Kentucky Flooding Creates Home Safety Concerns

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Press Release Date: Thursday, April 10, 2008
Contact Information: Gwenda Bond or Beth Fisher,(502) 564-6786, ext. 3325 and 4012

Water Damage Could Lead to Mold

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has issued home safety guidelines to aid Kentuckians left with water damage in their homes due to large amounts of water run-off and flooding throughout the state.

One of the biggest public health concerns linked to water damage in the home is mold, fungi that can be found indoors and out. Molds grow best in warm, damp and humid conditions and spread by making spores.

“Though mold is almost always present in the air, it grows best in damp areas where humidity levels are high,” said Guy Delius, acting director of the public health protection and safety division in DPH. “The recent, heavy rains experienced throughout the state caused flooding in several areas, and many homes experienced water damage. This is a concern for homeowners, not only because of damage to their home, but it also could lead to a mold problem if left untreated.”

To recognize the signs of mold, look for discolored walls possibly showing water damage, or green or black spots apparent on walls. Mold also has a musty, earthy smell, or a foul stench.

“Allergy sufferers are those who are usually affected the most by mold exposure. Symptoms usually include nasal congestion, itchy or watery eyes, wheezing or skin irritation,” said William Hacker, M.D., DPH commissioner and CHFS acting undersecretary for health. “More severe reactions may include fever or shortness of breath. Those who have medical concerns regarding mold exposure should contact their health care provider.”

To decrease exposure and reduce mold in the home, DPH recommends that homeowners keep the humidity level of the home between 40 and 60 percent. The use of an air conditioner or dehumidifier may be used to achieve a lower level of humidity. Always use exhaust fans when showering and cooking. Mold inhibitors for paint are also available from home improvement stores.

For cleaning a small area affected by mold, most homeowners may clean up the mold problem themselves. DPH officials recommend the use of protective glasses or goggles for the eyes. Also wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves and wear clothing that can be washed afterwards. If there is a heavy mold growth area, you may wish to use a basic respirator or suitable mask to prevent breathing the spores.

Other recommendations include:

• Ensure that the area is well ventilated before beginning.



• Remove all previously soaked porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and are not able to be cleaned and dried.



• Disinfect hard surfaces; a solution may be mixed of 1 cup of household bleach with 1 gallon of water.



• Contact a mold remediation consultant for severe mold cases.

To prevent mold from coming back, DPH recommends implementing mold prevention efforts in the home. For flooding damage, ensure that the home is properly cleaned and dried out by using the aforementioned steps. For small spots, make sure to remove the source of moisture.

“Mold cannot grow without a source of water or moisture,” said Delius. “By removing the water source, the homeowner can ensure that the mold growth should not return.”

If mold growth persists, the homeowner may want to contact a mold remediation professional for more advice. The source of the problem can also be moisture that is hidden in the home.

For more information on mold, visit the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Public Health Web site at http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/phps/mold.htm, or contact your area local health department’s environmental public health office.

######

Charlie Pinson Insurance offers Kentucky Flood Insurance cheifly to residents of Pike and Floyd County (Pikeville KY and Prestonsburg KY areas). For more information on Flood Safety visit Charlie Pinson Insurance Ky

If you have a Kentucky Homeowners Insurance policy, it generally does not include flood damages in the coverage. Review your policy with a Kentucky Independent Insurance Agent. Charlie Pinson Insurance does business throughout the state of Kentucky.

Make your Health Care Wishes Known

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Encourages Kentuckians to Make Advance Health Care Wishes Known

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Press Release Date: Thursday, April 10, 2008
Contact Information: Janis Stewart or Gwenda Bond,
(502) 564-6786, ext. 3326 and ext. 3325

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 10, 2008) – Most people can’t read your mind when you’re healthy, let alone try to figure out your wishes during a major health crisis while under additional stress. Be kind to your loved ones; make those decisions in advance; and have them legally documented.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO), along with other national, state and community organizations, is leading an effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16, 2008, as the inaugural National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD).

Despite the fact that the importance and benefits of advance directives have been proven repeatedly for many years, only a small minority of Americans have executed an advance directive, according to information on the NHDD website. NHDD seeks to address this issue by focusing attention on advance healthcare planning from a variety of directions simultaneously across the United States.

Any number of professionals such as healthcare providers, chaplains, attorneys, and long-term care ombudsmen can provide clear, concise, and consistent information and tools for executing written advance directives about healthcare power of attorney and/or living will in accordance with state laws.

“I encourage, Kentuckians to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known,” said Jackie Strader, Kentucky’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman. ” An advance directive allows you to give instructions about your health care, clearly explaining what you want done or not done if the time comes when you can’t speak for yourself. ”

For more information on this initiative and advance health care directives, visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org or http://chfs.ky.gov/omb/ltco.htm call the LTCO at 502/564-5497.

#####

Best of the Bluegrass Lexington KY

Kentucky Festivals in Full Swing for Spring

It is a beautiful Friday morning here in Kentucky with the red buds singing the melodies of spring. Across the Commonwealth, it is festival time. I have mentioned in previous posts, Louisville's Kentucky Derby Festival and the upcoming Hillbilly Days festival in Pikeville.

Today, it's all about "MY University" town, Lexington, KY.(GO BIG BLUE!)

Best of the Bluegrass Festival April 10 - 12 Lexington KY
Check out Best of Bluegrass website

It started yesterday, with a Bed Race and will end Saturday with the running of the 84th Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland sponsored by Toyota. In between there is more Thoroughbred racing at Keeneland including the Makers Mark Mile, a 5K run for us two feeted folks, LexJam down at the ArtsPlace, and even a celebration at Henry Clay's Ashland for the illustrious orator's 231st birthday.

Alas, I cannot join the festivities but my spirit is with y'all. Enjoy the fun! Send me some burgoo and bread pudding!

Joyce Pinson is a Kentucky Health Insurance agent, an avid Wildcat fan, and a lover of all things Kentucky; especially Thoroughbred horses.
Charlie Pinson Insurance KY

Safeco Teensurance get positive press Wall Street Journal

Teen Insurance targeting safety and new markets

Safeco Insurance continues to garner rave reviews about their Teensurance product. Rolled out last year, the media attention is still escalating.

Check out March 27 edition of the Wall Street Journal

Scroll below to view Safeco's You Tube Teensurance promo. Check out our agency website at www.pinsoninsurance.com to see more about Kentucky Teen Insurance options.

Safeco and the Safeco logo are registered trademarks of Safeco Corporation
Teensurance and Safety Beacon are trademarks of Open Seas Solutions, Inc. Open Seas Solutions, Inc. is a non-insurance subsidiary of Safeco Corporation.

Check out Charlie Pinson Insurance
KY Safeco Insurance Agent
Ky Teen Insurance Page

Spencer County Man Must Repay Health Insurance Benefits

From Kentucky Office of Insurance
Contact: Ronda Sloan
502-564-6098
502-330-1804 (cell)

NEWS RELEASE

SPENCER COUNTY MAN LIES ON INSURANCE APPLICATION
Must repay company for all claims paid on his behalf

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 31, 2008) – A Spencer County man must repay $9,718.66 in health insurance benefits he received after lying on the application. The case was investigated by the Kentucky Office of Insurance (KOI) Fraud Investigation Division.

Douglas Richardson, 37, of Taylorsville, admitted that he lied on a health insurance application with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, stating that he didn’t have any significant health problems when he actually had several specific medical conditions. Anthem paid claims based on this fraudulent information.

He pleaded guilty to one felony count of insurance fraud and will be supervised for five years through a pretrial diversion agreement in Jefferson Circuit Court. Richardson was ordered to make restitution to Anthem for the claims paid on his behalf. In addition, he must pay a fine of $918.40 to KOI for investigative expenses. He waived his right to request that the record be expunged of this charge.

KOI is an agency of the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

#####

Joyce Pinson and Charlie Pinson are Kentucky health insurance agents. For information about Triple B Insurance and KY health insurance quotes visit Triple B Insurance staff page.

Central KY woman averts Health Insurance Scam

From Kentucky Office of Insurance
Contact: Ronda Sloan
502-564-6098
502-330-1804 (cell)

NEWS RELEASE

CONSUMERS SHOULD GUARD FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Unsolicited caller asks central Kentucky woman for bank account data

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 2, 2008) – An Anderson County woman received a call earlier this week with an offer “too good to be true,” and her quick thinking may have averted financial disaster.
The caller, who said his name was Patrick, offered to help her save money on a health insurance plan. Later in the call, he said she could receive the coverage at no cost. All he needed was her financial information. When she asked why he needed her bank routing number for a free service, the caller became angry and hung up. The woman called the Kentucky Office of Insurance (KOI) to report the matter.
According to the consumer, Patrick said he represented MedExtra. An investigator from KOI contacted MedExtra, a Canadian company specializing in assisting members with various medical services, including personalized care plans, remote second opinions and discount pricing. A company representative said MedExtra does not have an employee named Patrick and does not market in the United States.
“We urge consumers to be cautious about giving out financial information, particularly when they did not initiate the call,” said John Burkholder, KOI acting executive director. “Being a savvy consumer may have saved this woman from a serious financial loss.”
Consumers who receive similar calls may call KOI at 800-595-6053 and ask to speak to Scott Moseley in Consumer Protection and Education.
KOI is an agency of the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.
#####

Click For more information on   Kentucky Health Insurance Quotesfrom Triple B Insurance and agent, Charlie Pinson.

Governor Beshear signs bills for long term care and trama care

Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear signs four bills into law
Press Release Date: Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Contact Information: Dick Brown
502-564-2611

FRANKFORT, KY – Gov. Steve Beshear today signed into law four bills passed by the current session of the Kentucky General Assembly. The new laws include measures relating to corporation income tax and limited liability entity tax, changes relating to plastic container labeling requirements, long-term care insurance and trauma care.

HB 259, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Greer (D-Brandenburg), created the Kentucky Long-Term Care Partnership Program that encourages individuals to obtain long-term care insurance by allowing them to still qualify for Medicaid services without exhausting all of their assets and resources. This will allow these individuals to protect come of their personal assets, up to the benefits of the policy, from estate recovery.

“No longer will the elderly who have worked all their lives to have a home and some money saved be forced to lose all of those assets in order to access long-term care,” said Gov. Beshear. “This bill is a significant step in helping consumers plan their retirement with more confidence in their long-term financial viability. I want to congratulate Rep. Greer and thank him for recognizing this opportunity and pushing this legislation.”

HB 371, sponsored by Rep. Bob DeWeese (R-Louisville), provides a mechanism by which an office of trauma care will be created and charged with developing trauma prevention programs, a trauma registry, continuing education for professionals and a coordinated trauma network.

“It’s not often you can say that a specific piece of legislation has the potential to save lives. But, in this case, it’s true,” said Gov. Beshear. “Many areas of Kentucky, particularly rural areas, lack good trauma care, something that contributes to higher rates of death and permanent disability as a result of violent accidents. With the work of Rep. Bob DeWeese, we now have legislation that can address this in a meaningful way.”

###