Health Centers Serve 2.7 Million Low-Income Uninsured Workers, An Estimated 1 In 4
March 19th, 2011
A new policy research brief released today by the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services evaluates the consequences of the proposed reductions in federal health center funding on access to health care for low-income workers.
The brief, titled “The Role of Community Health Centers in Addressing the Needs of Uninsured Low-income Workers: Implications of Proposed Federal Funding Reductions,” estimates that of the 11 million uninsured, working, low-income Americans, 2.7 million receive their care in community health centers. The $1.3 billion reduction in FY 2011 health center funding approved by the U.S. Read full post…
Tags: Health, Health Centers
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How to Lower Your Condo Insurance Premiums
March 5th, 2011
Contrary to what some people think, it is possible to pay lower premiums for condo insurance. Here are some tips.
First, make sure that you are able to get an estimate of the full replacement value of the items that are inside your condo. A lot of condo owners confuse replacement costs with taxable value or market value, which is usually lower. In order to get a good estimate, list down all the items that you would like to be covered by the policy and get their replacement value. You can do this yourself or you can ask an insurance agent to help you out. Read full post…
Tags: Condo Insurance, Premiums
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Department Of Defense Awards Humana Military Healthcare Services South Region TRICARE Contract
March 3rd, 2011
Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) was informed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) that it has awarded the South Region TRICARE contract to Humana’s wholly owned subsidiary, Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc. Under terms of the award, Humana Military will continue supporting the DoD’s delivery of health care services to three million active duty and retired service members and their families in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and most of Texas. Eligible military beneficiaries in the Fort Campbell, Kentucky area will also be served by Humana Military under terms of the award. Read full post…
Tags: Contract, Region Tricare, Region Tricare Contract, Tricare Contract
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REAL ID Drivers License Deadline for States Postponed Until 2013
March 3rd, 2011
The federal government has again postponed until 2013 the deadline for all states to be in compliance with the REAL ID program, which sets minimum national standards for drivers licenses and identification cards.
The move has been cheered by states that see REAL ID as a costly mandate from the federal government. However, key House Republicans criticized the extension as not in the best interests of national security.
The REAL ID law, a recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, was passed by Congress in 2005 and supported by President George W. Bush as a nationwide identification system aimed at stopping terrorists, criminals and illegal immigrants.
Tags: 2013, Drivers License, Real Id
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Depression: take charge of your mental health
March 2nd, 2011
I have been talking a lot about mental health these days. Because it is just as important to take care of yourself mentally and it is to take care of yourself physically. At work we had a presentation by a local therapist about depression. This article is adapted from her presentation. Not really an upper right? But what she said was interesting. A lot of people would not admit that they are depressed. Thoughts of shame and guilt flood their mind. While breaking your leg seems to be an acceptable ailment, depression is not. Insensitive people might say, “Get over it; it’s no big deal.” But to those who suffer from depression, it is a big deal.
Some studies say that more than 9 million Americans suffer from depression. And t
Tags: Health, Mental Health
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The Withdrawal of Supplemental Annuity Plans
March 1st, 2011
A supplemental annuity plan is a tax-deferred annuity bought through financial advisers licensed for state life insurance sales. The deferred annuity doesn’t reduce annual income based on contributions; there is no contribution limit. Earnings grow without tax consequence until taken out. The withdrawal of an annuity is also referred to as a distribution or surrender.
IRS Regulations
Tags: Annuity, Supplemental Annuity
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Insurance Companies Using Social Networks to Detect Fraudulent Claims
February 28th, 2011
Health care investigators are using social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter to detect fraud cases, says a new report from the American Medical Association (AMA). By taking a closer look at the people they insure, investigators are gaining insight into medical liability and other health care scams.
Investigators Are Watching You
Social networks have already become known as the hot spot for employers who want to conduct lightweight background checks on prospective employees, but now these sites are becoming more popular in other areas of business, particularly insurance companies that want to make sure policyholders receiving claims payouts deserve the money.
According to the AMA, now that social media sites like Twitter and Facebook have become immensely popular, and many of its users now feel comfortable enough to share the events of their day, companies have been able to follow their activities to determine whether those who are being paid claims are running health insurance scams.
The insurers initially gain access to patient sites by using online profiling during the underwriting process.
Tags: Detect, Using Social
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Best Affirms Endurance Specialty and Subs ‘A’ Ratings
February 25th, 2011
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ and issuer credit ratings of “a” of Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd. and its affiliates. Best also affirmed the ICR of “bbb” and debt ratings of the publicly traded parent company, Endurance Specialty Holdings, Ltd.
The outlook for all ratings is stable. All of the above companies are domiciled in Bermuda.
The ratings reflect Endurance’s “strong level of risk-adjusted capitalization, solid historical operating performance over the last few years and its specialty focused, diversified business profile,” said Best. “Over the last fe
Tags: Endurance Specialty, Ratings
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