Which auto insurance companies stand out in the eyes of their customers?
J.D. Power and Associates asked more than 14,000 policy holders late this past spring that exact question.
Of the top of the heap in the customer satisfaction survey is Amica Mutual, Erie, State Farm, Geico and American Family.
USAA actually outranked every other company, but USAA coverage is only available to people with ties to the military.
The lowest ranked insurance companies are AIG, GMAC, Mercury, Allied, Progressive and Farmers.
J.D. Power and Associates said what made customers most satisfied with an insurance company was to have to contact the insurer just once to resolve an issue. The more contacts, the less satisfaction. The same was true when waiting for an issue to be resolved.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Progressive offers text message reminders
Progressive Direct Insurance is offering its customers a text message service that will provide up-to date information about their auto insurance policies.
Customers can opt-in to receive Progressive Direct Mobile Alerts, including payment reminders, sent in advance of billing dates; payment confirmations, sent once payment has been received; and other payment information.
"A Mobile Alert sent directly to a cell phone makes it easy to know when a payment is due and when it has been made. The beauty of it is the customer gets the information instantly - without having to be connected to email," said Toby Alfred, Progressive Direct customer experience general manager.
Customers can opt-in to receive Progressive Direct Mobile Alerts, including payment reminders, sent in advance of billing dates; payment confirmations, sent once payment has been received; and other payment information.
"A Mobile Alert sent directly to a cell phone makes it easy to know when a payment is due and when it has been made. The beauty of it is the customer gets the information instantly - without having to be connected to email," said Toby Alfred, Progressive Direct customer experience general manager.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Insurance Report
By JoNel Aleccia
Staff writer
If Spokane had the highest health insurance premiums in the nation, it wouldn't surprise Penny Arter.
Even though she's a working registered nurse, Arter has no health coverage for herself, her husband or their 5-year-old son, Logan. At $600 a month, the premiums just cost too much, the Spokane woman said.
As it turns out, though, Spokane's rates might be high, but they're not nearly as high as they seemed in a survey that generated national buzz. Abridged results of the annual survey by eHealthInsurance of 5,000 plans from 140 providers in 100 U.S. cities were printed Sunday in the Parade magazine newspaper insert.
In the report, Spokane was tapped as the nation's least affordable city for health insurance premiums, with a cost of $962 a month. It ranked far behind the leader, Grand Rapids, Mich., with a $159.06 a month premium, and behind number 34, Jacksonville, Fla., with a premium of $286.55. Spokane even fell behind Seattle, where the rate was logged at $617 a month.
But, using the survey's own methods and parameters, a quick scan of the eHealthInsurance Web site Monday showed the lowest premium available in Spokane was $304 a month. In Grand Rapids it was $217.96 a month and in Jacksonville, it was $402.20 a month.
One reason that Spokane and Seattle have higher premiums is that Washington is a state with community rating regulations that prohibit discrimination against insurance clients based on health status, health history or health risk.
In such states, the rates for younger people might be higher than in non-community-rated states, but the rates for older people would be lower.
Staff writer
If Spokane had the highest health insurance premiums in the nation, it wouldn't surprise Penny Arter.
Even though she's a working registered nurse, Arter has no health coverage for herself, her husband or their 5-year-old son, Logan. At $600 a month, the premiums just cost too much, the Spokane woman said.
As it turns out, though, Spokane's rates might be high, but they're not nearly as high as they seemed in a survey that generated national buzz. Abridged results of the annual survey by eHealthInsurance of 5,000 plans from 140 providers in 100 U.S. cities were printed Sunday in the Parade magazine newspaper insert.
In the report, Spokane was tapped as the nation's least affordable city for health insurance premiums, with a cost of $962 a month. It ranked far behind the leader, Grand Rapids, Mich., with a $159.06 a month premium, and behind number 34, Jacksonville, Fla., with a premium of $286.55. Spokane even fell behind Seattle, where the rate was logged at $617 a month.
But, using the survey's own methods and parameters, a quick scan of the eHealthInsurance Web site Monday showed the lowest premium available in Spokane was $304 a month. In Grand Rapids it was $217.96 a month and in Jacksonville, it was $402.20 a month.
One reason that Spokane and Seattle have higher premiums is that Washington is a state with community rating regulations that prohibit discrimination against insurance clients based on health status, health history or health risk.
In such states, the rates for younger people might be higher than in non-community-rated states, but the rates for older people would be lower.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Health Insurance Changes
Get ready for the world of consumer-directed health care, where you'll pay $1,050 to $5,450 out of pocket before the insurance company pays anything.
Many companies now offer high-deductible plans paired with health savings accounts -- HSAs -- as an option to their workers.
With traditional insurance plans, employers are basically giving employees credit cards and paying the bill for them at the end of the month, said Kate Kohn-Parrott, director of integrated health care and disability for the Chrysler Group.
With HSA-linked plans, workers are responsible for the first several thousand dollars of expenses, which makes monthly premiums much lower than with traditional plans, in which insurance companies pay a share of every doctor's office visit or trip to the emergency room.
The result is that employees will foot more of their own health-care tab and are responsible for saving to be able to do that.
Critics say the plans are just another tax-sheltering tool for the healthy and wealthy and are worried it will result in those who aren't wealthy putting off preventive care and ending up in dire straits when they haven't saved enough to pay for unexpected medical needs.
Many companies now offer high-deductible plans paired with health savings accounts -- HSAs -- as an option to their workers.
With traditional insurance plans, employers are basically giving employees credit cards and paying the bill for them at the end of the month, said Kate Kohn-Parrott, director of integrated health care and disability for the Chrysler Group.
With HSA-linked plans, workers are responsible for the first several thousand dollars of expenses, which makes monthly premiums much lower than with traditional plans, in which insurance companies pay a share of every doctor's office visit or trip to the emergency room.
The result is that employees will foot more of their own health-care tab and are responsible for saving to be able to do that.
Critics say the plans are just another tax-sheltering tool for the healthy and wealthy and are worried it will result in those who aren't wealthy putting off preventive care and ending up in dire straits when they haven't saved enough to pay for unexpected medical needs.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Health Insurance debit cards
Health insurance subscribers of UnitedHealth Group will soon receive patient ID cards that they can use as debit cards for medical expenses and that doctors can use to access patients' personal health information electronically.
The banking industry has seen health savings accounts as a way to add customers and expand services, arguing that the software currently used to process financial transactions can readily be tuned to handling health care claims. However, UnitedHealth established its own financial services group, Exante, in January 2002.
The new cards, which will carry the MasterCard logo, can be swiped like a credit card at a doctors' office or other certified health provider. But in addition to providing payment, the cards can be used to confirm eligibility for services and provide access to personal health information at the point of care. The cards should be broadly available early in 2007.
The banking industry has seen health savings accounts as a way to add customers and expand services, arguing that the software currently used to process financial transactions can readily be tuned to handling health care claims. However, UnitedHealth established its own financial services group, Exante, in January 2002.
The new cards, which will carry the MasterCard logo, can be swiped like a credit card at a doctors' office or other certified health provider. But in addition to providing payment, the cards can be used to confirm eligibility for services and provide access to personal health information at the point of care. The cards should be broadly available early in 2007.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Wellpoint consumer driven health plans
WellPoint Inc. wants to make consumer-driven plans the next big thing in health insurance.
The Indianapolis based health insurance company on Tuesday announced plans to offer the plans to individuals and businesses of all sizes nationwide.
Consumer-driven health plans are high-deductible plans, with lower monthly premiums than traditional health plans, such as a PPO or an HMO. They are designed to put consumers in charge of more of their own health-care spending, encouraging them to shop around for the best health care based on price and quality. Currently, WellPoint offers the plans only to employees of large national companies.
The Indianapolis based health insurance company on Tuesday announced plans to offer the plans to individuals and businesses of all sizes nationwide.
Consumer-driven health plans are high-deductible plans, with lower monthly premiums than traditional health plans, such as a PPO or an HMO. They are designed to put consumers in charge of more of their own health-care spending, encouraging them to shop around for the best health care based on price and quality. Currently, WellPoint offers the plans only to employees of large national companies.
Anthem BCBS Virginia health plans
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia says it will offer "new, enhanced health plan options for employers and individuals...in Virginia in 2007 subject to regulatory approval."
Monday, August 21, 2006
Insurance energizes candidates
For the three Democratic candidates hoping to become the latest state representative for Hollywood and Pembroke Pines, it's what everyone is talking about....
Whether it's health insurance or insurance for homeowners, cardiovascular surgeon Arthur Palamara, community activist Barry Sacharow and attorney Elaine Schwartz each have stressed how their plans will save taxpayers money.
Sacharow, 51, has drafted a detailed state-subsidized home insurance plan that would be funded by shrinking the pool of items exempt from sales tax. The plan covers residential homes as well as condominiums and commercial buildings.
Sacharow has also suggested opening federally-funded clinics to everyone, which he thinks will lower the cost of Medicaid and decrease the number of expensive visits to the emergency room.
Palamara, 63, who has been vocal in Tallahassee on health insurance issues for the past decade, said he has been meeting with several major health insurance providers to discuss ways to offer healthcare to some of the more than 3.5 million uninsured in Florida.
Schwartz, 63, is looking to small business owners to help improve the health insurance situation in the state. She proposes the state offer incentives to small businesses that provide health insurance to their employees.
Despite being a newcomer, Schwartz thinks her experience in law has groomed her to work with Republicans to back some of her ideas.
Whether it's health insurance or insurance for homeowners, cardiovascular surgeon Arthur Palamara, community activist Barry Sacharow and attorney Elaine Schwartz each have stressed how their plans will save taxpayers money.
Sacharow, 51, has drafted a detailed state-subsidized home insurance plan that would be funded by shrinking the pool of items exempt from sales tax. The plan covers residential homes as well as condominiums and commercial buildings.
Sacharow has also suggested opening federally-funded clinics to everyone, which he thinks will lower the cost of Medicaid and decrease the number of expensive visits to the emergency room.
Palamara, 63, who has been vocal in Tallahassee on health insurance issues for the past decade, said he has been meeting with several major health insurance providers to discuss ways to offer healthcare to some of the more than 3.5 million uninsured in Florida.
Schwartz, 63, is looking to small business owners to help improve the health insurance situation in the state. She proposes the state offer incentives to small businesses that provide health insurance to their employees.
Despite being a newcomer, Schwartz thinks her experience in law has groomed her to work with Republicans to back some of her ideas.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Health Insurance Information Gap
CHICAGO - When Margaret Zilm needed cataract surgery, she wanted to know what it would cost. Her health insurance policy has a $5,000 deductible, and her money was on the line.
But one eye doctor's office told Zilm it had no idea what her health insurance company would pay. The insurer wouldn't give out the information. And an official at Missouri's Department of Insurance said such figures were confidential under medical providers' contracts with insurers.
Zilm's experience pinpoints a growing problem. Health insurers are aggressively marketing medical policies with high deductibles - the amount people pay before coverage kicks in. Many experts contend these products will motivate Americans to shop for medical care, as they do for cars or computers.
But basic data about what services cost generally aren't available. Medical providers and insurers consider this to be highly sensitive, competitive information, and their contracts require that it remain secret.
That leaves consumers with more financial responsibility for their care but without the tools to manage these expenses.
But one eye doctor's office told Zilm it had no idea what her health insurance company would pay. The insurer wouldn't give out the information. And an official at Missouri's Department of Insurance said such figures were confidential under medical providers' contracts with insurers.
Zilm's experience pinpoints a growing problem. Health insurers are aggressively marketing medical policies with high deductibles - the amount people pay before coverage kicks in. Many experts contend these products will motivate Americans to shop for medical care, as they do for cars or computers.
But basic data about what services cost generally aren't available. Medical providers and insurers consider this to be highly sensitive, competitive information, and their contracts require that it remain secret.
That leaves consumers with more financial responsibility for their care but without the tools to manage these expenses.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
California Small Business Health Insurance
California's health insurance purchasing pool, called Pacific Health Advantage or PacAdvantage, on Friday said it will shut down at the end of the year because too many health insurance providers have withdrawn from the program.
The pool, created in 1982, aimed to make a affordable health insurance plans more available for businesses with between two and 50 employees. Blue Shield of California told PacAdvantage officials that it would withdraw from the program on Dec. 31, because of financial losses.
Blue Shield was the eighth insurer to withdraw from the program since it was created.
The pool, created in 1982, aimed to make a affordable health insurance plans more available for businesses with between two and 50 employees. Blue Shield of California told PacAdvantage officials that it would withdraw from the program on Dec. 31, because of financial losses.
Blue Shield was the eighth insurer to withdraw from the program since it was created.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Louisiana Insurance Companies extend deadline
From Louisiana DOI
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon says nearly all of Louisiana's homeowners insurance companies, including State Farm and Allstate, have complied with his order to extend the prescriptive period for policyholders to file a lawsuit as result of a hurricane-related insurance claim.
Among the state's largest homeowners insurers agreeing to an extension of the prescriptive period are:
State Farm: 31.9% Market Share
Allstate: 20.2%
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation: 7.6%
Louisiana Farm Bureau Group: 6.9%
Zurich Group, which includes Farmers Insurance Exchange and Foremost: 4.1%
Liberty Mutual Group: 3.6%
St. Paul Travelers Group: 3.2%
USAA Group: 3.1%
ANPAC: 2.0%
Allmerica Group, which includes Hanover and Massachusetts Bay: 1.9%
AIG Group: 1.6%
Metropolitan Group: 1.5%
Allianz Group, which includes Firemans Fund: 1.4%
Chubb: 1.2%
Unitrin Group: 0.9%
Hartford Group: 0.9%
Horace Mann: 0.9%
Safeco: 0.6%
Assurant Solutions Group, which includes American Bankers of Florida and Voyager: 0.5%
National Security Group: 0.3%
Homesite Group: 0.2%
Insurers had until close of business Aug. 11 to meet the deadline imposed by Commissioner Donelon to file a stipulation with the Department of Insurance agreeing to extend the lawsuit period.
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon says nearly all of Louisiana's homeowners insurance companies, including State Farm and Allstate, have complied with his order to extend the prescriptive period for policyholders to file a lawsuit as result of a hurricane-related insurance claim.
Among the state's largest homeowners insurers agreeing to an extension of the prescriptive period are:
State Farm: 31.9% Market Share
Allstate: 20.2%
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation: 7.6%
Louisiana Farm Bureau Group: 6.9%
Zurich Group, which includes Farmers Insurance Exchange and Foremost: 4.1%
Liberty Mutual Group: 3.6%
St. Paul Travelers Group: 3.2%
USAA Group: 3.1%
ANPAC: 2.0%
Allmerica Group, which includes Hanover and Massachusetts Bay: 1.9%
AIG Group: 1.6%
Metropolitan Group: 1.5%
Allianz Group, which includes Firemans Fund: 1.4%
Chubb: 1.2%
Unitrin Group: 0.9%
Hartford Group: 0.9%
Horace Mann: 0.9%
Safeco: 0.6%
Assurant Solutions Group, which includes American Bankers of Florida and Voyager: 0.5%
National Security Group: 0.3%
Homesite Group: 0.2%
Insurers had until close of business Aug. 11 to meet the deadline imposed by Commissioner Donelon to file a stipulation with the Department of Insurance agreeing to extend the lawsuit period.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Health Insurance stirs debate
By NATALIE LOMBARDO
Of The Oakland Press
Now that her son is 2 months old, Christine's Medicaid will be terminated.
As a full-time diagnostic ultrasound student, 36-year-old Christine - who wants to keep her last name anonymous - doesn't desire more children. However, the potential for a surprise pregnancy is a reality for her, as doctor visits and birth control will put a dent in her budget.
But she could be helped by a program that aims to prevent unwanted pregnancies by providing reproductive health care such as contraception to more low-income women in Michigan.
Plan First!, rolled out by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in early July, provides Medicaid to a wider pool of people - up to 200,000 more women - who would not otherwise have medical coverage.
But some say Plan First! is simply a Band-Aid for a moral problem.
Plan First! does not include abortion and fertility treatments.
A survey of maternal experiences and behavior before and during a woman's pregnancy by the Michigan Department of Community Health showed that in 2001, about 41 percent of all pregnancies were unintended.
Plan First! family planning resources include: annual physical examinations, followup visits, contraceptives, supplies and devices for preventing pregnancies, lab testing, counseling and education, treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases as well as male and female sterilization.
The services are available to women ages 19-44 - who are at or below 185 percent poverty level - meaning a single individual who makes $17,700 or less per year or a family of four that brings in $38,700 or less.
Plan First! would reduce unemployment because mothers wouldn't have to quit working to raise children and collect welfare, Bucholz and Reese said.
Women can enroll in the program by phone or online and a packet is sent via mail with information on where to obtain services in the respective area.
Of The Oakland Press
Now that her son is 2 months old, Christine's Medicaid will be terminated.
As a full-time diagnostic ultrasound student, 36-year-old Christine - who wants to keep her last name anonymous - doesn't desire more children. However, the potential for a surprise pregnancy is a reality for her, as doctor visits and birth control will put a dent in her budget.
But she could be helped by a program that aims to prevent unwanted pregnancies by providing reproductive health care such as contraception to more low-income women in Michigan.
Plan First!, rolled out by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in early July, provides Medicaid to a wider pool of people - up to 200,000 more women - who would not otherwise have medical coverage.
But some say Plan First! is simply a Band-Aid for a moral problem.
Plan First! does not include abortion and fertility treatments.
A survey of maternal experiences and behavior before and during a woman's pregnancy by the Michigan Department of Community Health showed that in 2001, about 41 percent of all pregnancies were unintended.
Plan First! family planning resources include: annual physical examinations, followup visits, contraceptives, supplies and devices for preventing pregnancies, lab testing, counseling and education, treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases as well as male and female sterilization.
The services are available to women ages 19-44 - who are at or below 185 percent poverty level - meaning a single individual who makes $17,700 or less per year or a family of four that brings in $38,700 or less.
Plan First! would reduce unemployment because mothers wouldn't have to quit working to raise children and collect welfare, Bucholz and Reese said.
Women can enroll in the program by phone or online and a packet is sent via mail with information on where to obtain services in the respective area.
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Doctors to accept more health insurance plans
Local residents will have more access to their community physicians and to those in Marin County and Sonoma Valley after more than 60 Petaluma doctors from the South Sonoma County Medical Group were added to the Marin Individual Physicians Association on Thursday.
Currently, most insurance companies contract with only a few Petaluma specialists and primary-care providers, some of whom don’t currently accept new patients, so residents don’t have many local choices. So, many Petaluma residents who commute south to their jobs do the same for medical care, but the expansion of the Marin IPA into Petaluma will give them the option of seeing more Petaluma physicians.
Currently, most insurance companies contract with only a few Petaluma specialists and primary-care providers, some of whom don’t currently accept new patients, so residents don’t have many local choices. So, many Petaluma residents who commute south to their jobs do the same for medical care, but the expansion of the Marin IPA into Petaluma will give them the option of seeing more Petaluma physicians.
Friday, August 4, 2006
Plan to expand Health Insurance
AP
TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey will consider adopting a program that "approaches universal health care" as it seeks to provide health insurance to small businesses and uninsured residents, the governor said Thursday.
Gov. Jon S. Corzine said he plans in September to unveil a health insurance reform plan that would coincide with state efforts to study hospitals and health clinics.
While running for governor last year, Corzine proposed insuring 766,000 of the state's 1.2 million uninsured residents through a variety of reforms. Corzine said he could accomplish this by spending just $15 million more in state money.
TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey will consider adopting a program that "approaches universal health care" as it seeks to provide health insurance to small businesses and uninsured residents, the governor said Thursday.
Gov. Jon S. Corzine said he plans in September to unveil a health insurance reform plan that would coincide with state efforts to study hospitals and health clinics.
While running for governor last year, Corzine proposed insuring 766,000 of the state's 1.2 million uninsured residents through a variety of reforms. Corzine said he could accomplish this by spending just $15 million more in state money.
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Purchase Long Term Care if you can
Governor Gregoire recently launched "The Need for LTC (Long Term Care)" awareness program in connection with the U.S. Department of Health's campaign. Its purpose is to increase consumer awareness about the need to plan for future LTC costs. For years, financial planners have urged clients to consider LTC insurance as part of their financial planning.
The Olympian - Click Here
The odds of needing LTC increase as you grow older and the cost of securing care continues to escalate. When you need LTC, will you be able to meet the expense?
If you can't pay and Medicaid pays, the state will put a lien on any property you own. Liens are a tool used by the state after your death to recover the Medicaid spent on your care.
The Olympian - Click Here
The odds of needing LTC increase as you grow older and the cost of securing care continues to escalate. When you need LTC, will you be able to meet the expense?
If you can't pay and Medicaid pays, the state will put a lien on any property you own. Liens are a tool used by the state after your death to recover the Medicaid spent on your care.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Car Insurance Company takes new approach
By GETAHN WARD
Staff Writer
Direct General Corp., a Nashville car insurance company that started 15 years ago with a strategy of cutting out the middleman, said Tuesday it will start using independent agents in some rural areas where it doesn't have offices to boost sales.
The move marks a departure of sorts for a company that prided itself on cutting out independent agents and dealing directly with consumers. The company has 500 sales offices, mostly in the Southeast. Independent agents who sell more than one company's policies have accounted for no more than 2 percent of its sales, but that could grow under the new model.
Direct also has started selling more over the telephone and on the Internet.
Staff Writer
Direct General Corp., a Nashville car insurance company that started 15 years ago with a strategy of cutting out the middleman, said Tuesday it will start using independent agents in some rural areas where it doesn't have offices to boost sales.
The move marks a departure of sorts for a company that prided itself on cutting out independent agents and dealing directly with consumers. The company has 500 sales offices, mostly in the Southeast. Independent agents who sell more than one company's policies have accounted for no more than 2 percent of its sales, but that could grow under the new model.
Direct also has started selling more over the telephone and on the Internet.
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Health Insurance tough for minorities
TUESDAY, Aug. 1
From HealthDay News
Hispanic and black adults are up to three times more likely to lack health insurance than their white counterparts.
Minority groups are also more likely to lack access to health care, forego needed care, and struggle with withering medical debt.
Based on telephone interviews with more than 3,000 adults throughout the United States, the researchers found that almost two-thirds (62 percent) of Hispanic adults aged 19 to 64 were uninsured at some point during the past year, a rate more than triple that of working-age white adults (20 percent).
The study also found that one-third of black adults were also uninsured or experienced a gap in coverage during the year.
From HealthDay News
Hispanic and black adults are up to three times more likely to lack health insurance than their white counterparts.
Minority groups are also more likely to lack access to health care, forego needed care, and struggle with withering medical debt.
Based on telephone interviews with more than 3,000 adults throughout the United States, the researchers found that almost two-thirds (62 percent) of Hispanic adults aged 19 to 64 were uninsured at some point during the past year, a rate more than triple that of working-age white adults (20 percent).
The study also found that one-third of black adults were also uninsured or experienced a gap in coverage during the year.
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