Free Valley Flu Clinic

Shelton Woman Makes Donation

Karynn Weinstein, left, presents Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Director Eunice A. Lisk, MS, with a $700 donation to help cardiac rehabilitation patients pay for their health insurance co-pays.

DERBY -  Karynn Weinstein, of Shelton, recently donated $700 to Griffin Hospital's Development Fund to help cardiac rehabilitation patients cover their health insurance co-pays.

 

Weinstein is a disabled community member with a professional background in physical education and exercise physiology. In 2017, she started A Divine Universe For All in 2017, a 50l(C)(3) charity to help people in need with life-saving medical treatments and medication, debt, and mortgage mediations and modifications.

 

For more information about Griffin Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program, visit griffinhealth.org.

 

For more information about A Divine Universe For All, contact Weinstein at 203-456-1840 or karynn-weinstein@sbcglobal.net, or visit adivineuniverseforall.com.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Sen. Logan Pledges Support for CT Homecare Workers

Sen. George S. Logan, the Vice-Chair of the legislature’s Public Health Committee, today announced that he will vote “yes” to approve a state contract which provides workers compensation insurance for home care workers.

 

“These workers provide essential labor for seniors and patients with disabilities,” Sen. Logan said.  “The services they provide – from bathing to dressing to helping our most vulnerable residents with everyday errands – help people maintain their independence and stay in their homes.  They also provide vital emotional support.

 

“These laborers need workers comp.  They need to know that they will have safety and security if they get injured on the job.  They need to know that we, as legislators, are grateful for what they do.  They also need to know that we support them and their quality of life.  I will be proud to support this bipartisan bill and look forward to its passage.”

 

Sen. Logan (www.SenatorGeorgeLogan.com) represents Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge. He can be reached at George.Logan@cga.ct.gov and 800-842-1421. 

(This is a press release from Logan's office)

Don't Wait, Get Your Flu Shot

Griffin Hospital to Host AARP Driver Safety Program

 

 

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. on Saturday,  Sept. 16 at the hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

 

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.

 

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

 

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

 

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Make checks payable to “AARP.”

To register, call Esther at 203-732-1523.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Griffin Hospital Hosts Free Talk on Medicare

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, will host a free presentation on Medicare and related health care decisions on Thurs., Sept. 15 from 10-11:30 a.m.

 

Joe Deegan, a counselor for Connecticut’s programs for Health insurance, Outreach, Information and Eligibility Screening (CHOICES), will host “Medicare CHOICES,” a presentation to help older adults and those eligible for Medicare and their caregivers make informed health insurance decisions and to help prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud and abuse. There will be information on Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Managed Care, Medicaid, Long Term Care Insurance and other related state & federal programs.

 

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

 

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

 

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Breast cancer screening advocate lauds Crisco

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, was lauded by a breast cancer screening advocate Friday at the ceremonial signing of a bill that will limit insurance co-payments for breast ultrasound screenings to $20.

The ceremonial signing included Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and took place at the Hartford Hospital Wellness Center at Blue Back Square in West Hartford.

“We started this effort to provide women with better and more affordable mammogram services nearly 10 years ago, and since then Connecticut has become the leader in the nation in breast health, and thousands of lives have been saved,” said Crisco, who as Senate Chairman of the Insurance Committee has been the point man for changes to insurance coverage of breast mammograms over the past decade in Connecticut.

“We have been on this great odyssey of making lives better for people because that is our mission in the state legislature.” 

Nancy Cappello, the founder and executive director of Are You Dense, is dedicated to informing the public about dense breast tissue and its significance for the early detection of breast cancer. She praised Sen. Crisco today for his ongoing work on behalf of Connecticut women, beginning with her personal story back in 2006.

“Since then Joe has been working with AreYouDense.org to help improve the outcomes for every woman in Connecticut. He is known for this across the country and around the globe,” Cappello said.

Senate Bill 10, “AN ACT CONCERNING COPAYMENTS FOR BREAST ULTRASOUND SCREENINGS AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES,” was passed on a unanimous and bipartisan vote of the state legislature in early May, then signed into law on June 6 by Governor Dannel P. Malloy as Public Act 14-97.

The new law prohibits certain health insurance policies from imposing a co-payment of more than $20 for a breast ultrasound screening for which the policies are required to provide coverage.

By law, insurance policies in Connecticut must cover a comprehensive breast ultrasound screening if a mammogram shows heterogeneous or ‘dense’ breast tissue, or if a woman is at an increased risk for breast cancer because of family history, her own breast cancer history, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by her physician.



This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Crisco hosts hearing on captive insurance

Earlier today state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, Senate Chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, hosted an informational hearing on captive insurance.

Members of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee were joined by representatives from newly formed captive insurance companies, certified public accounts in the insurance field and a senior from UCONN School of Business.

“Captive insurance is important to the Connecticut economy because it represents jobs here in the state,” Crisco said. “Connecticut is known as the insurance capital of the world and it is important that we keep up with this evolving market. Our goal is to attract more domestic and offshore companies to the state to keep us competitive with not only other states but the world.”

“Within the captive insurance market there are so many untapped opportunities and potential,” said Rocco Martin, a UCONN senior who recently became sponsored by a risk management firm for his outstanding work. “Companies need to do more than just be reactive to current trends. It should also be more than just proactive, what is needed is to be innovative and creative with strategic planning. Connecticut is the insurance capital of the world and has the potential to transform the landscape of insurance.”

Senate Bill 188 “An Act Concerning Captive Insurance Companies” is currently being considering by the General Assembly. 
The bill would modernize Connecticut's laws regarding captive insurance companies allowing the state to become more competitive in an evolving market. A captive insurer is an insurance company or entity formed to insure or reinsure the risks of its owners. 
The law allows a captive to be licensed and domiciled in Connecticut to transact life insurance, annuity, health insurance and commercial risk insurance business.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Crisco hails company's expansion in state

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, today joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in announcing that Stamford-based Frontier Communications, which has 15,000 employees nationwide, has chosen Connecticut for the location of its captive insurance subsidiary.

Crisco

“Frontier will be the state’s fourth licensed captive insurance company since we passed landmark jobs legislation in 2011 to clear the way for the state to license these specialty insurers,” Crisco said.
“This is precisely the sort of business expansion and potential job growth we anticipated when we passed the legislation, and I’m thrilled it is bringing new jobs and business to our state.”

A captive insurance company is wholly owned by a parent company to insure the risks of the parent and its subsidiaries.
The new subsidiary, Frontier Services Corp., is headquartered in Stamford and recently obtained its license from the Connecticut Insurance Department.

“Establishing Frontier Services Corporation in Connecticut demonstrates our commitment to the state, to prospective customers and to our shareholders,” said John M. Jureller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Frontier.
“By taking advantage of this great opportunity in our home state, we will realize savings that will benefit our stakeholders and contribute to economic growth in Connecticut. Frontier thanks Governor Malloy, the Connecticut Insurance Department, and the Legislature’s Insurance & Real Estate Committee for their support of this important economic sector.”

“Giving employers the tools they need to manage their costs and re-invest in their employees and products is a commitment we have made from day one,” Malloy said. “These specialty insurers are just one example of the steps my Administration has taken to support business, encourage competition and create jobs. We welcome Frontier Communications, a company with deep roots in Connecticut, to this growth sector.”

With operations in 27 states, parent company Frontier Communications Corporation has been headquartered in Connecticut since 1946.
The company is expanding its footprint in Connecticut with the recent announcement that it was acquiring AT&T’s wireline business and statewide fiber network in Connecticut. Frontier is also acquiring AT&T’s U-verse video and satellite TV customers in Connecticut.



This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Griffin in Derby to host health insurance fair

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host a health insurance enrollment fair Feb. 1 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Feb. 1 to assist anyone looking to enroll in Access Health CT, the state health insurance exchange.

The fair will be held in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

Certified health insurance assisters will offer guidance when selecting coverage, verify that all paperwork is completed properly, check if an individual qualifies for financial aid, and help complete enrollment.

Individual help still available

Individuals interested in enrolling in Access Health CT can also make appointments for one-on-one help from certified assisters at Griffin Hospital and the Valley United Way in Shelton.

Interested individuals must make an appointment to receive assistance.

Margaret R. Sessa, RN, and the Rev. Esther Jones will be available at Griffin Hospital’s Health Resource Center, 130 Division St., from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and at The Valley United Way, 54 Grove St., Shelton, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays.

For information about the enrollment fair or to set up an appointment for one-on-one help, call 203-732-1136 or email msessa@griffinhealth.org.
The assisters are available to work out a time and date to help those with busy schedules.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

TEAM in Derby helps with Access Health enrollment

DERBY - Do you know someone in need of health insurance?
Tell them to contact TEAM, Inc.

TEAM is your community assister, where consumers without health insurance are provided with personalized support to enroll in a variety of health insurance options including subsidized health insurance, Medicaid and HUSKY programs.  

TEAM’s  Assister is trained, certified and ready to assist individuals with the Affordable Healthcare Act programs offered by Access Health.

TEAM’s Assister educates and enrolls individuals with one-to-one assistance during the Open Enrollment period ending March 31, 2014.
To set up an appointment, call 203-736-5420, x 209.


This is a press release from TEAM Inc., a non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community. 
TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour, and Woodbridge.           

Crisco, Malloy welcome insurance company to state

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, co-chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, recently joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy at a formal announcement of plans to have The Navigators Group, Inc., an international specialty insurance holding company, move its corporate headquarters and additional operations from New York to Connecticut.

The move is planned for later this year.

Crisco commended the governor and his staff for negotiating terms of the move, which is expected to create 200 jobs in the state’s insurance sector within the next five years.

“The framework Connecticut has in place for continuing, successful economic development played a big role in today’s announcement, which, going forward, helps ensure our state’s place as the insurance capital of the world,” Crisco said.
 “Throughout my tenure as co-chair of the Insurance Committee we’ve worked collaboratively with the industry to create a welcoming environment and that partnership is once again paying off.”

“Our state’s longstanding familiarity with the insurance industry helps us provide for these companies a supportive setting, knowledgeable workforce, and an overall competitive advantage,” Crisco added.

The Navigators Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NAVG), is an international commercial property and casualty insurance holding company with insurance company operations, underwriting management companies, and operations at Lloyd’s.
The company has a presence in communities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, China and South America.

State support for the $25 million project will be provided through Malloy’s Next Five program, which is administered by Department of Economic and Community Development.
The agency will provide a 10-year, forgivable loan of up to $8 million at no interest, as well as a grant of up to $3.5 million.

All assistance and loan forgiveness is contingent on the company reaching certain job milestones.  State financial assistance will help the company purchase needed equipment, make facility upgrades, train employees and offset relocation expenses and other eligible project-related costs.

This information is taken from a press release from Crisco's office.

Crisco wins expansion of captive insurance incentives

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco Jr., D-Woodbridge, Senate chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, won legislative approval this week for his continuing work to make Connecticut more receptive to the nations’ captive insurance industry.  

Crisco’s latest initiatives were included in one of the state budget implementation bills approved during Tuesday’s Special Session.

Captive insurance is an emerging strategy for financial risk management in business, in which companies, groups of companies, or associations form subsidiaries specifically designed to protect and insure the assets of the parent company, group, or association.

“As more and more business entities find it more and more difficult to secure traditional insurance coverage these captive insurance arrangements are growing in popularity, and I want to be sure Connecticut is receptive to this emerging industry in terms of its regulatory climate,” Crisco said. “I’m pleased to have received legislative support for the revisions included in this week’s budget implementers.”

Crisco said this week’s legislation eliminates the state’s separate, non-lapsing account dedicated to captive insurance-related fees and assessments and simply directs that revenue to the state’s general Insurance Fund.

“The more we can streamline our state regulations specific to these types of reinsurance strategies the more likely we are to attract new business and capital to our state from this growing sector,” Crisco said. “Connecticut has become more receptive to captive insurance companies because legislation enacted last fall underscores our intention to expand the definition of ‘Insurance Capital of the World’ into this new part of the industry, and this week’s success continues that trend to promote economic development and generate jobs and revenue.”

Crisco said the captive insurance option for companies is likely to become more and more popular because in-house premiums are often lower and likewise, in-house claims procedures are often less complicated and time-consuming.

The above information is from a release from Crisco's office.