Our agency proudly joined Allstate agency owners, financial specialists and staff to raise funds for local food banks and meal programs, including Central Texas Food Bank, to help provide critical support in our community. In honor of our efforts, Central Texas Food Bank received a $20,000 The Allstate Foundation #HelpingHands Grant.
Allstate offers “supplemental” workplace benefits such as cancer, accident, disability, and life insurance.
Allstate has these benefits in place at over 40,000 companies around the US, including Walmart, Lowe’s and Disney. We insure more than 3 million employees.
Do you, or someone you know, work at a business where you’d like to see these benefits offered? If you do, please contact me here by PM, or call me at my office at 512-836-1231.
For more details see this website:
https://www.allstateatwork.com/Employers/Home. On this website you can read how Allstate Benefits is responding to the COVID19 pandemic.
ALLSTATEATWORK.COM
Employers
Thank you all who put themselves at risk to serve those in need!
Thinking about COVID19 testing? Here's some advice from the Texas Dept of Insurance:
"How to avoid extra COVID-19 testing charges
Texans who want a test for COVID-19 can likely avoid unnecessary charges by taking a few steps first.
If your doctor requests the test as medically necessary, you shouldn’t be charged for it. That’s federal law.
To reduce your chances of facing extra costs:
Call your primary care doctor before getting tested. Get your doctor’s testing order and recommended testing site. The order makes the test possible at no cost to you.
Ask the testing site if it has any charges or fees not covered by insurance.
Do not authorize non-COVID tests at the same time unless your doctor orders them.
Unless it’s a medical emergency, avoid hospital or free-standing emergency rooms, which usually charge more.
If you aren’t paying with insurance, shop around on the web or by phone to compare testing charges and possible add-on fees.
If you get a bill related to a COVID test, call your health plan to find out why. If you can’t resolve the issue with your plan, call the TDI Help Line at 1-800-252-3439.
If you believe you have been excessively charged, call the Texas Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-621-0508.
For more information on COVID testing in Texas, visit the Department of State Health Services website. For testing sites, including free sites, visit TX COVID-19 Test Collection Sites."
https://tdi.texas.gov/news/2020/tdi07072020.html
TDI.TEXAS.GOV
How to avoid extra COVID-19 testing charges
Happy 4th to All!
From the Texas Department of Insurance, "TDI extends telemedicine emergency rule into September
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is extending a requirement that insurers cover telemedicine services, including mental health visits, at the same rate as in-person visits. An emergency rule in place since March helps doctors across Texas treat their patients and limit the spread of COVID-19.
The original emergency rule took effect March 17 and was set to expire July 14. With the extension, the rule will remain in effect through September 12."
Good news from the IRS!! Tax Filing Extension!
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/victims-of-texas-winter-storms-get-deadline-extensions-and-other-tax-relief
IRS.GOV
Victims of Texas winter storms get deadline extensions and other tax relief | Internal Revenue Service
If you park your car outside this story may help you!
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/02/15/how-to-remove-ice-car-austin-texas-weather/4483880001/
STATESMAN.COM
Texas winter storm froze your car? How to deice your vehicle like a pro
During this ice storm in Texas, The TX Dept of Transportation advises, “Winter weather creates unpredictable and dangerous driving conditions. TxDOT strongly advises you to stay off the roads.”
We saw that more than 100 cars were in an pileup and at least six drivers died in the toll road on 35W in Ft. Worth yesterday. I wonder how many of those drivers really needed to be driving?
If you don’t have to drive, please don’t.
But many people have jobs that require that they go to work. They are hero's!
Among them are public employees who work for a city, county and state. Police, EMS, and fire departments, hospital employees, utility workers and many people who keep the heat and lights on, and keep the drinking water flowing for the rest of us. And there are many more in other occupations that serve others such as nursing homes. They are also delivery truck drivers for FedExp and Amazon, for example. For some clients they may be delivering something very important for health, or even urgent, like a medication, such as insulin.
Even insurance companies don’t close their claims offices during ice storms. Of course, that’s when you need us the most!!
If you have a chance thank these people whose job it is to serve the rest of and who don’t have the option to work at home. Their job is to put themselves at risk helping others. The best thing we can do to help them is to stay off the roads, when road conditions are hazardous.
And if you get a chance to say thank you to a someone doing their job to help others (though they might prefer to stay home with their family), please do so. Let's let them know they are appreciated!
Thank you.. and, stay safe!
Hi All,
As you probably already know, freezing cold weather is coming, or may have already arrived where you ar !But the worst is yet to come! I'm sending a reminder to protect your water pipes at your home, (and/or rental properties) from freezing.
Here’s one video I found that may be helpful to show you how to cover your pipes and outdoor faucets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ENNLEzR5c
There are many more videos on Youtube that you can watch, too. So please educate yourself! The cost of prevention is far less than the cost of repair! These tips could save you an expensive repair!
And if your water pipes freeze you'll be forced to turn off your water and you'll be without water, until the line is fixed. That could be several days. So, if you have not already done so, please cover your pipes and outdoor faucets!
Of course, you may have plants and animals to protect, too.
And if you have elderly friends who might need assistance, give them a call and ask them if they wrapped their outdoor water pipes. Spread the word!
Remember, if you have nothing else to use, take a towel and wrap the faucets any exposed water lines!
Sincerely,
John Murphy
Allstate Agent since 1996
Austin, TX
512 836 1231
JohnMurphy@Allstate.com
I just want to say, "Thank You!" 🙂
