking to improve or supplement your current coverage, look no further. Health Insurance Specialists provides the one stop shop to comparing and purchasing dental coverage all in one place at our Online Store >>

Some FAQs about Dental Insurance:

What Kind of Plans Are Available?

• There is full coverage dental plans (much like health care plans) with an annual deductible that is tailored to your choice. There are also discount dental plans, you select from a list of dentists covered and pay a pre-negotiated fee.

When Does My Coverage Start?

• Coverage starts on the effective date. The effective date issued will begin on the 1st of the month (at 12:00 a.m.), following receipt of the completed Enrollment Form and payment of the first month of the premium.

On February 2^nd of every year, as tradition we await the determination of the future weather by a groundhog. And not just any groundhog, but a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil.

So the question remains in 2012, did Phil see his shadow?

The answer is yes, according to legend this means six more weeks of winter as opposed to an early spring.

While believing in the four legged forecaster is a belief left for our children, scientists have determined that there is no real correlation between Phil’s predications and the weather. As a matter of fact, Phil is more often wrong then he is right.

But let’s just humor Phil, and say that we are going to have longer winter weather this year, are you prepared? Do you have a solution to overcoming the winter blues? Well we do!

How about a vacation to somewhere warm? The Caribbean, Australia, anywhere near the equator!

Health Insurance Specialists Inc supplies not just Health Insurance, but Travel Insurance (including International travel), Trip Cancellation Insurance, Medical Insurance that caters to vacationing, as well as Identify Theft Protection. Pack your sunscreen for your trip and tuck your worries away, because HISI has you covered for all your vacation preparations.  Contact us today to find the right product to fit your needs.

Health Insurance Specialists, Inc.

Jon Belinkie

17620-B Redland Road
Rockville, MD 20855

Phone: (301) 590-0006
Fax: (301) 590-0661

Email: jbelinkie@his-inc.com

Confused? Overwhelmed? Stressed? Frustrated?

How about a bit helpless?

With all the choices in health care these days, making a selection is nearly impossible. Between choosing which of the many companies to use, who has better coverage,  who has better plans, or who is the most cost effective, it is likely to put a strain on anyone’s frame of mind .

Let Health Insurance Specialists ease your worries and avoid the stress.

Health Insurance Specialists, Inc. offers a variety of services and works with numerous provider  such as  Aetna, Anthem, Assurant Health, Care First Blue Cross and Blue Shield and United Health, just to name a few. It is our intentions that our clients are able to make an educated and informative decision unto which one of our providers best suit their needs with our easy to use plan comparison tools.

Be sure to visit our Benefit Store, where you are able to review all the products Health Insurance Specialists offer.

Our specialized agents are here to take the pressure off, and assist you with your Health Insurance needs. Let us answer your questions, make the comparisons, figure out the details and work the numbers so that your decision is simple to make.

For any other questions or concerns contacting our agents is as simple as pushing a button and sending an email or making a simple phone call. You can also fill out our online contact form and we will get back to you with assistance quickly.

Jon Belinke

Phone: (301) 590-0006
Fax: (301) 590-0661

Email: jbelinkie@his-inc.com

Highlighted Customer Service: Implementing the Davis Bacon Act

The Davis Bacon Act was created during the Great Depression, when one out of four Americans were unemployed. Representative Robert Bacon of Long Island, took notice that a contractor hired to build a local Veterans Bureau Hospital, chose to hire African American workers from Alabama at a cheaper wage, as opposed to the local unemployed workers requiring minimum wage. It was at this time that Representative Bacon as well as Senator James Davis of Pennsylvania presented the Davis-Bacon Act to congress. The act itself was created to ensure that federal construction jobs would be reserved for local workers at a fair pay scale.

In 1931 when the Davis Beacon Act became effective, the law established by the United States Federal Government, requiring payments prevailing wages on government contracted jobs. This includes all public work projects, construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings. Wages paid out on these jobs must be no less than the locally prevailing wages and benefits paid on similar projects.

Since 1931, Congress further enhanced the act by adding wage provisions to almost sixty statutes. These provisions also known as “Related Acts”, state that government construction projects funded through loans, grants, loan guarantees, and insurance have the same requirements noted in the Davis Bacon Act. It also extended government construction involvement to include areas such as transportation, housing, health, air and water pollution reduction. If a construction project is funded or assisted under more than one Federal statute, the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage provisions may apply to the project.

The Davis Bacon Act names the Secretary of Labor to be responsible for determining each local prevailing wage rate. The wage determination and the Davis Bacon Poster must be posted at all times by the contracting company at the site of work. It must be accessible and easily seen.

In accordance with the Davis Bacon Act, Government funded projects that are over $10,000, are required to have a contract in place declaring the details of an agreement between a government representative and a contractor. This contract plan would include the prevailing wage rate based upon the project and its location, overtime rates, maximum hours, safety and health standards and fringe benefit details including insurance and retirement plan contributions. Abiding by the regulations of the Davis Bacon Act can be quite detailed, maybe even a little complex. Let Health Insurance Specialists help your company create a system that limits your costs while remaining in compliance with Davis Bacon Act. Call us today (301) 590-0006.

View our other Custom Business Services here >>

With the help of Health Insurance Specialists, not only can all of you medical insurance needs be covered, but we can also assist with your auto insurance needs as well as travel insurance and identity theft protection. This is also a good time of the year to review or update your life insurance policies, long term care plans and wills.  Please check out our online store or contact Jon Belinke for more information on how we can be of service to you, this holiday season.

Preparation and organization are key factors when packing for a long distance trip. Be sure to take extra pillows and blankets for every member in the car. If the vehicle you are in happens to break down or worse, is involved in an accident, it could be little while for help to get to you. Your blankets, as well as coats, could protect you from the winter weather hazards and keep you warm.

Be sure your car is equipped with flares, in the event you do break down you will want to be sure you and your car are safe on a busy highway by signaling to other drivers that you are broke down. A jack and spare tires are also handy in the event of flat tire, but only if you know how to use them. Be sure to check your cars manual or the internet for instructions on how to change a tire, before you start your journey.

A toolbox for a car is essential. Make sure your toolbox is equipped with the tools such as a flashlight, Swiss army knife or Leatherman (a multi tool devise), screwdriver, small hammer, as well as fresh batteries. It is always wise to keep a first aid kit in your car with items such as band-aids, topical antibiotic ointment, scissors and eye wash. Your toolbox will not be as effective if it is kept in the back of your trunk under all the luggage, try to pack something small enough that can fit in the front seat with you.

Be sure to have a fully charged cell phone, as well as a car charger.  You never know when you will need it for assistance. The driver of the car should not be using, or talking on the cell phone while driving, leave that to your passengers.

Whether you are flying or driving make sure you have all your important documents. Be sure to keep them accessible and all in one place. Make sure to include your car insurance documentation, any ticket or flight information, a list and description of all the people who you are traveling with, health insurance cards and a list of phone numbers marked “In Case of Emergency.” This will help in an emergency to contact the proper family members in the case of an accident. It is also a good idea when traveling with kids, that a recent photo or id is placed with the important documentation for easy accessibility. Make sure each person you are traveling with, children included have some sort of identification physically on them. It could be a bracelet, a wallet or written on their socks. In the case of an emergency, the information will help the authorities with identifying them quickly.

When traveling with someone who is on medication or has a medical condition, make sure it is clearly documented and kept with your important papers. Include their doctor’s name and telephone numbers, which medications they are on and the dosage. If you are traveling with a diabetic be sure to take extra insulin and a snack or drink in case their blood sugar drops. Contact your doctor ahead of time for a prescription for an extra epi pen for those that have serious allergic reactions, one should be kept in the first aid kit. It is wise for anyone who has a serious medical condition or allergies to medication to travel with a medical bracelet or necklace that has their conditions listed on it.

The transportation security administration  has their own tips when traveling in airports this year. Please print the 3-1-1 flier for information on how the TSA recommends to get through security checkpoints safely and with less hassle. By not wrapping your gifts, knowing what is prohibited on a plane, arriving on time, and dressing the part, (wearing no metal and shoes that are easily removable), your transition period through security should be quick and smooth.

Health Insurance Specialist’s would like to wish everyone a safe holiday season. We are here to help you prepare for any of life’s emergencies that may occur this holiday season.

The holiday season is so hectic, and for most we are bound to forget something. Even Santa has a list to make sure he knows who to remember.  By using adding these apps below to your phone, you are more likely to forget less while keeping yourself a bit more organized. Both of these apps can create any type of list you need, whether it is a grocery list or your things to do and they can be shared with others. They can also be linked to your calendar, or remind you of when things need to be done.

Hope it makes your holidays (and life) a little less stressful.

Droid:  With TASKOS,  you can add, edit or delete tasks, share them with your friends, write notes, set alerts and even make calls.

I Phone: With the Family Organizer by Yaddahom,  You can share to-do lists with family members, Make a master grocery list with staple items and other lists for on-the-fly needs. Create repeating events and task reminders and other to-dos with an unlimited folders and sub-folders.

As an added bonus below are links to the apps for your cell phone, to help you keep track of your savings in the palm of your hand.

Droid: Upromise for Android                                      I phone: Upromise for Iphone

Shopping is also available on our website, whether you are shopping for Health Insurance or Car Insurance, Pet Insurance or Travel Insurance; all kinds of insurance to fit your needs are accessible at the HISI Online store. Follow this link to check it out.

Shoppers today have become increasingly  competitive,  not only having the stress about if they will be able to get the gift they were looking for, but whether the holiday shopping hazards will include stampedes, pepper spraying, or simple household chemical attacks. Most people are only concerned with the sale of the day, not the germs, cold and flu viruses that they are bringing home to share. By following the simple tips below all of us can do our duty to share a healthy holiday season rather than receive the flu.

TIP 1:  Hand sanitizer. Alcohol based sanitizer is the quickest and easiest way to prevent the spread of unwanted germs. They are small enough to fit in your pocket and purse, and most stores (especially ones that sell food) have stands where you can get a quick drop.

TIP 2: Get your influenza vaccine. The vaccine now comes in a spray and shot form, and you don’t always have to go to your doctors to get it, many clinics and pharmacies are now offering it throughout local neighborhoods..

TIP 3: When out and about, and a public restroom is necessary, remember to always use a paper towel. Use a paper towel or tissue paper to unlock & lock stalls, and once your hands are washed be sure to use a towel to turn off the water handle and while using the door handle when exiting.

TIP 4: Antibacterial wipes are always handy when using the food court  or restaurant. Just as kitchen sponges offer a warm, moist environment that lets food bacteria multiply, rags used to wipe down dirty tabletops are considered a conducive environment for bacteria to dwell in. Wipes are also great for wiping down the handle bar of  shopping carts. Just because it can’t be seen doesn’t mean it’s not there.

TIP 5: When a sneeze is coming about, keep it covered. Whether you use your shirt to cover your face, a tissue or even in your elbow, keeping the germs contained is the key.

“Tis the season to give than receive.” However, the “gifting” of germs and viruses is not something any of us want to be on the receiving end of. We live in a world that’s not sterile, but what we’d like it to be is hygienic for everyone. It is not crucial to become germ-a -phobic either, just a little awareness and hand sanitizer ought to go along way.

In this week’s article we will discuss the proper techniques on how to safely use a ladder, as well as tips and guidelines to help avoid serious injury.

Weight capacity: Portable ladders are categorized three different ways; Industrial, Commercial, and Household. Industrial ladders are heavy duty ladders with a load capacity of no more than 250 lbs. Commercial Ladders have a medium duty load capacity of no more than 225 lbs, best suited for painting  and similar tasks. Household ladders are light-duty with a load capacity of 200 lbs. The most common type of ladder in a home is the step ladder for your everyday needs. With the right ladder and proper use, working above ground level should be no problem. Make sure you have an appropriate ladder and use correct technique for placement and climbing.

 The first step to using any ladder safely is to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions. They will contain guidelines that help you use ladders more safely and effectively and also advise you about the weight and height limits of the ladder. Make sure the weight your ladder is supporting does not exceed its maximum load rating (user plus materials), and there should only be one person on the ladder at one time.

Tip: Before using a ladder, especially a ladder that has been stored in the garage for a while, inspect it for cracks or broken joints. Make sure the ladder has been well maintained, that the rungs are clean and all parts are intact — Never climb on a slippery or shaky ladder.

Types of ladders: Choose the proper ladder for the intended task. Metal ladders will conduct electricity. Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder in the vicinity of power lines or electrical equipment; such as when hanging lights.  Do not let a ladder made from any material contact live electric wires. Do not place a ladder in front of a door that is not locked, blocked or guarded.

Proper Set up: Setting up the ladder correctly may help prevent falls. When planting the base of any ladder, place all feet on a firm,

This man is demonstrating how not to hang you lights this holiday season

level surface, not on rocks or boards. Spreaders, the devices that hold the front and back sections of a stepladder in an open position, should be completely open and locked before any weight is placed on the ladder. Use the 1:4 ratio to ensure a stable working platform. Place the base of the ladder 1 foot away of whatever it leans against for every 4 feet of height to the point where the ladder contacts at the top. It is good practice is to have a helper hold the bottom of the ladder. When using an extension ladder, don’t place the ladder at too extreme of an angle, Straight, single or extension ladders should be set up at about a 75-degree angle. When using an A-frame stepladder, make sure the brace is locked in place. Remember always use a ladder that is tall enough for the job at hand. A great number of ladder accidents are the result of using a ladder that is too short. When possible it is a good idea to secure tall ladders by lashing or fastening the ladder to prevent movement.

Proper Usage: Face the ladder when climbing up and down; keep your body centered between both side rails. While up on the ladder, don’t overextend your reach. Make sure you keep your weight evenly distributed, and don’t carry equipment while climbing a ladder. Invest in a tool belt or have a helper hand the equipment to you. Most ladder instructions state not to step on the top step, bucket shelf or attempt to climb or stand on the rear section of a stepladder. Do not climb higher than the second rung on stepladders or the third rung on straight or extension ladders. Keep both feet on the ladder – never put one foot on a rung and the other foot on a different surface. Always make sure people and equipment are off the ladder before moving or closing it. And finally… Never leave a raised ladder unattended, children love to climb.

Hopefully you are now prepared to go out and decorate your home in a safe manner,  In the case of any accidents, HISI is here to help protect you with your homeowners or medical insurance needs. Please call John Belinkie at 301.590.0006, for advice on what best suits your needs.

Fiction-Technically, American Indians, Europeans, and other cultures around the world often celebrated the harvest season with feasts to offer thanks to higher powers for their sustenance and survival.

In 1541 Spaniard Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and his troops celebrated a “Thanksgiving” while searching for New World gold in what is now the Texas Panhandle. In 1564 feasts were held by French Huguenot colonists in (what is now) Jacksonville, Florida, English colonists and Abnaki Indians celebrated at Maine’s Kennebec River in 1607, and in 1610 Jamestown, Virginia colonists celebrated with the arrival of a food-laden ship that ended a brutal famine.

It’s the 1621 Plymouth Thanksgiving that’s linked to the birth of our modern “Thanksgiving” holiday.

•  Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November?

Fact- In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November would be declared a national holiday known as Thanksgiving Day. Even after this proclamation there was still some disagreement over the actual date. Every year folks tried to change the date of the holiday for a variety of reasons.

In 1933 during the height of the Great Depression, retail associations asked President Roosevelt to move the date of Thanksgiving that year since it would fall on November 30 leaving little time for Holiday shopping. Roosevelt denied the request. However, when Thanksgiving came again on November 30, 1939, Roosevelt agreed and changed the date to November 23rd every year. This decision angered and frustrated people claiming that the president was messing with tradition for the sake of the economy. In turn, each state got to choose for itself and 23 went with the original date, while 23 choose to celebrate on the New Deal date. Some states even celebrated twice! To insure that the date would not be changed again a bill was commenced that Roosevelt signed on November 26, 1941 officially establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. This has been followed by every state in the union since 1956.

• Turkey was on the original menu

Fiction-It is suggested that the American Indian men killed deer for the feast, and that the colonists shot wild fowl—which may have been geese, and ducks. It is likely that the colonists supplemented their venison and birds with fish, lobster, clams, nuts, and wheat flour, as well as vegetables such as pumpkin, squash, carrots,  peas and Indian corn.

Much of what we consider traditional Thanksgiving fare was unknown at the first Thanksgiving. Potatoes and sweet potatoes hadn’t yet become staples of the English diet. Cranberry sauce requires sugar—an expensive delicacy in the 1600s. Pumpkin pie was missing due to a lack of crust ingredients.

•  Turkey makes you sleepy.

Fiction-While it’s true that turkey contains tryptophan–an amino acid that’s a precursor to calming, feel-good serotonin–there’s not enough tryptophan in roasted turkey to tire you out. In fact, there’s more tryptophan in cheese and chicken breast than there is in turkey. It’s usually the over-stuffing of ourselves that makes is want to lay back and rest. To prepare yourself for a healthier thanksgiving, Read our article Healthy Thanksgiving

•  Minnesota is the United States’ top turkey-producing state.

Fact-This is followed by North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, and Virginia. These “big six” states produce two of every three U.S.-raised birds, according to data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Some 242 million turkeys were raised in the U.S. in 2010 for slaughter, a net worth of about $3.6 billion dollars. The National Turkey Federation estimates that approximately 46 million turkeys will end up on U.S. dinner tables at Thanksgiving this year.

•  The bigger the turkey, the better.

Fiction-Larger-breasted turkeys are new breeds that were created to produce a larger amount of meat–not a better flavor. The smaller the ratio of breast meat to whole bird, the closer the turkey is to the original model and the more old-fashioned its flavor will be. It is best to stick with with a fresh heritage turkey or crossbreed turkey.

• Almost 3 billlion fruits and vegetables are produced just for Thanksgiving.

Fact-U.S. farmers will produce 735 million pounds of cranberries, most of them from Wisconsin and Massachusetts. 1.9 billion pounds of sweet potatoes from North Carolina, California, and Louisiana. And finally 931 million pounds pumpkins will be grown, with top contributors being  Illinois, California, and Ohio.
An on a side note, Canned pureed pumpkin from the grocery store often produces a more reliable and consistent result when baking. If you insist on using fresh pumpkins this holiday season, be sure to use sugar pumpkins; the pumpkins you buy to carve at Halloween are watery, mealy, and not great for recipes.

• Pardoned Turkeys retire to Disneyland.

True-Since 1947, every year at least two lucky turkeys avoid the dinner table, thanks to a presidential pardon. A Washington tradition believed to have originated with U.S. President Harry Truman. According to the National Turkey Federation, There are two birds, the presidential turkey and the vice presidential turkey, which is an alternate, in case the presidential turkey is unable to perform its duties. Turkeys that are considered “ready to eat” are also presented to the president after the pardon.

Prior to 2010 the “presidential” pardoned turkeys have gone to live at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Ranch in California. This year’s birds will instead follow in the footsteps of the first president and live out their days at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.

• Thanksgiving is the busiest travel time of the year.

Fact-While many airlines, will disagree, stating that summer months are busier, the Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods are among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year. During the 6-day Thanksgiving travel period, the number of long-distance trips increases by 54 percent. During the Christmas/New Year’s Holiday period the number rises by 23 percent, compared to the average number for the remainder of the year. Some 40 million of the 308 million U.S. citizens will drive more than 50 miles from home, according to the American Automobile Association. It may seem like everyone in the U.S. is on the road on Thanksgiving Day, keeping you from your turkey and stuffing.

During this Holiday Season please be safe throughout all of your holiday travels. Look to HISI to assist you with any and all of you travel protection. Whether it be auto insurance or travel insurance HISI can help prepare you. Checkout our online store or contact Jon Belinke 301.590.0006 for more information on the necessary polices you should have when traveling.

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Pumkini Recipe

aka Pumpkin Martini

½ oz of sylk cream liquor

2oz vanillia vodka

½ oz pumpkin liquer or pumpkin spice syrup

1tsp whipped cream

Cinnamon stick to garnish

Add first three ingredients to shaker over ice, shake, pur into chilled glass and top with whipped cream and cinnamon stick