Colonial Supplemental Insurance has an excellent growth opportunity for a Territory Sales Manager in the South Florida Area, which consists of but is not limited to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Colonial supports more than 50,000 businesses, government organizations and associations in managing their benefits programs - helping to meet their needs and the needs of their employees. This represents over two million policyholders nationwide.
You will be expected to:
Applicants must have demonstrated success as a Territory/Regional Sales Manager with Worksite / Supplemental Insurance or Management experience in Group Insurance Sales. Compensation and benefits package includes:
Reply with
resume to:
Kdrake@coloniallife.com
Learn more about Colonial at www.coloniallife.com. Colonial Supplemental Insurance is the marketing brand of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. Colonial is an equal opportunity employer. Daily Quote: "Being closer to the problem gets me closer to the solution." - - Mark Cuban
1. NYSE, Tokyo Stock Exchange enter alliance NEW YORK, Jan 31 (Reuters) - NYSE Group Inc. (NYX.N: said on Wednesday that it will form a strategic alliance with the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Asia's biggest bourse, as the U.S. exchange operator continues to expand globally. The deal is the latest sign of a shift toward Asia as NYSE, owner of the New York Stock Exchange, and other big exchanges look to expand beyond the United States and Europe. NYSE Chief Executive John Thain, who has spearheaded the exchange's planned merger with Paris-based Euronext (ENXT.PA: , said previously that Asia was the exchange's next logical move. Through the widely expected agreement, the two exchanges will develop and study opportunities in trading systems and technology, investment products and governance. The agreement is nonexclusive and sets the stage for a potential financial tie-up between the two. The pact follows the Big Board's acquisition earlier this month of a stake in National Stock Exchange, the biggest stock exchange in India, and comes only weeks after its shareholders approved a $14 billion merger with Euronext. U.S. exchanges are seeking to maintain shareholder support by diversifying from crowded domestic markets. As the Big Board finalized its Euronext merger last month, its top rival, the Nasdaq Stock Market (NDAQ.O: , launched a bid for the London Stock Exchange (LSE.L: . But overt takeovers may not be the model for exchanges looking to expand abroad, analysts say, noting that LSE quickly rebuffed Nasdaq's bid. © Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 2. Allianz seen absorbing 350 mln euro Kyrill cost Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:01am ET - By Jonathan Gould - FRANKFURT, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Allianz (ALVG.DE: on Wednesday estimated European storm Kyrill would cost it around 350 million euros ($454 million), a figure analysts said would weigh on first quarter earnings but not derail them. Allianz said in a statement the damage from Kyrill, which slammed Europe on Jan. 18 with hurricane-force winds that lasted two days, was within the scope of its expectations from risk modelling. It could cost it 350 million euros before tax. "The Kyrill damage is not pretty but Allianz should be easily able to absorb it," said NordLB analyst Dirk Krieger. The world's second-biggest reinsurer, Munich Re, said could face 600 million euros in damage claims passed on to it from insurance companies. Hannover Re estimated its potential losses as 120-180 million euros. The two companies estimated insured losses for the industry from the storm could be up to 7 billion euros. © Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 3. Allstate says Fla. law won't hurt its auto growth Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:17am ET - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Allstate Corp. Chief Executive Thomas Wilson said on Wednesday he supported Florida's plan to increase its hurricane catastrophe fund, which he said would make more coverage available for insurers and reduce overall costs. Wilson also said in a conference call with investors that the new Florida legislation "won't impact our plan to grow auto (business) in Florida." © Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 4. Insurance Media Association & A.M. Best Release Audio Links Of Key Presentations Cleveland, OH - 01/31/07 - The Insurance Media Association & A.M. Best have released audio links of three of the outstanding presentations that were made in New York City on 11/03/06 at "The 2006 Insurance Marketing and Advertising Summit". The presentations include: Shane Boyd, Vice President, Corporate
Communications, The St. Paul Travelers Companies - Keynote Presentation
-
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/InsuranceMarketing/~5/83996741/2007_Marketing_and_Advertising_03.mp3 Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 5. "Looking Under the Hood of State Farm’s (Rejected, For Now) Mississippi Katrina Claims Settlement," published on January 29 on National Underwriter's FC&S Online. The article examines the State Farm settlement, why it was rejected, what may happen next in this complex coverage litigation and how the January 11 decision in Broussard v. State Farm (awarding approximately $200,000 in compensatory damages and $2.5 million in punitive damages in a Katrina coverage case) fits into all of this.The 9-page article written by Randy J. Maniloff, White and Williams LLP can be read at www.insurancebroadcasting.com/FCSRandyManiloffarticle.htm. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
6. California Republicans offer modest health plan Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:30am ET By Jim Christie SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Republican lawmakers unveiled a health-care initiative on Tuesday that they called more realistic than the one proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Republicans in the state senate said their plan would provide "bare bones" health care for up to 3 million Californians lacking medical insurance without increasing taxes -- a jab at Schwarzenegger, a fellow Republican who is seeking a share of revenues from doctors and hospitals to help fund coverage for everyone in the state without medical insurance. The discussion in California, the nation's most populous state and often viewed as a trendsetter for the rest of the country, comes amid a growing national debate about access to health care and how best to cope with its increasing cost to individuals, families and businesses. Schwarzenegger earlier this month made health care a top priority for the legislature by unveiling a plan that would require all Californians without health insurance to have it. That would affect an estimated 6.5 million state residents. In addition to tapping health-care providers to help fund his plan, Schwarzenegger proposed requiring companies with more than 10 employees to offer medical insurance or pay into a state fund that would provide coverage. The reach of his plan, which would also extend health care to illegal immigrants, stunned Republican lawmakers, many of whom are already concerned Schwarzenegger has become too chummy with Democrats who control the legislature. Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman said his caucus opposes Schwarzenegger's plan because it would have the state openly provide medical care to undocumented aliens. "It sends the message that we're going to take care of the world," Ackerman said, adding that his caucus doubts Schwarzenegger's plan is financially feasible. Ackerman told Reuters in a telephone interview the Senate Republicans' plan emphasizes using tax incentives to encourage employers and individuals to buy health-care incentives. Under the plan, the state would also subsidize local clinics to expand hours so the uninsured do not have to seek treatment at hospital emergency rooms, and it would narrowly focus on the state's neediest. "I feel no responsibility for covering people who can afford to buy their own insurance," Ackerman said, noting that more than 1.5 million Californians without medical insurance are going without despite being able to afford it. Schwarzenegger responded to the plan, which came on the heels of health-care proposals by Democrats, simply by saying: "When I outlined my health care proposal, I shared my hope that everyone, Republicans and Democrats, would come to the table with ideas and solutions. "Senator Ackerman and his Senate colleagues have proven that there is the will in Sacramento to respond to the public demand for meaningful health care reform," he added in his statement. © Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 7. Moody's Special Comment: Current Trends in Insurance Catastrophe Risk Management Moody's: P&C Companies Enhance Catastrophe Risk Management Practices New York, January 31, 2007 -- Given the benign 2006 storm season, mild activity bodes well for investors in catastrophe-focused carriers and in alternative risk-transfer vehicles, Moody's Investors Service concludes in a new report. Moody's believes that this reduced storm activity could also signal softening market conditions for peak catastrophe zones at some time in 2007, but expects that the majority of P&C insurer ratings will remain stable. "After the difficult 2004-05 seasons," says Moody's Vice President Pano Karambelas, an author of the report, "insurers and reinsurers chose to be very proactive during 2006." He points out that "they focused additional attention on catastrophe risk management, thereby enhancing the involvement of company directors and risk committees, as well as pursuing initiatives such as shedding exposures, increasing prices, and purchasing additional reinsurance (or alternative risk transfer) protection." "A number of forces acting in concert after the back-to-back storm seasons have created a demand-supply imbalance," the analyst states, "and this imbalance remains in place in spite of significant amounts of new capacity that has entered the industry looking for outsized returns." "Clearly, the industry is experiencing a heightened perception of catastrophe risk and/or capacity restrictions as managements employ the updated catastrophe models offered by the major catastrophe-modeling vendors in making their pricing decisions," explains Mr. Karambelas. Moody's recent catastrophe survey arrived at the following key conclusions: • P&C Companies are paying greater attention to managing difficult-to-model risk factors by monitoring zonal aggregations, by exiting certain lines of business, or by adhering to more conservative contract terms and conditions. • Companies are, more often than not, turning on the switches for demand surge, storm surge, and fire following. • Issuers reported a near universal use of models to manage portfolio accumulations, although tie-ins of accumulations management to "front-end" applications (e.g., pricing of business), were less common, and these varied considerably in sophistication. • Issuers are more aware of the importance of capturing accurate exposure data, particularly commercial lines, beyond precise location coding capabilities. The report is titled "Current Trends in Insurance Catastrophe Risk Management." www.moodys.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 8. Corporate Voices for Working Families Releases Employer Guide Providing Companies With the Tools to Help Employees Access Tax Credits and Other Federal Benefits Company Toolkit Assists Low-Wage Employees in Claiming the Benefits They Have Earned Through the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Medicaid and other Federal Benefits Information Available on the IRS One-Time Telephone Excise Tax Refund for All Taxpayers Who Paid a Long-Distance Phone Bill Between February 2003 and August 2006 WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Corporate Voices for Working Families, a Washington-DC based non-profit corporate membership organization, today released its "2007 Employer Guide: Educate Your Employees About the Benefits They've Earned." This is the fourth year that Corporate Voices has updated and released the Employer Guide to companies interested in helping their low-wage employees access the federal benefits they have earned through tax credits and programs providing assistance with health care, food and home heating costs. "Employees earn these benefits every day they work, but so many do not know how to navigate the maze of programs and paperwork in order to access their rewards," said Donna Klein, President and CEO of Corporate Voices for Working Families (CVWF). "Each year we revise the Employer Guide and release it at the beginning of the year to make it easier for companies to help their employees find the programs, fill out the forms, and get their benefits. It helps everyone start the year off right with a complete list of benefits and employees ready for the upcoming tax season." "As America's social contract continues to change, these programs give companies the ability to help employees' access programs with no impact to their bottom line," continued Klein. "By helping employees claim tax credits and federal benefits, companies build trust by making employees aware of valuable resources." Available in English and Spanish, the Employer Guide includes the following tools:
"Financial literacy is actually a significant part of overall literacy," says Stephen M. Wing, Director Government Programs for CVS/pharmacy. "We, at CVS Government Programs, find that the Employer Guide is invaluable in supporting this notion. We encourage staff and partner agencies to take full advantage of this excellent resource." In addition, this year the Internal Revenue Service has implemented a one- time tax refund to long-distance telephone customers who paid federal excise taxes on their long-distance service after February 28, 2003 and before August 1, 2006. More than 159 millions business and individuals are eligible to request this refund on their 2006 federal incomes tax returns. For more information, visit the CVWF Web site at http://www.cvworkingfamilies.org. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 9. America's Top Divorce Lawyers Cite Postnuptial Agreements as Growing Trend Agreements Most Often Requested by Both Parties CHICAGO, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent poll of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer (AAML) members, 49% of the divorce attorneys cited an increase in postnuptial agreements during the past five years. Interestingly enough, 58% of the respondents most frequently draw up the agreements as a result of a request made by both parties, rather than it coming from either a husband or wife individually. Rising in popularity throughout recent years, postnuptial agreements are voluntary marriage contracts between couples who are already married. The terms of postnuptial agreements can cover a wide variety of issues within a marriage, including disputes over potential finances, assets, children, and household chores. Couples can also seek a postnuptial agreement if the financial status of one or both partners changes dramatically after the marriage. The overall goal of the agreements is to help stop any potential conflicts and promote a stronger relationship. SOURCE American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 10. UBS Wealth Management Research Publishes ``Climate Change: Beyond Whether'' As scientists bank on 2007 to be the warmest year since records began, this new report provides comprehensive, cutting-edge guidance on what climate change means for the individual investor NEW YORK & ZURICH, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UBS Wealth Management Research today issued the research report, "UBS Research Focus – Climate Change: Beyond Whether," which taps into the most up-to-date research on climate change to offer a detailed, sector-by-sector breakdown identifying key investment opportunities and risks for the individual investor. “Whether or not you agree with the view that human activity is influencing the climate system is largely irrelevant to the investment thesis. What is important is that numerous policies to combat the threat of global warming are converging to influence people’s behavior, alter the risk profile of various businesses, and improve the investment outlook for others,” said Klaus Wellershoff, global head of UBS Wealth Management Research, and Kurt Reiman, head of thematic research for UBS Wealth Management Research. According to the report’s findings, investors who seek to incorporate climate change risks and opportunities into their portfolios have options that span a wide range of asset classes, including:
Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
This Week's Issue - 33 Insurance / Technology Stories 11. CFP Board Censures Improper CFP® Certificant Conduct DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) today announced public disciplinary actions against the following individuals’ rights to use the CFP® certification marks, effective immediately. STATE - NAME - LOCATION - DISCIPLINE
Under terms of the revocation and permanent relinquishments, William R. Barto, Carl P. Kellogg, Edward Alan Martin and Thomas Van Tassel no longer have the right to use the CFP® marks. The rights of Garry A. Estrada and Kenneth L. Sojka to use the CFP® marks were suspended for one year and one day, and the right of Frank P. Grasso to use the CFP® marks was suspended for nine months. Eric C. Howie’s application to use the CFP® marks was delayed for 30 days. CFP Board issued Letters of Admonition to John T. Carter, Henry H. Godbee III, John R. Hantz, Christopher J. Jacob, Sidney J. Lorio, Robert M. Ryerson and Timothy J. Stearns; they retain the right to use the CFP® marks. The basis for each decision can be found on CFP Board’s Web site at www.CFP.net. CFP Board’s mission is to help people benefit from competent, professional and ethical financial planning. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board currently authorizes more than 53,000 individuals to use these marks in the United States. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 12. A.M. Best Special Report: U.S. Retirement Savings Market The Sweet Spot for U.S. Life Insurers OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. retirement savings market—broadly defined as personal savings, defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans and annuity products—continues to remain the most strategically important market for the U.S. life insurance industry, according to a special report by A.M. Best Co. The U.S. wealth factor, currently favorable stock valuations and relatively stable monetary policy continue to make the U.S. market highly desirable for both domestic and foreign insurers who seek to enhance market share, while capturing the middle-to-upper income segments of the baby boomer generation. As a result, A.M. Best anticipates increased merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. market, heightened competition in the annuity market from banks and mutual fund companies, and increasingly complex product designs focused on meeting the accumulation and income needs of the aging U.S. population. A.M. Best believes the emerging retirement patterns of the baby boomer generation have redefined the retirement savings sector, and very well could lead to further consolidation across several financial services industries (i.e. insurance, banking, asset management and securities). As a result, scale will become even more important while innovative product development, effective risk mitigation, strong customer service and efficient technological platforms will drive future operating performance as the industry continues its shift from asset accumulation to income distribution. Additionally, the expansion of multichannel distribution systems and enhanced customer service strategies designed to meet the evolving needs and preferences of the strategically important and fast-growing 55- to 65-year-old market segment remain critical to the industry’s success in maximizing profitability and driving earnings growth over the next decade. Longer-term success will be dependent upon the life insurance industry’s ability to protect its unique franchise (i.e. annuities, living benefit guarantees and the management of multiple risks) coupled with its ability to garner assets, retain assets and expand its reach into global markets with high economic growth and favorable demographics. Finally, A.M. Best notes that the Pension Protection Act of 2006 should present some product development opportunities for the U.S. life industry, including a modest increase in fund flows. www.bestweek.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 13. 21st Century Holding Company Comments on Recently Enacted Florida Legislature LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Edward J. (Ted) Lawson, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of 21st Century Holding Company (NASDAQ:TCHC), an insurance holding company, today commented on legislation CS/HB 1A, which was recently enacted and signed by the Governor of Florida. Mr. Lawson said, “This legislation is going to be very favorable to Florida and our Company. The main positives from this legislative act are first, that reinsurance costs for 21st Century Holding Company now look to be about 20% less than they were last year. Secondly, the coverage will be more robust in that we will be able to afford much more coverage, thereby reducing the catastrophic risk to the Company. Thirdly, the favorable weather patterns that set up last year, specifically El Nino, continue to exist and this bodes well for the coming hurricane season. Consequently, guidance for calendar year 2007 is for the Company to have its third record year in a row and to make approximately $4.50 per share.” Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 14. Paid Long-Term Care Insurance Benefits Exceed $3 Billion Annually One-Third Of Claims Paid Now Allocated Toward Home Care Washington, DC - January 31, 2007 - The total value of long-term care insurance benefit payments for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006 was $3.3 billion according to a just-published study. "This is the highest amount of benefit payments to Americans for a one-year period," announced Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, the industry's professional organization. "Some eight million Americans now own long-term care insurance protection obtained on an individual basis or through their employer," Slome states. "People think they won't need long-term care or that insurance may not be beneficial, but the opposite is true and the increasing amount of benefits paid to policyholders validates the important role this protection plays." According to the study released today by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, about one-third (33.91%) of the insurance benefit payments made by eight of the nation's largest insurers in 2006 were allocated for home care. "One of the most significant benefits of owning long-term care coverage is the fact that it can pay for care received in your own home, which is what people clearly prefer," Slome explains. The Association study revealed that almost 30 percent (29.63%) of insurance benefits paid went toward assisted living costs and the balance, 36.46 percent, was allocated for nursing home care. According to the Association study, the largest single claim paid to date by an insurer has exceeded $875,000. "The largest claims paid by leading insurers ranged from well over $350,000 to one approaching $900,000," says Slome. "Some of these individuals are still receiving long-term care so the total value of the protection they've received will continue to grow." The complete study findings are included in the 2007 LTCi Sourcebook published by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. Copies are available (free for members; $39 for non-members) by contacting the Association at (818) 597-3227 or by visiting the organization's Website www.AALTCI.org. If you have questions, please contact the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, Jesse Slome, Executive Director, Phone: (818) 597-3227, E-mail: mailto:jslome@aaltci.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 15. Prudential Capital Partners Invests $350 Million in 2006 Biggest Year in Mezzanine Investing in More than a Decade CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Prudential Capital Partners announced today that it has invested $350 million of mezzanine and equity financing to 14 middle-market companies across the United States in 2006. Funds managed by Prudential Capital Partners, provided $227 million of subordinated debt and equity. Co-investors of Prudential Capital Partners provided the remaining $123 million. Prudential Capital Partners is sponsored by Prudential Capital Group, a private capital investment business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) www.prudential.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 16. HealthEquity, Inc. and SelectHealth Announce Alliance AMERICAN FORK, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HealthEquity®, Inc. is excited to announce a strategic alliance with SelectHealthSM, a Utah-based, nonprofit health insurance company, to provide health savings and reimbursement account administration, coupled with advisory services to help consumers manage the financial side of health care. www.healthequity.com www.selecthealth.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 17. Commissioners Meet at International Event SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico, Dorelisse Juarbe Jimenez, announced the Second Symposium on Insurance and International Banking, to be held February 22-23 at the Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino. Mrs. Juarbe Jimenez noted that the Second Symposium will be co-sponsored by the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions with the aim of promoting Puerto Rico as an International Center of Financial Services. The Second Symposium central theme is "Leaders in the Development of the Global Insurance and Financial Markets: Charting Business Opportunities Around the World," will have first-class participants, notably William Rutledge of the Federal Reserve Bank, and George Brady of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners of the United Status ("NAIC"), who will speak on the advances and challenges in overseeing the insurance and international banking sectors. Those interested should visit the OCS website at http://www.ocs.gobierno.pr or call Maite Estades at 787-722-8782. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 18. City of New York Chooses ICMA-RC as Investment Manager; Places $230 Million in VantageTrust PLUS Fund WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- ICMA-RC has been selected by the City of New York as a provider of investment management services for $230 million in retirement funds. The investment has been placed in the VantageTrust PLUS Fund. The $5.8 billion VantageTrust PLUS Fund offers a balanced approach to stable value investing. For retirement plan investors, it can be an important component of an investment portfolio, offering current income coupled with capital preservation. ICMA-RC is a leading provider of retirement plans for state and local employees, with management and administration of more than $28 billion for over 700,000 participants. The corporation, a not-for-profit established in 1972, offers 457 deferred compensation and 401 defined contribution plans, as well as a no-fee IRA, and other retirement-related products, exclusively to public sector employees. www.icmarc.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 19. Raymond James Joins DTCC’s Growing Global Service on Corporate Actions NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) today announced that Raymond James & Associates, Inc. has chosen DTCC’s Global Corporate Action Validation Service (GCA VS) to help them automate, streamline and reduce risk associated with corporate actions announcements. The GCA Validation Service provides a centralized source of corporate action announcements for equities and fixed-income instruments traded in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. In 2006, GCA VS provided almost 900,000 corporate actions announcements on more than 1.5 million securities in 160 countries around the world. www.dtcc.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 20. INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Pictures Of The Day" -- Sponsored By:
View INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Sports Pictures Of The Day" View INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Entertainment Pictures Of The Day" Sponsored By:
21. CHD Meridian and iMedica Corporation Form Strategic Partnership DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iMedica® Corporation and CHD Meridian Healthcare (an I-trax Company) (AMEX:DMX) announced today that they are creating a strategic partnership to offer iMedica’s electronic health record (EHR) and practice management (PM) system, iMedica Patient Relationship Manager™ (PRM), to CHD Meridian’s 215 health centers across the United States. This partnership will allow CHD Meridian’s health centers to operate more efficiently, provide better and safer patient care, improve communication through features like secure patient-provider e-mail, and pave the way to transportable personal health records. At CHD Meridian workplace health centers, employees, retirees, and their families can receive convenient, on-site care for a variety of needs, from occupational health to primary care and disease management. More than 100 major employers, including many Fortune 100 corporations, have contracted with CHD Meridian to care for approximately one million employees. www.imedica.com www.chdmeridian.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 22. AARP Financial and New York Life Introduce the AARP Lifetime Income Program NEW YORK & TEWKSBURY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AARP Financial, a subsidiary of AARP Services, Inc., and New York Life Insurance Company today announced the introduction of the AARP Lifetime Income Program for AARP members, designed to generate a more secure stream of retirement income. The AARP Lifetime Income Program offers fixed immediate annuities, issued by New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, a New York Life company, that provide guaranteed income for life to AARP members between the ages of 50 and 85. www.aarpfinancial.com www.newyorklife.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 23. Nationwide Financial Announces Long-Term Growth Targets Sets Date for Investment Community Conference Citigroup Financial Services Conference COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mark Thresher, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:NFS), speaking today at the Citigroup Financial Services Conference at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, told investors that Nationwide Financial’s focus is on “accelerating growth and optimizing our business mix to significantly improve our earnings and return potential.” A replay of the presentation is available on the investor relations section of www.nationwide.com until Feb. 28, 2007. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 24. AlwaysCare Benefits Now Offering Dental Implant Coverage Members can Choose an Endosteal Implant as an Alternative to a Fixed Bridge Baton Rouge, LA, January 30, 2007 – AlwaysCare Benefits, one of the fastest growing providers of group dental and vision insurance benefits in the country, announces the addition of Endosteal Implant coverage for its dental plan Members. Effective March 1, 2007, AlwaysCare Members (both existing and new) will have the option of choosing an Endosteal Implant to replace a missing tooth instead of a conventional fixed, 3-unit bridge, when a 3-unit bridge is approved for coverage. Crowns placed on such implants will also be covered. “Advances in technology have increased the popularity and demand of Endosteal Implants and we are pleased to be one of the few carriers to offer this benefit to Members of our dental program,” said Erich Sternberg, President, AlwaysCare Benefits. “Adding this benefit is another example of the flexibility of our national dental plans.” AlwaysCare recommends Members request an authorization from the company in order to confirm coverage before completing these services. Coverage is subject to the Member’s plan maximum, coinsurance, deductibles, other limitations and exclusions. For additional information, please contact us at 1-888-729-5433, x5. About AlwaysCare Benefits, Inc.: AlwaysCare Benefits is a Starmount Life Insurance Company. Named 2006 Company of the Year by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, AlwaysCare Benefits, www.AlwaysCareBenefits.com, and Starmount Life are privately-owned businesses. Known for reliable service and customer satisfaction, they offer innovative insurance products—like individual life insurance, extra accidental death coverage and living benefits. AlwaysCare Benefits is a leading provider of group dental and vision benefits marketed nationally as AlwaysDentalSM and AlwaysVisionSM. AlwaysCare, in partnership with National Guardian Life Insurance Company* [AM Best A- (Excellent) rating, 2005], markets products in 49 states. *National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, a.k.a. The Guardian, Guardian Life. Contact: Monique Roche, 504-558-7778, mroche@z-comm.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 25. Nationwide Launches Legislation Made Real Newsletter Highlights Legislative and Regulatory Changes Impacting Retirement Plans COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the passage of the Pension Protection Act and numerous legislative provisions impacting retirement plans in 2007, plan administrators will be expected to keep pace with a rapidly changing regulatory environment. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:NFS) has developed Legislation Made Real, a free, periodic newsletter for Nationwide-affiliated plan administrators highlighting legislative, regulatory and administrative changes. www.nationwide.com www.mhco.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 26. CIGNA HealthCare Joins Forces With the Lance Armstrong Foundation to Give Members Added Cancer Care Support BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Jan. 31, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA HealthCare members now have another powerful ally to support them through cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival. CIGNA HealthCare has joined forces with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to provide members in its comprehensive oncology program with added personal support to cope with the effects on physical, emotional, financial and spiritual health that living with cancer brings. www.myCIGNA.com www.mycareallies.com www.livestrong.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 27. NYSSA Presents 11th Annual Insurance Conference NYSSA Insurance Conference 2007 NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) will present the 11th Annual Insurance Conference on February 12 to 13, 2007. Property and casualty insurance companies have seen record profits as a result of the mild 2006 hurricane season. The life and health insurance industry is well positioned to take advantage of emerging retirement savings and healthcare needs. However, there is some concern as a number of companies face declining client cash flow, increased competition, and the potential for further spread compression. Hear top executives from these companies discuss the near-term challenges and opportunities for the insurance industry. www.nyssa.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 29. URAC to develop relevant, timely PPO metrics Response to proposed URAC measurement guidelines drives development of relevant, timely PPO metrics Washington, D.C. January 30, 2007. Robust comments and suggestions from the PPO industry to an initial set of URAC health care management service measures introduced in September has underscored the need for metrics specifically relevant to the PPO industry.The Consumer Value Based Health Purchasing Measures Project (CVBHPM), which will be applied across nine of URAC’s accreditation programs, targets measurement of health care management services to promote consumer protection and quality improvement. Rather than focus on clinical measures, URAC’s program will initially collect relevant information about consumer protection and empowerment and quality data for comparison across three general categories: service quality, consumer protection and empowerment, and satisfaction with services. www.urac.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 30. Finance Insurance, Ltd. of Hawaii Expands Their Contingency Planning to Include 'Pre-Disaster' Staff Preparation with Artizan WINDSOR, CT - Artizan Internet Services today announced that Finance Insurance, Ltd., one of Hawaii's oldest and most esteemed insurance agencies, has joined their group of clients and has deployed Artizan's Service911 for their agency. www.artizan.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 31. Pacific Life Launches a New Way to Guarantee Lifetime Income for Baby Boomers NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On February 1, 2007, Pacific Life Insurance Company will introduce Flexible Lifetime Income, a new Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit available with Pacific Life variable annuities. This feature-rich optional benefit is designed to help address the needs of retirees and the more than 77 million baby boomers just entering or planning for retirement. Flexible Lifetime Income offers guaranteed 5 percent annual withdrawals of the protected amount for life starting at age 59½. This allows investors the flexibility to take income at the earliest age that withdrawals are typically taken from variable annuities and many retirement plans without a tax penalty. www.PacificLife.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article |
