On February 9, the City of Portland tested for the first time a federal system called Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), warning residents to remain indoors and avoid traveling due to icy conditions. Cell phone customers with WEA-capable mobile devices received what looked like a text message that was accompanied by a unique attention signal and…
When you are on Medicare or Medicaid, getting a personal injury settlement can look a little different than if you have private-pay insurance. It’s something known as the Medicare Secondary Payer process, which means that when you win a settlement for an injury, you become the primary payer and Medicare becomes the secondary payer. Federal law mandates…
Many people have questions about the new health care law and how it will affect their lives. What many people don’t know is that the Affordable Care Act doesn’t take effect all at once. It’s an 11-year plan that has different elements that activate each year to give businesses and individuals time to adjust to…
Oregon consumers have been victimized by insurers for too long. Why? Oregon’s Insurance regulations and laws have no teeth. Oregon needs a law that will punish insurers who delay, ignore or wrongfully deny claims made by their own customers. Insurance is about trust. You paid premiums TRUSTING that when a viable claim occurs, the insurer…
Due to a special waiver from the federal government, Oregonians who have already been screened through other services for their children are eligible for fast-track enrollment in the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid), and only need to send back a completed “fast-track” form to enroll in coverage. Fast-track enrollment is available to Oregonians who meet income…
The long-term success of president Obama’s Affordable Care Act will depend not on those who need healthcare the most, but on those who need it the least: young people. The plan will work as envisioned only if millions of healthy people join and offset bills incurred by sicker ones, who cannot be turned away. Health…
Officer: So how did the accident happen? Distracted Driver: I don’t really know. Officer: Where you on your mobile phone? Distracted Driver: No Officer: May I see your drivers’ license? Distracted Driver: Yes Sir. Officer: Proof of insurance? Distracted Driver: Here you go. Officer: Now, please give me your mobile phone? Distracted Driver? Excuse me?…
Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense, considered a Class A misdemeanor crime. In 2011, 9,878 people in the US died in drunk driving crashes – one every 53 minutes. What Are the Penalties for DUII In Oregon, if you are pulled over with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or greater (lower for…
Pedestrian mobile phone use can be as dangerous as cell phone use while driving. While the dangers of using a cell phone while driving have received attention over the past several years, the risks associated with distracted walking can be just as serious. In collisions with cars, pedestrians are always the losers. Studies show that…
The US Department of Transportation announced that the government will issue a report in February on vehicle to vehicle communication devices for new cars and light trucks, and then will begin working on a regulatory proposal that will be issued before the end of the Obama administration in 2017. “Vehicle-to-vehicle technology represents the next generation…