Jumat

This Sceptered Isle Part MCVII

At simply about point, the acre legal system, non the family, volition orbit upwardly one's involve heed whether farther attention volition endure permitted - fifty-fifty if the solid unit of measurement has raised the coin to expire on treatment. 

"The ECHR (European Court of Human Rights) announced the application to the courtroom past times the parents was 'inadmissible' together with added that their conclusion was 'final'.

Court of Human Rights,  eh?  Take notice.  This is what "human rights" means, inwards a government, unmarried payer medical insurance scheme.  

It would non endure dissimilar inwards America.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Honey, I shrunk the market

95 pct of N.C. counties expected to accept only 1 ACA insurer side past times side year"

Adding insult to injury:

"Blue Cross together with Blue Shield of North Carolina announced that it has filed for a 22.9 pct charge per unit of measurement increase"

Next, FoIB Holly R tips us that "Premier Health plans to decease Ohio's federally funded wellness insurance exchange." They're sticking it out, though, inwards the off-Exchange market.

For now.

#ACAWinning
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com The Baby Charlie Story & Your Healthcare

The parents of terminally-ill infant Charlie Gard are 'utterly distraught' in addition to facing fresh heartbreak later losing their finally appeal inwards the European Court of Human Rights."

And, every bit Mike pointed out, in that place is truthful irony inwards the court's name.

But it's his determination that I think needs to endure magnified:

"It would non endure unlike inwards America."

Here, Mike's referring to that ultimate progressive utopia: a government-run, unmarried payer wellness tending system. And this is the true moral of petty Charlie's story: it's clearly not most the money, simply has always been most control.

How produce nosotros know this?

Very simple: they explicitly told us.

Hunh?

Well, larn dorsum in addition to read the Daily Mail story that Mike linked. Charlie's parents weren't shout for for particular care, or particular funding, or that the Much Vaunted National Health System© (because ultimately, they ain this) produce anything to a greater extent than than run out of the way. They had already successfully raised almost $2 meg inwards lodge to accept him to the USA for a promising therapy trial. It would direct maintain toll the MVNHS© (and the European Court) precisely nothing to permit him go.

Well, that's non entirely true: because if they permit Charlie go, well, Katie bar the door.

It's all most control. And if you lot similar the consider of the IRS (for example) deciding who gets tending - in addition to who doesn't - well, endure careful what you lot wishing for.
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Kamis

InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Our National Anthem - Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Story You Never Heard Before


#FrancesScottKey  #NationalAnthem  #StarSpangledBanner

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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Larry together with the $300,000 Boomerang

Sitting some on a vacation weekend amongst null improve to create than ask, "What are some of the largest insurance claims paid?".

Seems Google has an respond to that.

The Kentucky human threw his boomerang in addition to ended upward raking inward $300,000 from himself. Larry Rutman caused bodily harm in addition to impairment through negligence in addition to carelessness (to himself). Rutman fifty-fifty stated that it was for an lawsuit similar this that he had been paying inward then much. What goes some comes around? He said: “I paid all that insurance for a long fourth dimension simply inward illustration something unforeseen similar this always happened.” The bodily harm in addition to impairment resulted inward Rutman’s retention existence affected in addition to he existence ‘oversexed’. Whatever volition they come upward up amongst next? - Zero Hedge
Sounds similar a possible Darwin candidate inward the making.

But wait, there's more.

Engineers totaled 2 Bugatti Veyron's worth $800,000 each.

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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Names Almost Forgotten

The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence are simply names to about of us. I dare tell few could cite whatsoever of the signers other than John Hancock.

Today those men who risked their fortune as well as lives to sign that Declaration are remembered non for what they did, but who they were.

Many were slave owners. Most were wealthy, utilisation of what would today last considered the 1%. In spite of their station inwards life they would today last scorned.

Take a few moments to sentry the video history lesson. It volition grade you lot a novel perspective on the names that convey been forgotten.

Good day.



#DeclarationOfIndependence #PaulHarvey
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com More on Baby Charlie? Yes. Much more. And you lot ask to know it.

I intend Charlie Martin's linked nearly the same affair happened inwards my ain town, to neighbors of our in-laws whose immature adult woman was also diagnosed alongside mitochondrial disease. And together with thence the infirmary together with bureaucrats inwards the State of Massachusetts took over together with tortured the whole draw of piece of employment solid unit of measurement for years.  

Do non overlook that inwards these cases, someone insurance together with authorities insurance behaved inwards the same ways. People who grade nix similar this tin plough over hither are seriously misinformed. It has already happened here. People who grade nix similar this tin plough over alongside a nationalized insurance system are living inwards a dream world. These situations volition sure as shooting arise over again inwards the the U.S.A. fifty-fifty if nosotros terminate upwards alongside around sort of authorities single-payer medical welfare scheme.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Buy-Sell: The Video

We've discussed buy-sell agreements earlier (here, for example. And here), but of late Illinois Mutual posted a actually helpful video explaining how they work, together with why they're then important:

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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Medicaid Fact-Check

Over at The Apothecary, Chris Conover Mortality Rates ... equivalent to an excess 11,000 annual the U.S.A. adult deaths relative to the pre-Obamacare steady acre trends"

But Chris goes fifty-fifty farther into the mess; he demonstrates that "the weight of the scientific bear witness is that Medicaid expansion has non saved lives." Granted, that's non quite the same thing, but it for sure puts paid to the claim that folks are ameliorate off nether Medicaid. He does this past times looking at how many folks volition probable lose coverage nether the AHCA/BCRA (and what kind), together with and then unpacks the actual numbers which the Center for American Progress appears to have, well, misrepresented.

I actually propose reading the whole thing, but this slice is besides skilful non to post:

"[UC San Diego’s Richard Kronick] constitute no statistically meaning divergence inward the mortality risks faced past times people who were uninsured compared to those amongst soul coverage:"

[click to embiggen]
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Bad news: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 P&C instance study

Our friend Jeff one 1000 sent along the link to this deplorable story:

"Owners in addition to renters inwards North Carolina say they were left inwards the nighttime afterwards a beach condominium community all of a abrupt near down. The condos were condemned Friday, afterwards an applied scientific discipline study flora that the belongings has unsafe structural issues."

It's non clear whether the owners volition locomote allowed to yell upward their personal property.

Okay Henry, that is a deplorable story, but what's the insurance angle?

Well, Jeff asked if the owners' condo policies would embrace this situation. As commons inwards these cases, I turned to our practiced friend (and P&C guru) Bill M. Now choke along inwards hear that his answers are specific to Ohio, but that it's probable that they'd also apply inwards other states.

Basically, the owners are out of luck.

Now, why is that?

Well, Bill taught me a novel phrase, in addition to suggested I purpose it whenever I'm looking at these kinds of (potential) claims: "cause of loss." That is, which circumstances are specifically covered, in addition to which are specifically excluded.

So here's the relevant exclusion:
(4) (a) habiliment in addition to tear, marring, scratching or deterioration; (emphasis added)
So the "cause of loss" is specifically excluded. Which is a double whammy: the possessor straight off has no house to live, but the banking concern however wants their mortgage paid off, in addition to there's non going to locomote a banking concern gibe from the insurance companionship to pay off the erstwhile place, or pay for a novel one.

But what most their personal belongings (clothes, appliances, furniture, etc)? Well, they're probable outta luck there,  too:
(1) Enforcement of whatsoever ordinance or police trace regulating the construction, repair or demolition of a edifice or other structure, unless specifically provided nether this policy
The "cause of loss" hither would locomote the authorities forbidding the owners to yell upward their belongings. So again, no insurance to pay for replacing them.

Yikes.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Th Afternoon Potpourri

■ Our friends at Cornerstone convey an update too explanation of the Social Security Number removal first (SSNRI), business office of 2015's "“Turns out SHOP enrollment is extremely cumbersome, in that location are less conception options compared to the off telephone commutation market, too that taxation credit, good it hasn't been worthwhile for nigh employers"

Ooops.

Well, the folks at Medical Mutual merely emailed us to tell "adios,muchachos:"

"Beginning Jan 1, 2018, Medical Mutual volition no longer offering plans through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) marketplace. Coverage volition terminate for affected groups on their renewal date."

But hey, if you lot like your grouping wellness plan...

■ From the "You Don't See This Every Day" Department:

"Zurich American Life Insurance Company is offering to purchase dorsum around of its annuity contracts ...  it is making the offering partly because it believes around annuity holders' needs may convey changed over time, too partly because it wants to popular off this segment of the variable annuity business"

To sweeten the deal, they're offering an "enhancement amount."

Hunh.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com From the Mailbag: CTE or no CTE?

Interesting query from a reader:

"My sis went to the MD because of roughly symptoms she's been having (memory loss, moodiness in addition to headaches). She's a cyclist, in addition to used to race competitively, in addition to suffered concussions inwards the past. The MD thinks she could maybe accept CTE. She hasn't done whatever testing because from what she knows there's no handling for it.

She does accept wellness insurance through her spouse's employer, but wants to know if she gets this testing in addition to it's inwards her records that she has CTE could that wound her inwards the hereafter for insurance purposes? Like if she has to switch insurance companies etc.

I know correct forthwith it wouldn't thing because of ACA. But what if things alter if/when they repeal it? The means I ever understood pre-existing weather condition earlier ACA was that y'all could non accept a gap inwards coverage. So if y'all accept insurance in addition to you're diagnosed amongst a status y'all are covered. If y'all switch insurance in addition to in that place is no gap inwards coverage it can't endure considered a pre-existing condition. But if y'all produce accept a gap inwards coverage it could autumn nether pre-existing conditions. Is that how it worked before? Who knows how insurance is going to alter inwards the future. She's but trying to figure out if she should but non produce it in addition to hold off in addition to see
."


First, Thank You for a actually outstanding, good see out query. There's a lot to unpack, therefore I'll effort to endure every bit thorough every bit possible.

Here's the thing: nosotros actually don't know what's going to occur (or when, or fifty-fifty if) ACA-wise. If nosotros become dorsum to something that looks similar pre-ACA, in addition to therefore yes, this is a legitimate concern. But the cat's already out of that bag:

"went to the MD because of roughly symptoms she's been having"

Assuming novel applications await similar pre-ACA, in addition to therefore she's going to accept to respond aye to at to the lowest degree 1 of the questions ("have y'all consulted a physician"). It may non endure explicitly CTE, but it's probable going to endure an issue, although I accept no see how much of one. But: this presumes a novel app. Again, assuming something that looks similar 2009, every bit long every bit she keeps continuous coverage group-to-group (or COBRA), no problem. However: that solely actually worked individual-to-group, or group-to-group, not group-to-individual (or individual-to-individual).

From what I've read, CTE is kinda similar Alzheimer's inwards that it's solely really diagnosable at autopsy. While endure we're solely able to infer its presence. So exam or not? I don't know, but I would propose taking the insurance chemical component subdivision out of the equation, in addition to await solely at pro's/con's of "knowing."

Hope this helps, in addition to best of luck to your sister-in-law in addition to her family.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Breaking: H5N1 Reprieve for Baby Charlie?

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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Stupid Beneficiary Trick

He wasn't dead, together with the adult woman was charged alongside fraud.

But at to the lowest degree the perp had her paperwork inwards order.

Not together with hence alongside this rocket surgeon wannabe:

"A newlywed defendant of soliciting her fire fighter husband's killing to collect $100,000 inwards insurance coin has been convicted of aggravated murder inwards a system that was flawed from the start: His ex-wife was all the same the beneficiary of his policy."

Ooops.

Oh, together with it gets meliorate (for certainly values of "better"): she'd recruited her teenaged miss together with her immature homo to create discovery a somebody to genuinely create the deed.

But wait, there's more:

The immature homo stance it'd endure a expert stance to "keep it inwards the family," together with reached out to his cousin to describe the trigger. Be certainly to click on over for fifty-fifty to a greater extent than twists.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com SEP News (Sorta)

Perhaps the most egregious is the fact that no i inwards regime seems to tending nearly the massive fraud beingness perpetrated correct nether their noses during this time."

Our friends at Medical Mutual emailed us a slideshow of the new, tougher Special Open Enrollment process, available here.

One that at nowadays jumped out was this:
"Beginning inwards Summer 2017, novel applicants ... who attest to for certain types of SEP qualifying events volition hold upward discipline to the SEPV procedure of pre-enrollment verification. Eligible consumers must submit documents that confirm their SEP eligibility earlier they tin enroll in addition to starting fourth dimension using their Marketplace coverage."
Quite dissimilar than before, where i was given a for certain menses of fourth dimension after enrolling inwards (and, perhaps, using) a novel plan. Under the novel system, no policy is issued until the verification paperwork is submitted in addition to approved.

Which would look to hold upward a challenge for carriers, only fret not:

"When submitting trouble concern ON Exchange delight submit verification documents conduct to the exchange.  Medical Mutual cannot process/accept anything that is submitted conduct to us."

Can't enjoin equally I blame them. 


NB: I reached out to our rep who confirmed that MMO would proceed to procedure this information for off-HIX plans.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Tuesday LinkFest

First up, courtesy of FoIB Holly R:

■ Next, our friend Allison B at ThinkAdvisor piles on:

"Individual Health Enrollment Falls 11% ... Plan withdrawals in addition to ascent premiums led to a sudden drib inwards private in addition to trouble solid unit of measurement major medical excogitation purpose inwards the showtime quarter" of the year.

But hey, if you lot similar your plan....

■ And finally, FoIB Ʀєfùsєηíκ tips us that "The pose out of U.S. adults without wellness insurance has grown past times around ii 1000000 this year."

Which seems unpossible, since the entire point of ObamaCare was to eradicate this plague.

Hunh.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Burning Data

Hugo Campos has [an ICD] buried inward his breast to aid cash inward one's chips on him alive. But he has no stance what it says virtually his faulty view ... what if Mr Campos wants to run into that information for himself?"

An interesting question, no?

Here's another: what if that information was relevant to a crime?

Think that's far-fetched?

Well, cheers to FoIB Holly R, nosotros bring the illustration of Ross Compton:

"A estimate says information from the pacemaker of a human being defendant of setting his Ohio solid on burn inward 2016 tin forcefulness out survive presented equally show at his trial."

His attorney had argued that role of the information "violated Compton's constitutional rights."

Maybe, simply the estimate didn't agree, proverb that "the private information is no to a greater extent than private than other things."

What "other things" isn't clear, simply the message surely is.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Tale of Two Health Systems…


Little Ethan has endured many surgeries for his status together with takes daily medications to run on him alive. His latest surgery resulted inward a nib of $231,115.00.  Since his parents had wellness insurance, their fiscal responsibleness was alone $500.00 together with thank you lot to the parent’s wellness insurance, petty Ethan is assured of receiving medical handling for the residue of his life.

The other petty man child is Charlie. Charlie is 10 months onetime together with was born amongst Mitochondrial Depletion Syndrome. Charlie is really sick together with has non received whatever treatment, other than basic life support. Without life back upwards he volition boot the bucket together with fifty-fifty amongst treatment, the prognosis is non good.

Now ane man child lives inward the Blue Planet that has Health Care that is each individual’s fiscal responsibleness together with the other man child lives inward the Blue Planet that takes cares of its populaces Health Care without a fiscal drain on the individual.

Reading the scenarios, Ethan is fairing much ameliorate than Charlie. He is receiving handling together with living together with thriving. Ethan lives inward the United State of America together with has the benefits of all the Medical Care he could desire or need, without the regime interfering inward his decision. Charlie lives inward England, where the Health Care is directed past times the National Health Care System, which determines how the medical dollars volition live spent together with on whom, without input from the patient.

Which Blue Planet is which from our opening? …. Well Dear Reader, I am certain you lot get got figured out that Callous is the USA together with Enlightened is England.

These 2 cases focus inward existent fourth dimension the benefits of the Health Care System inward America together with the flaw inward whatever Socialist Health Care (such equally that which currently exists inward England. In whatever Socialist System, at that spot is INFINITE NEED amongst FINITE RESOURCES. England has chosen the compassionate road for Health Care, taking the fiscal burden from individuals hence all tin benefit. The alone occupation is that when at that spot is alone ane pot of coin together with hence alone the rigid volition survive. When individuals rely on themselves, instead of the Government, together with hence at that spot are INFINITE RESOURCES to bargain amongst all needs.

There is a footnote to these stories: Ethan is lucky plenty to get got ane bring upwards who is an American together with ane bring upwards who is Canadian. Given the pick of the 2 wellness systems for Ethan’s care, his parents picked America. They purposely chose Callous over Enlightened.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com BREAKING: Potential Reprieve for Baby Charlie

"US physician volition locomote to Britain to assess sick infant"

That's the adept news. The not-so-great intelligence is that he isn't scheduled to caput at that spot until adjacent week, hence who knows if Charlie volition even hence fifty-fifty survive live then.

Still, small-scale miracles...
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com It's Time To Fully Implement Obamacare

Enough of the BS already. Obamacare can't in addition to won't move repealed without sixty votes inward the Senate. Any Republican choice claiming to supervene upon Obamacare that takes away coin from states won't overstep either. Instead of trying to produce the same affair over in addition to over piece expecting a unlike upshot why non only implement what President Obama signed dorsum on March 23, 2010?

Members of Congress - on both sides of the aisle - stimulate got 2 objectives, protect themselves in addition to honour a agency to become reelected. Full implementation volition set both of these objectives at risk.

Want to know the perfect house to start? Eliminate Congress' illegal condition every bit a "small business" and strength all 12,000+ members, staffers, in addition to their dependents to buy insurance legally every bit the police pull was written. Anything less would move uncivilized.


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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Health Care Fraud Bust: By The Numbers

Courtesy ForAmerica:

[click to embiggen]
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Tweeting upward a storm

For those unfamiliar amongst the term, a Tweetstorm is a serial of brusk messages posted inwards a string (a business office of the Twittter's 140 grapheme per message limit). These are oftentimes annoying, but 2 recent 'storms' are actually groovy reads. Both are from Friends of , as well as both bring of import insights into the wellness insurance/health tending debate.

The first is from Dave W, posting at Ace of Spades spider web log (mild linguistic communication warning). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 sample:




The other is from Cato's Michael Cannon. And a sample of his 'storm:'



Good stuff, all.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Stunning: 1,000 Words on ACA '18

Courtesy of co-blogger Bob V, "2018 Projected Health Insurance Exchange Coverage Maps." Here's the latest:


[click to embiggen]

As Bob notes, would suck to endure inwards Nevada.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Deconstructing Government-run Health Care



[Hat Tip: Co-blogger Mike F]
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Th LinkFest

First up, FoIB Dana Beezley-Smith has a actually powerful post service on her weblog virtually the actual, real-world comport on that ObamaCare has had on the private insurance market. While diverse pundits in addition to pols criticize (often justifiably) on the Republican's latest attempts, they appear to guide maintain missed the ACA's "trajectory of higher premiums in addition to costs” in addition to “fewer, if any, coverage choices.

Read the whole thing.

Co-Blogger Bob V has the latest from the annals of the Much Vaunted National Health System©, where a "nurse has revealed she was charged £80 for parking, on exceed of parking fees already docked from her wages," all because she overstayed her shift to supply actual, yous know, care to a cardiac patient.

But hey, gotta pay for that "free care" somehow.

And today's novel discussion comes from FoIB Holly R: "Buurtzorg," Dutch for "neighborhood care." And it's non but a fun tongue-twister, it "allows nurses to human activity every minute a ‘health coach’ for their patients, advising them on how to rest healthy, caring for their needs in addition to using their initiative."

And the results are impressive, allowing the Dutch "healthcare organisation to cut back costs past times around 40%, land the fourth dimension it takes to administer tending has been slashed past times a staggering 50%."

Maybe worth a await here?
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Taking it on Faith

Sally too Dave:

"Due to the terms per calendar month at nowadays amongst [carrier], nosotros are looking at i of the medical terms sharing programs.  If nosotros finalize this, when create I involve to notify [carrier]?  Our renewal engagement is August 1.  Thank you."

I replied:

"Don’t blame you. I truly know mortal who’s in i of these too is pretty happy amongst it. He lives inwards some other state, but presume is similar. Would you lot similar me to connect you?

Also, whenever you lot create delineate that trigger, simply guide maintain to notify [carrier] to cancel. I tin hand the sack attention amongst that when the fourth dimension comes. It’s non a big deal
."

Sally responded:

"Thanks for the info.  Just wanted to brand certain I didn't missy anything.  I volition telephone telephone them.  I am or too thence finalizing amongst Medishare, too thence I don't intend I involve to a greater extent than info, but I appreciate the offer!  Thank you lot too thence much!"

I thanked her too Dave for their years every bit clients, too my promise that they'll croak on me inwards heed for hereafter insurance purchases.

So, what's the lesson here? Well, this line of piece of job solid unit of measurement has, every bit a at nowadays effect of ObamaCare, lost their coverage It was a excogitation that gibe their needs at (for a while) an acceptable cost. But now, they tin hand the sack no longer afford it, too a novel ObamaPlan would terms fifty-fifty more, amongst fifty-fifty higher out-of-pocket exposure.

Of course, they'd withal croak "free" birth control convenience items too motherhood coverage, something no late-50's twosome should live on without.

Sad, really.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Mid-Summer Health Wonk Review

Steve Anderson hosts this month's eclectic collection of wellness tending wonkery. From teamwork to Siri to ransomware, it's all interesting.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Interesting RC Twist

No, non that RC; RC every bit inwards Risk Corridor. Regular readers may remember that these were payments promised to insurers to assistance mitigate the extraordinary claims wrought yesteryear ObamaPlans, as well as which were woefully underfunded.

Back inwards 2015, HealthyCT (that state's now-defunct Co-Op) received "more than $128 1 M 1000 as well as covered solely 6,094 people – to a greater extent than than $21,000 per enrollee." And that still wasn't enough: they went nether final summer.

But inwards a surprising (well, to me) development, Juris Capital (a "litigation funding theatre ") is offering to infuse over $10 1 M 1000 "to the estate of HealthyCT." First, I've never heard the term "estate of" used inwards the context of an insurance company, but it truly does work, no?

And second, why they're throwing coin downward that item hole is pretty interesting, every bit well: the failed insurer is nevertheless due over $30 1 M 1000 inwards RC funds; if those truly come upward through, well, overnice payday for Juris Capital (of course, that's a big "if").

And they're at the mercy of ii dissimilar regime entities: Constitution State insurance regulators who are suing the Feds. Not an appealing notion, but best of luck to Juris Cap.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com #ItCanWait

Courtesy FoIB Bill M:



'Nuff said?
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com The Willard Scott Conundrum

For many years, Willard Scott would denote each morn those lucky folks who'd hitting the 100 twelvemonth marking inward life. They probable didn't know, however, the impact that reaching such a milestone would conduct keep on whatever "permanent" life insurance they owned.

Wait simply a infinitesimal there, Henry: what's alongside the "scare quotes?"

Glad you lot asked.

Recently, co-blogger For decades, life insurance carriers ... sold permanent universal life insurance policies, marketed every bit "insurance for life," utilizing outdated mortality tables that did non accept into describe of piece of work concern human relationship the fact that Americans were, as well as are, increasingly living to as well as yesteryear the historic menstruum of 100."

In his mass "My Life inward Court," the late, slap-up litigator Louis Nizer wrote of a illustration where a fellow was killed when the develop he rode on his daily commute crashed as well as he was killed. The courtroom originally based his lost as well as hereafter payoff on an older mortality tabular array which generated a relatively pocket-size settlement; Mr Nizer was able to present that this was a grave injustice due to to a greater extent than recent tables, as well as won a to a greater extent than substantial short town for the immature widow.

Now, what does a 1950's-era develop wreck conduct keep to create alongside a centenarian's life insurance policy?

Well, it turns out that the life insurance manufacture seems to conduct keep been playing fast as well as unloosen alongside that news "permanent." The illustration at manus concerns a Universal Life policy, but this number would look to impact Whole as well as Variable Life plans, every bit well.

The work is that when plans "mature" (end) at historic menstruum 100, they aren't permanent:

"The life insurance manufacture has left its customers (who faithfully paid their premiums alongside the expectation that they would conduct keep coverage for the balance of their lives) uninsured."

And it gets better:

"These terminations conduct keep exposed customers to adverse taxation consequences that are inward forthwith contradiction to the guarantees made when these policies were purchased."

One of the slap-up benefits of cash value life insurance (another manufacture term of art, maybe much to a greater extent than useful inward this discussion) is that the equity inward the policy grows alongside no taxes due if the policy is paid out every bit expire create goodness (those that do  cash inward their policies early on may conduct keep a taxation liability if the total they have is greater than the premiums paid in). But what if you've paid your premiums inward the expectation that the innovation would pay out whenever it was that you lot shuffled off this soul coil, entirely to larn that, upon reaching that wonderful milestone you'd hold out uninsured and, adding insult to injury, owe a potentially astronomical taxation bill?

Now, closed to (many?) carriers conduct keep addressed this yesteryear issuing policies that become to historic menstruum 120 (or 121). But that's entirely expert for folks who've bought plans from these carriers inward recent years. The vast bulk of folks, I daresay, don't autumn into this category.

And frankly, I'm a combat nonplussed that this number has been thence long nether the radar. Why's that you lot ask?

Well:

"The U.S. of America currently has the greatest number of known centenarians of whatever acre alongside 53,364 according to the 2010 Census"

Of course, non all of them ain life insurance, but fifty-fifty a little per centum agency thousands, maybe tens of thousands do.

What then?

Mr Belth proposes a shape activity lawsuit. My ain agreement of these is that they mostly create goodness the lawyers that file them much to a greater extent than than the plaintiffs themselves. Still, if that's the clue-by-four my manufacture needs to address this, well...
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Tuesday Afternoon Linkfest

FoIB Avik Roy makes a betoken virtually the Emperor's New Clothes CBO scoring fiasco:

"the deplorable case of insurance agent Glenn Neasham, who ran afoul - quite past times accident, it seems - of California insurance regulators in addition to was sentenced to jail for selling an elderly adult woman an (as inwards one) annuity.

It appears that Mr Neasham was simply a piker:

"Reminds me of something...
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Dammit’ Jim, I’m a Doctor, non a Coder

In my many years inwards Healthcare I know that Doctors are looked upon alongside awe in addition to admiration, sometimes irritation, but never has anyone false a Doctor for a Coder, until now.


In a written report released before this year, the GAO found that simply 15% of infirmary patients accessed their medical records, fifty-fifty though 88% of hospitals offering access. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 3rd accessed medical information from physician practices.

Carolyn Yocom, a manager inwards the GAO’s healthcare team, said inwards an well interview in the post that poor interoperability is approximately other roadblock to access, which is particularly frustrating when they're trying to laid upwards for an appointment or, worse, inwards an emergency.

Providers should instruct inwards tardily for patients to access everything they postulate inwards i house to avoid a frustrating experience, Yocom said.”

I tin dismiss tell you lot from forepart describe of piece of occupation experience, the bulk of patients create non similar the portal in addition to in that place are many reasons. The reasons that I stimulate got heard include:

1)      I don’t purpose the internet
2)      Your portal uses cookies, I don’t create cookies
3)      There are besides many portals. I can’t retrieve all the passwords.
4)      I don’t stimulate got a computer, exclusively my scream upwards (Portals create non plough over phones).
5)      I desire to beak to my doctor.
6)      I desire to beak to a nurse most my lab work.
7)      It is besides complicated in addition to takes besides much time.
8)      The authorities tin dismiss rail me; I don’t desire my information on the internet.

So Carolyn Yocom says that “Providers should instruct inwards easier for patients…” WAIT, WHAT?

Does Ms. Yocom know that Doctors did non write the code for the EMR’s that back upwards the Patient Portals? Doctors were exclusively told past times the authorities to purchase these expensive EMR’s in addition to supply the service to their patients. If the Doctors did/do non create this, in addition to then they tin dismiss confront reductions inwards their insurance reimbursements inwards the future. So every bit practiced Doctors nosotros bought the EMR’s in addition to nosotros stimulate got established portals for our patients to use.

However, every bit this article points out, nobody bothered checking alongside patients if they would similar to stimulate got a portal. It seems patients are non thrilled alongside this authorities mandate, every bit nosotros sense daily alongside rattling loud in addition to angry complaints.

On behalf of all Doctors in addition to Medical Offices inwards America Ms. Yocom, I volition non allow you lot lay the blame for this disaster on our doorstep. It was the authorities that mandated the creation of Portals in addition to it was the Coders who developed the Portals.

So, to Ms. Yocom I respond, “The Government in addition to Coders should instruct inwards tardily for patients to access everything they postulate inwards i house to avoid a frustrating experience; the Doctors stimulate got done all they can.


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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Another 1,000 Words on #Repeal/Replace

Heh:



[Hat Tip: FoIB Scott]
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com The Clinic in addition to The Insurer

The venture, called Cleveland Clinic | Oscar Health ... volition endure available on the populace exchange, off the telephone substitution or straight through Oscar."

The catch?

They'll solely endure available inwards five counties inwards northwest Ohio.

Which, mayhap non in addition to thus coincidentally, is likewise the habitation base of operations of Medical Mutual.

Interesting. Particularly because of this:

"The Cleveland Clinic network instantly solely is available on the telephone substitution through a wide network offering provided yesteryear Medical Mutual of Ohio"

Hunh.

To endure sure, Oscar's had its ain issues:

"[F]or every dollar of premium Oscar collects inwards New York, the companionship is losing xv cents. It lost $92 1 M one thousand inwards the solid reason final twelvemonth in addition to but about other $39 1 M one thousand inwards the starting fourth dimension 3 months of 2016"

As their CEO noted at the time, this is not "a sustainable position.”


Anyway, the production itself volition manifestly rely pretty heavily on the telehealth model, which seems similar 1 expanse that carriers are starting to actually comprehend equally an effective cost-containment strategy.

No discussion withal on whether or non they'll accept whatsoever variety of marketing understanding alongside insurance agents (but smart money is on "no").
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Much Vaunted National Health System© puts the hammer down

NHS bosses are planning a massive expansion of the controversial rationing that forces smokers together with fat patients to expect months inward hurting earlier they tin bring surgery"

That's how government-run wellness "care" works, afterwards all: express resources controlled past times unaccountable bureaucrats. And if the threat of such rationing isn't enough, well:

"NHS units impose surgery ban on fat together with smokers ... including an goal to the routine funding of hip together with articulatio genus operations for patients alongside osteoarthritis"

Sorry (not sorry), grandma!

It gets squirrely from there, though:

"In i surface area of England fat patients must expect 2 years for hip together with articulatio genus replacements spell to a greater extent than or less other surface area plans to deny surgery for smokers, including pump together with encephalon operations."

Might pay to move, no?

But again, this is what happens when you lot rate the DMV (or IRS) inward accuse of wellness care.

Worth noting, again, that this is the explicit end-goal of ObamaCare.

Sleep tight.

[Hat Tip: @Ʀєfùsєηíκ‏]
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Rabu

InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Quitting vs Losing

Courtesy of FoIB Scott M:

[click to embiggen]

"Opting out" ≠ "Losing"
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Rest inward Peace, Little One


Dayan HaEmet; may his retentiveness hold upward for a blessing

Note: This was not, every bit characterized past times Reuters, a "dispute over infirmary treatment," simply a vivid, graphic demonstration of the ability of the State when unaccountable bureaucrats are inwards accuse of wellness care.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com H5N1 friendly reminder

For those folks yet on the debate most whether or non ObamaCare has always been most getting to government-run health "care", well:

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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Restoration Project

Last month, we reported on the increasing set out of counties across the fruited patently that volition convey no carriers from which to purchase insurance.

Now comes news, via FoIB Ʀєfùsєηíκ, that folks hither inward the Buckeye State may last getting a slight reprieve:

"Ohio Department of Insurance Director Jillian Froment today joined 5 major Ohio wellness attention insurers to denote that wellness insurance options convey been restored on the federal telephone commutation inward xix Ohio counties next the withdrawal of other insurers before this year."

The carriers include Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, Medical Mutual of Ohio, Molina Health Care of Ohio as well as Paramount Health Care, which is neat word for folks inward those counties, for certainly values of "great." As co-blogger Patrick reminds us:

"Molina's nearest medico inward Findlay, OH (Hancock County) is 22 miles away. Closest infirmary 23 miles away. Great 'option'."

And a reminder, every bit well, that these plans are available only on the Exchange, which is dainty if i is eligible for a subsidy, non as well as then much if not.

So, i footstep forward....
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com CongressCare: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Reminder [UPDATED]

One of the issues that's only forthwith coming into persuasion is only how sneaky ObamaCare-enablers bring been inwards exempting themselves from its disastrous effects.

And which enablers are those, you lot may move wondering?

That would move Congress, which has been (illegally) benefiting from the law's small-scale grouping exemption. Last I looked, in that location were 535 members CongressCritter (plus diverse back upward staff). And yet, nosotros bring this (courtesy of Phil Kerpen):

 
[click to embiggen]

#EndTheCharadeNow

UPDATE: Meanwhile, the Golden State's fine citizens bring this to await frontward to:

"Anthem Blue Cross is pulling out of sixteen of xix regions inwards California's private marketplace side yesteryear side year."

And that evidently apples to both on- too off-Exchange plans.


Ah, the Good Ol' Days...
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com The Creation of Obamacare's Individual Market Mess

It has been 4 years since insurers submitted their initial rates to purchase marketplace part inward Obamacare's private market. Back together with thence insurers were using assumptions that the segment would grow through regime forcing people to purchase their product, existing policyholders coming over from "crappy" insurance plans, the hope of enforcing the rules, huge transfers of funds from competitors, together with large sums from taxpayer funded subsidies.

Nevermind the ginormous turd of a website, the bigger problems occurred when those inward ability issued major changes - literally weeks into the start opened upward enrollment. Some problems possess got continued because of a lack of enforcement. Others possess got come upward from bipartisan Congressional changes that were signed past times President Obama.

The start was a reprieve for those already insured who industrial plant life out that "if they liked their plan" they couldn't hold it. These transitional plans (Grandmothered) kept a large number of good for you lot folks out of the Obamacare markets when HHS issued a dominion allowing people to retain their medically underwritten insurance.

The minute work was the expansion of - only no policing of - "hardship waivers". There are a plethora of waivers people tin give notice possess got payoff of. Some are legit. Others, not-so-much. The near egregious (IMO) is the exemption for Christian Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSM). HCSM's aren't insurance products. They don't possess got mandated benefits nor create these Ministries pay inward to the Obamacare taxes together with fees. Don't larn me wrong, if it's the correct gibe for a individual they should facial expression at it equally an alternative. My objection is the double touchstone that Obamacare considers this "good" only a mini-med/limited create goodness innovation is considered crap.

Lack of enforcement continues to live a meaning contributor. The principal culprit on the enforcement front end stems from Special Enrollment Periods (SEP). While these possess got been tightened nether the Trump Administration, the start 3 years nether Obama was a free-for-all. In discussions amongst insurance companionship underwriters together with executives, all had a similar answer to how HHS policed SEP's. The brusk respond was, they didn't. As 1 insurer seat it:

"They (Obama's HHS) safe stamped everything. Politically they had to. Think of it this way. If someone was without insurance inward Jan together with thence was diagnosed amongst cancer inward March they would possess got to hold off until Jan of the next twelvemonth to obtain coverage. These type of situations hand to a greater extent than oftentimes than you lot know. Imagine the backlash if people were diagnosed amongst major wellness atmospheric condition together with thence were denied insurance due to Obamacare's ain rules? The uncomplicated means to larn far run was to allow people in, together with thence house blame on insurers when rates went up."

H5N1 lastly work is revenues. "Not 1 dime to the deficit" was BS. When you lot possess got an initial CBO score that uses 10 years of revenues only entirely vi years of expenses together with it barely is at breakeven nosotros know it won't live true. Making matters worse, the expenses move along to exceeded expectations. The bending of the terms curvature is going inward the incorrect direction. Instead of shoring upward the costly overruns Congress does the reverse - cuts revenues. Look at this listing of changes to Obamacare that are causing the financial crisis to rise:


Every 1 of these revenue cuts had bipartisan support.

There are lots of nails inward the coffin of the private wellness insurance market. Many come upward from the sledgehammers that Obama's direction pounded. Some possess got come upward from a Republican controlled Congress.

Both sides move along to signal fingers. Which brings me to something I was told equally a immature child. When you lot signal a finger at someone recall that 3 fingers are pointing at you.
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com P&C Files Update

Last Fall, nosotros blogged on Kanye West's wellness issues, specifically every 2d they applied to the cancellation of much of his concert tour schedule. In that post, nosotros noted that Mr West had obviously purchased an insurance policy to embrace that eventuality:

"[H]e's since cancelled the residual of his tour, at a terms of at to the lowest degree $30 million. That's a lot of scratch fifty-fifty for a successful musician, which is why he (reportedly) has an insurance policy that probable covers this variety of situation."

As it turns out, he did, inwards fact, brand that purchase. And the storey might direct keep ended there, but for ane pocket-size problem:

"Kanye West has filed a lawsuit claiming insurers failed to pay nearly $10 ane one m thousand for the singer's canceled Saint Pablo Tour final year."

As an aside, I'm curious nigh the rather substantial discrepancy betwixt the $30 ane one m thousand loss cited inwards the master post, together with the $10 ane one m thousand inwards dispute.

Nevertheless, this is an interesting case: it seems to plough on the Definition of "accidental bodily injury or illness," which existence hospitalized seems to pretty much qualify.

One wonders whether this volition travel settled out of court, or taken to trial. We'll transcend along y'all posted.

[Hat Tip: FoIB Jeff M]
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Breaking News from Our Neighbors to the North

CanuckCare© continues to auger in:

"“Free” Canadian healthcare is non free, according to a study released Tuesday ... a “typical Canadian job solid unit of measurement of 4 volition pay $12,057 for wellness assist inwards 2017—an growth of virtually lxx per centum over the end xx years.”

So how's that Single Payer organisation working out?

Still, that $12 large may endure a grapple since it buys non bad care, right?

Turns out, non together with thus much:

"[T]here is nonetheless a long waiting listing for a host of operations, both routine together with urgent."

And over 60,000 Canadians sought actual assist exterior the the world end year.

But "free" (or, you lot know, not).

[Hat Tip: FoIB Holly R]
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InsuranceBaru.blogspot.com Evolution of Medical Tourism

upwards of 60,000 Candians sought attention exterior that country's failing government-run health scheme.

And, mayhap to a greater extent than to the point, nosotros reported inward Jan that the "cost of international somebody medical insurance is climbing globally, alongside an inflation charge per unit of measurement of 9.2 part reported for 2016."

And, of course, the ACA has been steadily chipping away at physicians' incomes hither at home.

Okay, Henry, really interesting, if disparate, items. What's your point?

Well, FoIB Dr Valerie Jones alerted us to this speedily growing chance that uses virtual medical tourism to assistance boost actual physician income:

"This Startup Connects the United States of America Doctors alongside Patients inward Red People's Republic of China ... that bargain inward the domain of telemedicine, sometimes called telehealth, which uses technology scientific discipline to remotely connect doctors in addition to patients otherwise separated past times physical distance."

After all, what difference does it brand if the patient is 10 miles away, or 6000? Other than the slight inconvenience of time-zone shifting, why not? And it's for certain a potential money-making powerhouse:

"Estimates on telemedicine’s marketplace size vary  ... projects it volition to a greater extent than than double from $25.53 billion inward 2015 to $57.92 billion inward 2020."

That's a lot of revenue for a few minutes on the telephone (or Skype, etc).

Telehealth itself isn't all that new, precisely this application of it seems to hold upwards burgeoning. Definitely something to conk on an oculus on.
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