February 22, 2011 • Insurance Health Articles • Comments
Those needing to make a claim on their critical illness (CI) insurance should in future have a better understanding of their cover, following an updated Statement of Best Practice from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
The new Statement takes account of past problems with the insurance and aims to improve understanding of Total Permanent Disability (TPD) cover in CI policies.
February 19, 2011 • Insurance Health Articles • Comments
I wrote in my last post about aging. It is inevitable. It cannot be avoided. So prepare now so your quality of life when you are older is the best it can be. You have to take care of yourself so you can see your grandchildren have children. Here are some other ways to age gracefully and prepare for when you are older:
February 15, 2011 • Insurance Health Articles • Comments
What do your heart and your teeth have in common?
Did you know that bad dental hygiene can lead to heart disease? An article in my local newspaper today explored the connection between hygiene and coronary health. The surprising connection is how heart disease is directly related to dental up keep.
In honor of February being Children’s Dental Health Month, it’s time to get your mouth in shape. Unless your family health insurance includes a good dental plan, you will want to pay attention. And let’s be honest a healthy mouth is good for your body and for your wallet, so you will want to pay attention anyway.
The article does state that taking really good care of your teeth will prevent any heart disease, but they suggest that those who have goo dental hygiene tend to be those who have a good overall health in general. Extra
February 11, 2011 • Insurance Health Articles • Comments
Specialist affinity scheme provider Heath Lambert Insurance Services has extended its partnership with The Stroke Association to provide stroke survivors, their families, carers and supporters with a new suite of travel products.
The Association’s supporters will be able to take advantage of two levels of coverage, either gold or platinum, both of which cover all pre-existing medical conditions and can be taken out either on a single trip or annual basis.
Every year 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke, a third of whom die within 10 days, a third of whom recover within a month and a third of whom become disabled and require rehabilitation.
Heath Lambert Associate Director Diane Caplehorn has stated that a quarter of a million people in the UK are living with a stroke-induced disability and emphasised the broker’s commitment to providing value for money and coverage based on need.
Last year Health Insurance magazine awarded Heath Lambert Employee Benefits (HLEB) the Best Healthcare Trust Intermediary Award 2010.
February 10, 2011 • Insurance Health Articles • Comments
Winter. Just when we thought it was over, Jack Frost pulled a fast one on us. If you have been watching the news, you know that more than a third of the country was pounded with snow last week, causing power outages, canceled school and work, and treacherous driving conditions. If that is not enough to drive anyone crazy, I do not know what is. Even though Punxsutawney Phil (you know, the weather-forecasting groundhog from Pennsylvania) did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring, it feels like winter will never end.
Winter blues is that down feeling you get when the days are shorter and it just cannot seem to get any warmer. Bundling up, day after day, going to work before the sun rises only to go home after it sets.
February 6, 2011 • Insurance Health Articles • Comments
Beazley, the specialist insurer, and HealthPlan Services (HPS) have announced that the two firms are entering into a strategic partnership.
Under the terms of the agreement Beazley’s accident and health insurance customers will benefit from comprehensive business process services provided by HPS.
HPS will administer a comprehensive range of services, such as sales, case level underwriting, accident, critical illness, and supplemental medical products.
The customers and agents of Beazley will also benefit from online enrollment and integrated multiple products that offer streamlined quoting and billing.
Paul Gulstrand, head of Beazley’s Accident & Health Insurance division in the United States, has expressed his confidence that HPS is the right partner for the firm.
HPS President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bak has stated his confidence in the firm’s ability to utilise its extensive expertise and collaborate successfully with Beazley.
February 2, 2011 • Insurance Health Articles • Comments
Congratulations! You’ve just graduated. During a recession. Good for you. (Sense the sarcasm now.) If you haven’t heard, unemployment rates are as high as 14% in some states. This is enough to make any new grad fall into an utter state of panic.
While many are jobless, the economy is on an upswing according to many economists. There are still jobs. The best way to stay afloat is to do your best at finding them. Long gone are the days of landing your perfect dream job out of college, but there are jobs available. You deserve the job, the 401K and health insurance plan. Here are some tried and true ways to help you land that job:
* Have a top notch resume and cover letter. Typ
January 29, 2011 • Insurance Health Articles • Comments
Last Wednesday, Jan. 19, the United States House of Representatives voted 245-189 to repeal the nation’s individual health insurance reform law, the Affordable Care Act. While a full repeal is not expected, we should see a number of congressional hearings on the topic over the next few months.
The Affordable Care Act extended to insured group health plans the non-discrimination provisions found in the Internal Revenue Code, which previously had been applicable only to self-insured group plans. Effective for Plan Years which begin after Sept. 23, 2010, non-grandfathered health insurance plans are prohibited from discriminating in favor of highly compensated employees, and a penalty is imposed of $100 per day per participant on plans that discriminate. H