Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company has openings for five Senior Sales Trainers that will begin on June 1. These are full time positions with primary responsibilities to include the rollout of new products and marketing programs to our independent contractor sales organization. We are seeking one individual for each of the following Regions: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, and West. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic classroom instructor who possesses the following:
The ideal candidate will also:
Colonial offers:
If you or someone you know would be a strong candidate for one of these positions, please contact: Jim Dreiling at 803-213-5402 or send a resume to jadreiling@coloniallife.com. For further information about Colonial, log on to www.coloniallife.com. Colonial Supplemental Insurance - for what happens next Colonial Supplemental Insurance is the marketing brand of Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company. Colonial is an equal opportunity employer. Daily Quote: "The engine that drives enterprise is not thrift, but profit." - - John Maynard Keynes
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1. AOL co-founder Case launches health Web site Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:28PM EDT By Lisa Richwine WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Internet entrepreneur Steve Case launched a health Web site on Thursday, hoping to draw millions of consumers with free services such as online medical records, doctor ratings and disease information. The America Online co-founder and one of the architects of that company's troubled merger with Time Warner, named the venture Revolution Health and has invested $100 million of his own money. Revolution Health aims to shake up a fragmented and bureaucratic health-care system that Case said leaves patients and caregivers frustrated. Consumers, for example, can easily find ratings on movies and restaurants but not on doctors, he said. "Our mission is to revolutionize the health-care system," Case said in an interview. The key, he added, is "empowering consumers to take more control of their health and their families' health." A test site started running at www.Revolutionhealth.com in January and drew more than 1 million visitors, Case said. The site officially launched on Thursday and includes calculators for people to assess their chances of developing a heart attack, stroke or diabetes, a symptom checker to figure out what a pain or dizziness might mean, and an option to create a customized page of health topics. Building health Web sites has proved challenging for others. Netscape co-founder Jim Clark, pronounced he would "fix the U.S. health-care industry" when he took his company Healtheon public in 1999. Healtheon eventually merged with WebMD Health Corp., which struggled for years before becoming profitable. Competition for an audience abounds, with a wealth of information already available from the National Institutes of Health and many others. Case said he see an opportunity to build a dominant brand and become the Starbucks, Coke or Pepsi of the health-care field. In addition to getting information, patients can store medical information electronically and rate doctors. Most of Revolution Health's offerings are free, but consumers also can pay for premium telephone services such as answers to health questions and help settling insurance claims. The company is talking with major employers about purchasing that service for employees, Case said. He anticipates taking the company public in a "few years" but insists the company has a "long-term view" and expects it will take years to bring about major changes. © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 2. U.S. health plans back greater scrutiny of new drugs Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:30PM EDT CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. health insurers, whose patient records helped uncover heart risks of the withdrawn arthritis drug Vioxx, called on Thursday for a new body to compare the safety and effectiveness of new drugs versus older treatments. America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade group for big health insurers like Kaiser Permanente and WellPoint Inc., also backed greater authority for U.S. regulators to police the safety of drugs once they hit the market. The recall of Merck & Co.'s Vioxx in 2004 helped ignite a growing controversy over whether drugs are adequately monitored for safety after being approved. "We all tend to assume newest is best, which is not always the case," said Roberta Herman, chief medical officer at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a hospital system in Boston which recently won the top spot in a national quality ranking of U.S. hospitals. The health insurers group called for a new entity, funded with public and some private resources, that would be independent of the drug industry to conduct real-world studies of drugs. A representative of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America trade group was not available for comment. Kaiser Permanente, a big health maintenance organization in California with about 8.5 million, supplied some of the data used by the FDA finding Vioxx boosted the risk of stroke and heart attack. Several insurers have contracts with the FDA to supply the large swaths of data needed to detect side effects of drugs on the market. On Wednesday, a U.S. Senate panel approved a bill to bolster the FDA's oversight over prescription drugs, which includes a new power to fine companies for not completing studies and a ban on advertising for new drugs for two years. The Bush Administration has called the bill onerous and some Republicans tried to strike language on the advertising ban. Critics say aggressive consumer advertising boosts overuse of new drugs. Jack Hoadley, a professor at Georgetown University's health policy institute said health plans have vested interest in such reforms because they could trim drug costs, but their support adds clout to the idea. "It's the natural rivalry of the payers versus the manufacturers, but I think any time a major industry group comes out with a particular statement like this it does have some effect," Hoadley said. © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 3. Group says redesigned vehicles boost safety Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:28AM EDT By John Crawley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. redesigned the best-selling vehicle in the United States, the F-150 pickup, and cut its death rate in half, a leading safety group said in a study set for release on Thursday. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found in a study of fatalities between 2002-05 that design changes -- especially in sport utility vehicles -- contributed to a 30 percent drop in overall fatality rates when compared to the mid-1990s. More than 40,000 people are still killed annually in U.S. traffic accidents, government statistics show. But declining rates, especially in certain vehicle classes that have had questionable ratings in crash and rollover tests, is encouraging, safety groups agree. The rate for vehicles tested between 1990 and 1994 was 110 per million vehicles, compared to 79 now. The 2001 F-150 was one of the worst performers in a certain front crash test for its class. But crashworthiness improved when the company made the occupant compartment better able to withstand impact forces, the insurance group said. The group noted a sharp decline in death rates when it tested the redesigned 2004 model. The old F-150 recorded 118 deaths per million vehicles during the survey period, compared with 58 for the updated version. Even though the research cited an improvement at Ford, the company dismissed the conclusion about the F-150 and the survey's overall findings. Ford, in addition, would not discuss any changes made to the F-150. The Bush Administration has called the bill onerous and some Republicans tried to strike language on the advertising ban. Critics say aggressive consumer advertising boosts overuse of new drugs. Jack Hoadley, a professor at Georgetown University's health policy institute said health plans have vested interest in such reforms because they could trim drug costs, but their support adds clout to the idea. "It's the natural rivalry of the payers versus the manufacturers, but I think any time a major industry group comes out with a particular statement like this it does have some effect," Hoadley said. "We don't believe the study provides a complete and accurate reflection of relative vehicle safety performance," Ford said in a statement. Ford said the insurance institute did not consider such factors as seat belt use, alcohol consumption and driving experience -- all important factors in auto fatalities cited by federal safety officials. Backed by big insurance companies, the safety group analyzes crash tests and fatality rates to pressure automakers to improve their vehicles. Russ Rader, a spokesman for the insurance institute, noted design changes in sport utility vehicles have made them safer. SUVs have been sharply criticized by safety groups in recent years because of rollover risk. But manufacturers have addressed that issue by making SUVs wider and lower and equipping them with technology to help prevent rollover, especially in single-vehicle crashes. The insurance group's survey included seven SUV models in its list of vehicles with the lowest fatality rates -- fewer than 20 driver deaths per million vehicles. All are made by Japanese or European manufacturers. The Chevrolet Blazer two-door midsized SUV made by General Motors Corp. had the highest fatality rate of any vehicle in the study group -- 232 per million vehicles. More than half were rollovers. The Chevy Astro minivan had the lowest rate of any vehicle with seven deaths. As in previous studies, smaller, faster "sports cars" had high fatality rates while bigger sedans and SUVs generally had lower ones. © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 4. BlackBerry outage blamed on new storage feature Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:08AM EDT NEW YORK (Reuters) - A massive service outage of BlackBerry e-mail devices earlier this week resulted from a new storage feature that was not sufficiently tested, device maker Research In Motion (RIMM.O: )(RIM.TO: ) said. RIM said it was able to rule out concerns that the failure was caused by a security breach into its system or an inability to provide enough capacity to nearly 8 million subscribers, according to a statement issued late on Thursday. RIM also found that the outage was not caused by any flaws in its hardware or its main software infrastructure. The company had introduced new software designed to make the use of temporary storage on the BlackBerry device more efficient. But the procedure caused an unexpected problem that "triggered a compounding series of interaction errors between the system's operational database and cache," the company said. The crash left politicians, lawyers, business executives and other "CrackBerry" addicts without wireless e-mail service on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. RIM also defended the way it had handled the crisis, despite criticism that it was slow to communicate with subscribers about the extent and cause of the outage. "RIM's first priority during any service interruption is always to restore service and then establish, monitor and maintain stability," the company said. "Proper analysis can take several days or longer," it added, "and RIM's commitment is to provide the most accurate and complete information possible in such situations." © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 5. Massachusetts Decision Leaves Open The Possibility Of An Assigned Risk Plan BOSTON, April 20, 2007– The decision by Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Nonnie S. Burnes to refer portions of the assigned risk plan regulations to the Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) for further improvement leaves open the possibility that she will approve an assigned risk plan, according to the American Insurance Assocation (AIA). “The Commissioner’s decision to direct CAR to improve the ‘clean in three’ portion of the assigned risk regulations leaves open the possibility that she will ultimately decide to replace the current inequitable residual market system in Massachusetts with an assigned risk plan,” said John Murphy, AIA vice president, Northeast Region. The decision is available at: http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/doi/Legal_Hearings/C2004-02_041907.pdf Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
Key Benefit Resources: (877) 907-5511, sbell@keybenefitresources.com, www.keybenefitresources.com 6. S&P Insurance Conference To Be Held In New York City On June 4-5 NEW YORK April 19, 2007—Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that "In Pursuit of Sustainable Earnings" is the theme for its 23rd annual insurance conference, which will be held June 4-5 in New York City. CEOs from leading companies such as CNA, Endurance, Fireman's Fund, Gen Re, Harbor Point, The Hartford, MetLife, Munich Re, New York Life, Partner Re, Prudential, Renaissance Re, and Selective Insurance--as well as senior executives from other companies and Standard & Poor's credit analysts--will be addressing the key issues facing the property/casualty, life, and reinsurance industries. "This year's conference will focus on the strategies that companies in all sectors of the insurance industry are employing to sustain their current levels of profitability," said Grace Osborne, practice leader of North American Insurance Ratings at Standard & Poor's. "In light of the fact that the life, property/casualty, and reinsurance sectors face very unique challenges in their markets, separate sessions have been designed to address their specific issues and discuss credit implications. Measurement and management of underwriting and investment risks, portfolio management of natural-peril and man-made catastrophic risks, use of insurance-linked capital market solutions, and Standard & Poor's criteria development are just some of the key issues to be discussed." Among the conference sessions:
Registration information is available at http://www.events.standardandpoors.com/insurance. A full agenda is also available at this site. Members of the media wishing to attend the conference or obtain further information should contact Marc Eiger at (1) 212-438-1280 or mailto:marc_eiger@standardandpoors.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 7. AAIS Adds New Associate Members Wheaton, Illinois, April 18, 2007--Six organizations serving the property/casualty insurance industry have become associate members of the American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS) so far in 2007, the same number as became associate members in all of 2006. AAIS is a national advisory organization that develops policy forms and rating information used by more than 600 property/casualty insurers who are regular member companies of AAIS. In addition, reinsurers, software vendors, and other service providers who support AAIS member companies can have access to AAIS information resources and marketing opportunities by becoming associate members. In all, there are 26 AAIS associate members. According to Rick Maka, AAIS director of marketing, "our associate members tell us that direct access to AAIS materials, which provides timely and complete information on program changes, allows them to serve their clients better." The organizations that have become associate members in 2007 are:
The organizations that became associate members in 2006 include:
For a complete list of associate members and the benefits of associate membership in AAIS, go to www.AAISonline.com or contact Maka at rickm@AAISonline.com, or by calling 800/564-AAIS. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 8. AFSCME and Retirees Sue County Over Premium Increases DETROIT, April 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On April 18, 2007 the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO along with three retirees filed a class action suit against Wayne County and the Retirement Board to challenge unilateral premium increases for retiree life insurance. The case is assigned to Judge Prentice Edwards who ordered the County and the Retirement Board to show cause in his courtroom on Friday, May 4, 2007 why an injunction should not issue. AFSCME's retirees have been paying level premiums for retiree insurance for about 40 years. Then, without prior notice, the premiums became age related. The effect of this change was to require the oldest retirees to pay the highest premium. http://www.miafscme.org/Releases.htm Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 9. JHA Announces 2006 U.S. Individual Disability Income Market Survey Results PORTLAND, Maine, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- JHA has released the results of its 2006 U.S. Individual DI Market Survey. This industry survey captures Non- Cancelable (Non-Can), Guaranteed Renewable (GR), and Buy-Sell sales and inforce premium results for approximately 90% of the U.S. individual disability insurance market. Sixteen individual disability carriers participated in the 2006 survey. U.S. individual disability inforce premium (Non-Can, GR, and Buy-Sell) grew approximately 4% in 2006, reaching over $4.1 billion. Participating companies reported a 3.6% increase in Non-Can inforce premium, and a 4.5%increase in GR inforce premium. According to the survey, the number of existing policies remained flat; Non-Can inforce policies increased just 0.4%, while GR decreased 0.4%. Benefit amounts for Non-Can increased 4.2% compared to 2005, while GR benefit amounts increased 3.9%. Survey results also indicate that 2006 U.S. individual disability sales (Non-Can, GR, and Buy-Sell) increased approximately 1%, reaching over $321 million. Non-Can sales were fairly flat, increasing 0.6%, while GR sales increased 2.4%. The U.S. individual disability business continues to be dominated by Disability Income versus Overhead Expense types of policies. For Non-Can, Disability Income accounted for 95% of new sales while Overhead Expense accounted for 5%. For GR, Disability Income accounted for approximately 98% of 2006 new sales premium while Overhead Expense only accounted for 2%. "While overall new sales were up slightly for the industry, the total number of new policies issued declined for the second straight year", said Drew King, President of JHA. "Sales growth is being driven by increasing benefit amounts, especially among medical occupations." The JHA 2006 U.S. Individual Disability Income Market Survey features both sales and inforce premium information. Participating companies receive the comprehensive report. To obtain a summary of the survey results, visit JHA's website at http://www.jhaweb.com. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 10. Members Vote to Merge Delaware Agents' Associations Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers now official, Chairs named DOVER, DE – At a meeting held Wednesday at Dover Downs, the memberships of the Insurance Agents & Brokers of Delaware (IA&B of DE) and the Independent Insurance Agents of Delaware, Inc. (IIAD) voted to merge their organizations. "Members from both associations clearly told us that they wanted one unified organization to represent their interests in Delaware, and I am pleased that the boards of directors were able to work together so efficiently to make this merger a reality," said Chairman of IA&B of Delaware Kevin Nemith. The new organization, to be named the Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers, will become active as of May 1 and will maintain affiliations with both the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) and the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA National). www.iabgroup.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
11. The Institutes Launch First in Series of Ethics Education Podcasts for Ethics Awareness Month Malvern, Pa.—The American Institute for CPCU and Insurance Institute of America (the Institutes) recently launched a series of professional education programs in the form of audio "podcasts," or Internet-distributed audio programs. The release coincided with the property-casualty insurance industry’s Ethics Awareness Month, which is observed each March. The inaugural series of Institute podcasts focuses on discussions of professional ethical dilemmas that members of the insurance and risk management industry could face in the course of doing business. Listeners will hear a scenario and then listen to the panelists discuss the ethical implications. The first program, which is available on the Institutes’ Web site, is: School’s Out One good turn deserves another—unless the well-intentioned actions of others make it look like you’ve done something wrong and place you in an ethical dilemma. Pamela, a talented insurance producer, helped a customer. But the customer’s gratitude puts Pamela in an awkward situation. The second ethics podcast (to be released in May 2007) is: Ignorance is Bliss Sometimes, it’s better to be in the dark. However, you may learn something that can put you in an ethical dilemma. Phil, an agent trainee, learns something about a client in confidence. But what he knows could impact his agency’s business. The panelists for both ethics podcasts are Chris Amrhein, AAI, Amrhein & Associates; and Mary Ann Cook, CPCU, AU, AAI and Donna Popow, JD, CPCU, AIC, the Institutes. “The Institutes are committed to finding innovative ways to deliver knowledge to risk management and insurance professionals,” said Peter L. Miller, CPCU, President and CEO of the Institutes. “Podcasting is especially effective for distributing the Institutes’ unique professional education and insights, because many of our students and customers—and other industry participants—are busy professionals who need practical information from us in a portable format.” Miller went on to say, “It is our hope that these ethics podcasts inspire thought and discussion. To facilitate discussion, we set up forums on our Web site where podcast listeners can share their thoughts and opinions with other listeners around the country and around the world.” The programs are available for downloading and listening on computers or digital audio players at no charge at the Institutes’ Web site (www.aicpcu.org). Visitors to the Institutes’ Web site can also “subscribe” to podcast feeds so that they receive future podcasts automatically; they can also access the podcast discussion forums. Visitors need to click the link under Log On. Learn. on the Institutes’ home page. (Podcast “subscriptions” and forum access are free). The programs are also available at no charge to subscribers through the Apple iTunes Music store (www.itunes.com). In addition to the two ethics podcasts, the Institutes will release programs on other topics later in the year. Subscribers will learn about new releases automatically. Podcasts are digital audio or video recordings distributed using Internet technology. Visitors to an organization’s Web site can download podcast programs for review on their desktop computers, or synchronize them with a portable digital media device. Software programs called “feed readers” or “podcatchers” allow users to “subscribe” to podcasts at no cost and receive new programs in a podcast series automatically. About the Institutes: The Institutes (the American Institute for CPCU and its companion organization, the Insurance Institute of America), are independent, nonprofit organizations offering educational programs, professional certification, and research to people who practice or have an interest in risk management and/or property-casualty insurance. The Institutes offer the CPCU professional designation program; associate designation programs in areas such as claims, risk management, underwriting, and reinsurance; introductory and foundation programs, and online courses. More information is available at www.aicpcu.org. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 12. Alliance Mutual Announces Agreement With United Heritage (Greensboro, North Carolina) April 19, 2007-- Alliance Mutual Insurance Company, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, and United Heritage Financial Group, Inc., based in Meridian, Idaho, announced today they have reached a preliminary agreement under which Alliance will be acquired by United Heritage. Alliance, founded in 1976, is a provider of property and casualty insurance throughout North Carolina through a network of independent agents. United Heritage is a financial holding company that owns the stock of three insurance companies: United Heritage Life Insurance Company, United Heritage Property & Casualty Company, and Sublimity Insurance Company. United Heritage Life was founded in 1934, offers life insurance, fixed annuities and group insurance products in 32 states, and is based in Meridian, Idaho. United Heritage Property & Casualty was founded in 1908, offers property and casualty insurance in five western states, and is based in Meridian, Idaho. Sublimity Insurance Company was founded in 1896, offers property and casualty insurance in four western states, and is based in Sublimity, Oregon. The transaction, which will include Alliance’s conversion from a mutual association to a stock company, is subject to regulatory approval and the approval of Alliance’s members. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. http://AllianceMutual.com http://www.UnitedHeritage.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 13. Bank-sold Life Insurance Premium Falls for Second Straight Year: Kehrer-LIMRA WINDSOR, Conn., April 19, 2007 – Pulled down by a steady decline in single-premium sales, individual life insurance premiums sold through banks in 2006 fell for the second year in a row, according to the latest survey from Kehrer-LIMRA. The survey found that premiums have fallen from a high of nearly $1.3 billion in 2004 to $1.06 billion for 2006. “Competition with rates on certificates of deposit has impacted bank single-premium sales,” said Kenneth Kehrer, director of the survey. “The industry sold 11 percent less single premium in 2006 than it had in 2005, which itself saw a 12 percent decline from 2004. In addition, 2006 first-year premiums were only even with 2005. In the end, total bank life sales dropped nine percent in 2006.” According to Ashley Durham, the analyst who authored the report, only six carriers brought in more first-year bank premiums in 2006 than in the previous year. While the majority of the declines were quite large, so were the increases. All in all, first-year premiums were even with 2005 and represented 16 percent of total bank sales in 2006. In addition, bank market share of the life industry declined as a percentage of annualized new premium, both on an overall and a at the product basis level. The full year-end Kehrer-LIMRA life report, based on the quarterly Kehrer-LIMRA quarterly survey of insurers, is available for purchase from Kehrer-LIMRA. More information is available by visiting www.limra.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 14. News From RMS Regarding Catastrophe Bonds Risk Management Solutions, the leading catastrophe risk management firm, today announced that it anticipates there will be increases in its Industry Exposure Database which may impact the measured risk for catastrophe bonds that rely on industry loss estimates (such as the PCS index). While RMS has not yet finalized its estimation of the magnitude of the change, it has signaled that it expects Florida residential to exhibit the most significant increase in risk. This view is driven primarily by increases in the RS Means Construction Cost Index of approximately 15% over the past several years, plus a smaller increase reflecting recent growth rates in exposures reported for the admitted Florida residential market. RMS intends to release its estimates of the magnitude of the increase in risk during the week of April 30th. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 15. Latest Scruggs Katrina Group TV Ad The information below was taken from the Scruggs Katrina Group website on Thursday, 04/12/07. The Scruggs Katrina Group has released a television advertisement urging people to reject the proposed settlement process agreement between Insurance Commissioner Dale and State Farm. The 30-second spot, which is running on WLOX, can be viewed here: http://www.scruggskatrinagroup.com It features a personal account by Dr. Wesley McFarland, whose home was reduced to a slab and who entered into mediation with State Farm in 2006 in an attempt to get his claim paid. "It was humiliation, not mediation," Dr. McFarland said. The ad states, "Don't give in to mediation... Don't give in to big insurance." Based on his own experience, Dr. McFarland urges anyone considering the settlement process being promoted by State Farm to talk with a lawyer first. About the Scruggs Katrina Group The Scruggs Katrina Group is a legal team consisting of Mississippi attorneys from the following firms: Don Barrett and Marshall Smith of the Barrett Law Office; Johnny Jones, Steve Funderburg, and Stewart Lee of Jones, Funderburg, Peterson, Sessums, and Lee; Dewitt Lovelace of the Lovelace Law Firm; David Nutt, Meg McAllister, and Derek Wyatt of Nutt & McAllister, PLLC, and Richard Scruggs, Sid Backstrom, and Zach Scruggs of the Scruggs Law Firm. For more information go to http://www.scruggskatrinagroup.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
17. Nuveen Investments to Expand Equity Capabilities With Acquisition of HydePark Investment Strategies CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuveen Investments, a leading provider of diversified investment services to institutional and high-net-worth investors, today announced an agreement to acquire HydePark Investment Strategies, a highly regarded specialist in enhanced equity investment management. The acquisition, which also includes Richards & Tierney, Inc., a firm that provides specialized risk control and portfolio advisory services to institutional investors, extends Nuveen’s equity-based capabilities and offerings, especially for the firm’s fast-growing institutional business. www.nuveen.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 18. Unveiling the Road Map for How Employers Can Better Maximize Health and Benefits Design for Healthier Returns The 'How-To' Book Based on the Pitney Bowes Experience WASHINGTON, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of the popular monograph, Total Value/Total Return(TM): Seven Rules for Optimizing Employee Health Benefits for a Healthier and More Productive Workforce, the architects of Pitney Bowes' innovative, data-driven approach to health benefits are publishing a sequel. Jack Mahoney, MD, Corporate Medical Director and Global Health Care Management Director at Pitney Bowes Inc., and David Hom, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, have taken the seven rules and laid out a road map of seven steps for businesses to follow as they revamp their approach to employee health and health benefits design. BeneFIT Design(TM): Seven Steps to Value-Based Health Benefit Decisions will be released at a press conference at noon on Monday, April 23, in the Holeman Lounge at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. Michael Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes, will introduce the book, along with Mark McClellan, MD, Senior Fellow at the AEI-Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies, former Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Total Value/Total Return was published a year ago to instigate a national dialogue on how organizations should rethink their approach to health and health benefits. The book advocates shedding the view that benefits are a cost to be cut, managed or contained, and instead encourages adopting the approach that good health is an investment that should result in competitive advantage. The response and requests for the books were overwhelming and led to three print runs with 30,000 copies printed for distribution to businesses, municipalities, universities, benefits advisors and Fortune 500 CEOs. Mailstream technology provider Pitney Bowes has been widely recognized for its innovative, data-driven approach to providing healthcare benefits to its employees. Bucking most cost-shifting trends, Pitney Bowes actually figured out how to save money by making strategic investments in health for items such as preventive care, and by absorbing a larger share of the cost for prescription medications for chronic health conditions. Critelli, Mahoney and Hom will unveil the book and answer questions about the Pitney Bowes story and how to leverage the company's success into a model for other organizations. Joining Critelli and Mahoney on the podium will be Nancy Kuhn, Vice President, National Accounts, Managed Markets Division, and Fran Molettieri, Account Vice President, Managed Markets, both of GlaxoSmithKline. Funded by GlaxoSmithKline, BeneFIT Design(TM): Seven Steps to Value-Based Health Benefit Decisions will also be distributed to executives attending the World Health Care Congress 2007 in Washington, DC. www.pb.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 19. ACE USA Announces Formation of the Mergers & Acquisitions Industry Practice; Seth Gillston Appointed to Lead Practice PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, today announced the creation of the ACE USA Mergers & Acquisitions Industry Practice, which will concentrate on both private equity groups and strategic mergers & acquisitions. This specialized practice will enhance ACE’s focus on providing comprehensive risk management solutions and insurance coverage to buyers and sellers of organizations as they navigate the merger & acquisition transaction process. In addition, Seth Gillston has been named to lead this new practice and a team of product and service experts. www.ace-ina.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 20. INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Pictures Of The Day" -- Sponsored By:
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21. Fireman's Fund Insurance Company Expands Wildfire Protection Services Throughout California FireProtec's off-duty firefighters will create defensible space for policyholders To help protect their policyholders in California from the growing threat of wildfire, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company today announced that they have expanded their territory and offerings with FireProtec, a full service vegetation cutting crew staffed by off-duty firefighters. Through the alliance, Fireman’s Fund® is able to offer all California policyholders expert advice on wildfire mitigation techniques and clearing services at a discounted rate. FireProtec is committed to the preservation of life and property and to assisting homeowners in reducing the threat of wildfire. By clearing a defensible space around a home, the homeowner will have a firebreak that will slow down a fast moving wildfire. This proven approach decreases the available fuel that a wildfire requires in order to spread, and will help protect the home. www.firemansfund.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 22. Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Families Welcome New Resource Highmark Caring Foundation's Caring Program introduces new Web site PITTSBURGH, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Highmark Caring Foundation's Caring Program: Care Coordination for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Families has launched a new Web site that will help children and families find resources and support. The new Web site is available at http://www.caringprogram.com. The new site features a simple, user-friendly design that will help families of children with chronic conditions and/or special health care needs find medical, educational and community-based resources that will assist them in navigating the maze of available services. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 23. Grange Insurance to Take Advantage of New Ohio Law - Change could result in savings up to $200 COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to recent changes in Ohio's Graduated Driver License law, Grange Insurance today announced a rate reduction for 16-year-old drivers. The reduction will be made available to new policyholders beginning June 1, 2007. The new rate reduction lowers the rates for 16-year-olds to match the rates applied to 17-year-olds. The biggest reduction of close to five percent will be noticed for single male principal operators. The rate change could save these drivers up to $200 per year. Ohio House Bill 343, which took effect April 6, places stricter limits on the number of passengers teens can transport and the hours during which they can drive. -- Probationary driver license holders under the age of 17 will not be permitted to operate a motor vehicle with more than one person who is not a family member in the vehicle unless accompanied by the license holder's parent, guardian or legal custodian. -- Probationary license holders under the age of 17 and permit holders under the age of 18 are prohibited from driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. -- If a probationary driver license holder under the age of 17 is convicted of having committed one moving violation during the first six months of having a driver license, the person must be accompanied by a parent or guardian whenever operating a motor vehicle during the six-month period commencing on the date on which the person is convicted of or pleads guilty to the moving violation, or until the person attains the age of 17. www.grangeinsurance.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 24. Changing California Healthcare Market Warrants Insurance Review Warns David Lindsey Agency SAN DIEGO, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- California's Healthcare market is once again undergoing changes, with consequences for caregivers, healthcare facilities, patients and the insurance industry that pays many of the bills. The shift is away from HMO's (Health Maintenance Organizations) and towards PPO's (Preferred provider organization), according to a new report by the California Healthcare Foundation, a shift that may leave some with inadequate insurance coverage. http://davidlindseyinsurance.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 25. ATD ServiceBAY Expands to Include Training, Insurance, and Enhanced ATD Online Benefits for Dealers ATD launches 'ResourceBAY driven by CARQUEST' HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- American Tire Distributors (ATD) today announced a major expansion of its ATD ServiceBAY benefits package with the launch of ResourceBAY. ResourceBAY is a multi-faceted program that will provide ATD dealers with online training, access to comprehensive insurance coverage, rebates on CARQUEST product purchases, and a valuable enhancement to the ATDOnline Rewards loyalty program. www.CARQUEST.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 26. AIA Commends Oklahoma Legislature For Passage Of Comprehensive Tort Reform Package AIA Urges Governor to Sign Tort Reform Legislation OKLAHOMA CITY, April 19, 2007 – The Oklahoma Legislature passed a landmark tort reform package (S.B. 507) today that will reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits and therefore encourage economic development in the state, said the American Insurance Association (AIA). The bill now heads to Gov. Brad Henry (D) for signature. “The Oklahoma Legislature is to be commended for seeing through the politics and passing a comprehensive tort reform package that benefits all citizens of Oklahoma,” said John Marlow, AIA assistant vice president, Southwest Region. “These significant reforms will help restore balance and fairness to the civil justice system in Oklahoma and attract new business and jobs to the state. We encourage Governor Henry to do the right thing for Oklahoma and sign this bill.” www.aiadc.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 27. Trusted Choice® Commercial Wins Aurora Award “Life Changes” spot recognized by international film competition WASHINGTON, D.C., April 19, 2007—The Trusted Choice® branding message is getting noticed---this time by a panel of film professionals. The latest Trusted Choice® commercial, “Life Changes,” has won an Aurora Award for excellence, taking home the 2007 Gold Award in the insurance category. “We’re pleased that Trusted Choice® marketing efforts are being recognized with this honor,” says Trusted Choice® Executive Director Dave Evans. “The ‘Life Changes’ spot focuses on the value that Trusted Choice® agents bring to their customers through life’s many stages---and we’re glad that message is resonating with consumers as well as film professionals.” www.independentagent.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
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