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People in Spain will soon have the longest lifespans of anyone in the world — here are their secrets

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Spain is on track to have the world's longest life expectancy by 2040 with a lifespan of 85.8 years, surpassing Japan.  

A report from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which formed in 2007 with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, found that Japan will fall to second place with a life expectancy of 85.7 years. Although the report does not provide reasoning for each country's ranking, the institute analyzed 250 different causes of death to reach conclusions.

Researchers took into account high blood pressure, tobacco usage, unsafe water and sanitation, air pollution, child malnutrition, and many other factors. 

*Read more:* Spain will have the world's longest life expectancy in the next 20 years — and the US will fall behind China in the rankings

Spain is one of only four countries set to exceed an 85-year life expectancy by 2040. The country spends about 10% of its GDP on healthcare, according to the online expat guide Expatica. Spain also ranks very highly in global lists of healthcare systems. In the World Economic Forum's 2018 Global Competitiveness Report, for example, Spain tied for the healthiest country in the world.

Here are some of the reasons why people in Spain live so long. 

*SEE ALSO: Spain will have the world's longest life expectancy in the next 20 years — and the US will fall behind China in the rankings*

-Spain is famous for its Mediterranean diet, and some residents see it as the main reason for their high life expectancy.-

Fernando de la Fuente, who has run a fruit and vegetable stall in a Madrid market for 47 years, told The Guardian he was unsurprised that researchers see a connection between Spaniards' diet and longevity. 

He said people in Spain eat well because they include fruits, vegetables, and fish in their diet all year. Fruits and vegetables are generally both accessible and affordable throughout Spain.

"A Spanish diet without fruit and vegetables is just unthinkable," de la Fuente told The Guardian.

There is growing evidence that the Mediterranean diet — which emphasizes vegetables, fish, olive oil, nuts, and whole grains while slashing processed foods and red meat — can help protect people from aging. 

*Read more: *There's even more evidence that one type of diet is the best for your body and brain — and it could save you money, too

Studies show that people who follow this diet have a reduced risk of heart problems, diabetes, and some types of cancer. The diet is also rich in healthy fats that have been linked to higher cognitive performance and a lower risk of dementia.-The country also boasts an excellent healthcare system.-

The healthcare system in Spain ranks as one of the world's best.

All Spanish citizens have a constitutionally guaranteed access to the country's universal healthcare system, and less than 20% of residents choose to obtain private health insurance.-Spain is also a tight-knit country where people place great emphasis on family.-

Antonio Abellán, who conducts research on aging at the National Research Council in Spain, told The Guardian that social relationships play a large role in Spaniards' longevity. 

Spain is not the only Mediterranean country to value family so much, but Abellán said being close with one's relatives goes a long way for health.

"It's not the only thing — nor the most important thing — but I think it goes some way to explaining the differences between Spain and other countries," Abellán told The Guardian. "It's a bonus. If you live better, you end up living longer."
See the rest of the story at Business Insider Reported by Business Insider 21 hours ago.

U.S bishops welcome new HHS mandate exemptions

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Washington D.C., Nov 9, 2018 / 04:00 pm (CNA).- The USCCB has welcomed the Trump administration’s new rules providing enhanced conscience protections against the HHS contraceptive mandate.

 

In a statement released Nov. 9, the U.S. bishops’ conference called the new exemptions, announced Wednesday, a victory for common sense.

 

“We are grateful for the Administration’s decision to finalize common-sense regulations that allows those with sincerely held religious or moral convictions opposing abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception to exclude such drugs and devices from their health plans,” said the statement.

 

The bishops’ response was co-signed by USCCB President Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville. Kurtz leads the USCCB’s Office of Liberty.

 

The finalized rules from the Department and Health and Human Services exempt companies, organizations and individuals from having to provide coverage that includes contraceptive methods to which they have strong religious or moral objections.

 

The new rules do not make contraceptives illegal nor do they prevent various third-party groups from providing alternative coverage.

 

The new protections restores free-exercise rights to those with legitimate objections to providing contraceptives, abortifacient drugs, or sterilization methods to employees as part of their health insurance, the bishops’ statement said.

 

“The regulations allow people like the Little Sisters of the Poor, faith-based schools, and others to live out their faith in daily life and to continue to serve others, without fear of punishing fines from the federal government.”

 

After the HHS contraception mandate was announced in January 2012, many religious-based employers, including EWTN, filed suit against the federal government in opposition to the mandate. The mandate required that all employers whose insurance plans were not grandfathered in by the Affordable Care Act to provide certain contraceptives free of charge to their employees.

 

When the mandate was announced, bishops throughout the United States drafted letters expressing their opposition and explaining the Church’s position. These letters were then read at Sunday Masses over the weekend. Reported by CNA 14 hours ago.

Fin24.com | Govt medical scheme to align benefits with NHI

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The Government Employees Medical Scheme is aligning its benefits with the objectives of the National Health Insurance fund, to provide primary healthcare access to the vulnerable. Reported by News24 4 hours ago.

Federal Officials Shut Down Sales of ‘Ruinous’ Health Insurance Plans

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The Federal Trade Commission said a Florida enterprise collected millions with a deceptive marketing scheme aimed at Americans searching for health coverage. Reported by NYTimes.com 5 days ago.

Magnifact Launches AgentVizion at Western Marketing

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Magnifact announces the launch of its patent-pending AgentVizion platform, now live at Western Marketing

CHICAGO (PRWEB) November 06, 2018

Magnifact®, a highly specialized Business Intelligence, Data Analytics and Visualization firm announces the launch of its innovative AgentVizion platform, now live at Western Marketing Associates Corp., Missouri Valley, IA.

AgentVizion is a patent-pending cloud-based solution that enables agencies to measure their production and operational performance across different lines of business including Life, Health, Annuities, and other product lines. This completely-automated technology platform provides real-time data analytics to insurance agencies and agents, empowering them to make important business decisions, totally eliminating manual downloads, spreadsheets, paper and documents.

AgentVizion uses MagniVizion®, Magnifact’s proprietary data visualization platform, and InfoGenie, its intelligent, real-time data transformation system.

"AgentVizion is a sophisticated and highly-secure subscription-based solution for NMOs, FMOs and their downline agencies and agents, bringing accurate visibility to the distributor’s aggregate production and override measurement process like never before," said Krish V. Krishnan, Magnifact’s Founder and CEO. "Based on our secure and proprietary technology subsystems, AgentVizion interfaces with carriers, up-line agencies, CRM systems, lead management and commission systems, to bring the most-current, integrated view of an agency's book of business.”

“The ability to access production and override data for multiple carriers in one centralized location is a game changer,” said Brandon Finken, Director of Operations at Western Marketing. “What used to take weeks to compile summaries and reports by accessing numerous different carrier websites and portals, now takes a matter of seconds with a couple of clicks and one simple login.”

“This versatile platform is lightyears ahead of anything available in the market today,” said Amber Finken, Incentive Trip Coordinator at Western Marketing. “You can slice and dice the data as broadly or specifically as you want. Because of this, there is now an endless opportunity of ways to utilize the data available to us that we never had before. There is simply nothing out there in the insurance industry right now that provides access to this information the way AgentVizion does.”

“To say AgentVizion is a time-saver is an understatement,” Amber added. “This solution completely eliminates the very inefficient, time-consuming activity of trying to compile information from multiple different sources. The efficiency of AgentVizion has transformed my workload from weeks down to minutes, and the results are incredibly accurate!”

AgentVizion also enables downline agencies in the hierarchy to pick out top performers as easily as they are able to identify poorly-performing plans, agents and regions. Additionally, agents are able to log in and measure their own performance against individual targets that have been set for them.

Magnifact has already announced plans to roll out additional AgentVizion modules including TripCalculator for proactively managing incentives, and integration with MoodAnalyzer®, Magnifact’s patent-pending, artificial-intelligence-based risk analysis solution.

MEDIA CONTACT: J Slome, Sales Creators, Inc.
Phone: 818-597-3205     E: jslome(at)ltcsales.com

About Magnifact
Magnifact is a leading Chicago-based technology provider of cloud-based DataIntelligent℠ solutions for the Insurance, Financial Services and the Gaming industries. Besides AgentVizion, its key offerings include MagniVizion®, a proprietary data visualization platform, InfoGenie, an intelligent, real-time data transformation system, and MoodAnalyzer®, an artificial-intelligence based risk and sentiment analysis solution.
Visit http://www.magnifact.com.

About Western Marketing
Western Marketing is a national insurance marketing organization based in Missouri Valley IA, dedicated to recruiting, servicing and supporting independent insurance agents in all 50 states. Since 1989 Western Marketing has been offering their agents and brokers a complete line of life and health insurance products for the senior insurance marketplace, from leading insurance companies, along with elite tools, technology, training and resources.
Visit http://www.wmacorp.com Reported by PRWeb 5 days ago.

Celebrating 40 Years of Tax-Saving Section 125 Cafeteria Plans

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To celebrate the 40th birthday of the Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, Core Documents, Inc., presents a six-part series on the history of this valuable (but oft-forgotten) tax-saving benefit.

BRADENTON, Fla. (PRWEB) November 06, 2018

Believe it or not, every paycheck brings millions of Americans a helpful little boost from the U. S. Treasury. It usually goes unnoticed and taken for granted. It seems that it has always been there and always will be. Most Americans might be surprised to learn that U. S. Code Section 125 -- which governs the tax-saving provisions of employer Cafeteria Plans – came into the law only 40 years ago, on November 6, 1978.

To celebrate the 40th birthday of the Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, Core Documents, Inc., presents a six-part series on the history of this valuable (but oft-forgotten) tax-saving benefit to American employees and their dependents.

If not for Section 125 of the Code, many workers would not be able to afford the group health insurance offered by employers. Those who could afford it would pay about a third more for coverage without the Code's tax-favored treatment of salary deductions for group health benefits under Section 125 plans.

Employers save, too, because pre-tax employee payments into Section 125 plans reduce overall payroll expense. That usually means no FICA, FUTA, or other payroll tax paid on those dollars. The employer tax savings on those pre-tax employee premium payments and flex plan contributions is usually 8% to 10% -- more than enough to cover any administrative costs to manage the plan.

Core Documents thinks this much in tax savings is worth celebrating. We present this series so that employee and employer alike can learn more about Section 125 Cafeteria Plans and then celebrate with us (in your own small way).

The Section 125 Plan 40th Birthday series begins with a look at the history of the medical expense tax deduction, followed by how (and why) the Treasury proposed adding Section 125 to the Code.

Next is how employers created Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) behind the Treasury’s back, and how Congress helped mediate a compromise between the parties.

Then, learn how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) had a big impact on the ways employers could use Section 125 Cafeteria Plans to help employees with health care costs. Not surprisingly, new rules applied and choices declined – especially for small employers – but the essential benefits offered via Section 125 Plans survived.

The closing segment looks at the status of Cafeteria Plans today and possible changes in the near future.

The series Celebrating 40 Years of Section 125 Cafeteria Plans begins @ http://www.coredocuments.com/40years/. Links to the next article as well as those for all other items in the series are at the bottom of each page.

Since 1997, Core Documents, Inc., has been the Trusted Source in affordable plan documents for Section 125 Plans and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA). Our convenient plan document packages provide employers with everything they need to establish an IRS- and DOL-compliant tax-saving benefit. Core Documents offers free plan design, consultation, and support to clients before and after putting their plans in place. Visit our website at http://www.coredocuments.com today to learn more. Reported by PRWeb 5 days ago.

In China, Desperate Patients Smuggle Drugs. Or Make Their Own.

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Despite health insurance, terminally ill patients have to hunt around the world and on the internet for ways to stay alive. Reported by NYTimes.com 7 hours ago.

CREO, Inc. Selects Rett Summerville to Lead Growing Cybersecurity Practice

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Senior Leader Brings a Combination of Technical Skill and Business Savvy to RTP-Based Management Consulting Firm

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (PRWEB) November 12, 2018

CREO, Inc., a Research Triangle Park-based management consulting firm specializing in the life sciences, healthcare, and technology services industries, has named Rett Summerville principal consultant and practice area lead for Cybersecurity and Compliance. Summerville will be responsible for overseeing CREO’s work with clients to help improve their IT security posture, manage cybersecurity risks and efficiently comply with regulatory requirements such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS).

Summerville previously held leadership roles in companies spanning financial services, computer security, and IT consulting. He was a senior manager for RSA Security Global Services, a division of DELL Technologies, for 10 years, responsible for growing US and Latin American professional services teams with expertise in governance, risk management and compliance (GRC); identity and access management; security information and event management (SIEM); data analytics and incident response.

Prior to joining RSA, Summerville was based in the UK for VISA International, leading a European Commission-funded project to standardize identity authentication procedures across EU member states. He holds the Certified Information Security Systems Professional (CISSP) designation and is certified in Hyperledger blockchain technologies, which informs his understanding of applying blockchain technology and its underpinning cryptography procedures to solve business problems.

“Rett brings both a deep understanding of technology and a practical approach to helping companies achieve their business goals,” says Mike Townley, CREO managing partner. “With greater demands being placed on Chief Information Security Officers and technical support staff to ensure data privacy in the industries CREO serves, Rett’s expertise is a valuable addition to our team. His collaborative style and interest in helping others do their best work and grow in confidence make him the right person to lead our cybersecurity practice,” Townley says.

“The volume and sophistication of cyber attacks is on the rise and companies are facing big compliance hurdles today,” says Summerville. “Many are still coming to grips with their responsibilities and obligations under new data privacy regulations, such as GDPR, which is driven by the European Union but has far-reaching implications extending to US businesses. It can be challenging to put together the right security controls to meet all these demands. That’s why taking a strategic, risk management approach is critical. Compliance is important but it’s not the end game. The fact is that secure companies are able to make better decisions more quickly and confidently,” he says.

Summerville’s interest in risk management originates from his college sport, pole vault. “Pole vaulting is a dangerous sport. You’re 17 feet in the air, upside down over a metal box. You have a nice soft landing on one side, and a concrete surface on the other,” says Summerville. “You can mitigate your risk by taking steps to land safely. Running speed, technique, pole selection, looking at other factors beyond your control such as wind, temperature – they all go into the sport. It’s not a big step to apply those same skills to a business setting,” he says.

Summerville received his undergraduate degree in Risk Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California. He continues to serve as a volunteer pole vault coach at Green Hope High School in Cary, NC.

About CREO:
CREO, Inc. is an innovative management consulting and advisory firm based in Research Triangle Park. CREO helps its clients operate effectively, freeing them to apply their talents, pursue their mission, and realize their vision through a focus on effective operations and organizational health. CREO’s senior team of C-level advisors works shoulder-to-shoulder with clients to solve their toughest challenges and realize their biggest opportunities. To learn more, visit http://www.creoinc.net. Reported by PRWeb 15 hours ago.

BenePro Acquires Benefit Consulting Firm BBG Employee Benefits

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BenePro, a Royal Oak based, privately held, growing benefit consulting firm, recently named the 3rd coolest place to work in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit, today announced the acquisition of BBG Employee Benefits, a benefits brokerage firm headquartered in St. Clair Shores, MI.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (PRWEB) November 12, 2018

BenePro, a Royal Oak based, privately held, growing benefit consulting firm, recently named the 3rd coolest place to work in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit, today announced the acquisition of BBG Employee Benefits, a benefits brokerage firm headquartered in St. Clair Shores, MI.

BBG Employee Benefits will bring their expertise on small business and individual health insurance to BenePro, who currently specializes in providing top level service to employee benefit plans. BenePro’s sister company HRPro handles human resource and benefit administration along with HR professional services, allowing the two companies to offer a total People Solution.

John Cook, previous owner of BBG Employee Benefits, will assume the role of Executive Vice President of BenePro where he will help lead a growing team of benefit advisors, account managers and consultants on the benefits side, as well as HR advisory services for HRPro.

“The acquisition of BBG Benefits fits exceptionally well in our organization, enhances our portfolio and expands our offerings to better serve our clients,” said Kristopher Powell, President and CEO of BenePro/HRPro. “We are excited to have John join the BenePro/HRPro team. This is a great opportunity not only for us, but for our clients as well. John’s experience and tenure in the industry will strengthen our ability to provide our clients with a fully integrated HR and benefit solution.”

BBG’s John Cook stated, “We are excited to be joining Kris Powell and his team at BenePro/HRPro. We look forward to the opportunity to increase our support for our existing clients, as well as expand our footprint in the Southeast Michigan area. I have personally known Kris for years; he and his team are highly respected in the industry and we are looking forward to being a part of it.”

About BenePro/HRPro
BenePro/HRPro together are one of Michigan's top HR and benefit advisory and administration firms, offering a total People Solution for small to large-sized companies. BenePro/HRPro strives to create a fun, collaborative culture that puts an emphasis on customer relationships and personalized service. With over 29 years’ experience, they are constantly working to stay ahead of latest trends and needs in the industry. Their mission is to work closely with organizations to understand and help them achieve their human capital goals. For more information visit the company’s website at hrbenepro.com. Reported by PRWeb 14 hours ago.

Hartford Healthcare and Shields Health Solutions Launch Groundbreaking Diabetes Care Program at Hartford Hospital

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New clinic services address crucial gaps found nationwide in diabetes care

HARTFORD, Conn. and QUINCY, Mass. (PRWEB) November 12, 2018

Hartford HealthCare has ushered in a new level of care in Connecticut to enhance the care provided to the state’s diabetes population.

The Hartford HealthCare Specialty Pharmacy is an outpatient care and medication program dedicated to providing patients with the support necessary to manage complex medication regimens. This new approach combines traditional clinic care with radically enhanced care from Hartford Hospital’s specialty pharmacy and aims to improve the health in our community while reducing the total cost of care for other chronic illnesses, such as MS, HIV, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and now diabetes. The pharmacy is managed in partnership with Shields Health Solutions.

Many patients of the Hartford HealthCare Specialty Pharmacy living with chronic illnesses today have access to fully integrated services including clinical pharmacists and on-site “patient liaisons” to deliver the highest quality of care. The liaison works directly with each patient’s healthcare provider to ensure all specialty medication and care needs are delivered accurately and on time.

In the first phase of the new diabetes program at the specialty pharmacy, a patient liaison will be embedded in the Diabetes Lifecare clinic at Hartford Hospital. The liaison, trained in diabetic care coordination, can help take care of critical details such as insurance prior authorizations, insurance benefits investigation, medication adherence and financial assistance.

In phase two of the program, a team of clinical pharmacists will begin conducting targeted outreach to “at-risk” patients to make sure they receive the support they need to remain adherent to medications, address side effects, and keep blood sugar levels under control. Future phases of the program will bring Diabetes Lifecare services such as nutritional counseling and insulin pump support to more patients.

“As a Type 1 diabetes patient, I understand how difficult diabetes can be to manage, and the importance of comprehensive care and patient engagement to maintain good blood glucose control,” said Bill McElnea, Director of Ancillary Services and Diabetes Management, at Shields. “Unfortunately, most diabetes patients today are neither receiving the comprehensive care they need nor are they adequately engaged in their own care to successfully control their diabetes. As the first health system in the nation to launch such a program, it is a visionary step forward in care.”

“Diabetes is one of the most prominent disease states in this country and in our statewide community. At least 30% of people with diabetes are non-compliant with medication plans, many for understandable reasons such as affordability or complexity of treatment. The negative outcomes caused by non-adherence to medications can be catastrophic for patients and incredibly costly for them and their insurance providers,” said Bimal Patel, President, Hartford Hospital. “By extending our Specialty Pharmacy program to diabetes, our aim is to increase medication adherence for high risk patients to around 85%, as our partners at Shields have helped other health systems do with different chronic illnesses. By doing so, we are bringing high-touch, high-intensity care to an illness that has never received that kind of attention, and that impacts a significant percentage of Connecticut.”

“This is truly a groundbreaking way to approach diabetes care in a way that can transform the lives of patients and everyone who loves and cares for them,” said Jack Shields, CEO, Shields Health Solutions. “It really is far more effective care at a lower total cost to patients, care providers and insurance payers.”

About Hartford Hospital
Hartford Hospital, founded in 1854, is one of the largest teaching hospitals and tertiary care centers in New England with one of the region's busiest surgery practices. It is annually ranked among America's Best Hospitals by US News & World Report and has been recognized nationally for the quality of many of its programs, including cardiology, cancer, stroke and joint and spine care. The 867-bed regional referral center provides high-quality care in all clinical disciplines. Among its divisions is The Institute of Living, a 114-bed mental health facility with a national and international reputation of excellence. Jefferson House, a 104-bed long-term care facility, is also a special division of Hartford Hospital. The hospital’s major centers of clinical excellence include cardiology, oncology, emergency services and trauma, mental health, women’s health, orthopedics, bloodless surgery and advanced organ transplantation. Hartford Hospital owns and operates the state’s first air ambulance system, LIFE STAR.

About Shields Health Solutions
Shields Health Solutions is a specialty pharmacy integrator and care provider, partnering with hospital leaders to create, grow and manage health-system-owned specialty pharmacies. Shields provides the fastest, lowest risk path for health systems to create or grow an existing specialty pharmacy program.

Started in 2012, Shields partners with health systems to provide on-site pharmacy and care professionals, a purpose-built specialty pharmacy technology platform, access to 80+ percent of all limited distribution drugs (LDDs) and most (health insurance) payers in the nation. Shields provides ownership of all specialty pharmacy assets in a health system’s name.

Today many of the most respected health systems in the nation, including UMass Memorial, NY Presbyterian, Houston Methodist, Dignity, Rush Memorial and NYU Langone rely on Shields Health Solutions to start, grow and manage their specialty pharmacy programs. For more information about the company, visit http://www.shieldsrx.com.

                                                                                     # # # Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.

Hepatitis C Treatment Can Be Shortened In 50 Percent Of Patients

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Hepatitis C drugs cure more than 90 percent of patients, but can cost more than $50,000 per patient.

Findings from a new study could lead to significant cost savings. Preliminary data from the study, co-led by a theoretical modeling researcher from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and Loyola Medicine, found that in 50 percent of patients, the standard 12-week treatment regimen could be shortened to as little as six weeks without compromising efficacy.

“There’s a potential to save up to 20 percent of the costs of hepatitis C drugs,” said Loyola researcher Harel Dahari, PhD, co-first author of the study along with Ohad Etzion, MD, of Soroka University Medical Center in Israel. Senior author is Amir Shlomai, MD, PhD, of Beilinson Hospital in Israel.

The study was presented November 12 during the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in San Francisco.

Dr. Dahari is co-director of the Program for Experimental and Theoretical Modeling (PETM) in the division of hepatology of Loyola Medicine and Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Two other Loyola authors are Susan Uprichard, PhD, co-director of PETM and an associate professor in the department of microbiology and immunology and Scott Cotler, MD, head of Loyola Medicine’s division of hepatology and a professor in the department of medicine of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus spread through contaminated blood. It can lead to liver damage, liver failure and liver cancer. An estimated 70 million people worldwide, including about three million in the United States, are chronically infected with hepatitis C.

A class of oral medications called direct acting anti-virals (DAA) has revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C. In more than 90 percent of patients, the medications eliminate the virus and cure the patient, with minimal side effects. But the high cost limits access and is a substantial financial burden on Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers.

“Treatment currently is standardized to be given for a set period of time, usually 12 weeks, rather than being tailored to the individual patient,” Dr. Cotler said.

In the new study, researchers used a personalized medicine technique called modeling-based response-guided therapy to reduce treatment times when possible. After patients had undergone treatment for a few weeks, researchers measured how much hepatitis C virus levels had decreased. They used mathematical modeling to estimate how long it would take to completely eliminate the virus.

The study has included 22 patients so far. Mathematical modeling predicted that treatment could be shortened to 10 weeks in one patient (five percent of the total patients), eight weeks in eight patients (36 percent) and six weeks in two patients (nine percent). The other 11 patients (50 percent) needed to be treated for the standard 12 weeks.

Twenty-one patients remained virus-free. The only patient who relapsed had the most difficult-to-treat form of the hepatitis C virus, known as genotype 3.

The proof-of-concept pilot study showed that using response-guided therapy to reduce treatment times is feasible. To validate the results, a large multicenter trial is underway in Israel.

Dr. Dahari said that in addition to cutting costs, shorter treatment regimens would make it easier to treat hepatitis C patients who have limited health insurance benefits. Reported by Eurasia Review 17 hours ago.

Doctors Healthcare Plans Selects HEALTHsuite® Mercato from RAM Technologies to Administer Medicare Advantage Business

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Advanced healthcare administrative platform provides superior functionality and flexibility for Medicare Advantage health plans.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. (PRWEB) November 13, 2018

RAM Technologies, Inc., the perennial leader in the development of enterprise software solutions for health plans administering Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid, is pleased to announce that Doctors Healthcare Plans, Inc. has selected their core administrative platform, HEALTHsuite® Mercato, to administer their new Medicare Advantage business. HEALTHsuite will provide Doctors Healthcare Plans with an end-to-end solution to manage the entire administrative process.

Doctors Healthcare Plans, Inc. (DHCP) is a new for-profit Medicare Advantage Health Plan located in Miami, Florida. DHCP is organized as a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and serves the Medicare population of Miami-Dade County. The Company’s healthcare services will be provided through an Independent Practice Association (IPA) delivery system.

“We did an in-depth evaluation of vendors in the market and found that RAM Technologies offered the most comprehensive, end-to-end suite to administer our business,” said Rafael Perez, President and CEO of Doctors Healthcare Plans, Inc. “As a new Medicare Advantage plan it is essential for us to offer our beneficiaries high quality, affordable healthcare services that are timely and accessible. The RAM platform (HEALTHsuite Mercato) will play a significant role in helping us meet our objectives.”

“For the past several years we have focused our energies on developing the premier solution for health plans administering Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid,” said Christopher P. Minton, Executive Vice President of RAM Technologies. “We focus specifically on health plans that offer Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid health insurance. This concentration has allowed RAM to move HEALTHsuite beyond the competition and deliver the specific capabilities our clients need to administer government sponsored healthcare programs. We welcome Doctors Healthcare Plans to the growing family of RAM clients.”

HEALTHsuite Mercato is a highly adaptable, browser-based solution designed to streamline the administration of government sponsored healthcare programs (Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, Financial Alignment Initiative-Duals, Federal Employee Health Benefits, etc.). HEALTHsuite Mercato provides unparalleled automation across health plan operations including eligibility and enrollment, benefit administration, provider contracting and reimbursement, provider credentialing, medical & utilization management, care management, premium billing, encounter / claims administration, overpayment recovery, customer service, contact management, capitation, subrogation, fulfillment, EDI integration, management & operational reporting and more.

In addition to the enterprise capabilities provided by HEALTHsuite Mercato, RAM’s web portal product eHealthsuite™ enables providers and members to interact with the health plan in real time through a secure Internet connection. This self-service functionality, available 24 x 7, lowers administrative costs by reducing the demands on the health plan’s customer service personnel.

About RAM Technologies, Inc.
RAM Technologies is the industry leader in helping organizations enter the Medicare Advantage market. Every day more and more people are asking, “How Do I Become a Medicare Advantage Health Plan?” We offer a step-by-step process to succeed. Whether you are a health system looking to transition to Medicare Advantage or a new entity looking for Steps to Succeed as a Medicare Advantage start-up, we can help. To learn more about “What do I need to do to start a Medicare Advantage Health Plan?” call (877) 654-8810 x 4 or visit http://www.ramtechinc.com. Reported by PRWeb 12 hours ago.

Halfpricesoft.com Has Just Released ez1095 2018 Software In Efile Version To Process ACA Forms

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Ez1095 2018 software is now available for Affordable Care Act Forms 1095 C, 1094 C, 1095 B & 1094 B for efiling. Test drive for up to 30 days at no cost or obligation at http://www.halfpricesoft.com.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (PRWEB) November 13, 2018

Employers and tax professionals that prefer to efile 1095 forms for year 2018 are switching to the latest release of ez1095 software from Halfpricesoft.com. ez1095 can print form 1095 C, 1094 C, 1095 B and 1094 B. It has also been approved by IRS to generate the efile documents that customers can upload to IRS for ACA form electronic filing.

ez1095 software allows customers to import data quickly from external file and makes it easy to print ACA forms for recipients. Priced from just $195 per installation ($295 for efile version), ez1095 can support multiple company accounts on the same computer at no additional charge.

“The new efile version of ez1095 2018 software for printing ACA forms 1095 and 1094 has just been released by Halfpricesoft.com.” said Dr. Ge, the Founder of Halfpricesoft.com.

Customers that need to file Form 1095C, 1094C, 1095B and 1094B can download and try out this ACA software from halfpricsoft.com before purchasing with no obligation by visiting http://www.halfpricesoft.com/aca-1095/form-1095-software-free-download.asp

The main features include but are not limited to :· Print ACA Form 1095-C, 1094-C, 1095-B and 1094-B on white paper for recipients and IRS
· PDF print 1095-C and 1095-B recipient copies
· Efile version available for additional cost.
· Support unlimited companies.
· Support unlimited number of recipients.
· Print unlimited number of 1095 and 1094 forms.
· Fast data import feature
· Print Form 1095 C: Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Insurance
· Print Form 1094 C: Transmittal of Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Information Returns
· Print Form 1095-B: Health Coverage
· Print Form 1094-B: Transmittal of Health Coverage Information Return

ez1095 software is compatible Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP and other Windows systems. Designed with simplicity in mind, ez1095 software is easy to use and flexible. ez1095 software’s graphical interface leads customers step-by-step through setting up company, adding employees, add forms and print forms. Customers can also click form level help links to get more details regarding the software.

To learn more about ez1095 ACA software, customers can visit http://www.halfpricesoft.com/aca-1095/aca-1095-software.asp

About halfpricesoft.com
Founded in 2003, Halfpricesoft.com has established itself as a leader in meeting the software needs of small businesses around the world with its payroll software, employee attendance tracking software, check printing software, W2 software, 1099 software and barcode generating software. It continues to grow with its philosophy that small business owners need affordable, user friendly, super simple, and totally risk-free software. Reported by PRWeb 10 hours ago.

W&W Group: Successful first nine months of 2018

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DGAP-News: Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG / Key word(s): 9-month figures/Interim Report

13.11.2018 / 12:13
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
--------------------

Press ReleaseStuttgart, 13 November 2018

 

*W&W Group: Successful first nine months of 2018*

*- At EUR 172.3 million, consolidated net profit exceeds expectations, despite record investments*

*- New business continues to be positive *

*- Executive Board Chairman Jürgen A. Junker: "Our venture into new areas is bearing fruit"*

*- Earnings forecast confirmed for the year as a whole*

*The Wüstenrot & Württembergische Group (W&W) has continued its solid, successful course in the year so far. Consolidated net income after taxes for January through September 2018 exceeded expectations. New business continued to develop positively overall. The W&W Group confirms the expectation of consolidated net profit of at least EUR 200 million for 2018 as a whole. *

*Jürgen A. Junker, Chairman of the Executive Board of W&W AG:* "The year 2018 is the second year of our venture into the digital future, where we are seeking to position ourselves to be even more in line with our customers. We launched numerous new digital initiatives and products and are increasingly seeing their success. We are making good headway with the modernisation of our processes in traditional business and with new business models. This shows that W&W is capable of spotting changing customer needs and meeting them with attractive, market-ready solutions. The fact that our earnings performance has exceeded our expectations after nine months, in spite of very high investment, is proof of the inner strength that our Group has developed. W&W is on a good path into the digital future, one that is focused on our customers."*Important indicators from the first nine months of 2018*

*- Consolidated net profit after taxes* came in at EUR 172.3 million, compared with EUR 214.7 million for the corresponding prior-year period. The decline, which was expected and announced, was attributable to the Group's ongoing record investment programme, but the results still exceeded our expectations. The largest contributor to results by far was the *Property/Casualty Insurance segment* (EUR 106.8 million; prior comparable period: EUR 109.2 million). The slight decline was due to higher tax expenses.

- Group-wide *general administrative expenses* from January to September rose by just 2.0% to EUR 777.6 million (prior comparable period: EUR 762.4 million). While personnel expenses fell despite collectively bargained salary increases, higher market expenses were incurred, inter alia, as a result of the launch of Württembergische Versicherung on the market. In this regard, the W&W Group continues to be very disciplined in terms of costs and remains committed to increasing annual productivity by 5%.

*Division performance in the first nine months of 2018*

*- *In *Property and Casualty Insurance*, gross premiums written increased by 5.5% to EUR 1.56 billion. New and replacement business rose by 8.2% in this regard, headed up by the retail customers area, but also by motor business. Despite higher losses due to acts of nature, Württembergische Versicherung once again posted a very good gross combined ratio (loss/cost ratio) of 89.3% after nine months, which improved on the prior-year value of 90.7%.

- In *Life and Health Insurance*, gross premiums written rose year over year by 3.0% to EUR 1.60 billion. The development of business for company pension schemes was particularly positive.

- *Construction financing business* developed positively again, posting Group-wide growth in the first three quarters of some 10% to EUR 4.56 billion, which out-performed the market. Gross *new home loan savings business* by contract volume for Wüstenrot Bausparkasse came in at EUR 9.68 billion through the first nine months, which was nearly equal to the prior-year value of EUR 10.11 billion. Net new business amounted to EUR 7.87 billion, compared with EUR 8.46 billion in the prior-year period.

- Residential "Riester" contracts posted good growth in the first nine months of the current year, as did the home loan and savings product for children, "Kinder-Wohnsparen". We expect that the business will experience further growth by the end of the year, due in part to a new product for higher-volume business. Also expanded were the products in *"Wüstenrot Wohnwelt"*, which has been available online since the start of this year. Users can not only search for properties on the residential platform but now also place advertisements for properties. If an individual is looking to sell his or her house or flat, he or she can offer it in "Wohnwelt" at no charge.

*Digital business models expanded further*

Since May of this year, the W&W Group's digital business models have been bundled in *brandpool GmbH*. The new products and services were continually expanded during the reporting period.

- With the new business liability insurance policy for industry, building trade and gastronomy, the *digital brand "Adam Riese"* was the first to introduce insurance for commercial customers onto the market, supplementing the liability and legal expenses products for private customers. On whole, the market response to "Adam Riese" has exceeded expectations since its launch in October 2017.

- The web-based *financing assistant NIST*, which was launched in April 2018, successfully concluded its first loans and has developed according to plan. NIST helps users in simple steps from the start of the search for a property to the financing of the purchase of it.

 

 
--------------------

13.11.2018 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.dgap.de --------------------

Language: English
Company: Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG
Gutenbergstrasse 30
70176 Stuttgart
Germany
Internet: www.ww-ag.com
ISIN: DE0008051004
WKN: 805100
Indices: SDAX
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Stuttgart; Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Tradegate Exchange
 
End of News DGAP News Service Reported by EQS Group 9 hours ago.

Walmart, Home Depot adopt health insurer tactic in drug copay battle

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Walmart and Home Depot , two of the top 10 U.S. employers, have embraced a health insurance strategy that punishes drugmakers for using discount cards to keep patients from switching or stopping their medications. Reported by Reuters 8 hours ago.

Enlyte Disrupts Health Care Revolution 2018 with Innovations Award

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Young Company Seeks to End Mental Health Stigma Through Science and Technology

SEATTLE (PRWEB) November 13, 2018

Enlyte, LLC took the Healthcare Revolution Conference by storm this past weekend in Orlando, Florida. Enlyte received 1 of 30 coveted spots available globally for the event’s “Innovation Awards”, which recognizes the most innovative leaders in “Transforming the Business of Health”. Enlyte is just rounding the corner from start-up to market competitor, yet they stood out as an innovator in the health and wellness industries.

“True innovation is difficult and often rare to deliver. Today, innovation and disruption require dedication, risk taking, resilience, and speed to be first to market,” said Renée-Marie Stephano, founder of the Healthcare Revolution Conference. “Even if you achieve a miracle and create something truly disruptive, it is almost impossible to get noticed and break through the white noise and distractions that consumes the industry every day.”

Enlyte is doing just this. Enlyte’s team of scientists, strategists and industry executives offer a unique perspective as to what is driving the increased loss of productivity and efficiency in the workplace, resulting ultimately in financial losses at astounding numbers. “While many organizations offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), they can often be inconvenient, irrelevant to the employee’s specific situation or simply not used due to the stigma surrounding mental health,” said Don Hernandez, CEO of Enlyte. “Beyond helping to reduce costs and aid employee wellness at a corporate level, Enlyte’s platform is designed to deliver aid to individuals, families, and societies on the path to mental and physical wellness.”

While originally created for the corporate marketplace, Enlyte offers a free app for personal use, as well as a comprehensive dashboard for treatment facilities with an unprecedented support system and view into the lives of those and their families who have completed a therapy program. The machine learning algorithms that form the basis of the Enlyte technology platform provide early warning to treatment facilities and therapists of patients with a high probability of relapse on a particular day, providing the means for a proactive intervention.

Working in conjunction with partners in the scientific and health care communities, Enlyte delivers an evidence-based solution utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with a robust user experience that helps individual users manage anxiety, stress, depression and addiction for a better work and life experience.

About Enlyte

Enlyte LLC is an innovator in conversational bot technology to promote health and wellness. Designed for organizations looking to help people manage stress and addictions, Enlyte offers a robust bot platform that can adapt to different types of users, conversations, and challenges.

Enlyte brings decades of experience in understanding how people learn and consume information, coupled with domain experience in the scientific healthcare community, to deliver a scalable health and wellness bot application to help improve the lives and productivity of individuals and the workforce. For more information, visit http://www.enlyte.bot and follow @enlyte_bot on Twitter.

About Global Healthcare Resource (GHR)

Global Healthcare Resources (GHR) is a solutions firm of international experts providing consulting to organizations and government bodies seeking strategy, development and market penetration services for healthcare, wellness, well-being, medical and wellness travel, employee benefits, insurance, precision medicine, and genomics. GHR touches over 2.5 million C-Suite, HR, insurance, healthcare and travel executives, and has a reach of over 1.25 million members in the leading LinkedIn Groups it manages.

GHR works with the CEO’s of the most influential health insurance companies, corporations, hospitals, and brokerage firms and organizes the leading VIP events in the industry, including HEALTHCARE ЯEVOLUTION®. Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

Nannies Understand Need to be Paid ‘On The Books’ and Receive Benefits of Legal Pay Household Employment Industry Surveys Show

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Many nannies also said they may not take a job that didn't pay them legally reducing pool of professional caregivers available to families hiring 'off the books' according to surveys by GTM Payroll Services.

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (PRWEB) November 13, 2018

Surveys of nannies and the families that employ in-home caregivers to look after their children highlighted the importance nannies place on being paid “on the books” as well as other key insights on the professional relationship between caregiver and family and how families find their employees.

While there are several benefits to being paid legally and having taxes withheld from their pay, nannies placed an emphasis on eligibility for Social Security and Medicare benefits (77% said important or very important) and peace of mind being compliant with the law (also registering 77%). Having a legal employment history in order to obtain credit or a loan was important or very important to 73% of respondents.

Also, 61% of nannies said it was at least somewhat unlikely they would take a job that didn’t pay them legally.

“Insisting on paying a nanny ‘off the books’ could significantly reduce the number of quality candidates when your family is looking to hire,” said Guy Maddalone, founder and CEO of GTM Payroll Services and author of How to Hire a Nanny: Your Complete Guide to Finding, Hiring, and Retaining Household Help. “Considering the importance of this person’s job – caring for your children while you work – you’ll want a large pool of professionals to choose from as well as establish a strong working relationship once they’re on the job to help with retainment.”

“Poor benefits” was the top response as to what nannies like least about their profession. Families will want to consider bonuses, health insurance, and possibly a retirement plan as ways to keep their favorite caregivers. Only half of nannies receive an annual bonus and just 17% get health insurance through their employer. Less than 5% receive retirement benefits.

Among the top benefits for nannies – and a starting point for families when making a job offer include:· 88% enjoy paid holidays
· 85% get paid vacations
· 74% receive paid sick days

Also, 79% of nannies have a work agreement, which is a critical component to a successful nanny-family relationship. A work agreement details job responsibilities and expectations, work schedule, rate of pay, benefits, and more. It’s one of the first steps for families in establishing clear communications with their nanny. A lack of communication with their employer was cited by 28% of nannies as a reason to leave their current job.

For families, hiring a nanny through a job search website may seem like an efficient way to find household help.

However, the survey results showed that a family who hires a nanny through a placement agency saves time during the hiring process and will retain a nanny for a longer period of time than a family who uses a job search website to find a caregiver.· 39% of families that found their nanny through a placement agency spent 20 or more hours on the hiring process compared to 67% that hired on their own using a job search website
· 67% of families that hired a nanny through a placement agency retained their nanny for five years compared to only 51% of families that hired a nanny using a job search website

Other key findings from the survey include:· The top three qualities that families seek in a nanny are responsibility and trustworthiness, personality fit, and passion for child care.
· Nannies also place trust and a personality match at the top of their “wish list” followed by rate of pay
· 59% of families say schedule flexibility is one of their top three reasons they like having an in-home caregiver. The other two top reasons were more personal attention for their children (56%) and no hassles of day care drop-offs and pick-ups (51%).
· 90% of nannies were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs

Methodology

An online survey of household employers who currently employ nannies was conducted in August 2018 and collected more than 200 responses. Also in August 2018, an online survey of nannies was fielded and received more than 300 responses.

About GTM Payroll Services

Founded in 1991, GTM Payroll Services is a recognized leader in household payroll, nanny taxes, insurance and compliance management for families that employ domestic help. GTM’s online, secure, and easy-to-use solutions help families reduce the risks, hassles, and worries of getting nanny taxes right while freeing up more time for the things they truly enjoy in life. Today, GTM processes more than $1 billion in payroll every year for more than 44,000 employees nationwide. GTM’s client support staff includes certified payroll professionals, household employment tax experts, licensed insurance brokers, and CPAs. For more information, visit GTM Payroll Services at https://GTM.com/household. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.

Atlantic American Reports Third Quarter Results

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· Net income for the three month period ended September 30, 2018 increased to $0.9 million as compared to $0.7 million for the comparable period of 2017

· Life and health insurance premiums increased to $29.5 million, or 5.2%, as compared to $28.0 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively

ATLANTA, Nov. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlantic American Corporation (Nasdaq- AAME) today reported net income for the three month period ended September 30, 2018 of $0.9 million, or $0.04 per share, as compared to $0.7 million, or $0.03 per share, for the comparable period of 2017.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2018, the company reported a net loss of $0.9 million, or $0.06 per share, as compared to net income of $2.0 million, or $0.08 per share, for the comparable period of 2017.  The increase in net income during the third quarter of 2018 was primarily due to $1.1 million of net unrealized gains in equity securities during the third quarter of 2018 compared to nil for the third quarter of 2017.  The net loss for the nine month period ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to an increase in operating losses as a result of higher levels of morbidity experienced in the Medicare supplement line of business during the first half of 2018.

Total revenues for the three month period ended September 30, 2018 were $46.4 million as compared to $44.8 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2017.  The above mentioned unrealized gains in equity securities and an increase in insurance premiums were the most significant contributors to the increase in total revenues.  Insurance premiums during the three month period ended September 30, 2018 increased $0.5 million or 1.1% from the comparable 2017 period and was primarily the result of an increase in Medicare supplement premiums in the Company’s life and health operations somewhat offset by a decrease in property and casualty premiums.  For the nine month period ended September 30, 2018, revenues were $136.4 million, increasing 3.1% from the comparable 2017 period revenues of $132.3 million, primarily as a result of an increase in Medicare supplement premium revenues.  Insurance premiums during the nine month period ended September 30, 2018 of $127.6 million increased 3.7% from the comparable 2017 period amount of $123.0 million.

Commenting on the third quarter, Hilton H. Howell, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer, stated, “Our senior leadership team at Bankers Fidelity continues to drive efforts focused on improving profitability, enhancing the product portfolio, and delivering superior customer service to our policyholders and agents.  Although the year to date Medicare supplement results did not meet expectations, we are encouraged by the continued growth in the life and health operation and are confident strategic rate adjustments implemented throughout the year will result in improved margins.  Even though our property and casualty premiums declined slightly, American Southern continues to deliver profitable operating results through prudent underwriting of their programs.  While anticipating a good close to the current year, we feel well positioned for a successful 2019.”

Atlantic American is an insurance holding company involved through its subsidiary companies in specialty markets of the life, health, and property and casualty insurance industries.  Its principal insurance subsidiaries are American Southern Insurance Company, American Safety Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company.

Note regarding Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: Except for historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks detailed from time to time in statements and reports that Atlantic American Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information contact:    
J. Ross Franklin   Hilton H. Howell, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer   Chairman, President & CEO
Atlantic American Corporation   Atlantic American Corporation
404-266-5580   404-266-5505
     
     

*Atlantic American Corporation*
*Financial Data*

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share data) 2018   2017   2018   2017
Insurance premiums              
Life and health              
Gross earned premiums $ 45,568     $ 36,671     $ 133,158     $ 102,502  
Ceded premiums   (16,061 )     (8,623 )     (44,853 )     (19,774 )
Net earned premiums   29,507       28,048       88,305       82,728  
Property and casualty                              
Gross earned premiums   14,288       15,284       42,968       43,860  
Ceded premiums   (1,238 )     (1,238 )     (3,669 )     (3,592 )
Net earned premiums   13,050       14,046       39,299       40,268  
                               
Net investment income   2,215       2,136       7,111       6,380  
Realized investment gains, net   484       539       797       2,818  
Unrealized gains on equity securities, net   1,083       -       753       -  
Other income   31       29       88       95  
                               
*Total revenue*   *  **46,370 *       *  **44,798 *       *  **136,353 *       *  **132,289 *  
                               
Insurance benefits and losses incurred                              
Life and health   22,415       20,754       69,934       61,567  
Property and casualty   10,672       9,663       28,544       25,879  
Commissions and underwriting expenses   8,722       10,176       28,456       31,800  
Interest expense   529       440       1,497       1,273  
Other expense   2,960       3,134       9,168       9,301  
                               
Total benefits and expenses   45,298       44,167       137,599       129,820  
                               
Income (loss) before income taxes   1,072       631       (1,246 )     2,469  
Income tax expense (benefit)   138       (116 )     (341 )     483  
                               
*Net income (loss)* *$* * **  **934 *     *$* * **  **747 *     *$* * **  **(905* *)*   *$* * **  **1,986 *  
                               
*Earnings (loss) per common share (basic and diluted)* *$* * **  **0.04 *     *$* * **  **0.03 *     *$* * **  **(0.06* *)*   *$* * **  **0.08 *  
                               
*Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure*                              
                               
Net income (loss) $ 934     $ 747     $ (905 )   $ 1,986  
Income tax expense (benefit)   138       (116 )     (341 )     483  
Realized investment gains, net   (484 )     (539 )     (797 )     (2,818 )
Unrealized gains on equity securities, net   (1,083 )     -       (753 )     -  
                               
*Operating gain (loss)* *$* * **  **(495* *)*   *$* * **  **92 *     *$* * **  **(2,796* *)*   *$* * **  **(349* *)*
                 
               
  September 30,   December 31,  
*Selected Balance Sheet Data*  2018     2017   
         
Total cash and investments $ 255,058     $ 272,058    
Insurance subsidiaries   234,696       244,754    
Parent and other   20,362       27,304    
Total assets   339,549       343,239    
Insurance reserves and policyholder funds   187,813       173,583    
Debt   33,738       33,738    
Total shareholders' equity   102,118       112,983    
Book value per common share   4.78       5.26    
Statutory capital and surplus                
Life and health   30,845       34,135    
Property and casualty   43,922       43,348    
                                  Reported by GlobeNewswire 3 hours ago.

Trumpet Behavioral Health Opens New Locations to Serve Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder with No Wait List

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Trumpet Behavioral Health Opens Ten New Locations With No Current Wait List to Serve Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (PRWEB) November 13, 2018

Trumpet Behavioral Health Opens Eleven New Locations With No Current Wait List to Serve Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Trumpet Behavioral Health (“Trumpet”) is pleased to announce the opening of 10 new locations. New Trumpet locations offering high-quality ABA therapy services include:
Austin, TX; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Long Beach, CA; Park Ridge, IL; San Diego, CA; Tucson, AZ; and Warren, MI.

Families in these areas can access industry-leading applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy today without any delay. All new Trumpet locations welcome private health insurance plans and TRICARE, and the Colorado and Michigan locations are also able to accept Medicaid patients.

“We are incredibly excited to expand our mission by providing individualized ABA therapy programs into new communities throughout Arizona, California, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas,” said Ned Carlson, chief executive officer of Trumpet. “Our client first approach actively engages each family and patient at every step in the care plan to ensure clinical quality and collaboration. These communities will be able to benefit and join a trusted, supportive and experienced ABA treatment provider that does not have a current wait list at these new locations.”

Trumpet provides evidence-based therapy for children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a variety of settings including: centers, patient homes, schools, and local communities.

To learn more, please call (855) 824-5669 or visit Trumpet online at https://www.tbh.com/ or find a location near you by visiting https://www.tbh.com/locations/.

About Trumpet Behavioral Health

Trumpet Behavioral Health offers evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. A team of more than 1,000 passionate and highly-skilled individuals, including numerous Ph.D. and Master’s-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, provides center-based, home-based, and school-based services throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas. For more information, please visit http://www.tbh.com. Reported by PRWeb 27 minutes ago.

Ageas signs agreement to acquire a 40% stake in Indian Non-Life insurer RSGI

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*Ageas announces that it has signed today an agreement to acquire 40% of the share capital of the Indian Non-Life insurance company Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co. Limited (RSGI) for a total consideration of EUR 186 million^[1].*

 

RSGI is a top 10 privately owned player in the Indian general insurance market with strong positions in Motor and Health insurance. The company benefits from extended distribution capabilities with a nationwide network of more than 5,600 agents, 700 branches, and well-established relationships with banks and other distribution partners off- and online. In 2018^[2] RSGI generated EUR 321 million inflows and EUR 10 million net profit and realised between 2015 and 2018, an average annual growth rate of 19% and 55% in inflows and net profit respectively.

The transaction is subject to the approval of regulatory authorities, and is expected to close in the first half of 2019. After completion, Ageas will hold 40% of RSGI's share capital, Sundaram Finance 50% and various other shareholders the remaining 10%.

The acquisition fits Ageas's strategy, as reconfirmed in its recently announced 3-year strategic plan Connect21, to expand its activities in fast growing markets in which it already operates, focussing on Non-Life insurance in particular.

The acquisition will reduce the Group Solvency II by approximately 5%.

This transaction will have no impact on Ageas's share buy-back commitment under its Connect21 strategic plan as announced on 19 September 2018.

*Commenting on the agreement, Bart De Smet, CEO of Ageas, said:* "Partnering with Sundaram Finance, a well-established company with a vast knowledge of the Indian insurance market, offers us a great opportunity to benefit from the potential of what is one of the world's largest economies with an insurance industry that is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Being already present in the Indian Life insurance market, we now will be able, through this new joint venture, to also fully grasp opportunities in the Non-Life market. We are confident that Ageas's insurance expertise combined with Sundaram Finance's market knowledge and position will take RSGI to a next level in terms of size and profitability."

*Commenting on the agreement, T T Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director of SFL said: *"Over the past 18 years, Royal Sundaram has built a sterling reputation in the market for its customer service excellence, notably in claims management. The Company has demonstrated strong growth in its chosen segments and is witnessing a rapid growth in its profitability. For the next phase of growth, we are delighted to be partnering with Ageas, whose global experience, including several Asian countries, will be an asset. Ageas is unique in its approach of working through local partnerships and joint ventures across Asia and we believe this can create significant value for Royal Sundaram."

*Ageas* is a listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning 190 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow. As one of Europe's larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Luxembourg, France, Portugal, Turkey, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of over 50,000 people and reported annual inflows close to EUR 34 billion in 2017 (all figures at 100%).

*Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co. Ltd*. is a subsidiary of Sundaram Finance, a leading financial services provider based in Chennai, Southern India. Sundaram Finance is a listed company with a market capitalisation of EUR 1.9 billion that offers services including general insurance, financing, mutual funds, business process outsourcing ("BPO"), IT services and retail distribution. Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co Ltd. is India's 1^st privately owned general insurance company (licensed in 2000) and currently holds the 9^th position in that market segment (ex-standalone health insurers) offering innovative general insurance solutions to individuals, families and businesses directly as well as through its intermediaries and affinity partners. The company offers Motor, Health, Personal Accident, Home & Travel Insurance to individual customers and offers specialised insurance products in Fire, Marine, Engineering, Liability & Business Interruption risks to commercial customers. Royal Sundaram also offers specially designed products to the small & medium enterprises and rural customers as well.
^[1] Agreement to acquire at a price of INR 15.2 billion, corresponding to an amount of EUR 186 million calculated at the 13/11/2018 EUR/INR rate of 81.74.

^[2] Indian accounting years with year-end in March

*Attachment*

· Pdf version of the press release.pdf Reported by GlobeNewswire 15 hours ago.
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