Caregiverlist® Announces Alaska Nursing Home Rating and Cost Index for April 2015

April 27, 2015, 5:37 am

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Alaska seniors needing a long-term stay in a nursing home in their state will pay roughly $234,184 a year, the average annual cost based on the daily rates of 18 nursing homes in Alaska. Medicare does not pay for long-term care, while Medicaid, for low-income seniors does pay for an ongoing stay in a nursing home.

(PRWEB) April 27, 2015

Seniors in Alaska looking to plan ahead for senior care options should first understand the daily costs of nursing homes in their area and review the most important factors indicating quality of care. This is because Medicare does not pay for long-term care but does pay for short-term stays in a nursing home, usually as post-hospital stay rehabilitation.

Alaska seniors needing nursing home care can now view the most recent ratings and costs of nursing homes in their area by using the interactive Caregiverlist® Nursing Home Directory. This month’s update of the Alaska Caregiverlist® Index, indicates that the average cost of a nursing home in Alaska is $641.60 a day, or about $19,250 per month. Of the 18 total Alaska nursing homes, over half rate 4-stars or better. No nursing homes in Alaska receive a 1-star rating or below on the Caregiverlist® Star Rating. Alaska has the highest nursing home costs in the nation.

Caregiverlist® Rating Criteria National Averages for Alaska Nursing Homes

April, 2015, National Averages                        Weighting for Rating

2 hours, 28 minutes: C.N.A. Hours per Resident per Day                40%
15.7%: Long-stay Residents with Increasing Activities of Daily Living Needs    20%
1.0% Short-term Residents with Pressure Sores (Bed Sores)            20%
Overall Medicare Star-Rating Score                            20%

November, 2014, Caregiverlist® Alaska Nursing Home Rating and Cost Index

Total Number of Nursing Homes: 18

Average Cost Varies by State
Average Cost of Private Room for Alaska: $641.60
Average Cost of Shared Room for Alaska: $666.17
Average Star-Rating: 3.1

Alaska Nursing Home Star-Rating Results
5-Star: 4
4-Star: 6
3-Star: 4
2-Star: 4
1-Star: 0
The Caregiverlist® rating combines 4 criteria to calculate an overall star-rating with a 5-star rating as the highest and a 1-star rating as the lowest score, as rated against the results for the total number of nursing homes.

Alaska seniors and their families must remember that nursing homes have become an extension of a hospital stay and many times Medicare health insurance will authorize a hospital discharge directly to a nursing home for rehabilitation after a major medical event has happened. This means researching the right nursing home ahead of time will ease the transition should a medical emergency occur.

Costs of senior care are always a factor when choosing the right senior care option, as many seniors live on a fixed income. The average annual cost of a nursing home in Alaska is at $234,184.00. Low-income seniors in Alaska may qualify for Medicaid, with the financial qualification of no more than $2,000 in assets for individuals and a $3,000 limit for couples. Medicaid will pay for long-term care in a nursing home for as long as the senior qualifies for needing care, even if this means multiple years of care until death. Visit the Caregiverlist® Alaska Medicaid Eligibility Requirements for for more information.

Because seniors must private pay for a nursing home if needing care beyond the number of days Medicare will reimburse (usually only up to 100 days), many seniors also explore senior home care and assisted living options. Some assisted living centers also provide nursing home care.

Seniors should review the ratings and costs of nursing homes in their area and then visit the nursing homes which meet their budget availability. Ratings for nursing homes are only a starting point and while the Caregiverlist® Index calculates a custom rating based on the most important criteria for quality, Medicare will only begin auditing the nursing home’s submitted information for C.N.A. staffing next year. Right now all of the information for the nursing home ratings is self-reported.

About Caregiverlist®
Caregiverlist.com® is the premier service connecting seniors and professional caregivers with the most reliable senior care options, highest quality ratings and outstanding careers nationwide. Founded by senior care professionals, Caregiverlist® delivers the efficiencies of the internet to senior care companies by providing online job applications, caregiver training, background checks and industry news. Seniors and caregivers can access senior service information “by state,” view nursing home costs and star-ratings and learn about all senior care options and quality standards. For more information, please visit http://www.caregiverlist.com. Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

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CITVoice: How Electronic Health Records Will Be More Helpful To Doctors -- And Patients

April 27, 2015, 8:00 am

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Twenty years ago, if patients wanted to read their own medical records, they likely had to sue their healthcare provider for access. Even after the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was passed in 1996, legally guaranteeing patients the right to their medical information, the process to obtain records was so arduous that few people bothered. Reported by Forbes.com 3 hours ago.

Supreme Court Throws Out Obamacare Contraception Ruling

April 27, 2015, 8:28 am

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By Lawrence Hurley
WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday revived religious objections by Catholic groups in Michigan and Tennessee to the Obamacare requirement for contraception coverage, throwing out a lower court decision favoring President Barack Obama's administration.
The justices asked the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision that backed the Obama administration in light of the Supreme Court's June 2014 ruling that allowed certain privately owned corporations to seek exemptions from the provision.
Obama's healthcare law, known as Obamacare, requires employers to provide health insurance policies that cover preventive services for women including access to contraception and sterilization.
Various challengers, including family-owned companies and religious affiliated nonprofits that oppose abortion and sometimes the use of contraceptives, say the requirement infringes on their religious beliefs.
The high court threw out a June 2014 appeals court ruling that went in favor of the government. In March, the court took a similar approach in a case concerning the University of Notre Dame.
The appeals court rulings in both cases pre-dated the Supreme Court's June 2014 ruling that family-owned Hobby Lobby Stores Ltd could seek exemptions on religious grounds from the contraception provision of the 2010 healthcare law.
Courts that have ruled on the issue since the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision have all decided in favor of the government, finding the government's compromise does not impose a substantial burden on the plaintiffs' religious beliefs. Religious rights are protected under a law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The case is Michigan Catholic Conference v. Burwell, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 14-701. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham)

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 3 hours ago.

Colorado health insurance exchange boards taps Kevin Patterson as next CEO

April 27, 2015, 8:14 am

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The state health insurance exchange's board Monday picked an interim CEO, Kevin Patterson, the governor's chief administrative officer, whom board members said they want ultimately approved Reported by Denver Post 3 hours ago.

Aquarium Believes Pet Insurance Industry Could Profit from Employee Benefits

April 27, 2015, 8:41 am

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As more British based companies follow America’s lead in offering health and dental insurance as part of their employee benefits packages, pet insurance technology thought leader Aquarium Software believes that such a strategy might be the perfect way for the pet insurance market to boost its popularity and profitability in the UK. Mark Colonnese of Aquarium Software believes the issue is likely to prove one of the hot topics at the forthcoming North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) Summit on 26-28 May 2015.

(PRWEB) April 27, 2015

As more British based companies follow America’s lead in offering health and dental insurance as part of their employee benefits packages, pet insurance technology thought leader Aquarium Software believes that such a strategy might be the perfect way for the pet insurance market to boost its popularity and profitability in the UK.Mark Colonnese of Aquarium Software believes the issue is likely to prove one of the hot topics at the forthcoming North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) Summit on 26-28 May 2015.

The US and Manchester (UK) based firm believes it has the perfect technology platform to enable the implementation of such staff benefit programmes, which in the long run will help keep employees happy through a caring approach towards their four-legged friends.

Some insurance brands, including AXA, have pulled out of the pet insurance market because of a lack of profitability and low margins, but with many US insurance companies offering policies as part of employee benefits packages, Aquarium believes this method of internal marketing should be further explored. US brands such as VPI and Pet Plan offer pet policies as employee benefits, with the approach seen as a cost effective alternative way to keep the workforce happy – over and above traditional employee benefits.

“Employer subsidised plans could be a great benefit to both the pet market and the pet owners,” said Mark Colonnese, Sales and Marketing Director at Aquarium Software, “In the US, consumers are very used to buying all manner of insurance products in this way and it comes as no surprise that pet insurance providers have targeted this same avenue. It would seem this channel to market in the UK could be equally successful.”

In the US selling insurance through the employee benefits package is seen as a key way of retaining staff with them offering not only health and dental insurance, but also extending their benefits to home, motor, and now pet insurance coverage.

The UK market has also begun exploring this as a way of selling insurance, however with the exception of health and dental insurance which is regularly on the menu in the UK, pet insurance is still an exception rather than the rule.

Offering insurance as part of an employee benefit package can present additional challenges as policies may be delivered via brokers and managed by third party administrators. What is important is that all interactions are tracked, managed and auditable.    

“It is a huge task to manage registrations, collect premiums and handle all the admin and exceptions that follow when it comes to implementing insurance into employee benefits schemes,” said Mark. “This is where Aquarium can help all parties involved manage the complexities from initial quote, buy, policy administration right the way through to claims processing.”

Aquarium is an expert in supplying bespoke insurance software to the insurance industry with a strong emphasis on the pet sector. Its technology utilises the cloud and methods such as “management by exception” to deliver the most efficient process designed to improve the customer journey for the pet parent whilst ensuring that all of the necessary administrative processes, including relevant fraud checks and management of claims leakage, are carried out effectively.

“With a major presence in both the US and the UK markets, we understand not only how the industry works but how technology is used to implement pet insurance products into employee benefits packages both sides of the Atlantic,” said Colonnese. “For the insurance company this should act as a very attractive proposition with them being able to offer a competitively priced product, via an employer to a captive market.”

Aquarium Software is currently being implemented by a number of key insurers, and affinity partners in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. For further information contact Aquarium Software on +44 (0)161 927 5620 or visit http://www.aquarium-software.com Reported by PRWeb 3 hours ago.

There's A Huge Reality Gap On Obamacare, And This New Poll Proves It

April 27, 2015, 10:57 am

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In a new survey, more than half of self-identified Republicans said they didn’t think the Affordable Care Act is increasing the number of people with health insurance, with a fifth of respondents saying it has actually reduced the number of people with coverage.

For the record, the evidence suggests these people are flat-out wrong.

The poll is from YouGov.com and, like some other recent surveys, the results suggest hostility to the law is waning. The evolution is slow and, even now, “Obamacare” has lots of skeptics. The YouGov survey asked, among other things, whether respondents think the health care law is “more of a success” or “more of a failure.” Forty-percent chose failure, while 30 percent chose success.

Still, that’s progress from October 2013, when, upon launching, Healthcare.gov and most of the state-run websites for purchasing insurance barely worked. Back then, just 14 percent thought the law was closer to success, while 58 percent thought it was closer to failure. More important, perhaps, 49 percent of respondents in the YouGov poll said the law should be “kept the same” or “expanded,” while just 40 percent said it should be repealed. That’s also a shift from the past, when pluralities in the YouGov poll favored repeal. (In surveys by other organizations, pluralities have generally favored keeping or strengthening the law.)

But the most revealing part of the YouGov poll was a more specific question about how people perceive the Affordable Care Act’s performance -- specifically, whether respondents think the number of people with insurance has increased, remained the same, or fallen over the last 12 months.

The question is revealing because it broke out response by partisan identification. Among Democrats, 77 percent said the number of people with insurance had risen, while just 9 percent said it had decreased. But among Republicans, just 43 percent thought the number of people with insurance had increased, while 21 percent said it had decreased.

Source: YouGov.com

To put it another way, less than half of Republicans think the number of uninsured is coming down, while one in five think it is going up.

Every major study -- including official estimates by the federal government and analyses by independent researchers -- has shown that the number of people with health insurance has risen substantially since the Affordable Care Act took full effect. While experts disagree over the precise magnitude of the increase, they don’t question its existence -- except at highly partisan, right-wing think tanks and on a certain cable television network.

It’s likely that perceptions of the Affordable Care Act are affecting the way some people assess its performance, rather than than the other way around. In other words, when some conservative respondents hear a pollster ask questions about whether the health care law is helping people to get insurance, they may simply think about Obamacare and everything they hate about it -- and instinctively give a negative response.

That would mean these self-identified Republicans aren’t denying reality so much as refusing to even think about it. Either way, it suggests some people will never support the Affordable Care Act, no matter what its effects on the real world.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 22 minutes ago.

Array Health’s Senior Director of Marketing to Present at The Fourth Annual Direct-to-Consumer Health Care Marketing Summit

April 27, 2015, 12:09 pm

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Lance Hood, senior director of marketing at Array Health, will participate in a panel discussion at the fourth annual Direct-to-Consumer Health Care Marketing Summit on April 29, 2015.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) April 27, 2015

Array Health, a leading provider of private health insurance exchange technology, has announced that Lance Hood, senior director of marketing, will participate in a panel discussion at the fourth annual Direct-to-Consumer Health Care Marketing Summit on April 29, 2015. The panel session, moderated by David Smith, Partner and Director of Payer Services, Leavitt Partners, LLC, will address the current state of health care consumerism – through a retail/e-commerce perspective – and equip attendees with the insights they need to create compelling consumer experiences.

WHAT: “Retail Perspective on Exchanges – Creating the CONSUMER Experience on the Exchange”

This panel session, featuring the perspectives of top health care marketing executives, will explore the consumer experience on exchanges, and how technology, policy and market forces are coalescing to either drive or impede successful consumer experiences.

Specifically, attendees will gain insight into the following:· Factors that are driving the exchange experience today, and impediments to a world-class consumer experience in these purchasing environments
· Products, service lines or technology elements – such as decision support tools – that create a more powerful consumer experience
· The role of brokers and navigators now and in the future
· The future state of both private and public exchanges – and the role of consumers in driving change for the industry

WHEN: April 29, 2015 at 9:35 a.m. CDT / 7:35 a.m. PDT

WHO: Lance Hood, Senior Director of Marketing, Array Health; Linda Wedeen, Director, Communications and Outreach, New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange; and Marc Pierce, President and Founder, Stonegate Advisors & CareXtend. Session will be moderated by David Smith, Partner and Director of Payer Services, Leavitt Partners, LLC.

WHERE: Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites, Chicago IL

To learn more and register, visit: [http://www.direct2consumerhealthmarketing.com/Register/index.php

About Array Health
Array Health brings consumers and insurers closer together by powering a personalized health insurance experience. Its cloud-based e-commerce software platform enables health insurers to deliver their own branded online exchange— including e-commerce support throughout the value chain of brokers, employers and consumers, across all lines of business. The company’s technology gives employers a new way to control costs and personalizes the health insurance experience for consumers, enabling them to make more informed decisions and to more deeply engage in their health. Array Health is a privately held company based in Seattle. To learn more, visit arrayhealth.com.

Contact:
Collin Roberts
collin.roberts(at)edelman(dot)com
(206) 664-7839 Reported by PRWeb 1 day ago.

Skinspirations to Host Spa Day on Military Spouse Appreciation Day to Honor Unsung Heroes

April 27, 2015, 1:40 pm

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While there are many organizations helping these soldiers, very seldom is anything done for the caregiver. Skinspirations will give back to the women behind the men on Military Spouse Appreciation Day by hosting a spa day for military caregivers.

Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) April 27, 2015

The risks and challenges of a military career are highly recorded, yet little attention has been given to the plight of the military caregiver. Military caregivers create an unpaid national workforce which provides services worth $15 billion annually to those wounded in battle. (2) These caregivers, often the spouse of a disabled veteran, are often under-appreciated despite the impact of their contributions even though they can be considered the backbone of the nation's backbone. May 8 is National Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and in order to give back to these unsung heroes, Tampa Bay cosmetic facility Skinspirations will host a spa day for military caregivers. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. and lasting until 6:00 p.m., the professionals at Skinspirations will donate their time and talents to provide military caregivers with a day of pampering. Beauty services will include facials, manicures, massages and many other treatments, all at no charge.

According to a recent RAND study commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, there are an estimated 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States, with 1.1 million of those caregivers taking care of post-9/11 veterans. The dedication of caregivers to wounded soldiers can be time consuming. The same RAND study reports that 12% of post-9/11 military caregivers and 10% of pre-9/11 military caregivers spend more than 40 hours per week providing care. This sacrifice has a big impact on the economy. The cost of loss of productivity among post 9/11 caregivers is an estimated $5.9 billion, and the caregiver duties post-9/11 caregivers provide are worth an estimated $3 billion. (2)

USA Today reports that the typical post-9/11 caregiver is a 38-year-old woman with young children who is facing decades of caring for a wounded husband. The military caregiver's duties are normally comprised of assisting loved ones with basic functions including bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom. They also assist the wounded with making medical appointments, managing finances and struggling through emotional difficulties. In addition to the stress of caring for an injured loved one, military caregivers often struggle with legal and financial issues. They sometimes loose wages, jobs and health insurance because of their circumstance. Additionally, caregivers may find their own health suffering due to the stress of their responsibilities. (3)

“Efforts are needed to help empower military caregivers,” urges the RAND study. This “should include ways to build their skills and confidences in caregiving, mitigate the potential stress and strain of caregiving, and raise public awareness of the caregiver's value.” (2) The Skinspirations spa day for military caregivers will serve to provide these valuable citizens with a needed respite from their daily duties. The intention is to help remove some of the stress of caregiving in addition to empowering these individuals.

Tampa Bay is home to two major military instillation, the MacDill Air Force Base and the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater. (4) The Tampa Business Journal lists MacDill as the 6th largest public-sector employer, (5) with approximately 14,000 military and civilians working for the air force base. According to the Tampa Tribune, MacDill AFB contributes about $5 billion a year to the Tampa Bay economy. (6) The Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater is the Coast Guard's largest air station, and is home to nearly 600 USCG aviation and support personnel. (7)

“While it's no secret that being in the military is tough, being a military caregiver can be tough in its own right,” says Dr. Cynthia Elliott, board-certified owner of Skinspirations. “Military caregivers have essentially given up their lives to take care of our nation's soldiers. Skinspirations is dedicating a day to recognizing them for that and allowing them to be pampered for once.”

Skinspirations’ event will cater to military spouses nominated through the company’s liaison with Wounded Warriors. Several of Skinspirations’ vendors are contributing skin care products and treatments such as Botox and Juvederm.

For more information about Skinspirations and its services, visit http://www.skinspirations.com or call (727) 571-1923.

About Dr. Cynthia Elliott and Skinspirations:

Cynthia Elliott, M.D., is the board-certified owner of Skinspirations, located in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Elliott obtained her M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and then completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Denver General Hospital and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She has been on staff at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital, University Community Hospital and Mease Countryside Hospital, and has served on the faculty of the USF School of Medicine. Dr. Elliott currently serves as an expert witness in Cosmetic Medicine for the Florida Board of Medicine. Her company, ExpertEsthetics, provides online video training in advanced injection techniques, as well as hands-on technique training for other practitioners. Dr. Elliott is also a national and international trainer for Cutera Lasers, training other physicians in the use of aesthetic lasers with skin of all colors. Skinspirations specializes exclusively in rejuvenation, enhancement and anti-aging treatments for the face and body. With her staff of aesthetic experts, you know you’ll get the best results obtainable. Dr. Elliott has been in practice for over 20 years, and has the experience and reputation to have been chosen by the makers of Botox® Cosmetic and Juvéderm to train other physicians and practitioners in her techniques. For more information, visit http://www.skinspirations.com.

(1)    Dole, Elizabeth, and Michael Rich. "Dole/Rich: Military Caregivers Are Hidden Heroes." USA Today, 1 Apr. 2014. Web. usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/04/01/elizabeth-dole-michael-rich-military-caregivers/7128129/.

(2)    Ramchand, Rajeev, Terri Tanielian, Michael P. Fisher, Christine Anne Vaughan, Thomas E. Trail, Caroline Epley, Phoenix Voorhies, Michael Robbins, Eric Robinson and Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar. Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2014. rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR499.

(3)    Zoroya, Gregg. "Study: Huge Burden on Caregivers of Military Wounded." USA Today, 8 Mar. 2013. Web. usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/06/rand-military-caregivers-wounded/1967083/.

(4)    "Tampa Bay Area." Wikipedia. 12 Apr. 2015. Web. wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Area.

(5)    "MacDill Air Force Base Fact Sheet." MacDill Air Force Base, 18 July 2006. Web. http://www.macdill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4232.

(6)    Altman, Howard. "Proposed Defense Cuts Could Have Impact in Tampa." The Tampa Tribune, 24 Feb. 2014. Web. tbo.com/list/military-news/proposed-defense-cuts-could-have-impact-in-tampa-20140224/.

(7)    "Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater." Wikipedia, 11 Nov. 2014. Web. wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Guard_Air_Station_Clearwater.

(8)    "Military Spouse Appreciation Day 2015." Military Benefits. Web. militarybenefits.info/military-spouse-appreciation-day/. Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.

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WellCare Joins 2015 Derby Festival to Sponsor Family-Friendly Health Fair

April 27, 2015, 1:55 pm

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WellCare Health Plans Inc. (NYSE: WCG) joins the Kentucky Derby Festival as the 2015 Presenting Sponsor of its signature Health Fair.

TAMPA, Fla. (PRWEB) April 27, 2015

WellCare Health Plans Inc. (NYSE: WCG) joins the Kentucky Derby Festival as the 2015 Presenting Sponsor of its signature Health Fair. The event promotes healthy families and healthy lifestyles, by offering free health screenings and valuable health information for children and families. The Health Fair takes place Tuesday, April 28, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center in South Wing C. It will be held in conjunction with the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade Preview Party.

“Diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung disease and diabetes account for 70% of deaths in the United States and limit the activities of tens of millions,” said Dr. Howard Shaps, medical director for WellCare of Kentucky. “Thousands of adults and children are expected to attend this year’s health fair, which gives an opportunity to provide valuable health information and screenings that could save lives.”

This year’s event will include an inflatable heart and colon, health screenings and a kid’s fitness exhibit, provided by KentuckyOne Health; brain training demonstrations by the LearningRX; an interactive display by the Kentucky Beef Council, and support from organizations such as the Kornhauser Health Science Library, KIPDA , Bath Fitter and Biocodex.

“Even during this exciting time of year, it’s important to remember to take care of your health,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Thanks to WellCare Health Plans, you can receive health screenings and tips for the whole family, and it won’t cost you a doctor’s visit.”

Admission to the Health Fair is a 2015 Pegasus Pin, which is available for $5 at local retailers and at all Kentucky Derby Festival events. It also includes entry into the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade Preview Party. The Health Fair is sponsored by WellCare, Contributing Sponsor KentuckyOne Health and Media Sponsor WAKY 103.5.

As of Dec. 31, 2014, WellCare serves approximately 408,000 Medicaid members, 5,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 21,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Kentucky. To learn more about how we care for Kentuckians, watch Brandi’s story at http://youtu.be/YwOw5EgeSYo.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, Prescription Drug Plans and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind and disabled. The company serves approximately 4.1 million members nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2014. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at http://www.wellcare.com or view the company’s videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan. Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.

Will Your Weight Loss Surgery Be Covered by Health Insurance? It's Likely, notes Dr. Feiz and Associates

April 27, 2015, 2:40 pm

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LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- It's well known today that the cost of just about any surgery is far from insignificant and often well outside the range of a typical family budget. That's why the issue of whether or not weight loss surgery is covered by insurance weighs... Reported by PR Newswire 22 hours ago.

Obamacare took $729 bite out of tax refunds - H&R Block

April 27, 2015, 2:26 pm

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The majority of H&R Block clients who received federal help to pay for their health insurance in 2014 got an unwelcome surprise when it came to their refund. Reported by CNNMoney 22 hours ago.

Obamacare took $729 bite out of tax refunds

April 27, 2015, 3:57 pm

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A majority of H&R Block clients who had received federal help to pay for their health insurance in 2014 saw their tax refunds reduced. Why? They had underestimated their income when they applied for premium tax credits. Reported by CNNMoney 21 hours ago.

Harahan City Council sets special meeting on insurance, engineers

April 27, 2015, 2:58 pm

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Four of the five Harahan City Council members have called a special meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. to discuss the administration's plan to switch employee health insurance plans May 1. The plan could save the city $110,000 annually, but the mid-year switch... Reported by nola.com 22 hours ago.

Cancer Patient Denied Care Under Kansas' New For-Profit Health Care (Video)

April 27, 2015, 7:27 pm

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Cancer Patient Denied Care Under Kansas' New For-Profit Health Care (Video)
Cancer Patient Denied Care Under Kansas' New For-Profit Health Care (Video)
Health
Local
LeviRoss
Has Been Optimized

Levi Ross, 18, was diagnosed in February with a rare cancer, Epithelioid Sarcoma, in his spinal cord.

Ross' physicians in Kansas told him to go out-of-state for care, but he waited for weeks until his insurance company finally told him that his out-of-state care would not be covered, reported KMBC 9 News (video below).

During the delay by the insurance company, the teen's cancer expanded from his neck to his lungs, dropping his survival chances dramatically.

In 2013, Kansas switched its Medicaid program to KanCare, a program in which three for-profit managed care companies took over the health care for hundreds of thousands of Kansas residents.

Republican Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas assured residents that this privatization of Medicaid would save Kansas at least $1 billion in five years, noted The Kansas City Star.

A KanCare rep told KMBC 9 News that there is a two-step process for out-of-state care: A doctor must approve the out-of-state care and the health insurance company must agree that no one in Kansas can provide the care needed.

Ross recently had to leave his home state to get the surgery he needed at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Ross' tumor had tripled in size, and his doctors say he would not have survived more than another week had he not had the surgery.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment doesn't keep records of how many people are denied out-of-state care under KanCare.

Sources: KMBC 9, The Kansas City Star
Image Credit: KMBC 9 Screenshot

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OV in Depth:  Reported by Opposing Views 17 hours ago.

ZoomCare Opens New On-Demand Urgent Care Clinic in Vancouver, WA

April 28, 2015, 12:24 am

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Features On-Demand same-day scheduling online, weekend hours and on-site meds for most visits.

HILLSBORO, Ore. (PRWEB) April 28, 2015

ZoomCare, the Portland-based health innovator of On-Demand healthcare and creator of Zoom+ Personal Health Insurance, announced today the opening of ZoomCare Grand Central. This is Zoom’s second Vancouver clinic and 26th clinic in Washington and Oregon. ZoomCare Grand Central offers On-Demand, no-wait visits for injury, illness and wellness. As with all ZoomCare Clinics, people can schedule same-day visits on their phone at Zoomcare.com. Members of Zoom+ Personal Health Insurance will have unlimited access to ZoomCare Grand Central and all other Zoom clinics. Non-members pay Zoom’s low price of $140/visit, which most insurances cover.

“We’re excited to open our second On-Demand clinic in Vancouver. We believe that healthcare should be as easy to access as your local coffee shop. People are busy and want complete care in their neighborhood that they can schedule online with their phone. They want to see a medical professional and get their meds in the same visit. That’s Zoom.” said Dave Sanders, M.D., co-founder and CEO.

ZoomCare Grand Central is staffed with a board-certified clinical team consisting of physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. All Zoom clinics are powered by ZoomWare electronic medical records to which patients have full access.

The new clinic is located at 2510 Columbia House Blvd., Suite 107, in the Grand Central marketplace across from Fred Meyer, near Downtown Vancouver. ZoomCare Grand Central will be open weekdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ZoomCare Mill Plain, Zoom’s first Vancouver clinic, is located in Mill Plain at 902 SE. 164th Ave., Suite 400.

About ZoomCare:
ZoomCare, the Portland-based innovator of On-Demand healthcare, is creating the nation’s first health insurance system built from the ground up to enhance human performance. By seamlessly combining the security of traditional health insurance with membership-based brain, cellular and strength/stamina training and coaching, Zoom+ Personal Health Insurance is empowering people to reach their full potential. Co-founded in 2006 in Portland, Oregon by healthcare entrepreneurs David Sanders, M.D., and Albert DiPiero, M.D., ZoomCare was built on the promise of delivering “Twice the Health At Half the Cost With Ten Times the Delight.” ZoomCare is a privately held company currently operating 26 neighborhood clinics in Portland, Vancouver and Seattle. ZoomCare was selected one of the most admired healthcare companies in Oregon in 2014 and has been a finalist for the Oregon Entrepreneur Network's Growth Company of the Year.

ZoomCare has been responsible for many retail healthcare firsts. The company built the first mobile online scheduler with same-day access to over 500 no-wait appointments; created the innovative neighborhood retail clinic format; invented the "Magic Minute" and "Painless Procedure"; helped pass legislation allowing clinics to provide prescription medications; published transparent prices on the website; offered convenient office hours 365 days a year, in some cases until midnight.

For additional information about ZoomCare, please visit ZoomCare.com and our Facebook page. Reported by PRWeb 12 hours ago.

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Hachshara Insurance Selects InsFocus BI for its Property & Casualty Division

April 28, 2015, 12:07 am

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Hachshara Insurance selects InsFocus’ business intelligence system for its property and casualty division, after thoroughly checking a few BI systems.

Petach Tikva, Israel (PRWEB) April 28, 2015

InsFocus Systems Ltd., a global provider of business intelligence software specifically suited for property and casualty companies, announced that Hachshara Insurance has chosen InsFocus’ Business Intelligence Analyst system for its property and casualty division.

Hachshara company officials said that the system will primarily be used by the actuarial unit to study different P&C reserve and reinsurance actuarial models, insured driving habits and the effect of new automotive technologies on insureds’ behavior. The unit will manage the company’s pricing policy in a changing economic reality, responding to market trends and to customer needs, deepening price differentiation based on customer risk profile and maintaining portfolio profitability.

Hachshara’s actuarial unit will use the InsFocus tool for profiling risk quality in its auto insurance property coverage. This tool will be also used by the company’s underwriters to price policies according to specific risk profile.

“We chose InsFocus after thoroughly checking a few BI systems," says Omer Rakover, chief actuary, general insurance, in Hachshara. “The process included integrating the system in the company for a pilot study. After our pilot study we decided that this will be the system that will take us to the next level. InsFocus helped us in the actuarial analysis department to develop a practical working tool for managing underwriting and sales profitability.”

“InsFocus executed a quick implementation project, which allowed the company to embed the system in a short time-span, while providing extensive insurance and underwriting information”, says Uri Taiber, InsFocus CEO. “The system in Hachshara includes hundreds of insurance measurements and dimensions, based on InsFocus’ insurance data model”.

About InsFocus Systems, Ltd.
InsFocus BI is an insurance-specific business intelligence suite delivering unparalleled value to insurance professionals at cost-effective prices. Leveraging decades of insurance industry experience with business intelligence (BI) and data warehousing expertise, InsFocus delivers clear, focused information to all insurance company domains including marketing, underwriting, claims, reinsurance, actuarial, risk and financial management.
InsFocus’ team of BI experts has extensive experience in implementing business intelligence projects at insurance companies. Based on its unique pre-built insurance data model, InsFocus’ team quickly and dependably delivers enterprise scale insurance BI projects.

About Hachshara Insurance Company Ltd.
Hachshara Insurance Company Ltd. provides general and life insurance products and services. The Company provides auto, home, commercial property, commercial liability, engineering, travel, personal accident, as well as long term life and health insurance. The Company markets its products to customers throughout Israel. Its combined life and general premium written is $380m. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.

New Data for Group Health Insurance Procurement Category Market Research Report from IBISWorld

April 28, 2015, 1:10 am

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The buyer power score for group health insurance is 2.9 out of 5, indicating a medium level of buyer power in the market; the availability of substitutes and low price volatility work in favor of buyers, whereas product specialization and vendor financial risk dampen buyer power. For these reasons and to help procurement professionals make better buying decisions faster, business intelligence firm IBISWorld has updated a report on the procurement of Group Health Insurance in its growing collection of procurement category market research reports.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 28, 2015

The buyer power score for group health insurance is 2.9 out of 5, indicating a medium level of buyer power in the market. Moderate buyer power means buyers and suppliers have equal power during negotiations. One factor helping buyer power is the availability of substitutes. Rather than purchasing a health insurance policy from an insurance carrier (such as Aetna, UnitedHealth Group, Cigna Corporation or Humana), buyers can choose to self-fund their own policy or forgo insurance altogether. The availability of substitutes erodes the price of health insurance, which benefits buyers.

“Low demand driver volatility further underscores buyer power, because it indicates that demand for health insurance is relatively stable, which reduces the probability of price spikes or drops. As a result, buyers are better able to accurately budget for their health insurance expenses,” according to IBISWorld business research analyst Kayley Freshman-Caffrey.

However, a variety of market attributes hurt buyer power, including the recent price trend and forecast, product specialization and vendor risk. None of these factors in particular are detrimental to buyer power, but each has a slight dampening effect. First, the recent price trend and forecast reflect a period of significant price increases and moderate price fluctuations, both of which have reduced buyer power. Secondly, the services health insurance carriers provide are moderately specialized, which limits the number of suppliers buyers can choose from to buy the plan they desire. Lastly, moderate vendor risk raises the probability that a supplier will go bankrupt and disrupt the fulfillment of client claims and customer service, so buyers will want to research potential suppliers carefully before purchasing from them.

“The market characteristics hurting buyer power outnumber those that help buyer power. However, the values of the positive factors are more extreme, which boosts their influence on the market,” Freshman-Caffrey says. For this reason, the positive effects of the high availability of substitutes and low demand driver volatility balance out the negative impacts of the other market attributes, resulting in a moderate level of power for buyers. For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Group Health Insurance procurement category market research report page.

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IBISWorld Procurement Report Key Topics

This report is intended to assist buyers of group health insurance. Insurance involves the transfer of risk from an individual to an insurance carrier. Health insurance involves this transfer of risk specifically for healthcare expenses, while group health insurance provides companies a way to provide coverage for collections of employees. Offered plans specify a percentage of an individual’s medical and surgical expenses for which the insurer will pay the cost, which reduces the liability of the covered individual for medical expenses incurred in the case of a sudden illness or injury. This report does not include life insurance, disability insurance or dental insurance.

Executive Summary
Pricing Environment
Price Fundamentals
Benchmark Price
Pricing Model
Price Drivers
Recent Price Trend
Price Forecast
Product Characteristics
Product Life Cycle
Total Cost of Ownership
Product Specialization
Substitute Goods
Regulation
Quality Control
Supply Chain & Vendors
Supply Chain Dynamics
Supply Chain Risk
Imports
Competitive Environment
Market Share Concentration
Market Profitability
Switching Costs
Purchasing Process
Buying Basics
Buying Lead Time
Selection Process
Key RFP Elements
Negotiation Questions
Buyer Power Factors
Key Statistics

About IBISWorld Inc.
IBISWorld is one of the world's leading publishers of business intelligence, specializing in Industry research and Procurement research. Since 1971, IBISWorld has provided thoroughly researched, accurate and current business information. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, IBISWorld’s procurement research reports equip clients with the insight necessary to make better purchasing decisions, faster. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld Procurement serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772. Reported by PRWeb 11 hours ago.

European Union: European Court Of Justice Issues Decision On Pricing Of Medicinal Products, Scope Of National Health Insurance Systems - Jones Day

April 28, 2015, 3:07 am

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According to the ECJ, the obligation to disclose this information will allow interested parties to verify whether pricing decisions discriminate between national medicinal products and those originating in other Member States. Reported by Mondaq 10 hours ago.

Battle Lines Readied on 'Cadillac Tax' for Obamacare Plans

April 28, 2015, 5:59 am

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A group of Democratic lawmakers, supported by Republicans, are urging repeal of a 40 percent excise tax — the so-called Cadillac tax — on high-priced employer health insurance slated to go into effect in 2018, The Hill reports. Reported by Newsmax 7 hours ago.

NCPC & AlertID Celebrate Older American’s Month: 2015

April 28, 2015, 5:05 am

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“Get in the Act” this month by following our Safe Senior Living tips

Arlington, VA & Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) April 28, 2015

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), home to McGruff the Crime Dog®, and AlertID, your family and neighborhood safety network, are working together to increase awareness of public safety for older Americans. NCPC and AlertID are using this year’s Older Americans Month theme — Get into the Act, to spotlight crime prevention tips which will help seniors take charge of their health, safety and wellbeing.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), senior citizens in America, ages 65 and older, are expected to comprise nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population by the year 2050. “It’s a blessing that our seniors are living longer and fuller lives”, said AlertID Founder, Keli Wilson. “However, in order to protect the life and sanctity of our seniors, we must all raise awareness of senior abuse and take preventive actions so they aren’t taken advantage of.”

Elder abuse and financial exploitation crimes have devastating consequences for older Americans, which have a negative impact on their health, their emotional well-being and vitality, and often their independence and ability to live alone. In addition, these crimes and their consequences can sever key social connections with family, friends, neighbors, their churches, or civic groups. “We hear the horror stories of seniors losing their homes, their lives’ savings, living without food, or being locked in their homes, alone, without heat,” said Ann M. Harkins, NCPC President and CEO. “Making sure older Americans are safe isn’t only a family, caregiver, or a law enforcement responsibility. It is a community responsibility.”

The signs of physical abuse or financial exploitation can be difficult to detect because of natural aging processes, such as the ability to bruise more easily or the onset of dementia — another devastating safety problem for millions of older Americans and their loved ones. According to NCEA, nearly 5.1 million older Americans have some kind of dementia. This month NCPC and AlertID want all seniors and their loved ones to take charge of their lives. Get into the Act today, by following the safe senior living tips below.

Safe Senior Living Tips·     Utilize My Family Wallet™: This sophisticated, yet easy-to-use portion of the AlertID app allows members to store photos and other information about their loved ones. Also, it allows members to share this information with law enforcement and other family members immediately in the event that a senior citizen goes missing, helping to raise immediate awareness of the missing and to reunite them with their families quickly.

·     Get Engaged in the Community: Social isolation has been directly linked to elder abuse. Protect yourself or loved one by getting involved in family, community or church activities.

·     Recognize the Signs of Elder Mistreatment: Neglect, financial abuse, physical abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, and sexual abuse can happen to anyone. A study done by NCEA found that nearly 1 in 10 elders experienced abuse or neglect in the previous year. Learn about all the warning signs here: http://www.alertid.com/search/recognizing-the-elder.asp

·     Review Bank Statements: The growing senior population is being targeted for financial crimes at an alarming rate. Some of the more common methods are disguised as telemarketing calls or emails for sweepstakes, investments, charity contributions, home & health insurance opportunities and more.

About the National Crime Prevention Council
The National Crime Prevention Council is the nonprofit leader in crime prevention. For more than 30 years, our symbol of safety, McGruff the Crime Dog®, has delivered easy-to-use crime prevention tips to millions of adults, teens, and children. Law enforcement agencies nationwide rely on our expertise to make an impact on personal safety and crime every day. For more information on how NCPC can be a public safety expert for you or how to “Take A Bite Out Of Crime®,” visit http://www.ncpc.org.

About AlertID, Inc.
AlertID, your neighborhood safety network, is free to use and helps protect families and neighborhoods. AlertID's mission is to help people live safely by providing a secure way to receive trusted public safety alerts and share information with family members and neighbors. AlertID uses technology to help citizens and federal, state and local authorities share information about crime, sex offenders, natural disasters, missing children and severe weather that can threaten public safety. AlertID is accessible to members online as well as by email and mobile app. For more information visit http://www.AlertID.com Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.