California’s new Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones (D) is preparing to combat major rate hikes that have characterized the state’s individual health insurance marketplace in recent years, the Wall Street Journal reports. Jones already has started putting pressure on several health insurance companies that recently announced rate increases for individual policies.
Recent Rate Hikes
On Jan. 6, Jones asked Blue Shield of California to delay a planned series of rate hikes that could total as high as 59% for individual policyholders. This week, the commissioner asked Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and PacifiCare to postpone their planned rate increases so he could review the filings.
Major Issue in California
Rate increases in the individual health insurance market have been a major issue in California because the state has the largest number of individual policyholders. About two million Californians purchased individual health insurance policies in 2009, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Marian Mulkey — director of health reform at the California HealthCare Foundation — said premiums have been rising across California because the state’s economic downturn has prompted many healthy residents to cancel their coverage, leaving insurers with a higher proportion of sick people in their coverage pools.
Authority Over Rate Hikes
California regulations require health plans to submit their rates to the insurance commissioner, who can review them to ensure they are in compliance with state law. The state does not allow the commissioner to reject premium increases.
Read more…
It seems there really is an app for that with my iPhone (a white one to match my Mac of course), loaded up with Google Plus, Twitter, Stumbleupon, Raven Tools and twelve different camera apps! It doesnt seem that long ago that I got my first text message I can see where I was, sat in my kitchen when, ding, ding my first text. I cant recall what it said, but I remember who it was from and I am sure it wasnt polite (thanks Damon if you are reading this).
Now there isnt a lot I cant do on my iPhone: tell people where I am with LinkedIn, what I am doing with Twitter and send them a photograph using one of my many camera apps. At World First, we use Twitter as a travel tool and a support channel. On holiday? Got a problem? Just tweet and well be on the case! Heres the lowdown on what one travel blog had to say about our Twitter use.
Lets take a look around and see what our travel friends think are the must have travel apps.
Being an avid photographer (who is admittedly going through a creative lull at the moment) I thought I would talk about Instagram. For travellers this is one cool app as it allows you to share photos with your friends easily and quickly. It also has some nice built in effects. I know our good friend and professional photographer PauldSmart loves the tilt-shift. If you want to share where you are and what you are doing photographically, then you need this.
Interested in more photography apps? Gadling recently compiled a list of their favourites.
One phrase you really dont want to hear when travelling is I need the toilet and I need it RIGHT NOW. You are in an unknown town and cant find that much needed loo.
Read more…
XN Holdings, parent company of XN Financial Services, has been acquired by a private operator in France, Henner – GMC Services.
XN Financial will continue to function as a privately held operating entity, offering wide range of specialty insurance solutions.
This acquisition creates XN Financial to provide insurance products specializing in expatriate insurance and administrative platforms for healthcare products as well as property and casualty.
Supported by Lloyd’s capacity, XN Financial’s suite of products paired with Henner – GMC-Services well-established carrier relationships and global presence result in a unique offering to the mobility market.
Combined, the companies will manage an annual $1.3bn in written premium; enhance global coordination with the addition of four North American offices, and offer innovative approaches to global risk management.
Henner – GMC Services managing director Charles Robinet Duffo said XN Financial’s physical locations in North America provide a strategic and natural opportunity to further expand the global presence.
The details of this transaction will remain undisclosed.
From AIDS and TB, the new global killer according to the United Nations is heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. While these 3 have always been at the top of the list, this time it has become alarming to the point of UN calling it “a public health emergency in slow motion.” It ties in with the recommendation for international travel health insurance because the UN also released a report that global international travel is increasing. With these top 3 killers which can go undetected for years, getting international health insurance will make a person more aware of his health and well being.
The most frustrating concern about these 3 health problems is that they are curable or can be treated so that a person can live for many years. It’s not like AIDS which has no cure; or an unknown bug that suddenly shows up on the radar. By watching what one eats and drinks, lifestyle, and regular check-ups, no one has to die an untimely death from any 3 health problems.
The UN is strongly recommending that nations push for healthy habits. Next week the UN General Assembly will conduct a summit on 4 chronic diseases, including diabetes. If the world can come together to fight these diseases, we would not have figures like 9 out of 10 nearly dying from any one of these 4 health issues.
Open Enrollment for Medicare will begin earlier this year and last seven weeks to allow seniors and people with disabilities more time to compare and find the best plan to meet their individual needs. Open Enrollment will begin Saturday, October 15th and last through December 7th, 2011.
This year, due to the Affordable Care Act, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is able to offer seniors additional benefits, better choices and lower costs, including free preventative services and cheaper prescription drugs. “Open enrollment is seniors’ chance to review their Medicare choices and pick the plan that works for them, or keep the plan they have today,” says Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Medicare is health insurance offered by the federal government for people aged 65 and older, or younger people with certain disabilities. Medicare Part A helps to cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and home health care. Medicare Part B, or medical insurance, helps cover doctors’ and other health care providers’ services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment and home health care. Part B also offers some preventive services that help maintain health and keep certain illnesses from getting worse.
Medicare Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. These health plan options are run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and combine services offered under both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Most also include Medicare Part D, which is prescription drug coverage.
The Medicare Plan Finder is an online search tool to help provide estimated cost and coverage information. By enteri
Read more…
Email Article Tweet
Interested in buying life insurance online but not sure where to start? We hear from consumers just like you every day. At Efinancial we make it our goal to educate our customers and provide the information and resources they need to make confident decisions. In order to simplify the process of buying life insurance online, we’ve developed several tools specifically designed for the online consumer. What can these tools do for you? Let’s take a closer look.
Life Insurance Calculator
Our life insurance calculator is designed to help you assess your current financial situation, and the goals and responsibilities that will impact your finances for years to come. After entering a few simple figures such as: income, spouse’s income and college savings goals, our calculator will provide an “additional coverage needed” figure. This figure should help you determine your needs and, more importantly, the needs of your family. Try our life insurance calculator for yourself.
Life Expectancy Calculator
One of the most important factors to consider when buying life insurance online is your life expectancy. Because many life insurance policies are bought on a term basis, it is important to consider how long you are likely to live, and how long you’ll need coverage. Check out our life expectancy calculator.
Cash Flow Calculator
Our cash flow calculator is designed to help you figure your monthly cash flow excess and determine how it compares to your expenses and income. Your annual living expe
Read more…