Volume 10, Issue 6 
June 2019


SHIIPLogo

Our monthly newsletter addresses consumer insurance topics as well as timely information on issues affecting senior citizens in Louisiana.

newsletter_07

To find out if Consumer Advocacy will be in your area or to request a speaker for your organization or group, call (225) 219-0619 or send an email to:

Upcoming Events  

SHIIP and COAST 2019 Medicare Counseling

Date: June 19, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Location: Covington Senior Center
19404 N. 10th Street, Covington, LA

SHIIP and COAST 2019 Medicare Counseling

Date: July 17, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Location: Slidell Senior Center
610 Cousin Street, Slidell, LA

 

View Louisiana's Open Meetings Law on the legislative website by clicking here.

Now is the Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season

We are starting this year’s hurricane season with a heightened risk for flooding which makes the need to be prepared more important than ever. Take precautions now to make sure your home, business and vehicles are properly insured and ready to weather the storm.

  • Check up on your insurance coverages. Read your policies or speak with your agent to make sure you’re properly covered in the event of storm damage. Check your homeowners hurricane deductible and see if your vehicle is covered for flooding with a comprehensive auto policy.

  • Update your home inventory.  Use your phone to take pictures or video of your possessions to make the insurance claims process go much smoother. Download the NAIC home inventory app, MyHome Scr.APP.book

  • Have copies of your policies and your agent’s contact information ready.  If you need to evacuate you want to have your policy and agent information with you so you can start the claims process as soon as possible. Use the policy worksheet in our online Dry Run Guide.

  • Check your property for potential hazards. Pick up or secure any items that may become projectiles in high winds, cut down hanging limbs and secure loose roof shingles.

  • Make a plan for your pets. Have a plan for where you can take your pets if you need to evacuate.  Prepare ahead items for your pets such as travel kennels, bedding, food in water tight containers, litter/litter pans and medications. Make sure they have identification and vaccination tags or are microchipped in order to be reunited with you if you become separated.

_________________________________________________________________________

 

Flooded town clip art cropped 

Insurance 101: Flood Awareness

Protecting your home.  Flood damage resulting from heavy rain or storm surge is excluded from most homeowners policies and requires a separate flood policy. Don’t wait to get a flood policy, there is typically a 30-day waiting period before flood policies take effect. For information on a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy, contact your agent or visit at www.floodsmart.gov.   

Protecting your car. Vehicles will generally be covered for flooding if they are covered by a comprehensive auto policy. Liability and collision only policies will not cover you in the event your car is damaged by water.

Protecting you and your loved ones. More than half of flood-related deaths happen when people drive  into flood water. People who try walking into or near flood waters make up the second-highest percentage of flood-related deaths.

Understanding flood advisories is critical to your safety. Know the differences between the National Weather Service issued advisories, watches, and warnings:

  • Flood Advisory — Heavy rain is forecast to occur and may require additional action. Stay tuned to your local radio or TV station to stay informed.
  • Flood Watch — A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It doesn't mean flooding will occur, but you should be prepared. This has a higher likelihood of flooding than a flood advisory.
  • Flood Warning — A flood warning is issued when a hazardous weather event that may cause a flood is imminent or underway.
  • Flash Flood Warning — A flash flood is a sudden, intense flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring.

 

_________________________________________________________________________

Medicare green roadsign 

Medicare During an Emergency or Disaster

If you live in an area that’s been declared an emergency or disaster, look for news from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about your situation, as the usual Medicare rules for your medical care may change for a short time.

Seeing doctors or other providers.  If you have Original Medicare, you may always see any doctor who accepts Medicare, even if you have to leave your city or state.  If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan, contact your plan or visit their website to see what temporary changes to its rules will be made when services get disrupted during an emergency or disaster.

Getting your prescription drugs.  If you can’t go to your usual network pharmacy, contact your Medicare drug plan to find another network pharmacy nearby. If you can’t reasonably get to a network pharmacy during an emergency or disaster, the plan can help you get drugs at an out-of-network pharmacy, but you may pay a little more.  If you evacuated without your prescription drugs, or they were damaged or lost because of the emergency or disaster, contact your Medicare drug plan.

Paying your Medicare plan premiums. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and you pay your premium directly to the plan each month, you are still responsible for paying your premium on time.  To keep from getting disenrolled for not paying on time, contact your plan to find out how to pay your premiums. If your plan disenrolls you for not paying your premiums on time because of the emergency or disaster, you may be able to ask your plan about getting your coverage back.

Find more information on Medicare during a disaster or emergency here.

______________________________________________________________________

 

Stay Connected with the LDI

Keep up with tips and news from the LDI, including newsletters, press releases and videos, by connecting with us through social media.


facebook  Like linkedin  Connect


twitter  Follow

youtube Subscribe

 

Office of Consumer Advocacy
(225) 219-0619 or (800) 259-5300

P.O Box 94214
www.ldi.la.gov

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9214
consumeradvocacy@ldi.la.gov