by LAS
Please see the latest column from Wendell Potter, the insurance industry whistle-blower, on the pages of PR Watch, a watchdog and consumer service at PR Watch dot org. Potter discusses what provisions of the new healthcare reform bill are worrying insurance industry execs and why, and how they hope to pull the teeth from the new law. Take for example the Medical Loss Ratio (aka MLR).
To quote Mr. Potter: The insurance industry tried unsuccessfully to strip the minimum medical-loss ratio provision from the bill. It wanted to have the freedom to keep spending less and less on medical care because every dollar not paid out in claims is a dollar that can be used instead to increase profits and to pay CEOs millions of dollars every year. Having lost the battle on Capitol Hill, the insurers are now turning their attention to the NAIC, which Congress gave the responsibility of determining the nitty-gritty details of how insurers will have to comply with the law.
Rest assured that the insurers will be pulling out all the stops to persuade the insurance commissioners to make it easy for them to meet the requirements of the new law by manipulating the definition of medical care. One of the things insurers will try to do, for example, is to get the NAIC to let them shift a lot of what insurers now count as administrative expenses into their medical expense category. If that happens, the insurers will look like they're suddenly spending more on medical care without changing anything at all.
The devil is ever in the details. And if you let the devil define all the terms of the law's provisions, then the industry will have gutted the law without seeming to have lifted a finger to do so.
So keep an eye peeled for shifty little maneuvers like this. And more power to Mr. Potter. Read the last column of his at http://www.prwatch.org/node/8977.
Showing posts with label insurance companies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurance companies. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Have You Been 'Downcoded'?
By L.A.S.
It you have been 'downcoded' (this is a practice in which insurance companies revise a claim made by a doctor or hospital with a lower-price procedure instead of the higher-price procedure submitted by the health care provider), could you please leave a comment with how to reach you? The people at Huffington Post are trying to further investigate this practice, but they need documents, or some kind of source material, to work with.
It you have been 'downcoded' (this is a practice in which insurance companies revise a claim made by a doctor or hospital with a lower-price procedure instead of the higher-price procedure submitted by the health care provider), could you please leave a comment with how to reach you? The people at Huffington Post are trying to further investigate this practice, but they need documents, or some kind of source material, to work with.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
News Stories Poke Holes in Insurers' PR and Spin
by LAS
News stories galore are popping up all over the internet and inside consumer watchdog newsletters. Over the summer, we have been treated to the ultimate whistleblower, Wendell Potter, the former insurance exec who now reveals all the dirty secrets of the industry's program to wrangle the most favorable legislation from our Congress.
This week a slew of similar stories have deflated industry puffery. The New York Times has admitted that it gave the public option short shrift in a one-sided editorial. The editorial went to great lengths to list every objection to the public option without listing even one benefit espoused by its proponents. The media watchdog FAIR received about 1,000 complaints about the editorial. You can read the admittedly short admission on the pages of FAIR dot org here: www.fair.org/index.php?page=3926
Slate carried an article earlier this week bu Robert Reich, who exulted over the way that insurers' have boxed themselves into a corner while trying to fight the prospect of reforms and/or the public option. The intriguing title is “The Audacity of Greed: How Private Health Insurers Just Blew Their Cover.” Reich wrote: “The only reason these costs can be passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums is because there's not enough competition among private insurers to force them to absorb the costs by becoming more efficient. Get it? Health insurers have just made the best argument yet about why a public insurance option is necessary.” You can read that article now on his blog, at: http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/10/audacity-of-greed-how-private-health.html
Then an AP story today, Thu, carried the headline “FACT CHECK: Health insurers cherry-pick facts.” The headline is not at all surprising; most of us are aware that every industry will put forth its views with the most selective data supporting its position. However, it is unusual that the major media will announce such spin-doctoring while the battle rages on. This article points out that a recent industry ad misleads seniors into thinking that cuts are being made to basic Medicare. It is not; what is being cut is Medicare Advantage, the low-cost alternative that is most similar to an HMO. Costs to administer this program have risen much faster than first projected. Yahoo News has the full article which you can read here: news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015/ap_on_go_co/us_health_insurers_fact_check;_ylt=Aol4ud6iH0FiULm5ZbK19E8iANEA;_ylu=X3oDMTMwaGJzOTAwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMDE1L3VzX2hlYWx0aF9pbnN1cmVyc19mYWN0X2NoZWNrBGNwb3MDNwRwb3MDNwRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA2ZhY3RjaGVja2hlYQ--
In a related matter, PR Watch has written a good article titled: “Put out the FIRE on Capitol Hill with a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.” Do we need yet another government agency? Yes, if we are to curb the abuses committed by the current generation of banks and other financial institutions. Will we get an agency with teeth, if we set up such a watchdog? It is in doubt whether such an agency will see the light of day. Take a look at the political contributions dispensed to certain key members of Congress, to make them more receptive to the industry's views on reforms and oversight.
To quote: “Take Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL), for instance, she is the top recipient on the committee of FIRE campaign finance dollars in 2009. She is also one of the biggest threats to meaningful reform. Evidently, Bean's take away from the financial crisis – which threw 7 million Americans out of work and cost taxpayers $3 trillion – is that consumers need less protection not more. According to watchdogs at Public Citizen, Bean is planning to introduce an amendment to the CFPA bill tomorrow which would take away the right of states to protect consumers more aggressively than the feds.”
This is serious business, folks. You need to voice your support of a financial watchdog agency WITH TEETH so that more Americans do not suffer for the crimes of our financial system.
News stories galore are popping up all over the internet and inside consumer watchdog newsletters. Over the summer, we have been treated to the ultimate whistleblower, Wendell Potter, the former insurance exec who now reveals all the dirty secrets of the industry's program to wrangle the most favorable legislation from our Congress.
This week a slew of similar stories have deflated industry puffery. The New York Times has admitted that it gave the public option short shrift in a one-sided editorial. The editorial went to great lengths to list every objection to the public option without listing even one benefit espoused by its proponents. The media watchdog FAIR received about 1,000 complaints about the editorial. You can read the admittedly short admission on the pages of FAIR dot org here: www.fair.org/index.php?page=3926
Slate carried an article earlier this week bu Robert Reich, who exulted over the way that insurers' have boxed themselves into a corner while trying to fight the prospect of reforms and/or the public option. The intriguing title is “The Audacity of Greed: How Private Health Insurers Just Blew Their Cover.” Reich wrote: “The only reason these costs can be passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums is because there's not enough competition among private insurers to force them to absorb the costs by becoming more efficient. Get it? Health insurers have just made the best argument yet about why a public insurance option is necessary.” You can read that article now on his blog, at: http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/10/audacity-of-greed-how-private-health.html
Then an AP story today, Thu, carried the headline “FACT CHECK: Health insurers cherry-pick facts.” The headline is not at all surprising; most of us are aware that every industry will put forth its views with the most selective data supporting its position. However, it is unusual that the major media will announce such spin-doctoring while the battle rages on. This article points out that a recent industry ad misleads seniors into thinking that cuts are being made to basic Medicare. It is not; what is being cut is Medicare Advantage, the low-cost alternative that is most similar to an HMO. Costs to administer this program have risen much faster than first projected. Yahoo News has the full article which you can read here: news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015/ap_on_go_co/us_health_insurers_fact_check;_ylt=Aol4ud6iH0FiULm5ZbK19E8iANEA;_ylu=X3oDMTMwaGJzOTAwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMDE1L3VzX2hlYWx0aF9pbnN1cmVyc19mYWN0X2NoZWNrBGNwb3MDNwRwb3MDNwRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA2ZhY3RjaGVja2hlYQ--
In a related matter, PR Watch has written a good article titled: “Put out the FIRE on Capitol Hill with a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.” Do we need yet another government agency? Yes, if we are to curb the abuses committed by the current generation of banks and other financial institutions. Will we get an agency with teeth, if we set up such a watchdog? It is in doubt whether such an agency will see the light of day. Take a look at the political contributions dispensed to certain key members of Congress, to make them more receptive to the industry's views on reforms and oversight.
To quote: “Take Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL), for instance, she is the top recipient on the committee of FIRE campaign finance dollars in 2009. She is also one of the biggest threats to meaningful reform. Evidently, Bean's take away from the financial crisis – which threw 7 million Americans out of work and cost taxpayers $3 trillion – is that consumers need less protection not more. According to watchdogs at Public Citizen, Bean is planning to introduce an amendment to the CFPA bill tomorrow which would take away the right of states to protect consumers more aggressively than the feds.”
This is serious business, folks. You need to voice your support of a financial watchdog agency WITH TEETH so that more Americans do not suffer for the crimes of our financial system.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Q: Are Insurers Practicing Medicine Without A License?
by L.A.S.
One of the odder results of our reliance on private health insurers is that insurers are in fact making medical decisions. Those decisions are removed from the doctor-patient relationship. Yet while the insurers claim that they are making decisions on PAYMENT, and not on approving or denying the actual medical treatment, the fact is that in the end, insurers' decisions determine whether patients live or die.
This raises the questions then, whether insurers are practicing medicine without a license!
Who gave them this authority?
If the insurance industry were handed the job now of covering medical claims (as they way were back in 1919), would they be able to get away with it?
I wish someone would file a lawsuit and find out if we consumers can set things to rights.
One of the odder results of our reliance on private health insurers is that insurers are in fact making medical decisions. Those decisions are removed from the doctor-patient relationship. Yet while the insurers claim that they are making decisions on PAYMENT, and not on approving or denying the actual medical treatment, the fact is that in the end, insurers' decisions determine whether patients live or die.
This raises the questions then, whether insurers are practicing medicine without a license!
Who gave them this authority?
If the insurance industry were handed the job now of covering medical claims (as they way were back in 1919), would they be able to get away with it?
I wish someone would file a lawsuit and find out if we consumers can set things to rights.
Insurers attacking healthcare reform bill with heavy lobbying
by L.A.S.
This is no surprise, but insurers are fighting back hard against prospects of real healthcare reform that may or may not include a public option.
Their latest gambit is a claim that this reform movement would add hundreds of dollars to the cost of insurance coverage, contrary to the claim by the reformers that pitching a bigger tent to cover more people (including young, healthy people who currently do not feel they need health insurance) will reduce the cost of covering everyone else.
To quote the article: “The (insurers) study projected that in 2019, family premiums could be $4,000 higher and individual premiums could be $1,500 higher.
Baucus spokesman Mulhauser said the study is "seriously flawed" because it doesn't take into account provisions in the legislation that would lower the cost of coverage, such as tax credits to help people buy private insurance, protections for current policies and administrative savings from a revamped marketplace.
White House health care spokeswoman Linda Douglass concurred. "This is an insurance industry analysis that is designed to reach a conclusion which benefits the industry, and does not represent what the bill does," she said.” [end of quote]
You can read the whole article (per Newsvine feed) at www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/10/11/3372624-insurers-mount-attack-against-health-reform
This is no surprise, but insurers are fighting back hard against prospects of real healthcare reform that may or may not include a public option.
Their latest gambit is a claim that this reform movement would add hundreds of dollars to the cost of insurance coverage, contrary to the claim by the reformers that pitching a bigger tent to cover more people (including young, healthy people who currently do not feel they need health insurance) will reduce the cost of covering everyone else.
To quote the article: “The (insurers) study projected that in 2019, family premiums could be $4,000 higher and individual premiums could be $1,500 higher.
Baucus spokesman Mulhauser said the study is "seriously flawed" because it doesn't take into account provisions in the legislation that would lower the cost of coverage, such as tax credits to help people buy private insurance, protections for current policies and administrative savings from a revamped marketplace.
White House health care spokeswoman Linda Douglass concurred. "This is an insurance industry analysis that is designed to reach a conclusion which benefits the industry, and does not represent what the bill does," she said.” [end of quote]
You can read the whole article (per Newsvine feed) at www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/10/11/3372624-insurers-mount-attack-against-health-reform
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Manulife Shareholders Threaten Class-Action Lawsuit
by LAS
The shareholders of Manulife Financial have proposed a class-action lawsuit against the executives of the firm. They charge that the execs made “false and misleading statements” about the company's risk management ability. The shareholders equate this with violating federal securities laws.
The proposal was filed with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Manulife has responded by saying that its financial disclosure met all legal requirements and that these issues have nothing to do with policyholders or company products.
The Canadian regulators responded first, with the Ontario Securities Commissioner issuing a statement in June. In that response, Canada's preliminary conclusion was that the company did not meet its obligation to disclose regarding market risk in its variable annuity products and segregated funds.
Geez, why is it so clear to the Canadians that Manulife was playing fast and loose with the law? Will there be any justice for the American shareholders? And why is it so difficult for Manulife to do right in the first place?
The shareholders of Manulife Financial have proposed a class-action lawsuit against the executives of the firm. They charge that the execs made “false and misleading statements” about the company's risk management ability. The shareholders equate this with violating federal securities laws.
The proposal was filed with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Manulife has responded by saying that its financial disclosure met all legal requirements and that these issues have nothing to do with policyholders or company products.
The Canadian regulators responded first, with the Ontario Securities Commissioner issuing a statement in June. In that response, Canada's preliminary conclusion was that the company did not meet its obligation to disclose regarding market risk in its variable annuity products and segregated funds.
Geez, why is it so clear to the Canadians that Manulife was playing fast and loose with the law? Will there be any justice for the American shareholders? And why is it so difficult for Manulife to do right in the first place?
Insurance Companies See Losses, Downgraded Fitch Ratings
by LAS
The year 2009 has seen insurance companies taking hits both in their bottom lines and in their ability to sell bonds. Fitch has downgraded all health insurers that it covers to a negative outlook. Part of the reason for the downgrades is the uncertainty of what health insurance reform will entail.
Fitch has been downgrading ratings on insurers during the first half of 2009, almost across the board. A total of 42 companies had their ratings downgraded. By contrast, only three insurers suffered downgrades in 2007, and 13 in 2008. Fitch does not expect to see more upgrades than downgrades till 2010.
MetLife suffered investment losses of $2.6 billion in just the second quarter of 2009. This loss was mainly due to derivatives, a sector that is still exacting its penalties for the industry's lack of judgment. MetLife had been using derivatives as a hedge against risks like inflation and currency fluctuations. Company net income fell from $4.3 billion in the second quarter of 2008 to $3.9 billion this year.
Oddly enough, MetLife passed the government's stress test earlier this year. It also had the lowest total potential losses compared to 18 competitors.
The Hartford Financial Services also posted a second quarter loss and missed analyst expectations. While expected to finish that quarter with a profit, instead it lost $15 million. Earnings were down 11 percent from a year ago. Earnings per share for common shareholders declined from $2.22 to $1.90 per share.
One of the few insurers to see a healthy gain in business was AAA. A.M. Best attributed AAA's superior showing to its wide marketing and distribution relationships with partner clubs.
The year 2009 has seen insurance companies taking hits both in their bottom lines and in their ability to sell bonds. Fitch has downgraded all health insurers that it covers to a negative outlook. Part of the reason for the downgrades is the uncertainty of what health insurance reform will entail.
Fitch has been downgrading ratings on insurers during the first half of 2009, almost across the board. A total of 42 companies had their ratings downgraded. By contrast, only three insurers suffered downgrades in 2007, and 13 in 2008. Fitch does not expect to see more upgrades than downgrades till 2010.
MetLife suffered investment losses of $2.6 billion in just the second quarter of 2009. This loss was mainly due to derivatives, a sector that is still exacting its penalties for the industry's lack of judgment. MetLife had been using derivatives as a hedge against risks like inflation and currency fluctuations. Company net income fell from $4.3 billion in the second quarter of 2008 to $3.9 billion this year.
Oddly enough, MetLife passed the government's stress test earlier this year. It also had the lowest total potential losses compared to 18 competitors.
The Hartford Financial Services also posted a second quarter loss and missed analyst expectations. While expected to finish that quarter with a profit, instead it lost $15 million. Earnings were down 11 percent from a year ago. Earnings per share for common shareholders declined from $2.22 to $1.90 per share.
One of the few insurers to see a healthy gain in business was AAA. A.M. Best attributed AAA's superior showing to its wide marketing and distribution relationships with partner clubs.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
2009 List of Providers of Whole Life Insurance
by L.A.S.
Whole Life insurance has seen a huge resurgence of interest in recent years. Many whole life policies are substituting for long-term care insurance for those who cannot qualify for that specific insurance policy; the fact that most whole life insurance policies can include a rider allowing for “accelerated benefits” in case of terminal illness has been a real boon for both insurers and for consumers. Also the tax benefits as opposed to an annuity or other investment is a consideration.
Many of the products listed below are only for workplace insurance offerings, but many also offer individual policies. This list may not be completely comprehensive. Please also consult the 2008 list for other companies, and your state insurance commissioners office. For the latter you can begin the search by going to NAIC online (National Assn. of Insurance Commissioners) and then click on your state; this will take you to your state's insurance commission and you will find a comprehensive listing of insurers who are licensed to operate in your state.
American Family Life Assurance Co. of Columbus (Aflac): aflac.com; 800-992-3522; all states; issue ages 18-65.
Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Co.: americo.com; 800-231-0801 x 8410; all states EXCEPT AL ME MS NY VT WA, “Ultra Protector” series issue ages 50-85.
Colorado Bankers Life Insurance Co.: cbl-life.com; 800-367-7814; all states EXCEPT MN MT NJ NY ND VT WA WV; “Preferred Golden Protector” issue ages 15-85.
EMC National Life: emcnationallife.com; 800-232-5818; all states EXCEPT DE MD MA NJ NY; Workplace Increasing Whole Life issue ages 18-70. EMC National Life Co., at emcnl.com, also offers “Worksite Increasing Whole Life” for issue ages 0-70.
Equitable Life & Casualty: equilife.com; 800-352-5170; all states EXCEPT AR CA DC FL GA HI MD MA MN NJ NY NC PA WA WV WI; issue ages for Equilife Legacy 3 is 18-84. Equilife Legacy I is offered in all states EXCEPT AL CA DC HI MD MA MN NJ NY WA WI, same issue ages. Equilife Legacy II is offered in all states EXCEPT AL CA DC FL GA HI MD MA MN NJ NY NC PA WA WV WI, same issue ages.
Illinois Mutual: illinoismutual.com; 800-437-7355 x782; “Interest Sensitive Whole Life Insurance” is offered in all states EXCEPT AK HI MT NJ NY PA; issue ages for employees is 15-79.
M & O Marketing: mandomarketing.com; 800-228-5964; all states; issue ages 0-85.
Medico Insurance Co.: gomedico.com; 800-228-6080; offered in AR CO ID IA KY MO NE NV NM OK OR SC TN UT WV WY; issue ages 50-85 for “Final Expense Whole Life A04 or A05”.
National Life Insurance Co.: nationallife.com; 802-229-3333; NL LifeBuilder offered in all states, issue ages 0-85.
Royal Neighbors of America: royalneighbors.org; 800-770-4561; “Royal Prime” permanent whole life offered in all states EXCEPT AL AK DE DC HI LA MA MT NV NH NY SC VT WI WY; issue ages 0-85. Policies bought at ages 0-60 may be paid up by age 65.
Senior Market Sales Inc.: seniormarketsales.com; 402-397-3311; whole life policies offered in all states EXCEPT NY; issue ages 0-80.
Starmount Life Insurance Co.: insurancelife.com; 1-888-saylife or 888-729-5433 x112; “Value Life Gold” offered in all states EXCEPT AL DE DC HI ID IA MS MT NV NH NJ NY UT WY; issue ages 0-80.
Texas Life Insurance Co.: texaslife.com; 800-283-9233 x6845; “VPL-plus” offered in all states EXCEPT NY; issue ages 17-70 (dependents 6 mos-18 yrs).
Transamerica Worksite Marketing: transamericaworksite.com; 800-322-0426; “Transure” offered in all states EXCEPT CA FL MA MN MT NJ OR PA VT VA WA; issue ages 16-70 (children or grandchildren ages 0-24).
United of Omaha Life Insurance Co.: mutualofomaha.com; 402-351-5770; “Whole Life Express” offered in all states EXCEPT NY; issue ages 0-80.
Universal American: universalamerican.com; 800-538-1053 x8357; “Senior Tribute” final expense offered in all states EXCEPT AK HI MN MT RI WA WY; issue ages 45-85.
Unum: unum.com; 866-679-3054; “Interest Sensitive Whole Life” offered in all states; issue ages 15-80 (dependents 14 days to 24 yrs).
Whole Life insurance has seen a huge resurgence of interest in recent years. Many whole life policies are substituting for long-term care insurance for those who cannot qualify for that specific insurance policy; the fact that most whole life insurance policies can include a rider allowing for “accelerated benefits” in case of terminal illness has been a real boon for both insurers and for consumers. Also the tax benefits as opposed to an annuity or other investment is a consideration.
Many of the products listed below are only for workplace insurance offerings, but many also offer individual policies. This list may not be completely comprehensive. Please also consult the 2008 list for other companies, and your state insurance commissioners office. For the latter you can begin the search by going to NAIC online (National Assn. of Insurance Commissioners) and then click on your state; this will take you to your state's insurance commission and you will find a comprehensive listing of insurers who are licensed to operate in your state.
American Family Life Assurance Co. of Columbus (Aflac): aflac.com; 800-992-3522; all states; issue ages 18-65.
Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Co.: americo.com; 800-231-0801 x 8410; all states EXCEPT AL ME MS NY VT WA, “Ultra Protector” series issue ages 50-85.
Colorado Bankers Life Insurance Co.: cbl-life.com; 800-367-7814; all states EXCEPT MN MT NJ NY ND VT WA WV; “Preferred Golden Protector” issue ages 15-85.
EMC National Life: emcnationallife.com; 800-232-5818; all states EXCEPT DE MD MA NJ NY; Workplace Increasing Whole Life issue ages 18-70. EMC National Life Co., at emcnl.com, also offers “Worksite Increasing Whole Life” for issue ages 0-70.
Equitable Life & Casualty: equilife.com; 800-352-5170; all states EXCEPT AR CA DC FL GA HI MD MA MN NJ NY NC PA WA WV WI; issue ages for Equilife Legacy 3 is 18-84. Equilife Legacy I is offered in all states EXCEPT AL CA DC HI MD MA MN NJ NY WA WI, same issue ages. Equilife Legacy II is offered in all states EXCEPT AL CA DC FL GA HI MD MA MN NJ NY NC PA WA WV WI, same issue ages.
Illinois Mutual: illinoismutual.com; 800-437-7355 x782; “Interest Sensitive Whole Life Insurance” is offered in all states EXCEPT AK HI MT NJ NY PA; issue ages for employees is 15-79.
M & O Marketing: mandomarketing.com; 800-228-5964; all states; issue ages 0-85.
Medico Insurance Co.: gomedico.com; 800-228-6080; offered in AR CO ID IA KY MO NE NV NM OK OR SC TN UT WV WY; issue ages 50-85 for “Final Expense Whole Life A04 or A05”.
National Life Insurance Co.: nationallife.com; 802-229-3333; NL LifeBuilder offered in all states, issue ages 0-85.
Royal Neighbors of America: royalneighbors.org; 800-770-4561; “Royal Prime” permanent whole life offered in all states EXCEPT AL AK DE DC HI LA MA MT NV NH NY SC VT WI WY; issue ages 0-85. Policies bought at ages 0-60 may be paid up by age 65.
Senior Market Sales Inc.: seniormarketsales.com; 402-397-3311; whole life policies offered in all states EXCEPT NY; issue ages 0-80.
Starmount Life Insurance Co.: insurancelife.com; 1-888-saylife or 888-729-5433 x112; “Value Life Gold” offered in all states EXCEPT AL DE DC HI ID IA MS MT NV NH NJ NY UT WY; issue ages 0-80.
Texas Life Insurance Co.: texaslife.com; 800-283-9233 x6845; “VPL-plus” offered in all states EXCEPT NY; issue ages 17-70 (dependents 6 mos-18 yrs).
Transamerica Worksite Marketing: transamericaworksite.com; 800-322-0426; “Transure” offered in all states EXCEPT CA FL MA MN MT NJ OR PA VT VA WA; issue ages 16-70 (children or grandchildren ages 0-24).
United of Omaha Life Insurance Co.: mutualofomaha.com; 402-351-5770; “Whole Life Express” offered in all states EXCEPT NY; issue ages 0-80.
Universal American: universalamerican.com; 800-538-1053 x8357; “Senior Tribute” final expense offered in all states EXCEPT AK HI MN MT RI WA WY; issue ages 45-85.
Unum: unum.com; 866-679-3054; “Interest Sensitive Whole Life” offered in all states; issue ages 15-80 (dependents 14 days to 24 yrs).
2009 List of Providers of 401k Plans
by L.A.S.
The following is a list of companies that offer 401k plans. It is up to date as of Fall 2009, but we cannot guarantee that it is an all-inclusive list. Please consult with your certified financial planner regarding specific features of plans that will best fit your needs. Providing this list does NOT imply endorsement, and none should be assumed. You must determine which company's plans best suit you.
All allow tax-free loans from your plan EXCEPT Redwood Administrators, and Underwriters Marketing Service. All provide 401K rollover and consolidation EXCEPT Best 401K Inc., and Omega Recordkeeping.
ADP Retirement Services: adp401k.com; 973-712-2000
Advanced Benefits Consulting: 314-539-0836
Alliance Benefit Group: abgnational.com; 800-242-2356
American Pension Services LLC: americanpension.net; 813-281-0707 x110
American United Life Insurance Co: oneamerica.com; 866-313-7355
The Best 401K Inc.:thebest401k.com; 800-430-8054
CBIZ Retirement Consulting Inc.: cbiz.com/retirement; 407-475-1765
Charles Schwab: scrs.schwab.com; 877-456-0777
CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Inc.: cpiqpc.com; 800-279-9916 x765
Daily Access Corp.: dailyaccess.com; 888-535-4322
Elite Marketing Insurance Designers of Houston: elitemktg.net; 800-477-3548
Expert Plan Inc.: expertplan.com; 609-918-2500
Future Benefits of America: fb401k.com; 901-843-7799
Gradient Investments: gradientinvestments.com; 888-824-3525
Great-West Retirement Services: gwrs.com; 800-537-2033
Guardian Insurance & Annuity Co. Inc.: guardianlife.com or guardianretirement.com; 866-390-7268
Harbor Insurance Marketing Inc.: harborins.com; 866-424-2167
ING: ingretirementplans.com; 888-639-2798
Ingham Retirement Group: ingham.com; 305-671-2200
Lafayette Life Insurance Co.: lafayettelife.com; 765-477-7411
Lincoln Trust Co.: LincolnTrustCo.com; 303-658-3000
Managed Resources: mgdresources.com; 208-773-6924
MBM Advisors Inc.: mbm-inc.com; 713-221-3117
McCready and Keene: mcak.com; 804-639-1395
Mercer: mercer.com; 857-362-2000
Mutual of Omaha: getretirementright.com; 877-401-7253
MVP Plan Administrators Inc.: mvpplanadmin.com; 866-687-6877
Noble-Davis Consulting Inc.: noblepension.com; 440-498-8408
Omega Recordkeeping Group: onlineretirement.org; 864-699-6900
The Online 401K: theonline401k.com; 877-775-4015
Paychex Inc.: paychex.com; 800-322-7292
Principal Financial Group: principal.com; 800-986-3343
Putnam Investments: putnam.com/401k; 800-719-9914
Redwood Administrators Inc.: redwoodadmin.com; 866-724-7770
The Retirement Advantage Inc.: tra401k.com; 888-872-2364
The Revzon Consulting Group: revzonconsulting.com; 877-254-7085
Securian Financial Group Inc.: securian.com; 877-876-4015
The Standard: standard.com; 877-805-1127
Transamerica Retirement Services: ta-retirement.com; 888-401-5826
Underwriters Marketing Service Inc.: callums.com; 856-727-1900
USI Consulting Group: usicg.com; 860-633-5283
Vaughan & Associates Inc.: retirementplansolutions.com; 864-271-1298
Wells Fargo: wellsfargo.com; 800-368-1225
Wellth Counselors: inthesafe.com; 970-744-4626
Best wishes!
The following is a list of companies that offer 401k plans. It is up to date as of Fall 2009, but we cannot guarantee that it is an all-inclusive list. Please consult with your certified financial planner regarding specific features of plans that will best fit your needs. Providing this list does NOT imply endorsement, and none should be assumed. You must determine which company's plans best suit you.
All allow tax-free loans from your plan EXCEPT Redwood Administrators, and Underwriters Marketing Service. All provide 401K rollover and consolidation EXCEPT Best 401K Inc., and Omega Recordkeeping.
ADP Retirement Services: adp401k.com; 973-712-2000
Advanced Benefits Consulting: 314-539-0836
Alliance Benefit Group: abgnational.com; 800-242-2356
American Pension Services LLC: americanpension.net; 813-281-0707 x110
American United Life Insurance Co: oneamerica.com; 866-313-7355
The Best 401K Inc.:thebest401k.com; 800-430-8054
CBIZ Retirement Consulting Inc.: cbiz.com/retirement; 407-475-1765
Charles Schwab: scrs.schwab.com; 877-456-0777
CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Inc.: cpiqpc.com; 800-279-9916 x765
Daily Access Corp.: dailyaccess.com; 888-535-4322
Elite Marketing Insurance Designers of Houston: elitemktg.net; 800-477-3548
Expert Plan Inc.: expertplan.com; 609-918-2500
Future Benefits of America: fb401k.com; 901-843-7799
Gradient Investments: gradientinvestments.com; 888-824-3525
Great-West Retirement Services: gwrs.com; 800-537-2033
Guardian Insurance & Annuity Co. Inc.: guardianlife.com or guardianretirement.com; 866-390-7268
Harbor Insurance Marketing Inc.: harborins.com; 866-424-2167
ING: ingretirementplans.com; 888-639-2798
Ingham Retirement Group: ingham.com; 305-671-2200
Lafayette Life Insurance Co.: lafayettelife.com; 765-477-7411
Lincoln Trust Co.: LincolnTrustCo.com; 303-658-3000
Managed Resources: mgdresources.com; 208-773-6924
MBM Advisors Inc.: mbm-inc.com; 713-221-3117
McCready and Keene: mcak.com; 804-639-1395
Mercer: mercer.com; 857-362-2000
Mutual of Omaha: getretirementright.com; 877-401-7253
MVP Plan Administrators Inc.: mvpplanadmin.com; 866-687-6877
Noble-Davis Consulting Inc.: noblepension.com; 440-498-8408
Omega Recordkeeping Group: onlineretirement.org; 864-699-6900
The Online 401K: theonline401k.com; 877-775-4015
Paychex Inc.: paychex.com; 800-322-7292
Principal Financial Group: principal.com; 800-986-3343
Putnam Investments: putnam.com/401k; 800-719-9914
Redwood Administrators Inc.: redwoodadmin.com; 866-724-7770
The Retirement Advantage Inc.: tra401k.com; 888-872-2364
The Revzon Consulting Group: revzonconsulting.com; 877-254-7085
Securian Financial Group Inc.: securian.com; 877-876-4015
The Standard: standard.com; 877-805-1127
Transamerica Retirement Services: ta-retirement.com; 888-401-5826
Underwriters Marketing Service Inc.: callums.com; 856-727-1900
USI Consulting Group: usicg.com; 860-633-5283
Vaughan & Associates Inc.: retirementplansolutions.com; 864-271-1298
Wells Fargo: wellsfargo.com; 800-368-1225
Wellth Counselors: inthesafe.com; 970-744-4626
Best wishes!
Do You Think Insurers Should Get Away with Denying Maternity Coverage by Calling a Prior C-Section a "Pre-Existing Condition"?
by L.A.S.
Another horror story seems too ridiculous to be true, but unfortunately it is. It seems that due to the lack of explicit regulation by some states, insurers can refuse to cover maternity care. This is not just a matter of a few cases of women being denied payment by the insurance company for their maternity stays in the hospital. This is built-in sexism.
Even though the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 requires employers with more than 15 workers to include maternity benefits in their insurance packages -- only 14 states require comprehensive maternity care to be included in coverage in policies sold on the individual market. Most individual insurers don't cover maternity care, and the number of plans without maternity coverage continues to rise.
See the article from SIEU at http://www.seiu.org/2009/09/insurance-companies-consider-c-section-birth-pre-existing-condition.php
Even those women who thought they had good insurance, and maternity coverage, have found themselves stuck with as much as $25,000 in health care bills that they were expected to pay out-of-pocket.
Funny, somehow it seems to me that if MEN had the babies, the insurance companies would not even try to pull stuff like this. What do you think?
Another horror story seems too ridiculous to be true, but unfortunately it is. It seems that due to the lack of explicit regulation by some states, insurers can refuse to cover maternity care. This is not just a matter of a few cases of women being denied payment by the insurance company for their maternity stays in the hospital. This is built-in sexism.
Even though the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 requires employers with more than 15 workers to include maternity benefits in their insurance packages -- only 14 states require comprehensive maternity care to be included in coverage in policies sold on the individual market. Most individual insurers don't cover maternity care, and the number of plans without maternity coverage continues to rise.
See the article from SIEU at http://www.seiu.org/2009/09/insurance-companies-consider-c-section-birth-pre-existing-condition.php
Even those women who thought they had good insurance, and maternity coverage, have found themselves stuck with as much as $25,000 in health care bills that they were expected to pay out-of-pocket.
Funny, somehow it seems to me that if MEN had the babies, the insurance companies would not even try to pull stuff like this. What do you think?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Getting Beaten by Your Husband Is an Excuse to Deny Ins. Coverage?
by L.A.S.
This is unbelievable. I keep saying that I am not an apologist for the insurance companies. I try to portray them as reasonable, given the fact that they do have to make a profit to stay in business. And then they pull stuff like this.
A woman was dropped from her insurance plan because she was abused by her husband. Their rationale appears to be that because, she was beaten badly enough to need medical attention, she will probably wind up in the hospital again. Abusive husbands tend to repeat their behavior, in other words.
But to penalize the woman by denying her continued coverage is just unconscionable. That is penalizing the victim, and it is unacceptable.
You may read the whole article plus some commentary by clicking on this story: http://minnieapolis.newsvine.com/_news/2009/09/16/3279449-heartless-logic-getting-beaten-by-your-husband-is-an-excuse-to-deny-ins-coverage
A quote from the article: "Under the cold logic of the insurance industry, it makes perfect sense: If you are in a marriage with someone who has beaten you in the past, you're more likely to get beaten again than the average person and are therefore more expensive to insure."
ARRGGHH!! Sometimes I just have to scream, you know what I mean?
--30--
This is unbelievable. I keep saying that I am not an apologist for the insurance companies. I try to portray them as reasonable, given the fact that they do have to make a profit to stay in business. And then they pull stuff like this.
A woman was dropped from her insurance plan because she was abused by her husband. Their rationale appears to be that because, she was beaten badly enough to need medical attention, she will probably wind up in the hospital again. Abusive husbands tend to repeat their behavior, in other words.
But to penalize the woman by denying her continued coverage is just unconscionable. That is penalizing the victim, and it is unacceptable.
You may read the whole article plus some commentary by clicking on this story: http://minnieapolis.newsvine.com/_news/2009/09/16/3279449-heartless-logic-getting-beaten-by-your-husband-is-an-excuse-to-deny-ins-coverage
A quote from the article: "Under the cold logic of the insurance industry, it makes perfect sense: If you are in a marriage with someone who has beaten you in the past, you're more likely to get beaten again than the average person and are therefore more expensive to insure."
ARRGGHH!! Sometimes I just have to scream, you know what I mean?
--30--
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sick of the Insurance Industry Whining
by L.A.S.
Sorry, insurance executives, but I am just about sick of your whining that healthcare reform will threaten your business. OF COURSE, it will threaten your business! But it became necessary because the system is in danger of breaking down completely.
You, the insurance industry, found every dodge that you could to get around having to pay claims promptly. You, the insurance industry, found every way of weeding out the people who might actually use your product and cost you money. You, the insurance industry, then had the gall to flaunt your swollen purse by spending millions on lobbying and on extravagant getaways for your executives. Do you see the problem?
Some people just don't get it.
Now let me just say that my heart is not going to bleed for the insurance executives of this country. HOWEVER, I am going to be concerned that an abrupt change in the business model of the total insurance industry will affect the security of the investment. In other words, changing the business model could topple not only health insurance but also the life insurance, auto insurance, and annuity branches of the insurance tree, since many insurers cover all those bases.
We cannot go from a completely private model to a mostly public healthcare model unless we develop some kind of phase-in plan.
We would not be in this predicament if we had taken the opportunity in 1919 to start a national healthcare program at about the same time that other nations tackled this issue. Instead, we were sweet-talked by the life insurance industry which convinced us all that it was ready, willing and able to develop a private health insurance industry from scratch.
We never got such a golden opportunity again, not even when Pres. Johnson pushed through a Medicare and Medicaid program in the 1960s.
So that is why I have reluctantly concluded that we must go slow in this drive to develop some kind of public option for every American. We have to develop some long-term planning to phase in this program.
While I am on the subject of public option, I would appreciate it if people stuck to real numbers. The number “one hundred million” or even “a hundred fifty million” has been bandied about as the number of Americans who already have insurance that would switch to a public option if it were made available. That IS NOT TRUE.
The number came from a preliminary study, and yes, at first it did come up with about 125 million or so who might switch to a public option, as yet undefined.
HOWEVER, and I apologize for using so many capital letters in this article, but however, that number was rescinded when the study went back again when it had more specifics to go on.
The corrected final number was about 150 THOUSAND, not million! Repeat, 150 THOUSAND Americans might drop their private coverage and opt for the public option. That is a fraction of the original number and nothing that would drastically endanger the financial underpinnings of the insurance industry or of the public option.
Also I am not happy to see that Obama is proposing adding another layer of bureaucracy to our swelling government payroll. We could get the processing done more efficiently by farming it out to the private sector. We could process claims more efficiently by using private industry, because it already has more advanced computer software for processing medical insurance claims.
So while I readily admit there are pros and cons to the healthcare reform provisions and to the implementation of reforms, I am nonetheless going to stuff some cotton in my ears so I will not have to listen to any more whining from those insurance execs. OK?
Sorry, insurance executives, but I am just about sick of your whining that healthcare reform will threaten your business. OF COURSE, it will threaten your business! But it became necessary because the system is in danger of breaking down completely.
You, the insurance industry, found every dodge that you could to get around having to pay claims promptly. You, the insurance industry, found every way of weeding out the people who might actually use your product and cost you money. You, the insurance industry, then had the gall to flaunt your swollen purse by spending millions on lobbying and on extravagant getaways for your executives. Do you see the problem?
Some people just don't get it.
Now let me just say that my heart is not going to bleed for the insurance executives of this country. HOWEVER, I am going to be concerned that an abrupt change in the business model of the total insurance industry will affect the security of the investment. In other words, changing the business model could topple not only health insurance but also the life insurance, auto insurance, and annuity branches of the insurance tree, since many insurers cover all those bases.
We cannot go from a completely private model to a mostly public healthcare model unless we develop some kind of phase-in plan.
We would not be in this predicament if we had taken the opportunity in 1919 to start a national healthcare program at about the same time that other nations tackled this issue. Instead, we were sweet-talked by the life insurance industry which convinced us all that it was ready, willing and able to develop a private health insurance industry from scratch.
We never got such a golden opportunity again, not even when Pres. Johnson pushed through a Medicare and Medicaid program in the 1960s.
So that is why I have reluctantly concluded that we must go slow in this drive to develop some kind of public option for every American. We have to develop some long-term planning to phase in this program.
While I am on the subject of public option, I would appreciate it if people stuck to real numbers. The number “one hundred million” or even “a hundred fifty million” has been bandied about as the number of Americans who already have insurance that would switch to a public option if it were made available. That IS NOT TRUE.
The number came from a preliminary study, and yes, at first it did come up with about 125 million or so who might switch to a public option, as yet undefined.
HOWEVER, and I apologize for using so many capital letters in this article, but however, that number was rescinded when the study went back again when it had more specifics to go on.
The corrected final number was about 150 THOUSAND, not million! Repeat, 150 THOUSAND Americans might drop their private coverage and opt for the public option. That is a fraction of the original number and nothing that would drastically endanger the financial underpinnings of the insurance industry or of the public option.
Also I am not happy to see that Obama is proposing adding another layer of bureaucracy to our swelling government payroll. We could get the processing done more efficiently by farming it out to the private sector. We could process claims more efficiently by using private industry, because it already has more advanced computer software for processing medical insurance claims.
So while I readily admit there are pros and cons to the healthcare reform provisions and to the implementation of reforms, I am nonetheless going to stuff some cotton in my ears so I will not have to listen to any more whining from those insurance execs. OK?
Friday, July 3, 2009
Class-Action Suit Fines Insurers for Concealing LTC Increases
BY L.A.S.
Three companies were fined for concealing planned rate increases on long-term care policies in the state of Missouri. The companies were: Mutual of Omaha, American Heritage Life, and Wakely & Associates (a third-party administrator).
Under the court settlement of the class-action suit, Mutual of Omaha will have to maintain benefits on current policies with a value of $8.5 million. American Heritage will have to provide benefits to lapsed policies valued at $2.5 million. Wakely has paid a $4 million fine.
Wakely had helped American Heritage with the design, marketing and sale of the long-term care policies.
Those affected included 1670 people in Missouri who bought long-term care insurance policies between 1995 and 2000.
Three companies were fined for concealing planned rate increases on long-term care policies in the state of Missouri. The companies were: Mutual of Omaha, American Heritage Life, and Wakely & Associates (a third-party administrator).
Under the court settlement of the class-action suit, Mutual of Omaha will have to maintain benefits on current policies with a value of $8.5 million. American Heritage will have to provide benefits to lapsed policies valued at $2.5 million. Wakely has paid a $4 million fine.
Wakely had helped American Heritage with the design, marketing and sale of the long-term care policies.
Those affected included 1670 people in Missouri who bought long-term care insurance policies between 1995 and 2000.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
An Alphabetical List of Insurers Offering Supplemental Insurances
by L.A.S. --
The following is a list of the major insurers offering supplemental insurances which employers may choose to offer instead or as an alternative to standard group coverage. You may also wish to investigate other companies such as AdminiStaff, which offers supplemental insurance in addition to payroll services.
AEGIS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES INC.
888-881-2307
www.mini-meds.com
Offered as Limited Health Benefit Plans. Offered in ALL states. Issue ages 18-65. No deductible. Guaranteed issue. Details: defined benefits for inpatient hospital, surgery, outpatient, office visits, pharmacy, dental.
AIGILIS CORP.
407-324-3921
www.Rethink-Healthcare.com
Offered as eHealth Companion. Offered in ALL states. Issue ages not stated, but available to all employees. No deductible. Details: intended to be a personal health care management system to help you transition to a Consumer Directed Health Plan. Compatible with HSA, HRA.
AIGILIS CORP.
ALSO offers another plan called Way2SaveRx which is a discount pharmacy card. Minimum age 18. Available in all states. No deductible. Over 53K participating pharmacies. No enrollment or membership fees.
ALTERNET BENEFITS
877-815-2121
www.Alternetbenefits.com
Offered as Fusion. Offered in all states EXCEPT ID, MN, NY, VT, WA. Issue ages 18-70. Deductible $750 to $15,000 on catastrophic medical. Guaranteed issue. Details: Voluntary major medical.
AMERICAN FIDELITY ASSURANCE CO.
877-967-5748
www.afadvantage.com
Offered as Hospital GAP Plan. Offered in all states EXCEPT ID, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, WA. . Issue ages 18-69. Details: supplemental coverage to cover your out-of-pocket costs. Not portable.
AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE INSURANCE CO.
800-256-6736
www.ampublic.com
TWO PLANS: One is offered as Hospital Indemnity. Available in all states EXCEPT NJ, NY, VT. Issue ages 17-64. NO DEDUCTIBLE. Details: includes Rx discount, flexible plan designs, options for surgery, outpatient, emergency, wellness, etc.
The other is offered as MEDlink. Issue ages 18-69. No deductible on inpatient. This is not portable.
AMERICAN WORKER PLANS INC.
866-215-9300
www.theamericanworker.com
Offered as The American Worker Plan. Available in all states EXCEPT HI, MA, NY. Issue ages 18-70. Not portable. Limited benefit, critical illness, dental, disability, mini-med.
EQUITABLE LIFE & CASUALTY
800-352-5121
Offered as EquiChoice. Available in states EXCEPT AK, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ME, MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT, WA, WI. Issue ages 65 and up. Guaranteed renewable. Designed as a Medicare Supplement.
GREAT AMERICAN SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS GROUP
866-459-4272
www.gasbinsurance.com
Offered as Medicare Supplement Plans. Offered in all states EXCEPT AK, DC, HI, MA, NJ, NY. Issue ages 65-99. Guaranteed issue, with pharmacy discount card.
HARBOR INSURANCE MARKETING
866-424-2167
THREE PLANS, first is Offered as the Gap Plan. Offered in all states EXCEPT CA, CT, FL, MN, MT, NJ, NY, ND, VT. Issue ages 18-70. No deductible. Not portable but can be continued under COBRA. Details: hospital benefit, fills gaps, flexible with several optional riders like surgery, outpatient surgical facility, office visits, diagnostics, wellness, ambulance, ER, accident, Rx card, etc.
Second plan is called Hospital Indemnity. Issue ages 18-64. No deductible. Covers expenses up to $1000 per day. Optional riders include AD&D, diagnostics, emergency, ICU, outpatient, private duty nursing, surgical, wellness, etc.
Third plan is called The Answer Plan. Issue ages 0-63. No deductible on inpatient. Covers medical expense inpatient and outpatient up to $250,000 per covered person per injury.
HEALTHPLAN SERVICES
800-545-6441
www.healthplan.com
Offered as Golden Rule Medicare Supplement. Available in AK, AR, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. Issue ages 65 plus. Deductible varies.
KEY BENEFIT RESOURCES
877-907-5511
www.keybenefitresources.com
Offered as Keygap and KeySelect. Available in all states EXCEPT CA, CT, DE, FL, MA, NH, NY, WA. Issue ages 18-no limit. COBRA eligible. One is a group supplemental policy, the other is a limited benefit group plan.
MAGNA BENEFITS SOLUTIONS INC.
616-949-1199 or 800-278-2323
www.magnabenefits.com
Offered as Retiree Group Health and Prescription Drug Plans. Available in ALL states. Issue ages 65 unless already retired and Medicare eligible. Options include dental, vision, identity theft.
TRANSAMERICA WORKSITE MARKETING
800-400-3042
www.transamericaworksite.com or transchoiceplus.com
Offered as TransChoice Plus. Available in all states EXCEPT CA, CT, HI, NH, NJ, NY, VT, WA. No age restrictions for issue. No deductible. Limited group benefit for full or part-time employees. Options include diagnostics, surgical, inpatient, wellness, ambulance, hearing, pharmacy, etc.
UNUM
207-575-4942
www.unum.com
Offered as MedSupport. Available in all states EXCEPT CT, FL, KS, MA, MN, NJ, NY, WA. Issue ages 17-64 and spouse. No deductible. Inpatient confinement and outpatient surgery, diagnostics, ER.
The following is a list of the major insurers offering supplemental insurances which employers may choose to offer instead or as an alternative to standard group coverage. You may also wish to investigate other companies such as AdminiStaff, which offers supplemental insurance in addition to payroll services.
AEGIS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES INC.
888-881-2307
www.mini-meds.com
Offered as Limited Health Benefit Plans. Offered in ALL states. Issue ages 18-65. No deductible. Guaranteed issue. Details: defined benefits for inpatient hospital, surgery, outpatient, office visits, pharmacy, dental.
AIGILIS CORP.
407-324-3921
www.Rethink-Healthcare.com
Offered as eHealth Companion. Offered in ALL states. Issue ages not stated, but available to all employees. No deductible. Details: intended to be a personal health care management system to help you transition to a Consumer Directed Health Plan. Compatible with HSA, HRA.
AIGILIS CORP.
ALSO offers another plan called Way2SaveRx which is a discount pharmacy card. Minimum age 18. Available in all states. No deductible. Over 53K participating pharmacies. No enrollment or membership fees.
ALTERNET BENEFITS
877-815-2121
www.Alternetbenefits.com
Offered as Fusion. Offered in all states EXCEPT ID, MN, NY, VT, WA. Issue ages 18-70. Deductible $750 to $15,000 on catastrophic medical. Guaranteed issue. Details: Voluntary major medical.
AMERICAN FIDELITY ASSURANCE CO.
877-967-5748
www.afadvantage.com
Offered as Hospital GAP Plan. Offered in all states EXCEPT ID, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, WA. . Issue ages 18-69. Details: supplemental coverage to cover your out-of-pocket costs. Not portable.
AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE INSURANCE CO.
800-256-6736
www.ampublic.com
TWO PLANS: One is offered as Hospital Indemnity. Available in all states EXCEPT NJ, NY, VT. Issue ages 17-64. NO DEDUCTIBLE. Details: includes Rx discount, flexible plan designs, options for surgery, outpatient, emergency, wellness, etc.
The other is offered as MEDlink. Issue ages 18-69. No deductible on inpatient. This is not portable.
AMERICAN WORKER PLANS INC.
866-215-9300
www.theamericanworker.com
Offered as The American Worker Plan. Available in all states EXCEPT HI, MA, NY. Issue ages 18-70. Not portable. Limited benefit, critical illness, dental, disability, mini-med.
EQUITABLE LIFE & CASUALTY
800-352-5121
Offered as EquiChoice. Available in states EXCEPT AK, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ME, MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT, WA, WI. Issue ages 65 and up. Guaranteed renewable. Designed as a Medicare Supplement.
GREAT AMERICAN SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS GROUP
866-459-4272
www.gasbinsurance.com
Offered as Medicare Supplement Plans. Offered in all states EXCEPT AK, DC, HI, MA, NJ, NY. Issue ages 65-99. Guaranteed issue, with pharmacy discount card.
HARBOR INSURANCE MARKETING
866-424-2167
THREE PLANS, first is Offered as the Gap Plan. Offered in all states EXCEPT CA, CT, FL, MN, MT, NJ, NY, ND, VT. Issue ages 18-70. No deductible. Not portable but can be continued under COBRA. Details: hospital benefit, fills gaps, flexible with several optional riders like surgery, outpatient surgical facility, office visits, diagnostics, wellness, ambulance, ER, accident, Rx card, etc.
Second plan is called Hospital Indemnity. Issue ages 18-64. No deductible. Covers expenses up to $1000 per day. Optional riders include AD&D, diagnostics, emergency, ICU, outpatient, private duty nursing, surgical, wellness, etc.
Third plan is called The Answer Plan. Issue ages 0-63. No deductible on inpatient. Covers medical expense inpatient and outpatient up to $250,000 per covered person per injury.
HEALTHPLAN SERVICES
800-545-6441
www.healthplan.com
Offered as Golden Rule Medicare Supplement. Available in AK, AR, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. Issue ages 65 plus. Deductible varies.
KEY BENEFIT RESOURCES
877-907-5511
www.keybenefitresources.com
Offered as Keygap and KeySelect. Available in all states EXCEPT CA, CT, DE, FL, MA, NH, NY, WA. Issue ages 18-no limit. COBRA eligible. One is a group supplemental policy, the other is a limited benefit group plan.
MAGNA BENEFITS SOLUTIONS INC.
616-949-1199 or 800-278-2323
www.magnabenefits.com
Offered as Retiree Group Health and Prescription Drug Plans. Available in ALL states. Issue ages 65 unless already retired and Medicare eligible. Options include dental, vision, identity theft.
TRANSAMERICA WORKSITE MARKETING
800-400-3042
www.transamericaworksite.com or transchoiceplus.com
Offered as TransChoice Plus. Available in all states EXCEPT CA, CT, HI, NH, NJ, NY, VT, WA. No age restrictions for issue. No deductible. Limited group benefit for full or part-time employees. Options include diagnostics, surgical, inpatient, wellness, ambulance, hearing, pharmacy, etc.
UNUM
207-575-4942
www.unum.com
Offered as MedSupport. Available in all states EXCEPT CT, FL, KS, MA, MN, NJ, NY, WA. Issue ages 17-64 and spouse. No deductible. Inpatient confinement and outpatient surgery, diagnostics, ER.
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