The Non-Life Insurance Rating Organization of Japan said insurance companies gained more than 2.51 million new earthquake contracts, since the 11 March 2011 megadisaster.
Not surprisingly the biggest gains were in the areas hardest hit: Fukushima Prefecture saw a 49.6% increase. Iwate Prefecture 26.4% increase. Miyagi Prefecture up 22.3%.
A new survey shows that most U.S. citizens on Medicare don’t realize just how much they’re paying out of their own pocket.
The study looked at “specialty tier” drugs under the Part D prescription drug plan. Specialty tier drugs are mainly expensive name brand drugs.
At least half the people surveyed thought only a co-pay was required. Specialty tier drugs require a co-insurance, not just a co-pay. Also, most people greatly underestimated how much they would have to fork up out of their own pockets, even with the specialty tier coverage.
The study was conducted by NERA Economic Consulting.
Friday August 12, the 11th Circuit Court of appeals, in Atlanta, Georgia, ruled that forcing people to buy insurance is unconstitutional. The health care reform law would have forced every U.S. citizen to buy health insurance, or be punished with fines.
The ruling said forcing people to buy anything is beyond the power of the U.S. government!
However, the three Federal Court judges said all other aspects of the health care reform law can remain in effect.
The ruling adds to the chances that the health care reform law won’t even be implemented. Many politicians say they’re going to block funding of the law, and it appears U.S. Congress is set for massive arguments over how to put the law into effect.
General Motors, desperate to increase domestic sales, will include insurance on new car purchases. But only if you live in Oregon or Washington states.
It is part of an experimental marketing program, to increase car sales. The insurance will be provided by Met Life.
The experiment will last until September 6. Oregon and Washington are being targeted because GM sales suck in those two states.
At least 1,000 health care workers picketed a hospital belonging to one of the biggest insurance companies in the U.S.; Kaiser Permanente’s flagship hospital in Los Angeles, California.
The workers say Kaiser has been cutting back on staffing, forcing those still working to handle longer hours. The insurance company is also cutting back on services. Striking workers say the company is lying about lack of funding.
During the first quarter of 2011 Kaiser Permanente reported a profit of $920 million. For all of 2010 they made a profit of $2 billion. Yet the company came out and told employees there will be more rounds of cut backs.
It seems the local East Idaho television news didn’t tell the story clearly concerning the Allstate Customer Information Center (CIC), planned to be built in Chubbuck, Idaho.
It is not part of the Pine Ridge Mall property. It will be built on a vacant lot that is part of the Home Depot plaza, aka The Crossings. The vacant lot was originally intended for smaller retail spaces, but, no contracts were signed so it sat vacant for several years.
The Crossings, Hawthorne Road, Chubbuck, Idaho.
In reading several articles in the Idaho State Journal newspaper, it became clear that the claimed 500-600 jobs is just an optimistic goal. Only 25 people will be hired in February 2011. More people will be hired closer to the opening date, and the total amount of employees will depend on how many calls the CIC gets.
For those worried about making sales calls, Chubbuck Mayor Steve England says there will be no “soliciting calls”. However, employees will be required to get a state insurance license. Sorry, state law. Also, employees will have to get a license from every state they handle calls from. Allstate says part of their training will include prepping for the license exam.
Training will be 6 weeks, plus one week for the license prep. Allstate encourages college courses, and, after one year of employment, they will reimburse employees for college courses that pertain to the job.
Pay will start at $27,000 per year. The maximum you could get is $50,000. There are no details about how you could get the maximum, other than bonuses, but the number of licenses you have, and college courses, probably factor in.