Popularity of medical insurance increases

More people from the UK are opting for private medical insurance, a new study has found.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), 2006 was the first year in recent times when the number of people opting for private medical insurance (PMI) increased.

ABI figures show that 1,030,000 people subscribed to PMI policies during 2006 - compared to 1,012,000 the year before.

This represents a 1.8 per cent increase and now personal and corporate PMI plans cover around 5.9 million UK adults and children.

"Private medical insurance offers people greater choice of treatment and other services for a wide range of medical conditions and injuries," explained Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health.

"It also takes pressure off the NHS, so by buying PMI, people are effectively reducing the burden on Britain's hard-pressed health service.

"It is encouraging that more individuals are choosing to buy PMI for themselves and their families."

Mr Starling also pointed out that more companies seemed to be buying medical insurance for their workers.

Recently, another spokesperson for the ABI said that people who were obese were likely to find their medical and life insurance premiums increase.

"Lifestyle factors could have a bearing on the premium that you pay - and it's likely that different insurers will use different measures to determine lifestyle factors," Jonathan French, press officer for the ABI, explained.
by:www.moneyhighstreet.com

Good counsel: Medical care on vacation

Even under the best of circumstances, illness and troubles can find you on vacation.

Fortunately, many vacation and resort areas have doctors or other health care providers available for consultation. They may work in an urgent care facility or clinic, or be on call to come to your location.

These services are generally charged at a premium. Many will not accept out-of-town insurances, so payment at the time of service will be expected. Reimbursement may be possible once back home, but plans vary widely. (See "Check your insurance," below.)

If the need for antibiotics or another medication arises while you're traveling, you'll probably need to have a local evaluation. There are very few circumstances when phone consultation alone can safely result in ordering antibiotics. An on-site evaluation and decision is almost always better for care and safety of the patient.

Primary care office staff may, however, have helpful suggestions for how to manage a problem while away from home and can be consulted before seeking out care on the road. The staff also may be able to help with over-the-counter solutions.

A little forethought can go a long way in easing the pain of unexpected illness or injury on your trip.

Check your insurance: Before you leave, it's important to learn what your insurance policy says about coverage out of the home area. Emergencies are almost always covered, but other situations requiring medical care may not be. Find out whether you need to notify the company of medical expenses within a certain period of time and how to do that correctly.

Fill your prescriptions: Most places will have a pharmacy for basic needs. Should you or your child take medication for a chronic condition, however, have plenty on hand for the trip. In fact, plan ahead so you'll have enough to last you after getting home, to lessen the urgency of getting your prescription filled.

When flying, pack chronic medications in your carry-on bag to lessen the risk of loss or any delay in getting them. Your primary care provider at home may be able to phone in refills and out-of-town pharmacists often will accept them, but this is less than ideal.

Pack a first-aid kit: You can cover most anticipated needs by packing pain and fever reducers, an antihistamine (such as Benadryl or Loratidine) and first-aid supplies. This is especially important if your journey will take you off the beaten track.

by:Dr. Catherine A. Goodfellow is a pediatrician with Genesis Pediatrics in Gates.

7 Tips for Selecting Long-Term Care Insurance

by Newswise — As the massive Baby Boomer generation braces for retirement, many are turning to long-term care insurance to prepare for potential age-related care.

Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of assisted-living facilities, nursing homes and at-home care. To receive coverage for a specific period of time, policyholders pay a premium based on age, health and the type of plan. According to trade group America’s Health Insurance Plans, a typical long-term care policy bought in 2002 with inflation protection added would cost a 50-year-old $1,134, while a 65-year-old would pay $2,346 and a 79-year-old would fork out $7,572.

In addition to covering the cost of their own health care, many of the nation’s approximately 78 million Baby Boomers are also pitching in to help pay for the medical needs of an elder parent.

"More than a quarter of those responding to the NAELA Elder Issues National Survey made long-term care arrangements for themselves or a family member," said G. Mark Shalloway, CELA, president elect of NAELA. Of that group, the majority chose nursing homes – which typically cost more than $75,000 a year – over assisted living or home-based care. The NAELA national survey of elder issues polled 1,001 Americans aged 35 and older about aging issues such as concerns about growing older, long term care, elder debt, healthcare insurance costs, Medicare Part D, living wills, retirement, and elder abuse.

About 8 million Americans now own long-term care insurance protection, a number that has risen in recent years. Elder law attorneys nationwide, however, have seen a subsequent escalation in the number of grievances and lawsuits filed against the insurers. The majority of those complaints allegedly stem from unnecessary delays and unfair regulations related to the claims process.

To avoid the complications and possible surprises, NAELA offers several tips on choosing long-term care insurance:

1. SELECT THE RIGHT KIND OF COVERAGE. Home Health Care Coverage, for example, means you receive insurance benefits covering in-home care services provided by a licensed or registered practice nurse or therapist. Respite Care guarantees a facility will offer some help – about one to two weeks each year – to those caring for a homebound person. Adult Day Care can also help, ensuring assistance is provided during the day for recreational, therapeutic and personal care.

2. REQUIRE ADMITTANCE TO ALL LEVELS OF CARE. You should be able to use any skilled, intermediate or custodial care facility without having to start at the highest level of care. Skilled care, for example, is the highest level an individual can receive outside of hospital confinement and requires constant medical attention from licensed medical professionals under a physician’s supervision. Intermediate care, which is handled by a licensed practical nurse, involves occasional nursing and rehabilitative care.

3. AVOID POLICIES WITH A PRIOR-HOSPITALIZATION REQUIREMENT. "Make sure your policy does not require hospitalization before benefits are paid," said Shalloway. Typically, certain conditions must first be met – usually by measuring a person’s ability to do one or more "activities of daily living" such as bathing, eating or dressing – before benefits are activated for nursing home care or assisted living. Preferred policies will require the insured to be unable to do two of the "activities of daily living" rather than rely on a "medically necessary" standard.

4. SELECT HIGHLY-RATED POLICIES. Financial strength is important, helping determine the insurer’s long-term survival and whether they can pay future claims. "Look for a company that has an "A+" rating from A.M. Best Co. and a triple "A" rating from at least one other service,’ says Shalloway. Policies from the same insurer vary from state to state, so verify the information is appropriate for your particular region.

5. SECURE FRONT END UNDERWRITING TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR INSURANCE PLAN. Front end underwriting requires an attending physician’s statement at the time of application and can help protect against claim denial due to underwriter mistakes. Expect the procedure to take up to a month and a half.

6. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "GUARANTEED RENEWABLE" AND "NON-CANCELABLE." Non-cancelable means the policy stays in force as long as the premium is paid and the insurance company is unable to raise the premium. Guaranteed renewable means the insurance company can’t drop the policy unless you skip payment, but premiums can be raised for all policyholders within a particular group.

7. OBTAIN INFLATION ADJUSTMENT. Since medical costs increase with inflation, you should consider obtaining an inflation adjustment factor. The three most common types of inflation protection are indexed, simple percentage and compounded percentage. Indexed is initially the cheapest, but might not protect you down the road. Simple Inflation Protection sets a fixed annual percentage increase. Compounded Protection is best, but typically the most expensive.

These are just some options to consider when evaluating long-term care insurance plans. Long-term care insurance is more complicated than life insurance or health insurance, so it’s best to consult with a financial planner, Elder law attorney or insurance professional prior to any decision-making.

``No Worry'' from Humana Makes Health Care Costs Predictable for Small Businesses in Michigan

New, three-year health insurance packages cap annual premium increases at 6-percent or lower
Addressing the particular challenges faced by small businesses, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is introducing a series of new health insurance packages designed to alleviate the financial stresses of increasing health insurance costs. Dubbed No Worry, these packages offer predictable health care expenses over a three-year period and plans that gradually transition passive health care users into informed and active health care consumers.

Available for businesses in Michigan with 51-99 employees, employers may select one of 35 three-year No Worry packages. Each package presents a unique combination of predetermined health insurance plans for years one, two and three that provide actionable information and tools leading employees toward increased consumer engagement. For example, a No Worry package might include a traditional PPO plan in year one, Humana’s consumer-engaging CoverageFirst plan in year two, and a high-deductible health plan compatible with a Health Savings Account (HSA) in year three.

With No Worry, Humana guarantees the annual premium rate increase for medical insurance will not exceed 6 percent, well below industry cost trends, for the two subsequent years. Employers can qualify for an even lower 4.5 percent medical premium rate cap in the second and third years by adding dental coverage and meeting other requirements like having 90-percent of their employees complete a Humana Health Assessment.

No Worry was developed in response to feedback from small businesses and independent insurance agents and brokers.

“We asked small business owners what their key concerns were with respect to health benefits for their employees, and the same concepts resurfaced again and again,” said Denise Christy, president of Humana’s Michigan market. “They want predictability, a long-term solution to rising costs and a hassle-free process. We listened, and the result is No Worry.”

“Three-year contracts eliminate the need for benefit selection each year, saving small employers valuable time and energy. The rate increase cap ensures predictable health benefits costs, enabling more accurate budgeting and long-term financial planning for small businesses. We’re confident that Humana’s consumer-driven tools and programs encourage behavior changes that result in wiser health-care consumers and healthier, more productive employees, and our rate guarantee demonstrates that,” added Christy.

In addition, employers can add dental and/or life insurance to their No Worry package, and Humana will guarantee that the annual rate increase for dental will not exceed 2.9 percent in years two and three, and that there will be no annual rate increase for basic life insurance in the second and third years.

“Managing a small business is fraught with difficult decisions. Forgoing health benefits because they’re unaffordable is not an option any business wants to consider,” said John Crusse, director of small business sales for Humana’s Michigan market. “Humana’s No Worry program offers a long-term solution to this dilemma by holding down cost while still offering employees meaningful benefits and choice.”

Humana will quote No Worry beginning July 1, 2007, for Michigan employers whose health plans take effect on September 1, 2007 or beyond.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with more than 11 million medical members, including more than 170,000 in Michigan. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related services – through traditional and consumer-choice plans – to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals.

Over its 45-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at http://www.humana.com, including copies of:

* Annual report to stockholders;
* Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
* Most recent investor conference presentation;
* Quarterly earnings news releases;
* Replays of most recent earnings release conference call;
* Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates, times, and access number, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors);
* Corporate Governance Information.
by:home.businesswire.com

Property taxes reduced in final North Allegheny budget

By David Guo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The North Allegheny school board's best guess concerning next year's budget has turned out to be wrong, not that many taxpayers are expected to mind.

The board unanimously approved a $110.2 million spending plan June 20 that calls for a 0.38-mill reduction in the property tax rate, or $38 on a home assessed at $100,000. The new rate will be 19.34 mills.

The new figures were $1.3 million lower than those in the preliminary package approved in January, a savings that finance director Mike Hopkins primarily attributed to his getting a better handle on payroll costs such as medical insurance, salaries and retirement.

Fifty-six employees wound up retiring this year, a total that was higher than Mr. Hopkins had anticipated in January. Thirty-four were teachers. The district will work over the summer to determine how many positions can be filled based on fall enrollment, retirement costs and the lower salaries paid to new hires.

The other major factors were utility bills and general insurance premiums that should be lower in 2007-08, as well as a less expensive photocopying lease and revised costs for sending students to the A.W. Beattie Career Center in McCandless.

Mr. Hopkins identified four areas of major cost increases totaling about $3.07 million, including salaries, retirement benefits, medical insurance and charter school payments.

He also cautioned the board that certain factors could affect the bottom line that were largely beyond North Allegheny's control -- the ongoing county tax reassessment case and the politically volatile 2008 state budget.

About $700,000 in North Allegheny refunds prompted by property owner appeals of the 2002 base-year assessment have been accounted for, but there's still $900,000 worth unresolved. Based on prior experience, he suggested that the district could expect to win half.

In Harrisburg, meanwhile, the GOP-controlled state Senate has approved a $27 billion budget that is $300,000 less than the version backed by Gov. Rendell and the Democrat-controlled House. The budget battle is far from over, since the House is set to push for restored funding for mass transit and, perhaps, education.

Left unsettled is what the district's state subsidy will be, an amount that should cover 18.3 percent of the district's budget next year -- about half of what the statewide average is, but nonetheless a vital revenue source.

"Funding could be altered dramatically by the Harrisburg showdown that comes in the next few weeks," Mr. Hopkins said.

The largest slice of the North Allegheny budget remains for instructional items including teacher salaries, benefits, supplies and services. More than $44 million goes for salaries, primarily for the district's 580 classroom teachers whose average salary is $69,138.

About $15.1 million goes for instructional-budget benefits, an amount less than had been anticipated because of higher employee contributions for health insurance.

The support services part of the budget includes annual salaries for 37 administrators averaging $96,542, with benefit-cost increases proportionately the same as for teachers.

Board members universally praised Mr. Hopkins and financial analyst Sherri Ludwig for being able to craft such a detailed plan despite an accelerated budgeting process prompted by state Act 1 mandates and property tax reform.

Still, at least three board members were concerned that a larger tax cut might have been possible, given a budget surplus of about 8 percent. The 8-percent cap is often referenced in school tax debates since it is the most a district can hold in reserve if it wants to get state approval for a millage increase.

"I think this body needs to keep an eye on this fund balance," said Alan Shuckrow. "If we have another surplus next year, I think we have to look at ourselves and say we need to be returning some of this surplus to the taxpayers," he said.

Ralph Pagone was disappointed the tax break was so meager, while Scott Cunningham later said that he would have preferred a tax cut tied to a smaller fund balance of about 7 percent, which would still allow the district to cover a year's worth of bond payments.

The three had opposed last year's tax increase.

Medical Bills Costly With And Without Insurance

A new University of Florida study shows three millions Floridians under the age of 65 are living without health insurance.

But whether or not you have insurance, you could still be racking up those medical bills.

On Sunday, Scott Rosenbluth attended a fundraiser for his friend Aaron Nichols. Nichols is currently in a coma after being in a car crash on Memorial Day.

Rosenbluth knows all too well how costly medical bills can be. He is currently in remission from cancer.

"Even with medical insurance, the costs are still a little bit significant,” Rosenbluth said. “There's a deductible. His family with be paying for the rest of their lives."

The weekend benefit for Nichols raised over $5,000.

Rosenbluth says personally, he doesn't have health insurance. It's not a choice. Insurance companies have labeled him as a high risk case.

He isn't eligible for coverage for another six months.
by:www.cfnews13.com

Insurance firms destroying health care

A letter to the editor regarding the health care system in Arizona missed the point of the real problems ("Medical liability is threatening Arizona's health care," Saturday).

There is a rapidly growing consensus that the primary problem with the practice of medicine today is clearly not the feigned "malpractice crisis" but rather the manner in which health insurers dictate and, in fact, intimidate physicians into accepting way too little reimbursement for the competent and beneficial care provided to their patients.

Insurance companies place physicians in completely untenable positions, namely, "Either go along with our pricing for your services or we will exclude you as a member of our physician panel." Studies over the past years have demonstrated that at the same time insurance companies are refusing reasonable reimbursements for physicians and medical groups, the insurance companies are reaping record profits.

Litigation is presently ongoing in other states involving doctors challenging the practices of health insurers in this regard but, to date, I know of no such endeavor within the state of Arizona.

If Arizonans want our physicians to be available for us and our hospitals to remain open and financially solvent, the relationship between insurance companies and physicians needs to be dealt with, either through legislation or by way of judicial action. In that regard, perhaps the legal community could serve the medical community very well.

Wouldn't such an alliance be helpful to all of us? - Steve Ryan, Scottsdale