Pup Rescued: Want to Help Save Starving Sea Lion Pups?

MamaBear executive helped rescue the baby sea lion with the help of the respected California Wildlife Center
MamaBear CEO, Suzanne Horton, came to the rescue of a sea lion pup stranded on the beach yesterday while on her early morning walk. There have been a higher than normal number of the typically malnourished pups coming ashore this year for reasons that wildlife experts are not clear on. The MamaBear executive helped rescue the baby sea lion with the help of the respected California Wildlife Center, a mostly volunteer organization that helps all kinds of wildlife, from the sea as well as land. As a volunteer organization they are in great need of donations to continue their important work.  MamaBear will be making a donation to the California Wildlife Center and we encourage others to help as well.  Donations can be made here:  http://cawildlife.org/

 

Time Is Running Out for Health Insurance Open Enrollment Deadline

Time is ticking, and your opportunity to protect your family and your finances is winding down. Don’t miss the open enrollment deadline -- February 15

The deadline for open enrollment for individual health care coverage is quickly approaching. If you and your family are not enrolled in an insurance program for 2015, it’s time to sign up to prevent tax penalties as mandated by ObamaCare.

We take our job to protect families serious and making sure you’re covered is important to us.  MamaBear has selected  ACA Insurance Services to help our MamaBear families through the process.

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What Happens If You Miss Open Enrollment?

Open enrollment is a period of time when individuals and families can select affordable health care.  If you miss the deadline, you could face tax penalties as explained by these Obama Care facts.

When the open enrollment period ends on February 15 — it will be challenging to sign up for a health insurance plan for the rest of 2015.

It’s important to get minimum coverage now and plan to obtain coverage for the rest of the year.  Based on some family situations, you can apply for an exemption or subsidy.  If you are unsure of your eligibility, you can call one of our preferred agents, 844-411-8565,  or request a call from an agent.

After the open enrollment deadline, only qualified individuals will be able to enroll  — only for those who have had a major life change (such as change of job or marriage status or loss of health insurance). Also, programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program offer enrollment all year. 

Obtaining coverage during open enrollment is your best opportunity for receiving affordable, complete coverage for you and your family. Don’t wait, and get started now.

What Type of Health Care Coverage Do You Need?

A general health insurance plan does not cover all of your health care needs. There are certain health categories that require their own type of insurance. Keep this in mind as you shop for a plan and consider if you or your family need additional add-on coverage.

  • Medical Insurance — This is MUST HAVE coverage that assists with costs related to general health care expenses.
  • Dental Insurance — This is OPTIONAL, add-on coverage that assists with costs related to oral care, teeth cleanings, extractions, fillings, etc. (This does not usually cover orthodontics.)
  • Vision Insurance — This is OPTIONAL, add-on coverage that assists with costs related to eye exams, eye health, frames and contact lens, etc.

Don’t let a medical expense cause your family financial stress. Enroll in a financially responsible medical insurance plan that will cover your family in the event that one of your family members sustains an injury or illness.

Related: Flu Season Is Here. Are You Prepared?

Terms to Know While Shopping for Health Insurance

Shopping for health insurance can be complicated, so go into the process with an understanding of the financial terminology.

  • Out-of-Pocket Costs — the amount of money you pay that is not reimbursed by the insurance company
  • Deductible — the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses before the insurance company begins to pay
  • Co-Pay — the dollar amount you pay out-of-pocket when a service (doctor’s appointment, surgery, etc.) is performed
  • Co-Insurance — the percentage of costs you pay out-of-pocket when a service is performed

If you don’t fully understand these terms and how they will relate to your expenses in the event of a health care expense, discuss it with a licensed health insurance representative.

What to Expect for a Monthly Premium

It helps to go into your search with an idea about how much an insurance plan will cost. Below is an estimated cost for a bronze plan for the following family types.

Family of Four

  • Premium: $643 – $650/month
  • Deductible: $5,000 – $6,300/year
  • Highest Possible Out-of-Pocket: $6,300 – $6,450/year

Single Dad with Two Children

  • Premium: $435-$440/month
  • Deductible: $5,000 – $6,300/year
  • Highest Possible Out-of-Pocket: $6,300 – $6,450/year

Single Mom with One Child

  • Premium: $325-$330/month
  • Deductible: $5,000 – $6,300/year
  • Highest Possible Out-of-Pocket: $6,300 – $6,450/year

A bronze plan is a coverage category with the lowest monthly premium. You may find lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs by choosing a silver or gold plan, but you will incur a higher monthly premium.

Obama Care Alternatives

In order to get private healthcare coverage, you do not need to use Healthcare.gov. It is not the only marketplace where you can shop for private medical insurance.

You can browse and shop other exchanges to find a program that best meets your budget and needs.

MamaBear recommends ACA Insurance Services, representing A Rated carriers and a team of licensed representatives that will help match you with the best plan possible.

Time is ticking, and your opportunity to protect your family and your finances is winding down. Don’t miss the open enrollment deadline — February 15 — and sign up for affordable healthcare today.

 

**Not affiliated with the US Government**

Gaming Tips to Keep Kids Safe Online

Gaming has evolved from a single-player, one console experience to an interconnected network of millions of players and thousands of downloadable games.

Gaming has evolved from a single-player, one console experience to an interconnected network of millions of players and thousands of downloadable games. With such a broad reach and level of connectivity, online gaming is something that parents need to understand and regulate in order to keep their children playing safely.

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Know the Platforms

Parents should get to know the different type of gaming platforms. Parents usually think of gaming as something kids play on consoles (like an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Wii) and hand-held devices (like a Nintendo DS).
But games are also commonly played on computers, tablets, and smartphones, as well as in web browsers and through social sites. They come in a variety of styles.

 

  • Boxed Games – traditional disc or cartridge that is inserted in a console or computer
  • Digital Downloads – game downloaded directly to a console or computer (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii have their own online marketplaces)
  • Mobile Games – app or game downloaded to a mobile device
  • Subscription Games – game that is streamed and accessed through an account
  • Free-to-Play – ad-supported games that are free but include paid upgrades and add-ons (such as extra lives and tools), frequently found on mobile devices
  • Social Networking Games – connected with and played within social sites (often through Facebook), pulls user information from profiles and offers paid upgrades and add-ons

Ask your child which platforms they are playing and familiarize yourself with that style of gaming.

Review the Rules with Your Kids

Set clear gaming rules and expectations with your child. Here are a few MamaBear recommendations to consider:

Set a strong password. Whenever possible use a password that is at least eight characters and includes at least one number, letter, and symbol. Avoid using the same exact password for every login.

Protect personal information. Do not create accounts that use your personal information. Create vague usernames that do not include your personal details (username YankeesFan01 instead of TomSmith01). Never list or offer up your location, gender, and age.

Hide physical features. Some games include voice and/or video chat. Do not use either of these items unless you are able to disguise yourself, and do not post a personal photo to your user profile. Use an avatar instead.

Avoid uncomfortable interactions. If another user makes you uncomfortable with their tone, language or dialog, remove yourself from the situation. Tell an adult and block the player. Trust your gut. If the situation feels unnatural, it is more than likely inappropriate.

Related: Dangers of Talking to Strangers Online

Understand the limits of online friends. Online friends should remain online friends. Never agree to meet a player in real life.

Always ask before downloading or buying a new game or upgrade. Never download a game without parental permission. This is especially true for paid games. Parents need to review each game before giving permission for play.

Never accept a download or a “mod” from another user. Other users may offer codes, mods (modifications), or downloads to you (often saying it will improve your performance in the game). Never accept those requests as they may include malware which is harmful to your console, computer, or phone.

Set a time limit. Don’t game all day and night. Set a time limit for use each day.

Play out in the open. If kids are playing by the rules, there should be no reason that they can’t play where their parents can see it. Parents should keep game consoles in the open and periodically check-in while kids are playing.

Understand the Rating

The Entertainment Software Rating Board utilizes a Rating Guide so parents and users are aware of the game’s contents and capabilities before playing. Use this rating system to determine which games are right for your kids.

Interactive Elements Ratings explain the sharing and interactive capabilities of the game. Use these ratings to see what information will be collected and possibly shared, and to see how users are able to interact with each other.

Interactive Elements Ratings explain the sharing and interactive capabilities of the game. Use these ratings to see what information will be collected and possibly shared, and to see how users are able to interact with each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rating Categories suggest the age appropriateness of the game.
Content Descriptors explain which elements of the game factored into its rating category, such as alcohol reference, cartoon violence, language, etc. There are about two dozen different descriptions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content Descriptors explain which elements of the game factored into its rating category, such as alcohol reference, cartoon violence, language, etc. There are about two dozen different descriptions so use the ESRB’s full list of content descriptors to evaluate the content of the game.

Keeping your child safe with online gaming requires time and diligence but risks associated outweigh the investment of time.

See how MamaBear can easily help you connect with and protect your child through your iPhone or Android device.

 

Cyberbullying Is Now a Parent’s Greatest Fear, Survey Says

A new survey finds that parents are now more afraid of cyberbullying than teenage pregnancy, drug use, or alcohol consumption. | MamaBear App

If you are worried that your child could become a victim of cyberbullying, you aren’t alone. According to an article published by The Windsor Star, parents are now more concerned about cyberbullying than any other youth problem.

In a survey, backed by Canadian telecommunications provider Primus, almost half of parents said they were concerned about cyberbullying (48%). Parents were less concerned with other issues. Forty-four percent were worried about teen pregnancy, 44% about drug use, and 38% about alcohol use.

It could be that parents are extra worried about online bullying because they don’t completely understand it. Unlike pregnancy, drinking, and drugs, this is a problem that wasn’t around when they were teenagers. They have not experienced the situation first hand, so they don’t know how to handle it. This highlights how important it is for parents to educate themselves on online safety habits and cyberbullying prevention.

To learn more about the study, read “Cyberbullying has become the greatest fear of parents, survey says.”