A recent federal court lawsuit by a private individual accusing Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) of violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was dismissed
Reported by Mondaq 18 hours ago.
United States: Private Lawsuit Under HIPAA Dismissed - Day Pitney LLP
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Small rate increases, new competition ahead for Philadelphia region's Obamacare market in 2019
The five counties in the Philadelphia market will be among the 31 in Pennsylvania that will see more health insurers offering Obamacare coverage in 2019. The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance on Monday released company-specific rate filing requests for individual and small group health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, which state Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman said contained minimal rate increases and increased choices for many consumers. “The rate filings indicate that…
Reported by bizjournals 15 hours ago.
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How much did Pa. and N.J. health insurance executives make in 2017?
State regulators require health insurers to disclose executive pay as part of extensive annual financial filings used to monitor the companies' finances. Here's a look at the 20 companies that filed the disclosures in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for 2017.
Reported by philly.com 12 hours ago.
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Walmart's drug program is often cheaper for many Medicare patients: report
Many Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients could find that Walmart's $4 generic prescription drug program could be cheaper than their own health insurance plan.
Reported by nola.com 16 hours ago.
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Jared Kushner's brother is engaged to model Karlie Kloss. Here's everything we know about the millionaire power couple.
· *The millionaire entrepreneur and investor Joshua Kushner and his girlfriend, the model Karlie Kloss, announced their engagement on Tuesday. *· *The couple has been together for six years but has mostly attempted to keep their relationship private. *
· *Here's what we know about the couple's relationship — as well as their unconventional relationship with the White House. *
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Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of the White House adviser Jared Kushner, is officially engaged to model Karlie Kloss.
The pair seems to have confirmed People magazine's report of their engagement on Instagram, with Kushner posting a photo of Kloss captioned "fiancé."
"I love you more than I have words to express. Josh, you're my best friend and my soulmate. I can't wait for forever together. Yes a million times over," Kloss captioned her own Instagram post.
The couple made headlines earlier this year when they posted photos from the March for Our Lives, the anti-gun-violence rally in support of stricter gun-control measures that took place in many US cities and towns in March.
Kushner and Kloss had remained quiet on politics, including about their connections to the Trump family. And while the duo have dated for more than five years, they rarely speak publicly about their relationship.
In light of the well-connected couple's engagement, here's a look at the life of Joshua Kushner and Karlie Kloss:
*SEE ALSO: 2 under-the-radar members of the Trump family are quietly speaking out in support of gun control*
-Joshua Kushner rose to prominence in his 20s as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist.-
In 2009, at age 24, Kushner founded the venture-capital firm Thrive Capital.
Two years later, he raised $40 million from investors including Princeton University and Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist known for his investments in tech companies such as Facebook and his support of Trump in the 2016 presidential campaign.
Thrive was an early investor in Instagram, as well as in startups including Warby Parker, Kickstarter, and ClassPass.-Kushner helped found Oscar Health in 2012.-
Instagram Embed:
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The health-insurance startup, which aims to use tech to provide a more consumer-friendly insurance option, is now worth $2.7 billion.-Karlie Kloss, meanwhile, has been working as a model since her teenage years.-
Kloss skyrocketed to prominence in 2007, when she was 15.
By 2010, she was a big enough name to appear on "Gossip Girl" as herself. (Ironically, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner also appeared on the show in 2010, though in a different episode.)
The model has often made headlines because of her close friendship with Taylor Swift. In 2015, Kloss started Kode With Klossy, a charity that encourages girls to get involved in coding and tech.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider Reported by Business Insider 13 hours ago.
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Top Health Exchange Executive Joins IdeaCrew as Vice President for Business Development
Rob Shriver brings track record of success in health reform implementation, health exchange turnaround and multi-state partnerships
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) July 25, 2018
Strategy, enterprise design and technology service provider IdeaCrew today announced that Rob Shriver has joined the company as Vice President for Business Development. He will focus on business strategy and further expanding IdeaCrew’s growing presence in cloud-based benefits enrollment and health services for individuals and businesses.
Shriver comes to the position after four years as a top executive at the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority. There, he directed all operations and technology for DC Health Link, the District’s on-line health insurance marketplace serving 100,000 customers. Rob led a turnaround effort that took DC Health Link to the top of the class among exchanges in the country, garnering multiple national awards for DC Health Link. Rob also conceived of, negotiated, and oversaw implementation of the first-in-the-nation partnership between DC Health Link and the Massachusetts Health Connector under which DC deployed and now operates Massachusetts’ small business health insurance exchange.
“Rob is an innovative leader with a uniquely well-rounded record of success,” said Dan Thomas, CEO of IdeaCrew. “His previous work as an exchange operations executive, CIO, policy-maker, and government lawyer means that he understands the full range of challenges that government and industry leaders face. We are excited to have Rob’s strategic leadership as we shape our cloud-based technical solutions to empower industry executives and government leaders to carry out their mission.”
“IdeaCrew’s customer-centric focus sets it apart from its competitors,” said Shriver. “States and businesses are recognizing that they need nimble solutions that empower them to deliver services rapidly and transparently, with the ability to scale up and down to meet demand. IdeaCrew has the commitment, experience and smarts to deliver what they need.”
Previously, Rob worked in President Obama’s Administration at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. At OPM, Rob stood up a new Affordable Care Act program that reached nearly 40 states covering half a million people at its apex. Rob also served as the agency’s deputy general counsel for policy. Before that, he was a lawyer for the National Treasury Employees Union.
IdeaCrew is a full-service technology consultancy that develops and operates modern technology solutions for public and private organizations. Clients in need of new ideas and better solutions turn to IdeaCrew as a trusted source and partner. For 15 years, IdeaCrew’s service-oriented culture has extended the reach of our clients as they do important work. Learn more at ideacrew.com.
CONTACT: media(at)ideacrew(dot)com Reported by PRWeb 21 hours ago.
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) July 25, 2018
Strategy, enterprise design and technology service provider IdeaCrew today announced that Rob Shriver has joined the company as Vice President for Business Development. He will focus on business strategy and further expanding IdeaCrew’s growing presence in cloud-based benefits enrollment and health services for individuals and businesses.
Shriver comes to the position after four years as a top executive at the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority. There, he directed all operations and technology for DC Health Link, the District’s on-line health insurance marketplace serving 100,000 customers. Rob led a turnaround effort that took DC Health Link to the top of the class among exchanges in the country, garnering multiple national awards for DC Health Link. Rob also conceived of, negotiated, and oversaw implementation of the first-in-the-nation partnership between DC Health Link and the Massachusetts Health Connector under which DC deployed and now operates Massachusetts’ small business health insurance exchange.
“Rob is an innovative leader with a uniquely well-rounded record of success,” said Dan Thomas, CEO of IdeaCrew. “His previous work as an exchange operations executive, CIO, policy-maker, and government lawyer means that he understands the full range of challenges that government and industry leaders face. We are excited to have Rob’s strategic leadership as we shape our cloud-based technical solutions to empower industry executives and government leaders to carry out their mission.”
“IdeaCrew’s customer-centric focus sets it apart from its competitors,” said Shriver. “States and businesses are recognizing that they need nimble solutions that empower them to deliver services rapidly and transparently, with the ability to scale up and down to meet demand. IdeaCrew has the commitment, experience and smarts to deliver what they need.”
Previously, Rob worked in President Obama’s Administration at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. At OPM, Rob stood up a new Affordable Care Act program that reached nearly 40 states covering half a million people at its apex. Rob also served as the agency’s deputy general counsel for policy. Before that, he was a lawyer for the National Treasury Employees Union.
IdeaCrew is a full-service technology consultancy that develops and operates modern technology solutions for public and private organizations. Clients in need of new ideas and better solutions turn to IdeaCrew as a trusted source and partner. For 15 years, IdeaCrew’s service-oriented culture has extended the reach of our clients as they do important work. Learn more at ideacrew.com.
CONTACT: media(at)ideacrew(dot)com Reported by PRWeb 21 hours ago.
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New SCOUT Poll Finds Americans Much Less Concerned about Security of Personal Health Information than Threats to Financial Information
Growing Number of Healthcare Data Breaches and Rise in Medical Identity Theft Underscore Need for Greater Concern About Health Data Safety
ATLANTA (PRWEB) July 25, 2018
Americans may have a false sense of security about the privacy and safety of their personal medical information, suggests a new survey from SCOUT, a healthcare marketing agency specializing in rare diseases.
The survey, conducted with The Harris Poll as part of a new research series called SCOUT Rare Insights, found that less than half of American adults (49 percent) are extremely or very concerned about the security of their personal health information (e.g., diagnoses, health history, test results), despite a mounting number of medical data breaches and a booming market in medical identity theft.
By contrast, 69 percent of U.S. adults said they are extremely or very concerned about the security of their personal financial information (e.g., credit card details, bank account numbers, financial passwords).
"We need to be much more aware and concerned about the safety of our health data," said Raffi Siyahian, principal at SCOUT. "First, the risk of having your medical data exposed is pretty significant. And second, the consequences of someone gaining unauthorized access to your personal health information can be far more damaging than having someone illegally access your personal financial information."
According to the Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights, healthcare data breaches are on the rise, with millions of medical records being lost, stolen or inappropriately disclosed each year. Some breaches result in the exposure of extremely sensitive data -- last year more than 7,000 patients of a Manhattan hospital center had their private health information revealed online, linking their names and home addresses to such details as their medical and mental health diagnoses, HIV status, addiction histories, and exposure to domestic violence.
The thriving business of medical identity theft is another threat to the safety of personal health information. Stolen medical files command top dollar because criminals can use them in a multitude of ways, from obtaining prescription drugs and expensive medical services to perpetuating insurance and tax fraud.
"If your financial information is stolen, your bank will usually tip you off pretty quickly and there are laws in place to help limit your liability," said Siyahian. "By contrast, it can take months to spot something unusual in your medical record, and there aren't the same protections to reduce your damages. We need to guard and monitor our health insurance cards and medical service statements as rigorously as we guard and monitor our credit cards and bank statements."
In other findings, the Scout Rare Insights survey revealed that only 36 percent of American adults currently use an online portal to access their personal health information, with those aged 35 and up more likely to use a portal than those aged 18 to 34 (39 percent vs. 28 percent). Among the 64 percent of U.S. adults who choose not to use an online health portal, the top reasons cited were a preference for discussing their health in person (47 percent) and concerns about the security of accessing their health information online (39 percent).
The survey also found that the type of personal health information Americans are most concerned about being mishandled or shared without their permission is information related to diagnosed medical conditions and diseases (31 percent).
About SCOUT Rare Insights
SCOUT Rare Insights is a new series of survey-based reports examining topical issues from a healthcare perspective. The surveys will be sponsored by SCOUT and conducted by The Harris Poll. Both companies are members of The Stagwell Group.
About the Survey
This first SCOUT Rare Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll from May 10-14, 2018 among 2,033 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, contact Raffi Siyahian at Rsiyahian@findscout.com.
About SCOUT
SCOUT is a leading healthcare marketing firm with special expertise in rare diseases, orphan drugs and specialty pharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Atlanta, with additional offices in Chicago, San Diego and New York, the company has successfully helped clients achieve their business and brand goals since 1999. A separate division of the company is a driving force in consumer marketing. To learn more, visit https://findscout.com/.
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll, part of Harris Insights & Analytics, is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S., tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963. The company works with clients in three primary areas: building corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Learn more by visiting http://www.theharrispoll.com. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
ATLANTA (PRWEB) July 25, 2018
Americans may have a false sense of security about the privacy and safety of their personal medical information, suggests a new survey from SCOUT, a healthcare marketing agency specializing in rare diseases.
The survey, conducted with The Harris Poll as part of a new research series called SCOUT Rare Insights, found that less than half of American adults (49 percent) are extremely or very concerned about the security of their personal health information (e.g., diagnoses, health history, test results), despite a mounting number of medical data breaches and a booming market in medical identity theft.
By contrast, 69 percent of U.S. adults said they are extremely or very concerned about the security of their personal financial information (e.g., credit card details, bank account numbers, financial passwords).
"We need to be much more aware and concerned about the safety of our health data," said Raffi Siyahian, principal at SCOUT. "First, the risk of having your medical data exposed is pretty significant. And second, the consequences of someone gaining unauthorized access to your personal health information can be far more damaging than having someone illegally access your personal financial information."
According to the Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights, healthcare data breaches are on the rise, with millions of medical records being lost, stolen or inappropriately disclosed each year. Some breaches result in the exposure of extremely sensitive data -- last year more than 7,000 patients of a Manhattan hospital center had their private health information revealed online, linking their names and home addresses to such details as their medical and mental health diagnoses, HIV status, addiction histories, and exposure to domestic violence.
The thriving business of medical identity theft is another threat to the safety of personal health information. Stolen medical files command top dollar because criminals can use them in a multitude of ways, from obtaining prescription drugs and expensive medical services to perpetuating insurance and tax fraud.
"If your financial information is stolen, your bank will usually tip you off pretty quickly and there are laws in place to help limit your liability," said Siyahian. "By contrast, it can take months to spot something unusual in your medical record, and there aren't the same protections to reduce your damages. We need to guard and monitor our health insurance cards and medical service statements as rigorously as we guard and monitor our credit cards and bank statements."
In other findings, the Scout Rare Insights survey revealed that only 36 percent of American adults currently use an online portal to access their personal health information, with those aged 35 and up more likely to use a portal than those aged 18 to 34 (39 percent vs. 28 percent). Among the 64 percent of U.S. adults who choose not to use an online health portal, the top reasons cited were a preference for discussing their health in person (47 percent) and concerns about the security of accessing their health information online (39 percent).
The survey also found that the type of personal health information Americans are most concerned about being mishandled or shared without their permission is information related to diagnosed medical conditions and diseases (31 percent).
About SCOUT Rare Insights
SCOUT Rare Insights is a new series of survey-based reports examining topical issues from a healthcare perspective. The surveys will be sponsored by SCOUT and conducted by The Harris Poll. Both companies are members of The Stagwell Group.
About the Survey
This first SCOUT Rare Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll from May 10-14, 2018 among 2,033 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, contact Raffi Siyahian at Rsiyahian@findscout.com.
About SCOUT
SCOUT is a leading healthcare marketing firm with special expertise in rare diseases, orphan drugs and specialty pharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Atlanta, with additional offices in Chicago, San Diego and New York, the company has successfully helped clients achieve their business and brand goals since 1999. A separate division of the company is a driving force in consumer marketing. To learn more, visit https://findscout.com/.
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll, part of Harris Insights & Analytics, is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S., tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963. The company works with clients in three primary areas: building corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Learn more by visiting http://www.theharrispoll.com. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
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Free food may become a thing of the past in Silicon Valley — but there are plenty of other incredible perks companies like Facebook and Google offer their employees
· *Facebook, Google, Netflix, and other top companies in the US are competing for the best talent out there.*· *To compete, they offer some of the best benefits and perks around.*
· *But, considering a recent ban in Mountain View, California, on free cafeteria food — and another ban that may soon follow in San Francisco — companies may have to look beyond free grub to attract new hires.*
· *See which companies are raising the bar and going beyond free food to attract top talent.*
--------------------Most of us spend a majority of our waking hours at work, so it's only natural that we want to enjoy our time in the office as much as we can. And perks help with that — a lot.
According to career site Glassdoor, more than half (57%) of all workers say perks and benefits are among the top things they consider when deciding whether to accept a job, and almost 80% of employees say they would prefer new benefits over a pay raise.
That's why some employers are raising the bar and going beyond standard vacation days, health insurance benefits, and 401k matching to attract top talent.
Companies like Airbnb and Google offer unique and surprising perks like travel stipends and death benefits, Glassdoor reports, while Facebook and Netflix have upped the ante for companies wanting to support new parents.
"Benefits and perks matter because they're an added piece of the total compensation puzzle," Scott Dobroski, Glassdoor's career trends analyst, told Business Insider. "Job seekers should understand what benefits and perks an employer may be offering, and do their research ahead of time to find companies that offer benefits that matter most to them."
Employees rated some of their favorite employee benefits on Glassdoor. The following perks are not only unique, but they also received a rating of at least 4.0 out of 5.0 on Glassdoor.
*SEE ALSO: San Francisco Bay Area cities are cracking down on free food at Facebook and other tech companies*
*DON'T MISS: The 20 most flexible jobs for working parents*
-Generous paid parental leave at Netflix-
Netflix offers one paid year of maternity and paternity leave to new parents. The company also allows parents to return part-time or full-time and take time off as needed throughout the year.-'Yay Days' at REI-
REI encourages its employees to get outside by offering two paid days off each year, called "Yay Days," to enjoy their favorite outside activity.-Paid time off for volunteering at Salesforce-
Salesforce employees receive six days of paid volunteer time off a year, as well as $1,000 a year to donate to a charity of their choice.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider Reported by Business Insider 6 hours ago.
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Teens Learn Business & Personal Banking Skills In School Thanks to Latest ezPaycheck Software
High Schools are now utilizing the latest ezPaycheck 2018 payroll software to teach students about income tax and other deductions from paychecks. Get the details at http://www.halfpricesoft.com.
NEW YORK (PRWEB) July 27, 2018
Updated ezPaycheck 2018 payroll software from Halfpricesoft.com is available for teachers teaching tool to teach students in High Schools just how far a paycheck really goes. Students can now view the deductions that are taken out of paychecks and how much the employee actually brings home in a paycheck.
"Latest ezPaycheck payroll software can provide a valuable learning tool to High Schools around the US in how to prepare for the job world." said Dr. Ge, founder of Halfpricesoft.com.
Students in the program receive a weekly or monthly paycheck printed by ezPaycheck that will reflect the wage level of the chosen career. Students get to see what the take-home pay would be after deductions for taxes, health insurance and savings plans.
ezPaycheck payroll software is ideal for school programs because teachers have the following features:· Set up virtual bank accounts
· Print life-like checks (based on virtual funds)
· Create unlimited virtual businesses
· Use with an unlimited number of students
· Assign pay rates to students that reflect real-world wages for chosen careers
· Program deductions for taxes using actual federal, state and local tax rates (updated annually)
· Program deductions for health insurance and savings plans
Customers can sample ezPaycheck payroll software and all of the features for up to 30 days. Beyond 30 days, a full-use license key can be purchased for just $99 per installation, per single user version. (Released each calendar year)
There is never a cost or obligation to test this low cost, high quality software application. Download at http://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp.
About Halfpricesoft.com
Halfpricesoft.com is a leading provider of small business software, including payroll software, employee attendance tracking software, accounting software, check printing software, W2, software, 1099 software, and ezACH direct deposit software. Software from halfpricesoft.com is trusted by thousands of customers and will help small business owners simplify their payroll processing and business management. Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.
NEW YORK (PRWEB) July 27, 2018
Updated ezPaycheck 2018 payroll software from Halfpricesoft.com is available for teachers teaching tool to teach students in High Schools just how far a paycheck really goes. Students can now view the deductions that are taken out of paychecks and how much the employee actually brings home in a paycheck.
"Latest ezPaycheck payroll software can provide a valuable learning tool to High Schools around the US in how to prepare for the job world." said Dr. Ge, founder of Halfpricesoft.com.
Students in the program receive a weekly or monthly paycheck printed by ezPaycheck that will reflect the wage level of the chosen career. Students get to see what the take-home pay would be after deductions for taxes, health insurance and savings plans.
ezPaycheck payroll software is ideal for school programs because teachers have the following features:· Set up virtual bank accounts
· Print life-like checks (based on virtual funds)
· Create unlimited virtual businesses
· Use with an unlimited number of students
· Assign pay rates to students that reflect real-world wages for chosen careers
· Program deductions for taxes using actual federal, state and local tax rates (updated annually)
· Program deductions for health insurance and savings plans
Customers can sample ezPaycheck payroll software and all of the features for up to 30 days. Beyond 30 days, a full-use license key can be purchased for just $99 per installation, per single user version. (Released each calendar year)
There is never a cost or obligation to test this low cost, high quality software application. Download at http://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp.
About Halfpricesoft.com
Halfpricesoft.com is a leading provider of small business software, including payroll software, employee attendance tracking software, accounting software, check printing software, W2, software, 1099 software, and ezACH direct deposit software. Software from halfpricesoft.com is trusted by thousands of customers and will help small business owners simplify their payroll processing and business management. Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.
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Embrace Pet Insurance Shares the Results of their 2018 Pet Identification Survey
Embrace breaks down how pet parents ID their pets, how many have ever had a lost/stolen pet, and what to do if a pet does go missing.
CLEVELAND (PRWEB) July 27, 2018
The American Humane Association estimates more than 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. each year. And only one in ten make it back to their owner. In honor of July being National Lost Pet Prevention Month, Embrace Pet Insurance surveyed 3,000 pet parents about how they ID their pets.
The survey results found that more than 57% of pet parents ID their pets with both an ID tag and microchip, 20% ID their pets with just a microchip, 10% ID their pets with name ID tag, 4% use a GPS tracking collar, and 3% don’t ID their pets at all. Ten percent of pet parents have also had their pet lost or stolen at some point in their pet’s life.
Minimizing the number of pets lost each year starts with prevention. There are steps that pet parents can take ahead of time to prepare themselves should their pet ever get lost. Pet parents can download a lost pet flyer template in advance and fill it out so that it’s readily available if they should ever need it. Most importantly though, pet parents should ID their pet by getting them a microchip, using tags on their collar, registering them, and keeping all their information up to date. Microchipping can be reimbursed under Embrace’s Wellness Rewards.
If a pet does go missing, the first few hours can be chaotic, but they are also the most crucial. It’s best for pet parents to have a plan in place so they can jump into action to find their furry family member. Pet parents should follow these five steps to help find their beloved pets.
1. Utilize social media to help find their pet. Post a photo and description of the pet right away with the pet’s last known location, contact information, and behavior/personality traits. Remember to make the post public and ask friends to share far and wide to help bring the pet home.
2. Post on lost pet boards/apps. There are a variety of missing pet apps out there such as PiP and Finding Rover, which use facial recognition software to help identify lost pets. Find one that works best, has good coverage, and is easy to use in order to create a lost pet alert on the fly.
3. Put up printed flyers. Don’t discount the effectiveness of old-school paper flyers posted or handed out at dog parks, shelters, intersections, vet offices, etc. Ask friends and family to help cover as much territory as possible, spreading out in concentric circles from the last known sighting of the pet.
4. Check with animal control or local shelters. It’s possible that someone may have picked up the pet and turned them in to the local shelter or animal control department. It’s always best to call and find out.
5. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It can be difficult to carry out a successful search without the help of friends and family; the more who participate in the search, the more likely the pet will be found.
For additional information around what to do to prevent a pet from going missing, check out this Embrace Pet Insurance blog post.
###
About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance is a top-rated pet health insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States. Embrace offers one simple yet comprehensive accident and illness insurance plan that is underwritten by American Modern Insurance Group, Inc. In addition to insurance, Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, an optional preventative care product that is unique to the industry. Wellness Rewards reimburses for routine veterinary visits, grooming, vaccinations, training, and much more with no itemized limitations. Embrace is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit http://www.embracepetinsurance.com or call (800) 511-9172 Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.
CLEVELAND (PRWEB) July 27, 2018
The American Humane Association estimates more than 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. each year. And only one in ten make it back to their owner. In honor of July being National Lost Pet Prevention Month, Embrace Pet Insurance surveyed 3,000 pet parents about how they ID their pets.
The survey results found that more than 57% of pet parents ID their pets with both an ID tag and microchip, 20% ID their pets with just a microchip, 10% ID their pets with name ID tag, 4% use a GPS tracking collar, and 3% don’t ID their pets at all. Ten percent of pet parents have also had their pet lost or stolen at some point in their pet’s life.
Minimizing the number of pets lost each year starts with prevention. There are steps that pet parents can take ahead of time to prepare themselves should their pet ever get lost. Pet parents can download a lost pet flyer template in advance and fill it out so that it’s readily available if they should ever need it. Most importantly though, pet parents should ID their pet by getting them a microchip, using tags on their collar, registering them, and keeping all their information up to date. Microchipping can be reimbursed under Embrace’s Wellness Rewards.
If a pet does go missing, the first few hours can be chaotic, but they are also the most crucial. It’s best for pet parents to have a plan in place so they can jump into action to find their furry family member. Pet parents should follow these five steps to help find their beloved pets.
1. Utilize social media to help find their pet. Post a photo and description of the pet right away with the pet’s last known location, contact information, and behavior/personality traits. Remember to make the post public and ask friends to share far and wide to help bring the pet home.
2. Post on lost pet boards/apps. There are a variety of missing pet apps out there such as PiP and Finding Rover, which use facial recognition software to help identify lost pets. Find one that works best, has good coverage, and is easy to use in order to create a lost pet alert on the fly.
3. Put up printed flyers. Don’t discount the effectiveness of old-school paper flyers posted or handed out at dog parks, shelters, intersections, vet offices, etc. Ask friends and family to help cover as much territory as possible, spreading out in concentric circles from the last known sighting of the pet.
4. Check with animal control or local shelters. It’s possible that someone may have picked up the pet and turned them in to the local shelter or animal control department. It’s always best to call and find out.
5. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It can be difficult to carry out a successful search without the help of friends and family; the more who participate in the search, the more likely the pet will be found.
For additional information around what to do to prevent a pet from going missing, check out this Embrace Pet Insurance blog post.
###
About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance is a top-rated pet health insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States. Embrace offers one simple yet comprehensive accident and illness insurance plan that is underwritten by American Modern Insurance Group, Inc. In addition to insurance, Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, an optional preventative care product that is unique to the industry. Wellness Rewards reimburses for routine veterinary visits, grooming, vaccinations, training, and much more with no itemized limitations. Embrace is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit http://www.embracepetinsurance.com or call (800) 511-9172 Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.
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Flexefits Launches a “Direct Care” Health Care Insurance Alternative In Time for Enrollment Season
Flexefits, a leader in direct pay alternatives to traditional health insurance, has just launched a program that provides care that is affordable, accessible, and is easy to use. It eliminates all the middle men and middle steps required in the insurance world, so you only pay for what you need, when you need it.
FAIRFIELD, N.J. (PRWEB) July 27, 2018
With the fall health care insurance open enrollment season soon upon us, Flexefits has announced a direct access, fixed price service – a “direct care” alternative to traditional insurance.
It claims shorter wait times, dramatically lower prices at the point of care, the convenience of virtual doctor’s visits, and a Health Matching Account that allows for payment of even elective procedures…and matches your account balance doubling unused funds.
“Traditional insurance doesn’t work for many of us” stated Peter Gallic, founder of Flexefits. So his company combined technology, aggregation of tens of thousands of providers who agree to offer lower fixed prices, and a health savings program that matches deposits (Health Matching Account - HMA). “What you get is ‘Direct Care’, a non-insurance membership plan for a small monthly fee, plus low, pre-negotiated rates at the doctor, dentist, optician or surgeon. It takes away the “middle money” cost burdens of traditional insurance, including claims processing, so providers are willing to give our members pricing sometimes as much as 50% less than market rates.” Pharmacy costs are also reduced to cents on a dollar.
The company estimates 40-50 million potential customers, including those who will leave traditional programs at the January ACA mandate expiration, and those who are not on employer sponsored plans like gig economy participants, independent contractors and businesses that receive 1099 income. Flexefits recommends that even those with high deductible plans take a look, and if concerned about catastrophic illnesses or emergency room visits, supplemental traditional insurance should be considered. “That is why we have included a modest limit catastrophic and accident option which is traditional insurance for those whose family or personal health history indicate they may want to purchase greater coverage,” Gallic explained.
According to the executive, most people share similar opinions about health insurance, in that they know they spend thousands before benefits kick in, they know they can’t afford it, but don’t know what to do. “that is why we say we make healthcare great again – to make it affordable again,” he concluded. Find out more about the program at http://www.flexefits.com.
Refer to: Peter Dugan: pdugan@sociallitygroup.com ; 862-239-8005 (Media)
Peter Gallic: pgallic@sociallitygroup.com ; 862-239-8013 (Provider Partnerships)
SOURCE Flexefits LLC
Related Links
http://www.flexefits.com
http://rethinkmyhealthcare.com Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.
FAIRFIELD, N.J. (PRWEB) July 27, 2018
With the fall health care insurance open enrollment season soon upon us, Flexefits has announced a direct access, fixed price service – a “direct care” alternative to traditional insurance.
It claims shorter wait times, dramatically lower prices at the point of care, the convenience of virtual doctor’s visits, and a Health Matching Account that allows for payment of even elective procedures…and matches your account balance doubling unused funds.
“Traditional insurance doesn’t work for many of us” stated Peter Gallic, founder of Flexefits. So his company combined technology, aggregation of tens of thousands of providers who agree to offer lower fixed prices, and a health savings program that matches deposits (Health Matching Account - HMA). “What you get is ‘Direct Care’, a non-insurance membership plan for a small monthly fee, plus low, pre-negotiated rates at the doctor, dentist, optician or surgeon. It takes away the “middle money” cost burdens of traditional insurance, including claims processing, so providers are willing to give our members pricing sometimes as much as 50% less than market rates.” Pharmacy costs are also reduced to cents on a dollar.
The company estimates 40-50 million potential customers, including those who will leave traditional programs at the January ACA mandate expiration, and those who are not on employer sponsored plans like gig economy participants, independent contractors and businesses that receive 1099 income. Flexefits recommends that even those with high deductible plans take a look, and if concerned about catastrophic illnesses or emergency room visits, supplemental traditional insurance should be considered. “That is why we have included a modest limit catastrophic and accident option which is traditional insurance for those whose family or personal health history indicate they may want to purchase greater coverage,” Gallic explained.
According to the executive, most people share similar opinions about health insurance, in that they know they spend thousands before benefits kick in, they know they can’t afford it, but don’t know what to do. “that is why we say we make healthcare great again – to make it affordable again,” he concluded. Find out more about the program at http://www.flexefits.com.
Refer to: Peter Dugan: pdugan@sociallitygroup.com ; 862-239-8005 (Media)
Peter Gallic: pgallic@sociallitygroup.com ; 862-239-8013 (Provider Partnerships)
SOURCE Flexefits LLC
Related Links
http://www.flexefits.com
http://rethinkmyhealthcare.com Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.
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Trump Jumps the Gun (Again) on Health Plans
President Donald Trump touted "record business" for new health insurance plans under a federal rule that hasn't yet gone into effect. In fact, since at least December 2017, he has periodically, and prematurely, boasted that "millions" of people are already signing up for these association health plans.The post Trump Jumps the Gun (Again) on Health Plans appeared first on FactCheck.org. Reported by FactCheck.org 6 hours ago.
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Health insurance rates are going up again, New Jersey. But Phil Murphy says he softened the blow.
The rate increase requests were submitted July 18 and await the final approval from the Murphy adminstration.
Reported by NJ.com 6 hours ago.
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Cigna's CEO says that the problem with healthcare in America has nothing to do with employers
The CEO of health insurer Cigna, David Cordani, says the problem with America's healthcare system is that most of the money is being spent on intervention after people already are sick. Cordani believes we need to spend more money and resources keeping people healthy in the first place.Cordani says that it makes sense for Americans to get health insurance through their jobs. He argues that employers have a vested interest in keeping employees healthy. Following is a transcript of the video.
*Silverstein*: And do you think it makes sense at all for healthcare to be tied to employers anymore given how much our workforce has changed?
*Cordani:* Yeah so in the United States greater than 50% of Americans today get their health services support through an employer. That, that is a manifestation from a long time ago post World War II wage controls that existed, but, but we are where we are. Answer to your question is yes, I do. And the reason why is: an employer actually has a vested interest in helping to keep their employees healthy, and productive, and present from a work standpoint. Two, the worksite and the culture of an employer create some mechanisms to engage an individual, ways to communicate, ways to provide on-site care, ways to provide peer support, program support, etc. So there's incentive alignment, there's culture you could pull against and support it, and then there's delivery mechanism. So we think the answer is yes, and we have a ton of bright spots where we could point to employers that have innovated with us and we've innovated with them. And their employees and therefore their business is better off and those employees family members are better off because they're getting better, more comprehensive healthcare.
*Silverstein*: And what do you think makes America different? Why are we spending so much on healthcare? Can you point to one thing that like our policies, or something in America that is a problem?
*Cordani:* Yeah, so our system is quite different, right? We're a global company, we do business all over the world. So we're able to see systems in the most developed OECD countries and developing countries around the world. There's multiple differences. First and foremost, the United States is the largest sick care interventionist system in the world. We spend the majority of our money and resources addressing people once they're sick. We need to spend some more of our resources keeping people healthy in the first case, and identifying people who are at risk of health events and lowering those health risks. Some other countries do that better through social service support, poor community based health support, etc. Secondly, we have more specialists and more hospitals per capita than any other OECD countries and less primary care, be it OBGYN, pediatrician, family practitioners, and, and we need to moderate that a little bit, to, again, help coordinate the whole person on the front end. There's trade-offs in the way we've built our system. As a company we've had great success partnering with physicians through what we c--all, “Collaborative Accountable Care” relationships, we have 375 of which that are up and running with physicians, and another 125 with hospitals, and working more comprehensively. But in a nutshell, we wait too long in terms of trying to fix somebody once they're sick, as opposed to engage on the front-end and keep people healthy in the first place, that's where Cigna expends a lot of resources. Secondly, we spend a lot more money on the high cost intervention, as opposed to enabling the primary care physician, the geriatrician, the pediatrician, to have more resources to help to coordinate care for individuals. And we have a different pricing scheme relative to some of our services, be they pharmaceutical or otherwise, versus other parts of the world.
*WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE: *The CEO of health insurer Cigna on the Express Scripts merger, the problem with healthcare, and America's opioid crisis
Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 5 hours ago.
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UrgentCareTravel Adds New Locations in Laredo (TX) and Joplin (MO)
Medical Clinics Provide Fleets and Professional Drivers Convenient and Affordable Access to the Medical Services Needed to Help Keep Drivers Healthy and on the Road
MIAMI (PRWEB) August 23, 2018
UrgentCareTravel (UCT), the Medical Clinic Network located at Pilot Flying J, announces the opening of two new medical clinics focused on providing fleets and professional drivers the medical services needed to help keep drivers healthy and on the road. With the addition of new medical clinics in Laredo (TX) and Joplin (MO), both conveniently located by Flying J Travel Centers, UrgentCareTravel now has eleven medical clinics in its network. UrgentCareTravel plans to add five more clinics in 2018, with a growing clinic network over the next few years.
“Pilot Flying J is committed to making a better day for professional drivers,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “This partnership with UrgentCareTravel allows us to provide on-site care as an additional service aimed at making life on the road better for drivers.”
UrgentCareTravel addresses today’s critical challenges in the trucking industry:
1. Professional drivers do not have convenient access to medical clinics where they can park their truck. The trucking industry is estimated lose hundreds of millions of dollars in driver productivity per year as drivers spend an additional 4-6 hours off the road each time they need a medical service.
2. Professional drivers have health challenges. Per UrgentCareTravel’s analysis of over 15,000 DOT Physicals performed at its clinics, 50% of drivers have one or more serious medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol, which in turn, limit their Commercial Drivers License (CDL) to one year or less.
3. Most professional drivers today have no health insurance or health insurance with high deductibles and premiums. Since the required ongoing care of their pre-existing conditions are paid out of pocket, drivers visit clinics less often, their conditions worsen and they eventually leave the workforce.
4. Driver health is a major contributor to the high turnover rate in the industry. Per UrgentCareTravel discussions with fleets, with industry turnover rates upwards of 100%, company profitability decreases as the average recruiting cost is $5,000 per driver.
“Our network of medical clinics located at Pilot Flying J fills a critical need in the trucking industry - affordable and convenient healthcare," said Siva Suresh, CEO of UrgentCareTravel. “We value our relationship with Pilot Flying J which enables us to address the key healthcare needs of professional drivers to help them stay healthy and on the road.”
About UrgentCareTravel
UrgentCareTravel, the Medical Clinic Network located at Pilot Flying J, is dedicated to improving driver health and keeping drivers on the road. With a focus on convenience and affordability, UrgentCareTravel is the only medical clinic network focused on truck driver health. For additional information about UrgentCareTravel’s Health Network, locations and services, please visit the website at http://www.UrgentCareTravel.com.
About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations in 44 states, Roadside assistance available at over 145 locations nationwide and growing as part of its Truck Care program, 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers, and 34 Boss Shops. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 72,000 parking spaces for trucks with Prime Parking at more than 400 locations, 5,200 deluxe showers and more than 6,200 diesel lanes with 5,200 offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at the pump. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 15 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. Visit http://www.pilotflyingj.com/ for more information. Reported by PRWeb 1 week ago.
MIAMI (PRWEB) August 23, 2018
UrgentCareTravel (UCT), the Medical Clinic Network located at Pilot Flying J, announces the opening of two new medical clinics focused on providing fleets and professional drivers the medical services needed to help keep drivers healthy and on the road. With the addition of new medical clinics in Laredo (TX) and Joplin (MO), both conveniently located by Flying J Travel Centers, UrgentCareTravel now has eleven medical clinics in its network. UrgentCareTravel plans to add five more clinics in 2018, with a growing clinic network over the next few years.
“Pilot Flying J is committed to making a better day for professional drivers,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “This partnership with UrgentCareTravel allows us to provide on-site care as an additional service aimed at making life on the road better for drivers.”
UrgentCareTravel addresses today’s critical challenges in the trucking industry:
1. Professional drivers do not have convenient access to medical clinics where they can park their truck. The trucking industry is estimated lose hundreds of millions of dollars in driver productivity per year as drivers spend an additional 4-6 hours off the road each time they need a medical service.
2. Professional drivers have health challenges. Per UrgentCareTravel’s analysis of over 15,000 DOT Physicals performed at its clinics, 50% of drivers have one or more serious medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol, which in turn, limit their Commercial Drivers License (CDL) to one year or less.
3. Most professional drivers today have no health insurance or health insurance with high deductibles and premiums. Since the required ongoing care of their pre-existing conditions are paid out of pocket, drivers visit clinics less often, their conditions worsen and they eventually leave the workforce.
4. Driver health is a major contributor to the high turnover rate in the industry. Per UrgentCareTravel discussions with fleets, with industry turnover rates upwards of 100%, company profitability decreases as the average recruiting cost is $5,000 per driver.
“Our network of medical clinics located at Pilot Flying J fills a critical need in the trucking industry - affordable and convenient healthcare," said Siva Suresh, CEO of UrgentCareTravel. “We value our relationship with Pilot Flying J which enables us to address the key healthcare needs of professional drivers to help them stay healthy and on the road.”
About UrgentCareTravel
UrgentCareTravel, the Medical Clinic Network located at Pilot Flying J, is dedicated to improving driver health and keeping drivers on the road. With a focus on convenience and affordability, UrgentCareTravel is the only medical clinic network focused on truck driver health. For additional information about UrgentCareTravel’s Health Network, locations and services, please visit the website at http://www.UrgentCareTravel.com.
About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations in 44 states, Roadside assistance available at over 145 locations nationwide and growing as part of its Truck Care program, 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers, and 34 Boss Shops. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 72,000 parking spaces for trucks with Prime Parking at more than 400 locations, 5,200 deluxe showers and more than 6,200 diesel lanes with 5,200 offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at the pump. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 15 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. Visit http://www.pilotflyingj.com/ for more information. Reported by PRWeb 1 week ago.
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Capio Adds to Management Team To Pursue Rapidly Expanding Growth Opportunities
Phil Surgala brings 18 years of health care and IT sales experience to Capio
ATLANTA (PRWEB) August 23, 2018
Capio™, the leading provider of Patient Financial Wellness™, today announced that Phil Surgala has been named vice president of strategic sales. Surgala has over 18 years of sales and leadership experience in the health care and information technology (IT) sector including the last nine at Ingenious Med. In the past year, Capio has expanded its sales and management team to address growing sales opportunities based on its expanded product platform consisting of PatientCard®, PatientConnect™ and PatientComplete™. Capio’s suite of solutions is designed to deliver superior financial results, align with provider missions, and enable patient financial wellness at all points along the patient journey.
As health care costs continue to rise, patients are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their medical expenses, especially when the costs involve a medical emergency. Out-of-pocket spending for people with employer-provided health insurance has increased by more than 50 percent since 2010, according to human resources consultant Aon Hewitt. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2016, half of all insurance policy-holders faced a deductible responsibility of at least $1,000 before insurance reimbursements occurred. As a result, many patients avoid medical services due to growing financial pressure and fear of debt. At the same time, patients are now used to consumer-focused services, such as with Amazon and Expedia, and expect improved customer services and options.
“As the cost of medical care continues to trend upward, the need for new and innovative ways to pay for medical services continues to rise,” said Steve Wright, Chief Revenue Officer, Capio. “Phil Surgala brings a long history of sales leadership to our team, and his combination of experience in health care and IT will help Capio expand our client base in key markets.”
About Capio
Capio, the Patient Financial Wellness Company™, provides a comprehensive financial and patient engagement platform delivered at all points along the patient journey by a single enterprise. Capio works closely with providers and their patients to address the increasing challenges created by the unprecedented shift of healthcare costs to patients. Their programs help patients pay their healthcare financial obligations by offering them a variety of tailored and affordable payment options, with compassionate care, at any point in their financial journey. Capio’s provider clients benefit from an increase and acceleration of patient receivables performance and lower bad debt expense, while improving their patient satisfaction and loyalty. To learn about Capio and their mission, please visit capiopfw.com. Reported by PRWeb 6 days ago.
ATLANTA (PRWEB) August 23, 2018
Capio™, the leading provider of Patient Financial Wellness™, today announced that Phil Surgala has been named vice president of strategic sales. Surgala has over 18 years of sales and leadership experience in the health care and information technology (IT) sector including the last nine at Ingenious Med. In the past year, Capio has expanded its sales and management team to address growing sales opportunities based on its expanded product platform consisting of PatientCard®, PatientConnect™ and PatientComplete™. Capio’s suite of solutions is designed to deliver superior financial results, align with provider missions, and enable patient financial wellness at all points along the patient journey.
As health care costs continue to rise, patients are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their medical expenses, especially when the costs involve a medical emergency. Out-of-pocket spending for people with employer-provided health insurance has increased by more than 50 percent since 2010, according to human resources consultant Aon Hewitt. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2016, half of all insurance policy-holders faced a deductible responsibility of at least $1,000 before insurance reimbursements occurred. As a result, many patients avoid medical services due to growing financial pressure and fear of debt. At the same time, patients are now used to consumer-focused services, such as with Amazon and Expedia, and expect improved customer services and options.
“As the cost of medical care continues to trend upward, the need for new and innovative ways to pay for medical services continues to rise,” said Steve Wright, Chief Revenue Officer, Capio. “Phil Surgala brings a long history of sales leadership to our team, and his combination of experience in health care and IT will help Capio expand our client base in key markets.”
About Capio
Capio, the Patient Financial Wellness Company™, provides a comprehensive financial and patient engagement platform delivered at all points along the patient journey by a single enterprise. Capio works closely with providers and their patients to address the increasing challenges created by the unprecedented shift of healthcare costs to patients. Their programs help patients pay their healthcare financial obligations by offering them a variety of tailored and affordable payment options, with compassionate care, at any point in their financial journey. Capio’s provider clients benefit from an increase and acceleration of patient receivables performance and lower bad debt expense, while improving their patient satisfaction and loyalty. To learn about Capio and their mission, please visit capiopfw.com. Reported by PRWeb 6 days ago.
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Embrace Pet Insurance Honored as a Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio with Eighth NorthCoast 99 Award
Embrace is proud to be recognized as one of Northeast Ohio's best 99 places to work.
CLEVELAND (PRWEB) August 23, 2018
Embrace Pet Insurance is proud to be recognized by Employers Resource Council (ERC) again this year as one of Northeast Ohio’s 99 best places to work. This is the eighth time that Embrace has made the list in its 11 years in business.
NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition program presented by ERC (http://www.yourerc.com) that honors 99 great workplaces for top talent in Northeast Ohio. ERC helps organizations create great workplaces by providing HR resources, training, and consulting services.
With just over 120 employees, Embrace takes pride in creating a corporate culture that goes above and beyond for staff, pet parents, and partners. Flexible work hours and a dog-friendly office are just a few of the available perks that Embrace offers their employees.
Ambrish Jaiswal, CEO of Embrace, said, “Being recognized by the NorthCoast 99 program is such an honor for all of us at Embrace. Not only does it provide us with valuable feedback about what we’re doing right, it also gives us the opportunity to grow. It’s a great example of our core values colliding to make us stand out: our innovation to continually add benefits and improve our Embracer’s work/life experience and our policy of being open and honest to provide our team the tools they need to succeed.”
NorthCoast 99 is in its 20th year of recognizing great places to work for top performing who drive results, provide competitive advantages, and allow businesses to innovate and grow. Applicants are evaluated based on policies and practices related to the attraction and retention of top performers, as well as data collected from employee surveys.
“We’re extremely honored to recognize the 2018 NorthCoast 99 winners. These organizations have earned the right to call themselves a great workplace by their dedication to attracting, supporting, retaining, and motivating their Top Performers. ERC developed the NorthCoast 99 program with the hopes of inspiring local leaders to promote the great workplace movement,” comments Kelly Keefe, President of ERC.
About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance is a top-rated pet health insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States. Embrace offers one simple yet comprehensive accident and illness insurance plan that is underwritten by American Modern Insurance Group, Inc. In addition to insurance, Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, an optional preventative care product that is unique to the industry. Wellness Rewards reimburses for routine veterinary visits, grooming, vaccinations, training, and much more with no itemized limitations. Embrace is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit http://www.embracepetinsurance.com or call (800) 511-917 Reported by PRWeb 6 days ago.
CLEVELAND (PRWEB) August 23, 2018
Embrace Pet Insurance is proud to be recognized by Employers Resource Council (ERC) again this year as one of Northeast Ohio’s 99 best places to work. This is the eighth time that Embrace has made the list in its 11 years in business.
NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition program presented by ERC (http://www.yourerc.com) that honors 99 great workplaces for top talent in Northeast Ohio. ERC helps organizations create great workplaces by providing HR resources, training, and consulting services.
With just over 120 employees, Embrace takes pride in creating a corporate culture that goes above and beyond for staff, pet parents, and partners. Flexible work hours and a dog-friendly office are just a few of the available perks that Embrace offers their employees.
Ambrish Jaiswal, CEO of Embrace, said, “Being recognized by the NorthCoast 99 program is such an honor for all of us at Embrace. Not only does it provide us with valuable feedback about what we’re doing right, it also gives us the opportunity to grow. It’s a great example of our core values colliding to make us stand out: our innovation to continually add benefits and improve our Embracer’s work/life experience and our policy of being open and honest to provide our team the tools they need to succeed.”
NorthCoast 99 is in its 20th year of recognizing great places to work for top performing who drive results, provide competitive advantages, and allow businesses to innovate and grow. Applicants are evaluated based on policies and practices related to the attraction and retention of top performers, as well as data collected from employee surveys.
“We’re extremely honored to recognize the 2018 NorthCoast 99 winners. These organizations have earned the right to call themselves a great workplace by their dedication to attracting, supporting, retaining, and motivating their Top Performers. ERC developed the NorthCoast 99 program with the hopes of inspiring local leaders to promote the great workplace movement,” comments Kelly Keefe, President of ERC.
About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance is a top-rated pet health insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States. Embrace offers one simple yet comprehensive accident and illness insurance plan that is underwritten by American Modern Insurance Group, Inc. In addition to insurance, Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, an optional preventative care product that is unique to the industry. Wellness Rewards reimburses for routine veterinary visits, grooming, vaccinations, training, and much more with no itemized limitations. Embrace is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit http://www.embracepetinsurance.com or call (800) 511-917 Reported by PRWeb 6 days ago.
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US appeals court rules against abortion restriction in Alabama
Atlanta, Ga., Aug 23, 2018 / 05:09 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An injunction blocking the enforcement of an Alabama law that would have banned a second-trimester abortion procedure was upheld by a federal appeals court on Wednesday.
The 2016 law in question would have criminalized dilation and evacuation abortions (D&Es), dubbed “dismemberment abortions” by the state Alabama, which are the most common type of abortion performed in the second trimester.
Dilation and evacuation abortions are only used by two abortion clinics in the state, West Alabama Women’s Center and Alabama Women’s Center, which challenged the law with representation from the American Civil Liberties Union.
In a 3-0 decision Aug. 22, the judges of the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit found the law to be unconstitutional. The law was similarly blocked last October by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson, who said it was unconstitutional because it would have effectively banned abortion in the state after the first trimester.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall told reporters that while he was disappointed with the court’s decision, he was encouraged that the court “recognized the state's important and legitimate interests in ending barbaric abortion procedures - in this case, procedures that literally tear apart babies living inside their mothers' wombs."
In his decision, Chief Judge Ed Carnes wrote that “the State has an actual and substantial interest in lessening, as much as it can, the gruesomeness and brutality of dismemberment abortions. That interest is so obvious that the plaintiffs do not contest it.”
“But the fact that the Act furthers legitimate state interests does not end the constitutional inquiry. The legitimacy of the interest is necessary but not sufficient for a pre-viability abortion restriction to pass the undue burden test,” he said.
Carnes wrote that the Alabama law posed an “undue burden” on women seeking second trimester abortions because the alternatives were not considered “safe, effective or available.”
“In our judicial system, there is only one Supreme Court, and we are not it. As one of the ‘inferior Courts,’ we follow its decisions,” Carnes wrote.
U.S. District Judge Joel Dubina wrote separately to concur with Carnes, adding that he agreed with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ criticism of the Supreme Court’s “abortion jurisprudence”, which “has no basis in the Constitution.”
“The problem I have, as noted in the Chief Judge’s opinion, is that I am not on the Supreme Court, and as a federal appellate judge, I am bound by my oath to follow all of the Supreme Court’s precedents, whether I agree with them or not,” Dubina wrote. “Therefore, I concur.”
U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams wrote separately to note that she agreed with the court in its final decision only.
Marshall has said his office may appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
Alabama has had mixed results in passing recent pro-life legislation. In August 2017, a federal judge struck down an Alabama law requiring more scrutiny for minors who seek an abortion without parental consent.
The state is still considered to be one of the most restrictive in terms of abortion law. Alabama law requires that women be given counseling and an ultrasound prior to having an abortion, though it is optional for the woman to view the ultrasound image. It also has restrictions on the health insurance coverage of elective abortions that are not performed for reasons of life endangerment, rape or incest. Reported by CNA 6 days ago.
The 2016 law in question would have criminalized dilation and evacuation abortions (D&Es), dubbed “dismemberment abortions” by the state Alabama, which are the most common type of abortion performed in the second trimester.
Dilation and evacuation abortions are only used by two abortion clinics in the state, West Alabama Women’s Center and Alabama Women’s Center, which challenged the law with representation from the American Civil Liberties Union.
In a 3-0 decision Aug. 22, the judges of the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit found the law to be unconstitutional. The law was similarly blocked last October by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson, who said it was unconstitutional because it would have effectively banned abortion in the state after the first trimester.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall told reporters that while he was disappointed with the court’s decision, he was encouraged that the court “recognized the state's important and legitimate interests in ending barbaric abortion procedures - in this case, procedures that literally tear apart babies living inside their mothers' wombs."
In his decision, Chief Judge Ed Carnes wrote that “the State has an actual and substantial interest in lessening, as much as it can, the gruesomeness and brutality of dismemberment abortions. That interest is so obvious that the plaintiffs do not contest it.”
“But the fact that the Act furthers legitimate state interests does not end the constitutional inquiry. The legitimacy of the interest is necessary but not sufficient for a pre-viability abortion restriction to pass the undue burden test,” he said.
Carnes wrote that the Alabama law posed an “undue burden” on women seeking second trimester abortions because the alternatives were not considered “safe, effective or available.”
“In our judicial system, there is only one Supreme Court, and we are not it. As one of the ‘inferior Courts,’ we follow its decisions,” Carnes wrote.
U.S. District Judge Joel Dubina wrote separately to concur with Carnes, adding that he agreed with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ criticism of the Supreme Court’s “abortion jurisprudence”, which “has no basis in the Constitution.”
“The problem I have, as noted in the Chief Judge’s opinion, is that I am not on the Supreme Court, and as a federal appellate judge, I am bound by my oath to follow all of the Supreme Court’s precedents, whether I agree with them or not,” Dubina wrote. “Therefore, I concur.”
U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams wrote separately to note that she agreed with the court in its final decision only.
Marshall has said his office may appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
Alabama has had mixed results in passing recent pro-life legislation. In August 2017, a federal judge struck down an Alabama law requiring more scrutiny for minors who seek an abortion without parental consent.
The state is still considered to be one of the most restrictive in terms of abortion law. Alabama law requires that women be given counseling and an ultrasound prior to having an abortion, though it is optional for the woman to view the ultrasound image. It also has restrictions on the health insurance coverage of elective abortions that are not performed for reasons of life endangerment, rape or incest. Reported by CNA 6 days ago.
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Amazon is paying people to tweet nice things about warehouse working conditions after horror stories of staff peeing in bottles
· *A small army of Amazon employees are tweeting nice things about the working conditions in the company's warehouses.*· *The Twitter accounts have a standardised format, all bearing the Amazon smile logo as their background.*
· *Amazon says these employees are called "FC Ambassadors" who have experience working in the fulfilment centres.*
· *It follows a series of horror stories about working conditions, including staff having to pee in bottles because of their targets.*
--------------------A small army of accounts have popped up on Twitter to tweet positive things about Amazon's warehouse working conditions.
TechCrunch discovered 15 accounts all following a standardised format after Twitter users Flamboyant Shoes Guy drew attention to them.
So Amaz*n has set up an army of bot accounts, allegedly from workers at various fulfillment centers, whose sole purpose is to jump on tweets critical of their benevolent overlord with the same stale cant about great pay & benefits pic.twitter.com/Z7lJWUb7A0
— FLAMBOYANT SHOES GUY 👟👞🌴🍍🥥🌹🌵 (@bornwithatail_) August 23, 2018
TechCrunch found that all the accounts bore the Amazon smile logo as backgrounds, and had identical structures to their bios and the title "FC Ambassador" in their name, followed by a cardboard box emoji.
The accounts engage with people about the working conditions in Amazon's fulfilment centres, weighing in when people tweet negatively about the company to praise its working conditions.
Hello! Amazon does pay their employees minimum wage - any less would be illegal 😀 One thing that often gets overlooked are the employee benefits that Amazon provides for all employees - Health insurance, 401K, career/financial counseling.
— Phil - Amazon FC Ambassador 📦 (@AmazonFCPhil) August 10, 2018
Did you know that Amazon pays warehouse workers 30% more than other retailers? I feel proud to work for Amazon - they've taken good care of me. Much better than some of my previous employers.
— Shaye - Amazon FC Ambassador 📦 (@AmazonFCShaye) August 21, 2018
Working conditions at my JAX2 FC are great. Temp controlled warehouse, safety is the priority and we just want to get your packages out on time.
— Leo - Amazon FC Ambassador 📦 (@AmazonFCLeo) August 23, 2018
But while Flamboyant Shoes Guy thought these accounts were bots posing as Amazon workers, the company has confirmed that the FC ambassadors are real people, being paid to spread the firm's message.
"FC ambassadors are employees who have experience working in our fulfilment centers. The most important thing is that they’ve been here long enough to honestly share the facts based on personal experience," an Amazon spokesman told Business Insider.
"It’s important that we do a good job of educating people about the actual environment inside our fulfillment centers, and the FC ambassador program is a big part of that along with the fulfilment center tours we provide."
Looking through the ambassador accounts, Business Insider found they had all joined in August. Business Insider has contacted Amazon to ask just how recently this position was created, how many ambassadors it employs, and what criteria a warehouse worker has to fill to qualify for the role.
Amazon has frequently come under fire for the working conditions in its fulfilment centres this year. An undercover journalist in the UK said that staff "peed in bottles" for fear that walking to the bathroom would cause them to miss targets. Business Insider's Shona Ghosh heard one story of a urine smell wafting from a trash can for similar reasons, while constant surveillance and health issues at work were also highlighted.
But Amazon's new propaganda push against its warehouse image seems to have unnerved some Twitter users:
Argh this is kinda creepy, it was a random tweet to test the speed of the new "Amazon FC Ambassador" accounts thing that have been popping up on twitter.
Isn't it kind of Orwellian to have people seaching for amazon work conditions to try and change the public opinion about it?
— Tipo de incógnito (@S_de_Incognito) August 24, 2018
It reads just like excerpts from the Human Resources and safety manuals.
Person: How's your job?
Amazon FC Ambassador: It's very well lit, thanks for asking.
— Madame Lehner (@frauslehner) August 23, 2018
This is very creepy
— Mikee (@Lambman24) August 23, 2018
*SEE ALSO: Peeing in trash cans, constant surveillance, and asthma attacks on the job: Amazon workers tell us their warehouse horror stories*
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: We used a headset that transforms your brain activity into a light display — here's how it works Reported by Business Insider 6 days ago.
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HelloPuppy Launches Unique Puppy Matching Service with Adopt 1 Save 1 Program to Save Shelter Dogs Throughout the U.S.
HelloPuppy, the first-of-its-kind nationwide dog matching service connecting purebred and rare breed puppies with puppy parents while promising to save a rescue dog and find a home for every dog they sell through its Adopt 1 Save 1 program, launched today with a special promotion for puppy parents.
PROVO, Utah (PRWEB) August 24, 2018
Adoptions Come with One Year of Free Pet Insurance
HelloPuppy, the first-of-its-kind nationwide dog matching service connecting purebred and rare breed puppies with puppy parents while promising to save a rescue dog and find a home for every dog they sell through its Adopt 1 Save 1 program, launched today with a special promotion to celebrate National Dog Day on Sunday, August 26th. From now until September 30, HelloPuppy is offering $200 off adoptions – simply use the code Puppy200 at checkout at http://www.hellopuppy.us.
“What makes HelloPuppy unique is our entire service offering which is unlike any provider on the market,” said John Cantlin, Founder/Chief Puppy Giver. “Every customer who buys a puppy from us receives our Nails to Tails package which includes a range of essential services such as a free year of pet insurance, a 10-year puppy guarantee, and much more. And for every puppy adopted through us we save one from a kill shelter and place them in happy homes.”
HelloPuppy was created with a mission to make the world a better place for dogs by changing the dog breeding business with a goal to end puppy mills through their exclusive puppy matching service. HelloPuppy offers only the healthiest and happiest puppies, from Cavapoos, Goldendoodles, Standard Poodles, Labradoodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs, just to name a few. HelloPuppy does this by vetting and background checking all breeders to ensure that they are ethical, care about their dogs, and follow the strictest breeder standards.
“As dog owners and people who have built businesses created to spark change, we knew that we could make a powerful impact through our Adopt 1 Save 1 program. This social program is a way for us to help dogs in every situation. By providing a home for abandoned and neglected dogs, we’re saving dog’s lives and placing them in happy homes,” added Cantlin.
Nails to Tails Package:
Personal Puppy Consultant
Need to find a particular breed or looking for a dog that is good in an apartment? These are just some of the questions our Personal Puppy Consultants can help answer.
Puppy Starter Pack
HelloPuppy provides you with items you need to welcome your puppy home; collar, leash, brush and training pads. The only thing you need to get is food.
10-Year Health Guarantee
As long as you keep your pet insurance, HelloPuppy guarantees the health of your puppy for up to 10 years from any hereditary or genetic issues.
1 Year of Free Pet Insurance
Just like health insurance for us humans, dogs needs health insurance too, which provides peace of mind to you as the puppy parent.
PetCoach Access
24/7 access to veterinarians, your puppy’s health records, and upcoming appointments.
Puppy Papers
HelloPuppy provides official documentation showing the Registration of your puppy as well as a certified, vet signed Health Certificate.
Adopt 1 Save 1
So for every puppy adopted through HelloPuppy we save one from a kill shelter. By welcoming a new puppy into your life, you are saving one and giving someone the opportunity to welcome a new puppy into his or her home.
ABOUT HELLOPUPPY
Based in Provo, Utah, HelloPuppy is a first-of-its-kind dog matching service that works with a network of responsible, verified breeders to connect loving puppy parents with puppies. A portion of HelloPuppy profits funds its social program,Adopt 1 Save 1 that saves a dog from a kill shelter for every puppy adopted through its network. For more information about HelloPuppy, visit http://www.hellopuppy.us and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Media Contact:
Candace Vadnais
Candace@hellopuppy.us
973.229.9426 Reported by PRWeb 5 days ago.
PROVO, Utah (PRWEB) August 24, 2018
Adoptions Come with One Year of Free Pet Insurance
HelloPuppy, the first-of-its-kind nationwide dog matching service connecting purebred and rare breed puppies with puppy parents while promising to save a rescue dog and find a home for every dog they sell through its Adopt 1 Save 1 program, launched today with a special promotion to celebrate National Dog Day on Sunday, August 26th. From now until September 30, HelloPuppy is offering $200 off adoptions – simply use the code Puppy200 at checkout at http://www.hellopuppy.us.
“What makes HelloPuppy unique is our entire service offering which is unlike any provider on the market,” said John Cantlin, Founder/Chief Puppy Giver. “Every customer who buys a puppy from us receives our Nails to Tails package which includes a range of essential services such as a free year of pet insurance, a 10-year puppy guarantee, and much more. And for every puppy adopted through us we save one from a kill shelter and place them in happy homes.”
HelloPuppy was created with a mission to make the world a better place for dogs by changing the dog breeding business with a goal to end puppy mills through their exclusive puppy matching service. HelloPuppy offers only the healthiest and happiest puppies, from Cavapoos, Goldendoodles, Standard Poodles, Labradoodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs, just to name a few. HelloPuppy does this by vetting and background checking all breeders to ensure that they are ethical, care about their dogs, and follow the strictest breeder standards.
“As dog owners and people who have built businesses created to spark change, we knew that we could make a powerful impact through our Adopt 1 Save 1 program. This social program is a way for us to help dogs in every situation. By providing a home for abandoned and neglected dogs, we’re saving dog’s lives and placing them in happy homes,” added Cantlin.
Nails to Tails Package:
Personal Puppy Consultant
Need to find a particular breed or looking for a dog that is good in an apartment? These are just some of the questions our Personal Puppy Consultants can help answer.
Puppy Starter Pack
HelloPuppy provides you with items you need to welcome your puppy home; collar, leash, brush and training pads. The only thing you need to get is food.
10-Year Health Guarantee
As long as you keep your pet insurance, HelloPuppy guarantees the health of your puppy for up to 10 years from any hereditary or genetic issues.
1 Year of Free Pet Insurance
Just like health insurance for us humans, dogs needs health insurance too, which provides peace of mind to you as the puppy parent.
PetCoach Access
24/7 access to veterinarians, your puppy’s health records, and upcoming appointments.
Puppy Papers
HelloPuppy provides official documentation showing the Registration of your puppy as well as a certified, vet signed Health Certificate.
Adopt 1 Save 1
So for every puppy adopted through HelloPuppy we save one from a kill shelter. By welcoming a new puppy into your life, you are saving one and giving someone the opportunity to welcome a new puppy into his or her home.
ABOUT HELLOPUPPY
Based in Provo, Utah, HelloPuppy is a first-of-its-kind dog matching service that works with a network of responsible, verified breeders to connect loving puppy parents with puppies. A portion of HelloPuppy profits funds its social program,Adopt 1 Save 1 that saves a dog from a kill shelter for every puppy adopted through its network. For more information about HelloPuppy, visit http://www.hellopuppy.us and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Media Contact:
Candace Vadnais
Candace@hellopuppy.us
973.229.9426 Reported by PRWeb 5 days ago.
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