D4-Unc«ster Farming, Saturday, May 4, 1996 Lower Rates, New Health Insurance Option For Members GETTYSBURG (Adams Co.) The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau board of directors has approved changes which will give members more choices in group health in surance from Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and will lower rates. “Theh good news is that pre mium rates will be coming down for all members under PFB’s Blue Cross, Blue Shield group cover age starting July 1,” said PFB Ad ministrative Secretary Lou Sallie. “Even better news is that PFB will be offering members a new health care option, a point of service Reduce LEXINGTON, Ky. Re search conducted at the University of Kentucky College of Agricul ture may help swine producers cut down on the amount of nitrogen in hog waste. “Nitrogen present in hog wastes applied to land can be a potential problem for swine operators be cause unless managed properly, it can enter water supplies, resulting in pollution of groundwater, lakes, and streams,” said Gary Crom well, animal scientist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Cromwell said his research shows that the amount of nitrogen excreted by hogs can be reduced by feeding a lower level of pro tein, supplemented with amino acids, without sacrificing growth and performance. “In one experiment, we fed fin ishing pigs a diet containing 12 percent protein supplemented with .15 percent lysine instead of the usual 14 percent protein. Pig growth was equal to that achieved with the higher protein diet. The amount of nitrogen pre sent in urine and feces was re duced by 19 percent in the lower -f XV If. managed care product, with even lower rates and no medical under writing.” Under the Point of Service pro gram, a participating family will select their primary care physician from a network of eligible physi cians who then serve as the focal point for all of the member’s health care needs. The primary care physician provide the mem ber’s primary medical care, pro motes the importance of preven tive care and wellness, and guides the member through the health care delivery system by acting as Nitrogen protein diet,” Cromwell said. In another study, Cromwell fed a diet with 10 percent protein and supplement the diet with lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine. Rate of gain for the pigs fed the reduced-protein diet was comparable to those fed a high;er protein diet, but the amount-of nitrogen excreted was reduced by 34 percent. “Lysine is an amino acid that is one of the building blocks of pro tein. Threonine, Tryptophan, and methionine also are amino acids found in protein. By balancing the feedstuffs for amino acids, we were able to reduce significantly the amount of nitrogen excreted,” he said. Cromwell noted, however, that using the threonine and trypto phan-fortified diets was more ex pensive than simply feeding more soybean meal the usual source of the protein. “the lysine diet was no more expensive than conventional feed ing programs. Before long, trypto phan and threonine should be available at prices that make these types of diets cost effective,” he said. Whether you’re watering polar bears in northern Canada or livestock anywhere in North America, Ritchie fountains stand up to the cold. Dependability, Three Ways Ritchie's strategically located heating equipment produces efficient heat transfer to keep water flowing in cold temperatures. Our thermostats can be adjusted to keep water at the proper temperature Plus, our nonmetallic float and valve have proven their resistance against corrosion and cold, with 30 years of time-tested reliability. With a Ritchie fountain, you can bi confident the water's flowing - standing up to even the coldest weather Buy « Ritchia and Ralax.. Your Whin's Worth it! Ritchie Ritchie Industries, Inc 120 South Mam, PO Box 731 Conrad, IA 50621 USA '-800-747-0222 (515-366-2525) I fentabu the coordinator of specialty care whenever it is needed. But unlike a Health Mainten ance Organization (HMO), a par ticipating family will be free to go to another doctor or specialist out side their primary care network and still receive reimbursement for a share of their costs. Under an HMO there is no insurance cover age for health care provided out side the organization. Point of ser vice members who self-refer for health care services share more of the cost of that care through an an nual deductible and coinsurance. Thye level of reimbursement for most covered services depends upon whether services were coor dinated by the primary care physi cian or if the member self-referred to a provider of his or her own choice. Rates for the new Point of Ser vice program will be substantially lower than PFB’s Group Blue Cross, Blue Shield Basic program in fact, they will be lower than the rates for most HMOs. “Man aged care plans have given insur ers new ways to control costs and pass the savings on to users,” ex plained Dave Fleming. PFB’s director of health services. The new program will have an over lapping effect on PFB’s Group Blue Cross, Blue Shield program, causing those premium rates to drop also, effective July 1. BUY. SCU, TRADE Oft BENT THftOUOH THE Wz k [ d L*=i i MILK. ITDOESA BODY GOOD. Pfflilf^DETC ic IJUIImIE U fToßiemsT Ritchie Solutions. 54" and 90* ' _ Umb ArailaUa DER Members will be happy to know that rate reductions for our Blue Cross Blue Shield Basic Coverage and 6S Special and the low rates for our new Point of Ser vice option will be guarranteed for 18 months, until January 1998,” Felming said. Other benefits under the new Point of Service program include: • A flat $lO charge for doctor’s office visits, “this is especially beneficial for parents with young children who might be going to the doctor seveal times a year,” Fleming said. • Use of both PFB Group Blue Cross, Blue Shield prescription drug discount programs. The $lB mail-order National RX program for long-term prescription needs and the PAID Direct program for short-term needs will continue to be offered to both plans. “The key to the Point of Service structure is a focus on preventa tive'care and wellness,” Fleming said. “Members who enroll are en couraged to maintain healthy life styles through education and health promotion programs.” Qorm Bureau members will re ceive a letter from Capital Blue Cross later this month introducing the new program. Members will be able to call Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Health Services toll-free at (800) 522-237 S for additional in formation. Farm Bureau will also Bl FARM EQUIPMENT 10-20 McCormick Dealing, "bfT* “s'cYl 1 « *“» «*-*-. I* (71 7)292-205 3/ °° nd - ’ axl ® $ 6OO -i ' 717/569-6641. * *. ‘w Rugged Construction The WaierMaster from Ritchie is built for long life... and we'll guarantee it (or 10 years. With its one-piece body construction of durable impact resistant roto-cast polyethylene plastic, the WaterMasler wont deteriorate like concrete. PPLY CO. be holding district meetings to ex plain the program personally. “We’re asking members al ready enrolled in our Blue Cross, Blue Shield Group Program to evaluate the new program and the cost differences carefully before making a decision. Once you de cide to switch to the Point of Ser vice program your decision cannot be changed for two year.” Members already enrolled can switch during an open period from July 7 until the end of 1996. Farm Bureau members who are not enrolled in PFB Blue Cross, Blue Shield can enroll in the Point of Service program anytime after July 1. Those enrolled in PFB’s 65-Special Group Insurance will not be eligible for the new pro gram. “But they will see a slight decrease in their insurance pre mium which will also stay in ef fect for 18 months, and we expect to have a managed care program available for this group by next year,” Fleming said. The Point of Service program makes the first time PFB has had a dual option program for members since the Group Medical Insur ance program was established in 1977. “Members are going to benefit by having a choice in their health care planning and being able to reduce their health insur ance costs,” Fleming said. 115 Gehl grinder mixer, $550. 11 bred Holstein heifers $750. (717)354-6829. 12' Brillion cult mulcher, $1100.; 717/483-6291. 12T chisle plow, KMC. w/ leveling harrow on back, $3000; JD 400 6R weeder, $BOO 080. 717-326-0887. 13' Brillion cultimulcher, Brillion 10-tooth chisel. 800/919-3322. 14’ cultimulcher w/hyd. lift, good cond, $l3OO. (717)752-7131. 14' Haines Bulk Potato Body on 2-Axle Trailer, $900; 18' Haines Bulk Po tato Body on 2-Axle Trailer, $1400; 22' Haines Bulk Po tato Body, $1600; 2R Lock wood Potato Windrower, $3000; Troyer Potato Piler, $9OO. Call Weekdays. (610)286-9510 or Fax (610)286-9315. 1500 gal. liquid fertilizer tank, only used 1 season, side dress tanks & fittings also available. 609/629-4790. 1500 gallon Slurry Buggy, like new, $4500. Will de liver. 302-629-2377. 180 AC tractor, good rub ber. $3,500. 610-681-4134 d' Kewanee disk w/3‘ manual fold wings, SBSQ/obo. (610)693-5529. 1930 Case C tractor, runs good, $1000; Case thrash ing machine 28-47, needs minor repair, $5OO. 717-766-0490. 1935 JD Unstyled D, re stored, brass tag, brass carb. 302/731-4265. 1939 JD LA tractor, w/6‘ sickei bar, plow and culti vator, w/books, S/N12635, very good shape (717)943-2054 after 4pm 1953 Far. Super H. com pletely gone over, works, looks like new, live hydraul ics, new battery, new paint, lights, fenders, belt pulley, good tires. Engine runs good, PTO H 33. Asking $2600. HORST REPAIR SHOP, ask for Dennis 717-375-4690.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers