Security Life Launches the Next Generation of Its PrimeStar Individual Dental Insurance Product

September 9, 2013, 12:05 am

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Security Life is excited to announce the launch of our next generation of PrimeStar individual dental insurance products. These products will begin being offered on September 9, 2013.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) September 09, 2013

Security Life Insurance Company of America, a leader in the ancillary benefits market, is excited to announce today the launch our next generation of PrimeStar Individual Dental Insurance products. This enhanced suite of products reflects Security Life’s mission to provide valuable dental insurance with the goal of being the easiest insurance company to work with. Many of the new product features were created as a result of research and feedback from our distribution partners.

The new generation of PrimeStar products include the introduction of two Preferred Provider Organization (also known as PPO) plans. Our network partner, MaxCare, is available as a choice on all plans (where state insurance regulations allow) featuring an extensive network with over 240,000 dental locations nationwide. Additionally, a basic plan option (PrimeStar Essential) was created to meet the needs of those seeking simple coverage at an affordable cost. As before, all of our plans can be purchased by anyone age 18 and older. We have also eliminated any additional premium charge for those over age 65.

Mark Zesbaugh, Security Life’s chief executive officer states, “It is very important that we remain in tune with our partners and what they want and need for their clients. This invaluable feedback has allowed us to enhance the PrimeStar individual dental product and create a product portfolio that not only meets, but exceeds the individual dental insurance market needs. We believe the new PrimeStar products do just that.”

The new products will be available beginning September 9 for effective dates starting October 1, 2013. To access important information on these plans please visit us at SecurityLife.com or call any Security Life appointed agents.

Products not available in all states and are subject to individual state regulations.

About Security Life Insurance Company of America: Security Life specializes in the ancillary benefits market, providing dental, vision, disability and life insurance products and services to consumers and employer groups. In close relationships with its distribution network of general agencies and strategic partners, Security Life is concentrated in personal insurance and small-to-mid size employer group business Security Life has products available in 49 states (in conjunction with Security Health Insurance Company of America in New York). For more information, visit http://www.SecurityLife.com.

For more information, visit http://www.SecurityLife.com. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.

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DeKing Honored as Top Long Term Care Insurance Specialist; Makes LTCi Affordable Using Unique Process

September 9, 2013, 12:05 am

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Mary Ann DeKing’s distinctive approach to helping clients address the physical, emotional and financial burdens Long Term Care places on family and friends is winning praise from both consumers and professionals around the country.

(PRWEB) September 09, 2013

Long Term Care insurance is both affordable and easy to understand in a unique process utilized by one of the nation’s top Long Term Care specialists.

Mary Ann DeKing uses her distinctive approach to helping clients address the physical, emotional and financial burdens Long Term Care places on family and friends. This has won praise from fellow professionals around the country and clients alike.

DeKing has been recognized by the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) as one of the country’s top specialists among their list of top professionals in this area in 2012. The AALTCI was established in 1998 and advocates for the importance of Long Term Care planning and supports insurance professionals who market the complete range of planning products.

For the second year in-a-row, DeKing was ranked as the nation’s number two LTCi specialist by the AALTCI. She has been listed among the top professionals in the nation by the AALTCI for four straight years.

In addition, ACSIA Long Term Care, one of the nation’s top agencies specializing in Long Term Care, recognized her as their number one specialist in 2012 for the second year in-a-row. DeKing is associated with ACSIA which allows her to assist her clients as she is able to shop and offer the top insurance companies.

“Few LTCi specialists in the country have her level of experience. Most insurance agents and financial advisors do not understand how these products work and how to design affordable plans which address the needs of clients. Mary Ann leads in the nation in her ability to find affordable solutions for her clients,” said Matt McCann, the Director of Business Development for ACSIA.

Long Term Care Insurance is a product that can affordably help people plan for the risk of needing extended care. The cost of care is not usually paid for by health insurance or Medicare. The last thing many people want to do is have to talk to a number of insurance agents to find out what they want to know.

DeKing enables her client’s to see her computer screen as they, on the telephone, learn about their options and shop all the top companies to find the best coverage at the best value.

DeKing says this is a private and confidential way to learn, plan and care for the future. Since most insurance agents are not as skilled in this area, it allows her to assist individuals throughout the country. This way a consumer can meet with just one person who happens to be a specialist. This makes it easy and convenient.

“It is an honor to be able to help thousands of people across the country plan for their Long Term Health Care. I am privileged that so many people allow me to assist their families find affordable solutions to plan for this big issue we will all face as we age in the next thirty years. I am touched by the trust that they have placed in me in this important part of retirement planning,” said DeKing.

DeKing says she helps people, primarily ages 40 to 70, who wish to plan for their future retirement so they can protect their assets and never be a burden on their family. She says Long Term Care insurance is very affordable if designed correctly.

“The person gets to see my photo as they watch my desktop on their own computer screen. We then have a good conversation where I ask them questions. If Long Term Care planning is appropriate I help design an affordable plan and we can make application electronically. There is no pressure, just someone who understands and shares their concerns answering their questions,” DeKing said.

DeKing said since insurance rates in Long Term Care are regulated, every agent uses the same rates for each insurance company.

“The main difference between me and some insurance person down the street is the my level of experience in Long Term Care, the fact I represent the top insurance companies and I can help people using this technology to make it simple and convenient for the consumer,” DeKing added.

DeKing has sent up a website for consumers to learn more and contact her for setting up a private consultation: http://www.planandcare.com. Her office number is 888-778-2905. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.

Groups race to hire, train Obamacare guides

September 9, 2013, 1:52 am

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CHICAGO (AP) - With the program known as "Obamacare" only weeks away from its key launch date, hectic preparations are in motion in communities across the country to deal with one of its major practical challenges: hiring and training a small army of instant experts who can explain the intricacies of health insurance to people whove never had it. More than 100 nonprofits and related organizations, which specialize in everything from running soup kitchens to organizing farm workers, have been recruited by the federal government to sign up "navigators" to help the 30 million uninsured people who can now gain coverage. Many of the groups have little expertise in health insurance. Reported by MyNorthwest.com 3 hours ago.

Maine holds hearing on health insurance changes

September 9, 2013, 2:06 am

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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine residents concerned about proposed changes to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance will have a chance to speak this week.
 
 
 
  Reported by Boston.com 3 hours ago.

Groups race to hire, train 'Obamacare' guides

September 9, 2013, 2:29 am

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CHICAGO (AP) — With the program known as "Obamacare" only weeks away from its key launch date, hectic preparations are in motion in communities across the country to deal with one of its major practical challenges: hiring and training a small army of instant experts who can explain the intricacies of health insurance to people who've never had it. More than 100 nonprofits and related organizations, which specialize in everything from running soup kitchens to organizing farm workers, have been recruited by the federal government to sign up "navigators" to help the 30 million uninsured people who can now gain coverage. According to the new health law, people can begin shopping among the new policies on Oct. 1. The guides will be sent to community events with laptops to help people sign up for insurance online. The navigators must listen to a family's real-world story, assess its income, and figure out eligibility for the Medicaid program, which provides health care for the poor, or for new tax credits, each with its own complicated rules. In Mississippi, workers will go into rural areas without Internet access to help people with the enrollment and policy-shopping process, which is done online. In 17 states, navigators have additional hoops to jump through because of new state laws affecting the federal health care law, such as required background checks for the workers. Reported by SeattlePI.com 3 hours ago.

Alliant Employee Benefits Introduces IndividualCHOICE

September 9, 2013, 3:11 am

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New service offers employers quick and simple solution to connect their non-benefits eligible employees to state marketplaces and Medicaid.

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) September 09, 2013

Alliant Employee Benefits (http://www.alliantbenefits.com), a division of Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. (http://www.alliant.com), the nation’s largest specialty insurance brokerage firm, has announced the availability of its newest service, IndividualCHOICE, to help employees comply with the federally mandated individual health coverage requirement.

IndividualCHOICE by Alliant Employee Benefits is a concierge service for employers interested in providing their non-benefits eligible employees, or dependents that are not covered, the opportunity to learn about and enroll in health coverage through their state marketplaces, Medicaid, or other individual coverage.

Kevin Overbey, Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Alliant Employee Benefits, said, “Our clients are actively looking for ways to assist their non-benefit eligible employees find the best solution for them and their dependents, while ensuring they can take advantage of any subsidies or other financial assistance for which they qualify. IndividualCHOICE removes the burden on employers to answer the deluge of employee questions during the enrollment period, now and in future years.”

IndividualCHOICE is available to employers in all 50 states and offers employees state-specific guidance using licensed health insurance counselors to provide personalized support as they evaluate their coverage options. It also includes employee-focused communication materials and the ability to purchase ancillary products and customized reporting.

More information about IndividualCHOICE is available on the Alliant Employee Benefits web site. Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.

IBM shifitng many retirees off health plan

September 9, 2013, 3:25 am

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IBM will give many retirees money to purchase health coverage through a health-insurance exchange program, according to a report by the Associated Press. The company is shift retirees away from its own health care plane to reduce a potential tripling of health insurance costs in 2020 due to the large number of retirees who would be Medicare eligible by then, according to the report. Read the Associated Press report in The Buffalo News. Reported by bizjournals 2 hours ago.

10 Tips to Help the 50-Plus Crowd Manage Health Care Costs

September 9, 2013, 3:15 am

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Filed under: Insurance, Elder Care, Nursing Homes, Long Term Care Insurance, Retirement Living

*Getty Images*

In your 50s and beyond, health care costs loom more ominously than ever before -- and with good reason: According to the folks at Fidelity, a 65-year-old couple retiring now faces average health care costs in retirement of about $220,000.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the bite of health care expenses. Here are some tips to consider:

*1. Don't take your health coverage for granted.* While you might hope or expect that your employer will give you some health care coverage in retirement, that's increasingly hard to come by, and many folks who've been promised coverage have had it reduced or just canceled. Be sure to factor health care expenses into your retirement savings plan. If your financial future seems bleak, remember that you may be able to vastly improve it by working a few more years. During that time, you can save more money and keep any employer-based health insurance. Being active, whether through work or volunteering or hobbies, can help older people stay mentally and physically healthy, too.

*2. Work longer.* If necessary, consider working at least until Medicare kicks in, at age 65. Those who retire early can sometimes face steep health care costs until they qualify for Medicare.

*3. Shop around for your prescriptions.* There may be less expensive alternatives to the medications you're prescribed, and you might find much lower costs simply by calling a few local pharmacies to see what they charge for your prescription. You can also often find lower prices by ordering your medications online or through the mail. Your doctor can help lower your costs, too. If you're taking 10-mg pills, for example, you might be able to get a similar-priced prescription for 20-mg ones, and then use a pill-splitter to cut them in half. In a similar vein, if you're taking two 10-mg pills per day, you might ask if you can take a single 20-mg dose instead, if that will cut your costs and still be medically safe.Sponsored Links
*4. Shop around for other services.* If you're going to have a pricey lab test or procedure, such as an MRI, you might also shop around. Ask your medical office for the Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT, code for the test, and look it up at the American Medical Association's website, which can tell you how much Medicare reimburses for it and can also provide estimates of overall costs. You can also find fair prices for various medical services at www.healthcarebluebook.com, which can also help you negotiate better deals.

*5. Look into installment plans.* If money is tight and you're looking at some considerable medical expenses, talk to your doctor or dentist about it. They may be able to keep your costs down by suggesting less-costly treatments or even by lowering fees for you. Don't be shy, as being frank might pay off. Even hospital bills can be negotiable, if you're able to demonstrate that they're a hardship.

*6. If you have predictable health care expenses, look into setting up an HSA or FSA.* Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts are tax-sheltered accounts, permitting you to sock away money on a pre-tax basis to spend on certain qualified kinds of expenses.

*7. Consider buying long-term-care health insurance. *It's designed to pay for home-care services or nursing home expenses when needed. Consider not buying it, too. Long-term-care insurance is getting so expensive that many folks are advised not to buy it, and to just try to put money aside for that purpose instead. But since the coverage is much cheaper if you buy it when you're young, it's worth spending some time now deciding whether it makes sense for you. Consider, for example, that per a Genworth Financial (GNW) calculator, a policy paying $100 a day for three years sold to a 55-year-old in Colorado would cost around $1,070 annually, versus $2,990 for a 70-year-old.

*8. Take advantage of wellness programs available at your workplace* -- especially if, like many large employers, yours offers financial incentives for doing so.

*9. Learn what to expect under 'Obamacare.'* Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, those who work for employers who don't offer health insurance will be able to buy insurance for themselves, and those with limited means may also qualify for subsidies. People with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart issues or high blood pressure can rejoice, too, because insurers will no longer be able to use that information to raise premiums or deny coverage.

*10. Maximize your health. *Exercise, eat healthful foods, get regular checkups and preventive care, and avoid bad habits such as smoking. Don't neglect important screenings, lest conditions such as osteoporosis go undiagnosed or diseases such as cancer grow unnoticed. Taking care of yourself can set you up for a longer life, and can save you a lot in health care costs along the way, too.

You can save a lot of money, headaches and even heartaches by managing your health care well.

Longtime Motley Fool contributor Selena Maranjian has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Reported by DailyFinance 2 hours ago.

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IBM to shuttle retirees off health plan

September 9, 2013, 4:32 am

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International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) is planning to remove roughly 110,000 retires from its company-sponsored health insurance and provide them with a payment to enroll in a health-insurance exchange. The Wall Street Journal reported the move by IBM is a sign that even massive, well-funded companies are unlikely to keep providing once-common benefits in the face of rising medical costs. IBM is thought to be Research Triangle Park's largest employer, having employed 10,000 people in… Reported by bizjournals 41 minutes ago.

Frontrunning: September 9

September 9, 2013, 4:51 am

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· Hedge Funds Cut Back on Fees (WSJ) as we predicted would happen, in May
· Syria's Assad denies chemical weapons use; U.S. presses case for strike (Reuters)
· Unemployment Falling for Wrong Reason Creates Fed Predicament (BBG)
· U.S. tapped into networks of Google, Petrobras, others (Reuters)
· Chinese Zombies Emerging After Years of Solar Subsidies (BBG)
· Monte Paschi doubles planned capital hike to 2.5 billion euros (Reuters)
· Loan Size to Be Cut for Fannie, Freddie (WSJ)
· Japan Growth Revision Opens Door to Sales Tax Rise (FT)
· Inside the End of the U.S. Bid to Punish Lehman Executives (NYT)
· Financial Crisis: Lessons of the Rescue, A Drama in Five Acts (WSJ)
· Time Warner Joins IBM in Health Shift for Retirees (WSJ)
· Mideast Derails Key Issues in Congress (WSJ)
· Americans use the Internet to abandon children adopted from overseas (Reuters)
· Instagram to start selling ads next year (WSJ)
· BoE's Fisher Says May Hold Off On More QE (Reuters)
· Investors Are Poised to Pay $6 Billion for Neiman (WSJ)
· Treasury Official Lael Brainard Considered for Fed (WSJ)

 

*Overnight Media Digest*

WSJ

* In a week poised to define his second term, President Barack Obama will mount an intensive campaign to promote a U.S. military strike on Syria as opposition rises in both Congress and across the country.

* Pressure from disappointed investors is forcing hedge funds to roll back their fees, putting the standard charge of 2 percent of assets under management and 20 percent of investment profits on the endangered list.

* The turnaround at real estate brokerage firm Realogy highlights how private equity firms can pull financial levers to keep troubled companies they own afloat and reap profits.

* A team of Ares Management and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board are in the final stages of talks to buy the luxury retailer Neiman Marcus for around $6 billion.

* At Facebook's Instagram unit, Emily White is the point person charged with turning a billion-dollar acquisition that has never made a cent into a real business. Ad sales, she said, are expected to begin in the next year.

* Japan's economy grew at a much faster pace in the second quarter than initially estimated, data showed Monday, giving more ammunition to supporters of a planned sales tax hike.

* McLaren intends to open its first Chinese dealership, in Shanghai, on Monday. The UK-based supercar maker is seeking to cash in on a growing Chinese taste for ultraluxury goods.

* International Business Machines plans to move about 110,000 retirees off its company sponsored health plan and instead give them a payment to buy coverage on a health insurance exchange.

* A key U.S. committee approved the $4.7 billion takeover of Smithfield Foods by Shuanghui, clearing the biggest purchase of a U.S. company ever by a Chinese firm.

* Johnson & Johnson, which has been shedding slow-growing products and units, is canvassing companies that might be interested in buying its blood testing division, which could be worth around $5 billion.

 

FT

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba is prepared to scrap plans for a $60 billion Hong Kong float and instead list in New York if its senior management cannot nominate a majority of board directors, according to people close to the company.

Dell Inc's billionaire Chief Executive Michael Dell is this week set to win shareholder backing for his drawn-out $24.8 billion buyout of the PC company that he founded, barring last-minute intervention from activist investor Carl Icahn.

The British Treasury is planning to request that the European Commission extend Lloyds Banking Group's November 2013 deadline to sell a package of 631 retail branches by up to two years. The request is expected to be submitted by the end of September, according to people close to the process.

Upscale U.S. retailer Neiman Marcus is likely to be sold - rather than listed - to a consortium of Ares Management LLC and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for over $6 billion, sources said.

British property website Zoopla has hired Credit Suisse to explore growth opportunities that will likely mean a London stock market listing.

 

NYT

* President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who has denied that his government attacked civilians with chemical weapons on Aug. 21, reiterated that denial to the American people on Sunday morning via the television interviewer Charlie Rose.

* The handset market is so brutally competitive that Apple Inc, the most successful smartphone maker, is preparing to step up its game this week by offering two new iPhones instead of one. At an event on Tuesday at its Cupertino, California, headquarters, the company is set to unveil for customers worldwide a new iPhone with a faster processor, along with another model that will be sold at a lower cost.

* China's trade surplus rose in August to its highest level this year, while inflation remained under control, government data released on Sunday and Monday showed, in further signs that the Chinese economy and possibly the global economy are faring a little better as the summer ends.

* The owners of the Neiman Marcus chain are near a deal to sell the luxury retailer to a group led by Ares Management and a Canadian pension plan for about $6 billion, a person briefed on the matter said on Sunday.

* NYSE Euronext is expected to announce on Monday that it has made a minority investment in ACE, a three-year-old start-up that offers companies a centralized platform to privately sell stocks, bonds and other securities. Financial terms of the partnership were not available.

* People magazine is changing its subscription model, adding a tiered plan to what has long been considered the financial backbone of Time Inc's magazine empire. On Monday, the magazine is introducing four new subscription packages.

* Toyota Motor Corp is recalling about 780,000 vehicles for a second time after its first effort to prevent a handling problem did not work, according to a report posted Sunday on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

Canada

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

* U.S. President Barack Obama's top aide pressed on Sunday the case for "targeted, limited consequential action" to degrade the capabilities of Syrian President Bashar Assad to carry out chemical weapons attacks as the White House mounted a major push to win support from a divided Congress and skeptical American public for a military strike.

* An ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin won Moscow's mayoral election on Sunday, nearly complete results showed, but opposition leader Alexei Navalny's unexpectedly strong showing could alarm the Kremlin and fuel the country's flagging protest movement.

* Documents leaked by Edward Snowden indicate the National Security Agency spied on Brazil's state-run oil company, the private computer networks of Google Inc and a company that facilitates most of the world's international bank transfers, a Brazilian TV report says.

Reports in the business section:

* The Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board is in advanced talks with a U.S. private equity partner, Ares Management LLC, to acquire Neiman Marcus Inc for about $6 billion, American news outlets reported on Sunday.

* BCE Inc is heading to court in its battle against Ottawa's strategy for attracting new wireless players, arguing that Canada's Industry Minister James Moore has no right to impose greater obligations on the company to help smaller rivals.

* Bombardier Inc executives are looking to the sky as they await a picture-perfect blue ceiling and winds of less than 10 knots an hour to clear the way for the takeoff of the new C Series. Already nine months behind its original schedule, the first flight of the new commercial aircraft could occur any day now that the aircraft maker ran some high-speed taxi tests on a Mirabel runway on Friday. However, the extended weather forecast for the Montreal area, which calls for storms and rain as of Tuesday, makes the day tricky to predict.

NATIONAL POST

* Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered to participate in joint efforts with the United States to cut greenhouse gas emissions to win approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, according to a person familiar with the matter.

* Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says he has removed Peter Shurman from his position as finance critic. Hudak said on Sunday that he met with Shurman to discuss his accommodation expense claims. It was revealed last week that Shurman, a Toronto-area member, billed the maximum C$20,719 (about $20,000) last year after moving to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

* Merit pay and national licensing standards for public school teachers would curb the influence of "entrenched and powerful interest groups" and promote better teaching, says a new study on how to make Canadian teachers more effective.

FINANCIAL POST

* The latest statistics for the Canadian exchange-traded-fund industry depict a more challenging backdrop than investors have become used to. August saw more than a quarter of all ETFs in Canada in redemption mode, according to ETFinsight's data.

 

China

PEOPLE'S DAILY

-- Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli told senior officials at a meeting on Sunday that China will stick to a policy to improve its economic structure and upgrade its development pattern so as to ensure sustained growth despite a slowdown in the economy.

CHINA DAILY

-- China exports expanded faster than expected in August, according to figures posted by the government on Sunday, with experts predicting the world's second-largest economy will recover further in coming months from its recent slowdown.

CHINA SECURITIES JOURNAL

-- The Shanghai Commodity Exchange has applied to regulators to launch China's first commodity index futures on non-ferrous metals.

-- A survey by China's government-backed securities insurance firm shows investor confidence in the domestic stock market improved in August, buoyed by signs of improvement in the economy.

SHANGHAI SECURITIES NEWS

-- China's government securities clearing house is working on a project that may allow investors trading on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges to use one account for the first time next year.

-- In a sign that China's housing market has recovered to some extent this year, major developer Poly Real Estate said January-August sales rose 16.48 percent to 79 billion yuan ($12.9 billion).

SECURITIES TIMES

-- Ping An Insurance said it would buy a fresh stake in its subsidiary Ping An Bank worth a maximum 14.8 billion yuan to boost the lender's capital adequacy ratio.

 

*Fly On The Wall 7:00 AM Market Snapshot*

ANALYST RESEARCH

Upgrades

Baker Hughes (BHI) upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo
Brocade (BRCD) upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital
Cimarex Energy (XEC) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley
EOG Resources (EOG) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley
Eaton (ETN) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley
Estee Lauder (EL) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Citigroup
FIS (FIS) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at SunTrust
Inter Parfums (IPAR) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at B. Riley
Nanometrics (NANO) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Jaffray
NetApp (NTAP) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS
Plum Creek Timber (PCL) upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at BMO Capital
Quiksilver (ZQK) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse
Salix (SLXP) upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Leerink

Downgrades

Apache (APA) downgraded to Buy from Strong Buy at ISI Group
Community Health (CYH) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup
Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond James
Halliburton (HAL) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo
Hercules Technology (HTGC) downgraded to Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette
HollyFrontier (HFC) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley
IAC (IACI) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Canaccord
Multimedia Games (MGAM) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Janney Capital
Rockwood (ROC) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank

Initiations

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) initiated with a Buy at Nomura
Aeropostale (ARO) initiated with a Neutral at Nomura
American Eagle (AEO) initiated with a Neutral at Nomura
Ann Inc. (ANN) initiated with a Neutral at Nomura
Chico's FAS (CHS) initiated with a Buy at Nomura
DineEquity (DIN) initiated with a Hold at KeyBanc
Domino's Pizza (DPZ) initiated with a Buy at KeyBanc
Express (EXPR) initiated with a Buy at Nomura
Fossil (FOSL) initiated with a Neutral at Nomura
Francesca's (FRAN) initiated with a Buy at Nomura
Gap (GPS) initiated with a Neutral at Nomura
L Brands (LTD) initiated with a Neutral at Nomura
Layne Christensen (LAYN) initiated with a Neutral at DA Davidson
Natural Grocers (NGVC) initiated with an Outperform at Wells Fargo
Oshkosh (OSK) initiated with a Sector Perform at RBC Capital
Precision Drilling (PDS) initiated with an Equal Weight at Barclays
Sally Beauty (SBH) initiated with a Neutral at Citigroup
Signet Jewelers (SIG) initiated with a Buy at Nomura
Sprint (S) re-initiated with an Equal Weight at Evercore
The Buckle (BKE) initiated with a Neutral at Nomura
Third Point Reinsurance (TPRE) initiated with a Buy at BofA/Merrill
Third Point Reinsurance (TPRE) initiated with a Neutral at Citigroup
Third Point Reinsurance (TPRE) initiated with a Neutral at JPMorgan
Ulta Salon (ULTA) initiated with a Buy at Citigroup
Urban Outfitters (URBN) initiated with a Neutral at Nomura
lululemon (LULU) initiated with a Buy at Citigroup

HOT STOCKS

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) sold nutritional drinks brands to Suntory for $2.1B
Apple (AAPL) said to be close to iPhone deal with China Mobile (CHL), Bloomberg reports
Fitch affirmed McDonald's (MCD) IDRs at 'A/F1', outlook Stable
PNC Financial (PNC) to wind down Market Street Funding
First Solar (FSLR) announced JV with Belectric Holding

EARNINGS

Companies that missed consensus earnings expectations include:
SHFL entertainment (SHFL)

NEWSPAPERS/WEBSITES

· Pressure from disappointed investors is forcing hedge funds to roll back their fees, putting the standard charge of 2% of assets under management and 20% of investment profits on the endangered list, the Wall Street Journal reports
· Time Warner (TWX) plans to move its U.S. retirees from company-administered health plans to private exchanges. The company will allocate funds in special accounts that retirees can use to go shop for coverage, sources say, the Wall Street Journal reports
· A potential landmark case for U.S. regulation of Internet traffic (VZ) goes before a panel of federal judges today, testing whether the Federal Telecommunications Commission has authority to enforce so-called net neutrality rules, Reuters reports
· The U.S. government tapped into computer networks of companies including Google (GOOG) and Brazilian state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro (PBR), according to leaked U.S. documents aired by Globo, Brazil's biggest TV network, Reuters reports
· Las Vegas Sands (LVS) and MGM Resorts International (MGM) are scouting sites for casinos in Japan as Tokyo’s selection to host the 2020 Olympics boosts confidence a law legalizing gambling resorts in the capital will pass, Bloomberg reports
· PetroChina Co. (PTR), mired in a government graft probe, said a media report that more executives were being investigated by the authorities is untrue. PetroChina had earlier suspended its shares from trading in Hong Kong and Shanghai pending the statement, Bloomberg reports

BARRON’S

Lenovo LNVGY) looks to conquer smartphone, tablet market (SSNLF, AAPL)
Microsoft (MSFT) could be attractive if it aggressively returns cash to its shareholders
Caterpillar (CAT), Joy Global (JOY), Textron (TXT), GE (GE) could rise 30%
Bob Evans (BOBE) could rise 30%
EMC (EMC), NetApp (NTAP) could be vulnerable to new companies (DELL)

SYNDICATE

AOL (AOL) files to sell 2.43M shares of common stock for holders
Chesapeake Lodging (CHSP) files prospectus to offer up to $100M in common shares
Sagent Pharmaceuticals (SGNT) files to sell 4.4M shares of common stock
SolarCity (SCTY) files to sell 3.67M shares of common stock for selling shareholder Reported by Zero Hedge 22 minutes ago.

U.S. Health secretary to promote Obamacare during stops in Newark, Hoboken

September 9, 2013, 4:41 am

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Kathleen Sebelius will discuss the opportunity for New Jersey residents to enroll in coverage in the health insurance marketplace on Oct. 1 Reported by NJ.com 32 minutes ago.

IBM to shuttle retirees to health care exchanges

September 9, 2013, 4:57 am

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IBM Corp. is planning to remove roughly 110,000 retires from its company-sponsored health insurance and provide them with a payment to enroll in a health-insurance exchange. The Wall Street Journal reported that the move by IBM (NYSE: IBM) is a sign that even massive, well-funded companies are unlikely to keep providing once-common benefits in the face of rising medical costs. IBM has a large presence in Austin, employing more than 6,000 people locally. The move will affect IBM retirees once they… Reported by bizjournals 16 minutes ago.

Insurance Compass Announces Cancer Insurance to Supplement Obamacare’s Affordable Health Insurance

September 10, 2013, 1:30 am

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Insurance Compass Offers Policies Now and After Obamacare Enrollment Begins

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) September 09, 2013

As California prepares for the extensive amount of work involved in implementing the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, Insurance Compass reminds those in need of cancer insurance that affordable supplemental policies can ease the strain of a cancer diagnosis.

While the affordable health insurance offered by Obamacare covers many preventive treatments, such as cancer screening, it may not cover the further costs of actual cancer treatment. Insurance Compass’ Cancer Insurance Policy can provide many benefits that can help patients focus on the treatment and healing process rather than the financial burden. While there are variations available for each individual policy, the Cancer Insurance policy can help cover the costs of:·     The deductibles of other insurance policies

·     The added cost of out-of-network specialists, ones not generally covered by other policies

·     As the best treatment available may be far from home, cancer insurance can help with the costs of travel and lodging

·     The affordable health insurance of Obamacare will not often cover experimental treatments. As cancer research can move forward quickly, being able to avail oneself of the latest treatments can be imperative to recovery

·     One of the major costs of cancer is not the treatment itself, but the lost income and added burden on a budget. Insurance Compass cancer insurance can help with monthly bills, some loan payments, such as on a car, and household needs, like groceries

“On October 1, 2013,” says Insurance Compass founder Scott Mills, “more than 5 million uninsured Americans will have the opportunity to purchase medical insurance and are guaranteed issue with no medical questions.”

To help those interested in learning more about cancer insurance, Insurance Compass offers a “Request a Quote” feature on its website. This allows for a pressure-free approach to finding coverage.

According to the American Cancer Society, it is possible for anyone to develop cancer. This means that everyone can benefit from the extra coverage that Insurance Compass Cancer Insurance offers. While Obamacare will offer affordable health insurance, in order to help prepare those in need of additional coverage, Insurance Compass is pleased to announce that its cancer insurance coverage can help supplement the treatments and cost. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.

Video: IBM, other companies to shift retirees to health insurance exchanges

September 9, 2013, 7:36 am

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IBM will move more than 100,000 retirees off its company sponsored health plan. CBS News contributor and analyst Mellody Hobson reports that they plan to give their retirees money to buy coverage from a health insurance exchange. Reported by CBS News 23 hours ago.

Obamacare 'Navigators' Draw State Scrutiny

September 9, 2013, 10:09 am

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This piece comes to us courtesy of Stateline. Stateline is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news service of the Pew Charitable Trusts that provides daily reporting and analysis on trends in state policy. For millions of Americans, the face of health reform will be a friendly, eager-to-please customer service representative on the health insurance exchanges whose title will be “navigator.” These helper-bees have always been envisioned as an essential cog in the foremost function of Obamacare — educating and enrolling 16 million uninsured Americans either in Medicaid or private insurance plans. They are modeled after similar personnel at the federal State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which has operated in Medicare for more than 20 years. With the health insurance exchanges set to open for business Oct. 1, thousands of these navigators are now in training. They have also become the latest target in the continuing partisan war over health reform. Many Republican-leaning states and GOP congressmen are demanding more oversight of these Affordable Care Act workers in the name of protecting wary consumers. At least 16 states have passed or are considering laws to regulate navigators’ work. Many have imposed their own certification and licensing requirements, a process that critics say could hinder the availability of navigators. Georgia’s insurance commissioner, for example, has said he will require navigators to pass the same test as insurance brokers, even though federal law makes a clear distinction between navigators and brokers. Some Republican legislatures have also passed laws that restrict what navigators can do, which some critics believe could conflict with the duties the administration expects the navigators to perform. Meanwhile, 13 Republican state attorneys general have raised concerns that inadequate training could result in private information ending up in the wrong hands, subjecting consumers to fraud. And in the latest turn, Republicans on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee are demanding that 51 community-based organizations in 11 states that received $67 million in federal grants to assemble and train navigators submit detailed documentation on training, procedures, monitoring and responsibilities of the navigators. They are also asking for communications between those organizations and federal agencies and groups that promote Obama’s health reform. Rep. Henry Waxman of California, the ranking Democrat on the committee, charged that the purpose of the GOP demand “was not to enlighten the Committee but to intimidate and divert resources from the effort to implement the law.” Noelle Clemente, a spokesman for the Energy and Commerce Committee, said the questionnaire was aimed at protecting taxpayer dollars and the privacy of consumers. "This particular program is now $13 million over budget, ballooning 25 percent before it even started,” she said. “Despite repeated concerns voiced by House Republicans about inadequate training, (the Department of Health and Human Services) decided to proceed with the program before even finalizing what that training would be. There is no reason basic questions cannot or should not be answered." The Obama administration unveiled new application forms for health insurance benefits last April in an attempt to simplify signing up for benefits under the federal health care overhaul. States are weighing in on federally provided “navigators” who will help consumers. (AP) *Consumer Protections Raised* Beginning Jan. 1, Obamacare will require almost all Americans to have health insurance or face tax penalties. Every state will have its own insurance marketplace where uninsured Americans can compare and purchase private health insurance, choosing from plans that meet federal specifications. These exchanges will also inform people if they qualify for a federal subsidy to pay for their coverage and whether they also qualify for Medicaid benefits and how to sign up for those. Navigators are intended to help with all these functions. Who runs exchanges in the states will vary. All states were given the opportunity to run their own, but 34 have chosen to let the federal government do so or to partner with the feds. In those states, the federal government is responsible for navigator training (which covers issues of privacy and security of information) and certification. But the federal law doesn’t bar states from passing their own laws on navigators, including those that have set up their own exchanges, as long as they don’t interfere with the implementation of the reforms. Supporters of the health care law suspect that some of these actions are meant to stymie the reforms. “We don’t think the laws that are being passed are necessary,” said Christine Barber, a senior policy analyst with Community Catalyst, a nonprofit advocacy organization promoting affordable health care. “The standards have been passed at the federal level. The laws passed at the state level …will slow down the process.” Proponents of these state measures disagree. To Jason Rapert, a Republican state senator in Arkansas, state licensing is a matter of consumer protection for his constituents. He sponsored legislation requiring state licensure of navigators even though the exchange in his state will be run in partnership with the federal government. “If we are going to have to endure the Affordable Care Act,” Rapert said, “then we need to make sure that people aren’t taken advantage of.” *What States Want* Some of the state laws are meant to supplement the navigators’ federal training with state-specific education. ACA advocates say other state-required training seems to be the same as the federal training. The new certification and licensure requirements in a number of states, including Georgia, Nevada and Utah, leave little time to get those programs up and running before the Oct. 1 start date. “Absolutely that is a concern,” said Elaine Saly, a health policy analyst with Families USA, which is aligned with the Obama administration. To some advocates, these laws reflect a misunderstanding of the functions of navigators as laid out in federal law. Unlike agents and brokers, navigators receive no compensation from insurance companies. They are also barred from promoting one insurance plan over another. The navigators are meant to be impartial guides who will help individuals or small businesses find the insurance plan that best fits their needs. Navigators will be paid with federal funds by the community organizations that employ them. Agents and brokers will be able to sell policies on the insurance exchanges, but they cannot present themselves as navigators. A major source of model state legislation regulating the navigators came from industry associations representing insurance brokers and agents, who are concerned that the navigators will take business away from them. A few states – Missouri and Ohio are two – have passed laws that restrict navigators from giving advice about plans and benefits. Supporters fear that these prohibitions might prevent navigators from giving consumers information they need to make their selections. For example, a navigator might ask a consumer if he would like to continue seeing a specific doctor when enrolled in a new plan. If so, the navigator might direct the consumer to a plan that includes that doctor in its provider network. Similarly, if a consumer needs particular brand-name drugs, the navigator could point out which plans cover those drugs. The state laws could consider this information advice or promotion of a certain plan. “That is pretty gray area,” said Sarah Lueck, senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. HHS is quietly working with states to make sure their new laws will not impede navigators’ work on exchanges. But referring to the House committee’s request for documentation of training programs in the states, agency spokesman Erin Shields Britt said, “This is a blatant and shameful attempt to intimidate groups who will be working to inform Americans about their new health insurance options and help them enroll in coverage.” Reported by Huffington Post 21 hours ago.

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Dennis Collins Insurance Agency Encourages Individuals to Celebrate September as National Self Improvement Month by Reducing Stress and Improving Health

September 9, 2013, 11:05 am

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Local, San Mateo-based insurance agency wants to ensure consumers are focusing on self improvement this month by lowering stress, which can impact their health.

San Mateo, CA (PRWEB) September 09, 2013

Dennis Collins Insurance Agency is a big advocate for wellness—whether that means taking care of personal health, social relationships, or even wellness in the workplace. Most times, the greatest issue when it comes to wellness and self improvement is that an individual is under too much stress. In fact, an online survey of 2,020 U.S. adults 18 and older was conducted in August of 2012 by Harris Interactive for the American Psychological Association. Some of the findings include:·     35% of Americans state that their stress levels increased over the past year
·     20% of Americans reported extreme stress
·     On a 10-point scale, 10 being the highest levels of stress, the 2012 average is 4.9
·     On a 10-point scale, 10 being the highest levels of stress, the 2012 average for Millennials is 5.4
·     The top three stressors were cited as money (69%), work (65%), and the economy (61%)

It is no secret that life can be stressful, thus having a negative impact on the self. Between work, relationships, family and even friends, there is always something that will affect an individual’s mood and stress levels. However, Dennis Collins Insurance Agency would like to point out that too much stress is linked to a variety of health issues. As California’s trusted health and life insurance provider, the agency would like to extend a few tips that may allow for individuals to de-stress this month. With September being recognized as National Self Improvement Month, now is a good time to for individuals to focus on themselves. Here are a few ways for individuals to celebrate this month:

·     Individuals should plan on making more time for themselves in the morning.
·     Plan to meet up with a good friend at least once a week to chat.
·     Take a moment to go for a run, alone or with a friend.
·     Volunteer at a local event to get out and meet more people, while serving a great cause.
·     Take a weekend vacation, or “staycation” with a few friends.
·     Make it a point to “unplug” and turn off work-related email on the weekends.

Individuals who take a moment to themselves and enjoy the relationships in their lives may be able to improve the quality of life for themselves and those around them. After all, research shows that those who have a strong social network and bond with others tend to live longer, happier lives.

Dennis Collins Insurance Agency is committed to keeping its clientele and employees as healthy as possible. This is another reason why its agents are dedicated to offering comprehensive health insurance solutions. To learn more about Dennis Collins Insurance Agency or its coverage options, give the agency a call at 888-457-9551 or visit their Virtual Insurance Office, today.

About Dennis Collins Insurance Agency:

Since its beginning in 1977, Dennis Collins Insurance Agency has focused on the same thing: providing excellent customer service. When California residents turn to the agency for their insurance needs, personal attention and concern isn’t just a promise, it’s a guarantee. Agents make it a point to get to know the needs of their clients on an individual level. This enables the agency to provide customized insurance solutions that manage risk, and protect everything important in the lives, families and businesses of California residents. Advisors, friends and trusted insurance agents are the foundation of Dennis Collins Insurance Agency for the last 35 years, and always will be. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.

Rite Aid To Promote Obamacare Enrollment At Thousands Of Stores

September 9, 2013, 1:05 pm

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The drug store chain Rite Aid will offer in-store assistance to people seeking to enroll in health insurance under President Barack Obama's health care reform law, the company announced Monday. Licensed insurance agents will be available at no cost in nearly 2,000 Rite Aid stores to provide answers to questions about Obamacare benefits and to help people apply for coverage and financial assistance or Medicaid coverage starting Oct. 1, when health insurance exchange marketplaces are scheduled to open for business across the country. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius joined Rite Aid CEO John Standley at a Monday news conference in Hoboken, N.J., to promote the initiative. The exchanges' six-month open enrollment period for 2014 health benefits begins in just 22 days, and polls persistently show the public to be uninformed and confused about the health care law. Amid a continuing political debate and efforts by the Obama administration and its allies to raise awareness of the law's benefits and responsibilities, pharmacy chains and other private health care companies are ramping up their own campaigns. "Families throughout our country look to their pharmacy as a place they can go to for honest, straightforward advice they can trust," Sebelius wrote in a blog post published Monday. "Since Americans trust their pharmacists for tell-it-like-it-is advice about their health, America’s pharmacies have a special role in these efforts. And it’s a role that Rite Aid and other pharmacies are embracing." CVS Caremark, the largest U.S. pharmacy chain, announced it also would provide health insurance enrollment help at its stores, and Walgreens has teamed up with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to promote Obamacare's benefits. Other drugstore companies including Winn-Dixie Pharmacy, Thrift White Pharmacy and BI-LO Pharmacy also will help customers learn about the law, Sebelius wrote. SoloHealth, with operates more than 3,200 digital health screening kiosks in Walmart, Sam's Club and Safeway stores, started including information about the law on its screens last week, the company announced Monday. Hospital chains, national physician groups and community health centers also are preparing to assist patients who may be buying health insurance coverage on the exchanges. Likewise, health insurance companies like Health Care Service Corp., which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico and Oklahoma, are starting to get the word out that their products will be available on the exchanges. The White House is running a sweeping outreach and education campaign in the run-up to the enrollment period with a specific emphasis on low-income people, racial and ethnic minorities and young adults. The administration plans a $12 million advertising buy in 13 states where the federal government is operating the exchanges. States such as Minnesota and Oregon that are running their own health insurance exchanges are engaged locally and have begun mass marketing and advertising campaigns. Organizations like Enroll America are backing up these efforts with their own community-based activities. The Obama administration distributed grants to organizations hiring "navigators" to help people sign up for coverage last month. Reported by Huffington Post 18 hours ago.

Deans & Lyons LLP Seeking to Recover Unpaid Compensation, Health Insurance against William McCrorey's and Thomas McMurray's Visionary Staffing LLC and Visionary Restaurants LLC

September 9, 2013, 3:22 pm

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DALLAS, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Lawyers at Deans & Lyons LLP are pursuing claims for Cade Mannetti, a former employee of Visionary Restaurants LLC, Visionary Staffing LLC, Thomas McMurray and William McCrorey, due to their failure to pay compensation or health insurance to... Reported by PR Newswire 15 hours ago.

Millions Of Workers May Dump Obamacare Employer Plans: Study

September 9, 2013, 4:13 pm

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NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - As many as 37 million Americans who receive health coverage through employers may be better off with the government-subsidized insurance plans that will be offered under President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law for next year, according to a study released on Monday. The analysis, compiled by researchers at Stanford School of Medicine and published in the journal Health Affairs, suggests that some employees may choose to dump the coverage they receive at work. It also points to a potential counter-trend to surveys of employers, which show that up to 30 percent would consider terminating health coverage for their workers within the first few years of "Obamacare.""There is definitely going to be some pressure in that direction," said Thomas Buchmueller, a professor of insurance at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, who was not involved in the study. "Workers could say, 'we appreciate that you offered us coverage all these years, but we'll be better off on the exchanges, so give us the cash and we'll go.'" That scenario, which would cost the federal treasury billions of dollars above what it has already projected, reflects the complicated financial carrots and sticks at the heart of Obama's 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA). On the one hand, it requires large employers with 50 or more workers to offer health insurance or pay a $2,000-to-$3,000 annual penalty per full-time worker. About 170 million Americans have health insurance through their own job or through a family member's; such coverage is available to 80 percent of full-time workers. On the other, the law allows workers to buy coverage on new state-based exchanges and receive federal subsidies to help pay the premiums and deductibles, if their employer-sponsored insurance is deemed unaffordable according to a government calculation. Roughly "37 million people would be financially better off switching to the exchange" from employer-sponsored insurance, said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford School of Medicine, who led the study. "The reason is that these workers would qualify for substantial subsidies to buy exchange insurance," he said. As a result, the subsidized Obamacare premium will be less than what they pay for employer-based insurance. The cost to the federal treasury if all 37 million switch: $132 billion a year in subsidies, according to the study. If premiums for employer-based coverage rise by even $100 a year, another 2.25 million people would be better off, Bhattacharya and his colleagues calculate. That would increase federal outlays another $6.7 billion. "Pure economic benefit for workers may or may not be a good enough reason for employers to drop coverage," Bhattacharya said, since employers will pay a penalty starting in 2015 for not providing insurance. "Our point is that total federal government obligations are incredibly sensitive to the decisions made by employers." Policy makers, the Stanford team concludes, "should plan for the possibility that the exchange subsidies may end up costing the federal government much more than currently projected." The Stanford team did not receive outside funding for their study. For now, the vast majority of employers, especially large ones, say they are not dropping health benefits. A second study in Health Affairs concludes that the net increase or decrease in the number of workers with employer-sponsored health insurance will be only a percent or two. That jibes with a survey released last month by the National Business Group on Health, which represents large employers. It found that 1 percent were considering moving current employees to exchanges in 2014, and 30 percent might do so after that. "Large employers are pretty certain they won't be out of the business of offering health insurance for active employees any time soon," said NBGH president Helen Darling. "It's still going to be a competitive benefit" in attracting employees. Obamacare is already being cited as the cause for major shifts in how employers are providing health benefits, including a decision by United Parcel Service to drop coverage to spouses of non-union employees who have access to insurance through their own jobs. "Some employers will drop coverage, and more often than not when they say it's the result of the ACA, it's probably not," said Michigan's Buchmueller, who led the study projecting employer behavior. "Firms have made adjustments to benefits for years and years, but this is the first time there has been a single target to blame it on." Reported by Huffington Post 14 hours ago.

Zane Benefits Publishes New Information on How Health Insurance Exchanges Work

September 9, 2013, 6:01 pm

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The top five Q&As of how the health insurance exchanges will work.

Park City, Utah (PRWEB) September 09, 2013

Today, Zane Benefits, the number one online small business health benefits solution, published new information on how health insurance exchanges work.

According to Zane Benefits’ website, October 1, 2013 marks one of the Affordable Care Act's major milestones: each states will open their health insurance marketplaces, creating a new way for employees and small businesses to buy health insurance.

Here are five basic things that employees should know about how the individual health insurance exchanges will work:

Insurance providers will vary by state. In many states, the major carriers are offering plans on the new exchanges, although they are not required to and in some states the major carriers are not present.

Plan choices will also vary by state. The administration has said they expect most states to be offering plans from at least five different insurance companies. But some states or regions may have fewer carriers.

Plan levels will be divided into metallic tears of coverage, ranging from bronze to platinum. As the metal category increases in value, so does the percent of medical expenses that a health plan will cover.
exchange tiers of coverage

The plans within the “tiers” will not necessarily be the same, each plan may have a different mix of deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays.

Cost of the plans will vary by state, the coverage selected, and whether you are eligible for the health insurance tax subsidies.

Click here to read the full article.

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About Zane Benefits
Zane Benefits was founded in 2006 to provide a revolutionized SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) administration platform ("ZaneHRA") for Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and defined contribution health care. The flagship software provides a 100% paperless administration experience to small businesses and insurance professionals that want to offer better health benefits without a traditional group health insurance plan at lower costs. For more information about ZaneHRA, visit http://www.zanebenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.