Insurance Infrastructure

Trapped In Costa Rica Without Travel Insurance

Angus McGrath — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:58:56 +0000

A recent story reported by FOX news uncovered a young couple trapped in Costa Rica because they couldnt afford to be medically transported back to the U.S.

In this type of situation, having travel insurance to cover a medical emergency and medical evacuation can be very important. Not only will the travel insurance provider offer assistance in communicating with the hospital and their family, but it will cover the costs of medical treatment and the cost to medically transport someone. When traveling to the Costa Rica from the U.S., Squaremouth recommends buying a travel insurance policy with a minimum of $25,000 in medical and $50,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

Benefits That Can Be Taken Apart From Social Media

Rebecca Franklin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:36:03 +0000

Richard is chairman of the board of the company. It has been used by the company in various capacities that have been widely developed so that companies become successful and advanced as it is today because of the thought and effort of all the careers that have been undertaken. With a wide range of social media that has been launched by Richard F Sands then it would be easier for us to communicate with important people that are around us. Thus, we can continue and expand our knowledge to find out more information from websites that have been there for us.

A lot of companies that have achieved the level of addition of social media, which is as banking, trade, business, engineering and technology, entertainment, law, and various other facilities that have been developed by Richard, and make existing companies into developing and making people smile with all the creativity and effort that has been undertaken by Richard F Sands.

Colorado Health Insurance Exchange Update for 2012

Lara Skeats — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:36:31 +0000

As previously mentioned, many states are working towards health insurance exchanges in response to health care reform. Colorado specifically has a plan in place to incorporate an effective exchange. The state started their exchange process back in 2006 with the appointment of a Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform.

A 12-member Exchange Board was set up and an executive director was put in place by July of 2011. $18 million in grant support was approved in December and they are well on their way to creating the Exchange the federal government has in mind.

Travel Alert – Tunisia

Angus McGrath — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:39:59 +0000

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for unrest in Tunisia. The security situation in most tourist and business centers remains calm. However, spontaneous and unpredictable events, such as work stoppages and demonstrations still occur, a state of emergency remains in force, and curfews can be re-established on short notice. The U.S. Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens currently in Tunisia to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. Travelers contemplating trips to the interior of the country should assess local conditions and routes when making travel plans, as conditions can quickly change. T

Learning to Be Lean

Lara Skeats — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:13:37 +0000

As one of the many outgrowths of the sweeping federal health care law, health insurers and employers must now pay the cost of screening children for obesity and providing them with appropriate counseling.

With about one in three children in the United States obese or overweight, according to government statistics, the need for such programs is clear. But, experts say, creating them will be challenging. Other than intensive hospital-based programs, few proven models exist for helping children and adolescents achieve and maintain a healthier weight, and researchers do not even fully understand the factors that contributed to the rapid rise in childhood obesity in recent years. Read more…

International Student Insurance for Indians

Lara Skeats — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:57:33 +0000

Every year thousands of Indian students visit foreign countries to pursue their higher education. Health care costs in foreign countries are never cheap and most of the universities have mandated student medical insurance coverage for International students. There are many insurers in India who have designed medical insurance coverage for Indian students visiting abroad. A proper insurance coverage can give you peace of mind from any possible eventualities and need for financial assistance while abroad.

Indian student insurance plans offered by prominent insurance companies can be accessed, compared and purchased at Eindainsurance. There is a userfriendly student medical insurance compare tool specially designed for Indian students to evaluate the plans and make an informed choice.

Travel Warning – Philippines

Angus McGrath — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:38:32 +0000

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of terrorist activity in the Philippines. While most of the recent incidents of terror have occurred on the island of Mindanao and in the Sulu Archipelago, U.S. citizens are reminded that terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur in any area of the country, including Manila. Public gathering places may be targeted, including (but not limited to) airports, shopping malls, conference centers and other public venues. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated June 14, 2011, and reflects continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities.

U.S. citi

Geisinger Health Plan System Not Hiring Smokers?

Lara Skeats — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:48:22 +0000

Pennsylvania-based hospital through the Geisinger Health Plan System is expected to start screening job applicants for signs of nicotine for 2012. A hospital spokesperson, Marcy Marshall, said they plan on not hiring smokers to work at the facility starting February 1, 2012.

People who apply to a job position at Geisinger Health System can be tested for nicotine and will be offered help to quit and encouraged to re-apply after six months. Smoking is not allowed on the facility grounds since 2007 and they are striving to make the entire staff smoke-free.

This type of screening comes with a lot of criticism. Pennsylvania is one of 19 states that allow employers to screen job applicants for smoking signs according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. A

Direct Line Sale offers discounts

Angus McGrath — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:17:37 +0000

As of today homeowners can benefit from a 30% introductory discount, as part of the Direct Line Sale, with a further 20% discount for shopping online.

Stuart Curson, head of home insurance at Direct Line, said that after the high spending of Christmas January was the month to get finances in order, including home insurance.

Curson also warned that whilst it might be tempting to go without home insurance such a move could prove very costly.

To herald the new discounts on offer Direct Line has commissioned new adverts with comedian Chris Addison joined by Doon Mackichan and Darren Boyd.

Earlier this month AXA warned that a range of factors, including the Olympics, Diamond Jubilee and economic situation, meant that 2012 was a year of risk for homeowners.

Travel Warning – Chad

Angus McGrath — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:03:33 +0000

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Chad and recommends that you avoid all travel to eastern Chad and all border regions. This Travel Warning is due to the insecurity caused by high levels of violent crime, the continuing risk of clashes between Chadian government and armed opposition forces, and the risk of sudden outbreak of conflict among the populations living in these areas. In particular, the risks of carjacking and kidnapping for ransom increase as part of factional conflict. The U.S. Embassy in Chad has prohibited official government travel to all areas outside of N’Djamena without express authorization. U.S

Britons risk old age care cost shock

Rebecca Franklin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:01:33 +0000

New research from Bupa has found that Britons may be in for an unpleasant surprise as they get older, due to the fact that they are least likely to think that they will need to save to cover the costs of old age care.

The international Bupa Health Pulse study surveyed over 13,000 people in 12 countries and found that less than one in three (30%) of Britons believed they would have to put aside money to cover the costs of old age care.

Only a third of over 65s had put aside any money whatsoever, with the people of China and Thailand the likeliest to have saved for their old age.

Bupa Care Homes UK Director Oliver Thomas revealed that, on average, an over 65 will need £50,000 to cover care costs, but that 10% will need twice as much.

The survey also found that in most countries women were less likely than men to have saved, which is particularly concerning given their longer life expectancies.

The latest Real Retirement Report from Aviva revealed similar findings, with 67% of 65-74 year olds stating that failure to prepare financially for their retirement was their biggest regret.

Coverage for gender surgery jumps; More major insurers paying for sex transformation procedures

Lara Skeats — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:18:06 +0000

Last year, 85 companies had insurance plans that paid for sex transformation surgeries, and only 49 did in 2009.

The number of major U.S. companies covering the cost of gender reassignment surgery for transgender workers has more than doubled in the past year, according to a new scorecard compiled by the nation’s largest gay rights group.

The Human Rights Campaign said in a report to be published Thursday that 207 of the 636 businesses it surveyed for its annual Corporate Equality Index either are already providing transgender- inclusive employee health benefits or plan to at the start of the new year.

Last year, 85 companies had insurance plans that paid for sex transformation surgeries, and only 49 did in 2009. Read more…

Travel Warning – Afghanistan

Angus McGrath — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:37:52 +0000

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan. The security threat to all U.S. citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Afghanistan issued March 8, 2011, to remind U.S. citizens of ongoing security risks, including kidnapping and insurgent attacks.

No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against U.S. and other Western nationals at any time. Remnants of the former Taliban regime and the al-Qa’ida terrorist network, as well as other groups hostile to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) military operations, remain active. Afg

TATA AIG Overseas Travel Insurance

Lara Skeats — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:09:15 +0000

There are several countries that have mandated medical insurance coverage for travelers visiting them from any country. The reason to mandate insurance coverage for travelers is to help them cope with the expensive medical care costs. Those who are visiting foreign countries from India can purchase travel insurance plan designed by TATA AIG. You can purchase the type of plan as per your age group and other requirements.

TATA AIG travel insurance plans are available for travelers belonging to varied age groups. Travellers up to the age of 70 can purchase TATA AIG travel insurance without any medical check-up. TATA AIG travel medical insurance plans are available for a period of 180 days.

Geisinger Health Insurance Top Ratings in Pennsylvania

Lara Skeats — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:37:19 +0000

Geisinger Health Insurance is the top ranked plan in Pennsylvania 22 times over based on the Quality Compass 2010 rankings. Geisinger Health Plan has dedicated their resources to ensuring patients have what they need at all times and this shows through the important recognition from Quality Compass.

Here is a list of some of the measures for which Geisinger Health Plan is rated tops in Pennsylvania according to the GHP website:

New baby plans
Call answer timliness
Avoidance of antibiotic use
Adolescent well child visits
Nutrition counseling for children
Persistent beta-blocker treatment
Breast cancer screenings
Persistent use of diuretics
Effective antidepressant medication management

These are just a few of the top ranked areas for health plans in Pennsylvania.