Suzilla: Family Business Podcast: Recent Episodes
wenatcheetown
Suzie and Matt McColm have been helping people figure out the confusing world of insurance for years. The last four years, we have helped the Washington Healthplanfinder run a full service enrollment center in Wenatchee, Washington. #livinginsurance
Our webpage is www.wahbroker.org
Do you run a community business or are you running a selective business? There are a lot of people that are running businesses for a niche group that don’t know it. They could be setting up gatekeepers that are driving away new customers. If the growth is stagnating it might be time to look at your regulars and your practices to see what keeps your business from growing.
The Medicare and Healthcare Enrollment are almost upon us, so I get to hear all the woes of the insurance industry. It is our 13th Open Enrollment so we have seen a few things. This is despite it being one of the most heavily regulated industries out there. We are going to peal back some of the myths and look at what makes up a insurance professional.
Way too many people are looking for that single solution to solve all their problems. It could be a preacher calling for the Rapture to the Robber trying to do that one last score. While we can’t go back to the past and fix that one thing, we can make tiny steps so that the future ends up better. It takes hard work.
We had a dry lightning storm roll through our state and we went from two big fires to twelve. During the dry season it can occur that quick. There are things that you can do to prepare such as preparing to evacuate to how do make breathing easier when there is smoke everywhere. Let’s take care of smoke season on today’s Suzilla.
What are you doing right now to relax and be unique? What makes you special, people nod their head when they listen to you and allow you to find others. It is what makes you exciting and vibrant because you are more than just a cog in a machine. It is your key to escaping loneliness.
One of the biggest questions that is being asked after the OBBB is what is healthcare going to look like. This is our 13th year of Open Enrollment. We helped run the Enrollment Center located in Wenatchee for years. So buckle up, this is a ground floor look at Healthcare, Medicare, Single Payer, Medicaid and even a little VA coverage in WA state.
Do you travel? What are your adventures and perspectives are you able to bring home after exploring. Have you or your office carved out time to be away from work? We were able to shut down the office for a week and let everyone scatter with personal explorations in mind. We saw a lot of things that we would have missed if we didn’t travel to a border town and visit with a Co-op that I have have been following since 2021.
Those little things that everyone has to do to keep things running smoothly. It could be filing a business license to doing laundry at home. These are support structure things that can turn lives upside down quickly. Today we get into building the systems that keep lives moving forward.
OK, has red, white and blue run it’s course for color use In a friendly manner? Has it been over used beyond the flag code. How do I show my love of country without scaring employees?
What do colors signal for your business? How powerful is purple and green? How about as a consumer? How to break traditions and still express yourself.
We have built a couple of brands, what does optics do for your message? Do you need them? What is the balance between form and function? It pays an important roll in your business and even employment. There are a lot of visually learners so what are they learning about you. Sometimes a little bit of grit is a good thing.
Pride has been big business for years. Is it rainbow washing or is a business working on being inclusive year round? Is it good for business or is it being abandoned? While we are a little insurance agency, we have been having a blast for years supporting inclusive events around Washington state. This is what we have seen this first week of Pride Month 2025
How do you determine that you are being overwhelmed and how do you not overwhelm others. How does love bombing someone work and what is it’s reverse? How do you set boundaries to keep yourself whole and moving forward during challenging times.
Yeah, I heard about a Cheese Rave today. There is a wonderful skill about pairing two separate ideas and having them come together like peanut butter and jelly. We are going to talk about some of our favorite fusions and what it takes to bring things together. It does take work and effort when done correctly.
As Insurance Agents, most of our business is not shared on group chats with a stranger present. We have held confidential information our entire lives. It impacts trust from our associates, the companies that we work with and most important our clients. We get into protocols and secrets and why they are important for everyone.
When folks drive by our little insurance office one of the first things they see is the sign. When they encounter us on the web or social media there are also signs. It’s spring time so we look at are signs. Do they sparkle enough for the new year. Do we need to update. Here are some things that we do to make us stand out and welcoming.
When setting up an office for Wenatchee Insurance. We have done our best to use micro validations to make it welcoming and not boring. We are going to get into methods that keep your space interesting while moving people through and conducting business. Life doesn't happen in a bland space so how do you introduce difference with out being outrageous?
One of those issues that is popular is what do you wear to the office?
How important is what you wear to your job? Are you a for show kind of person or a for function kind? How important is it in today’s work environment to own a suit and tie? What about personal protection equipment including sensible shoes? Is it appropriate to berate a guest or employee publicly for their costume?
Tomorrow is one of the big boycott days for the big box stores. As a bonus, a bunch of the organizers are starting to mention using small businesses. I have ran a small insurance business for years. What would have happened if you were using small businesses before? If businesses that you know and respect thrive then does it improve your community? A diverse market is a thriving market so let’s get there.
When was the last time that you tried something new. Personally, a couple or a business? Spring is a great time to get out and discover your community. Set up new processes to improve your business and prepare for Summer. We have been trying new things with great success. Let’s get into the importance of new.
Every day, every week, every month we vote with our wallets the businesses that we support. At a certain point, those businesses and business owners support politics. Like it or not yes money is attached to politics. One of the top questions that I was asked last week on one of the platforms is there any lists of businesses that don’t support MAGA. Yes, people are waking up that their wallets can make a difference. Let’s talk about the secret life of politics of business.
We have been running an inclusive insurance business so long, we just shrug when people say it's bad practice. Say the words Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It’s an action which leads to thought and conversation. What do you object to it and why is Target shareholders suing the company for dropping their DEI program? What do we look for in business as we hire. Lets fill in the gaps and build a better future.
Who was surprised by the Federal Freeze? It was a quick flash that highlighted more than I expected as a small business owner. Funding is critically important. It’s why our Founding Fathers selected Congress for that power. The Spending Clause is Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1.
We have seen it before, have conversations about it, and inventory our resources.
Now is the time to prepare.
If you ever been to our office, you will see that we don't use the traditional uniform of an Insurance Agency. It can make a lot of people uncomfortable so we put in markers that were friendlier to more people. Uniform is important as it is a visual marker to identify if something is a friend or foe. A green flag or a red flag. You might have to wear something for a job or to fit in. Uniqueness is the personal touch the pledge pin. It is how you hold a conversation and the thoughts behind it. We are talking about the big U’s today on Suzilla.
We are seeing time and time again people getting burned because they are running an expectation that it is business as usual. It is strange because it is an attempt to defy the one universal constant that is change. We have had to work with it firsthand this year as we had a local Medicare Advantage plan leave our area with thousands of clients. Some quickly found assistance, some did it themselves and some are still finding out months later that their Medicare plan left. We saw it with Covid and the businesses that failed to adapt quick enough. We saw it when the real estate market collapsed. We saw it when the savings and loan's collapsed. Today's Suzilla, we talk about ending the Set it and Forget it lifestyle.
Have you ever wondered why you hated the person who talked poorly to the receptionist? Had your car in the repair shop and got a upcharge of a couple of hundred dollars. Watched someone cut in line. Didn't use someone's correct Pronouns,. It is all about consent. Suzie and Matt have been running their business on consent for years and it creates referrals like no other.
There are people that treat insurance and other services as a transactional model. Pull a lever and coverage comes out. Suzie and I have always treated it as a wild river process. Where clients move from pool to pool, lingering where they need more and moving quickly to the next process when needed. Today, we are looking at flow and how quickly things can jam up if we were just focused on a single transaction.
After seeing that Fyre 2 is being worked on, Bridgerton Ball, the Wonka experience. It is time to talk about events. We love events from working on theatre to hosting festivals. We are getting into constructing an event to what to look for to avoid being scammed. Events are not a cash cow banking experience and we need to stop treating them as such.
Do you have a long term mindset or short term mindset. We work with Insurance which involves long term planning. There are little steps that you can do that a little bit of planning smooths out problems before they occur. This week we get into little steps that we have done over the year that have allowed us to do better this year despite financial disaster.
How do you stay in business for years in the insurance industry that is ripe with change? We are going to talk about the myth of the old reliable. As businesses, we hear managers use the phrase find out what works and do that. Well what happens when it get’s old? I read another story of a church that has been around for years closing it’s doors same issue. The reliance on the old reliable does not promote growth and relevance. So how do you do it. We are going talk about how we continue to refresh and prevent from getting stale.
We have done insurance for years and to ignore the politics of it then we would be doing a disservice to our clients. Yes, they can lose their insurance at a politicians whim so we better speak up.
We fight day in and day out to put food on our table and if we are good our coworkers and employees. We talk about enrichment of our customer’s experience and yes that means we do our best to promote good policies that will continue prosperity for our community. When a business person says that they stay clear of politics then it just means they are concealing what they are doing. Let’s get into our woke experience.
After all these years of working insurance in Washington State. I can say without a doubt, I will pick flexibility over strength. It has lead to creativity, connecting with our community, growth, and duration. There are moments in the year that are natural flexibility points personally and for our business. We are going to talk about the small business superpower of flexibility.
Yes, we run a little Insurance Office in Wenatchee where our Washington State find us from all over because of Social Media. We don’t live in the hills and come down for an annual gathering to get updates on the neighbors and supplies. Since the 80’s there has been methods to go online and exchange information and connect to people. We are going to talk about some of our successes and failures along the way. To ignore social media and it’s influence in 2024, not everyone has that hermit lifestyle.
Most people struggle with staying current and forget about the past. However if you want to be unstoppable in business then you need to understand what is current and what will come. Because there are steps that you can do in business that will fall into good timing in the future. We are talking about being prepared.
Courage is the most important of the virtues, because without it, no other virtue can be practiced consistently, said Maya Angelou. Sometimes it is tough putting that foot forward to a new life. To tell someone the truth. To just say no. How do you spot the lack of courage?
Very few of us are blessed with the ability to do everything perfectly the first time out. New experiences are a challenge. We fail, adjust and try again. It’s awkward learning and perhaps it gets more difficult as we age because we are afraid of looking foolish. Failure is how we gain skills and friendships. We are going to embrace failure today. Hug it and keep going.
Have you checked your foundation recently? Stepped back and took a look to see if you are on sound principles. Back in the day, we called it keeping it real. It doesn’t mean that you have to be a jerk. It means that do not be surprised if someone uses you to set the tone. If you do not understand your foundation then it will hurt if someone turns you into an example. Let’s look for some red flags and open some doors on today’s Suzilla.
If it wasn’t for another person asking a question and me caring about them, Suzie and I wouldn’t have an insurance business. With all of the shouting and division going on there is a push to forget that If you want to connect with people that you have to do more than outrage. You have to value other people’s opinions. We are going to tackle other people opinion and even advise on today’s Suzilla.
We have been running a small insurance office for over a decade. One of the biggest concerns with summer is what about the kids? Childcare is expensive and this is opportunity to do family bonding and larger gatherings. There is camping and spending time in the outdoors. Fruit is harvested and put up for the winter. We even get into cook-outs as there are rules. There is definitely a seasonal change in our office. Make the most of it.
For the last twelve years, we have been raising our kid while working our small insurance business. Tomorrow is graduation. We are going to talk about some of the ups and downs in what we have done. Education is important and we are ready to hand them off to the next phase of their lives. If you want to prepare yourself either for raising a kid or a long project then this is the episode for you.
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We have been advocating human rights, LBBTQIA+rights, etc some time. ( It was when I was looking at annuities and rights surrounding gay marriage. )Last year our office received a couple of threats and we keep going because it is important. As a younger office, who are our kids and peers? Where does the law support? Where do dollars support? Is putting rainbow t-shirts up important? Let’s get into it on Suzilla.
Suzie & Matt have been running a small insurance business for over a decade through financial tough times and good times. We just had a rival insurance agency issue that they were closing in seven days. The market isn’t easier this year. How is a small business used to build safety nets for our communities? Why, we have no problem promoting other rivals in good standing and up and new business development.
We run a small insurance agency in Central Washington.
There are two different cultures when it comes to sales. One is the use of scripts. You go through a script and then at the end respond to any objections and you close. The other requires a little more work. We are going to talk about the importance of buy ins.
This is something that you want to pay attention to.
It's how Matt got Suzie to start working with insurance at Wenatchee Insurance. It’s not in a book, it’s not in a school, it’s not some old grey haired wisdom. It requires answering a couple of questions to find your genuine path to your yellow brick road. Sometimes they are together and sometimes they branch off. We are going to get into finding success in the modern world on today’s Suzilla.
smallbusiness #wenatcheeinsurance #suzilla
When you go out do you find the beigest of restaurants, order a factory-assembled burger with no salt on the fries? We prefer to find a mom-and-pop stand where a person named Jo assembles something that would make a nutritionist cringe.
Last week one of our partners was dropping off supplies for an event notice that Suzie and I sell from who we are and that is what they liked about us. Insurance can be boring and our customers are not so we have to do it differently. It’s what our clients like about us and how we have built a referral network that cares about the community.
We are getting real today.
We have held another record month with writing insurance policies from our office in Wenatchee. We use a very natural method of understanding what makes it attractive to do business. It is not a sale for sales numbers. In fact some of the best policies that we write, we receive zero commision.
If you are in sales, then you better know. If you value relationships, then you have to figure it out. We are going to talk about attraction and how to develop it and what not to confuse it because it is more than just looks and free stuff. A deep dive into draw on today’s Suzilla.
Straight out of Wenatchee Insurance, we had to talk about inflation this week. As parents with a Senior getting ready to graduate and small business owners, we feel the pinch.
With Car insurance prices hitting 22% and articles talking about groceries as a splurge item, it’s time to talk about saving money. As small business owners, this is not our first time around for finding places to save money. We have been getting a lot of quotes that by the way that they are pitched show that they have bought into some myths and they are spending more money around their policies. Tips on how to thrive in tough times.
wenatcheeinsurance
We have people who come to our Insurance office for the first time filled with dread. Grey-skinned, grim looks focused on the task of diving into insurance through their beliefs. (Seriously, we are going to do an insurance myth episode because someone is telling fibs).
When they leave are radiant, expressive and confident. Smiles are something that you cannot measure but you can see the results. This week's Suzilla is about building smiles with your business.
We have done business for over a decade currently we are working with Wenatchee Insurance.
One of the biggest principles in presenting an offer is that it has to have value to the other person. Walking around there are some clear examples of this basic principle not being followed. There is a group of people that present an offer in terms that only value their position. This selfish behavior doesn't build good relationships/ communities.
So today's Suzilla is about presenting offers for other people to accept.
The day that we did this episode was a day that I had a person using Tiktok contact me for insurance help.
Since the days of the farm line, there has been some form of social communication over distances using technology. We are going to get into the bill even though we have a very small footprint on there as we recognize its value to the First Amendment and the marketplace. The Grapevine is important and it looks like politicians are attempting to kill it before the election. So let’s talk about social media.
There is a battle today about Education. How much should we spend? How much improvement are we getting out of it? How much should we spend on bonds? As insurance Agents we have continuing education regularly and not everyone pushes for improvement. Let’s talk about Education versus improvement on today’s Suzilla.
We have been running a small insurance office for years. We talk about the importance of the customer experience and tearing down 'no soliciting' signs in other podcasts. We have even talked about how to do creative outreach and events. It boils down to the idea around comfort.
How are you projecting comfort to clients, friends, and strangers?
Around Wenatchee Insurance we are.
Yes, the Lunar New Year occurs on Saturday. We have gone through the fires of 2023 and are looking forward to the New Year and the prosperity that comes with it. We have been laying the groundwork for the last couple of weeks to begin hatching. New Year, New us.
It takes time for renewal. What have you set up for prosperity in 2024?
As insurance professionals, we work with trust. Customers have to recognize that you have a product that will work in their darkest hours. We build trust just the same way that we tear it down. Here comes an exercise in trust.
We are going to talk about being a Veteran in America on Veterans Day. There is predatory marketing that takes place, an IG moment or two and then we are used as political talking points to take away helping others. We are getting real with our office Veteran.
After running the enrollment center with the Washington Healthplanfinder for the last six years, we know a little about giving back. In the age of people running to jury duty, maybe we need to make a 180 and run to it. Instead of making a difference one day a year how about making a difference a week or daily? Community engagement goes beyond Instagram moments. It’s why animal clubs are dwindling or don’t maintain beyond social commitments. Let’s add community meaning.
While STEM gets a lot of play, what doesn’t get enough talk is supporting the arts in school. We use a heck of a lot of art and we run an insurance agency. My hands are bricks and it doesn’t stop me from supporting and appreciating art. This is where kids get to explore their creativity which drives genius and empathy. As business owners our next partner, employee, or client will probably come from the arts.
Fall is an exciting time of the year around here. Kids in school, Football, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Black Friday Specials, Dances, Open Enrollment, Halloween. Setting up for winter We are going to talk about energizing your life, your family, and your business during this episode.
After 12 years of running an insurance business, I can say one thing. There is no perfect customer, employee, or business model. Every year I set a plan and make adjustments. We are going to get into making adjustments so that you can fly.
The first rule that we work with is to get out of your business and do events.
Scheduling is critical when you do Health Insurance and you are looking at hundreds of appointments in a few weeks. We just dropped a little over $500 for our Calendar program for the year and it is worth every penny.
In the last couple of years, we have heard complaints about supply chain shortages. Some of that comes from scheduling. I went to see three different tattoo artists. I literally spent four days tracking down artists and attempting to schedule a new piece with cash in hand.
How many hours have you spent waiting on your doctor for an appointment?
All businesses rely on scheduling. Some are for clients and some are for resources for your business.
If you rely on booking appointments, then you want to dial in.
We have been assisting with health insurance since the beginning of the ACA. The first year I had a ton of people with ITINs and tax returns seeking to purchase health insurance. Because of how the ACA was written they were eventually denied coverage. Later in 2017 during a rules change the Dreamers were also denied using the Healthplanfinder for coverage.
It all changes on November 1,2023, when we began enrolling immigrants regardless of status on the Healthplanfinder. They may be eligible for state credits and not federal however it is a start. The plans will start on January 1, 2024.
The information stays in the state system, so in-person assistors will be working hard to verify applications. This will keep the information private however it does mean that enrollments will take longer.
July 1, 2024, those making less than 138% of poverty will be eligible for Apple Health on a first come first serve basis. We are recommending that everyone interested in selecting appointments early as the enrollment period ends January 15, 2024.
It is an important time to talk about the three big mechanics of delayed gratification. This is how you build teams and experiences. These are powerful building tools when used correctly. When mishandled then it becomes destructive.
Our insurance business has been experiencing massive growth. It took us five months and seven days to write as many policies as the entire 2022. So when someone told me that the economy was slowing down, I had to take a deeper look.
It seems like the media is in cruise control. One group talks about how bad the Democrats do for the economy and then the other side of the news says how bad the incumbent party is doing for the economy. They are not talking about policy shifts like the 32,000 job sites. They are not talking about the small business growth with the Economic Development Districts. The Biden Economy is hot and we can see small businesses continue growing in the next couple of years with this plan.
The economy has shifted whether the media is talking about it or not.
We have been doing insurance for half our married life. It takes a lot of education to move everything forward.
How do you become a better you, partner, business etc. Do you schedule time during your day to improve one skill? When was the last time that you read a book or tried something brand new? How about making a new friend?
There is a reason that people make a lot of friends in school and it becomes harder as they age. If you want to reverse that trend then let's start working on something new.
Honest change comes from awkward moments.
Insurance is not an instant business as we have to look at things over long periods of time and then plan.
We have folks building dream homes out of concrete and steel to protect from wildfire. We have large portions of Canada on fire. Hawaii’s losses are monstrous. Kids in Montana are upholding their state’s constitution to protect the environment. How do we do better on the bottom line and keep it sustainable?
By focusing on effect you can affect a response with the people around you. The Bear season 2 is a real good example of the details a restaurant can have to create an experience. Other businesses can work on similar effects to change lives. Let’s get into it.
It is amazing how much people spend on time and money by avoiding experts. We see it a lot in our independent Insurance Agency. We are going to talk about experts today and the value they add. What happens when you cling to an expert? What does that do to your choices, your business, or even your lifestyle? Qualities that we look for every time. If you want to make big improvements in your life then surround yourself with experts.
Between last week’s SCOTUS decision and our town’s Prayer meeting masquerading as a 4th of July Celebration, it’s time to sort some things out. Our business has always been inclusive by design. We suggest that people start looking for Friends of Stella lists and GSBA Memberships. It is going to be a tough time for a lot of people. The ability to run secular events/businesses is a key element for building community.
While we run a lot of mid-century with Suzie Health Solutions. We can not rest on that for Wenatchee Insurance.
My teenager reminded me how bad nostalgia sucks when we walked into a 50s diner and were served substandard food, reduced sizes, between Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. Start looking at what a company is doing and what they are serving up. Did it peak in Highschool? Let’s take a look at nostalgia.
There are lessons everywhere to improve your business and yourself. Two hours after launch to see the Titanic, Titan lost contact with the surface. There are lessons everywhere and especially over the loss of five people that paid a quarter of a million dollars each for the ride to the bottom of the ocean. We are going to take a dive into the lessons.
Seriously, what signs does a person display when they have their house in order? What does it look like when they are a hot mess? We are no angels however there are habits that effect people display over and over again that promotes success as they define it. Let’s get into adulting.
We are going to get into branding and marketing today thanks to Nikki Darling Productions brochure that I have in my lobby. We keep a rack in our lobby for local businesses brochures which is one of our regular community-building projects.
I was asked about branding by a customer this week and since we launched a massive campaign and am talking to a marketer today. Every action that you do impacts how the world sees and responds to you. What flags are you signaling to others? Are they seeing your signals or are they expecting a pattern laid out before you got there? Let’s get into building your brand.
I learned from my time in the Army. It is a dividing line between management and leadership. A manager will cling to self-importance that pretty Instagram image of what the top looks like. A leader will eat last, provide their best for the people around them from their own pockets.
It is where you find a servant leader.
When you select a company or nonprofit look for sacrifice before making a selection. The more toxic the environment, the less you will find sacrifice. The less the sacrifice, the more likely you will be impacted by thievery.
We run an inclusive insurance office. This includes the LGBTQIA+ members of our community. We have been doing so for over a decade because things like supporting Gay Marriage and Section 1557 of the ACA are platforms of treating people well like people. We are going to talk about what we currently see, book bans, anti-healthcare legislation and what we are doing as a small business.
Since we have an insurance business we ask What If Questions all the time to each other.
Your partner gets sick, vendors fail, and equipment breaks down. How many backup plans do you have in place for your business and your family? It hasn’t been too long ago when the country got our backside handed by the lack of plans and safety nets. Let’s get into creating plans that do not infringe on current operations and increase your flexibility.
When politicians come to town, they want to take their pictures with us. Charities have their hand out and we sponsor events. We are called the backbone of America. How valuable is the time of a small business owner to lend a hand or volunteer?
We are big-time nerds around Wenatchee Insurance. We met at a convention. Have Star Wars tattoos. We also nerd out when it comes to insurance. Being a Nerd business owner is incredibly useful and I often seek them out for a single trait. I will give you a hint, it is the opposite of IG famous….
We built an independent insurance agency that is definitely different. We have put ourselves into our business for over a decade.
What if all the stereotypes surrounding business are true? Everyone is out for themselves. The boss is exploiting the workers who are all quiet quitting. The customers are going over to the next company because they are cheaper and go to the same church.
It’s your business so build it differently. Care about your coworkers. Work on putting the best product forward for the client. Be truthful in your dealings. Be the black sheep and the customers will respond.
Supernova had a big week were we talked about Marketing archetypes. If you followed Suzie Health Solutions through the years then you would have seen a variety of archetypes used.
How do they work in business? How do they work in the real world? Would politics be better if one or both of the parties played from a different archetype? What were the colors on the brand wheel? We have had the fortune of working with most all the positions over the last twelve years. In the end we picked the most comfortable pair up with Wenatchee Insurance.
It is helping us go from marketing notions to a marketing plan. Oh boy this is going to be fun.
The minute that someone steps into our insurance office a person knows that they are in for a different experience. We set out over a decade ago to not make something that sucked. As our kid puts it has no soul. When we look for partners, we look for a different mindset. We want people that care about people, our community and profits. In that order.
When presented this year in a Business Contest with the triple bottom line, we laughed because that is how we always ran our business. We look at our clients as 50 year clients. If we don't win their business' right now then we will later. It's the long term focus that provides the unifying gel.
I am not talking the poker chips and scratchers. We are getting into risks and rewards today. Comfort & safety versus growth & discovery. How if we remove all of the risk then we never win. If we never reward others, then we never win. Who could use some more wins in their life? How about your kids’ life?
If you are being honest then there are accurate rewards and responsibilities. If a bank executive can pocket millions of dollars and ride off in the sunset leaving the bank in ruins is that responsibility?
If a kid is prevented from learning history will they behave compassionately? What happens when they learn a few years down the road that they were blocked from the truth?
Spend a little bit of time discovering things. Taste something new on the menu. Talk to the quiet person in the room. There are rewards to be had by living free and risking.
We operate a little different. In an industry where women make about half as much as men we focus on inclusive capitalism. If you want an to work with a different kind of insurance agency in Washington State then let us know.
There reaches a point when you take complexity and distill it to the point of destruction. It no longer functions as originally intended. It’s like boiling coke to a syrup and still maintaining it is a cool refreshing drink. It just doesn’t work that way. As we wade into our contest, we are seeing more approaches to capitalism that if we utilized would create an ethical dilemma. We are going to peal back the layers of Capitalism.
Suzie Health Solutions has been around for over 10 years working with Health insurance. Recently we decided to start improving Property Insurance in our area and Launched Wenatchee Insurance Agency.
We are in a small business renaissance in the United States thanks to some Legislation like the American Rescue Act and Inflation Reduction Act more people than ever before are leaving corporate life. We recently stumbled into Supernova Business Launch Competition and it is an amazing primer for people that are starting a business to work through issues.
Pick you allies. One groups that deserve a shout out is GSBA. As we do, they believe that Equality is good business. They represent over 1300 small businesses and have already started enriching our business.
So yes, this is the time to build a small business and tap into the groups that provide meaningful support.
Supernova is putting Wenatchee Insurance in a competition with 24 different businesses and it looks like there are some assumptions about what goes into a business. We have been in a few clashes with old timers because the industry is changing. We have seen some great examples on what is possible from Insurance Soup. It isn’t that old musty place that everyone hates to go. Let’s talk about where we are at and going running our agency.
When you have a small business. We run an insurance office which means long hours and when you have a family what do you do? Well we built a space in our office. It was critical in our success for child care expenses and covid lock down. For us it never became a battle of office verses family.
Last weekend we gathered the families of the office together and started designing the third space. We set aside a space in our office for our son at our first office and we are continuing that in the new office plus including our partners in the design. It’s a space that is neither work nor home but one that we can recharge and revitalize our attitude. I started out with acknowledging the most powerful person in the room.
The Last Big Job, the winning lottery ticket, the future self-coming back in time to save us. Bonus desperation is thick in sales and it can effect outcomes. There is a ton of fantasy plots that are developed on assembly line jobs. Your body paying the price while your mind wanders. But what is the alternative? What happens if you make tiny steps every day to a new future?
We have been working a small business for over a decade. This one hits home.
There is an awesome video out there of a lady describing her experience with buying a Porsche in 2020.
She called up the first dealership and requested to have more information on three of their cars. They refused and so she moved onto the next and had a great experience as not only did they send her the information, they also did zoom calls, interacted with her on Social Media.
What is the customer experience when you work with them? Are you focused on the seller or the buyer? How does it work when you are hiring? We get into it with Suzilla.
What is occurring right now and what you can do to make this year the best for yourself, your family and your career. I take time between the Calendar New Year and the Lunar New Year to observe and reflect.
Since we work with Insurance, we see a lot of activity around the new year and there are things that can be down through the year to improve. This is the moment of time that we see who prepared for the new year and who pushed it aside last year.
This is a great moment to take steps to move to a better position.
Yes, we are back from Olympia. Insurance is run by laws since we run an insurance agency, we sometimes have to recommend corrections.
We were able to meet with some peers and talk to 2 out of 3 legislatures about insurance to get some improvements. We were given homework so that both groups can improve some situations. We even found out about the Washington Long Term Cares project so if you are wondering what is going to occur in July with your paycheck then you should dial in.
We might see some improvement for our clients in the near future from our efforts. At the very least our legislatures have been informed.
Why would we take a thriving Health Insurance Agency and add property insurance?
We are looking at expectations, benefits, and disappointments. If you haven’t read Who moved my cheese, by Spenser Johnson then this is a great time. With change your benefits/cheese become a bit of Three Card Monty game so keep your eyes on your business and marketplace. We are going to see some serious play in the coming months.
We are going back two years to revisit being fierce. It is a focus that has served us well and I kind of see it waning.
We talked about how we just went through what we thought was impressive growth. The focus was on being fierce not aggressive. It’s important to have that conversation again.
Being fierce will punch a new business through the confusion and there is a lot of confusion in the world today.
Aha moments! Eureka! Your Badass moment. They are a realization that you have grown. It can come from with in and it can come from the outside. They only come through action sometimes in the middle and sometimes after during review. If you are coaching people, then your goal should be to create that moment. If you are coachable then you want to experience it at least once in the coming year. Be open to be stunned so you can grow.
As a small business owner and a user of our state's exchange, it is critical that we forecast 2023 income. When you purchase healthcare on an exchange then it isn't past income that they are working with it is current and future income. Even with Medicare, high earners will pay higher rates so be aware if you are doing large cash outs.
Forecasting is a basic skill for running a household and business. It requires thought, time, and adjustment. It allows you to win contracts, affiliations, and loans. When you don’t do it then you are building anxiety and terror into your life. We are taking a closer look at the importance of forecasting and how to find resources to assist you reduce the jump scares of your life.
We are going to talk about observation. It is the top skill to refresh your business and relationships. This is the skill that allows a person to move beyond the set it and forget it mentality. It is also the first skill to go when you are in a rut. We are going to talk about turning on your senses so that you can begin to move and improve.
I listen to morning DJs and watch advertising closely to help craft our advertising. Sometimes I am seeing something that is lacking and that is sincerity. Does it have the right tone? Are you doing the follow up actions? Who are you surrounding yourself with? Sincerity matters in every relationship.
Life is not perfect. Build your business to take care of the left behinds. There is so much abundance in the world that folks focus on satisfying only a portion, a niche. However, if you build acknowledging that not everyone fits into a single mold. That you can customize to a clients’ needs then you are looking at something special. You are providing a solution that no one else can accomplish. We did it, are doing it again and so can you.
It’s Open Enrollment and workers that are handling the call centers for Healthcare.gov are asking for better pay and less stressful workload. We are on the ground with an office for Washington state. How much do we get paid? What do the bills look like? Why have I advocated for a decade for in person assistance. Let’s talk about the strike and Open Enrollment.
It’s an American Tradition that we get into it. I mean come on if you are working in Insurance and don’t have a spooky story then what are you doing? Let’s get into Halloween, the fun and keeping your business moving forward.
One of the biggest things that is forgotten about insurance is equity. Seriously, it is about being fair and impartial. Most people have struggles and sometimes customer service takes the brunt of it. Have you ever set up a business by yourself? So how are you keep moving forward when you need to be made whole?
This year we will be looking at a bunch of health plans in Washington State. that will have a zero-dollar price tag. We are also looking at bringing more people into the agency so wages will be a hot topic. We are not going to forget about inflation. So what does perception have to do with these, a whole lot. Let’s get into it on Suzilla.
Everyone has expectations. There are certain levels of trust and distrust with every business and every relationship. How you design your environment and the words that you use can establish expectations. We have some great examples of doing it right and doing it wrong.
This episode was full of surprises with a first appearance of Shayla a new partner with Wenatchee Insurance Agency,
We also had Brandon Smith of Wenatchee Computer make a guest appearance.
Along with Matt and Suzie from Suzie Health Solutions.
It was a room full of small business.
Today is a technology day as we are going to talk about apps and web applications that have changed business. While we do a lot with Insurance, there is a lot of other industries. We test drove a first ghost kitchen this week. It was a product advertised, ordered, and delivered using an app through an established businesses kitchen. There have been products that we use that has forever changed how we do business. What is some software that we would like to see in the future.
The kids are in school, so the Pumpkin Spice wars have broken out ushering in Fall. There is a lot going on and a few big things that you want to look out for this year.
Reminder Medicare Annual Enrollment is October 15th through December 7th
Healthcare Open Enrollment is November 1st through December 15th.
We are going to dive into that pile of leaves like we are fully insured on this week’s Suzilla.
It is one of the biggest questions to ask.
We ask when we go out to events. We ask ourselves when we set up our office.
The experience is why people recommend businesses.
If they feel safe then they go out and actively have an experience. Today we are working on creating stories for ourselves and others.
When you have assisted people enroll in health insurance for nearly a decade in Washington State then you see some things. The last couple of weeks, we have seen some major misconceptions when it comes to health insurance. People not knowing about enrollment periods, agents not knowing what tax credits are, how important a deductible is..etc. We are going to get into some differences between health insurance and car or home insurance. This is the episode that could be played in high school across America.
Introductions are tough and with heavy use of social media sometimes basic skills are lost. The quick who are you, what do you do and why am I looking at you. The basic sparks of a friendship, a sales or even an election. We are going to get into what makes a good pitch, how to sharpen your skills and what makes a bad pitch.
We have lived a few years literally on the wrong side of town. We are going to get into the student loan relief and other programs that we have seen means tested. Do they work are they important? How does risk play into the picture. All this while waiting for the internet dude.
We are going to talk about a lost art. Esprit de corps is something that I witnessed leaving the workplace in the ‘90s. The lack of parties and bowling leagues. We never wanted to be that way when we set up Suzie Health Solutions. We didn't want to build a workplace that sucked. Work becoming a dreary chore where people dread Mondays and run out the door 4:45 PM on Friday. Where people must leave to find meaningful work. After a series of Wall Street Journal and a couple of business peer conversations, this week we are going to dive into building work culture.
We run the Enrollment Center in Wenatchee so yes, it is time to talk about some changes in Insurance. Big changes in the nation and Washington State when it comes to Insurance. $35 Insulin? Does HIPPA need a boost? What about the cost of Health Insurance this Fall? What is going on with Medicare? Why should I set an appointment now for Fall Enrollments.
We have run a small business around a decade. Our model will not work for everyone. As folks tighten their belts over inflation some of the first to be hit will be small businesses if people view them as a luxury. We talked to a few over the last week to see how folks are doing and what can be done to improve the local economy. The four things about small business that you should be doing regularly:
- Use small businesses whenever you can for purchases.
2. Talk with small business owners and find out how they are doing.
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Encourage others to use small businesses.
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When you are doing well as a small business then give back to the community.
If you treat small businesses like luxuries then they will die with inflation.
We make selections dozens of times each day. We have three things that we look for.
However, picking a partner will be one of the toughest things that you will ever do. What do you look for in a partnership, an employee, anyone that you exchange goods or services with? Are your relationships and purchases too casual? Is everyone exhausted from life that they just will pick any old burger for dinner?
We are going to get into traits and behaviors to make selections easier and rewarding on today’s Suzilla.
Even small businesses have to recharge. We took a road trip into the South West of the United States travelling between 4 and 8 hours a day. We wanted to experience part of America that we only heard about as a family. We prepared the best that we could. See what we could bring back. Travel isn’t easy these days and this is how and what we did and saw. It is an eye opener.
When you run a small business then you especially need to take a break. Take care of yourself, your family and experience this amazing country. It has taken over 10 years to head out on this trip because life got in the way. Will we get one next year, it is hard to say because there are plenty of business opportunities.
We are driving to recharge ourselves and explore a part of America that we have not seen. Our son wanted to drive, gas is expensive, and it is going to be amazing. Yes, we are going to the Grand Canyon. Protests are important however never forget what you are fighting for. On this weeks, Suzilla the importance of the Great American Road Trip.
America hates the middleman. As Insurance Agents, we get accused of being middleman by people not understanding roles and value in an attempt to save money. Even insurance companies flirt with the destruction of the agency force. Similarly, we see that coming to the office workers.
We have manufacturing laying off people and it won’t be from the floors. People working remotely and the struggle to return to the office. Michael Burry from the Big Short put out a warning to office workers. Is this a change in the big resignation? What are you doing to secure your income stream? On this week’s Suzilla. The White-Collar Ax is coming.
Being in insurance we follow the laws. Being in Health Insurance for the last decade it is unavoidable to not have to talk about the change of laws in the United States. We are big on providing people with as much access to healthcare and medical information as possible. We do this by inviting Planned Parenthood and other organizations that are information forward and inclusive. If you want to look at the direction one group is taking American then look at closely at Rick Scott's 12 Point Plan to Rescue America, The Texas Republican Platform and the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and hopefully more Americans will realize what is at stake. Everyone should be worried about the Justices that are fine with handing out political instead of just legal decisions.
Yes, Roe v Wade was overturned along with nearly 50 years of law. 22 states have already had in place restrictions and bans further dividing the nation. Hopefully, this is the opportunity that the majority of Americans will stand up and be heard because your Rights and America is at stake.
From Wenatchee’s Enrollment Center, Suzie Health Solutions. It’s a concept that we are working with from G.K. Chesterton. We have it in our industry, some insurance is better than no insurance. Brené Brown: “What's worth doing even if I fail?” It’s the journey and not the destination. In our quest for perfection, we often miss small joys or not go for something bigger. Today on Suzilla, If a thing is worth doing then it’s worth doing badly.
Should I stay or should I go now? If I stay, there will be trouble. If I go, there will be double.
Gas Prices. Inflation, Bull Markets, Stock Markets, What does it mean for following your dreams in 2022? Should I stick with a corporate job or do a start up?
Matt tends to find opportunities in areas that are not popular. We made the move into Insurance during a financial crash. He literally as left jobs during crashes to build out. Now he started building out again and happen to glance to his left and right and see the reasons that he is building again.
We are not financial advisors so if you don't have one then get one. This is a time that we are on the move making serious financial changes in our lives.
We have been doing insurance for more than a decade. We support our customers. If we just sold and not advised then we could not talk about the laws as insurance is a law driven industry. We would also be poor salesmen because our customers would be blind to changes in their insurance.
We have some trials going on tonight that has one news group scared that they will not be covering them on prime time. Should a business have a political sign? We are going to talk about the importance of talking politics. Whether it be at the dinner table, in a business, in public, etc.
Who wins when people don’t know what is occurring around them? How do we get better? WE are talking why it is important to talk politics on this week's Suzilla.
It takes two great skills on being a leader and a supporter. How do you take that great idea and bring it to the next level? How about your kid, how do you improve their chance for success? We have had a few launches over the years and have assisted with several other ventures. We are even preparing for the next big launch in Central Washington for insurance.
We are going to talk about the rainbow in the room. We have been supporting Gay rights over a decade as a business. Pride month is around the corner and Gay marriage rights was one of the first things that Matt had to come out of the closet about. You can be a business and a decent human being. We are going to talk about preparing for the Wenatchee Pride Festival which is coming up June 18th. We set up a custom site for the LGBTQ community with some bonus information. Finding a cause can be expensive however it is something that you should not ignore.
We ask about budget's alot and a surprising amount of people do not have one. It's critical because when selecting a health insurance plan if you can't pay for it then it makes no sense to recommend it.
Is your life being burnt up by how you are living it? Is everything a swipe right, flash of dopamine high? Are you able to budget, enjoy long term relationships? We watched a Simon Sinek interview talking about millennials and saw some very relevant trends with our self and business. Let’s talk about creating joy.
We are going to work on focusing more on the journey and the process in order to work on relationships and joy.
Howdy from Suzie Health Solutions, the full service enrollment center in Wenatchee, WA.
Suzie has returned from a massive insurance convention called Insurance Soup Live. It’s from an online group of 42,000 Insurance Agents. There was amazing speakers and a ton of information. Today we are going to talk about what she learned.
Some of the topics are: the rule of 72; The importance of Referral partners; Competence verses warmth; the importance of Automation; Search Engine Optimizations.
It was a ton of information packed into just two days with some of the industry leaders. It is important to do these quality events and have processes in place that you are not buried.
Thanks to Michael McCormick, Taylor Dobbie, Brian Blair, Ron Wadley, Matthew Hahn, CJ Hutsenpiller, Malia Rogers and all the good energy to put together an event like Soup Live!
After being our own boss for almost a decade by running an insurance agency. We are going to talk about Boss. Not just the stereotypes today, we are going to get into the past displays. Have you ever been asked who died and left you in charge and had an answer? How to never be in the “Joe or Jane is no longer employed by the corporation.” How to get affiliated with your emotional and financial wellbeing. We are going to get into being the Boss.
It has been almost 10 years since we started Suzie Health Solutions on the principles of helping others without charging a fee. Health Insurance was expensive, and we knew that it is confusing so we started. We didn’t start it to help friends and depending on time between ¼ and ½ we receive zero funds. It was a comment on our the Wenatchee Police Department's page that made us ask the hard question, what is going on? It has always been the right thing but have we drifted away from our local community with this ideal of helping others? On this week, doing the right thing, everything is about community.
It’s an everything insurance year and if you behaved in a responsible manner, then you might be experiencing some hesitancy.
Comfort & Safe are the sweetest traps. Build something that you don’t have to fight off aggressive people, deal with a pandemic, watch movies from 30 years ago and eat junk food. It’s good for a short time but It stunts growth. Let’s get in to reaching out and enabling others around you to grow and blossom with new things.
So here we go on this week’s Suzilla.
It is a collision of risk and opportunity that produces food on the table. When we are not doing our own small business then we have been assisting others with theirs. Yes, we risk helping others and make sure that the new business knows that they are valuable usually through payment, sometimes a positive review. There are traps such as college will increase your knowledge however debt can limit your opportunities for starting up. It is a lifestyle that becomes evident in the actions and language of people. It became clear when one candidate spoke. On today’s Suzilla Sparking business.
Today is a perfect day to talk about the Nocebo effect and toxic people. You are probably aware of Placebos. Something that is innocent however you think it will produce a positive result and it does. A Placebo effect can occur up to 60% of the time. The opposite is also true.
The Nocebo is something that you think will produce a negative result, so it does. What happens why your Uncle Fred is talking about businesses failing when he running a business? He starts to slide toward that negative result. Here is the thing, both are environmental and habitual, so we are talking about some in our lives and how to avoid them.
When you are a small business, you hear no all day long. We are going to get into identifying when you are in a Nocebo and what you can do.
To a family? Why would you separate to experience something different than you partner? There are trade offs in any business and mistakenly, travel is one that is tossed aside because of expense and not a quick reward. On today’s Suzilla, we are going to talk about the importance of travel for growth.
We have store and we work with products that have been around for years. The internet enabled us to be found by customers, offer different products, and even reach out and make new friends and business partners. It is one of the biggest drivers for new business. It is why we are excited to see non-business people see it as infrastructure. Today on Suzilla, we are going to have a quick look at the internet.
Time for a reality check, it’s being positive 24/7 is unreal and harmful. Not everything is going to be beer and skittles.
Yes, there are times that you are going to have to embrace the suck. However, we are talking about waking up and you know it is going to be a bad day.
It requires some acceptance, some coping, and preventative work. So we are going to talk about being OK with a Bad Day,
There are two places to run a business. When you walk into our office tell us what you see.
One is business model is creating a xerox of a previous business and day in day out repeat. The other is to fill it with outrageous joy. Both models can work however for us living with outrageous joy leads to things like spontaneous team building, romance, and passion. We are going to talk about these models.
Do you have a bucket list or do you have goals that you accomplish? Suzie is going to Flavortown with Insurance Soup in May. You can make little changes that have big impacts looking back.
This week on Suzilla.
We do a lot of innovation when it comes to our business. Suzie is getting ready to go to her first Insurance Group Convention because she is the best person to bring back new materials and attitude to our agency. We are using best to grow.
More commonly, being the best has a dark side. It can make you lazy and stifle innovation. It can also lead to being passed by your competition. We are going to talk about what you can do to stay on top when you get that best rating.
Let’s cover the best on this week’s Suzilla.
We can use less fraud. As insurance agents we literally take classes about ethics and fighting fraud on a regular basis. Do we need more people regularly trained in these types of materials?
We have had several big cases in our area about fraud. The Firefighters Seth Ellis & Josh Bollinger faking COVID cards with a Walgreens Pharmacist Geoff Reynolds. A nurse stapling Ivermectin paperwork to discharge paperwork, over the hill a DR Anna Elperin doing a faked up Covid exclusion mill and a cook over a Leavenworth Clinic producing misinformation around Covid.
Thankfully, we have had Reporters like Dominick Bonny and Tik Toker Danesh (@thatdanshguy) shinning a light at the worst behaviors. Hopefully more will join in exposing fraud in our area. If you find your group operating in an unethical manner, then change the group or leave it. Seriously, community is important.
Let’s cover fraud on this week’s Suzilla.
Special Enrollment. Everything has it limits. We completed our 9th offering Healthcare. It’s not different than other seasons, tax season, group insurance season, fishing season, strawberry season. It is why Health Enrollment runs from November 1 through December 15th and Medicare Enrollment runs from October 15th through December 7th. We are going to talk about exceptions that allow you to get coverage and reasons why there is such a thing. If you don't have insurance then now is the time to ask because you may qualify for a special enrollment.
Life is not a DIY experience. It takes a village....many hands makes for light work....no man is an island. Let's get over our fears and ask for help.
We look for experts around us to enrich our experience and add to our lives. At Suzie Health Solutions, we are experts in some things like insurance but other things we are not like taxes. How professionals save you money. What makes an expert? How do we find them and when should we seek them out? Is it OK to be the dumbest person in the room? This week on Suzilla.
For most people, buying something for your business or home has a process. Can I use it? Do I need it? Why do I want to buy it now? Can I put it off later for something else?
Sometimes you can’t, you can’t buy car insurance after your car has been in an accident. What if we have been trained to purchase things that favor the seller? How can I save money by buying things differently? How would I live better when the storm stopped the trucks, and the stores had no groceries?
We get into some of the strategies that we use in our business and home life that allows us to move forward.
When you run a business or do a startup there is a requirement of a vast collection of skills. You often only get these from hobbies and time.
You are not a robot so what do you do for fun? Do you remember recess as a kid? What would happen if you were an adult with recess? How do you enrich your life and add skills to yourself as an adult? The only wrong answer is planting yourself on the couch and plugging a old movie on like a substitute teacher is in charge of your life. So let’s get into it.
We have worked through plenty of holidays over the years. Running a small business, we have a choice of whether to be open or not to open. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Why personal choice matters when you are in charge.
Time to stop being Scrooge McDuck. There are perfectly good reasons to gift. In the insurance industry we are limited to what we can do for promotions. We have ours necked down to $50 per year for clients because of a contract. What do you give to your business partners? For people that are referring thousands of dollars of business to you? What kind of gifts do you give and how are they relevant?
Goals, Plans, Budgets, Quest are all maps to success. With insurance, we do a lot of planning for the next year right now.
They can be big of plans: We saw 14 Peaks last night on Netflix with Nimsdai Purja journey to summit all 14 of the Worlds tallest mountains in 7 months. They can be small like have the laundry done Friday so that the weekend you go hiking. They are important. As we finish up the year, it’s a good job to refresh and set new goals for the coming year as you gather with friends and family.
The big questions to be asking right now is where do you want to be in 2023 and what steps are you going to make to get there?
Warning, we make it a point to have fun during the holidays, spreading joy and merriment. What do the holiday’s look around your business? With this War on Christmas, what is safe? Do you say Merry Christmas? Happy Holidays? Happy New Years? There are so many choices what is the right one? From Black Friday through January, what are you doing?
There are options available don't be stuck by fear.
Inflation hit a 30 year high where consumer had more demand (and money) than goods so prices increased. The Fed tries to keep it around 2% with consumers finally having more money and supply chains struggling, this was not a surprise.
Unemployment is also at record lows (4.6 verse 6.9 last year). This is despite vaccine mandates and record numbers of resignations.
Remember the shrink ray and the stealthy reduction in product size? Well skimpflation is a service cutback that can cause consumer headaches like longer lines, fewer options and increased daily inconveniences. Not only does this impact us as consumers, it affects how we do our job because we are expected to do more with less.
Running a small insurance office is not always easy. Boundaries and expectations are important to success.
Is the customer always, right? What do you do with a coughing customer that refuses to mask up during the pandemic? Do your customers expect to call and text you at 11 PM? Is your workplace a group exercise with only a couple of key players doing the work? How are you setting expectations for not only customers but co-workers? How are boundaries and expectations communicated and reinforced? On today’s Suzilla…
We are talking about ethics today at Suzie Health Solutions. Because we are licensed insurance producers, we must take regular ethics courses and we wish that more professions did. This conversation was caused by Aaron Rodgers vaccination lies and some of the immoral justifications that we have heard. We are going to get into the ethics about lying in your personal life and business. Being ethical will improve your entire life. So if you are ready for a frank discussion then let’s begin with Suzilla.
At Suzie Health Solutions and four days into our ninth open enrollment. This is our second working with COVID. With the large discounts due to the American Rescue Plan and some special programs in Washington state for Health Insurance we are experiencing record levels of enrollment including brand new! If you have not priced a plan since June of this year then you really need to check it out.
Use one of the 11 enrollment centers located around the state or just set an appointment with us. Do not wait around.
Suzie Health Solutions has been around helping folks for years. Some we have promoted ourselves and some required other peoples promoting. We are going to have fun today.
If you have been around us for more than 10 minutes, then you learn that we promote ourselves. Our families wouldn’t. Our have bosses wouldn’t promoted us so we were left on our own devices. Can you figure out which one of us is extraverted? This is where you can spice up your life and have fun. We are going to talk about what now we are doing some tips for you to try to improve your life.
There are 11 enrollment centers in Washington state, and we are one of them located in Wenatchee. We literally get to see firsthand how public policy impacts a community when it comes to healthcare. We have worked through several ‘pilot programs.’ We have seen agencies shuffle off difficult people and we have seen companies play games at the expense of consumers. All this and more on this week’s Suzilla.
We answer a lot of questions at the Enrollment Center. Sometimes, we have to ask them as well.
You will not be able to get every insurance policy out there if you fail to meet underwriting. What is underwriting? What happens when you hear questions when you are doing a Health Insurance application? What about Medicare outside of your initial enrollment? A Long-term care policy or Life Insurance. There are products that you may not be able to get. What happens if you lie?
We move forward by being a little off balanced but what happens when you go too far? We see a lot of people stumbling through life at the enrollment center. Are you looking through Rose colored glasses? Does your life have to be arranged like your living in a sitcom or are you happier living in a crime scene? Why does the latest COVID public services sound happy? What happens when you talk to someone that is living in an off balanced manner? You know the folks that everything is too perfect or everything going wrong?
What are your goals and what are your children's goals and are you moving towards them or being swept away?
Suzie Health Solutions runs the Enrollment Center in Wenatchee, Washington and Dental is one of the biggest questions that we get.
Do I need it? What is our options in Washington State? What is the difference between Delta Dental, Delta Cares, Willamette, or one offered by a Health Insurance Company? What about Medicare and Dental? How does vision tie in?
We answer these and more on this week's episode of Suzilla.
We have seen this a lot as people have left their jobs this year and picked up insurance from us.
We talked about the changing job world back in April. With 11.5 million people quitting their jobs in April, May, June and ½ of people surveyed planning on retiring at 62 there is big changes in the job market place. Job Creators and the employed both have opportunities to improve their situations. Where do you want to be by 2022? Will your family be in a better place?
Suzie found on Sept 3, 2013 that she had posted that Matt was fighting ' a ton of confusion, misinformation and flat out lies floating around the Internet and through the Media and it is scaring folks.
Yes, the fight has never changed for some of us and we keep producing positive results for ourselves and our community. You can to you just have to decide to make a difference and listen to actual experts. Not everyone will stay will you but people will join in along the way.
We will always offer life insurance from our agency. If you haven’t stopped by our life exchange, then now is the time. If you are trying to get a Long Term Care Policy to beat the taxes in Washington then you are running out of time.
How is it priced? There are factors like age, health, term length, gender, and benefit amounts.
54% of American Adults have Life Insurance
27% of those have group coverage.
40% wish they purchased it younger
It becomes more expensive every year, so get one now.
It has been a busy couple of months around Suzie Health Solutions. Between ending an enrollment period for health insurance, a quick vacation, the school year started. When you have a small business then you can reclaim time and dedicate it to the family. Freedom is important to us. It takes planning however this is how we did it all with dealing with COVID. You have to decide what your values are.
Do you value money or do you value family? How are those reflected in your actions?
As one of the 11 Enrollment Centers, we have seen a lot of enrollments since March of 2020. Healthcare and Medicare can be tricky and we do what we can to make it simple and usable.
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we had an extended healthcare enrollment. It ran from February 15th through August 15th. We run 1 of the 11 enrollment centers in Washington State. Did people enroll in healthcare? What did people find? What does a plan cost after the big change?
October 15th Medicare Annual Enrollment Period starts for plans that start in 2022.
November 1st Healthcare Open Enrollment begins for plans that start in 2022.
Yes, we have been taking appointments for a few months.
Suzie Health Solutions is an Enrollment Center for the Washington Healthplanfinder. Where we assist everyone walk in our door with healthcare and other insurance plans. We don’t charge fees so we are going to answer the questions on how we get paid. If you have ever wondered what it is like to run an small business then you will want to listen in.
We are essential workers helping enroll people into healthcare all through last year and up to August 15. It's time to talk about delta, lambda, covid passports to Canada and employers. Yes, after all the lotteries and freedoms it is time to hand the country over to the adults in the room and finish it. Being a small business, we don't want to go through masks again without support from law enforcement. We want passports from the Government to make it easy. It is time to move on with actions and not just words.
We help people out of Suzie Health Solutions. Is there any wonder that we would talk about virtues?
Old school is often the best school. The Seven Virtues of Bushido are truly relevant today. One of the biggest tasks for the samurai in Japanese culture was not just fighting, it was teaching. Well, there is a lot of battles going on today, so what can we learn from history?
Attitude is important. A.B.C.
Suzilla, Suzie Health Solutions, Enrollment Center. If you want back up in the insurance side, then look at www.wahbroker.org.
Life is a big game and there are two distinct ways to approach it. As a small business owner, we have put one foot forward to play to win. We risk by doing something different for different results. We are going to apply this to other areas.
At Suzie Health Solutions, we are the enrollment center located in Wenatchee, WA. We get asked a lot of insurance questions. If you have not heard. Long term care in Washington State is changing this year. There are W2 employees will be looking at a new tax come January for something they might not be able to use or want.
Suzie Health Solutions is a local center with the Washington Healthplanfinder. We have been helping folks enroll. Today we are going to talk about stimulating the economy with the given tools. The American Rescue Act provides a solid roadmap to increase wealth and services in our local economy.
Hello from the Wenatchee Enrollment Center. The preliminary rate changes for 2022 are in. Now is the time to act. We talk about the first look from one of the most expensive parts of the state Chelan County. In our blog, we get into more detail on how to lower the cost of your health insurance.
If you haven't priced your health insurance after May 6th then now is your time.
Always
Be
Cheering/Coaching
Running the Enrollment Center (www.wahbroker.org) , we meet a ton of small businesses. One thing is for certain is that more folks need to be cheering or if they can lend a hand coaching. Suzie calls them “projects”.
I ran into one this week that a decade ago I got money into his hand for school because I wanted to build a business with him. We went our separate ways but he wanted to repay me.
Like and share Suzilla
Service is a question that every business owner must answer consistently. If you do not then you will be losing money and out of business. Here are the four questions of service:
- Who are your customers?
- What will you do so that they will get the product?
- How do you follow up?
- How do you improve?
We have been running Suzie Health Solutions for the last six years in Wenatchee assisting with everyone that walks through our door regardless of income without charging a fee. Our website is at: www.wahbroker.org
At the Wenatchee Enrollment Center, Suzie and Matt have a special guest.
CEO of Coordinated Care, Beth Johnson and us talk about the impact that the American Rescue Plan is having and there are some sneak peeks of things to come in Washington State Healthcare.
If you have bought a plan off the Washington Healthplanfinder or might in the near future then this is an episode to listen to.
As the Enrollment Center in Wenatchee, WA, we have to communicate a lot in a variety of ways to get important information out. The better that we communicate, the healthier our business becomes.
We are in the age of communication. There are thousands of messages coming at us every day. In that storm of information are you being heard? As a businessperson, I can see results by a purchase as a parent, I can see results by picking up socks off the living room floor. Do your partners send out scary letters? We are going to talk about communication because it is a critical tool in improving your life both personal and professional.
When you run a small business and have helped hundreds escape corporate, you know a few things. 2021 is bring massive change in careers for large groups of Americans. Either from a direct layoff from COVID or looking at what job that they had during the lockdowns and wanting more. You Only Live Once and when looking at side hustles and the wild ride of dogecoin this is a great time to look for greener pastures. We are going to look at the reasons, the assets and the opportunities that exist right now. With 1 in 4 workers looking at jumping ship, this is the time to support some dreams.
We do Insurance so our business for a decade has been one of understanding problems and have a solution when they occur. Self Care is an important part of life when you want a long and happy life.
If one thing this pandemic has taught us is that a large portion of Americans are horrible about taking care of themselves. As a business owner and parent, we do our best to overcome some seriously self-destructive cycles. Self-Care is more folding laundry and oil changes than retail therapy and spa days so lets have the discussion, today on Suzilla.
As Customers and running the Enrollment Center in Wenatchee ( https://www.wahbroker.org/ ) , we see a forest of scary letters. Here are some tips after 8 years and training and working with the scary letters from the Washington Healthplanfinder.
- Open your mail.
- If you do not understand what it is saying, then call us.
They are required by law to send out certain documents so at times it can seem like a lot however we will go over some basic ones that are hot right now.
At Suzie Health Solutions we have danced around the American Rescue Act for a few weeks and here is what we know. While everyone has been looking at the $1400 check, there is a whole lot more money with the American Rescue Plan. Let’s talk real money like no cost Cobra or if you have a week of unemployment being eligible for platinum level plans for pocket change. When will we see the Big Change in Washington State and what you should be doing right now.
We started ours last week and according to the most recent study we will be looking at 80% protected in another week. It’s important as we continue to assist people with enrolling in healthcare. https://www.wahbroker.org/ So what does it mean?
- Catching COVID?
- What your workplace can look like?
- Why it is important to keep masked until the CDC gives the all clear.
At over a year in let’s cross the finish line together.
Like and share.
Who is ready for a vacation? After nearly a year just about everyone is chomping at the bit to pitch the mask, fling open the doors and run to the hills. Let us take care of business so we don’t get another time out.
- File your taxes. (May 17th) Find an local expert.
- Get Vaccinated (April 15th everyone over 16). https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/
- Get Health Insurance https://www.wahbroker.org/
- If you are going International, then get your passport. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html
We are small business and masking up and getting vaccinated to reduce the spread is critical.
At nearly a decade of running a insurance office and embracing the hustle. We can see a lot of lip service of supporting small business but how much are you really? Is your business space set up to embrace small business or is it a hard “no solicitors” at the doorway? How much of your household income is spent on one or two person operations located a few minutes from your doorstep? When someone offers you something do you say yes?
There has been 500+ hate crimes targeted at Asian People this year alone. In Atlanta eight people killed with six of them Asian-American women. It was a son of a pastor. A local Sheriff who stated, “Yesterday was a really bad day for him.”, made money on selling Asian Hate shirts with Facebook ads. A former president promoted that hatred for a year, but the tragedy is much older.
San Francisco, CA; Pendleton, OR; Tacoma; WA have tragic pasts
Executive Order 9066 and the Internment Camps of American Citizens from 1942 to 1945.
President Biden signed an Executive order by in January denouncing anti-American discrimination. With the violence deeply rooted in American History, it is going to require effort and change to think beyond stereotypes.
The Covid update for Central Washington.
- Special Enrollment for Healthcare right now until May 15th
- Outreach is important.
- Share Ricki Lake video at: https://fb.watch/429Uzio-BY/
- Vaccine schedule update:
- Use the bot at: https://m.me/InsuranceWenatchee?ref=covid
- A common talking point that is beating out common sense.
Special Enrollment in Washington state. – 1700 enrollments the first 9 days. We are seeing folks explore multiple sites and need assistance. Use one of the 11 enrollment sites around the state.
It has been our experience that everyone should have a policy outside of work. Matt had his first run in with the benefits of life insurance in his 20s when his father died. Suzie made it to her 30s. All deaths are premature. We get into the terminology, agent shopping and basics surrounding life insurance.
If you want more information then be sure to look at our website at: https://www.wahbroker.org/
Matt & Suzie McColm run Suzie Health Solutions which is the Full Service Enrollment Center in Wenatchee with the Washington Healthplanfinder. We have been helping people for the last 8 years answering insurance questions with out charging fees.
Today’s episode is going to be Old School Solutions for New World problems.
- Using experts.
- Yellow pages more than just the big yellow book.
- Life Insurance for more than just dying.
- Wrist Watch for more than telling time.
- Bear on Air for Radio station when local news doesn’t promote.
- Health Insurance for more than accidents and sickness. Meals, phones, rebate programs for doing healthy behavior.
- Hardwood floors for germ virus reduction. Get a robot vacuum.
- Cauliflower is a super power.
Suzie and Matt McColm run Suzie Health Solutions in Wenatchee. In addition to being a family run business, it is a full-service enrollment center for the Washington Healthplanfinder. We built a business about working through problems and into the future.
Valentine’s edition. We are talking about relationships. They are important in business and at home. How do you build to last?
- Do things together.
- Set goals together.
- Don’t let the little things get you down. Not everything is a transaction.
- Take time to celebrate.
We get into the nitty gritty of things as personal and business relationships have many things in common.
It’s Suzie Health Solutions, the Washington Healthplanfinder Enrollment Center located in Wenatchee. We are one of 11 centers spread through the state that help people enroll and understand health insurance for no added fees.
The typical special enrollments are documented within 60 days of event.
- You lose coverage from an Employer.
- You had coverage and move to a new area.
- You had coverage and get married.
- You gave birth or adopted a child.
- You had a low enough income that you qualify Apple Health.
- You are affiliated with a Native American tribe.
Then there are Special circumstances. Our first special circumstance is Covid-19. We will be able to process people seeking coverage February 15th through May 15th. This includes people that have no coverage, coverage like a healthshare, and COBRA.
We did this for most of last year and the process is simple.
- We process the application.
- We submit a work ticket which takes one to two days to process.
- When the Healthplanfinder approves then you have 60 days to approve the plan.
- Wait for about a week then call in and make your first premium payment to bind the coverage if payment is necessary.
I say payment is necessary because not every plan that we do costs money out of pocket. Last fall there was an estimated four million people out there that qualified for a Bronze plan at zero cost. We also help with a lot of Apple Health and some Medicare Advantage plans are zero out of pocket.
If you have healthcare then you have to be aware of your network. Will your plan cover you in the next county, next state or outside of the country? How do you fill in the gaps? We have been doing that for the last 8 years (7 for Suzie).
Who makes these network decisions and drives up costs? We get into some of the mechanics of cost.
As Suzie Health Solutions, we have been working on Health Insurance, Medicare, and travel insurance for a couple of years. We wrote our first travel policy in almost a year last week so we know that there is going to be a demand to cover narrow networks in 2021.
Suzie and Matt, who run Suzie Health Solutions talk about plans moving forward.
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The importance of life insurance. Get a term policy if you haven't.
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The importance of local media including social media for 2021.
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The importance of local artists when possible.
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Heads up on building local businesses and support networks.
We made it through 2020 and still managed to grow because of long term planning. We will continue to apply long term planning in 2021 to create a better year and years moving forward.
Despite 2020 being a tough year, Suzie Health Solutions grew another 25% to 30%. How did we do it and what are we going to do to have a similar growth in 2021? Our experiences is telling us that growth for 2021 is more than possible if you are flexible.
From Washington State providing Open Healthcare Enrollment until January 15th, 2021, there are still gifts to be had. It has been a struggle, from masks to disinfectant, to toilet paper shortages and curbside pickups . There are gifts to be had.
If you need help with Health Insurance in Washington State then let us know. https://www.wahbroker.org/
We run a Full Service Enrollment Center with the Washington Healthplanfinder. We are seeing some basic questions about the 10 essential health benefits, is this government or private run, what is a broker, etc. We get into the nuts and bolts and break it down as simply as possible if you have any questions then please contact us and we will do our best to answer them at Suzie Health Solutions.
In Washington state we have open enrollment from November 1 through December 15th for plans that start January 1,2021.
with a bonus of December 16th through January 15th for plans that start February 1, 2021.
Are you stuck? Your business stuck in COVID-19 lock down? You create opportunity by actions. This episode came out thanks to a few people talking about our Black Friday Special at Suzie Health Solutions. How powerful is it that we are the only Insurance business open to talk about Healthcare and Medicare at 4 AM on Black Friday? Do we get a ton of customers? Not always. Does it set us apart and allow us to have fun decorating the office? Absolutely.
This is Suzie Health Solutions eighth open enrollment helping people without adding fees. We have seen a lot some good some bad. It's time to share.
With 31 plans and 3 insurance companies this is the time to shop. What is the best plan for me and my family? Should I pay this guy $25 and have him tell me what the best plan is? What is the fastest way to navigate the pitfalls of healthcare?
A gold plan is not always the best plan. Can a healthcare plan come from a recognized company and still be lousy? Where does marketing play out?
It is a great lesson to look at not only healthcare but how you develop business plans. Everyone wants to be the “Cadillac” company however I can be very happy with a Ford or Chevy level of success.
We run the local enrollment center for Healthcare and we are seeing a flood of folks attempting to pull consumers to supporting alien businesses. For example, one was talking about 'healthplans for Hoosers' and another was out of Tacoma. While I commend their effort as businesspeople, I am also going to call them out for taking money out of our communities.
Do bussiness when you can with people that you can encounter in the wild. The ones that shop in the same stores and have kids in the same schools. It's how you keep your community strong and vibrant.
Once money leaves the community then resources leave the community. How do we keep our communities healthy and robust? It's where we spend our dollars. While we may have to remain socially distant do not make it permanent by using out of area businesses.
These are the three things that I have done during Covid, my career and my life.
Every year we cast our ballots. Since we work with healthcare in a heavily regulated industry. We study the issues, talk with legislatures and we vote. In Washington state, we mail in our ballots and have an easy way to check our ballot status. If you are not talking politics at the table then you are often the meal. It is important as it shapes our nation and our communities on a larger scale.
The Second thing to improve is build your support network. Are the people around you building you up or tearing your down? Does everyone think the same, wear the same hat or can they provide additional view points? What are you doing to support the people around you? Do not confuse being mean with being tough.
The Third thing to work on is personal development. Can you move or throw a punch? Do you move with confidence? What happens when things start moving out of control? Improve your physical condition so that you have the ablity to move better than you did before.
If you focus on these three things then you will leave the world better than you found it.
After nearly 10 years of writing insurance, with nearly 8 with Suzie Health Solutions. We took the time out from working with Health insurance and Medicare to talk with our peers. If you dont' have a website and a social media experence then you should be getting one.
We get into different platforms and marketing. If you have a franchise is someone doing some lifting for your brand? If you are doing unique then tell your story.
Yes, the entire office smells like Pumpkin Spice.
Do I need to renew my Medicare Plan? When can I make changes? Now is the time to ask these questions.
From Oct 15th through December 7th is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. You do not have to make changes to your plan during this time. However, you can and should review what you have and any updates to your healthcare plan. Here are some important things to understand....
Blog post with important links: https://affordablecareandyou.blogspot.com/2020/10/do-i-need-to-renew-my-medicare-plan.html
Suzie Medicare Robot: https://m.me/InsuranceWenatchee?ref=Medicare
Last night's debate one of the Candidates made the claim that he had made Insulin as cheap as water. Unfortunately, it is still running about $300. Check out our earlier episode for the details on Cheap Insulin.
However there are some major changes in Washington State for Healthcare.
This is the year that you want to review advantage plans or health plans because of the changes.
Medicare you can enroll or make changes from Oct 15th through Dec 7th for plans that start Jan 1, 2021.
Healthcare you can enroll or make changes from Nov 1st through Dec 15th for plans that start Jan 1, 2021.
Grab an appointment today as it is a big year.
You can also find Suzie Health Solutions on Facebook and on the web.
We have done better during this crisis than 2009 and 2001.
Insurance is literally planning for future events. It is flexibility to when life happens. We do health and life so we have a little insight into thinking in this manner. A person can be early, on time or late.
Flexibility is your ability to deal with the situation and adapt your plans to it. You can plan really well. You can be really flexible, or you can do a combination to keep your family moving forward.
We are going to talk about examples and feel free to ask.
Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming.
How you get rid of it is more businesses and public figures that are doing positive things.
The start is the most terrifying aspect of anything. You have to be brave and a little foolhardy to start a business that can fail. It is the jumping off the cliff and learning to fly. Not everyone can do it and so we encourage dreams around us with the two nickels that we have.
If you want to do it then the answer to every question is yes.
It takes all parties acceptance.
People can be happy in their little bubble.
So what we are working on today. If you want to donate to a start up Central Washington Radio station then here.
Suzie Health Solutions assists people to enroll and be educated about healthcare. As a husband and wife team for the last seven years, we have a different look at this ironic joke.
The ironic joke is two people back to back. One asks the other, “What is the difference between assertive and aggressive?” The other person replies, “gender”. This has weighed on Matt’s mind for a few days.
It can be very true socially however you can remove this irony from your life. It is a very square peg in round hole situation. It also occurs in the workplace. How do you become a better you?
Do you feel it is important to treat all people like people? As a business owner this comes up more than I expected over the last decade. So when one of my friends that runs a barber shop asked about HR 5: Equality Act, I had to have a deeper discussion. Representative John Lewis spoke about the importance of the Equality Act passing. What does it mean when as a business owner that your support Black Lives Matter, Pride, Farm Worker's right, Pride, or just civil rights?
Suzie Health Solutions has been working on healthcare since 2013. We have been helping people enroll into healthcare when they lose their job. We have never charged a fee. We are literally the front line of the economy and healthcare.
I have friends praying on ending the partisanship of America. While COVID-19 is tearing into our Healthcare system and economy, we are having a serious problem dealing with it because of fighting. Our government is dysfunctional. How do we get out? How do we stay safe? How do we share information responsibly? What can we do to improve our community?
Suzie and Matt from Suzie Health Solutions,. We are getting ready to send our little dude to school and started looking what is going on. I did a little digging for our blog. What are the leaders doing? How is COVID effecting the kids? Where can our kids go to school and what will it look like? Just how important are masks and getting our infection rates down.
If you need a mask and are in the area of Wenatchee then stop by our office as we are giving away reusable masks until they are gone.
Suzilla is done by Suzie and Matt McColm. We run Suzie Health Solutions which helps people with healthcare with out charging fees in Washington State.
When you do sales and services for a large corporation there is an ugly possibility that they will attempt to erase you. You are expected to come in and develop relationships and meaningful friendships. You come into the conference room greeted by executives, turn in your cell phone if you have one, and they hand you a box for your years of stuff. Sometimes they will twist the knife and say, “Nothing personal just business.” They then remove all reference that you ever existed with the corporation. The experience sucks but it doesn’t have to be that way.
- Matt Banta/RR Donely. I had other project manager’s clients walk in and when they were introduced to me would use me for the model of service that they wanted.
- Never use company provided software/ equipment.
- Your client database where does it go if you turn in your phone or cut off proprietary software.
- Social Media, Would it hurt if you lost all of your followers? It should.
- You are a professional so act like it.
- Non Compete in Washington state
- Employee more than $100K
- Contractor more than $250K
- Must be paid to be enforceable not more than 18 months.
Hey, it's Matt & Suzie from Suzie Health Solutions. We are getting real today thanks to a conversation on Facebook. Stop in, we are giving out masks.
Here it is the financial storm.
- We entered the recession in February officially.
- COVID-19 shutdown saved 370K lives
- What’s next?
An Argument for New Zealand.
They did 4 weeks 80% of income, no rent for 3 months and quarantine the country with little or no infection.
House passed Heroes Act back in May 15th. And the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020. The Republicans are doing a wait and see. Rumors of maybe another check. We are seeing infections rise and our local hospital has 4 spaces left for COVID patients. We can not count on the Federal government because of the Republican inaction.
Masks & mental health
- NCW Crisis line run by beacon health options 800-852-2923
- National Suicide Helpline 1-800-273-8255
- Veterans Crisis line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Treat masks like t shirts. Find something interesting and reflects your personality.
Businesses are going to fail. 1/3 of households missed July housing payments. Extra relief end of month along with rent relief. 388K unemployed or 9.8%.
You can do everything right and a your business will fail. If you are using the same model as 8 months ago then very good chance that it will fail. If you were weak going into this thing then it could fail. This is the time to get creative. If you need help then let us know or stop in and we will do our best.
Hey Suzie and Matt from Suzie Health Solutions. The office of the Insurance Commissioner has offered a first look at what the prices will be for 2021 and we are talking about them.
Preliminary Washington Healthcare rates for 2021! Where do I complain: https://fortress.wa.gov/oic/consumertoolkitrt/Search.aspx
If you want help then let us know early. Oct 15th Enroll in Medicare plans and Nov 1st into Healthcare. https://calendly.com/suziehealth
Why should I care about CascadeCare? https://www.wahbexchange.org/about-the-exchange/cascade-care-2021-implementation/
Why should I be paying attention to OIC press releases. https://www.insurance.wa.gov/news?year=2020
The two things that you can do:
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Tell the insurance companies how to improve their plan. We are focusing on customer service this year and making sure that the companies include commissions.
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Talk with your state Representative for Healthcare. Reinsurance. https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/
Matt and Suzie with Suzie Health Solutions talk about cheap Insulin. The big news announced Tuesday was the $35 insulin a month for Medicare. What is this going to look like with the plans available this Fall during Enrollment (Oct 15th through Dec 7th)? Will it impact every plan?
What about the plans for everyone else? How did Washington State change the price of Insulin for 2021. The open Enrollment period for those is Nov 1 through Dec 15th.
What about Walmart Insulin? How dangerous is it? Always work with your doctor for health issues.
What about Canadian Insulin?
Thank goodness for the Affordable Care Act for creating an opportunity for the $35 insulin. It may go away if the Administration gets the judgement that the ACA is unconstitutional which is still a possibility.
It's my Birthday. What do special events look as a small business owner? How long did it take? It isn't always about eating cake but hey sometimes we have to.
When you get a chance check and see if someone has filed a unemployment claim using your name in Washington State. There is an estimated $1.4 million going out a week in fraudulent claims. Do your part and make sure someone is not ripping off the state.
We thank everyone for helping us with the struggle to get where we are with our long term goals. We look forward to what we will do in the future.
We have been doing contact tracing for years, most of us don't know it. We swipe our cards, drive by traffic cameras, like pages on facebook, use cell phones. What does it mean if we have to provide information to eat at Restaurants to dine in? How is it like Product Recalls?
Matt and Suzie's webpage can be found at www.wahbroker.org .We run our small insurance business out of Wenatchee, WA.
We are in Washington State, we do our best to make healthcare simple for our customers. You can find Suzie Health Solutions running the Full Service Enrollment Center for the Washington Healthplanfinder. It is complicated that we always recommend selecting a no charge broker and navigator.
This information changes rapidly so stay tuned either with our Podcast or Facebook Page. We enroll and assist people all year round with Healthcare, Medicare, Supplemental and Life Insurance plans.
The Army will not take people that have been infected by Covid 19.
There are several ways to look at this. One is they don't want damaged goods. The second is opportunities are temporary. How do you take your experiences and capitalize upon it? Mastering timing is a skill that will get you a head. Say a phrase at the right time and you can make someone laugh. Say the same phrase at the wrong time and it can get you in a whole lot of trouble.
In Self Defense, we call it situational awareness. Do you have situational awareness for your career? How about an emergency? How about your relationships?
About Suzilla podcast: If you like what you hear then be sure to like and share as it helps others find us. Suzie and Matt run Suzie Health Solutions in North Central Washington. We help people navigate through their healthcare, medicare and Life insurance choices. You can find out more about them at their website: https://www.wahbroker.org/ or facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceWenatchee/
If you want to see a life insurance quote then be sure to check out our Robot at: https://m.me/InsuranceWenatchee?ref=life1
Hey, it's Suzie and Matt talking about being creative today. If you have any questions then don't hesitate to contact us.
When Matt was in the Service, it was called adapting and overcoming the situation. We have faced a lot of situations over the years building the business. From an agency going down to Covid 19 today, we look for the place that we can be successful for the people around us.
We do it by fostering a positive environment for creativity. We talked about working for other people and when you didn't have the freedom to be creative. There is also some great examples when creativity goes sideways and a person starts selling snake oil.
Small business is the backbone of America. We do our best to foster it around us because it is another persons' dream. While this is a tough time, it is even tougher if you can't out think the limitations and prepare for the next moment.
We invited our teen age son to talk about Covid 19 and the fear around it. Are you living in fear if you follow the stay at home guidelines or are you being smart? When we talk about rights what happens to responsibilities? What is the worst that can happen if you decide to go to a rally and shake everyone's hand? What role does the media and our political leaders play?
Suzie and Matt run the Suzie Health Solutions Enrollment Center. We have seen all levels of healthy and unhealthy behavior about the virus. Where do you and your family stand?
There was a bunch a protests the stay at home orders. What is causing them? Who is saying what and why? What did the Small Business Loans have to do with creating the demand to reopen early? What are we risking? Matt and Suzie talk about what they have seen and answer the questions that their clients have asked.
If you want to ask us a question then find us on our Facebook page. Our business page is www.wahbroker.org. We regularly help people figure out the healthcare but since healthcare is so encompassing, we drift into other lanes.
Covid 19 really pressed this question for a lot of folks. We have the luxury to do both. We work with the Insurance World. We don't ship product around the world so it would be relatively easy to operate everything remotely. There are pros and cons to both. Do you have an experience with working from home during this pandemic?
Hey did you know that if you lose health insurance that you can get it? The Washington Healthplanfinder is running a Special Enrollment until May 8th because of Covid 19. We recommend using an enrollment center. We are in Wenatchee and can be found at www.wahbroker.org.
There are nine states that have done special enrollments. It will probably take an act of Congress to open Healthcare.gov to declare it. If you have a qualified healthplan then you are covered. The care for treating Covid 19 is expensive so get something with an Out of pocket maximum. There are a lot of assumptions so please ask questions.
If you have any questions then don't hesitate.
Suzie and Matt help run Wenatchee's full service enrollment center for the Washington Healthplanfinder. Our homepage is www.wahbroker.org We have been helping people navigate through healthcare and insurance for years. Matt came started with homes and autos before a customer drafted him for health. Suzie came in from a Pharmacy Tech and started helping with Medicare. Their Mom and pop operation is called Suzie Health Solutions. If you want help from someone that doesn't charge a fee then come talk to us.
Today, we are talking about Healthshares or Health Ministries. There are a lot of rumors about these non-insurance options. We get a fair amount of people coming back to a qualified plan. When you have a qualified plan then there are important things:
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Covid 19 testing is at zero cost.
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You have an out of pocket maximum.
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There are often services that occur prior to a deductible.
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They handle preexisiting conditions.
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You can do both a Healthshare and a qualified plan.
Look up your resources. You can always look up legitimate people and businesses at the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. This is especially important if you are working with people that you do not know, can not visit their office, or phoned you up out of the blue to talk about healthcare. Some of the Healthshares that we are talking about have been kicked out of the state and fined serious money for not doing what they said they were going to do.