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HBA HOME BUILDING NEWS
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BUildiNg YOUR BUSiNeSS
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MAY, 2013
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HBApdx.org
By Montgomery & Graham, Inc.
Your insurance specialists
Consider this: Consumer health
plans are not designed to require
a patient to shop around dur-
ing an emergency. Rather, they
empower patients to know their
marketplace beforehand, so that
in an emergency the patient
knows where he or she feels most
comfortable receiving care. Fur-
ther, the freedom created within
the consumer-driven model
means that during an emergen-
cy a patient can act on personal
choice or go to the medical fa-
cility that makes the most geo-
graphic sense, rather than being
forced to seek treatment within a
specified network as with many
traditional insurance plans.
The consumer-driven model is
all about educating the patient,
not keeping him or her in the
dark. An educated patient can
better understand health care
and health costs and then take
the reins, making decisions that
ultimately have a positive ef-
fect on both the system and the
patient. Reports from insurance
companies’ first-year HSA offer-
ings prove that these models do
work and are successful in driving
down health care costs.
Was there ever a time when
a consumer could afford to get
sick? The cost of illness has never
been of more concern than it is
today with 47 million Americans
having no insurance and health
care costs spiraling upward with
several years of double-digit
growth. This is precisely the rea-
son some would argue that the
system needs the new consumer-
driven model where it is possible
to save on the front end and over
the long haul.
Both a traditional plan and a
consumer-driven health plan
(CDHP) require some out-of-
pocket expenses, but a high de-
ductible health plan (HDHP) with
an HSA has proven about 43 per-
cent savings each year compared
to a traditional plan based on
premiums alone. That leaves sub-
stantial pre-tax dollars that can
be put away for a health situation
in the future.
Studies show that HSAs do not
negatively affect people’s health;
being afraid to go to the doc-
tor for financial reasons is what
causes harm. Some would argue
that the thousands of uninsured
people who go without medical
treatment because they can’t af-
ford it are a result of the tradition-
al health care system which has
prioritized up-front, high-dollar
premium payments over actual
medical treatment. And, even
among the insured, there are ma-
ny who elect to brush off doctors’
orders because the treatment is
not covered by insurance, or the
copay is too expensive. Studies
show that HSA participants are
no more likely to abstain from
care than any other patient, and
are more likely to look into pre-
ventative and wellness care and
think through the relative cost of
treatment options.
HSAs allow patients to save
money on premiums, set aside
pre-tax money to pay for out-of-
pocket expenses, and pay with
cash when the time comes. That
means savings on the front end,
tax savings throughout the year
and the negotiating power of
cash at the point of service. Con-
sumer-driven health care creates
choices for every transaction, and
can be a cost-efficient alternative
to traditional health plans.
If you’re interested in evalu-
ating your current health plan,
don’t hesitate to contact Brian
Leong, Employee Benefits Con-
sultant, at (971) 327-5785 or
bri-
anl@mgbenefits.com
. We’d also
like to invite you to our next set
of healthcare reform seminars
in May. The first series was a hit!
See details above.
By Bob Strong
aka Handyman Bob
From Around The House
FM NEWS 101 KXL, Saturday Noon to 2:00
First introduced by Fein, a German tool
manufacturer, the oscillating multi-tool is now
available from nearly all tool companies and
in prices ranging from less than $100, eliminat-
ing one of the greatest barriers to ownership
in the past.
Whether corded or cordless, an oscillating
multi-tool vibrates a blade or other attach-
ment back and forth in a narrow arc (3-4°) at
up to 21,000 strokes per minute. Because of
the tool’s short range of blade motion, small
front-end profile, and blades that extend past
the snout of the tool, it reaches into tight spots
other tools can’t. A multi-tool also works well
for flush cutting because the stepped profile
of many blades and other attachments allows
the attachment to rest flat on a surface.
With a wood-cutting blade installed, you
can make plunge cuts in the middle of a panel
to create a cord pass-through in a desktop or
cabinet back, trim plugs or splines nearly flush
to a surface, and cut away sections of base-
board to install built-in cabinets. The rigid
scraper blade makes short work of caulking
and the triangular shaped sanding pads allow
access into really hard to reach places.
The Fein MultiMaster is definitely the Cool-
est Tool in Handyman Bob’s 12’ rolling toy box,
otherwise known as his step van.
COOL TOOL
NEW ANd uSEFuL COOL TOOLS & APPS
RECOmmENdEd By mEmBERS OF THE HBA
Healthcare trends – consumer driven health plans
“Making an Informed Decision”
FREE! Health Care Reform Seminar
WHeN:
Thursday, May 23 • Registration from 7:30-8:00
Seminar from 8:00-9:30
WHeRe:
Red Lion Hotel Portland - Convention Center
Sign up at www.mandginsurance.com
kaiser premium rate special for HBa
members extended to July 1!
Extended through July 1, companies with 25 or more em-
ployees enrolling in the Portland HBA health plan will receive
a one month premium holiday! Pay only $1 per enrolled em-
ployee for the first month’s premium when you enroll in the
HBA Health Plan. Contact Brian Leong at (971) 327-5785 for
more information.
Spread The Word
For more information about sponsorship or playing in the tournament,
contact Jessica at 503-684-1880.
Wednesday, June 26
at Stone Creek Golf Club
Each June, the HBA celebrates
the return of golfing season with
one of the most popular tourna-
ments around: The HBA Golf Classic.
This single-shotgun start scramble will be held at Stone
Creek Golf Club in Oregon City. Registration for the event
opened on April 15 at 8:30am to a flurry of excitement!
If you didn’t get your team registered before the open
foursomes filled up, there may still be a way to play. A few
sponsorship opportunities for this event are still available
and offer excellent opportunities to interact with nearly
150 building industry professionals, along with guaran-
teed foursome registration eligibility.
For more information about sponsorship, waiting list avail-
ability, or volunteering for the tournament, contact JessicaM.
at (503) 684-1880.
Annual HBA
Golf Classic
Presented by Ferguson & KitchenAid
SOld-OUT
(But there’s still a way to play!)
Annual Divine 9 Chili Cook-Off returns May 30
Live band, delicious chili and
crazy themes await
Well folks – the circus is com-
ing to town! Or rather, it’s com-
ing to the HBA’s JMG Confer-
ence Center for the Annual Di-
vine 9 Chili Cook-off. This year’s
over the (big) top offerings will
include Brother Luke’s Traveling
Salvation Show, LEWIS AV Flying
Circus, Lisac’s Crazy Carnies and
many more!
New this year will be a not-to-
be-missed performance from
the HBF All Star Show Band &
Blues Review! Fresh off their
resounding success at the Tur-
key Fry, ten world-renowned
musicians (nine of which are
HBA members) have formed a
rockin’ band to bring the house
down. Members of this diverse
and talented group have a list
of accolades and accomplish-
ments a mile long including
playing for President Ford, per-
forming with the likes of Mel
Torme, Bruce Hornsby, to name
but a few, competing on Ameri-
can Idol, opening for the likes
of Oingo Boingo, Def Leppard,
Pink Martini, and more, and ap-
pearing in their own bands from
Seattle to San Diego to Dallas,
to right here in Portland. You do
not want to miss this show, and
we haven’t even mentioned all
of the delicious chili!
This event is produced by the
members of the The Divine 9:
Central Air, Contract Furnishings
Mart, Gary’s Vacuflo, Lakeside
Lumber, The Legacy Group,
Lewis Audio Video, Lisac’s Fire-
places & Stoves, Miller Paint Co.,
NW Natural, Pacific Crest Cus-
tom Cabinetry, & Red’s Electric.
A)
2012’s first place winners and defending
champs, NW Natural set the bar high!
B)
Tim Doolittle & Luke Morley rock it out at
last year’s event.
A
B
WHeRe:
JMG Con-
ference Center, 15555
SW Bangy Rd, Lake
Oswego
WHeN:
Thursday,
May 30, at 5:00 PM
HOWMUCH:
Tickets
are just $10 for one
of our best parties of
the year!
Register online at
hbapdx.org/calendar
or call Rachel at (503)
684-1880
CHILI COOK-OFF • SPONSORED BY THE DIVINE 9