TRAVEL Insurance

The Q3 of 2011 witnessed 19.38m. Chinese tourists heading for destinations outside the nation

2011-12-19T05:21:00.000-08:00

After thorough study and analysis of statistic data on Chinese outbound tourists in the third quarter of 2011, as well as the data of actual reservation and transaction through ctrip.com, experts from China Tourism Academy, a professional research institution directly under the National Tourism Administration, and ctrip.com, a leading comprehensive tourism service company in China, have jointly worked out the ranking for the Top Ten Most Visited Destinations, the Top Ten Most Popular Outbound Tour Islands, the Top Ten Most Popular Self-guided Tour Destinations, the Top Ten Most Popular Outbound Tour Cities, the Top Ten Destinations of Travel Insurance Chosen by Tourists, and the Top Ten Popular Airline Companies. Besides, an in-depth insight into what’s behind the ranking is also offered by these experts.

Booming market demands and proliferating outbound tourists. In spite of the frequent occurrence of various disasters and unexpected accidents throughout the whole year in the world, Chinese outbound tour market still showed a vigorous growth as pushed by the strong demands of people in the nation. The third quarter of 2011 witnessed 19.38 million Chinese tourists heading for destinations outside the nation, a 26% year-on-year increase. To put it more specifically, the growth rate for destinations within Asia stays at 28%, America 31%, Europe 25%, Africa 15%, and others regions 72%.

Tourist flows to Japan shrunk out of unexpected accidents there, market potential further released due to relaxed visa policies. Even though Japanese government has enlarged the application scope for Chinese individual eligible to travel to Japan since July 1, and further relaxed its visa policy for Chinese individual tourists since September by abolishing the former requirements of “applicants should have occupation of certain social status and financial capability” and extending the maxima stay duration from 15 days to 30 days, A huge slump was still observed in the number of Chinese tourists heading for Japan in the third quarter. Indeed, it is a 26% drop compared with the proportion of the same period of last year. In contrast, a 27% increase was noticed in tourists heading for Korea, as stipulated by, among many other comprehensive factors, the Plan on Relaxing the Visa Criterions for Tourists from China promulgated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, which adds Visa of multiple entries in one year into the application scope. Meanwhile, mainland tourists making Taiwan their tour destinations also increased by 12% in the third quarter as a result of the implementation of related tourism polices between the straits has deepened beyond tentative stage, and more passage flights were made available for the public.

Soaring educational and waterside tours in summer break. With the arrival of summer break, USA and Hong Kong became especially hot destinations, to which Chinese parents wish their children travel for eye-opening and life-enriching experience. As a result, USA-bounded tour rose by 34% in the third quarter, and Hong Kong-bounded tour by 25%. Ctrip.com was also a big driving force behind the scene as it has successfully organized many such educational tour groups for Chinese students during the summer break. Meanwhile, a great amount of Chinese tourists were found flocking to scenic islands for a cool summer and as a response to the enhanced tourism publicity efforts from such island countries. For example, Chinese tourists to Thailand grew by over 47% in the third quarter, Malaysia 87%. It is noticed by ctrip.com from the outbound tourism cases it has assisted in during the same period that Phuket Island, Bali Island, Maldives, Chejudo Island turned out to be the ones for which visas are most easily to get. Island tours facilitated by convenient traffic are most popular in summer time.

Individual tours driven heavily by the relaxed visa policies. Individual tour, which accounted for 92% of Chinese outbound tour in the third quarter, was indisputably the significant driving force behind the swift growth. Self-guided tour, which was on an upwards trend during the recent years, is subject to successful application of visas. It is found by ctrip.com that the most popular self-guided tour destinations are those boasting low threshold for visa application or having their visa procedures simplified greatly. Starting from the third quarter of this year, many countries and regions, with Japan and Korean as exceptions, have simplified their visa requirements for Chinese tourism applicants. For example, Ireland has added China into the coverage of its Short-term Visa-free Plan. New Zealand has reformed its application procedures for tourism visa to a great extend with application document package in Chinese allowed now.

Improved service quality made outbound tour more attractive. In order to cater to the skyrocketing demands of Chinese people touring abroad, overseas countries rushed to introduce more flights to directly connect with China. For example, starting from the third quarter, the direct flights between Gimpo and Beijing were made possible by Korean Air; direct flights between Chinese domestic cities and Hawaii were operated on a regular basis. According to Plan of Spain to Attract More Chinese Tourists, various measures will be adopted for this purpose. Among others, more offices will be set across China by European tourism authorities; more travel brochures will be published in Chinese; more tourism products will be tailored out to adapt to Chinese tourists. In addition, Victoria State of Australia has announced its 10-year tourism business promotion plan aiming at China. Air France is stepping up its efforts in providing ground service, broadcast service, cabin crew service in Chinese as well as Chinese-flavored food, etc. Two hotel giants, namely Hilton and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, planed to assign a Chinese-speaking staff in many hotels under their umbrella, with teapot and slippers available in each guest room, Chinese-styled breakfast and chopsticks provided upon request.

Joint-venture travel agency started to engage in Chinese outbound tour business. The so-called “catfish effect” has been brought into play with the involvement of joint-venture travel agency in Chinese outbound tour business. JTB New Century International Tours Co., Ltd. started to organize Chinese citizens to tour abroad on August 25, with its itinerary mainly focused on six counties in northeast Japan.

The Top Ten Most Visited Destinations in the Third Quarter: Hong Kong China, Macau China, Korea, Malaysia, USA, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan China, Singapore, Russia.

The Top Ten Most Popular Outbound Tour Islands in the Third Quarter: Phuket Island, Bali Island, Maldives, Chejudo Island, Hawaii, Sabah, Okinawa, Boracay Island, Saipan Island, Mauritius.
The Top Ten Most Popular Self-guided Tour Destinations in the Third Quarter: Hong Kong, Phuket Island, Maldives, Bali Island, Singapore, Hawaii, Seoul, Tokyo, Sabah, Cambodia.

The Top Ten Most Popular Outbound Tour Cities in the Third Quarter: Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Taipei, Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, Macao, Rome.

The Top Ten Destinations of Travel Insurance Chosen by Tourists in the Third Quarter: Europe, Taiwan China, Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines, Bali Indonesia, Thailand, USA.
The Top Ten Popular Airline Companies in the Third Quarter: China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragon Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express Airways, Air China International, Asiana Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air Macau, Korean Air.

MAKE YOUR TRAVEL WORRY FREE WITH TRAVEL INSURANCE

2011-11-29T23:31:00.000-08:00

As you plan your next travel experience you should be certain not to overlook one very important detail—travel insurance. Many travelers opt to skip this step in the hopes of saving a little money. What you may not know is that insurance does not have to be expensive. In fact, this very cheap travel add-on can get you one thing that money does not always buy--peace of mind.

When you invest in a high quality policy you are guaranteeing that if the unthinkable happens and you or someone in your party experiences an accident or becomes ill, you are protected. For Australians traveling abroad, travel insurance will protect you from financial disaster should and accident or illness incur. You will also be protected in the case of property theft. The Australian government believes insurance is important enough to advise travelers to skip their trips altogether if they are not insured.

Medical situations are a particularly important consideration when determining whether or not to invest in an insurance policy. The need for insurance is not limited to international travel however, and you would do well to investigate insurance that covers inside Australia trips too.

You can select an insurance policy that covers a wide range of misfortunes including trip cancellation or interruption, medical costs, and theft of property. Policies are available in a wide range of types from insurance for the mature traveler to special insurance for backpackers. Prices will vary policy to policy but you can find cheap travel insurance. There are many reasonably priced policies available that will offer you good coverage. If you are a frequent traveler, you may determine that an annual policy is the way to go or you may be able to secure insurance through your employer.

Finding cheap insurance to cover your trip is not difficult. You need only turn to the closest computer and search for trip insurance. You will find many websites that offer comprehensive search services. You will find sites that offer information and price quotations for single companies as well as good portal sites that will provide you with price quotations for a number of companies. All you need to do is enter your information once and you’ll receive all the information you need to locate a policy that will give you the comfort of knowing that you can travel without worry.

The next time you travel do not neglect to include travel insurance in your plans. It only takes one occurrence to erase your savings and eat up your nest egg. You do not want this to happen to you. When you purchase insurance for your trip you are not only buying peace of mind you are buying protection for your family and your assets. That is one detail you definitely don’t want to over look.

Travel reminders for snowbirds

2011-09-12T01:44:00.002-07:00

With fall just around the corner, many snowbirds are itching to finalize their travel plans to warmer climes. If you count yourself among these lucky-ducks, make sure you've made the all necessary arrangements before heading to Florida, Mexico or the Caribbean.

Here's a quick checklistto help you get organized:

Tell a trusted friend or family-member about your plans and ask them to keep an eye on your place while you're away.
Secure your home and turn off the water.
Cancel the newspapers.
Forward or stop mail delivery.
Make photocopies of your travel and personal documents for yourself and the trusted friend or family-member as a precaution.
If you're driving to your destination, find out if you need supplemental car insurance.
Find out if you need to update your shots.
Let your bank and credit card company know about your travel plans to avoid any confusion or service disruption.
Most important, buy travel insurance.
While most people know that travel insurance is important, many people may not be aware that it is now a prerequisite for entering Cuba.

"Since May 1, 2010, Cuban authorities require visitors to provide proof that they can cover their own medical costs," said François Morel, a sales consultant at Desjardins Financial Security. "Subsequently, the Cuba Tourist Board advised that Canadians could present their provincial health insurance cards as proof of medical insurance. But, supplemental travel insurance is necessary because the provincial health insurance plans only offer minimum medical coverage abroad."

"Regardless of whether you're out of the country for a day or for several weeks, accidents or illnesses happen all the time and it's best to be prepared," said Morel. "Hospital stays abroad can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. So, it's best to take a few minutes to buy reliable travel insurance coverage."

Here are some things to remember when buying travel insurance:

It's convenient: It can be bought on the internet or by phone.
It's flexible: You'll find the right policy that suits your needs based on your age, health situation and trip duration.
It's reliable: Coverage provides 24/7 medical assistance support so you know you can count on someone in case of an emergency.

Understanding Your Travel Insurance Plan

2011-09-12T01:44:00.001-07:00

Those traveling anywhere around the U.S. East Coast this weekend will most likely be sitting tight as Category 3 Hurricane Irene barrels her way up the Atlantic. For those who bought travel insurance, you'll need to know what your policy covers to get the most out of your plan.

Travel insurance covers "unforeseen circumstances," or situations that arise due to sudden, unanticipated conditions or events. If you are involved in a car crash, injure yourself, lose your luggage during your trip, become ill, or are delayed and miss your connection, or, in this case, you run into a hurricane (and all the travel casualties that come with it), you'll be happy you had travel insurance.

The U.S. National Weather Service Hurricane Center is asking potential travelers with insurance to re-examine their coverage in preparation for the storm. If your trip is cancelled, cut short or you need to return home early because your home or property has suffered damage from the storm, most travel insurance policies will reimburse your claim for lost travel expenses.

Like us on Facebook

Unfortunately, travelers without insurance cannot run out and buy it today if you are traveling during the storm. In order for insurance to be valid against a hurricane or other bad weather, a policy must be purchased no later than the day before a tropical storm or hurricane is identified and named by the U.S. National Weather Service. After the storm has been recognized, it is no longer unforeseen and travelers cannot purchase insurance for it.

Even when you do have proper insurance, there are stipulations that must be met for your cancelled or interrupted trip to be covered. Most basic policies cover:

Weather causes complete cessation of common carrier services for at least 24 consecutive hours.
The traveler's primary residence is made uninhabitable by hurricane, flood or other natural disaster.
The destination accommodations are made uninhabitable by hurricane, flood or other natural disaster.
If your trip is cancelled for a covered reason, companies will refund the prepaid, forfeited, non-refundable trip costs up to the limit of coverage.

If you have purchased a more advanced plan, like Travel Insured's Worldwide Trip Protector plan and Worldwide Trip Protector Gold plan, you can receive additional trip interruption coverage if:

Mandatory evacuation is ordered by local authorities in the destination due to a natural disaster or hurricane. There must be 50 percent or less of the total trip length remaining after the evacuation ends for Trip Cancellation coverage to apply.
When the insured's arrival at the destination is delayed and causes the loss of 50 percent or more of the scheduled trip duration due to reasons covered by the Trip Delay benefit (described below).
You can receive trip delay coverage if:

A weather-caused delay of the insured's common carrier occurs for either six or more hours, or for 12 or more hours, depending upon the specific plan selected.
Your airport is closed due to severe weather or high winds.
A delay is caused by a documented traffic accident (such a flooding or a fallen tree) when the insured or his or her travel companion was en route to a departure, whether they are directly or not directly involved.
If severe weather conditions cause you to miss a connecting flight that can affect the rest of your trip or cruise, most plans have missed connection coverage. If a common carrier delay of three or more hours due to weather causes the insured traveler to miss his or her cruise or tour departure, then you will be covered. Depending on your plan, you can be reimbursed for costs to rejoin the trip as well as meal and accommodation expenses, and non-refundable payments for the unused portion of the trip or cruise.

If the storm directly affects your travel plans, you are entitled to a refund. But, if you are worried that the predicted storm path will be too close for your liking, you can choose to cancel a trip based on what you think might happen, and not what actually does. It is your choice and will not be covered by standard travel insurance.

Travelers with Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance do have the luxury of postponing or canceling a trip based on hurricane threats, warnings or general uneasiness about traveling during the storm. Those with Cancel for Any Reason insurance can cancel flights or trips even when carriers and hotels are operating normally. This may be a good insurance to purchase for uneasy travelers or those traveling with families as it covers many circumstances that regular travel insurance does not.

If you are still unsure if you will be covered this weekend, or anytime in the future, check with your specific travel insurance company for details about your trip and your policy.

If you don't have travel insurance and are a frequent traveler, consider purchasing a plan to save the most the next time "unforeseen circumstances" arise.

Why a $200 Travel Insurance Policy is Better than a $500 Policy, Advises Squaremouth

2011-09-12T01:43:00.000-07:00

The recent increase of hurricane activity has many travelers inquiring about travel insurance. The most common question is why some travel insurance plans are less expensive but offer more benefits. The answer is simple, they hit the “sweet spot.” Squaremouth.com, a site for comparing and purchasing travel insurance, explains that the situation is common among travel insurance policies and simply means someone has qualified for the best rate.

“Don’t be concerned that the travel insurance policy is inferior simply because of it’s low price,” says Sarah Byrne, Marketing Manager at Squaremouth. Since travel insurance providers all have an ideal customer in mind, each product is aimed at a different demographic.This explains why some plans are less expensive but offer better benefits.

“Although the ideal customer will vary from one insurer to the next, travelers who look for their sweet spot can typically find significant savings,” says Chris Harvey, CEO of Squaremouth.

For example, someone buying a travel insurance policy close to the departure date should look for plans from CSA Travel Protection. Since CSA is the only travel insurance provider that changes the cost of their policies the closer someone is to traveling, these policies can be a better value one month before the trip versus one year before the trip.

Other travel insurance providers determine their ideal customer based on the traveler’s age, trip length and trip cost. Travelex Insurance Services, Travel Insured International and Travel Guard offer policies that cover kids for free. “Since traveling with the whole family can get expensive, it’s wise for travelers to be aware of these money saving opportunities,” says Byrne.

It is also common for travel insurance providers to target students studying abroad. iTravelInsured offers the Student Travel policy that is competitively price for someone in their 20s, however, it typically has less medical and medical evacuation coverage than many other travel insurance policies.

Whether a travel insurance policy is $200 or $500, it’s important to remember that the price of the policy does not determine the quality of coverage or service. Compare policies, if a less expensive policy has the same coverage as a more expensive policy, it’s the sweet spot.

Travel insurance warning over North Africa

2011-03-09T02:51:00.001-08:00

Travellers to North Africa and the Middle East have been urged to heed government travel advice or face losing insurance cover.

Stuart Bensusan of Thomas Cook-owned EssentialTravel.co.uk said: “Consumers need to listen and adhere to the advice given by the Foreign Office as travel insurance does not cover anybody travelling to an area once it has been deemed unsafe.

“If passengers travel prior to the Foreign Office warnings, they will be covered for medical expenses and repatriation, hospital benefit and personal accident as normal.”

He was speaking as foreign secretary William Hague admitted Britons trying to escape the violent crisis in Libya were facing “significant difficulties”.

Many are stuck at Tripoli airport without immediate flights out of the country following flight cancellations, closures of airspace and difficulties securing permits from the appropriate authorities.

A chartered aircraft is due to travel to Libya in the next 48 hours on a rescue mission but is subject to landing clearances and permissions from the Libyan government.

British Airways and Bmi were among carriers forced to cancel flights to Libya yesterday as violence across the country escalated.

Royal Navy Frigate HMS Cumberland is being redeployed from the Eastern Mediterranean to international waters near Libya in case it is required to play a role in assisting British nationals.

"We are working closely with airlines to assist as many British nationals as possible to depart Libya,” he said. “In addition, I have decided to mobilise further resources in support of an assisted departure.”

Bensusan added: “Further to the widespread civil unrest across the Middle East and Northern Africa, protests have now spread to Morocco, including the popular city of Marrakech.

“Although we understand that there is less chance of a full scale uprising in the area, we would still advise passengers due to travel to keep abreast of this fast moving situation.

"We are advising all our customers to be vigilant when travelling to the Middle East and Africa. They should seek the help of their tour operator or airline where necessary.”

Holidaymakers to get more protection as ministers plan to reform travel protection

2011-03-09T02:49:00.001-08:00

Proposed government reforms could give holidaymakers more protection if their tour operator collapses.

Theresa Villiers, Transport Minister, recently announced the plans to the Commons. She said: "The proportion of holidays with ATOL protection has fallen and it can be difficult for consumers and the travel industry to know which holidays are protected and which are not. The proposed reforms will make it easier for everyone to understand which holidays are covered and will restore protection to what looks like a package holiday, but now falls outside the legal definition.’’

Ms Villiers told MPs that flaws in the system were exposed by the recent big tour operator collapses, including Goldtrail and Sun4U last year, Freedom Direct in 2009 and XL in 2008.

The Air Travel Organiser’s Licensing scheme was established to offer financial protection to consumers buying package holidays, however the recent trend of buying holidays online and purchasing flights and hotels separately has meant that many holidaymakers are no longer covered by the system.

Travellers with congenital heart defects advised to take out adequate insurance

2011-03-09T02:41:00.000-08:00

Those who have a pre-existing medical condition, such as a congenital heart defect (CHD), are being offered competitive travel insurance by goodtogoinsurance.com so they can travel abroad with adequate protection.

Congenital heart defects are birth defects of the heart which are lethal. They affect millions of newborn infants worldwide and lead to thousands of deaths every year.

Sarah Findlay, Marketing Manager for goodtogoinsurance.com, explained: "Living with a congenital heart defect doesn’t have to mean the end of holidays abroad. However, our research has identified that all too often CHD sufferers and their families face very high insurance premiums or can’t find the right level of cover for their specific needs. The result is that some sufferers may choose to travel without declaring their condition, leaving them with no protection if the worst should happen on their trip."

She added that the travel insurance provider can screen anyone and offer travel insurance for most cases.

How to ensure your travel insurance meets your needs

2011-03-09T02:38:00.001-08:00

While many people focus on their eventual destination, securing the best possible deal they can find from any number of travel agents, searching for the best value flights at the most convenient airport and ensuring that they get value on almost all aspects of their holiday, too often holiday insurance is a last minute, impulsive buy.

Such a move in 2011 and beyond could prove to be expensive. Industry experts have reported that due to the rising costs of insurance in general, not to mention events around the globe; such as the problems in popular tourist destinations such as Egypt and Tunisia of late, that travel insurance policies are set for a considerable rise over the next few months.

There are many other factors to be considered, especially in light of recent events, which mean it may be wise to consider the finer print on any travel insurance policy in more detail and could mean that an annual holiday insurance policy could be the best deal for you.

So, what are the key details that any holidaymaker in the UK should to consider from their travel insurance?

The first is of course that it applies to your situation. If you are a single person travelling abroad for a skiing holiday for example, then you are going to require a very different policy to that of a family travelling abroad for a couple of weeks in the sun. Ensure that your policy relates specifically to your holiday, your circumstances and also any activities, especially those that involve a degree of risk or expensive specialist equipment, which you may be undertaking while away.

The reason for this is simple. It could be false economy to take out the cheapest possible policy for your holiday if the cover is not going to be sufficient for your needs. There is little point in obtaining cheap cover for a holiday if your skis are lost, or stolen, or you or a member of your party is seriously injured while away, and your policy does not cover you for such incidents.

This is particularly important to consider when looking for family travel insurance. Families, especially those with younger children, can often encounter unforeseen and unavoidable problems while on holiday. Children are unique beings in that, as joyous as they are, they can encounter problems in almost any situation, regardless of whether you are at home or abroad. Ensuring that your family holiday insurance covers you and your loved ones in the event of accident, theft or emergency is vital to ensure you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.

It is important also to bear in mind that recent events, such as the problems that have flared up in Egypt and Tunisia, can often have a serious impact on travellers in that region. It is therefore vital to read the small print of any policy and ensure wherever possible that insurance companies will sufficiently compensate any holidaymaker, should their holiday be cut short.

Very many holiday insurance policies will state categorically that they will not pay out in the event of civil or social unrest, categorising this along with other major unforeseeable events, such as natural disasters or war. Given what has occurred in North Africa of late, it makes sense for people considering going to countries where this may be a problem to ensure that their travel insurance covers them should the worst occur.

Another item to look for on any travel insurance policy includes compensation for airport delays. Some policies offer their holders a cash sum as compensation if they are stranded at an airport beyond a stated period.

Finally, if any member of your party is travelling with a known medical condition, it is vital they contact the travel insurance provider to discuss the options available to them.

Not all Travel Insurance policies are the same and it would be wise to investigate the options to ensure that your loved ones and your holiday are properly protected.

Over 50 per cent of people purchase travel insurance online

2011-03-09T02:36:00.000-08:00

According to research conducted by travel insurance specialist World First Travel Insurance, over 50 per cent of their past customers decided to buy their travel insurance policy online, direct with their chosen insurer .

Independent research company, PFA Research, targeted over 600 people throughout the UK who had previously taken out insurance with World First Travel Insurance. The research was carried out to observe trends in booking patterns. World First Travel Insurance has seen a sharp rise in online bookings over six months and wanted to establish if this was at the cost of other, more traditional methods of buying travel insurance .

Overall, 63 percent of respondents said they buy their travel insurance online . Of those people, a surprising 51 percent said they would buy it direct with their chosen insurer with just 12 percent buying through a price comparison site . The second most favoured way for people to buy travel insurance is over the telephone .

Air Passenger Duty rise highlights gap in travel insurance cover

2010-11-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

Peter Hayman, Director of P J Hayman Travel Insurance Specialists, comments on the increase in Air Passenger Duty, how this affects claims, and how it may result in more uninsured travellers.
“The increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD) on the 1st November highlights a problem which many travellers may not be aware of until they have to make a claim. APD should be recoverable from the airline as it is only payable if the traveller departs. Unfortunately, many airlines, particularly the budget ones, charge an administration fee which can be more than the APD itself.

“The cancellation section of a travel insurance policy typically provides cover for travel costs that are "irrecoverable" or “not recoverable elsewhere”. Also, some policies are very explicit and make airport departure duty a specific exclusion. At the claims stage the attitude of Insurers varies. Some will adopt a pragmatic approach with the customer being able to recover the fee charged by the airline to obtain the APD refund whereas others will not.

“We believe there should be a consistent approach by the travel insurance industry to deal with genuine cases where customers have incurred costs which are not recoverable. However, most importantly, airlines should play fair and hand back the tax which is not payable to the Government until people fly.”

Rise in APD could increase the number of people not taking Insurance
“Figures published by ABTA and elsewhere show an increasing percentage of people not taking travel insurance. It is estimated that 20-25% of people are now electing not to purchase cover. The increase in APD will make it even more expensive to travel, particularly for long haul destinations and there is therefore a risk of the number of uninsured travellers increasing. It is ironic that the Foreign & Commonwealth Office is promoting the need for people to take out insurance through it’s ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign and yet the Treasury, by imposing increases elsewhere, including the hike in Insurance Premium Tax, is making it more likely that people will not buy cover.

“Not taking travel insurance is a false economy with claims costs considerable even for short haul destinations such as Spain and Turkey.”

Holidaymakers 'need to protect possessions'

2010-10-10T01:53:00.000-07:00

New research shows that holidaymakers planning to take flights to South Africa and other major destinations should look after their possessions while overseas.

Sainsbury's Travel Insurance claims that Brits have had up to £1.7 billion of possessions stolen while overseas over the past five years.

The research estimated that 5.1 million British adults were the victims of theft – with the average loss equalling £326 per person.

Men are more likely to be victims of theft than women, with 13 per cent of males having items stolen while on a foreign holiday, compared to nine per cent of females.

Scott Gorman, Sainsbury's Travel Insurance manager, said: "It's easy to be engrossed in your surroundings when in a different country and when you're feeling relaxed you can be easily distracted."

He added it is vital for holidaymakers to remain vigilant, especially when in traditional and crowded tourist areas.

Holidayextras.com recently warned travellers to ensure they keep their passport in a safe place otherwise they could face added costs and hassle if it is lost or stolen.

Travel insurance policyholders 'should begin considering their 2011 holiday'

2010-10-10T01:52:00.000-07:00

Booking in advance is a great way to secure an appropriate deal on a summer 2011 holiday, according to an expert.

Clare Banham, spokeswoman for ABTA - The Travel Association, said making arrangements now can help families secure the best accommodation for their needs, as well as financial incentives such as free child places.

And travel insurance policyholders unsure of where to go should not dismiss the countries they have already seen in the past, as getting to know an area - as well as learning its customs and making friends - can contribute to a positive experience for everyone involved.

"Human nature is that you will fall in love with a destination ... there's a whole variety of reasons why you go back again and again," Ms Banham explained.

What's more, research published by Thomson Al Fresco has shown that the average family will arrive at the same destination five times and one in six will do so ten times or more.

Travel insurance customers may wish to improve fitness levels before going on a ski trip

2010-09-18T01:44:00.001-07:00

Arranging a ski trip would usually involve many factors like ensuring a sufficient travel insurance policy is in place and purchasing suitable equipment - but one expert has suggested a visit to the gym might also be a good idea.

Dr Bernhard Metzler, associate professor of cardiology at the Medical University of Innsbruck, told the Daily Mail that the majority of people who suffer a heart attack on the slopes do so because they are not physically prepared for the exertion.

He said: "Sudden cardiac death accounts for a staggering 40 per cent of the total fatalities amongst winter sports tourists in the Austrian Alps and, of these, heart attacks are the leading cause."

Fitness levels, combined with high altitude and plummeting temperatures, were also cited as reasons why skiers may be more susceptible.

People who are interested in following the expert's advice could also do well to take a fish oil supplement, as research published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine recently stated the substance can help prevent heart failure, the Daily Mail has stated.

Travel insurance policyholders 'should pack sunscreen' before heading abroad

2010-09-18T01:43:00.000-07:00

Holidaymakers jetting off to sunnier climes this year should remember to pack sunscreen to protect them against burning and skin cancer.

This is according to Nina Goad, spokeswoman for the British Association of Dermatologists, who explained how travel insurance customers should "never allow [their] skin to burn".

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, seeking shade in the hottest hours of the day and applying a broad spectrum sunscreen at regular intervals is also recommended.

"Sunburn is the skin's reaction to being damaged by UV rays," Ms Goad remarked.

Indeed, even those whose destination is cooler should check their body for moles or changing freckles as some types of cancer can take years to develop, she concluded.

Ms Goad's comments came in response to figures released by Cancer Research UK, which stated that 46 per cent of Brits have been sunburnt this year - some admitted they did so on purpose with a view to improving their tan.

Kenya Airways offers travel insurance on online portal

2010-09-18T01:42:00.000-07:00

Kenya Airways has deepened its presence online by offering its customers a chance to buy travel insurance using its portal.

The move will hand the airline an additional revenue stream as it moves to conform with global trends that have seen the travel industry push more services onto the internet.

“The offer of travel insurance at the time of the air ticket purchase not only provides a benefit to the customer, it also represents an attractive revenue stream for the airline,” said Bob Gallagher, chief marketing officer at Travel Guard Worldwide.

Travel Guard – a travel insurance subsidiary of Chartis announced that it had signed a pact with Amadeus – a leading travel technology provider for distribution of travel insurance products to customers.

Airlines such as Kenya Airways, Etihad Airways and Hong Kong Airlines will use Amadeus technology to sell travel insurance products directly to end-customers through their direct booking channels.

Amadeus is a leading provider of travel content and technology in the world and processed more than 670 million billable travel transactions last year.

The sector is currently growing as more countries require travellers to invest in travel insurance and as more consumers seek global solutions.

For the online traveller, booking travel insurance through Amadeus e-Retail presents a faster solution, and reduces the number of vendors they have to deal with.

Travel Guard said the booking process would work by pulling relevant passenger and trip details from the airline’s data, proposing the appropriate travel insurance policy and calculates the insurance premium value.

The combination of Amadeus’ technological expertise, Travel Guard’s comprehensive portfolio of travel insurance presents a winning value proposition for Kenya Airways by way of accessibility to the best travel insurance.

Register for EHIC, travel insurance customers warned

2010-09-18T01:41:00.000-07:00

Buying a travel insurance policy before jetting off on holiday is not the only thing that should be on a tourist's to-do list - registering for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is necessary too.

A contributor to north-east newspaper, the Journal Live, stated that many people forget this part of their preparations and could miss out on vital access to medical resources while abroad.

The writer said: "The EHIC means you will receive the same medical treatment that a national of the country you are visiting would receive."

Visits to the doctor or receiving a prescription may be covered by the scheme in certain countries, but it would be wise to check local information to see what services can be accessed in different countries.

However, the EHIC does not replace the need for a travel insurance policy which will help recover costs if luggage is lost or stolen, a trip is cancelled or an incident requiring personal liability, the expert continues.

Indeed, taking out such a policy may not be as expensive as some consumers expect - Kate Saines, writing for MyFinances.co.uk, recently stated that "there is really little excuse to go uncovered when taking a trip abroad".

Good insurance is crucial when travelling

2010-08-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

I get a lot of questions about travel-related insurance. Most of the time, these questions are about pre-existing conditions, and whether or not an individual qualifies for coverage while they are away.

However, lately I have had inquiries that come from a different perspective. And my responses usually reference what is clearly not covered, according to various insurance documents.

Given the legalese that is built into the actual policies, sometimes not even another lawyer is willing to give an opinion with absolute certainty. So how are we, as ordinary readers, supposed to come to a conclusion and feel secure enough in how we have defined specific phrases?

On the other hand, there are some clear no-no's.

QUESTION: I understand there is a new entertainment option in Florida that includes driving a NASCAR car around a regulation oval track several times. I assume they take all kinds of precautions, but should I be hurt in an accident while participating in this activity, would I still have full coverage?

ANSWER: Not only would you not have full coverage, it's unlikely you would have any at all. While you might try to launch an argument vis-a-vis the actual wording of the policy, one company puts it succinctly: "Your participation in a motorized race or motorized speed contest, including training or practice for the same, is not covered."

You might want to shape a different argument, but I'm betting you'd lose.

Likewise will individuals who think rock- or mountain-climbing is a fun and interesting challenge.

If you're participating in a professional sport, you'd better be sure your sports body has sufficient coverage because your travel-insurance policy likely excludes such activities as well.

A point I found most noteworthy relates to the insurance companies' recommendation that you be transported home for medical attention.

If something happens to you on your trip which you at first find serious, but think you'll complete the vacation in spite of the insurance company's request for you to return home at their expense, you are strictly on your own. Should your condition worsen, you can't go back to them and try to reinstate the coverage. Once you refuse to be returned, it's gone.

While I have isolated a few areas where travellers would not be covered, for the nth time I repeat: To leave home without travel insurance is sheer folly. There are many stories I could relate where the decision to decline resulted in several thousand dollars of out-of-pocket expenditures.

QUESTION: I want to rent a car in Europe for two weeks in September. When I checked with a number of sources, including CAA, my travel agent, and my credit card's help centre, about third-party coverage for damage done to another person's car or liability for injuring a third party, I struck out.

They all have varying degrees of coverage available for damage to my rental, but not necessarily third party liability.

What is your understanding about this issue?

ANSWER: This too is a very complicated issue. I talked with John McClellan, owner of Discount Car and Truck Rental on Gertrude. Most car-rental companies, in your initial contract, supply only the very basic coverage on their cars, often as low as required by the state or country involved. Also, third-party liability in many out-of-province jurisdictions is not included if the company can get away with not providing it.

If you are renting your vehicle in other parts of Canada or the United States, he recommends travellers purchase coverage from our own MPI, which launched a program a few years ago which does, in fact, provide fairly substantial third-party liability coverage.

We often count on our credit-card coverage to protect us, but most often third-party liability is also limited or not covered. Damages to your car rental will be taken care of, but not necessarily damage to the other car involved in the accident. You need to examine all the details in your credit-card agreement.

The concept of 'no fault' does not exist in other destinations, as we are seeing with Canadians caught in the crossfire of Cuban policy and legislation around vehicle accidents.

There, you have to prove your innocence, not an easy thing to do with language and cultural barriers in your way.

No one likes to pay the extra costs related to automobile rentals when we travel, but the minimal coverage provided by your car-rental company will not likely go far in the event of an accident. Car-rental companies make a good part of their revenues on the supplemental coverage offered.

We may not be happy paying but, in the end, the investment is small compared to the risk of not having that protection if we get into an accident.

McClellan also added some additional good advice when renting overseas. You should not likely rent from local brands with limited storefront locations, but rather from recognized, worldwide names that have universal criteria for insurance coverage at their franchises.

QUESTION: I understand that insurance companies were not providing coverage against trip disruption relating to volcanic ash if going to Europe. Is that correct?

ANSWER: That is correct. They were not. Three months after the volcano erupted in Iceland, you still could not get full insurance coverage against a repeat occurrence. For that period of time, most insurance companies refused coverage in the same way they looked upon pre-existing conditions.

But two days from today, on August 16, at least one of the insurers will be reinstating that coverage. In a memo sent out just a couple of weeks ago, RBC said clients who purchase travel-insurance coverage with trip cancellation/interruption benefits and have a departure/return date on or after August 16 will be considered for coverage under their policy, provided no further volcanic eruptions occur before August 16 and all other policy terms and conditions are met.

Policy for Travel Insurance

2010-08-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

A spokesman for Axa, one of the country's largest travel insurers, says: 'If a policyholder has fallen ill with a disease or illness which they should have been inoculated against, then they would not be covered under their policy for any medication, treatment or repatriation.'

And a spokesman for Aviva, another major insurance provider, says: 'Where inoculations are needed, and you have not fol lowed advice, we would question why and if there was no medical reason for not complying, then this could mean your medical claim is not paid.' If you have been sensible and followed advice on the correct inoculations and medicines, what should you do if you fall ill? If possible, phone your insurer before you receive treatment.

They use medical assistance companies with 24-hour helplines who will deal with your call. While the assistance company will usually deal with the hospital direct, hang on to any receipts in case you need them to support your claim.

Travellers to Europe should make sure they have an up-to-date European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); they last for five years. This should cover basic hospital bills in many European countries.

But the card doesn't cover you for repatriation: that is covered by insurance. For a full guide on how the EHIC works visit: thisis money.co.uk/ehic. A spokesman for insurer Esure says: 'A valid EHIC may well pick up hospital cover, but not necessarily an emergency doctor, so you should keep as much evidence of everything as you can.

'It is best not to wait until you are back in the UK, as the insurer can get good local help to you via their existing contacts.

'The only time when you don't have to do this is if the total cost of treatment is likely to be under £500, but here, keep receipts, letters and prescriptions to support your claim.'

If you are ill before you go on holiday, you might also need to let your travel insurer know.

For example, i f you are diagnosed with an illness or suffer an injury which means your doctor tells you not to travel, you should be able to claim under the cancellation clause of your policy - although if there is an excess on the policy, it means you won't get all your money back.

If you are ill - but not so bad that a doctor says you are unfit to travel - you can't claim under the cancellation clause. However, if your illness worsens while you are away, you should be covered for medical expenses incurred.

If you have a condition which means you are on a waiting list for treatment when you buy your policy, you won't be covered for that condition while away.

But if you are put on the waiting list after you have bought the policy, you should be covered.

Travel insurance: will your policy cover you if you fall ill on holiday this summer?

2010-08-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

Holiday season is in full swing and while most trips pass without incident, thousands of Britons face falling ill while away.

And illness abroad doesn't just mean a touch of sangria-induced stomach problems. You, like celebrity Cheryl Cole - who is now on the mend after contracting malaria on holiday in tanzania - could pick up a nasty tropical disease. Most holidaymakers hope travel insurance will cover them.

Insurers paid out £274million for emergency medical treatment for British travellers abroad last year: £5.3million a week. But watch out - if you haven't taken the correct medicines or had the advised inoculations, your insurer might not pay up if you get a disease you could have been protected from.

Travel insurance neglected by Brits

2010-08-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

Travel Insurance is being neglected by holidaymakers despite research showing that luggage is worth, on average, more than £3,000.

A new study has shown that a fifth of British holidaymakers do not take out travel insurance to cover any items that may be lost or stolen.

And with the average case containing thousands of pound worth of shoes, clothes, electrical equipment and cosmetics these travellers are leaving themselves at risk of losing huge amounts of cash.

The poll, carried out by insurer Shela’s Wheels, shows the average traveller takes £325.09 of clothes, £119.40 of shoes, flip-flops and wedges, and £75.73 of accessories such as scarves, sarongs and hats.

In addition, holidaymakers pack entertainment such as mp3 players, CD players, laptops, and mobile phones, a collective total of £1,207.61.

Jacky Brown at Sheilas’ Wheels travel insurance, said: “The majority of folk don’t give a second thought to the value of the goods they are packing into their suitcase and hand luggage, but in reality the contents are worth thousands.

“And when it comes to the crunch, most holidaymakers don’t even use half of the items they take with them.

“Brits need to learn to pack light – not only would this reduce any implications of excess baggage fees, but it would also soften the blow if the luggage did go missing.”

“For peace of mind, it’s vital for holidaymakers to make sure they get a quote, choose an international travel insurance package and double check what they are covered for, as while you can’t plan for every eventuality, you can make sure you have done everything you can before leaving the UK.”

Big hike in travel insurance from age 65

2010-03-20T21:41:00.002-07:00

Older travellers still face sharp increases in travel insurance premiums when they turn 65, research has revealed.

When pensioners take out insurance to travel in Europe there is a 174% increase and 131% increase for worldwide destinations, compared to those aged 64.

Travel is a huge priority for retirees and people 65 or over, but those seeking to enjoy their pension years should brace themselved for a shock at the cost of their annual multi-trip travel insurance policies when they turn 65.

The research conducted by moneysupermarket.com also shows that there are further considerable hikes as people get older.

For instance, when you turn from 65 to 66 years of age there is another average increase of 46% and when you turn 71 there is once again a further 20% hike.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at moneysupermarket.com, said: 'Anyone who is planning to spend their retirement seeing the world should prepare themselves for the shock of being penalised for turning 65, and this is repeated when you turn 66 and then 70.

'My advice to travellers who find themselves in this situation is to shop around as the difference in premium can vary considerably between providers.

'You should always take out travel insurance no matter how high the premium may seem, as the cost of medical treatment or repatriation would be considerably higher and would leave you with some expensive bills to pay.'

People in the UK are living longer and many pensioners now have far more disposable incomes in which to travel with. The increased levels of price for travel insurance when you hit retirement age doesn't seem to fairly reflect the risk people over 65 pose when going abroad.

Travel insurance hike points to taking career break

2010-03-20T21:41:00.001-07:00

Older travellers are facing steeper travel insurance premiums when they turn 65, possibly encouraging more people to take a career break earlier in life.

Research by moneysupermarket.com found that when pensioners take out insurance to travel in Europe there is a 174 per cent increase, with a 134 per cent increase for worldwide destinations, compared to those who are aged 64.

The data also showed that when a person turns from 65 to 66 years of age there is another average increase of 46 per cent, making a career break more attractive earlier in life.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at moneysupermarket.com, advised: "You should always take out travel insurance no matter how high the premium may seem, as the cost of medical treatment or repatriation would be considerably higher and would leave you with some expensive bills to pay."

People taking gap years or career breaks in the coming weeks need to make sure that they check their travel insurance in light of the planned British Airways strikes, according to Gocompare.

Does your travel insurance cover British Airways strikes?

2010-03-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Passengers of British Airways who had plans to fly during the strike dates should check their travel insurance to see if they are covered for delay and abandonment cover, says Gocompare.

Some travel insurance policies will pay out if passengers are left at departures when British Airways cabin crew go on strike between 20 and 31 March, which is likely to disrupt flights for the entire period and also a few days following to deal with the backlog of cancelled and delayed flights.

When travellers could be on the beach, the slopes, or taking a relaxing city break, a travel insurance payout will not completely ease the disappointment of a cancelled or delayed trip, but Gocompare suggests that at least the cost of the holiday could be recouped.

However, those passengers who took out travel insurance retrospectively on 12 March or after, the day when the strikes were announced, will not be covered for delayed or cancelled flights, the comparison website warns.

Passengers are afforded compensation by airlines under an EU travel directive in certain circumstances, but travel insurance can offer additional cover for delays.

Airlines must provide passengers who are delayed more than two hours with a meal and refreshments, access to communications and, if appropriate, accommodation. A delay of more than five hours will require the airline to fully refund the cost of the ticket.

Some travel insurance policies also provide compensation for delays, but this will vary from one provider to another, so travellers should compare travel insurance to get the best value for money, Gocompare urges.

Mark Greening, head of product partnerships at Gocompare.com, said: "Yet again it will be innocent passengers who will be most disrupted when British Airways staff take industrial action. Unfortunately travel insurance can't make your flight take off on time but many policies do offer useful cover which will help you meet the unexpected extra cost of food and drink whilst you're hanging around the departure lounge.

"In the worst case you may decide to abandon your holiday altogether and travel cover can give you that protection but it's always worth checking the wording of your policy to make sure under what circumstances you can reclaim the cost of your trip."

Mr Greening urges all passengers to check the terms of their travel insurance and get official confirmation of the length and reason of the a delay which would result in a claim being successfully made.

Sharp increase in annual travel insurance for over 65s

2010-01-29T20:26:00.000-08:00

A new report has revealed that people over the age of 65 are increasingly inclined to travel abroad.

Age Concern Enterprises said that annual worldwide travel insurance take-up increased by 41 per cent last year, which demonstrates the willingness of older people to spend a longer time away from home.

In addition, the number requesting winter sports cover also climbed by 20 per cent as an increasing amount of older people plan winter adventure holidays.

The report has also revealed that older Brits are becoming wiser in finding the best travel deals.

It is claimed that over-65s are using the internet more often to unearth the best travel deals and the cheapest prices.

Joe Young from Age Concern Insurance Services said that travelling allows people to find joy and excitement during their retirement.

He added: "Our Travel Insurance was specifically designed with the mature traveller in mind, as appropriate products for this market were not previously available."

The Post Office recently (24th Janaury) advised people attending the Winter Olympics to check that their insurance policy covers them for travel in Canada.

Don't skimp on travel insurance

2010-01-29T20:25:00.000-08:00

Holidaymakers are being reminded of the importance of suitable travel insurance for any trip they make.

Trying to save money by not taking out travel insurance is a false economy, warns Sean Tipton, spokesperson at ABTA - The Travel Association.

He urges travellers to carefully consider travel insurance and ensure they take out cover that suits their needs.

Factors such as the excess payable, which medical expenses are covered and any exclusions should be checked.

"It's unlikely you are going to need [a multimillion-pound level of cover] but that's the point of insurance, you're covering yourself for the worst case scenario," he commented.

Its specialist insurance options ensure your exact needs are understood and all eventualities are covered.

'Carry cash and cards' may be good advice for travel insurance customers

2010-01-29T20:24:00.000-08:00

Holidaymakers hoping to avoid making a travel insurance claim after a trip overseas may wish to heed the advice of the Post Office and carry both cash and cards.

Reliance on notes and coins could mean that, in the event of a theft or loss, all of the holiday budget has been wiped out and a travel insurance claim is imminent.

By spreading the risk, travellers are less likely to encounter such issues.

"When travelling abroad we would always recommend that travellers cover all eventualities by taking a mix of foreign currency together with plastic," said Sarah Munro, the Post Office's head of travel services.

She added that using a pre-paid card could further limit the emphasis on carrying notes around a foreign land.

More than half of Britons heading on holiday this year will take local currency, according to recent research by Santander, while just 15 per cent will opt for a debit card.

Travel with peace of mind is just what doctor ordered

2010-01-29T20:20:00.000-08:00

IT IS one of the busiest times of year for holiday bookings but many Scots with pre-existing medical conditions will see their plans scuppered by problems obtaining travel insurance.

There are an estimated 1.8 million people in the UK living with some form of cancer, 2.5 million with heart disease and millions with other health issues. And with life expectancy rising and diagnostics improving, the number of people surviving serioADVERTISEMENTus illnesses is rising all the time.

For those with – or who have previously suffered from – serious health problems, finding affordable travel insurance is often a frustrating battle, even when they have long since had the all-clear.

Two in five people affected by cancer are quoted higher travel insurance premiums and about one in 13 travels without insurance at all, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. And 41 per cent of Genetic Interest Group members find it difficult to obtain travel insurance, the charity reported last year.

There are two main issues surrounding travel insurance for people with pre-existing conditions – getting any cover at all and, if cover is possible, securing an affordable deal.

Insurers deal with claims from people with pre-existing conditions in several ways. They may provide the normal level of cover but with a higher premium or excess; they may agree to some degree of insurance but with exclusions (such as claims relating to the condition or illness) and a higher premium; or they will refuse to insure you.

Some people no longer in treatment continue to be barred from cover – or are quoted higher premiums – as insurers consider those with pre-existing medical conditions as more likely to fall ill while on holiday, even if they have been given a doctor's green light.

Mike Hobday, head of campaigns at Macmillan, said there was little consistency in the way in which different insurers serve cancer patients.

"Not all insurers share the same business model and people go through a dreadful, frustrating process of phoning company after company and getting turned down," said Hobday. "You can't expect every company to serve everyone, but even people out of treatment can find it difficult to get cover."

Where insurers do agree to provide cover, it is often extortionate. There are companies that will provide more affordable cover, but getting a reasonable quote can be a lot of hard work. And while there are companies that specialise in high-risk customers – including Free Spirit, Travel Insured and Insure Pink – the cost is rarely competitive.

"We are staggered by the discrepancy in the quotes a person can get for the same trip from different insurers – up to tenfold in some cases," said Hobday.

This is partly because some mainstream insurers have failed to update their risk models in accordance with advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other critical conditions, he added. "Any price set 12 months ago is higher than it needs to be because companies are slow to recognise that cancer patients are not as risky as they had previously thought."

There are steps you can take find affordable travel insurance, although the extent and price of the cover will vary depending on the severity of your condition. The key is to shop around. "If you are a few years out of treatment you ought to get a decent price from a mainstream insurer," said Hobday. "If you are at an advanced stage of cancer you are going to pay more, but some companies specialise in high-risk consumers."

10 Things to Know About Travel Insurance

2010-01-10T04:09:00.001-08:00

With travel insurance, as with life or a box of chocolates, you sometimes never know what you’re gonna get. But if you’re mindful of the basics, it can be a lot more predictable than you might think.

Know if you even need it.

Review your existing insurance and credit card benefits to see if they already cover emergency medical care, lost or delayed baggage, or trip interruption/cancellation. If you don’t already have such coverage for a trip and are wondering if you need it, “ask yourself what made you want to look into [insurance]” for that trip, says travel insurance agent Damian Tysdal of Travel Insurance Review. If a trip’s expensive, he says, “and you’re planning it eight months down the road, a lot of things can happen between now and then. And if it’s more than you feel comfortable losing, you should ensure that amount.”

Decide how much risk you’re comfortable taking as a traveler and break out the numbers, especially when considering trip cancellation coverage, says travel writer Lisa Oppenheimer. “To me, it's a math equation: how much does the policy cost and how much do you stand to get back vs. the cost of the trip?” she says. Booking her trip pieces separately, versus buying a package, helps her control her costs. “Flight tickets can generally be changed up to the day of departure, albeit with a change or rebooking free. Hotels usually will charge you one night's stay if you don't show up. I don't tend to book group tours. So, in my case, if I didn't go, the sum total of rebooking fees and penalties would still probably cost less than or maybe the same as the travel insurance I'm always offered.”

Know your seller.

You can buy travel insurance directly from an insurance agent or a traditional travel agent, through an online travel agency, airline, travel company, credit card company, or any number of other vendors. No one type of vendor is uniformly better than the other. As you shop around for coverage, note that the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA) ranks insurers in good standing. There are also several travel insurance comparison sites out there including SquareMouth and InsureMyTrip.com.

Be sure what you’re buying is actually insurance and not a waiver plan, urges travel insurance agent Steve Dasseos of travel insurance comparison site TripInsuranceStore.com. A pre-departure waiver plan from a travel supplier is “more a promise to pay in certain circumstances,” he says, but since it’s not actually insurance your state’s insurance department can’t help you if you have a dispute.

Also good to know is who “wrote” your insurance. Tysdal observes that many vendors will sell travel insurance as an extra revenue stream while not necessarily being the underwriter responsible for honoring any insurance claim you’d hope to file. If your seller didn’t write the policy, ask who did.

Know your limitations.

Your travel insurance policy ought to come with a certificate of insurance that lists the limitations and exclusions associated with your coverage, says USTIA president Mike Ambrose. “When you read through the limitations and exclusions you’ll get a good understanding of what they’ll cover and what they won’t,” he says. The certificate will get specific, too. Damage to natural teeth might be covered, damage to false teeth, maybe not. Or, scuba diving mishaps might be covered, but only up to a certain depth. And a favorite exclusion, Tysdal says, are any accidents caused by the insured being intoxicated.

Know the rest.

-If you get sick or hurt before or during your trip, get to a doctor, otherwise the insurance company won’t believe your story, Dasseos says. “Here’s how the policies typically read: ‘For trip cancellation benefits, an actual exam by a licensed physician must take place before the cancellation is made. For trip interruption benefits, this exam must take place during your trip.’”

-If you caught swine flu on a trip and a doctor confirmed you have it, it would fall under any medical coverage you bought. But if you back out of your trip because you’re afraid of getting H1N1 or, Dasseos suggests, “you get a new job and your boss won't let you have the time off,” that is not covered by trip cancellation insurance. If you want to be able to cancel your trip for any reason, you can buy a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy that’s generally 30-50% more expensive than other coverage, Ambrose says.

-Speaking of jobs, a relatively new provision in many policies is that you can cancel a trip without penalty if you’re fired. And in a sign of the times, some providers only require a year of continuous employment, versus three.

-If you have a pre-existing medical condition you may be able to waive your policy’s pre-existing medical condition exclusion if you buy your insurance within a certain period after paying for your trip, prove you’re “medically stable” when buy the coverage, and, in the case of many providers, insure the full cost and length of your trip, Dasseos says.

-Many claims don’t go through the first time because the insurance company is missing documentation, Ambrose says.”Make sure they have received the information and that that is all they need,” he says. Dasseos also urges keeping copies of any paperwork you submit.

-Lost or delayed baggage insurance covers the outbound leg of your journey but seldom pays off if your bag disappears on the way home, as the insurance company sees it as less of an inconvenience. This coverage is meant to replace “necessities you need on the trip that you now have to buy, Tysdal says, though Ambrose observes that some lost baggage policies have a provision that if your bag is lost on your homebound leg “you should go back to your common [insurance] carrier or your airline and if they didn’t make good on your loss, than the travel insurance policy should.”

-If anything you pack is worth more than either what a lost baggage policy will cover or exceeds the maximum liability an airline will assume for a lost bag -- usually $2,500 -- you can buy excess valuation coverage at the airline check-in counter, Dasseos says. It’s not insurance, “but it will increase the carrier’s potential liability,” he says, and most airlines will charge a buck per $100 of extra coverage, usually capping their maximum liability at five grand. Airlines may refuse to sell you the coverage if your items are too valuable or breakable, Dasseos adds. In which case, you might want to question why you’re flying with them at all.

Common airline mishaps and how insurance might help

2010-01-10T04:07:00.000-08:00

Will travel insurance come to the rescue if something bad happens on your next airplane trip?

The answer, airfarewatchdog.com has found, is not always.

It’s a good idea to ask about some common (and not so common) travel snafu scenarios when you call to investigate different policies. By asking some specific questions, you'll make a better decision and won't be surprised if your air travel mishap falls outside the protective umbrella of your insurance.

That said, the majority of travel insurance claims are paid, and the most common reason is illness (either of the primary insured or a traveling companion or close relative).

But there are many other mishaps besides illness that trip up travelers, judging from the e-mail Airfarewatchdog.com has seen from woebegone airline passengers over the years. So we came up with eight things that can go bump in the flight, and then asked three of the major travel insurance agencies what they would do, if anything, to protect you.

How about if a tractor trailer rolls over just in front of you on your way to the airport, or you get a flat tire, causing you to miss your flight, and then on top of that, the airline tells you to buy a new last minute fare to Paris for $2,500? Stuff like this does happen.

Some insurance plans will only protect you if you buy a more expensive “cancel-for-any-reason” policy, but some of those require you to cancel at least 48 hours in advance, so no go. Travel insurer Travel Guard’s “platinum” policy includes coverage for such an accident scenario, but only if you provide a police report. Their less expensive policies might not protect you, however.

Here’s another one from our e-mail inbox: airport workers in Rome go on strike, so you’re out a $300 non-refundable airfare to Paris and have to take the train instead. Can you get reimbursed for both the airfare and train ticket?

CSA Travel Protection says yes to the train, but no to the airfare. Access America tells us that you’re covered only by a “cancel anytime” plan, which costs quite a bit more than regular insurance. Travel Guard, however, says you’d be covered as long as you bought the insurance before the airport workers voted to go on strike.

A third, all-too-common, scenario: your airline contacts you to say that they no longer fly to where you’re going and they’ll be happy to refund your money, but now flights to your destination on a competing airline cost an arm and a leg.

Sorry, none of the insurance companies we contacted will cover your added expenses.

And so it goes. Different insurers cover various travel snafus in different ways, and in general the more you pay for a policy, as in Travel Guard’s platinum product, the more protection you’re likely to get.

To see some other common and not so common travel mishaps (such as airline bankruptcy and missed connections) and how you might — or might not — be covered by competing travel insurers, consult our travel insurance snafu chart.

Again, whenever you buy insurance, don’t buy blindly: call the company’s 800 number to make sure you understand relevant provisos and exclusions, and read the contract’s fine print.

For example, most companies will fully cover you if you or a traveling companion becomes ill before departure, but they may not tell you that you must seek medical attention (a doctor’s office or emergency room visit) before canceling your trip.

And while most companies provide “cancellation” insurance, that doesn’t apply if you buy a biking trip through Provence and the tour company cancels the departure because not enough people sign up, leaving you with a useless $1,000 airfare.

The more you know before buying, the better prepared you’ll be to face whatever air travel throws at you.

Thai backpackers top insurance list

2010-01-10T04:06:00.000-08:00

Backpackers taking trips to Thailand top the list of those making travel insurance claims, it has been revealed.

Claims following Thailand visits account for 22% of all backpackers' claims, according to InsureandGo.

The company added that British backpackers' claims amounted to more than £6 million a year, with personal luggage claims accounting for more than 40% of this total and medical expenses more than 33%.

Top Ten Need-To-Know Travel Insurance Terms

2009-08-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

"Travel insurance like all insurance is complex," explains Jim Grace President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com, "but a fundamental understanding of industry terms and phrases that commonly cause confusion, can clear up some of the mystery. At InsureMyTrip.com, one of our key goals is to help travelers understand travel insurance, and that means starting with the basics." These are the top ten travel insurance terms that every consumer should know as they prepare to purchase trip protection for their upcoming travels:

1. A.M. Best Ratings -- Industry watchdog A.M. Best rates and assesses insurance companies' financial strength and ability to meet their obligations to policyholders. InsureMyTrip.com features a user-friendly monitoring tool for consumers to check the A.M. Best Ratings of all the leading U.S. travel insurance companies before you purchase coverage.

2. Unforeseen -- means not anticipated or expected and occurring after the effective date of the policy.

3. Primary -- This section of the policy will pay FIRST, before any other collectible insurance.

4. Secondary -- This section of the policy will pay you after any other Primary collectible insurance has paid the claim and the Primary policies' limits have been exhausted.

5. First Trip Payment Date -- This is the date that money first exchanged hands for the trip you want to insure. This is the date the check is written, not the date it is cashed.

6. Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver -- Many policies have a pre-existing medical exclusion, meaning that coverage is not available for pre-existing medical conditions. A Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver essentially deletes that exclusion and extends your policy to cover pre-existing condition-related risks. To be eligible for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver, the majority of travel insurance policies require that you purchase your policy within 10 to 21 days of your first trip payment date and insure for the full amount of your non-refundable travel arrangements.

7. Look Back Period -- This is the number of days that the insurance company will 'look back' from the date the insurance was purchased to see if your claim is related to a pre-existing medical condition. The Look Back Period varies by company and plan and does not apply if you qualified for the Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver offered by many plans.

8. Cancel For Any Reason --This is an optional benefit that empowers travelers to cancel trips for any reason including sudden unemployment, schedule conflicts, even bad weather, up to two days prior to departure. Cancel For Any Reason policies vary by company and must be purchased within 10-21 days of your first trip payment date.

9. Financial Default -- This is a benefit that is part of Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage. This protection applies if the airline, cruise line, or tour operator goes out of business and you are unable to travel as a result or suffer financial loss. Since this coverage is time sensitive, you must purchase a policy within 10 - 21 days (varies by company) of your first trip payment date. All of the plans that contain this benefit have a 7-30 day waiting period from the time of purchase before becoming effective. Typically, if you purchase travel insurance directly through a travel supplier such as an airline, cruise line, or tour operator, you cannot protect yourself should that travel supplier go bankrupt or become financially insolvent, so it is always best to purchase your travel insurance protection from a third-party source.

10. Travel agent vs. Tour Operator -- A Travel Agent is someone who books flights, cruises and tours. A Tour Operator is a company which specializes in the organizing and operation of pre-planned vacations which are usually sold to the public through travel agents.

Travel 101: Travel insurance - should you consider it? Is it worth it?

2009-08-19T21:04:00.001-07:00

You've booked your tropical vacation weeks, even months ahead. You've scheduled your vacation with your employer. You've booked your airfare and your hotel, or are about to do so.

Then, the "what-ifs" begin to creep in. What if you or a family member becomes ill or is in an accident prior to your trip? What if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens the location you've chosen to spend your one cherished week in an island paradise? What if you or your spouse loses a job before your travel date?

Is trip insurance the answer to to gaining peace of mind and safeguarding your travel plans? Perhaps, but how do you sort through the maze of travel insurance companies competing for your business?

After researching several of the major companies separately, I found a great site which includes Editor Reviews of companies based on reputation, selection, policy benefits, coverage levels, and website usability.

Go to Travel Insurance Review (www.travelinsurancereview.net/reviews) to read more detailed information about nine different companies they rate from "Excellent" to "Very Good" to "Good."

avel Insurance: When to Get, Skip

2009-08-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

Travel guru Peter Greenberg appeared on "The Early Show" Monday, with some advice on when to get travel insurance and when to skip it, what you need and some scams to watch out for.

Greenberg explained there are four categories of travel insurance:

1. Flight insurance
2. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
3. Medical insurance
4. Bad weather and infectious diseases

Q: Why do you need travel insurance?
A: 1. Your flight has been canceled. Or you got sick right before taking a cruise.
2. Your bags are lost and your medication is in them. You need to have an emergency prescription filled.
3. Your passport and wallet are stolen, and you need emergency cash and a replacement passport.
4. You're involved in an accident, and adequate medical treatment is not available.
5. You need medical evacuation.
6. Your cruise line, airline or tour operator goes bankrupt. You need to have your non-refundable expenses covered and to get to your destination.
7. A terrorist incident occurs in the city where you're planning to visit, and you want to cancel your trip.
8. A hurricane forces you to evacuate your resort, hotel or cruise ship.

Q: And these scenarios happen to thousands of people every day. Tell me about some of them?
A:
-A couple on an Alaskan cruise got off the ship when it pulled into Juneau. As they walked near the ship, they approached a person in a moose costume. Thinking it was a cute animal character out to greet cruise ship passengers, they asked to have a photo taken with the moose and were held up at gunpoint instead.
-Two friends were driving in a rental car through Hawaii. As they were enjoying the scenery, a huge wild pig suddenly ran in front of the car. The automobile was totaled.
-And of course there is always the seasonal story of the honeymooning couple on a Caribbean island, stranded by a hurricane that destroyed their hotel.

Q: So what kind of travel insurance do you need? What insurance should you avoid? How much does it cost? And just as important, where do you buy the insurance, and from whom? It makes a real difference.
A:
1. First, there's flight insurance. It pays your beneficiary if the plane crashes and you are killed or injured. This is perhaps the most useless insurance you can buy. The premiums are very high, and besides, you are already probably covered by life insurance or other benefit plans. So avoid it.

2. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This insurance becomes necessary depending on the amount you've invested in your trip. Buying a $59 ticket on southwest? Probably not. But a $4000 cruise. I'd recommend it. Depending on the policy, it covers you if your trip doesn't operate (the flight cancels, the cruise doesn't sail), or if you get sick before your departure, or during the trip. And some policies, for a higher premium, allow you to cancel for any reason.

3. Medical evacuation and repatriation insurance. I highly recommend this policy for anyone who travels. It's an annual premium -- between $250 and about $400, and believe me, it's the one card you need to carry and hope you never have to use, but if you do, it's more than worth it. (i have one). What this insurance covers is if you get sick or injured, the insurance pays to get you stabilized (treated) and then flown out.

But be careful: Not all policies are the same. Med Jet Assist, for example (and some others) is a great policy because it flies you out to the doctor and medical facility of your choice. This is a huge distinction with other med evac and repatriation policies, which may fly you to the doctor and medical facility of their choice, which means you're going to the lowest bidder. Not a good thing!

Q: What are the two primary reasons to purchase travel insurance?

A: Protecting your upfront financial investment with trip cancellation coverage, and protection for medical emergencies, lost baggage, travel delays and other "what ifs" that can occur while traveling.

Q: What are plans available?

A:
-Travel insurance companies, like Access America, will offer 24-hour global assistance for issues like lost bags, securing last-minute hotels if your plane is delayed/canceled, finding a local doctor, arranging an evacuation, dealing with lost documentation.

-"Comprehensive insurance" packages will generally include trip cancellation, as well as emergency medical and dental, emergency medical transportation, and travel delay coverage.

-Limited plans, like airline ticket protectors, usually only cost about 4 percent of the trip. More comprehensive coverage ranges 4 percent to 10 percent of trip cost, which varies depending on the benefits, coverage levels, trip cost and traveler's age.

-Travel insurance plans may also cover scenarios such as job loss, jury duty, carrier caused delays and work related reasons.

Q: What are some things you need to be careful of?

A: Read the fine print: Many policies do not cover "adventure travel," such as mountain climbing, bungee jumping and even snowboarding. An extra or alternative policy may be required.

-It's hurricane season, so consumers must purchase travel insurance before a hurricane is named by the national hurricane center. If your destination is hit by a hurricane when you get there, but the airport or resort is still operating, you may not be covered-even though your vacation is ruined.

-Many policies will not provide coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, unless the policy is purchased within 10 to 15 days after you book your travel.

-Other common exclusions include losses caused by acts of war, self-inflicted wounds and unlawful acts (including drunk driving).

-Car rental insurance is not really insurance, it's a waiver that releases you of liability should there be damage to a car. Know the difference between collision damage waiver and liability damage waiver, and check with your credit card or existing travel insurance policy to see what is covered.

Q: What is the difference between medical insurance and medical evacuation coverage?

A: Health insurance often does not apply when traveling abroad or in international waters. If you are seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a medical facility that can provide the appropriate treatment. That can cost tens of thousands of dollars, which comes out of your pocket, unless you have travel insurance.

-This can especially be important if you are older, traveling on a cruise ship, or to any destination that does not have excellent medical capabilities.

-Traditional insurance guarantee payment to the transport providers and coordinates everything with your attending physician and its team of doctors and nurses.

-Medical evacuation companies like Medjet Assistance will not just evacuate you to the nearest facility, but will take you to the hospital of your choice -- even if that means repatriating you to your home hospital.

-Other companies like Medex and Oncall international offer similar protection, but read the fine print. Medex Safetrip ($56, based on one-week trip to Argentina) takes you from point of injury or hospital and evacuates you to the "nearest appropriate hospital" and the evacuation criteria is at the company's discretion. Medex Take Me Home ($178, same criteria) evacuates you from the initial treatment facility to the hospital of your choice closest to home or the nearest appropriate hospital, at the company's discretion. Oncall ($135, same criteria) takes you from the initial treatment facility to the hospital of your choice nearest home or the nearest appropriate hospital at the member's discretion. Medjet Assist ($215, same criteria) takes you from the hospital and accessible airstrip to the hospital of your choice at the member's discretion.

Mexico City offers travel insurance for tourists

2009-08-05T22:33:00.000-07:00

Officials in Mexico City hope to lure skittish tourists with unusual bait: complimentary health insurance. Under a new program, tourists who stay in the city’s hotels are eligible for free coverage for emergency medical care, hospital stays, prescription drugs and ambulance services.
The initiative, called the “Tourist Assistance Card,” grew out of Mexico’s recent H1N1 flu crisis, which sent tourism plunging nationwide as would-be travelers steered clear. In Mexico City, which had the country’s most reported flu cases, a near-complete shutdown hammered hotels and restaurants, compounding damage caused by the global recession.

The insurance program is run by the city’s tourism office through a private insurer, MAPFRE. Anyone staying at a Mexico City hotel is eligible for coverage, officials said, and can get help by dialing a call center, which will have attendants fluent in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. A deductible will apply for some services, but officials did not provide details. Typically, travel insurance places limits on coverage for emergencies.

“Of all the world’s largest cities, Mexico City is the first to try this,” Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday at a ceremony unveiling the service.

Mexican tourism officials expect depressing year-end results, in part due to the flu outbreak and the recession. Tourists also have stayed away due to drug-related violence that has killed more than 9,000 people since January 2008, according to unofficial tallies in the Mexican media.
During the flu crisis, travelers fled resorts such as Cancun, leaving them as surf-washed ghost towns. Some hotel chains have tried to attract tourists by promising free vacations to anyone who contracts H1N1 during their stay.

Meanwhile, the city braces for the next flu season.

Eighty per cent of Britons don't buy travel insurance for UK trips

2009-08-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

A shocking 82 per cent of Britons holidaying in the UK this year could end up with sky-high bills because they have not thought to buy travel insurance cover.
Many staycationers who think they have beaten the recession by holidaying at home don't realise that they still need travel insurance to make sure they are covered in case of holiday cancellation or lost luggage.

Although Britons don't need to worry about health costs in the UK, with swine flu still spreading quickly it is important to have your holiday insured in case you have to cancel it for health reasons.

But holidaymakers need not worry about insurance bumping up the cost of their trip.
Stuart Bensusan, also a director at EssentialTravel.co.uk said: '60 to 70 per cent of the cost of travel insurance when you are abroad is for medical problems so to insure yourself for travel in the UK is actually very affordable as you won't need the medical cover.

Also, Britons with an annual, multi-trip policy will automatically be covered for trips within the UK.

Mr Bensusan adds: 'Cancellation is the second most popular claim on travel insurance after medical fees so it is wise to make sure you have insured yourself for your UK break.

'When looking for insurance make sure it is underwritten by a reputable insurer based in the UK. That way is there are any problems you know you are dealing with a reputable company subject to British law.'

Tourists warned on insurance fraud

2009-08-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

Holidaymakers have been warned they face higher insurance costs and possible prosecution if they are caught making fraudulent travel insurance claims.

The Association of British Insurers said it detected 4,300 dishonest travel insurance claims worth £5 million during 2008.

It warned that insurers and overseas police forces were becoming increasingly vigilant about insurance cheats, with details of fraudulent claims now kept on industry-wide databases used by insurers and other financial services firms.

Travel insurance advice

2009-08-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

With the school holidays now well underway, many brits will be looking to pack up their bags and travel to sunnier climates for a week or two of rest and relaxation, however as many families are feeling the pinch this year getting the best value travel insurance policy as well as holiday is vital.

With the collapse last year of several airlines and the rising costs of medical treatment abroad, it’s important to ensure that you are travelling with the right amount of insurance cover for your trip. In January we saw the introduction of travel agent regulation, spelling an end to the days when insurance could just merely be added onto your trip, which is a bonus to many travellers as our research shows that by taking the travel insurance out that’s offered by your travel agent, a family of four going to Europe for a week can pay over £50 more than taking the best standalone policy offering similar cover”.

With recent reports citing that of over 20% of travellers forgoing on travel insurance, this means that potentially one in four of the 3 million brits travelling abroad this summer will be travelling without cover, leaving themselves exposed to hundreds, even thousands of pounds worth of costs should they fall ill or have an accident abroad.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, Moneyextra.com recommends that travellers ensure their policy has the following minimum cover limits

Travel Insurance and Tips to Avoid Sickness In Vacation

2009-07-14T23:36:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest concerns when travelling to foreign countries is how to avoid catching bugs or a bad case of the 'tourist trots,' especially when your health insurance is not covering oversease health costs and you don't have a travel insurance. It can be hard to know what is safe to eat and what should be avoided. No matter how careful you are, however, it is very easy to unwittingly expose yourself to bacteria, germs and viruses. That is one reason why taking out travel insurance is very important.

Some basic awareness, plus following a few simple food hygiene tips, can help avoid a nasty case of Delhi Belly, Montezuma's Revenge, or whatever the affliction may be called in that part of the world:

* Make sure food is well cooked and very hot (to kill any bacteria present)
* Avoid food that may have been left sitting out at unsafe temperatures (i.e. buffets)
* Be wary of buying food and drinks from street vendors
* Avoid consuming sauces/condiments that have been left on tables
* Don't eat garnishes (they may have graced many plates!)
* Avoid drinking tap water, milk, and stay clear of ice cubes in drinks
* Avoid salads/lettuce (washed in water)
* Stick to sealed, bottled water or boil or purify it yourself
* Be wary of some airline food, especially if taken aboard in a foreign country
* When it comes to fruits and vegetables - if you can't peel it - don't eat it!

Be careful when consuming locally-produced drinks such as rice wine or 'arak' (several deaths occurred in Bali following ingestion of methanol-laced rice wine).

If you get sick with diarrhoea and/or vomiting it is important to stay hydrated. Sip purified water, tea or soft drinks (preferably drinks without a lot of sugar or additives). Only resort to using anti-diarrhoeal medicine when you are absolutely certain you need it, as the downside is developing constipation. Avoid drinking alcohol and eat dry food like crackers and toast until the worst is over.

In most cases, a bout of diarrhoea from contaminated food will knock you off your feet for a few days and the duration of the illness can vary. If symptoms persist or are unusually severe always seek medical help to rule out anything more serious. If outpatient tests are carried out, ask for copies to take with you and obtain receipts so that you can claim on your travel insurance. If hospitalization is required you will normally need to obtain authorization for treatment by calling the hotline provided in your travel insurance policy.

If you have been bitten by insects, especially mosquitoes, and develop suspicious symptoms like fever, chills or flu, always seek medical attention. Serious diseases like malaria take several days to incubate so symptoms may not appear until after you have returned home. If this happens arrange an appointment with your doctor and explain that you have been travelling.

A few more reminders:

* Always clean and treat cuts to avoid infection and Tetanus
* Carry a first-aid kit and hand-sanitizer with you
* Use mosquito-repellent products
* Wear light-coloured clothing to easily spot mosquitoes, ticks and bugs
* Take steps to guard against tick bites and Lyme Disease
* Be wary of swimming in fresh-water pools in tropical areas (however tempting it looks). It is possible to pick up parasitic infections like schistosomiasis from infected water
* Get all recommended vaccinations, including a Tetanus booster if needed
* Carry a list of contact numbers for the embassies in the areas you are visiting in case you need help finding an English-speaking doctor or other assistance

Other common ailments which can affect travellers include: Altitude sickness, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and serious sunburn. The latest concern to worry about is exposure to Swine Flu; if you think you may have been exposed and develop symptoms seek medical help. A good travel insurance policy should provide for emergency medical repatriation to get you back home once you are fit enough. However, always read the terms and conditions of your particular policy so that you understand the cover provided.

A wide variety of bad bacteria and diseases may just be waiting for an unwary victim or host like you to come along, so do your research and be prepared before leaving home. It is your trip, your money, your life - so use your brain - and don't make yourself an easy target for anything to bug you!

Written by Jean Andrew

Adventure trips need ample travel insurance deals

2009-07-10T01:08:00.001-07:00

Holidaymakers planning adventure sports or activities must check the small print of their travel insurance deals, esure has warned.

According to new research from the insurer, more than one in 10 holidaymakers, amounting to more than 5 million people, have been injured while taking part in such an activity abroad.

However, less than three-quarters of respondents said that they would check their travel insurance deals to make sure they were covered, while 13% said that they would take part in an activity even if they knew their policy was inadequate.

Mike Pickard, head of travel insurance at esure, advised holidaymakers to compare travel insurance offers to ensure that they are covered for everything they intend to do.

"With a surge in the popularity of, and access to, more adventurous sports and activities at holiday resorts across the globe, it's crucial for holidaymakers to take out travel insurance and check what they're covered for," he said.

"Have an accident without insurance and the medical bills could turn a paradise trip into a nightmare if you're not properly covered."

Why you might need travel insurance

2009-07-01T01:46:00.000-07:00

Life is filled with unexpected moments, and many tend to occur on vacation or a business trip.

To help protect against unpleasant, unexpected moments, many people buy travel insurance before leaving home.

Many others wonder if it’s worth the additional expense, which generally starts at about 5% to 7% of your trip cost.

But depending on your circumstances, insurance could protect you against a wide range of potential problems.

“As a musician, I have to travel a lot for both business and pleasure,” said 40-year-old pianist and composer Jonathan Faiman of Hartsdale, Westchester. “Life is unpredictable, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. I always add the optional insurance when booking travel because it gives me added piece of mind.”

For someone like Faiman, insurance makes perfect sense.

“If I think I may need to cancel my travel plans or alter them considerably, by adding the cancel for any reason option to a travel insurance policy, I know I won’t ever lose money on otherwise nonrefundable travel,” he said. “This aspect of the policy alone has saved me a fortune.”

Dan McGinnity, a spokesman for insurance company Travel Guard, said, “Purchasing a travel insurance policy offers vacationers and business travelers alike added piece of mind, especially when traveling internationally.

“We offer free telephone assistance, available anytime, should any problem arise,” he said. “We’ll help fix the situation, whether it’s rebooking a missed flight, finding and paying for emergency medical attention for you, or helping you replace a lost or stolen passport.”

A comprehensive policy typically covers you if your plans are disrupted, your luggage is lost or stolen, or if you become ill or injured after purchasing the policy and need medical attention or, perhaps, an emergency evacuation.

“Americans have a misconception that their existing health insurance will cover them anywhere,” McGinnity said. “It’s essential for travelers to determine, in advance, what their existing medical insurance will cover.”

Most standard policies don’t cover cancellations based on your state of mind. That means deciding you’re afraid to travel won’t be covered.

While not cheap, cancel for any reason coverage will cover all nonrefundable expenses.

“What you choose will determine your level of coverage, what will ultimately be covered and the policy’s cost,” McGinnity said.

10 Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp as You Age

2009-06-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

1) Eat well
A rule of thumb is that what's good for your heart is good for your brain. Indulge in fruits and vegetables and foods with B-complex vitamins, like oats, barley and wheat bran, and omega-3 fatty acids, like fish — especially salmon and tuna. Avoid foods with saturated fat, found in fried foods, butter and cheese.
2) Exercise
Physical activity pumps blood through your organs, including your brain. As little as 30 minutes of low-level activity like brisk walking improves blood flow, which increases neural growth and brain connections. When vessels in the brain are blocked cognitive ability decreases, and the risk of stroke increases, says Rosebud Roberts, associate professor of epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
3) Play games
Thanks to an aging baby-boom generation there are now plenty of mentally stimulating games. Brainteasers and puzzles are good exercises for the brain. So are games that force you to strategize like chess, bridge and solitaire.
4) Learn a new skill
A long-term goal like learning to play a musical instrument or speak another language will challenge your brain on many levels over an extended period of time. A skill like learning to dance is great for the brain because it combines music and movement.
5) Make everyday activities harder
You can stimulate your brain just by mixing up your daily routine. Try brushing your teeth with the opposite hand or showering with your eyes closed — anything that will force you to use more of your senses.
6) Read. Read. Read.
Whether your weapon of choice is this web site, a novel or a newspaper, keeping your mind engaged in intellectual activity and expanding your vocabulary are two important ways to keep your brain in shape. As an added exercise, repeat facts you want to remember a few times in your head and try to recall them again later.
7) Relieve stress
Try yoga, meditation or just taking a breather every now and then. High blood pressure, as well as anxiety and depression, have been linked to declining cognitive function, says Roberts. "Anything you can do to keep your brain active and healthy will be beneficial," she says.
8) Socialize
The brain loves activity. "It's kind of like a party animal," says Doraiswamy. If your lifestyle leaves you isolated, seek out clubs or other social activities that will surround you with people. New scenery and other multi-sensory activities force the brain to form new connections, increasing memory capacity. For more SmartMoney Magazine features, turn to the September issue.
9) Drink
But not too much. Studies have shown that people who drink small amounts of alcohol — between one and six drinks per week — are less likely to develop dementia than people who don't drink at all. Doraiswamy says red wine, in particular, has anti-inflammatory effects, which benefits the brain. But don't overdo it — heavy drinking depletes the brain of B-complex vitamins and Thiamin.
10) Sleep
A healthy sleep pattern is key to maintaining memory function since your brain locks in new information during REM sleep. Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night — and remember, REM is the last of five sleep cycles, so make sure it's an uninterrupted rest.

Guaranteeing health care coverage for all Americans

2009-06-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

Each year, I travel to all of Wisconsin's 72 counties and hold an open, town hall-style meeting. In the 17 years I've held these listening sessions, health care has consistently been one of the top issues raised, particularly the skyrocketing cost and difficulty accessing health care. Having listened to the concerns of families, businesses, health-care professionals and others about why health-care reform is so urgently needed, I have the following goals as Congress undertakes this vital and long-overdue debate:

Guaranteeing coverage for all Americans: Every Wisconsinite deserves guaranteed, affordable, high-quality health care — just like every member of Congress has. For too long, Congress has delayed action on reforming our health-care system and now that system is in crisis. It is unacceptable that more than 46 million Americans are uninsured, and that millions more pay for insurance that does not begin to cover their medical needs. We must create a health-care system where the excellent health care that is now only available to some Americans will be available to all.

Supporting a strong public option: While Wisconsinites should be able to retain their current coverage if they choose, providing a strong public health insurance option will allow the government to compete with private insurers in the health insurance market in order to keep health-care costs down for all Wisconsinites, even those who retain their private care. One major benefit of a public option is it would bring welcome relief to areas of our state with high unemployment rates. A public health insurance option would be invaluable to those who have recently been laid off, because it is a guaranteed, affordable option that can travel with an individual from job to job.

Taking a fiscally responsible approach: Reforming our health-care system is also an economic imperative. Americans spend an unsustainable $2.2 trillion on health care each year. From ensuring the solvency of our entitlement programs to helping households across the country balance their checkbooks, reforming health care is necessary to getting health spending under control. Health reform will likely require significant initial investments, but, if done right, it can also yield significant savings in the near future. For example, by adopting the Wisconsin model for health-care delivery, taxpayers would save billions of dollars.

Strengthening long-term and community care: I am committed to making long-term care a key part of any reform. Since my time as chair of the Wisconsin State Senate's Aging Committee, I have worked to give seniors and others needing long-term care the choice to remain in their own homes and communities instead of entering institutional care. Wisconsin's nursing homes provide an invaluable service to our communities, but nursing homes should not be the only option for receiving care. Long-term care must be part of health-care reform because helping more people live in their homes is the best way to meet the preferences of families while saving taxpayer dollars.

Restoring fairness to Medicare reimbursement: The Medicare reimbursement formula has shortchanged Wisconsin for far too long. It is unacceptable that Medicare provides a more generous reimbursement rate for a procedure done in other states than it does when the same procedure is done in Wisconsin, simply because of an outdated and flawed reimbursement formula. I've been fighting to fix this problem for years, and reducing the inequities in Medicare reimbursement payments is a priority of mine as Congress tackles health-care reform.

Individual Mandate for Health Insurance Affordable and Fair

2009-06-18T01:00:00.001-07:00

WEDNESDAY, June 17 (HealthDay News) -- Reforming the health insurance market so that all individuals are required to obtain at least a minimum amount of health insurance would eliminate the problem of adverse selection that the current system enables insurers to avoid, according to a perspective published online June 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Linda J. Blumberg, Ph.D., and John Holahan, Ph.D., from the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., write that the consequence of the current system is a health care system segmented according to health risk rather than being focused on providing efficient access to high-quality medical care.

Requiring everyone to have at least a set minimum level of health insurance would eliminate adverse selection, poor health would no longer prevent people from obtaining insurance, and public funds currently spent protecting the uninsured could be redirected to finance a system based on income-related subsidies, the authors argue.

"Enforcement of the mandate is the final issue. Once adequate subsidies exist, enforcement is essentially a matter of fairness to people who are playing by the rules. We believe enforcement through the tax system is the most efficient approach," the authors write. "An enforceable individual mandate, with adequate subsidies and benefits, as well as a choice of plans, is the most politically feasible route to universal coverage in the United States today."

Concern over school medical care

2009-06-18T00:53:00.000-07:00

Schools are putting teaching assistants under increasing pressure to carry out medical procedures without appropriate training, a union warns.

Unison says most support staff only hold a basic first aid certificate.

But some are being asked to carry out procedures such as administering drugs for heart problems, changing colostomy bags and testing blood sugar levels.

Government guidelines say staff must be properly trained before carrying out any medical procedure.
And they stress that it is the responsibility of schools to make sure that is happening.

Unison is calling for the introduction of new, tougher guidelines setting out what support staff should and should not be asked to do.

The survey found 85% of the 334 respondents were expected to provide medical support, and 70% to administer medicines as part of their job - even though these are voluntary duties.

Lack of competence

One in four respondents did not feel competent and comfortable with the responsibility of administering medicines or providing medical support.

And one in three said they were not familiar with school policy on how to do it.

Michelle McKenna, a schools support worker from Durham, said: "I know school support staff who routinely have to change colostomy bags, administer drugs or epilepsy medicine.

"Some staff have to do tube feeding or take children as old as their early teens into the toilet - often without proper training.

"Support staff are really worried that they will make a mistake.

"But they are even more worried about the safety of the children they look after.

"Many of the procedures they are being asked to do are above and beyond what they signed up to do, and it is only a matter of time before something terrible happens."

Minority lawmakers seek equality in healthcare reform

2009-06-10T02:41:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (AFP) — African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American members of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday sought equal protection for minorities under healthcare reform plans pending in Congress.

Of the 47 million uninsured people in the United States, Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman Barbara Lee noted that more than half were from racial and ethnic minorities.

"The Congressional TriCaucus stands together and speaks with one voice to demand health care reform NOW, and to demand an end to the factors that perpetuate racial and ethnic health disparities in this country," she said in a statement.

The Congressional TriCaucus groups the Black, Hispanic and Asian Pacific American caucuses in the US Congress.

Under a proposed bill, TriCaucus members called for eliminating existing racial and ethnic disparities as part of healthcare reform legislation Congress is set to take up in the coming days.

Congressional committees have already begun working on the massive overhaul, a top priority of President Barack Obama's administration.

A draft bill was released Tuesday by Senate Health Committee chairman Edward Kennedy, a Democratic stalwart who has spent much of his career pushing for an overhaul of the healthcare system.

Fellow majority Democrats senators Christopher Dodd and Max Baucus have taken up the legislation due to Kennedy's absence from the Senate due to health concerns of his own.

The healthcare reform legislation seeks to expand medical insurance coverage to all Americans, by reducing healthcare costs and making health coverage affordable to the uninsured.

The plan, which allows those who have insurance to keep their coverage, also aims to reduce by half the huge federal deficit by the end of Obama's term in 2013.

Lack of insurance cover for H1N1-affected travel

2009-06-04T23:05:00.000-07:00

IN THE light of a sharp increase in Influenza A (H1N1) cases globally and in Singapore, I had decided to cancel my family's trip to the United States and Canada this month.

My family had planned the trip a few months ago and we were very disappointed that the outbreak of H1N1 flu had derailed our travel plans. However, we followed the advice in the travel advisory issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to avoid non-essential travel to the affected areas, which include Canada, Mexico and the US, since I would be travelling with my children, aged nine and 10. I would like to applaud Singapore Airlines for allowing us to cancel our trip from Singapore to New York without penalty.

I had also booked domestic flights from New York to Toronto via Delta and American Airlines, but they refused to let me cancel the bookings with refund on the grounds that the tickets were non-refundable and that they do not classify New York and Canada as affected areas.

Given this, I called MSIG Insurance, as my family is insured under its travel plan, to enquire whether I could file a claim for non-recoverable expenses as a result of trip cancellation based on MOH's travel advisory. To my surprise, I was told by MSIG Insurance that our medical expenses would be covered if we were infected by the H1N1 virus, but expenses arising from trip cancellation due to the H1N1 flu are not covered.

I bought travel insurance for peace of mind, but I felt unprotected in this case. Airlines, travel agencies and insurance companies should play a more active role in supporting MOH's travel advisory by accommodating the needs of passengers or customers who have decided not to travel to affected areas.

For the benefit of other travelers, I would like to ask the General Insurance Association of Singapore for its advice and assistance in forwarding this message to its members.

I hope that insurers can exercise empathy and provide their consumers with better and wider coverage when dealing with unexpected outbreaks of viruses like Sars and H1N1.

Ms Yvonne Kong

Rising Health Insurance Costs Worry Americans

2009-06-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

With health insurance costs on the rise, concern American families as to how to afford health care is growing. Increased costs in the health care sector have far outpaced other sectors and standard inflationary rates. The rise in costs is due to a number of reasons. Increases in medical malpractice suits, and thus insurance rates providers must pay, have increased dramatically in the last decade and a half. Misuse of emergency rooms, lack of preventive care, sedentary lifestyles, and increases in the number of elective surgeries are just some of the other reasons behind the rising costs of health insurance.

The current state of the economy and rising jobless numbers is making the situation even tougher. With many families' health insurance tied to their job, the loss of that job means much more than the loss of wages. For families with members with pre-existing conditions, finding affordable rates in a timely manner is difficult but necessary. COBRA health insurance gives workers rights to continue their coverage in the event of a job less, however, workers usually are responsible for the full amount of the premium.

Some experts and many in the media blame health insurance companies for hiking rates and singling out unhealthy individuals. The problem does not rest entirely on the insurers themselves. Legislation in place preventing sales of plans across state lines prevents insurers from developing larger client pools, thus spreading the burden across more payers. Allowing interstate sales of plans would go a long way in assisting insurance providers in developing lower costs for consumers with larger risk-pools.

Discussion on taxing health benefits is another growing worry to many American families. For those family members keeping their jobs, the idea of more taxes is daunting. GOP Presidential candidate John McCain came under fire last fall for suggesting such a step was needed to pay for an overhaul in the nation's health care system. President Obama claimed to be against such a measure at the time but is now reportedly looking into the idea, one that officials claim would raise more than $3.5 trillion in the next decade. Talk of such a measure is leaving many Americans wondering how this will help them personally with affordable health insurance.

Some families are switching to health insurance plans with lower premiums but higher deductibles, plans of which cover less preventive and expected care and focus more on catastrophic events. Some experts argue this is a better model for the health care industry. Just as car insurance providers do not pay for annual maintenance of a vehicle, oil changes, or new tires, some argue annual physicals and other basic care measures are not an insurers' responsibility. Some argue insurance should be limited for visits to specialists, severe accidents, and other catastrophic events.

By cutting costs all around American families are finding ways to afford their health insurance. The majority of the country does have insurance, and many statisticians argue more than half the 45 million without could afford access to various plans. With health insurance costs on the rise, Washington should allow for companies to develop the largest risk pools as possible. This step alone would help stem the tide of higher costs everywhere.

Source: Kyle Godfrey

Medical bills play a role in 62% of bankruptcies, study says

2009-06-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

President Obama's push for healthcare reforms gets a boost today from a new study by Harvard University researchers that shows a sizable increase over six years in bankruptcies caused in part by ever-higher medical expenses.

The study found that medical bills, plus related problems such as lost wages for the ill and their caregivers, contributed to 62% of all bankruptcies filed in 2007. On the campaign trail last year and in the White House this year, Obama had cited an earlier study by the same authors showing that such expenses played a part in 55% of bankruptcies in 2001.

Medical insurance isn't much help, either. About 78% of bankruptcy filers burdened by healthcare expenses were insured, according to the survey, to be published in the August issue of the American Journal of Medicine.

"Health insurance is not a guarantee that illness won't bankrupt you," said Steffie Woolhandler, one of the authors, a practicing physician and an associate medical professor at Harvard.

"Lots of health insurance comes with big co-payments, deductibles and uncovered services," she said. "So you can be insured and still end up with big bills. At the same time, even if you have good insurance through your employer, you can lose it if you get sick and can't work."

Most people who filed medical-related bankruptcies "were solidly middle class before financial disaster hit," the study says. Two-thirds were homeowners, and most had gone to college.

The study does not suggest that medical expenses were the sole cause for these bankruptcies, but it does identify them as a contributing factor. The increase in such filings occurred despite a 2005 law aimed at making it more difficult for individuals to seek court protection from creditors.

And the latest study probably understates the current burden of medical expenses because it is based on bankruptcies filed before the recession hit.

The findings by a team of Harvard researchers from the law and medical schools are expected to help fuel the debate over what type of healthcare system is right for the U.S.

"If an individual's health expenses reached a certain level, there could be tax credits or other assistance to help those individuals," he said.

The study found that medical-related bankruptcy filers with private insurance reported average medical bills of $17,749. By comparison, people who filed for bankruptcy without insurance reported average medical expenses of $26,971.

Individuals with diabetes and neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, had the highest medical bills, averaging $26,971 for those with insurance and $34,167 for those without. Hospital bills were the largest expense for about half the families that filed health-related bankruptcies.

Dealing Without Health Insurance: 2 ways to avoid the emergency room trap

2009-05-11T04:53:00.000-07:00

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, made it illegal for hospitals to refuse to help people in medical need based on ability to pay. Unfortunately, uninsured people sometimes end up in the ER because a lack of routine care pushes their bodies to the brink or because they feel as if they have nowhere else to go, even for routine medical concerns.

A study done by the National Association of Community Health Centers found that Americans waste $18 billion a year on unnecessary ER visits. Because hospitals charge the uninsured significantly higher rates than the rates that insurance companies pay, Davis Liu, M.D., author of "Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely," says, "Never ever use the emergency room for routine medical care."

ERs handle life or limb-threatening injuries or conditions. Always go to the ER in these situations. However, you have other options for scenarios of an imminent, but not emergency, nature.

Call your doctor, community health center or hospital advice line. The on-call doctor or nurse can help determine if your symptoms warrant a trip to the ER, an urgent care facility or some medications to tide you over until you can be seen in a normal clinical setting.

Visit an urgent care clinic. These clinics address immediate medical needs other than life or limb-threatening problems. They are typically open when regular doctors' offices are closed.

Brits omitting travel insurance information

2009-05-11T04:52:00.001-07:00

are withholding vital information about medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance as the credit crunch takes hold.

As a result travel insurance could be invalid, warn experts at specialist AllClear.

Three out of five holidaymakers admit to either holding back crucial details about their medical history, or not being aware of its importance unless/until prompted.

The rising cost of premiums, or the risk of being refused cover altogether, are thought to be to blame. Lack of awareness of whether such minor conditions as asthma or high blood pressure need to be declared is also an issue.

"Some travellers do not understand the potential consequences of their pre-existing medical conditions," said Chris Blackman, head of product development at AllClear.

"And yet if they fall ill abroad, and need to be repatriated, they could find themselves facing an enormous bill."

AllClear's research shows that cost is the major driver in choosing an insurance product: 57 per cent said that they sought out the cheapest insurance, while only 22 per cent said that they were looking for value for money.

"Travel insurers share common issues with motor insurers," added Mr Blackman.

"Cheaper products often mean less cover, and policyholders only discover they are not covered at the point that a claim is made."

³Unfortunately this can often end in disaster. Failing to disclose such vital information means your insurer will be within their rights not to honour your claim, and you could be left stranded.²

AllClear recently reported that the average cost of claims for repatriating holidaymakers taken ill whilst overseas is in excess of £25,000.

An analysis of claims handled by the medical travel insurance specialist, showed that insurers are increasingly having to fork out huge sums to get travellers home, even for apparently minor injuries or ailments.

Dealing Without Health Insurance

2009-04-23T02:26:00.000-07:00

The reality of losing a job and the health insurance that went with it is daunting for people accustomed to employer-sponsored plans. It's a challenge self-employed people struggle with all the time, but going it alone on the open market is becoming more common as employers bow out of the health care business.

Karen Pennington, Ph.D., an associate professor in the nursing program at Regis University, says, "75% of the health care in this country traditionally comes from your place of employment. That number is falling. It is now down to 73% because employers are saying, 'I can't do it anymore. It's either pay an employee or pay into a health care system and fire an employee.'"

While the current administration places health care among its top priorities, it will take time to implement a plan. In the meantime, if you find yourself outside the relative safety of group health insurance plans, you have important decisions to make. Here's how you can make the best of a tough situation.

3 ways to avoid gaps in insurance coverage
Any lapses in health insurance coverage void federal and state protections and make getting insurance harder or even impossible. Avoid them whenever possible.

COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, allows employees, in most cases, to continue an employer's group plan at their own expense for up to 18 months. Often this is the best option if serious medical conditions make you ineligible for private health insurance, but it can be expensive. "COBRA was more than our mortgage," says Christina McMenemy of Columbus, Ohio, whose husband lost his state job in June 2008. "We're talking over $1,200 a month for a family of four, and we were like, 'Wow! That's just too much.'"

Unfortunately, the McMenemy family falls outside criteria for COBRA subsidies embedded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law in mid-February. The act offers premium assistance of 65% toward COBRA insurance for up to nine months, not the full 18 months, under the following conditions:

The unemployed person has an individual income of less than $125,000 per year or a family income of less than $250,000.
The person must be laid off between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009.
The person was participating in group coverage at the time of layoff.
Another caveat is that the former employer must continue to exist, so if a company files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, these subsidies would not apply.

However, says Sam Gibbs at eHealthInsurance.com, "If a person was laid off in September 2008 and did not choose COBRA within the required 62-day window, the new stimulus package allows them to become eligible for COBRA again, as long as the former employer continues to exist and offer group coverage."

For those currently employed but worried about needing COBRA, Gibbs recommends downgrading your insurance to a less expensive option during the annual open-enrollment period.

HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, offers some protection against insurance gaps. These "plans of last resort" guarantee coverage for those rejected on the private market. "As long as you have continuous coverage, you are always eligible for some type of program," says Gibbs. "As soon as you're left without coverage, then you are not eligible for a HIPAA plan."

For example, William Fogler of Atlanta made a COBRA payment mistake in November 2007 and lost his insurance before he could move to an individual plan. Because of this gap and a major pre-existing condition, Fogler is now uninsurable.

Individual or family plans. The same insurance providers who offer group plans also sell individual and family plans to those who qualify. Known as "major medical" plans, these insurance offerings use a catastrophic model, where you take responsibility via large annual deductibles (medical expenses paid out of pocket) in exchange for coverage beyond that. Common deductible options can be $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 or even $10,000 per year. Higher deductibles correlate with lower monthly premiums.

Gibbs uses a car insurance analogy to explain the difference. People expect car insurance to cover accidents and maybe a rental car, but they would never expect it to pay for regular maintenance such as wiper blades, oil changes, brakes and tires.

Inexpensive -- and Lousy -- Health Insurance

2009-04-23T02:21:00.000-07:00

An estimated 49 million Americans don't have any health insurance. Frightening. But even more startling are the discoveries of a Consumer Reports investigation, which found that many people who've purchased their own insurance are not as protected as they think.

It's not until people get sick that they discover the problem. That's what happened to Gina Eaton. Her policy has such a high deductible that she says she opted not to get medical treatment after a miscarriage. "I just kind of went to bed for about three or four days and tried not to walk around or do anything. I just stood real still and hoped that it would heal itself."

Consumer Reports says that the policies are like Swiss cheese. And the way they're written, it's really hard to spot the gaps. Even the insurance expert Consumer Reports hired to help check out the policies had a hard time deciphering some of them.

Consumer Reports' Nancy Metcalf says that many big-name insurance companies are offering those so-called junk policies. They look like a good deal because the premiums are low—but they're low for a reason. They are so riddled with loopholes, limits, and exclusions that they will not come close to covering your expenses if you ever fall seriously ill.

Consumer Reports says here's how to avoid junk health-insurance policies:

--Never buy a policy labeled "limited benefit" or "not major medical insurance."

--Don't leave out a category of care because you say to yourself that you never use it. You might not use it now, but you could desperately need it in six months.

--Don't take a salesperson's word for anything. Always read the fine print, which will help you avoid low-cost coverage that comes with a high price tag.

Consumer Reports' complete article on Hazardous Health Plans.

Healthcare on life support

2009-04-22T03:05:00.000-07:00

As we go to sleep tonight there are at least 48 million Americans without healthcare. I have only one question to ask to the 250 million Americans who are fortunate enough to have healthcare. Is that okay with you? Our current healthcare system was basically set up under the Nixon administration with the promise of providing quality healthcare to all Americans. Yet how can it be that more that twenty five years after the Nixon administration opened the gates for HMO's to decide the level of medical care we should receive, that there are more Americans without healthcare than ever.

There is a simple answer to that question. Medical coverage is now a matter of dollar and cents. The medical insurance companies are in the business of making money. Their bottom line is that they only make money if they take in more than they pay out. That means that they would like your insurance premiums to be more than the medical care that you are provided with for that year. Judging by immense profits that the medical insurance companies have been amassing over the last two decades, they have been doing a very good job at making sure the ledger balances in their favor.

When the former Fed chairman, Alan Greenspan was in front of a Congressional committee trying to explain what went wrong with Wall St., he said "I thought they would do the right thing". What he meant was that he thought that the people whose only job was to make as much money as they possibly could, would also take it upon themselves to police their own greed. That was akin to letting wolves loose in a hen house and expecting them to make sure that they left enough chickens alive so that everyone would have omelets the next morning. The health of Americans is now a "for-profit" enterprise. The insurance companies "do the right thing" by making sure that their profits are as big as possible. After all, they have stock holders to answer to. The health and well being of their policy holders is not their primary concern. They have thousands of people hard at work right now, trying to find a way to deny needed medical procedures for their policy holders. The system is now set up so that less medical help you get, the more money they get.

The "for-profit" system is what those fortunate enough to have coverage have to endure. The almost 50 million without health insurance have a different set of problems. While having insurance is not a guarantee that you won't end up tens of thousands of dollars in debt because of uncovered "experimental" treatments, or denied claims, or non pre-approved emergencies, but at least you usually get treated at the hospital. Try to show up at a hospital without medical coverage and see how you get treated. Hospitals have been known to try and ship people to other hospitals for emergency care because they don't have medical coverage. They have been known to put sick people in cabs and drop them off in the middle of the city because they don't have medical coverage. There is no such thing as preventative medicine for those without health insurance. A simple infection can turn deadly without proper treatment, but under the current system, those without coverage are almost destined for the more serious situation.

At the end of the day, the question has to be, what kind of country do we want to be? Do we want to be a country where we let children and the elderly die because of the lack of affordable medical care? Do we want to be a country where possible life saving treatments are denied because they hurt the bottom line? Our healthcare system is broken. The insurance companies, along with the American Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical companies seem hell bent and milking every penny possible from the pockets of the American workers. The lobbyists for the "Triangle of Terror" (that's my trademark, by the way), spend tens of millions of dollars every year to make sure that our representatives in Washington keep the gravy train rolling. I have always believed that we as a people are better than our current healthcare system would reflect. We are generous when people are in need. We spring to the aid of neighbors during time of crisis. We help strangers half way around the world that we will never meet. I simply cannot believe that the majority of Americans are happy with a system that holds human life as cheaply as our healthcare system does.

Is Universal healthcare possible in America? The answer is obviously yes. The American people cannot be afraid to do what's right. The opponents of healthcare reform will say that the government will now be deciding whether you get to have surgery. They will say that you will have to wait much longer for life saving treatments such as transplants. They will say that we are not socialist and that providing healthcare to everyone is a socialist idea. They will try and convince the majority of Americans that they currently get treated like they wealthy do and that reform will lead to them being treated like the poor are. If Americans were to closely examine the current system they would realize that they are already being treated like the poor. Healthcare reform is absolutely necessary for us to move forward as a world leader in this new century. The health of our citizens should not be one of those things that gets worse as time goes on, but somehow it is. We rank behind every developed nation in western hemisphere in life expectancy. We rate no better than in the thirties in overall infant mortality rates. We can do better and we must do better. There is a better way, we just have to demand it.

Health Care Seen As The Top Priority By Many Americans

2009-04-22T03:02:00.000-07:00

Washington (dbTechno) - It appears that many Americans feel that the top priority of our government should be health care reform.

As of right now, there are still over 40 million Americans who are living without health insurance, leaving many to wonder why health care reform took so long to get put under the spotlight.

There are clearly many issues in the United States, with unemployment, the housing market, stock market, etc.

The belief of many though is that by fixing health care in the U.S., it may actually trickle down to help those other areas.

This not only includes just providing health care to all of those uninsured, but also to make health care more affordable to normal Americans so it does not take such a big dent in their wallets.

In the year 2008, health care costs skyrocketed yet again, causing major issues for those trying to afford health insurance.

This puts a strain on individuals, as well as businesses who try and give health insurance programs to employees.

It is going to take time, but health care reform needs to get done, and started this year.

That appears to be the case according to President Barack Obama and others, now we are waiting to see it happen.

Redundant expats search for a new safety net

2009-03-30T06:56:00.000-07:00

By Peter Pallot
Last Updated: 4:45PM BST 29 Mar 2009

Analysis of inquiries to an insurer's internet site since December 2008 shows that more than half of those currently insured are looking for cheaper cover.

Medicare International said 56 per cent of inquiries from existing policyholders were comparing prices with their current provider. The insurer described the result "as a significant trend in the healthcare insurance market, as people 'shop around' for the best deals on the market".

The insurer also claims to have picked up a change in profile of policyholder. As international companies shed staff, these individuals lose corporate insurance cover but may still wish, or need, to work abroad. Consequently they are seeking to buy what their former employer provided but are being more cost conscious.

David Pryor, managing director at Medicare, said the credit crisis was prompting employers increasingly to turn to short-term hire. Many of those hired were self-employed.

He said: "Private healthcare customers are looking to find the most competitive rates on the market today."

Although taking steps to economise may seem logical, insurers can cite many occasions in which skimping on cover backfires. Surveys show that people tend to underestimate the cost of medical care. Market leader Bupa International has just warned that some medical rescues can cost £50,000 – and that is before subsequent treatment bills come in.

Another insurer points to the potential dangers of keeping cover in reduced form, for instance by cutting chronic disease cover.

Matt Gale, a regional sales consultant at Expacare, said: "Cutting this cover could cost clients and their families a huge amount of money and trauma, not only short term but over a long period, which could be especially bad given current uncertainties about employment."

Insurance adviser Stephen Walker said: "As often as not, expats don't have public medicine to fall back on, so it's even more important to keep medical insurance in place."

"Medical insurance provides the peace of mind of knowing that you are not dependent on state medicine to get the right treatment when you need it, but can arrange hospital appointments and treatment according to your home and workplace schedules," added Mr Walker, director of Brighton-based Medical Insurance Services.

Films offer alternative takes on childbirth

2009-02-21T20:56:00.000-08:00

"Orgasmic Birth" will be screened Saturday, Feb. 28, at Camden Public Library and also in May at Belfast Free Library as part of series there.

At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Morningstar Midwifery/Maternal Wellness Center of Belfast and Camden Public Library will co-sponsor a screening of the 2008 documentary "Orgasmic Birth" in the library's Jean Picker Room, Atlantic Avenue.

The 87-minute film will be followed by a discussion with the community and local birthing professionals. The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Joyous, sensuous and revolutionary, "Orgasmic Birth" brings the ultimate challenge to our cultural myths by inviting viewers to see the emotional, spiritual and physical heights attainable through birth. The film features commentary by Christiane Northrup, M.D., and midwives Ina May Gaskin, Elizabeth Davis and other experts in the field; and stunning moments of women in the ecstatic release of childbirth.

Donna Broderick and Ellie Daniels are Certified Professional Midwives with Morningstar Midwifery and will be available, along with other local midwives, doulas and birth educators, to answer questions after the screenings.

"Americans are bombarded with images of birth as a scary, medicalized emergency. 'Orgasmic Birth' is one of a number of refreshing new films coming out that depict it as the safe, spiritual, joyful journey it can be when women get good support and care," said Broderick.

The community is invited to participate in the lively discussion to follow.

Three-part series at Belfast Free Library
Morningstar Midwifery/the Maternal Wellness Center also is sponsoring Other Images of Birth, a three-part spring film series, on the first Wednesday of every month, March through May. Screenings, along with community discussions, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays March 4, April 1 and May 6 in the Abbott Room of Belfast Free Library, 106 High St. All events are free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

The first event in the series will be a local birth "Artivists" Night on March 4, with a film and poetry reading by two Belfast birth artists and activists followed by a moderated panel and community discussion.

The film shown will be "ROAR" (2009) by local filmmaker and homebirth mother Nicolle Littrell, who created the 13-minute work as a video meditation on the state of birth and a call for change. The female voice is at the center as interviews with Maine midwives and legislators are interwoven with stunning homebirth footage.

The film will be followed by a brief poetry reading of birth poems by Arielle Greenberg, a Chicago-based poet who is currently in Belfast, working on an oral history of the new back-to-the-land movement and a consumer’s guide to working with midwives. Greenberg is the author of two poetry collections and co-editor of two poetry anthologies. There will be plenty of time for discussion afterward.

The second event will be a screening of the 2008 feature-length documentary "Pregnant in America" on April 1. Shocked by the greed of U.S. hospitals, insurance companies and medical organizations, filmmaker Steve Buonagurio and his wife Mandy set out to have a natural home birth in a world where everything is anything but natural. The film is entertaining as it is educational and is high on emotional content.

The final event will be another showing of "Orgasmic Birth" on May 6.

The Maternal Wellness Center, located at 111 High St. in Belfast, was created last winter with the mission of creating a community-centered, accessible and secure center for multiple uses associated with pregnancy, birth, women’s wellness, parenting support and health and wellness for babies and children. For more information, call Arielle Bywater at 338-0708 between 1 and 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Health Care Options for Recent Graduates

2009-02-14T01:03:00.000-08:00

By Janet Aschkenasy
Herb Daroff recently received some very welcome news from his son, who graduated from college three years ago.

“Dad, I finally got health insurance!” he told his father, a certified financial planner at Baystate Financial Planning in Boston.

Daroff’s son has been working as a freelance film editor since he graduated from college in 2005. He had found securing health insurance elusive, to say the least.

That’s hardly surprising, since many employers, including those hiring workers full-time, have been increasingly cutting back on health insurance expenditures. Indeed, the median individual deductible for health insurance coverage required by small and medium sized employers (those with less than 500 employees) offering the most popular kind of health plan doubled last year, rising to $1,000 in 2008 from $500 in 2007, according to Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans.

Back in 2000, only about 50% of employers imposed a preferred provider organization (PPO) deductible, versus 80% today, says Mercer, and when they did the median was just $250.

Recent grads are especially feeling the pinch.

“More and more you’ll find kids who…need to get their health insurance on their own,” says Daroff. Employers are not paying anywhere near as much of the premium as they used to, and there are fewer perks like dental insurance, he says.

Regular Plans, Large Deductibles
One of the Mercer findings its consultants found startling was that the high deductibles were being imposed on traditional PPOs, the sort where you can visit any doctor or facility you wish so long as it is part of a preferred network of providers. PPOs are the most popular type of health plan, says Mercer.

Mercer also found an increase in the number of so-called consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) being offered by employers. Often, an employer will couple a high-deductible plan with a tax-advantaged account from which the consumer can pay qualified medical expenses of the account holder and his or her spouse, or dependents. You put money into your own individual health savings account (HSA) tax free, and funds are not taxed when withdrawn for qualified medical expenses. In 2008, CDHP were offered by 20% of employers with 500 or more employees, up from 14% in 2007.

How Recent Grads Can Get Coverage
What’s encouraging about these trends is that freelancers and part-time workers without employer-sponsored health plans can use these strategies on their own to minimize costs and purchase at least a minimum level of health protection for a fraction of the cost of first-dollar insurance.

Most any bank can help you set up an HSA from which you can fund health expenditures tax free, often by using a debit card

Health Insurers and Laid –Off Workers Try to Find Solutions under New Health Regulations

2009-01-24T00:37:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Jason Ramsey on Thu, 01/22/2009 - 08:54

With Obama taking oath as the President of America everyone is waiting with bated breath to see what changes he will make, particularly in the area of health reforms. While the people are hopeful for a reprieve the health insurers are wary.

The recession that’s taken a hold of the country has brought many laid off people face to face with health insurance and soaring costs. There only hope is that Obama will change policies and thereby make it easier for them to afford medical insurance. The health insurers on the other hand worry that Obama might shift the onus of health care costs from the people onto them.

Speaking on the subject were representatives of Florida’s biggest health insurers such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Humana and Aetna. “We think every American is entitled to have health insurance,” said Glenn Baker, vice president of sales and account management for UnitedHealthcare’s small-business sector in Orlando. But “to make any major changes is going to take real intestinal fortitude because there’s going to be winners and losers.”

The insurance companies biggest fear is that under the new ruling they will have to cover people with pre-existing illnesses which would essentially mean that they have a heavier financial burden to bear. They feel it would be offset if Obama were to make health insurance mandatory which he has been reluctant to do. Stephen Birtman, Humana’s Florida government relations director, said, “How we get there, I don’t know,” referring to the difficulty in enforcing such a mandate.

Peter Diniaco, vice president of sales and service for Aetna’s Jacksonville and Tampa offices said the Government could help by signing up people who qualify for government-subsidized programs like Medicaid and Medicare but who remain uninsured. For the remainder, “we as an industry can develop products to serve that population,” he said.

Under present regulations a worker who is laid off is entitled to extended health coverage from the former employer for a period of 18 months under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). In COBRA the individual pays the entire premium without the company’s help and these are often more than double of what a premium cost while employed.

Reid Rasmussen, an insurance carrier relations manager with Dallas-based BenefitMall, a resource for employee-benefits brokers said, "Health insurance policies are like different flavors. Maybe the biggest company doesn’t have the flavor for your situation."

Also a member of the Dallas Association of Health Underwriters, Rasmussen recommends getting an insurance broker to help navigate through different options after a layoff. "That’s what they’re there for," Rasmussen said. "Without them, you might end up paying too much or buying more insurance policy than what you need."

Ann Rote, Aetna Inc.’s Southwest region general manager of consumer business said, "Make sure your benefits don’t lapse. Somehow, get coverage. A lot of people make the mistake of running naked for a few months."

Adding a word from an insurer’s point of view Bill Newton, executive director of the Florida Consumer Action Network said, “The principles we see is that it covers everybody. And it’s affordable,” he said of the Obama plan. Insurers, he added, “need to stop grousing and try to help create a pragmatic solution to the problem.” (Additional reporting by Harkiran)

Health facilities in Houston step up routine testing for HIV

2009-01-19T03:38:00.000-08:00

By CINDY GEORGE HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Jan. 17, 2009, 8:56PM

In most health care settings, the married mother of three who arrived in the emergency room with severe back and abdominal pain would not have been considered for an HIV test.

The 39-year-old office assistant said she’s been in a committed marriage for 15 years and was screened for the virus that causes AIDS while pregnant with her youngest, now 4.

But when Maria Zaldivar’s blood was drawn at the Memorial Hermann-The Texas Medical Center’s emergency room one recent night, she was offered HIV screening among other tests.

“They asked if they could do that blood work, and I said it was fine,” said Zaldivar, who suffered from gallstones and tested negative for HIV. “It’s not something you think about getting done.”

Houston is one of 25 areas with high HIV infection rates that is involved in a national initiative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make testing for the virus a regular part of medical care — just like screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.

Two years ago, the CDC suggested routine HIV testing in all health care settings in the United States, but few hospitals, clinics and doctor offices began screening everyone because of the cost.

Still, experts say, testing is critical, because one of the best ways to prevent new HIV cases is for people with the virus to know they are infected.

Now, the CDC is spending more than $35 million nationwide on a testing program that provides grants to selected health departments, hospitals and clinics. The goal is to test 1.5 million people this year and identify 20,000 HIV-positive people who currently don’t know they have the virus.

Money started flowing to Houston in 2007 to help pay for the tests as well as counselors who assist patients dealing with news that they have a chronic, but treatable, condition. Since then, the Houston health department and participating health care providers have received more than $1 million.

Last year, emergency centers at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and Ben Taub General Hospital along with two clinics run by Legacy Community Health Services started routinely testing adults for HIV under the program. The project is to expand to LBJ General Hospital’s emergency center this spring.

In the six months since the Houston program started, more than 100 people have learned that they are HIV positive.

“It is a prevention strategy to identify the people who have the virus and don’t know it,” said Marlene McNeese-Ward, who heads the Houston health department’s HIV prevention efforts.

The Houston area’s HIV infection rate is nearly twice the national average. About 1,700 Harris County residents became HIV-positive in 2006, according to the latest health department figures available. An estimated one-fourth of the people living with HIV in Houston — as many as 6,000 — do not know they have the virus, experts say.

Institutions in other cities with high infection rates, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington, have received grants to participate in the project.

In Texas, HIV testing is routine for pregnant women to protect babies from infection, for inmates entering state prisons and for those donating blood. In most other instances, an HIV test is done upon request.

McNeese-Ward said the routine testing program catches the virus in a wide range of people, allowing those found to be HIV-positive to get into treatment sooner, live longer and reduce the chance they will transmit the virus to others. Emergency rooms, which treat large numbers of the uninsured, are especially vital for finding new HIV cases, because an estimated half of the people in the U.S. with the virus have no health insurance.

The project’s greatest promise, McNeese-Ward said, is that the hundreds, maybe thousands, who are diagnosed with HIV under the program will nudge policy-makers across the country to mandate HIV tests as a part of routine medical care.

1 percent positive
In the last half of 2008, Houston program sites screened more than 11,000 people. The 103 who discovered they had the virus accounted for about 1 percent of those tested. This year, Houston officials expect to check 70,000 people under the program and identify at least 600 who are HIV-positive.

An HIV test is offered to all adults who have blood drawn at Ben Taub’s emergency room, about 40 percent of patients. Only a few people have declined the test, hospital officials said.

Half of the new cases detected through the program have been found at the public hospital, which serves as a safety net for the uninsured. About 2.3 percent of the nearly 6,000 adults tested at Ben Taub have been positive, including 50 who were newly diagnosed and 81 who already knew they had the virus.

Dr. Shkelzen Hoxhaj said he might have sent a recent patient with pneumonia home until he learned the person had HIV.

“That meant we had to keep them in the hospital for more intensive treatment,” said Hoxhaj, who directs Ben Taub’s emergency center. “The fact that we’re (testing) more routinely has really helped improve the care of patients.”

Dr. James McCarthy, emergency director at Memorial Hermann in the Medical Center, said screening everyone’s blood reduces the fear and shame associated with HIV.

“Most of the recommendations from the CDC are picked up and followed, but there was a great silence about this one,” he said.

“There’s still a lot of stigma about HIV testing and the disease itself.”

Memorial Hermann, which launched the project last June as Houston’s first program site, offers HIV tests to patients ages 18 to 64, whether they are having blood drawn or not.

About one in five decline the test, McCarthy said.

Historically, those seeking HIV tests went to the Montrose Clinic in the heart of the city’s gay community, which was Houston’s first site to offer anonymous testing. Now called Legacy Community Health Services, the clinic and its sister location in the Fifth Ward offer treatment from pediatric care to family planning. Both sites are involved in the routine testing project.

Former truck driver Tony Walker, sidelined from work by high blood pressure, turned to Legacy after losing his health insurance. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and, for the first time, was offered an HIV test.

“I have no problem being tested,” said Walker, 51, of Houston, “because if there’s something there, I’d like to know.”

Early detection
Memorial Hermann’s McCarthy said the value of the program bears out in data showing that those who discover they have HIV shortly after infection can stay healthier, keep themselves out of the hospital and defer health care costs for years.

“The one thing that the community needs to know is that the prevalence of this disease is far greater than most of them think,” he said.

“There are a whole lot of people walking around with HIV. And if more of them know it, the better off everyone’s health here is going to be.”

Dr. Joseph Gathe, a Houston HIV specialist in private practice who treats 3,500 patients with the virus, applauds the strategy but said the project might have missed some people he recently diagnosed — a married couple in their 70s and a 15-year-old girl who reported having 16 partners. All three fall outside target age groups.

“The average physician doesn’t really offer HIV testing routinely to people unless they think they need it,” said Gathe, who has advocated HIV screening as a national standard of health care.

“It’s a disease of behavior, and nobody knows what your behavior is,” he said. “This project takes all of that out of the equation and just does the test.”

All I Want for Christmas Is Universal Health Care!

2008-12-26T03:49:00.000-08:00

By Martin Brown, updated 12/25/2008 at 2:58:03 AM

After years of national anguish, is universal health care too much to ask from our government? A long time ago, Americans looked across the Atlantic and shook their heads in wonder at European nations, which felt no compulsion whatsoever to provide accessible and free public education for all.

Now, more than a century later, the descendants of those Europeans wonder with equal amazement why it's taken us so long to realize that that accessible, affordable health care is not a privilege but a basic human right.

Within its first hundred years, our country learned that every child should have access to education. Without that access, we could never call ourselves a land of opportunity. It was that belief that allowed us to throw off the yoke of a caste society that remained in place in England, for example, when America was producing individuals like Lincoln and others, who rose out of poverty to become leaders in their chosen fields.

In regard to health care, England decided that an individual’s need to have medical attention and care, whenever needed was not, connected to the issue of their means to purchase that care, but rather the basic responsibility of an ethical society.

Americans made a very different choice. They viewed a “socialized health system” as synonymous with poor quality of health care. Ongoing campaigns by special interest groups, such as the American Medical Association, private insurance providers, private hospital and health maintenance organizations, helped greatly to enforce the message that government provided health care was a road to ruin for our nation’s health systems.

For years this public relations campaign perpetrated upon American citizens held sway as seen in 1993. In that year the new Clinton administration made a push for national health care and was not able to win the support of Congress or the voters as reported in various research polls. But in the fifteen years since that failed attempt much has changed. Basic health care insurance has become unaffordable for millions of Americans. As of June 2008 an estimated 50 million Americans have no health insurance and another 25 million are under insured. Both groups are reluctant to seek basic medical attention for everything from mammograms and prostate checks, to help with an infection or injury. And those numbers continue ever upward with the passage of time.

Perhaps the most shocking of all is the simple fact that the long-standing argument that American health care is “the world’s finest” is simply not true.

That of course does not mean that the fully covered in our nation, along with the very wealthy, to not receive a very high level of care. What it means is that the overall health outcomes for Americans as a whole is sinking to lower and lower levels.

Consider, for example, this shocking information from a 2006 health report, issued by the World Health Organization: Cuba ranked 39th in terms of overall health care performance out of 191 member nations. Meanwhile, the United States ranked 72nd on that same list.

This, in spite of the fact that a 2007 survey revealed that Cuba’s per capita income of $4,500 based on gross domestic product, is approximately one-tenth that of the United States, which has a $46,000 per capita income.

Another equally disturbing fact: Canada, which has had national health care for decades, spends a full third less on the care of their citizens than the US.

The bottom line is increasingly clear: Nation after nation spends substantially less than America on its total health care bill, and in exchange has better health outcomes and longer life spans.

For these reasons, and many more, all I want for Christmas is national health care. It’s an idea whose time has come!

Gordon Brown's recession will hit the middle classes hardest

2008-12-20T06:01:00.000-08:00

In my parents' garage, amid moth-eaten sofas, dead lawn mowers and broken televisions, lies a canning machine.

George Bridges
Last Updated: 9:55AM GMT 20 Dec 2008

It was given to my great aunt, then a matriarch in the Women's Institute, by the Canadian Women's Institute in the dark days of 1940. This sisterly present was more than just a means of conserving the ubiquitous WI jam. It was about "making do", digging for victory, "waste not want not". It was part of the way that genteel, middle-class Britain responded in our hour of need, when its values were under threat.

Now those values are threatened again. Stable middle Britain is in the frontline of today's economic war. Those who saved and invested have been kicked in the financial solar plexus. Houses, shares, pensions – the nest eggs of millions of families have been crushed. And with them has gone ownership not just of things, but of chunks of one's life, like how to live in retirement, how to educate one's children.

The full weight of the economic blitz has yet to be felt. Unlike the 1980s, which was a manufacturing recession, this will be a David Brent recession, scything its way through managers and professionals. The bombs will fall on Slough, and across the South-East. Architects have already set up a "recovery task force". Even public relations companies are resorting to selling "recession PR" – a not so subtle way of saying "we're hurting too".

Middle Britain is adjusting to austerity. Retailers are "resetting" their business, repositioning their brands to appeal to yummy mummies turned bargain-hunters. Millions of people, many of whom have never experienced serious economic pain, are changing their habits. Why go to a restaurant when you can eat in? Why pay for a gym when you can run in a park? Why go to the cinema when you can watch TV? Why drive the car when you can go by bus? And as wallets shut, so do firms.

Some may put a brave face on all this. One argument is "the recession has a green lining": to save on energy bills, people will turn off lights and lag their lofts. They will dig for victory, renting allotments to grow their own food. There's the "we'll get to know Britain properly" line: foreign holidays are out, wet picnics on windswept beaches are in.

Some of this may be true, but I don't like being told "being poor is good for you". And these arguments miss the big picture. First, we are at the end of an era when people could dip into their pockets to protect the planet or help the Third World. As people turn up their financial collars against the economic chill, they are focusing once again on themselves. Of course they still care about others' suffering, but luxury political issues – the environment, overseas aid, the arts and so on – can't beat looking after number one.

And here's the rub: the state is not offering a helping hand to lead the middle classes back to self-reliance; instead it is getting a stranglehold on their lives. After a decade of Sisyphean labour, trying to push the state's rock out of their path, the middle class has once again been flattened by it, crushing their independence.

Consider education. Thousands thought, like Alastair Campbell, that too many state schools are bog standard, and scrimped and saved to send their children to private schools. Today, these are the parents most at risk of being called in for "a quiet word" with the boss. The upshot: 20 per cent of local authorities expect to see higher demand for state school places. Then there is private medical insurance, held by four million people: how many of their subscriptions will be scrapped? Likewise with private long-term care, which already cripples many families: a quarter of councils report increased demands for state-funded care.

You may say this is no bad thing. If the middle classes didn't evacuate their children from state schools and used the NHS, they might exert more pressure to get real change in these services. But you would not force a man back into a burning building in order to get the fire brigade to come quicker. So why should we have to risk children getting a bad education, or picking up an infection in hospital, in order to get change?

Yes, these trends might pass. As people grow richer, they will once again return to the private sector. What is more worrying is the growth in the state itself. Thanks to Gordon Brown, it is now the only growth industry. It employed 14,000 more people between June and September – while the private sector shrank by 128,000. Over the last year, the numbers employed in health, education and public services rose by 90,000, while the number in financial and business services fell by 112,000. For all its "efficiency drives", the state is a good employer and a bad sacker. How many of these will be jobs for life, complete with a pension – pumping up the public sector's pension liability of £1 trillion? And who is making the simple point that the more people work for the state, the fewer there are to create wealth to pay for it, and the higher the taxes they have to pay?

The middle classes have been milked to pay for Brown's boom. They will soon by mugged to pay for his bust. The question is how they will react. John Prescott, in one of his more eloquent moments, said: "We're all middle class now." If he's right, Gordon Brown should be very worried indeed.

Alternative Therapies That Really Work

2008-12-12T21:13:00.000-08:00

By Dr. Mark Liponis
Publication Date: 12/14/2008
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 62% of Americans use some form of alternative medicine. But few of these treatments are covered by the average medical-insurance plan. The NIH estimates that Americans spend between $36 billion and $47 billion out of pocket each year on alternative therapies such as acupuncture or meditation.

So, do they really work? With government funding, science is expanding its study of alternative and complementary treatments. Some, but not all, are showing positive results. And many of the most successful methods involve “mind-body therapies”—techniques that use the power of the mind to help heal the body.

Here are three commonly used mind-body therapies that have scientific backing and have passed the litmus test of rigorous medical inquiry.

ACUPUNCTURE
What it is: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice involving the placement of very skinny, sterile needles into the skin at specific points located along “energy meridians.”
How it works: Eastern philosophy says that acupuncture affects the flow of qi (pronounced “chee”), or energy, through the energy meridians. Western science reasons that the needles interact with our nervous system, triggering the release of hormonelike chemicals that affect our mood, perception of pain, and immune response.
What it’s good for: In a 2004 study, acupuncture was shown to be helpful in reducing pain due to knee arthritis. It also could be beneficial for sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder. And when used along with in vitro fertilization, it may be effective in increasing the odds of success in female conception. Stimulating an acupuncture point in the toe even may help correct the breech position of babies in the last trimester and allow more women to avoid C-sections, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

MEDITATION
What it is: Meditation activates the relaxation response and improves blood pressure and hormone balance. The most popular method is transcendental meditation (TM), in which you focus on repeating a personal mantra as you meditate.
How it works: TM trains you to block out distractions, creating calmer and more powerful brain patterns. Brain-wave measurements of experienced practitioners during meditation show slow, focused waves similar to those found during sleep, as well as synchronization of waves from different areas within the brain.
What it’s good for: Research indicates that TM may have positive effects on blood pressure, insulin, blood sugar, and heart health. It also can improve concentration, reduce anxiety, and help with post-traumatic stress. Just say, “Om.”

BIOFEEDBACK
What it is: A relatively new technique, biofeedback teaches you to use the power of your brain to control “automatic” functions of the body, such as blood pressure, pulse rate, stress response, skin temperature, and brain waves.
How it works: Sensors monitor the automatic function, such as heart rate, which is then displayed on a screen so you can see it. By controlling your thoughts, you learn to change the display in a desired direction.
What it’s good for: Studies show that biofeedback can help reduce symptoms in a range of maladies, including high blood pressure, chronic back pain, incontinence, tension headaches, and stress. In experimental research, it even is being used to help paraplegics control artificial limbs with their minds.

US health reform gains momentum

2008-12-07T03:41:00.000-08:00

Bu Jonathan Beale
BBC News, Washington

Well, apart from the obvious that they all occupied the Oval Office, they also all proposed some kind of universal health coverage programme - and they all failed to deliver.

With their failure in mind, Barack Obama has been more cautious.

He has not gone as far as to promise universal health care - but that is clearly his goal.

Reduce costs

So what are President-elect Obama's proposals?

He wants to increase health coverage by reducing medical costs.

He also wants to improve quality.

How? Well, on the campaign trail he promised to cut the average American family's healthcare bill by $2,500 a year.

He is also promising mandatory healthcare coverage for all children, financial assistance for people who cannot afford health insurance and for small businesses to help meet the costs of giving their employees cover.

He also wants to bring down the costs of medication.

The challenge is huge.

Around 50 million Americans have no health insurance - millions more are under-insured.

His administration will have to tackle a complex system of private health insurance, vested interests and the mountains of paperwork involved in getting healthcare to those Americans who rely on government support through Medicare (for the elderly) and Medicaid (for the poor).

Barack Obama hopes to make savings of billions of dollars by cutting through red tape and computerising the system, but not everyone believes that it is going to be as easy as it sounds.

And there are more pressing domestic problems - namely the state of the US economy.

Crisis or opportunity?

While Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain may have seen healthcare as a priority in the middle of the election campaign, it has been eclipsed by the financial meltdown.

The question now is - can America afford it?

And can the president-elect give it the attention it needs?

The US already spends 15% of its wealth on healthcare - a greater proportion than most developed nations.

Can it afford to spend more?

Henry Aaron, a healthcare expert at the Brookings Institution, says that initially he was sceptical that a new Obama administration would be able to deliver.

But now he argues the economic crisis could make it easier.

He believes it is now possible to link healthcare reform to an economic stimulus.

If the US is already spending a trillion dollars on an economic bail-out, then throwing money at healthcare is no longer such a problem.

Mr Aaron says it would cost about $100bn a year to cover the uninsured.

Politically too, there may never be a better time to take on the issue.

Deal-maker

Barack Obama is not alone in promising to tackle healthcare reform.

The Democratic party has strengthened its grip on Congress and that can only help his efforts.

Mr Obama is expected to appoint a former majority leader of the Senate - Tom Dashcle - as his health secretary.

He is someone who knows his way round Congress and, just importantly, is seen as a consensus-builder.

He has the necessary skills to bang heads together and reach a deal.

And Tom Dashcle will not have to work on his own.

The Democratic Senate Finance Committee Chairman - Max Baucus - has just published his own 89-page plan.

It calls for a mandate on all Americans to carry health insurance - more than Mr Obama is proposing.

But he is already consulting the president-elect.

As is the veteran Senator Ted Kennedy, who, after surgery to remove a tumour on his brain, is now promising to put together a health bill within months.

It remains an enormous task, however.

And the past shows that good intentions are not enough.

Getting politicians from both parties, as well as state governments, private health insurers and the pharmaceutical companies all on side will not be easy.

But there is at least a consensus that America's healthcare system is in dire need of reform.

As to what it will look like, Henry Aaron says: "Expect evolution not revolution".

Barack Obama's opponents may call him a socialist, but no American politician is advocating a British-style nationalised health service.

Timothy Hutton lends a hand in TNT's 'Leverage'

2008-12-01T03:08:00.000-08:00

By CRISTINA KINON
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

TNT is promoting its latest action-drama "Leverage" as a tale about modern-day Robin Hoods.

That's a comparison star star Timothy Hutton finds fun but certainly not all-encompassing.

"I'm not sure how far that comparison goes because there are other aspects to it as well," Hutton told the Daily News. "It works as a modern-day Robin Hood theme, but it also has a little 'Ocean's 11' kind of feel to it and some 'Mission Impossible.'"

"Leverage," premiering Dec. 7 at 10, features Hutton as Nate Ford, a former insurance investigator who quits his job after his son dies as a result of his company's refusal to cover the medical bills. Depressed, out of work and at the bottom of the bottle, Nate decides to form a team of grifters with individual skills such as stealing, hacking and acting, who work together to steal from the rich and give to the poor.

In the first season, Nate's team will target contractors who scheme victims of Hurricane Katrina out of their homes, a shady horse dealer, an orphanage in Kosovo and a money-laundering scheme related to the Iraq War.

"It's not corporations that the team goes after, it's individuals," said Hutton. "It just so happens that some of these individuals works for bad corporations, but we target corrupt people."

This will be Hutton's second regular TV series role. He previously starred on NBC's "Kidnapped."

Hutton was attracted to the part of Nate because he found it was easy to imagine where the character was coming from and why he's searching for some kind of redemption.

"I don't relate to him on any personal level, but I thought it was really interesting to have this guy who's basically hit rock bottom," Hutton said. "He realizes that if he can make a difference for somebody who was put in a really bad situation, that's the thing that can start to get him back together again."

There's a line in the first season that Hutton says perfectly sums up his character: "Nate, you don't need rehab, you need revenge."

Hutton is keeping his fingers crossed for a second season of "Leverage," but has all the faith in the world that TNT will find the show an audience.

"Cable networks are getting the better scripts these days because people understand how strong they are as a company, as a network," said Hutton. "They chose to work with people and on projects that they believe in, and they know how to bring an audience to those shows. It's so much fun doing 'Leverage,' and TNT is an incredible company to work for."

ckinon@nydailynews.com

Health Care Technology for Realtors

2008-11-28T04:35:00.000-08:00

Bernadette Ancog
November 27, 2008

RealCare Insurance Marketing is a licensed insurance agency in California that specializes in helping California businesses find and purchase the health insurance and HMO programs within their budget. Their scope is not limited to health insurance, but also other applicable assistance for your insurance benefits and needs with a multi-faceted application system that addresses your health insurance related compliance issues.

Other services and features include, but not limited to health care insurance counseling, health care insurance claims assistance, billing, and employee benefit assistance.

Their coverage also includes dental and medical insurance, individual and group insurance, life insurance, vision benefits, disability, retirement plans, section 125 plans, voluntary benefits, state disability and realtor benefits. They also offer FREE insurance quotes for individual or family, employer groups and realtors. There are not that many insurance agencies that do all these in just a click of a button.

Now we are going to discuss on the different insurance plans that RealCare´s expertise will be able to help and guide you through.

Dental Insurance - RealCare Insurance Marketing is very active in the group and individual dental insurance marketplace. This is applicable for those wanting to investigate the dental insurance for an individual, group plan for a small start up, or a partially self-funded multi-state corporate group plan. They are there to assist you evaluate you needs, survey the market place, prepare side by sde plan and do price comparisons for your review, then they will be able to help implement the plans that you determine best that suits your needs.

Same assistance goes for the group and individual medical insurance. This assistance applies best to employers. They help narrow the volume of quotes and help you review the various options that best suit your selection for your company.

Life Insurance. Group life insurance is one of the least expensive employee benefits and one of the most important! RealCare Insurance Marketing can guide you with the different options and offer you FREE quotes to help you decide which option works best for your company.

Other insurance plans will be discussed further through their site to help you with your business.

So think about your future and your needs! Let RealCare Insurance Marketing work for you!

To know more about their company, you can visit their site at www.realcare.biz.

Medical Malpractice in Queens Fluctuates as Economic Crisis Sets In

2008-11-10T19:33:00.000-08:00

Everyone is worried what is going to happen on account of the current economic crisis. Now that the shock of it all has settled down, people are trying to determine what the short and long term effects are going to be. In order for people to be confident in any sort of investment, banks are trying to ensure people that their money is safe despite the crisis. People are not only worried about their daily budget, but also about medical insurance and other types of regulatory measures that affects the everyday family life.

People are very in tune with the current election, because healthcare is a big issue. The two candidates proposals on healthcare are quite different, therefore people are going to base their current healthcare program on the proposals of their desired candidate. The fact of the matter is that medical malpractice is what is driving the hike in medical insurance costs. Medical malpractice in Queens has seen a lot of variation in the number of cases of medical malpractice that has stemmed from the area. So whoever learns the election is going to have a big impact on the price people are going to pay for healthcare.

Medical malpractice Queens is a very serious issue that has some people so scared to receive medical care, which people are tending to opt out entirely. Not being able to receive quality medical care at a decent price is something of big concern in the United States. Other countries like Canada where healthcare is provided for all has a better standard of living because people are not worried about how they are going to pay for medical insurance.

Elderly people and young adults are the most apt to not having medical insurance because it can tend to be very costly and out of touch with their current needs. In order to instill some quality of care in our medical institutions, affordable healthcare must be present in our nation. Instances of medical malpractice in Queens stem from medical professionals paying the duty of care needed to sufficiently take care of their patients. This is a very big problem that is currently being addressed as the 2008 November election comes closer. In order to reduce the amount of medical malpractice in Queens, we need both affordable healthcare and quality medical professionals to make this epidemic subside. In order to get these two things accomplished we need a change in our government that is hopefully going to come from the new president starting in 2009.

If you or a loved one has been directly affected by an occurrence of medical malpractice in Queens, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. A medical malpractice Queens’ lawyer will be able to stand up for you in a court of law and get you started on your path to justice. Medical malpractice settlements commonly cover medical expenses, loss of wages, as well as for pain and suffering.

Paul Justice gives advice to clients who are looking for attorneys to handle injury related cases such as medical malpractice, automobile accidents. To know more about medical malpractice NY, malpractice lawyer and medical malpractice Queens visit http://www.nbrlawfirm.com

» by pauljustice30@gmail.com

With consumers paying more for less coverage, experts say Americans need an insurance adjustment

2008-11-01T02:40:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Times

Jennifer and Greg Danylyshyn of Pasadena, Calif., are conscientious parents. They keep proper car seats in their used BMW, organic vegetables in the family diet and the pediatrician’s number by the phone.
They don’t have access to the group medical insurance offered by many employers. She’s a stay-at-home mom. He’s a self-employed music supervisor in the TV and film industry. So they buy individual policies for each family member.

As careful consumers, they shopped for the best deals, weighed premium costs against benefits and always assumed they could keep their family covered.

Then last spring Blue Shield of California stunned them with a rejection notice. Baby Ava, their happy, healthy 7-pounder, was born with a minor hip joint misalignment. Her pediatrician said it was nothing serious and probably temporary.

Still, Blue Shield declared the infant uninsurable. The company foresaw extra doctor visits, “the need for monitoring and an X-ray.” Ava’s slight imperfection “exceeds ... eligibility criteria for acceptance,” Blue Shield said.

The family’s experience is symptomatic of the nation’s health-care crisis. Ineligible for group insurance, millions of Americans are paying more for individual policies that offer less coverage and expose them to seemingly arbitrary exclusions and denials.

The health insurance system has become increasingly expensive and inaccessible. It leaves patients responsible for bills they understood would be covered, squeezes doctors and hospitals, and tries to avoid even minuscule risks, such as providing coverage to a newborn with no serious illness.

At the heart of the problem is the clash between the cost of medical care and insurers’ need to turn a profit.

Today, four publicly traded corporations — WellPoint Inc., UnitedHealth Group, Aetna Inc. and Cigna Corp. — dominate the market, covering more than 85 million people, or almost half of all Americans with private insurance.

On Wall Street, they showcase their efforts to hold down expenses and maximize shareholder returns by excluding customers likely to need expensive care, including those with chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes. The companies lobby governments to take over responsibility for their sickest customers so they can reserve the healthiest (and most profitable) for themselves.

Meanwhile, insurance premiums are becoming a heavier burden on employers, many of which say that rising health-care costs cut into their ability to compete and, in some cases, to survive.

As a result, the percentage of Americans covered by traditional group health insurance has declined steadily. Nearly 46 million U.S. residents have no insurance at all. Medical debt has become a leading cause of personal bankruptcy and a growth business for collection agencies.

Even some top insurance executives agree the system is inefficient and sometimes inhumane.

Bruce Bodaken, chief executive of Blue Shield of California, says that universal coverage is the answer.

Bodaken says government should mandate that everyone obtain health insurance and that insurers sell to all comers regardless of their health — similar to a plan proposed by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and defeated in that state’s Legislature last year.

The rationale of universal coverage, the norm in other industrialized countries, is that costs are manageable when everyone is covered because the risk pool includes the young and healthy to offset the older and sicker.

“One of the basic goals of universal coverage should be to change the health coverage business from avoiding risk to balancing health risks and focusing primarily on quality, service and cost-effective delivery,” Bodaken wrote recently in the policy journal Health Affairs.

In the absence of such a system, and with group coverage increasingly unavailable, more and more Americans are left to rely on individual health policies. They are more expensive for all but the young and healthy and often provide fewer benefits.

They also are lightly regulated. Unlike group plans, which must accept all qualified applicants and can’t base a member’s premium on his or her medical history, individual plans in most states are free to cherry-pick the healthiest customers.

Insurers can reject applicants for even mild pre-existing conditions. People have been turned down for individual policies because they have hay fever, have suffered from jock itch or use common medicines such as anti-cholesterol drugs, records and interviews show. Even those lucky enough to have insurance are uncertain they can keep it or count on it in a crisis.

During her pregnancy, Jennifer Danylyshyn’s regular visits to her obstetrician were covered by her Blue Shield policy. So was the delivery of Ava on March 24. The couple expected that Ava would be covered as a matter of course.

When the company rejected the baby because of the hip misalignment, her parents appealed with the help of their pediatrician.

“Certainly, this cannot be a condition which warrants the denial of insurance benefits; especially to this beautiful, healthy baby girl,” wrote Dr. Stephanie A. Heller.

Blue Shield refused to budge.

Meanwhile, the Danylyshyns kept to their well-baby schedule. Ava received her regular checkups, weigh-ins and vaccinations. But the doctor bills went to the couple, not to Blue Shield.

Then, before Ava began to crawl, her joint problem corrected itself. Presented with a clean bill of health from an orthopedic specialist, Blue Shield agreed to insure Ava — after six months and more than $2,000 in unreimbursed care.

The insurer agreed to cover only Ava’s future medical needs. The tab for the care she had received was her parents’ responsibility.

Blue Shield spokesman Tom Epstein called Ava’s case “a good example of what’s wrong with the current system and why it needs to be fixed.”

Insurers insist that they can’t stay in business without excluding chronic disease sufferers, known in the industry as “clinical train wrecks.”

But companies in the individual market also want to avoid even marginal risk — adopting a practice some insiders call “hangnail underwriting.”

Even nonprofits such as Blue Shield of California are obliged to follow prevailing market practices, lest they be swamped with the highest-cost customers.

“That’s the game,” said Cindy Ehnes, director of the California Department of Managed Health Care. Risk selection, she said, “must be part of every insurer’s strategy or else they potentially will get all the bad risk.”

Insurers trying to lure the healthiest and most profitable customers are devising less expensive, stripped-down policies aimed at younger buyers.

Tonik, for example, offers a line of low-priced individual plans with deductibles as high as $5,000 a year. It is a product of WellPoint Inc., the parent of Anthem Blue Cross of California, and promises starting premiums as low as $74 a month.

The plan provides no maternity care, excludes most mental health coverage and is limited to generic drugs.

Expat insurance plan hits snag

2008-10-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

By SOMAN BABY

PLANS to introduce compulsory medical insurance for expatriates were dealt a body-blow yesterday, with the revelation that legislation to make it possible had fallen between the cracks.

There is no such legislation on the table for either parliament or the Shura Council to vote on, since the original proposal had lapsed, said MP Dr Aziz Abul.

He said even if it was reactivated immediately, it would take months to work its way through the legislative system.

Neither the government, parliament nor the Shura Council has reactivated it since being first presented as a proposal to parliament in June 2006, said Dr Abul.

"It is now lying idle somewhere between the three entities," he told a Medical Insurance Workshop at the Movenpick Hotel yesterday.

The two-day workshop was organised by the Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA), under the patronage of Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer.

The proposal was first drafted by the government in a legal format and presented to the Shura Council in 2005, said Dr Abul.

"The council approved it as a proposal and the government redrafted it in legal language and sent it to parliament in June 2006," he revealed.

"As it happened during the end of the session of the last parliament, the sub-committee was not able to finish its work.

"As the new election got under way in October 2006, the proposal lapsed.

"It is now up to the government to request parliament to reactivate the proposal. The proposal is now on the shelf somewhere."

Dr Abul said parliament would activate the proposal if the request was made by the government.

"If that happens, it may take three months for the sub-committee to finish its work and send it to the Shura Council for a review, and from there to His Majesty King Hamad for the royal assent," he added.

Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Aziz Hamza said earlier that a draft law on compulsory health insurance was presented to the Shura Council in April 2007, and that the ministry was now waiting for approval by parliament and the Cabinet.

Records

"I checked the records both at parliament and the Shura Council and I was not able to find any draft law presented last year," said Dr Abul.

"Also, as it is already approved by the Shura in 2005, there is no need to present it again there.

"Now it is the job of parliament to study and approve it. What I want to say is that the proposed bill is not now in the legislative process."

On the feasibility of the compulsory medical insurance, Dr Abul said the private sector was not yet prepared to share another burden.

"The global economic crisis has affected businesses in Bahrain as well," he added.

"If the scheme is enforced now, the employers will transfer the extra costs to the consumers, which will only add to the inflationary effect .

"However, it is important to have medical insurance for expats. But we have to wait for the right time to implement it.

soman@gdn.com.bh

Poorer Americans Less Likely to Get Timely Heart Attack Care

2008-09-23T05:11:00.000-07:00

by Jyoti Pal

According to a latest research, poorer Americans as well as those covered through Medicaid are less likely to get timely treatment in case they suffer a heart attack, in comparison to those who are wealthier or have a better insurance coverage than that offered by Medicaid.

Residents of lower-income neighborhoods – those with annual income less than $33,533 – were more likely to reach the hospital after a longer delay than the recommended time span of ‘within two hours of heart attack symptoms’, a new research published in the latest issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine touted.

The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study analyzed medical records of more than 6,700 men and women who had heart attacks between 1993 and 2002. Their residential addresses were then matched with social and economic data from the 2000 U.S. Census.

Based on links established, the researchers broadly classified household income levels as either; low (less than $33,533); medium (between $33,533 and $50,031); and high (over $50,032). Furthermore, the delays in reaching hospital were broken into three categories: short delay (less than 2 hours); medium delay (2-12 hours); and long delay (12 to 72 hours).

Data analysis revealed that while 36 percent of the patients reached the hospital within two hours of developing heart attack symptoms (short delay), nearly 42 percent experienced a medium delay (2-12 hours) and 22 percent experienced a delay longer than 12 hours.

A deeper investigation highlighted that although the low income patients were more likely to live closer to the hospitals than persons in the high income strata, they were still more likely to have a long (more than 12 hours) or moderate (two hours to 12 hours) delay in seeking the life-saving treatment.

"Low neighborhood household income was associated with higher odds of long vs. short delay and medium vs. short delay compared with high neighborhood household income in a model including age, sex, race and study community" noted, Randi Foraker, lead author of the study and a predoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Moreover comparing patients covered by Medicaid with those insured by other prepaid insurance plans, Medicaid patients were more likely to experience medium and long treatment delays, the researchers found.

Meanwhile, the study fails to examine why heart attack patients in lower-income range and those covered by Medicaid face a slower response time to get to hospitals.

Emphasizing on the fact that ‘timing of treatment’ is crucial in heart attack patients to avoid further muscle damage, Foraker said, "awareness campaigns should be targeted in lower-income areas and for those using Medicaid."

Mbask charter capital to grow due to revaluation of assets

2008-09-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Mbask, a domestic insurance leader of Azerbaijan, is preparing to start process of its charter capital increase.

Rahman Hajiyev, general director for business & quality and a board member of Mbask, said that their charter capital will rise due to revaluation of assets.

“The increase will be carried out probably at the expense of profit as well,” Hajiyev said.

Mbask’s premiums are expected to reach around AZN 24 million before the end of 2008.

“At present we are considering several options for increase of charter capital, due to which charter capital will rise up to AZN 5-10 million. The final decisions will be made depending on the calculations of one of our major shareholders – the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It will determine the way to increase the capitalization from the point of view of its strategy in MBASK and insurance market as a whole.

Company’s overall capital makes AZN 3.7 million. For Jan-Jun 2008 Mbask brought its premiums up to AZN 12.511 million. The indicator exceeds the 2007 same term figure by 166%. At the same time for Jan-Jun 2008 the share of premiums on motor insurance totaled 72% (AZN 9.017 million), medical insurance 7.2% (AZN 899,380), and property insurance 5.2% (AZN 655,955).

Turkish medical care 'of high quality'

2008-09-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

In news that may interest those thinking of investing in Turkish property, it has been stated that the quality of medical care in Turkey is of a very high standard, meaning that those who go to live there or undertake long holidays need not worry about their treatment should they need it.

Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey property guide, told Property Wire: "The quality of care is equal and in many cases far superior to that available in the UK," adding that most staff in tourist-orientated areas speak English.

The portal notes that for those staying in the country a long time, private medical insurance could be had for as little as £1,320 to cover a 40-year-old couple for a year.

Those investing in Turkey and pleased to have done so include Scottish investors John and Isobel Ferguson, the Sunday Mail reported at the weekend.

Mrs Ferguson told the paper there was "no way" they could have got anything in Scotland to compare with the two-bed flat in Altinkum that they acquired for just £32,000.

Governor Patterson freezes medical malpractice rates

2008-08-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

Former Governor Spitzer formed a statewide task force - to define the main causes of medical malpractice and find out what contributes to the high cost of insurance against such claims.

Washington, D. C. (JusticeNewsFlash.com – medical malpractice news Report) – A bill- proposed to give relief to doctors who have experienced extremely high premiums; suspend an anticipated surcharge until next June and give the state more time to find a long-term solution to the medical malpractice problems – was signed by Governor Patterson of New York. This was part of $1 billion cuts to state spending. Various lawmakers stated in Congress this week that without the freeze, physicians would have seen a 30 percent rise in rates.
According to the New York Public Interest Research Group, ‘the freeze shouldn’t affect patient care and that time is needed to work out the difficult problem of high rates,’ because it has been noted that many physicians are claiming that high insurance rates are driving them out of the state and reducing the availability of care. When really it is about careless doctors making mistakes and insurance companies rating the insurance risk of physicians.

Richard F. Daines, M.D., Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, said: “This temporary freeze demonstrates the Governor’s and Legislature’s commitment to assuring that New Yorkers have uninterrupted access to the full range of health care services. At the same time, it will foster an environment in which the stakeholders can come together to continue the hard work we began last year to reach an agreement on real reform. I call upon the physicians who will benefit from this freeze to join the Department of Health in our continuing effort to increase patient safety and eliminate preventable medical errors.”

By: Justice News Flash - Medical Malpractice news correspondent

Smiles all around

2008-08-23T03:57:00.000-07:00

Lindsey Johns went to Brooklyn Elementary School Friday morning to enroll her son in kindergarten.
But she also left with two free dental screenings for both her sons, Jayc, 5, and Jaden, 2, who have not yet seen a dentist because they are without insurance.

Lindsey Johns went to Brooklyn Elementary School Friday morning to enroll her son in kindergarten.

But she also left with two free dental screenings for both her sons, Jayc, 5, and Jaden, 2, who have not yet seen a dentist because they are without insurance.

"This is wonderful," Johns, 26, said while filling out paperwork. "I probably still would not have taken him to the dentist if this hadn't been here."

Two dental hygienists, Kim Crabtree and Betsy Southern, co-founded the nonprofit program called Smiles on Wheels, which turned an ordinary classroom into a dental office Friday to provide free treatment for Head Start and elementary children who do not have dentists.

"They're very happy, very thankful," Southern said. "We came out here because transportation is a problem."

The mobile dental program provides preventative oral screenings, including cleanings, fluoride treatments and X-rays, to anyone who is not under the care of a dentist.

The idea, both hygienists said, is to get those people back into the dental health system. Oftentimes, people stop going to the dentist after life changes, such as depression or job loss, and need help getting reacquainted, said Crabtree of Napoleon.

"Our main goal is to find each patient a dental home," she said.

Many of the patients the women serve have visited a dentist few times, if at all, in their lives. And they range in age from 100 to zero, Southern said.

Reese Pawlowski, 4, was a little uneasy about his first screening Friday but was showing off his teeth to Crabtree in no time. She applied a fluoride treatment to his teeth with a small, yellow paint brush.

"Boy, buddy, your teeth are looking good," Crabtree said.

"Uh-huh," he responded.

At the end of the appointment, Southern, of Jackson, gave Reese's mother, Lynn, a list of offices they could go to for a dental checkup, including the Center for Family Health, which takes all children and asks for payment based on income, Southern said.

"It's great to provide some intervention for the kids," Brooklyn Principal Debra Powell said. "Especially now that people are losing jobs and don't have dental or medical coverage."

Smiles on Wheels will also provide free sealant, which protects molars from decay, to all second-graders in Jackson County again this year as part of a two-year grant it received through the state Department of Community Health and Delta Dental.

This year, it will also give the same treatment through a grant to all sixth-graders because they will be getting their second set of molars.

Medication for Huntington's Disease Approved by FDA

2008-08-18T04:20:00.000-07:00

Among the classic signs of Huntington's disease is the development of chorea, involuntary, rapid, irregular, jerky movements that may include the face, arms, legs or trunk. The disease is hereditary and includes progressive neurodegenerative symptoms including emotional, behavioral and psychiatric abnormalities. The condition was originally described in 1872 by Dr. George Huntington, who studied a Long Island family with a high percentage of affected members. Symptoms of the disease are usually not apparent until the individual is in their late forties to early fifties.

Since the disease was first discovered 136 years ago there has been little effective treatment and no hope for those affected with the disease. The neuron loss, which is the root of the disease, is not fatal but the complications reduce life expectancy. Since it is a dominant trait in the genetic inheritance sequence it can be inherited when only one parent carries the gene.

In 1993, the gene which causes HD was found and, with the cause of the disorder known, an accurate test became possible. The disease is not widespread, with only about 30,000 patients in this country currently living with HD. With a relatively low patient base, drug companies would have problems providing an affordable drug for the population and meeting their own need for profitability in research and production.

Under an FDA policy known as the "orphan products program," aimed at developing treatments for conditions which affect fewer than 200,000 people, a medication named Xenazine has been approved. The orphan products program gives financial assistance to the company who is developing the product and also gives the company exclusive sales rights to the product for a specific number of years.

Xenazine is the trade name of tetrabenazine and has been previously approved for treatment in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark and UK. It has been used in the treatment of Tourrette's syndrome which is also characterized by uncontrollable movements.

Dr. Frederick J. Marshall, a University of Rochester Medical Center neurologist who led the clinical study presented to the FDA said, "A lot of patients won't go out because they are embarrassed by those movements; suppressing the movement means a lot to people with Huntington's disease." Xenazine will not cure the condition, but it provides relief for the major disabling symptom of chorea. This is the first time that any kind of treatment has been available in the United States.

Xenazine does have the possibility of serious side effects and the patients treated with the drug will be monitored by a special risk management program for increase of psychiatric symptoms.

According to Marshall many patients with Huntington's have gone untreated, others have experimented with anti-psychotic drugs or imported Xenazine from abroad in violation of U.S. law. Approval of the drug means that patient's medication should now be approved by Medicare and other insurance programs.

Marathon swim will raise money for water projects

2008-08-12T04:49:00.000-07:00

Cambridge businesswoman Jenny Kartupelis has taken on the challenge of swimming 4.5km across the Hellespont - the crossroads from Europe to Asia, arguably the most iconic swim in the world - later this month. She wants to raise money to support Christian Aid water projects, and hopes local companies and individuals will dig deep to sponsor her.

Clean water is something we all take for granted – even in the dry climes of East Anglia. It’s hard to imagine waking up thirsty in the night with nothing to drink, or trudging miles in the hot sun to collect a bucket of muddy water that might make you ill rather than better. But millions of people have to do this every day, many of them young children.

Christian Aid water projects can change their lives, giving them improved health and opening up new life chances by freeing their time for education, and Elements PR partner Jenny Kartupelis has taken on the challenge of swimming across the Hellespont at the end of this month to raise money to support this charity. The exciting news is, that if she can reach her fundraising target, then the EU will put in £3 for every £1 raised!

The Hellespont is the crossroads from Europe to Asia, and arguably the most iconic swim in the world. For one day a year, the Turkish government closes it to shipping for one and a half hours, and hundreds take part in the race across a distance of 4.5 km, following in the footsteps of Leander and Byron.

Jenny is training as hard as she can in between her business commitments as Director of the East of England Faiths Council and her work at Elements PR, and says: ‘I’ll be doing breaststroke, so it will be a real challenge to complete it in time - and I’ve been told that if you don’t, the Turkish Navy picks you out of the water!’

NW Brown, a leading Investment and Financial Services provider, is the primary sponsor for Jenny in her demanding challenge. NW Brown Insurance Brokers, a subsidiary of the Group, is adding to the financial sponsorship by providing Jenny’s medical cover up to £5million.

But she still needs sponsorship to help her reach the target that releases the EU funding – do please visit her web site www.justgiving.com/jennykartupelis and support her efforts as generously as you can. Alternatively, give Jenny a call on 01223 421606 to find out more.

Medical personnel offer helping hand in Cleveland

2008-08-10T04:34:00.000-07:00

By: Randall Higgins

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Hundreds of people were in line by 6:30 a.m. here Saturday seeking free medical, dental and eye care because they can’t pay, have inadequate insurance or none at all.

Scores of volunteer doctors, dentists and ophthalmologists expected to treat nearly 500 people Saturday. Others were given numbers for their turn in line when the clinic resumes today.

The clinic is provided by Knoxville-based Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps, founded by Stan Brock, best known for his role in television’s “Wild Kingdom.” The St. Therese Parish Health Ministry organized the RAM clinic here, as it did in 2005.

Tia Triplett and two friends drove from the Atlanta area Friday evening and spent the night here.

“I have a job but there’s no dental coverage,” Ms. Triplett said. “We got here Friday evening and spent some time in several restaurants. It was like an eat-athon around Cleveland.”

For complete coverage see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.

US Medical Errors Cost Insurers Up To $1.5 Billion A Year

2008-07-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

By Diane Anderson

According to a new study published in the Health Services Research journal, preventing medical errors would reduce not only loss of life, but also healthcare expenses by up to 30 percent.

William Encinosa, co-author of the study, together with his colleagues, tracked insurance claims for 5.6 million enrollees from 2001 to 2002. The team reached the conclusion that the consequences medical errors have persist for a long time after patient’s discharge.

U.S. researchers disclosed that the considerable difference in calculations for medical error costs can signify that interventions to raise patients’ safety, such as bringing more hospital staff, could be more profitable than previously considered.

As shown by a government report available since Monday, avoidable medical errors during or after surgical procedures result in an estimated 10% of surgery-related deaths. Such fatal mistakes may cost hospitals almost $1.5 billion every year.

Insurers had to pay an extra $28,218 (52 percent more) and an extra $19,480 (48 percent more) for patients who experienced acute respiratory failure or infections which appeared after surgery, in contrast with patients who didn’t undergo either medical error, researchers found.

Errors linked to nursing care, such as pressure ulcers and hip fractures, added $12,196 to the amount of money insurers had to pay.

“Many hospitals are struggling to survive financially," stated Encinosa, who is also a senior economist at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. "The point of our paper is that the cost savings from reducing medical errors are much larger than previously thought," he added.

"Eliminating medical errors and their after effects must continue to be top priority for our health care system," said AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy in a declaration.

Patients of jailed doctor Robert Stokes join push for dirty-needle penalties

2008-07-20T06:22:00.000-07:00

GRAND RAPIDS -- When they found out a Grand Rapids doctor might have exposed them to hepatitis and HIV, many of his patients were scared.

When they learned Dr. Robert Stokes' habit of reusing sutures, hypodermic needles and other instruments without proper sterilization did not violate any criminal law, their fear turned to anger.

"Something's got to be done," said Bob May, the mayor of Hastings who was treated by Stokes for skin cancer. "It should be legally improper to do what he did, as well as morally. We cannot allow these doctors to do this to the public."

Stokes, a dermatologist, was sentenced last December to 10 1/2 years in federal prison for insurance fraud, not for potentially exposing thousands of patients to life-threatening infections. Investigators could find no federal law against his practice of reusing surgical materials and instruments intended for one-time use. State law provides only civil, not criminal, penalties.

The state board that licenses osteopathic physicians revoked Stokes' license in March, the strongest penalty available under current law, said Ray Garza, director of the health regulatory division of the state Department of Community Health. Stokes can apply for reinstatement in five years, Garza said, although, barring a successful appeal, he likely will still be in prison.

Eighteen of Stokes' former patients sued him for medical malpractice last year, and some of those cases have been settled through mediation. But several of his former patients say civil penalties aren't enough. They've joined together in urging for a tougher state law making it a crime for a medical provider to expose patients to disease, and they have formed a loose alliance with another group pushing for a similar federal law.

State Rep. Michael Sak, D-Grand Rapids, is having a bill drafted that would set tougher penalties. State Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood, recently introduced a bill prohibiting health care providers from reusing medical devices intended for a single use, even if they have been reprocessed, unless the patient provides written consent.

Canadian missionaries will return to Kenya, following attack

2008-07-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

By Lloyd Mackey

WILL THEY stay in Kenya, or will they come home to the Okanagan?

That was a burning question for John and Eloise Bergen, after they were attacked by machete-wielding men apparently recruited by one of their former security guards.

The short answer is that they will shortly come home for healing, but return sooner rather than later, to their work in Kenya.

The attack took place Wednesday evening, July 9, at the Bergen's colonial-era home and organic farm, near the agricultural town of Kitale. Both John, 70, and Eloise, 66, were left with deep cuts and multiple broken bones, and Eloise was repeatedly raped for close to an hour by her attackers.

The Bergens, who come from Vernon, had been in Kitale for four months. They went there originally to work in refugee camps during the post-election unrest. When that conflict ended with the establishing of a national unity government, and the camps were disbanded, they began organic gardening to supply food to the numerous orphans and widows in the area.

The programs involving the Bergens are sponsored by a coalition involving Kelowna-based Hope for the Nations ministry and partner group Love Mercy.

Eloise spoke to CC.com by phone from her bed in the Nairobi Hospital on July 12, while her husband was recovering from surgery which included the placing of a titanium plate in his broken jaw.

She said she was attacked while taking a bath in their home.

"I saw four or five black men with machetes and clubs," she recalled.

"But I sensed a surrounding pillow of God's presence. It was terrible but there was no overwhelming fear."

She said the attackers clubbed her, tied her hands with her husband's shaver and cell phone adapter cords.

"They left me with blankets over me and mattresses. I asked God to help me to get free, then remembered where I had scissors."

Eloise backed herself to where they scissors were, manoeuvring to where she could to cut the cords.

"Then I went outside to find out what happened to my husband."

Other attackers had beaten him up and left him for dead in the bushes at the side of their driveway. He had broken bones in several parts of his body. Both of them were bleeding profusely from the machete cuts.

With what she believes was help from God himself, Eloise was able to start the unfamiliar farm vehicle, get herself dressed and a pillow and blankets for John.

Then she hauled the "dead weight" of her almost unconscious husband into the truck and headed off to the HFN Kitale compound 10 kilometres down the road. A few gates blocking the road at various points quickly gave way to the careening vehicle.

DSM falls as Iran fears grip Gulf bourses

2008-07-12T01:37:00.000-07:00

By Santhosh V Perumal

Doha: Qatar’s bourse fell 0.87% yesterday as foreign institutional investors yesterday dumped stocks with Iran testing more missiles.
Led by services stocks, the 20-stock benchmark Qatar Share Index entered the sixth day of a bear run as it knocked off 103 points to close at 11,751.10 points.
The Doha Securities Market, however, has made 22.66% gains year-on-year.
Nakilat, Qatar Telecom, Qatar Electricity and Water and Qatar Navigation stocks fell 4.04%, 3.47%, 2.61% and 1.60% respectively.
Total market capitalisation shrank 0.10% or QR51mn to QR499.95bn.
Mid cap stocks deflated 1.85%, followed by micro cap (1.60%), large cap (1.07%) and small cap (0.76%).
Services stocks lost the maximum of 2.49%, followed by banks and financial institution (0.27%) and industries (0.10%), while that of insurance gained 1.12%.
Of the 43 stocks, only seven extended gains, while 28 fell and four were unchanged. Four others were not traded.
“Foreign investors have increasingly become wary of the current situation in the Middle East, especially after Iran’s missile firing,” an analyst told Gulf Times.
Other losers included Salam International Investment (2.84%), Qatari German Company for Medical Devices and International Islamic (1.82% each), Qatar Insurance (1.56%), and Gulf Holding and Qatar Technical Inspection (1.50% each).
Ezdan Real Estate stocks gained 8.86%, followed by Islamic Securities (6%), Al Khaleej Insurance and Reinsurance (1.33%), United Development Company (1.31%) and Islamic Insurance (1.12%).
Foreign institutions were profit takers as a lower 16.26% of them were into buying yesterday compared with 19.03% in the previous day, while a higher 35.49% into selling against 29.82%.
Domestic institutions, on the other hand, net buyers as higher 20.24% of them bought stocks compared with 14.43% on Wednesday although a higher 10.63% offloaded against 8%.
Qatari retail investors reduced their exposure as a lower 51.98% of them were into buying compared with 54.77% in the previous day and a lower 42.37% into selling against 50.49%.
Non-Qatari retail investors also reduced their exposure as a lower 11.52% of them picked stocks compared with 11.77% on Wednesday and a lower 11.52% sold against 11.68%.
Opening at 11,853.61 points, the market initially fell on selling in the banks and industrial segments, after which it was on a gaining course for the next 15 minutes due to banking, insurance and industrial sectors.
Thereafter, the QSI was gripped by profit taking, notably in the services stocks and closed 103 points lower.
Total volumes expanded 57% to 11.66mn shares, value by 50% to QR0.63bn and transactions more than doubled to 8,148.
Insurance trading volume zoomed 75% to 0.21mn shares, value by 79% QR20.53mn and deals by 103% to 298.
Services trading volume rose 69% to 6.79mn shares, value by 58% to QR316.88mn and transactions by 30% to 4,092.
Industrial trading volume increased by 61% to 0.98mn shares, value by 59% to QR69.94mn and deals by 11% to 1,176.
Banks and financial institutions trading volume was up 38% to 3.69mn shares, value by 39% to QR222.49mn and transactions by 37% to 2,582.
The top five traded entities were Nakilat (3.45mn shares); Masraf Al Rayan (1.93mn); Gulf International Services (904,636); Barwa (719,790) and Doha Bank (702,762).
Zawya Dow Jones adds from Dubai: Gulf markets closed mixed yesterday as concerns about Iran’s stand-off with the West over its nuclear plans continued to impact investor sentiment in the region.
The Saudi market was closed for the weekend.
Dubai shares slid 1.1% to 5347.84 at close, led by DFM Co, down 2.4% to 4.95 dirhams. The market was up 0.8% on Wednesday.
Abu Dhabi market closed 0.2% lower at 4996.50, undermined by real estate shares. Aldar Properties fell 2% to 12.10 dirhams.
First Gulf Bank bucked the negative trend, up 3.3% to 27.65 dirhams. Aabar Energy rose 2.6% to 4.71 dirhams.
Kuwait’s market rose 0.8% to 14895.40, led by bellwether National Bank of Kuwait, up 2.2% to 1.840 dinars.
NBK on Wednesday posted a second-quarter net profit of 93mn dinars, a 16% increase from the 80.3mn dinars it posted in the same quarter last year.
Bahrain shares were up 0.2% to 2848.97 at close, led by banks.
Muscat market closed 0.1% higher at 11718.18, helped by bellwether Bank Muscat, up 1.9% to 1.851 rials.

Schmucker: “I’m doing what I feel is right”

2008-07-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

Kaufman third baseman splits time between diamond and mission trips
By Jonathan Scholles

The Budget
Sports Editor

Kaufman Realty third baseman Ryan Schmucker loves baseball - so much so that he apologizes over and over again if he has to miss a game.
But at the same time, he recognizes he has a greater calling.
And he’s taking full advantage of it.
In the past year, Schmucker, a first-year medical student at Wright State University, has taken two missions trips - Haiti last summer and Russia this spring - and recently returned from Chicago where he worked with a team a doctors to help provide medical treatment to inner city children.
“Ryan helped me to remember that what really matters is the kind of people we are, and not whether they hit .500 or have a 1.000% fielding percentage,” Kaufman Realty manager Chuck Jarvis said. “Ryan just personifies that.”
The 22-year-old son of Wes and Kris has played for the Orangemen for three seasons. He’s batting .333 with two RBIs in three games this summer.
JS: You obviously love baseball - you wouldn’t keep coming back if you didn’t. How hard has it been lately splitting duties between baseball and your missions work?
RS: Last summer, I was only there two games before I went to Haiti. And this summer, I’ve been doing quite a bit of traveling, working with different doctors and things. When I make a commitment, I like to follow through - especially with Kaufman. So I feel bad when I miss, but I feel that’s important for me to get this work in, and I think the work I’m doing is important, as far as helping with the poor and poverty stricken kids.

There is kind of a dichotomy there. I want to be at the games, but at the same time, I’m doing what I feel is right.

JS: How did you get involved in the mission trips?
RS: I was looking to do an internship before I started medical school, and I really wanted to work overseas. I heard a lot of people talk, and I heard about the problems they have over in Haiti - the poverty down there is just unbelievable. So I thought if I can go down for a month and a half, it would be great experience, but more so, I would be able to help out in a small way.
And being in the position that I’m in - coming from a middle class family - I have the resources to go help people who are less fortunate. I felt called upon as a Christian to do so. I wasn’t a difficult decision, and I would like to do more traveling. With the world in the state it’s in, there’s a lot of need.
JS: What did you see as the biggest need in Haiti?
RS: The economic conditions down there prevent people from having clean water, having a house that is protected from the elements and protected from diseases. There were multiple things that ultimately contributed to the health of the people, which is what I was focusing on. We were just putting a band aid on a big wound that wasn’t going to heal itself without more activism.
JS: That’s incredible. What would you say you gained the most from the experience?
RS: Perspective. Getting to see how people live across the world was eye-opening. And then when I returned to the United States there was quite a bit of culture shock, because we have so much and we don’t even realize it - we just take it for granted so often. Even small things like saving up my money by not purchasing the things I don’t need so I can send it overseas. It’s the redistribution of our world’s economy - one person at a time.
JS: And then you went to Russia. What happened there?
RS: When I was Russia, we worked with orphans. And the orphanage system in Russia is decimated - there is no accountability for the children, and there is one or two directors for every 50 children. So when we went over there, we got to work in a classroom, and I was assigned to a classroom with five kids - ages three and four.
We got to spend four days with them - it was a short trip over spring break. And by the end of the trip, they way they reacted to us was so much different that when we got there, because they weren’t used to adults showing them any affection at all. They went from having a glazed over look to running up and sitting on our laps and not wanting us to leave. It was that physical, emotional affection that we were giving them that completely changed them in a matter of days.
We felt like, in a small way, we made those children feel wanted for the week that we were there.
JS: You recently completed your first domestic missions trip, a clinic (Lawndale Christian Health Center) in Chicago. Why Chicago? What work is done there?
RS: I was working with a pediatrician there. Lawndale is a health clinic for those who can’t afford any other health care - they don’t have insurance or Medicare, Medicaid or things like that. They charge $15 dollars a visit, which considering doctors rates these days isn’t much. It allows them to give comprehensive care to the children of the community, as well as the adults. Right now, they have about 40 doctors working there of all specialties. Basically they provide health care for the whole inner city - and it’s the premier inner city mission, medically speaking, in the nation.
JS: What’s was it like going from Haiti and Russia - both poor countries - to inner city Chicago, which has its own blight?
RS: In Haiti, the poverty was a lot worse than in the United States. But poverty, to the person who is poor, is not relative. ... You’re right, there is a difference in the level of poverty, strictly economically speaking. But, boy, inner city Chicago is like a different country almost - the violence, the poverty.
JS: As far as you medical career is concerned, how will these mission trips aid you?
RS: I want to be able to bring health care to places that don’t have anything. There is an abundance of places like that. And health care is the best way to help the tangible needs of the people. I love what I do. I love medical school. And I love the field of medicine in general. With that I feel I can help people overseas in my unique way.
JS: Would you consider yourself as being more of a humanitarian/doctor, as opposed to one whose confined to a hospital?
RS: Absolutely. There is a lot of monetary gain to be had in medicine today, but absolutely I would like to work in humanitarian aid all over the world. But at the same time, I would treat people back in the United States as well. The driving factor, for me, is not living the suburban life.
To learn more on mission trips to Haiti, check out Lifeline Christian Missions, of Columbus, at lifeline.org. Or look up The Boaz Project Inc., of Indianapolis, at boazproject.org for more info on the Russian orphan situation. And to get involved with the Lawndale Christian Health Center, of Chicago, visit lawndale.org.

SCPIE Acquisition Closes

2008-06-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

By DEBORAH CROWE

Los Angeles Business Journal Staff

Medical malpractice insurer SCPIE Holdings Inc. said Monday that its merger with Doctor Cos., a Northern California competitor, has closed.

The California Department of Insurance last week approved the $296 million acquisition of the Los Angeles-based medical malpractice insurance provider by Napa-based Doctors.

SCPIE shareholders approved a deal in March that would turn SCPIE into a wholly owned subsidiary of Doctors. Regulators were examining whether the acquisition would shrink competition and raise premiums.

Under the deal, Doctors will acquire SCPIE for $28 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $281 million. Shares of SCPIE, which closed at $27.99 on Monday, was to be delisted at the end of the trading day.

First person: An interview with Dr. David Loxterkamp

2008-06-25T01:58:00.000-07:00

By Jay Davis
VillageSoup/Waldo County Citizen Senior Reporter

Some look ahead to a single-payer system like those in developed countries around the world. Some look back to when doctors were revered in their communities and care was measured in relationships, not dollars.

Dr. David Loxterkamp, a family physician in Belfast for more than 20 years, looks both ways and finds a “patient-centered medical home,” the modern-day embodiment of values as old as Hippocrates.

Loxterkamp is an articulate man, as befits a doctor whose account of a year in his practice was well-reviewed nearly a decade ago.

On a sunny Saturday recently, he sat among the peonies and irises and clematis outside his Salmond Street home and talked for two-and-a-half hours about what he sees ahead. Parts of that future are as bright as a blossom, but storm clouds are in the picture, too.

When he trained as a family physician 30 years ago, Loxterkamp said he spent almost half his time in hospitals, learning how his patients were treated there. He delivered babies, lots of them, and he considered his relationships with patients an important element of their care.

Today, he said, medicine is dominated by specialists, care is procedure-oriented, and the family physician is disappearing. Indeed, every year since 1998 fewer students have entered med school to become family physicians than the year before.

An evolving practice

Seaport Family Practice, which Loxterkamp started with Dr. Tim Hughes two decades ago, is in the forefront of the movement toward “patient-centered medical homes,” a new design for family doctors. It incorporates new technologies, including electronic medical records and patient-accessible medical charts, and concedes the value of external improvements, such as hospitalists, who treat Seaport patients when they enter the hospital.

Loxterkamp, 55, says he is a primary care physician, which covers internal medicine, pediatrics and family medicine and is sometimes said to include obstetrics and general surgery as well. Only 25 percent of American physicians provide primary care, he said, a reversal of the ratio in other developed countries. And they are the second lowest paid among all classes of doctors, after those in geriatrics.

The finances of family medicine are dictated by large organizations, including the federal government, insurance companies and hospitals.

Loxterkamp said he is only reimbursed for face-to-face encounters with patients, which are viewed as procedures. The considerable time spent referring his patients to specialists, filling prescriptions for medicine, and e-mailing patients, which is part of the doctor-patient communication system at Seaport, are not included.

A patient with a bum knee has several ways to deal with it, Loxterkamp said, from an operation to replace the aching joint to developing a diet and exercise routine to strengthen the surrounding tissue and muscles. The family physician would encourage the second route, but would not be reimbursed for his counsel. The surgeon who installs the new joint, on the other hand, would be paid thousands of dollars.

Family medicine, he said, is usually less expensive than the procedures carried out in hospitals, because doctors are paid based on what they do to patients, not whether they help them. Until the system uses outcomes of medical approaches as the standard for payment, and not procedures, the costs of care will continue to increase, Loxterkamp said.

Seaport Family Practice was one of 36 in the country to participate in the National Demonstration Project, a two-year study to test the validity of a nationwide analysis known as the Future of Family Medicine Report. The report called for adoption of information technology and a strong business model as necessary medicine to cure the ills of family doctors.

Practicing changes

Loxterkamp said Seaport has changed the way it operates in accordance with the report's recommendations. Among the innovations are:

• Filing prescriptions electronically with the mail-order companies most patients choose. “It is much quicker,” he said.

• Working with one nurse as a doctor's partner in the development of a joint note that is placed in the patient's electronic file. The nurse takes the patient's vital signs and the complaint that prompted the visit and enters them in the record, he explained. The nurses and doctors rotate every six months or so.

• Developing what he calls a patient portal, an electronic file that the patient can access from anywhere, reducing the time to transfer medical records and make referrals.

•Hiding nothing from patients, including the recording of information in the record of a visit that might not have been discussed with the patient. “It's absolutely helpful” to have transparent communication with patients, he said.

• Giving patients a role in their health care, which includes clear communication. His notes are not written in “doctorese,” he said, but in words the patient will understand. The communication “gives patients responsibility for their care, which most of them want,” he said.

How to find the best medical treatment

2008-06-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

Know your way around the Internet, arm yourself with statistics and don't be afraid to speak up.
By Susan Brink, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 23, 2008
Even if you're not rich or well-connected, you can find leading-edge treatment when it matters. And it could well matter if your condition is rare or if few doctors have developed expertise in treating it. For starters, be Internet savvy -- and pushy. Here are some tips for getting what you need:

Be open to the hospital your insurance plan recommends.
Insurers want to keep costs down, and one way to do that is to minimize costly complications. So they try to contract with institutions that have the most experience and the best outcomes. Even HMOs contract with outside centers of excellence for some rare disorders when their own physicians lack unique expertise.

"This whole notion of centers of excellence used to be based on gestalt and individual recommendations," says Dr. William Roper, dean of the medical school and chief executive of the healthcare system at the University of North Carolina.

"It's becoming much more data-driven and evidence-based."

To determine the "best," arm yourself with numbers.

If the doctor, or hospital, you want has more experience than the one your insurer has chosen, show your insurer the numbers. A surgeon who has done a procedure a few hundred times will have better results than one who has done it two or three times. "There's a growing body of evidence that says that volume matters," Roper says.

The only way to find out is to ask, so don't be shy about asking physicians how many times they've done the procedure, or treated the condition.

And be specific. A cardiac surgeon who has done hundreds of heart bypasses is not necessarily an expert in valve replacements.

Get recommendations.

The less common the disorder, the fewer the institutions that will have deep experience with it. But it's just those institutions you want to find. Each time you talk to a provider, don't end the conversation without asking who else has experience with your condition or which institutions are known for treating the disease. Keep following the chain of recommendations to see if one or two names are consistently repeated.

Do your homework.

Track down statistics and studies as tailor-made to your condition as possible.

Search for articles at the National Institutes of Health's free archive of medical journals (pubmedcentral.nih.gov). You can often see the entire study for free, sometimes only the abstract, but poring over the list will give you an idea of which institutions are actively publishing articles. Be as specific as possible in your search. For example, don't type in "brain cancer." Use "malignant glioma," "brain tumor" and "left parietal lobe."

Find out who is doing research into your condition.

If a physician publishes a lot about your condition, there's a good chance he or she is already onto potentially better techniques, even if results haven't yet been published. "What is published is always years behind what is happening at major academic centers," says Dr. Henry Friedman, deputy director of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina.

Even if you don't want, or qualify for, a clinical trial, find out which institutions are researching your condition. Go to clinicaltrials.gov for a list of more than 50,000 federally and privately sponsored trials.

Make appointments.

When you find a doctor or hospital doing research into your disease, call the physician or the institution. Large academic centers all have physician referral departments set up to connect patients with the appropriate physician. Your insurance company will cover a second opinion, and going to a large center for that second opinion can be the entryway to excellence.

Hospitals reeling from unpaid claims of 'impaired' victims

2008-06-20T00:58:00.000-07:00

An estimated 18,000 traffic fatalities involved alcohol, drugs, or both on American highways in 2006, the latest year for which such figures are available.

Thousands more were rushed to trauma centers for emergency care and extended hospital stays well into six-figure dollar amounts.

In most cases, insurance claims covering accident victims – 65 per cent – will be paid. It’s the other 35 percent that hospital administrators worry about. Those admitted to trauma and burn centers with impairing substance levels in their system maybe denied insurance coverage. Insurers can refuse to pay the medical claims of those who test positive for drugs and alcohol.

Rising healthcare costs and the growing number of defaulting insurance companies are jeopardizing the future of both public and private hospitals with unpaid millions in uncollectible bills. The Regional Medical Center of Memphis (The Med) is one among a number of hospitals across the state buckling under the costs of default insurance claims.

“Basically, many medical insurance forms include a clause which frees the insurer from liability in cases involving substance abuse,” said Vickie Trice, of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance public information office. Some will pay the claim, but a significant number refuse, leaving hospitals to absorb the costs.”

Medical facilities are stuck with hundreds of thousands of dollars in ‘uncollectible accounts each year. Several individual bills even run into the millions.

“Trauma victims in the Mid-South will automatically be brought to The Med,” said Vice-President Sandy Snell of Communications and Marketing. “Some don’t have insurance. Others are covered by insurers who refuse to pay. Since individuals most likely could not possibly pay, these accounts are sent to attorneys who specialize in overturning these kinds of denials.”

There are no claim default statistics, but doctors and hospitals in Tennessee fear an increasing number of insurers will begin using the clause.

At Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, officials estimated that about one in three victims brought to the hospital for trauma treatment annually are substance impaired.

Last year, state lawmakers adopted a resolution asking that a review of Tennessee alcohol and drug laws be submitted for possible reform. The report is due Dec. 1.

Laws mandating the payment of such claims have been enacted in the District of Columbia and 13 states: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Washington.

North Carolina, the only state in the southeast region with such legislation, passed a law in 2001 prohibiting claim default on the basis of impairment. But not all insurance polities are affected.

Chrissy Pearson, director of public information for the North Carolina Department of Insurance, said under North Carolina law, an insurer may not refuse to pay a claim based on substance use found in the blood.

“But the policy must be comprehensive, covering hospital costs, surgery and other medical procedures,” said Pearson. “If policies cover only accidents or just pay out a dollar amount for each day in the hospital, insurers may choose not to pay at their discretion.”

According to a recent report published, The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, carefully choosing insurance companies makes a difference. The newspaper’s inquiry found:

As the state’s largest health insurer, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, claims are not denied based on intoxication. And in September, the insurer will discontinue a policy that allowed it to deny claims related to an injury occurring during the commission of “a felony, an attempted felony, riot, or insurrection.”

Aetna does not deny substance-abuse claims, but may sometimes seek restitution from the person responsible for causing the accident.

UnitedHealthcare does not have a clause written into the language of insurance contracts and will not likely include it in the future.

Dr. Julie Dunn, director of trauma at East Tennessee’s Johnson City Medical Center, told The Tennessean that Alcohol and urine-sample tests for screening were eliminated after an insurer refused to pay the claims of a man who became a quadriplegic from injuries sustained in a fall at home. He had consumed several bottles of beer.

Said Dr. Dunn, “It’s not in anybody’s best interest to deny such a claim.”

NOTE: Traffic crashes account for about 20 percent of the nation’s traumatic brain injuries. African Americans have the highest death rate from these severe head injuries, according to a report by the Brain Injury Association of America.

Born too soon: Can tiny fighters make it home?

2008-06-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

By JAIME ARON

DALLAS (AP) — Seventeen weeks premature, our twin sons were so small, so fragile. And already they'd been through so much.

Josh had had heart surgery, Jake a life-threatening bowel operation — and that was just in their first week. They'd received blood transfusions, endured endless medical exams and procedures.

Both still had ventilation tubes down their throats, feeding tubes in their noses, IVs in their heads or arms and all sorts of monitors wired to their chests and feet.

Still, they'd cleared many hurdles since they were born — weighing 1 pound, 2 ounces each — the day before Mother's Day 2002. And now, five weeks and a day later, on Father's Day, we'd reached another milestone.

For the first time, my wife, Lori, and I were offered the chance to hold them.

Many times, we had watched enviously as other NICU parents got to do what's known as "kangaroo care," gently cradling their infants chest-to-chest. When our turn finally came, there was a catch: Only one of us could hold one of the babies. Lori deservedly got the honor.

It took three nurses to lift Jake and all his wires out of the incubator and to place him safely on Lori's chest. Scared of doing anything wrong, she cupped one hand under his feet, the other on his back, then hardly moved for more than an hour.

They say these sessions are therapeutic for the babies and, indeed, Jake's monitors showed he liked it. I think it's even more therapeutic for the parents.

As our tiny son slept, we cried tears of joy, whispering about this special moment we feared might never happen.

We even allowed ourselves another bit of imagining: The day we'd take our babies home.

___

After navigating those first frantic days and tense weeks, our concerns shifted — from whether the boys would take their next breath to how much longer they'd need the ventilator. We still called the NICU first thing each morning, but there was less fear as we dialed.

As optimistic as we were, we still had plenty to worry about.

The boys' eyes and ears had yet to be tested, and it would be months before the follow-up scan to make sure there wasn't any bleeding in their brains. Infection was a constant concern, especially when a NICU neighbor was attacked by a preemie's most dastardly devil: the lung virus known as RSV.

And there were terrifying surprises — like the time Josh was kangaroo-ing with Lori and something went wrong with his breathing tube.

Seeing trouble on the monitor, a nurse threw back the privacy screen, pulled Josh into his incubator and gave him mouth-to-mouth. Soon enough, he was stabilized and got a new breathing tube. Lori was shaken for weeks.

Through the highs and lows, the hospital staff became more than caregivers, even more than friends. "Like family" is the way most people describe it. To me, it was as if we were teammates — united by a mutual goal, each with a different role, anyone capable of being the star player.

We bonded like teammates, too, learning about each other's lives.

One nurse, Jan, loved talking about her son, Patrick, especially whenever one of our boys faced a problem he once had. You see, Patrick was a NICU baby, too — one who was abandoned, until Jan and her husband adopted him.

Another nurse, Kim, who spoke with a West Texas drawl, said she drove an hour each way to work, always listening to Don Williams' Greatest Hits. The same obsessiveness showed in her attachment to Jake and Josh, the smallest babies she'd ever cared for.

"They've been in my dreams several times," she said. "I had a bad dream about them when I was on vacation. I got up and called the NICU to make sure they were OK."

A similar bond sent Julie digging through her closet for the boys' first clothes, an outfit specially made for teeny NICU babies that she'd saved from another hospital where she'd worked. Debra copied the design, making Independence Day gear: tie-dyed red, white and blue outfits for the twins, with a matching shirt and socks for their brother, Zac.

___

Though Zac hasn't been mentioned much here, our 4-year-old's world was rattled, too.

We did our best to keep life normal for him, except for that first week, when he bounced between his cousins' homes.

We explained that his brothers were born, but were very sick. He wanted to see them, so we let him. He even brought gifts: A blue Beanie Baby for Jake, a red one for Josh, and a picture of himself to put in each incubator — or, as we told him they were, the rocket ships doctors use to help the boys grow big and strong.

Later, once Lori recovered and I returned to work, we developed a routine. She spent about four hours at the NICU during the day, then met Zac at home after school. We all had dinner together, then I'd put Zac to bed and go to the hospital.

We were allowed to bring Zac to the NICU once a week. Sometimes he wanted to come, sometimes he didn't. Whatever he picked was fine.

We also started a tradition of bedtime prayers, with Jake and Josh obviously coming first. After his next NICU visit, Zac asked if he could also pray for "all their doctors, nurses and friends."

We knew then he was going to be one heck of a big brother.

Another night, Zac gave me very specific orders before I left for the hospital.

"Tell them you love them," he instructed, "then tell them that I am at home."

___

Home. Waiting for them to arrive, waiting for our family to be united. As spring led to summer, we knew we were getting closer, step by developmental step.

On Aug. 9, exactly three months after Lori's water broke, Jake and Josh moved into the same crib, putting them side-by-side for the first time since the womb.

Several weeks later, Zac came to the hospital for a visit and a party, the annual NICU Reunion, where there'd be a bounce house, face painting and all sorts of games for several hundred "NICU graduates" and their families.

En route from our boys to the party, I saw a family gathered around a nearby incubator, having some kind of religious ceremony. I didn't think much of it.

But when Zac and I returned, a white plastic flower was on the outer NICU door — the signal a baby had just died.

The joy of the party evaporated. When I realized there was no longer a crib where that family had been praying, it hit me — that ceremony was last rites.

So while we were playing, celebrating success stories and dreaming about being back next year as graduates ourselves, that family was turning off machines.

___

The day after Labor Day was the boys' due date, yet it was their 116th day in the NICU. Jake weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces; Josh was up to 6-4.

Later that week, Jake had a follow-up operation, reconnecting his bowel. Soon after, we rejoiced when both boys were breathing without the ventilator's help. Fran, a nurse we'd grown especially close to, celebrated by hugging us like a grandma who'd seen a baby take his first steps.

"All that's left," the doctor said, "is taking all their feedings from a bottle and maintaining or gaining weight."

How hard could that be? The boys had defied so many odds that we took for granted they would master the seemingly simple task of bottle feeding.

By early October, we knew something was seriously wrong.

Both boys cried when a bottle came anywhere near them. They almost always spit up, sometimes losing the whole meal. Jake even got into the habit of arching his back to resist.

Both had severe cases of acid reflux. They needed a procedure to tie the top of their stomachs, preventing them from throwing up. They'd also get a feeding tube inserted into their bellies so they could receive nourishment while battling their oral aversion. By the time all of this was completed, it was November.

And we were done. Finally. The surgeries signaled the finish line.

On his 199th day in the NICU, Jake was unplugged from all the monitors and placed in his carrier for the ride home. We closed out a multimillion-dollar hospital tab, luckily covered by our insurance.

It was Nov. 25, a few days before Thanksgiving. We knew how much we had to be thankful for.

Josh left the NICU a week later — in the middle of Hanukkah. It was the night we lit five candles, and we loved the symbolism: The five of us. Together. For the first time. Home.

___

We soon learned that life outside the hospital wasn't the end-all we had built it up to be.

Plenty of challenges lay ahead — a procedure to repair Josh's throat, likely damaged by a breathing tube; hundreds of hours of therapy to develop muscles and conquer eating problems; ordeals with the "buttons" where the feeding tubes attached. ER trips. Even a weeklong hospital stay because of the dreaded RSV.

Still, slowly but surely, there were fewer doctors' appointments.

And look at them now.

Jake is a budding musician, and Josh is becoming quite the artist. Their personalities are totally different — Jake's the extrovert, Josh the introvert — but both love video games, sports and messing with their big brother, typical 6-year-old stuff.

Yes, they turned 6 on Mother's Day.

Jake is 3 feet, 6 inches and 34 pounds, Josh 3 feet, 5 inches and 32 pounds. Jake has darker hair and skin, Josh more curls and fuller cheeks. Both have killer smiles.

While they can't grasp their story, we look forward to eventually explaining it all, letting them read the old e-mails, the responses and the journal I kept.

Zac is 10 and starting to understand everything his brothers went through. This past school year, he wrote several stories about their scary times.

We visit the NICU every year around the twins' birthday, delivering treats.

Sure, there are some lingering problems: Josh has asthma and a soft, raspy voice; Jake's permanent front teeth will never grow in. But that's it. Big deal.

Which inevitably makes us ask, why us? Why were Jake and Josh among the 1,201 multiples born so small in 2002 who made it instead of the 1,367 who didn't? Why did both boys not only survive, but thrive?

We don't know. We do know how much this journey has changed us.

There are big-picture things like a new faith in medicine and a strong faith in faith itself. We don't go to synagogue any more often than before, but you can't tell me all those prayers, and all that love directed toward these guys, didn't make a difference.

Another tightened bond is our marriage. By some accounts, that defies the odds, too.

I've come out of this with silver hairs around my temples, and fragile emotions, leaking tears at anything that tugs the heart strings.

Which brings us back to where I began, choked up during my speech at a March of Dimes event. I was trying to give an update on the boys, but couldn't.

Lori came up to console me. She wound up taking my place, picking up where I left off:

"By now, I'm sure you realize that we are the proud parents of miracle babies."

On the Net:
http://www.jakeandjosh.net

'Full to the brim'

2008-06-09T05:13:00.000-07:00

By Jane Clifford
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

June 9, 2008

The dogs sensed something was up and turned to Anna Jaramillo for answers. That only made things harder for her and daughter, Eyannah, 9, who were at the San Diego Humane Society to relinquish their beloved pets.
Jaramillo moved recently from one house in Santee to another and can't keep them.

“The bank showed up 13 days ago,” Jaramillo said, with a notice that her rental property was being sold, the result of foreclosure. “The landlord didn't bother to tell me this was happening.”

It's a scene being repeated across the county, and the country, as the economy squeezes people – and their pets.

Rising costs for fuel, groceries and health care along with the housing crunch leave four-legged family members with cheaper food, fewer physicals and, sometimes, just out in the cold – on the side of the road or in backyards and houses their owners have left or lost.

“We are up 1,700 animals more than this time last year,” said Dawn Danielson, director of the county's Department of Animal Services, which serves San Diego, six other cities and unincorporated areas. “There had been a steady decline over five years, and this is the first year we now have an increase. We attribute that to a lot of people losing their homes.”

Oklahoma chief medical examiner resigns

2008-06-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

By Ken Raymond
Staff Writer

He has accepted a position as assistant medical examiner in Virginia, where he will run the Norfolk office, an official said.

In an e-mail to the Board of Medicolegal Investigations, Gofton, 38, said that working in Oklahoma has "been a spectacular experience” and praised his "wonderful staff.”

He did not explain in the e-mail, which is dated June 2, why he is quitting the Oklahoma position.

His last day of employment will be July 21, although his e-mail indicates he will use 115 hours of accrued vacation leading up to that date.

Kevin Rowland, chief investigator for the medical examiner's office, said Gofton will not comment on his decision to leave the state.

A previous goodbye
This isn't the first time Gofton has resigned his position.
In mid-June 2007, Gofton tendered his resignation in the midst of an apparent budget crisis that threatened to leave the medical examiner's office understaffed and in danger of losing its national accreditation.

Rowland sent a letter to funeral directors and district attorneys on June 19. It warned of dire consequences — lengthy delays, fewer autopsies, more rulings of "undetermined” deaths and fewer payouts from insurance companies — if Gofton left and if the office didn't receive more funding.

About a week later, legislators agreed to provide nearly $1 million in emergency funding. Almost $50,000 of that went to increase Gofton's salary to $235,000. He withdrew his resignation in July.

The process rubbed some lawmakers the wrong way.

"When they requested more money, they went to the funeral homes instead of the Legislature, getting them to put on pressure,” said Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa.

Legislators later learned the medical examiner's office had about $1 million available without the emergency funding, Lamons said.

More controversy
Within months, Gofton's office was under legislative scrutiny again.
His plan to streamline operations by moving all autopsy services to Oklahoma City met with stiff resistance from Tulsa lawmakers, including Lamons. The plan was tabled indefinitely.

The move was enough, though, to increase attention on legislation to put the medical examiner's office and other agencies under the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation or the governor. That legislation failed to advance.

Gofton's office also underwent an investigative audit into allegations of impropriety involving the harvesting of organs and tissue for organ sharing networks. Those allegations proved unfounded.

Lamons requested the investigative audit. He also asked the governor to seek a performance audit of Gofton's office. That request, he said, was denied.

Tuesday, Lamons criticized Gofton's management of the medical examiner's office, saying Gofton allowed himself to be influenced too much by Rowland and ignored protests from legal and law enforcement experts about his plan to stop conducting autopsies in Tulsa.

"I wish Dr. Gofton all the good luck that can come with a new position,” Lamons said, "but we have a responsibility to the citizens of Oklahoma.”

With Critical Illness Life Insurance Your Family Will Not Suffer

2008-06-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness scares the bejesus out of the layperson, but you need to in order to prepare for the unexpected by purchasing critical illness life insurance. Without the protection of critical illness life insurance in place, you and the rest of your family may suffer major financial devastation should you become critically ill, losing the ability to work

Critical illness life insurance pays you a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a severe medical problem in contrast with disability insurance which covers lost monthly income and anticipates the possibility of your eventual return in some capacity to the work force.
Rules and stipulations vary, but as a rule of thumb as long as you survive the illness for a pre-determined designated time period, of usually between 14 to 30 days, the policy will pay out a one-time full benefit amount.

There are three forms of critical illness life insurance: a mortgage life insurance policy with a critical illness rider; a combined policy of mortgage and critical illness life insurance; and a stand alone critical illness life insurance policy. Requesting information and critical illness quotes for various insurance providers will provide you with the opportunity to compare insurance rates and choose the policy type and coverage which best suits your individual needs.

Critical illness life insurance is for everyone and is not just limited to home owners or employed individuals. If your spouse falls sick and you have to take time away from work, critical illness coverage would eliminate the added burden of looming bills and pesky creditors.

The expense of health insurance could become astronomical, especially if coverage is denied or cancelled. Critical illness insurance is routinely confused with health insurance, people have become bankrupt trying to pay medical bills that were not covered by their health insurance provider. The majority of health insurance policies feature limited benefits, ceilings and caps on the yearly payouts and/or maximum life amount. Purchasing critical illness life protection will guarantee your ability to meet all of life's "surprise" financial obligations.

So, how much coverage will you need? Well, that all depends on the situation. But when approximating how much critical illness life insurance is necessary:

• How much are your monthly expenses?
• How much is your total monthly mortgage?
• What other insurance policies do you have?

Also take a look at how the terminally ill by each adult member of the household would affect the overall financial future of the family. Take into consideration the changes that would occur, lost wages, medical bills, out of pocket expenses (gas, parking, co-payments, prescriptions, supplies, long-term care expenses, etc.) and increased child’s/adult daycare.

Protect yourself and your family by purchasing critical illness life insurance for every adult household family member. The possibility of becoming terminally ill is very real and so is the potential devastation to your family without adequate critical illness insurance protection.

By: David G. Petten

Critical Illness Life Insurance Assure all for your assurance services - Canada.

Pasha Sigorta insured Salyan Oil operating company’s staff

2008-05-21T02:52:00.000-07:00

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Operating company Salyan Oil has signed a general medical insurance agreement with Pasha Sigorta.

PS reports that the contract on medical insurance of the Salyan Oil personnel is one of the largest corporate insurance projects in Azerbaijan.

“PS insurance coverage will cover totally up to 1,800 employees. On the other hand, this project is one of the most difficult on its implementation as the insured personnel, including families of the Salyan Oil’s oilmen resides both in Baku and other four administrative regions of the country. In addition, the contract also includes component of ensuring on-site emergency medical care and medical examination of the insured,” a PS source says.

Pasha Sigorta JSC became the insurer of the Salyan Oil staff after it was announced the winner of a relevant tender.

Salyan Oil general director Zhou Yunzhang said that Salyan Oil management is satisfied fully with the offered PS conditions.

“The model of implementation and price aspect of the project testifies of good prospects of building of long partnership relations with Pasha Sigorta,” Yunzhang said.

Nofel Rzayev, the PS general director, said that they consider this contract as a result of Company’s right-built practice of assessment of risks and high level of goal oriented policy of the PS Medical Insurance Service.

“In complex with planned monthly performance sessions with Salyan Oil functional executives in Baku and regions, our attribute characteristics will provide maximum satisfaction of the client’s needs and will create basis for long profitable partnership,” Rzayev emphasized.

PS, a member of Pasha Holding Group of Companies, renders services on 29 types of insurance. In 2007 it entered ranks of 10 leader insurers of Azerbaijan on its insurance premiums (AZN 7.8 million) and ranks of five insurance market leaders on its charter capital (AZN 4 million).

The Medical Insurance Service built on the basis of multi-provider model run 24 hour support of clients’ applications within medical insurance and controls quality of aid given in partner medical institutions.

Last year PS was certified by British rating agency Moody’s for conformity to international standard on management with quality of insurance products and services (ISO 9001:2000). Medical Insurance Service is also covered by this standard.

Bupa Arabia shares debuts on Tadawul

2008-05-19T05:36:00.000-07:00

Capital Market Authority confirmed that Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Company approved the trading of its newly 16 million shares representing 40% of its capital as of Saturday 12/5/1429AH is corresponding to 17/5/2008.

The company is registered within the insurance sector with the symbol 8210, with an unrestricted price limit for the first day of trading only as per CMA regulations

Bupa Managing Director Tal Nazer, expects Bupa shares to start trading extensively as a unique provider of health insurance that owns a huge stake in this vital sector serving more than half a million clients in KSA alone.

Traders’ expectations of the share value are wide ranging.

Listed under the new Commercial Registration number of 4030178881, Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Health insurance has a paid up capital of SR400m.

It is worth mentioning that Bupa Arabia IPO was over subscribed by 921% in March 2008 which involved over 2.5 million subscribers pumping SR1.4bn.

This outstanding performance clearly had a positive impact on the medical insurance sector in Saudi Arabia in particular and the Gulf Region at large.

Bupa Arabia has earned a number of awards including ‘the best insurance company’ by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as ‘the award of the best work environment’ granted by HRH Prince Faisal Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz.

Furthermore Bupa is the only Saudi company that has been granted the award for the “Best E-business’ in the Middle East Region.

'Games For Health'

2008-05-09T04:11:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE and WASHINGTON -- Four major emerging trends -- exergaming kicks into high gear, video games go to rehab and therapy, major health care providers arrive on the scene, and the rise of video games for first responders and medical professionals -- were highlighted during a telenews event conducted by organizers of the Games for Health national conference at the Baltimore Convention Center.Drawing on 60 planned presentations by 75 speakers, Games for Health conference highlights trends including:-- Video games go to rehab and therapy. In a Games for Health conference highlight, a version of the popular video game Guitar Hero will be unveiled that is designed to aid arm amputee rehabilitation ... Red Hill Studios will present its findings about the use of PDWii to aid balance and mobility in Parkinson's patients. PDWii is currently being developed by Red Hill Studios and the UCSF School of Nursing, with funding by the NIH. Quantifiable results are being used to track patient progress and are being integrated into the patient's overall regime. Results will be used to benefit further innovations in the field of games for health ... For younger patients, there is Ditto, a "multi-modal distraction device" designed to control pain and stress among patients undergoing burn and orthopedic medical procedures.-- Exergaming kicks into high gear. One Games For Health panel will explore how exergaming in gyms and other settings can be used to combine physical activity and fun. Another presentation will focus on "Zyked" - a set of online and mobile services designed to be for working out what Xbox Live! is for videogames. Zyked's creator Tom Soderlund will present the basics behind Zyked and report on how the first batch of user tests are going. Soderlund will also present how Zyked intends to work with a multitude of portable devices including digital music players, digital athletic gear and mobile phone platforms. Dr. Alasdair Thin of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, will outline in "Go for the Burn: Designing Body-Movement Controlled Video Games to Maximise Energy Expenditure" his thoughts about how to future exergame design should work to ensure maximum health benefits.-- Major health care providers arrive on the scene. For the first time ever, a major U.S. health care insurance company, Humana, is a primary sponsor of the Games for Health conference. The sponsorship reflects the medical community's increasing interest in the potential of games. Representatives from several of the largest health insurance plan providers in the United States will convene in a plenary session at the conference to detail the game-related efforts they've launched to date and their view about what is needed for the future to use games and games technology to solve critical problems in health they and others are facing ... Another new development: the K.I.C.K. (Kid's Interactive Creation Kiosk) is a touch screen system and software activity package developed with young children in mind. Initial design of the system was focused on hospital waiting rooms and other similar healthcare settings. Developed by a team of graduate students at Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center, the project was originally titled "Project ER" and aimed to lower stress for 60,000 children who visited Pittsburgh Medical Centers ER each year. During the test run, the project gathered considerable research on how to deploy such systems in healthcare settings and will share this knowledge during a case presentation of the K.I.C.K. system. In order to see games for health play a greater role in settings where healthcare is delivered, significant hardware and software delivery problems need to be solved.-- The rise of games for first responders and medical professionals. Conference attendees will have an opportunity to play with 3DiTeams. Funded by the U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), 3DiTeams was developed by Virtual Heroes with Duke University's Human Simulation and Patient Safety Center, and lets people interact with a fully 3D simulation of emergency health care environments ... Medical Cyberworlds is a startup in the process of creating an online multiplayer game to train doctors to communicate more effectively with their patients. Dr. Fred Kron, the founder and CEO of the company and Noah Falstein, the lead designer will present an update at the conference on the state of the project and discuss the challenging process of encouraging effective collaboration between physicians, academics, and game developers.

HFMD Virus Spreads among Chinese Children

2008-05-07T04:45:00.000-07:00

More than 12,000 Chinese children are infected with the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), and the authorities have slapped heavy punishments on ten doctors for allowing 26 children to eventually die. The doctors' response to the cases was deemed too slow.Authorities have also found that some village doctors have been illegally injecting children with immune globulin, falsely claiming it would cure them, according to Xinhua. Other doctors have been found failing to treat patients properly and have also been punished.The Chinese Ministry of Health declared a national alert over the weekend and established a task force which coordinates local officials on control efforts. East China's Anhui Province announced that it will reimburse the full medical costs associated with treating the disease for those who are covered by a public health insurance scheme. Typical reimbursements range from 55 to 65 percent, People's Daily reports.Nearly 1,500 cases have been recorded in China's capital alone, shutting down two kindergartens in Beijing."The Chinese government is paying great attention to the virus and related departments are taking effective measures to stop it from spreading," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told the press. He apparently sought to appease concerns over the 2008 Olympics which are scheduled to take place in Beijing.The outbreak was caused by the enterovirus 71 (EV71). All the children infected are aged below 6, with most of them being under 2, due to their lower immune function. The hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) it causes is in no way linked with foot-and-mouth disease which affects animals, which is caused by another member of the Picornaviridae family.EV71, which causes hand, food and mouth disease, is a childhood illness found worldwide that spreads with saliva, feces, fluid secreted from blisters or mucus from the nose and throat. Symptoms typically include fever, skin rashes and sores inside the mouth and on fingers and toes.The illness has no specific treatment, but children usually recover quickly without problems. However, there are cases when the illness can result in a more serious form that can lead to paralysis, brain swelling or death. The outbreak of EV71 comes amid preparations for the Olympic Games, already tarnished by unrest among Tibetans in western China and an international torch relay disrupted by protests.

Chile gives free Viagra to seniors

2008-05-03T17:40:00.000-07:00

A working class suburb of Chile's capital has begun handing out free Viagra to senior citizens.
Lo Prado Mayor Gonzalo Navarrete said he launched the program because "an active sexuality improves the overall quality of life".
About 1,500 residents of the working class area are eligible to receive as many as four pills of the erectile dysfunction drug each month, the mayor said. They have to be at least 60 and be registered with the municipality's health service.
"A doctor will have to certify that they suffer from erectile dysfunction and that their condition would not put them in danger of suffering cardio-respiratory side effects," Navarrete said by telephone.
He said he has assured about $US10,000 ($A11,000) in financing for the program through the end of the year.
In other countries, some government insurance plans provide Viagra, but Lo Prado hands the 50mg pills out free, with no membership in any public or private insurance plan required.
Navarrete said some other mayors in the capital Santiago, which includes 34 municipalities, have told him they plan similar programs.
He said he did not know how many pills had been distributed so far.

IDSA To Review Guidelines For Lyme Disease Diagnosis, Treatment

2008-05-03T17:38:00.001-07:00

Boston (dbTechno) - A doctors group, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has agreed to review its national guidelines on Lyme disease. They will review the guidelines to both diagnose and treat the disease.
The call to review the Lyme disease guidelines comes after an antitrust investigation found major flaws in the set-up of the guidelines.
Lyme disease can be very hard to diagnose with very slight flu-like symptoms. The most obvious symptom of Lyme disease is the round red rash it leaves. There are 20,000 new cases of Lyme disease reported each year, experts state though the total may be around 100,000.
The 2006 Lyme disease guidelines go against the belief of many critics. The guidelines currently state that the majority of Lyme disease cases are treated with a 30-day set or oral antibiotics. They also state that there is no proof that chronic Lyme disease even exists, and that long-term antibiotics are effective.
Experts are stating though that Lyme disease is not as easy to diagnose and treat as the guidelines state, as the disease can last for years and years.
Critics of the guidelines state normal treatment with antibiotics takes six months or longer.
The IDSA guidelines are a tool used quite often by insurance companies as a reason to put a stop to long-term antibiotic treatment.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who launched the antitrust investigation, stated “The IDSA’s 2006 Lyme disease guideline panel undercut its credibility by allowing individuals with financial interests, in drug companies, Lyme disease diagnostic tests, patents and consulting arrangements with insurance companies, to exclude divergent medical evidence and opinion.”
The guidelines in place will not be changed while the review is carried out, which could take up to a year.

Intravenous Vitamin Mix Bar Alleviate Stress, Aging

2008-05-03T17:32:00.000-07:00

If you've ever watched that episode of House where the good doctor nurses his hangover by hooking himself up to an IV drip and said to yourself "I wish I could do that," you're in luck. Now in Japan, even people who aren't wisecracking M.D.s can get an IV drip pick-me-up at Tenteki10. Located in swanky Ebisu, Tokyo, the IV drip cafe features walk-in service with bags of fluids starting at $20 a pop. Their menu is quite varied.
The cheapest option, the Basic Pack, contains a proprietary blend of saline solution and Vitamins B6, B12 and C. For a couple thousand yen more, a user can add on a combination of nine other drip bags, with options like Red Pack for an energy lift, Diet Pack for a metabolism boost and Placenta Pack for "rejuvenation."
The cafe is operated by a subsidiary of a medical clinic, but is unsurprisingly not covered by Japan's national health insurance. A doctor at Tenteki10 calls the IV drip service "preventive medicine" and stresses that it's an option for people to "raise their awareness of daily health management on their own." Right. As if anyone would go to an IV drip bar and then decide to exercise, eat right and get enough sleep.