Hagan Hamilton

Third post in health reform

Justin Sainton — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:09:32 +0000

Section 2708 to the Public Health Service Act becomes effective, which prohibits patient eligibility waiting periods in excess of 90 days for group health plan coverage. The 90-day rule applies to all grandfathered and non-grandfathered group health plans and group health insurance issuers, including multiemployer health plans and single-employer group health plans pursuant to collective bargaining arrangements.^[126] Plans will still be allowed to impose eligibility requirements based on factors other than the lapse of time; for example, a health plan can restrict eligibility to employees who work at a particular location or who are in an eligible job classification. The waiting period limitation means that coverage must be effective no later than the 91st day after the employee satisfies the substantive eligibility requirements.^[127]

Second post re: health reform

Justin Sainton — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:46:41 +0000

The PPACA’s provisions are funded by a variety of taxes and offsets. Major sources of new revenue include a much-broadened Medicare tax on incomes over $200,000 and $250,000, for individual and joint filers respectively, an annual fee on insurance providers, and a 40% excise tax on “Cadillac” insurance policies. The income levels are not adjusted for inflation, leaving the possibility of increased taxes on incomes over 250,000 inflation-adjusted dollars after more than two decades without indexing through.^[37] There are also taxes on pharmaceuticals, high-cost diagnostic equipment, and a 10% federal sales tax on indoor tanning services. Offsets are from intended cost savings such as changes in the Medicare Advantage program relative to traditional Medicare.

First post re: Healthcare Reform

Jason John — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:23:14 +0000

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA),^[1] commonly called Obamacare^[2]^[3] or the Affordable Care Act, is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, it represents the most significant government expansion and regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.^[4]

The PPACA is aimed at increasing the rate of health insurance coverage for Americans and reducing the overall costs of health care. It provides a number of mechanisms—including mandates, subsidies, and tax credits—to employers and individuals to increase the coverage rate.^[5]^[6] Additional reforms aim to improve healthcare outcomes and streamline the delivery of health care. The PPACA requires insurance companies to cover all applicants and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or sex.^[7]^[8] The Congressional Budget Office projected that the PPACA will lower both future deficits^[9] and Medicare spending.^[10]

On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of most of the PPACA in the case National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius.^[11]^[12]

Healthcare Reform & Healthcare Costs

Jason John — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:50:52 +0000

Jim Walton (Director of New Sales at Regence BlueCross BlueShield) gave an insightful presentation on Healthcare Reform. Click on the following link to view his presentation:

Healthcare Reform Presentation

Dan Ordyna (CEO of Willamette Valley Medical Center) also gave a presentation on the costs of healthcare going forward. Click on the following link to view his presentation:

Healthcare Costs Presentation

Hagan Hamilton Turns 100

Brian John — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:02:08 +0000

Hagan Hamilton’s “roots” go way back in Yamhill County and the company has been a prominent business in McMinnville and surrounding area for over 100 years.

The agency got its start in 1910 as a sole proprietorship known as the W.L. Warren Agency. It had become the Warren & Beeson Agency by 1921, and the Beeson & Baker Agency in the mid to late 1920’s.

Mr. Gordon Carey, a graduate of the University of Oregon, became a key player of the Beeson-Baker Agency when he moved to McMinnville in 1938. Mr. Carey’s early success and business sense resulted in the agency being re-named to the Gordon Carey Insurance Agency in 1942.

By 1953, Gordon Carey had built a very successful insurance agency located at the First Federal Savings and Loan building. He was also extremely active in business and civic circles in McMinnville. It came as a shock to the community when Mr. Carey suddenly passed away from a heart attack at the age of 42 on August 27, 1953.

At the time of his death, Gordon Carey had two prominent employees, Merrill Hagan and Mike Hamilton who functioned in key roles at the agency and continued to help grow the business. By 1961, both Mr. Hagan and Mr. Hamilton arranged to purchase the Gordon Carey agency and subsequently renamed the company to Hagan Hamilton Insurance Services located on the corner of 3rd & Evans.

After many successful years managing Hagan Hamilton, both Mr. Hagan and Mr. Hamilton retired in the late 1970’s. However, by 1980 there were 5 different owners, the country was in the middle of a severe recession and it was a time of uncertainty in the business community. Hagan Hamilton Insurance was not immune from the impacts of the harsh business environment and suffered economically from both the recession and the lack of strategic planning needed to endure the difficult times.

In 1984 Oregon Mutual Insurance Company purchased (saved) the agency and hired Mike Keyes (who is currently CEO for Oregon Mutual) as the General Manager to get things back “on track”. All of Hagan Hamilton’s branch offices were sold and several employees lost their jobs. It was during this time of crisis that Rick John was hired as a life & health and personal lines agent in 1981.

Dale Moore was one of the 5 previous owners that “survived” at the time Oregon Mutual bought the agency in 1984. Over the next several years, Rick and Dale became the top producers at Hagan Hamilton Insurance and distinguished themselves as true business professionals.

In 1991 a dialogue with Oregon Mutual began that resulted in Rick and Dale becoming the new partners/owners of Hagan Hamilton Insurance. Rick and Dale worked closely together, growing the business during the 90’s with an eventual agreement that Rick would become the sole owner of Hagan Hamilton Insurance when Dale retired in 2000.

Since 2000 Hagan Hamilton has purchased 5 agencies, grown to over 11,000 clients, has branch offices in Sheridan and Newberg and most importantly has 44 of the finest, most educated, client-focused insurance professionals in the industry. We are extremely proud of our staff.

It is hoped that this brief summary of Hagan Hamilton’s history and accomplishments has been beneficial for you. We also hope it causes you to have confidence and security knowing that Hagan Hamilton Insurance will make wise decisions and provide our clients with creative and pragmatic options to manage risk in a proactive manner and insure wisely and efficiently.

Health Care Reform Presentation

Brian John — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:01:40 +0000

Learn more about current health reform legislation and what it means for you.

Jared L. Short, President of Regence Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Oregon, gives an insightful presentation.

Download it here.

Oregon Mutual’s Largest Producing Agency

Brian John — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:59:27 +0000

Of Oregon Mutual’s 548 appointed agencies, Hagan Hamilton Insurance stands above them all. With written premiums over $4.6 million and 4,648 policies written with Oregon Mutual and Western Protectors, Hagan Hamilton Insurance is the company’s largest producing agency. With three locations in Yamhill County (McMinnville, Sheridan, and Newberg), the agency currently represents 2.93% of OMI’s total written premium.

In spite of its large premium volume and the slow economy, the agency’s Oregon Mutual business continues to grow. As of November 30, 2009 their YTD increase in written premium exceeds 11% (twice the average increase). H&H premium is up $427,949 overall, with $169,613 in Personal Lines and $258,336 in Commercial Lines. This is quite an accomplishment and representative of Hagan Hamilton’s strong commitment to Oregon Mutual.

Achieving the top agency position within Oregon Mutual didn’t happen overnight. Agency history goes back many years to a time when there were only one or two representing agents in a county. Current agency owner Rick John shared a little history about the evolution of the agency with OMI.

The relationship goes back more than 80 years. Rick’s records go back to the 1920s, when the agency was known as Beeson and Baker. A trip to the OMI library led to discovery of a 1921 annual report which listed all agents by county and the amount of insurance coverage written. For Yamhill County there was a listing for Warren & Beeson writing $1,482,582 in insurance coverage. This was the likely predecessor of Beeson and Baker. Records from 1912 show W.L. Warren in Yamhill County, which probably became Warren & Beeson.

The name Hagan Hamilton came about in 1961. Merrill Hagan joined the agency in 1942, going to work for his brother-inlaw in the Gordon Cary Insurance Agency. Merrill gained partial ownership when Mr. Cary passed away in 1951, sharing ownership with Mrs. Cary until 1961, when Mike Hamilton joined with Merrill to acquire full ownership of the agency. The agency grew to have additional ownership partners and in 1984 was purchased by Oregon Mutual, which owned the agency until 1991, when it was sold to Dale Moore and current owner Rick John. Rick, who joined the agency in 1981, became the full owner in 2000, purchasing Dale’s share upon his retirement.

The agency currently has a staff of 44 helping meet customers’ insurance needs for property, casualty, life, health, and benefits. Written premium and the customer base continue to grow through sales to new clients and acquisition of other agencies. Since 2000 the agency has acquired the John Engle and Gearhart agencies in McMinnville, Hampton Insurance in Sheridan, and Wright Insurance and the Insurance Exchange in Newberg.

Oregon Mutual is fortunate to have a partner in the community like Hagan Hamilton Insurance.

COBRA/State Continuation Update

Brian John — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:58:59 +0000

Due to the COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, employers of all sizes are urged to visit these websites for important and helpful information.

Employee Practices Liability Insurance

Brian John — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:38:47 +0000

Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Indemnity Excess & Surplus Agency Inc, view PDF.

Why you need Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL):

A private company is more likely to have an Employment Practices claim than a General Liability or Property claim
Almost 75% of all litigation against corporations involves employment disputes
Sixty-five percent of employers who have fired an employee have been hit with a lawsuit
The average cost to defend an EPL claim is $150,000 and the median award is $250,000
Ten percent of all wrongful termination and discrimination claim awards are in excess of $1 million

Why United States Liability Insurance Group has the protection you need:

The following are important coverages we offer in our EPLI policy. Make sure you have all of these features:

Coverage Features	Our Group	Competitor’s Policy
Voted #1 EPL product in a nationwide survey of agents and brokers
Defense Outside the Limit of Liability included within the form for no additional premium (if a $500k or higher limit is chosen). Your limit will not be eroded by defense costs
Duty to Defend form
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No intentional acts exclusion
Policy is non-cancellable except for nonpayment of premium
Free Employment Practices Consultation Helpline (Unlimited calls and no time limits)
Online sexual harassment prevention training through PeopleSystems at a 50% discount (satisfies state mandated training including CA, CT and ME)
A.M. Best rated A++ carrier

Why Choose to be insured with United States Liability Insurace Group?

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Insure your financial well-being with a stable Company that will be there to pay your claim.

April 15, 2008

Credit Card Fraud and Your Employees

One of the trends that most business owners ask me about is the issue of credit cards. In my experience, it is one of the risk exposure areas that doesn’t get enough discussion. The issue of credit cards includes employee theft and employee dishonesty. If your business or company handles credit card transactions when customers purchase products or services, there lies a new risk for your business or company. What if your employees use the credit card of your customers? What if the customer alleges fraudulent use of their credit card against you and your employees?

We can deal with that risk through the purchase of a crime/employee dishonesty policy. Roughly for a $100,000 limit of coverage and a $2,500 deductible, we can secure a crime policy between $600 to $800 a year. This covers employee theft of money, tools, company checks, credit card information, computer crime, etc. Contact me for more details. Employee dishonesty policy just compliments a balanced insurance portfolio.

Brothers team up at Hagan Hamilton

Jason John — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:37:00 +0000

The three John brothers have reunited at Hagan Hamilton Insurance Services in McMinnville.

Jim John, a 1981 McMinnville High School graduate and youngest of the siblings, recently moved back to McMinnville after 27 years of working outside the area. He is serving as chief operating officer.

He joins Rick, the oldest brother, who serves as company chief executive officer, and Tony, the middle brother, who works out of the Sheridan office.

Jim served a stint in the U.S. Air Force, then attended Walla Walla University in Walla Walla, Wash., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. Afterward, he spent 20 years managing operations for national companies.

“Professionally, I’m looking forward to his expertise and insight that he brings from managing national companies,” Rick said. “Personally, it’s great to have him and his family back in town.”

“Jim knows what we need to keep the bar set high and he’s going to be applying his considerable skills in operations to ensure our customer service continues to come first, even as we grow.”

Hagan Hamilton recently completed a restructuring of its executive team. Joining the brothers are Gary Eastlund, chief sales officer, and Craig McClain, executive vice president.

“Our newly formed executive team combines more than 100 years of successful industry expertise and creative drive to exceed our clients’ service expectations for years to come,” Rick said.

Although the economy appears to be in a downturn, Hagan Hamilton has continued to expand. In the last 10 years, it has grown from 33 to 45 employees and added offices in Sheridan and Newberg.

Its most recent acquisition came May 1, when it purchased the Newberg agency Insurance Exchange. “We built our business on outstanding customer service and we are not willing to sacrifice quality for growth,” Rick said.

Rick started with the company in 1981 and purchased it in 1991. He has served as CEO since 2000.

A key to growth, he said, is employee training.

“We are locally owned and represent a variety of insurance companies, so we can customize insurance plans to fit the individual needs of our clients. And it’s our employees who make that happen,” he said.

Hagan Hamilton employees are some of the best trained in the industry, according to the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.

“We encourage professional growth, and we have a well-educated and well-trained team because we do,” Rick said. “They are the experts in their field, and that’s important to our clients.”

Hagan Hamilton was recently named one of the 100 best companies to work for in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine. The results, based on confidential employee surveys, rank businesses based on salary and benefits, retention and accountability, rewards and incentives, career development and training, diversity, community service, policies and procedures, organizational pride, teamwork, and other qualities.

Hagan Hamilton was the only locally based company to make this year’s list. It also was honored in 2005.

“When you acquire six agencies in 10 years, it’s important to continually assess your internal systems and processes, and that’s what I do,” Jim said. “Rick has done a tremendous job with Hagan Hamilton and I’m honored to be able to work together with him to continue offering the highest level of service.”

Jim’s wife, Darla, is a school teacher. They have a 10-year-old son and 18-year-old twin daughters.

“On a personal note, it’s great to come home to McMinnville,” he said. “I’ve always felt at home here.”

“My grandparents were here in the 1930s and, as kids, we would often visit for the holidays. It’s really a dream come true.”