What to Expect During Your Term Life Insurance Exam

Once you have decided to purchase a life insurance policy, you may be required to undergo a medical exam. The reason most life insurance companies need these medical exams is to determine the premium to be charged to the policy holder. If your medical exam results indicate that you have a greater risk of dying at an early age, the insurance company will want to collect higher premiums early on in your life. However, if your exam results show that you are in good health, the company will not collect as much from you early on in the policy for the simple reason that you will be around longer and will continue to make premium payments.

Life insurance companies use two factors to judge how long a potential policyholder will live. These are Longevity Charts and Medical Exams and History. The mortality rates of people are the statistics found in longevity charts. They indicate to an insurance company, how many men, women, and children die at particular ages and help t hem determine the risk involved in accepting you as a policy holder. The second factor is your medical exam and history.

Generally, insurance medical exams are carried out by paramedicals. These are licensed health professionals and most often independent contractors, who are hired by the insurance company. They will come to your home or office to conduct the medical exam unless the insurance company will require additional tests then you may be referred to a clinic to complete your medical exam. The questions on a life insurance application are divided into two parts. Part I (or Part A) consists of questions that are usually completed by your agent in your presence, or online by you. Part II (or Part B) is the medical form completed by the paramedical. Once you submit your application for life insurance, your agent or the life insurance company will give the paramedical service all your information and the amount of insurance that you are applying for.
As part of your life insurance medical exam you will be asked about:

Your personal medical history Your family's medical history Contact details of your primary doctor Information on your lifestyle habits. It is imperative here not to lie if you smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs. Your exercise regime is also important to your medical status What and how much life insurance you are interested in purchasing

The following are the procedures that you can expect during your life insurance medical exam:

Weight and height measurement Measurement of blood pressure and pulse Blood work (to check on cholesterol, glucose, protein, and HIV) Urinalysis (to check on protein, glucose, creatinine and cocaine)

Keep in mind that exams vary from insurance company to insurance company. If you are older or are applying for a high value policy, you might be required to undergo EKGs, treadmill tests or other assessments.

What is your insurance company looking for?
Basically, the insurance company needs to know what risk you pose to the company in terms of any health condition that could shorten your life. When the medical practitioner collects samples of blood and urine, they will be testing for HIV, cholesterol, liver or kidney disorder, diabetes, and other immune disorders. Urine samples will also be analyzed and screened for certain medications, cocaine and other drugs. If you plan to buy a large amount of life insurance, you might be required to submit a full blood profile as well.

The results of your medical exam are sent directly to the life insurer's office for the next process where the underwriter reviews the information. In case yo u want a copy as well, you can send a written request to the insurance company. The underwriter will decide your insurance rating which in turn determines your premium rate. If there are still questions regarding your health, more medical tests or information may be requested from you. If a medical problem is discovered, you may be offered a policy with a higher premium.

And in case you are unknowingly chronically or terminally ill, your application will be declined. In such situations, it would be better to look for a specialized high-risk carrier or a company that guaranteed issue life insurance. If your test results are normal and correlate with the original premium rate quoted to you, you policy will be processed accordingly.

If you end up declining the life insurance policy after your medical exam, remember that your test results might still be recorded in the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) Group's database. This is a clearinghouse of medical inf ormation, jointly owned by around 470 insurance companies that stores information for seven years after you apply for an insurance policy. So, if you plan to shop around, your medical information is remains available to a number of other companies as well. If you want to check your MIB file, or dispute any information in it, you can obtain a free report annually at www.mib.com.

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Drinking Too Much Alcohol Affects Your Life Insurance Rate

Does the amount of alcohol you drink affect your life insurance rates? While life insurance companies may not be primarily concerned with how much alcohol you drink, they are definitely concerned about any adverse effects your drinking may have on your health. Heavy drinking as a lifestyle may lead to chronic health concerns such as heart disease, stroke, depression, dementia, liver and gastrointestinal problems.

Because the amount of alcohol you consume may have bearing on your health and longevity, life insurance companies are interested in this aspect of your life. Most companies would not hesitate to increase your life insurance rates if you are a heavy drinker. In fact, according to the underwriting practices of some life insurance companies, drinking two drinks a day may disqualify you from the "preferred" category. Drinking four or more drinks a day may disqualify you from "standard" life insurance rates.

If you already have a history of alcoho l abuse, and you have attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings or have had a DUI on your driving record, this could lead to much higher life insurance rates. Depending on how severe your alcohol condition is, some life insurance underwriters may decline your application for life insurance or put you in a class which is very expensive.
Most life insurance companies require you to undergo a life insurance medical exam. Your blood and urine tests will reveal whether you are a heavy drinker or a moderate drinker. Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) is a test that checks liver functions. Elevated liver enzymes can indicate that you are a heavy drinker even if alcohol use is not noted on your medical history or on your application. Abnormal liver functions are normally assumed by life insurance companies to be related to excessive alcohol consumption. If doubts exist, a life insurance company may ask you to do an "alcohol marker" test to verify your liver abnormalities are alcohol-related. But even if it is not alcohol-related, you may still be put into an expensive life insurance rate category because abnormal liver functions are considered a health risk.

If you have ever received a DUI, you can expect a heavy life insurance rate if you apply within the first three years after you have bee n charged. After that, depending on your medical history and current health condition, you may be charged standard rates. If you have complied with drug rehabilitation programs ordered by the court, your chances for better insurance rates may start looking good only after you've completed the drug program. Multiple alcohol or drug-related traffic violations could put you under the "non-insurable" category.

The bottom line? If you have any history of a drinking problem, mention this on your application. Any kind of misinformation on your application is considered to be fraud and may render your policy null and void.

There are several life insurance companies whose underwriters look upon alcohol-related conditions in a much better light. Screening hundreds of life insurance companies to find one that suits your needs would take time, effort and a lot of comparative study. Using online life insurance providers who have access to hundreds of reliable life i nsurance companies may be your best option for finding the best life insurance rates, whether you do or do not have a drinking problem.

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Can a history of substance abuse raise your life insurance rates?

By M.K. Guetersloh

Life Quotes, Inc.

The hard partying years after college may have been replaced by the calm of married life. But those past behaviors may haunt you like an unwanted call from a former sweetheartespecially when you try to buy life insurance.

In order to receive standard rates, most insurance experts agree that drug and alcohol abuse problems need to be behind you for a minimum of five years.

Excessive use of drugs and alcohol can cause a number of serious health conditions. Researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, estimates that alcohol and drug abuse can decrease your lifespan by nearly 10 years. Among the health risks, drug and alcohol abuse can cause high blood pressure, cancer (breast, esophageal, mouth, larynx and pharynx), liver disease, and heart or respiratory failure. The American Cancer Society reports that 2 to 4 percent of all cancers are directly related to alcohol abuse. The mixing of drugs and alcohol can be immediately fatal leading to seizures, coma, heart attack and respiratory failure.

"That kind of behavior can affect your rates catastrophically," says Ryan Pinney, a high-risk insurance specialist for Roseville, Calif.-based Pinney Insurance Center, Inc. "It's a health hazard and a moral hazard."

In addition to affecting your rates for life insurance, Pinney says, drug and alcohol abuse can also affect your health and auto insurance rates. In some instances, if you have a DUI, you might find your auto insurance policy cancelled altogether.

While drug and alcohol dependency is a fairly common obstacle for those seeking life insurance, Dr. Robert Pokorski, Chief Medical Strategist for The Hartford, says that it's still not impossible to get a life insurance policy at an affordable rate if you no longer drink.

"The classic case is: you have someone who is getting a little older and realizes they need to take better care of themselves," Pokorski says. "If they put five years between themselves and those events, they are very insurable and can get standard rates."

Insurers ask prospective policyholders to be forthcoming on medical questionnaires, but if you pass the medical questionnaire you're still not out of the woods yet. Insurance companies also review a prospective customer's medical and driving records along with blood and urine tests.

Pinney says of you have a problem with substance abusethe best course of action is to talk to an agent about those problems

How do they know?

Insurance companies can access information about a person's health status through the Medical Information Bureau (MIB). The MIB protects insurers, policyholders and applicants against insurance fraud in the life, health, disability, critical illness and long-term care lines of insurance.

If you've been denied life insurance due to a health risk such as substance abuse, a record of the denial is kept in the MIB's database,

"Any insurance company can look up your information in the database," says Pinney.

For that reason, Pinney says, "The worse thing they can do is blindly apply to several insurance companies for coverage and omit information, especially after a denial."

Although drugs are more difficult to detect and some insurance companies such as The Hartford don't test for drugs, alcohol abuse can be found in several tests used by most insurers to detect problems with liver function. During a paramedical examination, blood samples are subjected to a Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) test to rule out liver disease. Often, when excessive drinking is involved, a person's liver function will be elevated.

"Honestly is definitely the best policy," Pinney said. "If you don't disclose to an insurance company that you have a problem and they find it in your blood work or they find that you were arrested for driving under the influence last year; they won't be very happy and they won't insure you. In fact, no one will."

Allen Hixon, manager of State Farm's life and health underwriting division, agreed.

If someone is able to hide their problem from an insurance company's review and a policy is issued, Hixon says insurance companies might balk at paying the claim to beneficiaries if it's found out later that they hid information.

"If an insurance company can argue that the policy was entered into fraudulently that could limit what the beneficiary receives," Hixon said.

Hixon and Pokorski add that unlike hard drugs, insurers view alcohol and marijuana a little differently.

"How someone gets the hard drugs can also make a difference," Hixon says. "If the abuse comes by someone who has been prescribed chronic pain medication and they can't shake it, it's a little different than someone who is going out to the street corner to buy cocaine or heroin."

For those who have gone through treatment and recovery, insurers recommend waiting at least two years before seeking life insurance.

State Farm generally uses two years of being clean and sober as a benchmark to revisit a policy, but Hixon warns that the rates may still be a little higher.

Pinney says that insurance companies are looking for three things when it comes to underwriting drug and alcohol abuse:

complete disclosure of problems, compliance with their doctor's orders to stop the behavior, and what is the ultimate result of that person's efforts to remain clean and sober.

Facts and Myths about alcohol

1.) A person who wants to drink less alcohol should drink white wine.

Fact:

The standard 5-ounce serving of white or red wine, a 12-ounce bottle of beer and a -ounce shot of 80 proof distilled spirits contain the same amount of alcohol and register the same on a Breathalyzer test.

2.) Drinking red wine is good for your heart.

Fact:

Red wine can prevent heart disease if it is limited to only one drink a day.

3.) DoesDrinking beer causes a "beer belly"?

Myth:

Eating too much food causes a "beer belly." No beer or other alcohol beverage is necessary is needed to create one.

4.) Drinking will add pounds to your waistline.

Myth:

Drinking alcohol does not cause weight gain. This myth is widely believed because alcohol does have calories. Extensive research has concluded that it does not cause weight gain in men. For women, the research found alcohol frequently causes limited weight loss.

5.) Only college students binge drink.

Myth:

Few college students are binge drinkers. In recent years, the number of students that drink continues to decline including the number of students that drink heavily. Some researchers have defined binge drinking as consuming at least four drinks a day for women and five drinks a day for men. Many college students become branded as binge drinkers because they qualify under that definition. However, by definition binge drinking is an extended period of drunkenness that lasts for several days while the drinker drops out of normal life activities.

6.) Men and women can drink the same amount of alcohol if they are roughly the same height and weight.

Fact:

Men can metabolize alcohol faster because they have more lean muscle than women. Lean muscle helps dilute the affects of alcohol because it increases the percentage of body water. Women typically have a little more fat than lean muscle compared to men. Also, alcohol can affect women more rapidly. Women also have less of the enzyme dehydrogenase, which metabolizes alcohol. And woman's menstrual cycle also affects how alcohol is absorbs and metabolized.

7.) The strictest drinking laws are found in the United States

Fact:

Among Western nations, the United States has the strictest drinking laws for young people. Age 21 is the highest minimum drinking age in the entire world. These tight rules continue by covering adults with zero tolerance rules regarding public intoxication and drinking and driving. 8.) The country with the highest consumption of alcohol in the world per capita is the United States.

Myth

9.) The United States is ranked 32nd with an average consumption rate of 1.74 gallons of pure alcohol per person annually.

Myth:

According to latest estimates, the Top 10 Alcohol Consuming Countries and the average gallons of pure alcohol consumed per person is:

Portugal 2.98 Luxembourg 2.95 France 2.87 Hungary 2.66 Spain 2.66 Czech Republic 2.64 Denmark 2.61 Germany 2.50 Austria 2.50 Switzerland 2.43

Sources: Alcohol: Problems and Solutions, Hanson, David; Carroll, C.R. Drugs in Modern Society; Cline, C. N. (Ed.) The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Life; Wechsler, H., et al., Journal of American College Health, 1998; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; Avis, H. Drugs and Life; Lowenson, J., et al. (Eds.) Substance: A Comprehensive Textbook; Barr, A. Drink: A Social History of America.

This article originally published on www.lifequotes.com.

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Nine things you should think about before taking a life insurance paramedical examination

By Michelle Matlock, Life Quotes, Inc.

When you apply for life insurance, you will most likely have to take a medical exam.

Individual life insurance companies have a number of tools at their disposal when it comes to rating policies, and one of those tools is medical underwriting. Since the basis of insurance involves assessing risk, health status plays a critical role in the underwriting process.

What to expect

Paramedical examiners are licensed health professionals that insurance companies hire to perform medical examinations on potential policyholders. When you apply for life insurance you will be required to answer a series of medical questions, or if you apply for a policy at an insurance website, you can fill out a questionnaire online. The second part of the application is a medical form that is completed by your examiner. Examinations are generally performed in the privacy of your home or place of business.

Most paramedical exams require examiners to collect a urine sample and blood draw. You will also be asked to provide your driver's license and social security number. Typically an examiner will accept alternative forms of identification such as a military ID, passport or state issue identification cards with a photo ID. This information will be used to fill out the lab ticket. The lab uses your complete blood count (CBC), to rule out a number of conditions such as leukemia, cancer or HIV. You may also be required to take a liver function test, or a Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) test, which is used to rule out alcoholism, cirrhosis and other liver diseases. Lab technicians also check your cholesterol level, which will be used to evaluate your risk for heart attack or stroke.

In addition to urine and blood samples, examiners will check your blood pressure, pulse rate, and measure your height and weight. In some cases, you might be required to take an X-ray or treadmill test. Some exams might require checking your "timed vital capacity" (TVC). This is a breathing test that determines how well your lungs are functioning. They may also require some applicants who smoke or have a history of heart disease to have an electrocardiogram (EKG), a test that records electrical changes in the heart.

Questions your examiner will ask you include:

1. Name and address of personal physician?

2. Date and reason last consulted?

3. What treatment was given or medication prescribed?

What you should do

While some folks find paramedical examinations a little daunting, the extent of a paramedical exam varies by insurance company.

Also, some companies require less information than others and have a shortened version of a paramedical exam. But be warned if you are a smoker, your mortality rate is often higher than nonsmokers, and insurance companies usually require a more thorough medical examination for tobacco users.

"If your agent isn't prepping you for your exam then they are not doing the right thing," says Ryan Pinney, a brokerage director and insurance risk specialist for Pinney Insurance Center, Inc. in Roseville, Calif. "There are so many things that can mess up your lab results that people don't consider."

Pinney offers some sage advice that will help increase your odds of doing well on an examination.

1. Don't consume alcohol for 72 hours prior to your exam.

2. Don't take your exam if you are dehydrated.

3. Don't take ibuprofen or aspirin because this will create elevated liver function.

4. If you exercise or work out regularly, take a break for a day or two prior to the exam. "When you work out your muscles breakdown and that can tweak the outcome of your lab," says Pinney.

5. Don't eat fatty foods for at least two days before your examination. "If you have an exam coming up and you must choose between a triple cheeseburger or salad, go with the salad. Even if you don't have high cholesterol, fatty foods will temporarily heighten your cholesterol levels," notes Pinney.

6. Take your exam first thing in the morning don't wait until later in the evening. "Your blood pressure is lower in the morning because you've been sleeping for 6 to 8 hours. It's never a good idea to get stressed out at work, fight rush hour traffic and then take your exam," Pinney recommends. In addition, Pinney says when you sleep your back compresses, so you are also a little taller in the morning. "This can help you when it comes to measuring your height and weight."

7. Wear your tennis shoes. "When your height and weight is measured you don't have to take off your clothes or shoes. But I discourage wearing steel-toed boots or a tool belt because depending on the item this could make you 35 pounds heavier. The examiner is not required to tell you to remove those items," says Pinney. Pinney adds that you are also not allowed to keep your high heels on at a paramedical examination.

8. Never volunteer information. "Let the examiner ask the questions," says Pinney. "When an examiner asks you if you've been diagnosed with heart disease this is not a good time to tell him you haven't and then mention you've had chest pains lately. If the insurance company wants to know more details, the underwriter will contact you."

9. When the examiner asks you a question, don't lie. "Do not try to outsmart the insurance company," says Pinney. "Any misrepresentations can be considered insurance fraud on a more serious level. If you omit information or lie, once the insurance company finds out, you will be denied coverage and your application will be rescinded."

This article was originally published at Life Quotes, Inc.

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Policy Documents required for Louisiana Health Insurance

Those who are considering purchasing Louisiana health insurance for short term as well as long term are in for some good news. This is because health insurances, by their very nature, allow you as a policy holder to avoid the queues for approaching the consultants right away for receiving good quality and that too in a faster duration. While investing in any kind of Louisiana health insurance, you should be well aware of the fact that all the policies are different and this is the reason why you should thoroughly go through the terms and conditions before agreeing to their clauses.

Things to Consider while Investing in a Health Insurance Policy in Louisiana

Chronic conditions: There may be certain kinds of chronic conditions. For example, in case you are ill, but the illness is such that it is a curable one, especially during the short range phase, it is known as 'acute' illness. In this case, you will be granted coverage by your Louisiana health insu rance policy. On the contrary, however, if the illness is non curable or terminal, or if it is chronic which means it is likely to be treated, but the treatment will take time, you will not be covered with the health insurance policy in Louisiana.

Often, the thin line of demarcation between 'acute' and 'chronic' illnesses is a point of contention between the policy holder and the insurer. Let us take asthma and diabetes into consideration. These are chronic illnesses and this means they cannot be cured. They are there with you throughout their life. The same goes for certain kinds of cancer that cannot be classified. In this case, it is for the doctors to decide on the fact as to whether the particular form of cancer can be cured or not. However, in that case, there is still the possibility that the disease could go worse and diagnosis could become incurable.

The implication is that as long as the ailment may be curable, you should make the maximum out of your policy coverage. However, in case the diagnosis deems the illness as an incurable one, you are likely to lose your cover. The insurance companies in Louisiana have this right of reclassifying an disease from severe to continual during the procedure of cure.

Long term healing options: Those who are considering the alternative of going for a long term healing for their illness should be discouraged as the health insurance benefits this way are not much. Whatever the case, you need to check in with the documents that are specified to be produced for your insurance policy. Here, you can find an elaboration of the term 'long term' and proceed accordingly. This will help you determine whether your type of illness falls within the scope of the medical insurance.

Preventive medicine: Health insurance policies in Louisiana cannot be utilized for procuring for costs for preventive treatment. It only covers the cure and treatment of your conditions. The te rm 'preventive' is also contradictory among the insurance companies, as certain preventive drugs reduce the chances of ailment.

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Three ways to get iPhone insurance and iPhone 4 insurance for less

When you buy an iPhone, it is best to have some kind of insurance coverage for the phone. After all, the iPhone is a prized possession for many people and measures should be in place to cover for the cost of the phone in case of theft or any accidental damage. While there are many insurance and warranty comapnies for your iPhone insurance, they may charge you a lot more than you should be paying. Now that the latest iPhone 4 has been released in the market, the iPhone 4 insurance premiums also seems too high at times. Hence, it is important for you to know how you can get an iPhone 4 protection plan for less. This is what we have discussed in the paragraphs following.

1. Try insurance companies � When you look at some of the insurance companies out there, you will find that they offer iPhone insurance and iPhone 4 insurance at much lower cost than the high street insurers. You should go to Google and search for insurance for iPhones. You will get a list of search results and can choose the best iPhone insurance from the list. You need to ensure that everything is covered under the insurance including iPhone accidental damage insurance, wear and tear, part failure, and there should also be a money back clause of 30 days or more in case you are not satisfied with the insurance.

2. Try your bank � There are some banks that offer iPhone warranties and even iPhone extended warranties. If you opt for a premium account service it is very likely that some banks will offer you iPhone insurance or iPhone 4 insurance as part of the overall package. However, you must know that the insurance offered by the banks will not be able to cover the entire phone but you can at least salvage some of the loss.

3. Try home insurance companies � Insurance companies that cover your household items can also be used for your iPhone insurance or iPhone 4 insurance needs. You can get this insurance by paying some extra premium and your iPhone will be covered. You need to ensure that the insurance amount is sufficient to cover for the cost of the phone.

Another fantastic option that you can go for is iPhone insurance called GoCare. GoCare insurance can give you the best iPhone warranty possible at the lowest price. With GoCare iPhone insurance, you can rest assured that your expensive iPhone is suitably covered. All you need to do is visit the GoTronics website and see how GoCare can help you save money on iPhone insurance or iPhone 4 insurance. It is a process that will not consume too much of your time and you will find that GoTronics GoCare is offered at very affordable prices.

Your iPhone is bound to keep you on your toes for the fear of an accidental damage or loss. With iPhone insurance or iPhone 4 insurance, you can make sure that you don't need to pay for another iPhone or expensive repairs. The iPhone 3g, 3gs and iPhone 4 are not the cheapest of cell phones and not everyone can afford these expensive devices If you have one then make sure that is protected with GoCare iPhone Insurance today!

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IPhone Insurance for EBay buys

IPhone Insurance for EBay buys

The cost of purchasing brand new iphones is unthinkable to many people. For some, it is far much unreachable that they do not even dream about it. However, EBay has presented anew era of low priced iphones which you can take advantage of so as not to be left out of the thrill of possessing this exciting technology gadget. The GoTronics iPhone Insurance company has also just made it a very workable step by offering iPhone Insurance cover for second hand iphones. You can now buy an iphone from eBay and then get it down to GoTronics iPhone Insurance company for evaluation. If it gets past the evaluation test, then you will be able to get yourself with not just an iphone but with an iphone which has iPhone Insurance cover. All the benefits which a new iphone would be given if you purchase iPhone Insurance are also accorded to the second hand iphone you are insuring.

Just get down to GoTronics after utilizing the presented chance of acquiring an iphone at a cheap deal and you will be granted another grand opportunity to purchase iPhone Insurance. But, it is only at GoTronics iPhone Insurance company. There is no discrimination of iphones which have not been bought from our company. GoCare iPhone Insurance company insures all iphones as long as they are in good working condition and have not been through a series of repairs in the past. This has seen us working for many iPhone Insurance customers who are unable to get their iphones insurance cover because they bought them from dealers who do not offer iPhone Insurance. Take for instance, you are passing along the busy eBay and someone approaches you with a very good iphone. You would probably be left with no option but to buy it. The offer might be too great that you would not let it pass but your nest worry after the purchase is how to get iPhone Insurance for the iphone.

It is a thing of the past at GoCare not to give second hand iphones a reliable iPhone Insurance protection. Our technicians are always very reliable at the verification of the worth of your iphone only looking at its working condition and any traces of past repairs. The verification of GoTronics iPhone Insurance technicians is then presented to you and if you agree with our iPhone Insurance quote, you are then granted the opportunity to purchase iPhone Insurance cover. You do not have any more reason to worry about getting a second hand phone from a friend or from eBay just because it will be hard to get iPhone Insurance for it.

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The dynamics of GoTronics iPhone Insurance company

The dynamics of GoTronics iPhone Insurance company

The GoTronics iPhone Insurance company is an online iPhone Insurance company . Online services are provided for all those who need iPhone Insurance and have no time for coming to our iPhone Insurance offices. This is found to be the most modern way for providing iPhone Insurance to all people as it is done so easily with special consideration made to all those who can not be able to go around trying to locate iPhone Insurance companies to work with but have internet access. Gocare iPhone Insurance company has for so many years been able to set the pace for iPhone Insurance provision. We have come up with so many accommodating means of iPhone Insurance covers which anyone can consider taking up and would be very glad to work with us.

There is also the iPhone Insurance alternative with extended warranty which covers all damages. This has been designed in such a way that all accidental damages which your iphone might experience are adequately taken care of including theft cases. Our iPhone Insurance company is very trusted because all the iPhone Insurance services which we provide you with are done by professional personnel. You are always guaranteed quality iPhone Insurance services every time you work with us. GoTronics iPhone Insurance company is also the initiator of most of the revolutions that have been experienced in the iPhone Insurance industry. We have been able to come up with special offers like the two years iPhone Insurance cover, data recovery for water damaged iphone, iPhone Insurance for jail broken phones, no 90 day window period for purchasing iPhone I nsurance, no age limit for iPhone Insurance and a 90 days full refund guarantee for iPhone Insurance claims.

We are the number one iPhone Insurance company. Given the quality of repairs which we do on your iphone whenever it is accidentally damaged, you are never going to get such service offer anywhere else. We do all our iphone replacements of spare parts using the best original iphone spare parts form apple iphone parts. There is no room for mistakes when we are handling your iphone and we always ensure that for every bit of service which we offer you, you get nothing less that total satisfaction. Our reputation has been rising every single day and we are always receiving a new and growing list of iPhone Insurance customers who are ever after getting the iPhone Insurance covers which they have been told to be of great quality from us. Get the gotronics iPhone Insurance today and live a peaceful life knowing that your iphone is fully protected.

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In house iphone repairs at GoCare iPhone Insurance company

Iphones are generally delicate. Getting damaged is very common and that is where GoTronics has an in house iphone repair service. It would be very challenging to try to get iphone repair technicians every time your iphone is damaged. Being delicate, you can never be sure when disaster would strike, you might try everything possible to avoid instances of damages but it is never avoidable at time. The technicians at GoTronics iPhone Insurance company are very well trained to be able to do their work professionally. The iPhone Insurance which you purchase from GoCare iPhone Insurance company is inclusive of all repair cases which your iphone might need.

In house repairs of i[hoes from GoCare iPhone Insurance company is such that your iphone may not be unnecessarily damaged by unqualified technicians from outside. Being that your iphone is well evaluated by the GoTronics iPhone Insurance technicians before it can be accorded iPhone Insurance, it is just better to let them take care of your iphones life wholly. It is of much convenience to have the working condition of your iphone being protected by one source. This would allow us to be able to get what is best for your iphone at all time. If you get many people to repair your iphone, you might not be sure of who to blame should it be more damaged than it was in the beginning. The GoTronics iPhone Insurance in house repairs are reliable and you should never waste your time looking for repairers after purchasing our iPhone Insurance cover.

The GoTronics iPhone Insurance company in house iphone repairs services are well facilitated by making sure that every necessary machine is set in place. There is no single time when an iPhone Insurance customer will be put on wait because his iphone can not be repaired due to lack of a necessary tool. The success of our in house iPhone Insurance repairs is also as a result of us being able to do all necessary iphone replacements with only original iphone apple parts. The GoTronics iPhone Insurance company turn around time is also very short. IPhone Insurance is meant to reduce any inconveniences for you and that are what we are always striving at. Get your iPhone Insurance cover from GoTronics iPhone Insurance company and enjoy all that comes within the most trusted iPhone Insurance in the market.

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A Better Way to Sell a Structured Settlement-via Auction

Structured settlements were introduced in Canada and the United States in the 1970's. They were introduced as an alternative to lump sum payments, common in insurance settlements and lottery winnings. In the decades since, they have also been accepted as legal financial instruments in England and Australia.

The aforementioned common law countries have decided to include structured settlements in their statutory tort laws. These four countries handle tort law and the structure settlement packages a little bit differently, but the general overall definition applies across the board. In a nutshell, a structured settlement by legal definition is a statutory agreement to pay a specified sum of money over a period of time, on a payment system.

Payment Arrangements

When someone wins a court settlement (or if they settle the case beforehand), the insurance company often gives the winner a choice of taking a specified amount of money in a lump sum, or a bit more money if the insurance company can enter into a structured settlement arrangement. Of course, it is in the insurance company's best interest to pay the claimant in a structured settlement, because the insurance company can earn interest, during the structured payment cycle, on the full sum of money it would have paid in a lump sum.

The insurance company wins in the profit game, when they get to enter into a structured settlement. They will be able to invest the full sum of money owed, and they get to earn interest or dividends on the money in hand during the payment period.

Structured settlements are most often paid out in the form of an annuity over a period of time. An annuity is also legally classified as a financial instrument. Once again, the financial institution will gain an additional financial advantage, because they can collect interest or earn other kinds of income on the bulk amount, during the payment period.

Annuity And Structured Settlement Buyouts

Structured Settlements for a great deal of clients are the ideal solution. Payments spread out over a period of time allow clients to balance their finances and pay bills in the years to come. Some people get their structured payments $300, $1000 or even more each month. Sometimes they may include lump sum payments many years in the future. This is fine as long as their life is humming along and their bills are being paid. Yet, circumstances sometimes get in the way, and people need the lump sum cash right away to solve some issue that has come up in their lives.

Because annuities and structured payments are a legally-binding financial agreement, those items can be transferred to another person under the terms of the laws that have been set up to manage these financial products.

But, when faced with a serious financial crunch, some people hastily sell their annuities and structured settlements to the first company who would be willing to buy them for a lump sum amount. These companies who are willing to buy-out annuities and structured payments are commonly referred to as "Factoring" companies, because they use "Factors" to determine how much future payments are currently worth, and how much they should buy them for.

The Standard Method of Selling A Structured Settlement - Persistence and Patience (not always used)

We've all seen the countless ads on TV from a variety of companies, "Get Lump Sum Cash Now." For years, people have turned to factoring companies in their time of financial need. Smart consumers will learn from the insurance companies. Have you ever been involved in a car wreck? The insurance company requires for you to get three estimates and then they will pay the company that offers them the best deal. The smart consumer will invest a little bit more of his or her time to make sure they get the best deal for their annuity or structured settlement. They will call at least three factoring companies and get competitive bids from each. Then they will go back to the three aforementioned companies and see if any are willing to beat their best offer.

It can be tiring and time-consuming to follow through in this process, but for the average person, it could be worth several thousand or even tens of thousands of dollars in one's bank account at the end of the process.

The Better Method of Selling a Structured Settlement � Open Marketplace Auction

A new service has been introduced by www.QuoteMeAPrice.com (QMAP). This website allows Structured Settlement owners the ability to list details of their settlement online, and receive cash bids directly from Top-Rated Funding firms.

The process is relatively simple.

Clients sign up for a free account and list the details of the structured settlement or annuity. Once an account is created and the details of the payment arrangement are known, Funding Firms can log in and make cash bids directly on the purchase of the structured settlement. Each firm can see the current highest cash offer, and if they wish to beat it with a higher cash price, they can do so.

Sellers do not need to worry about being called countless times by salespeople because the contact information of the structured settlement owner is not shared. When a factoring company makes a cash bid on the settlement, QMAP notifies the settlement owner of the new bid via email.

Having settlement buyers compete in an open marketplace lowers the profit margin for funding firms, and forces the lowest possible discount rates to be applied when funding companies compete to buy future payments. This in turn ensures that clients can get the maximum amount of money back from their settlement.

The Importance of Comparison Shopping (actual Quote Me A Price client)

Two siblings had been receiving separate, but identical annuity payouts in the form of a structured settlement from an accidental family member death.

Sibling one got into a financial crunch. When this happened, sibling one called a "Factoring Company." She was offered a lump sum buyout, and although the offer was much lower than the value of the settlement, sibling number one didn't realize the importance of shopping the competition, and sold her settlement for $70,000.

Sibling number two heard about the buyout and thought that it would be nice to have her cash now also. But, sibling number two was not as desperate for an immediate buyout. Sibling number two took the time to shop around for a better deal. Sibling two managed to uncover QuoteMeAPrice.com, and they helped to secure the best offer possible.

Sibling number one got a $70,000 buyout and was initially happy with her cash buyout. Sibling number two came to QMAP with the same initial $70,000 buyout offer for the settlement. After working with Quote Me A Price, sibling number two got offered $100,000 for the same settlement sibling number one sold for $70,000. Sibling number two sold her settlement for $100,000 to JG Wentworth who is a partner in the QMAP service.

While sibling number two did get the best possible deal, sibling number one unfortunately has to live with the fact knowing that she made a $30.000 mistake by not shopping the competition.

In Conclusion

Your structured settlement or annuity is the foundation of your financial future. If you find yourself in financial need now, you should at the very least give yourself a couple more weeks to shop your deal to the competition.

You might be telling yourself that you cannot afford to wait, but the truth is that you cannot afford to take the first bid that you are offered. In some cases, jumping at the first offer could be the equivalent of financial suicide to a structured settlement owner.

So, be patient and persistent in the process of finding a buyer for your settlement. And remember, if you are willing to negotiate with a car dealer on the price you pay for a car, then there should be no reason in the world that you should not negotiate with a factoring company when you are looking for a buy-out of your settlement.

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Benefits of Purchasing Structured Settlement Annuities Directly from Original Annuitant

Whenever an individual annuitant, who is receiving periodic payments under a Structured Settlement, desires to sell some or all of their future payments for a lump sum of money, the cash flows are sold at a discount in exchange for the lump sum payment. This discounted Structured Settlement is then available for sale to the Purchaser. This manner of securing the payment streams at a discount directly from the seller is how the Purchaser secures very favorable yields. This transaction is normally facilitated by a financial broker on behalf of the seller (or annuitant) and the purchaser.

These structured settlements normally earn more than two times the yearly rates of Municipal or Corporate Bonds, Bank Issued Certificates of Deposit (CD's), or Government Issued Treasury Securities. Investors can certainly purchase an annuity directly from an insurance company, but these Direct Annuity Investments are backed by the same insurance companies as the Structured Settle ments arranged by a broker, and they are typically originated with large sales charges or commissions, and offer substantially lower yields.

The major benefits of purchasing these structured settlement annuities are:

1. Purchaser receives significantly higher yields than Purchaser can secure from comparable fixed rate investments.

2. Purchaser receives a fixed income over a defined period of time, based on the specific parameters of the purchased Structured Settlement.

3. Purchasers can aquire this asset to increase the yields in personal holdings, to maximize income at retirement, or to preserve principal for future years. They can be purchased by individuals, retirement plans, corporate entities, foundations, trusts, through investment clubs, or group investment accounts.

4. The Structured Settlement is backed or supported by annuity contracts issued by a rated insurance carrier. The insurance carrier that issued the a nnuity contract is state regulated and will generally have a Standard & Poor's credit rating between "A-" through "AAA".

5. Purchaser has control throughout the investment process; Purchaser receives assignment of the Structured Settlement payment rights directly from the seller through an approved court approval process, and the Purchaser receives the future cash flows directly from the rated insurance company that is obligated to make the payments. At no time during the lifecycle of the asset should the broker have possession, or control, of the Purchaser's money.

Considerations of Purchasing from Annuitant

1. The transaction process facilitates a court order of the asset directly from the Seller to the Purchaser. The broker does not own the Structured Settlement payment rights, and should not receive, hold, or disburse any of the investor's money. This is NOT a fund, and the Structured Settlement payments are made dire ctly to the Purchaser from the insurance entity.

2. The security of the annuity is directly related to the claims paying ability of the insurance entity. The designation of an annuity as a "claims paying" obligation means that these obligations supersede obligations to bond holders, stock holders and other debtors. The insurance entities are required to hold capital to support these obligations as required by the applicable state insurance regulator. To date, a situation has not been reported where an insurance company rated A, or better, by Standard & Poors has defaulted on an annuity obligation that supported a structured settlement, and a concomitant loss has resulted to the payee. However, as the current financial markets illustrate, past history is not a guarantee of future results, and there could be future issues that arise relating to Structured Settlements that have not existed in the past.

3. Annuities, depending on the amounts owed, are p artially or fully guaranteed by state insurance funds, and are designed to protect annuity holders from loss. This may provide an additional level of security to the potential Purchaser.

4. Structured Settlements are issued in U.S. dollars. Foreign Purchasers should consider the impact of exchange rates and U.S. withholding taxes on any potential investment.

5. A Structured Settlement may be less liquid than other investment options. The court order assigns the payment rights directly to the Purchaser or designee, and any future assignments may require an additional court order. There is no established secondary market for the resale of Structured Settlements and hence, Purchasers should be prepared to hold the Structured Settlements for the entire term.

6. In evaluating Structured Settlement payment rights, Purchasers should review the structure of, and support for, the payment rights. For example, some Structured Settlement payment rights a re guaranteed by the related insurance company.

7. The Structured Settlement payment rights purchased may be all of the payments due to a Plaintiff or only a portion of the payment rights. Because the court will only approve a transaction that is in the best interests of the Plaintiff, in many instances, only a portion of the payments can be purchased since the purchase price for these limited payments will meet all of the Plaintiff's current needs. Because most state guaranty funds have dollar limits on the amount that they can be obligated to pay in respect to annuities and life insurance policies issued by insolvent insurance companies, Purchasers should be cognizant of the size of the underlying annuity that supports the Structured Settlement relative to those limits.

8. There are tax considerations applicable to purchasing, collecting, holding and selling Structured Settlements. Please note that Section 104 of the Internal Revenue Code, which exemp ts Structured Settlement payments being made to an injured person pursuant to a settlement, is not applicable to

Secondary market purchasers. Hence, the receipt of Structured Settlement payments are generally taxable to a secondary market purchaser. Purchasers should consult their own tax advisor as to the tax considerations that would be applicable prior to purchasing any Structured Settlements.

Risk Mitigation of Purchasing from Annuitant

The purchasers return on the investment is based entirely on timely receipt of payments outlined in the court order which assigns the rights to those payments to the Purchaser. The risk associated with receipt of those payments is mitigated by the historical performance of the asset, as well as the various guarantees that may apply.

1. In most cases, the seller has already been receiving payments related to the original Structured Settlement. This indicates that the insurance c ompany has accepted that obligation, and has established a pattern of making timely payments.

2. Annuities are typically secured through a process of matching assets, meaning that the insurance entities typically invest the original principal received from the defendant or assignment company into investments which offset the obligation.

3. The annuity companies have historically performed as agreed.

4. The Court Order process establishes the rights of the purchaser related to receipt of the payments, as well as the completion of a process that includes the acceptance and acknowledgement of the specific insurance entity.

5. Annuities are "Claims Paying" obligations, and they supersede other creditors in the unlikely event of default or liquidation.

6. The underlying rating of the insurance entity is available. Structured Settlements where the underlying annuity is from a company with an S&P rating of A- or better are normally very safe investments.

7. The insurance entities typically have large parent companies, with a significant asset base.

8. Finally, each state provides a limited guarantee fund to support the obligations of the entities within that state.

The ownership of some Structured Settlements represents a direct investment in an annuity contract. In some states, this provides the sophisticated Purchaser an opportunity to shield assets from creditors since annuities and/or the cash proceeds thereof can be exempt in whole or in part from creditor claims. The laws differ by state, and Purchasers should thoroughly research how this applies to their situation and consult with their own legal counsel.

Fixed Rate Annuity Backed Structured Settlements are not typically offered directly to the general public, except in connection with the settlement of lawsuits and certain other limited circumstances. Therefore, they provide a limited opportu nity to sophisticated and cautious purchasers to secure safe fixed returns at superior rates of interest.

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Structured Settlements - Get your Cash Now!

Sometimes when a plaintiff settles a case for a large sum of money, the defendant, the plaintiff's attorney, or a financial planner consulted in association with the settlement, will propose paying the settlement in installments over time rather than in a single lump sum. When a settlement is paid in this manner it is called a "structured settlement". Often the structured settlement will be created through the purchase of one or more annuities, which guarantee the future payments.

A structured settlement can provide for payment in pretty much any schedule the parties choose. For example, the settlement may be paid in annual installments over a number of years, or it may be paid in periodic lump sums every few years.

Potential Disadvantages of Structured Settlements

Some people who enter into structured settlements feel trapped by the periodic payments. They may wish to purchase a new home, or other expensive item, yet be unable to muster the resources because they can't borrow against future payments under their settlement.

Some people will do better by accepting a lump sum settlement, and investing it themselves. Many standard investments will give a greater long-term return than the annuities used in structured settlements.

Selling a Structured Settlement

If you have a structured settlement, you may have been approached by a company interested in purchasing your settlement, or may be curious about selling your settlement in return for a lump sum buyout. About two thirds of states have enacted laws which restict the sale of structured settlements, and tax-free structured settlements are also subject to federal restrictions on their sale to a third party. Also, some insurance companies will not assign or transfer annuities to third parties, to discourage the sale of structured settlements. As a consequence, depending upon where you live and the terms of your annuities, it may not be possible for you to sell your settlement.

Keep in mind that companies which buy structured settlements intend to profit from their purchase, and sometimes their offers may seem quite low. You may benefit from approaching more than one company in relation to the sale of your settlement, to make sure that you obtain the highest payoff. You also want to be sure that the company which wants to buy your settlement is established, well-funded, and reputable - you don't want a fly-by-night outfit to obtain the rights to your annuities but to disappear or go bankrupt before paying you the buyout money. You may have to go to court to get a judge to approve the buyout. It is usually a good idea to consult with a lawyer before entering into an agreement to sell your settlement.

Special Considerations

Any person entering into a structured settlement should be on guard for potential exploitation in relation to the settlement:

Excessive Commissions - Annuities can be highly profitable for insurance companies, and they often carry very large commissions. It is important to ensure that the commissions charged in setting up a structured settlement don't consume an inappropriate percentage of its principal.

Overstated Value - Sometimes, after negotiating a particular settlement figure, the defense will overstate the value of a structured settlement. As a result the plaintiff, in accepting the settlement, in fact obtains a significantly lower dollar value than was agreed upon. Some defendants have nominally paid the full amount of the settlement, knowing that they would later obtain significant rebates from the annuity companies they used. Plaintiffs should consider compariing the fees and commissions charged for similar settlement packages by a variety of insurance companies, to make sure that they are in fact getting full value. A plaintiff may wish to make it a condition of the settlement that the defendant will actually pay the full value of the settlement in setting up the structured settlement, and that any rebates received by the defendant for annuities included in the settlement be payable to the plaintiff.

Self-Dealing - There have been cases where the plaintiff's lawyer is also in the insurance business, and sets up a structured settlement on behalf of a client without disclosing that the attorney is purchasing the annuities from his own business, or is pocketing a large commission on the annuities. Similarly, there have been situations where the plaintiff's attorney has referred the client to a particular financial planner to set up a structured settlement, without disclosing that the financial planner will be paying the attorney a referral fee in relation to the client's account. Make sure that you know what financial interest, if any, your lawyer has in relation to any financial services sold or recommended by the lawyer.

Life Expectancy - It is unfortunate, but many people who receive large personal injury or workers' compensation settlements will have a shortened life expectancy as a result of their injuries. It is important to consider life expectancy in association with any structured settlement, and to consider whether it is appropriate to enter into an annuity where payments will cease upon death. Sometimes it will make sense to insist upon an annuity that pays a minimum number of payments, or one that will pay a balance into the plaintiff's estate, such that the value of the settlement is not lost to an insurance company upon the plaintiff's untimely death.

Using Multiple Insurance Companies - For larger settlements, it often makes sense to purchase annuities for a structured settlement from several different companies, dividing the settlement between those companies. This can provide you with protection in the event that a company that issued annuities for your settlement package goes into bankruptcy - even in the event that one of the companies defaults in part or in full on your settlement payments, you would still receive full payment from the other companies.

Additional Resources



Selling Your Structured Settlement - The costs and benefits of selling a structured settlement.

Cash Payment For Your Structured Settlement - What should you consider before selling your structured settlement?

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Buying Texas Health Insurance

Having health insurance in Texas is crucial to keeping your health intact. There are plenty of places that have health insurance in Texas. Most of them are competitive, because they have affordable prices. So basically, you have your pick of the small when searching for a health insurance plot. If you are one of those people that don't have a clue as to how you should go about looking for an affordable health plot, this article will clarify how to go about it.

Health insurance quotes

With the emergence of the internet, it is much simpler to find what you're looking for in health insurance coverage. Just use one of the major search engines and plug in where you live along with the words "health insurance quotes". With some health insurance plans in Texas, they are connected with certain hospitals, depending on where you live. It's a excellent thought to have health insurance where you can go to a medical facility that is close to your home.

There will probably be many entries for you to choose from. Look through the ones that you reckon best fit you and go over what they have. Look for those that are affordably priced and have the options that you want. There are some of them that don't cover certain options, such as testing and related items. You need to know what options are available with the plot you've selected. You want your health insurance in Texas to cover the things you need.

You can always consult with the health insurance provider to make sure that you have the right options for your health insurance. Then you may not need extras with your health insurance. It all depends on what you need. Some people with health insurance in Texas need more; on the other hand some people need less. It all depends on the needs of the policyholder and their family. The need to have health insurance in Texas is very crucial; without it you and your family could suffer a fantastic disservice.

If you are looking for dental insurance, that will probably be separate from regular health insurance. In addition to that, vision insurance may be on a separate platform. Question the health insurance provider for quotes before you make your final choice on health insurance in Texas. Also, question the health insurance provider about making arrangements for flexible payment plans. It's vital for you to know your payment schedule before you start giving them money.

Just like with health insurance anywhere else, you have to make sure that you can afford the payments. You don't want to skip on a payment and then be cancelled. You should customize your health insurance so that you won't have distress paying on it each month. Having health insurance in Texas is crucial in order for you to stay healthy.

Even though you may be bogged down with looking for health insurance in Texas, it has still become simpler to get, especially with the internet. the internet has made it possible to research further and get the best deal for you and your family.

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cheap health insurance policy

The right kind of health insurance quote can help you to purchase a cheap health insurance policy for you as well as your family members. Research is the main activity that you have to undertake to avail a perfect health insurance policy

With so many health insurance providers in the market, searching for the best health insurance plan can be tricky and complicated. It has become a daunting experience for an average individual. Even health insurance policies available in the work place has become complex.

Many people think that when health insurances are offered by an employer, the health insurance is no longer complicated. But it is not the case. There are deductibles, doctors to choose and plans to take into consideration. Again, if you are a self-employed, choosing the right health insurance can cause you a headache. You may find yourself lots in the sea of information and insurance providers. All these problems can be sorted out just by getting he alth insurance quotes from the insurance companies and going through the fine prints of the document. Thus later on purchase a cheap health insurance policy.

There are two types of cheap health insurance policies that you can choose from:

They are: HMOs or Health Maintenance Organizations with a range of pre-listed doctors and specialists and also specific type of health insurance plan. PPOs or Preferred Provider Organizations; here you are free to choose the doctors of your choice. Even you can choose the type of insurance cover that you might want.

Your cheap health insurance policy will give you covers for: Routine Check ups, emergency treatments, surgeries, lab fees, X-rays etc. All you need to do is to pay a certain sum of money as premium and the insurance company will provide cover for these things.

To avail a cheap health insurance policy, you are required to do an extensive study of the insurance market and get free quotes from them. With free health insurance quotes gathered from different companies, you can easily choose a cheap health insurance policy. You need to compare various quotes and observe the pros and cons of different cheap health insurance policies as have been provided by different providers. And when a particular cheap health insurance policy meets your expectations, buy that policy at that instant. You can even do this research for an ideal cheap health insurance policy by the online method. What you need to do is to browse through the pages of different websites and accumulate health insurance quotes; after this you can buy a cheap health insurance policy and that too online.

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big boosts in premiums for health insurance

Two of the region's three dominant health insurers intend to raise premiums on average by double digits for next year, and the third wants a double-digit increase for plans not structured as health maintenance organizations.

The premium for one insurance plan could rise almost 36 percent.

The insurers cite rising costs of medical care and federal health care reforms.

The question is whether the state will let them.

Under a new state law, health insurers must submit their premiums to the state Insurance Department for approval before they take effect.

The state can reject or modify the increases if regulators feel they are not appropriate or justified.

The law also means insurers must disclose their rate plans much earlier than in past years.

Reaction from consumers and small businesses has been swift.

"There's no question that there's frustration and anger," said Howard N. Silverstein, president and CEO of Choice Employee Benefits Group LLC, an insurance agency. "Everybody I've talked to cannot believe that some of the rate increases are as high as they are."

Joe Milazzo, owner of Milazzo Renovations in Lancaster, already was paying $1,200 a month for individual coverage from Independent Health Association when he got a notice of an increase of roughly 15 percent.

"It's craziness," he said. "It's getting to the point where health insurance payments are more than the mortgage payment."

So he went to the Amherst Chamber of Commerce's insurance broker and got almost the exact same plan from BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York for $1,351.72 -- but every three months, because he is now in a group plan.

"We're talking a lot of money in savings, for virtually the same plan. I still don't believe it," he said.

'Entire industry changing'

In response, employers are expected to cut back on benefits and ratchet up the amount that employees and their families pay to share in the costs -- through higher deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.

"Our clients ... have come to expect double digit increases the past few years," said Colleen C. DiPirro, president and CEO of the Amherst Chamber, which helps small businesses get health insurance. "However, it doesn't make it any easier for them to absorb the costs."

"At the end of the day, I think the entire industry is changing and people are going to become more acclimated to paying more out of pocket and utilizing health insurance for major claims to keep them from financial ruin as a result of a health issue," she said. "That is the only way we can insure the masses."

The average requested increase across the board for BlueCross Blue-

Shield was 13 percent, according to information filed with the state Insurance Department, but the increases range from 3.9 percent on one HMO to 28 percent.

Increases would range from less than 10 percent for 30 percent of members to 10 percent to 15 percent for 45 percent, and more than 15 percent for more than 22 percent of those covered.

Independent Health's rates would rise 10 percent overall, but the increases would range from 7.4 percent on an HMO to 35.8 percent for its small-group high-deductible health plan, where the deductible is not changing. For 1 percent of the company's small group subscribers, increases would exceed 21 percent.

Univera Healthcare wants to raise rates by 5.4 percent for its Transitions, direct-pay HMO and point-of-sale plan, and 11 percent for all of its other products.

The insurers noted that the premiums and estimated ranges apply only to their base policies, before taking into account individual "riders" that modify coverage for group plans. Also, they are not final until approved.

Independent Health submitted a 1,200-page rate filing July 29, one of the first to do so, and responded to questions once with another 600 pages.

"It's a ridiculous process," said Dr. Michael Cropp, the insurer's CEO.

Univera spokesman Peter Kates said the company submitted its information in August but has not heard back from the state.

Comments reveal rage

HealthNow, the parent of BlueCross BlueShield, filed rates Sept. 1 and has talked to state regulators. But "we don't have any insights" about how the state will rule, said Stephen T. Swift, the insurer's chief financial officer.

"They're very, very stretched," Swift said. "I'm optimistic the state will approve these rates as filed, but I can't say we have any indication."

Comments from the public to the state Insurance Department are being posted, with names blacked out, on the department's Web site.

"This is preposterous!!!!" wrote a woman who co-owns a business with her husband. Independent Health had notified them of an 11.8 percent increase. "Who on earth can afford this? ... The cost of health insurance now is an almost unmanageable burden. This new increase would put us out of business."

"In these economic times to propose an average 14 percent increase in health care is absurd," wrote another person who appears to be an insurance agent. "I am not looking forward to meeting my clients and trying to explain these incredible increases while their expenses rise and wages fall."

"I am writing to express my disgust," wrote another small business owner, who claimed to have received notice of a 37 percent rate increase.

A dental health care professional wrote: "I wish my income increased as much as my health insurance premiums have."

As they do each year, the insurers defended their increases as necessary to account for the ever-increasing costs of providing care for their members. Companies routinely cite the high costs of and growing consumer demand for new diagnostic technology and hospital treatments, such as colonoscopies, heart surgeries, radiation and chemotherapies, and intensive services for patients during emergency room visits.

They also point to the high cost and use of sophisticated drugs, especially brand-name and specialty prescription drugs or injectable medications for some of the most serious medical conditions.

"Each year, medical inflation and a continuing increase in the use of medical goods and services combine to drive health care costs higher," Univera wrote in its own letter. "To cover these increasing costs, we must modify premium rates."

Consolidation among providers also has reduced competition to some degree, allowing prices to creep up. And the local insurers are quick to note that their administrative costs are much lower than the national average and especially for-profit health plans.

"Obviously our push is to drive those rates as low as possible," HealthNow's Swift said. "We know our customers' concerns as far as affordability and access."

But they also have treaded in waters that even the White House has deemed inappropriate, by blaming the federal health care reforms. Obama administration officials have warned the industry and its national trade group not to justify rate hikes by citing the reforms.

Notices called "deficient'

So far, requirements for full coverage of preventive care with no co-pays on screenings, the elimination of annual and lifetime limits and coverage for young adult dependents up to age 26 are the only reform provisions that have taken effect.

"Independent Health has evaluated the cost of our members' health services and benefit changes, including those mandated in conjunction with health care reform," the carrier wrote in a letter to small employer groups. "As such, we have determined that we must adjust our premiums for 2011."

Late last month, after the due date for the filings, the Insurance Department issued a statement criticizing many of these notices to employers as "deficient, if not misleading, and in violation of the new prior approval law." That law was designed to allow insured consumers an opportunity to understand any rate increase and to comment or ask questions about it.

"These type of misleading notices have the effect of confusing members and masking the underlying reasons that a rate adjustment is being requested," the Insurance Department wrote in its letter to insurance companies, directing them to provide consumers and employers with details.

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Health Insurance Quotes Reform Weekly January

Federal

Althoughthe House vote to repeal health care reform is symbolic only (given the Democratic Senate and White House), it is a necessary first step leading to committee by committee action over the coming months on discrete provisions of health care.One such item, medical malpractice liability reform, got a hearing last week before the House Judiciary Committee as Republicans paraded several witnesses before the committee to showcase the need for legislation from the physicians' perspective.Since it is very unlikely that the American Medical Association's wish list would ever become law, the best result from the committee process would be a bill that skirts the more controversial items (e.g., cap on damages) and focuses on attainable and meaningful reforms, such as health courts, stronger pre-trial evaluation and settlement pathways. This would be a path Aetna would strongly support.

States

ARIZONA: Governor Jan Brewerhas announcedthat she will request a waiver from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services so that the state can setArizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) eligibility below levels mandated by thePPACA. In March 2010, GovernorBrewer signed a fiscal year 2011budgetthat stripped funding for the state's Children's Health Insuranceprogram (KidsCare) and cut $385 million from AHCCCS, effectively repealing an expansion of AHCCCS to childless adults approved by voters in 2000. However, following enactment of thePPACA, the state rescinded the scheduled cuts to comply with thelaw's "maintenance of efforts" (MOE) requirement. The MOE requirement prohibits a state from having eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures for adults that are more restrictive than those in effect on March 23, 2010, until a health insurance exchange in the state is fully operational, and for all children in Me dicaid and CHIP through September 30, 2019. The MOE requirement provides an exception for non-pregnant, non-disabled adults earning more than 133 percent ofthe federal poverty level if a state is projected to have a budget deficit. Arizona faces a mid-year budget deficit estimated at $825 million. A $1.4 billion shortfall is projected for the 2012 fiscal year.

CALIFORNIA: The U.S. Supreme Courthas agreed to review whether health care providers and patients have the right to sue California over budget reductions made to Medi-Cal reimbursements. The high court will review three legal challenges to California'sproposed and adopted reimbursement cuts. The Supreme Court's ruling on the case could have major implications for efforts to address California's budget deficit. Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) released a budget proposal that would reduce Medi-Cal payments to health care providers by 10 percentto cut program spending by about $719 million in fiscal year 2011-2012. In addition, the case could have implications for other states seeking to address budget deficits by cutting Medicaid payments.With federal courts in California blocking the cuts, 22 states have joined California in appealing the issue to the Supreme Court. The court is expected to hear oral arguments in the case next fall. A decis ion is expected in late 2011 or early 2012.

CONNECTICUT: SpeakerChris Donovan, members of the Public Health and Insurance Committees and a variety of advocates held a press conferencelast week to announce the Public Health Committeehas raised the SustiNet bill based on the recent recommendations of the SustiNet Board. Few details were provided, but the original reportrecommends that SustiNet become a licensed insurance plan."We don't need health insurance anymore, we need to move towards health assurance � health care that will be there for us, and the SustiNet plan will do that," Donovan said. Lawmakers will face a $3.7 billionbudget deficit by July 1. Rep. Betsy Ritter, D-Waterford, co-chairwoman of the Public Health Committee, said the plan will have to go before multiple legislative committees, with the actual bill some weeks away. Afinancial analysison upfront costs is not yet available. Aetna is working withthe Connecticut Associationof Health Plans (CTAHP) and AHIP to secure an objective fiscal analysis ofSustiNet's, as a public option,true cost to the state, andof thestrong, positive impact health insurers have on the state's economy.

DELAWARE: In his State of the State speech, GovernorJack Markell emphasized the need for state government to spend more efficiently. He specifically notedthat the demandsstate employee health insurance and pensionsare putting on the state budgetareunsustainable. The Governor specifically stated he is open to any and all good ideas for addressing this budgetissue.In other news, a joint meeting of the Senate Health Committee and the House Economic Development, Banking, Insurance, and Commerce Committee was convenedfor an update on the state's effort to implement health care reform.Rita Landgraf, Secretary of Health and Social Services, along with Bettina Riveros, Health Care Commission Chair, advised legislators the commission will spend the nextsix toeight weeks holding stakeholder meetings across the state seeking input on establishing a statehealth insurance exchange.

GEORGIA:The Exchange Workgroup formed by former Governor Sonny Perduehad its final meetinglast week andwill submit a list of issues for Governor Deal's administration to reviewbefore deciding how to proceed on the issue of instituting an exchange in Georgia. As the head of this workgroup for Governor Perdue is continuing under Governor Deal's administration, it is likely that there will be some enabling legislation during the 2011 session, though it is unclear what that will be.The legislative session began January 11, 2011 and continues for 40 legislative days.

IOWA: The General Assembly convened in Des Moines on January 10 and is expected to adjourn on April 29, 2011In the November elections, Republicans took control of the House and gained a few seats in the Senate, narrowing the Democrats' majority there.Republican Terry Branstad was sworn in as governor for the second time. Having served in the post from 1983 to 1999, Branstad is the longest-serving governor in Iowa's history.The state's budget deficit is projected to bemore than$785 million for fiscal year 2012 and will dominate legislative discussions.House Speaker Kraig Paulsen has vowed to remedy the deficit through spending cuts rather than tax increases.The Governor's proposal to revise the state's annual budget to a two-year cycle will also be debated. Bills of interest so far include several challenging PPACA's individual mandate,a prohibition on abortion coverage, creation of mandate-lite policies, a mandate for cov erageof smoking cessation programs, aratereview billthat would requirea public hearing for any increase over10 percent in the individual market, and a bill establishing $100 as the minimum required payment for state employees.

INDIANA: Governor Mitch Danielshas issued anexecutiveorder establishing the Indiana Health Benefit Exchange.In his order he directs the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (IFSSA) to cooperate with appropriate state agencies, including the Department of Insurance (IDOI), to establish and operate theexchange.The IFSSA Secretary or the secretary's designee will serve as the incorporator of the Exchange. If, after careful analysis, the state deems it appropriate to proceed with creation of theexchange,a board of directors will be selected.The board will include representatives of state agencies and the Indiana General Assembly.Standing Committees will be appointedthat have stakeholder representation. In addition,Governor Danielssubmitted aletterto HHS SecretaryKathleen Sebelius requesting approval of a state plan amendment to extend theHealthy Indiana Program (HIP) beyond its expiration date. HIP, the state's consumer-directed program for covering the uninsured population, is scheduled to expire in 2012.Daniels notes he has received communication from HHS staff indicating the state plan amendment will be rejected due to HIP's required level ofcontribution from participants.The Governorsaid the stateintends to utilize the program for the newly eligible Medicaid population pursuant toPPACA. Daniels cautionedthat Indiana does not have the time and financial resources necessary to complete new rigorous requirements for applying for a waiver extension if the amendment is rejected. The current 45,000 enrollees in the program would have to be transitioned into traditional Medicaid.

MISSOURI: The 96th General Assembly convened on January 5 and is expected to adjourn on May 30, 2011.With 106 members to the Democrats' 57, the GOP has the largest number of seats it has ever held in the House andis just three members short of being veto-proof. Given the large Republican majorities in the General Assembly and 70 percent voter support for Proposition C-- an effort to turnback healthcare reform, the legislaturewill be under pressure to do nothing to move Missouri closer to enactment of federal health reform.

Significant health care bills filed this session include aresolution calling on the Attorney General to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of thePPACA, a bill requiring statutory authorization by the General Assembly to implement PPACA, a bill expanding the autism mandate,an MLR bill for largecarriers requiring a 90 percent MLR for Missouri-associated revenues and 85 percent for smaller carriers,a bill requiring the state employeehealth plan tooffer a minimum of three high-deductibleoptions with differing annual deductibles and annual out-of-pocket expenses, a bill prohibiting "Most Favored Nation" clauses, legislation creating transparency and publication of carriers'fee schedules andrequiringcarriersto contract with providers willing to meet certain provider participation terms and conditions,and creation of a uniform group application for insurance.

NEBRASKA: The 102nd unicameral legislature has convened in Lincoln where it is expected to spend much of the session grappling with a budget deficit approaching $985 million for the 2011-2013 biennium. Implementation of thePPACA is expected to receive serious attention as well, with six bills relating to implementation or rejection ofPPACA introduced to date.Bills of interest include legislation creating an Exchange Task Force, aninterimcommittee for PPACAstudy,and severalbills challenging the individual mandate, prohibition of abortion coverage, and a cochlear implant mandate.In addition, abill banning discretionary clauses in health and disability income insurance contracts has been introduced. The legislature began its work on January 6 and is tentatively scheduled to adjourn on May 26, 2011.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: The legislature convened on January 5, 2011, andis scheduled toadjourn on June 30, 2011.Governor John Lynch willcontinue as the state Executive; however,Republicanshave gainedcontrol of both chambers in the legislature.In addition to the state's budget deficit, implementation of federal health care reform will continue to be a priority for the governor and the legislature.Given the Republican majority and anticipated revenue shortfalls, there will be limited, if any, activity on health insurance issues. The legislature will, however, be paying close attention to federal health reform implementation issues and activities.In addition, there have been discussionsabout eliminating certain state mandates ifthey are not included in the essential benefits required under thePPACA. In 2010, the state enacted legislationgranting certain powers to the commissioner with respect to implementation ofPPAC A. This legislation also created a legislative oversight committee, to which the Department of Insurance (DOI) must report monthly.This month the DOI submitted a request for a waiver of the 80 percent minimum loss ratio (MLR) requirement for individual health insurance market policies until 2014.

NEW YORK: In a new report, the United Hospital Fund (UHF) looks at how New York might set up health insurance exchanges. One option is to letHHS runthe state's exchange, While that could save money, it wouldalso mean ceding key operational and regulatory issues to the feds. It might also jeopardize existing consumer protections in Medicaid that are unique to New York. If the state sets up its own exchange, it must decide whether to join a multi-state exchange, a statewide entity, or small local ones. UHF noted that New York might consider following the leads of Massachusetts and Californiaby creating an independent public authority to run an exchange. Former GovernorDavid Paterson created a 35-member Exchange Committee that met only twice anddid not make any recommendations. GovernorAndrew Cuomo has not indicatedhis plansfor establishing aninsurance exchange in New York.< /p>

PENNSYLVANIA: Governor Tom Corbetthas announced his intention to nominate Michael Consedine as the next Insurance Commissioner. Consedine is a partner at the law firm of Saul Ewing, where he serves as Vice Chair of its Insurance Practice Group. Prior to joining Saul Ewing12 years ago, Consedine served asstate Insurance Department Counsel.

The Corbett transition teamhas announcedthat adultBasic, Pennsylvania's health insurance program for low-income adults, is expected to expire on February 28 due to lack of funding. The announcement, unusualin thatit comes from an incoming administration, was necessitated by the need to provide advance notice to enrollees and to inform them of alternative coverage options. Originally started by former Governor Tom Ridge and funded through the state's allocation of Tobacco Settlement dollars, the program was later funded through the 2005 Community Health Reinvestment Agreement (CHRA). While that agreement between the Rendell Administration and the state's four Blue Cross plans expired on Dec. 31, 2010, additional funding was later provided by the plans pursuant to the CHRA's formula. It now appears those additional funds will be exhausted by the end of next month.

TENNESSEE: A new Commissioner of Insurance appointed by Governor Bill Haslam took officelast week.Julie McPeak is an attorney at the Nashville firm of Burr and Forman and the former Commissioner of Insurance in Kentucky.Aetna is scheduling a meeting with the new Commissioner within the nextseveral weeks.

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May Health Insurance Reform Weekly Easy To Insure ME

A weekly compilation from Aetna of health care-related developments in Washington, D.C. and state legislatures across the country. EasyToInsureME has the answers.

Week of April 25, 2011

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it had rejected a request from the state of Virginia to fast-track its challenge of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which was signed into law in March 2010. The Court did not disclose the reasons behind its decision. Since the 4th and 11th Circuits will be hearing arguments in the next two months on the constitutionality of the individual mandate, it is much more likely that once these two Circuits have spoken the Supreme Court will be more inclined to resolve the matter with some finality.

While the lawsuits filed by a number of states march on through the normal appeals process, some of the states are taking the unusual step of turning down money available to help fund implementation of the law. Oklahoma, for one , has turned down $54.6 million in demonstration grants to distance itself from the law. But Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter upped the ante last week when he issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies from implementing any aspect of the health reform law and from accepting federal funds tied to implementation of the law. While some question whether such outright defiance of the law would hold up as constitutional, the situation underscores the bitterness felt by some state leaders toward the law. In some cases, implementation can be expected to move at a snail's pace, if at all, until the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on the issue.

Federal

With Congress on recess last week, there is no Federal report for this week.

States

ARIZONA: The legislature adjourned last week after a contentious and partisan session. Governor Jan Brewer has until May 2, to sign or veto legislation, but the final status on several bills affecting h ealth insurers and their customers is already known:

A bill that would have established the Arizona Health Exchange, governed by a board of directors that included insurer representation, was voted out of committee but did not make it out of the House. The legislation was based on the NAIC model.
A bill that would have required health insurers to provide a written claims information report within 30 days of receiving a request from a plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator was passed in both chambers but died when a required conference committee failed to consider the matter prior to adjournment.
A bill that would have established the procedural mechanisms for an interstate compact to work with other states to avoid implementing provisions of the ACA was passed by both chambers but was vetoed by Governor Jan Brewer.
A bill that would have prohibited contracts from requiring providers to assume the cost of acquiring vaccines and would have mand ated reimbursement of providers for vaccine acquisition costs and administration was scrapped. Health insurers committed to meeting with the Arizona Academy of Pediatrics to reach a resolution without legislation.

In other matters, the Department of Insurance announced that it will hold a series of community meetings around the state to provide information about health insurance premiums in the individual and small group markets.

CALIFORNIA: Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law last week that eases administrative and cost burdens on employers and individuals, come tax time, by conforming to federal rules relating to the taxation of dependent coverage. As a result, employers and their employees will not have to deal with the complications of complying with differing tax rules. Aetna joined a diverse coalition of business, labor, and other groups in helping to focus attention on the need for this legislation. Also, the California Health Benefits Ex change board met for the first time last week, a step toward implementing the first reform-prompted insurance exchange in the nation. The Board spent most of it time on administrative decisions and announced the appointment of interim administrative director, Pat Powers, who is now president of the nonprofit Center for Health Improvement.

In other news, Aetna is seeking amendments to a bill that would direct state regulators to develop a single prior authorization form to be used by providers and plans in seeking authorization for prescriptions. The bill already has been amended to reflect some the industries' concerns. But other issues remain to be resolved, including the timeframe that plans would be allotted to approve prior authorization requests. Aetna and others are seeking more flexibility on that issue and want to ensure the legislation does not conflict with what CMS or other national workgroups are developing. The bill passed the Senate Health committee last week.

CONNECTICUT: The Governor and legislative leadership announced a budget deal last week that does not include a proposed premium tax increase. A premium tax increase (from 1.75 percent to 1.95 percent) was designed to raise $25 million for the state but would have triggered retaliatory taxes for Connecticut-domiciled insurers, including Aetna, sending approximately $49 million to other states. A coalition that included Aetna, the state trade association, property/casualty insurers and life insurers was able to convince state leaders that lowering tax credits (until 2013) to drive about $25 million in new revenue was a better id.

The administration and Democratic legislative leaders also announced an agreement on the proposed SustiNet state-run health plan. This agreement combines aspects of the SustiNet bill with the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership bill. The new deal calls for opening the state employee health plan to municipalities and som e non-profits but not to the public. The agreement also would establish a "SustiNet cabinet" advisory panel within the lieutenant governor's office to oversee health reform efforts in the state. The agreement does not call for the state to combine the Medicaid and state employee and retiree health plans into a large pool (as the current SustiNet proposal would). Legislative language for the new proposal is still being developed, but it is clear the bill will not include the SustiNet quasi-public authority or a public option.

In the next fiscal year, municipalities would be allowed to buy coverage through the state employee and retiree plan, under the new agreement. Non-profits that have contracts with the state could buy in beginning the following fiscal year. The agreement does not include allowing small businesses to buy coverage through the state employee plan. Whether the state health plan is ultimately expanded further will depend how the initial round of poo ling goes and whether expansion is considered necessary once federal health reform rolls out. As part of health reform, the state plans to establish an insurance exchange by 2014.

GEORGIA: America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) will be submitting a letter to Governor Nathan Deal urging him to veto prompt-pay legislation that would apply insurer claims-payment standards to self-funded plans. Also passed and awaiting the Governor's signature is a bill that would allow for sale of coverage across state lines.

MAINE: A revised state supplemental budget that covers a $65 million gap between revenues and spending is now law. Last week Gov. Paul LePage signed the bill, which had unanimous, bipartisan support. Most of the $65 million gap resulted from cost overruns in the state Department of Health and Human Services. The supplemental budget appropriated unspent funds from various state agencies to fill the gap. The budget addresses spending in fiscal 2011, wh ich ends June 30. A two-year budget starting July 1 is still being deliberated.

NEW YORK: Less than one week after the Cuomo administration held a meeting to gather input on a health insurance exchange, Senate Republicans will hold their own open Roundtable on Exchanges this week to gather similar input. The roundtable discussion will be chaired by Senate Insurance Committee Chair Jim Seward and Senate Health Committee Chair Kemp Hannon. Although only trade associations were invited to participate, the meeting will be open to observers. At the administration's first exchange meeting, the consumer lobby made it clear that they support an exchange that is either a government agency or public authority that is an active purchaser. The NYS Association of Health Underwriters advocated for a merger of the individual and small group markets combined with an expanded definition of small groups up to 100. Some small businesses, however, spoke against such a merger. The Bus iness Council of NYS made the point that an exchange with all of New York's mandated benefits, aggressive purchasing and extensive consumer components may not be sustainable. There was no discussion of financing. It is anticipated that future meetings and public hearings will be scheduled by the Cuomo administration to solicit public input.

Citizen Action of New York is pushing for a health insurance exchange that is exactly opposite of the market-based model advocated earlier this month by the Manhattan Institute. The consumer group said in a statement last week that some of the recommendations of the pro-business Manhattan Institute "would undermine the rights of consumers." Citizen Action's research and education affiliate, Public Policy and Education Fund of New York, recommends one statewide exchange that functions as an independent authority and coordinates its enforcement efforts with the state Insurance Department and the attorney general. Citizen Action a lso wants heavy consumer representation on the governing board and a significant increase in penalties for violations of the new federal law.

TEXAS: The House passed a bill that would allow the state to enter into a health care "compact" with like-minded states. The bill, passed on a party line 102-46 vote, is a grab for some of the control over health care currently held by the federal government. Lawmakers in several other states are considering similar initiatives. The bill would require at least one state partner and approval from Congress before it could go into effect. Proponents say the bill would help Texas stretch its health dollars further and better deal with spiraling costs. Critics say it would remove a key federal safety net and cut back on already strapped programs for the the poor and elderly. The legislation faces a final procedural vote before moving to the Senate.

WASHINGTON: The Governor is expected to sign legislation establishing a state health insurance exchange as a non-profit, public private partnership with a governing board consisting of nine members. The bipartisan legislation directs the board, in consultation with the Washington State Health Care Authority, to develop a range of recommendations for establishing/implementing the exchange using stakeholder input and recognizing the need for a private market outside of the exchange. The board's recommendations would need to be ratified by the legislature during the 2012 legislative session.

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