Monday, December 29, 2008

Individuals Can Get Texas Health Insurance Through Their Employer

By Jordan FeRoss

Often it is difficult for a person to choose the right type of health insurance in Texas for them. Sometimes it seems there are so many to choose from and it can be tough to figure out which plan will best suit your needs.

Full-time employees need to check with their employers in order to find out which options they have for health insurance in Texas. There are few employers that don't offer insurance for their employees because it is usually required. And usually adding group health insurance coverage is a simple process and you should be able to look over your options and choose the one that is best for you.

For some employees, coverage starts on the day they are hired so there is no lapse between one insurance plan to the next. More commonly, however, there is a waiting period of at least thirty days before an insurance plan is effective with a new employer. You'll want to be sure all paperwork is completed within your company's open enrollment. If you miss this period, you'll have to wait until the next open enrollment cycle begins before you'll be able to submit your paperwork for health insurance in Texas. As this is a quarterly or annual occurrence (depending on the insurer) it can be difficult if you are hired outside of the open enrollment timeline. It is during this time that your employer may choose a different insurance company if they are unhappy with the benefits their employees are receiving.

Depending on the insurance plan your employer provides, there may be out-of-pocket costs for you when you go to the doctor or are admitted to a hospital. This is due to an agreement between the medical professional you're working with and the insurer regarding payment. If you are requiring to pay for an office visit or procedure, you'll need to file a claim for the amount to the insurer to be reimbursed. And, the reimbursement will only happen if you've met your deductible so be sure to track this as well. As is typical for most health insurance in Texas, there are provider networks who work with insurers on patient care in order to keep costs down.

With employer-sponsored health insurance in Texas, the downside is that your choices in providers are somewhat narrow. You are given a limited number of choices of providers. Your coverage options are determined by your employer and the insurance company so you either take what they offer you or strike out on your own to buy insurance coverage, which will usually cost a bit more, but may be worth it if you need better coverage than they are offering.

The reason that the employer's selection is limited because of what they can include in the health insurance package. Since health insurance in Texas increases every year, they also have a budget as to how much of the package they will pay on behalf of their employees. If the company is large (more than 50 employees working full-time) or small (less than 50 full time employees), the health insurance coverage will be set up according to that. There are some things that a large employer has that a small employer doesn't and vice versa.

Finally, there are two major types of health insurance offered by employers - manged care and indemnity plans. The most important distinction between these plans is the issue of up-front costs. A managed care plan offers a choice of in-network providers where costs are controlled by the insurer. Patients pay deductibles and co-pays for the services they need but do not pay any other up-front costs. Indemnity plans require payment in full each time a patient sees a doctor or has any procedure and then requires the submission of a claim to the insurer for reimbursement. You will not get to choose which of these is offered by your employer as they will have the final say based on their own financial situation and number of employees. For many, the costs of health insurance in Texas have a direct impact on what type of job they choose and the type of company with whom they work. - 15790

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The Biggest Challenges for Entrepreneurs

By Thomas Griffin

When I saw the January issue of Entrepreneur Magazine I was thrilled. Cover copy had a teaser on it to the effect that entrepreneurs had been surveyed and inside were their answers. I was certain that, finally, someone was paying attention to entrepreneurs who were striving for a successful business. It was time to hear from us little guys!

I can't tell you how surprised I was as I began to read the article. Their idea of an "entrepreneur" and mine were as different as night and day. I always classified an entrepreneur as someone like the "Mom and Pop" coffee shop around the corner, the family run produce market in town, or the 18 to 24 year old who had come up with a fantastic "gizmo" and was scooped up into a corporation as their newest genius. Let me give you a quote from the article that will clue you into its idea of an "entrepreneur".

To explain the method used for the survey they state, "Entrepreneur magazine and PricewaterhouseCoopers "Entrepreneurial Challenges Survey" is an annual telephone survey of more than 300 CEOs of privately held, U.S.-based businesses recognized for their sustained, rapid growth. They average $31.5 million in annual revenue with an average of 185 employees, and have an ongoing annual growth rate of more than 23 percent......"

That definitely was not my picture of an entrepreneur. I don't know too many entrepreneurs who average $31.5 million annually, or employ 185 people. To me, that's a pretty successful company on its way to being a corporation. We should all be such entrepreneurs!

At any rate, I continued reading and I must say the information was worth the read, and the business of doing business can apply to those of us who aren't quite making that $31.5 million per year yet. Here's what the survey discovered.

What were considered their biggest challenges for 2006?

* 73% - Retention of key workers * 38% - Developing new products/services * 36% - Expansion to domestic markets * 35% - Increased productivity * 28% - Upgrading technology * 23% - Creating business alliances * 21% - Better management of cash flow * 14% - Expansion outside the U.S. * 13% - Improving risk management * 11% - Finding new financing * 11% - Buying another company or launching a spinoff * 7% - Preparing company for sale * 2% - Going public

Now when you stop and think about it, that's pretty much what most entrepreneurs think about each year. Maybe not to the extent of expanding to foreign markets or launching a spinoff, but to keep your business perking along the road of improvement - all the rest are considered.

The next part of the survey was interesting because entrepreneurs were given a list of several "wild-card" factors that could affect business in 2006. When asked which three would be most harmful to their business, here's what they said:

* 47% - Unstable U.S. economy * 43% - Rising health-care costs * 41% - Shortage of qualified workers * 40% - Weak market demand * 24% - Rising oil/energy costs * 24% - Rising interest rates * 22% - New government regulations * 18% - Weaker capital spending * 14% - Weakening world economy * 12% - Increased global competition * 11% - Decreased access to capital * 10% - Sudden drop in U.S. real estate market * 10% - Tax increases * 9% - Inflation

So maybe my entrepreneurs and those surveyed are not really that much different in thinking. The outlook of most entrepreneurs is probably optimistic, or will be unless more unforeseen disasters strike.

Even after the huge devastation of 9/11, within two quarters we were back to the same level of optimism as we had before. People get used to dealing with tough circumstances and factor them in, but are not swayed by them. When you really think about it; isn't that what most entrepreneurs are like?

If they're not, then they aren't entrepreneurs by my way of thinking. - 15790

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Minnesota Careers Can Start in Your Home

By Kristin Ross

A mother has so many concerns. Budgeting, taking care of the kids and the husband, housework. Often, these women resort to their arts and crafts to help them relax. Maybe you're one of them. Over time, the products of this relaxation activity becomes beloved family heirlooms, gifts for adoring friends, and beautiful home decorations. But did you know that you can actually earn from them?

Minnesota has an expansive community of hobby enthusiasts - men and women alike who find joy in their arts and crafts, much like you do, and events pop up all around Minnesota for them to show their talent to their peers and, more importantly, to potential customers. Yes, they've made it into a thriving business, and there's no reason for you to miss out.

So how do you start, really? You have the talent, but the information is important too. That's where the Minnesota trade fairs and festivals database comes in. It is a running compilation for all of the trade fairs and crafts events that happens in Minnesota so you can simply visit it and plan your business months in advance.

Not only does the Minnesota trade fairs and festivals database give you the insider's information on the expos and exhibits that will let you show off your talent, it also gives you the other details that will make your business run as smoothly as possible, such as registration deadlines, entrance fees, and even the names of the judges, if there's a competition, that is.

Soon enough, you'll be getting recognition and monetary compensation for simply doing what you enjoy. Your talent will be accessible to a broader audience and you'll get paid for it, too! There really is no reason to stay away from expanding your talent's horizons with Minnesota trade fairs and festivals, and the means to get yourself organized is simply there.

So save yourself much hassle and avail of the Minnesota trade fairs and festivals database so you can start earning from your hobby immediately. The sooner you plan out your grand entrance, the sooner you can plan for the encore! Decide and start now, that's all you need to do. The Minnesota trade fairs and festivals database will handle the rest. - 15790

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Free Classified Ads: What You Should Know

By Alex Wu

When you want to advertise you want to go the cheapest route. In the local paper there are some things that can be put in for free like lost animal listings. Most everything else you have to pay for. Online however there is a wealth of websites that you can advertise your business or services for free.

You can place many types of ads on the Internet free classified ads sites. They are open to all, and they usually have great results. This is often a better way to sell items for people who want to avoid fees as you would get from the local classifieds or on e-bay.

The secret to where the free classified ads sites make money is in the click ads that appear on the pages of their website. They get paid per click. They also charge for premium features such as adding a picture to your classified ad they do quite well with this.

It wouldn't hurt to advertise on a few free classified ads sites. Keep your ads clear, and short, but keeping pertinent information in like what you are selling, price, and brief description of the item or service. People want to know what to expect. Remember that these are targeted advertisements; most people will not be in the area where you are selling a car, unless they are looking for one. Make sure that you can advertise locally for things such as that.

This website will be hit the most as it comes up the highest in the search engine. That means a better chance that your ad will get seen by more people. Classified advertising is also targeted. People only look at the sections if they are interested in the products in that section.

Be precise in the method of payment that you require, and never send your item without payment first. PayPal and Money Orders are two methods that are good. If you accept checks make it clear that no item will be sent until the check clears. You have to protect yourself. There are people who are out to scam others just like anywhere else.

These free classified ads will give you exposure in the local market as well as statewide and even global if you choose. Look for testimonials or look at ant statistic you can find about your chosen website to sell on. If they have a form join it so you can find out if other people are selling well on there. Ask how long it takes usually. Cancel your ad once your item is sold.

When you decide on the website that you will place your classified ad on, look into the terms of service and use. Make sure you know of any costs that they charge, and for what they are charged. Know what restrictions they have as far as what you can advertise on the website. The ads usually run between seven and thirty days, know what yours will run for. Do your due diligence so you can profit from using free classified ads. - 15790

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Affiliate business tips

By nancy Jons Nancy J

Making money with affiliate programs is possible and there are thousands of affiliates making up to $10,000 each month from affiliate marketing. There are also a few affiliates who generate up to million dollars per year only from affiliate programs. Some will tell you that affiliate programs do not work, it's their way to say "I don't want to work in the affiliate marketing business, or I cannot do so", either way it's you who determine if affiliate marketing can work for you or not.

Here are some affiliate marketing tips that could help you understand the process better and effectively make money with affiliate marketing.

1. Having your own content pages on the web, it can be your own website and it will be the better choice, or you can build content pages on other websites like social networks (siqudoo, hubpages and stamblupon ) but it's very important to write your own content as reviews and information about the affiliate products.

2. Writing and distributing articles, this way you establish your own identity on the internet, and people can find out how expert you are. With article marketing you can generate traffic to your website or web pages and you can increase your webpage popularity. In either way using your links in the articles and in the resource box of the articles must be natural and you must invite your reader to click on your links to have more useful information from you.

3. Choose the best affiliate programs in your niche market, if you are willing to put effort promoting affiliate products, it will be easier and more profitable for you to promote the best affiliate products read the Best Affiliate Programs report to have an idea of how to choose the best affiliate programs to work with.

4. Use pay per click marketing to generate traffic to your review site, with some products you can directly send traffic to your affiliate links from PPC search engines but it's also recommended to send the traffic first to your review pages to help your customers make up their mind about your products.

5. In most cases people love to compare products and compare its features before purchasing, you can do so for them in your page and buy giving them more products and information about those products and compare a few products and point out the best product. And by best products I mean the best for your customers not your bucket.

6. One huge mistake affiliates make is trying to hide, they don't want their visitors to know that they are affiliates and they earn commission from the products. People do not care if you are earning a commission or not, they know that they will pay the same price for the product no matter how they got there, even if they went directly to owners website they still have to pay the same price. But people care if you are trying to help them or help yourself; so think about helping your customers and the money will come.

7. Learn affiliate marketing, knowledge separate us in the affiliate marketing business and any other online business. To be successful you need to learn, the best example is the Arabian-affiliate, when he decided to join the affiliate and network marketing business, he started learning the English language first then he learned everything about internet marketing, I know him personally and I know he spent thousands of dollars in the process, and he told me once "investing in education is investing in myself, and it's the best investment you can make". And he is now one of the most successful affiliates on the net, and he now has his own team working for him.

So invest in your knowledge, learn everything about your business and be updated of every new technology on the internet. Signing up for newsletters can help you get some of the information. Read this Home Business Marketing Report and all the other report on the Arabian-affiliate website.

8. Build a relationship with some successful affiliates, get to know them and contact them, most of them hate being contacted by phones but you can use the e-mail to contact them, you will be amazed of how they can help you, however they will invite you to join their programs but they can be very helpful. At first when I started working with the Arabian affiliate I thought to myself "he is an idiot" and I am a lot better than him and I know better, but with the time I learned that he knows how to lead, how to think small and get down to the lowest level of knowledge just to grape your hand and take you up step at a time to help you go up and reach a point of success where you can be left alone and be creative.

9. Another tip I learned from him is: to be a salesman you can duplicate, you can learn exactly what other affiliates are doing like him and thousands of other affiliate; but to be a supper affiliate you need to think deferent, you need to separate yourself from others by being creative, and develop your own ideas and strategies.

10. Use the pen and the paper. Write everything down, your thoughts, ideas and strategies; no matter how small, irrelevant or impossible it can appear to you at first. Some times when you go to sleep you will think of something, write it down before you loss it. And save all of your writing and check it frequently. An idea that you thought of 3 months ago can now make you thousands of dollars, because then it seemed impossible to convert into action but now it's more than possible and can be easily done.

People have no idea what kind of treasure is hidden in their mind and they have no access to that treasure. Affiliate marketing is one of the few businesses that could not be affected with the bad economy, it's true that every business and any individual will be affected from bad economy, but with the time affiliate marketing business proved capability to be the lowest. People will keep buying and keep trading no matter what happens, they can decrease and limit these actions. And buying through the internet had proved to be easier and cheaper.

To be successful in business you need to think as a businessman and treat your business with the respect it requires. - 15790

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