Health insurance premiums are soaring -- but that's just part of the picture.
Reported by Motley Fool 14 hours ago.
The Most Important Health Insurance Chart You'll Ever See
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Novus Medical Detox Acclaims 5-Day Opioid Limit Set by Independence Blue Cross
With drug overdoses claiming more than 900 lives in Philadelphia last year, the region’s largest health insurer has imposed new limits on prescription opioids. Novus Medical Detox Center calls for insurance firms nationwide to do the same.
New Port Richey, Fla. (PRWEB) September 05, 2017
Philadelphia medical examiners recorded 907 drug overdose deaths in 2016, and opioids were present in more than 80% of those cases.(1) In an effort to prevent opioid use disorders and diversion, Independence Blue Cross—the largest health insurer in southeast Pennsylvania—has implemented a five-day limit on new opioid prescriptions.(2) Novus Medical Detox, a leading Florida-based drug treatment facility, applauds Independence’s latest initiative and ongoing efforts, and encourages other health insurance companies to enact similar measures.
Drug overdose deaths claimed the lives of 4,642 Pennsylvanians in 2016—a 37% increase over the previous year—with Philadelphia alone accounting for nearly 20% of those deaths.(3) Furthermore, 2016 marked the second consecutive year that Philadelphia hospitals experienced more than 6,400 emergency department visits for overdose-related complaints.(1) To address these issues, Independence has consistently promoted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prescribing guidelines. After sending more than 1,250 of its network doctors a list of patients who were prescribed more than the CDC-recommended dosages of opioids, the insurer reports that nearly 60% of those physicians halted their inappropriate prescribing.(2)
“Reversing America’s opioid epidemic will require the concerted efforts of federal and state officials, prescribers, dispensaries and insurers,” asserted Bryn Wesch, CFO of Novus Medical Detox Center. “Independence Blue Cross has taken that responsibility to heart, and we commend the company for actively working to educate physicians, protect patients and adhere to CDC recommendations. I believe these efforts will improve regional health outcomes; and if other insurers follow suit, the U.S. may finally see a decrease in opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations.”
Wesch notes that Independence has already achieved positive results. In 2015, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation awarded grants to 44 non-profit community health centers in southeast Pennsylvania; and last summer, the Foundation launched its Supporting Treatment and Overdose Prevention (STOP) initiative to aid those struggling to overcome opioid use disorders.(4) Since 2014, the insurer has reduced inappropriate opioid use among its members by nearly 30%.(2)
“Independence has set the bar for other health insurance companies and created an effective blueprint for them to follow,” said Wesch. “The five-day prescription opioid limit should help minimize diversion to unintended users and reduce the risk of patients developing opioid use disorders, while the STOP initiative ensures those currently battling substance use disorders can obtain the necessary treatment.”
Wesch advocates for medically supervised treatment plans that are individually customized for each patient, including detox programs that help them manage the challenges and discomfort of opioid withdrawal. She maintains that with proper care and ongoing support, such as drug rehab and/or outpatient counseling, patients can progress from detox to successful long-term recovery.
For more information on Novus Medical Detox Center and its medically supervised opioid treatment programs, visit https://novusdetox.com.
About Novus Medical Detox Center:
Novus Medical Detox Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation as an inpatient medical detox facility. Licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, Novus provides safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs that are based on proven medical protocols and designed to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal. The facility is located on 3.25 acres in New Port Richey, Florida, in a tranquil, spa-like setting bordering protected conservation land. Intent on proving that detox doesn’t have to be painful or degrading, Novus set out to transform the industry by bringing humanity into medical detox with individually customized treatment programs and 24/7 access to nursing care and withdrawal specialists. Today, Novus is renowned as a champion of industry standardization and a staunch advocate of patients fighting to overcome substance use disorders. Frequently recognized for its contributions to the industry and local community, Novus has become a regular source to media publications such as The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and has ranked in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Fast 50, the Florida Business Journal’s Top 500 and the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies. For more information on Novus’ medically supervised detox programs visit https://novusdetox.com.
1. Philadephia Department of Public Health. “2016 Overdoses From Opioids in Philadelphia”; CHART; April 2017. phila.gov/health/pdfs/chart%20v2e7.pdf
2. Independence Blue Cross. “Independence Limits New Opioid Prescriptions to Five Days”; news brief published June 27, 2017. news.ibx.com/independence-limits-new-opioid-prescriptions-five-days/
3. Wood, Sam and Don Sapatkin. “DEA: Fatal ODs Rose 37% Across Pa. in 2016”; The Philadelphia Inquirer; June 8, 2017. philly.com/philly/health/addiction/dea-fatal-ods-rose-37-across-pa-in-2016-20170608.html
4. Independence Blue Cross Foundation. “Independence Blue Cross Foundation Launches STOP Initiative To Address Growing Opioid Crisis”; press release published August 16, 2016. infocus.ibxfoundation.org/independence-blue-cross-foundation-launches-stop-initiative-to-address-growing-opioid-crisis/ Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
New Port Richey, Fla. (PRWEB) September 05, 2017
Philadelphia medical examiners recorded 907 drug overdose deaths in 2016, and opioids were present in more than 80% of those cases.(1) In an effort to prevent opioid use disorders and diversion, Independence Blue Cross—the largest health insurer in southeast Pennsylvania—has implemented a five-day limit on new opioid prescriptions.(2) Novus Medical Detox, a leading Florida-based drug treatment facility, applauds Independence’s latest initiative and ongoing efforts, and encourages other health insurance companies to enact similar measures.
Drug overdose deaths claimed the lives of 4,642 Pennsylvanians in 2016—a 37% increase over the previous year—with Philadelphia alone accounting for nearly 20% of those deaths.(3) Furthermore, 2016 marked the second consecutive year that Philadelphia hospitals experienced more than 6,400 emergency department visits for overdose-related complaints.(1) To address these issues, Independence has consistently promoted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prescribing guidelines. After sending more than 1,250 of its network doctors a list of patients who were prescribed more than the CDC-recommended dosages of opioids, the insurer reports that nearly 60% of those physicians halted their inappropriate prescribing.(2)
“Reversing America’s opioid epidemic will require the concerted efforts of federal and state officials, prescribers, dispensaries and insurers,” asserted Bryn Wesch, CFO of Novus Medical Detox Center. “Independence Blue Cross has taken that responsibility to heart, and we commend the company for actively working to educate physicians, protect patients and adhere to CDC recommendations. I believe these efforts will improve regional health outcomes; and if other insurers follow suit, the U.S. may finally see a decrease in opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations.”
Wesch notes that Independence has already achieved positive results. In 2015, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation awarded grants to 44 non-profit community health centers in southeast Pennsylvania; and last summer, the Foundation launched its Supporting Treatment and Overdose Prevention (STOP) initiative to aid those struggling to overcome opioid use disorders.(4) Since 2014, the insurer has reduced inappropriate opioid use among its members by nearly 30%.(2)
“Independence has set the bar for other health insurance companies and created an effective blueprint for them to follow,” said Wesch. “The five-day prescription opioid limit should help minimize diversion to unintended users and reduce the risk of patients developing opioid use disorders, while the STOP initiative ensures those currently battling substance use disorders can obtain the necessary treatment.”
Wesch advocates for medically supervised treatment plans that are individually customized for each patient, including detox programs that help them manage the challenges and discomfort of opioid withdrawal. She maintains that with proper care and ongoing support, such as drug rehab and/or outpatient counseling, patients can progress from detox to successful long-term recovery.
For more information on Novus Medical Detox Center and its medically supervised opioid treatment programs, visit https://novusdetox.com.
About Novus Medical Detox Center:
Novus Medical Detox Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation as an inpatient medical detox facility. Licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, Novus provides safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs that are based on proven medical protocols and designed to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal. The facility is located on 3.25 acres in New Port Richey, Florida, in a tranquil, spa-like setting bordering protected conservation land. Intent on proving that detox doesn’t have to be painful or degrading, Novus set out to transform the industry by bringing humanity into medical detox with individually customized treatment programs and 24/7 access to nursing care and withdrawal specialists. Today, Novus is renowned as a champion of industry standardization and a staunch advocate of patients fighting to overcome substance use disorders. Frequently recognized for its contributions to the industry and local community, Novus has become a regular source to media publications such as The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and has ranked in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Fast 50, the Florida Business Journal’s Top 500 and the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies. For more information on Novus’ medically supervised detox programs visit https://novusdetox.com.
1. Philadephia Department of Public Health. “2016 Overdoses From Opioids in Philadelphia”; CHART; April 2017. phila.gov/health/pdfs/chart%20v2e7.pdf
2. Independence Blue Cross. “Independence Limits New Opioid Prescriptions to Five Days”; news brief published June 27, 2017. news.ibx.com/independence-limits-new-opioid-prescriptions-five-days/
3. Wood, Sam and Don Sapatkin. “DEA: Fatal ODs Rose 37% Across Pa. in 2016”; The Philadelphia Inquirer; June 8, 2017. philly.com/philly/health/addiction/dea-fatal-ods-rose-37-across-pa-in-2016-20170608.html
4. Independence Blue Cross Foundation. “Independence Blue Cross Foundation Launches STOP Initiative To Address Growing Opioid Crisis”; press release published August 16, 2016. infocus.ibxfoundation.org/independence-blue-cross-foundation-launches-stop-initiative-to-address-growing-opioid-crisis/ Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
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Unemployment Down but EEOC Violations Up: HireBox Cites Employment Law Uncertainty
Innovative public relations firm, JoTo PR, introduces partnership with personnel assessment and HR law expert HireBox, who cautions that the government’s lack of leniency with businesses, regardless of size, should trigger professional HR intervention.
Tampa Bay. Fla. (PRWEB) September 05, 2017
The unemployment rate is currently 4.3%, the lowest point since 2001, and causes an applicant-driven market. But, regulations and the potential for EEOC violations are scaring employers, who are making slower hiring decisions. Penalties have been raised for the second time in six months and among the most frequent violations are improper posting of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guidelines, violations of changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governing minimum wage and overtime rules, and failure to inform employees of Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) opportunities. 1
A study by Hiscox found that U.S.-based companies have at least an 11.7 percent chance of having an employment charge filed against them. Hiscox claims data for small and mid-sized businesses (under 500 employees) indicate that one in five will face employment charges with an average cost to defend of $125,000, which includes expenses such as attorney’s fees and settlement costs. 2
In most cases an applicant files an anonymous claim on the EEOC website if they “feel” you were discriminatory in the questions you asked in the hiring process. Months later, due to a case backlog, you will be notified of the EEOC’s intent to audit. The time and cost is a nightmare, especially to small companies.
Patrick Valtin, founder of HireBox.com and NoFailHiring.com, has aligned with JoTo PR to contribute to the improvement of society through business activities and revolutionize the way employers hire. His developed brands offer pre-hire and performance review assessments, training for clients to establish the most effective hiring processes possible, and strategies for human resources development.
Valtin has experienced that pre-employment assessments such as his Pre-SelectorTM and Recru-Tec AssessmentsTM, evaluate whether candidates have (or not) the potential to contribute to the success & happiness of their future employer. The full complement, which includes the evaluation of sales teams, also evaluates what can be done to make the candidate or employee more effective and happier on the job.
Karla Jo Helms, CEO, Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JoTo PR, commented that “It’s important in our era of instant communication for employers to become more effective recruiters, maximizing successful matching between career seekers and employers.” She continues “Employees are needed who have technical skills, but also the traits necessary to contribute to the team framework of a company.”
HireBox is a results-based testing platform utilizing legal quality control to give hiring missions the best outcome. Founded by Patrick Valtin, the job-matching assessments and internal evaluations provide vital information about potential and current employees.
The willingness AND ability to contribute to one's team's success & happiness is by far the best predictor of an individual's performance at work. Based on the evaluation of over 25,000 applicants, Patrick Valtin has come to the conclusion that no matter the talent, competencies or experience, the odds of a successful hire are very, very low if THAT universal personnel selection criterion is missing.
“Patrick Valtin’s approach to pre-employment assessment is based on his comprehensive knowledge of recruiting, onboarding and retention” added Helms. “He has infused accuracy and reliability into his assessments that provide employers with the tools necessary to create a successful and engaged work force.”
JoTo PR has a rich history in innovative business PR solutions, and provides services to national and international organizations. The firm is a pioneer in the PR industry, blending traditional PR expertise with high technology so as to harness the advantages of both worlds—traditional and new. JoTo PR specializes in the healthcare, finance and technology sectors, but has worked for a variety of industries and non-profits, using a proprietary process to consistently find, relay and render to the media the information that’s valuable to its clients’ respective industries.
About JoTo PR:
After doing marketing research on a cross-section majority of 5,000 CEOs of fast-growth trajectory companies and finding out exactly how they used PR, how they measure it and how they wanted the PR industry to be different, PR veteran and innovator Karla Jo Helms created JoTo PR and established its entire business model on those research findings. Astute in recognizing industry changes since its launch in 2009, JoTo PR’s team utilizes newly established patterns to create timely PR campaigns comprising both traditional and the latest proven media methods. This unique skill enables JoTo PR to continue to increase the market share and improve return on investment (ROI) for its clients, year after year—beating usual industry standards. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JoTo PR is an established international public relations agency. Today, all of JoTo PR’s processes are streamlined PR services that have become the hallmark of the JoTo PR name. Giving hope and help to meaningful and purposeful businesses is what makes JoTo PR motivated to impact the world positively and for the optimism to help more people. For more information, visit JoTo PR online at http://www.jotopr.com.
About Karla Jo Helms:
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JoTo PR.
Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line—and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen or another is brutally rejected.
Being an alumna of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators and the media to help restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public opinion—Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances, and doing what it takes to excel.
Karla Jo has patterned her agency on the perfect balance of crisis management, entrepreneurial insight and proven public relations experience. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of PR to drive markets and impact market perception.
1. Staff Writer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. N.p., 2016. Web.
2. Simpson, Andrew. “What are Chances a U.S. Business will Face an Employee Lawsuit?” Insurance Journal. N.p., 28 October 2015. Web. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
Tampa Bay. Fla. (PRWEB) September 05, 2017
The unemployment rate is currently 4.3%, the lowest point since 2001, and causes an applicant-driven market. But, regulations and the potential for EEOC violations are scaring employers, who are making slower hiring decisions. Penalties have been raised for the second time in six months and among the most frequent violations are improper posting of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guidelines, violations of changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governing minimum wage and overtime rules, and failure to inform employees of Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) opportunities. 1
A study by Hiscox found that U.S.-based companies have at least an 11.7 percent chance of having an employment charge filed against them. Hiscox claims data for small and mid-sized businesses (under 500 employees) indicate that one in five will face employment charges with an average cost to defend of $125,000, which includes expenses such as attorney’s fees and settlement costs. 2
In most cases an applicant files an anonymous claim on the EEOC website if they “feel” you were discriminatory in the questions you asked in the hiring process. Months later, due to a case backlog, you will be notified of the EEOC’s intent to audit. The time and cost is a nightmare, especially to small companies.
Patrick Valtin, founder of HireBox.com and NoFailHiring.com, has aligned with JoTo PR to contribute to the improvement of society through business activities and revolutionize the way employers hire. His developed brands offer pre-hire and performance review assessments, training for clients to establish the most effective hiring processes possible, and strategies for human resources development.
Valtin has experienced that pre-employment assessments such as his Pre-SelectorTM and Recru-Tec AssessmentsTM, evaluate whether candidates have (or not) the potential to contribute to the success & happiness of their future employer. The full complement, which includes the evaluation of sales teams, also evaluates what can be done to make the candidate or employee more effective and happier on the job.
Karla Jo Helms, CEO, Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JoTo PR, commented that “It’s important in our era of instant communication for employers to become more effective recruiters, maximizing successful matching between career seekers and employers.” She continues “Employees are needed who have technical skills, but also the traits necessary to contribute to the team framework of a company.”
HireBox is a results-based testing platform utilizing legal quality control to give hiring missions the best outcome. Founded by Patrick Valtin, the job-matching assessments and internal evaluations provide vital information about potential and current employees.
The willingness AND ability to contribute to one's team's success & happiness is by far the best predictor of an individual's performance at work. Based on the evaluation of over 25,000 applicants, Patrick Valtin has come to the conclusion that no matter the talent, competencies or experience, the odds of a successful hire are very, very low if THAT universal personnel selection criterion is missing.
“Patrick Valtin’s approach to pre-employment assessment is based on his comprehensive knowledge of recruiting, onboarding and retention” added Helms. “He has infused accuracy and reliability into his assessments that provide employers with the tools necessary to create a successful and engaged work force.”
JoTo PR has a rich history in innovative business PR solutions, and provides services to national and international organizations. The firm is a pioneer in the PR industry, blending traditional PR expertise with high technology so as to harness the advantages of both worlds—traditional and new. JoTo PR specializes in the healthcare, finance and technology sectors, but has worked for a variety of industries and non-profits, using a proprietary process to consistently find, relay and render to the media the information that’s valuable to its clients’ respective industries.
About JoTo PR:
After doing marketing research on a cross-section majority of 5,000 CEOs of fast-growth trajectory companies and finding out exactly how they used PR, how they measure it and how they wanted the PR industry to be different, PR veteran and innovator Karla Jo Helms created JoTo PR and established its entire business model on those research findings. Astute in recognizing industry changes since its launch in 2009, JoTo PR’s team utilizes newly established patterns to create timely PR campaigns comprising both traditional and the latest proven media methods. This unique skill enables JoTo PR to continue to increase the market share and improve return on investment (ROI) for its clients, year after year—beating usual industry standards. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JoTo PR is an established international public relations agency. Today, all of JoTo PR’s processes are streamlined PR services that have become the hallmark of the JoTo PR name. Giving hope and help to meaningful and purposeful businesses is what makes JoTo PR motivated to impact the world positively and for the optimism to help more people. For more information, visit JoTo PR online at http://www.jotopr.com.
About Karla Jo Helms:
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JoTo PR.
Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line—and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen or another is brutally rejected.
Being an alumna of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators and the media to help restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public opinion—Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances, and doing what it takes to excel.
Karla Jo has patterned her agency on the perfect balance of crisis management, entrepreneurial insight and proven public relations experience. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of PR to drive markets and impact market perception.
1. Staff Writer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. N.p., 2016. Web.
2. Simpson, Andrew. “What are Chances a U.S. Business will Face an Employee Lawsuit?” Insurance Journal. N.p., 28 October 2015. Web. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
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Everybody look! Minnesota may have figured out this health-insurance thing
The Legislature's effort to stabilize Minnesota's individual health-insurance market seems to be working as planned. Now policymakers nationwide are taking notice. The New York Times reports on Minnesota's progress in helping restore its health-exchange system, which last year drew widespread criticism for fast-growing premiums and a lack of insurer participation. The state's top insurance regulator said the program was “on the verge of collapse." Things are better this year, with much smaller…
Reported by bizjournals 13 hours ago.
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Initial Findings from Patient Care Data Project Released
Dakota universities create algorithms to determine patient behaviors, suggest interventions
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (PRWEB) September 05, 2017
Students and researchers at four universities and Sanford Research have released the findings from their study of real-time patient data.
The data, which is stripped of private information, was made available as part of the Sanford Data Collaborative, which gathered statistics from thousands of patient visits to Sanford facilities and allowed the academic institutions to study it for trends and insights. The study began in February.
“Sharing data and collaborating with regional universities like this is unprecedented,” said Emily Griese, Ph.D., a director at Sanford Research. “But that’s how we’ll move forward as a health care leader – by looking for unique solutions to patient care challenges.”
Sharing de-identified data with other institutions brings broader perspective to issues faced by patients, providers and systems. Sanford Research recognizes that collaboration can bring about solutions while still keeping patient privacy at the forefront.
The projects are:· University of South Dakota (principal investigator: Carole South-Winter, Ed.D.): The team developed a readmission risk algorithm for patients following heart surgery that determines who is at risk and provides insights for care. Previous risk scores did not suggest possible interventions.
· Dakota State University (principal investigator: Yong Wang, Ph.D.): Researchers looked for patterns in how rural and urban patients use various service platforms, including electronic medical records, to search for ways to decrease emergent and urgent care needs.
· University of North Dakota, (principal investigator: Arielle Seyla, Ph.D.): The team developed an algorithm to predict unplanned medical visits for diabetics, taking into account their current disease management behaviors, such as smoking, and other information, and then providing pathways to care.
· South Dakota State University (principal investigator: Surachat Ngorsuraches, Ph.D.): The team developed a patient engagement score using existing patient data. Patient engagement factors into effective management of chronic conditions, but surveys and other tracking methods are time-consuming. This score can help identify and decrease emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
· University of North Dakota, (principal investigator: Jeff Hostetter, M.D.): The team examined how primary care services can affect patients’ use of preventative behaviors and looked to see how that differs with a team-based approach.
· Sanford Research (principal investigator: Susan Hoover, M.D., Ph.D.): The Population Health Group created an algorithm based on current patient data to determine who needs screening for C. difficile. The goal was to decrease unnecessary testing and to develop a platform to be used to decide on ordering the test.
All projects are undergoing validation. Those with clear promise after validation will be implemented this fall. To ensure continued patient privacy, a privacy board was developed and contains legal and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act experts and community members.
“The possibilities using big data are endless,” said Allison Suttle, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer for health services. “The ability to analyze it in real time, with the expertise of our regional universities, means we’ll better be able to answer key questions and provide more individualized care. We’re able to take something abstract – data – and make it personal, and that’s exciting.”
The Sanford Data Collaborative is a service of Sanford Research and is supported by Sanford Enterprise Data and Analytics. The 2017-18 project RFP will be available in September 2017. For information, call 605-312-6235.
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in the Dakotas. It is one of the largest health systems in the nation with 45 hospitals and nearly 300 clinics in nine states and four countries. Sanford Health’s 28,000 employees, including more than 1,300 physicians, make it the largest employer in the Dakotas. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford have allowed for several initiatives, including global children's clinics, genomic medicine and specialized centers researching cures for type 1 diabetes, breast cancer and other diseases. For more information, visit sanfordhealth.org. Reported by PRWeb 11 hours ago.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (PRWEB) September 05, 2017
Students and researchers at four universities and Sanford Research have released the findings from their study of real-time patient data.
The data, which is stripped of private information, was made available as part of the Sanford Data Collaborative, which gathered statistics from thousands of patient visits to Sanford facilities and allowed the academic institutions to study it for trends and insights. The study began in February.
“Sharing data and collaborating with regional universities like this is unprecedented,” said Emily Griese, Ph.D., a director at Sanford Research. “But that’s how we’ll move forward as a health care leader – by looking for unique solutions to patient care challenges.”
Sharing de-identified data with other institutions brings broader perspective to issues faced by patients, providers and systems. Sanford Research recognizes that collaboration can bring about solutions while still keeping patient privacy at the forefront.
The projects are:· University of South Dakota (principal investigator: Carole South-Winter, Ed.D.): The team developed a readmission risk algorithm for patients following heart surgery that determines who is at risk and provides insights for care. Previous risk scores did not suggest possible interventions.
· Dakota State University (principal investigator: Yong Wang, Ph.D.): Researchers looked for patterns in how rural and urban patients use various service platforms, including electronic medical records, to search for ways to decrease emergent and urgent care needs.
· University of North Dakota, (principal investigator: Arielle Seyla, Ph.D.): The team developed an algorithm to predict unplanned medical visits for diabetics, taking into account their current disease management behaviors, such as smoking, and other information, and then providing pathways to care.
· South Dakota State University (principal investigator: Surachat Ngorsuraches, Ph.D.): The team developed a patient engagement score using existing patient data. Patient engagement factors into effective management of chronic conditions, but surveys and other tracking methods are time-consuming. This score can help identify and decrease emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
· University of North Dakota, (principal investigator: Jeff Hostetter, M.D.): The team examined how primary care services can affect patients’ use of preventative behaviors and looked to see how that differs with a team-based approach.
· Sanford Research (principal investigator: Susan Hoover, M.D., Ph.D.): The Population Health Group created an algorithm based on current patient data to determine who needs screening for C. difficile. The goal was to decrease unnecessary testing and to develop a platform to be used to decide on ordering the test.
All projects are undergoing validation. Those with clear promise after validation will be implemented this fall. To ensure continued patient privacy, a privacy board was developed and contains legal and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act experts and community members.
“The possibilities using big data are endless,” said Allison Suttle, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer for health services. “The ability to analyze it in real time, with the expertise of our regional universities, means we’ll better be able to answer key questions and provide more individualized care. We’re able to take something abstract – data – and make it personal, and that’s exciting.”
The Sanford Data Collaborative is a service of Sanford Research and is supported by Sanford Enterprise Data and Analytics. The 2017-18 project RFP will be available in September 2017. For information, call 605-312-6235.
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in the Dakotas. It is one of the largest health systems in the nation with 45 hospitals and nearly 300 clinics in nine states and four countries. Sanford Health’s 28,000 employees, including more than 1,300 physicians, make it the largest employer in the Dakotas. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford have allowed for several initiatives, including global children's clinics, genomic medicine and specialized centers researching cures for type 1 diabetes, breast cancer and other diseases. For more information, visit sanfordhealth.org. Reported by PRWeb 11 hours ago.
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What you need to know on Wall Street today
*Welcome to Finance Insider, Business Insider's summary of the top stories of the past 24 hours. Sign up here to get the best of Business Insider delivered direct to your inbox. *It will be a wild and woolly September on Capitol Hill as Congress faces a massive number of legislative deadlines and initiative launches.
There's must-pass legislation — like raising the debt ceiling and a bill to fund the government — and some long-gestating projects like the Republican plan to overhaul the tax code and a bipartisan effort to stabilize the individual health-insurance exchanges.
Throw in unexpected issues like funding for the Hurricane Harvey recovery effort and it will most likely make September the most jam-packed month of the year. Here's what you need to know.
The Trump administration announced Tuesday it will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a controversial Obama-era policy that shields from deportation nearly 800,000 young immigrants brought to the US illegally as minors. You can follow the latest news on DACA here.
Hurricane Irma is now a Category 5 storm and could make landfall in Florida.
In deal news, the aerospace supplier United Technologies has struck a $30 billion agreement to buy the avionics and interiors maker Rockwell Collins. The maker of Angry Birds is planning an IPO. The "cord-cutter" generation is about to have its first big IPO, but that doesn't make Roku the next iPhone.
Craft beer's argument for not selling out is totally flawed — and it's great news for Anheuser-Busch and Heineken. And a biotech CEO who sold a company for $14 billion shared his best career advice.
What do you picture when you imagine a hedge-fund office? A noisy trading floor full of guys in fleece vests? Two Sigma, a $45 billion hedge-fund firm that uses advanced technologies to find investment opportunities, is a little different. We went inside Two Sigma's NYC office to check it out.
A legendary volatility pioneer says one of the market's hottest trades is like "betting on the roulette." Billionaire investor Steve Cohen is reportedly edging closer to launching his new fund. And Deutsche Bank has hired a top banker to help run fixed-income sales for emerging markets.
China announced a ban on ICOs on Monday, declaring them illegal, and South Korea pledged to "strengthen levels of punishment" for those looking to raise money through ICOs. The two countries followed the US, which ruled in July that ICOs must adhere to strict securities laws. That sent cryptocurrencies sharply lower.
In related news, bitcoin is the "best example right now" of a bubble, according to Robert Shiller. And a cryptocurrency insider explained a devastating truth about digital coin offerings.
Elsewhere, America is facing a "retail refugee crisis" as thousands of stores shut down and millions of people become the "blacksmiths of their era". And young Americans are giving up on capitalism.
Lastly, Wall Street's oldest steakhouse has a secret menu for billionaires — here's what's on it.
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: The stock market is on bubble watch — And unlike the dotcom era, this time the whole market is expensive Reported by Business Insider 7 hours ago.
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NHIS should revise its operational strategy - international health NGO advises
An International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) says the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) must redirect its focus to preventive care to reduce cost.
Reported by Myjoyonline 4 hours ago.
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Gov. Herbert will testify in D.C. on health insurance reform
Gov. Gary Herbert is among five governors slated to testify before a Senate hearing this week in Washington, D.C., on ways to...
Reported by Deseret News 3 hours ago.
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Governors back bipartisan Senate bid to control health costs
WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Republican and Democratic governors is endorsing a bipartisan Senate effort to control health insurance costs. Five governors are testifying before the Senate health committee. The three Republicans and two Democrats have each backed continuing federal payments that help insurers lower out-of-pocket costs for millions of lower-earning people. President Donald Trump has called those payments bailouts for insurers and he's threatened to halt the payment as part of his drive to dismantle the Obama-era health law. Gary Herbert — Utah's Republican governor — says abruptly ending those subsidies would "destabilize" his state's markets where individual coverage is sold.
Reported by SeattlePI.com 1 day ago.
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Here's how much paid leave new mothers and fathers get in 11 different countries
NEW YORK CITY — The Trump administration earlier this year included a plan for paid parental leave in its 2018 budget proposal, with a stated goal of offering eligible workers six weeks of leave.The proposal was a landmark: The US is one of eight the UN's 193-member states that do not already have a national program for paid parental leave. Questions remain whether the proposal will ever make it into policy, but its inclusion highlights a national and international conversation about paid leave.
Business Insider has several editions worldwide, and we asked our international colleagues about the parental-leave policies in their respective countries. Several of them, including Ghana and Singapore, are talking about extending leave periods, and in some other countries, such as Australia, market forces are pushing companies to increase their support for new parents as they look to recruit and retain talent.
Here's what parental leave is like in 11 countries.
-Australia: There is a legal requirement to provide 12 months' maternity leave.-
*How much time off, if any, is afforded before the baby is due? How much time off after the birth is afforded?*
Time off before birth is not specified under law, but most women stop work a few weeks before their due date. There is a legal requirement to provide 12 months of maternity leave. New mums can also ask for an extra 12 months, for a range of factors, including if there are complications with health or in the family.
*What is the pay during the time off, and how does it change over time?*
The payment is $695 per week, for a maximum of 18 weeks. Almost all new mums — anyone on a salary of up to $150,000 per year — can access this. This includes small-business owners and one-person companies — for example, it applies to someone who provides a beautician service from home, even if that business is running at a loss. The qualifying criterion is that the person has been doing the same thing for 10 months of the 13 months before birth.
*Is there any support toward childcare costs? How much does childcare cost?*
Childcare in Australia is a major social issue, particularly in densely populated areas on the east coast. There is significant support for childcare: 50% of the cost is repaid by the federal government, though this isn't available to families on high incomes. The amount of government relief is capped at over $7,000 per year, a benefit aimed at encouraging people into work after the arrival of additions to the family.
Childcare can cost well in excess of $100 per day in some parts of the major cities. There's a shortage of childcare workers and childcare spaces in the major cities, and successive governments have wrestled with how to tackle it with varying levels of success. As a result, promises to include childcare benefits are a political weapon for the major political parties.
*What % of women return to work within a year after childbirth?*
Official statistics show that in 2011, over half (53%) of Australian mums had returned to work by the time their child was 2 years of age. For most, this was to part-time or reduced hours of work. It is a legal requirement that the role vacated for maternity leave is still available when a new mum is ready to return to work.
*How much time off is afforded for paternity?*
New dads get two weeks off, at the national minimum wage of $695, as long as they earned an individual income of $150,000 or less. This ensures most dads get two weeks' paid leave at home.
While these are the legally required minimums, Australia for many years was the only OECD country beyond the US to have no legally mandated maternity leave. This was changed in 2011, with the introduction of maternity leave for at least 12 weeks at the national minimum wage. Parenting support is now a major source of competition in some major professional sectors, with more generous work-life balance and in-office childcare facilities being among major draw cards that companies offer to attract staff.
—Paul Colgan, Business Insider Australia-Ghana: There are plans to extend maternity leave from 12 to 16 weeks.-
*How much time off, if any, is afforded before the baby is due? How much time off after the birth is afforded? *
There are plans to extend the maternity leave from 12 weeks to 16 weeks for mothers.
*What is the pay during the time off and how does it change over time?*
The pay is the same as the salary on an employment contract and does not change.
*Is there any support toward childcare costs? How much does childcare cost?*
Private companies might enlist employees in health-insurance programs to offset some of the cost of childcare. Childcare is expensive and could cost as much as a $1,000 a month.
*What % of women return to work within a year after childbirth?*
About 65%.
*How much time off is afforded for paternity?*
As a father in Ghana, there is no paternity leave by law. But the Constitution Review Implementation Committee has proposed a statutory five-day paternity leave for male workers. In this review, the male worker will still be entitled to his salary.
—Godfred Akoto Boafo, Business Insider SSA Editor-India: Mothers get 26 weeks' leave.-
*How much time off, if any, is afforded before the baby is due? How much time off after the birth is afforded?*
Female employees can get paid maternity leave for 26 weeks. This benefit can be used by women for a period extending up to eight weeks before the expected delivery date and remaining 18 weeks can be availed after childbirth. But a woman with two or more children already is entitled to 12 weeks' maternity leave (that is, six weeks prenatal and six weeks postnatal expected date of delivery).
*What is the pay during the time off and how does it change over time?*
A mother is entitled to maternity benefits at the rate of her average daily wage for the period of her absence, for a maximum period of 26 weeks. The average daily wage means the average of the woman's wages payable to her for the days on which she has worked during the period of three calendar months immediately preceding the date from which she absents herself because of maternity.
There is a condition to this: The employee can claim maternity leave only if she has worked at least 80 days for her employer in the past 12 months. The company will pay full wages to her and not just the basic salary.
*Is there any support toward childcare costs? How much does childcare cost?*
There's no support toward childcare cost yet. But the recent amendment to India’s maternity law that has been passed this year and is effective April 1, 2017, onward, allows:
—A work-from-home option, which may be exercised after the expiry of the 26 weeks leave period. Depending upon the nature of work, female employees may be able to avail this benefit on terms that are mutually agreed with the employer.
—Crèche (day nursery): The MB Amendment Act makes crèche facility mandatory for every establishment employing 50 or more employees. Women employees would be permitted to visit the crèche four times during the day.
*What % of women return to work within a year after childbirth?*
There is no official data to suggest the exact percentage of women abandoning their career after childbirth, but a survey by industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry suggests that a quarter of women in India don’t return to work after having their babies. This is one of the most credible surveys for reference.
The challenge for India is different than other countries. According to a 2013 World Bank study, only 27% of the female population over 15 is working in India. This is the lowest rate of women's participation in any workforce.
*How much time off is afforded for paternity?*
There is no provision on paternity leave in Indian labor law for private-sector workers. The civil servants (Central Government), however, are entitled to paternity leave. A male civil servant with less than two children is eligible for paternity leave for a period of 15 days before or up to six months from the date of delivery of the child. Paternity leave must be taken within six months of the birth of child. Workers on paternity leave are paid their leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave.
—Anushree Singh, Business Insider India
See the rest of the story at Business Insider Reported by Business Insider 1 day ago.
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Herbert urges D.C. committee to give states control of health insurance
Gov. Gary Herbert was among a group of governors who testified Thursday morning before a Senate committee, urging Congress to...
Reported by Deseret News 1 day ago.
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Leading Carrier and Reinsurer Partner with Insurtech Startup Bestow on its Highly Anticipated, On-Demand Platform
Bestow Teams Up with Life Insurance Leaders Munich Re and North American
Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) September 07, 2017
Bestow Inc., the company behind a revolutionary new approach to life insurance, today announced a partnership with Munich American Reassurance Company, the U.S. life and disability reinsurance division of Munich Re, and North American Company for Life and Health Insurance®, a top-rated carrier in the United States and member company of Sammons® Financial Group, to develop new life insurance products for Bestow’s anticipated on-demand life insurance platform.
This partnership demonstrates how insurance industry leaders are working with insurtech to redefine how the industry collaborates and goes to market. Together, the three brands are actively working on products that will premiere as part of Bestow’s full stack, digital platform later this fall. Upon launch, the platform will give consumers an entirely new way to research, buy, and manage life insurance with product options that are affordable, simple to understand, and seamless to purchase.
“Life insurance is more than a financial product -- it helps protect futures and builds hope. The millions of people who worry about their protection and remain without coverage deserve a solution that is backed by some of the best in the business,” said Melbourne O’Banion, co-founder and CEO of Bestow. “Having products issued by North American and assured by Munich Re helps give peace of mind.”
The partnership with Munich Re and North American ensures Bestow customers are backed by two of the most trusted names in the industry. North American sits amidst the country’s most reputable carriers and is among the few that is A+ rated[1]. Munich Re is one of the world’s leading reinsurers and Munich American is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.
“Rethinking life insurance starts by taking a close look at high-demand products and then rebuilding with a customer-first mentality,” said Jonathan Abelmann, co-founder and President of Bestow. “We’ve been fortunate to work with Munich Re and North American on this effort, benefitting from their in-depth market expertise and data to develop unparalleled digital solutions capable of serving millions of customers.”
“Digital distribution is an innovative means of improving the customer experience and increasing life insurance accessibility,” said Michael Taht, executive vice president of research, analytics and underwriting at Munich Re. “Our partnership with Sammons and Bestow will give consumers access to trusted products while they leverage technology to deliver a user-focused, online solution to buying life insurance.”
“Today, there are millions of consumers who need and want life insurance, and many of these consumers are not using a traditional agent to purchase coverage,” said Steve Palmitier, President and Chief Operating Officer at North American. “Bestow offers a creative solution that enables us to reach those consumers who prefer a digital purchasing experience. Together we are developing great life insurance products that will give these consumers exceptional, cost-effective, and personalized options.”
Bestow’s partnership with Munich Re and North American follows the company’s recent announcement of closing $2.5 million in seed funding, led by NEA.
Stay tuned for more information, as Bestow expects to launch this fall. In the meantime, please visit https://www.hellobestow.com/ to learn more.
About Bestow:
Bestow is revolutionizing the approach to life insurance, helping this generation protect a financial future for themselves and their families. Bestow is the first comprehensive full stack digital life insurance solution. The company provides simple products, algorithmic underwriting, and data-driven financial solutions in a bundled, streamlined user experience. For more information about Bestow, please visit https://www.hellobestow.com/.
Munich American Reassurance Company
Munich Re, U.S. (Life), founded in 1959, is one of the largest reinsurers in the U.S. offering life and disability reinsurance to insurance companies throughout the United States. The company also writes group, credit and other reinsurance products. Headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in Chicago and New York, the company is licensed, accredited or authorized in all fifty states; Washington, D.C.; Guam; and Puerto Rico.
Munich Re stands for exceptional solution-based expertise, consistent risk management, financial stability and client proximity. This is how Munich Re creates value for clients, shareholders and staff. In the financial year 2016, the Group – which combines primary insurance and reinsurance under one roof – achieved a profit of €2.6bn. It operates in all lines of insurance, with over 43,000 employees throughout the world. With premium income of around €28bn from reinsurance alone, it is one of the world’s leading reinsurers. Especially when clients require solutions for complex risks, Munich Re is a much sought-after risk carrier. Its primary insurance operations are concentrated mainly in ERGO, one of the leading insurance groups in Germany and Europe. ERGO is represented in over 30 countries worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of insurances, provision products and services. In 2016, ERGO posted premium income of €16.0bn. Munich Re’s global investments (excluding insurance-related investments) amounting to €219bn are managed by MEAG, which also makes its competence available to private and institutional investors outside the Group.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current assumptions and forecasts of the management of Munich Re. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the forward-looking statements given here and the actual development, in particular the results, financial situation and performance of our Company. The Company assumes no liability to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
About North American Company
North American Company for Life and Health Insurance is a member of Sammons® Financial Group, Inc. Since 1886, North American has established a tradition of providing quality insurance products to consumers throughout the U.S. and offers a comprehensive portfolio of term, universal life, and indexed universal life insurance products. North American also offers a wide variety of traditional fixed and fixed index annuities and consistently ranks among the top fixed index annuity carriers in the U.S. [2] In 2016, North American ranked number 10 in life insurance sales, as part of Sammons Financial Group. [3]
About Sammons Financial Group:
Sammons® Financial Group, Inc. (SFG) [4], an SEI wholly-owned subsidiary, is the parent of a group of member companies under the insurance Holding Company Act made up of several successful financial services companies offering a variety of financial and retirement products through multiple distribution channels. These consist of retirement products, annuities, variable annuities [5], variable life insurance [5], and life insurance (including bank, corporate, and credit union-owned life insurance). For more information, please visit http://www.sammonsfinancialgroup.com.
[1] S&P Global Ratings awarded its "A+" (Strong) rating for insurer financial strength on February 26, 2009 and affirmed on October 19, 2016 to North American, The "A+" (Strong) rating is the fifth highest out of 22 available ratings as a member of Sammons ® Financial Group .
A+ (Superior), the second highest rating out of 15 categories, was affirmed by A.M. Best for North American as part of Sammons Financial Group on July 6, 2017. A.M. Best is a large third party independent reporting and rating company that rates an insurance company on the basis of the company's financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet its ongoing obligations to policyholders.
[2] Source: AnnuitySpecs, Quarterly Indexed Sales & Market Report
[3] Source: LIMRA International, U.S. Retail Individual Life Insurance Sales, fourth quarter 2016 results. Sales based on annualized premium plus excess.
[4] Sammons Financial Group is comprised of North American Company for Life and Health Insurance®, Midland National® Life Insurance Company, Sammons Retirement Solutions® Inc. and Sammons Financial Network® LLC, member FINRA.
[5] Variable products distributed by Sammons Financial Network® LLC, member FINRA, Variable products distributed by Sammons Financial Network® LLC, member FINRA . Sammons Financial Network® LLC is a member of Sammons® Financial Group, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sammons Enterprises, Inc. of Dallas, Texas. Reported by PRWeb 1 day ago.
Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) September 07, 2017
Bestow Inc., the company behind a revolutionary new approach to life insurance, today announced a partnership with Munich American Reassurance Company, the U.S. life and disability reinsurance division of Munich Re, and North American Company for Life and Health Insurance®, a top-rated carrier in the United States and member company of Sammons® Financial Group, to develop new life insurance products for Bestow’s anticipated on-demand life insurance platform.
This partnership demonstrates how insurance industry leaders are working with insurtech to redefine how the industry collaborates and goes to market. Together, the three brands are actively working on products that will premiere as part of Bestow’s full stack, digital platform later this fall. Upon launch, the platform will give consumers an entirely new way to research, buy, and manage life insurance with product options that are affordable, simple to understand, and seamless to purchase.
“Life insurance is more than a financial product -- it helps protect futures and builds hope. The millions of people who worry about their protection and remain without coverage deserve a solution that is backed by some of the best in the business,” said Melbourne O’Banion, co-founder and CEO of Bestow. “Having products issued by North American and assured by Munich Re helps give peace of mind.”
The partnership with Munich Re and North American ensures Bestow customers are backed by two of the most trusted names in the industry. North American sits amidst the country’s most reputable carriers and is among the few that is A+ rated[1]. Munich Re is one of the world’s leading reinsurers and Munich American is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.
“Rethinking life insurance starts by taking a close look at high-demand products and then rebuilding with a customer-first mentality,” said Jonathan Abelmann, co-founder and President of Bestow. “We’ve been fortunate to work with Munich Re and North American on this effort, benefitting from their in-depth market expertise and data to develop unparalleled digital solutions capable of serving millions of customers.”
“Digital distribution is an innovative means of improving the customer experience and increasing life insurance accessibility,” said Michael Taht, executive vice president of research, analytics and underwriting at Munich Re. “Our partnership with Sammons and Bestow will give consumers access to trusted products while they leverage technology to deliver a user-focused, online solution to buying life insurance.”
“Today, there are millions of consumers who need and want life insurance, and many of these consumers are not using a traditional agent to purchase coverage,” said Steve Palmitier, President and Chief Operating Officer at North American. “Bestow offers a creative solution that enables us to reach those consumers who prefer a digital purchasing experience. Together we are developing great life insurance products that will give these consumers exceptional, cost-effective, and personalized options.”
Bestow’s partnership with Munich Re and North American follows the company’s recent announcement of closing $2.5 million in seed funding, led by NEA.
Stay tuned for more information, as Bestow expects to launch this fall. In the meantime, please visit https://www.hellobestow.com/ to learn more.
About Bestow:
Bestow is revolutionizing the approach to life insurance, helping this generation protect a financial future for themselves and their families. Bestow is the first comprehensive full stack digital life insurance solution. The company provides simple products, algorithmic underwriting, and data-driven financial solutions in a bundled, streamlined user experience. For more information about Bestow, please visit https://www.hellobestow.com/.
Munich American Reassurance Company
Munich Re, U.S. (Life), founded in 1959, is one of the largest reinsurers in the U.S. offering life and disability reinsurance to insurance companies throughout the United States. The company also writes group, credit and other reinsurance products. Headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in Chicago and New York, the company is licensed, accredited or authorized in all fifty states; Washington, D.C.; Guam; and Puerto Rico.
Munich Re stands for exceptional solution-based expertise, consistent risk management, financial stability and client proximity. This is how Munich Re creates value for clients, shareholders and staff. In the financial year 2016, the Group – which combines primary insurance and reinsurance under one roof – achieved a profit of €2.6bn. It operates in all lines of insurance, with over 43,000 employees throughout the world. With premium income of around €28bn from reinsurance alone, it is one of the world’s leading reinsurers. Especially when clients require solutions for complex risks, Munich Re is a much sought-after risk carrier. Its primary insurance operations are concentrated mainly in ERGO, one of the leading insurance groups in Germany and Europe. ERGO is represented in over 30 countries worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of insurances, provision products and services. In 2016, ERGO posted premium income of €16.0bn. Munich Re’s global investments (excluding insurance-related investments) amounting to €219bn are managed by MEAG, which also makes its competence available to private and institutional investors outside the Group.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current assumptions and forecasts of the management of Munich Re. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the forward-looking statements given here and the actual development, in particular the results, financial situation and performance of our Company. The Company assumes no liability to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
About North American Company
North American Company for Life and Health Insurance is a member of Sammons® Financial Group, Inc. Since 1886, North American has established a tradition of providing quality insurance products to consumers throughout the U.S. and offers a comprehensive portfolio of term, universal life, and indexed universal life insurance products. North American also offers a wide variety of traditional fixed and fixed index annuities and consistently ranks among the top fixed index annuity carriers in the U.S. [2] In 2016, North American ranked number 10 in life insurance sales, as part of Sammons Financial Group. [3]
About Sammons Financial Group:
Sammons® Financial Group, Inc. (SFG) [4], an SEI wholly-owned subsidiary, is the parent of a group of member companies under the insurance Holding Company Act made up of several successful financial services companies offering a variety of financial and retirement products through multiple distribution channels. These consist of retirement products, annuities, variable annuities [5], variable life insurance [5], and life insurance (including bank, corporate, and credit union-owned life insurance). For more information, please visit http://www.sammonsfinancialgroup.com.
[1] S&P Global Ratings awarded its "A+" (Strong) rating for insurer financial strength on February 26, 2009 and affirmed on October 19, 2016 to North American, The "A+" (Strong) rating is the fifth highest out of 22 available ratings as a member of Sammons ® Financial Group .
A+ (Superior), the second highest rating out of 15 categories, was affirmed by A.M. Best for North American as part of Sammons Financial Group on July 6, 2017. A.M. Best is a large third party independent reporting and rating company that rates an insurance company on the basis of the company's financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet its ongoing obligations to policyholders.
[2] Source: AnnuitySpecs, Quarterly Indexed Sales & Market Report
[3] Source: LIMRA International, U.S. Retail Individual Life Insurance Sales, fourth quarter 2016 results. Sales based on annualized premium plus excess.
[4] Sammons Financial Group is comprised of North American Company for Life and Health Insurance®, Midland National® Life Insurance Company, Sammons Retirement Solutions® Inc. and Sammons Financial Network® LLC, member FINRA.
[5] Variable products distributed by Sammons Financial Network® LLC, member FINRA, Variable products distributed by Sammons Financial Network® LLC, member FINRA . Sammons Financial Network® LLC is a member of Sammons® Financial Group, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sammons Enterprises, Inc. of Dallas, Texas. Reported by PRWeb 1 day ago.
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Sen. Warren to support nationwide health insurance coverage
BOSTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is planning to co-sponsor a bill by Sen. Bernie Sanders that would guarantee everyone in the country is covered by health insurance. The Massachusetts Democrat said in an email to supporters Thursday that she’s backing Sanders’ “Medicare for All” bill. The independent Vermont senator plans to introduce the […]
Reported by Seattle Times 1 day ago.
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WVU panelists urge extension of child health program
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Former policymakers, academics, medical professionals and advocates say the 20-year-old Children’s Health Insurance Plan, whose federal funding expires next month, has been instrumental in extending health care to most children in West Virginia and nationally. At a forum Thursday at West Virginia University, several predict Congress will extend it, though time […]
Reported by Seattle Times 1 day ago.
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Governors Provide Plans To Fix Health Insurance Markets
Several governors were in Washington, D.C., to testify before the Senate health committee about their bipartisan plan to shore up the health insurance marketplace. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Republican Gov. Gary Herbert of Utah and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado.
Reported by NPR 1 day ago.
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Governors Sound Off On How To Fix Health Insurance
Senators holding hearings this week are looking for quick tweaks that will stabilize the insurance markets and make policies cheaper. Some governors want more federal money and more flexibility.
Reported by NPR 1 day ago.
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Health premiums to rise 5.6% on Covered California’s small business exchange
Insurance premiums for health plans on Covered California’s small business exchange will rise 5.6 percent in 2018, Covered California announced Thursday. Nearly 36,000 Californians receive health insurance through the small business exchange, where companies with 100 or fewer employees can purchase health plans for their workers. The small business exchange is not as widely used as Covered California’s more well-known exchange for individuals, through which 1.2 million people buy health insurance. Premium rates for the individual exchange are slated to rise 12.5 percent in 2018.
Reported by SFGate 1 day ago.
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Optima scaling back, hiking rates amid Obamacare uncertainty
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A company that offers individual health insurance plans in Virginia says it’s scaling back while raising rates next year. The Daily Press in Newport News reports that Optima Health made the decision as the future of the Affordable Care Act remains uncertain. Three other insurers recently announced they’re pulling out […]
Reported by Seattle Times 20 hours ago.
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India lags behind peers, only one physician per 1000 persons
New Delhi , Sept 7 : With less than 1 physician per 1000 population, India is well behind its peer countries. It needs an additional 3.6 million hospital beds to reach the recommended capacity. Only about 27 percent of India's population is covered around any form of health insurance and the out of pocket expenditure on health is 62.4 percent in India as compared to the world average of 18.2 percent. It was revealed in a report released by the CII-Deloitte on Thursday.
Reported by newKerala.com 20 hours ago.
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Five things you need to know today, and is Boston in the running for Amazon?
Happy Friday, Boston! Last night was a great night for a celebration — at Fenway Park and (before the game at least) at Gillette Stadium. Today, we've got the five most important things you need to know in Boston business news. Baker tells Congress health subsidy cuts are ‘a bad idea’ Gov. Charlie Baker told the U.S. Senate yesterday that the federal government should fund health insurance subsidy payments to states for at least two more years, and that the president's threats to cut the…
Reported by bizjournals 15 hours ago.
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