Travel Insurance-Don’t Leave Home Without It

FOREIGN TRAVEL INSURANCE AND LEGAL GUIDE

Many of the privileges and securities you enjoy in the United States are immediately left behind once you leave the boarders of American soil. While in the United States, we sometimes take for granted the liberties, freedoms and protections we have as US citizens.

When we venture to a third world country, or even an industrialized European nation, many matters we take for granted in the US change dramatically when we travel to this foreign land.

So before you head merrily off to your foreign country with your favorite travel hat and travel bag, you need to make sure you are aware of how to prepare for any unplanned medical, personal or legal emergencies. You need to understand how your medical coverage will change or may even disappear and you may have to consider travel insurance. You need to have a basic understanding of the laws of the country you are visiting and who to contact when matters arise that you did not foresee.

YOU MAY LOSE MEDICAL COVERAGE AND NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE

If you go to a foreign country, the medical care will most likely be sub-standard to that in the US. If you have a serious condition subject to the need of immediate medical attention, find out about the location and the quality of the medical facilities available at the locale you will be visiting. Make sure you have with you sufficent prescription medications and refill presriptions from your doctor. In addition, you will need a letter from your doctor summarizing your condition and the medications he has prescribed. And most important, carry your medication in the pharmacy labeled container.

Your group medical coverage may or may not cover unexpected medical needs or offer limited coverage. Most policies will cover your medical expenses while you are out of the country, however, few in any will cover the cost of transporting a medical patient back to the United States, and the actual cost would be well over ten thousand dollars. If you are depending on medicare or medicaid coverage, unfortunately, once you leave the United States you medical coverage will cease. If you are going to be without coverage, then the only alternative is to purchase supplemental travel insurance coverage, and the cost normally runs between five and ten percent of the cost of your trip. For a list of reliable supplemental insurance carriers check the state departments website at: http://travel.state.gov – or check with an established medical insurance agent.

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS WILL CHANGE

Also, remember, once in a foreign land you are subject to their laws, and can be prosecuted in that country, if their laws are deemed violated. A violation that may be considered a misdemeanor in the US may be a major crime in a foreign land. For example, consider certain drug possession offenses. Foreign due process rights are quite different than due process rights in the US. The United States has embassies in most countries and it is best to have the phone number, address and email of the US embassy in any country you enter, and be sure to contact the local US embassy immediately, even if you suspect problems with the local authorities. See the state deparment website above to locate the various foreign embassies, and keep a copy of the contact details in your pocket at all times.

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HELPS ITS CITIZENS ABROAD

Lastly, the United States wants to protect and insure the safety of US citizens abroad. Be sure to register the details of your trip with the US State Department at: https://travelregistration.state.gov , and note their toll free number accessible twenty four hours a day at: 1-888-407-4747. If you register with the state department, then in the event of an emergency your relatives can call the above number and you will be contacted pursuant to your registration details. Also, there is a page on your passport to leave critical medical and contact information and it takes just a minute to record.

The vast majority of foreign travelers rarely have significant problems abroad, however, it is more than wise to plan ahead in the event an unfortunate medical or legal emergency develops. D. Burlison,JD , travel consultant.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4238633/

If you are looking for free travel advice, travel insurance and great travel deals abroad. consider this travel website:

http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com

San Juan Islands-A Travel Guide

San Juan Islands,Washington

Most Americans,during the month of July, are looking for a cool shade tree to hide from the sweltering heat and waiting  patiently until the cool weather of the fall arrives.  Fourth of July  picnics are a great place to gather, socialize with friends, and eat lots of barbecue, but how many people really enjoy those one hundred degree days in the sun in the middle of July. A great way to avoid the heat and misery of July is to plan a midsummer’s trip to the pacific northwest, specifically Seattle and the San Juan Islands. Even in the middle of July, on any given night on the San Juan Islands, it is wise to go out on the town with a light jacket or heavy sweater on your shoulder.

As you fly over Mount Rainier on the way to Seattle, looking out from the airplane you can almost touch the snow covered Mount Rainier, as the plane descends toward Seattle. And you say to yourself,  the view itself is almost worth the trip. Yes, Seattle has much to offer any traveler for more than a week, offering the world famous Pike’s Street Market, the ocean side docks and restaurants along the Puget Sound shores, and of course, the home of Starbucks coffee, and much more.

However, in mid-July, why not consider the San Juan Islands. The San Juan Islands consist of over 150 islands located in Puget Sound just northwest of Seattle, found nestled between Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia,Canada. The islands discussed are actually in the state of Washington, as you go further north, they become a part of British Columbia, Canada. The four major islands are The San Juan Island, Orcas Island (named after the Orcas whale), Lopez Island, and Shaw Island.The San Juan Island and Orcas Island are the most developed and actually have the most to offer any travel adventurer.

All of the four major islands mentioned above can be reached by traveling the Washington State Ferries. To board a ferry to the San Juan Islands, most people just rent a car at the Seattle airport and travel about an hours drive to the northwest of Seattle to Anacortes,Washington, a town worth spending time in- in itself, and there you will board a ferry to the San Juan Islands. The ferry will transport you and your rental car to each of the four major San Juan islands, and the ferry will transport you all the way to Sidney, Vancouver Island, Canada, if you wish. The cost for a couple with their car is only about $50 to go the entire trip to Sidney. If you are traveling without a car it is much cheaper.

The ferry ride itself is actually like a mini-cruise. You drive your rental car onto the ferry, park your car and go to the upper-deck. Once in the upper-deck seating area your will find comfortable cushioned seats and picture window views to enjoy the sights as you travel to the northwest and to the islands. The ferries also provide a nice cafeteria cafe and you can grab a nice meal and drinks. Just prop your feet up and enjoy the view as the ferry makes landing at each of the major four islands. The trip all the way to Sidney,Canada takes a couple of hours, but the views are magnificent, and the waters are calm. It is a great time to just read, relax and enjoy the tranquility of the moment.

As you approach the islands you will be amazed by the views and marvel at the quaint ocean villages and the lovely mountain cliffs falling into the sea. Most people who travel there actually stay in one of the quaint bed and breakfast establishments.There are many bed an breakfast lodges, and all offer roomy, well decorated accommodations and an enormous breakfast to start your day. There are a couple of established hotel/resorts, such as The Orcas Hotel, on Orcas Island, or The Rosario Resort and Spa ,also on Orcas Island, if you want more privacy.

Your trip will be just doing what you feel like doing each day and just enjoying these beautiful islands and exploring the seaside villages and all they have to offer. You will discover uncrowded drives along the sea, and you will find whale watching points, scenic lighthouses, and historic sites. In the small villages you will find quaint gift shops, offering  local crafts and art. You will find small restaurants overlooking Puget Sound, serving fresh steamed clams cooked in white wine from the Washington vineyards. And everywhere you travel you will find friendly people, welcoming you to their community.

If your are planning a summer vacation,consider a vacation to the Pacific northwest, and specifically to the San Juan Islands.It is a choice you will not regret. Just unpack those fall sweaters and your fall light jackets, board on a plane in July and venture to the pacific northwest. And enjoy the weather, the sights and the people of the San Juan Islands, and the beautiful State of Washington.

If your are planning a trip, consider asking a local about you travel plans…and it is free..See:

http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com    Have a great trip..

Goolge -Top Ten Website Ranking

Getting Top Ranking on Google for Free

I recently opened a website two months ago ( In Mid December 2009). The site url is:  http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com , and amazingly my site is a top ten site on major keyword searches on Google. If you Google : travel ask locals, travel like a local, ask a local about travel,etc, you will find my spot, and possibly some of my articles, right there in Googles top ten listings for these key words, a top ten out of 200,000,000, and without a dime spent, a high Google ranking for free.

This was my first website and to get a Google ranking this high , and with this high of a Google page rank was a suprise to me. I am not a internet guru, and at best an amateur web builder, who has spent most his life practicing law . Well, how did I get indexed and get such a high Google page ranking so quickly. I am not real sure. I’ll outline what I did to get the high Google rankings and the high Google page rank, which I have had for a number of weeks and counting. Hoplefully, you can try some of the same things I did and find some success and get your website a  top page ranking with Google. It can be frustrating.

In essence, I used Google search. At every step in the process I Googled the questions I had on the subject in the procees of getting my a website up and running. I studied several informative articles from my Google searches on every step of the process. First, I Googled how to create a website. There are many articles on this subject and many sites allow you to open and be hosted by their website for free. I settled on Yola.com. Yola has a novice friendly format and even a beginner like myself can hardly go wrong. They also have some nice Google widgets you can add to enhance your site, and good support.  As you can see from my URL, I am still a subdomain of Yola.

After I had an idea for my site ( a place where travelers could ask locals at their destination pertinent questions about their travel plans), I Googled the words I thought a traveler seeking local travel advice might Google. There I learned the magic of key words in your title and text. It is keywords that attracts the Google search engines, and they must be relevant to the website’s subject matter. I also Googled terms like- increase your Google website ranking, and I followed the advce of others on this subject, and all articles discussed the importance of keywords and other things I am discussing here, and  which I incorporated.

Key words in my opinion are critical. You want to have valuable and unique text within your site page, but the Google search engines want to see and touch those key words. Have you noticed how I have incorporated key words into this article. For example, Google rankings, Google search, Google indexing, etc. Find out what key words the successful sites use on your subject and do it better than them. Key words should be in your title and sprinkled within your text. Be sure not to add too many keywords, and offend the Google robots. How much is too much I do not know. However, in my opimion, try to create over a thousand words of good relevant content in your text, including the keywords Google likes.

You will hear about getting Google ranking with backlinks. I believe backlinks are very important for a top Google ranking. However, a handfull might suffice and they are not too difficult to get . First, my understanding of backlinks are links from other indexed sites that have linked in one way or the other to your site. In other words, someone can click on your link from their site to get to yours. Back links can come from a web directories, preferably on your subject ( do not miss Google’s, DMOZ), and you need to submit to as many directories as you can. Backlinks come from articles you have written that includes your website url in the text. I have wrote articles for the main article players, Enzine Articles, Go To Articles, Hubpages,etc. I have also written  blogs.  Digg,Blogger,Blogspot,Wordpress, etc are notable blogs. I have included my site url witin my text or attached my link somewhere on the backlink blog. For some reason Google especially likes Ezine and WordPress. I’m not sure why, but my submissions have done well on these sites in the Google searches.  The published articles and blogs with your url in the text or attachment will in my opinion get you indexed quickly and increase your rankings as much as anything you do. Articles gives you backlinks, it gives you material for your website and many of my articles themselves can get top google rankings and provide, in essence, a referral to your site.

Obviously, be sure to begin your indexing by submitting your link directly to the main search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo,etc.  To submit a site to Google, just Google: submit site to Google, and it will take you right to the submission pages. One thing I did that was free upfront was incorporate an adwords campaign with Google. It is a pay per hit on your site advertisement and you set the price. I set my cost extremely low and it is not very expensive.

If your are just at the point of wanting Google to index your site, then do all of the above and you should get indexed at the very least. If you want a top Google ranking try what I have suggested, it just might work. Have fun. D.Burlison,JD

By the way if your are planning a trip consider my website: Travel Ask Locals:
http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com . Free travel advice from locals and excellent travel links.

David   http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4238633/

Travel Belize-Local Travel Advice

Travel to The Hidden World of Belize

Most people have heard of Belize , but consider Belize a small third world country in Central America. Considering Belize as a major tourist destination is not common. Belize is not a tourist destination that most people would place on their list of top tropical choices. Maybe a closer look at Belize will reveal a hidden gem in the maze of all the various tropical opportunities available.

Most people looking for a tropical experience think first of the Caribbean Islands from the Virgin Islands to Argentina, the Hawaiian islands, the other Pacific islands, or the other more notable islands catered to by the main stream tropical adventurers. The locals of Belize would have you know their tropical paradise is second to none.

If you are looking to enjoy a tropical experience, and want to save quite a bit from the cost that a typical tropical adventure would cost, consider Belize. This is not to say that Belize is a second class destination, but Belize is a location much overlooked. If you travel to Belize you will have a host of travel options and surely you will not be disappointed if you decide to go there, and you may be truly amazed.

Belize is a tropical country situated on the eastern coast of Central America. You will find Belize right below Mexico facing the Caribbean Sea. Belize has the second longest barrier reef in the world. Belize’s reef is second only to Australia’s Great barrier reef. Belize’s magnificent barrier reef creates some of the best deep-sea fishing, skin diving and snorkeling in the world. It’s mainlands consist of tropical rivers and exotic jungles.

One of the great attractions of Belize is that the local language is English, even though the country is located in Spanish Central America. Once a British Colony, Belize was granted its independence in 1964 from Great Britain. Belize is also extremly close for most Americans, compared to other tropical destinations . Belize is roughly a two hour flight out of Houston, and Belize City is serviced by several major international carriers. Belize is also a relatively short boat ride to southern Mexico and Cancun, Mexico. Many of the locals of Belize actually travel by boat or car to southern Mexico on a regular basis to shop and trade.

Belize has far more territory for the average tourist to cover on a short vacation than what you will find on most tropical islands. The mainland has the capital, Belize City, an international seaport. Belize City is actually  about the size of a mid-size city in the United States, with considerable poverty and crime. Belize City doesn’t have much to offer for a traveler. Most travelers will have to travel to Belize City first, as Belize City is the entry point to Belize. South of Belize City is the mainland consisting of small tropical villages, and along the eastern caribbean coast you will find quaint coastal villages and gentle beaches. The interior offers the tropical jungles and the pre-historic Mayan ruins, and adventurers can find many caves, tropical rivers, exotic animals and quaint villages to explore throughout the mainland.

For the typical tropical island experience most travelers head directly out of Belize City to one of the cays (small islands) just off Belize’s eastern borders in the Caribbean Sea. You can arrive at these small cays by boat or plane.  The trip is a one hour boat ride out of Belize City or a twenty minute plane ride on a small plane. These small cays are the base for most travelers coming to Belize to either skin dive or enjoy the great deep sea fishing, as the barrier reef is just within sight of the shores of these small island cays.

The two main cays along the barrier reef are Caye Caulker, a small quaint island with modest accommodations and modest cafes. The main cay that most tourist end up settling is called Ambergris Cay. San Pedro is the main and only town on Ambergris Cay, and actually San Pedro is the biggest part of the island. On Ambergris Cay you can find all range of accommodations, from a small very inexpensive hotel right on the ocean, to luxury resorts and condos, and likewise  with restaurants and cafes. Being somewhat different than most tropical islands, most accommodations on the cays are right on the ocean. The beaches are scattered with quaint bars and nice cafes that offer very good food at reasonable prices. There is always a live local band close by every night. Everything is very close and very easy to reach. The locals and tourist actually travel for the most part by golf carts on the sandy narrow roads.

If you set up base in one of the two cays mentioned, you are probably planning on spending some time fishing, snorkeling or skin diving. To go to Belize and not spend some time exploring Belize’s maginificent barrier reef would truly be a great opportunity missed.The aquatic life along this reef is amazing and beyond words. In the town of San Pedro you will find a number of charter operations to take you to the barrier reef to skin dive, snorkel or deep sea fish. Depending on your budget, the prices are more than reasonable even for the top class charters and unbelievable low for the lower end charters, who may just pick you up in only a twelve foot boat.

Belize has much to offer to a tropical adventurer. Whether you just want to relax and enjoy the sun and surf, or whether you traveled there to conquer the magnificent barrier reef and catch the big marlin, Belize is inexpensive, the locals speak English and they are friendly. Belize is just a short flight from the mainland, and the life is easy. If you go, just remember to ask a local travel guide first.

D. Burlison,JD, Belize traveler. See:   http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com

Travel Hawaii With A local

 

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO HAWAII BE SURE TO ASK A LOCAL FIRST

Are you traveling to Hawaii. Have you ever considered asking a local before you venture on a supposedly well planned trip.Traveling to an unknown area can be risky. If you are like most people you work hard all year and hopefully you can get away for a couple of weeks a year for a family vacation. Since vacations are for most people a luxury and not to be filled with unexpected hassles, it should be a time to relax and enjoy, not a pain in the neck.

How would you like to travel like a local wherever you decide to visit. Did you know anyone travel like a local. Why not just ask a local before you venture off blindly. An established local knows the best hotels, the best local restaurants in Hawaii, the best local beaches in Hawaii, the no miss attractions locals recommend and the tourist traps locals avoid. Why spend thousands on your much needed vacation and not be happy about your plans.

Why work all those long hours and go on your vacation and hope you made the right choices. When you get to you destination why spend precious time and try to figure out what you want to do next. If you have made reservations, are you going to the best places in the short amount of time you have to relax and enjoy. If you were a local you would have no questions about your travel plans. If you could travel like a local wouldn’t that be great.

Well you can travel like a local. There is a travel site where established locals at your destination will answer pertinent questions about your travel plans. And get this..it is free. That’s right , it is free. Locals at your destination are more than willing to give you travel advice and make your trip the best you ever had. You can take a nap on the airplane and know you have local advice from a local guide and he has confirmed your travel plans and now you can just relax and enjoy your trip. Aloha.

To ask a local about your travel plans just go to: http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com  …… Locals are waiting to help and you will also find excellent travel links to plan any travel adventure. Again, just go to: http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com ..and relax and enjoy a trip you will remember forever, as you travel like a local. D. Burlison,Jd

Travel Like a local Caribbean

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO THE CARIBBEAN BE SURE TO ASK A LOCAL FIRST

Have you ever considered asking a local before you venture on a supposedly well planned trip to the Caribbean. Traveling to an unknown area can be risky.  If you are like most people you work hard all year and hopefully you can get away for a couple of  weeks a year for a family vacation. Since vacations are for most people a luxury and not to be filled with unexpected hassles, it should be a time to relax and enjoy, not a pain in the neck.

How would you like to travel like a local wherever you decide to visit. Did you know anyone travel like a local. Why not just ask a local before you venture off blindly. An established local knows the best hotels, the best local restaurants, the best local beaches, the no miss attractions locals recommend and the tourist traps locals avoid. Why spend thousands on your much needed vacation and not be happy about your plans.

Why work all those long  hours and go on your vacation and hope you made the right choices. When you get to you destination why spend precious time and try to figure out what you want to do next. If you have made reservations, are you going to the best places in the short amount of time you have to relax and enjoy. If you were a local you would have no questions about your travel plans. If you could travel like a local wouldn’t that be great.

Well you can travel like a local. There is a travel site where established locals at your destination will answer pertinent questions about your travel plans. And get this..it is free. That’s right , it is free. Locals at your destination are more than willing to give you  travel advice and make your trip the best you ever had. You can take a nap on the airplane and know you have local advice from a local guide and he has confirmed your travel plans and now you can just relax and enjoy your trip.

To ask a local about your travel plans just go to:  http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com  …… Locals are waiting to help and you will also find excellent travel links to plan any travel adventure. Again, just go to:   http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com …and relax and enjoy a trip you will remember forever, as you travel like a local. D. Burlison,Jd

Tennessee Medicare Coverage 2010

           An outline of what medicare pays and doesnot pay in 2010, by d, Burlison,JD at : http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com  ..A summary of seniors medicare benefits for 2010:

Considering the fact that most seniors live on a very tight budget, what medicare will and will not pay for medical cost is a major concern for most seniors. Unfortunately, the government is on a yearly basis increasing the medicare premiums and reducing the benefits medicare will pay. This brief article will outline in general the present state of medicare and what medicare will and will not pay in 2010. The article will also discuss briefly the various alternatives available to seniors to fill in the gaps on what medicare does not pay and expects the senior to pay out of pocket.

Medicare Abc’s: 2010

Medicare has four areas of coverage: ABCD

Medicare Part A: Hospital Expenses.. If a senior is in the hospital for 24 hours medicare will pay for all hospital cost for the first 60 days after a $1100 deductible. ( note, this deductible is reinstated every 60 days for subsequent admissions or possibly six times a year).

61-90 days- The senior has to pay $275 per day
91-150 days- The senior pays $550 per day
After 150 days- The senior pays 100%

Medicare Part B: Doctor’s cost( visits-surgery), including lab test, x-rays,etc.

If allready enrolled in Part B, the monthly cost for Part B is $96.40, usually deducted from your social security check. If a new enrollee in 2010 the cost is $110 per month..And increases if your income exceeds $82,000

Under part B medicare will pay only 80% of the cost and the senior pays the additional 20%.

Part C: Under Part C the senior can enroll with one of many carriers that will help fill in the gaps where medicare does not pay. It is called Medicare C Advantage Plan. The premiums are relatively low or nothing. However, under a Med C you can expect deductibles, co-pays, waiting periods,etc. Also Med C plans are run like group health plans where the carrier dictates the doctors, the place, the time etc of your medical care much like PPO’s and HMO’S.

Part D: Prescription coverage. Briefly, the premium for Part D coverage is relatively inexpensive. However, unless you are taking some very expensive drugs, many national drugs stores offer very inexpensive drug programs to seniors.

Supplemental Coverage: A number of private carriers offer Medicare supplemental coverage. Supplemenal meaning coverage that fills in the gaps that Medicare does not pay under Part A and Part B above. In others words, supplemental payments for the co-pays and deductibles previously duscussed regarding Part A and Part B that the senior has to pay out of pocket.

Supplemental Coverage VS Part C coverage. As previously stated, Part C coverage by a private carrier is administered much like group health with co-pays,deductibles and a selection of their doctors. Supplemental plans vary in coverage and the yearly supplement premium is based on the degree of coverage.Ther are supplemental plans that pay all of the cost medicare does not pay under Part A and B to plans that may have a $2000 yearly deductible. The advantage of the supplemental plans is that you have control over which doctors you go to,anytime and anywhere. Of course the less you have to pay for coverage of the un-paid medicare cost the more your supplemental premiums will cost. Keep in mind that regardless of the cost for supplemental coverage, the premiums are far less than traditional non-medicare major medical coverage, and with better benefits.

Also, regardless of your pre-existing medical conditions most people have the opportunity to quailify for medicare supplements, so if you are turning 65 be sure to discuus the various supplemental medicare plans available and enroll when the pre-existing conditions are not a factor.

Obviously, this has been a very general overview of Medicare 2010, but hopefuly outlines the medicare coverage and supplemental coverages available. And keep in mind that medical coverage is so critical to any senior that it is imperative to consult with an insurance professional in your state to know what alternatives are best for you.

If you have any questions about this issue please contact me at my website and i will direct you to an insurance professional in your area. Hopefuly this brief summary has been helpfull and beneficial .David Burlison,JD and licensed insurance producer in the state of Tennessee…………………………….

http://www.Medicare-Consultation-Tennessee.yolasite.com

Travelaskthelocals is a unique website where locals at your destination answer pertinent questions about your travel plans and offers excellent travel links to plan any travel adventure………………………..

Medicare Coverage For 2010

A public service message from D.Burlison at:  http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com  …A summary of senior’s medicare benefits for 2010:

Considering the fact that most seniors live on a very tight budget, what medicare will and will not pay for medical cost is a major concern for most seniors. Unfortunately, the government is on a yearly basis increasing the medicare premiums and reducing the benefits medicare will pay. This brief article will outline in general the present state of medicare and what medicare will and will not pay in 2010. The article will also discuss briefly the various alternatives available to seniors to fill in the gaps on what medicare does not pay and expects the senior to pay out of pocket.

Medicare Abc’s: 2010

Medicare has four areas of coverage: ABCD

Medicare Part A: Hospital Expenses.. If a senior is in the hospital for 24 hours medicare will pay for all hospital cost for the first 60 days after a $1100 deductible. ( note, this deductible is reinstated every 60 days for subsequent admissions or possibly six times a year).

61-90 days- The senior has to pay $275 per day
91-150 days- The senior pays $550 per day
After 150 days- The senior pays 100%

Medicare Part B: Doctor’s cost( visits-surgey), including lab test, xrays,etc.

If allready enrolled in Part B, the monthly cost for Part B is $96.40, usually deducted from your social security check. If a new enrollee in 2010 the cost is $110 per month..And increases if your income exceeds $82,000

Under part B medicare will pay only 80% of the cost and the senior pays the additional 20%.

Part C: Under Part C the senior can enroll with one of many carriers that will help fill in the gaps where medicare does not pay. It is called Medicare C Advantage Plan. The premiums are relatively low or nothing. However, under a Med C you can expect deductibles, co-pays, waiting periods,etc. Also Med C plans are run like group health plans where the carrier dictates the doctors, the place, the time etc of your medical care much like PPO’s and HMO’S.

Part D: Prescription coverage. Briefly, the premium for Part D coverage is relatively inexpensive. However, unless you are taking some very expensive drugs, many national drugs stores offer very inexpensive drug programs to seniors.

Supplemental Coverage: A number of private carriers offer Medicare supplemental coverage. Supplemenal meaning coverage that fills in the gaps that Medicare does not pay under Part A and Part B above. In others words, supplemental payments for the co-pays and deductibles previously duscussed regarding Part A and Part B that the senior has to pay out of pocket.

Supplemental Coverage VS Part C coverage. As previously stated, Part C coverage by a private carrier is administered much like group health with co-pays,deductibles and a selection of their doctors. Supplemental plans vary in coverage and the yearly supplement premium is based on the degree of coverage.Ther are supplemental plans that pay all of the cost medicare does not pay under Part A and B to plans that may have a $2000 yearly deductible. The advantage of the supplemental plans is that you have control over which doctors you go to,anytime and anywhere. Of course the less you have to pay for coverage of the un-paid medicare cost the more your supplemental premiums will cost. Keep in mind that regardless of the cost for supplemental coverage, the premiums are far less than traditional non-medicare major medical coverage, and with better benefits.

Also, regardless of your pre-existing medical conditions most people have the opportunity to quailify for medicare supplements, so if you are turning 65 be sure to discuus the various supplemental medicare plans available and enroll when the pre-existing conditions are not a factor.

Obviously, this has been a very general overview of Medicare 2010, but hopefuly outlines the medicare coverage and supplemental coverages available. And keep in mind that medical coverage is so critical to any senior that it is imperative to consult with an insurance professional in your state to know what alternatives are best for you.

If you have any questions about this issue please contact me at my website and i will direct you to an insurance professional in your area. Hopefuly this brief summary has been helpfull and beneficial .David Burlison,JD and licensed insurance producer in the state of Tennessee…………………………….

http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com

Travelaskthelocals is a unique website where locals at your destination answer pertinent questions about your travel plans and offers excellent travel links to plan any travel adventure………………………..

Travel ask locals

Go to:   http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com .. This is a unique travel site where a traveler can ask established locals pertinent questions about their travel plans. If your planning a trip take time to ask a local..A local guide can guide you to the best spots and help you avoid the tourist traps. So if you are going to travel just ask a local, it is FREE…The above site also has excellent travel links for any travel adventure. Just ask a local and travel like a local.

The following are tips from a Virgin Island local travel guide:

SOCIAL GRACES ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS…..From a local travel guide..If you travel the Virgin Islands.. one important tip..It is very important to always approach an island local with a friendly “Good Morning” or ” Good Afternoon”. I cannot over emphasize this local courtesy. It’s an insult to the locals if you forget to do this. The locals expect this and may not even recognize you if you forget to do this simple introduction .. The locals are great people, but remember that we are just visitors and guest to the local’s islands…

TRAVEL ON THE VIRGIN ISLAND….. Assuming you want to explore the islands of the virgin islands travel like a local, and if you go there you honestly need to spend some time going to the many beautiful beaches, quaint restaurants on the beach, historic sites, etc and spend time just enjoying the island experience. And travel like a local. So if you are going to explore you have several travel choices. You can rent a car/jeep (a car is fine), take the local taxi services, or take the little known local shuttle, the “Safari”. If I stay over a week, I will usually rent a car at least a couple of days. It will cost $50- $65 a day. Rent from a local mom and pop shop. Their cars are fine, they deliver, they are cheaper and they will negotiate. You can rent a local taxi, it’s not cheap. For two people to travel from one end of the island to the other it will cost $20-one way. If you stay in close proximity to the major east/west hiways on St Thomas , you can take the local shuttle, the “Safari”. It’s a reliable open air shuttle bus the locals use and cost just one dollar to go from one end of the island to the other. A new bus arrives at many sites along the route about every ten minutes. It’s safe, interesting and amazingly fast and you will be traveling like a local.

ST THOMAS, ST CROIX, ST JOHN OR WATER ISLAND… If you are planning a trip to the Virgin Islands you need to decide which island to establish as your base..Having spent considerable time on all three islands having lived there as a local, I can say with experience that each island has its own personality. St Thomas has duty free shopping,with the best shops in the world to buy jewels, electronics, liquor, clothes, etc…St John..What island in the world has an undisturbed national park covering two-thirds of the island. St Croix has everything the other two offer plus great golf courses..And depending on what type of island experience you are looking for each has something different to offer and a local travel guide can help…

WATER ISLAND…You will notice I mentioned Water Island…It is a lovely small island that only locals know much about..I have vacationed there and it is a private oasis just a short boat ride from St Thomas. It has a couple of quaint tropical beaches and its almost like having an island to yourself.. There are no luxury resorts, but a number of luxury private homes and a few guest houses. It is close but very private, as you can only get there on a small ferry.. Water Island is a great escape for a celebrity wanting privacy, private but still close to everything the other islands have to offer….And a local guide can help…

LUXURY HOTEL/RESORT, CONDO, PRIVATE HOME OR GUEST HOUSE.. ..Many accommodations on the Virgin Islands are available for any travel plan. All three of the main islands have five star resorts, pricey but with all the amenities. There are small modest hotels with most amenities and much cheaper. There are guest houses with few amenities, but very nice and very reasonable in price. Local workers on the islands often rent a room in a guest house on a long term basis. Many people, especially a large group of people, rent a luxury condo or a private home. If you want extreme privacy rent a condo or home, and explore, shop and go to the beach in your rented jeep. I enjoy renting a condo or private home, and save a considerable amount over the cost a five star resort and plan on cooking in my private kitchen and relaxing in a very nice condo with a great view… and you can rent a jeep and go to a different beach every day of your trip…

.VIRGIN ISLAND BEACHES….All the islands have beautiful tropical beaches and I will only address a few, as there are many. St Thomas has the famous and lovely Magens Bay. If you do not have a rental car the taxi fair to Magens Bay from most locations can be expensive, but it is a lovely beach with a nice beach bar/cafe. The locals find their way to Lindberg Beach a short distant from the airport and it has two nice beach cafes connected to two modest hotels. The surf is gentle and you can get there by riding the Safari..If you enjoy snorkeling and spending a lot of time on the beach. I recommend St John..Even the locals on St Thomas go to St John on the weekends. St John has many wonderful beaches within the national park. The most notable being Trunk Bay, with its snorkeling trail. (Actually, the best snorkeling on Trunk Bay is at the far western end of the beach next to shore). If you go to Trunk Bay go early before the cruise ships arrive and enjoy the beach by yourself. Once crowded by the cruisers pack up and head back to town and set up on the locals favorite local beach, Hawks Nest..Bring you own cooler to Hawks Nest, as there are no concessions, but it is beautiful, close to Cruz Bay and much more private..Just east of Hawks Nest is a small beach, Oppenhimer Beach, where you will find the best snorkeling on the island in shallow waters off shore..If you drop me an email I will pass on the name and location of a small cay where the snorkeling is unbelievable and it also has a small sandy beach..You will probably be the only one on this small cay.You can actually swim there if you are a decent swimmer.(A cay is a very small island just off shore)..Again, any beach is a good choice and I have only named a few…………..

BUT REMEMBER…….. ask a local about your travel plans….It’s free….Locals can offer advice that will make your trip the best you ever had…..so find a local travel guide….If you have any questions about the Virgin Islands.(Best beaches,best time to go to beaches, restaurants, beach cafes, golf courses, The St John National Park..whatever).Send me an email and I will get you an answer and add my response to this site…Under Virgin Islands Travel Guide.

(Please be sure to check out the link below . I have chosen top quality travel links that offer everything you need for any travel adventure. They offer top quality service at prices that cannot be beat and travel like a local).

Again go to:  http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com ..

Tim Tebow and his Super bowl Ad

 

By now It has been established that there will be a super bowl ad by Tim Tebow that will be aired during the super bowl by the well-known Focus on the Family, the christian and pro-life organization. The ad will feature Tim Tebow of Heisman and University of Florida fame and his mother, with a pro-life message. And as a result, the abortion debate continues on with both sides squaring off once again , and therefore the super bowl weekend will not only be filled with flying footballs and carryout pizza, but mingled in between the pom-poms and striped suit referees will be the reminder that the abortion issue is still alive and definitely not well.

From the discussions and debates on the national talk shows, like Larry King live, Fox, CNN and all the major networks, it appears that the only ones to have reviewed the super bowl ad has been the super bowl network, CBS, and the big brass at Focus on the Family. The super bowl ad, as understood, is a pro-life message. The ad comments on the decision Tim Tebow’s mother made in the late eighties to go forward with Tim Tebow’s birth, despite warnings from Ms Tebow’s doctors during her pregnancy that she and her fetus son,Tim Tebow, would be subject to life threatening consequences if she continued with the pregnancy.

Obviously, Ms Tebow, was willing to take on a significant risk for herself and her un-born son. And as as a result of her faith to continue with the pregnancy, we have all prospered by enjoying the exciting and inspirational college career of Tim Tebow,  one of the best college players in the history of the game. Suffice it to say, and regardless what your position on abortion,  Ms Tebow’s courage and faith to continue with the pregnancy of  her son, Tim Tebow, is worthy of applause.

Abortion is a complicated legal, moral and spiritual issue. It is hard to be neutral and really address the issue. It may appear that the pro-life supporters are callous and insensitive to a desperate and confused young girl faced with the overwhelming decision to give birth and have to deal with a life long burden of an unwanted child. The burden of the decision is compounded if the pregnancy is the result of rape  incest, or as in the case of Ms Tebow, a life threatening decision.

If you are pro- life and believe that life begins at conception there is unfortunately little room to compromise.  Regardless of  the uproar regarding Tim Tebow”s super bowl ad, the pro-life and pro-choice advocates will not change their position based on this single super bowl ad. And in reality, it  is hard to concieve how the two will ever agree, as their views are eternally mutually exclusive.

Maybe the best way to deal with the issue is to offer some degree of compassion  from both sides and what makes it  ever so difficult is there is a possibility that an unborn human child can not be ignored in this most difficult decision.

Again, thanks Ms Tebow for giving us your  beloved son,Tim.

On a less serious note go to:  http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com ..A unique travel site to plan any travel adventure..D Burlison,JD