Tennessee Living

About the Author - Anthony Kimbrough

Family Security columnist Anthony Kimbrough is vice president, government relations for Tennessee Farmers Insurance Cos.

“No, Ma’am, if you don’t mind, I’ll just slide right over here and lie down. In the long run, that will be much better for the both of us. And one more thing – if we could just get this right the first time, that would be really nice. I’m not really big on second chances.”

This dialogue is the conversational start to three or four days of every year for me. Those are the days I awake early, skip breakfast, head to the outpatient facility and greet a kind nurse poised with needle in hand.

No problem for her to smile; she’s doing the sticking. I’m the one getting stuck, giving up blood so the docs will know my cholesterol medications are still doing their thing.

I acknowledge I’m a somewhat grown man, but this blood work is about the very least favorite thing I do. I simply do not handle it well.

But I acknowledge it and prepare accordingly. That’s why there’s no need for me to sit down in that chair, in the middle of everyone, for the nurse to draw that small vial of blood. Because if it doesn’t get done right the first time, I’m probably going to take a really hard rest, really quick, and so I might as well already be on the bed. I know this because I’ve awakened too many times from such naps to see all kind of folks in white clothes scurrying around my limp and colorless body.

My wife, who is a registered nurse (ironic, huh?), tells me it’s all mental. That reminder just embitters me toward you normal people who walk in, stare as the needle pierces the vein, watch the blood stream out, tell the nurse to have a great day and skip merrily out the door.

That’s way too easy, too automatic – about as automatic as it used to be to have my lab work paid through employer-sponsored, health-care coverage.

But today, fewer companies are offering health coverage to employees and, of those that do, many are asking employees to bear a greater share of the cost. Also, family coverage through many employer-sponsored plans is becoming less available and more costly.

If that’s the case for you, there may be an option. Thousands of Farm Bureau members have individual and family health coverage through TRH Health Plans, a 60-year-strong Tennessee company and Farm Bureau partner.

Folks turn to us in many different situations, but we’re finding many look to us when their employer-provided coverage becomes too expensive. In many instances, we’re able to provide family coverage for the rest of the family, or individual policies for children.

Children’s policies are generally the least expensive of all health coverage. And it’s important to remember that once a children’s policy is issued with TRH, that child can remain covered as long as premiums are paid. The child can simply transfer to an individual adult policy once they become of age without any further medical review, even if they develop an illness or medical condition while enrolled as a child.

It may not be absolutely automatic, but odds are that TRH can save you money on your health-care plan. It’s worth a visit or call to your local Farm Bureau office, where (I promise) no needles will be required. 

Email to a Friend
Please enter the following information:

Your Name:

Your Email:

Recipient Name:

Recipient Email:

Notes:

Please enter the word you see in
the image below:

Information being sent:

Magazine:
Tennessee Home & Farm, Summer 2010 Edition Edition

Headline:
On Pins and Needles

Summary:
Handling health coverage can be as intimidating as having blood drawn.

This article brought to you by: