Monday, January 31, 2011

Insurance in Indonesia

Joint Venture Insurance Companies
Mecial insurance for your family during your stay in Indonesia There are several joint venture general insurance companies in Indonesia, in affiliation and partnership with reputable European, North American and Japanese insurance firms. When it comes to choosing an insurance company, the issue is usually trust - and who you feel comfortable dealing with. So a trusted company from your home country with familiar policy structures and claims procedures may be easier to deal with. Some Joint venture general insurance companies in Indonesia also offer reliable medical insurance. All of them offer traveler's, homeowners’ and household insurance, personal liability insurance and - , car/motor vehicle (third party, own damage, personal accident driver/passenger) and life insurance - with terms you can understand (wordings of insurance policies in Bahasa Indonesia and in English).
Home Country Insurance

Ask your insurance company in your home country what coverage they offer during your stay overseas, as well as during travel to and from your new posting and on business trips. For example, you may assume that your homeowners policy will cover you no matter where you live, but in actuality, there may be many situations that are not covered by your home country insurance policy during your stay overseas. Also, there are always complications in processing claims, if overseas-based companies have no one to investigate locally.

Regardless of possible insurance coverages in your home country we advise you to locally purchase insurance protections for your property (if you own it), your household, your car(s), your personal liability and your domestic staff. Whereas for your medical insurance policy in your home country, you might already have sufficient coverage.
Insurance for your employees

insurance for your employees

If you are working for a multinational firm in Indonesia, you can also ensure protection for your employees - through group policies for health, life and personal accident. Often these medical schemes are good selling points in encouraging competent Indonesian staff to join your firm. These joint venture general insurance firms can also manage an internal insurance scheme, if you'd prefer to keep it all in-house. The government accident insurance scheme, Jamsostek, covers employee accident, death, old age and health care. Portions of the premium are paid by the company and the employee. This scheme is obligatory for companies with more than 10 employees and a payroll of more than Rp 1,000,000/month.
Insurance for household staff
It is customary for expats (as well as Indonesians) to cover the basic medical expenses of their household staff and drivers. Your maids, cook and driver may expect reimbursement of all medical expenses, out-patient and hospital, as well as assistance with maternity. Unlike in the west ... these medical bills are very reasonable as your servants will go to neighborhood practitioners, who don't charge high rates. To ensure that you don't get stuck with high medical bills for a household staff member, it is recommended that you make it a pre-condition of their employment that they pass a medical exam where they would be checked for TB and other communicable diseases. If a staff member you have already hired does have a serious disease that requires long term treatment, it may be better to supply them with medicine and have them return to the village for their recovery period.

Your household staff will probably hope that your generosity will carry over to their children and spouse. While not required, it is quite common that expats assist in paying medical expenses of immediate family members of their household staff, on a case-by-case basis. Some may ask for loans for medical care for extended family members. Again, it's best to approach these requests on an individual case-by-case basis.
Employment with local firms
employment with local firms If you are coming to Indonesia with a local firm, don't assume they will offer the same comprehensive insurance coverage you would receive if working for a multinational company. Expats, in general, have a higher insurance awareness than most Indonesians, and this is reflected in company benefit policies. Many companies cover medical expenses under a reimbursement scheme to cover medical expenses, instead of an insurance policy. This means that all (or a percentage of) medical expenses are directly reimbursed by the company. Some companies set limits for lower-level employees, for example reimbursements up to a set amount per year or up to the equivalent of one month's gross salary.
Things to look for in an insurance company:

Company with a long presence in Indonesia and a profitable balance sheet.
A name you can trust and select among the top 20 insurance companies.
Customer service in English (or your native language) - it's your right to expect good service
Length of time to payment of claim (local companies are very slow – mainly due to their different service mentality and their low insurance premium requests – cause them to delay claims payments allowing them to compensate their low premium income with some investment income))
Is the insurance coverage worldwide or local
Does your coverage include special riot provisions
Does your coverage include acts of nature such as floods, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes (very important in Indonesia)
Be sure the agent or broker you deal with is used to dealing with the expectations of expatriates
Check out the websites and the possibility to purchase the insurance product on line or directly from the insurance company without an intermediary.

Of particular note in these uncertain times, be sure that your insurance has special riot provisions. Since the May 1998 riots in Jakarta, there is an increased awareness of the need for less ambiguous clauses in policies to guard against riot-related claim/payment disputes. Floods are VERY common in Jakarta and earthquakes are common throughout Indonesia, be certain that these acts of nature are adequately covered.

Insurance policies can be written in rupiah or dollar and premiums charged accordingly. If the potential expenses for your coverage are dollar-related (possible overseas medical care, replacement of imported auto parts) you may want to consider the merits of a dollar policy versus a limited policy which reimburses in rupiah.
Crimes against expatriates
Crime against expatriates Don't assume that because you are an expat you are somehow exempt from the current political turmoil and unrest in Indonesia. While expats are not targeted per se - we are, in general, conceived of as being wealthy. Most criminal elements are afraid to steal from expats (they're afraid you have some kind of special clout). Persistent rumors that the police deal very harshly with thieves who target expats also helps to deter crimes against expats. One of the most common crimes against expats is household robberies which are usually perpetrated by a seriously disgruntled ex-household staff member. Seldom are things recovered that have been stolen due to the lack of investigating capabilities of the police. So, sentimental items, ones you can't bear to lose, are best left in your home country.

Foreign installations, factories, mines and plants, are under increasing pressure due to the new regionalization of power and authority in the country. Decades of perceived injustice, where multinationals collaborated with the powers that be in Jakarta (the former president's family and his cronies) to extract the wealth from the provinces, has led in the last year to increasing cases of vandalism and destruction of foreign property. Companies should insure adequate coverage in these cases.
Car Insurance
car insurance in IndonesiaWhile car insurance is not required in Indonesia, the bank requires insurance if a car is financed. With the high prices of cars in Indonesia, this moving asset is exposed to unpredictable traffic, reckless drivers, flood, theft, and such petty theft as lifting of rear view mirrors and hubcaps. Indonesian drivers have also been known to duplicate car keys, which are later given to thieves to steal the car. Make sure you know exactly what your coverage would be in this instance. Stolen cars are seldom recovered; they are cut up for spare parts or the license plate is changed or they are quickly shipped to the provinces. In the few rare instances in which a stolen car is recovered, they are usually in terrible shape.

To guard against theft - it is best to hire a driver that comes highly recommended by someone who has employed him for a significant period of time.

In case of an car accident, your insurance company chooses the repair shop that you must use. It would be best to find out which repair shop they use in case of an accident, as untrained repairmen can do significant damage to your car.

If you are not fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, we suggest you use caution in making the decision to drive your own car in Indonesia. Because, in case of an accident foreigners will most likely be “declared” as the guilty party regardless of the fact that the foreigner might be liable for the accident. If you have a driver, please let the driver handle the case at the scene of the accident.

Please carefully choose your insurance company for your car insurance (third party liability, own damage and personal accident of driver/passengers) and the price should not be your only priority. Many companies offer overseas insurance which you could consider. Be aware that you will find a number of low premium providers and the value of such products will only be discovered after your claim.
Personal liability insurance

This coverage is a must for expatriates living in Indonesia. Please check your policy in your home country, whether or not it includes worldwide coverage, which gives you some comfort in case of a legal dispute while you are traveling. Despite your worldwide coverage, we recommend you purchase a personal liability policy in Indonesia with a joint venture insurance company. Because the judicial system in Indonesia is a nightmare for foreigners, you are well advised to delegate this job to a capable insurance company, which will either compensate you for the claim or dispute it on your behalf.
Investment Products - Insurance
Investment Products
The extra income you make as an expat working overseas can also be invested in an insurance scheme/product in which you can save for your kids' education or your retirement. While the changes involved in moving to Indonesia bring a lot of uncertainty to your life, it's just as important to protect your achievements and your assets in Indonesia as it is in your home country.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

All About Medical Billing And Coding Certifications

Medical billing and coding deals with the submission and subsequent follow-ups of claims for medical services rendered by healthcare professionals to insurance companies. But, what is medical coding and how does it help? Well, most of these types of claims are established on the basis of specific codes which are representative of the procedures undertaken. For example, there are codes that are representative of either blood tests or flu shots or regular annual checkups. The job description of medical billing and coding professionals would involve providing assistance to health professionals so they can improve their efficiency with respect to the billing process and cover their reimbursements faster. Basically, they need to master the use of these codes.

Medical Billing And Coding-The Promise

Medical coding and billing careers have been considered to be immensely promising opportunities in the modern day job markets. In fact, a career is positioned as one of the most rewarding options in the health sector. The salaries are competitive too. According to the statistics put forth by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medical insurance billing job outlook is an essentially bright one and the profession is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States.

However, a survey conducted by a particular hospital association of America also stated that almost 18% of available medical coding and billing positions remain vacant due to the dearth of skilled professionals. Hence, one should make the most of the opportunities of medical billing education available in order to be best prepared for such opportunities. One can also pursue medical coding and billing jobs from home. Hence, it is an opportunity worth your investment. The fact remains however, that there is no universally acceptable degree that are recognized by employers. Therefore, one can resort to online education programs or medical coding and billing certification courses in search of a better medical coding and billing salary.

Landing A Medical Coding And Billing Certificate

There are certification programs for medical billing and coding that can be taken through online medical billing courses or by attending actual class based programs. The lessons provided by such medical coding schools, which also award certifications, are relevant to the job responsibilities of the profession. Some of the areas covered in these courses would include:

* Medical Insurance
* Medical Terminology
* Physiology
* Human Anatomy
* Current Procedural Terminology
* Physiology
* Ethical and Legal Health Issues
* Process of Computerized Billing
* International Classification of Diseases

A formal training in these vital areas will ensure a more lucrative and promising opportunity.

How Much Does It Cost To Learn Medical Coding?

If you are planning to undertake a course for medical coding and billing online or through classes, you might have to put in at least fifty-five to sixty hours in studying. College programs can last anywhere between nine months to four years. Online and classroom based programs can cost around $400 to $1000. For the degree program spanning a couple of years, you can pay around $30 to $40 dollars for every credit hour. If you are looking for a course at one of the more famous places, you will probably pay around $500 for every credit hour. For four-year courses, you would have to shell out $4000 to even $60,000!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Pet Care Insurance - Owner Responsibility

Pet care insurance is about being an accountable family pet owner. Lately owning and correctly looking after a family pet is a big duty. Not just do you have to offer sufficient food and shelter for your pet, but in addition they need suitable health attention.

Alas for 97 percent of the family pet owners, the idea of "suitable medical treatment" just isn't taken very genuinely with respect to buying pet care insurance to make sure that a policy is in place to supply medical care if and when it is required.

When speaking about this responsibility for giving appropriate medical care for an animal, this comes with a price tag. Personal time, as well as the monetary side of having your family pets taken into the vet for regular check ups, vaccinations and potential treatment for injury or sickness are some of the main logic behind why owning a family pet is a huge liability. Studies point out that around sixty-five percent of veterinarian trips are spontaneous due to emergencies. In lots of cases these unexpected trips to your vet may also result in an unforeseen blow to your personal budget when a big veterinary bill rolls in.

It is possible to steer clear of this huge "hit" on your wallet with an animal health plan. Pet care insurance will help lessen family pet treatment costs through reimbursements on vet charges, diagnostic exams and diagnostic treatment plans.

Not all pet care insurance policies are the same, so as the pet owner it's essential to be prepared to perform some investigating to obtain the most applicable pet care insurance for your own animal. Conducting detective work and obtaining pet insurance quotes often results in financial savings and being aware of what is the most inclusive plan for you and your pet.

A few fundamental ideas to help find the top animal health care:

1. Compare pet insurance providers. This will likely assist you to uncover probably the most cost efficient pet care supplier for you.

2. Institute a figure you are prepared to pay for family pet services. Setting aside an affordable figure for health care will protect you from getting talked into an expensive policy that you cannot afford.

3. Get in touch with a number of vet clinics in your area to inquire on the subject of their fundamental treatment plan costs. Like any other business, competition will result in a wide selection of rates for the same treatment between vet hospitals.

4. Ask about free samples from the local veterinarian. Often pharmaceutical companies that supply drugs for the pet market recommend without charge samples to determine if their products work. Check with your vet if they've without charge samples as this will likely save you money on fundamental prescription drugs.

5. Meticulously look over any family pet coverage policy prior to signing. It is vital for you to read and comprehend the "fine print" in pet care insurance plans to totally understand the inclusion and exclusions for the insurance.

Although pet care insurance may well not appear essential at the present, believe me when I declare, that as a pet owner myself this is something which will save you from both psychological and monetary distress if and when you possess an ill or critically hurt animal and are confronted with colossal vet bills ensure your pet of the finest help and treatment plan feasible.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Low Cost Pet Insurance Is a Vital Aspect of Pet Ownership

Have you considered low cost pet insurance and its importance in your life? Having a pet brings its joys for the whole family, but unfortunately, it also comes with its worries. Such as wondering what you'll do when your beloved pet gets sick or injured.

Do you know where to find low cost pet insurance? This could be one of the most important things you do as a pet owner since no one wants to be in the terrible position of having to choose between a pet's life or paying for its medical bill.

In this article you will learn why having a pet policy is so important, what kind of insurance is available, and also where you can find the lowest costs.

Why it's so important...

The first thing you have to remember is that dog insurance is very similar to regular health insurance and that not all are created equally. Some may cover the majority of emergency visits, while some may only cover half. Also, you have to keep in mind the costs of regular checkups that are not only important to make sure your pet is healthy and that nothing has come up, but also because of necessary immunizations.

When the unfortunate and unexpected sickness or accident happens, you want to be prepared to take your pet to the vet as soon as possible without having to worry about expenses. With insurance, you will never have to think twice about what you're going to do - and this is a very comforting position to be in.

What kind of low cost dog insurance is available?

The range of pet insurance is very similar to regular health insurance. You can get practically full coverage - which includes really low co-pays for regular visits and low deductibles for major vet visits - but then you'll also be paying a premium.

The age, health history, and breed of your dog or cat will have a big effect on the cost of the insurance. Pure breeds are more expensive than mixed breeds, because the latter tend to carry less genetic health issues. Also, dogs are generally more expensive than cats because of their size and other factors.

What you want to do is compare prices, but you have to do it in a smart way. When looking at different pet policy sources you want to be comparing apples to apples, meaning you look at the prices while maintaining the same criteria...like deductibles, co-pay, where your animal is covered in your area, and so on.

Where to find the lowest costs...

There are quite a few different places to find low cost pet insurance. One of them is to ask your current vet, or even to go into a local vet and ask for different pet insurances that are available in the area. There are also numerous places to price compare online.

From my experience, I have been able to find some for only $12 a month, which is really good in comparison to what I've seen other people pay for pet emergencies.

To give you a real life example, I had a friend whose small dog's toe got stuck in an escalator and had to be rushed to the vet immediately.

Unfortunately, the dog lost the toe, and because they didn't have pet insurance, they were stuck footing the $1200 medical bill. Luckily, the dog ended up being fine, but it wasn't until about a year later before my friends were able to finally finish paying off the bill.

Don't put yourself in that situation. Start comparing your different low cost pet insurance options today so you can have peace of mind before something comes up.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Horse Insurance - Protecting Your High Investment Assets

It's a universal truth that owning a horse is quite expensive, as a horse can cost you thousands of dollars, based on what kind of horse you desire to own and where you purchase it from. There are times when the cheaper horse might turn out to be more expensive, if they lack proper fitness. Thus, it's always better to pay a little more and buy a healthy horse, as it's going to be more beneficial on a long run.

Besides, there are many costs involved like food, vet visits, grooming, transportation, stabling, showing and others. The total cost would add up to anything equal to having a newborn baby in the house. Money is just a part of owning a horse, as there are several things that you'll need to consider for it to survive.

You need to take responsibility of their day to day care, exercises and interaction, which is very important aspect of owning a horse. It is a huge commitment and could become a liability if the owner does not have enough passion for a horse. You need to spend time with the horse right from the pony days, start training and regularly exposing it to riding lessons.

During the training there are possibilities that the horse may incur injury or may damage the property. This calls for having a good horse insurance, which covers you for your valuable animal, serious injuries and loss of property.

You can get yours horses covered by contacting any of the local equine insurers. However, before you choose an insurer, you must make sure the company is government certified, has enough number of experiences and educated staffs in this particular area. You can look for horse insurance policies over the Internet. There are a lot of insurance service providers who offer coverage at a good deal.

There are a variety of horse insurance policies like control, care and custody coverage, which are very popular among the animal owners. Usually, such an insurance policy covers up to $10.000, but has a set limit on the loss of equipments. On the other hand, the most popular and common kind of insurance is the commercial liability policy. This policy covers animal from $300,000 to $1 million of liability.

There is always a portion of the claim that is not covered by the insurer. This amount is called the deductible, which needs to be paid by the owner before the policy is applicable. You'll end up paying less amount of premium every month, if your deductibles are very high and vice versa. Each and every policy has different rules and thus, it is recommended that you do your homework right before buy any insurance coverage.