Life Study: July 2013

3 Ways Your Health Insurance Company Is Scamming You

The growing number of consumers taking up health insurance plans has led to the mushrooming of scam health insurance providers. These providers often target new retirees and the elderly individuals and small-business owners, who can't negotiate better rates with legitimate insurers. Be very cautious before you invest in any health policy. Read on to get an idea about 3 ways in which your health insurance company can scam you.

1.    Failure to pay claims

Usually fraud health insurance agents sign up a huge number of people quickly by offering them lucrative deals. These insurance providers keep paying small premium amounts and medical claims, but if there is a substantial claim amount or regulators catch them, these illegal companies vanish as if they never existed.

So, just beware if you are getting delayed payments or your service provider is offering fake excuses for the failure to make the payments. If you have signed up for these illegal plans, you may be liable for the medical bills of your employees as well.

2.    Non-licensed health plans

If the company from which you have bought your health care policy is not licensed by State Insurance Commissioner, you can be in trouble. If all the protections of insurance regulation do not apply on your service provider, then the company may be phony. In this case your service provider is scamming you by selling non-licensed health plans.

Insurance agents are not allowed to sell any legitimate ERISA or union plan as federal law governs them. So, if your insurance agent tries to dupe you by selling an “ERISA” or “union” plan, report them to your state insurance department.

3.    Unusual coverage offered at lower rates

If you are offered an unusual coverage irrespective of your health condition and that too at lower rate and much more benefits in comparison to other insurers, its time for you too hit the panic button. Do not get fooled by the lucrative offer, else you can be taken for a ride. The ‘scamsters’ aim to collect huge amounts as early as possible so, they try to sell maximum number of policies at attractive prices.

A Brief Review on Study in Canada and the Future Prospects

Acquiring a degree from abroad is like having an opportunity to discover new avenues of facing challenges in our life. Everyone dreams to have good exposure in their life for career advancement. And your every dream comes true here with Canada universities. Around 1,30,000 students from all parts of the world enroll every year in some of the best universities in this country for higher studies.
Although Canada is located in the north part of USA, people from most of the countries possess a little knowledge about the Canadian universities and colleges. But we can not discard some of the world leading universities of Canada which contribute to the best teaching and learning process, research and cultural development. There are 92 universities and 175 Community colleges in the country such as University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McGill University and University of British Columbia. These Canada universities have raised the standard of higher education by creating a sense of competitiveness among the higher educational institutes.
Higher study in Canada is considered comparatively peaceful, orderly and secure. Here crime activities and other firearms are strictly controlled and primarily prohibited by the authority.
One of the specialties of Canadian universities and institutions is that the entire diploma and degree certificates are equivalent to the certificates of USA, UK and also recognized all over the world. The employment opportunity in Canada is also good. A foreign student can be able to find a part-time job in the Canadian job market while studying. The work experience at the time of study has become an essential part of the curriculum in all Canadian universities.
The cost of living and tuition fees are less than the American colleges and universities. The average cost charged by the Canadian universities for a foreign student in an undergraduate program is C$12,000-15,000 per one school year that is 8 months. For foreign students the tution fee is higher than the residents of Canada. But if a student has dual citizenship of the USA and France, he can get a bargain. He could be able to study in a premier institution like McGill University at the same tuition fee level as Quebec residents at only C$4,000 per year excluding living expenses.
It is fact that an international student needs student visa for study abroad. For a student visa Canada, the embassy requires related documents like the country of your origin, the type and length of your course etc. To continue your study in Canada, you need a temporary student visa and study permit. Those who are Quebec-bound students, they need to produce a CAQ or Quebec Application Certificate. For any course which is six months or less, study permit is not necessary. But if you have opted for a 6-month or less duration course and want to continue with another program, you have to apply for a study permit. After getting a valid study permit, you can continue your study or have to leave Canada.
A student scholarship abroad can immensely reduce the cost of tution fee and the Canadian universities are not an exception. A student can get academic scholarship if he has scored around 90% to 95% marks. Based on some criteria such as community involvement, leadership qualities, and innovative skills, a student can also get merit scholarship. In addition, students get an exciting experience at Canadian universities that they can never forget in their life.

Our Small Group Study Guide

Our small group or what we call "Koinonia" is blessed to have studied three of Bill Hybels' Bible Study Series. We are truly amazed on how God has used these studies to edify us. During each phase of our study, our group progressively understood that the Christian Community is not just a mere group who study God's word, but rather it exists to cater to the deeper needs of each members. We are constantly challenged to be confident to share and open up with our brethren in this small group regarding our spiritual experiences and God's personal dealings in our lives. Our relationship deepened as we learn to love and accept each one's shortcomings as we walk closely with God.
These Bible Study Series focus on the foundations of the Christians' relationship with God in the context of community. The lessons move around the roles and disciplines of the Christian Community towards God and men. You will be given guided questions which can stimulate group discussions throughout the lessons and through these, individual life examples can be easily merged to a common conclusion. We are not only motivated to share our own thoughts and convictions on the topic but, are also blessed to hear each other's own shares of life experiences with God. Illustrations are also available and are easy to relate to practical applications. Furthermore, guide answers for each questions are available at the back of the books for additional insights from the author.
Here is an overview of what each lessons offer:
Making the connection This portion will give the group a slight preview of the topic to be discussed. It will give everyone a feel of what to expect when the lesson ends. It also serves as an icebreaker to create a more ease atmosphere.
Known and Being Known This makes up most of the discussion. This is where the guided questions together with the text references are outlined.
Celebrating and Being Celebrated This will encourage everyone to share life stories of triumphs and victories that are related to the topic.
Serving and Being Served A portion where you remember and pray for those people who have encouraged and touched you in a specific aspect of your life.
Loving and Being Loved A constant reminder after each topic of the love we give and we received from the Father and the people He has been using in our lives.