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Non Owner Car Insurance Rates Data Added to National Quotes System at Auto Company Website

April 21, 2014, 5:03 pm
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Non owner car insurance rates data is now included inside the quotation tool at the Quotes Pros website. Drivers can now quote these plans at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

Prescott, AZ (PRWEB) April 21, 2014

New variations of standard automobile insurance policies are released each year by agencies although some consumers can be unaware of the changes to policies. The Quotes Pros company has now included non owner car insurance rates data as a way to inform vehicle owners at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

The new price data that can be reviewed for this year is one advantage of visitors who use the national quotes finder. Recent programming changes have helped to introduce different policy information that is not featured through standard phone quotes systems in some U.S. states.

"All consumer price information that is extracted using our system is meant to allow private exploration and reviews of agency prices for non owner and other lesser known coverage options," said a Quotes Pros company source.

The addition of non owner protection plans for vehicle brands used in North America this year is one phase of the scheduled expansion of the quotation tool started earlier in the year. The different rates reviews that are now available includes liability, full coverage, high risk and other coverage plans.

"What our system offers is a useful way to compare different companies for rates changes and policy protection available for any vehicle brands," said the source.

The Quotes Pros company is now expanding different partnerships with agencies to support consumers by providing other policy options aside from vehicle average. The various life, health and renters policies are now quotable at http://quotespros.com/health-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company has built a resource center on the Internet that is capable of allowing research for different insurance products that agencies underwrite for motorists this year. This company has added to its service level for independent automotive resources over the past two years. The QuotesPros.com website has recently introduced different protection plans that are featured from North American insurers that consumers can easily review when accessing the private search database now presented on the homepage. Monthly provider updates are now added to increase insurer products research. Reported by PRWeb 18 hours ago.
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Uncovered California

April 21, 2014, 6:57 pm
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I've shared my gripes about Covered California before, such as here and here. I've got more to add.

I'm self-employed, so I get insurance through the so-called Covered California system of health insurance. California is one of the many states that decided, in its infinite wisdom, to not hang off the federal government's healthcare.gov site, but instead spend $100 million of its own to re-invent the wheel.

So instead of one wholly integrated federal health care system, we have something like 30 disparate systems, all of them expensive, and none of them perfect. Indeed, "not perfect" is an absurd understatement, roughly equal to Oprah being "not petite." Allow me to offer my own personal example.

When I initially signed up for the service in December, I decided to be cheap and buy the Bronze level of service, since my medical needs are approximately zero. The signup went decently well (although it was clear the web site was sorta kinda broken), and I was on my way. Healthnet was the private insurance carrier that provided my lame-ass Bronze coverage, and that was that.

A couple of weeks later, I decided Bronze was a pretty pathetic level, and that Silver would be a more appropriate product for me. Now, in a just and sane universe, I would have signed on to the web site, clicked the Upgrade button, agreed to the higher premium, and we would all go on with our lives. Ho ho ho! Nope. Not even close.

I debated whether or not to share with you all I went through to execute this ostensibly simple procedure, but honestly, even with the most riveting writing, I would lose all of you along the way. There were many steps, many phone conversations, and many dozens of hours expended on this ridiculous act. There were false starts, dead ends, and wrong turns. If there is a Hell, they surely will model it on my experience upgrading from Bronze to Silver.

But that was weeks ago. I'm not going to go back down that path, because, at long last, I finally got the upgrade done, and I was on my way. So what am I griping about now?

It's good that you ask, because I just happen to be typing right now, and I'd be glad to respond.

On Friday, my doctor's office contacted me to tell me they weren't getting paid, because my insurance had been cancelled. Umm..........*what?* Given what screw-ups both Covered California and Healthnet are, I wasn't shocked, but after spending so much time and energy finally getting upgraded, it made me sick to think I'd have to venture back into The Land That Competency Forgot to deal with this.

But, sure enough, I logged onto Healthnet and was greeting with the following:

For my convenience. For. My. Convenience. You douchenozzles! The last thing you care about in the world is my convenience!

So then I called them, and I felt kind of honored, in a way, because as luck would have it, I managed to reach the winner of the World's Most Dim-Witted Person contest to help me. What a treat! So after speaking with her at great length (because, let's face it, my time has no value), it was determined that..........my premiums were promptly paid, yes. I hadn't done anything wrong, yes. But, according to Ms. Dim, Covered California had cancelled the policy on April 3 for no reason, and that Covered California was in the process of fixing this, and it would be all just dandy in a week or ten days.

See, the beauty of the State and a Private Company partnering like this is they can always blame
 one another. There's nothing easier than extending one's index finger Over There to indicate whose fault it is. I've noticed they do this a lot. And so they did it a again.

Although I could have just left it at that, I'm not naive enough to think that everything was going to work itself out, so I called Covered California (which is akin to the proverbial jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire, because let's remember, at least Healthnet is a private company). So, after a lot of waiting, I reached a human at CoveredCA and told her the situation.'

She carefully examined my records and said, nope, they didn't cancel me, and there was nothing untoward about my account at all. She had no idea what Healthnet was talking about.

Well, OK, fine. But while I had her on the phone, I explained to her that I'd like to be able to log in to my own CoveredCA account from time to time, and my username and password weren't working.

She explained to me that the username/password I had wouldn't work, but that I should create a new account, just like I did the first time, and enter a special Case Number when prompted in order to "link" to my information. OK, fine. So she told me the access code, letter by letting, emphasizing which letters were uppercase and which were lowercase. I carefully repeated it back to make sure I had it right, because getting a human on the phone is time-consuming enough.

Later on, I went to the web site, and I dutifully started to create a new account. I saw the field she mentioned, which gave me a sense of relief, because that's where I was supposed to enter my code:

I carefully entered the code and clicked the Submit button. It waited a moment, and then up came a dialog box saying that the code wasn't valid. Although I knew I entered the code carefully, I tried once again, this time, triple-checking each letter. I clicked Submit. Same deal. I tried a third time. No change.

Thus, I called them yet again. After a long while, I got another human, and I explained the situation. She said to me, and I'm not making this up: "Oh, yes, that's the correct Access Code. But those don't actually work."

It soon became evident that the entire Access Code schtick was just a sorry waste of time. It didn't work at all. And when I expressed astonishment that their $100 million site had this error, she laughed, "Oh, that's nothing! That's one of the small problems! You wouldn't believe how many glitches there are."

NEWS FLASH: I had thrown out the figure "$100 million" a couple of times, I realize. This was just a dumb guess. I took the time to actually find out what it cost, and I'm sorry I didn't do better research for my readers. Turns out the costs were $489 million. Sorry 'bout dat.

In any case, I am a healthy, relatively young person, and the preceding has been a taste of my experience. I can't imagine what someone with real health needs would go through. But I'll close by saying this: I realize I piss and moan and bitch about people who work for Goldman Sachs, or JP Morgan, or wherever else. But you know what...........they're supposed to make lots of money, and it just so happens they're very good at it. Getting hired at a place like Goldman Sachs is a very big deal, and although these people are no saints............they are good at what they do. They have to be, because private enterprise doesn't tolerate otherwise.

When you're dealing with state bureaucrats, however, it's an entirely different universe. You are dealing with some of the dumbest folks on the planet, fiercely protected by entrenched unions, and utterly devoid of incentive to do anything but punch a clock and get through their day.

The old saw, cited for years to avoid national health, about government-based health care having "the efficiency of the post office and the sensitivity of the IRS" was far too optimistic. I'm here to tell you.............it sucks out loud. So, for your own sake, don't ever get sick. Reported by Zero Hedge 16 hours ago.
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Looking at Costs and Risks, Many Skip Health Insurance

April 22, 2014, 7:18 am
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Americans who have chosen to be uninsured cited cost, frustration and ideology as some of the reasons they sat out the first open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act. Reported by NYTimes.com 4 hours ago.
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Affordable Insurance for Middle Class Americans Now Quoted Online

April 21, 2014, 7:03 pm
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Affordable insurance for middle class Americans is now being quoted through the Quotes Pros website. Available discounts for U.S. policies are now viewable at http://quotespros.com/car-insurance.html.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) April 21, 2014

Obtaining the best annual insurance rates for motor vehicle policies is one of the ways that some consumers save money each year in the U.S. The Quotes Pros company is now providing special rates for affordable insurance for middle class Americans online at http://quotespros.com/car-insurance.html.

The exclusive price information that is now provided is supplied directly through a different source of American insurers this year. The open platform to quote policies introduced by the Quotes Pros company last month has been adjusted with the new agencies now searchable.

"Middle income earners in North America can use our resources to find affordable policies for protecting any vehicle brand," said a Quotes Pros source.

The 2014 price information that is now available to middle class auto owners is in contrast to the standard rates that are included for low wage workers introduced earlier this month. Full coverage, liability, high risk and collector policies are among the new policies available for instant quotations.

"A person who has an interest in saving money annually on vehicle insurance products can receive the most benefits using our public tool this year," said the source.

To go along with the auto industry price data available for review, the Quotes Pros company has added other insurers for consumers to review to find life, homeowners, renters and health insurance plans at http://quotespros.com/home-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company is now one of the active resources in the vehicle insurance industry to help consumers compare agency price data each year. This company offers its quotation system at no cost for public use on the Internet. The QuotesPros.com company workers help to program all of the suppliers of insurance products that are featured in the agency finder. The differences in pricing and policy coverage types are some of the benefits that individuals are presented while accessing the quotation services that this company provides. Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.
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Zane Benefits Releases Overview on Recruiting and Retaining Employees

April 21, 2014, 7:03 pm
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Why Defined Contribution Helps Recruit and Retain the Best Employees

Park City, UT (PRWEB) April 21, 2014

Today, Zane Benefits, the #1 Online Health Benefits Solution, published a new overview on why defined contribution helps recruit and retain the best employees.

According to Zane Benefits’ website, defined contribution health benefits are a valuable tool for recruiting and retaining the best employees - without the cost and complication of a group health insurance plan.

Zane Benefits’ website says that recruiting and retention is important to businesses of all shapes and sizes. That's because the cost of losing an employee is estimated at the equivalent of 6-9 months in salary - that’s $20,000 to $30,000 for a $40,000 manager in recruiting and training expenses, along with the potential lost revenue from customers. Others predict the cost is even more - that losing a salaried employee can cost as much as 2x their annual salary, especially for a highly-educated executive level employee.

Click here to read the full article.

About Zane Benefits

Zane Benefits, the #1 Online Health Benefits Solution, was founded in 2006 to revolutionize the way employers provide employee health benefits in America. We empower employees to take control over their own healthcare, while helping employers recruit and retain the best talent. Our online solutions allow small and medium-sized businesses to successfully transition to a health benefits program that creates happier employees, reduces costs and frees up more time to serve their customers. For more information about ZaneHealth, visit http://www.zanebenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.
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Editorial: Census survey changes will boost Obamacare

April 21, 2014, 10:15 pm
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Editorial: Census survey changes will boost Obamacare The U.S. Census Bureau has made major changes to the questions on its annual survey related to health insurance. The effect will make measuring Obamacare's impact next to impossible. Reported by detnews.com 13 hours ago.
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AIS, Silverlink Virtual Workshop to Present Consumer Engagement Best Practices for Health Plans

April 22, 2014, 1:03 am
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The June 4 program presented by Atlantic Information Services and Silverlink Communications will provide valuable insights into health plan consumer engagement best practices and a practical toolkit for successfully engaging and driving consumer behavior.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 22, 2014

Leading health business information publisher Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is pleased to announce its upcoming virtual workshop, “Consumer Engagement Best Practices: Health Plan Strategies for Improving Outcomes and Generating Savings.” Taught by two executives from Silverlink Communications, Inc. — a preeminent provider of consumer engagement intelligence to the health plan community — this June 4 program will provide valuable insights into health plan consumer engagement best practices and a practical toolkit for successfully engaging and driving consumer behavior.

Engaging consumers with well-timed, patient-friendly encounters will improve member outcomes and allow health plans to realize substantial savings, but this is easier said than done. Best practices in consumer engagement have evolved over decades of scientific data-driven testing of different messages in different channels at different times. And with dynamic change in the health insurance marketplace, best practices continue to change as well.

During this day-long program, Silverlink’s Kathleen Ellmore, vice president of engagement sciences, and Jack Newsom, Sc.D., vice president of marketing analytics, will provide valuable, practical intelligence on:·     Effective strategies for onboarding new members
·     Leveraging member data to personalize and improve the customer experience
·     Managing member transitions from one plan to another
·     Employing best practices in pharmacy engagement

Additionally, each of the workshop’s four sessions will conclude with generous time allocated to answering individual questions.

AIS’s virtual workshop allows participants to get intensive classroom training without having to travel to a meeting site. Plus, the registration fee includes a free on-demand recording of each session, so any agenda items can be reviewed at a later time.

For more information, including a full agenda, faculty biographies and how to register, visit http://aishealth.com/consumer-engagement.

About AIS
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the health care industry for more than 25 years. It develops highly targeted news, data and strategic information for managers in hospitals, health plans, medical group practices, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, websites, looseleafs, books, strategic reports, databases, webinars, conferences and workshops. Learn more at http://AISHealth.com.

About Silverlink
A leader in health care consumer outreach since 2002, Silverlink has more than 100 health care clients (including the top 10 health plans and 21 of the top 25) and has executed more than a billion engagement communications. Learn more at http://silverlink.com. Reported by PRWeb 10 hours ago.
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HealthCare.gov Users Asked to Reset Passwords Due to Heartbleed Bug

April 22, 2014, 12:58 am
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Customers of HealthCare.gov, the United States’ health insurance marketplace, are being asked to change their passwords. The website was vulnerable to Heartbleed attacks. There’s no evidence that cybercriminals have targeted HealthCare.gov, but they could have, which is why customers are advised to change their passwords. “This means the next time you visit the website, you’ll need to create a new password. We strongly recommend you create a unique password – no... Reported by Softpedia 10 hours ago.
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Lisa Lockerman Receives Prestigious Women’s Choice Award for Financial Advisors

April 22, 2014, 3:07 am
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Reaffirms Commitment to Extraordinary Service in Addressing the Financial Needs of Women and Their Families

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) April 22, 2014

As the leading advocate for female consumers, WomenCertified®, Inc. is pleased to announce that Lisa Lockerman, registered principal of Cambridge Investment Research and president of Lockerman Financial Group has received the Women’s Choice Award® for Financial Advisors based on rigorous research, 17 objective criteria including a client survey to obtain feedback regarding service and practices.

The Women’s Choice Award is the only recognition program for well-qualified advisors who are committed to the women’s market and serving their female clients. Achieving this award reaffirms the commitment Lisa Lockerman has to extraordinary service in addressing the financial needs of women and their families.

“We are honored to receive this award. As a firm, we place our clients’ best interests first and strive for excellence in all we do,” said Lockerman. “Many of our clients have been with us for over 20 years, and we work diligently to maintain those lifelong partnerships. Our industry brings with it many complexities, and we work together with our clients to deliver the clarity and financial peace of mind they deserve.”

WomenCertified, originator of the Women’s Choice Award, was created by Delia Passi, the leading advocate for female consumers and former group publisher of Working Woman and Working Mother magazines. In partnership with WIFE.org (Women’s Institute for Financial Education) co-founders Ginita Wall and Candace Bahr, Delia has created the Women’s Choice Award for Financial Advisors in an effort to help women identify those advisors who are committed to providing quality service. The award allows this elite group of advisors to showcase their commitment to the women’s market, while giving potential clients a starting point for entrusting their finances to an advisor.

Women currently control 51 percent of all wealth in the United States, and according to the Federal Reserve, this number is projected to reach 66% by 2020.* As the financial industry wakes up to the fact that a great majority of the female population are seeking advisors they can trust, Passi, Bahr and Wall have already created the solution. This powerful, national initiative distinguishes advisors who support female consumers in their quest for financial education.

About Lisa Lockerman
Lockerman is the Founder and President of Lockerman Financial Group. Lisa has proudly served as a trusted wealth manager since 1991. In addition to the Women’s Choice Award, she has received the Five Star Wealth Manager Award in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Lockerman holds a Master of Science degree in Financial Services (MSFS) form The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance Management and a Minor in Spanish from California State University, Long Beach. She received the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation and Certificate in Estate Planning and Taxation from The American College. She received the Accredited Estate Planner designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. She holds the FINRA Series 24, 6, 7, 63 and 65 and is licensed to offer life and health insurance in several states.

About Lockerman Financial Group
Lockerman Financial Group is an independent fee-based financial management firm. The firm offers unbiased advice and access to a vast array of non-proprietary products and resources. Client relationships start with a personalized planning process to discover what is important to each client. Strategies are then designed to align the client’s goals with financial and estate planning. A collaborative team approach is used to coordinate all aspects of a client’s financial life.
http://www.LockermanFinancial.com
info(at)LockermanFinancial(dot)com

Registered Principal, Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Lockerman Financial Group not affiliated. CA Insurance License 0G56777 and 0822719.

About Women’s Choice Award
The Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisor Program is based on 17 objective criteria associated with providing quality service to women clients such as credentials, experience and a favorable regulatory history, among other factors. Financial advisors do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisors, though they may have paid a basic program fee to cover the cost of comprehensive review and client survey.

WomenCertified®, home to the Women’s Choice Awards, awards businesses, brands and services based on high recommendation ratings by female consumers. WomenCertified represents the collective voice of women so they can help each other identify businesses that deserve their loyalty and referrals. To learn more, visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com or go to: http://www.wife.org/womens-choice-award/finding-a-financial-advisor/.

About WIFE.ORG
The Women’s Institute for Financial Education (WIFE.org) is the oldest non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial education to women in their quest for financial independence. It was founded in 1988 by wealth management experts and KPBS Heroes Candace Bahr and Ginita Wall, who have a lifelong mission of helping women connect with resources that help them prosper and grow financially. Visit http://www.wife.org.

*http://www.forbes.com/sites/sashagalbraith/2011/03/18/financial-services-the-industry-women-love-to-hate/ Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.
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CDPHP Presents No-Cost Women’s Health Series

April 22, 2014, 3:07 am
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CDPHP is offering a three part women's health series focused on breast health, menopause, and bone health. The events are free and open to the public.

Albany, NY (PRWEB) April 22, 2014

In celebration of Women’s Health Week, CDPHP is hosting a three part series on important topics in women’s health. The events, which will take place at the Healthy Living Center in Albany, will focus on breast health, menopause, and bone health.

The classes are free and open to the public. You do not need to be a CDPHP member to participate. Registration is required. For more information, please visit The Healthy Living Center website or call (518) 729-4732.

Breast Health: Take Your Health into Your Own Hands: Monday, May 5th from 5:30-7 p.m.·     The Importance of Early Detection
·     Eating Well for Breast Cancer Prevention
·     LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA Cancer Survivor Physical Activity Program

Managing Menopause: Monday, May 12th from 5:30-7 p.m.·     Menopause 101: What Happens and Why
·     Nutrition Tips for Menopause
·     Physical Activity and Menopause
·     Beyond Lifestyle Changes: Understanding Treatment Options

Strong Bones for Life: Monday, May 19th from 5:30-7 p.m.·     An Introduction to Bone Health
·     Food and Supplements for Optimal Bone Health
·     Don’t get tripped up!

The Healthy Living Center is a partnership between the YMCA, CDPHP and Hannaford Supermarkets to address the health and wellness needs of the Capital Region.

About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 24 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.
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Fact Checker: Spinning Obamacare success: The president highlights a less relevant number

April 22, 2014, 3:27 am
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“Thirty-five percent of people who enrolled through the federal marketplace are under the age of 35.”

--President Obama, news conference, April 17, 2014

The Fact Checker was on break last week, but did manage to pass a TV set that aired images of the President’s announcement on April 17 that 8 million people had signed up for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act exchanges. We were struck by a headline in the TV ticker that amplified the president’s message that 35 percent of the enrollees were younger than 35. Reported by Washington Post 7 hours ago.
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Advocate says education is key as many city Hispanics live without health insurance

April 22, 2014, 3:56 am
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The majority of Latinos who are uninsured work for smaller businesses that do not offer insurance. Reported by NJ.com 7 hours ago.
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38 GOP lawmakers join Ron Johnson’s Obamacare lawsuit

April 22, 2014, 5:48 am
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Thirty-eight Republican lawmakers are signaling support for a lawsuit filed by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) that challenges a rule by the Obama administration allowing the federal government to subsidize health insurance for lawmakers and some congressional staffers. Reported by Washington Post 5 hours ago.
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Zane Benefits Releases Overview of The Competitiveness of the ACA Exchanges

April 22, 2014, 6:04 am
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How Competitive are the ACA Health Insurance Exchanges?

Park City, UT (PRWEB) April 22, 2014

Today, Zane Benefits, the #1 Online Health Benefits Solution, published a new overview on the competitiveness of the ACA exchanges.

According to Zane Benefits’ website, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) recently analyzed competition in the individual health insurance market. Historically, the individual health insurance market historically has been highly concentrated, with only modest competition in most states.

Zane Benefits’ website says that for example, when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010, a single insurer had at least half of the individual market in 30 states and the District of Columbia. While a dominant insurer may be able to negotiate lower rates from hospitals and physicians, without significant competitors or regulatory oversight, there was no guarantee that those savings would be passed along to consumers.

Click here to read the full article.

About Zane Benefits
Zane Benefits, the #1 Online Health Benefits Solution, was founded in 2006 to revolutionize the way employers provide employee health benefits in America. We empower employees to take control over their own healthcare, while helping employers recruit and retain the best talent. Our online solutions allow small and medium-sized businesses to successfully transition to a health benefits program that creates happier employees, reduces costs and frees up more time to serve their customers. For more information about ZaneHealth, visit http://www.zanebenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.
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The IHC Group Announces Pet Insurance Affiliation With One of the Largest Health Insurance Companies in the United States

April 22, 2014, 6:04 am
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IHC continues to expand its relationships with other carriers, providing supplemental pet insurance products, underwritten by IHC insurance carrier, and administered by Pets Best.

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 22, 2014

The IHC Group is pleased to announce its pet insurance product is now available to customers of one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S. Pet insurance coverage, underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, which is one of three insurance carriers in The IHC Group, offers coverage for illness, accidents, prescription medications, hospitalization, cancer and more. The plans are offered and administered by Pets Best, one of the largest pet insurance marketers in the United States and the only veterinarian-founded and operated pet insurance agency.

“We are excited to continue to expand our pet insurance offerings to health insurance companies who desire to round out their product portfolio,” said David Kettig, President of Independence American Insurance Company.

“Interest in pet insurance has continued to rise in the United States over the last decade. As the underwriting insurance carrier for Pets Best, we can offer a variety of insurance options to customers, from routine care to accident and illness coverage to cancer and feline illness plans. Having this many options available allows pet parents to select insurance coverage that’s right for their budget and their pets’ lifestyle, and can ultimately help provide peace-of-mind should their pet need costly care” said Kettig.

Pets Best pet insurance operates on a reimbursement model. Pet parents can choose any veterinarian, pay the cost of the visit, and submit a claim for reimbursement. Claims are typically processed within two business days. Plans for accidents and illnesses start at just $16 a month.

For more information about pet insurance, visit PetsBest.com or contact Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC at 877-738-7237.

About The IHC Group
The IHC Group is an organization of insurance carriers and marketing and administrative affiliates that has been providing life, health, disability, medical stop-loss and specialty insurance solutions to groups and individuals for over 30 years. Members of The IHC Group include Independence Holding Company, American Independence Corp., Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Independence American Insurance Company. Each insurance carrier in The IHC Group has a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company, Inc., a widely recognized rating agency that rates insurance companies on their relative financial strength and ability to meet policyholder obligations. (An A++ rating from A.M. Best is its highest rating.) Collectively, the companies in The IHC Group provide insurance coverage to more than one million individuals and groups. For more information about The IHC Group, visit http://www.ihcgroup.com.

About Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC
Dr. Jack L. Stephens, president of Pets Best, founded pet insurance in the U.S. in 1981 with a mission to end euthanasia when pet owners couldn’t afford veterinary treatment. Dr. Stephens went on to present the first U.S. pet insurance policy to famous television dog Lassie. Pets Best provides coverage for dogs and cats and is the only veterinarian founded and operated pet insurance company in the United States. Dr. Stephens leads the Pets Best team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. He is always available to answer questions regarding veterinarian medicine, pet health and pet insurance. The Pets Best team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Visit http://www.petsbest.com for more information. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.
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Rice University Spins Data for Obamacare

April 22, 2014, 7:55 am
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Rice University Spins Data for Obamacare *HOUSTON, TEXAS*--A new study helps confirm assertions that Texans do not want or need Obamacare. According to an April report by the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, the percentage of uninsured adults in Texas has only declined by 1.3 percent, from 24.8 to 23.5, since Obamacare took effect in September 2013. 

The report further stated that 746,000 Texans purchased health insurance through the Obamacare marketplace. Of those individuals, about 30 percent were previously uninsured. 

John Davidson, a senior health care policy analyst at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, told Breitbart Texas that the actual number of enrolled Texans is likely to be significantly lower than the released figures claim. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can only count the number of individuals selecting plans on the online marketplace--not those actually paying for them. 

"The 746,000 Texans who purchased plans are people who enrolled but not people who necessarily paid for an insurance plan," Davidson said. "There's an assumption that if you've enrolled, you're going to pay. The Rice [University] report does not seem to make the distinction between enrolling and paying. HHS has not provided any information about how many people who have paid, because they are not requiring insurance companies to tell them who has paid for plans and who has not. And the researchers at Rice apparently did not include questions about payment in their survey."

He continued, "It is significant that neither HHS nor Rice has tried to get that information from insurance companies operating on the exchange or from enrollees. If they did, we would have a much more realistic and modest view of what the ACA is doing nationwide with insurance. If you don't pay for a plan, then you're not actually covered."

Page four of Rice's study explains how the researchers got their figures. It appears that the authors use “enroll” and “insured” interchangeably.

The report stated, "A total of 4.6% of those surveyed in HRMS Texas March 2014 responded yes to the question: 'Did you enroll in a health insurance plan through the marketplace, also known as Healthcare.gov?' Applying this response rate to the adult population ages 18 to 64 in Texas equates 746,000 Texans who enrolled in a plan through the marketplace by early March."

Following the completion of their study, researchers at Rice University released statements that portrayed Obamacare in a wholly positive light. 

Vivian Ho, the chair in health economics at Rice’s Baker Institute, said, "Given that Texas has consistently had the highest percent of uninsured residents among the 50 states for several years, the insurance provisions of the ACA are expected to play a substantial role in providing coverage to the close to 5 million adults who reportedly lacked health insurance in the state in 2010‐2011. However, technical problems plagued the electronic websites for the Health Insurance Marketplaces in each state when they opened in October 2013, and some of these problems still exist today."

Ho and Elena Marks, president and CEO of the Episcopal Health Foundation, co-authored the new study at the Baker Institute. The pair argued that the relatively small increase in insured individuals since Obamacare's implementation may be tied to the state's decision to not expand Medicaid. 

Marks said, "In March 2014, the percentage of uninsured in Texas had declined only slightly...The decline in uninsured is similar to that experienced by states that did not expand Medicaid under the ACA, and it falls far short of the 4- percentage-point drop in uninsured experienced by states that elected to expand Medicaid. These percentage figures mask the impact of the Marketplace on the lives of hundreds of thousands of Texans."

Breitbart Texas previously reported on the media's effort to credit Obamacare for a national increase in Medicaid enrollment. 

According to a report released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), more than 3 million people have enrolled in Medicaid since October. Relatively speaking, however, 3 million is not a substantial increase in Medicaid enrollment. In some states like Texas, enrollment rates have actually decreased.

Across the 48 states that reported data to the HHS, a total of 62.3 million individuals are enrolled in Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program. This marks a 5.2 percent increase over the average monthly enrollment for July through September of 2013, according to the HHS report. 

"An increase of 5.2 percent isn't that significant," Davidson told Breitbart Texas. "Over time, Medicaid enrollment has gradually increased" regardless of the ACA, he added. 

Nine states, including Texas, have seen a decrease in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since Obamacare went into effect. Since October, Texas saw a (-0.4) percent increase in enrollment. HHS data claims that 4.25 million people are currently enrolled in the state, down from 4.44 million in September 2013. Despite this, the mainstream media has been using the fresh numbers to tout Obamacare's "success" at helping individuals and families secure healthcare. 

Given the actual enrollment statistics, however, it is easy to surmise that Texans do not want Obamacare. 

In December Governor Rick Perry summed up the attitude of Texans towards Obamacare.

He was quoted in the Dallas Morning News saying, "People all across the country have witnessed what a disaster this program has been from its earliest stages, ranging from the $600 million website debacle to the sad fact that President Barack Obama flat-out deceived the American people when he promised that those who like their coverage could keep it. To stem the bleeding, the administration is resorting to arbitrary delays for some Obamacare mandates, which only inject more confusion into the marketplace and with consumers."

Follow Kristin Tate on Twitter @KristinBTate Reported by Breitbart 3 hours ago.
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These Democrats Aren't Running Away From Obamacare In Their Races

April 22, 2014, 8:20 am
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While some Democrats are advertising their resistance to the Affordable Care Act, others, such as Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), are embracing the health care law.

Schwartz is running in a competitive Democratic primary to challenge Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R). In her latest TV ad, released Tuesday, she highlights her work on the health care reform bill, saying that she played a leading role in creating the component that prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to people with preexisting conditions.

“I am proud to have worked with President Obama to write and pass the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation that is helping 8 million Americans get affordable, quality health coverage,” Schwartz said in a statement that accompanied the ad's release. “I worked with the President to make sure insurance companies can no longer deny coverage for children with pre-existing conditions.”

She also hits Corbett for not expanding Medicaid coverage under the law.

Schwartz will face businessman Tom Wolf, state Treasurer Rob McCord and Katie McGinty, who led the state's Department of Environmental Protection, in the May 20 gubernatorial primary.

In the release, Schwartz's campaign seizes on the unique nature of the ad. "Schwartz is one of the only Democrats in the country to tout her support of and involvement in 'Obamacare' in campaign advertising," it notes. The campaign may have made the calculation that the ad would appeal to Philadelphia voters, who are in her congressional district.

A previous ad touted work she did as a state senator to create Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program.

Congressional candidate and nonprofit executive Elisabeth Jensen took a similar approach last week, releasing a radio ad in which she hits Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) for voting to repeal the state's health care exchange, Kentucky Kynect.

“Thanks to Governor Beshear, Kentucky Kynect provides healthcare to Kentuckians who had no insurance," Jensen says in the ad. "But Barr, along with Mitch McConnell, voted to end Kynect and let insurance companies drop coverage, deny care and charge women more ... [and] cancel insurance policies of 400,000 Kentuckians." Reported by Huffington Post 2 hours ago.
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America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Joins the Coalition for ICD-10

April 22, 2014, 7:59 am
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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has joined the Coalition for ICD-10, a broad-based advocacy group united in support of the ICD-10 coding standard. Reported by Business Wire 3 hours ago.
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Change Your Income, Change Your Health Insurance Plan

April 22, 2014, 8:12 am
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People aren't locked into the plan they chose through the health exchanges if their income changes during the year. But you've got just 60 days to make the switch to a cheaper plan. Reported by NPR 3 hours ago.
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Most Support Birth Control Mandate, Survey Shows

April 22, 2014, 9:54 am
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Most Americans — 69 percent — support the requirement that health insurance plans pay for birth control, a new survey shows.The 2010 Affordable Care Act requires health insurers to pay for contraception as part of 10 essential benefits, including vaccines and cancer screenings. Reported by msnbc.com 54 minutes ago.
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