KBSDS Resources – Insights and Information

Our newsletter, Thinking – Connecting the Community with Current Issues, and other materials offer helpful information on some of the issues and challenges we all face. We thought we'd give you the benefit of our experience as parents, students, coaches, adult children caring for elderly parents, or just citizens of our community. Here is some of what we have learned. Hopefully, our thinking will be helpful to you.

Having work done by a contractor? Before hiring a contractor you should always assure the contractor is licensed and bonded. You can find this out easily by checking out the Arizona Registrar of Contractors' website.

At this site, you can look up any contractor, determine if his license is current, and read any complaints that have been filed against him. Similarly, if you are having a problem with a contractor, you will find an online complaint form which you can fill out and file electronically. Filing this form will put into motion the complaint process which includes the assignment of a hearing officer, the right to a hearing, and a possible remedy.

Having a problem with an insurance company? If you feel you are not being treated properly by an insurance company, the Arizona Department of Insurance has an excellent website with all types of useful and frequently updated information for consumers, including an easy to read version of the Unfair Claims Practices Act which defines your rights. This site also allows you to file a complaint against an insurance company online. The Department will investigate your complaint and, if they find it meritorious, will order the insurance company to rectify the situation.

Concerned about a possibly defective product? The Consumer Product Safety Commission's website has a great deal of useful information for consumers, including the federal regulations governing manufacturers of various products, recalls, and a complaint form you can complete online to register a complaint about a potentially defective product.

Are you a victim of consumer fraud? The Arizona Attorney General's Office investigates businesses and individuals that lie to or cheat consumers. To find out how to file a complaint against someone you feel is “ripping you off,” check out the Attorney General's website.

Do you want a living will? Many folks today prefer to have their wishes honored concerning whether they should be kept on life support when they have suffered a serious illness or accident. It is easy to write a living will explaining the circumstances under which you would want life support to be discontinued. Simply go to this website and follow the step-by-step instructions.

Choosing a doctor or have a complaint against one? The Arizona Medical Board has website chock full of useful consumer information about doctors and health care in Arizona. You can look up your doctor or one you are considering seeing to find out a lots of information about her, including whether she is board certified, how long she has been licensed, and whether any complaints have been filed against her with the board. Similarly, there is an online electronic form you can fill out online should you wish to file a complaint against a doctor.

Need to investigate or complain about a Nursing Home? The Arizona Department of Health Services regulates nursing homes in Arizona. They maintain a website for consumers that outlines all of the regulations governing nursing homes, allows you to determine if complaints have been filed against one you are using or considering, and allows you to file a complaint and seek redress.

Health
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis
How to protect yourself and your family from medical errors
In focus: Breast Cancer
Choosing a doctor
Health insurance
Organ donation
How to choose the right nursing home
Citrus: Not always good for you
Make your auto insurance coverage work for you
Planning ahead for the unexpected
Can Vitamin D deficiency cause multiple sclerosis and other auto-immune disorders?