| Hughes council votes on city emplyee health insurance; adopts tax ...
Hughes city employees will continue to be covered by Aetna health insurance following a unanimous city council vote this week. Linda Lindsay, of Linda Lindsay Insurance, presented the council with new figures from Aetna that showed a slight increase in rates. Basically, what youve got right now is a $500 deductible. After that, Aetna pays 80 percent and the employee pays 20 percent of the cost, said Lindsay. They have been a good company for you. Youve had them for five years, and this is the first increase theyve had in that time. If you choose to renew the plan, it is basically what you have now, but it is a PPO instead of an HMO. The figures provided by Lindsay showed that the old rate per employee was $367.50 per month and the new rate would be $395.30 per month, an increase of $27.80 per employee.
Health Benefits Direct Announces Addition of Aetna Coverage to ...
RADNOR, PA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- March 12, 2007 -- Health Benefits Direct Corporation (OTCBB: HBDT), a leading innovator in the direct marketing and distribution of a wide range of health and life insurance products to individuals, today announced that Aetna has joined Health Benefits Direct's online insurance portal as an official health insurance carrier partner. The addition of this leading provider expands the company's consumer selection to include coverage availability from four of the largest major medical insurance carriers in the nation. "Selective carrier mix expansion is a key component of our organic growth plan, and this addition marks a significant achievement in the ongoing development of our interactive online insurance agency," said Alvin H. Clemens, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Health Benefits Direct.
Sentenced for Health Insurance Claims Fraud
TRENTON: (Thur. 4.5) Joseph Venziano, 66, of Wildwood was sentenced today for health insurance claims fraud, according to state Attorney General Stuart Rabner. In a joint release from Rabner and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw, it was announced that Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Venziano was sentenced to five years probation by Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten in Court House. He was also ordered to pay $9,393 in restitution to Aetna Life Insurance Company. Venziano was sentenced pursuant to his guilty plea to third-degree theft by deception, a charged contained in a Cape May County grand jury indictment returned in November 2006. At his guilty plea hearing on Feb. 1 before Batten, Venziano admitted that, between Oct. 19, 2002 and Dec.
Wildwood man gets probation in insurance fraud
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Wildwood resident Joseph Venziano was sentenced Thursday to five years' probation for insurance fraud. Venziano, 66, was indicted in November and pleaded guilty to theft by deception, a third-degree crime, in February. He previously admitted that between Oct. 18, 2002, and Dec. 30, 2003, he falsely represented that he remained married to his former wife so she would be eligible for spousal health insurance benefits. According to the state Attorney General's office, which prosecuted the case, health insurance benefits were provided through Venziano's employer by the Aetna Life Insurance Company, and the policy provided that those benefits would end if the marriage ended. Venziano was divorced in 1998, but Aetna paid $9,393 to various health care providers for services rendered to the former wife between 2002 and 2003.
Uninsured having to make tough choices
With just one income, the Wood family has enough money to buy medical insurance for either Jami Wood or her 8-month-old son, Evan. Wood and husband Christopher, who has government insurance as a veteran, said it wasn't hard to choose. Evan would get the insurance. "The baby had to have insurance," said the 27-year-old mother who quit working after their son was born. Through www.ehealthinsurance.com, the family bought a policy for $76 a month from Aetna. (It has since increased to $92 a month.) It has a $2,000 deductible and $25 co-pay but covers Evan's routine checkups and immunizations. "They wanted almost $200 more a month for me, and we couldn't afford that with an $1,100 house note," she said. Jami Wood is typical of a large chunk of the 44.8 million people who have no medical insurance, according to new U.S.
Blue Chip News: Fundamental Review for Aetna Inc.
Mount Etna is Europe's most active volcano; Aetna is one of the most active health insurance companies in the US. The company operates in three segments. Its Health Care division offers HMOs, PPOs, point-of-service (POS) plans, health savings accounts, and traditional indemnity coverage, along with dental, vision, behavioral health, and Medicare plans. Aetna covers more than 15 million individuals under its health plans, some 13 million dental plan members, and 10 million pharmacy members. Its Group Insurance segment sells life, disability, and long-term care insurance, covering about 15 million people. The Large Case Pensions segment offers pensions, annuities, and other retirement savings products. Shares were down 2% expanding efforts to help consumers purchase health care. BellwetherReport.com is a leading online research firm for international investors looking to get an edge over their portfolio.
Three up and three down
SABINA - Three Sabina residents were up for consideration last week for a vacant village council chair. However, the spot remains empty as no candidate at the special council meeting could muster a majority of votes needed to win the seat.
Councilwoman Joyce Stein nominated Robert L. Powers, who previously served on council for eight years. When questioned, Powers said he wanted the seat to help focus the town's energies on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerns.
The motion to nominate Powers was seconded by Councilman Rusty Groves in a 2-3 council vote, with members Christina Strickland, Peggy Sloan and Brad Beam voting against the nomination.
Strickland then nominated Phillip Marion, a resident of Sabina for the past three years. With no prior council experience, Marion expressed a desire to learn and said he wants what's best for the community.
Farmers' Health Coop Insurance Takes Effect
More than 3,500 state farmers and agri-businesses have filed their applications for the new cooperative health insurance plan. According to the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, the Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin program--which provides affordable, high-quality health insurance--took effect on April 1.
WFC President Bill Oemichen says he is very pleased with the high level of interest the cooperative is receiving.
"Many producers and agribusinesses have told us that we are providing the type of high quality insurance coverage they have been waiting for and that the insurance represents a very good value," said Oemichen. "This interest is translating to very strong enrollment rates in the cooperative."
FHCW's six plans range from low-premium, high-deductible coverage in conjunction with a Health Savings Account to a low-deductible plan aimed at agri-businesses.
Houston Strikes Early for 10-4 Victory Over UAB Saturday
HOUSTON, TEXAS - The UAB Blazers lost a 10-4 decision to the Houston Cougars on a rain soaked and cold Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field. The loss is the first Conference USA loss for the Blazers who fall to 16-17 (4-1 C-USA) with the loss, while Houston is now 16-14 (4-1 C-USA). The two teams will play the third and final game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. UAB senior designated hitter Levi Patmon was 2-for-3 with two RBI on Saturday, while senior third baseman Ryan Lovdahl was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Sophomore outfielder Brint Hardy was 1-for-3 with two RBI, a triple and a walk. Freshman shortstop Jonathan Merritt, junior outfielder Phil Bell and senior outfielder J.R. Bond all had one hit in the game. On the mound, freshman left-hander Shay Crawford was tabbed with the loss for the Blazers after lasting just a third of an inning in which he allowed two earned runs.
AM Best Affirms Ratings of Genworth Financial; Upgrades Ratings of ...
OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2007--A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "aa-" of the key life/health insurance subsidiaries of Genworth Financial, Inc. (Genworth) (NYSE: GNW) (Richmond, VA). Additionally, A.M. Best has upgraded the FSR to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the ICR to "a" from "a-" for Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood, Tennessee (Continental), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Genworth. A.M. Best has also affirmed Genworth's ICR of "a-" and its existing debt securities ratings. Concurrently, A.M. Best has assigned a rating of "aa-" to Genworth's newest funding agreement-backed securities (FABS) program and assigned debt ratings of "aa-" to the notes issued under the program.
Be careful with reverse mortgages
South Florida is one of the hottest markets in the nation for reverse mortgages. And yet, these types of loans -- which allow people age 62 and older to get payouts on the equity in their homes -- are more expensive in South Florida than many areas of the nation.
That's the situation in a nutshell. And it's easy to see how it came about. People are pressed for money, particularly post-hurricane needs for repairs and condo assessments. Reverse mortgages look attractive, because they don't require the borrower to pay the loan back unless they sell or move out of their home.
Add in low interest rates and some huge marketing efforts with such stars as Robert Wagner and James Garner as pitchmen. Borrowers are lining up. The number of loans, nationwide, doubled last year.
Lower those insurance rates
It was a few months after 9/11 and my client and I were meeting with her insurance agent. "Natalie," he said with a serious expression. "That event really shocked the industry. The whole market almost collapsed! So ... as a result your business insurance premiums are going up 20 percent this year. Those darn terrorists. Now please sign here." Not to be unsympathetic or anything, but Natalie and I both found it a little strange that a couple of buildings fall in one city in North America and the entire insurance industry almost goes under. Hello? So how reliable is our insurance coverage anyway? Are we really getting value from our premiums? .
Stranded senior lit fires, ate mints, never lost hope
The 68-year-old Gimli woman spent four nights trapped in her car after a wrong turn left her stranded at an old farmyard near St. Jean Baptiste. She'd been trying to reach her brother's house. From late Sunday night until she was discovered Thursday morning, the enterprising senior kept trying to find ways to summon help. "You're stuck there. You can spend two hours feeling sorry for yourself or you can spend two hours trying to help yourself," she said Friday, curled up at her son's Winnipeg home. "You've got a choice. I wasn't going to just give up." When Muller realized her car was stuck in the snow, she tried to walk for help. Her arthritis forced her to turn back. She got back into her 1992 Mercury Topaz and surveyed the situation. .
Two Brothers Suffer From Rare Genetic Disease
(WCCO) The University of Minnesota is one of three places in the country offering groundbreaking treatment for a rare genetic disease. Hunter Syndrome is an enzyme deficiency that stops the breakdown of sugars in the body. The sugars build up and become toxic."Ninety-nine percent of boys afflicted with it don't see their 20th birthday," said David Padilla whose two sons were diagnosed with Hunter Syndrome a year ago. His family moved to Minnesota to save the boys' lives.Chikara Padilla is a happy 6-year-old but his stiff muscles and constant ear infections left his parents with a sinking feeling."I thought something might be wrong, but then again each child is different," said Hiromi Padilla, the boys' mother.A year ago Chikara and his 2-year-old brother Mishima were diagnosed with Hunter Syndrome.In June, Chikara experienced heart failure.
Long-term care insurance can be worth the premiums
NEW YORK - When her first husband entered a nursing home 19 years ago, the costs nearly crippled Claire Harmon. Her former spouse, Myron Angel, lingered for three years before dying at age 71. Claire, now 75 and remarried, wanted much better protection from the devastating costs that can come during the last years of life. Now remarried, she and her second husband, Albert, 81, bought long-term care insurance. The policies, which they've had seven years, aren't cheap - nearly $6,000 a year - but Harmon has no regrets. In January, Albert entered Mary Manning Walsh Home, a nursing facility on the upper East Side near the Harmon's apartment. A retired real estate manager, he suffers from chronic dementia and other ailments.
Navy Splits Monday Doubleheader with Lafayette
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Navy freshman starting pitcher Yale Eckert (La Selva Beach, Calif.) tossed 5.1 innings of two-run baseball in the nightcap as the Midshipmen split their twinbill with Lafayette at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium on Monday afternoon. The Leopards won the opener, 6-3, before the Mids took game two, 4-3. The Midshipmen moved to 23-12 overall and 5-3 in the Patriot League, while the Leopards went to 16-11 on the year and 7-1 in league action. "I told our guys afterwards that this was our biggest win of the year," stated Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "Coming back from three tough games, we won in one of our best games of the year. As a coach, you can't be anything but happy about that." Eckert earned his second win in as many career Patriot League starts, as he scattered six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
ALL STAR Vacation Homes Awarded AAA Three Diamond Status
KISSIMMEE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guests of Central Florida's ALL STAR Vacation Homes will be pleased to learn that the AAA organization has certified many homes as Three Diamond properties, the highest possible rating in the vacation home category. In order to achieve AAA Three Diamond status, ALL STAR Vacation Homes had to undergo a rigorous evaluation based on member expectations, physical property attributes, amenities, and level of comfort provided. The approved ALL STAR-managed homes are in several communities, including Formosa Gardens and Acadia Estates, whose spacious private pool homes range from three to seven bedrooms, as well as the resort-style properties in both Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills. The same AAA approval was also granted to several properties in the new Vista Cay community, located adjacent to the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center on International Drive.
People in Business
People in Business publishes announcements of employee promotions and workplace awards for people who work or live in Santa Cruz County. Send information to the Business Desk, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Box 638, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; fax to 429-9620; or e-mail jgumz@santacruzsentinel.com. Please put 'PEOPLE IN BUSINESS' in the subject line; high resolution photos 200 dpi run on a space-available basis. Deadline is noon Wednesday.
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Katrina insurance lawsuit
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - An eight-member federal jury has been seated to hear claims by a Louisiana couple who say Allstate Insurance didn't pay them enough after Hurricane Katrina. Allstate and other insurers say their policies cover a hurricane's wind but not its rising water. Robert and Merryl Weiss were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for coverage under their flood policy. But they got less than $45,000 for structural damage and additional living expenses. They say at least two of their neighbors were paid the full limits and have accused Allstate of bad faith for not paying their own claim in full. Allstate says the couple misrepresented their claim by demanding that the company pay for a boathouse that Allstate says wasn't on the insured property. Comments Submit a comment about this story No comments yet.
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